MARK MENDY and THE BEAMISH BROTHERS, “Black Gasoline”
“Black Gasoline” has a driving, infectious groove that can’t miss. It’s an unexpected slice of alt.pop/rock marking the return of Italian producer Mark Mendy that also launches a musical direction change for Australia’s The Beamish Brothers (Ben and Jeremy), who have been go-to voices on many a dance record these past few years. “Black Gasoline” has crisp rock edges that carry a flow that doesn’t let up. The Beamishes’ voices fit like tight gloves in this setting, sometimes exuding pop vibes you’d find in songs by Shawn Mendes and Years & Years. So slice and dice it into whatever category or genre you want. However you like it “Black Gasoline” aims to please and hits the wide-appeal mark with ease.
There has to be luck in triple numbers, right? So edition 555 is upon us with the chart in its 21st year online. 5 new songs invade the chart, and the Top 10 is all shaken up to the point of crowning a new #1 song.
A beautiful video for the new #1 song was released last week and it belongs to “Closure” by Dutch producer Steve Void with singer Andy Marsh. Although Steve has been to the Top 10 3 times before, it’s his first #1. The video is all about four young people who all don’t seem to fit in, but find happiness being together. It doesn’t really have much to do with the theme of the song, but it doesn’t have to. Well done!
Mahalo and Le:Blanc move up to #2 with a 2:25 dazzler called “In My Arms” (above). LA-based Mahalo also has a new single that’s totally different in the deep house vein from “In My Arms” called “Go Ahead” featuring MŌZ, below.
“Play” by Jonas Blue and Years & Years (above) advanced 6 to 3. Among a number of songs to drop on Valentine’s Day was Years & Years’ “Valentino” featuring UK vocalist MNEK (below).
“Don’t Think Twice” is the latest from Netherlands-based Emirati duo Revelries with fellow producer Sam Smyers and vocalist Oktavian. It climbs 10-4 with eyes on #1 but some competition all around so we’ll see what ultimately gets there when it’s time!
Another song to watch closely on the chart is “I’m So Tired…” by Lauv and Troye Sivan which is the fastest riser soaring 22-6. The pairing between the two singers was so unexpected but so spot on!
Also new to the Top 10 this week are NYC-based singer/songwriter Ryan Gibeau with “Flying Away” (12-9, above) and its retro pop ballad appeal, and The Him’s propulsive “Look At Us Now” (below), bound to be a festival fave soon, as it climbs 13-10. It’s the Dutch duo’s 6th time in the Top 10.
Also keep your eyes on “Lift Me From The Ground” by San Holo featuring Sofie Winterson from San’s album1, which moves up 23-15. The bigger the speakers, the better the song sounds!
Another song to be played loud at festivals is in the mandatory participation needed in “Repeat After Me” by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Armin van Buuren and W&W. It jumps up the chart quickly 25-19.
UK producer Maff Boothroyd has some slick classic house for clubs with “Take Me Away” (above) moving up 27-21. Also new from Maff is “Miss You”, below.
“Love” by Simon Curtis is the L.A.-based singer/songwriter’s first new music in 6 years. It’s Simon’s 16th chart entry, including 3 songs on which he was featured, since “Delusional” arrived on the chart just over 10 years ago. Check out the lyric video for “Love”, above.
Next up at #24 is the second chart entry for Nashville singer Mokita with “London”. He’s already up at #17 with R3HAB on “All Into Nothing”. Like that song “London” is also a ballad, but more in the indie singer/songwriter style, and it has lyrics that will just make you melt.
At #25 is the 11th chart appearance for Sam Smith since 2014 with “Dancing With A Stranger” featuring US singer Normani. It’s a great song that mashes up perfectly with Majid Jordan & Drake’s “Hold On, I’m Coming Home”! It’s Sam’s first entry since songs from his fine second album The Thrill Of It All.
Dutch producer John Christian has a #26 debut with “Let’s Get This Thing Started”, a fun mix of deep house and booming big room sounds. It also uses the music from the 70’s hit “Popcorn” by Hot Butter as a hook. Listen for it!
The fifth debut belongs to L.A. producers Two Friends with the fun tease of “Take It Off” at #27. It follows last year’s “Just A Kid” which peaked at #13 and itself followed numerous remixes which also charted. About “Take It Off”, the guys say “this song is about being with someone who’s super guarded & all you wanna do is scream TRUST ME! but they still have trouble letting you in.”
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
A well-known singer/songwriter posted this past week wondering what songs kids would slow dance to these days. Look no further than Nashville duo Apollo LTD’s “Heaven (All Around You)”. It’s a gracious but still edgy ballad, with Jordan Phillips’ passionate vocal letting loose, rasp and all, near the end, and Adam Stark working all kinds of magic on the keys. The lyrics will speak easily to many who enjoy the music of All-American Rejects, All Time Low, or Simple Plan, and there is definitely retro 80s/90s appeal to “Heaven (All Around You)”. Watch the nicely shot video above for full effect.
