Once again, in this week’s edition of the Report, I’ll let the music speak, since the only thing I want to mention is that I’m looking forward to Miami Music Week in three weeks, for the first time in two years. If you happen to be going, do let me know! The music, heat and change of scenery can’t come soon enough.
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 1987. And if you missed it on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are at #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.
CHEAT CODES, TWO FRIENDS, “The Way It Is”
Just when you might be getting tired of interpolations being exploited into new songs that have nothing to do with the original song, the unique collaboration of Cheat Codes and Two Friends presents us with “The Way It Is”, a rewrite of the 1980’s Bruce Hornsby & The Range #1 hit. That song wore on me in its day, but Cheat Codes and Two Friends manage to make it not only fresh but uplifting in a sparkling new arrangement. It’s co-written by Jordan Shaw – you’ll remember him from Boye & Sigvardt’s BILLCS Top 30 #1 “Microdose” – with a charming guy-next-door vocal by Cheat Codes’ Trevor Dahl that beautifully gets across the universal message of the song. Both Cheat Codes and Two Friends have had their fair share of successes with other big name collaborations with artists like Demi Lovato, Loud Luxury, Bebe Rexha and Sam Feldt, but watch for “The Way It Is” to take off in the coming weeks.
DAVID ARCHULETA, WILLY BEAMAN, “Afraid To Love” (Euphoric Alternative Mix)
I actually wrote about the original mix of “Afraid To Love” back in September, a release by David Archuleta that I enjoy for embracing his positive, inspiring switch to pop/dance music. It looks like the song has resonated with his fans, many of whom have stuck with him for the last 15 years since his “American Idol” success, because David enlisted the multi-talented American keyboardist and producer Willy Beaman to help rework it. Willy has countless credits during the last 10 years which include working with Kelly Rowland, Nicki Minaj, Demi Lovato, and also one of my favourites, Greyson Chance, for his Portraits album. This remix of “Afraid To Love” does everything that a solid remix should do, elevating the song to embrace a retro 2010’s euphoric vibe, true to the title of the mix. It’s easily the best of David’s recent releases and a worthwhile remix investment, and club DJ’s with a penchant for creating energetic pop/dance sets should be sure to check out this remix of “Afraid To Love”.
TASBA, “U”
Rising Denver electronic producer TASBA (aka Tanya Barrera) has got a winner with her first release for 2024, “U”. The song is a sea of untapped emotions with straight-up lyrics about someone who has found their ideal but knows they are out of reach, so is looking for someone like them. “U” is full of bright synths in a mid-tempo arrangement and the uncredited, thoughtful male vocal is an ideal fit. But it’s the break that TASBA inserts that you’re going to remember after your first listen, quiet and awash with synth strings sounds, and it will keep you coming back to “U”. Club DJ’s should not sleep on “U” and it should be come a memorable highlight of TASBA’s own sets.
JARED LEE, “Love No More”
American singer/songwriter Jared Lee should really be a superstar, since he keeps releasing fantastic songs like “Love No More”, particularly after representing his home state Massachusetts memorably on TV’s “American Song Contest”. His voice is also heard all over TV through numerous song placements in ads. “Love No More” is a potent anthem to that stage in a break-up when you’re beyond hurt and just want the other person to stop loving you. Jared’s soaring vocal seals the deal early on in the song, which allows it to develop into a mid-tempo ballad that brings out so many feels. “Love No More” might be a tough listen or too tender for those who have recently undergone a break up. But for others, it’s a beautiful and insightful song.
Z3LLA, “Why Should I?”
“Why Should I?” suddenly is the toast of dance music radio for American DJ and vocal duo Z3LLA, which comprises Julia Seeley and Kiana Tebyani. And deservedly so, it’s familiar piano house hook is incredibly infectious, with a playful and engaging vocal by the duo. The independent release also encourages those of you who like to hang out solo and dance alone to perhaps go out and have even a better time. “Why Should I?” has all the trimmings, including tight production, to turn this one into a spring/summer anthem for clubs and festivals too.
XanTz, NIFFER, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Tell You”
“Tell You” is for the lover in all of us. There’s nothing like a passionate pop/dance release to help ignite an evening, and this one’s brought to you by Norwegian producer XanTz, Danish producer Niffer, and NYC’s Robbie Rosen, one of whose specialties continues to be writing great lyrics for this genre – it’s another collaboration with XanTZ, following “Stolen Moments” and the exhilarating “Revived”. “Tell You” is pretty direct and compelling, with appropriately dreamy melodic house production and one of Robbie’s best recent vocals.
CHASE CIMALA, “I’m Not Him”
It’s been a while since I’ve written about Kentucky-based indie singer/songwriter Chase Cimala. But his vocal and the vantage point in “I’m Not Him” are what makes this song so appealing. Chase has a beautiful tone in his voice that makes me think of singers like Michael Bublé and Rick Nelson, and you can hear it in “I’m Not Him”. He takes that point in time when you realize that a woman you might attracted to is not the one for you and provides all of the compelling reasons, I mean just in case she should approach you, right? “I’m Not Him” is written in earnest with a deft performance to match.
KASTRA, INViDA, MONTAGU, “Constellations”
“Constellations” is a fast-paced house track that thrives on some wickedly catchy synth melodies. New Jersey’s Kastra is in fine form with one of his best recent releases, after collaborating with the likes of The Disco Fries, Borgeous and GT_ofice in the last few years. This time his production partner is NYC native INViDA, who appeared on the BILLCS Top 30 a few years back performing with Lauren Mayhew on their fun track “Boys” (#16), while newcomer Montagu brings her fresh and powerful vocal to the track. “Constellations” delivers exactly what dance club patrons are listening for, and is an obvious choice for both dance radio stations and club DJ’s.
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.
“Shiver” is the latest dance music smash from John Summit and Hayla
“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”.
British singer/songwriter Frank Turner returns with “Do One”
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.
It’s Grammy nominee Noah Kahan with “Stick Season”
“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.
John Mellencamp – Cherry Bomb
Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin
Fleetwood Mac – Little Lies
Bruce Springsteen – Brilliant Disguise
Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
To the surprise of no one, Benson Boone has his second #1 within a month with “Beautiful Things”.
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Conan Gray’s “Lonely Dancers” makes short work of the chart, soaring 25-4.
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