Matoma – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #686 – February 26/24

Some of my winter favourites make room for new blood on the chart with five songs debuting. Plus there is a new #1 and that housecleaning also has half of the last chart’s Top 10 exiting the top third of the chart.

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 is now updated to the last chart: 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.

If you follow the chart regularly, then it’s no surprise that Benson Boone gets his second #1 with “Beautiful Things” (3-1). It’s odd that I share #1 with Billboard’s Canadian Chart for a second time. “Beautiful Things” succeeds “Lovin’ On Me” at #1, which was #1 for me at the top of the year for two charts and currently sits at #16, while Benson’s previous #1, “To Love Someone” is at #5. Benson has also now reached positions #1, #2 and #3 on the chart with his songs! Sadly, I like many others could not get tickets to his April 7 show in my city.

Todd Terry, Gene Chandler, "What You Do"

Todd Terry’s “What You Do” climbs 4-3, with vocals by Gene Chandler from his 1966 release “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, and it sits back to back with the last chart’s #1, WH0’s “Rock The Party”, which samples Todd’s 80’s dance classic “Weekend”.

The Fastest Riser on the chart clearly has sights set on #1, where Conan Gray has already visited twice, with “Yours” and “Never Ending Song”. The 80’s vibes of “Lonely Dancers” hit all the right places and the song soars 25-4.

Matoma’s “Sound of Shadows” (12-6), with vocals by British singer/songwriter JP Cooper, becomes his 5th Top 10 entry, from his album Love For The Beat.

Also no strangers to the Top 10 are The Knocks and Sofi Tukker, who climb 13-8 with their indie release “One On One” (above). It’s the 7th Top 10 for The Knocks and 6th consecutive one for Sofi Tukker. Check out The Knocks’ Mr JPatt (aka James Patterson) in collaboration with Walker & Joyce on their new release “Just Might”, below. And Sofi Tukker also have a new Latin-flavoured one with lots of vibrant drum and percussion sounds called “Veneno” (with &friends, Mari Merenda and Sophia Ardessore), which you can also check out below in its &friends remix.

Dutch producers Showtek land their 4th Top 10 entry with “Shine”, along with duo Sonny Wilson, which climbs 11-9, from Showtek’s album 360 Yellow.

And another huge jump comes from “Rest Of My Life” by Jonas Blue and Sam Feldt in their “superduo” guise as Endless Summer, with American vocalist Sadie Rose Van. It leaps up the chart 28-10. It’s Jonas’ 7th consecutive Top 10 entry.

Itching to get into the Top 10 next week is BTS’ Jung Kook, who climbs 17-11 with is slice of R&B/pop “Standing Next To You” from his album Golden. It passes the #12 peak of last year’s “3D” (with Jack Harlow).

NYC’s electronic duo Years of War (formerly Rico & Miella) continue to rise up the chart with “Used To Be” climbing 19-14.

Sam Dickinson has a new release coming called “F L E X” (the title track of his new album) and there’s also a remix on the way for his cover of Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff”, which rises 24-20.

The Highest Debut belongs to Chicago’s John Summit with British vocalist/co-writer Hayla and “Shiver”, which arrives at #24. It’s the first time on the chart for the colourful producer and his vocalist, who previously collaborated on last year’s “Where You Are”. John (along with producer Silver Panda) has also nailed a slick remix update of “Sweet Disposition” by Australia’s The Temper Trap below. The song was originally released in 2010.

Also debuting on the chart at #25 is New Zealand alternative artist Will Swinton and his engagingly different and emotional track “Harmless”. Here he sounds like a cross between Caleb Followill (of Kings of Leon) and Sam Fender. Be sure to check out the video above, filmed in one take, and be sure to watch until the ending!

At #27 is Vancouver’s Diamond Café with the Michael Jackson-styled R&B/pop of “When You Can’t Resist”. This unconventional track is lengthy but compelling, with a marvelous guitar solo. Diamond Café is the alias for Tristan Thompson, who previously charted under his own name three times as a teenager (including a #1), and has since been signed to Warner Music. And just to show further why he’s got the goods, check out a live performance of the song at the following link: Diamond Café

He’s won a bunch of Grammys and Juno Awards but Quebec’s Kaytranada finally has a great R&B/pop single in “Lover/Friend” with Toronto’s Rochelle Jordan at #28. It’s the first time for both artists on the chart.

The last debut is a first time appearance for British rock quintet Nothing But Thieves with the rollicking “Oh No :: He Said What?” at #29. It has the same fun vibe as Fall Out Boy when they are at their best.

