What a year 2014 has been for 18 year old Martin Garrix, and it’s not over yet! Touring and recording with every major EDM/dance artist, and releasing one song after another are the order of the day. This time Martin’s paired up with MOTi, who was matched up with DVBBS earlier this year for the potent “This Is Dirty”, and they’ve come up with a unique song that will send people to the dance floor instantly. It builds with a classic grumbling trap melody and then is transformed by uncredited female vocals into a hybrid kind of pop record that could cross over to radio. The video has a cool concept – almost the reverse of “The Matrix” in some ways, with a few twists, and you can watch it above.
I absolutely adore Bright Light Bright Light’s “An Open Heart”. It’s one of my favourite songs by Rod Thomas, and it was already #1 on my personal chart for 4 appearances (8 weeks) at the top of the year, previously featured on the EP In Your Care. “An Open Heart” is also featured on the album Life Is Easy, and is the new single from it, so I’m hoping international doors will open even more for Bright Light Bright Light with it. But featured on the single release is another fantastic BLx2 song that you just can’t miss. It’s quintessential BLx2, drawing specifically from the keyboard hook and house rhythm of “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” by Crystal Waters. It’s a joyous choice of music, set to lyrics of resignation when you find that the one you care for prefers someone else. So be sure to pick up the full single release tomorrow on iTunes and you will not only get the single and 12″ versions of “An Open Heart” but this new gem “Arms Of Another” too(preview).
After pairing with A*M*E for his killer cover of Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life” (reimagined as “What’s Going On”, which got to #2 on my personal chart) last year, and receiving raves as an opener for Beyonce’s UK tour, the amazing French producer Monsieur Adi returns with “Lucky Ones”, featuring U.S.-based Swedish singer Negin. You’ll know Negin already for her appearances on Avicii’s “Three Million” and a remix of Daft Punk’s “Derezzed”, and her voice perfectly suits a gentle Europop setting, coming across sounding like a mix of Cathy Dennis and Foxes. “Lucky Ones” is just the kind of song that will fill dance floors everywhere, another notch on the list for our Monsieur, whose full album release is due in early 2015. “Lucky Ones” should heighten the international profiles of Monsieur Adi and Negin, so be sure to listen for it soon! In the meantime, you canenjoy it in this link from Hypem.
And the talent from the UK just keeps on coming… You can happily add 23 year old James Bay to the mix with his urgent and soulful pop in “Hold Back The River”, from his upcoming EP of the same name. James has already got to open for the likes of The Rolling Stones when they performed in Hyde Park last year. “Let It Go” gave us a cool taste of what James Bay was all about this past summer, but “Hold Back The River” beckons immediate attention and has a perfect blend of vocal power and story-telling that will easily win over audiences into Sam Smith or Ed Sheeran. Can’t wait to hear more! Listen below to the BBC radio rip, which also includes a phone interview with James. “Hold Back The River” is hit-bound.
After two largely experimental-sounding and story-based releases, L.A. based singer/songwriter/producer JMSN (aka Christian Berishaj) is back with a self-titled release (aka The Blue Album) due in December. From it comes “Street Sweeper”, which puts into the music a more classic 70s/80s R&B sound than ever, not sounding like one classic performer in particular. But JMSN puts a more hip hop oriented spin on it which makes it your alternative to the big and plushier sounds of the likes of Justin Timberlake. Along with the likes of Travis Garland, JMSN has the goods both in concert and on record to get into your head and “Street Sweeper” is laid back, shimmering, romantic food for your soul.
Toronto singer/songwriter Daniella Watters has one of those voices that can easily transcend both pop and R&B, equally comfortable sounding next to a Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce or Rihanna song. “Never Will Die” is an uplifting song about continuing to move on as our souls stay alive forever, which is fine food for thought when you’re in a difficult or emotional situation. For Daniella, it’s about something very specific and touching (read her blog post here). Aside from that, the video compliments its story nicely, through more of an ice-skater-Beauty & The Beast kind of lens. I think once word gets out about “Never Will Die” and her gorgeous vocal, things will all come together nicely for Daniella Watters. This is definitely one to watch and you can buy it on iTunes!
