“We Will Survive” is the title track of the 5 song EP by British alt.rock group Beware The Bear and singer Sean Smith, whom many of you know from this blog from his other wonderful work in a dance/pop setting. Following the propulsive “Wishing On The Water” (which I wrote about recently, also featured in the EP), “We Will Survive” is much needed encouraging reinforcement in these strange times when it feels like things won’t get any better. Its catchy “yeah”(x7) hook and Sean’s vibrant vocal highlight a well-played, refreshing release that will appeal to those who like artists from Harry Styles through to Foster The People.
After reaching a milestone of 2,500 blog posts last week since I began writing the BILLCS Music Blog in 2009, I’ve also hit another milestone with the BILLCS Top 30. It’s edition #600, which would be over 1,200 if it was weekly. The chart first began online in January 1998 and the first published #1 was “Angel” by Canadian singer Joée. I had previously posted Top 10 versions of the chart on a few websites or message boards, starting in September 1997. The chart remained a Top 10 until the edition of August 31, 1998, when it was extended to a Top 30.
There are 5 debuts on the chart, and we have a new #1 song in edition #600. It’s an exhilarating instrumental called “House Is Happiness” by German producer and saxophonist Stan Sax, who is one half of the duo Saxity, and also records under the name of ZEROBADDAYS. “House Is Happiness” is a real toe-tapper and you’ll have a tough time staying still. It’s yet another independently released song to reach #1 on my chart.
Sweden’s Pawl & Discrete have another snappy house record that will vie for #1 with “Type Like That”, making another big bold move, advancing 10-3.
But the one to watch is the glorious “Diamonds” by Sam Smith, from his excellent new album Love Goes. “Diamonds” soars 17-5, the Fastest Riser on the chart, among a bunch of fine breakup songs in Love Goes. “Diamonds” features one of Sam’s best vocals, and it’s his highest placing on this chart since 2014.
Two songs arrive in the Top 10 for the first time. Sweden’s Agnes obtains her fourth Top 10 song on this chart with “Fingers Crossed” (13-8, above), most recently reaching #3 on “Tough Love” by Avicii. Singer/songwriter/producer Lauren Mayhew and Moroccan teen producer Mariline debut in the Top 10 with the warm and fuzzy progressive dance track “We Are Home” (11-9), which was written by Lauren at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).
Stan Sax’s other project, Saxity, climbs 16-13 with “Fantasy”, featuring outstanding vocals by Victor Perry and American Idol alumnus Robbie Rosen. You can see all three gents in the video above.
Denver producer Illenium has a new personal best this week as “Nightlight” (21-17) becomes the #1 song at Dance Music Radio in the USA.
Out of four debuts two weeks ago, “No One But You” by Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with British singer/songwriter Mahalia leads the way, climbing 24-18. Be sure to download Justin’s APP from the App Store, and you’ll find a list of all of his major concert performances over the years, plus some new exclusive acoustic clips to keep you entertained during these strange times.
The highest debut belongs to the ever-so-talented (and dad-to-be) MAX, from his excellent album Colour Vision, with “Blueberry Eyes”, featuring singing by his buddy SUGA of BTS. This song, written for MAX’s wife Emily, arrives at #25, and joins MAX’s collaboration with Jonas Blue, “Naked” (#15), on the chart. “Naked” recently peaked at #4. BTS previously appeared on the chart in early 2018 with “DNA”, which peaked at #13.
Next up is another artist currently on the chart, NYC-based Welsh singer/songwriter Bright Light Bright Light. His outstanding duet with Erasure’s Andy Bell called “Good For Goodbyes” arrives at #26 (above) and has also been released as an extended remix created by Grammy Award winner Tracy Young (below). Tracy in fact appeared on the chart back in 2002 with her radio edit of Cyndi Lauper’s “Shine” (#5). “It’s Alright, It’s OK” by Bright Light Bright Light and Montreal trio Caveboy also climbs 18-16.
Making their chart debut is the L.A. quintet Why Don’t We with the rock-flavoured “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)” at #27. This single by the group of early 20-somethings follows up their 2018 debut album 8 Letters. And with “Fallin'” already brewing at Top 40 radio, I’m sure another album is not far behind.
Also making his chart debut is British electronic dance producer Jerome Price, with vocalist Cally Rhodes, on the irresistible dance banger “Chasing Feelings”, which bows at #28.
While “Dancing Next To Me”, one of my favourites of 2020, departs the chart after a maximum 10 chart stay (20 weeks), Greyson Chance returns immediately to maintain the flow at #29 with his latest single “Bad To Myself”. This one has a lot of personal and earnest touches, referencing Greyson’s recent bout with anorexia.
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!!
BRANDYN BURNETTE and FRENCH BRAIDS, “Rolling Papers”
“Rolling Papers” is one new song that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Brandyn Burnette has been hard at work in 2020 as both a solo and feature artist, regularly releasing new songs to showcase his pop, hip hop and R&B styles. “Rolling Papers” might be a bit of a crapshoot but it’s a whole lot of fun. The singer shows off his deft wordsmithing and is aptly supported by rising Toronto electronic producer French Braids (aka Sean Fischer), with whom Brandyn worked earlier this year on the track “Legend”. But in “Rolling Papers” it’s great to hear Brandyn’s verses freewheelin’ in a lighter, feel-good setting, and that is a big win for fans and new listeners.
