“It’s A Mistake” is one of those sheer delights that tries to be nothing but a great pop song with complimentary vocals courtesy of Belgium quartet Boycode (aka Lennert, Mattias, Greg, and Timmy). So there is no pretense here, no added blue-eyed soul, no rap or beat boxing to distract you, just fine vocals, beautiful lyrics, and low-key instrumentation that lets the former features rule. It’s the best single yet from the promising quartet. Don’t let the understated beginning of the song sway you – “It’s A Mistake” really soars after the minute mark and all of the guys get their chances to impress. I’m so glad the song itself has risen to see the light of day after a gorgeous rendition (which I wrote about) was created earlier in the decade – and then much to my horror, was prevented from release! Fortunately for them, Boycode gets it all for the win 🙂
It may have just been me hiding under a rock, but I was not aware that another member of the esteemed Gibb family is in our musical midst. Naturally, I’m referring to The Bee Gees as well as brother Andy, who all scored countless hits between 1967 and the late 90’s. Unfortunately we’ve lost Samantha’s father Maurice, and uncles Robin and Andy along the way. After spending the best part of the last decade or so in a variety of bands (most notably Samantha Gibb & The Cartel), between Miami and Nashville, as well as recently touring with Uncle Barry in Australia, Samantha is now on a new solo journey with “Wild At Heart”. It’s a jaunty and good natured song, which sounds nothing like her relatives, taking on a more relaxed Sheryl Crow-like pop vibe, which has translated into a video where a bunch of folks of all ages just act it all out in front of the camera. “Wild At Heart” is a promising slice of pop that will make you want to hear more from Samantha Gibb.
Digging deeper into his Volume One album is New Haven, Connecticut singer and blazing piano player Sean O’Reilly. You first encountered Sean in these blog posts much earlier in the year when the inventive “Ready For You Now” grabbed my ears and climbed to #16 on my chart. “My Lighter” continues to show Sean’s versatility with an alt.pop song with dizzy-impressive piano work that draws you deeper into the song when it kind of goes off the hook crazy just before the 2:00 mark – but in a good way of course. By then, the boat has sailed, with you aboard for the rest of the song! “My Lighter” proves in spades that Sean O’Reilly is a man of many musical talents, and what better way to discover him by listening to it above. “My Lighter” and Volume One are also available on iTunes.
Add Graham Alexander to the great list of rockers hailing from New Jersey on the eve of his new album, with the featured song “She’s A Chameleon”. Graham offers up no holds barred entertainment that incorporates a familiar blend of rock, blues, and R&B, while serving it in original, high energy portions. I must admit Graham doesn’t look like his voice, and the singer he reminds me of most in this song is Chris Robinson from The Black Crowes, another guy by appearance you wouldn’t think would belt out an Otis Redding classic like “Hard To Handle”. But throw in a terrific arrangement with a five piece band including horns, and you have music that will bring in passersby on the street outside of a local club with no problem. Graham Alexander’s sound is big and solid and ready to compete with the best of them. “She’s A Chameleon” is a fine introduction and I’m sure I’ll have more to say about his upcoming album very soon.
Italy-born, L.A. based producer Antonio Giacca has released a killer dance tune that’s sure to heat up the cold winter months for many of us. “Ignited” has a gorgeous song-structure and positively winning vocal that should send the song to the top of the dance club play charts. Its effect is instantaneous, with all of the makings of a centerpiece song that will pull club goers onto the floor. Besides that though, “Ignited” is very radio friendly with its hybrid europop and house music influences, and could bring Antonio more international exposure on top of his already significant club success. The club mix is much deeper, bringing in dirty dubstep and trap flavouring for a heavier late night experience. Expect Antonio Giacca’s “Ignited” to become one of your new favourites.
From beauty pageants, modelling, and acting, and on to music, Toronto’s Victoria Trinetti brings her A-game with her new single “Yesterday”. The 18 year old has wisely chosen a song to empower youth against bullying, which makes it a great companion piece to Eleven Past One‘s latest single “I’m Ready” too. “Yesterday” has enormous potential, and while Victoria might slide nicely into the Selena Gomez/Bridgit Mendler niche, I hear versatility that aims for a more Kelly Clarkson kind of power. As a result, “Yesterday” breezes by quite splendidly, with taut message in hand, and I think her target audience will love it while reeling in their parents and older relatives too. The Soundcloud link above is just a snippet. If you want to hear the entire song, head over to Victoria’s radio station on Jango.comright here,or of course purchase “Yesterday” on iTunes.
L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette once again has unveiled another song from his upcoming album due internationally in early 2015. It’s a beauty of a ballad called “Sleeve”, which puts well-fleshed out words over top of a simple piano melody. Love is a complex thing and Brandyn has a lot to say about it – and he sings in such an affecting, understanding way from life experience that you will hang on to every word. There is no denying that Brandyn’s album will be every bit as special as he believes it will be when we are able to purchase it. Songs like “Sleeve” set the bar quite high for other singer/songwriters out there and Brandyn’s place among them is well deserved. Brandyn is also working with Sean Kingston… should be interesting!
