Eva Thai

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UK’s Eurovision 2023 host city to be revealed tonight

The UK host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is set to be announced this evening (October 7). Last month, it was confirmed that either Glasgow or Liverpool will be staging next year’s event on behalf of Eurovision 2022 winners Ukraine. A shortlist of seven potential cities was announced in August before organisers whittled it down to two. READ MORE: Sam Ryder on his debut album and life after Eurovision: “Who knows what will happen next?” Yesterday (October 6), BBC Eurovision commentator Graham Norton told Chris Evans on Virgin Radio that he would be “discussing where Eurovision is going to be” on TV tonight alongside this year’s runner-up, Sam Ryder. Advertisement “Because we’ll know by then,’ Norton said. Ryder will appear as a guest on The Graham Norton Show on BBC One tonight at 10:40pm. Evans then suggested that Norton could be making an announcement on The One Show at 7pm this evening. “I hope this is OK to say, but yes I am,” he responded. “Unless I’m not supposed to say this, and in which case someone else… Sam Ryder will be there opening an envelope.” The United Kingdom’s entry Ryder came in at second place to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra at Eurovison… Read More →

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Pledis Entertainment issues notice on fan “violations” of SEVENTEEN’s safety

Pledis Entertainment has shared a notice outlining fan etiquette rules after what it describes as “multiple cases of violation” of SEVENTEEN’s personal information and space. READ MORE: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2022 – so far On October 6, Pledis Entertainment uploaded a notice regarding fan etiquette on the group’s official Weverse page. In it, the agency highlighted several examples and instances where SEVENTEEN’s privacy and safety had been violated by fans, followed by a list of fan etiquette rules and consequences of violating them. “Recently when SEVENTEEN leaves and enters Korea and other countries, there have been repeated activities threatening artists’ safety, such as excessive physical contact and taking photography or videos up close,” it stated. Advertisement Pledis added that some fans had used “improperly acquired information” to end up on the same flights as the boyband, as well as causing discomfort and inconveniencing fellow passengers at airports and on flights by taking photos in unauthorised areas and rowdy behaviour. “There also have been multiple cases of violation of the fan etiquette by selling or buying artists’ personal information or invading artists’ privacy by visiting a personal space such as their houses,” said the agency. Pledis then outlined… Read More →

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Dream Theater to start recording new album in late 2023

Dream Theater have revealed that they are planning on entering the studio to record their sixteenth studio album in late 2023. In a new interview with Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, guitarist John Petrucci spoke about the band’s plans for 2023 and his solo tour with former bandmate Mike Portnoy. Petrucci released his second solo album ‘Terminal Velocity’ in August. “Dream Theater is gonna continue touring in 2023,” he said when asked about the band’s upcoming plans. “Just like everybody else, we were shut down for two years and have a lot of catching up to do. We’re supporting ‘A View From The Top Of The World’. Advertisement “We’ve done extensive tours of the US and Europe, but even… We played two shows only in Asia; we played, like, four shows in South America. There’s a lot more ground to cover. So 2023 is gonna be filled with Dream Theater touring; I’m certain of that.” When asked about new music, Petrucci continued: “We’re still working on the last record. I can’t see us being back in the studio until roughly this time next year. If you kind of just look forward to next year, you see the way it’s gonna… Read More →

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Benefit concerts marking 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s ‘Chronic Town’ announced

Two concerts celebrating 40 years of R.E.M.’s debut EP ‘Chronic Town’ have been announced by The Black Crowes‘ Rich Robinson. READ MORE: R.E.M.: every single album ranked and rated Set to take place on December 14 and 15 in Georgia, the two concerts will double as benefit shows with proceeds going towards Planned Parenthood. The first event will be at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, while the following night’s concert will head to the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta. On both nights, Robinson will feature in the house band, which also includes the Black Crowes bassist Sven Pipien and drummer Barrett Martin, and comedian David Cross will host. Advertisement The all-star line-up also includes Darius Rucker, John Cameron Mitchell, Fred Armisen, Kevn Kinney, Lenny Kaye, Mitch Easter, Steve Wynn, David Ryan Harris, Elf Power, Pylon Reenactment Society, and more. The December 14 show also includes the Indigo Girls and John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band. Happy to share that we’ll be celebrating the 40th anniversary of @remhq's Chronic Town this December! Join us at the Coca-Cola Roxy on December 15th – proceeds go to support @PPFA. Tickets on sale Friday at 10am.https://t.co/dyEP8lPtON pic.twitter.com/WoAj5zVl27 — TheBlackCrowes (@theblackcrowes) October 4, 2022 Speaking… Read More →

