Browsing Tag indie
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 6)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added this week (alphabetically):
- Gabrielle Aplin – Be Yourself
indie | pop
- Eddie Benjamin – All For Nothing
pop
- Bitter Kisses – Pr*y
indie | pop | rock
- Crystal Cities – I Should Have Known That This Was War
indie | pop
- Depeche Mode – Ghosts Again
electronic | pop
- Django Django feat. Self Esteem – Complete Me
indie | pop
- Harm & Ease – Meet Me At The Riot
indie | pop | rock
- Kezra – Insane
indie | pop | rock
- Naia Lika – Gas Station Bouquet
funk | indie | pop | soul
- Little Green – Dinner With The Moon
indie | pop
- Mal Fantôme – Higher
indie | pop | rock
- Manning – Hearts On Fire
indie | pop
- Peking Duk feat. Darren Hayes – I Want You
pop
- Roe – My Greatest Fear
indie | pop | rock
- Hannah Scott – Into Your Grief
acoustic | indie | melancholic | pop
- Super Ghost – Don’t Talk About It
indie | pop | rock
- Tired All The Time – One Big File
indie | pop | rock
- Joshua Ziggy – Can’t Go Back
indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.

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.
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 Forever’s 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.
“When I Say So is about reluctantly growing up,” Dolores Forever explain. “A song for the curious who want more than they are supposed to expect. There’s the moment when you’re suddenly not the ingénue in the room anymore and everything around you is changing. You’re not sure you’re on the same ride as everyone else.”
When I Say So by Dolores Forever is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Dolores Forever on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s 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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 6)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Nell Mescal – Homesick
(Wildcard this week)
- Altered By Mom – Dive In
(Wildcard last week)
- Dead Anyway – Big Foot
- Paddy Echo – Butterfly Kissing
- Hannah Grae – I Never Say No
- Rori – Encore
- The Utopiates – Making History
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.

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.
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 5)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added this week (alphabetically):
- Blaue Blume – Crush
indie | pop
- Dead Anyway – Life Is Brutal/Big Foot/The Dotted Line
indie | melancholic | pop | spoken word
- Dolores Forever – When I Say So
indie | pop
- Paddy Echo – Butterfly Kissing
indie | pop
- Girli – Imposter Syndrome
electronic | indie | pop
- Hannah Grae – I Never Say No
pop | rock
- Raye – Worth It.
indie | pop | soul
- Rori – Encore
pop
- Secret Lung – Phantom Limbs
indie | rock
- Jake Shears – Too Much Music
disco | indie | pop
- The Utopiates – Making History
indie | pop | rock
- We The Commas – Keep Going
indie | pop
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.

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.
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 she’s 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: “It’s about when I first moved to London from Ireland and really missed home, but also being determined to stick it out so it doesn’t 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 it’ll 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 you’ll find all of this year’s 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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 5)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Altered By Mom – Dive In
(Wildcard this week)
- Luude & Issey Cross (feat. Moby) – Oh My
(Wildcard last week)
- Bloodhype – On And On
- Boxteles – Harry And Bruce
- Clea – Easy To Forgive
- Fulminacci – Tutto Inutile
- Cailin Russo – Psycho Freak
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.

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.
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 4)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added this week (alphabetically):
- Blackbird – Down Down Down Down
indie | pop
- Bloodhype – On And On
indie | pop
- The Boo Radleys – Seeker
indie | pop
- Boxteles – Harry And Bruce
indie | pop | rock
- Vince Chinaski – Eat Your Peas!
indie | pop
- Clea – Easy To Forgive
pop
- dEUS – 1989
indie | pop
- Le Flex – Into You
indie | pop
- Fulminacci – Tutto Inutile
indie | pop
- Rose Gray – Sun Comes Up
indie | pop
- Trunky Juno – Tidal Wave Of Milk
indie | rock
- Zara Larsson – Can’t Tame Her
electronic | pop
- Leathers – Highrise
dance | electronic | indie | pop
- Weston Loney – We Get On
indie | rock
- MaeLeigh – Waiting For Your Love
dance | electronic | indie | pop
- The Man Who – Lose My Mind
indie | pop | rock
- Nell Mescal – Homesick
indie | pop | rock
- New Pagans – There We Are John
indie | rock
- PVRIS – Goddess
indie | rock
- Quietlove – Honest
indie | pop
- Lauren Ray – 24
indie | pop
- Cailin Russo – Psycho Freak
dance | electronic | indie | pop
- Stephen Sanchez – Evangeline
pop | soul
- Wild Horse – Cougar
indie | pop
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.

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.
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, they’re 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 ‘St. Vincent and Lenny Kravitz racing Lamborghinis’. Lyrically, it’s 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 Mom’s comeback single Dive In is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll 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 you’ll find all of this year’s 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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 4)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Luude & Issey Cross (feat. Moby) – Oh My
(Wildcard this week)
- We Are Scientists – Settled Accounts
(Wildcard last week)
- Alma – Hey Mom Hey Dad
- Veronica Fusaro – Weekend
- Matilda Mann feat. spill tab – Borderline Insane
- Hannah Trigwell – Treat You Better
- Wilmah – Crazy 4 Your Crazy
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.

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.
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 3)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added this week (alphabetically):
- Alma – Hey Mom Hey Dad
pop
- Altered By Mom – Dive in
indie | pop | rock
- Ameerah – The Carnival
pop | rock
- Champs – All The Wrong Places
indie | pop
- Dizzy – Birthmark
indie | pop
- Jasper Erkens – Burning Bridges
indie | pop
- Veronica Fusaro – Weekend
indie | pop
- Matilda Mann feat. spill tab – Borderline Insane
electronic | pop | rock
- Alice Merton – Waste My Life
indie | pop | rock
- New Divide – Delora
indie | rock
- Orange Skyline – Hungry
indie | pop | rock
- Sarpa Salpa – She Never Lies
indie | pop | rock
- Natalie Shay – The Edge
indie | pop
- Hannah Trigwell – Treat You Better
electronic | indie | pop
- Carley Varley – Somehow I’m Alive
indie | rock
- Wilmah – Crazy 4 Your Crazy
indie | pop | rock
Check them all in the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music Spotify playlist.
Follow (click ‘♥’) to hear the best new music first.

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.