Take it from someone who was there when “Echo Beach” rose from proprietary new wave status to one of the 1980’s biggest international hits out of Canada, “Do You Ever Wonder”, a previously unreleased song by Toronto’s Martha & The Muffins, has their recognizable signature sound all over it, and it’s remarkably fresh for 2021! The Muffins, long a duo of singer Martha Johnson and guitarist/producer Mark Gane, have a retrospective album of unreleased tracks and demos called Marthology: In And Outtakes due on November 5. For me, “Do You Ever Wonder” is a return to some of the songs of 1983’s Danseparc album all over again, which was a hybrid of alternative rock and the emergence of rhythmic disco-flavoured dance music of the time. Martha’s vocal is relaxed and vibrant while Mark’s jangly guitar work creates the underlying hook of the song. If radio had a different model today, I would say “Do You Ever Wonder” should be a cross-format hit, but instead I’ll leave it to nostalgia fans, as well as college and alternative online and terrestrial radio stations, to keep giving this one continuous love.
While nominally seen as a one-hit wonder, Palmdale, California native Afroman has actually had a successful 30 year career which culminated in 2001 with the Top 15, Grammy-nominated stoner hit “Because I Got High”. Now signed with BLAZAR’s Cosmic Wire imprint in collaboration with AntiFragile Music, Afroman has teamed up with Washington state native label head for “Step It Up”. The song is a refreshing throwback in some ways, with a totally kick-ass bassline that anchors it. With a solid all-round pop background, BLAZAR’s voice can adapt to any style, whether it’s the early 2000’s flavoured alt.rock of this past spring’s “Enough” (with DJ Chophead), or the Soft Cell/Duran Duran new wave flavours that he sprinkles throughout “Step It Up”. In this synchronistic collaboration, Afroman’s rap really gels in the second part of the song, making it easy for you to continue just enjoying the ride and digging that bassline groove.
While some say progressive trance music may have had its peak in the early 2000’s, it has since continued to cultivate fans of its brooding, mysterious songs and its multi-layered, often stunning synth melodies. With a release like Above & Beyond’s “Almost Home” now becoming a national dance radio hit, a trance revival appears to be underway, which will make room for songs by artists such as San Diego’s K3SS (aka Ken Sierra, and pronounced “KESS”). The first part of “Tell Me” is hypnotic, with Nanda Hay’s potent delivery suiting the futuristic setting and creating an atmosphere of lust and desire. The rest of the song is a trippy and enigmatic instrumental, taking you on an indefinite journey, prospectively to your deepest thoughts and wishes. “Tell Me” has significant sync possibilities for soundtracks to video games and short films. K3SS is in the midst of enjoying a prolific set of recent releases, and “Tell Me” is ripe for your attention.
Sometimes keeping it simple is best, and Georgia-born Christian singer/songwriter/film-maker Lauren Ashley has that flair with her new single “All This Love”. The song structure is classic pop, but with a tidy guitar hook that will make you perk up your ears from first listen. So while it all may sound a touch familiar, “All This Love” is still an easy, memorable listen. Lauren’s honed vocal veers from sultry moments to others which are earnest and direct in their intentions. There’s some huge potential here and I think future releases with richer, more creative production and a few more defining moments will enhance Lauren’s vision as a pop artist.
“Unbreakable” is one of those uplifting songs that’s going to get firmly planted in your head over the next few months. It’s by hard-working L.A. electronic dance trio TELYKast with Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Gray, and they have managed to crack the dance music radio Top 40 for a second time this year with it, the first time being with “Nobody To Love” with social media star Loren Gray, which reached the Top 20. That’s a mean feat for an unsigned act and I’m sure the offers will start to pour in after they played EDC in Las Vegas recently. “Unbreakable” benefits from rich production, deep synths, and a soaring vocal by Sam Gray that makes it all the more memorable and perfect for large club and festival settings, with pop radio potential too!
Simon Ward is a member of the veteran Canadian alternative rock band The Strumbellas, who won the Juno Award for Single of the Year in 2017 for “Spirits”, a #1 alternative track in North America which also was a Top 10 single in several European countries. He’s launched his own project, Simon and the Island, with a self-titled album out of the gate led by the track “Muse”. It’s a lovely, steadfast song about the power of unconditional love, with an anthemic, Imagine Dragons-styled chorus that really brings the song home. In “Muse”, Simon doesn’t stray too far from folk-influenced style of rock music that The Strumbellas have trademarked over the years, but it’s honest and personal, qualities that listeners regularly seek out in a good pop song with an intriguing story, that will also sound great in concert. Fans of The Lumineers and American Authors will also enjoy.
British Columbia trio daysormay have a flair for creating bright and fun-sounding songs that have a much deeper side to them. With songs that bask in hip hop flavours in an alternative rock setting, the guys are back with a full album called Just Existing, which is accompanied by new single and video, “25”. At first listen, “25” sounds like an enjoyable, quirky alt.pop song with singalong potential. But with subsequent listens, you realize that the song is actually about mental health challenges that young adults face, especially now-unrealistic demands, self-imposed or imposed by others, like being a success by age 25. daysormay’s singer Aidan Andrews has solid every-guy appeal to get the message across, and the video does offer some deft, subtly humorous moments. “25” is well-suited for college and alternative rock radio play, which could help generate more buzz for a clearly talented trio.
