While everyone’s caught up in big magazine’s early year end lists, Christmas music, and Spotify Wrapped, the Report continues to roll merrily along through December to showcase recent and usually indie releases that could get lost in all of the distractions.
If you have any suggestions for changes to this blog for the new year, don’t hesitate to hit me up on one of my socials at the following Linktree link www.linktr.ee/billcs777, or email me directly bill@billcsmusic.blog.
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’ Classic Five selections this week form a grab bag of 70’s and 80’s tunes. And you’ll also find out what songs were #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 as we approach the end of each of the last 26 years.
FIE EIKE, “The Water”
Copenhagen alternative electronic artist Fie Eike returns with her debut album called Water, which has been four years in the making. As I’ve introduced you to some of the songs that now form part of Water from reviews earlier in the year (“The Nile”, “Sad”, “Fluid”), you will know Fie Eike’s music to have a challenging exterior, with sometimes provocative topics, such as water and nature and their interconnectedness as well as with people. But when it boils down to the inside, you’ll find that her songs are fresh and enthralling and actually go down quite easy. “The Water” might be her best song to date, with an on-point, versatile vocal, against a mysterious piano-forward arrangement that keeps you hanging for what’s next within the song. Fie Eike has written and produced all of her songs and has now seen her vision through to completion. Fans of Björk, Kate Bush, Enya, Cocteau Twins, and Tori Amos will have a field day with “The Water” and should check out the entire album, which contains both vocal-only tracks and instrumentals.
THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE, “Orange Christmas”
I don’t write about Christmas music much, but one song you must check out this year simply for its uniqueness is “Orange Christmas” by Toronto’s The James Clark Institute. It’s a fun, jaunty track with excellent lyrics, a singalong chorus, and a compelling but thoughtful vocal by James. But what sets apart “Orange Christmas” from other holiday music is that its overall sound is as if The Clash got together with Elvis Costello and made a Christmas song. So yeah there’s huge retro appeal here but the song is intended to leave you with a smile on its face and instill the timeless message of missing someone during the holidays, and it succeeds on all counts.
BEN ELLIS, “Red Handed”
Welsh indie singer/songwriter Ben Ellis steps away from his good-natured, catchy songs like “Ed’s House” and “No One Sleeps In Hollywood” in favour of a guitar-focused rock track in “Red Handed”. As you may gather, the song is about catching a lover “in the act” of something, at the point in a relationship which was about to end anyway. Many of us have lived through these “gotcha” moments which can be deeply satisfying for a few minutes. The song starts off with a guitar hook strongly reminiscent of Blur. Ben’s vocal as usual is easy on the ears, with maybe some Damon Albarn influence there too, but I appreciate how the production and arrangement are now showing off another side of a talented young guy, which bodes well for future releases.
IZZA, “Tan and a Heartbreak”
A while back, I introduced you to L.A. based singer/songwriter IZZA with her track “Sweat”, a sexy pop/dance single that recalls the heyday of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. She follows it up with “Tan and a Heartbreak”, which provides a familiar setting of a summer romance that sadly is only set up to end. IZZA shows conviction and vulnerability in her vocal which is set rather unexpectedly against a solid drum n’ bass backdrop. While its appeal is not as immediate as with “Sweat”, “Tan and a Heartbreak” shows that there is much more to IZZA that meets the ear on first listen, and she is clearly not about to be identified as a specific kind of artist in the pop/dance genre, leaving all channels open for what’s to come next. You can find both songs on her seven song EP Because I’m Blonde.
TAWNY ELLIS, “Elephant”
In the midst of a burgeoning group of folk artists mainly from North America and the UK is L.A.’s Tawny Ellis, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who fits a lot of powerful imagery alongside a sweet melody in her single “Elephant”. While the song wastes no time in unveiling that its topic is the “elephant in the room” of which we are all too familiar, the parallels of the power of truth and ultimately love are showcased through rushing water, rolling thunder, and shaking walls. While such imagery would be big, bold and upfront in say an electronic dance music track, here they are beautifully restrained to blend with a gentler melody. While Tawny is likely heavily influenced by the style of Joni Mitchell, I can also hear others like Sheryl Crow and Christine McVie in the mix. The record benefits from Tawny’s use of the dulcimer as well as crisp production (she also plays lap steel guitar and omnichord). A new “Elephant” is brought to life through different means and I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more from Tawny Ellis.
