Finnish singer Hannis caught me by surprise in 2014 with a powerful and instantly memorable song called “Time Has Come” (below), which quickly found its way to #3 on the BILLCS Top 30 and became one of my favourites of its year, thanks to a terrific vocal, great lyrics, and a dubsteppy mix that still sounds like no other song I know. This time Hannis has opted for a softer song and held a remix contest recently – which elicited 392 responses!! – with the new age-sounding winner being a rendition that might easily be considered as an ear-filling theme song for a movie. Out of the three top and diverse remixes, I prefer the crunchy and lush trap remix above from 21 year old Dutch producer HAZE (aka Joey van den Wildenberg) which lends an edge to the song much in the same way that dubstep enhanced “Time Has Come”, while retaining the silky qualities of the original. Be sure to listen to “In Another World” – Hannis is a deserving, hard-working talent with a beautiful voice with a songwriting partner (Vadim Petrov) who knows how to write lyrics that suit it so well.
Surprise! Grammy-nominated UK alternative EDM performer James Blake drops his new album The Colour In Anything tomorrow, and has already scheduled gigs within the next two weeks in lucky New York City and Los Angeles. Of the four songs that he’s already previewed, I think you might find “Radio Silence” to be the most likely you’ll hear on an alternative rock station. Undeniably influenced by old school folk and blues but wrapped in the sheen of careful but typically sparse EDM layers, “Radio Silence” also recalls the recent music of both John Grant and Icelandic singer Ásgeir (whose lyrics were translated by John). It’s not for everyone and never has been, but the music of James Blake is undeniably hypnotic and his fans will eat this one up.
Following the recent “Underneath”, Brandyn Burnette releases another single in advance of his EP State I’m In. This one’s a rather understated and different EDM ballad called “Worship”, a little moodier than usual for Brandyn but definitely with beautiful intentions. It’s a pledge to the one you adore and worship, soul and body. Brandyn mixes the EDM backdrop with hip hop and R&B and an honest vocal that seems totally, lovingly lost in the song itself. Brandyn’s music world has definitely shifted for the better since he released “Thanks For Nothing” almost two years ago, which makes his songs so interesting to write about and enjoy. Pick it up on iTunes.
ROBYN, “Dancing On My Own” (You&Me remix – A-side)
Can you believe Robyn’s Grammy-nominated “Dancing On My Own” was released in 2010? It hardly seems that long ago because the song has been summoned to the forefront again thanks to many online recent viral covers as well as renditions on TV’s “The Voice” by both Top 4 Season 9 finalist Jeffery Austin and current Season 10 Top 10 contestant Paxton Ingram. So the timing is absolutely perfect for a revival and new production duo You&Me have taken the reins to bring you their feel good, jam-packed, effortlessly sounding remix. Fans of the original song will bounce gleefully while others who are new to it may just find another favourite song. I encourage dance club DJ’s to add this to their playlist to guarantee a packed dance floor at evening peak time. And there’s still more news: I didn’t just label it as “You&Me remix – A-side” for nothing. This is the first of You&Me’s two remixes of the song. A ‘darker’ version “B-side” will be released on May 19 and I’ll have details for you at that time! For now you can download You&Me’s “A-side” remix of “Dancing On My Own” at the above link.
Not long ago, I brought to your attention a savvy remix of The Chainsmokers & Daya’s “Don’t Let Me Down” by rising NYC-based producer/DJ Jenaux. He’s dropped a new original called “Get It On” and it’s one wild and funky ride. I often have trouble getting past wacky vocal effects but there is so much going on in “Get It On” in terms of gritty groove and deep house flavour. It all somehow mixes in with all of the wild goings on including 70’s funk (think Parliament-Funkadelic), disco (Chic for sure), and 80’s new wave (Rio-era Duran Duran?) to provide a festive feast for your ears and feet. “Get It On” is what the BOOM in your speakers is all about and Jenaux pulls out all of the stops.
Sometimes there’s a club song that draws you in just because its main duty is to make you feel great. “So Happy” by club veterans Tony Moran and Jason Walker is just that, and it’s deservedly already a Billboard Dance Club Play Chart Top 10 song. While Jason went full throttle with his range in notable covers of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart” and The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion” (also with Tony) two years ago, his voice in this original reminds me of a mix of Boy George and Andy Bell emphasizing a lower tone which is out to win you over instead of dazzling you with his vocal acrobatics. The melody is carefree, suitable to big open spaces (like in the video above) as well as your home stereo 🙂
AASH MEHTA featuring LYDIA KELLY, “Breathe Into Reality”
Producer/DJ Aash Mehta and vocalist Lydia Kelly are two talents from Ann Arbor, Michigan to watch out for and “Breathe Into Reality” is an affecting alternative EDM track that can bridge a mix when some quiet moments are required. The song’s first minute and a half can create beautiful transitions between sets when Lydia’s seamless vocal is unleashed and simply soars. Aash definitely goes his own way with his mix, which is divided between that introductory vocal showcase and a moodier, thoughtful second half. “Breathe Into Reality” is one of those songs that manages to stand well on its own and grows with repeated listens. Download it for free at the link above.
