It’s just over a week now before Felix Cartal’s new album Next Season drops, and his 4th preview single from the album, “Worry” featuring the enchanting Victoria Zaro, is the best of the four, edging out the dynamic and attitude filled “Runaway”. “Worry” is a classic pop song about moving on to what’s next and leaving worries behind – with that nagging doubt still lingering in your mind as you move on. The Vancouver producer gives it a versatile mix, hardly ridden with effects yet turning what effects are used into hooks unto themselves along with the lyrics (‘going down down down’). “Worry” is also perfect for remixers wanting to spin it on its head. “Worry” is perhaps the most logical follow up to Felix’s huge Canadian hit from last year, his dance take on New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” so I’m hoping he and his team are keeping radio in mind for it. Watch the lyric video for “Worry” above.
“Falling Apart” is one of those songs that grabs you by both ears with its earnest, emotional story, against a thumping, but not overpowering, house backdrop. It’s brought to you by Sweden’s Erlando, seemingly a relative newcomer but you might have known his music under the moniker Sinco up till about a year ago. “Falling Apart” has a bit of a trick to it. Just when you think the story might not be going anywhere at a quiet bridge around the 1:10 mark, it deliberately keeps you waiting for an even better half of the song. This is a clever production foil that is rarely heard, when so many songs fall apart early. Erlando thus is one to watch out for and “Falling Apart” definitely has the goods to find its way onto your Emotional House playlist using the Spotify link above.
If a big, busy bounce is your thing, then your new favourite song may be Jordan Jay’s “Treat You Right”. Led by a pleading, enticing uncredited female vocal, the song whirls and swirls and all but goes upside down with heavy, crunchy future bass synths, and this young Dutchman has obviously been learning a thing or two from Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and other big names who have since latched onto his music. Alas it’s all done in 2:38 but “Treat You Right” winds you up and hopes to leave you panting and breathless on the dance floor. Add “Treat You Right” to your More Bounce To The Ounce dance playlist using the Spotify link above.
Florida producer/DJ Adam Foster may have a personal best in hand with “Time”. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Australian producer/DJ Alex Preston’s masterful reworkof Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, which features a hauntingly echoing vocal track. Front and centre, however, there is no way to hide any elements of that song and make it into something else. But Adam found another great Marvin Gaye single, “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” – which happens to be my favourite Marvin Gaye song ever and his follow up hit to “Grapevine” in 1969 – and transforms it into “Time”. Gone is the urgent love story that anchors the original, focusing instead on the verse “I ain’t got time for nothin’ else”. And I think Adam must be using what sounds like a live rendition of “Too Busy Thinkin'” with a pristine Marvin vocal to boot. As with other songs by Adam, a stellar house rhythm carries the track, making it immensely appealing for dance clubs. Overall “Time” is a fine, finessed rework that I will be playing a lot 🙂 Download it for free at the link above while you can.
STEVE VOID & TELYKAST and NATALIE MAJOR, “Comfortable” (Revelries remix) (free DL)
Sometimes remixes can definitely improve on the original song if the mix just doesn’t somehow sit right. Although “Comfortable” in its original mix is doing just fine for Steve Void’s rising Strange Fruits label, I definitely prefer the deep house slant that Dutch/Emirati production duo Revelries have offered to compliment Steve and TELYKast’s original featuring a solid vocal by Natalie Major. Revelries have come up with a remix for “Comfortable” that’s a more of a natural fit to flow into a club mix, accentuating the best features of the song and its vocal. This remix is part of a 25 remix project packaged into Volumes I and II (it appears on Volume II). For now, you can download them all, including an acoustic version, at the link above.
It’s been a while since UK singer Harvey Cantwell graced these blog pages with “Thank You”, whose blog post racked up hundreds of views at the time. At 15, he was kind of poised to blossom into a Justin Bieber-esque talent which never really materialized, but Universal kept him on 🙂 Now, he’s back as HRVY with “Personal”, an anthemic pop bop that could go over well in clubs thanks to a sparkling remix by NYC-based producer Shaan, about whose other songs (such as the rollicking “End of the World”) you’ve read about recently here as well. The remix is rich and uplifting, and draws from the song’s energetic chorus to make the song really bounce. HRVY has a much fresher sound now that doesn’t really compare to what others his age are releasing, and thus may have found a gap for radio stations to tap into.
