I gave you a heads up a few weeks back (as an extra to my personal chart post) that Blare (Levoir)’s new single “Waiting For Love” was previewing in advance of release. I didn’t know at the time that Venezuela-born, Texas-raised, and L.A.-based Blare would be making it a free download via email subscription on his website. And that’s excellent news! It’s a classic slice of dance pop that should do well for the singer, who has already had success with previous songs, developing a rabid fan base in the process. “Waiting For Love” is just a taste of what Blare has to offer. Check out recent recordings on his You Tube channeland you’ll find that he has a terrific voice that is accentuated by effects (perhaps a few too many) in “Waiting For Love”. Can’t wait to hear what else Blare has coming for us soon! 🙂
Martin Garrix is the latest, and probably youngest, king of the dance clubs thanks to his beyond-infectious Billboard #1 dance hit and now Top 40 hit “Animals”. He has a distinct and big, big progressive sound in his music which makes it rise above so much other equally trippy sounding dance music of today. “Helicopter”, his pairing with Firebeatz, proves that Martin is no flash in the pan. It’s equally as contagious as “Animals”, will set raves afire, and who knows, might even start a new dance craze 😀 Be prepared to whirl away to “Helicopter” through the summer months. You can get it right now throughBeatport.
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT and ELTON JOHN, “I Wish We Were Leaving”
The deeper “I Wish We Were Leaving” gets, the more wrapped up you will become in all that’s going on in this latest surprise from Bright Light Bright Light. It’s just incredible to hear Elton John on an independent release, and as different as his voice is to that of Rod Thomas, they truly mesh in the song. Elton’s lower register in particular resonates in a lovely way. Once you can get past this you’ll find a sad, earnest story, carried by a dreamy, soft melody, with an open door to hope – never something anyone wants to hear when they’ve just split with someone – but putting that aside, this is one huge and delicious box of chocolates that comes with tissue paper if you need it. Kudos to Rod and Elton on this real stunner of a collaboration. Chart bound!! The EP of I Wish We Were Leaving is set for release on April 7, so play it to death on the Soundcloud link above in the interim.
Sure to spice up club life during this long winter is “Horny” by 90’s dance music queen Lonnie Gordon. The American singer had a spate of #1 dance hits – “Bad Mood” plus UK chart hits “Gonna Catch You” (produced by Black Box – I’m pleased to have an original 12″ vinyl of it) and Top Tenner “Happenin’ All Over Again” (produced by Stock-Aitken-Waterman) – and has never really been away from the club scene. But there’s no one more appropriate to produce this comeback of sorts than the ever-remarkable Ricardo Autobahn, and the songwriting team of Charlie Mason, Richard Hymas, Autobahn, and Gordon have really got their sexy hard on (ooops)! Bringing it on with a video full of hot bodies and good times (and a refreshing sax break), Lonnie Gordon should find herself back on the dance club charts asap. And club DJ’s just might want to match it up with Mousse T’s classic of the same name for a “Horny Horny” grand time! Have lots of fun with this one folks.
The end of January sees a cold, cold winter continuing… but with extra hot EDM/dance music, if our three debuts (with thanks to Matthew Koma on two of them 🙂 ) and the new #1 song – which you may not have expected – have any say in the matter.
The New Number One
“Animals” by Martin Garrix!! Surprised?? The song has grown immensely on me during the month, and the young Dutchman already seems to have a signature sound of his own, judging by his subsequent collabo “Wizard” and a newer song which you’ll find under the extras below. But will “Animals” get more than one appearance at #1? Find out in two weeks! Love the above photo! Martin is in my city (Toronto) in a sold out show on February 7 at Uniun.
The Rest of the Top 10
“Easy” by Travis Garland continues its climb to #2 in its 8th appearance on the chart, while “Motel Pool” sits comfortably at #6.
Bright Light Bright Light gives up #1 with “An Open Heart” and moves to #3, while the equally pensive “In Your Care” moves up 13-10!
