Enjoy @weInstantKarma’s lazy, romantic remix of @Florsounds’ “Unsaid”

FLOR, “Unsaid” (Instant Karma remix)

New electronic duo Instant Karma have made some interesting choices recent months, including a sunny remix of Brandyn Burnette’s “I Wanna Be (Free)”.  With Flor’s “Unsaid”, they keep their mix of this beautiful song by the up and coming British singer at a lazy pace which brings to mind some casual romance at the beach on a beautiful day.  It has great flavour if you want to bring down the dance mix sloooowwwly but steady.  It would fit nicely next to mixes of songs by Jessie Ware, Banks, and others on the alt.pop tip.  Expect more lovely surprises from this pair again soon!

Get your future groove on for @iamtheElephante’s wild new EDM instrumental “Black Ivory”

ELEPHANTE, “Black Ivory” (free download)

While his current dance club play hits “Age Of Innocence” and his remix of Nathan Sykes’ “Over And Over Again”, as well as his remix of Mako’s “Smoke-Filled Room”, are still all abuzz, Elephante has dropped another original, an instrumental called “Black Ivory”.  This is almost like his theme music, complete with a grand entrance that only prepares for the crazy melody and fun beat shifting and dropping that follows (listen for the elephant!). I think the ending trails off deliberately for DJ’s to easily mix in whatever might flow out naturally. “Black Ivory” maintains solid momentum to keep you swaying without even missing vocals.  Innovative guys like Elephante help keep the future of music omnipresent.  Download “Black Ivory” for free at the link above.

Indulge in the pre-VDay soulful EDM/pop of @Mereshas with “My Love Has Come”

MERESHA, “My Love Has Come”

After releasing a number of singles over the past few years, culminating with some notable success for last year’s “New Revolution” and performing on the same bill recently as Adam Lambert, Florida native Meresha continues with some striking EDM/pop in “My Love Has Come”.  In this song Meresha’s voice immediately reminded me of Florence Welch when she isn’t belting it out to the high heavens.  And with such crisp control, there’s no doubt in my mind that Meresha probably has Florence’s kind of range under wraps.  Plus it has an inner soulfulness that you can also hear in someone like Zendaya.  “My Love Has Come” has a delightfully lilting melody that allows Meresha’s voice to flourish.  The style is left of centre of recent successes like Tori Kelly or Elle King, which is probably a good thing.  Expect to hear more fine music from Meresha in 2016.  Watch the lyric video above and pick up the single on iTunes.

New cutting edge electronica from @JamesBlake with “Modern Soul”

JAMES BLAKE, “Modern Soul”

For some reason, this is the first time that I’ve written about  27 year old British electronica wizard James Blake, whose far-outside-the-box songs and melodies got enough attention to turn Grammy Awards nominators’ heads a few years back when he received a nom for Best New Artist.  James’ new song “Modern Soul” has a very telling title – it is indeed soulful electronic music for the modern world.  Like songs in his past releases, “Modern Soul” shifts gears melodically several times.  This by no means jolts you, but instead it dazzles as you begin to take trip within trip inside James’ new sounds.  His disembodied or distant vocal style is beginning to be a trademark and he writes his songs to suit that style.  All in all this is fascinating new stuff which should do very well with in the alt.rock radio world and in dance clubs sophisticated enough to feed patrons’ heads as well as their feet.  “Modern Soul” makes awaiting more James Blake songs a very exciting prospect.  

True EDM/Dance Smashes on deck from @MiDisguise: “Years Ago” and “Be My Desire”

midisguise2

https://soundcloud.com/mi-disguise/years-ago

MI DISGUISE, “Years Ago” and “Be My Desire”

20 year-old L.A.-based EDM/dance performer, remixer, and producer Mi Disguise is no stranger to this blog post.  Last year’s idiosyncratic and infectious “East Side Bay” got to #10 on my chart, and a previous collaboration with singer Adam Tyler called “Alive” reached #15.  But the mysterious Mi Disguise (aka Louie Garcia) has got some of the most exciting EDM for the first quarter of 2016 in store for us with lead-ins to his upcoming release.

First up is the haunting earworm “Years Ago”.  I’ve already been predisposed to this song and it’s so easy to put it on repeat.  Mi Disguise’s vocals are pure California beach, anyone can relate to the wistful story line, the chorus is completely contagious, and just when you think all of his tricks are done, he adds in some hard rock guitar which fleshes out the atmosphere of the song.  “Years Ago” is a unique, bonafide contender, don’t miss it.

Almost equally as good is “Be My Desire”, a song that you might think is about to become an emotional EDM dance track, and then shifts gears into a seductive, late night driving song that could be the unwritten theme for a movie or TV show.  It’s a huge, versatile song that stands out.

