When a relationship gets past the point of no return, it’s time to move on, even if the other party wants it to get deeper. So is the message of “Close” by Kiwi alt.pop singer So Below. I wrote not long ago about Nazariff and Rosé Throne’s rather splendid update on “Cities In Dust”, the 80’s new wave hit by Siouxsie & The Banshees. The guys are back with their atmospheric ‘witch house’ remix for So Below which adds ongoing mystery to her heartfelt story. There’s an almost classically repetitive backdrop in the song’s middle verses which sticks in your head like an unobtrusive ticking clock, as well as an unexpected but gentle drop later on with some dazzling keyboards that follow. Overall this remix of “Close” is easy on the ears but soul food for your head. Check it out at the link above.
LINDA MARTIN, “Up In A Puff Of Smoke” (Matt Pop Edit)
It’s hard to recapture the halcyon days of early disco pop hits, but Irish Eurovision ’92 winner Linda Martin (for the Irish #1 “Why Me”, also a chart hit in England and The Netherlands) brings her game to “Up In A Puff Of Smoke” for Energise Recordings. It’s hardly the kind of song you might think would see a revival. UK singer Polly Brown, from the band Pickettywitch, had the kind of hit that you don’t see anymore back in 1975. It won over U.S. and Canadian radio and disco fans – a Top 20 hit in both countries, and a Top 5 disco hit on Billboard’s chart – without becoming a UK Top 40 hit. Linda’s vocal sails through the song smoothly, thriving in a buoyant, spot-on mix by Matt Pop. “Up In A Puff Of Smoke”, giddy and fun anomaly that it may be, will definitely leave 70’s pop and disco fans wanting more! Add it to your pure fun Spotify playlist at the link above.
“The Spectre” is an easy add into the mix for club DJ’s looking for a daunting future bass instrumental to rev up a set. It’s brought to you by L.A.’s Teffler, who most recently offered up a piano-driven slice of classic house with pop potential called “Never Let You Go”. “The Spectre” definitely deserves to be revisited at Hallowe’en for the party circuit at that time. While you’ll wait for that key drop, it doesn’t get too down and dirty, and has a sly underlying 90’s flavour recalling German Eurodisco of the day. I think some remixes would be beneficial to add to the mystery of the song. Add it to your playlist of dark electro-dance instrumentals at the Spotify link above.
German producer Blinded Hearts continues to offer genuine and big-hearted electronic dance pop which first came to our attention with last year’s “Human”. “Brand New” goes back to the time when relationships are fresh, a time which most of us want to recapture but is unfortunately in the past, so we have to rely on our memories and are sentiments to continue to invest in our time with our special someone. Swedish singer Louise CS offers a memorable and suitably affecting vocal while the melody tugs at our hearts as we get drawn to its lilting rhythm. “Brand New” also is the first release to kick off 2018 anew for Tipsy Records. Check out Blinding Hearts’ “Brand New” at the link above.
Despite rock and alternative rock not being the current flavours in pop music, invested musicians like those in Dallas quartet Northern National continue to offer top quality songs like their new single “Slow Down”. The spirit of the song is self-confidence and facing up to a challenge – about not slowing or backing down – brought to you in a similar anthemic style to Imagine Dragons without going over the top. Michael Rossi’s vocal is full of restraint but also unleashes a lot of power when the energy level rises in the song. “Slow Down” would fit perfectly into either mainstream or alternative rock radio and would definitely help bring the house down as a set closer in concert. Add it to your playlist of new rock anthems at the Spotify link above.
You know that when L.A.-based producer Bobby Nourmand drops a new song that it’s going to be solid as well as unpredictable. After flirting with some dynamic hip hop last year, this time “Prisoner” taps into a British soul vibe courtesy of a potent vocal by Laurent John. The dark theme of the song totally suits Laurent’s urgent and gritty vocal. Bobby never ceases to amaze with his creative deep house arrangements, carefully weaving his keyboard work while fusing it with his layered trademark futuristic synth backdrop. Bobby was only a handful of performers to have three songs on my 2017 year end list, and “Prisoner” is destined to become another favourite. Club DJ’s can’t miss with it, perfect for a late night set. Add it to your playlist of gritty, soulful dance tunes using the Spotify link above.
“Everyday, Everyday” is certainly a bit more of a pop-oriented affair than what might expect from one half of Hotel Garuda, Manila Killa. But his ears are definitely glued to the right places as he employs the versatile voice of Nevve – who we just heard on Robotaki’s “Together We’re Screwed” – to bring the some home. “Everyday, Everyday” therefore goes for the gusto, and I would expect no less than dance music radio stations – and I’m calling it, since they helped turn a song like Sofi Tukker’s “Best Friend” into a massive hit – to jump on it soon. 2018 does appear to be a year for solid midtempo, emotional pop/dance and “Everyday, Everyday” finds its place in that mix. It’s a gentle pop song at its roots that slams big when it should, very reminiscent of the same appeal as San Holo’s “Light”. Add it to your favourites using the Spotify link above.
