Month: August 2023

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

On “Fade To Black” off Leon Thomas’ Electric Dusk debut, lives a quote that is ultimately the foundation of his debut album. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Bones McCoy from Star Trek: The Original Series is the voice behind this clip, and the quote itself dates back to the 19th century via a letter from British politician Lord Acton to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. In full, the quote reads, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” Here, “great” isn’t synonymous with behavior or quality, but rather, strength, power, and influence. Leon Thomas knows those three things all too well as a member of Hollywood, in both the metaphorical and literal sense.

Leon Thomas the solo artist may be new to some people, but Hollywood and the big life aren’t new to him. His time in the spotlight dates back to 2010, following a stint on Broadway, as he landed a role on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, a show that allowed him to put his acting and singing skills on display. By the time that series came to a close, Thomas was co-writing records with his then-Victorious co-star and now-pop superstar Ariana Grande for her debut album Yours Truly. That album, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in the coming days, has six writing credits from Thomas and the credits would continue to pour in for him over the next decade. He worked as a solo writer and as one-half of The Rascals duo beside names like Drake (“Pipe Down”), Toni Braxton (“I’d Rather Be Broke”), Post Malone (“Yours Truly, Austin Post”), Giveon (“For Tonight”), SZA, (“Snooze”), and Rick Ross (“Gold Roses”).

A decade after that started, we’ve arrived at Electric Dusk, where Leon Thomas rolls the tape to explain how love in the hills has played out for him. With songwriting that proves why he’s one of the best in the industry, Thomas also crafted the album with the idea that it could be presented at the Electric Dusk theater he named it after. He isn’t just overwhelmed with life in the hills on “Crash & Burn,” he’s buried so deeply under it that a move to Mississippi, a state he seemingly has no connection to, and a fiery crash on the interstate sound like the escape he needs. There’s merely saying a relationship has reached its end and then there’s “slow dancing in a burning house,” as he sings on “Breaking Point.” Sharp imagery like this makes it so that Thomas is not only heard but seen and felt as well.

Though love is a dominant topic on Electric Dusk, the element of power stands right beside it. Aligned with Acton’s theory, Thomas seems to accept that power does corrupt, an experience he has as both a victim and a perpetrator. His sense of control vanishes on “My Will,” leaving him to write one final message to the world a request “no cat fights at my funeral” and not be “dressed up in no corny sh*t.” You’re initially led to believe that the song is about the loss of artistic freedom when it’s really Thomas holding a funeral for his playboy lifestyle. Money is his power on “Blue Hundreds” as he leads a rugged march towards a lavish night that could also be troublesome. Thomas reigns supreme in intimacy as he’s successfully corralled a taken woman on “Sneak” into consistently giving him her “sweet, sweet peach” for some “afternoon delight.” Though powerful men may be bad men as Acton posed, Thomas seemingly retorts that surrendering that power leaves one in turmoil. You’re left to think: to corrupt or to be corrupted?

On Electric Dusk, Leon Thomas speaks to those in and by the limelight – whether it be at its center, its edges, or just outside of it where many long to step into it for a moment of their own. Acknowledging that final piece is what makes Electric Dusk so captivating. It’s a message that’s about himself as it is one to others; a reminder that it’s never as good as it seems under the bright lights. Leon Thomas and Electric Dusk make an official entry to the R&B world that’s a bit reminiscent of Lucky Daye’s own in 2019 with Painted. Though both releases as more different than they are similar, in both cases, you’re left with the idea that a new mainstay in R&B has arrived. Leon Thomas’ fingerprints can be found in various corners of the music world over the past decade, but none were truly his own. Now, he has that with his stellar debut album, and ladies and gentlemen, there’s power in that.

Electric Dusk is out now via EZMNY Records and Motown Records. Stream it here.

Ty Dolla Sign is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lauryn Hill is honoring the 25th anniversary of her acclaimed 1998 solo debut, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, with a world tour.

