Tag Archives: M-22

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – October 26/22 spotlighting new music by @GATTUSO_Music @ZakAbel @M22official @EllaHenderson #TASBA @Fiorious @AustinAtomusic @DAmicoandValax and much more!

After a lengthy course of writing blog posts about individual songs, I’ve launched the BILLCS New Music Report to showcase a week’s worth of new music at a time every Wednesday. In this way I can cover more of the songs, while also linking the Report to the growing online radio world, in which I am very present these days. I think it’s the future for what used to be on radio and has now been replaced by crass commercialism that just happens to play music – the same music, over and over and over.

The first section is called SPOTLIGHTING, which focuses on my five most notable new songs of the week. Then, there’s another section called FEATURING with several more cool new songs. Both sections continue to feature You Tube links to the songs. The “10/10” feature may return and will be worked into this new format.

I’ve also brought aboard my very good radio friends Russ Horton and Hunter Wilbur, and of course my best friend of over 40 years, James Rogers, into the Report to offer their expertise. Russ and Hunter will give their own picks of the week every week, and James brings us his Classic Five of the week – wonderful pop hits of the post-Beatles era that the younger readership in particular should get to know.

The BILLCS New Music Report is a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me @billcs on Twitter @thebillcs on Instagram or @BILLCSMusicProjects on Facebook.

SPOTLIGHTING

GATTÜSO and ZAK ABEL, “I’ll Be There”

Following up the recent “Afterglow” (which reached #8 on my chart), NYC-based Israel-born dance producer GATTUSO has a winner with “I’ll Be There”. It’s led by a committed and driven vocal by dance music mainstay ZAK ABEL, whose underlying rasp makes the infectious chorus even more affecting. GATTUSO’s rich production gives “I’ll Be There” a warm ambience which will be greatly appreciated by regular club dance floor denizens.

M-22 and ELLA HENDERSON, “Heartstrings”

German-UK production duo M-22 released one of my favourite songs of 2019 with “White Lies”, which promptly got to #1 on my chart. And after ELLA HENDERSON’s recent teaming with Nathan Dawe on “21 Reasons”, she was the right voice for “Heartstrings”. Her urgent vocal reminds me of Robyn at times circa “With Every Heartbeat”, and the chorus and drop are undeniable.

TASBA, “Inner Child”

TASBA (aka Tanya Barrera) is a new electronic dance producer from Denver who has loads of potential. It’s no surprise that her song “Inner Child” was picked up immediately for release. It’s got a gentle house vibe that TASBA lifts using a snappy rhythm with various shifts within the melody, which keeps the pace moving. “Inner Child” is the kind of song you’ll hear in a club and want to Shazam right away, and is a good start for an artist who is finding her niche stylistically and is also playing live gigs as well.

FIORIOUS and AUSTIN ATO, “Feel So High”

NYC singer/songwriter FIORIOUS and Scottish producer AUSTIN ATO make a formidable duo with “Feel So High”, which just oozes creativity. The song has early 80’s electropop roots that somehow translate into a fast-paced house track that’s guaranteed to be a dance floor filler. The highly energized vocal by FIORIOUS keeps “Feel So High” sizzling.

D’AMICO & VALAX and RICKYSEE, “So Close”

“So Close” is a fierce deep house track by Italian producers D’AMICO & VALAX and Detroit-based singer RICKYSEE. Taking its cues from early 90’s European house, “So Close” rides an aggressive rhythm layered with synths that play into a powerful chorus. Club DJ’s wanting to keep their dance floor full and the vibe relentless should insert “So Close” midway through a key set of the evening for best results.

FEATURING

CARLY RAE JEPSEN and RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, “The Loneliest Time”

I can’t go without mentioning “The Loneliest Time” – the title song from CARLY RAE JEPSEN’s new album – because of the presence of fellow Canadian and longtime personal fave RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, who can truly be a chameleon when he wants to be. His sublime vocal slides behind Carly Rae’s lead and gives the song added and unexpected dimension. Both singers sound fab and clearly enjoyed making this one.

