Browsing Category single track
Wildcard (week 51):
Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe – Is This My Moment
Lewis Ashley is the mastermind of a one-man project called Epic Orchestra. For his YouTube channel, he arranges and orchestrates pop songs into orchestral pieces. The result is often stunning. Especially when you know that the up to 52 instruments you’ll hear are all played by one and the same guy.
Ashley records and mixes the tracks on his PC. So far, he reimagined songs from numerous different artists, including Taylor Swift, Muse, Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi, ABBA, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Queen and Linkin Park.
Recently, he was challenged to write and record his first original song in a real music studio, with a professional producer (Sam Cramer) and some talented musicians. Ashley co-wrote the song with violin player Ceskie Hummingbird, drummer Toby Evangelou and singer-songwriter Elle Exxe, whose Rose Gold featured here in 2020. You can watch a behind the scenes video through this link. I think the challenge turned out great.
Is This My Moment is a truly epic ballad. An uplifting tune about big dreams. Perfectly suited for the dark days at the end of year. Goosebumps alert!
Is This My Moment by Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Louie Ashley on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow Elle Exxe on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2022 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.
Long Island – Average
*SONG SNACK*
Only the third single ever for this British band. Great introduction to their upcoming debut album.
Follow Long Island 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.
Timothy & The Apocalypse – Engine Check
*SONG SNACK*
Prolific Sydney-born producer Timothy Poulton produces cinematic beats on this spacey new single.
Follow Timothy & The Apocalypse 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.
Ainsley Costello – Cherry On Top
*SONG SNACK*
Revenge songs can be fun! Think Pink or early Paramore, with an added ukulele.
Follow Ainsley Costello 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.
Little Champion – Oops I Got Sad
*SONG SNACK*
Light-hearted song (funny even) about depression by Dustin Goldklang’s DIY one-man band.
Follow Little Champion 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.
Blondshell – Veronica Mars
*SONG SNACK*
LA-based Sabrina Teitelbaum’s slow-building but furious song about a children’s TV program.
Follow Blondshell 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.
Somebody’s Child – We Could Start A War
*SONG SNACK*
Cian Godfrey’s debut album appears on 3 February 2023. This is its driving third single.
Follow Somebody’s Child 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.
Wildcard (week 50):
The Veils – No Limit Of Stars
For most people, December is Melancholy Month. Mentally, but musically as well. That explains why so many ballads are being released during this month. Personally, I’m not a big sucker for ballads. But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of melancholy. However, I prefer upbeat songs with a touch of melancholy. That’s where The Veils’ new single comes in…
I’ve been a The Veils fan ever since their earliest output, in 2002. The band is fronted by Finn Andrews, the son of Barry Andrews (of XTC and Shriekback fame). They’ve released five albums so far, with ever growing gaps between consecutive albums. The Veils’ latest long-player came out in August 2016. Record #6, a double album called …And Out Of The Void Came Love, will finally see the light on 3 March 2023. Andrews says about it: “It is difficult to articulate quite what a strange 6 years it’s been since The Veils last put out a record, but it’s all in these songs. They are songs of loss, songs of anger and isolation, and songs of love.”
Following first single Undertow, No Limit Of Stars is the second track to be released ahead of the new album. Andrews sounds like a younger version of Nick Cave on it. Despite that, thanks to a light piano motif, swinging drums and a driving bass line, it sounds like a carefree song. Lyrically however, it ponders on the themes of the upcoming record: ‘the certainty of death, the power of new life, and the dizziness of contemplating your place in an unknowably vast cosmos’.
No Limit Of Stars by The Veils is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow The Veils on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2022 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.
Ally Cribb – California
*SONG SNACK*
18-year-old Ally’s new single. Impressive ballad off her debut EP Unbroken with beautiful video.
Recommended as well:
Bigger
Follow Ally Cribb 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.
Caroline Polachek – Welcome To My Island
*SONG SNACK*
Punchy 4th single to be released ahead of her album Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (14 February).
Recommended as well:
Bunny Is A Rider
Door
Follow Caroline Polachek 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.