Vancouver producers We Are Fury (Joachim and Stuart) are out to make heads turn with their latest track, one of their best yet, called “Belong”. For it’s a progressive anthemic drum ‘n bass track in collaboration with producer if found and Norway-based vocalist Stirling (both of whom co-wrote it too) that ruminates on the feeling of being alone and and cut off in person from family and friends during the pandemic. But the guys turn that weary message around and make the song an inspiring anthem for fans who are ‘family’ to performers – where everyone belongs! The beats are fresh and furious, with drops that will use stage lights as their playthings in concert, and a very fine every-guy vocal by Stirling.
Right on the heels of their recent single “Heatwave”, which has already clocked up over three million streams on Spotify alone, Emirati duo Revelries delivers another high quality house banger with the rock-flavoured “Pulling Me Down”. This one’s about decisively cutting ties from a relationship that was increasingly becoming toxic, always an important lesson to learn in retrospect, but hard to figure out as it is happening. But its brisk house rhythm mirrors the sucker punches that we take over and over again as the Billy Corgan-sounding vocal by the uncredited male singer unfolds the tale. Revelries continue to release intriguing songs with often uncharacteristic themes or arrangements. “Pulling Me Down” has plenty of food for thought, but its affecting chorus and fast pace will work well for clubs.
If you Google Laikipia, you’ll find that it is the name of a county in Kenya. I don’t know if that’s related with the same-named UK-American duo that is Xander Rawlins and Taylor Harrison, but it could be part of the “sonic universe” connection that we all have in their world of music. When a former platoon commander in Afghanistan meets up with a sci-fi loving musician, you know there are plenty of stories to tell. “The Hits Keep Coming”, from their new album All Hail Hyperion, is an ear-grabbing rocker that doesn’t beat around the bush – life is full of ups and downs, and you may feel that you keep getting hit with the downs more than others. So we work through them all and celebrate the good times. Although Laikipia’s sound isn’t as grand as Imagine Dragons, “Hits” is equally as spirited as some of their best songs, while it also seems to take cues from classic working class heroes as Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, and Tom Petty, without necessarily being wrapped up in what I would call Americana themes. “The Hits Keep Coming” is a solid introduction to Laikipia, who have also been well-reviewed for live performances mainly in the L.A. area.
With Norway’s Matoma now releasing his music independently, he’s back to recording songs that are in the vein of what attracted me to his music back more than five years ago. After some successful coaching on Norway’s edition of “The Voice” this year, he kickstarted the new music with the recent “Summer Feeling”, and has quickly followed it up with two more singles in anticipation of a new album. “Never Surrender” (above) is a bold and powerful winner that is my favourite out of the three. The commanding vocal is by Steve Galligan of Irish group Kodaline, bringing a different dimension to Matoma’s music. It’s simple and uplifting and everything you need in a dance anthem to make you want to cheer when you hear it in a club. “Beautiful Wave” (below) tells perhaps a story a little too similar to many songs that have been released in the past year, but Matoma’s production is seamless and the song’s anchor is Scottish singer Aaron Smith’s gorgeous tone, which wrings every bit of emotion out of the lyrics. So I’ll be looking forward to Matoma’s album when it drops and his next tour to hear it all performed in concert.
