The music business is now back in full force, but I don’t have much to add this week, other than being curious about what will happen for American artists if Tik Tok is banned in the United States on January 19.
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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 provides a mix of late 70’s Canadiana for your listening pleasure. You’ll also find out what songs were #1 and the Fastest Riser on the latest BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs. If the song has a video, a You Tube link is now provided underneath the artist and song title.
THE WATERBOYS, “Hopper’s On Top (Genius)”
Video link: Hopper’s On Top
About the artist: The Waterboys is one of my favourite and most fascinating rock groups who I’ve seen several times in concert during the last 40 years, first in December 1984. Led by Scottish musician Mike Scott, The Waterboys has one of the most unique repertoires of any rock band. In more recent years, Mike seems to have found a successful and crowd-pleasing balance of rock and folk on Waterboys recordings.
About the record: “Hopper’s On Top (Genius)” leads off the upcoming concept album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. It’s not the first song about the late trail-blazing character actor that Mike and band have recorded, so there seems to be an intrinsic fascination enough to make him the focal point of an album. “Hopper’s On Top” is certainly a fine celebration of the actor-as-everyman, who had many highs and lows in his career, led by Mike’s exuberant vocal. The vivid instrumentation is bound to make this an audience favourite in concert.
Other comments: You don’t need to know about Dennis Hopper or even The Waterboys to appreciate the vitality of “Hopper’s On Top”. Mike has called in a cavalry of musicians for the new album which also features appearances by no less than Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, Steve Earle, Kathy Valentine of The Go Go’s, Barny Fletcher, and Sugarfoot. I have high hopes for this one and a concert tour!
LUCA HÄNNI, “Love Me Better”
Video link: Love Me Better
About the artist: Switzerland’s Luca Hänni is best known for winning Germany’s version of the “Pop Idol” contest while still a teenager, the youngest winner of that contest. He then went on to perform for Switzerland at EuroVision in 2019 with the insanely catchy “She Got Me”, which finished fourth, and also reached #5 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: Like “She Got Me”, “Love Me Better” draws you in quickly, this time with engaging and timely lyrics about self-love after a breakup, with an anthemic hook that will have you singing along. The video also shows off some superlative dance moves by Luca, as well as a satisfying ending.
Other comments: Could “Love Me Better” be a contender for Switzerland at EuroVision this year? It certainly has the appeal as well as a provocative story line. 2025 could be a big year for Luca Hänni if this song is any indication.
AYSANABEE, “Edge of the Earth”
About the artist: Canada’s Aysanabee has won two Juno Awards, for Songwriter of the Year, and Best Alternative Album of the Year for Here And Now. He’s an Oji-Cree singer/songwriter who is a member of the Sandy Lake First Nation, and grew up near Thunder Bay, Ontario.
About the record: “Edge of the Earth” is about finding yourself at a moment in time where you realize that everything and everyone that immediately surrounds you is good and okay, after having fallen in and out of love and come out the other side rather unscathed. Aysanabee has a distinct but often world-weary kind of voice, but in “Edge of the Earth” he surrounds himself with the words, an inspiring arrangement, and production that are bound to give you a lift if you need it.
Other comments: “Edge of the Earth” follows up Here And Now, which also featured guest musicians of Indigenous heritage such as Raye Zaragoza and fellow Canadian Ruby Waters, and shows Aysanabee to be one of Canada’s most prolific and prominent artists, releasing new music in each of the last four years.
CAM BLAKE, “Passenger”
Video link: Passenger
About the artist: Cam Blake is an alternative rock artist from Vancouver, B.C. who has to date released two albums and a remix album. I previously wrote about his song “Gravity”.
About the record: “Passenger” is a sweet change of pace for Cam, it’s more of an acoustic pop-folk track that really suits his voice. The song has a rather unconventional flow about it led by a jangly, carefree guitar melody that keeps going until later you might expect in a song. Anyone who enjoys travelling will appreciate the relatable lyrics, particularly during and nearing the end of a vacation. It’s always nice to be a passenger for a while when we can escape our regular routines.
Other comments: According to You Tube, a third album is in the works called Five Months In Manchester, so it looks like travelling and being away from home will be common themes.
BEAUZ, PASCAL LETOUBLON, POLAR BEARS, STEPHEN PUTH, “Vertigo”
About the artists: BEAUZ is the Asian-American dance production duo of brothers specializing in hard techno and noted for their strong presence on Instagram and Tik Tok and a loyal fan base called BADDIES. Pascal Letoublon is a French dance producer, while Polar Bears (formerly known as Electric Polar Bears) are an American dance production duo who in concert wear polar bear masks, and I’ve written about them several times. Stephen Puth is the talented younger brother of Charlie who had a #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 with Loud Luxury and Frank Walker in 2021, “Like Gold”.
