BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

With @adamtylerx Love’s Gotta Be “Concrete”

ADAM TYLER “Concrete”

From a forthcoming EP that will also include “Fade Into The Light” (which recently got to #9 on my chart), LA-based pop/EDM singer/songwriter Adam Tyler has launched one of his best songs in “Concrete”. Lyrically and melodically, this song has it all. Take the best elements of many of Adam’s songs from his Shattered Ice album, mix them with a contemporary and edgy production that started with “Fade Into The Light”, and add a sly, sexy vocal break reminiscent of “Like A Drug”. The video for “Concrete” also captures many of Adam’s best moments on tour around the world over the past two years ago, as well as snippets from his other videos. Adam Tyler does not let up with giving you the goods each time he releases new music,. He engages with fans regularly on Twitter and in online chats, and is once again a featured artist on the dance compilation This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume Two. Can’t wait to see what other new music Adam has in store for us on the EP. Watch “Concrete” above.

You Know That Voice and It’s @MatJolyMusic : “Don’t Tell The Girl”

MAT JOLY “Don’t Tell The Girl”

Singer Mat Joly has one of the most recognizable voices in Canadian pop music over the last 10 years or so, you just may not know him by name. Mat was the vocalist for the successful Quebec band Mobile on their 2005 Tomorrow Starts Today and 2008 Tales Of The City albums, which yielded huge radio hits in “See Right Through Me”, “Out Of My Head”, and “The Killer”. I was fortunate to see Mat perform in an acoustic showcase this past Spring, and this new song “Don’t Tell The Girl” is a great shot of rock that could fare equally as well as the Mobile hits, with a choppy guitar riff and solid vocal that keep you listening until you realize that the song seems all too brief at under three minutes. But that’s tidy and tight, and an album is in progress, so you’ll be hearing more from Mat Joly this year. Listen below.

@lisajstansfield Returns After Almost 10 Years with “Can’t Dance”

LISA STANSFIELD “Can’t Dance”

I was delighted to find out that British singer Lisa Stansfield will be releasing her new album Seven this Fall, her first in almost ten years, and that it is being preceded by the slick and retro R&B-inflected song that captures her signature style, “Can’t Dance”.

Lisa started off as a member of dance outfit Coldcut with their hit “People Hold On”, in the late 80’s, and went on to have million-selling hits that are still played today such as the sinewy “All Around The World”, the emotional dance pop of “This Is The Right Time”, and “Real Love”, which became her 3rd R&B chart #1. One of her best vocal performances is in the cover of Cole Porter’s “Down In The Depths” from the Red, Hot & Blue project, and she also tackled Barry White’s “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” in the late 90’s.

“Can’t Dance” is one of those songs that will light up Nu Disco dance floors with that familiar voice of hers – I’m hoping there will be some remixes to ensure its success in clubs. Listen above.

BILLCS Top 30 #411 – August 12/13

My new Top 10 song listing has had such a major overhaul in the last two weeks that leaves some rising songs temporarily stranded below the Top 10.

The Top 3 songs remain the same by a considerable margin. Would I have ever imagined a Pet Shop Boys holding at #1 in 2013 (with “Vocal”) for a fourth appearance (eighth week)? Get the entire Electric album, it’s excellent.
No longer a teen as of this past week, Swedish sensation Anton Ewald hangs at #2 again with “Begging”, while Dan Black & Kelis cannot break through the roadblock with “Hearts” to advance beyond #3.
It happened back in June, and it’s happened again. The highest debut on the chart bows at #4. The song that did just that 10 weeks ago – “Vocal” by Pet Shop Boys! This bodes very well for L.A. singer Kaden, as my long wait to have “Black Light” officially on release ended, as I wrote about last week, leaving the song that I heard and loved many months ago to arrive at #4 (particularly the Stormby remix below). PSB and Anton Ewald, your competition has arrived. Kaden will also appear with new music on Volume 2 of the dance compilation This Beat Is…Poptronik!

After premiering at a smashing #8 two weeks ago, “As Long As You Love Me” by Ryan Adamés can only climb to #5, but should continue to move forward. This is one cover version that has received more positive reaction from people for whom I’ve played it than any other in recent memory.
Even though Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” slips to #7 because of this fierce competition, don’t overlook the fact that it might climb back up… just saying.
Kylie Minogue’s “Skirt” continues to make its presence known even if the rest of the world isn’t falling head over heels for it outside of dance clubs. It’s the fastest riser, again, vaulting 19-8.
On the eve of some brand new music in the form of new song “Concrete”, as well as a recent cover of Zedd’s “Clarity”, L.A. singer Adam Tyler climbs up to #9 with his dance delight “Fade Into The Light”. Like Kaden, Adam appears on Volume 2 of This Beat Is…Poptronik!
After performing a free show this weekend in New York City, Andy Suzuki & The Method will soon announce a tour. Their gritty song “Dirty Floors” moves to #10 on the chart (listen below).

