Justin Nozuka – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

BILLCS New Music Report – June 5/24 with new songs by @TheThe, @RiverTiber & @JustinNozuka, @AndyxSuzuki @AndTheMethod, @bandAutopilot and @RumJungleband

Yep, it’s one of those weeks where a bit of writer’s block sets in and makes it difficult and frustrating to write about just about anything. Anyone who knows it knows you can’t make words appear when they’re not there. But I still wracked my brain to convey my thoughts about six new songs this week to dazzle your ears, and what I’ve come up with I think has turned out well. Fortunately writer’s block is short lived and I should have more for you next week!

In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five take us back to a handful of hits from 1970. And in case you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30.

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.

THE THE, “Cognitive Dissident”

Back in 2017, the legendary 80’s UK rock group The The – really singer/songwriter Matt Johnson and his collective musicians of the day – released a documentary and a single, “We Can’t Stop What’s Coming”, and toured for the first time in many years. Anything that came next got put quickly on hold due to some life threating health issues that Matt was facing. In the interim, fans got a live album of concert favourites called The Comeback Special, whose title envisioned more to come. A few more years later, Matt has recovered and surfaced with the new single “Cognitive Dissident” along with a series of worldwide concert dates, and with the first new The The album since 2000’s Naked Self called Ensoulment coming in September. It’s a testament to perseverance in the craft you cherish, and “Cognitive Dissident” is classic The The, containing sharply worded lines and verses that want you to question everything, and understand that the decisions being made around us are reminiscent of a “1984” kind of society that we all hoped would never happen. With his deep, memorable voice sounding not too much different from The The’s halcyon years in “Cognitive Dissident”, it’s great to have Matt Johnson back. The The’s unique music has also acquired a number of new fans over the years, which has led to multi-millions of streams, and Ensoulment will be of particular interest to them.

RIVER TIBER, JUSTIN NOZUKA, “Tell Her” and “Stranger”

During the last decade, I was pleased to attend a number of Justin Nozuka shows in Toronto where he was supported on guitar and vocal harmonies by River Tiber, aka Tommy Paxton-Beesley, who was also developing his own following and sound that even got Drake’s attention when the River Tiber track “No Talk” was sampled by the rapper. Some of those were intimate shows at smaller venues, and then there were River Tiber’s own shows too, playing a number of the same venues, with Tommy eventually supporting Justin as part of his band on at least one worldwide tour. The two talents have natural chemistry together in achieving beautiful, sometimes experimental sounds, and a few years later their collaborative work has come full circle on two new songs, “Tell Her” (above) and “Stranger”. Both songs are pretty soulful and mellow, with “Tell Her” pondering life and existence which in the lyrics seems to be weighted on something that is being held back and unsaid, while “Stranger” is two short verses with one word changed in the second verse. Some songs by both artists have often been left vague for the listener to interpret and experience. If this is the start of a new project to follow up River Tiber’s 2022 album Dreaming Eyes and Justin Nozuka’s 2023 album Daydreams & Endless Nights, which were both more artistic departures than previous releases, then these two new songs have sufficiently whet our curiosity for more.

ANDY SUZUKI & THE METHOD, “Hardly Human”

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been writing about the music of NYC’s Andy Suzuki & The Method for more than a decade. Time and time again they deliver great songs which often sound even better in concert. They’ve only released a handful of songs since their last album, 2019’s Alibi, since both Andy and drummer/percussionist Kozza became dads, and the hard-rocking “Hardly Human” kicks off whatever is coming next. Andy Suzuki & The Method have continued performing though, as I witnessed last summer in NYC, which keeps them sounding tight. Andy could be another Dan Reynolds with the power in his eminent vocal on “Hardly Human”, which is full of luminous guitar work and appropriately thunderous beats and percussion by Kozza.

AUTOPILOT, “Yesterday”

Saskatchewan rock trio Autopilot return with another edgy single, “Yesterday”. This one is about embracing some memories, while knowing what ones you need to leave in the past. Autopilot has a solid live-off-the-floor sound led by Marlon Harder’s gritty but friendly vocal. “Yesterday” has enough bounce to pick you up and get you ready for your night out. Autopilot is known for its live shows both at home and in the US, and are playing a few shows during Canadian Music Week in Toronto, including at The Cave on Thursday June 6. Hopefully “Yesterday” is a sign of what’s to come on Autopilot’s next album too.

