BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #682 – January 1/24

Happy 2024 to you all! I don’t really know what to expect from this year, so I’ll take that as a good thing and expect the unexpected. Aside from indie releases, which must continue through the holidays, December was a slower month in general than usual for other releases. I’m not sure if this will affect turnover on the BILLCS Top 30 in January, as I almost always find something new to sate my appetite for discovery!

Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30

Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist

Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below as they are increasingly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.

If you had told me three months ago that my first number one song of 2024 would be by Jack Harlow, I would have asked if that somehow came to you in a dream. While I’ve appreciated his talent on previous releases, his style of hip hop, let’s say, is not in my go-to genres of music. So even after I enjoyed his collaboration with Jung Kook on “3D” (which just peaked at #12), even I couldn’t have been prepared for the 2:18 of infectious business that is “Lovin On Me”, which climbs 3-1, a rarity because it has also been #1 in both the US and the UK. The last song to do this for me was “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande nearly four years ago, which was also my #1 song of 2020.

Rising 6-3 is “Feels Like Us”, a warm slice of dance/pop by Miami’s Gt_ofice, Maryland’s ALWZ SNNY, and frequent chart visitor and NYC singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen. It becomes Robbie’s 6th Top 5 entry.

Soaring up through the Top 10 from 10-4 is “Rock The Party” by British dance producers WH0, who get their second Top 5 entry following the #1 “What You Need” with Steve Angello, which is appearing in its last chart at #23 having reached the 10 chart maximum.

Moving up 7-5 is “Real Love” by Martin Garrix with South African singer Lloyiso, which becomes Martin’s 8th visit to the Top 5.

I’m enjoying the brand of indie rock offered by Australia’s Moonwood on their EP Curfew Hours. Songs like “Curfew”, which climbs 11-7, would sound just great played live in concert.

Getting his third Top 10 entry is Benson Boone with a ballad that just drips with emotion, “To Love Someone”, which rises 15-8.

Spain’s The Boy From The South lands in the Top 10 for a second time, following last year’s sheer delight “Amazing-Man” (which peaked at #3) with “Man Down” (14-10).

“Memento” by MELØ (18-12) is showing signs of being an enduring song on the chart. The 80’s new wave flavour combined with its story of moving on after profound loss is unique as you will see in its extended video clip above.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the powerful, foreboding sound of UK’s Nero with their comeback release “Truth”, which rises 26-16.

“What You Do” (27-18) is a slamming slice of house by the master himself, Todd Terry, who transformed a minor Gene Chandler release, 1966’s “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, allowing Gene’s voice to breathe life into a really fun track.

The Highest Debut at #26 is the third song from Matoma’s recent Love For The Beat album to reach the chart. Featuring UK vocalist/songwriter JP Cooper, it’s the very catchy “Sound of Shadows”, which is an album track though it really should be promoted as a single as it deserves club and festival play.

On the chart with his 2nd entry is indie Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis with “Guys That Look Like Me”. His first appearance on the chart was the jaunty “Ed’s House”, which got to #8. “Guys That Look Like Me” was a similar relatable story and a breezy melody which makes it all go down easy.

Jung Kook gets his second entry on the chart with the soulful KPOP track “Standing Next To You” at #28. It’s no wonder that people like Justin Timberlake and Usher have climbed aboard the KPOP train with their contributions to Jung Kook releases – JT on an alternate version of “3D” and Usher on another version of this one.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA

Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST. You can hear recent episodes of The Big 20 at this link.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

At Midnight EST on Saturdays, you can also hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Russ Horton’s amazing “Top 40 Timeline” oldies show.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free.

“The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays, and my Retro Pick of the Week plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” at 4pm EST.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA. My pick of the week airs nearly 30 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at this link.

Energy885

Energy885 in Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Addictive Energy” shows, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Energy885 is also airing my Retro Pick Of The Week as well on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:30 AM EST. You can hear recent episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.

FM 108

You can also listen to my Retro Pick of the Week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules are up-to-date.

BILLCS Top 93 of 2023

In my annual list, you’ll find that JVKE and Darin have the most entries each with 4, though JVKE has 3 of those in the Top 30! Almost half the chart comprises independent releases, and 20% of the entries are from Canada (my country).

