Tag Archives: house

#BILLCSTop30 #539 – July 9/18

The new chart is fueled with so much activity that I have to be really picky about what I’m writing about in this accompanying post.  Songs 7 through 18 are all on the rise!! One thing that’s certain though is the new #1.  It’s brought to you by a producer/DJ who is in his own zone creating innovative music that stands apart from most others.  AND he has the highest debut among three with his hypnotic follow up.

The Top 10

  • Bobby Nourmand not only had the first EP to chart both songs on my chart in its 20 year history, but those songs actually made their way to #1.  The Subterranean EP comprises the dark title track and the haunting, almost scary “Estranged” (both above – don’t play this one alone in the dark!!).  It becomes Bobby’s second #1 following last year’s playful “D E E P in NY” (featuring DOC & Goodmorning).  Get the extended mixes over at Bobby’s Beatport page.  Bobby also debuts at #23 with “The Sun” (below), featuring Blonde’s Adam Engle on vocal.  Despite its 6 minute length it’s a deep, soothing dance track that sounds unlike anything out there in dance music.  2018 is turning out to be a brilliant year for Bobby Nourmand.

  • Bobby getting another #1 stopped The Him from getting theirs – this week anyway.  “Broken Love”, co-written and sung by Parson James, is a perfect midsummer reflection of a breakup, and it climbs 5 to 2.

  • Electric Light by James Bay is one of my favourites of 2018 thus far and “Pink Lemonade” lands at #3 this week.  James’ recently announced North American tour has been postponed till next year.  I missed his gig this past Spring in my city because it sold out too quickly.  Hopefully the new one will also be a headliner at a bigger venue (and not opening for someone bigger, as has been known to happen).
  • Adam Foster’s retooling of Marvin Gaye’s “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” as “Time” continues to climb, rising 10-7.  You cannot keep a great song away even changed up like this.  A super creative idea, to be honest!
  • Rüfüs Du Sol’s “No Place” is not only a dance floor gem but it’s a real earworm that should by all rights be played on radio (but likely won’t be).  It’s the fastest riser on the chart, advancing 18-9 for the Aussie threesome.

  • The other new entry to the Top 10 is “Lonely” by Norway’s Matoma featuring MAX on vocal.  It’s Matoma’s second Top 10 here following 2016’s “False Alarm” (#6), and it’s MAX’s 6th as either a lead or featured performer.  Can’t wait to see MAX again in concert in November!!

Movin’ On Up

  • Talk about heavy summer anthems! You can party hardy to “Back The Funk” by Estonia’s Madison Mars as it heads towards the Top 10, soaring 19-11.

  • Florence & The Machine have a winner of a lead single from the new High As Hope album.  The powerful “Hunger” climbs 20-15.

  • It’s already a huge hit in Canada, with the UK not far behind, but what about the US?  It’s making its way up Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart – “Jackie Chan” by Tiësto and Toronto’s Dzeko featuring Preme and the omnipresent Post Malone.  It’s a fun, kind of silly singalong which is a summer winner.  “Jackie Chan” rises 23-16 and is Tiësto’s 4th chart entry as an artist, his first since 2007!
  • Not to be outdone by “Jackie Chan” is French producer RetroVision’s “Get Down” and its enthralling sample of The Shapeshifters’ classic “Lola’s Theme”.  It moves up 24-17.

  • And also right behind, just to throw another true independent performer into the mix, is England’s Lostchild with his engaging “Blacklist”, available in pop/dance and acoustic versions that are equally worth your time.  “Blacklist” glides up the chart 25-18.

Also New To The Chart

  • Miami’s Alyx Ander gets his first hit for Spinnin’ with “Casually” (#25) in collaboration with Dutch duo Redondo and featuring Maria Z on vocals.  Alyx wrote the song with Maria and it is not only a touch of grace for the dance floor but it’s a great long lyrically and melodically too.  It’s Alyx’s third entry, following last year’s Top 10’s “Memories Of You” (#5) and “Wake Up For The Night” (#4), so he’s on a roll.

  • A new song by the pairing of veteran smash hitter Tony Moran and powerhouse vocalist Jason Walker is always welcome on my chart, largely because they tend to be larger-than-life, exhilarating songs designed for clubs.  Their latest, and on its way to the top of the Billboard club chart, is “I’m In Love With You”, totally sizzling in the Victor Dinaire and Bissen remix, and it bows at #26.

