I enjoy finding fine new original songs through remixes, just as much as I like hearing songs that are transformed by remixes. The former is the case with “Burn Fast” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Bryce Fox. This is a cheery, tropical-tinged, very visual song with a convincing, enthusiastic vocal by Bryce that is given a wicked deep house treatment courtesy of Germany’s Koni, who also works with (the recently blogged-about) Saxity among others. Bryce’s voice has a slick ‘n soulful edge reminiscent of Conor Maynard, Brandyn Burnette and others and is perfectly suited to this genre. “Burn Fast” in Koni’s remix will stick in your head and become a contender for repeated plays. Download it for free at the link above.
UK producer/DJ Kat Krazy follows up his fine remix of Sigala’s “Stay” with a striking original “Run Run” that is nothing short of the complete EDM/pop package that dance music fans will simply love. The contemporary, memorable, and soulful vocal performance by Johnny Stimson (a Dallas native with a strong following in Europe) is on par with the earnest tones of Mako’s recent hit “Smoke-Filled Room”. But what’s best about “Run Run” is that it does not let up, and the piano break is a major wow that will leave you wanting more. Already released in the UK, “Run Run” should perform very well once it receives full international release soon.
Swedish trio Ember Island, who recently visited the U.S. for SXSW among other venues, have a beautiful could-be-hit with “Need You”. But Cloudchord’s funky dance remix could put it on the club map with ease. Following up his engaging remix of Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” (currently on my personal chart), “Need You” is heavily influenced by the classic sounds of yesteryear R&B and disco which when mixed up with today’s flavours results in progressive nu-disco that will stand out in a club mix. What I dig most about this one is the slick and crunchy guitar work which can hold its own against and be mixed with records by Nile Rodgers/Chic, Scissor Sisters, and more. Don’t pass up this remix of “Need You”, be sure to download it for free using the Soundcloud link above.
London-based singer Harriet has come a long way in a short time since I first heard her more than two years ago, resulting in the initial EP What’s Mine Is Yours. Mixing up a repertoire that shuffles between originals like “Fly”, other performers’ songs as recorded on her Covers EP last year, as well as Christmas songs (which resulted in a warmly-received album Maybe This Christmas last year), Harriet’s honest love for her craft and her warm and caring vocals will continue to take her into the ears of new listeners. “Permission To Kiss”, once again produced and co-written by the renown Steve Anderson, starts off with its keyboard riffs as almost a sound-alike to Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”. It works and Harriet’s smooth style takes over along with the playful, teasing lyrics. The song successfully moves her away from the numerous comparisons to Karen Carpenter and puts her in the current company of Ms Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Brandi Carlile and others for whom there is already an eager audience. Release is forthcoming but do give a listen at the Soundcloud link below.
Spring has sprung and there are a lot of changes afoot on the new edition of the BILLCS Top 30, including a new #1 song as well as three debuts. You can expect more debuts in the coming weeks as the lower part of the chart consists of songs which are running their natural course. Dance music is in full effect, so boogie away 🙂
The Top 10
After making an impressive debut in the Top 5 of the Billboard Electronic Albums Chart this week for their fine album 55, The Knocks along with vocalist Wyclef Jean find themselves atop the chart this week with the rousing “Kiss The Sky”. With such a busy chart it may find itself displaced in two weeks, as it did the same with “Wrong” by MAX (now #5).
Canadians the brothers DVBBS and Toronto’s Dante Leon zip up the chart 10-2 with designs on #1 in two weeks with the pensive and bouncy “Angel”. Apparently DVBBS had a stellar set during Miami Music Week, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that helps give “Angel” some additional notice in clubs to follow up the Billboard Dance Club Play Top 10 “Never Leave”.
Troye Sivan’s “Talk Me Down” is the best song on his Blue Neighbourhood album to me, and it climbs to #3, while “Wild” rests at #6, and “Fools” advances to #11. Sooo impressive!
It was originally featured on the singer’s 2010 8bit Heart mixtape, but the redux of Simon Curtis’ “Super Psycho Love” fits in beautifully with today’s dance music in addition to being a fine song all in itself. From the Super 8bit Heart album, it climbs 7-4.
Craig David is on a roll in the UK, with another song to be released by Blond that features him on vocals, after appearing recently on Katy B & Major Lazer’s “Who Am I”. His pairing with Big Narstie, the mighty fun “When The Bassline Drops”, rises 9-7.
The only new Top 10 entry is the second in recent months for Clinton Washington with the stunning “Frozen” 11-8. “Hearts Beat Now”, which recently left the chart, peaked at #6, making it 2 Top Tenners for Clinton.
Movin’ On Up
The fastest riser on the chart is a somewhat rare cover version for me. Losing the edgy folk style in favour of a laid back EDM flavour for driving down the coast, Jonas Blue and Dakota soar 23-12 with their rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”.
You might find yourself catching yourself singing “where are you now” over and over again, but may not know the song. It’s called “Faded” and it’s by young Norwegian producer/DJ Alan Walker, and it leaps 18-13.
German producer/DJ Calvo has a winner with the insanely catchy “Vicious Girl”, which continues to rise 16-14 – a co-write for the wonderful Daniel Volpe (aka performer Zorro Blakk).
I’m totally into the frankness of the lyrics in “u suck” by Minnesota’s Call Me Karizma, which climbs 20-16. YesterdayI wrote about his latest effort“Darkness” from his forthcoming album.
