Today's Music Pulse
Drake Nears Record‑Breaking Billboard 200 Streak
Drake is closing in on Morgan Wallen’s record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, according to The Source. Forbes adds that this also matches Adele’s historic tally of debut‑at‑number‑one singles.
Track Review: Lana Del Rey’s “First Light”
Lana Del Rey has unveiled “First Light,” a James Bond‑style single that will serve as the theme for the upcoming video game *007 First Light*, slated for release on May 27, 2026. The track reunites her with veteran Bond composer David Arnold, whose orchestral arrangement adds brass‑heavy, cinematic flair. By blending her signature moody pop with classic Bond motifs, the song acts as both a career retrospective and a bridge between music and interactive entertainment. Critics note the lyrical nods to gaming while questioning the song’s depth as a true Bond anthem.
Kim Gordon at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London: Live Review
Kim Gordon delivered a 20‑song performance at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, centering on her newly released solo album Play Me. The set blended trap‑infused beats, menacing synths, and distorted guitar tunings, highlighting tracks like “Dirty Tech,” “Not Today,” and a co‑written...
Graveripper Unleash the “Hounds From Hell” With New Video, Announce West Coast Tour
Graveripper unveiled a high‑octane video for "Hounds From Hell," the flagship single from their 2025 album *From Welkin to Tundra*. The track, described by the band as a relentless thrasher, showcases blistering riffs and battlefield‑style vocals. Alongside the video, the...
As K-Pop Concert Revenues Rise, HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP, and YG Plot Music Festival Joint Venture
South Korea’s four K‑pop powerhouses—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment—have filed a joint‑venture proposal with the Fair Trade Commission to launch a global music festival dubbed Fanomenon. The venture, which will be equally owned by the four firms,...
Souled American on “Sanctions” And Never Having Gone Away
Chicago alt‑country duo Souled American have issued their first album in three decades, *Sanctions*, after a protracted, pandemic‑stalled recording process. The band, active from 1988‑1996, never formally broke up but faced financial and equipment hurdles that delayed new material. Fan...
Nevermore Share Official Live Video of “Born” From Their Reunion Show in Turkey
Nevermore staged its first reunion concert on April 1, 2026 at Istanbul’s IF Performance Hall, releasing official footage of the 2005 track “Born.” The band now features founding members Jeff Loomis and Van Williams alongside new vocalist Berzan Önen, guitarist Jack Cattoi and bassist Semir Özerkan....
All 27 of Justin Bieber's Top 10 Hits, Ranked From Worst to Best
Justin Bieber’s recent Coachella set highlighted his extensive catalog, prompting a ranking of all 27 of his Billboard Hot 100 Top‑10 singles. The list, ordered from worst to best, spans early teen‑pop hits like “Baby” to recent collaborations such as “Stay”...
The Breathless Energy of Mexican Rave
Mexico’s rave scene is undergoing a renaissance as a new wave of producers blends techno, house, and regional rhythms such as cumbia, dembow, and tribal guarachero. Independent collectives like Po$$$ole, founded in Puebla in 2022, have grown into full‑fledged labels...
Tom Waits and Massive Attack’s New Song “Boots on the Ground” Is Here
Tom Waits teams up with Massive Attack for "Boots on the Ground," the first new Massive Attack track since 2020 and Waits' first original song since 2011. The single drops on streaming platforms and will be issued as an EcoSonic...
Raye's “Click Clack Symphony” Delivers Stunning, Empowering Music
I need every woman to run not walk and go support and watch Raye's new video called Click Clack Symphony this song is so beautifully written and done. I'm beyond blown away this is the kind of music, we all...
Plini’s New Single “After Everything” And Music Video Out Now
Australian progressive‑rock virtuoso Plini released his third single, “After Everything,” accompanied by a new music video directed by Declan Blackall. The track is part of his upcoming ten‑song album *An Unnameable Desire*, slated for release on April 24, with pre‑orders...
