BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

UK Vocalists Supreme: @Harrietsmusic and @Denise_VanOuten

HARRIET, “Can I Keep You”

DENISE VAN OUTEN, “You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You”

UK singers Harriet and Denise Van Outen have both been working with the stellar talent of Mr. Steve Anderson, and have thus come to my attention with their recent songs.

I’ve already written about Harriet’s “Afterglow”, which is a real stunner awaiting official release. In the meantime, we have the warm, rich, mellifluous sound of “Can I Keep You” available for free download below on her Soundcloud page. The original comparison to Karen Carpenter is no fluke; there was no one in her time that sounded like her, and Harriet also has her own uniqueness at play in our time. “Can I Keep You” is a lovely, compact (2:49) listen.

https://soundcloud.com/harrietsmusic/harriet-can-i-keep-you

Denise Van Outen is well known to UK audiences as an actress and TV presenter. She’s recently began a one woman stage play called “Some Girl That I Used To Know”, from which we have her cover of 1989 UK #1 and Billboard Top 10 Dance Club hit “You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You”, originally recorded by Sonia and written by Stock-Aitken-Waterman. Denise has slowed it down as a pensive but powerful ballad to showcase her beautiful voice. While I’m not sure if this could be Top 40 radio material, the quality of the song and performance is unmistakeable, and sometimes you just need to bask in appreciation for all of the hard work that made covering a song like this work so well. As far as I know the music from the play isn’t officially released yet, but you can hear more of the songs – covers of pop gems such as “Hold Me Now” and “Your Loving Arms” – on the Some Girl That I Used To Know website.

Dance Club Bound: “Residents of Darkness” by New UK Singer @ClaudiaKaneUK

CLAUDIA KANE, “Residents of Darkness”

New UK singer Claudia Kane has arrived with a seductive and sultry single bent on conquering late night club denizens with “Residents Of Darkness”. The song really reminds me a lot of Stevie Nicks’ “Stand Back”, both vocally and rhythmically. Add influences from Suzanne Vega through to Tori Amos and Massive Attack, and you can hear where Claudia might be headed. She showcases her attractive self quite well in this self-made video, though the rest of the sequences don’t add much to the song. Nonetheless “Residents of Darkness” immediately stands out on its own – remixes would be very welcome!

The AcousticKilla Side of @NickIsTheTruth with “If This Is Love” and “What If”

NICK, “If This Is Love” and “What If” (video)

Nick Hagelin’s music has been regularly featured in my blog posts since I first heard it in 2010 on his more straight-forward pop EP Take Off. Since then, Nick has dabbled more on the R&B tip, and rightly so given his far-ranging voice which instantly draws comparisons to Justin Timberlake. But Nick’s sound has always been more direct and street-wise, and recently shifted over to some softer songs in his “AcousticKilla” side, and ones that he didn’t necessarily write.

“What If” (video above) is a beautifully sung classic story of breakup and ‘what if’ things had been different, in this case “what if I had loved you?”. You have to wait a bit for Nick’s falsetto, but it’s there! Thematically, it’s almost like the successor to Nick’s own “Ex Games”, still available as a free Soundcloud download as are “What If” and “If This Is Love”. The latter song puts him into Travis Garland territory with a sexy Latin flavoured number that could mix easily into Travis’ “Easy” (currently riding my chart at #2).

The great thing about these songs is that they show that Nick takes risks, which is probably part of why Streamline/Interscope signed him (and we’ll await the results of that relationship). Do yourself a favour and find out what I’m talking about by downloading all three songs below.

https://soundcloud.com/acoustickilla/nick-if-this-is-love

https://soundcloud.com/acoustickilla/nick-what-if

https://soundcloud.com/acoustickilla/ex-games-nick-hagelin

Serenely Soulful: New EP from @AdamExler, “You”

ADAM EXLER, You (EP)

