French producer #Maone has an inspiring bass house track in “Never Break Me”

MAONE, “Never Break Me”

While the bass house bounce and rhythm are key in French producer Maone’s “Never Break Me”, its encouraging story is also an emotional draw for music lovers.  The steadfast, confident vocal by an uncredited female singer is a call to anyone going through a tough time about not cracking under whatever pressure is at source.  It makes a fine basis to help dance away any troubles you might have, and know there’s something better waiting.  Maone slams home those bass pulses set to a fast-paced house rhythm, and “Never Break Me” becomes a memorable and inspirational release.

“Remember” is a touching and hopeful song in the face of adversity by British singer/songwriter @JulesRendell

JULES RENDELL, “Remember” (live performance)

This past Spring, I introduced you to British singer/songwriter Jules Rendell and her song “The Return” from her album I M A G I N E.  A great way to showcase songs is through live performance, and Jules does this, with just her piano and voice, in a concert rendition of “Remember” from the same album.  And with a powerful and passionate voice, that is all that a song like “Remember” needs – simple isn’t always easy to do but it is sometimes what works best.  It’s a hopeful song about remembering the loving and caring words that friends and family say when facing some sort of adversity, and in particular when mental health is the source, when people may not knowingly take the words to heart.  That’s all there is to say – just check out the video above and find out why.

“Surgery” by @musicbyREL is bluesy folk-flavoured ‘Evocapop’ about healing which leads to self-love and acceptance

R E L, “Surgery”

Meet L.A.-based singer/songwriter R E L, whose music comes to you from a unique vantage point with her song “Surgery”.  R E L has coined a sub-genre style called “Evocapop” – music that makes you think and feel.  And “Surgery” certainly does exactly that.  Her style reminds me of a blend of Suzanne Vega channeled through Regina Spektor but with a lot of classic influences at the source.  “Surgery” is moody for sure but, like Matthew Koma’s “Dear Ana” from last year, is important for many people to hear. Like “Dear Ana”, “Surgery” is also about overcoming eating disorders and body dysmorphia, leading to much needed self-love and acceptance.  Hardy subject matter to be sure but R E L’s execution of it along with her intriguing voice make it all easy to digest and most pleasing to the ear.

Colombia’s @Moskahouse teams up with Australia’s @BrookeEvers for irresistible “Dance”

MOSKA & BROOKE EVERS, “Dance”

“Dance” certainly nails it in the irresistible-for-clubs department.  It’s a clever deep house track brought to you by the unique pairing of Colombia’s Moska and Australia’s Brooke Evers, who both have so much fun with it in the above video.  It takes an old trick – the vocal is a soulful preacher urging listeners to dance – and milks it for everything that it’s worth.  The great melody and infectious changeups take the idea strides beyond what it could have been in the hands of others, but the experience of both established producer/DJ’s  is a shining example for many in the genre.

Ukrainian producer @Saganmusic pairs with Belgium’s @RobertFalcon for fun and fast-paced “Gravity”

SAGAN & ROBERT FALCON, “Gravity”

“Gravity” is tidy EDM-pop from the diverse pairing of Ukraine’s Sagan with Belgian producer Robert Falcon.  It’s familiar pitched-up vocal ends up taking a much-needed second place to the buoyant fun rhythm and the quick pace of the song.  “Gravity” hardly lets up and makes the most of every second in its 3:23 running time.  Both producers have a flair for tight production amid a fun setting, so it’s hard to go wrong with “Gravity”.

#BILLCSTop30 #549, November 26, 2018

This post provides highlights of my biweekly chart, where there is a new #1 and four debuts!  The first of the debuts belongs to an artist already on the chart in collaboration with one who appeared recently; the second had a #1 song last year; the third is a newcomer to the chart but not dance music; and the fourth recently assumed another performing name but is a BILLCS Top 30 veteran!

  • Seattle’s Odesza acquires its first #1 with fan favourite “Loyal”.  It’s one of the most potent dance songs of the year, and has a raucous new Deathpact reprise, available as a free download below!  It’s also the soundtrack to a new Apple commercial I saw on You Tube 🙂

  • Looking to compete with Odesza for the top spot is the engaging classic house of “DJ’s Gotta Dance More” by A-Trak featuring Todd Terry on vocals, which climbs up 6-3.

  • Three songs land in the Top 10 for the first time:
    • Mercer is back, after scoring #1 this year with “Satisfy”, with the 70’s flavoured disco of “Fireworks” moving up 14-7.
    • The Knocks land in the Top 10 for the fifth time with “Goodbyes”, their collaboration with Method Man from the New York Narcotic album, up 11-9
    • The fastest riser on the chart is PatrickReza’s compelling remix of Illenium’s “Crawl Outta Love”, featuring Annika Wells, soaring 20-10.

  • The Chainsmokers are busier than ever with new music.  Not only does “This Feeling”, featuring Kelsea Ballerini, climb 16-12, but they’ve released two new songs  (both below) in the last few weeks, the crunchy “Siren”, which shows our boys haven’t lost any harder core roots, and “Beach House”, which will please those who love their hits “Closer” and “Paris”.

