Dutch producer/DJ @SteveVoidmusic is on fire with pop-tastic “Never Been Better”

STEVE VOID, “Never Been Better”

Following up his collaboration with No Mondays and Clara Mae on the futuristic-tinged “Chemistry” (#10 on the BILLCS Top 30!) is Dutch producer/DJ Steve Void with “Never Been Better”, which like “Chemistry” has been picked up by Sony for worldwide release.  “Never Been Better” isn’t anywhere near as busy as “Chemistry” but it shows how slick Steve can get when he has his hands on a strong pop song with a commanding vocal (by an uncredited singer).  “Never Been Better” really stands out in a crowd and is one of those songs that you can incorporate into a set that will set the tone for a brisk pace.  After supporting Matoma throughout most of 2016 on his North American tour, Steve is about to take his show on the road in Europe, with more great new music to come.  Steve Void is one of the brightest new talents in the EDM world to watch right now and “Never Been Better” spells out most of the reasons why 🙂  Check it out at the link above.

Producer/vocalist @Memoryy returns with inspired electropop of “I Thought You Needed My Love” featuring @OddYearmusic

MEMORYY featuring ODD YEAR, “I Thought You Needed My Love”

Albuquerque-based (after relocating from Brooklyn) producer and vocalist Memoryy (Shaun Hettinger) first found his way into these blog pages last summer with “Turning The Page”, a mysterious taste of electropop that had a resounding emotional chorus to carry it.  Memoryy has since been working on his upcoming album Skeletons, and the new arrival from it is “I Thought You Needed My Love”, featuring additional production by California-based Odd Year.  “I Thought” again rides Memoryy’s talent for creating an engaging chorus that anchors the song, helping to ease the misunderstood breakup revealed in the story of the song.  While highly danceable and with a great bounce, “I Thought” is more of an electronic pop song thanks to standout lyrics and a resilient vocal.  Be sure to give it a listen at the link above.

Born to re-do it: Toronto’s @LoudLuxury & @RyShepherdmusic making @CraigDavid proud with “Something To Say”

https://soundcloud.com/loudluxury/sets/something-to-say

LOUD LUXURY x RYAN SHEPHERD, “Something To Say”

It looks like Toronto duo Loud Luxury pairing up with fellow 6er Ryan Shepherd and Spinnin’ could have a real breakthrough with “Something To Say”.  In case you didn’t pick it up from the headline, “Something To Say” is a killer redux of Craig David’s “Fill Me In”, a real homage to the song, performer (on a huge comeback tip in the UK) and house music of the early 2000’s that still sounds so great today.  It’s all about the bass and (I think) slightly pitched down vocal to make it what I would call ultra deep house.  There’s no reason why club DJ’s won’t go wild over “Something To Say” and it definitely has dance music radio hit stamped all over it.  Listen above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

“Forever” is lush and romantic uptempo #EDM from @RicoandMiella

https://soundcloud.com/revealed-recordings/ricomiella-forever

RICO & MIELLA, “Forever”

“Forever” is a beautiful new EDM track from classically-inspired NYC duo Rico & Miella, who you will recall from last year’s pairing with Telykast on “Worth Fighting For”.  What’s great about it is that “Forever” – released by Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings – is a full-on dance track, not about to be a part of a lot of this banal downtempo stuff that will send club crowds off to drink rather than dance.  “Forever” is attractively lush, with an ear-catching vocal by Miella.  It then morphs into even more of a dance song as the tempo picks up in the last minute.  “Forever” has got a lot of breathtaking qualities about it that are going to take Rico & Miella further with the great pop/dance hybrid that they already promote.  Take a listen at the link above.

Hypnotic and powerful,”Another Friend” is the latest by L.A.’s @DanaAndTheWolf

https://soundcloud.com/danaandthewolf/another-friend-1

DANA AND THE WOLF, “Another Friend” (free DL)

I tell ya, L.A.’s alt.rock duo Dana And The Wolf are going to have one winner of an EP or album, should all of the songs be as musically consistent and diverse stylistically and lyrically as their most recent three, the latest of which is “Another Friend”.  Take an at times Amy Winehouse-ish jazz/blues soaked-vocal, send it through to the anguish of the end of a relationship, and augment it with a powerful soundscape with nightmarish highlights (and a beautiful high note near the end), and “Another Friend” may just be for you.  I’ve already compared Dana Hobson’s voice to Shirley Manson, Florence Welch, and Pat Benatar – she’s got true chameleon qualities.  “Another Friend” is equally as compelling as previously released (and blogged about) “Attitude” and “Close Enough”, with Daniel Wolf’s wall of drums, synths and guitars that doesn’t let up after a pause around the 1:20 mark.  Keep ’em coming Dana and Daniel – download “Another Friend” at the link above for free.

#BILLCSTop30 #502 – February 6/17

There’s not a whole lot of big movement on the new chart, but I’ve got a new #1 for you and a runner up that looks like it will take charge in two weeks.  There are also four debuts to keep the influx of new tunes coming!