KAITLYN OLSON, “Everytime”
“Everytime” is a deliberately-paced, absorbing and soulful pop track, written and sung by L.A.-based talent Kaitlyn Olson. Kaitlyn flips the too cool for thou images that have been created in the media for the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish, and expresses her sensuality and vulnerability openly for her potential partner in “Everytime”. She’s clearly a strong force on her own, having sung backup for Rod Stewart, worked with members of The Killers, and had a #2 hit in South Korea with a song she wrote for Girls Generation’s Yuri. Kaitlyn’s fine voice doesn’t remind me of anyone in particular, which is not a bad thing. “Everytime” says to me that Kaitlyn wants to be authentic with her music with her fans, and that’s something we all can’t get enough of in today’s otherwise highly impersonal music business.
FOUR NIGHTS, “i just hope you feel it too”
Ireland’s Four Nights (aka Tommy Buckley) returns following his summer release “Safe” with another song admittedly about whether or not to keep pursuing a crush called “i just hope you feel it too”. I’ll let Tommy’s own words frame the song for you:
The song paints a scene of a party, where a fire is lit – literally – between me and a person who I’m mad about. But as the night progresses, and after a few too many drinks, she cozies up with someone else. The lyrics reflect the raw, rash emotions of the moment: drunken thoughts, dramatic conclusions, and the inevitable regret afterwards.
The vocal in the chorus of the song is enhanced by synths, which is a bit different from what we’ve heard on a Four Nights song, and the wistful melody would cast it in the growing ‘dream pop’ sub-genre. Tommy’s sincere vocal is convincing though, and while as he says that the scenario ultimately ends in regret, you end up wanting to root for him to get the girl. And maybe that’s for another song, but in the meantime Four Nights is clearly ready to move his sounds beyond indie bedroom pop.
THE PAST, ROBBIE ROSEN, “Way To Go”
“Way To Go” epitomizes the classic example of being attracted to someone who then takes advantage of the situation, and before you know it’s too late and you’re in too deep with your emotions. It’s brought to you by producer The Past – which appears to be another moniker for the well-respected veteran Dr. Wig – and former American Idol contestant, the prolific and awesome multi-talented Robbie Rosen. “Way To Go” is more of a straight up danceable pop track, moving away from some of the bangers that Robbie has released this year, but it’s a great showcase for his voice. There’s also a false ending that adds a little something to the mix.
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 now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online. Here are my picks for this week and last week.
It’s “Somedays” by Australia-born, UK-based dance producer Sonny Fodera, with Irish vocalist Jazzy and UK producer D.O.D.
“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 which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
Listen to Harriet’s lovely but eerily similar Karen Carpenter vocal on a cover of The Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is newly anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week.
“The King” by Philip Labes, who is not only a singer/songwriter, but an actor and screenwriter too
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which is heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. 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.
Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (1987)
Three Dog Night – Let Me Serenade You (1974)
Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Murray McLauchlan – Whispering Rain (1978)
Dan Fogelberg – Lonely In Love (1987)
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
Grammy Award winner Austin Roberts with “Something’s Wrong With Me”. Sadly, Austin passed away recently on November 1/24.
26 YEARS OF BILLCS TOP 30 #1’s
Songs that rocked my personal chart at this time during the last 26 years.
2023 DOWN TO ONE Bright Light Bright Light
2022 YOURS Conan Gray
2021 HOLDING ME MORE Darin
2020 DIAMONDS Sam Smith
2019 LIGHTS UP Harry Styles
2018 LOYAL Odesza
2017 NEED YOUR HEART Latchmere
2016 STARBOY The Weeknd, Daft Punk
2015 HELLO Adele
2014 SAY YOU LOVE ME Jessie Ware
2013 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light
2012 DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD Swedish House Mafia, John Martin
2011 CAN’T HELP MYSELF (KEEP DANCING) Matt Blue
2010 RESURRECTION (Penguin Prison remix) The Temper Trap
2009 ALONE Dan Black
2008 NEVER AGAIN The Midway State
2007 HOW TO BUILD A TIME MACHINE Darren Hayes
2006 FUTURESEX/LOVESOUND Justin Timberlake
2005 PRETTY VEGAS INXS
2004 THEY MIGHT SAY Mitchell Hunter
2003 ROCK STAR (Jason Nevins remix) N*E*R*D
2002 SERVE THE EGO (Gabriel & Dresden remix) Jewel
2001 BLACK BLACK HEART David Usher
2000 HERE WITH ME Dido
1999 THE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE (STAY GOLD) Everything But The Girl with Deep Dish
1998 YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE New Radicals
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