Browsing Category single track
Wildcard (week 48):
Monowhales – BL/FF (Fake Friends)
Canadian indie-rock band Monowhales recorded their debut album with JUNO-award nominated producer Ryan Worsley. So far, only two tracks have been released ahead of it: RWLYD (Really Wanna Let You Down) and All Or Nothing. Or, to be precise, they just added a third one to the list: BL/FF (Fake Friends) is the Toronto trio’s new single. An ode to online dating, this is another great, bold and bouncing pop-rock track that begs to be played live.
About the song, vocalist Sally Shaar says: “BL/FF (Fake Friends)” gases you up for a hook-up. Memories flood into your head about that damn person that’s hard to get over because the tension is just too fun to avoid. Imagine a late night, your phone dings and you get that far too familiar message. So, you jump in your car at 3am and turn this song up surrounded by streetlights and heavy feelings of lust on your way to some spicy sleepover.”
No word yet about the release of their album, alas. Judging by the sound of the singles, it will be epic. For now, all we can do is wait for another of their colourful video’s. While you’re at it, listen to BL/FF (Fake Friends) on repeat. It’s the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently for a week!
Recommended as well:
Monowhales – All Or Nothing
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
The All-American Rejects – Me Vs. The World
Okay, The All-American Rejects released a 3-track EP last year, but their latest long-player dates from 2012. While this has caused some to question the band’s future, TAAR just put out a new single. Well, not really new, but newish, at least…
Guitarist Nick Wheeler says about it: “It was written quarantine-style a few years ago when [singer] Tyson [Ritter] and I were doing our part separately. And our keyboard player Scott Chesak co-wrote it as well and produced the track. We never got around to finishing it, and then lockdown hit, and we were all looking at free time on our schedule. So we decided to finally finish it and turn it into something. It ended up being a cool thing, not just for us to do, but to be able to put out there since we weren’t able to do literally anything for fans this year.”
Although work on the bouncy song started a few years ago, it feels fitting given these pandemic times. Wheeler adds: “I think everybody has this mentality that this is the worst fucking year ever. And it literally feels like me against the world, regardless of your status or situation.”
All proceeds from this track will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund. This helps those in the music industry who have been out of work since March.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Tanaya Harper – Emma
Tanaya Harper is a member of Australian bands Bells Rapids and Ghost Care, but also started a solo career in 2017. Since then, the Perth-based singer-songwriter released two EP’s. Emma is her brand-new single. Fans of fellow Aussie Ali Barter are very likely to love this!
Emma channels ‘90s indie rock and noughties indie pop, resulting in R.E.M.– vs. The Bangles-like jangle pop. Its melodic guitar parts, energetic drum beats and sing-along chorus make it instantly likeable.
Harper is well-known for her intimate lyrics about her own experiences with depression, anxiety and living with bipolar disorder. This new single is just as personal. It’s both a catchy post-breakup song and an ode to recklessness.
She shares: “Emma is a sad song thinly veiled as a fun song. It’s about a couple months of recklessness I embarked on following a breakup. At the time I felt totally justified in my actions when really, grief and denial were always looming. I was partying pretty hard and having lots of fun with all my friends but once I was alone it would just hit me, all the confusion and unresolved issues and the ‘what ifs?’.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Del Amitri – Close Your Eyes And Think Of England
Del Amitri are a Scottish pop-rock band, formed in Glasgow in 1980. Yep, 40 years ago kids, so chances are, you don’t know them. That’s because they released their last album Can You Do Me Good? in 2002. The band went on a long hiatus after that record. Therefore, a (re)introduction seems in place…
Del Amitri scored their first (and biggest) UK hit in 1990 with Nothing Ever Happens, from their second album Waking Hours. Their third album Change Everything spawned the hit Always The Last To Know. Next to its success in Great Britain, it was a minor hit in the United States as well. This led to the band choosing a more American radio sound for their next album Twisted. A good choice, for although its first single Roll To Me was only a moderate hit at home, it went Top 10 in the US. All in all, they sold 6 million units of their first six albums combined. Then, things went quiet…
In 2014 and 2018, Del Amitri hit the road for reunion tours, and now, their seventh album is imminent. Titled Fatal Mistakes, it’ll be out on 30 April 2021. The timeless song Close Your Eyes And Think Of England is the introductory single. A welcome return in the ears of their old fans, that will hopefully introduce them to a whole new generation as well.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Lola Scott – The Eviction Song
The last two years, Sydney-based alt-pop artist Lola Scott released more than a handful of singles. She’s currently finishing her forthcoming debut EP 1/4 Life Crisis, but hasn’t named a release date yet. One thing is certain however: her new single will be on it.
The Eviction Song is a catchy indie-pop track. It combines her dreamy, honeyed vocals with experimental, synth-driven production. A modern sounding song, full of melody and sweet hooks.
About the story behind The Eviction Song, Scott says: “Earlier this year, my housemates and I were evicted from our house. We’re not sure what for, but can only assume the many house parties (leading to many noise complaints) didn’t help. (…) The song developed from the idea that when you live with a bunch of wild cards, and have the type of landlord who hoards things under the floorboards, you can never please everyone.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Rinse feat. Hatchie – Back Into Your Arms
Joe Agius (Rinse) and Harriette Pillbeam (Hatchie) aren’t exactly complete strangers. On the contrary, they are frequent collaborators. When not working on his own material, Agius writes with Pillbeam on her songs. He is also the lead guitarist and keyboard player in her band. So, it may not come as a surprise that both their projects live in the same musical universe. Call it dream-pop, or The Cure light (which is meant to be a compliment).