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Listen to Fever Ray’s first new single in five years, ‘What They Call Us’

Fever Ray has shared their first new single in five years – listen to ‘What They Call Us’ below. Karin Dreijer, former member of The Knife, last released music under their Fever Ray moniker in the form of 2017 album ‘Plunge’. That record followed on from Dreijer’s 2009 self-titled debut. READ MORE: The Knife – ‘Shaken Up Versions’ – review ‘What They Call Us’ was co-written/co-produced by Fever Ray alongside their brother/ex-Knife bandmate Olof Dreijer. Advertisement As Stereogum notes, the song marks the first collaboration between the pair since The Knife’s 2014 team-up with Europa Europa, ‘För Alla Namn Vi Inte Får Använda’. In 2018, Olof remixed Karin’s ‘Plunge’ track ‘Wanna Sip’. “Did you hear what they call us?/ Did you hear what they said?/ My plan was flexible/ Don’t get stuck anywhere,” Fever Ray snarls in the chorus of their dark, electro-pop new offering. ‘What They Call Us’ is accompanied by a bizarre official video, which is set in an eerie, dystopian office space. The visuals were written and directed by Martin Falck, who’s previously worked with The Knife. There are currently no details regarding a potential follow-up to Fever Ray’s most recent album, ‘Plunge’. Last year, The Knife streamed… Read More →

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Songwriter on Kanye West’s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ to donate publishing cut to Black Lives Matter

A songwriter on Kanye West‘s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ has stated their intention to donate their cut of publishing royalties to Black Lives Matter. Esthero, the Canadian singer-songwriter who co-wrote the songs ‘Love Lockdown’, ‘Street Lights’ and ‘RoboCop’ on the hit 2008 album, made the offer as the backlash to Kanye wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt this week continues. After making his catwalk debut at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show over the weekend, Kanye introduced his latest Yeezy line with his Yzy Season 9 event on Monday (October 3). Advertisement During the live-streamed presentation, the rapper wore a longsleeve shirt with the words “White Lives Matter” emblazoned on the back. As Rolling Stone points out, the phrase – an appropriation of the Black Lives Matter slogan used to protest racial injustice, discrimination and police brutality – has been adopted by white supremacist organisations in recent years, and is categorised by the Anti-Defamation League as a hate slogan. In response to the criticism, Kanye declared: “Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam.” In a tweet shared yesterday (October 4), Esthero shared her support for Black Lives Matter following the controversy, offering to donate her royalties from her work with Kanye to the organisation. “I would like… Read More →

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Jay-Z to invest in robot pizza truck start-up

Jay-Z‘s venture capital firm has invested in a new start-up that promises to deliver robot-cooked pizzas. READ MORE: Beyoncé and Jay-Z (aka The Carters) – ‘Everything Is Love’ review Marcy Venture Partners was the lead investor in Stellar Pizza, joining the company’s roster alongside Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty with $16.5million (£14.4million) raised in a round led by the firm. Orders would be placed through a mobile app, which would then be sent through to the pizza-making robot, according to Rolling Stone. A human employee then cuts and boxes the pizza ready for delivery. Stellar Pizza aim for the entire process to be completed within five minutes. Advertisement The first robot pizza truck, designed by former SpaceX engineers including CEO Benson Tsai, is set to make its debut this year at the University of California. “Ultimately, for me, it’s about solving problems wherever they are – solving problems here on Earth,” Tsai told Inside Edition earlier this year. “Affordable access to high-quality fresh foods is not something that is readily available for everyone.” Jay-Z. CREDIT: Rich Fury/Getty Images Last month (September 2), Jay-Z hit back at those who have criticised his business ventures over the years. The rapper spoke out during a Twitter… Read More →

