BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

SNØWMASS, “Breaking” and “Duffle Bag” (free DL’s)

Keeping us guessing as to what else is under that black hat with the red ribbon and snowman get up, Chicago’s Snøwmass creates a fiery original musical storm with two progressive dubstep instrumentals, “Breaking” and “Duffle Bag”. They follow up the potent electronic epic “Crossfire” which I wrote about just before the top of the year. “Duffle Bag” is a party cranker where you’ll just want to get silly and loose as Snøwmass keeps the rhythm and synths in high gear. “Breaking” is perhaps more adventurous and seems to be owing more to 80’s electronic forces like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jean-Michel Jarre, or even Mike Oldfield as it weaves a more melodic and cinematic soundscape. The music of Snøwmass is of the highest calibre and is well worth following to see where he takes us next. After years of infectious remixes, it is definitely his time for more original songs to have their due. Download “Duffle Bag” and “Breaking” for free at the links up top.

Austin’s @Cloudchord helps @unofficialTHEY transform a 90’s pop classic into “Dante’s Creek”

https://soundcloud.com/cloudchord/they

THEY., “Dante’s Creek” (Cloudchord remix) (free DL)

Fresh off of an insanely catchy redux of Charli XCX’s “Boys”, R&B/electronic duo THEY. bring us “Dante’s Creek” in a remix by Austin’s Cloudchord. So given that THEY. are the duo of Dante and Drew, you have to circle back to the song title and then spin the song which is of course immediately identifiable in its first verse: Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want To Wait”, the theme song to 90’s hit TV show “Dawson’s Creek”! But THEY. have woven it into a progressive soul setting, which is amplified and expanded upon by Cloudchord in his creative and rhythmic remix. Sax sounds come and go amid the synths while the song retains the immediacy of living life to its fullest as in the original. Fans of other soulful duos like RKCB and Opia will particularly enjoy this. Note that it’s Cloudchord’s last remix for a while. Given the wild promise of last year’s (as it should be) jazzy guitar-drenched Imprint album, it’s definitely time for more originals. You can get “Dante’s Creek” in its Cloudchord remix for free at the link above.

Dynamic duo: @Rozessounds and @NickyRomero fearlessly ponder “Where Would We Be”

ROZES x NICKY ROMERO, “Where Would We Be”

Well you can’t say you saw this pairing coming. One of Philadelphia’s finest, singer/songwriter Rozes, collaborates with Dutch producer extraordinaire Nicky Romero for “Where Would We Be”. It’s a song about having the strength to move on from a too-comfortable relationship to whatever is on the bright side over the horizon. It’s one of Rozes’ best songs both vocally and lyrically, with earnest, deep-rooted appeal to draw anyone in. Nicky has concocted a perfectly shiny pop-flavoured production which never overcomes either the vocal or what the song is about. Could “Where Would We Be” attract a similar following this year like Zedd and Alessia Cara’s “Stay” did last year? Fans of both Rozes and Nicky will be out in full force to make it happen, while new friends will come aboard. Give it a close listen at the link above.

LMFAO’s @Redfoo is back collaborating with @Vinai for infectious “Everything I Need”

REDFOO & VINAI, “Everything I Need”

You’re in for a big surprise with “Everything I Need”, a new collaboration with ex-LMFAO’s Redfoo and Italian producers Vinai, noted for their big room sound. “Everything I Need” is one solid, genuinely infectious song that is deserving of attention not only with club DJ’s (since it’s coming courtesy of Spinnin’) but at radio too. Redfoo, aka Stefan Gordy (yes, the youngest Gordy of Berry Jr.’s clan), faded into the background in North America after LMFAO’s massive successes “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy And I Know It” back in 2011. But Redfoo found further success in Australia where he had two Top 5 solo tracks including the number one “Let’s Get Ridiculous”, and was a judge on Oz’s X Factor too. So circling back through a dance track is a wise move, and Vinai have built a great foundation for it. And to me, a very good song will top everything, so add “Everything I Need” to your Expect The Unexpected playlist using the Spotify link above.

