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Everything in life can’t be explained away. Some things are just divinely ordered. Empress Of’s latest single, “Kiss Me,” featuring Rina Sawayama, might be an example of the stars’ alignment for this magical moment in music. What started after as a favorable business decision to tour together just sparked a creative collision that resulted in the betterment of pop music. To some, that statement could be taken as a ridiculous exaggeration, but fans of the pair would beg to differ.

In the India Harris-directed video is an angelic showing of the musicians’ outer worldly offerings. Empress and Rina embrace the light within themselves, manifesting into celestial beings roaming the world in search of connectivity.

“I’ll keep you up, I’ll dance around / Freeze time for you / If this is love, I’ll settle down / Just tell me to,” sings Empress.

Later in the song, Rina belts out, “Running around, I’ve never felt / So full of air (Yeah) / And when I breathe, I’m breathin’ life / Into our wings (Oh).”

They join in together on the chorus to harmonize, “Kiss me, kiss me slowly, slowly / Whisper, whisper, show me (Oh) / Show me (Show me) / That I’m your one and only / Kiss me, kiss me slowly, slowly / Whisper, whisper, show me / Show me (Show me).”

The track, which Valley Girl produced, is a divine showing of what pop can be when placed in the right hands.

Watch Empress Of’s video for the single “Kiss Me” featuring Rina Sawayama above.

Indie supergroup Boygenius, comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, made it clear that they do not have an open line of communication with The 1975’s Matty Healy. However, there’s one collective of people that the musicians share everything with, and that’s their fans. On Monday, September 25, the band took to their official X (formerly Twitter) page to share an announcement with supporters.

“‘The Rest’ EP out Fri, Oct 13th,” read the message. They also revealed the official artwork for their forthcoming release.

The Rest EP will only feature four songs, including four new tracks. Boygenius is working to maintain the allure surrounding their next surprise. However, as a reward for fans, they revealed the name of the forthcoming lead single. Track one of the project, which will be the initial offering, is named “Black Hole.” The names of other songs set to appear on The Rest remain behind lock and key.

Boygenius did not say when the single would be released. However, they told fans that limited edition yellow 10” vinyl and CDs would be available for purchase. Life on the road must have kickstarted the group’s creative energy; it’s been less than a year since the release of their last album, The Record.

The Rest is out 10/ via Interscope Records. Find more information here.

Cassidy Hutchinson, the Mark Meadows aide who ratted on Donald Trump last summer at the Jan. 6 hearings, has a new book out. It’s called Enough, and it has even more dirt about the former president’s home stretch in office. There’s one about her old boss burning so many documents that his clothes smelled. There’s one about Donald Trump’s shallow reason for not wearing a mask. In another, she accuses Rudy Giuliani of fondling her with his “frozen fingers.” The fallen “America’s Mayor” isn’t the only one who hit on her.

As per Raw Story, on Monday Hutchinson spoke with Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show, during which the host dwelled on six instances of Trump cronies groping or “creeping” on her. One of them was Matt Gaetz, who Hutchinson alleges did it twice. In one Gaetz “chuckled and brushed his thumb across my chin” before saying, “Has anyone ever told you you’re a national treasure?”

In another, during a visit to Camp David, Gaetz asked, in front of Meadows and his future sparring partner Kevin McCarthy, if she could “escort me to my cabin.” McCarthy told him, “Get a life, Matt.”

Maddow had reached out to Gaetz for a comment on the allegations. He wrote back, “I don’t remember either of these events and based on Cassidy’s prior false statements, I doubt they occurred.”

He also claimed they “did date…for a few weeks when we were both single years ago.” He said they “parted amicably and remained friends thereafter.”

Maddow admitted she was reluctant to ask Hutchinson about Gaetz’s claims, but a chuckling Hutchinson was more than happy to respond. She admitted they were friends “at points,” but that now he was “somebody that I personally do not hold in high regards in terms of trust.” She added that he “doesn’t have the best track record for relationships” — perhaps a subtle dig at the federal investigation into his ties to a sex trafficking ring.

She then twisted the knife, saying, “I never dated Matt Gaetz. I have much higher standards in men.” She added that he was a “very unserious politician, and we see that today with the ruckus that he is causing that he is causing on Capitol Hill with the spending negotiations.”

She concluded, “I don’t have much else to say else to say to somebody who’s more concerned about a sound bite than actually passing legislation.”

Of course, right now Gaetz has bigger fish to fry. He’s busy helping drive the country to another government shutdown, which he’s been trying to blame on the guy who allegedly mocked him when he tried to hit on Cassidy Hutchinson.

(Via Raw Story)

Grammy Award-winning reggaeton star Bad Bunny is a man of his word. On Sunday, September 24, the musician took to his official WhatsApp channel to let fans know they should expect his latest release soon. On Monday night, Bad Bunny made good on his promise by dropping his new single, “Un Preview.” On the Tainy- and La Paciencia-produced record, Bad Bunny ditches the rough exterior he often boats about to expose his much gentler romantic side.

Throughout the song, Bad Bunny shifts between rapping and singing to desperately declare that he’s looking for love. “Baby, I have no means, no / To try you and make me fall in love again / Don’t tell me anything / I don’t follow advice, no / Very crazy at the disco / I catch myself dancing / And I kiss your neck / Let them bite it,” Bad Bunny sings (in a rough translation).

Although the identity of the muse behind the track is supposed to be ambiguous, the video, directed by Stillz, featured two scenes in particular that subtly suggested it was Kendall Jenner-coded. In April, the pair were spotted horseback riding, which was creatively recreated in the video “Un Preview.” Another slick reference to their rumored relationship is the vintage car that Bad Bunny rests upon at one point. While the vehicle isn’t the same classic Chevy 409, the couple were photographed in June the automobile that appears in “Un Preview” bears a striking resemblance.

Watch Bad Bunny’s video for his new single “Un Preview” above.

For the most part, “Titi Me Preguntó” rapper Bad Bunny is an open book. When it comes to what critics refer to as “feminine” fashion choices or his rumored relationship with model Kendall Jenner, Bad Bunny doesn’t mind flaunting his life choices to the general public. However, his music is a different case entirely.

Several musicians, including Ariana Grande, have had problem with leakers. Bad Bunny has not. Instead he’s kept a watchful eye over his unreleased music. To keep fans updated on his forthcoming projects, he’s using WhatsApp’s new channels feature. On his official page, Bunny revealed the release date for his next single, “Un Preview.”

In a note uploaded to the channel Sunday, September 24, he wrote, “In case you like it and are interested to know, [the song] comes out tomorrow, Monday (September 25) at 8 p.m. Puerto Rico time.” Bad Bunny followed up the message with a 17-second teaser of the track. The lyrics roughly translated to, “Baby, I know that when you dare, I’m going to fall in love.”

According to Bad Bunny, after the song is made public, fans shouldn’t expect anything else anytime soon. “It is a small preview of what is coming next year. Possible that this will be the last song [from me] this year,” he wrote.

Leonardo DiCaprio sure likes ‘em young. He even has a sense of humor about it. Back during the 2020 Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais zinged him over Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, saying it was so long that by the end of the premiere “his date was too old for him.” Instead of being appalled, DiCaprio, then 45, gave a smile and a knowing “ya got me!” shrug. So perhaps he doesn’t mind that upon learning that he was dating another young model, lots of people on social media had jokes.

Per Page Six, DiCaprio, who turns 49 in November, is reportedly dating Vittoria Ceretti, an Italian model who’s 25. That’s kind of old for DiCaprio, who’s notorious for dumping his lady friends when they hit the quarter-century mark. But for now, the two keep getting spotted on dates here and abroad, dancing in clubs, getting ice cream, and, one insider claims, “enjoying getting to know one another on a deeper level.”

That Ceretti is 25 — historically DiCaprio’s cut-off age — did not go unnoticed.

Some pointed out, though, that she’s still very young, especially if you consider Titanic is 26 years old.

Some thought he’d still dump Ceretti when she hits 26.

Some confused Vittoria Ceretti with The Haunting of Bly Manor cast member Victoria Pedretti, who, for the record, is 28.

Some saw an eerie resemblance.

And some wondered if this was DiCaprio playing with people’s heads.

For the record, DiCaprio has dated above 25 before. Last year he dated Gigi Hadid, who at the time was 27. But that was last year. Also for the record, after rumors spread earlier this year that he was dating a 19-year-old, that one turned out to be bunk.

(Via Page Six and HuffPost)

“Bongos” rapper Cardi B is known for her fiery personality and spicy commentary. But Hot Ones talk show host Sean Evans will test Cardi to see how much heat she can actually handle. On Monday, September 25, Cardi took to her official Instagram page to reveal that she will appear on the beloved YouTube series on Thursday, September 28.

“Getting SPICY. @hotones Thursday at 11 AM est,” wrote Cardi in the caption of the upload. In the promotional graphic, taken during her time on set, Cardi looks like she is questioning her life choices — a hilariously apropos response given others’ experiences on the shows, including Kid Cudi.

Fans took to her comment section to let Cardi know they are ready for their full serving of funny.

“Ohhh, I know this sh*t about to have me in tears, ” one person wrote.

“I can already imagine, LOL. Bronx out of her mouth,” joked another.

“I’ve been waiting and praying for this to happen. Omg. This will be so funny,” confessed one fan.

Users reassured Cardi that they wouldn’t miss her appearance on the program. “I’m def seeing this for sure,” remarked another.

“Oh, this about to be hilarious,” declared one person.

“Ouuuuu, I can’t wait for this. I know I’m finna get my laugh in,” wrote another.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Rappers Meek Mill and Rick Ross are considered one of the great dynamic duos. But now they’re going to honor another great pair, this one from the world of basketball. The two will reunite for another ambitious single, “Shaq & Kobe,” paying homage to the NBA Basketball Hall Of Fame inductees.

Meek uploaded the forthcoming track’s official cover art in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) page. He went on to tell fans about the inspiration behind the song.

“Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq [O’Neal]. R.I.P. to the G.O.A.T., legend, and father! I learned my motivation and ambition from you. I ain’t have a dad. I was going off y’all. Thank you. Friday [September 29],” wrote Meek.

Meek’s admiration for Bryant was shaken in 2021 when the late athlete’s widow, Vanessa, called him out for what she considered to be insensitive lyrics.

On an unreleased track with fellow rapper Lil Baby, Meek says the line, “And if I ever lack I’m going out with my chopper, it be another Kobe,” referencing Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash. Meek has since apologized to the Bryant family, and one assumes this song will remain respectful.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Donald Trump and his cronies have made a meal out of criticizing Joe Biden’s supposed cognitive decline. But what if it’s mere projection? What if Trump — who is a mere three years younger than his also very old presidential successor — is the one whose brain is mush? The other week Trump claimed Biden would lead us into “World War II.” On Monday he blamed the Iraq War on Jeb Bush.

At a rally in South Carolina, Trump did things like trash Fox News while they were airing his speech. He also said some things that suggested his brain was seeping out of his ears. At one point Trump reflected on the 2016 primary, when he was up against the likes of Jeb Bush.

“You know the beauty was? When I came here, everyone thought Bush was gonna win,” he recalled. “And then they took a poll and found out Trump was up by about 50 points.”

Trump then…seemed to get his Bushes confused. “They thought Bush because Bush was supposedly a military person,” he remembered. He then claimed Jeb Bush, the Bush he ran against, “got us into the, uh, he got us into the Middle East. How did that work out, right?”

Trump then kept ragging on Jeb Bush, whom he ran against seven years ago and who was never president: “Remember Jeb? He used the word ‘Jeb,’ he didn’t use the word ‘Bush.’ I said, ‘You mean he’s ashamed of the last name?’ And he started using the name ‘Bush.’ Never forget it.”

Truly.

Trump also went on an inexplicable rant about “windmills causing whales to die” or whatever the heck he’s talking about here.

Then again, three years ago Trump “aced” a very basic cognitive test. If you forgot about that one, don’t worry because he’s still bragging about it.

According to NPR—and the ABBA blaring from my young adult daughter’s headphones—we’re in the midst of an 80s music revival. As a Gen Xer who came of age in the 80s, I think most of that decade should stay locked in a time capsule, but there are a few songs that have managed to remain timeless despite the synthesizers and bad hair.

A-ha’s “Take On Me” is one of them. Despite its consummately-80s sound, the song with the famous sketch animated video is still enjoyable (if not a little earwormy—good luck once it gets stuck in your head).

But a lesser-known 2017 arrangement of the song is actually, miraculusly, even better. A-ha performed “Take On Me” for an MTV Unplugged Summer Solstice album, and it’s significantly different than the original. The Norwegian band filmed the performance live on the island of Giske, dropping the electric piano as well as the tempo for a stripped-down version that has become a fan favorite. As of this writing, the video has 97 million views on YouTube.

“Take On Me” is one of 17 songs in the unplugged performance, but naturally the most popular.

“We’ve talked about this idea for so many years,” guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy said. “And in many of our concerts we’ve also played some acoustic songs. But if you consider that we don’t use much technology at all when we write the songs, the idea of an entirely acoustic show makes total sense. Playing all these songs now in their acoustic versions is like returning to their origins.”

Watch and see how the slower tempo and simple instrumentation creates a sadder, more haunting version of their biggest hit.

“The fact he’s still got such a good voice after decades is incredible,” wrote one fan.

This is music at its purest form. No light show, distortion pedals, autotune and massive audiences. Spotless,” wrote another.

“By far the best version of this song that I have ever heard. It totally transforms the song when performed like this,” shared another.

Another commenter made a poignant observation:

“The original version is like a soundtrack for a man living in the fast-paced life in the 80’s all cool and hip. This one is like when the same man grows old and saying farewell to the fun memories of his youth.”

And another summed up what most people feel seeing this:

“One version makes you dance and the other version makes you cry.”