Nicol Ostrc

Bop Shop: Songs From Joy Oladokun, Denzel Curry, Euphoria, And More

The search for the ever-elusive “bop” is difficult. Playlists and streaming-service recommendations can only do so much. They often leave a lingering question: Are these songs really good, or are they just new? Enter Bop Shop, a hand-picked selection of songs from the MTV News team. This weekly collection doesn’t discriminate by genre and can include anything — it’s a snapshot of what’s on our minds and what sounds good. We’ll keep it fresh with the latest music, but expect a few oldies (but goodies) every once in a while, too. Get ready: The Bop Shop is now open for business. Charli XCX: “Beg for You” (ft. Rina Sawayama) https://youtu.be/7OhqYJyZcvM Longtime friends Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama teased the hell out of “Beg for You,” and for good reason. The London-based pop queens’ amorous collab samples September’s 2005 dance-pop hit “Cry for You,” infusing some early-aughts nostalgia into the club-ready banger. “Oh, don’t you leave me this way / Won’t you wait another hour or two?” a desperate Charli implores on the chorus. “You know I need you to stay / Don’t make me beg for you, ’cause I’ll beg for you.” Crash, Charli’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, arrives in March, so… Read More →

25JANNews

Listen to Stereophonics’ soaring new song, ‘Forever’

Stereophonics have shared a soaring new single today (January 25) – you can listen to ‘Forever’ below. READ MORE: Stereophonics on new album ‘Oochya!’ and tour: “You can’t fake those rock n’ roll songs” The track is the latest preview of ‘Oochya!’, the Welsh band’s 12th album, which will arrive on March 4 via Stylus Records through Ignition Records Ltd and is available to pre-order here. ‘Forever’ follows the previously released ‘Hanging On Your Hinges’ and ‘Do Ya Feel My Love?’ and is described as “a reflective track that evokes freedom and the open road.” Advertisement Speaking about the new track, frontman Kelly Jones says: “’Forever’ is about escapism. It’s about longing for a freedom for someone and taking away the pain they’re going through, it’s about taking a bullet for them. “It’s about wanting to free the ones you love of pain, but we can’t – life’s pain is where we find growth. So the song has a lot wrapped up in it. People are feeling a lot of that these days.” You can listen to the new song below: Of the upcoming new album, Jones added: “It’s quite an emotional record. At times it’s very nostalgic. The whole album is… Read More →

24JANHit Singles

Introducing our latest online exclusive: The Ultimate Companion to Ziggy Stardust

If you happened to be looking for the precise moment at which the stars came into alignment for David Bowie in 1972, there are plenty of occasions to choose from. It could be the point where, arriving on a plane into Los Angeles, the name “Ziggy Stardust” occurs to him for the first time. Whole books have been written on the hard to challenge notion that lightning finally strikes for Bowie (and an entire TV viewing population) after the performance of “Starman” on Top Of The Pops on July 6th. BUY NOW: The Ultimate Companion to Ziggy Stardust It could be though, that the essence of Ziggy/Bowie’s mercurial genius presented itself a little earlier, and in a comparatively private space – the studio. Such was the roll he was on, even after having written two albums and a new single, when Bowie heard that Mott The Hoople were on the point of breaking up, he attempted to dissuade them by offering them a song. Had he given up when Mott’s “Overend” Watts politely declined “Suffragette City”, then music would be at least one glam rock anthem poorer. As it was, Bowie phoned Watts back three hours later with a different… Read More →

24JANHit Singles

The Ultimate Companion to Ziggy Stardust

Presenting our latest online exclusive: The Ultimate Companion to Ziggy Stardust. The full scoop on Bowie’s most famous creation – Ziggy Stardust. Includes a massive new interview, the lowdown on every Bowie’s music from 1970-1973. Also: rediscovered interviews, all in this latest issue. Buy a copy here!

24JANNews

PENTAGON unveil sleek music video for new single, ‘Feelin’ Like’

K-pop boyband PENTAGON have made their much-anticipated comeback with ‘Feelin’ Like’. READ MORE: PENTAGON – ‘LOVE Or TAKE’ EP review: a catchy if uninspired collection of tunes about springtime romance The members of PENTAGON look suave in the cinematic new visual, which is set in a lavish art gallery filled with curious ornaments and sculptures. “You got me feelin’ like,” they sing, before launching into a series of intricate dance moves as the track shifts into its funky chorus. ‘Feelin’ Like’ is the title track of their 12th mini-album ‘IN:VITE U’, which was released at the same time. Notably, the R&B-inspired single was penned by members Wooseok, Kino and Jinho. Advertisement The project also marks the first PENTAGON release to feature member Jinho since 2020’s ‘Universe: The Black Hall’, following the completion of his mandatory military service. The six-track record was largely written and composed by the members of PENTAGON. In a press release, the group described the new record as an “invitation to a new world,” where they explore the definition of love through each of its tracks, such as the alternative rock-inspired ‘One Shot’ and glitchy synth-heavy ‘The Game’. ‘IN:VITE U’ is also the group’s first comeback… Read More →