Chicago’s @WinandWoo channel missing someone through the upbeat “Chasing Tail”

WIN AND WOO, “Chasing Tail”

Win and Woo take a few steps to the left for their latest single “Chasing Tail”. It’s actually an upbeat anthem of sorts that would mix perfectly with The Chainsmokers’ “Roses” but has very reflective lyrics which turn out to be all about missing someone. Anyone can relate to this song, whether it be about a relationship ending, someone who’s gone, or even a pet (hence the title reference). The uncredited female vocal sounds wonderfully familiar and digs right into the song’s message as well as its buoyant fist-pumping qualities too. While Win and Woo are more than capable of knocking house bangers out of the park, “Chasing Tail” is a fine crowd-pleasing detour. Mix it up on your favourite dance music playlist with the Spotify link above.

Pennsylvania-bred singer/songwriter @KohnerRice sings a big pop ballad “Me Without You”

kohnerrice

KOHNER RICE, “Me Without You”

“Me Without You” is a big pop ballad production from young singer/songwriter Kohner Rice. It follows up the fun no-brainer “Move” and another recent but more dramatic ballad “Storm”. “Me Without You” has a lot of great balance which is led by Kohner’s passionate and powerful vocal. It’s a throwback in a lot of ways to what you might have expected from the Backstreet Boys years ago, with some dazzling guitar work that seems to have been teleported in from the 80’s. So yes “Me Without You” is somewhat familiar in all of its trappings, but it’s not unlike what you might hear from Nick Jonas or Jesse McCartney. A song like this traverses the One Direction era of boy band pop and arrives in 2018 in more of a classic pop setting. “Me Without You” definitely has potential for pop radio, and you can add it to your Classic Ballads playlists using the Spotify link below.

Hypnotic electro alt.rock of “Smile” by Norway’s @Dyriskmusic featuring @Nik_Ernst is a new favourite

DYRISK featuring NIK ERNST, “Smile”

2018 looks to be a year where boundaries of electronic dance and EDM are being pushed out of their comfort zones. Norway’s Dyrisk is back with something new, and you won’t expect the alt.rock flavour of “Smile”, which he concocted with British producer Nik Ernst. All of a sudden it’s a big rush back to the early 90’s when Massive Attack and Radiohead were breaking out while Nirvana and Soundgarden dominated the rock market and dance music was more about Madonna, Michael, Whitney, and maybe C+C Music Factory too. Full of sarcastic lyrics calling out posers, “Smile” moves deliberately through its lilting rhythm and subtle electronics while incorporating crisp percussion sounds and zithery synths. “Smile” is such an uncharacteristic shift for Dyrisk, and it works so well, that it can make you do nothing but smile. Check it out at the link above and be sure to pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

Unconventional “Moan” by @yourVALNTN in a @therealShiShi remix will keep you listening

https://soundcloud.com/yourvalntn/moan-shishi-remix

VALNTN featuring TREVOR DERING, “Moan” (ShiShi remix)

In a progressive remix where some sexy flute sounds marry with the classical repetition of subtle synths, “Moan” by German producer VALNTN (now based out of Boston) will keep your ears transfixed. We got to know the global sounds of New York-based producer/remixer ShiShi last Fall with his Bollywood/disco fusion of “Aarti”. There are definitely some south east Asian tones placed nicely within “Moan”, which complement American singer Trevor Dering’s gritty and very committed vocal. “Moan” could have ended up sounding silly in the wrong hands, but instead it ends up being memorable and quite the perfect song to have been released on February 14, given after all that it is by VALNTN 🙂 Be surprised and check out “Moan” at the link above.

