It’s that time of year again where I venture to my current favourite place to visit, New York City (Manhattan). In fact on this day in both 2014 and 2018 I was in NYC. There’s no place like it and no shortage of things to do. I’ve been more than 20 times and there are always new parts of Manhattan to explore. I just pray for it not to be dripping with humidity as each day I’m there is expected to be over 30C. Because of this time away, there will be no BILLCS New Music Report next week, and the following one will appear on August 8 rather than the day before. I will have a new BILLCS Top 30 on Monday before I go.
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”. You’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago! 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.
STARSIGHTS, GEORGE GLEESON, “Leo (Flicker)”
Starsights is the name of a new collective of Asian-American electronic dance producers – Surprise! It’s yetep, Manila Killa and MYRNE!! In collaboration with British singer/songwriter George Gleeson, “Leo (Flicker)” is a memorable, anthemic slice of pop/dance that finds a similar happy medium outside of harder EDM that The Chainsmokers and Coldplay discovered with “Something Just Like This”. And like that timeless record, “Leo (Flicker)” has a great vocal against an emotional early 2010’s inspired melody, while the song weaves a story about resigning oneself to the end of a relationship. In any case the Starsights collective and the resulting “Leo (Flicker)” release kind of came out of left field this month, so don’t let this one slip through the many releases out there, and I’m looking forward to another Starsights song.
SAM SPARRO, “Pressure” (RedTop mix)
I was delighted to find a Sam Sparro song on the Red Hot Organization’s latest release, the Red, Hot & Free Mixtape. Some songs simply slide under the radar, and this one, remixed by Swedish producer RedTop, was actually released a few years back, and is a worthy addition to this collection. The Red Hot & Free Mixtape also includes songs by the renown producer Arthur Baker, Bright Light Bright Light, Ultra Naté, Tituss Burgess, Imani Coppola and a remix of “Mon Cheri” by Sofi Tukker and Amadou & Mariam, a BILLCS Top 30 #2 in 2022. Like a lot of the Australia-born “Black and Gold” hitmaker’s releases, which have not been many these past few years, “Pressure” is timeless and relatable, with a slinky, funky groove that is an immediate call to the dance floor for clubs. So just let go, enjoy the great vocal, and let the rhythm take you away.
NATHALIE MIRANDA, “U Got Soul”
This week’s new songs have been full of head-turns, and after catching my attention with a Christmas song last year, London’s Nathalie Miranda has returned with an unexpected bluesy pop belter, “U Got Soul”. And looks are deceptive – currently sporting a set of flaming red hair atop her small stature, Nathalie’s vocal on this track sounds like it should be coming from someone else, but in truth she’s got a natural flair for this vibrant soulful sound. “U Got Soul” is destined to be a crowd-pleaser in concert, one that you’ll be happy to get up with to sing along or cheer. It’s one of those solid songs that gets passed around through word of mouth, so don’t be surprised if you hear more about Nathalie and “You Got Soul”. Check out its fun video, which has some inspiration from Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart”.
KACEY FIFIELD, “Dream Girl”
The flourishing music career of Kacey Fifield continues with a punchy song about being obsessive called “Dream Girl”. Like her recent single “Never Reply” from the well-received EP Nostalgia Haunts Me, “Dream Girl” is co-written with Smallpools’ Mike Kamerman and Winnetka Bowling League’s Sam Beresford, and produced by Sam, and the amped-up rock flavour complete with fuzzy-sounding guitar work really jibes well with Kacey’s lyrics and voice. “Dream Girl” highlights the extremes to which we will go when going beyond just liking or loving something/someone does not satisfy us enough. The song has a wry sense of humour, and the overall result is positive and versatile.
KAYLIOX, CHLOE DOYON, “Off The Ground”
Quickly following up last month’s “Memory Lane”, and to be included in an EP of the same name, is Quebec dance producer Kayliox who teams up with Quebec vocalist Chloé Doyon once again for “Off The Ground”. I like how this song initially focuses on Chloé’s vocal while introducing its tech house forward synth work, then it builds auspiciously, adding more layers of seamless production until the key drop is unleashed. From that point onward, “Off The Ground” turns into a fierce rave up, and this is one that dance club DJ’s will enjoy the most, especially with an extended version. I’m looking forward to what’s next in line for Kayliox’s EP.
