Brisk house-flavoured pop by Italy’s @SAmusiceurope featuring @AvaKingmusic with “‘Bout A Thing”

https://soundcloud.com/selectedsounds/bout-a-thing

SA featuring AVA KING, “‘Bout A Thing” (free DL)

“‘Bout A Thing” is the kind of brisk, happy song that will keep the good times of summer extended into the fall months.  It’s brought to you by a relative newcomer from Italy named SA featuring L.A. vocalist Ava King, but it’s not at all what you’d expect when you think of dance music from that country.  SA definitely likes his mix to sparkle with tingly synth and percussion sounds up front but never hiding the house rhythm, while Ava’s vocal acrobatics flow along beautifully with the melody like they were made for one another.  Definitely playlist-worthy, “‘Bout A Thing” is a great start for SA with its global-friendly sound and it’s available as a free download from the link above.

Scorching alt.rocker “Futureproof” is from St. Catharines band @Kapturmusic

https://soundcloud.com/puregrainaudio/kaptur-futureproof

KAPTUR, “Futureproof” (free DL link below)

While my blog posts tend to be full of electronic dance pop, when a solid rock song comes along I am always happy to write about it.  This is even better when the talent is not far from home in the form of St. Catharines, Ontario rock quartet Kaptur with “Futureproof” from their EP Go To Waste.  This is tasty new rock – think Cage The Elephant via later Radiohead with some sophisticated 80’s new wave alt.rock inspiration thrown in – anchored by wicked guitar playing (Johnny Marr comes to mind for some reason), layered production, and solid songwriting which makes the 5 minutes of “Futureproof” go by in a flash.  So rock up your mix and get “Futureproof” for free right here.

“The Art Of Making Love” is here and all for you, with love from @CarlosdNobrega

CARLOS NÓBREGA, The Art Of Making Love

After teasing you with four singles over the past month or so, “The Art Of Making Love”, the full length album by Spain-based Portuguese singer/actor Carlos Nóbrega, has finally arrived after years in the making to make it so special just for you.  Well the folks in Spain rallied enough to have it debut at #4 yesterday on iTunes.  And the rest of Carlos’ patient and devoted fans worldwide have been hitting up this blog to make posts about two of its songs, “You (It’s All About You)”, and “Love, Love, Love” the two most-viewed posts in the almost 8 years of this blog.  

It’s an album about the many facets of love and being in love, even in some cases still being in love after a relationship has ended.  But this is not over-complicated in the least – having fun, enjoying each other, and most importantly ensuring romance is always in the air for your special person.  

Beyond “You (It’s All About You)”, “Love, Love, Love”, “I Love You”, and “Set Me Free”, which have all been enjoyed in advance, there are 14 other songs in The Art Of Making Love’s deluxe edition which you can stream up top on Spotify.  Carlos has you covered for every kind of song that will appeal inside the pop and dance music genres.  Two of my other favourites are “Morning Sun”, a sizzling wake up call to love, and the energetic “Free” (featuring vocalist Jvel), full of joyous bounce.  On the softer side we have the long and luscious “Forever In Love” and the emotional bonus track “Letting You Go”.  “Up and Down” and “Fuck on the Dance Floor” are a little spicier, and Carlos even included my personal favourite by him, the inspiring and contagious “Music Makes You Lose Control”, originally released in 2012 and ever-deserving of a big dance video with lots of costumes.  Perhaps it will be reignited in some 2018 remixes?  Just sayin’….  😀

So do yourself a huge favour and wrap yourself up in the warmth and fun and most of all the love charged in the songs of The Art Of Making Love.  This is the massive start of much more to come in 2017 and 2018 and beyond 🙂

 

.@KidFroopy transforms “Cut To The Feeling” by @CarlyRaeJepsen into the club hit that it should be

https://soundcloud.com/carly-rae-jepsen-official/cut-to-the-feeling-kid-froopy

CARLY RAE JEPSEN, “Cut To The Feeling” (Kid Froopy remix)

After the recent release of his excellent original “Drive Slow” (#20 on my chart), I was thrilled to see Iowa’s Kid Froopy land one of the official remixes of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Cut To The Feeling”. Music friends of mine adore the song; I’m somewhat indifferent to the original as I feel it’s more of a Katy Perry/Kylie Minogue throwback.  And certainly radio has ignored the song, with the over-saturation of “Call Me Maybe” still seemingly affecting the singer for a follow up after five years.  But Froopy creates a more deliberate rhythm that’s perfect for clubs and reshapes it into the dance hit that it rightly should be. So watch out worldwide club charts – and maybe radio could follow. 

Kid Froopy opens for Terror Jr. on their “Grapeland” already sold out in San Francisco, Montreal, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Toronto – L.A. music peeps still have a chance for tix!

