I feel it coming… Autumn concerts are in store for me over the next four weeks, with stops in my city by pop duo Fly By Midnight, Sam Fender, David Archuleta, and Andy Bell of Erasure (featured in today’s Report), and who knows who else! The Report also features a previously unreleased song that I heard in concert last November.
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 this time span the early-to-mid 80’s. 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.
ALEXANDER STEWART, LAUREN SPENCER SMITH, “Friends Don’t”
About the artists: Alexander Stewart is the Toronto-born singer/songwriter who has released two albums to date and whose hits include “His Problem Instead” (which reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30) and “Blame’s On Me”. Lauren Spencer Smith hails from Nanaimo, British Columbia and has also released two albums, most recently The Art of Being a Mess. Her singles “Fingers Crossed” (Top 10 in North America) and “Flowers” were hits globally in 2022.
About the record: I’m so glad “Friends Don’t” has been released. I first heard it at Alexander’s Toronto concert in November 2024, and the song left a huge lump in my stomach that would normally be in my throat. It was an affecting performance, and has been given new life as a duet with Lauren. Both voices are showcased beautifully and are extremely complimentary to each other in what is essentially a piano ballad. When I first listened to it, the lump went back into my stomach… a good sign that it will be one of my favourites during the rest of 2025!
Other comments: “Friends Don’t” will appear on Alexander’s forthcoming third album called What If.
ANDY BELL, “Dance For Mercy” (Vince Clarke remix)
About the artist: Cambridgeshire, England born Andy Bell is the vocalist of Erasure and released his first solo album in 15 years, Ten Crowns, last Spring.
About the record: “Dance For Mercy”, one of the most ebullient dance tracks on Ten Crowns, gets a different kind of remix by Andy’s Erasure partner-in-crime, the illustrious synth pop wizard Vince Clarke. What Vince goes for, in an arrangement highlighted by acoustic guitar and bigger drum/percussion sounds, is the drama often associated with an Erasure release. It’s an alternate mix that I like a touch more than the album version, suiting Andy’s vocal well with its moody, theatrical changes.
Other comments: I doubt whether the remix would be showcased in a live setting, but I’ll be seeing Andy Bell in concert in Toronto on October 21 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. I look forward to hearing songs from Ten Crowns as well as from his extensive Erasure discography! The first time I saw Erasure perform was in 1986; the last time was in 2014, one of my most favourite concerts!
CREIGHTON DOANE, “Need a Friend”
About the artist: Creighton Doane is a Toronto-based musician/songwriter/producer who is also the drummer in the rock and Harem Scarem. Last Spring, his feel-good, summery single “Better Believe It” was his first new solo work in about 15 years.
About the record: “Need a Friend” is a worthy follow-up to “Better Believe It”, albeit a more gentle kind of pop track. Creighton says, ““In the age of connection it’s easy to feel disconnected”. The song captures a turning point about being left out and lonely which can change through the simple kindness of others. Creighton handles keyboards and drums, while fellow Harem Scarem member Pete Lesperance lends splendid guitar work, augmented by the bass playing of Pat Kilbride.
Other comments: Creighton’s new era is off to a terrific start with two cool radio-worthy singles so be sure to check them out.
SYDNEY JO JACKSON, DREY HENUK, “Good At goodbye”
About the artists: Sydney Jo Jackson is a Birmingham-born, London-based soul singer/songwriter with a powerful voice who has also been featured on a number of dance music releases. Newcomer Drey Henuk hails from Indonesia, and the artists met while vacationing in Bali.
About the record: “Good At goodbye” is a classic, almost torchy, R&B ballad that is all about the performance. And the artists are indeed both stunning in this collaboration written by Sydney. She has a wide-ranging voice with amazing restraint and the song provides her a great showcase for it all. Drey Hanuk has a grittiness in his voice that offset’s Sydney’s alternately crisp and husky tones, and he is a great choice to flesh out the song, which provides additional dimension in its story about two people deeply in a love that is too toxic for each other. While ballads like this aren’t terribly front and centre these days, there is no denying that “Good At goodbye” is simply gorgeous.
Other comments: Look for Sydney’s EP No Fixed Abode later this year.
THE SUN HARMONIC, “Glory Days”
About the artist: The Sun Harmonic is a three piece Canadian rock band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Kaleb Hikele, drummer Dave Skrtich, and bassist Ian McLennan. With six albums to date, and The Sun Harmonic was originally a solo project for Kaleb until 2023.
About the record: Recorded live off the floor, “Glory Days” is a gripping, slice-of-life rock anthem that weighs in about both successes and struggles in life, now or in the past. It has everything an underdog indie rock track needs – great melody, tight musicianship, solid production (by Brian Moncarz) and a gripping vocal. All of these stand-out traits make it an ideal choice for rock, alternative and college radio stations.
Other comments: The Sun Harmonic’s seventh album is due later this year. The group is also performing in concert throughout Ontario in just about every major destination, including Waterloo, Windsor, Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton.
NATALIE SHAY, “Do u relate?”
About the artist: Natalie Shay is a London-based pop artist whose musical path has also flirted with country styles and dance music collaborations, but it’s her solo work that I’ve written about several times over the last six years. Natalie has recently supported Shania Twain, Saint Motel and Gavin DeGraw on their UK tours.
About the record: “Do u relate?” falls into the uptempo bop category that disguises that it’s a bittersweet, reflective love song about the uncertainty of taking the next steps when one is ready for a potential relationship. Those are certainly moments that most people go through, often unsuccessfully, and the song is sweatered with a giddy, confident, full band energy and deft melody which give it a big lift. “Do u relate?” will appeal to fans of Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, and Gracie Abrams.
Other comments: After the release of her EP Champagne in 2024, “Do u relate?” goes down another pop path for Natalie which should find more fans.
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.
DJ Martinee – producer Lewis Martinee – teams up with Canadian disco star France Joli for “My Everlasting Love”
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
A fresh batch of new retro picks begins next week!!
“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 “Slow and Easy” by rockers Rome featuring Dirty Heads
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.
It’s Irish singer and former X-Factor contestant Janet Devlin with “Candy”
“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.
Tears For Fears – Pale Shelter (1983)
Phil Collins – Sussudio (1985)
Bob Seger – American Storm (1986)
Steve Winwood – Higher Love (1986)
Fleetwood Mac – Big Love (1987)
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
sombr’s “12 to 12” continues at the top of the BILLCS Top 30
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s Above & Beyond and Justine Suissa with the worldly “Bigger Than All Of Us” climbing 24-16
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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