BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

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

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.

More than money can buy: “Made Of Dreams” by @BrandynBurnette, plus “1,000 Degrees of Separation” demo

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/made-of-dreams

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Made of Dreams”, “1,000 Degrees of Separation” (demo)

As the release of Brandyn Burnette’s EP Made of Dreams approaches, the appearance of the title song brings it all full circle for me, back to last year around this time when I was just getting to know “Thanks For Nothing”. “Made of Dreams” is another buoyant pop anthem like that. I always enjoy how Brandyn and his songwriting team look at real-life situations and the positive sides of everything, which often includes finding someone who shares your ideals and isn’t so interested in all of the tangible things in life. Never doubt or second-guess your dreams. Even if you can’f fulfill them, they’re still all yours! I would say “Made of Dreams” is just as radio-ready as “Thanks For Nothing” too. With Brandyn and Molly Moore on a songwriting junket in NYC this week, who knows what gems will come out of that trip? 🙂

“Made of Dreams” also gives me a nice segue into writing about Brandyn’s recent demo, “1,000 Degrees of Separation”. As I rule I don’t write about demos but “1,000 Degrees” is low-fi having been recorded on Brandyn’s phone with minimal production. It has a sparse quality like if you happened to walk into a New Orleans R&B/jazz club while the singer is rehearsing with next to no people in the room. Its soulful vibe greatly enhances the longing you will feel in the lyrics. A lot of folks have written some kind words about “1,000 Degrees” so maybe it will end up on a future Brandyn record. For now hear it (below, and “Made of Dreams” above) on Soundcloud.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/1000-degrees-of-separation-demo

Clap along to “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats @NRateliff

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS, “S.O.B.”

There’s no denying the power of a song that uses hand claps and a classic R&B melody from the get-go. Like Matthew Koma’s “I’m F**kin’ Romantic”, I don’t think you’ll hear “S.O.B.” on the radio, but it will be one you’ll be hearing everywhere else because the instant live impact of a song like this is irrefutable. Nathaniel, who hails from Denver, doesn’t look like a rock star but has a compelling and gritty voice. And with his band The Night Sweats, they are off to a good start with sales from their debut self-titled album. Bonus: They are signed to the revived classic Stax record label! Watch the video up top for “S.O.B.” then head over to iTunes to pick it up.

BILLCS Top 30 #464 – August 24/15

This week’s new chart sees one of my most favourite songs of 2015 yielding to another. Either way, both songs have a lock on the Top 2. And strangely enough many songs stay still – probably because I can’t get enough of them, as well as the songs above them on the chart, which also explains why there is so much activity in the Top 10. There are no bad songs ever on this chart. Even if a song lands on the chart for one appearance at #30, I still enjoy will enjoy it evermore 🙂 So on to the new chart…

The Top 10

Years & Years score their second #1 with the brilliant “Shine” from the album that is currently stuck in my head, Communion. Their September 14 Toronto show cannot come soon enough, I’m itching to hear all of what they have to offer in concert. Watch the excellent video above.
Brandyn Burnette’s EP Made of Dreams is coming soon, but “I Wanna Be (Free)” is one of my most played songs right now, and has left #1 after 4 appearances (8 weeks). It is really in an ongoing battle with “Shine” for the top.

“Guilty As Sin” by Dan Talevski has a lot of immediate competition to face below, but still hangs on to #3 for another chart. I write about Dan’s new song “My Religion” the other day and the intriguing and sexy video has also landed at the top of the Music page at http://www.much.com.

In just about any other year, the very hot “Kiss Me Quick” by Nathan Sykes would be at the top of my chart, but currently advances 6-4.

Also new to the Top 5, but no surprise, is “Show Me The Way” by Penguin Prison from the sophomore album Lost In New York. The last time PP was in the Top 5 was three years ago as featured in RAC’s “Hollywood”.

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

Francesco Yates’ debut EP, featuring production and co-writes with Pharrell Williams, is due September 11, also featuring new Canadian single “Call” and another new song “Honey I’m Home” (also below – you can get it instantly when ordering the EP on iTunes). In the meantime, the well-served “Better To Be Loved” climbs 9-6, and Francesco also features in another song on the chart.

“Take Out Of Me” is a soulful slice of energetic R&B Britpop by Martin Luke Brown, and it moves up 11-8.

The fastest riser on the chart is the propulsive club-banging Tiesto remix of “Let You Go” by NYC’s The Chainsmokers, featuring fellow NYCers Great Good Fine OK, vaulting 22-9. The Chainsmokers have launched a new tour which will hit Toronto on November 7, featuring many special guests. Great Good Fine OK also debuts on this chart with one of their own songs!

The last new Top 10 entry belongs to L.A.-based producer Mi Disguise with his unique east side/west side story for dance clubs, “East Side Bay”, up 12-10.

Movin’ On Up

Slinking up the chart is “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy (14-11), which is definitely a grower that will stick with you, and that riff from “The Munsters” TV show is a hoot.

Despite a lot of the songs in holding below, “Walking Through The Fire” by Cobi Mike climbs a notch up to #12, while his fellow former members of Gentlemen Hall also debut with their new band name.