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #683 – January 15/24

My second personal chart of ’24 is pretty active, with a few big if unexpected moves, and after since some 2023 favourites have now departed, there are five debuts! Over 2,690 songs have charted since the BILLCS Top 30’s inception in January 1998. My online BILLCS Top 30 Archive will be updated by the end of the week to include this chart.

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

Reminder: Don’t forget to click on the photos to hear the song or watch the video.

“Lovin On Me” by Jack Harlow continues to reign the chart. Because it’s such an odd choice for me for a #1, I think it all boils down to the basics – good house-flavoured beat that makes you want to dance, and an infectious and playful vocal from Jack. We all need on occasion a song that’s light and fun, and “Lovin On Me” does that for me.

“Lovin On Me” however is not without competition for as soon as the next chart in two weeks. A song that’s quite different from it, Benson Boone’s dreamy ballad “To Love Someone”, soars this week 8-2, matching the peak of 2022’s “In The Stars”, which also belatedly became a Top 40 radio hit last year. His next single, “Beautiful Things” arrives on Friday January 19.

Also very much in the running is “Rock The Party” by British producers WH0. If you want to put the bounce back into your day, this is the song to play right now. It climbs 4-3.

“Memento” is an emotional new wave-influenced rocker from Windsor, Ontario artist MELØ, who gets his first Top 10 entry as the song rises 12-9.

The second arrival in the Top 10 is also the Fastest Riser on the chart. The slammin’ house track “What You Do” by Todd Terry completely transforms Gene Chandler’s 1966 release “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, and highlights the best part of Gene’s vocal performance on that track. It becomes Todd’s 2nd Top 10 entry. The “Duke of Earl” himself, Mr. Chandler is alive and well at 86.

NYC’s Great Good Fine OK are back to dazzle us with their invested brand of pop, R&B and dance, all present on “Blame”, which moves up 21-16.

If I was a record label, I’d be promoting the hell out of Matoma & JP Cooper’s memorable “Sound of Shadows”, which rises 26-19. It’s an album track from Matoma’s new Love For The Beat album that is as good as if not better than many of the singles previously released from the album.

Two of my favourite dance performers, The Knocks and Sofi Tukker, are back with their first collaboration in a while, “One On One”, which is the Highest Debut at #25. It was co-written by Dragonette’s Martina Sorbara, who also provides some vocals. This fun disco-house track is the 10th entry on the chart for The Knocks, and the 6th for Sofi Tukker, who have both got to #1 separately, The Knocks with “Kiss The Sky” (with Wyclef Jean) and Sofi Tukker on “Everybody Needs A Kiss” (with Benny Benassi).

Next is “Sit Down” by Keiynan at #26. Queer Australian singer, actor and dancer Keiynan really takes some stylistic risks on his new album The Heart Defence Mixtape, which is what pulls it all together into one interesting grab bag of songs. “Sit Down” is R&B/alternative which you’ll enjoy if you like music by Steve Lacy, yb. or Jean Dawson. It’s Keiynan’s second visit to the chart – his song “Preach” reached #8 in 2018.

Bowing at #27 is “Rescue Me”, the new collaboration by Dutch producer Justin Mylo and British house music queen Karen Harding. It’s Justin’s first appearance on the chart, but 10th for Karen, and it extends her current chart run which started on September 11, 2023, to 10 charts (20 weeks) by replacing previous entry “Need Your Love” with Felix Cartal, which exits the chart.

At #29 is the first chart entry for the duo previously known as Rico & Miella (aka Rico and Michelle Caruso), now dubbed Years Of War. Their emotional future bass-flavoured indie dance track “Used To Be”, released last Fall, continues to endure, and lands a place on the chart this week. Groove Cruise travellers can look forward to catching Years Of War aboard ship this week.

Getting a second concurrent appearance on the chart, from their EP Curfew Hours, at #30 it’s Australian rockers Moonwood with “Cool If I Love You?”. The lads are flying high currently with “Curfew” rising 7-6.

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 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 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 this link.

Energy885

Energy885 in Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Addictive Energy” shows, which airs 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 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.

#BILLCSTop30 #682 – January 1/24

Happy 2024 to you all! I don’t really know what to expect from this year, so I’ll take that as a good thing and expect the unexpected. Aside from indie releases, which must continue through the holidays, December was a slower month in general than usual for other releases. I’m not sure if this will affect turnover on the BILLCS Top 30 in January, as I almost always find something new to sate my appetite for discovery!

