December 2023 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

BILLCS New Music Report – December 20/23 spotlighting new songs by @KeiynanLonsdale, @Angel_District, Skram, @itsCloverdale, Faith Richards and Tanya Shanker

It’s the last BILLCS New Music Report of 2023! There is no shortage of music to hear, so I have six new ones for your listening pleasure. My next week will be spent finalizing the BILLCS Top 93 of 2023 and recording the accompanying radio show, and I’ll have more details on that next week. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

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 focus on rock radio favourites by Canadian bands from 1977-1980. In case you missed them, you’ll also find out what are my #1 song and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.

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.

KEIYNAN, “Sit Down”

The artist otherwise known as queer Australian multi-talent Keiynan Lonsdale was on a dance music tip a few years back with fine releases like “Gods Of The Disco’. He’s back with a new album called The Heart Defence Mixtape, in which he continues to put forward his authentic self, but more in an alternative pop setting with R&B flavours. It all works quite well with “Sit Down”, where his sensual vocal and songwriting really shine. The rest of the album takes cues from what has been presented recently by other performers like Steve Lacy, Master Peace or Jean Dawson, which fills The Heart Defence Mixtape to the brim with variety. Keiynan’s songs have really branched out with this release but it’s all quite focused deep down to the core. A lot of you who watched Keiynan on TV’s “The Flash” don’t know he’s also a professional dancer, so check out the video above.

ANGEL DISTRICT, BAZZLYNE, “Carry Me Home”

“Carry Me Home” is a feel-good electronic pop song that takes a dramatic turn in sound just after the two-thirds mark. Brought to you by Las Vegas producer/DJ Angel District in conjunction with Bazzlyne, it’s all about putting yourself first and looking after your well-being over anything else. It’s something that we all discover, sometimes the hard way, and Angel District beautifully articulates it in a song that has a similar angle and spirit to Troye Sivan’s “Take Yourself Home” (from his 2020 EP In A Dream). Just as you get comfortable with the vocal, music and tone of the song, the production shifts into dramatic future bass/dubstep territory – the cathartic emotional dam has burst for those of you who want to rage a bit. Overall it’s an unconventional but stellar production adding a few final words at the end to leave a lump in your throat.

SKRAM, “Serendripity”

Ignore the spell check, the song title is indeed “SerenDRIPity” and it’s brought to you by New Zealand alternative pop group Skram. The song is mood-changer with a wry sense of humour and wordplay all about being confident in who you are, particularly in public. Its video, above, uses clothing and makeup to support the song’s statement. Lead singer Henry Ashby has a wild and funny vocal style, but the release is an assured one featuring solid instrumentation and production. There’s an old school, busker-like vibe to the proceedings at times and you’re bound to have a great time listening to “Serendripity”.

CLOVERDALE, “Pump Up The Vibe”

Canadian electronic dance producer Cloverdale takes us into techno-flavoured overdrive with “Pump Up The Vibe”. It’s a fun club track that shows its roots in the 80’s techno house which brought us classics like “Pump Up The Volume” by M/A/R/R/S and “Beat Dis” by Bomb The Bass, and led to music by other popular artists like The Chemical Brothers and The Crystal Method. “Pump Up The Vibe” begs to be played either as a party starter or on the change-up to infuse high energy into a set. You can find it on Cloverdale’s recent EP This Is High Octane.

FAITH RICHARDS, “good girl”

Faith Richards is a pop/R&B singer currently based in Paris, France, and “good girl” is bound to tease out the little devil that we all have inside. She’s got a sultry and expressive vocal, accentuated amply by some simple production sounds. “good girl” is about the public face we put on, but that doesn’t mean putting us in a box or judging us by appearance. The old school hip hop beats in the background become same-sounding after a while, which leaves me wanting more variety to match the caliber of the vocal. Overall “good girl” is a fine showcase for Faith’s voice and her songwriting talents.

