Suki Benjamin

News

Baby Queen releases new single ‘Colours Of You’ from Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper’

Baby Queen has released new single ‘Colours Of You’ taken from the official soundtrack to Netflix’s Heartstopper – check it out below. READ MORE: Baby Queen: “It’s important for pop music to be saying something right now” The dreamy pop track is the first new material from Baby Queen since the release of 2021’s “underdog’s anthem” ‘Wannabe’. The song was written specifically for Netflix’s coming-of-age teen romance series Heartstopper. Advertisement “To be asked to be a part of a story as beautiful and culturally important as Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper was unbelievable, and still feels completely surreal,” said Baby Queen (real name Bella Latham) in a statement. Listen to ‘Colours Of You’ below. “‘Colours Of You’ is a song I wrote about one of the lead character’s journeys through the discovery and acceptance of his own sexuality. The song means a lot to me and is different to a lot of the music people have heard from me before, so I feel like I get to show a different side to myself as an artist and a writer,” she added. Speaking about the show on social media, Latham wrote: “This story is so important. I wish I’d been able to… Read More →

News

Declan McKenna shares limited-edition charity single ‘Elephant’

Declan McKenna has shared new track ‘Elephant’ with all proceeds going to charity – however it’s only available for the next two weeks. READ MORE: Declan McKenna: “There is a time for understanding – and that time is now” Described by McKenna as a demo, ‘Elephant’ carries on the dystopian themes of 2020’s second album ‘Zeroes’ but pushes things further, taking on a more industrial vibe. The track is available until May 6 with at least £1.30 of the £1.99 price tag going to Brian Eno’s climate change charity EarthPercent. Check out the song here. Advertisement Announcing it on Twitter, McKenna wrote: “A new tune ‘Elephant’ is available from Bandcamp for the next 2 weeks only. Pay what you like.” It’s the first new material McKenna has released since 2021’s standalone single ‘My House’. A new tune “Elephant” is available from bandcamp for the next 2 weeks only, all proceeds go to @earthpercentorg pay what you likeVvvVvvVhttps://t.co/8JnADL4z2f pic.twitter.com/ZEGFzkAACP — Declan mckenna (@DeclanMcKenna) April 22, 2022 Founded in 2021 by Brian Eno, EarthPercent aims “to offer simple and innovative ways for businesses and artists to donate to the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency”. To mark Earth Day (April 22),… Read More →

News

Watch FKA Twigs hitch a ride in “cheeky” new ‘Honda’ video

FKA Twigs has shared the official video for her latest single ‘Honda’ – you can watch it below. READ MORE: The NME Big Read – FKA Twigs – “There are so many sides to me that the world hasn’t seen yet” The track appears on the singer-songwriter’s ‘Caprisongs’ mixtape, which was released back in January via Young. The video, which sees Twigs hitch a ride on top of a car, was directed by Aidan Zamiri, who also helmed the official videos for Twigs’ previous singles ‘Papi Bones’ (featuring Shygirl), ‘Meta Angel’, ‘Jealousy’ (featuring Rema) and ‘Oh My Love’. Advertisement Speaking about the song’s video and the lengths she went to get the perfect shots, Twigs told Rolling Stone: “Yolo, like with me it’s just anything to get the shot. Working with Aiden Zamiri has been incredible, he’s a genius. She added: “‘Honda’ for me is like a perfect definition of a caprivid because it’s super short and cheeky and it leaves you wanting more.” You can watch the ‘Honda’ video below: Earlier this month, it was announced that FKA Twigs had directed a new short film, in which she also stars, as part of the 2022 International Woolmark Prize celebrations. Playscape features… Read More →

News

Tom Grennan updates fans following attack in New York: “The show must go on”

