It’s vacation time again, as I get to extend the good weather through a trip to the warmer temperatures of the Caribbean during the next week. While I’m away of course there will be no blog posts, but an advantage to a vacation is that I get to listen to submissions and discoveries throughout it. My next BILLCS Top 30 chart blog will be early too – watch for it on Friday November 15! This edition of the Report marks a return of some artist notables to the fray, and I think you’ll particularly enjoy the diverse selection of songs this week.
If you have any suggestions for changes to this blog for the new year, don’t hesitate to hit me up on one of my socials at the following Linktree link www.linktr.ee/billcs777, or email me directly bill@billcsmusic.blog.
In the Report, you can also check out my pick 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 the years 1973 through 1975. You’ll also enjoy a BILLCS Top 30 Flashback Chart to this week in 2009, which not only debuts a much revered pop classic, but also introduced me to an artist who became a blog regular for the next decade.
MELANIE FIONA, “Say Yes”
Toronto R&B/pop singer Melanie Fiona returns after a rather protracted absence, with her last album released more than 10 years ago now, though she intermittently released some singles during that time. “Give It To Me Right” was a breakthrough Canadian radio hit in 2009, also peaking at #12 on my chart the BILLCS Top 30. But then you’ll recall that she briefly became the toast of the R&B genre, winning two Grammy Awards (with three other nominations) and a Juno Award (with one other nomination) at home, all in 2012. Yet even with a Top 10 Billboard album, The MF Life, it wasn’t enough to sustain a career, and during her time away from the music scene she married and had a child. But “Say Yes” is a comeback single fueled with an arsenal of power. Her voice, what’s called a “dramatic soprano”, has never sounded better, mixing in influences from Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys, and “Say Yes” reunites her with producer Andre “Dre” Harris, who created some of her best songs with her. The song’s a co-write with concert favourite SIR, who also provides background vocals. There’s terrific guitar work to flesh it all out, making “Say Yes” a diverse and refreshing release. It’s time for radio to welcome back Melanie Fiona, especially in Canada.
DEEP CHILLS, DREW SCHUELER, “My Dearest Love”
“My Dearest Love” is a gentle ode to being in love that’s brought to you in a touching, warm arrangement by Italian producer Deep Chills and new Nashville singer/songwriter Drew Schueler. The song marks a change of pace for Deep Chills, who has given us many an electronic danceable bop these past few years, as well as a number of sunny instrumentals. “My Dearest Love” is straight up pop that has loads of radio potential, more likely to be ushered in through dance radio though than other formats. After hearing the song, you’ll find it no surprise Drew Schueler won a huge international song contest, by the 2023 Nashville Songwriters Association. He was also initiated into K-Pop success through the song “Somebody”, which he wrote for the artist D.O. of the group EXO. Thanks to his eloquent vocal and this spot-on collaboration with Deep Chills, “My Dearest Love” is the kind of versatile, genuine pop song that will endure.
WALTER THE PRODUCER, “Bad Bad Man”
Walter The Producer is a Brooklyn-based indie bedroom talent (real name Walter Reid) whose songs fuse psychedelic pop/rock with R&B. “Bad Bad Man” follows up two albums, No Substance Mixtape and the more recent Please Help Me I’m Scared. It’s an offbeat but engaging track that seems to have good intentions for a friend or maybe former lover, who has now hooked up with the title character. Walter’s vocal sounds like a fusion of Mike Posner with Steve Lacy. Alternative and college radio stations will enjoy his tight and somewhat unique style, and the neighing horse sounds play into its western-themed video. “Bad Bad Man” is an apt introduction to the prolific talents of Walter The Producer.
McEWEN, “Licorice”
I’m glad to see multi-talent McEwen (aka Adam Tyler) back in solid form with the punchy danceable pop bop of “Licorice”. I like any kind of licorice except for the black stuff, and “Licorice” is of my favourite colourful kind! It’s harder-hitting than most of McEwen’s repertoire, with the exception of a few more recent songs like “Throat” and “Words”. It’s got a late 80’s, early 90’s pop vibe – think “Wild Wild West” by The Escape Club meets “Monkey” by George Michael – loaded with vibrant synths. You also get an incredibly infectious singalong chorus as well as two hooks in a row, one basically a vocal drop, that are head-turners. The new era of McEwen is upon us and “Licorice” is a fab start!!
COLOR THEORY, “Punching Shadows”
I’ve written periodically about the music of veteran California-based synth pop artist Color Theory (aka Brian Hazard) since the inception of this blog. Occasionally, he’s landed on the BILLCS Top 30, such as with the #1 “Headphones” and the reverent cover of The Blue Nile’s gorgeous “Tinseltown in the Rain”, which got to #2. “Punching Shadows” is about regaining your confidence, whether it’s in approaching falling in love or some other important life event, despite the fact that some people, even those closest to you, may not understand. This is an admirable viewpoint to choose in these days of mental health self-awareness. The melody is carefree and uplifting with Color Theory’s vocal determined to see it all through. Self-resilience is so important and Color Theory’s vehicle by addressing it through song is a winner.