Making it three solid singles in a row are Dutch producers Fannypack with “Yellow Brick Road”. And this one’s quite different from the others (“Simple” and “Just A Bitch”), tapping into electronic sounds and altered vocals that one might find in contemporary R&B or Hip Hop, which may help introduce Fannypack’s music to fans of those genres. L.A.-based Seann Bowe is the vocalist, and he was also nominated for a Grammy this year as a co-writer of “Happy Hour” by Weezer, which makes him an interesting choice for an electronic release. “Yellow Brick Road” has an extremely strong first minute which aptly connects the theme and the soul-searching distorted vocal, and then the melodic hook arrives to only make you want to hear more.
After winning a slew of recent awards in her native London, which led to a story in Billboard last month, Natalie Shay is more than ready to shine in the worldwide spotlight that a solid song like “Yesterday” might bring for her. Co-written and recorded with Jonathan Vears, who has worked with the likes of Imagine Dragons, “Yesterday” is richly layered, punchy pop/rock that recounts a relationship that was never meant to be. Natalie’s style often recalls artists like Alanis Morissette, or perhaps even her own namesake, Natalie Imbruglia – one that will rock right out but still capture a beautifully trained voice with expressive qualities. “Yesterday” is a worthy introduction to a new talent that we will hear more of throughout the year.
Some new songs make inroads deeper into the chart and there are four debuts.
But it’s once again A-Trak and Todd Terry who dominate the list for a 4th appearance (8 weeks) with “DJ’s Gotta Dance More”.
But “DJ’s Gotta Dance More” (above) should give way next week to the fantastic song that soars 10-2, which is “Closure” by Dutch producer and record label honcho Steve Void. The original version is above and the new acoustic version is below in its video featuring singer Andy Marsh.
The disco-tastic “Mister Love” by Luxembourg’s White Chocolate (above)advances 8-5, while the pairing of Jax Jones and Years & Years is a winner with “Play” (below) moving up 9-6.
New to the Top 10 are the *rock and roll* of “Siren” by The Chainsmokers (above) – who have more new music coming this week with 5 Seconds Of Summer called “Who Do You Love” – featuring Aazar, rising 14-9, and the fastest riser on the chart from Netherlands-based Emirati duo Revelries in partnership with Sam Smyers and vocalist Oktavian for “Don’t Think Twice” (below), moving 20-10. The Revelries lads also have new music coming out this week called “Handle” featuring MFLR.
“Shooting Star” (above) by NYC singer/songwriter/producer Anna Yvette reaches a new peak of #11, while Sam Bluer’s “Bite My Tongue” (19-14) and “Sexual Vibe” (21-15) by Charlie Puth’s younger brother Stephen (both below) are both eyeing the Top 10.
Indie songstress Molly Moore jumps into the Top 20 for the 5th time with “Be Here Now” (22-17, above), while hot newcomer and Milwaukee native of Albanian heritage Amanda Koçi, better known as Ava Max, rises 25-18 with former UK #1 “Sweet But Psycho” (below).
Dance master R3HAB takes it slow and romantic with “All Into Nothing” (26-19, above) featuring Nashville vocalist Mokita. Once known as Marcy Levy, the incomparable Marcella Detroit graces “Paradise” by Parralox (Eric Kupper remix, below) with her vocals and in its video.
The highest debut on the chart at #22 is one of the most delightful collaborations of 2019 so far. Who woulda thunk that the music of Lauv and Troye Sivan would be so darned harmonious with “I’m So Tired…”. It’s Lauv’s 2nd chart entry, following “I Like Me Better” (#3), and Troye’s 7th. By Spring, this song should be everywhere.
I didn’t care much for the next song until its drawing power convinced me at a concert in November. I’m talking about San Holo’s “Lift Me From The Ground”, featuring Sofie Winterson on vocals, from San’s acclaimed Album1. The crowd reaction to “Lift Me” in NYC in November was almost overwhelming, a really defining moment for San Holo with his rock star live show. “Life Me” arrives at #23. It’s San Holo’s third chart entry following “Light” (#4) and “Brighter Days” (#12, now #28).
2019 has kicked off with some fun music, and one anthem that should by all rights be played at every festival is “Repeat After Me”. It premieres at #25 and is by the all stars that are Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Armin van Buuren and W&W. It’s the first time on the chart for Dimitri, Mike and W&W, but it’s the 5th for Armada Music founder Armin. He first charted in 2003 with a #1 “Just Another Day” (featuring Ray Wilson) and got another #1 in 2008 with “Going Wrong” (featuring Chris Jones). Welcome back Armin for the first time since 2013’s “This Is What It Feels Like” (featuring Trevor Guthrie, #6).
