Tag Archives: alternative

Scorching alt.rocker “Futureproof” is from St. Catharines band @Kapturmusic

https://soundcloud.com/puregrainaudio/kaptur-futureproof

KAPTUR, “Futureproof” (free DL link below)

While my blog posts tend to be full of electronic dance pop, when a solid rock song comes along I am always happy to write about it.  This is even better when the talent is not far from home in the form of St. Catharines, Ontario rock quartet Kaptur with “Futureproof” from their EP Go To Waste.  This is tasty new rock – think Cage The Elephant via later Radiohead with some sophisticated 80’s new wave alt.rock inspiration thrown in – anchored by wicked guitar playing (Johnny Marr comes to mind for some reason), layered production, and solid songwriting which makes the 5 minutes of “Futureproof” go by in a flash.  So rock up your mix and get “Futureproof” for free right here.

#BILLCSTop30 #516 – August 21/17

The new chart marks one of my favourites this year, with so many songs on the rise that will do very well, plus three new entries to add to the influx of great tunes 🙂

The Top 10

  • It is now very resolute that “New York Pretty” (above) by Bright Light Bright Light isn’t going anywhere any time soon as it holds at #1 for a second appearance.  Its companion song and video, “Into The Night” (below) soars 26-15 as BLx2 himself commutes back and forth between the UK and the US performing live and DJ gigs.  He’s also been added to UK dates as the opening act for Erasure on their upcoming tour – what a perfect match!!

  • Axel Mansoor’s “Out Of My Head” (above) stays put at #2 for a 4th appearance (8 weeks), while former #1 “Wasted My Love” departs the chart.  But I will leave you with a lively remix of that song, below, by Dulsae which totally catches its vibe.
  • Also in the new remixes department, you can pick your fill of seven for “There For You” by Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan, including one by Toronto’s own Dzeko 🙂
  • “Bad Drug” by Cosmos & Creature rises 6-4 as new collaborations and singles from the talented duo of Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore keep on comin’ this month!
  • The retro R&B groove of Anton’s “L.I.L.Y.” (like I love you) is irresistible, as the song climbs 8 to 5 for the Swedish pop singer.

  • Oregon’s CVBZ gets his first Top Tenner here with “Be Like You” in its Sean Turk remix, wasting no time by rising 12-6.  It’s Sean’s third ‘bedroom bass’ remix in the Top 10, following last year’s “Closer” by Brandyn Burnette (#7) and this year’s “Sleeping In” by Phil Good (tying its #6 peak).  CVBZ played the Billboard Hot 100 festival over the past weekend 🙂
  • Another newcomer to the Top 10 is England’s Sean Smith whose magnificent song “Magic” climbs 11-8 in its Andy Sikorski remix.

  • The fastest riser, and perhaps #1 contender, rounds out the Top 10.  It’s “Show Me” by Toronto’s Loud Luxury (recently gigging in Las Vegas with Martin Garrix) and Nikki’s Wives, flying up the chart 22-10.  Loud Luxury recently got to #1 with their redux of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” with Ryan Shepherd.

Movin’ On Up

  • Can’t get enough of Dan Talevski’s fun and lighthearted “Birthday Suit” right now as it rises 14-11.

  • Toronto quartet Blajk gave one of my favourite club shows of 2017 almost two weeks ago in their home town at The Drake Hotel with a stunning performance that recalled The Killers when they first began.  All eyes were on singer Jordan Radics as he sang songs like “Gunshot”, which jumps 20-14 (and ironically leaps over “The Man” by The Killers at #17!).
  • I’m gonna call it now – feel good song of the year.  It’s “I Like Me Better” by L.A. singer/songwriter Lauv, also now a national chart hit in Sweden.  So USA, I think you are missing out!  “I Like Me Better” moves up 27-18.

  • Keep your ears peeled for more from Iowa’s Kid Froopy – concert dates are in the works!  “Drive Slow” is one of those great songs for a lazy day with a funky vibe to keep those feet tapping.   It climbs up 30-20.