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

If you had told me three months ago that my first number one song of 2024 would be by Jack Harlow, I would have asked if that somehow came to you in a dream. While I’ve appreciated his talent on previous releases, his style of hip hop, let’s say, is not in my go-to genres of music. So even after I enjoyed his collaboration with Jung Kook on “3D” (which just peaked at #12), even I couldn’t have been prepared for the 2:18 of infectious business that is “Lovin On Me”, which climbs 3-1, a rarity because it has also been #1 in both the US and the UK. The last song to do this for me was “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande nearly four years ago, which was also my #1 song of 2020.

Rising 6-3 is “Feels Like Us”, a warm slice of dance/pop by Miami’s Gt_ofice, Maryland’s ALWZ SNNY, and frequent chart visitor and NYC singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen. It becomes Robbie’s 6th Top 5 entry.

Soaring up through the Top 10 from 10-4 is “Rock The Party” by British dance producers WH0, who get their second Top 5 entry following the #1 “What You Need” with Steve Angello, which is appearing in its last chart at #23 having reached the 10 chart maximum.

Moving up 7-5 is “Real Love” by Martin Garrix with South African singer Lloyiso, which becomes Martin’s 8th visit to the Top 5.

I’m enjoying the brand of indie rock offered by Australia’s Moonwood on their EP Curfew Hours. Songs like “Curfew”, which climbs 11-7, would sound just great played live in concert.

Getting his third Top 10 entry is Benson Boone with a ballad that just drips with emotion, “To Love Someone”, which rises 15-8.

Spain’s The Boy From The South lands in the Top 10 for a second time, following last year’s sheer delight “Amazing-Man” (which peaked at #3) with “Man Down” (14-10).

“Memento” by MELØ (18-12) is showing signs of being an enduring song on the chart. The 80’s new wave flavour combined with its story of moving on after profound loss is unique as you will see in its extended video clip above.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the powerful, foreboding sound of UK’s Nero with their comeback release “Truth”, which rises 26-16.

“What You Do” (27-18) is a slamming slice of house by the master himself, Todd Terry, who transformed a minor Gene Chandler release, 1966’s “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, allowing Gene’s voice to breathe life into a really fun track.

The Highest Debut at #26 is the third song from Matoma’s recent Love For The Beat album to reach the chart. Featuring UK vocalist/songwriter JP Cooper, it’s the very catchy “Sound of Shadows”, which is an album track though it really should be promoted as a single as it deserves club and festival play.

On the chart with his 2nd entry is indie Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis with “Guys That Look Like Me”. His first appearance on the chart was the jaunty “Ed’s House”, which got to #8. “Guys That Look Like Me” was a similar relatable story and a breezy melody which makes it all go down easy.

Jung Kook gets his second entry on the chart with the soulful KPOP track “Standing Next To You” at #28. It’s no wonder that people like Justin Timberlake and Usher have climbed aboard the KPOP train with their contributions to Jung Kook releases – JT on an alternate version of “3D” and Usher on another version of this one.

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 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

Energy885

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.

BILLCS New Music Report – December 6/23 spotlighting new releases by @Showtek & #SonnyWilson, @djToddTerry & #GeneChandler, @Kungsmusic & @Shadow_Child, @Matomaofficial & @JPCoopermusic, @obeyANTAGONIZER, @DenizKoyumusic, @TheMovingStills and @BlackHertz_ & _HOZHO_

The music business typically winds down at this time of year for a few weeks, with charts being awash in holiday music. While on occasion a major artist drops a big record in December, the rest of the industry perks along with plenty of new releases to check out. This week there’s house music, progressive electronica, and indie rock among the reviews, while picks of the week comprise a rock ballad, a cover of a Canadian classic, and an acoustic folk track. So there’s lots of variety – open your ears and dive in!

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 featuring songs from the 1980’s. And in case you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what are my #1 song and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of 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.

SHOWTEK, SONNY WILSON, “Shine”

Veteran Dutch producers Showtek finish out 2023 with the slick house track, “Shine”, which reunites them with Dutch duo Sonny Wilson, from their album 360 Yellow. It’s same-named singer Sonny whose amiable, R&B-flavoured vocal gives “Shine” the positive, anthemic lift that it needs to stand out in a club or festival set. Showtek have two sides to their persona which work well – the fun, party-loving brothers who sometimes offer us a striking dance novelty, and then the more serious producers who know their craft that has been honed after than 20 years, ultimately breaking out around 2009 worldwide. Now Las Vegas draws, Showtek have accumulated a wide repertoire and “Shine” is another astute addition to it.

TODD TERRY, GENE CHANDLER, “What You Do”

The master of house himself, Todd Terry, continues to be extremely prolific, but still crafts songs that allow for instantaneous reaction, like “What You Do”. Featuring the classic R&B voice of the Duke of Earl himself, Chicago native Gene Chandler, it retools one of Gene’s minor releases, a 1965 track called “You Can’t Hurt Me No More”, bringing its essence to an entirely brand new audience for their dancing pleasure. “What You Do” is an imaginative, concise release that shows that few producers can match the 30+ years of skills and experience that Todd Terry continues to bring to the dance music scene.

