Cindy Choek

Angel Olsen announces film to accompany new album ‘Big Time’

Angel Olsen has shared a trailer for Big Time, a film that will accompany her forthcoming sixth album of the same name. The film is set to premiere at London cinema Screen On The Green on Tuesday May 17, before screening across two nights in Los Angeles – at the Grammy Museum on Wednesday June 1, and at Brain Dead Studios on Thursday June 2. Also on June 2, Big Time will be streamed via the Twitch channel of Amazon Music. The trailer, released today (May 10), depicts Olsen walking along a forest trail and speaking to an older woman, before it cuts to a man walking down a hallway and a car driving an otherwise-empty road. As well as starring in the film, Olsen also serves as Big Time‘s co-director alongside filmmaker Kimberly Stuckwisch. Advertisement Watch the trailer for Big Time below: In a press statement, Olsen explained that Big Time was inspired by a series of vivid dreams she had following the death of her mother. “When I approached Kimberly Stuckwisch about making these videos, I thought it would be cool to include the storyline of one of the dreams I’d had,” Olsen said, “and really use it as a way to tell the… Read More →

10MAYNews

Apple announces plans to discontinue the iPod

Apple has announced that it is officially discontinuing the iPod, after more than 20 years on the market. The MP3 player launched in 2001 with its original, click-wheel navigation, which was designed by Tony Fadell, who later invented the iPhone. The device was initially able to store up to 1,000 tracks. Following the original model, Apple released the Mini, the Nano and the smaller iPod Shuffle. The iPod Touch was launched in 2007, as numerous other Apple products were beginning to grow in popularity. Advertisement Back in 2017, Apple discontinued the iPod Shuffle and Nano models. “We are simplifying our iPod line-up with two models of iPod touch now with double the capacity starting,” said the tech giant at the time. The iPod classic was discontinued in 2014. The iPod Touch, the last remaining model of iPod, will stay on sale via Apple “while stocks last”. iPod Nano. CREDIT: Miquel Benitez/Getty Images Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, said the gadget had “redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and shared” (via BBC). Also speaking to the BBC, Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said: “When Apple created the iPhone it knew that it would ultimately mean… Read More →

10MAYNews

Muse deliver fan favourites and rarities at charity Hammersmith show

Last night (Monday, May 9) saw Muse play the first of two special charity shows at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. Check out photos, footage, the setlist and more below. READ MORE: Global chaos? Corrupt politicians? Here’s why we need Muse more than ever The Devon rock trio announced the gigs back in March, with money raised at the first show donated to War Child and Médecins Sans Frontières‘ relief efforts in Ukraine. The second show will celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Big Issue. This marked the band’s first major gigs of 2022 after playing an intimate comeback club show in Exeter last month. Muse perform at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith – May 2022. Credit: Hans Peter Van Velthoven Advertisement Taking to the stage with a simple but powerful light show rather than their usual theatrical stadium production, the band opened with ‘Won’t Stand Down‘, the lead single from upcoming ninth album ‘The Will Of The People‘. A run of singles followed with ‘Absolution‘ favourite ‘Hysteria’ (with the riff from AC/DC‘s ‘Back In Black’ tacked on to the end), ‘Pressure’ from 2018’s ‘Simulation Theory’, ‘Origin Of Symmetry‘ classic ‘Bliss’, and ‘Psycho’ from ‘Drones‘ all whipping the sold-out crowd into a… Read More →

09MAYHit Singles

The Eagles – Ultimate Music Guide

As the band head out on a major reunion tour, we present the Ultimate Music Guide to The Eagles. A band who made melodic music drawing on an explosive creative tension, their massive-selling albums unleashed the metaphorical power of California for a generation. “Two voices called to you from where they stood…” Buy a copy here!

