It’s been a while since I’ve written about Italy’s super nice but ever bold Osvaldo Supino, but continuing with single releases from his most recent album Behind The Curtain is “Infinity”. The song itself is saucy and spicy with only every naughty intention in mind, and is a must for dance clubs to embrace with another direct Osvaldo vocal that I can only compare to SIRPAUL. Accompanying the single release is the above video where Osvaldo gets it on and more with his hunky co-star, with lots of body contact for those of you who enjoy that. It’s quite the travelogue, with an ever-familiar looking Miami backdrop, only spoiled a smidge by 15 seconds which seem to be tacked on to provide an ending that was hardly necessary. No matter, Osvaldo has enough going on in the song itself to keep listeners overflowing with far too many sexy thoughts 🙂
Molly Moore’s EP from last year, Shadow Of The Sun, had so many strong originals (such as “Blood. Sweat. Tears.”) that I sometimes forget that she also included her own enticing alternative pop version of Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” in that release. New Virginia duo New Immunity (aka Tyler and Garret) have recognized “Come Fly”‘s special qualities and chose to add their own flourishes in a remix that is even three or four shades of different from Molly’s version. Alternately symphonic and lush, and ear-popping and psychedelic, New Immunity shows that even a classic like this can be reconfigured and electrified. Yet it takes nothing away from the intent of Frank’s original or Molly’s rework. I’m very big on enhancing and reinventing and New Immunity does it in style. Download it from the link above.
Dance music has always been present on my chart but seems to arrive in waves but also in droves. There is so much great dance music out there, probably as much as there was around 2002-04 when worldwide flavours became more prominent thanks to online exposure. So in edition #483, there are SIX debuts (about which I’ve already written), all in the EDM/dance vein, remixed or not!
The Top 10
“Care For Me” by Toronto’s Dzeko & Torres (currently touring in Europe) and Sweden’s Hellberg, and the emotional Young Bombs remix of “Lost” by B.C.’s Connor Phillips still lead the chart neck-and-neck. Both songs are two of my most favourites of 2016 thus far.
Manse’s “Freeze Time”, featuring fellow Swede Alice Berg on vocals, may have come out in 2015, but MaxR’s progressive remix (available for free download above) has kept it much alive in 2016, as it climbs 6-4.
If this were almost any other year, “The Pop Kids” by Pet Shop Boys (7-5) would be #1 on this chart. But the songs above are preventing that from happening so a lower placing will happen, though it’s one of their best songs in years. PSB tour North America later this year, and chances are that tickets are already gone for most of those shows (I’m going 🙂 last time I saw the lads perform was in 1991!).
Win & Woo and Kiso created such a warm and charming remix of Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams” that it continues to climb 10-7. It’s all in anticipation of more music from Brandyn’s upcoming EP State I’m In.
Miguel is touring with label-mate Sia on her upcoming tour to a city near you, and “Waves” lands in the Top 10 this week, rising 12-10.
Movin’ On Up
The fastest riser on the chart this week is Elephante’s stunning original “Closer” which grows with each listen thanks to a compelling vocal by Portland, Oregon’s Bishøp. It vaults 21-14. Listen to the busy, futuristic remix above for free download by Virtu!
Dan Talevski’s “Knock Me Off My Feet” is one of those songs that just stands out when it’s played on the radio, so I hope that movement spreads to the U.S. It climbs 23-18.
It’s one of the most engaging pieces of storytelling of the year, so you’d be best to download “You Fucked Up” by Toronto-based singer/songwriter Joël LeMay before it disappears! It rises 26-20.
It’s as much of an EDM anthem as “Roses”, and not surprisingly “Don’t Let Me Down” (featuring Daya) is cleaning up the pop charts for the ever-busy Chainsmokers. It moves up 28-22.
SIX DEBUTS
Brandon Skeie is a name and voice to watch! “So Bad” is an immediate singalong to which anyone can connect and a cool video for the song has arrived too. Brandon has an amazing voice which will make you smile when he uses his high register. Watch it above and check out the dynamic free remix by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix above too. “So Bad” arrives halfway up the chart at #15!!
Ever since I heard this song last Fall, I was hoping it would see official release (as its singer Camden Cox has reassured me!). And it has so be sure to pick up “Dreamin'” by Britain’s Embody on iTunes and show your support. It’s a perfect song for a summer night on the beach, and it bows at #19.
It’s very reminiscent in some ways of the bigger Everything But The Girl hits of the 90’s but “Sound Of Home” by Montreal’s Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods in its remix by Chicago’s Snøwmass has its own mysterious qualities that are likely more rooted in jazz. The remix kicks up the original quite a bit and makes it irresistible for clubs. “Sound Of Home” premieres at #21.
There are more and more producer/DJ’s showing their talent as performers and songwriters and I think that’s great. Jenaux’s “Get It On” is totally rooted in 70’s funk and disco via 80’s new wave like Duran Duran and is meant to hit you square between your ears. It arrives at #23.
“Don’t Need You” by Christofi is a gorgeous R&B-influenced house music original at its best, thanks to a fine vocal by L.A.’s J-VEN. It debuts at #26.
