This summer is bringing all kinds of unanticipated surprises with releases that are submitted to me as well as those that I discover through other means. There’s no short of variety in today’s mix, which ranges from soulful pop to dub step and drum ‘n bass.
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 is a unique mix from 1979. If you missed them, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the latest BILLCS Top 30. You’ll also get to check out a BILLCS Top 30 Flashback chart from this week in 1999!
Do check out my daughter VXTORIA‘s six song EP Dreamstate, which follows up her her fantastic house collaboration with Toronto-area producer TEARJVCKKD called “More Love” (at the following link: More Love). Dreamstate includes three more new songs, “Awaken”, “TMRW”, and “U&Me”. It includes the previous recent releases, “Back To You”, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love” and “changes”. You can watch her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You. Watch for the Las Vegas-set video for “More Love” coming soon!
FAITHLESS, NATHAN BALL, AMELIA FOX, “Meeting”
About the artist: Faithless is the seminal techno/trance group from the UK known for their UK pop hits and worldwide dance smashes “Insomnia” and “God Is A DJ” (on the BILLCS Top 30 26 years ago, see my Flashback Chart below). They lost distinct vocalist Maxi Jazz a few years back and the duo of Rollo and Sister Bliss continue to reinvent their electronic sound with help from UK vocalists/songwriters Nathan Ball and Amelia Fox.
About the record: Faithless has scaled back their beats for a more minimalist sound in “Meeting”. It’s highly complimentary in this absorbing story about a potential couple’s first get together, relating the inner thoughts, wants, and doubts of each, while electronic rhythms burble underneath the lyrics. Nathan Ball worked with Faithless on their 2021 release All Blessed (featuring the BILLCS Top 30 #1 “Synthesizer”), while Amelia Fox collaborated with them on 2022’s WeDisappear with R.Plus. Their vocals mesh together well, and the overall sound of “Meeting” is reminiscent of Faithless’ own contemporaries, Everything But The Girl.
Other comments: “Meeting” and two other tracks form an EP called Champion Sound: Side 2 Phone Number, which appears to be part of a full upcoming album called Champion Sound.
BEN DENNY MO, “September”
About the artist: Ben Denny Mo is an indie singer/songwriter/guitarist from North Norfolk, England, who was raised on Gozo, a Maltese island. He returned to Gozo after attaining a music degree in England.
About the record: “September” is an upbeat and engaging tune with a summery sound. It shows off Ben’s likeable and naturally raspy/gravelly voice which reminds me of Jon Bon Jovi at times as well as the even more distinct tones of John Martyn. At other times, Ben has the same approach in tackling a song that you might find similar to Jon Bellion or Damiano David. He really goes for it with “September”, and it’s hard not to like a song full of positive vibes about romance as they don’t seem to come along too often.
Other comments: Ben’s debut EP called The Norfkl Tapes – titled as such to reflect his journey with dyslexia – drops in October.
JACOTÉNE, “Stop Calling”
About the artist: JACOTÉNE is an 18 year old singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. She’s got the voice of a thousand old souls though which won her the Unearthed Prize at Triple J radio two years ago for an acapella performance.
About the record: There’s no way anyone could know that JACOTÉNE is still a teenager from the first listen of “Stop Calling”. It’s sophisticated R&B/pop that has already got her signed to Epic Records. She’s got the sultriness of Jessie Ware, the cool of Alicia Keys, and the breadth of Amy Winehouse, and then there’s an impressive falsetto that comes along to dazzle us further. “Stop Calling” might be derived from the mind of a teenager (with co-writers to flesh it out) who has had a bad breakup, but the song’s meaning extends further for adults with bigger issues.
Other comments: “Stop Calling” appears on JACOTÉNE’s new EP Untitled (Read My Mind). Out of the gate, you won’t find another “Stop Calling” on it, but the potential for what is waiting in the wings is exciting.
MOKITA, “Wallflower”
About the artist: Mokita is the recording name of Nashville’s John-Luke Carter, whose music has appeared in this blog and on the BILLCS Top 30 (where both “London” and “Kiss and Tell” reached #3), but not for a while. He’s a prolific singer, songwriter and producer who has worked with artists as diverse as David Guetta, Rob Thomas, Mat Kearney, The Zac Brown Band, Dabin, and R3HAB.
About the record: Like several of Mokita’s other songs, “Wallflower” caught my ear because of its instantly relatable lyrics, Mokita’s gentle tones, and his way of phrasing his lyrics. The song has a lot of charm and flows beautifully. If you add it to one of your playlists, it will guarantee your attention every time it’s played.
Other comments: Whether releasing his own music or working with others, it’s busy artists like Mokita who help anchor the biz, affording many of his clients a fantastic amount of success. And his own releases (currently on Nettwerk Records) benefit because of all of this too.
KOUSS, “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”
About the artist: Kouss (aka Andrew Koussevitzky) is a southern California dance producer and drummer originally from Florida whose releases I’ve written about during the past few years. In the late 2010’s he was a member of rock band Stellar Revival, which recorded one album for Capitol Records.
About the record: You have to admire Kouss for taking on the huge weight of covering one of Oasis’ most beloved songs, “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”, which appeared on their 2002 album Heathen Chemistry. For the first minute, this rendition sounds like it might be a straight-forward cover with an uncredited female vocal (you’ll recall Leona Lewis recorded a version of it in 2009 too), but Kouss quickly injects some smart drum ‘n bass rhythms that send the song on a different path. “Stop Crying” retains the anthemic quality of the original, which will appease festival-goers, and has the opportunity to win new fans who don’t know the original.
