#BILLCSTop30 #488 – July 25/16

The increasingly fast pace of the online music community, especially those in EDM/dance, has created a shift on my bi-weekly chart, with five more debuts this week.  My favourites up top are hard to dislodge right now but will soon have to make way for new ones 🙂

The Top 10

  • Newly signed to Warner Chappell/Justin Tranter publishing this week, Brandon Skeie retains the pole position with his delightful “So Bad”, either in original form or the splendid remix by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix.  It ties “Care For Me” by Dzeko & Torres and Hellberg (now #20) as the longest running #1 of 2016 so far.

  • Both the #3 and #4 songs have a funk undercurrent in common which makes them stand apart from other songs this year.  Snøwmass’ crunchy remix of “Sound Of Home” by Canadians Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods moves to #3, while the 80’s retro funk/R&B sound of Jenaux’s original “Get It On” climbs to #4.

  • For the second time, the fastest riser belongs to the glorious “So Happy” by Tony Moran and Jason Walker which rises 12-5 and has its sights on the top.  Will it get there?  It largely depends on other songs on the rise further down.

  • Making it two-for-two in the Top 10, L.A.-based producer/remixer/performer Spirix lands at #8 in partnership with LZRD and vocalist Remmi for the crazy/emotional “Take Me Apart”.  One to watch 🙂
  • Michael Christofi gets his first Top Tenner with the slick classic house of “Don’t Need You”, featuring a marvelous vocal by J-VEN.  It moves up 11-9.

  • Following 2013’s debut “The Way”, Ariana Grande is back in the Top 10 at #10 with the slick, R&B flavoured “Into You” from the Dangerous Woman album. 

Movin’ On Up

  • Chicago’s Megaphonix continues to climb up the chart with the fun and positive deep house track “Open Your Mind”, rising 20-14.  Spin this and watch your dance floor fill up!
  • L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette is really expanding his horizons with the diverse songs from his recent EP State I’m In.  The title song (video coming soon!) climbs 26-22 while the hypnotic “Worship” jumps 21-17.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/state-im-in

  • The songs from the mixtape NGHT LFE by Mi Disguise and Rouse have major growing power.  The late night romance in “Her And Him” rises 23-18 but I wouldn’t second guess a future debut from another song on the mixtape sometime soon!

5 Debuts

  • One song I’ll be heaping praise over for the next few weeks is “Shy” by Belgium’s The Magician featuring NYC-based singer/songwriter Brayton Bowman.  This old-style disco-flavoured track is one of the most powerful, ear-catching dance songs around thanks to a riveting vocal by Brayton.  It plows onto the chart at #19!
  • Another song with a fantastic vocal but an emotional quality that will leave it stuck in your head is “Rest Of My Life” by NYC’s Electric Bodega.  The vocalist is Matt Beilis and I could listen to him sing anything.  “Rest Of My Life” bows at #23.
  • Following his success with “Get It On” (currently #4), Jenaux continues to funkify other songs through remixes, and one that works especially well is “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik.  But what also helps make this song special are the ultra cool lyrics and equally smooth vocals which are so into it all by Leo Napier.  “Native Son Prequel” premieres at #25.

  • I’m not sure it will happen, since it was pretty well released simultaneously with “Don’t Let Me Down” (now #13), but to me “Inside Out” by The Chainsmokers featuring Charlee should be “Down”‘s follow up hit.  So many remixes, including those by KLYMVX and Not Your Dope x Spirix, show the diversity and power in this particular song that worked so well with “Down” too.  “Inside Out” debuts at #26.
  • A few weeks back I was pleased to write about “Rainbows” by new Atlanta singer/songwriter Victor Perry, which helped send it to #1 for a few days on the Hype Machine Twitter chart!  It’s also got some positive vibes from other blogs since then too.  It’s a beautiful classic ballad – “Rainbows” arrives at #27, from Victor’s EP 4 A.M. Nostalgia.

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch :)

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 return this Tuesday evening at 9pm EST:)

For the summertime: “Your Loving” by @Teisonmusic & @super2beHenri featuring @AnthonyGallivan

https://soundcloud.com/selectedsounds/teison-henri-purnell-your-loving-ft-anthony-gallivan

TEISON & HENRI PURCELL featuring ANTHONY GALLIVAN, “Your Loving”

There’s so much great dance music out right now for the summer of ’16, and you can add “Your Loving” by Teison and Henri Purcell featuring singer Anthony Gallivan to the music.  Teens like Dutchman (based in India) Teison and German Henri Purcell keep coming up with clever alternatives to the Calvin Harris and David Guetta pop/dance sturm-und-drang of the world, and “Your Loving” is a fresh slice of lighter deep house.  This one skews pop more than EDM and it’s also a standout because of Canadian Anthony Gallivan’s soft and sweet vocal, which you wouldn’t usually find in this kind of mix.  “Your Loving” overall is a strong record that you shouldn’t miss out on.  Download it for free at the above link.

New @Frankmusik collab with #LindsayLowend on “High On You” is R&B-flavoured synthpop

https://soundcloud.com/frankmusik/high-on-you-feat-lindsay-lowend

FRANKMUSIK featuring LINDSAY LOWEND, “High On You”

From FrankMusik’s latest EP release Day Break, “High On You”, a collaboration with Lindsay Lowend, recalls other FrankMusik songs such as “Hurt You Again”, “Hymn” and “2B” where the singer brings forward his not-often-heard R&B and soul inspiration.  In the past, his voice has reached soulful heights on edgier breakup songs.  “High On You” definitely rides a happier vibe with a retro feel that seems to be a throwback to the halcyon days of mid-80’s US mid-tempo R&B that was more successful in the UK charts than at home (e.g. Rene & Angela’s “I’ll Be Good”) or even perhaps songs by the likes of The Style Council.  I’m not sure if there’s a sample in the mix or not, if so it may be obscure, too hard to tell! “High On You” is set to a slicker-than-ever electronic backdrop and is a quintessential FrankMusik song, so I’m looking forward to hearing more songs from Day Break, which you can pick up now on all major platforms.