LUFTHAUS and ROBBIE WILLIAMS, “To The Light”

“To The Light” is the most compelling track on the new EP Soul Seekers by LUFTHAUS, a Germany-based electronic project led by none other ROBBIE WILLIAMS! He’s probably one of the least likely names you’d find associated with trance music but Armada believed in it enough to release it. It’s in stark contrast to the 25th anniversary of Robbie’s debut solo album Life Thru A Lens and perhaps a timely shift in direction. Early hits like “Millennium” and “Rock DJ” offered electronic backdrops and sharp melodies. And Robbie’s vocal here broods and works so well over a familiar if linear landscape. Definitely work checking out!

SUNNERY JAMES & RYAN MARCIANO, BRUNO MARTINI and MAYRA, “Closure”

A tribal backdrop gives “Closure” a more progressive sound than usual from electronic dance music faves SUNNERY JAMES & RYAN MARCIANO and BRUNO MARTINI.  MAYRA’s powerful vocal seethes with internal anguish and gives “Closure” a strong emotional core. It’s definitely a sidestep for the producers from creating bangers, but “Closure” shows their strong and inspired collaboration at work.

EGZOD and BERTIE SCOTT, “The Way Out”

Florida-based electronic dance producer EGZOD (aka France-born Carlos Carvalho-Martins) has worked hard for just more than the last half decade developing his brand of melodic progressive songs. And it’s paying off – “The Way Out” has landed release on Spinnin’ Records. It also features the recognizable voice of UK go-to dance music singer BERTIE SCOTT. The song is long on melody and shifts into a breathtaking whirlwind in the last minute which is major icing on the cake. This one has all kinds of sync possibilities for film, TV and video games.

MARTIN LUKE BROWN, “grateful”

“grateful” is a warm welcome back to British singer/songwriter Martin Luke Brown, who brought us a splendid slice of soulful pop back in 2015 with his major label release “Take Out Of Me” (which got to #7 on my chart). Since that time MLB (has he is often called) has been mainly writing songs for others, and “grateful” is his first release since 2018. It’s a gritty but inviting track that echoes the raw 60’s vibes of The Beatles and their contemporaries while being channeled through late 70’s punk of the likes of Elvis Costello.

FRANKMUSIK, “Complete Me Completed”

“Complete Me Completed” signals a wrap to the new FRANKMUSIK version of his 2009 album Complete Me. The full album will be released soon as a new package but in the meantime all of its songs have been re-recorded and re-vamped. “Complete Me” is full of soaring FRANKMUSIK vocals that will make you think songs from his 2014 album By Nicole. The production is full of subtleties and power that are customary with a FRANKMUSIK release. What his task did though was take a lot of very good songs stuck in 2009 trappings and made them so much better.

HUNTER, “Closer”

L.A. based singer/songwriter Hunter Elizabeth rebrands herself as HUNTER on her new EP Hello: My Name Is HUNTER. After seeing some success with a year long residency at a popular L.A. club and a connection with Willie Nelson’s son Lukas that opened a lot of doors for her, HUNTER proves her versatility and how to craft a 3 minute pop song with “Closer”. It’s an upbeat love song about celebrating with those closest to you after the difficulties we experienced in the pandemic. Her bright voice highlights a song that is set out to show you a good time, and provides a welcome introduction to the EP.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week  is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 20 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

“Together” by L.A. pop duo CAPITAL CITIES and L.A.-based electronic dance producer BOBBY NOURMAND

“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK

“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner of online stations Radio GTA, Halton Hills Radio Online, & FM108.ca.

“Runaway To Mars” by Canadian singer TALK

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S PICK OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

“See The Light” by Nashville-based singer/songwriter STEPHEN SANCHEZ

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show heard Tuesdays on Planet Radio Canada. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.

