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#BILLCSNewMusicReport – August 30/23 spotlighting new songs by @FelixCartal & @KarenHarding @Moonwoodmusic @PeterFoldy @JerinJamesmusic

This week’s Report has eight fine new tracks for you to get to know that span the pop, rock, electronic and dance genres. It’s increasingly hard to whittle down my weekly list of new offerings to eight, but I somehow manage to do it, carrying over songs with potential to the following week if need be.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits that take us back to 1987 this week. And in case you missed them, you’ll find out which songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

FELIX CARTAL, KAREN HARDING, “Need Your Love”

“Need Your Love” is the follow-up to 2021’s “Only One” (which peaked at #9 on the BILLCS Top 30) we were waiting for by the dream team of Canadian dance producer Felix Cartal and UK house music queen Karen Harding. It’s a vibrant and emotional track which is well suited for both dance music and Top 40 radio, as well as clubs. Karen’s potent and affecting vocal, which has a similar impact as Loreen’s “Tattoo”, plays off splendidly against Felix’s melodies and song structure. “Need Your Love” also offers other creators a chance to listen to how a record can be made smartly, with the result being an instant new favourite. And be prepared folks – Felix plays the Burning Man festival this weekend, while Karen has her debut album, Take Me Somewhere, coming at the end of September.

MOONWOOD, “Let It Go”

Australian-American quintet Moonwood return with a take on a classic rock ballad with “Let It Go”. Although “Let It Go” is just over 5 minutes long, it’s a dreamy and sometimes heart-wrenching ballad that commands your attention, as the protagonist is stuck waiting for a train in town while communicating with his lover, who is uncertain about their relationship, and he realizes it may in fact be over. Moonwood is one tight unit as a band and once again singer Jake McCullough delivers an impressive vocal that will keep you glued to the story.

PETER FOLDY, “Jump Like This”

L.A.-based Canadian singer/songwriter Peter Foldy returns with another bubbly reggae-spiced release, “Jump Like This”. The song is all about what makes you jump with joy, something that doesn’t happen all too often to everyone, but it’s a high that’s hard to come down from when it happens. The easy-going, summery melody follows similarly bright pop singles like “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Friend Zone”. Peter has always had a knack for capturing special moments in time going back to his biggest Canadian success, “Bondi Junction”, and while he’s busy working more in film these days as a director and producer, I’m glad he continues to delight us with songs like “Jump Like This”.

JERIN JAMES, “Fly Away”

L.A.-based, Pennsylvania-born dance producer Jerin James returns after a protracted absence with the first single from his upcoming debut album The Wanderers, “Fly Away”. I’ve written about Jerin’s songs a number of times before, and his initial single “Birds and Bees” (featuring Devorano) reached #7 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2020. “Fly Away” is a short (2:09) and much more progressive effort, with a bold, commanding backdrop and wordless vocals that are woven together as if they were making a foreign language unto themselves. “Fly Away” is a solid re-introduction to Jerin and his new project, which happily is released through Moe Shalizi’s label Pick Six Records.

FEATURING

ROBBY HURRICANE, “We Got The Beat”

Toronto-area rock band Robby Hurricane have totally nailed their first release, a surprising cover of The Go Go’s “We Got The Beat”. The guys have the post-punk era vibe of the song down pat as well as the gritty energy of the original, which makes it so much fun, and the video (above) looks like it was shot in a… garage! Robby Hurricane came to be as a trio after guitarist/vocalist Sal Costa left the short-lived quartet Bonds of Mara, and consists of vocalist/guitarist Bryan Crouch, drummer Daryl Ralph and bassist Dave Benedict (ex- of Juno Award winning rock band Default). Go Go’s fans and those familiar with the band members’ previous works will totally get off on “We Got The Beat”.

JAY BIRD, “Losing My Mind”

Earlier this year, Bay Area electronic dance producer Jay Bird brought us the infectious bass-laden deep house track “All Night Long”, and “Losing My Mind” continues in that vein as another immediate dance floor draw. Like producers such as Fisher or Acraze, Jay Bird moves away once again from a vocalist-driven track to one that’s carried by the rhythm and beats, and the repeated vocals are produced to allow you to be your craziest on the dance floor, should the mood strike you. It’s great to see Jay Bird expand his production techniques with fast and furious tracks like “Losing My Mind”.

PAULINE HERR, joegarratt, “heartbreak”

“heartbreak” is a big future bass ballad which is so chock full of emotion, that it may be one of those rare songs you hear at an EDM show in a stadium which might cause your eyes to well up. American producer Pauline Herr and UK singer/songwriter joegarratt feed off each others talents, as Pauline goes to shake the room with huge future bass beats while joe wrings his voice dry. “heartbreak” is from the latest Bitbird compilation Gouldian Finch 5, which also features tracks by San Holo, Tails, OBLVYN, nikita the wicked, Eastghost, and other electronic music favourites.

JOHN PAUL WHITE, WILDO DM, “Big Love”

If you’ve ever wondered how an artist might cover as complex a track as Fleetwood Mac’s “Big Love”, then listen to the collaboration of the Grammy Award-winning half of The Civil Wars, John Paul White, and Swedish production outfit Wildo DM (who handpicked John Paul for the song) deliver the goods. In its original form, “Big Love” is all Lindsey Buckingham, no other members of Fleetwood Mac even played on it, with a wondrous, irrepressible vocal. The artists scale “Big Love” back, but not to the point of being yet another acoustic take. Both clearly understand how intense the original is, and John Paul is bang on with his expressive vocal and guitar playing. The production by Wildo DM presents some delightful subtleties that flesh out the backing track. Fans of the original song, Lindsey Buckingham, and John Paul White, will be pleased and impressed.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 25 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

“Unstoppable” by NYC-based dance producer GATTŪSO

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

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

To celebrate Michael Jackson’s 65th birthday yesterday, it’s “Beat It” by Old Jim and Victor Perry

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

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

Gregory Abbott – Shake You Down
Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Los Lobos – La Bamba
Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Sweden’s Alesso gets his first #1 with “Without You”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Toronto’s Francesco Yates moves up 16-7 with the title song from his recent EP Little Rockstar

#BILLCSTop30 #673 – August 28/23

As the music world continues to be moving at a faster pace than ever, trying to give new releases the full attention they deserve becomes challenging, so if I haven’t come to an opinion about a song after an initial listen, I’ll defer it to the following week. Regardless it keeps the chart fresh and the activity continuous. And if my top two songs hadn’t been competing with each other, the last chart’s #1 would be at the top again.

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

So replacing Conan Gray’s brilliant “Never Ending Song” at #1 is Alesso’s stunning “Without You”, which becomes the Swedish producer’s first #1 on this chart. And it has challengers for the top in two weeks immediately below.

Benson Boone inches up 4-3 with “Coffee Cake”, a deeper cut from his EP Pulse, as last year’s “In The Stars” continues to attract attention at Top 40 radio.

Making a significant move is “Rush” by Troye Sivan, which soars 10-4. It’s definitely one of Troye’s best releases, putting him back into dance music territory with his solo releases, and now receiving traction at dance music radio. It’s from his forthcoming album Something To Give Each Other.

Francesco Yates replaces himself in the Top 10 with the chart’s Fastest Riser and his sixth visit to the Top 10, “Little Rockstar” (16-7) from the EP of the same name, while “Thunderbomb” departs the Top 10 after peaking at #9.

German Grammy winner Purple Disco Machine gets his first Top 10 with the sophisticated funky dance/pop of “Substitution” (11-8) in collaboration with French producer Kungs and vocalist Julian Perretta. It’s Kungs’ second visit to the Top 10, following 2021’s fun #2 “Never Going Home”.

Ryan Shepherd’s five entries to the chart have now all reached the Top 10 thanks to “Move It (Control My Mind)”, which advances 13-9. Vocalist Heather Janssen also picks up her second visit to the Top 10, following 2019’s “Who’s Gonna Love U” (#6). You can also check out Ryan’s recent release with Malou called “Feel So Good” below.

