If you love new music but don’t know any of the artists about whom I’ve written today, that’s all the more reason to check out today’s selections in the Report, which range from contemporary disco to edgy alternative rock. I will be vacationing in Las Vegas next week, so there will be no Report, and it will return on Thursday November 27.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks 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 choices all come from the early 80’s. You’ll also find out what songs were in the Top 5 of the BILLCS Top 30 5-10-15-20-25 years ago!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
PACIFICA, “Indie Boyz”
About the artist: Pacifica is the Buenos Aires, Argentina alternative rock duo of Inés Adam and Martina Nintzel, who were internet friends before a further in-person meeting in New York City led to them releasing music together.
About the record: “Indie Boyz” displays it’s 90’s and 00’s roots in grunge and garage rock proudly. From the memorable, crunchy bass work through to the swaggery, droll vocal, Pacifica has crafted a light-hearted, vibey song that stands out and will hold your attention. The duo aptly calls it an “ode to late-night indie sleaze”, and you’ll want to hear more.
Other comments: “Indie Boyz” comes from Pacifica’s third album called In Your Face.
JAVI, “Carnivore”
About the artist: Javi is an L.A.-based multi-talent of Puerto Rican and Latin heritage whose pop/R&B/dance songs have appeared a bunch of times in these blog pages through both originals and covers like Sade’s “Cherish The Day”.
About the record: “Carnivore” might just be Javi’s most striking release yet. It’s an immersive and haunting story about vampirism, full of seductive rhythms, catchy wordplay, and a compelling vocal from the singer. The best way to check out this enticing song may just be to set aside 6 minutes for its video story to unfold. It’s beautifully shot and features some fine choreography, and a magnetic screen presence by Javi, using his tall, imposing figure to full effect, at the following link: Carnivore
Other comments: Javi releases a handful of songs every year and perhaps “Carnivore” will help make them be more frequent.
MGR. MIKE, “Heaven” and “Light It Up (Soul Fire)”
About the artist: Nashville-based MGR.MIKE creates new iterations of 70’s disco as well as similarly inspired events to make people want to dance. He’s already appeared on the BILLCS Top 30, peaking at #4 earlier this year with the unique and inspiring “The Message” (with Mexican producer Milton V).
About the records: “Heaven” and “Light It Up (Soul Fire)” have been released in quick succession, and I couldn’t decide which one to write about, so they both win! “Heaven” is hugely reminiscent of classic 70’s instrumentals like “The Hustle” with an invested hook and melody that will keep you grooving though there are no vocals or words. “Light It Up (Soul Fire)” captures the essence of energetic, anthemic 70’s R&B-flavoured releases led by (uncredited) female vocals through such artists as Chic, The Pointer Sisters, and First Choice. Both are well-defined and there’s enough contemporary disco flavour for those music fans looking for something fresh. Check ’em both out and see if you like one better than the other.
Other comments: MGR. MIKE is performing in Toronto on Saturday, November 15 at Spaghetti Disco, 1166 Dundas Street West (doors are at 11pm).
KACEY FIFIELD, “Out of Mind”
About the artist: Kacey Fifield is a NYC-based, L.A.-raised singer/songwriter/guitarist whose songs have appeared many times in these blog pages – can it be five years already?? This has allowed me to watch her progress from teenage collaborator to a confident adult solo artist who likes to take risks, moving from electronic pop and ballads to dramatic-sounding rock.
About the record: “Out of Mind” is her most cutting and edgy release to date in all departments – vocally, musically and lyrically. Producer Riley Aki pushes all boundaries here, opting for a sometimes deliberately muddy sound, in turn acting as an effect for Kacey’s vocal. There’s plenty of shredded guitar work happening in the song about being “metaphorically haunted by an ex”. It’s a cathartic and exciting release, certainly one of Kacey’s best ones to date, and shows a lot of obvious recent growth.
Other comments: Next up is a horror-themed video for “Out of Mind” (since it was released on Hallowe’en), and a new EP in 2026.
