Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Steven Hyden’s Favorite Music Of July 2022

Every month, Uproxx cultural critic Steven Hyden makes an unranked list of his favorite music-related items released during this period — songs, albums, books, films, you name it.

1. Guided By Voices, Tremblers And Goggles By Rank

Still most associated with his mid-’90s work — in which GBV became indie-famous for minute-long, lo-fi songs on albums like 1994’s Bee Thousand and 1995’s Alien Lanes that somehow hit with the anthemic force of Who’s Next — Robert Pollard in recent years has made some of his most ambitious and sprawling LPs, like 2019’s expansive 32-song, 74-minute Zeppelin Over China and 2021’s dense and often thrilling concept album Earth Man Blues. But what’s more impressive than the quantity or even the quality of GBV’s recent output has been Pollard’s ability to keep on surprising even his most loyal followers. This month, GBV put out its second LP of 2022, the (of course) inscrutably titled Tremblers And Goggles By Rank, which is precisely the sort of GBV album I would have never expected or thought I wanted — a tight rock record with zero filler. At 10 songs and 38 minutes, it’s 18 songs and three minutes shorter than Alien Lanes. You could even call it relatively “normal,” no matter that one of the catchiest tunes is called “Cartoon Fashion (Bongo Lake).” For this band, “normal” or “tight” are not necessarily compliments. But in this case, to my ears, they absolutely are.

2. The Bear soundtrack

If you watch enough prestige TV — and you’re the sort of person who pays attention to the music playing in the background — you no doubt understand what these shows are supposed to sound like. The soundtracks often treat songs like signifiers of “quality.” They are so aggressively tasteful and curator-approved that they can feel a little anonymous and even oppressive, like you’re watching the televisual equivalent of a blandly fashionable downtown boutique. But the acclaimed FX/Hulu series The Bear moves to a radically different rhythm. The bulk of the soundtrack is made up of songs from the ’80s and ’90s that patrons of the show’s fictional eatery The Original Beef Of Chicagoland might like: Pearl Jam, John Cougar Mellencamp, Counting Crows, Genesis, Radiohead. If that’s not dad rock enough for you, there are also three Wilco songs. While some snobs might wince at such a normie playlist, the music enhances the everyman vibe of The Bear, while also feeling true to the characters and the milieu. So many TV shows and movies bungle their soundtracks by turning the protagonists into inauthentic music experts whose listening habits don’t line up with real life. Whereas in The Bear, when Carmy’s lunkhead cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) retreats to his car during a tough day at the restaurant, it makes perfect sense that he would have a live acoustic version of Counting Crows’ “Have You Seen Me Lately?” playing on the stereo. (It’s also, to be clear, an awesome song.)

3. Alvvays, “Pharmacist”

Some of the best news to come down in the indie world this month was the announcement of a new Alvvays album, Blue Rev, which is due Oct. 7. It’s been five long years since 2017’s Antisocialites, which is just about as perfect as the Canadian dream pop band’s classic self-titled first album from 2014. The news arrived with a new single, “Pharmacist,” that thankfully sounds very Alvvays-y, albeit with a slightly rougher and more energetic edge. This is no doubt related to how the album was made in Los Angeles with ace producer Shawn Everett (who is perhaps best known for working on the last two War On Drugs albums). Everett encouraged the band to play live to tape, and they responded by essentially tearing through the material like they were at a live gig. The result is a record that will likely land in the upper reaches of my year-end list.

4. Wild Pink, “ILYSM”

Speaking of albums destined for my year-end list: I’ve had a promo copy of the fourth Wild Pink album due in October, ILYSM, for about a month, and it already seems like one of the more dazzling and emotionally overpowering records of 2022. I’ve been a fan of John Ross’ band for a while now, and while I’ve loved all of their albums there was a danger that they could fall into a lilting synth-rock lull. But ILYSM finds Ross shaking up the formula with an expansive supporting cast that includes Julien Baker, J. Mascis, Ryley Walker, and Yasmin Williams. Written and recorded in the midst of Ross’ recent cancer diagnosis — he’s thankfully in remission at this time — ILYSM sounds like an attempt to evoke the fear, confusion, and stubborn survival instinct of navigating life-changing trauma. Musically, this record swings for the fences — it sounds like an attempt by Wild Pink to make their own Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Did they make it all the way? We’ll talk more about it later but … get excited.

