NYC’s Reigen Miller has such a big vocal range that it’s always a pleasure to hear such warm restraint in softer songs like “Rollin”. It’s the recently-blond singer’s first new music since the sexy “Weekend” earlier this year. “Rollin” is wrapped up in a soulful vocal that shows off Reigen’s higher register and incorporates a repeated bar of falsetto notes which form the hook of the song. It’s an ideal song for those carefree moments or lazy Sundays when you can just groove along or put your head back and soak them all in. Reigen continues to offer consistently high quality music like “Rollin” which deserves your attention. Add it to one of your playlists using the Spotify link above.
In edition #521 of the chart, you’ll be seeing double in some cases as a couple of performers already on the chart get debuts, plus there’s a new #1 that’s been winding its way patiently up the chart 🙂
The Top 10
L.A.’s Mahalo along with his go-to singer Cat Lewis get their first collective #1 with the gritty deep house of “Perfect”. It’s a real producing feat as Mahalo manipulates Cat’s voice to sound like there are multiple vocalists, and I particularly enjoy the segue at the beginning from high register to distorted low vocal.
Lauv’s “I Like Me Better” has generated a full blown tour with stops in most major cities through the start of the new year, with dates already selling out. Damn. I guess a lot of other folks like this guy. “I Like Me Better” holds at #3.
It looks like Latchmere’s “Need Your Heart” (above) has its eye on the top spot as it zips into the Top 5 at #4. It’s from his diverse mainly house-oriented EP Lovedrunk. The Australia-based producer also has the highest debut on the chart as the Hallowe’en appropriate “Monster” (below) arrives at #22 featuring a fabulous vocal by a female Aussie singer named Dylan.
Continuing with double-duty carried over from the last chart, Carlos Nóbrega’s “You (It’s All About You)” (above) surges 10-7, while another song from The Art Of Making Love, “Free” (below), a duet more-or-less with Spanish vocalist JVEL, climbs 27-21.
The audio equivalent of a great big warm hug, “We Won’t Leave You” by Steve Void partnering with Syence, moves up 11-9.
While I’m glad it’s still available as a free download, “No Hands” by the incredible collaboration of producers it’s different and Forever MC with fantastic vocals by blackbear and MAX really deserves an official release on iTunes and Spotify. It bounds to #10 from #18. MAX is featured on one of the three debuts too!
The fastest riser on the chart is flying high at #11. Moving up from #20 is “Flags” by L.A.’s Shoffy featuring singer Yuna, a beautiful pairing with a solid message perfect for our time. It’s from Shoffy’s excellent self-titled debut album.
A Remixes EP – featuring Tom & Collins, Parx, and Limits – is now out for Bobby Nourmand’s “MIND” featuring DOC & Goodmorning, which moves up a notch 13-12.
It looks like a hit, and sounds like a hit. Maybe there’s some 70’s AM radio influences buried deep inside of “Hit Rewind” but regardless Axel Mansoor and Louis Vivet take it 26-19 on the chart.
Two remaining debuts
Did you say MAX again? The recent release of “Survive” by yet another L.A. based producer, SAINT WKND also features such potent vocals by our MAX that it bows at #24 in its PLS&TY remix. I’m definitely excited to see MAX in concert again this coming Wednesday 😀
The remaining debut has been around for a few months but I can’t get its riveting bassline out of my head when played loud on my stereo. It’s “Murder” by Dutch producer/DJ Lady Bee featuring Tropkillaz and the fabulous vocal of Oktavian, who got to #2 on the chart last year featured in The Him’s “Balance”. “Murder” premieres at #26.
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
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
It will definitely take a few listens, but “Bones” by Colorado’s StéLouse (aka Ross Ryan) featuring L.A. singer/songwriter Tilian (of the project Dance Gavin Dance) is a real grower, thanks to a low-key but delightful remix by Colombian producer Flapo. It’s a song about staying in a magic moment for as long as possible, definitely a positive change of pace for rising dance producer StéLouse who is already signed to the renown Casablanca label. Tilian’s vocal is suitably caught up in the moment, while Flapo adds all kinds of delicate instrumentation. Maybe the song could have gone a little bigger with its beats but somehow it might detract from the rest of the production. Anyway, you can get this remix of “Bones” as a free download at the link above.
