Browsing Category wildcard
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 31):
indie | pop
Wildcard (week 31):
Parcels – Comingback
The summer here in Western Europe may be somewhat underwhelming, but luckily Parcels are here to create a sunny atmosphere. Comingback is their second track of the year, following June’s single Free. Both songs will appear on the band’s next album, which they finished recording recently.
In a statement, the band said Comingback was one of the band’s earliest ideas after the release of their last album. However, it ended up one of the last songs to be completed after being rewritten a number of times.
The track is built around an infectious piano part and a lively rhythm section with breakbeat-like drum patterns. Throughout a beautiful string arrangement gives the song extra class. The bridge has a great build-up with vivid percussion and orchestral elements, culminating in a musical climax of sorts.
Comingback by Parcels is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so it’ll feature here prominently for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Parcels – Tieduprightnow
Follow Parcels 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 30):
indie | pop | rock
Wildcard (week 30):
Torres – Thirstier
This week, Brooklyn-based indie-rock singer-songwriter Mackenzie Scott (a.k.a. Torres) will release her fifth album Thirstier. Ahead of it, she serves the dynamic title song as its third single. It combines twinkling, delicate verses with explosions of guitars and drums in a thunderous chorus. Near the end, she even throws in some blazing trumpets.
Thirstier is Torres’ second long-player in two years’ time. It follows 2020’s self-produced and critically acclaimed record Silver Tongue. She recorded the new album in the UK, co-producing it with Rob Ellis and Peter Miles.
Torres’ single Thirstier is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This means it’ll feature here prominently for a whole week!
Follow Torres 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 29):
pop
Wildcard (week 29):
Baby Queen – You Shaped Hole
Following her debut EP Medicine, which Baby Queen only put out in November 2020, she has a new collection of songs lined up. This time it’ll be a mixtape, named The Yearbook, that will be unleashed on 3 September. With the release of her new single You Shaped Hole, exactly half of the ten tracks to appear on it are out in the open already.
If these tracks have one thing in common, it’s their consistently high quality. Bella Latham (the singer-songwriter’s real name) has the talent to pack her misery in ultra catchy and accessible pop tunes. The anti-hero the world needs right now.
Baby Queen says about You Shaped Hole: “I was super heartbroken when I wrote this song, and my ex was dating this beautiful supermodel after dumping me in Clissold Park in North East London. I went through a bit of a wild phase, as one does, and was doing everything I could possibly do to feel better. At the time I had this image in my mind of a hole inside my body that was shaped exactly like my ex, and it was as if I was trying to fill that hole in any way I could. But the things I was filling it with never reached the corners or made me feel any better, they just cluttered my life.”
You Shaped Hole by Baby Queen is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so it’ll feature here prominently for a whole week!
Recommended as well:
These Drugs
Raw Thoughts
Follow Baby Queen 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.
album track, wildcardWildcard (week 27):
indie | pop
Wildcard (week 27):
beabadoobee – He Gets Me So High
Indie-pop darling beabadoobee is currently recording her sophomore album. Bridging the gap between her debut album and the upcoming release, she put out the EP Our Extended Play. The ‘our’ in its title refers to the fact the EP is a collaborative effort between Beatrice Laus herself and her label mates Matt Healy and George Daniel of The 1975. They co-wrote and produced the songs.
The 4-track-collection already produced two singles: Last Day On Earth and her current single Cologne. However, I’d like to introduce you to closing tune He Gets Me So High, which is a real gem. Light and summer-y, it brings the jangle pop of bands such as The Byrds and R.E.M. to mind. Meanwhile, it may also have been inspired by The Cure’s more poppy output.
He Gets Me So High was originally written by Healy and called She Gets Me So High. You can also hear him sing in the call-and-response bridge. This would make a great summer single if you’d ask me!
Ahead of that, He Gets Me So High by beabadoobee will feature here prominently for a whole week as the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.
Recommended as well:
beabadoobee – Charlie Brown
beabadoobee – She Plays Bass
Follow beabadoobee 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 26):
indie | rock
Wildcard (week 26):
Slothrust – Once More For The Ocean
2021 was off to a good start when American band Slothrust released their first single of the year, Cranium. Following sophomore track Strange Astrology they now serve up Once More For The Ocean. It’s arguably the catchiest of the three and a great set-up track for the band’s sixth album, set for a 10 September release.