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 🙂

UK singer @JamesLeon1 launches ProjectXS with the urgent house of “FOMO” (DJ Breeezr remix)

ProjectXS featuring JAMES LEON, “FOMO” (DJ Breeezr remix)

UK singer/songwriter James Leon returns with a promising kickstart in the form of ProjectXS with “FOMO”.  In its original version, it’s a hard-hitting electronic pop single that brings to mind early FrankMusik circa a similar song from earlier in this decade, “The Fear Inside”.  Thus far it’s been reshaped into three remixes, the best of which is the DJ Breeezr remix.  This one tones down the original and gives it a more approachable house backdrop, which brings out the desperation of the lyrics suitably for the dance floor venue.  There are a lot of underlying classic 80’s influences from the likes of Erasure and Pet Shop Boys in the foundation of “FOMO” which help get its chorus stuck in your head.  Watch for more solid dance pop to come our way from James and ProjectXS.

Listen to a 90’s inspired breakout from @TobyGreendj with “Ready”

TobyGreen

TOBY GREEN, “Ready”

When you think of music by The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and Aphex Twin, you think of the 90’s, and many club DJ’s and producers are returning to the progressive techno sound of that era to spice up their music.  The thing you have to remember is that the end of the 90’s was 20 years ago – so why is a 21 year old Danish producer like Toby Green filling his new song “Ready” with inspiration from that time period?  I’m not sure but it really works well.  “Ready” is a crunchy, aggressive slice of techno-inspired house that also benefits from wonderful guitar work by Toby’s dad.  The song charges forward in a brisk, fun ride just shy of three minutes.  It’s no wonder that you may keep seeing Toby’s name pop up at festivals, or get endorsements from the likes of The Chainsmokers, or create collaborations with Sam Feldt.  Toby’s got an intriguing angle to his sound, one to keep your ears on this year.  Add “Ready” to your Techno House playlist using the Spotify link below.

Infectious Italo-Arabic dance fusion: “3omri 3addit” is the latest from @DJMirkoB with #Selim

DJ MIRKO B and SELIM, “3omri 3addit”

It may be more common to hear such a mix of languages in music in Europe, but in North America it’s a rarity.  I don’t know what the song is all about, but that’s part of what makes “3omri 3addit” by Italy’s DJ Mirko B featuring vocalist Selim such an interesting record that all of you dance music lovers should check out.  Besides a classic Eurobeat, what also carries “3omri 3addit” along is the sublime acoustic guitar hook, which is just begging for reaction under the dance floor lights.  My preference here is for the extended all Arabic version over the hybrid Italian-Arabic radio edit as it flows better and seems more complete.  “3omri 3addit” is a bold release which needs some props outside of Europe, where it will probably simply go over like gangbusters.  Add it to your Eurobeat With A Twist playlist using the Spotify link above.

#BILLCSTop30 #538 – June 25/18

The new chart gets shaken up a whole lot, with a bunch of songs making large moves.  There are five debuts, but somehow the two on top remain the same…

The Top 10

  • Mercer and Ron Carroll’s “Satisfy” (above) has enough staying power to wrap up a 3rd appearance (6th week) at #1, while The Chainsmokers’ “Everybody Hates Me” (below) matches the two appearances at #2 that “Sick Boy” had not long ago.  Be prepared for changes next week, which are being instigated by the huge movement below.

  • Bobby Nourmand’s been a busy guy, and his Subterranean EP, featuring the dark title song (above) and the creepy and forboding “Estranged” (below), climbs 7-3, making it a contender for the top in two weeks.  Bobby has a new song called “The Sun” on deck and it receives release on Friday June 29. Watch for words on this one at that time!

  • James Bay’s “Pink Lemonade” soars 15-4 from the Electric Light album, making it his biggest hit on the chart to date and also a #1 contender.

  • The one to watch though is the beautiful and timely “Broken Love” by The Him and Parson James, which is the fastest riser, up 20-5.  It’s the Dutch producers’ third Top 5 hit on this chart.

  • “Run” by Brandyn Burnette, from his forthcoming debut album Emanate, climbs 11-7, to arrive next to his co-write with Jesse McCartney and Molly Moore, “Better With You”, hanging at #6.  The third single from Emanate will be “Amen”, coming in July, while the album will arrive in August on the singer’s birthday 🙂

  • Troye Sivan’s third single, featuring Ariana Grande, called “Dance To This”, may be taking some attention away from “Bloom” (above), but it still climbs 12-9 on this chart, while Adam Foster’s “Time” (below) also bows in the Top 10 at #10.

