Browsing Tag pop
Additions to the Carte Blanche Music playlist (week 23)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Gabriels – Glory
indie | pop | soul
- Rose Gray – Happiness
dance | indie
- Jared Harper – Picture
indie | pop
- Selma Higgins – Can’t Do This
indie | pop
- Housewife – King Of Wands
indie | rock
- Livi Jacobs – Should’ve Known
indie | pop
- Maisyn – Naked
electronic | indie | pop
- Radio Free Alice – Look What You’ve Done
indie | pop | rock
- The Short Fall – Looking Over My Shoulder
indie | pop | rock
- Daphné Swân – Tous Quelqu’un
electronic | indie | pop
- Rick Treffers & Bárbara Blasco – Au Bord De La Route
chanson | indie | pop
- Yungblud – Lowlife
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 23):
Augusta – Maybe
Canadian band Augusta was formed in early 2022 when Joe Dent joined forces with August Jones, Zach Stuckey and Parker Weiss. They perform live as a seven-piece, joined by Tristan Schultz, Daniel-leigh Mclean and Matt Woroshyl. Their first show only took place 14 months ago. By then, they mostly performed songs that either Dent or Jones had written independently. However, most of these songs felt out-dated and didn’t fit the direction they wanted to take the band. Therefore, they decided to go on their first writing retreat in Jones’ family cottage. There, they wrote the songs for Augusta’s debut EP.
Last October, I really liked the band’s very first single Little Birds. Early this year, it was followed by sophomore effort Better Off. With new tune Maybe, they complete a hattrick of great tracks. I think this upbeat, brass-infused song is their best yet.
On Augusta’s Facebook page, Jones writes: “I wrote Maybe in the summer of 2021 just after the pandemic hit. It was one of the first songs I ever fully wrote and produced myself and one of the first ones where I went: ‘I could release this and… be okay with it?’.”
He goes on to explain the track is for the people who are trying to remove themselves from who they were when they were younger. It’s about ‘the constant chatter in the skull that keeps you from doing what you love to do most; And the unwarranted pressure and self-doubt some of us place on ourselves every day’.
On 23 June, Augusta will be playing their biggest headline show ever in hometown Toronto to celebrate the release of their debut EP. The trio of songs they put out so far sounds really promising!
It’s 100% sure that Maybe by Augusta is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.
Recommended as well:
Little Birds
Follow Augusta 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 23)
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:
- The Lathums – Lucky Bean
(Wildcard this week)
- Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
(Wildcard last week)
- Kelly Clarkson feat. Steve Martin – I Hate Love
- Devon Cole – 1-800-GOT-STRESS
- Hoshi – Je Partirai
- Lahos feat. Graham Candy – Sunshine
- Simpleton – Light The Fuse
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 22)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Augusta – Maybe
indie | pop
- Beach Weather feat. Pale Waves – Unlovable
pop | rock
- Pip Blom feat. Alex Kapranos – Is This Love?
indie | pop
- Kelly Clarkson feat. Steve Martin – I Hate Love
pop
- Devon Cole – 1-800-GOT-STRESS
pop
- eee gee – Ghost House
indie | pop
- The Hengles – Morning Rain
indie | pop | rock
- Hoshi – Je Partirai
indie | pop
- Lahos feat. Graham Candy – Sunshine
dance | indie | pop
- Projector – Chemical
indie | rock
- Simpleton – Light The Fuse
indie | pop | rock
- Waliens – Always The Same
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 22):
The Lathums – Lucky Bean
Early in March of this year, The Lathums put Lucky Bean forward as the ‘focus track’ of their sophomore album From Nothing To A Little Bit More. Ten weeks into the promo campaign, it is now out as an official single. A great choice, which sounds like the perfect cross of The Proclaimers, The Smiths and The Boo Radleys. The upbeat, summer-y track pairs jangling guitars, plenty of horns and even a harmonica. It’s early ‘90s all over again!
