The more I hear Molly Moore’s original songs, the more I resonate with them, even if I haven’t exactly faced the same situation, it’s all about the perspective. Moving to a big city across the country is always a risk for what you leave behind, even in these days of social media where around the world can seem like next door. But it’s real contact that we still all crave, and “Imaginary Friends” portrays the quiet and isolation and inner fighting that can occur. A lot of the time it’s only temporary but it’s very real and like the other songs Molly’s previewed from her upcoming EP Now You See Me – I can’t get enough of “Just A Dream” right now – “Imaginary Friends” is a solid alternative electronic pop package created with by an ensemble including beau/co-writer/co-producer Brandyn Burnette. “Imaginary Friends” lets your empathy cut through the sunny surroundings to reveal what’s inside.
The two rising pairs of performers/DJs/producers that are NYC’s Rico & Miella and L.A.’s TELYKast make an auspicious team with “Worth Fighting For”. The song is definitely a grower and may take a few listens for it all to soak in. Basically it’s about going for something that you want badly enough that you’ll defend it till the end. The vocal interplay is appealing, and a wall of melodic high-powered synths create a memorable drop that will keep you coming back. Yeah this one is downtempo, but quality and creativity here is everything. “Worth Fighting For” goes by fairly quickly at just under 3 minutes and comes recommended!
NYC’s Mickey Valen really mixes it up well for his latest release “Meet Me” featuring a seductive vocal by singer Noé. What I like best about this one is the funky R&B/hip hop vibe – play it along side anything recent by Jenaux – that prevails throughout with some trippy trappy drops for those who enjoy. It gets a little busy for me in that regard and to me there’s so much else that’s appealing going on in the rest of the song that the drops aren’t the focus. “Meet Me” is a touch different which will only draw the best kind of attention so club DJ’s should be wise to give it some spin time. Do check it out at the above link.
Cloudchord has dazzled tastemakers thus far in 2016 with a cornucopia of remixes of songs by the likes of Jamie xx and Ember Island, which I’ve written about, as well as by Of Monsters And Men, Bon Iver, and Matoma to name but a few. The Austin producer/DJ is also a wicked guitarist, as we’ve already tasted in his remix of Ember Island’s “Need You”, and now his original instrumental “Golden XO” makes it the centre of attention amid a laid back, sexy mix for those special times (he refers to it as ‘pajama house’). It’s slick and atmospheric and shouldn’t be overlooked because it’s an instrumental, only a taste of what’s still to come. Download it for free at the above link.
“My Hands” is a song full of positive, soulful vibes that surround you like a warm blanket when you need a snuggle. You’ll recall NYC singer AYER as featured vocalist on Michael Christofi’s “Temptation” which I wrote about a while back. He has a rich but gentle voice that suits the relaxed tone of “My Hands”. I would be more inclined to send this song in the direction of listeners who enjoy 80’s soul-pop like Daryl Hall & John Oates as well as lighter electronic pop from about 10 years ago, it has a diverse retrospective feel to it. There’s some great sax playing that enhances that appeal, though I suppose its swaying/anthemic quality could also work in clubs. Nonetheless “My Hands” is a lovely and uplifting song, and we simply need more of these 🙂 Check it out at the link below.
There’s a new #1, five debuts, and plenty of movement, so lots to write about in this 492nd edition of the BILLCS Top 30 🙂
The Top 10
It should be no surprise that “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey is the new #1 after I’ve been singing its praises since its release on July 29. No mean feat either knocking “Shy” by The Magician and Brayton Bowman out of the top spot. I’m not sure how long “Closer” will endure at #1 given the fantastic mix of songs heading upward but it’s the first topper for the duo of Alex and Drew who have had triumphs unlike any other EDM performers in 2016 while staying true to their roots.
One of the songs challenging “Closer” moves up 5-2 and that’s the Jenaux remix of “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik featuring Leo Napier. This song has an amazing ‘wow, cool!’ factor about it like no other song on the chart, and it may yet get to #1.
It became his first American Top 10 song as a lead performer and deservedly so for Charlie Puth, who with Selena Gomez, have “We Don’t Talk Anymore” riding the Top 10 wave here too, moving 10-7.
Atlanta’s sweet-voiced Victor Perry climbs 13-8 with his independent release “Rainbows”, very deserving of your attention from his EP 4 A.M. Nostalgia. An official remix surfaced this past week by L.A.’s The Wookie…. and I had a little something to do with it 🙂 Download it for free above.
The second new entry to the Top 10 is also the Fastest Riser on the chart. MAX (Schneider) gets his third Top 10 entry this year as the Two Friends remix of “Lights Down Low” soars 19-9.
Movin’ On Up
Jenaux is back this time with co-billing as lead artist with Tritonal for “Broken” featuring none other than Adam Lambert, which leaps 18-12.
