This week, the songs in my reviews in the Report are all either on independent labels or self-released, so I’ll let them speak for themselves! Enjoy.
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, with an assortment of tunes from the early-to-mid 80’s. In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll also find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30!
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, as well as a new “double” single!
MICHAEL CLIFFORD, PORTER ROBINSON, “kill me for always”
About the artists: Michael Clifford is the lead singer and lead guitarist for Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer, who have charted twice on the BILLCS Top 30. Porter Robinson is just about everyone’s favourite eclectic electronic producer who reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 with “Get Your Wish”.
About the record: I certainly didn’t have this collaboration on my bingo card. But it’s utterly charming and totally works! “kill me for always” is a gothic tale in disguise with Michael’s amusing imagery as a fortress being torn apart after a breakup. But it’s true, you certainly feel like you’ve been stabbed in the back over and over even well after a breakup, hence the title. His voice blends well with Porter’s and the song’s mix of acoustics with electronics is refreshing. “kill me for always” comes out of left field and scores!
Other comments: 5 Seconds of Summer went off my radar until I saw them open for The Chainsmokers in concert, which completely changed my opinion of the band as performers, and Michael is an excellent lead vocalist. And that got me into “Youngblood” after it had run its course.
LEXIE, “Plane Jane”
About the artist: Lexie is a Leicester, UK-born pop singer/songwriter currently based in Dubai, where she opened for Take That not long ago. She was previously in the group Oh My!, and has released one solo album to date, 2024’s Diaries of a Disastrous Dating Life.
About the record: “Plane Jane” is an immediate earworm that grabs you as soon as Lexie lets her rasp-inflected voice loose. I’ll liken her voice to a hybrid of Joss Stone and Jorja Smith with a dash of Janis Joplin – soulful and genuine. “Plane Jane” is about a spree of non-stop travel – hence the play on words in the title – when all you want in the moment is the feeling of home. Musically, the song takes its cue from The Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There”, and you can’t go wrong with retrotastic vibes like that.
Other comments: Lexie clearly knows how to write a hit and “Plane Jane” is a clever and delightful release.
TAKIS, “When You Smile”
About the artist: Takis (aka Peter Takis) is a Winnipeg-born electronic dance producer. He’s seen some action at Canadian Top 40 radio in recent years with songs like “All Time” (with Jamie Fine and Brandyn Burnette), and has collaborated with Andrew Rayel and more recently with Steve Aoki.
About the record: Apparently “When You Smile” has been sitting on a shelf for a few years almost gathering dust while labels hemmed and hawed about releasing it. So Takis believed enough in the song to release it independently once the dust was blown away. I’m so glad he did because it’s a much-needed cheerful song for these times. Its euphoric melody and an uncredited rousing soulful vocal go a long way, making it ideal for festivals and clubs.
Other comments: Don’t get me started about how much great, untapped music gets trampled by process (and therefore not released) in the music biz.
HarlowBardot, “Wednesday Night” (club radio edit)
About the artist: HarlowBardot is a Toronto-based pop/electronic duo of vocalist/songwriter Kinga and keyboard whiz Marc Wonnacott. “Wednesday Night” is their fourth single release.
About the record: The club radio edit of “Wednesday Night” reminds me so much of a soulful 90’s UK club record, which edges out its jazz-flavoured original. This edit has a 70’s-flavoured flute-like break (think Nicolette Larson’s “Lotta Love”) that works wonderfully in the melody. Kinga sounds dashing and sophisticated with a vocal that recalls George Michael’s “FastLove”. The song also has a subtle bounce that will lift your spirits and help you make “Wednesday Night” something to look forward to each week.
Other comments: Club DJ’s should strongly consider playing the extended version of this edit, which has a lot of fresh and familiar elements that will appeal to patrons.
PETER FOLDY, “Sunday Afternoon”
About the artist: These days, Canadian talent Peter Foldy (of 1970’s hit “Bondi Junction” fame) is a film director and producer in Los Angeles, but continues to periodically drop enjoyable and well-produced songs.
About the record: To quote a song by Nat “King” Cole, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer can’t go without a “Sunday Afternoon” or two to kick back and just enjoy life. It’s a timeless pop song that sets out exactly what Peter wants it to be – a paean to the late Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Complete with Peter’s ever-recognizable voice, it faithfully captures the essence of a tune you might even hear on the radio back in the 1960’s, complete with an additional falsetto vocal.
Other comments: In these days where a lot of music has to be big and busy in order to capture our attention, “Sunday Afternoon” shows that less can sometimes mean more.
BLUE INITIALS, “Aube”
About the artist: Blue Initials is a new project for Quebec dance producer Francis Raymond, better known in these blog pages as Kayliox, who reached #9 on the BILLCS Top 30 a few years back with Robbie Rosen on their collaboration “Don’t Want Perfect”.
About the record: “Aube” (which means “dawn” in French) shows a more progressive house style for Francis. It’s an instrumental (with some minor vocals) whose rich melody takes its cues from 70’s masters like Giorgio Moroder and Cerrone but filtered through early 00’s techno and trance, with early Tiësto coming to mind. It benefits from a simple melodic hook that segues into some deep, lush synths.
Other comments: I think club and festival DJ’s will appreciate an extended version of “Aube”, a new song for the late, late night crowd before they head off to breakfast!
SPLITSVILLE, “I Hate Going to Hutzler’s”
About the band: Splitsville is a Baltimore rock quartet which has recently made its comeback after 20 years with their album Mobtown.
About the record: I’ve been enjoying the previous single “A Glorious Lie” and “I Hate Going to Hutzler’s” has a similar 80’s post-new wave sound going for it. The melody to this one sounds awfully familiar, and though sped up, reminds me of Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love Of All”. But the jangly guitars and vocals recall The Greg Kihn Band, and for Baltimore denizens, the song is full of local references, such as the titular Hutzler’s, a long-lasting department store that closed in the early 90’s. It’s a time capsule for growing up in the 80’s.
Other comments: The album title Mobtown is also a reference to Baltimore, which at one time was known for its many riots.
EFA, LACEY, “Wilderness”
About the artists: EFA (which stands for “emotions for all”) is an Italian dance producer who specializes in a euphoric style among the various dance sub-genres. Lacey is a mysterious (judging by his Spotify photo) vocalist who has worked with a variety of European producers, including EFA, over the last few years.
About the record: “Wilderness” is an ear-catching mid-tempo dance track with acoustic and tropical elements that give it an end-of-summer feel. Lacey provides an affecting vocal while the breezy melody by EFA transports you to a quiet and warm place of seclusion with your special someone. Sway along, and sing along too!
Other comments: “Wilderness” has Sam Feldt’s stamp of approval as a Heartfeldt label release, so don’t let it slip away without some proper attention.
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.
sombr’s “12 to 12” becomes his fourth concurrent release on the current BILLCS Top 30 chart
“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 everyone’s favourite Australian alternative rock duo Royel Otis with “Say Something”
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. Hunter also has a new show beginning on Fridays at 8pm EST called “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it also includes the New Music Pick.
After duets with Jelly Roll and Koe Wetzel got her on to the charts, Jessie Murph has an even bigger solo hit with “Blue Strips”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (currently on a brief hiatus), 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.
Rick Springfield – State Of The Heart (1985)
Depeche Mode – People Are People (1984)
Joe Walsh – A Life Of Illusion (1981)
John Mellencamp – Hurts So Good (1982)
Rod Stewart – Love Touch (1986)
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Illenium and Hayla both return the top, together, with “In My Arms”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s “Daydreaming” (25-18) by Elliot James Reay from his EP All This to Say I Love You
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
The retro pick will return at a later date.
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