Browsing Tag pop
Wildcard (week 36):
Nea – Cold Turkey
Linnéa ‘Nea’ Södahl is one of Sweden’s most acclaimed writers. You can find her name in the credits of hits by Zara Larsson, Skott, Felix Jaehn and many more. Hence she stepped into 2023 with over 2 billion streams as a songwriter and several international awards behind her.
But Nea is also an artist in her own right. Her first single Some Say was an immediate success in 2019, with 240 million streams on Spotify alone. The Felix Jaehn Remix did even better.
In November, she’ll release her debut album Transparent, and Cold Turkey is the fourth single to be released ahead of it. It was written by Nea, Joakim Åhlund (Charli XCX, Robyn, Sia), Cecilia Mix and Erik Hassle (Shakira, Icona Pop). Åhlund produced the track with Daniel Ledinsky (Shakira, Rihanna), who also produced large parts of the album.
Cold Turkey is a swinging bop, influenced by Nea’s personal favourites, such as No Doubt, Alanis Morissette and Fleetwood Mac. It’s stuffed with production tricks and treats, which provide a fresh and modern sound.
She says about the song: “Cold Turkey plays on the darkest sides of being in love. When the feeling of never wanting to let go of the other person goes to such an extreme that you seriously never intend to let go, until death literally do us part. But with a large dose of self-irony :-).”
Cold Turkey by Nea is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow Nea on Facebook | Instagram | 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 36)
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:
- Brooke Alexx – Never Liked Your Name
(Wildcard this week)
- May-a – ifyoulikeitlikethat
(Wildcard last week)
- Magnus Bechmann – Feel For You
- Hoshi – Puis T’as Dansé Avec Moi
- Karis – Happy
- The Melodaze – Castles From The Moon
- The Young Man – This Little Town
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 35)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Vanessa Amorosi – Wolf
indie | pop | rock
- Magnus Bechmann – Feel For You
indie | pop
- Jonas Brøg & Jozeph – Je T’aime
indie | pop
- Hoshi – Puis T’as Dansé Avec Moi
indie | pop | rock
- Karis – Happy
indie | pop
- Alex Lahey – Ego Is Not A Dirty Word
indie | rock
- Lapel – Break My Heart
indie | pop
- La Roux & Chromeo – Discoproof
disco | indie | pop
- The Melodaze – Castles From The Moon
indie | pop | rock
- Moving Into Tucson – Face In The Crowd
indie | pop | rock
- Nea – Cold Turkey
pop
- Old Mervs – Hey
pop | rock
- Päter – Something // Way
indie | pop | rock
- The Young Man – This Little Town
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 35):
Brooke Alexx – Never Liked Your Name
Brooke Alexx is a talented 29-year-old singer and songwriter. Half-Caucasian, half-Japanese, she was born in New Jersey and currently lives in Nashville. While building a career on social media, she first reached a large audience representing her state on the TV show ‘American Song Contest’, the US spin on the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’. Soon after, she had her big break with her song All My Exes’ Moms. She wrote and produced that track with all Asian musicians.
For her new single Never Liked Your Name, Brooke brought in an all-Asian team all the same. The result, which hits out to her exes once again, is as catchy as her break-through hit. Short and snappy, it’s another infectious, well-produced tune, that’ll go down well with fans of Maisie Peters and Taylor Swift. After teasing the song via TikTok for a few weeks now, it’s finally out.
Never Liked Your Name by Brooke Alexx is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Recommended as well:
All My Exes’ Moms
Follow Brooke Alexx 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 35)
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:
- May-a – ifyoulikeitlikethat
(Wildcard this week)
- Hoodzy – Mum Warned You
(Wildcard last week)
- The Beaches – What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid
- Rye Catchers – Stupider
- The Darcys feat. Mae Martin – You Up?
- Glass Violet – Too Late To Come By
- Rio 18 & Young Gun Silver Fox – She’s In LA
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 34)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Brooke Alexx – Never Liked Your Name
indie | pop
- Noah Bates – Coffee In Japan
indie | pop
- The Beaches – What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid
indie | rock
- Rye Catchers – Stupider
indie | pop
- Cookin’ On 3 Burners feat. Stella Angelico – I’m Coming Home To You
indie | pop | r&b | soul
- Astrid Cordes – Surrender
indie | pop
- The Darcys feat. Mae Martin – You Up?
indie | pop | rock
- the ghost tapes – Ballad For The Twenty Something
indie | pop | rock
- Glass Violet – Too Late To Come By
indie | pop | rock
- Mishell Ivon – Wild
funk | indie | pop
- Jaxxee – Gone
indie | pop | soul | trip hop
- Hevi Levi – Expecto Patronum
dance | electronic | indie | instrumental
- Los Leo – GTFO
indie | pop
- Linebeck – Give Us A Try
indie | pop | rock
- Mowgli May – Streets Calling
dance | indie | pop
- Rio 18 & Young Gun Silver Fox – She’s In LA
indie | pop | soul | tropical
- Pam Ross – You Don’t Know My Name
americana | indie | pop | rock
- Phebe Starr – One Step. Two Step.
indie | pop
- Twam – Identity Crisis
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 34):
May-a – ifyoulikeitlikethat
Last week was a good one for rock music. 90% of my favourite new tracks were guitar-based. But only one can be the best of the bunch. This time, for the second time in her career, I’ve chosen May-a’s new single as my ultimate recommendation.
I’ve been following Maya Cumming ever since she debuted in 2019. It’s great to watch her grow and grow. Her autobiographical songs get ever more confident and her music more mature.
Two years after her first EP Don’t Kiss Ur Friends, she’s about to release its follow-up. This EP, Analysis Paralysis, will be out on 1 September. It sees May-a continuing to explore and experiment with new sounds and experiences. The EP is already taking shape, with five out of its seven tracks being released already.
Ifyoulikeitlikethat is her brand-new single. A massive track, based around a driving drum rhythm. Combining ‘90s grunge elements with modern pop production, this sounds like a song that’ll do well live.
Ifyoulikeitlikethat by May-a is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Recommended as well:
Central Station
Apricots
Green
Follow May-a 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 34)
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:
- Hoodzy – Mum Warned You
(Wildcard this week)
- Leith – Good Time
(Wildcard last week)
- Cold War Kids – Run Away With Me
- Devon Cole – Dickhead
- The Covasettes – Say What You See
- Red Rum Club – Black Cat
- Daria Zawiałow – Z Tobą Na Chacie
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 33)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Cat Valley – Not Me
indie | punk | rock
- Cold War Kids – Run Away With Me
indie | pop | rock
- Devon Cole – Dickhead
pop | rock
- The Covasettes – Say What You See
indie | pop | rock
- May-a – ifyoulikeitlikethat
pop | rock
- My Ugly Clementine – No
indie | rock
- Red Rum Club – Black Cat
indie | rock
- Saint Chaos feat. Royal Republic – Perfect Match
indie | pop | rock
- Terra Rouge – Fuckboy
indie | pop | rock
- Daria Zawiałow – Z Tobą Na Chacie
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 33)
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:
- Leith – Good Time
(Wildcard this week)
- Kula Shaker – Waves
(Wildcard last week)
- Dirty Blonde – Don’t Cry (It Doesn’t Suit You)
- Elephant Stone – Lost In A Dream
- Ghost Care – Arcade
- Olivia Rodrigo – Bad Idea Right?
- Amber T – Why Try
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.