RECORD REWIND: PGTC Picks, 9/18 – 9/24

Our new Record Rewind is about highlighting the top new songs that you may have missed, or should discover, from many of my favorite independent acts out there. If you like what you see, let me know what you think!

Across the PGTC SoundCloud page and my playlists on Spotify, these stuck out as my favorite independent songs of the week…

_____

AARON KRAUSE – “Thinkin Bout You” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Krause continues to see huge streaming stats for his 2013 cover of “Every Breath You Take”, but his new pop gem might just take your breath away. He’s been honing his craft as a writer/producer, and this cut is a great achievement for the Nashville musician.

_____

DENNY WHITE – “Psycho” (available October 7)
He tasted sweet success with “Sweetness”, and he was too cool for school with Golden Coast’s “Recess”. Now, White’s going crazy on the piano and the percussion with his haunting pop track, which comes just a month before Halloween. Spooky. It’s very good.

_____

KNGDAVD – “Poppies” (iTunes) (Spotify)
This New York City duo is bringing the heat with their fantastic future pop sound. “Say My Name” was featured on the Rewind in mid-July, and “Poppies” blooms in all its rhythmic, yet rock-driven glory. Led by guitar and vocal, their music is out of this world.

_____

MACKENZIE THOMS – “Shout” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Thoms has been a regular on my blog and playlists for over a year now with songs like “Conviction” and “Do Me All Again”, and if you’re thinking this is an Isley Brothers or Tears For Fears cover, think again. This slick sound is ready to be blasted on the radio.

_____

MULLALLY – “Wonderful” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Singer Connor Mullally has already seen massive love for his previous singles, “Overdose” and “Troubled Love”, and the Norfolk performer isn’t done adding to his collection of super songs yet. Combining soul and a bit of tropical pop, it certainly works here.

_____

RAINSFORD – “Too Close” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Los Angeles’s Rainey Qualley last appeared on the Rewind in July, when “S.I.D. (Sunshine In December)” first debuted. The sun’s certainly shining in September too, as her new jam hits the blogs. Regardless of genre, Qualley’s voice draws you in. It’s excellent.

_____

TAY SALEM – “Threads” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Salem first made the Rewind in mid-July; that’s when he gave us a dose of “Iron”. Now, the London-based singer returns with the next taste of his Night Mill EP, due October 7. The powerful track blends indie rock and R&B, creating a lush musical experience.

_____

For more great new music, and there was a lot of it this week, these tunes are worth a listen…
ALLIE & IVY – “Best Friends” (SoundCloud)
COSMOS & CREATURE – “Young” (SoundCloud)
KATELYN TARVER – “What Do We Know Now” (SoundCloud)
KIAH VICTORIA – “Titivating” (SoundCloud)
OYSTER KIDS – “40 Nights” (SoundCloud)

Want to be featured on this weekly wrap-up? Submit your music to afsoybel@hotmail.com and I’ll check it out. Thanks!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: September 25, 2016

“Nobody but” Bublé.

DEBUTS
40. Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
39. The Strumbellas – We Don’t Know | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
30. Sting – I Can’t Stop Thinking About You (36)
27. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – Fire Escape (32)
25. Emeli Sandé – Hurts (39) | BIGGEST MOVER
12. James TW – When You Love Someone (21)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Passenger – Somebody’s Love (08) | PEAK: #01 for one week
09. OneRepublic – Kids (12) | PEAK: #09
08. Gavin DeGraw – She Sets The City On Fire (09) | PEAK: #08
07. Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better (07) | PEAK: #02
06. Bastille – Good Grief (03) | PEAK: #01 for three weeks
05. Phantogram – You Don’t Get Me High Anymore (02) | PEAK: #02
04. Colbie Caillat – Goldmine (06) | PEAK: #04
03. Wrabel – 11 Blocks (01) | PEAK: #01 for five weeks
02. Serena Ryder – Got Your Number (04) | PEAK: #02
01. Michael Bublé – Nobody But Me (05) | PEAK: #01 for one week | NEW #1

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. The Score – Unstoppable (1)
2. Nick Fradiani – All On You (4)
3. Nathan Sykes – Famous (9)
4. Matt Simons – Lose Control (6)
5. COIN – Talk Too Much (5)
6. Idina Menzel – Queen Of Swords (8)
7. LP – Lost On You (-)
8. BANNERS – Into The Storm (-)
9. The Mowgli’s – Bad Thing (-)
10. Royal Teeth – Kids Conspire (-)

In The Mix:
Adele – Water Under The Bridge
Astrid S – Hurts So Good
Bastille – Send Them Off!
Celine Dion – Recovering
Five For Fighting – Born To Win
for KING & COUNTRY – Priceless (new)
Johnnyswim – Let It Matter
JoJo – No Apologies
Kris Allen – Love Will Find You
Matt Hires – Fighting A Ghost
Third Eye Blind – Company Of Strangers
Tom Chaplin – Quicksand
Young Rising Sons – Undefeatable

