Browsing Category single track
Wildcard (week 37):
Devon – I Don’t Want 2 B Ur Friend
Devon Cassells is a 20-year-old producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. He is inspired by artists ranging from Michael Jackson and Beck to The Neighbourhood and Twenty One Pilots. Having played the guitar in numerous bands since he was 10, he nowadays writes, records and produces his music himself.
Following his debut single Weirdo (2017), and the tracks Day Dreaming and Plastic Statues (2018), he just put out his fourth song. I Don’t Want 2 B Ur Friend is an up-tempo slice of indie pop-rock. Short (just over 2 minutes), but snappy, with a catchy chorus and an ever-flowing energy. It doesn’t happen very often I wish a song would last longer.
This week, I Don’t Want 2 B Ur Friend by Devon is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can 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.
Mélodie Lauret – 23h28
19. This girl is only 19 years old. And what a talent! To me, 23h28 by Mélodie Lauret may be one of the debuts of the year.
Her very first single is a musical coming out in more ways than one, and it’s utterly beautiful. If you speak French, the powerful lyrics will move you, whether you listen to them deliberately or not. Lauret doesn’t really sing the song, she speaks the words. A bit like Grand Corps Malade, whom I’m fond of as well. If you don’t speak French, there is enough to like in the overall melody. Or Mélodie, if you like. Slow beats, a sparse but effective bassline, eerie backing vocals… this is a real treat.
23h28 is a song in the best French ‘chanson’ tradition. Already picked up by a major record label, Mélodie is certainly one to watch.
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.
Calby – The Everyday Bit
Young people embracing good old soul music, isn’t that just great? The Everyday Bit is the debut single of Calby, the stage name of Danish musician Mik Thybo. He ‘explores undiscovered territory between soul music, pop and indie rock, with songs about love, greed and anxiety’, according to his bio.
Lending its first three notes from Robert Plant’s Big Log, The Everyday Bit continues as a one of a kind song. It sounds authentic, even though it’s built around the best elements of sixties soul music.
Calby wrote and produced the song with Luke Graham bass player Magnus Larsson. They recorded the tune on an analogue 8-track recorder, which gives it a warm and nostalgic sound.
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.
Con Brio & Lyrics Born – Mistakes
In 2017, Con Brio first shared the stage with rapper Lyrics Born. From that moment on, they knew they wanted to work with him. This resulted in a recording session in Con Brio’s own studio. The session produced two songs: Sundown, to be released later this month, and new single Mistakes.
The latter combines the band’s rocking soul with the rapper’s cool, contemporary raps. Think Anderson .Paak, but funkier. “In the studio, I felt like I understood them instantly, and it was effortless”, Lyric Born said about Con Brio. “I gave my input in the recording process as a band, and they knew how to bring the best out of me as well. It has been nothing good vibes since day one, which will ultimately come across in the recordings.”
Both tracks are perfect promotion for Con Brio and Lyrics Born’s collaborative tour along the American East Coast, next October.
Recommended as well:
Con Brio – Too Lit 2 Quit
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 36):
Agat – I’ve Done It Again
Not much is known about Tel Aviv, Israel-based four-piece Agat. The band consists of Agat Schwarz (vocals, keys), Gal Oved (keys), Nir Horowitz (bass) and Tamuz Dolev (drums).
I’ve Done It Again is only their first single. Yet, it already has a unique sound, involving both electronic sounds and live instruments. Think trip hop à la Portishead, with the same dark undertones, but fresher. Agat’s intimate vocals float over industrial bass sounds, fuzzy guitars, spooky strings and experimental beats, resulting in an eerie atmosphere.
The band’s Horowitz-produced debut album will be out in December. In the meantime, fans of Billie Eilish – and who isn’t, nowadays? – should really check this dark fairy-tale.
I’ve Done It Again by Agat is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard! It may not grab you the first time around, but it will grow on you. Slowly and surely, just like the song itself.
In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can 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 Griswolds – Nice To Meet Ya!
Following The Griswolds’ 2013 debut EP Heart Like A Lion, their fanbase gradually spread out from their home in Australia. So much so, that they relocated to the US.
