I’m quite convinced now that the music industry only cares about two things in terms of streaming: Fandom and passive listeners. They are their target audiences. And everyone else in the middle – well that’s nice. Never have we more variety and volume, now challenged by the proliferation of all-AI tracks, yet music still remains compartmentalized particularly in terms of radio play. Top 40 and Hot Adult Contemporary formats essentially play the same songs, with some differences when an artist or song might appeal to an older demographic. Regular AC radio lives two years behind, while Rock, Alternative, and Dance formats rarely cross over to the first two. Exceptions have been made – Sombr being the most obvious for Rock and Alternative, while David Guetta and Tiësto seem to be the sole safe bets for Dance artists. In Canada, we have some leeway because of Canadian content rules, and because we have no official Dance radio format, songs by Canadians Pineo & Loeb x JRDN , Mike Demero & Dynoro with Sam Feldt, and Nelly Furtado & Boi-1Da are at Top 40 and/or Hot AC. But you won’t find the hottest Rock and Alternative songs by Nickelback or Metric crossing over. Online radio is going to get more organized in the next few years and eventually will be competition for terrestrial radio. So what kind of radio will you want to listen to then – one that preprograms the same songs over and over, or one that listens to you and plays songs you really want to hear?
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 still on vacation this week, but has given me Classic Five for you to enjoy with songs from 1972. Please do peruse the playlist for show 15 of my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes, featuring the music of Canadian-Persian multilingual artist Navan, with songs from his new album Kisses on the Moon. 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.
HRVY, “lie to me”
About the artist: HRVY (aka Harvey Cantwell) is a British singer/songwriter who arrived as a teen in the biz in the 2010’s (he’s now 27). While releasing solo music, he also became a go-to voice for dance music producers including Matoma, Steve Aoki, R3HAB and Topic. “lie to me” is self-released.
About the record: It’s been quite a while since I last wrote about HRVY, but “lie to me” is a sweet pop delight that has hit potential written all over it. The song came to my attention from members of the message board that I co-administer who thought highly of it. That it’s a solo track also shows what magic can happen with the right producer and the right vocal. There’s nothing too deep about “lie to me”, making it a simple and clean cut song that can easily find its way to willing listeners.
Other comments: In 2020, HRVY came second on the UK dance competition Strictly Come Dancing with his pro partner Janette Manrara.
NICK FIORUCCI, JOEE, “The Promise”
About the artists: Nick Fiorucci is a renown Juno Award winning Canadian dance producer and remixer who released numerous 90’s domestic dance hits on his influential Hi-Bias Records label. He also remixed some of the biggest hits by Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, and Britney Spears. Joée had several pop/dance hits in Canada in the late 90’s and early 00’s, initially breaking out as lead singer of Intonation. You know these songs – his cover of “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”, “Angel”, “Arriba”, and more.
About the record: “The Promise” is a solid cover of one of my favourite 80’s songs released by UK group When In Rome, which became a worldwide pop hit in 1987/1988. Nick and Joée faithfully capture the essence of the timeless original, which is now once again radio-ready 38 years later. I’ve always loved the tone in Joée’s voice and the dreamy lyrics and Nick’s arrangement suit his vocal in “The Promise” so well. It’s a real throwback that deserves to be a hit all over again.
Other comments: “The Promise” is the latest release on Nick’s Hi-Bias label. Nick’s Juno win came in 2018 for Best Dancing Recording with “Closer” featuring Laurell. Joée has had six entries on the BILLCS Top 30, and “Angel” was the very first #1 on my published bi-weekly chart – now at edition 745 – for three appearances beginning on January 19, 1998!
GRAHAM PARKER & THE GOLDTOPS, “Black Lincoln Continental” (live)
About the artist: Graham Parker is an acclaimed British rock artist who broke into the music scene in the mid-70’s during the punk scene, while staying on the periphery of it and the new wave era that followed. This is likely due to a more accessible but edgy style which attracted fans worldwide, with Graham winning praise from fellow artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan in the process. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of his first album, Howlin’ Wind.