“The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill is and was a love song to my parents, my family, my people, my musical and cultural forebears, my teachers, my loves, my Creator,” Hill shared in a press release. “I wrote love songs and protest songs–(still love songs) about the subjects and interests that inspired and moved me. I was confident that what inspired me would resonate with an audience that had been led to believe that songs of that kind could only live in the past.”

Fugees will open most of the North American shows after being set to reunite for a tour last year, based around The Score turning 25. However, it was eventually canceled, which Variety suspected due to Pras Michel’s legal issues. They still have made appearances together, including at Roots Picnic in June.

In Australia, Hill will be joined by Koffee as an opening act.

Continue scrolling for the complete list of tour dates. Presale and general sales for each of the dates are taking place at different times. For more information, visit here.

09/08 — Minneapolis, MN @ Mystic Lake
09/23 — New York, NY @ Global Citizen Festival
10/01 — Gold Coast, AUS @ Promiseland Festival
10/03 — Melbourne, AUS @ Rod Laver Arena *
10/05 — Sydney, AUS @ Kudos Banks Arena *
10/07 — Auckland, NZ @ Eden Festival
10/17 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center #
10/19 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays #
10/21 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena #
10/23 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Arena #
10/26 — Toronto, ON – Scotia #
10/28 — Chicago, IL @ United Center #
10/30 — Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena #
11/02 — Denver, CO – Ball Arena #
11/05 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum #
11/07 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena #
11/09 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena #

* with Koffee
# with Fugees

Barbie will be 2023’s most popular Halloween costume. This is not a bold take, only an accurate one. There’s multiple reasons for this: Barbie is a huge hit, everyone likes it (minus far-right chuds), and it has a recognizable aesthetic that’s easy to replicate at home. You can make your own Barbie costume, or you can buy one at Spirit Halloween — although you better order yours now. Halloween isn’t for another two months, but they’re already selling it.

“Adult Skating Barbie” is sold out. So is “Adult Western Barbie” (“Adult Gingham Dress” — hat included! — is coming soon). But “Pink Power Jumpsuit Barbie” and “Weird Barbie” are available, as is “Rebel Rocker Ken,” “Skating Ken,” and “Western Ken.” Sadly, Spirit isn’t selling an Allan costume, probably because the servers would crash from everyone trying to buy it at once.

“When you do a costume, you often try and work out the character of the person that’s wearing them and what they do,” Barbie costume designer Jacqueline Durran told People. “But the character of Barbie is really the history of Barbie. If you were to delve into her backstory, it would be how she’d looked over the decades. It’s the way we chose to do it.” For a Barbie deep cut costume, give Rappin’ Rockin’ Barbie a shot. It pairs well with nipple ring Ken.

Last night (August 21), Drake came through with the adorable cover art for his new album, For All The Dogs, which features an illustration (of a dog, it would seem) by his son Adonis. He hasn’t yet revealed the official release date, but now it appears Amazon Music has let the cat (or dog?) out of the bag.

The streaming platform wrote in a tweet today, “drizzy’s son has a future as a cover artist. new @drake august 25th!!”

The release date is in accordance with the timeline Drake established at a July 26 concert, when he told the audience, “Make new friends. If you drink, drink some liquor. If you smoke, smoke some weed. And if you like somebody, like my dad says, keep f*cking. I will be back soon. I have an album dropping for you in, like, two weeks or some sh*t. But until then, just know, you’re always with me and I’m always thinking of you. Everything I do is for you. Every time I step in that booth, I hope I make you proud.”

In other It’s All A Blur Tour news, it was reported recently that so far, the tour is pulling in about $4.5 million in revenue per show.

It’s hard to believe that August is nearly over and summer is too. This week’s best new pop continued to see artists either dropping full albums or adding to their cycle of one on the way — giving a perfect mix of upbeat songs to rock out to and other slower, piano-driven tracks if you feel like a good cry. No matter what mood, pop releases always have something for you.

Continue scrolling for Uproxx’s Best New Pop roundup.

