electronica – Page 26 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #627, November 22/21

I’m very happy to live musically on the development and discovery side of songs and artists. I’m a huge lover of contemporary music, I just don’t love what the big labels and artist management companies are investing their time and cash into anymore. The awards shows all feature the same big name performers. Anyone who says this is fair game and an “open” club has to be kidding. It’s by invite only and there are layers of gate-keepers to help it stay that way. So many performers can have success in a different set of terms and develop fans and followers without getting on the charts. So if you plan on making the right connections to get there, by all means. Otherwise you’ll still have loads of people like me to appreciate your music. There are only three songs on my chart that are signed to major labels directly, and there are another half dozen with labels with distribution deals, otherwise the rest are independent.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

Boye & Sigvardt become the first artists from Denmark to have a #1 song on my chart, as “Microdose” (featuring the wonderful voice of Jordan Shaw) succeeds “Sanctuary” by Howen and Robbie Rosen at the top after three appearances (six weeks). I can’t get enough of “Microdose” months after its release, though it suddenly has competition for retaining #1 in two weeks.

Darin’s touching ballad “Holding Me More” storms up the chart 20-3, following his recent #1 “Can’t Stay Away” in a similar fashion. You can have Adele’s “Easy On Me”, I’ll take “Holding Me More” any day!

Robbie Rosen gets another song in the Top 5, as his fancy work with German producers Natixx and Lyonbrotherz in the unique “To The Top” (above) allows it to climb 8-5. It’s his fourth Top 5 on my chart in the last year. Check out another recent Robbie release called “Fragile” with Philadelphia producer Sauniks, below.

Australia’s Sonny Fodera gets his first Top 10 on my chart from his new album Wide Awake with “Angel” (above) featuring the lovely voice of Clementine Douglas. It rises 13-7. Another veteran dance producer, Morgan Page, is right behind with “Turn Off My Mind” (below) with co-writer and vocalist Lights, up 11-8.

It’s already been a year since Toronto’s Justin Nozuka released his gracious, soulful ballad “No One Like You” with British singer/songwriter Mahalia, which got to #4 on this chart. Justin’s back in the Top 10 with his latest “Nova” rising 12-9.

Moving up 14-10 is “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, the Angie Stone song as covered by German producers John Skyfield and Shoby with an indelible, faithful vocal by Victor Perry. It continues Victor’s string of Top 10’s on this chart, as a lead or featured act, now up to 12, with four in the last year alone. Check out Victor’s latest single “Sleepwalking” below, his first major label release (for Sony) with Ukrainian producers Kalush in a mix by none other than Pink Panda.

“Play It Cool” by UK/Irish production duo Menrva and singer Island Banks closes in on the Top 10 as it climbs up 16-11.

Karen Harding continues to make waves with “You & I (All I Need)” (above), which climbs 19-14 and is a certified North American dance radio hit. Check out her recent dynamic collaboration with producer Sammy Porter called “Celebrate” below.

This past week, “Unbreakable” by TELYKast and Sam Gray, soared into the North American dance radio Top 10. It soars up my chart as well, rising 25-17.

It’s good to have Tears For Fears back with the title track of their upcoming album “The Tipping Point”, which moves up 30-23. I remember vividly coming home with my British import 12″ single of “Mad World” (which I still have) after hearing it on our local alternative rock station back in the day.

Returning to the chart at #25 is the latest by Austin producers Tritonal, with vocalist EMME, called “Out Of The Dark”, from their upcoming album Coalesce. It arrives in a sparkling Morgin Madison remix after resonating with me in its original, more progressive mix. Tritonal reached #1 on the chart with Henry Dark on “Shivohum” in January 2020.

Also back on the chart for a third time this year is San Francisco area producer Jay Bird in collaboration with TWSTD ZOO with the positive energy of “Float” at #26. It’s graced by a cool vocal by L.A.’s Harley Bird (no relation to Jay), and follows Jay Bird’s “Escape” (#4) and “Gone Tomorrow” (#15).

Back with their 9th chart entry (going back to 2012!) are The Knocks who pair up this time with singer/songwriter Parson James for the delightfully catchy “River” at #28. Both The Knocks and Parson James have reached #1 on the chart before (The Knocks with “Kiss The Sky” and Parson with “Broken Love”), and “River” follows up The Knocks’ collaboration with Foster The People “All About You”, which got to #9 earlier this year.