I’m looking forward to what’s coming that we don’t yet know about in 2024!

Alternately, you can view the full list at the following link to the online chart: BILLCS Top 93 of 2023

And you can hear all five hours worth of music on my Spotify playlist of the chart at the following link:

BILLCS Top 93 of 2023 Spotify playlist

BILLCS New Music Report – December 20/23 spotlighting new songs by @KeiynanLonsdale, @Angel_District, Skram, @itsCloverdale, Faith Richards and Tanya Shanker

It’s the last BILLCS New Music Report of 2023! There is no shortage of music to hear, so I have six new ones for your listening pleasure. My next week will be spent finalizing the BILLCS Top 93 of 2023 and recording the accompanying radio show, and I’ll have more details on that next week. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits which focus on rock radio favourites by Canadian bands from 1977-1980. In case you missed them, you’ll also find out what are my #1 song and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.

The BILLCS New Music Report is always a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me at through my social media links right here.

KEIYNAN, “Sit Down”

The artist otherwise known as queer Australian multi-talent Keiynan Lonsdale was on a dance music tip a few years back with fine releases like “Gods Of The Disco’. He’s back with a new album called The Heart Defence Mixtape, in which he continues to put forward his authentic self, but more in an alternative pop setting with R&B flavours. It all works quite well with “Sit Down”, where his sensual vocal and songwriting really shine. The rest of the album takes cues from what has been presented recently by other performers like Steve Lacy, Master Peace or Jean Dawson, which fills The Heart Defence Mixtape to the brim with variety. Keiynan’s songs have really branched out with this release but it’s all quite focused deep down to the core. A lot of you who watched Keiynan on TV’s “The Flash” don’t know he’s also a professional dancer, so check out the video above.

ANGEL DISTRICT, BAZZLYNE, “Carry Me Home”

“Carry Me Home” is a feel-good electronic pop song that takes a dramatic turn in sound just after the two-thirds mark. Brought to you by Las Vegas producer/DJ Angel District in conjunction with Bazzlyne, it’s all about putting yourself first and looking after your well-being over anything else. It’s something that we all discover, sometimes the hard way, and Angel District beautifully articulates it in a song that has a similar angle and spirit to Troye Sivan’s “Take Yourself Home” (from his 2020 EP In A Dream). Just as you get comfortable with the vocal, music and tone of the song, the production shifts into dramatic future bass/dubstep territory – the cathartic emotional dam has burst for those of you who want to rage a bit. Overall it’s an unconventional but stellar production adding a few final words at the end to leave a lump in your throat.

SKRAM, “Serendripity”

Ignore the spell check, the song title is indeed “SerenDRIPity” and it’s brought to you by New Zealand alternative pop group Skram. The song is mood-changer with a wry sense of humour and wordplay all about being confident in who you are, particularly in public. Its video, above, uses clothing and makeup to support the song’s statement. Lead singer Henry Ashby has a wild and funny vocal style, but the release is an assured one featuring solid instrumentation and production. There’s an old school, busker-like vibe to the proceedings at times and you’re bound to have a great time listening to “Serendripity”.

CLOVERDALE, “Pump Up The Vibe”

Canadian electronic dance producer Cloverdale takes us into techno-flavoured overdrive with “Pump Up The Vibe”. It’s a fun club track that shows its roots in the 80’s techno house which brought us classics like “Pump Up The Volume” by M/A/R/R/S and “Beat Dis” by Bomb The Bass, and led to music by other popular artists like The Chemical Brothers and The Crystal Method. “Pump Up The Vibe” begs to be played either as a party starter or on the change-up to infuse high energy into a set. You can find it on Cloverdale’s recent EP This Is High Octane.

FAITH RICHARDS, “good girl”

Faith Richards is a pop/R&B singer currently based in Paris, France, and “good girl” is bound to tease out the little devil that we all have inside. She’s got a sultry and expressive vocal, accentuated amply by some simple production sounds. “good girl” is about the public face we put on, but that doesn’t mean putting us in a box or judging us by appearance. The old school hip hop beats in the background become same-sounding after a while, which leaves me wanting more variety to match the caliber of the vocal. Overall “good girl” is a fine showcase for Faith’s voice and her songwriting talents.

