@TravisGarland returns with new (and free) music with “Bodies”

TRAVIS GARLAND, “Bodies”

One of my most played albums of 2013 was the self-titled release by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Travis Garland, whose R&B/soul/hip hop pop style can veer similarly from Robin Thicke to Justin Timberlake to JMSN.  Like with songs such as “Homewrecker” from the last record, “Bodies” pushes the envelope stylistically with a savvy mix of rock and hip hop, which serves as a basis for a song that may or may not be a bit of a horror story, both in literal or psychological senses.  The video is haunting because it leaves you to draw your own conclusions.  As always Travis’ voice seethes and soars when it should, and serves as a fine introduction to his latest free download UPPERS + DOWNERS which I hope to listen to within the next while.  I like how Travis is following the same kind of marketing plan with the last album, which was preceded by a couple of free release EP’s and built up a real calling card for his full album.  “Bodies” shows signs that the game plan shall unfold similarly!  Watch the video for “Bodies” above and download the song for free below.

Chicago’s @GOLDHOUSE crafts a bitter but danceable story in “Over”

GOLDHOUSE, “Over”

“Over” is one of those songs that doesn’t sink in right away but scores with repeated listens thanks to a familiar and bitter story that I know all too well.  It’s brought to us by Chicago-born producer/songwriter/singer Goldhouse (aka Grant Harris), who has remixed many a fine song including those by Katy Perry, Sam Smith, and perhaps most notably Lady Gaga’s “Applause”.  “Over” definitely sparkles in the production department and should be dancefloor bound.  But I like the way he writes – “Over” is as caustic and direct as a post-breakup song can be, and setting it to such an engaging and sizzling EDM backdrop is somewhat cathartic.  Goldhouse also cleverly mashed up “Over” recently with last year’s surprise hit by Nico & Vinz, “Am I Wrong”.  Listen to both original up top and the mashup below.  I can’t find “Over” in my iTunes Canada store but it seems like it may be on release in the U.S. or in your country.

https://soundcloud.com/goldhouse/am-i-over-nico-and-vinz-vs-goldhouse

Toronto’s @RiverTiber crafts R&B/hip-hop flavoured “Let You Go”

RIVER TIBER, “Let You Go”

Toronto’s River Tiber releases the new EP When The Time Is Right on Wednesday September 16.  “Let You Go” to me is a defining moment for the inauspiciously talented Tommy Paxton-Beesley after following the multi-instrumentalist’s progress these last 3 years.  For “Let You Go” is as soulful as R&B gets.  Plunked right down in a time where fellow Canadians Drake and The Weeknd are ruling the charts, “Let You Go” is beautifully languid alt.soul featuring a personal best vocal from Tommy.  River Tiber creates complex, layered music which draws you in because you never know what to expect.  All I know is that When The Time Is Right should turn even more heads later this week and should be on your must-hear list for the rest of 2015.

River Tiber plays Adelaide Hall in Toronto on Thursday, October 8.

@TroyeSivan is set to impress with his sophomore release “Wild”

troyesivan

TROYE SIVAN, “Wild”

Call me converted.  South Africa-born Australian social media sensation Troye Sivan did very well out of the gate with his first EP, which reached the Top 5 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums.  I wasn’t quite convinced with either his voice or songs, but sometimes all it takes is some changes between releases.  Thus we have “Wild”, the lead off single from his upcoming album.  It may just be me, but his voice sounds different.  A richer tone has replaced a more boyish quality like on “Happy Little Pill”.  “Wild” is a retrospective song about the innocence of our childhood and how it does set the stage for adulthood, as you will see in the very last frame of the video in this particular story.  With his recent work with Zedd also catching attention, it would be no surprise to see “Wild” climbing the radio charts soon, and it will make you want to hear more from Troye Sivan.

Get to know @AfterRomeo with tight pop sound of “Where the People Go”

AFTER ROMEO, “Where The People Go”

After Romeo are one of the busiest groups I’ve seen online in terms of social media fan engagement with their Juliets and Bromeos.  This has helped the L.A. vocal quintet to get to the Top 10 on the Radio Disney charts.  And while some performers never break out of that teen-oriented image, I think After Romeo has the chops to go much further if “Where The People Go” is any indication.  This is one short but loaded and memorable anthemic pop single that will also keep you entertained with its smart video, which appears to be the backdrop for about 5 different films or videos being made.  Makeup and costumes abound, and the director keeps it at a high energy pace, crafting an excellent showcase for the lads, who to me have that something extra that other similar vocal groups don’t have.  Chances are if you follow After Romeo on Twitter you might find yourself in a video chat with them, they are pretty accessible.  Pick up “Where The People Go” on iTunes.