Other comments: Diehard Oasis fans aren’t the target audience for this cover version, but some open-minded ones may appreciate this unexpected interpretation. Drum ‘n bass fans can find a comfortable place for “Stop Crying” on their playlists.
SPLITSVILLE, “A Glorious Lie”
About the artist: Splitsville is a Baltimore rock quartet making their return to recorded music after 20 years. They released five albums between 1995 and 2005 which acquired a regional following amid other stylistically similar releases by The Wallflowers, Sugar Ray and Duncan Sheik. The advent of punk pop groups likely got in the way of breaking out nationally.
About the record: “A Glorious Lie” is chock full of hooks, whether they be witty lyrics or melodic guitar licks. In these times when there is more music than ever, making it difficult to choose what we want to listen to, when you hear songs by a band like Splitsville and learn their legacy, it makes you want to give them some undivided attention. With great vocals and tight musicianship, you can’t go wrong with “A Glorious Lie”.
Other comments: Splitsville’s comeback album Mobtown arrives on Friday July 18.
K3SS, BRAVVN, “Between Us”
About the artists: K3SS (aka Ken Sierra) is a progressive house producer from San Diego whose releases – including one for Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak label – have been featured a number of times in these blog pages. BRAVVN is the dance music alias of British singer/songwriter Bella Jeanne.
About the record: “Between Us” is a slick hybrid of techno and house with a dash of trance. It’s one for the wee club hours, a dark and mysterious song secrets lie between the lines. BRAVVN’s vocal surges beyond sultry to capture the essence of intrigue, which will help to easily beckon club goers to the dancefloor.
Other comments: “Between Us” is a deft change of pace for K3SS, and a few more songs headed in the same direction as this one would be welcome.
BLOODY, HEYBELA, “Fade”
About the artists: Bloody is an anonymous L.A.-based electronic producer who has been releasing music since 2023, while HeyBela is a new Colombia-born artist who also performs as a rap artist, Bela Bucatini.
About the record: Electronic dance music fans will turn back the clock to the early-mid 2010’s for “Fade”, a short Skrillex-inspired throwback to the early days of dubstep. Bloody has created a crunchy, sometimes heavy mix with a number of clever drops, that will keep you guessing as you listen. HeyBela’s vocal (sometimes in Spanish) is often chopped up and distorted as an effect, but not without making a mark with a memorable catch phrase – “eventually, everything must fade” – early on in the song.
Other comments: “Fade” is part one of a double single release for Bloody, with “Pretty” arriving on Friday July 18.
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 Benedict Cork’s touching piano ballad “What It Is To Be Loved”
“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 Ed Sheeran’s rocking track from the film “F1” called “Drive”
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 the latest from Maneskin’s Damiano David with “The First Time”
“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.
Styx – Renegade
Electric Light Orchestra – Shine A Little Love
Rickie Lee Jones – Chuck E.’s In Love
Blondie – Heart Of Glass
Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood
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.
The retro pick will return at a later date.
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
sombr succeeds his own “back to friends” at #1 with “undressed”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
MK and Chrystal’s #1 UK hit “Dior” moves up 25-16
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 1999
The sounds of July 1999 made for a truly summery chart – I suppose Len’s “Steal My Sunshine” is the definitive summer song in the list, though “All Star” and “Canned Heat” also fit the mood for me – featuring everything from dance rave-up’s to pop hits to Weird Al Yankovic, as well as 9 Canadian entries!
01 01 U DON’T KNOW ME, Armand van Helden, Duane Harden
05 02 THE CUP OF LIFE (Spanglish radio edit), Ricky Martin
06 03 NO REGRETS, Robbie Williams
04 04 SHE’S SO HIGH Tal Bachman
03 05 LIVIN’ LA VIDA LOCA, Ricky Martin
09 06 CANNED HEAT, Jamiroquai
NEW 07 GET YOU IN THE MORNING, Crash Test Dummies
08 08 ALL STAR, Smash Mouth
10 09 IT’S NOT RIGHT BUT IT’S OKAY, Whitney Houston
15 10 TUESDAY AFTERNOON, Jennifer Brown
07 11 GIVE IT TO YOU, Jordan Knight
18 12 HEAVEN COMING DOWN, The Tea Party
17 13 CONSEQUENCE FREE, Great Big Sea
30 14 HEY LEONARDO (SHE LIKES ME FOR ME), Blessid Union Of Souls
11 15 NO MATTER WHAT, Boyzone
20 16 OLD BEFORE I DIE, Robbie Williams
22 17 STEAL MY SUNSHINE, Len
16 18 WHAT’S MY AGE AGAIN, Blink 182
NEW 19 PRETTY FLY FOR A RABBI, Weird Al Yankovic
12 20 GOD IS A DJ, Faithless
13 21 IF YOU HAD MY LOVE, Jennifer Lopez
24 22 RALLY’N, Jully Black
NEW 23 BAILAMOS, Enrique Iglesias
25 24 BREATHE, Moist
14 25 WILD WILD WEST, Will Smith, Dru Hill, Kool Moe Dee
26 26 EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING, Lauryn Hill
19 27 THINKIN’, D-Cru
29 28 SO PURE, Alanis Morissette
21 29 EVERYBODY GET UP, 5ive
23 30 LAST KISS, Pearl Jam
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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