27-year-old Barns Courtney has already experienced more highs and lows than most artists could wish to encounter in an entire lifetime. His is a story of family turmoil, bad record industry deals, and homelessness, but also of sheer talent and hard work winning out against the odds. As a result, the last 18 months have been nothing less than impressive. His debut album The Attractions Of Youth has sold 200.000 units, his songs have been streamed over 250 million times, and his YouTube channel racked up 25 million views. Now, it’s time for the next chapter of his career.

New single “99”, an uplifting anthem, is a throwback to the glory days of the late nineties. Courtney: “I was born in England and grew up in suburban Seattle playing video games and watching Pokémon. 99 has got genuine sadness, but it’s got playfulness, and it references the nerdy parts of my personality where I’m in Seattle in the late ’90s with my friends in front of a TV screen playing Nintendo 64.”

Like an old-fashioned ‘double A-sided’ single, “99” comes with a great companion track, that surely worth checking as well. A stomper that’s exactly what it’s title promises: Good Thing.

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

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.