Norway’s Dyrisk is back with acoustic-guitar driven electro of “Whispers”

DYRISK, “Whispers”

One thing’s certain with Norway’s Dyrisk – aka Vetle Gjøstøl Olsen – is to always expect something unconventional.  He scored big time in collaboration with UK producer Nik Ernst earlier this year with “Smile”, a #1 on my chart that is totally unlike anything you’ll hear this year – witty, smerking, in your face alt.rock,  and you can dance to it if you want to.  “Whispers” seems to take some cues from Radiohead and Beck and offers alt.electro with acoustic guitar folk flourishes in a commonly told tale where you can’t seem to do anything right in a relationship.  There are long pauses and drawn out melodies that totally work even if they’re against the normal grain.  Definitely even more of a change of pace for Tipsy Records, “Whispers” contains lots of soft electronic synth touches and a smoother Dyrisk vocal this time that offers up an earnest protagonist in the song.  Anything is possible in a Dyrisk song and I’m a firm believer that you will enjoy “Whispers”!

“Your Love” is big-sounding deep house with retro flavours from NYC’s @MishaKmusic

MISHA K, “Your Love”

Continuing to be a regular name to watch on the club and festival circuits is NYC’s Misha K.  Like a growing number of producer/DJ’s these days, Misha K is also a trained musician on piano, born into a family of Russian classical musicians.  So a steady ear-catching melody is a given, but what drives “Your Love” home is its simple chorus of only a few, but big-sounding, synth notes.  Surrounding it all is an uncredited soulful vocal that seems to be borne out of early 2000’s British or Chicago house music.  Misha K is already a known protégé with the best of them – lately Hardwell and especially Galantis – so “Your Love” is definitely a big attention-getter for clubs.

“The End” by breakout trio @DMAsmusic gets a dark deep house remix by fellow Aussie @YvngJalapeno

THE DMA’s, “The End” (Yvng Jalapeño remix) (free DL)

Australian trio is definitely on the breakout, currently selling out UK tour dates in support of their album For Now.  Their song “The End” is given a dark, deep house remix from fellow Aussie Yvng Jalapeño, which puts the song somewhere between Twenty-One Pilots and The Presets.  Disco beats trade places with big synths at times, which are in compelling contrast to a pleading, sometimes effectively isolated vocal about to face the inevitable.  But Yvng Jalapeño has a strong flair for what will work in a club setting, and his remix of “The End” can definitely fill a late night room with pulsating, intense sounds that capture the bleak tone of the song so well.  You can get Yvng Jalapeño’s remix of “The End” for free using the Soundcloud link above.

L.A. producer @PatrickReza nicely captures the @Illeniummusic vibe in remix of “Crawl Outta Love”

ILLENIUM and ANNIKA WELLS, “Crawl Outta Love” (PatrickReza remix) (free DL)

I like it when remixes enhance the original song more than when they switch it up and make it into something else, which sometimes is a hit-or-miss surprise.  So when L.A.’s PatrickReza got the green light from Illenium himself to tackle “Crawl Outta Love”, he did it with reverence and restraint.  “Crawl Outta Love” is one of many people’s favourite songs from the much-admired Illenium album Awake.  Patrick focuses on augmenting the melody and complementing the vocal throughout.  But wait for the crunchy breakdown which he leaves till the last minute of the song, keeping both the original vibe of the song and adding a bit more dirty, playful flavour for clubs.  Ultimately both Patrick’s and Illenium’s fans should be more than happy with this tasty remix!  Download it for free at the link above.

“Don’t Stop” is fun electro-house from the welcome collaboration of #Toronto’s @Dzekomusic and Brazil’s @Liulive

DZEKO & LIU, “Don’t Stop”

As with recent club bangers like Madison Mars’ “Back The Funk”, sometimes you have to just suspend your brain for a while and let the fun, if sometimes nonsensical or goofy elements of a dance song take over.  As such, “Don’t Stop” by Toronto’s Dzeko (fresh off the worldwide success of “Jackie Chan”) in collaboration with Sao Paolo, Brazil’s Liu crunches along electro-house style in a herky-jerky manner, sputtering the only words ‘don’t stop’ throughout.  But these lads have got their groove game on fire, making “Don’t Stop” a certain mid-evening favourite for DJ’s when their dance floor is jammed.  I’m hoping Dzeko and Liu have more fun to offer up again together in the near future.

