#BILLCSTop30 #477 – February 22, 2016

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 🙂

simoncurtis_boyrobot

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 at http://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.

https://soundcloud.com/maxschneider/max-wrong-ryanexoe-remix-feat-taylor-bennett

  • 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).

Debuts

https://soundcloud.com/dvbbs/angel

  • 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).

https://soundcloud.com/cloudchord/jamie-xx

  • 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 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

Although it will not air this week, you can usually hear me online on http://www.planetradio.ca every 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 WROCK http://www.wlor.net!

 

Soulful house music is “Forever” with @TwoFriendsmusic featuring ktpearl

TWO FRIENDS featuring KTPEARL, “Forever”

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!

Telling the story: @EMutemusic’s cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

E-MUTE, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

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 Bandcamp right here.

Summery Sleeper Creeper: “Afraid Of Heights” by @Couzareofficial featuring @itsAprilCheung

https://soundcloud.com/tropikultrecords/couzarexaprilcheung

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.

@KatyB gets all soulful with @CraigDavid and @MajorLazer in “Who Am I”

KATY B, CRAIG DAVID & MAJOR LAZER, “Who Am I”

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.

Lost love, EDM style: “Faded” by @iamAlanWalker

ALAN WALKER, “Faded”

I have to through my endorsement behind “Faded” by Alan Walker before I become too much of a latehead on it.  This 18 year old Norwegian EDM whiz has “Faded” at #1 in Sweden right now and it’s breaking big time in the UK and the US.  The theme of lost love is explored with a lush backdrop and a breathtaking vocal courtesy of a fellow Norwegian, a new singer by the name of Iselin Solheim.  But all pop and EDM ears on Sweden, those folks know what they like and it serves as a springboard for international breakout.  Watch for “Faded” by Alan Walker to score worldwide.  Get it on iTunes.

It’s team #CanadianEDM with @DVBBS and vocalist @DanteLeon on “Angel”

https://soundcloud.com/dvbbs/angel

DVBBS featuring DANTE LEON, “Angel”

Canadian brothers Alex and Chris, raised outside of Toronto in Orangeville, Ontario, aka DVBBS, continue to show that they are an international force to be reckoned with in the busy EDM world with sellout concerts and prolific releases.  The boys continue to diversify and follow up their Top 10 club hit “Never Enough”.  Like previous release “Gold Skies” with Sander van Doorn and Martin Garrix, DVBBS takes another side step into emotional dance songs with “Angel” in which they pair up with Toronto singer Dante Leon.  Dante’s affecting hip hop-flavoured “Hotline Bling” styled vocal is attractively matched by DVBBS’ subtle layering of sounds which bounces along with a futuristic bass rhythm that suits the wonder in the theme of the song.  DVBBS are so known for their partying and “Woozy Gang” antics but “Angel” is smart and impressive and should not be underestimated.  Pick it up on iTunes.

US electronic performer @dnotive arrives with 80’s inspired “Second Chances”

d.notive, “Second Chances”

“Second Chances” is deliberately paced, progressive electronica by Minneapolis-based performer d.notive, currently on release with his album Sentinel.  “Second Chances” is a compelling listen thanks to d.notive’s dark vocal style and inspiration that immediately conjure up your favourite songs by the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order, Nine Inch Nails or Sisters of Mercy.  There is an ongoing hungry market in the pop world for revisiting the post new wave era of the 80’s, which has contributed to Pet Shop Boys’ ongoing success, and d.notive does this with his own flourishes.  In his album Sentinel you’ll hear a number of fine instrumentals, such as the fast-paced “Back In The Saddle”, some with some definite R&B/funk influences, but other songs with his vocals like “One Way Trip” or “Martyr” really stand out.  Check out “Second Chances” above and pick up Sentinel on iTunes.

New LA producer/DJ @Liminivisions pairs with singer @RozziCrane for bass-laden “Reach”

LIMINI featuring ROZZI CRANE, “Reach”

L.A. performers Limini and Rozzi Crane are off to a great start with their pairing on the bass-filled EDM song “Reach”.  Singer Rozzi is fresh off of a tour with Owl City and release of an EP called Time, and her voice digs deep into the soulful elements of the song before a well-placed drop lures you in for good!  “Reach” is one of those songs that will elicit cheers from the audience on the dance floor as the taut, richer production unfolds.  If you want a surprise that will make your audience ask for me then be sure to download “Reach” at the link above.

Fresh and joyous EDM awaits with “Synchronize” by @Hellbergmusic featuring @_AaronRichards

HELLBERG featuring AARON RICHARDS, “Synchronize”

The younger generation of producers/remixers is upon us as initiated by Zedd and Martin Garrix back in 2012/13.  Sweden’s Hellberg also started off around that time but is coming into his own now with the likes of his remixes such as club hit “Age Of Innocence” by Elephante which I’ve already written about.  Pair him up with another youngin, NYC vocalist Aaron Richards, and the same magic that happened with “Spectrum” and “Animals” is here again.  “Synchronize” is a touching and beautiful song for the Spring months as it’s all about igniting love between two people and feeling it soar.  This kind of emotional bliss travels fast in the Dance/EDM world and I expect it to be a breakout for Hellberg and Aaron Richards.  Hellberg also posted a candid announcement (up top) that makes this success all the more appealing.   “Synchronize” is now on release, listen to it on the Soundcloud link above.