With an imaginative title like “Golden Retriever Boy”, one has only to imagine what L.A.’s KiNG MALA (which means “bad bitch” in Spanish) is going to sing about it. Her music has been featured in this blog before, and she’s a confident alt.rock singer who is definitely in her own lane. At the root of “Golden Retriever Boy” is betrayal by several different kinds of guys. There’s the sweet guy with a side that doesn’t come out till later, and then there are the fuck boys, and the song is a huge kiss-off to both kinds of guys. I’d argue that the same could be said about similar women, too. KiNG MALA’s impressive vocal and the provocative flow of the song are immediate draws, which are also captured in its intriguing video above. And, the song drops a great lyric for me: “I read your zodiac / You’re an Aries and that’s fucking scary”, since we Geminis are drawn to Aries like bees to honey, but often pay the price…
Recently, I wrote about Macy Crawford’s first single release from her upcoming conceptual EP “hamartia” called “juliet”, which offered a different perspective about the circumstances of the tragic lovers of “Romeo & Juliet”. The second release is “elektra”, which is a duet with fellow South Carolina native and best friend, singer/songwriter Emmy Mae. Once again produced by Robbie Rosen, “elektra” is a rhythmic, jazz-influenced song about a variation of the tragic Greek goddess, here portrayed an overly confident woman who is jealous of the easy life of her friend that she herself cannot have. The dynamic between Macy and Emmy Mae’s vocals lifts the story even more, creating a sophisticated pop song that should ultimately whet listeners’ appetites for additional stories from “hamartia” even more.
PAUL VANICE & DAN BOUJEE, THOMAS RODENBACH & STEPHEN ALLEN, “Real Love”
What might at first listen seem like an odd kettle of fish in “Real Love” sinks in deeper and successfully with repeated plays. German producers Paul Vanice & Dan Boujee collaborate with vocalist Thomas Rodenbach as they did on a song I wrote about this past summer called “Closer”. While that song had rock elements in its production, the core of “Real Love” is a lovely pop tune that takes a few sidesteps into future bass territory musically, along with some hip hop verses courtesy of NYC vocalist Stephen Allen. Everything surprisingly gels together quite happily. You have a classically structured pop song with a memorable chorus, a hard hitting future bass middle, and hip hop flavours that all make “Real Love” multi-dimensional. Though it’s an unconventional and challenging mix, hats off to Vanice & Boujee for making “Real Love” work as a whole.
I’m very happy to live musically on the development and discovery side of songs and artists. I’m a huge lover of contemporary music, I just don’t love what the big labels and artist management companies are investing their time and cash into anymore. The awards shows all feature the same big name performers. Anyone who says this is fair game and an “open” club has to be kidding. It’s by invite only and there are layers of gate-keepers to help it stay that way. So many performers can have success in a different set of terms and develop fans and followers without getting on the charts. So if you plan on making the right connections to get there, by all means. Otherwise you’ll still have loads of people like me to appreciate your music. There are only three songs on my chart that are signed to major labels directly, and there are another half dozen with labels with distribution deals, otherwise the rest are independent.
Make sure you read about myONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
Boye & Sigvardt become the first artists from Denmark to have a #1 song on my chart, as “Microdose” (featuring the wonderful voice of Jordan Shaw) succeeds “Sanctuary” by Howen and Robbie Rosen at the top after three appearances (six weeks). I can’t get enough of “Microdose” months after its release, though it suddenly has competition for retaining #1 in two weeks.
Darin’s touching ballad “Holding Me More” storms up the chart 20-3, following his recent #1 “Can’t Stay Away” in a similar fashion. You can have Adele’s “Easy On Me”, I’ll take “Holding Me More” any day!
Robbie Rosen gets another song in the Top 5, as his fancy work with German producers Natixx and Lyonbrotherz in the unique “To The Top” (above) allows it to climb 8-5. It’s his fourth Top 5 on my chart in the last year. Check out another recent Robbie release called “Fragile” with Philadelphia producer Sauniks, below.
Australia’s Sonny Fodera gets his first Top 10 on my chart from his new album Wide Awake with “Angel” (above) featuring the lovely voice of Clementine Douglas. It rises 13-7. Another veteran dance producer, Morgan Page, is right behind with “Turn Off My Mind” (below) with co-writer and vocalist Lights, up 11-8.
It’s already been a year since Toronto’s Justin Nozuka released his gracious, soulful ballad “No One Like You” with British singer/songwriter Mahalia, which got to #4 on this chart. Justin’s back in the Top 10 with his latest “Nova” rising 12-9.
