Category: Worldwide

Summer is practically in full swing, as May comes to a close this week. The pop world is taking notice, dropping some dance-ready hits — perfect for getting out and just letting every worry go. If you’re not in a hot girl summer type of mood, there’s also some romantic inclusions that were released this week.

Continue scrolling for Uproxx’s Best New Pop roundup.

Bad Bunny — “Where She Goes”

Following Bad Bunny’s public outings with rumored girlfriend Kendall Jenner, many fans had wondered if “Where She Goes” would be about her. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like it, as he finds himself reflecting on a brief connection with a past lover.

Kesha — “Hate Me Harder”

“If hating me helps you love yourself / Do your worst, baby, gimme hell / Hate me harder / Hate me harder / There’s nothing left that I haven’t heard / And I can take it, so make it hurt / Hate me harder / Hate me harder,” Kesha sings on one of the Rick Rubin-produced standout tracks from her new album, Gag Order.

Lewis Capaldi — “Haven’t You Ever Been In Love Before”

Over the past few years, Lewis Capaldi has been embracing writing love songs, with his latest being another example. “I never expected to be bombarded with beautiful couples sharing exceptional moments together. But it is nice to see some stuff that isn’t doom and gloom. And even though it does make me feel doom and gloom looking at it, I think it’s nice to celebrate being in love,” Capaldi previously said.

Lana Del Rey — “Say Yes To Heaven”

Years after Lana Del Rey’s demo of “Say Yes To Heaven” was a niche fan favorite from her vault, a TikTok resurgence of popularity prompted her to give it an official release. The dreamy track finds her hoping that a love interest will accept her as she is.

Conan Gray — “Never Ending Song”

Conan Gray is jumpstarting his new era with “Never Ending Song.” Produced by the legendary Max Martin, the song builds upon ‘80s-inspired synths to pull listeners in with a brilliant instrumental.

Chappell Roan — “Red Wine Supernova”

“I needed a campy gay girl song that captured the magic of having feelings for another girl. I packed the song with fun raunchy lyrics that make it feel like a night out flirting with the girl across the bar!” Roan said about “Red Wine Supernova.”

Zara Larsson — “End Of Time”

“I love the melodies,” Larsson told Uproxx about her new single. “I love that it feels big, but it feels like a classic song. And in a way, it’s danceable, it’s pop, and it’s just like a very existential love song about wanting to love somebody until the very end of time.”

Anne-Marie, Shania Twain — “Unhealthy”

Anne-Marie recruited the legendary Shania Twain to collaborate on her “Unhealthy” song, simply through an Instagram DM. The result works wonderfully, as the duo detail a toxic-but-addictive relationship. “All my friends, they say that you’re bad for me,” Anne-Marie sings.

Kelly Clarkson — “Favorite Kind Of High”

Ahead of Kelly Clarkson’s new album, the pop star has given fans another preview with “Favorite Kind Of High.” It finds her, after a public divorce dispute, taking in all the new feelings that falling for someone new brings.

Kylie Minogue — “Padam Padam”

Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam” has been inescapable on Twitter, as fans have turned the tune’s title into various memes to pay tribute to the pop queen — who, of course, returned with another hit in the making.

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

Yesterday (May 22), HBO’s upcoming series The Idol premiered at Cannes. Attendees got to view the first two of the upcoming six episodes of the Sam Levinson and The Weeknd-helmed series, which is set to premiere next month.

While anticipation is high for the series — which is said to tell the story of a pop star named Jocelyn (Lily Rose Depp) who falls in love with a cult leader named Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye) — the show appears to have been panned by critics. We’ll spare some of the more graphic details, but we’ve included portions of some of the reviews below.

Rolling Stone, who published an exposé about the show’s allegedly harsh production conditions, said that The Idol was even more scandalous than they imagined.

“The double-dose the festival screened felt nasty, brutish, much longer than it is, and way, way worse than you’d have anticipated,” read the review.

Variety described The Idol as a “sordid male fantasy” and said the show’s script “seems calculated to fool audiences into thinking they’re observing how Hollywood operates, when so much of it amounts to tawdry clichés lifted from Sidney Sheldon novels and softcore porn.”

The Hollywood Reporter called The Idol “an HBO series that’s more regressive than transgressive.”

Following the Cannes screening, the series has debuted with a 20 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Idol premieres on 6/4 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

You might have read The Color Purple at some point in your life, but you’ve never seen an on-screen musical based on the stage production that was based on the original novel before, right? Well, soon you will be able to do just that! The latest adaptation of the Alice Walker tale comes from an A-list team of producers including Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey, so it is sure to be a certified classic. Black Is King director Blitz Bazawule directed the latest version, which will head to theaters this holiday season.

