I get needled sometimes because I tend to gravitate to electronic dance music and disco a lot. But those of you who have been readers of these blog pages for a long time know that my music choices for the BILLCS New Music Report and the BILLCS Top 30 go much broader, to pop, rock, alternative and R&B selections (I’m a huge old school Motown and Stax Records fan). I spent nearly 10 years in college radio where I lived and breathed alternative rock music, and my first stadium concert experiences were for the groups Aerosmith and the Electric Light Orchestra. In my record collection you’ll find contemporary jazz, new age, and foreign language music, and if you look hard enough, maybe even the odd country music release. I even had a brief “hair band” hard rock phase circa 1990. I never proclaim to have “heard it all” – after all, why after all these years would I still be discovering and writing about new music?
I’m pleased to report that VXTORIA’s “Back To You” has been featured today (October 16) in the esteemed Canadian music radio show “A Slice of Canada”, which airs at 9pm EST Thursdays on Maple Music Cafe.
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’ Classic Five selections transport us back to 1976-77. And you’ll find out what songs sat atop the BILLCS Top 30 this week during each of the last 27 years!
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.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
GT_OFICE, MARTIAL SIMON, MATTHEW TOPPER, “Two Hands”
About the artists: GT_Ofice is the Miami-based indie dance producer who got to #1 on national dance radio earlier this year with “Someone Else”. Matthew Topper is the New Jersey-based dance producer who has worked with GT_Ofice on previous releases “Ecstasy” and “Something New”. Martial Simon rounds out the trio of producers and hails from NYC.
About the record: “Two Hands” is an emotional, euphoric outing this time for GT_Ofice and production friends, and it’s destined to put a big bounce into any of your dance playlists for the Autumn months ahead. The uncredited vocal is powerful and affecting and reminds me a lot of UK house music queen Karen Harding. “Two Hands” grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. I’d highly recommend its VIP mix for that added boost of adrenaline for club and festival DJ’s, which you can listen to at the following link: VIP Mix
Other comments: “Two Hands” landed at dance music radio last week with numerous spins out of the gate, so it’s only a matter of time before GT_Ofice sees it climbing the upper reaches of the national chart.
ANDY BELL, “Xanadu”
About the artist: Andy Bell is the lead singer of seminal UK electropop duo Erasure, whose music turns 40 next year! “Xanadu” follows up the recent release of his solo album 10 Crowns. Erasure has charted five times on the BILLCS Top 30 between 2003 and 2014, with “Reason” and “Sacred” both peaking at #4 in 2014.
About the record: Unlike the campy Erasure-fication that ABBA songs received in the 1990’s, Andy seems to have chosen his cover of Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra’s “Xanadu” for its straight-ahead danceable pop value. Of course the same-named movie that it comes from is a cult film, and with the passing of Olivia a few years back, the cover has some bittersweetness attached. But it’s all about Andy’s voice, full of gusto, drama and gravitas to get his interpretation right. Having the esteemed Grammy winner Dave Audé behind the production gives it all the sheen it needs. So “Xanadu” is a fun and unexpected release for Erasure fans, and Olivia and “Xanadu” movie fans should appreciate it too.
Other comments: Andy is currently on tour in North America – I get to see him perform for the first time in 11 years on October 21!
THE BROS. LANDRETH, BONNIE RAITT, “Knuckles”
About the artists: The Bros. Landreth are Juno Award-winning Winnipeg musicians Dave and Joey Landreth, who are following up their single “I’ll Drive”, which I wrote about recently, with a collaboration with none other than the legendary Bonnie Raitt! Their connection came about when she recorded one of their songs, “Made Up Mind” (originally from The Bros’ album Let It Lie). That performance went on to win one of her Grammys, for Best Americana Performance in 2023.
About the record: “Knuckles” takes its time unfolding as a bluesy folk song that’s about taking the brunt of emotional toil when a confrontation isn’t possible, something that often happens as relationships are ending. The vocals are warm and touching, and the instrumentation is crystalline. “Knuckles” would create an immediate hush in a venue when performed. Because of its pace and subject matter, it’s not what I call an easy listen but if you provide your 4 minutes then you’ll be rewarded in the end.
Other comments: “Knuckles” arrives ahead of the next album by The Bros. Landreth called Dog Ear, which arrives November 14. The guys are then playing a few US dates in November to showcase the album before they head off to Europe, the UK and Ireland for the first four months of 2026.
CRASH ADAMS, “Live Like This”
About the artist: Crash Adams is the Toronto area duo of Raf and Vince, which appeared as a contestant on America’s Got Talent up to the quarterfinals. That helped their recent single “New Heart” go viral and it’s now another of their releases over 10 million streams. Their previous single “Optimist” reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30, their best showing to date.
About the record: While “Live Like This” has an anthemic edge and chorus that bring to mind songs by 5 Seconds of Summer and other similar rock groups, its lyrics are totally relatable with an earnest vocal from Raf. That bold chorus is softened with the body of the song, which has a fine, memorable melody, showcasing Crash Adams’ versatility that recalls other songs by them such as “Symphony” and “Good Side”. I’m a huge fan of their bangers like “Optimist”, “Karaoke” and “Hotel Party”, but some toned-down moments are always welcome too.
