My next vacation is on deck on Thursday, I’m just hoping as I write this that it doesn’t get foiled by the weather. I’m off to Las Vegas tomorrow, where I plan to see shows by Martin Garrix, Afrojack and Nicky Romero, none of whom I’ve ever seen before. So I’m sure any words about the artists will be reported back through either this blog post or the next one for my chart, the BILLCS Top 30, on Monday.
In addition to the posts about individual songs, you can read about my pick of the week, along with picks from online radio buddies “Big Daddy” Russ Horton and Hunter Wilbur. “The Musicman” James Rogers is 70’s soul tripping this week with his Classic Five pop hits feature. You’ll also see what debuted on the BILLCS Top 30 from 2018 to 2022!
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
Kx5, SOFI TUKKER, “Sacrifice”
The releases from Kx5 (Kaskade and Deadmau5’s recent project) keep getting better with their fifth one, “Sacrifice”, in collaboration with the wonderful twice-Grammy nominated duo Sofi Tukker. This production is full of both the power and subtleties that you might expect from two masters of the electronic music genre, adding the duo’s Tucker Halpern into that mix. Sophie Hawley-Weld’s vocal on “Sacrifice” is easily one of her best, and in tandem with an ultra-rich backdrop, makes the song so memorable. Expect “Sacrifice” to follow Kx5’s “Escape” to similar levels of success, perhaps even crossing over to Top 40 radio.
GREG OAKLAND, TARA LOUISE, “Never Temporary”
“Never Temporary” transports me back to the early 2000’s days of trance-techno hybrids that were prevalent by Armin van Buuren, Gabriel & Dresden and others. So it’s no wonder that Future Sound of Egypt has tapped into another of NYC-based rising producer Greg Oakland’s works. “Never Temporary” is riddled with high points, not the least of which is the outstanding vocal by Tara Louise. The song rarely lets up and like the best of trance music, paints a visual story in your head. I was so pleased when Greg shared “Never Temporary” with me early, well before it was signed, because this is the kind of song dance labels do not want to pass up, and voilà! Be sure to check it out!
VICTOR RAY, “Hollow”
Victor Ray hails from Newcastle, England and his claim to fame is as a busker and You Tuber whose cover of Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” went viral, which also launched considerable London media attention for him. Victor has a gorgeous, deep tone to his voice which sets him apart from other singers, especially when he reaches the lower end of his range, and makes originals like “Hollow” so compelling. “Hollow” is about a guy who can’t resist getting involved with someone he shouldn’t and ends up trapped in his own fantasy. The arrangement allows Victor to rock out while alternately sounding remorseful and helpless with the protagonist’s decision. With songs like “Hollow”, Victor Ray looks to have a promising 2023 ahead, so watch for more from him.
JAY BIRD, “Feel The Love” and “All Night Long”
Bay area electronic dance producer Jay Bird has been making his tech house skills razor sharp, and has created two fun bangers. Crank up those speakers or headphones for both “Feel The Love” and “All Night Long” and your feet might find them getting ahead of themselves. “Feel The Love” (above) works its deliberate repetition against a percolating house rhythm, while “All Night Long” (below) is my favourite of the two. It’s a bassy bounce-filled track with a droll female vocal that would sound great next in a set next to songs by Fisher or Hugel, making this release a promising “double A” single particularly for club DJ’s.
FEATURING
JUDE YORK, “Mr. Porcelain”
Following his success last year through Australia’s pre-Eurovision show “Australia Decides”, which sadly is no more, as well as the resulting single, “I Won’t Need To Dream”, pop singer/songwriter Jude York returns with the sincerely whimsical “Mr. Porcelain”. Jude shares his truth with us as he describes his ideal boy crush, and the song evokes all of the feelings we may have had at one point or another when we see or meet someone gorgeous and have no idea what to say to them. The tone is dreamy rather than full of regret over this possible missed opportunity, because we can still fantasize, can’t we? “Mr. Porcelain” is sheer delight and Jude’s nuanced vocal captures everything he wants to say beautifully.
MELØ, “King Of Nothing”
Windsor, Ontario based indie alt.rock artist MELØ returns with “King of Nothing”, a follow-up to his EP from last year called Things We Lost, which contains the well-received single “Mysteria”. “King of Nothing” draws heavily on the alt.rock influences of the 90’s from artists like Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, or Our Lady Peace, with an insistent melody that will make you hum along while you try to decipher MELØ’s cryptic story of the title character. The well-directed video for the song above might give some clues as you see some familiar images adapted from a few films, but overall, “King Of Nothing” does a great job at being a curious but highly listenable enigma.
MOONWOOD, “Lady In Red”
Australian-American rockers Moonwood return with “Lady In Red”, which follows the release of last year’s EP Everything We Once Knew, subsequently re-recorded live as well. Moonwood’s music is spirited and often anthemic that is likely best heard in concert. But on record, the band has a clean, tight sound led by the fantastic voice of Jake McCullough. “Lady In Red” does not disappoint and is anchored by some impressive, vibrant guitar work. Moonwood delivers precisely what they intend which is exactly what they need to get to the next level.
JAROD GLAWE, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Just Enough for Love”
I always enjoy it when two artists who thrive in a particular style of music collaborate unexpectedly to create a fine release together. Chicago dance producer Jarod Glawe visited the BILLCS Top 30 a while back with vocalist Robin Vine for the lovely “Belong To You”, and of course multi-talented Robbie Rosen is a regular visitor to the blog and chart, reaching #1 on the Top 30 late last year with “The Boss”. “Just Enough for Love” is a lighter melodic track full of dreamy lyrics that makes good use of vocal effects like an instrument, rather than just to distort the vocal, and has a riveting bass line that resonates throughout the song.
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.
“I Go Dancing” by Canada’s Frank Walker and the UK’s Ella Henderson
“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.
“Hey (I Miss You)” by Armin van Buuren featuring Ex-Strumbellas vocalist Simon Ward
HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP 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.
New Canadian singer Tyler Lorette with “Shattered”
“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.
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
Isaac Hayes – Theme From “Shaft”
Bill Withers – Lean On Me
O’Jays – Love Train
BILLCS TOP 30 CHART DEBUTS 2018-2022
2022:
23 THE LAST GOODBYE Odesza featuring Bettye LaVette
26 REFLECTION Years & Years
27 COLD SHOULDER Electric Polar Bears featuring Katie Sky
28 NO RELATION Jully Black
2021:
24 LOOK AT THE SKY Porter Robinson
25 BOYS Lauren Mayhew & INViDA
27 PRESSURE Martin Garrix featuring Tove Lo
2020:
21 BACKFIRE Deep Chills & Not Famous
24 YESTERDAY Gareth Emery & Nash featuring Linney
25 FALL-OUT Revelries, BOYBOYBOY & Will Church
27 LOOK INTO MY EYES brando
2019:
22 LOVE Simon Curtis
24 LONDON Mokita
25 DANCING WITH A STRANGER Sam Smith featuring Normani
26 LET’S GET THIS THING STARTED John Christian
27 TAKE IT OFF Two Friends
2018:
26 PRISONER Bobby Nourmand featuring Laurent John
27 BLAME Ekali & ZHU
29 MUSIC TO MY EARS Keys N Krates featuring Tory Lanez
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