Taking some serious cues from modern rockers who started in the 90’s like Fiona Apple or Garbage, but with some humble folk roots at the song’s core, L.A. duo Dana And The Wolf return with “Him”. It’s a deep, complex, guitar-soaked song of many moods that on one hand talks about distancing oneself from religion but on another parallels what might be going on in a relationship too. “Him” is not for everyone but singer Dana Hobson and guitarist/producer Daniel Wolf definitely set out to make a real conversation piece, led by a rich and sometimes hard-hitting vocal and impressive guitar work that grinds the song to its biggest edges. Give “Him” a good solid listen and strike that conversation by downloading it for free at the link above.
This is the second last chart for me of 2017, and is also blog post 1,701!!
The five entries from two weeks ago make distinct impressions, causing some songs to stop rising or to fall. As a result too there are only two new songs on the chart.
Two weeks ago I was in a rush to get the blog post up and for the first time didn’t post song links. With this post the song links are back 🙂
The classic house of Latchmere’s “Need Your Heart” (above) is enough to keep it up top for a third appearance, guaranteeing it a high placing on my year end list, which will be posted before year’s end. Latchmere also bookends the Top 10, with “Monster” (featuring Dylan, below)) climbing a notch to #10.
Shoffy’s delightful, thoughtful “Flags” (featuring Yuna, above) rises 3-2 but will be in a battle for the top in two weeks. Also check out the video for his song “Motions” (below) from his self-titled album.
The powerhouse on the chart though is Miguel, from one of the finest albums of 2017, War and Leisure, with “Pineapple Skies” (above) the fastest riser tearing up the chart 27-3, even surpassing “Sky Walker” (featuring Travis Scott, below), which is still moving up 8-6. I can’t wait to hear it all in concert in March 🙂
Alyx Ander’s “Wake Up For The Night” (featuring Caroline Pennell) surpasses the #5 peak of Alyx’s “Memories Of You” from earlier this year, climbing 6-4.
The Him get their third Top 10 song on this chart with the gorgeous and emotional “Everybody Hurts”, featuring Australian singer Ivy Adara, rising 15-9, and it’s still available as a free download! Big things coming for The Him in 2018!!
Movin’ On Up
New York-based British singer YEBBA continues her rising double presence on the chart with the unique and lovely “Evergreen” up 18-13 (above), and her duet with Sam Smith from The Thrill Of It All “No Peace” also climbing 23-17 (below).
Don’t forget to check out the fun animated lyric video for “Free” by singer/actor Carlos Nóbrega featuring JVEL from the fine album The Art Of Making Love, up a notch to #15.
Dzeko’s biiiig sounding cover of Seal’s “Crazy” in its Tiësto Big Room remix gets trapped mid-chart and moves up 21-16, but watch out in two weeks…
The other trio of deep house songs to debut two weeks ago follow each other up the chart. Loud Luxury’s “Body” (featuring Brando, above) just debuted on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart and rises 28-18. Nora En Pure’s luscious and emotional “Tears In Your Eyes” (below) is up 29-19, while Ryan Shepherd’s down and dirty “Right Now” (featuring Dirty Hary, also below) is right behind climbing 30-20.
Debuts
My 1,700th blog post belonged to “Small Talk” by Giiants, a great danceable pop song to watch for in 2018, with more to come from the talented trio and the other artists they are involving in this project. “Small Talk” arrives two days after official release at #23.
L.A.’s waitwhat became a duo earlier this year, which was a real turning point for Troy Skinner’s original project. With the addition of Damon Dokhani, they complemented each other’s strengths, and after some interesting remixes they arrived at an infectious original “Alive”, featuring vocalist Rielle. “Alive” premieres at #26.
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
December brings us one of the finest songs you’ll hear going into 2018 in any genre. It’s “Small Talk” by new L.A. production/songwriting trio GIIANTS for Tipsy Records. “Small Talk” is the kind of song that makes songwriting sound easy when actually writing something so breathtakingly simple is in fact so hard. Anyone who has often gone to a party and finds themselves standing and talking to no one for what might seem like a long time to others knows the feeling of being unable to make small talk, usually because it’s not interesting or doesn’t come naturally. The lyrics capture this sentiment beautifully. Another reason why “Small Talk” sounds like a hit out of the box is that the trio of GIIANTS have loads of experience as producers, songwriters, remixers, and singers in previous projects. In time who they will be unveiled – if you want to try to put pieces together head over to their new Facebook page – but I will say that I’ve written about some of the trio over many years of these blog pages. GIIANTS is a much more straight ahead pop project surrounded by finely honed synth work. There is more coming with different vocal mixes amid variations of irresistible danceable pop. GIIANTS are ones to listen for and who could ask for a better start than “Small Talk”. You’ll want to playlist it immediately using the Spotify link above.