First Interview Reveals NBA Youngboy’s Early Raw Edge
For the relaunch of POW, we're running my lost long-form profile of NBA Youngboy – a story that I began reporting a decade ago. This is how it came together: In 2016, I returned to Baton Rouge for the first time...
Hank Alrich – Broken River
Hank Alrich, co‑founder of Austin’s legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, is releasing his new album *Broken River*. The record blends folk, blues, jazz, and country while dedicating roughly half the songs to climate‑change themes. Tracks like “Blue Guru” and “Denial River...
Who Are the 'Big 4' Of New Wave?
Ultimate Classic Rock identified Talking Heads, The Cure, The Police, and The Cars as the “Big 4” of new wave. The selection criteria emphasized artistic merit, commercial success, influence on peers, and enduring legacy. Each group represents a distinct facet of...
Lana Del Rey Releases James Bond’s ‘007: First Light’ Theme Song
Lana Del Rey has recorded the official theme song for IO Interactive’s James Bond video game 007: First Light, teaming up with veteran Bond composer David Arnold. The track will debut with the game’s title sequence on April 17 at 3 p.m. ET. The game, starring Patrick Gibson as a young...
Rihanna Hits 200 Million RIAA Singles Certifications, First Woman to Do So
Rihanna has become the first female artist in RIAA history to exceed 200 million certified singles, reaching 200.5 million units despite not releasing a full album since 2016. The milestone highlights the streaming era’s ability to keep legacy catalogs commercially vibrant.
Ashnikko Live in Detroit With Princess Nokia
Ashnikko returned to the hyperpop spotlight with her new album Smoochies, swapping the metallic edge of WEEDKILLER for bubble‑gum, identity‑centric tracks. She capped the first leg of the Smoochies Tour with a sold‑out show at Detroit’s historic Fillmore, where Princess Nokia opened...
Video Premiere: State of Illusion – “Death Is Not The End”
State of Illusion has dropped a video premiere for “Death Is Not The End” ahead of their independently released album Pluto’s Ghost, which arrives tomorrow. The band describes the track as a micro‑cosm of the record, featuring the most intricate...
Record Store Day - What Events Are Happening Around Ireland This Saturday?
Record Store Day returns to Ireland with a slate of live shows, DJ sets and pop‑up stalls across Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Dublin. Independent shops such as Freebird, Plug’d, Steamboat and Sound Advice are pairing limited‑edition vinyl releases—including Irish acts...
Charli XCX Begins Rollout for 'BRAT' Follow-Up: "I Think the Dance Floor Is Dead, so Now We’re Making Rock Music"
Charli XCX is gearing up for a new album that marks a stark shift from her recent dance‑centric work to a rock‑infused sound. She cleared her Instagram feed, posted a minimalist photo, and renamed her secondary account to b.sides, where...
Rabbi Shergill Returns to Film Music with ‘Talash’ in Nawazuddin Siddiqui Starrer Main Actor Nahin Hoon
Singer‑songwriter Rabbi Shergill returns to Bollywood after a five‑year gap with the track “Talash,” featured in Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s upcoming drama Main Actor Nahin Hoon. The film, directed by Aditya Kripalani, is set for a nationwide theatrical release on May 8,...
KATSEYE Announce New EP WILD for August 14; Coachella Buzz and AMA Nominations Boost Global Momentum
Global girl group KATSEYE announced their third EP, *WILD*, slated for release on August 14, 2026 through a HYBE × Geffen Records partnership. The EP follows 2025’s *Beautiful Chaos*, which secured a Grammy nomination and landed in the Billboard 200’s top five....
Boards Of Canada Share New Track, ‘Tape 05’
Boards of Canada broke a 13‑year silence on April 16, 2026 by uploading a three‑minute track titled “Tape 05” to YouTube, accompanied only by the duo’s iconic Hexagon Sun visual. The release follows a cryptic promotional campaign that included mailed VHS...
