Browsing Category border breaker
album track, border breakerPale Waves – Red
Pale Waves – Red
Since their 2017 debut single There’s A Honey, Pale Waves released 11 other singles, quickly making a name for themselves as one of the most promising young bands around. The fact that part of their output was produced by Matthew Healy and George Daniel of The 1975 certainly helped, but there’s no denying the talent of songwriters Heather Baron-Gracie and Ciara Doran (the singer and drummer of the band).
Only eight of the 11 singles (including the most recent one: One More Time) made it onto their debut album My Mind Makes Noises, in some cases in remixed form. My favourite of the six non-single tracks on the long-player is Red. A poppy song, with a very eighties synth line, a very contemporary pumping beat and a very great guitar hook. A modern new wave classic in the making.
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.
border breaker, single track
Myd (feat. Cola Boyy) – Muchas
Myd, born as Quentin Lepoutre, is a French musician, producer and sound engineer. Alongside his solo career, he is a member of the band Club Cheval and produced records for other artists.
While studying sound engineering in Paris, he met Panteros666, Sam Tiba and Canblaster. They decided to make music together and to form the band Club Cheval. In 2011, he released his first solo EP, began to tour as a DJ internationally and started making remixes for artists like Yelle and Two Door Cinema Club.
In the video for his new single Muchas you’ll see a team of Myd clones running the Myd corporation; working at the office, fooling around and going on a company trip where the already bizarre atmosphere takes a darker turn.
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.
border breaker, single track
Alice Merton – Why So Serious
Alice Merton is a good example of an artist who’s early successes first became visible in the European Border Breakers Chart. Former Carte Blanche Music Wildcard No Roots became a pan-European hit in the autumn of 2017, that later also crossed over to the United States. The track won her a European Border Breakers Award and I eagerly awaited more hits. Second single Hit The Ground Running came out last year and Lash Out followed this year. Both very good singles as well, but not as successful as her debut.
For the release of her new single, Merton freed herself from her distribution deal with major Sony and decided to walk the indie path. May that give this talented artist the success she deserves!
Why So Serious is about making the most of every day and was written by Merton in response to the awareness she had to write a new hit to follow up on the accomplishments of No Roots. “I was a little upset that everyone would ask if the next song would be as successful as No Roots. And then I thought, screw this! I’m happy, I have the time of my life, so: why so serious?”
Alice Merton’s eagerly awaited debut album, entitled Mint, will be out in January 2019.
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.
border breaker, single track
Brother Leo – Strangers On An Island
Swedish singer, songwriter and producer Ola Svensson, who started his music career on Swedish Idol, currently acts under the stage name Brother Leo. “Brother Leo means freedom”, he explains. “The name comes from a reoccurring dream I had as a kid,” explains Ola. “In the dream I had a twin brother, he was a free spirit, brave, confident and always had the answers to everything. He had superpowers and his name was Leo.”
Strangers On An Island is Brother Leo’s debut single. A laidback, Beck-like track, produced by none other than Norman Cook, a.k.a. Fatboy Slim. What a way to start a career!
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.
border breaker, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 32):
Wildcard (week 32):
Jade Bird – Uh Huh
Only a year ago, now 20-year-old Jade Bird released her debut EP Something American, which featured the lovely single Cathedral. Since then, she hit the jackpot again with Lottery and put out Furious, which sounded all but that.
Now, she’s back with her most raw, powerful and rocky tune yet. An upbeat melody accompanying Bird’s great voice, Uh Huh lasts only less than two and a half minute, but it is convincing from the first second. Without a doubt an important next step towards wider success.
In an attempt to help Jade Bird spread her wings, I chose Uh Huh as this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. You can find the full bunch of great songs that preceded her in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
border breaker, single trackFreya Ridings – Ultraviolet
Freya Ridings – Ultraviolet
Not many artists release a live album as their first long player. Jason Mraz did, for instance, like Dave Matthews Band and Jeff Buckley. 23-year-old London singer-songwriter Freya Ridings did so as well. Twice! Her first album, in September 2017, was Live At St. Pancras Old Church, which was followed this year by Live At Omeara.
Ahead of Ridings’ proper debut album, set for release later this year, she now comes up with her new single Ultraviolet. It was produced by Tom Elmhirst, who worked with artists like Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Frank Ocean and Lorde before.
“Ultraviolet is about parts of ourselves we believe we have to hide – like a diary written in secret ink. When those secrets are not only seen but also loved by someone who sees the light and darkness in you, it’s the most profound and beautiful thing”, Ridings explains.
After the stripped-back style of her earlier singles, Ultraviolet has a richer sound, that’s a beautiful companion to her low, soulful voice, which sits somewhere between Florence Welch and Belgium’s Blanche.
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.
border breaker, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 25):
Wildcard (week 25):
Shanguy – King Of The Jungle
I wrote about Shanguy’s debut single La Louze when it came out in december 2017, and made it the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard at the start of this year. Since then, it grew out to become one of your favourite recommendations on this blog, based on the number of views.
Now, French singer-songwriter Eon Melka, Italian DJ NRD1, and indie singer-songwriter Frank-O are back with their second single and once again, it’s a cracker! Just like on their first effort, Stromae is a clear inspiration. I’m sure this song will appeal to a broad audience, and playlist curators could be helpful by giving it the prominent placing it deserves.
Allow me to set a good example: King Of The Jungle by Shanguy is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard (all of which you can find in the Wildcards 2018 playlist). This will provide the track with a prominent place on this blog for a full week. Enjoy!
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.
border breaker, single track
Keir – Sadboy
Keir is a promising singer-songwriter from Bristol. After his self-released first single, the double A-sided Probably/I Don’t Need Anybody Else (2016), his proper debut Squeeze Me (2017) and the follow-up Night And Day (2018), he just came up with his fourth effort, Sadboy.
It’s a catchy slice of dark electronic pop that leaves no doubt about its title. Lyrically, the song is about society demanding from men to hide their emotions. Keir: “Sadboy is me celebrating and expressing openness. Fuck these gender stereotypes. Be loving and talk to each other, never be embarrassed for the way you feel.”
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.
border breaker, single track
Alice Merton – Lash Out
Chances are, you first read about Alice Merton on Carte Blanche Music (although I’m aware success has many fathers). Anyway, I instantly liked her debut single No Roots and made it Wildcard. It became a pan-European hit – landing the German singer a European Border Breakers Award – and has just entered Billboard’s Hot 100.
The follow-up single took its title too literally and Hit The Ground Running, but I think she could hit the bull’s eye again with this third single, Lash Out. And after seeing her show at the ESNS festival, last January, I can tell you there is plenty more where this is coming from. Alice Merton is a potential future superstar.
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, border breaker
IAMJJ – China
Last year I featured You In My Arms by IAMJJ here already. A great track, that followed Bloody Future and served as a second introduction to this mysterious 24-year-old Danish singer-songwriter. After his third release (and first proper single) Homer, IAMJJ just put out his debut album Bloody Future.
IAMJJ played many of the album’s songs at showcase festival ESNS, in January, and one of the songs that immediately stood out for me, was China. It’s one of the highlights on the album as well.
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.
