Canada’s Ian Thomas is noted for one 1974 smash south of the border and in parts of the world, and that is the classic Top 40 hit “Painted Ladies”. But after that, and very much like another Canadian who only struck once in the U.S., Jann Arden (“Insensitive”), Ian maintained a steady career in Canada both as a solo rock performer up to the mid-80’s and in the 90’s as a member of the much-praised band The Boomers. In the 2000’s Ian has been recording and performing off and on in Lunch At Allen’s with Murray McLauchlan, Marc Jordan, and Cindy Church. He returned to solo work after almost 20 years in 2012, and is back now with an album recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra called A Life In Song. “The Runner” is put forward as the featured song. It’s the title song from his 1981 album, and also became a massive North American hit as recorded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (with vocals by Chris Thompson) in 1984. Ian’s redux recalls the Manfred Mann version more than his own and is married with the majestic sound of the Philharmonic. It’s definitely a stylish reinvention that captures the sweeping intent of the original song. Ian Thomas fans will also want to hear hits like “Painted Ladies”, “Right Before Your Eyes”, and “Pilot” given the same treatment. This all very much reminds me of how EDM trio Above & Beyond recently recorded (and performed live) in their Acoustic II album. “The Runner” is definitely back to pass on the flame again in 2016.
18 year old Tennessee native Jacob Whitesides first came to our attention as a newly minted teen on “X Factor”, and has since acquired a worldwide following on social media while being a mainstay on Radio Disney. Jacob is definitely looking towards a more refined sound with “Lovesick”, which is more apt to recall Michael Bublé or Matt Dusk than Shawn Mendes. It’s definitely a big step up to the plate and it works beautifully thanks to Jacob’s easy fit into a jazzy pop style that will keep your toes tapping long after its over. The playful video is eye-catching with Jacob and his cohorts all in stylish suits. Check it out above and pick up “Lovesick” on iTunes.
Brandyn’s next EP itself is on deck now for June 24, but its title song has arrived. It’s one of Brandyn’s most different songs, a song that he started to write as a kid and finished as an adult. It’s cool that the same basis for the song has resonated that long. The song is pensive, positive alt.rock with soulful edges about looking for a better way of dealing with everything, and sometimes knowing that parts of that change must be made hand-in-hand with someone else, creating a more enjoyable ride as two. As always Brandyn receives excellent musical support and vocals ring nothing but sincere. On a side note, I think Win & Woo and Kiso Armic could tackle another remix here 😉 Pick up “State I’m In” on iTunes ahead of the EP’s release.
Those talented gals called Instant Karma are back with another unique spin on a song that’s getting a lot of attention online. It’s “Bullet” by Texas-born, L.A.-based singer Chelsea Lankes, which stands alone as a fine, well-sung pop breakup song. But Instant Karma give it extra sheen, making its melody sparkle and glisten in an official EDM remix setting while retaining the song’s perspective. Breaking up and letting loose in a club on the dance floor have always gone together well, and this glowing remix should help call more attention to “Bullet” and its talented singer. Listen above and pick it up on iTunes.
Want a song to put some krazy BOOOM into your dance floor party mix? You’ve been warned: look no further than “Bottle Swervice” by Herobust as madeover in inventive fashion by remixers MNYKR and Snøwmass. The song is pretty wild in the first place, mixing up aggressive hip hop with futuristic EDM. But MNYKR and Snowmass take it several steps further into a deep down and dirty trap place that may make you a tad anxious with its massive goings on while it all just breezes by. Play it loud, startle your crowd, and make ’em bounce – mission accomplished! Døwnløad it før free at the link abøve.
“Into You” is one of those WOW records that gets you from the first few verses and the exchange of attractive, soaring female/male vocals. KOLAJ is an EDM duo who have already been signed to Interscope but have paired up nonetheless with K-Pop star Eric Nam for “Into You” – and the buzz of the day online as a result has been about “K-TROP”. Indeed the song has a bright, tropical vibe and lush saxophone riffing that heightens the romantic tension offered by the two vocalists. Despite the focus on dance music, “Into You” is quite the pristine pop record too (not to be confused with the Ariana Grande song of the same name) and could be one of those kind of breakout records. Kudos to everyone involved on this fine pairing, I’m very excited about it, and you can pick up “Into You” on all platforms.
ELECTRIC BODEGA featuring MATT BEILIS, “Rest Of My Life”
It’s another winner that’s going to keep dance floors busy this summer. “Rest Of My Life” by NYC production/DJ duo Electric Bodega has a melody that cries out progressive house but a lilting vibe that’s all natural pop. This is aided immensely by new go-to-voice, New York native Matt Beilis – when I say “go-to-voice”, I mean Matt has one of those tones that can fit any kind of song. He’s just released his own album The Truth – in Japan!! But no wonder that The Chainsmokers allowed Electric Bodega to co-remix and pretty well overhaul “Don’t Let Me Down” into something totally different. With “Rest Of My Life”, Electric Bodega, like the ‘smokers and The Knocks, transcends the dance genres and have made a perfectly accessible pop record. “Rest Of My Life” will sneak around the corner and catch you when you’re not looking/listening. Pick it up on iTunes.
