BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

I’m glad major record labels are starting to get underneath the fast emergence of AI in the industry before it can do more harm than good. I believe in AI as a tool that can assist musicians and make their work unique. It should never be considered as a substitution for the work of humans. There are many opportunists who have already seen AI as a huge money grab, and they will be stopped in their tracks. What I hope is that indie labels will follow the lead of the industry and not look for the usual loop holes to make money without using real artists to make music. People are not musicians if they sit at a computer and play with AI to get results to replace artistry.

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 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 takes us back to that grand year of music, 1969, for his Classic Five selections. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll also find out which songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30. 

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

STARSIGNS, LINNEY, “Scorpio (Talk to The Stars)”

About the artists: Starsigns is the collective of American-Asian dance producers Manila Killa, MYRNE, and yetep. Caitlin Linney is a prolific American singer/songwriter who has collaborated with Manila Killa and yetep. before, but also many other producers like Robbie Rivera, Tritonal, Gareth Emery, and MiTiS. Starsigns’ first release in 2024, “Leo (Flicker)”, with George Gleeson, got to #3 on the BILLCS Top 30.

About the record: “Scorpio (Talk to the Stars)” is a big and bouncy trance-and-techno influenced dance track that returns Starsigns to their astrology-themed songs after a bit of a break. The way the song builds up to its drops is classic contemporary dance music song structure, and Linney’s vocal is enticing and mysterious as is befitting to the Scorpio sign. The song easily stands out amid the current onslaught of sped-up releases and those with uncredited and likely AI vocalists (currently being cut off at the knees by most of the biz, but sadly not yet streaming platforms). The producers in Starsigns have been around long enough to know high calibre releases like this featuring real talent always win.

Other comments: Starsigns has so far tackled half of the 12 astrological signs in songs, through their EP’s Fire Signs and Air Signs.

TRIVECTA, vanru, “Before I Go”

About the artists: Trivecta is Florida-based electronic producer Sam Dobkin, known for pushing boundaries in the future bass sub-genre, collaborating with such notables as Seven Lions, Wooli, SLANDER, and Last Heroes, and remixing songs for the likes of Illenium. vanru is a new British singer/songwriter whose real name is Rupert Blackman.

About the record: For “Before I Go”, Trivecta steps away from harder future bass sounds, in favour of a fast-paced emotional house track, certainly one of his best releases. Newcomer vanru has one of those instantly likeable and recognizable voices that we’ll be hearing again and again just as you have with other singers like Justin Jesso, J.T. Roach or Dylan Matthew. “Before I Go” works on all levels and could easily be a highlight in a club or festival set.

Other comments: “Before I Go” also marks a return for Trivecta to the Monstercat label, for which he has recorded numerous songs during the last decade.

MICO, eaJ, “Ever After”

About the artists: Mico is Toronto-born singer/songwriter/actor Miguel Veluso, known for his Canadian radio hit from 2022, the fun and anthemic “Cut My Hair”, and from his participation in the streaming musical TV series EPIC: The Musical. He has released one album (in three iterations, including live tracks) and a number of EP’s to date. eaJ is American-Asian singer Jae Park, who was previously a member of the K-Pop group Day6.

About the record: “Ever After” is a bright and hopeful release that combines the vocal talents of Mico and eaJ, who simply sound great together. The energy in this record is contagious and it will have you bopping along solidly for all of its nearly three minute length. I’m not on Tik Tok, which may explain why my home town guy Mico dropped off my radar, but he obviously has fans in Europe, where he is currently touring. But “Ever After” should have no problem reigniting his presence at radio, and eaJ’s presence is simply gravy.

Other comments:  “Ever After” is also the first release for Mico on Columbia Records, so hopefully good things come out of this new deal.

MRKO, ALIX ROBSON, “My Life”

About the artists:  MRKO is an L.A. dance producer (aka Marco Galli) who has released a number of singles in 2025, including “Gonna Do” (with Sophia May) which I wrote about earlier this year. Alix Robson is not only the managing director of a recording facility in England, she has been a go-to vocalist for several producers including 4 Strings, The Disco Fries, and Tom Ferry, and has collaborated with Sam Smith, Olly Murs, and many others.

About the record: MRKO dips into classic house rhythms with a funky, early 2010’s edge for “My Life” in a fresh-sounding, tidy production. It’s highlighted by Alix Robson’s soaring vocal – she’s been compared to several singers such as Leona Lewis for her range. Her power and soulful finesse remind me of Clementine Douglas, and I remember her from GT_Ofice’s 2023 track “Can’t Deny” (which reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30). “My Life” could give any house set a lift in clubland.

Other comments: You can also check out the extended version of “My Life” at the following link:  My Life

KLAAS, “Pulling Me Into Love”

About the artist:  Klaas Gerling is a German producer who rose to fame with his 2008 remix of Guru Josh’s “Infinity” and later got his own #1 record with a rework of Londonbeat’s “I’ve Been Thinking About You” in 2019. He has also worked with many other producers such as The Bodybangers and Like Mike & Dimitri Vegas.

About the record: “Pulling Me Into Love” is a fast-paced, big room-flavoured dance bop that features solid, uncredited female vocals that are sped up a bit for the chorus.  The song is really a quick tease at only 2:16 and features some signature Klaas production sounds. It’s a seamless European dance record for sure, but we need an extended mix (which is likely out there somewhere)!

Other comments: For this release, Klaas has collaborated again with top-drawer songwriter Daniel Volpe, who has been mentioned in my blog numerous times since its inception. 

TALKING VIOLET, “Destroy”

About the artist: Talking Violet is an alternative rock quartet from Windsor, Ontario, formed in 2018, which falls into the dreampop sub-genre. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jillian Goyeau, guitarist/vocalist Jayden Turnbull, bassist Dylan Iannicello, and drummer Jeremie Brousseau.

About the record:  Fans of 80’s and 90’s art-pop groups from England like The Cocteau Twins and The Sundays will adore Talking Violet’s “Destroy”. The song’s about two people who can’t be together, yet can’t stay apart – “Do you miss me / Like I miss you / We destroy each other”. The difference between Talking Violet and other current similar bands is the lack of keyboards, much in keeping with the organic and ethereal 80’s and 90’s sound. “Destroy” provokes you in bits and pieces, which makes you keep coming back to hear more, ultimately working as a whole, which rewards your patience and attention.

Other comments: Talking Violet have released two independently released albums to date and continue to perform locally in Windsor.

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. 

It’s Australian rockers Moonwood with “Where Are The Kids?”

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.

Top 40 Timeline is a repeat this week, so the retro pick will return next week.

“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”.

It’s Canadian musician Steve Mahabir with “Away”, which Big Daddy says reminds him of the music of Murray McLauchlan

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 has now moved to 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 The Magician’s very catchy “Night to Night” and its sample from Baltimora’s 80’s smash “Tarzan Boy”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Lou Christie – I’m Gonna Make You Mine
The Archies – Bang Shang-a-Lang
The 5th Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues
Peter, Paul & Mary – Leaving On A Jet Plane
Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

“Friends Don’t” by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith continues its stay at the top

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

It’s Will Swinton’s “Find a Way”, which climbs 26-19

Kicking off the last month of the year is a new BILLCS Top 30, which will be the second last chart that counts towards my year end list. I’ll be working on that and its accompanying online radio special over the next few weeks. November has been a rather quiet month release-wise (December will be quieter), which allows three more indie songs to jump on to the chart, making more than half the chart by indie releases!

Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly 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.

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

Wishing Alexander Stewart a speedy recovery from a bout of pneumonia he contracted while touring in Europe, and had to cancel a few concert dates. The music industry is demanding, and artists must look after their health first. In the meantime, Alexander and Lauren Spencer Smith get a second appearance at #1 with “Friends Don’t” (above). After seeing Alexander’s local show last November 30, apparently I put it out there on social media about how much I’d love to see “Friends Don’t” get a release. And it did, but as a duet rather than a solo track. Following it up from his album What If is “The Way a Heart Breaks” (below).

Closing in again on #1 after a rousing performance of “Vodka Cranberry” (in its last appearance on the chart at #9) at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last week is Conan Gray with the song that to me anchors his album Wishbone, “Eleven Eleven” (4-2).

TELYKast has had two previous #1’s at year’s end, in 2021 it was “Unbreakable” and in 2024 it was “Surrender Your Love”. Though it has fierce competition ahead, their track with Sweden’s Oaks, “Super Powers”, jumps 9-5.

I’ll tell ya, “Fake It” by Polar Bears & Jay Mason is one hard song to shake. The catchy deep house track rises 8-6.

