Enigmatic producer/DJ Meatport premieres with “The Troll” via Vinyl City. It’s a bold, wild ride of a song that straddles fun as much as it might infuriate you with its alternately ominous and goofy chorus. Musically it surfs a seriously ambitious wave of 90’s techno-house colliding with drum ‘n bass and trap elements along the way – put early Armand Van Helden and DaRude in a room with Martin Garrix and Pegboard Nerds and you might get a sense of where the song might head for you. And if you’re game – well, welcome to the #MeatFam with much more zaniness to come, meat-helmet included 🙂 There is no second-guessing that Meatport knows his craft well! Check out the tight radio edit up top or the full enchilada with all of the hot sauce and jalapeño peppers below, and pick it up at your favourite digital store.
It’s easy for producers and remixers to get comfortable in one genre and repeat the formula that gave them their greatest success. Michael Christofi is certainly a producer/DJ to watch, particularly with recent remixes of songs by Elohim and Opia as well as his own originals, and walls of genre and sub-genre don’t seem to matter much to him. Here he accentuates the vibrant but softer alt.pop of “Future” by L.A.-based quartet Transviolet, who you may have seen on tour with Mikky Ekko or LANY within the last year or so. Christofi has peppered the song with enough of a bright, bouncy house vibe that clubs should easily embrace this remix. Fans of the song will enjoy how true Christofi has also stayed to the melody and intent of “Future” in this official remix, as well as to vocalist Sarah’s unique style. You can also see Transviolet this month if you’re in LA as they play some local shows. Check it out at the link above and get it for free.
For the first time since March, following “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, which stayed up top for 4 appearances (8 weeks) as did Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad” last summer, there is a new #1 on the BILLCS Top 30, and a few more contenders bubbling below!
My fellow Torontonians, Loud Luxury and Ryan Shepherd ascend to the top with “Something To Say”, their brilliant deep house rework of Craig David’s “Fill Me In”. It’s the first time since another fellow Torontonian finished out 2016 at #1, that being The Weeknd with Daft Punk and “Starboy”.
Mahalo and Cat Lewis continue to rise in the Top 5 as the rollicking “WTFYWF” arrives at #3.
One of the most unique songs out there in every good sense of that word is Brandyn Burnette’s “Manifest”, and this song from his third EP Feature Films jumps 7-4.
Eyeing the Top 5 and the top of the chart is Alesso’s huge club hit “Falling”, which moves up 10-6.
The sweet soul of L.A.’s Axel Mansoor lands in the Top 10 with “Wasted My Love” climbing 12-9.
L.A.-based producer Spirix gets his second Top 10 hit here with “Runaway”, featuring pop/hip hop duo Xuitcasecity on vocals, to make an addictive blend of EDM, pop, soul and hip hop. It bounds into the Top 10 soaring 17-10.
Movin’ On Up
Harry Styles looks to be the bona fide pop star formerly of One Direction, as “Sign Of The Times” from his new self-titled album winds its way up to the outskirts of the Top 10, rising 15-11.
L.A.-based singer/songwriter Eddy Faulkner is halfway up the chart with his first entry “Cruel”, a slick blend of pop and dance styles with rich production, moving 18-15.
Check out Steve Void’s fun new video for “West L.A.” below, as I’m hardly done yet with his previous single “Never Been Better” (above), which climbs 21-16. The memorable, commanding uncredited vocal is by British singer Grace Tither.
The fastest riser on the chart has one of the quirkiest hooks around which will grow on you big time. With its blend of soulful pop and EDM, Philadelphia duo NiGHTS vault 29-17 with “Party”.
NYC’s Andy Suzuki & The Method have announced upcoming tour dates in (natch) NYC, but also Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston, which is always a great way to feel the energy they bring to their music. “I Need You Now (The More You Leave)” is from their second album The Glass Hour, and rises 24-19.
They co-produced “Break Up Every Night”, a song on The Chainsmokers’ album Memories… Do Not Open. The trio Captain Cuts joins The ‘Smokers on the chart with “Love Like We Used To” (Young Bombs remix), climbing 27-22.
Debuts
25 year old singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth is back with a song from his upcoming second album. “Attention” is as infectious as it gets, with a slightly dirty and soulful rhythm to counter Charlie’s knowing vocal. It bows at #23 and becomes Charlie’s 4th entry on the chart, the last being “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (with Selena Gomez), which peaked at #5.
L.A. producer/DJ Bobby Nourmand grabbed a #1 song here earlier in the year with the crazy “D E E P In NY” (featuring great verses rapped by D.O.C. and Goodmorning). He returns with the first bright light of summer for those of us in colder climates called “D U S T”. It’s a mini-epic for a long drive up a sandy beach on a clear night, and bows at #24 – and it’s Bobby’s gift to you as a free download 🙂
New to the chart are Germany’s Lars Beck and Henri Purnell with their deep house production “Silent Games” featuring Hawaiian vocalist Zekt at #26. This mix of EDM, soul and folk styles will catch you immediately and draw you in with Zekt’s classic way of unfolding a story. You can get “Silent Games” as a free download for a limited time.