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Taylor Swift says new song ‘Anti-Hero’ hears her delve deepest into her “insecurities”

Taylor Swift has said that her new song ‘Anti-Hero’ hears her delve the deepest she ever has into her “insecurities”. READ MORE: Taylor Swift – ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ review: a retread of heartbreak The pop star has been sharing information about her forthcoming 10th album, ‘Midnights’, on social media and telling fans about the cover artwork over the course of the last few weeks. In August, she officially announced her new record, which is based on “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life”. As of yesterday (October 3) the singer-songwriter had revealed nearly half the album’s tracklist, which she has been unveiling incrementally. Swift has now gone into detail about what track three, called ‘Anti-Hero’, is about. Advertisement “[It’s] one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written,” she said in a video posted on her Instagram yesterday. “I really don’t think I’ve delved this far into my insecurities in this detail before.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) Swift continued: “I struggle a lot with the idea that my life is unmanageably sized.” She then interjected her own comments to stress that she isn’t seeking sympathy for the downsides of being… Read More →

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Wide Awake festival 2023: Ty Segall, Osees, A Place To Bury Strangers and more in first wave of acts

Wide Awake festival organisers have confirmed its return to London next year, with the first wave of acts including Ty Segall, Osees and A Place To Bury Strangers. READ MORE: Wide Awake in London: genre-defying sounds of the underground and a timeless headliner The event, which won the Best Small Festival award at the BandLab NME Awards 2022, is again held south of Brixton in Brockwell Park. It takes place on May 27, 2023. Joining the aforementioned acts are: Erol Alkan, Arooj Aftab, Habibi Funk, Sunset Rollercoaster, Gilla Band, Lebanon Hanover, Glass Beams, Madmadmad and Σstella. Advertisement Early bird tickets are available from £39.50 here. Last year’s festival saw performances from Primal Scream, Floating Points, IDLES, Black Midi, Black Country, New Road, Fat White Family, Yard Act, Bicep, Caribou and more. Yard Act perform at Wide Awake Festival at Brockwell Park on May 28, 2022 in London (Picture: Lorne Thomson/Redferns) Wide Awake festival booker and co-founder Keith Miller said in a statement: “There’s a feeling amongst us all at Wide Awake that the 2023 lineup is the most varied and interesting so far. Osees and Ty Segall are the types of catalysts that inspire a generation. “We’re lucky enough to… Read More →

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Kevin Abstract confirms new Brockhampton album coming soon

Brockhampton leader Kevin Abstract has reassured the group’s followers that a new album is indeed on the way, and will be released before the end of 2022. READ MORE: Brockhampton live in London: a fitting farewell from the trailblazing boyband As confirmed earlier this year, the group’s seventh album will be their final outing. They revealed back in January that 2022 would be their last year active as a group, with farewell shows being held at this year’s Coachella. It was there that Brockhampton announced their last album, following the news up shortly thereafter with a teaser trailer. June saw the group drop a cover of Kool & The Gang‘s ‘Hollywood Swinging’ (released as part of the soundtrack for Minions: The Rise Of Gru), as well as a new solo single from rapper Merlyn Wood, however since its announcement in April, news on their final album has been slim. Advertisement Breaking his long-held silence, Abstract wrote in a Tweet yesterday (October 2): “BROCKHAMPTON ALBUM BEFORE YEAR IS OVER FUCK I AM EXCITED THANK U FOR BEING PATIENT.” He went on to reveal that the album would be titled ‘No Cap’, and shared what he claimed to be its cover art (the… Read More →

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Liam Gallagher backs “the king” Ian Brown amidst divisive solo tour without band