Spain-based American singer Reigen is now four-for-four on the chart as his Spanish-language dance party track, “Quiero Bailar”, becomes his latest Top 10 entry, moving up 11-7.

Getting his 5th Top 10 entry is Juno Award winning dance producer Felix Cartal with “Summer Rain” (12-10), a collaboration with US singer/songwriter Reo Cragun.

Climbing 15-11 is “Run – Disco”, the unearthed Donna Summer track originally recorded in 2008 and given 2025 lustre by producers Mousse T and Toby Gad.

One of the most irresistible songs out there that deserves more attention is “Night to Night” by The Magician, which creates a new song around the chorus of 1986’s “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora, and climbs 19-13.

The fastest riser on the chart is the thoughtful “Find a Way” by New Zealand-born alternative rocker Will Swinton, which soars 26-19.

The other debuts from the previous chart also move up respectfully with six point jumps for “Flip the Record” (above), a bluesy rocker by Greyson Chance (27-21) with his second chart entry joining #4 “Summertrain ’25”, and “Addicted” (below) by alternative lo fi pop/hip hop duo N i G H T S (28-22).

Australian rock quintet Moonwood return to the chart with their 3rd entry, “Where Are The Kids?” as the highest debut at #26. The song fleshes out the group’s tight sound with more keyboards this time and an early 2000’s flavour.  Their track “Curfew” got to #5 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2023. Check out the video for “Where Are The Kids?” at the following link:  Kids

Next at #27 is a super-cool deep house track that’s full of hooks, “Holding On” by Dallas-based MashBit, NYC’s Luke Alexander, and Montreal producer/vocalist sunsett. (who usually records as Rico 56). MashBit previously appeared on the chart earlier in the year with his VIP remix of Angrybaby’s “Back to Life”, which reached #2. Rico 56 got to #6 in 2023 with fellow Canadians Luis Torres and DLMT (who has since rebranded as Dansyn) with “Wildfire”.

At #28 is the third chart entry for Windsor, Ontario pop/rock multi-talent MELØ, the early 80’s rock-flavoured “New Way of Missing You”. His previous entry, the infectious “I Don’t Speak French”, reached #7 earlier this year. Check out the video for “New Way of Missing You” at the following link: New Way

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Halton Hills Radio Online

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 evening at 6 pm EST. 

My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule. 

On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. 

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada 

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, powered by www.xstreamrockradio.com with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.  The show repeats on Alberta’s www.katpowerhit.ca on Wednesdays at 6pm EST. 

Lake Online Radio

Chicago’s Lake Online Radio now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Sundays at Midnight EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. You can also hear the new music pick on Hunter’s other show Fridays at 8pm EST on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio.

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! Schedules are updated regularly.

Forgive me while I editorialize a bit. For now, I’m done with club culture as it is. Having been to dance clubs in Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Toronto post-pandemic, I can tell you that many of the biggest DJ/producers who play the largest club venues in those cities are now being heavily influenced by streaming for their sets. It’s just too easy, and it’s a cash grab.

Pre-pandemic sets were much more original, featuring ID’s or excerpts of songs which caused immediate reaction and some of which are still used today. But post-pandemic, ID’s and excerpts of dance tracks from yore now dominate these sets. No matter the DJ/producer, you WILL hear them anywhere you go. You know the songs – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”, “Sandstorm”, “Take Over Control”, “Rather Be”, and others. You’ll hear new and older songs by the DJ/producers in their own sets. Unless they are big buddies with the DJ/producers, there isn’t much in the way of music played by new artists. And we’re paying even more money to see these shows which are often augmented by effects, lasers and such.

So unless these DJ/producers start reinventing themselves and become less lazy – Tiësto, at age 56, returning to the trance style that broke him out worldwide more than 20 years ago is a good sign – I’ll only go to clubs to see unique shows by artists who have carved out their own lane to attact music fans who want to be there – John Summit and Gareth Emery are good examples – rather than casual streaming listeners attending with equally disinterested friends just for the experience of hearing remixes of too-familiar songs. Armin van Buuren making millions from touring over the years and recently saying EDM is dead instead of doing something about it is not helpful. And I feel bad too for those just coming of age to attend clubs for the first time.

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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 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 choices are lit up with a selection of songs released between 1979 and 1986. Since the Report didn’t publish last week, I’ve also added last week’s new music and retro picks, as well as the songs that are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30. And to cap it off, I have a BILLCS Top 30 Flashback Chart to 2019!

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

DIMENSION, KAREN HARDING, “Guardian Angel”

About the artists:  Dimension is British dance producer Robert Etheridge, who has been releasing music for the last 13 years and has worked with such artists as Chase & Status, Sub-Focus, Poppy Baskcomb, and Alison Wonderland. Karen Harding is the Queen of British House Music about whom I’ve written many times, noted for her hits “Say Something”, “Undo My Heart” (with Digital Farm Animals) and “Need Your Love” (with Felix Cartal).

About the record: “Guardian Angel” is an uplifting anthem bop that is sure to make dance festival goers stop in their tracks. Dimension has revved up drum ‘n bass beats for this one, and Karen works her vocal magic to elevate the song into something special. “Guardian Angel” can’t miss for club DJ’s or dance music radio stations. Fans of recent dance music tracks with vocalists Hayla and Clementine Douglas will revel in this one.

Other comments: Dimension and Karen Harding have also collaborated with British producers/songwriters Billen Ted (Nathan Evans, MNEK, Joel Corry, Becky Hill) for this one for Ministry of Sound.

PARTY PUPILS, little luna, “Little Lies”

About the artists: Party Pupils is the dance production project of L.A.-based Ryan Siegel, which originated with singer/songwriter MAX back in 2016, with whom several songs and an EP have been released, most notably 2020’s “Set Me Free” with Oliver Heldens. little luna is a rising singer/songwriter who has been releasing her own music for the last five years, and has been opening for such performers as 5 Seconds of Summer and the Steve Miller Band.

About the record: Reimagining Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Little Lies” as a pop/dance track and having it work as well as it does is a major coup for Party Pupils and little luna. It’s instantly likeable thanks to little luna’s reverence to the original vocal by the late Christine McVie without being a direct copycat – without that, it simply wouldn’t work. Musically, it all works well too, with production and effects that do not overwhelm or weigh down the song, while adding in welcome harmonies to make “Little Lies” a treat all over again.

Other comments: While dance music fans will enjoy it, I’m happy to also pitch this cover of “Little Lies” to fans of Christine and Fleetwood Mac, who may even get the most out of it.

JORDAN ANTHONY, “Hurt Me Sooner”

About the artist: 20 year old Singer/songwriter/pianist Jordan Anthony is based in L.A. but hails from Perth, Australia, where he was a contestant as a teenager on his country’s versions of The Voice and American Idol, as well as its representative at EuroVision Junior.

About the record: I’ve written about Jordan’s most recent singles, but “Hurt Me Sooner” may yet be the best to date. His powerful vocal here has soulful edges in a compelling retrospective “what if” breakup story. Jordan says, “Sometimes the worst thing we can do is try to deny how we feel. I hope this song helps someone sit with their emotions instead of running from them, to feel the feels and start to heal.” He’s particularly inspired by Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, but could easily find fans who enjoy newer artists like Alexander Stewart too.

Other comments: Part of Jordan’s success in Australia had to do with exposure and visibility, so let’s hope he can continue to gain momentum to perform live shows in North America and the rest of the world.

PAUL HETHERINGTON, “Cruel” (7th Heaven radio edit)

About the artist: Based in Melbourne, Australia, Paul Hetherington is a singer/songwriter who hit his stride in 2024, after spending years trying to find his niche, with the Dave Audé remix of “Dirty Mind” and the 7th Heaven remix of “The Thrill of the Chase”. Both songs acquired dance music chart numbers in the UK as well as attention in Australia.

About the record: While Paul didn’t write “Cruel” – it’s a cover of a New Zealand hit by Dane Rumble – it’s a brilliant song that shows off his solid interpretation into the 80’s-flavoured pop/dance style that he is achieving. The slick production is by Jon Dixon of 7th Heaven, and over the years 7th Heaven have worked with just about every major pop name under the sun – Cher, Donna Summer, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, Take That, which is only the start. Overall it’s flushed with a Europop sound that never gets stale.

Other comments: An extended version of “Cruel” and remix EP are coming soon.

JORGE WILSON, “Gemini”

About the artist:  Jorge Wilson is an independent pop/rock artist from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Since launching as a solo artist in 2023 after being part of a band, Jorge is only three singles deep.