The Top 10

  • It’s one of the most different #1’s ever on my chart, but L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand takes the top with “D E E P in NY”.  This is a redux of his instrumental “D E E P”, with added hip hop vocals by D.O.C. and Goodmorning.  It’s a really innovative and fun mix that stands way out in a crowd.  And it hung in behind Pet Shop Boys (who slip all the way to #13), of all performers, for a month to settle in at #1.

  • The Chainsmokers are truly on a roll with songs that people can relate to, with “Paris” vaulting 15-2.  The inevitable backlash is occurring because of their success and that’s to be expected.  But with an album and massive tour on the way – I have my ticket 🙂 – can they be stopped? 🙂  I’m just waiting for a banger like “Let You Go” personally!

  • Uptempo feel-good song of the moment is “Say Yes” by Tony Moran & Jason Walker, which leaps 6-4.
  • Victor Perry’s piano cover of Everything But The Girl’s “Missing” rises 8-6, and keeps on finding new friends, such that I hear there are remixes in the works, which will be fantastic news to those who adore EBTG’s Todd Terry mix 🙂
  • Besides “Paris”, the other newcomer to the Top 10 is “Chemistry” by Steve Void & No Mondays featuring Clara Mae, up 11-10.  Watch for my upcoming post this week on Steve’s hot new single “Never Been Better” after its release! 🙂

Movin’ On Up

  • Both Mahalo’s “Be My Love” (featuring Cat Lewis, above), and Phil Good’s “Sleeping In” (Sean Turk remix, below) get stuck behind the busy Top 10 at #11 and #12 respectively, but both should get there in two weeks.
  • Wrapping up their current North American tour in the next week or so is DNCE, who have really done well with their unexpected success of “Cake By The Ocean” and self-titled album.  “Naked”, one of its best songs, climbs 19-16.

  • The other big mover besides “Paris” is Alyx Ander’s gorgeous and frenetic “Memories of You”, featuring a seductive vocal by Srey Davi, which rises 27-19.
  • If you’re into some raucous Italohouse inspired by 90’s techno then “#Bomber!” by BeatmartHz and DJ Mirko B is for you, rising 23-20.  Mirko has started up a new label, Balmung Digital Recordings, and I will have more about its first release in the week!

  • KDA’s big club hit “Just Say”, featuring Tinashe in a Cassius remix, also makes a nice move, climbing 28-22.

Debuts

  • Another feel-good song, more on the pop/dance tip and just in advance of Valentine’s Day is “Mad About You” by Germany’s Koni featuring American singer Danelle.  It crashes into the chart at #23.  Koni is also present on the chart at #3 as one half of Saxity with “Brothers”.
  • It’s a long song, and beautifully lyrical in a Jim Steinman kind of way, but Crywolf’s “Windswept” bows on the chart at #26.  Justin Phillips has a magnificent voice and I can’t wait to hear it when he comes to my city in March as part of his North American tour.

  • Another great unique vocal belongs to singer Jordan Radics, with some fine sultry low notes in “Lethal” by his Toronto group Blajk, which arrives at #27 from their EP called Limited.  Looking forward to hearing more about this band!
  • The final debut is an instant recent favourite of mine, a joyous and playful remix by Michael Christofi of Elohim’s “Hallucinating”, which 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

Listen for me on http://www.planetradio.ca live on Tuesday evenings, and with my Pick of the Week segment throughout the week at 2:20 6:20 10:20 AM/PM EST 🙂  

Presenting “Euphoria#004” mix from @Phonographmusic featuring songs from the #BILLCSMusicBlog :)

“EUPHORIA#004” dance mix by Phonograph Music

Yes, you read the headline right!  My friends Ricardo and Carlos over at Phonograph Music put together an exclusive mix as part of their “Euphoria” series inspired by songs from this blog!  In fact I’ve written about the first three – “In Time” by DROELOE featuring Belle Doran, “For You” by JPB featuring Luke Cusato, and “Brothers” by Saxity featuring Strøm.

Needless to say I’m extremely flattered and grateful, after supporting some of these guys’ work as producers/remixers in my blog as well.  And “Euphoria#004” features a great weekend party mix, whether you’re looking for more pop-oriented flavours by Maroon 5 & Kendrick Lamar or Clean Bandit, to the music you read in this blog, as well as remixed versions of songs by the likes of Katelyn Tarver, NERVO & Timmy Trumpet, Pegboard Nerds & Krewella (Aero Chord remix!), and ARMNHMR & YDG, or new originals by Luca Lush, Øutsiders, or Daspen.  Bring all those club vibes into your home stereo for an hour of fun.

