Boston sextet Gentlemen Hall returns to a potent blend of pop and rock with their latest song “Every Morning”. It’s a follow up to that bright pop song that you heard in a few TV commercials, “Sail Into The Sun”, one of my faves of the year, which eventually was picked up by Island Def Jam for official release. “Every Morning” is GH at its best – winning harmonies, slick instrumentation, lyrics to which everyone can relate – enhanced by a sometimes comical but always interesting claymation video. Music-wise, the song harkens back to the 60’s (whether intentional or not), particularly when the Summer of Sgt. Pepper Love was seguing into 1968’s White Album. “Every Morning” starts out like it might be a blissfully sweet pop song, but then gets its rock on pretty hard, which makes it all the more memorable.
It’s been a busy year thus far for one-of-a-kind veteran New York dance/EDM singer/producer SIRPAUL. We’ve seen and heard “Glow” (also available on This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume Two), as well as dazzling collabs with Armand Deluxe like “Touch Me” and “One Love”. “Every Single Moment” is from his upcoming Seventh Star album, due before year’s end, and is as Europop as it gets for an American singer. SIRPAUL sings from the heart and songs like “Every Single Moment” immediately draw you in with those vocals, plus production by AKB and the singer which always takes steps forward but retains a sound uniquely SIRPAUL. Get “Every Single Moment” on iTunes and listen below.
After honing a career on stage and cruise lines, UK singer Carl Man has climbed aboard the Europop train via Denmark for the sunny pop of “Over You”. Fans of Bruno Mars, Taio Cruz and Canadians Audio Playground will take to “Over You” instantly. The video has Carl (who gets his smouldering looks from his half-Chinese heritage) getting ready Mika-style (cue the “We Are Golden” video) to dance the night away. You won’t be surprised to find yourself wanting to join him. While “Over You” doesn’t really cover any new ground, it’s a breezy near-four minutes that makes its good-timey presence known immediately.
Through his Steve Starchild cover videos and most recently the well-received “All American Boy”, Illinois singer/guitarist/pianist Steve Grand has a talent that is undeniably contagious. In his latest video for new song “Stay”, Steve and friends celebrate the good times with a huge party where being happy in one’s own skin is part of that party, instead of being separated out or given special attention. Of course it’s our guy Steve’s video, so spotlight this time is on him and his guy, but the video has a much bigger vision and kudos to the director for that. The song doesn’t exactly fit into what I normally have occupying my playlist, bridging pop, rock and country quite handily, but it’s refreshing and shows off Steve’s huge talent just fine, thank you. Two months later, his Facebook posts show Steve Grand as a well-rooted, ever-thankful, genuine young man. Other singers are wise to take note. Looking forward to seeing Steve’s show whenever it rolls into my town.
It has quietly slipped onto the scene as the lead song from Nick Hagelin’s upcoming Streamline/Interscope album – a year and a half after it debuted on Soundcloudwhen I wrote about it, quickly becoming (and remaining as) my most-read post in the history of this blog! But I’m glad to see this slick video telling the story of this sweet-and-sour breakup song which might be the counterpart to Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor”. With all of the smooth R&B/pop singers breaking through in 2013, is there room for another? I say a BIG yes to Nick, who has been building up this release with many sterling covers that I’ve written about, including Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Eric Benet’s “Sometimes I Cry”. This video and song gives Nick more direct streetwise cred – you’ll definitely think of Drake – which seems to be otherwise lacking in many other releases this year. Been waiting for that full album, sooo looking forward to it!!
No sooner than his album Between was released this past Spring, FrankMusik was already planning to issue an acoustic version called Between Us. It saw release last week, and the prolific singer/songwriter/everything guy has created the perfect vocal-and-piano flipside to the EDM emotional rollercoaster of the original album. That’s not to say that there’s any less emotion in these stripped down versions, in fact the emotional basis of the songs is in many cases quite heightened. But we also hear what songs perhaps fit better as dance revelations, while others do fare better with just voice and piano. And some are clearly fine in both versions.
In fact, I like “Map” and “Captain” as much as I do the originals. With “Map”, it aches with sadness in this rendition, while “Captain” is still a storm of a slightly different bent. “Cake” seems to be a much more obviously angry song stripped of its frenetic production, and I definitely connect better with “Pins and Needles” in its Between Us version. “Did Love” becomes less of a big production number and more of a solo climactic point. “Thank You” is arguably the most heartfelt song on the record. And there’s a new song that could easily generate some tears. “Hymn” is a “hymn” as much about “him” (the Other Guy) as it is about his ex. Even if you’ve never been in that kind of messy situation, the song is a piece of storytelling bar none and should be heard (below).
