#BILLCSTop30 #635 – March 14/21

The pace of the music industry is not letting up, and with festival season setting in, I expect tons of dance music to flood the market. It’s making it harder to choose new songs for a Top 30 every two weeks, but after 24 years it will continue (he says, turning on new tunes to listen to hehe)! I’ve always intended for songs to have a long stay of 5+ appearances (10 weeks) and only rarely does that not work out. So I’m not sure if shorter stays on the chart will prevail on the chart for some songs, so I’ll wait on that. In any case, there’s a new #1 and four more debuts!

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!

Darren Hayes returns to #1 for the first time since 2007 with the intensely beautiful “Let’s Try Being In Love” (above). It’s his 5th #1, following 2002’s “Crush (1980 ME)”, and 2007’s “Step Into The Light”, “Me, Myself & I” and “How To Build A Time Machine”. It looks like Darren is planning much more new music to release this year, in addition to his already announced Australian tour, as he has quickly followed it up with 80’s flavoured, Prince-influenced “Do You Remember” (below).

The Chainsmokers continue to move up with “High” (above) climbing 6-4. It’s the current #1 song on dance radio right now, and they also have followed it up quickly with “iPad” (below).

Martin Garrix, Matisse & Sadko and John Martin soar 9-5 with “Won’t Let You Go”. It’s Martin’s 6th time in the Top 5. He’ll also be playing just about every festival around this year – you’ll recall he was sidelined with a fractured leg a few years back which prevented him from touring.

Frankmusik appears in the Top 10 for the first time since 2014’s “Dear Nicole” (#6) with “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky”, which vaults 16-8.

Jonas Blue and Why Don’t We also both return to the Top 10 with their collaboration “Don’t Wake Me Up” rising 13-9.

While “Sweet Talker” leaves the Top 10, Years & Years moves up 15-10 with “Night Call” (above), the title track from the album.  And there’s also another deep cut on the rise as the Deluxe Edition-only “Reflection” (below) jumps 26-18.

“Careless” by Mahalo, Milkwish and Lena Leon climbs 18-11, and is finally starting to make inroads on the dance radio airplay charts.

The Fastest Riser on the chart, not surprisingly, is Odesza’s massive “The Last Goodbye” (above), which revamps Bettye LaVette’s 1965 single “Let Me Down Easy”, to extraordinary effect.  The song rises 23-13, and Odesza has already followed it up with another promising release with vocalist MARO called “Better Now”, below.

One bright indie release on the chart that should not be overlooked is Gabe James’ charming “Gracie”, which continues to make its way up the chart, moving 19-16.

Jully Black’s latest single, the empowerment jam called “No Relation” (above), moves up 28-20. She’s also recently released a duet with Grammy and Juno Award winner Dan Hill called “Something More”, below.

The Highest Debut at #24 has been around for a while, but it’s a song that just keeps giving. It’s the  rollicking deep house track from the UK’s Shadowkey and Jordan Jane, “Prisoner”.

Italian producers Luca + Giam debut at #25 with the incredibly catchy 90’s flavoured house track “Hold Me Down” featuring singer Sam Merkin.

L.A.’s Michael Medrano makes it a two-fer on the chart as his collaboration with Funk LeBlanc of the “Dance Floor Version” of “It’s Your Thing” arrives on the chart at #27.  It’s back-to-back with his #5 “I don’t wanna talk about love” (#26).

The fourth debut at #30 is a second visit to the chart for Glass Petals, the dance production side project for Felix Cartal and Johnny Jover, with “Leave Your Mind Behind”.

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.

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

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 11:15 pm EST, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST, and now on Mix88.ca‘s “Addictive Energy” show with Hunter Wilbur on Saturdays at 9pm EST.

 

 

 

 

French producer @Mercer_music returns with house rave-up and tribute “Aretha”

MERCER, “Aretha”

It’s been a while since French producer Mercer dropped new music, but he’s back and in charge with “Aretha”. This is a can’t miss house rave-up and a reverent tribute to the Queen of Soul. I could be wrong but it sounds like Mercer has chopped up a series of vocal bites from Miss Aretha – one of his samples may be 1987’s “Rock-a-Lott” because part of the song reminded me of another song where it was sampled, The 49ers’ 90’s hit “Touch Me”. These vocal bites contain few words, and his tight editing lets Aretha go loose in almost like a wordless Ella Fitzgerald way. He’s matched the vocals with a fierce house mix, and the results are one ultra-cool record that many DJ’s will play at festivals and events through the summer.

