Producer/DJ @theMadisonMars returns with summer barnstormer “Back The Funk”

MADISON MARS, “Back The Funk”

Summer’s almost here for those of us in North America, and I can visualize dance clubs jumping all over “Back The Funk”, the latest by rising Estonian producer/DJ Madison Mars.  Its intense production is an immediate draw to dance music lovers, and it contains all of the familiar bells and whistles (almost literally haha) to make you want to hear it many times over.  It’s kind of nonsensical overall but that becomes awfully secondary next to booming future bass and production that is primed for a party atmosphere.  At 2:54 “Back The Funk” is a bit tidy but perhaps some creative remixers with the same party-hardy bent will accentuate the proceedings.  Add “Back The Funk” to your Massive Beats playlist using the Spotify link above.

Here’s to even more disco-funk from England’s @Patawawa with “Lie”

patawawa

PATAWAWA, “Lie”

Beth, Rory and Sam comprise UK trio Patawawa, who impressed earlier this year with the grand retro-disco vibes of “Patagonia” from their EP Bedroom.  They’ve followed up the EP with an appearance in Cookie Records’ Crispy Groove Compilation EP with “Lie”.  This song draws perhaps more on inspiration from Parliament-Funkadelic and Rick James than CHIC this time, with its deep bass synths creating a deliciously contagious funky rhythm.  The trio has everything going for it to stand out in the busy dance music scene, but I think would benefit of better-rounded production to make their music pop even more.  But, no lie, “Lie” is a heckuva lot of fun and should attract more fans to Patawawa’s diverse sounds.  Add “Lie” to your “It Is Time To Get Funky” playlist using the Spotify link below.

Listen to atmospheric “Off To Get Lost” by French duo @Kultursound

KULTUR, “Off To Get Lost”

“Off To Get Lost” is an ideal song to end off an evening of clubbing, where you might head off into the night, with or without others, to wander among the darkness and light, and gear up for that 24 hour diner breakfast that awaits.  I can’t say that French duo Kultur (more members of the Slow Hours collective) really offer anything new here, taking a lot of cues from progressive electronic and ambient music that might go back to the early 80’s.  But “Off To Get Lost” is a very well produced instrumental indeed with trippy vocal effects and melody that will draw out some positive and emotional reactions.  Check out “Off To Get Lost” at the link above.

Party to this: “Get It Started” is the new EP by Australia’s @DJAlexPreston

ALEX PRESTON, Get It Started (EP)

You’ll recall how impressed I was recently by Alex Preston’s retooling of Marvin Gaye’s classic rendition of “Heard It Through The Grapevine” into a contemporary house track.  It’s followed up by an EP of house originals, Get It Started, and the Australian producer/DJ is game for setting the tone to your party on the right note.  Take it to the clubs, and a couple of these songs would sound massive.  The EP gets better as it goes along – the title song is the weakest, but good for kicking things off; “That’s How I Feel” impresses with some fine guitar work; “Around” features a soulful vocal sample that seems awfully familiar, and will have club goers lip-syncing to its sassy chorus; but best of all is “Take It Easy”, an excellent feel-good song for a Friday night to get your weekend going full tilt, again with some fun sampled dialogue to give the song its theme, and some horns that make it memorable (not sure if I’m hearing a Pigbag sample or not in this one).  Alex is clearly very talented at what he does, definitely one to follow, recalling at times an Aussie veteran who I’ve written about and respect greatly named Late Nite Tuff Guy.  Check out the EP at the link above but it’s “Take It Easy” that comes highly recommended most out of all of the songs.

“My Way” is dramatic, punchy deep house from France’s @Khamsinmusic with vocalist @MOONZz

KHAMSIN and MOONZz, “My Way”

Following up his powerful recent single “Second Guess” is French producer Khamsin with “My Way”.  It’s as equally catchy as “Second Guess”, anchored by the determined attitude in the vocal by rising L.A. singer MOONZz.  The punchy backdrop of drums and percussion gives “My Way” a resolute and tribal sensibility, fusing with its equally interesting story.  Khamsin once again offers tight production that is as pop-friendly as it is for dance club audiences.  Enjoy all the drama – “My Way” is a well-crafted package with lots to offer.  Khamsin is part of the electronic collective Slow Hours (also featuring Kidswaste and Rusty Hook among others) that is overdue for some music of its own!

