music blog
More Swift Than Dylan: How Newer Hits Overtook Classic Rock to Rule the Catalog Market
At the beginning of the year, Luminate (formerly MRC Data) issued its 2021 annual report, which showed that catalog music — which Billboard defines as a track that is older than 18 months — increased its share of overall U.S. music consumption from 65.1% in 2020 to 69.8% last year, as measured by album consumption units. The initial interpretation of that data was that, more than a year into the pandemic, listeners were soothing themselves with nostalgia — relaxing with Fleetwood Mac, rather than blasting Doja Cat. The market share of catalog has actually been rising since 2014, back when sales still dominated the industry, when it accounted for just 35.8% of the business. Since then, the popularity of catalog has climbed steadily, until its big jump last year – when consumption in the cat...
SLIPKNOT’s COREY TAYLOR Teams With HYRO THE HERO For Updated Version Of ‘Kids Against The Monsters’
Houston-bred rock/hip-hop fusion artist Hyro The Hero has released a new version of the title track off his “Kids Against The Monsters” project with a feature from SLIPKNOT‘s Corey Taylor. The release is the culmination of a series of singles featuring high-profile fellow artists that Hyro The Hero has dropped over the past year. The project originated as a mixtape, inspired from his Houston underground hip-hop roots, and is now available in full as an EP to stream and download across digital platforms. The “Kids Against The Monsters” track was recorded remotely during lockdown in 2020, after Ben Bruce of ASKING ALEXANDRIA, a mentor to Hyro, reached out to Taylor. The answer was an immediate yes. Late last year, fans got an early listen to the track when it ap...
VILLE VALO Says New Solo Album Is ‘A Bridge Between HIM And The Future’
HIM mastermind Ville Valo spoke to Metal Hammer about his new single, “Loveletting”, which he released under the VV banner. “Loveletting” is taken from VV‘s forthcoming debut album, “Neon Noir”, which won’t arrive before 2023. “‘Loveletting’ is one of the more mellow songs,” Ville said. “I’ve always been shit with picking singles — I’m always wrong, so I let the label choose that and everybody was smiling when they heard it the first time, so they suggested it. I’m hoping the next one will be a lot more rock ‘n’ roll, harder hitting.” “Loveletting” marks Ville‘s first new music in over two years, following the arrival of the three-track “Gothica Fennica ...
METALLICA’s KIRK HAMMETT Releases ‘High Plains Drifter’ Song From ‘Portals’ Solo Instrumental EP
METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett has released a first taste of his upcoming debut solo EP in the form of “High Plains Drifter”. The track opens the second side of “Portals”, Kirk‘s four-song EP, which will arrive on April 23 via Blackened Recordings across digital platforms, on CD, and as a Record Store Day-exclusive ocean blue vinyl EP (including a download card). Featuring contributions from Edwin Outwater (with whom Kirk had previously collaborated on METALLICA‘s “S&M²” concerts and releases), Jon Theodore of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE (and Kirk‘s THE WEDDING BAND bandmate), members of the LA Philharmonic and more, “High Plains Drifter” shares a unique inspirational relationship with the 1973 cinematic classic of the sam...
ROB HALFORD Names New Litter Of Kittens For KITTEN RESCUE, Donates Personal Collection Of Autographed Cat T-Shirts
Kitten Rescue, a Los Angeles-based non-profit, volunteer-run organization devoted to finding loving homes for unwanted, homeless cats and kittens, has introduced a new litter of kittens for The New York Times-recognized kitten cam room, named by none other than JUDAS PRIEST‘s Rob Halford, a.k.a. The Metal God. In appreciation for Halford‘s unending love of cats and kittens, Kitten Rescue asked him to name the new cam room additions and he fired back rock ‘n’ roll-themed names. Check out the adorable fluff balls, 24 hours a day, here. The Halford-named kittens are Taylor, Turbo, Angel, Starbreaker, Rocker and Mama Rose. Taylor, an orange-and-white male, is named in honor of FOO FIGHTERS‘ Taylor Hawkins; Turbo, a calico female, is named after JUDAS PRIEST‘...
