#BILLCSTop30 #632 – January 31/22

The winds of change are upon this chart with lots of activity in the Top 10, plus five debuts, one of which crashes onto the chart in the Top 10, something that used to happen in the earlier days of the chart, but not so much in recent years. Regardless of how busy the chart is, the only way for a song to get on the chart is that if I truly enjoy it a whole lot. That is the only criteria. Then they find their way up and around the chart in their own good time. 

Just a quick note about my New Music Pick of the Week segment. It now airs on four separate online radio stations! These are segments that usually last between four and a half and seven minutes, depending on the length of song being featured. If you participate in or own an online radio station, feel free to connect with me if you’re looking for additional programming like this!

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

Getting a second appearance at #1 is the standout track “Unbreakable” (above) by TELYKast and Sam Gray.  You can check out singer/songwriter Sam Gray on the brand new Armin van Buuren single “Human Touch” (below) too!

Cutting quickly to the chase by moving 6-2 is “Sweet Talker” (above) by Years & Years and Galantis, culled from the new Years & Years album Night Call, which debuted at #1 in the UK last Friday. And with the release of that wonderful album, you’ll find the title cut (below) debuting on this chart at #28.  Galantis also continues an awesome series of singles with their latest “When The Lights Go Down” (also below), a collaboration with Canadian duo DVBBS and Australian singer Cody Simpson, well worth checking out too.

Jay Bird gets a personal best on the chart as his recent single “Float”, with TWSTD ZOO and Harley Bird, climbs 5-3. The song passes the #4 peak last year of his track “Escape”.

The Fastest Riser on the chart for the second time in a row is the supremely catchy “Bad Things” by rising Swedish pop/rock band Louis Pax, soaring 14-4. The band’s follow up single “Spanish Rain” arrives later this week.

Another really infectious dance single, “i don’t wanna talk about love” by L.A.’s Michael Medrano, climbs 9-5.

“Kiss Of Life” rises 11-9 becoming Kylie Minogue’s 9th Top 10 on this chart (her first since 2015) and Jessie Ware’s 10th.

Exploding onto the chart at #10 is “Let’s Try Being In Love” (above), the most welcome first solo single by Darren Hayes in 10 years. It’s a lush, sophisticated song about self-realization that is accompanied by a video, somewhat inspired by the film “Call Me By Your Name”, which has an ending that will generate some tears. “Let’s Try” is Darren’s 13th Top 10 on this chart and the song to keep an eye on in the next two weeks. It accompanies his recent feature on buddy Louis La Roche’s song “Cold To Me” (below), which moves up 13-12.

The Weeknd’s two chart entries from his excellent Dawn FM album will continue to make waves in the coming weeks.  “Less Than Zero” (above) moves up 22-16, and the single “Sacrifice” (below) climbs 27-21.

The Chainsmokers are back with the first single from their upcoming fourth album. The song is “High” (#26) and it premiered on Friday with an entertaining video, unless you’re afraid of heights. The guys are back in form with a new song that straddles pop and dance genres quite aptly. It’s their first chart appearance since 2019’s “Do You Mean” and their 12th overall since 2015.

British dance producer Jonas Blue often takes you to unexpected places with his songs that end up becoming long time favourites. A great example of that is his first hit, a poignant cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” (which reached #3 on this chart) that leaves the original intact while giving off its own unique impression. Jonas Blue’s 5th chart entry is “Don’t Wake Me Up” at #27, and once again features an unanticipated collaboration with L.A. pop/rock band Why Don’t We. The energy in the song is contagious and it works well. Why Don’t We were on this chart a year ago with their first entry “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)”, which reached #8.

The fifth debut at #29 is from L.A.-based, Colorado-born indie pop/rock artist Gabe James, whose talent and charm goes a long way with “Gracie”, evident in the visualizer video above, from his recent EP City of Lost Angels.

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 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.  

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.

Dance floor classic “No Beef” by @SteveAoki and @Afrojack gets all star remix treatment from @TimmyTrumpet and more for its 11th anniversary

STEVE AOKI & AFROJACK and MISS PALMER, “No Beef” (Timmy Trumpet remix)

If you’ve been in a dance club or at a festival in the last 10 years, you’ve heard Steve Aoki and Afrojack’s classic “No Beef” (featuring vocal by Miss Palmer). The legendary release is receiving two remix packages – part 1 has remixes from new blood like GoodBoys, while part 2 is the all star treatment: R3HAB, Timmy Trumpet, Italy’s Gabry Ponté (of Eiffel 65 “Blue” fame), and Canada’s DLMT. While each of the latter bring enjoyable elements to the table for their remixes and take nothing away from the power of the original, it’s Timmy Trumpet’s techno-flavoured redux that grabbed me, largely because techno seems to be in comeback mode and it perhaps had more of a sense of fun going on in the mix. Regardless, dance music fans can’t lose with this versatile package!