Chart Notes:

• In 2003, a then-new singer from Canada made his debut on my chart with a cover of “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?” by The Bee Gees. His version hit #21 that October, and also reached the top 20 on the AC chart around that time. 13 years later, Michael Bublé has his fifth chart-topper on Adam’s Top 40, as “Nobody But Me” leaps from 5-1. Overall, this marks his 16th career week at #1 on my chart.
• At #39, Canadian group The Strumbellas have this week’s Highest Debut with “We Don’t Know”. It’s their second time on my chart; earlier this year, they got as high as #2 with “Spirits”. The song is already a hit on Alternative radio in Canada, and it’s mere inches away from becoming a top 40 single on the U.S.-based format chart. Both tracks are from the album Hope.
• Just below them is English newcomer Calum Scott, debuting at #40 with his remake of Robyn‘s “Dancing On My Own”. It recently reached the top five in countries like Australia, Ireland, Scotland and the United Kingdom. The song impacts at Hot AC radio on October 3. Scott’s a former contestant from Britain’s Got Talent.
• With new singles from DNCE and Train, among other acts, coming on Friday, expect a very active chart next Sunday. Look out for In The Mix entries from BANNERS and Nathan Sykes to debut soon as well.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board) (Listen to this week’s chart and more on Spotify)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: September 26, 2004

“Tangled” in the top ten.

It’s the start of another weekend, which means it’s time for another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I feature the highlights of a past countdown. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on.

This week, we stroll back twelve years and find out what was topping my chart for the week of September 26, 2004…

Debuts:
40. MICHAEL MCDONALD, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”
38. LINDSAY LOHAN, “Rumors”
35. ELTON JOHN, “Answer In The Sky”

Biggest Mover(s):
PHIL COLLINS, “Don’t Let Him Steal Your Heart Away” (27-14, thirteen spots)

10. SKYE SWEETNAM, “Tangled Up In Me” (steady, third week)
Album: Noise From The Basement (2004, Capitol Records)
Peak: #10 for three weeks

09. ALANIS MORISSETTE, “Eight Easy Steps” (steady, second week)
Album: So-Called Chaos (2004, Maverick/Warner Bros. Records)
Peak: #9 for two weeks

08. MAROON 5, “She Will Be Loved” (down 2)
Album: Songs About Jane (2002, Octone/J/RMG Records)
Peak: #1 for one week

07. DARREN HAYES, “Pop!ular” (up 1)
Album: The Tension and the Spark (2004, Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

06. NITTY, “Nasty Girl” (up 1)
Album: Player’s Paradise (2005, Universal Republic Records)
Peak: #6

05. BOWLING FOR SOUP, “1985” (down 2)
Album: A Hangover You Don’t Deserve (2004, Jive Records/Zomba Music Group)
Peak: #1 for five weeks

04. CHRISTINA AGUILERA featuring MISSY ELLIOTT, “Car Wash” (down 2)
Album: Shark Tale (Soundtrack) (2004, DreamWorks/Geffen/Interscope Records)
Peak: #2 for two weeks

03. KELLY CLARKSON, “Breakaway” (up 2)
Album: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Soundtrack (2004, Hollywood Records) and Breakaway (2004, 19/RCA Records)
Peak: #3

02. VANESSA CARLTON, “White Houses” (up 2)
Album: Harmonium (2004, A&M/Interscope Records)
Peak: #2

01. SWITCHFOOT, “Dare You To Move” (steady, second week)
Album: The Beautiful Letdown (2003, Red Ink/Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of September 23, 2016

A “Treat” for this week.

Vine stars and Broadway stars are among the acts looking to grab some streams and sales this week. What music will move you? Here are the notable albums and singles out this week:

SHAWN MENDES — Illuminate (iTunes)
Led by the multi-format hit “Treat You Better”, 18-year-old Mendes is looking for his second #1 album on the Billboard 200. Of course, his first chart-topper was Handwritten, which took a massive slide in its second week on the chart. Should we expect the new set to be front-loaded as well? You bet! However, there should be radio hits from it through the new year.

IDINA MENZEL — idina. (iTunes)
If you’re looking for another “Let It Go”, it’s probably not on Menzel’s new album. Plus, do we really need another one? Still, it’s worth a listen to her new set for a bunch of other great songs. “Queen Of Swords” is the current single from it, recently making a splash in the top 30 on the AC survey.

PASSENGER — Young As The Morning, Old As The Sea (iTunes)
One of my top picks for this week is the new effort from this English singer/songwriter. Leadoff single “Somebody’s Love” spent a week at #1 on my personal chart, and it’s still climbing up the top 20 at Triple A radio. It’ll likely hit the top 40 on the Billboard 200… well, at least I hope it will.

