Tag Archives: electronica

#BILLCSTop30 #543 – September 3, 2018

A lot of hard and fast favourites continue to hold court at the top of the chart, where there is actually more movement than in recent weeks.  There is so much great music out there with lots of competition, so the nature of my new arrivals on the chart seems that they have to earn their rise up the chart, whereas over the years many songs have debuted in the Top 10 or even at #1.  With 9 debuts over the last month, that left room for only one smashing premiere on this chart.

The Top 10

  • “Broken Love” is definitely one of my Songs of 2018 as recorded by The Him and Parson James.  It sits atop for a 4th appearance (8th week), which we haven’t seen since Miguel’s “Pineapple Skies” did the same thing at the end of last year.  The Him are relentlessly touring and are recording some of the best music of their career so far.

  • Climbing to second place is “No Place” by Australia’s Rüfüs Du Sol, from their forthcoming third album called Solace.  Will it get to #1 in two weeks?
  • The no holds barred fun of “Get Down” by RetroVision sends the song climbing 5-3, after all without fun what would dance music be?  Will it get to #1 in two weeks?

  • Continuing to make great leaps is “Everybody Needs A Kiss” by Benny Benassi and Sofi Tukker, up 11-4.  It’s the highest placing song for Benny to date, and matches the #4 peak for Sofi Tukker’s “Baby I’m A Queen” a few months back.  Will it get to #1 in two weeks?

  • I’m always thrilled to see a grass roots indie reach the Top 5 and UK singer/songwriter Lostchild climbs 8-5 with his melodic and catchy “Blacklist”.  Lend an ear to this one folks, more to come from Lostchild!

  • “I’m In Love With You” by Tony Moran and Jason Walker continues its climb, rising 9-6 this week.  The pair even did some performing for some lucky ducks in Jersey City, NJ last week!  Time to take your repertoire on the road, guys!

  • The other new entry to the Top 10 climbs 12-8 and that’s “Casually” by Alyx Ander and Redondo featuring Maria Z.

Movin’ On Up

  • The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Russian producer Arty with his sensational instrumental tribute to Avicii, “Tim”, which vaults 21-11.  It’s a record that mixes fun arpeggios with an emotional melody, and will indeed stand the test of time.
  • Philadelphia duo N i G H T S looks to be headed for their second Top 10 hit here with the melt-worthy “Eyes”, which soars 19-13.
  • NYC-based Sean Squires, aka Squired, has been doing some remixing when not working on originals.  His debut “Peace Out” (above) rises 17-15 but also check out his remix of Talk Time’s “Year Of Self” below.
  • I’m thoroughly enjoying Years & Years’ second album Palo Santo, and look forward to seeing the trio in concert again in October.  Their perky album track “All For You” should by all rights be a single release, and it continues to move up the chart, rising 22-18.

  • Call Me Karizma just played a really successful club date in his hometown of Minneapolis, and then at Red Rocks, none other than Illenium dropped one of his songs in his set!  There are other things brewing in ‘Riz’s camp, but “Life Of The Party” continues to win fans and climbs 24-20.  Check out the new video above.

  • Out of the four debuts two weeks ago, the song that makes the most of upward movement on the new chart is “One Last Time” by Poland’s Gromee featuring Norwegian singer Jesper Jenset in a Shawn Mendes-ish vocal.  It moves up 29-23.

Debuting…

  • It’s a highly memorable song that you will find yourself humming to no end.  “Verona” by Australia’s Peter Wilson and the UK’s Sean Smith arrives on the chart at #24.  It’s from Peter’s forthcoming album The Passion And The Flame.  It also marks Sean’s second appearance on the chart, reaching #7 last year with the Andy Sikorski remix of “Magic”.  I highly recommend seeking out the Matt Pop extended version of “Verona”.

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 🙂

“Ride” is NYC singer @Reigenmusic’s alt.pop ode to escapism, friendship and first attraction

REIGEN, “Ride”

Ever experimenting and challenging boundaries within the pop music realm, NYC indie alt.pop/dance singer Reigen follows up this year’s “Rollin'”, “Smoke Drink Party”, and his winning cover of The Cranberries’ “Dreams”, with “Ride”.  It seems simple in the video – two teen guys hanging out on a quiet night after midnight when they’re out for bike rides on deserted streets for everyday escapist fun. But of course as life constantly throws complicated curves to us, friendship for one is obviously turning to more of an attraction, leading the other to ponder at the end, and you can sense the exhilaration.  Reigen’s singing is bold and impressive, working with a complex and busy but uplifting arrangement that works well with the lyrics.  While the song sings about a ‘ride or die’ relationship that for some of us ends up being forevermore with the best of friends, for others it takes another path.  Watch the video at the link above.

Canadian duo @Botnek celebrate the last “Days Of Disco” – long live #Disco!

