Today's Music Pulse
Ty Segall Announces Full‑Band Album ‘Chrome’ with New Single “Black Paint”
Ty Segall will release his next full‑band album, Chrome, on August 28, 2026 via Drag City, accompanied by the EP Love Fuzzz. The record was recorded in six days at Sonic Ranch in Texas with longtime collaborators Ben Boye, Evan Burrows, Mikal Cronin, Emmett Kelly and producer Cooper Crain, and the lead single “Black Paint” drops with a gritty video.
TRIXTER's Upcoming Contribution To '1970s Soft Rock Tribute' Album Will 'Blow You Away'
TRIXTER guitarist‑vocalist Steve Brown confirmed the band is recording a new album, with 16 tracks roughly 75% finished. A cover of Air Supply will appear on Cleopatra Records' 1970s soft‑rock tribute compilation, which Brown says will "blow you away." Brown also revealed a documentary chronicling his and bassist PJ Farley's 40‑year partnership, positioning the film as a companion to the upcoming record. While the classic lineup has largely disbanded, Brown and Farley continue touring with new percussionist Ben Hans.
Jay-Z Predicted Streaming and the State of the Music Industry Way Back in 2010
In a 2010 Interview Magazine conversation, Jay‑Z warned that the traditional record business was on the brink of collapse as digital sharing eroded physical sales. He cited Napster’s disruption and argued that while fans’ appetite for music would stay strong,...
Troy Cartwright Is Chronicling Nashville’s ‘Island of Misfit Toys’ Songwriting Scene
Troy Cartwright, a Texas‑born songwriter turned Nashville podcaster, released the EP *Etc. All the Rest* in March, his first new music since 2024’s *Bygones*. He continues to juggle three full‑time roles: writing for other artists, recording his own material, and...
Watch: ACCEPT Plays First Concert With Ex-MEGADETH Drummer SHAWN DROVER
German heavy‑metal veterans Accept are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a 24‑date European tour spanning 11 countries, kicking off on May 1 at Norway’s Karmøygeddon Metal Festival. Former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover will join as a special guest for the first...
Kid Cudi Declares 'I’m Here Forever' On Austin Tour Stop, Quashing Retirement Rumors
Kid Cudi used his May 1, 2026 show at Austin’s Germania Insurance Amphitheater to declare “I’m here forever,” putting to rest months of retirement speculation. The statement came as the first North American stop of his Rebel Ragers Tour, his first full‑scale...
Watch: DEREK SHARP Fills In for PHIL X At TRIUMPH's Shows In Halifax And Moncton
Canadian rock icons Triumph continued their 2026 "Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded" tour, with Derek Sharp stepping in for Phil X at shows in Halifax and Moncton. The tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary and features a rotating lineup that includes...
Playlist: 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
Walter Martin’s Radio Hour released a special episode featuring a playlist of the 30 greatest living American songwriters, currently showcasing 25 tracks spanning multiple decades, states, and styles. The host promises a follow‑up mid‑week to add the remaining five songs...
Van Halen Reenters UK Rock Chart After Five Years
Van Halen return to the U.K. charts with ‘Live in New Haven CT 1986’ debuting at #25 on the Official Rock and Metal Albums chart, marking their first new entry in more than five years. https://t.co/v1E0KEFfXc
Taylor Swift
The New York Times’ poll of 250 music insiders placed Taylor Swift among the 30 greatest living American songwriters. Swift was signed to Sony at age 14 on a pure songwriting deal and has since released 12 studio albums, writing every track herself. At...
Noah Kahan Scores Second Consecutive Australian #1
Noah Kahan’s 'The Great Divide' debuts at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It is his fourth studio album and his second consecutive #1 in Australia, following 'Stick Season', which spent three weeks at the top in 2024. https://t.co/jutvTEFg64
Chiranjeevi’s Thriller Tribute Song Golimaar Finds a Place in Michael Jackson’s YouTube Favourites
Michael Jackson’s official YouTube playlist of favorite Thriller recreations now includes Chiranjeevi’s 1985 Telugu song “Golimaar” from the film Donga. The sequence mimics Thriller’s zombie choreography and red‑leather aesthetic, earning a spot on the pop icon’s personal favourites. After a...
