September 30th, 2019
werner's weekly
Wernerās Weekly (week 40)
This is Wernerās Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Georgia – Never Let You Go (Wildcard this week)
- MĆ©lodie Lauret – 23h28 (Wildcard last week)
- Ana & The Changes – Beneath My Lungs / I Turned 30 Yesterday
- Lizzo – Good As Hell
- Madame Psychosis – Kapow
- Sheila & The Kit – Mike
- The Lighthouse – Pretty Classy
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Wernerās Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Liam Gallagher, SlĆøtface, Tegan & Sara, Temples, and many more.
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.
album track
Sheila & The Kit – Mike
Following a string of singles and a maxi-single with remixes, Sheila & The Kit just released their first EP. And just to be clear, the Dutch alternative synth-pop outfit called it EP. It contains the past single Ruffhouse and two long tracks: Liar Liar (6ā29) and Mike (7ā39).
Although Iām a sucker for radio edits and I love a song that makes its point within three and a half minute or so, Mike is a monster track. Made for the dance floor, not for the radio, obviously. In the long, instrumental mid-piece the duo go completely bezerk to great effect. In this case, size does matter (although Iād love to make a radio edit of it, for more exposure š ).
Recommended as well:
Sheila & The Kit – Time Again
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.
single track
Madame Psychosis – Kapow
Madame Psychosis are a five-piece, female-led, alt-pop/indie-rock band, based in Toronto, Canada. But letās talk about that name first. It comes from a David Foster Wallace book calledĀ Infinite Jest. One of the characters in the book, Joelle Van Dyne, goes by the moniker of Madame Psychosis. The band loved the name, so they adopted it as theirs.
Then, more importantly, the music. The band tend to say their music sounds like a cross between The Black Keys and Alabama Shakes. Others also mentioned similarities to Metric and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. With a description like that, itās a complete mystery to me why Madame Psychosis didnāt cross my path earlier than this week.
The band just released their second album Survivor. It contains the great singles Just Wanna Be Myself, Crashing Down, and the most recent one: Kapow. Mindful of the slogan ādonāt bore us, get to the chorusā, they donāt waste any time on an intro. And less than a minute after the explosive opening chords, we hear the first guitar solo. Furthermore, the up-beat feel-good song contains a catchy chorus thatās impossible not to sing along to.
In Madame Psychosisā words: āKapow highlights the pursuit that lies at the heart of getting someone youāre interested in to give you a chance, and the heart-dropping moment of being rejected. This song is easily one of our favourites to perform live with its high-energy vibe. We wanted to create a fun summer song that people could sing along to and we believe we pulled it off.ā Like hell they did!
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.
re-release, single track, soundtrack
Lizzo – Good As Hell
Lizzo is becoming more and more of a phenomenon. Correction: Lizzo is a phenomenon. To such an extent, that even her older songs belatedly prove to be hits. Melissa Jefferson (the 31-year-old American singer and rapperās real name) is currently #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 with Truth Hurts, a song originally released in 2016. But another song from that same year is doing great as well.
Following her performance at the MTV Music Video Awards, Good As Hell is climbing up the Billboard charts. It was originally recorded for the soundtrack of the movie āBarbershop: The Next Cutā, and served as the lead single from her debut EP Coconut Oil. Do yourself a favour and also check the track Worship off that EP.
Despite not being on Lizzoās recent album Cuz I Love You (not even on the Deluxe Edition), Good As Hell is about to be re-released worldwide as her new single. A great choice, for the tune totally lives up to its title.
Recommended as well:
Lizzo (feat. Gucci Mane) – Exactly How I Feel
Lizzo – Juice
Lizzo – Boys
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.
single track
Larkins – Not Enough Love
Larkins are one of the most exciting and in-demand bands to emerge from Manchester in recent times. This summer, they released their Sugar Sweet EP, containing most of their earlier singles. Now, itās time for a brand-new track.