TANYA SHANKER, “Phoenix”

When listening to “Phoenix”, you would have no idea that Tanya Shanker is only 17. Hailing from Bangalore, India, Tanya actually released her first EP when she was 14. With an intentional powerhouse style similar to what we heard from Christina Aguilera in her early heyday, “Phoenix” provides an introduction to Tanya with a wallop. Some growth will be needed with her songwriting, as perhaps lyrics associated with the title mythical character have gone to the well a little too often in recent years. However this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of Tanya’s performance and how the story will be instantly relatable to other young people.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world.

It’s the comeback single for revered UK electronic trio Nero, “Truth”

“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”.

“Hit Hollywood” is an infectious rocker by Toronto’s James Clark Institute from Under The Lampshade

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype” which can be heard on several online stations including Energy 885. Hunter’s also got a new show coming on the same station in January!

Luke Combs follows up “Fast Car” with “Where The Wild Things Are”

“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.

Max Webster – Diamonds Diamonds (1977)
Triumph – Rocky Mountain Way (1977)
Rush – The Spirit Of Radio (1980)
April Wine – Roller (1980)
Prism – Armageddon (1979)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Bright Light Bright Light gets a second appearance at #1 with “Down To One”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Right now, I can’t get enough of “Lovin On Me” by Jack Harlow, which soars 25-3

#BILLCSTop30 #681 – December 18/23

It’s hard to believe in some ways that this is my last chart of 2023! Music now travels into our grasp at superspeed, and it’s hard to push pause long enough to enjoy the songs before the next sensation comes along. Towards the end of next week, I’ll begin publishing my Top 93 of 2023 and I’ll also be working on the accompanying radio program for the Top 30 of the year. Despite what I just said, for some reason there wasn’t a lot of turnover on the chart this year, and no song reached below #19. I’ll continue to honour my rule that songs can remain on the chart for up to 10 appearances (20 weeks), which only 10 songs achieved this year 😮

Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30

Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist

Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below as they are increasingly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded.

A couple of songs charge up the new chart, while we have four hopefuls arriving just in time for the new year. As well, a singer becomes the oldest living person to appear on this chart through a rebooted version of one of his minor chart records.

In the meantime, Bright Light Bright Light continues to rule the chart with the irresistible “Down To One”, in the same way that he did exactly 10 years ago with the always stunning “An Open Heart”.

One of those songs that makes short work of the chart actually soars 25-3 as the Fastest Riser, and that’s Jack Harlow’s insanely catchy and quick “Lovin On Me”, a number one both in the US and the UK, and in the Top 10 at Top 40 radio now. This isn’t the usual for me but I enjoy how playful and droll it is, and Jack’s delivery and flow are so smooth. A number one contender for the first chart of ’24? You betcha!! Jack also appears at #12 with Jung Kook on their collaboration “3D”.

“Top of the World” is one of many immensely infectious house tracks to grace the chart this year, brought to you by Swedish producer John Dahlbäck and Nashville-based vocalist/songwriter Davis Mallory, and climbs 5-4. Even better to make it this high on the chart, the song’s an independent release, like 40% of other songs on the chart.

Also a stalwart indie release with a great story angle is “Fan Of You” by Chicago producer Pete Cho, which climbs 7-5.

Miami producer Gt_ofice has two songs in the Top 10 this week. “Feels Like Us” (above), with fellow producer ALWZ SNNY and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, is a national dance radio Top 40 hit and leaps 12-6 over his other track “Can’t Deny” (with JAYEM and Alix Robson, below), which is up 9-8. “Feels Like Us” is Robbie’s 8th Top 10 entry.

Martin Garrix and Lloyiso move up 11-7 with their dance radio #1 “Real Love”, becoming Martin’s 10th Top 10 entry overall.

Electronic dance producer Audien gets a personal best on the chart as “Superhero” rises 13-9.

The other huge move on the chart belongs to British dance producers WH0, as “Rock The Party” has arrived at exactly the right part of the year to become a dance club favourite. It zips up the chart 28-10, just as WH0’s other track on the chart, the former #1 “What You Need” with Steve Angello, departs the Top 10. If you heard my New Music Pick of the Week segment last week, you found out that WH0 are now unmasked as Rob Chetcuti (who has been producing songs under a myriad of aliases) and Tom Cross.