Movin’ On Up

  • “Lonely” is a great end of school song for the romances that never were, courtesy of Norway’s Matoma and ever-energetic singer MAX.  It rises 19-12.
  • “2012” does indeed recall songs from around that year, becoming common particularly with veteran producer DJ’s like Tiësto, Hardwell, and Afrojack, who know dance audiences are clamoring for updated tastes of that classic EDM era.  So not coincidentally Afrojack shares billing with protégé Ravitez on “2012”, which rises 18-14.
  • Rüfüs Du Sol has announced a North American tour, which will bring the Aussies to a city near you (including my city Toronto, on November 16).  Their latest single “No Place” moves up 24-18.
  • Madison Mars’ “Back The Funk” is one of the cleverest, non-sensical dance songs to come along in a while to make you love it to death.  This new party anthem will be heard all summer long and rises 25-19.

5 Debuts

  • Making it four songs on the chart from his Musical Freedom imprint, Tiësto pairs up with Canadian buddy Dzeko but gets Preme and Post Malone on vocals for the incredibly infectious “Jackie Chan” which bows at #23.
  • French producers RetroVision liberally borrow the hook from The Shapeshifters’ “Lola’s Theme” and a sample from “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock to make “Get Down” memorable.  The rest of the song is great house music for the summer.  “Get Down” arrives at #24.

  • UK singer Lostchild premieres with his independent release “Blacklist” at #25.  In video format, it comes with two interesting personalities, the NSFW one influenced by Madonna’s “Justify My Love” above, and the acoustic one (below) which emphasizes the singer’s excellent voice and layers of charm.  He’s one to watch 🙂

  • Canadian producer Felix Cartal has a residency in Las Vegas happening, so watch for dates.  He recently released the versatile and generous (18 songs) album Next Season, from which comes the undeniably catchy “Worry”. featuring singer Victoria Zaro, at #26.
  • Another independent UK singer debuts on the chart.  She calls herself Jazz Mino and her song “Misunderstand” is an eloquent, upbeat way to kick the door closed on a relationship that didn’t gel.  “Misunderstand” gets the #27 spot.

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 new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Pump that bassline: “9 To 5” has spicy retro flavours from NYC’s @TruthxLiesmusic and @Holymanmusic

TRUTH x LIES and HOLYMAN, “9 To 5”

It’s been a while since I’ve written about NYC duo Truth x Lies, but they have a winner for clubs with “9 To 5” in collaboration with fellow New Yorker Holyman.  There’s not much lyrically to the song but its chorus is consistent with what club goers want to hear because there is no “9 To 5” in the dance music world 😛  What gives this one edge is its sly, retrotastic synth bassline, which sounds like it was inspired from some of the best disco and dance records of the 70’s and 80’s.  It all works together well, making the Truth x Lies and Holyman a collaboration that could be repeated, and club DJ’s should appreciate the extended mix.  Add “9 To 5” to your Dance The Night Away playlist using the Spotify link above.

Australia’s @Throttle goes next level with the R&B dance blend of “All In”

THROTTLE, “All In”

Continually one to watch as he grows and grows within dance music, Australia’s busy and prolific and ever-touring Throttle tackles a very different but next level style for him with “All In”.  As co-written with singers/songwriters A*M*E and MNEK, “All In” is smoking R&B dance music that is a surefire strong bet for international play on dance music radio stations and in clubs.  Although uncredited, I would gather that the vocal also belongs to MNEK, already out there with his new songs “Tongue” and “Colours”.  Even if not, the vocalist tackles the song in the way any powerhouse would and totally goes neck-and-neck with Throttle’s inventive and complimentary production.  A song like “All In” only makes you want to hear more collaborations by the three principals, who are onto a good thing that can only get better!  Add “All In” to your Take No Prisoners dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Happy Again” is taut and intense for the dance floor by @SynColemusic with #LissA

SYN COLE and LissA, “Happy Again”

“Happy Again” may be downbeat in theme but it will be all abuzz for the dance floor as brought to you by Estonian producer Syn Cole with distinctive vocals by LissA.  “Happy Again” follows up Syn Cole’s latest Billboard-charting single “Who You Are”.  I particularly enjoy how this song builds and takes you on a taut and intense ride thinking that you’ll be led to a happy ending to the story.  You’ve heard LissA numerous times in the last few years but to me her most notable vocal was for The Him in “I Wonder”.  She captures the uneasiness of the song well as it moves through some dandy house rhythms to keep you grooving.  From recently remixing duets by Kygo and Miguel, and Charlie Puth and Kehlani, Syn Cole is a diverse producer who will continue to grow on the industry’s radar.

#BILLCSTop30 #537 – June 11, 2018

The top of this week’s last chart for Spring stays pretty consistent, leaving one to wonder what will succeed the current #1 song.  Some other recent songs make key moves, while the new chart brings three top-drawer debuts.