08MAYNews

Britney Spears says her tell-all book will be out at the end of 2022

Britney Spears has confirmed that her “tell-all” book will arrive at the end of this year in a new Instagram post. The pop star signed a deal with publishers reportedly worth $15million (£12.2m) in February 2022, following her conservatorship being terminated. READ MORE: Britney vs Spears review: cheap trauma porn that benefits no one In a post shared to Instagram yesterday (May 7), Spears spoke candidly with her followers about “secrets”, how other people have told her story and her decision to write her experiences into print herself. At one point, she revealed that the memoir will be released “at the end of this year”. Advertisement “I want to talk about secrets!!!” she wrote. “The secrets I’ve had to hold the past 15 years I will say are honestly paralyzing.” She continued, “I had so many complaints I wanted to share and bring up only to be told to keep shut … but wait isn’t that what a woman of intellect is supposed to do. Speak up, rise to the occasion make people think. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) “Then I started to get mad angry ALL THIS TIME !!! Then all the… Read More →

06MAYNews

Listen to AJ Tracey’s hard-hitting new single ‘Reasonable’

AJ Tracey has shared his new single ‘Reasonable’ – you can watch the Klo Vizionz-directed video for the song below. The track marks the London rapper’s first new solo music release of 2022, and follows on from his 2021 studio album ‘Flu Game’. READ MORE: AJ Tracey: “I’ve gone through so much. It’s been so hard, and I’m still here” ‘Reasonable’ arrived today (May 6), and was produced by Rio Leyva, Manso and Taz Taylor of Internet Money. Advertisement You can watch the video for AJ Tracey’s ‘Reasonable’, where he states “I don’t rap on these beats, I glide”, below. Tracey is set to play a host of live dates this summer, including a headline show in London for Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X event. “My sets always brings the noise and I’m gassed to bring baseball culture to a new crowd,” Tracey said about the Crystal Palace gig in July. “It’ll be a clash of music, sports, big hits, mad catches. Big show this summer, Crystal Palace Park, it’s due to be lit. Home Run Derby X – we’re gonna turn up.” You can see Tracey’s upcoming tour dates below and find UK tickets here. June 18… Read More →

06MAYNews

Madonna requests meeting with Pope Francis: “I’m a good Catholic, I swear!”

Madonna has said that she wants to meet with Pope Francis, adding it was unfair that she’d been “excommunicated” by the Catholic church “three times”. The singer has had a difficult relationship with Catholicism for a long time. Her video for ‘Like A Prayer’ was banned by the church in 1989 after featuring burning crosses and an erotic depiction of Jesus. Italian Roman Catholic historian Roberto de Mattei said at the time: “The video is a blasphemy and insult because it shows immorals inside a church” (via The Independent). Pope John Paul II also once encouraged fans to boycott Madonna in Italy and to not attend her ‘Blond Ambition’ tour. She was then criticised by the Catholic Church again in 2006 after a concert in Rome featured a mock crucifixion. Advertisement Cardinal Ersilio Tonino remarked of that: “This time the limits have really been pushed too far. This concert is a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross. She should be excommunicated.” In a new tweet yesterday (May 5), Madonna reached out to Pope Francis to reconcile, writing in a new post: “Hello @Pontifex Francis – I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! “Its… Read More →

06MAYHit Singles

Norma Tanega – I’m the Sky: Studio and Demo Recordings, 1964–1971

It’s been rewarding to observe, over the past half decade, blossoming interest in the songs and life of Norma Tanega. Raised in Long Beach, California, she found a small degree of infamy in the mid-’60s, when her “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog” single hit the Top 40 in the US and UK. After time spent playing the coffee house circuit, this newfound visibility led to international travel, including a fated meeting with Dusty Springfield in London – the two would be lovers for a time, and Dusty would record some beautifully tender renditions of Tanega’s songs. There were only two albums to show for Tanega’s time in the industry, though (and a third unreleased set from the late ’60s); I’m The Sky contains a smart selection from those three song collections and a back half of unreleased demos. ORDER NOW: Miles Davis is on the cover of the latest issue of Uncut If the sometimes elaborate arrangements of her solo albums remind of other singer-songwriters of her times, the demos that make up the second half of I’m The Sky offer another angle on Tanega’s voice and songwriting. There’s something in their sturdy ranginess that suggests Mimi Fariña, while the odd… Read More →

