We can party like it’s 2012 again with glorious arpeggios spearheading an uplifting message in “End Of The World” by Mumbai’s noted producer/DJ Shaan, featuring a powerful vocal by Dutch singer Allan Eshuijs. Now only 22, Shaan returns after becoming India’s only producer/DJ to play the Tomorrowland festival a couple of years back, and has been playing numerous other festivals in south Asia throughout December. “End Of The World” couldn’t be any more triumphant. It’s the perfect foil for Britney Spears’ “Till The World Ends” and should be played immediately after when the New Year tolls in a few days. “End Of The World” is brought to you once again by Armada, and is already receiving support by The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki, and Tritonal but to name a few. I know so many people miss the dance sounds of the first part of this decade, so let’s start a revival, right? Don’t miss “End of the World” for your club sets and Spotify playlists at the link above.
JUICY M & HIDDN featuring KEPLER, “Polaroids and Dirty Dances”
“Polaroids and Dirty Dances” is the latest and immeasurably catchy dance song to come out of L.A. with the great collaboration of prominent producer/DJ Juicy M, fellow producer HIDDN, and singers/songwriters Kepler. This song has so much going for it, from the dreamy vocals through to an infectious if familiar overall sound that make it a huge banger which wraps up under just three minutes. Kyiv-born but US-based Juicy M (and new mom-to-be) has such a worldwide following for her mix shows that it’s no surprise to find “Polaroids and Dirty Dances” with over 800K views on You Tube already (below). The song is a club DJ’s dream, so be sure to add it to your set and playlist using the Spotify link above.
MICHAEL MASON featuring SOPHIE MEIERS, “Evil Presence”
It’s darkly whimsical and alluring, and “Evil Presence” by producer Michael Mason with singer Sophie Meiers may be more suited for Hallowe’en than the current holiday season, as its cover artwork might signal. But its mysterious qualities are what will keep you coming back, full of a teasing kind of atmosphere thanks to another spot-on vocal by Sophie, who you also heard recently on Madnap’s sultry “Honey”. “Evil Presence” is definitely a grower and could set the scene for great things in a set with the lights turned down really low, to draw club goers out on to the floor for their danse divine. Michael Mason has a taut, unassuming winner with “Evil Presence”. Check it out at the link above.
DAVE EDWARDS featuring MARK ASARI, “What We’re Made Of”
The year continues to close out with some real gems, and I’ve been waiting especially for this one after hearing an early version of it some time ago. NYC producer/remixer Dave Edwards is now coasting the path of original music and what a triumphant start he has with “What We’re Made Of” for Tipsy Records. It features the earthy and urgent tones of Ghanaian UK-based singer Mark Asari, and with some highly creative synth work make it sound like an almost-sequel to Armin van Buuren’s “This Is What It Feels Like”. “What We’re Made Of” is an inspiring ode to determination and keeping up all those good fights that we know can suffer if we give up too easily. It’s an immediate call to the dance floor that can be an easy high point of the evening for club DJ’s who built up to it. Plus it is so pop and radio-friendly that listeners will wait to hear it again and again. Dave Edwards has it in the bag with “What We’re Made Of” and you can support it by listening above, playlisting it, and picking it up at your favorite online digital store.
At only 16, British producer DNMO has already been named by Soundcloud as one to watch for in 2018. And if there’s a record to help crush that honour in only the best ways it’s his latest called “Hollywood” for Deadbeats Records. It’s a dark, intense, grinding feat of electronica featuring the always resplendent vocals of Nevve, whose best recent work has been with the likes of Illenium and Elephante among others. “Hollywood” goes by in such an instant at only 2:18 but it’s crammed with everything hard and loud that a lot of lovers of the genre enjoy. Maybe some remixers should be enlisted for an extended version or two? In any event, DNMO’s “Hollywood” is an enticing signpost of what’s fresh and defiantly futuristic. Check it out at the link above.
Ever since I heard “Wasted My Love” earlier this year, I’ve been anticipating whatever L.A.-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor might release next. It went on to “Out Of My Head” – along with “Wasted”, two of my most favourite songs of the year – and more recently his collaboration with Louis Vivet on the retrospective “Hit Rewind”. With “Talk To Me” Axel shows that like many fine songwriters, he looks for that moment in time or that crucial scenario to which so many people can relate. Along with a really enjoyable video, “Talk To Me” is about unrequited love which now seems to be complicated by distance that comes through loud and clear through texting or Facetiming. But, standing invitation notwithstanding, then what? Axel has some of the sweetest vocal tones I’ve heard all year which draw you into every one of his songs. Like “Wasted” and “Head”, “Talk To Me” offers a lot, including a charming, buoyant rhythm, and it goes a long way. Watch out 2018!
Rising upstarts Wingtip and YOUNGR are off to instant collaborative success with “Space For Us”. It’s a cozy, funky slice of mid-tempo dance music to keep you that much warmer this winter. New Yorker Wingtip uses a classic melody structure and some ear-catching, uncomplicated-sounding effects to counter and enhance British singer YOUNGR’s inviting, versatile vocal (accent, what accent?). The theme of everyone belonging and being welcome is starting to emerge readily in new music, whether its in a play for romance or about having a party. Wingtip is getting some fabulous recognition – from the likes of Giorgio Moroder no less in the form of another recent collaboration. But I definitely think this in-sync pairing of Wingtip and YOUNGR shouldn’t be a one-time deal. Check out “Space For Us” at the Spotify link above.
Young UK producer James Carter’s star continues to shine with the emotional electronic beats of “These Days” featuring singer Zoe Maxwell. It follows James’ sultry “Lost Without You” but on a jazzier tip at times. The song is about the singer’s infatuation with a guy who leaves her but keeps coming back, and she keeps letting him. The melody plays on that same constant emotion which throbs when you’re in it. However when you’re outside looking in, you want to shake some truth into the affected person. Zoe’s vocals use songs like San Holo’s “Light” or Chet Porter’s “Stay” as jumping off points, but it’s the sum of all of its parts that really elevate “These Days”. And the recent newsflash that James now has an official remix out for no less than Rihanna for her latest single “Consideration” makes the future look even brighter for songs like “These Days”. Check it out at the link above.
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
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