Tag Archives: alternative

#BILLCSTop30 #572 – October 14, 2019

I have a briefer blog post for you as a result of a combination of a busy Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and illness.  I will be back with more about the Top 30 for you in two weeks, and of course with blog posts in-between.

I am pleased to announce that music from my chart and blog will be featured regularly on the new online radio station Radio GTA.  You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades!

“Push” by Ukrainian dance group Kazaky once again holds court at the top, giving the Depeche Mode-influenced song 4 appearances (8 weeks) at #1.  We’ll see what this talented group plans as a follow up!

Looking to challenge in two weeks is “Dreamer” by Australian producer Throttle, which climbs 6-2, as Throttle’s first ever EP Where U Are is released.  It uniquely mixes thoughtful lyrics and a variety of dance styles and genres which will appeal to fans of both pop and dance music.  There are even vocals by Throttle himself!  Check out the full EP below, and listen to the songs consecutively as he suggests, which include “Dreamer” and his other previous single “Japan”.

“I’m Not Alright” by Loud Luxury and Bryce Vine advances 5-4 and now has its own video, check it out above.

Also eyeing the top of the chart is the OKJAMES remix of UK indie electronic performer Lostchild’s “Like Like” (below), which zips into the Top 10, up 11-5.  Check out the video of the original version of the song above.

Half of the Top 10 are independent releases with no label power, and one I’m happy to see climbing 12-8 is from Nashville duo Apollo LTD with the commanding “On The Way Up 2.0” from their must-hear album Out Of Body.

The other new entry to the Top 10 is a Top 30 hit in the UK and a dance hit as well.  It’s “Ritual” by Tiësto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora, moving 13-10.

The fastest riser on the chart is by another independent performer from the UK.  The golden voice of Benedict Cork carries “Breaking Hearts” 20-12.

I’m sooo glad Pet Shop Boys and Years & Years teamed up for a record because it is absolutely a treat to listen to each time.  “Dreamland” rises 21-14.  Remixes are coming in all physical formats on October 25!

While other upward moving songs between 15 and 24 should break loose in some way or form in two weeks, you can’t deny the power of the highest debut at #25.  Harry Styles’ “Lights Up” simply should be one of the biggest hits of 2019, and the signs will show in the coming weeks.  Any vocalist should be in awe of his performance here, in such a different style from his previous album two years ago too.  The video above has almost 20M views since October 11!

As “Good Things Falls Apart” tumbles off the chart after the maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks), 5 of which were at #1, it gives room for another Illenium song.  “Broken Ones”, featuring the stunning voice of Anna Clendening, arrives at #26.  If you saw one of Illenium’s recent shows, you also saw Annika Wells (known for her vocal on “Crawl Outta Love”) sing it as if she recorded it.

The last two premieres on the chart were hard to fill, but both artists have appeared on the chart a number of times.  At #28 (above) is the infectious “Punching In The Dark” by Sweden’s Hellberg featuring the easily identifiable voice of Aloe Blacc.  And arriving at #29 is “Walk Alone” (below), the early ’10’s and very welcome melodic house throwback by Dutch producers The Him.  Both Hellberg and The Him have been to the top of the chart, Hellberg with Dzeko & Torres and “Care For Me” in 2016, and The Him in 2018 with Parson James and “Broken Love”.

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

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Canadian rockers @NikkisWives bring you 3 fiery new songs: “Playing With Fire”, “Bones”, and “Shaking Hands With the Devil”

NIKKI’S WIVES, “Playing With Fire”, “Bones”, and “Shaking Hands With the Devil”

Canadian rock trio Nikki’s Wives continues to impress with now what amounts to a full EP’s worth of releases in 2019.  Three new songs show that they are contenders for mainstream and alternative rock radio airplay.  “Playing with Fire” is the most powerful and accessible, supported by an intriguing video which you’ll find up top.  “Bones” (below) is the fist-pumper of the lot with potent guitar and drum work.  “Shaking Hands With the Devil” (also below) is a unique interpretation of the Faust story about a rocker selling her soul to the devil.  As tight as Dylan and Nate are on guitar and drums, it’s the strong songwriting and always compelling vocals by Nikki that hold everything together.  Be sure to catch Nikki’s Wives in concert this Fall to demonstrate how they vividly bring these songs to life in performance.