Lucky Bean looks back on a romance of the Wigan band’s singer and songwriter Alex Moore. “It’s a song about love,” he explains, “speaking of a doomed relationship at a time when I thought we’d be together forever and have kids. At the time, I used to call that person my lucky bean.” The relationship soured between writing and recording, but at least it resulted in one of the best pop moments of the year so far. A bittersweet skiffle-pop track that’s ready to warm the hearts of festival attendees.
The Lathums’ new single Lucky Bean is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a full seven days.
Recommended as well:
Say My Name
Follow The Lathums 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 22)
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:
- Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
(Wildcard this week)
- Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is
(Wildcard last week)
- Fulminacci – Ragù
- Ryan Mitchell – Ruin My Life
- Roleplay – Come Close
- Thunder Fox – Feels Like Forever
- Zornik – Dancing With Yourself
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 21)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Blackout The Arcade – Side-By-Side
indie | rock
- Cheeya – Boy Feelings
indie | pop | r&b
- Fulminacci – Ragù
indie | pop
- Louane – Pardonne-Moi
pop
- Love Me My Alien – Stay Here Forever
indie | pop
- Melle – Old Summers
indie | pop
- Ryan Mitchell – Ruin My Life
indie | pop | rock
- Roleplay – Come Close
indie | pop
- Skia – Make You Cry
indie | pop
- Thunder Fox – Feels Like Forever
funk | indie | pop | soul
- The View – Shovel In His Hands
indie | pop | rock
- Juice Webster – In The Zone
indie | pop
- The Yeah Nahs – Organic Strawberry Kombucha
indie | rock
- Zornik – Dancing With Yourself
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 21):
Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
Denmark has always been a great incubator for new pop talents. The last few years alone, the country produced hot new artists like Drew Sycamore, RoseeLu, Mina Okabe, Eyjaa and Dopha. All females, as you might have noticed. Despite that, Denmark doesn’t have a real ‘girl crew’ atmosphere, according to singer Ericka Jane. In a press release, she claims Danish women in pop have often supported each other, but this seldomly resulted in musical collaborations.
In that respect, Come Sit With Us is a break-through. It’s not only an ode to female artists and sister love by three of Denmark’s most promising young singers, it’s also an invitation to others to spread these good vibes. The song title is a response to this scene from teen movie ‘Mean Girls’, where Regina is told: ‘You can’t sit with us’. Instead, Ericka Jane, Dopha and bbybites invite everyone to come and sit at their table.
Come Sit With Us is an incredibly catchy tune with euphoric synth strings, memorable vocal melodies and multiple ways to say ‘okay?!’.
This week, Come Sit With Us by Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week. Okay?!
Follow Ericka Jane on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow Dopha on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Follow bbybites 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 21)
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:
- Sparks – Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is
(Wildcard this week)
- Tom Grennan – How Does It Feel
(Wildcard last week)
- Altin Gün – Doktor Civanım
- Busby Marou – Conversation
- Georgia Lines – Monopoly
- Liza Anne – Cheerleader
- psykhi – Dyed In Wool
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 20)
Not all, but only the *best* new music. Added to the playlist this week (alphabetically):
- Altin Gün – Doktor Civanım
disco | electronic | indie | pop
- Milii Austin – Playground
indie | pop
- Cole Bleu – Is It Cool 2 B Friends?
indie | rock
- Vera Blue – One Condition
pop
- Busby Marou – Conversation
pop
- Astrid Cordes – Stop Dreaming
indie | pop
- Lou Emery – Roots
indie | rock
- Ericka Jane, Dopha & bbybites – Come Sit With Us
pop
- Georgia Lines – Monopoly
indie | pop
- Liza Anne – Cheerleader
indie | pop | rock
- The Melmacs – Balls
indie | punk | rock
- psykhi – Dyed In Wool
indie | pop | rock
- Trunks – Again, Tonight
indie | pop | rock
- Youth Sector – Free Parking
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.