Today's Music Pulse

Oliver Tree dies at 32 in Rio de Janeiro helicopter crash
Singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree was killed in a helicopter accident in Rio de Janeiro at age 32. The tragedy was reported by multiple outlets, confirming the location and cause of death.
Zakk Wylde to Continue Double Duty in Second Leg of Black Label Society’s ‘American Crusade’
Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society will embark on the second leg of its ‘American Crusade’ tour, sharing the stage with his Black Sabbath tribute act, Zakk Sabbath, from August 25 to October 2. The double‑duty schedule adds 20 more shows across the United States, with Dark Chapel opening each night to give Wylde brief intermissions. Tickets, including VIP upgrades, go on sale April 24, and a pre‑sale code BLS2026 is already active on the band’s website. The tour concludes in Bend, Oregon, marking an ambitious summer run for the guitarist’s multiple projects.

“I Was Never Interested in Being Owned”: An Interview with Persian, the Anonymous Iranian Pioneer of UK Rave
Persian, an anonymous Iranian‑British producer, has been a hidden force in UK rave music since the early 1990s. Working from a modest kitchen studio, he released dozens of jungle, garage and techno tracks on his own imprints, deliberately shunning fame...

Split Premiere: Nixil / Drouth – Toward Dead Temples
Baltimore’s Nixil and Portland’s Drouth have teamed up for the split EP *Toward Dead Temples*, slated for release on Friday. Nixil’s two tracks delve into spiritual decay and the dismantling of what they call “Christo‑fascism,” while Drouth’s contributions expand their...
Beck Drops Surprise Single ‘Ride Lonesome’ and Announces Australian Orchestral Tour
Beck released the surprise single “Ride Lonesome,” his first original song in years, and announced a two‑date Australian orchestral run in May 2026. The artist also unveiled a 25‑date North American “Ride Lonesome Tour,” with tickets on sale April 24.
Coachella 2026 Fashion Recap: Minimalist Shifts and Storytelling Looks
Coachella 2026's second weekend saw a turn toward relaxed, minimalist outfits, while artists like Karol G used fashion as a storytelling device. The shift highlights a broader move from spectacle to intentional, identity‑driven styling on the festival stage.
Swapmeet Share Sand
Swapmeet, the Austin‑based indie pop quartet, performed twice at SXSW, showcasing a lively stage presence that resonated with U.S. audiences. Their latest single, released yesterday, juxtaposes mellow vocal exchanges with a sudden, abrasive pop surge after the two‑minute mark. Critics...
Inside Shakey Graves’ Wonderfully Weird World
Shakey Graves, an Austin‑born singer‑songwriter, credits the city’s DIY culture and his theatrical family background for shaping his unconventional musical path. After early gigs in cramped venues and a brief stint busking, he settled into the Hole in the Wall, where he honed...

TSVI – Dance Tripping
TSVI, the London‑based Italian producer, has released the "Dance Tripping" EP, opening with the high‑energy garage‑house track “Music Is Moving.” The record blends buzzing synths, big‑beat basslines, and MK‑style melodies across six tracks, delivering a rowdy, summer‑ready sound. Standout songs...

Kid Sistr Share “Maniac” Ahead of American Teenage Prophecy EP
Kid Sistr drops the grunge‑leaning single “Maniac,” a distortion‑driven track with an anthemic, scream‑along chorus. The song marks a deliberate shift from the band’s brighter earlier material toward a more direct, forceful sound. “Maniac” follows recent singles “American Teenage Prophecy”...
Paper Sister Deliver Marry Me
Paper Sister, the indie rock act gaining traction through curated playlists and festival slots, released its new six‑minute single "Deliver Marry Me" this week. The track features a tempo shift at 2:20, a standout guitar solo at 3:40, and a...

Amazon Music Partners with Bandsintown for Concert Listings
Amazon Music announced a partnership with live‑event platform Bandsintown to embed concert listings directly within its streaming app. The integration, called Bandsintown for Artists, lets users view upcoming shows on artist pages and purchase tickets through Bandsintown. Amazon Music will...

Independent Label Market Returns to King’s Cross with DJs, Live Sets and 100+ Labels
Independent Label Market returns to King’s Cross on May 9, 2026, featuring over 100 independent labels, live DJ sets, and free entry in its 15th year. The lineup includes legacy brands such as 4AD, Ninja Tune, Mute and Domino alongside emerging...
Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band – Time
Veteran blues icon Taj Mahal, 83, drops his latest record *Time* on May 1, 2026, continuing a five‑decade‑plus career marked by genre‑spanning collaborations. The album weaves traditional blues with reggae, R&B, and rock, showcasing his enduring curiosity and musical versatility. Taj’s...

Knife Bride’s Sorry About The Plague: A Ferocious EP
Knife Bride has dropped the five‑track EP "Sorry About The Plague," cementing their self‑coined "Nu‑Gothika" style with razor‑sharp riffs and theatrical vocals. The lead single "Crucify" delves into personal reckoning, pairing aggressive instrumentation with introspective lyrics. The release follows high‑profile...

Connecticut Skies From 2009
Prairie Home Companion has issued a three‑disc collection of the 1985 “News from Lake Wobegon,” available on CD and digital download. The release coincides with a spotlight on the April 25, 2009 broadcast from Waterbury, Connecticut, which featured folk legend Arlo Guthrie, Connecticut...

Ernest Ranglin – a Celebration on Int. Jazz Day 2026
On International Jazz Day 2026, the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room will host a tribute to 93‑year‑old Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin, a seminal figure in the birth of ska and reggae. The concert is presented by the Hall in partnership...

Shania Twain Set As Host Of Academy Of Country Music Awards 2026 On Prime Video
Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17, 2026, marking her first time in the role. The ceremony will be held at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and streamed live worldwide on...

See Riley Green's Nashville Crowd Boo Him + How He Fixed It
Country singer Riley Green performed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 18, delivering his hit “Hell of A Way To Go” with guest Drake White. A lyric that mentioned Alabama versus Tennessee sparked boos from the Tennessee‑proud crowd. Green defused the...

ALT BLK ERA Drop Hypnotic Single ‘Silhouettes In The Mirror’
ALT BLK ERA released the hypnotic single “Silhouettes In The Mirror,” the final track from their forthcoming EP My World. The song blends alt‑rock intensity with high‑energy electronica and delivers a stark commentary on contemporary violence and injustice. My World...

Casey Announce 10th Anniversary Shows For ‘Love Is Not Enough’
British rock outfit Casey announced a series of ten‑date shows across the UK and Europe to mark the 10th anniversary of their debut album “Love Is Not Enough.” The band will perform the record in its entirety, with support from...

Maisie Peters Teams up with Julia Michaels for Latest Album Preview ‘Kingmaker’
British singer‑songwriter Maisie Peters has released a new duet, "Kingmaker," with six‑time Grammy nominee Julia Michaels. The track serves as the fifth preview from her upcoming album "Florescence," slated for release on May 15, 2026. Inspired by Hilary Mantel’s *Wolf Hall*...

Introducing the New Uncut: The Smiths, Ringo Starr, Springsteen, Talk Talk and More
Uncut’s latest issue centers on a deep dive into The Smiths, featuring a reflective cover story by Mike Joyce. The edition also delivers exclusive interviews with Ringo Starr on his country‑music side hustle, a detailed report on Bruce Springsteen’s Minneapolis...
Geoffrey Smith (1943-2026) – A Tribute
Geoffrey Smith, the long‑time BBC Radio 3 presenter famed for his jazz programmes, died in April 2026. Known for his gentle, erudite voice and signature greetings like “hell…o…” and “good…bye,” he became a Saturday‑afternoon staple for millions of listeners. Colleagues recall...
Ambiguous Desire
Arlo Parks releases her third studio album, Ambiguous Desire, on Transgressive Records. The record blends chill‑fi, neo‑soul, and retro‑synth textures while exploring nocturnal themes inspired by two years of writing. Guest vocalist Sampha joins Parks on the duet "Senses," and...