RUM JUNGLE, “Did The Morning Let You Down”

Australian indie quartet Rum Jungle give us some pause for thought as we begin our days with “Did The Morning Let You Down”. The song’s brimming with a great melody, some ferocious guitar work and a crisp vocal that gets showcased in the way that you would hear Keane’s Tom Chaplin or even fellow Aussie indie band Moonwood’s Jake McCullough. “Did The Morning Let You Down” understands that there are just some mornings that we all look forward to, and the resulting day usually flies by, but that there are also some that we dread, and sometimes the day doesn’t go by too badly anyway. Rum Jungle has recently finished a tour of the UK and Germany to sell out dates, and are about to embark on a winter tour of Australia (i.e. in the western world’s summer). “Did The Morning Let You Down” is the kind of song that would resonate with alternative and college radio stations.

BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK

My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and debuts each Tuesday at 6pm EST on The 3D Variety Show on Xstreamrockradio.

“Myself & I” is by German electronic producer TheFatRat and Canadian singer RIELL

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

“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Russ’ record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.

The Chainsmokers team up with Canadian singer ELIO for “Bad Advice”

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. Hunter can also be heard weekdays at 2pm EST on Party Dog Radio. Hunter’s bop of the week can now be heard each week on “The Big 20” and will soon be in sync with these blog posts.

Spain’s The Boy From The South’s latest release is the infectious “Space Party”

“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE

“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.

Badfinger – Come and Get It
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition – Something’s Burning
Chicago – Make Me Smile
Ray Stevens – Everything Is Beautiful
Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Darin’s “Electric” becomes his 4th number one on the chart

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Phoenix dance producer Ekonovah’s infectious “Find My Flow” (28-18)

#BILLCSTop30 #627, November 22/21

I’m very happy to live musically on the development and discovery side of songs and artists. I’m a huge lover of contemporary music, I just don’t love what the big labels and artist management companies are investing their time and cash into anymore. The awards shows all feature the same big name performers. Anyone who says this is fair game and an “open” club has to be kidding. It’s by invite only and there are layers of gate-keepers to help it stay that way. So many performers can have success in a different set of terms and develop fans and followers without getting on the charts. So if you plan on making the right connections to get there, by all means. Otherwise you’ll still have loads of people like me to appreciate your music. There are only three songs on my chart that are signed to major labels directly, and there are another half dozen with labels with distribution deals, otherwise the rest are independent.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

Boye & Sigvardt become the first artists from Denmark to have a #1 song on my chart, as “Microdose” (featuring the wonderful voice of Jordan Shaw) succeeds “Sanctuary” by Howen and Robbie Rosen at the top after three appearances (six weeks). I can’t get enough of “Microdose” months after its release, though it suddenly has competition for retaining #1 in two weeks.

Darin’s touching ballad “Holding Me More” storms up the chart 20-3, following his recent #1 “Can’t Stay Away” in a similar fashion. You can have Adele’s “Easy On Me”, I’ll take “Holding Me More” any day!

Robbie Rosen gets another song in the Top 5, as his fancy work with German producers Natixx and Lyonbrotherz in the unique “To The Top” (above) allows it to climb 8-5. It’s his fourth Top 5 on my chart in the last year. Check out another recent Robbie release called “Fragile” with Philadelphia producer Sauniks, below.

Australia’s Sonny Fodera gets his first Top 10 on my chart from his new album Wide Awake with “Angel” (above) featuring the lovely voice of Clementine Douglas. It rises 13-7. Another veteran dance producer, Morgan Page, is right behind with “Turn Off My Mind” (below) with co-writer and vocalist Lights, up 11-8.

It’s already been a year since Toronto’s Justin Nozuka released his gracious, soulful ballad “No One Like You” with British singer/songwriter Mahalia, which got to #4 on this chart. Justin’s back in the Top 10 with his latest “Nova” rising 12-9.

Moving up 14-10 is “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, the Angie Stone song as covered by German producers John Skyfield and Shoby with an indelible, faithful vocal by Victor Perry. It continues Victor’s string of Top 10’s on this chart, as a lead or featured act, now up to 12, with four in the last year alone. Check out Victor’s latest single “Sleepwalking” below, his first major label release (for Sony) with Ukrainian producers Kalush in a mix by none other than Pink Panda.

“Play It Cool” by UK/Irish production duo Menrva and singer Island Banks closes in on the Top 10 as it climbs up 16-11.

Karen Harding continues to make waves with “You & I (All I Need)” (above), which climbs 19-14 and is a certified North American dance radio hit. Check out her recent dynamic collaboration with producer Sammy Porter called “Celebrate” below.

This past week, “Unbreakable” by TELYKast and Sam Gray, soared into the North American dance radio Top 10. It soars up my chart as well, rising 25-17.

It’s good to have Tears For Fears back with the title track of their upcoming album “The Tipping Point”, which moves up 30-23. I remember vividly coming home with my British import 12″ single of “Mad World” (which I still have) after hearing it on our local alternative rock station back in the day.