24JANNews

Ashley Park thought she went “into shock” after BTS reposted her ‘Dynamite’ cover

Emily In Paris actress Ashley Park has opened up about what her reaction to BTS reposting her cover of the boyband’s hit single ‘Dynamite’. READ MORE: Yuju on her rebirth as a soloist: “Obviously, I’m really worried about doing this alone” During her recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actress revealed that she has been in “shock” after finding out that BTS members RM and V shared clips of her rendition of the group’s 2020 hit, which she performed in an episode of the Netflix series. A few days after the episode was released leader RM took to Instagram Story, where he reaction to the peformance. Meanwhile, vocalist V showed love for the cover by reposting the scene on his personal Instagram account. Advertisement “The whole rest of the day after [they] had posted that I couldn’t think, I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t get up. I was like, ‘Is this what is feels like when your body goes into shock?’,” said Park, adding that she had felt discomfort in her head and sinuses, but wrote it off as her reaction to the acknowledgment by the BTS members. However, Park later found out that there was another reason behind her… Read More →

23JANNews

Listen to Nilüfer Yanya’s shimmering new song ‘Midnight Sun’

Nilüfer Yanya has shared another taster of her upcoming second album – watch the video for the widescreen new track ‘Midnight Sun’ below. READ MORE: Nilüfer Yanya’s debut album is a ‘Black Mirror’-infused nightmare wrapped in lush indie-rock ‘Midnight Sun’ follows recent track ‘Stabilise’ in previewing her upcoming second album ‘Painless’, which is set to arrive on March 4 via ATO and follows 2019 debut ‘Miss Universe’. “It’s a song about recognising what it feels like to be pushed down but wanting to resist,” Yanya said of ‘Midnight Sun’ in a statement. “I really like the imagery of ‘midnight sun’ as a lyric as it insinuates a light guiding you through darkness. The wings carry their own symbolism – freedom, lightness, flight, fantasy… Advertisement “If I could pick what people saw and heard it would be: seeing the beauty of confrontation and the necessity of rebellion,” she added. Watch the ‘Midnight Sun’ video below. The singer will hit the road in support of ‘Painless’ this spring, with the tour beginning in Glasgow on March 3 and including stop-offs in Dublin (March 12), Manchester (14) and Bristol (15). Yanya’s UK stint will conclude with a performance at Electric Brixton in London on… Read More →

22JANNews

‘SNL’’s Pete Davidson and Colin Jost want to turn old Staten Island Ferry boat into new performance venue

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost have bought an old Staten Island Ferry boat with plans to turn it into a performance venue, according to reports. The Saturday Night Live stars, who are both from Staten Island, are said to have won a decommissioned ferryboat at an auction organised by the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. READ MORE: SNL heroes: stunning Saturday Night Live performances by your favourite stars Davidson and Jost anonymously bid on the boat alongside comedy club owner Paul Italia, paying $218,100 (£161k) for the vessel, which is named after President John F. Kennedy. Bidding began at $125,000 (£92k). Advertisement The trio reportedly plan to turn the ferry into a new venue with a capacity of 5,200 people, which will host music, comedy and other performance events. Before that can happen, though, the boat will need to be renovated and a permanent docking place will need to be acquired. The Staten Island Ferry CREDIT: Mario Tama/Getty Images In November, Davidson paid tribute to his home borough on SNL, alongside Marc Cohn, Method Man and Big Wet. They performed a parody of Cohn’s ‘Walking In Memphis’, renamed ‘Walking In Staten’. Meanwhile, the comedian recently shared what… Read More →

22JANNews

Halsey reveals ‘Nightmare’ originally featured Tatu sample, shares unreleased demo

