IDOL (#542)

Hi,

what a week it has been. And I am referring to this crazy Friday (August 24), that felt like Christmas to me. Why? Because not only did I anticipate some new albums, I also got some more new albums via radio promotion, that are not even released yet. =)

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Vincent Gross : New album alert. I'd call this incident a case of "knowing the enemy". But seriously, the new album "Möwengold" couldn't possibly sound more commercial. It's almost hurting.
• Nothing But Thieves : Well, I've listened to their 2017 album "Broken Machine", but it somehow left me cold. :-/
• Romano : It took me a lot of time, until I finally got to know his album "Copyshop", which wasn't easy to listen to for me. But there were a few highlights - like "Anwalt" and "Tourizocke".
• Shout Out Louds : I was very surprised that "Easy My Mind" would convince me that much. In case you like Indie and Pop, then try it. :)
• Wild Cub : Tbh their latest album "Closer" wasn't my cup of tea.
• Wild Nothing : New album alert. So, "Indigo" felt okay... just okay :/

Most played artists:

• BTS : New album alert. OK, so the wait is over and we finally have some "answers" - referring to "Love Yourself 結 'Answer'", which sums up the last 2 releases as some kind of compilation featuring 7 new songs. And what nice songs that are! Hm, what funny thing has happened to me in these past 3 months. :D
• Odesza : Another late checkout process, if you ask me. But the 2017 album "A Moment Apart" has its moments.
• Travis Scott : New album alert. There has been a lot of positive feedback about his album "Astroworld". Unfortunately I can't really understand, what makes this record so good, because it sounds like "normal" modern hip-hop to me... but I have to admit, that I did not pay much attention to the lyrics.

Most played tracks:

• BTS - IDOL : Oh boy, did they go crazy on that video. I can't imagine how they would ever be able to top that. It's like there is no other KPop group that relevant right now. The song itself reminds me of "DOPE" and "Not Today", which are both favorites of mine. So I think you can guess how I feel about this new track. Well, it doesn't feel that original as "FAKE LOVE", but it's enough to make the masses go crazy. And that happens on YouTube right now. (Keyword reaction)

News?

█ So Nicki Minaj couldn't reach the number one spot on Billboards album charts, because "Astroworld" by Travis Scott stayed there. And that made her post a few tweets about marketing (including iTunes and Spotify) and stuff. Okay.
█ Meanwhile in Cardi B land: a new music video. "Ring" looks glossy and features Kehlani for some nice vocals. The track could easily stand for contemporary R&B. It even makes me consider listening to her debut album once more.
█ You really have to give credit to Big Hit Entertainment - not only to keep any new music under wraps that good, but also to stir up online hype like no other these days. So some tension built up around the release of the new BTS album "Love Yourself 結 'Answer'". A teaser for "IDOL" reached more than 12 million views on YouTube within 24 hours. And just hours before the worldwide digital release of album plus music video it was announced that their would be a second version of "IDOL" featuring... Nicki Minaj. Well, you could call it a mic drop. :P
█ Speaking of numbers: BTS's "IDOL" video reached over 10 million views within 4 hours... 56 million within 1 day and is now (after 3 days) at about 86 million views.
█ Blossoms covered Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" in context of some BBC radio thingy - idk... but if you are interested, feel free to look it up on the Internet. It's really good.
█ Does anybody know Saltatio Mortis? Well, I don't... but his new album "Brot und Spiel" went straight to the top of the German album charts - followed by Ufo361 and Ariana Grande.
█ Fresh awards were given yesterday at the 2018 iHeartRadio MMVAs. Kris Wu won Fan Fav New Artist and many other awards went to Shawn Mendes. So far I can't write anything about the performances.
█ And yes, last week there was also buzz about the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. This show included expensive looking performances by Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez (now Video Vanguard Award winner) - plus a surprise collaboration of Post Malone and Aerosmith. But the internet went a bit wild about Madonna not paying enough tribute to Aretha Franklin, which was never her plan. And what funny thing, that the winner of the night, Camila Cabello, did not even perform. Well... let's see if this years MTV Europe Music Awards can keep up with that.

