Browsing Tag r&b
Liss – Talk To Me
Sophisticated pop outfit Liss emerged in the mid-‘10s under a cloud of buzz with their acclaimed singles Try and Always (2015), and EP First (2016). Then, all went quiet… But luckily, the Danish four-piece are now back after a hiatus with a new, self-produced track.
As bassist Villads Tyrrestrup says, Talk To Me is about ‘the ups and downs of being a young adult in this world; sexuality, being in and out of relationships, and self-care’. The tracks is built around a gentle bassline, soft synths and a slightly experimental beat; a perfect fit in today’s pop scene. If you like The 1975, for instance, do try Liss.
Talk To Me is the first single off Liss’s new EP Second, to be released on 18 June.
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 47)
Last week a great diversity of new music saw the light. There were very good releases in every thinkable genre. After applying heavy criteria, I added the likes of Chvrches, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Hozier, The Kooks, Rita Ora, and The Vaccines to my Carte Blanche Music playlist on Spotify, alongside a host of emerging artists you probably haven’t heard of before. And Jennifer Lopez as well. Listen to her new single Limitless without prejudice and you’ll hear it’s a really good song.
And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Below, you can find my ‘best of the best’ selection Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters. Via the links you can access my original recommendations and you can listen to all six of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar. Here you go:
- Jonas Brøg feat. Laura Mathilde – I Think Of You I Cry (Wildcard this week)
- Jade Bird – Love Has All Been Done Before (Wildcard last week)
- 1010 Benja SL – Ultimaybe
- Audio Adam – Emma Watson
- Hollydays – Minuit (La Baie Noire)
- Moscow Apartment – Orange
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.
1010 Benja SL – Ultimaybe
1010 Benja SL, a producer and vocalist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the latest signing to the Young Turks label (home to The xx, Sampha, Kamasi Washington and others). New to the scene, he only put out two singles, before his just-released six-track EP Two Houses. The title refers to the artist’s own dualistic tendencies. He explains: “The Two Houses are the houses of contradiction; the left and right brain, the loving and fearing heart, the long and short end of the stick.”
1010 Benja SL created the project entirely by himself, writing, playing and producing every single note. The six tracks are very different, but they all have experimentalism in common. Ultimaybe is the set’s first single. An exciting track that combines contemporary R&B with ’80s-leaning funk.
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.
Radikal Rat feat. Kes Kross – Friends With Benefits
If 80’s (influenced) music is your thing, you should listen to this. Radikal Rat is performed, produced and mixed by Sweden-based Lukas Nathanson and John Hårleman. Combining pop, electro, R&B and more, they create a world that is both modern and nostalgic.
Though much of their work is instrumental, Radikal Rat have worked on several collaborations with other artists. Their new single Friends With Benefits features LA artist Kes Kross. His R&B tinged vocals turn the track into 80’s nostalgia for the post-genre generation.

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)
In my Carte Blanche Music playlist I keep you up to speed with the best new music that was released this year, so far. Mind you: it doesn’t pretend to give you a full overview of all new releases. On the contrary, I only present you with great new songs. In other words: following my list saves you a lot of time browsing numerous other playlists and listening to songs you probably don’t like… #tipoftheweek 😉
Last week, I added the likes of Dubstar, Plain White T’s, Rea Garvey, Smallpools & The Aces, and Villagers to my container playlist. But if 14 additions are too much for you (no offence), below you’ll find Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters. If you’re only looking for the best of the best, here they are, alphabetically ordered and preceded by the two latest Wildcards:
- Say Lou Lou – Golden Child (Wildcard this week)
- Cookin’ On 3 Burners feat. Kaiit – Warning (Wildcard last week)
- Áine Cahill – Beauty Is A Lie
- Ed Struijlaart (feat. The Hornaments) – Guitar
- Romes – Out Of It
- Sam Fender – Dead Boys
- Yonaka – Fired Up
As usual, clicking the links provides you with extra information (both serious and fun facts), and you can listen to all seven of the songs via the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar. Enjoy!
