Author: Amanda Collins
Less than two months on from the release of his surprise seventh album ‘Swag’, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber is back standing on business once again, and announced his imaginatively titled follow-up ‘Swag II’ with less than a day’s notice. Though it was initially promised at midnight, the pastel-pink release ultimately arrived three hours late – with a frustrated Bieber telling fans that he was also “clicking refresh” and waiting for it to hit streaming services. While ‘Swag’ featured its fair share of lyrical honkers (‘Go Baby’’s breathless name-check for Hailey Bieber’s line of phone-mounted lip gloss holders is surely…
Former PlayStation exclusive Helldivers 2 has had an absolutely massive Xbox launch. Helldivers 2 launched August 2024 for PlayStation 5 and PC gamers. The sci-fi shooter was a surprise hit, selling more than 12million copies in its first few months and winning big at the 2024 Game Awards. Earlier this year, it was confirmed Helldivers 2 would be launching for Xbox on August 26 and cross-play between different platforms would also be possible. A Halo crossover was also announced for Xbox players. When it initially launched, more than 500,000 Xbox players were online at the same time which caused issues…
Director Julian Schnabel has said that Gal Gadot should not be boycotted over her support for Israel. Gadot stars in Schnabel’s new film In The Hand Of Dante alongside the likes of Oscar Isaac, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Al Pacino and Jason Momoa. The drama, based on Nick Tosches’ 2002 novel of the same name, debuted at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday (September 3). Over 1,500 people – including figures from the film industry – had previously signed an open letter to the event’s organisers from Venice4Palestine (V4P), urging them to “to be more courageous and clear in condemning…
The President of Dutch indie label trade group STOMP, Kees van Weijen, has urged the European Union to block Universal Music’s acquisition of Downtown Music, insisting that both national and EU competition regulators have a duty to “step in before consolidation erodes competition and weakens cultural diversity irreversibly”. Alongside his role at STOMP, Van Weijen also sits on the board of pan-European indie label trade group IMPALA, which has strongly opposed Universal’s bid to buy Downtown, an acquisition that would give the major control of FUGA, Songtrust, CD Baby and Curve, businesses that millions of independent artists and labels rely on. IMPALA’s…
Los Angeles-based singer & songwriter Avery Lynch has just shared her brand new single I’m Glad We Met, the centerpiece of her new EP Glad We Met, out now via Records V2. I am a fan of Avery Lynch’s voice and how hauntingly beautiful her vocal delivery is, effortlessly setting the tone for a heartfelt and intimate listening experience. Co-produced by Juan Ariza and her partner Jordan Van Hecke, I’m Glad We Met is an intimate ode to her partner, sharing the origin story of them as a couple, from the time they met to where they are now. Such a…
Drake returned with episode three of Iceman on Thursday night (Sept. 4), which found the 6 God previewing a solo cut as well as collabs with YEAT and Cash Cobain. Cash, who initially worked with Drizzy on 2023’s For All the Dogs, returns to the Iceman fold for “Somebody Loves Me, Pt. 2,” a remix to Drake and PartyNextDoor’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U hit from earlier this year. Explore See latest videos, charts and news In the ep, Drake walks through an Italian market and hops on the phone with YEAT before jumping into his car to preview a…
First she was Jenny from the Block, then she was “Lola,” but now Jennifer Lopez is ready to show you a darker side with her newest performance. On Friday (Sept. 5), Lopez released her rendition of the titular track from her forthcoming movie musical adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Over a waltzing melody, Lopez goes full Broadway, as she belts her way through the John Kander and Frank Ebb-penned classic about love, seduction and death. “Sooner or later, in sunlight or bloom/ When the red candles flicker, she’ll walk in the room,” she sings on the track. “And…
Among the celebrants cheering loudly for Leon Thomas as he accepted his Breakthrough of the Year Award at Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2025 was his mother, Jayon Anthony. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Smiling at his mother on Thursday night (Sept. 4) at Unveiled in Brooklyn, Thomas noted that she paid for his first studio session and ever since then he’s been in a studio recording. Approaching the podium to accept the award, Thomas initially engaged the audience in a call-and-response chant reminiscent of church: “God is good… all the time!” Then, in addressing his solo career takeoff,…
Tame Impala have announced a US headline tour for 2025 – find all the details below. The Kevin Parker-led band will hit the road next month in support of their fifth studio album, ‘Deadbeat’, which is released on October 17 via Columbia (pre-order/pre-save here). Parker and co’s upcoming run of eight arena shows is due to kick off with two nights at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on October 31 and November 1. From there, Tame Impala will head to Chicago’s United Center (November 3), Austin’s Moody Center (6), San Diego’s Pechanga Arena (9), Los Angeles’ Kia Forum…
The new album from Nick Jaina, The Monster Mash showcases a spacious guitar-led sound that melodically frames lyrics exploring self-reflection, personal fragmentation, and the beauty of embracing a life that’s offbeat from societal conventions. Across the record, Jaina balances playful nostalgia with introspective moments, capturing both the thrill of youthful abandon and the longing for connection and wholeness, all while wrapping it in delicate organs, twangy guitar lines, and subtly intricate arrangements. Album opener “Strange Undertaking” exudes an introspective lyrical charm amidst tender guitars and a faint backing organ. The track conjures imagery of an overactive mind and stumbling body,…