These last few weeks have seen the album releases by two of my current favourites, who both have songs on the BILLCS Top 30, Benson Boone and Conan Gray.
While they couldn’t be more different in style and approach, I do believe an earnest approach with relatable lyrics helps their appeal go a long way. Plus both are great with their growing fanbases, and fostering your fans is the way to go. Conan’s a few years older and arrived on the scene about five years ago, while Benson started to make waves two years ago after an American Idol appearance and being signed to Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds’ Night Street Records.
Once these artists have reached a certain level of success, it’s always disappointing to read the sniping about looks or vocal style, usually by loud-voiced online detractors who like other artists much more, which makes their credibility as other than casual listeners much less.
I think both albums, Benson’s Fireworks & Rollerblades and Conan’s Found Heaven, will both do well. They both sound fabulous and have A-list producers in their credits. Both are filled with songs that can keep radio audiences happy for the next year, such as Benson’s “Cry” and “Be Someone”, and Conan’s “Fainted Love” and “The Final Fight”, and Conan’s quirky “Bourgoisieses” is a fun one that will go over well in concert when I see his show in September. I couldn’t get a ticket to Benson’s recent show in my city, but he’ll be back at a bigger venue, and I’m sure I’ll be there.
In the Report, you can also 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 all from 1980-81. In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll learn what songs were #1 and the Fastest Riser on the latest BILLCS Top 30. And, you’ll also find out what songs were #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 for each week during 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.
ANNIE TRACY, ROBIN THICKE, “Close To You”
Annie Tracy is a new name you’ll be getting to know better this year when she unveils her debut album. The Wilmington, North Carolina native has been working behind the scenes on her music for the past four years, and so far has released a number of singles along with two EP’s. Her rich and silky R&B-powered voice belies the fact that she has played Patsy Cline in a local musical during the past few years, so the diversity of her talents will soon be on full display. She’s got big name help in having Grammy winning producer Tricky Stewart as her manager, as well as working with other Grammy winners like producer/songwriter D-Mile, and her duet/harmony partner Robin Thicke on “Close To You”, from the Act II EP. She’s got the kind of earthy, pitch-perfect voice that you can listen to over and over again. “Close To You” has a live-on-stage, theatrical quality about it, but would also be of interest to fans of Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige. Annie also has a hand in producing her own songs too so remember where you read about her first (with thanks to my daughter for bringing her to my attention)!
CHET PORTER, “Aura”
After a long and arduous stretch of waiting, Chet Porter’s debut album Everything You’ve Ever Seen has arrived. If you’ve been following Chet’s releases for the best part of the last decade, you’ll find a bit of everything within, from beautiful, melodic instrumentals to tracks that go off harder, like the irrepressible “Bummed” with Alison Wonderland, still a lot of fun from its initial release which was slightly ahead of its time with its drum ‘n bass vibes. “Aura” gives you some of both – what starts as a luscious, experimental instrumental progresses into a track that slams midway with the introduction of some vocals, used really as effects, the kind of track that will generate all kinds of surprised reactions during a DJ set. Chet is one of the more unique electronic producers who clearly believes in the concept of “what if…”, and “Aura” represents that trait well.
JERIN JAMES, “Broken Dreamers”
Southern California electronic producer Jerin James follows up his EP The Wanderers with the lush sounds of “Broken Dreamers”. This one reminds me a lot of Odesza with its mix of big beats and delicate sounds amid other sonic delights. A delightful, reflective, even whimsical uncredited male vocal offers some brief insight into a story part way through, which is then followed by an electronic chorale of sorts. “Broken Dreamers”, as you can sense, is a highly imaginative and unpredictable track that offers an alternate world of wonder that’s yours for the taking.
DIAMOND CAFE, “Slowly Fading”
Following up the striking and soulful “When You Can’t Resist” (which just arrived in the Top 10 on the BILLCS Top 30), Vancouver’s Diamond Café releases the atmospheric “Slowly Fading”. Once again, the talented singer/songwriter applies his R&B-honed vocal, this time in an echoey production filled with harmonies that gives off a lot of 1980’s flavours. The production is complex and deliberate, gushing with some original synth sounds that set it apart from other current songs. “Slowly Fading” is a late, late night wind-down track, ideal for clubs, that could benefit from some remixes.
