One thing about constantly discovering new music every day in establishing my criteria after more than 40 years of listening critically to music is that I enjoy the element of surprise. It’s vitally important when listening to so many releases in a week that I can distinguish between songs and allow what’s memorable to stand out. Some songs surely stand out for all the wrong reasons, usually if they have too many effects or a poor vocal. But others dazzle because the creators have decided to make their songs unique. Whether it’s a simple production focusing on the vocal, highlighting a song with a set of different or special effects, or accentuating an emotional side through melody or vocal that gets under your skin, the songs that stand out ultimately attempt to make a difference to those who listen to them. If your songs make me smile or sad, quietly go “wow”, admire the quality of work that’s gone in to them, or have got me singing along to their choruses after one listen, then you’ve probably won me over.
In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week 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 memorable Classic Five picks from the late 60’s. You’ll also find out what the BILLCS Top 30 looked like this week in 2008!!
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.
JENNA Nation, “Bittersweet”
Last Fall I introduced you to the Berklee School of Music-educated, Ottawa-based singer JENNA Nation, who released her first new music in a few years with the jazzy R&B pop track “All I Need”. “Bittersweet” is her latest release, and once again the showcase is on her stunning voice, which at times recalls other current singers like Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani, as well as voices of the past like Peggy Lee or Julie London, though the singer indicates specific inspiration from talent like Jill Scott and Jazmine Sullivan Her taut and deliberate phrasing sets the place for a lovely song about being there in the moment for someone, whether it’s a bitter or sweet one. “Bittersweet” is warm and inviting and should easily draw in more fans for JENNA Nation.
Sharon’SISTER, MAUREEN LEESON, JAIMIE VERNON, “Running To Stand Still”
I’m writing about this track in celebration of it appearing on streaming services for the first time in hopes that more people get to hear one of the best covers of a U2 song available. Sharon’SISTER was a pseudonymous project for the Durham, Ontario-based quartet Spare Parts, fronted by Maureen Leeson and including her brother-in-law, pop music guru Jaimie Vernon, on bass and harmonies, which toured the southern Ontario bar circuit and continues to pop up for reunions now and then. Maureen has a tireless, powerful voice that should really be heard by more people, and fortunately she is a highly regarded music teacher who shares her numerous skills with her students. “Running To Stand Still” is a U2 song from The Joshua Tree album that was recorded by Sharon’SISTER on their 1996 8 song release of otherwise original songs called Steeped. It’s one of those songs, when sung by the right person, that can make you stop in your tracks to listen, and U2 fans will love this rendition of the song. The potent vocal by Maureen with lovely harmonies from Jaimie drive it home, and you’ll want to put “Running To Stand Still” on repeat. If a 2024 revival is due for a rather obscure cover of a song, then this is it.
JERIN JAMES, “Blue Night”
As a part of his recent EP The Wanderers Pt. 2, southern California-based dance producer Jerin James has included one of his best songs, the atmospheric “Blue Night”. Set to a deep house backdrop and led by some ideal string-synth effects, “Blue Night” is rich and sultry with a compelling uncredited male vocal which adds the personality needed to grab club-goers’ ears as well as their feet. “Blue Night” should find its way easily into club DJ’s sets and it’s also quite radio friendly for dance radio to consider. As much as I enjoy this version, I think some remixes could help lift Jerin’s opportunity for more success with “Blue Night”.
BENJAMIN RUSSELL, GREG FRASER, “Sirens Calling”
“Sirens Calling” is part of a four song tribute to the well-remembered Toronto songwriter and musician, Rude Van Steenes (Arson, GLAMATRON!, Vis-A-Vis – who recorded an 80’s dance music fave of mine “Shadow Play”), who passed away in 2021. The project was started by Toronto synthesizer player Greg Fraser with Rude, based on Rude’s poems, but sadly he died before it was completed. Greg and Rude’s wife Michele O’Neail, recruited the prolific Montreal artist Benjamin Russell to finish the project, which as a fond remembrance is called Ghost Particles (messages from Rude Van Steenes). “Sirens Calling” is the outstanding lead off track from the EP, with Benjamin’s forthright vocal embracing the song’s theme of control, almost a cautionary tale that tells us to be careful what we wish for. The song is augmented by delightful saxophone sounds in an overall tight and memorable production. “Sirens Calling” will be much appreciated by alternative and college radio stations, who were also big champions of the music of Rude Van Steenes during his lifetime.
AIOBAHN, DAN SOLEIL, “On Repeat”
“On Repeat” is warm and dreamy electronic pop from South Korean producer Aiobahn and Dutch vocalist Dan Soleil. The song aims to transport you back to the peak ’10’s era of electronic music. And while the emotional side of the song does that, it’s set against a subtle and carefully crafted melody, and inviting but uplifting vocals by Dan. I’d pitch “On Repeat” to fans of producers like Chet Porter and Helloworld, wanting something familiar and pretty but a little more off the mainstream.