TANYA SHANKER, “Phoenix”

When listening to “Phoenix”, you would have no idea that Tanya Shanker is only 17. Hailing from Bangalore, India, Tanya actually released her first EP when she was 14. With an intentional powerhouse style similar to what we heard from Christina Aguilera in her early heyday, “Phoenix” provides an introduction to Tanya with a wallop. Some growth will be needed with her songwriting, as perhaps lyrics associated with the title mythical character have gone to the well a little too often in recent years. However this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of Tanya’s performance and how the story will be instantly relatable to other young people.

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 the comeback single for revered UK electronic trio Nero, “Truth”

“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK

“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online stations Radio GTA, Halton Hills Radio Online, & FM108.ca. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”.

“Hit Hollywood” is an infectious rocker by Toronto’s James Clark Institute from Under The Lampshade

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype” which can be heard on several online stations including Energy 885. Hunter’s also got a new show coming on the same station in January!

Luke Combs follows up “Fast Car” with “Where The Wild Things Are”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show heard Tuesdays on Planet Radio Canada. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.

Max Webster – Diamonds Diamonds (1977)
Triumph – Rocky Mountain Way (1977)
Rush – The Spirit Of Radio (1980)
April Wine – Roller (1980)
Prism – Armageddon (1979)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Bright Light Bright Light gets a second appearance at #1 with “Down To One”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Right now, I can’t get enough of “Lovin On Me” by Jack Harlow, which soars 25-3

#BILLCSTop30 #681 – December 18/23

It’s hard to believe in some ways that this is my last chart of 2023! Music now travels into our grasp at superspeed, and it’s hard to push pause long enough to enjoy the songs before the next sensation comes along. Towards the end of next week, I’ll begin publishing my Top 93 of 2023 and I’ll also be working on the accompanying radio program for the Top 30 of the year. Despite what I just said, for some reason there wasn’t a lot of turnover on the chart this year, and no song reached below #19. I’ll continue to honour my rule that songs can remain on the chart for up to 10 appearances (20 weeks), which only 10 songs achieved this year 😮

Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30

Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist

A couple of songs charge up the new chart, while we have four hopefuls arriving just in time for the new year. As well, a singer becomes the oldest living person to appear on this chart through a rebooted version of one of his minor chart records.

In the meantime, Bright Light Bright Light continues to rule the chart with the irresistible “Down To One”, in the same way that he did exactly 10 years ago with the always stunning “An Open Heart”.

One of those songs that makes short work of the chart actually soars 25-3 as the Fastest Riser, and that’s Jack Harlow’s insanely catchy and quick “Lovin On Me”, a number one both in the US and the UK, and in the Top 10 at Top 40 radio now. This isn’t the usual for me but I enjoy how playful and droll it is, and Jack’s delivery and flow are so smooth. A number one contender for the first chart of ’24? You betcha!! Jack also appears at #12 with Jung Kook on their collaboration “3D”.

“Top of the World” is one of many immensely infectious house tracks to grace the chart this year, brought to you by Swedish producer John Dahlbäck and Nashville-based vocalist/songwriter Davis Mallory, and climbs 5-4. Even better to make it this high on the chart, the song’s an independent release, like 40% of other songs on the chart.

Also a stalwart indie release with a great story angle is “Fan Of You” by Chicago producer Pete Cho, which climbs 7-5.

Miami producer Gt_ofice has two songs in the Top 10 this week. “Feels Like Us” (above), with fellow producer ALWZ SNNY and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, is a national dance radio Top 40 hit and leaps 12-6 over his other track “Can’t Deny” (with JAYEM and Alix Robson, below), which is up 9-8. “Feels Like Us” is Robbie’s 8th Top 10 entry.

Martin Garrix and Lloyiso move up 11-7 with their dance radio #1 “Real Love”, becoming Martin’s 10th Top 10 entry overall.

Electronic dance producer Audien gets a personal best on the chart as “Superhero” rises 13-9.

