Tag Archives: alternative

#BILLCSTop30 #541 – August 6/18

What’s going on in the lower end of the chart will be of most interest to my fellow chart makers and fans, as the new chart has five debuts for the second chart in a row.  The Top 6 songs stay exactly the same, though a shakeup is likely in two weeks.

The Top 10

  • There’s no denying that “Broken Love” by The Him featuring Parson James has a lock on #1.  To my ears it’s the dance ballad of the summer and also one of the best songs of the year.  The Him has quickly followed it up with “By Your Side” with Jordan Jay, which is somewhat different from what they’ve been producing lately.  Check it out below.

  • “Pink Lemonade” by James Bay (#3, above) and “No Place” by Rüfüs Du Sol (#5, below) are the most likely candidates to remain in the Top 5 in two weeks.

  • “Jackie Chan” by the collaboration that is Tiësto, Dzeko, Preme and Post Malone glides into the Top 10 at #8, marking Tiësto’s first Top 10 placing as an artist since 2007, while it’s Dzeko’s second Top 10 of the year following the Tiësto-remixed cover of Seal’s “Crazy” (#2).
  • RetroVision’s “Get Down” shares a Top 10 placing with the song from which its hook is primarily derived – “Lola’s Theme” by The Shapeshifters, which got to #1 in 2004 and is one of my all time favourite dance songs.  “Get Down” advances to #9.

  • Also new to the Top 10 and independent is UK singer/songwriter Lostchild’s “Blacklist”, which climbs 14-10.  I’ll share the acoustic video version of the song once again with you, it really is as good as the much more produced dance version 🙂

Movin’ On Up

So many great new songs, and so little time to write…

  • Tony Moran and Jason Walker are headed for the Top 10 for the third time together with the jubilant “I’m In Love With You”, which climbs 18-12.  The song is already in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Club Play chart.

  • Also looking for a third Top 10, following “Memories of You” and “Wake Up For the Night” is Miami-based producer/DJ Alyx Ander this time in a joint effort with Dutch producers Redondo with “Casually”, featuring vocalist and songwriter Maria Z.  It’s the fastest riser on the chart, soaring 22-14.

  • Singer/actor Keiynan Lonsdale’s great new song “Preach” rises 23-17.  Check out the joyous and colourful video above.
  • NYC-based indie producer Squired has hit the chart full on with his powerful song “Peace Out”, which rises 24-18.
  • “Vacant Love” is a terrific sing-a-long that will also have you moving on the dance floor courtesy of L.A. producer Caden Jester and vocalist Blake Rose.  It moves up 26-20.
  • Turn the lights down low, relax your mind and sway to “Eyes”, the latest single from Philadelphia duo NiGHTS, which climbs a healthy 29-22.  It’s the group’s second chart entry following last year’s “P A R T Y” (#3).

Five Debuts

  • I’m waiting for the international chart attack to happen, because it’s already happening here!  Veteran producer Benny Benassi pairs up with new kids Sofi Tukker for “Everybody Needs A Kiss”, which features some of the most wonderous synth work of the year, and duly crashes onto the chart as the highest debut at #19.  It’s Benny’s third appearance, the last being in 2011 concurrently with “Cinema” (#11) and “Beautiful People” (#10, with Chris Brown).  It’s also Sofi Tukker’s third appearance, immediately following the #4 “Baby I’m A Queen” from their Treehouse album.

  • Martin Garrix returns to the chart for the first time since last year’s collaboration with Troye Sivan on “There For You” (#3) with “High On Life” at #23.  It’s one of the year’s most vibrant dance songs featuring an excellent vocal from newcomer Bonn.

  • Russian producer Arty, like Benny Benassi, has also been absent from the chart for a while, when 2012 brought us “Must Be The Love” (#13) in collaboration with Nadia Ali and BT.  He’s back with a beautiful instrumental tribute to Avicii simply called “Tim” at #25.  This one will have you bouncing in no time.
  • One of Minnesota’s finest, indie artist Call Me Karizma, returns to the chart with the spoken/sung “Life Of The Party” (#27), which with its minimal electronic arrangement is turning out to be a great companion song to The Chainsmokers’ “Sick Boy” and “Everybody Hates Me”.  ‘Riz first appeared on the chart two years ago with the fun and pointed “u suck” (#9).
  • The last debut is also independently released by Netherlands-based production duo Revelries with the bright and inviting “Infinitum”, featuring vocals by Australia’s Beamish Boys, at #28.  Revelries has only appeared on the chart previously as remixers under another name last year for Welcome To The Hotel’s “Darlin'” (#10).  “Infinitum” is a free download for now at the link above.

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 🙂

 

New L.A. dance music producer @iamLyLoh takes command with potent “Riot!”

LyLOH, “Riot!”

