Nadia Sheikh is a half British, half Spanish artist with an impressive cultural background. Currently London-based, she’s a genre chameleon, combining elements of indie, rock and pop.

Since releasing her debut EP 50 Feet in 2013, hardly a year went by she didn’t put out new music. 2025 is no exception. How To Lose A Friend, Sheikh’s first release of the year, draws influences from early 2000s pop rock. The dynamic, punchy track delves into a friendship gone awry after one party developed unreciprocated feelings.

She explains: “I wrote this song when I lost a really dear friendship due to feelings that I didn’t share. It was honestly so hard to come to terms with the fact that things would never be the same. It’s a bittersweet story but I wanted to give it a different energy. I wanted to embrace my pop influences and make something exciting, up-tempo and full of energy whilst still encapsulating the essence of who I am as an artist.”

How To Lose A Friend by Nadia Sheikh is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

More Nadia Sheikh @ Carte Blanche Music

Follow Nadia Sheikh on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

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.