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
“Emily” is the latest rich catchy piece of business from Matt and Eli, aka much-respected and fun L.A. producers Two Friends, who have their friends at Armada Trice working on this one. Continuing with more originals, like their best works, “Emily” will be irresistible for club-goers and DJ’s, thanks to a gorgeous high end piano chorus which is augmented by the splendidly unique vocals of James Delaney. It’s not over-burdened by effects, which allows “Emily” to shine for exactly what it is. You simply won’t be able to get it out of your head – so head over to your favourite digital music store and pick it up.
Oregon-bred L.A.-based singer/songwriter CVBZ quickly follows up the inspired Sean Turk ‘bedroom bass’ remix of “Be Like You” with the funky bass rhythm of “Vicodin”. It’s an intriguing song that will help you launch an evening where you dance the night away. When you’re done with that and can lend an ear more closely you’ll find so much more in the lyrics that will warrant repeated plays. Some days you just want to let loose like the big happy guy that decides to breakdance at prom for the first time, or the couple that decides to go skinny dipping late at night. From the singer himself:
Whatever your opinion, “Vicodin” is a bold and fun song from CVBZ, offering up a bit of risky business for us all. Just remember, mom and dad will still love you in the end even if you do mess up the house 🙂
Germany’s Stan Sax is no stranger to these pages or my personal chart, having one of my favourite songs of the year with “Brothers” as part of duo Saxity, and adding trademark sax work to broaden the appeal of last year’s bubbly but inauspicious “Vague” by Fabian Luttenberger. “Line” was this year’s Latvian entry for the Eurovision contest by the quartet Triana Park and regrettably this radio-friendly tune, a Top 10 hit in Latvia, didn’t move on to the upcoming finals. But Mr. Sax has turned “Line” a bit inside-out and sideways, anchoring the song in a slower rhythm which gives it a more alt.rock vibe. And of course there’s lots and lots of sax, and the melody and rhythm become a much more free-flowing jam session, making it quite the surprise by the end. I often say that fine songs can receive some drastic but creative transformations and Stan Sax has a winner with “Line”, which you can download for free at the link above.
FAYDEE featuring LEFTSIDE and KAT DeLUNA, “Nobody” (KWM remix)
For North American audiences, the vibrant summer tunes are starting to emerge, and of course one of the first places they might come from is Australia, where their summer is on the wane. Faydee’s “Nobody”, featuring dancehall singer Leftside and a shining appearance by Kat DeLuna, is most reminiscent of the same kind of tropical party music that Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull marry together and bring to a concert setting. So in other words, just don’t think, let go, have a great time and dance it up! The Kamau World Music (KWM) remix amps up the tropical/dancehall party vibe over the original and somehow makes it even more instantly appealing. “Nobody” has already had success in Australia and Germany, is definitely one to watch. It could bring the likeable Faydee more North American success after co-writing and appearing on “I Need Your Love” by Shaggy, Mohombi and Costi, a surprise gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2014. Listen and let loose to the KWM remix above.
I don’t write about pop/rock records with heavy country music influences a lot unless they are well-sung, genuine songs like from Huntsville, Ontario duo The Big East in Hungry Ghosts, the follow-up album to 2014’s Under Currents. James Jones and Kip Daynard are here to offer up a good time for all, a signal for you to jump into the vehicle and head to cottage country, and the songs work best when they are full-tilt rocking or soft and heart-felt. “Too Far Gone” is the winner here, a retro-rocker in the John Mellencamp style of rock that gets things off to a barreling start following the other opener, also a rocker called “The Wild Life”. Most of The Big East’s inspiration seems to continue to draw from The Eagles and Neil Young, but can also easily appeal to fans of more recent bands such as The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons. “Love Monkey” is probably the bluesiest and most soulful song within that might catch your ear, but another one worthy of attention is the tender ballad “My Heart Belongs To Me”. The Big East has already started to receive notable airplay in Canada with some of the fine songs within. Check out all of the songs on Hungry Ghosts at the link above.
I must admit I was a bit side-swiped upon first listen of the latest by American producer Kid Froopy called “Dreams”. While Kid has garnered significant attention over the last year remixing the likes of songs by Terror Jr. and having his own music remixed by other rising stars like WRLD, he has remained an enigma who follows the beat of his own drum. So “Dreams” isn’t really a Dance/EDM track, but an electronic one that might even be better suited for alt.rock and college radio. Its unconventional chilled out flavour seems to draw from classic 70’s rock like Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, yet the lyrics contain a very contemporary edge, with vocals that are alternately quiet or harmonic, not usually found in this kind of record. After a few listens I expect you will enjoy the different kind of diversity that Kid Froopy is offering here. Throw back to the first time you heard “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People, and likely scratched your head, that’s my best reference point. Check out what Kid Froopy’s been up to in “Dreams” at the link above.
UK producer Ambassadeurs has unleashed his long-awaited EP These Four Walls, and among the electronic ear candy within is “3 AM” which features the vocals of fellow Brit Bo Rocha. “3 AM” is one mid-tempo song that shouldn’t slip under the radar, it’s absolutely perfect for clubs with a stunning vocal by Bo featuring beautiful high notes that just don’t grace any old song. I think “3 AM” could benefit from remixes – as long as the vocals are left alone, don’t mess with ’em! 😉 Check it out at the link above for an unexpected gem of the week 🙂 Hopefully another collaboration between the pair is forthcoming at some point!
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