Singer/songwriter/keyboardist Adam Exler is no newcomer to music, as you will tell from the highly professional execution of the songs on his EP, You. He did trade in a career as a national tennis champion some years ago for music, and more recently received high critical acclaim for his band Everblue. You is his latest release, and if you could put a dollar value on such splendid, learned, and soulful voices like Adam’s we’d all be rich 🙂

Not only is You so very solid in terms of production and overall sound, but Adam’s songwriting is extremely earnest, something that’s missing often in the songs you hear on the radio. So while the songs on You aren’t really Top 40 ready, other adult contemporary formats would find favour with the positive messaging behind “Dreamers”, or perhaps the deep down soul of “Rain” or “Inside”, which would slide in comfortably next to Dave Matthews, Counting Crows, or even John Legend, or Frank Ocean. Country flavour shows up on “Sunshine” and “Crying Time”. But Adam’s anchor appears to be blues, having been inspired as a youngster to pursue music after hearing B.B. King’s seminal “The Thrill Is Gone”. I’m going to throw in my own personal obscure comparison to British singer William Topley, whose rock/R&B band The Blessing was one of my joys in the early 90’s. He since went to some success as a country singer and still performs today. Check out The Blessing’s video for “Delta Rain” below to see what I mean!

Adam Exler’s music is instantly likeable and should take him to good places in 2014. Listen to the entire EP on his Reverb Nation page and buy it on iTunes.

Powerful Stuff: Hard Rockers @The88sband Self-Titled EP

The 88’s, self-titled EP

Hard rock is not usually a genre I write about. I did go through a brief phase in my music life where I wanted loud hairband music more frequently than usual about 25 years ago 😛 In any event, The 88’s is a solid, talented trio who are passionate about their music. It comes across in the care of the arrangements of the songs written by guitarist Luis. All three members come from different parts of the world – Luis (Portugal), drummer Joe (NYC), and vocalist Pheel (France) – and they apparently are based out of Shanghai. It’s no fluke that they are gathering fans from all over the world when their songs are so good.

“For You, I’ll Sing My Song” has the potential to be a hit at mainstream rock radio with a great message and melody. “Get Me Through” features traditional Portuguese guitar and backing vocals from a soulful singer named Lola. Other songs are sung partially in French too! But most of the time the band’s key influences from Metallica to System Of A Down shine through, and incorporating all of this results in a unique sound within a sometimes pretty static music genre.

Lovers of hard, angry rock with a difference will be completely sold. If you like pop/rock/metal in general, then I guarantee that The 88’s will make you sit up at attention. Listen to their EP and more at their official website right here. Watch the video of “Velvet Rock” at the top of this post.

BILLCS Top 30 #423 – January 27/14

The end of January sees a cold, cold winter continuing… but with extra hot EDM/dance music, if our three debuts (with thanks to Matthew Koma on two of them 🙂 ) and the new #1 song – which you may not have expected – have any say in the matter.

The New Number One

“Animals” by Martin Garrix!! Surprised?? The song has grown immensely on me during the month, and the young Dutchman already seems to have a signature sound of his own, judging by his subsequent collabo “Wizard” and a newer song which you’ll find under the extras below. But will “Animals” get more than one appearance at #1? Find out in two weeks! Love the above photo! Martin is in my city (Toronto) in a sold out show on February 7 at Uniun.

The Rest of the Top 10

“Easy” by Travis Garland continues its climb to #2 in its 8th appearance on the chart, while “Motel Pool” sits comfortably at #6.
Bright Light Bright Light gives up #1 with “An Open Heart” and moves to #3, while the equally pensive “In Your Care” moves up 13-10!
Singles holding steady: SIRPAUL’s “Every Single Moment” at #4 and “Breathe Me”, the thoughtful Sia cover by Carlos Nóbrega at #7 🙂
Into the Top 5 she goes! New UK singer Eurielle’s gorgeous “Gold” (video below) moves up 6-5!
The last new Top 10 entry is Adam Lambert’s highest on the chart thus far, the “Glee” take on “Marry The Night” at #9.