Returning to the chart at #25 is the latest by Austin producers Tritonal, with vocalist EMME, called “Out Of The Dark”, from their upcoming album Coalesce. It arrives in a sparkling Morgin Madison remix after resonating with me in its original, more progressive mix. Tritonal reached #1 on the chart with Henry Dark on “Shivohum” in January 2020.

Also back on the chart for a third time this year is San Francisco area producer Jay Bird in collaboration with TWSTD ZOO with the positive energy of “Float” at #26. It’s graced by a cool vocal by L.A.’s Harley Bird (no relation to Jay), and follows Jay Bird’s “Escape” (#4) and “Gone Tomorrow” (#15).

Back with their 9th chart entry (going back to 2012!) are The Knocks who pair up this time with singer/songwriter Parson James for the delightfully catchy “River” at #28. Both The Knocks and Parson James have reached #1 on the chart before (The Knocks with “Kiss The Sky” and Parson with “Broken Love”), and “River” follows up The Knocks’ collaboration with Foster The People “All About You”, which got to #9 earlier this year.

At #29 is the debut entry for southern California singer/songwriter and resident disco dad, Michael Medrano, who I’ve written about several times, with his fun but telling “I Don’t Wanna Talk About Love” (above). Michael has quickly followed this one up with “Personal Heaven” this past week, which you can also check out below.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

Radio GTA – listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

Halton Hills Online – “Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!

Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the 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.

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

#BILLCSTop30 #623, September 27, 2021

The BILLCS Music Blog is well into its 12th year online! I want to thank those of you who have stopped by to hear the music and read my blog posts, as well as all of the musicians, publicists, managers, and labels who have submitted their music for consideration, but especially those who have made lasting connections with me! It always makes me feel special to be a small part of the music industry, which has increased during 2021 with the start of my music consulting business side, BILLCS Music Projects & Consulting.

Right now, it’s hard to tear me away from the three top songs on the chart!

My apologies in advance for how the Spotify links are showing. I am trying to resolve this with WordPress (unsuccessfully so far).

Also, make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

Darin’s “Can’t Stay Away” (above) has become a must-hear for anyone who loves pop and dance music, and if you saw the clip of Darin last week singing the song a cappella, then you know he’s the real deal! That means that “Mon Cheri” by Sofi Tukker and African duo Amadou & Mariam is stuck at #2, and Howen and Robbie Rosen hold snugly at #3 with “Sanctuary” (below), so we’ll see what shakes down in two weeks.

Three songs arrive in the Top 10 for the first time. The end of summer fun in “Never Going Home” by French producer Kungs (above) moves up 12-6 and will hang on well into autumn. The Fastest riser on the chart is Duck Sauce’s “Nonchalant” (19-8, also above), which is hardly a novelty thanks to a fierce female vocal and the melody sampled from Modern Romance’s 1981 release “Queen Of The Rapping Scene”. Robbie Rosen gets his second concurrent Top 10 with “Don’t Want Perfect” (13-9, below) which he wrote and recorded in conjunction with ace Quebec producer Kayliox.

Russian producer Marava and Canadian singer/songwriter Eadie found synchronicity in the creation of their beautiful feel good song “Life’s Okay”, which climbs 16-11.

Damon Sharpe pairing with The Disco Fries was a terrific idea and the result is the pulsating deep house of “15 Minutes”, which moves up 18-12.

Gina Naomi Baez’s lovely anthemic ballad of empowerment, “My Time”, rises 23-17, and Gina tells me that a remix is on its way. Can’t wait to hear it!

“Microdose” by Boye & Sigvardt with singer Jordan Shaw (above) moves up 26-18, a song that’s turned into a real earworm since its summer release. Check out Boye & Sigvardt’s take on Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder On The Dance Floor”, below.

Justin Nozuka’s chill and soulful “Nova” (27-20) is his seventh chart appearance, which all began in 2008 with “After Tonight”, which went to #1 and was my #3 song of that year.

Grammy nominee Morgan Page has appeared once on the chart before as a remixer (for PLS&TY’s #6 “Down For Me” in 2018), and returns as a lead act with Lights on vocals on the snappy “Turn Off My Mind”, which bows as the Highest Debut at #27. Lights also appeared on the chart earlier this year on “Hearts On Fire”, with Illenium and Dabin, which reached #5.

Victor Perry continues his unbroken streak on my chart with the spot-on cover of Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, which arrives at #28, as recorded with German producers John Skyfield and Shoby. Victor has had a song on this chart since June 22, 2020 when the #2 “What I Deserve” debuted, This is the first time Victor has charted with a cover. The original reached #8 back in 2002. Such great work all around!