Hazell Dean’s bright new original dance release “100% Pure Love” continues to advance, moving up 20-13.

All of the debuts from the last chart are off to a great start, all moving up seven or more places. Leading the way is “Strings” by MAX, JVKE and Bazzi, rising 25-17. JVKE is also at #6 this week as a part of “Angel, Pt. 2”. I’m looking forward to his show today in my city too!

UK singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson’s pop/dance release “Falling” climbs 26-19. Make sure you follow Sam on your socials to find out what more is happening with this and his other upcoming releases and concerts!

GATTUSO’s third visit to this chart with “Unstoppable” (above) rises 27-20, while the debut release by American dance/electronic producer Voyajer, “Come Around” (below), climbs 28-21. You can also check out GATTUSO’s recent release “Moonlight” (with Laidback Luke and Antrex) above.

The potent deep house and soulful wallop of “What You Need” by Steve Angello and WH0 arrives as the Highest Debut at #23. Steve is the second member of Swedish House Mafia to visit the chart. Axwell had two Top 10’s in 2005-6 with “Watch The Sunrise” (#7) and “Feel The Vibe” (#2), while Swedish House Mafia of course has charted twice, with #1 “Don’t You Worry Child” in 2012, and last year with “Turn On The Lights Again” (#3, with Fred Again.. and Future). Only Sebastian Ingrosso has yet to chart as a solo artist. And mysterious British producers WH0 previously reached #12 in 2021 with “Better Day” (with Nile Rodgers and Josh Barry).

UK dance producers Marvel Riot arrive on the chart for the first time with “Want My Lovin'” (#26) in collaboration with sensational powerhouse vocalist MOYA. The song is based on the instrumental hook of Felix’s 1992 club smash “Don’t You Want Me” (which in turn was based on Jomanda’s 1990 release “Don’t You Want My Love”). MOYA previously reached #15 with UK/Irish producers Menerva last year with “You”.

Alex Sampson is a new pop singer out of Atitokan, Ontario, a small rural town north west of Thunder Bay. He has popular Instagram and Tik Tok pages, which helped him land a deal with Warner Music. His fun track “WANT YOU!” bows at #29 and reminds me a lot of one of my favourite Canadian bands, Marianas Trench.

Also making his debut on the chart is Toronto-based pop/soul singer JRDN with “What Do I Got To Do” at #30. JRDN (aka Jordon Croucher) is in comeback mode, having had big domestic radio hits in 2010 that went Gold, “U Can Have It All” and “Like Magic”. JRDN’s rich, versatile vocal is the star of this release, which is picking up steam at Top 40 radio in Canada.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Radio GTA

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

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

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

Halton Hills Online

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

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

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA. My pick of the week airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at this link.

Addictive Energy

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations but is anchored at Mix88.ca on Saturdays beginning at 8pm EST. You can hear recent episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.

FM 108

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

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

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – August 23/23 spotlighting songs by Brandyn Burnette @EMAN8 @FredAgainagainagain1 & @Obongjayar @_AlexanderStew Tim Young @soundslikeTim

My summer concert swing is in full effect and I’m enjoying it. Though it technically began when I saw Illenium’s stadium show at Barclay Centre in New York City at the beginning of July – wow so long ago, already? – it has continued this month with shows by long-time favourites SAGA and James Bay, local CNE fair shows from Dionne Warwick and Amanda Marshall, and continues this week with concerts by my good friend Rob Preuss (ex-Spoons and Honeymoon Suite), JVKE, and Images in Vogue with Toronto’s Kinga opening. No need to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for great shows when there is so much talent playing clubs and mid-size venues for reasonable prices.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits focusing on songs from 1976. And you’ll find out what the hottest songs on the BILLCS Top 30 were 5-10-15-20 years ago!

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “sunset eyes”

I’ve showcased the music of L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette in this blog for 9 years now, when I was first captivated by his enduring “Thanks for Nothing” (whose T-shirt has always prompted interesting glances or responses when I’ve worn it). Brandyn hasn’t released a lot of music since his Canadian Top 40 radio smash last year with DVBBS, “Summer Nights” (which reached #7 on the BILLCS Top 30), and “sunset eyes” is a welcome return to the indie pop style that fostered his long-term fan base. “sunset eyes” is an appropriately dreamy song about how much he adores his better half and how she looks back at him. There’s nothing complex about it, and the light rhythmic arrangement captures the SoCal beach vibe well. No muss, no fuss, I’ll take a song like this by Brandyn anytime!

FRED AGAIN.., OBONGJAYAR, “adore u”

One of the most unique releases you’ll hear all year is “adore u” by UK electronic producer and fan favourite Fred Again.., in collaboration with London-based Nigerian vocalist/songwriter Obongjayar (aka Steven Umoh). It’s already off to a great start in the UK, where it has debuted inside the Top 20. What’s most interesting is the vocal by Obongjayar, which Fred Again.. has given a fluttery kind of sound atop sometimes minimal production, though Fred has invested in creating some African-like rhythms too. To give the song another surprise layer, Fred has built “adore u” around a 1984 release by The Fat Boys called “Stick ‘Em”. You can’t deny all of the effort that has gone into making “adore u” a delightful experience for the attentive music listener. Check out the live performance video of the song above.

ALEXANDER STEWART, “I Wish You Cheated”

Toronto’s Alexander Stewart broke out with his Canadian radio hit “Backwards” from the album of the same name in 2020, but his releases went quiet until this year, when he resurfaced on a retake of Dylan Conrique’s “Birthday Cake” as a duet. Following the success of similar vocalists like Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray and Benson Boone, Alexander’s “I Wish You Cheated” is a perfect fit into that landscape of potential Top 40 pop. It’s a self-reflective ballad, when you realize you’re the one to blame for the end of a relationship, which puts the other half on a pedestal and to whom other future relationships will be hard to compare. It’s an interesting angle for sure in a song which has already racked up 5 million+ streams on Spotify alone. Alexander is currently touring with K-POP star Eric Nam, whose show I may check next month when I’m in the US.

Alexander Stewart also opens for Eric Nam at HISTORY on October 16, 2023 in Toronto.

TIM YOUNG, “Supernova”

I recently wrote about Tim Young’s lush electronic pop release “Lavender”, and coming at us from a similar gay love story vantage point is “Supernova” – but this time it’s a ballad backed entirely by piano and cello. Like “Lavender”, “Supernova” is about a past lover, with the title flower being the connection. It’s a soaring, universal ballad reminiscing about how they were when then were at their best together. And while the story was the star of “Lavender” amid a lot of production, it’s Tim’s powerful voice this time that is duly showcased, and you can hear why the NYC-based performer has been part of two Grammy-winning projects, the play “Dear Evan Hansen” and the film “The Greatest Showman”. Check out the video above for some captivating choreography.

FEATURING

MARIA WILMAN, “Roll Your Soul”

The first thing that you’re going to notice about London-based, Bilbao, Spain-born Maria Wilman’s “Roll Your Soul” is how much at times she sounds like Chrissie Hynde. And I think the passionate side of that kind of voice is used effectively in Maria’s brand of alternative rock. “Roll Your Soul” seems ages old but fresh at the same time, in its story of how much you might choose to gamble to obtain power and gold, specifically. It’s culled from Maria’s debut album, Dark Horse, recorded between 2019 and 2022. She’s only been releasing music for the past few years but chose to make a fresh start in music – at age 50. That itself is a risk-taker, but when the music gods are guiding you, it’s hard not to follow them. “Roll Your Soul” can sure rock with the best of them.