“She Loves You” by THE BEATLES (1964)

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by THE ROLLING STONES (1965)

“House of the Rising Sun” by THE ANIMALS (1964)

“I Get Around” by THE BEACH BOYS (1964)

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by THE BEATLES (1964)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

“Jimi” by FRANCESCO YATES

BILLCS Top30 HIGHEST DEBUT

“Charlie Be Quiet” by CHARLIE PUTH

#BILLCSTop30 #563 – June 10/19

I’m so glad my big faves from very early Spring have carried over to make my birthday week a very happy place where ever I play the Top 3!  And the rest of the Top 10 is quite active, with three debuts rounding out the chart.

They are of course M-22’s “White Lies” (above), Cedric Gervais & Just Kiddin’s “Good Things” (disco edit) featuring vocalist Kyan (also above), and “Enlighten Me” by Dutch producers DubVision and SYZZ (below) giving the chart the zing it needs at 1-2-3!

MAX is back in the Top 5 for the first time as a lead artist since “Lights Down Low” got to #3 in its Two Friends remix in 2016.  Was I just an early bird on that one, or were y’all late heads?  Anyway, “Love Me Less” (featuring Quinn XCII) climbs 7-4.

Nashville’s Mokita is on his way to the Top 5 for a second time this year with “Kiss And Tell” rising 9-6.  And then there’s his new one “Inside Out” too so watch for it in this space in the near future…

The Chainsmokers acquire their 10th Top 10 since 2015 with “Do You Mean”, featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Canada’s Juno Award-winning bülow moving up 11-7.

The fastest riser on the chart had its video debut today.  Soaring up the chart 20-9 is Illenium & Jon Bellion’s “Good Things Fall Apart”.  This is Illenium’s third Top 10 entry since the late Fall.  Check out that intriguing video above.

Rounding out the newcomers to the Top 10 is Lost Frequencies’ magnetic “Recognise” featuring vocalist Flynn and rising 12-10.

Closing in on the Top 10, with no surprise, is the progressive and experimental “Coyote” from L.A.’s Mako, zipping up the chart 17-11.  This one draws you in with each listen so don’t miss it.

Halifax’s Famba just signed to Sony Canada proper, and he’s on his second radio hit for them.  Easily accessible to dance clubs in its Dallerium remix above is “Swear To God”, advancing 19-12.

Timmy Trumpet’s new anthem “World At Our Feet” finds itself soaring 23-15 in its second appearance.

“Adore You” by Jessie Ware is a quiet, sexy, funky grower and it moves up 22-17.

Taking its cue from a lot of 90’s pop and hip hop music is “We Found Love” by Canada’s Sultan + Shepard who collaborate with Showtek for this reboot of the Heavy D. & The Boyz hit.  It climbs 26-18.

They say some DJ’s don’t dance but in the video for his song “Atypical”, you’ll find Manila Killa busting some impressive moves.  Led by the vocals of GiGi, “Atypical” rises 25-19 culled from Manila Killa’s 1993 release.

The first newcomer is by recent Oscar and Grammy Award winner Mark Ronson who brings along Grammy-winner YEBBA for one of three songs on his album Late Night Feelings.  The sensational “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” arrives on the chart at #23.  Somehow it’s only Mark’s second entry on the chart, the first being “Valerie” with Amy Winehouse in 2007.  YEBBA’s previous 2017 “Evergreen” got to #4, and I expect similar things from “Lonely”.

Next up is the debut entry for Switzerland’s Luca Hänni, who was so fun and engaging with his Eurovision performances with “She Got Me” arriving at #25.  The song ranked 4th overall in Eurovision and deserves to be a worldwide smash.  It’s pretty darned irresistible.

The third new entry of the week at #27 belongs to French producer Nick Peters with a lyrical dance gem in “Where Did You Go”, featuring UK vocalist Jamie Grey.  Nick’s visited the chart before, in 2017 with “No Love In Brooklyn” getting to #4 in partnership with Frank Pierce and Scott Vega.

