Search results for "sparks"
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.
single trackSparks – Hippopotamus
Sparks – Hippopotamus
After their collaboration with Scottish band Franz Ferdinand, called FFS, the American brothers Ron and Russell Mael return to their core project, Sparks. A band, mind you, that already exists for 45 years! They have never been afraid to experiment, constantly change their style and have been called ‘the smartest and quickest evolving band in the history of rock music’.
8 September, Sparks will give us their 21st album Hippopotamus. It is said to be more poppy than what they released recently, but I’m sure it’ll be as unique as ever. The title track is the first, instantly identifiable single and gives a nice impression, combining equal parts pop, experiment and circus. You’ll be surprised of all the things they find in their pool…
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.
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.
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.
single track
Troi Irons – She Loves Me Not
If you like K.Flay’s music as much as I do, you’re sure to like Troi Irons as well. This is a woman who knows what she wants. Most of all, she want to be in control of everything she does. It’s her who decides how you see her, but more important: she won’t let anyone else decide how she sees herself. In order to establish that, she’s a true DIY artist. She writes and produces her own songs and even shoots all of her photos.
Irons was named after the famed city of Troy in Turkey. Being the daughter of Eddie Irons (the drummer of funk-rock band Brick) and singer-songwriter Anne G., she grew up in a musical household. Apart from that, she’s interested in (and has a degree in) psychology. Irons isn’t afraid to acknowledge she’s autistic herself, and why should she?
After a few musical collaborations with the likes of Australian DJ Will Sparks, Finnish duo Tom & Hills, and Lupe Fiasco, she landed a record deal with Def Jam in 2016. However, looking for more creative freedom, she left the label after just one EP.
Fast Forward to 2021, She Loves Me Not is Troi Irons’ new single. A strong and overtly honest alt-rock track with ‘90s and ‘00s inspired guitars. Her distinctive voice ranges from passionate whispers to powerful notes. Confident, in her own special way, she sings: ‘I want me enough for the both of us’.
A few years ago, Troi said in an interview: “If you have real music, people will listen. It doesn’t matter if they know who you are or not.” You may not know Irons or her music (yet), but give it a chance. She, her songs and the stories behind them are worth it.
Follow Troi Irons on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track
Teddy’s Hit – Comparing Materials
Teddy’s Hit are a trio from Amsterdam, with singing drummer Kick Kluiving as its front man. They started out building a live reputation, which led to them being signed on the label of fellow musician Tim Knol. They released their self-titled debut (mini) album in 2019, but now they have their first full-length out.
Painters is an adventurous album, which nicely grabs the band’s live energy. An ode to playing together and staying young forever, it’s a fresh and melodic record. In 11 catchy songs, Teddy’s Hit produce accessible ‘90s indie-pop/rock with postpunk injections. An album with attitude.
Comparing Materials is the band’s new single. A track full of cowbells and disco elements, that sounds as British as music can be. Talking about comparing: in places, it sounds a bit like a rocky version of Tommy Sparks’ She’s Got Me Dancin’.
Follow Teddy’s Hit on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track
The Roop – Discoteque
The Roop are a trio from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. After forming in 2014, they put out two long-players. In 2018, they made their first attempt to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. With their second try, two years later, they hit the bull’s eye. Alas, as we all know, the event had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many participating countries decided to send in their 2020 entries to this year’s edition, the Lithuanian broadcasting organization decided to hold a new national selection for the 2021 contest. The Roop was guaranteed a place in the final. Luckily for the trio, they won the national competition once again. As a result, they’ll represent their country in next May’s Eurovison Song Contest after all.
The song they participate with is a very strong one. An electro-pop tune, consisting of equal parts Depeche Mode and Sparks. The bridge even has Kraftwerk influences in it. Three of my personal favourite bands all wrapped up in one track. What can possibly go wrong? Douze points from this one-man Dutch jury!
Follow The Roop on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track
Caravãna Sun – Afterlife
Caravãna Sun are Luke Carra (guitar/vocals), Ant Beard (bass/vocals), Chris Smithson (keys/vocals) and James Smithers (drums). The Australian quartet recently signed with Berlin-based label Embassy Of Music, joining a roster including Björk and Moby. The band are currently recording their new self-produced album, with help from Ian Pritchett (Angus & Julia Stone among others).
Afterlife is the second single to be released ahead of the long-player. It sees the surf-rockers abandon their signature sound for a more tuned down approach. Very fitting for a song that sparks philosophical thoughts on what follows this fleeting life. Musically, it brings Arctic Monkeys to mind.
Frontman Luke Carra says: “I feel there is light and darkness in this song, classic Yin and Yang. I sing the verses which are darker and cryptic, while Ant sings the choruses, which are lighter and more uplifting, asking the question if the afterlife exists.”
The accompanying video contrasts lightness and darkness in a similar vein as the song does. It places shots of lush, green forestry alongside charcoaled remains yet to re-blossom following this year’s catastrophic bushfire season.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 41):
Wildcard (week 41):
Little Quirks – Florence’s Town
What sparks the magic that often happens when family members sing together? Is it the genes that make their voices blend so beautifully? Anyhow, Little Quirks are another fine example of my ‘theory’. The trio was formed in 2015 by Australian teenage sisters Abbey and Mia Toole, and their cousin Jaymi Toole. While singing in blissful harmony, Mia drums, Jaymi plays mandolin and Abbey guitar.
Little Quirks started by busking at farmers markets. It didn’t take long though, before they took the stage, supporting (upcoming) local heroes like Alex The Astronaut, Jack River, and Xavier Rudd. Soon, they developed themselves a sound that sits comfortably between those three acts, but is still very much their own. Or think of as them a folky version of The Cranberries, if you’re looking for further reference.
After Corona wiped their agendas clean, the girls recorded their upcoming 4th EP in their home studio. Finally, Nashville mix wizard Ryan Hewitt (The Lumineers, Vance Joy) sprinkled his magic dust over the songs. Florence’s Town is the first single to be released off the project. Abbey Toole describes it as an ‘anthem of empowerment’. She explains: “In a world where unfortunately everything and everyone can be judged, I wanted it to be an anthem of empowerment for everyone feeling like they don’t fit into the social ‘norm’.”
This week, Florence’s Town by Little Quirks is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