5. Pool Kids, Pool Kids

I remember first hearing about these smart-aleck-y Florida math-punks in 2019 when I came across their Audiotree session, which spotlighted the Iron Maiden-like guitar interplay between lead singer Christine Goodwyne and guitarist Andy Anaya, as well as Goodwyne’s witty observational lyrics. At the time, they seemed a little green but with a lot of potential. Flash forward three years later, and their self-titled second LP has fully lived up to the promise that they showed in that clip. Pool Kids is a consistently fun and tuneful pop-rock record that delivers insight and laughs in equal doses. My favorite song is “Arm’s Length,” because the 27-year-old Goodwyne describes my own life as it existed at age 27: “I don’t think I have the energy / To make it out of my bed today / It’s not even a bed / I’ve been sleeping on / A air mattress with a hole / For almost three months.” I also slept on an air mattress with a hole in it for three months at that time! Is this a more common experience that I realized?

6. John Moreland, Birds In The Ceiling

In the early 2010s, people referred to Jason Isbell as a “songwriter’s songwriter.” But now Isbell is too famous to be classified that way. The current reigning “songwriter’s songwriter” has to be John Moreland, a 37-year-old Tulsa native who has been putting out music since the late aughts. I started listening around the time of 2015’s High On Tulsa Heat, and over the course of subsequent albums, he’s perfected that low-key, Townes Van Zandt-style of writing where he’s slowly ripping your heart out even if his voice never rises above a resigned warble. In his recent work, he’s been dabbling with electronic elements, and on Birds In The Ceiling it complements the rough-hewn, acoustic instrumentation like heat lightning dotting a humid, mid-summer sky at dusk.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Listeners Marvel Over The Sequencing Of Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’

It is not enough to simply throw a bunch of good songs together on an album. Music listeners are more critical than ever about sequencing and transition. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé understood the assignment on her new album Renaissance and fans are in awe.

An early favorite 1-2 punch is “Plastic On The Sofa” into “Virgo’s Groove.” Another fan acknowledged the sequential trio of “Cuff It,” “Energy,” and “Break My Soul.” One, Scottie Beam, even described the transitions as “tender a** fall off the bone.” Needless to say, people seem happy with the album.

Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance is out now via Parkwood Entertainment LLC and Columbia Records. The 15-track LP was first announced in June, with Variety reporting it would feature heavy country and dance music. The latter was confirmed with the release of the upbeat lead single “Break My Soul.”

After sharing the album’s tracklist last week, the Lemonade artist finished off her rollout with a statement on her website saying “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”

She released yet another statement upon the album’s release, thanking the fans who were patient enough to wait until today (July 29) to listen despite Renaissance leaking earlier this week.

Check out some of the adulatory tweets about Renaissance above.

Renaissance is out now via Parkwood/Columbia. Listen here.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Beyoncé Thanks The Fans Who Did Not Listen To The ‘Renaissance’ Leak

An unfortunate reality for artists is that while they fully intend to deliver new music on their own timetable, the internet often has other plans. Many artists have had songs and entire albums leak ahead of their planned release. Shockingly, Beyoncé fell victim to this as well with Renaissance leaking just two days before its official drop. Queen Bey seems unphased, though.

In a tweet, the “Halo” artist posted a regal photo of herself and thanked the fans who waited. “So, the album leaked, and you all actually waited until the proper release time so you all can enjoy it together. I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t thank y’all enough for your love and protection. I appreciate you all for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. It means the world to me. Thank you for your unwavering support. Thank you for being patient. We are going to take our time and enjoy the music. I will continue to give my all and do. my best to bring you joy. I love you deep.”

Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance is out now via Parkwood Entertainment LLC and Columbia Records. The 15-track LP was first announced in June, with Variety reporting it would feature heavy country and dance music. The latter was confirmed with the release of the upbeat lead single “Break My Soul.” The rollout continued with the reveal of Renaissance‘s cover art, with a semi-nude Beyoncé sitting atop a crystalline horse with bright yellow lights within it.

Excitement for the album grew even further when the internet discovered its list of composers, including Drake, Jay-Z, Skrillex, Big Freedia, The Neptunes, Mike Dean and several other talented creators. A reference track for “Heated” performed by Drake even surfaced on the internet, causing fans to wonder if they would get a follow-up to their 2015 collaboration “Can I” and the cult classic “Mine” from 2013’s Beyonce.

After sharing the album’s tracklist last week, the Lemonade artist finished off her rollout with a statement on her website saying “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”

The wait is over. The Renaissance is here.

Renaissance is out now via Parkwood/Columbia. Listen here.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Jackson Wang Tames Fire-Breathing Women In The Chaotic ‘Cruel’ Video

Jackson Wang has a way with his words and his lungs in the new “Cruel” video. It opens with the artist walking through a destroyed city while women rises out of its ashes. One by one, he takes them into his grasp and inhales the fire coming out of their mouths. He ultimately reaches what appears to be their final boss, and after some physical back and forth, she sends him into a black hole. Cruel indeed.