Bowie’s “Hallo Spaceboy” Lands Seventh Posthumous UK Top‑10
David Bowie returns to the U.K. top 10 as "Hallo Spaceboy" debuts at #4 on the Vinyl Singles chart and #5 on Official Singles Sales, marking his seventh posthumous top 10 on the latter tally. https://t.co/nxRJ0kMECe
BTS Comeback Highlights K‑pop’s Shift Toward Global, Non‑Korean Identity
BTS’s high‑profile comeback concert in Seoul underscored a new phase for K‑pop, as the genre leans heavily on English‑language releases and non‑Korean talent. Analysts say the trend expands market reach but raises questions about the erosion of Korean cultural markers.
New Rock Music and (Weird) Guided Meditation, a Watch Mod, Plus a Way to Enjoy "the Small Web" That's Overlooked...
The post spotlights four niche discoveries: a fresh batch of rock tracks highlighted by a standout Springsteen cover, an experimental guided‑meditation experience that blends music with surreal prompts, a DIY watch modification that adds a hidden display, and a lightweight...
The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
The episode explores how New York Times journalists compiled a list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters, detailing a multi‑stage voting process that involved musicians, producers, critics, scholars and industry insiders. The conversation highlights the challenges of narrowing down...
Clinic's EP Compilation Drops as 300‑Copy Limited Vinyl
Clinic's self-titled EP compilation is out now via Domino Vault, a strictly limited 300-copy heavyweight vinyl pressing of the acid-punk legends' first three EPs, essential listening for anyone serious about the Domino catalogue. https://t.co/QdeDfUfFhu
Hannah Schneider Releases Bass‑clarinet Neoclassical Pop Single
Hannah Schneider's "Membrane" is out now on Midnight Confessions, a bass clarinet-driven neoclassical pop single from her album 'In This Room', a bold creative leap from one of Denmark's most vital musical minds. https://t.co/QbuA6PrhWq
Sanaya Asserts Herself On ‘Do What I Do’
Sanaya, an emerging independent R&B vocalist with Indian and Western classical training, has released the two‑minute single “Do What I Do.” The track departs from her earlier ballad “Call Me Baby,” embracing a bold dancehall‑pop sound and an “almost egotistical”...
Carla Bley – ‘Joyful Noise – Live in Hamburg 1984’
Carla Bley’s ten‑piece ensemble from a 1984 NDR studio session has been issued on CD on May 1 2026, offering a vivid snapshot of her mid‑80s big‑band sound. While critics at the time dismissed her work as less adventurous than earlier projects,...
Alastair Macaulay: Song Competitions Can Be the Death of Art
In his latest column, critic Alastair Macaulay reviews five notable UK performances from April 2026, ranging from the Kathleen Ferrier vocal competition to new stage adaptations of classic works. He lauds baritone Hector Bloggs’s versatile win at the Ferrier Awards...
SHALOSH – ‘What We Are Made Of’
SHALOSH, the Israeli piano trio led by pianist Gadi Stern, released its sixth album “What We Are Made Of” on March 27 2026 via ACT Records. The nine‑track record mixes four original compositions with five covers that span pop, rock, prog‑metal and...
See Polaris Perform ‘The Remedy’ at Red Rocks
Australian metalcore band Polaris hit a major milestone by performing at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, supporting Electric Callboy on the latter’s Tanzneid world tour. The show follows a recent stint opening for Linkin Park’s sold‑out Australian dates, underscoring the group’s...
Hedwig Mollestad Weejuns – ‘Bitches Blues’
Norwegian guitarist Hedwig Mollestad Thomassen, a two‑time Spellemannprisen winner, was awarded the prestigious Buddy Prize, which includes a cash award of roughly US$8,250. The honor coincided with the release of her new trio project Weejuns and the album “Bitches Blues,”...
Michal Oren Announced as Calleva Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Michal Oren has been appointed the 2026‑27 Calleva Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The decision came after a two‑day audition in Poole where seven candidates were evaluated and the orchestra’s musicians cast the final vote. The position is...