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 🙂

 

 

 

#BILLCSTop30 #562 – May 27/19

Some innovative and entertaining songs make their debuts this week.  One artist continues to find himself with two songs at a time on the chart, while another appears on the chart – twice – for the first time in over 5 years.  And they both join another artist who has one song on the rise and one which peaked in the Top 5 a few weeks ago.

But first the Top 10, in which we find two songs snug comfortably at the top 🙂

It’s “White Lies” that reigns supreme for a second week for German/UK producers M-22 and featuring the songwriting talents and uncredited vocal of British singer A*M*E.  It kind of goes hand in hand, for me anyway, with Cedric Gervais’ disco edit of “Good Things” in collaboration with Just Kiddin and singer Kyan, which stays at #2.

A third frenetic house track joins the top two to keep you dancing away.  “Enlighten Me” is by the fine Dutchmen that are DubVision and SYZZ, and it soars 8-3.  They bypass Mahalo and MŌZ who remain at #4 with the deep house of “Go Ahead”, as well as “Sucker” by The Jonas Brothers, which still climbs 7-5.  Although Joe Jonas found himself in the Top 5 previously as a solo singer with “Make You Mine” (#3, from his underappreciated Fastlife album) in 2012, and again with DNCE with “Cake By The Ocean” (#2) in 2015, I don’t think I ever fathomed the Jonasei gracing the upper reaches!

Every release by MAX that has hit my chart has made the Top 10, and “Love Me Less”, featuring Quinn XCII, rises 10-7.  Mokita’s third entry on the chart becomes his second Top 10 hit.  The Nashville singer/songwriter moves up 11-9 with “Kiss And Tell” as “London” tumbles to #15 after peaking at #3.  The second newcomer to the Top 10 is “Wild” by German producer Final DJs and featuring Bright Light Bright Light on vocals.  “Wild” moves up 13-10 and becomes Bright Light Bright Light’s 17th Top 10 entry!

Three other recent entries are advancing well on the chart.  French producer Kidswaste’s delightful “Sleeping Pills” featuring vocalist KOLE climbs 21-16, and right behind is progressive electronica from L.A.’s Mako with “Coyote” moving up 23-17.  The fastest riser on the chart, however, is “Swear To God” by Canadian producer Famba, which is making short work of the chart by leaping 27-19.  It’s also Famba’s second Canadian radio hit following “Wish You Well” (featuring Trove).

It’s definitely an interesting chart for debuts.  Although he continues to move up at #13 with “Crashing” (featuring Bahari), the prolific Illenium has singer/songwriter Jon Bellion on deck this time for the quite amazing and thoughtful “Good Things Fall Apart”, which makes an impressive debut at #20.  Then there’s Timmy Trumpet’s commanding “World At Our Feet” which becomes the Australian producer’s first entry on this chart at #23.  

And last but not least, there are Dutch producers, the brothers Showtek.  This is the first time that Showtek has appeared on the chart since 2014, when “Cannonball (Earthquake)”, with Italian producer Justin Prime and US vocalist Matthew Koma, went to #1.  They are back two-fold, first at #26 with Canada’s own Sultan + Shepard bowing for the first time on the chart with “We Found Love”, an update of “Now That We Found Love”, a huge 90’s hit for Heavy D. & The Boyz, originally recorded in 1979 by reggae band Third World.  And then there’s the story of remixing a fun 4 year old song – but when a remix by A-Trak is among them you know it’s going to be great.  Showtek and vocalist Leon Sherman’s “Listen To Your Momma” arrives at #28, and A-Trak’s is one of five remixes on the EP.

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 🙂

 

#BILLCSTop30 #561 – May 13/19

A few impressive moves fuel the new chart, as well as four debuts and a new #1!

So what’s up top now?