#BILLCSTop30 #465 – September 7, 2015

A lot of the songs on the chart two weeks ago were stuck on hold… not a bad thing at all and shows staying power!  But the new chart is shaken ‘n stirred but good, with only two debuts, but several favourites finish up their chart run at the lower end of the chart.  

The Top 10

  • It appears that nothing is about to dislodge Years & Years and Brandyn Burnette from the top spots.  “Shine” continues at #1, while former #1 “I Wanna Be (Free)” (which will soon have a hip hop flavoured remix) stays at #2.  The songs in the rest of the year to come are going to need to be pretty special to beat out these two at year end.  Oh, and next week I get to see Years & Years in concert in Toronto.  Just cannot wait to hear the gorgeous songs on Communion in live performance!

https://soundcloud.com/penguin-prison/show-me-the-way

  • Both Nathan Sykes’ “Kiss Me Quick” and “Show Me The Way” by Penguin Prison advance a notch to #3 and #4 respectively, but are the #1 and #2 songs going to keep them from moving up further?  You’ll find out in two weeks!  Again, both are very strong songs in 2015 against fierce competition.

  • Formidable NYC producer/DJ’s The Chainsmokers are touring (they play in Toronto on November 7) with a fun cast of performers depending on what city you’re in.  The guys’ collab with Great Good Fine OK in a rollicking Tiesto remix on “Let You Go” climbs 9 to 6.  Oh, and it’s a free download 🙂

  • Yeah it is all about that sample from the 60’s TV show The Munsters, but “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy also has a wicked, fun vocal by Patrick Stump to carry it home.  The song rises 11 to 8.

  • I have my fingers crossed that Island Records will recognize the emotional power of the fastest riser on the chart this week and release it to radio and as a single.  The gorgeous heartbreak of “Pain Told Love” by Tribe Society (formerly Gentlemen Hall) featuring a stunning turn by Kiesza burns up the chart, soaring 25-9.

Movin’ On Up

  • It’s still a mystery to me why “The Other Boys” by NERVO featuring Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears, and Nile Rodgers isn’t all over the dance clubs.  It’s a smash waiting to happen no matter how long it takes!  It climbs 20-11!

  • Eric Saade’s “Girl From Sweden” and Janet Jackson’s “No Sleeep” have been unlikely bookend for the past few weeks, and it continues as they both rise to #12 and #13 respectively.  Janet plays in Toronto on September 15 and I look forward to hearing more from her upcoming Unbreakable album!

  • With The Weeknd’s superlative Beauty Behind The Madness set to debut at #1 this week, it’s fitting that “Can’t Feel My Face” climbs 22-14, even though it’s been #1 everywhere.  Abel (who is from my part of Toronto) is unstoppable right now!

  • “Natural Disaster” by Molly Moore is one true grower, many folks that I’ve played it for have enjoyed it or asked about it, in its original form or delightful Win & Woo remix.  The song moves up 19-15.

  • It’s taking its time to breakout, but I feel that about to happen… the title song from Robin Schulz’s album Sugar, featuring my talented fellow Canuck Francesco Yates, advances 23-16 (Francesco’s own “Better To Be Loved” peaked out at #6 two weeks ago).

  • Nerds, ravers, and dance music lovers unite and support this quirky and fun song!  Quebec producer/DJ’s J-Mi and Midi-D move up 21-17 with their Avril Lavigne-meets-Vengaboys single “So Much For That”.

  • And speaking once again about NYC R&B/pop/dance act Great Good Fine OK, they play in my city at The Drake Hotel once again on September 10, and undoubtedly will perform “Something To Believe In”, their recorded duet with fellow dance act St. Lucia.  From the EP 2M2H, the song climbs 26-19.

Premiering

  • It’s his best single yet, and is culled from his freshly released debut album Yesterday.  British Columbian Tyler Shaw has a real winner with the zippy “Dizzy”, which arrives at #21.  Not to be underestimated, this one!  Tyler’s album release party takes place in Toronto on September 10 at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club.

  • Matthew Koma has blended the best of both of his worlds – EDM and pop with a punk attitude – on his humorous latest solo single “So F**kin’ Romantic”, which bows at #24.  Matthew is a most welcome veteran on my chart – “Romantic” is his 4th solo entry (including two #1’s “Parachute” and “1998”) and he also is featured on 4 others (including #1’s “Spectrum” with Zedd and “Cannonball Earthquake” with Showtek & Justin Prime).  Now he needs to play his own gig in Toronto – 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 🙂

You can hear me online on http://www.planetradio.ca every Monday at 10:00 pm EST counting down a Toronto Top 10 chart from yesteryear!