“U Got That” is a deep down ‘n dirty bass club track this time from Atlanta’s @we_are_Halogen

HALOGEN, “U Got That” (free DL)

It’s a little hard to ponder after the delightful pop/dance duet-making that Halogen recently released in the form of “Can’t Resist” that the duo could turn their heads to a song so deep down ‘n dirty, but here it is, “U Got That”, which is available as a free download above.  I do enjoy hearing the other sides of what performers listen to and then record, and “U Got That” is a club bass banger that will fill your speakers.  Its low, ominous vocal is entertaining and the rhythm is impossible to resist.  Brought to you by Pinnacle Collective, “U Got That” is definitely one that DJ’s won’t want to miss!

Needed all around the world today: “Love Love Love” by @CarlosdNobrega

CARLOS NÓBREGA, “Love, Love, Love”

It’s the fourth taste from Carlos’ pop album The Art Of Making Love, due on Friday August 25, and like with its predecessor singles “Set Me Free”, “You (It’s All About You)” (whose recent blog post has had over 18,000 views!), and “I Love You”, “Love, Love, Love” is a song for everyone because we’ve all experienced love of some kind in our lives.  It can be pretty contagious and it’s what’s needed most in the world today, as many other songs currently cry out for love and unity as well – but you also have to desire it.  Carlos was on to it first as these songs have been awaiting release for a while now – and the time for these songs and The Art of Making Love is, impeccably, upon us 🙂  I particularly enjoy the subtle urgency of “Love, Love, Love”, highlighted from some lovely piano notes, never going over the top and letting you embrace its message in the end.  Watch the simple elegance of the lyric video at the link above and pre-order The Art of Making Love from your favourite digital store so that you have it on release day 🙂

In tandem with The Art Of Making Love, Carlos is releasing a highly personal soundscape of sorts that will appeal to lovers of movie soundtracks and lush instrumentals.  You can preview his Almageddon project by listening to “Almageddon: #Madeira” below, and revel in the awesome scenery of the homeland of Carlos Nóbrega, a Portuguese archipelago off the coast of Morocco.

Dazzling dueting: “Space” by Halifax’s @Fambamusic featuring @Toitomusic and @officialKarli

FAMBA featuring TOITO and KARLI, “Space”

‘Tis the end of summer season that is very befitting for duets, and you can add “Space” to that list fresh out of my own homeland.  At the helm, we have Halifax producer/DJ Famba – he of the fun blast “Right Here, Right Now” that got to #2 on my chart late last year – along with two vocalists from Hamilton, Ontario, Justin Toito and Karli.  Although I haven’t heard of either before, they both appear to have significant online followings.  And what a pairing – this is one dazzling duet that is not a dance song about outer space (despite the artwork), but about the space when you’re in a relationship, and how that often gets closed to where we are together as one – no space between us required!  Their warm, graceful vocals are what set the song apart from other duets.  “Space” is a romantic, pop/dance treat to tingle your emotions and go for a whirl on the dance floor too.  Famba and team have a winner in which Tipsy Records once again has partnered with the great taste of Epic Oslo 🙂  Give this one a solid listen above as I expect you’ll want to move quickly to buy your copy for your own mp3 library 🙂

“Fade” by @Kidswaste featuring duo @Hunting_Stories is an impressive electronic folk-pop hybrid

KIDSWASTE featuring HUNTING STORIES, “Fade”

French producer Kidswaste (Quentin Beauvois) returns to stretch the edges of pop and electronic dance music once again, this time with the anthemic “Fade”, featuring New York vocal duo Hunting Stories.  His EP from earlier this year, “Spleen”, was ambitious and accessible enough to catch the ears of Ultra Records, chock full of sophisticated electronic pop.  And Kidswaste also surprised us with a sparkling (but unofficial) redux of Lemaitre’s “Playing To Lose”.  “Fade”, however, is entirely different – an electronic folk-pop hybrid which might have you recalling  songs from Avicii’s landmark True album in terms of style and intent but without the big beats.  A more current potential companion song from these blog pages comes more quickly to my mind – Lars Beck & Henri Purnell’s “Silent Games”, which features the folk storytelling anchor of vocalist Zekt.  The guys in Hunting Stories also give “Fade” its earnest beating heart while Kidswaste builds his complimentary musical storyboard around it.  “Fade” is not entirely an easy sell and you have to stick with it.  But once you do, I can guarantee repeated plays will occur!  Counter Records – home of Giraffage, ODESZA, and RAC – steers the ship for this one.

kidswaste

#BILLCSTop30 #516 – August 21/17

The new chart marks one of my favourites this year, with so many songs on the rise that will do very well, plus three new entries to add to the influx of great tunes 🙂

The Top 10

  • It is now very resolute that “New York Pretty” (above) by Bright Light Bright Light isn’t going anywhere any time soon as it holds at #1 for a second appearance.  Its companion song and video, “Into The Night” (below) soars 26-15 as BLx2 himself commutes back and forth between the UK and the US performing live and DJ gigs.  He’s also been added to UK dates as the opening act for Erasure on their upcoming tour – what a perfect match!!

