Heilig (#455)

Hi,

I am currently on a music discovery spree, which means that I listen to new music a lot. On the weekend I also found a list of artist that I want to check out.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• U2 : Playlist research context. I did a radio show about voices. And at one point we were taking a look a Bono's voice - now and then. I chose the song "Kyte", because I find it quite hard to sing. (And yes, I know, there are some audio effects as well.)
• Lady Antebellum : Playlist research context. What better context to play "All For Love", when you're hosting a show about voices. Because this is one of those song, where I really like how the both voices are combined. And that first verse before the chorus.

Most played artists:

• LGoony : New album alert. And guess what! He even gave it away for free on Christmas Eve. I was very eager to listen to "Intergalactica", although VLC had problems with scrobbling it. The tracks are solid - "Heilig" for instance - and I can't wait to get to know them better.
  
• Frank+Fefe : I'm still not finished with episode 38 of their "Alternativlos" podcast. The issues covered in there are quite depressing, though.
• Tina Turner : Playlist research context. And once again I'm telling you to listen to her album "Wildest Dreams", because I love it so much.

Most played tracks:

(nothing to highlight here)

News?

█ Oh boy, George Michael passed away. At age 53! On Christmas! This is so sad. May he rest in peace. :/
█ Helene Fischer's Christmas album is at number one in the German album charts again. :/  And I've learned that she is also a duet partner in the latest (posthumous) Elvis Presley release.

New in the German charts:

[05] Pentatonix - Hallelujah : Hm, did they really cover that Leonard Cohen classic? Well, I don't want to know their version. Sorry, but not sorry.
[08] BONEZ MC & RAF Camora - An ihnen vorbei : Wow, I have to give credit to that duo. They certainly knew how to make their way to the top ten multiple times this year. They also were about to be back at number one in the German album charts. And btw. the song has a catchy chorus, too.
[10] Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You : Hm, looks like that YouTube best of with James Corden had some kind of marketing effect.

Rockabye (#454)

Hi,

what a week it has been. Lot's of things to celebrate and lots of karaoke. Plus another one of those rare DJ gigs. ^^

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Saint Motel : Party playlist research context. I wouldn't be me, if I didn't use at least one of the new songs from "saintmotelevision".
• Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique : Party playlist research context. Hm, I guess I forgot to play "Love Is Free".
• Jake Bugg : I guess I should give "On My One" another try, because I want to make sure how I think of this album at the end of the year. :P
• Ellie Goulding : Party playlist research context. There was this one "Starry Eyed" remix that I always wanted to drop on a dj setlist. And I did... ^^
• Ed Sheeran & Rudimental : Please check out the "Arty Remix" of "Bloodstream", because it is so good.

Most played artists:

• No Wyld : New album alert, plus new artist alert. (At least for me.) I can't really figure out, if it's indie or pop with a bit hip-hop. But "Nomads" might be worth your time.
• Richard Ashcroft : Though his album "These People" has its flaws, I did enjoy to get to know it this year.
• Die Höchste Eisenbahn : I once again got hooked on the magic of lyrics and music, I only witnessed from this band this year. 

Most played tracks:

• Madonna - Masterpiece : Why hasn't this song an orchestral version? It may not be the strongest production, but hey, this is the kind of melancholic Madonna song, that I need from time to time.

News?

█ Chris Brown is trying to be cool again. And what better way to do so is to feature both a popular singer and a random rapper in his new song "Party"? The video highlights lots of dance moves... and just confirms that this is nothing new.
█ And now Mac Miller features Ariana Grande - "My Favorite Part" might be the next anthem for any couple, who's into R'n'B.
█ Lady Gaga just can't let "Million Reasons" go. This song gets coverage almost everywhere, but I still can't find a good reason to listen to it more often than I have to.
█ Guess who dethroned The Rolling Stones in the German album charts? It's Kollegah,. with his new album "Imperator". So once again hip-hop rules.

New in the German charts:

[01] Clean Bandit - Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie) : No, not my cup of tea. And it isn't just because Sean Paul.. or the pole dancing in the woods. The song gets really annoying after the first spin.
[09] Alle Farben - Bad Ideas : This seems like a summer hit without the Summer. And I didn't even have to watch the video to get that impression. Anyway... the song is no big deal to me.