Liam Gallagher has shared his support for “the king” Ian Brown following the Stone Roses‘ singer’s decision to go solo. Gallagher took to social media to back Brown ahead of his homecoming show in Manchester last Friday (September 30). Fans of Brown had shared their anger last week after the singer performed a sold-out show in Leeds (September 25) without a band. Advertisement Brown began his first UK headline tour in a decade at the city’s O2 Academy, with dates running through the next two week and ending with a Brixton Academy show in London on October 7. Gallagher’s thread began by comparing Brown to Sid Vicious several days after the Leeds show, writing: “Ian brown and sid vicious my way same thing long live punk.” Ian brown and sid vicious my way same thing Iong live punk — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) September 29, 2022 When asked by a fan whether he had seen Brown’s “embarrassing performance”, Gallagher replied: “He’s never embarrassing he’s the king.” He’s never embarrassing he’s the king — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) September 29, 2022 Another person asked Gallagher whether he would ever do a show with only a backing track, to which the former Oasis singer said… Read More →

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Dizzee Rascal to celebrate 20 years of ‘Boy In Da Corner’ with gig at London’s The O2

Dizzee Rascal has announced a headline show at The O2 Arena in London next year. READ MORE: From the archives – Dizzee Rascal and the birth of grime: 10 years on The show on March 8, 2023 marks 20 years of his Mercury Prize-winning debut album, ‘Boy In Da Corner’, which was released in 2003. Tickets go on general sale here this Friday (October 7) at 10am BST. Advertisement Dizzee released his latest album, ‘E3 AF‘, in 2020. In a review of his seventh album, NME wrote: “Throughout his career, Dizzee Rascal has pushed boundaries and surpassed expectations. This album is no different. It’s underpinned by a sense of homecoming for the rapper. On ‘E3 AF’, he marks his territory, coming back to a sound he grew up with while tipping his hat to the future.” Let's go!! O2 Arena 8/3/23 celebrating 20 years of ‘Boy In Da Corner’. This is going to be BIG! ? Sign up for pre sale tickets on Wednesday 5th October at 10am: https://t.co/vWIYPHr5ea Tickets on sale Friday 7th at 10am! ?? pic.twitter.com/oN7hoXWbiT — Dizzee Rascal (@DizzeeRascal) September 30, 2022 Earlier this year the grime star was given a community order after being convicted of assaulting his ex-fiancé. The rapper, whose real name… Read More →

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WINNER, AB6IX, Weeekly and more to perform at the O2 in London for K.FLEX

WINNER, AB6IX and Weeekly are on the lineup for K-pop music festival K.FLEX’s forthcoming show in London. READ MORE: KPOP.FLEX Frankfurt 2022 review: witnessing K-pop artists live will never not be worth it Europe’s largest K-pop festival, formerly known as KPOP.FLEX, announced through a press release that they are set to host another mega-concert later this year – this time, at The O2 in London on November 20. The event will feature performances from AB6IX, PENTAGON and WINNER – who will be marking their first live performance in Europe during the event. Other acts on the line-up include girl groups VIVIZ and Weeekly, as well as rookie acts Billlie and Younite. READ MORE: VIVIZ talk their carefree new mini-album ‘Summer Vibe’ and moving on from GFRIEND Advertisement Tickets are set to go on pre-sale on AXS on October 5, 9AM BST, and on See Tickets and The O2 on October 6, 9AM BST. Tickets will go on sale for the general public on October 7, 9AM BST, through the K.FLEX website. The concert will take place six months after the event’s inaugural two-day run at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany in May. That show, which featured performances from… Read More →

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MONSTA X member Kihyun to release new solo mini-album

MONSTA X member Kihyun is set to release new solo music later this year. READ MORE: Kihyun reflects on finding peace in ‘Voyager’: “Right now, I’m more of a free person” The idol announced plans to release new music through a teaser posted through MONSTA X’s social media accounts. His forthcoming record, a mini-album titled ‘Youth’, is slated for release on October 24, 6PM KST. Additional details, such as a title for the lead single and a tracklist, have yet to be released at the time of publication. KIHYUN The 1st Mini Album 'YOUTH' ? 2022.10.24 6PM (KST)COMING SOON#기현 #KIHYUN#YOUTH #COMING_SOON#몬스타엑스 #MONSTA_X #MONSTAX pic.twitter.com/B6jhxyvnbx — 몬스타엑스_MONSTA X (@OfficialMonstaX) September 30, 2022 Advertisement ‘Youth’ will arrive seven months after Kihyun made his debut as a soloist with the single album ‘Voyager’, led by a title track of the same name. That record marked the idol’s first non-OST solo release, after contributing several solo tracks to K-dramas like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol. Kihyun’s forthcoming solo release also marks new music from a MONSTA X member since the group renewed their contracts with Starship Entertainment—with the exception of I.M., who terminated his contract with… Read More →

