I really enjoy finding out more about an artist as they grow with each release. And such is the case with Washington DC-based producer Manila Killa’s recent 1993 EP and the song “Atypical” featuring vocalist GiGi. It’s a rousing house track that is taken to the next level by its inspiring video. For it’s here we find that our Chris Gavino is a former dancer, and choreographers The DayOne Project have blessed “Atypical” with an on-point lyrical dance routine that flows beautifully to the song. It’s great to see Manila Killa making his own spot-on moves with the rest of the dancers. My own daughter danced competitively from ages 6 to 14 so I’m only too familiar with all of the work and effort that is involved after witnessing countless competitions during those years. Check out the video for “Atypical” above and let it stir that inner inspiration in you.
When Brandyn Burnette announced last year that he would be recording solo as EMAN8 going forward, we knew that he was definitely going to spread his wings stylistically. To date, singles such as “Amen” and “Inspired” have seen the L.A.-based singer/songwriter go back to his St. Louis blues and soul roots without losing any pop elements. “Grateful” is possibly the best preview yet of EMAN8’s upcoming album. It’s a song that simply makes you smile, drenched mainly in Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff reggae rhythms which connect with the soul and hip hop inspiration that have been integral parts of Brandyn’s previous releases. One thing we have all learned from his music is that EMAN8 wears his feelings on his skin – what you see is always what you get. “Grateful” is perfect soul food for feel-good sunny days where we can chill and enjoy and be thankful for one other.
“Mood”, by rising NYC producer Zack Martino and L.A.-based singer Dyson, strikes a solid balance between emotional story-telling pop and electronic dance music that’s anchored by a delicious deep house bass synth hook. Dyson sings about what puts her in the right mood which immediately translates into fun for the dance floor. Young Zack Martino has come a long way in a short while, from steady remixes for the likes of The Chainsmokers through to originals which have received the seal of approval from almost every major dance producer. He was also showcased at Armada Music’s main event at Miami Music Week this year and recently remixed label head Armin van Buuren’s “Lonely For You”. “Mood” draws you in well before the first minute and could be a worthy dance radio follow up to Zack’s big Dance Mix/Show Airplay hit “Hold On To Me” and his #1 club remix of VASSY & Lodato’s “Doomsday”.
If you think that indie bedroom pop simply can’t be compelling then I’m happy to make you think otherwise by introducing you to Boston singer/songwriter Almost Owen. His latest release, “Something In You”, indeed is a bedroom studio production. But his voice is rich and full of defined tones, definitely reminiscent of early John Mayer, and the song captures simple jazz and folk flavours that make it easy to stick with even the fussiest of listeners. Originally a drummer as a child, Almost Owen (aka Isaac Haselkom) traveled the world to hone his craft, working with the likes of Paul Simon (undoubtedly a huge influence) as well as jazz greats like Joe Sample and Wayne Shorter. Songs like “Something In You” only signal promise for what Almost Owen has to offer music fans.
RAIVIS ORDWAY with BRET SEARS & CASUAL ENCOUNTER, “Take Me Back”
Coming full circle from their Casual Encounter album release from 2017 after some solo work on their own, Ravis Ordway and Bret Sears come back together with the Casual Encounter moniker to offer “Take Me Back” for your consideration. It’s similarly appealing electropop with honest lyrics and a light, relatable story about being broken-hearted that makes it well worth your while. These guys know how to put together a solid production that’s bouncy, melodic and radio friendly, and “Take Me Back” will sit well with fans of talent such as MAX, Lauv, and Jesse McCartney.
Rounding out a very un-Spring like month of April (at least here in Toronto) is a chart where change is afoot in the Top 10. Four promising debuts also will generate some interest!
Sitting proud at the top for a third appearance is “i’m so tired…” (above) by Lauv and Troye Sivan, one of my favourite and very natural collaborations in recent years. But to give you a taste of what Lauv has coming on his upcoming album, check out the video for his new song “Drugs And The Internet” below. While perhaps more of a grower, the video is quite entertaining. And two fascinating facts: Lauv co-wrote both “Broken” by Tritonal and Jenaux featuring Adam Lambert (#4, 2016) and “Boys” by Charli XCX!!
Charging up to second place is the rollicking “White Lies” by UK/German production duo M-22. It’s a sizzling dance track that should be one of Spring’s biggest club hits IMO, with major influence coming from early 90’s house with particular homage to Inner City’s classic “Good Life”.
Nashville’s Mokita has a lot to cheer about in this chart. One of the more interesting and charming story songs to appear in a long while, “London” (above), advances 4-3, while the more forthright “Kiss And Tell” (“if I can just kiss and tell ya”) (below) is the fastest riser on the chart, climbing 26-15.
“Good Things” in its ‘disco edit’ has been veteran producer Cedric Gervais’ only appearance on my chart to date, but what an entry – the collaboration with Just Kiddin’ and vocalist Kyan soars 9-4.
Mahalo and MŌZ rise into the Top 5 with the dark deep house of “Go Ahead”, moving up 8-5. Despite its tense melody, the song does have a positive story that takes a few listens to sink in.
