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BILLCS New Music Report – April 10/24 with thoughts about new releases by @BensonBoone and @ConanGray plus new songs by @AnnieTracy & @RobinThicke, @ChetPorter, @DiamondCafe01, @JerinJamesmusic, @Linney, @Elazionmusic & @Jayb1rdmusic, Marti and @LittleRain_KR

These last few weeks have seen the album releases by two of my current favourites, who both have songs on the BILLCS Top 30, Benson Boone and Conan Gray.

While they couldn’t be more different in style and approach, I do believe an earnest approach with relatable lyrics helps their appeal go a long way. Plus both are great with their growing fanbases, and fostering your fans is the way to go. Conan’s a few years older and arrived on the scene about five years ago, while Benson started to make waves two years ago after an American Idol appearance and being signed to Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds’ Night Street Records.

Once these artists have reached a certain level of success, it’s always disappointing to read the sniping about looks or vocal style, usually by loud-voiced online detractors who like other artists much more, which makes their credibility as other than casual listeners much less.

I think both albums, Benson’s Fireworks & Rollerblades and Conan’s Found Heaven, will both do well. They both sound fabulous and have A-list producers in their credits. Both are filled with songs that can keep radio audiences happy for the next year, such as Benson’s “Cry” and “Be Someone”, and Conan’s “Fainted Love” and “The Final Fight”, and Conan’s quirky “Bourgoisieses” is a fun one that will go over well in concert when I see his show in September. I couldn’t get a ticket to Benson’s recent show in my city, but he’ll be back at a bigger venue, and I’m sure I’ll be there.

In the Report, you can also 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 DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five all from 1980-81. In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll learn what songs were #1 and the Fastest Riser on the latest BILLCS Top 30. And, you’ll also find out what songs were #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 for each week during the last 26 years!

The BILLCS New Music Report is always 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 on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.

ANNIE TRACY, ROBIN THICKE, “Close To You”

Annie Tracy is a new name you’ll be getting to know better this year when she unveils her debut album. The Wilmington, North Carolina native has been working behind the scenes on her music for the past four years, and so far has released a number of singles along with two EP’s. Her rich and silky R&B-powered voice belies the fact that she has played Patsy Cline in a local musical during the past few years, so the diversity of her talents will soon be on full display. She’s got big name help in having Grammy winning producer Tricky Stewart as her manager, as well as working with other Grammy winners like producer/songwriter D-Mile, and her duet/harmony partner Robin Thicke on “Close To You”, from the Act II EP. She’s got the kind of earthy, pitch-perfect voice that you can listen to over and over again. “Close To You” has a live-on-stage, theatrical quality about it, but would also be of interest to fans of Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige. Annie also has a hand in producing her own songs too so remember where you read about her first (with thanks to my daughter for bringing her to my attention)!

CHET PORTER, “Aura”

After a long and arduous stretch of waiting, Chet Porter’s debut album Everything You’ve Ever Seen has arrived. If you’ve been following Chet’s releases for the best part of the last decade, you’ll find a bit of everything within, from beautiful, melodic instrumentals to tracks that go off harder, like the irrepressible “Bummed” with Alison Wonderland, still a lot of fun from its initial release which was slightly ahead of its time with its drum ‘n bass vibes. “Aura” gives you some of both – what starts as a luscious, experimental instrumental progresses into a track that slams midway with the introduction of some vocals, used really as effects, the kind of track that will generate all kinds of surprised reactions during a DJ set. Chet is one of the more unique electronic producers who clearly believes in the concept of “what if…”, and “Aura” represents that trait well.

JERIN JAMES, “Broken Dreamers”

Southern California electronic producer Jerin James follows up his EP The Wanderers with the lush sounds of “Broken Dreamers”. This one reminds me a lot of Odesza with its mix of big beats and delicate sounds amid other sonic delights. A delightful, reflective, even whimsical uncredited male vocal offers some brief insight into a story part way through, which is then followed by an electronic chorale of sorts. “Broken Dreamers”, as you can sense, is a highly imaginative and unpredictable track that offers an alternate world of wonder that’s yours for the taking.

