The week went by rather quickly and so this week’s Report is a little shorter than usual. But with all kinds of music to consider in the coming week, next week’s report should be more fulsome!
My daughter VXTORIA has released her second single, “changes“, which mixes emotion with clubby vibes, and is available on all platforms. If you haven’t done so, check out the video for her first single, “Back To You”. Single #3 is coming on Friday May 15!
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 this week’s Classic Five selection transports us back to 1989! You’ll also 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.
MELØ, “I Don’t Speak French”
Video link: French
About the artist: MELØ hails from Windsor, Ontario and is a veteran producer and engineer who has performed with numerous bands over the years. In 2022 he released his first solo music, which led to his fine 2024 album Songs From The Spirit Box. MELØ’s passionate and affecting track “Memento” reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30 at the end of 2023.
About the record: “I Don’t Speak French” is quite a change of pace for MELØ after a rock album heavily influenced by 80’s new wave. But the song works like a charm as a tip of the hat to disco and house genres, and 80’s artists who fed off of those inspirations like Robert Palmer and David Bowie, incorporating a familiar 90’s rhythm that sets the pace for a sophisticated song full of good vibes. So get on your dancing shoes and be prepared for this new highly diverse era of MELØ with some surprises along the way.
Other comments: Fans of the album and his previous singles can be assured that there is plenty of rock music in store too. I was predisposed to “I Don’t Speak French” at MELØ’s enjoyable showcase concert at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern last month. Be sure to check out the fun video for the song above. It’s so refreshing to see people actually dancing together in it!
DIAMOND CAFE, ” Fantasy Real”
About the artist: Diamond Café is a rising pop/R&B singer/songwriter/producer from Victoria, British Columbia who recently released his latest EP, Fantasy Real, which is otherwise a compilation of previous singles (many of which I’ve written about in these blog pages), including “When You Can’t Resist”, which reached #5 on the BILLCS Top 30 last year.
About the record: “Fantasy Real” includes so many vibrant elements from 70’s and 80’s R&B – courtesy of Prince, Michael Jackson, Parliament/Funkadelic, Rick James – that you’ll lose track. It’s an exuberant, danceable original track with a Diamond vocal that really lets loose. You won’t be able to sit still to “Fantasy Real”!
Other comments: Diamond Café is opening for Teddy Swims on his North American tour, and he couldn’t be matched up with a better artist to win over new fans. I heard “Fantasy Real” when Diamond played a show at The Drake Hotel in Toronto recently, and it will sound ten times better out of huge stadium speakers!
REIGEN, “Keep Dreaming”
About the artist: American vocalist/songwriter Reigen Miller is a familiar name to readers of this blog during the last 10 years, though he hasn’t released music in a few years. After a break, he’s back sounding bigger and better than ever, incorporating Spanish lyrics and elements into his music. Reigen has reached the Top 10 on the BILLCS Top 30 three times, most recently with “Blue” (#8) in 2021.
About the song: Although “Keep Dreaming” is a brief 2 minutes long, it’s a pop song loaded with emotion, and throws the spotlight on Reigen’s wieldy vocal, which can transcend from a whisper to a roar in moments. Reigen is inspiring and authentic in his conviction, and fans of Latin music will enjoy his Spanish verses.
Other comments: I can’t wait to hear what Reigen has in store for us next.
RICKY MANNING, “Waterbed”
About the artist: Ricky Manning is a singer/songwriter originally from Florida, now based in Nashville, who was a Top 20 contestant on season seven of TV’s “The Voice”, appearing on both Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani’s teams.
About the record: “Waterbed” is an earnest acoustic song about a relationship constantly sabotaged by one thing or another, and really was never meant to be, ultimately leading to dreaded silence. The production highlights Ricky’s voice beautifully, and “Waterbed” is a concise, interesting story that wraps up in two and a half minutes.
Other comments: You know with his gorgeous, earthy tone why Ricky Manning had some success back on “The Voice”. I remember the performances well – Top 10 worthy to me – and I’m glad he continues to share his love of making music.
XANTZ, APROJECT, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Control Of Me”
About the artists: Xantz and AProject are producers who both hail from Norway, the former is Andreas Naess, and the latter is a duo of Dennis and Kim-André. Robbie Rosen is the multi-talented former “American Idol” contestant who has appeared on the BILLCS Top 30 a dozen times, with two #1’s among them, and whose songs have been featured in this blog even more! Xantz has released songs with both AProject and Robbie before separately.
About the record: “Control Of Me” is an edgy slice of melodic house led by Robbie’s invested vocal, where the protagonist of the song clearly wants his object of affection to be and stay in control. The synth work, particularly the bright arpeggios – thank goodness some producers haven’t forgotten about these secret weapons – keep the intensity going strong.
Other comments: “Control Of Me” could help breathe some life into North American dance radio.
THE GOLD NEEDLES, “Supernature”
About the artist: The Gold Needles are a British rock quintet from Kingston-upon-Hull led by singer/guitarist Simon Dowson. They were formed 10 years ago, and have released three albums to date.
About the record: “Supernature” is a provocative song whose title is derived from the 1973 book by South African writer Lyall Watson, which attempted to find explanations for a variety of things, both real and supernatural/occult. The song poses that there are answers out there somewhere (with plenty of wacky theories on the internet too), and all we have to do is look at the beautiful nature around us which even science can’t explain properly. The song will remind you most of The Beatles and Paul McCartney with its lilting melody, and before it’s all over the lead guitar work of Dave Burbage is showcased handsomely.
Other comments: The Gold Needles have only released a handful of songs since their last album in 2021, and more is to come. “Supernature” was one of the earliest songs written by the band, which shows that some songs can remain unreleased until its time has come.
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.
It’s Toronto’s Francesco Yates with his soulful pop release “If I Have You”
“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”.
“Deadman’s Trigger” is from Creed’s Scott Stapp and his album Higher Power
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.
It’s the latest from country crossover singer Dasha called “Not At This Party”
“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.
Henry Lee Summer – Hey Baby
Phil Collins – Two Hearts
Fine Young Cannibals – Good Thing
Madonna – Like A Prayer
Janet Jackson – Miss You Much
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 sophisticated early 70’s pop/soul sounds of Stevie Wonder with “If You Really Love Me” (1971)
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Sonny Fodera grabs his second #1 of 2025, this time with Clementine Douglas, with “Tell Me”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Angels for Each Other” is a warm and heartfelt collaboration by Martin Garrix and Arijit Singh (19-10)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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