Singles holding steady: SIRPAUL’s “Every Single Moment” at #4 and “Breathe Me”, the thoughtful Sia cover by Carlos Nóbrega at #7 🙂
Into the Top 5 she goes! New UK singer Eurielle’s gorgeous “Gold” (video below) moves up 6-5!
The last new Top 10 entry is Adam Lambert’s highest on the chart thus far, the “Glee” take on “Marry The Night” at #9.
On The Rise
Canadian quartet Neverest is at it again, after the #1 success of “Rewind”, almost in the Top 10 a few weeks after “Take Cover” (video above) appeared on their Facebook page as a free download. It’s the fastest riser on the chart, climbing 21-11!
And speaking of “Rewind”, its songwriter Corey Niles and pal Dru continue to rise up the chart with a fine slice of pop/hip hop, “Rollercoaster” at #12.
New L.A. resident Jake Miller is fresh out of the Grammys and zipping up my chart 22-13 with a fun pre-summer anthem “Collide”.
While “Do What U Want” has slowed down at #14, Lady GaGa’s rollicking “MANiCURE” jumps 18-15.
He’s got an Oscar nomination, won a Grammy as Producer of the Year, provided vocals on Record of the Year “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk (which got to #2 on my chart and was #16 for 2013) – Pharrell Williams oughta be “Happy”, as the former UK #1 climbs 27-21.
Lastly, the eclectic and most listenable “Talking To The Walls” (video below) has an outstanding vocal by its singer, newcomer Své, and it moves up 25-22. It’s available on iTunes.
The Debuts – Power EDM Trio!
Storming the chart at #17 is the irresistible and indefatiguable “Cannonball (Earthquake)” by Dutch producers/DJs Showtek & Justin Prime, which started life as an instrumental two years ago, but has been transformed into an incredible vocal anthem courtesy of singer/songwriter Matthew Koma. This needs a worldwide release!!
I got so tired of Wake Me Up soooo fast that I went silent on Avicii’s album True. That has all changed with the arrival of “Addicted To You” at #20, featuring a unique standout vocal performance by American singer Audra Mae. A short song at 2:28, it has all the boom you need to make you want much more!
Lastly, we have more Matthew Koma vocalizing and songwriting courtesy of the UK Top 20 hit “Dare You” by another well-established Dutch producer/DJ, Robbert Hardwell. This gorgeously melodic EDM song arrives at #25 and I’m looking forward to the official remixes 🙂
Extra! Extra!
Several songs are on deck or are awaiting official release before they arrive on my chart.
Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige, “F For You”
Kylie Minogue, “Into The Blue”
People Like You, “Have Some Pride” (teaser video!! – official release is February 3)
Bassjackers, “Crackin'” (Martin Garrix edit)
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart.
05 01 ANIMALS Martin Garrix 03 02 EASY Travis Garland 01 03 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light 04 04 EVERY SINGLE MOMENT SIRPAUL 06 05 GOLD Eurielle 09 06 MOTEL POOL Travis Garland 07 07 BREATHE ME Carlos Nóbrega 02 08 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E 11 09 MARRY THE NIGHT Glee Cast featuring Adam Lambert 13 10 IN YOUR CARE Bright Light Bright Light 21 11 TAKE COVER Neverest 15 12 ROLLERCOASTER Corey Niles featuring Dru 22 13 COLLIDE Jake Miller 14 14 DO WHAT U WANT Lady GaGa featuring R. Kelly 18 15 MANiCURE Lady GaGa 17 16 I CAN’T HELP IT Dangerous Muse New 17 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma 20 18 COME A LITTLE CLOSER Cage The Elephant 08 19 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald New 20 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae 27 21 HAPPY Pharrell Williams 25 22 TALKING TO THE WALLS Své 10 23 4TH OF JULY Jarell Perry 12 24 DO I HAVE TO DANCE Simon Curtis New 25 DARE YOU Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma 16 26 KEEP ME RUNNING Andy Suzuki & The Method 19 27 I HAVE A NAME Osvaldo Supino 23 28 WE CAN’T STOP SUMMERTIME SADNESS DATABOY 24 29 JULIET Lawson 26 30 BERLIN WALL Simon Curtis
The Aikiu is a four piece contemporary new wave band from Paris led by singer/songwriter Alex Aikiu. And Alex scored a huge coup to get MEN vocalist JD Samson to sing on “Win”. The song is a pretty impressive slice of sophisticated, softer Eurodance pop, with emotive and empowering vocals from JD (who also puts her stamp on the song’s sequel “Win Part II” on The Aikiu’s EP). The Aikiu has enormous potential, blending styles from as diverse as Roxy Music and The Cure with current sounds which put them in the same queue of fans who like The Gossip, Passion Pit, and The Good Natured. Watch the video for “Win” below and get the Win EP on iTunes.
