Automaton (#461)

Hi,

and so it is February now - about time that a new tune gets stuck in my head...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Wendja : It's a bit hard for me to explain, why I came back to his music. Okay, there are some epic intros and sick beats, but also some deep lyrics. It's just the fact, that a few tracks feel kind of wrong, which makes me think. And yes, sometimes the rhymes seem too simple. But then there's the part of me, that likes cheesy music. :D
• Genesis : Fan times. Recently it was Phil Collins's birthday. So thought of giving Genesis another chance - and I can tell you, I'm quite a fan of their last albums, because almost every song has its qualities - whether more lyrically or musically. For instance, try "Way Of The World" from "We Can't Dance". :)
• Imagine Dragons : New single alert. If you ask me, the best thing about "Believer" is the cover artwork.

Most played artists:

• Antilopen Gang : New album context. So now I didn't just make it through "Anarchie und Alltag" but also the bonus album "Atombombe auf Deutschland". The latter has much more punk-rock-like versions on it. I have doubts that I will listen to both again soon.
• Elbow : New album alert. I'm no expert, when it comes to this band, but "Little Fictions" seems kind of nice and easy-listening. But I didn't find any highlights, either.
• HGich.T : New album alert. Now with the official release of "Therapie wirkt" I checked out some more new songs. But tbh I'm still sad, that "Superschlau" didn't make it onto the record.

Most played tracks:

• Jamiroquai - Automaton : Wow, what a comeback. If you just listen to one song this week, it should be this one. And don't get me started on the flashy music video. Anyway... I'm so hyped about their new album now. :D

News?

█ So there we have it - the latest Superbowl Half Time Show by Lady Gaga. She clearly performed like a pro. But tbh even though she played hit after hit, I felt that something was missing. Next time more surprises, please.
█ At this point I have to give Ed Sheeran some credit for his successful return to music. He now has his two singles at the top spots (again). I've recently watched the music videos for them - just as with the songs my favorite is "Castle On The Hill".
█ Just FYI: a look at the current German album top 5 makes me sad. :/

New in the German charts:

[04] The Chainsmokers - Paris : Well, once more this duo delivers euphoric escapism in music. The song feels quite similar to that duet with Halsey. Tbh I don't mind, because there is worse pop music out there.
[07] Kaleo - Way Down We Go : A latecomer. The official music video is from May 2016. Hm, I'm not sure after one spin.
[09] Sage The Gemini - Now And Later : Oh no, a mix of Jason Derulo and Flo Rida. In one word: generic.

Pizza (#460)

Hi,

you may wonder why you won't find anything about Waving The Guns in my stats, although I went to the concert last Saturday. Well, that happens. However, it  was an amazing evening.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Weeknd : I feel like I still need some time to connect to the latest album, but a few songs grew on me.
• Adele : Idk what made me revisit "21". But it happened on the weekend.
• Goldfrapp : New music alert. First things first - there is the new single "Anymore", which sound very electro. And the 7th album "Silver Eye" will come out in late March.
• Dappy : Party preparation times. That means a track like "Come With Me" might come up.
• Bon Iver : It was all about "Beth/Rest" once more... I can't think of a better Bon Iver song.
• Donna Summer : There are two songs from her final studio album, that I really like - "Stamp Your Feet" and "The Queen Is Back".
• Lissie : 

Most played artists:

• Schrottgrenze : Interview context. It's funny that the second spin of their album "Glitzer auf Beton" was quite different to me. I guess some songs will grow on me.
• Antilopen Gang : New album alert. "Anarchie und Alltag" went straight to the top spot in the German album charts. And I have to admit, some songs are good - "Pizza" for instance.

Most played tracks:

(nothing to highlight here)

News?

█ "La La Land" seems to be everywhere these days, thanks to the hype. And the soundtrack just entered the German album top ten.

New in the German charts:

[05] The Chainsmokers - Paris : Tbh I haven't had time to check that out.
[06] Sage The Gemini - Now And Later : Tbh I haven't had time to check that out.

