It doesn’t happen on every season of “The Voice” but I often select a performer who is an underdog that I root for – and sometimes they stick around. Despite top notch performances which got him through the Battle Rounds (and stolen by Gwen Stefani from Alicia Keys), I was worried when I heard that 20 year old newlywed Hunter was performing Sia’s massively difficult “Elastic Heart” for the live show, which is when teams get cut from six to three members. But in an extremely clever move, the arrangement for “Elastic Heart” was stripped down, which allowed Hunter’s gorgeous voice to flourish to heightened emotions even though his version could have probably used some better articulation in spots. Nonetheless it established a distinct sound that none of the other contestants – or any in recent memory – possess. Now Hunter is in the Top 12 – underdog no more – and has an excellent chance at finishing in the Top 4. And people are buying his songs on iTunes even before the Top 12 shows, which is amazing! Check out the performance of “Elastic Heart” – totally melt-worthy 🙂
In a collaborative effort between all five band members, Dallas’ Northern National return not long after the release of their EP The New Age with “MoneyBlind”. This particular song strays somewhat from the group’s image as resolute rockers who have acquired a loyal concert following in the southern US. “MoneyBlind” shifts focus to a more pop flavoured sound with enough rocking edges to keep fans happy. Like their many of their past songs and particularly “Love Is Fire”, “MoneyBlind” is led by a strong, urgent vocal that could call it to the attention of pop or mainstream rock radio. Give it a listen at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital store.
Minnesota’s engaging rapper and sometime singer Call Me Karizma continues to regularly bring us new songs, this time with “Leave Me Alone. Sad”. It’s all about being trapped with conflicting emotions, questioning what many younger folks experience when trying to devote as much time to friendship and companionship, leaving less time for oneself, particularly when down or sad. ‘Riz quickly and softly gets to his point in mainly a pretty minimal arrangement which picks up and gets a little meatier musically in the song’s last minute or so. Few singers and songwriters can get inside the thoughts of their audiences like Call Me Karizma, which is simply why his fan base continues to grow and grow, as his recent U.S. tour has also proven. Check out “Leave Me Alone. Sad” at the Spotify link above.
If you like your trap mixed with drum ‘n bass and lots of melody, then “Animal” by NYC producer/DJ Reid Speed is for you. She concocts a mix that does not let up, with beautifully sweet melodic moments in stark contrast to some of the hardest dubstep and trap you’ll hear in a song that has big crossover potential. It’s aided fittingly by a deep and soulful vocal by L.A.’s Burnheart (aka Scott Bernhardt) that takes “Animal” to yet another level within one song. I was not familiar with Reid Speed before this song but I can see why she is being touted as one of North America’s most innovative producer/DJ’s regardless of gender. Check out “Animal” above and be prepared to have your senses twisted and turned and eventually reassembled.
I had the good fortune to see NYC/LA duo Powers (guitarist/vocalist Crista Su and bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Mike Del Rio) for the second time last night at Toronto’s Adelaide Hall (where I first saw them open for DNCE in November 2015), and they performed an energetic set for a highly appreciative and dedicated crowd. Flash forward a few years from their rollicking and infectious “Classic” (with The Knocks) and Powers now mesh more rock flavour into their dance grooves, especially with two of the three songs released from their upcoming album, due (fingers crossed) in June on Republic.
“Heavy” (above) has another catchy vocal by Crista with a jaunty, almost Caribbean-inspired rhythm married with 80’s pop riffs which could be mashed up with Men At Work’s “Down Under”. It’s definitely that groove that will keep you moving and some remixers could have fun with it as they have had with some of Powers’ other songs. “Dance” (video below) is much more aggressive, again recalling 80’s power rock (think Joan Jett’s “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)”), but loads of fun, with Mike and Crista letting loose in a video that manages to incorporate both a cowboy riding a bull and an astronaut. “Man On The Moon” (also below) veers away from the danceable side of things for a more alt.rock flavoured, lyrical song with some heavier instrumentation and harmonies at the bridge that still swings with an easier-going groove.
Though it was also great to hear other Powers’ songs like “Sunshine” and the hip hop inspired “Legendary”, I think the immediate future is looking very bright for this talented singing/songwriting duo, who also happen to be terrific, smart, positive folks in speaking with them after last night’s show. Check out “Heavy”, “Dance” and “Man On The Moon” and pick them up at your favourite online store, and watch for a solid album when it drops later in the Spring or early Summer.
People often forget how innovative the Australian dance music scene is, and that sometimes when new music arrives on North American or European shores, it’s treated as odd… and then becomes the next big thing six months later. Spenda C is well-established in his homeland but puts a unique hip hop-infused spin on EDM with “Release”, featuring fellow Aussie, rapper/singer Cult Shøtta. “Release” gives us an awful lot to digest in its 3:32 length. There’s a terrific uncredited female vocal to give it a familiar EDM lift, but then Cult Shøtta’s vocal arrives, alternates between rapping and singing – fans who like everyone from Fetty Wap to Big Sean to Kranium will appreciate this diversity 🙂 And the song develops this infectious, dizzying buzz that keeps going, which you will simply love. Check out “Release” at the link above. This is a grower that could find its way as a surprise summer breakout.
