Twin brothers Daniel and David and sister Julia Bailen were born and raised in New York. The rising indie-pop trio just announced their sophomore album Tired Hearts will be out on 5 May.

While they recorded their debut album after testing the songs on the road tirelessly, they took another approach on this follow-up. This time, many of the songs were honed in the studio as opposed to live. This resulted in 12 original songs that are centred around Bailen’s radiant harmonies and adventurous arrangements. Lyrically, they wrestle with an uncertain future where ethics and morality – both communal and personal – are constantly shifting. In their own words, it’s a set of songs that ‘navigates the space between the heart’s expectation and the head’s sober reality’.

Bailen co-produced their new album with Brad Cook, who worked with Bon Iver, Waxahatchee and Snail Mail before.

Alt-pop anthem Call It Like It Is is the first single off Tired Hearts. It was co-written by Bailen and X Ambassadors’ Adam Levin and Sam Harris. It’s ‘an anthem for anyone who refuses to be taken advantage of’, the band stated. “It unmasks the ugly truth behind shiny veneers.” The beat-driven, bass-heavy track comes with a cult classic thriller style video.

Call It Like It Is by Bailen is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. That means it’ll be featured prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week.

Follow Bailen on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2023 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.