MRKO, “Fall”
Rising L.A.-based dance producer MRKO returns with a captivating ode to love called “Fall”. Since I wrote about his music a few years back, MRKO has already supported Benny Benassi and Robin Schulz in concert and has released music on labels helmed by Austin Kramer and The Disco Fries. With a stellar, ages-old-sounding vocal by an uncredited male vocalist, “Fall” takes you through the self-doubts and other thoughts that occur when you might be falling in love, often forgetting to just let it all happen organically. The deep house rhythm and MRKO’s fluid synth work all compliment “Fall”, making it a standout keeper that club DJ’s should invest in, and there are extended remixes Simon Sinfield and Gilbert Lezana & Shemsu to help take care of that.
SOCIAL ANIMALS, “Blacking Out”
Social Animals are a Nashville-based quartet originally from Duluth, Minnesota led by vocalist/songwriter Dedric Clark. Although I see releases in Spotify back to 2021, they seem to have been around longer, perhaps as a touring band. They are also faced with the challenge that many other rock bands have in bringing back guitar-oriented rock to the current genre of listeners. “Blacking Out” is full of solid guitar work in a tight mix with an affecting vocal by Dedric, who ruminates to a former lover after crashing his car about trying to put everything behind him by “staying in and blacking out”. The overall sound mixes classic Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp vibes with 90’s flavours represented by bands like Live and Collective Soul. Fans of Cage The Elephant and The Black Keys would be sure to embrace a Social Animals song like “Blacking Out”.
JAVI, “Only Lover”
Javi is an American singer/songwriter of Puerto Rican and Latin heritage, who doesn’t release music too often, but when he does it certainly stands out from the crowd. He’s a gifted interpreter too, as witnessed by his recent covers of Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” and especially Sade’s “Cherish The Day”, which reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2022. “Only Lover” marks the return of producer Patrick Breen as a collaborator, and it’s a slick and soulful original that exudes George Michael vibes. Javi’s vocal comes from a natural place with warm and sophisticated tones that completely suit the song. “Only Lover” is provided to you on a three song EP, where you can check out the Steak Frites mix, which amps up the playful groove, and the Palgz demo, tearing a few pages out of the Parliament/Funkadelic songbook, which slows down the pace and emphasizes the funk.
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, and debuts each Tuesday at 6pm EST on The 3D Variety Show on Xstreamrockradio and also now on Lil Rawkers out of California!
Greyson Chance has returned with new music and his indie release is the poignant “Rearview Mirror”
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Russ’ record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
Ohio’s Michael Marcagi has his first big hit with “Scared to Start”
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 can also be heard weekdays at 2pm EST on Party Dog Radio. Hunter’s bop of the week can now be heard each week on “The Big 20” and will soon be in sync with these blog posts.
Vancouver’s Marianas Trench are finally back with new music including “Lightning and Thunder”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST. 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.
Joe South – Walk A Mile In My Shoes (1970)
Glen Campbell -Wichita Lineman (1969)
Bobby Darin – If I Were A Carpenter (1966)
Young Rascals – Groovin’ (1967)
The Box Tops – The Letter (1967)
BILLCS Top 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2008
It’s hard for some people to believe that 2008 is 16 years ago, until you start to bask into some of the nostalgia that some of these songs offer. The highlight for me is a 20 year old Justin Nozuka with his biggest song to date, “After Tonight”. It’s also cool seeing Canadian producer John Nathaniel back to back on the chart with One Republic, since he later went on to produce that group!
03 01 GOING WRONG Armin Van Buuren featuring Chris Jones
01 02 AMERICAN BOY Estelle featuring Kanye West
02 03 MERCY Duffy
09 04 LET GO (Vandit remix) Paul Van Dyk featuring Rea Garvey
20 05 AFTER TONIGHT Justin Nozuka
07 06 ALL OVER YOU The Spill Canvas
05 07 LEAVIN’ Jesse McCartney
06 08 CALI CRY Roz Bell
04 09 4 MINUTES Madonna & Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland
10 10 POCKETFUL OF SUNSHINE Natasha Bedingfield
13 11 CLOSER Ne-Yo
15 12 DANGEROUS (remix) Kardinal Offishall featuring Akon & Sean Paul
11 13 COLD SHOULDER Adele
16 14 ONLY FOOLING MYSELF Kate Voegele
19 15 YOU ME US WE Nelson Clemente
22 16 WARWICK AVENUE Duffy
12 17 NO AIR Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown
08 18 YOU WANT ME DON’T YOU Nelson Clemente
New 19 BLACK AND GOLD Sam Sparro
24 20 IF I NEVER SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna
26 21 ANTHEM Filo & Peri featuring Eric Lumiere
14 22 SILVER LINING Rilo Kiley
New 23 WHAT YOU GOT Colby O’Donis featuring Akon
30 24 TIME OF MY LIFE David Cook
25 25 SAY (ALL I NEED) One Republic
New 26 REALIZE John Nathaniel
New 27 FOREVER Chris Brown
17 28 SUPERNATURAL SUPERSERIOUS R.E.M.
21 29 WITH YOU Chris Brown
23 30 LAST TRAIN HOME Ryan Star
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