The music will do all the talking in this week’s diverse and unpredictable edition of the BILLCS New Music Report.
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 from 50 years ago in that wacky year for pop music, 1974. Plus you’ll find out what songs sat atop the BILLCS Top 30 over the last 26 years!
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.
AYSANABEE, RAYE SARAGOZA, “Come Out”
Aysanabee is a multi-award winning Indigenous singer/songwriter of Oji-Cree heritage from northern Ontario, near Thunder Bay. He quickly shot to national attention with his alternative radio #1 song “Nomads” from his debut album Watin, and he was the first Indigenous performer to top that chart. “Come Out” is from his forthcoming sophomore album and is a duet with Southern California Indigenous Asian-American artist Raye Saragoza. Their voices couldn’t be any more different, but each shine in their own right throughout the song, with Aysanabee’s gruff, weary-sounding voice anchoring the story while Raye is given the opportunity to let her voice soar. “Come Out” stands apart from a lot of pop music out there and is a head-turner that should see support from Canadian Top 40 and Top 40 AC radio as well as alternative radio.
LOGIC1000, ROCHELLE JORDAN, “Promises”
You may recognize Rochelle Jordan’s name as I wrote about her feature on KAYTRANADA’s single “Lover/Friend” recently, though she’s been recording for more than a decade. This time the Toronto-based singer teams up with Berlin-based Aussie producer/DJ Logic1000 (aka Samantha Poulter) for soft, slick R&B/pop that throws back to Janet Jackson releases of the 90’s. “Promises” moves along at a nice clip with its warm lyrics and arrangement. It’s a solid introduction for me to the music of Logic1000, and sometimes I think the music industry forgets how much R&B there actually is in my city with the past success of artists like Grammy winner Melanie Fiona, Canada Music Hall of Fame inductee Deborah Cox, and Divine Brown, and hopefully “Promises” and “Lover/Friend” will continue the rise of Rochelle Jordan to prominence.
ROZALLA, “Lotta Love”
90’s dance queen Rozalla has always been a favourite since her 90’s heyday with classics like “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” and “Are You Ready To Fly”. The Zimbabwe-born singer came back strong with new songs in the mid-2010’s including the #1 “If You Say It Again” and “The Shadows Of The Moon” (its House of Virus remix was a BILLCS Top 30 #9). It hasn’t been remade too many times, so her cover of the Neil Young song “Lotta Love”, popularized in 1978 by Nicolette Larson, is a great choice. The song suits Rozalla’s voice so well and she sounds terrific. Producer Dan Scholes keeps the contemporary arrangement faithful to the original, but minus the yacht rock vibes. “Lotta Love” would be especially perfect for a revival on Canadian Adult Contemporary radio, and with being written by Neil Young, counts as Canadian content (or Cancon) for radio. But regardless, fans of both Rozalla and the Nicolette Larson hit version will love it.
KACEY FIFIELD, “Never Reply”
You’ve read in this blog many posts about L.A. singer/songwriter Kacey Fifield over the last few years, and how she is continually developing her sound and putting her versatility on display. Having delved mainly into electronic pop recently in recent singles “Self Sabotage” and “Vegas”, Kacey breaks away from that genre for her first 2024 release in favour of a classic pop rock, guitar-driven sound in “Never Reply”. The song is full of irony as many people tend to put on a false front after a break-up, and only they know themselves that they are really hurting inside and not in fact over it. Accompanying Kacey this time are guitarist Mike Kamerman from L.A. band Smallpools (whose new single, “Night Shift”, I wrote about last week) and producer Sam Beresford, of another L.A. band, fronted by Matthew Koma, Winnetka Bowling League. The sound is crisp and the guitar work is a stand out, and “Never Reply” shows how well Kacey’s vocals work in a classic pop rock setting. The overall result is fresh and could easily bring new fans into Kacey’s midst.
JAMIE WEBSTER, BILLY BRAGG, “Fickle Fran”
Liverpool singer/songwriter Jamie Webster is a new name to me, but I couldn’t resist taking a listen to “Fickle Fran”, which features legendary British folk/rock troubadour Billy Bragg. Jamie recently obtained his third consecutive Top 10 album in the UK with 10 For The People, which bowed at #2. I prefer my folk on the rockier side and “Fickle Fran” will appeal to fans of The Proclaimers, Hozier, Sam Fender, and the like. It’s a slice-of-life story about a merchandise vendor who has seen better days with his business, but nonetheless carries on. The lyrics try to be hopeful for him with the uplifting refrain of “the sun’s out in the city”. “Fickle Fran” has a lot of appeal for its ability to shine a positive light on the working class and Jamie and Billy together are two delightful kindred spirits.