About the record: Full disclosure, I’m not familiar with a lot of Graham Parker’s work. This live recording of “Black Lincoln Continental”, originally included in his 80’s heyday on the album Steady Nerves, features a stellar performance from Graham and his latest quintet configuration, The Goldtops. Today’s technology has increased the potency of a well-recorded song in concert, and “Black Lincoln Continental” (recorded in the UK in 2023) provides the dynamic to give you the same rush as seeing the band perform it in person.
Other comments: Graham Parker has kept his fans well fed over 50 years with numerous recordings, with his upcoming still-untitled live album his first release since 2023. Pop music fans would know him from his 1985 Top 40 hit “Wake Up (Next to You)”, which benefited from being a part of the early MTV era. More hardcore fans know him best for his albums Squeezing Out Sparks and The Up Escalator, and songs like “Protection”, “Passion is No Ordinary Word”, “Stupefaction”, and “Temporary Beauty’.
DALEY, “Lavender”
About the artist: It’s nice to have Gareth Daley back making music. The Manchester-born singer/songwriter/keyboardist briefly caused a sensation in the early 2010’s with his distinct and soulful voice, which allowed him to release two albums through Universal. He has also collaborated with the likes of Gorillaz, Pharrell Williams, Jill Scott, and Marsha Ambrosius, the latter two with which he recorded duets which received substantial US R&B radio airplay.
About the record: “Lavender” is Daley’s first release since 2017.. His soft and mellifluous voice is once again the highlight in a gorgeous slice of soul-pop. Unlike his earlier work, which was edgier and more offbeat, “Lavender” recalls the heyday of fellow UK artists like Simply Red but has its roots more planted in old school American R&B like Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, and Luther Vandross. His voice soars at the right times and the song settles into a comfortable groove which is easy to enjoy.
Other comments: Daley is back thanks to signing with The SRG/ILS Group with distribution through Universal.
SIOBHAN BODRUG, “Monster”
About the artist: Siobhan Bodrug (first name pronounced “Shivon”) is a 21 year old pop singer/songwriter from Toronto who has received praise for her live performances and soulful tone and range. She’s a graduate of Seneca College’s Independent Songwriting and Performance program, and has performed in several cities including New York City, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Winnipeg, alongside artists like Stars and Joel Plaskett. She has recently been nominated for a 2026 Canadian Screen Award for Original Music in a film.
About the record: Siobhan has been releasing music since her mid-teens but with the R&B-flavoured “Monster” leading the way, it all seems to be coming together to fruition for her. She has a stunning voice – you’ll be listening for that high note over and over again – while the song unfolds the topical story of a toxic relationship in which no one should be. While the story ultimately finishes with a question mark, it an inspiring enough song to reassure you that the protagonist will rise above it and be okay in the end.
Other comments: Siobhan’s debut album is due later in 2026.
EMPIRE CHILD, “Cut Those Ties”
About the artist: I’ve written about two of UK artist Empire Child’s songs thus far, “Trace the Race” and “Negativity Be Gone”. Ruth Rothwell, former record company executive and manager, goes back to her own music roots with her deeply personal and moving R&B/pop songs.
About the record: “Cut Those Ties” is about ending relationships and taking control about who is in your life. And with it, Ruth creates a genuinely bright and uplifting song about it all, focusing on your well-being rather than dwelling on how it affects the other person. It’s never easy, and often full of emotion, but Ruth’s outlook on it all, sung gracefully and effortlessly in her upper register, needs to be heard, given all of her life and professional experience working in an often unforgiving industry.
Other comments: “Cut Those Ties”, as well as her other singles, are a part of her new album called The Empire Child.
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.
The Chainsmokers team up with Sweden’s Oaks for “Echo” from their collaborative EP Love Is Kind
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 another week, there is no new retro pick. But KPHR played my segment on “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil 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.
It’s The MAPL Tapes previously featured artist, Ottawa’s Church of Trees with “Stuck on Me”
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 Sweden’s Cimberly with her Melodifestivalen fourth place entry “Eternity”
“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.
Bobby Vinton – Sealed With A Kiss
Stevie Wonder – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
The Osmonds – Hold Her Tight
Buffy Sainte-Marie – He’s An Indian Cowboy In The Rodeo
Nilsson – Coconut
Show #15 featuring songs by Navan
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
From his fifth album KONNAKOL, it’s Zayn with “Sideways”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Conan Gray has it for a second chart in a row with “Door” (18-7)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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