About the record: There’s no doubt that Jorge Wilson has a flair for writing a punchy, groove-heavy song with “Gemini”. You’re sold within the first 20 seconds, which gives you the benefit of listening for a wicked guitar solo and to a story about self-discovery. “Gemini” has multiple meanings, some of which are explored in the song, but the focus is on duality – at different stages in our lives, when faced with different situations and decisions, we sometimes discover another “person” within ourselves that we never knew existed. Jorge has a fine voice and “Gemini” is a great song by which to get to know him.

Other comments: “Gemini” at times bears a passing resemblance melody-wise to Bryan Adams’ “Run to You”. It’s very promising and this Gemini certainly want to hear more.

GLASSIO, “When The Beat Carries On”

About the artist:  Glassio (aka Sam Radseresht) is an American DIY talent based out of London who has been releasing music for nearly 10 years and has over 10 million streams thus far.

About the record: “When The Beat Carries On” is a gentle slice of dreamy, authentic, alternative pop that uses the idea of a continuous beat throughout all stages of discovery and rediscovery in our lives. Certain things will always be constants, and all of us would be lost if they changed. So instead, through all of our ups and downs and reinventions, there will always beats and music. Glassio doesn’t rush the process, he lets the whimsical, sometimes anthemic earworm of a melody play out underneath the story. The song is positive solace to which you can turn when you need to get your head into a different space.

Other comments: Glassio’s next album, The Imposter, arrives on February 25, 2026.

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. 

This week’s pick:

“Flip the Record” is a blues-flavoured rock track by Greyson Chance

Last week’s pick:

“Find a Way” by tall, gravelly-voiced New Zealand-born alternative rock singer Will Swinton

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 pick:

The Gene Pitney-penned “He’s a Rebel” by The Crystals – or rather Darlene Love & The Blossoms – from 1962

Last week’s pick:

Bobby Darin’s classic “Mack the Knife”, which was #1 for 9 weeks in 1959

“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”.

Big Daddy thinks that Justin Jesso’s hook-filled “Stuck in the Middle” would be a Top 10 hit in another time and place

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 has now moved to 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 Jacob Collier’s rendition of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Fine Young Cannibals – Johnny Come Home (1986)
Falco – Vienna Calling (1986)
Bee Gees – Love You Inside Out (1979)
Pretenders – Middle Of The Road (1983)
John Mellencamp – Pink Houses (1983)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

No surprise – “Friends Don’t” by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith grabbed the top spot this week

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

It’s “Super Powers” by TELYKast and Oaks (19-9), a recent national dance radio #1 release

BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2019

So much has happened in six years, yet a lot of these songs still seem quite fresh!

07 01 LIGHTS UP Harry Styles
02 02 LIKE LIKE (OKJAMES remix) Lostchild
01 03 DREAMER Throttle
05 04 BREAKING HEARTS Benedict Cork
06 05 DREAMLAND Pet Shop Boys, Years & Years
09 06 FLICKER Anden
08 07 DON’T BREAK MY HEART AGAIN (Stormby Edit) Peter Wilson
11 08 WHO’S GONNA LOVE U Ryan Shepherd, Heather Janssen
12 09 FAMILY AFFAIR The Disco Fries
13 10 FAITH Galantis,Dolly Parton, Mr. Probz
03 11 I’M NOT ALRIGHT Loud Luxury, Bryce Vine
15 12 BROKEN ONES Illenium, Anna Clendening
16 13 PUNCHING IN THE DARK Hellberg, Aloe Blacc
19 14 MAD Brandon Colbein
17 15 ACID DREAMS  MAX, Felly
18 16 WALK ALONE The Him
22 17 I FEEL LOVE Sam Smith
04 18 ON THE WAY UP 2.0  Apollo LTD
27 19 TOXIC WORLD Peter Foldy
23 20 WILL WE TALK Sam Fender
NEW 21 SHIVOHUM Tritonal, Henry Dark
10 22 PUSH Kazaky, Gaspar
14 23 THOSE WERE THE DAYS Midnight Kids, Jared Lee
NEW 24 DON’T GIVE UP Gramatik, Ryan Shaw, Probcause
20 25 RITUAL Tiesto, Jonas Blue, Rita Ora
21 26 POOLSIDE VIBE Pretty Sister, MarcLo
NEW 27 IF WE NEVER MET John.k
NEW 28 TAKE OFF Retrovision
24 29 HERE U R Win & Woo, Sara Skinner
25 30 TOUGH LOVE Avicii, Agnes, Vargas & Lagola

 

Two of my fellow Canadians – one from my city – score their first #1’s on the BILLCS Top 30, and are also the first Canadians to reach the top in over a year!

REMINDER: I’ll be travelling to Las Vegas this week, so there is no BILLCS New Music Report on Wednesday.

Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly 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.

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

Toronto’s Alexander Stewart and Nanaimo’s Lauren Spencer Smith reach the summit this week with their incredible duet “Friends Don’t”. I won’t mind if Alexander sings it solo when I see his show again in March, but maybe we’ll get a duet! The song comes from his top notch album What If. It’s so rare that a singer from my city gets to the top of my chart, so I’m quite delighted about this. The last Canadian #1 on the chart was “feel less” by Felix Cartal and Lights in mid-2024, and the last act from Toronto to reach #1 was Frank Walker with Loud Luxury (who are from London, Ontario, though Toronto often calls them its own) and “Like Gold” in early 2021. You can also check out another stunning album track from Alexander’s What If, the heart-wrenching “The Boy I Almost Was”, below.

DJ Martinee and France Joli’s powerhouse disco track, 2025 style, “My Everlasting Love”, continues to rise, moving up 5-3.

Although “Vodka Cranberry” leaves #1 after a month at the top (2 appearances), the exhilarating album track from Wishbone, “Eleven Eleven” by Conan Gray, zips into the Top 5, up 11-4. Might we find Conan at the top of the chart again sometime soon?

Greyson Chance has now completed his 6 week South East Asia tour, and added on “Summertrain ’25” (above, which climbs 10-5) to a limited vinyl release of his 2019 album Portraits. It’s his first Top 5 entry since 2022’s “Black Mascara”. He also gets a second concurrent chart entry with his bluesy and emotional “Flip The Record” (below), which arrives at #27.

L.A. producers TELYKast have the Fastest Riser on the chart with their North American dance radio #1, “Super Powers” (19-9), with Swedish singer/songwriter Oaks. It’s their 5th Top 10 entry.

The third new entry to the Top 10 is “Zombie” by Yungblud, which climbs 12-10. Best wishes to Yungblud while he takes care of his well-being after having to cancel some North American tour dates. He also just received 3 Grammy nominations, including one for “Zombie”.

Madrid-based American singer/songwriter Reigen’s festive Spanish language track “Quiero Bailar” is making short work of the chart, up 20-11 this week.

“Summer Rain” advances 17-12 and looks to be yet another Top 10 entry in the making for Juno Award winning Canadian dance producer Felix Cartal, with vocal by American singer Reo Cragun.

The bright and friendly pop sounds of Toronto-based multi-talent Creighton Doane’s “Need a Friend” (23-18) is yours to check out and listen to a relatable song about a lonely individual who gets helped out through the kindness of others.

The hook and verse from Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” are hard to resist in The Magician’s wonderful new track “Night to Night”, which rises 26-19.

“RUDEBOI” is the fun drum ‘n bass track by new L.A. dance producer HISSTERIA, and climbs 24-20. It’s a bit more of a novelty, but his new single “SNOBS” will certainly make you smile, so give it a listen below.

L.A.-based, New Zealand-born Will Swinton is back with his second chart entry of 2025, “Find a Way” at #26.  It’s his third overall, following “Harmless” (#2 in 2024) and this year’s “Flames” (#8).

And the final debut is “Addicted” by the Philadelphia indie duo with the distinct lo-fi hip hop flavoured sound, N i G H T S. It bows at #28 and is their 5th chart entry, following last year’s “Hopeless” (#6).

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Halton Hills Radio Online

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 evening at 6 pm EST. 

My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule. 

On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. 

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada 

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, powered by www.xstreamrockradio.com with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.  The show repeats on Alberta’s www.katpowerhit.ca on Wednesdays at 6pm EST. 

Lake Radio Online

Chicago’s Lake Radio Online now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Sundays at Midnight EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. You can also hear the new music pick on Hunter’s other show Fridays at 8pm EST on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio.

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! Schedules are updated regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you love new music but don’t know any of the artists about whom I’ve written today, that’s all the more reason to check out today’s selections in the Report, which range from contemporary disco to edgy alternative rock. I will be vacationing in Las Vegas next week, so there will be no Report, and it will return on Thursday November 27.