Just outside of the Top 10 is Australian rockers Moonwood, who keep getting better and better with each release. “Curfew” climbs 16-11 and comes from their very good EP Curfew Hours.

If you follow Benson Boone’s socials, you may think like me that he has yet another big ballad on the way. I personally can’t get enough of them, and his latest release “To Love Someone” moves up 20-15.

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Cobi is off to a great start with a bluesy rock ballad from his recent EP Sugar Man called “Where We Belong”, which climbs 27-21.

Leading off the debuts is Veteran British progressive electronic trio Nero, who are back with their first new music in five years with the huge and bold “Truth”, which is the Highest Debut at #26. It’s their first appearance on this chart.

Next at #27 is the highly influential house music master Todd Terry with “What You Do” at #27. This song co-bills veteran pop/R&B singer Gene Chandler, age 86, who is best known for his 1962 #1 smash “Duke of Earl” as it transforms a minor single by Gene from 1966 called “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”. Gene becomes the oldest living person to appear on this chart. And Todd was on the chart five years ago exactly with his future #1 with A-Trak, “DJ’s Just Gotta Dance”.

At #28 marks the third appearance on the chart and first since 2015 for NYC duo Great Good Fine OK with “Blame”. GGFO is back in fine form with their brand of soulful dance/pop led by an exceptional Jon Sandler vocal.

Rounding out the debuts at #29 is veteran Dutch dance production duo (and brothers) Showtek with fellow Dutch denizens Sonny Wilson (a duo led by the same-named singer) and “Shine”, from Showtek’s recent album 360 Yellow. This is a bright, anthemic house track that stands apart from the rest on the album. It’s Showtek’s fifth appearance on the chart, which goes back almost 10 years exactly with their future #1 “Cannonball (Earthquake)” (with Justin Prime and Matthew Koma).

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA

Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST. You can hear recent episodes of The Big 20 at this link.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

At Midnight EST on Saturdays, you can also hear my new “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s amazing “Top 40 Timeline” oldies show.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free.

“The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays, and my “Retro Pick of the Week” plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” at 4pm EST.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA. My pick of the week airs more than 30 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at this link.

Addictive Energy

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations and will be newly anchored at Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 starting in January!! You can hear recent episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.

FM 108

You can also listen to my “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules are up-to-date.

BILLCS New Music Report – December 13/23 spotlighting songs by @Cobimusic, @TheKnocks & @SofiTukker, Benjamin Russell & Rob Stuart @mtl_bar, Eric Rivero x @PuFFcornmusic x @RobbieRosenlive, @MaxEhrich & Thad Beaty @musicthatmoves1, and Nathalie Miranda @vocalfreaknat

As the music business winds down for the rest of the year, my regular blog posts will also be wrapping up next week, but will be followed by my Top 93 of 2023 and a concurrent Top 30 of 2023 radio special, which will air on select online radio stations. More about that to follow in the coming weeks! In the meantime, among my six selections this week in the Report, there are two new Christmas songs for your holiday playlists and celebrations.

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 focus on harder and more progressive well-known songs from the 70’s. And you’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30, 5-10-15-20 years ago!

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.

COBI, “Sugar Man”

L.A.-based singer, songwriter and producer Cobi is back with a new EP, from which comes the title track “Sugar Man”. He’s one of my most written-about performers this year because of the ongoing development of his own sound, as well as the sheer quality of his indie releases. It’s a bluesy guitar-laden, well-sung rocker shrouded in mystery about a benefactor called Sugar Man who doesn’t come through to follow up and help when it’s needed. The EP also features five tracks, two about which I’ve written, the ballad “Where We Belong” (currently charting on the BILLCS Top 30) and “Good Morning”. You can hear from all of the songs in the EP how invested Cobi is in his music, and your time spent with them will be rewarded with some new favourites.

