Does Drake Still Matter? A Consequence Chat
Canadian rapper Drake returned to the spotlight with a surprise triple‑album megadrop—Maid of Honour, Habibti, and Iceman—following a widely mocked Super Bowl halftime performance. The releases span dance, R&B, and rap, and early industry chatter suggests they could claim the top three positions on the Billboard album chart. While the albums have sparked mixed critical reactions, especially toward the R&B‑focused Habibti, Drake’s fanbase remains robust, filling arenas and driving streaming numbers. The launch also reignites debate over Drake’s cultural relevance amid ongoing controversies.
Drake Accused of Ripping Off a Beat From Another Rapper for His New Album: ‘You Got Me F***ed Up’
Rapper 1900Rugrat alleges Drake lifted the beat from his 2025 album intro for the track “Little Birdie” on the new triple‑album release ‘Iceman’. Rugrat posted an Instagram video and DM screenshots showing Drake’s interest in the loop and a promised...
AARON LEWIS To Release 'Patriotic' New Single, 'Give My Country Back', This Friday
Aaron Lewis, the multi‑platinum country singer and former Staind frontman, will release his new solo single “Give My Country Back” on Friday, May 22, through Big Machine Label Group. The track is the lead single from his forthcoming sixth studio country...
Marco Antonio Solís Announces 2026 “Tour Gratitud”
Marco Antonio Solís announced a 23‑date North American "Tour Gratitud" that kicks off on July 24 in Austin and runs through October 11 in Highland, California. The itinerary spans major U.S. markets and includes two Canadian stops in Laval and Hamilton. Exclusive...
Here's Why Cody Johnson Won ACM Entertainer of the Year In 2026
Cody Johnson captured the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award on May 17, 2026, marking his first win after previous CMA nominations. The honor reflects his disciplined touring schedule, punctual media presence, and a partnership with Warner that...
Maya Hawke on New Album Maitreya Corso, Marriage, and Post-Stranger Things Depression: Podcast
Maya Hawke’s new album *Maitreya Corso* marks a shift from career‑focused themes to intimate storytelling, inspired by her marriage to songwriter Christian Lee Hutson and a year‑long depression after wrapping *Stranger Things 5*. The record, featuring tracks such as “Dreamhouse” and “Love of My Life,”...
Ex-IRON MAIDEN Guitarist DENNIS STRATTON Says 'Burning Ambition' Documentary 'Rushed Through' The Band's Early Days: It's 'A Little Bit Sad'
The new feature documentary "Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition" premiered in May 2026, chronicling the band’s five‑decade career. Former guitarist Dennis Stratton praised the film’s fan focus but lamented that the early years were rushed, especially the portrayal of Blaze Bayley’s tenure. Band members,...
INTERVIEW: Frozen Soul On Gerard Way, Vulnerability & New Album ‘No Place Of Warmth’
Frozen Soul’s new album “No Place Of Warmth” arrives with high‑profile guest spots from My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and Machine Head’s Robb Flynn. The band abandoned longtime collaborator Daniel for a seasoned producer, compressing recording into a two‑and‑a‑half‑week sprint. Chad Green describes a shift...
![SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://storage.ghost.io/c/18/d0/18d08e58-3b1b-4720-ae25-a31b44e69d4b/content/images/2026/05/EMily-Nenni-Spotlight.png)
SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]
Emily Nenni, the singer‑songwriter behind the new LP Movin’ Shoes, released the album on May 1 through New West Records. She is the featured Spotlight Artist for May 2026 in No Depression, a leading indie‑folk publication. A recent video shows her performing a...
Album Review – Ryan Bingham’s “They Call Us The Lucky Ones”
Ryan Bingham returns with *They Call Us The Lucky Ones*, his first full‑length release in seven years, backed by his touring band the Texas Gentlemen. The record leans into gritty, slide‑laden Americana, trading polished production for a raw, sweaty feel....
Cristale Assumes Form On New Single ‘Top 3’
South London rapper Cristale has released her latest single “Top 3,” produced by Young Chencs and built on a jittery Sinogrime‑infused beat. The track follows her recent high‑energy collaboration with Skrillex and ISOxo on “Smoke” and continues her pattern of blending rap...
