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.
The Coral Surprise Release New Rocksteady-Influenced Album ‘388’ (Listen)
The Coral, the UK indie rock outfit, surprised fans on May 21, 2026 with their 13th album, 388, released without prior notice. Recorded on a vintage Tascam 388 tape machine, the record blends rocksteady, reggae, and 60s‑era sounds, debuting as a limited‑run vinyl before moving to streaming platforms. Lead single “Let The Music Play” pays tribute to cassette‑culture and the band’s eclectic influences. To capitalize on the release, the group announced an extensive UK festival tour spanning June through August 2026.
Sulfur Surfer: 5 Esoteric Influences on Bladee’s New Album
Swedish rapper Bladee drops his eighth solo album, Sulfur Surfer, a 46‑minute, EDM‑leaning project produced entirely by Drain Gang collaborator Whitearmor. The record prioritizes intricate world‑building over conventional hooks, featuring only one guest appearance from English neofolk collective Current 93. Lyrically,...
Death From Above 1979 Announce Private Lives North American Tour
Death From Above 1979 announced a 28‑day North American Private Lives Tour starting Oct. 1 in Sacramento and ending Dec. 6 in Pittsburgh. The Canadian duo also posted a short Instagram clip hinting at a new song, possibly titled “Private Lives.” Pre‑sale...
Ted Lucas – Images of Life
Third Man Records has issued a three‑disc archival collection titled "Images of Life" that compiles the late psych‑folk pioneer Ted Lucas' early band recordings, unreleased solo tracks from 1970‑1974, and a lost album recorded at a fledgling Don Was studio....
Matilda Mann Has Shared Sylvia Plath-Inspired New Single ‘The Fig Tree’ From Her Forthcoming Album ‘Kismet’
London singer‑songwriter Matilda Mann has released the Sylvia Plath‑inspired single “The Fig Tree” as the lead track from her upcoming album “Kismet,” slated for 4 September. The eleven‑song record follows her debut “Roxwell” and includes earlier singles “Inventing” and Radio 1’s Hottest Record...
QUICKSAND Releases Music Video For 'Crystallize' From Upcoming 'Bring On The Psychics' Album
New York‑based post‑hardcore pioneers Quicksand will release their fifth studio album, “Bring On The Psychics,” on July 17 through Equal Vision Records. The record, produced and mixed in just ten days by Jon Markson, bridges the band’s aggressive 1990s sound...
Magic Tuber Stringband – Heavy Water
North Carolina’s Magic Tuber Stringband releases Heavy Water, their first album since 2024, on indie label Thrill Jockey. The record adds bassist Mike DeVito as a full‑time third member, expanding the group’s fiddle, bass, and banjo textures. Inspired by lead...
55 Years Ago: Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' Wrestles With Faith
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album “What’s Going On” broke Motown’s hit‑factory mold, channeling his personal grief, brother’s Vietnam letters, and social turmoil into a nine‑track concept record. The work tackles war, environmental decay, civil‑rights unrest, and urban poverty while delivering lush...
Nothing But Thieves Share Spirited New Track ‘Evolution’
Nothing But Thieves released a new single titled “Evolution,” their first music since the 2023 album “Dead Club City.” The track revisits the raw, guitar‑driven sound that defined the band’s early breakthrough while incorporating the lyrical maturity gained over a...
Slayyyter Makes Late‑Night TV Debut on The Tonight Show with ‘DANCE’
Hyperpop artist Slayyyter performed her single “DANCE” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, her first appearance on a major network broadcast. The performance follows a breakout Coachella set and viral TikTok trends that have propelled her into the mainstream...
Blue Morpho
British guitarist Ed O’Brien releases his second solo album, Blue Morpho, featuring high‑profile collaborators Paul Epworth and Dave Okumu. The record blends synth‑driven soundscapes, chamber‑folk orchestration, and expansive vocal performances, with standout tracks like “Incantations,” the title track, and the ten‑minute closer...
"It Paved the Way for the Shape of Punk to Come." The 10 Most Essential Emo Albums Released Before the...