In somewhat of a nice coincidence with this post, I learned this evening that JD Samson & MEN are playing The Garrison in my city (Toronto) on Sunday January 26.
The bottom has yet to fall out of Osvaldo Supino’s recent album Exposed. Last year we had “I Have A Name” and “Ma Radio”, two very different and enjoyable songs which reached #5 and #11 on my personal chart respectively. Now we have “Goodbye”, and you best be ready for some wet eyes. Regardless of your orientation, this song and video is about a dashed dream, and with each frame of the video you can feel the weight of what’s coming. The point of reference in my head that keeps popping up is the ending of the Woody Allen film “The Purple Rose of Cairo”. It’s crushing. Leading to the inevitable finale, you can enjoy Osvaldo’s poignant and spot-on vocal.
Ready now for imminent takeover of the worldwide dance club charts is “Dare You”, combining the many talents of Dutch DJ/producer Robbert Hardwell and the always splendid Matthew Koma, who copped two of my Top 10 Songs of 2013 with “1998” and “Parachute”. It’s great to see Matthew’s continued connection to the dance community with such a strong song, which sets out its lyrical intentions early on so you can jump and bounce and do whatever after the first minute or so. Bound to be one of the biggest dance records of the year, I hope it crosses over to pop like Matthew’s work with Zedd.
The last chart of 2013 is also my first chart of 2014, when last year’s favourites start to fade a bit and new ones start to take charge.
The Top 4 are exactly the same as two weeks ago: Bright Light Bright Light’s “An Open Heart” (#11 for 2013) and “What’s Going On” by Monsieur Adi & A*M*E (#17 for 2013) are still too hard to dislodge, with Anton Ewald’s “Can’t Hold Back” (#21 for 2013) about to give way to Travis Garland’s “Easy”.
SIRPAUL busts a move right into the Top 5 with “Every Single Moment” (8-5), which not only can swirl you out onto the dance floor but dazzle you with its excellent lyrics. It’s a grower, but a winner!
I am by no means nowhere near done with Martin Garrix’s “Animals” as it continually lodges itself inside my head. It would have made for some appropriate party music in last night’s festivities. “Animals” moves up 11-6.
“Gold” by UK singer Eurielle vaults into the Top 10 at #7, from her compelling 3 song EP The Incarnation. Watch the tantalizing video above.
“Breathe Me” is a poignant and minimal cover of the Sia song by Portugal’s Carlos Nóbrega, climbing 15-10 and becoming his second Top 10 placing on my chart.
The middle of the chart finds songs still on the rise from Jarell Perry, “Glee”/Adam Lambert, Lady GaGa & R. Kelly and Corey Niles & Dru.
Debuts from the last chart are all taking off smoothly. Bright Light Bright Light’s “In Your Care” is the fastest riser, up 24-16, making this a double whammy week for Rod Thomas who also has the #1 song. Lady GaGa’s “MANiCURE” and Cage The Elephant’s “Come A Little Closer” (coming closer to becoming a pop hit, I think) climb 28-21 and 29-23.
