Welcome back to the BILLCS New Music Report, mach 2025! Despite most of the biz shutting down over the holidays, new music never sleeps and I have plenty of songs for you to check out, as well as our regular features.
I’m continuing with the more structured approach to the reviews which allows them to be digested in more bitable chunks while getting across the critical information about the artist and the record. This change has already been received positively. I have made one other change, to support accessibility. The photo accompanying the review will now embed a Spotify link. If the song has a video of note, a link for it will be provided underneath the song title and artist before the review begins.
If you have any suggestions for this blog, 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 is a mix of some fine new wave and rock from the 80’s. You’ll also find out what songs were #1 and the Fastest Riser on my December 30 chart if you missed it, and you’ll see what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30, 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs.
MGR MIKE, MILTON V, “The Message”
About the artists: MGR Mike from Nashville specializes in disco-spiced dance music, and is joined on this release by Mexico’s Milton V.
About the record: It’s an inspirational Latin-flavoured house track that quotes a speech from 2021 by Ricky Turcios, the bantamweight Ultimate Fighter contest winner held in Philippines. Like songs that feature Chicago house music king Ron Carroll and producer MKJ’s “Time”, which went viral a few years back in Asia thanks to its inclusion of an excerpt of a Morgan Freeman speech, “The Message” is an immediate call to the dance floor. And I can’t imagine what it would be like hearing it live at a festival – its effect on an audience of significant size could be powerful.
Other comments: The producers have done a great job fusing the styles together and for making Ricky Turcios’ words and enthusiasm stand out. MGR Mike has reported in his socials that more people are finding out about the song each week, and I am here for it!
MERCER, TONY ROMERA, “Rendez-Vous”
About the artists: Mercer is a French dance producer and songwriter who has had two #1’s on the BILLCS Top 30 (2018’s “Satisfy” and 2022’s “Aretha”) and is a co-writer/producer of Lady Gaga’s “Applause” among others. Tony Romera is a French house producer who has toured the world and recorded with too many huge names to mention in the last 10 years.
About the record: “Rendez-Vous” is an instrumental that’s as slick as it gets in terms of the classic sound of piano house music. Mercer and Tony Romera are two producers who know their craft backwards and forwards, and club DJ’s have lots of wiggle room to integrate “Rendez-Vous” into a mid-evening set.
Other comments: I don’t know if “Rendez-Vous” sneakily interpolates another older track into its mix. Mercer has been known to do it such as in previous releases “Satisfy” (Don Ray’s disco classic “Got To Have Loving”) and “Overrr” (The Jacksons’ 1980 album cut “Wondering Who”), so it’s always fun listening to his releases for such surprises. If not, “Rendez-Vous” is a classy original anyway!
MICHAEL MEDRANO, “Hollywood”
About the artist: Michael Medrano is L.A.’s resident disco dad and specializes in dance-pop that’s often risqué, NSFW, and pushing boundaries. The “raw and uncut” mix of 2022’s “Disco Sleaze” reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30, his highest chart entry to date.
About the record: “Hollywood” is a cover of Madonna’s #1 dance hit from 2003’s American Life album, which also reached #2 in the UK, #5 in Canada, and went Top 20 around the world, but never charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 and isn’t heard much today. The overall sound and appeal is similar to Madonna’s original version, with a dash of sordidness and cheapness to make its connection with Hollywood’s underbelly, but with a more frenetic synth hook. Michael certainly gets to embrace his inner Madonna and fans of the song will enjoy the update.
Other comments: About a minute is knocked off the time of the original which makes Michael’s version of “Hollywood” much tighter than the original. I think a “sleazier” deep house remix could help “Hollywood” for potential play in clubs.
JACK DRINKER, “California King”
About the artist: Jack Drinker (his real name) is a 24 year old Los Angeles-based indie singer/songwriter who is also a recent graduate from the prestigious Herb Alpert School of Music.
About the record: “California King” is melodic pop that would find favour with Conan Gray fans. It’s a love story about putting someone on a pedestal while naively forgetting about the reality around them. But it’s perfectly okay to dream and fantasize, and Jack has a gorgeous timbre to his voice that pop fans in general will love.
Other comments: “California King” is a winner that you’re sure to put on repeat, but tell everyone else about it too!
SAMANTHA GONGOL, “Planes Are Low”
Video link: Planes Are Low
About the artist: Samantha Gongol is the vocalist for Philadelphia electronic pop duo Marian Hill, which had a US Top 10 radio hit with “Down” in 2017 and was prominently featured in an Apple Airpods commercial. Marian Hill’s name comes from two characters in the play/film “The Music Man” – yep Marian the librarian!
About the record: “Planes Are Low” is a song of self-reflection that Samantha wrote back in the early covid days. She mirrored the way she was feeling at the time to a plane she saw that was flying rather low. The song is ambitious and adventurous, accompanied by a beautiful vocal and arrangement which avoid making it downbeat. Instead there’s an opportunity for listeners to be honest and in touch with their emotions given the appropriate impetus.
Other comments: Samantha’s debut EP is coming soon and her new songs are intended to be a side project to Marian Hill.
