Today's Music Pulse
Future and Tyla headline World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles
Future and Tyla opened the 2026 World Cup ceremony in Los Angeles with their collaborative track “Game Time.” The event also featured performances by Katy Perry, LISA, Anitta and other artists, marking a star‑studded start to the tournament.
Rolling Stones to Release 25th and Final Album 'Foreign Tongues' In Weeks
The Rolling Stones confirmed that their 25th studio record, titled 'Foreign Tongues,' will be released in the coming weeks, preceded by the single 'Mr Charm' on Saturday. The album, teased under the codename The Cockroaches, includes some of the last recordings of late drummer Charlie Watts and signals the band's final studio effort after more than 60 years together.
Olivia Rodrigo's 'Guts' Hits 3× Platinum, 3 Million Sold
Olivia Rodrigo’s 'Guts' is certified 3× Platinum in the U.S. for selling 3 million copies, after debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and becoming one of the biggest albums of the decade. https://t.co/Fj5huDTqcj
J Balvin and Ryan Castro Team Up for Collaborative Album ‘Omerta’
J Balvin and Ryan Castro announced their first collaborative album, *Omerta*, set for release on May 7, coinciding with Balvin’s birthday. The project follows a string of joint singles, high‑profile Grammy appearances, and a shared visual aesthetic inspired by classic gangster films. *Omerta*...
Flo – Leak It
Flo’s new single “Leak It” fuses late‑1990s/early‑2000s girl‑group aesthetics with today’s selfie‑driven pop culture, delivering a hook that many reviewers deem stronger than their earlier hit “Sports Car.” The track showcases Jorja Douglas’s standout vocals, tight three‑part harmonies, and a...
Elvis Presley’s Biggest Hit Was Written in 20 Minutes and Inspired Barry White to Change His Life in Juvie
Elvis Presley’s 1960 single “It’s Now Or Never,” adapted from the Italian classic “’O sole mio,” was penned by Wally Gold and Aaron Schroeder in under half an hour. The song vaulted to number one across the United States, United...
36 Years Ago Today, Randy Travis Joined Willie and Waylon in the Record Books Thanks to His Most Enduring No....
Randy Travis’s ballad “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for four consecutive weeks in early 1990, a feat not seen since Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s 1978 run. The song, from his fifth studio...
New Album Drop—Pick Your Favorite Track and Chat
Droppping a album for yall 🎵 … kinda lol Which of these hit hardest ? How was your day - let’s get to know each other
Geese's Subtle Tiny Desk Set Highlights “Half Real”
Geese brought three songs from 'Getting Killed' to the NPR Tiny Desk and delivered one of the series' most understated and affecting sets in recent memory. "Half Real" alone is worth the watch. https://t.co/7wL7P8D5od
Gwendolyn ‘Blondy’ Chisolm, the Sequence Co-Founder, Dead at 66
Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm, co‑founder of pioneering hip‑hop trio The Sequence, died at 66 after a brief illness. The group broke ground in 1979 with the hit “Funk You Up,” becoming the first female act signed to Sugar Hill Records and...
John P. Kee Celebrates 40 Years Gospel at Tiny Desk
Pastor John P. Kee brought a four-piece band and a seven-person choir to the NPR Tiny Desk for a nine-song gospel set that covers nearly 40 years of ministry. https://t.co/dmZxvzlaCd
Ani DiFranco Teams with Dessa for 30th‑Anniversary Remix
Ani DiFranco and Dessa have released "Shy (Dessa Remix)" for the 30th anniversary of 'Not a Pretty Girl,' now back in print on vinyl and CD with new 2025 remastering and a limited signed print edition. https://t.co/tIeuYfg1Ge
Flea Makes His Solo Billboard Chart Debut, With ‘Honora’ Arriving on 6 Album Charts
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has entered the Billboard arena as a solo artist with his debut jazz album Honora. The record opened at No.2 on both the Jazz Albums and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts and placed within the...