SID SETH, “Wave”
The sound of NYC-based, India-born Sid Seth continues to evolve, as evidenced by his latest single “Wave”. He’s been a student of the Manhattan School of Music and has also been playing some live shows lately, all of which must be influences for the upbeat nature of “Wave”. What’s impressive is that Sid not only turns to his own culture but to the current Afrobeats trend to enhance the melody and musicality in “Wave”. It would be a perfect mix into or out of Tyla’s “Water”, and Sid also now reminds me of one of my own country’s domestic new talents, Juno Award winner Preston Pablo. “Wave” is about not being afraid to be the best version of yourself. It’s a quick but tight release with a chorus that keeps you humming after the song is over.
ST HUMAIN, “first”
It’s great to hear more new music from Australia-based, Singapore-born multi-talent St Humain, whose songs from his early 2023 EP Metadramatic I wrote about regularly, culminating in a personal favourite “Memento” which reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30. Those songs portrayed the image of what I would label a “true romantic”, and the song “first”, from his new EP titled baby continues as an outlet for that expression. “first” is uncomplicated and is guaranteed to please women (and even in a role reversal, men) who want to know that their affection is being taken seriously and that their partner wants to put them first. It’s such an important part of a relationship and could lead to its downfall if there is an imbalance of love, affection and even sex. So who better to give great advice in song than a romantic like St Humain?
CHRIS CAULFIELD, “Black and Blue”
Chris Caulfield is a new alternative rock singer/songwriter from Toronto whose music I first heard when he opened up recently for regular blog visitor MELØ at a club show. “Black and Blue” is an original with a strong sense of melody and mystery, with apparent inspiration coming from a variety of 80’s and 90’s modern rock performers – Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs comes to mind at times. What makes the song though is Chris’ strong, expressive vocal delivery. The edgy, raspy tones to his voice strike natural dramatic notes, and we hear him seethe at all of the right moments. For an indie release, “Black and Blue” is well-produced, effectively using layers to compound the atmosphere. But this is a restrained version of what Chris Caulfield sounds like in concert. The brief performance I saw commanded your attention, with his voice sounding much more raw and aggressive. “Black and Blue” though is a solid introduction and I’m certain we’ll be seeing more of Chris on the Toronto music scene.
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.
New Zealand’s Will Swinton brings us the poignant urgency of “Flames”
“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”.
Dance music meets country in “I Like It” by Alesso and Nate Smith
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 is newly anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
Nashville-based Berklee School of Music grad Katie Lynne Sharbaugh with “Little Fortune”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which is heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. 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.
Loggins & Messina – Your Mama Don’t Dance (1973)
Abraham’s Children – Gypsy (1973)
Paul McCartney & Wings – Hi Hi Hi (1973)
Austin Roberts – Rocky (1975)
Janis Ian – At Seventeen (1975)
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 was a repeat, but this pick aired on Tuesday on the “3D Variety Show”.
Ike & Tina Turner’s 1966 classic “River Deep Mountain High” – a hit all over the world except North America!
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2009
There are a number of interesting tidbits on this Top 30 Flashback chart! “Pink Cadillac”, by Canadian producer 100 Akres and vocalist Roz Bell, became the first free download to reach #1, and it stayed up top for a month. A 15 year old Calvin Harris song? Why yes! There’s an appearance by LMFAO two years before “Party Rock Anthem”. Lady Gaga’s now seminal hit “Bad Romance” is the highest debut. And “Delusional” introduces us to singer/songwriter Simon Curtis, on whose now classic free download mixtape 8bit Heart it appears.
01 01 PINK CADILLAC 100 Akres featuring Roz Bell
05 02 ALONE Dan Black
07 03 BLAME IT ON THE GIRLS Mika
06 04 READY FOR THE WEEKEND Calvin Harris
08 05 DAYLIGHT Matt & Kim
02 06 SYMPHONIES Dan Black
03 07 WE ARE GOLDEN Mika
11 08 SHOOTING STAR (Party Rock remix) David Rush featuring LMFAO, Kevin Rudolf & Pitbull
12 09 I LIKE TO DANCE Hot Chelle Rae
13 10 WE ARE OKAY Joshua Radin
22 11 PUMP MY PUMPS Dan Black
14 12 HEART ATTACK Roz Bell
16 13 HAVEN’T MET YOU YET Michael Buble
04 14 WONDERFUL Gary Go
25 15 EMPIRE STATE OF MIND Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
18 16 CELEBRATION Madonna
17 17 RUN THIS TOWN Jay-Z featuring Rihanna & Kanye West
09 18 BOY MEETS GIRL Evan Taubenfeld
24 19 BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE Pet Shop Boys
10 20 U + ME Dan Black
23 21 CHA-CHING Hedley
New 22 BAD ROMANCE Lady Gaga
15 23 REWIND Mans Zelmerlow
New 24 WAITING Dash Berlin featuring Emma Hewitt
New 25 DELUSIONAL Simon Curtis
New 26 SOMEONE ELSE’S Mitchell Hunter
19 27 BANG BANG K’Naan featuring Adam Levine
20 28 RABBIT HEART (RAISE IT UP) Florence & The Machine
New 29 RADAR Luigi Masi
26 30 TALK YOU DOWN The Script
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.