In this week’s report, I have another varied selection of new tunes to check out, and it’s kind of a surprise that alternative pop/rock songs have been tweaking my ears in recent weeks more than electronic and dance music. But in remembering all my years and what music has been associated with them – even in the early 90’s where I took a brief liking to some “hair band metal” songs – dance music has always been some part of it. And you can look at my year end lists of favourites from the 90’s and you’ll also see a whole lot of alternative rock, which is no surprise given my college radio roots.
Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits, which is an 80’s treasure trove of Canadian music this week. You’ll also find out what songs were in my Top 5 on the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15 and 20 years ago.
As you may have noticed, I’ve decided to no longer use the words “Spotlighting” or “Featuring” because in truth all of the songs are worth checking out, or else I wouldn’t be writing about them!
The BILLCS New Music Report is always a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me at through my social media links right here.
BENSON BOONE, “To Love Someone”
While ballads by male singers are not exactly in vogue right now, there is no shortage of fine ones if you care to look. Benson Boone’s “In The Stars” made a surprise breakthrough to Top 40 radio this past summer, more than a year after it was released (it peaked at #2 on the BILLCS Top 30 last year). By then, Benson had been touring a lot and released a solid follow up EP Pulse, which featured some rock efforts like the infectious “Coffee Cake” (it recently peaked at #3 on the BILLCS Top 30). So with the belated success of “In The Stars”, it’s no surprise that another ballad has been released, but it is indeed a beaut. “To Love Someone” has a composed, fervidly emotional vocal by Benson and a story with which anyone will identify. I’m not normally a ballad fan, but with the right singer, production and lyrics, it can hit a home run. Ballad lovers and fans of great pop songs need to put “To Love Someone” on their priority listening list.
WH0, “Rock The Party”
With their recent 90’s flavoured house track “What You Need” with Steve Angello topping the BILLCS Top 30, we get to take another dive into the latest from UK mystery dance producers WH0. These guys know their pop and house music history and how to create a sneaky groove with some inspired Daft Punk influence. Instantly recognizable is the hook from the 1988 house classic “Weekend” by the amazing Todd Terry, which some of you may know more when it was sampled in “Tonight It’s Party Time” by the Barry Harris 90’s project Outta Control. Along with original synth work, they have melded it with funky beats from The Clash’s “Rock The Casbah”. “Rock The Party” is a quick but slick slice of fun that is an instant club party starter.
PRINCE PARIS, “Where I Wanna Be”
Montreal’s Prince Paris returns to the dance music scene, having only released a handful of singles since 2019, with the clever “Where I Wanna Be”. In his early career, Prince Paris, as part of DJ duo Paris & Simo, toured with David Guetta and played some of the biggest festivals in the world. Striking out on his own in 2016, he released singles with the likes of Karen Harding and Billie Eilish’s award winning brother Finneas. “Where I Wanna Be” brings him back full circle, with a Eurohouse-meets-trance melody that’s set to parts of Beverley Craven’s Top 5 1991 UK hit “Promise Me”, which dance music fans will also know was sampled by producer Lazard in 2002 for “4 O’Clock in the Morning” (which peaked at #8 on the BILLCS Top 30). I’m totally digging the trance revival of sorts this year and “Where I Wanna Be” is a dynamic addition for any club DJ’s who know that their audiences love a mix of house and trance. I’d also pitch it to dance music radio programmers looking to spice up their playlists with a tight and friendly slice of ear candy.
LØ SPIRIT, “Wild Things”
One of my biggest surprises of 2023 came early on when progressive electronic dance producers Dabin and Kai Wachi brought Atlanta singer/songwriter Lø Spirit (aka Josh Landry) aboard for “Hollow”. That explosively emotional slice of future bass reached #5 on the BILLCS Top 30, and with the more alternative rock-oriented “Wild Things”, we get to hear more what Lø Spirit offers as a solo artist. “Hollow” showed off Lø Spirit’s vocal range – a singer who can scream from the bottom of his lungs and still have amazing control and resonance in his singing voice. “Wild Things” shows some of that power in the chorus, but the emphasis here is more on melodic structure and lyrics about taking a chance to follow your hopes and dreams for something better. It’s a lovely song that continues to showcase the potential of Lø Spirit.
