January 30th, 2021
Tom Aspaul & Funk LeBlanc (feat. Madeleine Wood) – The Program
Hot on the heels of his long overdue debut album Black Country Disco, Tom Aspaul is already looking ahead. To be more precise, he’s preparing a remix album, Black Country Discoteque, which will arrive on 15 March. The project is set to feature collaborations with producer MNEK, singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, and retro remixer Initial Talk.
Apart from BCD remixes, the album will also contain some all-new material. One of those tracks is Wanna Love U Boy, a cover of Robin Thicke’s 2005 single Wanna Love You Girl. Another one of those fresh songs is the long-player’s first single, The Program. It’s an uplifting eighties-inspired gem with punchy drums and a euphoric double guitar solo. The opening seconds bring Madonna’s Material Girl to mind. Aspaul made this banger with San Francisco-based producer Funk LeBlanc and Australian singer-songwriter Madeleine Wood.
He says about it: “It feels like the perfect progression sonically – we’re definitely in a new decade – and I’m actually relieved to be singing about something other than heartbreak! Having Madeleine Wood on board with vocals is a bonus too, her voice really complements mine and her songwriting is incredible.”
Recommended as well:
Tom Aspaul – Black Country Disco
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For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Kuzko – My Mama Says
Danique van der Vlugt en Sam Ouwehand are from the Dutch town of Rotterdam. After releasing two singles as Kuzko in 2019, they both went on an exchange programme. It was their intention to really focus on their music upon their return. That was early in 2020, just before… well… you know.
Not the ones to let their head hang down, they started recording their debut EP, that’ll come out in the Summer. Prepare for a synth-heavy affair, with one purpose only: to make you dance. Full of quirky, funky sounds, it’s best compared to Aussie act Confidence Man.
Talking to The Daily Indie, Danique explained how their infectious new single My Mama Says came about. “We were on my verandah and Sam was working on a beat. Suddenly this lyric popped up in me: ‘My mama says, that I’m a fucking catch’. Next we started building a story around that, like we were writing a mini script.”
The duo ended up with a song full of high school drama and passionate love affairs. Hence the quarrelling in the pre-chorus, which wraps up the whole idea behind the track.
Follow Kuzko on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Eelke – Too Much Too Soon
Dutch musician and songwriter Eelke Ankersmit writes and records music the way he wants to. This makes for a no-nonsense, unique and personal sound. Musically, 2020 was a good year for his band Eelke. In the second half of the year alone, they released two great singles. Both of them highly recommended (which I did through these columns). Remarkably, his latest single I’m A Man was playlisted by both alternative rock station Kink, and NPO Radio 5, which aims at the elderly.
The latter station is unlikely to become a great supporter of Eelke’s newest track Too Much Too Soon, as it is his loudest so far. However, there’s a strong contrast between the aggression in the verses and instrumental parts, and the melancholy in the choruses. Ankersmit explains: “Too Much Too Soon describes the fear of hurting someone else by protecting yourself, having no choice but to do so. It’s about being unable to let go of the past, and therefore being unable to commit to the present.”
Recommended as well:
Eelke – I’m A Man
Eelke – Leech
Follow Eelke on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
President Street – Time Is Up
Ruby Servinis and Peter Moses named their band after the street in Perth, Australia where Moses grew up. Each member comes from a very different walk of life and musical background, which also explains the variety in their music. They blend so many genres, that pop-fusion is the best way to describe it.
President Street’s new single is a vibrant and uplifting tune, mixed by world-renowned Ash Howes. But don’t let its carnival-esque nature and infectious house piano distract you from its important message. In fact, as you might have concluded from its title, Time Is Up is a protest song. Inspiration for the track came from the many movements the world saw over the last few years. Think about issues like climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, police brutality, #metoo or black lives matter.
Speaking of the song, President Street says: “Watching the news we were struck by the diversity of people coming together peacefully. And so we wanted it to feel like a celebration of people of all colours, age, religions and gender coming together to say that we’ve all had enough, and the time for change is now.”
Follow President Street on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Katie Kittermaster – Lukewarm Lover
Kent singer Katie Kittermaster built quite a fanbase opening for acts like Soul II Soul, Kaiser Chiefs, Rick Astley, Olly Murs and Lucy Spraggan. COVID-19 may have temporarily stopped the touring, but it didn’t stop the singer from touching new hearts. The songs she put out in 2020 were supported by over 80 radio stations in Great-Britain alone.
Kittermaster has a knack for wrapping up honest, melancholy lyrics in uplifting instrumentation. Her new single Lukewarm Lover takes this concept to a new level. It’s a cleverly crafted pop song, that’s more modern, electronic and danceable than her songs so far.
Talking about the track, she says: “Lukewarm Lover is a track about a relationship where the spark has fizzled out. Both parties are just going through the motions, but don’t know really how to bring it to its natural conclusion. (…) It’s less apologetic and doesn’t dance around the evidently tricky situation, I love this about it, as I feel it shows real personal growth as well as (hopefully) my development as a writer too!”
