A top notch selection of songs made it difficult to choose this week for the Report, but that in turn just makes it all the easier for next week’s Report.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this week, 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 takes us back to some huge songs from 1980. You’ll also find out what the BILLCS Top 30 looked like in this week in my flashback chart from 2012!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
THE MAGICIAN, “Night to Night”
About the artist: The Magician is Belgian producer/DJ Stephen Fasano, most noted for his UK Top 10 hit which introduced us to Years & Years (Olly Alexander), “Sunlight”, as well as remixing Clean Bandit’s massive worldwide hit “Rather Be”. He’s been a label owner as well with Potion Records. The Magician also got to #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 with the memorable “Shy” (with Brayton Bowman) in 2016.
About the record: What brings The Magician back onto my radar is “Night to Night”, which not only has riveting synth work and a fantastic rhythm track, but it also samples one of those 80’s songs guaranteed to make you smile, Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy”. The Magician nabs the hooks in the chorus and makes them work amazingly well all over again in a new song. “Night to Night” will make club and festival goers extremely happy, and dance radio programmers need to lend their ears to it for a sure fire hit.
Other comments: You won’t be able to stop moving to this one. Add it to your dance/pop playlist for repeat plays!
WILL SWINTON, “Find a Way”
About the artist: Will Swinton is a New Zealand-born alternative rock singer/songwriter who has released two EP’s to date, Better Days and December. He caught my ear with “Harmless” last year, which reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: “Find a Way” is Will’s first new music of 2025, and it has come to life after being previewed on Instagram. And it’s a great choice – the lyrics “if you love me you’ll find a way” will resonate with many people who have been torn between following their heart or making another decision, which sometimes could lead to regret. Will’s natural rasp reminds me of the great John Martyn, and there’s an excellent guitar solo in “Find a Way”. Those alternative and college stations that played his music last year will find that “Find a Way” is an easy fit into their playlists.
Other comments: Besides a chance encounter a few years ago with MGK, who enjoyed his music, Will’s song “Flames” (in the December EP) was covered on TV earlier this year by none other than Kelly Clarkson!
HAIRCUT ONE HUNDRED, “Dynamite”
About the artist: Although they didn’t record any new music, British pop quartet Haircut One Hundred performed together on a few occasions in the 2000’s since their shiny pop rode on the coat tails of the new wave era in 1982 with the Pelican West album and hits “Love Plus One” and “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)”. Happily their recent tour with ABC and Howard Jones has led to new music with their classic lineup – vocalist/guitarist Nick Heyward, bassist Les Nemes, guitarist Graham Jones, and drummer Blair Cunningham!
About the record: “Dynamite” is more aligned to me to the sound of Pelican West than was their previous “comeback” single “The Unloving Plum”. Nick Heyward sounds terrific and his voice carries the song’s breezy melody. The band sounds tight, but that’s what performing on a multi-date tour will do. Fans of the band will love it, and 80’s music lovers will also enjoy. Age is deceptive in music and Haircut One Hundred could find new, younger fans with “Dynamite” too with their timeless sound.
Other comments: Haircut One Hundred’s third album, their first since 1984, is forthcoming and called Boxing The Compass.
STRAY CATS, “Teenage Heaven”
About the artist: Stray Cats is the American rock trio of vocalist/guitarist Brian Setzer, stand-up bass player Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, which broke out of UK in the post-punk era with their raw rockabilly-drenched, Dave Edmunds-produced songs that led to 80’s hits “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut”. They split up in 1993 but performed live together intermittently in the 2000’s, finally reuniting for their first album in 26 years called 40 in 2019.
About the record: “Teenage Heaven” takes me back to their breakout years, where comparisons to Stray Cats and Eddie Cochran (as well as others from the late 50’s early 60’s rock era) were everywhere. So what better way to reintroduce the band after 6 years without new music than with a classic Eddie Cochran song. It’s a great rendition and revives the raw, three-piece band sound for not only Stray Cats fans, but new ones of this particular kind of retro rock ‘n roll.
Other comments: Stray Cats and movie fans will remember Brian Setzer made a cameo portraying Eddie Cochran in the 1987 film “La Bamba”. He now has an autoimmune disease which limits his guitar-playing. Sadly, Stray Cats had to cancel their upcoming tour due to what has been called a serious illness (they did not specify if it was related to Brian’s autoimmune disease). Best wishes for a recovery and perhaps we’ll see them tour in 2026.
NICHOLAS CAMPBELL, “People Like to Talk”
About the artist: Nicholas Campbell is a 21 year old singer/guitarist from Peterborough, Ontario, who fuses his music with classic country and rock ‘n roll, as witnessed in his 2023 debut album Gonna Have a Ball Tonight! He has toured throughout Canada regularly in 2025.
About the record: As much as I enjoy his old school country ballads, I like his rockers even better, and “People Like to Talk” is one of them. Here Nicholas showcases his studied guitar playing with a commanding melody that accompanies a gritty vocal. You can play it happily alongside Stray Cats, Elvis Costello, Robert Gordon, Eddie Cochran and other greats.
Other comments: Having seen Nicholas perform in concert a number of times, be sure to check out his show when he comes to your city or town. It’s always great to see people get up and dance to country ballads and a few covers, but appreciate his rock ‘n roll side too.