So as you can tell, I can’t wait till Mi Disguise’s music is available for you to purchase.  In the meantime give a close listen to “Years Ago” and “Be My Desire”.  It’s cutting edge EDM/dance that does not disappoint.

#BILLCSTop30 #476 – February 8/16

The new chart gets significantly shaken ‘n stirred, which I think will continue to happen in the coming weeks if fabulous dance music and remixes keeps coming my way 🙂

The Top 10

  • It has honestly been such a rush having Simon Curtis’ songs from his mixtape 8bit Heart now available in new versions on his Super 8bit Heart album release.  Rebuilding “8bit Heart” itself was no mean feat but it’s so beautifully done it’s been like an old friend coming to visit after 6 years.  So emotions conquer and the redux of “8bit Heart” is the fastest riser vaulting 10-1.  The original version reached #1 on July 5, 2010 for two appearances.

  • Had there been no “8bit Heart” redux, “Wrong” by MAX (Schneider) featuring Lil Uzi Vert would surely be at the top of the chart, and if it hangs out in the runner up spot it may get there, despite serious competition brewing.  No promises – but yeah THAT close this week.  “Wrong” climbs 5-2.

https://soundcloud.com/snowmass/mako-smoke-filled-room-mnykr-snowmass-remix

  • The guys in L.A.-based duo Mako started a contest a while back for remixers to chime in with their renditions of “Smoke Filled Room”, which hangs tight at #3.  One of those remixes in contention is by none other than Snøwmass, who you’ve read about in these pages quite recently.  He puts a chilled-out trap spin on the song while making sure the emotional side stays intact.  Check it out above – it will be interesting to see what remix will win!

  • I thought it might be a shoo-in for #1 a few weeks ago, but now not so much!  Adele’s “All I Ask” bounds 8-4, but is faced with more competition that wasn’t around initially!  Still – such a beautiful song.

  • As “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” leaves the Top 10, “Kiss The Sky” featuring Wyclef Jean arrives at #7!  Can’t wait to hear the rest of The Knocks’ album 55 – if it’s like what I heard in concert then it’s bound to be one of the best albums of the year.

  • Molly Moore’s gorgeous and heart-wrenching “Blood. Sweat. Tears” makes its move  to #9 and gives the singer her first Top Tenner on this chart.  And in case you missed it, check out Sweekuh’s dubsteppy remix of her song “Peace Of My Heart” below!
  • I’ve been reading so much great press about Toronto’s River Tiber lately.  2016 could be even a more breakout year for the massive talent that is Tommy Paxton-Beesley.  Continue to check out the EP When The Time Is Right, featuring “Waves” which climbs to #10.  River Tiber’s “The City” climbed to #1 on this chart 3 years ago this month.

Movin’ On Up

 

  • Troye Sivan’s Blue Neighbourhood is one treat of an album that you need to hear.  His voice is so much improved over his earlier songs, and his ability to spin a story with such a personal touch is captivating.  My favourites from that album continue to be “Talk Me Down” (20-12) and “Wild” (21-14), but you will see further down that a third song from the album premieres on the chart too!

  • “Down” by Brandyn Burnette is his third entry on the chart from his Made Of Dreams EP, and continues to move up 18-15.  In case you missed it, remixers Win & Woo and Kiso crafted “Made Of Dreams” into a club-worthy variation, check it out below.
  • The second entry from Super 8bit Heart is “Super Psycho Love” by Simon Curtis, all spruced up with a new house beat that totally suits the song.  It rises 24-16.

  • I think that “When The Bassline Drops” by Craig Davis & Big Narstie is one of the coolest, fun dance songs out there.  UK fans think highly enough of the song to send it into the UK Singles Chart Top 10 this week.  It soars 27-19 on my chart.

Debuts

  • I am completely enthralled with Clinton Washington’s follow up to “Hearts Beat Loud” (which just peaked at #6) called “Frozen”, which arrives at #20.  I have been in that place that the song describes and broke through that invisible ice with a clean outlook on love and life.  With an even more stunning vocal than the previous single, “Frozen” deserves to be heard and appreciated.  And yeah, it’s gonna do well on this chart 🙂

  • The third song to debut from Troye Sivan’s Blue Neighbourhood is the third song in its video trilogy, “Fools”, at #26.  The song has a tremendous vocal and affecting chorus, and I don’t think it will waste any time catching up with “Talk Me Down” and “Wild”.

  • The final debut goes to Calvo’s “Vicious Girl” at #27.  The song’s melody simply stays stuck in your head and the video creates a memorable storyline.  Supporters such as Avicii are right behind this song, released by Armada Music no less, so don’t be surprised if you hear it in a dance club soon!