  • Axel Mansoor’s “Out Of My Head” (above) stays put at #2 for a 4th appearance (8 weeks), while former #1 “Wasted My Love” departs the chart.  But I will leave you with a lively remix of that song, below, by Dulsae which totally catches its vibe.
  • Also in the new remixes department, you can pick your fill of seven for “There For You” by Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan, including one by Toronto’s own Dzeko 🙂
  • “Bad Drug” by Cosmos & Creature rises 6-4 as new collaborations and singles from the talented duo of Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore keep on comin’ this month!
  • The retro R&B groove of Anton’s “L.I.L.Y.” (like I love you) is irresistible, as the song climbs 8 to 5 for the Swedish pop singer.

  • Oregon’s CVBZ gets his first Top Tenner here with “Be Like You” in its Sean Turk remix, wasting no time by rising 12-6.  It’s Sean’s third ‘bedroom bass’ remix in the Top 10, following last year’s “Closer” by Brandyn Burnette (#7) and this year’s “Sleeping In” by Phil Good (tying its #6 peak).  CVBZ played the Billboard Hot 100 festival over the past weekend 🙂
  • Another newcomer to the Top 10 is England’s Sean Smith whose magnificent song “Magic” climbs 11-8 in its Andy Sikorski remix.

  • The fastest riser, and perhaps #1 contender, rounds out the Top 10.  It’s “Show Me” by Toronto’s Loud Luxury (recently gigging in Las Vegas with Martin Garrix) and Nikki’s Wives, flying up the chart 22-10.  Loud Luxury recently got to #1 with their redux of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” with Ryan Shepherd.

Movin’ On Up

  • Can’t get enough of Dan Talevski’s fun and lighthearted “Birthday Suit” right now as it rises 14-11.

  • Toronto quartet Blajk gave one of my favourite club shows of 2017 almost two weeks ago in their home town at The Drake Hotel with a stunning performance that recalled The Killers when they first began.  All eyes were on singer Jordan Radics as he sang songs like “Gunshot”, which jumps 20-14 (and ironically leaps over “The Man” by The Killers at #17!).
  • I’m gonna call it now – feel good song of the year.  It’s “I Like Me Better” by L.A. singer/songwriter Lauv, also now a national chart hit in Sweden.  So USA, I think you are missing out!  “I Like Me Better” moves up 27-18.

  • Keep your ears peeled for more from Iowa’s Kid Froopy – concert dates are in the works!  “Drive Slow” is one of those great songs for a lazy day with a funky vibe to keep those feet tapping.   It climbs up 30-20.

Three New Entries

  • At #21 is the FOURTH chart entry so far this year for L.A.’s Maholo and go-to-vocalist Cat Lewis, with “Perfect” (above).  This one is to be played loud in the wee hours as Cat’s vocals are shifted and played with and then in perfect harmony with each other.  “Perfect” sneaks in right above their prior release, the soulful “Heaven”, which moves up 25-22.  Their other two chart entries this year were “Be My Love” (#5) and “WTFYWF” (#3).
  • First timers to the chart are French producer Nick Peters along with American producer Frank Pierce and featuring vocalist Scott Vega for the telling and bittersweet “No Love In Brooklyn” at #25.  This one has an unmistakable melody and a great singalong chorus which you need to check out.
  • Just as his song “D U S T” (which peaked at #5) is about to finish its run, along comes another new one from Bobby Nourmand.  Reprising his collaboration with soul and hip hop vocalists DOC and Goodmorning from his #1 “D E E P in NY”, “MIND” and its catchy chorus bow at #28.

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

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

Coming in September:  a new BILLCS Facebook page 🙂

“Less Lonely” by @djFrankWalker goes big and emotional in a @YoungBombs remix

FRANK WALKER, “Less Lonely” (Young Bombs remix)

Canada’s West Coast production duo of Tristan and Martin, aka Young Bombs and recently praised in Billboard twice including by The Chainsmokers, keep it Canadian in their latest remix of “Less Lonely” by Toronto’s Frank Walker, who happened to play the Veld festival this month in his (and my) city.  Frank’s songs have been remixed by the likes of Sam Feldt and he himself has remixed Nick Jonas among others.  In this Young Bombs remix, “Less Lonely” (originally from Frank’s EP 24) goes high on emotion with some key, languid, big drops that surround the pleading chorus of ‘take me home’, sung by a compelling but uncredited singer.  It’s one of the lads’ best efforts yet, always switching it up to keep you intrigued whether it’s last year’s gorgeous “Lost” by Connor Phillips or this year’s fun “Love Like We Used To” by Captain Cuts.  Check it out at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital store.