As I get ready to travel to Australia early next week, this is the last BILLCS New Music Report until I return, which means that the next usual publishing date will be Wednesday, March 12. Any submissions that I receive will be placed in the queue until then, and naturally I’ll be continuing to listen while I’m away (especially on the very long flights to and from!). I look forward to visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Bribie Island (off the coast of Brisbane), and hopefully can check out a couple of club shows along the way!
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, while vacationing in Australia, has sent in his Classic Five choices, all from the early 80’s! In case you missed them, you’ll 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.
MAGIC BRONSON, “Good Dogs”
About the artist: Magic Bronson is an L.A.-based electronic pop duo (Michael Nicastro and Matthew Lieberman) specializing in pulsating rhythms without sacrificing an indie sound. “Good Dogs” is the title track from their first album in four years.
About the record: “Good Dogs” will easily put a smile on your face. It’s a good-natured song that might make you think of our happy canine friends, but is more of an affectation for some of our human friends. Magic Bronson straddles electronics in the same way as other groups like fellow L.A. denizens Capital Cities, and puts a new spin on a big rock sound that has been trademarked by Imagine Dragons over the last decade. There’s an equal emphasis on melody as there is on rhythm and beats. Everything melds together in a delightful mix of ear candy that you’ll keep spinning.
Other comments: “Good Dogs” is chock full of fun without being a novelty, and a great way to get to know the music of Magic Bronson.
DAVID ARCHULETA, “Freedom”
About the artist: One-time “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta has been embracing the pop/dance genre in the last few years, which culminated in an EP of remixes for his infectious 2024 single “Afraid To Love”, which reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30. He’s also become more visible on TV and in the public eye in the last year, which was spurred by his appearance on “The Masked Singer”.
About the record: “Freedom” is a faithful cover of the George Michael release from 1990, which has found more favour in recent years as a queer anthem than at time of release and of course since George’s passing in 2016. It’s a great choice, and David makes no bones about not trying to ape George’s soulful style in favour of his own fine tones. The arrangement is similarly euphoric to the original, including the choral backing vocals, and the lyrics make a home run for David after coming out a few years back. I’m glad David has got to rework “Freedom” his way, and fans of the original will be mighty pleased.
Other comments: “Freedom” is a missed opportunity for a major label to jump in and market it to terrestrial radio and give their stale playlists a much needed boost, with a song that would light up request lines. I’m hoping some remixes are in the making, too!
JUDE YORK, “After The Opera”
Video link: Opera
About the artist: Last year, Australia’s Jude York broke through the invisible curtain by getting signed to Spinnin’ Records for his self-penned, self-produced dance track “Monaco”, which reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: “After The Opera” follows it up with a unique perspective – a relationship with an ex mirroring the story in an opera – and Jude weaves a sad, relatable tale about living “the same sad song” over and over again before it ended. The song definitely strikes the heart strings, with a touching vocal by Jude, but hey it’s got a peppy beat too and you can dance to it, so enjoy the cathartic release!
Other comments: “After The Opera” is more of a pop record than a dance record but it’s a handsome hybrid all the same.
THE DISCO FRIES, MINTD, KAYRAE, “Never Mine”
About the artists: The Disco Fries are a veteran NYC-based dance production team and record label owners (Liftoff Recordings) who have graced these blog pages as well as the BILLCS Top 30 many times. MINTD is a new production duo on their second release, while KAYRAE is an L.A.-based singer/songwriter who has during the last decade recorded solo and worked with the likes of Kaskade, KDrew and Morgin Madison.
About the record: “Never Mine” is The Disco Fries’ first new music since 2023 with a cool, progressive, deep house sound with some chill moments, and a collaboration with new producers MINTD brings it all to fruition, undoubtedly with some fresh perspective. KAYRAE’s vocal reminds me a lot of Ellie Goulding and her work with Calvin Harris. The pace only lets up to highlight KAYRAE’s vocal, otherwise “Never Mine” is full of dramatic lustre which provides an intriguing contrast to the vocal, and it all adds up nicely.
Other comments: “Never Mine” has plenty of sync possibilities, particularly for video games and animation.
LYRA, “Freak”
About the artist: Irish singer/songwriter Lyra is a superstar in her home country. Her debut self-titled album went to #1 on the Irish charts in 2024, and you’ve read about her songs like “Falling”, “The Ending” and “Chess” in these blog pages. That album was a compendium of songs from the last five years, and “Freak” is the first single to follow the album.
