Tag Archives: alternative

NYC alt.rocker @MickyJamesmusic shakes you down with “Tie Me Up” and “New Heart”

MICKY JAMES, “Tie Me Up” and “New Heart”

NYC singer/songwriter Micky James is definitely an attention grabber with ‘double A’ single “Tie Me Up” and “New Heart”.  He’s got a look that makes you think Oasis meets Mick Jagger, but his sound is contemporary sort of post-punk blast from the 80’s, if you think Joan Jett and Generation X-era Billy Idol.  “Tie Me Up” is a quick, edgy, tidy rocker that may draw its energy from the punk era, recalling Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe.  “New Heart”, on the other hand, is a bouncy synth-rocker that has a lot of roots in British new wave like Duran Duran as if sung by a Billie Joe Armstrong or Brandon Urie.  There’s a lot to enjoy about these original songs vocally, musically and melodically, which makes them stand well on their own, however you consider Micky’s possible influences, so be sure to give ’em a shot at the Spotify links above and below.

https://open.spotify.com/track/46MpilrHl5tuTYgKyt5smU

 

#BILLCSTop30 #546 – October 15/18

The Ides of October are upon us already, and that means Summer favourites are departing the chart.  To replace them though, there’s no shortage of great tunes.  There are three debuts and a brand new #1!

The Top 10

  • Calgary’s Kiesza gets her first #1 on this chart with the season-appropriate “Phantom Of The Dance Floor”, featuring Quebec opera singer Philippe Sly, in only its third appearance on the chart.  It’s a fun song and an even more fun, manic video.  Spread the news about this one kids as people are missing out.  It’s also the first #1 by a Canadian since this year at this very time when Loud Luxury and Nikki’s Wives held court with “Show Me”.  Benny Benassi & Sofi Tukker’s “Everybody Needs A Kiss” slides to #2, still one of my faves of the year, and it will hang around for a while.
  • Another song that I can’t stop playing is “Verona” by Australia’s Peter Wilson and England’s Sean Smith.  It advances 9 to 4 this week, and the combination of 80’s musical flavour/production, great storytelling, and fine singing make “Verona” the total package!
  • Philadelphia’s N i G H T S get their second Top 5 hit with “Eyes”, following last year’s totally different “P A R T Y”.  Give these guys some time and they will make their mark, with so many songs up their sleeves.

  • Both “High On Life” by Martin Garrix and Bonn (above), and “All For You” by Years and Years (below), finally break into the Top 10 after a lot of patient waiting for some of my favourites to depart.  “High On Life” climbs 11-7 and “All For You” is up 12-8.  

  • “Vacant Love” by Caden Jester and Blake Rose hits another new peak, climbing 10-9.

  • Norway’s Jesper Jenset gets his second Top 10 as featured vocalist in Gromee’s “One Last Time” (above), which climbs 13-10.  He’s also featured in Lost Kings’ new single “Drunk As Hell” which you can check out below in its amusing Simpsons-ish looking video.

Movin’ On Up

  • It’s sort of peaked already but “Rise” by Jonas Blue and Jack & Jack (above) has been slowly making its way up my chart.  It climbs 15-11 this week.  Jack & Jack recently dropped their new song “No One Compares To You” (below).

  • Netherlands-based producers Revelries also continue to climb with their latest original “Infinitum”, featuring Australia’s Beamish Boys on vocals.  It rises 14-12.
  • The fastest riser on the chart is “Loyal” by Odesza, up 24-14.  This should be no surprise; it’s one of the most intriguing and unpredictable songs on the chart with a soulful female vocal (sample or no?) that drives it home.

  • Also making a significant leap is PLS&TY’s “Down For Me” in its club-ready Morgan Page extended mix, climbing 21-15.

  • Though it made a small move two weeks ago, “Soldier” by Sidney Samson & GWise is hardly done, and jumps 27-22.

3 Debuts

  • It took a few spins for me to really dig this record, but now there’s no stoppin’ me playing it!  My fellow Canadian A-Trak is back with a fun, inspiring original called “DJ’s Gotta Dance More”, made even more genuine with legend Todd Terry on vocals!!  This song is a MUST for every club DJ.  It’s classic, reverent house with a great message.  It bows at #24.  A-Trak was last on the chart as part of the trio with Kimbra and Foster The People’s Mark Foster in 2012 for “Warrior” (#10), a freebee at the time courtesy of Converse.
  • Mercer returns to the chart after his #1 “Satisfy” with “Fireworks”, a 70’s retrotastic song I’ve been playing for months that is re-released as part of French producer’s new EP Neo Disco, along with another new song “Monte Carlo”.  “Fireworks” arrives at #25.