Moving up 14-10 is “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, the Angie Stone song as covered by German producers John Skyfield and Shoby with an indelible, faithful vocal by Victor Perry. It continues Victor’s string of Top 10’s on this chart, as a lead or featured act, now up to 12, with four in the last year alone. Check out Victor’s latest single “Sleepwalking” below, his first major label release (for Sony) with Ukrainian producers Kalush in a mix by none other than Pink Panda.
“Play It Cool” by UK/Irish production duo Menrva and singer Island Banks closes in on the Top 10 as it climbs up 16-11.
Karen Harding continues to make waves with “You & I (All I Need)” (above), which climbs 19-14 and is a certified North American dance radio hit. Check out her recent dynamic collaboration with producer Sammy Porter called “Celebrate” below.
This past week, “Unbreakable” by TELYKast and Sam Gray, soared into the North American dance radio Top 10. It soars up my chart as well, rising 25-17.
It’s good to have Tears For Fears back with the title track of their upcoming album “The Tipping Point”, which moves up 30-23. I remember vividly coming home with my British import 12″ single of “Mad World” (which I still have) after hearing it on our local alternative rock station back in the day.
Returning to the chart at #25 is the latest by Austin producers Tritonal, with vocalist EMME, called “Out Of The Dark”, from their upcoming album Coalesce. It arrives in a sparkling Morgin Madison remix after resonating with me in its original, more progressive mix. Tritonal reached #1 on the chart with Henry Dark on “Shivohum” in January 2020.
Also back on the chart for a third time this year is San Francisco area producer Jay Bird in collaboration with TWSTD ZOO with the positive energy of “Float” at #26. It’s graced by a cool vocal by L.A.’s Harley Bird (no relation to Jay), and follows Jay Bird’s “Escape” (#4) and “Gone Tomorrow” (#15).
Back with their 9th chart entry (going back to 2012!) are The Knocks who pair up this time with singer/songwriter Parson James for the delightfully catchy “River” at #28. Both The Knocks and Parson James have reached #1 on the chart before (The Knocks with “Kiss The Sky” and Parson with “Broken Love”), and “River” follows up The Knocks’ collaboration with Foster The People “All About You”, which got to #9 earlier this year.
At #29 is the debut entry for southern California singer/songwriter and resident disco dad, Michael Medrano, who I’ve written about several times, with his fun but telling “I Don’t Wanna Talk About Love” (above). Michael has quickly followed this one up with “Personal Heaven” this past week, which you can also check out below.
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 as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend 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!
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 Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!
For those not familiar with the talented singer and actor, Keiynan Lonsdale is the Australia-born star who portrayed Kid Flash in TV’s “The Flash” and had a prime role in the film “Love, Simon”, which he reprised recently in its TV counterpart “Love, Victor”. He’s been making records for the last five years or so, including last year’s full album Rainbow Boy, with great response from the indie music community. Challenging us with every release, “Gods Of The Disco” manages to embody the music and sounds of the 70’s disco era, and brings it up to date in a slick production. Its entertaining video starts off as a night club performance in a club (the look reminds me of Ne-Yo), but there’s a fantasy element of it that comes alive about 2/3 of the way through, though its story seems incomplete. Nonetheless, Keiynan’s vocal sounds great, and there is terrific choreography that offers up some fine dance moves, making “Gods Of The Disco” an energetic retro romp with a few twists.
18 year-old Bedfordshire, England native Alfie Templeman is someone who is poised to break out in 2022 thanks to well-received concerts in his country and heavy endorsement by BBC Radio. He’s been making records since he was 15 and “3D Feelings” follows up a couple of EP’s, Forever Isn’t Long Enough and Don’t Go Wasting Time. Alfie’s got a great ear for writing catchy pop songs, which is what attracted me to his music from when I first heard it two years ago. A zesty melody and clever guitar work support his versatile vocal in this song, which at times reminds me of Shawn Mendes. Deft production and a well-placed hook make “3D Feelings” memorable and can only add to Alfie’s growing worldwide fan base.
Alfie plays a sold out show at The Velvet Underground in Toronto on November 26 with Chloe Moriondo.
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