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 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 choices all come from the early 80’s. You’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

PACIFICA, “Indie Boyz”

About the artist:  Pacifica is the Buenos Aires, Argentina alternative rock duo of Inés Adam and Martina Nintzel, who were internet friends before a further in-person meeting in New York City led to them releasing music together. 

About the record: “Indie Boyz” displays its 90’s and 00’s roots in grunge and garage rock proudly. From the memorable, crunchy bass work through to the swaggery, droll vocal, Pacifica has crafted a light-hearted, vibey song that stands out and will hold your attention. The duo aptly calls it an “ode to late-night indie sleaze”, and you’ll want to hear more.

Other comments: “Indie Boyz” comes from Pacifica’s third album called In Your Face.

JAVI, “Carnivore”

About the artist: Javi is an L.A.-based multi-talent of Puerto Rican and Latin heritage whose pop/R&B/dance songs have appeared a bunch of times in these blog pages through both originals and covers like Sade’s “Cherish The Day”.

About the record: “Carnivore” might just be Javi’s most striking release yet. It’s an immersive and haunting story about vampirism, full of seductive rhythms, catchy wordplay, and a compelling vocal from the singer. The best way to check out this enticing song may just be to set aside 6 minutes for its video story to unfold. It’s beautifully shot and features some fine choreography, and a magnetic screen presence by Javi, using his tall, imposing figure to full effect, at the following link:  Carnivore

Other comments: Javi releases a handful of songs every year and perhaps “Carnivore” will help make them be more frequent.

MGR. MIKE, “Heaven” and “Light It Up (Soul Fire)”

About the artist: Nashville-based MGR.MIKE creates new iterations of 70’s disco as well as similarly inspired events to make people want to dance. He’s already appeared on the BILLCS Top 30, peaking at #4 earlier this year with the unique and inspiring “The Message” (with Mexican producer Milton V).

About the records: “Heaven” and “Light It Up (Soul Fire)” have been released in quick succession, and I couldn’t decide which one to write about, so they both win!  “Heaven” is hugely reminiscent of classic 70’s instrumentals like “The Hustle” with an invested hook and melody that will keep you grooving though there are no vocals or words. “Light It Up (Soul Fire)” captures the essence of energetic, anthemic 70’s R&B-flavoured releases led by (uncredited) female vocals through such artists as Chic, The Pointer Sisters, and First Choice. Both are well-defined and there’s enough contemporary disco flavour for those music fans looking for something fresh. Check ’em both out and see if you like one better than the other.

Other comments: MGR. MIKE is performing in Toronto on Saturday, November 15 at Spaghetti Disco, 1166 Dundas Street West (doors are at 11pm).

KACEY FIFIELD, “Out of Mind”

About the artist: Kacey Fifield is a NYC-based, L.A.-raised singer/songwriter/guitarist whose songs have appeared many times in these blog pages – can it be five years already?? This has allowed me to watch her progress from teenage collaborator to a confident adult solo artist who likes to take risks, moving from electronic pop and ballads to dramatic-sounding rock.

About the record: “Out of Mind” is her most cutting and edgy release to date in all departments – vocally, musically and lyrically. Producer Riley Aki pushes all boundaries here, opting for a sometimes deliberately muddy sound, in turn acting as an effect for Kacey’s vocal. There’s plenty of shredded guitar work happening in the song about being “metaphorically haunted by an ex”. It’s a cathartic and exciting release, certainly one of Kacey’s best ones to date, and shows a lot of obvious recent growth.

Other comments: Next up is a horror-themed video for “Out of Mind” (since it was released on Hallowe’en), and a new EP in 2026.

THE GOLD NEEDLES, “Turns to Gold”

About the artist:  The Gold Needles are a pop/rock quintet from Kingston-upon-Hull in East Yorkshire, England that was formed in 2015 featuring the lead vocals of guitarist Simon Dowson, and has released three albums to date. The band’s style samples a bevy of influences, from 70’s punk rock through to 80’s west coast new wave era rock.

About the record:  “Turns to Gold” follows up “Supernature”, which I wrote about earlier this year, and has a jaunty, carefree melody that could have easily stepped out of 1979 or 1980. Simon’s vocal remind me of a mix of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford of Squeeze, Andy Partridge of XTC, and Ric Ocasek of The Cars. The focus of this track is on electric guitar, courtesy of splendid work by member Dave Burbidge, with particular inspiration from Thin Lizzy. The song is about what I call “playing the music industry biz game” – getting burned along the way, developing a strong sense of cynisism, and learning from it all. They make a heavy topic for musicians light, enjoyable, and refreshing for listeners to soak in.

Other comments: The Gold Needles’ fourth album and first in four years, Mood Elevator, arrives on December 12.

GEORGIA BLACK, “Kicks”

About the artist:  Georgia Black is an alternative pop singer from London who infuses her songs with R&B and jazz flavours and has been releasing music for about 7 years. She is also an actor, having performed in Punchdrunk’s acclaimed theatre production “The Drowned Man”.

About the song: While she is in good company with other contemporary jazz/pop vocalists like Norah Jones, Samara Joy and Madeleine Peyroux, Georgia Black has her own flair through which she spins her own love stories like “Kicks”. Her style is dreamy and escapist but not without a bit of punch and edge. She’s clearly a versatile talent and “Kicks” is only one glimpse of that.

Other comments: “Kicks” is culled from Georgia’s debut album Rope, which you can explore to find out more, and you can check out the video for “Kicks” at the following link:  Kicks

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. 

The Magician samples Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” in “Night to Night”

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.

It’s the Oscar-winning “Theme From ‘Shaft'” by Isaac Hayes (1971)

“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”.

It’s Eagle-Eye Cherry with “Chasing Down a Dream”

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 has now moved to 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.

DJ Hunter wishes us all a belated 11:11:11 through Conan Gray’s “Eleven Eleven”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, returning on November 18) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Lionel Richie – You Are (1983)
Christopher Cross – All Right (1983)
Doug & The Slugs – Who Knows How (1983)
Billy Joel – You May Be Right (1983)
BB Gabor – Jealous Girl (1981) (You Tube link)

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  HOUSE IS HAPPINESS, Stan Sax

02  UNDO MY HEART, Karen Harding, Digital Farm Animals

03  TYPE LIKE THAT, Pawl, Discrete

04  ONE LAST SONG, Benedict Cork

05  DIAMONDS, Sam Smith

2015

01  HELLO, Adele

02  LET YOU GO, River Tiber

03  LIFE’S A BEACH, Brandyn Burnette

04  CAKE BY THE OCEAN, DNCE

05  MY RELIGION, Dan Talevski

2010

01  RESURRECTION (Penguin Prison remix), The Temper Trap

02  LOVE PART II, Bright Light Bright Light

03  WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE (Penguin Prison remix), Jamiroquai

04  PRETENDER, Elouise

05  START A FIRE, Ryan Star

2005

01  PRETTY VEGAS, INXS

02  DO WHAT U WANT, jASeFOs, Claire van der Boom

03  PRECIOUS, Depeche Mode

04  GOLD DIGGER, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx

05  TRIPPING, Robbie Williams

2000

01  HERE WITH ME, Dido

02  SHE BANGS, Ricky Martin

03  TWISTED TENDERNESS, Electronic

04  CASE OF THE EX (WHATCHA GONNA DO), Mya

05  NO MORE, Ruff Endz

 

I have nothing else to add to this week’s Report, so I’ll let the music speak for itself!

In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this 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 song choices are some memorable ones from 1989. In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll also 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.

MOONWOOD, “Where Are The Kids?”

About the artist:  Moonwood is a rock band based in Sydney, Australia consisting of members who are Australian, American and Canadian. Although I’ve been writing about their music since 2021, the band’s music really caught fire with 2023’s EP Curfew Hours, from which “Curfew” reached #5 on the BILLCS Top 30.

About the record: “Where Are The Kids?” is the first new music from Moonwood in more than a year. It marks a significant change up for them, bringing us an urgent and emotional anthem that captures the essence of early adulthood, and the realization that it comes and goes a little too quickly before the reality of every day life catches up with us. Also new in the song is a bit more focus on synths, which adds another layer to Moonwood’s already tight sound. Jake McCullough’s vocal alternates between powerful and semi-sung, the latter of which makes the song highly relatable. It’s a touch long at almost 5 minutes but fans of My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy will enjoy this fresh spin on early 2000’s rock.

