Every week, I listen to 30-40 new songs for the BILLCS New Music Report and perhaps eventually for my bi-weekly BILLCS Top 30 chart. Some songs may carry over for a few weeks until I make my decision about them. I pay careful attention to the “growers”, because I can’t decide on some songs until after more than two listens. The songs are usually listened to playlist-style, so in a way they are competing with each other for attention, and to determine how well they would be played in a mix of songs. So that’s my weekly strategy to bring you some great new tunes!
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, whose songs are from 1977-78 this week. You’ll also see what songs were in my Top 5 in my BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20… years ago feature. There are a few nice surprises on these charts, and in two of those years, Armin van Buuren had the #1 songs!
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
JOHNNY ORLANDO, ALI GATIE, “When I’m Gone”
“When I’m Gone” is a bit of a grower, which is perhaps why Canadian pop radio hasn’t latched onto it as hard as past Johnny Orlando and Ali Gatie releases. But it’s a fine, particularly well-produced song with some familiar bits, and two voices which offset each other nicely. 20 year-old Johnny, a Mississauga, Ontario native, especially sounds super, more soulful than past releases, while Toronto-based Iraqi-Canadian Ali’s voice is instantly recognizable. At times, the melody reminds me of Mario Winans’ early 00’s hit “I Don’t Wanna Know”, but that’s where the comparisons end. Give “When I’m Gone” some time and it may just be one of your new favourites. To me, it’s a song-in-waiting as an international breakout for both artists.
Johnny Orlando plays the 1MX Music Festival at Dockyards in London, England on July 8th.
GATTÜSO, JALJA, “Out Of My Mind”
NYC-based, Israel-born dance producer GATTÜSO is back with some crisp deep house with “Out Of My Mind”, featuring rising British vocalist Jalja, whose voice is finding its way onto a number of dance releases as of late. “Out Of My Mind” is definitely one for the dance clubs, an ideal late night track about those times when you regret making certain decisions. Jalja has a dynamic voice that I’m sure we’ll continue to hear more of, and GATTÜSO offers a lot of fresh synth sounds which set “Out Of My Mind” apart from the rest.
TIM YOUNG, “Lavender”
“Lavender” is an engaging, loud, no-holds-barred track by Grammy-certified NYC singer/songwriter Tim Young (for his work in the film “The Greatest Showman” and the stage play soundtrack for “Dear Evan Hansen”). Despite the song being, as he says “gay AF” because of his own experience with the smell of lavender, many of us have had times in our lives that when someone leaves a relationship, or even a room, their scent is left behind. And that smell also gets stuck in your head and messes with it too. Tim’s vocal is alternately sensitive and wild in a busy but successful arrangement, and ultimately “Lavender” gets snugly under your skin.
CHET PORTER, “222”
Quickly following up the dazzling “Today, Tomorrow, Forever”, Canadian electronic producer Chet Porter brings us the busy and lush “222”. This instrumental is a real soundscape of synths. There’s so much going on here that it takes a few listens before your ears can figure out where they want to focus. “222” is essentially a symphony of sorts unto itself, with all of the synths and effects providing a futuristic overall sound. If a variation of “222” was played on traditional instruments, it would probably be a progressive classical piece, so you’re bound to enjoy its musicality as well as all of the additional sound flourishes that Chet provides.
FEATURING
OSVALDO SUPINO, “Drip Drop”
Following up his recent pop delight “Stuck on This Feeling”, Italy’s Osvaldo Supino continues to preview an upcoming album with the darker house sounds of “Drip Drop”. In it, he muses about being free of many distractions in order to focus on what’s going on and being authentic. “Drip Drop” has a hypnotic rhythm and a vocal by Osvaldo that gently seduces you to surrender to real living. Lucky European and UK fans will have a chance to see talented Osvaldo performing live on a summer tour that begins next month.
XANA, “babyblue”
Following the acoustic “bet you’ll get off on this”, Vancouver singer/songwriter Xana returns with the driving, emotional alt.pop of “babyblue”. Whereas with “get off” Xana channeled singers like Jewel and Brandi Carlile, here it’s a mix of them along with Melissa Etheridge and Alanis Morissette. “babyblue” is a promising track that’s the aural equivalent of pouring through old yearbooks, photos, and journals, and realizing what kind of a life you’ve had so far, but also reminiscing about those who are elsewhere in the world, or even gone from our lives, and wondering if they’re still okay. The vocal effects at the end of the song – reminding me somewhat of Laurie Anderson’s early 80’s songs – represent an outpouring of the mixed emotions of the song, but overall the creativity of “babyblue” leaves you satisfied and smiling.
LEXI MARIAH, “No Worries”
“No Worries” is a fun electronic dance bop that will keep your ears perked up while you pay attention to the relatable lyrics in this original co-written by Connecticut singer Lexi Mariah. It’s a welcome slice of energetic dance pop from this singer, whose voice I have mentioned previously would sound great next to songs by Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha and others. “No Worries” has dashes of Britney and Miley that will extend the appeal of the song, which is about brushing off your worries without appearing to feel slighted, but masking those feelings deeper inside. Stick with “No Worries” and you’ll be happy you did.
CLAUDIA CAPPELLETTI, “Mine”
Italian singer/songwriter Claudia Cappelletti brings us a powerful new song that speaks to women’s rights in particular called “Mine”. Claudia has a commanding, convincing, almost Broadway-styled voice that exudes passion for her subject. For a lot of women, “Mine” could also be about realizing that you are unique and worthy as a person. But anthemic qualities and direct lyrics that Claudia has created in “Mine” are sure to grab you and make you think, especially of the women around the world who even today have little rights in their own countries because their societies refuse to change, for reasons often pointing at religion. Claudia has had so far only a handful of releases since 2020 and I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more from her.
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.
Emirati dance duo Revelries are back with “Down on You”
“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.
UK’s The Kaiser Chiefs have released their first new music in 4 years with “How 2 Dance”
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.
Former American Idol top seven finalist 23 year old Catie Turner with “Hyperfixations”
“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.
Cheap Trick – I Want You To Want Me
John Travolta & Olivia Newton John – You’re The One That I Want
Player – Baby Come Back
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
David Soul – Don’t Give Up On Us
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago…
2018
01 SATISFY Mercer featuring Ron Carroll
02 EVERYBODY HATES ME The Chainsmokers
03 17 MK
04 BABY I’M A QUEEN Sofi Tukker
05 BUTTERSCOTCH Robotaki featuring Jamie Fine & FALCXNE
2013
01 BLUE ELECTRIC ROSES Travis Garland
02 GET LUCKY Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
03 OUTTA MY MIND Matt Blue
04 VOCAL Pet Shop Boys
05 SOMEBODY TO LOVE ME Eli Escobar featuring Nomi Ruiz
2008
01 GOING WRONG Armin van Buuren featuring Chris Jones
02 AMERICAN BOY Estelle featuring Kanye West
03 MERCY Duffy
04 LET GO Paul Van Dyk featuring Rea Garvey
05 AFTER TONIGHT Justin Nozuka
2003
01 YET ANOTHER DAY Armin van Buuren featuring Ray Wilson
02 BRING ME TO LIFE Evanescence featuring Paul McCoy
03 CLOCKS Coldplay
04 THE REMEDY (I WON’T WORRY) Jason Mraz
05 DUST.WAV Perpetuous Dreamer [aka Armin van Buuren]
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