AIRE ATLANTICA featuring EMILY TERRAN, “On My Own”
Like other stalwart producers NYC’s Aire Atlantica (aka Joe Pincus) stays a few steps of the game. That he’s chosen to go big with sweet-sounding electronic pop/dance like “On My Own” isn’t really a surprise, but his game is on full throttle with a powerhouse emotional song with a distinct and earnest vocal by Emily Terran. After a deceptively slow beginning, this one changes it up quickly and eagerly awaits dance music radio and club play with a pretty melody and confident chorus that will be chiming in your head for days (“I’ll never be the me you want me to”). “On My Own” is a great progression for Aire Atlantica from his previous songs and I think some much-deserved attention will swing his way this year. Add it to your diverse electronic dance/pop playlists at the Spotify link above.
Taking his years of playing in folk/rock band The Jaybirds and applying that style to future bass electronica isn’t an easy feat, but California producer, singer and songwriter Jay Bird has achieved it with “Up Here”. It’s a song that requires multiple listens to embrace its authenticity around the need for escape and fantasy in our lives. We’re still the same people even if we dive into our hobbies and interests for a while, despite what others may think, and you can always find the ‘real’ us – if you really want to. The production is smooth and top notch, you’ll definitely want to sway away to “Up Here” while you hold your significant other tight. However the vocal is raw, not what you’d expect in this kind of production, and you’ll understand why when you listen closely to the lyrics. Jay Bird’s “Up Here” is an out-of-left-field indie alt.electronic charmer and you can add it to your inspiring mid-tempo dance playlist using the Spotify link above. It’s also available as a free download at the Soundcloud link below.
Edition #527 of my chart, now in its 20th year, begs the question: What do you do when you enjoy all of the songs at the top of your chart so much?
The answer: You put them on hold! But something’s gotta give in two weeks 🙂
There are three debuts, including the one right below:
The Top 10
So in a BILLCS Top 30 chart first, songs 1 through 7 remain the same.
Miguel’s “Pineapple Skies” gets its 3rd appearance (6th week, above) at #1, while Billboard Top 40 hit “Sky Walker” stays steady at #3, and “Told You So” (below) rises 20-17. They’re all from the compelling and enjoyable War and Leisure album.
YEBBA’s “Evergreen” (above) holds tight at #6, while her duet with Sam Smith, “No Peace”, inches up to #12. This compelling new singer continues to be one to watch, and more proof is available in the form of a song recorded live called “My Mind” (below), which is available for free download, or you can make a donation, with proceeds going to Bring Change To Mind, an organization to assist people with mental illnesses. It’s availablefrom her website right here. Its video has over a million views.
Nora En Pure’s gorgeous “Tears In Your Eyes” climbs 9-8, and I’d love to see this song set to some lovely choreography 🙂
New to the Top 10 is SoCal production duo waitwhat with “Alive” rising 11-9 featuring a provocative vocal by Rielle.
Movin’ On Up
The songs just below the Top 10 are kind of stuck this week, slinking up the chart by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 positions, save one song, the fastest riser.
The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Mako’s “Breathe” which jumps 25-19. And this is just as Alex’s tour kicks off, with a stop this week in Toronto on Friday January 26, as before, at The Velvet Underground 🙂
“Moves” will keep you dancing courtesy of Italy’s Big Fish featuring American singer Mike Gomes, rising 26-21.
It’s a 2-for-4 deal with River Tiber’s “Patience” (above) climbing 24-20, while K-POP stars BTS are up 27-23 with “DNA” (below).
Keeping the doors wide open is Mika with the jaunty and inspiring “It’s My House” climbing 22-18.
Three Debuts
Putting a huge wrinkle into the chart which will ultimately play out in two weeks is Troye Sivan’s new single “My My My!” (at the top), which soars into the chart at #16. It would have been higher had most of the songs above it not been frozen this week. This is the breakthrough single that everyone had hoped for, a joyous mid-tempo dance song that sees Troye flashing his moves in the fun video. It was immediately followed up this week by the more pensive “The Good Side” (below performance from Saturday Night Live).
Arriving at #26 is NYC singer Reigen with “Dreams”. I wrote about this cover of The Cranberries 1994 hit shortly before the sudden passing of its singer, Dolores O’Riordan. Reigen recorded it as an ode to the marriage of his friends. While his version has suddenly taken on a bittersweet quality with Dolores’ passing, Reigen’s cover should always be regarded for what was intended. It’s Reigen’s second chart appearance, following 2014’s #2 “Come Back To Me”.
Debuting on the chart as lead artists rather than remixers are L.A. duo Two Friends with “Just A Kid” at #27, featuring a playful vocal by singer Kevin Writer. Matt and Eli have already been to the Top 10 twice with their fine remixes of Mako’s “Way Back Home” (#10) and MAX’s “Lights Down Low” (#3), which looks to finally crack the Billboard Top 40 after nearly two years on release!!
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
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
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