“Rockstar” is @CallMeKarizma’s engaging and on-point wake-up call about fame

CALL ME KARIZMA, “Rockstar”

Fame is one nasty bitch that can sneak up on you and bite you in the ass, as would relate the weary, self-imprisoned protagonist albeit a little too late in Call Me Karizma’s “Rockstar” (and, no, nothing to do with Post Malone).  I saw ‘Riz perform this song last Fall and knew that it would be one of his most special releases, which he’s been keeping under wraps obviously for that reason, teasing us with tweets over the last few months, and it’s finally here!  The Minnesota rapper has been regularly and generously offering new songs, but “Rockstar” is one straight-up, on-point message that needs to be heard by more than just his many fans.  There’s even some crunchy rock ‘n roll guitar work to enhance the proceedings which are anchored by ‘Riz’s vivid vocal.  Add “Rockstar” to your Fame Or Infamy playlist using the Spotify link above.

Can emotional and physical bruises “Heal”? It’s asked through song by Michael Medrano (@Michaelantny) and @SteveGrandmusic

MICHAEL MEDRANO & STEVE GRAND, “Heal”

It might be a difficult song to get through if you’ve just had a break up of some sort, but “Heal” is a beautiful ode to the confusing feelings resulting from a particularly tumultuous relationship.  It’s from L.A. newcomer Michael Medrano who includes Chicago’s Steve Grand to help sing the story.  Each’s voices play off each other so well that you’re not sure if they are part of the same relationship or incorporating their own story within the song.  And with the electronic backdrop, it’s a splendidly diverse musical setting for Steve, who nearly 5 years ago released “All American Boy” to another kind of audience, and has since moved away from that sound to more classic pop and rock, with a new album coming soon.  “Heal” is an intensely beautiful song despite the harsh source of its setting.  Add it to your Sad But Hopeful Songs playlist using the Spotify link above.

The hypnotic rhythm of “Just A Taste” by @therealShiShi, @Baermusic and @WestheWriter will carry you away

SHISHI, BAER and WES WRITER, “Just A Taste”

There’s a lot going on to like in the latest single from NYC producer ShiShi called “Just A Taste”.  It has a harmonic way of moving from being drenched in synths, through brief percussive xylophonic breaks, and, to say the least, to lots and lots of flute (picture that belly dancing like in the song’s artwork)!  The song starts off like it’s taking us on a trip through the Caribbean and ends up embracing deep house rhythms.  Carrying it all through are the enticing vocal stylings of BAER and soulful hip hop from Wes Writer.  While it may not always work, there is too much inside of “Just A Taste” that’s present for your enjoyment!  Clubs will find lots of elements within “Just A Taste” for their clientele to embrace.

#BILLCSTop30 #534, April 30/18

Spring has sprung finally, there is lots of music in the air and on the new chart where there are three debuts.

The Top 10

  • Norway’s Dyrisk holds at #1 with the unconventional and delightfully catchy slice of alt.electronica, “Smile”, as produced by England’s Nik Ernst.  There’s lots more to come from Dyrisk who is a rising talent that you should be keeping your ears out for.  It’s the second song called “Smile” to top my chart in its 20 years, the other being by Mikky Ekko in 2015.

  • I do like The Chainsmokers’ forays away from EDM ballads and bangers with both “Sick Boy” (holding at #2) and the fierce “Everybody Hates Me” (above), soaring 15-8.  Check out their latest below called “Somebody”, featuring vocalist Drew Love of the duo They.

