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)