BILLCS New Music Report – February 14/24 with new songs by @NiGHTSofficial, MELØ, @EMMinreallife, Vinny Marchi, @SeanSmithsolo, @Christiane__De, @Ugochill & @_TurtleProject, and Yarin Glam

So far this year, a lot of alternative pop and rock has piqued my interest. Those of you who know me know that I was heavily involved in college radio in my younger years, becoming its station manager just shy of my 20th birthday, managing over 50 volunteers and steering it into an alternative music direction having acquired a Cable-FM license at the time. I have always been a proud supporter of independent music and a champion of the underdog. So many years later, who would have known that I would be continuing to write about music, as I started in my college newspaper and then as a free-lance writer, or even broadcast again in the online world. Some things come full circle and you just embrace them!

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 DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five, which takes us back to some of the sounds of 1972. If you missed them earlier in the week, you’ll also find out what songs are #1 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.

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

N i G H T S, “Hopeless”

“Hopeless” is the latest from lo-fi alternative hip-hop/R&B Philadelphia duo N i G H T S (Corey and Evan), a compelling recount of a relationship gone sour, and the immediate aftermath of anger and self-doubt. While that doesn’t exactly sound like an appealing listen, its personal story wrings out considerable emotion from the usually detached-sounding vocal. “Hopeless” works because it gets to the listener at their level, and the music creates a barren backdrop that fits the vocal and lyrics. “Hopeless” is quite a few steps sideways from the carefree nature of “Boyband” (which got to #6 on the BILLCS Top 30 last year) and puts the versatility of N i G H T S on full display.

MELØ, “The One I Love”

Windsor, Ontario artist MELØ follows up “Memento” (which just peaked at #8 on the BILLCS Top 30) with his splendid cover of R.E.M.’s first Top 10 hit, 1987’s “The One I Love”. This isn’t any straight-forward interpretation, this is an entire revamp which recalls Smashing Pumpkins’ Ava Adore period more than it does R.E.M. MELØ creates a lot of atmosphere, which includes synths and effects which of course weren’t in the original. This version also downplays the “fire” chorus in favour of more melodic instrumentation. I’m not sure how die-hard R.E.M. fans will react but this is the kind of creative vision that I enjoy in a really good cover version. MELØ’s forthcoming album, which will include “The One I Love”, is called Songs From The Spirit Box.

EMM, “Superfreak”

“Superfreak” is a tough-as-nails, anthemic and danceable release by L.A.-based multi-talent EMM. Making a bold record is nothing new for EMM, an artist in charge of her independent music career who is not afraid to take risks. She has several songs that have acquired more than a million streams, with her collaboration with electronic producer EGZOD, “Don’t Surrender”, past the ten million mark. “Superfreak” stands out because of its powerful arrangement and catchy rhythms, which one could associate with Beyoncé’s “Partition” or Lady Gaga’s “Judas”, while of course the always blunt Nicki Minaj released “Super Freaky Girl” not long ago. I think EMM will get new, committed fans with “Superfreak” and they’ll be wanting more.

VINNY MARCHI, “Leave This Party”

NYC-based singer/songwriter Vinny Marchi has been teasing “Leave This Party” for weeks on Instagram, but just enough to whet your appetite for the unexpected. I think The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” must have been an inspiration for its 80’s synthesizer hooks, which are set to lyrics about recognizing when one’s social battery is running out and you’d just rather be at home. Vinny’s got a stunning, countertenor voice (check out some of his IG posts), and you can hear that range in some of the background harmonies. While you can label the song as being a bit derivative, I’d rather embrace “Leave This Party” for its sincere and welcome message, and of course Vinny’s delightfully gentle main vocal.

SEAN SMITH, “Feels Like Forever” (Matt Pop radio edit)

UK singer Sean Smith provides one of his best vocals in “Feels Like Forever”. Sean’s ever the terrific interpreter and this warm, gracious and happy song about capturing special times together is a formidable vehicle for him. I think that Matt Pop’s signature bubbly synth style is a perfect foil for Sean’s vocal, and it improves greatly on the original mix of the song. “Feels Like Forever” is luminous dance/pop that can set the stage for anyone’s romantic date or evening.

CHRISTIANE DEHMER, “Together” (remix)

You can’t deny the important message in Christiane Dehmer’s “Together” – a simple one about being stronger when we are together, which can apply to so many different parts of our lives. Christiane is a German pop singer who is conservatory-trained in piano improvisation and accompaniment, jazz piano, jazz/pop improvisation, and music theory. “Together” was originally released on her same-titled EP in 2022 (an English version of her 2020 German release Zusammen), but has been remixed for dancing. She is associated with “Vision for Uganda”, which provides aid to people in that country, and children and young adults were invited to participate in the joyous video for the song, which you can watch above. “Together” is entirely performed and produced by Christiane, and I’m glad she chose to channel the song’s message through a dance remix, which I think helps make that message more powerful and universal.

UGOCHILL, THE TURTLE PROJECT, “No More”

Ugochill is the performing name for Dutch producer and guitarist extraordinaire Alex Rado, and though I’ve written about his music before, it has been a while. And while he prepares for the release of his first album in seven years, Chill ‘Em All, he’s released “No More”, which sounds like nothing he’s produced before. While Ugochill in the past has focused on progressive guitar instrumentals, “No More” actually downplays the guitar work in favour of vocal and lyrics provided by Welsh indie talent The Turtle Project. The artists met through an indie music portal and struck up a friendship, which has led to “No More”, an alternative rock track that will appeal to fans of Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon. I’ll admit that the somewhat sinister-sounding vocal did not hit the mark the first time, but the tight production and how The Turtle Project delivers the lyrics ultimately make “No More” a worthwhile and involving listen.

YARIN GLAM, “Burn It Down”

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Yarim Glam has been releasing music steadily for the last three years, with “Burn It Down” her latest single. It’s a head-turning, hip hop flavoured alternative pop track that encourages listeners to embrace who they are, and to take ownership even for those crazy moments we all have. Yarim has an interesting, diverse style that reminds me of Sky Ferreira or Lorde. “Burn It Down” has a serious edge to it that might detract from its playful side, but the pleading, invested vocal and some interesting echoey production effects will win you over.

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.

I’m loving all the 80’s vibes in Conan Gray’s “Lonely Dancers”

“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”.

David Guetta teams up with Kim Petras for their dance take on

Supertramp’s “The Logical Song” called “When We Were Young”

DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK

DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and “Pyjama Party”, with both shows anchored at Energy 885.

Hunter and I were on the same wavelength this week with the release of Vinny Marchi’s “Leave This Party”

“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” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.

Derek & The Dominoes – Layla
Cat Stevens – Morning Has Broken
Chi-Lites – Oh Girl
Gallery – Nice To Be With You
Jimmy Castor Bunch – Troglodyte (Cave Man)