I’ve written about both of our newcomers. It’s no surprise that “Motel Pool” by Travis Garland bows at #22 complete with its damn proper sexy video. Travis’ self-titled album is my go-to when I don’t know what to listen to. The song is also from the new Motel Pool EP available on iTunes. “Talking To The Walls” got a flood of attention right away when I wrote about it in October, but it’s gone a little too quiet. I’ve not forgotten about this hypnotic song from new singer Své. Watch the video below, which has some strange twists and a cameo from “Go For Gold” and former Click Five singer Kyle Patrick. It debuts on my chart at #28.
EXTRAS:
If you thought Neverest might go back to a ballad for their next single, you might not be prepared for the techno/dubsteppy power in “Take Cover”, which was released today as a free download from their Facebook page (you have to “like” it of course)right here. Like “Rewind” (my #13 song of 2013), “Take Cover” is an ambitious and tight record that will slide into their set list rather neatly. Can’t wait to hear it in concert! There’s no link yet for me to provide – just take my word on this one folks!
Juno Award winning Canadian R&B/pop singer Remy Shand has eased back into the music scene this year after being away from it for a decade. He’s very active on Twitter, often providing many links to some great obscure and not-so-obscure songs which obviously shape his styles of music. His new song released today on Bandcamp, “The Best In Me”, starts off with a low vocal register introduction, but doesn’t venture much beyond what he gave us in the past, which is not a bad thing at all. Slick production and some amazing guitar work that rounds out the end of the song make it more than worthwhile. You can hear and purchase the songright here.
Dutch singer Matt Blue keeps issuing fine singles that hopefully one day will make an EP or album. Released on You Tube just before the New Year is “Fireworks”, a bit slighter than past efforts “Can’t Help Myself” and last year’s #32 song “Outta My Mind”, but still in a positive and upbeat vein. And when there’s such a fine voice singing the song you can’t help but be impressed.
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailsweb edition of my chart.
01 01 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light 02 02 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi F/ A*M*E 03 03 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald 04 04 EASY Travis Garland 08 05 EVERY SINGLE MOMENT SIRPAUL 11 06 ANIMALS Martin Garrix 13 07 GOLD Eurielle 05 08 I HAVE A NAME Osvaldo Supino 07 09 DO I HAVE TO DANCE Simon Curtis 15 10 BREATHE ME Carlos Nóbrega 06 11 WE CAN’T STOP SUMMERTIME SADNESS DATABOY 14 12 4TH OF JULY Jarell Perry 18 13 MARRY THE NIGHT Glee Cast F/ Adam Lambert 09 14 JULIET Lawson 19 15 DO WHAT U WANT Lady Gaga F/ R. Kelly 24 16 IN YOUR CARE Bright Light Bright Light 22 17 ROLLERCOASTER Corey Niles F/ Dru 20 18 KEEP ME RUNNING Andy Suzuki & The Method 21 19 I CAN’T HELP IT Dangerous Muse 10 20 BERLIN WALL Simon Curtis 28 21 MANiCURE Lady Gaga New 22 MOTEL POOL Travis Garland 29 23 COME A LITTLE CLOSER Cage The Elephant 12 24 SOMEBODY LOVES YOU Betty Who 16 25 ADORN Miguel F/ Jessie Ware 17 26 APPLAUSE Lady Gaga 23 27 IMPOSSIBLE Ryan Star New 28 TALKING TO THE WALLS Své 25 29 HEADHUNTER Parralox 26 30 MA RADIO Osvaldo Supino
My year end countdown continues with songs #40 through 21 🙂
40. DATABOY We Can’t Stop Summertime Sadness (PP #6)
Among their many projects amid preparations for their sophomore album, Austin TX duo DATABOY (aka Cameron Maxwell and Adam Bailey) dropped one of the biggest surprises of 2013 – not just a mashup of Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” and “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey, but one that pretty much stands alone as a song itself. It’s a supurb end of summer song, combining the invincibility of “We Can’t Stop” and the defeat of “Summertime Sadness”. Plus, as is the theme of this year’s songs, the guys gave one of their best ever vocals, and showed themselves at last in the accompanying video. Available for free download too.