It’s only a very temporary thing when you see the songs by Eric Saade, Janet, Trevor Guthrie, Molly Moore, and J-Mi & Midi-D all holding steady, but it’s also a very good thing! We’ll see who continues to advance in two weeks.
Meanwhile, NERVO’s “The Other Boys” gets stuck as well, moving up 23-20, so look for their guest-filled collaboration – with Kylie Minogue, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and Nile Rodgers – to get un-stuck in two weeks.

Both Robin Schulz & Francesco Yates’ “Sugar” and Disclosure & Sam Smith’s “Omen” advance four positions to #23 and #24 – seems like a small start, but watch the chart in two weeks to see what might happen!

Debuts

Watch for great things from these debuts in the coming weeks!

I’m not quite sure why Island Records hasn’t dove into this song as a single release, so perhaps it’s a matter of time. But “Pain Told Love” is the emotional centrepiece and standout on Tribe Society’s debut EP Lucid Dreams, and has Kiesza no less on featured vocal. The rest of the former Gentlemen Hall have a winner here and it bows at #25. As the song’s lyrics sink in, expect to find yourself reaching for a tissue every now and then!

Arriving at #26 is “Something To Believe In” by Great Good Fine OK from their EP 2M2H (‘too much to handle’ – also a song on the EP). The song also features the Brooklyn-based (but South Africa born) electronica performer St. Lucia (who is also due for a new record of his own!). It’s a fine blend of voices and style, the key song on the EP.

The last debut marks the third appearance on the chart for the actress, and also singer, Jane Badler. The original version is from last year’s album Opus (also featuring “Losing You”), but producer/DJ Eel Eye has sparkled up “Dead Eyes” with some early 90’s dance club flavour, which enhances the sinewy, mysterious lyric of the song. “Dead Eyes” premieres at #28.

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!

Snazzy ‘n jazzy “Dizzy” by @TylerShawmusic

TYLER SHAW, “Dizzy”

Things just keep getting better for Canadian singer/songwriter Tyler Shaw, who I’ve written about a number of times in these blog pages. “House of Cards” was his most successful single yet, continuing to receive massive national airplay in Canada, not to mention Tyler recently opening up for Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas in concert. “Dizzy” should take that success and run with it, hopefully south of the border too. It’s got a slick and snazzy pop style with a jazzy R&B undercurrent along with a potent vocal to make it stand out big time from a lot of sound-alike pop on the radio today. I don’t doubt for a second that “Dizzy” will be a fun concert performance number too. There has been so much fine and breaking talent out of my country this year and Tyler Shaw’s “Dizzy” ranks up there as one of the catchiest recent releases. Watch for Tyler’s debut album Yesterday on September 4.

Amid many recent solo performances this year, Tyler Shaw plays The Virgin Mobile Mod Club in Toronto on Thursday, September 10 along with Eleven Past One, Heist, and Adrian Mitchell.

Edgy and melodic alt.rock from trio @MyStarvingLion – “The Underground” and “Painted Polaroids”

MY STARVING LION, “The Underground” and “Painted Polaroids”

Originally based out of Kansas and led by vocalist Adam Spanier, My Starving Lion carves out edgy and melodic alt.rock on their sophomore album The Underground LP. Highlights of this absorbing, sometimes intense album for your attention include its title song and “Painted Polaroids”. The trio, also featuring Dylan Power and Elise Kerchal, seems to draw influences from post-punk early 80’s up to and including New Order in particular, and then marries those styles with the likes of bands like Neon Trees, which becomes especially noticeable when adding vocals by Elise. “The Underground” is probably the best rocking kind of introduction to My Starving Lion, while “Painted Polaroids” tones down the grittiness and amplifies melody and emotion. It all makes for stalwart, passionate performances which would translate well into a club setting. The best way to get to know My Starving Lion is to pour through the band’s EPK right here. Then, pick up The Underground LP through either My Starving Lion’s website or iTunes.

Toronto’s @DanTalevski follows up “Guilty As Sin” with “My Religion”

DAN TALEVSKI, “My Religion”

Talented Toronto singer/songwriter Dan Talevski turns away from the spicy success of his single “Guilty As Sin” (currently #3 on my personal chart) in favour of a soulful love song for his follow-up “My Religion”. It’s got such a heavy R&B flavour – no doubt to keep up with the likes of his city-mate The Weeknd 😉 after previously working with folks such as Timbaland and will.i.am – that it specifically recalls Ne-Yo’s vocal on 2013’s “Let Me Love You” for me. Self-produced, “My Religion” goes down really easy and should prompt more national radio attention for Dan in Canada. Listen below, and watch the “behind-the-scenes” look at the upcoming video shot in Spain.

Dance classic redux: “Devotion” by @Quintinoo

QUINTINO, “Devotion”

When I write about a cover version, it usually has something unique about it to rival or surpass the original. Young Dutch DJ/producer Quintino turns 90’s dance classic “(I Wanna Give You) Devotion” by Nomad into a slamming and manic slice of horn-laden electro house. After already conquering Dutch dance charts with “Epic”, “Devotion” seizes the moment for international glory. While Quintino’s rendition removes the happy hip hop flavour of the original, it cranks up the beat and will have friends of the dance floor in a blissful tizzy. Give it a listen above (and try not to move 🙂 ) and pick it up on Beatport for now.