“Raise Your Voice” is a jubilant new anthem that indeed will have you singing along in no time, fists clenched in the air. UK singer Nicki French follows up songs like “On Your Marks, Get Set, Go Away” and “Teardrops On The Disco Floor” (which like “Voice”, is also co-penned by the esteemed Charlie Mason) with another engaging and well-sung release that will happily lead you to the dance floor in various remixes by Matt Pop – the extended club mix – Ricardo Autobahn, and Sakgra for those of you who can’t get enough.
Cue up the late 80’s hip hop rhythm and vibes and you should likely find “Get Funky” in your favourite club DJ’s playlist sometime soon. It’s already supported by just about every big producer/DJ – Hardwell, Cedric Gervais, and the list goes on – which is great news for this collaboration between UK producer Kryder and Chicago’s Fast Eddie. “Get Funky” milks that famous Bobby Byrd and James Brown sample from “It Takes Two” but amps up the pace, which should create some interesting dance moves from club patrons. And at festivals, “Get Funky” will definitely make those big crowds bounce. The song is simply a lot of fun, but with substance and creativity to set it above the average.
As a bunch of Spring favourites are now on their way to departing from the chart, the big question is: Which song will succeed Illenium & Jon Bellion’s “Good Things Fall Apart” at #1? The emotional electronic song of summer nails its 4th appearance (8th week) at the top, making it the longest running song at #1 since A-Trak & Todd Terry’s “DJ’s Gotta Dance More” at the start of the year. And with his tour on deck, Illenium’s released two songs within the last two weeks which warrant your ears – “Takeaway” with The Chainsmokers and Canadian singer Lennon Stella, and “Blood”, with vocalist Foy Vance. Both are below. Illenium’s third album “Ascend” arrives on August 16.
With all songs ranking 4-11 on the rise, there are many current challengers for #1 in two weeks. Most obviously, Timmy Trumpet’s “World At Our Feet” (above) stays at #2, while Halifax’s Famba also remains at #3 with “Swear To God” (below).
“Higher Love”, Kygo’s retake of Whitney Houston’s 1990 cover of the Steve Winwood hit that was not released in most of the world, glides 9-4, as it becomes a UK Top 10 hit as well as a dance club hit in North America.
Then, we go out of order to look at the Fastest Riser on the chart which is very #1 worthy indeed. “Push” by Ukrainian dance music group Kazaky soars 21-8 and will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the dark electronic music of the early 90’s by the likes of Depeche Mode.
Three other songs rise into the Top 10: Eric Sharp & Zhao’s “Monday Blues” (above) climbs 12-7 to match the peak of their song “The Thirst” about two and a half years ago. Manila Killa’s “Atypical” (also above) steps into the #9 spot, while Showtek have their first Top 10 since 2013’s #1 “Cannonball (Earthquake)” with the A-Trak remix of “Listen To Your Momma” (14-10, below), featuring British singer Leon Sherman.
It’s easily relateable to anyone who hears it, and EMAN8’s “Time” breaks through the middle of the chart to climb 18-11, from the multi-talented singer/songwriter’s album Emanate.
Also well on their way toward the Top 10 are Italy’s Eric Zava & DJ Mirko B with singer Daniel Gorash on “Even In Confusion” (above) up 19-13, as well as Sam Dickinson’s winning and thoughtful “All We Are” (also above) climbing 20-14, and Avicii’s “Tough Love” (below), from the posthumous TIM album, rising 27-19 and featuring vocalists Agnes and Vargas & Lagola.
The three debuts are earmarked for much play throughout the rest of the summer.
Canada’s Loud Luxury returns to the chart, this time bringing fun singer Bryce Vine with them, for “I’m Not Alright”, which arrives at #26. It’s the first appearance for Andrew and Joe since their last entry “Body” got to #2 in early 2018, and their 4th entry overall.
L.A.-based Simon Curtis follows up the #6 “Love” with more music for your heart and head, “Graduate”, which bows at #27. It’s Simon’s SEVENTEENTH song to appear on the chart since “Delusional” (which reached #1) arrived at the end of 2009.
And at #28 is the debut entry for both producers/remixers Midnight Kids and vocalist Jared Lee with “Those Were The Days”. Midnight Kids are Kyle Girard and Dylan Lee (son of Tommy Lee and my fellow Canadian, Pamela Anderson).
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
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When I heard Anden’s tight DJ set mainly consisting of dark and progressive dance music back in March in Miami, I knew that any upcoming releases would likely be career bests from their output over nearly the last three years. The talented brothers Cuppernull (Pete and Tom) have definitely found a unique niche which will endear them to fans of 90’s and 00’s artists like Delirium and BT, but their influences go back much further. “Flicker” could easily be both a club and festival favourite with its driving rhythm, nuanced uncredited vocal, and bright synth work. Club DJ’s could definitely have fun with their lighting system to jibe with the the tone and of course title of the song. “Escalus” is an even more progressive deep house effort that recalls the late Robert Miles’ 90’s work. It’s also a throwback to the mid-80’s in its use of a sample of a Robert F. Kennedy speech that recalls a similar impact of Paul Hardcastle’s 1985 hit “19”. All in all, “Flicker” and “Escalus” are two of Anden’s more attractive and creative works, and they are best heard in their extended versions up top.