Tom Grennan has shared an update after being attacked in New York, while thanking fans for their “incredible” support. The singer-songwriter was hospitalised following an “unprovoked attack and robbery” outside a bar in Manhattan after playing a headline show in New York City. As a result, he was forced to postpone his scheduled performance in Washington, D.C. yesterday (April 22). READ MORE: Tom Grennan – ‘Evering Road’ review: as nice but nondescript as the street it’s named after In a statement, his management wrote: “Tom is currently in hospital being assessed by doctors for his injuries which include a ruptured ear, torn eardrum and issue with his previously fractured jaw.” Advertisement The message went on to say that Grennan was “in good spirits but needs to temporarily recuperate whilst doctors assess his ability to continue with touring”. With Grennan’s North American tour due to resume in Boston, Massachusetts this evening (April 23), the singer has posted a video message on social media in which he spoke about the incident and his recovery. “I thought I’d come on here and let you know that I’m all good,” Grennan said. “The support that I’ve been seeing is unbelievable and very overwhelming, and… Read More →

News

Sergio Vega on why he left Deftones: “It was never about money, it was about a sense of belonging”

Sergio Vega has opened up about his recent departure from Deftones, saying he left the Californian alt-metal outfit back in March because it didn’t offer him “a sense of belonging”. READ MORE: Deftones: “Even in our worst moments, we persevere” Vega first performed with Deftones in 1999, filling in for bassist Chi Chang on a tour preceding their ‘White Pony’ release. After a serious car accident forced Chang to leave the band in 2008, Vega was brought as his full-time replacement. He appeared on the last four of Deftones’ studio albums, starting with 2010’s ‘Diamond Eyes’ and most recently, 2020’s ‘Ohms’. But in a new interview with the Talk Toomey podcast (transcribed by The PRP), Vega alleged that he was never formally made an official member of the band. He explained: “Over the years, it started to become like ‘Hey I would really like to belong to this,’ and whenever it would come up, it was really more like they were good with the status quo.” Advertisement The bassist – who also performs in Quicksand, and has a solo project of his own – went on to say that his exit from Deftones was “not financial”, noting that although the… Read More →

News

Coldplay and Michael Stipe among artists to donate tracks to EarthPercent’s Earth Day initiative

Coldplay and Michael Stipe are among the numerous artists to have donated songs to EarthPercent’s Earth Day initiative, which has launched today (April 22). Founded in 2021 by Brian Eno, EarthPercent aims “to offer simple and innovative ways for businesses and artists to donate to the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency”. READ MORE: The music world on the aftermath of COP26: “The future needs reinforcements” To mark Earth Day today, EarthPercent has shared a list of exclusive tracks – including live versions, collaborations and previously unreleased songs – that have been donated by such artists as Coldplay, Stipe, Eno, Anna Calvi and Jarvis Cocker‘s JARV IS…, and can now be bought via Bandcamp. Advertisement Proceeds from sales of these songs will go towards funding EarthPercent’s five core areas of work: “greening music, energy transition, climate justice, legal and policy change, and protecting nature”. You can find out more about EarthPercent by heading here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EarthPercent (@earthpercent) “EarthPercent’s Earth Day campaign on Bandcamp brings artists together to offer exclusive tracks to their fans, to be sold on behalf of climate justice and environmental protection organisations. This is what unleashing the power… Read More →

News

Fontaines D.C. say they “could probably throw away the guitars eventually”

Fontaines D.C. have said that the future of the band could see them moving away from using guitars completely. Speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read, vocalist Grian Chatten and drummer Tom Coll discussed the creation of the band’s new album ‘Skinty Fia’, which was recorded live to tape over a two-week period. READ MORE: Fontaines D.C.: “People are looking to me for answers. What the fuck do I know?” “Whenever I have an idea for a tune, it doesn’t necessarily exist in a world of guitars and drums, even though those are the tools that we have to express ourselves with,” Chatten said. “I’m getting increasingly bored and unsatisfied with writing for just a bassline and a drum kit.” Advertisement Coll added that the band “aren’t listening to much guitar music, if at all” at the moment, with Chatten citing ‘ATLiens’-era OutKast and Kanye West‘s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ as his current favourites. Chatten continued: “I’d like to unlearn the sounds of ‘Dogrel’; otherwise we’ll have the same ideas coming into our music again and again. We could probably throw away the guitars eventually, and the music will still sound like us. I don’t think people would be that mad… Read More →