And here’s the exclusive backstory about the song from the singer himself 🙂
The story for this song happened so organically. I was actually working with the legendary Diane Warren in her studio when she took a lunch meeting and let me hang out while she was gone and play her grand piano. My mom called me and I rushed her off the phone because I was in this fancy studio and didn’t want to spend too much time on the phone. Immediately I felt gutted because my mom just wanted to say hello. So when I hung up the phone, there I was, staring at the view of the Hollywood sign through one of the biggest songwriters in history’s studio. I thought to myself as I shuffled my gaze between the Hollywood hills and my cell phone, is this what I traded for my dreams? Family for fame? In that moment I felt so disconnected from home and where I was brought up… So in the moment I put my iPhone voice memo on record and I started playing what became ‘Sleeve’.
In some ways the past month or so has plodded along, no thanks to two different bouts of viral illnesses, and then suddenly two weeks go by and it’s time for a new personal chart 🙂
The Top 10
There’s no budging Jessie Ware and Mikky Ekko from #1 and #2. “Say You Love Me” holds for a second appearance at number one as the singer is about to release “You & I (Forever)” as the follow up single and video from her amazing Tough Love album. “Smile” by Mikky Ekko preceded “Say You Love Me” at #1 and holds tight in anticipation of his debut album Time, due in January.
Last edition’s high flying debut is also this edition’s fastest riser on the chart. Color Theory (aka Brian Hazard) has concocted one of those songs to which you can relate so easily with “Headphones”. The original mix is up top for your listening pleasure, but do check out the slick Matt Mancid retro crossover remix too right here, well worth purchasing. “Headphones” glides up the chart 18-3 and will contend for #1 in the coming month.
Semi-Precious Weapons slide into #5 with “Brando”, their unconventional love song from an upcoming album. It’s gone quiet about what’s next for the band in terms of the album release but I’m certain something grand is in the works!
“The Voice” underdog from last season, Jake Barker, rises to #6 with the title song from his EP Stage Fright. Jake has many cover songs on You Tube, including his rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph”. Check it out above.
The more I listen to “Losing You” by Jane Badler (9-7), the more detail I hear each time. It’s just one of those hypnotic songs that doesn’t want to let go, from her recent album Opus.
Two dance club zingers join the Top 10. Bright Light Bright Light continues his long line of Top Tenners on this chart with “Arms Of Another” at #8, from the EP An Open Heart. Then the powerhouse trio of Sander van Doorn, Martin Garrix, and DVBBS lands at #9 with “Gold Skies”. And while the main vocal is by singer Aleesia, to me it’s the male vocal chorus that is most affecting about this song and just makes you want to jam out!
Movin’ On Up
So it appears that Sam Smith’s “Restart” was just a video release! It climbs 13-11 in a year when he has been nary off my chart (if at all) since “Money On My Mind” bowed earlier in the year. The new single is the buoyant “Like I Can”, which will take him well into 2015 and long past any Grammy Awards which will find their way to him.
Get your New Year’s playlist ready and be sure to include “Goin’ Down” by Deniz Koyu vs Twoloud, sure to make your crowd go BOOOM! It climbs 21-12.
Erasure’s “Reason” is from their latest album The Violet Flame and it has designs on the Top 10, rising 19-13.
Tristan Thompson’s “Burn Again” is receiving scorching action at radio in Canada, already #24 on the AC Airplay chart and it’s also entered the Top 40 radio chart too. Not bad for an independent release from a very talented 16 year old. Next stop: USA 🙂 “Burn Again” climbs 20-16.
We have always got “Time” till Steve Grand’s album is released in early 2015. This delightful story is off to a super start, rising 23-17.
Lorde certainly dazzled us with her kinetic performance of “Yellow Flicker Beat” (above) last week on the American Music Awards. As a result I think this song will get a second look by radio, and it moves up in this edition 24-20.
“Calling You” by Penguin Prison continues the many chart appearances here for NYC singer/songwriter/producer/DJ Chris Glover, as it rises 26-21.
Smashing Satellites gave a powerful performance opening for Moist last week in Toronto. The quartet will soon be headlining its own mid-sized club venues judging by audience response. In the meantime, “Hounds” climbs 30-25.
New to the Chart
I’ve already gushed about each of these songs in blog posts over the past few weeks, so it’s no surprise to see them chart so quickly.
Reigen’s soulful and emotional EDM ballad “Come Back With Me” is simple food for your musical soul, and debuts at #22 for the New York based singer.