“Cruel” arrives as part of Jackson Wang’s latest album Magic Man, available today (July 28) via Team Wang Records, 88rising Records, Warner Records, and Ryce Music Group. The 10-track LP is a more raw and honest version of the 28-year-old that feels true to his current moment. The lead single “Blow” was released back in March and is Wang’s highest viewed music video to date with over 26 million views.

Magic Man is a quick follow-up for Jackson Wang, who released his mixtape Lost & Found back in March of 2022 after a nearly three-year hiatus since 2019’s Mirrors. The K-pop artist has been all over this year with an appearance during 88rising’s Coachella set, marking the first time a Chinese national performed at the esteemed festival.

Wang is set to headline 88rising’s Head In The Clouds festival on August 21 at Brookside At The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Magic Man is sure to have fans even more excited for his set.

Listen to “Cruel” above.

Magic Man is out now via Team Wang Records, 88rising Records, Warner Records and Ryce Music Group. Listen here.

Jackson WNG is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Fred Again.. And Swedish House Mafia Touch Up A Classic By Future On ‘Turn On The Lights Again’

Fred Again.. is revisiting a Future classic. Or perhaps, a past classic? Either way, the British singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist has teamed up with Swedish House Mafia and Future for “Turn On The Lights Again,” a hypnotic dance-ready anthem that samples the latter’s namesake 2012 breakthrough hit from his debut album, Pluto.

Fred has been teasing the song for the past month by way of a sound on TikTok, which has since pulled in over 3.7 million views on the original clip, and over 10 million on clips utilizing the sound. According to a statement, Fred ripped the repeating “Turn On The Lights” vocal sample after streaming a video clip of the song online. He later presented the stems and bones of the song to Swedish House Mafia, who played with the track several times before landing on a final mix.

Last month, Fred released “Jungle,” which features vocals from Elley Duhe. Earlier this month, he teamed up with Rico Nasty, who helped completely transform the track into a chaotic, flashy new remix for her new album, Las Ruinas.

Check out “Turn On The Lights” again above.

Fred Again.. is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Hailee Steinfeld And Anderson .Paak ‘Coast’ On A Breezy New Track

Hailee Steinfeld is making a return to music. Two years since releasing her second EP, Half-Written Story, the multihyphenate has dropped “Coast,” a euphoric, guitar-and-percussion-driven single, perfect for wrapping up the summer.

“Just relax and let the riptide pull you close / Baby all I wanna do is coast / With you / Energy, your body flows,” she sings.

Anderson .Paak joins in, delivering his signature raspy rap-singing on a flirtatious verse, saying, “Listen, I been chillin’ with you for a couple days / If you ain’t afraid, me and you should rage / In the sun rays, come on out the cage / Don’t wanna tame, live it your way.”

Steinfeld has been teasing the track over the past few days via Twitter, saying “are you ever just three days away from releasing your favorite song you’ve ever worked on.”

She also gave fans a hint of what to expect from her new music in a recent interview with People, saying, “These sounds are
absolutely going to represent a new era. I’ve been living with what I’ve been working on for years now, a couple years, which I really do feel I needed in order to get to where I’m at with the music. And though it is rather frustrating. I have the most patient fans, I don’t know how but I got so lucky.”

Check out “Coast” above.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Calvin Harris Drops ‘New To You,’ With Tinashe, Normani, And Offset

A week out from his upcoming album, Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2, Calvin Harris has dropped the R&B-focused “New To You.” On the song, which features Tinashe, Normani, and Offset, Harris delivers an live instrument-driven-beat, with seductive strings and slow-thumping kick drums, creating a romantic, cinematic feel.

Normani opens with the song’s chorus, singing, “This might be news to you / this thing might feel new to you / but if you like everything / I think you might love me, baby.”

Tinashe delivers the song’s first verse, toughening up her signature soft-tinged vocals, willing to “bet a billion that you gon’ like this / ‘Cause you never had a wild one like this / Don’t really do one night sh*t / ‘Cause one night make ’em wanna whole life it.” Midway through the verse, she switches back to her signature sound, on which she instructs her summer flame to “Stay focused on T / I’m all that he needs / And don’t ever play no games.”

Offset swoops in with an affectionate verse, detailing an immediate infatuation. “I don’t know you, but I know I f*ck with you / I think I want to fly you to Peru from Malibu.”

