February 27th, 2021
single track
renforshort – Virtual Reality
At just 18, Lauren Isenberg has already generated significant international industry buzz. She’s signed to a major label and has a well-received EP (Teenage Angst) under her belt. Early in her career, the Toronto singer-songwriter used a stage name as short as Ren. Recently however, she extended her moniker to renforshort. In my book, that’s humour with a capital H. But her lyrics are far more serious.
Take her new single Virtual Reality, for instance. That was inspired by the fact that most individuals – ren included, are addicted to their phones. It’s a much-needed wake up call, not only for people her age. A catchy tune with gritty production, it’s a rock-infused alternative pop song. Great taster for her forthcoming second EP!
Recommended as well:
Ren – I Drive Me Mad
Ren – New Way
Follow renforshort 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
Baby Queen – These Drugs
In recent years, more and more (mostly young) artists open up about their pains, depressions, and insecurities. This can make for uncomfortable listening, but often provides the artist with an escape from their past. And judging from the number of streams these songs pick up, they certainly connect with a large audience. Apparently, this is a problem that more people deal with than one would hope for. Obviously, a pandemic with all the restrictions that come with it doesn’t help…
One of those artists that don’t wear their heart on their sleeve, is Bella Latham, a.k.a. Baby Queen. Her new single These Drugs deals with refusing to acknowledge or pay attention to mental health issues, which can ultimately lead to a self-destructive cycle. This subject matter comes from personal experience, the singer explains.
“I wrote this song when I was in a really bad place which was characterized mostly by this idea that I wasn’t a good person and didn’t deserve good things. (…) I knew I was taking a risk when I decided to be so uncomfortably honest in these lyrics. But I also knew I had to share this story with people, because we all have a monkey on our back and self-destruction is a stranger to nobody. I really want people to know that there is a better life waiting for them should they choose it.”
Therefore, These Drugs is not a song about self-pity, but an ode to self-reflection and eventual self-realization.
Recommended as well:
Baby Queen – Raw Thoughts
Follow Baby Queen 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 trackDayglow – Something
Dayglow – Something
Now 21 years old, Sloan Struble has been making music since he was 10. But his Dayglow project only began in 2017, naming the band after a song he liked. With his first album Fuzzybrain, the Texan artist proved he has a knack for writing great pop songs. By consequence, expectations for his sophomore album Harmony House, out on 21 May, are high. But by the sound of its first two singles, it’s not likely to disappoint.
Not long after Close To You, Dayglow puts out his new track Something. A bright, fun and refreshing song. At first hearing, you might think nothing much happens. But listen more closely and you’ll hear one productional gimmick after another. And just when you realize that, all of a sudden it’s over. Less than two minutes after it started.
Follow Dayglow 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
Coach Party – Everybody Hates Me
Coach Party used the free time COVID-19 forced upon them very well. They released no less than ten songs throughout 2020. Six of those were collected on their debut EP Party Food. 20 April, the Isle of Wight four-piece release their sophomore EP After Party. It’ll include previously released singles Can’t Talk, Won’t and Really OK On My Own, as well as their first track of the new year: Everybody Hates Me. A raw, energetic tune – both lyrically and musically – with great guitar riffs.
Commenting on the track, singer Jess Eastwood says: “Everybody Hates Me isn’t a metaphor for anything. It’s literally about those times when you convince yourself that everyone, including your best friends, don’t actually like you, and your self-confidence is so low that you don’t even blame them. Disguise that sentiment in an up-beat singalong, and there you have the third single from our new record.”
Follow Coach Party 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 Reytons – Broke Boy’s Cartel
The Reytons – Broke Boy’s Cartel
The Reytons don’t waste any time. Hot on the heels of their Carte Blanche Music Wildcard Jealous Type, the Yorkshire quartet put out their fourth EP May Seriously Harm You And Others Around You. A classic example of ‘all killers, no fillers’, it contains three previously released tracks and three new ones.
One of the latter tunes is the new focus track. Broke Boy’s Cartel is another up-tempo rock song with ‘banger’ written all over it. Finishing in less than three minutes, it’s a burst of energy. Sounds like it’s made for live arenas, but in the meantime, it’s hopeful to see radio stations across the UK are supporting the EP.
The band’s loyal fans show their commitment as well. Thanks to their enthusiasm, the EP entered the UK Album Top 40. An unprecedented achievement for a 6-track record (but a well-deserved one)!