Although he has recorded as a part of the rock trio Tanjier, which has had solid local success in his native Dublin, Four Nights (aka Tommy Buckley) has branched out on his own with the 80’s pop flair of “Want You Always”. Self-described as influenced by alt.pop groups like The1975 and LANY, it’s one of two new Four Nights singles (the other being “Nothing To Say”) that have just been released. “Want You Always” immediately grabs you with that ever-so-familiar drum beat, which pervaded 80’s hits like Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and in particular “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals. But that’s where similarities end – “Want You Always” draws you in with Tommy’s earnest vocal which unfolds the story of being wounded by the end of a relationship that may have finished prematurely, at least through the eyes of the songwriter. The additional instrumentation comes together nicely, making “Want You Always” a warm, easy listen and a promising start for Four Nights.
Following “New Girlfriend” and particularly the outstanding “Like A Drunk Girl” (which peaked at #11 on my personal chart) is “Part Of This” by British singer/songwriter Jazz Mino. It’s theme is about being excluded, which hits home in particular in the last part of the song, which touches on being on the receiving end of a crumbling relationship. The song relies on Jazz Mino’s gentle, personable, but direct vocal to tell her story over a minimal mainly electronic arrangement with some well-placed guitar work. Despite its story, “Part Of This” doesn’t come off as a downer. Like several of her other songs, Jazz Mino offers well-meaning perspective to which many listeners will relate, and this makes her songs easily stand out from the rest.
L.A.-based singer/songwriter Cobi continues to release affecting and personal songs such as his latest, “You’re Mine”. This one documents the struggle to find a relationship’s middle ground, when the singer’s own struggles prevent it from moving on to the next level, and put the relationship at risk. “You’re Mine” is about wanting someone so much, and not knowing what to do about it. Cobi’s powerful vocal resonates from deep within, but what could be a morose song is boosted by a fervid, sometimes bluesy rock arrangement that keeps you captivated instead of pushing you away. I can’t wait to hear what Cobi’s songs will sound like when he has the opportunity to play them in a live concert. And so above is a live clip that will give you a taste, with the studio version below.
Finding a happy, edgy ground somewhere between Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish isn’t easy, but L.A.-based indie singer/songwriter KING MALA (aka Areli Castro) seems to have achieved it in “If I Try To Find You”. It’s a follow up to her complex single “sugarblind”, which I wrote about in the Summer. The song pulls open wounds from a long-ago relationship, when given thought about where that person might be now, with the realization that the enduring pain from it was much deeper. The song truly comes alive with an in-your-face chorus that might prove to be a trademark of KING MALA’s “king bad bitch” persona. “If I Try To Find You” is aggressive and not always an easy listen, but your time in getting to know the music of KING MALA will be very well spent.
I’ve noticed in the past several months, there has been a real absence of romantic songs, probably in keeping somewhat with the current ongoing situation. So bravo to Toronto’s Justin Nozuka for releasing his first new music in over two years in the form of an R&B-pop ballad with UK singer Mahalia that recalls his cover of Sade’s “By My Side” called “No One Like You”. In years past, this would be called a ‘quiet storm’ track, and could easily be played next to classics of that sub-genre. It’s a lusciously simple song about anyone’s special someone, and it’s complimented by its video above, which reminds us of all of the gentle, sensual, romantic, and often basic aspects of a relationship that take place. “No One Like You” is pop music soul food. This collaboration with Mahalia is certainly one-of-a-kind. She has had her own major label album release to show off her Erykah Badu-meets-Lauryn Hill style, and has recorded with Jacob Collier, Ty Dolla $ign, Kranium, Ella-Mai, and more. I’m so glad to hear new music from Justin, who is always unpredictable but creates from the heart. Listen for more coming soon.
Mokita is a prolific singer/songwriter from Nashville who has been coming into his own with his releases over the last few years. It culminated in a collaboration with R3HAB called “All Into Nothing”, which has acquired over $25 million streams. His originals “London” and “Inside Out” were two of my faves last year, and several singles have been released since his EP 4201. “Ready Yet” is the latest, which might remind listeners a lot of songs by Lauv, though the two have quite different styles. This one’s about not being ready for a relationship, something we don’t hear about often in songs. It’s solid, breezy pop that goes down easy.
After writing about his recent singles “Who’s Gotcha” and “Worth It”, and indicating that I wanted to hear more from Buffalo NY native HVNNIBVL, I didn’t realize there was an EP on its way. Now on release, Reasonably, Relative is the title, and among its six songs you will find those two previous singles. Digging into the EP, another highlight is “Something Special”, and it’s for different reasons than the others. While the main focus is on spreading happy vibes, I found “Something Special” reminding me at times of Bruno Mars’ “Treasure”. It’s probably because the song has HVNNIBVL’s best vocal thus far, and the story about wanting to do “Something Special” with your lover or friend is one that’s needed in the world today. And based on what I heard in Reasonably, Relative, if you sat down HVNNIBVL in a room with some established producers, he would have the great songs ready for them, and all they would have to do is add the spit and polish.
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