I’ve got no commentary to add to this week’s Report, so the great songs will speak for themselves! I do want to let you know that I’m taking next week off, since it’s my birthday as well as a busy week in general, so the Report will return on Wednesday, June 18.
Listen to my daughter VXTORIA‘s latest dance music release, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love”, at the following link: Lost. Since I’ll have no blog posts next week, I get to announce that her next release “More Love” is a collaboration that arrives on Friday June 13! 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 is a selection of choice songs from 1970-1972, including a couple of cool Canadian ones. And if you missed them on Monday, 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.
LENNI KIM, “Scars”
Video link: Scars
About the artist: 23 year old Lenni Kim Lalonde is a Canadian singer/songwriter/actor from Montreal who is known mainly to French-speaking audiences for his appearances as a teen on the French shows “The Voice Kids” and “Danse avec les stars”. He has released an album, an EP, and several singles up to 2022 in French, but his recently released EP Adrenaline is entirely in English.
About the record: “Scars” was one of the single releases from Adrenaline which I caught up with while checking out other songs on the EP. By far, “Scars” is Lenni Kim’s most moving song from the EP, with its frame in a spoken-sung narrative, while its whirlwind emotional chorus spins the song into a breakup anthem. Lenni Kim sounds somewhat like The Driver Era’s Ross Lynch or Swedish singer Adam Woods. He has a beautiful tenor and his vocal in the chorus reminds me of Conan Gray.
Other comments: After having major label experiences with his French releases, Adrenaline is Lenni Kim’s first independent release. With talent like Benson Boone and sombr having breakouts these past couple of years, there is plenty of room for a talent like Lenni Kim. Be sure to check out the video at the link above.
MERGUI, “Risk It All”
About the artist: Jonathan Mergui is an Israel-born talent who experienced some success in his home country before relocating to Los Angeles. “Risk It All” follows up his EP Nobody Really Knows, which included “On My Mind”, the Sam Feldt remix of which got to #15 on the BILLCS Top 30 earlier this year.
About the song: “Risk It All” is a compelling rock-flavoured bop that’s about taking one too many steps into an encounter. I suppose this song is more about a one-night thing where unfortunately the event didn’t even lead to friendship. But it could be applied also to just making friends or trying to establish yourself with someone, with the idea not to move too fast, even if the other party wants to as well.
Other comments: This kind of brisk pop would certainly liven up any Top 40 or Hot AC playlist, and Mergui continues to be a talent to watch. He performs in L.A., Philadelphia, Chicago and New York (for 2 shows) later this month.
SHAWN HOOK, “Lie”
About the artist: Shawn Hook is a Vancouver-based Juno Award-nominated singer/songwriter whose songs you can hear on Canadian radio at any given time of day. Shawn also battled throat cancer in 2023 which is now in remission. “Lie” follows up his 2024 EP Beauty In Surrender
About the record: “Lie” is a stirring breakup anthem, a little more rock-flavoured in the Imagine Dragons/Benson Boone territory, with an expressive performance by Shawn. It signals a new era for Shawn, whose past releases ranged from ballads through to pop/dance tracks, like his biggest hit “Sound Of Your Heart”. As Shawn has said in social media, “Lie” is pretty pointed, so “If someone has played you, kindly send this song to them and tell them there’s something else they should add to their playlist.”
Other comments: It’s always great to hear fresh-sounding new music from one of Canada’s often unheralded pop music mainstays.
PETER FOLDY, BEKI COLADA, “Showdown”
About the artists: Peter Foldy is the Juno Award-nominated Canadian L.A.-based multi-talent who scored a national #1 with the classic “Bondi Junction”. When he’s not making movies as a director, producer and writer, he continues to release solid pop songs. On “Showdown”, he collaborates with Australian singer/songwriter Beki Colada, who had a 14 year career as vocalist/keyboardist with the group The Mavis’s, including a Top 20 album and single. The Mavis’s reunited in 2022.
About the song: “Showdown” has an atypical, refreshing storyline about a couple who are experiencing some tension, and need to take a few steps back from it all. So make it a date night over some wine and good conversation, and that could help ease getting through it. The music is elegantly-styled pop, with Peter and Beki’s voices trading off well, and make the song work effortlessly.
Other comments: Adult contemporary music fans and radio stations looking for something fresh for their playlists can’t go wrong with “Showdown”.