Sophisticated and dreamy: “Eyes” by Philly duo @NiGHTS_official

NiGHTS, “Eyes”

In 2017, Philadelphia duo NiGHTS released a number of singles with a lot of unique flavours, but the one that latched on to me was “P A R T Y”, which ended up being a favourite of mine with its wonky rhythm and soulful but somewhat droll vocal.  The guys show another side to their music with the very chill and sophisticated alt.soul of “Eyes”.  It takes a few listens but it’s well worth it.  “Eyes” has a beautifully light and percussive rhythm, with the vocal here offering a really unexpectedly dreamy quality to the song.  It reminds me of some 70’s or 80’s R&B – Stevie Wonder’s “Send One Your Love” comes to mind – where you just take the graciousness of the song in stride and absorb all of what it offers.  “Eyes” could easily find its way onto a playlist where it could be comfortable side by side with songs by Drake or Janet Jackson (maybe “No Sleeep”).  Check it out at the link above.

British singer @JulesRendell has a classic pop voice and positive vibes fill “The Return”

JULES RENDELL, “The Return”

In my world of music, there is always room for fine vocalists who challenge you to get the most out of their songs.  It takes a few listens, and it isn’t always apparent, but Jules Rendell’s “The Return” seems to be about love and being free and confident.  The British singer has a beautiful, classic, versatile pop voice, and it’s the showcase of this particular song.  Its accompanying video is worth checking out as her dancer friends kind of act like a Greek chorus of sorts, accentuating the themes I’ve mentioned with a unified approach that will make you feel good about everything.  “The Return” is the third single from Jules’ new album I M A G I N E, whose overriding theme is mental health awareness.  On her Soundcloud page, there are more originals by Jules but also a few tasty covers from a Candi Staton song (yeah – that soulful edge!) through to ….. James Blake.  Watch “The Return” above, and check out her exceptional and live cover from a few years ago of James Blake’s “Retrograde” below.

#BILLCSTop30 #535 – May 14/18

A busy Top 10 on the new chart leaves some songs stranded behind current favourites, but that should change in two weeks.  Plus, among the four debuts, we find two by much respected performers with multiple chart appearances.  

The Top 10

  • Holding at the top for an impressive three appearances (six weeks!) is “Smile”, the quirky alt.electronica song by Norway’s Dyrisk and England’s Nik Ernst.  Think Massive Attack meets MGMT, and you have a strangely fun, sarcastic, and very different winner.  Nik has a new solo release coming in June that is going to be the bookend to “Smile” 🙂  Way to go Tipsy Records!
  • My favourite song that I heard coming out of Miami Music Week in March is Mercer’s “Satisfy”, which advances 5-2 and is a shoo-in for #1 next week.  It features a spot-on vocal by Chicago’s Ron Carroll on what is otherwise a top notch Eurohouse track.

  • The Chainsmokers’ latest songs have gotten big thumbs up from fans like me but I don’t think the audience that loved “Closer” or “Paris” has tapped into them just yet.  Both “Everybody Hates Me” (8-6, above) and former #2 “Sick Boy” contain very real sentiments about observations The Chainsmokers have obviously made in achieving their success.  I truly enjoy this other side of them, but if a club banger might be due, then bring it on 🙂
  • Like The Chainsmokers, Canadian producer Robotaki has ended up with two songs in the Top 10 on this chart.  “I Want You” rests comfortably at #3 while the entirely different, gritty, soulful “Butterscotch” (featuring singer Jamie Fine – of the duo with Elijah Woods, who were one of the winners of Canada’s TV competition “The Launch” – and producer Falcxne) zips into the Top 10, up 14-7.

  • Rounding out the Top 10 are no strangers to the chart.  Dutch producers The Him climb 12-8 with “White Lies”, their 4th Top 10, while England’s Years & Years advances 13-10 with “Sanctify” from their upcoming album Palo Santo (both above).  You can check out The Him’s recent collaboration with Jay Hardway called “Jigsaw” and Years & Years’ bubbly new single “If You’re Over Me”, below.

