Browsing Category wildcard
Wildcard (week 45):
Jade Bird – Love Has All Been Done Before
Ever since her debut single Cathedral, I’ve been a Jade Bird fan. She started her career singing covers of songs by the likes of Pixies, Beyoncé and Drake, but switched to originals upon the release of her debut EP Something American, in the summer of 2017.
Last August, her single Uh Huh was a Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and later that month, I witnessed her live with only her guitar and great voice at the Lowlands festival. She came, saw and conquered. Alas, Dutch radio was probably looking the other way at the moment, but thanks to support from radio stations in northern Europe, Uh Huh is currently a well-deserved Top 3 hit in the European Border Breakers Charts.
Without further ado, Jade Bird just released her new single Love Has All Been Done Before, a tune that goes down well at her concerts as well. The song starts off sweet enough, but already after a few lines, there’s no more holding back and the track builds up to an explosive chorus. Sounding like she ate a handful of gravel, Love Has All Been Done Before is easily her most energetic and rocky single to date.
While we’re eagerly awaiting Bird’s debut album to land early in 2019, we give her new single wings by making it her second Carte Blanche Music Wildcard in a row.
In the Wildcards 2018 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):
The Proclaimers – Then It Comes To Me
Who cares about the music everybody likes? Just listen to the music you like! That’s why playlists are so much more fun than charts these days: you hit play, and all you get are killers, no fillers. My mission with Carte Blanche Music is to provide you with great new music (both by emerging and known bands), and hopefully inspire you to add it to your (radio or Spotify) playlist.
Recently, I recommended album track You Make Me Happy by The Proclaimers. This week, Charlie and Craig Reid make me happy with the official new single off their latest album Angry Cyclist. Then It Comes To Me opens as a ballad, but the lads up the tempo 40 seconds into the song, only to burst into a folk rock tune pur sang another 40 seconds later. It’s one of the best four to the floor tracks of the year so far, and 31 years into their career, the Scottish twins are still in excellent voice.
Although they managed to become successful, The Proclaimers have never really been fashionable. This new single probably won’t become a hit, but as said: who cares about the music everybody likes? Me, for one, I adore the duo, as well a Then It Comes To Me. Therefore, I made it this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard.
In the Wildcards 2018 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 43):
Isaac Gracie – Show Me Love
Isaac Gracie’s record label released six singles off his self-titled debut album (one of them being former Carte Blanche Music Wildcard Silhouettes Of You). Five out of those six were down-tempo tracks, effectively positioning the artist as a balladeer. James Bay, who signed to the same major company, got the same ‘treatment’. A shame, for both artists have more rock in them then those singles gave them credit for.
Hopefully, Isaac Gracie can set the record straight with his new material, and especially the tracks that are being put forward to promote these new tunes. His first new song makes me hopeful. Show Me Love is an up-tempo affair, with a structure out of the (streaming) book: after a short intro, it kicks off with the track’s title, and continues with verses and choruses that are equally catchy. After just over 3 minutes, it’s all over, making you long for more.
It’s early days, I know, but with more songs as strong as this one, the future looks bright for Isaac Gracie. For starters, Carte Blanche Music shows him love by choosing his new single as this week’s Wildcard. As a result, Show Me Love by Isaac Gracie is always only a mouse click away…
In the Wildcards 2018 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 42):
Harts – Shake Ya Pants
I’ve always been a fan of Darren Hart’s music, but the multi-talented multi-instrumentalist just launched another multi-genre cracker. And ladies and gentlemen, here it is: his best and most catchy track so far. Shake Ya Pants is as funky as ever, but this time, Harts adds some extra production. The song combines a wicked bass guitar, old-school brass, Temptations-like (bass-heavy) vocals and an overall juicy sound into a song that’s too infectious not to dance to.
“Shake Ya Pants is a light hearted and fun tune about being comfortable in your own skin. It’s kinda like a fun pep talk, encouraging somebody to be themselves when they may lack self-confidence,” the artist explains.
As always, the ghost of Prince looks over Harts’ shoulder, but with Shake Ya Pants, he appears to have found the sound he was always looking for. This epic career high is next week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. You can find all of them in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
Wildcard (week 41):
Janelle Monáe – Americans
On her latest album Dirty Computer, which was preceded by the single Make Me Feel, Janelle Monáe saved the best for last. Americans is the closing track on the album. Combining elements of pop, gospel, R&B, funk and neo-soul, it sounds like a tribute to Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy, but in fact, the song preaches the importance of all Americans coming together and being recognized for who they are and what they contribute to their country. But as we all know, that’s not the way it works in the United States nowadays. Non-male Americans, queer Americans, Americans of colour, poor Americans, etc. are looked down upon.
A spoken bridge and outro by Reverend Sean McMillan lists the marginalised people in contemporary America: “Until women can get equal pay for equal work… Until same-gender-loving people can be who they are… Until black people can come home from a police stop without being shot in the head… Until poor whites can get a shot at being successful… Until Latinos and Latinas don’t have to run from walls… this is not my America.”
I’m not sure if this is Monáe’s new single, but it’s playlisted by BBC Radio 6music. And that’s not all; a great track like this, with such an important message, deserves to be next week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard! All 41 of them, so far, are in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
Wildcard (week 40):
They Might Be Giants – The Communists Have The Music
They Might Be Giants are currently on tour through Europe and will continue in the USA, Canada and Australia afterwards. Last week, I saw them in legendary Amsterdam venue Paradiso, where they apparently never played before. It was a great 2,5 hour long gig in two parts, including lots of improvising, humour, songs that deserved to have been hits and of course the ‘ill-advised live fade-out’.
