The Cure (#471)

Hi,

this one's an early entry because of my next vacation :D

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Midnight : Radio context. I was looking for a nice tune for an intro. I'm not sure whether to use "Vampires". :)
• Mando Diao : Promotion context. I got to listen to the upcoming album "Good Times" quite early. It's better than the first pre-single "Shake", which reminds me very much of their hit "Dance With Somebody".
• Goldfrapp : Fan times. I'm still finding my way through "Silver Eye".
• Preoccupations : Radio context. This band will be part of the lineup of the 2017 Immergut festival. I checked out their self-titled album, which features quite a lot prog rock, but also one or two nice tracks.
• Roosevelt : Fan times. It was like I rediscovered his music. And on easter I heard that his new remix EP "Remixed 1" was released. :)

Most played artists:

• John Mayer : New album alert. So there we have it - "The Search For Everything". I wasn't really rushing to get to know the new songs. I even skipped the second wave (EP) for this. And though "Still Feel Like Your Man" has a good video, I'm still struggling to like this song, which is the album opener. But then there's a tune like "Changing", that totally clings to me. Also "Emoji Of A Wave" is kind of all the things I'm loving about his music. So, yeah, "The Search For Everything" actually is better than I thought, but it also disappoints because of a few quite cheesy love songs.
• FLUT : Ooh, what a nice debut EP "Nachtschicht" is. I listened to it a few times.
• Shawn Mendes : Finally I've taken my time to get to know "Illuminate". The album is less catchy than I thought. I even noticed some soul influences.

Most played tracks:

• FLUT - Tiefschlaf : Clearly my personal highlight of "Nachtschicht". Go try it. :)

News?

█ Harry Styles' first solo single "Sign Of The Times" topps the UK charts right now - perfectly on time for his music guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live".
█ Lady Gaga's Coachella concert was streamed live on YouTube. And she dropped a new song called "The Cure", which sounds more pop than any other track on her latest album "Joanne".

New in the German charts:

[01] Die Toten Hosen - Unter den Wolken : Hm, well, it could have been predicted. And tbh it could have been worse. But then again... old school DTH fans may be shocked. :P
[07] Jim Pandzko feat. Jan Böhmermann - Menschen Leben Tanzen Welt : In its second week, the song finally gets the attention it deserves - as a parody of modern German pop music. I support that
[10] Clean Bandit - Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) : Well, whatever... :P

Menschen Leben Tanzen Welt (#470)

Hi,

another busy week went by... so quickly! And those Easter days are just around the corner. Work-life-balance, what did you do to me? Anyway...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Colbie Caillat : Hm, it must have been a while, since I last heard a song from her early album "Coco", which came out in 2008. Yup, time flies... but nice tunes remain. :) I recommend the song "Battle".
• Goldfrapp : New album context. I'm still busy getting my head around "Silver Eye". How can an electronic dance record be so melancholic? Wow. 
• Andrea True Connection : Radio show context. I was looking for a nice track from the 1970s... and "More More More" is one of my favorites. But did you know that it spawned quite a number of versions?
• Hall & Oates : Radio show context. Tbh I've never heard from them, until I read about James Gunn wanting to use "She's Gone" in the upcoming film "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2". Well, so I had to search for the (70s) album "Abandoned Luncheonette", because I could not find it on any greatest hits compilation. :P

Most played artists:

• HGich.T : Concert context. Oh boy, I really did miss my chance to attend their Rostock show last Friday, because of other radio events. But then again. I prepared a special show about their music. And I've met a few of the project/band members backstage. So it wasn't a total failure. I just still need to see them live someday. :D
• !!! : Radio work context. So as if two radio shows and an interview wasn't enough, I had to manage to edit a small portrait of this lovely band, which will headline the next Immergut festival. I wish I would have had more time, because the finished piece feels a bit rushed. But then again... their latest single "The One 2" also still has to convince me. :P

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here... again]

News?

█ You can say what you want about Jan Böhmermann, but his latest project about German pop music couldn't be more amazing. He used monkeys to put together a generic pop song, which contains loads of commercial slogans. Enter Jim Pandzko... and his first hit "Menschen Leben Tanzen Welt". What an ingenious move! :)
█ So the 2017 Echo Awards took place last Thursday... but I don't give a fuck about it. I even skipped watching performances online.

