Progressive bass house fans will welcome the consistent and melodic sounds of Aussie producers Noy and Jordan Burns into the mix with their three-song EP called Like Me. The title song, essentially an instrumental with some vocal added to provide a memorable hook, takes what their fellow countryman Fisher does so well but into another dance music realm. “Movin'” is a floor-filler where you’ll find your head will have difficulty catching up with your feet. Best of all, “None Of It’s Real” is the banger of the bunch, with its infectious, herky-jerky rhythm, and bound to be a crowd-pleaser once events start happening again. Noy & Jordan Burns offer a solid addition to the Night Bass roster that does not disappoint.
The mission of “Got My Way” by L.A. indie electronic trio Moontower is to ensure their listeners are thankful for who they have in their lives, and that even if you stray off your path, you can find your way back through the love of others. They’ve framed all of this with a bright, upbeat sound that goes down easily led by the fine voice of singer Jacob Culver. Hand in hand with another new release with Goldroom called “Guess I’m Jaded” that is also receiving traction, and with with several songs whose Spotify streaming numbers sends them over the two million mark, Moontower is setting itself for merit-based success, and you should definitely put “Got My Way” on your radar.
“Born Again” is an ear-opening new song about being gone before your time by L.A.-based, British singer/songwriter Johnny Ashby. He could easily fall into the category of sincere indie folk/rock singer/songwriter du jour, but his memorable voice and the carefully layered production in “Born Again” say otherwise. Fans of Coldplay, Niall Horan, John.k, and particularly Bastille should flock to listen to this song and others by Johnny Ashby. His vocal is friendly and earnest, and you may even have unknowingly heard his songs in placements on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy or Pretty Little Liars, but his sound is driven and ambitious. Johnny Ashby gives us much more than is expected in “Born Again” and I’m looking forward to hearing more songs by him.
I wrote about “For What It’s Worth”, Tiggy Hawke’s most recent single and collaboration with producers Sondr, back in the Spring, and it has since become her most-streamed song, clocking in at just under 4 million on Spotify alone. The North Londoner’s unique style, sometimes reminiscent of an Ellie Goulding, takes a bit of time to nestle inside your head. And with “Electric Sun” she moves away from a more lyrical electronic bent to one that’s heavy – and very welcome so – on the big bass beats. Yes, “Electric Sun” is a punchy dance floor filler that one might associate with a Nora En Pure set in Ibiza, and will sound great in a large audience setting once those events resume. With “Electric Sun”, Tiggy Hawke shows both her diversity in the dance music genre and her ability to take a risk that is already paying off in spades in the form of hundreds of thousands of streams within weeks of its release.
Kentucky-based singer/songwriter Chase Cimala flexes his wide appeal with “MerryGoRound”, which follows up his sentimental and genuine 2020 ‘graduation’ song “Here’s To My Teenage Years”. He mixes it up with “MerryGoRound” in his outstanding vocal where Michael Bublé flair joins forces with older school styles that recall both Ricky Nelson and Elvis. With his rich tones, Chase can sing any genre of music and make it special. “MerryGoRound” is a solid, romantic summer song brought to you by the cool guy next door. Chase Cimala is a new talent with huge potential who’s deserving of your attention.
“You” is 3:19 of infectious and gritty soulful pop brought to your attention by Maine hip hop artist Shang-High. The singer/songwriter has been off to a stellar start these past years with two albums and Spotify streams over one million for his song “What Did We Do”. Since his last album in 2018, it’s been a steady outpouring of singles, and “You” definitely has all of the chops in place to draw in a variety of listeners. Shang-High’s singing voice is totally on point, sometimes recalling a Daryl Hall or Jay Kay of Jamiroquai – and then it’s often brought to a raspy edge. His hip hop break in “You” flows beautifully, and he’s clearly well-versed in that style (since hip hop isn’t my thing, I won’t even try to cite any influences), though to me it’s a secondary attraction in this particular song. Overall, “You” is an energetic bop that will easily get stuck in your head.
The new chart is here, after I wrote about 19 new releases during the last two weeks, some of them future chart contenders for sure!
Songs from some of the finest albums of the year dominate my Top 5. And that’s coming from me, who hardly listens to albums anymore. But in my days growing up and listening to my local radio stations and collecting their charts, I’ve always been a singles/song guy. I have my fair share of albums and CD’s, but my collection of 45’s, 12″ dance mixes, and CD singles (plus a few cassingles) likely equals them. And if you add a few thousand mp3’s from the last 20 years – well… my albums are far outnumbered. There are also four songs that debut on the chart.
Those albums I mentioned at the top by the way are called Chromatica, What’s Your Pleasure, and The Lasers.
The race for #1 was tighter than you think, but Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s “Rain On Me”, from Chromatica, climbs 3-1. Strangely, Gaga has only reached #1 on my chart once, in 2010 with the KING5CAT remix of “Teeth”, and it’s Ariana’s first trip to the top. And also from Chromatica, “Sine From Above”, her duet with Elton John, climbs 18-13.
“You’ll Be OK” by Gareth Emery featuring Annabel slips to #2, but after watching his online set where he played all of the songs from his upcoming album The Lasers, I can’t wait to add it to my collection!
“Never Let Me Down” by German producers VIZE with British singer/songwriter Tom Gregory climbs 7-3. It’s a classic single where you simply cannot knock the hook and chorus.