On The Rise

Canadian quartet Neverest is at it again, after the #1 success of “Rewind”, almost in the Top 10 a few weeks after “Take Cover” (video above) appeared on their Facebook page as a free download. It’s the fastest riser on the chart, climbing 21-11!
And speaking of “Rewind”, its songwriter Corey Niles and pal Dru continue to rise up the chart with a fine slice of pop/hip hop, “Rollercoaster” at #12.
New L.A. resident Jake Miller is fresh out of the Grammys and zipping up my chart 22-13 with a fun pre-summer anthem “Collide”.
While “Do What U Want” has slowed down at #14, Lady GaGa’s rollicking “MANiCURE” jumps 18-15.
He’s got an Oscar nomination, won a Grammy as Producer of the Year, provided vocals on Record of the Year “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk (which got to #2 on my chart and was #16 for 2013) – Pharrell Williams oughta be “Happy”, as the former UK #1 climbs 27-21.
Lastly, the eclectic and most listenable “Talking To The Walls” (video below) has an outstanding vocal by its singer, newcomer Své, and it moves up 25-22. It’s available on iTunes.

The Debuts – Power EDM Trio!

Storming the chart at #17 is the irresistible and indefatiguable “Cannonball (Earthquake)” by Dutch producers/DJs Showtek & Justin Prime, which started life as an instrumental two years ago, but has been transformed into an incredible vocal anthem courtesy of singer/songwriter Matthew Koma. This needs a worldwide release!!

I got so tired of Wake Me Up soooo fast that I went silent on Avicii’s album True. That has all changed with the arrival of “Addicted To You” at #20, featuring a unique standout vocal performance by American singer Audra Mae. A short song at 2:28, it has all the boom you need to make you want much more!

Lastly, we have more Matthew Koma vocalizing and songwriting courtesy of the UK Top 20 hit “Dare You” by another well-established Dutch producer/DJ, Robbert Hardwell. This gorgeously melodic EDM song arrives at #25 and I’m looking forward to the official remixes 🙂

Extra! Extra!

Several songs are on deck or are awaiting official release before they arrive on my chart.

Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige, “F For You”

Kylie Minogue, “Into The Blue”

People Like You, “Have Some Pride” (teaser video!! – official release is February 3)

Bassjackers, “Crackin'” (Martin Garrix edit)

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.

05 01 ANIMALS Martin Garrix
03 02 EASY Travis Garland
01 03 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light
04 04 EVERY SINGLE MOMENT SIRPAUL
06 05 GOLD Eurielle
09 06 MOTEL POOL Travis Garland
07 07 BREATHE ME Carlos Nóbrega
02 08 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E
11 09 MARRY THE NIGHT Glee Cast featuring Adam Lambert
13 10 IN YOUR CARE Bright Light Bright Light
21 11 TAKE COVER Neverest
15 12 ROLLERCOASTER Corey Niles featuring Dru
22 13 COLLIDE Jake Miller
14 14 DO WHAT U WANT Lady GaGa featuring R. Kelly
18 15 MANiCURE Lady GaGa
17 16 I CAN’T HELP IT Dangerous Muse
New 17 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma
20 18 COME A LITTLE CLOSER Cage The Elephant
08 19 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald
New 20 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae
27 21 HAPPY Pharrell Williams
25 22 TALKING TO THE WALLS Své
10 23 4TH OF JULY Jarell Perry
12 24 DO I HAVE TO DANCE Simon Curtis
New 25 DARE YOU Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
16 26 KEEP ME RUNNING Andy Suzuki & The Method
19 27 I HAVE A NAME Osvaldo Supino
23 28 WE CAN’T STOP SUMMERTIME SADNESS DATABOY
24 29 JULIET Lawson
26 30 BERLIN WALL Simon Curtis

Love Lies Lost: Watch the Video for “Ghost” by The @AutumnPortrait

THE AUTUMN PORTRAIT, “Ghost” (video)

I first wrote about The Autumn Portrait (aka Freddie Mojallal) and his sophomore album Tired Love a little over a year ago. This talented Toronto-based folk/pop singer/guitarist delivered particularly with that album’s final song, “Ghost”. The song is about a love long gone, and the new video for the song is a scrapbook of happy memories, definitely pause for thought for whatever happened. The song’s deliberate and sad tone is in stark contrast and makes the video work on an emotional level. Watch it above.

