The Report returns after my European holiday with a wide variety within the six featured songs. But it’s only a temporary return. Still in vacation mode, there will be no Report next week as I’m off to New York City which will include a concert by Harry Styles. And on the day I return, I’m looking forward to seeing Canadian faves Crash Adams in concert again.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out a record of the week from “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. This week, “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five highlights some great releases from 1971. Please do check out the playlist for my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes Show #27, with songs by featured artist Tyler Shaw, which you can now listen to on Mixcloud. And speaking of Harry Styles, his track “Daydreaming” reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 four years ago this week, so you’ll also find a Flashback Chart for that week.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
GREYSON CHANCE, “Dirty Laundry”
About the artist: Greyson Chance is the Oklahoma-based former child piano prodigy turned alternative pop artist, who is about to undertake the release of his fifth album, Boystown, later this month. It has already been preceded by two singles that I’ve written about, “Sugar Rush” and “Jock Porn”.
About the record: “Dirty Laundry” is Greyson’s most danceable release in a while – it could easily be remixed as a piano house track if he wanted – but like the previous singles, this is Greyson laying his life experiences out there bare, unabashedly bold and queer. Coming out of a long-term relationship at the top of the year, Greyson has processed some of the resulting thoughts and emotions through new and unique songs, a difficult journey getting there for sure, but authentic results like “Dirty Laundry” will only see his fan base grow. There are some obviously prickly personal lyrics here in an overall tone that gets softened along the way, and the melody, production, and Greyson’s piano work are stellar.
Other comments: Some people found his previous release, 2022’s Palladium, somewhat bleak despite many uplifting moments. Working with Canadian producer/songwriter John Fellner has resulted in more well-rounded songs that capture a unique and hopeful perspective, and are ALWAYS interesting.
DIAMOND CAFÉ, “Angel Dust”
About the artist: I’ve been writing about Diamond Café since before he was! Otherwise known as Tristan Thompson from Victoria, British Columbia, he’s an alternative pop/soul/electronic artist who not only produces but provides all of the instrumentation himself – he’s a dynamite guitar player in concert.
About the record: “Angel Dust” stretches the boundaries for Diamond Café into progressive soul territory that includes other artists like Steve Lacy, Jean Dawson and Master Peace. The song is about obsession/addiction and being in too deep before it’s too late. The song uses the unconventional imagery of drug usage to amplify the intensity. Diamond Café also uses distortion effectively in his vocals while also adding powerful harmonies. It’s definitely a more out-of-left-field release than usual for him, but it works.
Other comments: Diamond Café is performing in L.A. on September 12 and in NYC on September 19. Check out his socials for further details!
MAIAH WYNNE, “See the Water”
About the artist: Maiah Wynne is the Colorado-born, Oregon-based singer and musician who has released much of her own music during the last decade, but is best known as the vocalist for Envy of None, the rock project of Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and fellow Canadian bassist Andy Curran. Envy of None has released two albums to date.
About the record: Maiah has a pristine vocal that is showcased in “See the Water”. It’s an intricate, complex folk-rock track which weaves a story about self-worth that transposes anxieties and doubts into the form of a creature who is out to pull down the protagonist of the song. You’ll also hear dulcimer (to which she wrote the track), bozouki, mandolin, and cello in a song that is heavily rooted in folk music culture, yet is still very contemporary as well. Fans of Florence & The Machine, St. Vincent and even more traditional folk groups like Clannad will be drawn the most to “See the Water”.
Other comments: Maiah Wynne will release her album Into the Waves on September 25, and yes there will be guitar contributions from Alex Lifeson. Check out the video for “See the Water” at the following link: Water
NICOLA NICOLETTI, “Free and Bound”
About the artist: Nicola Nicoletti is a new indie DIY multi-lingual pop/electronic performer from Czechia, who released his debut album Gilded earlier this year, as well as the standout single “Perfect’s Overrated”, which reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30 and has received over a million and a half streams on Spotify.
About the record: “Free and Bound” comes from Nicola’s follow up EP, Rewritten, and has a similar musical vibe to the track “Shallow Game” from Gilded. The songwriting, however, is equally as creative as in “Perfect’s Overrated”, and “Free and Bound” contains several hooks which will keep you listening. The singer has an immensely likeable vocal that goes down easily, which I hope one day can be translated into live performances.