Tori Amos at the Royal Albert Hall | Live Review
Tori Amos celebrated her tenth performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, delivering a 35‑year‑spanning showcase that covered hits from her 18‑album catalog and new material from the upcoming ‘In Times of Dragons.’ The set opened with a powerful piano‑driven rendition...
BigBang Announces 2026 Comeback Album and 20th‑Anniversary World Tour at Coachella
BigBang revealed a finished 2026 comeback album and a 20th‑anniversary world tour during their headline performance at Coachella. The tour kicks off in August, marking the group’s first global circuit since 2017 and signaling a major push in K‑pop’s live‑music...
Taylor Dallas Vidic Soars on Marvelous 'Cat & Mouse'
Taylor Dallas Vidic, an Alaska‑born singer‑songwriter, releases her debut double album "Cat & Mouse," split into a jazz‑heavy Side C and a folk‑centric Side M. The lead single “Trash Birds” showcases a lush big‑band arrangement and Vidic’s soulful vocals. Critics hail the...

New York’s Show Me The Body Return with New Single ‘Dance In The USA’
Show Me The Body, the New York noise‑rock trio, has dropped a new single titled “Dance In The USA,” produced by Klas Åhlund and Kenneth Blume III. The track serves as a preview of their forthcoming fourth album, following 2022’s Trouble...
Glimmer and Fold – Flying Objects
Glimmer and Fold’s 2026 single “Flying Objects” has been praised for its instantly memorable chorus and a vocal delivery that feels lifted straight from a sci‑fi novel. The track’s sweet‑light production builds toward the hook without feeling forced, showcasing the...

Shell Company Have Better Taste Than I Do
Shell Company, a UK trio blending slowcore, shoegaze, post-rock and ambient, has built a modest discography since debuting in 2023 with the Adorn EP. Their follow‑up releases, Shards and the critically praised Locket, showcase a lo‑fi aesthetic paired with husky...

3 Things Michelle Kim Is Into Right Now
The piece spotlights three cultural obsessions of writer Michelle Kim: the Korean virtual idol group Isegye Idol, the Oscar‑winning documentary "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" about a Russian teacher navigating wartime propaganda, and James Acaster’s Netflix miniseries "Repertoire." Each entry illustrates...
Silverface Twin – Fix Your Hearts or Die
Phoenix‑based indie duo Silverface Twin released the single "Fix Your Hearts or Die" in early 2026, earning praise for its anthemic blend of rock swagger and pop nuance. The track’s energetic production and catchy hook have positioned it as a...
Honey I’m Home – Hyperspace Mountain
Dutch electronic duo Honey I’m Home dropped their 2026 single “Hyperspace Mountain,” a high‑octane track that fuses rapid‑fire synths with a commanding vocal lead. Critics note the song’s blend of abrasive noise and melodic sequencing, likening the act’s confidence to...
Old Spot – Old Spot (II)
Old Spot’s sophomore album, *Old Spot (II)*, expands the duo’s 2023 debut with fifteen tracks that fuse Appalachian old‑time music and Irish folk. The record introduces a minimalist aesthetic, highlighted by sparse arrangements on songs like “Tom Dooley” and a...

The Xcerts Announce New Album ‘I Think I Want to Go Home Now.’
The Xcerts have announced their sixth studio album, “i think i want to go home now.”, slated for release on 10 July 2026 via FLG Records. The record follows the 2023 album “Learning How To Live And Let Go” and is supported...

Garvit-Priyansh on Getting Arijit Singh’s Stamp of Approval and Their India Tour
Indian music duo Garvit-Priyansh received a surprise endorsement when Arijit Singh performed a cover of their hit “Kaahe Mose” at a private concert in Noida, praising the track. The duo, who have amassed millions of streams since their 2022 debut,...
The Cover Mix: NOTION
British DJ and producer Notion lands the cover of Mixmag and will debut a exclusive Mixmag Lab set in London on April 22. The set is designed to spotlight fresh tracks from Notion and his favorite producers, deliberately steering clear...
London's "First" Spatial Audio Listening Room to Launch in Soho
Polygon Productions is launching Polygon Portal, London’s first spatial‑audio listening room, in Soho next month. The venue features a 360° L‑Acoustics sound system that delivers immersive, multi‑dimensional audio experiences. Labels such as Sony, Ninja Tune, Partisan and Ghostly International will host showcases,...

