As we get closer to the end of the year, I’m interested in your opinions and suggestions on how to improve the BILLCS New Music Report. I do plan on making changes for the new year, but I value your thoughts, particularly if you’re a regular reader. Don’t hesitate to hit me up on one of my socials at the following Linktree link www.linktr.ee/billcs777, or email me directly bill@billcsmusic.blog.
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 selections transport us back to the years 1976-77. Plus you’ll find out what the BILLCS Top 30 looked like this week in 2005!
CAPITAL CITIES, ALEX RZYAN, “She Flows Like H20”
“She Flows Like H20” continues the evolution of L.A.-based duo Capital Cities, whose 2013 sophisticated, anthemic smash “Safe and Sound” has taken on a life of its own in the annals of pop music. This release emphasizes the sophistication of their talents, and the song it reminds me of is the 2002 release “Breathe” by Telepopmusik. It’s danceable pop for their core audience, which is now 10 years older. Fellow L.A. talent Alex Rzyan’s refined vocal provides a nice contrast to Ryan Merchant’s on-point classic tones, and reminds me a bit of Halsey at times. “She Flows Like H20” is another delight from Capital Cities, and I hope all of the pop flavours find their way beyond their fans.
WILL SWINTON, “Flames” and “Where I Belong”
In trying to keep up with the extraordinarily fast pace of today’s music scene, New Zealand alternative singer/songwriter Will Swinton gets the benefit of a write up about his two most recent releases, “Flames” (above) and “Where I Belong” (below). If you missed one of my favourites of the year, last Spring’s “Harmless”, Will Swinton has a gravelly, ages-old, authentic sound for what I would call the start of being one of the new troubadours of rock music. “Flames” is a poignant song about being robbed of your love for someone when it evaporates at the end of a relationship. You do what you need to do to get away from it all but it is never the same. Similarly, “Where I Belong” is about being caught up in your head, trying to be satisfied with what’s left after a breakup, trying not to be bitter, but it’s something we all can’t help. Will’s conviction and unique phrasing are part of what attracts me to his songs.
Will Swinton performs live opening for Baby Jake on tour in November, you can visit his website for details at www.willswinton.com.
RYLAND JAMES, “Heart Of Me”
Belleville, Ontario native Ryland James has established himself in Canada as a powerhouse balladeer thanks to his gold 2020 single “In My Head” and his more recent radio hit, a 2022 cover of Joni Mitchell’s seminal “River”. There’s always room for talent who can saaang, and with “Heart of Me” Ryland’s vocal is set against a classic power ballad arrangement, starting off with some tender verses before unleashing its anthemic chorus. Audiences will always swoon for a singer with a naturally invested presence on his records that comes from a genuine place. Though “Heart Of Me” doesn’t really offer anything new, often being familiar but surrounded with obvious high quality and a big sound will work out just fine too. I’m hoping that “Heart Of Me” will find some new friends outside of Canada for Ryland James.
SAN HOLO, BIPOLAR SUNSHINE, “what is life?”
“what is life?” is a return collaboration for Dutch producer San Holo and UK-born, L.A. based singer/songwriter Bipolar Sunshine (aka Adio Marchant), who together recorded the joyous “Better Days” from San’s breakthrough debut, 2017’s album1. This release, which is also the title of San’s latest 7 song EP, is pretty straight-forward and thought-provoking lyrically, but the two talents mesh once again and make it special. I’ve seen both in concert, but separately. San Holo is a masterful musician who is a rock star in the guise of a progressive electronic producer – seeing his show would convince and surprise anyone. Bipolar Sunshine also brings the goods in concert with a voice that’s as good as on his recordings. I’m hoping that San Holo’s next album is at least a partial return to the songs of album1 after a lot of experimentation over the years, and “what is life?” is pointing in that direction.
KACEY FIFIELD, “Right Past Me”
After a couple of rock-oriented recent singles, “Dream Girl” and “Never Reply”, NYC-based singer/songwriter/musician Kacey Fifield returns with a touching but multi-layered ballad with “Right Past Me”. Working once again with co-writer and producer Robbie Rosen, the song shows a vulnerable side as Kacey sings about the loss of a relationship which gets revisited when she sees her ex has already moved on with someone else. Kacey’s interesting take on a ballad finds her blaming herself for the breakup and coping with a sea of emotions as she wonders why she hasn’t moved on as quickly. “Right Past Me” is a beautifully sung coming-of-age song for someone still in her teens, featuring an ear-catching synth backdrop, that puts Kacey’s versatility out there for her many fans (and new ones) to enjoy.
