In this week’s BILLCS New Music Report, I have an assortment of different shades of pop and dance music, complete with contributions from some veteran performers from whom you may not have heard much in recent years. Every one of these releases is independent and I continue to urge music fans to think outside of the box that pre-programmed terrestrial radio stations are offering in order to find the gems that rightly belong in your playlists.
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’ Classic Five selection for us from the heart of the new wave era, 1983. If you missed them, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the latest BILLCS Top 30.
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.
MENEW, DZEKO, “Never Us”
There are very good reasons why “Never Us” has come seemingly out of nowhere to begin flying up the North American dance radio charts. The song is an amalgam of the emotional rock popularized by Coldplay and The Killers from the British alternative rock group of brothers, MENEW (pronounced “menu”), but further fused with electronic wizardry by Canadian dance producer Dzeko, whose music hasn’t come up on my radar in a while. MENEW have had another side project, not surprisingly called Brothers, in the EDM genre, so it’s not like their interest in the genre is fly by night. “Never Us” is beautifully sung and affecting, and if you know Dzeko’s music from the last decade (such as “Jackie Chan” with Tiesto) then you know you’ll get a tidy mix that doesn’t overburden you with effects. “Never Us” sounds extremely fresh but familiar, and dance music fans be hearing a lot more of it on the radio and at festivals and clubs.
K.C. & THE SUNSHINE BAND, DJ MARTINEE, “I Get To Love You” (Eric Kupper Future Disco Mix)
Never in my wildest dreams would I think I’d be writing about a NEW K.C. & The Sunshine Band record in 2024. I was glad I got to play the group’s music on occasion on college radio and at events back in the day. And their self-titled second album was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. But here we are, more dance songs are surfacing with 1970’s disco-styled arrangements, and the timing couldn’t be better for this K.C. & The Sunshine Band release, “I Get To Love You”. Harry Wayne Casey’s still recognizable voice is out front, but he’s supported well on the record in a collaboration with Lewis A. Martineé (aka DJ Martinee), the award-winning fellow Florida producer noted for his work with Exposé in the 80’s and 90’s, and numerous other stars since that time. And then bring in Eric Kupper for a dazzling “future disco” remix of the song, and you have a club hit in the making. K.C. & The Sunshine Band first broke out in the U.K. in 1974, and I think “I Get To Love You” fits the slightly different mix of dance music over there. Overall I don’t think the nu disco sound of “I Get To Love You” is recognizable enough to be immediately connected to the 70’s heyday of K.C. & The Sunshine Band, but get a savvy club DJ to preface it in a mix with a remix of one of their earlier hits, then it will make sense to the audience and a great time once again will be had by all!
DISCO FRIES, TIFFANY, “I Think We’re Alone Now”
“I Think We’re Alone Now” mach 2024 is an unexpected surprise. If you’ve ever pictured what Tiffany’s 1987 version of Tommy James & The Shondells 1967 hit “I Think We’re Alone Now” might sound like reimagined as a dance track, then the singer and NYC production stalwarts The Disco Fries have put it all together just for you. Truth be told, I didn’t like Tiffany’s hit version, but am a fan of the original, and this new version works very well. For one thing, Tiffany’s vocal is soooo much better! I guess more than 35 years of performing is showing its true colours here with a solid, well-rounded vocal, and The Fries guys have updated the production with appropriate bells and whistles to make the song turn heads again when played in a club, reintroducing it to a younger audience in the process.
LOUIS LA ROCHE, “So Much”
“So Much” is a stylish early 2000’s throwback by UK electronic dance producer Louis La Roche from his forthcoming album Anglia Square. Not too many songs use vocal effects very well to create a hook, but “So Much” will get stuck in your head because of one that is pretty darned infectious. “So Much” otherwise has a soft and alluring uncredited female vocal, that allows Louis’ other crisp synth and production work to make its magic around it. It mainly reminds me of early releases by the likes of Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond just as techno and trance were becoming less underground dance phenomena. The song has potential for early evening night club play and would fit into any dance radio format.
