Spotify to Reserve Concert Tickets for Superfans on Premium Tier; Live Nation Confirmed as Launch Partner as Companies Strike Multi-Year...
Spotify is launching "Reserved," a feature that holds two concert tickets per tour for the platform's most engaged Premium subscribers. The service, backed by a multi‑year partnership with Live Nation, will debut in the United States this summer before rolling out to additional markets. Reserved taps Spotify’s 360‑degree fan data to identify superfans and offers a dedicated ticket inventory separate from traditional presales. The move follows Spotify’s broader push into live‑music revenue, which now exceeds $1.5 billion in ticket sales.
The AI Slopocalypse Is Upon Us. Tastemakers, Assemble.
AI‑generated music has cracked mainstream charts, with Xania Monet becoming the first AI act on Billboard, underscoring the technology’s cultural reach. Creators across EDM and film note that AI is flooding the market, flattening genre distinctions into a "heavy middle" of...
INKCARCERATION Daily Schedule Announced; GOJIRA, LIMP BIZKIT, & More Headlining
Inkcarceration’s 2026 three‑day festival will run July 17‑19 on the Ohio State Reformatory grounds in Mansfield, Ohio, featuring 65 bands across two stages. Friday’s headliners are Disturbed, Papa Roach, Cypress Hill and Hollywood Undead; Saturday showcases Bad Omens, Gojira, Sleeping...
Kelsey Lu Shares New Single ‘Comfort’
Kelsey Lu has released the new single “Comfort,” the latest teaser for her forthcoming album So Help Me God, slated for June 12. The album, her first full-length effort since the 2017 debut Blood, was crafted with high‑profile collaborators Jack Antonoff and...
‘Deltarune’ Soundtrack Gets Rock ‘N’ Roll Remix Album
Toby Fox’s Deltarune soundtrack has been transformed into a rock‑n‑roll remix album titled “Deltarune: Guitar Collections Volume 1.” The 14‑track release, arranged by guitarist Geoffrey Day, is now streaming and will soon arrive on vinyl, CD, and as official sheet music....
Hot Chip Announce First-Ever Reissues of ‘The Warning,’ ‘Made in the Dark’ & ‘One Life Stand’
British electronic band Hot Chip announced the first-ever reissues of three of their most acclaimed albums—2006’s The Warning, 2008’s Made in the Dark, and 2010’s One Life Stand—on double‑LP gatefold biovinyl, slated for July 17 via Domino. The Warning marks its...
Spotify Will Now Reserve Concert Tickets for Subscribers Who Are ‘Superfans’ of Artists
Spotify unveiled "Reserved," a new feature that automatically sets aside two concert tickets for users identified as superfans based on streaming, sharing and location data. The service launches for US Premium subscribers aged 18+, with no extra fee, and is...
Spotify and Universal Music Group Strike Landmark Deal to Let Fans Create AI Covers and Remixes – as a Paid...
Spotify and Universal Music Group have sealed a licensing pact that lets Premium subscribers pay to generate AI‑powered covers and remixes of participating artists' songs. The tool, built on an undisclosed generative‑AI platform, will be an optional add‑on while all...
HAKEN Returns With New Single 'In A Fever Dream'; First New Music Since 2023
U.K. progressive metal outfit HAKEN has broken a three‑year recording silence with the single “In A Fever Dream.” The track, produced by George Lever – the band’s first external producer – also features veteran bassist Bryan Beller. The release follows...
The Coral – 388
British indie veterans The Coral have dropped their thirteenth studio effort, 388, marking another creative pivot after a successful comeback period. The record pulls from Jamaican rocksteady, Ethiopian jazz, psych‑rock and classic beat‑era sounds, delivering a concise 11‑track collection that...
How Visible Cloaks Stitched Themselves Back Together
Visible Cloaks, the Portland‑based electronic duo of Spencer Doran and Ryan Carlile, returned after a nine‑year gap with their new full‑length album *Paradessence*. The record pushes spatial audio forward, employing binaural decoding, ultrasound‑derived field recordings, and custom re‑pitching to create...
