PICK OF THE WEEK: "Sister Dreamer"
The "Sister Dreamer" site‑specific sculpture park, curated by Ione, opens at 76th Street and Western Avenue in South Central Los Angeles on March 14, 2026 and will remain through September 2027. The project, more than a decade in the making, transforms a public plaza into an immersive art experience featuring large‑scale installations and even a cameo appearance by the curator’s dog, Gus. The launch was highlighted in a DAZED feature that underscores the park’s cultural relevance. The initiative coincides with a listener‑question mini‑episode on the podcast, adding a pop‑culture twist.
Bróna McVittie Drops New Single ‘The Stolen Child’
Ulster singer‑songwriter Bróna McVittie has released the lead single “The Stolen Child”, a harp‑driven reinterpretation of Yeats’s poem, ahead of her upcoming album “Supernatural”. The track complements her newly published folklore anthology “A Way with the Fairies” and showcases production by...
Lucy Liyou – Crisis (Identity)
San Francisco‑based Lucy Liyou is set to release her new album MR COBRA on April 17 through Orange Milk Records. The record is billed as a semi‑autobiographical theater‑music piece that revisits a high‑school romance with a predator, exploring shame, performance,...
Switch On The Light
Grace Ives’ new track “Neither You Nor I” fuses early‑2000s trip‑hop aesthetics with her signature indie‑pop vocal style. The song’s central loop feels like a retro, cosmopolitan sample, yet no source is credited, hinting at original composition or a cautious...
NY Cello Star Calls Time on Career
The New York Philharmonic announced that principal cellist Carter Brey will retire this summer, ending a three‑decade tenure with the orchestra. Brey, 71, has been a defining musical presence and an active participant in New York’s chamber music scene. Incoming...
🎧 Approved: X & Ivy
Chicago‑born duo X & Ivy have dropped their new EP “Broken Jam” on Bradley Zero’s Rhythm Section imprint. The four‑track release fuses early Chicago house, Detroit techno, breakbeat and 90s UK rave acid textures, showcasing the pair’s seasoned production chops....
Ivory Layne Shares Anthemic Single ‘Skim’
Indie singer‑songwriter Ivory Layne has dropped her latest single, “Skim,” an anthemic track built around emotionally charged vocals and a fresh production style. The artist describes the song as her most vulnerable work to date, marking a departure from her...
Concertgebouw Names American Composer in Residence
American composer Carlos Simon has been appointed composer‑in‑residence at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw for the upcoming season. His residency will launch with a performance of Four Black American Dances by the Pittsburgh Symphony on September 7. Simon describes the role as his...
Harvie S – ‘Bright Dawn’
Harvie S, a veteran New York double bassist, releases “Bright Dawn,” his first album as a bandleader in over a decade. The record features a quartet with guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Miki Hayama, and drummer Matt Wilson, delivering a cohesive blend of mainstream jazz and...
J Mau and the Kiss Off Share Poison Vido
Justin Maurer, known for his punk‑rock pedigree, is releasing a new project called “J Mau and the Kiss Off.” The record draws heavily on classic country songwriting, letting him explore his recent divorce, heartbreak, and personal reflection. Musically, desert‑spanning guitar lines...
WAV. Is a Creator-First Platform Launching as Artists Question Distributor Support
WAV. Distro, launched by TEN88, is a creator‑first music platform that combines digital distribution, publishing support, and hands‑on marketing while letting artists keep 100% ownership of their masters. The service emphasizes real‑human assistance, long‑term partnerships, and even advances for select...
Julia Cumming Shares New Song “Please Let Me Remember This”
Julia Cumming released her new single “Please Let Me Remember This,” the second track from her forthcoming solo debut album *Julia*, slated for April 24 on Partisan Records. The dream‑pop song, inspired by the Beach Boys’ 1968 track “Busy Doing...
Be Quiet and Drive (Three Winters Away): A Review of Këkht Aräkh’s “Morning Star”
Këkht Aräkh’s third album, Morning Star, abandons the intimate black‑metal formula of Night & Love and Pale Swordsman in favor of a hybrid that leans heavily into SoundCloud rap aesthetics. The 17‑track, 50‑minute release blends pillowy production, unusually prominent bass,...