Cath Roberts & Olie Brice – ‘Setpieces’
Cath Roberts and Olie Brice have released “Setpieces,” their second duo album that showcases intense free‑jazz improvisation for saxophone and double bass. The six tracks, ranging from three to nine minutes, move through high‑energy passages, lyrical interludes, and swinging narratives....
Olivia Rodrigo Performs ‘Drop Dead’, Debuts New Song With Weyes Blood ‘SNL’
Olivia Rodrigo made her SNL hosting debut, delivering a blend of comedy sketches and live music. She performed her new single “drop dead,” which critics have called one of April’s best songs, and introduced the ballad “begged” alongside Weyes Blood....
Connor Storrie Drops By ‘SNL’ to Introduce New Olivia Rodrigo Song “Begged”
Connor Storrie appeared on Saturday Night Live to introduce Olivia Rodrigo’s unreleased song “Begged,” previewing her upcoming third album. The episode also featured Rodrigo’s performance of “Drop Dead,” with both tracks slated for the album dropping on June 12. Storrie, fresh from...
Connor Storrie Stops By ‘SNL’ To Introduce Olivia Rodrigo As Double Duty Host Debuts Unreleased Track
Olivia Rodrigo made her first appearance as a host on Saturday Night Live, delivering a double‑duty performance that included a surprise debut of an unreleased song, “Begged.” The track, a somber ballad from her upcoming album *you seem pretty sad...
Blondie’s Debbie Harry Intros Olivia Rodrigo’s Energetic Performance Of ‘Drop Dead’ On ‘SNL’
Olivia Rodrigo performed her new single “drop dead” on Saturday Night Live, with a surprise introduction by Blondie legend Debbie Harry. The performance marked Rodrigo’s first time serving as both host and musical guest, showcasing her pop‑rock credentials. Her upcoming...
Fanny Hill
In the early 1970s, the all‑woman rock band Fanny turned a West Hollywood house called Fanny Hill into a creative sorority where they wrote, rehearsed, and hosted icons like Bonnie Raitt and The Band. Their 1972 album *Fanny Hill* captured...
Olivia Rodrigo Teams with FC Barcelona for Jersey Drop and Exclusive Barcelona Concert
Olivia Rodrigo has partnered with FC Barcelona and Spotify to launch a limited‑edition Blaugrana jersey and host an invite‑only concert for top Spotify listeners in Barcelona on May 8. The collaboration arrives ahead of the club’s El Clásico match and precedes Rodrigo’s...
2026 Songwriter Serenade Announces Finalists and Winner
The 19th annual Songwriter Serenade took place in Schulenburg, Texas on May 2, 2026, awarding first‑place to Natalie Price of Madison, Tennessee, who received $2,000. Second‑place went to Nashville’s Claire Kelly ($1,500) and third to Charlie Chamberlain ($1,000). All 15 semi‑finalists earned cash, with...
Indonesia’s Aim to Lure More K-Pop Concerts Spurs Chorus of Doubts
During a state visit to Seoul, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto asked President Lee Jae‑Myung to help bring more K‑pop concerts to Indonesia, signaling a push to turn the country into a regional live‑music hub. Indonesia already ranks as the world’s...
Charli Xcx Shares ‘Rock Music’ Song Teaser, Says She’s Not Making a Rock Album
Charli XCX posted an Instagram reel on May 1 teasing an unreleased track titled “Rock Music,” recorded in Paris last October. The clip shows her vocalizing over a guitar‑laden hyper‑pop production, confirming the song is not a traditional rock piece. Despite...
'Soundtrack to Australia': ARIA Reveals Six 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
ARIA announced six inductees for its 2026 Hall of Fame during a standalone ceremony marking the awards' 40th anniversary. The honorees—Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End and Vika & Linda—represent a cross‑section of Indigenous, pop, rock and vocal talent...
“Joe Budden Podcast” Debates If Jay-Z Dissed Drake & Kanye West In Interview
Jay-Z’s recent New York Times interview, which placed him among the 30 best American songwriters, sparked a heated debate on the Joe Budden Podcast about whether his warning to “not make young music if you’re not young” was a veiled diss at Drake...
From 250k Hopes to 32 Million: Nirvana’s Nevermind
35 years ago today, Nirvana entered the studio for the first of 26 days to record their new album that, when the record label heard the final results, thought it would be amazing if it sold 250,000. They would call the...
