Yesterday (#647)

Hi,

this time on time - and featuring many new albums.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Lissie : Fan times. I was sorting shirts while listening to "Back To Forever".
  
• The Killers : New album context. "Imploding The Mirage" surprised me with quite a few good tracks. I guess I should thank the producers and guest musicians for that.
  
• Alex The Astronaut : New album context. My expectations for "The Theory Of Absolutely Nothing" were not met, so I can easily skip those songs now.
  
• Cut Copy : New album context. "Freeze, Melt" has too many downtempo songs, if you ask me. I was hoping for a catchy bop instead. :-/
  
• Lady Gaga : Fan times plus workout context.
  

Most played artists:

• Katy Perry : New album context. "Smile" was released with a bunch of clips - The Smile Video Series. The new tracks fit quite well together, so that "Smile" turns out to be a good pop record.
  
• Sea Girls : New album context. Tbh I was very disappointed "Open Up Your Head"
• Crack Ignaz : New album context. "Sturm und Drang"
  
• Giant Rooks : New album context. And fan times, of course. "ROOKERY" 

Most played tracks:

• Axel Vindenes - Yesterday : When I first heard this bop, I was pretty sure to repeat it quite some time. 
• NOISY - Put A Record On : I can't remember having listened to this band/artist before, but this track is a banger - with a nice message.
  

News?

█ The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) took place a couple of hours ago - in a very special time. No real live audience but still elaborate performances by big acts. One highlight was Lady Gaga - not only delivering a great Chromatica medley (featuring Ariana Grande), but also winning the (first?) Tricon Award. (What is a tricon?) And also The Weeknd made an impressive show at the top of a skyscraper. BTS also sang and danced - and they've won several awards.
█ Calvin Harris released another collaboration single - with The Weeknd. "Over Now" sound less uptempo than expected - and it comes with a trippy CGI video.
█ The Austrian alternative band FLUT returned with a new single. "Zur Zeit" marks a big change in style - and to tbh I liked their previous songs better.
█ Stray Kids announced a re-package version of their first album. I guess, it will be called "IN Live" - to be released on September 14. Also a short clip for "Ani" seems to refer to a new track.
█ The German album charts are ruled by AK Ausserkontrolle ("A.S.S.N. 2"), followed by Tocotronic ("Sag alles ab - The Best of 1994-2020").

New in the German charts:

[01] Capital Bra & Cro - Frühstück in Paris : No. Just no. (I'm sad.) -.-
[02] Bausa & Juju - 2012 : Hm, I can't tell, why I'm having a problem with Bausa's music. But tbh this track is well-produced.
[02] Die Ärzte - Morgens pauken : Wow. Who would have thought, that this legendary band could still release such a relevant song. Yay! :)
[07] Jamule & Chilla - 13 : How ironic to have another duet that deals with memories. But this one's okay, too. ^^
[08] BTS - Dynamite : Welcome among the top ten, BTS. (Good job, ARMY.) :)

Echoes (#646)

Hi,

I guess it's been a while, since I last forgot about posting. Sorry. ^^

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• BANNERS : I've checked out "The Rise, The Fall" - but it could hardly convince me, because after a while all songs seem similar.
  
• The Spitfires : Sorry for repeating, but "Life Worth Living" is a very good album.
  

Most played artists:

• Orville Peck : New release context. I haven't heard anything by this artist before. His music video with Shania Twain popped up and I got curious. His debut album "Pony" felt boring, because of all the slow tracks. I would say that his new EP "Show Pony" is only a little improvement. He could really use a few more uptempo songs.
  
• Troye Sivan : New release context. "In A Dream" has turned out to be a very good EP.
  
• Sonikku : Curiosity context. "Joyful Death" was okay.
  
• Kiesza : New album context. "Crave" should please pop fans.
  
• Stray Kids : Fan times. I'm about to get to know older singles - and a compilation like "SKZ2020" comes in handy.

Most played tracks:

• Roosevelt - Echoes : New single context. And yes, I still love his music style. I'm sure this will become my next favorite bop these days.

News?

█ BTS have broken another record. Their latest comeback single "Dynamite" has reached more than 100 million views on YouTube within 24 hours. And it's their first song fully in English. Thus the lyrics seem very simple. A new album will come out later this year. The colorful music video for "Dynamite" reminds me of "Boy With Luv" a lot.
█ Melanie C must really love Dua Lipa - because her new pre-single "In And Out Of Love" not only has the vibes but also the looks to be heavily influenced. Anyway, her new self-titled album will be out on October 2.
█ Because of deluxe versions the second Fynn Kliemann "Pop" reached the top of the German album charts once more. It is followed by Eloy de Jong ("Auf das Leben - fertig - los!")

New in the German charts:

[03] Ufo361 - Playlist : Hm, no, thanks.

Levitating (#645)

Hi,

last week I had a few days off, which made me miss quite a few new releases, but I'm working on catching up...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• 070 Shake : I was coming across her 2018 single "Accusations", which I find okay tbh.
  
