Entertainment News
K-Pop Sensations BLACKPINK Officially Announce Debut Studio Album
Over the last four years, the K-Pop group BLACKPINK has been gathering momentum like a tidal wave just offshore. With the release of “How You Like That” last month, they suddenly rose above the world’s shores, blotted out the sun, and obliterated streaming records to the tune of 82 million views in 24 hours. Now, at long last, they’ve announced their debut studio album, and it’s coming October 2nd. Together Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa released a self-titled Japanese EP in 2017, and the Korean-language Square Up the following year. These were repackaged into the compilation album BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA in 2018, and that project’s startling success allowed their label YG Entertainment to strike a bold new deal with Interscope. Suddenly, the quartet were global. They celebrated by rele...
R.I.P. Denise Johnson, Primal Scream Vocalist Dies at 56
Denise Johnson, veteran singer who performed with Primal Scream, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, and countless other acts, passed away on Monday. She was 56. Friends and family confirmed the news on Twitter. Although no cause of death has officially been disclosed, a statement from the family confirmed that Johnson had been ill the week prior and her body was discovered holding her inhaler. Born in Manchester and raised in the suburb of Hulme, Johnson grew up in a musically rich household. After performing with cover bands throughout the ’80s, she eventually joined soul group Fifth of Heaven and began turning heads. [embedded content] One such head was Hypnotone’s Tony Martin, who recommended Johnson to Primal Scream for their third studio album, 1991’s Screamadelica. She would go on to sin...
What’s Streaming on Shudder in August 2020
Shudder is ready to close out the summer by turning up the heat. In August, AMC’s horror streaming service has curated a twisted lineup of originals, classics, and premieres to get us ready for the spooky season ahead. For original features, there’s Rob Savage’s quarantine-based Host, Jayro Bustamante’s politically-charged La Llorona, Jay Baruchel’s new slasher Random Acts of Violence, and Frank Sabatella’s vampiric subversion The Shed. And after kicking off summer, Joe Bob Briggs is ready to bring the house down with a double-feature they’ve dubbed a Summer Sleepover. Special guests are promised, and they’ve already confirmed Hatchet director Adam Green. But there are also a handful of classic being added to the service, including Jawbreaker, Urban Legends: Final Cut, and the original Rin...
A.K. Paul Shares New Song “Be Honest”: Stream
A.K. Paul by A.K. Paul Back in May, A.K. Paul quietly dropped his first song in four years, a groovy bop called “HUNGRY BEAT” made during quarantine. Today, he’s back with another new one called “Be Honest”. The track is a mechanical alt-R&B tune that sets the English artist’s warm-blooded croon over watery, refracting synths that almost recall the busyness of vaporwave. It’s exactly the sort of left-of-center pop that we’ve come to expect from Paul and his equally elusive brother, Jai — and apparently we can expect more new material from the siblings soon. In a statement paired with “Be Honest”, A.K. Paul announced that he and Jai are relaunching their enigmatic label, the Paul Institute, and have a whole slew of new releases slated for the coming months. “I’m really happy we’re relea...
Tove Lo Performs “sadder badder cooler” on Colbert: Watch
It’s a tired line at this point, but coronavirus really does suck for artists like Tove Lo who make music that’s designed for dancing in close quarters. The Swedish pop star released a deluxe “Paw Prints” edition of her 2019 record Sunshine Kitty back in May, and like most Tove Lo songs, the eight bonus tracks were meant to soundtrack crazy club nights that don’t (or at least shouldn’t… looking at you, Florida) exist right now. She’s being a good sport about it, though, doing what she can to keep the party going from lockdown. Earlier today, she submitted a #PlayAtHome performance to of “sadder badder cooler” for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The single is a self-empowerment anthem that’s just bleeding Tove Lo’s signature swagger, and in this video she gets really into the part:...
Black-Metal Legend Ihsahn Calls Out Taylor Swift Over Album Artwork
Ihsahn (courtesy of Spinefarm Records), Taylor Swift (courtesy of Republic Records) The cover artwork of Taylor Swift’s surprise new album folklore immediately caused a stir on social media, thanks to the decidedly metal look of the gloomy black & white forest scene. Now, an actual black-metal legend, Ihsahn, is calling out the pop superstar for the folklore cover’s uncanny resemblance to the artwork for his “Stridig” single, released earlier this year. The woods and black metal have had a longstanding relationship over the decades. Many a time, our favorite corpse-painted musicians have found themselves stuck in the middle of a desolate forest, with their only way out a combination of shrieking vocals and heavily distorted guitars. Now, Taylor Swift has found herself in the same predi...