Never Give Up (#459)

Hi,

I can't tell you how busy I was last week, because I can hardly believe it myself. I just hope, that things get a bit better next time...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Conor Maynard : I was on the way home, when the shuffle gave me "Can't Say No". Ooh, how time went by. Tbh I can't handle that track so well anymore, but there is a nice remix.
• Anastacia : So I finally found out, what the latest album "A 4 App" is all about. It's a live album with a few known songs and also b-sides. The few tracks I've heard, where very well produced.
• Jacob Sartorius : Who? See, that's what I thought. But don't worry. You did not miss a thing. Just skip that one.
• How To Dress Well : Ah, flashback times - in a melancholic context, of course. :)
• Savage Garden : Hm? Uhm, okay, so there might have been a song by them, too.
• Frank+Fefe : On the weekend I took some time to listen to the latest episode of their "Alternativlos" podcast.
• Christina Aguilera : You can say what you want about her "Bionic" era, but that album had some very underrated tracks on it. For instance, try "Birds Of Prey".

Most played artists:

• Schrottgrenze : New album alert. Now that "Glitzer auf Beton" is finally out, I was lucky enough to listen to it as soon as possible. There are definitely some strong tracks on it. And if things go well, I might have an interview coming up.
• John Mayer : New EP alert. "The Search For Everything - Wave One" features 3 more new tracks as well as the early single "Love On The Weekend", which still is the strongest song. Tbh maybe I just need some time to get my head around the new tunes. But I can't hide the fact that I was looking for political or more thoughtful songs and not just ballads about love and stuff.

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ So the next Superbowl Half Time Show will take place soon. And rumors occured, that there won't be any surprise guests this time. It's also certain that Lady Gaga will sing "Bad Romance" at some point. And then there's the possibility of a brand new song.
█ The 43rd People's Choice Awards praised the likes of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, when it comes to music. But the album award went to... Blake Shelton of all people. Meh. 
█ The xx have a new number one album in Germany - "I See You" went to the top spot.

New in the German charts:

[08] Sia - Never Give Up : That song comes from the film "Lion" and is produced by Greg Kurstin. At least it doesn't sing her so loud as usual. Actually, it sounds quite nice with the slight Indian influences.
[09] Starley - Call On Me : Hm, tbh, even though I want to give a new artist like her a chance, the song sounds pretty generic.

Tiefschlaf (#458)

Hi,

oh boy, it's been a quite stressy week. Fortunately I had some time on the weekend to listen to new stuff.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Twin Wild : I kind of feel bad about not having gotten to know the EP songs. But I swear I'm on it.
• HGich.T : Promo context. So this band is about to release a new album called "Therapie wirkt".  And I am lucky to have a chance to listen to it early.
• Janet Jackson :Yup, that happened. And guess what? It reminded me of how good "Discipline" was.
• Schrottgrenze : Hype alert. A new album is coming up and I revisited "Sterne". And then there's the new single "Glitzer auf Beton". Great stuff.
• Linkin Park : Well, I don't remember this, actually. It just reminds me of sorting out my iPod library.

Most played artists:

• I Heart Sharks : Promo context. I had an interview with Simon (on the phone). So I wanted to make sure to be prepared. That's why I listened to "Hideaway" a lot.
• Austra : Promo context. The new album "Future Politics" will be released soon. It sounds quite good.
• SOHN : New album alert. Oh, I was curious about "Rennen" and after a first spin I felt it is okay.
• Smile And Burn : Promo context. There might be a chance for another interview, so I wanted to make sure to get to know the new stuff.

Most played tracks:

• FLUT - Tiefschlaf : Oh yeah, that one's my jam. Try it. It's too good. (Oh, and then there is a new single called "Linz bei Nacht".)

News?

█ Ed Sheeran revealed the tracklist of his new album "Divide". I haven't seen any feature guest so far, which is a good sign.