BOTNEK, “Days Of Disco”

“Days Of Disco” is an irresistible dance floor filler from my fellow Canadians, the Nova Scotia duo Botnek, who have caught Tiësto’s ear for release via Musical Freedom.  Though the song sings “Viva the last days of disco”, it is a celebration of disco and dance music.  “Days Of Disco” is full of hooks, from the classic house riffing to a melody that may make you recall “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life”, though the rhythm is more uptempo rather than funky.  Botnek have found a great groove with this record, and while the buzzing synth hook (which sounds like a phone dialing – maybe a sample from the opening of Carol Douglas’ disco classic “Doctor’s Orders”?) may be a touch grating, it’s also one of the elements of the song that is highly memorable.  “Days Of Disco” makes for easy spinning in dance clubs, so add it to your Dance Dance Dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

Meet L.A.-based synth-folk duo @PublicArtmusic with “Montreux”|

PUBLICART, “Montreux”

Incorporating elements of folk into pop/dance music may seem to be a bit of a trend, but when it works well it’s worth checking out.  And L.A.-based duo PublicArt certainly have the pedigree to get it all across.  Singer Stevvi Alexander is the touring lead for the Game Of Thrones live production, while collaborator Jan Ozveren is Charlie Puth’s guitarist on record and on tour.  From their forthcoming EP Modernika, “Montreux” is about the aftermath of a relationship that wasn’t meant to be – the repeated phrase “but we faded away” is guaranteed to stick in your head.  The song has an 80’s new wave electronica sensibility that surrounds both folk and soul influences, and Stevvi definitely has a spot-on voice from which you will want to hear more.  There’s even more diversity in the EP, which gravitates more to pop and jazz at times with an electronic foundation.  PublicArt are off to a great start but to me “Montreux” will be their calling card.

“Down For Me” by @PLSandTYbased gets a flashy remix from @MorganPage

PLS&TY, “Down For Me” (Morgan Page remix)

Let’s jump back to July, when I wrote about the original version of “Down For Me” by Florida-based producer PLS&TY.  Solid, sultry and slick as it is, sometimes it takes an added sumthin-sumthin to spin in a slightly different direction.  So the uncredited vocals on “Down For Me” take a bit of a backseat to Grammy nominee Morgan Page’s punchy production with flute sounds carrying the deep house rhythm.  It totally suits the song, highly complimentary to PLS&TY’s fine work.  I don’t often write about a song for a second time, but “Down For Me” is yours for the revisiting at the link above.

“Burner” is a fun techno-house update from #GlassPetals – a new @FelixCartal / @JohnnyJover project

GLASS PETALS, “Burner”

Dance music has had many fine, successful side projects that evolve out of performer/producers’ careers – think Jack Ü (Diplo/Skrillex), the new LSD (Labrinth/Sia/Diplo) and Duck Sauce (A-Trak/Armand Van Helden) among several.  Now Canada’s Felix Cartal has teamed with fellow dance producer Johnny Jover as Glass Petals.  Their new song released by Spinnin’ Deep no less is “Burner”, essentially an instrumental featuring a lot of infectious, chanting ‘na na na na’s’ that make it memorable in the same way that Duck Sauce’s “Barbra Streisand” had all those ridiculous ‘ooh ooh ooh’s’.  The undercurrent rhythm wise seems to be a techno-house update which helps to make the song stand out in a set even more.  Give “Burner” a place on your Progressive Techno-House playlist using the Spotify link above, and watch out for more from Glass Petals.

Club veteran @SidneySamson crushes it with inspired “Soldier” in collaboration with @iamGwise

SIDNEY SAMSON and GWISE, “Soldier”

“Soldier” is an inspired, rollicking production which sounds like it almost wasn’t meant to be.  It apparently came about while Dutch veteran Sidney Samson was working on an entirely different project with fellow Dutch producer Gwise.  They must have had retro vibes flowing through their veins because “Soldier” is a total throwback to the late 90’s, early 2000’s techno-house and the best work by producers like Fatboy Slim and Fedde LeGrand among others.  It features an irresistible synth riff and familiar shout outs book-ended by slamming beats… and then, boom it’s over!  “Soldier” is a top notch, totally unexpected party spearheaded by a dance music heavyweight who should by all rights break through internationally with this one.  Once “Soldier” takes command it won’t let you go so be prepared to add it to your Fight For Your Right To Dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

“No Way” is decisive for the dance floor from Sweden’s @weare JRL

JRL, “No Way”

Back with another strong dance record following last Spring’s feast of emotions in “Break Your Fall” are Swedish production wizards JRL with “No Way” for Tipsy Records.  The convincing uncredited female vocal and the resolute story are way up front in this particular song.  The rhythm will certainly take over and send you whirling away, and the JRL lads do go hard with the synths to bring the song home.  JRL are always consistent quality -wise with their records and “No Way” should continue to bring them fans and club DJ believers.  Add “No Way” to your Deep House Party playlist using the Spotify link above.

