After scoring significant streaming success with the previous infectious single “Japanese Posters” to the tune of around 10 million streams across platforms, NYC indie rock project Rebounder brings you “Boy Friday”. The song may help anyone who is what I call in media res – in the middle of things – in their life, wanting to move forward, but not without remembering the past. So Rebounder manages to successfully channel these complicated thoughts and set it to music. And “Boy Friday” – whose video above offers a travelogue of downtown L.A. – makes a good casual listen, too. It features zippy guitar work and a mid-tempo funky melody, all of which reminds me of Paul Weller’s 80’s pop project The Style Council. Rebounder is led by singer Dylan Chenfeld, who has a likeable voice with a beautiful tone that shifts into slight falsetto, which is part of the song’s appeal. If you enjoy their buddies The Neighbourhood and Alfie Templeman, then you’ll know that “Boy Friday” will go down easy.
After returning home from a successful UK and European tour, Greyson Chance is moving forward boldly with songs from his upcoming album Palladium. He already gave us a taste with the warm and thoughtful softer title track, and now brings us the more ribald, energetic “Athena”. Appropriately, the song is about moving on and being determined to give it all, but still wanting a guiding force accompanying him. So, being a former student of ancient history himself, Greyson calls on the Roman goddess of wisdom and battle strategy to be along for the ride. “Athena” doesn’t mince any words and features one of Greyson’s most engaging vocals, and I’m sure it is going to be a crowd favourite and singalong when he tours North America later this year.
The music world is always a better place when there is a new Peter Foldy song in it! After dropping the auspiciously socially conscious, top notch “Toxic World” months before the pandemic began, the longtime L.A.-based Canadian talent (who is also a film director and producer) returns with the light and easy-going pop track “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Peter continues the trademark songwriting style that he developed through big domestic hits like “Bondi Junction” and “Roxanne”, with an engaging story as well as a hook that simply doesn’t miss. “Fun, Fun, Fun” accordingly has a tropical, summer vibe and it’s a song that you’ll continue to hum, hum, hum long after the good weather is gone.
After a series of engaging releases through to last month’s “Toxic” comes the latest from L.A. singer/songwriter Kacey Fifield and “Like Us”. With a mature sound and tight, uplifting production by Albania’s Marin Hoxha, “Like Us” scores a personal best to date for Kacey. Co-written once again with the illustrious Robbie Rosen, “Like Us” is a true pop anthem that encourages everyone to unite and stand up for being human. We all make mistakes, fall in and out of love, and don’t always make the right choices, but in the end we are “Us” and sometimes take for granted all of what we do right. “Like Us” boldly celebrates all of us, set to an engaging electronic pop backdrop, with Kacey the growing 17 year old voice to lead it. Be sure to give “Like Us” repeated plays and you’ll certainly feel great afterwards!
Meet Summer Ferguson, who performs as Summy, with her new single “Wish I Never Met You”. With a punchy, pitch-perfect vocal that recalls songs by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, the Arizona-born Summy eloquently sings about the aftermath of a past toxic relationship and the healing process that ensues. While there is lots of pain and sorrow between the verses, Summy uses her indie pop song to rise above what’s happened and share her experience with listeners in a sophisticated but direct approach. “Wish I Never Met You” never waivers and the steady, near-anthemic kind of melody makes the song inspiring rather than a downer. And stick around for the ending – a beautiful 20 second emotional vocal coda backed only by minimal piano that will certainly turn heads.
PAUL VAN DYK and CHRISTIAN BURNS, “But Not Tonight”
When two masters of their craft collaborate to remake a Depeche Mode song, you get a strong impression that it’s going to be something special. I was definitely pleased and surprised when I played “But Not Tonight” to find that it wasn’t an original. But Grammy winner Paul Van Dyk and well-respected vocalist (and producer too) Christian Burns have indeed transformed “But Not Tonight” into an emotional anthem. Paul was the first Grammy winner for Best Dance/Electronic album for Reflections back in 2003, and his classics amid a 25+ year career like “For An Angel”, “Nothing But You”, and my personal fave “Let Go” (#4 on my personal chart in 2008) still resonate today. Christian’s humble beginnings in British pop group BBMak (“Back Here”) led eventually to work with with ace producers like Tiësto (“In The Dark”, #3 on my personal chart in 2007) and BT, as well as his own solo releases, often in the Trance sub-genre. “But Not Tonight” is quite different from Depeche Mode’s original from the 1986 Black Celebration album. Paul has booted up the rhythm and Christian’s smooth and effortless voice takes the song to new heights. I’m sure I’ll be playing this one for years to come!
Although I have my past MAX favourites that will always stick with me, a new MAX era is upon us that began initially with “Gucci Bag” and continues with the slick and soulful “Wasabi”. It’s infectious songs like “Wasabi” that will continue to keep MAX as an in-demand name in concert, where he will always flourish thanks to dynamic and earnest performances which attract a dedicated audience. “Wasabi” is also accompanied by a unique and humorous video where MAX is kidnapped and wife Emily has to save him. So let’s just say that unexpected stuff goes down, and the video also features singer/actress Alison Stoner. MAX continues to ride his current and deserved wave of success, and I’m hopeful that his refreshing vocal in “Wasabi” might parlay the song onto Top 40 airwaves.
You can’t keep a good song away, and sometimes a refreshing update can give it new life all over again. You know Las Vegas-born Thomas Ian Nicholas from his role as Kevin Myers in the “American Pie” movie. When he’s not acting in film or movies, he performs and tours in his own rock band, The Thomas Nicholas Band. So Thomas has recalibrated Bowling For Soup’s 2005 Top 30 hit rendition of “1985” (which itself was a cover of a song by rockers SR-71) as “1999”. And, in conjunction with BFS, it works like a charm as a timely reflection on growing up in the 90’s instead of the 80’s. Light-hearted rock music like this always finds a soft spot with music audiences, and while “1999” is an independent release, I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t get its own due in some shape and form.