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the 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. Tomorrow evening, September 28, I’ll be LIVE with The Musicman counting down Toronto’s Top 10 songs from 1985. Join in at around 7:45 pm for this segment.

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

#BILLCSTop30 #622 – September 13, 2021

If the music industry doesn’t come up with a better strategy other than for artists to keep releasing more, more, more new music, then the quality is going to suffer because of quantity. Already, there are too many awful knockoff cover versions released every week, none of which intends to try and be better than the original, and only exist to make money from unsuspecting listeners who flock to them on streaming services. I have a private playlist that I use to keep track of songs under consideration for review, both submissions and my own discoveries, it rarely sinks below 50 songs as I remove songs from it that I’ve written about or considered. Most songs I listen to get two or three listens before I make my decision to write about them or not. As a blogger who no longer has a full-time career and doesn’t use other contributors to write reviews, I can’t imagine the amount of releases continuing to increase. There’s definitely too much that falls in the lap of the artists, and it never seems like they can do enough to get ahead! Rant over hehe.

Also, make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

Sweden’s Darin hangs tight at #1 for a second time with the fun pop-dance track “Can’t Stay Away”, which I like more than ever since it first debuted. And it’s hard for such a great song to hold on to #1 when so many good ones are right behind.

Sofi Tukker and Amadou & Mariam move up 3-2 with the “Red Hot + Free” multilingual track “Mon Cheri” (above). Sofi Tukker along with producer John Summit have a huge dance hit in the making with “Sun Came Up” at the link below.

And right behind “Mon Cheri” up 9-3 is “Sanctuary” (above), which features one of my favourite vocals of the year by “American Idol” contestant Robbie Rosen. This beauty is produced by relatively new Dutch producer Howen, who has a bright career ahead. Robbie’s other song on the chart, “Don’t Want Perfect” (below), with Quebec dance producer Kayliox, rises 18-13.

The triad of talent that is Russian producers Purple Guns, NYC singer Jessica Chertock, and Florida rapper Young Jae, came together this year for a fantastic cover of Noah Cyrus and XXXTentacion’s “Again”, which climbs 11-6 and is well worth your attention. The highlight is a fantastic vocal by Jessica.

India’s Ashwyn climbs into the Top 10 with his pop-rock-dance fusion of “Sell My Soul”, which moves up 12-9.

“Break Me Down” rises 14-10 and becomes the second Top 10 for each of the producers, Autograf and Win & Woo, featuring a fine vocal by SINGA.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is one of the most enjoyable dance songs on release right now. It’s “Never Going Home” by French producer Kungs, which climbs 19-12.

Reaching a new peak of 14 is “Anxious”, the taut and empathetic song with soulful touches by Australia’s Beamish Brothers.

Duck Sauce’s “Nonchalant” would normally have made a bigger jump of 24-19 but has a wall of other fine tracks to break through, so watch for some more movement in two weeks. Its melody is sampled from Modern Romance’s 1981 release “Queen Of The Rapping Scene”.

“Take My Breath” is proving to be a more than worthy and highly danceable successor to “Blinding Lights” for The Weekend, and it rises 26-21. It’s from The Weeknd’s upcoming yet untitled project.

NYC’s Gina Naomi Baez has a winner with her powerful anthemic ballad “My Time” (above), which moves up 27-23. Check out her newest song “Liquor Love” below.

The Highest Debut of the week comes from Denmark’s Christian and Christian, aka Boye & Sigvardt, appearing on the chart for the second time with a real grower, “Microdose”, featuring singer and co-writer Jordan Shaw. Although I’ve written about the talented lads several times since, their infectious song “Astronauts” (with MAGNUS and UHRE) reached #6 in 2017.

At #27 is no stranger to this chart. Toronto’s Justin Nozuka is back with a soulful and thoughtful new release that will make you smile called “Nova”. He appeared on the chart late last year with “No One But You” (with the Grammy-nominated Mahalia), which topped out at #4. It’s his seventh song to reach the chart.

“Chasing Stars” is a rather unlikely collaboration between Alesso, Marshmello and James Bay that works like a charm! It arrives at #29 and is Marshmello’s debut on this chart. It’s Alesso’s third appearance, following last year’s #8 “Midnight” (with Liam Payne) and the fourth for James, following “Chew On My Heart”, which peaked at #5 earlier this year.

