Every week for the Report, I curate a selection of some of the best new releases I’ve heard recently, often in a cross-section of pop, rock, alternative and dance music tracks, and this week’s tunes cover all of those bases. And have you listened yet to my new all-Canadian hour long show, The MAPL Tapes?
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five brings back some fond memories with songs from 1974. Please do check out the playlist for show #7 of The MAPL Tapes. And if you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30 this week.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
STANLEY SIMMONS, “Dancing While the World Is Ending”
About the artist: Stanley Simmons is the duo of Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, sons of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, whose first single together, “Body Down” (which I wrote about), was well received. They are working on a 10 song debut album.
About the record: While their sound is solid rock and roll, the music of Stanley Simmons is not the same ‘mainstream’ rock and roll style of their fathers. “Dancing While the World Is Ending” is a ribald, fast-paced release that draws inspiration from “roots rock” or “Americana”, with touches of the streetwise sounds of early Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. The vocals don’t hold back and set off a few screams while the arrangement unfolds a strong melody. It’s a record that oozes confidence in the guys’ craft.
Other comments: Stanley Simmons recently announced a series of live dates on the west coast, so they are now fuelling the fire for a bigger tour (on my list!), which will likely happen after their album arrives later this year.
JOHN ROBERTS, “Body Talk”
About the artist: John Roberts is best known as a voice actor for his characterization of Linda Belcher on the long-running FOX TV show “Bob’s Burgers”. But who’d have thought he has a separate gig as an indie pop/dance singer/songwriter who has released two albums? He has collaborated with Debbie Harry and Beth Ditto, and had his songs remixed by The Disco Fries, Tommie Sunshine, Benny Benassi, John “JC” Carr & Bill Coleman, and Junior Sanchez.
About the record: “Body Talk” is a solid house track that has instant pop appeal. John’s vocal is easy on the ears. The song has a sublimely catchy line right before the chorus: “let your freak flag fly / you can say goodbye / to the words and just be free”. It’s an anthem for freedom and confidence, the kind of song whose attitude and positivity shoot straight out of 1970’s disco. “Body Talk” fits in with the rising undercurrent of disco-influenced house tracks that are finding favour with dance music fans.
Other comments: “Body Talk” is co-written and produced by Chris Wallace, who readers of this blog know as the artist behind the buoyant 2012 pop radio hit “Remember When (Push Rewind)”, which reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30. Over the years, Chris has also written songs for The Vamps, Lost Kings and Tinashe.
MANSA, “Car Crash”
About the artist: Mansa is a rising electronic dance producer and vocalist from the UK. Her recent single “Midnight on My Mind” alone has attained over four million streams on Spotify thus far.
About the record: While Mansa’s recent success has been attributed to activity on social media platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, her records themselves also have to be strong to sustain that virality. “Car Crash” is a case in point, a lively techno-house dance track that’s a bonafide earworm, thanks to slick production (including some 2000’s-sounding trancey throwback synth riffs), a well-structured chorus, and a terrific vocal. The authentic lyrics are also a draw to help club patrons invade the dancefloor.
Other comments: “Car Crash” is tailor-made for dance music radio and clubs.
JRDN, “Can’t Go On”
About the artist: JRDN is a Juno Award winning R&B singer originally from Halifax but based in Toronto. He is known best for his pop radio hits “You Can Have It All”, “Like Magic”, and “What Do I Got To Do”.
About the record: JRDN has been quite prolific in recent years, releasing numerous singles and a few EP’s. Sung mainly in his high register, “Can’t Go On” is a quick but intense ride through a relationship that the subject of the song doesn’t want to end. Although JRDN had his first taste of success before the arrival of The Weeknd on the scene, “Can’t Go On” will appeal to fans of The Weeknd as well as other singers like Usher and Ne-Yo. It’s only two minutes long but “Can’t Go On” is engaging and impactful.
Other comments: JRDN’s Juno Award win in 2014 for Best R&B/Soul Recording was for his collaboration with Kardinal Offishall called “Can’t Choose”. Good news – his recent single “Spin”, a collaboration with Pineo & Loeb, is currently breaking at Canadian radio. But to me, there is still not enough support in the Canadian music biz for our male R&B talents like JRDN, otherwise we would hear more than just The Weeknd and Drake on pop radio.
JAY BIRD, “Rise and Shine”
About the artist: Jay Bird is the prolific dance producer from San Jose who I’ve written about many times in these blog pages. “Rise and Shine” follows up his recent single “No Exception”.
