After a sizzling recent collaboration with Lindsey Stirling and Alex Aris on “Dying For You”, Dutch producer Otto Knows is back with a new original called “With You”. Foregoing guest appearances – you’ll recall he got Avicii for one – in favour of what got him a UK pop hit a few years back with “Million Voices”, Otto brings more live instrumentation into the mix (including harmonica, stealing a page perhaps from Avicii) and a bouncy, almost reggae-infused percussion-laced rhythm that doesn’t quite sound like anything else out there until a familiar anthemic chorus by an uncredited male vocalist comes into play. The well-placed vocal breaks will leave club goers waiting to bounce some more, and “With You” is certainly energetic enough to cross over to pop radio. Check it out at the Spotify link above.
Minnesota’s engaging rapper and sometime singer Call Me Karizma continues to regularly bring us new songs, this time with “Leave Me Alone. Sad”. It’s all about being trapped with conflicting emotions, questioning what many younger folks experience when trying to devote as much time to friendship and companionship, leaving less time for oneself, particularly when down or sad. ‘Riz quickly and softly gets to his point in mainly a pretty minimal arrangement which picks up and gets a little meatier musically in the song’s last minute or so. Few singers and songwriters can get inside the thoughts of their audiences like Call Me Karizma, which is simply why his fan base continues to grow and grow, as his recent U.S. tour has also proven. Check out “Leave Me Alone. Sad” at the Spotify link above.
Following up their initial slice of soulful EDM “Irreplaceable” again comes Philadelphia duo N I G H T S with “P A R T Y”, which is perhaps even better suited for the dance floor. Like “Irreplaceable”, “P A R T Y” woos you in with its smooth vocal, alternately breathy and soulful, and then around the minute mark brings in a surprising and resolute drop which sends the song into full gear. The house-heavy banging is fairly brief, however, in favour of showing off more of what N I G H T S has to offer vocally. The beats do return but at just over 3:06 “P A R T Y” is begging for an extended deep house remix, where it may become more of a party launcher than simply part of the mix. These guys are off to a fine start so soul and house music fans should check out “P A R T Y” to get a taste and download it for free at the link above.
“Sex On Me”, the latest from Chicago’s Goldhouse, has many companion songs that could create a veritable dance floor orgy, from Berlin’s “Sex (I’m A…)” and George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex” in the 80’s, through to Rihanna’s “Sex With Me” of today. Goldhouse is anything but subtle in his lyrics – you’ll remember his fantastic kiss-off “Over”. But “Sex On Me” (this time on Armada Deep) also has a bubbly melody that will entice club goers and then they’ll hear the lyrics and the rest will be history. “Sex On Me” is a fun song that can anchor a key set in a club. So get with the program and give it a listen above.
Since her debut in 2013 with “Somebody Loves You”, which went viral and eventually became a #1 club smash, Aussie-born NYC-based Betty Who has amassed a loyal following, particularly in clubs, where they will never let her go, especially after her recent revival of Donna Lewis’ “I Love You Always Forever”. From her new album The Valley, “Mama Say” doesn’t mince any words about being a strong, remarkable you, and NYC duo Shades offers a classic, sparkling official club remix that’s a natural fit for Betty’s uplifting style. And that’s something that attracts new fans. Check the Shades remix of “Mama Say” at the Spotify link above.
After some pretty relentless touring across the USA these past few months, the wildly creative Dutchmen of DROELOE are back with new music with “See Through Me”. Recalling the drunken melody of their earlier “Shibuya”, “See Through Me”, like that song, takes us on a journey through several electronic movements with loud and quiet moments that will turn heads in an early-evening club set. It’s music that gets inside your head and kind of makes you sway uncontrollably. So perhaps these talented guys will find their way up to Canada for a show or two as well. “See Through Me” is alt-EDM that I think will preface something a little more pop-oriented like their recent “In Time”. DROELOE is getting quite the established repertoire intact and it’s great to see new label Bitbird (currently revelling in the success that is San Holo) behind them. Check out “See Through Me” at the above link.
If you like your trap mixed with drum ‘n bass and lots of melody, then “Animal” by NYC producer/DJ Reid Speed is for you. She concocts a mix that does not let up, with beautifully sweet melodic moments in stark contrast to some of the hardest dubstep and trap you’ll hear in a song that has big crossover potential. It’s aided fittingly by a deep and soulful vocal by L.A.’s Burnheart (aka Scott Bernhardt) that takes “Animal” to yet another level within one song. I was not familiar with Reid Speed before this song but I can see why she is being touted as one of North America’s most innovative producer/DJ’s regardless of gender. Check out “Animal” above and be prepared to have your senses twisted and turned and eventually reassembled.
“Difficult” by Philadelphia’s Sweekuh and L.A.’s Armors (from Tipsy Records) is the sly teaser of a crowd-pleaser that make take a few listens but it’s well worth it. Quite simply, it’s a by-the-book three-minute pop single with a big beat and alternately endearing and challenging vocal by Armors. It’s what helps make it a real grower – by third or fourth listen your head will be bobbing and you’ll tap into everything that’s positive about a song called “Difficult”. You may recall rising young producer Sweekuh (a play on Zack Cwieka’s last name) from his entertaining dubsteppy remix of Molly Moore’s “Peace Of My Heart”, which was a tell-tale sign for a fine original like “Difficult”. Check it out at the Spotify link above.
