Today's Music Pulse
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Grammys Revamp Best New Artist Category and Add Five New Awards
The Recording Academy is overhauling the Best New Artist eligibility rules and introducing five additional categories for the 2027 Grammy Awards, a move that critics say will make the category even more confusing. The changes were detailed in coverage by Pitchfork and Deadline Music.
Olivia Rodrigo on ‘SNL’: How to Watch the Pop Star Host and Perform as Music Guest Live Online for Free
Olivia Rodrigo returns to Saturday Night Live on May 2, serving as both host and musical guest. The live broadcast streams on NBC and can be accessed online via Peacock Premium or a free five‑day DirecTV trial. Viewers can also use Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or other streaming services to watch SNL without a traditional cable subscription. Rodrigo is promoting her third album, set for release on June 12, and a North America‑Europe tour beginning in September.
Marc Anthony Brings Stars to the Golf Course for Maestro Cares & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music
Billboard highlighted a series of uplifting moments across Latin music this week, beginning with Marc Anthony and Henry Cárdenas hosting the fifth Maestro Cares golf fundraiser in Miami, which supports disadvantaged children in Latin America and the U.S. Los Tigres...
SHANNON LARKIN Says SULLY ERNA 'Understood' His Reasons For Leaving GODSMACK: 'It Ended Beautifully, And There Was No Hard Feelings'
Former GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin confirmed his 2024 retirement during a May 1 livestream, emphasizing that his exit and guitarist Tony Rombola’s departure were amicable and driven by a desire for a quieter life. Sully Erna announced the band’s new lineup—drummer...
American Football Announces LP4, First Album in Seven Years, for May 1 Release
American Football has announced that LP4, their first studio album in seven years, will drop on May 1, 2026. The band staged a blind‑fold listening party in Chicago and highlighted personal upheavals that shaped the record, underscoring their lasting influence...
‘Michael’ Hits $300 Million Worldwide, Becomes Second‑Highest‑Grossing Musical Biopic
The Antoine Fuqua‑directed biopic ‘Michael’ has surpassed $300 million worldwide, cementing its place as the second‑highest‑grossing musical biopic after ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ The film’s strong international hold and solid domestic legs signal a robust appetite for music‑driven storytelling.
Ashley McBryde Saved Her Own Life. Now She’s Rocking Out Her Way.
Country singer Ashley McBryde has opened Redemption Bar on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s Chief’s complex on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. The intimate venue, featuring a small stage and a stained‑glass portrait of McBryde, adds her name to a growing...
Tyler, the Creator Tried To Get Two Superstar Pop Singers for His Hit Song ‘Earfquake’ but They Declined
Tyler, the Creator revealed that he originally pitched his 2019 smash "EARFQUAKE" to pop megastars Justin Bieber and Rihanna, both of whom declined to participate. The track ultimately featured Playboi Carti and soul legend Charlie Wilson, becoming a chart‑topping hit...
Carlos Vives Unveils 'El Último Disco, Vol. 1' With Star-Studded Latin Collabs
Colombian legend Carlos Vives released his 10‑track album 'El Último Disco, Vol. 1', featuring collaborations with Juan Luis Guerra, Niña Pastori, Sergio George and Josémi Carmona. The record includes the final performance of late accordionist Egidio Cuadrado, and Vives insists...
Rolling Stone's Best Song of the 21st Century Went to Missy Elliott
Rolling Stone Magazine released its "Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far" list, ranking 250 tracks and naming Missy Elliott’s 2001 hit "Get Ur Freak On" as the top song. The track, co‑produced with Timbaland, beat out contenders like...
Uncle Waffles Announces New Joint EP ‘4 Da Streets’
International DJ‑producer Uncle Waffles announced her second EP, 4 Da Streets, slated for release on May 8, 2026 through Encore Recordings. The project is a joint effort with longtime collaborator Royal Musiq, who helped craft her earlier viral tracks “Zenzele” and “Wadibusa.” The announcement follows...
Zayn Malik Cancels 22 U.S. and U.K. Tour Dates After Hospitalization
Zayn Malik announced the cancellation of 22 scheduled concerts across the United States and United Kingdom after being hospitalized. The singer posted a health update for fans, triggering a wave of ticket refunds and industry fallout. The move underscores the...
"Mr Rotten Joins in the Fight, and Has a Few Kicks at the Victim." 50 Years on, Pet Shop Boys...