You can view the full Top 30 using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page. Any free downloads that are identified are sanctioned by the performer. There’s always a tiny place at the bottom of the blog post with tags and the statement “Leave A Comment” – please feel free to do so

Though songs like “Black Light”, “As Long As You Love Me”, and “Skirt” are charging into the Top 10, there are some mighty fine songs waiting to get there…

We have the story of the two point rise happening on this chart. Participating in this event are songs by Lawson, Killian Wells (& Kristinia DeBarge, FrankMusik, Kim Smith, Travis Garland (songs 12-16 respectively), Amelia’s Fault with Color Theory at #18, Sam Dickinson at #20, and Eric Saade (whose new album Forgive Me is coming soon) at #22. Slow and steady keeps the pace! Both FrankMusik and Killian Wells also have songs on Volume 2 of This Beat Is…Poptronik! making it four performers on what will be a crazy collection of contemporary dance pop and europop! The stylishly futuristic Liam Curry album cover is above.

In-between this activity, we have our second debut, “Take Back The Night” by Justin Timberlake (above) at #17 (while “Let The Groove Get In” slips to #19), from the upcoming Part II of The 20/20 Experience. To me this song is better than any song within Part I. Its roots appear to be based in Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album, and the results are more than just slick, they are exquisite.
Lorde’s “Royals” advances only four places to #21, but should gain more in the coming weeks. The song will be on everyone’s tongue by the end of the summer and she will advance to play bigger gigs – her show at the small venue The Hoxton in Toronto sold out quickly, among others.

Third of five debuts belongs to Canadian quartet Neverest, with their tough new single “Rewind” at #23, which I wrote about a while back. Watch for what looks like an intense video coming soon! Listen above.
After my chronicle of the recent success of French electro-meister Monsieur Adi, it’s appropriate that his pairing with A*M*E arrives on the chart. “What’s Going On”, essentially a rework of Soul II Soul’s 1989 hit “Back To Life”, debuts at #28.
I haven’t written about her before, and I’m a bit behind on this one, considering there has already been a subsequent single, but there’s no time like the present to help turn you on to British singer Natalia Kills with “Problem”, from her upcoming album Trouble, at #29. It’s the Kat Krazy remix that gives this one the boost for me 🙂

Remixes Galore: The Rise of @MonsieurAdi

MONSIEUR ADI, Remixes and “What’s Going On” (featuring A*M*E)

Beyoncé, “Grown Woman”; Mikky Ekko, “Kids”; Bastille, “Pompeii”; Capital Cities, “Safe & Sound”; Seal, “Crazy”; Jamie N Commons, “Rumble Away”; Say Lou Lou, “Julian”; Swiss Lips, “U Got The Power”; Laura Mvula, “Green Garden”; Lana Del Rey, “Summertime Sadness”; Don Diablo featuring Noonie Bao, “M1 Stinger”; Lana Del Rey, “Born To Die”.

I’m so very pleased to have heard the rise of 26 year old French producteur, remixeur, et magicien des electroniques, Monsieur Adi, over the past three years with his own songs like “We Are The Romans” and the aggressive instrumental “Chariot”, as well as initial remixes like the heavily 80’s flavoured “Situation” by New York singer Javi Silva.

Since that time, le Monsieur has gradually become the go-to-guy for unique and very personalized remixes for the likes of Ellie Goulding, Darren Hayes (who have both lavished praise upon him in social media), and Lana Del Rey among others. He released his own EP last year called Fire Fire Fire, and it’s all resulting in an hour long A-list of remixes (which you can hear streamed above) as well as enhancing songs by newer performers like Swiss Lips and Say Lou Lou.

