From a trio that came to my attention almost two years ago, and who I always enjoy seeing in concert, Toronto-area rock band In My Coma give visuals to “Voices”, one of the songs that always sounds great played live, from their long-lasting debut album Magnets And Miracles. Clips of the trio – singer/guitarist Jasper James, bassist LauraDoll, and drummer Mike Paterson – are interspersed with a gritty and somewhat creepy setting at a fair that’s as mysterious as “Twin Peaks”. You’re going to watch it a few times for some interesting imagery. The video is very well shot, just in time for Hallowe’en (and a handy companion to an earlier video for “Believe Me”), and makes a memorable showcase for In My Coma. The band is currently recording songs for its followup to Magnets And Miracles.
The new chart has an unexpected double whammy from a talented young Italian artist who knows how to seamlessly and successfully bridge emotional pop with dance music. But first…
In the Top 10:
The Top 3 is solid with a reason. “Black Light” by Kaden is #1 for a 4th appearance (8th week), but the top could be taken in two weeks by “As Long As You Love Me” by Ryan Adamés or Toronto’s Neverest with “Rewind”. And Lady GaGa’s “Applause” slides into 4th place as we ready for the onslaught of ARTPOP promos a month in advance of the album’s release. So the next #1 is fair game! Travis Garland’s “Homewrecker”, from his self-titled debut album, rises to a new high of #6, as does Justin Timberlake, from the newly released 20/20 Experience Part II, with “Take Back The Night” at #7.
Fastest Risers:
No indeed, “We Can’t Stop Summertime Sadness”. DATABOY’s brillo mashup is a perfect end of summer song that contains some of the Austin lads’ (Cameron and Adam) best vocals. It climbs 25-18.
“Adorn” by Miguel featuring Jessie Ware moves 13-8, and ya never know, it could have its eyes on the top of the chart, too.
It’s great to see UK indie singer Sam Dickinson jump into the Top 10 with “Learn To Wait”, as he prepares a video for a softer, emotional song “Lift Your Head”, from his album The Stories That Occurred.
Betty Who’s “Somebody Loves You” jumps out of my stereo and iPod Touch whenever I play it, and gains momentum on the chart, soaring to #10.
It appears that Pet Shop Boys ditched “Love Is A Bourgeois Construct” as a follow-up single to “Vocal” in favour of “Thursday”, featuring UK dance artist Example. That won’t stop the song from edging its way to the Top 10, as it lands at #12 this week.
New to the Chart:
Yes, that Italian singer I mentioned at the top along with his new video for the poignant “I Have A Name” is indeed Osvaldo Supino. While he has a penchant for the naughty and double entendre, he is at his best either having great fun with his boombox in the video for “Ma Radio” (which advances to #17) or being ultra-sincere with “I Have A Name”. The video captures those moments in time… some you don’t want to relive, and some you do. It’s from Osvaldo’s latest album Exposed (as is Ma Radio), and is also part of the amazing dance compilation that is This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume 2. The song arrives at #21.
In a few weeks, “Juliet” by Lawson will take over the UK charts when their Chapman Square Chapter II album will also be released. What’s in store for North America will likely centre around “Learn To Love Again” (#5 here earlier in the year) and a variation of the new album. Can’t wait! “Juliet” debuts at #26.
It takes a lot of a song to stick with me amid so much other great new music. I don’t often draw from the Disney channel cadre of artists, but I was truly impressed when I saw Zendaya perform in concert this past summer. “Replay” has become a modest pop hit already from her debut self-titled album, and still stuck in my head, premieres at #27.
Lastly, Anton Ewald’s A EP has been the Europop winner this year that is normally held by the likes of Eric Saade. With Eric’s album focusing more on softer, lyrical songs, Anton’s already grabbed a big win with “Begging”, still on the chart after peaking at #2. “Can’t Hold Back” is simply energetic Europop at its best and bows at #28. You can also pick up Anton’s A Acoustic EP online.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and details web edition of my chart.