He’s apparently been part of many platinum-selling releases and won a Grammy in 2017 (though not sure for what), and now L.A.-based producer LyLoh is about to take command of the dance music scene if potent tracks like “Riot!” are any indication.  This new mystery man is originally from France and was part of the metal scene, so his description on Facebook may be apt: Rock, EDM, metal and pop had a bastard son. It me (sic).  “Riot!” is one crunchy, memorable rock-flavoured dance bop picked up for release by Armada no less, a little harder edged than usual for clubs or radio, softened a bit by the use of a familiar-sounding pitched-up vocal.  But dance music needs to be spun off the rails sometimes and it looks like someone like LyLoh will have a lot of fun keeping our interest doing just that.

“Dirty” packs an empowering punch from L.A. singer/songwriter/producer @EMMinreallife

EMM, “Dirty”

Wearing the hats of singer, songwriter, and producer, L.A.-based EMM is doing things her way and making it all shine along the way with punchy songs like “Dirty”.  EMM is also a fearless advocate for young women and men, and “Dirty” is about sharing and empowering that much-needed self-confidence to get by in life.  Stylistically she crosses lines between the likes of Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Jennifer Lopez, while still creating some of that bold, fun rock star mystique as in the photo below.  Call her “Dirty” or not as the song says, EMM is here for a good time and has a terrific, convincing vision, aiming high for all to share.

emminreallife

Toronto area alt.rock quartet @InMyComa returns with uplifting video for “We Are One”

IN MY COMA, “We Are One”

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for an uplifting video which is the visual equivalent of a big, warm hug for everyone, regardless of who you may be.  “We Are One” is the latest alt.rock single from Toronto area quartet In My Coma from their recent album release Next Life.  Taking an inspired cue from Godley & Creme’s seminal 80’s video for “Cry”, the video for “We Are One” (directed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jasper James and the band) moves through the four faces of the band – Jasper (and his reappearing and disappearing beard), bassist LauraDoll, drummer Mike, and keyboardist/vocalist Linz – amid the smiling and content faces of men, women, young, old, multi-racial and multicultural, all uniquely different but all US.  As much as their previous video for “Beautiful Mind” was noted for its humour, “We Are One” rocks out in anthemic style and definitely commands even more attention for a straight-forward take on its message in a very caring, delightful video.

You can find In My Coma playing a variety of events this summer, including at Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition on August 29 at the Bandshell as they once again open for classic Canadian rockers Moist.  

#BILLCSTop30 #540 – July 23/18

The story of the new chart is its five debuts, all but one being independent releases!  This chart has always been a champion for independent releases as so many major label releases are tailored for radio or follow a formula.  Usually only about 30% of the songs on the chart are major label releases, although some indie labels have distribution deals with them.  The Top 10 stays steady but with a switch over at the top!

The Top 10

  • Steven and Jeroen, aka Dutch producers The Him, get their first #1 this week in collaboration with singer/songwriter Parson James for the summer ballad of 2018, “Broken Love”.  I’m very happy for these super down-to-earth guys, who just played a career high at Tomorrowland this weekend.  It’s also the second #1 of 2018 for the Spinnin’ label.

  • Brandyn Burnette’s autobiographical “Run” reaches a new peak of #4 in advance of his debut album Emanate, due next month.
  • Australia’s Rüfüs Du Sol definitely have their eye on the top of the chart with “No Place”, which advances 9 to 5.
  • Adam Foster’s “Time” also gets a new peak of #6 as his redux of Marvin Gaye’s “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” (without the original’s chorus) holds through the summer months!
  • The only new entry to the Top 10 this week is the sublime silliness in less than 3 minutes of “Back The Funk” by Estonia’s Madison Mars, which climbs 11-9.  It’s one of the most fun songs of 2018 so far.

Movin’ On Up

  • Equally silly as “Back The Funk” and just as endearing is “Jackie Chan”, becoming a pop hit all over the world courtesy of Tiësto and Toronto’s Dzeko, with great vocal power from Preme and Post Malone.  It rises 16-11.
  • Bobby Nourmand’s EP Subterranean slipped to #2 this week, but his latest release is wasting no time getting up the chart.  With Blonde’s Adam Engle on vocals, the compelling “The Sun” climbs 23-16.
  • Canada’s Felix Cartal released a high quality album called Next Season recently, and one of my very favourites from it is up 21-17.  “Worry” is super-catchy and sung by Victoria Zaro.

  • The fastest riser on the chart belongs to the superstar collaboration of Tony Moran and Jason Walker, together for a third time with “I’m In Love With You”.  In its Victor Dinaire and Bissen remix, it soars 26-18.  Their previous entries of “So Happy” and “Say Yes” both got to #3.

Five Debuts

  • Keiynan Lonsdale should now be on your radar as someone to watch over the next few years as the “Love, Simon” and “The Flash” actor develops his singing and songwriting talents.  His latest single “Preach” is outstanding, an incredibly honest and joyful record which deserves to be a big hit.  He’s released it independently but who knows if a major label might come knocking for it.  “Preach” bows at #23.
  • NYC’s Squired, aka Sean Squires, delivers a compelling hip hop influenced dance record with his indie release “Peace Out”, which arrives at #24.  “Peace Out” leaps out as being very different but engaging from a lot of what’s out there, and that will be its calling card, along with a really strong vocal performance.
  • L.A.’s Caden Jester arrives at #26 with the ultra-infectious “Vacant Love”, which features a winning vocal by singer Blake Rose.
  • After the #10 placing of “Sanctify”, Years & Years are back on the chart with their second entry from their second album Palo Santo, which is the pop-inflected “All For You” at #28.
  • The final debut is a soul ballad meant for quiet late summer evenings.  Philadelphia duo NiGHTS return to the chart after last year’s #3 fun and slightly wonky               “P A R T Y” with the beautiful “Eyes” at #29.