Nikki’s Wives plays The Mod Club in Toronto on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

L.A.-based singer/songwriter @BrandonColbein returns to recording with stunning, emotional ballad “Mad”

BRANDON COLBEIN, “Mad”

It’s been almost three years since we’ve heard Brandon Colbein sing his own songs, which were previously recorded as Brandon Skeie.  With a striking voice that wastes no time in convincing you of its potency, Brandon is back with the emotional ballad “Mad”.  I often look for perspective in lyrics, and Brandon nails it here.  The song is offered from a point of view in the aftermath of a relationship when you’re still angry at your former lover – and perhaps, always will be.  But it plays on those moments when you still realize you loved this person at one time, and you’re torn about staying mad at them forever.  As with the exhilarating “So Bad” in 2016 – which has had millions of views online and turned out to be my favourite song of that year – “Mad” cuts right through to your bones. It fills you with empathy but also presents a second look at the relationship, even if it’s fleeting, before life continues on its path.  Despite his absence from recording, Brandon’s been a busy songwriter for Warner Chappell, co-writing songs for the likes of Zayn, Liam Payne, Hayley Kiyoko, Bea Miller, and In Real Life, among many others.  “Mad” puts Brandon right back into the mix without skipping a beat.

The soulful pop of NYC singer/songwriter @Reigenmusic sizzles with “Thrill Me”

REIGEN, “Thrill Me”

“Thrill Me” by NYC singer/songwriter Reigen offers a taut performance, which like many of his songs, keeps you hanging on each word.  With his releases alternating between infectious dance club-oriented pop and seamless soulful ballads, “Thrill Me” scores in the latter department with its sexy late night vibe.  Its often minimal backdrop sets the tone before a slow and steady beat kicks in, making “Thrill Me” perfect for an up close and personal time whether it’s cuddling on a couch, swaying together at a club, or a stroll under the stars.

Canadian rockers @InMyComa’s “Next Life” gets a redux and a memorable video

IN MY COMA, “Next Life” (redux)

“Next Life” is by far my favourite song from Canadian trio In My Coma’s recent album of the same name.  So I’m glad they’ve stuck with giving it a redux to accompany its new, memorable video.  The video weaves in and out of performance shots of the hard-working alt.rock trio (Jasper James, vocals and guitar; LauraDoll, bass; Mike Paterson, drums/percussion) to tell the story of a young woman fraught with remembrances of a relationship with another young woman who is recently departed.  The video works along well with the song, and hard-edged, tightly played “Next Life” (produced by Moist’s Mark Makoway) is a must-add for Canadian rock radio.

“Black & Blue” shows a softer side of Lost Frequencies (@LFrequencies) with the help of singer/songwriter @thisisMokita

LOST FREQUENCIES and MOKITA, “Black & Blue”

I definitely didn’t see this coming.  You never know who is connecting with who in this busy music biz.  Belgium’s Lost Frequencies (Felix De Laet) is back after his wonderful single earlier in the year with Flynn called “Recognise” (and its gazillion remixes) to preview his upcoming album Alive And Feeling Fine with “Black & Blue”.  It’s definitely a softer offering for the producer who somehow has paired with a current fave of mine, Nashville singer/songwriter Mokita – first R3HAB and now Lost Frequencies!  Mokita’s delicate vocal glides over the acoustic guitar and its soulful melody.  These guys make it sound so easy together!  “Black & Blue” should definitely be pitched to pop and dance radio stations as a sophisticated-sounding release that goes down so easily.

#BILLCSTop30 #571, September 30/19

Rounding out September and as we sail into the Autumn months, I’m definitely one guy who isn’t looking for dreary, downtempo music.  And as such, the top of the new chart stays the same – at least the Top 3.  Gradual change is afoot, which means that songs on the rise outside of the Top 10 will soon make their presence felt.  Four new entries by artists who have all previously appeared on the chart also make it interesting!

So it’s the mesmerizing pulse of “Push” (above) by Ukrainian dance group Kazaky that continues up top for a third appearance (six weeks), and I still cannot endorse its amazingly choreographed video enough!  “Higher Love” by Whitney Houston in a Kygo reboot remains at #2, while L.A. producer Eric Sharp and vocalist Zhao also stay put at #3 with the cool house of “Monday Blues”.

The power of Avicii continues as “Tough Love” (above), featuring Agnes and Vargas & Lagola, climbs 5-4.  

My fellow Canadians Loud Luxury arrive in the Top 5 moving up 8-5 with “I’m Not Alright”.  Featuring Bryce Vine on vocals, the lads had a great appearance with James Corden last week, above.

New to the Top 10 are Simon Curtis’ “Graduate” (13-9, above), with one of Simon’s finest vocals in recent years – it’s only Simon’s 17th appearance in the Top 10 as lead or featured act!! – as well as the power trio of producers Ken Summit and Eric Kupper with vocalist Amy Douglas for the bassy 90’s house of “Give Me Love” (12-10, below).

Looking to make inroads in the Top 10 next week is “Like Like” by UK indie singer/songwriter Lostchild, currently on a brief tour in the US.  The brilliantly fun OKJAMES remix soars 19-11 (above, video of its original version below).

Australian singer Peter Wilson is looking splendid on the chart in the Stormby edit of “Don’t Break My Heart” which rises 22-16.