  • It’s one of the simplest and most haunting songs out there right now – “I Want You” (above) in its taut Spirix remix by Robotaki and Manila Killa featuring singer Matthew John Kurz.  It continues to rise, climbing 5-3.  L.A.’s Spirix has his own new original called “This Is What It Feels Like” (not the Armin van Buuren tune) below.
  • Besides “Everybody Hates Me”, the other new addition to the Top 10 is the quirky and fun “Multiply” by Italy’s IDEO featuring American hip hop artist J.Paulished.  It climbs 12-9 and is the first Top 10 for Balmung Digital Recordings.

https://soundcloud.com/ideodj/ideo-feat-jpaulished-multiply-1

Movin’ On Up

Oh where to begin… and how to edit this part of the post down…

  • The huge club and dance radio hit “All Falls Down” by Alan Walker featuring Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals continues to reach new heights on this chart, leaping 14-11.
  • Their new album is called Palo Santo, due July 6, which looks to be a more progressive effort for UK trio Years & Years if the lead single “Sanctify” is any indication.  “Sanctify” rises 16-13.

  • The fastest riser on the chart is a slick, languid mix of hip hop, soul and dance music styles.  It’s “Butterscotch”, the second entry by Canada’s Robotaki, featuring vocalist Jamie Fine and producer Falcxne.  It flies up the chart 22-14.
  • Jesse McCartney’s latest single is well on its way and starting to attract radio attention.  Taking cues from his early hit singles, “Better With You” is a charming, low-key winner and climbs 25-18.
  • Shawn Mendes’ new album is called – Shawn Mendes!  Which means his songs might continue to be just as personal as “Lost In Japan” seems.  With its old school vibe, “Lost In Japan” rises 26-20.

3 Debuts

  • While “Prisoner” continues its roost at #7, L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand has created some of the most enjoyably dark house music I’ve heard in quite some time with his recent EP Subterranean.  And seeing that I love both songs from the EP, I’ve created a ‘first’ on the BILLCS Top 30 to add both “Subterranean” (above) and “Estranged” (below) as one entry at #26.  Never listen to these ones nearly alone in a dark club or you may not feel the same again!!
  • On a completely different bent, Australia’s JYYE has a perky, percussive, upbeat electronic sound with his latest single “Somewhere Else” which makes a splash at #27.
  • Ever since I was at Miami Music Week I’ve been wanting EDM artists to throwback to the classic sounds of the 2012-14 era.  A number of artists have since obliged, and I expect there to be more after Avicii’s sudden passing.  Dutch producer Ravitez debuts on the chart with the instrumental “2012” which features his mentor Afrojack, who is about to go on his first North American tour in some time.  It’s Afrojack’s first chart entry since 2014’s smash “Ten Feet Tall” (#8).

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 🙂

“Let You Down” is fast-paced and soulful deep house from Australia’s @BombsAwaymusic and @SunsetCitymusic

BOMBS AWAY and SUNSET CITY, “Let You Down” (Komes & Jolyon Petch radio edit)

Production/songwriting duo Bombs Away pairs up with fellow Aussies, the trio Sunset City, for “Let You Down” (which might have been better titled “(Never Gonna) Let You Down”, to convey its upbeat message).  With help from more Aussies Komes and Jolyon Petch on the remix tip, “Let You Down” is a Calvin Harris-inspired fast-paced song that will have dance club goers positively spinning in a set at a key point in an evening.  Led by a soulful vocal from Sunset City singer Parker Rose, “Let You Down” is an easy fit into the current club groove but also a standout because of the slick production.  Add “Let You Down” to your Quick and Fit playlist using the Spotify link above.

Get it while you can: “Talking At The House Party” by @AngeloFerreri1 vs @TheKnocks (@DJKue bootleg)

ANGELO FERRERI vs THE KNOCKS, “Talking At The House Party” (It’s The Kue Bootleg!) (free DL)

Taking their recent single with Captain Cuts, “House Party”, a few steps further, NYC duo The Knocks mash it up with veteran Italian producer Angelo Ferreri’s “I’m Talking To You” in a DJ Kue white label bootleg for “Talking At The House Party”.  This takes the party out of the chilled out house basement and to a fun club setting where you get both house and party in strong doses 🙂  I’m sure this was intended to be a one-off track for fans but it could really have its own life if it desired, including an extended version, because only 2:45 of “Talking At The House Party” makes you want much more.  I’m very happy to have this one – thanks to all concerned for making it happen!  Get it while you can for free before it’s gone!!

