L.A.’s Rob Tirea is a rising songwriter and producer who has recently also taken on vocal duties for his releases, after a number of previous songs with other vocalists – notably Jeremy Beamish of Australia’s The Beamish Brothers – or producers – I wrote about his work with Emirati producers Revelries on “Blue” last year. And like “Blue”, “Deaf and Stellar” is another fine slice of left-of-centre electronic dance/pop. The song seems rather cryptic at times, with its unusual song title, but what I get out of it is a positive spin on life after a relationship has ended. Rob has an easy going tenor voice and the melody is soothing to accompany its earnest lyrics. “Deaf and Stellar” won’t resonate with you immediately, and I don’t think that’s its intention either, so do stick with it.
tiny deaths is a new “dream pop” project created by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Claire de Lune with producer Grant Cutler. From the new EP If I’m Dreaming comes “The Jump”, a quietly captivating observation on the attraction and ‘what if?’ moments we have with fame. With its minimalist drum beat pulsating throughout, “The Jump” has hypnotic qualities, with Claire’s attractive and smooth voice being the star of the show. Electronic music fans of this new sub-genre will undoubtedly be impressed and tiny deaths appears to be moving in an intriguing direction. Check out the video above featuring dancer Desaré Cox to give you more insight into the song. PS there’s a Shania Twain ‘easter egg’ in the song … *hint* it’s the title of one of her songs 🙂
Whenever UK singer/songwriter James Poole creates new music, it always draws me in for one reason or another. Often, it’s in the way he uses his voice, whether it’s the falsetto in the funkiness of “Goodness Gracious” or its raw power in “I Am Lion”. In “Hope You’ll Be There Soon” it’s a restrained head voice vocal over a mainly acoustic pop backdrop. Yes, it sounds rather simple at the end of the day but in actuality it takes a lot to make it sound so effortless. The gentle, positive message of the song wouldn’t work as well without it either. “Hope You’ll Be There Soon” reminds me of when I first heard James’ voice many years ago when he was recording covers on You Tube. If you haven’t heard James’ music before, be sure to check this one out as well as the songs in his album Humanity released last year.
Educated at Berklee College and travelling worldwide with symphony orchestras brings a richness to the music of NYC-based singer Kéren with her recent single “Talisman” from her new 6-song album In Form. Kéren sounds like so many classic alternative and pop singers at different times – Adele, Amy Winehouse, Sade, Björk – yet has also achieved her own sound through the crisp and compelling clarity of her voice and the subtle yet layered arrangement of her music. “Talisman” is a song that could be set to a cinescape of images for even better effect. Kéren’s worldly music seems to want to unfold a set of stories that will be fit for the ages. “Talisman” has numerous indelible and mystical qualities about it that warmly pull you in to enjoy.
It’s been a while since I’ve written about Canadian independent R&B/pop artist Diamond Cafe, who is back with his latest single “Not Sorry”. This song reflects back on a relationship where saying sorry (or not) seems to be the major issue at play. It’s a 70’s funk-filled showcase as the singer (aka Tristan Thompson) continues to show his prowess with his George Michael and Prince inspired vocals. Its soulful vibes and interesting story go down easy, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from Diamond Cafe in the new year. Play this one next to songs by fellow Canadians Francesco Yates and Jessie Reyez.
When I wrote about a release by Valencia James last year, I compared the power in her voice to Lady Gaga. And while that may be so on that song (“Flames”), in her latest called “All The Waves”, it’s like Dua Lipa meets Sarah McLachlan. Her soundscape and vivid, memorable lyrics, about working through tough times to bring out the best in us, instantly recall the music of the latter, while her current pop flair recalls the former. There’s no doubt that it’s an interesting blend which all works well together. Give “All The Waves” a few spins and add it to a playlist that might also include Kate Bush, The Pretenders, and Annie Lennox where you can definitely appreciate the diversity of a singer like Valencia James.
There continues to be an enormous abundance of fine music out there – all you have to do is look for it and listen! The BILLCS Top 30 is now in its 22nd year online and continues to act as a guide to steer you in the direction of some great tunes in a variety of pop genres. The chart has four new entries to tantalize you.
Hanging on to #1 is “House Is Happiness” (above) by German producer and saxophonist Stan Sax, who is one half of the duo Saxity, who themselves move into the Top 10 with “Fantasy” (below), featuring the voices of Victor Perry and Robbie Rosen (13-10). Stan and Koni are back on another roll of releases, with another brand new one coming this Friday.
His third album Love Goes is receiving fine public and critical response, and Sam Smith has his eyes on #1 in two weeks with his engaging single “Diamonds”, climbing 5-2.
Sweden’s Agnes obtains her first Top 5 song on this chart since 2009 as the zippy “Fingers Crossed” advances 8-5. Her last song to do this was “Release Me”, which got to #1.
