2024 is almost history, and this is my last Report until January 8, 2025. Coming up before the year end is the annual year-end list, this time it’s my Top 90 Songs of 2024, which will be accompanied by an online radio program of the Top 30 songs, and I will post about that over the holidays. I’ll also continue to post previous episodes of “The Big 20” new music show for you to enjoy.
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In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five is another splash of hits from the early 80’s and the early 90’s this week. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30!
Reminder: Click on the photos below to watch the video or listen to the songs.
CRASH ADAMS, “Optimist”
About the artist: Raf and Vince, who comprise Crash Adams, are on their way to being one of Canada’s biggest exports. Since I started writing about Crash Adams in 2020, they have gone on to play to huge audiences in places like Singapore and the Philippines, while also creating entertaining videos.
Strong points: I was lucky to first hear “Optimist” at their show in my city in September. It’s a song full of sentiment about challenges both of the guys have faced, and they pass on their genuine hope and appreciation for their fans in person. It shows a flip side of Crash Adams that we don’t often hear (for example on “Symphony”), particularly after a rollicking no-holds-barred success that was “Hotel Party” (which was a personal best for them on the BILLCS Top 30, peaking at #7) this past summer.
Other comments: Crash Adams was nominated for Breakthrough Group at this year’s Juno Awards – expect more nominations next Spring. They need more targeted support by the biz at home so that they can parallel their overseas success. Super nice, talented guys CAN finish first! Watch the video by clicking the photo above, which was shot in Dubai!
MERGUI, “On My Mind” (Sam Feldt edit)
About the artist: Jonathan Mergui is a 24 year old L.A.-based, Israel-born pop singer who won second place to Eurovision winner Netta in Israel’s Rising Star TV competition show. His first English language release happened in 2022, and he’s making waves as one of the few artists signed to the powerful Saban Music Group.
Strong points: Mergui’s vocal is carefree, dreamy and impressive, and he co-wrote and co-produced “On My Mind”. The song is engaging electro pop and moves along quickly, either in its original version or the Sam Feldt edit. The red hot Dutch producer adds some bounce to the mix which makes it a natural for dance radio airplay as well as club and festival play. You’ll have “On My Mind” stuck in your head and on your playlist in no time.
Other comments: With distribution through Universal, Mergui’s talents could be well-established by the end of 2025. “On My Mind” is a great song to get him there.
JAMES CARTER, LUCAS ESTRADA, “Falls Down”
About the artists: They’re two dance producers, better established in Europe than in North America. It’s been a while since I’ve written about music by either, who have also collaborated several times, with James Carter hailing from the UK and Lucas Estrada from Sweden. Lucas is also the erstwhile head of renown dance music label Loudkult, and highly supportive of new talent.
Strong points: “Falls Down” is classic deep house and goes down so easy. The uncredited male vocal lifts the song even more, giving it a moody, atmospheric vibe that doesn’t appear in a lot of deep house tracks. James and Lucas can continue to make cohesive collabs like this and there will be a lot of happy club DJ’s.
Other comments: “Falls Down” can accompany recent releases by the likes of TELYKast, Matoma, and Purple Disco Machine comfortably on your deep house playlists.
CHESNEY HAWKES, “Live Forever”
About the artist: Now based in L.A., UK-born singer/songwriter Chesney Hawkes had a #1 smash in the UK and #10 hit in North America with “The One and Only” in 1991. He remains well-known in the UK, having appeared on TV reality shows and releasing a multi-disc compilation album called The Complete Picture in 2022. He’s about to unveil his first new album in years called Living Arrows.
Strong points: The theme of living forever and giving into temptation is always enticing. In “Live Forever”, Chesney sings about giving it “one last shot to steal the show”, a pop star through and through who wants everyone to be rocking. He’s got a timeless, ageless voice, and purveyors of fine pop songs can do no wrong with the infectious hook of “Live Forever”.
Other comments: Like “The One and Only” and some other Chesney Hawkes songs, “Live Forever” is co-written by the immensely talented Nik Kershaw (1984’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good”), who I saw perform in my city in 1985 (me, my buddy and a venue full of screaming girls and young women), and in fact has recently been touring Europe. What about hitting key North American cities for some club shows on a double bill, or even one of those retro-themed cruises, guys?