Halsey has taken to TikTok to reveal the original demo for their 2019 single ‘Nightmare’ featuring a sample of Tatu’s iconic ‘All The Things She Said’. READ MORE: Halsey: “I’ve always been driven to reinvent myself and reinvent my genre” Before the track was released Elena Kiper, one of the original songwriters, posted on her Instagram that the song “contained an extensive interpolation of the original work” but said the finished version only referenced the track. Now though, Halsey has shared the original version of ‘Nightmare’, complete with the Tatu sample, alongside the caption: “Should I leak this version?”. Check it out below. @halsey should I leak this version? ? #tatu ♬ original sound – Halsey Advertisement ‘Nightmare’ ended up being a standalone single but was added onto the expanded release of Halsey’s 2021 album ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power‘ alongside a ‘Reprise’ version of the track. While they were on the subject of leaking their own material, Halsey also uploaded a snippet of an unreleased song. “A song I wrote about hoping my little brother grows up in a better world than this one,” reads the caption. The untitled track sounds like it could be from… Read More →

22JANNews

When We Were Young festival promoters address safety concerns

Live Nation, the company behind the When We Were Young festival, has released a statement addressing safety concerns following the Astroworld tragedy. READ MORE: 20 festivals to look forward to in 2022 Announced earlier this week, When We Were Young will be headlined by My Chemical Romance and Paramore, with fellow ’00s emo acts like Avril Lavigne, Jimmy Eat World and pop-punk revivalists Meet Me @ The Altar also playing. The first date sold out instantly, as did the second. However, fans have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns after realising Live Nation were also behind Travis Scott’s Astroworld, where 10 people tragically lost their lives during a crowd crush and hundreds more were injured. Advertisement The company has been named in a number of the nearly-300 suits filed in Harris County but in December, Live Nation and its subsidiary ScoreMore, Astroworld’s promoters, denied in filed documents all the allegations against them. “The safety of fans, artists and staff is thoroughly planned for among event organisers and in coordination with local authorities,” Live Nation wrote in a statement in response to concerns about When We Were Young. We are incredibly humbled by the support of this community. When we… Read More →

21JANNews

Fugees completely cancel ‘The Score’ 25th anniversary reunion tour

Fugees have announced that they’ve had to cancel their long-awaited reunion tour. The hugely influential hip-hop group – Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel – announced in September last year that they would reunite for a 2021 world tour celebrating 25 years of their classic 1996 album ‘The Score’. In October, the group announced that they would be rescheduling the tour’s original run of dates to 2022 in order to ensure “the best chance that all cities on the tour will be fully open” following some of them being restricted due to COVID measures being put in place. Advertisement Today (January 21), however, the New Jersey trio informed fans that the tour won’t be going ahead at all due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We anticipate and understand disappointment but our anniversary tour will not be able to happen,” the Fugees wrote in a statement shared to social media. “The continued Covid pandemic has made touring conditions difficult, and we want to make sure we keep our fans and ourselves healthy and safe. “And idea sparked to honour and celebrate this 25th anniversary of The Score but we see now it may not currently be our time for revisiting this past… Read More →

21JANNews

Listen to Bad Boy Chiller Crew’s latest single ‘BMW’

Bad Boy Chiller Crew have shared their latest single ‘BMW’ today – listen to it below. READ MORE: The NME Big Read: Bad Boy Chiller Crew: “We’re not a proper boyband. There’s nothing normal about us” It’s the latest song released from their upcoming mixtape ‘Disrespectful’, following on from the recently released ‘Messages’. The 16-track collection also includes previous singles ‘Bikes N Scoobys’, ‘Don’t You Worry About Me’ and ‘Footsteps To My Shoes’. Advertisement The mixtape will arrive on February 18 via Relentless Records. As with their last track, the song’s video has been directed by LG Vision. Check it out here: The group recently announced details a full UK and Ireland tour for 2022. The Bradford group will hit the road in April for headline performances in Leeds, Grimsby, Bristol, London, Manchester, Dublin and other cities throughout the month and into May. Tickets are currently on sale here. Speaking to NME recently about their live shows, BBCC explained: “When we’re on stage, that’s when we have the best laughs. Performing live doesn’t feel like work.” Advertisement As for their ambitions for the future, the band’s Gareth Kelly said: “As long as Adele or Ed Sheeran aren’t playing about, I reckon we could get… Read More →

21JANNews

Listen to Megan Thee Stallion on new Shenseea song, ‘Lick’