  • I’m totally loving the Handbag House remix of Sam Dickinson’s “Wild Sun”, which comes from his hot new EP From The Glass House: Part One.  Also check out the acoustic “All We Are”, below.

  • The debuts from the last chart are all moving up steadily:
    • Swedish producer Hellberg’s collaboration with Leona Lewis should by all rights be a radio hit.  “Headlights” moves up 22-17.
    • Bright Light Bright Light’s “How I Feel” from the Tough Love EP climbs 25-19 as BLx2 concluded his recent tour.  Check out the 90’s inspired Disco 12″ mix above, also available on the EP.
    • San Holo put on a spectacular, intense show in New York City last week.  “Brighter Days”, from album1 and featuring vocalist Bipolar Sunshine, rises 26-21.  I was amazed at how many people knew the songs from the album and all of the words.  The man is one to watch for the 2019 festival circuit.
  • The highest debut belongs to “God Damnit”, the new collaboration between Illenium and blog favourite Call Me Karizma.  It’s actually a song that Karizma wrote that I featured in these blog pages back in March.  It received an impressive redux from Illenium, which has sent it to #24 on this chart out of the gate.  It’s Karizma’s second entry this year following the #17 “Life Of The Party”, which captured The Chainsmokers’ attention.
  • L.A.-based producer Mahalo returns to the chart this time in partnership with new producer Le:Blanc with the insanely catchy “In My Arms” at #26.  This is 2:28 jam-packed with hooks and a fantastic house rhythm.  Not to be missed!  Mahalo got to #1 last year with “Perfect” featuring Canadian singer/songwriter Cat Lewis.

  • Premiering on the chart is Anna Yvette, the NYC-based vocalist, songwriter and producer who has graced numerous fine songs over the past few years.  “Shooting Star” is the joyous new song to get her onto the chart at #28.

  • Arriving at #29 is “Amen” by EMAN8, who we better know as Brandyn Burnette.  Kicking off this new legacy of songs is the intriguing and very cool video above.  BB recently concluded a stay on the chart with the autobiographical #4 “Run”.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

 

Late night fun awaits with “Don’t Think Twice” by @Revelriesmusic & @SamSmyers with @Oktavianmusic

REVELRIES & SAM SMYERS and OKTAVIAN, “Don’t Think Twice”

The Emerati duo based out of The Netherlands, Revelries, quickly follows up two fine singles in the inspiring “Infinitum” and the exotic “Naked” with the deep house rhythms of “Don’t Think Twice”.  This one’s in partnership with L.A. producer Sam Smyers and features another solid but all too rare vocal by L.A.-based Dutch singer Oktavian, who you know from his work with The Him and Lady Bee among others.  “Don’t Think Twice” is about late night fun when you’ve maybe had a drink too many, and your first and best choice may not be the one you decide to take, hoping that all works out well in the end.  The rich production is perfect for late night club sets and “Don’t Think Twice” is nothing if dance radio friendly as well.  

The importance of living in the present is reflected in “Be Here Now” by @missMollyMoore

MOLLY MOORE, “Be Here Now”

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Molly Moore – also one half of Cosmos & Creature with EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette) – follows up her third EP Third Eye High with the single “Be Here Now”.  In a year compounded by personal loss, “Be Here Now” reflects on the importance of the past but comes to terms with the even greater need to live in the present.  This new found approach for Molly is a great life lesson and I can envision this song being much welcomed and shared by those in similar circumstances.  It features one of Molly’s most compelling, driven vocals, and the adept alt.electronic production by France’s Besnine keeps the song taut and tight and wrapped up in its many big heartfelt moments.  But don’t get me wrong – “Be Here Now” is not sad or overly emotional.  It’s full of positives to allow us to cope with life’s many turns.

Sweden’s @weareBROHUG offer more pop-friendly, hip hop/R&B-influenced “Be Somebody”

BROHUG, “Be Somebody” (single and club mix)

It’s a real departure from their usual heavier EDM sound, but Swedish trio Brohug return with the more pop-friendly “Be Somebody”.  Although many songs with that title have surfaced of late, “Be Somebody” draws on hip hop and R&B influences with an uncredited female vocal for a song that could be come one of Brohug’s festival favourites in either its single or club mixes. The single mix (above) has a surprising breakdown that fits in quite well, whereas the shorter club mix (below) focuses less on vocal verses and hip hop flavours in favour of deeper, progressive house rhythms and anthemic focus on its title.  Both versions of the song have their positives, but if you think Brohug were all about a specific sound and style then consider yourself proven wrong by “Be Somebody”. 

BROHUG play Toronto club Uniun on Friday December 7.

French duo @Loge21official mix in classic house with slick effects in “Detroit”

LOGE 21, “Detroit”

Perhaps giving a nod to Fedde Legrand’s early 2000’s classic “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” with its enthusiastic arrangement, French duo Loge 21 have a winner with the song simply called “Detroit”.  It takes early 90’s house influences with snippets of a powerful soulful vocal and adds some ear-wrenching contemporary effects that should help “Detroit” become an immediate dance floor draw.  Its 3:18 length simply never lets up and you’ll be breathless and very satisfied by the end.  2018 continues to bring us great dance music out of France and I’ll look forward to hearing more from Loge 21.