September 25th, 2026
single track, wildcard
Wildcard (week 39):
Wildcard (week 39):
Chvrches – Roses
After short but artistically successful solo stints, Lauren Mayberry and Martin Doherty reunited with Iain Cook to continue their Chvrches project. Their new single sounds as sharp, fresh and colourful as could be expected from a song named Roses. It combines a dark and rocking electronic backdrop with a light children’s choir and a biting rap. Curiously, it all ends with the start. Good to have them back!
Roses by Chvrches is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
More Chvrches @ Carte Blanche Music
Follow the band on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
You’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far in the Wildcards 2026 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 39)
Not all, but only the best new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Chvrches – Roses
electronic | indie | pop - Desperate Journalist – 20th Century Women indie | pop | rock
- Disgusting Sisters – Waste Of Space
electronic | indie | pop | rock - Egoism – It Takes Two
indie | pop | rock - Shea Givens & Peter Verdell – All Together Now
indie | pop | soul - In Waves & Alaina Cross – Broken indie | pop | rock
- Maria Mena – All This Time (Pick-Me-Up Song) [Live]
live | pop - Rammstein – Armee Der Tristen [Live in Mexico City]
live | rock - Surely Shirley – Heartblush doo-wop | indie | pop
- We Are Scientists – Buckle, Under The Sea indie | pop | rock
- Holly Wild – So Annoying indie | pop
- Wilmah – My Abby indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Add it to your library (click ‘+’) to hear the best new music first.
Partly selected via input by Musosoup. Submit your music here. #sustainablecreators
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, wildcard
Wildcard (week 38): Troye Sivan – Party
Wildcard (week 38): Troye Sivan – Party
The kind of tracks the word ‘banger’ was invented for. Aussie superstar Troye Sivan just delivered a tune he calls ‘a hypnotic, euphoric ode to losing yourself in a really good night out’. Undoubtedly destined to become a club anthem of the same magnitude as the song it samples: Music by Madonna.
Party by Troye Sivan is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow him on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
You’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far in the Wildcards 2026 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 38)
Not all, but only the best new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- After – Snowburn (album track) indie | pop
- Amanzi – I Gave You Grace indie | pop | soul
- Malika Ayane – È Andata Così (album track)
indie | pop - Berthaju – Dutch House Parties
indie | rock - Blood Red Shoes – Two Weeks (album track) indie | rock
- Blossoms – Husband indie | pop
- Good Health Good Wealth – I Can’t Tell Ya indie | rock
- Grand Corps Malade (feat. Julia) – Mes Doutes Avec Toi (album track) pop
- Mentissa – Fais Gaffe À Toi
indie | pop - Anderson .Paak & Cordae – A Good Day hip hop | indie | pop
- Troye Sivan – Party electronic | pop
- Declan Welsh & The Decadent West – Run Down Small Town indie | rock
- Wet World – Hokas indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Add it to your library (click ‘+’) to hear the best new music first.
Partly selected via input by Musosoup. Submit your music here. #sustainablecreators
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, wildcard
Wildcard (week 37):
Wildcard (week 37):
Rondé – Running Away
Dutch band Rondé started the ‘20s with a string of 5 Top 10 hits. Now, 14 years after their debut single Run, they come full circle with their new track Running Away. An ode to true romance, it sounds like a huge future radio hit, which deserves to land in the Top 10 once again. Even if it doesn’t, it’s still a great upbeat feelgood tune!
There’s no escaping Running Away by Rondé, for it’s the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow Rondé on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
You’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far in the Wildcards 2026 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 37)
Not all, but only the best new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Bailen – Send Me Off indie | melancholic | pop
- Dove Cameron – When In Rome electronic | pop
- Hembree – Options indie | rock
- Hooverphonic & Jasper Erkens – Second Life pop
- The Joy Hotel – May Queen indie | pop | rock
- The Linda Lindas – Gotta Get Out indie | pop | rock
- renforshort – Kingpin
indie | pop | rock - Rondé – Running Away pop
- Vlads – Amaze indie | pop
- Warhaus – Simple Pleasures indie | pop
- Ycare – Vesoul chanson | indie | jazz | pop
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Add it to your library (click ‘+’) to hear the best new music first.
Partly selected via input by Musosoup. Submit your music here. #sustainablecreators
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, wildcard
Wildcard (week 36):
Wildcard (week 36):
Raye feat. Amma & Absolutely – Joy.
Being dropped by her major record label must have been the best that ever happened to Raye. The talent and the songs were already there, but this gave her even more drive to succeed. And boy, did she succeed! Already a live favourite, Joy. (featuring her sisters on vocals) is her swinging new single. Reassuring in many ways!
Joy. by Raye feat. Amma & Absolutely is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
More Raye @ Carte Blanche Music
Follow her on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
You’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far in the Wildcards 2026 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 36)
Not all, but only the best new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- The Bamboos – Sugar On Top indie | pop | soul
- Calby – Deserve
indie | pop | soul - The Indie Pea – Glass Architecture indie | pop | rock {AI}
- Misfits Together – Oh America (1951) pop
- Raye feat. Amma & Absolutely – Joy. gospel | indie | pop | soul
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Add it to your library (click ‘+’) to hear the best new music first.
Partly selected via input by Musosoup. Submit your music here. #sustainablecreators
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.
