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.
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.
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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”.
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