Ella Mai Teases Upcoming Do You Still Love Me Tour: ‘We Want to Step It Up a Bit’
British R&B star Ella Mai announced a nearly 40‑date "Do You Still Love Me" tour that kicks off on July 7 in Toronto, featuring rising acts Ama and Girlfriend as openers. The trek marks her first major outing since giving birth to her son with NBA player Jayson Tatum and promises a step‑up in production beyond her traditionally vocal‑centric shows. Her latest album, Do You Still Love Me?, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 44 and reached No. 14 on the Top R&B/Hip‑Hop Albums chart. Mai highlighted the genre’s current resurgence while performing at the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
Reverend & The Makers – Is This How Happiness Feels
Reverend & The Makers' new album Is This How Happiness Feels? reflects Jon McClure's recent personal upheavals, including his father's death and an ADHD diagnosis. The record pivots from polished indie pop to a live, roots‑driven soul sound, rebuilt with...
Ken Carson Kicks Off ‘The Xperiment’ Rollout With Star-Studded Rolling Loud Orlando Set Feat. Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Destroy Lonely...
Ken Carson stepped in as the Sunday night headliner at Rolling Loud Orlando after NBA YoungBoy withdrew, using the slot to launch his "The Xperiment" era. The 26‑year‑old performed 13 songs, including unreleased snippets like “Grow Apart,” and debuted new...
Live Gallery: Tame Impala – The O2 Arena, London
Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala delivered a high‑octane performance at London’s O2 Arena, showcasing the new electronic direction introduced on the ‘Deadbeat’ album. The set blended house‑infused beats with the band’s signature psychedelic rock, earning praise as one of their most...
Kno You – Song by 2Slimey
Underground rapper 2Slimey dropped the single “Kno You” on May 8, 2026, continuing his reputation for experimental, hard‑to‑digest music. The track leans into abrasive, blown‑out beats and a heavily autotuned vocal style that has split listeners. While some Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans...
The Monday Morning Brew #154
The Monday Morning Brew #154 newsletter released a two‑hour playlist curated by Alex Gallacher, spotlighting new releases from Lemoncello, Robyn Hitchcock, Abigail Lapell, Maisy Owen, Aldous Harding, Josienne Clarke, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Zoh Amba. The issue also features an “Off the Shelf” interview where Lapell...
Murder Rate – Song by Rocket Rese
Rocket Rese released the single “Murder Rate” on May 8, 2026, delivering a hard‑hitting hip‑hop track that blends a thumping instrumental with aggressive, shouted lyrics. The song’s claustrophobic vibe aims to shock listeners, positioning it within the underground scene’s push for extreme...
"It's Been an Incredible Journey to Get to This Place." Squeeze Guitarist and Singer Chris Difford on the Band's Great...
Squeeze’s Chris Difford has finally re‑recorded and released “Trixies,” a lost 1974 concept album captured when he was 19 and Glenn Tilbrook 16. The cassette, stored in Difford’s loft for decades, showcases jazzy art‑pop songs set in a fictional Deptford nightclub...
Fans Choose MUNA’s ‘Dancing on the Wall’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Billboard’s weekly new‑music poll named MUNA’s third studio album, Dancing on the Wall, the week’s favorite release, capturing 51.69% of fan votes. The LA indie‑pop trio, known for the breakout 2022 hit “Silk Chiffon,” released the album on Saddest Factory Records,...
Loraine James – Detached From The Rest Of You
Loraine James’s new Hyperdub release, Detached From The Rest Of You, pushes the boundaries of intelligent dance music by marrying glitch‑laden production with stark, personal vocals. The album unfolds over twelve tracks, each featuring a different guest who is given...
“Most of Them Had Never Worked with a Black American Singer Before. He Was Really Supportive. He’s One of Two...
PP Arnold recalls how keyboard virtuoso Keith Emerson assembled a backing band—later known as The Nice—for her 1968 debut, despite most young British musicians never having worked with a Black American singer. Emerson’s classical training and love of American music helped...
Music of Remembrance to Present 50th World Premiere
Music of Remembrance (MOR) will celebrate its 50th world premiere on May 17 with the new opera “The Dialogue of Memories,” composed by Tom Cipullo and based on Howard Reich’s conversations with Elie Wiesel. The work explores Reich’s discovery of his mother’s...