WAITING FOR SMITH, “Let Light In”

Netherlands-based British talent Harry Lloyd is the kind of every day guy you’d enjoy spending time with over a beer in a pub, if his genuinely happy Instagram feed is any indication. His thoughtful and touching release “Heal” got to #10 earlier this year on the BILLCS Top 30. “Let Light In” is a folk-flavoured singalong to positivity from which we can all take notes. It may seem a little idyllic at times, but “Let Light In” is mood-changer that would probably be best heard in concert. Harry’s knowing vocal – he spent a year recovering from a broken back suffered in a skiing accident – is flush with warm honesty, making “Let Light In” so easy to enjoy.

MELØ, “Don’t Feel A Thing”

Windsor-based talent MELØ veers into danceable pop with “Don’t Feel A Thing”, which follows up his recent more rock-flavoured release “King of Nothing”, which I wrote about a while back. It’s an 80s/90s flavoured track that examines a relationship that is pretty much over and has gone numb, and why we put on the faςade of arguing when it’s not needed. The song’s brisk pace and some top notch saxophone work provide nice contrast to MELØ’s dark but knowing vocal and the song’s irrefutable lyrics.

NEEDS NO SLEEP, KXNE, “Kryptonite”

“Kryptonite” is a fun late night dance track by Australian dance producer Needs No Sleep (who charted a few years back on the BILLCS Top 30 with the #9 “Unnatural”) and UK singer KXNE, who also produces under the moniker DXSH. What sets apart “Kryptonite” from other techno-inspired deep house tracks is the distinct vocal by KXNE. For some reason “Kryptonite” is rhymed with “crib tonight”, and KXNE has a good time playing with nonsensical lyrics like this. The music anticipates his verses with a call-and-respond kind of melody, and this release is a winner for those who want to groove along.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 25 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

UK singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson returns with his pop/dance release “Falling”

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

“I Walk This Earth All By Myself” is from Australian electronic producer Throttle

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

The veteran German duo ItaloBrothers team up with CHIPZ for the 90’s throwback “1001 Arabian Nights”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Kiss – Beth
Klaatu – Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
Ohio Players – Love Rollercoaster
Manhattans – Kiss And Say Goodbye
Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music

THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20…

The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago…

2018

01 BROKEN LOVE The Him featuring Parson James

02 PINK LEMONADE James Bay

03 NO PLACE Rüfüs Du Sol

04 SUBTERRANEAN/ESTRANGED Bobby Nourmand

05 GET DOWN RetroVision

2013

01 BLACK LIGHT (Stormby’s Mix) Kaden

02 VOCAL Pet Shop Boys

03 AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Ryan Adamés

04 BEGGING Anton Ewald

05 SKIRT Kylie Minogue

2008

01 BEATING MY HEART Jon Mclaughlin

02 DREAM CATCH ME Newton Faulkner

03 BLACK AND GOLD Sam Sparro

04 STAMP YOUR FEET Donna Summer

05 FOREVER Chris Brown

2003

01 SIMPLY BEING LOVED (SOMNAMBULIST) BT

02 AS THE RUSH COMES (Tiësto remix) Motorcycle [aka Gabriel & Dresden]

03 ABSOLUTELY ZERO Jason Mraz

04 YET ANOTHER DAY Armin van Buuren featuring Ray Wilson

05 BEAUTIFUL THINGS Andain

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – August 16/23 spotlighting new songs by @Darinofficial @MarvelRiot & @MOYAangela @TheDiscoFries & @thisisReigns

I have no commentary to add this week, so I’ll just let the bounty of music within this week’s Report speak for itself!! I’ll just mention that Toronto rock project Mobius Radio has both a featured song and a pick of the week by our own Big Daddy!

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits features well-remembered smashes from 1971. If you missed them, you’ll also find out what’s #1 this week on the BILLCS Top 30, and what song is the Fastest Riser on the chart.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

DARIN, “Satellit”

Sweden’s Darin continues to prove that the pop/dance direction set by his comeback English single “Can’t Stay Away” almost three years ago is engaging and vibrant with his recent Swedish-language original single “Satellit”. It seems only natural to choose to write a Swedish song in support of his arena tour in his home country, and language barrier or not, “Satellit” is another natural progression that follows up last year’s EP My Purple Clouds and its fantastic songs “Superstar” and “Satisfaction”, which reached #2 and #1 respectively on the BILLCS Top 30. I can’t get enough of this era of Darin, which has also attracted Italian dance music audiences who also embraced “Can’t Stay Away”. What I’m saying is that it doesn’t matter if “Satellit” is sung in Swedish – if you enjoyed his other recent English singles then you’ll find that “Satellit” continues to whet your palate for more pop/dance originals in this vein from Darin.

MARVEL RIOT, MOYA, “Want My Lovin'”

UK production duo Marvel Riot are going places if their impressive work on “Want My Lovin'” is any indication, and it’s no wonder Spinnin’ has released it. The song is actually based on Felix’s worldwide early 90’s smash “Don’t You Want Me” (which in turn was based on Jomanda’s 1990 release “Don’t You Want My Love”), and the classic Eurohouse synth hook used in this update is refreshing and will be a highlight requiring a lot of flashing lights in a club set. The addition of powerhouse vocalist MOYA to this release adds to the 90’s flavour but also gives it additional dimension, considering the vocals on the Jomanda version were quite different and the Felix version was largely an instrumental. I know you may be thinking that we don’t need yet another redux of a classic built around some new lyrics, but when they are this well done and not phoned in like some recent big hits, then you listen for the inspiration of the original(s) to help make the rest of the song work.

THE DISCO FRIES, REIGNS, “Another World”

Venerable dance music producers The Disco Fries have unleashed their third album, Another World, and as might be anticipated, it offers a bevy of songs with talented friends. Included are “Pieces”, the national #1 dance radio smash with VASSY and Bingo Players, as well as recent singles “Give Me Your Soul” (with Miami’s Eche Palante), “Alone At Midnight” (with Kastra and Britt Lari) and “Love You Loud” (with Ferry Corsten and Leon Stanford). Among the new songs, which feature such fine performers as Canada’s Danyka Nadeau, LODATO, and Sarah de Warren, we have the title song sung brilliantly by Reigns, who has recorded with The Disco Fries before as well as other notables like Breathe Carolina and Carl Cox. It’s a rich production with a sweeping vocal and some techno inspiration that serves as a deeper album track that’s ideal for late night club play.

FEATURING

HYRA, MICHAEL MEDRANO, “Air U Breathe”

“Air U Breathe” is a collaboration between Nicaragua-born, Miami-raised singer Hyra and resident L.A. disco dad Michael Medrano, who has appeared a number of times in these blog pages. I’m so glad this is a duet because the vocal chemistry between Hyra and Michael works tremendously well. We’ve heard this kind of story a number of other times before, so it was incumbent on the vocals to carry the song above and beyond and make it fresh again. “Air U Breathe” is a worthwhile extension to Michael’s dance releases for his fans, and Hyra is a top notch talent to keep on your radar.

MOBIUS RADIO, “Blink of An Eye”

While the self-titled eight-song album is now available for you to explore in more detail the concept of Mobius Radio as a pirate radio station, I’m providing you with a third installment that shows the progressive nature of this project shaped by Toronto singer/guitarist Dylan Hennessy with input and interludes from the recognizable voice of Canadian announcer Jeff Woods. “Blink of an Eye” to me is the centerpiece of the album, a seven minute epic that features blistering guitar playing, the kind of song that transports listeners back to the rebellious times of the early 1970’s, when FM rock radio was starting to take shape as an alternative to the repetition of Top 40 hits of the day. Think early Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Who, Peter Frampton, Faces, and Jeff Beck, all of whom played key roles in the transformation of rock music. “Blink of an Eye” musically salutes these legends while recognizing in its lyrics when you need to savour the moment before it’s gone too quickly.