Three years went by since The Griswolds released their second full album High Times For Low Lives. Do yourself a favour and check its stand-out track YDLM (featuring the now famous Lizzo). In the meantime, the band featured on tracks by Prince Fox and Max Styler, and they released a remix of their 2014 hit Beware The Dog. But they didn’t put out any really new music. Until now…
As playful and catchy as ever, Nice To Meet Ya! is The Griswolds’ new single. Alas, this is the kind of indie-pop that is sadly overlooked by most radio programmers, nowadays. But never mind, for you’re the boss of your own streaming playlist, aren’t you?
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.
Simple Creatures – Thanks, I Hate It
Early this year, Mark Hoppus (blink-182) and Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) surprised many with their side-project Simple Creatures. Hot on the heels of their first EP Strange Love, they just announced its follow-up. The EP Everything Opposite is slated for release on 11 October.
The 6-track EP will open with the previously released single Special. And it will be closed by the song Thanks, I Hate It. A distortion-heavy song with an intro that reminds me a little of She’s Got Me Dancing by Tommy Sparks. Elsewhere, it sounds like an early Beck tune. Great references, as far as I’m concerned!
Thanks, I Hate It is a tongue-in-cheek take on all the, ehm… haters out there. Gaskarth wrote about it: “Had a day in the studio where we were feeling bad about ourselves because SOME PEOPLE don’t appreciate angry synthesizers. Now we get to shake our hips to that neg energy in a healthy and productive way. Everybody wins.”
Recommended as well:
Simple Creatures – Drug
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.
Miss June – Anomaly
Post-punk, no-wave and rock are not the first things I think about regarding New Zealand. Still, Auckland four-piece Miss June have got it all. Listening to their music, one can imagine why they’ve once been described as ‘some unholy union between Sonic Youth and Le Tigre’.
Frontwoman Annabel Liddell, guitarist Jun Park, bass player Chris Marshall and drummer Tom Leggett create a blistering, reckless sound. Tomorrow, 6 September, Miss June release their debut album Bad Luck Party. It contains 11 tracks, with standard ingredients like noisy guitars, melodic hooks and overdriven riffs.
Two of the album’s songs, Best Girl and Enemies, have been released before. Third teaser Anomaly is out now as well. “I have an incredible ability to attract individuals that are as flawed as I am”, singer Annabel says. “It’s made my life chaotic and beautiful. This song is about a girl. A girl I will never understand. A girl that’s a gun, a burning sun and an anomaly to me.”
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.
Superbird – Super Superior
Superbird are a British trio, consisting of Joe Sin (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Ash (drums, vocals), and Freddy Sidero (bass, vocals). Their music is as colourful as their suits. But let’s just stick to the music, shall we?
If you like disco, funk and/or the ‘80s in general, these lads are your new best friends. They already surprised with songs like Cola Bottle Fizz and Year On String Along. The former, their very first single, has even been chosen by British TV host Sara Cox as the theme tune for her new show. It may have been useful that drummer Alex worked with her as a soundman, but still… 😉
Super Superior is Superbird’s fifth single and arguably their best yet. It’s funky, with disco flavours, handclaps, and tons of energy. The first few bars remind me of Kool & The Gang’s Celebration, but then the bass kicks in. This is a real mood booster. If its uplifting guitar and infectious hook don’t make you feel good, please call 911.
Recommended as well:
Superbird – Year On String Along
Superbird – Cola Bottle Fizz
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.
Skylar Grey – Shame On You
Skylar Grey (born Holly Brook Hafermann), performed in a folk duo with her mother as a child. She broke through as featured vocalist on Fort Minor’s hit Where’d You Go in 2006. That same year, she released her debut album Like Blood Like Honey as Holly Brook. Soon after, she adopted the stage name Skylar Grey.
On her upcoming fourth album Angel With Tattoos, she goes back to her folk roots. Grey explains: “With Shame On You and the rest of the songs that will follow for my Angel With Tattoos concept project, I committed to a sound that pays homage to the artists from the 70’s I grew up listening to. Producer and co-writer Dave Bassett and I got together frequently last year at his serene Malibu home atop a mountain overlooking the ocean, and we created this music almost effortlessly. I was newly in love and inspired, and together Dave and I stumbled upon this very specific sound that felt simply authentic.”
Shame On You is the album’s first single. Fleetwood Mac is the obvious influence here, and it’s simply beautiful.
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.
