Smilez sometimes finds himself writing lyrics about his brother’s death without even realizing it. He’ll start scribbling lyrics or listening to a beat with a sad energy, and the feelings just rush in. It’s that connection to his emotions that helped fuel his debut album, Ur In My World, out …
Read More »Slipknot Release Surprise EP as Longtime Keyboardist Craig Jones Exits Band
Slipknot titled their most recent album, The End, So Far, and now it’s becoming clearer how they’re prolonging the apocalypse. On their newly released Adderall EP, they’ve collected three alternate versions of the moody title track (which led off The End, So Far), along with three previously unreleased songs: “Death …
Read More »David Byrne's 'Here Lies Love' Reaches Agreement, Now Hiring Live Musicians
David Byrne has reached an agreement with musicians’ union, Local 802, for the upcoming production,Here Lies Love,his play about the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. The musical, which Byrne co-wrote with Fatboy Slim, had previously planned to use pre-recorded tracks. Per the agreement, the show will hire …
Read More »Carrie Underwood's Next Date Night Is Long Overdue on 'Take Me Out'
Date night can’t come soon enough for Carrie Underwood on her latest single “Take Me Out,” set to appear on the deluxe edition of Denim & Rhinestones when it arrives Sept. 22. She isn’t even particularly picky about where the night takes her. A fancy restaurant or a dingy dive …
Read More »Babyface Brings Decades of Hits to the 'Tiny Desk'
Babyface squeezed several decades worth of hits and classics into his career-spanning set on the latest installment of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. While the legendary singer, songwriter, and producer took the lead on a few songs, he also got some help from an all-star trio of vocalists, Chanté Moore, …
Read More »After 'La Bebé,' Yng Lvcas Wants to Lead Mexico's Reggaeton Movement: 'I Can't Think Small'
Seemingly overnight, Guadalajara-born singer Yng Lvcas went from being a virtually unknown reggaetón artist to reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200 thanks to his earworm “La Bebé” and its remix featuring Peso Pluma. Today, as his song spends its 11th week on the chart, Lvcas is still on …
Read More »Renee Rapp Sings Her Way Through Tough Times on New Ballad, 'Snow Angel'
Reneé Rapp reaches deep to find resilience in “Snow Angel,” the titular single from her upcoming album. “I’ll make it through the winter if it kills me,” she sings over a climbing piano, occasionally punctuating her voice with heavy-metal guitar chords. “I can make it faster if I hurry/An angel …
Read More »Under His Umbrella! Maluma Dances in the Rain for 'Coco Loco' Video
Maluma won’t let the rain stop him! On Thursday, the Colombian popstar released his single “Coco Loco,” alongside its rainy, choreography-filled video. The Jessy Terrero-directed visual starts with an announcer revealing that his concert has been canceled due to extreme weather. The singer — dressed in all-white — is then …
Read More »Brent Cobb Is Country as Collard Greens on New Song 'Southern Star'
Few artists embody the South quite like Brent Cobb — the guy is a walking bowl of greens. On his new song “Southern Star,” he summons the easygoing vibes and sounds of his native Georgia. Accented by Wurlitzer keys and Cobb’s own acoustic strumming, it’s a song about going home. …
Read More »Trueno Is Kicking Off a Brand-New Era
Before he’d even turned 20, Trueno had made a name for himself as a champion freestyle battler in Argentina’s growing rap scene. He was witty, funny, and quick on his feet, and he showed people the full range of what he could do on his debut album, Atrevido, from 2020. …
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