Movin’ On Up

  • Last week, Jesse McCartney announced his U.S. tour which will take him to just about every major city, so watch for dates near you.  His latest single, “Better With You” rises 18-13.
  • The fastest riser on the chart happens just as the artist’s song “Prisoner” drops from its #7 peak.  L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand has a dark winner with his Subterranean EP, which contains two songs, the title track and the deep and dangerous “Estranged” (both above), which move up together 26-15.
  • As Martin Garrix established almost 5 years ago, the clever dance producer under 20 is a real and more frequent thing these days, and Chicago’s Whethan has his share of fans which helped get him to collaborate with New Zealand duo Broods for “Be Like You”, which rises 22-17.
  • Fresh off of his appearance at Canadian Music Week on Friday is British Columbia native Tyler Shaw with “Cautious” in its remix by Halifax’s Famba, which climbs 24-18.

Debuts

  • Not only is his new single “Run” his 13th solo chart entry here since 2014 – that’s outside of his collaborations with Molly Moore and Elephante and his side project with Molly, Cosmos & Creature – Brandyn also co-wrote Jesse McCartney’s #13 “Better With You” with Molly and Jesse.  “Run” is the introduction to the story that led Brandyn to where he is today, from his upcoming album Emanate, and arrives on the chart at #22.

  • Australia-based singer/songwriter Troye Sivan’s star continues to rise and rise with beautiful songs like “Bloom” which bows at #26.  “Bloom” may have a specific meaning at its source, but it really is a song that anyone can relate to when you find yourself in a position to give yourself to someone in a relationship.  Troye’s upcoming album is also called Bloom, and this is his 6th chart entry including his collaboration with Martin Garrix on “There For You”.
  • A new chart upstart to watch who has been making great house music in Florida these last few years is Adam Foster with “Time”.  You’ll notice instantly that “Time” features the voice of Marvin Gaye.  It’s essentially a clever rework of Marvin’s 1969 hit “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” – one of my personal all time faves – and somehow transforms it into a new song by working its way around the original’s chorus.  “Time” drops onto the chart at #27.

  • I’m fortunate enough to meet and see in performance some very nice and kind folks in the industry from time to time, and two happen to be Norwegian producer Matoma and US singer/songwriter MAX (Schneider).  Then the unthinkable happens – an unanticipated collaboration, which turns out to be golden!  So we have Matoma and MAX with “Lonely”, with an insanely catchy instrumental hook and another brilliant vocal by MAX.  It premieres at #28.  It follows Matoma’s 2016 Top 10 “False Alarm” and is also MAX’s 6th appearance on the chart as either a lead or featured vocalist.  Matoma also is the third Norwegian on the chart – the others being Dyrisk (#1) and Alan Walker (#11).

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 new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

You’ll want to get to know @LostChilduk a bit more with revealing “Blacklist” (original and acoustic!)

LOSTCHILD, “Blacklist”

UK singer/songwriter Lostchild bravely got in front of the video camera and then had them let loose for the video of “Blacklist” (above).  Inspired by Madonna’s “Justify My Love” – you’ll recall Lostchild’s earlier take on her song “Skin” that I wrote about last year – basically the video is several hours in the life of a very exposed Lostchild (in more ways than one – so NSFW!) in his room.  It runs through a lot of underlying emotions, and of course is often very playful and naughty too.  All in all, it’s a video to show the very human side of our performer as he sings to a former lover who has shut him out.  If the video’s a bit too risque for you, then fortunately Lostchild has a tamer, acoustic video for the song as well.  As much as the original of “Blacklist” could be a fun song for dancing, the acoustic (below) is actually my preference as Lostchild showcases his expressive voice without layers of production to surround it.  The video is a bit more chipper too but still with enough rough edges to give off some genuine feels.  Both videos of “Blacklist” are terrific showcases for Lostchild, so your kind attention for what’s next is required in 2018!

Jaunty “Anything Can Happen” is an upbeat winner from @TimLegendmusic and @MaikaMaile

TIM LEGEND and MAIKA, “Anything Can Happen”

18 year old South Carolina producer Tim Legend has a song you’ll want to hear over and over again with “Anything Can Happen”.  Featuring a convincing killer vocal by Florida’s Maika, “Anything Can Happen” is one of those fun songs that will just leap out of your speakers and shake you between your ears.  The production gets all anthemic when it needs to but mainly allows the song to unfold in the same way perhaps as “I Like Me Better” by Lauv.  “Anything Can Happen” has both a lot of restraint and energy, as well as an engaging chorus, all from another young and notable producer, and picked up for release by Ultra no less.  Check it out at the link above and then pick it up at your favourite digital music store.