May 31st, 2023
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 22):
Wildcard (week 22):
The Lathums – Lucky Bean
Early in March of this year, The Lathums put Lucky Bean forward as the ‘focus track’ of their sophomore album From Nothing To A Little Bit More. Ten weeks into the promo campaign, it is now out as an official single. A great choice, which sounds like the perfect cross of The Proclaimers, The Smiths and The Boo Radleys. The upbeat, summer-y track pairs jangling guitars, plenty of horns and even a harmonica. It’s early ‘90s all over again!
Lucky Bean looks back on a romance of the Wigan band’s singer and songwriter Alex Moore. “It’s a song about love,” he explains, “speaking of a doomed relationship at a time when I thought we’d be together forever and have kids. At the time, I used to call that person my lucky bean.” The relationship soured between writing and recording, but at least it resulted in one of the best pop moments of the year so far. A bittersweet skiffle-pop track that’s ready to warm the hearts of festival attendees.
The Lathums’ new single Lucky Bean is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a full seven days.
Recommended as well:
Say My Name
Follow The Lathums on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 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 22)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
(Wildcard this week) - Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is
(Wildcard last week) - Fulminacci – Ragù
- Ryan Mitchell – Ruin My Life
- Roleplay – Come Close
- Thunder Fox – Feels Like Forever
- Zornik – Dancing With Yourself
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.
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.
playlist
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 21)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Blackout The Arcade – Side-By-Side indie | rock
- Cheeya – Boy Feelings
indie | pop | r&b - Fulminacci – Ragù indie | pop
- Louane – Pardonne-Moi
pop - Love Me My Alien – Stay Here Forever indie | pop
- Melle – Old Summers
indie | pop - Ryan Mitchell – Ruin My Life indie | pop | rock
- Roleplay – Come Close indie | pop
- Skia – Make You Cry
indie | pop - Thunder Fox – Feels Like Forever funk | indie | pop | soul
- The View – Shovel In His Hands indie | pop | rock
- Juice Webster – In The Zone indie | pop
- The Yeah Nahs – Organic Strawberry Kombucha indie | rock
- Zornik – Dancing With Yourself indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.
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 21):
Wildcard (week 21):
Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
Denmark has always been a great incubator for new pop talents. The last few years alone, the country produced hot new artists like Drew Sycamore, RoseeLu, Mina Okabe, Eyjaa and Dopha. All females, as you might have noticed. Despite that, Denmark doesn’t have a real ‘girl crew’ atmosphere, according to singer Ericka Jane. In a press release, she claims Danish women in pop have often supported each other, but this seldomly resulted in musical collaborations.
In that respect, Come Sit With Us is a break-through. It’s not only an ode to female artists and sister love by three of Denmark’s most promising young singers, it’s also an invitation to others to spread these good vibes. The song title is a response to this scene from teen movie ‘Mean Girls’, where Regina is told: ‘You can’t sit with us’. Instead, Ericka Jane, Dopha and bbybites invite everyone to come and sit at their table.
Come Sit With Us is an incredibly catchy tune with euphoric synth strings, memorable vocal melodies and multiple ways to say ‘okay?!’.
This week, Come Sit With Us by Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week. Okay?!
Follow Ericka Jane on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Dopha on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow bbybites on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 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 21)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is (Wildcard this week)
- Tom Grennan – How Does It Feel (Wildcard last week)
- Altin Gün – Doktor Civanım
- Busby Marou – Conversation
- Georgia Lines – Monopoly
- Liza Anne – Cheerleader
- psykhi – Dyed In Wool
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.
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.
playlist
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 20)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Altin Gün – Doktor Civanım disco | electronic | indie | pop
- Milii Austin – Playground indie | pop
- Cole Bleu – Is It Cool 2 B Friends? indie | rock
- Vera Blue – One Condition pop
- Busby Marou – Conversation pop
- Astrid Cordes – Stop Dreaming
indie | pop - Lou Emery – Roots indie | rock
- Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us pop
- Georgia Lines – Monopoly indie | pop
- Liza Anne – Cheerleader indie | pop | rock
- The Melmacs – Balls indie | punk | rock
- psykhi – Dyed In Wool indie | pop | rock
- Trunks – Again, Tonight indie | pop | rock
- Youth Sector – Free Parking indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.