If you like your meat à la crunchy, spicy bass house with strong melody for dessert, then the seasonal instrumental “Spook” by US masked producer Meatport and Austria’s DeniZer is just for you courtesy of Diverge Records! Combine a James Bondian framework with a trippy-trappy coating where all of the tender pieces and juicy drops fall and jump out at you at the right times. Then add a sweet dose of synth melody throughout, and “Spook” could be your meat (ear) candy for October and beyond. Following up this past summer’s goofy but hard-hitting “The Troll” and “Noobs”, Meatport and DeniZer have taken a few more steps ahead by creating something equally as fun for the season but their credibility is not to be underestimated. Become the latest member of the #MeatFam by downloading “Spook” for free at the link below.
One of my favourite dance music songs that bridged late 2016 to early 2017 is the alluring, bass-laden “The Thirst” by Eric Sharp featuring vocalist Zhao. And no sooner than I write about Zhao’s own solo release of “Lifetime” then a new song arrives by the pair called “Take Your Time”. It’s quite a contrast to clubs-focused “The Thirst” – “Take Your Time” takes a realistic, thoughtful look at what’s going on in the world today, inspiring everyone to be open-minded and to listen to others instead of forming and getting locked into steadfast opinions. It’s uncharacteristic subject matter for the genre but top notch dance music for clubs playing more alternative choices, featuring more of a chilled out style than one might expect. The lovely, sparse arrangement and Zhao’s lilting vocal are perfect matches for each other and for the lyrics. Lend your ears to the link above.
THE COVASETTES, “This Feeling” and “She Is” (acoustic)
Inspired by fellow Manchester bands of the 90’s, although they don’t really sound like any one of them in particular (Happy Mondays? The Charlatans? nope!), quartet The Covasettes have the same kind of appeal going on as groups like Bastille with their new single “This Feeling”. Lead singer and guitarist Chris Buxton has a recognizable, charismatic voice that dominates the song, but he wouldn’t be able to achieve that without the tight band of Matt Hewlett (guitar/vocals), Matt Buckley (drums) and Jamie McIntyre (bass/vocals). Fans of Keane, Kaiser Chiefs, and The Script will also gravitate to radio-friendly appeal of “This Feeling”. Showing off without electric instruments or drums in the video for “She Is” (below) brings it down to the grass roots for The Covasettes which would come across well as a break in a set in concert. Give them both a solid listen and remember where you read about The Covasettes 🙂
21 year old Magnus Bechmann from Norway has already been racking up praises in the UK from the likes of The Guardian and NME for his live shows and his previous EP Loners Get Lonely Too from earlier this year. His follow up single “Bruises” is sly and witty and will stay between your ears with its diverse melody and irresistible hook. And it’s set to lyrics about how a certain yellow light causes bruises to Magnus’ eyes – well not literally anyway. It’s all about self-empowerment and taking risks, and yeah sometimes you do get bruises along the way. The vocal, with an ever-so-slight accent, is playful in a knowing kind of way. All of these characteristics should help “Bruises” bring Magnus Bechmann more fans from the rest of the globe. And maybe a collaboration with fellow Norwegian Jesper Jenset is in order? 😉 Check it out at the link above.
Four debuts help keep the music flowing into the chart, as most of the songs are now an appealing pop/dance hybrid with other influences, though I always have a fond spot for a big banger 😀
The Top 10
Canadians Loud Luxury & Nikki’s Wives continue to hold at #1 with the irrepressible “Show Me”, whose comical video features none other than long time porn star Ron Jeremy.
“Perfect” is the gritty slice of deep house music by L.A.’s Mahalo featuring Cat Lewis that glides its way to #2 on the new chart. Will it reach the top in two weeks??
“I Like Me Better” by Lauv (aka 23 year old Ari Leff) is finally making inroads at US radio after performing well on charts in Canada, the UK, and Sweden among others. It climbs 5-3.
New to the Top 5, and a first timer for Tipsy Records, is the wistful singalong “No Love In Brooklyn” by producers Frenchman Nick Peters and western New York native Frank Pierce along with fellow Yank vocalist Scott Vega, which rises 7-5.
The Fastest Riser belongs to Australia-based UK producer Latchmere (the moniker of Shaun Galvin), whose Lovedrunk EP is perfect for club dance floors and of course to blast from your stereo. The classic house rhythms of “Need Your Heart” take it 15-6 on the chart.
