This week’s Report is coming to you from an extremely hot New York City, where temperatures will finally ease up tomorrow. It’s also a week of three Maxes – MAX (Schneider), Max Ehrich and Max Sarre all have new songs worth investigating! Enjoy the new tunes and our regular features.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this week and last, 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 has this week’s Classic Five all from that wonderful year of pop music, 1970. sombr has captured #1 and #2 this week on the BILLCS Top 30, and I also dug into past charts to find out what artists have had the same achievement!
Listen to my daughter VXTORIA‘s latest dance music release, her fantastic house collaboration with Toronto-area producer TEARJVCKKD called “More Love” at the following link: More Love. There’s also previous recent releases, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love”, at the following link: Lost; and “changes”, 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. Her debut EP Dreamstate arrives on July 2!
LIAM WALL, “So”
About the artist: Liam Wall is an indie pop singer/songwriter based in Nashville who recently completed a run on the BILLCS Top 30 with a song that has turned out to be a huge favourite of mine, “Walking Red Flag”, which peaked at #6.
About the record: “So” is that rare, delightfully good follow-up that “Walking Red Flag” has needed, and like that song, caught me rather off guard. It’s a story of unrequited attraction from a distance, as the protagonist reflects on someone who he admires but clearly with whom he did not have a relationship, and asks (to himself) “so, did you find anyone?” We all have thoughts about people who have come and gone in our lives, and Liam grabs our attention with his voice and piano, before the song builds to a crescendo with more instrumentation. It’s a DIY effort that gets a big thumbs up from me.
Other comments: Songs like “Walking Red Flag” and “So” are going to take Liam Wall far and Nashville looks like the right place to be for the California-born talent to make it happen.
MAX, “Get In The Ring”
About the artist: Max Schneider is a singer/songwriter and actor from NYC, best known for his radio hit “Lights Down Low” (which reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30) and his album Hell’s Kitchen Angel. I’m an OG MAX enthusiast back to his Ms Anonymous EP and he’s appeared on the BILLCS Top 30 13 times to date, with more appearances in these blog pages than that., often with electronic producers like Illenium and Galantis. I’ve been pleased to watch his progression as an in-demand talent for K-Pop releases through work with members of BTS, LE SSERAPHIM and others.
About the record: “Get In The Ring” is the theme to a South Korean TV show called “Good Boy”, an action-comedy which centres around characters who were sports heroes and are now police officers. As you might anticipate, “Get In The Ring” is appropriately anthemic and energetic, giving MAX an opportunity to use his soaring vocal range to full effect. It’s one song I’d love to hear him sing in concert. It rocks out more than usual for him and I’d pitch it to fans of Imagine Dragons and One Republic.
Other comments: MAX’s releases over the past few years have been selective, with putting family first with his wife and young daughter, though 2023’s “Strings” (with JVKE and Bazzi) was a corker. He doesn’t have a songwriting credit on “Get In The Ring”, but 2000’s music fans will note the name Andreas Öhrn, once of the duo Gravitonas.
THE DISCO FRIES, “Greenlight”
About the artist: Nick Ditri and Danny Boselovic are NYC-based producers The Disco Fries, who took a break for a while and returned with the slick techno-house track “Never Mine” earlier this year. They’ve appeared on the BILLCS Top 30 five times, including the #1 “Give It Back” (with GIIANTS and Allison Park).
About the record: “Greenlight” continues in the vein of 2000’s-inspired techno-house with some trance elements, and perhaps takes some cues from Duke Dumont’s 2019 dance club favourite “Red Light Green Light”. It’s got an unexpectedly haunting instrumental lead in, but the fun begins as soon as you hear “red light red light green light GO” – an instant cue to the dance floor, if you’re not already there by then.
Other comments: With a more than 10 year repertoire and an array of collaborations with so many major names in dance music over the years, The Disco Fries continue to keep their focus on what sounds great in clubs and at festivals.
HarlowBardot, “Static In My Head” (Stonebridge remix)
About the artist: HarlowBardot is a Toronto alternative electronic duo comprising singer/songwriter Kinga and electronics whiz Marc Wonnacott. “Static In My Head” is their third single release.
About the record: With every release, HarlowBardot provides a different flavour of electronic pop whose roots are in 80’s new wave, pop and dance music. While the original version of “Static In My Head” has its own enjoyable vibe, legendary Grammy-nominated Swedish producer Stonebridge (of Robin S’ “Show Me Love” and Ne-Yo’s “Closer” fame and numerous others – just glom his Wikipedia entry) elevates the song to a clubby level with a superlative, hard-hitting remix while keeping intact the bitterness in its story of a past love, and its expressive vocal from Kinga. It would also give radio playlists a huge lift.
Other comments: Alternative and college radio stations could easily champion “Static In My Head” but it’s in dance clubs where this remix would naturally take roots and grow.
GABE JAMES, “Stoke Our Love”
About the artist: Gabe James is the Colorado-born, L.A.-based singer/songwriter who made an “American Idol” appearance as a contestant earlier this year, which shone a spotlight on his previous single “Wake Up”.