Other comments: Nicola Nicoletti is evidently the performing name for Julian Greco, who appears in the credits for all of his songs. Interestingly, in the songs on the Rewritten EP, he has credited the use of AI for instrumentation and vocals. I’m fine with that as long as AI can continue to be used as a tool effectively to enhance the musical experience rather than to intentionally replace human presence and effort.
MELØ, “Panic No More”
About the artist: Windsor, Ontario native MELØ (aka Carmen Rivolta) follows up his recent single “Falling Through Eternity” with another boldy different alternative rock track.
About the record: “Panic No More” is about those times in life when we don’t really know if we want to move forward, and have to put behind anxieties and other baggage in order to do so confidently. I hear a lot of 70’s UK rock influence in this one, particularly David Bowie but also glam rock like T. Rex. It’s a more unconventional production for MELØ, this time finding him singing in a head voice during the chorus and using a vocal effect to broaden the mood of the song. The refrain of “somebody’s watching me” is also used effectively given the theme of the song.
Other comments: MELØ’s got a chameleon-like style that leaves a lot for open-minded ears with each release.
A.D.A.M. MUSIC PROJECT, “Rampage”
About the artist: The A.D.A.M. Music Project is an indie hard rock collective led by vocalist/guitarist/producer Adam Degraide, which landed a US Mainstream Rock radio chart hit recently with “Punch Out”. “Rampage” follows the release of AMP’s seventh album since 2022, Knocked Down.
About the record: “Rampage” fuses a lot of classic hard rock elements (to my ears, influences from Judas Priest, Megadeth and others), and it’s made more memorable by the powerhouse vocal by Lacy Saunders. The AMP is heavily connected to gaming culture, so their music is especially suited for sync placements in video games and animated movies. The guitar-bass combo is suitably tight and crunchy, which helps make “Rampage” an ear-grabber.
Other comments: The video for “Rampage” is inspired by the iconic Japanese Kaiju (怪獣) genre, in which AI monster versions of Adam and Lacy go about destroying a downtown city.
Show #27 with songs by featured artist Tyler Shaw
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK and
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
These features will return on September 17
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s Morgan Wallen with “Been By Now”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, including Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s Swedish country singer Jay Smith with “Fast Lane”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays – returning September 22). The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Santana – Black Magic Woman
Stephen Stills – Love The One You’re With
Osmonds – Yo-Yo
The Bells – Stay Awhile
Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
FLASHBACK CHART – 2022
In anticipation of a great concert at Madison Square Garden by Harry Styles next week, here’s this week’s Flashback Chart with Harry at #1!
01 01 DAYDREAMING Harry Styles
03 02 DUSK Manila Killa & Lights
02 03 SUPERSTAR Darin
05 04 BREAK MY SOUL Beyoncé
07 05 JIMI Francesco Yates
10 06 FREE YOURSELF Jessie Ware
09 07 CHERISH THE DAY Javi
15 08 MUSIC Petawane
14 09 CONFUSION GIRL COMPLETED Frankmusik
12 10 LOVE THAT ABOUT YOU McEwen
13 11 OPHELIA Louis Pax
04 12 MEMORIES Conan Gray
06 13 ROMANCE WITH A MEMORY Oliver Sim
19 14 LET’S ALL DANCE (OUR LAST SUMMER) Lola Dutronic
16 15 GYPSY WOMAN (LA DA DEE) Steve Void, Sharon Doorson
18 16 YOU Menrva, MOYA
21 17 SUMMER NIGHTS DVBBS, Brandyn Burnette
22 18 TURN ON THE LIGHTS AGAIN Fred Again.., Swedish House Mafia, Future
27 19 AFRAID TO FEEL LF System
23 20 STAINED GLASS Severman, Arshan Joel, Robbie Rosen
08 21 IN THE STARS Benson Boone
26 22 BUT NOT TONIGHT Paul Van Dyk, Christian Burns
28 23 ATHENA Greyson Chance
NEW 24 BAD HABIT Steve Lacy
29 25 WELCOME BACK HOME Showtek, MC Ambush
NEW 26 THE BOSS Coopex, Charles B, Robbie Rosen
11 27 CROWN We Are Fury, Brassie, Kyle Reynolds
NEW 28 FULL FORCE Luca + Giam, Sam Merkin
17 29 MIND OF MINE Henrikz, Danny Dearden
20 30 THE EDGE Niviro, Harley Bird
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