Besides “Fantasy”, the other newcomer to the Top 10 is “Tinseltown In The Rain”, the emotional and intriguing cover of The Blue Nile’s 1984 song by German producer Matt Mancid and California-based vocalist (and multi-instrumentalist) Color Theory. “Tinseltown”, in its Big Rhythm mix, climbs 11-9.
The Fastest Riser on the chart belongs to Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with British singer Mahalia on “No One But You”. This romantic R&B/pop ballad moves up 18-11.
It looks like “Nightlight” opened up even a more pop-oriented audience door for Illenium than his last album Ascend. Recently #1 on the national dance chart for two weeks, “Nightlight” rises 17-13. The uncredited vocal is by one of its co-writers, and frequent Illenium collaborator, Annika Wells.
I like to think of Canadian singer/songwriter Francesco Yates’ “Late Night Love” as his equivalent of Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” – especially since the singer opened for JT throughout one of his recent tours. This sexy and raucous R&B-flavoured song rises 20-15.
Tyler Shaw is one of Canada’s most versatile performers, who can shift from style to style, including recording in French. Such is the case with his latest danceable Top 20 pop radio hit “Remember”, which climbs 21-16.
MAX and SUGA’s “Blueberry Lies” continues to lead the last chart’s new entries, and advances 25-19. Be sure to check out MAX’s excellent album Colour Vision. I was so pleased to see him perform the entire album in a recent free virtual show.
I currently have the Highest Debut on repeat. It’s the new house banger “Give It Back” by The Disco Fries and Giiants featuring singer/songwriter Allison Park. By all rights this song should be huge, and I’m helping to give it that push as it debuts at #20.
Next up at #24 is the first appearance on the chart for Swedish production duo NOTD in tandem with mystery performer Catello on their latest single “Nobody”. The song has already soared into the Top 10 on national dance charts, and is the logical follow up to last year’s huge hit “So Close”.
Despite having been on release since summer, I can’t let the song that debuts at #25 go without it having a chart run. British rocker James Bay returns to the chart with “Chew On My Heart” from his most recent EP Turn It Up. He reached #2 two years ago with “Pink Lemonade”.
The fourth debut is a supurb change of pace for L.A.-based singer/songwriter Lauv, who partners with rising star Conan Gray for “Fake” at #30. The guys really have great chemistry and make “Fake” a lighter, enjoyable song considering its subject matter. It’s Lauv’s 4th appearance on the chart, and Conan’s first.
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 2021 🙂 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!!
As you may have read numerous times in this blog over the last few years, Mokita (aka John-Luke Carter) is a singer/songwriter/producer from Nashville who uses songwriting to help figure out things that he has observed or encountered. His latest single, “sleepwalking”, is an acoustic collaboration with Mike Kinsella of the veteran alt.rock groups American Football and Owen. While you can hear tinges of country and folk styles in this one, it’s actually well-done acoustic and lyrical pop. “sleepwalking” is about being on one side of a relationship where you know you are just passing through. The other party knows it too, but you’re waiting for that person to snap you out of it, which isn’t going to happen, so self-realization invariably must take hold. Mokita echoes performers like Jackson Browne and The Eagles in his vocal in “sleepwalking”, which helps make what could be a heady subject sound very refreshing.
Hoger is a new bedroom singer/songwriter/musician who took a lot of learning into his own hands a few years ago, and started self-producing his own music last year. Concurrently, he has also started his own song publishing company for his own music and that of others. Although his bio doesn’t say where he’s from, I would gather that it’s England. His latest single is a grower called “Same Mistakes”. And it’s a grower because you need to set aside the time to get to know the story of the song. “Same Mistakes” is about knowing that you keep getting into toxic relationships – and continue letting them happen. This is applicable to other events in our lives, but those come without the fatal flaw – that you continue to think you’re in love. Hoger has beautiful quiet tones to his voice, but when the song comes to a head, his tone is sharper and raw. However it all suits “Same Mistakes” quite well – spend some time with it and you will be rewarded.
While Toronto duo Crash Adams continue to make buzzworthy moves with fun videos and unpredictable cameos by that red couch in the artwork above throughout the city, they are on their game in terms of great songs too. “Delicate” is the latest of these, and it trades more good timey fare for a kind and gentle rocker. For yes, men cry, have feelings, and can be hurt easily – there are those who could also be self-described as “Delicate”. And chalk this one up for Crash Adams for being able to convey a sensitive message in a positive way in these times when machismo and brawn often call the shots. Don’t get me wrong – “Delicate” still rocks out as a bouncy, upbeat, tightly played track. That these guys have been able to mesh everything together into one tidy, enjoyable and meaningful package makes “Delicate” a winner.
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