Nicole Sabouné Shares New Track “Lubnan (لبنان),” A Love Letter to Her Lebanese Homeland
Stockholm‑based post‑punk neuroscientist Nicole Sabouné released “Lubnan (لبنان),” the second single from her upcoming fifth album ANA, slated for later 2026 on RMV Music, the label linked to ABBA’s Benny Andersson. The track reflects her first visit to Lebanon in summer 2024, portraying the country as a place of belonging rather than distant heritage. Co‑written and co‑produced with Billy Cervin, the song ends with a recorded conversation between Sabouné and her godfather in Lebanon, underscoring the nation’s ongoing turmoil. Sabouné’s Instagram post frames the piece as a love letter to a homeland under siege.
Billie Eilish Shares "INTRO" As the Latest Teaser for Her Upcoming Tour Film
Billie Eilish has released a visualizer for "INTRO," the opening piece of her upcoming concert film "Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour Live in 3D," which will debut in cinemas worldwide on May 8. The film, co‑directed...
R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe Debuts New Solo Track Live, Says He’s Almost Done with Album
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe debuted a new solo song, “The Rest of Ever,” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, signaling that his long‑awaited solo album is nearly complete aside from final lyrics. During the interview he described the track...
Five Things We Liked This Week – 24/04/26
This week’s roundup highlights five notable music releases. Singer‑songwriter Natalie Wildgoose drops the “Rural Hours” EP, recorded in a candlelit bothy in the Yorkshire Dales and supported by a myth‑infused single “Sibyl.” Hunter Morris unveils the debut album from his...
Rockaway Beach Announces First Acts For 2027
Rockaway Beach has unveiled its first 2027 lineup, featuring The Charlatans headlining Saturday, Getdown Services and SPRINTS co‑headlining Friday, and The Twilight Sad closing on Sunday. The three‑day festival will run Jan 7‑10, 2027 at Butlin’s Bognor Regis and has already...
Paperclip Minimiser
John Howes, a Manchester‑based electronic musician and seasoned software engineer, released two instrumental dub‑techno LPs under the moniker Paperclip Minimiser. The albums, issued on the indie label Peak Oil in 2022 and 2023, were crafted using custom Max/MSP software and...
Musician Searows on Making Art in an Overwhelming World
Indie musician Searows released his new album “Death in the Business of Whaling,” a title lifted from a line in Herman Melville’s *Moby‑Dick*. The record delves into vulnerability, framing death as a natural component of life and spirituality. Unlike his...
EXCLUSIVE: WHISPERS GROW OF USHER AND DIDDY REUNION TOUR AFTER JAIL
Rumors are circulating that Sean "Diddy" Combs is pressuring a joint tour with Usher, positioning the partnership as a redemption arc after Diddy's recent incarceration. Sources say the initiative is Diddy's idea, while Usher has publicly remained neutral and has...
The Vampire Lestat's Gritty Cover of Billy Idol's Legendary Song "Dancing with Myself" Is Now Available on All Digital Platforms
Sam Reid, portraying the immortal rocker Lestat de Lioncourt, has released a gritty cover of Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” The track drops on all major digital music services ahead of the third season of AMC’s series The Vampire Lestat, which...
'Bow Down': Why Madonna Remains in Vogue
Madonna surprised Coachella attendees by joining Sabrina Carpenter onstage, delivering classic hits “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer” alongside a brand‑new song from her forthcoming album Confessions II. The vintage costume she wore vanished after the set, a theft that the columnist...
African Head Charge W/ Lee “Scratch” Perry :: Glastonbury Festival 1990
In June 1990 African Head Charge performed a 66‑minute set with dub pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry at Glastonbury, captured covertly by DJ Earthpipe on a Sony Walkman. The bootleg recording has circulated among collectors for decades, offering a raw glimpse...
This Is Why We Can't Stop Watching Justin Bieber at Coachella
Justin Bieber’s surprise performance at Coachella sparked a wave of social media activity, with his clips replayed thousands of times on Instagram. The author, a self‑identified millennial, reflects on how the nostalgic footage resonated across generations, turning a festival moment...