PETER FOLDY, “The Only Thing That Matters”
L.A. based Canadian singer/songwriter Peter Foldy has been flourishing while making movies these days, but I’m glad he always finds time to release new music, and so he has unveiled “The Only Thing That Matters”. This song makes a switch from his brighter recent pop of “Jump Like This” or “Fun Fun Fun” for something a little more topical. “The Only Thing That Matters” is about an obsession with the object of one’s affection, when the only thing that’s important is making love. The melody is suitably enticing, and accordingly Peter’s vocal shifts from upper to lower register. Peter’s fans will enjoy the change of pace in “The Only Thing That Matters”, while more casual listeners could gravitate to it too and appreciate its uncomplicated pop flair with a darker theme.
MAX PARKER, “Rush”
Flash back to 2021 and Top 40 and AC radio in Canada was spinning the infectious “Good Time” by Toronto singer Max Parker, who then went on to release a debut album called 17, which compiled some of his previous singles. 22 year old Max has been away from recording after being cast as Benvolio in the theatrical film “Verona’s Romeo & Juliet”, to be released next year with stars such as Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett and Jim Sheridan in the cast. Happily, “Rush” essentially picks up where he left off, and is a highly enjoyable guitar-driven pop bop which he co-wrote with producer Derek Hoffman. The urgent pop of “Rush” will appeal to fans of Justin Bieber, Johnny Orlando and Tyler Shaw with its slick production and radio-friendly sound.
DOCTOR NOIZE, JUSTIN ROBERTS, “I’m Listening”
“I’m Listening” is an out-of-the-blue delight brought to you by producer and multi-instrumentalist Doctor Noize and five time Grammy nominee (for children’s recordings), singer Justin Roberts. It’s a song for all ages, mainly voice and piano with some additional instrumentation added later. Everyone feels good when they have been heard, and “I’m Listening” captures that desire in a time when it is needed the most, along with mutual understanding and trust. “I’m Listening” plays out like a song you might hear in a theatrical production, so it’s not the type of song you’re going to find on radio playlists or on Spotify’s discovery playlists. The added touch of an uncredited child’s vocal (belonging to Isabella Mass) near the end drives it all home. Both Doctor Noize (Cory Cullinan) and Justin Roberts were both previously educators, and Stanford-educated Doctor Noize is also known in the US for his inspiring presentations. The illustrated video (above) for “I’m Listening” is simple and nicely done. An additional thought: Because of its message and excellent vocal, I think “I’m Listening” could find a broader audience in an alternate version with a more fulsome production, if one should ever be considered.
ROISIN O’HAGAN, “Midnight Indigo”
At a time where some pop singers are choosing to cross over to country music, you’ll notice that the reverse is happening for other singers. Essex, UK born singer/songwriter Roisin O’Hagan released a Nashville-produced EP called Dreamstate a few years back, but has switched gears to alternative pop for “Midnight Indigo”. Despite its bright melody and forceful guitar work, “Midnight Indigo” is about a fraught relationship that comes to an end when one of the parties pulls the plug without warning. Roisin’s breezy vocal style, which recalls Sheryl Crow and Jordan Miller of The Beaches, layers the sad story with an appealing sepia that you’ll cut through with subsequent listens. “Midnight Indigo” is a good start for Roisin in the alternative pop stream and signals that a lot of growth and potential are in store.
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.
It’s the new dance single by Australia’s Jude York, “Monaco”
“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”.
Check out “Forever Blue” from Austria’s OSKA, which also appeared in the blog a few weeks ago
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 be heard in this week’s edition of “The Big 20”.
It’s EuroVision winner “The Code” by Switzerland’s Nemo, currently in the Top 10 on the BILLCS Top 30
“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.
ABC – All Of My Heart
Bananarama – Shy Boy
Human League – Mirror Man
Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
“Mi Amor” by Sam Feldt, JVKE and Anitta takes the top spot this week
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Swedish production duos Jubël and NOTD climb 18-10 with “Chocolate”
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.