Browsing Category single track
Katie Kittermaster – Lukewarm Lover
Kent singer Katie Kittermaster built quite a fanbase opening for acts like Soul II Soul, Kaiser Chiefs, Rick Astley, Olly Murs and Lucy Spraggan. COVID-19 may have temporarily stopped the touring, but it didn’t stop the singer from touching new hearts. The songs she put out in 2020 were supported by over 80 radio stations in Great-Britain alone.
Kittermaster has a knack for wrapping up honest, melancholy lyrics in uplifting instrumentation. Her new single Lukewarm Lover takes this concept to a new level. It’s a cleverly crafted pop song, that’s more modern, electronic and danceable than her songs so far.
Talking about the track, she says: “Lukewarm Lover is a track about a relationship where the spark has fizzled out. Both parties are just going through the motions, but don’t know really how to bring it to its natural conclusion. (…) It’s less apologetic and doesn’t dance around the evidently tricky situation, I love this about it, as I feel it shows real personal growth as well as (hopefully) my development as a writer too!”
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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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
The Hengles – No Time For Tea
The members of The Hengles previously played in illustrious Dutch ‘80s and ‘90s bands like Fatal Flowers, Treble Spankers, Supersub and Jack Of Hearts. Each of them bands with classic influences, before becoming classic themselves. No wonder, then, that their new outfit makes equally timeless music. Among the many layers of their songs, they also include snippets of their sources of inspiration. A smart way of making them instantly likeable and recognizable. With success, for the past year, the band’s singles were played on radio stations all over the world.
No Time For Tea is another highlight in The Hengles’ six year career. Its intro echoes R.E.M., while Flash & The Pan’s Hey, St. Peter shines through elsewhere. Fine ingredients to spice up an already great pop tune. Another big fish for The Hengles!
Recommended as well:
Down To The Water
Follow The Hengles on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Inspector Spacetime – Dansa Og Bánsa
And now for something completely different… Honestly, dance is not a genre you’ll find in large quantities at Carte Blanche Music. Nothing personal. But obviously, as always, there are exceptions to every rule.
Inspector Spacetime are a Reykjavík-based pop trio. More precise: Egill Gauti Sigurjónsson, Vaka Agnarsdóttir and Elías Geir Óskarsson are three dance-lovers. They released their self-titled debut album, an odd mix of energetic dance tunes and love songs, on 8 January. Drawing inspiration from French and UK dance music, the exciting hyper-pop movement, disco and fellow scandi-pop acts, it’s a fun and diverse album.
Dansa Og Bánsa is probably the most hi-NRG tune on the album. It’s definitely the happiest one. Talking to Icelandic site grapevine.is, Inspector Spacetime say about the song: “We made it on the first day we officially created the band and just kept throwing vocals on and creating huge choirs of funness. The lyrics are basically ‘I like to dance and bounce and dance and bounce’, so it’s basically a song for children. All our songs are basically songs for children. We make songs to help children practice their grammar. We try to give back, you know?”
When they had nearly finished the track, they decided to add a flute solo to make it a little more extravagant. All in all, it ended up a fun, fantasy-disco song.
Follow Inspector Spacetime on Instagram | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wildcard (week 4):
Tom Jones – Talking Reality Television Blues
Tom Jones may be 80 years of age, after 58 years in the business he is still as relevant as ever. From It’s Not Unusual to Kiss to Sex Bomb, he always had a good nose for the musical trends. In that respect, it might seem odd that he’s chosen to record a covers album as his next project. The long-player, Surrounded By Time, will be out on 23 April. It features songs by Cat Stevens, Michael Kiwanuka, Tony Joe White and Bob Dylan.
Jones’ new single however, is a remake of Todd Snider’s Talking Reality Television Blues. But it’s unrecognizable. Snider’s version, only from 2019, was a two and a half minutes short country song. Jones stretches it out over six and a half minutes. His version has almost a Stone Roses drum shuffle, a Beck-like blues guitar and a Bob Dylan-style vocal. Other influences appear to come from acts like Baz Luhrmann, Radiohead and Public Service Broadcasting. Brilliant lyrics as well, by the way.
This week, Talking Reality Television Blues by Tom Jones is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so you’ll find it at the top of the blog for a whole week!
Follow Tom Jones on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Lilly Wood & The Prick – You Want My Money
French-Israeli vocalist Nili Hadida and Parisian guitarist Benjamin Cotto formed Lilly Wood & The Prick in 2006. They cite ‘80s French pop by Etienne Daho and Michel Delpech, guitarists J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton, and the ’60s soul of Aretha Franklin and Etta James as their inspirations. Apart from three French hit singles, their 2010 debut album Invincible Friends also included the original version of Prayer In C. Four years later, a Robin Schulz remix of this song provided the duo with their worldwide break-through. It went to #1 in most of Europe, was a Top 10 hit in Australia and also scored well in the US.
