Australia-based @Latchmeresound shines with summery “You”

https://soundcloud.com/latchmeresound/you

LATCHMERE, “You”

UK-born, Australia-based producer Latchmere continues to showcase the diverse mix of dance music he can offer with “You”.  While essentially an instrumental with vocal effects, “You” has an summery classic house vibe with some slight hip hop flavour to create a big bounce that makes you feel good when it all meshes together.  It’s pretty straight-forward and immediately likeable 🙂 Be sure to show “You” and Latchmere’s other songs some love by starting with the link up above for a free download.

“New York Pretty” is simply one of @BrightLightx2’s best, effortless-sounding songs

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, “New York Pretty”

Being a huge fan of Bright Light Bright Light – singer/songwriter/producer Rod Thomas – since 2010’s “A New Word To Say”, and having seen the singer in concert in NYC in 2013, Bright Light Bright Light has made one of his very best songs yet with “New York Pretty”.  Since he came to reside in NYC part-time for the last number of years, I’ve always been drawn to Rod’s enthusiasm for the city, which parallels my own when I visit.  So this Wales-born singer has created a new, contemporary theme song for NYC for those inspired (as Rod has revealed) by the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Kylie Minogue, and the Bette Midler/Lily Tomlin movie “Big Business” – and for you and me, likely any similar personal blend of joyous entertaining eccentricities. In the video, Rod takes us on his own tour through some of the best views of NYC outside of a Woody Allen movie.  “New York Pretty” is endearing, emotional, and sure to put a smile on your face and a kick in your heels.  It’s from Rod’s upcoming third 2017 EP “Tales Of The City”, which you can pre-order on iTunes.

More new music is a personal release for @MatthewKoma with “Suitcase”

MATTHEW KOMA, “Suitcase”

Matthew Koma’s latest songs have been cathartic, personal experiences perhaps like none other that he’s written.  So the broken relationship that’s stuck inside your head is the topic for the thoughtful “Suitcase”, which was written years ago but never released.  It’s his 5th single since last Fall, and so many of us can completely relate. A song like this can’t work unless the vocal is ultra-convincing and honest, and Matthew definitely gives his all.  In contrast to his recent ear-raising collaboration with Ghastly, “We Might Fall”, “Suitcase” is a ballad rather than a dance floor filler.  Thank goodness for recent support from Sony/RCA – it’s hard to go wrong with what Matthew Koma is frequently bringing us to hear and embrace in 2017.

A Slinky sexy groove drives “Show Me” by Toronto’s @LoudLuxury and @NikkisWives

LOUD LUXURY featuring NIKKI’S WIVES, “Show Me”

“Show Me” is one of those bass-driven disco-influenced songs that will yank people out onto the dance floor mid-evening in a club.  It’s brought to you by fast-rising Toronto duo Loud Luxury – coming off of one of the best records of 2017, “Something to Say”, with Ryan Shepherd – and fellow Canadians Nikki’s Wives.  It’s all about getting a sexy party going in your feet and butt.  And the video is worth a look for a starring role for porn star Ron Jeremy.  And when you invite Ron to a party, well you know the women will be drawn to him wherever he goes… it’s just like that, but the guys in the video hadn’t figured on that (we last saw Mr. Jeremy guesting in the video for Armin van Buuren and Trevor Guthrie’s massive 2013 hit “This Is What It Feels Like”).  So all in all “Show Me” is a real attention-getter for a lot of valid reasons 🙂

#BILLCSTop30 #512 – June 26/17

The Top 10

  • L.A.’s Axel Mansoor acquires another rare feat on this chart in his second appearance at #1 with the pensive “Wasted My Love” (above).  He scores a simultaneous Top 5 entry with the soulful post-breakup song “Out Of My Head” (below), which also has designs on #1 but I’m afraid may have to wait its turn.  The best thing about all of this is that both songs are available for free download – get ’em while they last!
  • Charlie Puth’s bass-laden “Attention” climbs to #2 and appears to be the successor to “Wasted My Love” at the top, but we will see in two weeks…

  • Not to be discounted, Philadelphia’s NiGHTS keep it going, rising 5-3 with the quirky and infectious indie release “P A R T Y”.
  • Bubbling under the Top 10 has paid off for “Never Been Better” by Dutch producer/DJ Steve Void, which climbs 11-8, becoming Steve’s second Top 10 solo entry following “Chemistry” (#10) earlier this year.
  • UK producer Murky arrives at #9 with the lovely “Heavy-Hearted”, featuring Polish singer Anuka, currently available as a free download.

https://soundcloud.com/manifesto-music/murky-heavy-hearted-feat-anuka

  • And another free download gives L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand his second Top 10 entry, “D U S T”.  It follows the #1 hip hop/EDM grabber “D E E P in NY”.

Movin’ On Up

https://soundcloud.com/selectedsounds/silent-games

  • There aren’t many ‘story songs’ on the dance music scene, but one that works very well is the tell-it-like-it-is “Silent Games” by Lars Beck & Henri Purnell featuring Hawaiian vocalist Zekt.  It climbs 16-11 and is also a free download!

  • Besides Axel Mansoor, Martin Garrix is the other performer in the chart who has two entries.  The fun instrumental club banger “Byte” (above), with fellow Dutchman Brooks, soars 19-12, while Martin’s pop collaboration with Troye Sivan on “There For You” (below) moves up 29-22.

