Drake’s dominance this week – and for the next few – of Billboard’s Hot 100, thanks to the release of three record-breaking concurrent albums, displays the ultimate come-uppance for a music industry now obsessed with more, more, more – not just from Drake, but from every other artist too. Because he has the money and resources, Drake has this part of the biz all figured out. Taylor Swift does too. But like everything else within their power, Billboard has the ability to change their rules, like they did last fall with capping longevity on the chart. Billboard was the one that opened the door too wide when they allowed any number of songs to be charted all at once by one artist. With Drake and Taylor now having effectively closed and locked that door, it’s time for those rules to change. As always with Billboard, this could take many months or even years. But enough is enough – or rather, enough, in this case, is too much.
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 is on vacation for a few weeks, but has left me with his Classic Five for you to enjoy with songs from 1975. Please do peruse the playlist for show 14 of my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes, featuring the music of Scott Helman, including his new fab single “Faith in Humanity”. You’ll also find out what songs have reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 every week for the last 28 years!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
WILL SWINTON, “Only One”
About the artist: After writing about his releases for the last two years, raspy-voiced New Zealand-born alternative rocker Will Swinton is a consistent favourite of mine. He has just come off a tour in Australia and New Zealand with MGK, and his recent single “Better Off” is sitting atop the BILLCS Top 30 for a second appearance (four weeks).
About the record: “Only One” has a similar love-weary vibe to it to some of Will’s recent releases, and was part of a selections of clips which Will posted on Instagram for feedback from his followers. And while all of the songs he posted have potential, “Only One” was the one chosen. His collaborators evidently have a tight vision with Will on how his songs sound, resulting in another formidable performance with some nifty guitar work. He’s signed to Capitol, so with the current benchmark being set by Sombr, I hope they have a similar destiny in mind for Will.
Other comments: A good start might be that Will is playing Lollapalooza on August 2 in Chicago!
ELEPHANTS & STARS, “Of Half-Way Houses and Ambulances”
About the artist: Toronto area rock quintet Elephants & Stars have quickly followed up “Take It All” with “Of Half-Way Houses and Ambulances”.
About the record: If both singles are any indication, I think something is in the water for Elephants & Stars this year. “Of Half-Way Houses and Ambulances” is rock ‘n roll ear candy, which might point in part to the astute production by Lowest of the Low’s Ron Hawkins. The musical inspirations to me are all 90’s and early 00’s, and mixed with leader Manfred Sittman’s unique metaphors and imagery, it all rings edgy enough and honest. It’s good time rock with fuzzy, buzzy guitar work that will sound even finer in concert.
Other comments: Both singles are soon to be a part of Elephants & Stars’ sixth album Philistine Vulgarity. You can hear “Take It All” in this week’s edition of The MAPL Tapes (see below).
DONNA LEWIS, DAVID LOWE, “Life Is Beautiful”
About the artists: I’ve already written about two recent tracks by Donna Lewis, the Welsh singer best known for the 1996 worldwide smash “I Love You Always Forever”, and David Lowe, British instrumentalist and producer. Those songs, “Meet Me” and “Fall Back Girl”, as well as “Life Is Beautiful”, are a part of their new album called Wanderlust.
About the record: “Life Is Beautiful” would like you to suspend your thoughts for three minutes and soak in its idyllic message, complemented by Donna’s cheery vocal and cooing oohs and la-da-da’s, and David’s gleaming Europop-based synths. It’s hard not to be smiling after listening the song’s empowering message about following your heart, standing your ground, and making the most of every day.
Other comments: Donna is a cancer survivor, so producing such a happy and steadfast song must be gratifying. To some people she will only be associated with her big hit, but the songs in Wanderlust are worth your time to invest in finding out what she and David have concocted for you.
STARLING, “Gymnast”
About the artist: Starling is a British indie pop singer/songwriter who has been releasing music for most of the past decade. Her path was altered by a fortuitous meeting with Henry Binns of Zero 7, which led to recording toplines and unreleased tracks for, of all groups, Massive Attack. This has led to millions of streams and numerous sync placements, including on TV’s “Love Island”.
About the record: It’s easy to hear why “Gymnast” has stirred up some attention, with its easy-going, early 80’s-sounding melody, and Starling’s confident vocal, which to me blends the best of Dua Lipa, Lorde and Natasha Bedingfield. The lyrics also give some pause for thought to gymnasts, who require incredible discipline and endure a lot of ongoing pain, much like dancers. So when Starling sings “and I have been through worse”, it’s an obvious parallel to some difficult times in her life. The bright and empowering nature of the song oozes resiliance. That having been said, “Gymnast” is catchy and memorable pop, too.
