music
David Bowie’s Hunky Dory Era Chronicled in Upcoming Box Set Divine Symmetry
For the most fervent of David Bowie fans, the 12 months leading up to the legend’s 1971 masterpiece Hunky Dory will soon be documented with the expansive box set Divine Symmetry, out November 25th via Parlophone. As a preview, you can hear an unearthed BBC Radio recording of “Kooks” today. Divine Symmetry comprises four CDs and one Blu-Ray that contain countless home demos, radio sessions, and live and studio recordings — including 48 that have just been unveiled for the first time. Additionally, Parlophone will also release an LP companion to Divine Symmetry that features alternate mixes of many of the album’s most notable songs. Pre-orders are ongoing. Aside from the hours of music, Divine Symmetry also includes a 100-page hardback book featuring exclusive memora...
The Anxiety and Ambition of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Cool It Down
It goes without saying that the world has changed since the Yeah Yeah Yeahs unleashed their feral debut album, Fever to Tell, in 2003. Written in the wake of of 9/11, it was a 37-minute adrenaline rush of post-punk you can dance to. The record cemented them as an integral part of the wave of guitar-heavy New York bands, such as The Strokes and Interpol, that rose to prominence at the start of the century. Even now, they’re still considered a New York band, despite the city, its music, the band themselves, and the world around them continuing to change. The band went on hiatus shortly after releasing their third album Mosquito in 2013, though Karen O focused on releasing her solo work and contributing to film soundtracks, and became a mother for the first time. Meanwhile, Nick Zinner lent h...
Lizzo Kicks It Seriously Old School By Ripping Solo on James Madison’s Crystal Flute
Lizzo kicked it seriously old school on Tuesday night (Sept. 27) during her gig at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. Like, for real old, as in the 1800s. The rapper had a very special guest for the gig: a crystal flute once owned, but never played, by Founding Father and fourth president of the United States, James Madison. Surely you have questions. Earlier this week, the Library of Congress tweeted out a humble brag about having the largest flute collection in the world, with more than 1,800 pieces, including Madison’s 1813 crystal flute. “@lizzo we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week,” they wrote. “Like your song they are ‘Good as Hell.’” Because she’s a classically trained flautist, Lizzo could not possibly pass up the offer o...
Chris Janson Signs with Big Machine Label Group Records: Exclusive
Platinum-selling county artist Chris Janson has signed with BMLG Records in partnership with his own Harpeth 60 Records. Janson’s move to the Big Machine Label Group imprint follows his seven years with Warner Music Nashville. Janson had a run of hits songs between 2015 and 2019, including two Country Airplay No. 1s, “Good Vibes” and “Done,” as well as top five hits “Buy Me a Boat” and “Fix a Drink.” “Drunk Girl,” which reached No. 7 in 2017, received CMA Award nominations for song of the year and music video of the year in 2018. He also charted three studio albums, including 2015’s Buy Me a Boat, which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, 2017’s Everybody (No. 7) and 2019’s Real Friends (No. 12). All In, released earlier this ye...
Hooks, ’80s Influences & More: The Sonic Characteristics That Sparked the Hot 100 Reign of Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’
As previously reported, Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” rewrites a pair of records atop the Billboard Hot 100 dated Oct. 1. With a 15th week at No. 1, the track solely claims the longest reign for a song by an act with no accompanying artists, as well as the longest domination for a song by a British artist in the chart’s history. As the song has ruled the Hot 100, as well as the Streaming Songs, Radio Songs and Digital Song Sales charts, what is it about its sonic characteristics that has propelled it to such prominence? Here’s a look at key stylistic traits behind the uncommon chart success of “As It Was.” Hook ‘Em In & Leave Them Wanting More While the entirety of “As It Was” is strong, its bookending sections are a cut above. On the front end, the child’s spoken vocal grabs the listener’...
Megan Thee Stallion to Headline 2022 TwitchCon Party
Twitch announced on Wednesday (Sept. 28) that Megan Thee Stallion will headline an all-women lineup of performers at this year’s TwitchCon Party in San Diego, Calif., on October 8. The Grammy winning rapper will be joined by Kim Petras and pop funk trio Meet Me @ the Altar, and DJ Lani Love and TIGERMOMTOY will provide beats throughout the evening. Presented by Amazon Games, the TwitchCon Party will take place at Petco Park at 7 p.m. PT, open to all TwitchCon Three-Day and Party ticket holders. TwitchCon, which celebrates streamers and their communities, returns to the San Diego Convention Center from October 7 to 9, after nearly a three-year hiatus. This year will have all the fan-favorite TwitchCon events, including the Drag Showcase, Artist Alley, Twitch Rivals, co...
