August 24th, 2018
European Border Breakers Chart 24 August 2018
Every Friday around noon, we publish a fresh European Border Breakers Chart. Or⊠multiple charts, to be exact. The main Top 100 indicates cross-border success by emerging European artists and combines airplay and streaming data. But if you wish, you can also check each data stream separately, by viewing the Airplay Chart or the Streaming Chart. Itâs fascinating to see the differences.
To give you one example: one of my favourite entries in this weekâs chart, former Carte Blanche Music Wildcard King Of The Jungle by Shanguy (pictured), is – shamefully! – not played enough on the radio to reach the Airplay Top 100. However, Polish people love it so much, that the track is at #11 the Streaming Chart. This gives the song enough leverage for it to appear in the combined Top 100. Meanwhile, their debut single La Louze is still #15 at Streaming.
All 10 fresh tracks among this weekâs 22 (re)entries are listed below:
#30: Sam Fender – Dead Boys
#74: Lukas Leon – XTC
#87: Yazmin Lacey – Still
#89: Bad Sounds – Couldn’t Give It Away
#90: Emily Burns – Test Drive
#94: Yazmin Lacey – Sun Is Ours
#95: Saint Lanvain – If Jesus Loves Me
#96: Shanguy – King Of The Jungle
#99: Alligator – Shadow By Your Side
#100: Miami Yacine â Kokaina
For the full Top 100, click the âEBBChartâ tab in the top menu of this blog (loading of the PDF may take a little while). More charts, like the Tips (ranking the tracks that are on their way to the Top 100), the Airplay Chart and the Streaming Chart, are available at www.europeanborderbreakerschart.eu, where you can also listen to all of the tracks and watch their videos, as well as share them via social media.

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.
Ed Struijlaart (feat. The Hornaments) – Guitar
I wrote about talented Dutch singer-songwriter Ed Struijlaart before, when he released his single Make It On Your Own, early this year. Already a rising star in his home country, his music is also starting to be picked up elsewhere in Europe. In Spain, for instance, you can hear his 2016 single Gold in a commercial for San Miguel beer.
Last week, Struijlaart turned 39. Exactly 30 years ago, he got a guitar as a birthday present. An instrument he developed an intensive relationship with: it was there for him when he felt lonely, brought comfort when dear ones passed away, and brought luck when Ed decided to pursue his musical dream. In short: the guitar is the soundtrack of his life.
Now, Guitar is the singerâs new single. An ode to his instrument, that comes with a great horn arrangement, played by Dave Vreuls, Koen Smits, Alex van Abeelen and David Romanello, collectively known as The Hornaments. All other instruments, as well as the production, mixing and mastering (a.k.a. âthe whole she-bangâ) were done by Struijlaart himself, who released the song on his own record label. Now thatâs what I call DIY!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
Romes – Out Of It
Romes is two parts Canadian and two parts Irish. Brothers Jacob Alexander (vocals) and Nicolas Amadeus (drums), Andrew Keyes (bass) and James Tebbitt (guitar) met while attending school in Ireland, and formed the band in early 2015, after moving to Canada.
Out Of It is a track Romes have been playing live for a few years. Finally, this powerful pop tune has been properly recorded and released as the bandâs new single. Like their 2016 EP Believe and 2017 album Romes, the track was produced by Tony Hoffer (Air, Beck, Phoenix, Fitz & The Tantrums, M83 and many more).
Jacob Alexander says about the song: âThe writing was inspired by Beyonce. I just imagine Queen B on stage doing that leg move she does, belting out the lyricsâ. Out Of It is the first taste of Romesâ upcoming second album.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
The Revivalists – All My Friends
Hozier and Rag ânâ Bone Manâs successes appear to have inspired many other contemporary artists in making a musical cocktail containing blues, rock and soul. That often turns out good, to my liking. This is one more example.
Donât forget, however, that New Orleans 8-piece The Revivalists have been a hard-working band for 10 years, but they are now on the verge of breaking outside the US and Canada. This new song might do the trick.