New in the German charts:

[01] Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You : Wow! Congrats to that.
[02] Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill : Unfortunately I would have liked this song to be on top. Just because I like it better.
[09] ZAYN & Taylor Swift -I Don't Wanna Live Forever : Hype alert. There's still one month to go, before "Fifty Shades Darker" hits theatres. And like with the prior installment it comes with an A-list soundtrack. The first songs have been revealed and this one is now a top ten hit. Meh. :/

Castle On The Hill (#457)

Hi,

so my first real week in music in 2017 did have a few nice highlights, mainly because of new singles.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Twin Wild : Finally I took some time to listen to the "My Heart" EP, which actually has the same cover as the single (but last.fm doesn't know it yet). Anyway... nice stuff. I hope to have news about their debut album soon.
• The Midnight : So I bought the instrumental versions of "Endless Summer" - let the next karaoke event be influenced by this action. :P
• The xx : New single alert. Tbh "Say Something Loving" does not impress me much. But I am curious about their new album.
• The Naked And Famous : Flashback times. Remember 2016? The song "Laid Low" made it to my best-of-playlist.
• The Flaming Lips : New single alert. They have Miley Cyrus featured on their new track. But tbh I find it underwhelming. 

Most played artists:

• Vita Bergen : Long term preparation context. Not only do I have the intention to get to know the album "Disconnection" better, but I'd also like to do some radio thing about it. And then there's also a concert coming up.
• Cub Sport : I reconnected with their 2016 album "This Is Our Vice", but "I'm On Fire" is still my favorite song.
• You Me At Six : New album alert. I think they've gotten softer, but I'm no expert on this. I still need to the last few tracks anyway.

Most played tracks:

• Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill : What a surprise. Ed Sheeran is back in social media and also in music - with 2 new singles, which sound very different. I really liked that one much more than "Shape Of You". It reminds me of those John Mayer songs, that capture growing up and the melancholy that sometimes comes with it.

News?

█ Video recommendation #1: "Pizza" by Antilopen Gang. I guess I've found my first favorite track by this hip-hop group. A great mix of social issues and comedy. (Plus a special surprise guest.) And who doesn't love pizza?
█ Video recommendation #2: If you're into indie music around here, you probably know Bilderbuch. This year will see the release of a new album. And now we have the first main single - "Bungalow". And once again they produced a colorful music video.
█ The Rolling Stones are back at the top of the German album charts, which makes me consider to get to know "Blue & Lonesome".

New in the German charts:

[05] Robin Schulz & David Guetta - Shed A Light (feat. Cheat Codes) : Hm, at least the song sounds catchy. But I think it's funny how one EDM artist alone doesn't seem to have what it takes to score in the charts. Just think about it. David Guetta seems to need a co-artist these days. :P

I'm On Fire (#456)

Hi,

hope you had a nice New Year's Eve. And lets also hope for the best (music) in 2017.
(btw. I have a new logo)

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Bear's Den : Fan times. You know what? I should start getting to know their first album.
• The Weeknd : Fan times. "False Alarm" has grown on me. I was thinking of adding it to a party playlist.
• The Midnight : I just found out that there is an instrumental version of their album "Endless Summer". And I'm just about to buy it. :P
• Natalie Imbruglia : Flashback times. Tbh I can't really recall the year that song "Torn" dropped, but it is still such an awesome track. It just feels timeless.

Most played artists:

• Waving The Guns : Concert context + promo context. They will release a new album later this month, but I was fortunate enough to listen to it. It's pretty good - both on the lyrical side and on the music side. I already bought a ticket for their gig in Rostock.
• Madonna : Fan times. Sometimes I wonder, if I can still consider myself a fan. But then I listen to some classics and I know that this is my jam... forever.
• RÜFÜS : Playlist research context. I was looking for a song for a special radio show that recaps my favorite music of 2016. And RÜFÜS was definitely part of it.

Most played tracks:

• Cub Sport - I'm On Fire : Aw, why didn't I re-play this earlier. It is such a good song. And it cheers me up, which is not an easy thing these days.

News?