The Coral Surprise Release New Rocksteady-Influenced Album ‘388’ (Listen)
The Coral, the UK indie rock outfit, surprised fans on May 21, 2026 with their 13th album, 388, released without prior notice. Recorded on a vintage Tascam 388 tape machine, the record blends rocksteady, reggae, and 60s‑era sounds, debuting as a limited‑run vinyl before...
Sulfur Surfer: 5 Esoteric Influences on Bladee’s New Album
Swedish rapper Bladee drops his eighth solo album, Sulfur Surfer, a 46‑minute, EDM‑leaning project produced entirely by Drain Gang collaborator Whitearmor. The record prioritizes intricate world‑building over conventional hooks, featuring only one guest appearance from English neofolk collective Current 93. Lyrically,...
Matilda Mann Has Shared Sylvia Plath-Inspired New Single ‘The Fig Tree’ From Her Forthcoming Album ‘Kismet’
London singer‑songwriter Matilda Mann has released the Sylvia Plath‑inspired single “The Fig Tree” as the lead track from her upcoming album “Kismet,” slated for 4 September. The eleven‑song record follows her debut “Roxwell” and includes earlier singles “Inventing” and Radio 1’s Hottest Record...
QUICKSAND Releases Music Video For 'Crystallize' From Upcoming 'Bring On The Psychics' Album
New York‑based post‑hardcore pioneers Quicksand will release their fifth studio album, “Bring On The Psychics,” on July 17 through Equal Vision Records. The record, produced and mixed in just ten days by Jon Markson, bridges the band’s aggressive 1990s sound...
Magic Tuber Stringband – Heavy Water
North Carolina’s Magic Tuber Stringband releases Heavy Water, their first album since 2024, on indie label Thrill Jockey. The record adds bassist Mike DeVito as a full‑time third member, expanding the group’s fiddle, bass, and banjo textures. Inspired by lead...
55 Years Ago: Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' Wrestles With Faith
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album “What’s Going On” broke Motown’s hit‑factory mold, channeling his personal grief, brother’s Vietnam letters, and social turmoil into a nine‑track concept record. The work tackles war, environmental decay, civil‑rights unrest, and urban poverty while delivering lush...
Nothing But Thieves Share Spirited New Track ‘Evolution’
Nothing But Thieves released a new single titled “Evolution,” their first music since the 2023 album “Dead Club City.” The track revisits the raw, guitar‑driven sound that defined the band’s early breakthrough while incorporating the lyrical maturity gained over a...
"It Paved the Way for the Shape of Punk to Come." The 10 Most Essential Emo Albums Released Before the...
The article curates ten essential emo albums released before the genre’s mainstream breakthrough, tracing how each record shaped emo’s sound and ethos. It begins with Rites of Spring’s 1985 debut, often credited as the birth of emo, and moves through...
Tara Clerkin Trio Share New Single ‘Lazy Daisy’
The Tara Clerkin Trio has dropped the single “Lazy Daisy” ahead of their forthcoming album Somewhere Good, slated for June 5 on the World of Echo label. The track follows a BBC Radio 6 Music New Music Fix and builds anticipation for the...
Jeshi Has Turned the Club Toilet Queue Into an Emotional New Single with ‘Girls and Boys’
East London rapper Jeshi has dropped the single “girls and boys,” the latest preview from his upcoming mixtape “headrush.” The track, released through Select Discs, captures the fleeting intimacy of conversations in club toilet queues. It follows 2025 collaborations with...
Stand Atlantic Have Broken Their “Curse” Of Avoiding Love Songs on New Single ‘Velcro’'
Australian punk‑pop quartet Stand Atlantic released the single “Velcro” through Virgin Music Group, debuting as a First Play on triple j Breakfast. Frontwoman Bonnie Fraser describes it as the most honest love song she’s written in a decade, breaking a self‑imposed...
Vince Staples Continues the ‘Cry Baby’ Rollout with His Politically-Charged New Single ‘White Flag’
Vince Staples has released the politically‑charged single “White Flag,” the latest teaser for his upcoming album Cry Baby, slated for June 5. The track arrives with a new video and follows the earlier single “Blackberry Marmalade.” Ahead of the album, Staples hosted...
Jazz Corner: Celebrating a Hundred Years of Miles Davis and John Coltrane
In 2026 the jazz world marks the centennial of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, both born in 1926. Their partnership on classics such as *Kind of Blue* reshaped modal jazz, while Coltrane’s *A Love Supreme* set a spiritual benchmark. After their...