“Bluffin'” is the sophisticated but streetwise underdog by Liamoo from Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest

LIAMOO, “Bluffin'”

I enjoy watching Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest as well as EuroVision, because they are non-stop entertainment, and North American producers just don’t seem to be able to do that and rather focus on celebrity and a lot of in-between banter instead. I’m a sucker for an underdog, and this year “Bluffin'” by Liamoo was it.  24 year old Liamoo is the 2016 Swedish Idol winner performing this sophisticated, streetwise song. Though it finished third, if marketed properly, it could be a big hit outside of Sweden. It’s got the appealing hook, memorable melody, and that captivating vibe which made for a very entertaining performance. “Bluffin'” lost out to a great winner – Cornelia Jakobs’ wonderful “Hold Me Closer” – but it’s a song that has a lot going on for you to enjoy.

Germany’s @Saxity fires up another pop/dance winner with US singer @NEELofficial with “Drink You Up”

SAXITY and NEEL, “Drink You Up”

Quickly following up “Oxygen” with Victor Perry (currently Top 20 on my personal chart) is German producers Saxity with “Drink You Up” featuring vocals by New Jersey-based songwriter NEEL. It’s an infectious, day-dreamy kind of song full of positive vibes, enhanced by the producers’ distinct guitar and sax work. And more often than not they find top notch talent to work with. NEEL has an attractive voice that lends a soulful Bruno Mars kind of familiarity to the song, which he also co-wrote with Saxity and the super-prolific Robbie Rosen. He’s also a multilingual (Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi and more) philanthropist who raises funds for underprivileged children. Be sure to add “Drink You Up” to your regular feelgood pop/dance playlist.

German dance producer PYNGU @pynguparty is back with the rich sound of “Everytime”

PYNGU, “Everytime”

For whatever reasons, “Everytime” is German dance producer PYNGU’s first release since 2019. Fortunately, although earlier and better known under the name Kyco, he’s returned as if he hasn’t missed a step. “Everytime” is a solid, bass-synth laden production that deserves to turn heads. There’s also some nice pedigree in the mix – the song is co-written by Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt, who topped my personal chart late last year with “Microdose”. While the female vocalist doesn’t get credit, she’s expressive and gives the song its edge in its tale of frustrating heartache. But it’s really PYNGU’s rich, uniform production that’s the star of the show, making “Everytime” an easy choice for both dance radio and club DJ’s.

Meet British-Romanian pop singer/songwriter Edith @eeeediith with the sparkling “The Day We Met”

EDITH, “The Day We Met”

Edith is a fresh new voice who hails from Romania but moved to London as a child. Her influences are 60’s and 70’s pop/rock which lend themselves well to “The Day We Met”. The song’s sparkling melody, cheery vocal, and strikingly tight backdrop – think Gwen Stefani’s “Great Escape” era – put a sheen on a sometimes wistful reflection to good and important past times which we can never revisit. The conclusion I get from this is that we have those memories to always take with us, and no one can ever take them away, even if accompanied by some heartbreak where the person they were about is no longer a part of your life. “The Day We Met” is a promising glimpse of Edith’s talent, which will be showcased later in the year on her debut album In This House We Celebrate Heartache.

Australia’s Beamish Brothers introduce solo projects @itsJudeYork with “I Won’t Need To Dream” and benjamin with “Tunnel Vision”

Regular readers of this blog will know of my enthusiasm for any new music by Australia’s Beamish Brothers over the last four or five years. The guys – Jeremy and Ben – always make interesting, thoughtful, well-produced songs with inspired arrangements which often have unique soulful or funky backdrops.  

But the big reveal happened recently on Instagram where the two officially launched their solo side projects, Jude York and benjamin.  And it was led by announcing Jude York would be a contestant at last week’s “Australia Decides” EuroVision concert with his new single, while benjamin got publicity for his single in the bright lights of New York City’s Times Square.  So let’s check out both singers’ new songs.