KUNGS, SHADOW CHILD, “Changes”

“Changes” is a vibrant collaboration between French dance producer Kungs (who latterly reached #8 on the BILLCS Top 30 with Purple Disco Machine on “Substitution”) and British house producer Shadow Child. It’s their take on a classic 2002 house song of the same name by Sandy Rivera, which it samples, and rides heavily on a catchy synth hook that will give club goers a workout. “Changes” is for totally letting yourself go when you want to groove to some inspiring early 2000’s-flavoured house music.

MATOMA, J.P. COOPER, “Sound of Shadows”

With the release of his first album in five years, Love For A Beat, Norway’s Matoma has come off of one of the best years in music in his career, with fantastic songs like “Won’t Follow You Home” (with James Droll, a BILLCS Top 30 #1) and “The Power” (with an uncredited Clementine Douglas, which reached #3 on the BILLCS Top 30) included in the release. But he didn’t give away the store entirely, saving a few tracks for the album’s release, including the potent “Sound of Shadows”, reuniting him with singer/songwriter J.P. Cooper, who you also know from many European and dance music hits with people like Astrid S and Craig David, as well as his own solo Top 10 UK releases like “September Song” plus Jonas Blue’s #2 UK smash “Perfect Strangers”. J.P.’s gritty and soulful vocal is a perfect companion to the urgency of being alone in “Sound of Shadows”, and its chorus of “now you’re gone” will stay in your head for days. Matoma is now back in full dance music mode and the diverse selection in Love For A Beat works beautifully.

ANTAGONÏZER [AWAY and Crywolf], “Bow Down”

ANTAGONÏZER is a collaboration between two L.A.-based unique talents in the progressive electronic world, AWAY (Dan Alm) and Crywolf (Justin Taylor Phillips). Of the two, I’m only familiar with Crywolf, having seen him in concert years ago for an intense and memorable set, but the music of ANTAGONÏZER on their EP Omniviolence is best pitched to fans of artists like Nine Inch Nails, Front 242, NERO, and early DeadMau5. It’s not entirely my go-to style of music, but I appreciate the EP which is rich with variety and synthesizer wizardry, and “Bow Down” for me is the most memorable track with its foreboding, dark sound. ANTAGONÏZER is certainly a partnership worth repeating.

DENIZ KOYU, “Astral”

Deniz Koyu has been a mainstay on the European dance music scene for over a decade, playing every major festival there and collaborating with the likes of Alesso, Gryffin, Nicky Romero, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. His crazy-infectious, propulsive deep house track “Goin’ Down” (with Twoloud) got my attention back in 2015 and became a BILLCS Top 30 #1. As you might have gathered from its title, “Astral” is a spacy but highly danceable instrumental that one could visualize being played at a festival under the stars to magical effect. Just when you think “Astral” is coming to an end, it rebuilds 2/3 of the way through with one of those ‘you gotta wait for it’ breaks. “Astral” is great, imaginative, 90’s techno-inspired fun (I keep thinking of the Chemical Brothers’ early work) that will appeal to club goers as much as it will to progressive electronic listeners, and help spread his recent work to a wider international audience.

THE MOVING STILLS, “Westside”

Australia seems to be a current incubator for indie rock talent, and judging by the calibre of fresh music from Oz this year, it shouldn’t take long for it to spread to the rest of the world. The Moving Stills hail from the central area of New South Wales, a quartet which has released its first album called Wabi Sabi. The group aims for an authentic, friendly sound, and “Westside” is a perfect example of what they are achieving. It’s a song about being on the road, which is exactly where they are heading again in January and February, touring the east coast of Australia. Vocals and instrumentation are all on point, and if you’ve enjoyed the songs of other Aussie indie rock artists this year, then the music of The Moving Stills is just the ticket.

BLACK HERTZ, HOZHO, “Ego”

Brazilian electronic producer Black Hertz and Portuguese producer HOZHO have combined forces for their three song EP Psyche. It’s a largely progressive electronic instrumental effort that’s meant to be an immersive and personal experience into your own psyche, with songs titled “ID”, “Ego” and “Superego”. “Ego” impressive as the song builds from a vibrant instrumental, adding vocals and some nifty effects to create a track that will stick under your skin after it’s over. The rest of the EP isn’t as well-suited for the more casual listener and requires your full attention, but if progressive electronic music is your thing and you’re looking for something a little different to explore, then the full Psyche EP is for you.