Recommended as well:
The Reytons – Jealous Type
Follow The Reytons 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
Good Health Good Wealth – Love Hangover
Hard-Fi is a British band that released some pretty awesome music between 2003 and 2013. For those who asked themselves what happened to them since then: they released a Best Of album in 2014 (which really contains some great hits), and went on an indefinite hiatus afterwards. But now, front man Richard Archer resurfaces as the co-writer and producer of a wonderful debut single.
Love Hangover (no cover) is the first ever track Good Health Good Wealth throw upon us. This London-based duo consists of singer and songwriter Bruce Breakey, and guitarist Simon Kuzmickas. They blend an eclectic mix of influences from indie, punk, hip-hop and pop. Their debut single combines spoken word flows with punchy drums, animated guitar riffs and a walking bass line. In that respect, it could easily have been a new Hard-Fi track. The duo themselves cite N*E*R*D, OutKast, Baxter Dury and The Clash as their main influences. Fair enough.
Looking forward to their introductory EP, set for release later this year!
Follow Good Health Good Wealth 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 Roop – Discoteque
The Roop are a trio from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. After forming in 2014, they put out two long-players. In 2018, they made their first attempt to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. With their second try, two years later, they hit the bull’s eye. Alas, as we all know, the event had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many participating countries decided to send in their 2020 entries to this year’s edition, the Lithuanian broadcasting organization decided to hold a new national selection for the 2021 contest. The Roop was guaranteed a place in the final. Luckily for the trio, they won the national competition once again. As a result, they’ll represent their country in next May’s Eurovison Song Contest after all.
The song they participate with is a very strong one. An electro-pop tune, consisting of equal parts Depeche Mode and Sparks. The bridge even has Kraftwerk influences in it. Three of my personal favourite bands all wrapped up in one track. What can possibly go wrong? Douze points from this one-man Dutch jury!
Follow The Roop 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, wildcardWildcard (week 8):
Wildcard (week 8):
MBG – This Time
MBG is short for Music Box Girl, the artist name of Carolina ‘Leena’ Rodriguez from Ontario, Canada. A toy keyboard sparked her interest in music at the age of 15. It was the first instrument she mastered, learning songs by ear. She also self-taught herself other instruments such as the drums, guitar, and bass. Since her family couldn’t afford music lessons – let alone the instruments themselves – she commuted to the local music store every day after school, where she practiced until closing time.
In 2021, after years of self-education, Leena is a skilled multi-instrumentalist who excels in the genres of jazz, r&b, blues and classic rock. She is part of a band project called the Common Chase, a four-piece where she mostly plays the bass and sings background vocals. But above all, she’s an up and coming solo artist using the MBG moniker. As a one-woman rock band, Leena writes, records, performs and produces her music in her home studio.
Following her 2019 debut EP Have A Alright Day, she put out a single in 2020. New track This Time is her first release of 2021. A great alt-rock track with an accessible melody, drenched in guitars.
This Time by MBG is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. As such, it’ll feature prominently at the top of this blog for a whole week.
Follow MBG 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.
werner's weekly
Werner’s Weekly (week 8)
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:
- Drew Sycamore – 45 Fahrenheit Girl (Wildcard this week)
- Almost Monday – Live Forever (Wildcard last week)
- Amen Mustang – (The Shit You Say) When You’re High
- Ivan & The Parazol – Mást Vártam
- Just – Walk Slow Smile More
- L U – Liquid Gold
- The Bamboos – Ride On Time
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: The Fratellis, Pale Waves, Smith & Burrows, Sondre Lerche, and 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.
single track
Isaac Dunbar – Fan Behavior
Only a 17-year-old, Isaac Dunbar is a rising alternative pop artist from Massachusetts. Both in 2019 and 2020 he released EP’s, and 2021 is no different. His third EP Evil Twin contains 7 songs, 4 of which were released as singles before.
The EP consists of two distinct parts. Dunbar explains: “I decided that I want to just put all my influences into one record and have my ‘evil twin’ sing the first half of the EP which is more experimental, more hard-hitting record. Then I’ll just have the ‘normal Isaac’ sing the second half of the EP, which is the pop music.”
By consequence, the first three songs of the EP roar, while the second half softly soars. Personally, I prefer the first part. Fan Behavior is one of these opening songs. It comes with a driving, Seven Nation Army-like bass line, upbeat drums and layered vocals. I’m a fan!
Recommended as well:
Isaac Dunbar – ferrari
Follow Isaac Dunbar 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.