New in the German charts:

[10] Rag'n'Bone Man - Skin : I guess, this artist is now officially mainstream - and he has won 2 Echo Awards. Anyway, I find this song underwhelming. But on the other hand, I still want to listen to his album.

Despacito (#469)

Hi,

as I was on vacation in Glasgow last week, I didn't really have the time to scrobble that much.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• PnB Rock, Kodak Black & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie : This collaboration made the song "Horses", which is featured on the next Fast&Furious soundtrack. So you might imagine what it sounds like.

Most played artists:

• Bear's Den : Concert context. Oh, what a joy it was to see them live. The venue was ace, as was the lighting. So it's no wonder that I have the "Red Earth & Pouring Rain" album on repeat these days.
• Goldfrapp : New album alert. I was very excited to listen to "Silver Eye". The album is quite electronic, but it still comes with a few melancholic elements. I have yet to figure out, which tracks are my favorite. 

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Flashback times thanks to the German album charts. The new album by The Kelly Family reached number one.

New in the German charts:

[07] Jason Derulo - Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) : WTF!? -.- Such a stupid track.
[10] Luis Fonsi - Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee) : Hm, a latin pop song for the summer, that "slowly" will get stuck in your head. Could be worse... :P

Mo Bounce (#468)

Hi,

last week was kind of heavy for me. I spontaneously went to a concert of Audio88 & Yassin, I also went to a dubstep party and I saw Leoniden play yesterday.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Sorority Noise : New album alert. "You're Not As ____ As You Think" is not my cup of tea.
• Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique : I revisited the "Love Is Free" EP. Good stuff. Can't wait for new Robyn tunes.
• Roxette : Melancholy times. I think it's amazing, how many good songs you can finde on "The Ballad Hits".
• The Obsessives : New album alert. Tbh I can't really remember the few tracks of their self-titled record, that I've been listening to.
• Sheryl Crow : Flashback times. "C'mon, C'mon" was the record that changed my mind about Sheryl Crow. It features a nice variety of songs.
• Madonna : Fan times. "Hard Candy" will never be my favorite album, but it has some great songs.

Most played artists:

• The Jesus And Mary Chain : New album alert. We've got a promo copy "Damage And Joy" at the radio station. So I was curious about their music. Rock fans should check it out.
• Soulwax : New album alert. I was surprised to find myself enjoying the electronic tunes of "From Deewee". It's the first Soulwax album, that I've listened to.
• Gorillaz : New songs alert. Four new tracks of the upcoming album "Humanz" were released. And most of them are fun.

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Robyn had a brand-new track featured in a recent episode of "Girls". Whether the song "Honey" might be a pre-single to a new album, isn't official yet.
█ Nicki Minaj made US charts history - with now 76 songs ever in the Hot 100 she surpassed Aretha Franklin (with 73 tracks) and is now the woman with the most Hot 100 hits. Taylor Swift had 69 songs so far. Madonna just 57. But in comparison with artists like Lil Wayne (133) and Drake (132) that doesn't seem to mean that much.
█ The new Iggy Azalea song "Mo Bounce" sounds quite good, although I would have liked a more catchy chorus. Anyway... the question is: how big will it chart.
█ Of course, Depeche Mode's "Spirit" would reach the top of the German album charts easily. But hey, the good news is Drake entering the top ten only at number 7. :P

New in the German charts:

[07] Zuna - Nummer 1 (feat. Azet & Noizy) : Oh, what a crappy track. :P

Waterfall (#467)

Hi,

I don't like weeks like this, when I'm too busy... Anway...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Temples : New album alert. "Volcano" sounds good.
• Hater : New album alert. I have mixed feelings about "You Tried" and I probably won't listen to again soon. 
• Hoy Holy : I'm still very happy with "Paint".  One of my favorite songs is "True Lovers".
• Roosevelt : Fan times on the weekend. His self-titled album is so good.
• Hanging Valleys : New EP alert. The self-titled collection of songs is not really my cup of tea.

Most played artists:

• Circa Waves : New album alert. I guess, indie rock fans should try "Different Creatures".
• EMMA6 : New album alert. I was a bit surprised by "Wir waren nie hier", because I didn't expect catchy tunes.
• Yung Hurn : New album alert. Tbh the best thing about "Love Hotel" is the pre-single "Diamant". :P

Most played tracks:

• Katy - Chained To The Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley) : There's a new remix of "Chained To The Rhythm". But I continue to prefer the original version. :)

News?

