L.A.’s @JaredLeemusic returns with solid new emotionally-charged pop single “Professional Lovers”

JARED LEE, “Professional Lovers”

It’s been a long slice since you might have heard solo music from L.A. singer/songwriter Jared Lee.  Recognized unequivocally back in 2011 for “It’s Over (Goodbye)”, which cracked Adult Top 40 radio and was featured prominently in an episode of “American Idol”, Jared has mainly been honing his songwriting and production craft for established performers like Jordin Sparks, New Kids On The Block, and Jason Derulo, while also being one half of the duo 7EAST with Idol alumna Pia Toscano.  But he is also known in dance music circles for his work with Tiësto, Fedde LeGrand, Vicetone, and The Disco Fries among others.  “Professional Lovers” works well with a vested, soul-tinged performance and an emotionally-charged energy that will grab the ears of any pop listener and make them want more.  As audiences go looking often for great pop songs, there’s no reason why Jared Lee’s “Professional Lovers” can’t be played side by side the likes of Charlie Puth, Niall Horan or James Bay on the radio.  Remixes might also be worthwhile to nudge the dance community that already knows him.

Newcomer UK singer @Jazz__Mino will brighten up your day with “Warriors”

JAZZ MINO, “Warriors”

“Warriors” is the third single release from new UK singer Jazz Mino, who in short order has already racked up 3 million streams on You Tube.  It might just be that her sound is refreshing and positive enough to attract listeners who will stick to it like honey to a bee!  There are new kinds of warriors in the world, those who stand up for inclusiveness, equity and well-being, regardless of who you are, which the lively video captures well.  “Warriors” is out to ensure you have a great time and join Jazz Mino at what appears to be a promising start.  The video is colourful and all the dancing is refreshing – you don’t always need big name pros – and encouraging.  Jazz Mino herself has a fine voice and charm in front of the camera.  “Warriors” is definitely one to listen for – you can also check out a pleasing surprise below, Jazz Mino’s cover of Giorgio Moroder & Philip Oakey’s 1985 electropop nugget “Together In Electric Dreams”, a personal fave of mine as it is hers.  

https://soundcloud.com/jazzmino/together-in-electric-dreams

#BILLCSTop30 #532 – April 2/18

The tides are changing now that Spring is here as new favourites overtake older ones.  While we have four debuts this week on the chart, there are two songs that reach the maximum of 10 appearances – “Pineapple Skies” by Miguel (#1) and “Body” by Loud Luxury and Brando (#2) – and will depart the chart in two weeks.  We could have a slew more debuts in two weeks so watch for them.  In the meantime, chart #532 brings a new #1 while other contenders rise up as well!

The Top 10

  • The new #1 belongs to L.A.’s Alex Seaver, otherwise known as Mako, with “Breathe”.  It’s such a compelling performance and keeps you attuned all the way till the very end, and Alex can bring it in concert too.  “Breathe” also happens to be the most charted title in my 20 year chart history – 6 times – but this is the first time the title has reached #1!
  • Soaring from 8 to 3 is Norwegian singer/songwriter/ Dyrisk with “Smile”, featuring production by the UK’s Nik Ernst.  “Smile” is such a different, dark song, full of attitude and so reminiscent of alt.electronica from the early 90’s by Massive Attack and Radiohead.  
  • Another song that continues to get under my skin in all the right ways is “I Want You” by Robotaki and Manila Killa with vocalist Matthew John Kurz.  In its intense Spirix remix it climbs 12-6.  That matches the peak of Matthew’s only other previous chart entry, “Fix Me”, in 2011, while producers Robotaki and Manila Killa are both chart newcomers 🙂
  • “Perfectly Me” is UK singer/songwriter James Poole’s song about positive body image that will have you cheering gleefully with its embedded influences that seem to range from Mika to Queen.  It moves up 11-8.

  • The fastest riser on the chart is UK Top 10 smash “17” by MK (producer Marc Kinchen), which zips into the Top 10, rising 19-9.  It’s also an overdue dance club smash in North America, and should by all rights be a radio hit too.  The uncredited vocals, by the way, are by UK soul singer Carla Monroe.  MK’s Miami Music Week sets were all the buzz when I was there recently.
  • Also new to the Top 10 is “Prisoner” by Bobby Nourmand featuring UK R&B singer Laurent John, climbing 14-10.  It marks Bobby’s fourth trip to the Top 10, with new music just released and itching to be heard 🙂  I had the pleasure of witnessing Bobby’s masterful set at the Potion Records showcase at Miami Music Week.