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.

L.A.-based performer Cobi is back with the rock ballad “Where We Belong” from the EP Sugar Man

“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”.

Canadian superstar quartet The Trans-Canada Highwaymen interpret The DeFranco Family’s 1973 smash “Heartbeat – It’s A Lovebeat” from their album Explosive Hits Vol. 1.

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 Nashville trio The Arcadian Wild with “Dopamine” from their album Welcome

“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.

Sting – If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Paul Young – Every Time You Go Away
Rod Stewart – That’s What Friends Are For
Joe Jackson – Steppin’ Out
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)

BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG

Bright Light Bright Light obtains his 7th #1 with “Down To One”

BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER

Benson Boone is back with another stellar ballad, “To Love Someone” (28-20)

#BILLCSTop30 #671 – July 31/23

The end of July brings a busy new chart, with several songs making key moves while others depart. And there are four debuts, led by two Canadians who were already on the chart with other songs, as well as a British dance music queen and a promising new artist from Colorado and based in L.A.

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.

Matoma and James Droll continue at #1 for a second appearance with the unique and thoughtful “Won’t Follow You Home”.

Coming up right behind are Conan Gray’s “Never Ending Song” (3-2, above) and “Without You” by Alesso (6-3, also above). So who will succeed Matoma at #1? Alesso also has a catchy new release featuring singer John Newman, who you know from 2014’s “Love Me Again”, and it’s called “Call Your Name” (below). They just performed it at the Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium.

Revelries’ “Down on You” has its eye on the Top 5 as it rises 8-7.

A charming indie song that could, Ben Ellis’ “Ed’s House”, climbs once more, up 10-8!

The only new song to enter the Top 10 this week is the second Top 10 entry for TELYKast with vocalist Georgia Ku, “You Got Me”, which also climbed to the top of the national dance radio chart this week!

Below the Top 10 is where the chart starts to get interesting this week. I haven’t been able to get Benson Boone’s “Coffee Cake” (from his EP Pulse) out of my head for a few weeks, so appropriately it’s the Fastest Riser on the chart, up 24-12.

Jessie Ware’s sophisticated disco of the album That! Feels Good (nominated this year for a Mercury Prize in England) and the single “Begin Again” (above) climbs 17-14, as “Freak Me Now” is issued as a single featuring the always unpredictable Róisin Murphy (below).

Another song I always look forward to hearing is Cash Cash’s “Bleach (Move On)”, which soars 25-16. You can listen to the song in a zingy new VIP remix by the guys, above.

“Move It (Control My Mind)” is one of the best new party dance songs for summer by producer Ryan Shepherd and fellow Canadian, vocalist/songwriter Heather Janssen. It has a big liftoff this week, moving 26-17.

Troye Sivan’s “Rush” is already a Top 30 hit in the UK, but I’m expecting dance radio to get behind this one, and it climbs 27-19.

The Highest Debut on the chart at #23 is “Little Rockstar”, the title track from the recent EP by Toronto’s Francesco Yates. It’s now charting concurrently with “Thunderbomb” (up 16-12) and becomes Francesco’s 8th overall chart entry. It’s also available now in a snazzy acoustic version captured in a home video style.

Toronto dance producer Luis Torres is sitting snugly in the Top 10 with fellow Canadians DLMT and Rico 56 with “Wildfire” (7-6). This week, his rollicking dance anthem “Freak Like Me” lands on the chart at #27.

UK dance music queen Hazell Dean had five UK Top 40 hits in the 80’s, including two classic #4’s “Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)” and “Who’s Leaving Who”. and also had two US dance/disco Top 10’s in “Searchin’ (I Gotta Find A Man)” and “Jealous Love”/”Evergreen”. She has never stopped making music and I have written about her songs in these pages before. But her new original, “100% Pure Love” (in its Dean & Ware Lava Lamp Mix) – not to be confused with the Crystal Waters classic – is a fierce one, and it arrives on the chart at #28. You won’t be able to stay still to “100% Pure Love”!

The fourth new entry at #29 is “College” by indie singer/songwriter Gabe James, who charted just over a year ago with the delightful “Gracie” (#13). “College” is more of a snappy diss-bop and shows Gabe’s versatility in both performing and songwriting.

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

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.

#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.

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

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

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #669 – July 3/23

This is one of those weeks when a lot of songs I love are either in holding patterns or are inching their way up my chart. Of course, there are a few requisite big jumps, and four promising debuts round it all out!

