A mainly-acoustic track is not always an easy introduction for a new artist, but Moonwood’s “Slow Down” is a song that will stick with you long after it’s over. Moonwood is an international rock quintet based out of Sydney, Australia, who acquire their influences from names like Bruce Springsteen and U2, and I can even hear a bit of 90’s INXS (reference “Beautiful Girl”) in “Slow Down”. While the lyrics sing of troubles in relationships that are relatively common in songs today, what gives Moonwood an edge are the sometimes weary, sometimes provocative vocal style of lead singer Jake (think Nick Drake meets Luke Hemmings of 5 Seconds of Summer), and the burst of electric guitars which set “Slow Down” ablaze amid the otherwise acoustic setting.
I’m not normally a fan of lo-fi recordings, but every once in a while a song comes along that offers way more than the sum of its parts. Such is the case with “More” by singer/songwriter Nick Rannikko, who hails from just outside of Springfield, Massachusetts and attends the esteemed Berklee College of Music, and is also an engineer and producer. “More” is about trying to move on and to stop thinking about the other person after the breakup. Distorting vocals like on many same-sounding rap tracks can be a turnoff, but Nick cleverly uses the effect to his advantage, and his voice becomes more and more affecting as the song moves on. It also lends an unexpected soulful quality to his vocal. “More” keeps you listening with its atmospheric melody, and is a smart and memorable release for Nick Rannikko.
Pittsburgh-based Bishop Ivy is a singer/songwriter who grows more with each release, and there doesn’t seem to be a set pattern either to his style from song-to-song, which always leads to some pleasant unpredictability about what he will offer next. “Stand Up” is a chill song with a forthright message. It’s about using your own power within to challenge and perhaps take control away from others in your life. The melody is eerie at times and almost seems to belong in another song, and when there’s a bit of a pause after the two minute mark, instead of shutting the song off, you wait because his story isn’t entirely finished, and neither is the wistful melody. “Stand Up” gets props because it’s an ambitious song but fans of alternative and college radio will enjoy.
Despite its unassuming title, “I Kissed You Politely” is a provocative new single by London singer/songwriter Kitty Montague. It’s a powerful dialogue on how women can use their femininity to their advantage by consistently showing exactly what they mean through their actions. Somehow over the course of time, it came to be that men often think that a kiss is an invitation for affection and even more; a wise woman knows that if she provides a kiss on a cheek or a slight kiss on the lips that she’s being polite, and nothing more. So “I Kissed You Politely” is about women taking back control, because if more women do, then men will get the right message without issue – after all, it’s better to have had a nice time with someone even if it didn’t go further than you might expect. With pulsating synths and an unexpected tropical guitar sound, “I Kissed You Politely” has a rich melodic backdrop that you can delight in when your attention is not diverted by Kitty’s soul-tinged voice and fine choice of words.
BRANDYN BURNETTE and CHARLOTTE SANDS, “Everything”
I’ll say right off the top that “Everything” is a duet by L.A.’s Brandyn Burnette and Nashville-based Massachusetts native Charlotte Sands that needs to be repeated. In no time, the song will have you singing part of its chorus “But you can have everything / None of it matters to me / Just the way it happens to be / And if I leave just know I leave you everything”, mainly because the place that it’s all coming from is undeniably honest, vulnerable, and real. Then there’s the interplay between Brandyn and Charlotte, who just seem to naturally feed off of one another, introducing me to Charlotte’s pristine voice, and offering one of Brandyn’s best recent vocals. “Everything” is a captivating and soulful pop release that you’ll want to hear again and again.
Indian producer, singer and guitarist Ashwyn follows up his recent singles “Deja Vu” and “Sell My Soul” (which has reached #9 on my personal chart) with an uplifting new lyrical single. It’s called “Pyar”, which is the Urdu word for “love”, and quite a change of direction from when Ashwyn was recording EDM records under the name Astra. The song is about how transformative love can be in one’s life, and more than his other songs showcases Ashwyn’s pleasing voice and personality, which you can see in the video above. “Pyar” is a song meant for sunny days, touching indie pop with a universal message. It’s also suited for days when you need to put your head into a different, positive space – it will certainly help you get there.
“Me” is Vince Winik and “Adam” is Adam Walker, and the Austin, Texas-based redheads together are Me Nd Adam, who have recently released the alt.rock anthem “Get The Money”. The song is an intriguing ode to wanting a better life, where often the means to that is by making more and more money, hence the hook “get the money get the money get rich”. So what does one do, betray a simpler, modest life for big money? The song rocks out nicely and is highly reminiscent of early 2000’s Third Eye Blind or Fastball, which I’m confident will prompt interest for college and alternative rock stations. Check out the video above which aptly spoofs the film “Office Space”.
