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!
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.
‘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 🙂
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.
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
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.
After quickly making a name for himself in Europe and garnering support from key producer/DJ’s, Frankfurt-based Kyco brings his first vocal track onto the dance music scene, “Little Bit Closer”. It’s got a sprite, uplifting, genuine pop anthem sound that fits right in next to current songs like Lauv’s “I Like Me Better”. And similar to that song, “Little Bit Closer” has a charming boyish vocal that sends you through the entire song with great ease. It certainly has the makings of something that pop radio audiences would enjoy, although with the sweaty body images that the lyrics promote, I think dance club DJ’s would be the first to put it to the body contact test. “Little Bit Closer” very much deserves your attention at the link above.
NYC-based, Oklahoma born singer/songwriter Mothica is definitely one to watch with her stylish but affecting alt.pop which can straddle rock and electronic dance music genres. From her recently released EP Heavy Heart is “Self-Destructive”, featuring the singer’s Lorde-meets-Melanie Martinez via Molly Moore expressive voice and a sometimes sparse instrumentation which volleys back and forth with some powerful hooks. This lends the impression that we all have had sometimes when we do something self-destructive to ourselves either in isolation or in full drama in front of others. The tone of the song therefore is very well-suited to remixes, of which there are plenty, but I would draw your attention to the collaboration with Syracuse producer on-the-rise who calls himself ye. (that’s pronounced ‘yea’). Being self-destructive is taken to a playful level here which club goers will enjoy. Opening for Toronto quartet Blajk last week, Mothica’s live show emphasizes a tight set augmented more by some striking guitar work than the synthesizers on record, which also gives a different dimension to her songs. Check out the original above and the collaboration with ye. (available as a free download) below.
it’s different & FOREVER MC featuring BLACK BEAR & MAX, “No Hands” (free DL)
The creative folks in the R&B, hip hop and dance/EDM genres know that sometimes it’s best to combine forces to create a one-of-a-kind record. Such is the case with “No Hands”, a red hot collaboration between mystery production duo it’s different, Utah rapper Forever MC, L.A.’s smoking hot Black Bear, and NYC’s own MAX. “No Hands” comes large and in charge and doesn’t for one second let you give up the ghost to think any less of it throughout the entire song. The three vocals blend somewhat seamlessly despite the diverse backgrounds of each, and the bassy/trappy mix is as risk-taking as the intent behind the lyrics. “No Hands” is an inventive pop hit in the making that will sound equally as wonderful on radio next to Drake and Kendrick Lamar as it would next to Calvin Harris and David Guetta. It’s a free download for now at the link above; get it while it lasts!!
Steven and Jeroen from Dutch duo The Him can do little wrong these days, and following up the sweet soulful pop/dance of “Secrets” comes “Oasis”, featuring vocalist Sorana. I can’t figure out if there’s more meaning behind the title than as a reference to the revered British group than mentioning “Wonderwall” in the lyrics. Nonetheless “Oasis” certainly has a poignant quality to make you ponder an idyllic environment along with a bouncy deep house rhythm and sharp vocals that will make you sway along. Check it out at the link above where it’s available as a free download for now.
If you’re in NYC on August 18 you can do yourself a favour and check out the double bill of The Him and Canadian duo Young Bombs at Marquee for an evening chock full of excellent mixes and dancing.
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