While many big concerts have already been announced for the summer, some additional ones are appearing now for late summer and early fall – sombr, Andy Bell (of Erasure), and Above & Beyond to name but a few that are visiting my city. And then there’s the January 2026 Groove Cruise line up, led by John Summit and featuring other prominent artists like Joel Corry, Angrybaby, Markus Schultz, Mashbit, Sarah de Warren, Trivecta and numerous others. This is already 97% sold out – they’re gonna need to do another one to accommodate all of the interest in 2027! Note: Next week’s Report will be published on Thursday, May 1.
Make sure you check out the video for my daughter VXTORIA‘s debut electronic dance single, “Back To You”, available on all platforms. Her next single, the more club-oriented “changes”, arrives this Friday, April 25!
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 is back with his weekly “3D Variety Show” and a Classic Five selection of hits from 1974. And if you missed them, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs, usually with a Spotify link unless otherwise indicated.
THE BOY FROM THE SOUTH, “Older”
About the artist – The Boy From The South is Pedro Balañá, a pop singer/songwriter/guitarist who hails from Spain but divides his time between there and London. He creates unique, sometimes whimsical stories that you’ll want to hear over again, and then find they’re stuck in your head. He’s had three releases reach the Top 10 of the BILLCS Top 30, most notably “Amazing-Man” (#3).
About the record – “Older” is hot off the presses today (April 23), but it’s one that I’ve known about and have been awaiting. It’s full of clever perspectives that make you smile and think a little more when you’re listening to its carefree-sounding piano-led melody. Lyrics like “life has its corners, it’s never straight”, and observations like wondering why young folks “wander in places I go to”, as well as enjoying life from our sofas (“nevermind, stay inside”, as we were conditioned during the pandemic), are all intriguing food for thought.
Other comments – The Boy From The South is one of the brightest talents around awaiting your discovery, and “Older” is a great place to start. For those of you already familiar with his songs, “Older is top notch! Coming up are shows in Los Angeles, Mexico and South America!!
FLY BY MIDNIGHT, “Heart Race” and “Divine Thing”
About the artist – Fly By Midnight is a Staten Island, NY pop duo comprising two Justins, Breit and Slaven (aka producer Slavo). They’ve been releasing their own brand of upbeat pop music for most of the last decade. Their earworm “SuperFine” got to #3 on the BILLCS Top 30 last year.
About the records – Both “Heart Race” and “Divine Thing” form two thirds of their EP The Race Lap 3/3. “SuperFine” was from The Race Lap 1/3, and another track I reviewed, “Casablanca”, was from The Race Lap 2/3, with all EP’s each comprising three songs. “Heart Race” will remind you of a Charlie Puth song, with its breathy start and pauses, and how it builds up to convey the anxiety of waiting to see a special someone. “Divine Thing” is breezy late 70’s, early 80’s styled pop that meets the Backstreet Boys half way. Both songs just ooze charm and you can’t go wrong with either.
Other comments – The third song on the EP, “Less In Love”, is a solid rockier track, I just happen to like the other two songs a bit better! You can listen to “Heart Race” by clicking the photo above, and to “Divine Thing” by clicking on the following link: Divine Thing.
CLAUDIA BRÜCKEN, “Rosebud.”
About the artist – Claudia Brücken is best known for her vocals as a member of German synthpop group Propaganda on their seminal 80’s and much loved new wave album A Secret Wish, a remarkable production for its time, and for co-writing their best known song, “Duel”, a Top 30 UK hit along with another track from the album, “Dr. Mabuse”. Since then, she has been releasing music as a solo artist or in other collaborative group efforts, including a few revivals under the Propaganda name, and the duo Onetwo with Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark member and former partner Paul Humphreys.
About the record – Claudia’s unmistakable voice leads the way in a song which reflects on “Rosebud.”, a secret childhood club (recalling the sled in Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane”), and ponders if we’ve made the most of our lives with the right choices. It’s certainly thoughtful and quietly provocative, with broad lyrics as “Have we used our time wisely / Have we lived each day”. It reminds me somewhat of the similar outlook of another 80’s artist, Alison Moyet, in her recent songs.
Other comments – “Rosebud.” is Claudia’s first solo release in 10 years, with an album, Night Mirror, to follow this summer.
NICK CELINO, “Beggin”
About the artist – As a teenager, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, singer/songwriter Nick Celino was a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, recognizable for his huge mane of hair accompanied by a deep, sometimes gravelly voice. After enjoying the fruits of that appearance, which were followed by numerous music industry frustrations, Nick has released his first new music in eight years independently this year.