Addison Rae — “2 Die 4” (feat. Charli XCX)

Addison Rae’s fans had been waiting quite a while to see her unreleased music make the light of day. So, when she announced that it would finally be last week as a surprise drop, it took the internet by storm. One of the tracks turned into a collaboration with Charli XCX, where the two performers turn out to be the best combo for summoning a fun, hot girl era.

Reneé Rapp — “23”

Reneé Rapp returned over the weekend with her new album, Snow Angel. Throughout the record, she shows off her incredible vocal ability. However, as someone who is also “23,” the closing track felt the most deserving of the spotlight. Written just before her birthday, it deals with the hopes of things changing in the new year.

Charlie Puth — “Lipstick”

As the lead single from his next album, Charlie Puth’s “Lipstick” takes on the tone that the title suggests, with some fiery lyrics. “It’s also one of my favorite mixes I’ve ever done. I think it’s damn near perfect,” he shared on social media about the song.

Anitta — “Used To Be”

Anitta’s “Used To Be” finds her using inspiration from the carioca funk that surrounded the Brazilian star’s upbringing. As part of her three-track project, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story, her nostalgic nature makes every piece of the project feel just as entertaining.

aespa — “Better Things”

aespa’s new “Better Things” finds the girl group reclaiming their power after putting an end to a failed and upsetting relationship. “I was always sure you would let me down / I wasn’t ever sure if I’d trust you / But I’m so g*ddamn sure my energy is just too precious to waste,” they declare.

Jon Batiste, Lana Del Rey — “Life Lesson”

The final track on Jon Batiste‘s new album, World Music Radio, is his latest collaboration with Lana Del Rey on an equally-emotional track, “Life Lessons.” It’s no surprise, as Batiste is a talented vocalist, and the two feel like a perfect match. “I read an article about a star who said that standing / In the shadow of her husband felt so dark / Reminded me of you and I because / That’s very much the way our story was,” Del Rey adds on her dark-but-dreamy verse.

Madison Beer — “Spinnin”

Madison Beer’s “Spinnin” is the newest preview ahead of her album, Silence Between Songs, which drops next month. It finds Beer considering how stuck-in-place she feels, making for a moving track. “I felt like every day was a cycle and I was stuck in such an anxious place, yet I could finally explore the thoughts and emotions in my head,” she shared.

Lolo Zouaï — “Encore”

Lolo Zouaï had been teasing her follow up to 2022’s Pl4yg1rl with her song, “Encore,” and as the title suggests — it does not disappoint. Her electronic beats never fail to pull a listener in when paired with her gentle multi-lingual vocals.

Finn Askew — “Used To This”

Finn Askew found himself working with the producer Mojam (Sam Smith) for his latest track, “Used To This.” It puts an R&B-inspired spin on the unique instrumental to create a catchy hit in the making.

Leah Kate — “Get In Loser”

Leah Kate’s “Get In Loser” is a spot-on summer song that goes full throttle on the pop-rock inspiration, as Kate’s moody vocals detail the plans for the weekend and her bold nature. Basically, it’s carefree and perfect for a party.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Whether it’s the mac n’ cheese that reminds you of simpler times, or the exotic spiced chicken recipe you acquired from your travels, every meal tells a story.

This rings especially true for people whose families immigrate to different countries to start a new life. Immigrant parents often not only save every penny, but spend most of their time away working in order to build a future for their children. Each comfort meal they manage to provide their kids in the very few spare hours they have tells the story of love and sacrifice.

For Kat Chao, that meal was her mother’s Korean curry.

A photo of baby Kat and her mom and dad

Growing up, Kat’s mom worked weekends to support her family. But that didn’t stop her from waking up Saturday morning to dice up some beef and fresh veggies and throw them into a large pot so that Kat’s dad could heat it up and serve it with some rice to her and her brothers later.

Curry was a quick, easy and inexpensive way to feed a full house, but it served more than just practical purposes. As Kat would wake up to the enticing aroma, she was reminded that her mom was always taking care of her, even if she couldn’t physically be there.