At #29 is the debut entry for southern California singer/songwriter and resident disco dad, Michael Medrano, who I’ve written about several times, with his fun but telling “I Don’t Wanna Talk About Love” (above). Michael has quickly followed this one up with “Personal Heaven” this past week, which you can also check out below.

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.

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

Radio GTA – listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend 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! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!

Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the 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.

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

The fab @KeiynanLonsdale pumps up the energy in “Gods Of The Disco”

KEIYNAN LONSDALE, “Gods Of The Disco”

For those not familiar with the talented singer and actor, Keiynan Lonsdale is the Australia-born star who portrayed Kid Flash in TV’s “The Flash” and had a prime role in the film “Love, Simon”, which he reprised recently in its TV counterpart “Love, Victor”. He’s been making records for the last five years or so, including last year’s full album Rainbow Boy, with great response from the indie music community. Challenging us with every release, “Gods Of The Disco” manages to embody the music and sounds of the 70’s disco era, and brings it up to date in a slick production. Its entertaining video starts off as a night club performance in a club (the look reminds me of Ne-Yo), but there’s a fantasy element of it that comes alive about 2/3 of the way through, though its story seems incomplete. Nonetheless, Keiynan’s vocal sounds great, and there is terrific choreography that offers up some fine dance moves, making “Gods Of The Disco” an energetic retro romp with a few twists.

Boston duo @TallHeights release imaginative, dreamy new single “Locked Out”

TALL HEIGHTS, “Locked Out”

Hailing from the Boston area, Tall Heights is the rising pop-rock-electronic duo of Paul Wright and Tim Harrington, who are about to release their fourth album Juniors in the new year. From that release comes “Locked Out”, an imaginative, dreamy original that has roots in Coldplay but often sounds more like it could have come from the same stable as Australia’s The Temper Trap or even Rufus Du Sol. Carried by a falsetto vocal, the song stands outside-looking-in at a relationship that the protagonist would like to have, if he could coax the object of his affection out of her own world and into his. The lyrics take some time to soak in while you get caught up in the atmospheric vibe of the song. With just shy of a million listeners on Spotify and songs like “Locked Out”, Tall Heights could be a talent to watch out for in ’22.

“Go On” is the ethereal single from Poland’s @HelaineVismusic included in her new album “Pretty Cliché”

HELAINE VIS, “Go On”

Back at the end of summer, I introduced you to Polish singer Helaine Vis and her single “Ice”, a moody, jazzy track about heartache. Continuing in that theme is “Go On”, which, like “Ice”, is a stand out from her new album Pretty Cliché. “Go On” mixes in electronics with electric guitars for a Cocteau Twins-meets-Lily Allen kind of sonic experience. Lyrically, “Go On” seems to want to avoid heartache all together through indecision by dissolving a relationship before it ever gets a chance to grow. It’s a longer than usual track that takes its time getting to its resolve, leaving the progressive backdrop to carry on long after the singing stops. It’s not for everyone but “Go On” leaves you wanting to know more. Helaine’s vocal is suitably slight and hollow-sounding, and she succeeds in creating a compelling, unusual song.

#BILLCSTop30 #626, November 8/21

It’s getting to that time of year now when chart makers like begin to think about our favourite songs of the year so far, and what ultimately are our year-end faves. There are quite a few on this chart, and perhaps even some of the new arrivals will make the cut.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

To lead off the new list, “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and “American Idol” season 10 contestant Robbie Rosen gets a third appearance – six weeks – at #1! It’s such an irresistible song with a captivating melody and a brilliant vocal by Robbie, and it even ends with a beautiful piano coda. More good news for Robbie – his other entry on the chart, “To The Top” (below) with German producers Natixx and LyonBrotherz, is the Fastest Riser, moving 18-8! You’ll dig its flute-led melody along with the rich bass synth that carries the hook along.

Up a notch 3-2 is “Never Going Home” (above) by France’s Kungs. Fascinating fact about this song: The vocalist is none other than veteran dance producer Martin Solveig (who also co-wrote it). Kungs has another catchy new release called “Lipstick” which you can check out below.

Climbing 5-3 is “Microdose” by Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt and vocalist Jordan Shaw. This is one song that has gotten under my skin – I love both its lyrics and melody.

