Roswell (#477)

Hi,

I couldn't be bothered to write this earlier... so...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Harry Styles : New (self-titled) album alert. So this is another solo attempt of an One Direction singer. And so far the critics have been nice. I also admit that I'm surprised by his switch to more grounded tunes than just contemporary pop. But if you ask me, there is at least one decent song in his 10 track collection.
• Craig Armstrong : Chill times context. The mellow tunes of the "In Time" score are just perfect for centering yourself.
• David Archuleta : New release alert. I've listened to his "Orion EP", which features quite nice pop tunes.
• Frank+Fefe : Info times. A new podcast episode is out.
• Garbage : Fan times. On the weekend I've listened to some of their (power) ballads.

Most played artists:

• Alexa Feser : I've listened to her latest album "Zwischen den Sekunden" once more. I still think it's lovely German music.
• Blondie : Fan times. I'm still a bit unsure about "Pollinator" as album. But at least three songs couldn't be more catchy. :)
• Marteria : New album alert. So now that his fourth record "Roswell" is released, there were quite some expectations to be met. I'd say that it is a strong record that has a good balance of party tracks and thoughtful rap songs. 

Most played tracks:

• Katy Perry - Swish Swish (feat. Nicki Minaj) : Hype alert. I am so curious about her new album "Witness", which will be released on June 9. All three pre-singles sound great. But I also noticed that all song feature guests.

News?

█ So I finally watched the 2017 Billboard Music Awards - that show, where Drake broka a record winning 13 awards in one night. Yeah, well, good for him. (I still skip most of his music.) Also Céline Dion's performance felt underwhelming. The only legendary part of the show was Cher... and tbh the Nicki Minaj medley at the beginning. The rest (and especially almost all wins) felt meh. ^^
█ Wow, Rammstein's new "Paris" live album made it to the top of the German album charts. So no more Helene Fischer - at least for one week.

New in the German charts:

[08] Robin Schulz - OK (feat. James Blunt) : Well, nice pop tune... but still very calculated. But hey, a song with James Blunt vocals, that's not annoying in the first place.

Each Time You Fall In Love (#476)

Hi,

busy times at work... so this one's a bit late...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Sigourney Weavers : Idk, but it just happened that I'm hooked on "Running Through The Street Lights", one of the more catchy tracks from "Noir".
• Linkin Park : New album alert. But don't bother too much, because "One More Light" is really... bad. :( I could hardly stand those ten songs.
• Mountain Bike : Promotion context. Tbh "Too Sorry For Any Sorrow" is not exactly my cup of tea.
• Mew : Now that's my kind of music. I'm almost sad not to see them live at the Immergut Festival this week. But hey, I have their songs on repeat.
• B.o.B : New album alert. I've listened to a few songs from "Ether" and "Xantastic (feat. Young Thug)" in particular did grow on me a bit.

Most played artists:

• Blondie : Hm, that new "Pollinator" album does it for me. A nice collection of songs. Just maybe a ballad or two could have topped that.
• PWR BTTM : New album alert. I am quite satisfied with "Pageant". Solid rock songs.
• Paramore : New album alert. "After Laughter" won't make me a Paramore fan. But then again... nothing else did before. :P

Most played tracks:

• Blondie - Long Time : I can officially say that this track will be part of my best songs of 2017. Too catchy...
• Cigarettes After Sex - Each Time You Fall In Love : Oh, what a tune. Now I can't wait for the upcoming self-titled album.

News?

█ The 2017 Billboard Music Awards took place.. but I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. But news like Drake winning again don't make curious about any winners, but more about performances by icons like Cher and Céline Dion.
█ The next One Direction member has started a solo career. Liam Payne's debut single "Strip That Down" has a feature by Quavo, comes with steamy promo clips of an upcoming music video. But it doesn't convince me much.
█ Helene Fischer's new self-titled album entered the top spot of the German album charts. (But that's no news at all, actually.)

New in the German charts:

[09] Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back : Hm... I'm not that much a fan of his music style, even though this song has more guitar than usual.
Btw. there have been no changes among the top 8 songs.

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