January 9th, 2021
cover, single trackCold Years (feat. RR Gospel Choir) – Good As Hell
Cold Years (feat. RR Gospel Choir) – Good As Hell
One way to recognize a really good song is by listening to cover versions in other genres. If the cover holds up, the original was a really good song. At least, that’s my experience. Judged by that criterion, Lizzo’s Good As Hell is one for the books. The original version, released in 2016, was great already, as was the Remix featuring Ariana Grande in 2019.
Now, Aberdeen quartet Cold Years put out a rocking version of the track, which still sounds ace. This is in part thanks to them giving the RR Gospel Choir a prominent place in the rocky mix. Deservedly so, for this is not your average gospel choir. They worked with the likes of George Michael, Taylor Swift, Iggy Pop and Stormzy before.
Cold Years realized the track in association with the Scottish Association for Mental Health. The band also released a limited edition t-shirt, with all profits going to SAMH.
Speaking of the new cover, frontman Ross Gordon says: “We really wanted to do something for people who are struggling right now. This pandemic has ruined everyone’s perceptions of themselves and the outside world. (…) We adore Lizzo, she’s one of the most incredibly talented people on this earth and her music brings so much joy to the soul. She has done so much for self-love & empowerment, something the world needs more of rather than bringing each other down.”
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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
Lucy Spraggan – Animal
The public first got to know Lucy Spraggan in 2012, when she participated shortly in ‘The X Factor’. But before that, she already had her self-released debut album out (which got wings after the TV show). It also resulted in the young singer-songwriter becoming a well-known female champion for the LGBTQ community.
Nine years later, Spraggan is about to put out her sixth long-player Choices, due for release on 26 February. As always, the songs were inspired by her own experiences, and the humourous lyrics breathe her personality. Choices gives an insight in an artist who has matured and grown, both musically and personally.
After the release of Flowers, Sober, Roots, and Run (in 2020), Spraggan starts the new year with a new single. Animal is a song with Indian influences. Speaking on the track, she says: “I do a lot of skipping, ‘cause I do a lot of working out and do a lot of weight lifting. My favourite thing to skip to is Bollywood music. It’s fucking sick! Bollywood music, bhangra music – we don’t have a Western rhythm like that. There’s so much energy and it makes me feel so passionate and alive. I was skipping and came in and just started writing that little guitar riff.”
Recommended as well:
Lucy Spraggan – Today Was A Good Day
Lucy Spraggan – Modern Day Frankenstein
Follow Lucy Spraggan on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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
L’Impératrice – Peur Des Filles
L’Impératrice is a group of six musicians, founded in 2012 by keyboard player Charles de Boisseguin. Only three years later, the current frontwoman, vocalist Flore Benguigui, joined the band. Her soft and sensual way of singing – typically French – largely defined the sound of their 2018 debut album Matahari.
Its follow-up is on its way: L’Impératrice’s sophomore album Tako Tsubo will be out on 26 March. Tako Tsubo is the official name for broken-heart syndrome, which manifests itself by a deformation of the heart due to an intense emotion – a negative or positive one. The album contains 13 songs, four of which have already been released as singles: Fou/Exit, Voodoo?, and Anomalie Bleue.
The fifth single just came out: Peur Des Filles, which translates as ‘afraid of girls’. It’s a witty and sarcastic ode to femininity, including all of the elements the group is known for. It sits somewhere halfway disco and chanson, with a touch of funk. And of course, there’s Benguigui’s voice.
Peur Des Filles comes with an absurd and colourful video, directed by Aube Perrie (Angèle). The clip references ‘Mars Attacks’ as well as ‘60s horror movies.
Follow L’Impératrice on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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 trackThe Vices – Looking For Faces
The Vices – Looking For Faces
Dutch band The Vices are gaining momentum in their home country. To prevent the attention from slacking, they’re quick to follow up their most recent single. Hot on the heels of In And Out, they now release Looking For Faces. A fierce and sharp rock song, which opens with a drum beat that sounds like a future sample staple. What follows is the band’s trademark mix of indie-pop and garage-rock, stuffed with catchy melodies.
Looking For Faces is the title track off the band’s first full album, out on 12 March. Frontman Floris van Luijtelaar says of their debut: “Looking For Faces is about finding your own face, and the journey that comes with it. The album is like a diary of a person observing life. It consists of raw thoughts and honest conversations that never lead to an easy solution. But are there answers at all in a world that keeps changing? Expect sharp contradictions, addiction in the broadest sense, and deep friendship, which might as well be the answer to all questions.”
Recommended as well:
The Vices – In And Out
The Vices – Life Grows
Follow The Vices on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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
The Awkward – Back
In 2019, Dutch band Some Day announced their split, citing ‘creative differences’ as the main reason. Funny then, that three members (Jeroen Mooi, Brian Groot and Sen Caris) are now together in a new project: The Awkward. A fitting name, in that respect. Rashid Beltifa completes the quartet. In true DIY fashion, they do everything themselves, including their video clips.