CAT JANICE, “Who do you think you are”

“Who do you think you are” is my choice for an introduction to West Virginia-born pop singer/songwriter and violinist Cat Janice, with the release of her debut album, Modern Medicine. And while the album title serves as a conduit for change and healing, particularly after she continues to battle cancer herself, the songs are anything but downbeat. “Who do you think you are” is quirky and spoken-sung, about that unique time when you feel unbridled joy and happiness and think you might be falling in love. The lyrics and mood of the song give us some insight into glorious highs that Cat Janice has faced while facing cancer as well as other low points that a lot of people go through at some point. While we hope of course that Cat Janice wins her cancer battle, let’s admire her concerted ability to create during this time and make the positive songs of Modern Medicine available to alternative music fans.

BENJAMIN RUSSELL, “Do Not Forsake Me (Ballad of “High Noon”)”

Diving deeper into Benjamin Russell’s recent album Frontier, the Montreal-based self-described electro-folk singer/songwriter tackles a pre-rock era classic, the theme from the Gary Cooper film “High Noon”, “Do Not Forsake Me”, originally sung by Tex Ritter. And Benjamin’s version is quite faithful to the original, once again with a minimalistic contemporary arrangement but with perhaps a more forthright vocal, especially given that the woman in the song wants to abandon the singer on their wedding day – time to win her back! It’s a curious choice to update in these times but it works quite well on its own merits and of course in the context of the theme of the Frontier album.

JAMES GREBB, “Paradox”

Denver-based electronic dance producer James Grebb scores with the trance-flavoured deep house of “Paradox”. The pulsating beats and a sultry uncredited female vocalist are the stars of this atmospheric track. “Paradox” has a lot going on inside, and you’ll find that the song’s three minutes are over before you really get to know it, which instantly prompts repeated plays. It’s a smart, well-produced track that could add substance to any deep house set.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 30 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

MAX is back and he’s got JVKE and Bazzi with him on his romantic new track “Strings”

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

It’s “Can We All” by Toronto’s Mobius Radio

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

“Crystal Clear” by Virginia-born electronic producer Aaron Shirk and British vocalist Isaac Warburton

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Tommy James – Draggin’ The Line
Raiders -Indian Reservation
Osmonds – One Bad Apple
Honey Cone – Want Ads
Bee Gees – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Conan Gray nabs his 2nd #1 on the chart with “Never Ending Song”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

A song I continue to hear everywhere I go, it’s “Rush” by Troye Sivan (19-10)

#BILLCSTop30 #672 – August 14/23

The middle of summer brings us a number of dance bangers, a few rockers, and even a bit of romance courtesy of the highest debut of four new songs.

It’s the supremely catchy “Never Ending Song” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Conan Gray that ascends to the top of the chart. “Never Ending” becomes Conan’s second #1, following “Yours” from late last year, which was also my #7 song of the year. And there’s more good news for fans of the singer – his next single “Winner” drops August 25.

Alesso is almost literally breathing up Conan Gray’s back as “Without You” climbs 3-2 and will challenge in two weeks. The amazing uncredited vocal on “Without You” is by Swedish singer Calle Lehmann. Alesso also went back-to-back with Martin Garrix on stage at Tomorrowland recently, and I’m sure you can find that set on You Tube.

After making short work of the chart two weeks ago, Benson Boone’s “Coffee Cake” vaults 12-4 as his 2nd Top 10 entry. The talented guy’s release from last year, “In The Stars” is belatedly catching on at radio. It peaked at #2 on this chart and was my #21 song of the year.

“Angel, Pt. 2”, from “Fast & Furious: The Fast Saga”, climbs 11-7, becoming the 3rd Top 10 for JVKE, 2nd for JIMIN (whose former #1 “Like Crazy” is in its 10th and final appearance at #21), 5th for Charlie Puth, and 1st for Muni Long.

Cash Cash’s anthemic electronic pop song “Bleach (Move On)” rises 16-8, becoming their 2nd Top 10 entry. The singer is none other than the group’s own Jean Paul Makhlouf.

Francesco Yates’ first of two entries on the chart from his EP Little Rockstar, the punchy “Thunderbomb” (above), jumps 13-9, and is his 5th Top 10 entry, while the more melodic title track (below) looks like it will travel even faster to the Top 10, up 23-16.

The Fastest Riser on the chart belongs to Troye Sivan, a song that I’ve heard all over the place in the last two weeks, the frenetic and fun “Rush”, which soars 19-10. It’s his mammoth 10th Top 10 entry since 2015!

Canadian quartet The Beaches’ enjoyably self-disparaging rocker “Blame Brett” is on the rise up 22-15.

UK dance music queen Hazell Dean’s latest is pretty hard to dislike, the vibrant 80’s throwback original “100% Pure Love”, which climbs 28-20.

To absolutely no surprise to anyone who has followed my blog and this chart during the last 10 years, the lead spotlight song from last week’s New Music Report is the Highest Debut. MAX’s beautiful ode to wife Emily on their seventh anniversary, “Strings”, featuring JVKE and Bazzi, arrives at #25 and is MAX’s 13th entry, following “Worst Day” (with Illenium) from earlier this year, which peaked at #6.

Debuting at #26 is the latest from UK R&B/dance singer Sam Dickinson with “Falling”, another recent release that makes it hard to stay still! It’s Sam’s 7th chart entry and first since 2020.

NYC-based dance producer GATTÜSO gets his 3rd chart entry with the fast-paced bounce of “Unstoppable” bowing at #27. He reached #8 on the chart last year with Nicky Romero and Jared Lee on “Afterglow”.

The fourth debut belongs to nomadic American dance producer Voyajer (aka A.J. Cassarella) at #28 with his irresistible debut indie release, “Come Around”, led by a soaring uncredited male vocal.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Radio GTA

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

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

Halton Hills Online

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

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

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

Addictive Energy

FM 108

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

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

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – August 9/23 spotlighting songs by @MAXmusic, @JVKEsongs & @Bazzi @thisisTheFatRat & @CeciliaGault @PeterWisemusic #VinnyMarchi

The middle class – whatever it is anymore – keeps getting the shaft by the entertainment industry. Concert tickets by superstars are only affordable for the wealthy. Yet on the other hand, the biz keeps crying out for more talent that it believes can be turned into superstars. Yet it’s all in front of their collective noses, more so than ever, so perhaps the A&R positions at record labels need to be reassessed as well as the people in them. It’s no longer enough to bring in a hit, because as soon as it has peaked – and even if it is long-lasting – the industry moves on to the next talent made popular largely on Tik Tok, or releases something by its current superstars. Something is terribly wrong with this model when the gatekeepers of talent don’t want to wade into the middle of everyday folks like you and I to find talent as was done previously. The word is Elitist.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits features some great tunes from those fabulous years for pop music, 1970 and 1971. And I’ll take you back to my BILLCS Top 30 from this week in 2006 – post-Napster but just before You Tube and Facebook.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

MAX, JVKE, BAZZI, “Strings”

Readers of this blog know that I’ve been listening to the music of MAX since well before his best known song, “Lights Down Low”, a song-written for his now-wife Emily, which was released, incredibly, seven years ago (MAX’s “Wrong”, with Lil Uzi Vert, had reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2015). “Lights Down Low” ended up having long legs in the biz at the time, and didn’t become the radio hit that it deserved to be for more than a year (it also peaked at #3 on the BILLCS Top 30). So I’m happy to say that his latest release, “Strings”, is one of his very best to date, and deserves the same kind of success as “Lights” – it too was written for Emily! You’ll be cheering within the first 30 seconds as MAX captivates with a gorgeous vocal, then being joined seamlessly in succession by one of my new favourites, the always listenable JVKE, and then by Bazzi, who is at his best. Its chorus, with all of its doo-wop inspired ooooh-oooohs, generates shivers, and the production by MAX and Dwilly is just aces. MAX fans in particular will be more than pleased as one of the nicest people (now signed to Warner Music) in the biz continues to level up. And keep those songs about Emily coming!