There are occasions on which, for reasons unknown, temporary writer’s block sets in, and I have to rely on the music and the facts behind them to help get me by. So, do forgive me for the lack of personal insights in this blog post. It’s actually been a pretty busy week for new songs, which will send some fine additions to the chart in the coming weeks. And because of the recent change by Spotify on how its song links interact with the free WordPress website-making format, I will not be using Spotify links in my blog posts until further notice, unless there is no other available link to a song.
Make sure you read about myONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
For now, “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and NYC singer/songwriter and “American Idol” contestant Robbie Rosen rules my chart for a second appearance, with no sign yet of what might succeed it. Robbie also has the inspiring anthem led by a flute-sounding hook “To The Top” (below) moving up 25-18 for him and German producers Natixx and Lyonbrotherz.
Out to challenge in two weeks is “Never Going Home” (above), the brisk, summery dance track by French producer Kungs, which climbs 6-3. Out to thwart it is the fun track with a fierce vocal sample called “Nonchalant” (below) by Duck Sauce, which rises 8-4. But it’s the choice music sample that seals this one for me, a song called “Queen Of The Rapping Scene” by British new wave group Modern Romance, a favourite of mine back in 1981.
The Fastest Riser on the chart also has eyes on #1, and that’s “Microdose” by Danish producers Boye & Sigvardt with vocalist Jordan Shaw, soaring 13-5. It beats Boye & Sigvardt’s previous peak of #6 four years ago with “Astronauts”.
The other new entries to the Top 10 are “Only One” (above) by Felix Cartal and Karen Harding, up 11-9, which is Felix’s third Top 10 and Karen’s fourth, and The Weeknd’s “Take My Breath” (below), climbing 12-10, from his forthcoming album. You can also check out The Weeknd’s new collaboration with Swedish House Mafia called “Moth To A Flame”, also below.
Cutting through the middle of the chart is “Almost Home” by legendary trance trio Above & Beyond and their frequent vocalist Justine Suissa, who sounds as amazing live in concert as she does on record (I saw A&B five years ago in concert, and Justine was on tour with them). “Almost Home” climbs 18-12.
The rest of the chart is in a bit of a log jam because of all of the new music that arrived within the last month. “Turn Off My Mind” by Morgan Page and Lights makes the most of it and moves up 20-15.
One to keep your eyes and ears on in the coming weeks is the impressive and funky “Play It Cool” by UK/Irish duo Menrva and singer Island Banks, which rises 30-23.
The highest of four debuts is the second appearance on the chart by UK sensational dance music singer/songwriter Karen Harding. She recently released her new EP Sweet Vibrations and from it comes “You & I (All I Need)”, a wonderful, happy song for our times, which bows at #27. New video coming this week!
Next up is the sinewy alternative electronic sound of Nashville-based indie singer/songwriter stef with “sicc”, which hits the chart at #28.
Then at #29 there is Manchester, England-born, Kansas-based indie singer/songwriter Tommy Newport with one of his unique songs “Bubblegum” from his new EP Liquid.
And joining the chart at #30 is “Everything”, by frequent charter Brandyn Burnette, with his collaborator Charlotte Sands (with her trademark blue hair). “Everything” is culled from Brandyn’s new EP F.A.T.E. and is his 19th chart appearance since 2014, including features as well as one song billed under his alias EMAN8.
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!
It’s a bold move, but 80’s Quebec pop group Men Without Hats, who have been back recording and touring during the last 10 years, have a strong new offering with their apt, often reverent cover of The Tragically Hip’s 1990 rocker “Blow At High Dough”, one of my favourites from that classic Canadian band. And “The Safety Dance” creator Ivan Doroschuk doesn’t opt for novelty either, taking cues from europop contemporaries like Depeche Mode and particularly Pet Shop Boys to transform “Blow At High Dough” into a rock-flavoured synthpop. Ivan’s striking vocal captures the late Gord Downie’s intensity, and the rock guitars and slick synths form a tasty mix. “Blow At High Dough” appears on the 5 song EP Men Without Hats Again (Pt. 1), which also includes a rework of “The Safety Dance” called “No Friends Of Mine”, plus covers of song originally recorded by Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, and Mott The Hoople. The EP appears in advance of what is likely to be a full album (Pt. 2) of originals.
John von Ahlen’s Parralox project is usually unpredictable with its oft-80’s inspired originals as well as many of the sublime and sometimes daring cover choices that have been recorded over the years. Bowing to the legacy that is The Human League, John and team have reached back to pre-Dare! Human League to record “The Black Hit Of Space”. The original was (at the time) futuristic sounding, deliberately paced progressive electronica from the album Travelogue, and the band also included Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, who subsequently left to form Heaven 17. Parralox’s rendition of “The Black Hit Of Space” reimages the song as an uptempo Martin Rushent-produced slice of electropop. The late and much revered Rushent produced numerous 80’s new wave releases including those by Pete Shelley, The Stranglers, The Associates, and even The Go Go’s Talk Show album. The song is accompanied in the video by images that appear to have been culled from the early 70’s Canadian TV show “UFO”, which has a cult following 50+ years later. Parralox has succeeded with “The Black Hit Of Space” by turning it inside out and putting a fresh, contemporary spin on it.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 