No Expectations 139: Pearls
No Expectations issue 139, a Thursday‑morning newsletter, blends a personal essay on physical magazines with a $5‑a‑month reader‑supported subscription pitch. It spotlights four indie‑rock albums—including Ellie O’Neill, i26connector, kitship, and Red PK—and provides a 15‑track playlist. The edition also reviews...
Premiere: Afloat Shares New Single “Knuckles”
New Jersey‑based emo‑punk trio Afloat has signed with Mint 400 Records and will release their lead single “Knuckles” on March 27, 2026. The track showcases the band’s tight guitar work, stop‑start momentum, and anthemic chorus, reflecting their evolution from DIY EPs since 2018. “Knuckles”...
New Title for Herbert Blomstedt
Renowned Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt, now 98, was appointed honorary conductor of the Norrköping Symphony on March 26, 2026. The orchestra marks the occasion as a homecoming, since Blomstedt launched his professional career there in 1954 and led as principal...
Girl, 9, Gets to Play Mozart’s Half-Size Violin
Freya Chen, a 9‑year‑old student in Juilliard’s Pre‑College program, was granted the rare opportunity to perform on Mozart’s half‑size violin, a historic instrument from the International Mozarteum Foundation currently exhibited at New York’s Morgan Library and Museum. The violin, once...
Explaining the Wide Gap Between Country Stars and Everyone Else
Luminate’s 2025 Year‑End Music Report applied the Gini coefficient to streaming data, showing country music as the most top‑heavy genre with a 0.79 score, followed by pop at 0.75. Electronic/Dance recorded the lowest Gini at 0.54, indicating a more even...
Transmissions at Big Ears :: Thurston Moore and Kramer
Transmissions returns with a special episode featuring underground icons Thurston Moore and Kramer, hosted by Tyler Wilcox. The pair will release their collaborative album *They Came Like Swallows – Seven Requiems for the Children of Gaza* on May 1 via Ethan...
Xylitol – Blumenfantasie
Catherine Backhouse, performing as Xylitol, released her second Planet Mu album *Blumenfantasie*, a jungle‑driven record that fuses 1990s‑era breakbeats with synth‑pop, Krautrock and ambient textures. The album revisits classic tracks like “Chromophoria” and “Lights” while branching into trip‑hop (“Mirjana”), ambient...
Sicilian Opera Sacks Conductor over Jeffrey Epstein Links
Teatro Massimo in Palermo dismissed French conductor Frédéric Chaslin after email correspondence linking him to Jeffrey Epstein surfaced. Chaslin, who was slated to lead a May performance of Aida, denied any wrongdoing and cited a law‑office investigation that found no complaints or charges....
Alex Koo Trio at Pizza Express Dean Street
Belgian pianist Alex Koo made his UK debut with his trio at Pizza Express Dean Street, delivering a program that blended Flemish and Japanese jazz sensibilities. The set highlighted the mournful composition “Jonass,” featuring sudden silences to evoke grief, and...
Penelope Trappes Recruits Julia Holter, Midwife, Gazelle Twin, and More for 'OPVS NOVUM: A Requiem Reworked'
Penelope Trappes announced OPVS NOVUM: A Requiem Reworked, slated for release on May 29 via One Little Independent. The album revisits every track from her 2025 record A Requiem, reinterpreted by ten guest artists including Julia Holter, Midwife, Gazelle Twin,...
Fcukers’ Ö: The Sonic Pulse of the Summer
New York duo Fcukers have released their debut full‑length album Ö, a 28‑minute burst of high‑octane electronic music. Produced with Kenny Beats, the record fuses 90s house, jungle, and UK garage influences while delivering razor‑sharp vocals from Shanny Wise. Guest...
