Now that Beyoncé has successfully crossed genres with her two country singles, what’s next in 2024? Everything has gone quiet again. An artist of lesser stature can’t do the same without either a significant label push or a significant social media drive. Artists who are versatile should be able to cross genres, other than to pop, which has been done frequently, but the industry is too fixed on boxing them into one genre, which makes it next to impossible. That also allows radio to exclude artists who don’t record in a genre that suits their programming. I’m not sure if labels try to promote every release at pop radio as they did more than 25 years ago because no one in promotions or at radio is bold enough anymore to try and be a visionary. Anyone got a crystal ball?
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 1979 that mostly aren’t disco. I also have my “5-10-15-20-25” feature, looking back on the Top 5 songs in five of the last 25 years from the BILLCS Top 30. One of the artists whose new song I wrote about in this Report has a song on one of those charts too!
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.
OLLY ALEXANDER, “Dizzy”
What better way to break away from the Years & Years moniker than for Olly Alexander to lead “Dizzy” into Eurovision for the UK with his new single “Dizzy”. The more you listen to “Dizzy”, the more infectious it becomes, and it’s not a far stretch from some of Years & Years’ best releases, which hard to believe, go back almost a decade now. “Dizzy” has a mass-appeal factor for audiences because of its common theme about falling in love, and Olly offers another engaging performance which shows why he is where he is today. I’ll still reserve judgment about its chances at winning Eurovision until I hear the other songs that it’s up against, but “Dizzy”, like many other songs from past Eurovision contests, is a hit in its own right.
AFROKI, AVIELLA, “Everything You Do”
And the trend continues – like with Kx5 and more recently Endless Summer, Afroki is the new side-project for Steve Aoki and Afrojack, in which they can mesh their formidable production talents. “Everything You Do” is their first release partnered Proximity’s new label Golden Era, and it’s a festival banger that you’ll be hearing a lot of in the coming months. The producers playfully go at the beats and rhythms with all of their know-how. Vocalist/songwriter Aviella has been a go-to talent in dance music for a few years, working solo or with artists like MYRNE, Acraze and Unknown Brain, with several releases also on Monstercat, and her crisp, classy vocal brings the chorus home. “Everything You Do” is an enjoyable listen with big, anthemic qualities that will garner instant reaction.
FIE EIKE, “Sad”
About a month ago, I brought you words about “The Nile” by Danish singer Fie Eike, who in that song brought alternative electronic pop vibes that would appeal to fans of Kate Bush and Tori Amos, but with a more progressive alternative setting. “Sad” shows that there is much more to Fie Eike than that initial impression. “Sad” is a piano ballad that will appeal to fans of Adele and YEBBA for the sheer beauty of Fie Eike’s vocal in a raw setting. It’s a song about embracing sadness when you’re in the moment, and to be present when you need to absorb the changes around us, which can often affect our emotions and sentiments. Fie Eike gives a taut performance and “Sad” is an engrossing song, not as heavy at all despite what its subject matter might convey, so do yourself a favour and add it to your music discovery list.
K3SS, BRITT LARI, “Deeper”
“Deeper” is a tightly-woven, dark, late night deep house track by San Diego dance producer K3SS with collaborator and vocalist Britt Lari. Both are no strangers to this blog, and it’s great to hear their progression with this kind of cutting edge production being released through Dim Mak. Britt’s seductive vocal combined with K3SS’ bounty of synths and sounds make “Deeper” an easy mix for club DJ’s who want songs that will stand out for their patrons.
GT_OFICE, MATTHEW TOPPER, SARAH DE WARREN, “No Tears”
I normally dislike the use of vocal effects in a song, but if you want to hear a judicious use of them to expand on a hook, then “No Tears” is for you. Two gifted dance producers, Miami’s Gt_ofice and New Jersey-born Matthew Topper, enhance the song with effects and their respective styles while still keeping the always lovely voice of collaborator Sarah de Warren intact. It’s an early summer bop that revolves around the phrase “no tears left to cry”, not too long ago a popular song by Ariana Grande, so the sentiment still lingers for listeners. “No Tears” is dance music radio ready, and could very well follow Gt_ofice’s recent Top 30 hit with ALWZ SNNY and Robbie Rosen, “Feels Like Us” (which also reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30), onto the charts.