AIRE ATLANTICA featuring AMERIA, “Make You Mine” (free DL)
“Make You Mine” is all about a formidable pairing of effortless vocal and infectious high end. Aire Atlantica is a NYC producer whose mixes and remixes of songs by Lorde, K-Flay and Billie Eilish have acquired attention from key tastemakers. This has also helped him land the opening slot on the current tour by Hotel Garuda, which takes him to Austin this week and back to NYC in two weeks. His production on the original “Make You Mine” (for Lowly Palace) is on-point, with Hungary-born beauty Ameria’s voice soaring against a rather simple but well-placed high end hook. “Make You Mine” has anthemic qualities and audiences will tape into that. For now you can hear it above on Spotify and download it for free right here.
And the great new music keeps coming – 5 debuts again for edition #507. And I had a Top 4 songs that I was really torn over what song would be in what position. So…….
The Top 10
The Top 4 stays the same 🙂 but watch for a shake up in two weeks! All but the Top 4 are in upward movement mode, but all are bulleted nonetheless!
“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay stays on top for a third appearance (six weeks), so we’ll see if they anchor the pole position in two weeks. Their debut album Memories…Do Not Open is #1 this week in North America and Top 5 in the UK, all from the same guys who brought us “#Selfie” 3 years ago. And instead of relying on that success, they transformed and have not looked back 🙂
“Mad About You” by Koni featuring Danelle stays at #2. Italian producer Mark Mendy has a bouncy and equally cheerful official remix hot off the presses so check it out below and download it for free 🙂
Mahalo and Cat Lewis get their second consecutive Top 5 song here with “WTFYWF”, which soars 10-5, positioning itself nicely to advance further in two weeks.
Toronto quartet Blajk continue their trek up the chart with the seductive “Lethal” from their EP “Limited”, climbing 9-6. Check out the eye-catching video – Jordan Radics is one singer who does not look like his voice!
Crywolf and his emotion-torn epic “Windswept” ascends to a new peak of #7, from his EP “Skeletons”.
From only his third EP, Brandyn Burnette gets his 10th solo Top Tenner here (which includes three #1’s) with “Manifest” from “Feature Films”, rising 11-8. That doesn’t include his pairing with Molly Moore on “Just A Dream” (#4) nor his Cosmos & Creature featured entry on Vicetone’s “Bright Side” (#7), which would bring the total to 12.
Michael Christofi’s dynamic and uplifting remix of Elohim’s “Hallucinating” jumps 12-10, Christofi’s second time in the Top 10 after his original “Don’t Need You” got to #8 in 2016.
Also Movin’ Up
Don’t be too worried about “Stay” by Zedd and Alessia Cara ranking #11 this week. It will be well into the Top 10 in two weeks and by then, as I understand it, there will be remixes available!
Continuing their North American tour are two truly nice guys – Steve and Jeroen – aka Dutch production duo The Him. “I Wonder”, featuring a unique vocal by LissA, climbs 17-13.
The fastest riser on the chart this week is a bit of a change of pace for Swedish producer Alesso – which might be why I like it a whole lot! “Falling” soars 23-16.
With a new song already on deck that is equally charming, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor moves up 25-19 with “Wasted My Love”, still available as a free download for you too!
And making new friends every week is the infectious “Cruel” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Eddy Faulkner, which climbs 28-22. Expect to see some remixes sometime very soon!
5 Debuts
‘Twas the week of Harry Styles and with good reason – “Sign Of The Times” is a great song with a fantastic vocal! So it’s hard not to jump aboard the ride – it bows at #21. It’s the first time anyone from One Direction has appeared on this chart, band or solo!
There’s a one-of-a-kind melody that graces “Runaway” by young L.A.-based producer Spirix featuring Florida vocalists Xuitcasecity. The combination of EDM, pop and hip hop flavours helps send it to a #23 debut for the Spinnin’ Premium label. Spirix got to the Top 5 last year twice – once as co-collaborator with LZRD on “Take Me Apart” (#5) and as co-remixer of Brandon Skeie’s #1 “So Bad”.
Another young producer who has seen songs in the Top 10 of this chart over the past year is The Netherlands’ Steve Void. His latest is “Never Been Better” and it arrives at #26, following his collaboration with No Mondays on “Chemistry” (#10) and his remixes of both SNBRN’s “Beat The Sunrise” (#5) and Matoma’s “False Alarm” (#6).
The mysterious ZHU makes his chart debut here with “Nightcrawler” at #27. It’s a creepy, slinky number that will get under your skin much like the debut which brought him a 2014 Grammy nomination, “Faded”, which I would have charted had I not heard it well after-the-fact. One of those ‘couldabeens’ 🙂
The fifth debut comes from two super NYC guys, Andy Suzuki and Kozza, who call themselves Andy Suzuki & The Method. The guys continue to play gigs throughout North America to support their second album The Glass Hour. The 80’s flavoured and soulful “I Need You Now (The More You Leave)” premieres at #29. The band had had two previous chart entries, “Dirty Floors” (#7) and “Keep Me Running”, from their 2013 album “Born Out Of Mischief”.
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
Listen for me onhttp://www.planetradio.caon Tuesday evenings with my Top 10 of Toronto’s yesteryear, and with my Pick of the Week segment airing throughout the week most days at 2:20 6:20 10:20 AM/PM EST
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