More albums out this week: Brian McKnight‘s An Evening With Brian McKnight (iTunes), Bruce Springsteen‘s Chapter And Verse (iTunes), Kristin Chenoweth‘s The Art Of Elegance (iTunes), MUTEMATH‘s Changes (iTunes), My Chemical Romance‘s The Black Parade / Living With Ghosts (The 10th Anniversary Edition) (iTunes), Skylar Grey‘s Natural Causes (iTunes), Ty Dolla $ign‘s Campaign (iTunes), Trolls (Soundtrack) (iTunes)

More EPs out this week: Luke Bryan‘s Farm Tour… Here’s To The Farmer (iTunes), The Score‘s Unstoppable (iTunes)

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:
“50,000”, Sting (iTunes)
“All Fall Down”, Tor Miller (iTunes)
“Be Your Love”, Bishop Briggs (iTunes)
“FAB.”, JoJo featuring Remy Ma (iTunes)
“Guys My Age”, Hey Violet (iTunes)
“Labor Of Love”, Bon Jovi (iTunes)
“Older And Taller”, Regina Spektor (iTunes)
“On An Evening In Roma (Sott’er Celo De Roma)”, Michael Bublé (iTunes)
“Signs”, Cherub featuring T.I. (iTunes)
“Spiderweb”, The Mowgli’s (iTunes)
“Starboy”, The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk (iTunes)
“Still Breathing”, Green Day (iTunes)
“Sweet Dreamer”, Will Joseph Cook (iTunes)
“Tear Up This Town”, Keane (iTunes)
“WALLS”, Kings Of Leon (iTunes)

We’ll see you next week for new releases from BANKS, Regina Spektor, William Michael Morgan and more.

RECORD REWIND: PGTC Picks, 9/11 – 9/17

Our new Record Rewind is about highlighting the top new songs that you may have missed, or should discover, from many of my favorite independent acts out there. If you like what you see, let me know what you think!

Across the PGTC SoundCloud page and my playlists on Spotify, these stuck out as my favorite independent songs of the week…

_____

CAPPA – “Hey Hi Hello” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Bonjour and hola to another fun song from this Nashville singer, featured on her recent EP release titled Queen Of Hearts. She’s certainly been the Queen of the Rewind recently, with several cuts included to date. What are you waiting for? Check out her EP.

_____

EZA – “Sway” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Also adding to the abundance of Nashville pop this week is a cut from the scintillating and sensual Dead Reckoning EP, the latest set of songs from performer Ellery Bonham. It’s truly a great body of work. Look out for the sweat pouring out of your speakers.

_____

JUNIOR PROM – “You, Me, And Joe Strummer” (iTunes) (Spotify)
True story: I originally heard this song back in February 2015 when I was consulting at Atlantic Records, and this act, which was a duo at the time, was signed to sister label Elektra. Times have changed, but the track is still excellent, and I absolutely support it!

_____

MILLINGTON – “Being” (iTunes) (Spotify)
The only international singer in this week’s review is a great discovery from Melbourne, Australia. Tom Millington combines pop and world sounds to create this upbeat stomper, which was written about the joys of his daughter’s birth. Very sweet thing to do!

_____

ROZES – “Under The Grave” (iTunes) (Spotify)
During the summer, the Philadelphia singer dropped “Hangin’ On”, which continues to see some action from a set of remixes. On Friday, “Under” was released, an electronic pop single that sounds like it’s bound for radio play. Will it bloom beyond the blogs?

_____

SLOW SUGAR – “Pieces” (iTunes) (Spotify)
In early August, I covered this New York duo and their track “Hypnotic Love”, which was a great debut. Now, Danielle Harris and Alex Utay return with another solid indie pop song, full of dream and ethereal influences. Check out that wordplay in the chorus.

_____

For more new music, these tunes are worth a listen…
ADAM SAMPLE – “Weekend” (SoundCloud)
AIRPLANE MAN – “Take Me All The Way Home” (SoundCloud)
JAMES DROLL – “Sleepwalker” (SoundCloud)

Want to be featured on this weekly wrap-up? Submit your music to afsoybel@hotmail.com and I’ll check it out. Thanks!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: September 18, 2016

“Blocks” is alive at five.

