BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

Testing Our Limits: “Black Leather” by @SIRPAUL (**Discretion Advised: NSFW video)

SIRPAUL, “Black Leather”

As you previously read in these blog post pages, SIRPAUL’s Seventh Star album is an enjoyable hybrid of accessible pop/dance songs and other darker but playful ones that show both sides of what the talented ‘disco ambassador of love and lust’ has to offer. Shot in Amsterdam by the House of XY, “Black Leather” gets as down and dirty as much as a pop video could do and tests any voyeuristic limits you might have if you are not into the sex ‘n leather scene. It’s a great alternate showcase for SIRPAUL as we’ve seen him waiting for his love in the video for the album’s triumph, “Every Single Moment” (which got to #4 on my personal chart). “Black Leather” is still one of my club banging favourites from his album and when I saw the previews of what was coming I knew that it would be with as few holds barred as possible. It’s almost like a very old school kind of soft porn movie fantasy, and if that is your thing then you will enjoy the video. Take a look – or DON’T, it’s your choice. Kudos to SIRPAUL and his team for testing our limits.

Very Good News Indeed! It’s The Fairy Tale of Zorro Blakk (@zblakk)!

ZORRO BLAKK, The Fairy Tale Of Zorro Blakk

The Fairy Tale of Zorro Blakk is about as enjoyably unconventional as a dance/pop album might be. As I posted about his duet with Lulu Bell on the just lovely “Fireworks” a while back (and it’s included in the album), the good Zorro (aka songwriter Daniel Volpe) has crazy way with melody, and he pulls out all stops in various ways, with some addictive ear candy in the mix. Why do I want to write about Jeff Lynne/ELO-like melodic comparisons? 😉

So we are offered ballads like “Fireworks” and “So Beautiful”; emotional, empathetic dance pop like “The Red BMX” and “I Am The Night”; and full throttle dance blasts, which to me are the showcase pieces of the album, namely the opener “Big City Girls (Don’t Fall In Love With Small Town Boys)” (which needs both Matt Stormby and Ricardo Autobahn remixes, pretty please 😀 ) , and the fine collaboration with Deniz Olivieri on the singalong “Good News (For People Who Love Bad News)” (and a rollicking trance-y Tim Tim remix bound to tease and please club-goers and DJ’s).

Zorro has a slight but fine-sounding boy-next-door kind of voice, and I sure prefer it without the effects… the only song truly out of place here is “Red & Gold” which sounds like it was meant for another record. Otherwise The Fairy Tale of Zorro Blakk is beautifully and carefully produced and a great start to the career of Daniel’s alter ego. Buy it on iTunes and listen below to the premiere of “Good News (For People Who Love Bad News)” on Larry Flick’s Sirius-FM show The Morning Jolt, featuring the one and only My Fizzy Pop (Paul Reynolds) himself.

U Can Dig This: “City Lights” (EP) by @Nickisthetruth (Nick Hagelin)

NICK HAGELIN, City Lights (EP)

I’m so very happy to report that Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Nick Hagelin’s 9 song EP City Lights has arrived at last, his first since 2011’s Take Off EP. It’s available on his website for free download. Thanks to Nick, I’ve been predisposed to its fine songs for the last little while. Nick’s sound now veers more away from mainstream pop on a lot of the songs on City Lights, though the delightfully contagious “Trust It” and the breezy “First Move” are certainly more pure pop songs than the rest. There’s a lot of focus on more R&B-oriented pop, which is obviously Nick’s love and forté.

The initial single (currently available for free download) is the offbeat and addictive “Finest Clothes In Town” (currently #6 on my personal chart). It’s a playful, flirty number which revolves around a vocal sample that sounds a lot like Ray Charles or someone similar of the 50’s Blues/R&B school, and is most deserving of attention. You first heard the ballad “Ex Games” when I posted about it over 2 years ago, and it became the 2nd most read post on this blog site. The song is great storytelling with spoken word interludes which give it a 70’s feel. Also harkening back to the 70’s, but specifically to what sounds like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” period, you will enjoy “Is This Thing On”, highlighting Nick’s softer vocal at its best.