Chris Shiflett Suggests Foo Fighters Will Continue As Band
Guitarist Chris Shiflett has suggested that Foo Fighters will continue on as an active band, despite the tragic passing of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Shiflett recently appeared on The Plug with Justin Jay to discuss his new solo music. Toward the end of the interview, Shiflett was asked what the promo experience has been like just months removed from Hawkins’ death. Shifflett admitted that he has intentionally avoided doing press with certain outlets who he believed would ask “uncomfortable” questions. “I told my publicists I preferred to avoid that topic entirely,” he said. Advertisement Related Video “It’s hard to talk about — it’s raw,” Shiflett continued. “You go through all these different phases of grieving.” But, Shiflett acknowledged, at some point he and the rest of the b...
Devin Townsend Shares Video for Mellow New Song “Call of the Void”: Stream
Devin Townsend has shared “Call of the Void,” the second single from this forthcoming new album, Lightwork, arriving October 28th. Considering Townsend’s prog metal background and the new song’s eerie title, “Call of the Void” is a surprisingly mellow six-minute journey. The lush guitars and calming instrumentation follow the laid back tone of lead single “Moonpeople,” as the singer-guitarist dials back the more adventurous prog elements found on his previous albums. “The concept of the song is based around the ‘call of the void’ as an analogy for intrusive thoughts,” Devin explained in a press release. “I first heard the term describing ‘the temptation to hurl yourself over the cliff when you’re driving a car’… or to ‘put your hand in the fire when you know you’ll get burned’ etc… thought...
Death Cab for Cutie Add US and Europe Tour Dates for 2023
Death Cab for Cutie are keeping the momentum going on their new album Asphalt Meadows all the way into 2023: The band have expanded their tour with a new US leg and UK/EU dates for early next year, with support from Momma and Slow Pulp. Death Cab for Cutie will ring in the new year on January 27th in Louisville, Kentucky. The new stint will primarily cover the southeastern US, hitting cities including Orlando, Birmingham, Little Rock, and Dallas before wrapping up in Nashville on February 14th. Then on March 1st, the band will begin trek through Europe by playing Milan, finally wrapping up on March 29th at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Momma — who we named our July Artist of the Month — will be opening the US dates, while Slow Pulp will take over across the pond. General on-sale fo...
Snoop Dogg and DJ Drama Announce New ‘Gangsta Grillz’ Project ‘I Still Got It’
Snoop Dogg and DJ Drama are teaming up for a brand new Gangsta Grillz project. The producer took to Instagram to make the announcement, revealing the title of I Still Got It and its release date of October 20. Drama uploaded a photo of him and Snoop on a video call, but did not share other details like the record’s features and its tracklist. I Still Got It follows his recent Gangsta Grillz collaborative project with Symba entitled Results Take Time, as well as the surprise D-Day mixtape with J. Cole and his Dreamville Records crew. In 2021, Drama hosted Tyler, the Creator‘s CALL ME IF OU GET LOST and recently won a GRAMMY for his work. Check out the announcement below and stay tuned for more info. DJ Drama and Snoop Dogg’s I Still Got It drops October 20. View t...
Post Malone Returns to the Stage, Addresses Injury That Stopped Boston Show
Following a health episode earlier in the week, a happier, healthier Post Malone stopped by Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Tuesday night (Sept. 27) — and he was ready to play ball. Coming into the show, question marks hovered over Malone and his status when he was hospitalized with injury. The “Rockstar” rapper had woken with “stabbing pain” whenever he “breathed or moved,” a lingering effect from falling through an open trap door on the stage during his Twelve Carat Tour stop in St. Louis earlier in the month. As a result, he explained on social media, he was forced to cancel his Sept. 24 show in Boston. Malone apparently showed no ill effects in Ohio. During a pause in the show, Postie addressed the situation. “My last show I had to pull out of, unfortunately. Because I really...
Children of Jenni Rivera Reveal Details on Her Upcoming Album at 2022 Latin Music Week
More Jenni Rivera music is coming soon. Guests at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week on Tuesday (Sept. 27) got the exclusive when Chiquis, Jacqie, Mike, Jenicka, and Johnny Rivera formed part of the panel, “Children of Jenni Rivera presented by Amazon Music”. Moderated by Billboard Latin senior writer Griselda Flores, the five siblings opened up in a once-in-a-lifetime conversation about their mother’s legacy and new, soon-to-be-released music that will be produced by Sergio Lizarraga. “My mom was very picky with musical arrangements,” Johnny said of why Lizarraga was the perfect hitmaker to helm the project. “She loved la banda sinolasense and Sergio’s a master of that. He was able to maintain her essence not only in her voice but also in the music.” As of now, th...