Front men John Flansburgh and John Linnell had four great multi-instrumentalists around them, playing their way through four decades of songs and song snippets. Yes, you read that right: They Might Be Giants already exist over 35 years, and I’ve been a fan since their 1990 break-through album Flood. Thankfully, many of the album’s songs still make their live set.
In the years between then and now, the Brooklyn band released many hundreds of songs. Via singles, almost 30 albums and their infamous Dial-A-Song service (via telephone and online), which features a new song (or idea) every week(!).
The latest track to be released via Dial-A-Song, and subsequently through the streaming platforms, is the brilliant The Communists Have The Music. Doing what they do best, it’s a witty, somewhat political, über catchy piece of nerd pop. An instant TMBG classic with the melodic hooks the band is renowned for.
I couldn’t stand this opportunity to (re)introduce you to this great band, and made The Communists Have The Music the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. My pleasure to put it in your face (and ears, especially) a whole week long. Enjoy!
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):
Sofi Tukker & Pabllo Vittar – Energia (Parte 2)
Make sure to go and see Sofi Tukker live, if you can. Last August, I saw the American duo, consisting of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, at the Lowlands festival in the Netherlands. A great gig with inciting rhythms and good beats that got the whole crowd bouncing, while the often Portuguese lyrics gave an extra tropical flavour to the music. It’s true, Sofi Tukker have a well-documented affinity for Brazilian culture, welcoming soca and bossa nova grooves into their hooky electro-pop.
One of the stand-out tracks during the set was a spiced-up version of last year’s Energia, that has now been released as a single. This new mix includes an assist from the almighty Brazilian drag queen Pabllo Vitar and lives up to its title even more than the original. Imagine this tune being played out loud at a festival… If this doesn’t make you dance, nothing will!
This week, Energia (Parte 2) by Sofi Tukker & Pabllo Vittar is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This means the track is only one mouse click away for a whole week. You can find all of this year’s powerplays in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
Wildcard (week 37):
Sigala feat. Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor & French Montana – Just Got Paid
British DJ, record producer and remixer Bruce Fielder, known professionally as Sigala, has been scoring hits since he first entered the scene in 2015 with his Jackson 5-sampling debut single Easy Love. Since then, he scored 10 huge international hits, that often featured powerhouse vocals by artists like John Newman, Craig David, Hailee Steinfeld or Paloma Faith.
Ella Eyre, who sang on Sigala’s hit Came Here For Love, returns on his new staple. And she’s not alone, Meghan Trainor and French Montana accompany her. Just Got Paid is a funky slice of dance pop, with strings that remind me of Boney M’s 1976 hit Daddy Cool.
Sigala’s long overdue debut album Brighter Days will be out on 21 September, and if it features all of his 12 hits to date, it might as well have been called ‘Greatest Hits’.
His new single (not a cover of Johnny Kemp’s same-titled 1988 smash) is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Check them all in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
Wildcard (week 36):
Bernhoft & The Fashion Bruises – Humanoid
Grammy Award-nominated Norwegian singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Jarle Bernhoft just released his fourth full-length album Humanoid; his first as Bernhoft & The Fashion Bruises. About the title, he says: “So much current music is computerized and machinelike. I felt like I should go the other way and create human music again. It’s imperative to keep in touch with organic life, so I dove into those soundscapes. I rediscovered that touch. By ample use of guitars, drums, and bass, I’m trying to smash people out of Facebook and back into real life.”
Joined by The Fashion Bruises, the process for Humanoid commenced in old school fashion. “We didn’t use computers. We really played through everything. The Fashion Bruises are such an integral part of the sound. The days of playing solo aren’t over, but I’m definitely taking a break.”
In many respects, the title track is the perfect representation of Humanoid. A fuzzy, hummable guitar riff leads into an irresistible chorus that includes robotic voices and a Lenny Kravitz meets Stevie Wonder melody.
This week, Humanoid by Bernhoft & The Fashion Bruises is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. You can find all of them in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
Wildcard (week 35):
Lauren Daigle – Still Rolling Stones
Surely, Adele doesn’t have the exclusive rights to a specific sound, but when a song is compared to her, you immediately have an idea of what it must sound like. You can bet there’s an orchestra involved, it will have a certain drive and urgency, and of course it’s sung beautifully. In short, each ‘Adele (like) song’ could be a potential James Bond theme.
American singer Lauren Daigle is working in ‘Adele territory’ as well, and it’s hardly something to be ashamed about. On the contrary: Still Rolling Stones is a great song, which deserves to be picked up by many radio stations (and Spotify playlists, for that matter). It has all the right ingredients to score big, especially with the autumn on our door steps.
Three years after her debut album How Can It Be, Lauren Daigle is ready to release the follow-up. Look Up Child will be out on 7 September. If Still Rolling Stones is anything to go by, it might become one of the surprise hits of the coming months. Lauren’s voice has never been stronger than it is now, as it truly captures the heart of the song.
This week, Still Rolling Stones by Lauren Daigle is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so it joins the great collection of songs that is already in the Wildcards 2018 playlist.
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.