Here’s the full basic BILLCS Top 30
01 01 BLACK LIGHT (Stormby remix) Kaden 02 02 AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Ryan Adamés 03 03 REWIND Neverest 06 04 APPLAUSE Lady GaGa 04 05 SKIRT Kylie Minogue 08 06 HOMEWRECKER Travis Garland 09 07 TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Justin Timberlake 13 08 ADORN Miguel featuring Jessie Ware 11 09 LEARN TO WAIT Sam Dickinson 16 10 SOMEBODY LOVES YOU Betty Who 12 11 ROYALS Lorde 17 12 LOVE IS A BOURGEOIS CONSTRUCT Pet Shop Boys 05 13 VOCAL Pet Shop Boys 15 14 PROBLEM (Kat Krazy remix) Natalia Kills 20 15 HEADHUNTER Parralox 21 16 I REMEMBER Nick Pes 22 17 MA RADIO Osvaldo Supino 25 18 WE CAN’T STOP SUMMERTIME SADNESS Databoy 07 19 DIRTY FLOORS Andy Suzuki & The Method 24 20 HYMN FrankMusik New 21 I HAVE A NAME Osvaldo Supino 10 22 BEGGING Anton Ewald 14 23 BROKENHEARTED Lawson featuring B.o.B. 29 24 IMPOSSIBLE Ryan Star 19 25 LIFE (IS MY REVENGE) FrankMusik New 26 JULIET Lawson New 27 REPLAY Zendaya New 28 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald 26 29 WINNING GROUND Eric Saade 28 30 HEARTS Dan Black featuring Kelis
It seems like 19 year old Nottingham, England-born Jake Bugg’s self-titled album was only just released, with the top of 2013 all abuzz about the baby-faced folk-rock singer with gritty, street-wise lyrics. The album went to #1 in the UK and sold out concert dates everywhere followed. Jake’s new album Shangri-La is already due for release in November, and ahead of that we’ve got “What Doesn’t Kill You” to tweak our interest. The song would have comfortably fit into the British post-punk era of rock, and certainly stands out as unique in today’s alt.rock. I don’t think there are pop radio designs on this song but perhaps others will follow. If you liked Matthew Koma’s “1998” from his EP earlier this year, that might help give some context, though Matthew skews more pop than Jake. “What Doesn’t Kill You” is available worldwide on iTunes.
The sophomore album by L.A.-based singer JMSN (aka Christian Berishaj) is on deck for November 5. It’s called †Pllajë†, similarly looking to last year’s †Priscilla†, but this time it appears the title is a variation of the French word for beach, ‘plage’. In advance of the album we have “Walk Away”, another haunting foray until JMSN’s stories which may have real-life aspects about them. This one’s about a guy who can’t leave a relationship despite the other person bent on self-destruction. I saw JMSN in June in Toronto and his songs and multi-octave voice translate very well to a club setting – and so many people in the audience knew the words to the songs he played from †Priscilla†. Look for more new songs from JMSN soon and in the meantime pick up “Walk Away” on iTunes.
In support of the Spring release of theirfine, fine album Born Out Of Mischief, New York City trio Andy Suzuki & The Method offer the video take on their lead single “Keep Me Running”. Like some of the songs within the album, the video perfectly illustrates the seamier side of life that is often right in front of our noses. It’s a day in the life of Lucy – and it’s not much of a life to be honest – as she is clearly on a downward spiral and isn’t about to stop it. Along the way, she has fun with our boys – Andy, Jason, and Kozza – a high point in a meager existence. Born Out Of Mischief contains many interesting slice-of-life stories and you should do yourself a huge favour and pick it up on iTunes. Andy Suzuki & The Method have recently been touring, and there will be more tour dates – tonight (October 5) you can catch them at the Mercury Lounge in NYC.
London-based Irish singer Maighréad follows up hersummer single release “Sooner”with its accompanying video. The singer looks wonderful amid a beautiful outdoor scenic backdrop fashioned by producers Diz.co. It’s highly complimentary to the emotional side of the song, which brings longing and regret to the dance floor through the hot electronica rhythm of the song, yet isolates those feelings in the visual setting. This classy video should help take Maighréad to the next level as she promotes the single. You can get it on iTunes.
A little while ago, I labelled“What’s Going On” as a SMASH. And indeed it will, come official release by Sony on November 17. This is great news for producer and remixer extraordinaire Monsieur Adi in teaming up with British singer A*M*E for their rework of the Soul II Soul 1989 hit “Back To Life”. The two things that drive this song are the magical electronic melodies fashioned by Adi along with the powerhouse vocal by A*M*E, given that Caron Wheeler’s original is so hard to top. And in the video we get to see A*M*E owning every scene she’s in, plus, at last, le Monsieur himself! Love the fashion too – a chunk of money was invested in this video and it shows. In about a month or so, watch for “What’s Going On” to go BOOM.
“Black Light” by L.A. singer Kaden rides the top of the chart for a third appearance, while Ryan Adamés’ ever-stunning ballad turn of Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me” is now at #2. Just to make it interesting, Toronto’s Neverest glides to #3 with their rivetting “Rewind”.
Fastest Risers:
I’m on a mission to get Miguel’s “Adorn” to be a bigger hit than it was at the top of 2013. Thanks to an exquisite remix featuring Jessie Ware, the song zips up my chart to #13.
Lady GaGa looks to have one of her biggest charting songs here with “Applause” racing to #6.
“Somebody Loves You” by Betty Who had the viral delight of being featured in a massive marriage proposal announcement video for two men in Salt Lake City. Indeed it is a beautiful song that fits the occasion and moves up to #16.
Other newcomers to the chart besides “Adorn” last week all climb up six places: “Love Is A Bourgeois Construct” by Pet Shop Boys (video is on its way), “Headhunter” by Parralox, and “I Remember” by Nick Pes, from the must-have dance compilation This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume Two!
New to the Chart:
I’ve already written about the three premieres, but they are all well worth repeating.