Sundayclub Share New Single “Camera Shy”
Canadian indie‑pop duo sundayclub released their new single “Camera Shy,” a preview of their self‑titled debut album arriving July 10, 2026 via Paper Bag Records. The track captures a hazy New Year’s Eve vibe while probing the tension between documenting moments and the...
I (Oh) I
The post recounts the origin of a band’s first song, recorded in a basement in 2013. The idea for the group emerged during a midnight walk around Carver Lake, when three friends—Jake, Nathan, and the author—discussed forming a new act....
The Head and the Heart Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Benefit April 29
The Head and the Heart will headline Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on April 29, marking the 15th anniversary of their self‑titled 2011 debut. The concert offers fans a rare chance to see the indie‑folk outfit in an intimate, high‑quality soundroom rather than...
Artist Spotlight: My New Band Believe
Cameron Picton, a founding member of black midi, launched My New Band Believe, a fluid studio project that blends avant‑folk and experimental rock. The self‑titled album features collaborators from caroline, Black Country, New Road and shame, while Picton handled most...
Premiere: Lunar Bird Shares New Single “The Things We Used To”
Italian‑Welsh indie pop duo Lunar Bird has unveiled a new single, “The Things We Used To,” ahead of their forthcoming EP slated for May 29, 2026. The track, described as feather‑light with airy vocals and twinkling synth hooks, follows the earlier...
Elizabeth and the Catapult – Responsible Friend
Elizabeth and the Catapult, fronted by singer‑songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, dropped the single "Responsible Friend" in 2026. The track features bright, percussive indie pop reminiscent of Peter, Bjorn and John’s "Young Folks," pairing catchy melodies with a lyrical focus on friendship...
The Best Albums Of The 2020s
The NATIVE roundup spotlights the decade’s most influential African albums, from Wizkid’s protest‑era "Made In Lagos" to Kabza De Small’s Amapiano double‑disc, Burna Boy’s Grammy‑nominated "Twice As Tall" and a host of genre‑spanning releases. Each record showcases how African artists have turned the...
Premiere: Hillsboro Shares New Track “HotGirlTM”
Pacific Northwest indie rock outfit Hillsboro premiered their new single “HotGirlTM” ahead of the upcoming EP *A Party In Your Name*, slated for release on May 29, 2026. The track showcases a slower, effects‑laden blend of shoegaze, dream pop and...
🎧 Approved: WIDGET
British indie collective WIDGET, formed by members of Big Joanie, All Cats Are Beautiful, Junodef and Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani, is set to release its debut album "CLASSY HITS VOL.2" on Friday via their own Peach Records. The album...
Fanbase API: “Artists Aren't Just Musicians, They're World-Builders”
Openstage has launched Fanbase API, a toolkit that lets artists build custom fan experiences on their own domains, retaining full control over design, data, and monetization. The API already powers Yungblud’s YBHQ community and Gorillaz’s Kong Studios virtual world. By...
White Fence
Tim Presley, performing as White Fence, releases his first album since 2019, titled Orange. The record is produced by longtime collaborator Ty Segall, who also shares drum duties with Dylan Hadley, while newcomer Alice Sandahl adds keyboards. Orange blends psych‑pop,...
Blu & Exile - Time Heals Everything
Blu & Exile’s new album *Time Heals Everything* arrives as a competent addition to their West Coast catalog, offering smooth production and solid verses but no major artistic leap. The record follows a prolific 2024 for Blu, who released multiple...
No Expectations 143: Something Worth Waiting For
The No Expectations newsletter returns with its Taste Profile interview series, featuring Chicago indie rock band Friko’s frontman Niko Kapetan. Friko’s new album “Something Worth Waiting For,” recorded with producer John Congleton and released on ATO Records, is highlighted as...