THE DISCO FRIES, “Turn The Lights Off”
New Jersey Disco Fries guys Nick and Danny follow up their recent album Another World with the gritty deep house of “Turn the Lights Off”. Led by an uncredited spoken/sung male vocal, this original composition is a quickie at only 2:19, so you might want to opt for the extended mix (above) at 3:03. It’s a taut, late night track that veers away from the pop/dance delights that The Disco Fries often present to us. So while it’s not recognizably Disco Fries, “Turn The Lights Off” is totally geared for clubs and DJ’s can have a lot of fun with it.
THE CAPRIS, “Melancholy Blues”
Meet The Capris, a new quartet from County Tyrone, Ireland that comprises vocalist Odhran, bassist Jonny, guitarist Padraic, and drummer Delaney. What hits you right in the face about “Melancholy Blues” when it begins to soar is that Odhran’s voice is a ringer for Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill, equally expressive, raspy, and passionate in his performance. The Capris have a stalwart, world-weary sound about them that will resonate with rock music fans. There isn’t a lot of flash but their sound is tidy and earnest, and will undoubtedly sound their best in live performance. I’m not too sure what “Melancholy Blues” is all about in the end but it’s an enjoyable first listen from The Capris.
CAYO COCO, “Stay Awhile”
Get a taste of L.A.-based indie singer/songwriter Cayo Coco’s second album Cosmic Healing with “Stay Awhile”. While the album was just released last week, “Stay Awhile” and another track, the much fiercer rocker “Haunt”, previewed the album as single releases. They certainly show two sides to Cayo Coco, whose real name is Lumen Loraine. “Stay Awhile” is a more melodic rocker that shows the singer in restless mode, alone and not knowing how to read people before jumping into a relationship, and looking to heal and understand it all better. While Cayo Coco is American, I hear a lot of British influence – intended or not – in this song, reminding me of early 80’s new wave and 2000’s UK singers like Patrick Wolf. The cool thing about “Stay Awhile” is that the song doesn’t seem to be headed in a particular direction at the start, but it shifts a few times, keeping your attention the entire time, and ends up somewhere unexpected by the end that I think you’ll enjoy.
SEVEN SPIES, “Lie”
“Lie” is only the second single release from London alternative rock duo Seven Spies, which comprises guitarist, pianist and vocalist David Blomiley and drummer/vocalist Olly Brown. It’s a touching rock ballad about love that is never meant to be, for whatever reason or excuse, because the other person is not ready and can’t seem to articulate that. The intense chorus captures those times of confusion and anger when you just can’t figure out what is going on. The sound of Seven Spies seems to draw from the likes of Muse, Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon, and “Lie” was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Alex Wharton (The Beatles, Radiohead and many more). At times I think the recording holds back a bit but thanks to a memorable chorus, “Lie” serves as a fitting introduction to Seven Spies.
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 30 times/week on online radio stations around the world.
Spain’s The Boy from the South with “Man Down”
“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. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”.
Russ’ pick of the week will return
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.
NYC pop and musical theatre artist Vinny Marchi with buddy Jason Juliano for “Bad Days Good”
“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.
Martha and The Muffins (M+M)- Black Stations/White Stations (1984)
Parachute Club – Walk To The Rhythm of Your Heartbeat (1986)
Pukka Orchestra – Might As Well Be on Mars (1984)
Spoons – Nova Heart (1982)
Platinum Blonde – Doesn’t Really Matter (1984)
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 PHANTOM OF THE DANCE FLOOR – Kiesza featuring Philippe Sly
02 VERONA Peter Wilson & Sean Smith
03 LOYAL Odesza
04 TIM Arty
05 ONE LAST TIME Gromee featuring Jesper Jenset
2013
01 ADORN Miguel (remix featuring Jessie Ware)
02 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E
03 SOMEBODY LOVES YOU Betty Who
04 APPLAUSE Lady Gaga
05 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald
2008
01 RELAPSE Jesse McCartney
02 SPIRALLING Keane
03 KILL THE LIGHTS David Usher
04 LET IT ROCK Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne
05 ELECTRIC FEEL MGMT
2003
01 SUPERFABULOUS BT featuring Rose McGowan
02 DEEPEST BLUE Deepest Blue
03 THE FORCE OF GRAVITY BT featuring JC Chasez
04 NOW YOU’RE GORGEOUS NOW YOU’RE GONE Joe Firstman
05 VIBRATE Rufus Wainwright
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