Right behind are the hedonism delights of “Poolside Vibe” (above) by Pretty Sister and MarcLo, gliding 24-17.  The prolific pair of producers renown have since released two similarly-themed tunes, “New Fire” and “Tequila” (both below) which you should check out to keep the summer vibes going.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4seUd4RVqkaM8gtbgvzt7v?si=OF5oud_nRYy0HRFw9G3cDw

UK singer/songwriter Benedict Cork breaks into the Top 20 with his fabulous voice in “Breaking Hearts” (27-20).

Not far behind, The Knocks and Kah-Lo’s ode to everything positive, “Awa Ni” (above), moves up 28-22, while NYC-based producers and brothers Anden climb 29-23 with “Flicker” (also above), totally tailored for the NYC nightlife.

Leading the four new entries is the more-than-dynamic pairing of talents from completely different decades who sound so natural together.  Reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys’ own previous meet up with Dusty Springfield is the new connection to Years & Years in “Dreamland”, which bows at #21.  I can’t be more excited to hear what PSB and Y&Y might continue to concoct together.  “Dreamland” is an amazing start!  It’s Years & Years’ 8th chart entry.

MAX returns to the chart after the #4 success of “Love Me Less” (now available in various remixes and also featuring one with Kim Petras) with the enticing “Acid Dreams”, featuring rapper Felly, bowing at #24.  Check out the colourful, eye-popping video above, which also features MAX’s wife Emily.  It’s MAX’s 8th chart entry, too.

Toronto’s Ryan Shepherd is back with his third chart entry and the slick house of “Who’s Gonna Love U”, which features singer/songwriter Heather Janssen.  It arrives at #26.

After scoring a #1 Billboard Dance Club Play chart entry with Vassy called “Concrete Heart” not long ago, Nick and Danny, aka The Disco Fries, land on the chart with their retooling of Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” at #27.  It’s fast, furious and fun!

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

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

 

 

 

“London” is L.A.’s @MollyMooremusic at her most sultry, soulful, and diverse

MOLLY MOORE, “London”

After a couple of quieter, perhaps more experimental singles, L.A. singer/songwriter Molly Moore has turned her talents towards a sultry, soulful side that we haven’t seen too much with “London”.  I’m sure this song was inspired by a recent trip to that city, and sometimes with new places come new perspectives.  “London” also taps into classic jazz influences that we’ve previously heard, making it a standout release in her growing catalogue of recordings.  If you like Jessie Ware, Dusty Springfield, or Lisa Stansfield, then be sure to add “London” to a similar playlist.  Hint: A 4 or 5 song EP in this style would be more than welcome!!

The voice of Scotland’s Ben Davidson @bdavidsonmusic shines on both the @HandbagHouse remix of “Anything” and @DSMmusic’s ballad “In The Rain”

BEN DAVIDSON, “Anything” (Handbag House remix)

DSM and BEN DAVIDSON, “In The Rain”

Scotland’s Ben Davidson has one of those captivating voices that will alternately make an uptempo song more vibrant or let a softer song make you melt.  

Ben recently released the single “Anything” for Energise Records, but in its original mix I find his vocal doesn’t so much go hand-in-hand with the production’s additional layers of sparkle.  In its remix by Handbag House, “Anything” is so well suited for the deep house genre that you would think it was the original mix.  Like with Sam Dickinson’s “Wild Sun” last year, Handbag House offers a solid alternative for dance clubs to relish.

While Ben co-wrote “Anything”, it and “In The Rain” were co-written by Dan Scholes, a veteran British producer who also records as DSM.  Instead of Ben, “In The Rain” was co-written with Canadian Kim Williams, and it’s an independent release that puts Ben into more-than-comfortable ballad territory, which invokes a story of a past relationship and being constantly haunted by the anguish some memories can cause.  DSM and Ben are so in tune together, making “In The Rain” a stylish and memorable treat for those who like softer music with a great voice to lead the way.

New Atlanta pop/electronic duo Vedado, featuring returning producer @Popeska, do it their way with “Messing Around”

VEDADO, “Messing Around”

Vedado is Atlanta duo Ralf Popescu – aka electronic producer Popeska, making a return to the music scene after a lengthy absence – and Matt Petters, two friends who first started writing together 5 years ago, and are now committing music to recording with their debut single “Messing Around”.  It’s got a tight pop/rock sound thanks to the surprising ample presence of electric guitar, which carries the song’s melody all the way through, and lets synths and other instruments play second fiddle to flesh it all out.  To be honest I’m not sure what the song is all about and yeah, perhaps the guys aren’t 100% on the mark with the vocal.  But it’s an infectious song that definitely gives you what Vedado hoped – a fun, light-hearted, collaborative vibe. And who could knock them for that?