Swiss band Yello – long a duo of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank – arrived on the dance music scene in 1979 to catch the sunset that was the finale of disco, and remain in it while incorporating characteristics of other genres, such as the rising punk-oriented new wave, into their music. Listening to some of their earlier hits, like the still-fresh-sounding “Bostich”, shows Yello’s influence on dance music in the 35+ years since. They’ve never left the dance music scene, and their first release in 5 years is upon us called Toy, from which we now have “Limbo”. The dark, deep, mysterious vocal that has graced other songs like “Goldrush I” and of course “Oh Yeah” is back in full effect, but the music is definitely reaching to the halcyon days of disco for its ambiance. Yello never miss a step with the contemporary technology to keep their sound cutting edge, and “Limbo” blends as well as it stands apart for that ever-recognizable vocal. And with Giorgio Moroder out there performing at 75, perhaps we will see Yello (who are also in their 60’s and 70’s) one day too as dance music has no age limit or barrier 🙂 Watch the video above.
New Toronto singer Kiki Rowe’s single “Trust Issues” is a dark song that should find favour with fans of Lorde, Banks, and Juno winner Alyssia Cara. Rising Vancouver duo Young Bombs (who scored recently with their remix of Alyssia’s “Wild Things”) recognize this and add some tempo and progressive house flavour to help the rich and soulful song move along for a dance club crowd, and it works beautifully. Like both Lorde and Banks, Kiki’s voice is completely suited for the EDM genre and Young Bombs showcase it while adding distinct that subdued progressive vibe.
Now based in New Mexico and formerly of the production outfit The Golden Pony (who co-produced), indie performer Memoryy (aka Shaun) recently made a huge score by creating the theme to the Chelsea Handler Netflix series, which has now been renewed for a second season. That definitely opens all kinds of possibilities from which songs like “Turning The Page” will benefit. There’s nothing out there that quite sounds like “Turning The Page”, from Memoryy’s upcoming album, it seems to be this deep but engaging mix of 80’s rock, pop and dance music. Just as you’re getting used to a subdued, almost mysterious sounding vocal, the song shifts into high gear with a powerful, emotional chorus. “Turning The Page” then becomes this inspiring danceable pop record about moving on for the better. Memoryy is riding a cool wave and you’ll only want to hear more. Check it out at the link above and watch for it on your favourite digital platform on August 26!
OTTO KNOWS featuring AVICII, “Back Where I Belong” (Megaphonix remix)
Who doesn’t like a pop song about finally being home? Otto Knows is now a mainstay on the worldwide club circuit and well-established on the Swedish charts with recent songs like “Dying For You” and particularly “Million Voices” outside of his country. He enlisted the aid of buddy Avicii to weave his magic in “Back Where I Belong”, featuring a heartfelt and convincing uncredited vocal by “LP”. Chicago’s Megaphonix has wisely added a punchy house bounce along with minimal but ear-catching effects. This keeps the integrity of the more pop-oriented original but allows it to be mixed with songs that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. You can get “Back Where I Belong” as a free download above and have fun working it into your sets 🙂
If you like your deep house with a laid back pop vibe with 70’s and 80’s influences, then “Don’t Give it Up” by Miami producer Adam Foster will work in your sets. With vocals by Daniela that have an early Ciara flavour, the song is carried by well-crafted instrumentation and mixing to fluidly raise your interest, and by the last minute you’re definitely reeled in. While I like the lazy feel of the song, I just think it could have benefited from a bit more power to make it stand out more. Nonetheless “Don’t Give It Up” has what it takes so check it out at the link above.
This is a condensed NYC-holiday based blog post coming at you with the new chart 🙂
The Top 10
Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad” (in original or EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix remix) stays on top for a 4th appearance (8 weeks) and certainly appears to be my song of the summer as well as one of the best of the year so far.
Bounding in to steal the top away from “So Bad” in two weeks is “Shy” by The Magician featuring Brayton Bowman. It soars up the chart 19-2 as the fastest riser. Find the Club mix of this one if you can!
Now based in L.A., Spirix gets his second song in the Top 5 in a pairing with LZRD and vocalist Remmi for the emotional “Take Me Apart”, which climbs 8-5.
Ariana Grande’s “Into You” matches the #8 peak 3 years ago of “The Way”, so let’s see if it goes higher in two weeks. Helping make that a possibility is the delightful, recent arpeggio-laden remix by L.A.’s The Wookie.
The only other new entry to the Top 10 rises 18-10, some NGHT LFE romance called “Her And Him” courtesy of Mi Disguise and Rouse’s mixtape. It becomes Mi Disguise’s 2nd Top Tenner following 2014’s “East Side Bay”.
Also Rising
The song that’s resonating most with me from the State I’m In EP by Brandyn Burnette is “Worship”, which rises 17-11. The title song is also on the move too, up 22-18.
“Rest Of My Life” by Electric Bodega featuring Matt Beilis gets stuck in your head way too easily. I’m often humming it long after it’s ended, and it climbs 23-15.
Equally memorable but for different reasons – such as a funky remix by Jenaux and a sly vocal singing cool lyrics, is “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik featuring Leo Napier, which moves up 25-17.
Don’t y’all worry ’bout their new single “Closer”, with Halsey, it should arrive on the chart in two weeks as it continues to grow on me amid fierce competition… in the meantime should-have-been-second-single “Inside Out” by The Chainsmokers featuring Charlee, jumps 26-20.
New Atlanta singer Victor Perry brings on his unique soulful charm on his song “Rainbows” from the EP 4 A.M. Nostalgia. It moves up 27-22.
New to the Chart
The common theme with this chart’s debuts is that songs with great vocals won out this time!