Dona Vs. DJ Plant Texture – Mistress 18 / Mistress 18.5
Dona Basile released a double‑vinyl EP, “Mistress 18” and “Mistress 18.5,” on DVS1’s Mistress label, issuing music under both his Dona and DJ Plant Texture aliases. The Dona side revisits lo‑fi house aesthetics popular on YouTube a decade ago, while DJ Plant...
Always Strive And Prosper – Album by A$AP Ferg
In April 2016 A$AP Ferg released *Always Strive And Prosper*, his most commercially successful project to date. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, moving roughly 35,000 units in its first week, and featured high‑profile guests such...

Tooth Announce Debut EP Restless in Bloom and Share Dazzling Title Track
London indie‑rock quartet Tooth announced their debut EP *Restless in Bloom*, slated for June 12 release on Soil To The Sun Recordings. The title track, a Midwestern‑emo‑tinged anthem, drops alongside the band’s earlier singles “The Age of Innocence” and “Medicine.” Tooth...

Tender Glue – “Cheers to Years”
New York indie musician Tom Gluewicki, operating under the name Tender Glue, wrapped up his decade‑long solo venture with the EP “Bye,” released last month. The record closes with “Cheers To Years,” a haunting indie‑rock track featuring a sax solo...

Dublin Trio DIVIL Turn Grief Into Hope with Debut Single “Thanks A Million”
Dublin trio DIVIL—childhood friends Danny Dempsey McMahon, Jocelyn Vance and Conor Cusack—has launched their musical career with the debut single “Thanks A Million.” The track, a wry take on self‑inflicted depression and the rescue of friendship, previews their forthcoming EP “DIVIL I,” due...
Eyre Llew Release New Single And Full Details Of Second Album
Nottingham‑based ambient act Eyre Llew released “Bloom,” the title track from their upcoming second album, on April 22, 2026. The song follows the earlier single “Miningsby,” which received airplay on BBC 6Music. The full 11‑track album, also titled Bloom, is slated for...

Date Confirmed For Mercury Prize 2026 Shortlist Reveal
The Mercury Prize will unveil its 2026 shortlist on July 30, marking the second year the ceremony returns to the North East after debuting in Newcastle with Sam Fender’s sold‑out show. The event’s fringe attracted roughly 8,000 extra visitors, generating...
RAYE Dazzles With Double Performance on ‘Colbert’: Watch
British singer‑songwriter RAYE returned to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 21, delivering a rare double performance of “Clack Clack Symphony” and “Joy.” The set follows a breakout period that includes two UK No. 1 singles, a No. 1 debut album *Hope* in...
Eyre Llew On Eagerly Anticipated 2nd Album “Bloom”
British ambient collective Eyre Llew announced the title track “Bloom” ahead of their second album, slated for release on 18 September 2026. The band, which endured an eight‑year gap since their acclaimed debut *Atelo*, financed the new record through a crowdfund, spending...
The Vanishing Twin: Tricky’s Nearly God Turns 30
Tricky’s unofficial sophomore album *Nearly God* turns 30, marking a pivotal moment in 1990s British music. The record fused trip‑hop with post‑punk, ska, synth‑pop and R&B, featuring a roster of collaborators including Martina Topley‑Bird, Björk, Neneh Cherry and Terry Hall. Its...
Luciano Ganci, Ilaria Alida Quilico & Anita Rachvelishvili Lead International Music Festival of Timișoara’s Opening Night
The International Music Festival of Timișoara marks its 50th edition with a production of Verdi’s Aida, opening on April 26, 2026 at the Romanian National Opera. Tenor Luciano Ganci leads as Radamès, soprano Ilaria Alida Quilico as Aida and mezzo‑soprano Anita Rachvelishvili as Amneris, under the...

"The Toughest Thing I've Ever Done." The Trauma Behind Otis Redding's Tragic Classic (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Otis Redding penned the opening lines of "(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay" while staying on a Sausalito houseboat in 1967, then completed the song with Stax guitarist Steve Cropper in Memphis. The track was recorded in early 1968,...