electronica – Page 58 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #570 – September 16/19

Right now I have so many favourites out there. Just a little insider information – I have a new music playlist of about 60-70 that includes these 30, which I play regularly during the week. To keep track of my submissions and new songs I want to hear, I have a Spotify playlist – at least for those songs on Spotify. So I’m usually always checking something out that’s new in the week when I’m not writing!

The new chart has a lot of smaller moves and songs holding steady that I enjoy, but in two weeks that’s likely all to change, with so many new faves waiting in the wings.

Ukrainian dance group Kazaky hold tight at #1 with the Depeche Mode-influenced “Push”. The song doesn’t sound like much out there right now, which makes its 80’s and 90’s influences all the more refreshing.

So what is wrong with US radio? “Higher Love” by Kygo and Whitney Houston should be one of the year’s biggest hits, as it is worldwide, particularly in England, where, like on this chart, it has reached #2. The dance music crowd loves it though and it is topping dance charts everywhere. Check out the recent video for the song above.

The cool synths of “Monday Blues” by Eric Sharp and Zhao allow it to continue to move up a notch to #3.

“Tough Love” by Avicii, Agnes and Vargas & Lagola climbs 9-5. It’s both Avicii and Agnes’ second Top 5 on this chart. Avicii got to #3 in 2013 with “Addicted To You”, while Agnes reached #1 back in 2009 with “Release Me”.

Canadians Loud Luxury lands in the Top 10 for the 4th time with “I’m Not Alright” (12-8, above) with US vocalist Bryce Vine, while Australian producer Throttle gets his first – outside of his #1 remix of Troye Sivan’s “My! My! My!” – with the thoughtful “Dreamer” rising 13-9 (below). Also below, you can check out Throttle’s latest release “Japan”.

The fastest riser on the chart belongs to US production duo Midnight Kids with “Those Were The Days”, which soars 18-10. In the past few weeks, vocalist of the song, Jared Lee, posted a video of him singing the song live in the studio accompanied simply by piano, always a true test to find the great singers behind the complex production of many songs. Check out the original above, and the acoustic version below.

The deep bass beats of “Give Me Love” continue to climb the chart for producers Ken Summit and Eric Kupper with vocalist Amy Douglas. The throwback to late 90’s club music rises 16-12.

Another thoughtful song with a really terrific vocal and honest lyrics is “Graduate” by singer/songwriter/author Simon Curtis. It moves up 17-13. I can’t tell you how I love that Simon is back making great music after a protracted absence.

All of the previous five debuts move up steadily, and are still led by the fun OKJAMES remix of “Like Like” by UK indie singer/songwriter Lostchild. It moves up 23-19.

Right behind it is the song that uses a Finnish acapella performance to sample and form its key hook. It’s called “Run Wild” by L.A.-based producer PLS&TY, and it rises 24-20.

The chart had room for three debuts, and they changed a number of times when creating the chart. While there are a slew of fantastic new songs that will help last out the year, the three that premiere have all actually been on release for a number of weeks.

First up at #27 is British singer/songwriter Benedict Cork with “Breaking Hearts”, which I have been playing for months and richly deserves more attention as the highest debut. Benedict has one of those instantly likeable, pristine voices that can make short work of just about any song. And this original quickly gets stuck in your head.

Next up is the first entry by TheKnocks in 2019, the fun charmer that is “Awa Ni”, featuring singer Kah-Lo, which arrives at #28. “Awa Ni” appears to be an expression of praise in Kah-Lo’s native Nigerian. The song’s lyrics have an interesting disconnected train of thought about them, but it all comes together as summery, festive, and joyous. It’s also The Knocks’ 7th entry since 2012. The prolific duo have released another four singles since “Awa Ni” first appeared in July.

The last debut is a dark and progressive song for late nights that club DJ’s will totally dig. It’s “Flicker” by NYC-based producers (and brothers) Anden at #29. Pete and Tom previously appeared on the chart back almost three years ago as remixers of Satchmode’s “Undertow” (#12).