STEVE MAHABIR, “Away”
About the artist: Born in Trinidad but raised in Toronto, singer/songwriter Steve Mahabir was an integral part of Toronto’s 1980’s rock scene as part of the band Groovy Religion, which also backed up the late, great Jim Carroll and opened for the likes of The Beastie Boys and Big Audio Dynamite. Steve took a long break from the music biz before returning in 2015 with a Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year for his debut solo album Angel in Parkdale.
About the record: “Away” is about saving yourself and your relationship from addiction. With an earnest vocal by Steve and an infectious guitar melody, the song’s understated appeal will sit best with fans of the brooding, melodic rock songs of R.E.M., Tom Petty, Cowboy Junkies and The Replacements. It’s gritty but still upbeat and hopeful in overall tone.
Other comments: Steve’s second solo album will be released on Friday October 31 called Peace Love War & Hate, featuring support from Blue Rodeo’s Michael Boguski (keyboards) and Glenn Milchem (drums). It’s also the last production by the late, esteemed Peter J. Moore (Bob Dylan, Neil Young) with additional production from none other than Terry Brown (best known for his work with Rush).
3THOS, ROBBIE ROSEN, ELLE VEE, “Destroy Me”
About the artists: 3THOS is a relatively new Canadian production duo who are also multi-instrumentalists who came to attention with their remix of Illenium’s “Starfall” (with DRAEDEN) in 2023. Robbie Rosen is the prolific New York multi-talent and former “American Idol” contestant whose songs make regular appearances in these blog pages. Elle Vee is a Las Vegas singer/songwriter who I’ve written about before and has collaborated with numerous dance music producers as well as releasing solo material.
About the record: “Destroy Me” is usually a title you might expect for a heavy metal release. But courtesy of these artists, it’s a heartfelt, emotional, electronic track that not only has some standout progressive instrumental moments, but some true lump-in-your-throat lyrical moments, brought to life vocally by Robbie and Elle. The vocals truly mesh beautifully and the super-charged musicianship makes “Destroy Me” a cathartic release that will take you aback, particularly if you’ve been someone affected most by the end of a relationship.
Other comments: Someone else’s heartbreak is often the fuel for a great song.
TEARS OF HAPPINESS, “The One”
About the artist: Tears of Happiness is the London-based electronic project of singer/songwriter Bally Meeda and producer/songwriter LCamz (Leon Campbell). Despite receiving some attention in Europe earlier in the decade, the project took a four year break before resurfacing this year.
About the record: “The One” has an unusual mix of lyrics and instrumentation that works way better than you would expect. Musically, there are obvious roots of early 80’s electronic new wave (Depeche Mode, Simple Minds) which somehow manage to marry with Bally’s profound and aching story about searching for that elusive right person. You literally hang on every word while Bally’s vocal infuses with the melody. What also helps is that “The One” is a gentle song that also showcases the bright synth work.
Other comments: Bally says, “I’ve lost two very close friends to suicide… I want listeners to know that it’s okay not to feel okay, and that they are never truly alone.”
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.
It’s American pop/R&B singer Reigen with his foray into Latin music, “Quiero Bailar”
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.
From 1969, it’s Mel and Tim with “Backfield in Motion”
“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 “Canadian Beer” by Toronto native Eric Sage
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 has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s Audrey Hobert with what Hunter calls a return of “diva pop”, “Sue Me”
“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 till mid-November) 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.
Michael Jackson – Rock With You
Kenny Rogers – Lady
Blondie – Call Me
Lipps Inc. – Funkytown
Diana Ross – Upside Down
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2012
And at #1 is the first chart entry for a producer I’ll be seeing perform next month in Las Vegas – Zedd!
02 01 SPECTRUM Zedd featuring Matthew Koma
06 02 MUSIC MAKES YOU LOSE CONTROL Carlos Nobrega
01 03 REMEMBER WHEN (PUSH REWIND) Chris Wallace
03 04 GO FOR GOLD Kyle Patrick
05 05 HOUDINI (Green Children remix) Foster The People
07 06 LONG TIME John De Sohn featuring Andreas Moe
10 07 ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN Ellie Goulding
08 08 GENIUS DATABOY
11 09 FEEL IT Bright Light Bright Light
04 10 DREAMS ARE GOLD DATABOY
12 11 UNHEARD Jeronimo
14 12 LIGHTS OUT Bim
13 13 OVER IT Colin Munroe
24 14 DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
17 15 YESTERDAY’S TOMORROWS Jane Badler
20 16 EVOLVED Vague-A-Bonde
21 17 IT’S TIME Imagine Dragons
22 18 BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS Lifehouse featuring Natasha Bedingfield
25 19 YOUR BODY Christina Aguilera
26 20 POPULAR SONG Mika
09 21 WE DANCE 4 REASON Markus Riva featuring Ralph (PER)
30 22 LET’S GO Matt And Kim
18 23 HURRICANE Kyle Brylin
New 24 MUST BE THE LOVE ARTY, Nadia Ali & BT
New 25 GOOD GIRLFRIEND Kid Massive featuring DATABOY
29 26 CELEBRATE Mika featuring Pharrell Williams
15 27 BENNY GOODMAN Saint Motel
16 28 SPECTRUM (Calvin Harris remix) Florence & The Machine
19 29 TURN IT UP Carlos Nobrega
23 30 MOVES Bright Light Bright Light
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.