If you’re looking for an early 90’s influenced house track with a fierce vocal, then get to know “Born Ready” in its Halogen radio edit by The Disco Fries featuring UK singer Hope Murphy. It arrives at #24.
Another bouncy house track of a different, darker nature premieres at #25 – it’s “Balance” by The Him featuring Oktavian.
Charlie Puth returns to this chart courtesy of an engaging remix by The Netherlands’ DROELOE with “We Don’t Talk Anymore”, his duet with Selena Gomez, who has never appeared on this chart previously. It debuts at #26, and follows Charlie’s previous entries of “Marvin Gaye” (#7) and “See You Again” (#16).
The final new arrival is “Elevated” by rising L.A. duo RKCB, which has been remixed by many folks lately but none better to my ears than by young Australian producer Joe Mason. “Elevated” debuts at #27.
In lieu of the published prettier web version of the chart, here’s the basic chart until I post the full one later in the week 🙂
01 01 SO BAD (EDWYNN x TIKAL & Spirix remix) Brandon Skeie 19 02 SHY (Club mix) The Magician F/ Brayton Bowman 05 03 SO HAPPY Tony Moran F/ Jason Walker 04 04 GET IT ON Jenaux 08 05 TAKE ME APART LZRD x Spirix F/ Remmi 06 06 MAGNETISED (Kat Krazy remix) Tom Odell 07 07 RUN RUN Kat Krazy F/ Johnny Stimson 10 08 INTO YOU Ariana Grande 02 09 DREAMIN’ Embody F/ Camden Cox 18 10 HER AND HIM Mi Disguise x Rouse 17 11 WORSHIP Brandyn Burnette 14 12 OPEN YOUR MIND Megaphonix 15 13 STRONGER (Steve Void edit) Nik Ernst 16 14 DANGEROUS Built By Titan F/ Jesse McCartney 23 15 REST OF MY LIFE Electric Bodega F/ Matt Beilis 03 16 SOUND OF HOME (Snøwmass remix) Sterling Grove F/ Ellyn Woods 25 17 NATIVE SON PREQUEL (Jenaux remix) Gramatik F/ Leo Napier 22 18 STATE I’M IN Brandyn Burnette 21 19 DON’T YOU CRY FOR ME Cobi 26 20 INSIDE OUT The Chainsmokers F/ Charlee 24 21 LIMITS Latchmere F/ Andreas Liberos 27 22 RAINBOWS Victor Perry 09 23 DON’T NEED YOU Christofi F/ J-VEN New 24 BORN READY (Halogen radio edit) The Disco Fries F/ Hope Murphy New 25 BALANCE The Him F/ Oktavian New 26 WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE (DROELOE remix) Charlie Puth F/ Selena Gomez New 27 ELEVATED (Joe Mason remix) RKCB 11 28 CLOSER Elephante F/ Bishøp 12 29 LOST (Young Bombs remix) Connor Phillips 13 30 DON’T LET ME DOWN The Chainsmokers F/ Daya
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
http://www.planetradio.ca is back! Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear will be heard on Wednesday evening at 9pm EST
I’ve gotta hand it to Candyland for making her return an even sweeter one with the quirky “Faces”, featuring vocals by L.A.-based up-and-comer Shoffy. The SoCal DJ/producer had taken some radio silence but recently re-emerged like time had stood still in the EDM world. “Faces” has a lot of different flavours – progressive, R&B, hip hop, softer future bass – making it easy to slide into many different sets of songs. In-between stylistic changes, Shoffy’s vocals sound rather vulnerable and heartstruck. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming beginning; once some sly effects start feeding into the music then heads will start turning. Those who are looking for something a little different in their playlists will enjoy “Faces”. Give it a listen at the above link.
PHILIP MIKAL featuring OLA, “Waiting 4” (free download)
If you’ve been missing some Jamiroquai or Penguin Prison power in your playlists, then the fun and soulful house track “Waiting 4” by Sweden’s Philip Mikal featuring vocalist Ola should do the trick. It’s a zingy and zesty track with instant club appeal. And if you’re a producer or remixer, Philip currently has acompetition underway(deadline August 17) in exchange for prizes for remixes, and the right ones can take the song to even bigger places. If not, you have yourself a free download for the listening at the above link.
Part of the qualities of a good record, no matter how unassuming it may seem, is charm. Proof in the pudding are in both vocals by Maryland-raised, Texas-based Brendan Velasquez, and melody and lyrics courtesy of the ever-amazing Crush Boys (Daniel Volpe and Thomas Lipp) and Charlie Mason. “Disappearing” is a song of self-reflection and making a decision for not only those around you but yourself as well. Whether or not that’s the right decision is the point/counterpoint at the crux of the song. Brendan’s voice, dreamy and full of conviction [producers/remixers – if you’re looking for another go-to voice for dance tunes… 🙂 ], sells us this dilemma, while the songwriters aptly let the story unfold and give it a sullen but silky 80’s-tinged synthpop backdrop. Don’t let “Disappearing” slip on by, be sure to watch the video above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.
“Motives” is the latest song I want to showcase for you from Toronto’s River Tiber, aka multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Tommy Paxton-Beesley. It comes from River Tiber’s diverse recent album Indigo, and also features such winning songs as “No Talk” (sampled in Drake’s “No Tellin'”), “Acid Test”, and “West” (featuring Daniel Caesar), all of which I’ve written about. Diving deeper into Indigo, it’s a moody album that shifts styles frequently, moving seamlessly from R&B/hip hop, to progressive/experimental electronic rock (“Clarity” featuring Tess Parks), through to rhythmic EDM like “Motives”. “Motives” will resonate in clubs because of its full sound, playful effects, and rich harmonies. Tommy’s voice is always his secret weapon and it’s one of his best performances in Indigo. Check it out at the Spotify link above and pick up Indigo on any major digital platform.
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