Rising producer @Trivectamusic dishes out welcome trance flavours in potent dubstep of “Axis”

TRIVECTA, “Axis”

Florida-based producer Trivecta has been garnering attention this year for his varied exploration of dubstep outside of its now-conventional boundaries.  His latest single “Axis” is a prime example of this, incorporating very welcome trance flavours while keeping the breakdowns creative and the beats huge.  I could picture “Axis” in the soundtrack to a video game, as well as the heads bobbing to it at festivals.  “Axis” is made to be big and aggressive and loud and proud, and will continue to afford Trivecta the growing attention in club and festival circles.

Rock out with the intriguing “Last Dance” by Sweden’s Simon Alexander @SimonAlexmusic

SIMON ALEXANDER, “Last Dance”

I introduced you to Swedish singer/songwriter Simon Alexander earlier this year with the taut “Won’t Be Found”.  His latest single “Last Dance” is an immediate ear-grabbing alt.rock tune with a memorable chorus that arrives uncharacteristically at the 30 second mark.  From there in, you’re already swept into the intrigue of the song and how the couple in the song came to their last dance.  The guitar work is solid and a well-balanced production keeps the song moving fluidly.  Simon has both power and range in his voice, which could also be spotlighted well in an acoustic rendition of this song.  As is though, “Last Dance” is a fresh-sounding radio-ready rocker that wraps up handily just before the three minute mark.

The Netherlands’ #Ronko returns to embrace his inner warrior with fiery variety in his EP “Ronin”

RONKO, Ronin (EP)

The Netherlands-based producer Ronko is a veteran returning in a new guise and with fiery warrior intent with the songs in his new EP Ronin.  Of course, the title is a reference to his Japanese roots – a ronin is a warrior without a lord or master.  So dance clubs need to be on guard for the variety within from the man who was one of Martin Garrix’s teachers and early remixers previously known as Haverklap.  The best of the four seriously short songs within are “Round House Kick” (above), which channels some 70’s Giorgio Moroder influence into contemporary house.  “Sakura” is a top notch, dramatic instrumental to round out the EP, which also features the even-briefer “Bun It Up” and the dancehall inspired “Riddim Kick”.   Overall it’s a diverse return for Ronko which is already getting attention worldwide from tastemaker DJ’s.

Smooth electronic rhythms enhance the inviting stories of “Discover Infinity” by @AashMehtamusic

Aash Mehta

AASH MEHTA, Discover Infinity

What does ‘infinity’ mean to you?  Chicago-based producer Aash Mehta may help you out with that question with the songs in his new album Discover Infinity, which is a follow up full release to last year’s EP Stardust. 

Like its predecessor, Discover Infinity focuses on the softer side of electronica that is full of bigger, special moments.  The stories of love, romance and friendship are earnest and appealing to anyone.  There is a fine in-house repertory company of male and female vocals within that offer different perspectives in their songs. 

To me if you like the stories offered by folks like Above & Beyond and the Alan Parsons Project but enjoy the ear-catching quieter melodies of others like Chet Porter and San Holo, then the music of Aash Mehta is for you.  Aash anchors the album with a couple of preceding singles that I wrote about, “Infinite Summers” featuring Lydia Kelly, and “Say Goodnight” featuring the duo of Capelle and Gavin Garris.  Lydia and Capelle appear again in other strong songs “Silver Linings” and “Edge Of What We Know” respectively, and the album is punctuated, like a good, progressive electronica album should be, by a few interesting instrumental interludes. 

With each release, Aash’s songs and music grow stronger, and I think the adventurous choice on the album is “The Call”, featuring singer Andy Sandrick, which has an ages-old, folky flavour to it which meshes well into the electronic genre.  “Running With The Bulls” is a dramatic, eventful instrumental that provides the album’s climax, so to speak.  The album finishes with its most thoughtful song, “Equal”, featuring male vocalist Rence, which is your impetus to do something about discovering your own ‘infinity’.