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Listen to First Aid Kit’s sweet new single ‘Turning Onto You’

First Aid Kit have shared their new single ‘Turning Onto You’, the latest to be taken from their upcoming fifth studio album ‘Palomino’ – listen below. READ MORE: First Aid Kit: “We live in a patriarchy – we need to see more women on stage and behind the scenes” The Swedish sisters – Klara and Johanna Söderberg – returned in June with the single ‘Angel’, their first new music in three years. ‘Angel’ was the first taster of ‘Palomino’, which is set to be released on November 4 via Columbia. The album was then previewed by another new track, ‘Out Of My Head’. ‘Palomino’ can be pre-saved and pre-ordered here. Advertisement Speaking of their latest single, the duo said: “‘Turning Onto You from Palomino is out now! A sweet love song. When recording this we wanted to achieve that old school ‘country soul’ sound. “It was truly a team effort with an amazing brass section by Goran Kajfês and Per Johansson, a laid-back groove by Moussa Fadera, and killer George Harrison-slide guitar by Daniel Bengtson. Hope you like this one.” Discussing their new album in a statement, the duo said: “This is the first record we’ve recorded in Sweden since we… Read More →

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Nandi Bushell shares ‘The Shadows’, a new song written for her dad

Nandi Bushell has shared her new single ‘The Shadows’, which the 12-year-old musician wrote for her father – you can listen to the song below. The Ipswich multi-instrumentalist, who performed at the Taylor Hawkins tribute show at Wembley Stadium earlier this month, penned the song for her dad while he was battling health issues earlier this year. READ MORE: Drummer Nandi Bushell’s greatest cover songs “Early in 2022 my Dad fell into a depression as his autoimmune disease worsened. It was a difficult time for our family,” Bushell explained about the origin of the song. “I wanted to help cheer my Dad up by writing a song for him. He would describe his feelings to me and I would put them into lyrics letting him know, I would be there for him. Advertisement “My Dad is now doing much better, he is on medication that is helping with his autoimmune disease and has recovered from his depression. “If you are suffering from mental health issues, please reach out for help. YOU ARE LOVED. THERE IS HOPE.” Speaking to BBC News, Bushell’s father John said he felt ‘The Shadows’ had “genuinely helped him”. “I was having flare-ups all over my body… Read More →

Pixies – Doggerel

It’s a good thing a legacy as towering as the Pixies’ is so hard to topple, because they did have a good go for a while there. Endless and increasingly joyless touring after their 2004 reunion lowered the value of their legend, while bassist Kim Deal refused to make a new record because, she said, as a music fan, she wouldn’t want to listen to a new Pixies album. After her departure, the release of Indie Cindy and Head Carrier – mediocre and unconvincing if not actively terrible records, sometimes flippantly trying to shrug off the burden of the past, sometimes audibly crushed beneath it – did little to disprove her point (plus for many old fans, the Pixies without Kim wasn’t really the Pixies). Yet by 2019’s Beneath The Eyrie, Pixies Mk II had settled into their new skin, sounding more assured and no longer thrashing on the hook of their reputation on the likes of the breezy balladry of “Daniel Boone”. And if the die-hard purist Pixies fan might still be left wishing the past two decades had never happened, coincidentally, that’s kind of what the new, mature Pixies sounded like: solid, comforting late-’90s alt.rock, if not the… Read More →

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The Libertines have just returned from working on their new album in Jamaica