The other huge move on the chart belongs to British dance producers WH0, as “Rock The Party” has arrived at exactly the right part of the year to become a dance club favourite. It zips up the chart 28-10, just as WH0’s other track on the chart, the former #1 “What You Need” with Steve Angello, departs the Top 10. If you heard my New Music Pick of the Week segment last week, you found out that WH0 are now unmasked as Rob Chetcuti (who has been producing songs under a myriad of aliases) and Tom Cross.

Just outside of the Top 10 is Australian rockers Moonwood, who keep getting better and better with each release. “Curfew” climbs 16-11 and comes from their very good EP Curfew Hours.

If you follow Benson Boone’s socials, you may think like me that he has yet another big ballad on the way. I personally can’t get enough of them, and his latest release “To Love Someone” moves up 20-15.

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Cobi is off to a great start with a bluesy rock ballad from his recent EP Sugar Man called “Where We Belong”, which climbs 27-21.

Leading off the debuts is Veteran British progressive electronic trio Nero, who are back with their first new music in five years with the huge and bold “Truth”, which is the Highest Debut at #26. It’s their first appearance on this chart.

Next at #27 is the highly influential house music master Todd Terry with “What You Do” at #27. This song co-bills veteran pop/R&B singer Gene Chandler, age 86, who is best known for his 1962 #1 smash “Duke of Earl” as it transforms a minor single by Gene from 1966 called “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”. Gene becomes the oldest living person to appear on this chart. And Todd was on the chart five years ago exactly with his future #1 with A-Trak, “DJ’s Just Gotta Dance”.

At #28 marks the third appearance on the chart and first since 2015 for NYC duo Great Good Fine OK with “Blame”. GGFO is back in fine form with their brand of soulful dance/pop led by an exceptional Jon Sandler vocal.

Rounding out the debuts at #29 is veteran Dutch dance production duo (and brothers) Showtek with fellow Dutch denizens Sonny Wilson (a duo led by the same-named singer) and “Shine”, from Showtek’s recent album 360 Yellow. This is a bright, anthemic house track that stands apart from the rest on the album. It’s Showtek’s fifth appearance on the chart, which goes back almost 10 years exactly with their future #1 “Cannonball (Earthquake)” (with Justin Prime and Matthew Koma).

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

At Midnight EST on Saturdays, you can also hear my new “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s amazing “Top 40 Timeline” oldies show.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free.

“The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays, and my “Retro Pick of the Week” plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” at 4pm EST.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA. My pick of the week airs more than 30 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at this link.

Addictive Energy

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations and will be newly anchored at Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 starting in January!! You can hear recent episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.

FM 108

You can also listen to my “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules are up-to-date.

BILLCS New Music Report – December 13/23 spotlighting songs by @Cobimusic, @TheKnocks & @SofiTukker, Benjamin Russell & Rob Stuart @mtl_bar, Eric Rivero x @PuFFcornmusic x @RobbieRosenlive, @MaxEhrich & Thad Beaty @musicthatmoves1, and Nathalie Miranda @vocalfreaknat

As the music business winds down for the rest of the year, my regular blog posts will also be wrapping up next week, but will be followed by my Top 93 of 2023 and a concurrent Top 30 of 2023 radio special, which will air on select online radio stations. More about that to follow in the coming weeks! In the meantime, among my six selections this week in the Report, there are two new Christmas songs for your holiday playlists and celebrations.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits which focus on harder and more progressive well-known songs from the 70’s. And you’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30, 5-10-15-20 years ago!

The BILLCS New Music Report is always a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me at through my social media links right here.

COBI, “Sugar Man”

L.A.-based singer, songwriter and producer Cobi is back with a new EP, from which comes the title track “Sugar Man”. He’s one of my most written-about performers this year because of the ongoing development of his own sound, as well as the sheer quality of his indie releases. It’s a bluesy guitar-laden, well-sung rocker shrouded in mystery about a benefactor called Sugar Man who doesn’t come through to follow up and help when it’s needed. The EP also features five tracks, two about which I’ve written, the ballad “Where We Belong” (currently charting on the BILLCS Top 30) and “Good Morning”. You can hear from all of the songs in the EP how invested Cobi is in his music, and your time spent with them will be rewarded with some new favourites.

