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My Morning Jacket’s Jim James on The Waterfall II, Another New Album, and Justice for Breonna Taylor
Kyle Meredith With… My Morning Jacket Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public After a brief hiatus, My Morning Jacket have returned with their first record in five years, The Waterfall II. Frontman Jim James calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss why they sat on this other half of songs for so long and how the world has changed in the interim. One of the songs, “Magic Bullet”, was originally released in response to a 2016 gun-related killing, and James discusses what the song means today with his hometown of Louisville at the center of a similar story involving the murder of Breonna Taylor. James also talks about the water concept that flows throughout the set, producing S.G. Goodman’s record, and — get ...
Massive Attack Unveil Eutopia EP: Stream
Massive Attack have unveiled a new EP called Eutopia, which features the group’s first new music in four years. Listen below. The audiovisual release consists of three songs pairing original music created by Massive Attack, Young Fathers, Algiers, and Saul Williams alongside commentary from Christiana Figueres, author of the UN Paris Climate Agreement; universal basic income theorist Guy Standing; and Gabriel Zucman, the professor behind the “wealth tax” policy in America (via Pitchfork). Each song comes paired with visuals created by Mario Klingemann. “Lockdown exposed the best aspects and worst flaws of humanity,” Massive Attack said in a statement. “That period of uncertainty and anxiety forced us to meditate on the obvious need to change the damaging systems we live by. By working with...
The Rise and Evolution of the Female Action Hero
Blockbuster Month is celebrating the true titans of the genre. In the weeks ahead, you’ll read through a variety of features digging deep into the greatest hits of Hollywood, from popcorn classics to underrated gems. Today, Jenn Adams traces the rise, evolution, and many tropes of the female action hero. Action movies are the bread and butter of the summer blockbuster. There’s just something about spending a hot summer night in an air-conditioned theater, watching jaw-dropping explosions and epic fight scenes. At the center of these movies is the Action Hero. The trope has been through many iterations over the years. From the brute strength of Rocky and Rambo to the realism of Jason Bourne. The tech savvy of James Bond, the wit of Will Smith, and the otherworldliness of Superman. But argua...
Liza Anne Shares the Origins of New Song “Change My Mind”: Stream
Our new music feature Origins gives listeners a chance to get the inside scoop on an artist’s latest single. Today, Liza Anne explains what made her “Change My Mind”. Digging your heels in can be a sign of conviction, but also intractability. We all throw up walls when we’re challenged, which leaves very little room for growth (seriously, have you ever been in a Twitter debate?). On her new single “Change My Mind”, Nashville musician Liza Anne tries to keep a level head as she comes to grip with that sort of irked stubbornness. “This song holds hope of wanting the person on the other side to be there while you soften up, someone to challenge you to a place of connection, someone who is safe to grow in front of and with,” she explains in a press statement. “I am so sad that I ever learned c...
August Alsina Reacts After Jada Pinkett Smith Confirms Their Past Romance
August Alsina is speaking out following Jada Pinkett Smith’s confirmation that she and the singer were romantically involved during her separation from Will Smith. The 27-year-old “No Love” singer took social media on Friday (July 10) shortly after Pinkett Smith detailed their past relationship during her Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk. “Imagine not knowing how to mind the business that pay you,” Alsina tweeted. “I catch all the subliminals. (Not just about today) & you can call me whatever you like, Mess is constantly inserting yourself in topics you have nun to do w/. Go play w/ ya MAMMY! Not me!” He added, “If you have something to say, say it w/ ya CHEST kids. It’s always very perplexing cause I real deal be showing people genuine...
Kid Cudi Credits Lil Wayne for Helping Land His New Eminem Collaboration: Listen
Kid Cudi joined Lil Wayne on the latest episode of Young Money Radio, where the two rap superstars discussed Cudi’s new collaboration with Eminem and more. Earlier this week, Cudi and Em dropped their first collaboration “Adventures of Moon Man & Slim Shady.” The fiery new track was set into motion after Eminem was a featured guest on Weezy’s Apple Music show in early May, Cudi told Wayne on Friday (July 10). “Well it’s crazy because your interview kind of set it off, right?” Cudi said, adding that his team reached out to Em’s manager, Paul Rosenberg, after the interview aired. “I had the record and I just was like, ‘Man, let’s send it to him. The worst that could happen is, he doesn’t f–k with it, and then at the end of...