In particular, I’m really impressed with his takes on the new Beyoncé song “Grown Woman”, and Mikky Ekko’s solo bid for stardom after being featured in Rihanna’s “Stay”, “Kids”. His remix of “Pompeii” by Bastille got me into that song, and it looks like the same will happen with the current hit “Safe & Sound” by Capital Cities. But most outstanding of late has been his collaboration with young UK-based chart topper A*M*E, “What’s Going On”, below, which completely transforms one of my favourite late 80’s smashes, Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life”, with A*M*E amply filling the big shoes of Caron Wheeler. SMASH. And more to come, OUI OUI! 🙂

Official and On Release: “Black Light” by @kaden

KADEN, “Black Light”

At last! I wrote about “Black Light” by L.A. singer Kaden back in April. I’m pleased to say that it’s now officially available in just about any shape of a remix imaginable that might involve Stormby (below), Chris Jay, Sebastian Delsalto, David Bernardi and much more. No word yet on a reshot video which I hinted at earlier other than the teaser above. That’s oksy, for now I think the original video (below) is a terrific showcase for Kaden that totally suits the mood and imagery of the song. Bound to be one of my favourites of 2013! Waiting patiently pays off 😛 Buy it on iTunes now!!

Are You Theirs? L.A. Quartet @saintmotel Sing About “My Type”

SAINT MOTEL, “My Type”

It’s no surprise that Saint Motel have continued with a big, bold and brassy sound on their new single “My Type”. Their debut album of last year, Voyeur, incorporated a diverse blend of styles, but heavily influenced by jazz and/or big bands in songs like (natch) “Benny Goodman” and “Puzzle Pieces”. “My Type” will certainly send you to the dance floor (and some remixes might be nice…) with its catchy horn riff. Led by singer A/J Jackson, Saint Motel is tight in concert, and they are on a summer tour across the U.S. and the west coast of Canada, so do catch them if you can. As with all of their past visuals, I’m certain we will also see another unique and creative video directed by A/J in the near future too. You can buy “My Type” on iTunes or Bandcamp.

@ryanstar’s New EP Animals

RYAN STAR, Animals (EP)

Following my recent posts about new smashing single “Impossible” and another song on Animals, “Fuck’n Up”, today (August 5, 2013) saw the release of Ryan Star’s Animals EP independently worldwide. Its songs are as much about reflecting on the past and our hopes and dreams, as they are moving forward boldly, unapologetically, and confidently. It’s the story of Ryan’s live these past 10 years or so, and with every venture there are so many positives that have been built along the way, resulting in a hugely dedicated fan base that will likely sell out all of Ryan’s shows in NYC this week.

As introspective as the songs may seem at times, Ryan does not hold back when he wants to rock out, and such a great example of this is in the closer “My Life With You” (below), which transforms into an emotional anthem about half way through. Other new songs “Bullet” and “The World I Used To Know” all command your attention, “Bullet” particularly drawing you in as the opening song with its 7 minutes + length. Animals is Ryan Star choosing to wear his honest songs gloriously on his sleeve, but this time the songs are hungrier and raw, and fans old and new will love it.

Mechanical Mixtape Previews New @sam_sparro Songs

SAM SPARRO, Mechanical (mixtape)

After engaging the Twitterverse in a Q&A chat this evening, L.A.-based and Australia-born singer Sam Sparro uniquely unleashed some new songs on the world interspersed with others on a 30 minute mixtape called Mechanical (above). His new album, Quantum Physical Volume One will drop in September – nary a year after sophomore album Return To Paradise was released. It will be preceded by single “Hang On 2 Your Love”, another fantastic upbeat pop/dance song that neatly follows last year’s “Happiness”. Given the light, house-y tone of the heavily R&B-flavoured Mechanical, I suspect the new record will be more fun than a forest of koalas. Sam’s included excerpts of songs (some larger than others) by Rihanna, Aaliyah, Kendrick Lamar, Disclosure, new UK sensation Sam Smith, Rosie Gaines (“Closer Than Close”!), and Janet Jackson. Put Quantum Physical Volume One on your list for an enjoyable finale to your summer!

@RyanStar Waxes Eloquent About “F*ck’n Up”

RYAN STAR, “F*ck’n Up”

After previously debuting the emotionally charged single “Impossible” at the end of July, we are now on the eve of the arrival of Ryan Star’s Animals EP, due Monday. Last week, ARTISTDirect debuted another song, “F*ck’n Up”. It’s a slow and deliberate ode to what anyone can do as we grow up – screw up royally. And while it doesn’t seem like it at the time, life does go on though it has been inextricably changed. Ryan has so very eloquently written how to get this across to just about anyone, and I’m sure when he holds court at 4 gigs in NYC next week, “F*ck’n Up” will be one of the biggest crowd-pleasers of each evening. Listen above.