Kudos to Vincent Frank for laying most of his emotional cards on the table for us to hear in 2013, along with some Between States USA shows this past summer (with what I hope will be more to come) and undoubtedly more projects up his creative sleeves. As a bonus treat, take a listen to FrankMusik’s lovely electronic cover of The Beatles’ “From Me To You” below.
After tantalizing us with two EP’s Fashionably Late Parts I & II earlier this year, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Travis Garland is completely on point with his full-fledged debut album release. It’s crammed with stories about relationships (some songs darker than others), longing, having fun, having sex… set to layered tracks produced by The Stereotypes which are alternately funky, danceable, stripped away – but almost always on the R&B/soul tip perhaps more so than in the pop genre. You’ll certainly think of Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Usher, Michael Jackson as you listen… but at the end you will definitely think Travis Garland!
You’ve already heard the stunning (and personal faves of mine) “Blue Electric Roses” and “Homewrecker” (which seem to stand in tact from the Part II EP), but “Where To Land” has been re-recorded sans the rap, and “Abby Lee” (from Part I) becomes a fun jam.I wrote about new single “Clouds” as well as album preview “Motel Pool” last week. Counting those two, that’s 10 completely new songs on the album. A standout is the stylish and Spanish-influenced dance number “Easy” (above), which is begging for remixes and dance club attention! Not what I expected to find within, so Travis definitely has surprises in store for us all. “Pullin’ My Hair” (below) bridges rap, funk and calypso, giving it a streetwise flavour. “Modern Life” is probably the most amped up rock-oriented song within. “AllSheWannaDo” is most reminiscent of JT circa FutureSexLoveSounds. Bonus song “1 Of 1” combines MJ vocals with a retro 80’s vibe.
What’s important too about this album is that it debuted within the Top 20 on USA iTunes on the day of its release. Travis Garland is not signed to a major label, it’s an independent release. Travis has some pretty big celebrity supporters too. Be sure to listen to this record, one of the best of 2013, and join what will undoubtedly be a huge musical joyride for Travis Garland for the rest of the year 🙂
Hey! The BILLCS Music Blog is now 4 years old! My chart however has been around a lot longer, debuting online 15 1/2 years ago in January 1998. So without further adieu, here’s edition #413 😀
No change to the Top 5 songs. Kaden’s slick and memorable “Black Light” reigns at #1 again, while contender “As Long As You Love Me” by Ryan Adamés (below) hangs at #3 again. Only songs by Kylie Minogue and Anton Ewald switch places, with “Skirt” achieving a #4 high matched for her only by last year’s “Timebomb”.
One of the best Canadian pop hits of 2013 is Neverest’s smashing “Rewind”(below), which is the fastest riser on the chart, soaring 15-6. Could a #1 berth in the coming weeks be possible? Hmmmm…
NYC’s Andy Suzuki & The Method are coming to a city near you? You’ll likely get to hear their indie musician anthem “Dirty Floors” (concert version below), which also continues its climb to #7.
Lawson put on a heck of a show with Neverest on August 30, with new single “Juliet” coming in October and a Chapman Square Part II album too (North American release please!). In the meantime, “Brokenhearted” rises to #8.
Yesterday, FrankMusik released a gorgeous acoustic repackaging of his album Between called Between Us, on which you will get to hear a much less driven “Life (Is My Revenge)” still come across with a lot of power. The song moves up to #9.
Also released yesterday is Travis Garland’s self-titled album, which does indeed contain the unique and thought-provoking “Homewrecker”, which is now #10.
Look what’s just sitting outside the Top 10? Why it’s “Turn Back The Night” by Justin Timberlake, which is better than any other song on The 20/20 Experience yet seems to be underperforming. Think Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall, folks. It’s #12 on my chart.
“Applause” by Lady GaGa is not wasting any time proving that it’s a Top 5 contender on my chart. It puts the pedal to the metal and ends up at #13.
Is Lorde’s “Royals” suddenly overexposed with its pop radio success? Nonetheless, you’ve gotta give it credit for being what will likely be one of the defining songs for 2013. It’s up to #14.
If you’re in the UK, go out and see Sam Dickinson in concert because this lad can sing his soul out. His single “Learn To Wait” (below) comes from his top notch album The Stories That Occurred, and moves up to #15.
Waiting ever so patiently for the official release of Monsieur Adi & A*M*E’s dynamic “What’s Going On” (below)! This splendid recreation of Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life” goes BOOM in the best ways and rises to #18.