About the record: Positivity simply exudes from “Stoke Our Love”, where Gabe gets to sing about someone dear to him and show off his range as a vocalist and songwriter with pop and folk influences. It’s an upbeat, authentic bop with clean production and personality-plus. Gabe appears determined to cut his own path, which may lead him more in the direction of folk and country, but he does just fine in pop too thank you.
Other comments: Judging from his Instagram feed, there’s oodles more about love and good times only coming soon.
DAN BLACK, LOUANE, “Orchestra”
About the artists: UK-born, France-based electronic artist Dan Black returned to making new music earlier this year after a protracted absence. He had two #1’s on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2009, “Symphonies” and “Alone”, both from his album UN. Louane is the celebrated French singer and actress who won a César Award for her supporting role in the film La Famille Bélier. She also sang France’s 2025 EuroVision entry “Maman”, which finished 7th.
About the record: Dan Black decided to celebrate the brief pre-solo career music of his group The Servant, which released two albums and retains a following in Europe, by updating four of their songs on the new 20th anniversary EP called The Servant Revisited. These are much less complex songs than those in Dan’s subsequent career, and the most intriguing and unique is “Orchestra”, with vocals by Louane that add a fresh sophisticated dynamic to the song. It’s well-constructed, moody and laid back alternative electronic pop.
Other comments: Alternative and college radio stations would most likely find a place for “Orchestra” in their mix. Fans of the singer and this kind of electronic pop can confidently add it to their most appropriate playlist.
MAX EHRICH, “LAX”
About the artist: Max Ehrich is a New Jersey-born Emmy-nominated actor, model, dancer, and singer/songwriter. He’s one of those admirable multi-talents that makes most of us envious as he seamlessly moves from one role to the next with better than average results as well as peer recognition.
About the record: With recent releases, Max has capably handled songs with hip hop, country, and bluesy rock flavours, but “LAX” puts in smack in the middle of pop territory. In this song, Max requests his object of affection to meet him at Los Angeles International Airport where she could be his “one and only” and seize the opportunity to escape with him from their regular lives. It’s an oft told story but it sustains our interest quite well and further allows Max to be a musical chameleon.
Other comments: While I’m enjoying all of the variety, I’m hoping that Max Ehrich can zero in on the musical style that works best for him. Given his credentials and hefty social media presence, I’m sure there’s a ticket already in the offering, as long as it’s the right one.
MAX SARRE, “Ghost Town”
About the artist: 23 year old Max Sarre is an indie British pop singer/songwriter whose strength is writing relatable lyrics that can connect to music fans of any age.
About the record: “Ghost Town” is about exhausting all possibilities for romance where you reside, and finding the strength to move on. Max’s sincere vocal and a story that explains the feelings of many young people today who are lonely and can’t break away from living with parents or change their familiar setting. It can also apply to others who are in a position to make change but for one reason or another choose not to do it.
Other comments: Max has got a growing repertoire of releases since 2021, and “Ghost Town” is one of his best to date, and a recent remix of his song “I Like You” also shows a flirtation with electronic dance music that suits his voice.
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 The Knocks and Dragonette with “Foolish Pleasure” from their collaborative album Revelation
“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”.
Check out former Brian Wilson drummer Nelson Bragg’s “We’re Gonna Laugh About It”
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.
It’s 23 year old birthday boy Benson Boone with “Mr. Electric Blue”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (currently on vacation till July 8), 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.
Sugarloaf – Green-Eyed Lady
Free – All Right Now
Creedence Clearwater Revival – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Bobby Bloom – Montego Bay
Blood, Sweat & Tears – Lucretia Mac Evil
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.
This week’s retro pick is a repeat airing.
ARTISTS #1 AND #2 BACK-TO-BACK ON THE BILLCS TOP 30
The current edition of the BILLCS Top 30 has sombr at #1 with ‘back to friends” and at #2 with “undressed”. This was the first time since 2017 that the same artist held #1 and #2 back-to-back. Here are others going back to 2004 when I started storing my charts electronically.
2017 THE CHAINSMOKERS, “Paris” (#1) and “Something Just Like This” (with Coldplay) (#2). Both songs reached #1.
2016 BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Nothing At All” (#1) and “Lost (Stripped)” (#2)
2012 RIVER TIBER, “Someday” (#1) and “Symmetry” (#2) NOTE: These songs are not available on any streaming service.
2011 SIMON CURTIS, “Wicked Baby” (with Ro Danishei) (#1) and “Laser Guns Up” (#2) – both held #1 and #2 together for two appearances. Both songs reached #1.
2008 CHRIS BROWN, “With You” (#1) and “No Air” (with Jordin Sparks” (#2). Both songs reached #1.
2007 DARREN HAYES, “How To Build A Time Machine” (#1) and “Me Myself & (I)” (#2). Both songs reached #1.
2006 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, “SexyBack” and “FutureSex/LoveSound”. “SexyBack” was #1 and then switched places with “FutureSex” the on the following chart.
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