As faithful readers of this blog know, I am a big fan of British Columbia singer Tristan Thompson thanks to a stellar set of songs and performances on his debut album Here For You, with his song “Tidal Wave” reaching #1 on my personal chart last year. The title song has been culled as a third single, a logical follow up to “Burn Again” (which peaked at #10 on my chart), which received a large amount of national radio airplay in Canada. The video, with the song now in an Alex Greggs mix, is a heart-wrenching watch as a girl comes to grips with a recent loss. The song acts as a tender backdrop which provides a fine showcase for the 16 year old singer, who is bound to win more fans with this one. Listen for “Here For You” on the radio stations that played “Burn Again”. Tristan Thompson continues to grow and attract more attention with each release and recent live concert performances on the west coast.
One of my very favourite underdog contestants from Season 6 of “The Voice”, NYC’s Jake Barker, reminds us of how very good he is and why he ended up on Adam Levine’s team, with his recent cover of Maroon 5’s “Sugar”. This is not a song that I’m entirely crazy about, even after Chris Jamison gave a credible go at it on “The Voice” last season. But Jake’s warm vocal – with the triple fun harmonies as you will see and hear – reminded me when he performed Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” on the show. Neither of these songs are at all easy to cover because of Adam Levine’s unique vocal style, but “Sugar” will assure you of his own style and Jake sends this one home just as well. I’m anxiously awaiting more original Jake Barker songs after last year’s Stage Fright EP. Watch the video above.
Seizing that moment where there was probably just too much Kanye on TV and in the media during the past week (except of course to his countless fans), pop duo Deluded has unleashed the enjoyable and funny “Hey Hey Kanye” (lyric video above). It’s a quick 2 minute romp through the reasons why we love Kanye and why we don’t, with a simple 70’s melodic vibe to counter its mischievous lyrics. Leave it to Canadian singer/songwriter James Collins (creator of songs as diverse as the Quebec #1 “Cyndi Lauper Said No” and the new wedding song “Frozen In Time”) and reknown producer/remixer Alex Greggs (Michael Jackson, *N Sync, Britney Spears) to ensure that it’s well worth your listen. Word of mouth should get out about “Hey Hey Kanye”, and the Deluded pair will have more songs for you in the near future 🙂
After taking a break from covers with the enjoyable original “Play For Me” (which got to #10 on my chart last year), Chromatone is back with a truly deluxe edition to tackle, his medley of Beyoncé songs. And listen to find out how many – count ’em – are chosen so very well (even some Destiny’s Child in there) and put together in such a sensible way that it flows like an original song. So not only is their production kudos here, but there’s terrific interplay with the duet with Leanne, and splendid support with real instruments, kids! This is the way to do this! Queen Bey should be so very flattered by it all, it may inspire her to release another surprise album 😛 2015 looks to be a great year ahead for Chromatone if the “Beyoncé Medley” is only the start. Watch the video above and download the medley for free at the Soundcloud link below.
A grand time (pun intended) will be had by one and all in 2015 with the return of Matt and Kim with their fifth album New Glow. Which means more concerts, and expecting the unexpected (I think with the last tour they used up a city’s worth of balloons!). Amid the unexpected is what you would expect: Short, unique and energetic songs, with New Glow initiated by “Get It” and “Hey Now”. The video for “Hey Now” (above – and Kim has already commented on Facebook on where the ‘play’ icon is 😛 ) on their Brooklyn turf just shows what a blast these two have together even without their keyboard and drums, and the song’s affectionate lyrics will make you smile. And if you’ve never experienced a Matt and Kim concert then the lyric video for “Get It” (below) should be an easy sell for you. Catch them on their upcoming tour before it sells out.
Matt and Kim play the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on Monday, May 18, and I will be there, again!
The legendary Gibb family (Barry, Robin, Maurice, Andy) continues with an entirely different sound courtesy of Maurice’s daughter Samantha with “Memories”. Late last year I brought to your attentionher promising song “Wild At Heart”, and keeping on the same folk-flavoured pop tip is “Memories”, with its simple and joyous message about making sure you create the memories to document and hold dear in the succeeding years. Lord knows Samantha must have fantastic memories, though she arrived after The Bee Gees’ huge impact on the 1970’s had already occurred. Nevertheless, that allows her to develop her own music uniquely, and even though I mentioned a similar comparison in my post about “Wild At Heart”, there’s no denying that “Memories” has the same flow and spirit of Sheryl Crow’s 2002 hit “Soak Up The Sun”. And while the 90’s may be coming into fashion now, there’s no denying that music of the current millennium is already influencing singers age 25+, making it all sound fresh again, not uncommon with revivals of sorts. Watch the light-hearted video above and pick up Samantha Gibb’s “Memories” on iTunes.