This 505th edition of the BILLCS Top 30 is brought to you once again by The Chainsmokers, except this time they share the #1 spot with Coldplay on “Something Just Like This”. This is a song that appeals to the good nature of everyone, and gets The Chainsmokers their third number one on this chart, while Coldplay gets their first (both “Talk” and “Clocks” got to #2). Can’t wait to hear more from The Chainsmokers’ upcoming album Memories…Do Not Open. These guys have not stopped and 2017 will continue to be huge for them.
Our Top 10 continues to seem like a revolving door as recent favourites depart to the lower parts of the Top 30.
The Rest of the Busy Songs on the Rise
In a chart where there were no songs by The Chainsmokers, Germany’s Koni and US vocalist Danelle would be at #1 with the effervescent “Mad About You”, which climbs to #2, bypassing The Chainsmokers’ “Paris” which dips 1-3. “Mad About You” is one of those songs guaranteed to put a smile on your face, particularly if you happen to be someone crazy over someone else. With Callum McBride, Koni has also done a great job on a remix edit of Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl”, injecting just a tad of tropical flavour – give a listen below and download it for free.
Another German producer and American vocalist soar into the Top 5 from outside of the Top 10. It’s Levi featuring Victor Perry on the timeless and effortless “Sail”, which vaults 13-4 and is the Fastest Riser on the chart for a second time in a row.
A song I simply cannot get out of my head is “Be My Love” by Mahalo featuring Cat Lewis, so much so that even in its 8th appearance on the chart it still moves upward, bounding 9-5. The pair also have a second song taking off further down. “WTFYWF” climbs 22-15 (both below).
Toronto’s Loud Luxury pairs up with Ryan Shepherd on “Something To Say”, the deep house redux-in-disguise of Craig David’s “Fill Me In”, which flies into the Top 10 15-8.
If there weren’t as many songs as strong as DNCE’s “Naked” the song would be much higher on the chart but not as high as the #2 placing of “Cake By The Ocean” in late 2015. Nonetheless, DNCE reach the Top 10 a second time as “Naked” moves up 11-9.
The last debut in the Top 10 belongs to the currently-touring Justin Taylor Phillips, aka Crywolf, who I will see in concert on March 25. The waltz-like epic “Windswept” jumps 14-10.
One of the most unique songs of the year is “Manifest”, the progressive soul/hip hop flavoured song by Brandyn Burnette from his third EP Feature Films. “Manifest” rises 20-13.
I think young Dutch producer WRLD will become another Tiesto if song choices like “Stranded” keep coming his way. Paired up with American producers SMLE, the song benefits immensely from an outstanding, soaring vocal by Kiddo AI and bows at #21. It’s one-of-a-kind dance music for your ears and feet! It’s also currently available as a free download 🙂
Right behind at #22 is “Stay” by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara. “Stay” is Zedd’s fourth appearance on the chart, but first in three years, and Alessia’s chart debut. Zedd is a refreshing change of electronic style for Zedd, and Canadian singer Alessia Cara to me gives her best vocal to date (she also is one of the song’s co-writers). All of Zedd’s three songs to hit the chart have made the Top 5, including a #1 with “Spectrum” (featuring Matthew Koma) in 2012. Will “Stay” follow suit? I think there’s a strong possibility!
Dutch duo The Him are back after finding their way to #2 last year with “Balance” (featuring Oktavian) and opening on The Chainsmokers’ European tour. But “I Wonder” is far different from the deep house of “Balance”. It’s got a bright summery melody in stark contrast to a divine but forlorn vocal by singer LissA – and it all works beautifully. “I Wonder” arrives at #24. I will be checking out The Him’s own show on March 31.
NYC duo The Knocks make their fifth entry on the chart with “Worship”, featuring UK singer MNEK, about whom I’ve written a number of times, and who first appeared on the chart in 2015 with Zara Larsson on “Never Forget You” (#17). I saw The Knocks on March 17 in concert and as usual they put on a dance party that you didn’t want to see end. Their new EP is Testify, and “Worship” is the Gospel-flavoured ear-ringer which debuts at #25. All of The Knocks’ previous entries have reached the Top 10, including a #1 last year with “Kiss The Sky”, featuring Wyclef Jean.
Our final debut is also the third one from The Netherlands (a fourth Dutch entry is at #11, “Light” by San Holo). Lulleaux makes his song “Sinner” a winner featuring a top notch vocal by SVM, and it premieres at #27, the first entry for Florida’s Tipsy Records.