Three New Entries

  • At #21 is the FOURTH chart entry so far this year for L.A.’s Maholo and go-to-vocalist Cat Lewis, with “Perfect” (above).  This one is to be played loud in the wee hours as Cat’s vocals are shifted and played with and then in perfect harmony with each other.  “Perfect” sneaks in right above their prior release, the soulful “Heaven”, which moves up 25-22.  Their other two chart entries this year were “Be My Love” (#5) and “WTFYWF” (#3).
  • First timers to the chart are French producer Nick Peters along with American producer Frank Pierce and featuring vocalist Scott Vega for the telling and bittersweet “No Love In Brooklyn” at #25.  This one has an unmistakable melody and a great singalong chorus which you need to check out.
  • Just as his song “D U S T” (which peaked at #5) is about to finish its run, along comes another new one from Bobby Nourmand.  Reprising his collaboration with soul and hip hop vocalists DOC and Goodmorning from his #1 “D E E P in NY”, “MIND” and its catchy chorus bow at #28.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right 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

Planet Radio Canada is on hiatus and will return http://www.planetradio.ca 🙂

Coming in September:  a new BILLCS Facebook page 🙂

NYC-based @dearMothica is one to watch with “Self-Destructive”, also paired with dance producer ye. (@pronounced_yea)

MOTHICA, “Self-Destructive”  

ye. x MOTHICA, “Self-Destructive” (free DL)

NYC-based, Oklahoma born singer/songwriter Mothica is definitely one to watch with her stylish but affecting alt.pop which can straddle rock and electronic dance music genres.  From her recently released EP Heavy Heart is “Self-Destructive”, featuring the singer’s Lorde-meets-Melanie Martinez via Molly Moore expressive voice and a sometimes sparse instrumentation which volleys back and forth with some powerful hooks.  This lends the impression that we all have had sometimes when we do something self-destructive to ourselves either in isolation or in full drama in front of others.  The tone of the song therefore is very well-suited to remixes, of which there are plenty, but I would draw your attention to the collaboration with Syracuse producer on-the-rise who calls himself ye. (that’s pronounced ‘yea’).  Being self-destructive is taken to a playful level here which club goers will enjoy.  Opening for Toronto quartet Blajk last week, Mothica’s live show emphasizes a tight set augmented more by some striking guitar work than the synthesizers on record, which also gives a different dimension to her songs.  Check out the original above and the collaboration with ye. (available as a free download) below.

#BILLCSTop30 #515 – August 7/17

My final week of vacation begins with a new chart, and the Top 10 gets turned inside out a bit as a new #1 leads the pack.

The Top 10

  • Bright Light Bright Light gets his 6th #1 on my chart since 2010 with the spectacular “New York Pretty”.  And he also has one of four debuts on the chart with a second song from the Tales Of The City EP with “Into The Night” (below) at #26.  Both videos are stellar, heartwarming, and important statements about loving yourself and self-empowerment.  “New York Pretty” was preceded at #1 by BLx2’s 2010’s “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II”, 2012’s “Waiting For The Feeling”, 2013’s “An Open Heart”, and 2014’s “I Believe”.  He ties Simon Curtis with most #1’s on the chart – though one of Simon’s songs, “8bit Heart”, got to #1 twice in two different versions.

  • If “New York Pretty” had lagged behind by two weeks, then Axel Mansoor would have got a second #1 with “Out Of My Head”, but it has to settle for a 3rd appearance (6th week) at #2.  More to come thought from this great new singer/songwriter!

  • Martin Garrix gets back-to-back Top 5 songs on the chart as his pairings with Troye Sivan and Brooks, “There For You” (above) and “Byte” (below), climb to #4 and #5 respectively.  All of Martin’s songs that have appeared in the chart have reached the Top 5, with two, “Animals” and “Proxy”, getting to #1 in 2014.

  • Cosmos & Creature continue to be one of the most prolific pairs in music today, either through creating their own work or collaborating with others.  Their most recent single “Bad Drug” climbs 8-6.