TheFatRat, CECILIA GAULT, “Escaping Gravity (Chapter Three)”

Germany’s TheFatRat returns with “chapter three” of what looks like an ongoing saga of releases, “Escaping Gravity”, which began with “Out Of The Rain”, which I wrote about earlier this year. It’s got a fanciful medieval flute sound as its musical hook, with an equally captivating vocal by NYC singer Cecilia Gault to help the story unfold. “Escaping Gravity” ponders the wonders of sailing in outer space, shooting satellites, watching the starlight, and feeling like you’re at the centre of the universe. It’s all stuff of ages old stories of space travel, reinvigorated in a positive, wondrous light by TheFatRat and his team. Note that you can use “Escaping Gravity” on any social media platform, but check out TheFatRat’s instructions on You Tube underneath the video.

PETER WISE, “Only Gotta Start”

It’s a pleasure to hear more new music by NYC indie singer/songwriter Peter Wise. “Only Gotta Start” draws you in immediately and keeps you there thanks to a conscientious story about letting go of dark thoughts, pride, ego, hurt and frustration. Peter has an appealing jaunty style that often reminds me of Paul McCartney, and while starting something fresh may be a no-brainer for some people, for others it’s something difficult to achieve on a regular basis. Peter’s friendly vocal and the message coming from a hitherto unknown female presence in the song works well. “Only Gotta Start” is an earworm that will leave you smiling.

VINNY MARCHI, “Atmosphere”

A while back, I brought musical theatre and classically trained opera singer Vinny Marchi to your attention through his delightful interpretation of Hozier’s “Cherry Wine”. Vinny’s a natural born entertainer on Instagram (@veryveryvinny), and he may tantalize the pop world yet with strong originals like “Atmosphere”. Sure, its a bedroom production set against a relatively straight-forward synth/keyboard melody, but “Atmosphere” oozes seduction and romance. His lilting vocal shows off some of his range, and even when blended with some effects is quite appealing. There aren’t enough pop ballads like this around and it’s nice to know that there are versatile vocalists like Vinny Marchi who can tackle them with superlative results.

FEATURING

RAINA SOKOLOV-GONZALEZ, “The Healing”

NYC Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez will also be a familiar name to readers of this blog through her entertaining pop/jazz songs that I’ve written about in the past. “The Healing” steps into a direction for Raina that has been successful for singers like Grammy-winner YEBBA, and Raina has a similar finesse and command of her voice that makes moments in the song sound effortless and even improvised. “The Healing” is a song about praise and gratitude for life, taking on some intentional gospel influences in the process with beautiful harmonies. Even when set just to a piano, the splendid arrangement of “The Healing” grabs and holds your attention.

THE SOMETIMES ISLAND, “neon summer”

“neon summer” is one of those songs that manages to tap into everyone’s collective memories about summer and finds something in common. It’s brought to you by California indie pop/rock trio The Sometimes Island and is written by leader Matt Blankenship. The results could have been like a cliché, sickly sweet overdose of The Beach Boys but instead it’s a warm, synth-filled, memorable end-of-summer pop tune. The vocals and harmonies are catchy, all the more reason to make sure you add “neon summer” to any playlists you might have about reminiscing or summer romances, and it will fit like a glove. Also check out The Sometimes Island’s brief but spot on cover of Stealers’ Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You”.

BEN ELLIS, “Runner Up”

Welsh indie singer/songwriter has recently graced the BILLCS Top 30 with the insanely feel good and infectious “Ed’s House” at #8, and he follows it up with a quick pop tune about being “that other guy” in a friendship who never gets chosen to go the extra step to romance. All of the one-time wallflowers and sad sods will completely relate as the subject of the song is used as a friend and becomes resigned to the runner-up idea. Ben’s got a lot of natural charm as a singer/songwriter and a strong Instagram (@benellismusic) and Tiko Tok presence, that will all continue to go a long way until the right music business deal comes along for him, it’s just a matter of time!

ROLIPSO, ROBBIE ROSEN, ALESSA, “Tell Me What You Want”

German producer Rolipso teams up again with NYC’s fab Robbie Rosen for the deep house crunch in “Tell Me What You Want”. As with Robbie’s powerful vocal, the production also offers a solid showcase for one of Robbie’s protégées, fellow New York singer Alessa. They sound great together, though at sometimes I think the production gets a little overzealous with effects on the vocals. But “Tell Me” overall is a solid release with an suitably intriguing Eurohouse arrangement that will sound great in dance clubs.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 25 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

“100% Pure Love” by UK dance music queen Hazell Dean in its “Dean & Ware Lava Lamp Mix”

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

“Stone Killer” is by Salt Lake City based musician 26fix

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

Hunter introduced me to the music of Ben Ellis, and his bop is another one by Ben, “Sofia”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Chicago – 25 Or 6 To 4 (1970)
The Beatles – Let It Be (1970)
The Partridge Family – I Think I Love You (1970)
Dawn – Knock Three Times (1971)
George Harrison – My Sweet Lord (1970)

BILLCS Top 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2006

Note the presence of three sadly missed talents, George Michael, Ari Gold and Meat Loaf.

03 01 MAKE A MOVE ON ME (CLUB MIX) Joey Negro (now known by his real name, Dave Lee)
01 02 IS IT ANY WONDER Keane
09 03 SEXYBACK Justin Timberlake
06 04 AND DO YOU FEEL SCARED (ERIC PRYDZ MIX) Howard Jones
02 05 I WANT YOU TO WANT ME Chris Isaak
04 06 JUST ANOTHER DAY (GEORGE ACOSTA REMIX) Jon Secada
10 07 AIN’T NO OTHER MAN Christina Aguilera
05 08 OUT OF MY HEAD Mobile
12 09 LEARNING THE HARD WAY Gin Blossoms
16 10 NO TOMORROW Orson
19 11 THE ADVENTURE Angels & Airwaves
17 12 I WILL LOVE AGAIN Taras
18 13 NOTHING BETTER THAN LIFE Sherrie Lea
15 14 AN EASIER AFFAIR George Michael
07 15 SEE YOU AGAIN Jenny Bliss
11 16 ME & U Cassie
24 17 MANEATER Nelly Furtado
08 18 GET TOGETHER Madonna
28 19 WAVE OF YOU Ari Gold
14 20 FLAWED DESIGN Stabilo
29 21 THE POP GAME Josh Kelley
NEW 22 GIVE IT UP TO ME Sean Paul featuring Keyshia Cole
20 23 DEVIL’S PARTY INXS
21 24 DEJA VU Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
22 25 SINGLE Natasha Bedingfield
30 26 THESE WALLS Teddy Geiger
13 27 WHERE’D YOU GO Fort Minor featuring Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga
NEW 28 I’VE GOT YOU McFly
NEW 29 IT’S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW Meat Loaf featuring Marion Raven
25 30 IT’S ALRIGHT Ricky Martin

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – August 2/23 Spotlighting new songs by @_ClaireRichards & @AndyBell_info @KaceyFifield @AlexSampson @Ashwynmusic

My shortlist for this particular edition of the Report was a long one, and some of those choices will carry over into next week’s Report. Anyone who tells you there is a shortage of good new music out there simply isn’t listening. This report includes two offbeat cover choices, a few side steps which show the versatility of the respective artists, and a number of solid pop songs.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits features several ballads from the early-to-mid 70’s. If you missed them, you’ll also find out what’s #1 this week on the BILLCS Top 30, and what song is the Fastest Riser on the chart.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

CLAIRE RICHARDS, ANDY BELL, “Summer Night City”

Even though their main successes were in different decades, it somehow makes sense that Steps’ Claire Richards and Erasure’s Andy Bell would team up to tackle an ABBA song, which is 1979’s “Summer Night City”. While it’s not one of ABBA’s best known songs (but one of my faves) and will be almost lost on North Americans who aren’t ABBA fans, “Summer Night City” was a Top 5 UK hit and a Top 10 hit in other markets around the world. Claire is coming off renewed interest in Steps which yielded two #2 albums in the UK as well as a #1 singles compilation. Andy has released 19 albums with Erasure and has interspersed a solo career which has resulted in particularly successful collaborations with producers Dave Audé and Bright Light Bright Light. Needless to say, the two voices meld together beautifully, as well as distinctly in their solo parts, in a faithful arrangement to the original song. ABBA fans and those of both singers will be delighted. I’d like to hear some dance remixes!