DIAMOND CAFE, “Slowly Fading”

Following up the striking and soulful “When You Can’t Resist” (which just arrived in the Top 10 on the BILLCS Top 30), Vancouver’s Diamond Café releases the atmospheric “Slowly Fading”. Once again, the talented singer/songwriter applies his R&B-honed vocal, this time in an echoey production filled with harmonies that gives off a lot of 1980’s flavours. The production is complex and deliberate, gushing with some original synth sounds that set it apart from other current songs. “Slowly Fading” is a late, late night wind-down track, ideal for clubs, that could benefit from some remixes.

LINNEY, “Daisies”

It’s always enjoyable to see an artist progress in the industry over the years through the pages of my blog. L.A.-based singer/songwriter Linney has gone from singing covers of dance hits to being a go-to voice and songwriter in the electronic dance world. Now she can add producer to make it a triad with her new single “Daisies”, which is released through one of the bigger dance music labels too, Helix. It’s a bright-sounding fusion of pop with a fast-paced tech-house rhythm that could do well at dance music radio, and gives a new spin to the (not-so-cliché) act of giving the object of your affection some flowers. Big props to Linney for this one – she’s now one of a few women who can sing, write and produce their songs, so bear in mind that there are many who DJ, sing and write, but do not produce – at least not yet.

ELAZION, JAY BIRD, “Falling For You Again”

“Falling For You Again” is a slick deep house track that marks a first time collaboration between Vancouver’s Elazion and the Bay Area’s Jay Bird, whose music is already familiar to long-time readers of this blog. It’s funny sometimes how many producers there are out there, and there are so many even in my own country that I’m not familiar with such as Elazion. The guys selected a lush uncredited female vocal for “Falling”, and have created the kind of song you want to hear in a club when you’ve met someone you’d like to get to know better. Creative club DJ’s will know how to make “Falling” work best to keep club goers on the floor.

MARTI, “See You Again (Volverte a Ver)”

Hailing from L.A. but originally from Colombia, queer newcomer Marti provides a delightful introduction to his music world with the bilingual English/Spanish “See You Again (Volverte a Ver)”. It’s a song whose cautious melody is filled with both loneliness and longing after Marti’s recent relationship has ended. Using some vocal effects to convey his tender emotions, “See You Again” works by making you sway along to his story to uncomplicated electronic rhythms. One of the messages to take away from “See You Again” is that “it’s ok not to be ok”, often commonly said but sometimes taken slightly instead of more seriously. But if you’re listening more for the beats and melody then you’ll find lots to enjoy in “See You Again”.

LITTLE RAIN, “Same Lies”

It’s been a while since we heard from rising South Korean electronic dance music producer Little Rain, who has worked with vocalists Kacey Fifield, Rachel Woznow and Devyn Rush. He’s been back lately with some recent releases including “Same Lies”. It’s a bit of a change of pace for Little Rain, a brisk piano house track that features a solid uncredited male vocal with an appealing gruff edge to his voice. What ultimately elevates “Same Lies” though is Little Rain’s tight production and attention to detail in an uncomplicated and highly enjoyable setting.

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.

Marcus & Martinus are EuroVision bound with “Unforgettable”

“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”.

It’s Hozier’s viral hit “Too Sweet”

DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK

DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and “Pyjama Party”, with both shows anchored at Energy 885.

Canadians Walk Off The Earth take on a cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season”

“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” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.

Michael Stanley Band – He Can’t Love You
Cliff Richard – A Little Love
Boz Scaggs – Miss Sun
David Bowie – Fashion
Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah!

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

John Summit and Hayla take over at #1 with “Shiver”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

“Electric” by Darin moves up 26-17

26 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s

Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 26 years.