Indie rock anthem Once More For The Ocean doesn’t waste time shifting into gear. It’s quickly out the starting blocks with an upbeat intro and doesn’t slow down. Well it does, just after the 2 minute mark, but the intermezzo basically serves as a potential future stadium break.
Front woman Leah Wellbaum says about the track: “This song felt like it was handed to me by the ocean. It came to me when I was sitting on some rocks and staring at one of my favourite oceans in the world, on Star Island off the coast of Rye, New Hampshire. (…) It is about the search for a greater consciousness in times of chaos. For me that feeling of oneness often shows up when I am spending time in nature.”
Once More For The Ocean by Slothrust is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently for a whole week.
Follow Slothrust 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 25):
indie | rock
Wildcard (week 25):
Lauran Hibberd – Bleugh
Imagine you’re a DJ and happy enough to be able to announce Lauran Hibberd’s new single Bleugh. Wouldn’t that just make your day? Alas, not many radio stations nowadays are brave enough to program the kind of music Hibberd makes. Especially since her output is getting louder and louder with every release. It just so happens however her songs are getting stronger and stronger at the same time. So, these unadventurous radio stations are in fact depriving their listeners of some damn fine music, which they’d deserve to hear.
Bleugh is Hibberd’s new single, which sees the 23-year-old musician from the Isle Of White switch between singing and speaking. It’s an explosive, ferocious track that allows her to kick out her frustrations about falling for people that you soon realize are the kind of folk you don’t particularly want in your life. Yet, you still find yourself getting sucked in.
She explains: “You’ll probably find these people in bands called something like ‘broken cyclists’ or better yet in moody solo projects called something pretentious like ‘bora boring’. It’s my favourite track of mine, and I’ve been sitting on and incubating this girl for a while. It feels really good shouting ‘Bleugh’ btw, I recommend you try it out.”
The single is released ahead of Hibberd’s sophomore EP Goober, set to be unleashed in July. It’s her first body of work since her debut EP Everything Is Dogs, which came out in 2019.
This week, Lauran Hibberd’s new single will feature prominently at the top of the Carte Blanche Music blog as our new Wildcard. Bleugh!
Recommended as well:
Boy Bye
Bang Bang Bang
Sweat Patch
Hoochie
Follow Lauran Hibberd 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 24):
indie | pop
Wildcard (week 24):
Jonas Brøg (feat. Lilian Vieira) – I’m Your Nr. 1 [Brazilian Version]
It’s heart-warming to see people claw their way back after hard times. Especially when they’re your friends. Full disclosure: Jonas Brøg is a good friend of mine. A sweet and wonderful chap. He’s had his share of hardship in the past years, but he fully embraced his music (and not in the least his family) to recover from the darkness.
It’s been too long since we last spoke, but his music spoke for him. It was great to ‘hear’ him see the light at the end of the tunnel and walk towards it. If his new single is something to go by, he left the tunnel behind him. I’m as happy for Jonas as the song is in itself.
I’m Your Nr. 1 sounds like a ray of sunshine over a recently re-opened terrace. That already goes for the solo version, but the Brazilian Version is even more summer-y. It features additional vocals in Portuguese, and a guest appearance by Zuco 103 singer Lilian Vieira.
Jonas is throwing a party, and he invites you to come dance with him. Welcome back my friend, meet you there! Or here, for I’m Your Nr. 1 by Jonas Brøg is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
My Father’s Hand (feat. London Community Gospel Choir)
That Feeling
All Across The Sky
I Think Of You I Cry (feat. Laura Mathilde)
Follow Jonas Brøg on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Lilian Vieira on Facebook | 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 23):
hip hop | indie | pop | soul
Wildcard (week 23):
Dylan Cartlidge – Hang My Head
North Yorkshire artist Dylan Cartlidge didn’t have the easiest of youths. In 2018, he appeared on the BBC documentary The Mighty Redcar, which followed people’s struggles in a town that has faced its fair share of hardship. This documentary proved a turning point for Cartlidge. The years since then have been nothing short of amazing for him. His music grabbed the attention of the likes of NME and BBC Radio One. Also, he performed at festivals like Glastonbury and SXSW.
