July 10th, 2021
single track
Palaye Royale – No Love In LA
Have you you’ve recently become a fan of Italian Eurovision Song Contest winners Måneskin? Then you might as well check their American counterparts Palaye Royale. They’re an equally adrenaline-fueled rock ‘n’ roll circus, and their melodic rock tracks are just as infectious. Even their raw vocal capacities are rather similar.
Only last year the Los Angeles rockers released their third album The Bastards, but the band already moved on. This week, they don’t release one, but two singles simultaneously. Punching Bag is sure to cement the trio’s reputation as a hard-hitting rock band, but the ‘other A-side’, No Love In LA, has the potential to become a ‘multi-format’ hit. In other words, this might be the song that brings Palaye Royale to the masses. Deservedly so! It’s their most radio-friendly song yet, with great hooks and spiky riffs, but above all: beautiful strings.
Recommended as well:
Hang On To Yourself
Follow Palaye Royale 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
Orla Gartland – You’re Not Special, Babe
26-year-old Dublin based Orla Gartland is a homegrown talent. She first gained popularity posting covers online, but those days are behind her. After three EP’s full of her own songs, she created a sound (and a loyal fanbase) of her own. Next up is her debut album Woman On The Internet, out on 20 August.
So far, four singles were released ahead of the long-player. A fifth has just been added to the lot: You’re Not Special, Babe, the opening of which brings back memories to Laurie Anderson’s novelty hit O Superman. What follows are ethereal synths, shimmery guitars, harmonies, tiny drums, and big drums.
“Growing up is weird and my twenties feel like chaos”, says Gartland. “You’re Not Special, Babe is a coming-of-age song written to remind myself that everyone goes through all of it; good times, bad times, strange times, dizzying highs and extreme lows. The title sounds mean but it’s really meant to be a comforting message.”
Follow Orla Gartland 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
Sir Notch feat. The Tuten Brothers – Summer’s Waiting For You
For quite some time, Sir Notch’s identity was something of a mystery. Pictures of a guy with a huge smiley popped over his head left a lot to guess. By now, we know Sir Notch is a project (and an anagram) of Christon. Once the frontman of popular Dutch band Rigby, he became truly successful (and happy) when he stepped out of the spotlight.
In 2021, his main focus is on writing and producing music for other artists or for film and TV. He already wrote over 500 songs for different artists in multiple genres. To mention but a few: Christon worked with Aloe Blacc, Ziggy Marley, Lost Frequencies, Hardwell, Dash Berlin, Sam Feldt and Mathieu Koss.
Besides that, he releases a song as Sir Notch from time to time. And not unsuccessfully. In 2018, he wrote and recorded the track Gimme That Sunshine for the summer campaign of juice brand Appelsientje. A year later, it won him a prestigious Buma Award for the best song in a commercial. My little write-up about the track is one of the all-time best read posts in the 5-year existence of Carte Blanche Music.
Will Christon pull it off again with his new single Summer’s Waiting For You? By the sound of it he just released his next hit. The track, which credits Nashville country singers The Tuten Brothers, is another easy on the ears dance-pop banger. It’s a song of hope as well. ‘We washed our hands and cancelled our plans’, but hey, summer’s waiting for you.
Recommended as well:
Miami Vice (feat. Tommy The Sound)
Gimme That Sunshine
Please Don’t Go
Follow Sir Notch 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 Parrots – You Work All Day And Then You Die
Dos. Wouldn’t that be an appropriate title for the sophomore album of a Spanish band? The Parrots sure think so. Their new long-player is scheduled for release on 29 October. The duo from Madrid, made up of Diego García and Alex de Lucas, recorded most of the album in the UK in the second half of 2019. It was produced by Tom Furse of The Horrors fame. Because of lockdown, it ended up getting finished in their hometown with Harto Rodriguez.
Following the C. Tangana collaboration Maldito, album opener You Work All Day And Then You Die is The Parrots’ new single. It’s a rather straightforward rock song with touches of krautrock, but one of huge proportions. The title may not exactly be optimistic, but the song manages to sound epic and uplifting nevertheless. That’s in large part the result of added synths, that add a euphoric layer to the track.
Follow The Parrots 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 trackSelf Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure
Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure
After Slow Club split up in 2017, Rebecca Lucy Taylor worked on solo material under the Self Esteem moniker. Her sophomore album Prioritise Pleasure will be out 22 October. Following I Do This All The Time, the title track is the long-player’s new single.
Prioritise Pleasure opens with rather minimalistic beats and a semi-spoken word verse. Totally unexpectedly however, the track burst open. A choir sets in, accompanied by blasts of scratching, metallic synths. This is how the gospel according to Self Esteem sounds. Full on and explosive with an industrial feel.
