After an enjoyable holiday season, the new year has brought out some fresh ideas which continue to make writing about music and announcing it on online radio ever-interesting. I have a new online radio project in the works which I expect to unveil later in the month.
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 selections transport us back to 1982. If you missed them over the holidays, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30. As we begin a new year, the BILLCS Top 30 turns 28 on January 19, and since I’ll be away that week and a new chart publishes on Monday, we’ll find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the chart 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
K3SS, BLAKE WISNER, “No Turning Back”
About the artists: K3SS is San Diego-based indie dance producer Ken Sierra, whose music has been featured a number of times in these blog pages. Blake Wisner is a prolific singer/songwriter recently transplanted from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.
About the record: I think what I enjoy most about “No Turning Back” is how K3SS makes his arrangement and Blake’s vocals flow so fluidly. It’s a trance-deep house mix without a lot of bells and whistles, which throws the focus on a splendid 2000’s-flavoured melody as well as Blake’s vocals. Readers may recall Blake’s memorable scream on Hidden Axis’ “Fallen Angel” last year, but his vocal on “No Turning Back” is soulful and angelic, and shows off his range.
Other comments: I’d be down for another collaboration between these artists.
CIVIL SERVANT, LUMERO, “Collide”
About the artists: Civil Servant is a Toronto electronic dance producer who has released an album and several EP’s and singles, some of which were on labels run by Miss Monique, and has a mainstay on the Toronto rave scene these last few years. Lumero is also a Toronto electronic producer who emerged around the same time as Civil Servant.
About the record: “Collide” is a taut and hypnotic fusion of trance and deep house, ideal for clubbing in the wee hours. Sporting an uncredited female vocal, it’s also got tight and dazzling synth work that maintains your interest all the way through. The producers obviously have a lot of respectable influences wrapped up in this track from a more underground scene, but honestly “Collide” is pretty accessible for dance music fans. With tracks like this, and producers like Tiësto returning to their roots, trance and its influence on other sub-genres of dance music may have its best showing in years in 2026.
Other comments: Civil Servant also recently dropped his latest EP, Exodus.
DON WEST, “Day to Night”
About the artist: With a striking physique and appearance as if he walked off the cover of a GQ magazine, Don West has been releasing music for the last six years, and broke out in 2024 with his debut self-titled EP. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, he has since sold out shows throughout his country, and recently released his album Give Me All Your Love.
About the record: “Day to Night” is full of 70’s and 80’s vibes courtesy of influences from seminal artists like Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and D’Angelo. Don’s voice is smooth and silky, and one could picture such a voice singing with Steely Dan or The Doobie Brothers. “Day to Night” is a delightfully romantic song, with a shimmering retro kind of jazzy arrangement that will make you want to hear more from Don West.
Other comments: In addition to Australia, Don played several dates in Europe and the U.S. last year, with more to come this year, so watch your calendars!
CORBYN BESSON, TZUYU, “Blink”
About the artists: Corbyn Besson is a former vocalist with American group Why Don’t We, and since the band’s demise has collaborated with artists such as NOTD, Two Friends and Jeremih. TZUYU is a Taiwan-born, South Korea-based member of KPOP group Twice.
About the record: One thing that I’ve liked a lot about Corbyn’s solo releases and collaborations thus far is that they are uncomplicated, light-hearted and energetic. He continues with “Blink”, and the two singers clearly have a lot of chemistry that makes their flirty, sometimes semi-spoken interplay so much fun. Corbyn and TZUYU have fine vocal showcases in the song, with Corbyn’s high notes and TZUYU’s chorus the standouts.
Other comments: “Blink” is the third single from Corbyn’s upcoming EP Head First, following “Summer” and “Tied Up”, both of which I previously wrote about.
ADAM RODWAY, “Runaround”
About the artist: Adam Rodway is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter who has been bubbling under the local music scene with his live performances and releases for about the last three years.
About the record: “Runaround” is getting a lot of notice at Canadian Top 40 radio which piqued my curiosity. And you know what, it’s one rock solid, catchy song that you’ll want to hear again and again. Its funky rhythm, down-to-earth semi-sung hip hop-flavoured vocal, and topical lyrics leading to a breakup will resonate with anyone.
Other comments: I saw Adam perform at The Drake Underground last June, opening up for Francesco Yates. All it takes is one song, and “Runaround” might be the one for him.
TREY JOSHUA, “Just Need You Around”
About the artist: Trey Joshua is a new indie DIY singer/songwriter from Toronto who has dabbled with more electronic or hip hop flavoured releases before settling on a more solid pop sound.
About the record: “Just Need You Around” showcases a soulful pop style for Trey that could easily draw inspiration from talent like Justin Timberlake or Charlie Puth. The song goes down quite easily as a pleasing introduction to the singer, who has a sweet high register that could be a strong point in any of his songs. The smooth flow of the song shows that Trey has significant potential as a songwriter.
Other comments: Fans of fellow Canadians Shawn Mendes and Alex Sampson will also enjoy “Just Need You Around”.
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.
This week:
“Indie Boyz” by Argentinian indie duo Pacifica from their third album In Your Face!
Last week:
“Perfectly” by Grammy nominee FKA twigs, which has been added on to the digital version of Eusexua
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:
It’s Bad Company’s classic power ballad “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (1975)
Last week:
“Regret” was New Order’s biggest pop hit in North America (1993)
“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 “Without Me” by Toronto singer/songwriter Mico
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.
“You Make Me Feel” is a dance bop cover of the Cobra Starship hit by MOONLGHT, Alden Martin and Mr. Moon
“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.
Kenny Loggins/Steve Perry – Don’t Fight It
Phil Collins – You Can’t Hurry Love
Spoons – Arias & Symphonies
Pat Benatar – Shadows Of The Night
Stray Cats – Rock This Town
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Conan Gray grabs a 4th #1 on the chart with “Eleven Eleven”, an album track from his album Wishbone
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Guardian Angel” by Dimension and Karen Harding soars 24-11
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20-25…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years ago…
2021
01 GIVE IT BACK, The Disco Fries, GIIANTS, Allison Park
02 TINSELTOWN IN THE RAIN (Big Rhythm mix), Matt Mancid, Color Theory
03 FANTASY, Saxity, Victor Perry, Robbie Rosen
04 DIAMONDS, Sam Smith
05 NO ONE BUT YOU, Justin Nozuka, Mahalia
2016
01 NOTHING AT ALL, Brandyn Burnette
02 LOST (STRIPPED), Brandyn Burnette
03 I WISH (MY TAYLOR SWIFT), The Knocks, Matthew Koma
04 SMOKE FILLED ROOM (Elephante remix), Mako
05 HELLO, Adele
2011
01 GOLDEN TRAIN, Penguin Prison
02 THE FEAR INSIDE, Frankmusik
03 JACKSONVILLE, Brandon Flowers
04 GLOW, Richard Barone
05 TALK TO ME, Andrea Lewis, Simon Curtis
2006
01 DO WHAT U WANT, jASeFOS, Claire van der Boom
02 DROP IT ON ME, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee
03 LOVE ON MY MIND, Freemasons, Amanda Wilson
04 WANNA LOVE U GIRL, Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams
05 TALK, Coldplay
2001
01 HANGING BY A MOMENT, Lifehouse
02 LOADED, Ricky Martin
03 HERE WITH ME, Dido
04 SHE BANGS, Ricky Martin
05 TWISTED TENDERNESS, Electronic
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