Browsing Tag rock
Bugs – Old Youth Feeling
One way to describe the last two years: Bugs broke out of Brisbane. From the east of Australia, they spread their wings all over the continent. Rightfully so, for there is much to like in their songs. I couldn’t help thinking about the happiness bands like Fountains Of Wayne brought me in the ‘90s/’00s with their power-pop…
The Underground Stage described their songs as ‘grinalong singalongs’, which says it all. Their infectious, energetic songs often come with contemplating lyrics. Bugs’ new single is no exception. The title already gives it away: Old Youth Feeling. It’s a powerful, guitar-driven and hook-laden song on the one hand. On the other hand however, it deals with nostalgia, and how as life progresses, many seek comfort in old habits and memories.
Vocalist and guitarist Connor Brooker explains: “Seeing an old family photo, driving past your childhood school, finding a box of toys and outdated pop culture artefacts. Our memories are so intrinsically tied to who we are, it’s not often you have those moments but when you do they are quite profound.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Raave Tapes – Habitual
On their new single, Australian duo Raave Tapes push their experimental pop sound one step further. Habitual contains both massive pop hooks and bursts of glitched-out noise and crushing, distorted bass. They blow the dust off industrial, so to speak.
While recording the song, Lindsey O’Connell and Joab Eastley used Lady Gaga, Nelly Furtado, Charli XCX and Nine Inch Nails as references. Eastley recalls: “Throughout the recording process, we found moments where we asked ourselves ‘Can we get away with this? Are we allowed to do it?’ Then we remembered that the points are made-up and nothing actually matters. We stood by our game-plan of unapologetically committing to guilty pleasures. Live it up baby.”
Lyrically, the track holds some pleasant surprises as well. How about the line ‘I put the ‘bitch’ in ‘habitual’, you put the ‘dick’ in ‘predictable’? Classic, I’d say.
With its beautiful verses and crunchy choruses, Habitual is instantly addictive.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Dry Cleaning – Scratchcard Lanyard
Dry Cleaning just released the coolest song of the moment: Scratchcard Lanyard. Brilliant title, for starters. If you ever asked yourself how Lou Reed would have sounded if he’d have been a woman, here’s your answer. The song lacks a real chorus, but it all comes down to this: ‘Do everything and feel nothing’.
Musically, it’s a post-punk track, where the walking bass and plenty guitar motifs battle for your attention.
Dry Cleaning are a London-based quartet, featuring singer Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, bassist Lewis Maynard, and drummer Nick Buxton. After two EP’s, they signed to the legendary 4AD label. Scratchcard Lanyard is their first song for the label, as well as the first single off their upcoming debut album. One to look forward to.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wildcard (week 48):
Monowhales – BL/FF (Fake Friends)
Canadian indie-rock band Monowhales recorded their debut album with JUNO Award nominated producer Ryan Worsley. So far, only two tracks have been released ahead of it: RWLYD (Really Wanna Let You Down) and All Or Nothing. Or, to be precise, they just added a third one to the list: BL/FF (Fake Friends) is the Toronto trio’s new single. An ode to online dating, this is another great, bold and bouncing pop-rock track that begs to be played live.
About the song, vocalist Sally Shaar says: “BL/FF (Fake Friends)” gases you up for a hook-up. Memories flood into your head about that damn person that’s hard to get over because the tension is just too fun to avoid. Imagine a late night, your phone dings and you get that far too familiar message. So, you jump in your car at 3am and turn this song up surrounded by streetlights and heavy feelings of lust on your way to some spicy sleepover.”
No word yet about the release of their album, alas. Judging by the sound of the singles, it will be epic. For now, all we can do is wait for another of their colourful video’s. While you’re at it, listen to BL/FF (Fake Friends) on repeat. It’s the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently for a week!
Recommended as well:
Monowhales – All Or Nothing
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
The All-American Rejects – Me Vs. The World
Okay, The All-American Rejects released a 3-track EP last year, but their latest long-player dates from 2012. While this has caused some to question the band’s future, TAAR just put out a new single. Well, not really new, but newish, at least…
Guitarist Nick Wheeler says about it: “It was written quarantine-style a few years ago when [singer] Tyson [Ritter] and I were doing our part separately. And our keyboard player Scott Chesak co-wrote it as well and produced the track. We never got around to finishing it, and then lockdown hit, and we were all looking at free time on our schedule. So we decided to finally finish it and turn it into something. It ended up being a cool thing, not just for us to do, but to be able to put out there since we weren’t able to do literally anything for fans this year.”