About the record: “Rise and Shine” sets out exactly to do what its title says. It’s an ebulliant, fresh-sounding disco house track with vocals right out of the late 70’s or early 80’s, and a rhythm track that’s heavily inspired by early 90’s house like the classic Stonebridge remix of “Show Me Love” by Robin S. Dance club patrons will take to “Rise and Shine” immediately and it could easily be a highlight of a set.
Other comments: I’m always glad to see an artist find his niche – it’s getting hard to keep up with Jay Bird’s releases!
JORDAN ANTHONY, CHLOE CAROLINE, “Existing”
About the artists: I’ve written about the songs of Australia-born Jordan Anthony several times and his song “Hurt Me Sooner” briefly charted recently on the BILLCS Top 30. Chloé Caroline is a L.A.-based singer/songwriter who has been releasing music since 2018, and the pair hit it off a few years ago at a music industry conference.
About the record: “Existing” is the result of finding beautiful harmony between the songwriting and vocal work of two impressive talents. This ballad is a tribute to the special people in our lives and why we are glad to continue to be around them. Both of Chloé and Jordan’s voices get their showcases, Chloé with her warm and touching approach, leaving Jordan to round out the song with his big, soulful tones. The arrangement picks up on the beauty of the song, which started as a piano demo, and there’s also highly complimentary violin work by Vito Gutilla.
Other comments: Duets lately, such as Sam Fender & Olivia Dean’s “Rein Me In” and Alexander Stewart & Lauren Spencer Smith’s “Friends Don’t”, have been dynamic and perhaps being underestimated, so “Existing” is another one for you to check out. It precedes the release of Chloé’s upcoming album Awakening and Jordan’s upcoming debut EP.
CHURCH OF TREES, “Stuck on Me”
About the artist: Church of Trees is an Ottawa-based alternative rock collective whose constant over nine album releases is vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Bernard Frazer. The current incarnation is rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Nick Carriere and drummer Vihar Joshi.
About the record: Church of Trees never holds back to express its reverence for the new wave era of the late 70’s and early 80’s. While they’ve previously released a song called “Like Gary Numan”, “Stuck on Me” has a sneaky keyboard hook that specifically recalls the British artist’s massive hit “Cars”. What’s even better, is that Church of Trees build around that hook, making it a temporary distraction in the midst of some fine guitar work, and vocals that are traded off neatly between Bernard and Nick. “Stuck on Me” should be an instant add for alternative and college radio stations.
Other comments: “Stuck on Me” appears in advance of Church of Trees’ album Ten, celebrating 10 albums in 10 years. Be sure to check them out in concert. I caught one of their Toronto performances last year and really enjoyed it.
ORBIS MAX, “Don’t Lose Me Now”
About the artist: Some artists are finding that they get another opportunity to shine during the streaming era. Orbis Max was formed back in 1973 (!!) by guitarist Don Baake and bassist Craig Carlstrom and are joined by keyboardist Bruce Walker and vocalist/songwriter Dw. Dunphy. This lineup has released three albums together
About the record: I enjoy records that transport you from your living room into a small club setting, and the grittiness and fuzzy guitar sound of “Don’t Lose Me Now” does just that. It’s an energetic, tightly played romp with Dw. Dunphy’s raw vocal fleshing out the setting, also augmented by guest artists guitarist Ed Ryan (of The Rudies) and drummer Daniele Silvestri. The sparse-sounding production also enhances the live-off-the-floor feel of the record.
Other comments: The band members of Orbis Max hail from all over the United States (California, Texas, New Jersey) and are working towards album #4.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
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“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
Previously a DJ Hunter Bop of the Week, now all three of us have chosen “Perfect’s Overrated” by Czech singer/songwriter Nicola Nicoletti
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
It’s the enduring and upbeat “Love Will Keep Us Together” by The Captain & Tennille (1975)
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, and has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my NewMusic 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 the dance-country sound of producers MC4D and vocalist KONG. with “Best is Yet to Come”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. 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.
Cat Stevens – Oh Very Young
Joni Mitchell – Help Me
Albert Hammond – I’m A Train
Helen Reddy – Keep On Singing
Maria Muldaur – Midnight At The Oasis
The featured performer in show #7 is Jon Mullane.
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Sombr obtains his 4th #1 entry with “Homewrecker”, one year to the week of the arrival of “Back to Friends” on the chart
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Zayn gets his first Top 10 solo entry with “Die for Me” (17-8) from his upcoming album Konnakol
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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