  • Like Martin Garrix, every song that has appeared for Anton Ewald on this chart has reached the Top 10.  The sinfully catchy and funky “L.I.L.Y.” (like I love you) keeps it going by moving 12-18.
  • The last new entry into the Top 10 is a first for Florida’s Tipsy label.  Danish producers Boye & Sigvardt and singer Uhre, as well as Scottish producer MAGNÜS leap 13-10 with the infectious and engaging “Astronauts”, with remixes now available.

Movin’ On Up

  • “Magic” by UK singer Sean Smith, in its classic house Andy Sikorski mix, is headed for the Top 10 as it climbs 15-11.
  • The fastest riser on the chart is the last chart’s highest debut by Oregon’s CVBZ with “Be Like You”.  In its ‘bedroom bass’ Sean Turk remix, “Be Like You” bounds 20-12.

  • In a common theme with this week’s chart – some excellent videos, starting with those by Bright Light Bright Light above – the colourful and sexy visuals for Dan Talevski’s “Birthday Suit” all came to life recently and a really great time was had by all.  “Birthday Suit” climbs 19-14.

  • The Killers announced their latest stadium tour as their single “The Man” continues to rise 21-18, feeling very much like when the band arrived in 2004.  It’s from their upcoming 5th album Wonderful Wonderful.
  • Toronto’s Blajk makes its first appearance since playing the NXNE festival in June.  The quartet rocks The Drake Hotel on Thursday August 10, and new single “Gunshot” rises 24-20.

  • “Suitcase” marks Matthew Koma’s 10th appearance on this chart since 2012, and it moves up 26-21.

The Remaining 3 Debuts

  • The highest debut on the chart at #22 is “Show Me” by Toronto production duo Loud Luxury featuring fellow Torontonians Nikki’s Wives.  If you haven’t yet caught the fun video, Ron Jeremy stars in his second appearance in recent years – remember the video for Armin van Buuren & Trevor Guthrie’s “This Is What It Feels Like”, which got to #6 on my chart in 2013?

  • One of the most aimiable songs of late is an independent release that has suddenly become a national hit in both Canada and the UK – we’re waiting on YOU, USA!  American singer/songwriter Lauv arrives at #27 with “I Like Me Better” – check out both the original above and Canadian producer Famba’s recent remix below.

  • The final debut is one of the most unique songs of 2017.  Its video was released last week and is a travel ode to Los Angeles.  Iowa’s Kid Froopy precedes his upcoming EP with the single “Drive Slow” which bows at #30.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right 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

Planet Radio Canada is on hiatus and will return http://www.planetradio.ca 🙂

Tasty alt.pop/jazz “Orange Tree Leaves” by Ryan Svendsen (@musicbefore) feat. @missMollyMoore and @UnoHype

RYAN SVENDSEN featuring MOLLY MOORE and UNO HYPE, “Orange Tree Leaves”

Combining pop, jazz and hip hop in this decade continues to sound fresh with well-produced songs like “Orange Tree Leaves”. It’s brought to us by L.A. producer and trumpeter Ryan Svendsen, with principal vocals by Molly Moore of Cosmos & Creature and hip hop flavour from Maryland-born Uno Hype.  It’s music for a sunny, laid back day on a patio with friends.  Fans of Molly know that she is no stranger to the jazzier side of music, having interpreted Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” on her debut EP Shadow Of The Sun.  Uno Hype’s rap meshes beautifully with the song, not too heavy but just edgy enough to give the song a different kind of boost.  Ryan Svendsen clearly set out for a high-quality recording here which highlights his trumpet work.  You can easy play it back to back with songs by Canadians BADBADNOTGOOD among others. You’ve actually already heard Ryan on songs I’ve written about here, notably Cosmos & Creature’s new “Bad Drug” and the Pluto remix of Molly Moore’s “Imaginary Friends”.  He also happens to be the manager of film soundtracks for no less than Lionsgate so obviously has a great set of ears.  I’m glad he’s chosen to work with independent performers like these and look forward to hearing more.  Check out “Orange Tree Leaves” at the link above.