About the record: Talking about the cadre of artists involved would take as long to play “Vertigo”, which is a brief 1:56 electronic bop in which Stephen Puth duets with an uncredited female vocal (which may or may not be his own sped up voice). Nonetheless, “Vertigo” is a catchy head-turner whose well-defined synth hook might just show up as an ID in a number of DJ’s sets.
Other comments: “Vertigo” is a shining example of how not to underestimate the power of brevity and conciseness.
ERNAR, JeLa, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Spirit”
About the artists: Ernar is a 22 year old Kazakh dance producer whose style includes chill, tropical and deep house. JeLa is the performing name for NYC singer/songwriter Jessica Lattman, who is also a frequent collaborator with the other vocalist, former “American Idol” contestant and frequent visitor to this blog, Robbie Rosen.
About the record: “Spirit” is a pretty, uplifting, easy-going slice of dance/pop. If you’re not looking for bangers or frenetic electronic dance music, you can relax and chill while the deft blend of vocals by JeLa and Robbie along with a gentle story are sure to help alter your mood for the better. It’s also a slick introduction to the production work of Ernar, who aptly captures the flow of the song as well as the chemistry of the singers together.
Other comments: A release like “Spirit” could get easily lost in the shuffle. It’s a versatile song that’s suited for just about any pop playlist.
THE OCTOPUS DIVISION, “Games”
About the artist: The Octopus Division is the performing name for San Diego producer and vocalist Matthew Muncie, who is a relative newcomer, having released several singles in 2024. His specialty is 80’s flavoured electronic pop.
About the record: “Games” weaves an intriguing story, culminating in a catchy chorus. The target of mid-80’s flavours is spot-on, particularly in the minimalist-sounding synth work. For those of us who were around, it’s a time-shift back to 1985 in the post-new wave era of groups like a-ha, Simple Minds, and Duran Duran. Matthew’s vocal suits the song but at times sounds like he’s holding back, and that could just be the way his inflection articulates the emotions in the song.
Other comments: Matthew’s point of reference for “Games” is “The Neverending Story”. “Games” is solid indie bedroom retro electronic pop that takes a few spins but sinks in nicely and deserves your attention.
BATTLEFLAGG, “I Gotta Love”
About the artist: Veteran Philadelphia musician Jeff Hartwig (King Flux, The Dangs) leads Battleflagg, which is a collective of musicians who straddle the sub-genres within rock music to provide authentic songs that cut through the cynicism and all of the other daily crap out there.
About the record: “I Gotta Love” has an unconventional song structure in which Jeff and friends play out his treatise about winning over the object of his affection long before the song’s hook (and defining moment) drops. So you wait and then BAM! what a chorus – you know that it was all worth it. The remainder of “I Gotta Love” plays on that hook, and may strike some as a little long at 4:50, but its joyousness is contagious. The pristine production is by Daniel Knowles, noted for his recent work with Sharon Van Etten.
Other comments: The EP which contains “I Gotta Love”, called Solastalgia (which means “the homesickness you have when you are still at home”), also includes contributions by members of The War On Drugs, Japanese Breakfast, and Elvis Costello’s band. It’s Jeff Hartwig’s second EP for Battleflagg after returning to music from a sidestep into a career as a lawyer.
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. Here are my picks for this week and last week.
Gareth Emery and Annabel collaborate again under the moniker LSR/CITY with the electronic ballad “without u”
Video link: without u
“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”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
British alternative rock artist Bishop Briggs returns with “My Seratonin”
Video link: My Seratonin
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.
Electronic duo MAAPS put an unlikely spin on Flo Rida’s “Low”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. The 3D Variety Show is now on hiatus, returning in April 2025. 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.
April Wine – You Won’t Dance With Me (1977)
Burton Cummings – Break It To Them Gently (1978)
Gordon Lightfoot – The Circle Is Small (1978)
Anne Murray – You Needed Me (1978)
Ken Tobias – Give A Little Love (1976)
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.
It’s Neil Sedaka’s biggest North American hit, featuring Elton John on harmonies,”Bad Blood” (1975)
Video link (Live on TV’s “Midnight Special”): Bad Blood
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Swedish House Mafia and Alicia Keys score the top spot this week with “Finally”
Video link (Live from Ibiza): Finally
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Crash Adams’ “Optimist” moves up 27-19
Video link: Optimist
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