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

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

Florida electronic music producer @Trivectamusic makes Toronto club debut, new song with @Woolimusic @Excision @JulianneHope “Oxygen”

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EXCISION, WOOLI, TRIVECTA and JULIANNE HOPE, “Oxygen”

Tampa, Florida electronic music producer Trivecta (aka Sam Dobkin) easily won over Toronto dubstep fans with his alternately hard hitting and melodic style at Revival Bar last night, where he opened for dubstep master Wooli. His set slammed super-hard at times – in anticipation of the headliner of course – but transitioned quite well and often into more melodic tones that he has been known for through some of his originals as well as his remixes. Trivecta, like many other producers in the genre these days, is also a musician, and whipped out his guitar a few times to the utter delight of the invested audience. Among the highlights in his set were a remixes of songs by “his buddy Gavin” Dabin with “Alive”, “Without You My Love” by Seven Lions, and the song that easily received the best crowd reaction, “Fractures” by another of his pals, Illenium (listen below). The club was also worked up when he played Above & Beyond’s “Sun & Moon”, and when he brought out his guitar again to his own “Break Me”. All in all, Trivecta was definitely pumped up by the audience’s warm embrace and it was an entertaining set.

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Trivecta also is part of a new release on Excision and Wooli’s EP “Evolution”, which arrived yesterday. “Oxygen” is a heartwarming slice of emotional electronica that definitely plays to the style of Illenium’s recent Ascend album. Featuring a touching vocal by co-writer Julianne Hope, the song alternates dramatic synths with softer moments that will appeal to fans who enjoy Illenium’s “Crashing” and other similar songs. Check it out above.

“Hello My Loneliness” is radio-friendly slick pop dance from the unexpected dynamic pairing of @iamDelaneyJane and @CallMeKarizma

DELANEY JANE and CALL ME KARIZMA, “Hello My Loneliness”

Canadian singer Delaney Jane has built her reputation over the past few years as one of dance music’s most recognizable vocalists, scoring a few recent radio hits such as “La La Land” and “Throwback” in Canada in the process. This time she’s paired with Minnesota pop/rap performer Call Me Karizma for the unexpected pleasure of “Hello My Loneliness”. When I first saw the co-billing I wasn’t sure if it would work. I suppose the song has been taken to greater heights because both performers are co-writers along with noted producer Shaun Frank (The Chainsmokers), who has also had a great impact with Delaney Jane’s pop-charting hits as producer and co-performer along with his own hits like the recent “Tokyo Nights”. While Call Me Karizma has a deeply committed fan base who enjoy his harder-core emotional hip hop, he easily slides into more pop-friendly territory that recalls his own “Life Of The Party” release from last year. “Hello My Loneliness” is instantly appealing pop/dance that will sound great on the radio this Fall.

With new single “Pyro”, @AaronCarter is no fluke comeback king, and serves up more slick soulful pop/dance grooves

AARON CARTER, “Pyro”

Just when you thought his 2017 EP LøVë was a one-shot fluke of a comeback for the man who sold millions as a pre-teen at the start of the last decade, the Aaron Carter story continues through his music with his newly released independent single called “Pyro”. As with songs from LøVë like “Fool’s Gold” (delightfully remixed last year with hip hop singer 3letterznuk) , which were as on the mark as any other soulful pop/dance release two years ago, “Pyro” brings us a sophisticated, well-produced groove with interesting lyrics that will all resonate well alongside music by Bruno Mars or Sam Smith. Aaron’s vocal glides along in his head voice most of the time, with some well-placed harmonies that reinforce the chorus of the song. It’s time to dispense with so many of those preconceived notions and thoughts and let Aaron Carter’s music speak for itself. And for those of you producers, remixers and vocalists who are interested in getting in on his music, he’s posted three instrumentals with which you can be creative, as free downloads at the link below.

Australia-based producer #Latchmere returns with the many moods of his new dance EP “Rule The World”

LATCHMERE, Rule The World (EP)

It was just about two years ago that UK-born, Australia-based producer Latchmere dropped the very fine but overlooked EP “Lovedrunk”, which contained a couple of positively amazing house tracks in “Need Your Heart” – a #1 house zinger on my chart – and “Monster”. Latchmere – aka Shaun Galvin – took a sidestep after Lovedrunk to record under another name (which I shan’t reveal but I wrote about this alias, too) to showcase his indie singer/songwriter side, sometimes quite successfully.

With Latchmere’s return back to electronic music, Rule The World is an intriguing if moody set of songs that don’t propose to fit into any dance sub-genres easily. Opener “You Were Right” is a tight blend of pop and house that focuses on when you’re wrong about something but can’t do anything about it – except maybe dance the night away. “I Was Wrong” is a sullen-sounding instrumental ‘answer’ to “You Were Right” that veers towards the progressive side of electronica. “Fired Up” is a Latin flavoured groovin’ fiesta of deep house. But it’s the title song that is perhaps the most accessible, featuring a heartfelt, sparse-sounding vocal that goes a cappella to draw you into its chorus: “What does it take to rule the world around you?” “Rule The World” has a lovely, gentle mid-section which Latchmere lets simmer until the chorus arrives again. I might be wrong but I think Latchmere used his own vocals on this EP unlike the previous one, and quite successfully too.

