Although Meara McIntyre Train is not a new name for those who have seen her perform on Broadway, The Today Show, or at Madison Square Garden. But unveiled as pop singer MEARA, she offers a commanding introduction with her debut single “Blackbird”. Co-written with producer Max Mostley and Norma Jean Martine, the song’s sweet introduction leads into a dark tale as the protagonist is led on an adventure of self-discovery by the title character. MEARA’s beautifully controlled voice is offset by a baroque-flavoured arrangement reminiscent of songs from Florence & The Machine’s first album. Though there are similarities to other gifted performers, MEARA makes this quasi-supernatural but uplifting style her own – a strange, almost whispered vocal later in the song will catch you off guard. “Blackbird” speeds by in its four minutes and that itself is a tribute to the fine songwriting and compelling performance.
With so much music out there and everyone claiming to be the next-big-thing-in-waiting, sometimes songs till come along and grab you right out of the blue. Such is the case with French producer Saint Lanvain’s “Hey You”, and I’m excited about its potential. It’s classy deep house with a touching story and great chemistry between male and female vocalists who alas remain uncredited. Saint Lanvain co-wrote and co-produced this song while isolated in Brazil during the early days of the pandemic. His wish to make this song “fly” – and “we’ll fly together”, he says in his Spotify profile – has indeed allowed “Hey You” to sprout its own invisible wings. Already achieving success with his remixes including for the likes of The Avener, along with support from fellow Frenchman David Guetta, “Hey You” should quickly attract dance radio play in North America for Saint Lanvain until clubs can have it in their grasp.
Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw came to international prominence in 2015 when his one-of-a-kind song “Heroes” won EuroVision and Melodifestivalen that year. I was fortunate to know about this charming, hard-working singer years before when he competed on Melodifestivalen in 2009 with a performance of “Hope and Glory” (below) that just floored me, though the song itself finished fourth. “Come Over Love” follows up Måns’ recent hosting appearance on this year’s Melodifestivalen, where he performed “Come Over Love” (above), as well as his song for the World Figure Skating Championships, “Circles And Squares”, and the 2019 album Time. “Come Over Love” is an engaging and uplifting radio-ready midtempo pop song released independently by Swedish label ART:ERY Music Group, which features one of his best vocal performances in years. His compelling voice is filled with the urgency that this well-written and produced song needs, and I hope that “Come Over Love” will be another international kickstart for Måns so that more music fans will hear his songs.
I first wrote about British alternative pop singer/songwriter SC.Undercover last year at the time of the release of his infectious and quirky “Morals” and its eye-catching video. He returns to show off his vocal dynamics again with “Deeper Love”. This time, his song is led by an acoustic guitar melody and an even bigger focus on the soulful side of his voice, deliberately intimate in homage to the kind of music he says that he grew up with. Several falsetto moments definitely create unexpected chills to help take this tender ballad to the next level. “Deeper Love” is a song that easily carves out its own path and draws listeners with its gentle magnetism.
Kacey Fifield is a 16 year old singer/songwriter from L.A. whose burgeoning talent is popping in 2021. “Confused” is her second release for Tipsy Records, following up last year’s uncharacteristic and unique duet with Robbie Rosen called “Last Breath”. “Confused” is a thoughtful electronic ballad that should capture the ears of many listeners within her age range. Its relatable words pinpoint the feelings of many teens and young adults in these unusual times who are trying their best to cope with the demands of relationships, social media, puberty, school, work, and more. Kacey sings right from the heart, there is no embellishing, and she is fortunate to have ongoing guidance with her music from friend, occasional co-writer and producer Robbie. Kacey is well-established in social media circles and her fans should flock to the authenticity of “Confused”.
The new chart is so chock with fun-filled activity, particularly for people like me who enjoy making and reading charts :D, so in these kinds of situations I feel bad about excluding any words about songs that are deserving for one reason or another. So where there might be an omission this week, I’ll try and make up for it in two weeks.
Amid all of the activity further down, the top two songs remain the same. Faithless and Nathan Ball keep control of #1 with the rhythmic and witty “Synthesizer” (above) from the album All Blessed. And Rina Sawayama’s enduring Lady Gaga-esque “Lucid” (below) holds tight at #2.
Zipping up the chart 9-3 to challenge for the top in two weeks is no stranger to this part of the chart – he’s reached the Top 5 six times now – L.A.-based electronic dance producer Mahalo with his Top 10 national dance radio hit “Not Watching Anymore”.
“Escape” is the awesome, beautifully sung electronic dance single by California producer Jay Bird and singer/songwriter Chrxstal Sarah, which glides into the Top 10, up 11-6.
Also new to the Top 10 is the gentle and knowing “Stories” (above), moving 12-8 for NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry with German producers Cal1 and L’essay. It’s Victor’s 9th trip to the Top 10 as either solo or featured artist! Victor doubles the pleasure by debuting at #24 with the dance fest called “Myself In You” (below) in collaboration with Italian producer Lordnox.
The final new entry in the Top 10 has been making leaps and bounds these past few weeks after starting its chart journey at #30. It’s the huge feel-good R&B/pop of “Arms Around Me” by Toronto artist D!XON. Do check out its engaging video above.
The Faster Riser on the chart, soaring 25-15, is carried by the smoking house of “No More Looking Back” by actor/producer Idris Elba and house legends Inner City led by the amazing Kevin Saunderson. Its driven vocal by Steffanie Christi’an is icing on the cake!
“Pressure” by Martin Garrix and Tove Lo is is most distinct and decidedly different offering in quite some time, and it climbs 21-16.
