Twin brothers Daniel and David and sister Julia Bailen were born and raised in New York. The rising indie-pop trio just announced their sophomore album Tired Hearts will be out on 5 May.

While they recorded their debut album after testing the songs on the road tirelessly, they took another approach on this follow-up. This time, many of the songs were honed in the studio as opposed to live. This resulted in 12 original songs that are centred around Bailen’s radiant harmonies and adventurous arrangements. Lyrically, they wrestle with an uncertain future where ethics and morality – both communal and personal – are constantly shifting. In their own words, it’s a set of songs that ‘navigates the space between the heart’s expectation and the head’s sober reality’.

Bailen co-produced their new album with Brad Cook, who worked with Bon Iver, Waxahatchee and Snail Mail before.

Alt-pop anthem Call It Like It Is is the first single off Tired Hearts. It was co-written by Bailen and X Ambassadors’ Adam Levin and Sam Harris. It’s ‘an anthem for anyone who refuses to be taken advantage of’, the band stated. “It unmasks the ugly truth behind shiny veneers.” The beat-driven, bass-heavy track comes with a cult classic thriller style video.

Call It Like It Is by Bailen 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 Bailen on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2023 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl

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.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl

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.

Werner Schlosser

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.

www.carteblanchemusic.nl