Deep House meets Dancehall meets Future Bass in “Plang” by Germany’s @Donkongmusic with @KaNextLevel

DONKONG and KA NEXT LEVEL, “Plang”

Yes, the headline is true – “Plang” is all about the rhythm, with elements of deep house and future bass finding a happy marriage with dancehall, courtesy of forward thinking German producers Donkong and vocalist/lyricist Ka Next Level (who in the song give an alias as “Yung Coconut”).  The results are enjoyably different and highly original, and everything gels to keep you going full tilt right to the end.  “Plang” will ring those bells in dance clubs, and will corral dancers to strut their stuff.  Gotta hand it to Ka Next Level for helping to take this song way beyond ordinary dancehall with a voice that at times will remind you of Shaggy and mini-stories within that will keep you entertained.  Add “Plang” to your Dance & Shout playlist using the Spotify link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #542 – August 20/18

My last chart of August is a transitional one, since I’ve had 10 songs debut in the last month.  So plenty of songs continue to head up the chart, to compete with favourites that I’ve been savouring for a bit longer.  In other words, you’ll find mainly small chart moves, aside from a couple that are breaking through and becoming successors to my current big favourites.  But there are still four more debuts!!

The Top 10

  • Continuing to play festival and club after festival and club, the very in-demand Dutch duo The Him hold with a fierce grip on #1 with “Broken Love”, featuring the enormously talented Parson James.  

  • James Bay’s Electric Light is one of my favourite pop albums of 2018 because it took risks to try a lot of different styles within the genre on one album.  The result was with no one single that the industry could fawn over, but the 80’s new wave-influenced “Pink Lemonade” is also one of my favourite songs of 2018 and advances a bit belatedly to #2!

  • More new Rüfüs Du Sol means that their album is finally coming!  Check out “Underwater” below, while “No Place” (above) climbs 5-3.

  • The contagious party feel of “Get Down” by French producer RetroVision has caused it to zip through the Top 10 this week, soaring 9 to 5 🙂

  • “I’m In Love With You” by Tony Moran and Jason Walker reached the summit of the Billboard Dance Club Play chart this week in their third #1 pairing, and it also becomes their third Top 10 in this chart, rising 12-9.
  • L.A.’s Bobby Nourmand has one of the most interesting repertoires as a dance producer.  This week he has three songs in the Top 10, thanks to the double whammy former #1 EP of “Subterranean” and “Estranged” at #4.  “The Sun” (above), featuring Blonde’s Adam Engle, rises a notch to #10 to become Bobby’s 3rd Top 10 entry this year and 5th overall!  Bobby has also prepared a progressive remix for”Sparrows” by New Mystics (below), a new release on his DITN label below.

Movin’ On Up

  • Benny Benassi and Sofi Tukker plough through the competition and set their sights on the top of the chart with “Everybody Needs A Kiss”.  It’s the fastest riser this week, climbing 19-11.

  • The fastest riser from the last chart continues to build momentum for the Top 10.  And that’s “Casually” by Alyx Ander and Redondo featuring Maria Z, which advances 14-12.
  • Evan and Corey, aka Philadelphia duo NiGHTS, are not holding back with their releases!  Not only does “Eyes” (above) move up 22-19, but they’ve since released both “Tequila” and “Stranger”, both below.

 

  • Two of the most inspiring songs on the chart should take off in two weeks.  Martin Garrix and Bonn’s “High On Life” (below) is one of those songs that makes you think about all of the good times, and it rises 23-20.  Right behind it is Arty’s heartwarming instrumental tribute to Avicii, appropriately called “Tim” (also below), moving up 25-21.

4 Debuts

  • Guy James Robin, aka UK producer Jonas Blue and immensely popular in Europe, may finally have his calling card in North America with the jubilant “Rise” at #26.  Great to see US ‘Net sensations Jack & Jack carrying the song away with their spot-on vocals, it’s been a while since they’ve appeared in these blog pages!  It’s Jonas’ second appearance on this chart following 2016’s cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” (#3).

  • As “Lonely” by Matoma and MAX departs the chart after reaching #10, a new and somewhat unexpected duet replaces it!  This time it’s with new buddy Enrique Iglesias with the insanely catchy “I Don’t Dance (Without You)”, which also features seasoning from the islands courtesy of vocalist Konshens.  This one deserves a lot more attention than it’s getting, especially with Enrique giving one of his best vocals in years.  It bows at #27 – it’s Enrique’s 9th appearance on this chart and first since 2011.

  • New and independent and very worthy of your ears and dancing feet is “The Pain I Feel” by UK singer Marlon Percy and the UK/France production duo LoFrames.  It’s a nice mix of soul, blues and house music, with stellar production, and arrives at #28.

  • I think he may be the first Polish artist to appear in this chart, but veteran producer Gromee has a winner with “One Last Time”, featuring an appealing Shawn Mendes-like vocal by Norway’s Jesper Jenset, who got to #3 two years ago on the chart with “High” in a Young Bombs remix.  “One Last Time” enters at #29.  It’s also a good sonic companion to Jonas Blue’s “Rise” above 🙂

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 🙂