Don’t mind me while I again bemoan the difficulty I continue to face each week with choosing the songs that I write about in each edition of the Report. This is leading me to consider a change to the Report for the New Year, which might lead to more of a tip sheet format of songs that I recommend for you to check out, while continuing with the other features that support my work in online radio. If you have any comments about this that you would like to share, please let me know. I’m aware of how much readers are enjoying the current format but I do believe I can provide more recommendations of new songs with more succinct detail.
My Retro Pick of the Week now joins the features of the blog which follow the reviews of the new tunes.
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 draws from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s this week. And you’ll find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
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.
BINGO PLAYERS, DISCO FRIES, FATMAN SCOOP, “Our House”
Sadly, rapper Fatman Scoop left us this past week after taking ill on stage at a concert in Connecticut at the young age of 53. So it’s bittersweet to be writing up his recent collaboration with Dutch producer Bingo Players (aka Maarten Hoogstraten) and blog regulars Disco Fries called “Our House”. But it’s a fitting send off, as their original “Our House” presents exactly the kind of big, fun, inclusive party song that gave Fatman Scoop his biggest success in 2003 in the UK with the memorable #1 “Be Thankful”, and led to huge collabs with remixes for the likes of Mariah Carey, Missy Elliot and Janet Jackson among many. The producers have nailed the anthemic quality that could make “Our House” a festival and outdoor dance party favourite. Suspend any serious thinking, let loose and have a great time to “Our House”.
NITTI, OUTRAGE, MICAH MARTIN, “Stay Away”
It’s been a while since I wrote about releases by NITTI, certainly before his artist name change and shift into more hardcore dance styles. The multi-platinum and Grammy Award winning producer teams up with Colorado’s Outrage for “Stay Away”, which essentially is a cathartic song from the fall out of a relationship that didn’t work out. Iowa vocalist Micah Martin, who I’ve also written about before, completes the collaboration with his fierce vocal that reminds me of contemporaries like Grabbitz and Lø Spirit. And while the arrangement tends to pummel away at you for the first part of the song, it pulls back and lets all of the pent up emotion settle in. That’s not something that a lot of producers do, so kudos to NITTI and Outrage for realizing how well it works in “Stay Away”. My recommendation is for those who like their EDM fast and hard, though open-minded fans of the genre will enjoy it as much as I do.
ESTHER ANAYA, DAMON SHARPE, “Lost In Dubai”
“Lost In Dubai” is a dreamy, gentle slice of tech house/pop with both Latin and Arabic flavours. It’s brought to you by Colombian multi-talent Esther Anaya who is in great hands in this collaboration with L.A.-based producer Damon Sharpe for his new Brainjack label. Esther is not only a singer but an exceptional violinist, as well as a DJ and producer (and I’ve seen her perform in Las Vegas), which all makes it all the easier for a veteran like Damon to work together to shape this delightful release. Esther’s alluring vocal draws you in and her violin work is beautifully showcased. The song is essentially about being mesmerized by an enchanting woman when you get “lost in Dubai” in her eyes. “Lost In Dubai” is one of those ideal songs that could be used in the early part of an evening by DJ’s to entice club goers to the dance floor and stay there for awhile.
THE PRIZM, ROUSE, “Come Through”
“Come Through” caught me by surprise as a deft slice of soulful rhythmic hip hop, brought to you by L.A. producer The Prizm and vocalist Rouse. Both have appeared in this blog before. The Prizm has expanded his versatility over the past few years moving from strictly electronic dance productions to tackle more progressive electronic songs as well as hip hop/R&B. His relatable pop/dance song “I Don’t Wanna Go Home” got to #3 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2020. Rouse’s appearance on the chart goes back a bit further, to the dark and beautiful “Her and Him” in collaboration with producer Mi Disguise, and it too got to #3 on the chart in 2016. It’s not often that a vocalist can move seamlessly between singing and rapping, but Rouse has a great tone and terrific skills with his verses. “Come Through” is well-crafted and well-suited for rhythmic radio and dance clubs.
MOTHICA, “Doomed”
Oklahoma-born Mothica (aka McKenzie Ellis) began making music as a teenager, often with edgy, deeply personal songs set to an electronic backdrop. I’ve written about her music before and in fact got to see her perform back in 2017, ironically opening for a band that’s no longer together. So it’s great to hear the growth in her songwriting these years later in songs from her impressive new album Kissing Death, particularly the taut and compelling “Doomed”. It’s an autobiographical song referencing how leading what looks like a perfect suburban childhood masked traumatic, life-changing events that made her feel “doomed” despite her many talents. Fans of Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish will appreciate Mothica’s vulnerable vocal, and the layered production could draw in rock fans of singers like Amy Lee and Remi Wolf. But it’s the poignancy of “Doomed” that is most memorable and gets under your skin, and fans of Mothica who have been behind her since “Vices” had a huge viral moment a few years back, or even before that, are sure to enjoy.
