Hailing from the Boston area, Tall Heights is the rising pop-rock-electronic duo of Paul Wright and Tim Harrington, who are about to release their fourth album Juniors in the new year. From that release comes “Locked Out”, an imaginative, dreamy original that has roots in Coldplay but often sounds more like it could have come from the same stable as Australia’s The Temper Trap or even Rufus Du Sol. Carried by a falsetto vocal, the song stands outside-looking-in at a relationship that the protagonist would like to have, if he could coax the object of his affection out of her own world and into his. The lyrics take some time to soak in while you get caught up in the atmospheric vibe of the song. With just shy of a million listeners on Spotify and songs like “Locked Out”, Tall Heights could be a talent to watch out for in ’22.
Back at the end of summer, I introduced you to Polish singer Helaine Vis and her single “Ice”, a moody, jazzy track about heartache. Continuing in that theme is “Go On”, which, like “Ice”, is a stand out from her new album Pretty Cliché. “Go On” mixes in electronics with electric guitars for a Cocteau Twins-meets-Lily Allen kind of sonic experience. Lyrically, “Go On” seems to want to avoid heartache all together through indecision by dissolving a relationship before it ever gets a chance to grow. It’s a longer than usual track that takes its time getting to its resolve, leaving the progressive backdrop to carry on long after the singing stops. It’s not for everyone but “Go On” leaves you wanting to know more. Helaine’s vocal is suitably slight and hollow-sounding, and she succeeds in creating a compelling, unusual song.
He hasn’t released much music since his superb 2011 album Secret Codes & Battleships, so it’s hard to say if we’ll hear more of the golden voice of Darren Hayes anytime soon. I was fortunate to see the singer in a delightful but brief live performance in 2016 in L.A. But long-time friend Louis La Roche has got him for “Cold To Me”, which he and Darren co-wrote and appears on Louis’ new album We’re Not So Different. “Cold To Me” will stop you in its tracks first because it’s a new song sung by Darren and second because his vocal is so pristine. The lyrics harken back to a past relationship that is likely long gone, and reflect on how we all can feel so far removed from it after it’s in the past. I for one can totally relate! Louis knows how to bring the song to life with a sparkling arrangement that’s so complimentary to Darren’s vocal. “Cold To Me” is one you don’t want to let slip by!
Cobi has long been a talent on my radar, since his days in the fondly remembered pop/rock ensemble Gentlemen Hall. He’s been solo though for several years, and his songs have been anchored often by bluesy rock arrangements. The west coast-based singer/songwriter debuted his new album Songs From The Ashes last week on You Tube, and I was happy to watch the intimate performance as the affable and humble Cobi shouted out long time fans who were watching him weave through the impressive songs from the album. One of my favourites, “You’re Mine”, was a previous single, as were fan favourites “Everything You Need” and “Queen Of The Damned”. “Fools Gold” is the opening track, a new song that painstakingly recalls a manipulative relationship that made the protagonist a paranoid “merchant of of pain on the road” believing that “your love is an illusion”, pushing it away from an irreparable broken heart. “Fools Gold” unleashes the emotions buried deep under long-healed scars, and Cobi’s guitar work is nothing short of fantastic, seething the pain while Cobi sings his story. Once you hear “Fools Gold” you’ll want to hear all of what Cobi has to offer in Songs From The Ashes. In addition to the studio version above, you can also check out Cobi’s recent acoustic performance of “Fools Gold” below.
Terry Draper has had a storied career as drummer and songwriter for the much-revered Canadian trio Klaatu (“Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft”, also a Top 20 hit for The Carpenters, which I remember seeing Terry perform acoustically at a local show about 10 years ago), and they were at one time was speculated to be a reunited Beatles. The group recorded several highly praised albums and Terry has consistently made music as a solo artist over the years. His latest album is “The Other Side”, full of imaginative and well-produced songs, among the 13 a surprising calypso/reggae-tinged tune called “Island Time” which features another long-time and still active Canadian singer, Keith Hampshire (who had a #1 Canadian hit with his version of “The First Cut Is The Deepest”). “Are We Alone” however is the standout, a dreamy, retrotastic, wondrous song about space travel. “Are We Alone” will appeal to those who enjoy the music of The Beatles, Alan Parsons, Al Stewart, or early Chris de Burgh. It might seem like an anomaly of sorts but Terry’s fresh and enthusiastic spin on the subject (check out its cool video, above) makes it a refreshing five minutes that goes by quickly.