It’s been around for a while yet, but “Burn Fast” by Bryce Fox is long-lasting thanks to a spiffy progressive tropical mix by Koni. “Burn Fast” lands on the chart at #27.
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 SpotifyBILLCS Top 30 Songs
http://www.planetradio.cais currently improving its technology and my two features, “Bill’s Top 10” and “Pick Of The Week”, will return soon!
After writing about Toronto band River Tiber often these four years, it looks like Tommy Paxton-Beesley and company are about to make their big splash with the upcoming album Indigo. Also featuring last year’s “No Talk”, River Tiber previews the album with the engaging “Acid Test”. It’s a hefty blend of the R&B and hip hop flavourings that Tommy has incorporated into his songs by working recently with the likes of BADBADNOTGOOD, Daniel Caesar, Pusha T, Kaytranada, and producer Frank Dukes., as well as the striking and often dreamy, layered progressive sounds of past songs like “The Stars Fall” or “The City”. Here beats, cello, keyboards, and percussion all have a vivid home, and it all has a kind of surreal,psychedelic effect in the end, while still being quite accessible-sounding and ear-catching with one of Tommy’s most compelling vocals yet (particularly after the 2 minute mark). I can’t wait to hear the rest of Indigo, which you can now pre-order on iTunes, and be sure to put River Tiber on your radar for the summer of 2016.
River Tiber opens for Kaytranada at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on Friday May 20.
It’s a song about watching love drift away and there’s nothing you can do about it. Norway’s Matoma has a possible pop crossover hit with “Running Out”, and in its remixed edition by Portugal’s Olibe, the realization about the end of love is enhanced by a unique mix that wouldn’t sound out of place next to The Chainsmokers’ “Roses”. The repetition of the chorus with the added flourishes and effects creates a tone of more desperation, despite likely being a joy to hear in a club setting. Turn this one up loud, sometimes sad EDM songs make you feel great in return! Give a listen at the link above.
The former singer with Gentlemen Hall follows up last year’s “Walking Through The Fire” with a lush, soulful charmer called “Darker Than Dawn”. To me this is Cobi’s most unique piece of music yet, full of old school R&B and blues influences in both vocals and rhythm as well as contemporary electronica that wouldn’t sound out of place next to James Blake. It all makes “Darker Than Dawn” another wonderfully cathartic and personal affair, and it’s no wonder that his versatility has afforded the popular EDM duo Above & Beyond to select him as a vocalist on their current tour. Give a listen above and pick up the song on iTunes!
Cobi sings with Above & Beyond in Toronto at Massey Hall on Saturday May 14 & Sunday May 15.
THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring CHARLEE, “Inside Out” (Not Your Dope x Spirix remix)
Those hardworking Chainsmokers continue to recognize young talent for official remixes of their new songs. New single “Inside Out” benefits from a wild trap remix by the German-American hybrid teen team of Not Your Dope and Spirix (who was another partner in the ace remix of “So Bad” by Brandon Skeie too!). The effects in “Inside Out” don’t overwhelm the original song or Charlee’s complimentary, sincere vocal despite changing things up including the tempo. The remix will definitely make you react and bounce when all of those lights start flashing out of control on the dance floor. Download it for free at the link above.
The Juno-award winning album Little Machines by Lights has had long legs since its original release in 2014. Dutch teen remixer WRLD continues this with his futuristic and carefree rework of “Slow Down”. It’s really quite the original shimmering makeover, with crazy sounds popping out of everywhere, definitely taking the song by a Canadian artist not necessarily associated with dance music to a level that would not have been expected. It’s instantly likeable and I think would have no trouble winning over even the most critical Lights fan. Download it for free at the above link.
Last I wrote about Lyonn in these blog pages, it was a one-man pop band (aka California native Ty Andelman) writing bright shiny tunes like “Just Say Hello”, which even got to #13 on the BILLCS Top 30. Two years later, Ty’s subsequent partnership with Attila Yavuzer has led the pair quite successfully at a first crack into the EDM progressive house genre with “The Symphony”. The bright and shiny is still there – and should be reflected in the disco lights 😛 The song itself actually moves along so quickly that it would benefit from some extended remixes, but it’s definitely one meant for handclaps and some hardy partying as you dance the night away. I dare you to get its sweet melodic hook out of your head! The EDM dance community should definitely embrace Lyonn’s “The Symphony”. Download it for free at the link above.
The Washington, DC duo Fight Night, consisting of singer Andy Gruhin and producer Josh Grant, follow up their EP Underground with “I Thought You Were My Friend”, a decidedly different, rock-flavoured EDM track that can easily turn heads. Picture if you will the approach and attitude of say All-American Rejects, Simple Plan, or blink-182 (timely this considering the latter’s comeback!), and pair it up with slick but not too busy electronica, which allows the rock guitars to be prominent throughout. Add to that a common lyric for our teens and 20s generation and you have “I Thought You Were My Friend”. I like it when performers and producers step outside the often narrow confines of pop music and can realize a song with true potential. Find out why and download Fight Night’s “I Thought You Were My Friend” using the link above.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 