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.
Hell’s Bells: Tough Times Drive Surge in Hard Rock Music
Heavy music is experiencing a rapid resurgence, with Spotify reporting that streams of metal tracks more than doubled between 2020 and 2025 and metalcore playlists jumped 234 percent. The growth outpaces pop (61%) and hip‑hop (31%), reflecting listeners’ search for catharsis amid cost‑of‑living pressures, geopolitical tension, and post‑pandemic stress. Industry insiders note that the emotional intensity of metal, punk and rock offers therapeutic release, prompting artists to expand touring schedules and labels to prioritize the genre. The trend suggests a lasting shift in music consumption patterns.
The Black Keys Release 14th Album 'Peaches!' Amid Tour Expansion
Veteran duo The Black Keys launched their 14th studio album, Peaches!, at midnight, marking a third consecutive yearly release. The rollout coincides with an expanded world tour that added a third London headline date due to strong demand, highlighting the...
Post Malone Postpones Start of Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll, Cancels Several Dates Outright
Post Malone announced a three‑week delay to his “BIG ASS Stadium Tour,” now launching on June 12 in Indianapolis. The postponement allows him extra time to finish new music, prompting the outright cancellation of six U.S. shows in El Paso, Waco, Baton Rouge,...
Most Overlook “A Few of Your Own”—Let’s Discuss
I fear everyone is sleeping on A Few of Your Own and we need to talk about it
Honoring Music Legends' Stories in My Newsletter
When a music legend passes, I make sure their story is told properly, with the context, the discography, and the respect they deserve. That's just one part of what I do every day in my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://t.co/gkp50FKuzX
Kyïvite ~ Broadcast
Kyïvite’s experimental podcast series "broadcast" has been compiled into a three‑episode album and issued on CD by the Dutch Staalplaat label. The recordings fuse archival Ukrainian folk field recordings from Filaret Kolessa’s early 20th‑century expeditions with modern electronic textures and...
Mr. Fantasy Staged a Riverdale Reunion for New Music Video
TikTok sensation Mr. Fantasy released the music video “Do Me Right,” featuring Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Madelaine Petsch. The video follows a string of high‑profile collaborations with stars like Nick Jonas, Justice Smith and Dave Franco. Mr. Fantasy, who has already...
Clave Especial Go All Out with Regional Mexican Collaborations on ‘AfterAfter’
Clave Especial, the Mexican‑American corrido trio, released the five‑track EP *AfterAfter*, featuring collaborations with Fuerza Regida, Los Gemelos de Sinaloa, Chino Pacas and Chuyin. The project follows their 2025 debut album *Mija No Te Asustes*, which amassed 3.2 billion global streams...
RUSSELL ALLEN Of SYMPHONY X On New Album: "We Are Pretty Far Into It… It's Been A Lot Of Years...
Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen revealed that the band’s first album since 2015’s *Underworld* is well into production, with guitarist Michael Romeo crafting orchestral‑rich compositions. The group has paused touring to devote the next five months to recording, aiming for a concept‑driven...
Metal Vocal Coach Highlights 10 Of The Best Screaming Vocalists In Our Scene
Extreme vocal coach and Renesans frontman David Benites released his personal ranking of the ten best screaming vocalists in today’s metal scene. The list features artists such as Will Ramos (Lorna Shore), Chris Motionless (Motionless in White), Bryan Garris (Knocked Loose), Jake Luhrs...
Meg Stalter Releases New Single, Announces Debut Album 'Crave'
Comedian‑turned‑musician Meg Stalter released her debut single “Prettiest Girl in America” on May 1, 2026, marking the launch of her pop‑star era. The electro‑pop track, co‑written with Jesse Thomas, blends witty lyricism with club‑ready production from Stalter, Thomas and Matias Mora....
See Video Of ANGRA's Reunion With KIKO LOUREIRO, EDU FALASCHI And AQUILES PRIESTER At 2026 BANGERS OPEN AIR
Brazilian power‑metal giants ANGRA staged a historic reunion of their celebrated “Rebirth” lineup at the Bangers Open Air festival in São Paulo on April 26, 2026. The show blended the current roster—featuring new frontman Alírio Netto, who succeeded Fabio Lione in November...