It is perhaps one of the most unique collaborations you will hear in this or any year. Sour Soul is the short album brought to you by Toronto rock/hip hop instrumentalists BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG) and former Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, who has gone on to be a respected and sought-after soloist in his own right these last two decades. Sour Soul (due for release February 23) is BBNG’s fourth album in so many years, and their love for hip hop music through their live performances has won them the admiration of the rock and R&B/hip hop communities. So while an album with someone like Ghostface Killah might seem a no brainer, it’s still quite exciting to see that it all came together so successfully. It actually takes rap and hip hop back before the mid-1990’s, before all of the ubiquitous ‘featuring [insert rapper]’ billings took place. Run-DMC re-recorded “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith, The Beastie Boys brought punk sensabilities to their rap/hip hop style, Public Enemy re-recorded “Bring The Noise” with Anthrax, and LL Cool J rocked out with “Mama Said Knock You Out”. It makes you wonder what would have happened if a well-known rapper, say like LL Cool J, had worked with a band like BBNG, who specialize in larger-than-life cinemascopes in their instrumentals, and how the storytelling might have made a different impact. In 2015, BBNG and Ghostface Killah are preaching to the converted who are starving for this kind of powerful originality. It’s hard to pick out a standout song, because they all flow so well, but start with “Ray Gun” (above), “Six Degrees”, “Gunshowers”, and “Street Knowledge”. Look for Sour Soul to be much imitated and revered in the coming years.
After vaulting into the top 10 from 12-2 two weeks ago, it’s no surprise that Brandyn Burnette’s gentle song about family, “Sleeve”, is my new #1. Since the song is so fresh and being played regularly by yours truly, I have no idea what will succeed it. I’m hoping “Sleeve” will be on Brandyn’s upcoming album tentatively called The Healing. “Sleeve” is one of those songs that will strike an emotional nerve and leave you feeling great.
Right behind “Sleeve” again is another indie performer, New York singer Reigen, with the almost equally affecting EDM ballad “Come Back To Me”, weighing in at #2.
No doubt about it, Chris Jamison’s R&B-influenced pop song “Velvet” has grown on me immensely since I first heard it in December. It’s one of those songs you look forward to hearing every time you play it. “Velvet” jumps 13-3 (tied for the fastest riser of the week) and is obviously a #1 contender.
I’m really surprised more promotion isn’t being given to Jessie Ware’s stunning album Tough Love. I have so many favourites from it but my current is “Pieces”, which climbs 10-7.
Graham Alexander’s “She’s A Chameleon” is leading the way for more rock songs to arrive on my chart – four alone this week – to continue the diversity in music that I like. This energetic number climbs 12-8 from Graham’s latest album Repeat Deceiver.
Every song that has appeared on my chart for Swedish singer Anton Ewald has reached the Top 5. And though it’s not a single, “Save The Last Dance”, from his EP On My Way, rises 16-9, and may get there too!
Boycode’s lovely rendition of “It’s A Mistake” is a great showcase for the Belgium vocal quartet, and it climbs 14-10.
Movin’ On Up
I’m sure it will conquer clubs in no time, but I want “Right Here Right Now” by Giorgio Moroder & Kylie Minogue to be a pop hit too! This pop-dance extravaganza soars 24-14 to tie as the fastest rising song of the week.
Buffalo, NY indie singer Daniel Robinson moves up 21-17 with the mysterious but melodic “Moonmolt”, which is among the new songs that will appear on his upcoming release Truant through EQ Music!
L.A.-based Color Theory has a second song rising on my chart, and it’s a cover of Barry Manilow’s “Could It Be Magic” as remixed by LyderJanøy. This faithful but contemporary cover rises 22-18, following up the recent #1 “Headphones”.
2015 looks to be the year for UK trio Years & Years! A self-titled four song EP dropped this week containing previous singles “Desire” and “Take Shelter”, plus the latest called “King” which is well on its way, with a smashing video too, moving 28-19.
Chart Debuts
This one’s been around last Fall and got to #25 on the UK charts following the #3 hit “Touch”, but UK singer/DJ/producer Shift K3Y (aka Lewis Jankel) has a winning style that goes somewhat hand-in-hand with Years & Years. “I Know” bows on my chart at #21. You can also glimpse the singer briefly as he walks by in the video.
As “Hounds” departs the chart after peaking at #16, the striking “Waterfall” arrives for Canadian quartet Smashing Satellites with a powerful video at #25, from their album SonicAluzion (A-Side).