About the record – First off, “Beggin” is not another tired cover of The 4 Seasons hit that Italy’s Maneskin remade a few years ago. This original “Beggin” showcases Nick’s deep, rich voice in a slow, soulful arrangement with some electric guitar pizzazz. It will appeal to fans of Teddy Swims, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Rag-N-Bone Man, who have all similarly wowed listeners with their depth and range. But “Beggin” is not about being a wrenching Michael Bolton-styled soul ballad, with exceptional well-balanced and nuanced production.
Other comments – The big hair of 11 years ago is gone in favour of a clean-cut look which will allow more focus on fine songs like “Beggin”.
DAN BLACK, “I Run Right Back To You”
About the artist – Dan Black is a British singer/songwriter/producer from Newcastle-upon-Tyne who came to prominence with his amazing track “Symphonies”, a rewrite of his song “HYPNTZ”, which borrowed lyrics from The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” against a classical instrumental cover of “Starman”. He released two subsequent solo albums, UN and Do Not Revenge. “I Run Right Back To You” is among his first new releases since 2017. “Symphonies” and another track from UN, “Alone”, both reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2009.
About the record – “I Run Right Back To You” finds the DIY musical alchemist back in fine form in a song about a guy who keeps returning to a toxic relationship. Less is more in the production of this kind of song, which conveys the aloof feelings we get when trapped in a personal situation. So while the sounds seem a bit barren, with synths as well as guitar and percussion sounds coming in and out of the mix, they make “I Run Right Back To You” more intense and gripping, along with Dan’s recognizable voice.
Other comments – Dan has worked with many other artists over the years, including Kid Cudi, Kelis on 2013’s “Hearts” (which had remixes from artists like Kaskade and Louis The Child) and 2017’s “Farewell”, Bag Raiders, and Imogen Heap. I saw Dan perform in a small club in Toronto in 2010.
SHIROBON, FRANKMUSIK, “Imposter Syndrome”
About the artists – Shirobon is a British producer (aka Michael Cordedda) who found his way into music through making songs using gaming consoles, which led to him to learn synthesizers and combine the two for some unique sounding releases. Frankmusik (Vincent Turner) is a regular visitor to this blog, known for his one-of-a-kind self-produced songs and his powerful, far-reaching voice. Frankmusik’s songs have appeared many times on the BILLCS Top 30, with three #1’s. He most recently charted with a redo of his 2009 song “Confusion Girl” (#8) and “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” (#2).
About the record – “Imposter Syndrome” is a hard-hitting, boisterous synthpop dance track that will have heads bopping and feet moving in no time. The song’s about a relationship growing further and further apart, which asks the questions “tell me can we make it, or do we fake it”. As much as Frankmusik’s soaring vocal can suit a slower song like “Dear Nicole”, it works equally well with slamming beats underneath like in “Imposter Syndrome”.
Other comments – “Imposter Syndrome” is a seamless collaboration between the two artists, and I hope more in store for us!
PLASTIC RHINO, “TAKEITALL”
About the artist – Plastic Rhino is the hard rocking duo of vocalist Alara Glazer and guitarist/bassist/producer Jack Glazer, who fuse their heavy sound with EDM elements such as dubstep. They’ve released two albums in the last 10 years and “TAKEITALL” is their first new music in two years.
About the record – Alara Glazer has a versatile, often ferocious voice, that’s used to its best effect on “TAKEITALL”. It’s a blistering hard rock song about love and obsession and when it goes too far. “TAKEITALL” will make you stop whatever you’re doing and listen. Tom Chandler’s production, while it takes no prisoners, does leave room for us all to take a deep breath.
Other comments – “TAKEITALL” is a powerful song that will find fans in both hard rock and EDM genres – head-banging and mosh pits await! It will appeal most to fans of bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence and Linkin Park, but also EDM producers like Wooli, Excision and SLANDER.
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.
Superstar dance producer Tiësto teams up with Jordan Shaw for “Hold Me”.
“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”.
Big Daddy’s record of the week will return.
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 anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. His show “Pyjama Party”, is also back on Saturdays at 5pm EST on Energy 885.
Hunter’s on the K-Pop tip this week with Rosé’s “Toxic Till The End”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can 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. This week all songs are from 1974!
Neil Diamond – Longfellow Serenade
Gary & Dave – I May Never See You Again
Steve Miller Band – The Joker
George McCrae – Rock Your Baby
Andy Kim – Rock Me Gently
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.
Two-time Grammy Award winner Shaggy had a Top 5 hit in 1995 with “Boombastic”
Check out the fun 90’s animated Levi’s commercial featuring the song. Video link: Boombastic
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
It’s a 4th appearance (8th week) at #1 for Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Today’s pre-sale for a sombr show in my city didn’t work for me, so I’ll try again Friday to see if anything’s left.
His song “back to friends” soars 24-11.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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