DVBBS & SHAUN FRANK featuring DELANEY JANE, “La La Land” (Spirix remix)
Newly based in L.A., teen producer/remixer/performer Spirix continues to cast an inventive, progressive spell over some recent dance music songs, two of which are currently on my personal chart (#1 his co-remix of Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad”; #14 his collaboration with LZRD on the original “Take Me Apart”). Here he shakes up the latest from my Canadian EDM contingent – the DVBBS lads, Shaun Frank and vocalist Delaney Jane, “La La Land”. Quite honestly, it doesn’t sound much like the original, and though I know many EDM fans already love the original, I think Spirix’s approach improves on it. He keeps the aggressive pace already well-established for DVBBS front and centre in his remix as well as the carefree melody which is attractive about the original. Yeah for some it may be too busy and I think Delaney Jane’s voice perhaps is over-transformed, but you can’t deny the kind of reaction this remix will make in a packed club. Download it for free above and see why! 🙂
The new edition of my personal chart is one of my favourites of 2016. It was difficult to compile in many ways, and there’s also so much great new music out that it makes it challenging to create only a list of 30 favourites. This is also causing songs to exit the chart sooner perhaps than in recent years – many used to last the full 10 appearances (20 weeks). But onward and upward with this post highlighting a number of the songs 🙂
The Top 10
He apparently has something new in the works, but right now I cannot get enough of L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad” in either its original (above) or its swirling remixed version by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix (below). This was the easy part of compiling the chart – “So Bad” nails #1 hands down and will be difficult to dislodge!
The runner up is the timelessly summery “Dreamin'” by the UK’s Embody featuring vocalist Camden Cox. It’s one to play at your beach parties 🙂
One of the more out-of-the-ordinary songs on the chart is “Sound Of Home” by Canadians Sterling Grove and vocalist Ellyn Woods, which in its deep house remix by Chicago’s Snøwmass climbs 6-4.
Rounding out the Top 5 is the enjoyable funky business that is “Get It On” by NYC producer/performer/remixer Jenaux, who is also making headway with his 80’s influenced rework of Gramatik’s “Native Son”, which I wrote about recently. “Get It On” rises 8-5.
More people need to discover the vivid Kat Krazy remix of Tom Odell’s “Magnetised” which leaps 11-6; you can find the original on Tom’s second album Wrong Crowd.
Speaking of Kat Krazy, the British duo end up with two new Top 10 entries, the second being their collaboration with American vocalist Johnny Stimson on “Run Run”, which jumps 14-9. That piano riff will get you every time!
Movin’ On Up
Tony Moran and Jason Walker are making many joyful waves together on the chart with “So Happy”, as the #1 Billboard Club Chart hit soars 18-12.
The fastest riser on the chart is one of the most decidedly different, a heartbreaking EDM song that has a refrain that you’ll either find haunting or daft. Nonetheless young producers/remixers LZRD and Spirix have got a great thing going on with “Take Me Apart”, featuring a beautiful vocal by singer Remmi, and it vaults 23-14, heading in no time to the Top 10! Spirix is already up top with his co-remix of “So Bad”; more to come from this talented young man – like tomorrow!
There’s been renewed interest on the music website Hype Machine this past weekend for Bryce Fox’s fine “Burn Fast” in its Koni remix, which continues to rise 17-15.
Rain Man is all over the Billboard Dance Radio charts with his reflective “Bring Back The Summer”, featuring powerful vocalist Oly in its INSTRUM remix. It moves up 20-16.
The exuberant deep house sound of Chicago’s Megaphonix is on display with “Open Your Mind”, which climbs 25-20.
I really enjoy the softer progressive soul sound that Brandyn Burnette has used in his song “Worship” from the State I’m In EP. It advances 28-21 – only the humble beginning 🙂
Four Debuts
There was no way that I could miss adding “Her And Him” by Mi Disguise and Rouse to the chart, from their soulful and danceable mixtape NGHT LFE. It’s a romantic saga for the club world 🙂 “Her And Him” bows at #23.
It’s been in the wings for a while, but L.A.-based singer/songwriter Cobi, formerly of Gentlemen Hall and more recently a featured vocalist on the Above & Beyond acoustic tour, arrives on the chart with “Don’t You Cry For Me”. The song was originally titled “Darker Than Dawn” when I wrote about it a while back. Newly christened, this compellingly old-school bluesy pop song debuts at #24. It follows up last year’s “Walking Through The Fire”, which reached #12.
Following #21 “Worship” is the title track from Brandyn Burnette’s State I’m In EP. It’s such a timely song given recent current events, and everyone should think twice about how they really feel and how it affects the world around them. “State I’m In” premieres at #26, making it three songs on the chart for Brandyn, including “Made Of Dreams”, which peaked at #5.
Another one that’s been waiting to make its move, and is a perfect companion piece to both #19 “Stronger” by Nik Ernst and “Open Your Mind” by Megaphonix at #20 is the British house sound of “Limits” by Australia-based Brit Latchmere featuring singer Andreas Liberos. It debuts at #27 and is a free download.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch
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
http://www.planetradio.cais back! Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear return this Tuesday evening at 9pm EST
For every dance track that’s full of effects with big drops, there’s a song like “Lost Yourself” by NYC duo The Golden Pony featuring New Jersey singer JT Mak. This one stands out because it’s slick in all the right ways. Unlike a lot of dance records, there’s incredible balance here in the production which marries contemporary deep house with Nile Rodgers-like disco riffs. The Golden Pony know how to bring it up to new heights with JT Mak’s falsetto and bring it back down quieter when he sings in his tenor range. Plus there’s a pause that will keep you hanging! For now, you can pick up “Lost Yourself” for free at the above link.