Beth Morrison Projects to Present New Works by BMP:NEXTGEN 3 Finalists
Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) will showcase new works by the two finalists of its BMP:NEXTGEN program, Anuj Bhutani and Harriet Steinke. Each composer received a 30‑minute vocal‑theatre commission and mentorship from Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek. Semi‑staged performances will take...
Opéra De Saint-Étienne Announces 2026-27 Season Featuring Cyrille Dubois, Thomas Bettinger, Florie Valiquette &
The Opéra de Saint‑Étienne announced a 2026‑27 season that mixes classic operas with contemporary concerts. Highlights include Bizet’s Carmen starring Héloïse Mas in November, Orff’s Carmina Burana on New Year’s Eve, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette featuring Cyrille Dubois and Florie Valiquette in spring,...
Loud Bloom
Swedish producer Olof Dreijer, half of the seminal duo The Knife, released his long‑awaited debut solo album “Loud Bloom” in May 2026. The record abandons Euro‑centric dance tropes, weaving kuduro, gqom, batida, steel‑drum textures and verses in Spanish, Arabic and Zulu. Guest...
Dancing on the Wall
MUNA’s fourth studio album, Dancing on the Wall, trades the bright synth‑pop of their 2022 self‑titled record for a moodier palette of anxious basslines and shuffling percussion. The trio—Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson and Josette Maskin— use the darker sound to explore desire,...
Sound Therapy
Brooklyn producer JWords releases "Sound Therapy", an album designed to soothe her nervous system with gentle synths and pads, diverging from her earlier anxiety‑laden club tracks. While the production showcases sticky grooves and atmospheric melodies, her vocal performances on more...
OperaVision’s May 2026 Lineup Features Productions From Opéra National Du Rhin, Lithuanian National Opera, La Monnaie / De Munt, Hungarian...
OperaVision announced its May 2026 streaming slate, featuring four European productions: Opéra National du Rhin’s “Le Roi d’Ys,” La Monnaie’s new opera “Medusa,” the Hungarian State Opera’s live “Così fan tutte,” and Lithuanian National Opera’s “I Lituani.” Each title will be available for...
What Should Lift-Off Sound Like?
Brian Eno’s ambient‑music philosophy sparked a wave of airline sonic branding, prompting agencies to craft custom soundscapes that calm passengers and reinforce brand identity. DLMDD’s “Northern Colours” for Norwegian and “Symphony of Flowers” for Singapore illustrate how musical motifs can...
Play Monk
European avant‑garde quartet Play Monk releases a daring album that reinterprets Thelonious Monk’s canon through a collective, rehearsal‑free approach. Pianist Pat Thomas, bassist Joel Grip, drummer Antonin Gerbal and saxophonist Seymour Wright stretch familiar tunes into lengthy, experimental journeys, most notably a 25‑minute take on “Round Midnight.”...
Deadbeats Celebrates 10 Years as a Defining Force in Bass Music
Deadbeats, founded by Zeds Dead in 2016, marks its 10‑year anniversary as a leading independent bass‑music label. The imprint has cultivated a roster that includes REZZ, Subtronics, IMANU, Rusko and Caspa, while its “We Are Deadbeats” compilations have helped shape...
Eric Church Delivers UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement Speech Like a Guitar Lesson, Performs ‘Carolina’ for Grads
Eric Church, a two‑time Billboard 200 chart‑topper, delivered the keynote at UNC‑Chapel Hill’s May 10 commencement for the class of 2026. He turned the address into a guitar lesson, using a six‑string metaphor to illustrate faith, family, heart, ambition, resilience and community. The...
Recorded in Just 36 Hours, Led Zeppelin’s Self-Funded Debut Album Changed Rock Forever on This Day in 1969
Led Zeppelin’s self‑funded debut album was recorded in just 36 hours and released in May 1969. The band paid roughly $61,000 out of pocket, giving them full creative control. The record entered the UK chart at No. 6, peaked at No. 10 in the United...
Dave Matthews Band Open 2026 Tour by Digging Deep Into Their Catalog
Dave Matthews Band kicked off its 2026 U.S. tour with two Texas shows, delivering a 20‑song set in The Woodlands and a 22‑song set in Dallas that featured rare and unreleased tracks. The band revived "Only Takes a Moment," "Broken...
How Vanilla Fudge's 1967 Cover of 'You Keep Me Hanging On' Shaped Heavy Metal and Led to Their Downfall
In 1967 Vanilla Fudge turned The Supremes’ pop hit “You Keep Me Hanging On” into a seven‑minute psychedelic metal epic, propelling the band into the US Top 10. The track’s slow, heavy arrangement became a template for early heavy‑metal sounds, influencing...
