November 23rd, 2017
Vant – Beetlebum / Talk Like Thunder
British rock band Vant was formed in 2014 by frontman and songwriter Mattie Vant. Virtually all of his lyrics deal with political issues of worldwide concern, like wars and global warming.
Early this year, after quite some singles (of which I love Fly-By Alien and Karma Seeker in particular), they released their debut album Dumb Blood.
Last month, to my astonishment, the band announced they were taking an âindefinite hiatusâ. And this is what they just wrote on Facebook: âWhat a ride these past few years have been. (âŠ) Thanks for all the support. Weâve been Vant from Planet Earth. See you in another lifeâ.
Well, thatâs all a little bit hard to believe, isnât it? Letâs just wait, keep breathing, and see what happens.
In the meantime, there is a lot to enjoy among Vantâs âfinalâ tracks, collected on the EP Talk Like Thunder: a nice cover of Blurâs 1997 anthem Beetlebum, for instance, and the title track of the EP, which you can find below:

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Gin Wigmore – Cabrona
Gin Wigmoreâs new album Ivory will be out in 2018, but she doesnât exactly keep her music a secret up âtill then. Five songs that will presumably appear on the longplayer have been released over the past year: Dirty Mercy, Hallow Fate, My Little Corner Of The World, Beatnik Trip and now: Cabrona.
Once again the New Zealand singer-songwriter comes up with a catchy tune that would do so well on radio. Who has the guts to put it on their playlist? Or shall we continu to deny her talent? That would be such a wasteâŠ

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Noel Gallagherâs High Flying Birds – Itâs A Beautiful World
In 2009, Noel Gallagher left Oasis, and the rest of the band continued as Beady Eye. When he released his first solo album, it shifted more units in a week then Beady Eyeâs in 8 monthsâŠ
This week, Noel Gallagherâs High Flying Birds launch their third album Who Built The Moon? and Itâs A Beautiful World is the third single off it. It follows the great Holy Mountain and the less great, Kanye West inspired Fort Knox.
Itâs A Beautiful World however, is an epic slice of spacey, beat-driven pop/rock. It features a spoken word guest vocal in French from his High Flying Birds bandmate Charlotte Marionneau, who can be heard playing the scissors(!) on the track as wellâŠ

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wildcard (week 47):
The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) – Iâll Make You Happy
50 years ago⊠I wasnât even born then! But itâs true: it’s 50 years since iconic Australian band The Easybeats hit the UK charts with their timeless pop song Friday On My Mind.
At the end of this week, in celebration of that anniversary, the Rebeat EP will appear, uniting several contemporary Australian bands: Daniel Johns’ Boom Tish project, KLP, LDRU feat. Nicole Millar, San Cisco, and eight-piece The Bamboos.
The latter bandâs contribution, their version of The Easybeatsâ Iâll Make You Happy, features guest vocals from singer-songwriter Jessica Cerro, better known by her stage name Montaigne. The addition of a brass arrangement gives the classic track a soulful vibe to great effect.
This is how a homage should be done, and thatâs why Carte Blanche Music decided upon its own mark of honour to this ode, by pronouncing Iâll Make You Happy by The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) this weekâs Wildcard!

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Alvvays – Not My Baby
In five months time, second album Antisocialites by Canadian indie-pop darlings Alvvays (pronounced as âAlwaysâ) has produced four singles. In Undertow was the first and Not My Baby rounds off this quartet.
Not My Baby is a lovely, jangly guitar pop anthem that has already been added to BBC Radio 6musicâs playlist. Who follows?

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Tim Dup – Une Envie MĂ©chante
Tim Dup is a 22-year-old French artist, who recently contributed two songs to the latest album of his hugely popular fellow Frenchie Louane.
Dupâs own music cultivates paradoxes : rapping and singing, softness and outrage, shadows and lights. This also explains the title of his album : MĂ©lancholie Heureuse.
His new single is about todayâs society forcing perfection upon everyone. This pressure makes people extremely unhappy, even those who appear to be perfect, according to Tim Dup. The theme has been worked out in the alarming video as well.

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott – He Wants To
Five years ago, Scissor Sisters announced an indefinite hiatus. Now, I think they re-incarnated in Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott đ . I mean: He Wants To is a great track that could have been a great Scissor Sisters track. But it isnât.
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott used to be the heart of The Beautiful South, a British pop group that released 10 really lovely, witty and funny albums between 1988 and 2007. The band announced their split was due to âmusical similaritiesâ.
Six years later, Heaton reunited with Abbott. Last summer, they released their third album Crooked Calypso, off which He Wants To is the brilliant new single.

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wernerâs Weekly (week 47)
With the likes of Bad Sounds, Black Honey, Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato, Sea Girls and Yungblud added to my container playlist Carte Blanche Music in the last week, what could possibly go wrong this week? Nothing really!
But to make sure you donât miss out on the best new music of the past seven days, I compiled a new edition of Wernerâs Weekly for you. Check it below, listen via the Wernerâs Weekly player in the sidebar and/or read more information about each of the tracks by clicking the links.
Enjoy the ride and follow my playlist for daily updates!
- Kira Puru – Tension (Wildcard this week)
- The Presets – Do What You Want (Wildcard last week)
- Alien Stadium – This Oneâs For The Humans
- Boy Azooga – Face Behind Her Cigarette
- Eleanor Jacks – Run ânâ Hide
- The Night Ships – Half The World
- Youngr x Endor – Give It Up

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Ten FĂ© – Single, No Return
This band started off as âFĂ©â, but after recording their debut album Hit The Light in Berlin, they added âTenâ to their name. âTen FĂ©â is Spanish and means something like âhave faithâ. Not only did they add a word to their name, the original duo (Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan) also added three touring members to the band permanently. So, from now on, Rob Shipley, Johnny Drain and Alex Hammond are officially part of Ten FĂ© as well.
After earlier singles such as Elodie and Twist Your Arm, their latest effort is called Single, No Return. This first release as a full band is a relaxed, melodic track with some Peter Gabriel echoes in it. Which is never a bad thingâŠ

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Youngr x Endor – Give It Up
Youngr is a one man band from London (via New York and Manchester), and one that really stands out. A year ago, he came to the scene with his debut single Out Of My System, but check his âbootlegâ version of Temper Trapâs Sweet Disposition as well. On his latest single, Youngr teams up with Endor. Besides a fictive planet in the Star Wars universe, this is a 24-year-old British remixer and producer, who worked with the likes of Alma, Saint Motel and Roger Sanchez before.
Once again, the result is a stomper of a remake. The pair took the basic parts out of Lee Dorseyâs 1969 original Give It Up, sped it up and built a groovy house anthem around it. Sure to become a floorfiller on Fridays and Saturdays.

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.