39. THE WALLFLOWERS featuring MICK JONES Reboot The Mission (PP #6)
“Reboot The Mission” served as a classy homage to The Clash, what with reference to “the mighty Joe Strummer” in the lyrics as well as supporting vocal from Clash member Mick Jones. It’s probably one of The Wallflowers’ funkiest numbers too, a real throwback to how The Clash incorporated funk and R&B into their songs like “This Is Radio Clash”, “Rock The Casbah”, and “The Magnificent Seven”. Jakob Dylan also has never sounded so fine, an enthusiastic yet sultry vocal.
38. OSVALDO SUPINO I Have A Name (PP #5)
“I Have A Name” became the standout song from the blissful dance compilation This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume 2 as the year went on. It’s as different from Italian singer Osvaldo Supino’s more outrageous songs as it is from his other charting song (the incredibly playful “Ma Radio” at #67). His vocal here is extremely touching and the beautiful lyrics – the song was written by ace team Charlie Mason, Daniel Volpe, and Thomas Lipp – to me could also serve as a theme of sorts against bullying.
37. ROBIN THICKE featuring T.I. & PHARRELL WILLIAMS Blurred Lines (PP #4)
There is no denying that “Blurred Lines” is one of the catchiest pieces of business that 2013 offered. I’m not about to debate the lyrics; to me this is all just fun and other songs have been targeted in the past for their words, yet it didn’t stop radio from playing them either. Robin Thicke is no stranger to making songs about sex, they comprise pretty much most of his repertoire (and he’s been married for over 20 years too). It’s great to have him back with some friendly rivalry, he last appeared on my Best of 2008 with “Magic” (in duet form with Mary J. Blige) after first appearing on my chart back in 2002 with his “A Fifth Of Beethoven” mashup, “When I Get You Alone” (billed under his last name only).
36. DAVIS REDFIELD A World Apart (PP #4)
Davis Redfield is a German DJ/producer who appears to be well-established in Europe. His song “A World Apart” came to my attention through its impeccable songwriting pedigree (Charlie Mason/Mans Ek/Johan Aberg and Redfield). It also has a bit of bizarre history to itself as the fantastic (and hitherto unknown) session vocalist bailed from the project after it was recorded, and that’s not her in the accompanying video. Nevertheless it’s one of the year’s very best dance recordings that should not be disregarded! 🙂
35. BONGIOVANNI I Think I Love You (Kwik Fiks & Bongiovanni remix) (PP #6)
It’s Montrealer Victor Bongiovanni’s second entry (the other is much higher up!) on this list, a deep house rework of rapper Dwele’s song that emphasizes over the full song an irresistibly oversized bass sound and atmosphere featuring minimal vocals. Eventually the full lyrics come along about half way through but by then you are sold entirely. I heard no other song that was quite like this one in 2013, and look forward to Bongiovanni’s upcoming projects (usually with partner-in-crime Kwik Fiks).
34. ARMIN VAN BUUREN featuring TREVOR GUTHRIE This Is What It Feels Like (PP #6)
Dutch DJ/producer has been no stranger to my chart over the past 10 years and in fact has scored two #1’s, 2003’s “Yet Another Day” and 2008’s “Going Wrong”. This time though, “This Is What It Feels Like” crossed over to pop radio around the world thanks to inclusion of the instantly recognizable voice of former soulDecision vocalist, Canadian singer Trevor Guthrie. It’s garnered the pair a deserving Grammy nod for Best Dance Recording amid a lot of competition.
33. PARRALOX featuring RYAN ADAMES Silent Morning (PP #5)
It literally took months for me to buy into this song – a return of the Freestyle sound amid so much techno and dubstep through a cover of Noel’s seminal 80’s hit “Silent Morning”?? And the first recorded version of “Silent Morning” by the Australian duo led by John von Ahlen, simply featuring former member Amii Jackson on vocal duty, was just fine. Then came the brilliant idea of adding rising L.A.-based singer/actor/dancer Ryan Adamés to the mix, and suddenly the record was transformed into something immediately more contemporary, with a video showcasing Amii and Ryan that added a little intrigue to the story. Many mixes followed, including a rock-inflected one by Cherry Cherry Boom Boom which still turns my head. “Silent Morning” is also one of the showcase songs from This Beat Is…Poptronik Volume 2. Parralox also features at #59 with their out-of-the-blue cover of Front 242’s “Headhunter”, sung by John, from their ambitious album of cover songs, Recovery.
