September 20th, 2021
werner's weekly
Wernerâs Weekly (week 38)
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:
- Fickle Friends – Love You To Death (Wildcard this week)
- Clara Luciani – Respire Encore (Wildcard last week)
- Alice Merton – Island
- Annie – April
- Liberty – Troye Sivan
- MeLLLo – Crown
- Thunder Fox – Not For Sale
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: Chvrches, Jonas Brothers, Manic Street Preachers, The War On Drugs (feat. Lucius), 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
Tape Toy – Phone Call
Four years ago, Tape Toy started off as a school project. But the members clicked and decided to continue as a real band. They even invented their own genre to describe their guitar-driven fun tunes: âbubble grungeâ. With just over two handfuls of songs to their name, the Amsterdam-based quartet will release their debut album this Autumn.
Their single Tired, released earlier this year, will be on the record. The same goes for their new track Phone Call. Itâs a perfect hybrid of pop, indie and alt-rock that comes with vocals both powerful and catchy. Lyrically, the song is about the final call you make with someone to quit a toxic relationship.
Recommended as well:
Tape Toy – Sad Girl
Follow Tape Toy 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
Placebo – Beautiful James
Placebo are one of those bands who had a new album ready in early 2020, when⊠well, you know⊠Be prepared for an enormous pile of delayed releases in the coming months, and Placeboâs will be one of them. Their new album is now expected in early 2022.
Impatient fans just got a first track to sink their teeth in. Beautiful James is a classic Placebo song that celebrates non-heteronormative relationships. It has the potential to grow into a new fan favourite. By the sound of it, it could have been made in the era of Pure Morning or Every Me, Every You. Even only hearing Brian Molkoâs distinct voice makes for a nostalgic listen.
The single is surrounded by a sense of mystery, and apparently, Molko doesnât want to shed much light on it. Speaking about the meaning of Beautiful James, the front man says that he wants âeach person who cares enough to listen to the record to find their own storyâ, adding: âWho is James to you? And is James even a man? These are questions Iâm not going to answer, these are questions I want people to ask themselves.â He concludes: âIf the song serves to irritate the squares and the uptight, so gleefully be it.â
Recommended as well:
Placebo – Lifeâs What You Make It
Follow Placebo 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
Foxes – Sister Ray
Sister Ray is a legendary record store in London (worth your visit!), named after a lengthy Velvet Underground song. Now, itâs also the title of Foxesâ new single but sonically, it couldnât be further away from the VU track.
Coming from Foxes, Sister Ray is a euphoric, carefree dance tune, that sounds like itâs been heavily influenced by Robyn. And that, my friends, is never a bad thing. Drenched in pulsating synths, this banger will most certainly have you put on your dancing shoes.
Foxes, real name Louisa Rose Allen, says of the single: “Sister Ray came from a wild part of me during lockdown that was craving a night of freedom and fun again, a longing to let go. The Velvet Underground reference is a nod to describing the most debauched night you could ever imagine but in its spirit itâs a celebration of the people you can have those indescribable times with. I wanted to encapsulate that energy in a song so I could imagine that feeling forever.”
Sister Ray is the first taster of Foxesâ third album The Kick, due for release on 11 February 2022.
Follow Foxes 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
Negramaro – Ora Ti Canto Il Mare
Negramaro are an Italian band. Their name comes from Negroamaro, a wine produced in their native district Salento (the âheelâ of the Italian âbootâ). Theyâre one of the most popular bands of their country, but the fact they sing in Italian hasnât helped them gain success abroad. Musically however, their songs are very catchy.
In 2020, Negramaro released their eighth album Contatto. On streaming services, a bonus track has now been added to it. This tune, Ora Ti Canto Il Mare, is the bandâs new single. A danceable song, ready to embrace (or even evoke) the Indian summer. It recounts front man Giuliano Sangioriâs passion for the sea, which has always been a source of inspiration for him. In his own words: âWhen I look at the sea, I always get a feeling of peace, life and the future.â
Follow Negramaro 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
Bentle – Mondo
Obviously, Spotify is a great platform. When youâre an artist and you upload your song to it, itâs available for listening all over the world. That doesnât mean however, itâs indeed going to be listened to all over the world. 60.000+ tracks are uploaded to Spotify every day(!). This makes the chances an average listener finds your new song amidst that lot very low. Especially when youâre an upcoming artist, and your music isnât added to curated playlists. More must be done to let your music stand out, and radio can still play a role in that process. That being said, it may be wise not to focus on the whole world at the same time.