Rule The World shares the pains of the head and the heart, and fuses them all together with synths and beats for the good of body and soul.

Merci. Gracias. Danke. For the new song. Banger. @NoThanksmusic.”To The Top”.

NO THANKS, “To The Top”

It’s only their second release, but I’m liking what mystery production duo No Thanks have in mind with “To The Top”. It’s one quick and tidy banger that will keep club goers on the dance floor, a swift mix of trance and future bass that will draw in fans of producers like Morgan Page, Madison Mars, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. It’s 2:12 of sheer fun and playful vocals. And the guys even get their name in there too! “To The Top” will lift you up and keep you there for a while.

NYC’s @AdamKahatimusic takes heartbreak via a tropical route with “Let You Go”

ADAM KAHATI, “Let You Go”

21 year old Adam Kahati is a new name for dance music fans and DJ’s to get to know if “Let You Go” is any indication. Sung with an affecting uncredited female vocal, the story that unfolds recounts a gal, out with her friends at a bar, waiting for her guy to call, or do something, anything… and she makes the brave decision to move on. The tropical vibes turn celebratory if bittersweet because so many of us know the feeling when a relationship has to end. “Let You Go” is definitely brisk enough for clubs to spin, I’d suggest either early evening or very late for best effect.

#BILLCSTop30 #569 – September 2/19

September marks a big change-up on the new chart. Not only is there a new #1 which more people need to discover, there are five new entries. And it was a tough decision as to which songs debuted as there is quite a line-up of chart-worthy recent releases. So while leaves will begin to tumble and the cooler air sets in where I am in Toronto, the music on the chart is free-flowing and most deserving of your attention!

It’s Ukrainian dance ensemble Kazaky who reign supreme on the chart now with “Push” and its stunning video (above). It’s rare that you will see such physical choreography, and much of it danced in stilettos, so these guys must be so disciplined and committed. Plus it’s a great song with early 90’s Depeche Mode all over it married with modern synths.

Kygo’s redux of Whitney Houston’s 1990 recording of “Higher Love” climbs to #2. I must say I’m calling out radio in North America for not supporting such a great record. The rest of the world indeed has much better taste these days, and so do dance clubs, where it’s already been a #1 hit.

“Time” is my favourite song from the Emanate album by EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette). He’s been in my Top 10 numerous times over the last five years, but “Time” rises 9-6, his first time this high on the chart since “Run” got to #4 a little over a year ago.

Three songs climb into the Top 10, and they are Sam Dickinson’s joyous “All We Are” (11-7, above – all of Sam’s charted songs have reached the Top 10!), Avicii’s “Tough Love” (13-9, also above) and Italian musical mirth-makers Eric Zava & DJ Mirko B with “Even In Confusion” (12-10, below).

There’s lots of activity immediately below the Top 10, as the dark and mysterious deep house of “Alone Again” (above) by Mahalo and Polish producer Milkwish climbs 16-11. Right behind is Loud Luxury and Bryce Vine with their huge Canadian radio hit that deserves to spread worldwide, “I’m Not Alright” (below), moving up 18-12.

The fastest riser on the chart is the highest debut from two weeks ago, “Dreamer” by Australian producer Throttle, which soars 22-13. I’m hoping this is Throttle’s breakout record – dance music radio really needs to jump all over its refreshing sound.

The other debuts from the last chart also make progress. Nashville duo Apollo LTD have one of my favourite albums of the year called Out Of Body, and their song “On The Way Up 2.0” (above) rises 24-20. Then the unexpected dream team of Tiësto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora move up 26-21 with “Ritual” (below).

The highest of five premieres this week belongs to England’s Lostchild with the charming and fun “Like Like” in its OKJAMES remix arriving at #23. Lostchild reached #5 last year with the equally engaging “Blacklist”, so watch for great things for “Like Like”. Both OKJAMES remix and the video for the original version of the song are above.

Someone else who is no stranger to this chart is Florida-born producer PLS&TY, whose latest engaging single “Run Wild” bows at #24. Its repeated sample of a Finnish acoustic song is infectious and refreshing. The Morgan Page of PLS&TY’s “Down For Me” got to #6 last year.

