Off The Radar (#475)

Hi,

you would not believe what kind of weekend lies behind me, but hey, I did not forget about scrobbling a bit...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Sigourney Weavers : Promotion context + fan times. Their newest single "Candy Donamara" might sound a bit like The Killers, but also like the good old days of The Killers. :)
• Bear's Den : Fan times. You can't imagine how much I love "Red Earth & Pouring Rain" (both song and album).
• Barry Gibb : Finally I started to get to know "In The Now", his latest album, that got a few positive reviews.
• Grouplove : New release alert. I've listened to a few tracks from the "Little Mess - EP"... and a song like "Adios Amigos" could convince me.

Most played artists:

• Noga Erez : Promotion context. I was lucky to listen to her upcoming album "Off The Radar", which is much more electro than I expected.
• Bright Light Bright Light : Retro alert. If you listen to "Cinematography 2: Back In The Habit", you might feel some kind of 80s vibe. I think it's a good collection of cover versions.
• John Mayer : Chill times. I wanted to do a special broadcast about his music, but although picking songs would have been easy for me, I decided not to do that because of the research overhead, that I did not have the right amount of time for. (So I just chose nice songs, which are new.)

Most played tracks:

• John Mayer - Love On The Weekend : Well, there is this very rare moment, when I get to attend a wedding. And this was the song I chose to get in the mood. :P

News?

█ Oh, Die Toten Hosen are back with a number 1 album ("Laune der Natur"). How predictable. :P
█ Nicki Minaj seems to be very busy these days. Not only does she have a feature appearance at the latest DNCE video/song "Kissing Strangers" but also with her friend Lil Wayne in David Guetta's "Light My Body Up". The latter one sounds a bit catchy, actually.
█ Katy Perry's new video for "Bon Appétit" once again proves, why she is a pop star. Glossy visuals plus a crazy setup with some unexpected twists. Just lovely. Her fifth album "Witness" will come out on June 9. A world tour will also start later this year.
█ What the icon is going on with Madonna? There's been an iTunes release of a song recently, that should even be official, if rumors are true. "Behind Me (feat. Guido Dos Santos)" might be an old demo, it even has a horrible audio ending. But then again... at least it's a new song for my collection.

New in the German charts:

[09] Bibi H. - How It Is (Wap Bap...) : Are you kidding me? People really paid money for this crap? I'm losing faith in humanity here. :(

Run With Us (#474)

Hi,

well, with a busy week ahead I should not lose time...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Naked And Famous : I'm still amazed how organic the album "Simple Forms" feels. No song is a miss.
• Bright Light Bright Light : New EP alert. "Cinematography 2: Back In The Habit" starts with a wonderful 80s-retro song called "Run With Us". Can't wait to get to know the rest.
• Airling : New album alert. A title like "Hard To Sleep, Easy To Dream" makes it hard for me, not to invest some time in an artist/act called Airling, that I haven't known before.
• LCD Soundsystem : New single alert. It is more a double single, because "Call The Police" and "American Dream" seem equally important. Both songs were also played on SNL last weekend. And also... both tracks are long.
• Fil Bo Riva : New release alert. I've listened to some tracks from the EP "If You're Right, It's Alright". Nice voice, but not too convincing tunes.
• The Drums : New single alert. "Heart Basel" will be on the upcoming album "Abysmal Thoughts" and it sounds okay.

Most played artists:

• Kasabian : New album alert. My first impression of "For Crying Out Loud" surpasses the one of "48:13". The opening is strong.
• Blondie : New album alert. Wow, "Pollinator" delivers big tunes. Now that's my kind of alternative pop.
• Mew : Hype alert. Oh, I can't simply get enough of "Visuals" these days - thanks to songs like "85 Videos" and "The Wake Of Your Life". Try it!

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Kontra K beat Gorillaz and Ufo361 when it comes to the current German album top 3.
█ Cher will get some kind of lifetime icon award and perform "Believe" once more at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. That would be her first awards performance in 15 years.
█ Miley Cyrus reinvented herself... at Billboard Magazine.

New in the German charts:

[07] DJ Khaled - I'm The One (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne) : First thought: I guess there'll hardly ever be a live performance featuring all these collaborators. The song itself sounds like a patchwork made for pleasing many target groups. And best of all: where's the main artist at?

Bon Appétit (#473)

Hi,

I'm just about to finish this holiday Monday... so I'll make this entry a quick one...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Sheryl Crow : New album alert. As a fan of "Wildflower" I'm very happy to hear that she went back to radio-friendly pop songs. And also some nice lyrics do help to dig the new stuff. But it has yet to convince me more. ^^
• Andrew Lockington : Chill times context. I won't deny that I liked the film "The Space Between Us". And also the score is enjoyable.
• Moon King : Yup, I've listened to the first track of "Secret Life", which is my favorite. :)
• Michael Bublé : Chill times context. I know there's been a later album, but "To Be Loved" has so nice songs on it.
• Maximilian Hecker : Sleepy time context. I can hardly imagine another way to listen to the songs of "Mirage Of Bliss". :P
• Chumbawamba : Playlist research context. "Tubthumping"! Yay! 

Most played artists:

• Mew : New album alert. "Visuals" could be one of my highlight albums of 2017. I've listened to it twice - and it is just fun.
• Alexa Feser : New album alert. Due to a very positive review of "Zwischen den Sekunden" I got curious about this singer. And yes, I am tempted to call her the German Adele. :D
  
• BNQT : New album alert. Tbh I did not know that this is a super group. Anyway, their debut album "Volume 1." features quite a range of styles.

Most played tracks:

• Mew - The Wake Of Your Life : Now that is a tune. And don't get me started on that epic outro. Yes, that is my jam.

News?

█ Katy Perry's new single "Bon Appétit" is another perfect pop jam. Let's see where it will get her in the charts. Also the feature part by Migos fits the song. She will be musical guest on SNL on May 20 (for the season finale).

New in the German charts:

[01] Luis Fonsi - Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee) : Oh, the reign of Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You" seems to be over. :D
[06] Alice Merton - No Roots : I'm pretty sure a commercial campaign helped a lot to get this song here. And yes, it is catchy.

Nummer 1 (#472)

Hi,

I was on vacation last week, so I didn't really scrobble much.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy: this is one of those weeks, when I can skip this part...

Most played artists:

• Daft Punk : Chill times on the weekend. Have you ever heard the bonus track "Horizon" from "Random Access Memories"? It's one of my favorite Daft Punk songs.
• Bear's Den : Addiction alert. It's getting ridiculous how many times I've listened to "Red Earth & Pouring Rain" by now.
• Flut : Can't wait for a full album by this band. Unfortunately I can't make it to any of their live gigs these days. :)

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Rise Against announced a new (8th) album called "Wolves" for a release on June 9. The pre-single "The Violence" should please fans.
█ Well, I might be a month late, when it comes to Jason Derulo's "Swalla" video, but oh, what a stupid mess. It's so bad, that I recommend you to watch it and make up your mind about soulless music like this.

New in the German charts:

[09] Clean Bandit - Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) : Okay, I admit that the arbitrary pop song gets elevated by the music video thanks to social issues. But still, the Clean Bandit sound is not my cup of tea.
[10] Zuna - Nummer 1 (feat. Azet & Noizy) : Hm, that one reminds me of Bonez MC & RAF Gamora. Btw. the new album "Mele7" entered the charts at number 2.

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