I mentioned it in Monday’s BILLCS Top 30 post, but the BILLCS Music Blog is now sweet 16 years old! As long as I can enjoy listening to new music and have the drive to write, I will continue to publish my reviews and thoughts about new music. I may opt for a less detailed approach to my reviews in future. If you have any thoughts about how I can continue to approach my writing process, please don’t hesitate to comment on the post or email me bill@billcsmusic.blog. I appreciate anyone who has been there from close to the start and has seen the blog through its evolution.
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, a group of songs which includes three from 1968 that you may not have heard in a while. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll 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.
Note: To listen to the songs, click on the photos for a Spotify link.
DJ MARTINEE, FRANCE JOLI, “My Everlasting Love”
About the artists: DJ Martinee is producer Lewis Martineé, known for his stellar work with countless stars, particularly in the 90’s including Exposé, Ricky Martin, Céline Dion, and Enrique Iglesias, but collaborated with new music by K.C. & The Sunshine Band last year. France Joli is the Montreal singer who arrived on the scene age 16 with her international disco hit “Come To Me”. She has performed at disco events and on music-themed cruises for years, and periodically releases new music, last in 2022.
About the record: “My Everlasting Love” is a gorgeous new song that fits snugly in today’s contemporary revival of disco music. You don’t hear many releases that include hand-clap sounds as a hook, but here they work just fine, surrounding France’s still-beautiful, soaring vocal (which I understand from a recent interview was recorded 30 years ago). “My Everlasting Love” is an instantly memorable release that in another time would have had radio programmers curiously all over it. “My Everlasting Love” is for more than disco fans, so if you’ve been enjoying new music by Kristine W, Crystal Waters, and other noted women in dance music, don’t let this one slip by.
Other comments: Club DJ’s who use their gut to choose songs have many remixes to select from for their sets.
N i G H T S, “Addicted”
About the artist: N i G H T S is the prolific Philadelphia duo of Evan and Corey, about whom I’ve written several times over the last nearly 10 years, and who continue to provide a unique electronic lo-fi sound heavily influenced by hip hop and R&B. Their 2024 single “Hopeless” reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: Featuring a driving mid-tempo rhythm akin to a racing heartbeat, “Addicted” veers away from breakup songs of the past, and focuses instead about being madly infatuated with someone. And it works as one of N i G H T S’ best recent releases, with the vocal still showing vulnerability, yet with lyrics that reflect on a more assured and confident situation. The song zeroes in on the power of attraction and sensuality when everything is working out well.
Other comments: “Addicted” is one of a handful of releases this year to follow up the duo’s 2024 debut album, It’s Personal.
MEDII, “IDNU”
About the artist: Medii is a US/UK dance production duo of Ari Kyle and Adam Lilley, who met on Soundcloud back in the day and are still creating together nearly 10 years later after several releases on both major and indie dance music labels.
About the record: “IDNU” (which stands for “I don’t need you”) is a bit of a switch up for the duo, taking a few pages from late 80’s, early 90’s house music. Medii takes what could be a classic house-styled track with a huge, soulful uncredited vocal, and polishes it up with more progressive production. From the taut 15 second lead up to many well-placed drops and several hooks, Medii has a winner with “IDNU”.
Other comments: “IDNU” is the second release for Neon Owl Records and is another great choice from one of the Neon Owl collective’s longtime collaborators.
THE BROS. LANDRETH, “I’ll Drive”
About the artist: The Bros. Landreth are Winnipeg-born brothers Joey (vocals, guitar) and David Landreth (vocals, bass), whose 2013 debut indie album Let It Lie was a storybook success story, ultimately getting American distribution two years later and winning Canada’s Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year.
About the record: “I’ll Drive” is more of a rocking earworm than one might expect, featuring some popping bluesy guitar work. It’s also got some country honky-tonk swagger, with crisp vocals that remind me of Jimmy Buffett, and will likely go down even better in concert. The song is co-written with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jonathan Singleton, best known for his work with countless country singers like Lainey Wilson, Tim McGraw and Luke Combs.
Other comments: The Bros. Landreth will release their first studio album since 2022 in November called Dog Ear, with cameo appearances by Bonnie Raitt and Begonia.
MADELLINE, “Happy As Hell”
About the artist: Brooklyn-based indie singer/songwriter Madelline ushers in a new era of what she calls ‘theatrical pop’, after scoring a national dance radio #1 song in 2024 with “I’m Only Here For The Beat”.