Why so serious? Lighten up with “Summer Thing” by @JoshTobiasmusic

JOSH TOBIAS, “Summer Thing”

New York-born Josh Tobias has already been making headway with his music with songs like “Beachside Lover” which garnered significant attention two years ago.  His latest alt.pop single “Summer Thing” has an interesting perspective – have a light, summer romance without making a commitment beyond that time, enjoy each other and have fun.  Whether that works for you is another thing, but it makes for an easy-going bright listen.  Josh produced “Summer Thing” himself and it’s an appropriately sparse recording with acoustic guitar and bass flowing with an R&B-flavoured rhythm creating a breezy groove.  You could easily pair it up with Phil Good’s “Sleeping In” from earlier this year, and I think some of Josh’s flair for identifying the lighter side of things might draw fans from Ed Sheeran’s camp too.  “Summer Thing” is pure pleasure to my ears, and I hope you indulge by checking it out at the link above.  Remix coming soon!!  

Distraction and sex collide in “Frank Ocean” by @CallMeKarizma

CALL ME KARIZMA, “Frank Ocean”

There’s tongue definitely in cheek plus a sweet, sentimental side to “Frank Ocean”, the latest from young Minneapolis rapper/songwriter/producer Call Me Karizma.  ‘Riz has been unleashing a lot of songs from his prolific repertoire lately, but “Frank Ocean” is definitely a stand out, not only for its subject matter but its somewhat whimsical intent.  It’s all about being distracted, lazy, and wanting to have sex all day in your room, something most of us have experienced and even achieved in our lives.  And to many of us, as well as to ‘Riz, there’s nothing wrong with that at all.  We sometimes need to pay less attention to the world around us and more attention to each other.  To past generations that was set perhaps to music by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Bryan Adams, or John Legend, to name some balladeers.  Today Frank Ocean, tomorrow someone else… Enjoy the moments while they last and give “Frank Ocean” a spin at the link above.

“Eden” is brand new from @ThisIsPlake – “The Voice” Season 12 Top 10 contestant @HunterPlake and his brother @DakotaPlake

PLAKE, “Eden”

It looks like Louisiana’s Hunter Plake and his brother Dakota have zeroed in on what was to me Hunter’s shining moment on the most recent season of “The Voice” – his warm, unique, toned-down rendition of Sia’s “Electric Heart” – and have used it for the basis of their new much-awaited indie single, “Eden”.  Given Hunter’s other performances on “The Voice”, “Eden” is not what one might expect – gloriously romantic chilled out pop/dance!  But I’ve found the performances on the show often disguise what the performers really want to do.  And now with that as a launchpad, “Eden” should serve the brothers Plake very well as a kickstart to their own music and sound.  Club DJ’s will want to invest in this one transitioning into or out of a quieter set.  For the rest of us, a taste of “Eden” is not enough and we’ll want more very soon from the Plakes!

#BILLCSTop30 #513 – July 10/17

The chart has a new #1 and a high-flying debut to watch in the coming weeks!

The Top 10

  • “Attention” by Charlie Puth slides in at #1 as the title for his upcoming second album has been announced:  Voice Notes.  The song’s slick bassline and honest delivery made it a sure thing for the top of my chart.  Like many of you, I hadn’t known of Charlie Puth till I heard “See You Again”, but he’s a stadium concert headliner in the making 🙂  Catch him on tour opening for Pickering, Ontario native Shawn Mendes (below), who also arrives at #10 this week with “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”.