It’s getting to that time of year now when chart makers like begin to think about our favourite songs of the year so far, and what ultimately are our year-end faves. There are quite a few on this chart, and perhaps even some of the new arrivals will make the cut.
Make sure you read about myONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
To lead off the new list, “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and “American Idol” season 10 contestant Robbie Rosen gets a third appearance – six weeks – at #1! It’s such an irresistible song with a captivating melody and a brilliant vocal by Robbie, and it even ends with a beautiful piano coda. More good news for Robbie – his other entry on the chart, “To The Top” (below) with German producers Natixx and LyonBrotherz, is the Fastest Riser, moving 18-8! You’ll dig its flute-led melody along with the rich bass synth that carries the hook along.
Up a notch 3-2 is “Never Going Home” (above) by France’s Kungs. Fascinating fact about this song: The vocalist is none other than veteran dance producer Martin Solveig (who also co-wrote it). Kungs has another catchy new release called “Lipstick” which you can check out below.
Climbing 5-3 is “Microdose” by Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt and vocalist Jordan Shaw. This is one song that has gotten under my skin – I love both its lyrics and melody.
“15 Minutes” (above) by Damon Sharpe & The Disco Fries moves up 7-5 and is a definite club banger. You can also check out the artists’ new song together called “React”, below.
UK trance legends Above & Beyond were last in the Top 10 back in 2004 when, under their alias of Oceanlab, their song “Satellite” reached #1. Their latest, also with Justine Suissa on vocals, is “Almost Home”, which climbs 12-6.
“My Time”, the title song of the EP by NYC singer and actress Gina Naomi Baez, is in it for the long haul, and moves up 11-9.
“Angel” by Sonny Fodera and Clementine Douglas always goes down so easy. From Sonny’s latest album Wide Awake, “Angel” rises 21-13.
With its snappy synths and super-playful vocal and rhythm, “Play It Cool” by MENRVA and Island Banks is a British house track on the move, up 23-16.
Now breaking at North American dance radio, with no surprise, is “You & I (All I Need)” by Karen Harding, from her EP Sweet Vibrations, which climbs 27-19.
Just as “Can’t Stay Away” finishes off its maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks) on the chart, along comes Darin’s beautiful new ballad “Holding Me More”, which arrives at #20. He performed it at his online acoustic concert yesterday from Sweden, along with “Can’t Stay Away” and many others. Having never seen the man perform before, I was duly impressed and would certainly love to see him perform live in concert too. Expect big things in the coming weeks from “Holding Me More” – while the rest of the world is loving Adele’s “Easy On Me”, “Holding Me More” is more my kind of ballad! Check out the live TV performance above.
Debuting on the chart is L.A. dance production trio TELYKast with “Unbreakable”, co-written by and featuring Nashville’s Sam Gray on vocals, which bows at #25. The independently released, impressive track is flourishing at US dance radio, and is definitely one to which you need to pay attention.
The third debut at #30 is from the classic 80’s duo Tears For Fears, with the original twosome of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith making their first album since 2004, and the title track called “The Tipping Point”. I have been long a fan of Tears For Fears. I bought their single “Mad World” back in 1982 as an import 12″ vinyl, and enjoyed much of their music through 1993’s Elemental album (which did not include Curt). As usual, the duo makes a great hook along with some pointed observations.
View the full BILLCS Top 30right 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!
“Float” is an accessible new dance track with future bass elements which comes to you from three Californian talents, Bay area producer Jay Bird (continuing to be a talent to watch), production duo TWSTD ZOO, and vocalist Harley Bird (no relation to Jay, natch). It’s a compelling song about that difficult balancing act when you try to keep your head above water in a relationship, and those times when you just sink. It’s also about doing what’s right for you. It’s sung with panache by Harley, who has an easy going Ryan Cabrera-Howie Day guy next door voice. The partnership with Jay Bird and TWSTD ZOO results in a creative ‘best of’ production skills that end up as firepower that drives the wicked melody. And if you look at the credits, there’s quite a team behind “Float”, which has not only club and festival potential, but dance radio too.
