We’ll let the music do the talking in this week’s BILLCS New Music Report, including eight new songs among the other 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 zeroes in on songs from 1981. You’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 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.
Reminder: Click on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, “You Want My…”
Following up his first taste of his upcoming album Enjoy Youth, “Down To One”, a BILLCS Top 30 recent #1, Bright Light Bright Light (or Rod Thomas if you will) brings us a second one with “You Want My…” . As with “Down To One”, BLx2’s wordplay, melody and electronic dance rhythms are all top notch, and I’m sensing a lot of inspiration from Madonna, reminding me sometimes of her “Vogue” era and at other times of her “Erotica” era. The title, its ellipsis, and beginning of the song even borrow from Berlin’s 80’s classic “Sex (I’m A…)” – so appropriate in another song about sex! And I hear some pronounced Pet Shop Boys influence about 2/3 way through too. BLx2 is having a lot more fun with his music these days, and like his horror-comedy movie spoof for the video for “Down To One”, the video for “You Want My…” also has some humorous references, including his own past album covers, everything but a cameo from Elton John, try to spot them all!
WH0, MARK KNIGHT, JAMES HURR, KATHY BROWN, “Turn Me Deeper”
“Turn Me Out” by Praxis and Kathy Brown is a classic late 90’s #1 club track that was awaiting a revival. With all proceeds going to assist Kathy with health care payments for cancer treatment, British producers WH0, Mark Knight and James Hurr collaborate to update “Turn Me Out” as “Turn Me Deeper”. With Kathy’s unmistakably fierce vocal and the updated overall sound, “Turn Me Deeper” could become a club smash all over again. You know those songs that beckon you on to the dance floor from their first few moments? Well, this is one of them. Kudos to the three producers too for making such a tight, ear-catching delight. Make sure you buy this one on Beatport to help a good cause and keep Kathy singing for us. Here’s the link: https://www.beatport.com/release/turn-me-deeper/4377631
MARTHA & THE MUFFINS, “For What It’s Worth”
Canada’s Martha & The Muffins – Martha Johnson and Mark Gane – continue to make fine new music, and this time they’ve tackled a cover of the Buffalo Springfield classic protest song “For What It’s Worth”. It’s a faithful, straight-forward, and ultimately very timely rendition that’s heavily reliant on a taut tone and bang-on vocal performances. Mark has the lead here and sounds a lot like Leonard Cohen, which totally suits the song, while Martha has the chorus and harmonies. This song has been covered numerous times but I must say this is one of the best.
LOST FREQUENCIES, BASTILLE, “Head Down”
Belgian producer Lost Frequencies follows up the earworm “Dive” (with Tom Gregory) with a fortuitous match-up with Dan Smith of Bastille in “Head Down”. Just in time for Lost Frequencies (or Felix De Laet) for a return visit to North American shores for a concert tour, “Head Down” has the potential to be a dance radio smash. Dan, as you know, was the voice of Marshmello’s enduring “Happier”, still played everywhere seven years later, and his obvious presence in “Head Down” is a huge draw. A jaunty rhythm and relatable lyrics with an anthemic chorus bring it all together in what will undoubtedly be considered as one of Lost Frequencies’ best releases.
SMALLPOOLS, “Night Shift”
I like it when artists that I saw perform and/or wrote about in their early days come full circle back to another blog post. L.A.-based trio Smallpools have released three albums in the last eight years or so since I saw them open for Neon Trees in concert, most recently last year’s Cameras & Coastlines & Covers. They’ve followed up that album with “Night Shift”, an uptempo and danceable pop track whose sunny exterior masks a story about a security guard stuck in Nowhereville and resigned to a boring job. It’s a slice of life snapshot that’s brought to life by brisk playing and a solid vocal by Sean Scanlon. The rest of the lineup includes guitarist Mike Kamerman – who also produced – and drummer Beau Kuther, and “Night Shift” is co-written by the band with Colin Holbrook. With this song leading the way, I’m quite interested where Smallpools’ next project will take them.
VICETONE, “Dirty Desire”
It’s been a while since I’ve written about Dutch production duo Vicetone, but I’m glad “Dirty Desire” found its way into my discovery feed this week. Yeah, it’s another dance song about sex, but it’s beautifully crafted for those late evening club adventures. I’m also pretty sure that the fab and soulful but uncredited vocal is go-to-guy JT Roach, who is also one of the co-writers. Some of the song’s arrangement is slinky and spirited, while in other parts of the song it’s sublime and effortless. Make sure you put Vicetone’s “Dirty Desire” on one of your dance playlists and give yourself a sexy workout!
NOANNE, “White Glove”
A while back, I introduced you to Prague-based performer Noanne through her song and enthralling, creative video for “Goodwill”. She follows it up with “White Glove”, which is even more of a dramatic performance piece that showcases both her voice and a touching story of faded love. Inspired by the artistry of Marc Chagall, “White Glove” takes us through various stages of the protagonist’s emotions as she finds that there is very little left of the love that she once had. The “White Glove” of the title is intended to be akin to throwing down the gauntlet, a challenge for her lover to react and then act. Aligning this to everyday breakups, most of us have been through this in some shape or form, but Noanne elevates the situation into a fantasy setting where your imagination can be unleashed. So do be prepared to be engrossed by the theatricality and passion in “White Glove”.
FIE EIKE, “The Nile”
“The Nile” is an unconventional, sometimes experimental alternative pop track by Danish singer/songwriter/producer Fie Eike, who is also of Norwegian heritage. It’s an intriguing track that wants to take you out of your comfort zone through a series of unique sounds, sometimes electronic, other times instrumental via a piano or cello, as well as Fie’s vocal, which recalls talent like Kate Bush, Björk or Tori Amos. “The Nile” takes us to a dark place which we are to embrace despite any trepidation to try and uncover the wonder and amazement that might be within. As provocative as it sounds, it’s hardly a difficult listen, with its arrangement following the style of a classical composition in a more progressive setting. “The Nile” could be considered a set piece of sorts, and fans of alternative electronic vocal pop are sure to get the most out of it.
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.
“Sit Down” by Australian singer, actor and dancer Keiynan Lonsdale
“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”.
Sam Dickinson’s on-point cover of Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff”
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.
“Moment”, a track from the album Levi Don’t Do It by German producer BUNT.
“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.
Delbert McClinton – Giving It Up For Your Love
Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime
April Wine – Just Between You And Me
Neil Diamond – Hello Again
Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20-25…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years ago…
2019
1 DJ’S GOTTA DANCE MORE A-Trak, Todd Terry
2 LOYAL Odesza
3 IN MY ARMS, Mahalo, Le:Blanc
4 GOD DAMNIT Illenium, Call Me Karizma
5 WILD SUN Sam Dickinson
2014
1 ANIMALS Martin Garrix
2 EASY Travis Garland
3 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light
4 EVERY SINGLE MOMENT SIRPAUL
5 GOLD Eurielle
2009
1 SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT) Beyoncé
2 YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK Jon Mclaughlin
3 GET ON WITH IT Val Emmich
4 NEVER AGAIN The Midway State
5 RELEASE ME Agnes [Carlsson]
2004
1 MY TIME Dutch, Crystal Waters
2 HEY YA OutKast
3 YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME Alicia Keys
4 THE WAY YOU MOVE OutKast, Sleepy Brown
5 SMOOTH iio
1999
1 LOST ONES Lauryn Hill
2 YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE New Radicals
3 WHAT’LL I DO Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright III, Kate McGarrigle
4 SPEAK OF THE DEVIL Chris Isaak
5 BLUE MONDAY Orgy
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