90’S THEORY x GROOVIE MOVIN’ x VICTOR PERRY, “Right Now (Na Na Na)”
Among his many recent releases, NYC’s Victor Perry takes a rare step over to the dark side of love with the 90’s house flavoured “Addiction” in partnership with Romanian-born Netherlands-based producer Hades. Part of being a great vocalist is having immense versatility, and Victor has it down in spades, as his deeper tones dazzle and come into play against a propulsive house rhythm. The production has a nice balance of retro and current flavours which makes this one work quite well.
90’s Theory and Groovie Movin’ fall into the category of mystery dance producers for me, but the results in creating a cover of Akon’s Top 10 hit “Right Now (Na Na Na)” with Victor are pleasing and surprising. The song is slowed down to a mid-tempo house pace, minus the euphoric feel of the original, which again suits Victor’s lower register quite well. I enjoy different spins on the original hit like this, and “Right Now” should go over well in clubs.
I’ve been waiting a long time for a new album by the artist formerly known as Adam Tyler, a frequent visitor to this blog and my chart between 2010 and 2015. Rebranded several years ago as McEWEN, the affable singer/songwriter has dropped his first album in 9 years called 0524. I’m throwing the spotlight on “Words” as my favourite brand new song from the album, with some splashy Max Martin-esque production that might actually have its roots in the 80’s (I’m thinking of the early synth style of Laurie Latham, such as Paul Young’s The Secret of Association album). “Words” has McEWEN going all out with lots of energy in a dynamite performance.
The album 0524 is full of other delights though, such as new songs like “Playgirl” or “What You Like”, previous releases like “Neon” and “Love That About You” (my two faves, with the latter taking on some new meaning post-pandemic), and the covers of Ace of Base’s “Don’t Turn Around” and “Supernova Girl” (some kitsch from the film “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century”). It’s a family and friends affair, too. “McHusband” Erik is featured in the video for “Words” above with McEWEN; their twin daughters are heard on the playful “I See You Now”; and producers Sky Felix and Aron Friedman return behind the scenes. While I’m sure the release of 0524 is a cathartic one for McEWEN after many intense personal changes over the last few years, I think you’ll find something special for yourself in everything that it has to offer.
It’s a bold move to cover any Sade song, but when you have a voice like NYC’s Javi, your thoughts of it being a Sade song will be left on pause when you press play. I last wrote about the singer when he released his EP Red Lights in 2019. A few releases later and suddenly it’s 2022, and he’s turned “Cherish The Day” (originally from the 1993 album Love Deluxe) into a luscious, zestier mid-tempo dance track with a layered arrangement that compliments his approach to the song. I’ve always enjoyed the edge in Javi’s voice, which works well in lending a more jubilant feel to “Cherish The Day” than in the original. Check out the stylish video in which we get a chance to take a good look at Javi and how he makes this cover work so well.
Thanks to my recent online announcing gigs, the music from my blog continues to find new outlets online. My new music pick of the week segment airs 13 times per week, and the songs I feature on The Big 20 air 4-6 times per week. This is all growing thanks to the diligence and foresight of Russ Horton who operates two of the stations, Radio GTA and Halton Hills Online. I’m glad to be a part of this! I was a college radio station DJ, as well as Music Director, Program Director, and Station Manager, so did I ever expect to be back in the game years later, even if not on terrestrial radio?
Make sure you read about my frequently updatedONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post)!
Mercer’s amazing R&B/house track “Aretha” remains locked at #1 for a second appearance with nothing currently about to take over anytime soon.
While #1 and #2 (“The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” by Frankmusik) stay put, the rest of the Top 10 gets a shuffle.
Luca + Giam and Sam Merkin move up 5-3 with the fun dance track “Hold Me Down”.
On their latest album Dance Fever, Florence & The Machine have returned to the emotional, gothic sound that made them famous. “My Love” is now one of my favourite songs by them, and it climbs 7-4.
Also diving into the Top 5 is Harry Styles with “As It Was” rising 9-5. His new album Harry’s House might even be as good as Fine Line with more plays. Never being a fan of One Direction, I underestimated his vocal talents over the years till he went solo.