VASSY, “Mr. Loverman” (chill version)
With nearly 10 number ones to her credit on the North American dance charts, Australia’s VASSY is back with a release that shows another side of her that many of us haven’t heard, and it’s from her pre “We Are Young” days. “Mr. Loverman” is a chill revival of “Loverman”, featured on VASSY’s 2005 album My Affection. It’s been updated here with an arrangement that should get the approval of dance clubs and supper clubs for early evening play, or even at late closing time when folks are getting hungry for breakfast! What makes this release even better is that VASSY doesn’t really sound like the VASSY of the last decade, with an arresting Nina Simone-meets-Carol Channing Broadway-style vocal. “Mr. Loverman” also shows why VASSY has moved away from dance bangers, focusing on more pop-flavoured dance releases like “Krazy” and “Off Switch” lately that show off her more well-rounded vocal and songwriting talents.
LYRA, “The Ending”
Award-winning Cork, Ireland-born Lyra is back with a new track that’s been added to the deluxe edition of her debut self-titled album, and ironically “The Ending” is now the opening song. It’s representative of a new beginning for the singer as she can to terms with the moment a relationship ended, and how to focus better on her rather than let it consume her. This verse says it all: “You called it love, I called it a lesson”. “The Ending” also happens to be an unexpected anthemic bop, featuring a stunning vocal by Lyra that shows shades of Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. So the song leaps right out of the speakers at you, and you’ll find its chorus will be stuck in your head.
MARTIN IKIN, “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime”
British tech house DJ/producer/musician Martin Ikin has been a man of many pseudonyms over the years, most notably Soul Purpose and Mayhem, remixing countless major talents like Mariah Carey and Jamiroquai, while also being a noted jazz pianist. Now recording under his own name, Martin’s latest release is a cover of The Korgis’ 1980 pop hit “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime”, a weirdly appealing one hit wonder that’s becoming lost in the sands of time. Martin’s version is tidy but not flashy, sampling the vocals from the original, but is a pleasing rewrite for dance music fans and club goers, many of whom will likely scratch their heads and wonder where they’ve heard it before. Those of you who know it will find “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime” to be one of those immediate calls to the dance floor. The release hits all the right buttons in terms of hooks, so club DJ’s shouldn’t let it go unnoticed.
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.
Reteaming after 2022’s #1 “Unbreakable”, TELYKast and Sam Gray have another winner with “Surrender Your Love”
“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”.
Following up his massive 2023 hit “Daylight”, it’s Chicago’s David Kushner with “Darkerside”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is newly anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
From Norway, it’s newcomer Hanna Andréa with “Past Midnight”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which is 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.
Electric Light Orchestra – Strange Magic
Gary Wright – Love Is Alive
Dorothy Moore – Misty Blue
Rita Coolidge – (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher
Supertramp – Give A Little Bit
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.
Pop/R&B singer Jerry Butler was all over North American radio in 1969 with songs like “Moody Woman”
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2005
I was digging the re-formed version of INXS, as a result of TV’s “INXS:Rock Star” show, where Canadian J.D. Fortune was selected as their new singer for their album Switch.
01 01 PRETTY VEGAS INXS
06 02 GOLD DIGGER Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
09 03 PRECIOUS Depeche Mode
02 04 THE WORLD IS MINE David Guetta featuring J.D. Davis
12 05 DO WHAT U WANT jASeFOs featuring Claire Van Der Boom
03 06 ONLY YOU Josh Kelley
08 07 TRIPPING Robbie Williams
04 08 END OF TIME The Bitch Hotel
11 09 INSIDE AND OUT Feist
05 10 SHE SAYS Howie Day
18 11 LOVE ON MY MIND Freemasons featuring Amanda Wilson
13 12 LET YOURSELF GO Smujji
07 13 WATCH THE SUNRISE Axwell featuring Steve Edwards
15 14 CLOCKWATCHING Jason Mraz
19 15 AVALON Juliet
17 16 SO BEAUTIFUL Darren Hayes
22 17 NIGHT OF MY LIFE (Junior’s Roxy Anthem) Barbra Streisand
23 18 WHO DID YOU THINK I WAS John Mayer Trio
10 19 SHINE ON Ryan Cabrera
26 20 CRAZY Andy Bell
27 21 LAY YOUR HANDS Simon Webbe
28 22 DROP IT ON ME Ricky Martin featuring Daddy Yankee
NEW 23 I’VE GOT A LIFE Eurythmics
14 24 YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL James Blunt
29 25 SOFT ONE Matthew Barber
16 26 WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS Green Day
20 27 THIS IS HOW A HEART BREAKS Rob Thomas
NEW 28 WANNA LOVE YOU GIRL Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell
21 29 SEE YOU FALL David Usher
NEW 30 KING OF THE MOUNTAIN Kate Bush
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