THE KNOCKS, SOFI TUKKER, “One on One”

In the free-flowing world of dance music, performers can almost always return to their home base of collaborators, and thus we have the first collaboration in a few years from NYC production duo The Knocks and their one time protégés, Sofi Tukker (who I saw together in concert in 2016). “One on One” is classic house music with a heavy old school disco groove that could have easily fit on The Knocks’ album 55 (and that 2015-16 era will make its comeback, mark my words!). Sophie Hawley-Weld’s vocal has only gotten more assured over the years, as was clearly evident on 2022’s WET TENNIS album, and the production has a lot of nice robust layers that enhance how polished the song sounds overall. The Knocks and Sofi Tukker are all so good at their craft and “One on One” just makes it sounds easy, which should generate immediate appeal for both clubs and dance radio airplay.

BENJAMIN RUSSELL, ROB STUART, “Driving Hollow”

Toronto-based producer/songwriter Rob Stuart and Montreal producer/singer/songwriter Benjamin Russell have made the most of 2023 releasing several projects, and their new four song EP Brighter Light follows up their earlier collaboration, Something in F Minor. I was drawn to “Driving Hollow” and its big, bass-filled, progressive electronic sound, reminiscent of work by Peter Gabriel (“Sledgehammer” and “Digging in the Dirt”) and Mike Oldfield (“Five Miles Out”). The story in “Driving Hollow”, as sung vividly by Benjamin, seems to be in a futuristic sci-fi setting, where something foreboding is in store for us if we don’t watch how we’re driving, as we’re told in cryptic electronic messages by what might be a “Nineteen Eighty-Four”-like government official. It’s an absorbing if unresolved listen that uses driving as a metaphor for how we navigate relationships.

ERIC RIVERO, PuFFcorn, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Lost In Love”

“Lost In Love” is an early 2010’s throwback to the big room house sound of the day, reminiscent of early work by the likes of Alesso, Hardwell and Deadmau5. It’s brought to you by Chicago-born producer Eric Rivero, Taiwanese producer PuFFcorn, along with the prolific NYC singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, currently riding up the BILLCS Top 30 with “Feels Like Us” (which is also Hunter Wilbur’s Bop of the Week, see below). It’s great to hear Robbie in this kind of a throwback setting, and the producers have created a tight, textbook flow for the song, whose euphoric melody, hand-in-hand with the positive theme of the lyrics, will keep listeners smiling and club goers dancing.

I don’t usually write about Christmas music, but you can feel free to add these two new ones to your favourite Christmas playlist.

MAX EHRICH, THAD BEATY, “All I Want Is You” (Big Sky remix)

A while back, I wrote about the recent affable hip hop/pop single by singer, actor and dancer Max Ehrich called “Backroads”. Although noted for his work years ago in TV soap opera “The Young & The Restless”, Max completed two film projects lately, “Southern Gospel” and for TV, “A Cowboy Christmas Romance”. “All I Want Is You” is the feature song for the latter film and veers away from the trendier sound of “Backroads” in favour of a country-flavoured, mostly acoustic ballad that this time shows off the natural timbre in Max’s affecting vocal. It’s a straight-forward, well-written song supported by veteran Nashville guitarist, producer and hitmaker Thad Beaty, who has worked mostly with Sugarland over the years but has appeared on stage with numerous A list stars.

NATHALIE MIRANDA, “Bring My Baby Back”

The absence of a loved one over the holidays, for one reason or another, can often be a let down, and Nathalie Miranda’s energetic plea to Santa Claus, “Bring My Baby Back”, is a breezy and uplifting request. A diminutive presence with a voice that packs a wallop, Nathalie hails from the UK and is of Greek Cypriot heritage. Her vocal in “Bring My Baby Back” reminds me of versatile 80’s performers Melissa Manchester or Vonda Shepard, and she has also recorded in Spanish (check out her recent single “Terremoto”). In the end we all hope our wishes like in “Bring My Baby Back” get granted which would make it a Merry Christmas indeed.