The Full Chart

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

You can 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 Wednesday in a rebroadcast at 7:00 a.m. EST on WROCK http://www.wlor.net!

@TwoFriendsmusic deep future pop remix of @Shaun_Frank & @KSHMRmusic’s “Heaven” feat. @iamDelaneyJane

SHAUN FRANK & KSHMR featuring DELANEY JANE, “Heaven” (Two Friends remix)

Dance music has a community where everyone pitches in to help each other out and some great collaborative efforts are made as a result.  So here we have a bunch of rising dance/EDM stars, L.A. remixers Two Friends tackling my fellow Torontonian Shaun Frank’s pairing with L.A.’s KSHMR’s “Heaven”, featuring another Toronto native Delaney Jane on vocals, one of Spinnin’ Records’ latest and greatest.  Two Friends trade in the buoyant house rhythms of the original for a pop-flavoured progressive deep future remix redolent with guitars which brings out the glorious nature of the song.  It also accentuates every positive in Delaney Jane’s stunning vocal.  This reminds me of where Zedd and Avicii were headed a few years ago.  Good things can only come of this collaboration and I expect clubs to put it on free-flowing blast.

@Jamie___xx’s “Loud Places” as remixed by @Cloudchord becomes a tropical deep house anthem

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

JAMIE xx featuring ROMY, “Loud Places” (Cloudchord remix)

It’s almost a year old and did very well in alt.pop and EDM circles last summer, but Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” gets a rollicking reboot courtesy of Austin TX producer/DJ/guitarist Cloudchord (aka Derek Van Scoten).  It’s transformed into a driving disco tropical house track full of additional instrumentation which helps stand it apart from other remixes.  Vocals by Romy so very much suit this reworked setting.  In a dance club, the first two minutes of “Loud Places” will create a perfect lead out of a soft set and into a set of club bangers.  It may go on a little long at 5 minutes plus, but don’t be surprised if Cloudchord’s remix of “Loud Places” sneaks up on you when you’re clubbing or listening online to dance music radio.  

@WinandWoo + @KisoArmic and @Sweekuh put new spins on “Made Of Dreams” by @BrandynBurnette and @MollyMooremusic’s”Peace Of My Heart”

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Made Of Dreams” (Win and Woo x Kiso remix)

MOLLY MOORE, “Peace Of My Heart” (Sweekuh remix)

Not every song can benefit from a remix.  In fact I find songs that are written with broad scope in mind in terms of melody work best in remixes.  I’ve already written about these two songs by Brandyn and Molly, but these new remixes add something special which can attract new fans and land them both airplay in dance clubs!

Win and Woo (aka Nicholas and Austin) already tackled Molly’s “Natural Disaster” last year with an infectious tropical vibe.  Here they’re paired up with fellow Chicago DJ/producer Kiso to zero in on all that’s happy and positive about Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams”, the title song from his recent EP.  This remix is everything for bright sunshiny days at the beach or driving down the west coast under blue skies, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  The remixers have also zoned in on the anthemic side of the song which is guaranteed to attract attention of club goers with intent on invading the dance floor and swaying to the chorus.

Philadelphia’s own Sweekuh (otherwise known as Zach) remixes Molly Moore’s heart-wrenching “Peace Of My Heart” (from her EP Shadow Of The Sun) by focusing in on that crazy, sometimes muddy and murky thing called love with punchy progressive dub-steppy breaks which will simply scream out of large dance club speakers.  He doesn’t take too much away from the original intent of the song, giving Molly’s alt.pop ballad another kind of edge.

Download ’em both for free at the above links and play them alongside the fine originals. 

More tropical percussive bliss by @SNBRNmusic as remixed by Steve Void @voidmuzik “Beat The Sunrise”

https://soundcloud.com/voidmusik/snbrn-beat-the-sunrise-feat-andrew-watt-steve-void-remix

SNBRN featuring ANDREW WATT, “Beat The Sunrise” (Steve Void remix)

L.A. producer/DJ SNBRN has a club winner with “Beat The Sunrise”.  And in this Steve Void remix, the 19 year old Dutchman takes this dreamy road song, with a gentle vocal by Andrew Watt, and trades the deep house beats of the original song for high end tropical-sounding percussion.  This gives the song an incredibly happy and carefree vibe, not unlike Embody’s recent (and still unreleased) “Dreamin'” (which I wrote about recently), making it more for partying on the beach all night long.  You can’t go wrong with either version, and you can look for SNBRN on tour with the likes of Shaun Frank.  But major props to this remix which truly stands out in a crowd.  Get it for free using the link above (at over 600,000 listens already!).