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.
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.
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
If his killer recent remix of SAINT WKND & MAX’s “Survive” didn’t tip you off, L.A. producer/remixer PLS&TY continues to take his craft to the next level. Being a big fan of Sweden’s Cazzette I’m sure helped make his transformed remix of “Run The World” an easy sell. Carried by a to-die-for vocal by Danish singer Nadia Gattas, PLS&TY keeps his layers of strings and synths rich and thick but still allowing the song and vocal to take shape underneath it all. One of the worst things a remixer can do is smother a song into overkill but PLS&TY knows where to rein it in, allowing “Run The World” to elevate itself into battle cry from its subtler original deep house mix. Club DJ’s will enjoy this remix to play at the most heightened part of a set before it drops back down to give club goers a breather. You can check out the PLS&TY remix of Cazzette’s “Run The World” at the link above.
New Jersey’s Kastra scores big time with a deep house anthem that will have you cheering called “Renegade”. That it is full of hooks galore is an understatement. “Renegade” is one song that was to draw you in and keep you there, reveling in the lyrics about being young, restless and rebellious. It’s carried beautifully with a vocal by Lauren Mayhew, who you actually know better as a lovely actress from her appearances in “American Pie” and “Dexter” among others. It’s a bright and unlikely vocal for this kind of song but it totally works. Check out “Renegade” at the link above.
You probably know Dutch producer/DJ SWACQ from his recent appearances on Tiesto’s Clublife Volume 5 – China release. Also appearing on Tiesto’s Musical Freedom label is SWACQ’s deep house collaboration with fellow Dutchman Jordiz with “Kayos”. This is totally unpredictable, off-the-wall fun mixed in with some island flavour, and when the rhythm is flowing it’s pretty contagious. When it stops, you’re entirely caught up in wondering where it goes next, leaving you wanting much more. These guys do very well together and I think we’ll be hearing more of them. Add “Kayos” to your Summer-in-Winter playlist using the Spotify link above.
When a remix gets amped up to be even more ferocious than the original, then I’m usually all ears. That Chicago duo Krewella have paired up with Dutch producers Yellowclaw for a song is entirely one great thing unto itself. Adding Chance The Rapper’s brother, Taylor Bennett, for a slick rap to counter Krewella’s spot-on vocals is a huge plus, and NYC’s Modern Machines remix adds to the fire. It’s slick and powerful and reminiscent of what Eminem and Dr. Dre were doing about ten years ago with songs like “Crack A Bottle”, but with an EDM twist or two. “New World” is heavily hip hop driven but married quite happily with heavy synths and production that will have no trouble commanding your attention. You can get Modern Machines’ remix for free at the link above.
It’s a very welcome return indeed for Scott, and triplets Dave, Bob and Clint Moffatt as they are back in the pop realm with “Secrets”. You’ll recall that the lads were the toast of Canada in their mid-teens, initially with country-pop that brought them success in the US, and then ultimately craving a more mature sound, busted out with some punchy rock with huge Canadian hit “Bang Bang Boom” and the Submodalities album, even hosting the Juno Awards one year. Perhaps it was all a bit too quick and soon before it all imploded, with the guys all following different musical paths over the next 15+ years. They have always had a huge fan base in Malaysia and southern Asia which has never let go of them. So fans are in for a treat with “Secrets”, a slice of radio-ready pop that shows the guys have always had their ears attuned to what’s contemporary. Certainly spreading their stylistic wings over the last many years had tightened their sound as a group. So it looks like being in your early 30’s and making a comeback can be very real beginning with the right song. Listen for “Secrets” on Canadian radio and I urge fans of simply solid pop/rock songs to check this out by watching the lyric video above.
Lest you think that pop/dance and EDM are the only genres to find their way outside of Sweden, then Simon Alexander’s “Won’t Be Found” is a convincing alternative. This is fine storytelling alt.rock that draws upon a myriad of classic influences which has a compelling vocal and memorable hooks that will draw you into the intriguing lyrics as they unfold. The song, from Simon’s EP of the same name, also features a well shot and thought out video that will keep you scratching your head until the end. “Won’t Be Found” is deserving of attention for rock fans looking for something decidedly different. Watch the video at the link above.
LAUV, “Paris In The Rain” (Inverness remix) (free DL)
It’s true! Singer/songwriter and our resident man in blue, Lauv, brings “I Like Me Better” and other fine songs to a sold out show on Valentine’s Day in Toronto at The Mod Club. And that’s perfect timing to revive interest in his follow up single “Paris In The Rain”, which may have been released prematurely in the wake of the phenomenal success of “I Like Me Better”. NYC-based producer Inverness – who brought us a jaunty original last Spring with “Working On You” – casts a melodic spell of synthesizers around what is originally more of an indie singer/songwriter tune than was “I Like Me Better”. Inverness’ remix is equally as charming and perhaps a tad more playful, and will sound positively refreshing in dance clubs. Download it for free at the link above and check out Lauv’s video for the original of “Paris In The Rain” below.
It’s a most welcome return indeed for Dutch duo Vicetone (aka Ruben and Victor), who brought us the top notch EP Aurora in 2016, with the highlight for me from it being “Bright Side”, featuring Cosmos & Creature’s first appearance in the dance music world. “Fix You” is equally as joyous and positive musically, but the vocal (uncredited, but shhh it’s American singer Kyd The Band) is soulful and committed and adds extra drive power to the song. Some of the best dance music in the world with pop potential like “Fix You” continues to come from The Netherlands, and Vicetone – who took time out to create a soundtrack remix album for the video game “League Of Legends” no less – are poised to maintain their status as world-class producers along with those who inspired them such as Eric Prydz and Swedish House Mafia. Add “Fix You” to your danceable love songs playlist at the Spotify link below.
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