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 34)
What’s the similarity between the brand-new songs by Christine & The Queens, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Janet Jackson & Daddy Yankee, Ladytron, Paul McCartney, The Mowgli’s, Novastar and Suede? The were all added to my constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist, which features only the best new tracks of the year so far. Of course, it features many younger artists as well, like Blossoms, Pale Waves, and a few I’ll introduce to you in the coming week.
But on Mondays, we look back upon last week. Below, you’ll fine the highlights of recent releases in Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters. If you can spare 23 minutes, you’ll be able to check them all in full through the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar. But you can also perform the gentle art of cherry picking by clicking some of the links below:
- Cookin’ On 3 Burners feat. Kaiit – Warning (Wildcard this week)
- Jade Bird – Uh Huh (Wildcard last week)
- Arcade Hearts – Humble
- Broods – Peach
- Sean OB – Trouble
- Sir Notch – Gimme That Sunshine
- The Struts – Primadonna Like Me
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 33):
Cookin’ On 3 Burners feat. Kaiit – Warning
Australian Hammond organ trio Cookin’ On 3 Burners formed in 1997, but got worldwide recognition in 2016, after French DJ Kungs remixed their classic soul track This Girl into a global hit.
Two years later, Cookin’ On 3 Burners release the lead single from their upcoming album Lab Experiments Vol. 2. Warning, which features vocals by 20-year-old Ozzy talent Kaiit, is a funky affair, somewhere halfway The JB’s and The Brand New Heavies. A punchy, hard hitting vocal banger with a great groove, that’s only one mouse click away for a whole week, as it’s the new Wildcard on this blog. You can find of the Carte Blanche Music Wildcards of the year so far in this playlist.
By the way: the instrumental B-side The Jump Off is a treat as well!
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 31)
Even the ‘full version’ of my music recommendations doesn’t drown you in an infinite pool of new songs. My intention is not to present you with all new music, but only with the best new tracks. Last week, I added 20 great tunes to my container playlist Carte Blanche Music, by artists like Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, Everlast, The Hunna, Miles Kane, Lenny Kravitz, Tom Morello & Knife Party, and Maggie Rogers. Feel free to follow for fresh finds very frequently 😉.
For an overview of the new songs that are not to be missed, this is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters. 21 minutes of good stuff, that you can check through the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar. Via the links below you can read more about every track.
- Young Gun Silver Fox – Kingston Boogie (Wildcard this week)
- Lizzo – Boys (Wildcard last week)
- Axel Flóvent – Close To You
- Big Data – Evolution Once Again
- Jennie Lena – Trouble
- Radkey – Basement
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 30)
A-typically, since it’s mid-summer, last week was a good one for rock music. Adelitas Way, Imagine Dragons, Man With A Mission, Metric, and Spring King are among the acts that delivered great guitar tracks, all of which you can find in my 2018 container playlist Carte Blanche Music. But it also welcomes new songs by Mary J. Blige, David Bowie, Kodaline, and Muse, to name but a few. In other words: it comes close to the holy grail of music discovery 😉.
If you have less time, or trust me to make the right choices for you, Werner’s Weekly is your compass to the music that matters. Always short and snappy, with only the best of the best new music. The songs are listed below and you can listen to them all through the Werner’s Weekly player in the sidebar. Click the links for more background!
- Lizzo – Boys (Wildcard this week)
- Satellite Stories – Carried Away (Wildcard last week)
- Joan – Stop And Stare
- Leoniden – Kids
- Nona – It’s Alright
- Stillmode – Wild One
- Waylon – That’s How She Goes
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.
Nona – It’s Alright
Nona (born Nona van der Wansem) is a talented young singer, hailing from a small town in the south of the Netherlands. Her powerful voice is made for a repertoire of rootsy genres like blues, jazz and soul, placing her somewhere between Amy Winehouse and fellow-Dutchy Kovacs. At the same time, however, she loves hip hop and pop, citing DJ Premier as an influence.
Soon, she’ll release her debut album, that she recorded in the United States. The first single is out now, and indeed: It’s Alright!
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.