Lily Allen's Intimate Tour May Be Year's Best
I had a few late thoughts about the wonderful Lily Allen tour that just wrapped up in the States (and will resume in bigger venues in the fall)... Lily Allen’s One-Woman Show Is the Least Populous Pop Tour of the...
Building Bridges with Bass: Low End Therapy Is Starting a Dubstep Revolution in Mumbai
Low End Therapy, a dubstep‑focused club night founded by the Swadesi collective, is reshaping Mumbai’s nightlife by targeting lower‑caste audiences. Tickets are priced at 140 rupees (about $1.68), making the events accessible while educating newcomers about bass‑heavy music. The party exclusively...
The Blessed Madonna Calls Out Róisín Murphy over Claims of “Censorship”
The Blessed Madonna publicly rebuked Irish singer Róisín Murphy after Murphy delivered a Parliament speech warning artists to self‑censor to avoid “cancel culture.” Murphy’s remarks revive a 2023 controversy over her anti‑trans comments and led to her removal from the...
Burn Energy and Mixmag Announce the Burn Energy Tour 2026
Burn Energy and Mixmag have launched the third edition of their high‑energy international party series, the Burn Energy Tour 2026. The tour will visit seven cities across Europe and Morocco from June to December, featuring headliners such as Shanti Celeste, Dr Banana,...
Celine Dion's 1988 Eurovision Win Launched Global Stardom
This week in 1988, an unknown Canadian singer named Celine Dion won the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland. Her song "Ne partez pas sans moi" beats the UK's entry by a single point. 210 million records sold worldwide later.... https://t.co/zXr613wIpT
Remember When Dobie Gray Broke a Record With One of His Biggest Hits in 2003?
American soul singer Dobie Gray’s 1973 single “Drift Away” resurfaced in 2003 as a duet with Uncle Kracker, soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and holding the spot for 28 weeks. The collaboration set a Billboard record for the longest...
How Boston Fell to Barbarians
The Boston Symphony Orchestra abruptly dismissed its music director, a move the author describes as unprecedented given the musicians' unanimous support. The board blamed declining attendance and financial pressures, yet the orchestra holds a $700 million endowment that could sustain operations...
Sleater‑Kinney’s
26 years ago today, Sleater-Kinney released All Hands on the Bad One — a sharp, witty, and fearless record that took on the music industry, media, and misogyny with unmatched energy. Punk rock with purpose, and still no one does...
I Love Merle Haggard—Here Are 3 Songs That Carry That Same Honky-Tonk Spirit
The piece celebrates Merle Haggard’s lasting imprint on honky‑tonk by spotlighting three classic tracks that echo his Bakersfield spirit. It details Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s “Good‑Hearted Woman,” George Jones’s breakout hit “She Thinks I Still Care,” and Buck Owens’s dance‑ready “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.” Each song’s...
Maya Hawke Drops Fourth Album ‘Maitreya Corso,’ A Full‑Length Love Story
Actress‑singer Maya Hawke released her fourth studio album, Maitreya Corso, today. The record, which she describes as a “full love story,” mixes Aimee Mann‑level musicality with confessional, literary lyrics and draws on influences from Taylor Swift to William Blake. The launch underscores Hawke’s...
The One Classic Rock Musician Who Never “Went Country” And Why
David Bowie told NPR in 2002 that the only music he never listened to was country and western, a stance he has maintained throughout his career. While many of his contemporaries—Ringo Starr, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan—dabbled in country sounds,...
3 Long Rock Songs From the 1980s That Still Became Massive Hits
The article spotlights three unusually long rock tracks from the 1980s that still achieved massive chart success. Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” (6:49) reached the Top 10 in 1989, Stevie Nicks’ “Edge Of Seventeen” (5:30) became her first multi‑platinum single, and Bon Jovi’s “I’ll Be There For...
RICHIE FAULKNER On JUDAS PRIEST's In-Progress New Studio Album: 'It's Sounding Really Cool'
Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner told Detroit’s WRIF that the band’s next studio album is "sounding really cool," with drums, bass and guitars already recorded near Nashville. The sessions mirror the 2018 Firepower approach, differing from the pandemic‑era constraints that shaped...