The Libertines have confirmed they have been working on new music. The band shared that they have been setting down tracks in the Caribbean over the summer for their upcoming album. READ MORE: Pete Doherty at Glastonbury 2022: “I’ve been spearheading indie sleaze for years!” Pete Doherty told media (per Music-News) at the AIM Independent Music Awards 2022 yesterday (Wednesday, September 28), that he and co-frontman Carl Barât had been in Jamaica and having a “productive” summer working on new material for the band’s fourth studio album. “We’ve got a new album on the way,” Doherty said. “It’s been quite productive. Just trying to write some new songs.” Backstage at Glastonbury Festival in June, Doherty told NME his hopes of releasing album number four by the end of this year. As they stepped off the stage from their performance, Doherty elaborated on his previous explanation of the record’s “eclectic mix of styles”, saying: “There are lots of things on the table – some really good, strong and melodic rock’n’roll songs.” Advertisement Asked when the album might be complete, he replied: “By the end of the year, I think – hopefully. We’ll get the demos done in the summer hopefully, and… Read More →

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Stormzy urges music industry to “not just use diversity as a buzzword”

Stormzy urged the music industry to “not just use diversity as a buzzword” during his acceptance speech at the AIM Awards last night (September 28). The Croydon MC was named Diversity Champion at the event, owing to his efforts to “level the playing field” through his Merky Foundation and publishing imprint, #Merky Books. READ MORE: Stormzy live at Reading Festival 2021: festival return is another rockstar moment In a pre-recorded video message, Stormzy offered his thanks to the AIM Awards and said that he was “really grateful” to receive the honour. Advertisement “I think we’ve just always led with love, and there’s a spirit among my team where we all share the same goals when it comes to having a platform and doing all the positive work that we do. So I think that’s what’s led us here.” He continued: “I encourage everyone in the room today to not just use diversity as a buzzword. Whatever position you’re in… let that be a driving factor, and not just see it as a quota or a box to tick.” Stormzy went on to call on music industry figures to “really see the worth and the value” of embracing a wide range of… Read More →

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David Bowie’s ‘Hunky Dory’ to receive deluxe reissue containing dozens of unreleased tracks and demos

David Bowie‘s fourth studio album, ‘Hunky Dory’, will be released as a deluxe reissue that will include unreleased home demos, live recordings and other rarities from that era. READ MORE: Inside Moonage Daydream: the David Bowie doc that nearly killed its director ‘Divine Symmetry (An Alternate Journey Through Hunky Dory)’ is set to arrive on November 25 via Parlophone and will, across four CDs, feature 48 previously unreleased tracks and demos taken from the 12 months leading up to the release of ‘Hunky Dory’ in 1971. The first CD of the collection contains home and hotel room demos of songs that would end up on ‘Hunky Dory’, along with unreleased songs like ‘King Of The City’, ‘Right On Mother’, ‘How Lucky You Are (Miss Peculiar)’ and ‘Tired Of My Life’. Advertisement Other discs include Bowie’s 1971 John Peel live session, BBC radio recordings, live cuts, the ‘BOWPROMO’ EP, B-sides, alternate versions of ‘Hunky Dory’ tracks and more. Coinciding with the reissue’s announcement, Parlophone have shared Bowie’s previously unreleased rendition of ‘Hunky Dory’ album track ‘Kooks’, taken from BBC’s Sounds of the 70s with Bob Harris radio show. Listen to that below: Also included as part of the box set is a… Read More →

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Nation Of Language return with new single ‘From The Hill’

Nation Of Language have returned with a brand new single – listen to ‘From The Hill’ below. READ MORE: Nation Of Language: Brooklyn’s synth-pop romantics realising their dreams The track will appear on a new 7″ single set to come out on December 9 alongside vinyl exclusive B-side ‘Ground Control’. The release follows the band’s second album, 2021’s ‘A Way Forward’. On their new track, singer Ian Devaney said: “‘From the Hill’ is a song reflecting on times when friendships fall apart over romantic entanglement, accompanied by the sensation that you’re somehow watching it happen from above with a more zoomed-out perspective. Advertisement “It can feel at times like certain parts of life are a story with which you’re just following along – the characters enter, they play their role, and then they leave. Often it’ll feel sudden and catch you off guard, and other times you’re able to see that it’s the only way things could have played out despite what you may have wanted.” Devaney added: “For us, we’re in a moment right now where it feels good to get this out into the world. It’s one that didn’t really feel like it fit the vibe of A… Read More →