Let the new music take control… 🙂
Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers has his Classic Five pop hits feature, which zeroes in on the years 1976-77. If you missed it you’ll also find out what’s on top of the BILLCS Top 30 as well as the Fastest Riser on the chart.
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.
REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.
SPOTLIGHTING
GARETH EMERY, MARIA LYNN, “Missing You” (Ben Gold remix)
Something Gareth Emery always does well is to create an emotional ballad that goes over particularly well at his spectacular laser-laden concerts or at festivals. While the original of “Missing You” is half-ballad and half-rave up, British trance producer and remixer Ben Gold revs up the rhythm in the first half, and creates an even more layered, enhanced second half. While leaving Maria Lynn’s tender vocal in tact, Ben’s remix actually cranks up the euphoria level which turns a very good ballad into a heartfelt and fervid anthem. At the end, a big comforting hug is highly recommended.
joegarratt, “Uncanny”
British electronic alternative pop singer/songwriter joegarratt has an out-of-left-field surprise with “Uncanny”. In the song he zeroes in on the essence of the dream pop sub-genre by creating a song about basking in success while losing sight of what else is important outside of that achievement. The song has a moving, uncharacteristic structure (watch for a false ending along the way), and the melody is moody but rhythmic enough to keep you swaying. joegarratt’s voice at times seems disembodied but still affecting, and I would draw “Uncanny” to the attention of fans of Porter Robinson and James Blake.
CHET PORTER, fknsyd, “Today Tomorrow Forever”
It’s often quite a treat when Canadian progressive electronic whiz Chet Porter drops a new song, and “Today Tomorrow Forever” is his first in about two years. Teaming up with rising electronic star fknsyd (about whom little is known online, though she has already collaborated with the likes of R.L. Grime, Rezz, and Manila Killa), “Today Tomorrow Forever” bursts with energy in a playful mix that uses its effects judiciously. It’s the kind of song that will make your ears perk up and immediately take notice when you hear it at a concert or festival. Experimental and jubilant, if “Today Tomorrow Forever” is a taste of Chet Porter mach-2023, then I can’t wait to hear more.
MAHALO, MONEY FOR NOTHING, “Everlasting”
L.A.-based dance producer Mahalo teams up with British production duo Money For Nothing for the deep house bliss of “Everlasting”. That uncredited female vocal sounds awfully familiar – perhaps co-writer UK singer Gabrielle Aplin – and it’s the focal point of this banger, particularly all those stunning high notes. There’s definitely a lot of chemistry that went into such a tidy but infectious mix, with some dashes of techno, by all of the players. “Everlasting” should have no problem drumming up support at dance music radio and in clubs.
FEATURING
KACEY FIFIELD, NIPPANDAB, “Petty”
“Petty” is a grower that you shouldn’t sleep on, so make sure that it gets your full attention for a couple of spins. Co-written with mentor and frequent blog visitor Robbie Rosen, and produced by India’s Nippandab (who was also at the control’s for Kacey’s house-flavoured “Toxic” from last summer from her album Between The Lines), “Petty” creates its own lane for Kacey among her songs largely for young adults and teens, and she minces no sentiments in calling out a previous friend/lover for their inconsiderate behaviour and actions. “Petty” is a swift turnaround back to dance music after the recent and more acoustic “Selfish”, and Nippandab navigates the course with rich deep house rhythms and synths.
JULIAN CROSS, AFROJACK, “All I Need”
“All I Need” is a perfectly agreeable eurohouse track that goes down easy that partners fresh vocalist Julian Cross with the legend who is Afrojack. It’s a fine showcase for Belgian singer Julian, who had his first big break as a teenager a few years ago and has never looked back through his association with the Armada label. And having the opportunity to team up with Afrojack is no mean feat even with that connection. “All I Need” has a bright, and memorable synth hook and a rhythm that doesn’t let up. Julian’s voice totally suits the song, though I wish it would have had an opportunity to soar at points when the melody does just that, which could have lent it some anthemic qualities. I think more could be brought out in “All I Need” in remixes.
MOONWOOD, “Curfew”
Australia-based rock quintet Moonwood have a great flair for melody within the genre, which carries relatable stories and particularly cool vocals by singer Jake McCullough. Following up the recent single “Lady In Red”, “Curfew” offers a familiar mix of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards and a classic rock song structure, and it’s all tight and spot on. So if your thing is early 2000s’ rock by Lifehouse, Fuel, Powderfinger and others, Moonwood does a fine job of reigniting that appeal and reshaping that sound for the 2020’s.
DEEP CHILLS, TILSEN, “Goodbye”
“Goodbye” is a warm and touching midtempo melodic house track that ruminates over those times where relationships come to an end. Italian producer Deep Chills reteams with Canadian singer/songwriter Tilsen, who offers up an empathetic vocal in her high range as she relates the feelings after the fact while knowing that there is no other solution. Deep Chills delivers his usual classy arrangement which grasps the various moods within the song at the right times along with providing other subtleties in the background.
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.
The Disco Fries and Eche Palante team up for “Give Me Your Soul”,
which is also the highest debut on the BILLCS Top 30 at #24.
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online stations Radio GTA, Halton Hills Radio Online, & FM108.ca.
“Mrs. Hollywood” by Australia’s Go Jo
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.
“perfect” by Finnish singer henri
“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.
Bay City Rollers – Saturday Night
Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh What A Night)
Leo Sayer – You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Rich Girl
ABBA – Dancing Queen
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
“Enchanté” by Lewis Thompson featuring Clementine Douglas
BILLCS Top30 FASTEST RISER
Atlanta dance producer Niko The Kid with vocalist MAYLYN and “Only One” (27-17)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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