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Clairo Forms New Band Shelly, Shares Debut Songs “Steeeam” and “Natural”: Stream
Since releasing last year’s stellar debut album Immunity, Clairo has preoccupied herself with a series of collaborations. Our former Artist of the Month has linked up with producers A. G. Cook and Mura Masa, as well as futurist pop queen Charli XCX and rising songwriter Arlo Parks. Now, Clairo is taking her collaborative spirit a step further by forming a new band called Shelly. The outfit pairs Clairo with Claud (they/them), a Brooklyn-based indie pop artist who also just so happens to be the first act signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label. Shelly are rounded out by Clairo’s two old friends from Syracuse, Josh Mehling and Noa Frances Getzug. To coincide with today’s announcement, Shelly are sharing their debut songs “Steeeam” and “Natural”. Both continue the bedroom pop narrati...
Ariana Grande’s Positions Is a 2020 Pop Fairytale: Review
The Lowdown: Finally, Ariana Grande answers the question we were all asking: what would it sound like if a 1940s film star woke to find herself in the 21st century, carved out her own corner of pop music, adopted the world’s most recognizable ponytail, and gathered her soaring vocals and stacked harmonies into an exploration of modern love? Positions, Ariana Grande’s sixth studio album, is a journey. It’s not so much a departure from her two most recent entries, Sweetener and thank u, next, as it is an amalgamation of those works with her lauded and beloved Dangerous Woman. It’s certainly her most explicit album to date, but her musings on romance, lust, longing, and heartache have never sounded more at home than on this orchestral yet beat-heavy record. It’s daring. It’s showy. It’s wildl...
Puscifer Ride the New Wave on Existential Reckoning: Review
The Lowdown: Puscifer’s fourth studio album sees the enigmatic vocalist Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) joined once more by core members Mat Mitchell (guitar/production) and Carina Round (vocals/songwriting), among others. Existential Reckoning is their first LP in five years (Money Shot dropped in 2015). On the new effort, Puscifer offer up another go-round of electro-arty rock tunes, which lyrically seem to follow the continuing adventures of characters Billy D, and his wife, Hildy Berger … with the former purportedly the victim of an alien abduction. The Good: Any new music from Mr. Keenan is sure to please his legion of admirers. And Puscifer once again sees Keenan and company build tunes around electronics as their foundation (at times comparable to early ‘80s new wavers...
Neil Young Details After the Gold Rush 50th Anniversary Reissue
Neil Young has finally shared the details for the 50th anniversary edition of his seminal album After the Gold Rush. It’s due out later this year, and on top of its 11 original tracks, the release comes with two versions of the B-side “Wonderin’”. After the Gold Rush was initially released back on September 19th, 1970, kicking off Young’s beloved and insurmountably influential ’70s catalog. The album was remastered and re-released back in 2009, so outside of the new “Wonderin’” variants, this reissue is more focused on the commemorative packaging. The deluxe vinyl box set edition comes with special artwork, a litho print of its cover, and a 7-inch picture sleeve of both versions of “Wonderin’”. The first was recorded in 1970 and originally released in The Archives Vol. 1:...
Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon Members Honor Chris Cornell With ‘Rusty Cage’ Cover
A collection of revered rockers — singer William DuVall of fellow Seattle rockers Alice in Chains, Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, guitarist Bill Kelliher of Mastodon and bassist Mark Menghi — collaborated for a version of the classic Soundgarden cut “Rusty Cage.” At the start of the video, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil even offers his endorsement of the cover version. Menghi, of the band Metal Allegiance, explains how the collab came together: “Bill and I were talking and one of us brought up how fun it would be to cover a Soundgarden tune, so we decided to do one. At the same time, Charlie and I were wrapping up a few songs and I told him Bill and I were speaking of doing something so he naturally joined in on the fun.” And fun it is. But of course, choosing a vocalis...
Stabbing Westward Serve Up Aural Treat With Hallowed Hymns for Halloween
Industrial icons Stabbing Westward treated fans to Hallowed Hymns today (Oct. 30), a surprise covers EP that includes takes on The Cure’s “Burn,” Ministry’s “(Every Day Is) Halloween” and Echo & The Bunnymen’s “The Killing Moon.” “2020 has been a shit year. We were supposed to release our new album and tour the U.S. to support it. But clearly, that’s not happening,” singer Christopher Hall said in a statement. “We know Halloween is different this year with no parties and no Trick or Treating so we wanted to give fans something special …. something that will help tide you over until we can release some new music.” A special “Devil’s Night Mix” version of Stabbing Westward’s “Burn” cover round out the surprise release. Listen to that below. [embedded content] The band is curren...
