Browsing Category wildcard
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 9):
Wildcard (week 9):
The Heavy – I Feel The Love
Put a big red cross in your agenda to mark 21 April. Thatâs the date The Heavy will release their sixth album, Amen. You might want to set your alarm as well, just to be sure. For a new album by this British quartet always turns out to be a true âeventâ. Especially since itâs three and a half year since they last put out new music. The long-player was produced by Tchad Blake, who worked with everybody from Crowded House and Pearl Jam to Sheryl Crow and The Black Keys.
I Feel The Love is the bandâs new single. In good The Heavy tradition, itâs full of energy. The song combines rock, funk, soul and â first and foremost â a healthy dose of gospel. As a result, itâs a super swinging affair that soothes the mind and spirit. An ultra American sound for a band from the European continent. Praise The Heavy!
Speaking about the track, front man Kelvin Swaby says: âThe world feels as if itâs burning down at times and that itâs being torn apart by divisive agendas and evil personality traits. This is a solid reminder that as challenging as that is and may feel from day to day, we feel and will always believe, in Love. Always and forever.â
This week, we totally feel the love for The Heavyâs new single. Itâs the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Last Man Standing
Fighting For The Same Thing
Follow The Heavy on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 8):
Wildcard (week 8):
Bailen – Call It Like It Is
Twin brothers Daniel and David and sister Julia Bailen were born and raised in New York. The rising indie-pop trio just announced their sophomore album Tired Hearts will be out on 5 May.
While they recorded their debut album after testing the songs on the road tirelessly, they took another approach on this follow-up. This time, many of the songs were honed in the studio as opposed to live. This resulted in 12 original songs that are centred around Bailenâs radiant harmonies and adventurous arrangements. Lyrically, they wrestle with an uncertain future where ethics and morality – both communal and personal – are constantly shifting. In their own words, itâs a set of songs that ânavigates the space between the heartâs expectation and the headâs sober realityâ.
Bailen co-produced their new album with Brad Cook, who worked with Bon Iver, Waxahatchee and Snail Mail before.
Alt-pop anthem Call It Like It Is is the first single off Tired Hearts. It was co-written by Bailen and X Ambassadorsâ Adam Levin and Sam Harris. Itâs âan anthem for anyone who refuses to be taken advantage ofâ, the band stated. âIt unmasks the ugly truth behind shiny veneers.â The beat-driven, bass-heavy track comes with a cult classic thriller style video.
Call It Like It Is by Bailen is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Bailen on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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, soundtrack, wildcardWildcard (week 7):
Wildcard (week 7):
Gabrielle Aplin – Be Yourself
English singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin rose to prominence early in her career, when she was asked to record a cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywoodâs The Power Of Love. It was the soundtrack of department store John Lewisâs annual Christmas commercial and went on to top the UK Singles Chart. The one-off single was soon followed by her debut album English Rain, which became a hit as well.
Aplin started 2023 with a bang, putting out her fourth album Phosphorescent. Less than a month after that, sheâs already come up with two brand-new tracks: Side By Side and Be Yourself. Both were written and recorded for the computer-animated fantasy comedy film âThe Amazing Mauriceâ.
In an interview with Atwood Magazine, she says about the project: âI am big into music and film. I love it. It was really lovely to work to a brief. (âŠ) As a fan, it was a really wonderful experience. Itâs a really wholesome film about literally being yourself and community, and how your individuality is your superpower. I loved writing that. I love putting bits of the script into the song. It was a really wonderful thing to do and a really wholesome experience.â
Be Yourself is Aplinâs new single. A joyful, up-tempo song with a lively beat and an infectious guitar riff. The uplifting lyrics reflect the filmâs main theme.