9 Tracks That Live in the Same Neighbourhood as Khruangbin
The article curates ten tracks that share Khruangbin’s laid‑back, psychedelic funk vibe, ranging from 1970s soul to 2024 global‑fusion releases. It highlights songs by Cymande, Skinshape, Orions Belte, LA LOM, Glass Beams, Kikagaku Moyo, YĪN YĪN, BALTHVS, and a Khruangbin...
Stella Donnelly, Live in Manchester: A Masterclass in Pink
Stella Donnelly brought her third album, Love and Fortune, to Manchester, delivering a one‑hour set that mixed early classics, under‑appreciated tracks from Flood, and fresh songs from the new record. The pink‑lit stage and multi‑instrumental band created a dynamic atmosphere, highlighted by...
Kristin Hersh Shares New Song "Sundial" Plus Details of a UK/EU Tour in the Fall
Kristin Hersh has unveiled "Sundial," a shadowy, cello‑rich track that serves as the first glimpse of her 12th solo album, slated for release on Fire Records later this year. The song drops ahead of the opening night of her US...
Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker, the Kansas City‑born alto saxophonist who died at 34, pioneered bebop in the 1940s, reshaping jazz’s harmonic and rhythmic language. The blog spotlights two recent releases: the historic 1953 live concert “Jazz at Massey Hall,” featuring Parker with...
Nomad War Machine / Susan Alcorn - Contra Madre (VG+, 2026)
Susan Alcorn, the pioneering pedal‑steel free‑jazz artist, died unexpectedly in 2025, leaving behind a planned collaboration with Philadelphia improvisational metal duo Nomad War Machine. The resulting album, Contra Madre, released by VG+ Records in early 2026, fuses Alcorn’s western swing...
Memoryy – “Memory From A Dream”
Memoryy, the synth‑pop project of Shaun Hettinger, has dropped the single “Memory From A Dream,” a bright, hook‑laden track that blends shimmering arpeggios with distorted bass lines. The song serves as the lead preview for the forthcoming album *Exit Interview*,...
Reduction in Force – “Compromise”
Mike Mills’ latest single “Compromise” caps the six‑track “Second Act” series under his Reduction in Force project, delving into the psychological strain of a corporate lawyer’s career. The track pairs punchy drums and twangy guitars with Mills’ debonair vocals, moving...
Future Islands Announce New Rarities Compilation Album, Share Double Single “Sail” And “Find Love”
Future Islands announced a rarities compilation titled "From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth" to mark their 20th anniversary. The album, due May 22 on 4AD, features 20 tracks ranging from early 2009 EP cuts to...
Nene H ~ Second Skin
Nene H’s sophomore album “Second Skin” turns a breakup narrative into a triumphant electronic statement, pairing industrial beats with a newly muscular visual identity. The record opens with the club‑ready single “Cradle,” echoing Nitzer Ebb’s pounding rhythm, and weaves through...
Kelsey Dower Transforms Ancestry and Memory Into Sonic Power on “Massacre”
Kelsey Dower released "Massacre," a single that fuses symphonic orchestration with metal aggression, serving as a preview of her forthcoming album Rebirth. The track employs tribal‑inspired percussion, sweeping strings, and choral textures while Dower shifts between operatic vocals and raw...
The Knife's Olof Dreijer Shares Colorful New Video for 'Echoed Dafnino'
Swedish producer Olof Dreijer, half of electronic duo The Knife, has released a vibrant new video for the lead single "Echoed Dafnino" from his debut solo album Loud Bloom. The track features Cairo‑based Sudanese vocalist MaMan, while the visual was...
Jessie Altman – Sleepwalking
Emerging Maryland pop artist Jessie Altman dropped her four‑track EP "Sleepwalking" on March 6, 2026, following her 2024 album "Aftermath" and EP "Aftermath II." The record moves from hazy, introspective opening vibes to high‑energy, synth‑driven closers, weaving 90s pop, EDM,...
C.R. Knight – She Got A Bad Thang
Arkansas‑born R&B vocalist C.R. Knight has issued his first full‑length album, She Got A Bad Thang, on indie label Bongo Boy Records. The ten‑track record fuses 1970s soul and disco textures with contemporary R&B, opening with the Valentine’s Day single...