05MAYNews

Harry Styles announces North American ‘Love On Tour’ dates for 2022

Harry Styles has announced a North American headline tour for this year – see all the details below. The pop star, whose third album ‘Harry’s House’ arrives on May 20, will return to New York to perform 10 nights at Madison Square Garden between August 28 and September 21 in continuation of his global ‘Love On Tour’. READ MORE: Harry Styles live at Coachella: spectacular showman makes a bid for rock god status He’ll then head over to Los Angeles to play 10 shows at the city’s Kia Forum between October 31 and November 15. Advertisement Styles is also scheduled to play five concerts in both Austin (September 25 to October 2) and Chicago (October 6-14) after kicking off the stint with two nights at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena (August 15, 16). Support will come from Blood Orange (New York), Ben Harper (LA), Madi Diaz (Toronto), Gabriels (Austin) and Jessie Ware (Chicago). Ticket details are yet to be confirmed – you’ll be able to find them here when they go live. Check out the announcement post below, and head to Styles’ official site for more information. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @harrystyles The UK and Ireland leg of… Read More →

05MAYNews

Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougal’s The WAEVE share electrifying debut track, ‘Something Pretty’

The WAEVE, the new project from Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall, have released their first track in the form of ‘Something Pretty’ – listen below. READ MORE: Graham Coxon tells us about his sci-fi new album ‘Superstate’ and Blur’s next move The Blur guitarist-turned-solo musician and the former Pipettes member-turned-Mark Ronson collaborator announced they’d teamed up to form a duo last month, confirming that music would soon be arriving via Transgressive Records. Last night (May 4), THE WAEVE played an intimate launch show at The Lexington in London and are due to return to the venue for a second headline performance tomorrow (May 6). Advertisement An image of the setlist from yesterday’s gig showed that the group played a nine-song set that included ‘Can I Call You’, ‘Drowning’, ‘Sleepwalking’, ‘Kill Me Again’ and ‘Say Something Pretty’. Today (May 5), The WAEVE shared the latter cut as a standalone single. “Unplug the radio/ Unplug the TV/ Unplug the internet/ And while you’re there unplug me,” Coxon sings over a drum machine beat off the heels of electrifying guitar shreds. In the raw, defiant chorus, Coxon and Dougall declare in unison that they “wanna be out in the city” enjoying “something pretty” instead. Tune… Read More →

05MAYNews

Listen to The Snuts and Rachel Chinouriri team up on ‘End Of The Road’

The Snuts have collaborated with Rachel Chinouriri for their new single ‘End Of The Road’ – you can listen to the track below. The song is the latest taster of new music from The Snuts, who are currently in the studio working on the follow-up to their 2021 album ‘W.L’. READ MORE: Rachel Chinouriri: “In many ways, I carry other people’s sadness and turn it into songs” Produced by Detonate and Coffee at Abbey Road Studios in London, ‘End Of The Road’, Snuts frontman Jack Cochrane has explained, “is intended to be a musical antidote”. Advertisement “A remedy for heartache. We wanted the track to be direct and truly versify a sense of self-forgiveness and redemption,” he continued about the track, which you can listen to below. “The soothing tones of our friend Rachel Chinouriri, who features heavily in the song, helps inject an almost confessional burst of light throughout.” “This song came about quite spontaneously, which is sometimes how the best things come about,” Chinouriri, who recently released her single ‘All I Ever Asked’, added. “I really loved it when I first heard it and when I met the boys the lyrics and melody came to us so naturally…. Read More →

04MAYNews

Oliver Sim rehearses new version of The xx’s ‘I Dare You’ ahead of debut solo tour