Why it’s “White Lies” by UK/German production duo M-22.  It’s one of my favourite songs of the year so far, using early 90’s house (specifically Inner City’s “Good Life”) as a reference point.  I also found out through her Twitter account that the song is sung (uncredited) and co-written by British vocalist A*M*E.  You know her from the Grammy-nominated UK #1 “Need U” with Duke Dumont and through this blog from her vocal in Monsieur Adi’s “What’s Going On” (which peaked at #2 on this chart), a 2013 rework of Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life”.

Almost hand-in-hand with “White Lies” in terms of a fun and upbeat dance tune is “Good Things” by Cedric Gervais and Just Kiddin featuring vocalist Kyan, which advances 4-2 in its disco edit.  

Italy’s Mark Mendy moves up 7-6 with “Black Gasoline” with vocals by Australia’s Beamish Brothers, and now available in some additional remixes by Provi and farfetch’d.

New to the Top 10 is another dance bop to accompany the top two songs.  It’s “Enlighten Me”, an even brisker house number, from The Netherlands’ DubVision and SYZZ.  It climbs 13-8.

France’s KRONO lands in the Top 10 up 12-9 with “Perfect Strangers” and a great vocal from PIOTR.

The fastest riser on the chart soars 24-10.  It’s “Love Me Less” by MAX and Quinn XCII from MAX’s upcoming album House of Divine.  Watch out for some surprise pop-up concerts from MAX, maybe in a city near you!

Another impressive move this week is from “Wild” by Final DJs and Bright Light Bright Light, which rises 21-13.  And to give you a taste of something else, Final DJs recently remixed Queen’s 1984 hit “Radio GaGa” (below), taking away some of the heavier synths in favour of more of a pop flavour which suits the song nicely.  It’s a free download too – just press the “BUY” button for your digital copy!

Also on the move is “Do You Mean”, the latest by The Chainsmokers and featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Canadian singer bülow.  It moves up 22-16.

A second French producer appears on the chart for the first time and that is Kidswaste with his melodic and danceable “Sleeping Pills”.  Featuring vocalist KOLE, the song moves up 27-21.

The highest debut belongs to a familiar name to this chart – L.A.’s Mako.  Otherwise known as Alex Seaver, “Coyote” is one of his more progressive solo offerings, but boy is it an intriguing one, capped with some solid upper registry singing that makes it so memorable.  “Coyote” bows at #23.  Mako’s most recent chart entry here was a big one – he got to #1 in early 2018 with “Breathe”.

Although he’s new to the Canadian radio scene with his recent Top 10 hit “Wish You Well”, Halifax’s Famba appeared on my chart in late 2016 with his groovy Armada release “Right Here Right Now” (that throwback is below), which got to #2 on the chart.  Famba’s back with some delectable new dance pop in the form of “Swear To God” which debuts at #27.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7GUrYs5hA5ik2yieXkHqC0?si=gQFdQMASQMa5jozjUpseEQ

Also big in Canadian radio is “Figure It Out”, the iHeart Radio contest winner by Toronto duo Flight School and featuring L.A.-based vocalist CVBZ.  It arrives at #28, a first time entry for Flight School, but CVBZ previously got to #2 with the Sean Turk remix of “Be Like You” in 2017.  He also did vocals for Cheat Codes in “Feels Great” and for NOTD in the recent “Start It Over”.

The fourth debut is for Washington DC based producer Manila Killa with “Atypical” featuring singer GiGi at #29.  Take a close look at its video above featuring a wonderfully inspiring lyrical dance routine, Manila Killa among the dancers too!

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 🙂

 

 

#BILLCSTop30 #560, April 29/19

Rounding out a very un-Spring like month of April (at least here in Toronto) is a chart where change is afoot in the Top 10.  Four promising debuts also will generate some interest!

Sitting proud at the top for a third appearance is “i’m so tired…” (above) by Lauv and Troye Sivan, one of my favourite and very natural collaborations in recent years.  But to give you a taste of what Lauv has coming on his upcoming album, check out the video for his new song “Drugs And The Internet” below.  While perhaps more of a grower, the video is quite entertaining.  And two fascinating facts:  Lauv co-wrote both “Broken” by Tritonal and Jenaux featuring Adam Lambert (#4, 2016) and “Boys” by Charli XCX!!