Opus Kink Are Previewing Their Debut LP with Farewell-Themed Single ‘The Sweet Goodbye’
Brighton‑based six‑piece Opus Kink has released the farewell‑themed single “The Sweet Goodbye” as a preview for their debut album, slated for July 31 on SO Recordings. The track follows earlier singles “Come Over, Do Me Wrong” and “The Head Tree” featuring...
Ratbag Explores Mental Health Struggles on Her Vulnerable New Single ‘Drag’
Alt‑pop artist ratbag has dropped her third single of 2026, “drag,” a candid look at exhaustion and mental‑health strain. The song arrives ahead of her first headline London gig at The George Tavern on 26 May, following earlier releases “how to...
Sienna Spiro Has Announced Her Debut Album ‘Visitor’ for July
London singer‑songwriter Sienna Spiro announced her debut album "Visitor" for release on July 3 through Capitol Records. The record follows three singles—"Die On This Hill," "The Visitor" and "You Stole The Show"—that have already entered the Billboard Hot 100. Executive producer Omer Fedi...
Lady Maisery and Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith – Wakefire: A Summer Album
Lady Maisery teamed with folk duo Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith to release Wakefire: A Summer Album, a 27‑track double‑LP that expands on their 2019 winter collaboration. The record follows a seasonal narrative from early summer to autumn, weaving original...
Brent Faiyaz Releases Fan-Driven Visual for ‘Butterflies.’
Brent Faiyaz released the official music video for “butterflies.”, a standout track from his third album Icon. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 and has approached 100 million streams worldwide. Directed by Lonewolf and produced by Parallel Studios, the hand‑animated video...
THE-DREAM Releases Sultry “Bring That Body” Video Ahead of ‘Love/Hate II’
The-Dream has unveiled the music video for his new single “Bring That Body,” debuting a sleek, late‑night saloon visual that matches the track’s seductive R&B vibe. The release doubles as the announcement of his forthcoming project Love/Hate II, the first installment...
4 of Dunedin’s Best Bands Are Releasing a Joint EP, Inspired by a Flying Nun Classic
Four of Dunedin’s most promising indie bands—Sivle Talk, Sogg, U‑NO JUNO and Vagina Dry—have teamed up for a joint EP titled *4EPS*, slated for a July 3 release on the newly‑formed DUN Records. The project echoes Flying Nun’s iconic 1982...
‘People Say There Are No Words, but There Are Thousands’: Liz Lawrence on Making a New Kind of Grief Album...
British singer‑songwriter Liz Lawrence has turned personal tragedy into her fifth album, Vespers, released June 5. The record, self‑produced and stripped‑back, explores raw grief after her sister Jessie died in a 2024 accident. Lawrence shifted from her usual indie‑pop sound to...
Premiere: Tech Panda X Kenzani Champion Love Against the Odds in New ‘Jija’ Video
Indian electronic duo Tech Panda x Kenzani have released an elaborate music video for their single “Jija,” filmed over two days in Amritsar. The narrative follows a wedding‑band trumpet player racing to win back his lover before she marries another,...
In the Shadow of the Bomb: Heavy Water by Magic Tuber Stringband
Magic Tuber Stringband’s new album Heavy Water, their first release as a trio, intertwines avant‑folk music with the haunting history of Ellenton, South Carolina, a town razed in the 1950s for the Savannah River nuclear complex. The record draws on...
Same Fangs
Spencer Krug, known for his work with Wolf Parade and solo projects, released the album "Same Fangs" after re‑recording a set of tracks originally delivered to Patreon supporters. The record blends his signature piano‑driven avant‑garde pop with new strings, guitar,...
John Summit Just Announced the CTRL ESCAPE Arena Tour for 2026
Electronic dance music (EDM) star John Summit announced his 2026 CTRL ESCAPE arena tour, a 20‑stop North American run supporting his sophomore album of the same name. The itinerary kicks off on Oct 1 in Champaign, Illinois and wraps in Oakland,...
