In an interesting change of pace, an EDM song gradually turning into a left-of-centre pop hit gets an acoustic remake, courtesy of 22 year-old NYCer Marco Foster. Yup, this is the same Marco that I wrote about back in 2012 when he had just climbed aboard Flo Rida’s bus. And while he’s been keeping busy with Flo, timing is indeed everything: Marco’s take on Flume & Kai’s “Never Be Like You” immediately brings to mind “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber in both vibe and appeal. I suppose when the first song you think of is a huge worldwide #1 then that has to be a good thing. While the cover has gritty values in acoustic format, Marco’s voice has gotten smoother and soulful, too… the kind that heartbreakers are made of… more good things are coming, I think!
In what is one of the most unique pairings of 2016 so far, noted Dutch production duo Vicetone partners with American duo Cosmos & Creature – that’s Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore 😀 – for “Bright Side”, a new Spinnin’ Records release. Brandyn and Molly are no strangers to dance music. Molly wrote Dubvision’s 2014 hit “Hollow” and both have dabbled with some inventive remixes lately for his “Made Of Dreams” and her “Peace Of My Heart”. The arrangement in “Bright Side” focuses on elegant strings and high end to create the appropriate gleaming pop sound that compliments the positive lyrics and lighter house rhythms of the track. “Bright Side” was one of the first-ever written songs by Brandyn and Molly so it’s great to see it in the dance music realm. Those looking for something a little different and chipper to play in their club mix will appreciate “Bright Side”. Listen above and pick it up for freeright here.
Toronto’s River Tiber continues to release outstanding music that should pop big time in 2016. With an album coming in Spring in follow up to last year’s When The Time Is Right EP, and after much praise in a NOW Magazine article this past week, Tommy Paxton-Beesley teams up with Toronto R&B singer Daniel Caesar for “West”. This is sparse-sounding contagious ear candy that perhaps will ptompt Frank Ocean to release his next album earlier! Both voices sound amazing together – think James Blake meets The Weeknd – and “West” just begs for more new songs from River Tiber. For now pick up “West” on iTunes.
British remixer Kat Krazy returns after much-praised successes a while back with in-demand remixes for the likes of Coldplay (“Princess Of China”), Bastille (a classic one for “Pompeii”), and Natalia Kills (“Problem”). In advance of its release as the 8th single from UK duo Sigma’s album Life comes his remix of “Stay”. Those who adore the lush balladry of the original may be taken slightly aback by Kat Krazy’s approach, but dance clubs are going to love it as much as his previous work. It’s a darker but bouncy remix that will get your feet on to the dance floor with its dirty bass synth drop. Kat Krazy doesn’t lose any elements of the original, he just adds to them which makes for a successful and ear-catching remix. Give a listen to “Stay” at the link above..
Buzzing out of the gate with interest from the likes of Nicky Romero and ready to stimulate your late night house crowd is “Night Rolls” by Brooklyn NY producer/DJ Instrum. He’s been catching ears lately with diverse remixes like Monogem’s “Gone”. This time adding American singer Seth Somni to the mix with this original composition, and we have a slick late night house track with pop and R&B flourishes that is released on all platforms tomorrow on the Armada Deep imprint. Check it out at the link above.
I’m humbled by the amount of new visitors I’ve had recently to this blog and Twitter. The BILLCS Top 30 is my personal chart of favourites which started out online in 1998 as the monthly Tuned-On! Top 10 and quickly grew into a bi-weekly Top 30 on a web page hosted by Geocities (remember them?). Its focus over the years has shifted depending on what styles of music I’ve been drawn to the most. It largely focuses on singles but album tracks are included. Songs can only appear on the chart for 10 appearances (20 weeks) which keeps the new songs flowing. In 2003, music was becoming much more globally in sync and I allowed songs to appear on the chart providing they were released … somewhere. In 2009, a free download hit #1 for the first time. A song must be ‘released’ (for pay or for free) in order to qualify to appear on the chart – a You Tube or Soundcloud post that is not consumable does not qualify. Official remixes may chart instead of the original if that’s the version I prefer.
With that update provided, on to the new chart 🙂
The Top 10
The ongoing revival of Simon Curtis “8bit Heart” continues to grow as the cover to his upcoming book “Boy Robot” (cover above) was premiered by Just Jared Jr. The book would not be forthcoming without Simon’s original 2010 mixtape (still available for free athttp://www.simon-curtis.com) which has recently been re-recorded as Super 8bit Heart and now available everywhere for purchase. “8bit Heart” is still so much of a personal favourite, and continues at #1 for a second appearance in its delightful redux version. The new version of “Super Psycho Love” joins “8bit Heart” in the Top 10, rising 16-10.
MAX (Schneider) holds at #2 with “Wrong”. Do check out the infectious remix recently unleashed online by RyanEXOE featuring Taylor Bennett, above.
Before my next chart, the album 55 by The Knocks will finally be on release and should be the soundtrack to the first part of 2016, given that I heard most of the songs at their Toronto concert in January. “Kiss The Sky”, featuring a fantastic vocal by Wyclef Jean, climbs 7-4 and is definitely eyeing #1.
Coincidentally, The Knocks are back-to-back with their own label signees, Sofi Tukker. The NYC duo holds steady at #5 with the irresistible “Drinkee”. Yeah it’s all in Portuguese, but no matter!