The final debut belongs to UK producer Maff Boothroyd with the retro-flavoured deep house of “Take Me Away” at #27. It’s also the second entry for the Strange Fruits label, also at #2 with label owner Steve Void’s “Closure”.
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
For those of you who like their dance music on the chill but sexy and romantic side, then Austin-based producer and guitarist Cloudchord will satisfy that craving with “Alegria”. Using the Brazilian bossa nova style as its basis, the sound of “Alegria” is charming and lo-fi, and goes down easy like the smoothest of brandies or cognacs. The Emmy-winning Cloudchord also dazzles us with his pristine guitar work which shines the most in the latter part of the song. “Alegria” follows up Cloudchord’s 2016 album Imprint and some subsequent collaborative EP’s with Oatmello and the Soul Food Horns. It’s jazzy and funky and you can’t go wrong with an instrumental that packs such diversity into its three minutes.
Taking cues from some of the last decade’s best UK male singers – James Morrison, Damien Rice for example – and about to join the ranks of Ed Sheeran and James Bay is Welsh singer/songwriter John Adams. Following up his album You Never Know Who’s Listening is “Flames”, the lead off single from his upcoming EP No White Lies. It’s graceful, soulful pop sung by the kind of timeless voice you can listen to for hours. “Flames” is accompanied by an intriguing, lyrical dance video which you can watch over and over again and still be fascinated. The song’s about trying to save a relationship while everything else crumbles around you, not the kind of situation one ever hopes to be in, but I suppose we all experience it to lesser degrees of some sort. “Flames” is a beautiful song, and I think it will just be a matter of time before bigger things happen, so John definitely is one to keep on your radar.
NYC’s Matt Beilis has been steadily releasing his own pop songs and becoming a go-to voice in the dance genre for the most part of this decade, with his uplifting vocal in Electric Bodega’s “Rest Of My Life” a few years back a highlight for me. He’s also a classically trained pianist. “Chemistry or Chemicals” is one of his strongest, catchiest originals, with a snappy hook that stands out alongside Matt’s vocal, which has an Adam Levine flavour with a touch of a rasp. Matt’s a rarity, having a voice that can likely sing just about any kind of song and make it work. “Chemistry” is both witty and telling, a smart song that will keep you coming back to play it again and again.
In this new chart, there’s somewhat more movement and four debuts, but in the coming weeks you’ll be seeing the chart shed many of its favourites from late 2018.
Nonetheless, this time around you’ll still find A-Trak and Todd Terry up top with “DJ’s Gotta Dance More” for a 3rd appearance (6 weeks) at #1, with former #1 “Loyal” by Odesza hanging tight right behind. But that’s where things start to change up.
Mahalo and Le:Blanc’s perky bop “In My Arms” becomes Mahalo’s 4th Top 5 placing song up 8-3 on this chart, Illenium holds on to #4, albeit with a different song this time, with “God Damnit” in a pairing with Call Me Karizma climbs 9-4, as “Crawl Outta Love” slips down to #18.
The only artist from Luxembourg to ever grace this chart is producer White Chocolate, and his contemporary take on disco, “Mister Love”, moves 14-8. Right behind is the effervescent pop/dance of “Play” by Jax Jones and Years & Years, climbing 15-9.
The fastest riser on the chart is the fantastic new song by Steve Void featuring Andy Marsh called “Closure”, which soars 19-10.
Keep your eyes on these relative newcomers in the next month or so. NYC-based singer/songwriter Ryan Gibeau has the enlightening “Flying Away” moving up 22-16, while The Him’s anthemic “Look At Us Now” looks like another winner rising 23-17. “Bite My Tongue” by Australia’s Sam Bluer (27-19) has a unique charm, while Stephen Puth’s “Sexual Vibe” (28-21) knows exactly what it wants. Molly Moore’s great vocal helps define the urgency of “Be Here Now”, moving up 25-22.
As Revelries’ “Naked” departs the chart, it’s immediately replaced by what is likely the Netherlands-based Emirati lads’ best of the most recent trio of releases to date. In collaboration with Sam Smyers and featuring a commanding vocal by Oktavian, “Don’t Think Twice” has the highest debut on the chart at #20.
It’s everywhere and especially in the UK where it’s been #1 for almost a month – soon to be replaced by Ariana Grande methinks – it’s American singer Ava Max at #25 with “Sweet But Psycho”. Right behind it is a gentle love song for the colder months that could be a pop breakthrough for R3HAB with “All Into Nothing” at #26 in partnership with Nashville singer Mokita.
And last but hardly least at #30 is “Paradise” by Parralox featuring singer Marcella Detroit. It’s the flashy house mix by Eric Kupper that reinvents the song to make it fresh. “Paradise”. It’s the fourth entry for Australia’s Parralox (aka John von Ahlen and friends), whose previous three songs all reached the Top 10, particularly 2015’s “Aeronaut” (#4).
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
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