Track Premiere: Non Serviam – “Victory to Kali” (Ft. Mirai Kawashima of Sigh)
French experimental collective Non Serviam has dropped the single “Victory to Kali,” a three‑minute blend of black metal, industrial blast beats, and guest vocals from Mirai Kawashima of Sigh. The track serves as the lead preview for their forthcoming third...
Bruno Mars 2026 Tour: Dates, Prices, and How to Get Tickets to Sold-Out Shows
Bruno Mars launches the Romantic Tour in 2026, his first global headline run since the 2017 24K Magic tour. The itinerary spans major stadiums across North America and Europe, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Toronto. Most shows are...
Sweeping Promises Announce New Album You Say I Romanticize
Sweeping Promises announced their third album, *You Say I Romanticize*, slated for release on August 14 via Sub Pop. The record was crafted over 18 months in the band’s Kansas home studio, with guitarist Caufield Schnug and bassist/vocalist Lira Mondal handling production and...
Rostam: Stars and Stripes
Rostam Batmanglij returns with "American Stories," his first solo album in nearly five years, following a decade of high‑profile production work for artists like Frank Ocean and HAIM. The record weaves Persian saz melodies and microtonal nuances with classic Americana...
Arab Strap Unveil New LP, ‘Half-Told Tales’
Scottish indie duo Arab Strap announced their ninth studio album, *Half‑Told Tales*, a 14‑track record slated for release on 4 September 2026. The album arrives 30 years after their debut single, marking a milestone in the band’s three‑decade career. Lead single “You You...
Yes Releases New Single 'Turnaround Situation'
British prog‑rock veterans Yes have issued their second single, “Turnaround Situation,” ahead of the June 12 release of their 24th studio album, Aurora. The track, described by vocalist Jon Davison as a confession‑to‑redemption narrative, follows the April single “Aurora.” Guitarist Steve Howe...
ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Chapman’s ‘Feet On Fire’ Is a Powerful Gospel of Growing Up
Ben Chapman, known for alt‑country, releases "Feet On Fire" after becoming husband and father. The 12‑track album reflects his transition to parenthood, blending gospel‑infused storytelling with his signature sound. Recorded in real time during 2025, the record captures both intimate...
Parmish Verma Announces Shera India Tour Across Eight Cities
Punjabi rapper, singer, actor and filmmaker Parmish Verma announced an eight‑city Shera India Tour that begins on May 30 in Ludhiana and concludes on June 26 in Hyderabad. The tour follows the global release of his action film “Shera” and...
Heritage Band Gunhill Road Cracks a Million Listens/Views Fueled by Talk Radio Exposure
Heritage band Gunhill Road has surpassed one million listens and views across YouTube and other digital platforms, a surge largely credited to exposure on news and talk radio over the past six years. The four‑member group, known for provocative, talk‑show‑friendly...
BTS Set For American Music Awards 2026 Appearance
BTS will make a special appearance at the 2026 American Music Awards on May 25, marking a homecoming to the show where they first performed on U.S. television in 2017. The K‑pop supergroup is nominated for three categories—Artist of the...
Laurie Anderson Helps Us Face Catastrophe on Live LP
Laurie Anderson’s new live album Let X = X, recorded with the avant‑garde jazz collective Sexmob, serves as a musical guide through today’s technological turbulence. Interweaving original songs with spoken reflections, Anderson critiques AI‑driven bots, likening them to modern angels while questioning who...
Arab Strap Launch New Album Half-Told Tales With Acerbic Single “You You You”
Scottish indie duo Arab Strap announce their new album *Half‑Told Tales*, arriving on September 4 via Rock Action. The lead single “You You You” drops with a tongue‑in‑cheek video, showcasing a disco‑metal sound layered with their trademark acerbic lyrics. The...
Inspiral Carpets Return with Anthemic ‘Drag The Bag’ – Their First New Single in 12 Years
Inspiral Carpets have broken a 12‑year recording silence with the anthemic single “Drag The Bag,” a track described as direct, melodic and built for live crowds. The release dovetails with an extensive UK tour kicking off on June 26 in...
Getdown Services Gear up for New Album ‘Massive Champion’
Bristol duo Getdown Services announced their sophomore album “Massive Champion,” slated for release on 14 August via Breakfast Records. The record follows a prolific run of EPs and their 2023 debut “Crisps,” and is framed as a self‑reflective project about healing...