RYAN SHEPHERD, MOUGLETA, “Losing All Control”
About the artists: Ryan Shepherd is the Canadian dance music producer and DJ who creates feel-good house music which has landed him on the BILLCS Top 30 several times, most recently with “Move It (Control My Mind)” peaking at #5. Mougleta is Dubai-born Canadian singer/songwriter Yasmeen Semaan, who has collaborated with such diverse dance music luminaries as Afrojack, Robin Schulz, Sultan + Shepherd and NGHTMRE.
About the record: “Losing All Control” could have been an all-out party record, but fortunately is infused with some imaginative lyrics about two people finding that magical chemistry that we all can only wish for, and then letting loose, ideally on the dance floor. Ryan’s slick deep house production frames the story and Mougleta’s enticing vocal is an ear-grabber.
Other comments: “Losing All Control” should find its way into dance club and festival sets as part of a great lead up to an evening of fun.
NELSON BRAGG, “We’re Gonna Laugh About It”
About the artist: L.A.-based, New Hampshire born veteran drummer, percussionist and vocalist Nelson Bragg has played in countless bands over the years, which came to fruition in 2003 when he joined Brian Wilson’s band, just in time for the release of Brian’s long-awaited Grammy-winning album Smile, and he also performed at the Beach Boys’ 50th Anniversary concert in 2012.
About the record: “We’re Gonna Laugh About It” is apparently inspired by the sounds of British group Squeeze, though to me I hear 90’s rock bands like The Smithereens meshing with the omnipresent SoCal sound that leads back to The Beach Boys. It’s lighthearted theme about celebrating the time of our youth and realizing, through changes over the years, that there’s a lot of then-serious stuff in our lives to be taken with a grain of salt as we get older. In addition to vocals, drums and percussion, Nelson also played 12 string guitar on “Laugh”, while British rocker JK Harrison added bass and electric guitar.
Other comments: “We’re Gonna Laugh About It” is included in the upcoming album Mélodie de Nelson: A Pop Anthology, which also includes selected songs from the artist’s three solo albums.
MATTHEW HOLTBY, “This Is Bliss”
About the artist: Matthew Holtby is a singer/guitarist based in Warkworth, Ontario, near Peterborough. Matthew is known to his fans as an authentic storyteller who mixes pop with rock, folk, country and other genres into his songs.
About the song: “This Is Bliss” is a love song about Matthew and his wife and how they have forged their relationship together. It’s simple, sweet and to the point, with an acoustic guitar carrying the melody. But the song has full instrumentation too, augmented by touches by cellist and violinist David Shewchuk. “This Is Bliss” will touch anyone who has seen a relationship bloom and get to a point that you would have never imagined.
Other comments: Matthew has several live performances scheduled across south-eastern Ontario during the next two months where you can hear his genuine brand of pop.
ALI J. HASSAN, “Into The Winds”
About the artist: Hailing from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Ali J. Hassan takes his first step into a solo career with the rocker “Into The Winds”. Ali has played in several rock bands as a bassist and rhythm guitarist, engineered recordings by Alicia Keys and John Legend, and has coordinated the live sound for shows by Benson Boone, Elton John, Sting, Pharrell Williams and Bruno Mars.
About the song: “Into The Winds” is energetic roots rock that goes down easy with its hopeful message of finding the right path for yourself. That path simply opens whatever door you choose, and suddenly life becomes a lot more carefree where you can ride the winds as implied by the title. Ali’s message is accompanied by an earnest and heartfelt performance.
Other comments: “Into The Winds” will appeal to fans of classic rock singers like John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen, but also newer talents like Sam Fender and Noah Kahan.
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.
Sam Feldt’s latest foray into tropical house is “Lonely Tonight” with American vocalists Justin Jesso and Parson James
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”.
Veteran rockers Hinder return with their first new music in 7 years with “Bring Me Back To Life”
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.
It’s not terribly new but it is Lady Gaga and it’s “Abracadabra”
“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. The 3D Variety Show is currently on vacation, returning on Tuesday July 8.
King Floyd – Groove Me (1971)
Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) (1970)
Diana Ross – Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) (1970)
Dr. Music – Sun Goes By (1972)
Brave Belt – Dunrobin’s Gone (1972)
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.
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
sombr continues at #1 as “back to friends” begins to break out nation-wide
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
From his upcoming project Rooms I Never Left, it’s Toronto’s Francesco Yates with the jazz-fusion flavoured “If I Have You” (18-12)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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