It’s her first appearance on my chart in 10 years, but the unmistakable Kristine W. is back in full force with “Love Come Home”, a redux of an early UK hit for her. It makes a memorable impact, recalling her Land Of The Living days, and arrives at #23. It has also landed in the Top 5 of the Billboard Dance Club Play chart this past week, and I hope DJ’s will send it to the top. And if you buy the EP, it contains no less than 14 remixes!
While “Zeppelin” leaves the chart, Eli Lieb has perhaps gone even one better with the feel good story and vibe of “Lightning In A Bottle”, which lands at #27. And do I hear an album is forthcoming in 2015? Even more to which we can look forward!
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.
01 01 SAY YOU LOVE ME Jessie Ware
02 02 SMILE Mikky Ekko
18 03 HEADPHONES (Matt Mancid Retro Crossover Mix) Color Theory
03 04 I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE Sam Smith
06 05 BRANDO Semi-Precious Weapons
08 06 STAGE FRIGHT Jake Barker
09 07 LOSING YOU Jane Badler
11 08 ARMS OF ANOTHER Bright Light Bright Light
14 09 GOLD SKIES Sander Van Doorn, Martin Garrix & DVBBS featuring Aleesia
04 10 THANKS FOR NOTHING Brandyn Burnette
13 11 RESTART Sam Smith
21 12 GOIN’ DOWN Deniz Koyu vs Twoloud
19 13 REASON Erasure
16 14 THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID The Janoskians
17 15 SUPERHEROES The Script
20 16 BURN AGAIN Tristan Thompson
23 17 TIME Steve Grand
05 18 I WON’T LET YOU GO (Aron Friedman remix) Adam Tyler
07 19 UNBREAKABLE Jamie Scott
24 20 YELLOW FLICKER BEAT Lorde
26 21 CALLING OUT Penguin Prison
New 22 COME BACK TO ME Reigen
New 23 LOVE COME HOME Kristine W.
10 24 PLAY FOR ME Chromatone
30 25 HOUNDS Smashing Satellites
12 26 AFTERGLOW Harriet
New 27 LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE Eli Lieb
15 28 AMNESIA 5 Seconds Of Summer
22 29 CRIMINAL Adam Tyler
27 30 GET TO KNOW YOU Corey Niles featuring Ish
Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week onD-Moos.com!
I am now a radio voice on D-Moos.com Canada’s National Internet Radio Station! Every week I feature a New Music Pick of the Week, 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!!
It seemed highly unlikely, but about a year ago, the classic Canadian alternative rock band Moist, led by Juno Award winning singer David Usher, got back together, albeit missing a member or two from their 1994-2000 halcyon years which included huge Canadian hits like “Push”, “Leave It Alone”, and “Tangerine”. They’ve since toured across Canada a few times, and by the time I got to see them in concert on November 22 in Toronto, their sound was so tight that this truly was a resurrection or re-invention of the classic Moist. “Black Roses” is a crunching standout from their latest album Glory Under Dangerous Skies, a much better introduction to me than the initial single “Mechanical”. It features a fiery David Usher vocal and tight, invincible-sounding production, with the two guitarist punch of Mark Makoway and Jonathan Gallivan. So it appears that Moist is back and looking to stick around for a while (though any time punctuated with a new David Usher solo album is always a bonus). Do check them out in concert when they play in your city for an engaging evening of rock and roll.
Even at 74, there is no taking dance music and its current technology out of Giorgio Moroder. The pace was set after becoming part of the project that ended up as Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning Random Access Memories last year, and Giorgio has been remixing songs by the likes of Coldplay and appearing as a DJ at events around the world. So almost 40 years after creating some of the greatest dance music ever – Donna Summer’s biggest records including the revolutionary “I Feel Love”; Blondie’s “Call Me”; his own “Chase” (from his Oscar-winning score of “Midnight Express”) and “From Here To Eternity”; Oscar-winning “Flashdance…What A Feeling” by Irene Cara and “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin; and lesser known but beloved “Together In Electric Dreams” with Philip Oakey of The Human League, and “Life In Tokyo” by Japan – Giorgio Moroder is once again about to trail-blaze with a new album, rumoured to feature Britney Spears, Sia, Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Foxes, Mikky Ekko, and Matthew Koma, among others. In advance of that, he’s given us the propulsive “74 Is The New 24”, whose title is I believe based on something Giorgio said in an interview not long ago. That it reminds me a lot of Pet Shop Boys’ “Axis” from last year’s Electric is almost like the creator giving a big nod to those that he influenced. But when you think about it, “74 Is The New 24” likely reminds you most of Giorgio Moroder in his heyday – big, powerful synths and effects used to their maximum and most contemporary, sounding as innovative as ever. Just can’t wait for the album! One to watch for 2015 for sure. And I keep saying about why I’m still writing about music – age ain’t nuthin’ but a number 🙂
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