“I Like Me Better” is an exceedingly pop-friendly dance tune released independently by L.A. singer/songwriter/producer Lauv, and it’s gradually becoming a radio hit. On Billboard’s Canadian Top 100, it debuted this past week at #81. It’s got a great, touching message too that fortunately gets showcased in a fine remix by Halifax’s Famba, who readers of this blog already know from his insanely fun “Right Here Right Now”. He isolates the critical, lyrical parts of the song which lead to more uptempo alternatropical-flavoured segments that will keep your toes tapping. There are also official remixes by Cheat Codes and Ryan Riback available to enjoy as well. Lauv has a genuine, organic winner here which takes him to the next level 🙂
It looks like Louisiana’s Hunter Plake and his brother Dakota have zeroed in on what was to me Hunter’s shining moment on the most recent season of “The Voice” – his warm, unique, toned-down rendition of Sia’s “Electric Heart” – and have used it for the basis of their new much-awaited indie single, “Eden”. Given Hunter’s other performances on “The Voice”, “Eden” is not what one might expect – gloriously romantic chilled out pop/dance! But I’ve found the performances on the show often disguise what the performers really want to do. And now with that as a launchpad, “Eden” should serve the brothers Plake very well as a kickstart to their own music and sound. Club DJ’s will want to invest in this one transitioning into or out of a quieter set. For the rest of us, a taste of “Eden” is not enough and we’ll want more very soon from the Plakes!
NICK PETERS & FRANK PIERCE featuring SCOTT VEGA, “No Love In Brooklyn”
Not every summery dance single can be a big banger, so here we have a thoughtful, midtempo Franco-American dance/pop offering called “No Love In Brooklyn” by French producer Nick Peters and US producer Frank Pierce featuring American duo Scott Vega. This one goes down really smooth, with a soft, clean vocal that lifts the song up despite its subject matter. “No Love” will work great in a mid-evening set, and continues the promising sounds that both young producers (Nick is a teenager) have been making separately, such that Epic Oslo has tapped the release in conjunction with Tipsy Tortoise. Be sure to give “No Love In Brooklyn” a few spins at the link above.
“You Might Be” is the kind of dance record that immediately goes to the front of the line for attention. It’s new from Chicago production trio Autograf through Warner’s Big Beat label, and featuring soaring singer Lils (formerly Lily Elise) in a lush official remix by France’s Gianni Kosta. “You Might Be” is a bubbly, romantic, tightly-recorded song whose lovely wash of layered synths and dreamy vocal are a far cry from the non-descript pop EDM that pervades the radio today. While it’s definitely love-at-first-listen for “You Might Be”, I’ll guarantee the more you play this one, the more it will sink in, and it will definitely create an uplifting presence on the dance floor. It’s yours to check out at the link above.
With his new original “MIND”, once again for The Magiccian’s Potion label, L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand returns to his unique other-worldly kind of deep, dark house style which started appearing in his earlier releases a few years ago. After turning his instrumental “D E E P” into the most wickedly playful hip hop house late last year as “D E E P in NY” featuring vocalists D.O.C. and Goodmorning, this somewhat unlikely trio is back with seconds with “MIND”. And the inspired flow in the verses in this one is equally appealing, with more of an even mix of entertaining wordplay and soulful vocal chorus set to Bobby’s refined late night deep house bounce. I’m still not quite sure what it’s all about yet, but “MIND” is another grower worthy of repeated plays. Indulge yourself and get it stuck in your “Mind” at the link above.
“Cheap Motel” is a great introduction to the songs of 20 year old Dutchman Justin Mylo. Like me you’ve already heard him with his friend – one Martin Garrix – on “Bouncybob”, and you may have heard about his DJ sets in places like Ibiza. Well “Cheap Motel” is one explosive slice of bubbly pop/dance that won’t leave you sitting down. Using a lot of high end and featuring a powerful uncredited vocal that resonates with tons of enthusiasm, “Cheap Motel” is a less traditional, happy story of finding romance in an unlikely place. I’m sure working with Martin has rubbed off on Justin, but “Cheap Motel” is a dynamic, tightly produced song which should help take him even further. Catch him this summer if you’re in Las Vegas at Omnia.
The dance music world can seem so closely knit together when you find a song by Canadians released through an Italy-based label. So chalk another one up for Manifesto with “Bad Decisions” by producer Frame featuring fellow Montrealer Bijou on vocals. What starts off kind of like dreamy Billie Eilish-meets-Gwen Stefani with a lazy vibe somehow transforms into a darker, minimalist electronic song that is entirely captivating and something Lana Del Rey might appreciate. You’re not entirely sure if the subject of the song is actually making bad decisions because she wants to, though she sings about not knowing why, making it an interesting and convincing puzzle. “Bad Decisions” will keep those heads nodding and toes tapping in the wee hours at a club. Make a good decision by getting your free download for now at the link above.
The chart has a new #1 and a high-flying debut to watch in the coming weeks!
The Top 10
“Attention” by Charlie Puth slides in at #1 as the title for his upcoming second album has been announced: Voice Notes. The song’s slick bassline and honest delivery made it a sure thing for the top of my chart. Like many of you, I hadn’t known of Charlie Puth till I heard “See You Again”, but he’s a stadium concert headliner in the making 🙂 Catch him on tour opening for Pickering, Ontario native Shawn Mendes (below), who also arrives at #10 this week with “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”.