“The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” is a brisk electronic bop by @Frankmusik

FRANKMUSIK, “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky”

L.A.-based British multi-talent Frankmusik finished of 2021 with the release of his latest album Carissimi, which generously tied together his single releases from the last few years along with some new songs and instrumental versions of them all, making it quite an extended release. “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” somewhat quietly followed it this month, and it’s certain to be among my favourite Frankmusik songs of recent years. It’s a brisk bop with a fantastic vocal and big-sounding production that make it stand out from so much of the new songs of today.  There’s always something intriguing about a love song that features moonlight. “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” is one of those fun feel good releases where you’d want every night to be accompanied by moonlight.

UK singer/songwriter @DannyDeardenuk flourishes with “Keep Me By Your Side”

DANNY DEARDEN, “Keep Me By Your Side”

“Keep Me By Your Side” is proof-positive that a very good song will always win when the rest of the parts of the recording process are top notch. UK singer/songwriter Danny Dearden has a fine voice without all the effects in his latest release, but the production is pretty balanced which means the effects don’t overwhelm Danny or the song. Best of all, the song is well-crafted by Danny and a team of pros who make it all very fast and tidy at only 2:19 but I’d rather have it where every second counts than include a lot of filler. “Keep Me By Your Side” is well worth your listening pleasure.

“Oxygen” is the latest danceable collaboration from German producers @Saxity and NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry @wallflowerperry

SAXITY and VICTOR PERRY, “Oxygen”

“Oxygen” is a fun and sassy dance-floor filler, the sixth collaboration between German electronic producers Saxity and NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry, following up with last year’s funky “Could’ve Should’ve Would’ve” .  The guys have a wonderfully synchronous vibe in their music together, and “Oxygen” cranks the beat up a few welcome notches this time. With a more aggressive but richly produced electronic backdrop, Victor’s vocal really gets unleashed to deliver the urgency behind the lyrics.  “Oxygen” is a true bop and I’d love to hear it remixed and extended for clubs.

Electric Polar Bears @weareepbmusic team up with British singer/songwriter @KatieSkymusic for “Cold Shoulder”

ELECTRIC POLAR BEARS and KATIE SKY, “Cold Shoulder”

“Cold Shoulder” is a percolating new release with plenty of bounce that will make you look forward to dancing the night away in the warmer upcoming months.  It unites American electronic duo Electric Polar Bears with veteran British singer/songwriter Katie Sky, and “Cold Shoulder” takes them in a much more focused direction than some of their 2021 releases. The EPB’s are talented producers who make their synths sparkle and have been known for being the centre of events such as the Groove Cruise. “Cold Shoulder” is a well-crafted song with an ear-catching and sometimes affecting vocal by Katie, who in 2020 had her song “Monsters” featured in the Chinese TV talent competition “Singer 2020”, which saw the song go viral worldwide, and to date it’s received over 30 million streams.  EPB and Katie are a terrific force together and I hope another collaboration will be forthcoming. PS to the artwork crew, polar bears and penguins never mix!!

California-based producer/DJ #Pillows returns with her electronic R&B spin on @JTimberlake’s “My Love”

PILLOWS, “My Love”

I always enjoy it when one artist takes the time to reinvent a hit of the past by putting an unexpected few spins on it.  As such, Hungary-born, California-based producer/DJ Pillows (aka Anna Negyesi) is back after making a splash last year with songs like “Wasted”, with her unpredictable spin on “My Love”, originally a #1 hit in 2006 by Justin Timberlake and T.I. from Justin’s classic and still amazing FutureSex/LoveSounds album. And while I’m a huge fan of that album, the production on “My Love” remains attached to its time period. Pillows has stripped the song of its Timbaland trappings and effects, which allows it to go straight to the heart of its beautiful lyrics amid more delicate surroundings. Her pitched down vocal gives the song a different and effective read, making it an ideal aural calling card for Valentine’s Day or some fine tender moments together with someone special. 

Finnish producer #Joysic and the prolific @RobbieRosenlive adapt @TheFray’s “How To Save A Life” as an electronic ballad

JOYSIC and ROBBIE ROSEN, “How To Save A Life”

It’s already hard to believe when you see the song title that The Fray first arrived on the scene back in 2006 with “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “How To Save A Life”, both pop hits that endure to today.  “How To Save A Life” in its original incarnation is a sometimes explosive and emotional release, but Finnish producer Joysic and New York singer/songwriter and man of many releases Robbie Rosen have scaled back the intensity somewhat in their new take on the song. And it works well – Robbie’s vocal still captures the emotion of the song with a much gentler interpretation. The production is big where it needs to be and otherwise is highly complimentary to Robbie’s vocal. “How To Save A Life” is an ear-catching surprise for club patrons to hear in that setting.