Watch for “The Knocks And Friends” shows which are happening in NYC about once a month.  The next one will be on May 24.  ‘No stages, no VIP’s, just friends’ 🙂  That’s the way to do it!

“Step To Me” is 80’s/90’s inspired fun from house master @djToddTerry

TODD TERRY, “Step To Me”

One thing that came to my attention when I was at Miami Music Week in March was the presence of many stellar veteran producer/DJ’s.  Unfortunately this year I was committed to a number of events which conflicted with theirs but if I go back next year, I’ll be looking out once again for sets by the likes of NYC’s Todd Terry.  Todd of course is most renown for reworking Everything But The Girl’s “Missing” into a radio and club hit in 1995, as well as some of their subsequent club hits such as “Wrong”.  He’s produced and remixed everyone under the sun from Björk to Annie Lennox to The Rolling Stones, so it’s nice to see new music from Todd making headway.  “Step To Me” is full of 80’s and 90’s dance/house references while still being innovative to catch savvy club goers who can in fact keep up their moves with this song.  Fellow club DJ’s need to give a hard listen to “Step To Me” and include the masterful and contemporary new work of Todd Terry in their sets.

Watch the haunting, stunning video for “Chess” by @_ANIQO

ANIQO, “Chess”

At the end of last year, I wrote about “New Signs” by German singer/songwriter ANIQO.  She’s followed it up with a haunting, compelling video for “Chess”, also from her upcoming album Birth.  Sounding perhaps most like Sinéad O’Connor with a dash of Björk in this song, “Chess” is a deliberately paced, progressive slice of electronica, also recalling Laurie Anderson’s initial works, which is enhanced greatly by the imaginative visuals in the video.  It’s somewhat reminiscent of the intrigue of changing faces in the classic video for “Cry” by Godley & Creme from back in the 80’s.  Except there’s only one face, or partial face, in the video, and it’s ANIQO.  “Chess” is not for everyone but it’s bold and adventurous to the credit of the singer/songwriter and her video partners.  I would definitely suggest exposure for the video through various competitions such as one I eventually saw at SXSW – potential award calibre material here in my opinion!

“Worry” is the 4th – and best – preview of @FelixCartal’s album Next Season featuring @Victoria_Zaro

FELIX CARTAL and VICTORIA ZARO, “Worry”

It’s just over a week now before Felix Cartal’s new album Next Season drops, and his 4th preview single from the album, “Worry” featuring the enchanting Victoria Zaro, is the best of the four, edging out the dynamic and attitude filled “Runaway”.  “Worry”  is a classic pop song about moving on to what’s next and leaving worries behind – with that nagging doubt still lingering in your mind as you move on.  The Vancouver producer gives it a versatile mix, hardly ridden with effects yet turning what effects are used into hooks unto themselves along with the lyrics (‘going down down down’).  “Worry” is also perfect for remixers wanting to spin it on its head.  “Worry” is perhaps the most logical follow up to Felix’s huge Canadian hit from last year, his dance take on New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” so I’m hoping he and his team are keeping radio in mind for it.  Watch the lyric video for “Worry” above.

It’s house music with an earnest and emotional spin – “Falling Apart” by Sweden’s @Erlandomusic

ERLANDO, “Falling Apart”

“Falling Apart” is one of those songs that grabs you by both ears with its earnest, emotional story, against a thumping, but not overpowering, house backdrop.  It’s brought to you by Sweden’s Erlando, seemingly a relative newcomer but you might have known his music under the moniker Sinco up till about a year ago.  “Falling Apart” has a bit of a trick to it.  Just when you think the story might not be going anywhere at a quiet bridge around the 1:10 mark, it deliberately keeps you waiting for an even better half of the song.  This is a clever production foil that is rarely heard, when so many songs fall apart early.  Erlando thus is one to watch out for and “Falling Apart” definitely has the goods to find its way onto your Emotional House playlist using the Spotify link above.