I’m glad major record labels are starting to get underneath the fast emergence of AI in the industry before it can do more harm than good. I believe in AI as a tool that can assist musicians and make their work unique. It should never be considered as a substitution for the work of humans. There are many opportunists who have already seen AI as a huge money grab, and they will be stopped in their tracks. What I hope is that indie labels will follow the lead of the industry and not look for the usual loop holes to make money without using real artists to make music. People are not musicians if they sit at a computer and play with AI to get results to replace artistry.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the 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 takes us back to that grand year of music, 1969, for his Classic Five selections. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll also find out which songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
STARSIGNS, LINNEY, “Scorpio (Talk to The Stars)”
About the artists: Starsigns is the collective of American-Asian dance producers Manila Killa, MYRNE, and yetep. Caitlin Linney is a prolific American singer/songwriter who has collaborated with Manila Killa and yetep. before, but also many other producers like Robbie Rivera, Tritonal, Gareth Emery, and MiTiS. Starsigns’ first release in 2024, “Leo (Flicker)”, with George Gleeson, got to #3 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: “Scorpio (Talk to the Stars)” is a big and bouncy trance-and-techno influenced dance track that returns Starsigns to their astrology-themed songs after a bit of a break. The way the song builds up to its drops is classic contemporary dance music song structure, and Linney’s vocal is enticing and mysterious as is befitting to the Scorpio sign. The song easily stands out amid the current onslaught of sped-up releases and those with uncredited and likely AI vocalists (currently being cut off at the knees by most of the biz, but sadly not yet streaming platforms). The producers in Starsigns have been around long enough to know high calibre releases like this featuring real talent always win.
Other comments: Starsigns has so far tackled half of the 12 astrological signs in songs, through their EP’s Fire Signs and Air Signs.
TRIVECTA, vanru, “Before I Go”
About the artists: Trivecta is Florida-based electronic producer Sam Dobkin, known for pushing boundaries in the future bass sub-genre, collaborating with such notables as Seven Lions, Wooli, SLANDER, and Last Heroes, and remixing songs for the likes of Illenium. vanru is a new British singer/songwriter whose real name is Rupert Blackman.
About the record: For “Before I Go”, Trivecta steps away from harder future bass sounds, in favour of a fast-paced emotional house track, certainly one of his best releases. Newcomer vanru has one of those instantly likeable and recognizable voices that we’ll be hearing again and again just as you have with other singers like Justin Jesso, J.T. Roach or Dylan Matthew. “Before I Go” works on all levels and could easily be a highlight in a club or festival set.
Other comments: “Before I Go” also marks a return for Trivecta to the Monstercat label, for which he has recorded numerous songs during the last decade.
MICO, eaJ, “Ever After”
About the artists: Mico is Toronto-born singer/songwriter/actor Miguel Veluso, known for his Canadian radio hit from 2022, the fun and anthemic “Cut My Hair”, and from his participation in the streaming musical TV series EPIC: The Musical. He has released one album (in three iterations, including live tracks) and a number of EP’s to date. eaJ is American-Asian singer Jae Park, who was previously a member of the K-Pop group Day6.
About the record: “Ever After” is a bright and hopeful release that combines the vocal talents of Mico and eaJ, who simply sound great together. The energy in this record is contagious and it will have you bopping along solidly for all of its nearly three minute length. I’m not on Tik Tok, which may explain why my home town guy Mico dropped off my radar, but he obviously has fans in Europe, where he is currently touring. But “Ever After” should have no problem reigniting his presence at radio, and eaJ’s presence is simply gravy.
Other comments: “Ever After” is also the first release for Mico on Columbia Records, so hopefully good things come out of this new deal.
MRKO, ALIX ROBSON, “My Life”
About the artists: MRKO is an L.A. dance producer (aka Marco Galli) who has released a number of singles in 2025, including “Gonna Do” (with Sophia May) which I wrote about earlier this year. Alix Robson is not only the managing director of a recording facility in England, she has been a go-to vocalist for several producers including 4 Strings, The Disco Fries, and Tom Ferry, and has collaborated with Sam Smith, Olly Murs, and many others.
About the record: MRKO dips into classic house rhythms with a funky, early 2010’s edge for “My Life” in a fresh-sounding, tidy production. It’s highlighted by Alix Robson’s soaring vocal – she’s been compared to several singers such as Leona Lewis for her range. Her power and soulful finesse remind me of Clementine Douglas, and I remember her from GT_Ofice’s 2023 track “Can’t Deny” (which reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30). “My Life” could give any house set a lift in clubland.
Other comments: You can also check out the extended version of “My Life” at the following link: My Life
KLAAS, “Pulling Me Into Love”
About the artist: Klaas Gerling is a German producer who rose to fame with his 2008 remix of Guru Josh’s “Infinity” and later got his own #1 record with a rework of Londonbeat’s “I’ve Been Thinking About You” in 2019. He has also worked with many other producers such as The Bodybangers and Like Mike & Dimitri Vegas.
About the record: “Pulling Me Into Love” is a fast-paced, big room-flavoured dance bop that features solid, uncredited female vocals that are sped up a bit for the chorus. The song is really a quick tease at only 2:16 and features some signature Klaas production sounds. It’s a seamless European dance record for sure, but we need an extended mix (which is likely out there somewhere)!
Other comments: For this release, Klaas has collaborated again with top-drawer songwriter Daniel Volpe, who has been mentioned in my blog numerous times since its inception.
TALKING VIOLET, “Destroy”
About the artist: Talking Violet is an alternative rock quartet from Windsor, Ontario, formed in 2018, which falls into the dreampop sub-genre. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jillian Goyeau, guitarist/vocalist Jayden Turnbull, bassist Dylan Iannicello, and drummer Jeremie Brousseau.
About the record: Fans of 80’s and 90’s art-pop groups from England like The Cocteau Twins and The Sundays will adore Talking Violet’s “Destroy”. The song’s about two people who can’t be together, yet can’t stay apart – “Do you miss me / Like I miss you / We destroy each other”. The difference between Talking Violet and other current similar bands is the lack of keyboards, much in keeping with the organic and ethereal 80’s and 90’s sound. “Destroy” provokes you in bits and pieces, which makes you keep coming back to hear more, ultimately working as a whole, which rewards your patience and attention.
Other comments: Talking Violet have released two independently released albums to date and continue to perform locally in Windsor.
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 Australian rockers Moonwood with “Where Are The Kids?”
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.
Top 40 Timeline is a repeat this week, so the retro pick will return 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 Canadian musician Steve Mahabir with “Away”, which Big Daddy says reminds him of the music of Murray McLauchlan
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 The Magician’s very catchy “Night to Night” and its sample from Baltimora’s 80’s smash “Tarzan Boy”
“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.
Lou Christie – I’m Gonna Make You Mine
The Archies – Bang Shang-a-Lang
The 5th Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues
Peter, Paul & Mary – Leaving On A Jet Plane
Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
“Friends Don’t” by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith continues its stay at the top
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s Will Swinton’s “Find a Way”, which climbs 26-19
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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