April 21st, 2021
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 16):
Wildcard (week 16):
Marina – Purge The Poison
After three albums, Marina Diamandis shortened her professional name from Marina & The Diamonds to Marina. The double album Love + Fear, a collection of two mini-albums, was the first she released under the new moniker. Now, a second full album is on its way. Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land will be out on 11 June. Funnily, there’s no word on a vinyl version, but the record will be put out in three cassette versions, each with a different colour: clear green, metallic blue and gold.
Following last year’s track Man’s World, Purge The Poison is the second single off the upcoming long-player. Personally, I think it’s one of Marina’s best songs to date. It’s lengthy lyrics are a critical summary of recent history, starring climate change, COVID-19, #metoo, equity, diversity and inclusion, and other ‘highlights’. Musically, it’s a punchy, up-beat track, that will hopefully re-open music directors’ ears.
This week, Purge The Poison by Marina is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Follow Marina 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 16)
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:
- Yelle – Noir (Wildcard this week)
- Who – Hey! Get Out The Way (Wildcard last week)
- Ashe – I’m Fine
- Carla de Coignac – Danse
- Glades – Limbo
- Jan-Marten Block – Never Not Try
- The Vain Travail – Do You See The Sun?
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: Barenaked Ladies, Fickle Friends, Pale Waves, 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
Charlie Collins – Fuck It
At the age of 33, Australian singer-songwriter Charlie Collins already has a whole musical life behind her. When she was just 12, she formed a band with her siblings. A few years after the release of their debut album, she joined Sydney band Tigertown in 2011. Six EP’s later, Collins launched her solo career with the album Snowpine. It earned her an ARIA Award nomination for Best Country Album.
Her new single has little to do with country music. Fuck It is a driving guitar pop track. Collins wrote it after she became a topic of hurtful gossip following the end of a relationship. However, the song offers a raw, emotional and honest twist on your average breakup song. “At the time, when I was going through this separation, I needed a friend more than a critic,” she says. “This song is an acknowledgment of blame but also recognizing that you don’t need that judgement.”
Fuck It was produced by Scott Horscroft (DMA’S, Empire Of The Sun, Silverchair) with former Gang Of Youths guitarist Joji Malani.
Follow Charlie Collins 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 Radar Station – Face Full Of Lines
2020 should have been The Radar Station’s year. They started the year winning radio station Studio Brussel’s talent program ‘De Nieuwe Lichting 2020’. Their prize: airplay and professional coaching throughout the year. Well-timed, for they had just finished recording their debut album. And a tour in support of that album had been plotted as well. Needless to remind you of what happened right after their victory…
Despite the unforeseen situation, the Belgian band did release their album. Unable to tour, they supported it with quite a few singles. Four of them, so far. All of them strong songs, that provided them with much-needed airplay. Not only on StuBru (as promised), but also on other stations.
Closing this chapter, The Radar Station now release the fifth and last single of their album: Face Full Of Lines. They have this to say about it: “The song’s lyrics are a plea for freedom of sexual orientation. This message is underlined by a dark and impressive tune which takes you to an apocalyptic future where homophobia reigns. The story in fact drew inspiration from an article about software that can determine sexual orientation just by analysing pictures, and the potential danger if it is used by authoritarian regimes and the like. The song was written a year or two ago, but unfortunately it’s more relevant than ever. Last week Russia formally banned same-sex marriages and adoption by transgender people.”
Recommended as well:
Zanzara [2020 Version]
The Giant
Subtle Science [2020 Version]
Sun Gods – Zanzara
Sun Gods – Subtle Science
Follow The Radar Station 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.
album track
Fear Of Tigers – Boy Talk
After recommending Fear Of Tigers’ track Tiger Blood, I was extra curious for their same-titled full-length album. Well, if you liked the single the way I did, you surely won’t be disappointed. There is a reason the album title ends with an exclamation mark. Tiger Blood! is a collection of ten full-on, no holds barred bangers. Three of them were released as singles before, but the remaining seven are just as strong.
Boy Talk is my personal favourite. With a duration of only 2’18, it’s short and snappy. But above all, it’s a beat-driven, synth-heavy pop-dance tune of the epic kind. If you like Eric Prydz, for instance, look no further for your new favourite song.
Recommended as well:
Fear Of Tigers – Tiger Blood
Follow Fear Of Tigers 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
Amy Shark – Amy Shark
Naming a song after yourself can only mean two things: utter narcissism or utter vulnerability. You can leave it to Amy Shark to choose for the second option.