Chicago’s Win & Woo make their debut on the chart as lead performers with possibly their best single to date so far, which is the biting “Here U R”, featuring and co-written by singer Sara Skinner. It arrives at #26. Win & Woo’s other chart appearance was in 2016 providing a good-natured remix of Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams” (#5), which I still play a lot.

Australia’s Peter Wilson returns to the chart after getting to #2 last year with Sean Smith in the unique duet called “Verona”. It’s the Stormby edit of “Don’t Break My Heart Again” that bows at #27 from the EP of remixes for the song. You’ve also seen Stormby on this chart before, with one of my favourite remixes of this decade, Kaden’s “Black Light”, which got to #1 in 2013.

The fifth debut will keep the heat of the summer continuing, in music anyway. It’s the soulful, lazy melody of “Poolside Vibe” courtesy of two gents usually known as producers, Pretty Sister (Zak Waters) and MarcLo (Marc Lomax of The Monsters & The Strangerz collective), entering at #29.

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

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

It’s 10/10 #5: @nikkiswives @hellbergmusic @aloeblacc @youngbombs @thediscofries @ryshepherdmusic @brucewiegner @partypupils @MAXmusic @differentheaven @rose_annabrown Alex Mali @mainlymali @weareFlightSchl @laurellmusic

10/10 #05

It’s been a while, but the 10/10 (or tenoutoften) feature is back! In it, 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.

Writing 10/10 features means I can cover more songs in one shot. So you get to learn about more new music that I hear but don’t always get a chance to write about.

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NIKKI’S WIVES, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”

Fans of the Cyndi Lauper classic may be certainly taken aback by how Canadian trio Nikki’s Wives interprets “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, but don’t be worried, it’s a slowed-down version that will snuggle up to you. I was fortunate to see the band perform it live back in the Spring, and the audience ate it up. Nikki’s Wives taps into the lyrics of the song, wrestles emotion from the gleeful setting, and gives the song a completely different point of view.

HELLBERG & ALOE BLACC, “Punching In The Dark”

Swedish producer Hellberg is back with his best release since last Fall’s “Headlights” (with Leona Lewis). His way to craft a seamless melody jibes so well with the graceful, invested vocal Aloe Blacc provides in “Punching In The Dark”. Aloe has been popping up everywhere lately, from singing on fine songs from Avicii’s “SOS” to Mathieu Koss’ “Never Growing Up” to Lost Frequencies’ “Truth Never Lies”. “Punching In The Dark” is anthemic without being overpowering, and you’ll find it stuck in your head more often than not.

YOUNG BOMBS, “Don’t Let Them”

Martin and Tristan started off 2019 with a big bang after signing to Astralwerks, home of Halsey and Illenium, and watching their first single “Starry Eyes” become a club and dance radio hit. The Vancouver producers followed it up with two singles already, the more recent “Loyal”, an emotional electro-ballad, as well as the tropical-tinged “Don’t Let Them”. They’re both solid, but “Don’t Let Them” has an edge for me with its celebratory vibe amid encouraging lyrics making you think twice about letting people walk all over you and to take a stand instead. It’s guaranteed to make you bounce and feel so good!

BRUCE WIEGNER, “Malicious”

Philly bred, L.A.-based Bruce Wiegner is a new name to get to know as a singer/songwriter/producer with his third solo single “Malicious”. The song is a sophisticated, melodic electro-pop delight, playfully calling out a former lover amid vibrant synths and percussion. Backed with a killer funky groove, “Malicious” may very well cause a spontaneous singalong, so don’t say you weren’t warned.

PARTY PUPILS and MAX, “Bite My Tongue”

Although his name doesn’t appear on the artwork, I need to point out right away that MAX is the vocalist on “Bite My Tongue” by his fun side project with his very talented buddy Ryan Siegel, Party Pupils. Fans have seen Ryan supporting MAX in his solo shows where they often add a few Party Pupils performances that truly energize the crowd. “Bite My Tongue” allows MAX to sink into that comfortable, soulful place where he has ventured successfully on earlier singles like “Wrong” and “Ms Anonymous”, this time set in an appetizing house setting to which dance club DJ’s should direct their attention.

DIFFERENT HEAVEN and ROSEANNA BROWN, “Strangers”

Spanish producer Different Heaven (and pro-gamer aka Alvaro Perea) will brighten up your day with a story about falling in love, and wanting to become “Strangers” again just to feel what it’s like all over again. “Strangers” is instantly likeable and most of us will identify with it. Sung with vigor by Roseanna Brown, “Strangers” has a dynamic hook which will sell it home to you if the lyrics and melody somehow don’t grab you. It’s perfectly suited for dance music radio play anywhere.