Be Yourself by Gabrielle Aplin is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow her on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 6):
Wildcard (week 6):
Dolores Forever – When I Say So
Close friends and songwriters Hannah Wilson (from Yorkshire) and Julia Fabrin (from Copenhagen) met at a house party in London. Connecting over their love of Mitski, Sharon Van Etten, Stevie Nicks and the Spice Girls, they formed Dolores Forever. Their 2022 EP Baby Teeth collected the singles the duo released since 2021. They went on to release three more tracks that same year and have been tipped across media and radio alike as one of the most exciting new acts to make an impact in 2023.
Their first single of the new year is titled When I Say So. It was produced and mixed by Grammy Award winner Ben Allen, who worked with Gnarls Barkley, Animal Collective, MIA and Big Moon before. The song takes Dolores Foreverâs dreamy pop to yet another level, with hooks, harmonies and a festival-sized chorus to boot. This is the track to elevate the duo from just ones to watch, to one of the most exciting acts of 2023.
âWhen I Say So is about reluctantly growing up,â Dolores Forever explain. âA song for the curious who want more than they are supposed to expect. Thereâs the moment when youâre suddenly not the ingĂ©nue in the room anymore and everything around you is changing. Youâre not sure youâre on the same ride as everyone else.â
When I Say So by Dolores Forever is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Dolores Forever on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |Â Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 5): Nell Mescal – Homesick
Wildcard (week 5): Nell Mescal – Homesick
Just 19 years old, Nell Mescal makes an impressive entrance into the entertainment world. Homesick is only her second official release, but a very promising one.
Hailing from Maynooth in Kildare, Ireland, the young emerging singer-songwriter has been singing all her life and has been performing in groups and choirs for as long as she can remember. During the pandemic, she decided to make music her career. She moved to North London, where sheâs surrounded by other young creatives and kindred spirits.
Mescal wrote her charming new single with Jamie N Commons and Cameron Montgomery whilst in Los Angeles. However, it was inspired by her move from the cosy country side to the big city. She explains: âIt’s about when I first moved to London from Ireland and really missed home, but also being determined to stick it out so it doesnât look like I failed at moving away. The lyrics give a bit of insight to how hard it is to move away at a young age and the loneliness that comes with it, while the music is upbeat and hopeful to show that you can do hard things and that you can make a home wherever you go if you give it time.”
Homesick by Nell Mescal is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Nell Mescal on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 4):
Wildcard (week 4):
Altered By Mom – Dive In
I consider myself a huge Altered By Mom fan. 2020 was an extraordinarily prolific year for the Canadian duo; they released one song every week, resulting in a massive, truly great album, aptly titled 52 Songs. Two hours and 30 minutes very well spent.
Unsurprisingly, Gina Kennedy and Devon Lougheed eased down after fulfilling that project. They participated in a Christmas single at the end of 2021 and were completely off the musical radar last year. Now, thankfully, theyâre back! Diving head first into the new year, Altered By Mom just released a beautiful new single.
Dive In is a classic power pop song, with a hooky psychedelic sound which the duo describe as âSt. Vincent and Lenny Kravitz racing Lamborghinisâ. Lyrically, itâs a call to action to chase after the things that scare you the most. A relatable tune that clocks in just under the 3 minute mark.
Altered By Momâs comeback single Dive In is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
More from the band @ Carte Blanche Music
Follow Altered By Mom on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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.
remake, single track, wildcard
Wildcard (week 3): Luude & Issey Cross (feat. Moby) – Oh My
Some songs bring back great memories. I remember only too well I drove on the island of Curaçao in a cabriolet, while Mobyâs Porcelain blasted out of the car stereo. A wonderful holiday in lovely company, musically as well. That must have been in the summer of 2000, when Porcelain was a worldwide hit. A beautiful, subtle song that showed another side of an artist who was previously known mostly for his harder hitting, danceable songs. Personally, I love both sides of Mobyâs artistic output.