DYLAN & THE MOON, “Bones”
“Bones” by Cornwall, England talent Dylan & The Moon, is a bright and unique song about enjoying everything about a relationship, from just hanging out and appreciating each other’s company to those passionate times that come naturally. Dylan Holloway is an award-winning transman singer/songwriter who previously had some success in the UK in his previous identity. He’s got a likeable, earthy voice and with “Bones”, has a flair for loading multiple hooks into one song. The lyrics are genuine and unfiltered, and the song moves along briskly through multiple well-structured musical changes that come full circle. “Bones” is impressive in its authenticity and I think Dylan & The Moon has the potential to go a long way with songs like this one.
FIE EIKE, “Fluid”
“Fluid” is an enticing alt.pop track by Copenhagen singer/songwriter Fie Eike, whose imaginative releases “Sad” and “The Nile” I wrote about earlier in the year. Fie Eike has an individualized style that combines classical melodies with her crisp, trained vocal, and in “Fluid” the inspiration is from Hans Christian Andersen’s story “The Little Mermaid”. So you get a mellifluous, almost hollow sound that reminds you of being underwater that unfolds under a story that warns about being too “fluid” with our relationships, which allow our own needs to be trumped by our desires to fit in with society. “Fluid” encourages, and models, individuality. Fie Eike may appear to be way out in left field with her songs but “Fluid” will attract organically those who like to be enticed and challenged by their song choices.
THE CAPRIS, “Running From The World”
Late last year I introduced you to Irish quartet The Capris and their rockin’ release “Melancholy Blues”. “Running From The World” is a smart continuation of the honed sound of that track, and this new release has a lot of 80’s inspiration that recalls hits from the time by Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. It includes a tight, energetic performance and a sometimes gritty vocal by singer Odhran, whose work here reminds me of the late great Joe Cocker and how he got so caught up and lost in performing his songs. And there’s not much more you can want in a high quality indie rock release.
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 now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
From his first album in 9 years called Telos, it’s Zedd with vocalist Bea Miller and “Out Of Time”
“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 which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Russ’ record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
It’s Sweden-born, UK-raised alternative singer/songwriter Oliver Malcolm with “The Big Leagues”
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, where you can also hear both my New Music and Retro Picks of the Week. Hunter can also be heard weekdays at 2pm EST on Party Dog Radio.
Meet UK singer/songwriter Rose Gray with “Angel of Satisfaction”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which is now back from hiatus and heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. 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.
Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar (1971)
The Doors – Love Me Two Times (1967)
George Harrison – What Is Life (1971)
Eric Clapton – Forever Man (1985)
The Police – Every Breath You Take (1983)
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” was #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 9 non-consecutive weeks in 1981 and won two Grammys
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 PUSH, Kazaky, Gaspar
2 HIGHER LOVE, Kygo, Whitney Houston
3 GOOD THINGS FALL APART, Illenium, Jon Bellion
4 MONDAY BLUES, Eric Sharp, ZHAO
5 WORLD AT YOUR FEET, Timmy Trumpet
2014
1 I BELIEVE, Bright Light Bright Light
2 THIS COULD BE SOMETHING, Anton Ewald, Medina
3 TIME HAS COME, Hannis
4 I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE, Sam Smith
5 NO FUN, The Presets
2009
1 SYMPHONIES, Dan Black
2 RABBIT HEART (RAISE IT UP), Florence & The Machine
3 BOY MEETS GIRL, Evan Taubenfeld
4 MANNEQUIN (Overthrill remix), Noah
5 MASTERPIECE THEATRE PART 1, Marianas Trench
2004
1 FLAWLESS (GO TO THE CITY), George Michael
2 LOLA’S THEME, Shapeshifters
3 SWAY (Ralphi’s Salsation Vox Edit), Michael Bublé
4 CADILLAC DRESS, soulDecision
5 SHE WILL BE LOVED, Maroon 5
1999
1 SMOOTH, Santana, Rob Thomas
2 THE CUP OF LIFE, Ricky Martin
3 BABY DID A BAD, BAD THING, Chris isaak
4 NO REGRETS, Robbie Williams
5 HUMAN, Distinct Nature
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.