Spotify's New 'Verified' Badge Confirms Musicians Like Taylor Swift, Drake Aren't AI
Spotify has introduced a green “Verified by Spotify” badge to distinguish human musicians from AI‑generated accounts. The badge appears next to artists who have at least 10,000 active listeners for three consecutive months and an identifiable off‑platform presence. Initial recipients...
Baby Keem Revealed His Dream Collab and I’m Dying to Hear It
Baby Keem told the Las Vegas Review‑Journal that his top dream collaboration is with R&B superstar The Weeknd. He highlighted his newfound freedom to work with artists he admires after the February 2026 release of his personal album CA$INO. Keem...
Olivia Rodrigo Was “Tearing Apart” Her ‘SNL’ Dressing Room To Find Note Jack White Left Her: “Kill It Kid”
Olivia Rodrigo made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut while also performing as the musical guest, a rare double‑duty on the iconic live‑television show. Jack White, the veteran musician, left her a handwritten note that read “Kill it kid,” which...
Our Favorite Songs of the Week (Playlist)
BrooklynVegan has launched its latest weekly Spotify playlist, featuring 20 newly released tracks from a mix of indie, punk, and experimental artists. The lineup includes songs by Citizen, The Menzingers, Laibach, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Mouse on Mars, and a...
My Favorite Releases of April
The blog post reviews April 2026’s music slate, zeroing in on Noah Kahan’s new album The Great Divide. It describes the record as a step toward lyrical maturity, pairing heartbreak lyrics with a warm, comforting sound. The author notes the...
Guest Directors – ‘Before You Get Broken’
Seattle‑based quartet Guest Directors released their new album *Before You Get Broken* on May 1, 2026. The record balances swirling, ethereal textures with hard‑rock momentum, highlighted by tracks such as “Meet You On The Land” and the heavier “Just Not Today.” Piano...
Victims of the New Math – ‘The Stories That You Weave’
Phoenix‑based singer‑songwriter Thomas Young, performing as Victims of the New Math, has released his debut album *The Stories That You Weave*. The record blends 1960s‑style garage rock grit with melodic power‑pop, delivering riff‑driven tracks such as “The Run Up,” “You’re...
AT THE GATES Debut At Number 1 Record In Sweden With 'The Ghost Of A Future Dead'
Swedish metal veterans At The Gates released their eighth studio album, *The Ghost of a Future Dead*, on April 24 via Century Media. The record debuted at number one on both the overall Swedish chart and the physical‑media chart, marking...
J Balvin and Ryan Castro Release Joint Album 'Omerta' On Balvin's Birthday
Colombian superstars J Balvin and rising star Ryan Castro announced the May 7 release of their joint album Omerta, timed with Balvin’s birthday. The 10‑track project blends reggaeton, dancehall and rock, underscoring a decade‑long friendship and a strategic push for Colombian...
Prog Band The Dear Hunter Cover Hall & Oates’ “Maneater” On the Spot: Watch
The Dear Hunter performed a surprise on‑the‑spot cover of Hall & Oates’ 1982 hit “Maneater” for Musora’s song‑craft series. The band transformed the synth‑pop anthem into an atmospheric, sax‑driven ballad with a sophisti‑pop groove and syncopated textures. Musora pairs diverse...
Seymour Bernstein Dies at 99; Stage Fright Cut Short His Piano Career
Acclaimed pianist Seymour Bernstein died at 99 in Damariscotta, Maine. Despite early acclaim—including a 1969 Lincoln Center recital hailed as a triumph—he battled debilitating stage fright that forced him to end his concert career in 1977 at age 50. He...
BeachLife Founder Allen Sanford Launches Sixth Ocean‑Front Festival to Cut Through SoCal Crowd
Allen Sanford, founder of BeachLife, opened the sixth annual three‑day festival on Redondo Beach’s King Harbor this weekend. The event leans on a diverse lineup and a consumer‑first design to differentiate itself from mega‑festivals like Coachella, signaling a new niche...
The Greek Theatre At UC Berkeley Launches 2026 Season Welcoming Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, Jon Batiste, Jungle & More
The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley, the nation’s longest‑running outdoor amphitheater, has kicked off its 2026 season with a marquee roster that includes Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, Jon Batiste and Jungle. The 8,500‑seat venue, promoted exclusively by Another Planet Entertainment...