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
Listen for me onhttp://www.planetradio.caon Tuesday evenings (returning on March 28), and with my Pick of the Week segment returning on March 27, aired throughout the week at 2:20 6:20 10:20 AM/PM EST
The first music I heard from Paris-based UK singer and electronic artist Dan Black was back in 2009 at the time this blog began. “Symphonies” was my favourite song of the time and his debut album UN still had not been released in North America. It was part of an engaging soundtrack to what would turn out to be a rough winter for me. Over seven years later, after starting a family, and after a few fine dance singles (notably “Hearts” with Kelis, and “Sunlight” with Bag Raiders), comes the first efforts from his sophomore album Do Not Revenge, and the second taste of that, following “Headphones”, is “Blow”. Dan summarized it so well in his social media posts that it’s hard to top what he says: “… a song about those rare little diamonds, those people who blow our troubles away – even if for just a moment”. Music listeners need all of the positives they can get, and with the billing “featuring Fans”, I’m wondering if this is the song where his fans’ voices are incorporated, after he asked them to send in their recordings? With a breezy melody and undeniable hook, “Blow” is a perfect song for Spring, definitely (no pun intended) a breath of fresh air in 2017 even though it sounds like he has hardly missed a step since 2009. Give it a listen above and watch for more music from Dan Black!
“Drinkin'” is an essential rocking bluesy jam that’s going to sound fabulous in concert by L.A.-based singer JMSN. He’ll release his fourth album Whatever Makes You Happy on April 28 and is touring in North America to support it. After a moody pair of albums, It Is and JMSN (aka the Blue Album), and working with folks like Kendrick Lamar, Kaytranada, J. Cole, and Tyga over the past few years, JMSN’s commanding vocal takes control here with a blistering vocal that reminds you of why you got interested in the first place back about five years ago with his solo debut album †Priscilla†. With JMSN still producing and engineering “Drinkin'”, and self-releasing his records, props here must also go to the bass work by Yuki “Lin” Hayashi which captures a deep groove that helps bring the song home. The focus now seems to be more on real instruments and musicians than electronics. Give “Drinkin'” a listen at the link above.
Regardless of what you think of The Chainsmokers after their 2016 successes, including a Grammy win for “Don’t Let Me Down”, you had to know that the only way was up in 2017. So they’re touring in Europe and headlining some of the biggest festivals. Yet they always find time for the fans and the up-and-coming producer/DJ’s who would like to taste even a modicum of what they’ve accomplished in a short period of time. Those who knew them before the “#Selfie” days must be gleaming.
So this week on the BILLCS Top 30, The Chainsmokers have the distinction of having the top two songs. The reflective “Paris” (above) remains at #1 by a hair, but the second single from their upcoming Memories…Do Not Open album co-written and performed with Coldplay, the anthemic singalong “Something Just Like This” (below), bows at #2 and is set to succeed “Paris” in two weeks. It’s the first time in a year since the same performer held the Top 2 – currently-charting Brandyn Burnette did it in January 2016 with “Nothing At All” at #1 and “Lost (Stripped)” at #2. And it’s Coldplay’s first appearance on this chart, their 8th in total, since 2008’s #1 “Viva La Vida”.
And with this feat, half of the Top 10 changes…
Four More New Entries in the Top 10
German producer/DJ/guitarist Koni soars 13-3 with the glorious pop tune “Mad About You” featuring a delightful vocal by Danelle. Had The Chainsmokers hits not come along, well, you can do the math!
The sultry and evocative “Memories Of You” by Alyx Ander featuring Srey Davi bounds 15-7 in this release for Nettwerk Records.
Following the #4 “Just A Dream”, Molly Moore follows it into the Top 10 11-8 with “Imaginary Friends”, from the EP Now You See Me, with fine remixes by Pluto and TelyKAST.
Heroic Records lands in the Top 10 for the first time thanks to German producer JPB and British singer Luke Cusato with the lovely “For You” rising 12-10.
Set to follow “Cake By The Ocean” into the Top 10, DNCE gets “Naked” moving 14-11.
The fastest riser on the chart belongs to a third German producer/DJ, Levi, but featuring the gorgeous tones of American singer Victor Perry on “Sail”, which vaults 24-13.
Crywolf is in the midst of his North American tour, and a new EP Skeletons is due next week. The epic “Windswept” climbs 20-14.
The Toronto pairing of Loud Luxury and Ryan Shepherd is responsible for a killer deep house redux of Craig David’s “Fill Me In”, retitled “Something To Say” (and also remixed by none other than Tiësto!), and it leaps 25-15.
While The Chainsmokers and Coldplay’s high, high debut kind of steals some of its thunder, totally catchy in a different way is “WTFYWF” by Mahalo featuring Cat Lewis. And yes, this collaboration is still riding high in the Top 10, moving to #9 with the exceptional “Be My Love”. “WTFYWF” is a ribald, no holds barred party song which debuts at #22.
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
Listen for me onhttp://www.planetradio.ca live on Tuesday evenings, and with my Pick of the Week segment throughout the week at 2:20 6:20 10:20 AM/PM EST
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