  • The Chainsmokers are also back making a collaboration with Country singer Kelsea Ballerini work so well with “This Feeling”.  Their other recent single “Side Effects” failed to resonate with me, sounding too much like other dance pop on the charts.  “This Feeling” premieres at #26.

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 🙂

 

Meet Baltimore’s @BretSears with streetwise pop/hip hop of “Break The Rules”

BRET SEARS, “Break The Rules”

Baltimore’s Bret Sears is branching out from his dance/pop group project Casual Encounter, which I wrote about last December, to tackle fresh streetwise pop/hip hop with “Break The Rules”.  It’s definitely got a polished pop side but with some grittiness that could attract fans of  Justin Timberlake, Jesse McCartney, Logic, and G-Eazy.  While “Break The Rules” isn’t going challenge any boundaries, it’s got an undeniable hook which is when the vocal is at its strongest.  The melody has raw qualities about it that sound like throwbacks to 90’s NWA/Ice-T/2Pac releases which you generally won’t find in a pop-oriented record.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s next for Bret in this new undertaking.

“Moonlight” is a fanciful upbeat electro-ballad from Germany’s @itsLeviofficial and vocalist Victor Perry @perksofbeingvic

LEVI and VICTOR PERRY, “Moonlight”

I will always say that if the chemistry is there and you score with your first record together, then definitely make a second!  And so that’s what’s happened with German producer Levi and sweet ‘n soulful American vocalist Victor Perry, who first created the thoughtful, lilting “Sail” together last year, one of my favourite songs of 2017 which got to #3 on my personal chart.  The pair return with “Moonlight”, a different kind of electro-ballad that isn’t slow-paced as regular ballads usually are.  It’s got a playful, fanciful uptempo rhythm at times that seems to recall doo wop more than any other style of music, and is old school in the same vein of “Lost In Japan” by Shawn Mendes.  “Moonlight” is punctuated with great melody and another stellar vocal from Victor, who is a highlight to any release.  “Moonlight” isn’t a club banger but a lot of charm, rhythm, melody, and fine singing goes a long, long way (and maybe a Zedd remix is in order too 🙂 )!

Norway’s Dyrisk is back with acoustic-guitar driven electro of “Whispers”

DYRISK, “Whispers”

One thing’s certain with Norway’s Dyrisk – aka Vetle Gjøstøl Olsen – is to always expect something unconventional.  He scored big time in collaboration with UK producer Nik Ernst earlier this year with “Smile”, a #1 on my chart that is totally unlike anything you’ll hear this year – witty, smerking, in your face alt.rock,  and you can dance to it if you want to.  “Whispers” seems to take some cues from Radiohead and Beck and offers alt.electro with acoustic guitar folk flourishes in a commonly told tale where you can’t seem to do anything right in a relationship.  There are long pauses and drawn out melodies that totally work even if they’re against the normal grain.  Definitely even more of a change of pace for Tipsy Records, “Whispers” contains lots of soft electronic synth touches and a smoother Dyrisk vocal this time that offers up an earnest protagonist in the song.  Anything is possible in a Dyrisk song and I’m a firm believer that you will enjoy “Whispers”!

“The End” by breakout trio @DMAsmusic gets a dark deep house remix by fellow Aussie @YvngJalapeno

THE DMA’s, “The End” (Yvng Jalapeño remix) (free DL)

Australian trio is definitely on the breakout, currently selling out UK tour dates in support of their album For Now.  Their song “The End” is given a dark, deep house remix from fellow Aussie Yvng Jalapeño, which puts the song somewhere between Twenty-One Pilots and The Presets.  Disco beats trade places with big synths at times, which are in compelling contrast to a pleading, sometimes effectively isolated vocal about to face the inevitable.  But Yvng Jalapeño has a strong flair for what will work in a club setting, and his remix of “The End” can definitely fill a late night room with pulsating, intense sounds that capture the bleak tone of the song so well.  You can get Yvng Jalapeño’s remix of “The End” for free using the Soundcloud link above.

Rock out with the intriguing “Last Dance” by Sweden’s Simon Alexander @SimonAlexmusic

SIMON ALEXANDER, “Last Dance”

I introduced you to Swedish singer/songwriter Simon Alexander earlier this year with the taut “Won’t Be Found”.  His latest single “Last Dance” is an immediate ear-grabbing alt.rock tune with a memorable chorus that arrives uncharacteristically at the 30 second mark.  From there in, you’re already swept into the intrigue of the song and how the couple in the song came to their last dance.  The guitar work is solid and a well-balanced production keeps the song moving fluidly.  Simon has both power and range in his voice, which could also be spotlighted well in an acoustic rendition of this song.  As is though, “Last Dance” is a fresh-sounding radio-ready rocker that wraps up handily just before the three minute mark.