JETTA, “sicklysweet”
Also from Liverpool, but of a totally different bent is alternative pop singer/songwriter Jetta, who has released her debut indie album Relax, The House Is On Fire. “sicklysweet” stands out on the album because of Jetta’s interesting vocal style, which alternates between a spoken-sung patter and layers of well-placed harmonies. “sicklysweet” could be about someone who doesn’t quite know what she wants in her object of affection just yet, particularly if he’s too shy or nice with angelic traits. To be fair, when we find that someone might indeed be too good to be true, they usually aren’t, so do we pay the price and indulge in some fun anyway at our own emotional expense? Jetta calls her album “a coping mechanism for not coping” and realizes listeners hearing songs like “sicklysweet” might see it as denial or acceptance. Regardless, “sicklysweet” sticks in your head and that’s usually a good thing.
CORBYN BESSON, “Love Me Better”
L.A. singer/songwriter/guitarist Corbyn Besson is one-fifth of the pop band Why Don’t We, who are currently on somewhat of a forced hiatus to due unresolved legal problems with their previous management. Until WDW resurfaces, Corbyn is one of the members undertaking solo releases with “Love Me Better”. It’s anthemic and enjoyably in-your-face and could have easily been a WDW release. Among its co-writers in fact are WDW’s Daniel Seavey (a former “American Idol” Top 10 contestant) and Jonah Marois. Well-done power pop like this never goes out of style – ask The Jonas Brothers. “Love Me Better” will please WDW fans but if you enjoy an infectious driven-sounding singalong bop, then you may find a new favourite.
BEN ELLIS, “Half The Time”
Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis continues to drop clever, catchy pop songs with his latest, the brief but loaded “Half The Time”. His previous release “Guys That Look Like Me” is currently rising up the BILLCS Top 30, while the title track from his EP Ed’s House got to #8 last year. “Half Time Time” is a bit of a head-scratcher as we have a lovelorn guy continuing to pursue his object of affection, even though she’s not into him. And despite all that, and perhaps knowing better, he still would like her to change her mind. It’s really the stuff of fantasies, but Ben’s determined vocal and his crafty way of letting a short story unfold could convince you otherwise.
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.
Producers Jonas Blue and Sam Feldt have a new project called Endless Summer with “Rest Of My Life”
“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”.
“Water Underground” by New Jersey rock group Real Estate
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.
“Nothing Is For Sure” by Italian producers Riggi & Piros with Nashville-based vocalist Mokita
“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.
Wednesday – Last Kiss
Redbone – Come And Get Your Love
Brownsville Station – Smokin’ In The Boys Room
Jim Stafford – Spiders And Snakes
Aretha Franklin – Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
26 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 26 years.
2023 HERO Martin Garrix, JVKE
2022 BAD THINGS Louis Pax
2021 NOBODY NOTD, Catello
2020 FLAMES R3HAB, Zayn, Jungleboi
2019 CLOSURE Steve Void, Andy Marsh
2018 MY MY MY! Troye Sivan
2017 PARIS The Chainsmokers
2016 8BIT HEART (redux) Simon Curtis
2015 SLEEVE Brandyn Burnette
2014 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith
2013 THE CITY River Tiber
2012 MEMORIZE ME Rune RK & DATABOY
2011 THE FEAR INSIDE Frankmusik
2010 RAIN Mika
2009 RELEASE ME Agnes
2008 CHASING PAVEMENTS Adele
2007 LOVESTONED/I THINK SHE KNOWS Justin Timberlake
2006 THUNDER IN MY HEART AGAIN, Meck, Leo Sayer
2005 THE LETTER SONG Tyler Hilton
2004 YEAH Usher, Ludacris, Lil Jon
2003 THE WAY (PUT YOUR HAND IN MY HAND) Divine Inspiration
2002 TAKE A MESSAGE Remy Shand
2001 HANGING BY A MOMENT Lifehouse
2000 FADED soulDecision
1999 EVERY MORNING Sugar Ray
1998 ANGEL Joée
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