Festival News: All Things Go Reveals All-Female Lineup
All Things Go announced its third New York edition will feature an all‑female lineup. The three‑day event at the 13,000‑capacity Forest Hills Stadium will be headlined by Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile and Muna, with supporting acts such as Rebecca Black,...
Marisa Anderson’s (Tunefully) Un-American Activities
Portland guitarist Marisa Anderson turned a brief visit to the Bob Dylan Center into a nine‑day archival sprint, digitizing roughly 90 obscure world‑folk LPs from Harry Smith’s private collection. Backed by the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, she used dual turntables to preview...
Lowertown Have Announced a London Oslo Headline Show with New Single ‘Mice Protection’
New York duo Lowertown unveiled their next single “Mice Protection,” the lead track from the forthcoming album *Ugly Duckling Union* slated for release on May 22 via Summer Shade. The song, recorded in a basement studio that doubled as Avsha Weinberg’s...
In Photos: The Great Escape 2026 – Saturday
The Great Escape 2026 Saturday showcased a vibrant new‑music marathon in Brighton, drawing hundreds of emerging artists from around the world. Canadian acts dominated the Green Door Store stage, while Australian and Japanese performers added fresh tracks for CLASH. Photographer...
Haruomi Hosono Details New Album Yours Sincerely
Japanese music pioneer Haruomi Hosono announced his 23rd studio album, Yours Sincerely, slated for release on September 11 through Ghostly International. The record’s title reflects the Japanese concept of omoiyari, which blends shared suffering with collective joy. At 78, Hosono...
Blondshell Launches New Era with Bruising Single ‘Heart Has To Work So Hard’ and Biggest UK, European and North American...
Los Angeles singer‑songwriter Sabrina Teitelbaum, performing as Blondshell, released the bruising single “Heart Has To Work So Hard,” the first taste of an upcoming album. The track explores the strain of a fraught friendship with her trademark monotone vocals. Simultaneously,...
BV Interviews: Robyn Hitchcock Celebrates Collapse, Polka Dots & New Album ‘The Confuser’
Veteran singer‑songwriter Robyn Hitchcock announced his 25th studio album, *The Confuser*, recorded in Nashville with a cadre of session musicians. He describes the record as a ‘celebration of collapse,’ reflecting artistic change. To support the release, Hitchcock is launching his...
“It’s a Masochistic Way of Recording. Working in the Studio Isn’t Always Fun”: Prog Metallers Amorphis Rehired a Notoriously Picky...
Finnish prog‑metal outfit Amorphis reunited with Swedish producer Jens Bogren for their 13th album, Queen Of Time. Bogren, known for his exacting standards and work with Opeth, Katatonia and Babymetal, pushed the band through painstaking studio sessions that stretched recording timelines. The partnership...
Pamela’s ‘Better Than Before’ Is Sweetly Uplifting
Australian indie duo Pamela has released their new single “Better Than Before,” an upbeat breakup anthem that blends pop hooks with reflective lyrics. The track arrives ahead of their forthcoming EP “It’s Nice To See You Here,” slated for release...
Spencer’s Gifts
Vic Spencer, a Chicago‑born rapper who grew up in the state foster system, has become one of the most prolific independent artists in underground hip‑hop. Backed early by UCAN and the Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network, he released two Uhlich Voices...
Death Kneel, “Remembering Well”
Experimental noise artist Death Kneel, the solo project of Max Klebanoff, drops his latest album "Remembering Well" on the avant‑garde imprint Chondritic Sound. The record consists of six sub‑minute tracks that fuse field recordings, harsh feedback, and rain‑soaked ambience, inviting...
Lip Critic’s ‘Theft World’ Is Beautifully Structured Chaos
Lip Critic’s second album, Theft World, emerged from a bizarre real‑life incident where an obsessed fan stole frontman Bret Kaser’s identity to buy the band’s catalog, prompting the group to interview the fan and turn those tapes into music. The...
Metric Look Back and Learn to ‘Romanticize the Dive’
Metric marks its 25th anniversary with the release of "Romanticize the Dive," the band’s first album in several years. The record leans heavily into synth‑driven indie rock while preserving the big‑hook sensibility that defined their earlier hits. Lyrically, frontwoman Emily...
Timbaland Says Janice STFU’ Will Be “Timeless” As Fans Decode Viral ‘ICEMAN’ Track
Drake’s surprise album *Iceman* dropped on May 15, 2026, led by the breakout single “Janice STFU.” The track vaulted to No. 5 on Spotify’s global chart, logging more than 9.5 million streams in its first 24 hours. Fans quickly dissected the title, viewing it as a...