HOZIER, “Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene”
I’ve not taken to his hit-in-the-making “Take Me To Church”, but there’s more than one song to 24 year old Irish singer Andrew Hozier-Byrne. But I was quite taken with Hozier’s compelling performance of “Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene” on Saturday Night Live last night. He’s got a rich baritone that extends into powerful tenor notes as well, and can sing a story which you can hear multiple times to try and figure out. It fills the gap left by the demise of R.E.M. and the lack of a more contemporary version of fellow countryman Van Morrison. “Angel” is from the singer’s self-titled album and it’s no wonder that he’s selling out moderate sized clubs everywhere. Count me in – I’ll definitely be listening for more.
So the next question is: Can Brandyn Burnette’s “Thanks For Nothing” crack the Top 3, as it rises significantly, up 10-4? The singer constantly reminds us on Twitter that the song may be a straight middle finger to a past relationship, but that it has an optimistic side to it about moving forward. Gotta listen to Brandyn!! There’s an ages old soul in that young body, methinks!
Those “Music Gods” keep forging ahead on this chart! Davis Redfield and vocalist Carl Man climb 7-6 in this edition.
Get to know Canadian R&B/hip hop singer Corey Niles as his latest song “Get To Know You” spreads across Canada, with the help of rapper Ish! It rises 9-7 🙂
Second time’s a charm, especially when it’s in a gorgeous, romantic, midtempo house remix! “I Won’t Let You Go” by Adam Tyler in an Aron Friedman remix gets to the Top 10 for the second time, and that’s only happened once before, with Nelson Clemente’s “You Want Me Don’t You” in 2008/09, which peaked at #3 both times. “I Won’t Let You Go” is at #8, three places short of its original #5 peak in 2011.
The fastest riser on the chart is “Say You Love Me” by Jessie Ware, moving 20-9, and arriving in the Top 25 on the UK Singles Chart this week. Simply cannot wait to hear it in concert later in the month. Looking at the Top 3, I have to wonder when “Say You Love Me” will be able to crack the mold, but we’ll see!
Jamie Scott’s “Unbreakable” may be unstoppable at this point – it moves up 16-11 this week and will almost certainly grab a Top 10 berth in two weeks!
Aussie faves 5 Seconds Of Summer seem to be making more waves at radio now as the Fall sets in with “Amnesia” rising up 17-14 🙂
Chromatone has such a good groove going on in “Play For Me” that you must check out the fantastic dance moves in its well-shot video. It climbs 21-17.
ABOUT THOSE FIVE DEBUTS…
It’s an overdue debut, but always better late than never. While his team has been promoting “Oh So Simple” and “Scared” from his fine EP Stage Fright, the romantic inside me has long been with The Voice contestant blue-eyed soul singer Jake Barker’s title song, which bows at #23. You can only hear a preview on iTunes but it’s worth purchasing the EP for its entire four song selection. The following lyrics alone just send me at each listen just after the minute mark: “10,000 people looking down on me / All eyes on me / Could I picture my life / All I see is you”. Jake Barker has an immense future ahead – and he didn’t even finish in the Top 10 on The Voice!
A love song of a very different kind is “Brando” by Semi-Precious Weapons, which arrives at #24 in advance of their second 2014, following Spring’s Aviation release. “Brando” gets away from the anthemic sounds on Aviation in favour of a song that sings about when you are faced with the fact that you are impossibly in love. Justin Tranter’s vocal is on its best game here, and I’m really looking forward to more from SPW before the end of the year! Now if we can only get them up to Canada to tour…
I wrote about Jane Badler’s “Losing You” a while back, but the song gets under your skin quickly, so it arrives on the chart at #26. Actress/singer Jane previously reached #8 with “Yesterday’s Tomorrows”, so her alt.pop stylings are no stranger to this chart! Be sure to check out the impressive video trek through personal hell below.
Those Janoskians fans have eaten up my Twitter timeline today as the boys play a show at the Danforth Music Hall. I like these guys for the fact that they are bold enough to take risks to break out of the boy band mold, even though they will attract some similar fans as One Direction, 5 Seconds Of Summer, and even Justin Bieber. The Janoskians shake things up with their innuendo with “That’s What She Said” at #27. North American radio isn’t playing, but then again that’s no surprise. The huge fan base says ALL!!
It seems like there’s always room on my chart this year for another Sam Smith song. The 80’s flavoured “Restart” (particularly reminscent of Daryl Hall & John Oates or The Doobie Brothers brand of white soul) premieres at #28 along with a new video below.
