Like in last summer’s “Daisies”, L.A.’s Raye Robinson uses whimsy and personality to their best effect in her recent pop single “Prince Charming”. And with a modern take on the fable, the song in fact is not about someone’s Prince Charming, but about the protagonist’s ability and self-confidence to do whatever she wants without needing someone to come into her life and change it. All of this is set to a compelling, jaunty and bubbly melody that will have you smiling along as you root for Raye’s character to keep going and being who she is. Raye is loaded with talent as a singer and songwriter, and “Prince Charming” is a refreshing slice-of-life tale.
“Slipping Away” features vibrant, house rhythms that immediately bring summer nights and good times in dance clubs to mind. It’s brought to you by Italy’s Deep Chills, who comes off of a highly prolific 2021 and four songs streaming over 10 million on Spotify at this time. This time he partners with Argentina-based singer/songwriter Polina Grace, who has seen success with her own solo releases as well as recent ones with producers such as Damon Sharpe. The song offers little that’s new lyrically – about a neglected lover who is gradually drifting out of a fading relationship – but Polina’s uplifting performance and Deep Chills’ rich synths and beats make “Slipping Away” a solid, distinct release to keep you dancing the night away.
We get to hear another side of Boston indie DIY talent Almost Owen with “Ordinary Day”. The song is a quietly provocative musing on recognizing when the fast paced world slows down and you don’t quite know what to do with it. Instead, it’s time to soak it all in, take a breath, and enjoy those moments. The lilting mid-tempo melody captures the mood of the lyrics, and Almost Owen offers up another fine vocal, set against a stripped-back production where every sound counts. “Ordinary Day” is easy to enjoy and as such, you’ll find that you’ll have it on repeat in due course.
“After Hours” is the kind of alt.pop song that is written when you’re high on romance and your 9-5 suddenly just becomes a job. Maryland-based Asian-American singer/songwriter BINNY is back with a carefully crafted song that sets the type of romantic evening in motion when the world stops and you don’t want it to end. It’s set to a gentle melody that plays against a ticking clock and a soothing vocal, knowing in earnest that at some point that special evening will be over, but the memories will linger on. BINNY has found a nice sweet, soft spot with his narrative in “After Hours” that listeners will enjoy, helping us relive past events and create new ones too. Because our lives often get in the way, even if we all can’t have regular idyllic times like in “After Hours”, we can be a little bit more cognizant of when they are needed, and take away how they can continue to play big parts in our lives. Check out the partially animated video up top.
To counter a pop market that is led by Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, with far too many similar singer/songwriters out there that have followed in their steps, it’s refreshing to hear Ceara Cavalieri and her new bop “Radio Silence”. Following a handful of initial singles, “Radio Silence” is an Avril Lavigne-styled post-relationship song about being ghosted after an eight month courtship. This kind of pop-rock mix for women doesn’t surface too often, and even Avril herself has dug out a new path for the style that gave her success 20 years ago with her recent releases. “Radio Silence” is sharply produced and Ceara, a recent UCLA grad, can fashion relatable lyrics out of a painful situation against a fun, exuberant backdrop that will sound fab in live performance.
NGHTMRE & SLANDER and DYLAN MATTHEW, “Fall Into Me”
Heartbreak and desperation are often popular themes in the electronic dance music world because they so suit the intensity of complex synth arrangements and huge beats. Spawned during lockdown times in the pandemic, “Fall Into Me” is by the American dream team of NGHTMRE, production duo Slander, and singer/songwriter Dylan Matthew, is destined to be a classic for festival season which is now upon us. The arrangement doesn’t go too heavy, which makes a lot of the detailed synth work really sparkle, and Dylan’s driven, weary vocal perfectly suits the backdrop. NGHTMRE and Slander have worked together several times before and the ongoing symmetry in their songs is obvious, and Dylan has worked with Slander – their song together, “Love Is Gone”, just was certified Gold. “Fall Into Me” is a powerful electronic dance release that you’ll be hearing for the rest of the year. NGHTMRE is coming off of his set at Ultra Miami, and the song is the first single from his upcoming album.
NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry launches a new phase of his solo career with the straight-up pop of “Punching Bag”. Continuing to be a go-to vocalist for numerous dance music producers, Victor releases “Punching Bag” in follow up to his well-received 2020 solo EP Rewind, whose songs (such as “What I Deserve”, which reached #2 on my personal chart) were more in the alternative R&B vein. “Punching Bag” contains a story to which we can all relate, with Victor’s pristine vocal ever-listenable. What really helps flesh out this song are the distinct harmonies, which is something that is often missing in dance releases. Produced and co-written with Brett Castro, “Punching Bag” sounds more accomplished than any of Victor’s previous solo releases, and I’m excited to hear what’s next.