Unexpectedly Seamless Mashup Bridges 70s Folk and Grunge
Bill McClintock blends Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat” with Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” in a mashup so smooth it sounds like they were always meant to be one song. https://t.co/iFSG8fBszH
Hank Jr.’s “Country Boy” Hits 5× Platinum Milestone
Hank Williams Jr.’s "A Country Boy Can Survive" is certified 5× Platinum in the U.S., selling 5 million copies, after peaking at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and becoming one of his signature hits. https://t.co/V5Ro13ZVq1
Pond Confirms New Album ‘Terrestrials’ & 2026 North American Tour Dates
Australian psychedelic rock group Pond announced their 11th studio album, Terrestrials, slated for release on June 19 through their new Mangovision imprint. The record marks a stylistic shift, with the band imposing a “no fuzz pedal, no ballads, no Pink Floyd” rule...
1964 Lambeg Drum Stick‑In: First Epic Drum Battle
Long before viral drum battles, there was the 1964 Lambeg Drum Stick-In in Banbridge—a thunderous BBC-covered showdown where the last drummer standing earned eternal bragging rights. https://t.co/vwnvLb6dRK
Sweet Petunia Releases Debut Album, Joins Ani DiFranco Tour
Sweet Petunia's debut album 'Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown' is out now on Righteous Babe Records, and the Boston duo hits the road this April opening for Ani DiFranco on her Spirit of Love tour. https://t.co/TADC18rwhg
Machine Gun Kelly Puts on a Cocky and Confident Australia Tour Opener
Machine Gun Kelly opened his Lost Americana tour at Perth’s RAC Arena on April 8, turning early ticket‑sale doubts into a sold‑out show. The performance combined pop‑punk anthems, hip‑hop flair, and elaborate stagecraft, including a descending guitar and pyrotechnics. While his...
RACHEL BOLAN On SKID ROW's Ongoing Singer Search: 'We Probably Have Listened To About 300 Submissions At This Point'
SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan confirmed the band’s ongoing search for a new lead vocalist, conducted through a first‑of‑its‑kind partnership with online music retailer Sweetwater. About 300 audition tapes have been reviewed so far, and the band stresses they will not rush...
Tory Silver – “Microwave”
Pittsburgh‑based singer‑songwriter Tory Silver is set to release her new album *In Through the Front with Lasers* on May 29 through the independent label Michi Tapes. The album’s lead single, “Microwave,” showcases a hybrid of indie folk‑rock and 90s garage‑rock...
An Important Piece of Elvis Presley Lore Is Headed To Auction
Sotheby’s will auction the cherry‑red Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar Elvis used for his 1968 comeback special. The instrument, borrowed from session guitarist Al Casey and never played by Elvis again, is expected to fetch $1‑$2 million. Bidding runs April 9‑23, with a...
Purple Grace – “Narcissist”
Purple Grace, a five‑piece band from Didcot, England, releases “Narcissist,” marking a shift from indie to high‑energy alt‑rock. The track showcases new vocalist Emily and bassist Ben, who joined in 2025, and blends melodic aggression reminiscent of Paramore and Bring...
Ron Zama – “No Tomorrow”
Ron Zama, the Odense‑based electronic producer, dropped the single “No Tomorrow” on April 8, 2026. The track fuses shimmering synth textures, warbled basslines and a high‑energy drum‑n‑bass core, echoing influences from Fred Again and Disclosure. Its structure moves from a haunting, atmospheric...
Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal Is Writing an “Astrological Memoir”
Roland Orzabal, co‑founder of Tears for Fears, is releasing an “astrological memoir” titled *Welcome To Your Life: Love, Death, And Tears For Fears* on August 4, 2026. The book intertwines his personal and professional history with astrology, covering the band’s 1980s...
Susan Style – ‘Only a Broken Heart Can Hold the World’
London‑based Taiwanese producer Susan Style released her debut full‑length album “Only a broken heart can hold the world” on April 8, 2026. The record fuses avant‑garde synth‑pop with cinematic soundscapes, marrying Eastern emotional nuance with Western electronic experimentation. Style wrote, performed and...