Other comments: I was pleased to meet up with Jake when I was in Sydney earlier this year, where we got a chance to talk music! You can watch for more great music from Moonwood, and lucky Aussies will get to see them again at some point soon in concert.

KRADRIFF, BUD CAHILL, “Shadows”

About the artists: Kradriff is a British electronic producer, and Bud Cahill is a NYC-based electronic producer AND violinist whose songs have appeared in these blog pages. Bud’s “Intergalactic Journey” reached #5 on the BILLCS Top 30 at the top of the year.

About the record: “Shadows” is a huge and unexpected 90’s flashback for me, production-wise. It captures the ambiance of early 90’s releases by Enigma (Michael Cretu), while providing a mix of progressive and techno flavours. Best of all, Kradriff makes Bud Cahill’s violin shine, and there’s even a bar in the melody that recalls Jam & Spoon’s “Right in the Night” for me. It’s always great to hear real instruments mixed in with synths, and “Shadows” is a stellar example of how to do it.

Other comments: I’d be down for another collaboration between these two artists!

JUSTIN JESSO, “Stuck in the Middle”

About the artist: Justin Jesso is the energetic Chicago-based singer/songwriter who many of us saw on Kygo’s world tour during the last year. Despite being a go-to vocalist for several dance producers, he also continues to release solo music independently.

About the record:  In “Stuck in the Middle”, Justin’s vocal really sparkles as he relates back a story of where none of us want to be found in a relationship – coasting along where nothing is happening. That doesn’t mean that being “in the middle” is without its good times. But it’s unsatisfying as a whole, and usually leads to a breakup. It’s an enjoyable release that gives hope for us all that being in the middle is just a temporary setback.

Other comments: As much as music fans connect some vocalists with their favourite producers, songs like “Stuck in the Middle” let the singer shine on their own terms. So be sure to check out your favourite dance music vocalist’s solo repertoire too and you’ll be rewarded!

SHAWN HOOK, “Dear Mr. Brown”

About the artist: Shawn Hook is a multi-talent originally from Castlegar, British Columbia who has scored hits in Canada and the US at Top 40 and Adult Contemporary radio, as well as on North American dance charts.

About the record: Following up more lyrically cutting songs like “Lie” and “Miss Me Too”, Shawn treads into darker territory with “Dear Mr. Brown”. By the time you hear more about “Mr. Brown” in the song, you’re gonna have to agree that karma’s gotta get this guy whoever he is. It’s a welcome change of pace from love songs for Shawn. His vocal is top notch and the vibe of the song is suitably creepy.

Other comments: “Dear Mr. Brown” is part of Shawn’s new EP, appropriately titled Rebuild, given his recovery from cancer these past few years.

MELØ, “New Way of Missing You”

About the artist: MELØ is Windsor, Ontario artist Carmen Rivolta, who has recently been releasing new music and performing in southern Ontario in follow up to his 2024 album Songs from the Spirit Box.

About the record: “New Way of Missing You” has several elements which make it somewhat of an 80’s throwback for me. It’s got a terrific jazzy guitar hook that reminds me a lot of late 70’s, early 80’s Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers or Toto, and a melody that recalls David Bowie’s 80’s work. MELØ’s vocal has a welcome bit of rasp, and as usual the production is high-calibre. Despite all of the older references, the overall sound is fresh and spirited for 2025.

Other comments: “New Way of Missing You” serves as the title of MELØ’s new four song EP, which includes “I Don’t Speak French”, which reached #7 on the BILLCS Top 30 earlier this year.

MERGUI, ZEVIA, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

About the artists:  Mergui is an Israel-born singer/songwriter now based in L.A. whose songs have been featured a few times this year in these blog pages. Not too much is known about Zevia, a Florida-based singer/songwriter whose songs are inspired by artists like Lana Del Rey and Lorde. She was named as one of People’s emerging artists of 2023.

About the song: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a refreshing song in a number of ways. It’s a softer pop song fully targeting the adult market, with strong vocal interplay by the two singers. What’s special is that it’s an unusually lyrical piece, which talks about all of our comforts – memories, happy places, being with someone you adore. I thought the title was unusual until I found that it is in fact borrowed from the title of a famous poem by Robert Frost. So enjoy who and what please you because even gold, in time, will fade.

Other comments: Be sure to add “Nothing Gold Can Stay” to a playlist of songs that keep you happy in your comfort zone.

GABE JAMES, “Electric Woman”

About the artist: Originally from Colorado, singer/guitarist Gabe James moved to L.A. a few years ago to hone his sound, which alternates between classic-inspired rock and country-flavoured rock. 

About the record: “Electric Woman” is about finding that right person for you who makes you comfortable enough to move out of the notorious “friend zone”. You can’t fault Gabe for his choice in words or vocals which warmly and convincingly cross the t’s and dot the i’s that anyone’s object of affection would so appreciate. “Electric Woman” goes down easy and leaves you smiling, just as any song with a happy ending should do.

Other comments: Gabe occasionally performs live in L.A. in small club settings, so it’s a good idea to check out his Instagram posts.

N i G H T S, “Bad”

About the artist: N i G H T S is the lo-fi Philadelphia indie electronic duo of Corey and Evan, who straddle pop, rock, R&B and hip hop with their distinct sound. They’ve also been rather prolific lately, with “Bad” following up the very catchy “Addicted”, which I wrote about a few weeks back.

About the record: “Bad” shows how much N i G H T S likes to switch things up lyrically and vocally, while keeping the integrity of their signature fusion of styles. The lyrics in “Bad” come across almost like stream of consciousness, punctuated by an equally fragmented rap. So you’re left to some sleuthing while the story of someone who is bad for the protagonist plays out. The mystery is alluring, with another infectious melody, and the guys entice you back for multiple listens while you try to figure it all out.

Other comments: Why make it another single release? “Bad” is actually the title track from N i G H T S’ latest four song EP.

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. 

It’s “Elevate” by British singer/songwriter and dance music performer Kelli-Leigh

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.

The Supremes got their first #1 song in 1964 with the classic “Where Did Our Love Go?”

“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”.

It’s “Lemonade” by Louis Tomlinson from his album How Did I Get Here?

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 has now moved to 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.

Retro rocker DownTown Mystic with “Somebody’s Always Doin;’ Something to Somebody”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, now on hiatus till mid-November) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Madonna – Like A Prayer
The Bangles – Eternal Flame
Roxette – The Look
The B-52s – Love Shack
Paula Abdul – Straight Up

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Conan Gray gets a second appearance at #1 with “Vodka Cranberry”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Conan also has the Fastest Riser with a highlight from his album Wishbone, “Eleven Eleven”, which appropriately rises 18-11!

 

 

I’m looking forward to travelling to Las Vegas in two weeks, where I’ll see Zedd for the first time, performing at Omnia Nightclub. Zedd is also performing earlier the same day as part of the kick off for Formula 1 Heineken Race Weekend, which is a bit out of my price range, so I’m glad to be seeing his show in a club. I also plan to check out some of the music and food celebration downtown, tne Neon City Festival. Fingers crossed for decent weather!

Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly 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.

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

And yes, I did get my ticket to see Conan Gray perform in Toronto on February 23, 2026! I thoroughly enjoyed his last show in September 2024, and look forward to hearing the songs from Wishbone performed live. In the meantime, from that album, “Vodka Cranberry” (above) gets a second appearance at #1, while “Eleven Eleven” (below) is the Fastest Riser on the chart, climbing (guess what!!) 18-11!

I’m also seeing Alexander Stewart perform again on March 13, 2026, and you need to check out his terrific new album What If, particularly if you like songs that come from the heart. “Friends Don’t” is the outstanding track however, with Alexander in a duet with fellow Canadian Lauren Spencer Smith, and it looks to steal #1 away from Conan Gray in two weeks, rising 5-2. Alexander’s “His Problem Instead” also got to #2 at the top of this year.

When disco artists from that era start to make refined disco 2025-style, then you know it’s going to be good. DJ Martinee and France Joli’s “An Everlasting Love” is a benchmark on how to do it right, and it rises 9-5.

Don’t stop playing “The Dead Dance” just because Hallowe’en has passed!  Another enjoyable release from Lady Gaga, it moves up 10-8.

American producers/DJs Polar Bears get their first Top 10 entry with the intense and emotional “Fake It”, with vocals by Dutch singer/songwriter Jay Mason, climbing 12-9.

Greyson Chance returns to the Top 10 for a 7th time with “Summertrain ’25”, a song he recorded in 2011, now refitted for his adult voice and his life journey to date. It leaps 16-10.