Megan Thee Stallion makes an appearance on Shenseea’s new song, ‘Lick’ – watch the video below. READ MORE: The Big Read – Megan Thee Stallion: “I’m really working on my dynasty right now” The track is the first single to be taken from Shenseea’s upcoming new album ‘Alpha’, which arrives on March 11 via Rich Immigrants/Interscope. The Murda Beatz-produced track includes a sample of Pupa Nas T and Denise Belfon’s ‘Work’. Advertisement Watch the video, which Shenseea co-directed with James Larese and Shenseea, here: Shenseea signed to Rich Immigrants and Interscope in 2019, releasing her debut single ‘Blessed’ on the label that same year. The singles ‘Run Run’, ‘Be Good’ and ‘You’re The One I Love’ followed in 2020. In 2021, Shenseea appeared on Kanye West’s ‘Donda’, featuring on ‘OK OK Pt 2’ and ‘Pure Souls.’ Advertisement Back in December, Stallion‘s recent university graduation was said to inspire college dropouts to return to their studies by a college professor. Speaking to TMZ, Dr Monica Rasmus, a university program director for health administration at Texas Southern University, said that she’s had an influx of students reaching out and wanting to return to college in light of Stallion’s graduation. Rasmus wasn’t able to provide hard data… Read More →

21JANHit Singles

The Soundcarriers – Wilds

It’s unfortunate that The Soundcarriers are so identified with ‘hauntology’, the term coined by Simon Reynolds to describe what he referred to as “ghostified” music. While it’s unquestionably invited and warranted, this emphasis on the Nottingham band’s expertise at evoking a bygone era, as well as the technical manner in which they do so, focuses the spotlight on their historical influences. Prioritising style over their substance does the quartet few favours, however, because it makes it harder to think of them as a ‘living’ band. The reality is that while they may raise ghosts from the past – among them producers from the 1960s and early 1970s such as Joe Meek, David Axelrod and Serge Gainsbourg – The Soundcarriers are considerably more substantial than they are spectral. ORDER NOW: Johnny Marr is on the cover in the latest issue of Uncut On Wilds that’s more obvious than on their three previous collections, which have generally been more whimsical, flower-power affairs, indebted to breezy sources of folk, tropicália and psychedelia like Pentangle, Erasmos Carlos and The United States Of America. Leonore Wheatley’s maidenly vocals still indicate a fondness for chasing white rabbits like Grace Slick or skipping round maypoles in the… Read More →

20JANNews

NIVF announces relaunch of Emergency Relief Fund

The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) has announced the reopening of its Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) to provide economic relief to independent music and comedy venues, festivals, and promoters across the US. READ MORE: “We wanted togetherness and community”: how gigs came back with a bang in 2021 Originally launched in October 2020 by NIVF’s parent group, the National Independent Venue Association, the fund is intended to offer support to venues affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The relief fund will now cover additional unforeseeable events, including natural disasters, “the lasting effects of COVID-19”, and potential future pandemics. Advertisement “These venues and promoters contribute in immeasurable ways to the vibrancy of the nation’s diverse communities and economy,” said Lisa Gedgaudas, co-chair of the NIVF ERF committee and program manager, Cultural Affairs Arts & Venues with the city of Denver. “While NIVF’s ERF is limited in resources compared to the federal funding we have seen, it is our social responsibility to have this program in place to help represent our independent contributors that are hardest hit and facing severe and catastrophic emergencies beyond their control. The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF), a 501(c)(3) organization, would like to announce the relaunch of its… Read More →

20JANNews

Radiohead side project The Smile announce worldwide ticket ballot for London shows

Radiohead side project The Smile have confirmed details of a ticket ballot for fans from around the world for their upcoming London shows at Magazine. READ MORE: Jonny Greenwood’s film scores – ranked! The group – comprising Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, plus Sons Of Kemet’s Tom Skinner – announced the three live shows earlier this month (January 5), due to take place across January 29 and January 30. The trio said in a press release: “We have been overwhelmed with how quickly the three shows on 29th & 30th sold out. Thank you so much for the response. Advertisement “We wanted to try to make this a global audience in the venue as well as online, so we’ve held back some venue tickets for sale – a pair for every country in the world across the three shows. We would love it if you could join a show timed to suit your motherland’s time zone.” The time zones for tickets are: – Saturday 8pm for EMEA – Sunday 1am for the Americas – Sunday 11am for APAC Thom Yorke, Johnny Greenwood and Tom Skinner as The Smile. CREDIT: Press Ballot entries must be submitted by 10pm GMT on January 23. Winners will then receive an email… Read More →

20JANNews

Every Time I Die bassist Steve Micciche releases lengthy statement following band breakup

After a public spat between Every Time I Die frontman Keith Buckley and the band’s other four members – leading to their breakup this week – bassist Steve Micciche has given his perspective in a lengthy string of tweets. On Tuesday (January 18), Micciche, guitarists Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams, and drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak all shared a joint statement saying their last show with the band took place in December. They wrote: “While we hoped to come to an agreed upon legal statement that outlined the truth, we were informed today of something planned to be released not mutually agreed upon that consists of inaccuracies and controls a narrative to benefit one.” Advertisement The message went on to say that there has been “no direct communication” with Buckley, saying “it’s either impossible for direct communication with him solely or we’ve been cut off to any and all communication by him himself”. The following day, Buckley responded with a lengthy statement, saying that “any emotional [or] metal connection” he had with his former bandmates had been “thoroughly severed” when he got a letter from a law firm on December 20, which Buckley had shared on the same day the band’s… Read More →

