Browsing Category single track
single track
indie | pop | rock
Farmer & Friends (feat. Zuzu) – Wanna Be With You
I’d love to give you some interesting background information about Farmer & Friends’ debut single Wanna Be With You. Alas, this project is so new (apparently), that nothing is to be found about it. They haven’t uploaded a biography on the streaming services yet and I dare you to find their socials. If you happen to stumble upon them, please let me know and I’ll add them to this post.
The track features the lovely Zuzu (who features here regularly) but even she doesn’t mention the collaboration on any of her socials.
That leaves us with the song, which is the most important thing in the first place. Wanna Be With You is an infectious, driving rock song, full of hooks and melodies, both vocally and musically. It’s even got a good old guitar solo. I don’t find it hard to imagine this being played by radio stations who are a bit more adventurous than most of their colleagues.
So, no need for Farmer & Friends to be shy. It’s time for them to step into the light. Wanna Be With You is a great way to start a career, but it might be useful if gatekeepers were able to reach out.
Follow Farmer & Friends on Spotify
Follow Zuzu 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.
single trackindie | pop | rock
Hurry – A Fake Idea
Matthew Scottoline started his musical career as the bassist in Philadelphia band Everyone Everywhere. But there he didn’t get much chance to fulfil his ambitions about singing and writing songs. Inspired by early ‘90s guitar rock and power pop, he spent his free time penning and recording songs on his own.
After forming his own band Hurry in the early 2010s, Scottoline released their debut album Everything/Nothing in late 2014. 25 June, their fourth album Fake Ideas will see the light. Following lead single It’s Dangerous, the quasi-title track A Fake Idea is out now. Its lyrics focus on ‘how to navigate life, love, and mental illness’. Scottoline himself has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Musically however, it’s a swinging and sunny guitar stomper, including horns and handclaps.
If you dig Lemonheads and I’ll Be There For You-era Rembrandts (count me in!), this is the summer anthem for you.
Follow Hurry 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.
single trackhip hop | indie | pop
Punnany Massif – Tokiiiooooo
Hungarians Máté Felcser and Roland Farkas have known each other since 1994. Together, they organized parties and made radio shows. Only in 2003, they formed the hip hop collective Punnany Massif. Tokiiiooooo is their new single.
It doesn’t take much knowledge of the Hungarian language to understand what the song is about. The band wrote the song to support the Hungarian athletes who are currently preparing for the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo. Not only do some of them appear in the video, they do so presenting their official Olympic outfits to the public.
Musically, Tokiiiooooo has a Yello-like drive, while Pitbull fans are sure to like the rapping style. Rapping along may prove to be a challenge, though… 😉
Recommended as well:
Punnany Massif (feat. Pásztor Anna, Charlie & Petó Szabolcs) – Ami Volt Az Majd Lesz!
Follow Punnany Massif 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.
single trackfolk | indie | pop
The Deep Blue – Jealous Sea
Manchester has always been a source of great pop music, and it continues to be so in 2021. Please meet the next band to cement the city’s reputation: The Deep Blue. They’re a three-piece that spent the lockdown writing and recording their debut EP. All of its tracks are set to be released throughout this year.
Jealous Sea is their very first, and very pleasant single. Just like other recent bands such as Haim and Soda Blonde, The Deep Blue are clearly influenced by Fleetwood Mac. A great place to start, as far as I’m concerned. However, the trio also throws a pinch of Taylor Swift into the mix. This results in a summer-y track with luscious harmonies and shimmering melodies, which blend indie, folk and pop.
Talking about this very promising introductory single, The Deep Blue explain: “You know that feeling: when you’ve lost a little bit of love for yourself and you see that person who has everything you’ve ever wanted. In a world of endless scrolling through the lives of others, it can be difficult to keep your head above the jealous sea. We are all in danger of slipping under. You’re not alone; sometimes we all want to be somebody else. Here’s a song to get you through and dance the green away.”
Follow The Deep Blue 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.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 20):
indie | jazz | pop | soul
Wildcard (week 20):
Haerts – Days Go By
Singer Nini Fabi and multi-instrumentalist Benny Gebert are originally from Munich. They met in high school and became a couple, both romantically and musically. The two have been living in the United States for years now. First in New York, but they recently relocated to California. Originally, their band Haerts was a quartet, but in 2021, Fabi and Gebert are the two remaining core members. However, the band can grow out to a six-piece when playing live.
Dream Nation, out this week, is the outfit’s third album. Once again a collection of gorgeous, ethereal alt-pop music, with clear nods to the ‘60s and ‘70s. Take new single Days Go By, for instance. A lovely retro pop song with jazz and soul influences. It’s got an exotic touch, thanks to tropical drums, a prominent flute and even a lovely house piano. It reminds me of The Brand New Heavies, which is never a bad thing!
Haerts’ new single Days Go By is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week!
Recommended as well:
Haerts – No Love For The Wild
Follow Haerts 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.
single trackelectronic | indie | pop
Talkbøx & Nick Double – Step Into The Light
Not bad for a band as young a Talkbøx (est. 2019). Their two most recent singles were not only played by radio stations in their home country the Netherlands. Not even only in the Benelux. Most European countries came on board. And even better: the songs lightened up airwaves as far and away as Jamaica, the United States, Canada and Thailand. I bet producer/beatmaker Dion Peters (Dion Dash), singer Dana Havrylyuk and guitarist/writer Mitchell Giebels couldn’t have dreamed this a year ago.
