It may have happened before after I started the BILLCS New Music Report blog format about a year ago, but I want to point out that this week, all of the releases that I’ve reviewed are independents. Although I do write about some major label releases, they are usually by new and rising performers, and not established ones. I know that if I wrote about Taylor Swift and Drake, the views on my blog would go up. But I prefer to continue to highlight independents where I can, I guess something else that was ingrained in me in my college radio days that has stuck with me all my life. So it’s important that you check out these songs to find out if maybe one of them becomes a new favourite!
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, which reacquaints you with some favourites from the 70’s and 80’s. And in case you missed them, you’ll find out what were my #1 song and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30 this week.
As you may have noticed, I’ve decided to no longer use the words “Spotlighting” or “Featuring” because in truth all of the songs are worth checking out, or else I wouldn’t be writing about them!
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.
EARTHQUAKE LIGHTS, “Silhouette”
NYC’s Earthquake Lights follow up their second album Desert Bloom with the immensely enjoyable “Silhouette”. While the band classifies itself as a rock band, “Silhouette” is a lush and fresh release that meshes together a myriad of influences, including Radiohead, Pink Floyd and David Bowie. Vocalist Myles Rodenhouse has a crystalline pop tone which sounds like none of those artists and leads the song’s story about the search for life, whatever that may be to the individual listener. While the song’s title visualizes images of people and things against objects through moderate lighting, the fluid melody, helped by the sounds of strings (whether real or synthetic), strikes you like a warm beam of yellow light. You don’t have to think too hard to get a lot of listening pleasure from “Silhouette”. As a collective, Earthquake Lights have unlocked something special here that needs to be pursued further!
THE STICKMEN PROJECT, ALTÉGO, “Fiesta”
“Fiesta” is aimed at nothing more than having a great time. So just let it all go and make your own private party with The Stickmen Project and ALTÉGO in their first collaboration. Those who follow the visual social media apps will already know The Stickmen Project, a British duo of producer/DJ’s who perform in outfits designed with LED lights to make them appear as stickmen. Their energy is further fused together in this Latin-flavoured track by ALTÉGO, those wacky, friendly British twins and producers/DJ’s Lucas and Michael Fernandes-Pendse who follow up their recent infectious release “Bling Bling”. “Fiesta” is quick and snappy and sure to lift you up, so just put everything on pause and have fun!
HELLOWORLD, “need that”
Following up his collaboration with fellow electronic producer Throttle called “Weightless Feeling” (currently rising up the BILLCS Top 30), L.A.’s Helloworld has released “need that”, a song that spares no amount of vitriol in unleashing emotions after a nasty break-up. And while the tone of the song is brusque, setting it to an aggressive arrangement and potent synth beats is just the kind of catharsis electronic music fans might end up feeling. “need that” draws you in and before you know it you end up being engrossed in the story and the creative production.
TALKING ALL NIGHT, “Treasure”
Talking All Night is an Indonesia-based duo of vocalist Advan Putra and multi-instrumentalist George Alexandrov whose latest release, “Treasure” (from the new album Miles Away from You) positively sparkles with its engaging and tight production. You’ll hear not only bright synths, but live instruments such as saxophone and pan flute, set to warm and genuine lyrics by the duo. “Treasure” is a splendid introduction to Talking All Night, whose influences span the 80’s and 90’s – you’ll certainly hear the pop style of Toto for musicianship and production quality, and perhaps others like Vince Clarke (Erasure/Depeche Mode) and Simple Minds for diverse synth sounds and expertise.
JENNA Nation, “All I Need”
Berklee-educated JENNA Nation has an R&B-influenced pop hit in the making with “All I Need”. Hailing from Ottawa, JENNA has been performing shows since age 9, and ended up recording with some of the best production talent in the biz at Matthew Knowles’ Music World studios, which resulted in her debut album You Don’t Know. She has even performed publicly for Canada’s Prime Minister. Five years after her album, which saw her opening for the likes of Shawn Mendes in concert, JENNA started releasing music again. A few singles later, “All I Need” is accompanied by a polished arrangement, and its silky smooth pop draws her main inspiration from jazz and R&B. Her pristine voice is reminiscent of Alicia Keys and SWV, and the song moves along gently but with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande precision. With songs like “All I Need”, JENNA’s music is an appealing alternative to the current hits by young women on the radio, and JENNA should have no problem attracting new fans at her live performances.
WAITING FOR SMITH, “Nature’s Mind”
It’s hard not to love the direction that Waiting for Smith (aka Harry Lloyd) takes with his simple arrangements and folk-influenced flavour in songs like his latest release “Nature’s Mind”. Following up songs like “Let Light In” and “White Light of Love”, “Nature’s Mind” wants you to have a personal escape within your own head to find that serenity and joy you might be missing. As I’ve mentioned before when writing about the music of Waiting for Smith, it’s not at all preachy and full of best intentions, with long lasting effects and anticipation for what he will offer next. So relax and put your feet up, and let “Nature’s Mind” soak in for a few minutes.
THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE, “Hit Hollywood”
Toronto-based rockers The James Clark Institute have released their latest album Under The Lampshade, which is the third to be produced by the well-respected Moe Berg, of The Pursuit of Happiness and latterly of Trans-Canada Highwaymen (whose cover of The Guess Who’s “Undun” I recently wrote about). Like Moe, James Clark is heavily influenced by The Beatles, and the band’s sound evokes the punk rock eras of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, early Split Enz, and perhaps more recently, Green Day and Blink 182. The James Clark Institute’s sound is raw and authentic, solidified through many well-received live performances, and “Hit Hollywood” features some clever wordplay and a classic, punchy melodic structure. “Hit Hollywood” sounds so much like it could have been released in the early 80’s post punk era – which I can say wholeheartedly having lived through those years as a young adult. The songwriting is refreshing and James’ vocal here is a ringer for Billie Joe Armstrong.
SERENA ITTOO, “Nature Foreseen”
UK singer/songwriter Serena Ittoo brings us her debut single, a profound but inspiring song called “Nature Foreseen”. What starts off as a reflection on a past relationship that simply was not meant to be because the couple was not in tune to each other, ends up being a provocative but not too heavy empowerment anthem for anyone who has felt worthless with dreams shattered when a relationship ends. Serena has a beautiful voice with a lot of depth that helps make “Nature Foreseen” a lighter, positive affair, and while the production is certainly slick, some brief hip hop flavoured touches seem dated and out of place. They do not detract from the overall power of the song though, which makes a fine and memorable introduction to Serena Ittoo indeed.
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.
It’s the swoonworthy ballad “To Love Someone” by Washington’s Benson Boone
“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”.
“The Matrix” is by British Columbia alternative rockers Mother Mother
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 new pop singer Kaylee Mousseau with her original,”Complicated”
“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.
John Mellencamp – I Need A Lover (1979)
Allman Brothers – Ramblin’ Man (1973)
Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band (1973)
Chris de Burgh – Don’t Pay The Ferryman (1982)
Rod Stewart – I Was Only Joking (1978)
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Steve Angello & WH0’s “What You Need” gets a second appearance at #1
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
“Real Love” is by Martin Garrix with South African singer Lloyiso (21-14)
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