Holz (#453)

Hi,

once again I'm late. I blame it on a workshop I've managed yesterday.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Madonna : Fan times. I was rushing through a bunch of new songs... I chose "Love Spent" for a playlist.
• Enigma : Flashback times. Everybody should know "Carly's Song", because it's so genious.
• Youssou N'Dour : Research context. There is actually just a single song, which comes to my mind, whenever I see that artist's name. "7 Seconds" (featuring Neneh Cherry), which is timeless and epic. And I was looking for a song that is slightly related to human rights. I found it on a list by Amnesty International.

Most played artists:

• The Sigourney Weavers : Concert context. (And interview context.) Tbh it never came to my mind to compare this band with The Killers. But after I've read it in a review, I can't stop thinking about it. Anyway... this band is awesome. If you have the chance to see them live, go for it.
• Roosevelt : Fan times. You cannot imagine how often I listen to his songs these days. :P
• The Lonely Island : Reseach context. I was thinking of playing a song by them on the radio. But most songs I really like are quite explicit. So I skipped that.

Most played tracks:

(nothing to highlight here again)

News?

█ The nominations for the 2017 Grammy Awards were announced last week. Tbh when I read Beyoncé, Kanye West, Drake and Rihanna... I'm thinking of how much I don't care about these awards anymore.
█ Madonna received the recognition as Billboard's Woman of the year. Congratz... although it's a bit hard for me to understand such an honor.
█ The 23rd studio album by The Rolling Stones went straight to number 1 in the German album charts. Also reviews of "Blue & Lonesome" seem to be very positive.

New in the German charts:

[07] 257ers - Holz : In their 22th week they (re?)entered the top ten. Congratz. I'm happy for them.
[08] Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence : Another re-entry, or is it? Hmkay. 
[09] Max Giesinger - Wenn sie tanzt : Hm, didn't this song also appear here some weeks ago? Anyway, it's not my cup of tea. But there are certainly worse songs. :P
[14] Wham! - Last Christmas : You have to give credit to musicians (or producers) who were able to contribute a song that's this popular each year. And tbh I'm one of those guys who still don't mind listening to the song (in the original version) from time to time.

Set It All Free (#452)

Hi,

it is December already. So almost time for all the "best of 2016" contributions. In the meantime I'm trying to do at least one more interview. :D

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Justice : Well, now that I've listened to "Woman" I can say that it's a nice electro album.
• Childish Gambino : New album alert. I've listened to a few songs from "Awaken, My Love!", but so far I am underwhelmed.
• Saint Motel : Catchy tunes alert. I'm quite happy with "saintmotelevision". It's still fun to listen to.
• Cher : Flashback times. It was more of a research context, actuallly. I was looking for a song for a film radio programme, and when it came to the upcoming film "Love & Friendship" I was thinking of Cher's "Love And Understanding"... so yeah, and that made me listen to some of her lovely classics.
• Scarlett Johansson : Research context. I didn't believe my ears when I first heard her soundtrack song "Set It All Free" from the animated film "Sing". Seems like she knows how to use her voice for more powerful occasions... or the producers did some magic. :P

Most played artists:

• The Weeknd : Once again I went through his new songs and put the catchy ones on my iPod. :P
• Wendja : Interview context. Tbh I seem to have a better understanding of his music now.
• Bruno Mars : New album alert. Well, I guess I'm still not a big fan of this artist.

Most played tracks:

(again.. nothing to highlight here)

News?

█ There's this cheesy pop song "Let Me Love You" by DJ Snake featuring vocals by Justin Bieber. The song could easily be part of a JB album. Anyway, it has a cheesy video now, that's practically like the song - nothing new, but quite up-to-date.
█ Madonna did a charity thing in Miami with special guests like Sean Penn, Chris Rock and Ariana Grande. She also did a nice cover version of Britney's "Toxic".

New in the German charts:

[07] Bonez MC & RAF Camora - Palmen aus Gold : Tbh I liked the "first" version more. :/ But hey, I'm still happy for their success.
[08] Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles (feat. Gucci Mane) : Meh, boring song. Not my cup of coffee.