Your pre-summer party treat comes in the form of “Friday” by British producer Riton, reviving The Nightcrawlers’ 90’s house classic “Push The Feeling On”, and featuring the antics of social media stars Mufasa and Hypeman. It’s just so much fun and moves up 26-17.
Equally fun and bringing the beach party to you wherever you are in the world is “Boys” by Florida’s Lauren Mayhew and NYC dance producer INViDA, which climbs 22-18.
Watch out, there is a new banger in our midst, and it’s “When I Lost You” (above) by Norwegian dance producer Dunisco and NYC singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, which is making short work of the chart, bounding 27-19. Ever-prolific, you can also check out this new one featuring Robbie by Italian producer Sotschi called “When No One Is Watching” (below).
The Highest Debut on the chart comes from the song that finished 2nd in the recent Swedish music contest Melodifestivalen. But as strong as the winner (“Voices” by Tusse) might be, “Every Minute” by Eric Saade has the edge for me, and bows at #21. It’s Eric’s first chart appearance since 2016’s “Colors” and is his first English-language recording since 2017. Eric previously topped this chart in 2011/12 with “Popular”, “Hotter Than Fire”, and “Backseat”, and “Every Minute” marks his 12th appearance.
Ireland’s Four Nights is actually a recording name for singer/songwriter Tommy Buckley, whose simple but effective take on 80’s pop will take no time getting stuck in your head. “Want You Always” climbs 28-22.
The third debut on the chart is the first for multiple Grammy Award winner Finneas (and brother, of course, of Billie Eilish, who herself has yet to find her way onto this chart). Arriving at #26 is blues-tinged rock of “American Cliché” (above), and you can bet that his duet with California native Ashe called “Till Forever Falls Apart” (below) may indeed follow suit in the next few weeks.
The fourth debut is the third appearance on the chart for both UK singer/songwriter Karen Harding and UK producer/songwriter Shift K3Y. Quickly following up Karen’s #5 “Let’s Get Together” (now at #29) at #27 is “Morning” (above), which also has been released in a wicked club mix by UK dance producer Eli Brown (below). Karen also charted last year with “Undo My Heart”, which was #1 for a month, and Shift K3Y previously appeared with Becky Hill last year at this time with “Better Off Without You” (#16) and in 2015, also at this time, with “I Know” (#7).
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NEW!! Starting in the evenings on Tuesday March 30, Planet Radio Canadareturns to the interwebs with The Musicman James Rogers and his “3D Variety Show” each week for three hours of great music as well as a few features. When Planet Radio Canada was first broadcasting a few years back, I had a new music feature segment which I’m pleased to say is returning. Listen to my New Music Pick of the Week (usually featuring a song on the chart) in the second hour of the show. Tomorrow, the show will also spotlight The Rolling Stones through some lifelong fans’ perspectives!
The music from this chart and blog are also featured regularly on the online radio station The New Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings, also with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers, and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m the new music consultant for the station so you can expect even more 🙂 You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactiveFacebook group too!!
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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs
You may already know her name from her recent work with Sonny Fodera, Sondr and VIZE, but Lilly Ahlberg is carving out her own niche with her latest release, the pop-house track “Young Forever”. Lilly has had a much travelled young life, being born in Italy, raised in Sweden, with time spent in Norway and Australia, and now dividing her time between Sweden and the UK. With specific guidance through Sonny Fodera’s slick production assist and release on his own Solotoko label, “Young Forever” bridges a big gap between pop and house styles quite admirably, and has amassed almost a half million streams in a few weeks of release. Her vocal is alternately chill and committed, a fervent mix that places her somewhere between contemporaries Robyn and Astrid S., and one to keep an ear out for more in 2021.
Lately, dance music talent as diverse as The Knocks, Whethan, and Benny Blanco has found their way into alternative rock zones through radio play. And other artists already popular in alt.rock like Machine Gun Kelly and grandson, have added electronics prominently to their recent releases. So it’s no wonder that a song like “Alone Tonight” by indie singers/songwriters Perry Bancs and Gem Chantelle is also mixing minimal electronics with hip hop flavours and settling into alt.rock trappings, while meeting with favourable reaction. It kind of picks up with a style that Halsey and G-Eazy started albeit quite briefly with the Top 20 pop hit “Him & I” . “Alone Tonight” offers thoughts on two young folks who prefer to be alone much of the time for their own mental health reasons, but are still in need of companionship, compassion, and possibly more in their lives, and decide to get together. It stages that opportunity for one evening, which could just be for good company, or the start of something more. The singers have terrific chemistry in this uncharacteristic setting and have created a true “sleeper” that’s well worth hearing.
Although her direction is now headed away from alternative rock and into the Country music arena with her most recent EP Guilty, Buffalo NY’s lovely Lexxi Raine has a penchant for writing solid, often engaging and sometimes touching songs, whatever the genre may be. Her latest single “Joker” is her own production while she prepares other songs for future release. Stripped to acoustics, “Joker” is a cutting and affecting story of heartbreak, when you learn your relationship with your ex never even mattered to them. It’s an interesting, relatable perspective and Lexxi’s bruised but reflective vocal shines in this purely pop setting. Check out the video above.
Swedish producer .mak follows up his fine remix of “Slow” for Bankii and Billy Otto with a shimmering change of pace called “Trust”. It’s classy, melodic Europop that features a captivating vocal by newcomer Sabrina Ali, and I think we’ll be hearing much more from her. Along with Sabrina and “American Idol” contestant Robbie Rosen, .mak has crafted an easy-going electronic delight that succeeds on its own merits. It’s full of personality and a great antidote to bangers and heavier house tracks.
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