Who knows how some songs get their titles, particularly instrumentals. For every “Pizza” by Martin Garrix there is a “Charlie”, the latest from Sweden’s Brohug. The boys swing in kind of a flamboyant but classic house style in this one which could end up being the opening song in one of their sets. “Charlie” is playful and cheesy as it gets deeper and dirtier as it goes along, and there’s lots happening in the mix to make the song’s three minutes fly by. “Charlie” is a fine one for clubs where DJ’s can mess with the multi-coloured and strobe lighting and help make the song as flashy and sassy as it should be. Add “Charlie” to your Drop That House playlist using the Spotify link above.
It’s been far too long since I’ve written about talented NYC singer/songwriter Javi Silva. His latest is “Anxious”, a delightful and gritty slice of songwriting that anyone can understand when you’re suspicious of someone’s intentions and all of the tell-tale signs about where it might lead. It’s beautifully sung, definitely recalling George Michael in particular. Javi sings with an edge and attitude that indicate that he’s not going to just lay back and take any crap that might unfold. Add “Anxious” to your Edgy Soulful Pop playlist using the Spotify link above.
Born in Japan, raised in Michigan, and now based out of L.A., rapper/songwriter/emcee Ollie Joseph has been immersed in a lot of musical styles. It’s not surprising then that his latest single “Mexico” is actually a throwback to some older school, feel-good, R&B-flavoured hip hop. Its easy-going groove will have you visualizing a drive down the pacific to your new destination for a great time. By no means is “Mexico” out to floor you with a new or intriguing sound, but it will win you over with a friendly vibe to go along with its escapist lyrics. Those who enjoy the destination may take to the song particularly well. Ollie Joseph is someone to listen for who is bucking the current hip hop trends in favour of something familiar that still sounds fresh.
The top of this week’s last chart for Spring stays pretty consistent, leaving one to wonder what will succeed the current #1 song. Some other recent songs make key moves, while the new chart brings three top-drawer debuts.
The Top 10
“Satisfy” by Mercer and Ron Carroll handily lands at #1 for a second appearance, and a third one is beckoning from the dance floor 🙂
Both “Sick Boy” and “Everybody Hates Me” by The Chainsmokers really got under my skin for their topical and unconventional lyrics, and for the duo’s sidestep away from danceable Top 40 pop. Like “Sick Boy”, “Everybody” has reached #2… but does it have enough to get to the top?
Following “I Want You”, Canadian producer Robotaki obtains his second Top 5 hit here with the soulful “Butterscotch”, produced with Falcxne and owing great thanks to a scorching vocal by Jamie Fine.
Jesse McCartney’s “Better With You” advances 8-6, but it’s not his biggest hit on this chart. Album track “Relapse” from Departure got to #1 in 2008, and his biggest hit in general “Leavin'” reached #5. “Bleeding Love”, which he co-wrote, got to #3 for Leona Lewis also in 2008.
Whethan’s “Be Like You”, featuring New Zealand duo Broods, climbs 13-9 becoming the first Top 10 entry for both the 19 year old producer (real name: Ethan Snoreck) and the duo. I wrote about Whethan’s recent remix for Clairo this week.
Shawn Mendes gets his second Top 10 song on this chart with the romantic “Lost In Japan” from his self-titled album. “Japan” climbs 12-10.
Movin’ On Up
So many new songs about to breakthrough even more in two weeks!
Brandyn Burnette’s debut album Eminate is due on his 28th birthday, which is August 23. In the meantime, “Run” is a few pages from his recent years documented in song, and it rises 16-11. Brandyn also co-wrote Jesse McCartney’s “Better With You” at #6 above.
The new “Bloom” video is out and it’s overflowing with colour and images. Troye Sivan’s tour (announced last week on his 22nd birthday) is coming to a city near you (I’m going to his show with my daughter – who introduced me to his music from You Tube – in October), and the Bloom album is also on its way. “Bloom” soars 17-12.
“Time” is Adam Foster’s retake on Marvin Gaye’s “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” – minus its original chorus. He creates an entire new one and has made this one very club-worthy. “Time” rises 19-13.
The fastest riser on the chart comes from my unexpectedly favourite albums of 2018, Electric Light by James Bay. The New Order-ish “Pink Lemonade” advances 25-15. You have to listen closely to the song to hear the title when James sings about drinking it ‘while watching movie trailers till late’.
Ravitez and his mentor Afrojack definitely have an old school-flavoured summer EDM anthem in play with the instrumental “2012”, which climbs up 22-18.
Norway’s Matoma and blog favourite MAX make an impressive pairing with the expressive “Lonely”, which rises 24-19.
Three Debuts
Just as their recent “White Lies” peaks at #7, don’tcha know that Dutch duo The Him come back aboard the chart with what might be their best song to date. Co-written by and sung by American singer Parson James, “Broken Love” is a supreme soundtrack to lost love that arrives on the chart at an impressive #20!