To date, they haven’t had another international hit, but their new single sounds like a solid tune. You Want My Money follows last year’s single Lonely Life. It’s the second single off the duo’s upcoming fourth album. Lyrically, it denounces our consumption society, which is based on expenses and unrealistic beauty norms. Musically however, it combines a retro rhythm with modern production, which results in a happy-sounding, groovy song.
Follow Lilly Wood & The Prick on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Archie X – Karma Sucks
Only five months ago, Belgian duo Archie X’s maiden single Loud Boy made a big impression. On me, at least, and I launched my most powerful promotional weapon: I made it the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This means a song is highlighted on my blog for a whole week. And then… nothing much happened, really. A bloody shame, I still think it’s one of the strongest debuts in recent years.
But, one can also win a match in the second half. And Charline D’Hoore and Tom Lodewyckx’ sophomore single Karma Sucks is another winner! Even though it’s a totally different track than their first.
Karma Sucks is a dreamier affair. Its first part reminds me a bit of one of 2013’s finest moments: Everything At Once by Lenka. Throughout the song, the production is ace. The combination of an acoustic piano with a subtle electronic beat and dosed vocal effects is accessible, but with an edge. People with ears on their head will put this on their (radio and streaming) playlists.
For those still in doubt: Archie X’s very first band repetition ever will be live streamed on their Facebook page, Saturday 6 February at noon. How about that for self-confidence?
Recommended as well:
Archie X – Loud Boy
Follow Archie X on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Mia Wray – Never Gonna Be The Same
Mia Wray is a 24-year-old singer and songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Her career is off to a very promising start. Her debut single Work For Me was included on numerous Spotify editorial playlists. Also, it was supported by Elton John on his Beats 1 radio show.
Never Gonna Be The Same is only Wray’s second single. A huge, mesmerising pop song with a bluesy touch, that brims with self-confidence. Apparently, its overall theme of self-empowerment isn’t only directed to the song’s listeners, it applies to its singer as well.
Talking about the inspiration behind the track, Wray explains: “I found myself in situations both personally and professionally where I wasn’t being valued or heard and something finally just snapped inside me. I realised I could take control of my own narrative and by trusting my gut and understanding my worth… I unlocked the thing that I always knew was in me and I’ve finally found where I’m meant to be.”
Follow Mia Wray on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Sam & Sounds – Silly
At the age of 17, Samuel Gemmell decided to pursue music with all he had. He started busking in 2019, earning enough money to be able to quit his job. Busking not only trained his voice, it also generate a small following, which is now expanding quickly. His career really took off in 2020 (in the middle of the pandemic), when he released no less than six self-penned singles as Sam & Sounds.
Now a 19-year-old, Silly is his first track of 2021. It’s another feelgood indie-pop gem, energetic and infectious to the max. For fans of bands like Satellite Stories, Two Door Cinema Club and Hippo Campus.
“Releasing it in Lockdown 3, seems quite appropriate”, he says. ”Honestly, this is just my overly dramatic artistic way of telling my girlfriend that I miss her and love her. I’m a bit wet, but I own it!”
Follow Sam & Sounds on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Julietta – Not Today
After battling with anxiety and depression, Julietta decided to leave New York for Los Angeles. Although she physically moved away from her problems, they’re still an inspiration for her songs. Also for her new single Not Today. It details her process of letting go of hardships and bad habits to focusing on grounding herself. She explains: “I know what rock bottom feels like, to be in the dungeons of my mind, I’m not scared of it, but I refuse to go back.”
Not Today’s lyrics are mostly sung-spoken, but the chorus comes alive with a choir harmonizing the chant ‘I’m not going back to the bottom, not today’. This gives the track a powerful, anthemic feel. Meanwhile, bouncy keys and light percussion add a feeling of optimism, of hope for a brighter future.
Julietta released six tracks in the past year. All of these will be compiled on her new EP Levitate, due out on 5 February.
Follow Julietta on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Lou Hayter – Time Out Of Mind
London native Lou Hayter has begun a new chapter of her already impressive musical career. She started as keyboardist for the band New Young Pony Club, with whom she toured the world for eight years. Since then, she was one half of Tomorrow’s World (the other half being Air’s Jean-Benoît Dunckel) and formed The New Sins with Nick Phillips. While they’re working on new material in Paris, Hayter started a solo career.
On 7 May, her solo album Private Sunshine will come out. According to her label, it will encompass her love of acid house, ‘80s hits, yacht rock, electro, future pop and disco. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Many of these ingredients can be heard in her new single Time Out Of Mind. The intro reminds of Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters, but after 15 seconds a Steely Dan-like synth comes in. Bulls-eye, for Time Out Of Mind is indeed a cover of a track from Fagen & Becker’s 1980 Gaucho album.
Hayter says about her version: “Steely Dan are my favourite band. So I approached this cover with my utmost respect and tried to be reverent. I chose a bit more of a deep cut from their album Gaucho. My friend Jeff Wooton who plays with Gorillaz very kindly added this mega guitar solo on the record. He nailed it in one take which was amazing to watch. I hope it has the same happy sunshine sound that Steely Dan brings to me when I listen to them.”
Follow Lou Hayter on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