Guitar Solo Ghosts: A 2020s Alt-Country Survey
The 2020s alt‑country scene has surged, with British bands like Brown Horse, Fazed On A Pony, and Westside Cowboy embracing a twangy, all‑American indie rock aesthetic. Brown Horse’s third album, Total Dive, deepens their Crazy Horse‑style guitars and stormier tempos, confirming...
Office Dog Deliver Another Hit
New Zealand indie rock outfit Office Dog has released a new single, “Gold Things,” showcasing a heavier, sludgier sound than previous releases. The track features louder drums, gritty bass lines, and distorted guitars, signaling a shift toward a more aggressive...
New Tune From Beck Zegans
Beck Zegans released his new single “Engraving of Armor” on May 22 through Exploding in Sound Records. Critics highlight the track’s balanced melody, nuanced vocal shifts, and polished indie‑scene craftsmanship. The song demonstrates Zegans’ growing command of songwriting and production techniques....
No Peeling – “Mascot Fight”
No Peeling is set to release its second EP, “Mascot Fight,” on May 1 through indie label Feel It Records. The record continues the band’s aggressive blend of No Wave, post‑punk, and synth‑driven textures, building on the high‑energy momentum of their...
Music as a Mirror: Kurt Cobain & Nirvana ‘Unplugged’
The piece reflects on the 1993 MTV Unplugged performance by Nirvana, describing how Kurt Cobain’s raw, acoustic set left a lasting imprint on a 21‑year‑old viewer and, a decade later, on her child. It weaves personal memories with cultural observations,...
Products Band Share Winner
Products Band, a pop‑rock outfit from Minneapolis, dropped a new single today that critics describe as a tension‑filled guitar‑driven track. The song’s tight riffs and vocal bursts create a winding energy that sets it apart. Simultaneously, the group launched a...
Odd Marshall – Seconds
Odd Marshall’s second album, *Seconds*, dropped last month, featuring Blind Melon guitarists Christopher Thorn and Rogers Stevens. The record leans heavily into rock‑and‑roll, with tracks like “Run” and “Way Out” delivering heavy riffs and socially‑charged lyrics. Marshall, a filmmaker and novelist turned musician,...
Lady Twostar’s The Great Planes: Living Up To The Hype
Lady Twostar exploded onto the scene when a mid‑2025 TikTok of their debut single “Fortunes Found” amassed nearly half‑a‑million views. A year later the band released their first EP, “The Great Planes,” which mixes grunge‑laden riffs, 70s‑rock aggression, and acoustic...
Seven American Orchestras Will Serenade Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg has unveiled its tenth‑anniversary season, featuring seven premier American orchestras. Highlights include the Cleveland Orchestra with Golda Schultz, the New York Philharmonic’s debut under Gustavo Dudamel, and the Boston Symphony’s Beethoven‑Stravinsky dialogue. Composer Missy Mazzoli will...
Romanticize the Dive
Canadian indie‑rock stalwarts Metric have released their tenth studio album, Romanticize the Dive, reuniting with longtime producer Gavin Brown. The record opens with “Victim of Luck,” a reflective track that sets a tone of artistic self‑examination, while later songs blend...
Adorn Reveal Debut Album, ‘Let Love Remain’
Dallas‑based post‑hardcore outfit Adorn released its debut full‑length album, Let Love Remain, on April 10. The 11‑track LP blends melodic intensity with heavy metalcore riffs, echoing influences like Saosin and Thrice while carving a distinct sonic identity. Lyrically, the record...
Lukka – Tomboi
Lukka released the single “Tomboi” in 2026, drawing praise for its propulsive beat and haunting vocals. Critics liken the track’s atmospheric vibe to the 1990s‑era sounds of Broadcast and Stereolab. The song showcases a sleek blend of synth‑pop swagger and...
Israel Phil Concertmaster Takes Job in Germany
Dumitru Pocitari, a concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic, has been named the first concertmaster of the Philharmonisches Orchester Hagen in Westphalia, Germany. He already holds the concertmaster chair at the Wiener Symphoniker, a position he assumed in April 2024. While...
