The Report is back, and as usual when I miss a week, there is a ton of music to check out. As some of you know, my daughter, whose artist name is VXTORIA, has a dance music single coming out on Friday April 4 called “Back To You”. Since she’s a new artist, there is no pre-save link, so be sure to go to her Instagram profile to check it out!
In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers, while vacationing now in New Zealand, has sent in his Classic Five choices, which are all from 1983. 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 below to listen to the songs, usually with a Spotify link unless otherwise indicated.
sombr, “back to friends”, “undressed”
About the artist – sombr is 19 year old New York-born, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Shane Boose, who is coming out of nowhere it would seem much in the same way as Olivia Rodrigo did 4 years ago, with his unique brand of affecting lo-fi alt.pop.
About the records – “back to friends” and “undressed” have been released in quick succession to capitalize on radio’s interest in the former, which has arrived on the national charts. sombr has an ingratiating voice with gorgeous tones that quickly gets under your skin, making you want to hear out his full stories immediately, with a soulful edge that recalls Prince. Both songs also remind me when singers like JVKE and Stephen Sanchez, but with a more contemporary diverse sound now replacing the peppered retro flavours. In other words, the music of sombr doesn’t bring many other artists to mind, which is no mean feat, and looks tellingly towards the future. I’m torn between which song I like better at this time, they are both full of character and wide appeal.
Other comments – sombr is touring in North America with Daniel Seavey. He could very well be one of the year’s biggest breakouts.
GT_OFICE, MATTHEW TOPPER, PETIE, “Something New”
About the artists – GT_Ofice is the Miami-based producer who got to #1 recently on the national dance radio charts with the meltworthy house track “Someone Else”. Matthew Topper is a producer from NYC who collaborated previously with GT_Ofice on last year’s “Ecstasy” (which reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30). Vocalist Petie is another producer from NYC who may be a new name, but he’s not a new artists, previously recording and performing under the moniker MIME.
About the record – With another smooth uncredited male vocal, “Something New” is a worthy follow up to “Someone Else”. What’s cool about both songs is that they balance quieter, sweet moments, with upbeat, euphoric ones, and that’s a textbook, can’t miss formula. The three producers here create a cohesive flavour amid a slick overall sound.
Other comments – “Something New” will be heading for the top of the dance music radio charts soon. There is Top 40 radio potential here too but programmers seem closed-minded about including more danceable pop in their mix. This is for fans of the genre who enjoy feel-good, melodic house music.
Video link – new version
Video link – 1976 performance
GINO VANNELLI, “Keep On Walking”
About the artist – The big-haired, handsome soulful pop crooner and guitarist from Montreal of the late 70’s and early 80’s had numerous hits, particularly the Top 10 “I Just Wanna Stop” and “Living Inside Myself”, “Wheels of Life”, and his breakout “People Gotta Move”. He reinvented himself in 1985 with the electronic, danceable pop/rock of “Black Cars” and “Wild Horses”. His latest album The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved) is his first new music in four years.
About the record – “Keep On Walking” is a jazzy redo of a 1975 release from his album Storm At Sunup, which strangely is not on streaming services. The quality is pin-drop pristine, not surprising since his best-selling Brother To Brother album won a Juno Award for its production, and Gino sounds marvelous. His longtime fans will love it, while those who enjoy great voices in a mellow setting will also find their happy place here. Never discount pop vets like Gino, they will continue to surprise you with the calibre of their contemporary recordings.
Other comments – I believe “Keep on Walking” is the only song on his new album that was previously recorded. Check out the video above, as well as a much earlier live performance of the song. Perhaps it’s time the Juno Awards elected Gino Vannelli to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
ALTÉGO, ELY OAKS, LAVINIA, “No Regrets”
About the artists – ALTÉGO is the wacky and infectious British DJ duo of twin brothers Michael and Lucas who crush it daily in their socials. Ely Oaks is an Austrian dance producer based in Berlin, while vocalist Lavinia also hails from Berlin.
About the record – “No Regrets” is a clever new song written around the melody of (gasp!) “The Ketchup Song” by Las Ketchup, a #1 UK hit and a massive one around Europe that faded as quickly as it arrived. While I’m not one for trendy sped-up vocals, the trick works when paired with the essential melody of “The Ketchup Song”, making “No Regrets” an instant earworm that you’ll bounce around to in no time. “No Regrets” is bound to be a highlight of ALTÉGO’s sets when they play live shows.
Other comments – ALTÉGO make their North American debut on June 28 at Brooklyn Mirage opening for Oliver Heldens. “No Regrets” will leave many listeners 25-35 scratching their heads, wondering how they know the melody, which is likely embedded in their heads for all the right reasons.
TAVATLI, LUXTIDES, “Chemicals”
About the artists – Oliver Tavatli is a relatively new L.A. based dance producer specializing in techno and house. Luxtides is the recording name for NYC’s Danni Bouchard, who was the uncredited voice on David Guetta & Afrojack’s Grammy-nominated “Hero”, which premiered at EuroVision in 2023. She has also recorded with or written songs for Natasha Bedingfield, Borgeous, and Trivecta.