JANE BADLER, “Black Silk Stockings” (Tracy Young remix)
Jane Badler, the actress and singer, is so adept at jazz and pop stylings that it’s always a riveting treat to hear her in a crazy dance music setting. “Black Silk Stockings” is perhaps her wildest EDM dance venture yet, just when you think that remixes of her previous theatrical foray “Yesterday’s Tomorrows” were just shy of over the top. Let it be said that “Black Silk Stockings” is way over the top, with an instantly memorable video full of costumes, effects, a weird mad doctor, drag queens, and even her son Harry Hains in DJ form (you may have seen him in “American Horror Story: Hotel” briefly) – but still all eyes on Jane and her commanding presence over the proceedings. It’s great to hear yet another fine remix by Tracy Young – I still revel in her 11 minute remix of Stevie Nicks’ “Planets Of The Universe”. Could “Black Silk Stockings” send Jane Badler into international clubs at last? Crank it up to 11 and see why it should! I look forward to its official release.
Dance music continues to rule the roost on the #BILLCSTop30, with one song in particular making short work of the chart with a huge leap up the chart, while other non-dance tunes continue to rise or debut.
The Top 10
After being kings of their hometown Toronto on the music scene last Friday night, Julian Dzeko and Luis Torres, along with Sweden’s Jon Hellberg, continue their reign at #1 with the emotional, reflective EDM of “Care For Me”. It should easily stay on top for another chart.
The competition from “Care For Me” comes directly from another intense and emotional song, “Lost” by another Canadian, B.C.’s Connor Phillips, as remixed by even more Canadians, Young Bombs. “Lost” soars 21-2. It was originally a short acoustic song that was taken to extreme EDM heights by Young Bombs. I swear that if you hear it in a club you may just need to rush out onto the dance floor to hug someone.
Big things are in store for Alan Walker’s “Faded” in North America, after hearing Dzeko & Torres play it on Friday night. The young Norwegian producer’s international hit climbs 5-4.
SNBRN and Andrew Watt have a great pre-summer dance hit with “Beat The Sunrise” in its tropical Steve Void remix, which rises 8-5. I recently wrote aboutMr. Void’s latest edit for “Stronger” by Nik Ernst.
Pet Shop Boys move up 12-7 with their #1 dance club play chart hit “The Pop Kids”. With all the great dance music out this year, even PSB have a lot of competition, but some songs above may give way to make room for it soon!
Hellberg has his second Top 10 hit with “Synchronize”, featuring NYC vocalist Aaron Richards, which climbs 11-8.
I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of Uninvited, the new album by Call Me Karizma,after writing about his new song“f u till i f u” last week. “u suck”, from his previous release Loser, moves up a notch 10-9.
L.A.’s Brandyn Burnette gets his first Top 10 hit in a remixed version, thanks to the talented team of Win & Woo and Kiso, “Made Of Dreams” is up 14-10. Brandyn’s latest, which I also wrote about last week, is “Underneath” from his forthcoming EP State I’m In.
Movin’ On Up
I love all of the Prince and Lenny Kravitz influence that gives Miguel’s “Waves” a more rock ‘n roll flavour than usual for an R&B song. From his latest album Wildheart, which keeps receiving more critical acclaim, “Waves” jumps 15-12.
I’m still really enjoying the slick disco flavour of “Afraid Of Heights” by German producer/DJ Couzare featuring new vocalist April Cheung, which rises 16-14, and is the debut release for TropiKult Records.
Looks like L.A. duo Mako are headed for the Top 10 again, following the #3 “Smoke Filled Room”, this time with the Two Friends remix of “Way Back Home”, which soars 23-16.
Eric Saade has a slicker, more subdued vibe on his latest, “Colors”, which rises 22-18. Can’t wait to hear what else the singer has to offer on his upcoming release.
Following the #1 “Kiss The Sky” for NYC duo The Knocks, the next song off their debut album 55 to hit the chart is “Tied To You”, their collaboration with Semi-Precious Weapons frontman and hot songwriter Justin Tranter. It moves up 25-19.
Producer/remixer Elephante is on another run up the chart, this time with “Closer” featuring Portland, Oregon native Bishøp with a stunning vocal that draws you in. “Closer” jumps 27-21.
Debuts
One of the sweetest sounding records on Canadian pop radio right now is Dan Talevski’s “Knock Me Off My Feet”, which arrives at #23. It’s roots are definitely in the late 70’s, early 80’s classic pop period, heavily influenced perhaps by soft sounding vocals of the likes of Michael Jackson, Babyface, Jermaine Stewart, and others. It’s Torontonian Dan’s third entry following last year’s #3 “Guilty As Sin” and #5 “My Religion”.
The song at #26 set an all-time blog post view record in this space, breaking the previous record from 2012,with a post from a while ago. Hailing from the North Bay area in Ontario, Joël LeMay has his many fans and supporters, and no wonder with intricate storytelling in his debut “You Fucked Up”, which is available to you at the above link as a free download. Just do it!!
The Chainsmokers return to the chart with their winning collaboration with Daya on “Don’t Let Me Down” at #28. This one stops club goers in their tracks – no surprise it’s a radio hit as well. And who doesn’t love the cool car in the video!
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
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on SpotifyBILLCS Top 30 Songs
http://www.planetradio.cais currently improving its technology and my two features, “Bill’s Top 10” and “Pick Of The Week”, will return soon!
Often I get introduced to songs that are great with or without remixes and “So Bad” by 22 year old Washington native Brandon Skeie is just that. What a voice! So crisp, clear, and easily recognizable!
His stellar original gets two helping hands into the dance remix world courtesy of a couple of talented teens, EDWYNN △ TIKAL from Sweden, and Spirix from L.A. It’s kind of a wild future bass sound for what is essentially a pretty straight forward song. But these remixers do not overtake the original with effects, they simply enhance it. Brandon’s soaring high octave is the star and the bass drop that immediately follows sticks like glue till you get to hear it again later in the song. You cannot go wrong with either version but this remix will get the ears of club goers and new fans for Brandon as well.
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