Harry Styles’ “Aperture” has already left #1 in charts around the world. I had thought from the start that it wasn’t a song that would endure, yet radio is supporting it, so we’ll have to see if that continues and the song reaches at least the Top 5. But if it quickly drops out of the Top 100 in the US and the UK, then radio may have prematurely created an unusually short-lived event for this release, which won’t resonate with the radio powers that be. Talk about being used by streaming numbers!
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 features songs from 1973. And if you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
NICHOLAS CAMPBELL, “Tell Me Why Baby”
About the artist: I’ve written about the music of Nicholas Campbell several times since 2023. He’s a Peterborough, Ontario-based DIY talent whose songs straddle country, rockabilly and rock music styles, witness his newly released second album People Like To Talk.
About the record: “Tell Me Why Baby” is reverent 1950’s classic rock updated for today that lives and breathes in the worlds of Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran, The Stray Cats and Robert Gordon. There is just so much to love here, from Nicholas’ eager rasp and polished guitar work, through to some wicked piano playing (could that indeed be Jeanne Truax?). And it’s all self-made, albeit with a lot of help from other talented folks.
Other comments: Nicholas has been touring across Canada feverishly these last few years with more touring on deck. In Toronto, you can catch a Monday night residency at The Cameron House starting in March.
HARRISON, “All the Things She Said”
About the artist: Harrison Manley-Shaw is a British dance producer known for several cover versions of well-known hits.
About the record: Originally released in 2022, Harrison’s cover of t.A.T.u.’s 2002 worldwide smash was awash in the sea of releases that didn’t get traction until it was used recently in the streaming TV show “Heated Rivalry” and went viral. Even without that huge assist, “All the Things She Said” stands on its own merits being so different from the original, thanks to a taut rhythm, a haunting bass synth riff that runs throughout it, and a potent male vocal that recalls James Arthur or Rag ‘n Bone Man.
Other comments: The tale of the tape with this release for indie artists is DON’T GIVE UP, all it takes is ONE song. I’m not big on cover versions but I have to give the music supervisor for “Heated Rivalry” props for championing this release.
JAY BIRD, “Heaven”
About the artist: Jay Bird is a Bay area dance producer currently slaying it in his home city with contemporary disco house concerts as well as his networking group and record label The Birdhouse.
About the record: With his most recent releases like “Higher Calling”, Jay Bird has now embraced disco house productions so well that he’s got the zeigeist of the classic era down pat, mixing it in with contemporary house flavours. I can’t forget to mention the joyful and positive sounds in “Heaven”, from the classy and exuberant uncredited female vocals, the bass synth groove, and even that false ending, which is guaranteed to make club goers remember the song.
Other comments: We cannot get enough of feel good, happy records like “Heaven” in these tense, distracting times.
RYAN GREY, XIRA, “One Night”
About the artists: Originally from Halifax and now based in Toronto, dance music producer/songwriter Ryan Grey established himself in the dance and pop music worlds as Famba, garnering several Canadian and national dance radio hits. XIRA is a go-to vocalist and songwriter in dance music, with releases to date with the likes of Audien and Nicky Romero among others.
About the record: “One Night” begins a new progressive era for Ryan Grey after some time away from the music biz. It’s a vibey, creative tech-house track that washes away the need to concertedly make a hit. What carries over from past releases is a keen sense of melody, and XIRA’s expressive and playful vocal glides on top of it. “One Night” is for late nights in clubs that will keep patrons grooving till breakfast.
Other comments: It’s always risky to put aside a successful project, but “One Night” is only the beginning and Ryan Grey has it in the bag.
GRABBITZ, “Blood on My Hands”
About the artist: Buffalo-born Grabbitz (aka Nicholas Chiari) has established himself during the last decade as a masterful performer and songwriter in the electronic music genre, which has lifted him to recognition and collaboration with some of the genres best, such as Zedd, Illenium, Rezz, Valorant, and Subtronics.