Charging up to second place is the rollicking “White Lies” by UK/German production duo M-22.  It’s a sizzling dance track that should be one of Spring’s biggest club hits IMO, with major influence coming from early 90’s house with particular homage to Inner City’s classic “Good Life”.

Nashville’s Mokita has a lot to cheer about in this chart.  One of the more interesting and charming story songs to appear in a long while, “London” (above), advances 4-3, while the more forthright “Kiss And Tell” (“if I can just kiss and tell ya”) (below) is the fastest riser on the chart, climbing 26-15.

“Good Things” in its ‘disco edit’ has been veteran producer Cedric Gervais’ only appearance on my chart to date, but what an entry – the collaboration with Just Kiddin’ and vocalist Kyan soars 9-4.

Mahalo and MŌZ rise into the Top 5 with the dark deep house of “Go Ahead”, moving up 8-5.  Despite its tense melody, the song does have a positive story that takes a few listens to sink in.

“Black Gasoline” by Italy’s Mark Mendy has slowly become one of my favourites as it climbs 11-7.  It’s a different kind of alt.dance song thanks to some personable vocals by Australia’s Beamish Brothers. Jeremy and Ben also have a new one on their own that’s outside of the dance genre which you can check out called “Kills Me Every Time” (below).

The other new entry to the Top 10 belongs to the Jonas Brothers.  No one could have told me six years ago that the Jonasei would ever be in my Top 10, but yet hear they are up 15-10 with a great piece of songwriting and arranging called “Sucker”.

Though they’ve had a couple of remixes that have landed in my Top 10, L.A.’s Two Friends get a personal best for their original work as “Take It Off” (above) climbs 13-11.  The prolific duo have another song on deck too called “Dollar Menu” featuring singer Dani Poppitt, below.

“Enlighten Me” is the fast-paced new song by Dutch producers DubVision and SYZZ with a keen, positive message that accentuates the bounce for you.  It moves up 18-13.

The previous chart’s debuts all make promising moves.  Lost Frequencies’ first entry on the chart is “Recognise” (above) featuring vocalist Flynn, which rises 25-20.  Then there’s another winning combination with Germany’s Final DJs and Bright Light Bright Light teaming up for “Wild” (also above), climbing 28-21.  And blog faves Saxity rev us up for the summer months thinking about every “Weekend” (below) till then.  The song advances 27-23.

3 chart veterans return with debuts along with one newcomer.  First up is “Do You Mean”, the latest surprise as chart entry #11 from The Chainsmokers, who add vocalists Ty Dolla $ign and Canada’s Juno Award-winning bülow into the mix to great effect.  “Do You Mean” may not resonate with you at first listen, but it definitely sinks in a few more later.  Following the late 2018 entry of “Siren”, “Do You Mean” arrives at a smashing #22.

And then there’s the 7th chart entry for New York’s own MAX with “Love Me Less” featuring hip hop vocalist Quinn XCII at #24.  It’s MAX’s first appearance here since last year’s vocal on Matoma’s “Lonely” (#10) and his first lead appearance since his own classic “Lights Down Low” (#3), which I charted upon its arrival in 2016.  “Love Me Less” is also from his upcoming album “House Of Divine”.

The lone newcomer to the chart is France’s Kidswaste (aka Quentin Beauvois), about whom I’ve been writing for the past few years.  His gorgeous melody and synths arrangement in “Sleeping Pills” featuring vocalist KOLE sends it to a #27 debut.

The final premiere for this chart is the steamy and funky “Adore You” by Jessie Ware at #28.  Now expecting her second child, which will postpone any touring for a while, “Adore You” is the soulful, romantic bookend to last year’s “Overtime” (#6).