“15 Minutes” (above) by Damon Sharpe & The Disco Fries moves up 7-5 and is a definite club banger. You can also check out the artists’ new song together called “React”, below.

UK trance legends Above & Beyond were last in the Top 10 back in 2004 when, under their alias of Oceanlab, their song “Satellite” reached #1. Their latest, also with Justine Suissa on vocals, is “Almost Home”, which climbs 12-6.

“My Time”, the title song of the EP by NYC singer and actress Gina Naomi Baez, is in it for the long haul, and moves up 11-9.

“Angel” by Sonny Fodera and Clementine Douglas always goes down so easy. From Sonny’s latest album Wide Awake, “Angel” rises 21-13.

With its snappy synths and super-playful vocal and rhythm, “Play It Cool” by MENRVA and Island Banks is a British house track on the move, up 23-16.

Now breaking at North American dance radio, with no surprise, is “You & I (All I Need)” by Karen Harding, from her EP Sweet Vibrations, which climbs 27-19.

Just as “Can’t Stay Away” finishes off its maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks) on the chart, along comes Darin’s beautiful new ballad “Holding Me More”, which arrives at #20. He performed it at his online acoustic concert yesterday from Sweden, along with “Can’t Stay Away” and many others. Having never seen the man perform before, I was duly impressed and would certainly love to see him perform live in concert too. Expect big things in the coming weeks from “Holding Me More” – while the rest of the world is loving Adele’s “Easy On Me”, “Holding Me More” is more my kind of ballad! Check out the live TV performance above.

Debuting on the chart is L.A. dance production trio TELYKast with “Unbreakable”, co-written by and featuring Nashville’s Sam Gray on vocals, which bows at #25. The independently released, impressive track is flourishing at US dance radio, and is definitely one to which you need to pay attention.

The third debut at #30 is from the classic 80’s duo Tears For Fears, with the original twosome of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith making their first album since 2004, and the title track called “The Tipping Point”. I have been long a fan of Tears For Fears. I bought their single “Mad World” back in 1982 as an import 12″ vinyl, and enjoyed much of their music through 1993’s Elemental album (which did not include Curt). As usual, the duo makes a great hook along with some pointed observations.

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

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

“Float” is about a difficult balancing act done with pizzazz by @JayB1rdmusic @TWSTDZOO and @HarleyBirdmusic

JAY BIRD, TWSTD ZOO and HARLEY BIRD, “Float”

“Float” is an accessible new dance track with future bass elements which comes to you from three Californian talents, Bay area producer Jay Bird (continuing to be a talent to watch), production duo TWSTD ZOO, and vocalist Harley Bird (no relation to Jay, natch). It’s a compelling song about that difficult balancing act when you try to keep your head above water in a relationship, and those times when you just sink. It’s also about doing what’s right for you. It’s sung with panache by Harley, who has an easy going Ryan Cabrera-Howie Day guy next door voice. The partnership with Jay Bird and TWSTD ZOO results in a creative ‘best of’ production skills that end up as firepower that drives the wicked melody. And if you look at the credits, there’s quite a team behind “Float”, which has not only club and festival potential, but dance radio too.

It’s “10/10” Edition 21: @TylerGarrettusa @MacyrCrawford @_Aniqo @Maya_Delilah & @SammHenshaw @iamAlicePisano @ScottMagnus9 @CrawfordMack_ @LexiMariahmusic @ANJXLXE #Kitone

These days, the new music just keeps coming, and for people like me who live for what’s coming next, it can get a little overwhelming when you find out there are so many new songs you want to hear. So my “10/10” feature helps alleviate the pressure for me, and also allows me to introduce you to 10 new songs in more capsulized reviews.

For those not familiar with10/10, I write about 10 hot and fresh songs in no particular order, for your kind consideration and attention. I continue to write individual blog posts about certain songs. That does not mean that songs in the 10/10 lists are any less than those featured individually – “siic” by stef, from edition #20, just debuted on my personal chart – and they are not listed in any particular order. Writing “10/10” posts means I can just cover more songs in one shot with a few sentences about each. So you get to learn about more new music that I hear but I sometimes don’t get a chance to write about.