This brings me to emerging Aussie artist Joshua Rees McVey, a.k.a. Bentle. His latest single Mondo was released – and promoted in his home country – earlier this year. Now, a British publisher steps in to promote the song in Europe as well. Smart move, for Mondo is a great track with potential outside Australia. With its funky bass line and bouncy percussion, itâs a groovy song with a summery pop energy.
Bentle says about the song: “Mondo is about how sometimes we all need to strip away the subconscious (and often false) expectations we place on ourselves. Life can often seem like a series of deadlines, obligations and responsibilities. For me, Mondo is a reminder that taking care of yourself and decompressing is more than ok. Though we each change as time goes on, we are still the same person as we were 10 years ago. Place a photo of yourself now beside a photo of yourself 10 years ago and then clear your schedule đ.”
Mondo is ready for the radio; hopefully radio is ready for Mondo as well.
Follow Bentle 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
Dubstar – Tectonic Plates
Bands reuniting after a lengthy absence arenât always a good idea. But there are exceptions, such as â90s electro-pop band Dubstar. They already proved theyâre still on top of their game in 2018, when they released the album One. This was their first long-player in 18 yearsâ time.
Now a duo consisting of Sarah Blackwood and Chris Wilkie, Dubstar released two more new songs in 2020. Those tracks, Hygiene Strip and I Can See You Outside, just got company from a third new song, Tectonic Plates. It takes its title from the slowly but constantly moving pieces of Earthâs crust and uppermost mantle which cause earthquakes when they collide.
Produced by Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, New Order), who also helmed Dubstarâs first two albums, it sounds both fresh and nostalgic. The latter is a result of audible references to Tubeway Army for instance, as well as a rhythm guitar reminiscent of Blurâs Thereâs No Other Way.
All three of the new tracks will find their way onto Dubstarâs upcoming fifth studio album. Titled Two, it’s presumably the sequel to comeback album One. Itâs likely to be released at the end of 2021 or early 2022.
Follow Dubstar 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
Andy Grammer – Damn It Feels Good To Be Me
With close to 1 billion streams on Spotify alone, Andy Grammer doesnât look like a guy who has much to complain about. But this past period without any shows has been especially hard on him, he says. “The pandemic forced me to spend nearly two years stripped of the identity I had worked hard to create for myself in the world. I had the gift of time to re-examine a lot and realized that sometimes in an effort to fit in with culture I am tempted to turn myself down for the fear of not being accepted. So, I wrote Damn It Feels Good To Be Me as a reminder to myself to follow the beat of my own drum.”
The situation resulted in an upbeat and uplifting song that wonât only have a positive effect on Grammerâs self-love. With its rhythmic pop energy, itâll leave its listeners enjoying the freedom of self-acceptance as well.
Damn It Feels Good To Be Me is the first official single of Andy Grammerâs forthcoming fifth album. Itâs due out in early 2022.
Follow Andy Grammer 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
Bessie Turner – Rushing
Itâs been a year and a half since we last heard from Bessie Turner. Luckily, sheâs returned with her first music of 2021. The new single, Rushing, is a soaring pop-rock track, produced by Superfood front man Dom Ganderton.
Turner explains the track deals with âchaos and relationships and all that whirring about that goes on inside our headsâ. âItâs about body image, feeling uncomfortable mentally and physically, itâs about questioning yourself. Rushing is about second guessing your thoughts and instinct and realising you might never fully trust them and let them be. Itâs about nights you donât remember getting home. Itâs about being a voyeur and being in a massive fucking rush.”
Recommended as well:
Bessie Turner – Donkey
Follow Bessie Turner 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 37):
Wildcard (week 37):
Fickle Friends – Love You To Death
After first establishing their reputation entirely independently, Fickle Friends signed to a major label. In 2018, Polydor released their debut album You Are Someone Else, which hit the Top 10. Soon after however, the Brighton band decided to resume the indie route. Over the course of the last 18 months, theyâve released two seasons of the Weird Years EP series.
Fickle Friends are currently recording their sophomore album Are We Gonna Be Alright? Itâs scheduled to come out on 14 January 2022. The first track to be released ahead of it is their exciting new single Love You To Death. A tight, funk-fuelled pop-rock song with a Prince/Nile Rodgers energy, filled with killer hooks.
Singer Natti Shiner says about it: âItâs a song about loving someone so much you might actually kill them. Iâm pretty amazed by just how much I can feel sometimes, like itâs quite overwhelming a lot of the time. Thatâs where this song comes from.â
This week, Love You To Death by Fickle Friends is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Recommended as well:
Fickle Friends – Pretty Great
Follow Fickle Friends 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.