• Bob Moses & ZHU : New release context. "Desire" sounds really good.
• DMA'S : Fan times.
• Giant Rooks : Fan times.
  

Most played artists:

• TOMORROW X TOGETHER : Fan times. :)
• Madonna : Fan times. Plus preparation for a special radio show, where I wanted to highlight some live recordings of her previous tours.
  

Most played tracks:

• Dua Lipa - Levitating (The Blessed Madonna Remix) [feat. Madonna and Missy Elliott] : At first I was worried to get disappointed, but tbh that version grows on me a bit. Sadly the music video has no cameo by Madonna.
  

News?

█ Miley Cyrus is back with a new single. "Midnight Sky" marks another return to radio-friendly pop tunes. The singer directed the simple music video herself.
█ Normandie released a new single! "Jericho" comes with a creepy looking music video. The band also announced some tour dates for 2021.
█ ITZY made a comeback with "Not Shy" - an EP and song plus a very expensive looking music video. The clip includes a nice car chase.
█ Some new entries in the German album charts: Deep Purple ("Whoosh!", 1), KitschKrieg (self-titled, 3), BTS ("Map Of The Soul: 7 - The Journey", 6), Zugezogen Maskulin ("10 Jahre Abfuck", 7)

 

New in the German charts:

[01] Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo - Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) : Oh no! Please, no. Such a silly song, that sounds like a ringtone. :(
[03] KitschKrieg - Unterwegs (feat. Jamule) : Well, tbh they have better tracks. :-/
[04] Samra - 24 Stunden : Just a mediocre party track, if you ask me.
[09] KC Rebell x Summer Cem - QN : No, thanks - despite some good producion values. :(

Impact (#644)

Hi,

we finally reached hot Summer days over here...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Alanis Morissette : Tbh "Such Pretty Forks In The Road" has grown on me a bit.
• Apache 207 : New album context. Well, I was hoping for more banger tracks tbh. :|
  
• Avril Lavigne : Flashback  times. "Under My Skin" was very nice back then.
• Data Luv : New album context. "Data Life" should have become an EP instead, if you ask me - because of quite a bunch of filler songs.
• Washed Out : New album context. "Purple Noon" starts nice - with retro sounds - but it finishes not so well, because I couldn't hardly tell the tracks apart.
• Stray Kids : Fan times.
  

Most played artists:

• Zugezogen Maskulin : New album context. "10 Jahre Abfuck" features great lyrics, but could have used another catchy tune or two. ^^
  
• Enya : Fan times. Plus the need to calm down a bit.
  
• Fontaines D.C. : New album context. I could not enjoy "A Hero's Death" very much. :/  

Most played tracks:

• Roosevelt - Sign : Big fan times. :)
• SG Lewis, Robyn & Channel Tres - Impact : New release context. Robyn made a surprise comeback in a new collaboration, that comes with rap parts. 
  

News?

█ Troye Sivan released a new video/pre-single for his upcoming EP. "Rager teenager!" has a very simple concept - with the singer just lying in a bathtube.
█ Apache 207 went straight to the top of the German album charts ("Treppenhaus"), of course. Other new entries like Olaf (Der Flipper, "Fiesta", 2) and Alanis Morissette ("Such Pretty Forks In The Road", 4) had no chance.

New in the German charts:

[01] Apache 207 - Sie ruft : Hm, not my favorite track. :-/
[03] Bonez MC - Tilidin weg : I have to give credit to the video production team, that was inspired by Michael Jackson's Thriller, obviously. But that effort clashes with a weak song. :-(
[09] Jamule & Nico Santos - Fastlane : Yuck! Another bad track objectifying women.

Black Is King (#643)

Hi,

yay, I'm a bit late again...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• Sophie B. Hawkins : Fan times.
• 3-11 Porter : "Surround Me With Your Love" is an all-time favorite (sad song) of mine.
• 6ix9ine : New single context. I was just curious. ^^
  
• A R I Z O N A : Bop context. "What She Wants" seems to be my favorite song of this band.
• Agust D : I've listened to a few tracks of "D-2".
• Coldplay : "Ghost Stories" has some nice slow songs.
  

Most played artists:

• Apache 207 : New album context. "Treppenhaus" will certainly be successful, but half of the songs seem a bit boring to me.
  
• Alanis Morissette : New album context. "Such Pretty Forks In The Road" marks her first album in eight years. She skipped pretty much every electronic effect, that might have been used on earlier releases. I guess I need more time to get my head around her new oldschool souds.
  
• Sarah McLachlan : Fan times.  

Most played tracks:

[nothing to highlight here]

News?

█ Beyoncé released new art - on Disney+. "Black Is King" is a music film, which also serves as a visual album. The story is inspired by "The Lion King". Tbh I didn't get the meaning - despite some aspects of cultural pride.

█ Taylor Swift directed her latest music video herself. The fairytale-like visuals of "cardigan" fit the music style of her new album and come with a bit CGI, of course.