New in the German charts:

[04] RIN - Dior 2001 : Wow, i can't remember a RIN track being this successful before. (But I'm old, so I might have gotten this wrong.) Anyway... the track sounds really catchy.
[09] Maroon 5 - Girls Like You (feat. Cardi B) : Oh, I didn't expect that. Seems like Cardi B is getting popular over here these days. Her single "I Like It" also jumped forward in the charts.

Made For Now (#541)

Hi,

oh, I just forgot to press "publish"... so this would actually be on time this week. :)

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Normandie : Fan times. I just ordered a ticket for an upcoming joined concert in Hamburg - hoping the other bands are nice, too.
• Daniel Ran : Chill times. I needed some mellow background music to recover from a party - so what better choice is there than the "Beyond Skyrim: BRUMA" soundtrack? :)
• Lykke Li : Chill times.
• The War On Drugs : Fan and chill times. I'm considering buying a concert ticket.
• Kylie Minogue : New single alert. Still not liking her new music style.

 

Most played artists:

• Madonna : Radio/jubilation context. As I was preparing for a special radio show in honor of Madonna's 60th birthday, I went through lots of her songs - including the complete "Music" album, which is still an amazing record.
• Ariana Grande : New album alert. After one spin I would say that "Sweetener" is a mixed bag for me. A few tracks are bopping, others disappoint.
• Nicki Minaj : Fan times. (Plus new album context.)

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Aretha Franklin has passed away - at age 76. RIP
█ Madonna turned 60 and used that occasion to release her complete MET Gala 2018 performance, which included a snippet of a yet unreleased new song called "Beautiful Game".
█ Janet Jackson not only released a new single/video with Daddy Yankee. She also made a late night television comeback and performed "Made For Now" on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. Tbh the song sounds better than most of her latest album "Unbreakable" from 2015. Also the music video looks quite joyful.
█ LGoony released a new single. For "Eiskalter Sommer" he once again collaborated with Yung Isvvc. The music video fits the catchy tune. :)
█ Normandie released the second single of their upcoming second album. The title track "White Flag" gets me hyped. :)
█ The new Blossoms video "How Long Will This Last?" goes full 80s, even referencing "Back To The Future".
█ BTS's YouTube channel BANGTANTV reached 10 million subscribers. (Seems like this news comes just in time for the release of the next BTS album "Love Yourself 結 'Answer'" this Friday.)
█ And we have another week with German hip-hop ruling the German album charts - this time it's "Platin war gestern" by Kollegah & Farid Bang.

New in the German charts:

[06] Katja Krasavice - Sex Tape : Oh no. :( Another top ten hit for this... "artist".

Come See About Me (#540)

Hi,

oopsy, I'm a little late again... but oh, look at all the news.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Iggy Azalea : New EP alert. Tbh I expected more pop vibes on "Survive The Summer". But hey, she is a hip-hop artist... so that's my problem. ^^
• Now, Now : New album alert. "Saved" almost went under my radar. And the bits, I've listened to so far, are great.
• DMA'S : Fan times.
• Viagra Boys : New single alert. "Sports" is not my cup of tea. Sorry :(

Most played artists:

• Nicki Minaj : New album alert. So we finally get to hear "Queen", which comes with 19 tracks. The first surprise is the intro song, then I noticed interesting feature guests and then I was wondering, why "Barbie Tingz" was left out. So far I would say that the new album sounds interesting.
• Hayley Kiyoko : New album alert. "Expectations" sounds okay, but so far I haven't heard anything that stands out.
• BTS : fan times.

Most played tracks:

• Normandie - Ecstasy : Promotion context. OK, now I'm hooked on the new sound. (The best thing are the piano parts.) The band also hinted that a second pre-single might be coming soon.
• Nicki Minaj - Come See About Me : Definitely one of my personal highlights of her new album. I instantly fall for the catchy chorus - and the melancholic theme.
• A R I Z O N A - What She Wants : Ooh, those 80s vibes... but also oy, what a band name. I guess I should check out their debut album "Gallery" soon.
• Cher - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) : Oh yeah, this is a comeback - although it gets help by an oldie tune. Anyway, I didn't think that I could get hooked on that melody again, since Madonna used the sample for "Hung Up". But here we are in 2018, when Cher thinks it is time for another ABBA music revival. Well, call me hyped for her upcoming cover album "Dancing Queen". :)

News?

