It’s like old home week circa 2016 here at the BILLCS New Music Report. Some frequent visitors to the blog who I haven’t written about in a while have dropped some of the best new music of the week, and I’m pleased to feature it all for you.
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, in a throwback this week to 1970. And you’ll also find out what was #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in each of the last 25 years. From Chris Isaak to Conan Gray, they’re all here!
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.
ELEPHANTE, AMBER LIU, “Leave The Ground”
It’s been a while since I’ve written about Elephante (aka Tim Wu), the Southern California producer and musician who has released numerous fine singles and two albums over the best part of the last decade. It also turns out his song “Plans” (with Brandyn Burnette) was #2 on the BILLCS Top 30 exactly 7 years ago too! And while it’s not the first time he’s recorded an electronic ballad, I believe it’s his first male-female ballad duet. His natural voice blends nicely with Amber Liu’s vocal on “Leave the Ground”. The production is top notch with a classic song structure that rises and falls gracefully but not before leaving a lump in your throat with its story. It captures those moments where the memories of a past lover are slipping away, even though you may not want them to. The imagery is vivid, one of my favourite songs that Elephante has written to date. I’ve said recently that electronic ballads are really not in vogue right now, but the ones that I’ve written about like “Leave the Ground” in the past month or so are exemplary cases for the trend to be reversed heading into 2024.
GREAT GOOD FINE OK, “Blame”
I’ve been enjoying the music of NYC duo Great Good Fine OK for the best part of the last decade. The guys (vocalist Jon Sandler and keyboardist extraordinaire Luke Moelmann) have been nothing but consistent but “Blame”, their latest release, particularly shines. The melody sparkles, and “Blame” gives Jon the opportunity once again to really let his voice soar. The songwriting is especially strong. “Blame” contemplates when there’s a problem in a personal situation, but you decide to accept you’re at fault, even when you’re not. You then realize later that things aren’t quite the same and you might be caught up in the blame game to make the relationship work. “Blame” is top notch, danceable, R&B-soaked pop that you’ll keep on repeat.
YOUNG BOMBS, LINNEY, “Strangers” (Chill mix)
British Columbia-based dance producers Young Bombs have been crossing over back and forth from club-oriented tracks to Canadian Top 40 radio hits for the past few years, and the original mix of “Strangers” is clearly better suited for clubs than radio. However, pop and dance music radio could easily embrace this alternate “chill” take on “Strangers”, which shows how well-suited the song is to a friendlier dance/pop mix. It also shows off better the familiar voice of singer/songwriter Linney, who has graced numerous dance music releases this year such as those with Manila Killa, Nicky Romero & TELYKast and Christina Novielli. I’m always one to recommend to dance music artists that if you feel a song can be remixed to attract more listeners, then do it if feasible. Fortunately Young Bombs have the well-honed skills and means to do this, and this version of “Strangers” is a step in the right direction.
BEN ELLIS, “Guys That Look Like Me”
Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis has scored major points with me for creating amiable, good-natured songs with clever lyrics and sharp melodies. “Ed’s House” got to #8 on the BILLCS Top 30 earlier this year and “Guys That Look Like Me” has the same kind of nuts and bolts which make for a refreshing listen. Besides Ben’s charming, lilting vocal, “Guys” is a story about being stereotyped for the way one looks, and not being able to date the object of his affection because of it. And while the protagonist pines away about her, you’re wondering if it’s all worth it when she can’t see past the surface. Yet such is being young and with a crush that you can’t get over right away. It’s all highly relatable and Ben’s vantage point is unique, giving “Guys That Look Like Me” inspired depth underneath its bright pop exterior.
ALEX SAMPSON, “Blind”
New Canadian talent Alex Sampson is on a roll with his recent singles. “Blind” follows up “‘Til The World Gets Sick of Us” and “WANT YOU!” (which reached #16 on the BILLCS Top 30), all filled with a variety of anthemic energy that goes hand in hand with urgent emotions. “Blind” is more moody than the previous releases, but also shows off Alex’s range in the softer parts of the song, which means that he can sing and co-write a solid bop but be convincing too when the lyrics of the song get real.
