She’s back! GRAMMY® Award-winning, global superstar Meghan Trainor has announced her anxiously awaited fourth full-length album, Takin’ It Back, arriving October 21st, 2022 via Epic Records. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.
This time around, she made a conscious decision to hark back to the signature sound she introduced on her 2015 full-length debut, TITLE, and bring it forward to today.
About the album, Meghan said, “I tried to do the doo-wop feel I had at the beginning of my career, but the 2022 version of it. This is from the new Meghan who is a wife and mom with a baby. This is from me right now. I decided to give the people what they want, but with my spices added to it. I wanted to make my Title 2.0.”
During an exclusive dinner at LAVO Ristorante followed by drinks at The Fleur Room, a reservations-only cocktail lounge, opening in early August,Grammy nominated and multi-platinum R&B superstarGIVĒON celebrated the release of his debut album “Give or Take” with Tequila Don Julio 1942 and Johnnie Walker Blue Label last night. Attendees included Mega Producer Jimmy Jam, Actor Damson Idris, NBA Star Tristan Thompson and Soccer Player Daniel Sturridge.
VENNA is an indie alt-pop artist from Alberta, Canada with a passion for evocative lyricism. She holds an immense appreciation for the power that music has to effect change and self-realization, and strives to be the type of artist that can both intrigue and relate to her audience. Pulling inspiration from classic poets, fantasy literature, and countless powerful women bringing “anti-pop” to the mainstream, her music serves to provoke thought and emotion; as an aspiring author as well, she takes great care in crafting her lyrics to this end.
After 25 years in music, building an unimpeachable reputation as a truly independent artist and entrepreneur, Julian Taylor now owns his legacy. From the formative rock of Staggered Crossing to the genre fusion of Julian Taylor Band, and now his revered work as a solo singer-songwriter, Julian owns the right to it all and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
It’s rare in this era to see an artist build slowly and reach a new level of widespread acclaim decades into their career. But Julian’s ethos, work ethic, and artistry has always had a timeless quality to it. And so, he’s built things slowly in a DIY fashion, withstanding highs and lows along the way, ultimately reaching the peak of his powers with his latest solo work.
Emerging as one of Atlanta’s hottest rising stars, Lil Harold unveils the Deluxe Edition of his buzzing breakout project, LARRY, via Slaughter Gang/Epic Records today. He stacked this definitive version with four brand new tracks, including the single and music video “Good Times” [feat. Offset].
Listen to LARRY [Deluxe Edition]—HERE.
“Good Times” has all the ingredients of a crossover anthem. Over a replay of The S.O.S. Band’s 1980 classic “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” his laidback flow cruises towards a chant-able hook. Meanwhile, Offset pulls up with a signature show-stopping cameo of his own. The accompanying music video seamlessly translates this energy to the screen as these two Atlanta titans turn up together. Watch “Good Times” HERE.
The VALE twin sisters present today their first single of the year titled “Agradezco Cada Paso,” a song to celebrate life, the journey we all embark on, and those people who join us and support us through it all. “It is a celebration for each step, each milestone, each challenge. It’s a tribute to the journey,” the artists say when talking about the song.
Released under renowned and award-winning producer Sebastian Krys’s label Rebeleon Entertainment and Virgin Music US Latin, “Agradezco Cada Paso” once again attests to the high standards that the VALE sisters put into their work, which features optimistic letters and deep thinking, and whose music make them gain more and more followers on all digital platforms.
With each new delivery, VALE keeps claiming their place as one of today’s most popular Latin pop groups. On Spotify alone, their top 10 songs have amassed 5.3 million streams, and their album ‘Línea Recta’ has 2.7 times million streams on the same platform.
Making major moves to kick off the summer, GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B icon, songwriter, producer, actress, and entrepreneur Brandy inks partnership with Motown Records—as announced today.
To celebrate the big news she just delivered a showstopping performance of “Rather Be” as part of the first-of-its-kind performance and content series launched by Motown Records and COLORSxSTUDIOS in honor of Black Music Month. Her instantly recognizable vocals take flight on this fan favorite from 2020’s B7.
Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Advocate MILCK has shared the urgent new protest song “We Won’t Go Back” with BIIANCO, Autumn Rowe and featuring Ani DiFranco in immediate response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The song is available now on YouTube at https://youtu.be/CRnmW9XDGsE, and MILCK is scheduled to perform the song tomorrow at a protest in Los Angeles organized by Rise Up For Abortion Rights, starting at 1:00pm PST. For more information, visit their website at https://riseup4abortionrights.org/ and follow MILCK on social media for live updates (Instagram: @MILCKmusic | Facebook: /MILCKmusic). Fifty percent of the proceeds from the YouTube release will be donated to Planned Parenthood. “We Won’t Go Back” will be available on all streaming platforms Thursday, June 30th.
The story of “We Won’t Go Back” began in DC the day after the Politico leak regarding the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, which would eliminate the constitutional right to abortion. MILCK went to the Supreme Court House to participate in a rally where hundreds of people gathered in protest and the cathartic, powerful chant “We won’t go back!” became the resounding anthem.
JEEN has entered the 2020s with boot firmly planted in the current musical landscape.
JEEN (2020), Dog Bite (2021) and the forthcoming Tracer (2022) could be a trilogy of sorts. A strong reflective collection and a call on song to navigate these last couple of years. JEEN is a heady intoxicating record. Each track swirls with a sense of naivety and wild abandon. A “before times” if you will. With Dog Bite there is an enveloping intensity and immediacy which strongly reflects the moment in which it was recorded where all were being strangled and suffocated by the pandemic. Dog Bite might have the monicker of something ferocious and the sneer to back it but with Tracer there is a more vulnerable and fragile quality to JEEN’s vocals. Both warmer and less angular. Perhaps affected by past experience, perhaps intentional. Whichever way one can’t argue how intimate a space she creates on this album, vocally and sonically. Upon first listen one quickly realizes Tracer is an immersive experience. A challenge or even a dare, to sit with and allow oneself to be taken in and even more so taken over.
Brooklyn-born guitarist, singer and songwriter Raymond Castronovo has led a full life, and he tells his stories through his music. After the successful release of his debut album, Crossing Bridges, Castronovo and his band, Streetwise, announce the release of their new EP The Other Side. The four-track EP is available now on all major streaming platforms.
After raising a family and building a successful construction business, Castronovo brought together a group of seasoned NY musicians to create a 50’s style rock ‘n roll band with a modern twist. In keeping with the theme of the band’s previous album, Crossing Bridges, each of the four tracks tells a different story from Castronovo’s life. “Hold On” tells the story about a relationship that he’s fighting to keep alive. “Marinara Maddie” is about the artist’s sister who made the best marinara sauce in Brooklyn. “Shadows in the Sky” is a retro 50s love song, and “440” is a grittier blues rock song about girls that like to drive fast cars.
All four tracks feature Castronovo on lead vocals and electric guitar. The other Streetwise members include Joe Martinez (Chubby Checker, Irene Cara) on bass, Paul Glazer on lead guitar, Carl Obrig on saxophone and Linda Mackley on drums. Heather Simon joins Castronovo on backup vocals.
For fans who enjoyed Streetwise’s debut album, Crossing Bridges, they will want to check out The Other Side – out now everywhere.
Range Media alternative pop recording duo Beau today release their brand new single and video “Even If You’re Gone” through their partnership with Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. The new song is the second release from Beau’s upcoming EP Life Twice which is set to be released in September 2022.
“Even If You’re Gone” is an emotional ode to heartbreak and longing. Lead singer Heather Goldin’s vocals personify the feelings of maintaining a connection with a person that has been lost to another. The instrumentals in the song ebb and flow between soaring choruses and softer, more reserved breaks, reflecting the rollercoaster of feelings a person may go through when heartbroken.
Beau says, “‘Even If You’re Gone’ is a song about losing the one you love to someone else. The song is about holding on and that even if the love of your life has found someone else, you can’t help but stay connected. This song is that connection.”
Putting a modern spin on Le Tigre’s iconic riot grrrl anthem, Boyfriend and Big Freedia team up for today’s release of “Deceptacon,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. Giving the classic track a 2022 hyperpop-leaning rework, Boyfriend and Big Freedia emulate the same rebellious energy of the original with updated and futuristic sounds. Produced by Gold Glove (Slayyyter, Gia Woods), this track incites the energy to demolish a dance floor.
LISTEN TO “DECEPTACON (FEAT. BIG FREEDIA)”
“I can’t control the universe… so Roe v. Wade overturning the same day I’m announcing my debut album, tour and new song with Big Freedia is a stark reminder of that,” says Boyfriend on today’s release; an unexpected call to arms amidst today’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. “But I refuse to relinquish control of my body.”