DEBUTS
40. Fitz & The Tantrums – Roll Up
39. Emeli Sandé – Hurts
38. The Fray – Singing Low | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
32. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – Fire Escape (38)
26. Jordan Fisher – Lookin’ Like That (33)
24. Ellie Goulding – Still Falling For You (30)
13. Saint Motel – Move (19)
05. Michael Bublé – Nobody But Me (13) | BIGGEST MOVER — two weeks

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Troye Sivan featuring Alessia Cara – Wild (07) | PEAK: #06
09. Gavin DeGraw – She Sets The City On Fire (10) | PEAK: #09
08. Passenger – Somebody’s Love (05) | PEAK: #01 for one week
07. Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better (04) | PEAK: #02
06. Colbie Caillat – Goldmine (09) | PEAK: #06
05. Michael Bublé – Nobody But Me (13) | PEAK: #05
04. Serena Ryder – Got Your Number (06) | PEAK: #04
03. Bastille – Good Grief (03) | PEAK: #01 for three weeks
02. Phantogram – You Don’t Get Me High Anymore (02) | PEAK: #02
01. Wrabel – 11 Blocks (01) | PEAK: #01 for five weeks

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. The Score – Unstoppable (2)
2. Tegan And Sara – Stop Desire (1)
3. The Strumbellas – We Don’t Know (4)
4. Nick Fradiani – All On You (6)
5. COIN – Talk Too Much (3)
6. Matt Simons – Lose Control (8)
7. Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own (-)
8. Idina Menzel – Queen Of Swords (-)
9. Nathan Sykes – Famous (-)
10. Tom Chaplin – Hardened Heart (10)

In The Mix:
Adele – Water Under The Bridge
Astrid S – Hurts So Good
Bastille – Send Them Off!
Celine Dion – Recovering
Five For Fighting – Born To Win
Johnnyswim – Let It Matter
JoJo – No Apologies
Joshua Radin – High & Low
Kris Allen – Love Will Find You
Matt Hires – Fighting A Ghost
New District – Ain’t Got Money
Royal Teeth – Kids Conspire
The Mowgli’s – Bad Thing
Third Eye Blind – Company Of Strangers
Tom Chaplin – Quicksand
Tyler Glenn – Shameless
Young Rising Sons – Undefeatable

Chart Notes:

• This week’s Highest Debut is the 12th top 40 hit for The Fray, the Denver act that first made my chart with “Over My Head (Cable Car)” in December 2005. The quartet strikes again with “Singing Low”, entering at #38. It’s the first release from the hits collection Through The Years: The Best Of The Fray, out November 4. Of those 12 chart tracks, eight made the top ten, and two reached #1: 2006’s “How To Save A Life” and 2009’s “You Found Me”.
• This week marks the return of singer Emeli Sandé to my top 40, debuting at #39 with her third charting single, “Hurts”. A new album from the 29-year-old star, Long Live The Angels, is due on November 11. Her first chart song, “Next To Me”, hit #8 for three weeks in the summer of 2012. In the fall of 2013, “My Kind Of Love” climbed to #7.
• Finally, at #40, Los Angeles sextet Fitz & The Tantrums roll up to the countdown with “Roll Up”. It follows “HandClap”, which spent two weeks at #3 in May. Both singles are taken from their self-titled third album. On Tuesday, “Roll” impacts at Alternative radio. Good luck, guys!

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board) (Listen to this week’s chart and more on Spotify)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: September 14, 2008

“So” eight years ago.

It’s the start of another weekend, which means it’s time for another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I feature the highlights of a past countdown. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on.

This week, we stroll back eight years and find out what was topping my chart for the week of September 14, 2008…

Debuts:
37. CHRISTINA AGUILERA, “Keeps Gettin’ Better”
35. SNOW PATROL, “Take Back The City”

Biggest Mover(s):
GAVIN DEGRAW, “Cheated On Me” (39-30, ten spots)

10. LIFEHOUSE, “Broken” (up 1)
Album: Who We Are (2007, Geffen Records)
Peak: #3 for two weeks

09. KID ROCK, “All Summer Long” (down 1)
Album: Rock N Roll Jesus (2008, Top Dog/Atlantic Records)
Peak: #8

08. DAVID COOK, “The Time Of My Life” (down 4)
Album: David Cook (2008, 19/RCA Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

07. O.A.R., “Shattered (Turn The Car Around)” (steady, third week)
Album: All Sides (2008, Everfine/Atlantic Records)
Peak: #2 for five weeks

06. LEONA LEWIS, “Better In Time” (steady, third week)
Album: Spirit (2008, Syco/J/RMG Records)
Peak: #5 for two weeks

05. JON MCLAUGHLIN, “Beating My Heart” (down 2)
Album: OK Now (2008, Island/IDJMG Records)
Peak: #3 for six weeks

04. P!NK, “So What” (up 5)
Album: Funhouse (2008, LaFace Records/Zomba Music Group)
Peak: #1 for six weeks

03. DELTA GOODREM, “In This Life” (up 2)
Album: Delta (2008, Mercury/Decca Records)
Peak: #3 for three weeks

02. COLDPLAY, “Viva La Vida” (steady, third week)
Album: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (2008, Capitol Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

01. DANIEL POWTER, “Next Plane Home” (steady, third week)
Album: Under The Radar (2008, Warner Bros. Records)
Peak: #1 for six weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.