It’s gonna take me a long time, if ever, that I tire of JIMIN’s “Like Crazy” (English version), as the song (above) remains at #1 for a 4th appearance (8 weeks), the longest so far for any song this year. To boot, “Angel, Pt. 2” (below) from “Fast & Furious: The Fast Saga”, which includes his contribution alongside great vocals by JVKE, Charlie Puth and Muni Long, is the chart’s Highest Debut at #24. Besides being JIMIN’s 2nd chart entry, it’s JVKE’s 3rd and Charlie’s 6th. And alongside these releases, plus BTS’ “Take Two”, bandmate Jung Kook’s “Still In Love” (also below) – originally released three years ago – has been kickstarted again on streaming platforms, so you never know what will happen!

2023 is a great year for Norway’s Matoma as “Won’t Follow You Home” (with vocalist/songwriter James Droll, below) climbs 3-2 and positions itself to succeed “Like Crazy” at #1, perhaps even in two weeks. It’s Matoma’s highest peaking song to date, surpassing the #3 peak of “The Power” from earlier this year.

Atlanta’s Niko The Kid also gets a personal chart best this week as “Only One” (featuring MAYLYN) climbs 7-6.

Right behind is Cobi’s “Telepathic Powers”, another unique song that’s gonna have long legs with me, and it climbs 9-7. Be sure to check out his top notch album Love In The Wildwood.

New to the Top 10 are: Conan Gray’s “Never Ending Song” (above), which is zipping up the chart 13-9, becoming his third Top 10 entry following last year’s “Memories” and #1 “Yours”; and “Antidote” (below) by Audien & Codeko with vocals by J.T. Roach moves up 11-10.

Two extremely catchy electronic dance songs to keep your eyes on are “Wildfire” (above) by my fellow Canucks DLMT, Luis Torres and Rico 56, climbing 18-14, and Emirati producers Revelries’ “Down On You” (below), which rises 20-16.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is Alesso’s stunning “Without You”, which soars 26-17 and probably won’t be tamed for a few more weeks.

Adam Lambert gets his 6th chart entry with his splendid cover of Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” in collaboration with UK producer Sigala (aka Bruce Fielder) at #26. It’s Adam’s first chart appearance in over three years, and Sigala’s first entry on the chart.

Washington’s Benson Boone lands on the chart for a third time with the engaging “Coffee Cake” (#28) from his new EP Pulse. It’s a really well-rounded release, with a top notch vocal and a great story. Benson got to #2 on the chart last year with the melt-worthy “In The Stars”.

And at #29 Cash Cash are back on the chart for the first time in two years with “Bleach (Move On)” at #29. This song constitutes a bit of a new, more pop-oriented direction for the trio, who are extremely popular on the dance club circuit and regularly perform in Las Vegas. The vocal by band member Jean Paul Maklouf reminds me a lot of Danny O’Donaghue from The Script except with an electronic backdrop. Don’t sleep on this one! Cash Cash got to #1 in 2021 with “The Feels” featuring newly minted Tony Award winner Alex Newell.

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

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

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #668 – June 19/23

Have you decided on what your summer song of ’23 will be? Or maybe you’re waiting for a release to arrive soon? Last summer I had three songs that continuously had my ears perked up – “Daydreaming” by Harry Styles, “Dusk” by Manila Killa and Lights, and “Superstar” by Darin. This year, one of those songs is definitely my current #1, with at least two others in the running, but I think I’ll have to wait till mid-summer to decide.

Once again it’s “Like Crazy” (English version) by JIMIN (above) which rules my chart, getting a third appearance (sixth week) at #1. There are others making noise on the chart, but “Like Crazy” could continue at the top two weeks from now. What other songs might join it as one of my songs of summer? One that’s not even on the chart that also features JIMIN is “Angel, Pt. 2” in collaboration once again with JVKE and Muni Long from part one, but this time Charlie Puth is on board. And it’s just wonderful! Check it out below.

One of those songs making noise and a contender for a song of summer is “Won’t Follow You Home” by Norwegian producer Matoma and American singer/songwriter James Droll. The song soars 18-3, matching Matoma’s highest peaking song to date, “The Power”, which got to #3 earlier this year. Matoma is indeed having a very good year, making the best music I’ve heard from him to date.

I’m looking forward to seeing his show in my city in August, and James Bay climbs 6-4 with “Brilliant Still” from his third album Leap. It’s his third song to reach the Top 5, following “Pink Lemonade” (#2) and “Chew on My Heart” (#5).

Jonas Blue’s “Finally” (10-6) featuring RANI is another great summery song, thanks to its bass synth hook popularized in the 90’s by Gusto’s “Disco’s Revenge”.