ALEX MALI, “Start It Up”

Alex Mali is a relatively new R&B/pop singer from Brooklyn whose music has quickly been getting traction throughout the US. That’s not at all surprising, with a voice that is as convincing as Normani and pointed lyrics that recall a less complex H.E.R. What’s most attractive about Alex’s voice is her sweet tone, which prevails throughout “Start It Up”. The song is about what you feel you should do when you think you might get hurt before a potential relationship even begins. This can be frustrating when your heart tells you that someone might be ‘the one’, in the way that past lovers were not, and your head tells you otherwise. Despite a tough topic, the melody is soothing and the song goes down easy. It’s from Alex’s new EP Sweet & Sour, and check out the video for “Start It Up” above.

DISCO FRIES, “Family Affair”

After the smashing #1 dance club hit “Concrete Heart” which they recorded with Vassy, New York City’s Disco Fries (otherwise known as Nick and Danny) are back this time on Spinnin’ with “Family Affair”. It’s a pumped up house take on the Mary J. Blige classic from 2001 but this time with uncredited male vocals. “Family Affair” is such a recognizable song and one that needs to be covered in the right way. Disco Fries put it on a pedestal, not taking too many production liberties with it, and make their version shine, and club play reaction will be instantaneous. I look forward to seeing “Family Affair” follow “Concrete Heart” up the dance charts.

FLIGHT SCHOOL and LAURELL, “Come & Go”

Toronto production duo Flight School (Guillaume and Conor) surprised everyone in Canadian music land earlier this year by scoring a highly rare out of the box Top 20 national radio hit, after winning an iHeart Radio contest, with “Figure It Out”. The likeable, rough-around-the-edges sound of “Figure It Out” has been succeeded by the more enigmatic deep house of “Come & Go”. One of the co-writers of the song with Flight School is its singer Laurell, who won a Juno Award as the vocalist of Nick Fiorucci’s “Closer”, and has recorded with other prominent dance producers like Ummet Ozcan, Quintino, and Steve Void. Her rich and captivating performance should help guarantee “Come & Go” more radio play and garner attention from outside of Canada. “Come & Go” is international in its accessible dance flavours and sound. Check out the video above.

RYAN SHEPHERD and HEATHER JANSSEN, “Who’s Gonna Love U”

“Who’s Gonna Love U” is a stylish slice of deep house from Canadian producer Ryan Shepherd, whose music has been featured in this blog a number of times over the past few years. Whereas a number of Ryan’s songs have slammed hard and were tailored for clubs and festivals, in his latest for Armada, “Who’s Gonna Love U” should easily find favour on the radio. Canadian singer/songwriter Heather Janssen’s voice is alternately delicate and alluring, all the while delivering a strong message to a previous lover – “who’s gonna love U if I don’t love U, nobody else could”. Some spicy remixes could also help “Who’s Gonna Love U” get the green light from club DJ’s too.

Check out @PLSandTYbased’s wildly original “Run Wild” (also in a @LucaLush remix) and “Feeling Forever”

PLS&TY, “Run Wild” (original and Luca Lush remix) and “Feeling Forever”

For about the last two years, I’ve been frequently touting the praises of L.A-based, Florida-bred producer/remixer PLS&TY. With originals like “Down For Me” and “Good Vibes”, the artist also known as Tommy Leas is coming into his own, and he’s garnering so much attention that major labels are seeking him out. He’s also just landed on an upcoming south-west US tour opening for Elephante.

His most recent ‘double A-sided’ release of “Run Wild” and “Feeling Forever” (both above) actually came out in June but I somehow missed it until remixes of “Run Wild” recently came to my attention. These songs are PLS&TY like you’ve never heard him before. “Run Wild” samples an acapella Finnish folk track called “Käppee” and creatively uses it as both hook and chorus of the song. The song is indeed a pretty wild future bass concoction that will both take you aback and bowl you over. Luca Lush will also make your ears perk up with a fun drum ‘n bass turn (below) that punctuates the chorus. “Feeling Forever” is more chill but still futuristic, and explores an Indian-influenced sound with unique vocal-sampled hook. The song has lots of bright moments with percussive highs and flute-y sounding synths.

Both “Run Wild” and “Feeling Forever” show off the many talents of PLS&TY and he is definitely someone for whom you should keep your ears on in the next year or so to hear where he goes next.