THE GOLD NEEDLES, “Turns to Gold”
About the artist: The Gold Needles are a pop/rock quintet from Kingston-upon-Hull in East Yorkshire, England that was formed in 2015 featuring the lead vocals of guitarist Simon Dowson, and has released three albums to date. The band’s style samples a bevy of influences, from 70’s punk rock through to 80’s west coast new wave era rock.
About the record: “Turns to Gold” follows up “Supernature”, which I wrote about earlier this year, and has a jaunty, carefree melody that could have easily stepped out of 1979 or 1980. Simon’s vocal remind me of a mix of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford of Squeeze, Andy Partridge of XTC, and Ric Ocasek of The Cars. The focus of this track is on electric guitar, courtesy of splendid work by member Dave Burbidge, with particular inspiration from Thin Lizzy. The song is about what I call “playing the music industry biz game” – getting burned along the way, developing a strong sense of cynisism, and learning from it all. They make a heavy topic for musicians light, enjoyable, and refreshing for listeners to soak in.
Other comments: The Gold Needles’ fourth album and first in four years, Mood Elevator, arrives on December 12.
GEORGIA BLACK, “Kicks”
About the artist: Georgia Black is an alternative pop singer from London who infuses her songs with R&B and jazz flavours and has been releasing music for about 7 years. She is also an actor, having performed in Punchdrunk’s acclaimed theatre production “The Drowned Man”.
About the song: While she is in good company with other contemporary jazz/pop vocalists like Norah Jones, Samara Joy and Madeleine Peyroux, Georgia Black has her own flair through which she spins her own love stories like “Kicks”. Her style is dreamy and escapist but not without a bit of punch and edge. She’s clearly a versatile talent and “Kicks” is only one glimpse of that.
Other comments: “Kicks” is culled from Georgia’s debut album Rope, which you can explore to find out more, and you can check out the video for “Kicks” at the following link: Kicks
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.
The Magician samples Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” in “Night to Night”
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.
It’s the Oscar-winning “Theme From ‘Shaft'” by Isaac Hayes (1971)
“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”.
It’s Eagle-Eye Cherry with “Chasing Down a Dream”
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 has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
DJ Hunter wishes us all a belated 11:11:11 through Conan Gray’s “Eleven Eleven”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays, returning on November 18) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm 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.
Lionel Richie – You Are (1983)
Christopher Cross – All Right (1983)
Doug & The Slugs – Who Knows How (1983)
Billy Joel – You May Be Right (1983)
BB Gabor – Jealous Girl (1981) (You Tube link)
THE BILLCS TOP 30 – 5-10-15-20-25…
The Top 5 songs from the BILLCS Top 30 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years ago…
2020
01 HOUSE IS HAPPINESS, Stan Sax
02 UNDO MY HEART, Karen Harding, Digital Farm Animals
03 TYPE LIKE THAT, Pawl, Discrete
04 ONE LAST SONG, Benedict Cork
05 DIAMONDS, Sam Smith
2015
01 HELLO, Adele
02 LET YOU GO, River Tiber
03 LIFE’S A BEACH, Brandyn Burnette
04 CAKE BY THE OCEAN, DNCE
05 MY RELIGION, Dan Talevski
2010
01 RESURRECTION (Penguin Prison remix), The Temper Trap
02 LOVE PART II, Bright Light Bright Light
03 WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE (Penguin Prison remix), Jamiroquai
04 PRETENDER, Elouise
05 START A FIRE, Ryan Star
2005
01 PRETTY VEGAS, INXS
02 DO WHAT U WANT, jASeFOs, Claire van der Boom
03 PRECIOUS, Depeche Mode
04 GOLD DIGGER, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx
05 TRIPPING, Robbie Williams
2000
01 HERE WITH ME, Dido
02 SHE BANGS, Ricky Martin
03 TWISTED TENDERNESS, Electronic
04 CASE OF THE EX (WHATCHA GONNA DO), Mya
05 NO MORE, Ruff Endz
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