#BILLCSTop30 #545 – October 1/18

And the new music keeps on coming, making for what’s turning out to be a faster moving chart in years.  Very few songs this year have attained the maximum chart run of 10 appearances (20 weeks) – only 14, including this chart’s “Pink Lemonade” by James Bay, but they will be joined next chart by The Him and Parson James’ “Broken Love”.

The Top 10

  • “Everybody Needs A Kiss” by the dynamic team of Benny Benassi and Sofi Tukker is snug at #1 for a second appearance, but it’s being challenged by several songs below vying to take its place in two weeks.  I’m honestly surprised this one hasn’t been much bigger at dance clubs!

  • Tony Moran and Jason Walker have their best chart showing yet as the Victor Dinaire/Bissen remix of “I’m In Love With You” climbs to #2.

  • The gorgeous melody and riveting beats of “Tim” by Arty allow the lovely tribute to Avicii to rise 7-3.

  • The prolific Philadelphia duo N i G H T S move up 9-6 with “Eyes” (above), but have released yet another single, their 4th since “Eyes”, called “Paradise” (below).

  • The one to watch on the chart is the fastest riser, perfectly timed for Hallowe’en, “Phantom Of The Dance Floor” by Kiesza featuring Quebec opera singer Philippe Sly.  Everyone in the video above is having a blast.  We so needed this campy injection of fun right now 🙂
  • Another one to watch is “Verona”, featuring compelling vocals, both solo and together, by Australia’s Peter Wilson and England’s Sean Smith.  It climbs 15-9, becoming Sean’s second trip to the Top 10 after last year’s “Magic” (#7).
  • And it’s a first time visit to the Top 10 for L.A. producer Caden Jester with “Vacant Love”, up 11-10, and featuring the voice of Blake Rose.

Movin’ On Up

  • These past few weeks have seen the arrival of the video for “All For You”, the third single from Palo Santo by Years & Years, and the song climbs 14-12.  I look forward to seeing Olly, Mikey, and Emre for the third time on Friday October 5 in Toronto at The Phoenix!!
  • The Netherlands-based Emerati production duo Revelries moves up 18-14 with their original “Infinitum”, featuring Australia’s Beamish Boys on vocals.  

  • It recently got to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart – “Rise” by Jonas Blue featuring You Tube stars Jack & Jack, rises 19-15.

  • Florida’s PLS&TY has his first original on the chart, and in its Morgan Page remix, “Down For Me” is definitely tailored for clubs, climbing 28-21.

https://soundcloud.com/kookysmusic/voice-mails

  • The delightful short story of “Voice Mails” by L.A.-based producer Kooky, is no flash in the pan, moving up 30-23.

Three Debuts

  • The Highest Debut of the week belongs to acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Seattle duo Odesza with their first appearance with the huge sounds of “Loyal” at #24.  It’s a fan favourite that Odesza has had in their set for some time now.  However they’ve replaced a Marvin Gaye sample with a soulful, vibrant female vocal – not sure if it’s a sample or an original recording.  After a lot of thinking, I thought it might have been an excerpt from Cheryl Lynn’s 1979 disco smash “Star Love” but alas it’s not!  Guesses, anyone?
  • Next up is established Nova Scotia production duo Botnek with “Days Of Disco” at #25, which also sounds like it uses a sample of the telephone ringing right out of disco days’ “Doctor’s Orders” by Carol Douglas, but that doesn’t appear to be so.  In any case the song is insanely catchy and will liven up any dance club set!

  • The third and final debut belongs to The Knocks, who released their second full album this past week, New York Narcotic.  Equally as entertaining as their 2016 debut 55, the song from Narcotic that bows on the chart is “Goodbyes” featuring none other than Method Man – he’s the second rap voice, the first is of course The Knocks’ own Mr. JPatt!  “Goodbyes” is The Knocks’ 6th chart appearance. They’ve been to #1 before with 2015’s “Kiss The Sky” featuring Wyclef Jean.

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 🙂

 

#BILLCSTop30 #544 – September 17, 2018

The new chart is a little more than shaken ‘n stirred!  While there are 5 debuts to keep things rolling, there’s also a new #1 song – one of the more interesting charts to come along in a while if I do say so myself!

The Top 10

  • Both Benny Benassi and Sofi Tukker obtain their first #1 on the chart with “Everybody Needs A Kiss”, up from 4 two weeks ago.  It’s got such a familiar sound yet it’s not like anything else out there, and it’s begging for another collaboration soon!  They send The Him and Parson James’ long-running “Broken Love” to #2 after 4 appearances (8 weeks) at #1.

  • Tony Moran and Jason Walker are back in their comfort zone – the Top 5 – for a third time with “I’m In Love With You”, which advances 6 to 4.