Turn it up loud and listen at the You Tube link up top 🙂  

The You Tube channel Phonograph Music was created in 2016 by two brothers who love music. The main objective of this channel is to share new producers with our closest friends . Over time the channel has grown larger but the goal remains the same, “share the best music of the new producers”. Any producer can have their best music on Phonograph Music, just send an email to Ricardo and Carlos at phonograph.channel@gmail.com.

Track listing:

17:28 KATELYN TARVER – PLANEZ (NEON TRIBE REMIX) : https://soundcloud.com/neontribemusic/katelyn-tarver-planez-neon-tribe-remix
24:37 Alex Sloane – Dynasty (blnd IN. & REZarin Remix) : https://soundcloud.com/daydoseofhouse/alex-sloane-dynasty-blnd-in-rezarin-remix
28:03 ARMNHMR & YDG – NEED YOU : https://soundcloud.com/armnhmr/armnhmr-ydg-need-you
31:47 Tobias Dray – We Are Gonna Be Alright : https://soundcloud.com/tobias-dray/wearegonnabealright
34:11 Pegboard Nerds  NGHTMRE   Superstar ft Krewella (Aero Chord Remix)
37:47 MAGNÜS & Easteroute – Motion (ft. Alex Hackett) : https://soundcloud.com/onthehouse/magnus-easteroute-motion-ft-alex-hackett
42:19 LUCA LUSH – DROP TOP : https://soundcloud.com/lucalush/drop-top
46:41 Nervo ft. Timmy Trumpet – Anywhere You Go (Cloudsz Remix) : https://soundcloud.com/cloudszmusic/nervo-ft-timmy-trumpet-anywhere-you-go-cloudsz-remix-1
50:16 Prismo – Careless Whisper : https://soundcloud.com/prismomusic/carelesswhisper
53:00 Clean Bandit – Rockabye (Hibell Remix) : https://soundcloud.com/auxdeep/hibell
56:51 Paul Mayson ft. The Hi – Run (Jasper Dietze Remix) : https://soundcloud.com/jasperdietze/run-jasperdietze-remix

“I Wonder”switches it up for @TheHim with softer, melodic deep house featuring @LissAofficial

THE HIM featuring LissA, “I Wonder”

After capturing my ears in 2016 with their rollicking deep house track “Balance” (featuring Oktavian), Dutch duo The Him return with a song that’s been a long time coming called “I Wonder” featuring a poignant vocal by LissA.  Still in deep house mode, Jeroen and Steven turned a very good song around that I got to hear in an earlier unreleased version, with a richer mix that highlights the high end and LissA’s well-suited vocal.  As a result, it’s probably the perfect companion song to “Paris” by The Chainsmokers, another song that took a while before we all got to hear it.  So you’ll have to play them back-to-back to find out!  Listen to “I Wonder” on Spotify above.

NYC’s @AndyxSuzuki @AndTheMethod continues with diverse sophomore rock album “The Glass Hour”

andysuzukithemethod

ANDY SUZUKI & THE METHOD, The Glass Hour

After previewing two outstanding singles “Fight” and “I Need You More (The More You Leave)” in earlier blog posts, Andy Suzuki & The Method’s sophomore album The Glass Hour has arrived.  

You can generically label it a Rock album if you wish, but it’s a complimentary fusion of styles which lead through the guitar wizardry of John Mayer through the story-telling of Joshua Radin through softer R&B ballad tones of John Legend, and then inject some gospel flavour that Kirk Franklin fans would appreciate.  It’s all well-connected together through Andy Suzuki’s committed vocals and passionate guitar work, and Kozza Olatunji-Babumba’s drum and percussion work is totally on the same level.  

The album to me is at its best when it’s skewing R&B on “Shelter” and “Overtime” as well as the tight, danceable pop of “I Need You More”, likely the most radio-friendly song.  But then there’s the power and urgency of “Fight” and “Come Forward”, as well as the deep sentiment of “Mama Told Me”.  

All in all, The Glass Hour has a vibrancy and zeal for tantalizing your musical taste buds with variety plus, and it all works. You can hear it all in a show coming near you, so be sure to check out their website for tour dates.  Give The Glass Hour a listen below and then be sure to pick it up at any online digital store.

Those guys in @theDiscoFries have a soulful house banger for ya with “My World” featuring @imDeeRoze

THE DISCO FRIES featuring DEE ROZE, “My World”

Riding high with songs on their own Liftoff label like Eric Sharp’s “The Thirst” and following up pulsating songs for the nightlife like “Born Ready” and “Day By Day” are NYC duo Nick and Danny aka The Disco Fries with another original,  “My World”.  And like the latter, “My World” is another fierce banger, this time featuring a stunning male vocalist, Atlanta’s Dee Roze, whose voice has a lot of similarities at times to Ne-Yo.  Great production highlights that vocal when the music stops and a catchy drop immediately follows, allowing the song to percolate along and keep you grooving until the guys bring it down… just for a smattering… and the song wraps on a high.  “My World” is a contagious and soulful deep house track that’s bound to keep you busy in clubland.  Give it a listen at the link above.