Although work on the bouncy song started a few years ago, it feels fitting given these pandemic times. Wheeler adds: “I think everybody has this mentality that this is the worst fucking year ever. And it literally feels like me against the world, regardless of your status or situation.”
All proceeds from this track will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund. This helps those in the music industry who have been out of work since March.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
The Cribs – Siren Sing-Along
British rock band The Cribs just released their new album Night Network. And we have Dave Grohl to thank for its existence.
After parting ways with their long-time management in the Autumn of 2017, the band made a shocking discovery. They found out that, thanks to various deals that they were unaware of, they didn’t own the rights to their back catalogue. The band decided to focus on gaining ownership before signing a new deal and making a new album. When Dave Grohl learned about this situation, he invited The Cribs to use Foo Fighters’ own Studio 606. There, they recorded their eighth studio album.
Siren Sing-Along is my favourite track on the long-player. Including all the elements that make The Cribs such a great band, it’s as sunny as rock songs get. This is in large part due to the opening notes of the intro and chorus, which bring Dusty Springfield’s I Only Want To Be With You to mind. Great sing-along stuff indeed!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Tanaya Harper – Emma
Tanaya Harper is a member of Australian bands Bells Rapids and Ghost Care, but also started a solo career in 2017. Since then, the Perth-based singer-songwriter released two EP’s. Emma is her brand-new single. Fans of fellow Aussie Ali Barter are very likely to love this!
Emma channels ‘90s indie rock and noughties indie pop, resulting in R.E.M.– vs. The Bangles-like jangle pop. Its melodic guitar parts, energetic drum beats and sing-along chorus make it instantly likeable.
Harper is well-known for her intimate lyrics about her own experiences with depression, anxiety and living with bipolar disorder. This new single is just as personal. It’s both a catchy post-breakup song and an ode to recklessness.
She shares: “Emma is a sad song thinly veiled as a fun song. It’s about a couple months of recklessness I embarked on following a breakup. At the time I felt totally justified in my actions when really, grief and denial were always looming. I was partying pretty hard and having lots of fun with all my friends but once I was alone it would just hit me, all the confusion and unresolved issues and the ‘what ifs?’.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Lola Scott – The Eviction Song
The last two years, Sydney-based alt-pop artist Lola Scott released more than a handful of singles. She’s currently finishing her forthcoming debut EP 1/4 Life Crisis, but hasn’t named a release date yet. One thing is certain however: her new single will be on it.
The Eviction Song is a catchy indie-pop track. It combines her dreamy, honeyed vocals with experimental, synth-driven production. A modern sounding song, full of melody and sweet hooks.
About the story behind The Eviction Song, Scott says: “Earlier this year, my housemates and I were evicted from our house. We’re not sure what for, but can only assume the many house parties (leading to many noise complaints) didn’t help. (…) The song developed from the idea that when you live with a bunch of wild cards, and have the type of landlord who hoards things under the floorboards, you can never please everyone.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he 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)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Keleketla! – International Love Affair (Wildcard this week)
- Bloxx – 5000 Miles (Wildcard last week)
- Favvkes – Black Dove
- Banji – Listen
- Lime – Fever
- Blossoms – It’s Going To Be A Cold Winter
- Don’t Bring Stacey – Waiting For It
Click the links 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. Also added last week: Billie Eilish, Haim, Kylie Minogue, Pale Waves, and more.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Eelke – I’m A Man
When Eelke graduated from conservatory with a 9,5 (out of 10), success only just started. Dutch singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist Eelke Ankersmit (whose first name is pronounced as ‘ail-kuh’) has a loyal following. Conveniently, some of his fans are radio DJ’s and streaming curators. This landed him airplay and some major playlists with his recent releases.
As the follow-up to his latest single Leech, he just released I’m A Man. It’s the second track off his upcoming EP Mirror. Eelke calls it ‘a straightforward boasting song, inspired by old blues tunes like Mannish Boy and Hoochie Coochie Man’.
However, when I first heard the song, it immediately reminded me of Tom Petty. My ears didn’t deceive me, as Eelke explains: “Musically I wanted to write something just as straightforward as the lyrics. At the time I was listening to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Greatest Hits a lot, and that became a big influence on the music.”
Great to see Petty continues to inspire new generations of musicians, who turn his legacy into fine new songs. This one in particular is well worth a spin!
Recommended as well:
Eelke – Leech
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