The article curates ten essential emo albums released before the genre’s mainstream breakthrough, tracing how each record shaped emo’s sound and ethos. It begins with Rites of Spring’s 1985 debut, often credited as the birth of emo, and moves through...
Caoi De Barra Releases First Song From Debut Album 'Loneliness, What Is This?'
Irish indie‑folk artist Caoi de Barra has dropped the first single, “Loneliness, What Is This?”, from her forthcoming debut album. The track, co‑produced at Dublin’s Hellfire Studios, showcases a restless, contemporary folk sound. After a decade with Wyvern Lingo, she...
Tara Clerkin Trio Share New Single ‘Lazy Daisy’
The Tara Clerkin Trio has dropped the single “Lazy Daisy” ahead of their forthcoming album Somewhere Good, slated for June 5 on the World of Echo label. The track follows a BBC Radio 6 Music New Music Fix and builds anticipation for the...
Jeshi Has Turned the Club Toilet Queue Into an Emotional New Single with ‘Girls and Boys’
East London rapper Jeshi has dropped the single “girls and boys,” the latest preview from his upcoming mixtape “headrush.” The track, released through Select Discs, captures the fleeting intimacy of conversations in club toilet queues. It follows 2025 collaborations with...
Stand Atlantic Have Broken Their “Curse” Of Avoiding Love Songs on New Single ‘Velcro’'
Australian punk‑pop quartet Stand Atlantic released the single “Velcro” through Virgin Music Group, debuting as a First Play on triple j Breakfast. Frontwoman Bonnie Fraser describes it as the most honest love song she’s written in a decade, breaking a self‑imposed...
ListN Up Playlist: Sanaya Ardeshir (May 21, 2026)
Sanaya Ardeshir, Indian producer and composer who records as Sandunes, released a curated ListN Up Playlist that showcases a wide spectrum of experimental and electronic music. The selection spans pioneers such as Suzanne Ciani and Charles Mingus to contemporary artists...
CKay’s New Era Is Bigger and Bolder
CKay first broke worldwide with the soft‑spoken hit “Love Nwantiti,” which cemented his image as an intimate Afropop vocalist. Over the next releases he subtly shifted toward heavier, club‑ready production, culminating in the record “BODY.” The single spent more than...
Vince Staples Continues the ‘Cry Baby’ Rollout with His Politically-Charged New Single ‘White Flag’
Vince Staples has released the politically‑charged single “White Flag,” the latest teaser for his upcoming album Cry Baby, slated for June 5. The track arrives with a new video and follows the earlier single “Blackberry Marmalade.” Ahead of the album, Staples hosted...
Jazz Corner: Celebrating a Hundred Years of Miles Davis and John Coltrane
In 2026 the jazz world marks the centennial of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, both born in 1926. Their partnership on classics such as *Kind of Blue* reshaped modal jazz, while Coltrane’s *A Love Supreme* set a spiritual benchmark. After their...
Opus Kink Are Previewing Their Debut LP with Farewell-Themed Single ‘The Sweet Goodbye’
Brighton‑based six‑piece Opus Kink has released the farewell‑themed single “The Sweet Goodbye” as a preview for their debut album, slated for July 31 on SO Recordings. The track follows earlier singles “Come Over, Do Me Wrong” and “The Head Tree” featuring...
Ratbag Explores Mental Health Struggles on Her Vulnerable New Single ‘Drag’
Alt‑pop artist ratbag has dropped her third single of 2026, “drag,” a candid look at exhaustion and mental‑health strain. The song arrives ahead of her first headline London gig at The George Tavern on 26 May, following earlier releases “how to...
Sienna Spiro Has Announced Her Debut Album ‘Visitor’ for July
London singer‑songwriter Sienna Spiro announced her debut album "Visitor" for release on July 3 through Capitol Records. The record follows three singles—"Die On This Hill," "The Visitor" and "You Stole The Show"—that have already entered the Billboard Hot 100. Executive producer Omer Fedi...
Sun Kin – Of Some Use
Los Angeles‑based Sun Kin is set to release their next album *Bobby’s Voice* on June 5, with pre‑orders available via Bandcamp. The record is a deeply personal collaboration between front‑person Kabir Kumar and his father Rajesh Prakash Kumar, chronicling the life...
