The last decade or so, music from the 1980s has been as popular as… well, 40 years ago. It inspired new generations of artists and fashion designers, many ‘80s acts reformed and ‘80s parties sold out. It looks like the same is about to happen for the 1990s. This already shows in music, with acts that were popular in the ‘90s gaining new momentum. To name only one recent example: the new album by Deacon Blue, who held the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard last week, entered the UK Charts at the highest position since their 1991 album Fellow Hoodlums.

This week, Richard Ashcroft (best-known as the frontman of The Verve) made a glorious comeback with his new single Lover, and Pulp released new music as well. Mind you, the latter band was formed in 1978 already by the then 15-year-old Jarvis Cocker. But it took them until 1995 to break through big time with their single Common People. Check its brilliant B-side Underwear as well, by the way. Hits like Sorted For E’s & Wizz/Mis-Shapes, Disco 2000, Something Changed and Help The Aged quickly followed. After the latter however, they never reached the Top 10 again. In 2002, a 9-year hiatus followed.

After a first reunion in 2011, Pulp came back together again in 2022. Initially for a reunion tour, where they debuted a number of new songs. Last April, they released their first new single in a long time, Spike Island. But in my ears, they really hit the jackpot again with their brand-new track Got To Have Love. That is to say, it’s not really brand-new, for the band already recorded demos of it in 1999 and 2000. This may explain why it sounds like a trademark Pulp song, including a typical Jarvis Cocker parlando in the middle.

“It’s a slightly hysterical song that tries to talk about love as I see it now”, the singer reveals of the track, which seems destined for immediate live anthem status when the band kick off their UK & Ireland Arena tour in June. On the 6^th of that month, Pulp will release More, their first album in almost 24 years.

Got To Have Love by Pulp is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

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In the Wildcards 2025 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.