TYLER GARRETT, “Stardust”

For the last while, I’ve been enjoying the R&B-inflected dance pop of Tyler Garrett’s new album called Runaway. The L.A.-based, South Carolina-born singer has a diverse set of pipes which are particularly showcased well on the track “Stardust”. This is a crunchy, gritty one for the dance floor which allows Tyler’s voice to really let loose, while its funky Prince-meets-OutKast groove really stands out. I’d love to hear “Stardust” in extended or remixed form!

MACY CRAWFORD, “juliet”

It’s rare that an artist will release songs that have a common conceptual theme, outside of many progressive or perhaps hard rock performers who create huge epic stories. So “juliet” is the first of five songs from an EP still to come from new South Carolina talent 20 year old Macy Crawford, and they all shed some different light on some well-chosen tragic heroes and heroines from mythology and literature. Naturally, “juliet” is she of Shakespeare fame, with a song that takes a specific view about why the star-crossed lovers met their fate. Macy has a stunning voice and makes for a fine story-teller through song, and “juliet” is co-written with and produced by Robbie Rosen, who is currently sitting up top of my personal chart with “Sanctuary”.

ANIQO, “Fear”

Germany’s ANIQO (Anita Goβ) writes and releases mainly electronic alternative pop songs that are never, ever boring, and always make you think (usually accompanied by well-crafted videos), even when they might be at their most polarizing. “Fear” takes a step sideways from “Wonderland” and “LoveLife”, two of her bright and most accessible songs. It takes you on a dark, ponderous journey of self-realization where one of the things you might discover about yourself is that fear lies within everyone, something we must embrace and reconcile ourselves with frequently, and try not to let it overwhelm us. The video for “Fear” is full of striking, well-shot imagery, with a nice reveal at the end.

MAYA DELILAH and SAMM HENSHAW, “Breakup Season”

Breakup songs have been with us for so long, it’s safe to reassure yourself that people will never get enough of them, as they often come from deep and unique places within the songwriter. Maya Delilah is a pop/R&B singer/songwriter/guitarist from London who has been causing a stir that has led to her new aptly titled EP It’s Not Me, It’s You. Leading the EP is “Breakup Season”, featuring the amazing, effortless voice of Samm Henshaw (who I saw in concert last year), an ideal compliment to Maya’s own deft soulful tones. Like other breakup songs, this one is a celebration of doing the right thing for yourself, while recognizing things that you did wrong too. The uplifting arrangement plays not unlike songs you might hear at a traditional New Orleans funeral, meaning that it’s time to move on in “Breakup Season”.

ALICE PISANO, “September”

I enjoy it when acoustic releases are made with intention, not just to release a decent song with limited production values. Alice Pisano is a new singer based out of London but raised in Italy, and “September” hits home because of her vulnerable and striking vocal performance. Yes, it’s a sad, end-of-summer song relating a failed relationship and why everything you do or see reminds you of the person now gone from your life. “September” as a song takes a few spins to warm up to, but there’s no denying Alice’s talents through those repeat listens.

SCOTT MAGNUS, “Break My Heart”

I’ve continued to enjoy Scott Magnus’ previous single, “The Phoenix”, which I wrote about this past summer, for its anthemic energy and expressive vocal, coming from a performer who you would never know has multiple special needs challenges – ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia. The Manchester-born talent follows it up with “Break My Heart”, which, knowingly or not, has its roots set back in about 1983 when streetwise British new wave rock bands like JoBoxers, Aztec Camera and others had their time in the sun. It’s very refreshing, and Scott’s every-guy voice, as set against appropriate minimal-sounding production, definitely makes the song stick with you.

CRAWFORD MACK, “The Last Perfect Day On Earth”

Protest songs forever have singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez in their debt, and continue to this day in various shapes and forms. Glasgow-based singer/songwriter Crawford Mack offers some of his thoughts about the need for climate change in a gentle but provocative manner to make you think about “The Last Perfect Day On Earth”. If not us in our lifetimes, some future human beings may experience the subject of the song, so he encourages to us through song to act now, not later, to do our part. Crawford wrote the song knowing that the critical GOP26 talks about climate change begin in his hometown tomorrow (November 1). His taut performance makes me think of a Paul Simon-meets-Joshua Radin style, while his band restrains itself nicely from rocking out too much to support the thoughtful but pointed nature of the song.