Follow Katie Kittermaster on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
The Hengles – No Time For Tea
The members of The Hengles previously played in illustrious Dutch ‘80s and ‘90s bands like Fatal Flowers, Treble Spankers, Supersub and Jack Of Hearts. Each of them bands with classic influences, before becoming classic themselves. No wonder, then, that their new outfit makes equally timeless music. Among the many layers of their songs, they also include snippets of their sources of inspiration. A smart way of making them instantly likeable and recognizable. With success, for the past year, the band’s singles were played on radio stations all over the world.
No Time For Tea is another highlight in The Hengles’ six year career. Its intro echoes R.E.M., while Flash & The Pan’s Hey, St. Peter shines through elsewhere. Fine ingredients to spice up an already great pop tune. Another big fish for The Hengles!
Recommended as well:
Down To The Water
Follow The Hengles on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Inspector Spacetime – Dansa Og Bánsa
And now for something completely different… Honestly, dance is not a genre you’ll find in large quantities at Carte Blanche Music. Nothing personal. But obviously, as always, there are exceptions to every rule.
Inspector Spacetime are a Reykjavík-based pop trio. More precise: Egill Gauti Sigurjónsson, Vaka Agnarsdóttir and Elías Geir Óskarsson are three dance-lovers. They released their self-titled debut album, an odd mix of energetic dance tunes and love songs, on 8 January. Drawing inspiration from French and UK dance music, the exciting hyper-pop movement, disco and fellow scandi-pop acts, it’s a fun and diverse album.
Dansa Og Bánsa is probably the most hi-NRG tune on the album. It’s definitely the happiest one. Talking to Icelandic site grapevine.is, Inspector Spacetime say about the song: “We made it on the first day we officially created the band and just kept throwing vocals on and creating huge choirs of funness. The lyrics are basically ‘I like to dance and bounce and dance and bounce’, so it’s basically a song for children. All our songs are basically songs for children. We make songs to help children practice their grammar. We try to give back, you know?”
When they had nearly finished the track, they decided to add a flute solo to make it a little more extravagant. All in all, it ended up a fun, fantasy-disco song.
Follow Inspector Spacetime on Instagram | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wildcard (week 4):
Tom Jones – Talking Reality Television Blues
Tom Jones may be 80 years of age, after 58 years in the business he is still as relevant as ever. From It’s Not Unusual to Kiss to Sex Bomb, he always had a good nose for the musical trends. In that respect, it might seem odd that he’s chosen to record a covers album as his next project. The long-player, Surrounded By Time, will be out on 23 April. It features songs by Cat Stevens, Michael Kiwanuka, Tony Joe White and Bob Dylan.
Jones’ new single however, is a remake of Todd Snider’s Talking Reality Television Blues. But it’s unrecognizable. Snider’s version, only from 2019, was a two and a half minutes short country song. Jones stretches it out over six and a half minutes. His version has almost a Stone Roses drum shuffle, a Beck-like blues guitar and a Bob Dylan-style vocal. Other influences appear to come from acts like Baz Luhrmann, Radiohead and Public Service Broadcasting. Brilliant lyrics as well, by the way.
This week, Talking Reality Television Blues by Tom Jones is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so you’ll find it at the top of the blog for a whole week!
Follow Tom Jones on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Werner’s Weekly (week 4)
This is Werner’s 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:
- San Mei – In The Machine (Wildcard this week)
- Black Honey – Believer (Wildcard last week)
- Baby FuzZ feat. LP – Before Our Time
- Baby Queen – Raw Thoughts
- Monowhales – Out With The Old
- Son Mieux – 1992
- Twan Ray – It Never Feel Right
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Weezer, Gin Wigmore, Royal Blood, and more.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Lilly Wood & The Prick – You Want My Money
French-Israeli vocalist Nili Hadida and Parisian guitarist Benjamin Cotto formed Lilly Wood & The Prick in 2006. They cite ‘80s French pop by Etienne Daho and Michel Delpech, guitarists J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton, and the ’60s soul of Aretha Franklin and Etta James as their inspirations. Apart from three French hit singles, their 2010 debut album Invincible Friends also included the original version of Prayer In C. Four years later, a Robin Schulz remix of this song provided the duo with their worldwide break-through. It went to #1 in most of Europe, was a Top 10 hit in Australia and also scored well in the US.
To date, they haven’t had another international hit, but their new single sounds like a solid tune. You Want My Money follows last year’s single Lonely Life. It’s the second single off the duo’s upcoming fourth album. Lyrically, it denounces our consumption society, which is based on expenses and unrealistic beauty norms. Musically however, it combines a retro rhythm with modern production, which results in a happy-sounding, groovy song.
Follow Lilly Wood & The Prick on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