Taylor calls the song ‘a wide screen mantra, remembering to put myself first and in turn making myself a better, more present person’. She adds: “My journey to accept myself is far from over, but over the last few years some of the age old simple shit has started to finally kick in. Love yourself, be in the moment, put your needs first – that all used to feel so abstract and impossible but with a bit of will power (and writing a tonne of songs about it), I finally not only see the benefits but am actively enjoying them.”
Recommended as well:
Self Esteem – Girl Crush
Follow Self Esteem 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 Gardener & The Tree – Out To Sea
The Gardener & The Tree are a Swiss band that was founded in 2013. Manuel Felder, Patrik Muggli, Daniel Fet, Philippe Jüttner and Lucas Pfeifer are its current members. Their first EP Revolution brought them to the attention of major record company Universal, where they are now signed. Following a second EP, Mossbo, they put out their first full length album 69591, LAXÅ. Meanwhile, they were awarded some prestigious prizes in their home country. The Gardener & The Tree were crowned Best Talent by radio station SRF 3 and received a Swiss Music Award as Best Live Act.
Right now, the quintet are working on their sophomore long-player. The last three years, they’ve written around 80 tracks, a part of which will appear on the upcoming record. Out To Sea is their new single. A driving track with a propulsive piano part and, as always, Manuel Felder’s impressive, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man-like voice.
Follow The Gardener & The Tree 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
Madison Olds – If You Wanna
Born in a musical family, Canadian singer-songwriter Madison Olds has been playing music for as long as she can remember. In her songs, she addresses topics such as anxiety, loneliness, and ‘mental disparity’ with lighthearted music to back her vocals.
In an interview with Beyond The Stage magazine Olds explains: “If I had to describe my music (…) I would say it’s gritty alt-pop that’s drawn from lots of personal experience. I’m a pretty happy person as well, so I like to keep the mood relatively light and happy.”
2020 was challenging, but yet, the upcoming artist managed to put out an impressive six singles throughout the year. They are compiled on the new EP Drowning In My Thoughts. It also holds a new track: the bouncing tune If You Wanna. A great pop song with hands clapping and fingers snapping. Meanwhile a thumping bass and loud drum fills provide a fun groove.
Olds cites Julia Michaels, Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish as her main influences. In my ears, her single If You Wanna is just as accessible and radio-friendly as those artists’ output.
Follow Madison Olds 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.
album track, wildcardWildcard (week 27):
Wildcard (week 27):
beabadoobee – He Gets Me So High
Indie-pop darling beabadoobee is currently recording her sophomore album. Bridging the gap between her debut album and the upcoming release, she put out the EP Our Extended Play. The ‘our’ in its title refers to the fact the EP is a collaborative effort between Beatrice Laus herself and her label mates Matt Healy and George Daniel of The 1975. They co-wrote and produced the songs.
The 4-track-collection already produced two singles: Last Day On Earth and her current single Cologne. However, I’d like to introduce you to closing tune He Gets Me So High, which is a real gem. Light and summer-y, it brings the jangle pop of bands such as The Byrds and R.E.M. to mind. Meanwhile, it may also have been inspired by The Cure’s more poppy output.
He Gets Me So High was originally written by Healy and called She Gets Me So High. You can also hear him sing in the call-and-response bridge. This would make a great summer single if you’d ask me!
Ahead of that, He Gets Me So High by beabadoobee will feature here prominently for a whole week as the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.
Recommended as well:
beabadoobee – Charlie Brown
beabadoobee – She Plays Bass
Follow beabadoobee 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 27)
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:
- Slothrust – Once More For The Ocean (Wildcard this week)
- Lauran Hibberd – Bleugh (Wildcard last week)
- Joy Crookes – Feet Don’t Fail Me Now
- Leoniden (feat. Pabst) – Freaks
- Máni Orrason – Change The World
- Our Lady Peace (feat. Pussy Riot) – Stop Making Stupid People Famous
- Roe – Cruel
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: Fear Of Tigers, joan, The Reytons, 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 trackTrunky Juno – Hawaiian Pizza
Trunky Juno – Hawaiian Pizza
Following a new series of strong singles, Trunky Juno just released his sophomore EP Good Dog. Less than 12 minutes long, it contains four songs, including Daddy’s Gone For Cigarettes.
Hawaiian Pizza is the British artist’s new single. Although it deals with a controversial pizza topping, the song itself is built with undisputed ingredients:
- Lo-fi bedroom pop: check
- A healthy dose of Americana: check
- A gigantic hook: check
- Clever lyrics: check
In other words: another great track that ticks all the right boxes.
Now, over to you, radio stations. Show us you’re worth your salt!
Recommended as well:
Trunky Juno – Daddy’s Gone For Cigarettes
Follow Trunky Juno 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.