BENEDICT CORK, “Nice Guy”
UK singer/songwriter Benedict Cork just completed a North American tour and has more music coming soon, but he breaks his pop-oriented mold a bit for “Nice Guy”. It’s a rock-flavoured track that weaves a story many of us know, about being nice guys who want more out of relationships and continually get passed over for others who more often than not just want one night stands or short-term flings. Classic rock music styles are coming back into vogue, and Benedict sounds great in a more amped up setting that fleshes out the musicality of “Nice Guy”. Check out a live performance of “Nice Guy” by clicking on the photo above.
NOANNE, “Forgiveness”
Prague-based multi-talent Noanne is on a roll with “Forgiveness”, which follows up “Goodwill” and “White Glove”. Like both singles, “Forgiveness” is another powerful and dramatic affair, with Noanne launching into the song like Florence Welch meets Sarah Brightman. There’s no video this time, but story-wise the song is about finding forgiveness despite the path that led there, which often includes numerous unanswered questions. Sometimes we just have to let go and move on, and “Forgiveness” reassures the listener that it is possible. With her gifted vocal prowess, Noanne straddles theatricality with the essence of pop music, and comes through with an alternative take that captures the fine qualities of both.
SID SETH, “I’m Yours”
It’s been a while since I’ve written about NYC-based singer/songwriter Sid Seth, who came to my attention with the easy-going pop flavours of “Simple But True” and “Caffeine High”. Sid strikes me as a genuine and committed talent, continuing with the earnest story-telling of “I’m Yours”, which seems to come naturally to him as he draws from all genres of music. “I’m Yours” has a solid vocal, and though it might be about 30 seconds too long for what it has to say, it’s an absorbing and fresh listen. Check out the VLOG lyric video by clicking on the photo above.
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.
Young New Zealander Will Swinton is going to go far with songs like “Harmless”
“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”.
Singer, actress and model Heidi Klum covers Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses At Night” with production by Tiësto
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.
“Lift Off” is by French dance producer Dombresky
“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.
Lobo – Where Were You When I Was Falling In Love
The Knack – My Sharona
Ian Gomm – Hold On
Little River Band – Lonesome Loser
Michael Johnson – This Night Won’t Last Forever
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 CLOSURE Steve Void, Andy Marsh
2 i’m so tired… Lauv, Troye Sivan
3 DON’T THINK TWICE Revelries, Sam Smyers, Oktavian
4 IN MY ARMS Mahalo, Le:Blanc
5 PLAY Jax Jones, Years & Years
2013
1 THE CITY River Tiber
2 LIFTED Kwik Fiks & Bongiovanni
3 CLARIFY Zedd, Foxes
4 A WORLD APART Davis Redfield
5 1998 Matthew Koma
2009
1 RUN AWAY Sam Taylor & The BBC Orchestra
2 BROKEN Pierre Lewis
3 RELEASE ME Agnes
4 BREATHING YOUR LOVE Darin, Kat DeLuna
5 RIGHT NOW Ryan Star
2003
1 ROCK YOUR BODY Justin Timberlake
2 THE WAY (PUT YOUR HAND IN MY HAND) Divine Inspiration
3 AM I ON YOUR MIND Oxygen, Andrea Britton
4 JUST THE WAY I’M FEELING Feeder
5 THE SOUND OF VIOLENCE Cassius, Steve Edwards
1999
1 EVERY MORNING Sugar Ray
2 LOST ONES Lauryn Hill
3 EX-FACTOR Lauryn Hill
4 MILLENNIUM Robbie Williams
5 BLUE MONDAY Orgy
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.