New Music
Andrew Bird Reunites with Squirrel Nut Zippers on New Song “Train on Fire”: Stream
Prior to finding solo success, Andrew Bird played in a number of different groups. One of those was the jazz and swing band the Squirrel Nut Zippers, with whom he recorded three albums, the most recent being 1998’s Perennial Favorites. Today, Bird reunites with SNZ on a new single called “Train on Fire”. Taken from a new SNZ album, it’s a twangy and noticeably eerie listen, and one that welcomes Bird’s talents (namely violin and backup vocals) back into the fold. According to a press statement, upcoming record Lost Songs of Doc Souchon (September 25th) promises plenty more unsettling SNZ tunes. “This new album was inspired by all of the mysterious characters from the history of New Orleans jazz music,” commented the band. “It speaks to the hidden roots of where our aesthetic, interests and...
India Shawn and Anderson .Paak Are “Movin’ On” with New Single and Video: Stream
One of the smoothest voices in Los Angeles has linked up with one of the smokiest: India Shawn has shared her new song “Movin’ On” featuring Anderson .Paak. It comes with a wacky music video that marks .Paak’s directorial debut. A former member of the Full Circle songwriting team, Shawn is a veteran ghostwriter with cuts for Akon (“Take It Down Low”), Monica (“Without You”), Diddy & Dirty Money (“Your Love”), Chris Brown (“Trumpet Lights”), Keri Hilson (“Way You Love Me”), and more. Now, she’s focusing on her solo career. “Movin’ On’” features production from D’Mile and a beat made up of staccato bursts of horns. Lyrically, the song is a self pep talk. “I’m in my bag, sometimes it’s like that,” Shawn begins, “Get yourself out of the blues.” For his part, .Paak contributes jazzy r...
Bizzy Banks Is Stylish and “Extra Sturdy” on New Single: Stream
Bizzy Banks is the latest up-and-comer in Brooklyn’s drill scene, and it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve the praise he’s been getting. Just in case there was any doubt, though, Banks has dropped a brand new single called “Extra Sturdy” where he proves his weight in words and flair. This is the latest track Banks has shared from his upcoming mixtape, G.M.T.O. (Get Money Take Over) Vol. 1, which comes out on September 4th via Atlantic. The 21-year-old rapper previously dropped the single “Movies” earlier this summer as well as the song “Don’t Start Pt. 2”. Editors’ Picks In the music video for “Extra Sturdy”, Banks can be seen rapping along to the track in a series of different locations. There’s a lot of great shots, but arguably the best ones feature Banks in a slew of stando...
Extreme Metal Stalwarts Enslaved, Kataklysm, and Ihsahn All Release New Singles: Stream
Renowned extreme-metal acts Enslaved, Kataklysm, and Ihsahn all released new singles with accompanying music videos on Friday (August 28th), delivering a thunderous dose of new music to metalheads everywhere. Norwegian metal veterans Enslaved have unleashed “Urjotun” as the third single from their upcoming album Utgard, due October 2nd via Nuclear Blast. “The lyrical idea for ‘Urjotun’ had been spinning around in the chaos in the back of my head for quite a while, when Ivar sent me the riff-demo last autumn,” stated Enslaved singer Grutle Kjellson of the song. “I knew instantly that this was it, the very soundtrack of the rise of the primeval giant, the Urjotun! Our mutual love and fascination for that early krautrock scene and for bands like Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk, finally fully as...
Elvis Costello Shares New Song “Phonographic Memory”: Stream
Elvis Costello has shared a new song called “Phonographic Memory”. It’s the B-side to previously-released single “We Are All Cowards Now”. “Phonographic Memory” is unusual within Costello’s discography, and perhaps even unprecedented. Over an open-tuned guitar, the veteran songwriter recites a short story in which someone called “President Swift” conducts a ceremony while the voice of Orson Welles (played by Costello, of course) is heard on an archive recording. The prose is knotty and poetical, full of observations like, “After the peace was negotiated and the internet switched off, knowledge returned to its medieval cloister, in this and that illuminated volume, the jealous possession of the pious and the superstitious, who might once again wield ignorance like a scythe.” Check out “Phon...
Rick Astley Turns Post Malone’s “Better Now” into an Acoustic Banger: Watch
Rick Astley has gone from RickRolling to rollin’ with his brothers like it’s Jonas. The 54-year-old British musician has shared a cover of Post Malone’s “Better Now”, and dare we say it might be better now. “There are a lot of words in this song. It’s not my song, I don’t really know it properly,” Astley says in the YouTube video capturing the performance. “But I love it, so I’m gonna give it ago. Here we go, let’s see what happens.” What happens is perhaps a more impactful version of the Beerbongs & Bentleys hit. By turning the track into an acoustic banger instead of the trap-y pop of the original, Astley highlights the blues nature in the lyrics. He gives the words a bit of a country twang and growls out the chorus, really bringing the song’s melancholy to the forefront. Honest...