OOKAY, “Mach 10”
Techno influences have made a big comeback in electronic music within the last year or so, and L.A. based dance producer Ookay maximizes their effect in the hyper-energetic instrumental track “Mach 10”. It’s got a herky-jerky, 90’s-flavoured rhythm with some 80’s British house elements as well. With “Mach 10”, Ookay (aka Abraham Laguna) keeps his Dim Mak label association flourishing, setting out to create a busy few minutes on the dance floor for you, and it delivers big time. Club DJ’s wanting to increase the intensity on the dance floor need only to drop “Mach 10” into a set and watch the crowd react.
GRAYtheband, “Unabashed and Hardy”
“Unabashed and Hardy” is a track from the debut album by Edmonton’s GRAYtheband, with whom I’ve familiarized you with previous singles “All Done” (also the album title) and “‘Bit Late”. GRAYtheband is a collective of a variety of artists using pop, R&B and hip hop styles, with the focal being vocalist/songwriter Gray Ford. We’ve heard Gray’s voice really soar in “All Done”, but in “Unabashed and Hardy” he uses a staccato kind of R&B singing style that doesn’t quite sound like anything else out there. I’m sure that’s not an easy vocal style to develop – such as with ‘scat’ singing – but Gray makes it sound easy, which makes the song an intriguing spin. Be sure to check out the entire All Done album for a stimulating listen that goes down easy, by an artist we’ll look forward to hearing more of in 2024.
BUSKING AROUND, “Guilt Free”
Busking Around (aka Eric Kendall) is a Detroit-area musician who has been performing for many years, but has only been releasing his own music for the last two years. “Guilt Free” is a bluesy bop of sorts that features Eric’s cello as the instrument of focus, which is something you won’t hear often on a pop release these days. The best way to convey what Busking Around is trying to achieve here are in his words:
” This song began as an exploration into the 2nd Line beats of New Orleans. The traditional wind and horns were replaced with a funkified cello arrangement, which laid a clear foundation on which the vocals could thrive. The result invokes that feeling of release in those rare moments when we can hit the pause button on our responsibilities.”
“Guilt Free” is one of those tracks that is probably best experienced live in concert in a small club setting. It’s a fun track with a personable, gritty vocal, and I would pitch it to fans of alternative R&B and blues-flavoured rock.
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.
“Memento” is by Windsor, Ontario alternative pop artist MELØ
“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”.
“A Symptom of Being Human” is by veteran rockers Shinedown
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.
“To Be A Man” is by Juno Award-nominated Canadian performer Dax
“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. This week, all songs are from 1970, though “Solitary Man” was a reissue of his 1966 release.
Dawn – Candida
Robin McNamara – Lay A Little Lovin’ On Me
Gene Chandler – Groovy Situation
Alive and Kicking – Tighter Tighter
Neil Diamond – Solitary Man
25 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 25 years.
2022 YOURS, Conan Gray
2021 HOLDING ME MORE, Darin
2020 HOUSE IS HAPPINESS, Stan Sax
2019 LIGHTS UP, Harry Styles
2018 PHANTOM OF THE DANCE FLOOR, Kiesza featuring Philippe Sly
2017 NEED YOUR HEART, Latchmere
2016 STARBOY, The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
2015 HELLO, Adele
2014 SAY YOU LOVE ME, Jessie Ware
2013 AN OPEN HEART, Bright Light Bright Light
2012 DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD, Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
2011 CAN’T HELP MYSELF (KEEP DANCING), Matt Blue
2010 RESURRECTION (Penguin Prison remix), The Temper Trap
2009 ALONE, Dan Black
2008 RELAPSE, Jesse McCartney
2007 ME, MYSELF AND (I), Darren Hayes
2006 FUTURESEX/LOVESOUND, Justin Timberlake
2005 PRETTY VEGAS, INXS
2004 THEY MIGHT SAY, Mitchell Hunter
2003 DEEPEST BLUE, Deepest Blue
2002 SERVE THE EGO (Gabriel & Dresden remix), Jewel
2001 BLACK BLACK HEART, David Usher
2000 HERE WITH ME, Dido
1999 THE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE (STAY GOLD), Everything But The Girl with Deep Dish
1998 SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, Chris Isaak
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