For so many years, Chicago’s Win & Woo (Austin and Nick) have been releasing consistently great dance music that has afforded them to appear at numerous festivals, including this current weekend’s Lollipalooza. Their latest release, the haunting “Here U R”, is a positive step in a slick deep house direction that will wow their fans. Co-written by vocalist Sara Skinner, “Here U R” is a pungent recap of the helplessness you feel when a relationship has gone stagnant. The songs lyrics do not beat around the bush, and are matched by a dark melody with rich synth work, especially the deep base undercurrent that makes the song even more memorable. I’m glad that Armada has released “Here U R” as Win & Woo are now due for some next level attention. Check it out at the link above.
It’s always a treat to keep up with the latest in high quality independent dance music releases from German producer and guitarist Koni, whether his solo projects or those of his other production group Saxity. Every release from Koni sounds fresh and is almost always undertaken with a variety of collaborations that span around the world.
“Out Of Love” is emotional dance pop that wouldn’t sound out of place on pop radio, even next to, perhaps, the latest by Midnight Kids and Jared Lee called “Those Were The Days”. “Out Of Love” pairs Koni with new Dominican Republic producer AC15 and the singer is Sam Knight, a Minneapolis born talent-on-the-rise. The result is a tightly woven and affecting song deserving of your attention, which you can hear above.
Equally of note is “Love Like This”, more of a deep house effort, this time featuring Nashville vocalist Svrcina (sur-cee-na). Her fine, consistent vocal is offset by a potent tropical-flavoured deep house rhythm that slows down with a change up to a more celebratory, carnival kind of vibe, before the key beats return. Check it out at the above link.
Following up the dreamy “Love” from earlier this year, L.A.-based pop singer/songwriter and author (“Boy Robot”) Simon Curtis continues what looks to be a fruitful partnership with producer/songwriter Danny Garibay for his new AA single, “Graduate” and “Rainbow”.
“Graduate” (above) is about knowing when you’re at one of many plateaus we all have in life and need to take that next, often difficult, step to move on. It’s such a thoughtful song that many young people need to hear – it’s intended to help someone turn on that light or flick that switch that triggers determination and drive, and avoid falling back and being complacent about what’s happening in one’s life. “Rainbow” (below) sounds like a simple, stripped-back pop ballad on the surface. But again it’s got a strong message about being resolute in who you are as a person, and being a colourful and shining light not only for yourself but others too.
“Graduate” and “Rainbow” are definitely two of the more intricate, heart-tugging, and selfless songs that Simon and team have created. In both songs, he stays mostly in his ever-effortless-sounding high register – which he continues to keep so well-polished – that will be a big draw for his many fans of the Robot Army. As with “Love”, “Graduate” and “Rainbow” continue a new and intriguing chapter for Simon that may seem many steps away from the music of previous releases R∆ and 8bit Heart, but with Simon you can always expect the unexpected and definitely never say never! More to come!!
It might take a few listens to draw you in, but the easy-going and positive vibes of “Dreamer” by Australian producer Throttle (aka Robbie Bergin) are completely infectious. After getting to spend a bit of time chatting with Throttle after seeing his show in Toronto in June, I was waiting for this one… so in his first release for Monstercat, he takes a slightly different direction from past songs (including collaborations with Oliver Heldens and Galantis). Throttle concocts an atypical warm and fuzzy ‘dirty disco’ synth sound and then drops a steady beat behind it for you to groove away. With a brief, uncredited vocal to set the tone, you can bet when “Dreamer” is played at festivals that big crowds will simply cheer. Dance songs don’t always need to be bangers and “Dreamer” is a prime example of one that works out strategically when a bit less can mean a lot more.
THE KNOCKS, “New York Luau”, “No Requests”, and “Awa Ni” (featuring Kah-Lo)
They’ve toured with, produced and remixed a steady stream of releases that have included performers such as Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen, and can call upon friends like Wyclef Jean, Foster The People, Sofi Tukker, Matthew Koma, and Method Man to feature on their own records. The Knocks – DJBRoc and MrJPatt -continue the party towards their next full release with a trio of fun club-oriented songs, “New York Luau”, “No Requests” and “Awa Ni”.
“New York Luau” is either what happens before or after the “House Party” of a previous song, with MrJPatt’s deep voice once again riding the propulsive rhythm. Its AA single companion, “No Requests”, is a hilarious DJ’s nightmare which should come to full life on the dance floor. And previous single “Awa Ni” features a confident, knowing vocal by newcomer Kah-Lo that carries the infectious chorus on top of tropical-flavoured, African-inspired music and vibes.
The 2019 party has only just begun…
“The Knocks and Friends” DJ set and party takes place tonight in Chicago at Spybar.
I became a new fan of Mokita’s gentle, emotional, sometimes electronic pop late last year when I heard his expressive voice in R3HAB’s “All Or Nothing”, though he’s been on the music scene for a number of years as a producer and remixer too. Successive singles have become true favourites of mine this year, such as “London” and “Kiss And Tell” (which both reached #3 on my personal chart), and have led to create a six song EP “4201”, which includes new single “More Than Friends” (above). Like with a number of his other songs, Mokita (aka John-Luke Carter) reflects on current or past relationships, wondering what could have been, or what to think further about them, now that they are over. It’s unique insight where many other songwriters simply don’t go. And while most of Mokita’s songs are neat and tidy and under 3 minutes long, he has a real flair for weaving genuine stories into that short period of time. Be sure to check out the full “4201” EP below for a solid taste of what Mokita offers.
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