King Calls ‘Bulletproof’ Track a Personal Milestone Ahead of Lukkhe
Prime Video India, in partnership with Warner Music India, has released the high‑energy hip‑hop single “Bulletproof” as a preview for its upcoming original series Lukkhe. The track, co‑written and performed by singer‑actor King alongside Amira Gill, showcases themes of resilience...
ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Blues For Dexter Linwood,’ Todd Albright Performs Straightforward Standards
Todd Albright, a 12‑string guitar virtuoso, has issued his fourth album, *Blues For Dexter Linwood*. The record revisits pre‑war blues classics, drawing from legends such as Blind Willie McTell, Mississippi John Hurt, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Albright’s finger‑style arrangements blend meticulous...
Rosali – “Other Side”
Rosali released the new single “Other Side,” a gritty track that opens her latest set backed by Mowed Sound. The song, described as a “raucous highlight,” tackles the hour‑by‑hour cultural collapse and serves as a defiant anthem to American decline....
Melbourne’s the Gnomes Share New Single ‘Magic Man’
Melbourne garage‑pop quartet the gnomes have released their new single “Magic Man,” a high‑energy track that fuses psychedelic rock with skate‑punk swagger. The song serves as a teaser for their upcoming EP “More,” slated for release on May 13. Lead singer...
GURL Drop Forecast Video
The indie band released their new single "GURL," a hybrid of pop‑punk energy and rock‑n‑roll swagger that’s already resonating with skate‑video creators. The track’s jangling guitars and dynamic drums preview the sound of an upcoming LP slated for a Fall...
No Expectations 142: Wants For Everyone
No Expectations 142 marks the return of the newsletter’s Taste Profile interview series and delivers a fresh 15‑song playlist alongside new album, movie, and book picks. The editor announces a brief vacation to Arizona and teases the upcoming issue, while reminding...
Cactus Lee
Kevin Dehan, performing as Cactus Lee, has released his new album "Lee’s Dream," marking a shift from bedroom recordings to a full‑studio production. The ten‑track record was captured at Billy Horton’s Fort Horton Studios in Wyldwood, Texas, and blends 1950s‑70s...
Rock Hall Prioritizes 80s Over 90s and 2000s
what's interesting about the rock and roll hall of fame now is how they don't want anyone from the 2000s yet, are more stingy with 90s artists than i expected, and are increasingly generous with artists whose defining music was...
New K‑Pop Release Calendar Highlights Upcoming Drops
Updated #KPop Release Calendar... BIGBANG Taeyang Gummy & SEVENTEEN Seungkwan Tiffany Young Taemin Sistar Soyou Apink MAMAMOO Whee In Park Ji Hoon NCT i-dle Billlie LEE CHAEYEON LE SSERAFIM HEYOON NMIXX KATSEYE &TEAM VVS XngHan&Xoul UNCHILD AND2BLE EVAN https://t.co/tsqkpEyd0d
Jaco Jaco Announce On the Levee
Indie pop duo Jaco Jaco is set to drop their new single “On the Levee” on July 10. The track pairs feather‑light vocals with a subtle drum roll, ambient washes and light guitar strums, creating a dreamy pop soundscape. It will...
New 6WA Album Discussed on The Ebro Show
Talking the 6WA album with @BigXthaPlugg and 600 ent… 4:30p ET on @AppleMusic. #TheEbroShow https://t.co/W3PXh6ujzS
Rodney Crowell Unveils Lost Duet with Guy Clark
Glad for the chance to reconnect with Rodney Crowell. The album's really good... Rodney Crowell Releases Duet With Guy Clark, ‘Are You One of Us?,’ to Preview Lost Album He Rediscovered After 20 Years: ‘I Truly Had Forgotten I Had...
Rocketship, “A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness (30th Anniversary Edition)”
Rocketship’s 1996 debut *A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness* has been remastered for its 30th anniversary, spotlighting the band’s distinctive Hammond‑organ‑driven sound. The new edition restores the original lo‑fi textures while sharpening the organ’s “sunset” tones that set the record...