Prefacing his upcoming full release is Washington indie artist Freddy Fate with “Light Now”. It’s a gentle but compelling and hopeful song full of soulful urgency in its vocal, that should grab ears of alt.rock fans looking for something a bit left of centre. It’s given the added bonus of washes of synths and some vocal effects courtesy of producer Jay Bird, which sometimes offer an other-worldy vibe, making it also instantly appealing to electronic and dance music lovers as well. “Light Now” is an odd and likable hybrid that will continue to get under your skin with its emotional qualities, so it’s best to take advantage of downloading it for free at the link above.
I truly enjoy house and other sub-genres of dance music when it incorporates live instruments. And if you know last year’s “Getaway” by Imad and Wave Wave, then you know the distinct sound of White Trumpet, who carries the melody of the instrumental “Nature” by Greece-born newcomer producer Dimi L. Don’t go expecting a snooze-fest here. “Nature” has a splendid uptempo house rhythm and some nice underlying piano work that mixes it up a bit and holds your interest solidly while maintaining a straight forward arrangement. This goes down quite easy in the early evening, and trumpet fans of course will delight in their favourite instrument being front and centre which is not often the case. It’s a good introduction to Dimi L who clearly has a passion for his art and I’m sure will take us elsewhere and deeper with subsequent releases.
Despite so much activity on the chart, including a new #1 song and SIX debuts, this will be a shorter blog post than usual about the new chart.
The Top 10
It’s one of the more unusual #1 songs that I’ve had in years, but to me it’s absolutely irresistible. Norwegian singer/songwriter/producer Dyrisk scores with “Smile” along with producer Nik Ernst. There is so much potential and for anyone who loves dance music that’s a little left of centre, this one is for you. In particular, it is of great interest to fans of Massive Attack and Radiohead’s 90’s output.
“Sick Boy” by The Chainsmokers follows “Smile” right behind, up 4 to 2, but will likely get locked out in favour of the rising “Everybody Hates Me”(up 24-15, below).
The fastest riser on the chart arrives in the Top 10 up 22-9. French producer Mercer’s non-stop fun with “Satisfy” features an excellent vocal by Chicago’s Ron Carroll.
Also new to the Top 10 is “Baby I’m A Queen” from Sofi Tukker’s brand new album Treehouse. “Queen” moves up 17-10 becoming their second Top 10 here after 2016’s “Drinkee” (#5).
Movin’ On Up
Both “Sanctify” by Years & Years (20-16) and “White Lies” by The Him (21-17) (both above) don’t move up as much due to a busy chart, but should see more upward action next week. The Him recently released a remix to Avicii’s “Without You” – check out the busy boys’ latest below 🙂 More new music coming soon!
SIX DEBUTS
#22 is “Butterscotch” an unexpectedly funky slice of electronica by Canadians Robotaki, Jamie Fine and Falcxne – it joins Robotaki’s “I Want You” on the chart (#5).
#25 is “Better With You” by Jesse McCartney, his first entry since 2009’s “How Do You Sleep”, and co-written by Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore.
#26 is “Lost In Japan” by Shawn Mendes, a Justin Timberlake-inspired romantic throwback to songs of the pre-rock era.
#27 is “Be Like You” by Chicago’s Whethan, who performed at Coachella on the weekend, with vocals by Georgia of Broods.
#28 is “Hurt You”, a collaboration of The Weeknd and French producer Gesaffelstein, from The Weeknd’s new EP My Dear Melancholy.
#29 is “Cautious” in a remix by Halifax’s Famba, from Canadian singer Tyler Shaw, who has a national radio hit with it.
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
BRANDYN BURNETTE, DWILLY and KAYO GENESIS, “Hands Down”
It’s come straight out of left field, from Monstercat no less, but “Hands Down” is a total winner for dance music lovers and clubs from singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette, L.A. producer DWilly, and guest hip hop star Kayo Genesis. The song oozes good times and diversity. There is so much going on that is rooted in 80’s soul and early hip hop (with some jazz riffing too) and somehow the trio have pulled it all together into a shiny and sometimes romantic pop sound. Everyone can identify with a song about a crush when opposites might attract. Kayo Genesis’ few verses are key and add an even more positive flavour to the song. “Hands Down” should score well with dance radio and clubs and continue to open doors for Brandyn and his collaborators.
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