Browsing Category wildcard
Wildcard (week 49):
Julie Zenatti – Tout Est Plus Pop
Julie Zenatti is a French singer and actress of Algerian, Italian and Jewish descent. After being discovered in a karaoke bar in 1994, at the age of 13, she recorded two songs with Lenny Kravitz, but those were never released. She only released her first album in the year 2000.
Zenatti’s ninth album is expected to be due next spring, accompanied by concerts in April 2020. The first single off the album is Tout Est Plus Pop, a title that couldn’t have been more appropriate. It’s light, accessible, sparkling, catchy, memorable, short and snappy… an invitation to sing along. Probably the best song Lio (Amoureux Solitaires) never recorded.
In the newly-released video, the singer travels through 40 years of pop music, based on gems she finds in her record collection. About the clip she says: “It’s not meant to be nostalgic, just an ode to music entering our lives and creating memories.” This might as well have been a description of Carte Blanche Music…
Tout Est Plus Pop by Julie Zenatti is the new 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.
Wildcard (week 48):
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
Armenian-American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer Sebu Simonian may not be a household name (yet). But I’m sure you know some of his music. As a commercial jingle writer, he co-wrote a demo for a cola ad. It was called Safe And Sound. When it got rejected, he formed the band Capital Cities and released the single independently. It became a worldwide hit, and the cola brand came back around to license the song for an ad after all.
Now, Sebu has his first solo single out: The Secret Is Out. A song with an equally impressive story. He says about it: “Engrossed by news about wars in the Middle East, I learned more about veterans struggling with PTSD. I decided to tackle the unconventional topic. (…) The animated music video depicts a female war veteran suffering from PTSD. She returns to the comfort of her home and the arms of her loved one, but can’t escape visions of war. It is directed by Italian animator Marco Pavone.”
The song itself features a prominent beat and fierce synth bursts, with beautiful strings on top, courtesy of Lucas Vidal. A great companion to the current autumn weather, The Secret Is Out by Sebu is this week’s 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.
Wildcard (week 47):
Deacon Blue – City Of Love
Since their classic introductory album Raintown, Deacon Blue boasted 7 million album sales, two UK number one albums and 14 hit singles. The Scottish sophisticated pop band are inseparably linked to my former Carte Blanche radio show. Their debut single Dignity was one of the first songs I played in my first broadcast in 1987, while Gone was a logical choice for the very last song I ever played on the radio at the end of 2016.
Almost exactly three years on, Ricky Ross, Lorraine McIntosh and their lovely band are back once again. Not only announcing their largest tour ever, but a new album as well. City Of Love (due for release on 6 March 2020) is their tenth studio long-player. It contains 11 songs with the same theme: even in the corners of a town or a life where no light falls, hope can prevail.
The album’s title track is the band’s new single. An instantly recognizable Deacon Blue song with driving strings, Ross’s rasping voice and McIntosh’s angelic backing vocals. A band on top of their game!
City Of Love is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Recommended as well:
Deacon Blue – Gone
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.
Wildcard (week 46):
The Mowgli’s – Fighting With Yourself
Formed around Venice Beach, California in 2010, The Mowgli’s were named after the dog of one of the band members. Obviously, the animal was named after the main character from the Jungle Book movie. Between 2013 and 2016, The Mowgli’s were a fixture in my Carte Blanche radio show. Their debut single San Francisco was my Record of the Week in early 2013, just like I’m Good, exactly two years later. The reason why? Their songs are ridiculously catchy.
Said radio show may have evolved into this blog, but The Mowgli’s are still around. They left their major label to continue as an independent band. With that in mind, it’s interesting to see the band describe their new single Fighting For Yourself as ‘a self-empowering rock anthem reminding you to get out of your own way and love yourself’.
Following the departure of lead singer Colin Dieden from the band, Katie Jayne Earl is stepping into the spotlight for the first time to provide lead vocals. She does a great job on this single, which is rockier than we’ve come to expect from The Mowgli’s. With Fighting For Yourself, the band secure another Record of the Week spot on Carte Blanche Music. It’s the new 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.
Wildcard (week 45):
Halie – Good Kids
Now that Sigrid and Aurora have been embraced by worldwide audiences, Norway’s next superstar is ready for take-off. Hannah Emilie Grung is only 18 years old and off to a great future. Her 2018 single Youth already attracted over 1 million listeners on Spotify alone.
Halie used a short radio silence to finish school and write some new songs. The first of this bunch is out now. Good Kids sounds more mature and edgy than her earlier work. Imagine a combination of Charli XCX and early Lorde. Over a bed of thumping beats, Halie sings about everyday teen issues. A message that sticks, since the singer is only a teen herself.
Good Kids is the first single off her upcoming debut EP, and this week’s 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.
Wildcard (week 44):
Palaye Royale – Hang On To Yourself
Palaye Royale are a Canadian fashion-rock trio (Remington Leith, Sebastian Danzig and Emerson Barrett), currently based in Las Vegas. The band is named after the Toronto dancehall where their grandparents met in the 1950s. Combining fast-paced dirty rock ‘n’ roll, glam, sweat, showmanship and song-writing, Palaye Royal aim to build a bridge between the swinging cool of the ‘60s and the swagger of latter day Brit Pop. The Animals singer Eric Burdon’s daughter Alex persuaded the founder of the Sumerian label to go and see the band. He offered them a contract the same night.
So far, Palaye Royal put out two albums: Boom Boom Room Part 1 and Part 2. Additionally, they released 3 singles in anticipation of album #3. Perfectly timed for Halloween, the band’s latest single is a smash. Hang On To Yourself by Palaye Royale is this week’s 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.
Wildcard (week 39):
Georgia – Never Let You Go
I can’t wait for the new year, for it’s sure to start with a bang. On 10 January 2020, Georgia will release her second album Seeking Thrills. Each new single off it is better than the one before. The best so far, About Work The Dancefloor, was a Carte Blanche Music Wildcard in April.
Now, Georgia repeats that feat with her brand-new single Never Let You Go. A Robyn-esque song with a ludicrous catchiness, that was entirely played by the talented London artist and producer. Easily one of the best pop songs of the year so far, this is the one that should propel her onto radio playlists around the globe. If not, music directors should be fired and replaced by people with ears.
As a stamp of approval, let me remind you one last time that Georgia is the daughter of Leftfield’s Neil Barnes. But soon, he’ll be referred to as the father of Georgia. Never Let You Go is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. The repeat button was invented for this kind of songs.
Recommended as well:
Georgia About Work The Dancefloor
Georgia – Started Out
Georgia – Feel It
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.
Wildcard (week 38):
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 Lauret is certainly one to watch. Her debut single is this week’s 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.
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.
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.