Boy Spyce – Destiny
Check out this brand new single from Boy Spyce titled – “Destiny”. Mavins Records’ new signed singer Boy Spyce comes through with a brand new single titled “Destiny“. The new record “Destiny” is taken off his self-name debut EP titled “Boy Spyce“. “Destiny” is an impressive single he dedicates to fans and supporters. It is a follow-up to his song “Wayo”. However, the single certainly deserves a spot on your playlist, happy listening. Listen and share Boy Spyce – “Destiny” below. Download
Boy Spyce – Bad Things
Check out this brand new single from Boy Spyce titled – “Bad Things”. Mavins Records’ new signed singer Boy Spyce comes through with a brand new single titled “Bad Things“. The new record “Bad Things” is taken off his self-name debut EP titled “Boy Spyce“. “Bad Things” is an impressive single he dedicates to fans and supporters. It is a follow-up to his song “Destiny”. However, the single certainly deserves a spot on your playlist, happy listening. Listen and share Boy Spyce – “Bad Things” below. Download
Wizkid – Wonder
In the year 2016, Nigerian talented afro-pop star, Wizkid, birthed a new hit titled, Wonder. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun famously known by his stage name, Wizkid has been rare talent in the music industry ever since he came into the spotlight. Wizkid, Wizzy, Baba Nla, Starboy, Big Wiz, or Machala as he’s popularly addressed, was born on the 16th day of July, in the year 1990. He was born and raised in Lagos Nigeria. The ‘Hola At Your Boy’ crooner start taping his songs at the age of eleven which was when he recorded his songs with a group known as The Glorious Five. This group was comprised of his friends who attend the same church as him. Starboy was guided into the limelight under a record label known as Empire Mates Entertainment, owned by the very famous sinister, Banky W. Wizkid is one of...
VIDEO: Boy Spyce – Nobody
Mavin Records premieres the music visual for the song titled “Nobody” by Boy Spyce. Nigerian fast-rising singer Boy Spyce drops his first music for one of the just-released tracks on his new eponymous EP. The new visual is a short storyline about his love interest, a girl he admires and professes his love for but yet she isn’t reciprocating it back. You may take a listen to his EP – Boy Spyce. Watch and share Boy Spyce – “Nobody” below. [embedded content]
Tours on Sale Today: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Alice Cooper, L7 & More
Get ready for a new round of live shows: We’ve got the latest news on the live concert landscape. Here’s the most recent update on tours going on sale this week, and how to secure tickets. Ringo Starr has expanded his tour with the All Star Band. Wynonna and Naomi Judd are reuniting for their first tour in over a decade. Meanwhile, Built to Spill has mapped out an extensive tour to support a new album. Get the details on these events and how to secure tickets below. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have tacked a West Coast leg onto their 2022 international tour in support of their latest joint covers album, Raise the Roof. The new string of dates kicks off in August and wraps at the end of September, taking the two through Califo...
Alex G Unveils We’re All Going to the World’s Fair Soundtrack: Stream
Alex G has released the soundtrack to We’re All Going to the World’s Fair via Milan Records/Sony Music Entertainment. Stream it below on Apple Music and Spotify. The 12-track collection serves as the music to the indie film, a horror thriller following the story of a teenage girl named Casey (Anna Cobb) who becomes consumed by the World’s Fair Challenge, an online role-playing game, and chooses to document herself as she begins losing her grip on reality. The soundtrack was preceded by the haunting vocal track “End Song,” which plays over the end credits, and arrives one week ahead of the film’s theatrical release on April 22nd. Advertisement Related Video “Whenever it rains at night I put on Alex’s score and listen to how the rain on my roof sounds mixed with Alex’s beautiful, lonely musi...
IDLES Bang Their Way Through “Crawl!” on Colbert: Watch
IDLES stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday night to perform their pummeling 2021 banger “Crawl!” The British post-punks rocked through a storm of flickering lights. As frontman Joe Talbot howled, “And yeah, I’m on my knees for porcelain/ ‘Cause it felt like God to me/ And yeah, I’m a fucking crawler/ Crawling hurts, but it worked for me,” he stared at the ceiling with one hand raised, like a man facing God as he walks backwards into hell. Check out the performance below. The song is featured on the post-punk outfit’s latest album CRAWLER, which was released last November after being preceded by singles “The Beachland Ballroom” and “Car Crash.” The LP also contains highlights “When the Lights Come On,” “The New Sensation,” and “Stockholm Syndrome.” Advert...
