Browsing Category album track
album track
indie | pop | rock
Deap Vally – Phoenix
Ten years ago, Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards formed Deap Vally in Los Angeles. Mixing hard rock with greasy blues riffs, their sound sat somewhere between The White Stripes and The Black Keys. This landed them support slots for the likes of Muse, Peaches, Wolfmother, The Vaccines, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Following their debut single End Of The World in 2012, they released three full length albums. Last week, record #4, Marriage came out. Included are assorted tracks from the band’s 2021 EP’s Digital Dream and American Cockroach plus eight completely new ones. Also, the album features guest appearances of KT Tunstall, Peaches, Jennie Vee and jennylee.
The best of the 12 songs however, is Phoenix. It pairs Deap Vally’s trademark blues-rock with a danceable groove and a slinky synth motif. With a chorus that goes ‘Nothing’s gonna take me down / Nothing’s gonna break my crown / As long as I can breathe / Nothing’s gonna stop me’, it’s a classic, self-confident American ode to the power of the self.
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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.
album trackpop
Coeur De Pirate – Tu Peux Crever Là-Bas
Canadian singer-songwriter Béatrice Martin started her career as Her Pirate Heart, but translated that name to French when she stopped writing songs in English. That was over 13 years ago. In the meantime, Coeur De Pirate released eight studio albums, the latest of which, Impossible À Aimer, just came out.
An absolute highlight on the album is the track Tu Peux Crever Là-Bas, which loosely translates as: ‘f*ck you’. You can imagine why, if you know the story behind the song. In The HuffPost, the singer explains it’s about an unfaithful old friend. “He couldn’t choose between me and his ex, which was terrible for my confidence. I discovered he cheated on me, and finally he told me he’d stay with her. I told him I hoped he’d think about me when he’d have sex with her.”
Despite its not too unexplicit message, Tu Peux Crever Là-Bas sounds like a carefree song. But you know better now…
Recommended as well:
Coeur De Pirate – Prémonition
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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.
album trackindie | pop | r&b | soul
Wyn Starks – Black Is Golden
After releasing 14 singles in just two years’ time, Wyn Starks finally came up with his debut album Black Is Golden. A record as diverse as diversity gets, which puts an extra dose of soul in modern r&b. Meanwhile, the album combines Starks’ upbringing in Minneapolis with the innovative sounds he discovered upon relocating to Nashville.
In online magazine Euphoria he explains: “When I say black is golden, I think about so many artists, activists, and everyday people that have inspired me. People like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, Cornel West, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Prince, and my mother Cheryl Ann Johnson (just to name a few). It’s important we acknowledge their contributions to society, music, and the world. I stand on their shoulders. I hope that through this album I can inspire someone in the same way. That’s why I decided to call it Black Is Golden. It’s a celebration of people who have inspired me on this road to becoming Wyn Starks.”
The title track is my favourite song on the album. It was written in response to injustice and racial inequality when it comes to black people. A track with an important message, wrapped in a sound that’s both vintage and progressive.
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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.
album trackcountry | disco | pop
Kacey Musgraves – There Is A Light
Is the flute making a comeback in pop music? And wouldn’t that be lovely? To give two examples: Lizzo is an accomplished flautist and you can clearly hear a flute in Dua Lipa’s Physical. And now, another female powerhouse artist features the instrument prominently. What’s more, it’s used in a genre where you wouldn’t expect it. I may be mistaken, but how many country-pop songs do you know with a flute in it?
Let’s start at the beginning… The artist I’m talking about, Kacey Musgraves, just made a break-up album: Star-Crossed. Based on a true story (her divorce from her now ex-husband Ruston Kelly), it deals with a rollercoaster of emotions. It chronicles the peaks of new love to marriage to divorce to solo acceptance. Be prepared for an emotional ride!
But once you get to the 14th song on this 15-track album, you reach the stage of hope. The title There Is A Light says it all. It’s a disco-influenced pop song with phased drum fills, lush acoustic guitars, bells and all. But still it manages to incorporate a certain country twang. Then, after the 1’30 mark, out of the blue, there is a flute. An uplifting flute. A flute that sounds like the musical equivalent of a middle finger. A flute that says: blow me!
The song brings together so many ingredients, that it stands out in the current musical climate. To me, that would be enough reason to put it out as a single, but in the United States, especially, radio stations might struggle to decide upon the right format for the song. Well, let me help you, dear programmers: this is as pop as pop gets, and it deserves to be all over your radio stations. After all, this is Kacey Musgraves you know? What could possibly go wrong?
Recommended as well:
High Horse
Follow Kacey Musgraves 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.
album trackelectronic | indie | pop
Annie – April
Norwegian pop princess Annie just put out her new EP Neon Nights. It features five tracks. Two of those were released before: her cover of The Jesus & Mary Chains’ Just Like Honey and a collab with Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears. Also present on this EP: Annie’s version of Patrick Swayze’s She’s Like The Wind.