Meanwhile, Natalia Kills’ sophomore release Trouble arrived last week on the heels of second single “Saturday Night”. The Kat Krazy remix of her first single from the album “Problem” continues to build and moves to #19.
Two more of last week’s debuts are well on their way. “Somebody Loves You” by Betty Who jumps to #22, while “Ma Radio” by Osvaldo-with-a-boombox-Supino sails to #24.
Four particularly potent debuts arrive on the chart.
There had to be a way for the ever-so-talented Miguel to climb on to my chart, seeing that I arrived so late at Grammy time for his album Kaleidoscope Dream and the Top 20 hit “Adorn”? Well, thanks to Nick of theChart Shaker music blog,“Adorn” does indeed land on my chart, in a startlingly grand remix featuring the glorious Jessie Ware at #21.
While 2013 year end #1 contender “Vocal” sits pretty at #2 again, the second single from Pet Shop Boys’ Electric sees release, and it’s my next favourite on the album, featuring such classic PSB lyrics and imagery, “Love Is A Bourgeois Construct” at #23.
As Parralox’s “Silent Morning” almost ends its run on the chart, another one of the most infectious songs premieres from their choice album of cover versions Recovery. And it’s an odd choice for a cover but it’s done so well! “Headhunter” (#26) was an industrial dance hit for Front 242 back in 1988, and John von Ahlen’s vocal provides a perfectly complimentary and contemporary update.
The collection of electronica and danceable pop on the collection This Beat Is… Poptronik! Volume Two will keep you dancing through to the winter months. One of its best songs that HASNT’ already appeared on my chart is the wistful end of summer tune “I Remember” by Nick Pes which bows at #27. It’s in good company with 7 other performers who are still or have appeared on my chart: FrankMusik (former #1 “Map”), Adam Tyler (#29), Parralox and Ryan Adamés (#30), Kaden (#1) , Osvaldo Supino (#24), Killian Wells (#11), and Tao Hypah.
I’ve been saying it for months now since I heard Parts I & II of his Fashionably Late EP’s: Big things are in store for L.A. based singer/songwriter Travis Garland. It almost makes his debut single “Believe” from 2010, released by Geffen Records no less, seem like a false start. Travis continues with his polished soulful tones and gritty undertones with new single “Clouds” and album track “Motel Pool”, premiered no less by Ryan Seacrest last week, and produced by heavyweights The Stereotypes. “Clouds” is perhaps the biggest pop explosion we might hear from Travis in his new songs. My comments want to drift into descriptions like “lighter weight”, and “breezier” than his other songs, but I don’t want these words to detract from a solid, romantic and sexy pop song. Personally, I think there’s much more to come in his self-titled album, which features most of the songs from the previous EP’s (I’ll wager, like FrankMusik, Travis and team may have kicked them up a notch for the album).
“Motel Pool” is to me the more interesting of the pair, much more of a sizzling R&B story-song companion to beauties like (my #1) “Blue Electric Roses”, “Neighbor”, or “Homewrecker”. Makes ya just want to dive in and keep swimming! The album is out on September 10 and is certain only to create the best kind of buzz because a lot of people have been waiting for it. In the meantime, get “Clouds” on iTunes.
NYC trio Liquid Diet – featuring Australian Georgia Haege (yes she of “Kiss My Lipstick Off”, and about to tour with “Mamma Mia”!), witty Californian Billy Hanson, and electromaster Jonathan Sorge – should be far from the best-kept-secret that they are. Their playful “Hand Dance” captured my ears and thoughts a while back, and after gigging in NYC they have now released the thoughtful nu.disco epic “Writing On The Wall”. It’s available as a free download in a much zingier mix than was leaked a few weeks back. The song connects with me as I remember so much good feeling, thoughtful disco in my younger years. What Liquid Diet adds to the mix is a fine balance of vocals by Georgia and Billy, as well as repartee and innuendo that shows there’s much more to their music than just shuffling your feet. I’m sure this translates to an exhilarating club concert performance. “Writing On The Wall” is crisp dance music that would segue nicely with other favourites of mine by fellow NYCers Penguin Prison or Jessica 6. And if “Hand Dance” wasn’t pushing it a bit (in a Cyndi Lauper kind of way), Liquid Diet has also unleashed the naughty and definitely NSFW “My C**t”, also a free download. Listen below in the confines of your vivid imagination. You will blush. And, perhaps you will gasp. But you should just dance 🙂
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.