All-in-one talents – those who can sing, write, producer and play an instrument – seem to be more prevalent of late in the releases that I’ve heard. This should be big news to major labels, who can sign and nurture talents like this and then give them big releases. So label A&R’s should not be passively scrolling through Instagram and Tik Tok feeds so much, there needs to be a much more organic approach in order to get the right talent.
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” zeroes in on songs from the 80’s and one from the 90’s. Plus you’ll find out what songs were rocking the BILLCS Top 30 in this week in 2017!
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.
CRASH ADAMS, “Hotel Party”
It’s been a while since I’ve written about their songs, but Toronto area duo and Juno Award nominees Crash Adams (Raf and Vince) have been killing it lately on the social media and fan engagement front, which has led to some live shows in the U.S. They continue their energized brand of slice of life songs with “Hotel Party”. And like “Give Me A Kiss” from 2022 (which reached #10 on the BILLCS Top 30), it’s a fantastic summer song in which they apologize to their neighbours for their rowdiness, but really want them to join in the fun. I first wrote about Crash Adams back in February 2020 and I’m glad they haven’t changed their vision, because we need more feel good songs in our collective lives right now. And they’ve nailed it with “Hotel Party”. Crash Adams also just announced a North American tour, which sees them play The Axis Club in Toronto on September 15 – see ya there!
FLY BY MIDNIGHT, “SuperFine”
Originally based out of Staten Island, New York, pop/dance duo Fly By Midnight – Justin Breit (Bryte) and Justin Slaven (Slavo) – have been releasing bright-sounding songs over the last six years or so, with their latest being “SuperFine”, part of a three song EP called The Race:Lap 1/3. While they’ve been honing their own sound for the past few years, they’ve previously collaborated with the notables like Betty Who, Shoffy, and Clara Mae. “SuperFine” is one of the most infectious songs of late from its very first few seconds. It’s also a great summer song, with the guys’ standout vocals leading the way atop an 80’s flavoured pop arrangement that accentuates guitars and harmonies. There’s no denying that Fly By Midnight have enormous pop potential with “SuperFine”, and if you enjoy pop/dance releases with rock elements then be sure to spread the good words about this one. Fans of groups like LANY and Walk The Moon will enjoy “SuperFine”.
SIAN, BOBBY NOURMAND, DAVID LeSAL, “Control”
“Control” is a compelling electronic dance release that’s destined for widespread play in clubs and at festivals. Once in a while a song with a spoken word vocal comes along and proves that it’s not at all a novelty. “Control” features New York City poet and MC David LeSal over the intense rhythms provided by L.A.-based producers Sian and Bobby Nourmand. David has a unique voice and when he tells you that your “body’s controlled by giant black speakers”, you’re apt to believe him! Sian, born in Ireland and raised in Spain, has been working with Sacha Robotti in the project Third Culture (USA), and it’s always nice to have Bobby Nourmand back on the darker side of electronic dance music which he creates so well. These three talents make the most of “Control” and run off with a hypnotic and highly provocative track that’s going to give Shazam a workout.
TRAVIS GARLAND, “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”
Comeback kid Travis Garland looks like he has a lot of songs up his sleeve, including those that aren’t his own. The L.A. performer’s interpretation of Cher’s 1966 hit “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” is taut and mysterious, with a soulful and inspired vocal that is only accompanied by guitar. It’s quite far away from Cher’s original and not often covered, which allows Travis to comfortably make it his own. If you enjoyed Travis’ music from his self-titled album of 11 years ago as much as I did, then “Bang Bang” is a must for you, and to anyone new to his music, it’s a great place to start.
PLS&TY, THOMAS DANIEL, “Move”
“Move” sets out to make you do just that on the dance floor, courtesy of L.A.-based dance producer PLS&TY (aka Tommy Leas) and Nashville-based vocalist/songwriter Thomas Daniel. It’s a fast-paced, snappy pop/dance track that doesn’t let up, with Thomas’ lively vocal set against a wash of stellar synths from PLS&TY. For club DJ’s, “Move” is a good one for the start of a set as it will do a great job of motivating club goers to the dance floor. The combination of talents also makes it friendly for national dance radio ears.
JOTTI, “Like You’re Mine”
In 2022, I wrote a couple of times about songs by Jot Singh, a Kansas City-born, L.A. based talent with a flair for melody. The releases were either acoustic or DIY and showcased his fine vocal tone as well. He has since rebranded himself as Jotti, and his recent single “Like You’re Mine” is a much more produced affair that levels up from previous releases and shows that he’s ‘in it to win it’. There is always room for artfully-created, straight forward romantic pop, and Jotti nails it with “Like You’re Mine” in all departments – vocal, melody, arrangement and production – and it’s all Jotti. There aren’t many solo talents like Jotti that can do it all so well, so don’t pass up “Like You’re Mine”.