“Almost Home” is a big welcome back to this chart for British trance legendary trio Above & Beyond, who return with the inimitable Justine Suissa at #30. Both artists last appeared on the chart in mid-2004 at the same time, Above & Beyond under their pseudonym Oceanlab (with Justine on uncredited vocal), which reached #1, and Justine also billed as featured vocalist on Armin van Buuren’s “Burned With Desire”, which reached #11. While trance has been rearing its head in the past few years outside of its sub-genre as an influence in other dance music sub-genres, is it about to make a big comeback? “Almost Home” could be its ticket.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the 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. The show won’t broadcast on September 14 but will return.

Enjoy the quiet, soulful heartbreak of “Break Me” by @JustinNozuka from his new EP “then, now and again”

JUSTIN NOZUKA, “Break Me”

After leading the way with the gorgeous R&B/pop duet with England’s Mahalia on “No One But You” and the blissful and subtle “summer night 08”, Toronto’s Justin Nozuka arrives with his first EP since 2018’s album Run To Waters called then, now and again. Also featuring those songs, the EP includes three new ones, “Miami”, “Rains It Pours”, and the standout to me, “Break Me”, Justin really doesn’t crack any new ground with “Break Me”, but instead offers what he often does best, especially in concert. “Break Me” is a quiet, expressive song about heartbreak and loss, passionately sung by Justin recalling earlier songs like “Carried You” or “Oh Momma” with its deep-down soulful root. Fans will love it and “Break Me” is a great place to start for anyone new to the party too.

#BILLCSTop30 #605 – January 18/21

2020 favourites are gradually departing the chart to make room for what’s new and fresh. There are five debuts on the new chart, a few that have been waiting through the heavy holiday period to find their way onto the chart. There’s lots of great music coming in January alone, so the competition for future charts will be particularly fierce.

“Give It Back” by NYC producers The Disco Fries and L.A. production trio Giiants with vocalist/songwriter Allison Park continues its reign at the top. This one leads the way in the ‘dance banger’ department for me right now, though there are other fun ones further down the chart.

Could “Nobody” by Norway’s NOTD and Catello be the one to succeed “Give It Back” at #1? Currently experiencing one of the longest stays at #1 on US dance radio in recent memory, I hope “Nobody” is also promoted to pop radio. It climbs 6-2.

“No One But You” (above), the quiet, beautiful R&B/pop ballad by Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with UK singer/songwriter Mahalia climbs 5-4 from an upcoming EP that will be released in the Spring. Justin’s latest peaceful and tranquil new single is “summer night 08” – check out the video below.

Like “Bad Decisions”, “Late Night Love” by Toronto’s Francesco Yates has long-lasting power. This funky, soulful, naughty jam climbs 7-5 to match the peak of “Bad Decisions”.

With the release of their album The Good Times and the Bad Ones, L.A. quintet Why Don’t We arrive in the Top 10 with the rollicking “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)”, moving up 11-8.

Also new to the Top 10, somewhat belatedly, is “Chew On My Heart” by James Bay, which rises 12-9. James was last in the Top 10 with 2018’s “Pink Lemonade”, which peaked at #2.

Karen Harding is well on her way to having two Top 10’s in a row on this chart. Following last year’s #1 “Undo My Heart”, “Let’s Get Together”, a collaboration with Scottish producers Illyus and Barrientos, zips up the chart 17-12.

The fastest riser on the chart is by the venerable, influential dance group Faithless. They’ve returned after a long absence with a new album called All Blessed, and “Synthesizer”, featuring singer Nathan Ball, soars 24-16.

With its rather obtuse, mythical-sounding lyrics and futuristic production, Deadmau5 looks to have his biggest hit to date with “Bridged By A Lightwave”, featuring the commanding vocal of Kiesza, up 25-19.

Another innovative production that throws back hard to 90’s techno is “Sinnerman” by England’s Hot Since 82 featuring vocalist/songwriter Ed Graves. From Hot Since 82’s new album Recovery, “Sinnerman” climbs 27-20.

The highest debut is by a performer who effectively replaces himself on the chart. Illenium’s “Nightlight” (#8) departs in favour of new single “Hearts On Fire”, a collaboration with Canadian producer Dabin and Juno Award winning singer/songwriter Lights. Also coming in various remixes, “Hearts On Fire” charges on to the chart at #22. It’s Illenium’s 8th chart entry since 2018.

Premiering on the chart is young French producer Wizzay with the punchy house track “Jealous” at #25 from his debut EP “Who I Am?”. Chart trivia: The uncredited vocalist on this track also appears elsewhere on this chart as part of a group of producers…

His history on this chart has spanned almost 20 years. In fact, the first time he appeared on the chart, it wasn’t even under his own name. “Feel Something” by dance music veteran Armin van Buuren arrives at #26. His first appearance on this chart was in 2002 with the classic “The Sound Of Goodbye” (#4) under the name Perpetuous Dreamer, before Armada Records released its first record. “Feel Something” marks his 8th appearance under his name, with guest vocals by 2019 Eurovision winner Dutch singer/songwriter Duncan Laurence (“Arcade”).