“Free Spirit” is the new song from Molly Moore’s upcoming second EP, following Shadow Of The Sun. It’s nothing like what you heard on that record. As produced by Craig Dodds of Massive Attack, it definitely recalls the 90’s experimental electronica that made Massive Attack’s early records (particularly Protection) so timeless and memorable. The same principle is applied on “Free Spirit” where Molly’s voice is shaken and shifted amid a unique soundscap, and in this co-write with beau Brandyn Burnette, there is a distinct progressive soul backdrop similar to some songs in his own latest EP State I’m In. But “Free Spirit” is unmistakably Molly doing her own great things with music, and should call attention to fans of Banks, Halsey and Grimes. Pick it up on iTunes.
At first I wasn’t sure if Austin duo Bronze Whale were out to drive me a bit mad with their reshaping of their friend Crywolf’s “Slow Burn”. I think that was because I could relate to the lyrics of the song, which perhaps are so honest and cutting that it slid under my skin too much. But really this remix is a whirlwind, with so much going on in the first two minutes that you may not know which way is up. It represents the crazy feeling when you’ve been in a relationship for so long, as singer/songwriter Justin sings I can still feel your claws in me twisting ’round, Bronze Whale capture the essence of that sentiment perfectly. The mix goes on about a minute longer than the original but is well worth sticking through because it’s inventive with an ending that peters out deliberately just like memories of a now-gone relationship begin to fade. “Slow Burn” is beautifully sung too and this chaotic but bang on remix perfectly suits the vocals. You’re gonna want this one – download it for free at the link above.
“Balance” is a supurb, effortless slice of bouncy deep house with tropical delights added for good measure, courtesy of Dutch duo The Him (aka Jeroen and Steven), and featuring silky smooth R&B vocals by L.A.-based fellow Dutchman Oktavian.
It almost goes by too fast – 2:47 is wicked tight and makes you want an extended version. “Balance” will throw down nicely in a mid-evening set when you want to see your audience at their peak energy. And you won’t be able to get enough of all of the goodness going on, from the honest vocal through to the well-knit electronics. The Him proudly have had all of Tiësto, Martin Garrix, Pete Tong, and The Chainsmokers in their corner, so the writing is on the wall: “Balance” is one of 2016’s summer club bangers to remember. Listen above or check it out on Spotify.
GRAMATIK featuring LEO NAPIER, “Native Son Prequel” (Jenaux remix)
As both a remixer and performer, NYC’s Jenaux has a fierce style to be reckoned with, which will keep performers-a-calling, wanting a taste of his edgy but funky sound. This time Jenaux reworks none other than Gramatik’s “Native Son” from the Epigram album, which already received raves for the original collaboration with reknown rapper Raekwon and hot new vocalist Leo Napier. Well you won’t hear Raekwon in this mix, so “Native Son” is refashioned as “Native Son Prequel”, which takes all of the best kinds of 80’s funky R&B – think Prince, The System, The Time, Cameo – and washes it down with Gramatik’s original melody and Leo’s distinct voice. Jenaux’s style is party now, go home later 🙂 I guarantee that your butt will not stop grooving to “Native Son Prequel”. Download it on any available platform using the link above.
“Ready For Us” is one of those delectable anthemic pop/dance confections that is made either for bright sunny days, or to make your day just that bit better. It comes to you courtesy of British performer and producer Draper, who has employed fellow Brits, the trio Sykes, to put the rock pedal-to-the-metal that meshes so well with Draper’s electronic mix. As sung by Sykes’ vocalist Julia with an infectious delivery, “Ready For Us” also doesn’t overwhelm you with an abrasive electronic backdrop. Although it comes from Britain, it has definite American alt.pop flavour and could find itself following up-and-comers on the scene like Powers or Sofi Tukker. Give it a listen above and pick it up at your favourite online music store.
THE DISCO FRIES featuring HOPE MURPHY, “Born Ready” (Halogen radio edit)
Sometimes timing is everything and it makes creating a record all the more worthwhile. “Born Ready” by NYC duo The Disco Fries (Nick and Danny) featuring UK singer Hope Murphy and remixed by Georgia duo Halogen has been around for a while now. But persistence pays off, and I think clubland worldwide should truly embrace this outstanding song thanks to a new major record label release! “Born Ready” happily marries contemporary feel-good house with the zest of the early 90’s club hits, and Hope Murphy’s intense divalicious vocals rank up there with the best of ’em! So don’t just get ready, you’re “Born Ready” to love this one whether it be in a club or on dance music radio. Get it on iTunes.
Every major name – Tiesto, Nicky Romero, Laidback Luke – seems to have recently rallied round Dutchman Jack Wins, and his latest featuring noted UK singer/songwriter Katt Rose should continue that trend with “Slave 2 Love”. Not that this is anything new really, the theme of the song is ages old. But Jack and Katt keep it fresh with a breezy, slick disco rhythm and a convincing, playful vocal. I’d love to hear some extended remixes of “Slave 2 Love” but this short and sweet single (coming in under 3 minutes) will keep listeners and club goers very happy. A winner for the Mixmash Deep label, you can pick it up on iTunes.
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