THE KNOCKS, SOFI TUKKER, “One on One”

In the free-flowing world of dance music, performers can almost always return to their home base of collaborators, and thus we have the first collaboration in a few years from NYC production duo The Knocks and their one time protégés, Sofi Tukker (who I saw together in concert in 2016). “One on One” is classic house music with a heavy old school disco groove that could have easily fit on The Knocks’ album 55 (and that 2015-16 era will make its comeback, mark my words!). Sophie Hawley-Weld’s vocal has only gotten more assured over the years, as was clearly evident on 2022’s WET TENNIS album, and the production has a lot of nice robust layers that enhance how polished the song sounds overall. The Knocks and Sofi Tukker are all so good at their craft and “One on One” just makes it sounds easy, which should generate immediate appeal for both clubs and dance radio airplay.

BENJAMIN RUSSELL, ROB STUART, “Driving Hollow”

Toronto-based producer/songwriter Rob Stuart and Montreal producer/singer/songwriter Benjamin Russell have made the most of 2023 releasing several projects, and their new four song EP Brighter Light follows up their earlier collaboration, Something in F Minor. I was drawn to “Driving Hollow” and its big, bass-filled, progressive electronic sound, reminiscent of work by Peter Gabriel (“Sledgehammer” and “Digging in the Dirt”) and Mike Oldfield (“Five Miles Out”). The story in “Driving Hollow”, as sung vividly by Benjamin, seems to be in a futuristic sci-fi setting, where something foreboding is in store for us if we don’t watch how we’re driving, as we’re told in cryptic electronic messages by what might be a “Nineteen Eighty-Four”-like government official. It’s an absorbing if unresolved listen that uses driving as a metaphor for how we navigate relationships.

ERIC RIVERO, PuFFcorn, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Lost In Love”

“Lost In Love” is an early 2010’s throwback to the big room house sound of the day, reminiscent of early work by the likes of Alesso, Hardwell and Deadmau5. It’s brought to you by Chicago-born producer Eric Rivero, Taiwanese producer PuFFcorn, along with the prolific NYC singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, currently riding up the BILLCS Top 30 with “Feels Like Us” (which is also Hunter Wilbur’s Bop of the Week, see below). It’s great to hear Robbie in this kind of a throwback setting, and the producers have created a tight, textbook flow for the song, whose euphoric melody, hand-in-hand with the positive theme of the lyrics, will keep listeners smiling and club goers dancing.

I don’t usually write about Christmas music, but you can feel free to add these two new ones to your favourite Christmas playlist.

MAX EHRICH, THAD BEATY, “All I Want Is You” (Big Sky remix)

A while back, I wrote about the recent affable hip hop/pop single by singer, actor and dancer Max Ehrich called “Backroads”. Although noted for his work years ago in TV soap opera “The Young & The Restless”, Max completed two film projects lately, “Southern Gospel” and for TV, “A Cowboy Christmas Romance”. “All I Want Is You” is the feature song for the latter film and veers away from the trendier sound of “Backroads” in favour of a country-flavoured, mostly acoustic ballad that this time shows off the natural timbre in Max’s affecting vocal. It’s a straight-forward, well-written song supported by veteran Nashville guitarist, producer and hitmaker Thad Beaty, who has worked mostly with Sugarland over the years but has appeared on stage with numerous A list stars.

NATHALIE MIRANDA, “Bring My Baby Back”

The absence of a loved one over the holidays, for one reason or another, can often be a let down, and Nathalie Miranda’s energetic plea to Santa Claus, “Bring My Baby Back”, is a breezy and uplifting request. A diminutive presence with a voice that packs a wallop, Nathalie hails from the UK and is of Greek Cypriot heritage. Her vocal in “Bring My Baby Back” reminds me of versatile 80’s performers Melissa Manchester or Vonda Shepard, and she has also recorded in Spanish (check out her recent single “Terremoto”). In the end we all hope our wishes like in “Bring My Baby Back” get granted which would make it a Merry Christmas indeed.

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.

“Rock The Party” by WH0 will certainly be appropriate for a lot of New Year’s Eve celebrations!

“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK

UK alternative band Bad Sounds with “Beggin'”

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.