Other comments: You can continue to enjoy the fun antics of Crash Adams on their Instagram and Tik Tok feeds. They are all about interaction and being at the fans’ level.
SIAN, BOBBY NOURMAND, IDORU, “The Flow”
About the artists: Sian and Bobby Nourmand are L.A.-based dance producers who have both been featured in these blog pages before, and Bobby himself has had two #1’s on the BILLCS Top 30. Idoru is the vocalist and is a partner to Sian in their venture, electronic music label Manta Recordings.
About the record: “The Flow” is a futuristic-sounding slice of progressive electronica with nu disco elements, reminiscent of some of Kraftwerk’s 70’s and 80’s releases. Idoru’s mechanical, instructive but seductive vocal sets the stage for a vague setting where we have to “give up all control” in order to “feel the flow”. The track is certainly an earworm with unconventional but intriguing production, and could benefit with some sync placements such as in video games or animated movies.
Other comments: “The Flow” is a part of Sian’s new album called Chaos.
ERIC SAGE, “Canadian Beer” (Party remix)
About the artist: Eric Sage is a Toronto-based country rock artist currently based in L.A. He is also a professional tennis player who is on the Tennis Channel in a feature called “Tennis Like a Rockstar”. “Canadian Beer” follows up the release of his album Kalifornia Kowboy.
About the record: “Canadian Beer” is a hugely infectious song about letting the good times roll, so put your brainwaves on pause and let yourself go! Its vibe is electric, and it sounds like Eric has walked right out of the 1980’s and into the 2020’s, bringing vocal similarities to artists like Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Ozzy Osbourne, and Jon Bon Jovi (Eric covered “Livin’ on a Prayer” on his Kalifornia Kowboy album too) and providing fresh takes in his songs with them. The party remix adds some additional effects to help widen the song’s appeal. It’s well-produced by the singer himself, who also writes his own songs.
Other comments: To paraphrase an old TV commercial, his name is Eric and he is Canadian!! And yes, Canada does have great beer.
SONIC WHIP, “Survive”
About the artist: Sonic Whip is a rock trio from The Netherlands featuring Meryn Bevelander on guitars and vocals, Florian Bevelander on drums and vocals, and Kevin Clerence on bass and vocals, a lineup that has been together since 2022. They are known for their live performance through regular touring in Europe and the UK.
About the record: When one thinks of The Netherlands in terms of rock groups, Within Temptation comes immediately to mind, but also more revered bands from long ago like Golden Earring (“Radar Love”), Focus (“Hocus Pocus”), and The Shocking Blue (“Venus”). I’m inclined to think Sonic Whip takes their cues more from classic American and British bands, and Van Halen (featuring brothers of Dutch heritage Eddie and Alex), Muse, and Foo Fighters come to mind in terms of overall sound and intent. “Survive” is an ear-grabbing rocker featuring stalwart musicianship that could only have got to sound as good as it does through performing live. Its fresh production is by Michael Smith, who has been behind records by Wolf Alice, The Saints and others.
Other comments: “Survive” is the title track of Sonic Whip’s upcoming second album.
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.
Greyson Chance returns with new music and a remake of one of his songs released at age 13-14, “Summertrain ’25”
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.
It’s the classic “Venus” by The Shocking Blue
“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 the Grammy-winning Twenty-One Pilots with “City Walls”
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.
“Taking Me Higher” is an EDM track by German artists Johannes Jae and Melis May
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, now on hiatus for a few weeks) 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.
Kenny Nolan – I Like Dreamin’ (1977)
Barry Manilow – I Write The Songs (1976)
Bob Seger – Nutbush City Limits (1976)
Neil Sedaka – Steppin’ Out (1976) (You Tube link)
KISS – Shout It Out Loud (1976)
27 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 27 years.
2024 KYGO, HAYLA, Without You
2023 TROYE SIVAN, Rush
2022 FRANCESCO YATES, Jimi
2021 HOWEN, ROBBIE ROSEN, Sanctuary
2020 KAREN HARDING, DIGITAL FARM ANIMALS, Undo My Heart
2019 KAZAKY, GASPAR, Push
2018 BENNY BENASSI, SOFI TUKKER, Everybody Needs a Kiss
2017 LOUD LUXURY, NIKKI’S WIVES, Show Me
2016 GRAMATIK, LEO NAPIER, Native Son Prequel
2015 RIVER TIBER, Let You Go
2014 SAM SMITH, I’m Not the Only One
2013 NEVEREST, Rewind
2012 ZEDD, MATTHEW KOMA, Spectrum
2011 RO DANISHEI, SIMON CURTIS, Wicked Baby
2010 BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, Love Part II
2009 DAN BLACK, Symphonies
2008 KEANE, Spiralling
2007 TIMBALAND, ONE REPUBLIC, Apologize
2006 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, FutureSex LoveSound
2005 INXS, Pretty Vegas
2004 SHAPESHIFTERS, Lola’s Theme
2003 BT, ROSE McGOWAN, Superfabulous
2002 LIFEHOUSE, Spin
2001 GIGI D’AGOSTINO, I’ll Fly With You (L’amour toujours)
2000 ELECTRONIC, Twisted Tenderness
1999 TAL BACHMAN, Romanticide
1998 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, Foolish Love
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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