All of the songs are well-rounded and obviously built by a skilled team. But what’s most important here is the performance, because without it being as strong as it is, they wouldn’t sound this good. Nick is as diverse and honest-sounding a performer as the best of them – you’ll reference Justin Timberlake and Usher for sure. His pop songs will certainly charm you, but you will definitely dig the new school R&B with selective old school influences. Don’t miss out on City Lights! I’ve been saying it for the last several years in these pages – Nick Hagelin is going places.

If you’re in Atlanta on Friday, May 2, check out Nick Hagelin at his City Lights release party at Suite Lounge on Luckie Street.

Off to Hitsville: “Tidal Wave” by @TristanThompsn

TRISTAN THOMPSON, “Tidal Wave”

I must admit I was just a tad in awe of Tristan Thompson’s soulful and natural voice when my fabulous friend James alerted me to him. Knowing me for over 30 years, James generally sends a lot music my way that I will love 🙂 Tristan is obviously heavily influenced by Michael Jackson and with a gazillion influences permeating “Tidal Wave” that will have you recall Daryl Hall, 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys, Usher, Jesse McCartney, and many more, the song is so polished and does everything right that it seems surreal. Even more fascinating is that Tristan is only 15, hailing from the Victoria, British Columbia area! His album Here For You was released last week on Chatter Records and you can get it on iTunes. This is an amazing start and you owe it to yourself to listen. So….

Click right here to go to Tristan’s player on his website where you can hear excerpts of “Tidal Wave” and other songs from Here For You.

Shake It: @DimitriVegas + @MartinGarrix + @LikeMike = “Tremor”

DIMITRI VEGAS, MARTIN GARRIX & LIKE MIKE, “Tremor”

It had been previewed for quite a while, but “Tremor” finally dropped at last. It’s a wild pairing of the talented young Dutchman about whom I’ve written much lately, with the Belgium-based brothers who have been well established for DJ work and remixes over the last six years. “Tremor” is the perfect companion to (my #1 song on my personal chart) “Cannonball (Earthquake)” by Showtek, Justin Prime & Matthew Koma. It’s a wild ride sending you up and over and around and back again, from sparkling quiet moments, to those massive ones that you want to feel in your bones. And get a load of those crowd scenes in the official video below. Three of a perfect pair (who recently played the Ultra Music festival), for sure – get “Tremor” on Beatport.

Smack That Groove: “Strangers” by @Convulsic

CONVULSIC, “Strangers”

One of the happiest discoveries I’ve had this year is San Diego-based Convulsic, and this is especially notable since I think a lot of dubstep sounds alike. Not so with Convulsic’s songs, which are chock full of melody, interesting voices, and dazzling effects and drops. “Love Space” and “The Day You Left” are both currently placed on my personal chart at #9 and #24 respectively, and if you’ve checked them out then “Strangers” should impress you as well. Convulsic has the ability to template his sound and change it up every time, keeping it fresh while you want to smack that bottom groove and lose control just a bit. Listen above.

All Eyes on More Sensational Covers by @JamesPoole_ : “Glad You Came” and “All Of Me”

JAMES POOLE, “Glad You Came” and “All Of Me”

You know that when my most recent blog post was about the same singer that there is something special happening here. I raved about UK singer James Poole’s rendition of “Titanium”, and must draw to your attention two of his other interpretations of The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” (posted today!) and John Legend’s “All Of Me”. Again, oft covered songs, but James totally smashes them. His rendition of “All Of Me” is pretty straight forward, with a gorgeous vocal, but his video is up close and personal with a sincere performance that will make you feel like you’re the only person he’s singing to, with those blue eyes searing right through you. “Glad You Came” has a scruffier looking James mixing it up with his own variation of the song that adds some dashing spoken words which will definitely keep you interested. James Poole has one of the finest voices I’ve heard in a long time and I look forward to the day when a full album surfaces.