Movin’ On Up

  • Kudos for Vancouver’s Ekali and all of his recent appearances at Miami Music Week.  His recent single with ZHU called “Blame” rises 16-12.
  • Sofi Tukker are keeping busy with touring and remixing as the April 13 release date of their album Treehouse approaches!  “Baby I’m A Queen” may be their best single yet and it flies into the Top 10, up 26-17.
  • What do you do when you’re a successful act like Years & Years, leading into your second album release with a strong song and video like “Sanctify”, but get New Order’s own Bernard Sumner to remix it!  “Sanctify” climbs 25-20, check out Bernard’s remix as well as French producer Michael Calfan’s more uptempo “Prayer” remix at the link above.  I also caught one of Michael’s excellent DJ sets at Miami Music Week.
  • Dutch production duo The Him just wrapped their recent North American tour, which means that more new music is on its way soon.  In the meantime, I got to see their engaging set at Miami Music Week, and their latest single, the soulful “White Lies”, rises 27-21.

Four Debuts

  • Yes I continue mention Miami Music Week!  It was an interesting experience that I would repeat 🙂  A song I fell in love with in a DJ set one night was “Satisfy” by French producer Mercer and featuring Chicago vocalist Ron Carroll.  I didn’t know that Mercer was from France and honestly all I could think of at the time was 70’s disco by fellow French producers like Cerrone and Don Ray, married with contemporary house rhythms.  The pace is relentless and the vocals rich and on point – just the way I like a record!  “Satisfy” bows at #22.

  • Although I didn’t go to the Ultra Music Festival, The Chainsmokers blew away the naysayers about their latest songs with what I heard from others was a dynamic performance.  The uncharacteristic “Sick Boy” slides 6 to 4, while the hip hop influenced “Everybody Hates Me” debuts at #24.  Do not underestimate The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” will have you singing when you need to vent.

  • In an unexpected collaboration, Philadelphia singer/songwriter ROZES (she of ever-recognizable The Chainsmokers’ “Roses” vocal) and Dutch dynamo Nicky Romero released “Where Would We Be” recently, and this true-to-life song arrives at #27.  It’s the first appearance for both on the chart.  Above is their recent performance on TV’s “Conan”.
  • From his excellent album Ultraviolet, 3LAU (that’s pronounced “Blau”, as in Justin Blau) gets his first chart appearance with “Walk Away”, featuring LunaAura.  This memorable new song should prompt you to listen to the whole album in full, well worth your time!  “Walk Away” bows at #28.

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 🙂

Why yes that’s @JesseMcCartney, back and strong as ever with “Better With You”, full of positive pop vibes

JESSE McCARTNEY, “Better With You”

It’s kind of coming full circle for Jesse McCartney, from his early success as a teenager with pop confection like “Beautiful Soul” and “She’s No You” back in (could it be??) 2004/05.  The New York-born singer/songwriter seems to have found a similar niche with an uptempo song full of positive pop vibes in “Better With You”, which will reacquaint pop audiences with why they fell in love with him in the first place.  As the co-writer of Leona Lewis’ massive “Bleeding Love”, Jesse knows his way around crafting a great pop song, and this time he’s brought in some of my personal favourites, Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore, to etch out a lovely story which is brought to life in a highly complimentary video above.  It’s Jesse’s first release since 2014 (aside from a wicked appearance in Built By Titan’s 2016 dance track “Dangerous”, which hit #11 on my personal chart), and he has been missing from the pop charts for too long – don’t get me started gushing about his 2008 album Departure, which I still play a lot!  “Better With You” and more like it, as well as perhaps a tour, could spell it all out for Jesse in 2018, and I’ll be watching!