9 July, he’ll release his debut album Hope Above Adversity, which has been his long-time motto. He created the record with world-class producers and engineers such as Eg White, James Dring, Dan Parry and Edmund Irwin-Singer from Glass Animals.
Hang My Head is the album’s new single. Although the song has come from a place of pain, it’s a euphoric feel-good track. It opens and closes with a catchy whistle. In between, we hear a groovy bass, upbeat drums, an uplifting choir and motivational lyrics about positivity and self-reflection. Cartlidge’s voice is stirring throughout. To me, the song sounds like a perfect mix of Around Town by The Kooks and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Sacrilege.
Speaking on his new single, he says: “Hang My Head is a track about when you take a wrong turn or make a bad choice and feel like you’ve let yourself and others down. It’s then also about learning from your mistakes, growing from within and trying to get yourself back out the front door, knowing that you are doing yourself, your work and your family justice.”
This week, Hang You Head by Dylan Cartlidge is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. As such it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a full seven days.
Follow Dylan Cartlidge 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 track, wildcardWildcard (week 22):
pop
Wildcard (week 22):
Dua Lipa – Love Again
When the pandemic started, 15 months ago, many artists were afraid to release their new material. They put a lot of effort and money into it, and would obviously like to recoup that. You can hardly blame them from postponing their music.
But you can applaud the ones who decided to go ahead with their plans. Who had the guts and self-confidence to put out their albums anyway, helping their fans get through the misery in the process. Dua Lipa was the first ‘AA artist’ to do so, and guess what? It made her a ‘triple-A artist’. Her album Future Nostalgia was an ‘all killers, no fillers’ affair, and just what the world needed at the time.
Within a year after its release, she even put out a star-studded DJ Mix of the record (Club Future Nostalgia) and an expanded version (The Moonlight Edition) with 8 more bonus tracks. Also, she staged a massively successful live stream concert, and every one of her (rare) TV performances is unique. Rumour has it she’s currently shopping for a larger house, to have enough room for all the awards she won last year. A power woman and a true example for fans and other artists alike.
One of my favourite songs on Future Nostalgia has always been Love Again. A great pop track, based on a sample from My Woman by Lew Stone & The Monseigneur Band (1932). The same sample that was made famous by White Town, who used it 65 years later in their smash hit Your Woman. The overall mint production with added strings makes Love Again a great, sophisticated tune. Sure to be liked by people of all ages. It’s the 11th(!) and last single to be lifted off The Moonlight Edition of Future Nostalgia, but destined for the charts once again. And rightly so!
This week, Love Again by Dua Lipa is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so it’ll feature at the top of the blog for a whole week. Not because she needs it, but because she deserves it.
Follow Dua Lipa on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Recommended as well:
Physical
Don’t Start Now
Swan Song
Bad Together / Genesis
Thinking ‘bout You
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.
album track, wildcardWildcard (week 21):
indie | pop
Wildcard (week 21):
Stefanie Heinzmann – Labyrinth
32-year-old Swiss singer and songwriter Stefanie Heinzmann has had quite a diverse career so far. She started as singer in rock band BigFisch, but went on to win a German TV talent show in 2008. This brought her national stardom. In the years that followed, she won many hearts with a soulful repertoire. Throughout the years however, her music has become more and more poppy.
This has resulted in a very contemporary sound on her new, sixth album Labyrinth. The record was preceded by four singles, but the best track has yet to be released as such. I’d like to suggest the opening song and title track of the album for Heinzmann’s next single.
Labyrinth is a powerful, upbeat and tight tune in the best synth-pop tradition. With its funky guitars and catchy backing vocals, it contains hints of Gossip. But this could have been a great Alice Merton track as well. I bet that’s the influence of co-writer Michelle Leonhard, who penned songs for Merton before.
Labyrinth by Stefanie Heinzmann is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week!
Recommended as well:
Stefanie Heinzmann – You Get Me
Follow Stefanie Heinzmann 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.
