All hail: “Crown You” by James William (@jwhutchinson1)

JAMES WILLIAM, “Crown You”

The single releases continue from UK singer James William’s debut album Lay Your Love On Me with “Crown You”.  Already featured by the BBC, “Crown You” arrives just before a forthcoming summer EP from James.  When he’s not knocking out audiences with his Olly Murs show overseas, James writes and performs songs like “Crown You”, which is perfectly suited for a key scene in one of those coming-of-age movies where the guy is batshit crazy over his gal and wants to treat her like a queen.  To what extent will he go?  Well I guess someone has to make the movie.  But in the meantime listen to the chipper “Crown You” above and pick it up on iTunes. 


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It’s all about the “L.O.V.E.” according to @iamChrisMann

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CHRIS MANN, “L.O.V.E.”

While Chris Mann rose to national prominence as a contestant who finished in the Top 4 on “The Voice” in 2012, I was already sold on his talent back in 2010 with the release of a self-titled EP that contained a heartbreaking straight-up rendition of Kanye West’s “Heartless”.  So to see him go far on “The Voice” as the pop singer with opera background, and then release the major label album Roads not long after has been terrific.  And that all led to him touring as the lead in “The Phantom of The Opera” throughout the U.S.!  After other achievements and the recent release of the Alzheimer’s anthem “Remember Me”, it’s nice to see Chris delve into his own archives and pull out the sunshine-y “L.O.V.E.” to coincide with the American government’s ruling on marriage for everyone.  Love indeed wins every time, and it’s great to hear Chris back in a pop setting where he can exercise his chops a bit differently.  There’s a lovely soulful undercurrent that anchors “L.O.V.E.” as a pop song that deserves to be heard this summer.  Give it a listen and watch for its upcoming official release.

Gentlemen Hall becomes @TribeSociety with “Pain Told Love” (featuring @Kiesza)

TRIBE SOCIETY featuring KIESZA, “Pain Told Love”

With nary a blip on the radar, I learned a while back that the promising Boston band Gentlemen Hall had become Tribe Society minus singer/guitarist Cobi Mike, who had left to pursue solo work.  And right after Cobi Mike’s “Walking Through The Fire” arrived on my chart off to a great start, then the new EP by Tribe Society (still signed to Island Records as a quintet) called Lucid Dreams dropped.  The EP is a definite about face from the sunny often danceable pop/rock of Gentlemen Hall, but with new direction comes great promise.  Think of Tribe Society along the lines of Imagine Dragons meets Smashing Pumpkins.  The lyrics here have a lot of depth and the craft of the previous band is unmistakable, with an almost progressive rock kind of backdrop.  “Pain Told Love” is my favourite from the EP thus far and shows my fellow Canadian Kiesza’s talents are not restricted to EDM pop either.  Watch for Tribe Society in concert currently supporting gigs by X-Ambassadors, and pick up Lucid Dreams on iTunes.

2015’s Summer song is “Summertime” by @TrevorGuthrie

TREVOR GUTHRIE, “Summertime”

One of the first (and most read) blog posts I wrote back in 2009 was about the whereabouts of ex-soulDecision singer/songwriter Trevor Guthrie.  Well of course eventually Trevor made his way to new, if unanticipated heights in 2013 as featured in Armin van Buuren’s dance classic “This Is What It Feels Like”, which became a massive radio hit in Trevor’s native Canada too.  “Soundwave” followed last year as Trevor once again embraced dance music, and this year it’s “Summertime”, which I first heard when Trevor performed during Canadian Music Week.  It’s a no brainer – honest-to-goodness feel good music for your summer partying pleasure.  That it’s sung by Trevor in his friendly and engaging style makes it even better.  “Summertime” is 2015’s summer song! 🙂 Watch the lyric video above.