 

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 🙂

 

 

 

 

#BILLCSTop30 #559, April 15/19

The top of the chart appears relatively unchanged, but the bottom of the Top 10 is all abuzz as a few songs soar, and four debuts add to the pleasures.

I can’t get enough of “i’m so tired…” by Lauv and Troye Sivan, such that I think they should record another song together.  It would be the perfect follow up until Lauv’s forthcoming album is ready.  “i’m so tired…” is locked in at #1.

The only new entry to the Top 5 belongs to Nashville’s Mokita.  The pensive “London” advances 6-4, while the singer/songwriter gets his 3rd chart entry with the bubbly and knowing “Kiss And Tell” at #26.  Watch out for Mokita, his music is absolute fire right now!

“Love” by Simon Curtis rises 8-6.  I can’t wait to hear what Simon has coming next, and as gorgeous and soulful that “Love” might be, I want something more hard-hitting and danceable next 🙂

The fastest riser on the chart is by UK/Germany production duo M-22 with “White Lies”, which catapults 23-7, with definite eyes on #1 in the coming weeks.  I saw the duo drop the song at Miami Music Week and with those deep house vibes, courtesy of some influence from Inner City’s “Good Life”, “White Lies” simply can’t miss!

In a darker but somehow uplifting vein is “Go Ahead” by L.A.’s Mahalo featuring vocalist  MŌZ.  It climbs 13-8 and follows the now-departed “In My Arms” for a 5th Top 10 song here for Mahalo 🙂

In any other week a 24-9 leap would be the fastest riser, but in direct competition with M-22’s “White Lies” is another brilliant new dance song, “Good Things” in its disco edit by Cedric Gervais and Just Kiddin’ featuring vocalist Kyan.  “Good Things” just brims with fun and energy and like “White Lies” is bound to be one of my favourite songs of the year.

The Top 10 isn’t done yet if Sam Smith and Normani have any say in the matter.  “Dancing With A Stranger” climbs 14-10, becoming his first Top 10 since “Too Good For Goodbyes”.

Just outside of the Top 10 there’s “Black Gasoline” bubbling under and rising 17-11 for Italy’s Mark Mendy and featuring some irresistible vocalizing by Australia’s Beamish Brothers (Ben and Jeremy).  

We find another, more famous set of brothers moving up 19-15.  It’s those Jonasei with “Sucker” still keeping fans happy in the shadow of the new, quieter single “Cool”.

There’s so much great dance music always coming from The Netherlands, and “Enlighten Me” by DubVision and SYZZ is no exception.  This rollicking foot-fest climbs 26-18.

NYC singer/songwriter Matt Beilis enters the Top 20 with his Maroon 5-ish “Chemistry Or Chemicals” moving up 22-19.

Disco dancing is alive and well with the clubland enthusiasm of “Let’s Go Dancing” by UK producers Horse Meat Disco and NYC vocalist Amy Douglas, which jumps 25-21.

Ever-prolific Illenium moves up 27-22 with the softer, almost Country-flavoured (in a “The Middle”/”This Feeling” kinda way) “Crashing” featuring California duo Bahari on vocals.

The highest debut belongs to Belgium’s Felix De Laet, or Lost Frequencies as you better know him.  Featuring vocalist Flynn, “Recognise” packs a punch when it slams right into its great chorus at the :25 mark.  “Recognise” bows on the chart at #25.

German producers and musicians Saxity have been to the Top 10 twice, with “Brothers” and “You Found Me”.  They’re back and wanting to party hard with “Weekend” at #27.  I just love all of the instrumentation that the song has to offer in the background, which makes it sometimes seem like it really wanted to be an Earth, Wind & Fire record in disguise 😛

The final debut is a reprise of a collaboration between another German producer, Final DJs and US-based Welsh multi-talent Bright Light Bright Light.  The strut-worthy house of “Wild” arrives at #28 following their #11 charting song from a few years ago called “Lost In Feelings”.