Neil Tennant, then a 22‑year‑old *Smash Hits* editor, attended the Sex Pistols’ debut gig at London’s Nashville Rooms on 23 April 1976. The show, which also featured the 101ers with future Clash frontman Joe Strummer, turned violent when Johnny Rotten and friends...
Letters and Photos From Beatles’ Early Days to Go on Show in Hamburg
A rare collection of early Beatles letters and photographs will be displayed in Hamburg from May 8‑25 as part of the city’s Hafengeburtstag port festival. The exhibit features the only known letter jointly written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, donated...
Ranting – Grumpy Custard
Brighton‑based three‑piece band Ranting has launched a new act titled “Grumpy Custard,” borrowing heavily from the Gorillaz virtual‑band template. The performance mixes theatrical chaos, audience‑led whooping, and immersive set pieces, creating a deliberately messy, mad‑cap atmosphere. Critics note the transparent...
SACHA STONE Live on Cafe Locked Out with MGG and Martin
In this episode, host Martin sits down with visionary activist Sasha Stone, who speaks about his lifelong mission of irreverence toward institutional authority and the need for personal embodiment of freedom. Stone critiques the historical control mechanisms of governments, religion,...
Olivia Dean’s Definition of Love
Olivia Dean’s second album, *The Art of Loving*, won Brit Awards Album of the Year and propelled her to six consecutive sold‑out shows at London’s O2 arena. The record, inspired by bell hooks and reminiscent of Carole King’s *Tapestry*, blends...
Son Jin Kim Joins Roster of Encompass Arts
Operatic baritone Son Jin Kim has been hired as General Manager of Encompass Arts, a U.S.-based opera production company. Kim brings a distinguished competition record, including wins at the Gari, Palm Springs Opera Guild, and Gerda Lissner contests, and a...
Hector Bloggs Wins Top Prize at Kathleen Ferrier Competition
The 2026 Kathleen Ferrier Competition concluded on April 24, awarding first prize to cellist Hector Bloggs and second prize to tenor Liam Forrest. Soprano Eyra Norman captured the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize, while pianist Will Harmer received the Help Musicians Accompanist’s...
Theft World
The New York electro‑punk duo Lip Critic released their second album, *Theft World*, built around a real‑life theft of vocalist Brett Kaser’s banking information by an obsessive fan. The band chose to interview the thief and incorporated his cryptic theories into the record’s lyrical...
“Mother”
Goldie’s 1998 track “Mother” opened his second album Saturnz Return with a daring, hour‑long blend of orchestral strings and jungle beats, reflecting his traumatic childhood. The piece arrived after Timeless catapulted him to UK chart success and secured high‑profile collaborations,...
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...
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
Sombr Scores Rare Buckingham and Swift Endorsements, Shows Promise
sombr getting a lindsey buckingham cosign and a taylor swift cosign in the same week is crazy, i think he's still pretty hit and miss, but there aren't many one-man-band types now at the pop star level he's at, there's...
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...
Spirits Having Flown: Bee Gees Nostalgia Meets Travel Regret
Finally, Spirits Having Flown is just a Bee Gees album and a bad travel memory.
Post Malone Postpones Stadium Tour to Finish New Album
Post Malone Cancels First Few Weeks of ‘Big Ass Stadium’ Shows With Jelly Roll, Citing Need to Finish New Album: ‘We Ain’t Ready for Tour Just Yet’ https://t.co/Z1rvolBJuK via @variety
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...
Van Halen’s 1978 Debut Remains a Timeless Rock Masterpiece
Van Halen’s 1978 debut was a rock and roll detonation. They built a horn box from car parts. “Eruption” wasn’t even supposed to be on the album. And Good Lord it was fun. Here are 5 facts that prove it’s...
Bee Gees' 1975 “Jive Talkin’” Sparks U.S. Comeback
On this day in 1975, the Bee Gees released “Jive Talkin’,” the lead single from Main Course. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked their U.S. comeback, their first Top 10 hit since 1971. https://t.co/NsnOHdOi6x
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...
Get Friday's New Releases Early—Free Weekly Newsletter
Every Friday feels different when you already know what's coming out. My newsletter keeps you ahead of new release day every single week, for free, no subscription fee required. Subscribe here: https://t.co/gvidKYi4gA
Genesis' “Misunderstanding” Tops Canadian Charts in 1980
On this day in 1980, Genesis released “Misunderstanding” from their 1980 album Duke. The song reached No. 14 in the U.S., No. 42 in the UK, and hit No. 1 in Canada—where it became one of the biggest hits of...
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...
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
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...
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
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...
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
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...