This year, Rinse released a few singles already, and now he has also announced his debut EP Wherever I Am. It’s scheduled for release on 5 March 2021. Back Into Your Arms, which features Hatchie’s vocals on it, is its radio-friendly new single.
In a statement, Agius says: “I originally started writing Back Into Your Arms as a possible song for Hatchie last year, but enjoyed singing it too much myself and decided to make it my own. Harriette’s vocals sounded so great accompanying mine on the demo we decided it would be a perfect opportunity to make her an official feature, since we both loved the song so much.”
He continues: “I finished the lyrics earlier this year after watching a lot of my friends struggle to maintain long distance relationships through the pressures brought on by COVID-19 and the past year. Each verse is from a different person’s view during different stages of a relationship, while the choruses fantasize about the idea that just being in each other’s arms is enough to make it work.”
Recommended as well:
Hatchie – Stay With Me
Hatchie – Without A Blush
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Wildcard (week 47):
Joel Culpepper – WAR
Now this is a sound we haven’t heard in the charts for way too long: funky soul. Hopefully, Joel Culpepper can undo that injustice. The south-east London native just announced his debut album, with the rather brilliant title Sgt. Culpepper, for next year.
The long-player is preceded by a double A-sided single: Return/WAR. As is so often the case, the AA-side is my favourite. WAR is an upbeat track in the best James Brown tradition. For the youngsters among you, who may think: James who? Think Learnalilgivinandlovin by Gotye.
Addressing social and political undertones, WAR details Culpepper’s frustration with the hostile environment towards marginalised groups, expressing that ‘enough is enough’. WAR is an acronym for Without Any Restraint. The track was co-written by two musical heavy-weights. Jimmy Hogarth (who worked with Amy Winehouse, Sia, Tom Grennan, Paolo Nutini, Duffy, and many more) and Shawn Lee (a very prolific artist who worked with the likes of Lana Del Rey, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and is half of Young Gun Silver Fox).
Joel Culpepper. What is it good for? WAR! It’s the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Eelke – I’m A Man
When Eelke graduated from conservatory with a 9,5 (out of 10), success only just started. Dutch singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist Eelke Ankersmit (whose first name is pronounced as ‘ail-kuh’) has a loyal following. Conveniently, some of his fans are radio DJ’s and streaming curators. This landed him airplay and some major playlists with his recent releases.
As the follow-up to his latest single Leech, he just released I’m A Man. It’s the second track off his upcoming EP Mirror. Eelke calls it ‘a straightforward boasting song, inspired by old blues tunes like Mannish Boy and Hoochie Coochie Man’.
However, when I first heard the song, it immediately reminded me of Tom Petty. My ears didn’t deceive me, as Eelke explains: “Musically I wanted to write something just as straightforward as the lyrics. At the time I was listening to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Greatest Hits a lot, and that became a big influence on the music.”
Great to see Petty continues to inspire new generations of musicians, who turn his legacy into fine new songs. This one in particular is well worth a spin!
Recommended as well:
Eelke – Leech
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Slum Sociable (feat. Kye) – You’re In My Head
Australia has by far my favourite music scene at the moment. The amount of talent it produces is unbelievable, and their success abroad rather underwhelming. I do what I can (and will continue to do so) to introduce you to as many of them as possible.
Did you know Slum Sociable already, earthling? This Melbourne duo, comprised of Ed Quinn and Miller Upchurch, have been around since their 2015 debut single Anyway. That same year, they put out the EP TQ, follow by their self-titled debut album in 2017.
You’re In My Head is their second single of this year. It’s an incredibly catchy affair, that brings you straight back to 1989. It’s groovy beat finds itself halfway If Only I Could and Fool’s Gold.
Co-produced by Xavier Dunn, this track marks the first time Slum Sociable collaborate with another artist. It features Melbourne based, Zimbabwe born, London raised Kye to great effect. “Working alongside Kye was a dream come true”, Quinn said of the collaboration. “She took this track to another level. We’ve always wanted to make a stomper like this, so it feels good to finally release it.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Big Ideas – Hurricane
The Boxer Rebellion front man/guitarist Nathan Nicholson and bass player Adam Harrison started a new project. Teaming up with writer, director, and photographer Ben Lankester, it’s a truly audio-visual venture. They called it Big Ideas, after a 2016 Boxer Rebellion track.
27 November, the trio unveil their debut EP The American Dream. Only two weeks after its title track, they release second single Hurricane. A track with a haunting beat that bears some resemblance to a-ha’s Take On Me.
In a statement, Big Ideas say about Hurricane: “The lyrics are about confidence. Many people feel that they are unworthy somehow, and even with the smokescreen of bravado, most people are just trying to fit in and feel loved. The two lines of the chorus ‘And I love that you’re unaware, every room you go into is better ’cause you’re there’ sum up the song’s sentiment: you may not always know it, but you’re appreciated and we’re all the better for your presence.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
