I’ve never liked the idea from the inset, especially now, years into the streaming world, but there’s no doubt that the Billboard Hot 100 is here to stay as the composite source for all releases in the United States. As an alternate to this chart as well as its increasingly boring radio charts, I would like to propose a new “singles” chart, likely based on songs record labels are promoting, which would bring back a chart like those pre-streaming and would be a bellwether chart for new music. In the case of recent songs by Billie Eilish (“Birds of a Feather”) and Drake (“Nokia”), their labels have determined their viability through streaming users before they were identified as “singles”, though in the case of sombr’s releases, the label targeted them to both alternative (“back to friends”) and Top 40 (“undressed”) audiences. I’d love to hear your comments – you can add your comments to the blog post or respond to my post about this edition of the Report on the platform of your choice – Facebook, Threads, Blue Sky, or Instagram!
Listen to my daughter VXTORIA‘s latest dance music release, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love”, at the following link: Lost. If you haven’t checked out her second single, “changes”, you can do so at the following link: changes. You can watch her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You.
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 choices take us back to 1987. And you’ll also find out what songs were riding the top of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs, usually with a Spotify link unless otherwise indicated.
AGNES, “Balenciaga Covered Eyes”
About the artist: Agnes Carlsson has been wowing pop and dance music fans in Sweden and other European countries for 20 years – her first album came out in 2005, and all of her albums to date have reached the Top 10, with the first two reaching #1. “Release Me” was also a hit in the UK, reaching #3 in 2009 and it got to #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 too, where she has charted four times, most recently in 2020.
About the record: “Balenciaga Covered Eyes” is a decidedly different outing for Agnes, but it is positively enthralling. It’s a dark, 90’s-flavoured piano house track that will have you digging its seductive groove rocked by Agnes’ slick vocal. It’s certainly a risky song at this stage in her career but sometimes chance has to be thrown to the wind when the song is so good. “Balenciaga Covered Eyes” will hit you in the gut and stay in your head for days.
Other comments: Agnes is working on album #6 and she will undoubtedly bring more stylish goods like this single.
CERRONE, CHRISTINE & THE QUEENS, RAHIM REDCAR, “Catching feelings”
About the artists: Cerrone is the legendary French disco producer who captivated us in the 70’s with songs like “Supernature” and “Love In C Minor”, and has remixed and re-recorded those songs since. He’s been a constant presence in France with a lesser profile in the rest of the world. Christine & The Queens is now the previous recording name for singer/songwriter Rahim Redcar, who came to prominence in 2014 with his European and alternative hit “Tilted” and recently has collaborated with Charli XCX.
About the record: As you might expect with Cerrone, since he constantly re-invents himself, “Catching feelings” leads the way through the sophisticated disco mold in the EDM of 2025. It’s a great song, co-written with frequent collaborator Brendan Reilly.. who sang on his BILLCS Top 30 #1 “The Only One” in 2023. But it really makes the classy and spirited vocal by Rahim shine in a catchy mix that beckons club goers to the dance floor.
Other comments: I’m wondering if “Catching feelings” is the lead-in to a new album of originals by Cerrone, which would be his first since 2020’s DNA, a bit reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder’s “comeback” album, 2015’s Déjà Vu, which was recorded by him at age 74 (Cerrone now being 73). It’s also a transitional release for Rahim Redcar as he puts the Christine & The Queens moniker behind him.
AX & THE HATCHETMEN, ALBERT HAMMOND JR., “Blurry Lights”
About the artist: Ax & The Hatchetmen is a six-piece rock band formed in Chicago in 2018 with vocals and guitar by Axel Ellis, and also includes members who play trumpet and saxophone. They released one live album before they signed with Arista Records.
About the record: “Blurry Lights” is one hot, catchy record aided by guitar work from The Strokes’ guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. (who, yes, is the son of British singer/songwriter Albert Hammond of “It Never Rains In Southern California” fame and many more songs as a prolific songwriter). The song works up to a guitar hook that might just be as memorable as the one in The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”. But it’s loaded with hooks, fine production, and instrumentation, and serves as a great introduction to the Ax & The Hatchetmen.
Other comments: “Blurry Lights” is a no-brainer for alternative and mainstream rock stations, with pop crossover potential.
CORBYN BESSON, “Tied Up”
Video link: Tied Up
About the artist: Texas-born Corbyn Besson is a pop singer/guitarist who was one fifth of the band Why Don’t We, which dissolved due to legal issues. “Tied Up” is his solo release following last year’s fun collaboration with Swedish producers NOTD, “Panic”, which reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: “Tied Up” is a sexy slice of danceable and soulful pop that will appeal to the fans Corbyn inherited from Why Don’t We, as well as other artists like The Jonas Brothers, Harry Styles and Justin Bieber. Like “Panic”, “Tied Up” is a bop when it rocks out, but also has a softer, seductive side to it, which will only serve Corbyn well as a diverse performer in the pop genre.
Other comments: Check out the video at the link above which doesn’t turn out as you might think – though the song’s title will come to mind!