Evanescence Urge Fans to Speak Up in ‘Use My Voice’ Video
A couple weeks after the release of the inspiring anthem “Use My Voice,” Evanescence has shared a new visual for it. Directed by Eric Howell, who directed Voice From The Stone, the video follows Amy Lee, her bandmates and a variety of other activists armed with flags, flares and signs in protest. And opening the video with an image of the White House, it’s pretty clear that the band is aiming this message toward the Trump administration. “This is an era of awakening, and full of powerful beauty,” Amy Lee said in a statement. “I hope to inspire others to seek truth, find their own voices and use them as I step up to use mine. Don’t let anybody speak for you. Only you can do that.” The track has enlisted a powerhouse of talent, including The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen, Halestorm’s Lzzy H...
Public Enemy Return to Def Jam With What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down
A few months after surprise releasing their “State of the Union (STFU)” single that was produced by DJ Premier, Public Enemy has finally announced their new album, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down, their first album for Def Jam in more than 20 years. “Cultural Institutions are important. Being an integral part of one is an honor bestowed and to uphold,” Chuck D said in a statement. “Public Enemy songs are forever sonic prints in the sands of time. And it’s time – it’s necessary – to bring the noise again from a place called home. Def Jam. Fight The Power 2020.” Flavor Flav added, “Def Jam is like the house we grew up in. It’s cool to be home.” Sharing the album art on Twitter, Chuck D also said, “Time is intensifying and folks are Tight. In this moment a Album ...
The Rolling Stones Enlist The Killers for New Remix of “Scarlet”: Stream
The Rolling Stones (photo by Heather Kaplan), and The Killers on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) The Rolling Stones have recruited The Killers and Jacques Lu Cont for the latest remix of “Scarlet”. It will be included in the elder rockers’ forthcoming Goats Head Soup box set, out September 4th. Take a listen below. After unearthing this long-lost Jimmy Page collaboration in July, The Stones released a charmingly sloppy music video starring Normal People’s Paul Mescal, and followed that up with an initial remix by The War on Drugs. Now, their study in “Scarlet” continues. This time, they’ve turned to The Killers, still riding high from the release of their fun new album Imploding the Mirage, as well as English electronic artist Jacques Lu Cont, ak...
Ty Dolla $ign and Nicki Minaj Flaunt Their “Expensive” Taste on New Single: Stream
Nicki Minaj may be expecting, but the mother-to-be still appreciates a luxurious item or two or three. That’s why the rapper fits right in with Ty Dolla $ign on his latest single “Expensive”. “Gotta swipe the Amex if he go on a date/ If we go on a date, he gotta blow on my cake,” Minaj details her high standards. “These studs for my ears, these scarves for my hairs/ Latest bags from Chanel and I ain’t trying to wait.” As for Ty, the rapper knows the quickest way to his partner’s heart. “Beemers or Benzes, okay/ Diamond tennis necklace, okay,” he lists out. “Lambo or the double R truck.” Check out the video for “Expensive” below, which is not surprisingly filled with the mansions, cars, and pools of the rich and famous. Editors’ Picks Minaj and Ty previously worked together on “Swalla...
Black Thought, Pusha T, Killer Mike Wish You a “Good Morning” on New Song: Stream
Black Thought (photo by Philip Cosores); Killer Mike and Pusha T (photos by Ben Kaye) The Roots rapper Black Thought was supposed to drop latest project his Streams of Thought Vol 3: Cain & Abel last month, but he postponed its release in the wake of Malik B’s passing. While a new due date hasn’t been announced yet, Black Thought is building the hype again with “Good Morning”, a collaboration with Pusha T, Killer Mike, and Swizz Beatz. “Good Morning” features a bright, snare-driven beat provided by producer Sean C. Speaking of the song to Variety, Black Thought said it “speaks to an awakening.” He continued, “It’s a stellar lineup of features on one record – the level of dimension and different energy you get in one densely packed moment is unprecedented for the Roots and Bla...
Nasty C Unleashes New Album Zulu Man with Some Power: Stream
South African rapper Nasty C has unleashed his new album Zulu Man with Some Power. Stream it below with Apple Music and Spotify. A former rap prodigy, the man born Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo is now a 23-year-old hip-hop vet. Zulu Man with Some Power is his third LP, as well as his Def Jam debut, made possible by the success of 2018’s Strings and Bling. Nasty C produced almost all of his songs, and he demonstrated an effortless ability to slip into the pocket of the beat. He would have fit right in on American radio, which is a mixed compliment — after all, why did a (then) 19-year-old from South Africa sound like he’d grown up in Atlanta or Los Angeles? Some music execs tried to meddle, telling him to “sound more African.” This didn’t sit well with Nasty C. “I want the...