R&B/Pop Crooner? Why it’s @NathanSykes of @TheWanted with “Kiss Me Quick”

NATHAN SYKES, “Kiss Me Quick”

I’ve often felt that The Wanted was *NSync to One Direction’s Backstreet Boys in the vocal boy band department.  But The Wanted’s music always had that touch of soul and seemed more diverse than One Direction’s songs.  So I’m pleased that Nathan Sykes has kind of come out of nowhere with a slick R&B/pop crooner style on “Kiss Me Quick”.  While he might recall Rick Astley with such a big voice coming out of a lean body, he’s got older audiences in the bag with his Michael Bublé charm.  Excellent production galvanizes the song to make it one of the surprises of 2015 that will endure throughout summer.  It’s very radio friendly – don’t say I didn’t warn you! 🙂

Crucial cover: “Say Something” by @AGreatBigWorld as interpreted by @CarlosDNobrega

CARLOS NOBREGA, “Say Something”

Readers of this blog will know that I’m not big on cover versions.  There has to be something special that stands out about them or I move on.  And there’s a proliferation of viral covers online.  Since its release, the Grammy-winning performance of “Say Something” by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera has been often performed.  And it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Portugal’s always busy singer and actor Carlos Nóbrega – in fact it was with his winning rendition of Sia’s “Breathe Me” (below).  So “Say Something” gets treated quite properly here.  Carlos’ genuinely sincere and affecting interpretation shows in the subtler moments of the song, while giving it power at the appropriate times.  While he’s been busy with other projects in the interim, it’s great to hear a really strong resonance in his voice, which only makes me want to hear new music from him more.  And he promises that new songs are on the way.  “Say Something” is also a great opportunity to introduce new listeners to Carlos’ many talents.  The 2015 ride is only beginning!  “Say Something” is a free download right here.

#BILLCSTop30 #460 – June 29, 2015

It’s been a busy few weeks in my household both at work and at home, so now it’s time to get caught up with new music on edition 460 of my personal chart 🙂

Listen to the entire chart on Spotify!!

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/i-wanna-be-free

The New #1

  • I’m a few days early in advance of the official video, but Brandyn Burnette garners his second #1 of 2015, moving from 6-1, with the thought-provoking, dreamy, and laid back “I Wanna Be (Free)”.  It is definitely one of my key songs for the Summer of ’15, and I hope it might turn into one of yours (listen up top).  It’s from Brandyn’s much-awaited forthcoming EP  Made Of Dreams.  Show your support and pick up this one on iTunes!  One of my favourite parts of the song is the piano especially during the first minute 🙂

The Top 10

  • With “I Wanna Be (Free)” taking over at #1 so quickly, that left “No Words” by Erik Hassle nowhere else to go but to #2.  I’m still hoping this song will catch on at radio for the summer months.

  • It’s taken longer than usual for a Brandon Flowers song to make its presence known on my chart but “Can’t Deny My Love” is on its way to the Top 5 following a pair in 2010 – #1 “Crossfire”and #3 “Jacksonville”.

  • Producer/DJ Antonio Giacca’s riveting and funky instrumental “Sensation” bounds into the Top 10 at #8.  Do check out the head-scratcher of a video which totally suits the song 🙂

  • It’s kind of no surprise but “Shine” by Years & Years is indeed the fastest riser on this chart, vaulting 19-9 to become the trio’s third Top Tenner.  And I’m so glad I’ve got a ticket to their September 14 show here in Toronto 🙂 I’m not so sure why North American audiences aren’t warming up to Years & Years as the rest of the world.  Olly Alexander’s vocal on “Shine” is one of the best of the year, and the video keeps you glued as to what’s happening next!

  • Rounding out the new entries to the Top 10 is Adam Lambert’s “Ghost Town” at #10.  Not all of the songs on his album The Original High are successful, but man, what a production, which zeroes in on making Adam’s voice more versatile than ever.  Gone are the days of the limiting “American Idol” image.  Watch the “Ghost Town” video below but also check out my other current favourite which is the bass-laden “The Light”.

Movin’ On Up

  • Another album I’m enjoying is Giorgio Moroder’s first album in 30 years, Déjà Vu.  The title song featuring an alternately wistful and powerful vocal by Sia rises to #12.  The album succeeds in some places that I didn’t expect – the songs featuring Kelis and Marlene, as well as his update of “Tom’s Diner” with Britney Spears – whereas the songs featuring faves-of-mine Mikky Ekko and Matthew Koma are either dull or maybe just need a few more plays.  Plus there are Giorgio’s instrumentals “74 Is The New 24” and “La Disco” which showcase his definitive sound.  But my next favourite after “Déjà Vu” and “Right Here, Right Now” (his previous #4 hit with Kylie Minogue) is “Wildstar” featuring none other than Foxes!  Listen below.