█ Well, in case you noticed anyone of the band 5 Seconds Of Summer in their latest video "Youngblood", please tell me, because I wasn't able to. I think this is a remarkable move, because bands like this usually want to show themselves to the world. Hm.
█ A new Michael Jackson song? Well, no, first "Man Behind The Mask" was initially released in 2010 (on the album "Michael") and the new edit for the video was produced 2013. The only new thing is that you can watch it now on the official MJ YouTube channel.
█ We have some award news. Winners among the 2018 Teen Choice Awards are... Louis Tomlinson (WTF? Really? The worst 1D member?), Camila Cabello (meh!), 5 Seconds Of Summer (wow, but when you see their competition), Carrie Underwood (yay!), Khalid (ok) and Jackson Wang (who?). Oh, and BTS won Choice International Artist. :)
(And by the way "Riverdale" got maaaany awards.)
█ I was a bit shocked to hear about Wanna Thompson, who is a music journalist, that got loads of critique by Nicki Minaj and her huge fanbase - just for expressing an opinion on Twitter. Even death threats seem to have been involved. There is so much violence in the world and attacking people for opinions or beliefs does not help. I'm also disappointed with Nicki herself for sending out angry DMs as well for not stopping her fans attacking the woman online.
█ ZAYN released a new single featuring Timbaland. "Too Much" even got a shoutout by BTS on Twitter. But tbh I am quite underwhelmed by the track.
█ Elle King is back with a new single. "Shame" comes off very catchy - and usually this wouldn't be my cup of tea. But her voice convinces me. The video features a bit retro and a bit bling, but it fits the song. (about 90K views since August 9)
█ Hold your breath, because we have the comeback trailer for BTS's new album "Love Yourself 結 'Answer'". It is a #Jintro song called "Epiphany" and I guess it couldn't possibly be more dramatic. So we have all the singers of the group shining in a solo song during the Love Yourself era - Jungkook ("Euphoria"), Jimin ("Serendipity"), V ("Singularity") and now Jin. (The only thing missing is an official release of "Euphoria" as a music product.) Btw. the video got 18M views since August 9.
█ Yikes, Vanessa Mai's "Schlager" is now topping the German album charts. But it is followed by the soundtrack of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again". And Travis Scott's "Astroworld" debuts at #4.

New in the German charts:

[01] Capital Bra - Melodien (feat. Juju) : OK, that kind of came out of nowhere. I admit, this is a good team-up. They could easily produce a complete album together. But where's the connection to the next Bushido album? Anyway...
[03] Bonez MC & RAF Camora - 500 PS : I have mixed feelings about this song. It certainly is catchy - but what's with all the guns in the video? And does it get much airplay?
[06] Gringo - Gigi (Zkittlez) (feat. 6ix9ine) : Oh, look who finally entered the top ten. Congratz.

Beverly (#539)

Hi,

oops, it seems like my Mondays are too busy these days... but trust me, I try to be on time. :-/

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• August D : BTS-related fan times.
• Mason Ramsey : New EP alert. "The Famous" sounds like you would expect, if you need some quick money. My advice: skip that music, even though it is well produced.
• Luca Kaminski : Radio context. I had the chance to interview the artist. And you won't guess how young he is. Anyway, his style reminds me of LGoony and Rin - and I think I will follow his output. Check out his videos or his current EP "Beverly".
• Work Drugs : Fan times. But also chill times, because I chose the more downbeat songs.

Most played artists:

• BTS : Fan times. :)
• N.O.R.E. :  New album alert. I really like that remix of "Uno Mas", but nothing like this can be found on "5E". So that was a bummer. :/
• The Internet : New album alert. If you like soul music, try "Hive Mind". I think you should be pleased.
• All Saints : New album alert. Tbh I wasn't really hyped about "Testament", but then I found out, that William Orbit produced some tracks. And guess which songs I like most regarding All Saints. So yeah, I still have mixed feelings about the new album as a body of work. But I don't mind new Orbit-produced tracks. :)
• The Spitfires : New album alert. Wow, "Year Zero" really took me by surprise. Now that is fine indie rock - with great vocals.