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 🙂

Netherlands-based producers @Revelriesmusic score with dreamy mid-summer song “Infinitum” with Australia’s #BeamishBoys

REVELRIES and THE BEAMISH BOYS, “Infinitum”

You can tell the guys behind Dubai-bred, Netherlands-based Revelries (they would be Nik and Abhi) are not only producers but musicians as they follow up their successful take on Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still” (featuring Henri Purnell) with the glorious escapism of “Infinitum”.  Not only does “Infinitum” have great melody, instrumentation and song structure, but Revelries have partnered with young Australian duo The Beamish Boys (Ben and Jeremy) for some compelling, diverse vocal work that makes the song soar even more.  “Infinitum” is a dreamy mid-summer alt.dance.pop song for those clear starry evenings when nothing else matters, with sparks of love and affection in the air, and anything is possible.  There are lots of folk/pop elements that creep in with some effective acoustic guitar work that helps guide the song along and make it quite accessible for radio play.  “Infinitum” is highly deserving of your attention and placement on your favourite Spotify playlist using the link above.

Being strong is hard in the face of “Tough Love” as recounted by @BrightLightx2

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, “Tough Love”

If someone so very badly hurts another person in a relationship, then the price is to face “Tough Love”, the second taste of Wales-born singer/songwriter Bright Light Bright Light’s upcoming release following the recent “How I Feel”.  While BLx2 (Rod Thomas) had a stellar year in 2017 with gorgeously happy songs, such as my favourite “New York Pretty”, 2018 brings us to a return of more downbeat stories that make you think and inspire as with many songs in Rod’s extensive repertoire.  “Tough Love” gets right to the point, enabling you to be strong enough to call out someone who is mistreating you.  And the line you belong as far way from me as you can get is indeed the rusty nail in that relationship’s coffin, if you have ever experienced such a thing.  So get to know “Tough Love” and “How I Feel” in anticipation of BLx2’s upcoming Fall tour, which will take him to my city (Toronto) and many others for the first time!

“Rocket Girl” brings together the many talents of @Lemaitremusic and @BettyWho

LEMAITRE and BETTY WHO, “Rocket Girl”

It’s been out for a while, but don’t let “Rocket Girl” fall outside of your radar.  It’s a solid mix of dance, pop and rock flavours courtesy of the unexpected collaboration of Norwegian producers Lemaitre and NYC-based Australia-bred singer Betty Who, following up Lemaitre’s 2017 album Chapter One.  “Rocket Girl” is a dance anthem that is scored with rock guitars and heavy bass synths, a good companion to Pink’s latest releases if you ask me.  Anyone who has seen Lemaitre in performance knows that while their genre focus is electronic dance, that does not limit what elements they will bring into their songs.  There’s a lot of graceful keyboard work in “Rocket Girl” too, which creates a beautiful bridge with an outro of relentless drums and percussion, barnstorming right back to the chorus.  Betty Who’s vocal is engaging and proud to lead the way as our “Rocket Girl”, so check it out at the link above.

Going down easy: “The Pain I Feel” by @mr_MarlonPercy and @LOFRAMES

MARLON PERCY and LOFRAMES, “The Pain I Feel”

“The Pain I Feel” is a lovely European house-flavoured alt.dance song that’s as much for your heart as it is for your feet, and is guaranteed to stop you in your tracks on your first few listens.  The singer/songwriter is London-based Marlon Percy, and his vocal here rings true without question.  It has a raw, almost live-off-the-floor bluesy feel at times that is contrasted by more produced sections where it sounds quite pristine.  Anglo-French production duo LOFRAMES knows how to bridge the emotional parts of the song while still very much making you want to unleash on the dance floor.  I’ve mentioned before in these blog posts that someone’s pain in a dance song brings out the need to empathize through the rhythms and beats.  “The Pain I Feel” is a fabulous, unassuming, fresh-sounding collaboration that awaits your  undivided attention!

Finland’s @Aliskymusic gives us the edgy “Traces” with American singer @Iolitemusic

ALISKY and IOLITE, “Traces”

It’s moody and offers its fair share of dramatic vocal effects, but nonetheless “Traces” by Finnish producer Alisky and featuring young American vocalist IOLITE will easily snag your attention.  There’s an almost psychedelic rock side to the futuristic house style that Alisky tackles with a lot of finesse.  IOLITE’s vocal tells a story that’s even more of a mystery unto itself once it’s distorted and reshaped in “Matrix” like musical fashion.  Best of all I like “Traces” because it’s bold and doesn’t hold back.  Alisky offers a bracing alternative take on house music that makes you want to hear more.