This edition of the Report is my last official one for new music for 2025. Due to the holiday season, there will be no Report next week, but I’ll be working on both my Top 90 Songs of 2025 list and accompanying radio show, which will be broadcast once again by my home station, Halton Hills Radio Online. In addition to four new songs, I have two Christmas treats in the Report to help with the related merriment! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, enjoy the season whatever you choose to do!
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’ Classic Five choices this week are from that interesting year in music, 1980. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
THE LEGAL MATTERS, “Everybody Knows”
About the artist: The Legal Matters is an indie power pop trio from Michigan consisting of Keith Klingensmith, Andy Reed and Chris Richards, who have released three albums thus far, the last being Chapter Three in 2021.
About the record: If “Everybody Knows” is any indication, the members of The Legal Matters clearly know how to create an earworm that could easily turn into a singalong. The inspiration comes from “big early 70’s rock”, so it’s no surprise when memorable songs from that era like George Harrison’s “What Is Life” and Badfinger’s “No Matter What” start popping in your head. I can also hear elements that could be drawn from other 70’s artists like Andrew Gold and The Cars and even early 80’s post punk bands like The Plimsouls and The Records. Familiarity is always a plus, but the harmonies here are on point and the production (by the band) is crystalline, and there’s very little else to prevent “Everybody Knows” from winning you over.
Other comments: The Legal Matters’ fourth album, called Lost At Sea, is due in early 2026.
JAY BIRD, “Magick”
About the artist: Jay Bird is a San Jose area dance producer, whose recent releases have been embracing all shapes and forms of house and disco, 2025-style. He also runs his own label, Birdhouse Records, and its similarly named production networking group, The Birdhouse.
About the record: Jay Bird has waved his “Magick” production wand to create an infectious song about those dance floor denizens who stay on the floor and keep the party going. I’m glad that producers like Jay Bird, MGR.Mike and others are getting back to throwing the spotlight on club goers rather than themselves. That’s something which captures the “Magick” of the disco era, outside of all of the excess, where the focus was on dancing together and having fun. The uncredited male vocal is evocative of that time and the brisk rhythm will keep you pumped.
Other comments: It’s a good time for EDM superstar producer/DJ’s to follow the lead of their indie counterparts and start reinventing themselves.
THE GOLD NEEDLES, “Eleven Eleven”
About the artist: The Gold Needles are a pop/rock quintet from Kingston-upon-Hull in East Yorkshire, England that was formed in 2015, and have just released their fourth album, Mood Elevator.
About the record: “Eleven Eleven” follows up the recent single “Turns to Gold”, which I wrote about recently, also included in the Mood Elevator album. The Gold Needles have a penchant for prodding the listener with familiar sounding vocals and melodies, trying to elicit guesses as to what songs or performers inspired them for the particular song. In “Eleven Eleven”, to me the focus is on the classic 60’s British invasion, including an urgent and catchy melody befitting of bands of that era such as The Hollies or The Zombies. And it would be different if it all wasn’t done so very well, more like a fresh update than anything else.
Other comments: The timeless vibe of “Eleven Eleven” could find its way onto any of your favourite pop playlists, of older or newer tracks.
ZAREMA, “Closure” (David Alexander remix)
About the artist: Zarema is a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, born in Uzbekistan but raised in Crimea (a Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia in 2014) of Crimean Tatar descent. Before relocating to L.A., Zarema had established a career that led her to perform all over eastern Europe as well as Turkey.
About the record: “Closure” is a pop song about loss that has been stylishly refitted as an emotional electronic ballad through David Alexander’s remix. Its candid lyrics have been reinforced through this new mix. While it’s suited to the pop ballad format, its original arrangement was perhaps a little too safe. This remix reminds me of what happened with some of Celine Dion’s early 90’s hits when they were transformed into bigger, often better, dance tracks. Zarema has a classic, on point pop vocal style with her lovely accent intact – hidden behind my surname, I myself am of half Ukrainian heritage – and her ability to be vulnerable and compassionate in this recording is quite touching.
Other comments: The subject of the song – losing a family member in the early days of the pandemic – will resonate with many listeners.
ALFIE ORDINARY, ALLAN JAY, OPHELIA PAYNE, “Feliz Navidad (With Christmas Chaos)” (Matt Pop remix radio edit)
About the artists: In this festive collaboration, we have British drag artist and DJ Alfie Ordinary, Scottish singer Allan Jay (who has been featured in these blog pages before), and British cabaret performer Ophelia Payne, and all are about to turn your Christmas, well, sideways!
About the record: As its subtitle indicates, this cover of Jose Feliciano’s holiday standard “Feliz Navidad” is nothing short of chaotic in the best kind of way. Each artist lends their personality and even some ad libs to their respective parts of the song, and they are all in fine voice, with Allan anchoring the song in the chorus. So make sure you add it to your Christmas playlist to give it that much more holiday glam and glimmer!
Other comments: For a good time, do watch the video where the artists let loose on a small pub stage at the following link: Feliz Navidad. The record is also available on CD for a limited time, for those who would like a physical copy.
THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE, “It’s Still Snowing Outside”
About the artist: The James Clark Institute is a Toronto-based rock quintet that specializes in classic new wave era three minute power pop releases (think Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, The Clash, and Joe Jackson), such as those in their most recent album release, Under The Lampshade, produced by music scene veteran Moe Berg.
About the record: “It’s Still Snowing Outside” (also produced by Moe) embues the spirit of Christmas in its keen enthusiasm for, as Bing Crosby sang, ” a white Christmas”. It’s a genial throwback to our younger days and in remembrance of those no longer with us to keep the season in our hearts and make it special for not only ourselves, but those closest to us. A little kindness goes a long way, and while many of us are humbug about all the snow, let the kids and those who enjoy winter sports bask in it while they can.
Other comments: The James Clark Institute also released a memorable and unique Christmas song last year which you should check out, “Orange Christmas”, and you can find my review of it at the following link: Orange Christmas
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 “Guardian Angel” by UK dance producer Dimension in a collaboration with Karen Harding
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.
This week’s Top 40 Timeline is a repeat so my retro pick will return at a later date.
“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”.
“The Roads” by Jonah Kagen, originally released in 2023, has been revived through huge streams on social media
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 L.A. based American-Asian pop singer/songwriter Emei with “Ginger Tea”
“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.
Bruce Springsteen – Hungry Heart
Harlequin – Innocence
Robert Palmer – Looking For Clues
Rough Trade – Fashion Victim
David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
“Friends Don’t” by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith gets three appearances (six weeks) at #1!
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s “Holding On” by MashBit, Luke Alexander and sunsett. (27-18)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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