2023 THE ONLY ONE, Cerrone, Mercer, Brendan Reilly

2022 THE LAST GOODBYE, Odesza, Bettye LaVette

2021 NOT WATCHING ANYMORE, Mahalo

2020 ALL IN MY HEAD, Whethan, grandson

2019 i’m so tired…, Lauv, Troye Sivan

2018 SMILE, Dyrisk, Nik Ernst

2017 SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS, The Chainsmokers, Coldplay

2016 KISS THE SKY, The Knocks, Wyclef Jean

2015 KING, Years & Years

2014 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE), Showtek, Justin Prime, Matthew Koma

2013 LIFTED, Kwik Fiks, Bongiovanni

2012 SOMEDAY, River Tiber

2011 LOVE 2 BABY, Christian TV

2010 BEAT DROP, Simon Curtis

2009 RUN AWAY, Sam Taylor, The BBC Orchestra

2008 WITH YOU, Chris Brown

2007 RUBY, The Kaiser Chiefs

2006 WATCHIN’, Freemasons, Amanda Wilson

2005 COLLIDE, Howie Day

2004 THIS LOVE, Maroon 5

2003 THE REMEDY (I WON’T WORRY), Jason Mraz

2002 TAKE A MESSAGE, Remy Shand

2001 HANGING BY A MOMENT, Lifehouse

2000 THERE YOU GO, Pink

1999 MILLENIUM, Robbie Williams

1998 THE WAY, Fastball

#BILLCSTop30 #689 – April 8/24

It’s Spring housecleaning time as six songs breathe new music vibes into this week’s chart, and we also have a change up top too after six weeks.

Here’s the link to the online version of the chart: BILLCS Top 30

Here’s the link to my Spotify playlist of the chart: BILLCS Top 30 Chart Playlist

The BILLCS Top 30 Archive: BILLCS Top 30 Archive

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. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.

John Summit & Hayla switch places with Benson Boone as “Shiver”, THE song of this year’s Miami Music Week, quickly soars to the top of my chart. John Summit launched a tour as well, with his first date on June 15 in my city Toronto selling out. I’m hoping to get a ticket to the second show on June 16 tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Watch for a new single by Hayla coming soon called “Embers”, which sounded fantastic when she previewed it at MMW!!

Four new Top 10 entries begin with Bright Light Bright Light’s “You Want My…” (above) from his upcoming album Enjoy Youth. “You Want My…” moves up 11-7 and becomes BLx2’s 21st Top 10 entry!! You can also check out his latest single “Every Emotion”, featuring legendary dance vocalist Ultra Naté, below. Ultra herself appeared on the chart in its early days with 1998’s “Found A Cure” (#7).

Sam Dickinson’s spot-on cover of Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” advances 12-8, becoming his 7th Top 10 entry from his upcoming album F L E X.

Gryffin and Rita Ora each get their second Top 10 entries with the glorious dance rave-up “Last Of Us”, which climbs 14-9.

“When You Can’t Resist”, a gorgeous slice of alt.R&B by Canada’s Diamond Café, climbs 15-10, becoming his first under that name, but third overall after releasing under his own name Tristan Thompson back in 2014.

The Fastest Riser on the chart belongs to “Electric” by Sweden’s Darin, which soars 26-17.

I don’t know how many songs Pet Shop Boys would have had on my chart had it existed back to the 1980’s, but in the last 25 years they have now reached the chart 12 times with their recent single “Loneliness”, which arrives as the top debut at #24. It’s the duo’s first appearance on the chart though since late 2019. “Loneliness” didn’t strike me on its first few listens but when I went back to it I couldn’t imagine what I was thinking at the time. It’s solid, classic PSB, from their upcoming album Nonetheless.

At #25 it’s EuroVision contenders and Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest winners Marcus & Martinus, making their chart debut with the stunning “Unforgettable”.

And right below at #26 is one of the competitors for “Unforgettable” at EuroVision – UK’s entry is by Years & Years’ Olly Alexander called “Dizzy”, and it’s a snappy, vibrant song that’s in a little bit of a more pop direction for Olly. It works well and with charismatic Olly behind it you know he’ll deliver a cool performance in Malmö in May. It’s Olly/Y&Y’s 13th chart entry, and of course he even had “Dreamland” (#5) with Pet Shop Boys in 2019!