News

Bop Shop: Songs From Lizzo, Conan Gray, Seventeen, Emeline, 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. Emeline: “Cinderella’s Dead” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-WqCd2hIM Here is the bad-bitch anthem you need to stand up to anyone and everyone. Emeline’s new single, “Cinderella’s Dead,” will give you the confidence to be your strongest self. The pop tune has seen viral success on TikTok, where fans have not only related to the lyrics but have used it to create their own videos that tell their stories. Emeline sings, “I was 19 in a white dress when you told me I’m your princess / So I played right into your fantasy / Was your good girl, so I’d sit tight / And if I don’t… Read More →

News

Trey Songz facing $5million settlement demand for allegedly exposing woman’s breast

Trey Songz has been hit with a $5million (£3.87million) settlement demand after a fourth woman came forward to accuse him of sexual assault. In a video obtained by TMZ, Songz is seen approaching a woman and then pulling down her bikini top, exposing her breast. The woman, Megan Johnson, is demanding the settlement payment to keep the matter out of court. According to the demand letter, Johnson was having a friend take a picture of her when Songz approached her from the side, pulling down her top. “Ms. Johnson immediately pulled her top back on preparing herself for another assault,” the letter states. “With intended premeditation, [Neverson] further terrorised and humiliated Ms. Johnson with [the] degrading chant, ‘Titties in the Open’.” Johnson’s legal team claimed that since the incident, which took place in 2013, she has “engaged in self-harm, [and] suffered severe emotional distress”. Songz has faced several accusations of sexual assault throughout his career and in recent months. In 2018, he was charged over a domestic violence case – during which he claimed via Twitter that he was being “falsely accused for someone’s personal gain”. Songz also publicly responded to two separate allegations via Twitter in mid-2020, and faced a further… Read More →

News

Fatboy Slim, Romy, Mura Masa and many more announced for Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes

Fatboy Slim, Romy and Mura Masa are among the leading names who have been announced on the 2022 line-up for Glastonbury‘s Silver Hayes area. The Worthy Farm festival is set to return this year from June 22-26, with Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar to headline the Pyramid Stage. READ MORE: We’re gonna need a bigger farm: why Glastonbury 2022 could be the best in history The latest 2022 line-up announcement from Glastonbury has been made today (April 22) for the festival’s Silver Hayes area, which offers “the best names in electronic, R&B, bass, rap, drum & bass and dub music”. Advertisement As well as Fatboy Slim, Romy and Mura Masa, the likes of Berwyn, Leon Vynehall, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Sofia Kourtesis, India Jordan, Kojey Radical, ArrDee, Gorgon City, Groove Armada (DJ set), Lava La Rue, Logic1000, Nia Archives, Potter Payper and Shy FX are all set to play at Silver Hayes this year. Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes line-up (Picture: Glastonbury / Press) You can check out the full music line-up for Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes area above. In a statement, Glastonbury confirmed that, this year, Silver Hayes will see “SONIC & WOW make a welcome return, whilst new additions come… Read More →

Hit Singles

T.Rex – T.Rex 1972

In 1972, England found itself staring down a very bleak decade. Inflation continued to soar, and unemployment hit its highest rate since the 1930s, with nearly one out of every four people out of work. Tensions in Ireland escalated, and uncertainty loomed on seemingly every front. Those and other trends would culminate in blackouts and dole queues, and a general sense that the country and its culture were crumbling. But the sprite born Mark Feld existed in direct and ecstatic opposition to such doom and gloom. The country moped, but he rocked. That summer the rockstar rechristened Marc Bolan greeted his fans with a hearty mwaaaa-waaah-wahh-waaaaaah-oah! that served as a fanfare for the buoyant groove and giddy poesy of “Metal Guru” and for the poses and skewed introspection of The Slider. It wasn’t the best-selling album of the year – Rod Stewart outsold Bolan with Never A Dull Moment – but Bolan arguably more than any other musician at the time seemed to represent the future of rock’n’roll, not just where it was headed but who was defining it. ORDER NOW: Miles Davis is on the cover in the latest issue of Uncut 1972 was, of course, a signal year for… Read More →