THE MOVING STILLS, “Telephone”
Video link: Telephone
About the artist: The Moving Stills are one of Australia’s premiere indie rock bands from New South Wales, known for their live shows, and have released two albums to date.
About the record: 90’s post grunge flavours with edgy guitar work take the lead on “Telephone”. In the song, the protagonist wants to continue talking to his object of affection, but she hasn’t quite made up her mind yet. By the end of the song, a bit more of an obsession is revealed. It’s the kind of song that would sound great in a live performance.
Other comments: “Telephone” is a natural for college and alternative radio play, and I hope The Moving Stills continue to find an audience outside of Australia with songs like this one.
ELEPHANTS & STARS, “The Ceiling”
Video link: The Ceiling
About the artist: Elephants & Stars is a rock quintet whose members hail from Toronto and Hamilton, led by singer/songwriter Manfred Sittman. Manfred, along with bassist Mike McMillan, were part of the early 2000’s rock band Soap Opera, which released two albums.
About the record: “The Ceiling” is a raw, guitar-led slice of power pop, with a sound recalling 80’s groups like The Romantics and The Smithereens. The song captures the urgency and chaos associated with a panic attack. The guitar work by Adam Seed is fierce and Manfred’s vocal gets his story across without going over the top. It’s a solid release with a rock sound that isn’t often heard these days and the public fortunately still has a taste for this kind of hybrid sound.
Other comments: Elephants & Stars previously released an album called Last Chance Power Drive in 2022, and their upcoming album Under The Earth and Above Heaven will be produced by renown Toronto rocker Ian Blurton (ex-Change of Heart), who has also produced records by his contemporaries The Lowest of the Low and The Skydiggers.
MRKO, SOPHIA MAY, “Gonna Do”
About the artists: MRKO is an L.A.-based dance producer who doesn’t release often but when he does they are intentional. He’s had releases through labels by Austin Kramer and The Disco Fries, and “Gonna Do” is through Bay area producer Jay Bird’s The Birdhouse label. Sophia May is a veteran British dance music vocalist and songwriter noted for singing and co-writing Bellatrax’s #1 Dance Mix Airplay single “I Can’t Help Myself”.
About the record: MRKO has dabbled in a variety of dance and electronic music styles over the past five years, from moody electronica like “Dark Ocean” to bangers like “I Won’t Feel”, and “Gonna Do” is straight-up classic house with Sophia’s seamless vocal. Classic house never grows stale and “Gonna Do” would easily give a lift to a club set.
Other comments: I think house music is the way to go for MRKO, with last year’s “Fall” setting that in motion. “Gonna Do” is an ear-grabber.
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. Here are my picks for this week and last week.
Toronto area duo Crash Adams bring us a relatable bop with “Optimist”
Video link: Optimist
“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”.
From Moon Music, the third single is Coldplay’s “All My Love”
Video link: All My Love
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.
From the North Carolina-Virginia area, it’s new singer Kenyon Cruz with “New Year”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. The 3D Variety Show is now on hiatus, returning in April 2025. 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.
Peter Gabriel – Shock The Monkey (1982)
OMD – If You Leave (1986)
Dire Straits – Industrial Disease (1982)
INXS – New Sensation (1988)
U2 – New Year’s Day (1983)
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.
Madonna’s “Ray Of Light” brought new life to dance music in 1997-1998
Video link: Ray Of Light
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
TELYKast and Sam Gray hold onto #1 for a second appearance at the top with “Surrender Your Love”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s rising L.A.-based dance producer Angrybaby with Mashbit’s VIP remix of “Back To Life” (20-10)
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…
2020
01 SHIVOHUM, Tritonal, Henry Dark
02 LIGHTS UP, Harry Styles
03 FLAMES, R3HAB, Zayn, Jungleboi
04 MAD, Brandon Colbein
05 FAITH, Galantis, Dolly Parton, Mr. Probz
2015
01 HEADPHONES (Matt Mancid Retro Crossover Mix), Color Theory
02 GOIN’ DOWN, Deniz Koyu, Twoloud
03 GOLD SKIES, Sander van Doorn, Martin Garrix, DVBBS, Aleesia
04 REASON, Erasure
05 COME BACK TO ME, Reigen
2010
01 DELUSIONAL, Simon Curtis
02 PUMP MY PUMPS, Dan Black
03 BLAME IT ON THE GIRLS, MIKA
04 BAD ROMANCE, Lady Gaga
05 EMPIRE STATE OF MIND, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys
2005
01 MY MY MY, Armand Van Helden
02 THE LETTER SONG, Tyler Hilton
03 THEY MIGHT SAY, Mitchell Hunter
04 BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS, Green Day
05 GIVE IT ALL AWAY, Ben Jelen
2000
01 FADED, soulDecision
02 FIVE FATHOMS (LOVE MORE), Everything But The Girl
03 TEMPERAMENTAL, Everything But The Girl
04 THE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE (STAY GOLD), Everything But The Girl with Deep Dish
05 ALL I WANT, Sky
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