Lady Maisery and Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith – Wakefire: A Summer Album
Lady Maisery teamed with folk duo Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith to release Wakefire: A Summer Album, a 27‑track double‑LP that expands on their 2019 winter collaboration. The record follows a seasonal narrative from early summer to autumn, weaving original...
Brent Faiyaz Releases Fan-Driven Visual for ‘Butterflies.’
Brent Faiyaz released the official music video for “butterflies.”, a standout track from his third album Icon. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 and has approached 100 million streams worldwide. Directed by Lonewolf and produced by Parallel Studios, the hand‑animated video...
THE-DREAM Releases Sultry “Bring That Body” Video Ahead of ‘Love/Hate II’
The-Dream has unveiled the music video for his new single “Bring That Body,” debuting a sleek, late‑night saloon visual that matches the track’s seductive R&B vibe. The release doubles as the announcement of his forthcoming project Love/Hate II, the first installment...
4 of Dunedin’s Best Bands Are Releasing a Joint EP, Inspired by a Flying Nun Classic
Four of Dunedin’s most promising indie bands—Sivle Talk, Sogg, U‑NO JUNO and Vagina Dry—have teamed up for a joint EP titled *4EPS*, slated for a July 3 release on the newly‑formed DUN Records. The project echoes Flying Nun’s iconic 1982...
‘People Say There Are No Words, but There Are Thousands’: Liz Lawrence on Making a New Kind of Grief Album...
British singer‑songwriter Liz Lawrence has turned personal tragedy into her fifth album, Vespers, released June 5. The record, self‑produced and stripped‑back, explores raw grief after her sister Jessie died in a 2024 accident. Lawrence shifted from her usual indie‑pop sound to...
Premiere: Tech Panda X Kenzani Champion Love Against the Odds in New ‘Jija’ Video
Indian electronic duo Tech Panda x Kenzani have released an elaborate music video for their single “Jija,” filmed over two days in Amritsar. The narrative follows a wedding‑band trumpet player racing to win back his lover before she marries another,...
In the Shadow of the Bomb: Heavy Water by Magic Tuber Stringband
Magic Tuber Stringband’s new album Heavy Water, their first release as a trio, intertwines avant‑folk music with the haunting history of Ellenton, South Carolina, a town razed in the 1950s for the Savannah River nuclear complex. The record draws on...
Booker Stardrum - Close-Up On The Outside (We Jazz Records, 2026)
Booker Stardrum, the drummer‑composer behind the avant‑jazz quintet SML, released his fourth solo album, *Close‑up On The Outside*, on We Jazz Records in 2026. The 33‑minute record blends field recordings from the Catskill Mountains with MIDI‑driven loops, acoustic mallet instruments,...
Same Fangs
Spencer Krug, known for his work with Wolf Parade and solo projects, released the album "Same Fangs" after re‑recording a set of tracks originally delivered to Patreon supporters. The record blends his signature piano‑driven avant‑garde pop with new strings, guitar,...
Show Me New Ways
Meghan Dowlen’s sophomore album Dizzy Spell delivers a bass‑driven, new‑wave funk sound that feels both retro and futuristic. The record’s production is deliberately sparse, stripping back layers to spotlight her controlled vocals, crisp percussion, and occasional sax and guitar accents....
Spotify Requires AI Contribution Labels on All Tracks
Spotify announced it will require explicit labeling of any AI‑generated or AI‑assisted content on its platform, a policy that kicks in this summer. The change comes as AI‑created tracks now make up a sizable share of new music, sparking debate...
Gunther Hampel (1937 -2026)
Gunter Hampel (1937‑2026), a German multi‑instrumentalist and avant‑garde pioneer, died after a six‑decade career that fused European 12‑tone concepts with American free jazz. He founded the Galaxie Dream Band in New York, leading it for almost 30 years and releasing...
Splice Teams with ElevenLabs to Roll Out AI-Powered Music Creation Tools
Splice has announced a partnership with ElevenLabs to integrate the latter's foundational music models into new AI‑powered creation tools. The deal expands Splice’s generative suite while emphasizing responsible, creator‑first AI development.