32. MATT BLUE Outta My Mind (PP #3)
He doesn’t do it very often, but when 21 year old Dutch singer Matt Blue releases something, it’s generally pretty ear-catching and danceable. Such is the case with “Outta My Mind”, guaranteed to make you smile and give you happy feet, in follow up to his late 2011 #1 on my chart “Can’t Help Myself”. He’s just released a new song called “Fireworks” and I’m sure I’ll have something to say about it very soon! But I’m selfishly looking forward to a full EP or album from the talented Mr. Blue.
31. LAWSON Learn To Love Again (PP #5)
UK quartet Lawson was one of my bands of the year, even though they haven’t released more than two singles in North America. I saw them twice in concert this year (along with Canadians Neverest), and they put on a stadium-worthy show for a smallish (350-400) club audience. Almost all of their songs (ironically except “Learn To Love Again”) have garnered Top 10 status in the UK, and their albums Chapman Square and Chapman Square Part II, have also sold well. North America has to be their next destination, right Universal Music?? 🙂 “Learn To Love Again” is one of those emotional pop songs that instantly sticks in your head, and it was followed this year by the rocking duet with B.o.B. “Brokenhearted” (#52) and the Bruno Mars-ish ska-inflected “Juliet” (#60).
30. TRAVIS GARLAND Homewrecker (PP #6)
L.A. based, Texas-bred singer Travis Garland ultimately recorded my favourite album of 2013, his self-titled debut. Produced along with The Stereotypes, the album offers a diverse R&B/pop sound like no other (no, not even close to Justin Timberlake or Robin Thicke). Its songs ranged from out-and-out dance, through to sexy balladeering, and then to something as offbeat as “Homewrecker”, a dark tale with production effects that would not have sounded out of place on JMSN’s 2012 album Priscilla. Nonetheless it’s a captivating song that shows Travis Garland’s versatility and deservedly ranks highly at year’s end. Travis has one more song, much higher up, on this list 🙂
29. BASTILLE Pompeii (PP #6)
After hearing “Pompeii” at the time of its UK release and seeing it soar to #2 for the British band Bastille, I was hooked thanks to its unforgettable refrain:
“And if you close your eyes, Does it almost feel like You’ve been here before? How am I gonna be an optimist about this?”
These are some of the best lyrics of the year. And by year’s end, the rest of the world was catching on as “Pompeii” moved towards the Top 20 in North America.
28. BLAKE LEWIS Your Touch (PP #5)
“Your Touch” is another song with a memorable refrain, combined with an urgent performance by Blake Lewis, which was a most welcome return for the singer/songwriter whose “Heartbreak On Vinyl” was one of the more touching songs of 2009.
“I’m thinking you and I Should roll the dice, get lost in love forever Cause I’m feeling intoxicated I wanna taste the air that you’ve been breathing
So haunt me, and feel me I’ve been waiting for your touch”
We’re still waiting for the album Portrait Of A Chameleon to surface, so I’m hoping it’s not buried in record company tape. “Your Touch” became a Top 40 hit in the UK.
27. KYLIE MINOGUE Skirt (PP #4)
A gal’s just gotta have some fun, right? The Aussies got it, dance clubs got it, but very few others did. “Skirt” is one of Kylie’s more uninhibited numbers (“and then my skirt came down…. down…. down….”), and one of my most favourite, particularly after last year’s glistening “Timebomb”. And while “Skirt” may have been unjustly ignored, Warner Music decided to add her to their roster, so we should have new Kylie to look forward to in 2014.