UK singer/songwriter Yungblud is selling out his scheduled tours for 2026, and his collaboration with Aerosmith, “My Only Angel”, is one of the hottest songs at Mainstream Rock Radio. The Hansa Studios recording of “Zombie” moves up 15-12.

There’s a log jam of songs on the rise that are waiting for others to peak and fall as early as two weeks from now. That leaves the biggest remaining move to be made by L.A. producer HISSTERIA with his fun and energetic drum ‘n bass track “RUDEBOI”, which rises 30-24. And if you’re an older listener, you might find that some of its melody reminds you of the theme to the 60’s TV show “The Munsters”.

The Highest Debut on the chart belongs to British singer/songwriter Kelli-Leigh with her banger “Elevate” from her debut album Legacy at #25. Kelli-Leigh has had a previous appearance on the chart, reaching #12 in 2020 with US production duo Halogen on “The Reason”.

Quickly entering the chart at #26 is “Night To Night” by Belgian producer The Magician, whose lyrics revolve around the chorus and hooks from Baltimora’s mid-80’s worldwide smash “Tarzan Boy”. It works like a charm, and becomes The Magician’s second chart entry, following his scintillating 2016 #1 “Shy” with Brayton Bowman.

The third debut at #27 is the 7th chart entry for Miami producer GT_Ofice, bringing along fellow producer Matthew Topper on the chart for a third time and another producer as well, Martial Simon, for “Two Hands”. GT_Ofice’s “Feels Like Us” (with ALWZ SNNY and Robbie Rosen) is currently his personal best, reaching #3 in 2023. And to no surprise, it’s also currently breaking out at North American Dance Music Radio!!

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Halton Hills Radio Online

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 evening at 6 pm EST. 

My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule. 

On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. 

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada 

The 3D Variety Show is currently on a brief hiatus and will return in mid-November.

Lake Radio Online

Chicago’s Lake Radio Online now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Sundays at Midnight EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. You can also hear the new music pick on Hunter’s other show Fridays at 8pm EST on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio.

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! Schedules are updated regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A top notch selection of songs made it difficult to choose this week for the Report, but that in turn just makes it all the easier for next week’s Report.

In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this 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 takes us back to some huge songs from 1980. You’ll also find out what the BILLCS Top 30 looked like in this week in my flashback chart from 2012!

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

THE MAGICIAN, “Night to Night”

About the artist: The Magician is Belgian producer/DJ Stephen Fasano, most noted for his UK Top 10 hit which introduced us to Years & Years (Olly Alexander), “Sunlight”, as well as remixing Clean Bandit’s massive worldwide hit “Rather Be”. He’s been a label owner as well with Potion Records. The Magician also got to #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 with the memorable “Shy” (with Brayton Bowman) in 2016.

About the record: What brings The Magician back onto my radar is “Night to Night”, which not only has riveting synth work and a fantastic rhythm track, but it also samples one of those 80’s songs guaranteed to make you smile, Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy”. The Magician nabs the hooks in the chorus and makes them work amazingly well all over again in a new song. “Night to Night” will make club and festival goers extremely happy, and dance radio programmers need to lend their ears to it for a sure fire hit.

Other comments: You won’t be able to stop moving to this one. Add it to your dance/pop playlist for repeat plays!

WILL SWINTON, “Find a Way”

About the artist:  Will Swinton is a New Zealand-born alternative rock singer/songwriter who has released two EP’s to date, Better Days and December. He caught my ear with “Harmless” last year, which reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30.

About the record:  “Find a Way” is Will’s first new music of 2025, and it has come to life after being previewed on Instagram. And it’s a great choice – the lyrics “if you love me you’ll find a way” will resonate with many people who have been torn between following their heart or making another decision, which sometimes could lead to regret. Will’s natural rasp reminds me of the great John Martyn, and there’s an excellent guitar solo in “Find a Way”. Those alternative and college stations that played his music last year will find that “Find a Way” is an easy fit into their playlists.

Other comments: Besides a chance encounter a few years ago with MGK, who enjoyed his music, Will’s song “Flames” (in the December EP) was covered on TV earlier this year by none other than Kelly Clarkson!

HAIRCUT ONE HUNDRED, “Dynamite”

About the artist: Although they didn’t record any new music, British pop quartet Haircut One Hundred performed together on a few occasions in the 2000’s since their shiny pop rode on the coat tails of the new wave era in 1982 with the Pelican West album and hits “Love Plus One” and “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)”. Happily their recent tour with ABC and Howard Jones has led to new music with their classic lineup – vocalist/guitarist Nick Heyward, bassist Les Nemes, guitarist Graham Jones, and drummer Blair Cunningham!

About the record: “Dynamite” is more aligned to me to the sound of Pelican West than was their previous “comeback” single “The Unloving Plum”.  Nick Heyward sounds terrific and his voice carries the song’s breezy melody. The band sounds tight, but that’s what performing on a multi-date tour will do. Fans of the band will love it, and 80’s music lovers will also enjoy. Age is deceptive in music and Haircut One Hundred could find new, younger fans with “Dynamite” too with their timeless sound.

Other comments: Haircut One Hundred’s third album, their first since 1984, is forthcoming and called Boxing The Compass.

STRAY CATS, “Teenage Heaven”

About the artist: Stray Cats is the American rock trio of vocalist/guitarist Brian Setzer, stand-up bass player Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, which broke out of UK in the post-punk era with their raw rockabilly-drenched, Dave Edmunds-produced songs that led to 80’s hits “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut”. They split up in 1993 but performed live together intermittently in the 2000’s, finally reuniting for their first album in 26 years called 40 in 2019.

About the record: “Teenage Heaven” takes me back to their breakout years, where comparisons to Stray Cats and Eddie Cochran (as well as others from the late 50’s early 60’s rock era) were everywhere. So what better way to reintroduce the band after 6 years without new music than with a classic Eddie Cochran song. It’s a great rendition and revives the raw, three-piece band sound for not only Stray Cats fans, but new ones of this particular kind of retro rock ‘n roll.

Other comments: Stray Cats and movie fans will remember Brian Setzer made a cameo portraying Eddie Cochran in the 1987 film “La Bamba”. He now has an autoimmune disease which limits his guitar-playing. Sadly, Stray Cats had to cancel their upcoming tour due to what has been called a serious illness (they did not specify if it was related to Brian’s autoimmune disease). Best wishes for a recovery and perhaps we’ll see them tour in 2026.

NICHOLAS CAMPBELL, “People Like to Talk”

About the artist: Nicholas Campbell is a 21 year old singer/guitarist from Peterborough, Ontario, who fuses his music with classic country and rock ‘n roll, as witnessed in his 2023 debut album Gonna Have a Ball Tonight! He has toured throughout Canada regularly in 2025.

About the record: As much as I enjoy his old school country ballads, I like his rockers even better, and “People Like to Talk” is one of them. Here Nicholas showcases his studied guitar playing with a commanding melody that accompanies a gritty vocal. You can play it happily alongside Stray Cats, Elvis Costello, Robert Gordon, Eddie Cochran and other greats.

Other comments: Having seen Nicholas perform in concert a number of times, be sure to check out his show when he comes to your city or town. It’s always great to see people get up and dance to country ballads and a few covers, but appreciate his rock ‘n roll side too.

STEVE MAHABIR, “Away”

About the artist: Born in Trinidad but raised in Toronto, singer/songwriter Steve Mahabir was an integral part of Toronto’s 1980’s rock scene as part of the band Groovy Religion, which also backed up the late, great Jim Carroll and opened for the likes of The Beastie Boys and Big Audio Dynamite. Steve took a long break from the music biz before returning in 2015 with a Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year for his debut solo album Angel in Parkdale.

About the record: “Away” is about saving yourself and your relationship from addiction. With an earnest vocal by Steve and an infectious guitar melody, the song’s understated appeal will sit best with fans of the brooding, melodic rock songs of R.E.M., Tom Petty, Cowboy Junkies and The Replacements. It’s gritty but still upbeat and hopeful in overall tone.

Other comments: Steve’s second solo album will be released on Friday October 31 called Peace Love War & Hate, featuring support from Blue Rodeo’s Michael Boguski (keyboards) and Glenn Milchem (drums). It’s also the last production by the late, esteemed Peter J. Moore (Bob Dylan, Neil Young) with additional production from none other than Terry Brown (best known for his work with Rush).

3THOS, ROBBIE ROSEN, ELLE VEE, “Destroy Me”

About the artists:  3THOS is a relatively new Canadian production duo who are also multi-instrumentalists who came to attention with their remix of Illenium’s “Starfall” (with DRAEDEN) in 2023. Robbie Rosen is the prolific New York multi-talent and former “American Idol” contestant whose songs make regular appearances in these blog pages. Elle Vee is a Las Vegas singer/songwriter who I’ve written about before and has collaborated with numerous dance music producers as well as releasing solo material.

