Browsing Category single track
Jacob Fitzgerald – Pretty Good For My Mind
Melbourne-based Jacob Fitzgerald began his career as a singer-songwriter, but he explored new sounds and genres during the lockdowns. In 2021, he feels best at home in the pop-rock field. He’s currently recording his second 7-track EP Pretty Good For My Mind, and released the title track as its first single.
Pretty Good For My Mind is an energetic song with punchy drums, warm guitars and vocoder backing vocals. It even features a good old saxophone solo. Speaking of the tune’s lyrical theme, Fitzgerald shares: “Whilst this track is conceptually about how my folks met, the overall message is that our partner should bring out the best in us. They should be good for our minds!”
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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.
Breakaway – I’m Feeling Dead
TikTok users say they discover a lot of ‘new’ music on the platform. But when you’re young and you hear Fleetwood Mac for the first time, that’s new to you as well. Meanwhile, some brand new songs have a very old-school sound to it. That’s completely fine as far as I’m concerned.
Take the new single by Breakaway for instance. I’m Feeling Dead sounds like a classic emo/punk-pop song. Except for the first 10 seconds, when the Australian five-piece put you on the wrong track. With a marching snare line and a subtle piano, it opens deceivingly as a mellow song. Soon enough however, all the stops are pulled out. They up the tempo, and introduce kicking drums and heavy guitars. All of a sudden a potential tear-jerker turns into a stadium-ready banger.
The band’s new EP Death Valley will be out on 24 September.
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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.
Merci, Mercy – Winnie Crush
In March 2020, Mercedes Thorne released her first proper single Fucked Myself Up as Merci, Mercy. It was a song about dependence on alcohol. Her new single Winnie Crush has the same theme, lyrically. In a press release, the singer explains it’s “about a toxic relationship that I have with myself [and] these bad habits that I’m letting take control over my life. I can barely afford what is good for my body let alone what’s bad for it.”
If you now think ‘not much has changed in that year and a half’, think again. Following her break-through EP No Thank You, No Thanks, Merci, Mercy signed a record deal with Capitol Records in the US and EMI in the UK. Both companies are part of the world’s largest record company, Universal Music Group. So, now that she’s become a household name in her native Australia, the world is next on her roadmap.
Winnie Crush is a catchy track with walking bass lines, funky guitars and a bearable level of vocoder. As always, Merci, Mercy doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve. Her lyrics are direct, brutally honest and very relatable. A potential future star.
Recommended as well:
Merci, Mercy – Fucked Myself Up
Follow Merci, Mercy 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.
King Stingray – Milkumana
King Stingray are a five-piece band from Yirrkala, a community in North-Australia. It was formed by Roy Kellaway and Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu, who are relatives of Yothu Yindi founders Stu Kellaway and Mandawuy Yunupiŋu. In the early ‘90s, Yothu Yindi were instrumental in voicing the push for Aboriginal recognition. Their hit single Treaty is one of the most important tracks in Australian history.
So, there are big shoes to fill here, but King Stingray’s star is rising fast! Milkhumana is only their third single, following accidental lockdown anthem Get Me Out and debut single Hey Wanhaka. It’s an upbeat track with a disco-leaning groove. Although it’s partly sung in Yolŋu Matha, it’s catchy enough to sing along to (or pretending to do so). Kellaway explains: “It’s about role models and the importance of setting good examples for the new generation.” Who could be against that?
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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 35):
Self Esteem – How Can I Help You
Are you ready for ‘something completely different’ (as Monty Python would have it)? I can help you! How? By introducing you to Self Esteem’s new single. Built around only drums, vocals and voice effects, it doesn’t sound like anything else out there. And If you think this minimal set-up sounds dull, you couldn’t be more wrong. Maybe this is the right time to hit the play button below, while you read on…
I don’t know shit, but How Can I Help You is a ferocious beast of a song. A track born of frustration (to quote James). Rebecca Lucy Taylor (her real name) describes it in a press release as ‘a biting response to the misogynistic standards and objectification that women are subjected to’. And yes, that’s Self Esteem herself playing the drums.
Be sure to check the video as well. It captures a live solo performance of the song that’s sticky in more ways than one. The artist explains: “I wanted to play the drums in the video to reclaim how often I used to feel self conscious playing them. The physical act of a woman playing a drum means your tits move – all I ever wanted to do was play but it always came with this fear of being looked at in that way. Now my tits move for me, my song, my video. I’m also aware it’s probs a nice watch if you’re that way inclined, but I’m afraid if you wanna watch it you have to hear what I’ve got to say. Click for the tits, stay for the feminism!”
This powerhouse of a track is taken from Self Esteem’s upcoming second album Prioritise Pleasure, set for release on 22 October.
How Can I Help You is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It’ll feature here prominently for seven full days. At your service!