News

Foals debut new songs ‘2am’ and ‘2001’ live as they kick off 2022 tour in Edinburgh

Foals kicked off their 2022 tour in Edinburgh last night (April 20) and gave live debuts to their tracks ‘2am’ and ‘2001’ – you can see fan-shot footage from the gig below. The three-piece are set to continue their ‘Life Is Yours’ UK tour throughout this month and into May, with headline dates in Manchester and Leeds also set for this summer. READ MORE: Foals: “Life is something to be cherished and enjoyed” Foals’ show at Usher Hall in Edinburgh last night saw the band perform their new tracks ‘2am’, which was released as a single back in February, and ‘2001’ live for the first time. Both songs will feature on their forthcoming new record ‘Life Is Yours’, which is set for release on June 17. Advertisement You can see fan-shot footage from Foals’ Edinburgh show below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charlotte (@choiroffuriesssss) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charlotte (@choiroffuriesssss) New #FOALS song snippet: the title track from #LifeIsYours album, live from the Edinburgh gig at Usher Hall (20/04/22). @foals pic.twitter.com/nP2ARAIt7p — Doug (@douglashunter90) April 20, 2022 View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Wilson-Taylor (@jameswilsontaylor) Advertisement You… Read More →

News

Green Man Festival adds Tune-Yards, Sofia Kourtesis, Nia Archives and more to 2022 line-up

Green Man Festival has announced the second wave of artists for their 2022 line-up. The Brecon Beacons, Wales festival will return for its 20th anniversary event from August 18-21. READ MORE: Green Man festival 2021: there’s magic in the mountains, and a sense of renewal With Kraftwerk, Michael Kiwanuka, Beach House, Metronomy and Bicep already set to headline this year’s festival, Green Man has now announced another wave of acts for their 2022 event. Advertisement Tune-Yards, Sofia Kourtesis and Nia Archives lead the latest additions to the line-up, with Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul, Mary Lattimore, Donny Benét, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 (who will be accompanied by the National Orchestra of Wales), Penelope Isles, Nathan Fake and The Long Blondes also on the bill. Green Man Festival 2022 line-up poster Charles Watson, Art School Girlfriend, Cerys Hafana, Ural Thomas & The Pain, John Mouse, El Goodo, Mandrake Handshake, Joe & The Shitboys, Honeyglaze, Eli Smart, Bonnie Kemplay and Social Gathering are also set to perform. Further line-ups of music, science, film, comedy and literature will be revealed by Green Man in the coming months. Tickets for Green Man Festival 2022 have already sold out, but you can find out… Read More →

News

Pooh Shiesty sentenced to five years in prison over Florida shooting

Pooh Shiesty has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a single firearms conspiracy charge. The rapper – whose real name is Lontrell Donell Williams Jr. – was charged over his involvement in an October 2020 shooting at a hotel in Bay Harbor Islands in Florida. He is said to have shot a 28-year-old man in the buttocks. After Williams pleaded guilty to a single firearms conspiracy charge earlier this year, federal prosecutors dropped three additional charges that could have resulted in a lifetime prison sentence. The most serious of these charges alleged that Shiesty fired a gun during the confrontation at the Landon Hotel in Bay Harbor Islands on October 9, 2020. Advertisement According to Stereogum, the rapper ultimately took a plea deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to one federal charge of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of violent and drug-trafficking crimes, in exchange for the three other charges being dropped. Williams has now been sentenced to 63 months – which is equal to five years and three months – rather than the 97 months he had been facing with the three extra charges taken into account. “Listen, nobody’s happy to go… Read More →