Sexualized Marketing Hints at a Mediocre Album
If she had to sell it with that much skin, it’s likely going to be a mediocre album.
Lana Del Rey Sings Theme for New 007 Game
Lana Del Rey is set to perform the theme song for the new 007 game First Light. https://t.co/xRA8WztZG5
Tim Burgess Will Be Busting Out "Psychedelic Heavenly Social Classics" In West Cork This Weekend
Tim Burgess, famed frontman of The Charlatans, will DJ at Connolly’s of Leap in West Cork on Saturday, April 18. He’ll be joined by Irish producer Arveene Juthan, who will warm up the crowd with his own dance‑floor pedigree. The ticket...
Charli XCX Declares Dance Floor Dead, Turns to Rock
Charli XCX begins rollout for 'BRAT' follow-up: "I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music" https://t.co/fV73SlkdcS
Discover Deloyd Elze: Zach Bryan’s Deeper
This Deloyd Elze guy is like if Zach Bryan went further down the 22, A Million rabbit hole. I like him a lot, and we had a nice chat: https://t.co/56DWSaDCVy
Anitta Previews 'Equilibrium' Album Ahead of Historic SNL Debut
Brazilian pop sensation Anitta announced details of her forthcoming album 'Equilibrium' and confirmed she will appear on Saturday Night Live, becoming the first Brazilian solo act to do so. The interview highlights a shift in her musical direction and a...
Believe's Debut Album Crafts an Immersive Musical World
I wrote about the self-titled debut by My New Band Believe, which feels like a world onto itself. https://t.co/ZVIO8N06KB https://t.co/AObjrVf44O
Leah Senior – “Mothersong”
Australian singer‑songwriter Leah Senior is set to release her new album Pt. Roadknight on June 19, 2026. The lead single “Mothersong” blends 1960s‑70s British folk textures with her baroque‑leaning songwriting, featuring fiddles, flutes and harmonies with her sister Andi. The...
A Deep Dive Into the Fan-Led SOPHIE Archive Project
The fan‑led SOPHIE Archive project has mobilized a global community to collect, digitize, and preserve the late producer’s music, visual art, and production notes. Originating after SOPHIE’s 2015 Samsung Galaxy S6 commercial, the effort now hosts thousands of unreleased tracks,...
Icarus Phoenix Drop Depresso Dragon Bop
Drew Danburry, under his Icarus Phoenix moniker, has dropped the new single "Depresso Dragon Bop" with backing from indie pop‑punk outfit Steve and the Ohs. The track fuses his recent folk‑rock sensibility with high‑energy pop‑punk, drawing comparisons to Ben Weasel’s classic...
The Chop Prepare Third Window EP
Indie act Dancer is set to release the Third Window EP on April 24 through the Lost Sound Tapes label. The six‑track collection leans into a minimalist aesthetic, pairing airy synth textures and light percussion with Gemma’s emotive vocal delivery. Described...
How Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s Dominance in Japan Is Driving a Global Breakthrough for the UMG-Signed Band
Mrs. GREEN APPLE became the only Japanese act to appear on Universal Music Group’s global top‑seller list for four straight quarters, landing at No. 13 on the IFPI Global Artist Chart for 2025. Their greatest‑hits album *10* entered the IFPI Global...
Vocalist Claire Dickson Creates Beguiling Art Music
Claire Dickson’s 2026 album *Balance* redefines jazz by weaving vocal‑driven compositions with electronic textures, avant‑symphonic arrangements, and hip‑hop‑inflected rhythms. Recorded with a rotating collective that includes saxophonist Zoh Amba, drummer Lesley Mok, and harpist Kitba, the seven‑track set blurs the line between...
Jimi Hendrix Experience’s ‘Axis: Bold as Love’ Shines On
Analogue Productions has issued a limited‑run Ultra High Quality Record (UHQR) version of Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1967 album *Axis: Bold as Love*. The 45‑RPM, 200‑gram Clarity Vinyl set is pressed from the original master tapes, remastered by Bernie Grundman, and...