Molly Santana Is a Rising Star On Drake and Future’s ‘Ran to Atlanta’
Molly Santana, the 21‑year‑old Los Angeles‑born rapper, gained mainstream exposure after appearing on Drake and Future’s hit “Ran to Atlanta” from the album *Iceman*. The track debuted at No. 3 on Spotify’s global chart with over 10.8 million streams in its first day...
Drake’s “Ran To Atlanta” Projected to Debut at No. 1 on Hot 100
Drake’s new single “Ran To Atlanta,” featuring Future and emerging artist Molly Santana, is projected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The launch would give Drake his 12th chart‑topping hit, extending his record‑setting run on the flagship list....
Lauryn Hill Details Reasons For Not Dropping Another Studio Album
Grammy‑winning Lauryn Hill explained why she hasn’t released a follow‑up to her 2000 debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She cited the emotional drain of fame, restrictive corporate structures, and the difficulty of finding a safe creative space. Hill likened...
CATTY Has Shared Gothic Pop Single ‘Pavlov’s Dog’ Ahead of Her Biggest Headline Tour Yet
Welsh singer‑songwriter CATTY released the gothic‑pop single “Pavlov’s Dog,” which went viral on TikTok with over 620,000 teaser views. The track drops via independent distributor AWAL, following her 2025 EP “Bracing For Impact.” Simultaneously, she announced a UK headline tour...
Chloe Qisha Leans Into Heartbreak on Her Brooding New Single ‘Surprise Surprise’
Chloe Qisha has released the brooding pop ballad “Surprise Surprise,” her first single after the 2025 EP “Modern Romance.” The track drops through Columbia in the UK and RCA in the US, accompanied by a black‑and‑white visualiser that gains colour...
"There’s This Idea that Metal Is the Devil’s Music and All that Kind of Nonsense." Meet the Metal Singer-Turned Vicar...
Emily Kolltveit, former frontwoman of symphonic metal band Pythia and backing vocalist for Dragonforce, is now a vicar at St Jude’s in London. Her lifelong devotion to Iron Maiden began after a teenage encounter with a magician’s TV special featuring the band....
After 40 Years, the Afghan Whigs Still Sound Like No One Else — and They're Not Done Yet
The Cincinnati‑born Afghan Whigs are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a nationwide tour that blends classic hits from the 1990s with two brand‑new singles, “House of I” and “Duvateen.” Frontman Greg Dulli says the band’s renewed creativity stems from the...
Cascading Zithers and a Trancelike Groove: Rattling Ark Share “Coleraine Jig”
Irish alternative folk trio Rattling Ark has issued “Coleraine Jig,” the second single from their upcoming debut album Top of a Mountain, slated for release on 19 June 2026. The track foregrounds a cello‑led melody, layered with cascading zithers and a trance‑like groove, featuring Kevin Murphy of Slow Moving Clouds...
The Black Crowes Launch Southern Hospitality Tour: Set List
The Black Crowes opened their Southern Hospitality tour in Austin, Texas, kicking off with the new single “Profane Prophecy” from the 2026 album *A Pound of Feathers*. The 16‑song set blended classic hits, deep cuts, and fresh material, and featured...
Zara Larsson Respawns on Roblox with 'Midnight Sun' Virtual Concert
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has launched a limited‑time virtual concert on Roblox to celebrate the deluxe edition of her 2025 Grammy‑nominated album Midnight Sun. The experience, titled “Zara Larsson’s midnight sun world,” lets users explore sun‑ and moon‑themed spaces, play mini‑games, and...
‘It Just Feels Like the Bad Guys Are in Charge’: How Evanescence’s Latest Single Confronts the ‘False World’
Evanescence has released the music video for “Who Will You Follow?”, the lead single from their upcoming album Sanctuary, slated for June 5, 2026. Frontwoman Amy Lee says the track channels the chaos of political unrest, online misinformation and social division, offering a...
.png)
Now You Exist EP
Swedish ambient‑techno veteran Axel Wilner, aka The Field, returns after an eight‑year silence with the EP *Now You Exist* on Studio Barnhus. The release departs from his long‑standing Kompakt aesthetic, introducing looser, Chicago‑house‑inspired drums and more pronounced vocal hooks. Tracks such as...