“Full Force” is another successful pop/dance collaboration between Italian producers Luca + Giam and Florida singer/songwriter Sam Merkin. It follows the insanely catchy “Hold Me Down”, which reached #3 on my personal chart a while back. These guys know how to tightly pack together multiple hooks with a strong melody, which could translate easily either to pop radio or to the dance floor. Clean and slick synth work and another strong vocal by Sam help make this one memorable, but with “Full Force” don’t be surprised if you find yourself inexplicably bopping around singing “da da da da-da da da da”, as you will…
Well in my recent trip to Las Vegas, I simply couldn’t go all beast mode and see all 9 concerts that were part of the package I bought, the schedule was just too relentless with afternoon and late evening shows. But I did get to see Tiësto (plus openers Luis Torres and Mia Moretti), The Chainsmokers, Dillon Francis, NGHTMRE, and Cash Cash (and opener Esther Anaya) – there were other openers too, but their names were not advertised. By far, Tiësto’s show was the best overall because of the gorgeous venue (Zouk), the effects, and the overall general feel good vibe, plus two outstanding openers – nice to see my fellow Canadian Luis Torres back (formerly of Dzeko & Torres!). Cash Cash provided an excellent set for a pool party, which included many of their own releases, and Esther Anaya was a great opening DJ, incorporating her own violin playing. NGHTMRE and Dillon Francis brought great energy to their shows, in fact NGHTMRE’s first half hour would have left anyone breathless, and Dillon Francis made DaRude’s classic “Sandstorm” a centrepiece highlight. While it was great to see The Chainsmokers again after 3 years, and for the show not to be exclusively a DJ set, it was marred somewhat by an excessively long wait, likely because the boys were travelling in from Toronto. But event organizers suggested we be there by 11:30 a.m., only to find The Chainsmokers did not come on stage till 3:30 pm! It was a wonderful experience, and I’ll certainly be back in Vegas again soon.
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I was not a fan of One Direction’s music and they never appeared on my chart. So if you told me more than 7 years ago that Harry Styles would get three #1’s on my chart, I would have thought you had lost your mind. But Harry has proven over three albums now that he is an amazing singer. That is most evident on Harry’s House on “Daydreaming”, which climbs 3-1, to follow “Lights Up” and “Adore You” at the top. “As It Was” just dropped off the chart after reaching #4, and perhaps it would have got to #1 had I not got burned on it through exposure everywhere, but I’m very happy for that song’s success.
I previously announced that “Daydreaming” and “Superstar” by Darin were my personal songs of summer, and fittingly, right in the middle of summer, both songs are back-to-back, with the breezy and effortless-sounding “Superstar” climbing 5-2.
Congratulations to Manila Killa on his top notch album release Dusk! I look forward to seeing him perform again in Toronto in October. Meanwhile, the title song from the album, in collaboration with Canada’s own Lights, rises 9-5.
Conan Gray breaks into the Top 10 for the first time with “Memories” moving up 11-7.
I can’t say that I’m a fan of the Renaissance album, but “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé is still one hot track, climbing 14-8.
Toronto’s Francesco Yates has the Fastest Riser on the chart with the rocking “Jimi” rising 24-11. You can catch Francesco across North America opening for the Backstreet Boys on tour.
Javi’s glorious cover of Sade’s “Cherish The Day” closes in on the Top 10 by climbing 18-12.
Sweden’s Louis Pax have a fun pop bop called “Ophelia”, their second chart entry, moving up 21-15.
As Frankmusik continues to re-record songs from his 2009 album Complete Me, his “completed” new version of “Confusion Girl” moves up 23-17. It’s his 16th chart entry, which includes one recorded under the pseudonym Vincent Did It.
“You” by UK/Irish producers Menrva and sensational U.S. vocalist MOYA is well on its way, making a nice 29-21 jump.
Providing some Madonna-esque retro vibes is Canadian-German duo Lola Dutronic, whose fun “Let’s All Dance (Our Last Summer)” rises 30-23.
Four new entries are led by veteran NYC vocalist Petawane with his beautiful multi-decade tribute to soul songs and singers called “Music”, which bows at #22. The song is getting splendid reaction especially in the UK, which continues to have a thriving soul music scene. Watch out for this one!
Next at #26 is “Free Yourself” by Jessie Ware, who continues on the dance/house tip with a new song that once again features an excellent vocal. Maybe the Grammys will recognize her at last next year? It’s her 12th chart entry, including her initial appearance, a feature on a re-release of Miguel’s “Adorn”.
Orangeville brothers and producers DVBBS return to the chart with the melodic “Summer Nights” at #28. This one is already a Top 30 radio hit in Canada, made especially strong being a collaboration with blog mainstay Brandyn Burnette! It’s DVBBS’ fourth entry on the chart and first since 2016. It’s Brandyn’s 19th as a lead or featured artist. He’s also had entries under his moniker EMAN8 and as one half of Cosmos & Creature. “Summer Nights” is also DVBBS’ first independent release since before their “Tsunami” days.
The fourth entry is the arpeggio-filled and emotional dance track “Stained Glass” by German producer Severman, Indian producer Arshan Joel, and NYC vocalist Robbie Rosen at #29. It’s a first time entry for the two producers, and is prolific Robbie’s 9th entry in under two years, which already resulted in a #1 last year with “Sanctuary” with Dutch producer Howen.
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! Links to all stations appear later in this section in blue.
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.
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.
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.
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” now airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA.
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