Neil Young Shares Original Version of ‘Wonderin,’ Announces After the Gold Rush 50th-Anniversary Set
Neil Young has been on fire this year. Between his multiple releases, livestreams, battling Trump and the tech companies, the man really hasn’t stopped. It should come as no surprise as the 50th anniversary of After the Gold Rush approaches that Young has a new archival release for that record as well. As is his wont, Young has shared an unreleased track from the collection, an early version of “Wonderin’” from After the Goldrush. The song wasn’t released until 1983’s Everybody’s Rockin’, but regardless, this original version is an interesting comparison to that — it’s a lot folkier than the later edition. Listen below. [embedded content] After the Gold Rush 50 arrives on Dec. 11 on Reprise Records with a vinyl edition arriving in March 2021. P...
Concerts, Voting, and More Next Week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream
There’s still plenty to look forward to this week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream (particularly considering that Dave Hause will be performing some new tracks later today), but we already wanted to prepare you for all of the action coming next week as well. After you watch this week’s videos on Twitch (or YouTube in the future), get ready for live concerts from the likes of Gvllow, FELIN, and Edwin Raphael. Add in a doubleheader of Jesse Ruben and Bre Kennedy (who will each be performing their brand new singles, among others) and an empty Tuesday slot so all of the American viewers out there can vote in an attempt to save the country, and it’s sure to be a remarkable week. Don’t forget to hit our Twitter and Instagram for more updates and reminders,...
Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile Urge People to Vote With ‘A Beautiful Noise’
Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile teamed up for a new song that they hope will not only inspire people to vote but also encourage everyone to speak up for what they believe in. Entitled “A Beautiful Noise,” the Grammy winners performed the track on “Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy,” which aired on CBS last night (Oct. 29). “This song has that special energy that we really need to feel right now,” Keys said in a statement. “Everyone has the power to make a beautiful noise and to lift others up with their voice. And now more than ever, we need to let those voices be heard by voting. I’m so grateful to have joined my sister Brandi Carlile, a beautiful spirit, inspiring artist and incredible person, for this moment.” Carlile echoed Keys’ sentiments and said, “The evolution of ‘A Bea...
The Mandalorian Returns With a Twist on Award-Winning Composer Ludwig Göransson’s Score
When Ludwig Göransson originally designed the theme and score for the first season of The Mandalorian, he wasn’t necessarily interested in keeping it traditionally “Star Wars-like.” Of course, the veteran composer and producer loves and respects the original music, but the Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy winner was more focused on capturing the magic and nostalgia that the most famous Star Wars tracks give off rather than simply recreating “The Imperial March” or the iconic main title theme. Needless to say, Göransson’s intergalactic Western vision worked, and The Mandalorian quickly became essential viewing and listening regardless of anyone’s feelings on previous Star Wars material. Having worked with a who’s who of music, film, and TV, Göransson’s expansions and twists on the music of The Manda...
How Deena Told The Jersey Shore Cast About Pregnancy Number Two
Deena shared that her heart was “filled with so much love and joy” because she is pregnant with her second child. And beginning on November 19, the Jersey Shore mama — who is already mom to soon-to-be-big-brother CJ with husband Chris — will be embarking on a family vacation with her lovable roomies. Party’s here, times two…again! So how did Deena tell her roomies about Baby Buckner #2? “Are you ready?” Deena asks in the brief clip above, while Laurens screams “Oh my God!” post-reveal. Watch the video to see how she spilled the mini meatball-related news, and spend the holidays with the fam when Season 4 of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation begins on Thursday, November 19 at 8/7c! You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking fo...
Jonas Brothers Are Wistful And Ready For Snow On ‘I Need You Christmas’
It’s not quite Halloween, but the Jonas Brothers are already all set up for Christmas. On “I Need You Christmas,” a loungy and longing new cut from Kevin, Joe, and Nick, it’s all about the power of the holiday and how it can lift anyone out of the doldrums of loneliness. It’s also about missing childhood and realizing that at the end of a long, tiring year full of coldness and isolation, maybe the one thing that might help is to gather around the tree. How nice. Nick sings the first half, evoking scenes of “angels on treetops and angels in the snow,” pining for them amid feeling lonely and blue. By the time Joe takes over halfway through this “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”-type ode, he’s singing of carolers and mistletoe...