News

‘George Michael Freedom Uncut’ to be released as a global cinema event

A feature-length documentary about George Michael called Freedom Uncut will be screened in cinemas worldwide this summer. George Michael Freedom Uncut will track the artist’s life after the release of his 1987 solo album ‘Faith’, including the making of his 1990 follow-up ‘Listen Without Prejudice: Vol 1’. READ MORE: George Michael Obituary: 1963-2016 The film will include exclusive personal archival footage, as well as performances and interviews with many of Michael’s favourite artists. Advertisement Michael passed away at the age of 53 on Christmas Day in 2016. “George Michael was an inspiring artist whose story deserves to be shared on the big screen globally,” Tom Mackay, President of Premium Content at Sony Music Entertainment, said in a statement of the new film. “In honour of George’s birthday this June, we are thrilled to be working with David Austin and our partners at Trafalgar Releasing to bring fans unprecedented access to his extraordinary life both on and off stage.” Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, added: “We are proud to be bringing George Michael’s final work to the big screen in this global cinema event. “As an artist whose music continues to resonate across generations, this event will be a fitting tribute to… Read More →

News

Watch Easy Life get attacked by bees in new ‘BEESWAX’ video

Easy Life have dropped a surprise new single and video entitled ‘BEESWAX’. READ MORE: Easy Life – ‘Life’s A Beach’ review: a sun-drenched debut The clip, which you can view below, sees the Leicester band hopping on motorbikes before donning beekeeper outfits. At one point frontman Murray Matravers gets attacked by a swarm of bees. “BEESWAX’ is essentially about people being nosy,” Matravers said of the track. “In a post-lockdown universe it’s easy to feel like we are oversharing and living under a microscope, everything feels so much more invasive and overwhelming after being locked away for so long at home. Social anxiety has been something I’ve always written about but I feel like this is universal feeling now more than ever.” Advertisement He continued: “We wanted to release ‘BEESWAX’ first because sonically it lays the foundations for what is to follow: production wise, saturation and distortion are a massive part of it. I’ve also been playing around a lot with vocal production, and enjoyed making myself sound unfamiliar. I hope easy life fans appreciate the pace and urgency of this song.” The song is the first since the release of their 2021 debut album ‘Life’s A Beach’. Reviewing the record,… Read More →

News

Fontaines D.C. get reflective on atmospheric new single ‘Roman Holiday’

Fontaines D.C. have shared a brand new single called ‘Roman Holiday’ – listen to the track below. READ MORE: Fontaines D.C. on their “poppy” yet “extremely dark” third album The song is the fourth to be lifted from the Irish band’s upcoming new album, ‘Skinty Fia’, which is set for release on Friday (April 22) via Partisan Records, following previous singles ‘I Love You’, ‘Jackie Down The Line’ and the album’s title track. ‘Roman Holiday’ hears frontman Grian Chatten reflect on his experiences of moving to London and what it was like embracing the city as an Irish person. Advertisement “‘Roman Holiday’ makes me think of the wide streets of North London in the summer and the urge to discover them at night time,” Chatten said of the song. “The thrill of being a gang of Irish people in London with a bit of a secret language and my first flat with my girlfriend.” The single also sees the band delve further into the album’s poignant themes surrounding identity and belonging, with the lyrics celebrating the camaraderie found in the community of Irish people and friends that the band have found for themselves. Watch the song’s lyric video below: The band recently announced a… Read More →

News

Hot Chip announce new album ‘Freakout/Release’ and share single ‘Down’