This raw self-titled track is the sixth to be released ahead of the artist’s upcoming album Cry Forever (30 April). The highly personal song will close the long-player. Amy clarifies: “It’s track 13 because in a way this album closes so many chapters for me.” She adds: “This song is my story.”
Amy Shark is about a person who wasn’t there when she needed them. As a result, she has painful memories from her childhood, which she lays bare painstakingly in this song. Although she recalls it all vividly, she feels it’s a thing of the past. As Amy explains: “I’m not mad but I remember everything and some people just weren’t there when I needed them and unfortunately it’s just too late to start giving a fuck about me now.”
Recommended as well:
Amy Shark – Baby Steps
Follow Amy Shark 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
Punky Monky – In The Name
‘Punky Monky is the story of 3 French artists performing all around the world who have met again to create an new concept’. That’s the only official statement about this fine new project. In The Name is their debut single.
Talking about names, looking at the song credits, I presume the three artists involved are Aymeric Allard, Jérome Dufour Sebag and Yacine Baki. The French touch on this track is evident from the children’s choir, the saxophone and the funky groove, for instance. Another striking element are the vocals, that bring Michael Jackson to mind.
All in all, In The Name sound like a mix of fellow French acts like Justice and Daft Punk. With the first on hiatus and the second defunct altogether, this might be the ideal time for Punky Monky to fill the gap. Their debut single is sure to go down well both in the clubs and on the radio. And judging by this one song, their future live shows could very well turn venues upside down as well.
Follow Punky Monkey 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
Grae – Spinning
Australia and Canada are enormous countries, with equally huge amounts of musical talent. I recommended Blow by Ruby Waters before, and now, I’d like to introduce you to emerging pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Grae. Both are just 23 years old, and it looks like their musical paths go in even steps.
Just like Ruby, Emily Gifford (Grae’s real name) released her first EP’s (New Girl and Permanent Maniac, respectively) in 2019 and 2020. Since then, she put out three brand-new tracks, so it looks like a new EP is on its way.
Spinning is her new single. It’s an ode to her dad. Despite its rather high tempo, it’s in fact a dream-pop song with a catchy chorus. The repetitive bass line has a hypnotic effect, just like some songs of Grae’s biggest musical influences, Robert Smith and The Cure.
Follow Grae 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
Ruby Waters – Blow
Ruby Waters is a Toronto-based artist with both indigenous (Métis) and Slovakian roots. With musically gifted parents, she playfully developed a love for music, and an undeniable talent for quality songwriting.
Now only 23 years old, she is a seasoned busker already. She travelled through Canada and the United States, supported by the money she earned playing on the streets. No need to explain this provided her with a rich experience, which she shares via her always pure and honest lyrics.
Waters didn’t start releasing her music until 2018 though. A year later, her early singles were compiled on her first mini-album Almost Naked. This was followed by a second mini-album, If It Comes Down To It, in 2020.
Blow is the singer-songwriter’s first, all-new track of 2021. Another fine example of her raw sound, it’s based around lingering but powerful drums, and a simple piano melody. On top of that, as always, we’re treated with Waters’ strong lyricism. Somehow, it made me think of Neneh Cherry, which is never a bad thing.
Follow Ruby Waters 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 Hisunz – CNTRDCTNS
Dutch singer Emma Barber De Martino and Spanish guitarist Alejandro Román Calvo formed The Hisunz in East London. They wrote and produced their first songs with Emma’s husband Jules De Martino and Katie White (better known as The Ting Tings).
CNTRDCTNS (‘contradictions’) is only their second single, after last year’s Guilty Man. It combines the melody and creativity from the ‘60s, the attitude and energy from the ‘70s, and the ‘dark’ and electronic elements from the ‘80s. A press release describes The Hisunz’ sound as ‘The xx mixed with The Strokes with Johnny Marr’esque guitars’. A rather spot on description.
The same is true for their new single’s title. It feels both youthful and nostalgic. The track juxtaposes Román’s emotion filled guitar hooks with Barber’s cool nonchalant vocals. Meanwhile, fast-paced electronic drum tracks make it almost impossible not to dance to this happy/sad tune.
Guilty Man and CNTRDCTNS will both appear on the duo’s upcoming debut EP. One to look out for!
Follow The Hisunz 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.