YUM

As Kat grew a little older, her attitude towards her mother’s curry shifted. Instead of looking forward to it, she would “roll her eyes at it,” as is customary of the rebellious teen. Those less-than-positive feelings were only exacerbated by the media constantly labeling carbs, therefore rice, as “bad.” As a kid who struggled with weight, her comfort food became a source of discomfort.

But as an adult, and now a mom herself, Kat has reached a full circle moment.

Kat, all grown up with her own familiy

As she makes her own kids the exact same curry dish (okay, maybe a leaner cut of beef, and organic veggies…but otherwise exactly the same!) Kat finds a whole new appreciation for the recipe, knowing how hard her mom worked to even make it happen.

Kat was lucky to have grown up with a meal to look forward to each night. Other kids aren’t so lucky. 1 in 8 kids currently experience food insecurity in the United States. But there’s an opportunity to decrease those numbers.

For every O Organics product you purchase, the company will donate a meal to someone in need through the Albertsons Companies Foundation—for up to a total of 28 million meals.

Is there a dish from your childhood that you’ve longed to rekindle with? You could do like Kat does and give it an O Organic twist. Luckily, the O Organics brand has a wide array of affordable ingredients, so creating healthy swaps is easier than ever. Plus, you can provide nourishment to another family at the same time.

Just think—the next meal you prepare could make all the difference to someone else. If every meal tells a story, that’s certainly a story worth telling.

Every year, as students around the globe gear up for a new academic term, piles of plastic school supplies make their way into classrooms and, inevitably, into our landfills. We’re talking pens that run out of ink, broken rulers, empty glue sticks—the list goes on. It’s a perpetuating cycle that feeds into the enormous issue of plastic waste that’s choking our environment. These seemingly small contributions from our backpacks and pencil cases add up quickly, creating a startling amount of waste, and it’s time we start rethinking how we equip our young learners.

100% Plastic & Vinyl-Free

Zero-waste Binder Kit

$24.00 at Wisdom Supply Co.

★ BUY NOW ★

Enter Wisdom Supply Co., a company redefining what back-to-school shopping looks like. They’ve taken a hard look at the classroom, identified the sources of plastic waste, and come up with a solution that’s as innovative as it is eco-friendly. Their mission is simple yet profound: to change our relationship with school supplies by offering sustainable, waste-free alternatives.

Their flagship product, the Zero-Waste Binder Kit, embodies this mission perfectly. It’s a product designed not only to serve its purpose in organizing students’ notes but also to instigate a shift in the industry—away from single-use, disposable items and toward durable, earth-friendly supplies. With Wisdom Supply Co., going back to school means going forward with sustainability.

The Problem with Traditional School Supplies

What’s the big deal with traditional school supplies? First off, think of the sheer volume. There are millions of students, each with a backpack full of notebooks, pens, binders—the common essentials. The majority of these items are plastic-based, designed for a single school year’s use, then discarded. But these items don’t just disappear. Instead, they end up in landfills, contributing to an already severe environmental waste crisis. It’s a system built on convenience, but it’s also unsustainably shortsighted, and our desire for new, shiny supplies overlooks the long-term impact.

The downside of plastic pollution goes beyond overflowing landfills—it’s a problem that impacts our health and the overall well-being of our planet. Many plastics contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and BPA, which can seep into the soil and water, disrupting ecosystems and making their way into our food chain. The production process for plastic is no angel either—it’s a significant contributor to air pollution and global warming.

Our penchant for plastic, driven by convenience and short-term thinking, is coming at a significant cost—one that we pay in environmental degradation, climate change, and health risks. It’s a high price for a pack of pens or a binder.

The Zero-Waste Binder Kit

Luckily, there’s the Zero-Waste Binder Kit, an innovative solution from Wisdom Supply Co. This isn’t your standard, off-the-shelf school supply. The Binder Kit is a blend of thoughtfulness, sustainability, and practicality. Each kit comes with durable cardboard binders, recycled paper notebooks, and non-toxic, plastic-free dividers and tabs.