If you’re going to see Terror Jr. in Toronto this Friday (October 20) at The Drake Hotel, you will see Iowa’s Kid Froopy open the show. The Kid’s EP is now out and its namesake first single “Drive Slow” moves up 8-7.
Rich production by Ricky Remedy and a stunner of a vocal from Orlando’s John.k take “Gold” up the chart 13-9.
“You (It’s All About You)” becomes the third Top Tenner here for Carlos Nóbrega, from his album The Art Of Making Love. And if you want gorgeous goodies like buttons or postcards, as well as other collectibles, then head over to Carlos’ storeright here. “You” climbs 14-10.
Movin’ On Up
Every time I listen to “We Won’t Leave You” by Steve Void and Syence, it’s emotional power definitely gives me the feels. Featuring an unbilled vocal by the fantastic Clara Mae (she also sang Steve’s “Chemistry” late last year), it rises 16-11.
Remixes are en route for Bobby Nourmand’s “MIND” featuring D.OC. and Goodmorning with another set of highly complimentary call-back vocals and rapping to help keep spinning EDM on its head. “MIND” rises 17-13.
The US/UK duo called Culpriit (above) is well on its way with its debut single “Driveway”, which moves 24-17, and right behind is the free download with spirited vocals by blackbear and MAX, “No Hands” (below) by producers It’s Different and Forever MC, climbing 25-18.
Miami’s Alyx Ander’s “Wake Up For The Night” is for those with wee hour vibing featuring an Ellie Goulding-ish vocal by Caroline Pennell, and moves up 27-22.
Atlanta duo Halogen know good voices when the hear them, witness “Can’t Resist” featuring dazzling duo Adriana Gomez and Lub from the Porch Family (lub x tpf), and jumps 28-23. It’s also a free download for you!
From one of my favourite albums this year so far comes “Flags” by L.A.’s Shoffy (aka Alex Shofler) featuring Yuna. This song is available as a free download, but check out all of Shoffy’s songs from his self-titled album. It’s full of well-produced spins on dance music, not without some big beats, but focusing on the songs and his unique vocal style. “Flags” bows at an impressive #20.
Following his amazing 2017 singles “Wasted My Love” and “Out Of My Head” is L.A.’s Axel Mansoor with producer buddy Louis Vivet and your official end-of-summer song “Hit Rewind”. As with previous singles, this one is a free download for now, but you can go and support it by picking it up on your favourite digital platform. “Hit Rewind” arrives at #26. Axel has yet to leave the chart since the week of April 3 which is when “Wasted My Love” premiered.
Another single from The Art Of Making Love makes its entrance on the chart. This time it’s “Free” by Carlos Nóbrega featuring Spanish singer JVEL, and it debuts at #27 with its intriguing comic-book themed lyric video.
The last debut is by the ever-irresistible Miguel, this time paired up with Travis Scott for “Sky Walker” at #28. Time to chillax and party down with these guys with this cool song!
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
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
Following up her recent EP Burn Wild and a host of other singles including the memorable “Watches” and “Under The Grave” is Pennsylvanian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist ROZES with “Famous”. The song takes a few steps away from the pop/dance style of The Chainsmokers’ Top 10 “Roses” (which she co-wrote) and “Watches” (with Cash Cash) in favour of an uptempo ode to love where you’re the star under the most special of shining lights with your own paparazzi. It’s refreshing to hear love and attraction being glamorized again, and ROZES gives the song her own unique edges with her highly recognizable vocal, somewhat reminiscent of Pink this time around. “Famous” should be a treat to hear in concert, so be sure to listen and add it to your Spotify playlist at the link above.
ROZES opens for MAX at The Velvet Underground in Toronto on November 1. See you there!
“Surrender” is the latest from the US/UK collaboration of New York-based singer Victor Perry and Birmingham producer Ficci, the follow up to their recent debut together called “Disguise”. “Surrender” is definitely gentle and low key, but it’s not about to fall under the radar thanks to Victor’s gorgeous spot-on vocal tones and a simmering jazzy melodic undercurrent from Ficci. It has a rich, warm quality about it despite a minimalist approach. Less is much more here so be sure to pick up Labrose’s “Surrender” at your favourite digital store after checking it out at the link above. It’s from their upcoming EP Thinking Out Loud.
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