“Fantasy” is one fine slice of soulful pop that brings together the best of the three talents involved: German production duo Saxity and NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry, both written about numerous times in these blog pages and on my Top 30 chart, and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, who competed on American Idol in the season in which Scotty McCreery took home the title. What’s even better is that a social distancing video has been created to give you visuals of all three (well, at least Mr. Stan Sax, one half of Saxity anyway) in performance. The voices of Victor and Robbie meld seamlessly together while the saxophone creates a beautiful bridge in the song besides the chorus. “Fantasy” is a wonderful sweet treat, so give the video some love up top.
DUNISCO and RICHARD JUDGE, “Heaven In The Heartbreak”
Primarily known as a remixer, Norway’s Dunisco (aka Mats Gulbrandsen) returns with his first new music in two years with the guitar-flavoured house track “Heaven In The Heartbreak”. Its vibrancy is carried by a classic song structure and melody, and the song was co-written by its singer, England’s Richard Judge. You’ll recognize his voice immediately from Robin Schulz’s huge European hit “Show Me Love”, and since then he’s been a go-to for dance records by Sam Feldt, Kungs, Benny Benassi, among others. The tight production, the winning story and vocals make “Heaven In The Heartbreak” a must for dance music fans who will only imagine how powerful the song will sound in clubs once they reopen.
I don’t like to overuse terminology, but I know a huge club banger when I hear one. To follow up songs like “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, “Head & Heart” by Joel Corry and MNEK, and “Undo My Heart” by Karen Harding and Digital Farm Animals (all currently on my personal chart), is “Chasing Feelings”. Although Jerome Price is already well-established in his native UK and Europe thanks to remixes of Tim Berg’s “Seek Bromance” and Justin Bieber’s “Where Are You Now”, as well as “Now You’re Gone” (featuring Zara Larsson) and other remixes for Jonas Blue and Troye Sivan, the pandemic put a pause on his (and others) transition to the rest of the world. So the Perfect Havoc label wisely follows Joel Corry’s smashes with “Chasing Feelings”, a co-write with fellow Brit, singer Cally Rhodes. It’s a warm and fuzzy deep house track that recalls other similarly flavoured songs by Mahalo and Alesso. But yes, it is also a slamming banger that will immediately call your attention.
I’m not sure how I missed out on the release of this single and its totally engaging video this past Spring, but there’s no time like the present to catch up, and you need check out “Too Hot To Touch” by Toronto rock duo Crash Adams. Though the guys have had a red couch surface as the constant in video and public appearances, the couch takes a pandemic break while Crash Adams (expanded to a four piece unit) rocks out in an empty office in the video up top. The well-directed video captures the ribald good-timey spirit of the band, who should be a club draw by the time things reopen if they keep on releasing records like this. “Too Hot To Touch” is also extremely radio friendly – highly recommended for college and alt.rock radio stations.
“Getaway” is the title song from the 6-track EP by Halifax producer Dezza. The EP also contains “Carry Me”, a current favourite of mine featuring singer/songwriter Mike Schmid that resides at #7 on my personal chart. Dezza’s songs seem to need a listen or two to grab you, but he has the winning ability to concoct tight ear-grabbers with his co-writers. Such is the case with “Getaway”, co-written with singer EMME, whose vocal brings both fragility and desperation to the lyrics. Like with “Carry Me”, the melody of “Getaway” is more geared towards pop than a heavier deep house track, which I’m sure will continue to open doors for Dezza, who is currently signed to Tritonal’s Enhanced label.The 6 tracks include extended versions of the EP’s three songs, which also include the more progressive “Tilt Shift”.
This past June, I introduced you to Gillian Heidi (previously known under her first name only) with the memorable alt.pop song “high”. The 16 year old Boston native continues to release songs to show off her unique style with “desperate”. Whereas something like “high” recalled a host of 90’s women vocalists, “desperate” is very current and Gillian taps into her creativity with this one that is more likely to appeal to fans of Billie Eilish, Alessia Cara, and other contemporaries. Her vocal here is passionate and engrossing, making “desperate” an immediate draw, particularly for fans of young women in alt.pop.
The new, post-surgery chart is here, and will hopefully serve as stimulation for more blog posts in the coming weeks, since I could only manage to craft a handful before my surgery last week.