Young producers/remixers LZRD and SPIRIX have collaborated on “Take Me Apart”, an original track that will start off your week by knocking your socks off! I’m not sure how to categorize it – futuristic emotional trap?? – but it all works so well together. There is a memorable (if somewhat infuriating) melodic hook that will just slay club audiences, and Remmi’s beautiful interpretation of the lyrics is the song’s anchor. I’m expecting big things in dance/EDM circles for “Take Me Apart”. I’m not familiar with LZRD’s work but SPIRIX is definitely on point and making many friends with his collaborations on official remixes of “So Bad” by Brandon Skeie and of course “Inside Out” by The Chainsmokers. Make sure “Take Me Apart” goes to the top of your list of new songs for this week, so download it for free at the above link!
This is the ‘moving house’ edition of the BILLCS Top 30 😛 And there are four Canadian artists in the Top 10!
The Top 10
Connor Phillips’ “Lost”, in a complete makeover through the Young Bombs EDM remix, retains the top spot quite handily but we’ll see if that extends to the rest of June in two weeks…
With “Twenty-Something” already on deck as the next single from Super, Pet Shop Boys move up a notch to #3 with “The Pop Kids”. It’s their second biggest song in this chart’s history next to 2013’s #1 “Vocal”.
“So Bad” by Brandon Skeie is one of those instantly likable songs that you’ll be singing all summer long. You might also be grooving to its amazing EDM remix courtesy of EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix. “So Bad” climbs to #4.
Elephante’s “Closer” (featuring Bishøp) has had another official makeover, courtesy of remixer Aash Mehta, which makes it into a romantic end-of-evening song. It rises 8-6.
It’s taken a while since I first heard it last Fall, but after its official release, Embody’s summery “Dreamin'” (featuring Camden Cox) is closing in on the Top 5, moving up 11-7.
The fastest riser on the chart is a remix that transforms the original song into a mysterious, deep house track. Canadians Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods have “Sound Of Home” in an intriguing Snøwmass remix, which vaults 16-8.
Toronto’s Dan Talevski scores his third consecutive Top Tenner here with “Knock Me Off My Feet”, climbing 12-9.
Jenaux’s funky and fresh “Get It On” is wasting no time making short work of the chart, as it climbs 18-11. Do check out his recent remix of 3Lau’s “Is It Love” too!
re The Chainsmokers the EDM performers of 2016 already? When they’re not performing, at a party, or on a plane, they are recording. “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya is already amazingly as equally big a hit as “Roses” and rises 17-12.
It’s another fantastic week on this chart for British producers/remixers Kat Krazy. Their official remix of Tom Odell’s magnificent “Magnetised” jumps 21-15, while their original pairing with Texas singer Johnny Stimson “Run Run” soars 24-17.
Sandwiched in-between Kat Krazy tunes is Christofi’s classic-house inspired “Don’t Need You” (featuring J-VEN) (19-16), which has already been followed up by “Higher”, which I wrote about recently.
Rounding out the Top 20 could be Ariana Grande’s biggest song to date, “Into You”, which climbs 25-20.
Four Debuts
It’s already been a #1 Billboard dance club hit, but “So Happy” by Tony Moran and Jason Walker will pervade dance club playlists throughout the summer. It’s a beautiful song to which you can just let it all go and smile. It bows at #23, and is Jason Walker’s second chart entry following 2014’s splendid high energy cover of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart” (#3).
Rain Man’s “Bring Back The Summer” (featuring Oly) has been around since last Fall, but numerous remixers were asked to do their thing, and now the song is everywhere in different shapes and forms. My preference thus far is for INSTRUM’s futuristic take on the song, which arrives at #24.
Just as his remix of SNBRN’s “Beat The Sunrise” departs the chart after peaking at #5, the Steve Void edit of London-based German-born Nik Ernst’s “Stronger” debuts at #25. It’s classic British deep house that breezes by and is available at the link below for free!
The final debut features the unexpected appearance of singer/actor Jesse McCartney on an EDM track that has loads of pop potential. It’s brought to us by Built For Titan and is called “Dangerous”. The video seems to be part of a multi-episode martial arts short film. It bows at #26 and is Jesse’s 7th entry and first since 2009!
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch
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Hot off the presses and available on most platforms today is an original by 20 year-old Chicago producer/remixer Megaphonix called “Open Your Mind”. It’s an upbeat, uplifting lighter deep house track with some tropical flavouring that goes down quite easily, a change for Megaphonix who has tended to dabble more in progressive house. Because of its anthemic qualities, it’s a perfect arrival for the various Pride celebrations around the world both musically and lyrically. Megaphonix is well known to the likes of Martin Garrix and Hardwell and I can hear “Open Your Mind” being added to their mix sets as well as others. Check it out above and purchase it on iTunes.
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