About the record: “Destroy Me” is usually a title you might expect for a heavy metal release. But courtesy of these artists, it’s a heartfelt, emotional, electronic track that not only has some standout progressive instrumental moments, but some true lump-in-your-throat lyrical moments, brought to life vocally by Robbie and Elle. The vocals truly mesh beautifully and the super-charged musicianship makes “Destroy Me” a cathartic release that will take you aback, particularly if you’ve been someone affected most by the end of a relationship.

Other comments: Someone else’s heartbreak is often the fuel for a great song.

TEARS OF HAPPINESS, “The One”

About the artist:  Tears of Happiness is the London-based electronic project of singer/songwriter Bally Meeda and producer/songwriter LCamz (Leon Campbell). Despite receiving some attention in Europe earlier in the decade, the project took a four year break before resurfacing this year.

About the record: “The One” has an unusual mix of lyrics and instrumentation that works way better than you would expect. Musically, there are obvious roots of early 80’s electronic new wave (Depeche Mode, Simple Minds) which somehow manage to marry with Bally’s profound and aching story about searching for that elusive right person. You literally hang on every word while Bally’s vocal infuses with the melody. What also helps is that “The One” is a gentle song that also showcases the bright synth work.

Other comments: Bally says, “I’ve lost two very close friends to suicide… I want listeners to know that it’s okay not to feel okay, and that they are never truly alone.”

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. 

It’s American pop/R&B singer Reigen with his foray into Latin music, “Quiero Bailar”

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.

From 1969, it’s Mel and Tim with “Backfield in Motion”

“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”.

It’s “Canadian Beer” by Toronto native Eric Sage

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 has now moved to 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 Audrey Hobert with what Hunter calls a return of “diva pop”, “Sue Me”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, now on hiatus till mid-November) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Michael Jackson – Rock With You
Kenny Rogers – Lady
Blondie – Call Me
Lipps Inc. – Funkytown
Diana Ross – Upside Down

BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2012

And at #1 is the first chart entry for a producer I’ll be seeing perform next month in Las Vegas – Zedd!

02 01 SPECTRUM Zedd featuring Matthew Koma
06 02 MUSIC MAKES YOU LOSE CONTROL Carlos Nobrega
01 03 REMEMBER WHEN (PUSH REWIND) Chris Wallace
03 04 GO FOR GOLD Kyle Patrick
05 05 HOUDINI (Green Children remix) Foster The People
07 06 LONG TIME John De Sohn featuring Andreas Moe
10 07 ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN Ellie Goulding
08 08 GENIUS  DATABOY
11 09 FEEL IT Bright Light Bright Light
04 10 DREAMS ARE GOLD  DATABOY
12 11 UNHEARD Jeronimo
14 12 LIGHTS OUT Bim
13 13 OVER IT Colin Munroe
24 14 DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
17 15 YESTERDAY’S TOMORROWS Jane Badler
20 16 EVOLVED Vague-A-Bonde
21 17 IT’S TIME Imagine Dragons
22 18 BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS Lifehouse featuring Natasha Bedingfield
25 19 YOUR BODY Christina Aguilera
26 20 POPULAR SONG Mika
09 21 WE DANCE 4 REASON Markus Riva featuring Ralph (PER)
30 22 LET’S GO Matt And Kim
18 23 HURRICANE Kyle Brylin
New 24 MUST BE THE LOVE  ARTY, Nadia Ali & BT
New 25 GOOD GIRLFRIEND Kid Massive featuring DATABOY
29 26 CELEBRATE Mika featuring Pharrell Williams
15 27 BENNY GOODMAN Saint Motel
16 28 SPECTRUM (Calvin Harris remix) Florence & The Machine
19 29 TURN IT UP Carlos Nobrega
23 30 MOVES Bright Light Bright Light

 

 

Among the music featured in the Report this week, you’ll find four Hallowe’en treats in their own section for some intriguing new seasonal favourites.

In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my picks of the week from this 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 continues with more great tunes from 1977. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.

Do check out my daughter VXTORIA‘s six song EP Dreamstate, which follows up her her fantastic house collaboration with Toronto-area producer TEARJVCKKD called “More Love” (at the following link: More Love). Dreamstate includes three more new songs, “Awaken”, “TMRW”, and “U&Me”. It includes the previous recent releases, “Back To You”, the afrobeats-flavoured “Lost In Your Love” and “changes”.  You can watch her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You. 

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

MXTR, TYLER GARRETT, “Crash”

About the artists:  MXTR is a UK dance producer specializing in drum ‘n bass, and Tyler Garrett is an L.A.-based multi-talent, releasing their second track together, following “Won’t Give Up”, which is currently in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30.

About the record:  I know there are stories behind records and why collaborations don’t always happen a second time, but with “Won’t Give Up” such a success, I’m glad MXTR and Tyler Garrett have released another track together. The lyrics are really eloquent, touching on all those moments from the first time two people meet, including the mystery behind a relationship and the elements that can make it work. The mix of drum ‘n bass with trance and techno is used judiciously, making for a hypnotic and accessible track for dance music fans that club DJ’s will also find works well in a variety of mixes.

Other comments: I think “Won’t Give Up” and “Crash” will open future doors for both artists.

MASHBIT, LUKE ALEXANDER, sunsett., “Holding On”

About the artists: MashBit is Dariush Mashayekhi, Dallas-based, Italy-born dance producer who came to my attention this year with his remix of Angrybaby’s “Back to Life”, and has supported such artists as Illenium and Diplo in concert. Luke Alexander is a 25 year old producer/DJ from New York who has performed across the US. sunsett. is Canadian producer/songwriter Richy Molina, who also records under the name Rico 56.

About the record: “Holding On” is a slow and atmospheric deep house track that is laden with hooks which all make it sparkle. I’m pretty sure sunsett. provides the vocal, which has a similar way of swaying and moving you like Chris Martin does in Coldplay. Talents from all three musicians come together in full force to create a moving track that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Other comments: MashBit’s remix of “Back To Life” reached #2 on the BILLCS Top 30 at the top of the year. Following up my comment about sunsett.’s vocal, you can check out “Wildfire” – as Rico 56 with fellow Canadians Luis Torres and DLMT (now known as Dansyn) – and compare. It reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2023.

KRIS ANDERS, “Open Road”

About the artist: Kris Anders is a musician and songwriter from Manitoba who has won acclaim for his fusion of country-styled songwriting and rock ‘n roll rhythms, which are fleshed out in his live performances.

About the record: Country and rock genres have always come together naturally since Elvis Presley popularized the mix 70 years ago, and it’s great to see it continue with a much younger generation. “Open Road” is equal parts honky tonk rhythm, rock ‘n roll guitar, and a story that’s straight out of country music. If you put together 80’s John Mellencamp with Waylon Jennings and added dashes of rock hybrid performers like Joe Ely, Jo-El Sonnier, and Keith Sykes, then you have what Kris Anders offers in “Open Road”. His vocal even reminds me of the late Ronnie Van Zandt of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and fans of melodic guitar work will enjoy “Open Road”.

Other comments: Kris has been nominated at the BC Country Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and Josie Music Awards, traversing country and rock genres with these accolades. College Radio has also embraced his music. He performs solo or with his band The Flatliners.

With Hallowe’en almost upon us, I have four seasonal songs for you to check out. I’m dispensing with the usual review format for this section of the Report.

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT (aka Rod Thomas) was born during the season and is a massive horror movie fan. His fine choice to record a song representative of Hallowe’en is “Love Song for a Vampire”. It’s a cover of the compelling Annie Lennox song from the 1992 film “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” with Gary Oldman. Rod offers his own take on the song as a tribute to the original rather than attempt to cover it verbatim, and his performance is touching, and passionate. Fans of the original will be mighty pleased.

The folks at Big Stir Records has thrown themselves headfirst into the Hallowe’en spirit by releasing a 41 song compilation called Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies. I’ve got words about three from the album for your seasonal pleasure! You can check out the full album, featuring other Big Stir roster bands like Splitsville, The Jack Rubies, and The Spongetones by clicking on the album cover above.

First up is “Monsters” by the STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK. The L.A. band noted for its memorable psychedelic 1967 #1 “Incense & Peppermints” and Top 30 follow-up “Tomorrow” pretty much regrouped with most of its original members in the early 2000’s. They’re in fine form on “Monsters”, their first new music since 2012. It’s a dark song about how our childhood “monsters in the closet” have morphed through life experience and stuck in our brains even as adults. It’s a bit long in spots but overall quite well done, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from them in this new era.