LUCKY GUESS, LAUREN MAYHEW, “Feels So Right”
Lucky Guess is an Indianapolis-based production duo of Samuel Schmelzer and Tom Huettner, who have been releasing music these past five years, and along the way have been solidifying worldwide DJ support, and have had releases through labels like Spinnin’ and Revealed. With “Feels So Right”, they’ve teamed up with Florida multi-talent Lauren Mayhew, who works some dynamic and playful vocal magic. “Feels So Right” is one tight tech-house banger that showcases all of its talents well – but we’re left a bit wanting after the song finishes at the 2 minute mark, so an extended version, especially for clubs, would be most welcome, and would benefit the release as a whole. As is, “Feels So Right” is enough of a sinfully sizzling rollercoaster ride that if it gets in enough of the right ears, it could be around for a while. Don’t sleep on this one!
JIMMY RICH, TONY DALY, VICTOR PERRY, “Paradigm”
It’s been a while since NYC’s Victor Perry graced these blog pages with his silky vocal and creative songwriting, but he’s back with “Paradigm” in collaboration with Italian producers Jimmy Rich and Tony Daly, with whom he recorded last year’s “Gemini”. “Paradigm” is smooth and inviting deep house release with Eurohouse flavours and a catchy refrain. In the song, Victor wants to get the object of his affection’s attention by seeing their paradigm, which is another way of wanting to look at something but through their eyes. The song moves along briskly and is available in both radio edit and extended versions as a two song single.
MAX SARRE, “Brother”
“Brother” is a cheery and warm slice of straight-forward pop music brought to you by 22 year old rising London-based talent Max Sarre. It’s an affecting song which could be as much about a relationship with a brother as it could be a best friend who’s always there for you to turn to when needed. In some ways thematically it reminds me of Coldplay’s big 2005 hit “Talk”. Vocally, Max is engaging and spot on, and “Brother” will appeal easily to fans of Ed Sheeran and Charlie Puth. Max has released about a dozen singles and two EP’s in the last four years, and “Brother” looks to be the start of a positive new era for him.
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.
Canadian duo Crash Adams are guaranteed to light up your event with “Hotel Party”
“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”.
Toronto trio Valley return with “Bass Player’s Brother”
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”.
After her breakout with “Austin”, Dasha returns with the more straight-up country tune “Didn’t I”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
The “Classic Five” will return.
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20-25…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years ago…
2019
1 GOOD THINGS FALL APART, Illenium & Jon Bellion
2 WORLD AT YOUR FEET, Timmy Trumpet
3 SWEAR TO GOD, Famba
4 LOVE ME LESS, MAX, Quinn XCII
5 KISS AND TELL, Mokita
2014
1 ELECTRIFY THE NIGHT, House Rockerz, Davis Redfield, Carl Man
2 TIDAL WAVE, Tristan Thompson
3 TELL IT TO MY HEART, Jason Walker, Bimbo Jones
4 LITTLE ME (Steve Smart & Wildfunk radio edit), Little Mix
5 THIS COULD BE SOMETHING, Anton Ewald, Medina
2009
1 THE GIRL & THE ROBOT, Royksöpp, Robyn
2 MANNEQUIN (Overthrill remix), Noah
3 YOU FOUND ME (Lenny B remix), The Fray
4 A DUSTLAND FAIRYTALE, Killers
5 I’M RUNNING, Misstress Barbara, Sam Roberts
2004
1 SATELLITE (Above & Beyond mix), Oceanlab, Justine Suissa
2 SHE WILL BE LOVED, Maroon 5
3 ROCK U, Laurent Konrad
4 FALLING DOWN, Ben Jelen
5 MOVE YA BODY, Nina Sky
1999
1 THE CUP OF LIFE (Spanglish radio edit), Ricky Martin
2 U DON’T KNOW ME, Armand Van Helden, Duane Harden
3 NO REGRETS, Robbie Williams
4 SHE’S SO HIGH, Tal Bachman
5 GET YOU IN THE MORNING, Crash Test Dummies
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