Heidi Curtis Has Tapped Into Something “Ancient, Wild and Supernatural” On Her New Single ‘Behind The Door’
Heidi Curtis has released the new single “Behind The Door,” the lead track from her debut EP Hollow Heart, which drops on May 29 through independent distributor AWAL. The song emerged from a dream and Curtis describes it as “ancient, wild and supernatural.”...
“People Are Becoming Weirder”: The Kinks’ Dave Davies Pushes Back on Controversy Surrounding This 1970 Classic
The Kinks’ 1970 hit “Lola,” which reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the UK, has resurfaced amid controversy after electronic artist Moby called the track transphobic. The criticism ignited a swift backlash, with many in the trans...
On This Day in 1974, Eric Clapton Reluctantly Recorded the Only US No. 1 of His Career (Inadvertently Infuriating Bob...
On May 10, 1974 Eric Clapton released a blues‑rock rendition of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” which climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—his only U.S. chart‑topping single. The cover blended reggae rhythm with Clapton’s signature guitar work, exposing American audiences to the genre....
DIMMU BORGIR's SILENOZ: 'We Have Never Taken The Easy Way Out' And 'We Have Never Compromised'
Swedish symphonic black‑metal veterans Dimmu Borgir announced their ninth studio album, Grand Serpent Rising, slated for May 22 on Nuclear Blast Records. Guitarist Sven “Silenoz” Kopperud explained the band’s eight‑year gap since 2018’s Eonian stems from a commitment to quality, not...
These 3 Live Duets Are So Bittersweet (If You Know the Context Behind Them)
The article highlights three iconic live duets—Sonny & Cher’s 1987 rendition of “I Got You Babe,” Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 performance of “Silver Springs,” and George Jones & Tammy Wynette’s 1980 version of “We’re Gonna Hold On.” Each song was performed years after the artists’ divorces, turning the stage...
“That Feeling Must Be Spat Out”: Really Good Time Have Announced Their Debut Album ‘Affirmations’
Irish indie trio Really Good Time announced their debut album ‘Affirmations’, slated for release on 7 August 2026. The announcement coincides with the launch of a new single, ‘Do It’, accompanied by a video directed by Sophie O'Donovan. The band’s breakout...
Porches Has Returned with ‘MASK’, Recorded on a Four-Track in a New York Basement
Aaron Maine, the mind behind Porches, announced the mixtape ‘MASK’ for release on May 14, 2026. The collection was recorded on a four‑track tape machine in a Wooster Street basement, a deliberate choice that shapes its raw, lo‑fi aesthetic. The...
Zzzahara Has Shared the Windswept New Single ‘Speedracer’ Ahead of Album ‘Distant Lands’
Los Angeles‑based Zzzahara has dropped the single “Speedracer,” the latest teaser for the forthcoming album “Distant Lands.” The track follows the earlier single “Chinese Tobacco” and arrives with an official, neon‑lit video. “Distant Lands” is scheduled for release on June 5,...
Remember When Michael Jackson Released His First Solo Single in 1972?
In 1972, ten‑year‑old Michael Jackson launched his solo career with the single “Got To Be There,” which climbed into the Billboard Top 5. The follow‑up “Rockin’ Robin” also reached the Top 5, confirming his appeal beyond the family act. Jackson balanced his...
4 Elton John Lyrics From ‘A Single Man’ That Are Seriously Slept On
Elton John’s 2024 album *A Single Man* marks a rare departure from his long‑time partnership with Bernie Taupin, enlisting lyricist Gary Osborne for the entire record. While the album received mixed reviews, four tracks—“Shine On Through,” “Part‑Time Love,” “Georgia,” and...
SAOSIN Take Home First Gold Album
Saosin, the California post‑hardcore band, has earned its first RIAA gold album for its debut record, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of that release. The certification follows a new single, “Starting Over Again,” their first in a decade, and a...
Cast Change: Marta Torbidoni Joins Teatro Alla Scala’s ‘Nabucco’
Marta Torbidoni has been announced as the new Abigaille for Teatro alla Scala’s revival of Verdi’s Nabucco, stepping in for the June 4, 6, and 9, 2026 performances. She replaces the originally slated Russian soprano Inara Kozlavskaya. Torbidoni is a veteran of La Scala, having sung in...
“Zeppelin Was Primarily an In-Person Band… That’s What It Was Really About”: The Greatest Led Zeppelin Album No One Ever...
