I urge any regular listeners of contemporary music to use AI as an asset or tool, rather than letting it make decisions for you about your music choices. Having streaming services create playlists for you is fine. But the more casual listener will treat it like they used to treat radio, and let it throw whatever it creates at them. Those kinds of playlists also won’t add independently released music unless you’ve already listened to those artists before. The more attentive listener will edit those playlists and turn them into experiences that they will repeat. But others – likely folks over 35 – likely won’t use much. The best source of discovery is word of mouth. Before the 2000’s, music fans made a point of going over to visit their friends, where they would share and listen to the new music they purchased. 25+ years later, we just forward links to each other, there is no shared experience if the other person doesn’t choose to listen. Consider setting up small online groups where you can have listening experiences together. Listening to music is a collective experience.
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, choosing soft and harder rock songs from 1981. You’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
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!
ALEX SAMPSON, “Growing Pains”
About the artist: After breaking out with a huge following on Instagram and Tik Tok, 21 year old Canadian singer/songwriter Alex Sampson got his first Top 20 radio hit in Canada with “Pretty Baby”, which he also performed as a contestant on America’s Got Talent.
About the record: I’ve got to hand it to Alex for making a really touching song in “Growing Pains” that will intrigue younger fans and will immediately relate to other fans who are living on their own and coping with “adulting”. It’s difficult for any singer to get vulnerable like Alex, and the outcome will be many tears shed in the audience when he performs it in concert. Sincerity and authenticity go a long way as other performers like Conan Gray, JVKE, and others continue to prove.
Other comments: “Pretty Baby” caught enough of a gentle romantic wave to reach radio audiences, so can “Growing Pains” do the same? If not, regardless, it’s an instant fan fave. I caught part of Alex’s opening set last year for fellow Canadian Alexander Stewart and he certainly captivated the audience just by being his plain-spoken and approachable self.
JUSTIN JESSO, “Unreasonable”
About the artist: For nearly the last year, you could find American singer/songwriter Justin Jesso on stage touring with Kygo and singing “Stargazing” and “Firestone”, which is where I saw him perform in January in my city. He’s just as vibrant on record, witness his current BILLCS Top 30 Top 5 release “Lonely Tonight” with Sam Feldt and Parson James.
About the record: Justin doesn’t release solo songs too often, but “Unreasonable” might be the start of something after last putting out his debut album in 2022. Justin’s upper register gets a workout as we find the subject of his song caught up in the midst of ending a relationship after being accused of being unreasonable. You’ll be singing its catchy hook “you’re the reason, baby, I’m unreasonable” in no time flat, and the record has anthemic moments which will trigger hands in the air in performance.
Other comments: Justin Jesso is a hard-working, energetic and positive performer whose solo music deserves a shot too, and “Unreasonable” comes highly recommended to you by me!
EAGLE-EYE CHERRY, “Hate To Love”
About the artist: Swedish singer/songwriter Eagle-Eye Cherry is best known for his 1998 smash “Save Tonight” (which reached #4 on the BILLCS Top 30), and in Europe and the UK, his follow up, “Falling In Love Again”. He’s also the brother of “Buffalo Stance” singer Neneh Cherry, and son of jazz musician Don Cherry. He has released six albums over the years, and “Hate To Love” launches a new era for him.
About the song: “Hate To Love” is a well-produced “comeback” with a lovely piano melody. It rocks out hard though to counter the self-deprecating lyrics which he uses as ammunition against a past lover or even a friend who are too caught up in themselves. Eagle-Eye’s tone is a little deeper after more than 25 years but he sounds good and the song particularly is a fresh earworm.
Other comments: Echoing my intro to today’s Report – tell your friends about this one. That’s how I found out about it. It won’t come up in an automated list of recommendations.
CASII STEPHAN, DAMION SHADE, “King in America”
About the artists: Casii Stephan is a Minnesota-born rock singer/songwriter currently based in Tulsa, Oklahoma who has been releasing music for most of the last decade after almost giving up on it. Damion Shade is a fellow Tulsa-based musician who leads the band Damion Blade & The Boom Bap Chorus.
About the record: “King in America” is one of the fiercest songs I’ve heard in a while. It’s written with intention against the current US government and its increasingly harsh changes that it is making, much to the chagrin of many “swing” or uncertain constituents who voted against re-electing the Democrats. The lyrics are powerful and many listeners in the US will see themselves in them. Casii performs a seething vocal that recalls Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, Courtney Love and Grace Slick. “King in America” is rebellious and uncompromising, and just when you think the song’s about to let up a bit, along comes the guest appearance of Damion Shade and his ferocious verses.
Other comments: Bravo to Casii for creating an affecting and well-stated protest song.
POLAR BEARS, JAY MASON, “Fake It”
About the artists: You previously knew Polar Bears as Electric Polar Bears, the polar bear-masked American DJ’s who came to my attention a few years ago with the track “Cold Shoulder”. Jay Mason is a prolific Dutch singer/songwriter who was nominated for a Grammy for his songwriting work on Deadmau5 and Kaskade’s Kx5 album in 2023.