Meet French Quartet The Aikiu with “Win” featuring JD Samson

THE AIKIU featuring JD SAMSON, “Win”

The Aikiu is a four piece contemporary new wave band from Paris led by singer/songwriter Alex Aikiu. And Alex scored a huge coup to get MEN vocalist JD Samson to sing on “Win”. The song is a pretty impressive slice of sophisticated, softer Eurodance pop, with emotive and empowering vocals from JD (who also puts her stamp on the song’s sequel “Win Part II” on The Aikiu’s EP). The Aikiu has enormous potential, blending styles from as diverse as Roxy Music and The Cure with current sounds which put them in the same queue of fans who like The Gossip, Passion Pit, and The Good Natured. Watch the video for “Win” below and get the Win EP on iTunes.

In somewhat of a nice coincidence with this post, I learned this evening that JD Samson & MEN are playing The Garrison in my city (Toronto) on Sunday January 26.

For the Fans: @RyanStar’s New Album “Angels + Animals”

RYAN STAR, A N G E L S + A N I M A L S

After fulfilling his record deal with Atlantic Records, which gave us the terrific 11:59 album in 2010, and after having another go with Island Records, who released the single “Stay Awhile”, Ryan Star took back his new music, created a Pledge campaign, and last week A N G E L S + A N I M A L S arrived, after being preceded by the EP Animals late last Summer (which I previously wrote about). The new album gives Ryan’s fans everything they have wanted – a truly personal, introspective, emotional rock record. While 11:59 has a set of fabulous pop and rock songs (and lord knows what it took to get them there, being in the works for years), A N G E L S + A N I M A L S I believe offers the side of Ryan Star that the corporate world would say wouldn’t fit on one of their releases.

You can hear the full story of the new album below from Ryan himself, along with a live version of “My Life With You”. It contains six new songs, including a slower and more deliberate version of the single “Impossible” (the Animals version is also included), plus the four other songs from Animals. A N G E L S + A N I M A L S isn’t a lush affair, but the instrumentation and production sound very precise, leaving Ryan to sing his songs, with intimate and sometimes intense results. “Sailing On”, “I Will Survive”, and “Where The Island Ends” are the best of the new ones, alternately sweeping you up in the emotion or empowering you to carry on.

It’s been a long journey for Ryan Star from Elephant and “Rock Star:Supernova”, and he’s now recorded two very different albums. Hopefully A N G E L S + A N I M A L S, will be a successful reminder to the industry about what fans want, and can now get through Pledge/Kickstarter projects, from their favourite performers who know how to deliver the goods.

Rockin’ Steady: Sophomore Album from @CarlyJamison, “Ungrounded”

CARLY JAMISON, Ungrounded

Ungrounded is a well-rounded rock album from relatively new New York-area singer Carly Jamison. Carly has the versatility to sing with the best of them, drawing from classic rock and traditional country influences, and coming off a lot of the times as Chrissie Hynde-meets-Amy Winehouse via The Smithereens. I love records that showcase real instruments, and Ungrounded is one of them, including piano and horns, as well as guitar work from Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites fame (I saw the Satellites back in 1988!). The most memorable songs on the album are “Superman Fantasy” (animated video above), “No Easy Way Out” and the Memphis country sound of “I Don’t Think We Have Ever Met”. Other songs like “Runaway Train” and “Small Talk” have retro flavour that wouldn’t be out of place on a Chris Isaak album. There’s even the acoustic “I Said I Loved You But I Lied” (NOT the Michael Bolton song), which evokes a smoky French jazz club feel. All in all, Ungrounded is a diverse rock album that showcases Carly Jamison’s many talents, and the songs should play out just fine in concert.