I’m not sure what is the official next single from Mikky Ekko’s new album Time following my #1 “Smile”, but the rollicking “Riot” is the next standout song for me, featuring a ‘timelapse’ video. “Riot” bows at #26.
To keep fellow contestant Chris Jamison from The Voice company on the chart, New Jersey-born Matt McAndrew’s “Wasted Love” wastes no time in arriving at #27. The only other time a contestant from The Voice has appeared on my chart, is actually before he was a contestant and was an indie performer! Chris Mann charted at #10 in 2010 with his cover of George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex”. Now he’s on tour as “The Phantom Of The Opera”!
I’m very hopeful for Lifehouse’s “Hurricane” to put the group back on the rock map, with a new independent album due called Out Of The Wasteland. “Hurricane” debuts at #28.
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart.
02 01 SLEEVE Brandyn 03 02 COME BACK TO ME Reigen 13 03 VELVET Chris Jamison 04 04 LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE Eli Lieb 01 05 GOIN’ DOWN Deniz Koyu Vs Twoloud 07 06 IGNITED Antonio Giacca 10 07 PIECES Jessie Ware 12 08 SHE’S A CHAMELEON Graham Alexander 16 09 SAVE THE LAST DANCE Anton Ewald 14 10 IT’S A MISTAKE Boycode 05 11 REASON Erasure 06 12 LOVE COME HOME Kristine W. 15 13 THERE’S NOTHING WRONG Eleven Past One 24 14 RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Giorgio Moroder featuring Kylie Minogue 18 15 LIKE I CAN Sam Smith 19 16 HERE’S TO THE ZEROS Marianas Trench 21 17 MOONMOLT Daniel Robinson 22 18 COULD IT BE MAGIC Color Theory 28 19 KING Years And Years 08 20 HEADPHONES (Matt Mancid Retro Crossover Mix) Color Theory New 21 I KNOW Shift K3Y 09 22 TIME Steve Grand 17 23 SOMEDAY Neverest 11 24 GOLD SKIES Sander Van Doorn, Martin Garrix & DVBBS featuring Aleesia New 25 WATERFALL Smashing Satellites New 26 RIOT Mikky Ekko New 27 WASTED LOVE Matt McAndrew New 28 HURRICANE Lifehouse 20 29 BURN AGAIN Tristan Thompson 26 30 ARMS OF ANOTHER Bright Light Bright Light
Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week onD-Moos.com!
Every week I feature a New Music Pick of the Week on D-Moos, which is usually either on my chart or may soon be! Listen in amid the great variety of older music as I bring cutting edge new music to the rotation of over 20,000+ songs!!
Did you know that 12 of this week’s charted performers have never appeared on my chart in its 16 years (and that includes Giorgio Moroder and Sander van Doorn)!
There’s so much very busy EDM out there, and some of it, especially by major artists who are phoning it in, is becoming easy to dislike and dismiss. Not so with the songs I’ve heard from Dutch DJ/producer Hardwell (aka 26 year old Robbert van de Corput) on his latest album United We Are. There are several collaborations, including one with Jason Derulo that will make you turn your head all the way around, but the most striking is “Colors”, a partnership with the reknown Tiësto and Sweden’s Andreas Moe, who has the uncanny ability to sing just about anything. You already know Andreas from my blog posts about his own recordings and vocals on both Avicii’s “Fade Into Darkness” and John De Sohn’s “Long Time”. The positive message, the lush production, those gorgeous arpeggios, plus Andreas’ truly engaged vocal make “Colors” one of the best EDM records around going into Spring. The massive attack on club dance floors will ensue. United We Are also includes last year’s UK Top 20 hit “Dare You” featuring Matthew Koma. Get it on iTunes.
I’ve definitely missed Bad W0lfy’s solo songs, although she (aka Ro Danishei) has been part of the wonderful and promising duo Wrathschild with Simon Curtis, releasing two singles last year. The pair sounds just great together or separate, and W0lfy’s followed that up with her cover of Ellie Goulding’s #1 UK hit “Love Me Like You Do” from the forthcoming film “50 Shades Of Grey”. While Ellie’s is trademarked with her distinct vocal and a massive arrangement that will undoubtedly make it a centerpiece for the film, W0lfy’s rendition is a bit of a rebirth that pulls it back to showcase her voice with a simple arrangement. The results sounds so beautiful and effortless that we fans of her 2011 album End Of The Rainbow are going to want much more soon! While I loved the intense electronica of Rainbow, the showcase on “Love Me Like You Do” would only make me embrace a more stripped back setting, not unlike my favourite singers of the moment such as Sam Smith and Jessie Ware. Watch the video above and download “Love Me Like You Do” for free at the Soundcloud link below.
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