My favourite however, is April. She made this track with frequent collaborator Richard X. He co-wrote, produced and arranged the song. I find it hard to decide whether Annie’s voice is warm or cool, but as always, it fits the electro-pop backdrop like a glove. In the verses I hear an echo of You’ve Got It Bad by Ocean Colour Scene, which is never a bad thing.
All in all, a great track that deserves to be put out as a single!
Follow Annie 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.
album trackpop | rock
Halsey – Honey
Since Ashley Frangipane rearranged the letters of her first name, she goes by the stage name of Halsey. She’s currently the #30 most streamed artist on Spotify. Well-done, since both her sound and lyrics have a dark edge. In that respect the news that her new album would be produced by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross wasn’t a real surprise.
The long-player, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, contains 13 tracks. Honey is my favourite. A great car song, with its up-tempo rhythm. Very recognizable drums as well. From the first note on, it’s clear Dave Grohl is behind the kit. It’s not the first time that Reznor worked with Grohl though. He also enlisted the former Nirvana drummer for seven songs on Nine Inch Nails’ 2005 album With Teeth, and collaborated with him again alongside Josh Homme for Grohl’s film Sound City.
Recommended as well:
Halsey – 3AM
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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.
album trackindie | pop | rock
Kalie Shorr – Alibi
*SONG SNACK*
Recommended as well:
Amy
Follow Kalie Shorr 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.
album track, wildcardWildcard (week 27):
indie | pop
Wildcard (week 27):
beabadoobee – He Gets Me So High
Indie-pop darling beabadoobee is currently recording her sophomore album. Bridging the gap between her debut album and the upcoming release, she put out the EP Our Extended Play. The ‘our’ in its title refers to the fact the EP is a collaborative effort between Beatrice Laus herself and her label mates Matt Healy and George Daniel of The 1975. They co-wrote and produced the songs.
The 4-track-collection already produced two singles: Last Day On Earth and her current single Cologne. However, I’d like to introduce you to closing tune He Gets Me So High, which is a real gem. Light and summer-y, it brings the jangle pop of bands such as The Byrds and R.E.M. to mind. Meanwhile, it may also have been inspired by The Cure’s more poppy output.
He Gets Me So High was originally written by Healy and called She Gets Me So High. You can also hear him sing in the call-and-response bridge. This would make a great summer single if you’d ask me!
Ahead of that, He Gets Me So High by beabadoobee will feature here prominently for a whole week as the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.
Recommended as well:
beabadoobee – Charlie Brown
beabadoobee – She Plays Bass
Follow beabadoobee on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 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.
album trackdisco | indie | pop
Clara Luciani – Respire Encore
When I first wrote about Clara Luciani, over three years ago, she was an upcoming French singer. By now, we may conclude she delivered on the promise. For those in doubt: just listen to her new album Coeur (‘heart’). It’s a record that was born out of a profound love for 1960s and ‘70s music, but in the meantime firmly planted in the 2020s. That’s French DJ Breakbot’s contribution to the project. He adds a modern touch to Luciani’s retro influences.
Album track Respire Encore (‘breathe again’) is a great example of this nu-disco sound. It features a prominent bass and funky guitar riffs, as well as a beautiful string arrangement, played by no less than 18 violinists. Backing vocals are provided by Clara’s older sister Lea Luciani, who was the subject of earlier single Ma Soeur.
Lyrically, Respire Encore is an ode to post-lockdown life. “I wrote this song to convince myself that happier days were coming“, the artist explains. Looks like she was right about that!
Recommended as well:
Clara Luciani – Ma Soeur
Clara Luciani – La Grenade
Follow Clara Luciani 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.
album trackindie | pop
Japanese Breakfast – Paprika
Michelle Zauner (a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast) just released her third album Jubilee. It’s lovely! I was immediately grabbed by the opening track, the rather bombastic – and brilliantly titled – Paprika. To me, it’s the best song on the album. I love its marching band feel, and the strings and horn parts in the chorus. It’s both weird and wonderful.
In an interview with Stereogum, Zauner explains how the album, and this song in particular, came about. She explains: “My biggest fear for this record was that I didn’t want to be the kind of artist that pivots to pop in this very obvious way. I think that as you grow as an indie musician, the logical step is to enter into that world and play bigger venues and have more mainstream music or whatever. So I was really inspired by the greats… like Kate Bush. I think it’s really amazing that she’s someone who has such massive appeal but is, like, the biggest freak and has the most surreal, bizarre lyrics and has this really strange, proggy instrumentation. So I was really influenced by Kate Bush on this record and leaned towards surreal lyrics a little bit more on Paprika.”
About the song title she says: “I called it Paprika because it reminded me of this Susumu Hirasawa song called Parade that’s in the movie Paprika. There’s a big marching band and it’s this really psychotic parade dream sequence, and so that’s why I called it Paprika.”
It may sound like a strange choice, but I think this would make a great single!
Recommended as well:
Japanese Breakfast – Be Sweet
Follow Japanese Breakfast 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.