“Feels Like Us” is the new national Top 40 dance radio hit by Gt_ofice, ALWZ SNNY and Robbie Rosen

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Alice Cooper – Welcome To My Nightmare
Jethro Tull – Bungle In The Jungle
Black Sabbath – Iron Man
Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water
Genesis – Ripples

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 LOYAL Odesza

02 DJ’S GOTTA DANCE MORE A-Trak featuring Todd Terry

03 FIREWORKS Mercer

04 PHANTOM OF THE DANCE FLOOR Kiesza featuring Philippe Sly

05 CRAWL OUTTA LOVE (PatrickReza remix) Illenium featuring Annika Wells

2013

01 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light

02 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E

03 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald

04 EASY Travis Garland

05 I HAVE A NAME Osvaldo Supino

2008

01 NEVER AGAIN The Midway State

02 RELAPSE Jesse McCartney

03 LET IT ROCK Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil’ Wayne

04 HOT MESS Sam Sparro

05 FROZEN Tami Chynn featuring Akon

2003

01 ROCK STAR (Jason Nevins remix) N*E*R*D

02 I FEEL LOVE Blue Man Group featuring Venus Hum

03 DEEPEST BLUE Deepest Blue

04 THE FORCE OF GRAVITY BT featuring JC Chasez

05 VIBRATE Rufus Wainwright

BILLCS New Music Report – December 6/23 spotlighting new releases by @Showtek & #SonnyWilson, @djToddTerry & #GeneChandler, @Kungsmusic & @Shadow_Child, @Matomaofficial & @JPCoopermusic, @obeyANTAGONIZER, @DenizKoyumusic, @TheMovingStills and @BlackHertz_ & _HOZHO_

The music business typically winds down at this time of year for a few weeks, with charts being awash in holiday music. While on occasion a major artist drops a big record in December, the rest of the industry perks along with plenty of new releases to check out. This week there’s house music, progressive electronica, and indie rock among the reviews, while picks of the week comprise a rock ballad, a cover of a Canadian classic, and an acoustic folk track. So there’s lots of variety – open your ears and dive in!

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 featuring songs from the 1980’s. And in case you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what are my #1 song and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30.

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.

SHOWTEK, SONNY WILSON, “Shine”

Veteran Dutch producers Showtek finish out 2023 with the slick house track, “Shine”, which reunites them with Dutch duo Sonny Wilson, from their album 360 Yellow. It’s same-named singer Sonny whose amiable, R&B-flavoured vocal gives “Shine” the positive, anthemic lift that it needs to stand out in a club or festival set. Showtek have two sides to their persona which work well – the fun, party-loving brothers who sometimes offer us a striking dance novelty, and then the more serious producers who know their craft that has been honed after than 20 years, ultimately breaking out around 2009 worldwide. Now Las Vegas draws, Showtek have accumulated a wide repertoire and “Shine” is another astute addition to it.

TODD TERRY, GENE CHANDLER, “What You Do”

The master of house himself, Todd Terry, continues to be extremely prolific, but still crafts songs that allow for instantaneous reaction, like “What You Do”. Featuring the classic R&B voice of the Duke of Earl himself, Chicago native Gene Chandler, it retools one of Gene’s minor releases, a 1965 track called “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, bringing its essence to an entirely brand new audience for their dancing pleasure. “What You Do” is an imaginative, concise release that shows that few producers can match the 30+ years of skills and experience that Todd Terry continues to bring to the dance music scene.

KUNGS, SHADOW CHILD, “Changes”

“Changes” is a vibrant collaboration between French dance producer Kungs (who latterly reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30 with Purple Disco Machine on “Substitution”) and British house producer Shadow Child. It’s their take on a classic 2002 house song of the same name by Sandy Rivera, which it samples, and rides heavily on a catchy synth hook that will give club goers a workout. “Changes” is for totally letting yourself go when you want to groove to some inspiring early 2000’s-flavoured house music.