When Anthony Melas picked up the mantle of A!MS — formerly A.M. SNiPER — the Anglo-Cypriot producer/rhymer made it his mission to make his music hit the bull’s eye target. After treating fans to his seminal debut LP ‘Offshore’ last year, A!MS is back with the visuals to stand-out track, ‘iLIKE / Pull Up’.
The tracks boasts mellow chord progression, wind-swept synths and hypnotic drum patterns. Across ‘iLike / Pull Up’, the instrumentalist marries together the worlds of Afroswing and homegrown Cypriot flavour. ‘iLike’ sees A!MS tap frequent collaborators AV Allure and Akelle for the Major Music-produced heater. ‘iLike’ is kitted out with sun-sculpted crooning from both AV and Akelle as they transport the listener to a kaleidoscopic summery paradise.
critically acclaimed pop singer/songwriter/producer Jake Miller releases his undeniably catchy new single “8 Tattoos” via EMPIRE. “8 Tattoos” marks the first release from Jake as a part of his newly signed deal with EMPIRE.
Jake is also treating fans to an accompanying visual. Directed by Imxsebastian and AdamKG, the fast-paced “8 Tattoos” video features vibrant scenes of Jake levitating, playing poker and more.
“‘8 Tattoos’ is about the growth and change that I’ve seen in my life over the past few years, in good ways and bad. The production is one of my favorites from any song I’ve ever released and I’m so excited to play it on tour soon,” says Jake Miller.
If bands like Foo Fighters, Weezer, and Pearl Jam are considered the last generation of guitar-based rock, then Noiseheads are the next generation’s exception.
Noiseheads’ self-produced first LP, the not-so-subtly titled 1994 was released in 2013 and quickly established Noiseheads’ distinctive sound. Following up their debut album with their eponymous EP Noiseheads in 2015 and the operatic Sitcoms for Aliens in 2017, each of these releases received rave reviews – Overblown Magazine wrote Noiseheads “pummels ears with music that is direct, grungy, and catchy as the Spanish flu.”
Alternative Rock band Wax on Water, fronted by singer, songwriter and producer Maya Damaris has, in recent years been very much on the radar of music industry insiders both in the UK and the USA. With the addition in 2019 of virtuoso rock guitarist Steven Blessing to its ranks, Wax on Water is now a formidable creative coupling that effortlessly fuses together grunge, electronica, and alternative rock with strings, keyboards and intense guitars to produce a sound that is unequivocally their own. After recently releasing two EPs in ‘The Drip’ series: “The Drip – Part 1” and “The Drip – Part 2” to critical acclaim, the band now return to tantalise fans with the full length sixteen track album ‘The Drip’ releasing on 24th June 2022.
“The Drip” is an eclectic musical brew consisting of sixteen expertly crafted songs that knowingly build upon the strengths and raw visceral energy of the first album ‘Procession’. Drums for the album were played by LA drummer, Garren Orr (YolkLore, Tennis System) and the record was mixed at MooseCat Studios, LA and mastered by Will Borza at the Grammy Award Winning Howie Weinberg Mastering Studios, LA.
The album opens with an intriguing and atmospheric “Prologue” to theatrically set the scene. “Don’t Bore Us” is inspired by the negative Napoleon complex control freaks to whom we can all relate. “The Sting In the Raw”: describes that ‘moment’ when you realise the relationship you have valued and nurtured in the hope of a lasting union is, ultimately, doomed. “Seventh Son” is about reclaiming yourself when something that makes you feel alive spins negatively the opposite way, whilst the classic O’Jays track “For the Love of Money” is an ambitious and intriguing reimagining of the Philadelphia Soul classic. Electro banger “You Know When You Know” tells of love as a higher power.
The cleverly playful “The Wrong Way” details the perils of vanity, whilst “Dumb Me” is a heart rending and raw exploration of depression. “In The Shadows” talks about the need for loyalty and consistency in relationships and “All Over Me” describes an all-consuming sense of disintegration leading aptly onto the next track “Predictable”: a track about dealing with one’s own inner negative inner voice. In contrast, the song “Love Won’t Leave Her” is a positive track about anyone and everyone who invests in and aspires to being a decent and loving human being.
neill@outloudculture.com