Multi-talents unite: “I Wish I Could” by @TOKIMONSTA and @SelahSue as remixed by @SofiTukker

TOKIMONSTA and SELAH SUE, “I Wish I Could” (Sofi Tukker remix)

“I Wish I Could” is a fiery, edgy deep house track that should easily slay dance club goers through the Spring and into the Summer.  It could the song that takes things to an even greater level for producer TOKIMONSTA, who is back on track and fiercer than ever after she suffered significant health issues.  Belgian singer Selah Sue’s voice has sweet and raspy sides which work fully in tandem with the production.  And Sofi Tukker’s remix gives the song some guitar and synth flourishes that are in keeping with their best records.  So “I Wish I Could” is a win for everyone, especially the listener!  Watch out for this one.

Hardly a Dilemma: Memories rebooted with “No Matter What” by @BougenvillaNL, @AlbertNeve and @DavidPuentez

BOUGENVILLA, ALBERT NEVE & DAVID PUENTEZ, “No Matter What”

The early 2000’s are long ago enough to be fair game for revival by our younger talents.  Dutch duo Bougenvilla pair up with Spain’s Albert Neve and Germany’s David Puentez for a contemporary reboot of huge 2002 international hit “Dilemma” by Nelly and Kelly Rowland which they call “No Matter What”.  The title makes sense given that the rework relies on the main chorus of the original.  The producers actually pitch down Kelly Rowland’s vocal for an interesting, if somewhat trendy, effect.  You can follow “No Matter What” in a set with Maxim Schunk, Raven Kreyn & Bishøp’s retake on Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” (called “My Name”), which I wrote about a while back.  “No Matter What” provides non-stop if familiar fun for the dance floor.

It’s back to the beach for fun with @itsPapaYamusic and “Explicit”

PAPA YA, “Explicit”

L.A. duo Papa Ya continue to create inviting pop flavours which I would like to call electroBeach, such as with their latest, “Explicit”.  It’s well done electronic pop, deliberately made sunny side up, with infectious rhythms carried by a nice bass track and genuine, feel-good vocals.  Invariably, the melody will scream out to you “Ignition” (the R. Kelly hit from 2003), while the mood is rooted in say Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” (as the lyrics reflect).  So yeah there’s a lot that is borrowed here but it’s all assembled in a nice package that’s guaranteed to make you dance and have a great time.  What more can you ask for?  Check it out at the link above.

“Be Like You” dazzles with the pairing of Chicago’s @Whethanmusic and New Zealand duo @Broodsmusic

WHETHAN featuring BROODS, “Be Like You”

What “Be Like You” is only going to do is… make you want more!  At 2:41 it’s way too brief a taste of what kind of a pairing can blossom like rising 18 year old Chicago producer Whethan adding alt.charmers Broods into the mix.  The melody is actually pretty dark and gritty for the dance floor, while Georgia’s versatile vocal adds a melancholy fascination that hints at obsession.  And then, that’s that.  Really.  I think this will be a Spring mid-evening favourite for Club DJ’s but some top drawer remixes could really expand on the song and give us more – longer versions! – of this radiant teamwork.

The dynamic duo of @SanHolobeats and @TaskaBlack makes dreamy electropop with “Right Here, Right Now”

SAN HOLO featuring TASKA BLACK, “Right Here, Right Now”

It was inevitable that festival fave San Holo and Belgian producer Taska Black would pair up, but would you have ever expected it to be in dreamy electropop like “Right Here, Right Now”?  It’s the Dutchman’s EDM ballad-anthem for remembering to be always in the moment with your special someone.  But it’s not all synth wonderfulness – there’s also some fine guitar work within.  Cap it off with spry and convincing San vocals, and while it may not have intended to be a dance radio-ready tune, “Right Here, Right Now” could easily find itself there as a lead-in to the brighter, fun part of the year.  Another brilliant Bitbird pairing of San Holo and Taska Black would be more than welcome!  Watch the lyric video above.

Promising L.A. production trio @Giiantsmusic offers second pop gem “Looking Up”

GIIANTS, “Looking Up”

It’s nothing but clear blue skies or bright shiny stars when you find yourself “Looking Up”.  L.A. mystery producers Giiants release their Tipsy Records follow up to the insanely catchy “Small Talk” with a lot of synth-driven melodic cheer and resilience.  The world needs more of and can’t get enough of positive pop songs right now and “Looking Up” is definitely worth cheering about.  The trio have a flair for picking great (and albeit deliberately uncredited) vocalists to bring the ocean waves crashing on to the beach.  I am more than curious where the Giiants’ next project will take us.  In the meantime, “Looking Up” is a delight in the delicious slices of life.