Recommended as well:
Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure
Self Esteem – Girl Crush
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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.
siné – 2Good2U
If you’re a regular follower of Carte Blanche Music, you know Denmark bursts with musical talents. Copenhagen, especially, is fertile ground in this respect. Just like recent recommendations RoseeLu, Mina Okabe, School Of X, mags and Dopha, newcomer siné is based there as well.
That hasn’t always been the case, by the way. At a very early age already, she left Denmark (including all worries, expectations and future plans) behind. She started to travel the world as a backpacker. However, upon return siné discovered nothing had changed, really. That may sound as a disillusion, but the experience was priceless. Playing street corners, bars and clubs, she made new friends around the globe. And equally important: she developed her own musical style, inspired by ‘90s R&B and hip hop, the legendary Motown-feel and carefree sunshine pop.
2Good2U, only siné’s second single, is a great example. It’s playful and full of funky chord changes, spacey horn sections and break beats. Throughout, it’s held together by her incredibly soulful voice.
Siné says about the song: “It was really meant to be the ultimate break-up song. But while I was going all Girl Power and feeling free, I was hit by the insecurity that always haunts you when you’re trying to leave someone for good. And so instead, I ended up feeling totally miserable about myself. 2Good2U is about the inner fight that comes with not being able to stand up for your ridiculous self when life needs to change. It’s a reminder that you are the one in your life who can make the chance to move forward from what might seem like a catch-22.”
Follow siné on Facebook | Instagram | 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.
Mina Okabe – Miss Those Days
Mina Okabe was born and raised in London to a Japanese mother and a Danish father. Having lived in big cities such as New York and Manila, she grew up with multiple different cultures, languages, sounds and voices. This background heavily inspired her song-writing. Where others keep their diary under lock and key, 21-year-old Mina is an open book. Her lyrics give an honest look inside the head and thoughts of a young woman.
Now Copenhagen-based, she writes blissful, dreamy pop songs that shimmer of optimism, which she delivers with a soft voice. Her just-released debut album Better Days holds ten fine examples. The fact that half of these have been released as singles over the last year, proves the strength of this bunch of songs. And there’s more where this came from.
Miss Those Days is Mina’s new single. “It’s about friendship – about a close friend of mine. We used to be together all the time but one day she had to move far away. Even though we promised to stay in touch, everything we had just faded out and disappeared. Miss Those Days is about everything you take for granted and the wonder of sudden change”, Mina Okabe says.
Recommended as well:
Mina Okabe – Walk Away
Follow Mina Okabe 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.
Evie Irie – Bleed
Evie Irie is an Aussie native who released three EP’s (5 Weeks In LA, The Optimist and The Pessimist) in just two years’ time. Her two most recent songs are on neither of them, so hopefully EP #4 is on its way.
Bleed is Evie Irie’s new single. It’s cleverly produced by Dutch-born, Sydney-based Louis Schoorl (who worked with 5 Seconds Of Summer, Delta Goodrem, De La Soul, The Veronicas and many others), and Xavier Dunn (Amen Mustang, Slum Sociable, Sarah Wolfe and others). The track features one of those gorgeous walking basslines that are getting more and more (back) into fashion. Another absolutely catchy feat is the stadium-ready ‘la-la-la’ part, which brings Self Esteem by The Offspring to mind. In the chorus, her singing style (reminiscent of Lizzo’s Juice) shows she’s a girl with attitude.
EnigmaOnline’s description (‘she strikes a balance between the wild sonic bliss of Willow and classic Gwen Stefani ‘Just A Girl’ energy’) is spot on.
Follow Evie Irie 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.
Charlie Collins – Just My Luck
Aaaaaaaand we’re back! The holidays were fine, but I like recommending great new music just as much. I hope you enjoyed the daily Song Snacks during my vacation, but as of today, I’ll pick up adding a few words of background info again…
Following Fuck It and Honey Can We Run Away (feat. Kasey Chambers), Just My Luck is Charlie Collins’ third single of the year. Knowing all three of them will appear on her as-yet-undated second album makes I’m very much looking forward to it.
Just My Luck is an up-tempo pop-rock track of less than two-and-a half minutes. Produced by Gab Strum (a.k.a. Japanese Wallpaper), it combines punchy drums, soaring guitars and subtle synths with Collins’ sweet pop-vocals. Lyrically, it started about how a stagnant relationship can still be preferable to loneliness. However, when her relationship dissolved during the writing process, it transitioned to a powerful evocation of acknowledging when something isn’t right, and the catharsis of discovering the strength required to overcome heartache.
Recommended as well:
Charlie Collins – Fuck It
Follow Charlie Collins 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.
Almost Monday – Cool Enough
*SONG SNACK*
Recommended as well:
Almost Monday – Live Forever
Follow Almost Monday 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.