Still Collapsing After All These Years: Einstürzende Neubauten on Their Fifth Decade as a Berlin Legend
Einstürzende Neubauten, the Berlin‑born industrial pioneers, released their 2024 album Rampen and embarked on a spring‑summer festival run. Long‑time member Alexander Hacke exited in April 2026, ending a 46‑year tenure, and the band introduced bassist Josefine Lukschy as the first...
The Smashing Pumpkins Announce the Rats in a Cage Tour
The Smashing Pumpkins announced the "Rats in a Cage" tour, a 30‑date North American run that will run from September 30 to November 14, 2026. Each night will feature two distinct sets – one devoted to the 30th‑anniversary celebration of...
Lainey Wilson Rips Through Frenetic New Single ‘Can’t Sit Still’ at 2026 ACM Awards
Lainey Wilson opened the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards with a high‑energy performance of her new single “Can’t Sit Still,” marking her first show as a married woman after wedding to former NFL quarterback Deviln “Duck” Hodges. The stage...
Harry Styles Adds One More Show For Australia Stadium Tour
Harry Styles announced a fourth and final Melbourne concert on December 4, 2026 at Marvel Stadium, expanding his Australian leg of the "Together, Together Tour." General‑public tickets go on sale at 11 am AEST on May 22 via Live Nation. The...
POP EVIL Is About To Start Writing Material For Ninth Studio Album: 'We're Excited', Says LEIGH KAKATY
POP EVIL frontman Leigh Kakaty told Sonic Temple Festival attendees that the band will begin writing material for their ninth studio album within weeks. The group has just celebrated the one‑year anniversary of 2025’s "What Remains" with a "Midnight Edition"...
Lauryn Hill Explains Why She Never Released Another Album
Lauryn Hill used an Instagram comment thread to explain why she has not released a follow‑up album since 1998’s *Miseducation*. She emphasized the emotional drain of fame, the need for creative safety, and the clash with industry politics and label...
Who Is Stunna Sandy? Drake’s “Outside Tweaking” Guest On “MAID OF HONOUR”
Drake’s new album *MAID OF HONOUR* features Stunna Sandy on the track “Outside Tweaking,” a hybrid of Chicago juke, Jersey club, and East Coast drill. The 22‑year‑old Egyptian‑American rapper, known for “Make It Look Sexy,” gains mainstream exposure through the...
DETHKLOK's Concert In Milwaukee Cut Short After Heavy Smoke And Fog Effects Trip Fire Alarms
Dethklok’s Milwaukee show at Landmark Credit Union Live was cut short when heavy smoke and fog effects triggered the venue’s fire alarms, forcing lights and sound to shut down midway through the set. The band was co‑headlining the Amonklok Conquest...
GREEN LUNG Make Headline Debut at DesertFest
British hard‑rock outfit Green Lung capped a breakthrough year by headlining London’s DesertFest, a festival that has expanded from its 2012 UK roots to major cities worldwide. The set featured a surprise reunion with original bassist Andrew and the debut...
How Ritchie Blackmore Plans to Play Live Again
Ritchie Blackmore, the former Deep Purple guitarist, halted his 2025 Blackmore’s Night tour after a severe vertigo episode compounded by heart and gout problems. In a recent interview he confirmed the health scare was akin to a stroke and explained that...
Paul McCartney Performs Three Songs on SNL in First Music Guest Spot in 14 Years: Watch
Sir Paul McCartney returned to Saturday Night Live as the musical guest for the first time in 14 years, closing the 51st season with three live performances. He opened with the new single “Days We Left Behind” from his forthcoming album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, revisited the Wings...
Tara Kumar’s Top New Tunes May 2026
Tara Kumar’s May 2026 edition curates five standout tracks ranging from indie‑pop duo Wasia Project to global superstar Drake. The list spotlights upcoming releases like Wasia Project’s pre‑album single “Bleeding Gold” and Dua Saleh’s debut album featuring Justin Vernon, while...
Harry Styles Makes a Triumphant Comeback in Amsterdam Tour Opener
Harry Styles launched his Together, Together tour on Saturday night in Amsterdam, drawing a crowd of 56,000 at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The show marked his first live performances since the July 2023 Love On Tour finale and introduced material from his new album *Kiss...