“New Year, New Me, “New Lover”” says SoCal R&B/pop artist @Joshy_Soul” about his latest single

JOSHY SOUL, “New Lover”

With a high energy level and a passion for style, “New Lover” by SoCal R&B/pop artist Joshy Soul is going to catch you off guard. The singer/songwriter’s flair for sounding like Prince and David Bowie circa 1982 is daring, exciting and enthralling. You won’t be able to escape from “New Lover” at first listen with its funky discourse about personal mental health. It’s a song that somehow has mastered a whole bunch of stylistic tricks and has gathered them all together in one precise package. Joshy Soul has a terrific voice, though the song might be able 30 seconds too long for what it has to say. A roller skater who also has a penchant for fashion and went to college with people like Phoebe Bridgers and Tori Kelly, Joshy Soul is supposed to be the real deal in live performance, with a new EP on the way, and he’s playing select dates across the USA over the next few months, including SXSW, Nashville, and New York City. “New Lover” is a striking introduction, and expect to hear much more about Joshy Soul in the coming months.

#BILLCSTop30 #631 – January 17/22

This post kicks off the 24th anniversary of the BILLCS Top 30!  After posting my chart on message boards, chat threads, and comments on websites back in 1997, I decided to formalize the chart as a bi-weekly Top 10 in January 1998, and it evolved into a Top 30 later that year.  I started posting it on the old Geocities web service (which got bought by Yahoo), and then I started my own message board, Charts Central. That message board became M4B Charts Central in 2003.  I started writing the BILLCS Music Blog in 2009, so my chart had a more permanent home.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

It ended 2021 on the national dance radio charts at #1, and it’s starting 2022 on top of my chart – I’m talking about “Unbreakable” (above) by L.A. dance producers TELYKast with Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Gray.  TELYKast are already taking this to another level, remixing none other than Jennifer Lopez on her latest single “On My Way (Marry Me)”, which you can check out below.

“Play It Cool” by Menrva and Island Banks took its time from initially charting at #30, and the catchy R&B/dance song has made it all the way to #2.

Bay area producer Jay Bird gets his second Top 5 on this chart with “Float” (above) in collaboration with fellow producers TWSTD ZOO and vocalist Harley Bird.  Jay also released a follow up single “Promises”, which you can check out below.

“Sweet Talker” (above) by Years & Years and Galantis is one to watch as it climbs 9-6 while we await the new Years & Years album Night Call, the first Y&Y album that is an Olly Alexander release. Another bright preview from the album is available for you below called “Sooner Or Later”.

Michael Medrano’s so infectious “i don’t wanna talk about love” (above) is the first of two songs to land in the Top 10, moving up 13-9, while “River” (below) by The Knocks and Parson James follows suit, up 14-10. It’s the 7th trip to the Top 10 for The Knocks.

I think that if a major label picked up “Cold To Me” by Louis La Roche and Darren Hayes, it would be a huge hit! It’s got a familiar melody and is lifted by the presence of Darren, whose first release it is in many years.  “Cold To Me” is from Louis’ album We’re Not So Different and climbs 19-13.

The Fastest Riser on the chart zips up 24-14 by Swedish pop/rock band Louis Pax with “Bad Things”. It’s one of the most infectious songs out there with a commanding vocal by Oscar and all sorts of 80’s vibes, including saxophone. Keep your eyes and ears on this one!

Also moving up the chart briskly are “Sweet Vibrations” (above) by Karen Harding (26-18) and “Pulling Me Down” (below), the latest from Emirati producers Revelries (29-20), two more to watch in the coming weeks.

The first two debuts, including the Highest Debut, are brought to you from the totally splendid Dawn FM album by The Weeknd. My fellow Scarborough, Ontario native – we’re actually from the same area of the city, though I had moved from the area by the time he was born – timed his release perfectly, with a winning, absorbing concept, along with several tunes that will keep him on the charts again for the rest of the year and into 2023!  “Less Than Zero” (above) is my favourite and it bows at #22, while the zesty single “Sacrifice” (below) arrives at #27.  They become his 9th and 10th entries on this chart.

Another artist getting his 10th entry on the chart is Dutch producer Martin Garrix, who has been jumping back and forth happily with a variety of dance music styles on his recent releases.  He appeared last year on the chart with “Pressure” (featuring Tove Lo, #13), and is back this time with Russian producers Matisse & Sadko and Swedish singer John Martin – the voice of Swedish House Mafia’s “Don’t You Worry Child” (#1, 2012) – with “Won’t Let You Go”, which bows at #25. It’s a sensational, commanding single that you won’t be able to get out of your head, and it doubles as a powerful song to play at festivals.

The fourth debut belongs to another chart returnee, the 12th entry for California rockers Lifehouse with “Cut and Run” from their recent EP Goodbye Kanan at #29. “Hanging By A Moment” is now a pop classic and was my #1 song of 2001. I was fortunate to see the band when they played my city back in 2017, and it was a great set that showed how many truly great songs they have amassed in a 20+ year career. The band now releases its music independently, so be sure to check this one out.

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 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.  

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.