Halifax’s @Fambamusic wields his remix magic for fellow Canadian @TylerShawmusic’s “Cautious”

TYLER SHAW, “Cautious” (Famba remix)

It’s hard not to like when two rather disparate talents come together to add to the versatile appeal of the original song. Such is the case as Halifax’s Famba (you’ll remember last year’s “Right Here Right Now”, “Space”, or his Norwegian gold single “Vibe”) puts his remix talents up against the always fine songs of Coquitlam, BC’s talented Tyler Shaw, whose new single “Cautious” is breaking at Canadian radio. The harder edges of Famba’s electronics amp up “Cautious” for play at more pop-oriented dance clubs. Tyler’s voice and the song’s intense lyrics work well in the mix. So both singer and remixer, and their fans, benefit big time in the end. Give it a good solid listen at the link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #529 – February 19/18

The new chart is being particularly good to my fellow Canadians. With the addition of three more to the chart, the total number of Canadians on the chart is eight!!

The Top 10

As expected, South Africa-born, Australia-raised singer/songwriter Troye Sivan grabs his first #1 with “My My My!”. It’s an energetic celebration of being head over heels for someone. Troye letting loose with some dance moves in the video is the imagery that says it all 🙂 (I’m awaiting a remix from fellow Aussie Throttle too!)

If not for Troye, Toronto’s Loud Luxury would have another #1 with “Body” (featuring Brando), but nonetheless it does advance to #2 as radio and club play increases across the country for it.

L.A.-based ‘mystery’ production trio Giiants move up 5-3 with their debut single “Small Talk”. We’ll be hearing more about these guys very soon I promise. This is the highest placing for a Tipsy Records release on the chart thus far!

Tipsy does get a second song in the Top 5 with the inspiring “What We’re Made Of” by NYC producer Dave Edwards and featuring UK-based singer Mark Asani. It climbs 8-5.

The beautiful “Breathe” by Mako busts into the Top 5, soaring 13-7, as Alex’s much more progressive sounding collaboration with Illenium and Kill The Noise arrives called “Don’t Give Up On Me” (below).

Equally touching and moving up right behind 14-8 is L.A. singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor with “Talk To Me”. Watch the video for some insight into the song. It’s Axel’s third Top 10 entry following last year’s #1 “Wasted My Love” and #2 “Out Of My Head”.

“You Found Me” by Saxity featuring Victor Perry moves up 11-9, becoming Saxity’s second Top 10 following last year’s #3 “Brothers”, and Victor’s fourth – his last Top 10, the #3 “Sail”, with German producer Levi, debuted on the chart exactly a year ago!

While “Pineapple Skies” slips out of #1, Miguel gets his third Top 10 from the War & Leisure album with the Prince-ly “Told You So” (12-10). I’m sooo looking forward to Miguel’s show in Toronto next month!

Movin’ on Up

The Chainsmokers have the fastest riser on the chart with the uncharacteristic, alt.rock-flavoured “Sick Boy” (above), zipping up the chart 25-14. I’m glad to see Alex and Drew pushing their boundaries and their songwriting in “Sick Boy” is top notch. They’ve recently followed it up with an entertaining and unexpected video for “You Owe Me” (below).

NYC singer Reigen advances 21-15 with his lovely rendition of The Cranberries’ “Dreams”.

Still in the midst of their “Just A Kid” tour, Two Friends take their same named song, featuring Kevin Writer, from 22-16 on the chart.

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

The rest of the last chart’s debuts all show promise:
- Italy’s IDEO takes a very different arrangement, featuring American hip hop singer J.Paulished, for “Multiply” (above), which moves up 26-21.
- Quebec’s Robotaki partners up with Manila Killa and vocalist Matthew John Kurz for the compelling “I Want You” (below), in haunting Spirix remix, climbing 27-22.
- UK singer/songwriter James Poole has an important message about loving yourself and your body with “Perfectly Me” (also below) rising 28-23.

Three Debuts

The highest debut belongs to L.A. producer Bobby Nourmand, who returns with his unique deep house flavours mixed with gritty UK soul courtesy of a potent vocal by singer Laurent John. “Prisoner” arrives at #26.

Vancouver’s Ekali bows with the dark deep house of “Blame”, featuring none other than ZHU on vocals for a powerful collaboration. “Blame” debuts at #27.

At #29 are our remaining Canadians. Toronto’s Keys N Krates is set to break out big time with their latest album Cura, which includes the spirited collaboration with Tory Lanez called “Music To My Ears”.

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 🙂