At #27 is “Love No More”, a hard-hitting, ear-grabbing ballad by Boston’s Jared Lee, which becomes his first solo entry on the chart, having appeared three previous times in the Top 10 on releases by Midnight Kids, Autograf, and Nicky Romero & GATTÜSO.

Medina’s “Que Será” was a crowd favourite at Sweden’s Melodifestivalen, but it couldn’t come close to the points acquired by Marcus & Martinus’ “Unforgettable” to win the contest. Medina, another Swedish duo, knows how to work up an audience, and the jubilant and multilingual “Que Será” premieres on the chart at #28.

Rounding out the debuts at #29 Rozalla with her cover of the Nicolette Larson 1979 version of Neil Young’s “Lotta Love”. It’s the 90’s dance queen’s second appearance on the chart, following “The Shadows Of The Moon”, which reached #9. Both songs are included in her new album, Turn On The Light. NOTE: For Canadian terrestrial radio DJ’s, “Lotta Love” is two parts Cancon, being a Neil Young song. So if there are any creative Canadian music directors left out there, do give “Lotta Love” some consideration!

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 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” at www.planetradio.ca 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 nearly 30 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at the following link: 3D Variety Show.

Energy885

Energy885 in Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Fridays at 6pm EST, and his new show “Pyjama Party” on Saturdays at 5pm EST, which both air my New Music Pick of the Week. Energy885 is also airing my Retro Pick Of The Week as well on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:30 AM EST. You can hear past episodes of “Modern Hype” and “Pyjama Party” at the following link: DJ Hunter.

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 – April 3/24 with new songs by @Ekonovah, @NiGHTS_official, @PLSandTYbased, @BenjaminSamama & @AlexAdairmusic, @AlexPrimamusic & @Adaramusic, Baby Jane, @EthanCappsmusic & @djRiddler, @TYDLmusic, James Clark Institute, and Gold 88 & Franky

The music will speak for itself today as I have eight more fresh songs for you to check out along with several features of note!

The BILLCS New Music Report is always 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 on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.

EKONOVAH, “Find My Flow”

At Miami Music Week, largely because he was playing three venues that I had planned to attend, I found myself drawn to sets by Phoenix’s Ekonovah (aka Stephen Scotti), particularly the one that he played for a small audience at the pre-EDMA Awards show. It was a riveting set that made me want to check out his releases, and “Find My Flow” has a terrific melodic hook that would fit like a glove on dance music radio. It’s a propulsive vocal house track to make you bounce and will captivate you for its almost three minutes. Ekonovah is no overnight success, he’s been honinh his craft for more than five years, and this year that helped land him a set on the Ultra Miami stage. “Find My Flow” is also released by Deadmau5’s label Hau5trap so I think more fine things are in store for Ekanovah in 2024.

N i G H T S, “Casino Royale”

Philadelphia lo-fi pop/hip hop duo N i G H T S follow up their outstanding recent single “Hopeless” (currently rising up the BILLCS Top 30) with what sounds like another post-breakup song, “Casino Royale”. There’s nothing about James Bond, spies or intrigue mentioned in the song, so I’ll take it that the song revolves around taking gambles when you feel like you may have fallen in love. The lyrics in “Casino Royale” are quite specific – the protagonist sounds like he’s getting over a breakup and might be mentally on the rebound to take another stab at romance, but now he needs to check off all the boxes before doing so, realizing love is a two-way street and not one-sided. The song features some interesting but simple effects and once again another more invested vocal than on past releases. N i G H T S is clearly, shall I say, on a roll.

PLS&TY, BEN SAMAMA, “Upside” (Alex Adair remix)

L.A.-based producer PLS&TY (aka Tommy Leas) is not one to knock a good remix, so he created an alternate version of his recent album 3 Days, 2 Nights with remixes. I previously wrote about the Cat Dealers remix of “Yours”, and now it’s British producer Alex Adair’s take on “Upside”, featuring L.A. vocalist/songwriter Ben Samama. The original is more of a straight-forward pop/dance track and Alex’s remix provides more bounce and effects for the club and festival crowd. And PLS&TY always surrounds himself with solid talent – Ben Samama co-produced Rosa Linn’s worldwide smash “Snap”, and has co-written several songs you’ve found in these blog pages, such as Illenium & Nurko’s “Sideways”, “Balance” by The Him & Oktavian, and Afrojack and James Arthur’s “Lose You” – all of those songs have ended up in my Top 20 of their respective years.