█ Mariah Carey had a very special performance on that NYE event in NYC - go look for it on the Internet. Missing playbeck, no monitors, just a terrible show. Awesome for any haters. :P

New in the German charts:

Tbh I don't feel like covering that this week, because there are too many Christmas-related oldies... and nothing new, actually.

My year 2016 in music

Hi,

happy new year! So here's something for stats fans... my most played music of 2016:

Artists

 

1. Normandie (141 plays)
2. Killerpilze (104 plays)
3. Roosevelt (77 plays)
4. Madonna / Roxette / Die Höchste Eisenbahn (66 plays)
5. Bear's Den (64 plays)
6. Pet Shop Boys / The 1975 (56 plays)
7. The Weeknd (51 plays)
8. Jake Bugg (50 plays)
9. M.I.A. / Troye Sivan (40 plays)
10. The Boxer Rebellion / The Midnight (39 plays)
11. Lady Gaga / Robert Francis (37 plays)

Thoughts:

• You see, there's a new player in scrobble town. Normandie quickly became a constant in my music sessions. 
• Tbh I'm a little surprised by the amount of Killerpilze scrobbles. Now there was the latest album "High" and also my obsession to hear their oldies - both because of curiosity and also later to be prepared for an interview.
• Also new to my playlists were Roosevelt and Die Höchste Eisenbahn, both acts from Germany, both acts ain't really new, and both are amazing to see live.
• Madonna at #4 - just because of fan times - there were no new releases.
• Pet Shop Boys and Roxette released new albums. I was fortunate to see PSB live in London, so I was eager to get to know the new songs from "Super". Roxette's latest record "Good Karma" wasn't that convincing.
• Another discovery was Bear's Den, who released new music that brought me through the second half of the year.
• Not new to me, but at least with new material: The 1975, The Weeknd, Jake Bugg, M.I.A., Troye Sivan, The Boxer Rebellion.
• Lady Gaga's "Joanne" was another bummer for me.

Albums

 

1. Normandie - Inguz (115 plays)
2. Roosevelt - Roosevelt (73 plays)
3. Killerpilze - High (59 plays)
4. Bear's Den - Red Earth & Pouring Rain (52 plays)
5. The Weeknd - Starboy (47 plays)
6. Roxette - Good Karma (46 plays)
7. Jake Bugg - On My One (40 plays)
8. The Midnight - Endless Summer (39 plays)
9. The 1975 - I like it when you sleep, for you are so beauiful yeat so unaware of it (38 plays)
10. M.I.A. - Aim / Robert Francis - Fire Engine Red / The Boxer Rebellion - Ocean By Ocean (37 plays)

Thoughts:

• I can recommend almost every album, except "High" and maybe "Good Karma". (just being honest)

Tracks

1. Normandie - Epilogue (21 plays)
2. Normandie - Collide (19 plays + 8 plays of the Philip Strand Remix)
3. Normandie - Believe (16 plays)
4. Killerpilze - Hymne (Single Version) (15 plays + 8 plays of the album version)
5. Bear's Den - Auld Wives (13 plays + 7 plays of the Radio Edit)
6. The Midnight - The Equaliser (Not Alone) (13 plays)
7. Normandie - Awakening / Robert Francis - My Way (11 plays)
8. Richard Ashcroft - Hold On / The Midnight - Vampires / Troye Sivan - Youth (Gryffin Remix) (10 plays)
9. Roosevelt - Belong / Lissie - Don't You Give Up On Me / Robert Francis - Lilah / Normandie - Loop Hole / The Slow Show - Ordinary Lives / The 1975 - Somebody Else (9 plays)
10. Roosevelt - Night Moves / many Normandie songs (8 plays)

Thoughts:

• I'd say you should put all those tracks in a playlist and listen to each of them at least once... :P
• Who would have thought that "Hymne" would be among my top 2 songs of 2016. And while I can't be too positive about the album "High", that one song is definitely my favorite track.
• The actual ranking -> "Collide" (27), "Hymne" (23), "Epilogue" (21), "Auld Wives" (20)