The xx‘s Oliver Sim has shared footage of himself rehearsing a new version of the trio’s single ‘I Dare You’ ahead of his first solo tour. Watch the video below. The musician is set to play five headline shows this month after recently releasing two solo singles, ‘Romance With A Memory’ and ‘Fruit’, both of which were produced and co-written by his bandmate Jamie xx. READ MORE: The xx’s Romy shows her true colours with new solo song ‘Lifetime’, a masterclass in pandemic pop Sim’s first gig will take place at Shoreditch Town Hall in London next Tuesday (May 10) ahead of further dates in Paris (11), Berlin (13), New York (15) and Los Angeles (17). You can find any remaining tickets here. Advertisement As he prepared for the tour, The xx took to their official Instagram page to post a clip of their singer/bassist “covering his favourite band for next week’s shows”. Sim is seen delivering a stripped-back solo rendition of ‘I Dare You’, which appears on the group’s third album ‘I See You’ (2017). His bandmate Romy expressed her approval in the comments section, replying with a love heart-eyes emoji. Watch the footage here: View this post on Instagram… Read More →

04MAYNews

Poet Hanif Abdurraqib on curating at Brooklyn Academy of Music: “We’re building a world around the vastness of Black performance”

Poet Hanif Abdurraqib has spoken to NME about curating Brooklyn Academy of Music’s spring 2022 music series to “build a world around the vastness of Black performance”. Through multiple books, including Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes on A Tribe Called Quests and A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance, the National Book Award finalist and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient has built a career focused on extending the “understanding of the multitudinous and global nature of Black performance.” With the intention of highlighting Black musicianship, celebrating the return of in-person communal experiences, and “expanding my imagining of what a live music concert can be”, the essayist and critic organised America’s oldest performing arts centre’s first foray into live music since the start of the COVID pandemic. Advertisement The intimate and creative shows, which kicked off on February 25 and run until June 11, have featured Abdurraqib’s hand-picked selection of artists, including Moses Sumney, Bartees Strange, Devonté Hynes, and L’Rain, with performances from Mavis Staples, and the premiere of Omar Offendum’s hip-hop musical, Little Syria taking place later this month, and a show featuring Nikki Giovanni set for June. Hanif Abdurraqib introduces BAM performances CREDIT: Edwina Hay “It’s interesting to… Read More →

04MAYNews

EXIT Festival announce 2022 NFT collection

EXIT Festival organisers have announced a new NFT collection ahead of this year’s main event. The collection, which will start minting at this year’s Tomorrow conference on May 14, will include headphones featuring EXIT’s first logo from 2001 in 3D as well as the Tribe gift collection, intended for the earliest members of the the festival’s Discord community. READ MORE: 10 things you didn’t know about EXIT Festival Owners of EXIT’s NFT art will also have the opportunity to hang out with some of EXIT’s headliners this year, as well as being granted exclusive access to the Dance Arena stage and secret parties at hidden locations across the festival site. Advertisement For more information on the NFT collection, as well as how to purchase and mint, head here. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will headline this year’s bash at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Serbia from July 7-10, alongside acts which include Calvin Harris, Napalm Death, Jax Jones, Honey Dijon, Maceo Plex, ZHU, James Arthur and Marky Ramone. You can view the full line-up so far below. Getting closer to #EXIT2k22 and our stellar acts! Let's welcome @Noisia_nl & other #XBass names joining @CalvinHarris, @nickcave, @IGGYAZALEA, @JamesArthur23, @maskedwolfmusic, @BB_BORISBREJCHA, @MaceoPlex, @sepulturacombr & more! On… Read More →