One Direction Singer Cancels US Tour Due to ‘Health’ Issues, Following Alleged Altercation With Former Bandmate
Zayn Malik announced the cancellation of the U.S. leg of his Konnakol Tour, citing undisclosed health issues after a recent hospitalization. The decision follows rumors that Malik punched former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson during filming of a Netflix road‑trip...
Mr. Fantasy’s Star-Studded ‘Do Me Right’ Video Doubles as a ‘Riverdale’ Reunion
Mr. Fantasy, an anonymous internet persona, released a disco‑tinged music video for “Do Me Right” that features a slew of celebrities, most notably former Riverdale co‑stars Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes and Madelaine Petsch. The clip showcases cameo appearances from over...
AP A-Sides: 10 Songs You Need to Hear
Alternative Press released its weekly “AP A-sides” playlist on May 1, 2026, spotlighting ten tracks that span indie, electronic, and genre‑blending sounds. The selection features rising acts such as Balming Tiger and Love Spells alongside celebrity musicians Finn Wolfhard and Maya Hawke, illustrating the...
Strei Wants You To Be Free At ‘Night’
Nigerian artist Strei, born Howard Efemena Dominic, is set to release his second project, “NIGHT,” which he describes as the sound of freedom experienced after dark. After gaining a following on BandLab, he signed with Ktizo Wrld Records and moved to...
Clive Davis Reveals How He Revives Legends
Aretha Franklin. Santana. Dionne Warwick. Those are just a few of the legendary careers that Clive Davis helped revive. Here Clive explains his approach.
Second Leon‑Thomas/Chris Brown Track Sparks Fan Back
a leon thomas/chris brown collab has been on the radio nonstop for a year but apparently people didn't want to get mad at leon until there was a second one, the first was a mulligan
Hauspoints – “FFS” + “Pillock Box”
British art‑rock outfit Hauspoints dropped two new singles, “Pillock Box” and “FFS,” on May 1, 2026. “Pillock Box” channels The Stooges and The Fall with bass‑driven grooves and spoken‑word vocals, while “FFS” fuses Velvet Underground‑esque ambience, nursery‑rhyme playfulness, and sample‑rich production. Both tracks...
Why Outkast’s ‘Red Velvet’ Remains a Timeless Deep Cut
I wrote about one of my favorite Outkast songs, "Red Velvet," for @Spin’s Deep Cut Friday column this week: https://t.co/JA9A2akS7S
Red Jacket – ‘Perfect Timing’
Toronto‑based Dylan Wilson‑Rogers, performing as Red Jacket, has issued his fourth studio album, *Perfect Timing*. The self‑produced record blends dynamic acoustic piano, evolving vocals, and modern electronic textures to explore themes of inner tranquility amid isolation. Highlights include the kinetic...
Anthony Presti – ‘Lemon Moon EP’
Anthony Presti’s four‑track Lemon Moon EP drops from a converted cottage in Sebastopol, California, with Sonoma County band Blue Radio as the backing ensemble. The record blends rock‑forward songwriting, twangy guitars, piano, and organ textures across songs like “Simple Things,”...
Bryan Hill & the Layabouts – “Tour of the Universe”
Bryan Hill & the Layabouts, an Albuquerque‑based indie rock outfit, released their fifth single “Tour of the Universe” on May 1, 2026. The track showcases a blend of space‑themed synths, gritty guitar work, and introspective vocals that build to a soaring solo...
Les Gillon & The Agents Of Karma – ‘After Party Sunrise’ EP
Yorkshire‑based Les Gillon & The Agents Of Karma released the five‑track EP After Party Sunrise, a cinematic folk‑pop collection that weaves Shakespearean references with post‑crisis optimism. The title song earned placement on Spotify’s Emerging Indie Folk best‑of playlist, boosting its...
3 New Hip-Hop and R&B Songs You Must Hear This Week (5/1/26)
Vice’s Noisey outlet distilled the weekly flood of hip‑hop and R&B releases into three standout tracks: La Reezy’s “Melanate It,” Bby Kell’s “2019,” and the Isaiah Rashad‑SZA collaboration “Boy in Red.” The selections highlight a blend of classic rap sensibilities,...
