15 February, London sextet Stats release their debut album Other People’s Lives. The record is inspired by the likes of Roxy Music, Talking Heads and LCD Soundsystem. A month ago, I already recommended the single Lose It off the long-player.

Now, amid increasing media attention, the band are back with an even stronger teaser. The Family Business is an energetic pop song with a driving 80’s influenced drum pattern, presumably originating from the same computer as the rhythm underlying a-ha’s Take On Me.

Stats have a way with catchy tunes, not in the least because frontman Ed Seed  was part of La Roux earlier, and played guitar and keys in Dua Lipa’s band. With his new musical project, he’s about to reach the same heights. As a first step in this direction, Stats’s new single The Family Business is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, meaning it’ll feature here prominently until next Wednesday!

In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

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.