Most played tracks:

(nothing to highlight here)

News?

█ Neneh Cherry is back. Her new song "Kong" comes across quite melancholic. And also the music video fits the downbeat structure.
█ And once again 6ix9ine is creating some internet buzz because of another collaboration. He teamed up with Gringo for a song called "Zkittlez". And they even managed to get a joined video edited, although they must have been some timezones apart.
█ Speaking of unusual collaborations, CHVRCHES feature Wednesday Campanella on their new track "Out Of My Head", which comes from the Japanese edition of "Love Is Dead". The music video has a strong psychedelic anime vibe.
█ So Iggy Azalea's new EP "Survive The Summer" was released - and I think it sounds boring. I couldn't find one single catchy hook. So yeah, have fun trying to get credits as a serious hip-hop chick, but pop tunes brought you in the spotlight in the first place, Iggy. :-/
█ DJ Khaled released a track featuring Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo. Unfortunately "No Brainer" sounds like it was made in an afternoon - an no guest artist does himself a favor taking part in this mess of a song. (Hopefully it won't be a success.)

New in the German charts:

[06] Summer Cem & Bausa - Casanove  : No, thanks - not my cup of tea. If those "artists" stay true to their lyrice, they might suffer from sore groins. Anyway... I happily skip those tracks.
[07] Alvaro Soler - La Cintura : Ahhh! :( Mediocre Latin music vibes. It's like Despacito all over again.
[08] Jonas Blue - Rise (feat. Jack & Jack) : OK, not the best pop music, but very acceptable compared to other songs. ^^ (Can you believe that Jack & Jack are making music for years now? Well, they haven't had a hit song - that I know of - so far.)
[09] Loud Luxury - Body (feat. brando) : Hm, the track doesn't hurt, but it doesn't amaze me either. Meh.

FEFE (#538)

Hi,

so once more this gets published with a slight delay, but tbh Idc... Hot summer days can really make you suffer, if you don't take your time to enjoy it. And working in an area, that gets visited by lots of tourists during holiday season, does not quite help either. Anyway...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Rhye : New album alert. (Or maybe it ain't that new?) "Blood" ist mostly mellow sounding.
• The Dangerous Summer : New album alert. I've listened to their self-titled album, but it was just okay.
• Childish Gambino : I thought that the music on the "EP" EP was kind of new. But it turns out, that it was published years ago. Anyway, there's this one track, that totally surprised me - "Lights Turned On".
• Daniel Ran : Sleepy time context. So yeah, I used tunes of "Beyond Skyrim: BRUMA" for getting to sleep on very hot evenings.

Most played artists:

• BTS : Fan times. (It just took 2 months to get me there.)
• Justin Timberlake : So, yeah, I gave "Man Of The Woods" another chance. But tbh this is no album for me.
• Awolnation : New album alert. "Here Come The Runts" did not convince me at all. :-/

Most played tracks:

• Normandie - Ecstasy : New single alert. And fan times, of course. Can't wait for the new album. "White Flag" will come out on October 26.

News?

█ 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj collaborated on a new track called "FEFE", which got the Internet buzzing because of its colorful music video. Within days it reached over 40 million views. And tbh I can't really understand that, because neither song nor video are that special. Also both artist don't seem to fit together. (And don't let me get started on the crazy headlines that got 6ix9ine media attention.)
█ How could I miss the release of George Ezra's "Shotgun" video? Anyway, this one's filled with minimalistic settings interlocked with CGI. Good job.
█ The top three entries in the German album charts are metal by Powerwolf, "folk" by Calimeros and hip-hop by MC Bilal. And my eyes keep rolling.

New in the German charts:

[06] Eno - Mercedes : No thanks, didn't need that one. But I think, I should come up with a tag or something to describe my feelings about that. (bling-rap maybe?)