All My Friends was produced by Dave Bassett, who worked with Elle King before, herself known for the infectious mix of genres I just described. In cooperation with the band, Bassett turned the track into a floor-stomping song, which a press release calls âstriking, sharp, and soulful, with swaggering piano and boisterous hornsâ. And thatâs just what it isâŠ
All My Friends is the first single off The Revivalistsâ upcoming fourth studio album, set to be released this autumn.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
Brother Leo – Strangers On An Island
Swedish singer, songwriter and producer Ola Svensson, who started his music career on Swedish Idol, currently acts under the stage name Brother Leo. âBrother Leo means freedomâ, he explains. âThe name comes from a reoccurring dream I had as a kid,â explains Ola. âIn the dream I had a twin brother, he was a free spirit, brave, confident and always had the answers to everything. He had superpowers and his name was Leo.â
Strangers On An Island is Brother Leoâs debut single. A laidback, Beck-like track, produced by none other than Norman Cook, a.k.a. Fatboy Slim. What a way to start a career!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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 34):
Say Lou Lou – Golden Child
Remember Australian band The Church, of Under The Milky Way fame? Singer Steve Kilbey has two daughters, Miranda and Elektra, who have a musical career of their own under the Say Lou Lou moniker.
After debuting in 2015 with their album Lucid Dreaming, they took the time to produce a follow-up. Earlier this year, they released the new song Ana, which is now followed by Golden Child. Both will be on the twin sistersâ second album Immortelle, due for release on 21 September. Itâll be a moody and sensual collection of songs with subtle nods to film noir, but always with the duoâs dreamy, ethereal vocals at the centre.
Golden Child is a percussive pop anthem, with an intro that brings back memories of the wonderful single Sing by Travis. Then, it opens up with irresistible guitar licks and crisp drum fills, that give it a distinct 70âs West Coast feel. At the same time, it sounds modern, thanks to the addition of delicate sound effects and a productional trick or two.
This week, Golden Child by Say Lou Lou is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard! The songs that preceded it this year, can be found in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
Yonaka – Fired Up
Yonaka are a four-(wo)man band from Brighton, with lead singer Theresa Jarvis as its centrepiece. The band name is Japanese for âdead of nightâ, and thatâs exactly where their sound thrives best; dark alt.pop with heavy riffs and catchy hooks. Good luck getting that out of your head!
Live, the band give it their all, and that live sound translates well to their new EP Teach Me To Fight. Fired Up is my favourite track off it.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
Ăine Cahill – Beauty Is A Lie
After breaking through in her homeland Ireland, 23-year-old singer Ăine Cahill is ready to capture Europe (for starters). Her new single Beauty Is A Lie is a haunting pop ballad, with an almost cinematic-like production. Lana Del Rey fans will love it!
In Cahill’s words, the song is about âall the bullshit we see day to day on social mediaâ. She explains: âWe all do it. People only show an edited version of themselves, the side they think is âthe bestâ, but this is the world we are living in. I hate it, but I love it at the same time.â
Beauty Is A Lie is accompanied by a creepy video, featuring moving shadows and strobing lights.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.
Sam Fender – Dead Boys
Do you ever go to festivals? Or club shows? I can recommend it! Itâs my personal conviction that music should speak for itself and shouldnât need a âmarketing storyâ or a video clip for it to be picked up (call me an idealist), but a good live performance can certainly help appreciate a song to the fullest.
Last weekend, I saw Sam Fender play at the Lowlands Festival, one of the most important festivals in the Netherlands. It was a set full of great guitar songs (logical, with such a name), that were sung extremely well. His band, in the classic guitar-bass-drums setup, was very tight and played with clear enthusiasm. The quartet appeared just as overwhelmed by the crowdâs feedback as I was by the great sound. After the show, the public demanded an encore and, a very rare thing at festivals, they got one.
I already liked Samâs new single Dead Boys, but this great gig brought it back to my attention, resulting in this recommendation. And my repeated advice for you to go and see bands live. It can make all the difference!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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 34)
Whatâs the similarity between the brand-new songs by Christine & The Queens, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Janet Jackson & Daddy Yankee, Ladytron, Paul McCartney, The Mowgliâs, Novastar and Suede? The were all added to my constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist, which features only the best new tracks of the year so far. Of course, it features many younger artists as well, like Blossoms, Pale Waves, and a few Iâll introduce to you in the coming week.
But on Mondays, we look back upon last week. Below, youâll fine the highlights of recent releases in Wernerâs Weekly, your compass to the music that matters. If you can spare 23 minutes, youâll be able to check them all in full through the Wernerâs Weekly player in the sidebar. But you can also perform the gentle art of cherry picking by clicking some of the links below:
- Cookin’ On 3 Burners feat. Kaiit – Warning (Wildcard this week)
- Jade Bird – Uh Huh (Wildcard last week)
- Arcade Hearts – Humble
- Broods – Peach
- Sean OB – Trouble
- Sir Notch – Gimme That Sunshine
- The Struts – Primadonna Like Me
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

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.