LEXI MARIAH, “Demons”

The voice of new US singer/songwriter Lexi Mariah is one that you’ll remember, as it fits in snugly with contemporaries alongside Bebe Rexha and Dua Lipa. “Demons” also benefits from a catchy chorus and shiny production, which is perfect for a pick-me-up in these autumn months. I don’t think the song offers anything new lyrically but Lexi’s refreshing vocal and the melody will seize your ears and happily make you look forward to more from her.

ANJXLXE, “Feel It”

Montreal’s ANJXLXE is a new voice to keep your ears happy with her single “Feel It”. Clearly there will be comparisons to Ariana Grande, Alessia Cara and Jessie Reyez, as she gracefully breezes through this tight and snappy but quick single which she also co-wrote. Its bluesy, jazzy arrangement helps give it some needed edge, but for future releases I’d love to hear ANJXLXE flex more vocal muscle which will help take her songs over the edge. For now though, “Feel It” is a solid introduction.

KITONE, “Alright”

Russian dance producer Kitone has in a short time already been supported in mix-shows by just about every current major DJ/producer. He brings you “Alright”, a song oozing with positive vibes that will certainly rev up a full dance floor and keep the party moving for the rest of the evening. The pitched down vocal is generic but the dynamic synths and well thought out arrangement makes “Alright” an easy spin for dance music lovers who enjoy their songs fast-placed, as well as for club DJ’s looking to add some pronounced bounce into a set.

All about that bass: @ogAfroman and @BLAZAR team up for funky and retro “Step It Up”

AFROMAN and BLAZAR, “Step It Up”

While nominally seen as a one-hit wonder, Palmdale, California native Afroman has actually had a successful 30 year career which culminated in 2001 with the Top 15, Grammy-nominated stoner hit “Because I Got High”. Now signed with BLAZAR’s Cosmic Wire imprint in collaboration with AntiFragile Music, Afroman has teamed up with Washington state native label head for “Step It Up”. The song is a refreshing throwback in some ways, with a totally kick-ass bassline that anchors it. With a solid all-round pop background, BLAZAR’s voice can adapt to any style, whether it’s the early 2000’s flavoured alt.rock of this past spring’s “Enough” (with DJ Chophead), or the Soft Cell/Duran Duran new wave flavours that he sprinkles throughout “Step It Up”. In this synchronistic collaboration, Afroman’s rap really gels in the second part of the song, making it easy for you to continue just enjoying the ride and digging that bassline groove.

Check out @K3SSmusic’s atmospheric and early 2000’s trance-influenced “Tell Me”

K3SS and NANDA HAY, “Tell Me”

While some say progressive trance music may have had its peak in the early 2000’s, it has since continued to cultivate fans of its brooding, mysterious songs and its multi-layered, often stunning synth melodies. With a release like Above & Beyond’s “Almost Home” now becoming a national dance radio hit, a trance revival appears to be underway, which will make room for songs by artists such as San Diego’s K3SS (aka Ken Sierra, and pronounced “KESS”). The first part of “Tell Me” is hypnotic, with Nanda Hay’s potent delivery suiting the futuristic setting and creating an atmosphere of lust and desire. The rest of the song is a trippy and enigmatic instrumental, taking you on an indefinite journey, prospectively to your deepest thoughts and wishes. “Tell Me” has significant sync possibilities for soundtracks to video games and short films. K3SS is in the midst of enjoying a prolific set of recent releases, and “Tell Me” is ripe for your attention.

L.A. indie electronic dance trio @TELYKast crack dance music radio with smash “Unbreakable” with Nashville’s @SamGraymusic

TELYKAST and SAM GRAY, “Unbreakable”

“Unbreakable” is one of those uplifting songs that’s going to get firmly planted in your head over the next few months. It’s by hard-working L.A. electronic dance trio TELYKast with Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Gray, and they have managed to crack the dance music radio Top 40 for a second time this year with it, the first time being with “Nobody To Love” with social media star Loren Gray, which reached the Top 20. That’s a mean feat for an unsigned act and I’m sure the offers will start to pour in after they played EDC in Las Vegas recently. “Unbreakable” benefits from rich production, deep synths, and a soaring vocal by Sam Gray that makes it all the more memorable and perfect for large club and festival settings, with pop radio potential too!