Browsing Tag funk
Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
I think Dua Lipa’s single Be The One is one of the best pop songs of this decennium. Ever since I was one of the first to play it, she’s been a fixture in my Carte Blanche radio show and on this blog. In the meantime, she’s gone on to become one of the most popular female solo artists in the world. Her eponymous debut album (which spawned no less than 11 singles) is the most streamed album by a female artist in Spotify’s history. Also, she is the youngest female artist ever to attract 1 billion views on YouTube.
Now, exactly four years after the release of Be The One, Dua Lipa is back with another banger. It may be called Don’t Start Now, but it certainly is the start of a new era, with a new musical direction. Her second album will feature more live instruments (rather than electronica). On top of that, she collaborated with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.
The influence of the Chic frontman is very clear on Don’t Start Now, although he doesn’t appear in the credits. Nevertheless, the song is a funky nu disco anthem with ‘Nile Rodgers’ written all over it. Dua Lipa explains: “I chose to put this song out first so I could close one chapter of my life and start another. Into a new era with a new sound! It’s about moving on and not allowing anyone to get in the way of that. It also felt like a natural first song choice as I made it with the brilliant same crew I made New Rules with.”
Recommended as well:
Dua Lipa – Swan Song
Dua Lipa – Bad Together / Genesis
Dua Lipa – Thinking ‘bout You
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.
Jara – Don’t Drop The Funk
Jara Jurado, a musician and songwriter from San Diego, is inspired by ’80s horror films like ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ and ‘The Lost Boys’, as well as artists like Prince and The 1975. Just in time for Halloween 2019, the horror-pop icon has launched a new single.
Don’t Drop The Funk opens with a playful intro before a tight synth-bassline kicks in. Further synth stabs, screams and a guitar solo add some suspense, but it never gets scary. On the contrary, this might be the most (radio-)friendly Halloween song you’ll hear this year.
Recommended as well:
Jara – Something Else
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.
Latest Wildcards: Client Liaison, Sheila & The Kit, Kasador, Lizzo & Ariana Grande
Aaaaaaaaaand, we’re back! After a great holiday in Australia, I’m completely ready to continue and recommend you the best new tracks. Most of them are too good for the radio, but as a music missionary man, I see it as my duty to provide them with a platform. In the end, of course, it’s you who decides.
October wasn’t only a great month to take some time off, it was also a great month for new music. Traditionally, in anticipation of the year-end period, October is a month with many releases. This year is no exception. Throughout my holiday, I updated my Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist regularly. Head over there for an overview of recent new tracks you wouldn’t want to miss. Today, I’ll also resume my recommendations on this blog. But for a start, let me present to you the Carte Blanche Music Wildcards of the past four weeks:
Week 40: Client Liaison – The Beat Supreme
It only felt appropriate that the first Wildcard during my holiday would come from an Australian act. Enter indie-pop duo Client Liaison, consisting of Monte Morgan (vocals), and Harvey Miller (keyboards, producer). I wrote about their earlier single The Real Thing before. The band are influenced by late ’80s and early ’90s electronic and house music, as can be heard again on their new single The Beat Supreme.
Week 41: Sheila & The Kit – Mike [Edit]
Easy Lover by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins was the very first Wildcard in 1985. Mike by Sheila & The Kit was #1800! It’s a track off the Dutch alternative synth-pop outfit’s first EP, appropriately titled EP. Since it lasts 7’39 on there, I suggested it should be edited and put out as a single. And ta-dah… someone listened 😉. Although four and half a minute have been chopped off, the song still has the same great vibe and energy. It now fits the dance floor and the radio!
Week 42: Kasador – Givin’ It Up
You may know Canadian indie-rock band Kasador from their recent track High Rise. This is one of the 12 tracks on their debut album Brood And Bloom. The long-player was partly produced by Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair of The Tragically Hip, and partly by Graham Walsh (Sam Roberts, Lights, Wintersleep). The latter produced the band’s new single Givin’ It Up.
Week 43: Lizzo & Ariana Grande – Good As Hell [Remix]
In 2016, Lizzo recorded Good As Hell for the soundtrack of the movie ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’. It also served as the lead single from her debut EP Coconut Oil. Following her performance at the MTV Music Video Awards, it’s climbing up the Billboard charts. A new version of the song, as a duet with Ariana Grande, will only enhance this success. A well-deserved belated hit.
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.