All these components can be replaced individually, which means you won’t need to buy a whole new binder every year. And each item in the kit is designed to last a full school year and beyond, making it the perfect companion for a student seeking both functionality and sustainability. But most importantly, this Binder Kit is 100% recyclable, entirely plastic-free, and proudly made right here in the United States.

100% Plastic & Vinyl-Free

Zero-waste Binder Kit

$24.00 at Wisdom Supply Co.

★ BUY NOW ★

By choosing this kit, you’re not just opting for a plastic-free solution; you’re supporting local manufacturing and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods from overseas. That’s a win-win situation if ever there was one. The Zero-Waste Binder Kit from Wisdom Supply Co. is more than just a product—it’s a statement, a commitment to sustainable living, and an investment in our planet’s future. Isn’t it time we rethought our approach to school supplies?

Wisdom Supply Co.’s Mission

Wisdom Supply Co. was founded by two parents who were fed up with the disposable culture around school supplies. The company arose from the ashes of many broken, discarded plastic binders. Frustrated by the endless cycle of buying, breaking, and trashing, they set out to create a solution that respects the planet and teaches kids about sustainability. Their core philosophy? Quality, reusable school supplies that are built to last and designed to be fixed, not thrown away.

Wisdom Supply Co. is more than a company—it’s a call to action. They’re on a mission to turn the tide on the plastic waste crisis, one sustainable product at a time. They have big dreams about a world where school supplies contribute to a circular economy rather than an overflowing landfill. Each product they create, including the Zero-Waste Binder Kit, is a step in that direction—designed to be loved, used, repaired, and eventually recycled, never trashed. Every purchase supports this vision and helps make a more sustainable world possible.

The Hidden Costs Of “Cheap” Plastic

The upfront cost of the Zero-Waste Binder Kit is higher than its plastic counterparts. But when products are created with sustainability and longevity in mind, certain costs are associated with that—fair wages for workers, high-quality materials that last longer, and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes all play a role. Also, remember that this binder isn’t a single-use item that will end up in a landfill after a few months. It’s built to last and be repairable, so you’re essentially buying several years’ worth of binders all at once.

There’s also the invaluable aspect of voting with your wallet. By buying from companies like Wisdom Supply Co., you’re supporting a shift away from the disposable culture plaguing our planet. You’re encouraging the production of more sustainable, earth-friendly products and sending a message to other manufacturers about the kind of future you want to see. Purchasing the Zero-Waste Binder Kit isn’t just a school supply decision—it’s a step towards a more sustainable world.

Order Now

100% Plastic & Vinyl-Free

Zero-waste Binder Kit

$24.00 at Wisdom Supply Co.

★ BUY NOW ★

As we approach another school year, remember that every purchase we make is a statement about the world we want to live in. Choosing sustainable over disposable, repairing instead of replacing—these choices matter. They ripple out, impacting our environment and teaching our kids valuable lessons about stewardship and sustainability.

That’s why we invite you to take a stand with Wisdom Supply Co. Click here to order their Zero-Waste Binder Kit. Make it part of your back-to-school shopping list. It’s more than just a binder—it’s a way to support a greener future, a tool for teaching kids about sustainability, and a vote for a world without wastefulness. Let’s redefine school supplies. Let’s make sustainability the standard. Because the planet deserves better, and so do our kids.

Before his sudden rise to fame with newly minted Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Rich Men North Of Richmond,” Oliver Anthony was a relatively unknown musician. He gets that, so in a recent Facebook post, he shared some biographical information about himself for his new fans.

In the post (shared on August 17, before “Rich Men North Of Richmond topped the Hot 100), Anthony says he “never wanted to be a full time musician,” adding, “There’s nothing special about me. I’m not a good musician, I’m not a very good person.” He continued, “I’ve spent the last 5 years struggling with mental health and using alcohol to drown it. I am sad to see the world in the state it’s in, with everyone fighting with each other. I have spent many nights feeling hopeless, that the greatest country on Earth is quickly fading away.”

