New sounds from #Oz courtesy of #JAMO featuring #Youngsoul with “S.O.S.”

JAMO featuring YOUNGSOUL, “S.O.S.”

“S.O.S” is one heckuva three minute jam from 20 year old Australian self-taught producer JAMO featuring fellow Oz vocalist Youngsoul.  The song cleverly takes its cue from the Skrillex and Diplo productions that sent Justin Bieber’s career skyrocketing again two years ago, not by emulating them, but by taking them to another level.  JAMO has built a structured, seamless production around an infectious song carried by an appealing and engaging vocal.  All of this will go a long way, especially for club DJ’s, who should embrace it wholeheartedly and give exposure to JAMO outside of his own country.  Lend your ears to “S.O.S.” at the link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #522, November 13/17

The chart continues to switch it up with a new number one song and four new entries.  And as seems to be the trend, more artists are doubling up again on the chart, including one newcomer!

The Top 10

https://soundcloud.com/latchmeresound/need-your-heart

  • He might not be very well known to the dance music world yet, but Australian-based UK producer Latchmere (aka Shaun Galvin) has a winner at the top with “Need Your Heart” (above) from his top notch EP Lovedrunk.  Even though Latchmere is primarily influenced by more current dance music makers, “Need Your Heart” is chock full of classic house sounds which will throw you back about 27 years – refreshing and nostalgic at the same time.  Another song from Lovedrunk also gains more ground this week.  “Monster” (below), featuring vocalist Dylan, climbs 22-18.  Do be sure to check out the entire EP for fine contemporary house music!  Latchmere is also the first act from Australia to reach #1 on this chart since The Temper Trap’s “Resurrection” scored just over 7 years ago in 2010 🙂

https://soundcloud.com/latchmeresound/monster-featuring-dylan

  • The wistful and infectious “No Love In Brooklyn” (above) by the combined efforts of France’s Nick Peters and western New York’s Frank Pierce featuring vocalist Scott Vega continues to climb up 5-4 for Tipsy Records’ ongoing partnership with Epic Records in Oslo, Norway.  Mr. Pierce gets to double up on the chart this week with the African and dancehall influences in “Do Me” (below, featuring vocalist Miles B) which premieres at #25.

https://soundcloud.com/shoffymusic/flags-feat-yuna

  • Quickly finding its way to the Top 5 from #11 is “Flags” by L.A.’s Shoffy featuring vocalist Yuna from Shoffy’s fabulous debut album.  “Flags” is still currently a free download so you have no reason not to check it out 🙂  
  • Carlos Nóbrega’s “You (It’s All About You)” (above) rises to new heights 7-6, while a second song from The Art Of Making Love, “Free” (below) (featuring JVEL) is up a notch 21-20.
  • Also new to the Top 10 is the summer throwback “Driveway” by US/UK duo Culpriit, which climbs 14-10.

Movin’ On Up

  • “Wake Up To The Night” by Miami’s Alyx Ander featuring Caroline Pennell moves up 17-11, closing in on the Top 10, where Alyx’s “Memories Of You” peaked at #5.

  • Sam Smith gets to double his pleasure this week with a debut that I’ll talk about further down.  But first up is “No Good At Goodbyes” which rises 15-13.
  • “Hit Rewind” continues to sound like a hit to me as the song by Axel Mansoor and Louis Vivet moves up the chart 19-15.

  • The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Miguel, one of the finest soul-pop singers around, with “Sky Walker” (above), featuring Travis Scott, from his upcoming album War & Leisure.  The song soars 25-16, and like the even newer single with Prince overtones, “Told You So ” (below), are likely the best songs he’s released since the Grammy-winning Kaleidoscope Dream in 2012.

  • The riveting PLS&TY remix of SAINT WKND & MAX’s “Survive” races into the Top 20, moving 24-19.  MAX is also in the Top 10 at #9 featured on “No Hands”.

The Remaining Debuts

  • Dutch duo The Him return to the chart with their fourth entry, the scintillating “Everybody Hurts” (above), featuring Australian singer Ivy Adara, at #24, also available as a free download.  And they’ve already released another one since!  Listen to The Him’s new song “Always” below.
  • So about that double Sam Smith pleasure this week.  He pairs up with amazing new British vocalist YEBBA on the beautiful “No Peace” (below) from his album The Thrill Of It All, and the song arrives at #30.  But right above it is YEBBA’s own outstanding new independent single “Evergreen” (above) at #29.  I’m predicting YEBBA to be a powerful new pop force going into 2018, and “Evergreen”, along with “No Peace”, are just the start!!

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right 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

Check out and ‘like’ the new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Planet Radio Canada is on hiatus and will return http://www.planetradio.ca 🙂

“Perfect Strangers” is unpredictable danceable rock from L.A. duo @FederalEmpire

THE FEDERAL EMPIRE, “Perfect Strangers”

Following the success of rock/dance bands already in the public ear like X Ambassadors, L.A. duo The Federal Empire provide an intoxicating, unpredictable mix with “Perfect Strangers”.  The duo has terrific pedigree too – it’s Carolina Liar’s Chad Wolf along with Grammy-nominated McKay Stevens (who doesn’t know 2014’s “Atmosphere” by Kaskade??), and they’ve already recorded notably with both Martin Garrix and Sam Feldt.  Don’t let the crowd-chanting start of “Perfect Strangers” throw you – before the first minute is out the fine vocal begins, full of genuine longing for that relationship that never was.  This leads you into what might be All-American Rejects-inspired retro-alt.rock (Canada’s Marianas Trench also comes to mind) combined with the melodic synth power and guitar blend that recalls Avicii’s big records.  The crowd-chanting does reappear but by then you’re sold and wanting to singalong.  The Federal Empire definitely has their collective ears to the ground and knows how a big audience might react to their songs.  “Perfect Strangers” is one crackerjack 3 minute tune that’s bang-on for radio, and dance clubs will enjoy it too.  Listen intently at the link above.

L.A.-based @missAlexxMack is a new versatile voice to hear on “Your Car” featuring @weareExes

ALEXX MACK featuring EXES, “Your Car”

Take one beauty of an original and add intriguing, poignant vocals to a minimalist kind of dance ballad mix and you have “Your Car” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Alexx Mack featuring co-writer Exes.  “Your Car” is the kind of instantly relateable, pensive song that reels you in slowly so that you catch every important word and become drawn to the straight-forward, dreamy melody.  It looks like Alexx has already received some attention through appearing on an Armada Records release, but “Your Car” is definitely going to create an even more in-demand factor for her.  It’s also a great song for clubs late at night as the set winds down.  Check it out at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

L.A.’s @itsWaitwhat returns as a duo with big and crunchy “Alive” featuring @Riellemusic_x

WAITWHAT featuring RIELLE, “Alive” (free DL)

L.A.-based Waitwhat used to just be producer/remixer Troy Skinner, but now he’s brought in mate Damon Dokhani (after some early, promising remixes that I wrote about, no longer online) for some next level new original tunes.  Just out of the gate is big and crunchy “Alive” featuring NYC singer Rielle for Future Bass Records.  “Alive” has the chops to make the dance floor shake as Rielle’s alluring and commanding vocal directs the rhythm.  Waitwhat’s tight synth work doesn’t let up, bringing it down as appropriate to let Rielle’s voice take control, then punching it back up with its memorable melodic hook.  As we look forward to more from Waitwhat, you can download “Alive” for free while you can at the link above.

Chicago’s @iamSnowmass returns with stunning, progressive original “Crossfire” featuring L.A.-based @MonaMoua

https://soundcloud.com/snowmassmusic/crossfire-ft-mona-moua

SNØWMASS featuring MONA MOUA, “Crossfire” (free DL)

Regular readers of this blog know about my admiration for Chicago producer/remixer Snøwmass through his fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes pretty down ‘n dirty remixes of songs by the likes of Canadians Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods (“Sound Of Home”), as well as Cut Snake (“Echo”) and Convex & Titus (“Bad Kids”). 

For the last several months, Snøwmass has been off social media and hard at work on a full album which he will release soon with the strange title of Amongst An Acid Wolfpack, and the first taste from it is “Crossfire”, featuring L.A.-based singer Mona Moua. 

“Crossfire”, simply said, is like none of Snøwmass’ remixes.  I would pitch it more to fans of fellow producer Crywolf’s originals as progressive electronic music with classic rock music at its base, perhaps with some classical melodic influence added.  The song is full of different moods and movements, with the beginning of “Crossfire” not leading to a place that you think you’d be at the end.  What throws the song into play big time is what sounds like an awkward transition at around 1:20 that ends up as one of the most memorable parts of the song.  Mona Moua’s vocal is perfect for “Crossfire”, soothing in the quiet that surrounds the dramatic, aggressive instrumental segments.  