Band Of Skulls – Gold [Richard X Remix]
Since the amicable departure of drummer Matt Hayward, Band Of Skulls are a duo. Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals) and Emma Richardson (bass, vocals) continued the acclaimed British rock band. Last April, they released their fifth album Love Is All You Love. It was produced by Richard X, who also co-wrote four of the tracks.
Stand-out track (and album closer) Gold has now been chosen as Band Of Skulls’ new single. With its funky guitar parts, throbbing bassline and handclap rhythms, it’s a lovely slice of dark disco music.
Recommended as well:
Band Of Skulls – Cool Your Battles
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 38)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Devon – I Don’t Want 2 B Ur Friend (Wildcard this week)
- Agat – I’ve Done It Again (Wildcard last week)
- Barns Courtney – Fun Never Ends
- Calby – The Everyday Bit
- Con Brio & Lyrics Born – Mistakes
- Emma – Io Sono Bella
- Mélodie Lauret – 23h28
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Fall Out Boy feat. Wyclef Jean, Green Day, Halsey, Pet Shop Boys feat. Years & Years, Rick Astley, Sam Fender, Supergrass, Weezer, and many more.
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.
Con Brio & Lyrics Born – Mistakes
In 2017, Con Brio first shared the stage with rapper Lyrics Born. From that moment on, they knew they wanted to work with him. This resulted in a recording session in Con Brio’s own studio. The session produced two songs: Sundown, to be released later this month, and new single Mistakes.
The latter combines the band’s rocking soul with the rapper’s cool, contemporary raps. Think Anderson .Paak, but funkier. “In the studio, I felt like I understood them instantly, and it was effortless”, Lyric Born said about Con Brio. “I gave my input in the recording process as a band, and they knew how to bring the best out of me as well. It has been nothing good vibes since day one, which will ultimately come across in the recordings.”
Both tracks are perfect promotion for Con Brio and Lyrics Born’s collaborative tour along the American East Coast, next October.
Recommended as well:
Con Brio – Too Lit 2 Quit
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 37)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Agat – I’ve Done It Again (Wildcard this week)
- Lush Puppy – Ms. Grey (Wildcard last week)
- Citizen Kay – Ego
- Miss June – Anomaly
- Simple Creatures – Thanks, I Hate It
- Skylar Grey – Shame On You
- Superbird – Super Superior
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Camila Cabello, Editors, Elvis Crespo, Foster The People, Hooverphonic, The Allergies, and many more.
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 36)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Lush Puppy – Ms. Grey (Wildcard this week)
- Nicolah – Holiday (Wildcard last week)
- Ana & The Changes – Differences
- beabadoobee – She Plays Bass
- Raffaella – Ballerina
- Union Duke – 123
- Zuzu – Get Off [2019 Version]
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below. Only Differences by Ana & The Changes is not available on Spotify yet.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Cigarettes After Sex, Sheryl Crow & St. Vincent, Beth Hart, Alphabeat, Sløtface, and many more.
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.
Superbird – Super Superior
Superbird are a British trio, consisting of Joe Sin (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Ash (drums, vocals), and Freddy Sidero (bass, vocals). Their music is as colourful as their suits. But let’s just stick to the music, shall we?
If you like disco, funk and/or the ‘80s in general, these lads are your new best friends. They already surprised with songs like Cola Bottle Fizz and Year On String Along. The former, their very first single, has even been chosen by British TV host Sara Cox as the theme tune for her new show. It may have been useful that drummer Alex worked with her as a soundman, but still… 😉
Super Superior is Superbird’s fifth single and arguably their best yet. It’s funky, with disco flavours, handclaps, and tons of energy. The first few bars remind me of Kool & The Gang’s Celebration, but then the bass kicks in. This is a real mood booster. If its uplifting guitar and infectious hook don’t make you feel good, please call 911.
Recommended as well:
Superbird – Year On String Along
Superbird – Cola Bottle Fizz
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.
Citizen Kay – Ego
At the age of six, Citizen Kay and his family migrated from Ghana to Australia. He made it his mission to make music that blended traditional hip hop with soul, jazz, blues and rock. He refined this task with each new album, developing into a seasoned songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
Following his debut mini album Demokracy (2014), With The People (2015) and Belly Of The Beast (2017), he has now written brand-new material. The first of these songs is his new single Ego. A true vibe-starter with its funk-filled guitar and bassline, and swirling keys and strings.
Citizen Kay explains the motivation behind the song: “Ego might seem like a song about me chasing a long lost love or something. But it’s my love/hate relationship with money.”
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.