About the record: “Blood on My Hands” is a return to what shaped success for Grabbitz, and that’s bass music. Just when the song seems like it has a deliberate pace in store for us, it shifts gears to a sinfully infectious chorus that lets you bounce along before returning to the song’s inward and dark lyrics. Grabbitz’s earnest vocal is ear-catching, particularly as the tone of his protagonist shifts when some effects come into play conveying the song’s title. Electronic and particularly bass music fans will revel in this one.
Other comments: “Blood on My Hands” cries out for sync placements in video games or animé.
CORMAC, “Defenceless”
About the artist: Cormac Thompson is a 16 year old singer/songwriter currently based in Manchester, England. He is transitioning to original indie pop music after winning songwriting contests and auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent as a child prodigy in the classical genre, where he recorded one album – for Decca Records no less – at age 11.
About the record: “Defenceless” strikes you immediately because it sounds raw and fragile, with Cormac’s voice only supported by an acoustic guitar. The song is about the puzzle of being a teenage boy today, “wanting to be emotionally open, but unsure how that’s meant to look in real life” as well said in its press release. Cormac’s voice is obviously well-trained and he sounds completely assured and at ease singing his first original composition released as a single. “Defenceless” is a great way to showcase his voice in a new setting.
Other comments: I can’t believe how difficult a transition it must be from classical music to indie pop. This may explain why Cormac’s recent singles were covers of pop songs by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Janis Ian, John Denver, and Sia – confuse the streaming algorithms into a new identity! And I can sense that major labels will come a-courting.
MACY, “Please Keep Talking”
About the artist: MACY Landon Jones hails from South Wales and as an indie DIY performer has released two EP’s and several singles to date. She has established herself as a talented force in her own country while also performing at several large concerts and festivals.
About the record: “Please Keep Talking” has a dramatic tone that masks a tongue-in-cheek song. With vibrant production by Zak Lloyd featuring some lush synths, it’s a story about being trapped in one of those awkward conversations that we never want to have. MACY’s vocal is playful but honest, like in those times when you’re talking with someone but turn around to a friend and roll your eyes, hoping eventually to escape. “Please Keep Talking” can’t miss for fans of the likes of Charli XCX and Jessie J.
Other comments: With this feel-good pop track, MACY’s horizons should soon be expanding beyond the UK.
LECX STACY, “With You, I’d Be Closer to God”
About the artist: Lecx Stacy is an indie Filipino-American alternative producer originally from San Diego but now based in L.A. He has released two albums since 2021.
About the record: While he has been known to flow fluidly from genre-to-genre in his songs on his albums, “With You, I’m Closer to God” seems to pull inspiration from producers known for their electronic free-form style like Porter Robinson. That means the song might sound somewhat chaotic to start until it all begins to gel and make sense. More than anything Lecx Stacy wants listeners to feel something from his music. From this single, you might find yourself with a sense of release and hope, and if religion is important to you, then you will find commonality in it from your faith. For me personally, I’d add enjoyable and uplifting, but in an unconventional way.
Other comments: The indie music world continues to need musicians like Lecx Stacy who push boundaries while trying to create new ones.
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.
My new music pick will return next week
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.
“Black Is Black” by Los Bravos was the first big hit for a Spanish rock group in 1966
“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”.
And their KISS dads begat Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, billed together as Stanley Simmons and their first release “Body Down”
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 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 Nashville indie rock quintet The Brook & The Bluff with “Super Bowl Sunday”
“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.
DeFranco Family – Heartbeat – It’s A Lovebeat
Ian Thomas – Painted Ladies
Gladys Knight & The Pips – Midnight Train To Georgia
Lighthouse – Pretty Lady
Art Garfunkel – All I Know
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Dimension & Karen Harding have remained at #1 with “Guardian Angel”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
The bubbly house track “Galaxy” by Kungs and Theophilus London soars 23-15
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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