Charting the internet pop world one blog post at a time.
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”.
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!
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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.
SAL COSTA, “Lover Of A Lost Cause”
I think this one even surprised his most ardent fans.
Over a year ago, former Smashing Satellites and My Darkest Days frontman, Toronto’s Sal Costa, pretty much announced his retirement from the music business to pursue other interests and support his young family, although he didn’t totally dismiss the ideas of performing or offering new songs in the future.
So yesterday, those of us that follow one of the most genuine guys in music on Facebook got the unexpected thrill of hearing the previously unreleased “Lover Of A Lost Cause”, written with Cody Hanson and Marshall Dutton not long after Sal left My Darkest Days.
“Lover” is a completely smokin’ song which made many of us realize how much Sal’s singing is missed. It’s as powerful as Satellites songs like my favourite “Waterfall” with a simple arrangement including a backdrop of strings that really showcases Sal’s voice. Whether it will see more than its appearance on Sal’s Facebook videos page remains to be seen. However as you’ll likely conclude as well after hearing it, rock radio in North America would likely totally jump all over it.
When I commented about the song on Facebook, Sal responded and suggested that I might write about it. As you’ve read, I was more than happy to oblige! There’s another new song coming on Wednesday November 28 at 7 pm EST so follow Sal on Facebook to find out more 🙂
NIKO THE KID and ANNA DELLARIA, “Where Is The Love”
While the theme of “Where Is The Love” is nothing new, this new song by Atlanta-bred producer Niko The Kid, long a favourite of this blog these past few years, cranks up house beats like nothing Niko has made before. It’s splendidly classic fast-paced house, with a high energy vocal by L.A.’s Anna Dellaria, that doesn’t let up. Niko saves the best for within the last minute when you don’t entirely expect some familiar piano riffing to take control and sail along to the end. Niko keeps mixing it up with fun and heavy dance and EDM vibes on each release, and “Where Is The Love” will definitely be a dance club draw.
LNY TNZ and XERXESBAKKER, “Anyway”
There are times, sometimes regularly for some of us, when we have to JUST DO IT. “Anyway”, by Dutch duo LNY TNZ, embraces these acts of wild abandon feverishly. Singer/songwriter XERXESBAKKER adds a most suitable anthemic vocal to flow with familiar but engaging beats that will simply make you want to bounce. What I also like about “Anyway” is its rock flavours that recall classic stadium acts and which other performers like San Holo are bringing to their live performances. “Anyway” is a memorable crowd-pleaser for those wilder club and festival moments when letting loose never goes out of fashion.
CHO and SKYLR, “Strange World”
In his alt.rock peppered second release “Strange World”, Chicago producer CHO basks in the power of dark intrigue in song with themes such as loneliness, but from a young woman’s perspective. Aggressive and hypnotic rhythms draw you in, immensely supported by the committed vocal from singer and fellow Chicago native SKYLR. “Strange World” strikes a compelling balance between alt.rock and dance which seemed to have been all but abandoned till recently. CHO has wisely decided to join a growing path of producers such as Odesza and Illenium who take risks and embrace rich, deep sounds, and the story within “Strange World” is different and dangerous enough to grip you till the end.
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