About the record: “Fake It” is about catching your object of affection in a façade, and calling them out for it. It’s a deep house track that could easily be worked into a mid-evening club set where it would set off an immediate reaction. Jay Mason’s edgy tenor vocal reminds me of other go-to dance vocalists like Catello or Sam Gray. He and the Polar Bears have a winner with this one.
Other comments: Club DJ’s and house music fans will definitely make the most out of “Fake It”.
THE FLASHCUBES, MIKE GENT, “Reminisce”
About the artists: The Flashcubes are a Syracuse, New York power pop quartet whose career initially started off in the punk rock era between 1978 and 1980 with a few singles before folding. Due to a sudden interest in their songs, the band regrouped in 1993 and subsequently found their back catalogue of studio and live tracks to be the toast of Japan. Mike Gent is the guitarist of the prolific Saratoga Springs band The Figgs, also known for their work supporting Graham Parker on tour.
About the record: “Reminisce” is an entertaining and summery slice-of-life song with bright vocals and great guitar work. In their 30+ year career, The Flashcubes have obviously found their footing with this first new song since their 2017 album Forever. Though they are from upstate New York, their sound is more aligned with what we associate with the west coast in 60’s bands like The Beach Boys, The Monkees, and The Lovin’ Spoonful, who meet 80’s edgier bands like The Romantics, The Fleshtones and The Bongos halfway.
Other comments: After all of the interest in their older songs, The Flashcubes are working on a new album for an autumn release.
GABE JAMES, “Holy Roller”
About the artist: I’ve written about Gabe James’ music several times, even prior to his “American Idol” appearance this past spring. He’s from Colorado and is now based in L.A. with an easy-going hybrid rock/pop/folk style.
About the record: “Holy Roller” basks in sincerity as it tackles looking after your mental health after being in a dark place. Gabe’s vocal and story comes from a genuine place, and the song has an inspiring quality. It perhaps veers more towards a folk/Christian music genre hybrid for my tastes, but it continues to show how he can diversify his talents.
Other comments: Songs like “Holy Roller” will help Gabe determine in what style(s) he wants to focus his sound.
MADISON MARGOT, “Fun”
About the artist: Madison Margot is an L.A. based singer/songwriter/guitarist who also spent time in England, which has influenced her musical style. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Gender and Women’s Studies and works with others to uplift women through her creative process.
About the record: “Fun” perhaps isn’t as light as the title might imply, perhaps idyllic is the right word. But it certainly has no problem with capturing your interest in its story about revisiting a former love by putting the emotional baggage behind and just letting loose. Madison’s voice reminds me of a mix of British singers like Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays or Wendy James of Transvision Vamp, and her songwriting has the thoughtfulness of a Chrissie Hynde.
Other comments: Madison has been sporadically releasing music since her 2020 album debut, The Chronicles Of Lovers, so we can likely anticipate her sophomore release sometime soon.
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 Irish indie DIY talent Four Nights with “all night long”
“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”.
Hard rockers The Deftones return after 5 years with “My Mind Is A Mountain”
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 Swiss DJ/producer Benjamin Köhn with “Today”
“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.
REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
Gary U.S. Bonds – This Little Girl
AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
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…
“Temperature” by Sean Paul appeared a year early in 2005 on my chart due to import play on a local radio station, and it was also a free download for a while under the title “Keeping You Warm”. But their ears were right – it went to #1 in 2006.
2020
01 RAIN ON ME, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande
02 NEVER LET ME DOWN, VIZE, Tom Gregory
03 SAVE A KISS, Jessie Ware
04 YOU’LL BE OK, Gareth Emery, Annabel
05 SOMEONE ELSE, Rezz, Grabbitz
2015
01 I WANNA BE (FREE), Brandyn Burnette
02 SHINE, Years & Years
03 SENSATION, Antonio Giacca
04 GHOST TOWN, Adam Lambert
05 GUILTY AS SIN, Dan Talevski
2010
01 8BIT HEART, Simon Curtis
02 A NEW WORD TO SAY, Bright Light Bright Light
03 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis
04 THE WORSE IT GETS, Penguin Prison
05 BREATHE, Ryan Star
2005
01 MJB DA MVP, Mary J. Blige, The Game
02 WORDPLAY, Jason Mraz
03 THIS IS HOW A HEART BREAKS, Rob Thomas
04 SWEAT OF YOUR BROW, Jully Black
05 TEMPERATURE, Sean Paul
2000
01 DRIFTWOOD, Travis
02 ETERNAL LIFE (Mystery White Boy live version), Jeff Buckley
03 A SONG FOR THE LOVERS, Richard Ashcroft
04 LIFE STORY, Angie Stone
05 KRYPTONITE, 3 Doors Down
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
The retro pick will return at a later date.
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