Kacey Musgraves, Vince Staples, Madonna, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week
The weekly roundup spotlights a diverse slate of new releases, from Kacey Musgraves’ haunting ballad “I Believe in Ghosts” to Vince Staples’ rap‑rock manifesto “Blackberry Marmalade.” Madonna returns with Sabrina Carpenter on the club‑ready duet “Bring Your Love,” while Latin...
Ryan Page – ‘Used To Be You’ EP
Scottish singer‑songwriter Ryan Page released his debut EP "Used To Be You" on May 1, 2026. The six‑track collection blends acoustic folk with atmospheric production, exploring post‑breakup introspection. Songs such as “Nothing Helps” and the title track showcase haunting vocals and layered...
Banda AL9 Premiere “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” And “She Calls Me Love (2026 Mix),” Appear on Live From Relix...
Brazilian indie duo Banda AL9 released a fresh cover of the Rubinoos’ 1978 hit “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” and a 2026 remix of their own song “She Calls Me Love” through Wicked Cool Records. The releases were filmed for Relix’s...
Sam Platts – “High Country”
Texas‑based songwriter Sam Platts releases the Americana single “High Country,” a nostalgic ode to his Wyoming upbringing. The track pairs twangy pedal steel, fiddle, upright bass and piano with Platts’ warm vocals, painting vivid scenes of ranch life and nightlife...
Luke Bryan Has Big Dreams for Taste of Country In Buffalo
Country star Luke Bryan will headline the 25th Annual Taste of Country festival in Buffalo on June 26, performing at Sahlen Field. He will share the bill with Jordan Davis, LoCash, Corey Kent and Meghan Patrick, and may reunite onstage for a duet of...
John Legend, Janelle Monáe Headlining Los Angeles Jazz Festival’s Beach Event
Los Angeles Jazz Festival announced its inaugural lineup, with John Legend and Janelle Monáe headlining the closing Jazz on the Beach weekend on Aug. 22‑23. The 17‑day, city‑wide event will feature over 30 acts across beach concerts, park series, a...
Hades II - Behind the Music at Abbey Road Studios Video Showcases Four Songs
Supergiant Games released a new "Behind the Music" video filmed at Abbey Road Studios, featuring four tracks from the upcoming Hades II. The showcase includes "Mountain of the Gods," "Olympus Aflame," "Father of All Monsters," and the end‑theme "Time Belongs to...
The Tape Label Report, April 2026
The April 2026 Tape Label Report spotlights a wave of independent cassette labels across North America and Europe, from France’s Bella Ursa to Connecticut’s Epsilon Tapes, Canada’s Family Ranch, Detroit’s Painters Tapes, and Leeds’ Shooting Tzars. Each imprint blends niche musical styles—dystopian electronic, lo‑fi storytelling,...
Warren Haynes Unveils ‘Dreams & Songs’ Symphonic Live Album with “Banks of the Deep End”
Warren Haynes has captured his 2019 Dreams & Songs symphonic live series in a new album, recorded with the 64‑piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra. The release opens with an expansive orchestral rendition of Gov’t Mule’s staple “Banks of the Deep End,”...
Halsey Has More Tricks Up Her Sleeve on ‘The Great Impersonator’ Deluxe Version
Halsey released a deluxe version of her fifth album, The Great Impersonator, adding five previously unreleased tracks, including the pop‑rock single “Carry the Weight.” The expanded edition features “Lucid,” “Lessons,” “Nothing,” “Charades,” and the demo “Afraid of the Dark,” deepening...
Concert Review: Oneohtrix Point Never at Pioneer Works
Oneohtrix Point Never capped his 2025‑2026 world tour with two exclusive Brooklyn shows at Pioneer Works, featuring a full‑length set that leaned heavily on his new album *Tranquilizer* and the re‑imagined *R+7* compilation. The performance was paired with visual artist...
Zayn Malik’s U.S. Tour Goes Sideways
Zayn Malik announced on May 1 that his U.S. tour will be trimmed after a hospital stay on his album release day and rumors of a fallout with Louis Tomlinson over a Netflix docuseries. He said he feels stronger but needs...