Also new to the Top 10 are songs that are personal chart bests for both artists. DJ Mirko B climbs 11-8 with the deep Eurohouse of “Sun Freezes Cold” (above), while American bluesy rock singer Cobi rises 16-9 with the ear-catching and beautiful “Telepathic Powers” (below) from his album Love In The Wildwood. It’s Mirko’s 2nd Top 10 entry and Cobi’s first, though Cobi’s previous band Gentlemen Hall also got to the Top 10 twice.

Conan Gray’s “Never Ending Song” is another smoking hot song right out of the gate, and zips up the chart 24-13. I’ll be very happy if his next album release contains more uptempo songs like this one.

“Wildfire” is a fun deep house track by my fellow Torontonians DLMT, Luis Torres and Rico 56, and it climbs 23-18.

Emirati dance producers Revelries’ dark deep house track “Down on You” is off to a great start and it rises 26-20.

Leading the trio of new releases is Alesso’s “Without You”, which arrives at #26. It’s Alesso’s fourth visit to this chart with his best showing to date being 2017’s “Falling” (featuring an uncredited vocal by Tove Lo), which peaked at #4. With its sensational and uplifting retro melodic house vibe, I think “Without You” will soon find its way to the Top 10.

Next at #27 is “Substitution” by German Grammy Award winning dance producer Purple Disco Machine – he won last year for remixing Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” – and French dance producer Kungs. It’s Purple Disco Machine’s first visit to the chart, and Kungs makes his second appearance following 2021’s #2 “Never Going Home”. What, you mean I never charted his classic “This Girl” in 2016″? Well, uh, nope – somehow it never resonated with me until long after it peaked, so it missed the chart. Fortunately there aren’t too many like that over the last 25 years!

The last new entry at #28 is the shimmering “Missing You” by Gareth Emery featuring singer Maria Lynn, which sparkles even more in its rousing Ben Gold remix. It’s Gareth’s fourth chart entry, and his now signature song, “You’ll Be OK”, was #1 on this chart exactly three years ago.

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.

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

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

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #667 – June 5/23

The new chart is loaded and there are five debuts. There are just so many songs I’m enjoying right now that deserve to be on the chart, so some songs may go up and down the chart faster than usual in the next while. That’s not a bad thing, I just want to give all of the ones that resonate with me their due! This week, songs 8-19 are all on the rise, so there’s a bit of a log jam happening which should shake loose in two weeks.

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

The best places to communicate with me continue to be Twitter @billcs or Instagram @thebillcs or Facebook @BILLCSMusicProjects. Follow this blog using the “Follow” button at the bottom of the home page.

But here we are once again and BTS’ JIMIN scores a second appearance at #1 with the simply stunning “Like Crazy (English version)” (above), certainly one of my faves of ’23 so far. “Like Crazy” is so unlike anything out there right now that it stands out whenever it plays among a bunch of other songs. You may also have caught JIMIN’s appearance on “Angel Pt. 1” from the “Fast X” soundtrack, below, which also features JVKE and Muni Long.

Climbing 4-2 is another worldwide fan favourite, Loreen’s EuroVision winner “Tattoo”. I’m hoping a new Loreen album is in the works.

I’m not sure why Universal hasn’t championed James Bay’s top notch new third album Leap, which another one that fans are running with. The beautiful “Brilliant Still” should be a single and it rises 9-6.

New to the Top 10 are “Only One” by Niko The Kid and MAYLYN (12-9, above), a really ear-catching slice of deep house, and “Finally” by Jonas Blue and RANI (16-10, below), a new song revolving around that bassy sample popularized in Gusto’s “Disco’s Revenge”. It’s Jonas Blue’s 6th song to reach the chart’s Top 10.

Climbing 17-11 is the dark and danceable “Sun Freezes Cold” by Italy’s DJ Mirko B, who looks to score a new personal best on my next chart.

I’m pleased to see that “Forget You” by former Eleven Past One singer Daniel Richter (22-17) is bubbling under deservingly at national radio in Canada, with lots of support coming from Quebec radio stations.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is another unique one that’s going to quickly find its way to the upper reaches. Norway’s Matoma is having a fantastic year for dance music and this collaboration with US singer James Droll, “Won’t Follow You Home” rises 25-18. Watch for Matoma on tour in US cities.

Also moving up steadily is Welsh singer/songwriter Ben Ellis’ enjoyable pop track “Ed’s House” (above), which jumps 23-19. Ben has also released a follow up about meeting someone with matching tattoos called “Sofia” (below).

Making the big splash onto the chart as the Highest Debut is the latest from Conan Gray called “Never Ending Song” at #24. He sounds a lot like Brandon Flowers of The Killers to me, and it’s a fun, new wave-tinged track co-written and co-produced by Max Martin. It’s Conan’s fourth visit to the chart and follows last year’s #1 “Yours”, which was also my # 7 song of 2022.