Monique Grimme – I Will Be Alright
Monique Grimme has dropped her new single “I Will Be Alright,” a cinematic‑pop anthem produced with Sapphire Star Studios and released on her Bongo Boy Records label. The track fuses soaring choirs, punchy beats, and soulful vocals reminiscent of Florence + The Machine...
Lukka – Fabric of the Cosmos
Lukka, a New York City trio, released the single “Fabric of the Cosmos” in 2026, pairing shuffling percussion with a dreamy pop sensibility. The track’s space‑themed title and ethereal production have drawn praise for creating a levitating listening experience. Distributed...
Premiere: Strange Pains Share New Single “Walking With Yves”
Boston‑born singer‑songwriter Ted Bradley, performing as Strange Pains, premiered his new single “Walking With Yves” on Under the Radar. The track marks a stylistic shift toward 90s‑era indie rock, contrasting the alt‑country vibe of his earlier releases. It serves as...
Sara Parkman Reveals New Album 'Aster, Atlas' Plus Two More Songs
Swedish folk luminary Sara Parkman announced her fourth studio album, *Aster, atlas*, slated for release on May 8 through her own Supertraditional imprint. The rollout includes two new singles, “Paradiset” and “Ora et labora,” which she describes as opposing day‑and‑night motifs....
Colleen – Libres Antes Del Final
French avant‑garde musician Colleen releases *Libres antes del final* on Thrill Jockey, marking a decisive move from viola da gamba to fully electronic production. The album, recorded in Barcelona, leans heavily on the Moog Matriarch synthesizer and bright arpeggiated textures....
Angelo De Augustine Transforms New Single "Empty Shell" Into a Score for Short Film
Singer‑songwriter Angelo De Augustine released "Empty Shell," the lead single from his forthcoming album Angel in Plainclothes, due May 1 on Asthmatic Kitty. The track opens the record and is accompanied by a short film, Can I Come Back To Earth?,...
Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter' Turns 22 — Will His 2026 Live Shows Mature Too?
Lil Wayne unveiled a 2026 North American tour celebrating the 20th (technically 22nd) anniversary of his seminal Tha Carter album series, kicking off in June and spanning more than 30 venues through October. The lineup pairs the rapper with frequent collaborator 2 Chainz...
Bedouine Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song “Long Way to Fall”
Bedouine, the folk‑rock project of Azniv Korkejian, announced her fourth studio album, *Neon Summer Skin*, slated for release on June 5, 2026 via Thirty Tigers. The lead single, “Long Way to Fall,” arrived with a video directed by Jackie Bao...
Henry Greenleaf – Brawn
Henry Greenleaf’s four‑track EP *Brawn* marks his debut on Bjarki’s bbbbbb imprint, delivering a visceral blend of early Pearson Sound rhythm and peak Ed Banger swagger. The record revels in aggressive sound design, stretching basslines like rubber bands and slamming...
New Gelli Haha Video
Indie electro‑pop artist Gelli Haha has released a new single through Innovative Leisure, accompanied by a vibrant, choreographed video. The track continues the exuberant style of her 2022 Switcheroo album and showcases soaring vocals over a thumping beat. To capitalize...
The Hanging Stars – “The Glasshouse”
The Hanging Stars, a UK indie‑rock outfit, announced their new album “Just A Day,” slated for release on June 19, 2026 via Loose Music. The album is preceded by the single “The Glasshouse,” which follows last year’s collaboration with folk legend Bonnie...
New German Cinema Shares Video for New Song “Eyes”
New German Cinema, the solo project of Jessica Weiss, has released the final pre‑release track “Eyes” with a neon‑lit video shot during her Japan tour. The song precedes her debut solo album Pain Will Polish Me, arriving on March 27...
The New Pornographers’ The Former Site Of: Meticulous Power Pop
The New Pornographers have announced their tenth studio album, “The Former Site Of,” delivering a fresh dose of meticulous power‑pop. The record is structured around ten short‑story inspired tracks and is supported by the singles “Pure Sticker Shock,” “Spooky Action,”...