MAHALO, DISCO KILLERZ and BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Tongue Tied” (Danny Quest and Frank Pole remixes)
RAT CITY and KIESZA, “Naked (With My Headphones On)” (Tungevaad, VIDA and Blinkie remixes)
I’m a firm believer that in some cases official remixes can improve on a good song’s success. Here we have two cases that clearly support what I believe.
L.A.-based Mahalo is extremely prolific and with a song like “So Cold” becoming such a major dance radio hit last year, it’s important that every release since that one must stand out. Despite the talent in partnership with Disco Killerz and EMAN8 (billed as Brandyn Burnette), two remixes of “Tongue Tied” actually add more to enhance the original song. Florida’s Danny Quest pumps up the rhythm with an arrangement that enhances Brandyn’s vocal (above). And Italy’s Frank Pole lends a Eurohouse vibe that will assuredly draw dancers to the club floor (below).
“Naked (With My Headphones On)” is such a strong song by Norway’s Rat City with my immensely talented fellow Canadian Kiesza singing it, and it has endured through social media since its release last Fall. A trio of remixes is definitely helping to reboot the song’s infectious appeal. Norway’s Tungevaad brings a European trance flavour to the proceedings in a shorter, tighter version of the song (above). London’s Blinkie offers similar sped up trance-y vibes while newcomer ZIDA focuses on Kiesza’s vocal and strengthens the pop appeal of the song (both are below).
If you checked out and loved the originals of “Tongue Tied” and “Naked (With My Headphones On)” then do yourself a favour and listen to the remixes too!
I’ve got to give Montreal’s BTSM and Atlanta’s ATLiens lots of credit for combining forces and releasing the highly creative “Frequencies”. You never lose interest in what’s happening within the song even from what sounds like an inauspicious start. It takes its time to build, and it’s well worth the wait getting through some nifty effects, beats and chanting before one of those essential head-banging drops kicks in. The rest of “Frequencies” is total progressive dubstep gravy, hardly making the song seem like it’s been 4:10 in length when it ends. This style of music is slightly outside of my wheelhouse so it’s guaranteed to please fans of both acts and dubstep/electronic dance wizardry.
AEORO definitely knows how to make a fun pop song and video and the South Florida pop singer/songwriter is back to tease you with “Babe’s A Rockstar”. Its light-hearted, flirty style is an atypical winner, abetted somewhat by the inclusion of a familiar verse – from Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love”. Yes, AEORO is a rocker at heart, so why not bring a fantasy to light and build upon it. She also has a great voice, which I’ve previously mentioned will appeal to fans of Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. So get to know AEORO a little more with the video for “Babe’s A Rockstar” above (with Spotify link below).
While former One Direction members don’t have three songs again in the new chart, they are back-to-back in the pole positions.
Zayn’s featured vocal totally makes “Flames” by producers R3HAB and Jungleboi (above) , and it holds at #1 for a second appearance at the top. But right behind at #2 is “Adore You” by Harry Styles (below) from Fine Line, so the two songs will battle it out for #1 in two weeks. And Harry’s “Watermelon Sugar” rises a notch 8-7 too.
Awolnation’s catchy electronic rocker “The Best” (above) climbs 4-3, while Chicago production duo Autograf move up 10-5 with “Ain’t Deep Enough” (below). That matches featured vocalist Jared Lee’s previous peak appearance on the Midnight Kids’ “Those Were The Days” last year.
Not surprisingly, Famba’s “Storm” (above), featuring fellow Canadian Kyra Mastro, becomes his third Top 10 hit on this chart, advancing 11-9, while yet another Canadian, Ekali acquires his first one in collaboration with Illenium and vocalist Chloe Angelides on “Hard To Say Goodbye” (12-10, below) from the album A World Away.
More Canadians have the fastest riser on the chart. It belongs to Vancouver producers Young Bombs for their original featuring Aloe Blacc called “Better Day”. It zips up the chart 22-14 and is on its way to becoming their second Top 20 radio hit in Canada, following last year’s “Starry Eyes”. It’s also a Top 30 dance radio hit in the U.S.
The debuts from two weeks ago are already making inroads on the chart. Arty’s “Daydreams” featuring Cimo Fränkel (above) climbs 24-18 in its Sultan + Shepard “echoes of life” remix. The Russian producer has immediately followed it up with another thoughtful anthem, “You’re Not Alone” with vocalist Griff Clawson, below.
Louis Tomlinson’s touching “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart”, from his debut album Walls, is well on its way up the chart, rising 27-20.
“Better Off Without You” by Becky Hill and Shift K3Y has leapt into the Top 25 in their native UK, and it’s done the same thing on this chart, climbing 28-23.
The highest debut on the chart is the first appearance for Italian producer Gianmaria Sanna, otherwise known as Deep Chills, with a charming pop-flavoured slice of tropical-tinged electronica called “Backfire” featuring L.A. vocalist Not Famous. It arrives on the chart at #21. Check out the lyric video featuring both performers above.
Arriving at #24 and continuing his mighty comeback is British producer Gareth Emery with newcomer Nash for “Yesterday”. The song has a classic 80’s feel which reminds me particularly of Mike Oldfield’s songs with Maggie Reilly, such as “Family Man” or “Moonlight Shadow”. So thanks to L.A.’s Linney for capturing that vocal style, intentionally or not, which gives the song the gentle, reflective feels that it needs. Check out the video from Gareth’s recent “Laserface” show in Minneapolis, above.