Johnny Stimson is no newcomer to the music scene and used the pandemic as a way to create his focused new 8 song EP Butterflies. Pairing new songs with singles that he’s released over the past year or so, the imaginative Dallas-born singer/songwriter has created his own fresh start with this EP. “Material Things” is as good as any song to begin with, a quick and gently sung tune with some pop culture references that we can relate to when we shop for stuff because it makes us feel good. The video is light-hearted, the production is clean and the melody is strong which help put “Material Things” over the edge. Johnny has had support from the hit machine that is BTS, was previously signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records, has toured with Tori Kelly, and had a #2 hit in Indonesia as well as Shazam’s most-played indie song in the UK. With all of those remarkable career highlights and a new EP of solid songs, Johnny Stimson continues to be a performer who will surprise you with what comes next.
“Wild” is a provocative and captivating new song by Johnny Ashby, who recently released his debut album Time Of Our Lives. The album contains mainly new songs but also some released this year and last year such as the illuminating “Born Again” and “In Bloom”. “Wild” is about living life to the fullest and wanting that special someone to share in all of those fantastic moments life can bring. Johnny is a diverse songwriter who can be a fine, earnest storyteller with a lot of personal touches, or someone who wants to be in the front of the line to step first into the unknown. Fans of John Mayer, Niall Horan and Vance Joy will particularly enjoy “Wild”.
These days, the new music just keeps coming, and for people like me who live for what’s coming next, it can get a little overwhelming when you find out there are so many new songs you want to hear. So my “10/10” feature helps alleviate the pressure for me, and also allows me to introduce you to 10 new songs in more capsulized reviews.
For those not familiar with10/10, I write about 10 hot and fresh songs in no particular order, for your kind consideration and attention. I continue to write individual blog posts about certain songs. That does not mean that songs in the 10/10 lists are any less than those featured individually – “siic” by stef, from edition #20, just debuted on my personal chart – and they are not listed in any particular order. Writing “10/10” posts means I can just cover more songs in one shot with a few sentences about each. So you get to learn about more new music that I hear but I sometimes don’t get a chance to write about.
TYLER GARRETT, “Stardust”
For the last while, I’ve been enjoying the R&B-inflected dance pop of Tyler Garrett’s new album called Runaway. The L.A.-based, South Carolina-born singer has a diverse set of pipes which are particularly showcased well on the track “Stardust”. This is a crunchy, gritty one for the dance floor which allows Tyler’s voice to really let loose, while its funky Prince-meets-OutKast groove really stands out. I’d love to hear “Stardust” in extended or remixed form!
MACY CRAWFORD, “juliet”
It’s rare that an artist will release songs that have a common conceptual theme, outside of many progressive or perhaps hard rock performers who create huge epic stories. So “juliet” is the first of five songs from an EP still to come from new South Carolina talent 20 year old Macy Crawford, and they all shed some different light on some well-chosen tragic heroes and heroines from mythology and literature. Naturally, “juliet” is she of Shakespeare fame, with a song that takes a specific view about why the star-crossed lovers met their fate. Macy has a stunning voice and makes for a fine story-teller through song, and “juliet” is co-written with and produced by Robbie Rosen, who is currently sitting up top of my personal chart with “Sanctuary”.
ANIQO, “Fear”
Germany’s ANIQO (Anita Goβ) writes and releases mainly electronic alternative pop songs that are never, ever boring, and always make you think (usually accompanied by well-crafted videos), even when they might be at their most polarizing. “Fear” takes a step sideways from “Wonderland” and “LoveLife”, two of her bright and most accessible songs. It takes you on a dark, ponderous journey of self-realization where one of the things you might discover about yourself is that fear lies within everyone, something we must embrace and reconcile ourselves with frequently, and try not to let it overwhelm us. The video for “Fear” is full of striking, well-shot imagery, with a nice reveal at the end.