He also indicated that he’s turned down some significant opportunities recently:

“People in the music industry give me blank stares when I brush off 8 million dollar offers. I don’t want 6 tour buses, 15 tractor trailers and a jet. I don’t want to play stadium shows, I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they’re being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullsh*t. Just some idiot and his guitar. The style of music that we should have never gotten away from in the first place.”

Find the full post here and below.

“It’s been difficult as I browse through the 50,000+ messages and emails I’ve received in the last week. The stories that have been shared paint a brutally honest picture. Suicide, addiction, unemployment, anxiety and depression, hopelessness and the list goes on.

Im sitting in such a weird place in my life right now. I never wanted to be a full time musician, much less sit at the top of the iTunes charts. Draven from RadioWv and I filmed these tunes on my land with the hope that it may hit 300k views. I still don’t quite believe what has went on since we uploaded that. It’s just strange to me.

People in the music industry give me blank stares when I brush off 8 million dollar offers. I don’t want 6 tour buses, 15 tractor trailers and a jet. I don’t want to play stadium shows, I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they’re being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullsh*t. Just some idiot and his guitar. The style of music that we should have never gotten away from in the first place.

So that being said, I have never taken the time to tell you who I actually am. Here’s a formal introduction:

My legal name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford. My grandfather was Oliver Anthony, and ‘Oliver Anthony Music’ is a dedication not only to him, but 1930’s Appalachia where he was born and raised. Dirt floors, seven kids, hard times. At this point, I’ll gladly go by Oliver because everyone knows me as such. But my friends and family still call me Chris. You can decide for yourself, either is fine.

In 2010, I dropped out of high school at age 17. I have a GED from Spruce Pine, NC. I worked multiple plant jobs in Western NC, my last being at the paper mill in McDowell county. I worked 3rd shift, 6 days a week for $14.50 an hour in a living hell. In 2013, I had a bad fall at work and fractured my skull. It forced me to move back home to Virginia. Due to complications from the injury, it took me 6 months or so before I could work again.

From 2014 until just a few days ago, I’ve worked outside sales in the industrial manufacturing world. My job has taken me all over Virginia and into the Carolinas, getting to know tens of thousands of other blue collar workers on job sites and in factories. Ive spent all day, everyday, for the last 10 years hearing the same story. People are SO damn tired of being neglected, divided and manipulated.

In 2019, I paid $97,500 for the property and still owe about $60,000 on it. I am living in a 27′ camper with a tarp on the roof that I got off of craigslist for $750.

There’s nothing special about me. I’m not a good musician, I’m not a very good person. I’ve spent the last 5 years struggling with mental health and using alcohol to drown it. I am sad to see the world in the state it’s in, with everyone fighting with each other. I have spent many nights feeling hopeless, that the greatest country on Earth is quickly fading away.

That being said, I HATE the way the Internet has divided all of us. The Internet is a parasite, that infects the minds of humans and has their way with them. Hours wasted, goals forgotten, loved ones sitting in houses with each other distracted all day by technology made by the hands of other poor souls in sweat shops in a foreign land.

When is enough, enough? When are we going to fight for what is right again? MILLIONS have died protecting the liberties we have. Freedom of speech is such a precious gift. Never in world history has the world had the freedom it currently does. Don’t let them take it away from you.

Just like those once wandering in the desert, we have lost our way from God and have let false idols distract us and divide us. It’s a damn shame.”

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got new music from The National, Death Cab For Cutie, Chvrches, Blur, and more.

While we’re at it, sign up for our newsletter to get the best new indie music delivered directly to your inbox, every Monday.

Fiddlehead — Death Is Nothing To Us

The third Fiddlehead album Death Is Nothing To Us is a riot. The opening track “The Deathlife” watches frontman Patrick Flynn yelling as passionately as he did in his days in cult-followed hardcore band Have Heart; closer “Going To Die” is similarly a tumultuous highlight. In between are dynamics tracks that take the listener through the ups and downs of grief and gratitude.