I think it’s increasingly important to point out that almost half of this chart is comprised of songs either released independently by the artists themselves, or released independently without a major label distributor. It’s critical for me to continue to write about these artists and performers on these labels’ rosters because they are making as solid recordings as the major label releases. You really owe it to yourself to incorporate discovery into your listening time so you don’t miss out on these and other performers.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that none of the Top 3 songs have changed. Joel Corry and MNEK’s irresistible “Head & Heart” (above) gets a second appearance at #1, while Victor Perry’s beautifully earnest and emotional “What I Deserve” (below) and “Dancing Next To Me” by Greyson Chance hold at second and third.
With two consecutive dance bangers at #1, is there room for a third? “Undo My Heart” by England’s Karen Harding and Digital Farm Animals puts that case forward as this huge dance record soars 10-4.
I will have words about Canadian producer Dezza’s latest release called “Getaway” later in the week. In the meantime, “Carry Me”, featuring co-writer Mike Schmid on vocals, climbs 11-7. Dezza, among other artists such as Matt Fax, has announced a 40-artist new music compilation which you can pre-order called Colorscapes Volume 2.
The hard-hitting, futuristic banger by Australia’s Fisher called “Wanna Go Dancin'” (above) moves up 12-9, while UK indie singer/songwriter Benedict Cork gets his second Top 10 with “One Last Song” (below) rising 16-10. Benedict’s “Breaking Hearts” reached #3 last year.
Inching closer to the Top 10, up 15-11, are the wacky antics of Greece’s The Prince Karma with “Superstar” and its “Night at the Roxbury”-inspired video.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is one that should immediately put you on your feet to groove with all of its marvelous saxophone playing. It’s by Germany’s Stan Sax called “House Is Happiness”, which vaults 27-18.
If you haven’t delved deeper into Troye Sivan’s latest EP beyond the interesting singles that preceded it, you owe it to yourself to soak in its meltworthy title song, which is “In A Dream”. It moves up 26-21.
The Highest Debut of two belongs to new L.A. trio Fames with their big earworm called “scared of the dark”. It arrives at #25.
The second debut will wrap you up in a big progressive electronic hug. “We Are Home” is the latest from Florida singer/songwriter Lauren Mayhew in collaboration with new Moroccan producer Mariline, and bows at #27.
A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the new online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings 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 in 2020 🙂 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
Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 22 years? Rummage through theBILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!
UK singer/songwriter Le Fil is definitely one to watch for many reasons thanks to his intriguing new single and video for “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”. Le Fil is of Chinese descent and grew up in a small town in the UK, which obviously had its limitations for this massively creative queer artist. He has channeled that into an optimistic and fun presentation which is sometimes in contrast to the pointed lyrics of “Money”. The appealing music in “Money” is surely inspired by a few pages from the mid-60’s songbook, where you can almost visualize the go-go- dancers. The voice of Le Fil makes you think of 50’s idols like Frankie Avalon on one hand, combined with the soulfulness of Boy George on the other. And the outstanding video is a home production made during the current lockdown in Le Fil’s kitchen through green-screen – colourful, entertaining and flamboyant, and you can enjoy it and his many interesting characterizations up top.
It’s seems that Victor Perry’s music is everywhere in 2020, for a new song that he’s written and sung appears almost weekly, which is great exposure for the very talented young NYC-based singer/songwriter.
First up is “Call Me”, one of Victor’s most beautiful compositions created in partnership with music by Italian producer and musician Danny Darko. Danny released his first new music in 2020 after a few years, and has millions of streams and hundreds of monthly Spotify listeners to his credit, sometimes under the name Starchaser. The song really takes roots after the first minute when Victor’s voice begins to soar and the story unfolds. Although it doesn’t have anything to do with the movie or book, the refrain of the now popular phrase ‘call me by your name’ is very touching, and with the lilting, almost tropical sounding guitar and synths, the song works well as a whole.
Next, there is “Desire”, made in collaboration with new producer The Peed. This one is quite different for Victor in subject matter and vocal. He sings most of the song in a lower range, which completely suits the song. The song has a deliberate, sultry vibe that’s perfect for a mid-to-late evening setting. Like with “Call Me”, “Desire” contains an ear-catching guitar riff that offsets the rhythm and compliments Victor’s vocal nicely.
Russian producer Proxy steps back a few steps from his usually very aggressive and hard hitting electronica with “Hater”, a collaboration with fellow Russian producer and performer DZA. The relentless and bleak spoken vocal sometimes recalls early Ministry from the 80’s, while the flashy synth work can easily set “Hater” alongside music by Fisher among others. It’s a propulsive, dynamic dance track that’s meant for late nights when clubs are jumping. I’m sure club DJ’s will remember to play this one once clubland resumes again.
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