  • While Axel Mansoor had to give up the top spot held by “Wasted My Love” during June, he glides to #2 with its follow up, “Out Of My Head”.  Like “Wasted”, “Head” is a free download, as are many songs in the upper reaches of this chart 🙂
  • When you can sing a good, interesting story, it resonates and stays in your head.  Such is the case with “Silent Games” as sung by Hawaiian singer Zekt, and produced by Germany’s Lars Beck and Henri Purnell.  It soars 11-5.

https://soundcloud.com/selectedsounds/silent-games

  • Right behind “Silent Games” is Bobby Nourmand’s summer song “D U S T”, which climbs 10-6.  Bobby has new music coming very soon for Potion Records once again, so you will know where to read about it!
  • The third entry into the Top 10 is “Byte” by Dutchmen Martin Garrix and Brooks.  It’s a feisty instrumental that doesn’t let up and is accompanied by a flashy video.  “Byte” rises 12-9.

Movin’ On Up

  • Cosmos & Creature – Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore to you and me – appear to be on deck for their first Top 10 as a lead artist under this project name with the engaging “Bad Drug”, which sails 17-11.  The duo got to the Top 10 (#7) as a featured artist on Vicetone’s “Bright Side” last year.  We need to see C&C more on the east coast please!!
  • Sweden’s Anton Ewald is also heading for the Top 10 – where all of his charted songs have landed in the past, but as high as #2 – with “L.I.L.Y.”, or “like I love you”, promoted by a video that is all Anton.  The song’s obvious Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake influences are more inspiring rather than obvious borrowings.  “L.I.L.Y.” moves up 20-14.

  • Martin Garrix’s second entry shows the best of his pop side, and with Troye Sivan on vocals for “There For You” it’s taken to another level entirely.  It’s his best ‘pop’ single to date, aside of course from “Animals”, and charges up the chart 22-15.

  • “Astronauts” is one of the catchiest and most energetic songs of the year, EDM or otherwise.  It’s brought to you by a wide collaboration of three Danes and a Scot:  Boye & Sigvardt & MAGNÜS – the lone Scot – featuring vocalist Uhre.  It leaps 23-18.
  • The fastest riser on the chart is a classic house remix with an equally classic piece of storytelling to make it all gel.  I’m talking about former Same Difference member Sean Smith’s “Magic”, which in its Andy Sikorski remix, soars 28-20.

  • You can now check out the video to The Killers’ latest single “The Man”, which moves up 27-24.

Three New Entries

  • He’s back and stronger than ever, a fixture on the BILLCS Top 30 these past 7 years, Bright Light Bright Light.  Following his album Choreography, he’s just released his second EP as well in 2017, Tales Of The City, which is a huge warm musical hug for NYC and to anyone who feels they are simply not good enough for even themselves 🙂  And he’s given the city a new theme song, “New York Pretty”, with a vibrant video that makes the package a full circle.  BLx2 has already had 5 #1’s on this chart, will “New York Pretty” be his next one?  It arrives out of the gate at #16.

  • While previous single “I Wonder” still hangs in at #28, Dutch duo The Him are back with another impressive single, the R&B-flavoured “Secrets”, featuring a glistening vocal by L.A. singer Cub Rayan.  It bows at #23.

  • After enticing us with thoughtful but sultry singles like “Guilty As Sin” and “My Religion” in 2015, Toronto’s Dan Talevski is back with the fun and light-hearted “Birthday Suit”.  Debuting at #25, we’ll have to see if the upcoming video is saucy or playful or a bit of both 🙂

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right 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

Planet Radio Canada is on hiatus and will return http://www.planetradio.ca 🙂

More new music is a personal release for @MatthewKoma with “Suitcase”

MATTHEW KOMA, “Suitcase”

Matthew Koma’s latest songs have been cathartic, personal experiences perhaps like none other that he’s written.  So the broken relationship that’s stuck inside your head is the topic for the thoughtful “Suitcase”, which was written years ago but never released.  It’s his 5th single since last Fall, and so many of us can completely relate. A song like this can’t work unless the vocal is ultra-convincing and honest, and Matthew definitely gives his all.  In contrast to his recent ear-raising collaboration with Ghastly, “We Might Fall”, “Suitcase” is a ballad rather than a dance floor filler.  Thank goodness for recent support from Sony/RCA – it’s hard to go wrong with what Matthew Koma is frequently bringing us to hear and embrace in 2017.