Jean Dawson — DESTRUCTION FOR DUMMIES PT. 2

Made up of three songs called “NO SCOPE,” “X-RAY,” and “VEXED,” the second part of Jean Dawson’s trilogy is rivetingly atmospheric, with “VEXED” as the most memorable track. “I only sleep when I’m stressed / Smoking cigarettes throwing up / Putting off sh*t for fun / I don’t own nobody none,” Dawson raps, finding power in a brooding, low-key ambiance that sheds more light on his dreamlike vocals.

Runnner — Live In Los Angeles 8-09-2022

If you (like me) have not had the honor of experiencing Runnner’s daydreamy folk ballads in-person, then this new live album will fill the void. His songs are already intimate and emotional enough in recorded versions, but these renditions from shows are an even harder punch to the gut.

Blur — The Ballad Of Darren

Blur’s new album The Ballad Of Darren is as cinematic as it sounds. The opening ballad bursts with the melodrama of the beginning of a movie; the following track “St. Charles Square” is an idiosyncratic anthem that flirts with classic rock, kicking off with the amazing line: “I f*cked up / I’m not the first to do it.”

The National — “Space Invader”

The National released their new album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, but they’re already back with new material, consisting of songs “Space Invader” and “Alphabet City.” The former is a standout, encapsulating their evocative, gloomy sound and dismal lyrics whose delivery is resigned and powerful.

Death Cab For Cutie — “Arrow In The Wall”

Death Cab For Cutie pleased many indie fans with last year’s album Asphalt Meadows, and they’re already back with a new song. It’s more upbeat and catchy then the band usually is; however, Ben Gibbard’s distinct vocals fit perfectly against the buzzing sonic backdrop.

Chvrches — “Manhattan”

In October, Chvrches are sharing the 10th-anniversary edition of The Bones of What You Believe. “Manhattan” is a hallucinatory, pulsating song that comes from the album, and it has equally as trippy lyrics: “Eyes like mine / Watching you blow us all to hell.”

Sun June — “Get Enough”

Sun June are back with a disarming new indie earworm called “Get Enough.” Against lighthearted, buoyant sound with vulnerable, poignant lyrics: “And it’s easy for me to get lonely when I love someone / It’ll all come down in an instant / I can feel it / I can almost taste it,” Laura Colwell sings in a mesmeric lull.

Another Michael — “Candle”

Preparing for the release of two albums (Wishes to Fulfill this year, and Pick Me Up, Turn Me Upside Down in 2024), Another Michael are sharing another preview of what’s to come. “Candle” is a warped, groovy dream-pop ballad that captures the delirium of nostalgia: “Seeing it all again / I remember what happened back then / When we were going through it / Seeing it all go down.”

Diners — “Working On My Dreams”

Diners, the project of Blue Broderick, have announced a new album called Domino, and the lead single “Working On My Dreams” is an infectious power-pop treat with lyrics that are irresistible to sing along to: “Anywhere you go, people wanna know, / How to have a real time. / Habit overdue, looking for a clue, / Tangled up and tongue-tied.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Flo Rida was in for a wild ride when he performed at Erie, Pennyslvania’s CelebrateErie music festival over the weekend. During his show, a parent in the crowd put their baby up to crowdsurf — and the child eventually made its way to the musician, who was performing in the middle of the audience.

Despite the wild nature of the video and experience, Flo Rida welcomed the child with open arms. He held the toddler as he continued to perform with his microphone in the other hand.

The child was then brought onto the actual stage at some point, as he is lifted into the air while “GDFR” is blasting. According to HotNewHipHop, Flo Rida also kissed the baby and held the mic for him to try to sing, and then a fan on stage took a selfie with the child.

While it’s still unclear why or who put their baby up to be passed on stage to Flo Rida, he clearly didn’t seem to mind the interruption. And hey, the child has a truly chaotic story to tell when he gets older — just as long as he takes a pause from the audience encounters.

Check out the video of the baby crowdsurfing at Flo Rida above.