█ The German pop duo Fantasy are back at the top of the German album charts ("10.000 bunte Luftballons"). Taylor Swift's surprise release "Folklore" only made it to number 8.

New in the German charts:

[01] Apache 207 - Unterwegs : This one doesn't convince me much. :-/

[02] Capital Bra x Clueso x KC Rebell - Andere Welt : I'm surprised. This track features some storytelling for a change. Quite good tbh.

[03] Ufo361 & Sonus030 - Shit Changed : Well, another "hit", that feels like it should not be among the top ten. :-/ Whatever.

[06] KitschKrieg, Bonez MC & Vybz Kartel - International Criminal : Hm, I'm not sure about that.

Easy (#642)

Hi,

funny how the same song title can refer to two very different songs. This week I am focusing on my most played track.
And there have been quite a few new albums, too.

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• The Naked And Famous : New album context. I was sort of sad, how little I got with "Recover". Almost not a single catchy tune.
  
• Oliver Tree : New album context. "Ugly Is Beautiful" feels too long for its sounds.
  
• The Spitfires : New album context. "Life Worth Living" should be noticed more! (It's so good.)
  
• Cub Sports : New album context. Even though I had no high hopes for "Like Nirvana", I still felt disappointed after listening to it.
  
• Provinz : New album context. "Wir bauten uns Amerika" took me by surprise. Nice tracks.
  

Most played artists:

• MisterWives : New album context. "SUPERBLOOM" was okay, but it could have used a few more bops like "the end", which was put at the beginning. 
• Sault : New album context. No, "Untitled (Black Is)" is not my cup of tea. I felt bored.
  
• Taylor Swift : New album context. "Folklore" has its moments, but I couldn't get my head around so many songs, that sound the same.
  

Most played tracks:

• Stray Kids - Easy : This bop grew on me a lot last week. I also like the music video. :)

News?

█ Ufo361 released a pre-single for his next album. "Shit Changed" will be part of  "Nur für dich", which will come out on October 2. The pre-single sounds okay, if you ask me.

█ In its 8th week Fynn Kliemann is back at the top of the German album charts ("POP"), while Provinz made it to number four ("Wir bauten uns Amerika").

New in the German charts:

[03] Luciano - Never Know (feat. Shirin David) : Hm, no, thanks.

[04] Pietro Lombardi - Cinderella : WTF! Why on earth can a song like that be successful?

[08] Juju - Vertrau mir : Wow, what a banger! I like her style.

[10] Samra - Miskin : Another mediocre gangster rap track. :-/

Easy (#641)

Hi,

we've reached the 30th week of 2020...

Last week in covers:

Noteworthy:

• SoKo : New album context. Tbh I did not like "Feel Feelings". :(
  
• TTRRUUCES : Their self-titled album has a few very nice bops.
  
• The Spitfires : New album context. I was surprised by "Life Worth Living" - really nice indie tunes. This band should get more attention.
  
• The Streets : New album context. "None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive" is not my cup of tea, but that's okay.
• Kakkmaddafakka : Flashback times. I was revisiting "Six Months Is A Long Time" and I could not really connect to it.
  

Most played artists:

• DMA'S : New album context. "THE GLOW" is really fun to listen to.
  
• Stray Kids : Fan times.
  
• The Midnight : New album context. Apart from a few tracks I was very disappointed by "Monsters".
  
• Ellie Goulding : New album context. "Brightest Blue" should please fans, but I was hoping for more.  

Most played tracks:

• DMA'S - Cobracaine : Wow. What a great way to end an album.

News?

█ Troye Sivan announced a new EP. "In A Dream" will be released on August 21. The new song "Easy" seems to fit the dreamy concept very well. And the music video looks great, too.

█ YUNGBLUD released a new single and video. "Strawberry Lipstick" has a strong rock vibe and the video features punk visuals.

█ Another comeback of last week: Juju. She released "Vertrau mir", a very short and sensual banger - with a simple and effective video. The video ends with a teaser for "Pfirsich", which might be the title of an upcoming album.

█ Meanwhile in the German album charts: the Amigos are back at the top ("Tausend Träume") and Juice WRLD reached number three ("Legends Never Die").

New in the German charts:

[02] Kontra K - Tiefschwarz (feat. Samra) : I have mixed feelings about this song. Great production and a few good lines versus aspects of violence. And adding the expensive music video content, it doesn't get better. Hm. :-/

[04] KC Rebell x Summer Cem - Geh dein Weg (feat. Loredana) : Yuck, this one samples "Say My Name" (a hit song by Destiny's Child). And it features the usual kind of party and jetset lifestyle themes. :(

[08] VIZE & Tom Gregory - Never Let Me Down : A club banger with sing along parts and interesting vocals. In other words: I can understand, why this is popular now.

[10] Robin Schulz & Wes - Alane : Oh no! This 90s cover has become a top ten hit. :(