XINTRA – “MIND”
German electronic artist XINTRA has dropped "MIND," the lead single from the forthcoming DAYDREAMS EP. The three‑minute track was crafted in a Hamburg studio using an all‑analog setup—vintage drum machines, a physical piano and no MIDI or computer‑generated sounds. Its...
Frank Gappa – “Move the Needle”
Chicago‑based songwriter Frank Gappa releases “Move the Needle,” his first single since relocating to Chicago. Produced with Rob Allen and mixed by Jim Eno, the track blends distorted guitars with a soaring pop‑punk chorus. Lyrically it pits nostalgic comfort against...
Cinnamon Rayne – “Demon”
Rochester‑born singer‑songwriter Cinnamon Rayne has dropped her new single “Demon,” a soulful pop track that delves into the fallout of a relationship and the lingering effects of heartbreak. The song fuses indie, alternative, and R&B textures, drawing comparisons to TOPS’...
K. Michelle Warns “Everybody” Could Go To Jail With What She Knows About R. Kelly
R. Kelly’s former partner, singer‑songwriter K. Michelle, told BET’s The Jason Lee Show that she learned music‑business skills from the convicted star and denied experiencing abuse. She shifted blame for his child‑sex‑trafficking convictions onto victims’ mothers and warned that if...
Girl Trouble Announce First Album 23 Years: Hear “Make It Mine”
Tacoma garage‑punk duo Girl Trouble announced their first full‑length album in 23 years, titled As Is, slated for a June 26 release. The record compiles songs recorded over the past 15 years in both professional studios and home environments. It will be issued...
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Cover the Clash’s ‘Clampdown’ for First Time Since 2014
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band surprised fans at the Kia Forum by performing the Clash’s protest anthem “Clampdown” for the first time since a 2014 stint with Tom Morello. Morello, filling in for Steve Van Zandt, shared lead...
Kanye's Mature Response, Not Victimhood, Sets Example
Kanye's response is actually even and mature. Posturing as the victim or martyr is not what he should do if he wants a come back. His fan boys could learn from him.
Album Profile: Charlotte Cornfield’s Hurts Like Hell Asks Whether Subtle Music Can Still Feel Urgent
Charlotte Cornfield’s sixth studio album, Hurts Like Hell, arrives as her first release on indie powerhouse Merge Records. The record deepens her focus on quiet, relational moments while delivering a surprising sense of urgency. A Toronto release show at Lula...
Labels Must Invest in Generational Hip‑Hop, Not One‑Hit Trends
Every record label should be trying to sign (and develop) generational hip-hop artists. The flash-in-the-pan, one-hit, vibes, data-driven era has no lasting power.
This Was All So Predictable
Kanye West, now known as Ye, launched a high‑profile comeback with his 12th album *Bully* and sold‑out shows at Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium. However, the UK government barred him from performing after Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised concerns about his...
Aerosmith Considered This Album Their Real “Breakthrough,” Thanks to This Invisible Sixth Band Member
Aerosmith’s 1975 album *Toys In The Attic* is widely regarded as the band’s true breakthrough, delivering hits like “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.” The record’s cohesion stemmed from a new songwriting approach and the guiding hand of producer Jack...
GIL MOORE Doesn't Rule Out New Music From TRIUMPH: 'We'll Just See'
Gil Moore told Sonic Perspectives that while Triumph’s 2026 North American tour marks the band’s 50th‑anniversary return to the stage, he isn’t ruling out new music, leaving the possibility open for future recordings. The tour, the first in more than...
Los Lobos & Los Lonely Boys Expand The Brotherhood Tour 2026
Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys have added a West Coast leg to The Brotherhood Tour 2026, extending the joint run from Sacramento on July 31 through Ridgefield, Washington on August 13. The expansion follows a successful eastern leg that visited Ontario, New Jersey and New York earlier...