What’s Your Pleasure is Jessie Ware’s best album since Tough Love in 2014. It’s fun and rhythmic, full of affection and romance… and dancing! “Save A Kiss” is the Fastest Riser of the week and climbs 14-4.
To keep us entertained until his full album Fun City arrives, Bright Light Bright Light not only holds steady at #5 with the 90’s house-flavoured “This Was My House”, but he’s released a third single and video from the album called “I Used To Be Cool”. Check out Rod’s escapades as a lusty houseboy below!
The only other new song in the Top 10 is a most deserving one. Alesso’s top notch “Midnight”, featuring Liam Payne on vocals, rises 11-9. It’s Alesso’s second Top 10 on this chart following “Falling” from a few years back.
From his brand new EP Rewind, which I wrote about last week, is “What I Deserve” by singer/songwriter Victor Perry. This unique, soulful, electronic song soars 25-16. The second single release, a more uptempo electronic track once again in partnership with German producer Levi, is called “Greenlight”, which you can hear below.
Toronto R&B/pop singer/songwriter Tafari Anthony continues a steady move up the chart with his cutting single “Centerfold”, rising 21-17.
While we’re without dance floors right now, you can always create your own in your living room or basement or wherever! Greyson Chance’s heartfelt “Dancing Next To Me” should then be added immediately to your playlist. It moves up 24-18.
Rufus Wainwright’s new album Unfollow The Rules arrives this week, and from it comes the jaunty and playful “You Ain’t Big”, which climbs 27-21.
The Highest Debut on the chart belongs to Toronto’s Francesco Yates, who has just released his fantastic new EP Superbad. It’s no-holds-barred second single “Bad Decisions” bows at #22. It’s Francesco’s 4th chart entry; his hit “Better To Be Loved” reached #6 five summers ago.
Next up is a blast of classic house done absolutely right. British producer Eli Brown’s “Desire” will pump you up for that eventual return to the clubs, and it debuts at #25.
American production duo Midnight Kids return to the chart after last year’s #5 “Those Were The Days” with Jared Lee. The thoughtful singalong electronic pop of “Monsters” arrives at #26 from their debut album called The Lost Youth.
As “Diamond Skin” exits the chart after reaching #6 a few weeks back, UK singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson continues his run on the chart with the second single from his upcoming album Off Script called “Cry Wolf”. It premieres at #28 and you can read my thoughts about it in the recent blog post. A third single from Off Script is on deck this month too.
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 30 right 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!!
Hot off the presses, Rewind is the first EP from Georgia-born, NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry since 2016’s 4 A.M. Nostalgia. Throughout his intervening work with numerous dance music producers and in the EP of his own side project Labrose, Victor’s songwriting and style has grown immensely. His aim is to be a versatile pop-soul singer like his idols, Whitney Houston and Rihanna, while also being a thoughtful songwriter who can concoct great songs for his far-ranging voice.
The six songs in Rewind appeal because of their ability to be steadfast and solid, challenging the listener with his words while making them shine with the varied tones in his voice. “What I Deserve”, the lead single, is the best example of Victor stretching his boundaries with an emotional song, yet it’s one that instantly grows on you too. In “Undercurrent”, there are times when Victor is heard singing without words and that’s just as eminently listenable as the rest of the song. In “Run”, his higher vocal range is put to great use, and his ability to control those high notes and make them into another instrument is testament to his talent. The EP is rounded out with two other gentle pop/soul songs, “Reciprocity” and the title song (with first co-producer Chris Belmont), as well as the lead off dance track “Greenlight”, another delight for fans of his work with second co-producer Levi alongside “Lost Boy”, “Moonlight”, and “Sail”.
Rewind is an EP that will appeal to all ages and traverses the pop-soul genres, often relying on softer melodies that anchor unique lyrics and perspectives. I expect that Rewind will afford Victor many more opportunities that will be the result of much ongoing hard and well-thought out work that often sounds graceful and effortless in the end.
The music of “Superstar” is a throwback to European dance hits of the 90’s like Real McCoy’s “Another Night” with dashes of novelty humour like in Aqua’s “Barbie Girl”. It’s set to a strut-worthy beat as brought to you by the Greek artist known as The Prince Karma. The Prince caught attention not long ago in Europe with “Later Bitches” and “No More”, and “Superstar” is the lead track from a new three song EP. The lightheartedness of “Superstar” is reinforced by its goofy video, which is an affable homage to “A Night At The Roxbury” at times. The Prince Karma is no flash in the pan though. The rest of the EP features two other strong songs, one about “Rick James” and the other called “It’s The DJ”, another homage this time to classic house music with vocal by no less than house legend Ron Carroll (also heard recently on Mercer’s amazing house jam “Satisfy”). Expect to hear much more from The Prince Karma.
Lia Rose hails from San Francisco, and a lot of Netflix viewers heard her rendition of The Romantics’ 1984 smash “Talking In Your Sleep” in the final moments of the finale to season two of “The Order”. I dread covers of some of my favourite songs, but on occasion an artist can transform one with a fresh take. Lia Rose gives the bright and bouncy rock/dance track a deep and dark twist, slowing it down with a lush and languid melody accompanied by a taut vocal. Kudos to the music producers for “The Order” because “Talking In Your Sleep” fit the scene perfectly. And it has opened up many doors for Lia Rose, through which “Talking In Your Sleep” will continue to find fans.
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