The MTV VMA’s are not usually my kind of awards show, but last night’s three hour event brought performances by some of my favourites – Lady Gaga, sombr, Conan Gray – amid the usual supply of social media personalities that I haven’t heard of and tributes to Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin. That having been said, there are now so many independent artists in the biz that it could constitute a business within the biz if it was organized as such – and then I think the three major labels, as well as a handful of what I call “major minors”, would have real competition. Maybe someday it will happen, but in the meantime be sure to check out the 14 indie releases on the new BILLCS Top 30!
The BILLCS Music Blog is also now officially sweet 16 years old! I began back in September 2009, but the format of song reviews didn’t start to take shape until about a month later. It was new territory for me and I’m glad I’m still here along with anyone else who has been following since the beginning.
Online version of the chart at the following link: BILLCS Top 30
Spotify playlist of the chart at the following link: Spotify playlist
As a standing item about my daughter VXTORIA‘s progress with her music, her debut EP Dreamstate is now out! It features three new songs, “Awaken”, “U&Me”, and “TMRW”, in addition to singles Back To You, changes, and Lost in Your Love. I’d like to thank anyone who has found out about her music through my blog page for supporting the songs. New music on its way!
Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.
He hasn’t been away from #1 for long, but sombr is back at the top as “12 to 12” climbs 5-1, becoming his third #1 on the chart this year. Aside from his videos, I was happy to see his performance of this song in a medley with “back to friends” on the VMA’s go down so well, and he also took the trophy for Best Alternative Video for “back to friends”. Be sure to check out his debut album I Barely Know Her as well. Are you singing along to the chorus of “12 to 12” yet??
It’s a shame for “12 to 12” to leap-frog over such a great dance track like “Dior” by MK and Chrystal, which moves up a notch 3-2. Still one of my favourites of the year.
Conan Gray has released his most personal album to date, the cathartic Wishbone, which is chock full of great songs. And the songs are being matched with captivating imagery, like the play on “Romeo + Juliet” in his performance at the VMA’s of “Vodka Cranberry” (above), which zips into the Top 5, rising 9-4. I foresee a chart battle of two VMA performers soon! Conan’s “This Song” (below) also is making good progress, now up 20-14.
It’s been a steady rise, but UK singer/songwriter/pianist Benedict Cork gets his 4th Top 10 entry with “What It Is To Be Loved”, which climbs 11-7. And that means Benedict is now four-for-four in terms of Top 10 songs on this chart!
Elliot James Reay glides into the Top 10 with “Daydreaming” rising 14-9 from his EP All This To Say I Love You.
Retro soul-pop power is in force as Young Gun Silver Fox’s delightful “Stevie and Sly” moves up 12-10 from their album Pleasure.
“still broke” by mid-western US electronic pop duo aibai and vinny rises 19-15. It’s one of the most understated tracks on the chart but comes alive in the way that vinny’s vocal is produced, allowing him to change between chest and head voice, and to let his falsetto soar at all the right moments. Don’t sleep on this one!
The Fastest Riser on the chart is “Won’t Give Up” by UK dance producer MXTR and L.A.-based singer/songwriter Tyler Garrett, which soars 24-16. Add a little inspiring drum ‘n bass to your playlist!
Damiano David’s “The First Time” is an irresistible pop force unto itself and climbs 27-21 from his album Funny Little Fears.
The first of five debuts belongs to electronic dance legends Above & Beyond with the title track of their sixth album Bigger Than All Of Us at #24. For this track, the veteran UK-based production trio have once again used the amazing talent that is Justine Suissa. A&B have only appeared twice on the chart previously. “Almost Home”, reached #4 in 2022. And under the pseudonym of Oceanlab, the trio got to #1 with “Satellite” back in 2004. And the vocalist on both of those tracks is also Justine Suissa, who I saw perform with A&B on their acoustic tour in 2016.
Next at #26 is the debut appearance for L.A. electronic duo SLANDER with a redo of their 2019 release “Love Is Gone” at #26. This time they’ve brought aboard JOSHUA from KPOP band SEVENTEEN, whose voice adds a different dimension to the song, somehow making it even more heartwrenching. SLANDER performs in Toronto at Budweiser Stage on September 26.
At #28, Mother Monster – aka Lady Gaga – showed her fans another sensational performance on the VMA’s, which ended up being a part of her Madison Square Garden show, and she won three awards. She not only performed “Abracadabra” (which reached #1 earlier this year on this chart) but a new add-on to her Mayhem album, “The Dead Dance”, which arrives at #28 as her 19th chart entry. You can check out the imaginative video, directed by no less than Tim Burton, at the following link: Dead Dance.
Lexie is a rising indie singer from the UK currently based in Dubai, and the old-school bluesy soulful charm – think Mavis Staples meets Janis Joplin – of “Plane Jane” is a winner in my books. The song arrives at #29.
The fifth debut belongs to masked electronic dance DJ/producers The Polar Bears – formerly Electric Polar Bears – with Dutch singer/songwriter Jay Mason and their rave up collab called “Fake It” at #30. The Polar Bears previously charted with Katie Sky with “Cold Shoulder” (#13) in 2022.
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday evening at 6 pm EST.
My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. New episodes are coming soon!
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, powered by www.xstreamrockradio.com with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. The show repeats on Alberta’s www.katpowerhit.ca on Wednesdays at 6pm EST.
Canada’s Party Dog Radio anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Saturdays at 4pm EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Party Dog Radio also airs “The Big 20”, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week on Sundays after 9pm EST.
For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! Schedules are updated regularly.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.