As soon as Summer 2019, the four started writing and recording songs in their home studio. Scrapping their touring plans freed up their agendas and as a result, The Awkward were able to finish their debut album instead. Back is the third single to be released ahead of it. A smart mix of synth-pop and indie-pop, including random sounds they taped between recording sessions. The ‘80s meet the ‘90s.
The aerobics clip has little to do with the lyrics, but fits the energy of the song perfectly. Bring on that album!
Follow The Awkward on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
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
Crooked Steps – Catherine
2020 was off to a good start for Belgian rock band Crooked Steps. They were one of three winners of radio station Studio Brussel’s talent competition De Nieuwe Lichting (‘the new class’). They didn’t fully benefit from it though, because… well, you know. But I’m convinced their music will take them where they’d like to be, eventually.
New single Catherine is further proof of Crooked Steps’ infectious song-writing. It’s a classic rock song in every sense. It starts with a nostalgic guitar melody, which is quickly accompanied by a driving drum beat. Thanks to the added surf guitar, it ends up being an energetic, summer-y tune.
Catherine is about keeping your distance from someone you like. A good advice, not only in times of corona, but also after a difficult relationship. More new music will follow this Spring.
Follow Crooked Steps on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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
Declan McKenna – Rapture
Enthusiasm for British singer-songwriter Declan McKenna has been brewing for years. And he’s only 21. His quick rise to stardom started in 2015, when he won Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition. At that point, he had only just released his debut single Brazil, a protest song criticizing FIFA and the 2014 World Cup.
Last September, his second album Zeros came out. It’s clearly influenced by The Beatles, David Bowie and other musical legends from decades before he was even born. Zeros is an extremely strong album, especially for someone his age, and the track Rapture immediately stood out. Now, it’s his new single. A great slice of glammed-up indie-pop, with a chorus that’ll refuse to get out of your head.
McKenna explains: “Rapture – though it seems to touch on the current state of the world – was born early last year, and reflects some of my thoughts on the end of the world and the threats that humanity will face in the future, and on common fears for the future.”
Follow Declan McKenna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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, wildcard
Wildcard (week 1): Philippine – Bah Non.
In 2019, Gavin James recorded a version of his hit Always with Philippine. For most people it was their first acquaintance with the now 22-year-old French singer. Two years later, she hopes to reach an even larger audience. To accomplish that goal, she will battle with 11 other candidates to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
Philippine Zadéo will take part in the competition with her self-penned song Bah Non. She wrote it last summer after her relationship of several years ended badly. With this track, she wants to empower and encourage other people (no matter their gender) to say ‘no’ in situations where they feel vulnerable. An important message that deserves a large international audience.
For starters, Bah Non. by Philippine is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Follow Philippine on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s 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
Smith & Thell – Radioactive Rain
In the 1990s, alternative rock band Kent was one of my favourite acts from Sweden. Next to his band (which disbanded in 2016), lead singer and guitarist Joakim Berg also worked with other artists. These collaborations had much more of a pop signature. He wrote for and recorded with artists like Titiyo (Come Along), Morten Harket (of a-ha fame), and Avicii. The latest song he co-wrote, is Smith & Thell’s new single Radioactive Rain.
Smith & Thell are Swedish duo Maria Jane Smith and Victor Thell. They’ve only been around for five years now, but are already mega stars in Scandinavia. Radioactive Rain is the pair’s latest single to be released ahead of their sophomore album Pixie’s Parasol, which will follow in February.
Follow Smith & Thell on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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
Daði Freyr & Ásdís – Feel The Love
If 2020 wouldn’t have been dominated by an unexpected inconvenience, Daði Freyr would have easily won the Eurovision Song Contest for Iceland. Although the competition didn’t take place after all, Freyr’s star has been rising throughout the year. He continued to release ultra catchy and uplifting nu-disco tracks and took the world by storm.
His new single Feel The Love is probably the best and most accessible song he put out so far. It’s sung almost entirely by another hidden gem from Iceland: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir. The production, although handled by Freyr himself, sounds very Scandinavian, which – as you know – is pop heaven. While ‘80s synths, tights beats, funky guitars and handclaps alternate, Ásdís’ voice cuts like a knife through butter.
If this is Freyr’s submission for the 2021 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, it’ll undoubtedly be a strong contender for the victory. If it isn’t, he’ll have to settle with a worldwide hit.
Recommended as well:
Daði Freyr & Gagnamagnið – Where We Wanna Be
Daði Freyr & Gagnamagnið – Think About Things
Follow Daði Freyr on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow Ásdís on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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.