Right behind is Norway’s Matoma with UK singer Becky Hill for “False Alarm”, now a UK Top 40 hit, which moves 20-13.
Toronto’s Chet Porter has a winning EDM ballad with “Stay” featuring Chelsea Cutler, and it rises 24-16.
It’s taken a while on North American shores, but Martin Garrix finally has his follow up radio hit to 2013’s “Animals” with the powerful “In The Name Of Love” featuring Bebe Rexha on vocals. It jumps 25-18.
Sean Turk’s funky remix interpretation of Brandyn Burnette’s fine “Closer” from the EP State I’m In is in the mix rising 26-19.
RKCB’s in fine form not only on their own “Elevated” at #14, but as featured vocalists in Steve James’ great dance track “In My Head”, which climbs 28-20.
Those Five Debuts!
Rihanna doesn’t need help from my blog but she gets her 10th chart entry and first since 2010’s “S&M” with the amazing “Love On The Brain”. And what convinced me was her outstanding performance of it on the MTV awards, which despite weaker performances that night was the real deal. It arrives at #21.
New to the chart at #22 is the second entry from Norway. I think 19 year old Jesper Jenset has a potential international hit on his hands with “High”, and in the remix hands of Canadian duo Young Bombs (who got to #1 here a few months ago with their take on Connor Phillips’ “Lost”) then clubs will come-a-calling.
I glowed about the debut album Double Life by NYC trio Liquid Diet recently, and before that about their intriguing video (above) for “Luminary”. The retro Europop-influenced dance track arrives at #24.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Bright Light Bright Light’s third album Choreography since its release in July but have been holding off adding any of its songs to the chart till now. One of the most engaging and memorable songs within is his collaboration with Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic on “I Only Want To Please You”, which premieres at #26. It’s Rod Thomas’ 15th appearance on my chart as a lead act, plus one as a featured vocalist 🙂
The final debut on the chart is the intense alternative EDM belonging to Molly Moore with “Just A Dream” from her upcoming EP Now U See Me at #27. It’s an amazing vocal collaboration with her beau Brandyn Burnette, whose low octave here is in perfect contrast and support of Molly’s exquisite lead.
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 my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST onhttp://www.planetradio.ca most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear Tuesday evenings at 9pm EST
I wouldn’t be writing about a remix of a song by Frank Ocean – especially one from his smash Blonde album – whose music now courts emotional debates and undying loyalty, unless I thought fans would dig it. A few weeks after we got to know Miami-based producer/remixer Vasta through a slick reinterpretation of T-Pain’s “I’m Sprung” comes this valiant, careful retooling of “White Ferrari”. What was important to retain was the minimalist ambiance of the original, while of course adding to it. Like too much salt will ruin an entire pot of broth, too much bass or overburdening this deep house remix with more synths could have played havoc here. But instead this mix is both chilled out and taut, with slight clever synths and bass that knows when it needs to stand up and be counted. Frank Ocean fans will love hearing this in a club setting as his music would otherwise be disconnected from that scene. Vasta is in a reinvention process, and has much more to come in the next few months including collaborations with – wait for it – Todd Terry and Armand van Helden 😀 Download “White Ferrari” for free at the link above.
Call it the beauty behind the sadness 🙂 San Diego producer Zuma was a DJ in Tokyo for a few years, and that may have contributed to his refined look at the past through his new song “Haste” which features fellow SD denizen Nsolo on vocals. It’s a chilled out but progressive slice of EDM with an added touch of rich soul in the vocal that a number of performers are finding appealing these days. The result is a complex, lush song that tells an intricate story but is also meant to tantalize your senses and emotions while giving you a grooving rhythm backdrop. “Haste” is one of those records that may not appeal to everyone, but the percussion flourishes in the melody and strong vocal make it memorable. Listen to “Haste” and then download it for free above.
Look elsewhere if you want a quiet song about silence. UK duo Koven – Katie Boyle and Max Rowat – are out to make you remember those moments of silence when you feel absolutely shattered, and have concocted a fierce story and powerful melodies with a heavy but emotional production. The lead up for the first minute draws you in, and then Katie’s 80’s-styled vocal – recalling Pat Benatar-meets-Sam Brown to me – seals the deal and by the time of the drop about 30 seconds later you are committed. The song doesn’t let up and sustains its length with another well placed drop. “Silence” by Koven will be especially appealing to you if you like Florence & The Machine. Give it a listen at the link above.
Massachusetts artist SoupAndreas is someone you should get to know right away if his new song “Over You” is any indication. Like Crywolf’s recent “Slow Burn”, “Over You” seethes with anguish in the aftermath of a breakup and therefore becomes perfect and cathartic release through music 🙂 The arrangements shifts on focus between the singer, song, and both percussive and deep bass breaks and drops, which are like the rollercoaster of emotions one faces in these situations. Dance floor patrons will relate and the production is unique enough to turn heads, so you can give it some attention yourself by listening at the link above.
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