Emirati dance producers Revelries get their 6th appearance on the chart with their fine recent deep house release “Down On You” at #26, which follows up last year’s #6 “Pulling Me Down”.

Jessie Ware’s new album That! Feels Good is a must-hear for fans of dance music with sophistication and flair, and it truly sounds like she has found a niche in pop music that fans love. “Begin Again” arrives at #27 and it’s her 13th visit to the chart overall.

Talented Swedish pop/rock trio Louis Pax return with their third chart entry called “The Road Back” at #28. While the band writes melodies that could be taken right out of the 80’s, “The Road Back” often reminds me of early 2000’s rock acts like McFly or Simple Plan. Louis Pax had my #5 song of 2022 with the #1 “Bad Things”.

Rounding out the new entries is Toronto’s Francesco Yates at #29 with “Thunderbomb”, another raucous, guitar riff-laden tune that follows up last year’s #1 “Jimi”, which was also my #8 song of 2022. It’s from Francesco’s new EP called Little Rockstar, and is his 7th visit to the chart.

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.

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

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

For other details about the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules have been updated.

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #666 – May 22/23

Because the last chart had six new entries, this new edition has only two, and there is a long lineup of songs right behind them. With EDC Las Vegas, summer EDM festival season is officially on. I’m not a festival goer, so do advocate for an influx of new blood into the lineups. I see so many of the same names for almost every EDM festival, and while I’m happy for some of my favourite performers to be getting those gigs, they leave a lot of fine new talent stranded trying to get to the next level.

REMINDER: As with the BILLCS New Music Report, I’m now embedding the video link in the artwork for the song or the artist, which hopefully will allow the blog page to load faster and smoothly. So you now have to click on the photos above the write up to hear the song or watch the video. Let me know how it works for you! I am also using Alt Text where possible to assist readers with visual impairments.

Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below too as they are increasingly tied in with this blog. As most of you know by 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 top of the chart changes guard, and that means JIMIN’s gorgeous “Like Crazy” (English version) moves up 2-1. If you haven’t listened to it carefully, this is about someone getting caught up the possibility of romance in a wild night life and loving it, and hoping that it lasts forever, but feeling empty when it ends. It’s one of my favourite songs of the year. And it could have been a HUGE pop radio hit.

The Fastest Riser on the chart, coincidentally just post-EuroVision, is my favourite song from that competition, “Tattoo” by Sweden’s Loreen, which soars 14-4.

“City of Love” by Surf Mesa featuring Selah Sol climbs 10-5 and is a dance song similar to “Like Crazy”, with its affecting lyrics about feeling lost in a big city after a breakup.

Climbing 9-6 is a fine one for trance music lovers, “Never Temporary” by NYC producer Greg Oakland and singer/co-writer Tara Louise.

James Bay’s “Brilliant Still” (above) from his album Leap rises 12-9, and Australia-based singer/songwriter St. Humain is right behind with “Memento” (13-10, below) from his EP Metadramatic. Also below, you can check out St. Human’s redux of his recent single “Dial Tones”, which I wrote about a while back, with South Korean singer SOIN.

A number of debuts from the last chart make substantial moves. Jonas Blue and RANI’s “Finally” (above) moves up 25-16, while “Give Me Your Soul” by The Disco Fries and Eche Palante climbs 24-18 (below) and Cobi’s “Telepathic Powers” (also below), from his new top notch album Love In The Wildwood, rises 26-20. You can also check out The Disco Fries’ recent collaboration with LODATO, “Call Me Crazy”, below.

Following up his song “The Power”, which was his personal best to date on my chart, reaching #3 earlier in the year, Norway’s Matoma teams up with US vocalist James Droll for the stunning, techno-flavoured “Won’t Follow You Home”, which bows as the Highest Debut at #25. It’s Matoma’s 6th visit to the chart.

And the Toronto powerhouse dance music trio of DLMT, Luis Torres and Rico 56 arrive on the chart at #27 with their slick deep house collaboration “Wildfire”. DLMT previously got to #11 with Party Shirt with “Goin’ Down” earlier this year. And Luis Torres had a #1 back in 2016 as a part of Dzeko & Torres with Swedish producer Hellberg and an emotional melodic house track, “Care For Me”. The song was a free download at the time and totally blew me away, becoming my #2 favourite of its year. You can still listen to it on Soundcloud and You Tube. It’s not available on streaming platforms or for purchase.

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.

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

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

For other details about the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules have been updated.

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.