About the record: With its self-explanatory title, “Freak” is a winning empowerment anthem about self-worth, directed particularly at women. Its riveting rhythm carried by dark synths and beats takes you straight to the dance floor where you can let loose and do anything you want and make it your safe space. It’s a significant change up from songs about love and heartbreak on her album, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
Other comments: Lyra says: “This is a song about being a sexy ass powerful woman. As a woman I have been told “be sexy but not too sexy”, well fuck that. This song is all about the power of a woman’s sexuality. Bring your ego to the dance floor.”
BENJAMIN RUSSELL, “One Step (The Time Is Now)”
About the artist: Prolific alternative electronic Montreal artist Benjamin Russell returns with his latest 12 song album Waves, which continues to deliberately blur the boundaries between pop, rock, electronic, jazz and classical genres. The album is meant to be taken as a whole, to be heard from start to finish, where you’ll notice some common themes and a variety of inspirations.
About the record: “One Step” to me is the standout track on Waves. Co-written with his wife Elyse, Benjamin’s keen and expressive vocal and a bright melody keep you listening as the song works its way through an example of a daily grind of its own. Disagreements occur, tempers flare, but in the end, everyone is heard, which leads to a peaceful and encouraging resolution, as well as acting on it now – walk through that door and make it happen.
Other comments: There are many layers and stylistic shifts in Waves that require your objectivity and attention, and you will easily find something in its songs for yourself.
GENE CHAMPAGNE, “Yummy Yummy Yummy”
Video link: Yummy
About the artist: Gene Champagne is a Hamilton-based singer and drummer who was a founder of the Juno Award winning 90’s alternative rock band The Killjoys, noted for their hits “Soaked”, “Rave + Drool” and “Dana”. Since 2016, he’s been the drummer for Canadian rock mainstays, Teenage Head, and is also the drummer for The Black Halos.
About the record: I didn’t quite know what to expect as I approached listening to a new version of bubblegum pop classic from my childhood. “Yummy Yummy Yummy” was the biggest hit for mirth-makers Ohio Express in 1968, reaching #4 in the US and #1 in Canada, followed by the equally catchy “Chewy Chewy”. Fortunately, Gene knows how to frame the song properly with post-punk power pop energy and attitude, and makes it a well-sung, well-played welcome blast from the past without bells and whistles needed in the production. A couple of points of reference for fans of the post-punk late 70’s, early 80’s would be fellow Canadians The Diodes’ cover of The Cyrcle’s “Red Rubber Ball” or The Clash’s update of Bobby Fuller Four’s “I Fought The Law”.
Other comments: In our increasingly weird year of 2025, “Yummy Yummy Yummy” does not sound out of place at all. College and alternative radio stations will have the most fun with it. Add it to your own playlist of edgy rock cover versions!
FOUR NIGHTS, “Do You Feel The Same Way”
About the artist: Four Nights is the moniker for Irish indie bedroom artist Tommy Buckley, and its his third release within the last several months. His catchy pop/dance track “Want You Always” previously reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: The project of Four Nights is brimming with authenticity in “Do You Feel The Same Way” as Tommy invites listeners to explore true-to-life lyrics that take a snapshot of a precious moment in a relationship. The magic of discovery is always an immediate draw in a song, which here is sung with a lot of conviction.
Other comments: Never underestimate the power of an indie pop song, and Tommy keeps it fresh and real.
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.
It’s all about Lady Gaga this week and her best single in years, “Abracadabra”, from her forthcoming 7th solo album MAYHEM
Video link: Abracadabra
“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”.
It’s “Champagne” by rising UK alternative pop singer Declan McKenna
Video link: Champagne
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.
“Now or Never” is the rework of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” as Bon Jovi collaborates with Mr. 905 himself, Pitbull
Video link: Now or Never
“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.
Thompson Twins – Hold Me Now (1984)
Sherry Kean – I Want You Back (1984)
Bob Seger – You’ll Accomp’ny Me (1980)
Pat Benatar – Invincible (1985)
Peter Gabriel – Games Without Frontiers (1980)
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 the classic rocking foot-stomper “Have I The Right” by UK band The Honeycombs from 1964
Video link: Have I The Right
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Dance producer Sonny Fodera gets his first #1 with “Somedays”, a collaboration with vocalist Jazzy and producer D.O.D.
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Anyma and Ellie Goulding’s “Hypnotized” soars 26-14
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