Your end-of-summer song is here: “Reason To Believe” by Tristan Thompson @TristanTmusic

TRISTAN THOMPSON, “Reason To Believe”

Sometimes it takes five steps backwards to move two more forward and sorting out each other’s feelings to get to that happy ending to a disagreement or misunderstanding.  That’s why Tristan Thompson’s “Reason To Believe” might be your go-to end-of-summer ballad, once again written by Tylor Johnson.  I’ve written about the talented young singer from British Columbia numerous times over the last year since his R&B/pop song “Tidal Wave” got to the top of my personal chart.  Momentum continues to build for the 17 year old after some national radio success with “Burn Again” and the title song from his debut album Here For You.  There’s no reason why “Reason To Believe” shouldn’t find more believers!  The video is likely Tristan’s best visual showcase yet as it unveils a familiar story but you’re still not quite sure if it’s going to get where you would expect it to go.  It’s never too late to discover a most deserving young talent, so head over to iTunes and get “Reason To Believe” and Here For You.

 

Seamless power pop from @iamJoshStevens featuring @SpencerLudwig with “Hill Top”

joshstevens

JOSH STEVENS featuring SPENCER LUDWIG, “Hill Top”

Talk about a seamless-sounding record!  Taking its cues from a variety of power pop styles of the last 40 years or so – I think of songs like New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give”, “Hero/Heroine” by Boys Like Girls, Angels & Airwaves’ “The Adventure”, or back to the halcyon days of Rick Springfield, The Knack, or Three Dog Night – and you might come up with something like Josh Stevens did with “Hill Top”.  The L.A. based singer/songwriter/musician has honed his craft since age 16, and has co-written or engineered songs for Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, John Mayer, Steve Aoki, but most notably LMFAO’s Sorry For Party Rocking album and its megahits “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy And I Know It”.   Though he’s had other releases, he’s pulled a what I call “a Kevin Rudolf” and really steps out of the background for “Hill Top”.  For the first 45 seconds or so, it will trick you into thinking it might become a folk/pop ballad, but then soars into edgy alt.pop full gear and Josh’s high register rarely lets up.  So instead we have a diverse power pop anthem that is concluded with a well-timed, eyebrow-raising trumpet solo by Spencer Ludwig.  “Hill Top” is clever and engaging pop with the bar deliberately set very high, which can only mean great things ahead for Josh Stevens.  Listen below and pick it up on iTunes.

New video for sweet ‘n soulful “Eternity” is for once, ALL Nick Hagelin!! @Nickisthetruth

NICK HAGELIN, “Eternity”

In June, I wrote about a new, still unreleased song by Nick Hagelin song called “Never Enough”, in a darker Doctor Wig production that I’m hoping will lead to new musical heights for Atlanta-based Nick.  In the meantime, a video for “Eternity”, from his self-titled EP of earlier this year, has dropped recently.  At last, like some of his acoustic (and often fun) cover videos, someone finally gets it – for now we have a very well-produced video that is all Nick!  While “Eternity” came off on record initially as being too understated to me, the video brings its sweet, soulful acoustic production to better heights by showcasing the singer/actor/dancer outdoors (in a tank top no less) doing what he does best – singing and spinning that unmistakable charm.  The guitar melody is reminiscent of Jesse McCartney’s “Beautiful Soul” while the voice and attitude are all Hall & Timberlake.  Pick up “Eternity” and Nick Hagelin’s EP on iTunes.

@Jessica6 and @NomiRuiz are back with steamy “Down Low”

JESSICA 6, “Down Low”

Once of 2011’s greatest dance music surprises for me was the album See The Light by Jessica 6, the showcase for trans singer Nomi Ruiz (Jessica 6 being named after the Farrah Fawcett character in “Logan’s Run”).  That album is full of dark, sexy music which I thought would revive a NYC nu.disco movement, particularly with the stunning single featuring Antony Hegarty, “Prisoner Of Love”.  Last I heard from Nomi was on Eli Escobar’s sensational rework of Mark Ronson & Boy George’s “Somebody To Love Me” in 2013.  Little did I realize what had gone on behind-the-scenes – basically the ‘band’ part of Jessica 6 departed not long after the release of See The Light, thus abruptly becoming pretty much an all-Nomi project, that found even more favour in eastern European countries.  So now we have “Down Low” from her new album The Capricorn.  Again, another steamy and seductive late night house-inspired song to dazzle us, with a memorable video too.  I hear a melody that reminds me somewhat of “Grenade” by Bruno Mars as well.  Club DJ’s will want to spin “Down Low” when the dance floor is sparse, to lure club goers into the flashing disco lights again.  I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of The Capricorn, which you can pick up on iTunes.  “Down Low” is also available in a percolating DONKEY remix for free at the Soundcloud link below.