How Harrowing Stories of Genital Mutilation (And a Bit of Reggae) Helped Inspire This 1994 Hit Song
Tori Amos’s 1994 single “Cornflake Girl” was born from a conversation about female genital mutilation and a love of reggae music. In a recent interview, Amos explains that the term “cornflake girl” refers to women who betray trust, mirroring the...
Lambrini Girls Reschedule North American Tour and Pull Out of Coachella After Phoebe Lunny Reveals Neck Fracture and “Acute Brain...
Lambrini Girls have withdrawn from Coachella and postponed their North American headline tour after vocalist Phoebe Lunny fractured her neck and suffered an acute brain injury in Australia. Medical orders prohibit her from flying or performing for six weeks, prompting...
Weatherday Announce Fall North American Tour
Swedish emo/noise‑pop act Weatherday has returned with its first album in six years, Hornet Disaster, and announced a sprawling North American tour to support the release. The itinerary runs from April to May and resumes in October through November, hitting...
Carrie Underwood Praises ABC and ‘American Idol’ for “Songs of Faith” Episode
Carrie Underwood praised ABC and "American Idol" for its recent "Songs of Faith" episode, calling the theme bold and uplifting. She highlighted the show’s gentle approach to spirituality, noting it wasn’t overtly religious but inspirational. Underwood also performed her signature...
Cardi B Brings Out Meek Mill To Perform An Iconic Song In Philadelphia
Cardi B surprised her Little Miss Drama Tour audience in Philadelphia by bringing out Meek Mill, who performed his classic track “Dreams & Nightmares” at the sold‑out Xfinity Mobile Arena. The moment sparked a flood of social‑media reactions, with fans...
Radiohead Launches Immersive "Kid A Mnesia" Installation Tour After Coachella Debut
Radiohead will debut a 17,000‑square‑foot immersive "Kid A Mnesia" installation at Coachella on April 10, then take the experience to Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City and San Francisco. The physical exhibition expands the band’s 2021 virtual world into a ticketed, multi‑city...
JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER Says Setlist For Upcoming 'Faithkeepers' Tour Won't Focus On 'Anything Specific'
Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner said the upcoming Faithkeepers European tour will feature a varied setlist rather than focusing on specific anniversary albums. While the band will still nod to milestones like the 50‑year‑old Sad Wings of Destiny and the...
Sturgill Simpson Says He ‘Insisted’ Ticket Prices for New Tour Remain the Same As Last Year
Sturgall Simpson announced that ticket prices for his upcoming "Mutiny for the Masses" arena tour will remain essentially unchanged from last year, with only a $10 increase for general‑admission pit tickets. He emphasized that larger venues allow more low‑priced seats,...
Sign of the Times: The Cultural Moments That Changed Music (Without Us Noticing)
The article outlines three cultural forces that have silently reshaped popular music: the politically charged folk movement of the 1960s, the escapist pop surge during the late‑2000s recession, and the algorithm‑driven hit formula of the 2020s. In each era, artists...
Dopelord to Reissue ‘Sign of the Devil’ Next Month
Polish stoner/doom band Dopelord has inked a deal with Season of Mist to reissue their 2020 album *Sign of the Devil* on June 5. The reissue follows a European tour supporting Napalm Death and coincides with the recent addition of...
Brandi Carlile Offers Solo Piano Performance Of ‘Church & State’ On ‘Colbert’
Brandi Carlile appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, delivering a solo piano rendition of her new track “Church & State” from the album Returning To Myself. The interview highlighted her recent Human Tour 2026, including a Minneapolis benefit...
Country in Cabo: Riley Green to Headline Inaugural Country Splash Festival
The inaugural Country Splash festival will debut on Cabo San Lucas’ beaches from September 4‑6, 2026, headlined by Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore and electronic star Diplo. Organized by co‑founder Robert Fried, the three‑day Labor Day event pairs country music with a...