About the record – I particularly enjoy how “Chemicals” is structured and draws you in. A quiet start turns into an explosive and frantic techno track that will have you bouncing along, and uses Luxtides versatile voice to great effect. It’s a record that is both haunting and exhilarating, and a wonderful collaboration overall.
Other comments – “Chemicals” has huge sync potential for action and horror films as well as video games. The catchy synth work will linger in your head long after the song is over.
LEVI ROBIN, “Whole As A Broken Heart”
About the artist – Levi Robin is a pop/folk singer from California with a rich tenor who released his first EP in 2013 followed by a debut album, Where Night Meets Day, in 2020. “Whole As A Broken Heart” is his first new music in three years.
About the record – “Whole As A Broken Heart” is a deliberately paced, enthralling song where Levi’s vocal meshes styles of singers like Hozier, Chris Isaak, Beck, and Bob Dylan together. He’s a deft storyteller with a philosophical side, appealing to the broken-hearted to listen and and turn those negative feelings into something much better. There’s an old bluesy style that’s deep within too that I enjoy, similar to Cobi, another artist who I’ve written about frequently. While the song may seem bleak at first listen, it’s really not, and ultimately pulls you in to enjoy the experience.
Other comments – Levi Robin has previously opened for Matisyahu on tour. “Whole As A Broken Heart” is produced by Yoel Kreisler, better known as FRAYMES, with whom Levi developed an immediate creative connection.
THE VEILS, “The Ladder”
About the artist – The Veils is the alt.pop project created by British singer/songwriter/producer Finn Andrews, now based in New Zealand, who was signed to Rough Trade at only 16 years old. “The Ladder” comes from The Veils’ 7th album in 20 years called Asphodels (the name of the Ancient Greek flower of the Underworld).
About the record – From an album recorded seamlessly live-to-tape, “The Ladder” continues Finn’s focus on songs about love and death, and this song uses the title image as a way of escape. Everything within is quite intentional, from its influence from painter Hieronymus Bosch through to a mellifluous string arrangement which accents the song’s melody rather than doing its own thing. It’s all pretty easy on the ears, but you find yourself going deeper with each listen.
Other comments – The Veils has previously played to sell out shows in Europe, North America and Australasia, so watch for another tour this year.
TELEVISION SKIES, “Time of My Life”
About the artist – Television Skies is a NYC pop/rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Ihor Shuhan and drummer Paul Maczaj, who have released six albums to date, the most recent being Fairy Tales and Demos for the Rockers and Romantics, the Heartbroken and the Hopeful.
About the record – “Time of My Life” contains some inspiring words about carrying on and letting go of past trials and tribulations to live your best life rather than dwell on hardships. The song you’ll immediately think of course is Green Day’s same-titled 90’s hit, but they really are quite different songs, with Green Day’s song more about lessons learned that led to celebration. A jaunty tune helps put the focus on good times with more ahead.
Other comments – Television Skies says their songs are influenced more by groups like Coldplay, The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys with a clear emphasis on melody over attitude.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online. Here are my picks for this week and last week.
This week:
L.A.’s resident disco dad Michael Medrano with “Martini (Shots)” from his second album The Penthouse
Last week:
L.A. electronic rock duo Magic Bronson with “Good Dogs” from the album of the same name
“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”.
This week:
Grammy winner Lizzo with “Still Bad”
Last week:
The Doobie Brothers, now with both Michael McDonald and Tom Johnston, with Mavis Staples and “Walk This Road”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. His show “Pyjama Party”, is also back on Saturdays at 5pm EST on Energy 885.
It’s “Wasted Love” by JJ, which will represent Austria at EuroVision next month
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. The 3D Variety Show is now on hiatus, returning later this month. 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.
From 1983:
Glenn Shorrock – Don’t Girls Get Lonely
Roman Holliday – Don’t Try To Stop It
Genesis – Mama
Paul Young – Wherever I Lay My Hat
Peter Schilling – Major Tom (Coming Home)
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.
A 1976 classic, “Love Is The Drug” by Roxy Music
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 ALL IN MY HEAD, Whethan, grandson
02 BACKFIRE, Deep Chills, Not Famous
03 BETTER DAY, Young Bombs, Aloe Blacc
04 ADORE YOU, Harry Styles
05 YESTERDAY, Gareth Emery, Nash, Linney
2015
01 KING, Years & Years
02 VELVET, Chris Jamison
03 SLEEVE, Brandyn Burnette
04 WATERFALL, Smashing Satellites
05 CHAMPAGNE KISSES, Jessie Ware
2010
01 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis
02 SOMETHING I’M NOT, Penguin Prison
03 TEETH (KING5CAT remix), Lady Gaga
04 JOYSTICK, Simon Curtis
05 90 DAYS, Nelson Clemente
2005
01 COLLIDE, Howie Day
02 BLOOD (Junior Vasquez remix), Casey Stratton
03 THE LETTER SONG, Tyler Hilton
04 ELEANOR, Low Millions
05 LONELY NO MORE, Rob Thomas
2000
01 THERE YOU GO, Pink
02 FORGOT ABOUT DRE, Dr. Dre, Eminem
03 FADED, soulDecision
04 IT FEELS SO GOOD, Sonique
05 NATURAL BLUES, Moby
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