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 🙂
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.
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