Led Zeppelin’s September 4 1970 concert at the Inglewood Forum was captured by fan bootleggers and released as the legendary “Live On Blueberry Hill” album. The double‑LP, issued by the Blimp label and other bootleg series, showcases extended improvisations, early versions of Zep III songs, and eclectic...
BIFF BYFORD Reveals Release Date For New SAXON Album; First Single To Arrive In September 2026
British heavy‑metal veterans Saxon announced their 25th studio album will drop on Friday, Jan 22 2027, with the lead single and a seven‑inch vinyl slated for September 2026. The record, mixed by longtime producer Andy Sneap, follows 2024’s “Hell, Fire And Damnation.”...
Kendrick Lamar Reflects on What He Believes To Be His Musical ‘Superpower’
Kendrick Lamar told SZA in a Harper's Bazaar interview that his greatest musical asset is the ability to tap into both masculine and feminine energies. He describes this balance as his "superpower," allowing him to communicate authentically with a wide...
SKID ROW's RACHEL BOLAN Reflects On Experience Of Recording Backing Vocals For ACE FREHLEY's 'Trouble Walkin'' Album
Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan reminisced about his 1989 backing‑vocal stint on Ace Frehley’s solo album “Trouble Walkin’,” recalling a studio session that featured KISS legend Peter Criss and producer Eddie Kramer. In the same interview he announced his own debut solo record, “Gargoyle...
How LL Cool J Stayed in the Game After He Felt Like Giving up Due to Multiple Label Rejections
LL Cool J recounts how a string of label rejections in the mid‑1980s nearly drove him to quit rap. His mother intervened, buying a $300 rhythm machine that enabled him to record a demo of “I Need A Beat.” The...
DEVIN TOWNSEND: 'The Hardest Part About Being A Singer Is That You Can't Hide'
Canadian musician Devin Townsend announced the May 29 release of his ambitious rock opera “The Moth” via InsideOut Music, a 24‑track project split into a core album, an orchestral‑choral “Afterlife” version, and a live “War” recording. In a Home Studio podcast...
Lou Gramm Kicks Off 2026 Solo Tour: Set List and Video
Veteran rock vocalist Lou Gramm launched his 2026 solo tour on May 9 at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, Indiana. The 15‑song set leaned heavily on Foreigner classics, opening with “Feels Like the First Time” and closing with “Hot Blooded.” Gramm...
Charli XCX Drops New Song “I Keep On Thinking Bout You Every Single Day and Night”
Charli XCX released a new B‑side titled “I Keep On Thinking Bout You Every Single Day and Night,” available only on limited‑edition vinyl and her Instagram B‑sides feed. The track serves as a slower, softer counterpart to her recent single...
Chance The Rapper Candidly Opens up About Living in His Hometown of Chicago: ‘It’s More Than Just a City’
Chance The Rapper opened up about his hometown Chicago, describing it as a "situation" where gun violence is normalized. He highlighted the city’s rich musical lineage while condemning the daily reality of shootings, citing Chief Keef and Kanye West as...
JOHN 5 On His Approach To Performing MÖTLEY CRÜE Songs: 'I Wanna Play It Exactly, Exactly Like How It Was...
John 5, the newly appointed guitarist for Mötley Crüe, insists on playing the band’s classic tracks exactly as recorded, a stance he also applied while touring with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. He spent months mastering every solo note‑for‑note, treating the original recordings as...
Read Southall Wrote a Song About His Family Losing Their Farm. He Says It Saved His Future
Oklahoma country‑rock outfit Southall returns with *Kinfolk*, their first album in three years, after rebranding from the Read Southall Band. Recorded at Norman’s 115 Recording with producer Wes Sharon, the nine‑track record adopts an “anything goes” studio philosophy, blending electric...
Watch: GODSMACK's New Lineup Headlines 2026 MMRBQ In Camden, New Jersey
Godsmack headlined the 2026 MMRBQ festival in Camden, debuting new drummer Wade Murff and confirming guitarist Sam Koltun as a full‑time member. The band’s live album “Live At Mohegan Sun” captures the final performance of original members Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola, who have retired after...
MORGAN ROSE Confirms That SEVENDUST Had A Blueprint To Calling It Quits: "It Was Absolutely Discussed"
Morgan Rose confirmed that Sevendust had a concrete plan to retire after their fifteenth album, but a strong European fan response prompted the band to continue. The group has scheduled a 16‑date European headline tour, its first in eight years,...