KACEY FIFIELD, “Self Sabotage”

L.A. pop singer/songwriter Kacey Fifield has released her most self-assured single yet in “Self Sabotage”. Co-written and produced again with Robbie Rosen, the additional harmonies offer a delicate sound, and the uncluttered production suits the song and its purpose lyrically. Kacey writes about real-life situations to which her fellow teens and young adults will ultimately relate. Her performance is confident and, after some releases with much more electronic production, the classic pop sound in “Self Sabotage” is quite refreshing.

ALEX SAMPSON, “WANT YOU!”

Alex Sampson is a 19 year old singer/songwriter from Atikokan, Ontario, a small rural town north west of Thunder Bay. I’ve been following him on Instagram for a few years based on the calibre of his vocal talent in some of the videos he’s posted as well as his down-to-earth personality (he’s also easy on the eyes), and he’s been releasing music since he was 15. I don’t use Tik Tok, where Alex apparently has a bigger following and he’s also noted for his sense of humour. He signed to Warner Music earlier this year, and “WANT YOU!” is a pleasing step away from ballads and IG covers. It’s a fun pop/rock track that will appeal to fans of Avril Lavigne, Marianas Trench and Fall Out Boy, a post-breakup song about being unable to get a former GF out of his head. There’s no doubt that Alex has burgeoning talent happily honed through social media and it comes through in flying colours on “WANT YOU!”.

ASHWYN, “The One That I Turn To”

“The One That I Turn To” is a few steps away the songs that US-born, India-raised multi-talent Ashwyn has released over the past few years (which you can find in these blog pages). It’s an uncharacteristic happy, romantic pop anthem, whose lyrics were written in two phases a year apart, about realizing the importance of having a special person in your life who will always be there for you. The production is crisp, showcasing some nice guitar parts and harmonies, with synth work taking a backseat in the arrangement this time. It’s rare to hear a straight-forward, sincere pop track that’s not too sugary and will make you smile, and Ashwyn nails it with “The One That I Turn To”.

FEATURING

THROTTLE, “I Walk This Earth All By Myself”

We haven’t heard near enough of Australian electronic producer, songwriter and occasional vocalist Throttle (aka Robbie Bergin) since the release of his wonderful EP Where U Are in 2019. Where U Are was reissued in a deluxe edition last year featuring VIP and acoustic mixes of its songs. The flavour of Throttle’s cover of Canadian punk-pop artist EKKSTACY’s “I Walk This Earth All By Myself” – the original has over 100 million streams on Spotify alone – continues his fascination with drum ‘n bass heard on the title track of the EP. And like “Where U Are”, he once again sings. offering his unique take on this somewhat guarded tale of exploration and self-fulfillment. “I Walk” is an intriguing track that takes a few listens before it will settle in with you. As his first new release in almost four years, we’ll have to see where music takes Throttle next!

DJ MIRKO B, JOSH PAULINO, “Just For This Night”

Italy’s DJ Mirko B is just finishing off a run on the BILLCS Top 30 with the powerful europop track “Sun Freezes Cold” (which peaked at #8), and returns this time with the more pop-oriented “Just For This Night”. This one reminds me more of dance/pop I would associate with One Republic or Bastille, and benefits from a catchy chorus set to a strong melodic backdrop. Brazilian vocalist Josh Paulino is front and centre in a fine, memorable showcase, which makes “Just For This Night” a pleasing earworm.

THE VELVETEINS, “Athene”

Inspired by the war goddess in Homer’s “The Iliad”, “Athene” is melodic alt.pop from Edmonton quintet The Velveteins, released in advance of their upcoming sophomore album. Led by singer/songwriter Spencer Murphy, “Athene” will appeal to those who enjoy the dream-pop sub-genre, as well as perhaps 80’s alt.pop by the likes of The Replacements or The Lemonheads. Aside from the song’s intriguing concept, Spencer’s warm but inspired vocals and some interesting guitar work are what will also draw you into “Athene”.

MATTHEW HOLTBY, “Big Mouth”

Matthew Holtby is a seasoned rocker from Warkworth, Ontario (near Campbellford) who has ventured into a solo career after being part of several bands. “Big Mouth” is a familiar-sounding but energetic country-flavoured rock track which showcases his passionate vocal style. Many of us have lived through a variation of the story that he sings in “Big Mouth”, which would make the song go over well in concert as its well-shot video suggests we would enjoy.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 30 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

“Little Rockstar” is the title track from the recent EP by Francesco Yates

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

“Rush” is by Benin-born singer Ayra Starr

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

“Weight of the World” is by British singer/songwriter Blair Keen

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Paul Simon – Mother and Child Reunion (1972)
Carly Simon – That’s The Way (I’ve Always Heard It To Be) (1971)
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were (1973)
Art Garfunkel – All I Know (1973)
Art Garfunkel with James Taylor & Paul Simon – (What A) Wonderful World (1978)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Norway’s Matoma gets a second appearance at #1 with “Won’t Follow You Home” with vocalist James Droll

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

I caught a quick Instagram live set by promising new singer/songwriter Benson Boone last night, and while he didn’t perform it, his track “Coffee Cake” from the EP Pulse climbs 24-12 on the BILLCS Top 30.

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – July 19/23 spotlighting new songs by @Grabbitz @Toniiamusic & @officialDuncan @thevoyAJer @DylanConrique & @_AlexanderStew @Whamofficial @AJRidgeley @GeorgeMofficial

The Report is back after a two week absence, which allowed me to vacation commitment-free in NYC, though of course I was often listening to new music at the hotel when I wasn’t out seeing Illenium in concert for the second time, or giving myself the dose of that ‘buzz’ that only The Big Apple can offer. I have nine new songs for your listening pleasure this week, including a spritely remix of a UK 80’s hit that never got the same attention in North America. My absence did create a long list of songs I’m enjoying which sadly will have to be whittled down, but I expect to bring you the best of the lot in the coming weeks.

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five pop hits feature, which this week teleports us back to 1970-71. And in case you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what are the #1 and Fastest Riser songs on the BILLCS Top 30.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

GRABBITZ, “Hero”

“Hero” is a hard-hitting and memorable progressive electronic release from L.A.-based, Buffalo-raised Grabbitz (aka Nick Chiari), who has recently been on tour opening for Dabin, and of course has collaborated famously with Rezz as well as Wooli, VALORANT, Subtronics, and Robert DeLong. It’s a song that you could associate with an unmade superhero movie, TV show or video game, and its heavy synth rhythm track just begs for accompanying images. What really makes this song stand out are Grabbitz’s verses mid-song, set only to minimal synths – and then there’s this wicked drop! The piano coda is also sublime and fitting. Dance music fans, “Hero” is certain to be one of your new favourites!

TONIIA, DUNCAN, “Broken Heart”

“Broken Heart” is the intriguing collaboration between German progressive electronic producer Toniia (aka Emre Yilmaz) and Denver-born pop/R&B/hip hop vocalist/songwriter Duncan, who at times in his career has worked with Pitbull, Timbaland and Afrojack, among many others. The song recounts those times where a relationship has just ended and the plethora of emotions that are stuck in our heads with no immediate way out. Duncan’s raw, streetwise vocal is really unique – alternately soulful, anguished, and self-loathing – while Toniia’s production is forceful when necessary, but more often is the understanding melody behind the pain of the lyrics. “Broken Heart” has been in the works for a couple of years, and Toniia and Duncan found a way to refine it and make it work even better.