Raffi Shares Ode to “Portland Moms” in New Black Lives Matter Protest Song: Stream
Who woulda thought the musician behind “Bananaphone” would be the one giving the Wall of Moms their own theme? Beloved children’s singer Raffi has shared a new song called “Portland Moms” in support of the ongoing Portland protests against police violence and racial injustice. Set to the tune of the folk standard “Buffalo Gals”, Raffi calls for Portland Moms, Black Lives Matter, and the Wall of Vets to “come out tonight by the light of the silvery moon” and be “strong and peaceful.” He’s joined on the jaunty protest song by Lindsay Munroe and Ivan Rosenberg. Together, they “stand in solidarity” with the Portland, Oregon protesters currently dealing with unmarked federal troops Trump has sent in against the wishes of local government. “In solidarity with #BlackLivesMattter, a tribute to the...
Manuel Gagneux (Zeal & Ardor) Returns as Birdmask, Premieres Music Video for New Song “Set Me on Fire”: Stream
Zeal & Ardor frontman Manuel Gagneux has revived his long-running solo project, Birdmask, and is premiering the music video for new song “Set Me on Fire” exclusively via Heavy Consequence. Birdmask is Gagneux in his own creative element. Although some of the atmosphere and experimental ideas of his metal outfit Zeal & Ardor are present here, Gagneux embraces a varied spectrum of sounds — “pop-rocked-bliss” as he calls it. Most notably, his soaring vocals remain right up front. “I’ve had this song ready for a couple of years now but being preoccupied with other projects kind of forced me to leave it on the back burner,” Gagneux says. “I feel like it’s about time to let it out. In the time between then and now I was lucky enough to tour the world with a different project, score ...
Kim Kardashian Asks for “Compassion and Empathy” as Kanye West Battles Bipolar Disorder
Kim Kardashian-West is asking for “compassion and empathy” as her husband Kanye West battles bipolar disorder. In a note posted to Instagram, Kardashian acknowledged that her husband’s recent behavior was the result of his bipolar disorder. This past weekend, Kanye held a campaign rally for president in South Carolina. In the days since then, he’s posted a number of alarming messages to social media. “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions,” Kardashian wrote. “He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a Black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bipolar di...
Burger Records Fully Shuts Down Following Sexual Misconduct Claims
Earlier this week, facing numerous, largely anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct against employees and bands, Burger Records announced plans for “major structural changes” involving a gradual restructuring of top staff and a rebranding. However, after those plans were met with backlash, interim president Jessa Zapor-Gray has turned down the position and the label has announced it will completely shut down. Initially, co-founder and president Lee Rickard had resigned and co-founder Sean Bohrman took a “transitional role” as Zapor-Gray assumed control. Burger Records changed its name to BRGR RECS and announced “an all-woman imprint” called BRGRRRL. The label also planned to provide “dedicated safe spaces” for women and those under the age of 18 at all Burger Records shows. Objections o...
Alan Menken Become 16th Person to Achieve EGOT Status
Alan Menken has become the 16th person to achieve EGOT status after claiming a Daytime Emmy Award this past weekend. The veteran composer had already won 11 Grammys and eight Academy Awards thanks to his songwriting contributions for Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Tangled. In 2012, he received his first Tony Award for the score to Newsies. His latest accolade, and the final piece of his EGOT crown, came this past weekend when he received a Daytime Emmy Award. Specifically, Menken’s song “Waiting in the Wings”, from Tangled: The Series: Rapunzel and the Great Tree, was awarded outstanding original song in a children’s, young adult or animated program. Menken is the 16th EGOT winner to date and first since 2018, when John Legend, Andrew Lloyd Webb...
Stone Temple Pilots to Perform Core in Its Entirety During Livestream
Stone Temple Pilots, featuring current lead singer Jeff Gutt, have announced an upcoming livestream performance of their classic 1992 debut album, Core. Plus, they’ve released a pair of archival concert recordings from 2011 and 2019, the former featuring the late Scott Weiland, the band’s original frontman. As live music remains in a relative stasis during the pandemic, the Stone Temple Pilots livestream is the latest in a bevy of virtual performances from isolated bands and artists. Like a ticket to a physical concert, access to the pay-per-view performance costs $9.99. The show airs next Friday (July 31st) at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET via live music curator nugs.tv. Stone Temple Pilots are also sharing shows from 2011 and 2019 via nugs, which hosts official live recordings of many popu...