It was almost an instantaneous decision to add the lone new song from FrankMusik’s Between Us acoustic piano album, “Hymn”, and it arrives at #24. It’s one of Vince’s most painful and beautiful songs to date. I’ll have to check, but I don’t think there has been a chart in 2013 that has not featured a FrankMusik song!
Right behind at #25 is DATABOY’s devistatingly original mashup “We Can’t Stop Summertime Sadness”, seamlessly blending the Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey songs in an electronica way that you could never have imagined. And you can see the guys sing their hearts out in the video – can’t wait until they can tour. More new music on the way soon from Cameron and Adam! Download it for free after watching the video using the link below the video 🙂 I think the only other ‘mashup’ I’ve charted was Pet Shop Boys’ blend of “Viva La Vida” and “Domino Dancing” a few years back, though another worthy one is Penguin Prison’s “GoldenTrain/Working Day And Night”.
Ryan Star is currently accepting pledges to fund his upcoming album via PledgeMusic. He’s already recently released a well-received EP of his thoughtful form of rock, and sold out four shows in New York City at the beginning of August. His single from the EP deserves some belated attention, so “Impossible” arrives at #29, joining a slew of other Ryan Star songs to appear on the chart, including the Top 5 “Right Now”, “Last Train Home”, and “Breathe”.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and details web edition of my chart.
Here’s the full basic BILLCS Top 30 🙂
01 01 BLACK LIGHT (Stormby remix) Kaden 03 02 AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Ryan Adamés 06 03 REWIND Neverest 04 04 SKIRT Kylie Minogue 02 05 VOCAL Pet Shop Boys 13 06 APPLAUSE Lady GaGa 07 07 DIRTY FLOORS Andy Suzuki & The Method 10 08 HOMEWRECKER Travis Garland 12 09 TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Justin Timberlake 05 10 BEGGING Anton Ewald 15 11 LEARN TO WAIT Sam Dickinson 14 12 ROYALS Lorde 21 13 ADORN Miguel featuring Jessie Ware 08 14 BROKENHEARTED Lawson featuring B.o.B. 19 15 PROBLEM (Kat Krazy remix) Natalia Kills 22 16 SOMEBODY LOVES YOU Betty Who 23 17 LOVE IS A BOURGEOIS CONSTRUCT Pet Shop Boys 18 18 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E 09 19 LIFE (IS MY REVENGE) FrankMusik 26 20 HEADHUNTER Parralox 27 21 I REMEMBER Nick Pes 24 22 MA RADIO Osvaldo Supino 11 23 REMIX MY LOVE Killian Wells featuring Kristinia Debarge New 24 HYMN FrankMusik New 25 WE CAN’T STOP SUMMERTIME SADNESS DATABOY 17 26 WINNING GROUND Eric Saade 16 27 BLURRED LINES Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell Williams 20 28 HEARTS Dan Black featuring Kelis New 29 IMPOSSIBLE Ryan Star 28 30 I THINK I LOVE YOU Bongiovanni
I’m so very pleased to say that he’s done it again, and it’s not of the oops! kind. Welsh-born London-based Rod Thomas, as Bright Light Bright Light, has many more masterstrokes of words and melody to unleash from his head, so it’s time to tear up a bit while you’re dancing to “An Open Heart”. But as sad as some of Rod’s songs may be, they often include many happy or joyous moments, which make you feel reassured that everything is all right again at the end. Co-written with Ian Masterton, “An Open Heart” reminds me most at times of my favourite BLx2 song “Love Part II” with its focus on gorgeous upper scale synth notes that end up embedded in your head after a mere listen. “An Open Heart” is from BLx2’s forthcoming EP of new songs In Your Care, due in November. Rod is back in New York City in October, including a full band show at Joe’s Pub on October 25. Take in FrankMusik’s show the night before you lucky NYCers (I’m thinking of you Jamie Sward!) and your end of the week might never be the same! Dare I say that this could be one of the best songs of 2013 this early on? 🙂
Immediately following amassively successful and original mashup of Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” called “We Can’t Stop Summertime Sadness”(with over 10,000 You Tube views already), Austin duo DATABOY pairs up once again with Danish producer Kid Massive for the percolating electronica of “Daylight” on the prestigious dance label Strictly Rhythm. Earlier this year the lads and Kid Massive had a Top 5 UK club hit with the ear candy of “Good Girlfriend”. “Daylight” adds Swedish duo WeSmile’s voices into the mix and the result is enticing dance pop that keeps you listening while your feet are shuffling. Pick it up on Beatport!
DATABOY, “Daylight” (acoustic)
Even better to me is the free download of an acoustic version of “Daylight” by DATABOY. It uses beautiful violin to excellent effect to substitute for dance music rhythms which will leave the song stuck in your head and wanting much more. DATABOY continues in the studio to follow up last year’s totally amazing album Dreams Are Gold. Download this special acoustic rendition of”Daylight” below and watch the video to see some of what DATABOY does best 🙂
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.