23 years later, Australian producer Christian Benson (Luude) breathes new life in the classic track. It didnât take him much more than the original strings and a frantic drum & bass beat to make it ready for todayâs dance floors. Talented 21-year-old UK singer-songwriter Issey Cross then laid some beautiful vocals on it. The new version, re-titled Oh My, already received Mobyâs seal of approval. He commented: âIâd love to say something smart or insightful about Oh My, but honestly when I first heard it I simply thought, âfuck, this is great!ââ
Bound to become a huge hit all over again! Youâd better put on your dancing shoesâŠ
Oh My by Luude & Issey Cross (feat. Moby) is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Luude on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Issey Cross on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Moby on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 2):
Wildcard (week 2):
We Are Scientists – Settled Accounts
We Are Scientists are singer/guitarist Keith Murray, bass player Chris Cain and drummer Keith Carne. As professional musicians, they can live off their music, but I still think they deserve a much broader audience. As their music has broadened over the years (from post-punk via indie rock to a more pop-leaning sound), I bet the trio agree. Alas, as streaming allows lovers of all kinds of niches to find music of their liking, radio has started to become more uniform, with most stations trying to reach the same listeners. Hopefully other channels, like less narrow-minded music bloggers, can help expose great bands like We Are Scientists.
The New York City-based band is currently preparing for the 20 January release of their 8th studio album Lobes. In preparation of this self-produced long-player, they released four tracks. Settled Accounts is the latest of this bunch. A song with a funky guitar throughout, and be honest, whatâs not to like about that? Murray says of the tune: âMurray said: âItâs nice that things have come full-circle. Strident old Keith would have argued that funk was the one true musical genre. And here we are, with our funkiest tune yet.â
Following the album release, We Are Scientists will play a host of live shows in Europe, where their star has always shone brighter that in their home country. Donât miss them!
Settled Accounts is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means itâll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Operator Error
One In, One Out
Follow We Are Scientists on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 1):
Wildcard (week 1):
Ainsley Costello – Cherry On Top
2023 has started and we hit the ground running. Ainsley Costello featured here as a Song Snack last December, but today, she grabs the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means her new single will be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a full seven days. Talking about a cherry on topâŠ
Ainsley is an 18-year-old singer, songwriter, and performer. Currently based in Nashville, but originally from Seattle, she began performing at the age of 7. By the time she was 14 she could hold down a 3-hour set with a full band of adult musicians. In 2022 she won the ISSA (International Singer Songwriter Association) Young Adult Artist of the Year award. But those are all things of the past, letâs now look forward to 2023, the year sheâs about to deliver on her promise.
Cherry On Top, Ainsleyâs 24th release, is a rocking pop song full of attitude. I bet Pink and Paramore are amongst her favourite acts of the century. What makes it stand out however, is the soft ukulele thatâs placed strategically in between walls of heavy-hitting guitar and drums.
Lyrically, this revenge song tells the classic story of a relationship gone wrong. At the same time, itâs an inspirational song. In Ainsleyâs own words: âThis song is all about how itâs possible to be the bigger person even when relationships and friendships turn sour.â
Cherry On Top by Ainsley Costello is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Itâll be only one mouse click away for a whole week. Enjoy!
Follow Ainsley Costello on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs 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 52):
Wildcard (week 52):
Karin Simonian – Fade Out
Karin Simonian is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, who appears to have emerged onto the music scene out of nowhere. For Carte Blanche Music followers however, her last name may sound familiar. This is the catch: sheâs the sister of Sebu Simonian, of Capital Cities fame. Heâs also the one who co-produced her debut album 11 Degrees Of Love.
The 11 tracks on this long-player have been put out one by one throughout last year. The album release coincided with the birth of this new single. Fade Out is another strong and beautiful piano-led pop song with driving drums. Also, it has a fitting title, considering this is the last âold-styleâ Carte Blanche Music post.
Fade Out by Karin Simonian is the last Carte Blanche Music Wildcard of 2022. Itâll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week, ready for you to discover.
Recommended as well:
Beat Of My Heart
Follow Karin Simonian on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2022 playlist youâll find all of this yearâs Carte Blanche Music Wildcards.
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.