Not Enough Love is rich with synth-infused guitars and will go down well with fans of The 1975. It finds the four-piece reminiscing on nostalgic times and looking forward to the future. Regarding the single frontman Josh Noble says: āNot Enough Love was born from thinking about our hometown. I just remember feeling like we just had to get out of there and moving to Manchester was such a big deal for us. The production is my favourite yet. We slowed stuff down to record and then sped it up to create really cool guitar tones. I think lyrically I just wanted to talk about everything that went on when I was a kid and being so frustrated with the politics that comes with a small suburban town.ā
Larkins are currently recording their debut album with producers Dan Nigro (A-Trak, Sky Ferreira, Lewis Capaldi), Andrew Dawson (Kanye West, Fun, Kid Cudi) and Chris Zane (Friendly Fires, Passion Pit).
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.
album track
Ana & The Changes – Beneath My Lungs / I Turned 30 Yesterday
When Ana & The Changes started a crowdfunding for their second album, they announced it would be named Beneath My Lungs. As you might have expected from a band called The Changes, they eventually changed the title to Differences.
What didnāt change, was their constant high level of song-writing. Serbia-based AnaĀ ÄurÄinĀ must be among the most talented singer-songwriters of her region. To me, Beneath My Lungs (which was once meant to be the albumās title track) is one of the stand-out tracks. A wonderful piece of sophisticated pop, with a lovely piano, an inimitable drum pattern and subtle backing vocals.
For another album highlight, listen to I Turned 30 Yesterday. A lovely song that pairs an infectious organ part with an instrument as unlikely as a kazoo, to great effect.
Recommended as well:
Ana & The Changes – Differences
Ana & The Changes feat. Dan Byron – Take My Hand
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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 39):
Wildcard (week 39):
Georgia – Never Let You Go
I canāt wait for the new year, for itās sure to start with a bang. On 10 January 2020, Georgia will release her second album Seeking Thrills. Each new single off it is better than the one before. The best so far, About Work The Dancefloor, was a Carte Blanche Music Wildcard in April.
Now, Georgia repeats that feat with her brand-new single Never Let You Go. A Robyn-esque song with a ludicrous catchiness, that was entirely played by the talented London artist and producer. Easily one of the best pop songs of the year so far, this is the one that should propel her onto radio playlists around the globe. If not, music directors should be fired and replaced by people with ears.
As a stamp of approval, let me remind you one last time that Georgia is the daughter of Leftfieldās Neil Barnes. But soon, heāll be referred to as the father of Georgia. Never Let You Go is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. The repeat button was invented for this kind of songs.
Recommended as well:
Georgia Ā About Work The Dancefloor
Georgia – Started Out
Georgia – Feel It
In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can find all of this yearās Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
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.
single track
The Lighthouse – Pretty Classy
Following two EPās in 2016 and 2017, The Lighthouse are about to put their debut album in the spotlights. The long-player, Whatever Comes Our Way, will see the light of day on 27 September. Ahead of it, the Belgian electronic pop band release its 4th, bass-heavy single.
Pretty Classy sounds fiercer than its predecessors, thanks to well-placed bursts of guitar over a bed of synths. A roaring mix between melodical alt-pop and stadium guitar rock.
Recommended as well:
The Lighthouse – Tel Aviv
The Lighthouse – Catch Fire
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.
single track
Lilly Among Clouds – Girl Like Me
German singer-songwriter Lilly Among Clouds is well-known for her epic pop ballads. But for her upcoming second album Green Flash, she wanted to stay away from that. Half of the songs or more should be happy, or at least groovy.
While staying true to her beloved piano, she also tries out new sounds. One example is the spinet on new single Girl Like Me. Golden Brown by The Stranglers instantly springs to mind. That said, itās as epic a pop song as weāve come to love her for.
Recommended as well:
Lilly Among Clouds – Listen To Your Mama
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.
single track
Band Of Skulls – Gold [Richard X Remix]
Since the amicable departure of drummer Matt Hayward, Band Of Skulls are a duo. Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals) and Emma Richardson (bass, vocals) continued the acclaimed British rock band. Last April, they released their fifth album Love Is All You Love. It was produced by Richard X, who also co-wrote four of the tracks.
Stand-out track (and album closer) Gold has now been chosen as Band Of Skullsā new single. With its funky guitar parts, throbbing bassline and handclap rhythms, itās a lovely slice of dark disco music.
Recommended as well:
Band Of Skulls – Cool Your Battles
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.
