Browsing Tag pop
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 top…
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, let’s now look forward to 2023, the year she’s about to deliver on her promise.
Cherry On Top, Ainsley’s 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 that’s 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, it’s an inspirational song. In Ainsley’s own words: “This song is all about how it’s possible to be the bigger person even when relationships and friendships turn sour.”
Cherry On Top by Ainsley Costello is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It’ll be only one mouse click away for a whole week. Enjoy!
Follow Ainsley Costello 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 1)
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:
- Karin Simonian – Fade Out
(Wildcard this week)
- Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe – Is This My Moment
(Wildcard last week)
- Conchita – No Soy Yo, Eres Tú
- DJ Qness feat. Lizwi – Imithwalo [Laroye Radio Edit]
- A.B. – Take It Away
- Nothing But A Nightmare – Can’t Fix Stupid [2022 Version]
- Weezer – Dark Enough To See The Stars
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.
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: she’s the sister of Sebu Simonian, of Capital Cities fame. He’s 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 ‘old-style’ Carte Blanche Music post.
Fade Out by Karin Simonian is the last Carte Blanche Music Wildcard of 2022. It’ll 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 you’ll find all of this year’s 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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 52)
As our Christmas present to you, this is Werner’s Weekly, your guide to the best new music. It contains the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe – Is This My Moment
(Wildcard this week)
- The Veils – No Limit Of Stars
(Wildcard last week)
- Ainsley Costello – Cherry On Top
- Blondshell – Veronica Mars
- The Kubricks – Getting On It
- Long Island – Average
- Somebody’s Child – We Could Start A War
Click the links above 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.

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.
Conchita – No Soy Yo, Eres Tú
*SONG SNACK*
Joyful and self-confident song about loving yourself by one of Spain’s most sparkling artists.
Follow Conchita on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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.
Jack Gray – Adaline
*SONG SNACK*
Well-produced, easy-going track by upcoming Aussie singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
Follow Jack Gray on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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.
The Dockers – You Shoulda [2022 Single Version]
*SONG SNACK*
Fan favourite off Aussies’ 2020 debut EP Yahtzee. Remixed and remastered to great effect!
Follow The Dockers on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
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.
L.A.B. – Take It Away
*SONG SNACK*
Prolific Kiwis who release an album every year. This is their funky, Lenny Kravitz-like new single.
Follow L.A.B. on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
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.
Christina Isabella – Fake Friends
*SONG SNACK*
Catchy, relatable alt-pop bop by young Aussie singer-songwriter. Makes curious for more!
Follow Christina Isabella on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
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.
Wildcard (week 51):
Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe – Is This My Moment
Lewis Ashley is the mastermind of a one-man project called Epic Orchestra. For his YouTube channel, he arranges and orchestrates pop songs into orchestral pieces. The result is often stunning. Especially when you know that the up to 52 instruments you’ll hear are all played by one and the same guy.
Ashley records and mixes the tracks on his PC. So far, he reimagined songs from numerous different artists, including Taylor Swift, Muse, Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi, ABBA, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Queen and Linkin Park.
Recently, he was challenged to write and record his first original song in a real music studio, with a professional producer (Sam Cramer) and some talented musicians. Ashley co-wrote the song with violin player Ceskie Hummingbird, drummer Toby Evangelou and singer-songwriter Elle Exxe, whose Rose Gold featured here in 2020. You can watch a behind the scenes video through this link. I think the challenge turned out great.
Is This My Moment is a truly epic ballad. An uplifting tune about big dreams. Perfectly suited for the dark days at the end of year. Goosebumps alert!
Is This My Moment by Louie Ashley feat. Elle Exxe is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Follow Louie Ashley on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow Elle Exxe on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2022 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.