Extra! Extra!
The duo Erasure (being singer Andy Bell and keyboardist Vince Clarke) has long endured because they know how to deliver exactly what their audience wants, and continue to create new songs for their huge repertoire. Their music is hugely influential on today’s electronica performers, whether that’s obvious or not. Their latest album The Violet Flame is their best in many years, more than ever a throwback to their classic late 80’s/early 90’s period, which is where their set list focuses in concert. While “Elevation” rises on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, the chart-bound zinger on the album belongs to “Sacred”. Listen below!!
Lastly, Tristan Thompson’s “Mistaken” shall return to the chart! It’s been bumped to being the third single release from Here For You in favour of another song, which I shall be writing about very soon!
The Full Chart
01 01 I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE Sam Smith 02 02 SMILE Mikky Ekko 03 03 AFTERGLOW Harriet 10 04 THANKS FOR NOTHING Brandyn Burnette 05 05 NO FUN The Presets 07 06 MUSIC GODS Davis Redfield featuring Carl Man 09 07 GET TO KNOW YOU Corey Niles featuring Ish 13 08 I WON’T LET YOU GO (Aron Friedman remix) Adam Tyler 20 09 SAY YOU LOVE ME Jessie Ware 04 10 THIS COULD BE SOMETHING Anton Ewald featuring Medina 16 11 UNBREAKABLE Jamie Scott 14 12 ZEPPELIN Eli Lieb 15 13 JUST SAY HELLO Lyonn 17 14 AMNESIA 5 Seconds Of Summer 18 15 CRIMINAL Adam Tyler 06 16 I BELIEVE Bright Light Bright Light 21 17 PLAY FOR ME Chromatone 08 18 STRANGER Chris Malinchak featuring Mikky Ekko 11 19 TIME HAS COME Hannis 12 20 TEN FEET TALL Afrojack featuring Wrabel 23 21 KILLER WHALES Smallpools 25 22 HANG ON TO YOUR LOVE Penguin Prison New 23 STAGE FRIGHT Jake Barker New 24 BRANDO Semi-Precious Weapons 19 25 WHEN YOU LEFT ME Sam Dickinson New 26 LOSING YOU Jane Badler New 27 THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID The Janoskians New 28 RESTART Sam Smith 24 29 BIG CITY GIRLS (DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH SMALL TOWN BOYS) Zorro Blakk 29 30 KNEW YOU BETTER Adam Tyler
Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week onD-Moos.com!
As many of you are already aware, after many years away from the microphone, I am now pleased to be back as a voice onD-Moos.com Canada’s National Internet Radio Station, which mainly plays a selection of oldies, mostly from the 50’s to the 90’s, with soon to be more intrusions from the 2000’s and other new music.
Do listen in for my New Music Pick of the Week feature onD-Moos.com8 times per day starting at 2:05 AM EST on Mondays, and while the station is only live in the evenings from 9:00 pm to midnight (with my long-time musical partner in crime “The Musicman” James Rogers), you can hear my voice at other odd times, particularly if you’re an oldies loving night owl on the weekend overnights 🙂
Okay folks, here’s your Sunday surprise and you won’t be able to stop yourself smiling 🙂 Regular readers of this blog know how much I enjoy the diverse talents of Netherlands singer Jeronimo, who scored a #1 on my personal chart a few years back with “One Kiss”. And we know in the history of music that there are fine examples of unexpected duets. So here Jeronimo teams up with buddy Alessandro for a teen-friendly cover of Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailando”. It’s a good natured performance, helped immensely by the fact that outdoor all ages gigs like this are commonplace overseas, where fans can interact with their local heroes, and it’s all quite civil. The two singers have a great time and play off of each others’ strengths well, so I hope this might be the start of something that will be recorded and promoted, because ya just never know! Such a great idea and well done all around 🙂
If you thought pairing up New York producer/DJ Chris Malinchak with star-on-the-rise Mikky Ekko for the American funk of “Stranger” was sheer bliss, then how about UK soul wunderkind MNEK? “Happiness” is the best kind of emotional, mid-tempo house music, and it’s an honest and catchy throwback to late 80’s hitmakers like Terence Trent D’Arby, Sydney Youngblood, and Colonel Abrams. Can’t wait to get this one once it’s released but for now, give a listen below.
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