After bundling her 2020 singles on her first EP Half Past Nine, Carla Wehbe came to the attention of Warner Music Australia. The love was mutual, and the Sydney indie-pop artist signed a record deal with the major.

Co-produced by Xavier Dunn (who else?), Hurts To Love You is a cracking start of the partnership. It’s a glorious, uplifting pop song; contemporary, but with a distinct retro feel, thanks to the ‘80s style synths. The energetic nature of the song is a sharp contrast with its melancholic lyrics.

Wehbe explains Hurts To Love You is about ‘losing someone that you care deeply about’, and the visceral emotions that come with being forced to distance yourself from them. She continued: “You love them so much that it hurts too much to be close to them, so you have to separate yourself. And you realise that all the things you spoke about doing, or planned to do, aren’t going to happen anymore and you’re just going to have to live with that.”

Wehbe penned the lyrics with Norwegian songwriters Jim Bergsted and Helge Moemthat, with whom she’d connected over Instagram. However, she claims the song embodies only her own perspective. “I’ve never felt more broken in my life than when I was writing this track”, she said.

Next to an upcoming artist, she’s an in demand songwriter, videographer, producer, photographer and fashion designer as well. ‘One to watch’, as they say… Well, don’t look any further. Hurts To Love You by Carla Wehbe is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This means it’ll feature here prominently for a whole week!

Follow Carla Wehbe on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2021 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.