I have no editorial or other comments this week. Please be sure to check out the music and support independent artists! They need it more now than ever.
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 “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five mix is a grab bag from 1978. Please do check out the playlist for show 13 of my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes, featuring the music of Alex Sampson, who I’ve written about many times, and includes his new single “How Lucky Am I?”. I have a Flashback BILLCS Top 30 to a eurodance-filled chart from 2002. You’ll also find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
GRAMATIK, STEHREO, “The Montauk”
About the artists: It’s been a long time since I’ve written about the music of Slovenian-born, NYC-based electronic producer Gramatik (Denis Jašarević), who works with his frequent collaborator STEHREO, aka Pennsylvania-born multi-instrumentalist Adam Stehr, on this follow up to his 2025 album Aequoreus.
About the record: “The Montauk” is a big, powerful head-turner. What is essentially a formidable electronic production is given even more life by some breathtaking bluesy guitar work. It’s also a lyrical feast for the years. I suppose the song is open to interpretation, but it gives me the imagery of a relationship at an end to the point that it’s a war of sorts. It all fuses together well and because there is so much going on it belies its 5:38 length.
Other comments: Gramatik reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2016 with the fun and funky “Native Son Prequel” (with Leo Napier) – a song that I still play often!
JUSTIN JESSO, “Ready to Blow”
About the artist: Chicago-born singer/songwriter Justin Jesso is now self-releasing his music with a team to support him and his socials. You know him from his collaborations with Kygo, Sam Feldt, Said The Sky, Ofenbach, and Frank Walker, and he’s co-written songs for Armin van Buuren and Backstreet Boys. His lively performances have opened shows for Tears for Fears and were part of Kygo’s 2024-25 tour.
About the record: I got to preview “Ready to Blow” earlier this month, and it’s a fun liftoff for the North American summer weather. Justin is skilled at writing all kinds of songs, but this Bruno Mars-ish zesty pop/rock bop with a great vocal could brighten up any radio or personal playlist. What is likely a more complicated production sounds effortless, with some great sax riffs, and should be a big fan favourite in concert.
Other comments: Follow Justin on his Instagram page and you can also choose to join in on some behind-the-scenes action at the beginning of June!
KEIYNAN, “Human Nature” (free download 😯)
About the artist: Keiynan Lonsdale is a queer Australia-born singer, actor and dancer best known for his roles as Kid Flash/Wally West on TV’s “The Flash” and Bram in “Love, Simon”. He has also been releasing music independently for more than 10 years.
About the record: “Human Nature” marks the first appearance by Keiynan in this blog for more than two years. Yes, it’s a cover of the Michael Jackson hit but given the instant popularity of the “Michael” biopic, it’s a timely rework, and some of the lyrics have been changed which transform it into an anthem for the queer community. I particularly enjoy how Keiynan shifts his vocal from soft and soulful to low and ear-grabbing. It’s never easy to cover a song by a superstar but Keiynan’s rendition does it justice with a contemporary spin, so download it at the Soundcloud link above while you can.
Other comments: Keiynan has been dancing for charity recently and you can support his efforts at the following link: Sick Kids
NAVAN, “C’est toi (Bidaram Kon)”
About the artist: Navan is a Toronto area singer/songwriter of Persian heritage whose recent electronic release with MashBit, a rework of his “Embrasse-moi (Mara Beboos)”, came to my attention with its unique lyrics sung in both French and Farsi, based on a traditional Persian song.
About the record: “C’est toi (Bidaram Kon)” is sung in English, French and Farsi, and is about living a life we didn’t choose, which can only be saved by love. Although it was written before the current war with Iran, it comes across as a striking parallel. Standing apart from that, it’s a gorgeous rumination about love and life, how they intersect, and how everything doesn’t always go as planned. The verses all melding together in the three languages are exquisitely sung by Navan. He has a classic, soft tone which harbours a variety of emotions in his phrasing.
Other comments: Navan’s second album, Kisses on the Moon, arrives on May 29. He also has a short summer tour of some U.S. and Canadian cities, and in Toronto you can catch it Sunday, August 16 at The Great Hall.
DADI FREYR, “I’m Out and I Wanna Go Home”
About the artist: Dadi Freyr (often stylized as Daði Freyr) is an Icelandic pop electronic singer and songwriter who has competed in EuroVision for Iceland in 2021 with the song “10 Years” (performed with his wife Arny’s group Gagnamagnid), which came fourth. He has also performed on EuroVision in Liverpool in 2023 in an interval act, and at Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2024.