I introduced you to Washington DC-area-based pop/R&B singer/songwriter Steven Thad earlier this year. His sweet and confident tones are back in the ballad “Waiting”, which is culled from his new EP The Rock Boy, and it also includes previous single “(Sometimes I Feel Like) Nothing”. Like the latter song, “Waiting” is all about the vocal and songwriting, and Steven proves that he can handle the softer side of pop/R&B with ease. “Waiting” exudes personality and charm amid a bedroom production that sometimes overpowers Steven’s lead vocal with his own harmonies. In his EP, he tackles 2000’s favourites “This Love” (Maroon 5), “Still Into You” (Paramore), “Paranoid” (Jonas Brothers) and “Since U Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson) so you can get a taste of his pop/rock sensibility, and where he wants to head with his music. I admire an indie performer with such positive ambitions, so be sure to check out Steven’s music and you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Steven discusses “Waiting” in the video below.
Fresh off my Miami vacation, the chart and blog posts are back, and this edition of the BILLCS Top 30 has five debuts that will keep you movin’ and groovin’ in one way or another. The blog post is a bit briefer than usual but the highlights are especially strong.
Darren Hayes continues to reign at #1 with the gorgeous “Let’s Try Being In Love”, but change may be afoot in two weeks thanks to some upward activity just below.
Could The Chainsmokers get their third #1 with “High”, which jumps 4-2?
The Fastest Riser two charts in a row belongs to “The Last Goodbye” by Odesza with vocals by Bettye LaVette courtesy of her 1965 R&B hit “Let Me Down Easy”. With a new album and tour on the way for Odesza, could they follow up 2018’s “Loyal” with their second #1?
Mahalo obtains his 9th Top 10 with “Careless” (11-10) in collaboration with Milkwish and Lena Leon.
“Oxygen” by Saxity and Victor Perry moves up 15-11. Victor also has a new collaboration with Norwegian producer Braaten called “My Love (La La La)”, which you can check out below.
With “Night Call” in the Top 10, Years & Years might have two simultaneously in two weeks with “Reflection” climbing 18-12. “Reflection” is from the “deluxe” edition of Night Call.
There’s plenty of healthy movement in the rest of the chart, but Glass Petals’ “Leave Your Mind Behind” has the biggest move, up 30-23.
The highest debut at #25 marks the return of French producer Mercer with his magnificent tribute, “Aretha”. The song seems to use sound bites of Aretha Franklin’s vocals, including some that sound like they are from her 1987 release “Rock-a-Lott”. I think Ms Franklin would be extremely flattered! Mercer previously got to #1 in 2018 with “Satisfy” featuring Ron Carroll.
Next at #26 is the winner of Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest and their entry to EuroVision, “Hold Me Closer” by Cornelia Jakobs. This beautiful song deserves to be a smash around the world and I think will be a contender at EuroVision.
Bowing at #27 is “Tuff” by Australian singer and producer VASSY and Florida-based producer GT_Ofice (otherwise known as Caine Sheppard). VASSY has been keeping the dance charts busy with several #1’s since 2013, and “Tuff” is a fun zinger of a collaboration that is also now a national dance radio hit.
Florence & The Machine also return to the chart for the first time since 2018 with “My Love” from the upcoming album Dance Fever. Florence and band are also touring North America, with dates just announced. It’s Florence & The Machine’s 7th chart entry, which includes two Top 5’s with “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” (#2, 2009) and the Calvin Harris remix of “Spectrum (Say My Name)” (#3, 2012).
The fifth new entry on the chart also comes from Sweden’s Melodifestivalen, the song that in fact finished third and was my underdog favourite. LIAMOO’s “Bluffin'” arrives at #29.
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.
Radio GTA– listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
Halton Hills Online– “Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the Week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” now airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA .
My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Wednesdays at 11:00 pm EST, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, on Halton Hills Onlineon Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST, and now on Mix88.ca‘s “Addictive Energy” show with Hunter Wilbur on Saturdays at 9pm EST.
With this collaboration, Sweden’s Nicky Romero and NYC-based GATTÜSO bring back sorely missed early 2010’s feels with “Afterglow” (above). The song – which has been a long time coming after being featured at EDC Las Vegas last year – is destined to be a festival favourite thanks to the skilled producers and their combined marquee value. The vocal is by co-writer Jared Lee, about whom I’ve written about several times thanks to his winning performances on Midnight Kids’ “Those Were The Days” and Autograf’s “Ain’t Deep Enough”. And you can put this one right up there with the early 2010’s classics with vocals by the likes of Ryan Tedder and Matthew Koma, among others. Stellar!
Jared also recently released his own single, the striking ballad “Breathe In, Bleed Out” (below). Just think about tough situations in your life that you have been faced with, and in the moment don’t know what to do. “Breathe In” personifies those feelings and when Jared hits his high notes the song becomes cathartic. “Breathe In, Bleed Out” is one of those gems just waiting to be discovered.
Nicky Romero plays the sold-out Ultra Music Festival in Miami this coming weekend.
GATTÜSO plays a few events during Miami Music Week, including the Mixmash Miami Pool Party on Friday, but also jets up to Toronto for a show at Toybox on Friday evening.
Jared Lee has been announced as a contestant representing Massachusetts on NBC’s new show The Great American Song Contest (the USA’s take on EuroVision), which premiered on March 21.
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