Brits both, producer Bobby Harvey and vocalist Danny Dearden make their debuts with “Tell Me” at #27. It’s one of my favourite deep house tracks that had to wait a little longer than usual to premiere on the chart.

At #28 is the fun alt.rock track by Toronto’s grandson called “Dirty”. The Juno Award nominee reached #1 for three appearances (six weeks) last Spring as the vocalist/co-writer of Whethan’s “All In My Head”.

A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the online radio station The New Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m the new music consultant for the station so you can expect even more in 2021 🙂 You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

#BILLCSTop30 #602, December 7/20

It’s been a very strange and somewhat long 2020, yet here we are with my second last chart of the year. Like many others, I’m itching to see live performances again but only when safe to do so. I don’t know how social distancing will be maintained without strict enforcement. We currently have to look at places like Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan to see what measures they are taking. Anyway, there’s a new #1 on deck along with three strong entries. There are also a few significant jumps, which shove other songs into making smaller moves, and push the debuts to the lower five of the chart.

It’s Sam Smith who claims #1 with “Diamonds” from their excellent album Love Goes. Sam had FOUR #1’s in 2014 on this chart – “Money On My Mind”, “Stay With Me”, and “I’m Not The Only One”, from their debut album In The Lonely Hour, and “Latch” with Disclosure – and “Diamonds” is their first #1 here in six years. I was fortunate to see Sam perform at a small club in Toronto in April 2014, because their next stop in my city was our stadium! Their club show actually was to be earlier in the year but ended up conflicting with their first appearance on Saturday Night Live.

One of the year’s most infectious songs belongs to Sweden’s Pawl and Discrete with the toe-tapper “Type Like That” (above), which climbs a notch to #2. And we have Swedes back-to-back with Agnes’ equally catchy “Fingers Crossed” (below) moving up 5-3.

Back in the Top 5 for the first time in seven years are Germany’s Matt Mancid with American producer (and here, singer) Color Theory with “Tinseltown In The Rain” rising 9-5. This is the “Big Rhythm” dance mix of this much revered song from the 80’s by Scottish group The Blue Nile.

Another one with a long gap between events is Justin Nozuka. The Toronto singer last appeared in the Top 10 in 2010 with “Unwoken Dream” (#6) from his second album You I Wind Land And Sea. His latest is “No One But You”, a duet with British singer and 2020 R&B Grammy nominee Mahalia, which moves up 11-8.

The fastest riser on the chart is the latest in a series of dance music bangers that created some of the brightest moments of 2020. It’s “Give It Back” by the pairing of The Disco Fries with Giiants and vocalist/co-writer Allison Park. It smashes into the Top 10, moving 20-9. It’s the third Top 10 on this chart for both Disco Fries and Giiants.

The third Top 10 entry is Illenium’s “Nightlight”, featuring the uncredited voice of Annika Wells. It climbs 13-10, and is Illenium’s 6th Top 10 entry.

Also soaring up the chart 24-14 is another new favourite deep house banger, “Nobody” by Sweden’s NOTD with vocalist Catello.

Watch for “Good At Goodbyes” (above) by Bright Light Bright Light and Erasure’s Andy Bell to move up more in the coming weeks. For now, this wondrous electronic ballad of sorts rises 21-18. Check out the latest single from Fun City, “Saying Goodbye Is Exhausting”, featuring Justin Vivian Bond, below.

I think I’ll need to get a T-shirt or create a meme that says “Sorry for All the Bangers”. “Chasing Feelings” by UK producer Jerome Price and singer/songwriter Cally Rhodes also fits into this category, and it climbs 23-20.

“Fake” is a fun song and video by Lauv and Conan Gray, which moves up 30-25.

The highest debut on the chart is the first entry for renown Dutch producer Oliver Heldens. Collaborating with Party Pupils with vocals by MAX, the exuberant “Set Me Free” arrives at #26. MAX is also sitting pretty at #17 with Suga of BTS with “Blueberry Eyes”. And arriving this past weekend was baby Edie Schneider for proud new parents MAX and Emily!

Also premiering is the darker deep house track “Like Gold” by my fellow Canadians Loud Luxury and Toronto’s Frank Walker with vocals by Stephen Puth at #27. Loud Luxury’s recent “Aftertaste” reached #8 a while back, while Stephen got to #5 last year with “Sexual Vibe”. It’s a first appearance on the chart for producer Frank Walker.