Louis Tomlinson and Syco Music Part Ways: ‘I’m Really Excited for the Future’
Louis Tomlinson and Simon Cowell’s Syco are saying goodbye. The One Direction-er took to social media on Saturday (July 11) to announce that his relationship with Syco has ended. The 28-year-old singer signed a solo recording contract with the label in 2017. “Hope everyone is doing ok! Just wanted to let you know that Syco Music and I have agreed to part ways,” Tomlinson tweeted. I’m really excited for the future and to be back in the studio writing the next album. Can’t wait to finally see you all on tour!!” One Direction’s five studio albums were released through Syco/Columbia Records. In early 2019, Tomlinson joined Arista Records within the Sony Music family, where he signed to Epic under Cowell’s Syco in 2017. As part of the deal, the sin...
Katy Perry Comments on Kanye West’s Presidential Run: ‘The Job Is Best Suited for Someone With Experience’
Katy Perry offered her opinion about Kanye West running for president in a virtual interview with the U.K.’s Hits Radio on Friday (July 10). The pop star, who called in for a 16-minute video chat about topics including her upcoming album, being in quarantine, her pregnancy and her dog’s birthday, was prompted with the question: “We all know that 2020’s one of the weirdest years so far … How do you feel about Kanye West making it even weirder by becoming president?” Perry didn’t hesitate to share her thoughts. “I think, you know, what we’ve learned looking back is that the presidential job is best suited for someone with experience and that is a pro in their field,” she responded. “I think we have seen and learned from experience that when we ...
Here are the Early Frontrunners for the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
With no ostensible light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel and the 63rd annual Grammy Awards on the horizon, the music industry is abuzz with speculation about what the 2021 ceremony may look like. However, while there are many question marks surrounding the ceremony itself, the music that forms the bedrock of the event is ironclad. As the tentative August 31st eligibility deadline looms, we put together a list of the early frontrunners for the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Check out the leading contenders below, in no specific order of probability. Duke Dumont – “Therapy” British super-producer Duke Dumont stunned with the release of his debut album Duality in April 2020 after the record’s scintillating lead sin...
Tiësto Shares Cryptic Preview of New Music from Potential Alias
Tiësto took to Facebook today to share a cryptic teaser of new music from an unheralded artist named VERWEST. Since the legendary DJ and producer’s real name is Tijs Michiel Verwest, it’s likely that he has just launched a new side project. A new Facebook page under the VERWEST name was also created and the same teaser was shared as its introductory post. If the music is any indication, he is turning back the clock to his earlier days of deep house and trance, as the track featured in the clip is a hypnotic number reminiscent of the Tiësto of old. As of the time of writing, Tiësto has not divulged any further information about VERWEST, including a release date for the song in the teaser or whether or not any other artists are involved in the project. Yo...
Kaskade Drops Spellbinding Single “Parasite” from Forthcoming Compilation
Ahead of the release of his forthcoming Destinations: Living Room project, Kaskade has unveiled its lead single, a spellbinding downtempo tune featuring Lucid Luv. True to its title, the single is a bona fide earworm. Eschewing his recent penchant for deep and tech house, Kaskade opted for a 78 BPM backbone, crafting a hypnotic ballad reminiscent of his “Redux” sound. It is newcomer Lucid Luv, however, who helps to launch “Parasite” into the stratosphere with a mesmerizing vocal effort. His languid, vocoded vocals flutter effortlessly over Kaskade’s typically forward-thinking production, which lend to a sultry feel that serenades us through the nuanced arrangement. As of the time of writing, Kaskade has not divulged a release date for Destinations: Living...
Playlisting Tips for a Time When the Dance Party Has Moved Indoors
EDM is simultaneously one of the most popular genres of our time and one of the most difficult genres to gain recognition on playlists. It has partially become synonymous with the wider genre of pop—but why do green and mid-level EDM artists have trouble getting their music placed on these lists? The pandemic hasn’t had a significant impact on the streaming aspect of EDM music positively or negatively. But what can rising EDM artists be doing during this unique, prolonged moment? Song Structure It all starts with a song. You want to make sure your track is DJ-friendly and therefore, dance-floor-friendly. Enticing your listeners early on is crucial, and while it’s smart to stick to the formula of intro, breakdown, build, and drop, your song might stand out if you mix these sections up in a ...