Bathing Suits Bring Clubland Chaos to the Underground with Debut EP KILL BATHING SUITS
Bathing Suits, a Leeds quartet, released their debut EP KILL BATHING SUITS via Underplay Recordings, the label’s first signing. The five‑track record fuses post‑punk aggression with early‑2010s dance‑pop, featuring the seven‑minute noise‑trance piece “Empathy” and the club‑ready single “Swan Princess.”...
Teksti-TV 666 – Fast and Furious
Finnish indie outfit Teksti-TV 666 dropped the 2026 single “Fast & Furious,” a track that fuses math‑rock precision with post‑punk swagger. The review likens its guitar‑driven energy to early The Strokes while noting spoken‑word flourishes reminiscent of Ian Dury. A...
Baby Ghoul Share Debut Single “Horseshoe”
Baby Ghoul, a London five‑piece, released their debut single “Horseshoe” on April 23, 2026 through Agent Anonyme Recordings, the independent label founded by Daphne Guinness. The track features layered guitars, a slow‑burning arrangement, and lyrics that explore luck, love, and personal choice,...
AKA Shares Debut Single “It Grows On Trees (Money)”
Liverpool‑based musician and The Mysterines guitarist Callum Thompson, performing as AKA, released his debut solo single “It Grows On Trees (Money)” accompanied by a chaotic video directed by Charles Gall. The track, a gritty, punk‑inflected anthem, marks Thompson’s first release...
Shigeto
Shigeto, a Japanese‑American producer and percussionist from Ann Arbor, blends jazz training with hip‑hop production to create experimental electronic music. After studying jazz at the New School, he self‑taught music production and released his first solo work under his middle...
Sylvie + Ursula – ‘New Eve’
Sylvie Noble and bassist Ursula Harrison debut as the duo Sylvie + Ursula with the album “New Eve.” The nine‑track, half‑hour record showcases original compositions that blend deadpan wry lyrics with adventurous vocal lines and supple bass work. Their chemistry...
Preview: Niia at Blue Note NYC
Los Angeles‑based goth‑jazz vocalist Niia will perform a two‑night engagement at New York’s historic Blue Note, with early 8 p.m. and late 10:30 p.m. sets each night. The concerts promote her fifth studio album, V, released last year on Candid Records and...
Bob Dylan Goes to Disney World
Bob Dylan and his Rolling Thunder Revue took the stage at Disney World in Orlando on April 23, 2026, concluding a five‑night run of shows across Central Florida. The concert, highlighted by Joan Baez’s Mickey Mouse shirt, drew a sizable...
Meltt – “Never Let Go”
Vancouver psych‑rock band Meltt released the single “Never Let Go,” the lead track from their forthcoming album Pathways, slated for June 12 on Nettwerk. The song blends psychedelic rock with early‑2000s synth textures, drawing comparisons to Washed Out, early Tame Impala and...
Jada Di’Larosa – ‘To Love Is To Perform’
Jada Di’Larosa’s debut album *To Love Is To Perform* delivers an intimate blend of New Orleans‑infused jazz, cinematic strings, and late‑night brass. Written after her night shifts as a Bourbon Street dancer, the record uses performance metaphors to explore love, ambition,...
FH HF – Rewind / Hey, Can I Pick Your Ears?
Georgian experimental artist FH HF releases *Rewind*, a "blindly intuitive collage" that shuns traditional album structure in favor of fragmented, momentum‑driven soundscapes. The record explores memory as a fluid process, pairing glitch‑laden textures with playful humor and personal narratives, such...
Weezer, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyla, Sombr | Weekly Track Roundup: 4/19/26
Anthony Fantano’s Weekly Track Roundup dissected a wave of new releases, labeling Sombr’s "Potential," The Kid LAROI’s "I CONDEMN," and Kacey Musgraves’ "Middle of Nowhere" as missteps while highlighting stronger entries from Weezer, Tyla, Tori Amos, and Olivia Rodrigo. He...