From rock to disco to electronic to alternative to pop, I’ve got it all covered for you with new releases in this week’s edition of the Report.
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, which focuses on the diverse talents of five female vocalists who created dance music in the 70’s and 80’s. 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.
Note: To listen to the songs, click on the photos for a Spotify link.
GREYSON CHANCE, “Summertrain ’25”
About the artist: Greyson Chance is the Texas-born, Oklahoma-based former child prodigy who rose to fame through his appearance on TV’s “Ellen”. As an adult, Greyson’s deeply personal songs tend to rest in the alternative pop genre. He’s been to #2 on the BILLCS Top 30 3 times, with “Dancing Next To Me” (see my “5-10-15-20-25” feature below), “My Dying Spirit” and “Black Mascara”.
About the record: Like other artists, most notably Taylor Swift, Greyson has recently decided to re-record some of his past songs which were recorded half his lifetime ago. I’m not familiar with his work from back then, so “Summertrain ’25”, originally recorded in 2011 on his album Hold On ’til The Night, is entirely new to me. It’s a splendid, zen-like song that wasn’t written by him but its upbeat message works as Greyson begins this new era. His vocal gives a shiny resilience to the song these years later. This one’s a delight that you shouldn’t miss.
Other comments: Last year, Greyson decided to go the self-released route after 14 years of record deals, and is now also self-managed. He begins a short tour in Asia later this month.
DONNA SUMMER, MOUSSE T, TOBY GAD, “Run – Disco”
About the artists: Donna Summer is my forever queen of disco music and her record “I Feel Love” helped change the way I listened to music. Mousse T is a veteran German dance producer most noted for his UK hits “Horny” and “Sex Bomb” (with Tom Jones). Toby Gad is a multiple Grammy-nominated German writer/producer, who began in the late 80’s but saw his greatest success with his co-writes for John Legend (“All of Me”), Beyonce (“If I Were A Boy”), Demi Lovato (“Skyscraper”), and many others including Madonna.
About the record: I always greet with some trepidation the posthumous release of unreleased songs by my favourite artists. One that exceeded my expectations was Kygo’s rework of Whitney Houston’s version of “Higher Love” in 2019. “Run – Disco” is an unreleased Donna Summer track from the sessions of her 2008 album Crayons. And with its release, it continues to boggle my mind at how much unreleased fine material there is locked away. I’m so glad that Mousse T and Toby Gad were able to get “Run – Disco” released. They’ve done a great job at elevating a lovely song with a captivating vocal by Donna about following your dream and love into the burgeoning 2025 disco world, right where it belongs.
Other comments: “Stamp Your Feet” is an anthemic track from Donna Summer’s Crayons album that was one of her 18 #1’s on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart during her lifetime. It also got to #4 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2008.
FELIX CARTAL, REO CRAGUN, “Summer Rain”
About the artists: Felix Cartal is a British Columbia-based, Juno Award winning dance music producer/DJ whose songs have been regularly featured in my blog. L.A.-based Reo Cragun has been a go-to vocalist over the last decade across music genres, but most notably in dance music where he has also collaborated with the likes of R.L. Grime and Flume.
About the record: Despite a title that might make you think it’s a ballad or slower track, “Summer Rain” is actually quite a snappy dance track with a sultry and thoughtful vocal by Reo, and wistful lyrics about fond reminiscences highlighted by summer rain. I’m glad Felix has pivoted to an uptempo, soulful pop/dance sound for this one, which could generate Canadian Top 40 and national dance radio airplay.
Other comments: Felix Cartal releases his fifth album called I, Sabotage on October 17. His track with Lights, the stripped back live studio version of “feel less”, reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2024.
ALEX SAMPSON, “There She Goes”
About the artist: Alex Sampson is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Atitokan, Ontario, near Thunder Bay, who became a semi-finalist in 2024 on TV’s “America’s Got Talent”, which led to a Top 10 Canadian radio airplay hit with his ballad “Pretty Baby”.
About the record: Alex and his team have been tapping into the zeitgeist of people in his age group with a series of well-crafted, tenderly emotional pop releases. “There She Goes” joins that group, where we find the protagonist falling in love with his best friend and muse, and worried about how crossing that line in a relationship will play out. It’s a deft snapshot to take in a song, and Alex’s genuine, likeable performance goes a long way.
Other comments: Could “There She Goes” be the worthy successor to “Pretty Baby” at Canadian pop radio? Alex emerged at the same time as singers like JVKE and Stephen Sanchez, but now seems to have his own niche sound as well as a huge social media following.
DLG., “I Just Want You”
About the artist: DLG. is Texas-born, L.A. based DIY electronic talent Dave de la Garza, who I’ve written about a few times before but not since early 2024.
About the record: “I Just Want You” is a pleasant surprise for me after DLG.’s previous releases, which were much more entrenched in progressive electronic styles, like drum ‘n bass, but sometimes mixed with hip hop. This song sees DLG. broadening his spectrum for a more alternative, authentic rock sound. Sometimes stripped back and later with fuzzy electronics augmenting the chorus, “I Just Want You” might be his best release to date, and DLG. showcases his fine voice much better than before. It’s full of longing and desire, and about that time when you’ve got to know someone and want to take it to the next level. I’d pitch it less to electronic music fans and more to those who have embraced artists like Sombr, Role Model, and Almost Monday.