Concepción Huerta – Todo Resuena
Mexican‑born composer Concepción Huerta will issue the two‑track album *No Queda Nada, Todo Resuena* on July 3 through the independent label Signal Noise. The work draws its title from Daphne Oram’s seminal book on sound as memory, positioning the recordings as...
Karim – Lila
Moroccan producer Karim releases his debut album Lila on the Tikita label, merging the ancient Gnawa spiritual tradition with modular‑synth driven techno. The record deliberately omits the genre’s signature kick drum, opting for organic‑sounding percussive textures that evoke trance‑inducing night...
John Summit Just Announced the CTRL ESCAPE Arena Tour for 2026
Electronic dance music (EDM) star John Summit announced his 2026 CTRL ESCAPE arena tour, a 20‑stop North American run supporting his sophomore album of the same name. The itinerary kicks off on Oct 1 in Champaign, Illinois and wraps in Oakland,...
Beefheart & McGuinn :: Midtown Downtime
William Murray and Winter McGuinn have teamed up for the folk‑rock album Midtown Downtime, a trans‑Pacific collaboration that blends UK and Melbourne sensibilities. The record features warm, intoxicating harmonies and a crisp, roots‑laden production that nods to the laid‑back style...
Track Premiere: Non Serviam – “Victory to Kali” (Ft. Mirai Kawashima of Sigh)
French experimental collective Non Serviam has dropped the single “Victory to Kali,” a three‑minute blend of black metal, industrial blast beats, and guest vocals from Mirai Kawashima of Sigh. The track serves as the lead preview for their forthcoming third...
Bruno Mars 2026 Tour: Dates, Prices, and How to Get Tickets to Sold-Out Shows
Bruno Mars launches the Romantic Tour in 2026, his first global headline run since the 2017 24K Magic tour. The itinerary spans major stadiums across North America and Europe, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Toronto. Most shows are...
Pierce – Sentimento
Sublunar, the Italian techno label praised for its focus on quality over hype, has added Pierce’s EP *Sentimento* to its roster. The Tbilisi‑based producer, known for releases on Token and WSNWG, delivers a collection of hard‑charging, low‑end‑heavy tracks that blend...
My Firsts: Daniel Hunt of Ladytron
Ladytron, the Liverpool‑born electro‑pop trio, released their eighth studio album *Paradises* in March 2026 on Nettwerk. Produced by band member Daniel Hunt and mixed by longtime collaborator Jim Abbiss, the record was crafted over five months across studios in Liverpool,...
Sweeping Promises Announce New Album You Say I Romanticize
Sweeping Promises announced their third album, *You Say I Romanticize*, slated for release on August 14 via Sub Pop. The record was crafted over 18 months in the band’s Kansas home studio, with guitarist Caufield Schnug and bassist/vocalist Lira Mondal handling production and...
Rostam: Stars and Stripes
Rostam Batmanglij returns with "American Stories," his first solo album in nearly five years, following a decade of high‑profile production work for artists like Frank Ocean and HAIM. The record weaves Persian saz melodies and microtonal nuances with classic Americana...
Leon Thomas to Receive ASCAP Vanguard Award, Honoring R&B Innovation
Leon Thomas, three‑time Grammy‑winning singer, songwriter and producer, will receive the ASCAP Vanguard Award on June 25 in Los Angeles. The honor recognizes his role in shaping the future of R&B through chart‑topping releases and high‑profile collaborations.
Arab Strap Unveil New LP, ‘Half-Told Tales’
Scottish indie duo Arab Strap announced their ninth studio album, *Half‑Told Tales*, a 14‑track record slated for release on 4 September 2026. The album arrives 30 years after their debut single, marking a milestone in the band’s three‑decade career. Lead single “You You...
Westside Cowboy Announce Debut Album and Share New Single ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’
Manchester indie quartet Westside Cowboy announced their debut album, It Goes On, set for release on August 21 through Island Records. The launch is anchored by the new single “Kick Stones (The Boys)”, which debuted on BBC 6 Music and is accompanied by...