| Song | Artist | Year | Pick | Genre(s) | Willis Notes | Gregg Notes |
| YO! MY SAINT | Karen O [Feat. Michael Kiwanuka) | 2018 | Willis | Indie Rock | I can’t get enough of Karen O – this genre-bending collab is from a short film about the complex relationship between an artist and his muse. Distinct phases make it cinematic and like a tale | Somehow I never heard this! I LOVE Kiwanuka, but only latched onto him in 2019, unfortunately. But the good thing is I get to discover songs like this NOW. Love the groove and the fizzy tremolo’d guitar so much. Great driving song too! |
| Circles | Emika | 2025 | Gregg | Trip Hop /Electronic | Wow, so much mood. The bassline brings a scary/mysterious Stranger Things theme song vibe. Love the contrast with dainty breathy vocals. The reversed vocals at the end bring out the eerie even more. | Just discovered her, and I’m so happy I did. Her older stuff is artsy & avant garde, w/ a Fever Ray/The Knife kinda weirdness. This new track is similar to Fever Ray – it’s “modern” sounding but the beat and music remind me of Massive Attack. So nasty! I wish I could steal the beat/groove. Understated and fierce. |
| Most Anything | Lilly Wood and The Prick | 2021 | Willis | Folk Pop/ Rock | French duo known for a highly danceable Robin Schulz remix of “Prayer in C”. from 2014. But there’s also lots of depth in their other work. The synths and bear in this song feel new wave inspired. Nili Hadida and Benjamin Cotto. Her vocal styles across their work ranges from Stevie Nicks to PJ Harvey | This is a great pop song. If this came out in 1988, I feel like it would’ve been Top 10. There’s an ABBA meets Madonna element – but also some Sally Shapiro unironic, synth/italodisco nostalgia. Blasting this. |
| Boyfriend | Slowdance | 2012 | Gregg | Indie /Post Punk | This is a very addictive indie melody. I like the vocal style that reminds me a bit of early 10,000 Maniacs but airy and up in the clouds. Amazon Music has multiple artists with this name of different genres (neo-soul,The Smiths/Morrissey, Modern Jazz/Lounge). Spotify is more accurate | Been trying to track this down for a while. I had the EP on CD, but it wasn’t popping up on Streaming until recently. This was one of my most listened to songs for a few years. The chorus is so 80’s in how it opens up with this bright Key line that carries it into the bright and open sky. Almost like the Go-Go’s jamming with Beach House. So melancholy and happy at the same time. |
| Such a Remarkable Day | Charlotte Gainsbourg | 2018 | Willis | French Indie Pop | The daughter of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg – Charlotte is an actress and singer. Prolific and talented as her father in film and music. Alicia saw her in a TV series called Etoile. I like the rock style harpisichords arpeggios and driving chord progression. | I’ve liked much of what I’ve heard from her. The melody and rhythm are very unique – almost akin to Stereolab, but with equal parts Ladytron and Lush mixed in. This is stellar. Great find. |
| Fine Friend | Pale Saints | 1994 | Gregg | Shoegaze /Indie Rock | This is smooth, spacious and with subtle soulful vocals. A sophistication like Slowdive in that way. Great song to pull into the mix of this show (with other genres) because when I tried to listen to the whole album, I felt slightly saturated of guitar wash. This song is a breath of fresh air that does build into the noise but in a gradual, respectful way. | Probably the most overlooked Shoegaze artist of the 90’s. They were every bit as good as Lush or MBV or Slowdive, but never got near the same recognition. This is a quieter gem, which obv takes cues from Cocteau Twins’ ethereality. The vocals start up front, but then gradually fade into the swelling guitar distortion – but it’s all so delicately produced so you never lose the melody. I love the last minute or so: “I’ll never walk into your arms” |
| Sundown | Leisure | 2025 | Willis | Neo-soul R&B | This collective from New Zealand produces a consistently smooth vibe that I do not tire of.. Obviously inspired by Marvin Gaye but also restrained jazz/funk and a hint of Khruangbin. This release is from forthcoming album in Sept. This is a lesson inTower of Power for me. | Woah. This is the 3rd song off this upcoming album I’ve heard, and they each get better. Im quite excited to hear the full LP. The horns are perfect (and not sharp at all). The Tower of Power funk groove is addictive. |
| Someday is Tonight | Janet Jackson | 1989 | Gregg | R&B /Quiet Storm | Janet locked in on sensuality. It was in the late 80’s that they figured out how to make a trumpet sound sexy! Remember the movie Wild Orchid? This hits me like “Funny How Time Flies” from Control, which I know I used to have. Not sure what happened to my JJ collection, as I seem to now have zero, There were so many hits from this album on the radio from it that I thought I’d heard it all but I agree this is an epic album and a must have. | One of the greatest R&B albums of all-time, both from a success standpoint and artistic accomplishment. I dare to say the ‘deep’ cuts on this album are where the classics are (even though most of the songs were singles). So much of the psych & neo soul HFD plays owes a debt to Janet’s golden era output. This has such a genius melody & chords. |
| Disappeared | R Plus and Amelia Fox | 2023 | Willis | Electronic Dance / House | A straight house track but with lyrics – This is how to do it.. This has such an EBTG “Missing” vibe it’s nostalgic but also has it’s own groove and feel. Rollo Armstrong solo project from Faithless | Been playing some R Plus songs on HFD, but have to admit I know very little about them. I love that they clearly have a respect for classic 90’s house, yet still sound fresh/new. Def EBTG vibes. So many warm notes. |
| Whistle Down the Wind | Nick Heyward | 1982 | Gregg | New Wave /SophistaPop | I don’t remember this song from the movie (from the HS dance). The catchy chorus “hello hello! Hope you’re feeling fine/mine/time” evokes a uniquely 80’s feeling of upbeat yet slightly angsty reflection. Modern jazz-infused piano plus symphonic accompaniment brings a very high level of sophistication – vocal style reminds me a little bit of REM. | Former lead singer of Haircut 100. Had the makings of a genius solo artist – but somehow never lived up to his band’s big hit (“Love plus one”). This was featured in 16 Candles, but only became a hit in the UK. As the years go on, this has become one of my all time favorite songs. He sings with such conviction! “In a picture, a freckle & a famous feature.. she’s not smiling” |
Song playlists are also available on these platforms: