Dolerme (#625)

Hi,

in a world full of sad news this little journal of mine brightens my day a little.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Childish Gambino : New "release" (?) context. Well, it seems that "Donald Glover Presents" was just online for a few hours. But don't be sad. I did not like most of it anyway. ("03.15.20" is still on my list, though.)
• Pöbel MC : Fan times. Still finding my way to the new tracks on "Bildungsbürgerprolls".
• Porridge Radio : New album context. There was a very positive review that made me listening to all songs of "Every Bad" - but I did not like it at all. :(
• Lapsley : New album context. "Through Water" was a huge disappointment to me.
• Peter Bjorn and John : New album context. "Endless Dream" should make fans happy, but it's not that special, if you ask me.

Most played artists:

• Dua Lipa : New album context. I have to praise "Future Nostalgia" for its catchy tunes. Dua Lipa's second album might end on my best-of-2020 list with ease. Almost every track seems to grow on me.  
• Lady Gaga : Celebration context. I was using her birthday on the weekend to re-visit my favorite tracks by her... and a bunch of music from "Born This Way", an album that deserved a better cover. :P
• The Slow Readers Club : New album context. "The Joy Of The Return" has amazed me.
• The Weeknd : Fan times. (You can expect this artist to appear here a few more times.)

Most played tracks:

• ROSALÍA - Dolerme : Wow. That's surprising. I guess this is the first ROSALÍA song, that gets me hooked. Let's see, if it will get a music video.

News?

█ Kygo made a song with Zara Larsson & Tyga, who are also featured in the music video for "Like It Is". The visuals come across quite basic. I think this track could actually grow on me.
█ Ava Max's new music video for "Kings & Queens" confirms my impression, that she seems to push some kind of Lady Gaga buttons. But it's still a nice pop tune.
█ Looking at the German album charts ain't easy this week - say hello to Heaven Shall Burn ("Of Truth And Sacrifice") and Pietro Lombardi ("Lombardi") - at the top spots. The Weeknd ("After Hours") can be found at number 5, and Pöbel MC ("Bildungsbürgerprolls") at number 10.

New in the German charts:

[01] The Weeknd - Blinding Lights : 17th week and 8th number one spot. :)
[02] Dardan - H<3tel (feat. Monet193) : Tbh I'm not sure, if I just can appreciate the good beat, or I should despise its lyrical content. :/
[10] Soolking - Hayati (feat. MERO) : I admit that the production seems high class, but the content still makes me cringe.

Alive (#624)

Hi,

what crazy times we live in. I guess, music can be quite important right now. And I managed to get to know many new songs.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Real Estate : New album context. Wow, "The Main Thing" totally works as an album. Alternative Indie fans might have fun checking this out.
• ITZY : New album context. "IT'z ME" seems to be full of effective bangers. For a first mini album you get quite a good mix.
• NCT 127 : New album context. Tbh I did not like "NTC #127 Neo Zone - The 2nd Album" that much. I'm not sure, whether I will give it another chance.
• Porches : New album context. "Ricky Music" features a bunch of odd sounding tracks. But at least it is a short record.

Most played artists:

• The Weeknd : New album context. There's something epic about the entire album "After Hours", that just feels like a steady progress referring to previous Weeknd albums. So far I am quite happy with the new tunes. And yes, some credits go directly to producer Max Martin.
• SIAMES : New album context. Their new album "Home" is just a fun record for fans of alternative music.
• Jhené Aiko : New album context. "Chilombo" did not convince me at all tbh. :-/
• Four Tet : New album context. "Sixteen Oceans" seemed like a soundtrack for bathroom cleaning to me - except for one or two tracks. :(
• Circa Waves : New album context. "Sad Happy" is a nice album, which I will listen to once more soon.

Most played tracks:

• Bathe Alone - Calm Down : Recommendation context. This artist will soon release more music. And that single grew on me already.
• SOPHIA - Alive : New release context. Wow, this pre-single of the eighth studio album "Holding On / Letting Go" (to be released on April 24) is my gem of the week. What a wonderful song!

News?

█ So because of this new virus many events have to be canceled or posponed. And nobody can tell when (or if) things will go back to normal. The world is changing right now.
█ Meanwhile at the top of the German album charts: Marianne Rosenberg ("Im Namen der Liebe"). followed by Haze ("Brot & Spiele") - with BTS still among the top four. :) 

New in the German charts:

[01] The Weeknd - Blinding Lights : Sorry, but I love it. :)
[02] Samra & Capital Bra - Berlin : When I hear lyrics including comtemporary buzz words like Para, Ballern, GTS, Baba, Bullen and Kugeln, I can instantly imagine, that I won't like the song. And here you have such an example.
[04] Ufo361 - Bad Girls, Good Vibes : Are you kidding? A track, that just runs about 90 seconds? Well, somehow the artist has made it. He could even release simple demos and they might get lots of streaming numbers.
[07] Robin Schulz - In Your Eyes (feat. Alida) : Hm, I'm not sure about this one. The sound doesn't seem very original. Instead it triggers David Guetta vibes - especially those songs with Sia as feature guest.
[08] SAINt JHN - Roses (Imanbek Remix) : I guess this might be a future number one hit over here. It's certainly very strong electro pop.