  • “Casually” by Miami-based Alyx Ander and Dutch duo Redondo with vocalist Maria Z. closes in on the Top 5, moving up 8-6.

  • One of the most glorious instrumentals of the year in tribute to Avicii, “Tim” by Arty climbs 11-7.  You can also find “Tim” on Armin van Buuren’s newly released State Of Trance – Ibiza 2018 compilation.
  • One song that slides under your skin neatly and stays there is the R&B ballad “Eyes” by Philadelphia duo N i G H T S, which moves up 13-9, becoming their second Top 10 entry following last year’s different and droll #3 “P A R T Y”.

  • Australian singer/actor/dancer Keiynan Lonsdale – both Kid Flash from TV’s “The Flash” and Bram from “Love, Simon” – grabs his first Top 10 entry with the irrepressible “Preach”, which rises 12-10.

Movin’ On Up

  • “Vacant Love” by L.A. producer Caden Jester and featuring an outstanding and engaging vocal by Blake Rose breaks through and heads towards the Top 10, climbing 16-11.
  • I’m thrilled that “All For You” is the third official single from Years & Years’ Palo Santo album, that I will be most happy to hear in concert next month!  “All For You” jumps 18-14.
  • The fastest riser on the chart is the only debut from the last chart.  “Verona” absolutely commands your attention with it’s story and compelling vocals by Peter Wilson and Sean Smith.  Moving up 24-15 out of the gate is not to be messed with – watch where this one goes in the coming weeks!  Check out a video of a live performance in England by the lads below – so good live, you know why they recorded together!

  • Also making its presence known is the infectious “One Last Time”, a Poland-Norway collaboration from producer Gromee and vocalist Jesper Jenset, who has major Shawn Mendes appeal here with his singing.  “One Last Time” rises 23-16.

  • The soulful, deep hurts of “The Pain I Feel” send UK singer Marlon Percy and UK/France producer collaborators LoFrames 25-20.  And it’s all set to a tidy, winning house rhythm and you’ll find yourself swaying away!

  • Not to worry about the slow start for “I Don’t Dance (Without You)” by Norway’s Matoma with Enrique Iglesias on lead vocals and Jamaica’s own Konshens with an enjoyable vocal breakdown.  It makes up for it by moving 26-22 with no sign of slowing down yet.

5 Debuts!

  • One of the most outrageously enjoyable videos this year is from Calgary’s Kiesza and what should by all rights be a comeback single for her, “Phantom Of The Dance Floor”.  Those gorgeous operatic tones are from Quebec’s Philippe Sly, and the video is eye-popping, perfectly in time for Hallowe’en!  “Phantom” bows at #23 and is Kiesza’s first lead appearance on the chart – she last appeared in 2015 in a feature on the gorgeous #3 alt.rock ballad “Pain Told Love” by Tribe Society.

  • Ariana Grande returns with one of her finest vocal performances with “Breathin” from the highly-acclaimed Sweetener album.  It flies onto the chart at #24.  It will have to best the #6 peak of “Into You” two years ago.

  • I rarely write about a song twice but “Down For Me” by PLS&TY is just sooo gooood in its original version (above) and in the amped up Morgan Page extended mix (below).  So in turn it arrives at #28 on the chart.  Florida-based producer PLS&TY appeared on the chart late last year as a remixer for SAINT WKND & MAX’s #8 “Survive”.

  • One major dance veteran gets his chart debut and that is Dutch producer Sidney Samson with his potent, kick ass techno-house of “Soldier” in partnership with GWise, and it premieres at #29.

https://soundcloud.com/kookysmusic/voice-mails

  • And from a dance veteran to a mystery newcomer we have at #30 “Voice Mails” by L.A.-based producer Kooky.  The song exudes charm amid a beautiful melody that carries the relationship story of two individuals between their two voice mail messages.  It’s very touching and will garner immediate reaction in clubs or on dance music radio, and deserves a shot!

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 🙂

Listen to passionate, powerful “Mad At The World” by #Toronto’s Will Bowes @wilsonbowes

WILL BOWES, “Mad At The World”

Despite its title, “Mad At The World” is a passionate plea to find more love in us all, as written and sung by my fellow Torontonian Will Bowes.  If you recognize his name, it may be from his appearances on TV as a teen in “Naturally, Sadie” and “How To Be Indie”, followed by appearances in films like personal fave “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”, “Hunting Season”, and “House At The End Of The Street” opposite Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence.  But “Mad At The World” could light the fire for a pop music career for Will, written in response to two recent tragedies in Toronto resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.  He certainly draws upon classic styles one would associate with Elton John or Billy Joel but that you can also find in recent releases by Harry Styles, James Arthur or Father John Misty.  Will’s gruffer, bluesy tones bathe in the emotion which makes “Mad At The World” a compelling, thoughtful release.