If you know anyone who is getting fed up with the lack of variety and personality and too many commercials on terrestrial radio stations, then make sure they explore some free online radio selections. Granted there are many amateur stations that are inconsistent and sound like they are put together on a whim, but there are many online stations that are run by radio professionals past and present. It could be what they need to brighten their day and replace their previous listening habits with something they enjoy.
Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly 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.
As a standing item about my daughter VXTORIA‘s progress with her music, her latest release “Lost In Your Love” is out with its sultry vocal and afrobeats-influenced rhythm. Please check it out at the following link: Lost. And if you haven’t checked out her second single, the clubbier track “changes”, you can do so at the following link: changes. You can see her in the video for her debut single “Back To You” at the following link: Back To You. Her next release is coming soon!
“back to friends” (above) by sombr is in a lock at #1 for the next while, and his newly minted Top 40 pop hit “undressed” (below) moves up 8-5. So will sombr end up succeeding himself at #1 or will another song get there first?
Benson Boone’s “Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else” (above) climbs 4-3, with his new album American Heart on the way to support his upcoming sold out tour. Benson has also released the affecting song “Oh Momma”, which to me is a much better song than the previous single “Mystical Magical”, check it out below.
Jude York’s “After The Opera” (above) is up 9-7, and the Aussie pop/dance multi-talent recently released his EP Heartstrings, which includes another fine song in “That’s Just Love” (below). Jude wraps up his brief European tour today in London.
Tiësto’s “Hold Me”, with vocals by British co-writer Jordan Shaw, climbs 12-8. It’s Tiësto’s first Top 10 entry since 2019’s “Ritual” and Jordan’s second this year following “Heart First” (#3, with Lucas & Steve). I’m disappointed that Tiësto’s label didn’t push this one because it’s far superior to the others that have recently seen dance radio action and club play.
Lady Gaga gets a second MAYHEM Top 10 entry with “Vanish Into You” (above) rising 11-9 and becoming Gaga’s 13th Top 10 entry, while “How Bad Do U Want Me” (below) continues its climb, up 22-18.
Rounding out the Top 10 is Bay area dance producer Jay Bird with the sly earworm “Do It Like Me”, which moves up 14-10. It’s got a vibrant and playful house groove and comes from the Space Yacht label’s Tech My House Vol. 8 compilation. It’s Jay Bird’s third Top 10 entry and first since 2022’s “Float” (#3).
James Hype’s fast-paced and compelling “Don’t Wake Me Up” is in line for a Top 10 entry in two weeks and climbs 16-11.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is “If I Have You”, the effortless-sounding slice of pop/R&B that mixes some retro jazz fusion by Toronto’s Francesco Yates, which leaps 18-12, from his upcoming project Rooms I Never Left. The talented singer/songwriter plays The Drake Hotel in Toronto for a rare club appearance on Friday June 20 (I know where I’ll be!). You can also check out another single by Fran called “All” (below).
GT_Ofice’s “Something New” has now landed in the Top 30 on the national dance radio charts, and this collaboration with Matthew Topper and Petie climbs 19-14.
Fresh sounds imbue three other great songs on the move. The happy-go-lucky pop/folk sound of The Boy From The South pervades “Older” (20-16, above), while Steven Thad’s “Smile” (21-17), below has a smooth, somewhat retro R&B/pop flavour, and Jon Bellion’s return to releasing his own music with singles like “Kid Again” (23-19, below) has a captivating and organic outside-of-the-box style. Jon also co-produced and co-wrote Rihanna’s latest single, “Friend Of Mine”.
Despite the three new entries starting at the bottom of the chart, mark my word, these are three songs that are going to be around into the fall months.
The highest debut at #28 is “In My Arms”, the formidable collaboration from Illenium and Hayla. Both artists are the toast of the EDM world so it makes sense that their unique abilities to craft songs should be combined. This one is going to be a huge favourite, one of those songs that leaves you breathless as you listen. It’s Illenium’s 11th chart entry and first since 2022, and for Hayla it’s already entry #5.
Next at #29 is “Lonely Tonight” by Dutch producer Sam Feldt with American vocalists/songwriters Justin Jesso and Parson James. It’s from Sam’s new album Time After Time, which also includes his previous #1’s “Mi Amor” (with JVKE and Anitta) and “Heart Like Mine” (with Rosa Linn). It’s another instant favourite that includes Sam’s signature tropical house sound along with amazing vocals from both Justin and Parson. Happily, I saw all three perform on Kygo’s most recent tour, Sam last September opening for Kygo while the latter’s set got rained out, and Justin and Parson in January performing their previous releases with Kygo in his rescheduled show. “Lonely Tonight” is Sam’s fourth chart entry. Justin – who is a happy fireball of energy on stage – is here for the first time, while Parson previously got to #1 with Dutch producers The Him on 2018’s “Broken Love” and #8 with The Knocks on 2022’s “River”.
Completing the debuts at #30 is the return of Agnes with the stylish and bold” Balenciaga Covered Eyes”. The Swedish singer hasn’t sounded better and with some new collaborators, “Balenciaga” is cutting edge and takes its time drawing you in before its seductive piano house rhythm takes over. It’s Agnes’ fifth chart entry.
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
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 evening at 6 pm EST.
My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, powered by www.xstreamrockradio.com with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. The show repeats on Alberta’s www.katpowerhit.ca on Wednesdays at 6pm EST. The show will be on vacation from June 10 to July 1, returning on July 8.
Canada’s Party Dog Radio now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Saturdays at 6pm EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Party Dog Radio also airs “The Big 20”, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week on Sundays after 9pm EST.
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! Schedules are updated regularly.