VOYAJER, “Come Around”

Voyajer is talented new American dance producer A.J. Cassarella, and “Come Around” is his debut release. The energy of this track is contagious, which makes it a most pleasing and unexpected summer banger. Voyajer has quality on his mind with his organized and crisp production, with well-placed synths and beats that revolve around a splendid uncredited male vocal. The layers of effects stand out on their own rather than being submerged into a blurry melting pot, and help the vocal really soar. “Come Around” is a crackerjack start for Voyajer and I can’t wait to see where his next releases will take us.

DYLAN CONRIQUE, ALEXANDER STEWART, “Birthday Cake”

Now you might be going, wait a minute, wasn’t “Birthday Cake” released last year? Why yes it was, as a solo track which went viral by Dylan Conrique, the 19 year old San Francisco-area born singer and actress, noted for her role on TV’s “The Rookie”. It’s a gorgeous, tender multi-tissue song, written for a friend after the loss of her mother to cancer, and the addition of Toronto’s Alexander Stewart and his smooth tones to the song really enhances it and gives it another perspective with another voice. This duet is highly deserving of your attention, so don’t sleep on it!

BONUS!

WHAM!, “Club Tropicana” (Balearic Breeze remix)

To celebrate the reissue of their Singles collection on vinyl, “Club Tropicana” by Wham! is given a fresh official remix. It’s an appropriately refreshing, bubbly update of a song that never became a hit in North America, and takes us back to the pre-solo career days of George Michael, when he was writing songs that tapped into the social consciousness of youth of the day. “Club Tropicana” celebrates the good times to which we all look forward, and the majority of Wham!’s early songs hold up well 40 years later. Be sure to check out the “Wham!” documentary on Netflix, which explores George’s friendship with bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, how important they were to each other, and how critical both of them were to the success of Wham!

FEATURING

MOBIUS RADIO, “Can We All”

“Can We All” is another installment in the forthcoming Mobius Radio album project, brought to you and curated by Canadian musician and producer Dylan Hennessy along with input and inspiration from renown broadcaster Jeff Woods. The theme of the project is a pirate radio station, and I’m looking forward to the completed result. “Can We All” is a fine slice of melodic rock that showcases Dylan’s guitar work as well as an instrument called boomwhackers, which are tuned percussion tubes. The Mobius Radio album is due in August as well as a live launch in Toronto.

GRAYTheBand, K-RIZ, “‘Bit Late”

Edmonton’s Gray Ford, under his collective’s name GrayTheBand, is back with another winning track, “‘Bit Late”, from a forthcoming album. Like predecessor “All Done” (also the title of the album), “‘Bit Late” features a potent vocal by Gray that’s the calling card for this kind of soulful slice of pop/rock. Rapper K-Riz, also from Edmonton, is added into the mix with some slick verses midway that remind me of acclaimed Canadian rapper K-Os. All in all, “‘Bit Late” is another highly listenable track whose somewhat retro appeal comes off as fresh and worthy of your consideration in anticipation of the full album.

TISOKI, “Wish You Weren’t Here”

With the release of his new EP Euphoria, I dive deeper into the musical world of Bradley Edwards, otherwise known as Tisoki, after writing up another track on the EP called “Let You Down” (with Pauline Herr) a while back. And the versatility of the songs on Euphoria (with contributions from San Holo and Fabian Mazur, among others) are sure to be the honey to attract fans of all kinds of electronic dance music, though at times it’s quite unconventional. “Wish You Weren’t Here”, co-written with British electronic artist joegarratt – featured not long ago himself in these blog pages with his track “uncanny” – is a head-scratcher at start, a brisk electronic bop with some affecting vocals in the first half of the song which lay the emotional foundation. But the rest of the song draws from drum ‘n bass and is sure to make fans of that sub-genre jump and dance along. “Wish You Weren’t Here” is a grower and might become one of the favourites on the EP for Tisoki fans.

ME ND ADAM, “Best of Me”

“Best of Me” is a gritty new rocker from Austin, Texas duo Me Nd Adam, whose song “Get The Money” I wrote about almost two years ago. Since that time, Vince Winik and Adam Walker have opened for The Killers in concert, thanks to an endorsement from the band on their social media, and “Best of Me” actually emerged from a songwriting session with George Gekas of The Revivalists. While I can see why Killers fans are drawn to the anthemic, no-nonsense style Me Nd Adam puts forth in “Best of Me”, the artist whose sound comes closest to mind on this track is 2010’s alternative faves Passion Pit. “Best of Me” is solid stuff that’s meant for live performances, and is culled from Me Nd Adam’s upcoming album American Drip Pt. II.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 25 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

The infectious and summery banger “Move It (Control My Mind)” is by two Canadians, dance producer Ryan Shepherd and vocalist/songwriter Heather Janssen

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

From the SZNZ: Autumn album, it’s Weezer with “What Happens After You?”

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

It’s a snappy dance bop “A Little Bit of Summer” by Nate VanDeusen, Horizon Blue and Michael Hausted

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

The Guess Who – American Woman (1970)
Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close To You (1970)
The Shocking Blue – Venus (1970)
Edwin Starr – War (1970)
Paul & Linda McCartney – Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (1971)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Norway’s Matoma grabs #1 this week with “Won’t Follow You Home” with American vocalist James Droll

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

For a second chart in a row, Alesso’s “Without You” is the Fastest Riser, soaring 17-6

#BILLCSTop30 #670 – July 17/23

While I have NYC on my mind from my trip there during the last five days, when I saw Illenium, Reeve Carney, and Andy Suzuki & The Method play shows, as well as a Mets baseball game, I’ve been hashing out a new chart too. Some early summer favourites have had their time, and the Top 10 is all abuzz with activity, so in the coming weeks there will be another big influx of new blood. In the meantime, there’s also a new #1 and three debuts!

My New Music Pick of the Week radio segment has two new radio station adds, while my Retro Pick of the Week has one, and those schedules on my blog’s home page will be updated this week.

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

Norway’s Matoma played a pool party this weekend in NYC, and though I didn’t get to that show, he obtains his first #1 on this chart with Nashville vocalist/songwriter James Droll, “Won’t Follow You Home”. Matoma first charted with “False Alarm” – with vocal by now-huge talent Becky Hill – back in 2016. Matoma already has a newly released fiery follow up to “Follow” called “Don’t Give Up On Me” (with vocalist Sadie Rose Van), below.

Gliding up the chart 9-3 to no surprise is “Never Ending Song” by Conan Gray, which could challenge for #1 as early as in two weeks.

Jonas Blue has his third Top 5 entry on the chart with “Finally” (featuring RANI) climbing 5-4. Only his lovely cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” (with Dakota) has gone higher, reaching #3 in 2016.

Cobi’s gorgeous rock ballad “Telepathic Powers” (above) climbs 7-5, and you can check out his latest release, the summery rocker “Good Morning”, below.

The Fastest Riser for the second chart in a row is Alesso’s “Without You”, a throwback to the effervescent arpeggio-laden melodic house tracks of ten years ago, and it soars 17-6, becoming his third Top 10 entry.

The Canadian dance music force of three – DLMT, Luis Torres and Rico 56 – advance 14-7 with “Wildfire”. It’s DLMT and Rico 56’s first time in the Top 10, but Luis Torres’ second after reaching #1 in 2016 “Care For Me” as a part of Dzeko & Torres (with Hellberg).

Emirati dance production duo Revelries grab their fourth Top 10 entry as “Down on You” rises 16-8.

The Disco Fries pick up their fifth Top 10 entry in collaboration with Miami producer Eche Palante as “Give Me Your Soul” (above) climbs 11-9. You can also check out The Disco Fries’ recent collaboration with Ferry Corsten and Leon Stanford called “Love You Loud” below.

And the fourth new Top 10 entry is indie Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis with a throwback to teenage years that we can all relate to called “Ed’s House”, which moves up 13-10.

JIMIN’s “Like Crazy” may have left #1 after 4 appearances at the top (8 weeks), but his collaboration with JVKE, Charlie Puth and Muni Long on “Angel Pt. 2” has liftoff and zips up the chart 24-15.