“Crossfire” is definitely a huge, dynamic introduction to the next phase of Snøwmass which may catch listeners off guard.  It requires close listens and multiple plays, and will certainly prepare you for what Snøwmass has to offer next.  At the link above, you can dive in and get it as a free download while you can.

 

Solid, emotional electronica from Emerati @Ruchirmusic featuring NYC’s @iamDeverano with “Made Of Gold”

RUCHIR featuring DEVERANO, “Made Of Gold” (free DL)

“Made Of Gold” is a song whose infectious calling card is its drop-led instrumental chorus that follows the title words.  That’s not to say that the song is all about the hook.  Emerati producer Ruchir builds the fascination and emotion of the song smoothly to that drop.  It’s carried by Staten Island vocalist Deverano’s earthy vocal that is caught up in the moment to draw everyone in.  “Made Of Gold” is the kind of song that could have been sung by a big belter but it would become less about the song and more about the vocal in that format.  Club DJ’s will dig “Made Of Gold” and can easily showcase that big hook in a late night mix.  Download “Made Of Gold” for free while you can at the link above.

Edgy, spirited rock from Pittsburgh’s @ASummerHigh with “Pretty Little Liar” and “Sad Song”

A SUMMER HIGH, “Pretty Little Liar” and “Sad Song”

I’ve lived long enough to know that music comes in cycles, just not always consistently.  Now seems to be the time for the edgy rock of Blink 182, American Hi-Fi, and All-American Rejects to resurface in fresh forms.  Thus we have Pittsburgh quartet A Summer High with their well-produced EP Pretty Little Liar, yielding the above video for the title song.  I don’t often write about mainstream or pop/rock because it often lately sounds all the same.  The difference for A Summer High is the commitment and honesty in their songs.  As a band they are tight, as I witnessed in concert on Sunday when they opened for Call Me Karizma in my city.  Sure the lyrics are about girls and breaking up, but those themes will be perpetual and as long as the songwriting is on-point, then there are winners like the title song and “Done With It”.  Plus a single released just before the EP, “Sad Song” (below), is well worth checking out for not only its poignancy, but because those emotions are set to a catchy, uptempo guitar-driven rhythm instead of being written as a dreary ballad.  A Summer High are an energetic, spirited band to watch!  Pick up Pretty Little Liar at your favourite online digital store.

There’s a new vocal powerhouse and her name is @YEBBAsmith with “Evergreen” and with @SamSmithworld “No Peace”

YEBBA, “Evergreen”

SAM SMITH featuring YEBBA, “No Peace”

“Evergreen” is the debut for Nebraska-born pop singer YEBBA (née Abbey Smith) whose amazing vocal chops are going to take her far.  She’s got beautiful understated qualities that ooze personality like Jessie Ware.  “Evergreen” (above) is also stunning piece of songwriting that I’m surprised hasn’t passed by Adele’s ears, because if it did, she wouldn’t be able to pass it up.  Nonetheless, YEBBA is one to listen and watch for – she is also featured in Sam Smith’s The Thrill Of It All album on what is the record’s highlight IMO, “No Peace” (below).  She and Sam apparently met a few years ago so it’s great to see that he has been able to include her in his record, and I hope she gets to tour with him.  Their harmonies and individual pieces are fantastic, and the song does not let the album’s preoccupation with soulful choir elements bog it down.  With a golden voice like hers, YEBBA will be very much in the public ear soon and expect a major label battle for her to occur.  In the meantime, check out the independently released “Evergreen” at your favourite digital music store.

“Perfect Mess” is a cornucopia of worldwide talent: @SteveVoidmusic @Navarramusic & @Laurellmusic

STEVE VOID & NAVARRA featuring LAURELL, “Perfect Mess” (free DL)

Music is a global effort, and being from one part of the world or another no longer seems to matter if the talents all gel, as is the case with “Perfect Mess”.  With effervescent synths fashioned by The Netherlands’ prolific Steve Void and fellow Dutch production duo Navarra, it’s a timeless, seamless song co-written and sung by Canadian singer Laurell, who you’ve recently heard on Quintino’s “Good Vibes”.  One of her co-writers here is Germany’s Daniel Volpe, whose songs have graced these blog pages over many years including as recently as Friday co-writing Sean Smith’s “Fire”.  “Perfect Mess” seems to be destined for clubs all over the world with its universal appeal.  It’s got a great balance of potent vocal, graceful melodies that switch it up, and effects that don’t run rampant over the best parts of the song.  Kudos to all involved – get it for free at the link above while you can 🙂