04MAYNews

Eminem, Duran Duran, Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie to be inducted into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Eminem, Duran Duran, Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie are all set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022. Eurythmics, Carly Simon, Judas Priest and Pat Benatar will also be inducted into the Hall Of Fame this year. READ MORE: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has turned into a museum. Time for change Kate Bush, Beck, DEVO, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Rage Against The Machine and Dionne Warwick made the initial shortlist for 2022, but didn’t make the final cut. Advertisement The honourees — voted on by more than 1000 artists, historians and music industry professionals — each “had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture and helped change the course of rock ’n’ roll,” said John Sykes, the chairman of the Rock Hall, in a statement. The 2022 event, which will be the Hall’s 37th annual induction ceremony, will be held on November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Dolly Parton (Picture: Stacey Huckeba / Butterfly Records) The announcement comes after Parton initially refused the honour on the grounds that she didn’t feel that she had “earned the right”. But she reversed her stance last month to… Read More →

04MAYNews

Michael Eavis has been honoured with the Freedom of Glastonbury

Glastonbury Festival founder and co-organiser Michael Eavis has been honoured with the Freedom of Glastonbury. Glastonbury Town Council voted unanimously back in March to make Eavis a Freeman of Glastonbury after he was nominated by the town’s mayor, Councillor Jon Cousins, and deputy mayor, Councillor Serena Roney-Dougal, “in appreciation of his services to the town and the local economy”. READ MORE: We’re gonna need a bigger farm: why Glastonbury 2022 could be the best in history Eavis was formally made a Freeman of Glastonbury during a ceremony last night (May 3) at Glastonbury Town Hall. Advertisement As the festival site notes, “in the past, a Freeman held various privileges, but these days the award is mostly symbolic”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest) “However, according to tradition, as a Freeman of Glastonbury Michael has now been conferred the right to run his sheep through the centre of the town,” they added. In a statement issued back in March, Cllr. Cousins said: “I can think of no one more fitting of receiving this honour. This is an opportunity to acknowledge that, as founder of the Glastonbury Festival, Michael has helped to promote Glastonbury for over… Read More →

04MAYNews

‘Roblox’ launches Spotify Island with Stray Kids and Sunmi

Spotify has launched its own digital space in Roblox to facilitate meet and greets, music production and virtual merch. READ MORE: From ‘Fortnite’ to ‘Roblox’: The best in-game concerts ever, ranked Spotify Island is live now and is described as “a paradise of sound where fans and artists from all over the world can hang out and explore a wonderland of sounds, quests, and exclusive merch.” The main island features collectible Spotify-branded tokens that can be traded for merch alongside virtual beat-making stations and in the future, Spotify plans to launch themed islands. Advertisement Coming “throughout the year, these destinations will be filled with exclusive content, artist interactions, and themed mini-quests that are designed for both superfans and curious explorers.” Pack your bags! This is your invite to #SpotifyIsland ?️ Scroll down for a tour or jump right in on @Roblox now ? https://t.co/jrp6JawnSU pic.twitter.com/UBFYXf28BP — Spotify (@Spotify) May 3, 2022 The first of these themed lands is K-Park. The “homage to all things K-Pop” is set to launch this spring and will allow fans the chance to interact with Stray Kids and Sunmi. “Through Spotify Island, we’re creating an easy opportunity for artists to connect with fans and to… Read More →

03MAYNews

Jack Harlow shares tracklist for new album, ‘Come Home The Kids Miss You’

Jack Harlow has shared the tracklist for his upcoming new album, ‘Come Home The Kids Miss You’, which is set to arrive on Friday (May 6). The Kentucky rapper has already previewed the record with the release of singles ‘Nail Tech’ and ‘First Class’, the latter of which topped the Billboard 200 chart last month, giving Harlow his first-ever Number One as a lead artist. Earlier this evening (May 3), Harlow took to social media to reveal the full tracklist for his new album. Made up of 15 tracks, the rapper’s second studio album includes features from Drake, Lil Wayne, Pharrell and Justin Timberlake. Advertisement The reveal comes after Harlow tweeted yesterday (May 2): “Strictly legends on my album.” Elsewhere on the tracklist, Harlow has a song called ‘Dua Lipa’, which is likely the same record he previewed on Instagram yesterday, where he appeared to shoot his shot at the pop star. Sharing a clip from what looks like a tour bus, he raps: “Dua Lipa, I’m tryna do more with her than do a feature/ I check the web, they out here chewin’ me up/Fuck it.” See the tracklist for ‘Come Home The Kids Miss You’ below: View this… Read More →