The third new entry makes a concurrent chart appearance for UK singer/songwriter Karen Harding. She’s currently at #12 with the former #1 “Undo My Heart”, and bows with Scotland-based production duo Illyus & Barrientos with the dreamy disco of “Let’s Get Together” at #29.

A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the new online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m the new music consultant for the station so you can expect even more in 2021 🙂 You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 22 years? Rummage through the BILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!

#BILLCSTop30 #601, November 23/20

There continues to be an enormous abundance of fine music out there – all you have to do is look for it and listen! The BILLCS Top 30 is now in its 22nd year online and continues to act as a guide to steer you in the direction of some great tunes in a variety of pop genres. The chart has four new entries to tantalize you.

Hanging on to #1 is “House Is Happiness” (above) by German producer and saxophonist Stan Sax, who is one half of the duo Saxity, who themselves move into the Top 10 with “Fantasy” (below), featuring the voices of Victor Perry and Robbie Rosen (13-10). Stan and Koni are back on another roll of releases, with another brand new one coming this Friday.

His third album Love Goes is receiving fine public and critical response, and Sam Smith has his eyes on #1 in two weeks with his engaging single “Diamonds”, climbing 5-2.

Sweden’s Agnes obtains her first Top 5 song on this chart since 2009 as the zippy “Fingers Crossed” advances 8-5. Her last song to do this was “Release Me”, which got to #1.

Besides “Fantasy”, the other newcomer to the Top 10 is “Tinseltown In The Rain”, the emotional and intriguing cover of The Blue Nile’s 1984 song by German producer Matt Mancid and California-based vocalist (and multi-instrumentalist) Color Theory. “Tinseltown”, in its Big Rhythm mix, climbs 11-9.

The Fastest Riser on the chart belongs to Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with British singer Mahalia on “No One But You”. This romantic R&B/pop ballad moves up 18-11.

It looks like “Nightlight” opened up even a more pop-oriented audience door for Illenium than his last album Ascend. Recently #1 on the national dance chart for two weeks, “Nightlight” rises 17-13. The uncredited vocal is by one of its co-writers, and frequent Illenium collaborator, Annika Wells.

I like to think of Canadian singer/songwriter Francesco Yates’ “Late Night Love” as his equivalent of Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” – especially since the singer opened for JT throughout one of his recent tours. This sexy and raucous R&B-flavoured song rises 20-15.

Tyler Shaw is one of Canada’s most versatile performers, who can shift from style to style, including recording in French. Such is the case with his latest danceable Top 20 pop radio hit “Remember”, which climbs 21-16.

MAX and SUGA’s “Blueberry Lies” continues to lead the last chart’s new entries, and advances 25-19. Be sure to check out MAX’s excellent album Colour Vision. I was so pleased to see him perform the entire album in a recent free virtual show.

I currently have the Highest Debut on repeat. It’s the new house banger “Give It Back” by The Disco Fries and Giiants featuring singer/songwriter Allison Park. By all rights this song should be huge, and I’m helping to give it that push as it debuts at #20.

Next up at #24 is the first appearance on the chart for Swedish production duo NOTD in tandem with mystery performer Catello on their latest single “Nobody”. The song has already soared into the Top 10 on national dance charts, and is the logical follow up to last year’s huge hit “So Close”.

Despite having been on release since summer, I can’t let the song that debuts at #25 go without it having a chart run. British rocker James Bay returns to the chart with “Chew On My Heart” from his most recent EP Turn It Up. He reached #2 two years ago with “Pink Lemonade”.

The fourth debut is a supurb change of pace for L.A.-based singer/songwriter Lauv, who partners with rising star Conan Gray for “Fake” at #30. The guys really have great chemistry and make “Fake” a lighter, enjoyable song considering its subject matter. It’s Lauv’s 4th appearance on the chart, and Conan’s first.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 22 years? Rummage through the BILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!

#BILLCS Top 30 #600, November 8/20

After reaching a milestone of 2,500 blog posts last week since I began writing the BILLCS Music Blog in 2009, I’ve also hit another milestone with the BILLCS Top 30. It’s edition #600, which would be over 1,200 if it was weekly. The chart first began online in January 1998 and the first published #1 was “Angel” by Canadian singer Joée. I had previously posted Top 10 versions of the chart on a few websites or message boards, starting in September 1997. The chart remained a Top 10 until the edition of August 31, 1998, when it was extended to a Top 30.

There are 5 debuts on the chart, and we have a new #1 song in edition #600. It’s an exhilarating instrumental called “House Is Happiness” by German producer and saxophonist Stan Sax, who is one half of the duo Saxity, and also records under the name of ZEROBADDAYS. “House Is Happiness” is a real toe-tapper and you’ll have a tough time staying still. It’s yet another independently released song to reach #1 on my chart.