The Top 10

  • “Satisfy” by Mercer and Ron Carroll handily lands at #1 for a second appearance, and a third one is beckoning from the dance floor 🙂

  • Both “Sick Boy” and “Everybody Hates Me” by The Chainsmokers really got under my skin for their topical and unconventional lyrics, and for the duo’s sidestep away from danceable Top 40 pop.  Like “Sick Boy”, “Everybody” has reached #2… but does it have enough to get to the top?
  • Following “I Want You”, Canadian producer Robotaki obtains his second Top 5 hit here with the soulful “Butterscotch”, produced with Falcxne and owing great thanks to a scorching vocal by Jamie Fine.  
  • Jesse McCartney’s “Better With You” advances 8-6, but it’s not his biggest hit on this chart.  Album track “Relapse” from Departure got to #1 in 2008, and his biggest hit in general “Leavin'” reached #5.  “Bleeding Love”, which he co-wrote, got to #3 for Leona Lewis also in 2008.
  • Whethan’s “Be Like You”, featuring New Zealand duo Broods, climbs 13-9 becoming the first Top 10 entry for both the 19 year old producer (real name: Ethan Snoreck) and the duo.  I wrote about Whethan’s recent remix for Clairo this week.
  • Shawn Mendes gets his second Top 10 song on this chart with the romantic “Lost In Japan” from his self-titled album.  “Japan” climbs 12-10.

Movin’ On Up

So many new songs about to breakthrough even more in two weeks!

  • Brandyn Burnette’s debut album Eminate is due on his 28th birthday, which is August 23.  In the meantime, “Run” is a few pages from his recent years documented in song, and it rises 16-11.  Brandyn also co-wrote Jesse McCartney’s “Better With You” at #6 above.

  • The new “Bloom” video is out and it’s overflowing with colour and images.  Troye Sivan’s tour (announced last week on his 22nd birthday) is coming to a city near you (I’m going to his show with my daughter – who introduced me to his music from You Tube – in October), and the Bloom album is also on its way.  “Bloom” soars 17-12.
  • “Time” is Adam Foster’s retake on Marvin Gaye’s “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” – minus its original chorus.  He creates an entire new one and has made this one very club-worthy.  “Time” rises 19-13.

  • The fastest riser on the chart comes from my unexpectedly favourite albums of 2018, Electric Light by James Bay.  The New Order-ish “Pink Lemonade” advances 25-15.  You have to listen closely to the song to hear the title when James sings about drinking it ‘while watching movie trailers till late’.
  • Ravitez and his mentor Afrojack definitely have an old school-flavoured summer EDM anthem in play with the instrumental “2012”, which climbs up 22-18.

  • Norway’s Matoma and blog favourite MAX make an impressive pairing with the expressive “Lonely”, which rises 24-19.

Three Debuts

  • Just as their recent “White Lies” peaks at #7, don’tcha know that Dutch duo The Him come back aboard the chart with what might be their best song to date.  Co-written by and sung by American singer Parson James, “Broken Love” is a supreme soundtrack to lost love that arrives on the chart at an impressive #20!
  • I jumped on the Rüfüs Du Sol train a little late, but the Aussie trio are back and better than ever with “No Place” with its big instrumental hook.  They make their bow on the chart at #24.
  • Also new to the chart is Estonian producer/DJ Madison Mars who gets on the summer party anthem train with the brief but heavy and fun “Back The Funk”, which premieres at #25.

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 new BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Crank That: “Bring It To Me” is a worthy summer house anthem from @Shaanmusic with @NinoLucarelli in a @iamKaaze mix

https://soundcloud.com/revealed-recordings/shaan-feat-nino-lucarelli-bring-it-to-me-guestlist4good-anthemkaaze-mix

SHAAN and NINO LUCARELLI, “Bring It To Me” (Kaaze mix)

It hasn’t really happened in a few years, but there are some songs in a lineup to garner your attention as Summer Dance Anthems, and one of these comes from India’s Shaan with “Bring It To Me” as sung by American vocalist Nino Lucarelli in a Kaaze mix. The song was debuted by Hardwell as the theme to his charity show “World’s Biggest Guestlist”, and it’s hard not to wonder why.  The song builds beautifully and doesn’t launch into its full set of lyrics until after the 2 minute mark.  Not many records can do that, but Shaan knows how to create momentum and undivided attention.  By the time Nino’s compelling voice begins, you are immersed in “Bring It To Me”.  There’s a lot to be said for Kaaze’s mix which beautifully captures the intensity of the song.  So yes, like many other performers, Shaan is looking back to the golden years of EDM earlier in this decade and putting his spin on it to tantalize his many fans.  “Bring It To Me” is an epic anthem that will stand with the best of them in time.