  • The chart would be many plays less fun if it wasn’t for Matt & Kim’s “Hey Now”.  The song has taken its time but moves up to #13.

  • Just as bold as her vocal, Bojana Stamenov’s Eurovision entry for Serbia, “Beauty Never Lies”, advances a whopping 20-14, with eyes firmly on the Top 10!

  • Another song not moving up as fast as it could due to competition is Lawson’s “Roads” at #15.  It recently became the band’s latest Top 15 hit in the UK, peaking at #11.

  • The triple-threat of some guys with great voices who debuted two weeks ago makes its impact as all songs advance into the Top 20.  Torontonians Dan Talevski and Francesco Yates are back to back again at #18 and #19 with “Guilty As Sin” (with its spicy video!) and “Better To Be Loved” respectively, while ex-Gentlemen Hall singer Cobi Mike climbs 26-20 with his indie release “Walking Through The Fire”.

Premieres

  • It’s taken a little while to arrive on the chart after I wrote about it in the Spring, but L.A.-based producer/DJ -and in “East Side Bay”, vocalist! – Mi Disguise gets his second chart entry at #24.  It follows his #15 collaboration with Adam Tyler from earlier in the year, “Alive”.  “East Side Bay” really gets going after a minute.  Still with it as Mi Disguise’s vocal has a unique charm about it that totally suits the song.  I’d love to see club DJ’s get behind this one like they did ZHU’s “Faded” (though that got major label support too) 🙂

  • Making their first appearance on my chart is Fall Out Boy!  The quartet borrows the surfer-guitar riff from the theme from the 60’s show “The Munsters” for “Uma Thurman”, and between the lyrics and musical antics, the fun just doesn’t stop while the song’s playing.  It’s a great summer tune, from the quartet’s latest album American Beauty/American Psycho, and arrives at #26.

  • As Eric Saade’s punchy “Sting” sails off the chart after peaking at #4, the Maroon 5-ish “Girl From Sweden” makes its debut at #29.  So now all you folks can go off to the Swedish countryside in search of Eric dancing with pretty girls in the fields…

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 🙂

Irresistibly gorgeous new ballad from @JonMcLaughlin “Before You”

https://soundcloud.com/rivetmerch/before-you

JON McLAUGHLIN, “Before You”

Something tells me a new Jon McLaughlin album is on the way 🙂  And if “Before You” is the start of it all, we are in for some great music ahead.  There aren’t many ballads that I hear right out of the box that have WOW factor, but “Before You” is a rare exception.  It’s a taut ballad that progresses beautifully with one of the powerful piano man’s top notch vocals.  I’ve enjoyed so much of Jon’s past music (including my year end #1 of 2008 “Beating My Heart” and 2011’s Promising Promises album, which morphed out of the Forever If Ever indie release), and “Before You” ranks up there with the best of his music.  A U.S. tour has been announced as well (I’m hoping Jon saves room for Canada too in his sked 😉 ) so be sure to check to see if Jon McLaughlin is returning to a city near you!

Sweeping, cinematic “Reality” by Jim Bergsted @Jimcalories of Cars & Calories

https://soundcloud.com/jimbergsted/reality-1

JIM BERGSTED, “Reality”

In a solo step away from his duo Cars and Calories (who I wrote about last year), Norwegian singer Jim Bergsted has one sweeping, cinematic tune with “Reality”.  It’s an uplifting, grand melodic sensation with a great storyline that to me could put the singer on the international map.  Jim has a unique, appealing voice that seems to portray the underdog that we like to root for.  Listen very closely above and let Jim Bergsted take you off to a different “Reality” for 3 minutes!  I don’t believe this one’s available in North America yet but watch for it on your iTunes.

@TheBeatles gone electro: “Because” by @BobbyNourmand”

https://soundcloud.com/theninjaclayton/bobby-nourmand-because

BOBBY NOURMAND, “Because”

Yes, you read that right.  L.A. producer/DJ Bobby Nourmand has made The Beatles’ “Because” sound positively other worldly.  This version retains the romantic, easy going vibe of the original but sets it to a slight house rhythm and a percussive backdrop, and the results make it sound like the song should have ended up on an alternate version of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band rather than Abbey Road.  Definitely a head turner and foot tapper!  Even better, download for free at the Soundcloud link above.