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, thereâs 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 yearâs track Manâs World, Purge The Poison is the second single off the upcoming long-player. Personally, I think itâs one of Marinaâs best songs to date. Itâs lengthy lyrics are a critical summary of recent history, starring climate change, COVID-19, #metoo, equity, diversity and inclusion, and other âhighlightsâ. Musically, itâs a punchy, up-beat track, that will hopefully re-open music directorsâ 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 youâll find all of this yearâs 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
Wernerâs Weekly (week 16)
This is Wernerâs 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 – Iâm 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 Wernerâs 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 EPâs 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. âAt the time, when I was going through this separation, I needed a friend more than a critic,â she says. âThis song is an acknowledgment of blame but also recognizing that you donât need that judgement.â
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 Stationâs year. They started the year winning radio station Studio Brusselâs talent program âDe Nieuwe Lichting 2020â. 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 victoryâŠ
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: âThe songâs 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.â
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 Tigersâ 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 wonât 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 2â18, itâs short and snappy. But above all, itâs 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 artistâs upcoming album Cry Forever (30 April). The highly personal song will close the long-player. Amy clarifies: âItâs track 13 because in a way this album closes so many chapters for me.â She adds: âThis song is my story.â
Amy Shark is about a person who wasnât 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 itâs a thing of the past. As Amy explains: âIâm not mad but I remember everything and some people just werenât there when I needed them and unfortunately itâs just too late to start giving a fuck about me now.â
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
âPunky Monky is the story of 3 French artists performing all around the world who have met again to create an new conceptâ. Thatâs 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, JĂ©rome Dufour Sebag and Yacine Baki. The French touch on this track is evident from the childrenâs 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, Iâd 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 (Graeâs real name) released her first EPâs (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. Itâs 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 Graeâs 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 (MĂ©tis) 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 didnât 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-songwriterâs first, all-new track of 2021. Another fine example of her raw sound, itâs based around lingering but powerful drums, and a simple piano melody. On top of that, as always, weâre treated with Watersâ 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 RomĂĄn Calvo formed The Hisunz in East London. They wrote and produced their first songs with Emmaâs husband Jules De Martino and Katie White (better known as The Ting Tings).
CNTRDCTNS (âcontradictionsâ) is only their second single, after last yearâs Guilty Man. It combines the melody and creativity from the â60s, the attitude and energy from the â70s, and the âdarkâ and electronic elements from the â80s. A press release describes The Hisunzâ sound as âThe xx mixed with The Strokes with Johnny Marrâesque guitarsâ. A rather spot on description.
The same is true for their new singleâs title. It feels both youthful and nostalgic. The track juxtaposes RomĂĄnâs emotion filled guitar hooks with Barberâs 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 duoâs 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.