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 🙂

#BILLCSTop30 #558 – April 1/19

No April Fool’s anything here folks 😛 As an aftermath to my Miami visit from the past few days, the new chart is beginning to look like an echo of my Dance Roundup blog posts that preceded my trip.  So there are four debuts as well as a new #1 as Spring has kicked off its dancing shoes 🙂

One of the delights of 2019 has been the unexpected pairing of L.A.’s Lauv with Troye Sivan for “i’m so tired”, which ascends to the top this week.  It’s Lauv’s first time at #1 and Troye’s second following “My My My!” just over a year ago.  What’s even better about this release is that it seems so genuine and good-natured, qualities that you can’t just hide in a song.

With it’s sinewy guitar hook and top notch vocal by Oktavian, “Don’t Think Twice” by Revelries and Sam Smyers moves up a notch to #2.  And like “i’m so tired” (although it has distribution by AWAL), “Don’t Think Twice” is an independent release by Revelries, the Netherlands-based Emirati producers.

Following 2016’s “Light” (#4), “lift me from the ground” becomes Dutch producer and musician San Holo’s second Top 5 hit here from his recent release called album1.  Check out Italian producer Flyboy’s jaunty take on the song, above.  It has a different vibe about it but plenty of bounce.  Also check out San’s new single “Lead Me Back”, below.

“Love” by Simon Curtis (12-8, above) and “Sweet But Psycho” by Ava Max (11-9, below) are newcomers to the Top 10 in this chart.  It’s Ava’s first time but Simon is a veteran with 16 Top 10’s including 3 features, 7 of which were number ones (one a feature).  He also happened to have charted in the Top 10 in the guise of one half of Wrathschild with “Fall Into Love” (#8) five years ago this week.

“Take Me Away” is irresistible classic house from England’s Maff Boothroyd, which advances 16-12.  Waste no time and bust those moves on the dance floor with this one!

The fastest riser on the chart is “Go Ahead”, the dark but somehow encouraging new deep house single from producer Mahalo and vocalist MŌZ, climbing 20-13.  Love that bass synth hook!

I had the pleasure of meeting French producer KRONO in Miami last week, and he’s working on more new songs.  “Perfect Strangers” featuring singer PIOTR has a soulful Maroon 5 pop vibe and moves up 22-16.

Even though they don’t really sound alike, the songwriting behind “Black Gasoline” by Italy’s Mark Mendy with Australia’s Beamish Brothers on vocals reminds me of US/South African band Kongos.  There’s a similar pattern for storytelling here which works well with a stylish alt.electronic backdrop.  “Black Gasoline” rises 23-17.

Those Jonasei have one of the catchiest and best sung pop hits right now with “Sucker” and it climbs up 25-19.

I got to do my fair share of dancing during Miami Music Week, and songs like “Let’s Go Dancing” by UK producers Horse Meat Disco (who also played during MMW) and singer Amy Douglas keep that inspiration happening.  It moves up 29-25.

The highest debut of the week was also tweeted out during Miami Music Week.  Using the synth melody from house classic “Good Life” by Inner City as its basis, UK/German production duo M-22 rework it as “White Lies”, which arrives at #23.

I must also say I was taken totally aback when I heard “Good Things” (Disco edit) by MMW performer Cedric Gervais and Just Kiddin featuring vocalist Kyan.  Its feel good rhythms help it arrive at #24.

Dutch producers DubVision and SYZZ create a sparkling melody sung by a fantastic but uncredited male vocal with “Enlighten Me” which bows at #26.

The last debut at #27 keeps the chart entries flowing for electronic dance music sensation Illenium with “Crashing” featuring US duo Bahari.  This one’s about ‘crashing’ at someone’s place and makes a fine love story with Illenium’s intense backdrop.  Illenium has been on the chart steadily since October 29, 2018 with three different songs, the most recent of which, “God Damnit” (#4), departs after 9 appearances.

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 🙂