And all of the rest of the debuts from two weeks ago have designs on the Top 10. The Steve Void remix of “Beat The Sunrise” (above) by SNBRN (also a presence at Miami Music Week) featuring Andrew Watt moves 24-17; right behind is the stellar “Synchronize”, by Hellberg (also at MMW) featuring Aaron Richards, up 25-18; and then Miguel’s nifty and sexy “Waves” climbs 26-19.
Those Debuts
I only wrote about it the other day, but the effect that this song has on me (and perhaps you as well) is just instantaneous. “Care For Me” has such a beautiful lyric and it’s enhanced by the phenomenal layers of production created by Toronto’s Dzeko & Torres and Sweden’s Hellberg” – all those arpeggios have me spinnin’ every day. “Care For Me” is a chart contender and bows at #21!
Continuing with the positive themes of many of the songs on the chart is “Bright Side” by Dutch duo Vicetone, and featuring none other than Cosmos & Creature. Who are they? Why Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore, so prominent all over this chart and now with a delightful foray into EDM, which was the first song the two co-wrote after meeting more than two years ago. So lovely that it made it to record and it arrives on the chart at #23.
The last debut is the first release by new-label-on-the-rise TropiKult. As showcased during the Ultra Music Festival, Couzare’s disco-inspired “Afraid Of Heights”, featuring a cute, droll vocal by April Cheung, premieres on the chart at #27.
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 Spotify 🙂BILLCS Top 30 Songs
You can now hear me online onhttp://www.planetradio.caevery Tuesday at 9:00 pm EST counting down a Toronto Top 10 chart from yesteryear, and then again every Thursday in a rebroadcast at 7:00 a.m. EST on WROCKhttp://www.wlor.net!
The best thing that Pet Shop Boys could ever have done for their career is to bring back what they do so much better than many and put it up front – witty, electrifying music designed for clubs. 2013’s Electric was the result, and my favourite song of that year was the magnificent “Vocal”. Neil and Chris carry on with more of what their fans absolutely want the most with “The Pop Kids”. Like 80’s hits such as “Rent”, “Heart” and “Being Boring”, “The Pop Kids” is a simple, direct tale – wonder, excitement and love are all prominent, resulting in a warm, effusive song that should continue the lads’ prominence as revered champions of the dance music genre. It’s from their upcoming album Super due on April 1. Check out the lyric video up top and get the EP on iTunes.
NYC singer/songwriter Reigen continues to offer his unique takes on life in anticipating of an upcoming longer play release this year. “Youth” is a wise and passionate plea to the younger generation to grab hold of what you’ve got and live it to your fullest while you have your youth. Life changes, and before you know it youth as defined by age and beauty is no more. Be sure to love one another and keep the fires lit, all set to a buoyant, danceable beat. A story plays out in the NYC backdrop in the video above while intersecting with Reigen’s emotional performance at the piano which will tug on your hearts just after the three minute mark. Reigen is the talented kind of underdog to root for and deserves your attention.You can purchase “Youth” on iTunes.
You may have thought this Arizona quintet had drifted away after a quiet 2015, but they’re back with their fourth album due on April 1 called Stories for Monday. Despite being on a record label (Fearless) that is more inclined towards harder rock bands like Bless The Fall, The Summer Set should acquire more fans with strong compositions like “Jean Jacket”, which is an end-of-romance retrospective song that can resonate with anyone. There’s a fine, mellifluous sax solo smack in the middle, and Brian Logan Dales’ vocals are crisp and striking (you last heard him in another setting, on Cole Plante’s dance music treat “Before I’m Yours” in late 2014). Pre-order Stories for Monday now on iTunes and get “Jean Jacket” immediately. Give it a listen up top.
The Summer Set plays in Toronto on Tuesday May 31 at the Mod Club.
It has mystified me these past 5 years why Eric Saade is not a bonafide star outside of the Nordic part of Europe with glorious and amazing songs like “Popular”, “Hotter Than Fire”, and last year’s “Sting”, all much written about in these blog pages. From his forthcoming album comes “Colors”, which takes him away from the kind of R&B/hip hop oriented pop that was finding favour in Europe a few years ago and back to stylish, melodic synth pop which set his star on fire when “Popular” won Sweden’s Melodifestivalen in 2011. “Colors” also contains a restrained and mature vocal which does not compete for a change with the synth backdrop. Eric Saade continues to progress and “Colors” is another winner with a few new tricks up its sleeve. Pick it up on iTunes. Listen to it right here on Spotify.
Wasting absolutely no time after his January digital release of Loser (featuring “u suck” and “Euphoria” among others, all of which I’ve written about recently), Call Me Karizma is already back at work on his official debut album. In advance of this, the Minnesota native brings us “Darkness”, and he doesn’t waste any time acknowledging about that which is bleak and all-consuming. Certainly darkness does have its place in the world, and in the minds of many younger people it can mean escape after the end of a relationship, but it’s also at the end of a downward spiral which no one wants to ride. “Darkness” is likely Call Me Karizma’s most polished work thus far, with layered production providing the necessary thoughtful effect and is some ways is musically reminiscent of Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie”. Fans of Call Me Karizma know that he performs songs like “Darkness” because he cares greatly for his fellow youth to keep their thoughts from getting to that place. Find out why and listen to “Darkness” above.
Call Me Karizma performs on the upcoming tour by The Summer Set, including Tuesday May 31 in Toronto at The Mod Club.
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