CASUAL ENCOUNTER, “Kerosene” featuring JOE BENNY and PLAYIN’ FIELDS (video)
Bret is the singer and Raivis is the producer, and you can have a look at both members of duo Casual Encounter in their video for “Kerosene” (featuring production assists from Joe Benny and Playin’ Fields). The song hails from their self-titled album, which revels in many inspiring songs set to pop or tropical dance rhythms, not entirely what you might expect to come out of the Baltimore/Washington DC area. But Casual Encounter know what they want to achieve and can do well with familiar-sounding songs told in different but interesting ways such as “Dancing In The Rain”, “Night To Remember” (also featuring Playin’ Fields and an irresistible chorus), “Keep On Fighting”, and another one that happens to be called “I Like Me Better” (but with different subject matter). “Kerosene” however is likely the song on the album that aims more directly at a pop audience with on-point imagery brought to life in a well-shot and edited video that might leave your heart in your stomach near the end. Check it out at the link below, and Casual Encounter’s full album of songs is yours for the listening and playlisting at the Spotify link above.
“Watch Me Dance” is a delectable feast of 70’s and 80’s-styled jazz-influenced R&B that just happens to come from France, courtesy of producer Sara Costa and featuring the smoky and gritty style of singer Opé Smith. Opé’s often deep, gracious, and natural tones compliment the lyrics about a relationship that’s collapsing, and how the subject isn’t having any of it. Sara Costa has been well-established in Europe for many years, and like many of the women producer/DJ’s I’ve written about this year, it’s about more than just NERVO and Krewella – their time is coming for worldwide impact. Sara crafts a classic disco/R&B rhythm with organic sounds, with emphasis on horns and piano, making the song retro yet quite current-sounding all at once. “Watch Me Dance” comes out of Sony France but with international appeal. Check it out at the link above.
Texas-based self-taught musician and dance producer MKJ continues a steady stream of intriguing productions and remixes with an original, “What About Now”. Even if it’s leading more with a pop flavour, “What About Now” has vibrant vibes and lots of tropical-sounding high end synth sounds that simply soar and will capture the ears of anyone who likes to have a good time. New Jersey singer Evangelia offers a persuasive gal-next-door vocal to draw you in, while MKJ surrounds it with attractive beats and rhythms to help provide the positive reply to the title phrase. Side note: If you’ve been to China recently, you may have heard a song called “Time” which features a Morgan Freeman-soundalike narrative set to dance music. It’s a little something MKJ created a few years back that is now taking on a massive life of its own outside of North America that I will leave you to investigate for your listening pleasure. Our friends at Tipsy Records have got MKJ and are working on more fine music like “What About Now” and “Time” coming to you in 2018! Check out “What About Now” at the link above.
ENEA MARCHESINI featuring ROBIN MARCHETTI, “Crazy”
Not to be confused with any of the numerous other songs of the same title, “Crazy” is a fun ode to a lover’s boo-tay and wanting to get romantic under the sheets, courtesy of producer Enea Marchesini and fellow Italian singer Robin Marchetti for Balmung Digital Recordings. As slight and silly as it may be, “Crazy” totally works thanks to Robin’s lust-struck vocal which is separated by a most welcome and not too dirty deep house drop that makes the record bounce and more than just a novelty. “Crazy” is just for you wild ones who like enjoy letting loose on the dance floor. Be pleasantly surprised as you listen to “Crazy” at the link above.
JRL & LUDVIGSSON featuring MAX LANDRY, “Waiting On You”
“Waiting On You” is a slice of Swedish pop that sincerely conveys the angst in relationships when waiting for the other half to make an important decision. Production trio JRL and newcomer Ludvigsson let a bright future bass-influenced melody lead the way while US singer Max Landry, having previously worked with JRL as well as D-12 and Boldy James, sells the story with conviction. And though “Waiting On You” will be very convincing in clubs come slow dance time, all involved manage to capture the essential elements of pure pop without dominating it with tricks and vocal effects which would detract from the core of what it’s about. Listen to “Waiting On You” at the link above.
BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
It is indeed one of my favourite Christmas songs, but Brandyn Burnette’s spin on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” deserves to be heard because of its chill, soulful vibe that would definitely make Lauryn Hill and Fugees fans proud. Brandyn reaches into that old-soul bluesy R&B style that surfaces in his songs now and again to bring a contemporary, content and, holiday-happy ambiance to this classic. The music is minimal and like the best renditions of “Merry Little” it’s all about the vocal and the style. Add it to your holiday Spotify playlist at the link above.
BEATCHILD & THE SLAKADELIQS featuring JUSTIN NOZUKA, “The Only Difference”
There are a lot of parallels between the late 60’s and the late ’10’s, mainly the aftermath of unfortunate politics prompting songwriters to focus on writing on songs about love, peace and understanding. And Beatchild & The Slakadeliqs, in their first release in some time, are all about that, along with featured vocalist Justin Nozuka on “The Only Difference” (as with late 2011’s “Love Controls The Sun”, which I wrote about in a post right here). So not only thematically is it a throwback to the 60’s, but in my estimation (and I could be wrong) the music, with its simple piano melody, and the harmonic vocals full of symmetry, recall many soul groups of that era like Five Stairsteps, The Delfonics, The Intruders and so on. The rest of the music is terrific collaborative jamming, making “The Only Difference” go down very easy, and having me wonder what it would all sound like in a live setting. Check it out at the Spotify link above.
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