█ That new Stargate video for "Waterfall" features neither of the guest singer and just comes across boring.
█ Iggy Azalea will drop a new single on Friday. The recently revealed cover artwork of "Mo Bounce" looks quite similar to Nicki Minaj's single cover for "Anaconda".

New in the German charts:

[06] Jax Jones - You Don't Know Me (feat. RAYE) : Ugh, sounds like a rejected Rihanna remix. The simple video looks good, though. :/

I Feel It Coming (#466)

Hi,

I wasn't really in the mood to post this earlier because of a very busy weekend. But then again... who cares...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Shins : New album alert. I'm not the biggest Shins fan, so you may not wonder, why I wasn't impressed by "Heartworms" that much.
• Booka Shade : Promotion context . I was lucky to get early impressions of "Galvany Street", the upcoming album. The sound is still very electronic and my personal favorite is definitely "Babylon".
• Madonna : Playlist research context. I wanted to have a top-notch remix with a thumping beat. So I checked out Above & Beyond remixes of Madonna songs - such as "What It Feels Like For A Girl" and "Nobody Knows Me". The latter one can be found on the single "Nothing Fails". Great stuff.
• Carrie Underwood : Playlist research context. The singer turned 34 last Friday, so I was looking for a song to celebrate that. (I chose "Blown Away".)
• Blonde Redhead : New EP alert."3 O'Clock" sounds good, but I expected more tbh.
• The Corrs : Flashback times. Wow, it must have been while since I last listened to "In Blue". Most of you might know the MTV Unplugged version of "Radio", but have you ever heard the original version? (You find it on "In Blue".)

Most played artists:

• SDP : New album alert. "Die bunte Seite der Macht" is basically fan service. If you don't like their style, you'll probably be annoyed by the new songs. And there is this audio drama track at the end, which even might scare fans away.
• Mike Singer : So now that I've had a full view on his debut album, I can say, that most of it feels solid - in a teen pop context.
• Holy Holy : New album alert. Wow, if you like Indie rock, try "Paint". Its 10 tracks are all quite good with some highlights among them.

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Was there any doubt, that Ed Sheeran's new album would reach the top spot in the German album charts after such a single chart success? But hey, even Tokio Hotel made it among the top 5.
█ The Weeknd is very busy touring the world. But it didn't stop him releasing another music video. "I Feel It Coming" is the second Daft Punk collaboration. Visually it couldn't remind me more of Michael Jackson. And it's also very retro.

New in the German charts:

[08] Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl : As far as I can recall this one's a non-single. It sounds like singer-songwriter pop song with an edgy Corrs vibe. But tbh it's one of the better songs from "÷". :)

Something Just Like This (#465)

Hi,

hm... I'm late again. There simply was too much going on...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Goldfrapp : New remixes alert. As if a song like "Anymore" needed any remixes. But hey, Danny Dove showed some skills. :P
• London Grammar : New remixes alert. "Big Pictures" now comes in different styles. My recommendation: the THRDL!FE remix.
• RÜFÜS : Good times context. On the weekend I listened to a few songs from "Bloom". My favorite is "Like An Animal".
• Coldplay : New single alert. "Hypnotised" has quite a progressive vibe - and not just because of its duration.

Most played artists:

• Ed Sheeran : New album alert. I think "÷" is good, but I wish it would be a little more edgy or at least daring. I guess fans will be satisfied, though.
• Tokio Hotel : New album alert. "Dream Machine" continues the 80s-style pop from the previous album. And hey, it's just 10 tracks. Tbh I think they've gotten a bit lazy.
• Mike Singer :  New album alert. Who would have thought, that "Karma" could become a number one album. But it did just recently. I'm still getting to know the album. But so far I've found at least one catchy song.

Most played tracks:

• Katy Perry - Chained To The Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley) : Yeah, well, this might continue. Now can I please have an update about her fifth album? :)

News?

█ Lorde is back! "Green Light" sounds cool, the video looks okay.
█ And there was another award show last weekend. The 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place in Inglewood (California). Bruno Mars got an Innovator Award, and then there were the usual winners like Adele, Drake, Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers and...Twenty One Pilots.

New in the German charts:

[04] The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This : Okay, so this is a hit song. I can live with that.
[06] Katy Perry - Chained To The Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley) : Yes! :D
[08] Burak Yeter - Tuesday (feat. Danelle Sandoval) : Hm, that's from last summer. It certainly has its qualities. Nice tune.