Tell Me When (#623)

Hi,

sooo, I am finally renaming this weekly journal.. (to avoid the many apologies because of lateness). What once was "Music Monday" is now...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Whethan : New release context. "Upside Down" features Grouplove and sounds quite good.
• 100 gecs : New release context. "Ringtone" comes with many feature guests like Charli XCX, Rico Nasty and Kero Kero Bonito. But they all can't help a mediocre song, if you ask me.
• Afrojack & Fedde Le Grand : New release context. "1234" even comes with an extended version. Both feature MC Ambush. I did not really like it.
• Aquilo : New release context. Tbh you can skip a song like "Sober".
• Austra : New release context. I was looking forward to new Austra music, actually. But "Anywayz" might decrease my hype level. :-/

Most played artists:

• Lauv : New album context. I've found it hard to enjoy most of "~how i'm feeling~", because I couldn't find much exciting aspects. Only a few tracks seemed nice.
• NCT 127 : New album context. "NCT #127 Neo Zone - The 2nd Album" comes with 13 tracks, that might make fans happy. I was disappointed.
• Enya : Fan times. Quiet tracks for tumultuous times.  

Most played tracks:

• The Human League - Tell Me When : This has to be the most popular track from their 1995 album "Octopus". And it proves to still be a damn fine catchy tune today, that sticks with you. :)

News?

█ Ellie Goulding released a new single with feature guest blackbear. The video for "Worry About Me" kind of fits the song, but it seems quite different (and maybe unfamiliar) regarding previous music. So that one might challenge fans.
█ ITZY made their comeback with "WANNABE" and a mini-album called "IT'z ME". The music video seems quite typical for a K-Pop group.
█ Böhse Onkelz rule the German album charts in a second week (regarding their self-titled album), followed by new entries Vega ("Locke") and Patricia Kelly ("One More Year"), while BTS is still among the top four.

New in the German charts:

[01] Loredana - Angst : Well, this might easily top many other Loredana tracks. I expected worse. ^^
[03] Luciano - Sip : Tbh I think this is one of his stronger tracks. And quite well produced, too.
[06] Samra - 6 Uhr : Another pre-single for "Jibrail und Iblis" (out in a few weeks). And.. no, thanks.

(yeah, I guess, I will keep that "older Logo" for now) 

Je disparais dans tes bras (#622)

Hi,

I guess this has to be one of the latest entries... but anyway.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• KYTES : New album alert. "Good Luck" starts strong, but in the end I would only rate it "okay".
• Odezenne : Discovery context. His 2019 EP "Pouchkine" had a few nice tracks.
• Noga Erez, Reo Cragun & ROUSSO : New release context. I've listened to "Views" and can't really say, whether it was good or bad.
• American Authors & Seeb : New release context. The band collaborated with Seeb for a single called "Best I Can". A nice team-up, if you ask me.
• Bear's Den : Fan times.

Most played artists:

• Joseph : New album alert. "Good Luck, Kid" sounds okay.
• Christine and the Queens : New release alert. "La Vita Nuova" is an amazing EP. Feel free to check it out. My favorite track is called "Je disparais dans tes bras" and also has an English version. :)
• Chastity : Curiosity context. His 2019 album "Home Made Satan" has a strong opening track, but can't keep up with the catchy quality of "Flames".
• Long Beard : Curiosity context. I've checked out her album "Means To Me" (also from 2019), which I found nice, but not that overwhelming.  

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ BTS will start the pre-sale of the European tour dates next week. Fans can get early access via Ticketmaster.
█ Katy Perry released a new single. "Never Worn White" comes with a glossy looking video, that ends with a message, that the artist is pregnant.
█ Böhse Onkelz are topping the German album charts (with a self-titled release) and are followed by Five Finger Death punch ("F8"), while BTS ("MAP OF THE SOUL : 7") is still strong at number three.

New in the German charts:

[03] Capital Bra & Samra - 100k Cash : No, thanks. Seems to me like we all had a song like that before.
[05] Dardan - D A YYY T O N A : Ugh, this trend regarding stupid trap tracks, that sound like ringtones, just won't stop.
[10] Azet & Dhurata Dora - Lass los : Wow, who on earth is pumping musik like this? :-/

Stupid Love (#621)

Hi,

yikes, that little lateness again... I think I will remain that journal soon.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Enya : Fan times.
• Pet Shop Boys : Fan times.
• Roosevelt : Fan times.
• ÄTNA : New album context. "Made By Desire" sounds nice.
• Best Coast : New album context. "Always Tomorrow" starts strong, but in the end I was hoping for more. My favorite track is the album opener "Different Light".

Most played artists:

• BTS : Fan times. Some new songs are already growing on me.
• Robert Vincent : New album context. Tbh I could not really understand that positive review of "In This Town You're Owned", after I've heard all of the songs.
• Grimes : New album context. I guess I've found a few favorite tracks on "Miss Anthropocene".

Most played tracks:

• Lady Gaga - Stupid Love : New single context. Welcome back to pop music, Lady Gaga. I am very happy with this return. And I am already a bit hyped about her next album "Chromatica". :)

News?

█ BTS were featured on a "Subway Special" of Jimmy Fallon's tonight show. There they talked a little, they played a litte and they danced a lot. :P
█ And meanwhile in the German album charts: BTS finally made it to the top ("MAP OF THE SOUL : 7"), followed by Ozzy Osbournce ("Ordinary Man") and Heinz Rudolf Kunze ("Der Wahrheit die Ehre").

New in the German charts:

[02] Ufo361 - Rich Rich : The artist could do better, but when you see, that mediocre tracks like this still chart that high... Well, I guess I could call it "style over substance". :P
[03] Samra - Schüsse im Regen : ###waiting for update###
[10] Apache 207 - Matrix : ###waiting for update###