You may yet see more from Francesco Yates’ Little Rockstar EP arriving on the chart in the coming weeks, but in the meantime the rollicking “Thunderbomb” climbs 21-16.

Arriving as the Highest Debut at #26 is “Move It (Control My Mind)” by Ryan Shepherd featuring vocalist/songwriter Heather Janssen. The pair previously charted with their collaboration “Who’s Gonna Love U”, which reached #6 in 2019. It’s also Ryan’s fifth chart entry.

Following his recent supporting role in TV’s “The Idol”, Troye Sivan has released a fantastic new dance record, “Rush”, in advance of his upcoming album Something To Give Each Other. “Rush” bows at #27 and is his 10th chart entry!

Rounding out the debuts is the infectious Canadian #1 Alternative Chart track “Blame Brett”, the recent single from Juno Award-winning Toronto quartet The Beaches. It’s the gals’ first time on the chart.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

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

Radio GTA

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

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

Halton Hills Online

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

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

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

Addictive Energy

FM 108

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

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

#BILLCSNewMusicReport – July 5/23 spotlighting new songs by @ScottHelman @AllanJay101 @HazellHD @itsJudeYork

Summer is in full force in the western world and accordingly several of this week’s picks in the Report are summer-ready. And since I will be away on vacation next week, this will be my last blog post until July 19. I’ll still be listening and will be back with another selection of great new tunes!

Among the features in the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus Hunter Wilbur’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers has his Classic Five pop hits feature, whose selections sample the 70’s and 80’s. And if you missed them from earlier this week, you’ll find out what are the #1 and Fastest Riser songs on the BILLCS Top 30.

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

REMINDER: Click the photo above the artist’s name and song title to hear the song or watch the video.

SPOTLIGHTING

SCOTT HELMAN, “every time (drive by)”

When Toronto’s Scott Helman writes a catchy pop song, it’s usually a really great one, as with 2021’s “Pretty”, which got to #11 on the BILLCS Top 30. It’s been three years and a handful of singles since his last album Nonsuch Park (sa), so perhaps “every time (drive by)” is signs of a new album. Regardless, it’s a spiffy tune that reminisces about a past romance in a former neighbourhood. Scott sounds great and continues to be an artist in greater need of public recognition, particularly on his home turf. In July and August, he’s touring in L.A. – so check him out if you’re in the area as he is enjoyable to watch – but hopefully some homegrown shows will get served soon.

ROB MOORE, ALLAN JAY, “Summer of Love”

While there’s absolutely nothing about “Summer of Love” that I would call new or earth-shaking, its mission is extremely satisfying – yes “Summer of Love” is a terrific, fun summer song. It’s brought to us by the collaboration of Florida (of course) dance producer Rob Moore and Scottish vocalist Allan Jay, who I’ve written about before and has dance/pop in his performing blood. The beat is exceedingly familiar, fleshed out by slick synths, a driven vocal, and joyous lyrics. “Summer of Love” is also a perfect queer anthem, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up with syncs on TV drag contests or other entertainment geared for queer audiences. You can also check it out in a variety of remixes including some by Matt Pop and David Noakes.

HAZELL DEAN, “100% Pure Love” (Dean & Ware Lava Lamp mix)

First off, “100% Pure Love” is not yet another cover of Crystal Waters’ classic. Instead, it’s a classic retrotastic original pop/dance release co-written by its singer, veteran British pop/dance queen Hazell Dean. And I must say that Hazell sounds positively fab in this new high energy contemporary disco production, which is guaranteed to either get you on to your feet or at very least rouse your tired spirits. Its inspiration clearly comes from ABBA, Erasure, Stock-Aitken-Waterman and other 80’s and 90’s European favourites that never go out of style. “100% Pure Love” is 100% guilt-free fun for everyone.

JUDE YORK, “All I See Is Him”

This time, Australian singer/songwriter Jude York waves his sparkling pop wand around love in today’s world via the old-fashioned-sounding “All I See Is Him”, which follows up songs such as “Mr. Porcelain” and of course his captivating 2021 Australian EuroVision contender, “I Won’t Need To Dream”. And you’ve just gotta be in love if you can sing your heart out like in this song, which is more of an exquisite tribute to a lover than a ballad. It’s warm and gushy, but most of all it’s endlessly happy, something I love to hear in today’s music because there isn’t enough of it. While Jude has admirably written “All I See Is Him” for the younger queer community (check out this clip), its underlying and most appreciative message is universal.

FEATURING

ANDREW WYATT, “Beyond The Pale”

New York City’s Andrew Wyatt is the Grammy and Academy Award winning songwriter, singer and producer who is also one of the principals in the electronic trio Miike Snow. He returns to recording for himself with “Beyond The Pale”, from his upcoming album It Won’t Feel Like Dying. It’s a crisp slice of alt.pop with a mysterious, quirky melody that compliments the vagueness of the story and lyrics, which appear to be about a breakup and turning your life around after that. You wouldn’t recognize Andrew’s voice from the Miike Snow tracks, he definitely transforms it to give it another identity for his solo work. As far as his other work goes, he’s just produced Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” and other songs for the “Barbie” soundtrack, won his Oscar and Grammys for co-writing Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow” from ‘A Star Is Born”, and has produced a cavalcade of others, notably Liam Gallagher, Miley Cyrus, and Florence & The Machine.

GT_OFICE, ALWZ SNNY, “Every Thought of You”

Miami’s Gt_ofice returns with a song that’s already found favour with national dance radio stations called “Every Thought of You” in collaboration with fellow dance music producer, Maryland’s sunshine-masked ALWZ SNNY. It’s summery ear candy for sure, designed to put a smile on your face. “Every Thought of You” offers a bright uncredited female vocal that goes down easy, as well as relatable lyrics set to a warm melody of shimmering synths that keeps the song’s house rhythms moving along quickly.

DAVID ARCHULETA, “I’m Yours”

David Archuleta will always be an “American Idol” favourite, even if he didn’t win the competition show. And 15 years later, he continues to showcase that fine voice and now releases his songs independently. “I’m Yours” has him singing often in a cool falsetto throughout the memorable chorus, with a softer vocal in the rest of the song, and features a solid melody once again in a festive pop/dance setting like previous releases “Faith in Me” and “Movin'”. David has many dedicated fans, and while they will certainly love this one, which shows how well his songs suit the dance genre, be sure to check it out if you haven’t heard his music in a long time.

VINNY MARCHI, “Cherry Wine”

Vinny Marchi is a talent to watch for, if his rendition of Hozier’s “Cherry Wine” is any indication. Vinny is an opera singer by training and a musical theatre performer, and his softer acoustic countertenor version of “Cherry Wine” (short live clip here) is quite a contrast to Hozier’s original. His cover of The Oh Hellos’ “Soldier Poet King” is also quite enjoyable. He’s quite active on social media – you will want to check out his clips singing “Phantom of the Opera” – Christine’s part! – as well as his interpretation of “Ave Maria”. But he appears to be drawn to the pop world and some of his other originals that he’s released over the past few years show him as a chameleon whose voice can suit any pop genre.

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

JIMIN’s “Like Crazy” (English version) is now four appearances (eight weeks) in at #1!

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs more than 25 times/week on online radio stations around the world.

From “Fast & Furious: The Fast Saga”, it’s “Angel, Pt. 2” by JVKE, JIMIN, Charlie Puth and Muni Long

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

AND

BILLCS Top30 FASTEST RISER

Taking both honours is Alesso’s stunning “Without You”, which soars 26-17 on the BILLCS Top 30!

HUNTER J. WILBUR’S BOP OF THE WEEK

Hunter J. Wilbur is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype” and “Addictive Energy” which can be heard on several online stations including Classic Hits Canada.

Cassadee Pope won season three of “The Voice” and she returns with “People That I Love Leave”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill (1977)
Icicle Works – Love Is A Wonderful Colour (1984)
Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy (1988)
Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen (1982)
David Bowie – Let’s Dance (1983)