I think they’d better prepare for even more airplay, playlists and fans, for their new single is their best yet. For Step Into The Light, Talkbøx collaborate with Nick Double, a Dutch DJ/producer with a fresh and unique sound. His tracks have already been supported by some of the world’s biggest DJ’s. Think Hardwell, Tiësto, Nicky Romero, David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, W&W, Sander Van Doorn, R3HAB, Dyro, and many more!
Step Into The Light is a cool track in every sense of the word. And other than you might expect from a danceable tune, it touches upon a social issue. The lyrics emphasize the increasing polarisation in our society. The individual versus the masses in the constantly changing world around us. As an individual music lover, I can only wish the masses fully embrace this song and its message! Epic stuff!
Recommended as well:
Talkbøx – People People People
Talkbøx – Reach Out
Follow Talkbøx on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Nick Double 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.
single trackindie | pop | rock
King No-One – Obsolete
Around eight years ago, three musicians from all over the UK met in York. Zach Lount, Joe Martin and James Basile went on to form King No-One. They started out busking for money, building a loyal fanbase. Now, in ‘normal’ times, they sell 8.000 concert tickets a year.
Obsolete is the band’s new single. A great song that combines ‘00s R&B and ‘90s grunge with drum computer sounds straight from the ‘80s. It takes inspiration from artists spanning genres as well as decades, which results in a song full of energy.
Lount says Obsolete is about ‘the pursuit of hedonism to mask the shame that depression can leave you with. And the first acknowledgment that you kinda suck and don’t want to suck anymore’.
Recommended as well:
King No-One – Bad Porno
Follow King No-One 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.
single trackindie | pop | rock
Julia Bardo – Do This To Me
The first time I heard Julia Bardo’s new single, I though it was former 10,000 Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant. But she isn’t, obviously.
Bardo was born in Northern Italy. There, she sang and wrote lyrics for a local band between shifts at her father’s bar. After relocating to Manchester, she joined post-punk band Working Men’s Club. Nowadays however, she’s working hard to develop her solo career. She already supported Blossoms live, and played her own headline shows.
10 September, she’ll release her debut album Bauhaus, L’Appartamento. It was named after the apartment complex she lived in when demoing the album’s recordings, but with an Italian twist. Ahead of the long-player, she just released her new single. “Do This To Me is a very personal song about feeling abandoned, growing up and family”, according to the singer, songwriter and guitarist.
The introspective lyrics are accompanied by a charming, lush and laid-back melody. After listening, you’ll probably forgive me for mistaking Julia Bardo for Natalie Merchant, both vocally and musically.
Follow Julia Bardo 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.
single trackpop | rock
Winnetka Bowling League & Sasha Sloan – barcelona
Alexandra Yatchenko is an American singer and songwriter with Russian roots, known professionally as Sasha Sloan. She’s the 402nd most popular artist on Spotify which, on a global scale, is huge! In 2019, Winnetka Bowling League opened for her on tour and they’ve kept in touch ever since. When WBL front man Matthew Koma sent her a demo of his new track, barcelona, she immediately fell in love with it.
The final version has just been released. It’s the first single from the band’s upcoming EP, which follows their single Congratulations. Most importantly: it continues that song’s poppy sound. Barcelona has the bouncing indie-pop melodies we’ve come to expect from WBL. With every new single, they come closer to perfecting that sound.
Koma says of the track: “barcelona is a song about still being able to have love for the person that it didn’t work out with. I always feel the urge to discredit every ounce of a relationship after it’s over because it feels way better than scrolling the highlight feed… but sometimes there was a lot of good worth recognizing and the ending doesn’t have to be this big dramatic ‘delete all’.”
For Sasha Sloan, this collaboration follows earlier alliances with Meghan Trainor & Lennon Stella, Kygo, Charlie Puth and Sam Hunt.
Recommended as well:
Come To The Beach
Diane
Feeling California
Follow Winnetka Bowling League on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow Sasha Sloan 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.
single trackindie | rock
Valeras – Rita
Valeras are a Reading-based duo, consisting of Rose Yagmur and Max Sealy. The former’s family fled their home in Venezuela to settle in the UK when she was just 10 years old. They didn’t receive the warm welcome they had hoped for, and struggled to become accepted in their new country. For Rose, this resulted in feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and consequently a desire to empower the downtrodden. All of this is reflected in her lyrics.
Since 2018, Valeras went on the road with the likes of Yonaka, Drenge, King Nun and The Wombats. They also played festivals across the world, including Sziget (Hungary) and Mad Cool (Madrid). In the process, they released seven singles, which racked up millions of streams in total.
The duo just dropped single #8. Rita is an explosive indie-rock track; undoubtedly their most ambitious and personal work to date. It was co-written and co-produced by Tarek Musa (of Spring King) and mixed by Claudius Mittendorf (Weezer, Parquet Courts).
Late in the summer, Valeras will finally release their eagerly awaited debut EP.
Follow Valeras 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.