Time has been very kind to California alt.rockers Toad The Wet Sprocket, who first came to prominence in the early 90’s with breakthrough hit “All I Want” and others such as “Fall Down” and “Walk On The Ocean”. In fact, I saw them perform in Toronto in 1990 before all of those songs existed when they opened for Michael Penn. Their new album Starting Now is the first since 2013’s New Constellation and only their second album in 24 years. While they did break up for a while, they started performing together in 2004 off and on till the mid-2010’s. Three out of four original members remain, with Glen Phillips’ ageless voice still quite recognizable. Toad hasn’t really changed their style – artisan rockers with edge and emotion, similar to Lifehouse, Counting Crows, and Tonic – which is part of their success, picking up every time almost where they left off. “Hold On” is sturdy, perceptive rock encouraging the listener to “hold on to what matters” despite everything else going on in the world.
The glossy sheen of “Asteroid”, the latest single from British electronic pop duo of Indian heritage Laya Laya, hides a lovelorn vulnerability which has an out-of-norm appeal as one package. The duo, Freya Zai and Super Joshi, want you to think way outside the box and imagine the unattainability of love floating out there in space like an asteroid. It sounds so remote, that you want to reach out and grab it, and as Freya sings “I want you to myself”, which could be a subtitle for the song as the phrase resonates in the chorus. “Asteroid” is beautifully sung with delicate-sounding music leaving the lyrics to pack the punch, and has already received support from BBC Radio. Stylistically think of Frank Ocean and George Michael meet Dusty Springfield and Sophie B. Hawkins and go from there.
It’s hard to believe I finished my last day of work in my human resources career a year ago! While it’s been tough with the restrictions of the pandemic during my first year of retirement, my music projects and consulting have increased, and I’m suddenly back “on air” on online radio stations as an announcer for the first time in many years, which I never, ever expected to happen. The only way is up, and I’m looking forward to some travelling this coming year.
Make sure you read about myONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
The revolving door at #1 on this chart continues, as Sweden’s Darin reaches the top with the best song of his career so far called “Can’t Stay Away”. This is a very deserved number one, the positivity oozes from the song and the video is a fun, colourful throwback to the disco years.
I can’t get enough of the multilingual “Mon Cheri” (above) by Sofi Tukker and award-winning African duo Amadou & Mariam, which climbs 9-3. It’s culled from the recent Red Hot + Free set, whose proceeds go to charity. Now also available in a host of remixes at the link below.
Ed Sheeran’s upcoming album is now called Equals (or = ) as “Bad Habits” (above) climbs 6-5. He’s also released a new single from it called “Visiting Hours” (below).
The Fastest Riser on the chart lands in the Top 10 in its second appearance on the chart. It belongs to “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and “American Idol” finalist, songwriter and producer Robbie Rosen, which soars 16-9 with sights clearly set on #1! Robbie is also the singer and co-writer behind “Don’t Want Perfect” (below) with Quebec producer Kayliox, which moves up 22-18.
Also new to the Top 10 is “Back To You”, the riveting house track by Chicago’s Aash Mehta and Charlotte’s ephem, which rises 13-10.
Ashwyn’s “Sell My Soul” is a real grower, with its stellar guitar solo as the focus of an otherwise mellow and thoughtful song. It moves up 15-12.
“Break Me Down” (above) busts through the middle of the chart for Chicago’s Autograf and Win & Woo with vocalist SINGA, and climbs 20-14. Also check out below a lovely dance performance video from Win & Woo of their latest release called “Knots” featuring Blair Lee.
The Highest Debut on the chart is “Nonchalant” by Duck Sauce at #24. In my blog post last week, I noted that its melody revolves around an old somewhat obscure favourite of mine, “Queen Of The Rapping Scene”, a 1981 release by UK group Modern Romance. Combine it with a pulsating house rhythm and A-Trak and Armand Van Helden have another winner!
Next up at #26 is The Weeknd’s “Take My Breath”, yet another winner for my fellow Scarborough native Abel Tesfaye, who in full club mode and is clearly with retro disco rhythms this time, which is no surprise given he covered Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” (as “D.D.”) ten years ago.
Then at #27 is NYC’s Gina Naomi Baez with a vocal tour de force on “My Time”, which is your new end-of-summer empowerment anthem!
Chicago house music is winning on this chart! As with releases from Aash Mehta, Autograf and Win & Woo, Jarod Glawe and Dutch vocalist Robin Vane arrive at #28 with “Belong To You”. It’s an enjoyable release peppered by a powerful vocal from Robin, who I initially compared to Dan Smith of Bastille when I wrote my blog post about it, but since then I’ve been hearing more similarities to Bono of U2. In any case he’s in great company!
View the full BILLCS Top 30right 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
Radio GTA– listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
Halton Hills Online– “Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!
Planet Radio Canada – Now back in action, listen to the “3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I’m featured every Tuesday between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the Week, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.
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