LENA LEON, “Seconds to Sunrise”
About the artist: Lena Leon is a NYC-based singer/songwriter who has sang on and co-written songs by Tiësto, Vicetone, Tchami and Sick Individuals, as well as released her own solo works since 2019. Her release “Spiral” was a #1 national dance radio track in 2022.
About the record: “Seconds to Sunrise” positively shimmers as a romantic but uptempo summer song. It will certainly brighten up those big speakers at festivals and accompany you on those idyllic long walks or late night drives by the beach. It’s got a different sound from past releases by Lena but it works and captivates you all the way through.
Other comments: Lena’s songs have well over 50 million streams and all you have to do is listen to “Seconds to Sunrise” to hear why.
PLS&TY, x.o. anne, “Leave The Light On”
About the artists: PLS&TY (aka L.A.-based dance producer Tommy Leas) follows up his recent release “Constellations”. x.o. anne is a California-born singer/songwriter now based in London, who came to prominence on TELYKast’s #1 dance radio hit “Free”, and has worked with other producers such as Calvo, Marvel Riot, and Matt Fax.
About the record: There’s no denying the dance radio-ready appeal of “Leave The Light On” that has already landed it on the national dance radio chart. x.o. anne’s luminous vocal highlights yet another propulsive PLS&TY release, which he co-produced with co-writer Ellis Lawrie. “Leave The Light On” is also a shining example of heart-felt story-telling in a deep house setting.
Other comments: “Leave The Light On” is from PLS&TY’s 3-song EP Into The Light, and should lead the way to another collaboration between both artists. You can also check out the Rush Avenue remix at the following link: Light On.
ANDY TONGREN, “So Good”
About the artist: Andy Tongren launches a solo career while still the lead singer of Young Rising Sons, a prolific NYC rock band that released 3 EP’s for Interscope back in the day and have been staunchly independent since.
About the record: There’s always room for one more bright folk/pop singer who can keep fans of singers like James Bay, Jason Mraz, and Weezer happy. “So Good” is an uplifting track with an energetic vocal by Andy that’s meant to be a mood-changer. It comes from an uncomplicated place, with a jangly melody that accompanies lyrics to which anyone can relate. It’s a fantastic kick off as a solo artist that should travel well beyond the fans of Young Rising Sons.
Other comments: Besides a new Young Rising Sons album on the way called YRS, I’ll be waiting to hear what Andy Tongren offers up next as a solo artist.
MISTINE, “changing with the weather”
Video link: changing
About the artist: Mistine is the recording name for New Jersey-raised singer/guitarist Christine Meisenhelter, who has been recording music for about the last seven years and has toured with the likes of Conan Gray. She has just released her debut album called i guess this is where we’re at.
About the record: “changing with the weather” is a punchy, rock-flavoured love song that really shows off Mistine’s singing, songwriting and guitar work. Obvious references here would be Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift, but you could add “changing” easily to a playlist that might include songs by The Beaches, The Linda Linda’s, and The Marias. Mistine also drops references, often subtly, to her other passion, sustainability and the environment, into her songs. “changing” is a warm introduction into the authentic songs of Mistine.
Other comments: Mistine has a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Business Leadership. She has also worked at the Sphere in Las Vegas as the on-site Sustainability Coordinator for the Grateful Dead’s residency and also worked on Billie Eilish’s tour for her album Hit Me Hard And Soft.
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.
Get up and move to “I Don’t Speak French” by MELØ which fuses new wave, rock, house and disco
“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 British rockers Wolf Alice with “Bloom Baby Bloom”
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. It’s anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
Grammy Award winner Doechii samples the only hit by Gotye & Kimbra in “Anxiety”
“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.
Grateful Dead – Touch Of Grey
Heart – Alone
Whitney Houston – Didn’t We Almost Have It All
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life
Billy Idol – Mony Mony “Live”
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.
My retro pick of the week is currently in repeats, and new ones will return soon.
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20-25…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years ago…
2020
01 GET YOUR WISH, Porter Robinson
02 ALL ON YOU, Super Duper
03 I DON’T WANNA GO HOME, The Prizm, ARTFCAL
04 YOU’RE NOT ALONE, Arty, Griff Clawson
05 YOU’LL BE OK, Gareth Emery, Annabel
2015
01 CHASING STARS, Corey Niles, Alex LaCasse
02 NO TALK, River Tiber
03 NO WORDS, Erik Hassle
04 STING, Eric Saade
05 AERONAUT, Parralox
2010
01 THE WORSE IT GETS, Penguin Prison
02 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis
03 SITUATION (Monsieur Adi remix), Javi
04 JOYSTICK, Simon Curtis
05 ACAPELLA, Kelis
2005
01 JERK IT OUT, The Caesars
02 LONELY NO MORE, Rob Thomas
03 ELEANOR, Low Millions
04 YOU AND ME, Lifehouse
05 WRAP MY WORDS AROUND YOU, Daniel Bedingfield
2000
01 BENT, Matchbox Twenty
02 KRYPTONITE, 3 Doors Down
03 ETERNAL LIFE (Live from “Mystery White Boy”), Jeff Buckley
04 THIS TIME AROUND, Hanson
05 DRIFTWOOD, Travis
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