KOUSS, LIZ HUETT, “Never Be Nothing”
About the artists: Kouss is a Florida-based dance producer, a former drummer who turned to production after an accident prevented him from playing. Liz Huett began as a singer in Taylor Swift’s band as well as on her albums Speak Now and Red, but has been a solo artist for the last seven years.
Strong points: “Never Be Nothing” is a throwback to the mid-2010’s – a period of time for highly melodic dance music that will start getting its due next year thanks to artists as diverse as Zedd, The Chainsmokers, Chet Porter and San Holo. The tropical flourishes in the hook are bright and ear-catching, with Liz Huett’s bright vocal alternately sounding carefree and determined. The song is a fond recollection of a past romance where the protagonist is stuck in her memories and unable to move on.
Other comments: Kouss has created a well-rounded follow up to last year’s “Can’t Hold Back”, and this year’s “Lifeline”. I enjoy how its melody stands out while the lyrics firmly hold their own.
NATHALIE MIRANDA, “Jamais”
About the artist: Nathalie Miranda is a versatile pop singer based in London, whose last release was the fun, bluesy belter “U Got Soul”. She has also recorded in Spanish, and “Jamais” is her first single sung in French.
Strong points: “Jamais” (which means “Never”) oozes determination and inspiration as a parallel to Nathalie’s tenacity in her music career. Her phrasing is eloquent and on point, and the song is easy to understand for basic French speakers too. The arrangement for the first part of the song is understated, preparing the listener for a memorable, rocking climax where Natalie’s emotional vocal can really let loose, as we have previously heard in “U Got Soul”.
Other comments: French-speaking listeners in France, Belgium, Canada (especially Quebec) and other countries particularly will enjoy “Jamais”. Tchin tchin!
JON MULLANE, “Holiday Star 2024”
About the artist: Jon Mullane is a pop singer, songwriter and guitarist from Halifax, Nova Scotia who appeared in this blog most recently with his releases “Walking Away” and “Sun In The Summertime”.
Strong points: “Holiday Star 2024” provides all of the necessary related imagery, warmth, fascination and hope that you could want in a Christmas song. It’s about being together with the ones you love during the holidays and making your unique wish on a star. It’s a feel-good song that deserves a place on your holiday playlist!
Other comments: Jon is extremely consistent from release-to-release. As one might expect, “Holiday Star 2024” is smoothly produced and beautifully sung.
BLAIR GILMOUR, “Burning Up”
About the artist: Blair Gilmour is an 18 year old singer/songwriter who hails from south-west Scotland. He favours writing spontaneously to capture the essence of the moment. “Burning Up” is his debut release.
Strong points: “Burning Up” features an energetic performance by Blair. The guitar-driven melody and overall sound are distinct and polished, but solid and familiar-sounding enough to evoke comparisons to other current young guns like Alexander Stewart, Dean Lewis, and various members of Why Don’t We. The song is about going to extremes during that time of mutual attraction, when you want to sacrifice even your well-being for a shot at love.
Other comments: “Burning Up” is a top notch debut and I’ll be looking forward to hearing what else Blair Gilmour has to offer us.
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.
Miguel’s about to return with his first album in 7 years called Viscera, and leading it off is “Always Time”
“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”.
Previously featured in the blog, it’s Czech Republic “dream pop” duo teepee with “mindless”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is newly anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. New episodes of “Modern Hype” will return in January 2025.
Currently charting on the BILLCS Top 30, it’s Canadian singer Ryland James with “Heart of Me”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. The 3D Variety Show is now on hiatus, returning in April 2025. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes – Up Where We Belong (1982)
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes (1981)
The Tragically Hip – Little Bones (1991)
EMF – Unbelievable (1991)
Michael Jackson – Black or White (1991)
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 Bananarama’s international breakthrough hit “Shy Boy”
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
L.A. producers TELYKast and vocalist Sam Gray get their second #1 collaboration with “Surrender Your Love”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Somedays” (25-16) is the Top 5 UK hit by Sonny Fodera, Jazzy and D.O.D. which is also a North American dance radio hit
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