About the record: “I’m Out and I Wanna Go Home” is an exhilarating and honest pop song that combines the emotions and highs of being away and out in the world for an extended time only to find that you miss being at home too. It’s carried by a brisk rhythm and a vocal by Dadi that is full of the right feels. It’s a singalong anthem which reinforces that we all need roots that we call “home”, and that it’s okay to miss home too.
Other comments: : “I’m Out and I Wanna Go Home” is culled from Dadi’s third album, Too Much Not Enough.
LOVERUSH, “This Feeling”
About the artist: LOVERUSH, previously known as Loverush UK, is the performing name for electronic dance producer Mark Schneider. Loverush UK was signed to Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label, and recorded collaborations with Bryan Adams (a UK dance #1 in 2012 with “Tonight in Babylon”), Marc Almond, Boy George and many others. Mark has also remixed releases by Ian Van Dahl (the UK 2002 #5 “Will I”, see my Flashback Chart below), Kylie Minogue, Tiësto, and BT.
About the record: “This Feeling” is a big, soaring throwback to the early 2000’s that appears to be a new era for LOVERUSH and the first new music for him in a few years. It was honestly a random Spotify play for me, and features a fantastic uncredited female vocal over the urgent rhythms which will compel club goers to the dancefloor and become the focal point for a mid-evening set. This kind of retro mix doesn’t quite sound like anything else out there yet its underlying familiarity will resonate with both new and long-time electronic music fans.
Other comments: Mark is also one half of Luv Foundation, which has new music coming soon with Irish producer Micky Modelle.
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.
It’s “Sauna” by Jessie Ware, an album track from her latest release Superbloom
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that currently airs on The Musicman James Rogers’ “The 3D Variety Show” and KPHR Kat Power Radio.
It’s the RIAA’s first million selling single from 1976, Johnnie Taylor’s “Disco Lady”
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online.
Also climbing the BILLCS Top 30, it’s “Potential” by Sombr
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, including 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.
“Gonna Be Somebody” by Swedish electronic dance producer Henwall and vocalist Kale Penny
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays). 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.
Nick Gilder – Hot Child In The City
Martin Stevens – Love Is In The Air
The Who – Who Are You
Rolling Stones – Miss You
Boston – Don’t Look Back
Show #13 featuring songs by Alex Sampson
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2002
24 years ago, the BILLCS Top 30 was filled with classic UK and European electronic dance music of the era representing more than a third of the chart from Craig David, Dirty Vegas, Jam & Spoon, Kosheen, Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold, Absolom, Pet Shop Boys, iio, and Ian Van Dahl. Multiple entries by Canadians Remy Shand and David Usher prevailed, while Darren Hayes’ pair of entries are still much-loved. Somehow though, a timeless rock track by Jimmy Eat World ended up on top.
01 01 THE MIDDLE, Jimmy Eat World
02 02 CAN’T BE MESSING ROUND, Craig David
06 03 DAYS GO BY, Dirty Vegas
04 04 BLINDED, David Usher
05 05 I MET YOUR MERCY, Remy Shand
09 06 BE.ANGELED (club mix), Jam & Spoon
10 07 THE SECOND ONE, Remy Shand
11 08 THEY-SAY VISION (Bastone & Burnz remix), RES
03 09 TAKE A MESSAGE, Remy Shand
14 10 CATCH, Kosheen
07 11 STAR GUITAR, Chemical Brothers
17 12 EXCESS, Tricky
NEW 13 CRUSH (1980 ME), Darren Hayes
16 14 HOW COME YOU DON’T CALL ME, Alicia Keys
08 15 STARS, Absolom
NEW 16 READY STEADY GO, Paul Oakenfold
21 17 U DON’T HAVE TO CALL, Usher
25 18 THE SAMURAI IN AUTUMN, Pet Shop Boys
12 19 OOPS (OH MY), Tweet
26 20 SAVE YOURSELF, Sense Field
13 21 INSATIABLE (Victor Calderone club mix), Darren Hayes
27 22 SUGAR HIGH, Jade Anderson
15 23 MY WAY OUT, David Usher
19 24 HERE IS GONE, Goo Goo Dolls
NEW 25 HELLA GOOD, No Doubt
NEW 26 SUNSHINE, Joee
23 27 RAPTURE (TASTES SO SWEET), iio
24 28 WILL I, Ian Van Dahl
NEW 29 FOREVER NOT YOURS, a-ha
18 30 SUPERHONEY, Edwin & The Pressure
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
New Zealand’s Will Swinton takes #1 again with “Better Off”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s Conan Gray with “Door” from the deluxe edition of Wishbone (26-18)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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