BILLCS New Music Report – July 18/24 with songs by @itsJudeYork, @Mercer_music & @RonCarrollBMC, @AndrewBayer & @djOliverSmith,Eyeglasses @iainsforrest,@grabbitz, and @NathanBallhq

It’s been a busy week, so I have no additional commentary to preface this edition of the BILLCS New Music Report. Enjoy the songs and features!!

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”. In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll also find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the current BILLCS Top 30. Please note that “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five is currently on hiatus.

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.

JUDE YORK, “Monaco”

Australia’s Jude York has acquired a worldwide following with his unique brand of pop, sometimes mixed with danceable rhythms. From the swoon-worthy old school sounds of “I Won’t Need To Dream” to the lyrical wordplay towards the man of his affection with “Mr. Porcelain” and the pop rave up of “All My Friends Hate Me”, all previously written up in this blog, Jude has put his thoughts and personality on full display these past few years. “Monaco” brings it all together with Kylie Minogue flair in a song completely written and produced by Jude. It’s got an irresistible chorus which transports you to sunny Monaco for a three minute pop-dance vacation. Jude has recorded dance music previously under other names, so this is a full-circle moment. “Monaco” has huge dance radio potential and its release on Spinnin’ should help it get there.

MERCER, “Disco Sermon featuring Ron Carroll”

French dance producer Mercer has had the distinction of acquiring three number one’s on the BILLCS Top 30 to date out of his four charted entries. Little did I know until recently that he co-wrote Lady Gaga’s “Applause”, one of my Gaga faves which got to #2 as well, and he has worked closely with artists like DJ Snake, Cerrone, Tchami and Malaa, sometimes in the background as an engineer. And Mercer is one of a few contemporary producers who does disco proud. His latest release “Disco Sermon featuring Ron Carroll” is no exception, as he partners once again with the Chicago house notable (their first collaboration was 2018’s “Satisfy”, which samples Don Ray’s disco hit “Got To Have Loving”, and is one of those BILLCS Top 30 #1’s). And what better to preach the word of disco than the expressive voice of Ron Carroll? This “Disco Sermon” will unite club goers on the dance floor, for the power and presence of the 70’s most enjoyable music genre is very much alive, it never really went anywhere except back underground while other sub-genres which couldn’t have existed without it (house, trance, etc.) rose to the fore. “Disco Sermon” is a lot of fun, and any club DJ who appreciates the history of dance music and the impact of disco should be playing it.

ANDREW BAYER, OLIVER SMITH, “Rude Boyz”

Two Anjunabeats headliners, Grammy-nominated Washington DC native Andrew Bayer and the UK’s Oliver Smith (the first artist signed to the label), combine forces with the fun trance-flavoured bop “Rude Boyz”. It’s essentially an instrumental, with some vocals used as effects, and it plays on some familiar trance sounds and effects, but then tosses in arpeggios and some cool drops to really diversify the mix. Having been to see an Anjunabeats show before (which included Oliver), I’m certain that “Rude Boyz” would be an in-demand crowd-pleasing highlight when played in a set by Andrew or Oliver. Its euphoric melody will keep the audience raging and bouncing, so it deserves to be a centrepiece of a set.

EYEGLASSES, “Beautiful Things”

It’s hard to listen to covers of one of your favourite songs, knowing that none is likely to match it. But this cello instrumental take on Benson Boone’s massive “Beautiful Things” (a BILLCS Top 30 #1) manages to stand on its own. Eyeglasses is the performing name for Iain S. Forrest, who is a medical student in New York City and plays free performances in subways and throughout NYC. He’s received notice on social media and TV for his performances, and sadly last year, he was attacked in a subway by a deranged person and was struck on the head with a big object. While it took him some time to recover, particularly psychologically, from the incident, Iain is back performing in public. His arrangement of “Beautiful Things” is stunning and captivating, his cello sings on its own, so be sure to check it out. He’s also begun releasing vocal originals like “Tomorrow’s Dawn” which you can listen to at the following Spotify link: Eyeglasses.

GRABBITZ, “In The Dark”

Acclaimed electronic artist Grabbitz continues to dazzle with songs like the title track from his 3-song EP In The Dark. The L.A.-based, Buffalo, New York singer, songwriter and producer offers a creative mix of progressive electronica and dubstep in this compelling track. The production is highly layered and brings some surprises, like a short spoken word interlude. With taking some risks in the production, “In The Dark” stands apart from a lot of same-sounding progressive electronic dance music. Its theme of self-isolation could prompt a discussion about mental health and the need for some people to be alone at certain times, which often leads others to worry rather needlessly instead of trying to understand the big picture. To the special attention of producers/remixers, he has also placed the stems for his songs on his website for your use. Website link: Grabbitz.com. The website also includes a digital booklet containing the lyrics to the three songs on his EP.

NATHAN BALL, “Stateline”

House music fans know Cornwall, England-based talent Nathan Ball as the current touring vocalist for the seminal dance band Faithless, who frequently tour in the UK, Europe and Australia. In fact, Faithless reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 with the mesmerizing “Synthesizer” in 2021, which featured Nathan on lead vocals. But with “Stateline”, Nathan steps back into a grounded indie singer/songwriter pop/folk mode in refreshing song about being young, dreaming, and in love, only to reach that stage that eventually happens to us all when reality bites. It’s hard not to like a song like this with an earnest vocal which would appeal to fans of Niall Horan and Ed Sheeran. While it’s great to hear Nathan as part of the ongoing Faithless clan, it’s also cool to see him creating a parallel identity which could serve him well long after his time in Faithless comes to an end.

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.

Swedish electronic production duos Jubël and NOTD pair up for the irresistible “Chocolate”

“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”.

“Better Days” is by veteran rockers Staind

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”.