“Black Gasoline” by Italy’s Mark Mendy has slowly become one of my favourites as it climbs 11-7. It’s a different kind of alt.dance song thanks to some personable vocals by Australia’s Beamish Brothers. Jeremy and Ben also have a new one on their own that’s outside of the dance genre which you can check out called “Kills Me Every Time” (below).
The other new entry to the Top 10 belongs to the Jonas Brothers. No one could have told me six years ago that the Jonasei would ever be in my Top 10, but yet hear they are up 15-10 with a great piece of songwriting and arranging called “Sucker”.
Though they’ve had a couple of remixes that have landed in my Top 10, L.A.’s Two Friends get a personal best for their original work as “Take It Off” (above) climbs 13-11. The prolific duo have another song on deck too called “Dollar Menu” featuring singer Dani Poppitt, below.
“Enlighten Me” is the fast-paced new song by Dutch producers DubVision and SYZZ with a keen, positive message that accentuates the bounce for you. It moves up 18-13.
The previous chart’s debuts all make promising moves. Lost Frequencies’ first entry on the chart is “Recognise” (above) featuring vocalist Flynn, which rises 25-20. Then there’s another winning combination with Germany’s Final DJs and Bright Light Bright Light teaming up for “Wild” (also above), climbing 28-21. And blog faves Saxity rev us up for the summer months thinking about every “Weekend” (below) till then. The song advances 27-23.
3 chart veterans return with debuts along with one newcomer. First up is “Do You Mean”, the latest surprise as chart entry #11 from The Chainsmokers, who add vocalists Ty Dolla $ign and Canada’s Juno Award-winning bülow into the mix to great effect. “Do You Mean” may not resonate with you at first listen, but it definitely sinks in a few more later. Following the late 2018 entry of “Siren”, “Do You Mean” arrives at a smashing #22.
And then there’s the 7th chart entry for New York’s own MAX with “Love Me Less” featuring hip hop vocalist Quinn XCII at #24. It’s MAX’s first appearance here since last year’s vocal on Matoma’s “Lonely” (#10) and his first lead appearance since his own classic “Lights Down Low” (#3), which I charted upon its arrival in 2016. “Love Me Less” is also from his upcoming album “House Of Divine”.
The lone newcomer to the chart is France’s Kidswaste (aka Quentin Beauvois), about whom I’ve been writing for the past few years. His gorgeous melody and synths arrangement in “Sleeping Pills” featuring vocalist KOLE sends it to a #27 debut.
The final premiere for this chart is the steamy and funky “Adore You” by Jessie Ware at #28. Now expecting her second child, which will postpone any touring for a while, “Adore You” is the soulful, romantic bookend to last year’s “Overtime” (#6).
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
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First off, it’s NOT a remake of the Calvin Harris/Rihanna collaboration. L.A.-based Canadians Sultan + Shepard and Dutch producers Showtek are in it for the win with their fine choice of song to adapt as “We Found Love”. Covered in 1991 by Heavy D. & The Boyz, “Now That We Found Love” has been a humdinger since it was originally released as a pop/reggae gem in 1979 by Third World. Our creative producers, who are all on a solid roll of releases right now, mix in some funky 90’s beats that will quickly make you think Naughty By Nature for an ear-catching mix that will instantly command attention for both dance club DJ’s and dance radio shows.
It took a few weeks after Miami Music Week to put together Don Diablo’s cameo in a set that I saw by New York’s CiD – the pair were about to release a knockout deep house banger called “Fever”. CiD may have even played it that night, I cannot recall. Nonetheless, “Fever” is bound to heat up the Spring months in clubs. There is no mistaking the power of its draw to the dance floor and I expect some remixes may be forthcoming. Don’t miss this one!
If you reside in Canada and listen to pop radio, then without a doubt you have already heard “Figure It Out” by Toronto producers/DJs Flight School with vocals by L.A.-based singer/songwriter CVBZ. With help from winning an iHeartRadio contest for this independent release, the Toronto’s Guillaume Viau and Conor Stief, who each had separate careers on the bubble mainly as remixers, joined forces to become Flight School. “Figure It Out” features the distinct voice of CVBZ, who has already been written about in these blog pages several times as one to always watch. The song should by all rights be this year’s “Body” (the Loud Luxury smash) at radio, and I expect it will follow a similar path to be a worldwide hit. Very rarely these days do songs breakout from radio but “Figure It Out” is that positive and worthy exception!
Led by a silky and soulful uncredited male vocal, “Alone Again” is haunting late night deep house in another collaboration between L.A.-based Mahalo and Poland’s Milkwish that got the attention of Tiësto’s AFTR:HRS label. It’s a fine late night driving song with rich synth work that’s a solid bookend follow up to the recent “Go Ahead”, which is sitting in the Top 10 of my personal chart. If those two songs aren’t enough, the ultra-prolific Mahalo (aka Nick Jay) also has two more releases, the more pop-oriented “Falling” with Lipless and singer Carly Paige, and the biting “So Cold”, with DLMT and vocalist Lily Denning. “Alone Again” is my choice out of the three, but check out the other two below for different sides of this talented guy!
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