A Voice That Soars: “Titanium” by @JamesPoole_

JAMES POOLE, “Titanium”

I often enjoy reading posts from my fellow bloggers as much as I do writing them. And there are the times that I must write about the same performer I’ve just read about 🙂

Such is the case with James Poole, former member of London sextet Class A, who is now striking out on his own with a few online covers. My Fizzy Pop himself has a way with words that just do not come out onto my blog pages the same way, so do check out his recent endorsement of James. I heartily concur. David Guetta & Sia’s “Titanium” is so often covered, and many who post You Tube videos just cannot even come close to the Sia performance (someone like Matthew John Kurz’s rendition notwithstanding 🙂 ). James’ wide-ranging voice starts out low, gains momentum, and has such natural power in the chorus that it not only will send goosebumps through you, but it will nail you deep down. This is a voice made to sing… whatever the heck he wants, really. I’ll be sure to check out his other recent covers, but hopefully some originals are forthcoming that will showcase his voice.

Picture a younger Matt Dusk sound with what My Fizzy Pop says is “classical operatic quality” to his voice… and there you have James Poole. More – much more – please 🙂

@NeonTrees Get an ‘A’ in “Pop Psychology”

NEON TREES, Pop Psychology

Their previous two releases did not resonate with me, though there’s no mistaking a catchy song like “Everybody Talks”. But Utah’s Neon Trees have made a mature third album that could easily be the romantic and sometimes caustic soundtrack for Spring and Summer for young adults.

Pop Psychology is a solid pop/rock album that falls somewhere between Paramore and The Script. There are some great songs within and all have been made better by the versatile voice of Tyler Glenn, though all three of the other members (bassist Branden Campbell, guitarist Chris Allen, and drummer Elaine Bradley) sing too. You’ve already heard the engaging “Sleeping With A Friend” as the lead single, but to be honest the best songs within are likely those you’ll get to know in concert. “Teenager In Love” is my favourite, followed by “Unavoidable” (with Elaine’s duet with Tyler), and “Love In The 21st Century”. Tyler’s lower register is also showcased in the slower and thoughtful “Voices In The Halls”, whose video you can watch below.

All in all, Pop Psychology was a big surprise for me so you can call me a Neon Trees convert, though I’m apt to favour their album tracks over their singles. Catch them on tour across North American this Summer!

Pop Psychology sees official release tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22.

BILLCS Top 30 #429 – April 21/14

If it’s one performer that this edition of my new personal chart is all about, it’s UK pop/soul singer Sam Smith. There are 4 Sam Smith entries, including a former #1 (now at #8) and another debut! Plus, I get to see him in concert on Wednesday April 23 at the Virgin Mod Club in Toronto 🙂

The Top 10:

The killer dance tune that is “Cannonball (Earthquake)” holds #1 down handily for Showtek, Justin Prime & Matthew Koma, as the song debuts at #29 in the UK 🙂
We may be a touch late on it in North America, but “Latch” by Disclosure and Sam Smith vaults to #2 to challenge for the top in two weeks.

Martin Garrix may have a say as to who succeeds “Cannonball (Earthquake)” at #1. His free download of “Proxy” soars 13-3 to tie for the fastest riser on the chart. And Martin has plenty in store for us over the next few months to keep us busy!

All of this activity has left “Find You” by Zedd, Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant at #4, and free download “Electric Valentine” by Adam Tyler at #5, each holding for a second appearance.
It looks like Nick Hagelin’s long-awaited EP City Lights will see release in the first week of May. His fun and ace pop/soul/hip hop song with an old school sample or two “Finest Clothes In Town” (available again as a free download) moves up 9-6 🙂

“Love Me Again” by John Newman continues to climb, moving 8-7 on the new chart.
The only other new Top 10 entry is a zinger for San Diego’s EDM/dubstep rising star Convulsic. “Love Space” jumps 12-9 while another of his songs debuts below…

Onward and Upward:

It’s a stellar week for Sam Smith, two songs in the Top 10, and the soul ballad “Stay With Me” ties with “Proxy” as the fastest riser, soaring 21-11.
It’s release week for the Aviation album for Semi-Precious Weapons amid shows throughout the U.S.! “Drink” continues to climb my chart at #12.
May and June will be important months for Steve Grand as his All American Boy album will see release and then he will be touring the blazes out of it, appearing at numerous Gay Pride events in North America. The pensive “Back To California” jumps 17-13 on my chart.