Hot Chip have announced details of their new album ‘Freakout/Release’ – you can hear their new single ‘Down’ below. The forthcoming record will be the follow-up to the five-piece’s ‘A Bath Full Of Ecstasy’, which was released back in June 2019. READ MORE: Alexis Taylor – ‘Silence’ review: the Hot Chip frontman shows his sensitive side Hot Chip’s eighth studio album ‘Freakout/Release’ will be released on August 19 via Domino. Written and recorded in the band’s Relax & Enjoy studio in east London, the making of the album was particularly inspired by the band’s regular live cover of Beastie Boys’ ‘Sabotage’. Advertisement “The idea of being out of control is always there in dance music, in a positive sense,” Hot Chip’s Al Doyle said in a press release in relation to the cover’s influence on the new album, with frontman Alexis Taylor adding: “By the time we were able to be back together, we were turning on a tap and having a lot of ideas being poured out quite quickly.” In regards to the lyrical themes of ‘Freakout/Release’, Joe Goddard said: “We were living through a period where it was very easy to feel like people were losing control of… Read More →

Hit Singles

Uncut – June 2022

HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Sharon Van Etten, The Black Keys, Arooj Aftab, Michael Head, The Associates, Roxy Music and Glen Matlock all feature in the new Uncut, dated June 2022 and in UK shops from April 21 or available to buy online now. This issue comes with an exclusive free CD, comprising tracks featured in Uncut’s free CD. MILES DAVIS: During the early ’70s, Miles Davis once again pointed the way ahead. Fired up by Hendrix, Sly Stone, James Brown and the righteous spirit of the decade, Miles blew minds and found acclaim among a whole new audience. Fifty years after the pioneering On The Corner, and with eyewitness testimony from his bandmates, Tom Pinnock reveals the raw power of ‘Electric Miles’, as the Dark Magus turned on, tuned in and freaked out. “Man, he had all of the arrows under his belt… OUR FREE CD! MAIN SOUNDS: 15 of the best new tracks this month, including songs by Sharon Van Etten, The Black Keys, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band and more. This issue of Uncut is available to buy by clicking here – with… Read More →

News

Brockhampton share trailer about new ‘final album’

Brockhampton have shared a short teaser trailer of a video titled ‘The Final Album’ – watch it below. READ MORE: The Big Read – Brockhampton: “Shia LaBeouf is our idol and inspiration” It comes after the band surprised fans last week by announcing that their final album will be released in 2022. They made the announcement during their Coachella set on Saturday (April 16), after previously sharing that the two-weekend festival would mark an indefinite hiatus for the band. The Texas band played a trailer as they finished their packed set on the Sahara stage, which concluded with the band’s logo and the words “the final album” on the screen. Advertisement Now, the band have shared the full trailer on their social media pages. It features a clip of the band making the new album – watch below. the final album pic.twitter.com/sdtgNStRa4 — kevin abstract (@kevinabstract) April 18, 2022 Abstract had previously taken to twitter to say that their final album had been delayed, writing “Our next and final album as Brockhampton has been pushed back and will not be released until next year.” In a separate post, the group’s creative director and member Henock ‘HK’ Sileshi joked that the album had been delayed… Read More →

News

Swedish House Mafia announce Grimes and Kaytranada as tour support

Swedish House Mafia have announced Grimes and Kaytranada as openers for their upcoming tour – find tickets here. READ MORE: Swedish House Mafia: “Dance music is freedom – that’s our language” The Scandinavian dance trio of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso released their long-awaited debut full-length ‘Paradise Again’ last week (April 15). Speaking to NME about ‘Paradise Again’ back in November, SHM said that the record would serve as “an invitation into our world”. Advertisement In a four-star review of the new album, NME said: “Swedish House Mafia’s debut album sees the trio flexing their musical and emotional muscles across 17 brilliant, fearless and often surprising tracks. The kings of dance music are very much back.” The group will be heading out on a world tour this summer in support of ‘Paradise Again’, with Alesso, Zhu, Vintage Culture, Grimes, and Kaytranada confirmed as opening acts at various dates. They’ve also added some extra shows to the schedule – see full dates below and buy tickets here. JULY 29 – FTX Arena, Miami 31 – Amway Center, Orlando AUGUST 2 – Madison Square Garden, New York 3 – Madison Square Garden, New York 5 – Scotiabank Arena, Toronto 7 – îleSoniq Festival, Montreal 9 –… Read More →