19JANNews

Poppy announces details of ‘Never Find My Place’ world tour

Poppy has unveiled details of a full world tour called ‘Never Find My Place’. READ MORE: Poppy – ‘Flux’ review: determined, fun-filled and perception-defying alt-rock The tour will kick off on March 8 in the US and will be punctuated by a group of festival appearances this summer, including Roskilde, Welcome To Rockville and When We Were Young. This will be Poppy’s first tour since her ‘I Disagree’ tour was cut short in early 2020 following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Poppy will arrive in the UK in November and will kick things off in Bristol, before heading out to London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. After much Ado’! I’m delighted to announce the Never Find My Place Tour! ✨ Rescheduled shows on sale now! @ https://t.co/3z2NC5hVQ1 New shows on sale Friday 9am local time Previously purchased tickets will be honored! pic.twitter.com/Fz204g302P — Poppy (@poppy) January 19, 2022 You can see the full list of UK dates below and purchase tickets for all dates here. NOVEMBER 2020 26 – Bristol, UK – SWX 27 – London, UK – Shepherds Bush Empire 28 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute 29 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz 30 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Earlier this month, Poppy… Read More →

19JANNews

Cardi B helps cover funeral costs of Bronx fire victims

Cardi B has pledged to help cover funeral expenses for the families of the 17 people who died in a Bronx apartment fire earlier this month. On January 9, a blaze broke out in a Bronx apartment block caused by a malfunctioning portable electric heater. The fire took the lives of 17 people, including eight children. According to the New York Mayor’s office, Cardi B is partnering with Mayor Eric Adams’ Bronx Fire Relief Fund to help pay for the burial costs of those whose lives were lost in the fire. “When I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” Cardi said in a statement. “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.” Mayor Adams spoke on Cardi’s pledge in his own statement. “The resilience of this city reflects everyday New Yorkers who never turn their back on one another. We are grateful for Cardi B,… Read More →

19JANNews

Biffy Clyro reschedule 2022 European tour: “We are gutted”

Biffy Clyro have postponed their 2022 European headline tour due to ongoing COVID concerns – see all the details below. The Scottish trio were due to hit the road in Europe last October for a run of delayed concerts. In June, however, they announced that the gigs were being pushed back again to February/March this year. READ MORE: Biffy Clyro live in London: Everything you could want from a rock show Taking to social media today (January 19), Biffy Clyro told fans that the concerts will now take place between August and October “due to ongoing concerns and restrictions around Coronavirus”. Advertisement The show originally scheduled for Atlantico Rome on February 27 is “no longer possible”, according to the band. Ticketholders for that date are advised to contact their point of purchase for refund information. “We are gutted to be moving these dates again,” Biffy said in a statement, “but can’t wait to come out and see everyone when it’s safe to do so. Simon, James & Ben x.” Tickets purchased for the previously announced dates remain valid. You can see the updated tour poster and read the statement in full below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by… Read More →

19JANNews

MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul stages an escape in new ‘Lunatic’ music video

MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul has unveiled her music video for ‘Lunatic’, the lead single off her new mini-album ‘6equence’. READ MORE: Hwasa’s ‘Guilty Pleasure’ is a bold, brilliant ode to life’s conflicting nature In the new visual, Moonbyul is in a hospital, partying with the staff and fellow patients before eventually trying to stage an escape from her stay as nurses attempted to chase her down. “I’m so wishy-washy, 12 times a day / I’m so changeful / I know it’s not because of you / But I lose control / I only get mad at you,” she sings on the upbeat chorus Advertisement Last month, Moonbyul had dropped two tracks from ‘6equence’ as pre-release singles. The first was ‘GP999’, which featured vocals K-hip-hop musician Mirani, released on December 13. The other was ‘Shutdown’, featuring K-R&B singer-songwriter Seori, on December 30. Earlier this year, Moonbyul spoke about her thoughts on the group’s notable popularity among female fans. “There’s a certain excitement and emotional aspect that comes out of receiving recognition from the same gender,” Moonbyul said. “Since we are the same gender, it feels like they understand even my inner self.” In related MAMAMOO news, member Wheein has returned with her new… Read More →