Since its introduction in 1983, Yamaha’s DX7 has become one of the best-selling synthesizers in history. It defined the sound of ‘80s pop music. Instead of bothering to program their own sounds, most artists simply used the instrument’s presets. Its piano preset is probably the most famous, as it’s been used in many power ballads. Think of Whitney Houston, Chicago and Phil Collins, and I bet you can hear the sound in your head.

Another popular DX7 preset was the bass. You can hear it in songs like Madonna’s Who’s That Girl, Take On Me by a-ha and Kool & The Gang’s Fresh. And now, a brand-new track has been built around it as well: Vibrant by Greta Louise Schenk. She’s a German, Copenhagen-based singer, professionally known as Greta.

Vibrant is her first single since the 2020 release of her debut album Ardent Spring. The track is a shimmering slice of electro-pop, which sounds as if it were recorded in the ‘80s. You can thank (or blame) the DX7 for that. The lyrics are no less melancholic. Greta explains: “Vibrant is about two people who love each other and spend the lockdown together. It is about the feeling of reality becoming a blur, about losing sense of time, becoming restless and longing for something more. Something more from each other but from life too.“

The songs ends with a spoken part in German; a nod to Greta’s roots and the missing of her family.

Follow Greta on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl

Not bad for a band as young a Talkbøx (est. 2019). Their two most recent singles were not only played by radio stations in their home country the Netherlands. Not even only in the Benelux. Most European countries came on board. And even better: the songs lightened up airwaves as far and away as Jamaica, the United States, Canada and Thailand. I bet producer/beatmaker Dion Peters (Dion Dash), singer Dana Havrylyuk and guitarist/writer Mitchell Giebels couldn’t have dreamed this a year ago.

I think they’d better prepare for even more airplay, playlists and fans, for their new single is their best yet. For Step Into The Light, Talkbøx collaborate with Nick Double, a Dutch DJ/producer with a fresh and unique sound. His tracks have already been supported by some of the world’s biggest DJ’s. Think Hardwell, Tiësto, Nicky Romero, David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, W&W, Sander Van Doorn, R3HAB, Dyro, and many more!

Step Into The Light is a cool track in every sense of the word. And other than you might expect from a danceable tune, it touches upon a social issue. The lyrics emphasize the increasing polarisation in our society. The individual versus the masses in the constantly changing world around us. As an individual music lover, I can only wish the masses fully embrace this song and its message! Epic stuff!

Recommended as well:
Talkbøx – People People People
Talkbøx – Reach Out

Follow Talkbøx on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Nick Double on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl

Kate Hollowell has quite some experience in different corners of the entertainment world. She is part of LA punk band Slut Island, but has also shot music videos for the likes of Katy Perry. Now, she’s started a new solo project: Number One Popstar. With such a name, you’d assume it’s destined for failure. Musically however, it sounds like a potentially successful venture after all 😉 .

Forever 21 is only Number One Popstar’s third single. It has the same energy as, say, Maniac by Michael Sembello. The up-beat, danceable track starts with a kicking beat, a driving bass line and twinkling keys. Sounds carefree, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not.

Hollowell explains: “I initially started writing Forever 21 when I found myself looking back on my early ‘20s, wanting to recapture the hopeful and dumb feelings of my youth. But the longer I spent on the song, the more it became a reflection of the loss I faced when my parents passed away in my early ‘20s. I started looking at my own fear of death, of dying like them. I really didn’t know where my life was headed back then. (…) I eventually turned that painful experience into a motivation to go after everything I wanted in life. To be seriously less serious, recognizing everything is fleeting.”

Follow Number One Popstar on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl