Year: 2024

A funny thing about streaming: It’s very hard to stream certain projects from certain artists, particularly from early in those artists’ careers. While anything from politics to rights issues can keep fan-favorite mixtapes and curios off DSPs for interminable periods, J. Cole fans woke up to a treat today; his 2007 debut mixtape, The Come Up, Vol. 1, is finally available to stream, nearly 17 years after its release. While it’s five songs shorter due to Cole’s inability to clear every instrumental from the original 21-track collection, the fact that he produced 12 of those songs himself likely helped.

The timing of the release is fortuitous, although some might call it convenient. After alienating some fans with his “7 Minute Drill” pump fake earlier this year, Cole’s been working overtime to get back in their good graces. Deleting the ill-advised battle rap track from streamers may not have earned him many fans, but his recent moves seem geared toward shoring up the remaining support he has from his hardliners. After sharing “Port Antonio,” which addresses his reasons for removing “7 Minute Drill” from DSPs, he announced a podcast, Inevitable, a collection of conversations between Cole and his longtime business partners Ibrahim Hamad and Scott Lazer detailing his creative process.

You can officially listen to The Come Up, Vol. 1 on your favorite DSPs, including Apple, Spotify, and Tidal.

Lisa had a big 2024. She’s about to have an even bigger 2025. The Blackpink member is not only starring in season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus, she’s also releasing her debut solo album. Alter Ego — featuring singles “Rockstar,” “New Woman,” and “Moonlit Floor” — is out February 28, 2025.

There’s no tracklist yet, but you can see the album cover below. Lisa also released an announcement video where she emulates five characters, each representing a unique personality. You can watch it here.

“At first, I was scared and nervous because I never really come out here to do my own stuff,” Lisa recently told Billboard about going solo. “And now I’m having fun. When [my singles] came out, the reaction from the fans, it’s healing me. It’s like, ‘Oh, my God. Yeah — I did a great job!’” When asked what she’s been listening to lately, Lisa answered, “It’s so embarrassing to say this, but I listen to my album. I’m trying to figure it out, the track list and everything, what I can change in there… Everything’s there. I think they’re going to be shocked at how capable I am [at] doing so many things.”

Lisa’s Alter Ego Album Cover Artwork

Alter Ego is out 2/28/2025 via LLOUD Co./RCA Records. Find more information here.

In 2020, Selena Gomez released her latest album, Rare, and she followed it in 2021 with the Revelación EP. Since then, fans have been waiting for more new music from Gomez, but she’s been pretty noncommittal about her music career lately.

In a recent interview with NME alongside Emilia Pérez co-star Zoe Saldaña (here’s the clip), Gomez was asked for an update on her “new album,” and she responded, “Well, if I had one, I would love to talk about it.” After cracking a smile, she continued, “No, I think right now, it’s been really nice focusing on this side of the playing field. We’ll see, you never know.” Saldaña chimed in, “I hope, I hope you continue making music.”

In a Vanity Fair interview from September, Gomez also said, “I don’t know if I’m ready, you know? It’s a vulnerable space. Acting has always been my first love. Music is just a hobby that went out of control. Now it is a part of who I am, so I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I’m just not ready yet.”

Gomez, meanwhile, recently achieved billionaire status, but she doesn’t love talking about it, calling it “distasteful” and saying, “I really am giving all the credit to people who buy the products. They’re the ones that made this dream of mine come true, so I’m really, really honored and just happy.”

A lot has changed since indie favorites Horsegirl released their acclaimed dream-of-the-1990s debut album, Versions Of Modern Performance. The three members of the band — Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece — moved to New York City and toured with Wilco before returning to Chicago earlier this year to record their sophomore album. Produced by Cate Le Bon, Phonetics On And On — out February 14, 2025 — is described as “an exploration of the lines between pop, minimalism, and playful experimentation.”

Check out the video for first single “2468” above.

Also, below, you can find the tracklist and cover for Phonetics On And On, as well as Horsegirl’s spring 2025 tour dates.

Horsegirl’s Phonetics On And On Tracklist

1. “Where’d You Go”
2. “Rock City”
3. “In Twos”
4. “2468”
5. “Well I Know You’re Shy”
6. “Julie”
7. “Switch Over”
8. “Information Content”
9. “Frontrunner”
10. “Sport Meets Sound”
11. “I Can’t Stand To See You”

Horsegirl’s Phonetics On And On Album Cover Artwork

Horsegirl’s 2025 Tour Dates

2/22/2025 – Chicago, IL @ Metro (Record Release Show) ^
3/21/2025 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church %
3/22/2025 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat %
3/23/2025 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings %
3/24/2025 – Richmond, VA @ The Warehouse %
3/26/2025 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom %
3/27/2025 – Somerville, MA @ Arts at The Armory %
3/28/2025 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater %
3/29/2025 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw %

^ with Lifeguard and Answering Machines
% with Free Range

Phonetics On And On is out 2/14/2025 via Matador Records. Find more information here.

In 2017, Nicole Kidman vowed to work with more female filmmakers. She’s kept her promise. Since then, the Oscar-winning Australian actress has appeared in movies directed by Karyn Kusama, Andrea Arnold, and now, Halina Reijn, whose latest film, Babygirl, stars Kidman as a powerful CEO who has an affair with a much younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson.

“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do,” Kidman tells Dickinson (so good in The Iron Claw) during an erotic conversation. “Good girl,” he replies.

You can watch the trailer for A24’s Babygirl above. You’ll never hear the word “cookies” the same way again.

“I’ve always been on a quest as an actor. I’m always going, where have I not been? And what can I explore as a human being? And this was an area I’d never been,” Kidman told People about Babygirl. “There’s a jump-off-the-cliff thing where you go, okay, I’m just going to abandon everything and explore this with the people that I trust in a genre that is already set, but hopefully we can explore new territory and especially with the female at the helm.”

Babygirl, which also stars Sophie Wilde and Antonio Banderas, opens in theaters on December 25. Merry Christmas!

Sabrina Carpenter has been one of 2024’s biggest stars, and soon, she’ll wrap up her huge year with the release of A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter, a new Netflix special. The program was announced in September, and now we have our first trailer.

Carpenter begins the trailer, “Christmas is coming early this year. I wouldn’t count on a silent night.”

From there, it teases duets with Chappell Roan, Kali Uchis, Tyla, and Shania Twain, as well as guest appearances from Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Nico Hiraga, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele, and Jillian Bell.

It also teases some funny moments, like when Brunson (as the Ghost Of Christmas Present) compliments Carpenter’s (Ghost Of Christmas Past) bangs in front of a man, and she responds, “Thank you! I got them ’cause he ghosted me.” Later, Carpenter holds a buzzing, vibrating box as she says, “Aw, a massager!”

Most crucially, the trailer reveals the special is set to premiere on December 6 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT).

The description of the trailer’s YouTube upload reads, “It’s a nonsense holiday and we’re so here for it. In this special with musical guests, pop icon Sabrina Carpenter will perform songs from her holiday EP fruitcake and other iconic chart-topping holiday covers. This special will also feature show-stopping music performances, comedic guests, unexpected duets, plus many more surprises and fun cameos.”

Charli XCX is a self-proclaimed “brat.” But even before she took on that title, the “Apple” singer marched to the beat of her own drum. To demonstrate that unapologetic freedom, yesterday (November 18) Charli XCX let loose in the streets of New York City.

Many fans flocked to the Big Apple to catch Charli XCX’s on Saturday Night Live as the host and musical guest. But not everyone could get their hands on tickets to the beloved late night show.

So, Charli XCX with the backing of H&M put her talents on full display in the middle of Times Square for a surprise free performance of her breakout Brat bangers.

In a video shared to Charli XCX’s official Instagram, she announced the performance leaving followers a few hours to make their way to its location. Photos and clips (viewable here) show that supporters showed up in droves to experience the electronic pop tracks in-person.

According to online fan chatter, Charli XCX’s set featured a performance of the Brat songs “360,” “365,” “Apple,” and “Von Dutch.” Charli XCX also supposedly performed her Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat track “Guess,” which features Billie Eilish.

Charli XCX has long since wrapped up her co-headlining Sweat tour with Troye Sivan. But, she has still found a way to fulfill her live show bug.

Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat is out now via Atlantic. Find more information here.

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s collaborative relationship goes way back. Next month, rap’s new generation will experience their musical magic on their forthcoming album, Missionary. But for the two hip-hop legends, it all dates back to Death Row Records days.

The legacy label is certainly making a comeback thanks to Snoop Dogg’s purchase of it back in 2022. During a live taping of Drink Champs, Dr. Dre praised his longtime friend’s business decision. While chatting in front of the ComplexCon 2024 Las Vegas Convention Center crowd, Dr. Dre shared his feelings on the acquisition (viewable here, courtesy of HipHopDX).

“Let me tell you something, man. I was so upset when I heard that Snoop was doing the Death Row sh*t at the beginning,” he said. “Like, ‘N****, that shit has so much bullsh*t following it.’”

He continued, saying: “But now, I’m so happy about it and so impressed at what my brother’s doing because he’s taken the thing that we created and brought it back to life. I see his vision now. I appreciate it, and I’m proud of it.”

Moved by Dr. Dre’s semintental comments, Snoop Dogg replied with a touching response. “That made me feel good,” she said. “Thank y’all. Y’all tryna make a n**** cry.”

André 3000’s long-awaited debut solo album took fans by shock. Due to it being an instrumental project, New Blue Sun wasn’t quite what they’d imagine. Still, it managed to secure an Album Of The Year nomination for the 2025 Grammys.

During a recent interview, André 3000 revealed another surprising fact about the project. While chatting with Touré on his podcast, The Touré Show, André 3000 claimed that his New Blue Sun album will not be credited towards his solo record deal obligations.

“They congratulated me on the process, they congratulated me on what the work was, but contractually, it’s very interesting,” he said. “My label will not count this album against my contract — this is as a solo artist. I didn’t understand it at first, and we tried to find ways around it, but I understand it in a way, too.”

André 3000 went on to explain why his label (Epic) won’t consider it. “In the ’70s artists were trying to get out of their deals so they were just pretty much turning in anything,” he said. “And so you have to have some type of legal stipulation that stops you from doing that…It stops you from turning in 10 tracks of handclaps and saying, ‘This is my album.’ And I get it! But Sylvia and the team, they’ve been so supportive. They know I’m not turning in an a handclap back — they get it. But as a business, this is the stance that they took.”

To listen to The Touré Show‘s full episode featuring André 3000, click here.

If you still find yourself visiting The War On Drug’s 2020 recording Live Drugs you are in for a treat. After teasing a follow-up, the “Harmonia’s Dream” musician’s Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition) is now available across all streaming platforms.

As a special added on, the project featured two bonus tracks “Occasional Rain” and “Nothing to Find.” Both songs sonically encapsulates quintessential The War On Drugs—vibrant, buoyant, and irresistible.

Of the two, “Nothing To Find,” is undoubtedly the stand-out and The War On Drugs seems to agree. To support the track, on their official YouTube page you can find a psychedelic visualizer.

Watch the visualizer for “Nothing To Find” above. You can listen to “Occasional Rain” below.

Although Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition) is currently available online. The physical copies aren’t out just yet. The War On Drugs’s Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition) CD will be released on December 13. While the vinyl and cassette of Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition) will drop on January 10, 2025. Find more information here.

View Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition)‘s tracklist and cover art below.

Tracklist

1. “Harmonia’s Dream (Live…Again)”
2. “Burning (Live…Again)”
3. “Old Skin (Live…Again)”
4. “Come To The City (Live…Again)”
5. “I Don’t Wanna Wait (Live…Again)”
6. “Pain (Live…Again)”
7. “Nothing to Find (Live…Again)”
8. “Slow Ghost (Live…Again)”
9. “In Chains (Live…Again)”
10. “Living Proof (Live…Again)”
11. “Under the Pressure (Live…Again)”
12. “I Don’t Live Here Anymore (Live…Again)”
13. “Occasional Rain (Live…Again)”

Artwork