Browsing Category wildcard
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.
Wildcard (week 35):
Lush Puppy – Ms. Grey
And now for something completely different… Please meet new Netherlands-based duo Lush Puppy. Singer Roos studied at the Rock Academy in the Dutch city of Tilburg. Italian-born Gabriel is well-known in the EDM scene as half of DJ duo Gabriel & Castellon. They collaborated with Sam Feldt, Robin S., Todd Terry and others. From that perspective, Lush Puppy seems far beyond his comfort zone. In truth, however, it’s actually where he and Roos both feel they can strut their stuff.
Ms. Grey is only Lush Puppy’s second single, after debuting with Wear Me Out. Just like Confidence Man a few years ago, they combine disco, funk and pop. It’s catchy and accessible, but with an alternative edge. And please, take a few minutes to listen to the hilarious lyrics.
Honey, take the trash outside!
This week, Ms. Grey by Lush Puppy will feature here prominently as 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 34):
Nicolah – Holiday
Nicolah is a Cumbrian singer-songwriter, based in London. Her music is a sum of fresh life experiences about faith, sexuality, and culture. She explains: “I often see life from 2 sides of the same coin, and I battle with these sides in my head. What I have to come back to is hope.”
Her new single Holiday is the third release in a 3-track series, developing the concepts of reflection, refraction and dispersion. It was preceded by Waiting On You and Out Of The Pie. Inspired by everyone from Bruce Hornsby and Paramore to The Beatles, to me, Holiday sounds like a great mix of Jade Bird and early Melissa Etheridge. A song with ‘summer smash’ written all over it.
For starters, Holiday by Nicolah is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This means it will feature here prominently for a whole week!
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 33):
Terouz – Outstanding
Born in Cairo, professional illustrator/singer-songwriter Karim Terouz moved to Montreal in 2008. With his brassy, folk/rock quintet The Rising Few, he released two albums. Then, after losing his father, he decided to re-emerge under the guise of Terouz.
His debut single Outstanding is a great piece of pop noir. Driven by muscular, groovy bass lines, and with Karim’s Bowie-esque vocals throughout. “It’s like Cohen on a treadmill”, the Egyptian/Canadian artist summarizes.
Terouz calls his first single ‘an ode to my journey of renewal’ and ‘an empowering Rocky-esque anthem’. He explains: “Last year felt like a never ending s#%t storm. With the shadow of my father’s passing laying over me, my musical aspirations were hitting a wall with my band and I was pretty close to pulling the plug on it all. I stopped everything to take care of myself. I dove deep into writing, belted out (in despair!) improvised vocal lines to recorded melodies while running up and down the Mont Royal… every day, like an obsessed work-out maniac. I focused on getting clear.”
This song is, indeed, Outstanding. And I’d like to make it stand out even a little bit more, by featuring it here prominently for a whole week. Outstanding by Terouz 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 32):
The Howl & The Hum – Human Contact
The inspirations of The Howl & The Hum range from Leonard Cohen and Phoebe Bridgers to Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar, and they have also been likened to Massive Attack, Radiohead and Alt-J. To be honest, I hear neither of these influences shine through in their own music, and that is meant to be a compliment. The Howl & The Hum created their own style, while playing live, a lot.
Hot on the heels of recent single Hall Of Fame, the band unleash the furious follow-up track Human Contact. A damn tight piece of music! “Human Contact is a fast-paced miserable disco touching on mental health and what it means to be alone in a digital age,” frontman Sam Griffiths explains. “The lyric deals with the idea of alienation vs. technology. When there’s so much communication going on around us at all times, can we ever feel a true connection?”
A great song with an important message. Does is get any better? Yes it does. Human Contact by The Howl & The Hum 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.