1998 TRUMAN (#537)

Hi,

so a quite busy week lies behind me now. It was fun doing a lot of BTS-related research, but it also feels good to have achieved something - even if it's just a short radio show.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Weeknd : Fan times.
• Sheryl Crow : Flashback context. Oh, how her album "C'Mon, C'Mon" changed my view of her music. If you don't know the album, feel free to try it.
• MorMor : New EP alert. "Heaven's Only Wishful" features good alternative songs, but I guess I won't revisit it anytime soon.

Most played artists:

• BTS : Fan times. So my special radio show finally aired last Thursday - and although it wasn't perfect, I had a fun time. So consider me blessed. And this just in... my album order of "Love Yourself 轉 'Tear'" arrived today. :)
• London Grammar : Fan times.
• Bullet For My Valentine : New album alert. Tbh at some points their sound reminded me of Normandie. :P But apart from two tracks "Gravity" didn't convince me. 

Most played tracks:

• BTS - Euphoria : It's funny how I seem to discover something new about BTS each week. Did you know, that "Her" wasn't the first part of the "Love Yourself" era? There was a short film before - it marks the starting point - called "Wonder". And in it there is a song, that hasn't been released yet. It's a nice pop tune - with solo vocals by Jungkook.

News?

█ The nominations for the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced. Cardi B, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Childish Gambino and Drake have the most chances for any wins. So you may imagine, how "excited" I am. :P The show will take place in New York City's Radio City Music Hall on August 20. (A host has not been named yet.)
█ BTS announced a repackage edition as part of their next "Love Yourself" release - the 2 CD album is called "Love Yourself 結 'Answer'" - and it will be out on August 24.
█ Normandie released their first single of their second album. "Ecstasy" also comes with a nice new video. The band went through a few changes since its debut with "Inguz" - so their future looks interesting.
█ Ciara made a comeback with her new single "Level Up". Both song and video seem very focused on the choreography. Within its first days the video reached 2 million views, but I still have doubts about this song becoming a hit.
█ Now that the duet "Dance To This" by Troye Sivan and Ariana Grande has a video, I can repeat how underwhelming I am about this. Even with retro (or independent film) visuals it feels a bit like a letdown to me.
█ Brockhampton released a new video. "1998 TRUMAN" seems a bit split, if you ask me. But it has its upsides.
█ Oh no, the Amigos rule the German album charts right now.

New in the German charts:

[01] Dynoro & Gigi D'Agostino - In My Mind : Uh. OK, not my first choice, but when I think of possible alternatives, I can live with it.
[06] Drake - In My Feelings : Hm, another trap song only Drake seems to deliver. Anyway... call me wrong, but I think this is overrated.
[10] Luciano - Ballin : I was wrong. Drake is a king compared to this... :-/

God Is A Woman (#536)

Hi,

you wouldn't believe what happened to me last week - and it's also music-related. So I asked the German BTS Army for help regarding some research, which let me have my most viral tweet of all time. :-D
I hope everything turns out right. But now back to business...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• (nothing to highlight here this week)

Most played artists:

• BTS : Fan times. The preparation of a radio special really takes me quite some time. I don't want to make a big deal of how much effort I put into this little freetime project... so yeah, I'm confident.
• Madonna : Fan times. And also some kind of radio context, because I am preparing something for August 16. :)
• Roosevelt : Fan times. 

Fun fact: those three acts are on my "would like to interview" list :)

Most played tracks:

• BTS - So What : OK, call this one my latest new favorite tracks. (It will certainly be added to my "best of 2018" list.)

News?

█ Ariana Grande released a new track plus video. "God Is A Woman" continues her glossy visual style with quite a lot CGI. But the song sounds quite good, too.
█ WTF!? Did something bad happen, or why do I see Eloy de Jong at the top of the German album charts - with the sixth week of "Kopf aus - Herz an". (I need some explanation for that.)

New in the German charts:

[01] Bushido - Für euch alle (feat. Samra & Capital Bra) : OK, can I have that Clean Bandit song back? :P No, but seriously, I can't say anything good about this song. :-/