Author: Amanda Collins
New Mexico-based artist Jess Wayne blends folk, country blues, Americana, and touches of jazz into a genre he calls “Electric Bourbon Folk – Smooth with a Smoky Finish” on his new album Ancient Door. Marked by raw authenticity and lyrical wisdom, the album reflects his move from Hollywood to Taos, NM and explores themes of love, loss, and staying present. Through soul-baring songwriting and a Southwestern-tinged sound, Wayne invites listeners on a journey through change, healing, and self-discovery. Opening track “Supposed To Be Flying” plays like a warming encouragement in the face of tumult, melding twangy guitars and vibrant piano…
The director of Bend It Like Beckham has said that, two decades after the film first hit screens, a sequel is in the works. READ MORE: The best football songs – ever! The 2002 film, starring Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra, told the story of a Punjabi British teenage girl who defies her parents’ wishes to play football and is widely credited with inspiring a generation of young women to take up the sport. Speaking in Basel yesterday, on the eve of England’s Euro 2025 final against Spain today (July 27), director Gurinder Chadha (Bride and Prejudice, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging) revealed…
Another stellar track from Miami-based The Wax Worms, “Losing Weekends” pairs haunting neo-psychedelic intrigue with relatable lyrical laments on the daily grind — specifically, how working a dead-end job can cause one to feel like their time is disappearing. “And now I’m on the clock again,” the vocals let out with chilling impact as hazy guitar twangs and mellow keys stir alongside, building into a fervent organ-fronted finale that upticks the ardor with sating allure. It’s another thorough success from the act, who have caught our ears in the past with the tracks “Laura” and “Donny Says.” Songwriter Max Harrison…
FireAid, the all-star benefit concert event put on in January, raised $100 million for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. On Saturday (July 26), the team behind the dual shows at L.A.’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum released a statement in response to “misinformation being shared online” regarding funds distribution. The long list of performers at FireAid — which was livestreamed, and drew in more than 50 million viewers — included Green Day with Billie Eilish, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Stevie Wonder, Lil Baby, Tate McRae, Sting, Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak with Dr. Dre and…
Charli xcx has unveiled a set of photos from her wedding with George Daniel of The 1975. On Saturday (July 26), the Brat star publicly shared pictures from the July 19 ceremony, an intimate event attended by the couple’s close friends and family at Hackney Town Hall in London. “did something,” Charli captioned the glimpse into the day she married George, adding the millennial-preferred version of a heart emoji to her post on Instagram: <3. Emoticon preference aside, the pictures capture the two artists’ in-love vibes amid their celebration of saying “I do” last weekend. The first photo on the…
German band Elephants in Silent Rooms immerse with a synth-laden, hypnotic rock appeal on “Life and Decay” — the second single from their upcoming album, out this fall. “Guided by the light with you in my sight,” dual vocal layers emit as twanging, soaring guitars maneuver into the cathartic expanse thereafter, where glistening, spacey synths complement the “feels like night and day” ruminations. The subsequent bridge — “thoughts are rising in another dream” — also enamors in its introspective headiness and synth-forward prancing. “Life and Decay” is a strongly memorable output from the band, who first caught our ears back…
“Let’s have fun again.” So stated the declaration emblazoned on the giant video screen at the Hollywood Bowl Friday night (July 25). And Diana Ross definitely delivered on that pledge during the first evening of her two-night engagement at the Los Angeles venue. Belying her 81 years, the dynamic diva effortlessly underscored two things over the course of two hours. First and foremost: age definitely ain’t nothing but a number. And second, some six decades after The Supremes’ first No. 1 hit — 1964’s “Where Did Our Love Go” — the trio’s compelling lead singer is still “The Boss” when…
Canadian singer-songwriter Nicky MacKenzie shares her brand new single I Should Go, an upbeat dance-pop gem that explores temptation, reckless nights, and the haunting pull of bad habits. Out now via Blue Heron Music, I Should Go finds the talented artist capturing the moment when you know you should say no but can’t help saying yes, a relatable message flawlessly conveyed through MacKenzie’s rich, soulful vocals. Accompanying her passionate vocal delivery we have an upbeat pop production that pairs groovy bass with expansive synths, lush guitars and infectious rhythms that come together to create an overall upbeat, feel-good atmosphere! Speaking about…
Benedict Cumberbatch has described the film industry as “grossly wasteful” in its excessive use of resources and energy. The Doctor Strange star was speaking to the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast last week when he was asked about the process of bulking up to play the Marvel superhero. “It’s horrific eating beyond your appetite,” he said, revealing that preparing for the role would require him to eat five meals a day, in addition to multiple other snacks, including boiled eggs and cheese. “Going back to responsibility and resourcefulness and sustainability, it’s just like, ‘What am I doing? I could feed a…
Cleo Laine, whose husky contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz and who was regarded by many as Britain’s greatest contribution to the quintessentially American music, has died. She was 97. The Stables, a charity and venue Laine founded with her late jazz musician husband John Dankworth, said Friday (July 25) it was “greatly saddened” by the news that “one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away.” Monica Ferguson, artistic director of The Stables, said Laine “will be greatly missed, but her unique talent will always be remembered.” Laine’s career spanned the…