BABY JANE, “Da Da Dum” (Ethan Capps x Riddler radio mix)

Like Z3LLA’s “Why Should I?”, L.A.’s Baby Jane could have yet another independent dance music release that finds a strong foothold on national dance music radio, where “Da Da Dum” has just cracked the Top 40. I don’t usually go for vocal releases that have little to say, but do check out one of its remixes, by Houston, Texas newcomer Ethan Capps who has teamed up with an outstanding veteran of the music business, including clubs and radio, Filipino-American Chicago-born DJ Riddler. It’s a transformative radio mix that amps up the light fun created by the original. “Da Da Dum” holds its own without being one of those annoying tracks that you want to just go away. Baby Jane has only been releasing music since 2022, but club and radio play should be pretty well guaranteed for “Da Da Dum” throughout the summer.

ALEX PRIMA, ADARA, “Teleport”

There’s nothing like a good sci-fi themed romance set to trance melodies as you’ll find in “Teleport” by Alex Prima, a NYC-based electronic dance producer relatively new to the scene, with vocal by DJ/producer Adara, who has sang on releases by Adventure Club and MiTiS. The song has a beautiful, evenly placed build up to its climactic “let’s kiss and teleport” moment. By that point, you’re immersed in the song and the beats and will want to hear it again. Fans of Gareth Emery, Armin van Buuren’s trance releases, and Above & Beyond will adore “Teleport”. With only four singles to his credit, “Teleport” is a standout release for Alex Prima, and club DJ’s who play trance-flavoured tracks won’t be disappointed when they slot the song into their playlists.

TYDL, “God Complex”

“God Complex” is a powerful flip-off to bullies by Brighton duo TYDL, which consists of vocalist/songwriter Rebecca and percussionist Jack. Character traits like narcissism and bullying are becoming more and more intertwined these days as we seem to be learning that the people who exhibit them seem to have both. Having a “God Complex” is a good way to attribute it to those folks in a nutshell, and you often don’t get to see it on full display until you’ve got to know them quite well. Rebecca’s voice at times has the same kind of urgency of Sinéad O’Connor, and the production is well-crafted. You can find “God Complex” on TYDL’s new EP, Ethereal.

JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE, “Phantom Girl”

With “Phantom Girl” as the new single release from The James Clark Institute, I revisited the track from their recent album Under The Lampshade, produced by Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness, Trans-Canada Highwaymen). If jangly guitar work and 1960’s raw rock flavour are your thing, then you can’t go wrong with “Phantom Girl”. It’s augmented by tight harmonies and keyboard sounds which remind me of a farfisa organ. The influences for “Phantom Girl” though are drawn from post-punk rock circa 1980, like Nick Lowe, The Undertones and The Records. The James Clark Institute knows how to make it all go down easy and you’ll find yourself humming “Phantom Girl” once its chorus gets stuck in your head.

The James Clark Institute performs on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at The Rivoli in Toronto.

GOLD 88, FRANKY, “I Belong”

“I Belong” is a drum ‘n bass flavoured dance/pop track by Northern Ireland production trio Gold 88 and Yorkshire, England talent Franky. The song is a cool and completely unrelated companion piece to another song that comes immediately to mind, and that’s Manila Killa’s “Take Me Higher”. The busy and riveting production injects the song with energy, and Franky’s intense vocal provides the fire to win you over. “I Belong” is a changeup for Gold 88 after a number of deep house releases, including 2021’s “Give Me That” with Charlie Lane and Kate Wild (which reached #4 on the BILLCS Top 30) and Franky has co-written songs with millions of streams, including Dua Lipa’s “Hallucinate”, as well as previously releasing under the name Frances. Hopefully the changes for both artists will continue to serve them well, and “I Belong” is sure to grab your attention.