This past week Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light Bright Light) will in fact be opening for Elton John on some dates on his European tour! That’s an amazing feat for an independent performer and Elton has shown great interest in new acts this past year. Their marvellous duet on “I Wish We Were Leaving” moves up 19-14.
The engaging and colourful video for Wrathschild’s “Fall Into Love” continues to attract new fans. The song rises 22-15 as the duo of Simon Curtis and Wolfy record another new song.

Rixton’s “Me And My Broken Heart” is one of those songs that has you reeled in from its first note, very remiscent of Maroon 5 meets Lawson for the UK band. It moves up 26-17 – let’s get these boys over here in North American for shows!
FrankMusik announced that his By Nicole album will be issued on Monday, April 28. So many releases to look forward to over the next few weeks! In the meantime, “Dear Nicole”, which features one of the singer’s most powerful vocals just past the half way mark, moves up 24-18.

I suppose over 2 million Twitter followers might signal a sell out, which indeed 5 Seconds Of Summer had with their Toronto show last Saturday. The song with that underwear video, “She Looks So Perfect”, rises 27-21.

New to the Chart:

Not to sound like a broken record, but leading the way once again on the new chart is another beautiful Sam Smith song, this time it’s “Not In That Way” from his upcoming album In The Lonely Hour, which is slated for a June release, which seems a long way off, though you can get “Not In That Way” on iTunes already. Check out the live performance of the song at the top of this blog post. “Not In That Way” bows at #22.

Next up is “The Day You Left”, another infectious EDM single from Convulsic, which has a steadier female vocal than “Love Space” and is full of powerful drops that will make your eardrums pop. It arrives at #24 and is available on iTunes.

Andy Grammer’s positive vibe of “Keep Your Head Up” sent the song to #9 on my chart back in 2011, and after one album and an EP, the heartwarming “Back Home” leads the way for a new album. The song debuts at #28.

Toronto-based singer Kendal Thompson dropped “Be Mine” as a free ‘thank you’ download on Valentine’s Day, along with a mysterious and eye-catching video. “Be Mine” enters the chart at #29.

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.

01 01 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma
06 02 LATCH Disclosure featuring Sam Smith
13 03 PROXY Martin Garrix
04 04 FIND YOU Zedd featuring Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant
05 05 ELECTRIC VALENTINE Adam Tyler
09 06 FINEST CLOTHES IN TOWN Nick Hagelin
08 07 LOVE ME AGAIN John Newman
02 08 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith
12 09 LOVE SPACE Convulsic
03 10 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae
21 11 STAY WITH ME Sam Smith
14 12 DRINK Semi-Precious Weapons
17 13 BACK TO CALIFORNIA Steve Grand
19 14 I WISH WE WERE LEAVING Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John
22 15 FALL INTO LOVE Wrathschild
16 16 READY FOR YOU NOW Sean O’Reilly
26 17 ME AND MY BROKEN HEART Rixton
24 18 DEAR NICOLE Frankmusik
20 19 HORNY Lonnie Gordon
07 20 DARE YOU Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
27 21 SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT 5 Seconds Of Summer
New 22 NOT IN THAT WAY Sam Smith
18 23 TALK DIRTY Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz
New 24 THE DAY YOU LEFT Convulsic
10 25 F FOR YOU Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige
11 26 TAKE COVER Neverest
15 27 COLLIDE Jake Miller
New 28 BACK HOME Andy Grammer
New 29 BE MINE Kendal Thompson
25 30 HAPPY Pharrell Williams