Following up last year’s snappy and infectious “Don’t Think Twice” (#2) is “Fall-Out” by Netherlands-based Emirati producers Revelries, this time in collaboration with fellow producers Boyboyboy and UK-based German vocalist Will Church. It bows at #25.
The fourth debut is “Look Into My Eyes” by L.A. singer/songwriter Brando, who you know from his memorable vocal on Loud Luxury’s massive hit “Body”. He returns to the chart at #27 with this original which also reworks Charles & Eddie’s 1992 hit “Would I Lie To You” into the hook of the song.
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 our 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
Boy, Ethan Snoreck had a few aces up his sleeve when he took a break from touring last year to concentrate on music. Taking a few risks by pulling in alternative rock influences for his most recent single “Stay Forever” (with STRFKR), they worked so well that Whethan brought in Toronto’s Juno Awards-nominated grandson to co-write and provide the vocal for “All In My Head”. And quite honestly, Whethan’s production plays a bit of a second fiddle to the insanely unique and memorable vocal that grandson (aka Jordan Benjamin) provides, sounding at times like a hybrid offspring of The Beastie Boys. While the overall focus ends up on grandson, Whethan keeps the song moving at a frenetic pace with some herky-jerky pit stops along the way. It’s a dizzy mix of guitars, synths and drums that seem to take a number of cues from early 80’s new wave at times. “All In My Head” is a personal best for Whethan, and knowing that he can instantly return to electronic dance that has attracted enough of the likes of Dua Lipa, Tom Morello, Louis The Child, and The Knocks to work with him already at 20 years old is just impressive all on its own.
The new music of Massachusetts-born Seth Glier does not easily fit into one box. Primarily known as a folk singer and a Grammy-nominated engineer who had a U.S. state department-sponsored tour, Seth will capture your interest with the genuine pop feels brought to you by his latest single “Stages”. In the song, he recounts some of the stages we go through when we’re in love, and the stumbles we all make to help the relationship get better and continue. He’s opened in the past for singers like James Taylor and Marc Cohn, and like those talents gents, he doesn’t sound like any one singer in particular. A song like “Stages” (co-written incidentally by frequent dance music vocal contributor Carly Paige) could easily get lost in the fast-paced today of pop music, but for those who like to make it slow down a bit more, you’ll find the song to be a gentle and quietly expressive surprise that will sneak under your skin.
In the past few years, Dutch producer CR3ON has moved away from producing and remixing others in favour of his own electronic dance flavours. With built-in support from the likes of Tiesto and Don Diablo, as well as labels Spinnin’ and Armada and now Steve Void’s Strange Fruits, CR3ON is out to dazzle the rest of the world. His latest single is “Mr. Lonely”, which brings back singer Gwendolyne from his earlier releases. It’s an infectious emotional dance pop number – no relation to the classic Bobby Vinton hit at all – that will certainly cheer you up if you’re down. The rhythm shifts from a bassy deep house backdrop to brighter and lighter notes that keep the groove pumping.
BEACH OF DIAMONDS, “She Makes A Mess Everywhere She Goes”
Norwegian rock duo Beach Of Diamonds takes us back to the 2000’s specifically around 2003-04 when Blink-182 and Green Day ruled and other alternative rockers like AFI, My Chemical Romance, and Fall Out Boy were also establishing themselves. Throw in hints of similar but more commercial-oriented acts at the time like McFly and American Hi-Fi and you’ll get the vibe of BoD’s latest single “She Makes A Mess Everywhere She Goes”. Though they say they wrote it for Greta Thunberg, it’s an energetic and I believe humorous song about a gal who leaves relationships in dire straits and then moves on. The vocals and guitar work are grabbers and the song could fit like a glove in North American mainstream or alternative radio faster than you can say “American Idiot”.
UK singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson seems to have exciting music up his sleeve quite often, and it’s been a treat to watch his songwriting and on-record performances grow over the years. He dazzled with “Wild Sun” and “All We Are” from his last releases, but “Diamond Skin” has even more potential for radio play with its contemporary themes of self-worth and self-empowerment. From his upcoming album Off Script, it’s well-produced and not only focuses on the intriguing lyrics but also Sam’s solid, versatile voice, which was recorded in one take! He moves seamlessly in and out of falsetto range, and “Diamond Skin” also has a familiar groove that will definitely make you want to move. Don’t miss this one!
It all seems to have happened very quickly, complete with a deal with Atlantic Records, but Calgary-based singer/songwriter Tate McRae is off to a smoking start as her single “Stupid” receives significant national radio play in Canada. There’s more to 16 year old Tate than that single though as the compelling “All My Friends Are Fake” will demonstrate to you, from her debut EP All The Things I Never Said. The obvious comparisons will be to both Billie Eilish and Alessia Cara, and hey with music this solid, we’ll have to see if this holds true a year from now. “All My Friends Are Fake” has a lot to say about friendships and relationships between young people in the age of social media, where the lines of who is a true friend are often blurred. Her target audience will relate and listen and there is much more undoubtedly to come this year.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 