MAYA DELILAH and SAMM HENSHAW, “Breakup Season”
Breakup songs have been with us for so long, it’s safe to reassure yourself that people will never get enough of them, as they often come from deep and unique places within the songwriter. Maya Delilah is a pop/R&B singer/songwriter/guitarist from London who has been causing a stir that has led to her new aptly titled EP It’s Not Me, It’s You. Leading the EP is “Breakup Season”, featuring the amazing, effortless voice of Samm Henshaw (who I saw in concert last year), an ideal compliment to Maya’s own deft soulful tones. Like other breakup songs, this one is a celebration of doing the right thing for yourself, while recognizing things that you did wrong too. The uplifting arrangement plays not unlike songs you might hear at a traditional New Orleans funeral, meaning that it’s time to move on in “Breakup Season”.
ALICE PISANO, “September”
I enjoy it when acoustic releases are made with intention, not just to release a decent song with limited production values. Alice Pisano is a new singer based out of London but raised in Italy, and “September” hits home because of her vulnerable and striking vocal performance. Yes, it’s a sad, end-of-summer song relating a failed relationship and why everything you do or see reminds you of the person now gone from your life. “September” as a song takes a few spins to warm up to, but there’s no denying Alice’s talents through those repeat listens.
SCOTT MAGNUS, “Break My Heart”
I’ve continued to enjoy Scott Magnus’ previous single, “The Phoenix”, which I wrote about this past summer, for its anthemic energy and expressive vocal, coming from a performer who you would never know has multiple special needs challenges – ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia. The Manchester-born talent follows it up with “Break My Heart”, which, knowingly or not, has its roots set back in about 1983 when streetwise British new wave rock bands like JoBoxers, Aztec Camera and others had their time in the sun. It’s very refreshing, and Scott’s every-guy voice, as set against appropriate minimal-sounding production, definitely makes the song stick with you.
CRAWFORD MACK, “The Last Perfect Day On Earth”
Protest songs forever have singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez in their debt, and continue to this day in various shapes and forms. Glasgow-based singer/songwriter Crawford Mack offers some of his thoughts about the need for climate change in a gentle but provocative manner to make you think about “The Last Perfect Day On Earth”. If not us in our lifetimes, some future human beings may experience the subject of the song, so he encourages to us through song to act now, not later, to do our part. Crawford wrote the song knowing that the critical GOP26 talks about climate change begin in his hometown tomorrow (November 1). His taut performance makes me think of a Paul Simon-meets-Joshua Radin style, while his band restrains itself nicely from rocking out too much to support the thoughtful but pointed nature of the song.
LEXI MARIAH, “Demons”
The voice of new US singer/songwriter Lexi Mariah is one that you’ll remember, as it fits in snugly with contemporaries alongside Bebe Rexha and Dua Lipa. “Demons” also benefits from a catchy chorus and shiny production, which is perfect for a pick-me-up in these autumn months. I don’t think the song offers anything new lyrically but Lexi’s refreshing vocal and the melody will seize your ears and happily make you look forward to more from her.
ANJXLXE, “Feel It”
Montreal’s ANJXLXE is a new voice to keep your ears happy with her single “Feel It”. Clearly there will be comparisons to Ariana Grande, Alessia Cara and Jessie Reyez, as she gracefully breezes through this tight and snappy but quick single which she also co-wrote. Its bluesy, jazzy arrangement helps give it some needed edge, but for future releases I’d love to hear ANJXLXE flex more vocal muscle which will help take her songs over the edge. For now though, “Feel It” is a solid introduction.
KITONE, “Alright”
Russian dance producer Kitone has in a short time already been supported in mix-shows by just about every current major DJ/producer. He brings you “Alright”, a song oozing with positive vibes that will certainly rev up a full dance floor and keep the party moving for the rest of the evening. The pitched down vocal is generic but the dynamic synths and well thought out arrangement makes “Alright” an easy spin for dance music lovers who enjoy their songs fast-placed, as well as for club DJ’s looking to add some pronounced bounce into a set.
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