Other comments: “I Just Want You” is a step in the right direction for DLG. as his streaming audience continues to grow.
THE WHAT FOUR, “Quarter to Midnight”
About the artist: The What Four is a southern California garage-rock quartet highlighting the vocals of Marc Orrell (ex-Dropkick Murphys) and Katie Stratton, the stand up bass of Jeff Roffredo, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Ratfield.
About the record: “Quarter to Midnight” will transport you back to the early 80’s when rockabilly revival performers like Robert Gordon and The Stray Cats were thriving, and ultimately led to the arrival of another wave of male artists with 60’s influences like Chris Isaak, Dwight Yoakam and Harry Connick Jr. “Quarter to Midnight” is a brisk, energetic rocker with compelling vocals, harmonies, and stand up bass work which adds a refreshing element. The vibrant video for the song adds a post-punk Elvis Costello/B-52’s kind of retro chic and you can check it out at the following link: Midnight.
Other comments: You can find “Quarter to Midnight” as part of The What Four’s debut EP Four (The Record).
HISSTERIA, “RUDEBOI”
About the artist: HISSTERIA is a new L.A. based indie electronic producer/DJ (aka Antonio Mejia) whose focus in dance music is in the future bass sub-genre, and draws inspiration from artists like Zed’s Dead and Reaper.
About the record: “RUDEBOI” is one heck of a pleasant diversion. It’s a bouncy, wacked-out, catchy track that will turn heads and make those bodies move. There’s a huge melodic hook too, one that slightly and perhaps unexpectedly recalls the TV theme from the 60’s show “The Munsters” (captured about a decade ago by Fall Out Boy in “Uma Thurman” too). It’s a great mix of future bass, rock, and drum ‘n bass, not too heavy, and shows promise out of the box, being only among the artist’s first few singles.
Other comments: HISSTERIA has a pet boa constrictor named Javier which you may encounter in his socials.
BLACK DAHLIA, “On The Run”
About the artist: Black Dahlia is an indie Australian alternative rock talent who has attracted attention through her concert appearances throughout Australia as well as in Berlin and other European territories.
About the record: “On The Run” is a dramatic but not over-the-top release with influences might include Lady Gaga, Fiona Apple, and P. J. Harvey, and even 80’s voices like Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie & The Banshees and Lene Lovich. Aside from Black Dahlia’s compelling, theatrical performance, what’s most memorable about “On The Run” is its infectious bass synth hook, which sounds great with the volume cranked up. The story behind “On The Run” is intriguing, about a traveller searching for meaning and belonging while dealing with their own dark shadows.
Other comments: “On The Run” is culled from Black Dahlia’s upcoming conceptual album The Imposter, out October 7, which will be followed by short tours in Australia and the UK.
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.
SLANDER’s 2019 hit “Love Is Gone” is given new dimension in a rework with vocals by JOSHUA of KPOP group SEVENTEEN
“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”.
Alanis Morissette revives Carly Simon’s 1986 “Coming Around Again” with the 82 year old singer herself
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.
Previously with the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass group Golden Highway, it’s Molly Tuttle with “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark”
“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.
Tina Charles – I Love To Love (1976)
Donna Summer – Bad Girls (1979)
Blondie – One Way Or Another (1979)
Laura Branigan – Gloria (1982)
Martha & The Muffins – Echo Beach (1980)
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…
2020
01 HEAD & HEART, Joel Corry, MNEK
02 WHAT I DESERVE, Victor Perry
03 DANCING NEXT TO ME, Greyson Chance
04 UNDO MY HEART, Karen Harding, Digital Farm Animals
05 BAD DECISIONS, Francesco Yates
2015
01 SHINE, Years & Years
02 I WANNA BE (FREE), Brandyn Burnette
03 KISS ME QUICK, Nathan Sykes
04 SHOW ME THE WAY, Penguin Prison
05 LET YOU GO (Tiësto remix), The Chainsmokers, Great Good Fine OK
2010
01 LOVE PART II, Bright Light Bright Light (a rare #1 debut)
02 CROSSFIRE, Brandon Flowers
03 HEAD OVER HEELS, Bim
04 A NEW WORD TO SAY, Bright Light Bright Light
05 FRICTION (Ricardo Autobahn edit), Adam Tyler
2005
01 THE WORLD IS MINE, David Guetta, JD Davis
02 END OF TIME, The Bitch Hotel
03 THIS IS HOW A HEART BREAKS, Rob Thomas
04 YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, James Blunt
05 WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS, Green Day
2000
01 LET ME KNOW, Jake
02 NO MORE, Ruff Endz
03 BETTER LIFE, 3 Doors Down
04 BANG BANG BOOM, The Moffatts
05 ETERNAL LIFE (Live from “Mystery White Boy”), Jeff Buckley
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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