Browsing Tag soul
Joseph Lawrence & The Garden – Goddess
Joseph Lawrence & The Garden are a London-based collective. It consists of vocalist Joseph Lawrence (obviously) and instrumentalist Gilberto ‘Gibbi’ Mallindine-Bettini. Their bio states they ‘combine the free-jazz ambition of Kendrick Lamar with the soul-inflected ambience of James Blake’. Vocally, the latter shines through specifically in their new single Goddess. Musically, it’s a complex affair, that also contains elements of gospel and rock.
Goddess is only the duo’s fourth single since debuting in 2018 with Eclipse. It’s a slow-paced, emotional song which showcases their craft song-writing and Lawrence’s impressive vocals.
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.
Wildcard (week 8):
The Magic Gang – Think
Last week, I recommended Think by The Magic Gang. Now, it gets the highest degree of promotion on this blog. As the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, it’ll feature here prominently for a whole week!
So, what’s the story again?
Brighton quartet The Magic Gang consists of Angus Taylor (bass/vocals), Jack Kaye (vocals/guitar), Kristian Smith (vocals/guitar), and Paeris Giles (drums). They cite Weezer as a major influence, but their new single Think sounds nothing like that. It’s a Northern soul pastiche with ‘Style Council’ written all over it. And I happen to love the Style Council!
Think is a big, sunshine-soaked banger, full of soaring horns, and uplifting melodies. It’s the first taste of The Magic Gang’s highly anticipated second album, due out later this year. Asked what to expect of it, Taylor revealed: “There’s still those big almost road-rock tunes, but there’s disco elements, Northern soul tinges, hip-hop influences. As songwriters, we don’t rely on being a guitar band; we’ve got more than that to us.”
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you can 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.
Young Gun Silver Fox – Kids
If you’re into Westcoast music, these are great times. Check Shawn Lee’s recent solo album Rides Again, for instance. Or look forward to Mamas Gun’s upcoming album, due to be released this spring. In a classic case of ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’, MG frontman Andy ‘young gun’ Platts and Shawn ‘silver fox’ Lee are also in a band together.
Next Friday, 21 February, Young Gun Silver Fox release their new album Canyons. This third collaborative record effortlessly combines laid-back ‘70s Westcoast music with a pinch of ‘80s pop. A golden formula that already convinced many fans of bands like The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates and Steely Dan.
Do you have no idea what this sounds like? The album’s new single Kids gives the answer. A great radio tune once again, which even contains a vocal sampling effect that reminds me of my beloved Prefab Sprout. Onwards and upwards to world domination!
Recommended as well:
Young Gun Silver Fox (feat. Seaweed Horns) – Kingston Boogie
Young Gun Silver Fox – Take It Or Leave It
Young Gun Silver Fox – Midnight In Richmond
Young Gun Silver Fox – Lolita
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 8)
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:
- Egoism – You You (Wildcard this week)
- Dua Lipa – Physical (Wildcard last week)
- Dagny – Come Over
- Neo Minor – Fools
- Nothing Really – Yuck
- Sunbather – Softly Spoken
- The Magic Gang – Think
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: Ash, Cold War Kids, Lizzo, Nada Surf, Sam Fender, and many 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.
The Magic Gang – Think
Brighton quartet The Magic Gang consists of Angus Taylor (bass/vocals), Jack Kaye (vocals/guitar), Kristian Smith (vocals/guitar), and Paeris Giles (drums). They cite Weezer as a major influence, but their new single Think sounds nothing like that. It’s a Northern soul pastiche with ‘Style Council’ written all over it. And I happen to love the Style Council!
Think is a big, sunshine-soaked banger, full of soaring horns, and uplifting melodies. It’s the first taste of The Magic Gang’s highly anticipated second album, due out later this year. Asked what to expect of it, Taylor revealed: “There’s still those big almost road-rock tunes, but there’s disco elements, Northern soul tinges, hip-hop influences. As songwriters, we don’t rely on being a guitar band; we’ve got more than that to us.”
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.
Calby – Burnout
Danish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mik Thybo goes by the stage name of Calby. He may be young of age, but his music is a mix of old soul influences and modern production. His debut single The Everyday Bit made that clear, and follow-up track Burnout confirms it. Calby wrote and produced both songs with Luke Graham bass player Magnus Larsson.
Apart from singing, Calby can also be heard playing synths, guitar and bass on Burnout, a tune that features a beautiful string arrangement. Thanks to the analogue 8-track recorder it was captured on, the song has a warm and nostalgic sound.
Recommended as well:
Calby – The Everyday Bit
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 49)
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:
- Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement] (Wildcard this week)
- Deacon Blue – City Of Love (Wildcard last week)
- Alma – Bad News Baby
- Circa Waves – Jacqueline
- Hazel English – Shaking
- Nasty Cherry – Brain Soup
- The Heavy – Last Man Standing
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: Corine, Fitz & The Tantrums, Videoclub, and many 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.
The Heavy – Last Man Standing
The Heavy only released their fifth album Sons last May, but since then they put out three brand-new songs already. Last Man Standing follows Put It On The Line and Everything I Got. It’s another horn-tinged, electro soul-based, funk-infused track.
The British rock band doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Lucky us!
Recommended as well:
The Heavy – Fighting For The Same Thing
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.
Parov Stelar feat. Lilja Bloom – Go Wake Up
Marcus Füreder, better known by his stage name Parov Stelar, is one of Austria’s internationally most successful artists. He is called the founder of ‘electro swing’ and his music is the soundtrack for numerous movies, TV shows and ads.
But professional success doesn’t lead to personal happiness per se. He recently wrote on his Facebook page: “My last two years were full of personal ups and downs. But it’s during the hard times we learn the most. Music has always been one of my best buddies. It carried me and opened doors to hidden worlds. I am now ready to present to you the Voodoo Sonic Trilogy, my journey through that time. It’s an album in 3 parts and Part 1 will be coming this November.” By now, we know a little more: Part 1/3 will be released on 15 November, while the second and the third part can be expected in the first half of 2020.
The first single off the upcoming trilogy is called Go Wake Up. It’s sung by Austrian singer, designer and painter Lilja Bloom. The two started working together in 2007, when Bloom became Stelar’s muse. She co-produced his album Shine and sang on all of his albums ever since. Stelar returned the favour by making remixes of several of her solo singles.
Go Wake Up is the pair’s new single. A soulful affair with a Motown kind of vibe. In true voodoo fashion the song’s groove grabs you immediately, never letting go again.
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.
Werner’s Weekly (week 45)
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:
- Palaye Royale – Hang On To Yourself (Wildcard this week)
- Lizzo & Ariana Grande – Good As Hell [Remix] (Wildcard last week)
- Barrie – Drag
- Hayley Mary – The Piss, The Perfume
- Inge van Calkar – Get Out Of My Way
- Therapie Taxi – Candide Crush
- Zola – Crystal Floors
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: Ariana Grande (with Chaka Khan), Haim, Pixies, The Script, and many 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.