Head over to Aash’s Facebook page where he fills you in on the backstory of each song in Discover Infinity.  The album is terrific food for thought with silky melodies that you can dance and sway to, and stories that everyone can embrace.  Give a solid listen at the Spotify link below.

Aash Mehta opens up for Elephante on his Glass Mansion tour in Chicago on October 20 at The Bottom Lounge.

 

#BILLCSTop30 #545 – October 1/18

And the new music keeps on coming, making for what’s turning out to be a faster moving chart in years.  Very few songs this year have attained the maximum chart run of 10 appearances (20 weeks) – only 14, including this chart’s “Pink Lemonade” by James Bay, but they will be joined next chart by The Him and Parson James’ “Broken Love”.

The Top 10

  • “Everybody Needs A Kiss” by the dynamic team of Benny Benassi and Sofi Tukker is snug at #1 for a second appearance, but it’s being challenged by several songs below vying to take its place in two weeks.  I’m honestly surprised this one hasn’t been much bigger at dance clubs!

  • Tony Moran and Jason Walker have their best chart showing yet as the Victor Dinaire/Bissen remix of “I’m In Love With You” climbs to #2.

  • The gorgeous melody and riveting beats of “Tim” by Arty allow the lovely tribute to Avicii to rise 7-3.

  • The prolific Philadelphia duo N i G H T S move up 9-6 with “Eyes” (above), but have released yet another single, their 4th since “Eyes”, called “Paradise” (below).

  • The one to watch on the chart is the fastest riser, perfectly timed for Hallowe’en, “Phantom Of The Dance Floor” by Kiesza featuring Quebec opera singer Philippe Sly.  Everyone in the video above is having a blast.  We so needed this campy injection of fun right now 🙂
  • Another one to watch is “Verona”, featuring compelling vocals, both solo and together, by Australia’s Peter Wilson and England’s Sean Smith.  It climbs 15-9, becoming Sean’s second trip to the Top 10 after last year’s “Magic” (#7).
  • And it’s a first time visit to the Top 10 for L.A. producer Caden Jester with “Vacant Love”, up 11-10, and featuring the voice of Blake Rose.

Movin’ On Up

  • These past few weeks have seen the arrival of the video for “All For You”, the third single from Palo Santo by Years & Years, and the song climbs 14-12.  I look forward to seeing Olly, Mikey, and Emre for the third time on Friday October 5 in Toronto at The Phoenix!!
  • The Netherlands-based Emerati production duo Revelries moves up 18-14 with their original “Infinitum”, featuring Australia’s Beamish Boys on vocals.  

  • It recently got to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart – “Rise” by Jonas Blue featuring You Tube stars Jack & Jack, rises 19-15.

  • Florida’s PLS&TY has his first original on the chart, and in its Morgan Page remix, “Down For Me” is definitely tailored for clubs, climbing 28-21.

https://soundcloud.com/kookysmusic/voice-mails

  • The delightful short story of “Voice Mails” by L.A.-based producer Kooky, is no flash in the pan, moving up 30-23.

Three Debuts

  • The Highest Debut of the week belongs to acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Seattle duo Odesza with their first appearance with the huge sounds of “Loyal” at #24.  It’s a fan favourite that Odesza has had in their set for some time now.  However they’ve replaced a Marvin Gaye sample with a soulful, vibrant female vocal – not sure if it’s a sample or an original recording.  After a lot of thinking, I thought it might have been an excerpt from Cheryl Lynn’s 1979 disco smash “Star Love” but alas it’s not!  Guesses, anyone?
  • Next up is established Nova Scotia production duo Botnek with “Days Of Disco” at #25, which also sounds like it uses a sample of the telephone ringing right out of disco days’ “Doctor’s Orders” by Carol Douglas, but that doesn’t appear to be so.  In any case the song is insanely catchy and will liven up any dance club set!

  • The third and final debut belongs to The Knocks, who released their second full album this past week, New York Narcotic.  Equally as entertaining as their 2016 debut 55, the song from Narcotic that bows on the chart is “Goodbyes” featuring none other than Method Man – he’s the second rap voice, the first is of course The Knocks’ own Mr. JPatt!  “Goodbyes” is The Knocks’ 6th chart appearance. They’ve been to #1 before with 2015’s “Kiss The Sky” featuring Wyclef Jean.

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 🙂