Harris has collaborated with all of these artists in the past — Tinashe on “Dollar Signs” from his 2014 album, Motion, Normani on “Checklist” and “Slow Down,” from a collaborative EP in 2018, and Offset on 2017’s “Slide,” which featured Frank Ocean and Migos. This is Harris’ first time collaborating with Offset without the other members of Migos, and it’s quite possible this may be the way going forward, given the recent hints at Offset leaving the group.

Check out “New To You” above.

Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2 is out 8/5 via Columbia Records. Pre-save it here.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Quavo, Takeoff and Gucci Mane Dismiss The Competition On The Confident “Us Vs Them”

Confidence can take people far in life, and it only gets boosted more when it is clear no one can compare. Quavo and Takeoff go the duo route once again, this time tapping fellow Atlanta native Gucci Mane for the confident anthem “Us Vs Them.” Takeoff handles the hook before getting into his verse, followed by Quavo who raps with a fury, and Gucci Mane closes things off with a shoutout to the currently incarcerated Young Thug and Gunna.

The video shows the trio rapping while flanked by beautiful women. With some sports references in the track, it only makes sense for the ladies to be holding basketballs in addition to football players going at it and a boxer landing jabs into a punching bag.

This isn’t Quavo and Takeoff’s first foray into their own music as a duo. Back in May, they released “Hotel Lobby” under the duo name Unc And Phew. The song came after speculation of Migos’s demise when it was revealed Offset and his wife, superstar rapper Cardi B, had unfollowed Quavo and Takeoff on social media. Though Quavo told GQ that the group’s solo endeavors only strengthen them as individuals and a unit, the recent announcement that he and Takeoff will be performing as Migos at the 2022 Pepsi National Battle Of The Bands only adds to the belief that the group is done.

As for Gucci Mane, he released So Icy Gang: The Reup back in June 2022. He also joined Migos onstage at the recent Rolling Loud Miami festival.

Check out “Us Vs Them” above.

Gucci Mane is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Hayley Kiyoko Continues A Queer Coming-Of-Age Story On Her New Album, ‘Panorama’

At long last, Hayley Kiyoko has released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Panorama. Continuing the queer coming-of-age story she told on her 2018 debut album, Expectations, Panorama features Kiyoko digging herself out of a dark place and rebuilding her spirits.

“I went through a period of time after my last album where I’d lost my confidence and my self-worth,” said Kiyoko in a statement. “Thankfully I was surrounded by friends and family who kept me grounded, always supporting me in my lowest moments and reminding me who I was along the way. ‘Panorama’ was the last song I wrote for this album, in a moment of clarity to enjoy the present and not let my trauma define me. One of my favorite lyrics from this song is ‘I’m done confusing all these ashes with my worth,’ which is a metaphor for when we measure our own value only by our struggles and hardships, but in reality, our worth is unwavering. We just need to give ourselves the space to appreciate the highs and the lows of this beautiful journey.”

Ahead of the album, Kiyoko has released an ode to her chosen family called “Found My Friends,” a sapphic summer love bop called “For The Girls,” and a vulnerable ballad called “Deep In The Woods.”

Stream Panorama here.

Hayley Kiyoko is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Categories
News Trending Viral Worldwide

Pete Davidson Says Amy Schumer And Bill Hader Are Responsible For Him Getting Hired On ‘SNL’

Kevin Hart has low key become one of the best celebrity interviews in the business (Hart to Heart), and he recently sat down with Pete Davidson to unpack how the still-young, weirdly-veteran comic got his slot on Saturday Night Live.

“I got really lucky,” Davidson said. “I was doing stand-up for 3, 4 years in the city, and I met Amy Schumer. She let me open for her on the road for a little bit. She was like, ‘I’m doing this movie Trainwreck. I’ll see if I can get you a part in it.” And so she did. Davidson had a cameo appearance alongside Bill Hader, and after a day of hanging on set, Davidson’s agent called him the next day to say that Hader had submitted Davidson for an SNL audition. “Why the fuck would he do that? I was terrified!” Davidson said.

He also went on to describe the nerve-wracking, no laughs vibe of the audition process which sounds more like a colonoscopy with wealthy patrons allowed to watch from the shadows. But what’s most interesting about the conversation is Davidson’s belief that he’d only make it the one year before being fired, figuring he’d at least have the credit to dine out on for the near future. Eight seasons later, Davidson is one of the biggest names in comedy, having struggled to find his true place in the cast until he and Lorne hit on a rhythm that worked in his last few years. His next movie, horror comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies is out August 5th.

So, for those who still dream of working on SNL, all you have to do is impress a world-famous comedian enough that she puts you in a movie where you impress another world-famous comedian enough that he gets you an audition. Then, you’re pretty much home free.