About the record: “Happy As Hell” shows a completely different side of Madelline with a story that you can visualize and relate to, rather than an equally perky follow up to “I’m Only Here For The Beat”, which came out of nowhere last year and beat several major dance music stars to #1. What I enjoy about “Happy As Hell” is its genuine and entertaining side, rather than appearing just to be a performative social media grab. It’s full of mixed emotions, with the protagonist leading her best life but perhaps overthinking about things she feels she could be doing instead. It’s a pinch-yourself kind of moment where you hope nothing goes wrong and can keep uncertainty out of your head.
Other comments: In a bold move, I like the pop direction Madelline is going into with “Happy As Hell”, and with her success in dance music having opened that big door, she can return to that genre anytime.
NOELLE HARLOW, PETE CHO, “xo”
About the artists: Noelle Harlow is a Las Vegas-born pop singer and dance music collaborator who until now has released other songs under another performing name. Pete Cho is a Chicago-born producer of a wide variety of styles, who got to #5 in 2023 on the BILLCS Top 30 with the thoughtful and infectious “Fan of You”.
About the record: “xo” is a real throwback to songs by women pop artists in the 2000’s – Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff all come to mind. It’s a slickly-produced and contemporary pop/dance bop featuring a charming vocal by Noelle. Women in pop have taken a different direction in the last 15 years with the likes of Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and others all carving out their own paths. But there’s always room for a pop confection like this to cut through the rest.
Other comments: “xo” is bound to trigger happy memories for listeners who can also appreciate its updated style.
KEN TIZZARD & MUSIC FOR GOATS, “Other Side of Wrong”
About the artist: Ken Tizzard is a singer, songwriter and bassist, who is a native of St. John’s, Newfoundland. He has been a member of Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley. Music For Goats is his current project along with bassist Ken Grain and guitarist Neil Lucy.
About the record: Ken says: “”Other Side of Wrong” was inspired after a night of catching up with an old friend”. I’ve had similar conversations with my own friends about how time moves on, and we get together, wondering how we all got here, and retrace our own paths, including the good and the bad, along with amusing anecdotes. Ken’s vocal is world-weary but compelling, and the artistry from the rest of the band in the song is straight-forward and on point. It’s a cohesive fusion of styles you’ll usually find separately in numerous pop, rock, folk, blues and country songs.
Other comments: “Other Side of Wrong” is culled from the 2024 album The Dagg Sessions. The album is so titled in memory of the band’s late drummer Steve Dagg, who played on all of its tracks.
LEXXI RAINE, “Nothing (Acceptance)”
About the artist: Lexxi Raine is a Buffalo, NY born singer/songwriter with four indie albums to her credit, prior to relocating to Manchester, England. Her latest EP, The Grief Case, is her first release in five years.
About the record: Lexxi Raine has recorded releases in the alternative rock and country genres in the past, and her songs in The Grief Case are largely stripped back, minimal acoustic tracks. Continuing with the theme of heartache, but with a twist, “Nothing (Acceptance)” is the most upbeat track, finishing off the sixth and final stage of grief from a breakup. Not to worry, it’s not a difficult listen, but by the time you’ve reached “Nothing (Acceptance)” you’re ready for something a little lighter and more playful, featuring Lexxi’s best vocal on the EP. The songwriting throughout the EP is particularly good, and the interjection of a telephone-like message in the mix adds to the song’s charm.
Other comments: The concept of The Grief Case plays out like a police file on a relationship gone sour. Lexxi says: “With haunting imagery, six distinct “personas, and lyrics sharp enough to draw blood, [I dissect] heartbreak in the form of an open case file. Because
sometimes, the best way to get over him… is to end him.”
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.
“Bigger Than All of Us” is by electronic music legends Above & Beyond with vocal by Justine Suissa
“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”.
“Enjoy The Ride” is by San Diego trio Almost Monday
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG and 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 on Fridays at 8pm EST called “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it also includes the New Music Pick.
sombr’s “12 to 12” becomes his third BILLCS Top 30 #1 of 2025
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. 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.
The Cowsills – Indian Lake (1968)
Peppermint Trolley Co. – Baby You Come Rollin’ Across My Mind (1968)
The Monkees – D. W. Washburn (1968)
The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (1970)
Lovin’ Spoonful – Do You Believe In Magic (1965)
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Won’t Give Up” by MXTR and Tyler Garrett moves up 24-16
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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