MATOMA, J.P. COOPER, “Sound of Shadows”

With the release of his first album in five years, Love For A Beat, Norway’s Matoma has come off of one of the best years in music in his career, with fantastic songs like “Won’t Follow You Home” (with James Droll, a BILLCS Top 30 #1) and “The Power” (with an uncredited Clementine Douglas, which reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30) included in the release. But he didn’t give away the store entirely, saving a few tracks for the album’s release, including the potent “Sound of Shadows”, reuniting him with singer/songwriter J.P. Cooper, who you also know from many European and dance music hits with people like Astrid S and Craig David, as well as his own solo Top 10 UK releases like “September Song” plus Jonas Blue’s #2 UK smash “Perfect Strangers”. J.P.’s gritty and soulful vocal is a perfect companion to the urgency of being alone in “Sound of Shadows”, and its chorus of “now you’re gone” will stay in your head for days. Matoma is now back in full dance music mode and the diverse selection in Love For A Beat works beautifully.

ANTAGONÏZER [AWAY and Crywolf], “Bow Down”

ANTAGONÏZER is a collaboration between two L.A.-based unique talents in the progressive electronic world, AWAY (Dan Alm) and Crywolf (Justin Taylor Phillips). Of the two, I’m only familiar with Crywolf, having seen him in concert years ago for an intense and memorable set, but the music of ANTAGONÏZER on their EP Omniviolence is best pitched to fans of artists like Nine Inch Nails, Front 242, NERO, and early DeadMau5. It’s not entirely my go-to style of music, but I appreciate the EP which is rich with variety and synthesizer wizardry, and “Bow Down” for me is the most memorable track with its foreboding, dark sound. ANTAGONÏZER is certainly a partnership worth repeating.

DENIZ KOYU, “Astral”

Deniz Koyu has been a mainstay on the European dance music scene for over a decade, playing every major festival there and collaborating with the likes of Alesso, Gryffin, Nicky Romero, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. His crazy-infectious, propulsive deep house track “Goin’ Down” (with Twoloud) got my attention back in 2015 and became a BILLCS Top 30 #1. As you might have gathered from its title, “Astral” is a spacy but highly danceable instrumental that one could visualize being played at a festival under the stars to magical effect. Just when you think “Astral” is coming to an end, it rebuilds 2/3 of the way through with one of those ‘you gotta wait for it’ breaks. “Astral” is great, imaginative, 90’s techno-inspired fun (I keep thinking of the Chemical Brothers’ early work) that will appeal to club goers as much as it will to progressive electronic listeners, and help spread his recent work to a wider international audience.

THE MOVING STILLS, “Westside”

Australia seems to be a current incubator for indie rock talent, and judging by the calibre of fresh music from Oz this year, it shouldn’t take long for it to spread to the rest of the world. The Moving Stills hail from the central area of New South Wales, a quartet which has released its first album called Wabi Sabi. The group aims for an authentic, friendly sound, and “Westside” is a perfect example of what they are achieving. It’s a song about being on the road, which is exactly where they are heading again in January and February, touring the east coast of Australia. Vocals and instrumentation are all on point, and if you’ve enjoyed the songs of other Aussie indie rock artists this year, then the music of The Moving Stills is just the ticket.

BLACK HERTZ, HOZHO, “Ego”

Brazilian electronic producer Black Hertz and Portuguese producer HOZHO have combined forces for their three song EP Psyche. It’s a largely progressive electronic instrumental effort that’s meant to be an immersive and personal experience into your own psyche, with songs titled “ID”, “Ego” and “Superego”. “Ego” impressive as the song builds from a vibrant instrumental, adding vocals and some nifty effects to create a track that will stick under your skin after it’s over. The rest of the EP isn’t as well-suited for the more casual listener and requires your full attention, but if progressive electronic music is your thing and you’re looking for something a little different to explore, then the full Psyche EP is for you.

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.

L.A.-based performer Cobi is back with the rock ballad “Where We Belong” from the EP Sugar Man

“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK

Canadian superstar quartet The Trans-Canada Highwaymen interpret The DeFranco Family’s 1973 smash “Heartbeat – It’s A Lovebeat” from their album Explosive Hits Vol. 1.

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.

It’s Nashville trio The Arcadian Wild with “Dopamine” from their album Welcome

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Sting – If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Paul Young – Every Time You Go Away
Rod Stewart – That’s What Friends Are For
Joe Jackson – Steppin’ Out
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Bright Light Bright Light obtains his 7th #1 with “Down To One”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Benson Boone is back with another stellar ballad, “To Love Someone” (28-20)

#BILLCSTop30 #680 – December 4/23

I’ll have one more bi-weekly BILLCS Top 30 in two weeks, which will also be the last chart of 2023 for me. I’ll also be working on my year end list and a pre-recorded online radio show to accompany it, so watch your socials for more details about that. If you’re curious, you can find previous year end lists from 2009-2022 on the following link to my Google sheet.

Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30

Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist

With his strongest song in recent years, frequent chart visitor Bright Light Bright Light notches up a record seventh #1 “Down To One” moves 3-1. Coincidentally, Bright Light Bright Light was #1 exactly 10 years ago with the magnificent “An Open Heart”, which was his fourth chart-topper. “Down To One” will be a part of his fifth album, likely coming next year.

Michael Medrano follows “Down To One” 4-2 with “Disco Sleaze” in its “raw and uncut” mix, which is just so much fun and has the 70’s disco spirit embedded in its groove.

Felix Cartal and Karen Harding move up 5-4 with “Need Your Love”, which becomes a personal best for Felix on the chart and matches the peak of Karen’s earlier chart entry this year with Armand Van Helden, “Wings (I Won’t Let You Down)”.

Chicago producer Pete Cho’s “Fan Of You” breaks into the Top 10 and makes a nice 12-7 jump.

Miami producer Gt_ofice gets his first Top 10 entry with “Can’t Deny” (above), which features NYC producer JAYEM and British vocalist/songwriter Alix Robson, and climbs 11-9. Coming up quickly not far behind is Gt_ofice’s second entry, the Top 40 national radio hit “Feels Like Us” (18-12, below) in collaboration with ALWZ SNNY and vocalist/songwriter Robbie Rosen.

Dance club and festival favourite Audien looks to grab his second Top 10 entry following this year’s “Antidote” (which peaked at #10) with “Superhero”, which soars 20-13.

Australia-based rock quintet Moonwood also make a sharp upward move with “Curfew” (22-16) from their top notch EP Curfew Hours.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is “To Love Someone” by Benson Boone, who is getting a great rep as a contemporary balladeer, though he can rock out just fine thank you too. The song leaps 28-20.

The last chart’s two very different remaining debuts are also off to fine starts. Windsor, Ontario performer MELØ climbs 29-23 with the poignant new wave-influenced rock track “Memento” (above), while NYC producer Lohrasp Kansara’s sparkling cover of ALY-US’ 90’s house staple “Follow Me” (below), featuring a potent vocal by Norman Alexander, rises 30-24.

Leading off three debuts, in a surprising arrival at least to me, is Jack Harlow’s UK #1 “Lovin on Me”, which bows at #25. It also joins his collaboration with BTS’ Jung Kook on the chart, “3D”, which rises 17-14. I’m not a huge fan of hip hop but Jack’s tracks are usually quite likeable, and I’m enjoying both the flow and humour in “Lovin on Me”, which reminds me of late 90’s hip hop artist Mase. The vocal hook in “Lovin on Me” is sped up slightly and sampled from the 90’s release by Cadillac Dale called “Whatever (Bass Solique)”.

Next at #27 coincides with the arrival of a new EP. L.A.-based, Minnesota-born Cobi returns to the chart for the second time this year with “Where We Belong”, which follows the #5 “Telepathic Powers” as kind of a similar companion piece. Cobi’s new five song EP is called Sugar Man and includes “Where We Belong”.

The third debut belongs to British masked dance producers WH0 with “Rock The Party” at #28. It joins “What You Need” (with Steve Angello), which departs #1 after two appearances at the top (four weeks). “Rock The Party” will certainly do that, with prominent samples of Todd Terry’s 80’s house classic “Weekend” and The Clash’s “Rock The Casbah”.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

At Midnight EST on Saturdays, you can also hear my new “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s amazing “Top 40 Timeline” oldies show.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free.

“The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays, and my “Retro Pick of the Week” plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” at 4pm EST.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

Addictive Energy

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations but is anchored at Mix88.ca on Saturdays beginning at 8pm EST. You can hear recent episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.

FM 108

You can also listen to my “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules are up-to-date.