I jumped on the Rüfüs Du Sol train a little late, but the Aussie trio are back and better than ever with “No Place” with its big instrumental hook. They make their bow on the chart at #24.
Also new to the chart is Estonian producer/DJ Madison Mars who gets on the summer party anthem train with the brief but heavy and fun “Back The Funk”, which premieres at #25.
View the full BILLCS Top 30right 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
After the worldwide success of his third album Choreography and the subsequent Tales Of The City EP that followed, from which came my now-favourite Bright Light Bright Light song “New York Pretty”, BLx2 launches his next phase of new music with “How I Feel” from the upcoming EP Tough Love. The singer/songwriter (who is Wales-born Rod Thomas, now dividing his time between London and NYC) has the unique flair for capturing isolated moments in time and space and then transforming them into song. “How I Feel” tells about when you are all show and glow with your special person in public or with others, and while they don’t realize it, the sentiments are actually the same in private. It’s so nice to hear a positive spin on a relationship, when someone’s smile or touch means so much, and Rod’s snapshot hits home. “How I Feel” bears some similarity musically to other solid electronic pop BLx2 songs (“Cry At Films”, “In Your Care”) which will please fans. Can’t wait for more new Bright Light Bright Light music!
SHAAN and NINO LUCARELLI, “Bring It To Me” (Kaaze mix)
It hasn’t really happened in a few years, but there are some songs in a lineup to garner your attention as Summer Dance Anthems, and one of these comes from India’s Shaan with “Bring It To Me” as sung by American vocalist Nino Lucarelli in a Kaaze mix. The song was debuted by Hardwell as the theme to his charity show “World’s Biggest Guestlist”, and it’s hard not to wonder why. The song builds beautifully and doesn’t launch into its full set of lyrics until after the 2 minute mark. Not many records can do that, but Shaan knows how to create momentum and undivided attention. By the time Nino’s compelling voice begins, you are immersed in “Bring It To Me”. There’s a lot to be said for Kaaze’s mix which beautifully captures the intensity of the song. So yes, like many other performers, Shaan is looking back to the golden years of EDM earlier in this decade and putting his spin on it to tantalize his many fans. “Bring It To Me” is an epic anthem that will stand with the best of them in time.
Hailing from Cornwall in the UK, producer and songwriter DNMO (aka Aiden Morgan) is probably the most noteworthy teen on the rise in the biz and definitely shows a different side of what he can offer with the dark “Rogue”, featuring a sly but beautiful vocal by Australian singer Akacia. With its almost metronome beat to build momentum, “Rogue” teases you with the soft voice of Akacia, but what she’s singing about continues to make you wonder what’s going to happen next. There’s a bit of controlled foreboding and lots of attitude present, and then a brief trap-influenced drop surfaces to reassure you that something out of the ordinary is about to happen when the singer goes ‘rogue’. The folks behind Deadbeats Records are going to push the music of DNMO to its limits so expect to hear much more very soon. “Rogue” is an intriguing and adventurous next step for DNMO.
I’m not gonna lie, “Brand New” had me captivated within the first 30 seconds of the song. It’s a silky smooth collaboration between 18 year old French producer Daïtshi and southern US bred but NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry, who wrote the lyrics to this one. Victor’s appropriately cheerful and on-point vocal tells a familiar story, but a subtle mix of acoustic guitar and synths transport you somewhere old and romantic and European. “Brand New” is simply solid pop on its own but remixes might offer more to clubs to bring dancers out of a slow set. I’m hoping that Daïtshi and Victor have plans to collaborate again because “Brand New” is the way to do it! Add “Brand New” to your Romance Dance playlist using the Spotify link above.
Spuds is the new production duo of Justin and Zen who hail from Malaysia. Some of you may already know of them from their remix of The Chainsmokers’ “Paris” which got some attention last year. Featuring vocalist SRH (as in Sarah, also from Malaysia), “You & Me” has a great melody that will keep you listening as the song switches it up with future bass rhythms, while the lyrics unfold a story about unrequited love. The song starts off as somewhat of a duet but ultimately lands to SRH to carry it to the end with her beautiful tones. “You & Me” is a pleasing surprise and a solid introduction to the craft that Spuds can bring to the electronic dance music world. Add “You & Me” to your Sad & Rhythmic playlist using the Spotify link above.
Red hot Chicago 19 year old producer Whethan – currently very active with his recent single “Be Like You” featuring Broods – puts an interesting spin on Clairo’s “Pretty Girl” in a bootleg remix. He essentially takes the chorus of the Boston singer’s chill cousin of a Lana Del Rey song and flips it sideways, giving it a snappy beat which then evolves into a futuristic synth mini-jam session just more than halfway through. Clairo’s vocal picks it up again with the chorus and it’s over in a snap. It’s a cute, breezy remix which definitely shows a different side of Whethan.
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