While Axel Mansoor had to give up the top spot held by “Wasted My Love” during June, he glides to #2 with its follow up, “Out Of My Head”. Like “Wasted”, “Head” is a free download, as are many songs in the upper reaches of this chart 🙂
When you can sing a good, interesting story, it resonates and stays in your head. Such is the case with “Silent Games” as sung by Hawaiian singer Zekt, and produced by Germany’s Lars Beck and Henri Purnell. It soars 11-5.
Right behind “Silent Games” is Bobby Nourmand’s summer song “D U S T”, which climbs 10-6. Bobby has new music coming very soon for Potion Records once again, so you will know where to read about it!
The third entry into the Top 10 is “Byte” by Dutchmen Martin Garrix and Brooks. It’s a feisty instrumental that doesn’t let up and is accompanied by a flashy video. “Byte” rises 12-9.
Movin’ On Up
Cosmos & Creature – Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore to you and me – appear to be on deck for their first Top 10 as a lead artist under this project name with the engaging “Bad Drug”, which sails 17-11. The duo got to the Top 10 (#7) as a featured artist on Vicetone’s “Bright Side” last year. We need to see C&C more on the east coast please!!
Sweden’s Anton Ewald is also heading for the Top 10 – where all of his charted songs have landed in the past, but as high as #2 – with “L.I.L.Y.”, or “like I love you”, promoted by a video that is all Anton. The song’s obvious Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake influences are more inspiring rather than obvious borrowings. “L.I.L.Y.” moves up 20-14.
Martin Garrix’s second entry shows the best of his pop side, and with Troye Sivan on vocals for “There For You” it’s taken to another level entirely. It’s his best ‘pop’ single to date, aside of course from “Animals”, and charges up the chart 22-15.
“Astronauts” is one of the catchiest and most energetic songs of the year, EDM or otherwise. It’s brought to you by a wide collaboration of three Danes and a Scot: Boye & Sigvardt & MAGNÜS – the lone Scot – featuring vocalist Uhre. It leaps 23-18.
The fastest riser on the chart is a classic house remix with an equally classic piece of storytelling to make it all gel. I’m talking about former Same Difference member Sean Smith’s “Magic”, which in its Andy Sikorski remix, soars 28-20.
You can now check out the video to The Killers’ latest single “The Man”, which moves up 27-24.
Three New Entries
He’s back and stronger than ever, a fixture on the BILLCS Top 30 these past 7 years, Bright Light Bright Light. Following his album Choreography, he’s just released his second EP as well in 2017, Tales Of The City, which is a huge warm musical hug for NYC and to anyone who feels they are simply not good enough for even themselves 🙂 And he’s given the city a new theme song, “New York Pretty”, with a vibrant video that makes the package a full circle. BLx2 has already had 5 #1’s on this chart, will “New York Pretty” be his next one? It arrives out of the gate at #16.
While previous single “I Wonder” still hangs in at #28, Dutch duo The Him are back with another impressive single, the R&B-flavoured “Secrets”, featuring a glistening vocal by L.A. singer Cub Rayan. It bows at #23.
After enticing us with thoughtful but sultry singles like “Guilty As Sin” and “My Religion” in 2015, Toronto’s Dan Talevski is back with the fun and light-hearted “Birthday Suit”. Debuting at #25, we’ll have to see if the upcoming video is saucy or playful or a bit of both 🙂
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
I definitely enjoy my doses of new music by or featuring Penguin Prison in doses of three like this 🙂 New York’s Chris Glover is back with new music following his second album, 2015’s Lost In New York, featuring on vocals with fellow NYC denizen (but a Canadian in disguise , hehe) Gramercy on “Unbelievable Love” (above) for Spinnin’ Deep no less. This is particularly fast-paced house that will sound great in clubs at the top of the evening. And Gramercy, also known as Justin Davey, knows his craft well and who to work with – he’s produced songs by the likes of David Guetta, Jason Derulo and Nicki Minaj. With fine songs like “Unbelievable Love”, Gramercy is one to watch!
Returning to more familiar territory that sends me back to Penguin Prison’s other remixes, like for Ghost Town’s “Too Young” a few years back, we have French/American duo Freedom Fry with “Junkie” (below). The catchy song, from an EP of official Remixes, gets a big boost from PP’s funky touches which do all the right things to help make this one a singalong come chorus time.
Penguin Prison also tackles an official remix for on-the-bubble New Jersey group A R I Z O N A on “Electric Touch” (also below). With more of a regimental rhythm and lots of high end, PP’s remix captures the magic of instant love at first touch. This one’s an easy grab for club DJ’s to catch on to Arizona’s growing appeal and Penguin Prison’s effortless way of making his interpretations work so well.
He told us earlier in the decade that “Music Makes You Lose Control”, and now comes “Set Me Free”, by Portugal-born, Spain-based singer/actor Carlos Nóbrega, from his upcoming first of two albums, The Art Of Making Love, due on August 4. Years in the making, “Set Me Free” is warm and inviting electro-dance/pop that promises to take you on an interesting adventure. For Carlos is definitely a lover, not a fighter, it’s all about joy and beauty, and having fun together and letting go. “Set Me Free” has rich production to accompany its beach-ready vibe and celebration of both personal connection and freedom. It there might be too many effects on Carlos’ voice, they serve in conjunction to part of the song’s message, that love is one-of-a-kind, and never boring but heavily reliant on the spices of life! There’s much more to come each week from Carlos, so keep both of your eyes on his You Tube channel, where you can also check out the introductory video to his intriguing projects below.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 