LINNEY, “Daisies”
It’s always enjoyable to see an artist progress in the industry over the years through the pages of my blog. L.A.-based singer/songwriter Linney has gone from singing covers of dance hits to being a go-to voice and songwriter in the electronic dance world. Now she can add producer to make it a triad with her new single “Daisies”, which is released through one of the bigger dance music labels too, Helix. It’s a bright-sounding fusion of pop with a fast-paced tech-house rhythm that could do well at dance music radio, and gives a new spin to the (not-so-cliché) act of giving the object of your affection some flowers. Big props to Linney for this one – she’s now one of a few women who can sing, write and produce their songs, so bear in mind that there are many who DJ, sing and write, but do not produce – at least not yet.
ELAZION, JAY BIRD, “Falling For You Again”
“Falling For You Again” is a slick deep house track that marks a first time collaboration between Vancouver’s Elazion and the Bay Area’s Jay Bird, whose music is already familiar to long-time readers of this blog. It’s funny sometimes how many producers there are out there, and there are so many even in my own country that I’m not familiar with such as Elazion. The guys selected a lush uncredited female vocal for “Falling”, and have created the kind of song you want to hear in a club when you’ve met someone you’d like to get to know better. Creative club DJ’s will know how to make “Falling” work best to keep club goers on the floor.
MARTI, “See You Again (Volverte a Ver)”
Hailing from L.A. but originally from Colombia, queer newcomer Marti provides a delightful introduction to his music world with the bilingual English/Spanish “See You Again (Volverte a Ver)”. It’s a song whose cautious melody is filled with both loneliness and longing after Marti’s recent relationship has ended. Using some vocal effects to convey his tender emotions, “See You Again” works by making you sway along to his story to uncomplicated electronic rhythms. One of the messages to take away from “See You Again” is that “it’s ok not to be ok”, often commonly said but sometimes taken slightly instead of more seriously. But if you’re listening more for the beats and melody then you’ll find lots to enjoy in “See You Again”.
LITTLE RAIN, “Same Lies”
It’s been a while since we heard from rising South Korean electronic dance music producer Little Rain, who has worked with vocalists Kacey Fifield, Rachel Woznow and Devyn Rush. He’s been back lately with some recent releases including “Same Lies”. It’s a bit of a change of pace for Little Rain, a brisk piano house track that features a solid uncredited male vocal with an appealing gruff edge to his voice. What ultimately elevates “Same Lies” though is Little Rain’s tight production and attention to detail in an uncomplicated and highly enjoyable setting.
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.
Marcus & Martinus are EuroVision bound with “Unforgettable”
“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”.
It’s Hozier’s viral hit “Too Sweet”
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.
Canadians Walk Off The Earth take on a cover of Noah Kahan’s “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.
Michael Stanley Band – He Can’t Love You
Cliff Richard – A Little Love
Boz Scaggs – Miss Sun
David Bowie – Fashion
Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah!
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
John Summit and Hayla take over at #1 with “Shiver”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Electric” by Darin moves up 26-17
26 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 26 years.
2023 THE ONLY ONE, Cerrone, Mercer, Brendan Reilly
2022 THE LAST GOODBYE, Odesza, Bettye LaVette
2021 NOT WATCHING ANYMORE, Mahalo
2020 ALL IN MY HEAD, Whethan, grandson
2019 i’m so tired…, Lauv, Troye Sivan
2018 SMILE, Dyrisk, Nik Ernst
2017 SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS, The Chainsmokers, Coldplay
2016 KISS THE SKY, The Knocks, Wyclef Jean
2015 KING, Years & Years
2014 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE), Showtek, Justin Prime, Matthew Koma
2013 LIFTED, Kwik Fiks, Bongiovanni
2012 SOMEDAY, River Tiber
2011 LOVE 2 BABY, Christian TV
2010 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis
2009 RUN AWAY, Sam Taylor, The BBC Orchestra
2008 WITH YOU, Chris Brown
2007 RUBY, The Kaiser Chiefs
2006 WATCHIN’, Freemasons, Amanda Wilson
2005 COLLIDE, Howie Day
2004 THIS LOVE, Maroon 5
2003 THE REMEDY (I WON’T WORRY), Jason Mraz
2002 TAKE A MESSAGE, Remy Shand
2001 HANGING BY A MOMENT, Lifehouse
2000 THERE YOU GO, Pink
1999 MILLENIUM, Robbie Williams
1998 THE WAY, Fastball
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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