Watching one’s rock and pop icons get older can be a surreal experience. Many people are tied to the nostalgia of their youth and want to keep replaying that through streaming and at shows. However, just like us, our musical heroes have gotten older and gained some wisdom along the way. For those who are open to it, there is plenty of good music being made by the stars of Gen X youth. The following eight tracks represent big standouts from 1980s icons, many of whom never left the stage and continue to thrive. Some have made comebacks after decades away. Here are eight cool new tracks from classic hitmakers to dive into.
“Glitter Ball” by Altered Images from Mascara Streakz (2022)
During the early ‘80s, Scottish new wave band Altered Images produced some melodic gems in big UK hits like “Happy Birthday” and “I Could Be Happy.” Although they broke up after three albums, they are affectionately remembered. After doing a couple of one-off shows, singer Clare Grogan revived the band in 2012 with an all-female roster. For this new Altered Images album, she collaborated with her husband/later Altered Images member Steve Lironi, Bobby Bluebell (The Bluebells), and Bernard Butler (ex-Suede), with some songs co-written by Texas/ex-Altered Images bassist Johnny McElhone. “Glitter Ball” has a silky smooth sound and funky vibes, recalling Bryan Ferry solo, but that perky, chirpy voice is pure Grogan. It’s nice to hear her record new tunes.
“Resurrection Man” by Bruce Dickinson from The Mandrake Project (2024)
One of the great aspects of a Bruce Dickinson solo album is the singer known as the “air-raid siren” gets to stretch himself beyond the confines of Iron Maiden, and it helps that he has a creative partner-in-crime in guitarist Roy Z. This song is a classic example: “Resurrection Men” starts off like the soundtrack to a spaghetti western film, then segues into a galloping mid-tempo rocker, followed by a slower, Black Sabbath-like midsection. It’s interesting how many of the greats have been paying homage to that pioneering British band lately.
“Some Dreams” by A Flock of Seagulls (Single, 2024)
The original Flock were one of the leading lights of the synth-pop/New Romantic times of the early ‘80s. Like Human League, they had a musical naivety that led them down some interesting musical avenues. Vocalist/keyboardist Mike Score is the sole original member now, and while it would be great to see a reunion of the original foursome, he invokes the classic, sci-fi-ish Seagulls sound here with this no-frills, but lush and propulsive anthem. It’s their first new song in 29 years. As YouTuber @biltrix commented, “hearing this was like a warm hug from an old friend.” Indeed.
“Cage” by Billy Idol from Cage EP (2022)
Jonesing for some old-school Billy Idol? This rocker should satiate your fix. Technically, the blonde punk rocker comes from the ‘70s with his band Generation X, but he shined during his subsequent ‘80s solo career. Inspired after feeling pent-up during the pandemic, Idol roars passionately about comin’ out of my heartless, hopeless rage / I’m comin’ out of my cell, my broken cage. His guitar-slinging buddy Steve Stevens knows how to rock out, pull back when he needs to, and let loose with a tasteful solo. For them to sound so vibrant four decades later is fantastic.
“Heart & Soul” by Noiseworks from Evolution (2022)
While this iconic late ‘80s/early ‘90s melodic rock band from Australia isn’t well-known here, they retain a strong following at home. In a broader context, frontman Jon Stevens was the first singer to replace the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence at the turn of the millennium, and he did so for over three years. On Noiseworks’ first studio album in 31 years, the quintet unleash this spirited, romantic anthem with Coldplay piano inflections. Although guitarist Stuart Fraser passed away from cancer in 2019, he is all over the album, which was recorded prior to his untimely death. Regardless of how well one knows the band, this is a killer track enhanced by the voice of experience.
“Evil Love” by Kate Pierson from Radios and Rainbows (2024)
The famed B-52s singer unleashes her new solo album this month, and the lead single is this slightly darker take on a ‘60s girl-group number, appropriately titled “Evil Love.” Pierson calls it a “feel-good song about revenge” on a former lover, and while it’s not goth, one could imagine TV’s Morticia Addams digging it (and last year’s “Every Day Is Halloween”) back in the day. What’s most impressive is how great Pierson sounds at 76. A majority of rock and pop singers have lost much of their power by then, but not her. Aces.
“Killing Floor” by Slash from Orgy of the Damned (2024)
Longtime Slash aficionados know the hard-rocking axe slinger loves the blues, and in fact his late ‘90s all-star group Slash’s Blues Ball dove headlong into that world during their live shows. Slash finally got to record a full-on blues album with plenty of guest stars like Iggy Pop, Beth Hart, and Gary Clark Jr. The lead single, a cover of a Howling Wolf song, surprised so many because of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson singing in a lower, more-natural register than his great AC/DC yowls, plus it features Steven Tyler’s vivacious harmonica playing. With age comes a true “I don’t give a f–k” attitude that lends itself to wonderfully unexpected collabs like this.
“Build a Fire” by Patty Smyth from It’s About Time (2020)
Smyth is the big voice that led Scandal to big chart success back in the ‘80s with “The Warrior,” as well as her very popular 1992 solo duet with Don Henley, “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough,” which hit No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Canada. This romantic, sensual ode to a long-time love—in this case, hubby John McEnroe, to whom she’s been married since 1997—tempers delicate verses with restrained pop-rock choruses, and it clicks. It’s the type of song that can only be performed with sincerity and come from life experience, so for Gen Xers feeling the same amorous vibes, it’s highly relatable.
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Photo by Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA/Shutterstock
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