FELIX RAPHAEL, “The Further We Go”
Felix Raphael is a German multi-talent – producer, songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist, which includes guitar. He’s best known in Europe for his live performances and collaborations with other producers such as Ben Böhmer. His latest single “The Further We Go” is ear-catching for all of what Felix packs into the song’s 4:22 length. To me, it’s a progressive electronic track with classical elements and guitar that launches a drum ‘n bass groove about a minute and a half in. With a strong lead up, you can easily get hooked on its rhythm, and once we’ve heard Felix’s voice in the first half, he uses it effectively as an instrument in the last half. “The Further We Go” is tightly woven and breezes by thanks to Felix’s tight arrangement. If you enjoy music by San Holo – and it happens to be released on his Bitbird label – DROELOE, Manila Killa, or Mako, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy in “The Further We Go”, and there’s plenty of sync potential for gaming here too.
OSKA, “Forever Blue”
“Forever Blue” is a fine song to introduce Austrian artist OSKA to the rest of the world, after winning several prestigious awards in Europe during the last four years, which largely have to do with her live performances. It’s an uplifting song with beautiful guitar work about appreciating the small things in life that make us happy, whether it’s enjoying a ride in the car or the company of someone special. There are similarities vocally to singers like Olivia Rodrigo, Nessa Barrett, Lorde and Mallrat, while the production textures offer a bit of a quiver to her vocal throughout most of “Forever Blue”, which helps make it memorable. OSKA already has one album under her belt, and later this year she will be supporting Maggie Rogers and Coldplay, so 2024 looks to be a promising year for OSKA.
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 throughout the summer each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online. “The 3D Variety Show” in which it normally debuts on Tuesdays, is on hiatus and will return in September.
“Honey Boy” by quite a collective – Purple Disco Machine, Benjamin Ingrosso, Nile Rodgers & Shenseea
“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”.
“In The Beginning”, the title track from the latest album by ex-Klaatu member Terry Draper
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”.
NYC social media star Vinny Marchi performs “Lady Of The Lyre”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, usually heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST but currently on hiatus until September. 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.
Loverboy – Working For The Weekend (1981)
The Go-Go’s – Our Lips Are Sealed (1981)
The Cars – Shake It Up (1981)
Gloria Estefan – Turn The Beat Around (1994)
Climie Fisher – Love Changes (Everything) (1987)
BILLCS Top 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2017
In the music world, seven years travels fast, but artists like N i G H T S, The Chainsmokers, Bobby Nourmand (one of my reviews this week), Martin Garrix, Andy Suzuki & The Method, and Bright Light Bright Light are all either in the BILLCS Top 30 recently or currently, or I’ve written up their new songs in a blog post. But wow at seven years ago!!
02 01 ATTENTION Charlie Puth
05 02 OUT OF MY HEAD Axel Mansoor
03 03 P A R T Y N i G H T S
01 04 WASTED MY LOVE Axel Mansoor
11 05 SILENT GAMES Lars Beck & Henri Purnell F/ Zekt
10 06 D U S T Bobby Nourmand
09 07 HEAVY-HEARTED Murky F/ Anuka
08 08 NEVER BEEN BETTER Steve Void
12 09 BYTE Martin Garrix & Brooks
14 10 THERE’S NOTHING HOLDING ME BACK Shawn Mendes
17 11 BAD DRUG Cosmos & Creature
15 12 DARLIN’ (Saxena remix) Welcome To The Hotel F/ Brandon Serafino
04 13 FALLING Alesso
20 14 L.I.L.Y. Anton
22 15 THERE FOR YOU Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan
New 16 NEW YORK PRETTY Bright Light Bright Light
06 17 RUNAWAY Spirix F/ Xuitcasecity
23 18 ASTRONAUTS Boye & Sigvardt & MAGNUS F/ UHRE
21 19 TRUTH Reeve Carney
28 20 MAGIC (Andy Sikorski remix) Sean Smith
13 21 I NEED YOU NOW (THE MORE YOU LEAVE) Andy Suzuki & The Method
16 22 LOVE LIKE WE USED TO (Young Bombs remix) Captain Cuts F/ Nateur
New 23 SECRETS The Him F/ Cub Rayan
27 24 THE MAN Killers
New 25 BIRTHDAY SUIT Dan Talevski
18 26 SIGN OF THE TIMES Harry Styles
19 27 CRUEL Eddy Faulkner
24 28 I WONDER The Him F/ LissA
25 29 WTFYWF Mahalo F/ Cat Lewis
26 30 SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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