02MAYNews

A new Brian Eno documentary is in the works

A new documentary about Brian Eno is in the works by director Gary Hustwit, it has been announced. Hustwit has previously worked on films about Mavis Staples (Mavis!) and Wilco (I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco). READ MORE: Count Binface: “I’d love to make an album. Brian Eno – drop me a line” The filmmaker’s official website now features a page for a documentary called Eno, which is described as “the definitive career-spanning, multi-platform documentary about visionary musician and artist Brian Eno”. Advertisement Hustwit was given access to hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage and unreleased music from Eno’s archive to make the doc, which will be released in multiple versions and “will employ groundbreaking generative technology in its creation and exhibition”. Brian Eno. CREDIT: Cecily Eno The director and his team have digitised and restored approximately 400 hours of material spanning 50 years, including interviews, early video art projects, lectures, performances, behind-the-scenes footage of recording sessions and more – most of which have not been released publicly before. Eno represents the latest collaboration in the legendary musician and filmmakers’ creative relationship. Eno previously created the score for the documentary Rams in 2017, which explored… Read More →

02MAYNews

Yeah Yeah Yeahs tease US shows with skywriting and tennis balls

Yeah Yeah Yeahs seem to be teasing two US headline shows with the help of a skywriter and lots of tennis balls. READ MORE: Yeah Yeah Yeahs stake their claim as the best live band on the planet at blistering All Points East show Yesterday (May 1) fans in Los Angeles saw that the band’s name had been written by a skywriter over LA venue The Hollywood Bowl, with Yeah Yeah Yeahs then sharing images on social media. The band then shared a picture of tennis balls arranged to spell “YYY” at New York’s Forest Hill Stadium, with fans assuming the band are teasing a pair of US headline concerts. YEAH LA! ☁️?⛅️ pic.twitter.com/GaZbPr5CyS — Yeah Yeah Yeahs (@YYYs) May 2, 2022 Advertisement YEAH NY!⚡️?⚡️ pic.twitter.com/GhdtF0c3Jx — Yeah Yeah Yeahs (@YYYs) May 1, 2022 If the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are set to play gigs in New York and Los Angeles, it will be the first time the band have headlined in those cities since 2017 and 2018 respectively. Earlier this year the band announced a run of UK headline shows, their first in nine years. The art-punk three-piece will play at Manchester’s O2 Apollo on June 5 before two shows… Read More →

27APRNews

Soyou shares pensive new music video for ‘Business’ featuring BE’O

Soloist and ex-SISTAR member Soyou has unveiled the music video for ‘Business’, the lead single from her new mini-album ‘Day & Night’. READ MORE: On ‘Palette’, IU gifted us an album to help us through quarter-life crises Out today (April 27), the clip finds Soyou sitting by the window in a high-rise apartment, as she appears deep in thought while gazing at the night time city lights outside. Later, she sits alone in an empty theatre as she sings along to the acoustic track. ‘Business’ also features a musical cameo from South Korean rapper and BPM Entertainment labelmate BE’O, though he does not make an appearance in the video. Advertisement ‘Business’ appears on ‘Day & Night’, Soyou’s new six-track record also out today. The mini-album includes features by South Korean singers Jukjae and DAVII on the songs ‘마음’ (translates to ‘heart’) and ‘나무’ (meaning ‘tree’) respectively. Notably, CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa also joins Soyou on the song ‘Some 2’, which appears to reference her hit 2014 collaboration single with Junggigo, ‘Some’. Aisde from her contributions to K-drama OSTs, ‘Day & Night’ marks Soyou’s first official release under BPM Entertainment after signing with the agency in September 2021, following her departure from… Read More →