This chart marks the mini-invasion of the Top 10 by songs by the latest boy wunderkind, Troye Sivan. The glorious “Talk Me Down” advances 12-7 while the heart-wringer “Wild” climbs 14-9 (both above). And Troye’s “Fools” (below, rounding out the Blue Neighbourhood trilogy of videos) is the fastest riser, movin’ on up a few notches below 26-17. This only means one thing: If you haven’t heard Troye’s Blue Neighbourhood, you are missing out. Troye is playing a sold out show at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto next week.
More Songs Movin’ On Up
Brandyn Burnette’s hip hop flavoured “Down” from his Made Of Dreams EP rises 15-12. He and his gal Molly Moore (sitting pretty at #8 with “Blood. Sweat. Tears.”) have joined forces as Cosmos & Creature and will appear as the featured voices in an upcoming song by dance music performer Vicetone called “Brightside”! Watch for it!
Elephante’s original “Age Of Innocence” (featuring Trouze and Damon Sharpe) is one pumped up slice of emotional EDM with a melody that stays with you for days. It moves up 18-15.
Like “Hello”, it looks like Adele’s “When We Were Young” is about to dominate the dance charts in its remixed version. But the still stunning original from the 25 album climbs 21-16.
Calvo’s “Vicious Girl” continues to be embraced by DJs throughout the world thanks to a memorable keyboard melody and an odd vocal that works quite well. It jumps 27-20 and is well on its way. It’s also a co-write by the talented Daniel Volpe (who as a performer is none other than Zorro Blakk).
It may be their best song yet. Canadian bros DVBBS feature a Torontonian singer Dante Leon on “Angel”, which bows at #23. DVBBS have previously charted with MOTi with “This Is Dirty” (#9) and with Sander van Doorn and Martin Garrix on “Gold Skies” (#3).
A bit of summer is upon us courtesy of the driving beat of the Cloudchord remix of “Loud Places”, an alternative hit last year for Jamie xx featuring Romy, from Jamie’s Grammy-nominated album In Colour. This tropical anthemic remix stands on its own and arrives at #24.
Sweden will simply have to share its current #1 with us. That song is “Faded” by Norwegian producer/DJ Alan Walker, which originally started as an instrumental called “Fade”. It premieres at #25.
And at #27 is “u suck” by Minnesota rapper/producer Call Me Karizma (aka Morgan Parriott). Its clever featured chorus from the song “Why Don’t You Do Right” is sung by UK vocalist Bev Lee Harling. “u suck” is a wonderful slice of what sounds like ‘new era rap’.
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
Although it will not air this week, you can usually hear me online onhttp://www.planetradio.caevery Monday 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!
After a rollercoaster of successful remixes of songs by The Chainsmokers, Tori Kelly and others, Los Angeles production/remix duo Two Friends (Matt and Eli) strike out on their own with their original “Forever”. It’s a simmering EDM mix carried by a zinger of a soulful house piano melody that chimes in perfect harmony with the sometimes gritty vocal by ktpearl. Friends and lovers will sway the most to all of the positive energy created by the song. I’m not quite sure what secrets are bottled up by Matt and Eli in Two Friends’ music but don’t be surprised if we see national club action with “Forever”. And… I want to see which remixers tackle these remixers’ original tune 😛 “Forever” is available now on all platforms via the Armada Trice imprint!
Following up his recent release I Can Pay For It, UK-based singer/pianist/drummer E-Mute delivers his cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. And before you start shaking your head, muttering “why”, and so on, do give this piano-driven rendition a few listens. E-Mute presents this as a classic story, perhaps a bit theatrical in a few vocal inflections, but nonetheless perfectly suited to the anguished, tortured soul of the song. There is absolutely no vocal like Ian Curtis’ original, and I’ve heard some terrible covers over the years. But E-Mute has it in the bag – purchase it on Bandcampright here.
COUZARE featuring APRIL CHEUNG, “Afraid Of Heights”
It’s all about starting off in style… TropiKult Records launches with a summery song for the upcoming Spring months. It’s what I call a ‘sleeper creeper’ – it’s gonna take a few listens but it will seal the deal – “Afraid Of Heights” by German producer/DJ Couzare featuring new vocalist April Cheung. Get past the slow fade in and you will find a lilting tropical vibe that resonates with a warm feel-goodness. It’s aided by April’s droll kind of vocal, which immediately brings to mind singer Dev – yes she of Far East Movement’s 2010 #1 “Like A G6” and her own “In The Dark”. “Afraid Of Heights” is one of those songs that’s not only destined to be a surprise for clubs, but will also sound great on amusement park rides (particularly those ones that go high up, of course). Stream it above and pick it up on all platforms.
British singer Katy B. drops her best song yet with “Who Am I”, a splashy R&B ballad for clubs that is making inroads on the UK singles chart. With the help of some remixes this one could be headed to the top of club charts too. And this time, on her upcoming album Honey, Katy is bringing along friends like “Lean On”‘s main man Major Lazer as well as Craig David, hot on his Top 10 UK success with “When The Bassline Drops”, to show us his other softer side like we heard on “Fill Me In” back in the day. The unexpected pairing of voices blends magically and I’m sure you’ll be playing “Who Am I” on repeat.
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