Sweden’s Pawl & Discrete have another snappy house record that will vie for #1 with “Type Like That”, making another big bold move, advancing 10-3.

But the one to watch is the glorious “Diamonds” by Sam Smith, from his excellent new album Love Goes. “Diamonds” soars 17-5, the Fastest Riser on the chart, among a bunch of fine breakup songs in Love Goes. “Diamonds” features one of Sam’s best vocals, and it’s his highest placing on this chart since 2014.

Two songs arrive in the Top 10 for the first time. Sweden’s Agnes obtains her fourth Top 10 song on this chart with “Fingers Crossed” (13-8, above), most recently reaching #3 on “Tough Love” by Avicii. Singer/songwriter/producer Lauren Mayhew and Moroccan teen producer Mariline debut in the Top 10 with the warm and fuzzy progressive dance track “We Are Home” (11-9), which was written by Lauren at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).

Stan Sax’s other project, Saxity, climbs 16-13 with “Fantasy”, featuring outstanding vocals by Victor Perry and American Idol alumnus Robbie Rosen. You can see all three gents in the video above.

Denver producer Illenium has a new personal best this week as “Nightlight” (21-17) becomes the #1 song at Dance Music Radio in the USA.

Out of four debuts two weeks ago, “No One But You” by Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with British singer/songwriter Mahalia leads the way, climbing 24-18. Be sure to download Justin’s APP from the App Store, and you’ll find a list of all of his major concert performances over the years, plus some new exclusive acoustic clips to keep you entertained during these strange times.

The highest debut belongs to the ever-so-talented (and dad-to-be) MAX, from his excellent album Colour Vision, with “Blueberry Eyes”, featuring singing by his buddy SUGA of BTS. This song, written for MAX’s wife Emily, arrives at #25, and joins MAX’s collaboration with Jonas Blue, “Naked” (#15), on the chart. “Naked” recently peaked at #4. BTS previously appeared on the chart in early 2018 with “DNA”, which peaked at #13.

Next up is another artist currently on the chart, NYC-based Welsh singer/songwriter Bright Light Bright Light. His outstanding duet with Erasure’s Andy Bell called “Good For Goodbyes” arrives at #26 (above) and has also been released as an extended remix created by Grammy Award winner Tracy Young (below). Tracy in fact appeared on the chart back in 2002 with her radio edit of Cyndi Lauper’s “Shine” (#5). “It’s Alright, It’s OK” by Bright Light Bright Light and Montreal trio Caveboy also climbs 18-16.

Making their chart debut is the L.A. quintet Why Don’t We with the rock-flavoured “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)” at #27. This single by the group of early 20-somethings follows up their 2018 debut album 8 Letters. And with “Fallin'” already brewing at Top 40 radio, I’m sure another album is not far behind.

Also making his chart debut is British electronic dance producer Jerome Price, with vocalist Cally Rhodes, on the irresistible dance banger “Chasing Feelings”, which bows at #28.

While “Dancing Next To Me”, one of my favourites of 2020, departs the chart after a maximum 10 chart stay (20 weeks), Greyson Chance returns immediately to maintain the flow at #29 with his latest single “Bad To Myself”. This one has a lot of personal and earnest touches, referencing Greyson’s recent bout with anorexia.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 22 years? Rummage through the BILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!

Soft, romantic, and ever-so-sweet: “No One But You” is new R&B-pop for your soul by @justinnozuka and @mahalia

JUSTIN NOZUKA & MAHALIA, “No One But You”

I’ve noticed in the past several months, there has been a real absence of romantic songs, probably in keeping somewhat with the current ongoing situation. So bravo to Toronto’s Justin Nozuka for releasing his first new music in over two years in the form of an R&B-pop ballad with UK singer Mahalia that recalls his cover of Sade’s “By My Side” called “No One Like You”. In years past, this would be called a ‘quiet storm’ track, and could easily be played next to classics of that sub-genre. It’s a lusciously simple song about anyone’s special someone, and it’s complimented by its video above, which reminds us of all of the gentle, sensual, romantic, and often basic aspects of a relationship that take place. “No One Like You” is pop music soul food. This collaboration with Mahalia is certainly one-of-a-kind. She has had her own major label album release to show off her Erykah Badu-meets-Lauryn Hill style, and has recorded with Jacob Collier, Ty Dolla $ign, Kranium, Ella-Mai, and more. I’m so glad to hear new music from Justin, who is always unpredictable but creates from the heart. Listen for more coming soon.