  • Welcome To The Hotel’s indie pop release “Darlin”, featuring vocalist Brandon Serafino, gets transformed with a clubby sax break by remix duo Saxena, and climbs 22-15.  It’s available as a free download too!

https://soundcloud.com/classyton/welcome-to-the-hotel-ft-brandon-serafino-darlin-saxena-remix

  • The fastest riser on the chart should come to you as no surprise.  Cosmos & Creature are BILLCS Top 30 chart veterans Molly Moore and Brandyn Burnette with their best collaboration yet “Bad Drug”, which vaults 26-17.
  • One jam you should definitely give a chance is Anton Ewald’s “L.I.L.Y.” (Like I Love You), which climbs 27-20.  Check out the flashy ‘all Anton’ video directed by his fiancée.

  • Singer/songwriter/actor Reeve Carney continues on his club tour in North America to support his debut album Youth Is Wasted.  From that album, the soulful and gritty “Truth” moves up 28-21.

Three Debuts

  • The highest debut on the chart at #23 looks to be a long-term favourite of mine for 2017, the joyous “Astronauts”.  It’s a collaboration between three Danes and a Scot and it’s absolutely magnetic.  It will be hard to remember the artists – Christian Boye & Christian Sigvardt & MAGNÜS featuring vocalist Uhre – so best to go pick it up at your favourite digital store now!

  • The second debut is the first appearance on this chart by Las Vegas’ Killers since 2009’s “A Dustland Fairytale”.  Brandon Flowers are back in the form that we enjoyed them best with their new wave/disco splashed “The Man” at #27.

  • One half of the UK X Factor contestants Same Difference, which achieved some popularity domestically, is singer Sean Smith, who is now solo with the gorgeous “Magic”, which has international club potential thanks to a thoughtful remix by Andy Sikorski.  “Magic” bows 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 🙂

 

Watch the starlight: “Heaven” by @thisisMahalo featuring #CatLewis

MAHALO featuring CAT LEWIS, “Heaven”

Hot off the press is another club zinger from L.A.’s Mahalo called “Heaven”.  It’s got a retro-tastic late 80’s, early 90’s chill house rhythm that will make you think of clear starry nights that approach the sunrise.  Once again Mahalo has employed the versatile voice of Cat Lewis, this time providing a warm, romantic and atmospheric effect to surround the notion of one of those ideal nights when everything seems so right.  “Heaven” might seem a little unassuming initially but it’s sophisticated and rich elements will draw you in deeper.  Following up “Be My Love” and the ribald “WTFYWF”, Mahalo and Cat Lewis have another winner here.

Soulful and tropical: “Secrets” by @TheHim featuring @CubRayanmusic

THE HIM featuring CUB RAYAN, “Secrets” (free DL)

With each release, Dutch duo The Him continue to mix it up for your dancing pleasure.  “Secrets”, featuring new vocalist Cub Rayan, is a sleek soulful song with lots of sexy tropical vibes.  Steven and Jeroen know how to keep their mix tight, so the words and music of “Secrets” form a solid pop song that could fit well on dance music radio, but with enough of a house groove to stand out in a club set as well.  After last year’s “Balance” and this year’s recent “I Wonder”, along with featured sets throughout North America and Europe, The Him remain one of the more impressive and diverse producer/DJ duos out there.  Download “Secrets” for free at the link above.

Electro-Salsa: “Shingaling” becomes the @TomSwoon club companion of “Despacito”

TOM SWOON, “Shingaling”

Thanks to the massive international success of “Despacito”, just about anything Spanish or Portuguese that’s really good will find its way to the dancefloor.  And one top notch new entry, though a bit short at only 2:33, is “Shingaling” from 24 year old Tom Swoon, who himself happens to Polish.  But where you’re from doesn’t make a difference if the song is a club banger, and “Shingaling” certainly is as Spanish big band meets electro-Salsa.  With Spinnin’ releasing “Shingaling” you know that it’s gonna be around for most of the summer.  Watch the international charts light up and dance contests begin with Tom Swoon’s “Shingaling”.  Check out the video below.

Revealing the latest from Toronto’s @DanTalevski “Birthday Suit”

DAN TALEVSKI, “Birthday Suit”

Two years ago, Toronto’s Dan Talevski was out to seduce us with mysterious R&B-flavoured ear candy like the riveting “Guilty As Sin” as well as “My Religion”.  He’s back with this saucy bit of fun called “Birthday Suit”, and it leaves next to nothing to the imagination save for a well-placed bunny (oh yeah, the cap too).  There’s little to dislike here – yet another on-point vocal, a fine arrangement, and invariably well-placed cuss words, with a funky rhythm that will keep your motor going long after the song is over.  And I think that’s the idea.  “Birthday Suit” could also benefit from some naughtier remixes, just sayin’…

Philadelphia’s @NiGHTS_official kicks it back with “W A V E”

NiGHTS, “W A V E”

If you think Philadelphia duo NiGHTS were strictly all about play, with their infectious song “P A R T Y” riding high at #5 on my personal chart, then for contrast purposes         “W A V E” might just be for you.  This is a softer, midtempo song for just after midnight, in what we used to call the “quiet storm” setting back in the day.  It draws from 90’s R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Timbaland, and a lot of other songs by performers who laid some of the groundwork for R&B today.  By the way, the ‘wave’ here ain’t the one in the water.  Check it out at the link above.