Next is “Ghoul You Want” by the marvellously named LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS. They are a duo of Ohio multi-instrumentalists Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker, taking us through their tribute to late night horror movie television shows with particular adulation to your female monster of choice. Sly nods to songs by Devo (which I got immediately), Cliff Richard and The Cramps also make “Ghoul You Want” an enjoyable listen for attentive music fans.

The most novel song of the lot is “Eyeball Eater (From Outer Space)” by California sextet sparkle*jets u.k. As the title suggests, this is a musical step right out of low budget 1950’s sci-fi films and the band has totally immersed themselves in the super-fun theme to offer a suitably playful experience for Hallowe’en. Again, The Cramps come to mind when listening but so does the 80’s take on surf rock, and the song is brimming with effects and narration that leave no stone unturned. It’s frightfully good (pun very much intended)!

Happy Hallowe’en!!

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. 

It’s “Super Powers”, the rising dance radio hit by TELYKast and Oaks

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.

My retro pick this week is a repeat. I erred last week in the Report and later added “Venus” by The Shocking Blue as my retro pick.

“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”.

Big Daddy is enjoying the hook and arrangement of Greyson Chance’s “Summertrain ’25”

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 has now moved to 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 bott

One of Hunter’s core artists Dasha has a new one called “Gimmie a Second”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show  (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, now on hiatus for a few weeks) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST.  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.

Klaatu – Sub-Rosa Subway (You Tube link)
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. – You Don’t Have To Be A Star
Rose Royce – Car Wash
Eagles – Hotel California
Shaun Cassidy – Da Do Ron Ron

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Conan Gray took over at #1 this week with “Vodka Cranberry” from his album Wishbone

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

“Friends Don’t” by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith soars 17-5 just ahead of the release of Alexander’s album What If

Billboard’s Hot 100 methodology for identifying recurrents will finally change, and it seemed to have been conveniently planned with Taylor Swift’s anticipated sweep of the Top 12, which bumped down the older songs, just in time for the Hot 100’s new chart year! This means we will say buh-bye to long-lasting songs like longevity record-breaker “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, and “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars.

Apparently casual listeners play the same songs on streaming as they request at radio stations, and the horrid US AC Mediabase chart is witness to this (currently only replacing “Lose Control” with Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” – which gained points at that format 😮 ). We know it’s all about money and how the powers-that-be all have their hands in manipulating the chart data (legally of course – you don’t think they let a computerized printout of the top songs stay as is, do you?). At least these changes will serve new songs and new artists better on the chart. 

Here are the changes from Billboard’s “Chart Beat” column by Gary Trust:

“Effective this week, on the first Hot 100 of Billboard’s 2026 chart year, altered tiers will dictate when songs move to recurrent status following their runs on the ranking.

Previously, descending songs were removed from the Hot 100 once falling below No. 25 after 52 weeks or below No. 50 after 20 weeks. Descending songs will now depart via the following thresholds, once they are:

Below No. 5 after 78 weeks
Below No. 10 after 52 weeks
Below No. 25 after 26 weeks
Below No. 50 after 20 weeks

Songs gaining below those markers will be eligible to remain on the Hot 100 on a case-by-case basis. Plus, holiday classics will qualify to return above No. 50 regardless of total chart weeks, and then be subject to the rules noted above upon their descents; the same for newly-surging non-holiday catalog songs, with those without significant chart history eligible to debut at any rank, as considered individually. Songs will also continue to be removed from the all-format Radio Songs chart once they go recurrent on the Hot 100.”

 

As a standing item about my daughter VXTORIA‘s progress with her music, her debut EP Dreamstate is now out!  It features three new songs, “Awaken”, “U&Me”, and “TMRW”, in addition to singles Back To You, changes, and Lost in Your Love. I’d like to thank anyone who has found out about her music through my blog page for supporting the songs. She is currently working on new music.

Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly 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.

Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.

Just in time to announce another leg of his Wishbone tour which will take him to North America (including one Canadian date in Toronto), the UK/Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, Conan Gray steals #1 away from Sombr after 3 appearances (6 weeks) with the immensely touching “Vodka Cranberry” (above). It’s Conan’s third #1 on my chart following “Yours” (which sadly he hates and will never play in concert) and “Never Ending Song”. Conan also moves up 4-3 with “This Song” (below), which gradually just grew on me more and more. Wish me luck getting a ticket for the show in the week!

Extending their stays as independent artists, UK dance producer MXTR and L.A.-based talent Tyler Garrett find their collaboration “Won’t Give Up” is now up 6-4. It’s a drum ‘n bass flavoured techno-house track that even fans of pop/dance will enjoy. And a big Happy Birthday to Tyler today (October 20)!

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the heart-wrenching ballad by Canadians Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith, “Friends Don’t”, which flies up the chart 17-5, becoming Alexander’s third visit to the Top 5. His album, What If, arrives on Friday October 24. “Friends Don’t” needs more attention in North America. And Top 40/Hot AC/AC radio stations in Canada – what are you waiting for, wake up and play this one!!

Also new to the Top 10 is another collaboration, DJ Martinee and Canadian disco chanteuse France Joli with the stunning “My Everlasting Love”, which climbs 13-9.

Rounding out the Top 10 is “The Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga, moving up 12-10 and becoming her third Top 10 entry this year following #1 “Abracadabra” and #9 “Vanish Into You”, both also from the fantastic MAYHEM album.

Top 10 bound is the super-infectious “Fake It” by American DJ duo Polar Bears and Dutch vocalist/songwriter Jay Mason, which rises 15-12.

UK talent Yungblud continues to rise up the chart for his first time with “Zombie” (the Hansa Studios mix) jumping 19-15.

Greyson Chance’s new music is flourishing as his South East Asian tour now moves to Malaysia and the Philippines. “Summertrain ’25”, a rework of a song he recorded age 13/14 in 2011, climbs 23-16.

Conan Gray’s third entry from Wishbone on the chart, the cathartic “Eleven Eleven”, is also making waves by rising 25-18.

“Summer Rain” is the deft and danceable release by Felix Cartal and L.A. vocalist/songwriter Reo Cragun and climbs 27-21. It’s culled from Felix’s new album, i, sabotage.

“Run – Disco” by Donna Summer with Mousse T and Toby Gad is bittersweet but joyous, and rises 28-22.

Summer favourites exiting the chart have made way for five potential new ones for the Autumn months.

Leading the pack is L.A. dance producers TELYKast and Swedish vocalist/songwriter Oaks with “Super Powers” at #24.  It’s TELYKast’s 5th chart entry, which includes two #1’s, “Unbreakable” and “Surrender Your Love”. Oaks also appeared on the chart last year in the Martin Garrix and Third Party collaboration “Carry You”, which peaked at #8.

Next at #25 is “Quiero Bailar”, the fiery Spanish-language track by Madrid-based American singer/songwriter Reigen which means “I want to dance”. Guaranteed to make you move, “Quiero Bailar” is Reigen’s fourth appearance on the chart but first since 2021.

“Come Find Me” by MK and Clementine Douglas arrives at #26 in time to give MK his second concurrent entry on the chart as “Dior” winds its way down at #19 after peaking at #2.  It’s also UK singer/songwriter Clementine’s fourth chart entry (fifth if you count her uncredited vocal on Matoma’s “The Power”) and second this year following her #1 with Sonny Fodera, “Tell Me”.

Veteran Canadian singer/songwriter/producer and drummer (with rock band Harem Scarem) Creighton Doane gets his first chart entry with the thoughtful indie pop bop “Need a Friend”, which bows at #28. He’s also the brother of Melanie Doane, who got to #13 back in the chart’s first year of 1998 with “Adam’s Rib”.

Finishing out the chart at #30 is the super fun fusion of future bass and drum ‘n bass by L.A. indie dance producer HISSTERIA (aka Antonio Mejia) called “RUDEBOI”. Be sure to check out his socials, where he’ll introduce you to his pet snake Javier!

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Halton Hills Radio Online

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 evening at 6 pm EST. 

My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule. 

On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. New episodes are coming soon!

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada 

The 3D Variety Show is currently on a brief hiatus and will return in the coming weeks.

Party Dog Radio  

Canada’s Party Dog Radio anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Saturdays at 4pm EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Party Dog Radio also airs “The Big 20”, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week on Sundays after 9pm EST. 

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! Schedules are updated regularly.