In a chart where this week the top 13 songs are holding or on the rise, it leaves a big question mark as to how it will look in two weeks, just before I head off to New York City (yup again, can’t get enough). There are several worthy candidates on the move for the top of the chart, we’ll just have to see what songs I can let go of… well a bit anyway!
Remember – my blog posts are all about DISCOVERY, so let the music in!!
Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below as they are now directly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.
Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30
Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist
The BILLCS Top 30 Archive: BILLCS Top 30 Archive (recently updated along with its Artist tab)
Deservedly killing it at #1 for a second appearance is “feel less (Live String Version Recorded at The Warehouse)” by Canadians, Juno Award winners, and true buds Felix Cartal and Lights. It’s one thing to make a dance track, but then to turn that track into one with orchestra and synths is a brilliant thing.
I’ve seen UK singer/songwriter Hayla in concert twice this year, and it will happen for a third time in September when she opens in my city for Kygo. Her solo release “Embers” rises 4-2 and seems most likely to succeed “feel less” at #1 – but will it? Hayla also has a new single, “Freefall”, coming soon, and both of her tracks with John Summit, the recent BILLCS Top 30 #1 “Shivers” and “Where You Are” appear on John’s new album Comfort In Chaos. She’s one of dance music’s biggest stars on the rise.
When JVKE releases music, things seem to happen in at least double the ways of other performers. His single “This Is What Slow Dancing Feels Like” (above) advances 5-3, but he’s also one of the vocalists and songwriters of “Mi Amor” with producer Sam Feldt and Latin sensation Anitta. “Mi Amor” (below) is the Fastest Riser on the chart this week, soaring 27-18, and easily one of dance music’s summer songs of ’24.
Benson Boone’s story of 2024 is also one of multiples – mainly with “Beautiful Things” reaching #1 in multiple countries around the world. He too has two songs on the chart this week from his Fireworks and Rollerblades album. “Cry” (above) – which pulls your leg with its false start – jumps 8-5, while current single “Slow It Down” (below) moves up 26-19.
It’s been a long time coming but Germany’s TheFatRat lands in the Top 10 for the first time with his enthralling single “Myself & I” featuring Canadian vocalist/songwriter RIELL. It leaps 12-7.
Three times a charm as L.A. dance producers TELYKast reach the Top 10 for the third time with “Without Your Love” climbing 11-9. It’s also the first one for collaborator Deorro and a second one for vocalist Catello. Both TELYKast and Catello have reached #1 with “Unbreakable” and “Nobody” (with NOTD).
Vanessa Williams’ first new song in 15 years moves up 14-10 as “Legs (Keep Dancing)” joins other dance favourites in her repertoire like “Work To Do” and “Running Back To You”.
Kygo’s self-titled album became one of electronic dance music’s most important releases of the year and is expected to debut in the Top 10 of Billboard’s album chart this week. “For Life”, featuring vocalist/songwriter Zak Abel and the amazing Nile Rodgers, jumps 18-12.
Hanging in among it all after his win at EuroVision in May is Switzerland’s Nemo with their flamboyant and engaging “The Code” rising 17-13.
While their track with Zerb, “Addicted”, has been a recent favourite at dance music radio in North America, “Bad Advice”, from their EP No Hard Feelings and featuring Canadian singer/songwriter ELIO, is mine, as it moves up 21-15.
I can’t tell you how many times “Honey Boy” has been stuck in my head this week. This uber-creative track by Purple Disco Machine, Benjamin Ingrosso, Shenseea, and again, the inimitable Nile Rodgers, climbs 28-21.
Another track that has been spinning in my head for days is “Chocolate” by two pairs of Swedish producers, Jubël and NOTD, which is the Highest Debut at #24. It’s Jubël’s first appearance on the chart while for NOTD it’s their second, and first since their 2021 #1 “Nobody” with Catello. I was also lucky to see NOTD perform last September when I was visiting Austin, Texas. And is it just me or do the male and female uncredited vocals on this track sound like they could be by the same person (pitched up/down)?
Also making a return to the chart after a briefer absence of less than two years is Canadian duo Crash Adams with their no-holds-barred “Hotel Party” at #26. This is their fourth appearance on the chart after making their debut back in 2020 and reaching #10 in 2022 with “Give Me A Kiss”, so yes, I have been an early-bird supporter of these guys and their energetic brand of fun!
Combining dream pop and dance music for a unique release are The Knocks and indie vocal duo Dolores Forever with “Lover”, which arrives at #27. The Knocks of course are chart veterans here, making their 11th appearance since 2012. They also got to #6 earlier this year with Sofi Tukker on their release “One On One”. I’m thinking that “Lover” marks a turning point in their career with another fine release.
Rounding out the new releases is the fourth chart entry for Miami producer GT_ofice with the banger “Ecstasy” at #28. He works again with both New Jersey producer Matthew Topper and the sensational Robbie Rosen on this track. Matthew makes his first appearance on the chart, and for the prolific Robbie – who got to #3 with GT_ofice and JAYEM earlier this year with the dance radio hit “Feels Like Us” – “Ecstasy” marks his 12th visit to the chart.
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday evening at 6 pm EST. You can hear recent episodes of The Big 20 at this link. My New Music Pick of the Week also debuts each week on The Big 20 until September.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” which airs Saturdays at 4pm EST.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada is currently on hiatus, and will return in September.
Energy885 in Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Fridays at 6pm EST, and his new show “Pyjama Party” on Saturdays at 5pm EST, which both air my New Music Pick of the Week. Energy885 is also airing my Retro Pick Of The Week as well on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:30 AM EST. You can hear past episodes of “Modern Hype” and “Pyjama Party” at the following link: DJ Hunter.
For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side!
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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