It came 4th at EuroVision but was an overall favourite of both the public and the judges. Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs moves up 10-6 with “Hold Me Closer”. Check out her EuroVision performance above.
New to the Top 10 is fellow Melodifestivalen contest entry “Bluffin'” by Liamoo, which rises 12-8.
Getting his second Top 10 is L.A.-based producer Damon Sharpe with top Asian DJ VIVID with “First Time”, which climbs 15-10. Damon got to #5 last year with “15 Minutes” with The Disco Fries.
VASSY and GT_ofice just inch outside of the Top 10 with the energy blast that is “Tuff”, climbing 14-11.
Victor Perry’s latest original “Punching Bag” is also off to a fast start, rising 20-12.
“The Edge” by Belgium’s Niviro and L.A.’s Harley Bird makes a huge jump in its second appearance, climbing 22-13.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is the funky and unique “Romance with a Memory” by The xx’s Oliver Sim, which soars 24-14.
All of that top-of-the-chart activity takes us to the new entries, and there are five of them which command your attention!
The Highest Debut at #24 is Washington-born newcomer Benson Boone with his gorgeously sung song about heartbreak called “In The Stars”. He bowed out of appearing on “American Idol” and ended up catching the attention of Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, and landed a major label deal with Warner. Watch out for this fine new talent!
Next at #25 is a gorgeous techno instrumental created to benefit Ukraine. It’s called “Unity” and it’s by Gareth Emery teaming up with Ukrainian producer Omnia. It’s a fantastic, highly melodic track that stands on its own. I’d love to see it featured at one of Gareth’s shows with all of the new laser works he’s been adding, most recently in his show in Las Vegas. The clip above is from Ultra Miami. “Unity” is Gareth’s third chart entry, and he reached #1 with “We’ll Be OK” (now the name of his record label), which was in the Top 10 exactly two years ago.
At #27 is social media fave Conan Gray with his best song since his duet with Lauv in “Fake” (#12, 2020) called “Memories”. This one definitely will tug at your heart strings, and the singer continues to impress me with his songwriting and vocals.
I saw French producer Hugel spin a set during Miami Music Week and was pleased at the variety of music he chose, well outside of the standard stuff you hear in so many sets. One of the songs that caught my ears was one of his called “Madonna”, a fun, manic release created with female German producer Lovra, and it arrives on the chart at #29.
Rounding out the debuts at #30 is “Let Me Down Easy (Lie)”, a thoughtful but to-the-point ballad by L.A.’s Why Don’t We. The boys just departed the chart with Jonas Blue’s “Don’t Wake Me Up”, which peaked at #5.
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! Links to all stations appear later in this section in blue.
Radio GTA
Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Sunday mornings on Radio GTA at 2:00 AM EST, at 8pm EST on Sundays on Party Dog Radio, and then at 7:00 am EST Fridays on Unique Radio Australia!
On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
Halton Hills Online
“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, now brought to you by the Appalachian Pub & Eatery in Georgetown, Ontario! “The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.
I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” now airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA.
My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on:
Radio GTA Wednesdays at 11:00 pm EST, Saturdays after Midnight EST, and Sundays at 3 am EST
Halton Hills Online Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and Saturdays at 7pm EST
Mix88.ca‘s “Addictive Energy” show with Hunter Wilbur on Saturdays after 9pm EST
I’ve written about NYC pop/dance singer/songwriter Reigen numerous times in recent years, but with “tu ritmo” he tackles a song that is principally sung in Spanish. It’s a beautiful, sensual song whose key phrase “deseo tu ritmo” means “I want your rhythm”. And that of course is the rhythm of romance, sex, and maybe even love. Reigen’s nuanced vocal leads the way, and the above video was shot in Spain featuring dancers from the LGTBailamos dance school providing an ideal backdrop for the story. Fans of Latin music and the singer will adore this one.