Large and in charge: @Brevismusic remix powers @KSHMRmusic & @FelixSnow’s “Touch” featuring #Madi

KSHMR & FELIX SNOW featuring MADI, “Touch” (Brevis remix)

Bulgarian producer and remixer Brevis brings a huge, powerful trap remix to KSHMR and Felix Snow’s pair up on “Touch” featuring singer Madi.  What starts off as classic on-point EDM with a fine vocal is taken to the next level as the rhythm gets bigger and bigger and gradually takes control.  “Touch” is a fun song to show off your dance moves in a crowd and at just under 3 minutes it’s over in a flash and makes you want more.  Get it for free at the link above.

@Xan_Griffin puts a progressive spin on “Thief” by @Ookayx

OOKAY, “Thief” (Xan Griffin remix)

California producer/DJ Xan Griffin substitutes the tropical vibes and saxophone riffs of LA producer/singer Ookay’s original version of “Thief” to create a progressive house alternative that stands on its own.  The original intent and somewhat unique song structure (for EDM anyway) is maintained and the result is a touch dramatic but well done.  My only complaint is that, despite a lovely softer ending, this remix of “Thief” ends too soon and could easily have gone on for another minute!   Enjoy and get it for free at the link above.

Slick, sexy, soulful “D E E P” by @BobbyNourmand

BOBBY NOURMAND, “D E E P”

L.A. producer/DJ/performer Bobby Nourmand finds his own ways through dance music which in 2016 has resulted in an instantly recognizable style with recent originals like “Smokin’ Joe” and smart reworks of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” (as “Sister”) and The Beatles’ “Because”.  “D E E P” had been available to hear on Bobby’s Soundcloud page previously but due to demand is now available for purchase.  There may be a sample or two within that I can’t recognize because they’re too brief or well-disguised (like played backwards 😛 ) but that kind of adds to the appeal of “D E E P”.  It’s got a sexy, soulful, laid back vibe that throws back to mid-80’s R&B with early house music flavours.  “D E E P” is perfect for the start of a set to get a crowd up and grooving for the night.

@DROELOEmusic puts bounce into a remix of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” by @CharliePuth and @SelenaGomez


CHARLIE PUTH & SELENA GOMEZ, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (DROELOE remix)

“We Don’t Talk Anymore” is a gorgeous summer breakup song that should blow up even more soon thanks to excellent vocals by Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez.  Among a bevy of remixes to support the song, be sure to hear DROELOE’s highly complimentary one.  Light year away from his recent dazzling take on WRLD’s “Galaxies”, DROELOE pretty much leaves the vocals as they should be and creates a reflective backdrop with some added bounce that will draw folks onto the dance floor.  It’s also highly radio-friendly, and I could hear pop stations playing it in the wee hours as an alternate version of choice.  Pick it up on iTunes and listen at the Spotify link above.  

You can dance: @BrightLightx2 scores aces with 3rd album Choreography

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, Choreography

I’ve pretty much gotten away from writing about full-length albums, but there is always an exception, and Bright Light Bright Light’s third long-player Choreography is exactly that.  Bright Light x2 (Rod Thomas) first appeared in this blog not long after I began writing it in 2009 and I’ve looked forward to his music ever since.  Consistency is hard to maintain but Rod does that with the songs in Choreography.  Always writing from unique perpectives, these songs do give examples of how one choreographs one’s life, or at times, has it choreographed for them.  The bevy of guest stars – pals Sir Elton John (featuring in three songs), Mykal Kilgore, and all members of Scissor Sisters (including Del Marquis), plus Alan Cumming! – do not overwhelm or detract from Rod’s approach, they simply fit, exactly how it should be.  Standout songs are lead singles “All In The Name” (with Sir Elton), “Little Bit” (above), along with”Home” (with Alan), and especially when Rod gets to party with Scissor Sisters on club bangers “Kiss For Kiss” (with Jake Shears) and “I Only Want To Please You” (with Ana Matronic).  You can dance and sway to it all however you like, or you can listen attentively.  Bright Light Bright Light’s Choreography is as an electronic pop beauty that you can’t ignore.

Funky house music from @iamtheElephante featuring #Nevve “Catching On”

ELEPHANTE featuring NEVVE, “Catching On”

Just about everything that Elephante touches in 2016 turns golden on the EDM scene.  He’s back with another original following the still-amazing “Closer” and his wild, progressive remix of “Crossfire” by Stephen with “Catching On”.  Dropping the pace to a jaunty and funky house rhythm, it brings out a sultry, ear-catching vocal by Nevve that recalls early Lana del Rey and Amy Winehouse without the edge.  If you love music this year from his contemporaries The Knocks or Penguin Prison, then Elephante’s “Catching On” will find a happy place in your music set.  Pick it up on iTunes.

In a large, loud, dark room there’s “Blackout” by @PegboardNerds

PEGBOARD NERDS, “Blackout”

When an EDM instrumental comes along it pretty much has to have gale-force power and blow the lid off of a dance club at a high point in the evening.  So who else but Scandinavian duo Pegboard Nerds (Alex and Michael) to make your party larger with “Blackout”.  This track veers from wacked-out craziness through to refined, almost taunting quieter parts which only make you want to hear more.  But there are some zingy melodic hooks that you’ll be humming too once you come to grips with the rest of it.  Wild yes, but self-tamed too, be sure to download “Blackout” for free (by email as part of the Monstercat label’s 5 year anniversary compilation) at the link above.