BILLCS New Music Report – January 4/24 with new songs by @Helloworldbeats, Breigh, @The_NonRenewed, @eeeEdith, @JayB1rdmusic & Kayrae, and @DAmicoandValax with HENNZ, Johan Oslah & Doriel

Happy 2024! I have no idea what we’re in store for music-wise, but expect the unexpected. I would like some barriers in the entertainment biz to come down for indie artists. It’s like a parallel to society right now – the rich are getting richer and the indies are staying poor. A&R folks need to get back to more authentic representation of artists rather than phoning it in from home using socials. And the holidays nail December (and some of November) shut for indies releasing new material when the industry effectively shuts down, other than to promote holiday music.

AND NO, CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, BLOGS ARE NOT DEAD.

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 epitomize the 80’s new wave genre. 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.

Reminder: Click on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.

HELLOWORLD, “Planes”

L.A. electronic producer Helloworld clearly wears his heart on his sleeve in his songwriting. His direct lyrics easily resonate with the listener without being polarizing, even when he’s a little riled up like on his recent single “Need That”, which I wrote about a while back. “Planes” is his first truly indie release, and transports you to a place where you’re travelling with someone but couldn’t feel more lonely, and you’re essentially on airplane mode. There’s no mistaking that Helloworld (aka Drew Wilken) cares about the other person in the song but when there’s no warmth or conversation, then it’s easy to appreciate his feeling of isolation. “Planes” is an open book with a light electronic backdrop, and also follows up his splendid collaboration with Aussie producer Throttle, “Weightless Feeling”.

BREIGH, “Stupid, Reckless”

New NYC singer/songwriter Breigh puts herself on the path to stardom in her songs in her imaginative four-song EP Manifestations of a Pop Star. With her inspirations being Kate Bush and Imogen Heap – setting the bar high from two challenging artists in their own right – you can hear Breigh’s precision in her vocal in “Stupid, Reckless” from the EP. When you’re determined and on your path to greater things, you’ll make mistakes and charge ahead knowingly, and Breigh beautifully conveys this in the song, with the anticipated aftermath that things will work out all right. While she’s been making music since her teens and studied formally at SUNY at Purchase, “Stupid, Reckless” is a promising lead-in to the EP which makes you want to hear more from Breigh in ’24.

THE NON-RENEWED, “Runaway”

“Runaway” is a pleasing meeting of retro and contemporary sounds that unfolds a story of queer love after returning home from an overseas getaway, as brought to you by Denver indie duo The Non-Renewed, who are Meghan Mallon (vocals) and Mellik Gorton (guitar, vocals). It’s pop as influenced by jazz and folk, with Meghan’s vocal recalling Carole King and Rickie Lee Jones with a dash of Norah Jones. The stalwart instrumentation is refreshingly without synthesizers or keyboards, and includes bass, drums/percussion, and horns. The overall sound is bright and upbeat, and “Runaway” is one of the first handful of singles from the duo, who are not a couple, but got together after mutual personal hardships to find solace in collaborating. The Non-Renewed expect to release an album, three years in the making, this year, and “Runaway” is a fine one in which you can get to know the duo, inspired by Jason Mraz’s “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” no less!

EDITH, “Over It”

Edith is a Romanian-born indie singer/songwriter based out of London about whom I’ve previously written with her refreshingly upbeat track about a breakup called “The Day We Met”. Since then she’s released her debut album In This House We Celebrate Heartache which details a variety of breakups and the resulting heartbreak, not all with glossy exteriors like “The Day We Met” and “Over It”. In “Over It”, she recalls a relationship that came to a natural, mutual end where you can be happy that your ex may have found someone else even if you didn’t. Although “Over It” was released as a single over two years ago, its slick sound and positive message fit equally well into 2024, and is another solid song to introduce yourself to the music of Edith.

JAY BIRD, KAYRAE, “Out Of This World”

SoCal dance producer Jay Bird continues on the house tip creating fun bangers with “Out Of This World”. The familiar 90’s-style melody could fit easily into just about any club set, and benefits from a strong vocal by Kayrae, an L.A. multi-talent who in a short time has worked with Kaskade, Revelries and KDrew. Jay Bird continues to show how diverse he can be as a producer regardless of what dance music sub-genre he chooses to embrace. “Out Of This World” will certainly keep you grooving the night away!

D’AMICO & VALAX, HENNZ, JOHAN OSLAH, DORIEL, “Wanna Have Fun”

Italian dance producers D’Amico & Valax team up with Colombian producers HENNZ (aka Fabian Hernandez, who records Latin house as Fabian Hernandez DFH) and Johan Oslah for some blistering tech house with “Wanna Have Fun”. Despite its title, it’s an IDGAF statement about taking the time to have fun. The buoyant rhythm and the sharp synth sounds will sweep you away while you listen to Doriel’s confident but sometimes sultry vocal. “Wanna Have Fun” has had lots of hands in its creation, but comes out as a sparkling, slick club banger in-the-waiting.

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.

From his album Love For The Beat, it’s Matoma with “Sounds Of Shadows” with vocalist JP Cooper

“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”.

As heard on The Big 20 this week, it’s British women rockers Lime Garden with “I Want To Be You”

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!

Louisiana singer/songwriter Katijayde with Oceans (Roses Pt. 2)

“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.

The Fixx – Saved By Zero (1983)
Psychedelic Furs – Pretty In Pink (1981/1986)
A Flock Of Seagulls – I Ran (So Far Away) (1982)
Eurythmics – Right By Your Side (1983)
UB40 – Red Red Wine (1983/1988)