26. CHRIS WALLACE Time Bomb (Walk Away) (PP#4)
“Time Bomb” is Chris Wallace’s 2nd entry on this list, following #44 (and current single/video “Keep Me Crazy) and of course my last year’s #2 favourite “Remember When (Push Rewind)”. “Time Bomb” is another equally thoughtful and energetic song, which, who knows (and hint, hint) could be the third single from his long-lasting Push Rewind album. Chris has been performing relentlessly across the USA this year, which has resulted in “Keep Me Crazy” receiving enough airplay to rank in the Top 40 radio songs. This is helped by the power of an indie label (Think Say) with one or two strong performers on their roster. More power to Chris and all of them for 2014! Hope Canada’s on your radar for next year!
25. TAO HYPAH Play The Girl (PP#4)
Early 2013 started off with “Play The Girl”, a most danceable and ear-catching song from young Dutch singer Tao Hypah, who graced last year’s list with the memorable “Celeb”. The video is a great piece of eye-candy with some decent choreography. Tao Hypah has the intriguing looks and the voice to match, and was willing to take a risk with a song that could be perceived from its title to be about more than what it actually is. In mid-2013, Tao Hypah auditioned for The Voice of Holland and made it through under his own persona, Darren Van Der Lek (pic below). He got to the first battle round before being eliminated. Tao Hypah/Darren definitely has the voice to be successful however he wants to be, and I look forward to more in 2014.
24. ELI ESCOBAR featuring NOMI RUIZ Somebody To Love Me (PP #4)
I fell in love with “Somebody To Love Me” at first listen, thanks to the breathtaking vocals of Nomi Ruiz from NYC trio Jessica 6, but had no idea that it was a rework/cover. The original was performed by Mark Ronson featuring Boy George and Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt back in 2010 from Ronson’s album at the time. I only found this out because I was curious why Nomi was singing the song as if she was a boy and figured it must be a cover. Nonetheless, Eli Escobar fashioned the better version as a showcase for Nomi – probably one of the best dance records of the year that you didn’t hear.
23. FRANKMUSIK Captain (PP #4)
Oh what a year for FrankMusik, who has already placed three other songs (out of 5 – still one more to go!) in my Top 75. I remember him posting a clip of the instrumental track for “Captain” before it was released, and I was wondering how he could possibly write a lyric to overlay on top of such a frenetic melody. But he did, and “Captain” is one of the key songs from the Between album, it is the storm that’s raging while you are in the throes of trying to salvage a relationship. You want someone to steer it for you, but the two of you are the only ones to do that. It’s such a difficult subject, and part of the amazement of hearing the Between and Between Us projects is to live through the painful, sad lyrics with Vince, often set to unbridled and happier-sounding melodies. “Captain” is one crazy story and tune – listen to the bare-bones acoustic version on Between Us for full effect.
22. DAN BLACK featuring KELISHearts (PP#3)
After his smashing debut album UN from 2009, and a few guest appearances here and there since, Dan Black quietly resurfaced (after starting a family) with “Hearts” this past Spring. It was accompanied by a very creative video which used time lapse photography having been shot over 24 hours. Incorporated into the mix is an appropriately dry vocal by Kelis that acts as a perfect foil to Dan’s ideas. It’s such a shame that this was all we heard and saw in 2013 and 2014 could use more Dan Black on the music scene 🙂
21. ANTON EWALD Can’t Hold Back (PP#3)
While Sweden’s reigning king of pop, Eric Saade, delved into quieter, personal pop rather than continue with dance-oriented, synth-heavy songs, his young friend Anton Ewald surfaced at Melodifestivalen and won over Swedish audiences with his TV-ready personality and some slick dance moves (he’s also a choreographer). This led to the release of his EP called A, and every song within hits the same places that Eric found with his Saade Volumes 1 & 2 albums. “Can’t Hold Back” should have done better as a second single with its snappy melody and singalong chorus. It’s also strange how his music is released internationally yet we in North America are unable to see some of his videos. I’d love for Eric Saade and Anton Ewald to tour outside of the Nordic countries on a double bill! What exposure! 🙂
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