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 20):
Wildcard (week 20):
Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is
This week sees the glorious comeback of some ‘old’ favourites, like Amanda Marshall, Queens Of The Stone Age and Tenacious D. And they don’t return with half-baked wannabe tracks. No, they provide us with some of the week’s best new music. Top of the bill, in that respect, are Sparks. Their new single has the unmistakable Sparks stamp on it. However, in 2023 – over 56(!!!) years after brothers Ron and Russell Mael made their first recordings as Urban Renewal Project – they sound as fresh as ever.
Yes, you read that well. The band ultimately known as Sparks first entered the studio in January 1967. They were soon discovered by Todd Rundgren and, sorry if this sounds lazy, ‘the rest is history’. Despite regularly changing styles, their songs are immediately recognizable. The same goes for their visual representations throughout the years. For almost six decades now, Sparks have been at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.
Their 26th studio album The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte (out on 26 May) was already preceded by its title track and Veronica Lake. But single #3, Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is, is the most accessible track off it so far. A hi-NRG song with upbeat drums, guitars, Ron’s subtle piano and Russell’s authentic vocals, which could have been recorded when they formed FFS, with Scottish band Franz Ferdinand. Let me tell you it’s beyond good, and despite the tune’s title, you can trust me on this one.
Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is by Sparks is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Hippopotamus
Follow the duo on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 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 20)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Tom Grennan – How Does It Feel (Wildcard this week)
- Only The Poets – Jump! (Wildcard last week)
- Victoria Anthony – New Disaster
- Ellur – Anywhere
- Loi – News
- Amanda Marshall – Dawgcatcher
- 26fix – Stone Killer
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.
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.
playlist
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 19)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Altered By Mom – Waiting On A Sign That’s Already There indie | pop | rock
- Victoria Anthony – New Disaster indie | pop | rock
- Shayne Cook – Better Things indie | pop
- Ellur – Anywhere indie | pop
- Scott Helman – Back Together indie | pop
- HighSchool – Colt indie | pop | rock
- Jonas Brothers – Summer Jam pop
- jnr. – U Stay On My Mind indie | pop
- Kelsy Karter & The Heroines – Love Goes On indie | pop | rock
- Loi – News indie | pop
- Love You Later – Someday, Today Will Be Long Ago indie | pop
- Amanda Marshall – Dawgcatcher indie | pop | rock
- Nory-J – Future Days indie | pop | rock
- Nyne – Blood On The Dancefloor electronic | indie | pop
- Chloe Parché – Upside Down indie | pop
- Sofia Portanet – My Time indie | pop
- Queens Of The Stone Age – Emotion Sickness rock
- Rebecca & Fiona – Sing Hallelujah dance | electronic | indie | pop
- Rews – Not Your Soldier
indie | rock - Skies – Doors indie | pop | rock
- Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is pop | rock
- Tenacious D – Video Games country | rock
- 26fix – Stone Killer indie | pop
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.
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 19):
Wildcard (week 19):
Tom Grennan – How Does It Feel
Tom Grennan’s collaborations with dance artists are sure fire hits. His 2016 single with Chase & Status, All Goes Wrong, became his big break, while By Your Side (with Calvin Harris) was a pan-European hit. However, I personally like his own (pop) singles better. His new one is another great example why.
How Does It Feel is the third single to be released ahead of Grennan’s upcoming third album. The longplayer, What Ifs And Maybes, will be out on 16 June. The British singer and songwriter said about the record: “I want (people) to feel they have no stress and no worries when they’re listening to these songs. So I made that conscious decision to write some up-tempo songs that can live in a party world.”
New single How Does It Feel is a good example. Speaking about the track, he explained: “This song is a reflection of a moment in my life when I realised I had let something unreal slip. It’s a reflection on the excitement that comes when you know you have a chance to rebuild. It’s exciting, fun, and gives you the energy to want to get up and do what you believe in!”
With its upbeat drums, sunny guitar sound and catchy lyrics, How Does It Feel by Tom Grennan is a contender for the Summer Song of 2023 trophy.
For starters, it’s the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Sober
Found What I’ve Been Looking For
Follow Tom Grennan on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 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.