One of the sheer delights of 2021 was to have Swedish star Darin back recording in English after an eight year absence, during which time he focused on songs in his native language. “Can’t Stay Away” was my #2 song of the year, and it was followed up with the heartfelt ballad “Holding Me More” – both songs reaching #1 on my personal chart. “Can’t Stay Away” even got a second wind when it became a big hit in Italy this year. “Superstar” follows the happy, uninhibited groove of “Can’t Stay Away” with another airy dance/pop release that will please his fans immensely. Though perhaps not as strong as the previous two singles, “Superstar” features another impeccable Darin vocal and bright production by no less than the renown Stuart Price, along with rising British duo Billen Ted and co-writer Jamie Hartman. With “Superstar”, I certainly can’t get enough of Darin’s current releases, as well as the dynamic, memorable style in its video above (with the same director as “Can’t Stay Away” too).
Former “American Idol” contestant and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, is someone who lives and breathes music every day. With multiple dance music releases happening all the time, it’s almost impossible to keep up with him, and I do try to catch most of his releases. Today I’ve got two of his best recent ones for you.
“Purpose” is not only a splendid piece of songwriting, but it’s an exceptionally tight collaboration with veteran Florida-based producer Ted Bello. In a timely coincidence, Shawn Mendes echoed the theme of this song with his touching and eloquent speech at Canada’s Juno Awards this past week. “Purpose” is an uplifting song with a bubbly, friendly pop/dance melody with tropical flourishes that reassures the listener that they are enough and have a purpose. It’s one of Robbie’s best recent vocals too.
“D.A.M.N.” is simply too short at only 2 minutes long but Robbie makes the most of it in a crisp, rich deep house production by German producer Rolipso and mystery producer Booty Leak. This one’s about that deep down fascination with someone when they tweak that special spark that you want to pursue. Robbie’s convincing vocal and a concise story keep “D.A.M.N.” crammed with intrigue, but then… it’s over and you mutter to yourself “now, wait a minute”…
Two Friends (Eli and Matt) have been touring relentlessly in 2022, so in-between that and making Big Bootie mixes, we have their first release of the year, “Wish You Were Here”. It features and is co-written with singer John.k, known for his thoughtful acoustic hit “If We Never Met”. “Wish You Were Here” is an unexpected and interesting collaboration, a few steps away from the party-hard elements of many of Two Friends’ more recent singles, with a softer, reflective vocal by John.k that doesn’t feel out of place at all. In fact, although it’s not an anthem like past Two Friends’ songs like “Just A Kid” or “With My Homies”, it contains similar relatable sentiments and a bubbly synth melody which would make it fit tight in a Two Friends set. I’m looking forward to hearing this one in concert. PS: the video is a heart-tugger (keep a tissue handy)!
Two Friends perform at History in Toronto on June 30 and July 1.
On the eve of the release of his album The Way Back Up, Florida-based producer Trivecta continues to show why he is someone to always keep your eyes and ears on for solid music. “Back To The Start” is an optimistic ode to starting over and not giving up, and it’s bound to be a festival favourite. The focus this time is not on dubstep or future bass, but melodic and euphoric progressive electronic sounds. Aided by a top notch vocal by Isaac Warburton, “Back To The Start” immediately draws you in and leaves you wanting more, and that’s your clue to dive deeper into The Way Back Up. It has already been preceded by three singles and features stalwarts like Rico & Miella with strong assists.
R. Flex is a Toronto-based queer (they/them) R&B singer who is breaking out more and more with every release in what could be called a new wave of fine local R&B talent. Following their debut EP In & Out is the six song EP Flex With Benefits, and “Too Late” is the opening track. It’s one helluva fusion of contemporary R&B and 90’s house music, an upfront invitation to prospective suitors to “come and get some of my lovin'” before the singer is taken. R. Flex has a familiar tone that reminds me of 70’s disco icon Sylvester, and it’s perfectly in sync with the harmonies of fellow Toronto artists and co-writers Desiire – who has a nice solo showcase with a crisp, defined vocal that doesn’t sound like anyone else – and Tafari Anthony, a 2022 Juno Awards nominee with indelible deeper tones whose songs have been written up in these blog pages in recent past. “Too Late” is one fun R&B jam session that you don’t want to miss, and watch it come to life in the above video.
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