Other comments: Her upcoming album has a working title of The Story of Starling. And a viral house-concert tour, where she selected 35 houses to perform in, and traveled 4000 miles to do it, is now being developed for television.
IAN COBIELLA, “Have I Been Good to You”
About the artist: Ian Cobiella is an L.A.-based indie singer/songwriter/producer of Cuban and Bolivian heritage who has released a handful of singles since 2021 which have amassed over 100K streams.
About the record: “Have I Been Good to You” is a spry, Latin-infused pop track that’s intended to energize you and sweep you off your feet. The rhythm will certainly get your heart racing to its upbeat story of romantic self-reassurance. Ian may have found a neat niche here and he has a distinct voice of his own to make it happen. The production and instrumentation are both solid and “Have I Been Good to You” should find its way to any number of sunshiny playlists for the summer months. You may find yourself quietly busting a few moves of your own to this one.
Other comments: “Have I Been Good to You” will be part of Ian’s upcoming debut EP All I Have to Give.
JASON PICCIONI, ORCHESTRA 014, “Cupid in the Sky”
About the artist: Jason Piccioni has had a storied career working as a composer for film, producing dance music under the alias Electric J, and co-writing and collaborating with others (including Kylie Minogue and Deodato). Jason is also the son of legendary film composer Piero Piccioni (“Swept Away…”, “Puppet on a Chain”, “Lucky Luciano”, many others) and British actress Gloria Paul. He was raised in Italy, but has resided in London and New York.
About the record: “Cupid in the Sky” is a splashy, jazz-flavoured contemporary disco track which draws from film scores of yore as well as perhaps inspiration from the sensational sounds of 70’s disco productions by the likes of Biddu, Rinder & Lewis, Charlie Calello, the Salsoul Orchestra and MFSB. Like in those productions, the vocal arrangement and strings really stand out, a balanced achievement with contemporary technology. For those not familiar with the 70’s disco in question, “Cupid in the Sky”, the title track from Jason’s new album, is going to throw a pleasant wrinkle into your disco house playlists. It’s quite the brisk, classy affair!
Other comments: The accompanying artist name, Orchestra 014, has been inherited from Jason’s father. Jason has been preserving his father’s works since his passing in 2004, and has concurrently released the album Piero Piccioni Revibed.
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.
Canada’s Johnny Orlando returns in a new indie era with “Charlotte”
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” (Tuesdays between 7 and 8pm ET) and KPHR Kat Power Radio (Tuesdays at 12:25 pm ET).
With the 3D Variety Show on vacation for 2 weeks, there is no new retro pick. But KPHR played my segment on The Monks’ “Drugs in My Pocket” this week.
“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.
California quintet The Neighbourhood returns with “Private”
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.
It’s the break out country crossover hit for Stella Lefty called “Boston”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, currently on vacation, returning Tuesday June 9). 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.
Neil Sedaka – Bad Blood
Esther Phillips – What A Diff’rence A Day Makes
ABBA – SOS
Octavian – Hold Me, Touch Me (You Tube link)
Natalie Cole – This Will Be
Show #14 featuring songs by Scott Helman
28 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 28 years.
2025 SOMBR, Back to Friends
2024 DARIN, Electric
2023 JIMIN, Like Crazy (English version)
2022 MERCER, Aretha
2021 IDRIS ELBA, INNER CITY, STEFFANIE CHRISTI’AN, No More Looking Back
2020 PORTER ROBINSON, Get Your Wish
2019 M-22, White Lies
2018 MERCER, RON CARROLL, Satisfy
2017 LOUD LUXURY, RYAN SHEPHERD, Fill Me In (Something to Say)
2016 CONNOR PHILLIPS, Lost (Young Bombs remix)
2015 COREY NILES, ALEX LACASSE, Chasing Stars
2014 SAM SMITH, Stay with Me
2013 FRANKMUSIK, Map
2012 BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, Waiting for the Feeling
2011 ERIC SAADE, Popular
2010 PENGUIN PRISON, The Worse It Gets
2009 THE FRAY, You Found Me (Lenny B remix)
2008 ESTELLE, KANYE WEST, American Boy
2007 MAROON 5, Makes Me Wonder
2006 THE FRAY, Over My Head (Cable Car)
2005 THE CAESARS, Jerk It Out
2004 GEORGE MICHAEL, Amazing (Full Intention remix)
2003 EVANESCENCE, PAUL McCOY, Bring Me to Life
2002 JIMMY EAT WORLD, The Middle
2001 DEPECHE MODE, Dream On
2000 MATCHBOX TWENTY, Bent
1999 RICKY MARTIN, Livin’ La Vida Loca
1998 NEXT, Too Close
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