JUDE YORK, “I Won’t Need To Dream”

“I Won’t Need To Dream” is a gorgeous ballad, inspired intentionally or not by 1930’s musicals, that is decidedly unlike the songs you’ve heard from The Beamish Brothers. But it represents tremendous growth for Jude (aka Jeremy) as you will see in the live clip from “Australia Decides” above. While he won’t be representing Australia at EuroVision, you just know that many music fans are going to remember this song and performance, which oozed so much charm, sung in a beautiful key with some resplendent high notes at the end. No wonder Darren Hayes (who was one of the evening’s judges) was impressed!

benjamin, “Tunnel Vision”

Just as you will recognize Jude/Jeremy’s precision and high notes from Beamish Brothers songs, you’ll recognize benjamin’s inviting earthier tones in a fitting soulful and jazzy alt.pop setting in his single “Tunnel Vision”. This is a confident and more logical follow up to Beamish Brothers singles like “Dollar At The Heart” and “Anxious”, with an undeniable groove and hook that runs through the song. “Tunnel Vision” would sound great early on in the evening in a club, where it would be a unique mood-setter, and I’d also pitch it to college and alternative radio stations looking for a snappy song to brighten up their playlists.

 

Let your mind drift and sweep you away in “Feelings of Yesterday” by India’s @Ashwynmusic

ASHWYN, “Feelings Of Yesterday”

Ashwyn is a talented singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer who ditched a rising career as electronic dance producer Astra for more creative pursuits while still a teen.  He’s released a series of very different singles over the course of the last year, including the warm and compelling “Sell My Soul”. Surprisingly, he’s returned to more of a pop/dance release with “Feelings of Yesterday”, but this is not your cookie-cutter overproduced dance music that clutters up the radio these days. He’s made a fine decision to create a memorable, beautifully sung song that’s actually meant to convey the feelings of isolation and loneliness as many people have felt during the pandemic. The song has such a great rhythm, perfect for a long drive along a beach coast or late at night when the sky is full of stars, that Ashwyn stops singing and lets it take over halfway, which allows your mind to wander and your feet to do their thing on a club dance floor should you be so inclined. “Feelings of Yesterday” is a distinct new emotional dance track that takes risks while being perfectly accessible. It’s from Ashwyn’s forthcoming EP of the same name.

Meet Manchester singer/songwriter @iamJessicaLuise with dreamy “Middle Of June”

JESSICA LUISE, “Middle Of June”

If you want a song that will totally change your mood, then “Middle of June” by Manchester singer/songwriter Jessica Luise is just the tonic for you. It’s a dreamy, vibrant, optimistic song about falling in love. I enjoy particularly how Jessica has chosen a time of year, somewhere in the world, where the song takes place. In much of the world, June is a warm, sunny month and of course a favourite for weddings. Without even looking at the press materials, I found that Jessica sounded immediately similar to Harriet Wheeler of British group The Sundays, best known for the early 90’s hit “Here’s Where The Story Ends”. But “Middle Of June” will definitely help Jessica Luise carve out her own path with a trail of positive vibes right behind.

What you hear is what you get: Listen to Manchester’s @ScottMagnus9 “Don’t Take Away My Purpose”

SCOTT MAGNUS, “Don’t Take Away My Purpose”

A rising talent to continue to keep an ear out for is Manchester, England’s Scott Magnus.  I’ve introduced you to him through his earnest and compelling songs, the rousing “The Phoenix”, and “Break My Heart”. His latest release is “Don’t Take Away My Purpose”, and what you hear is what you get – this is straight up honest and heartfelt pop/rock guitar-led music which Scott wears proudly on his sleeve. His distinct voice can easily rattle you with emotion as he expressively sings his truth. Scott also juggles singing with modeling and acting, advocating for people with disabilities, and facing daily challenges as a person with ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia himself, which makes this successful multi-tasking all the more amazing. “Don’t Take Away My Purpose” simply does not disappoint. The video for the song drops next week, and in the meantime you can check out the teaser short below.