Even if you know the story, the latest adaptation is expected to be a captivating new take on the beloved novel. Singer Fantasia is stepping back into the role of Cellie, which she played on Broadway in 2007, for another heart-wrenching tale of sisterhood, strength, and some powerful songs. Here is what we know so far.

Plot

Based on the novel of the same name, The Color Purple tells the coming-of-age story of a young African-American woman named Celie Harris in the American South during the early 20th century. After being separated from her sister, Celie is forced to make her own way in the world. This adaptation will include songs from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which ran from 2005 to 2008, then returned in 2015 until 2017.

Cast

The star-studded cast includes Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris, while young Celie will be played by Phylicia Mpasi. Celie’s sister Nettie is played by singer Ciara, while her younger counterpart will be portrayed by Halle Bailey. Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, and Jon Batiste also round out the cast.

Release Date

The movie will hit theaters on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2023.

Trailer

Check out the trailer below:

If you had a spare $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket, how would you spend on it? Maybe you’d take a vacation, or pay off your credit card debt, or bid on this Taylor Swift handwritten chai cookie recipe on eBay (this is what I would do). I know one thing you wouldn’t do with that $100,000: spend it on some chapstick — unless you’re Marjorie Taylor Greene.

“During GOP conference today, House Rs did about a 15-min fundraising auction for chapstick used by Speaker McCarthy. The winner: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), whose winning bid was $100,000, her Spox confirms to me,” Politico reporter Olivia Beavers tweeted. The median household salary in Taylor Greene’s home state of Georgia is $65,030, but this was a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (to own someone else’s secondhand lip grease).

It’s not like Republicans have anything better to do, with their time or money.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy could not reach an agreement Monday on how to raise the U.S. government’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling with just 10 days before a possible default that could sink the U.S. economy, but vowed to keep talking.

“They doing this insane chapstick shit while the country teeters on default. Wild,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted about the auction, while Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) added, “MAGA Republicans are paying $100,000 for Speaker McCarthy’s chapstick while holding Social Security checks and retirement benefits hostage unless we cut food benefits for seniors, Medicaid funding, and childcare/preschool for low-income Americans.”

Others agreed about the GOP’s priorities.

Carmelo Anthony formally announced his retirement from the NBA after beginning his career as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft for the Denver Nuggets — the same draft that saw LeBron James go No. 1.

Melo’s impact was celebrated throughout the music world upon his announcement. Melo’s comments section was predictably full of love from the likes of Juicy J (“Congrats mane!”), Lloyd Banks (“Thanks for everything you’ve done for basketball,” and Rapsody (five rose emojis).

“We’ll done [sic] brother we’ll done [sic] @carmeloanthony Congratulations you deserve all the glory,” Fat Joe wrote to caption an Instagram photo of Anthony during his New York Knicks years.

Nas narrated and reposted an Instagram reel made alongside Jumpman — Fabolous reposted the same reel to his Instagram Story alongside, “Congrats on a hell of a career” — and Metro Boomin simply posted a throwback photo of Nuggets-era Melo posting up the late Kobe Bryant:

King James might be joining Anthony in retirement sooner than previously assumed after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the 2023 NBA Playoffs by the Nuggets last night, May 22. But for now, it’s about Melo, who ironically last appeared on an NBA court as a Laker during the 2021-22 season.

“I remember the days when I had nothin’ — just a ball on the court and a dream of something more — but basketball was my outlet,” the 10-time All-Star and future Hall Of Famer said in a video posted to Instagram on May 22. “My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented the pride, and the fans that supported me along the way. I am forever grateful for those people and places because they made me Carmelo Anthony.”

He continued, “But now the time has come for me to say goodbye. To the court where I made my name, to the game that gave me purpose and pride. With this bittersweet goodbye to the NBA, I’m excited about what the future holds for me.”

Anthony also explained that he believes his legacy is “more than basketball” and will live on through his son. The video was soundtracked by “All That I Got Is You” by Ghostface Killah featuring Mary J. Blige.

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

If South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone know when they will reopen the new and improved Casa Bonita (and surely they know), they are staying mum. Of course, they previously revealed that May is the magic month, so there’s only about a week left for the big reveal that already has people traveling across the country and planning entire vacations in the Lakewood, Colorado area, just in case they get lucky. Because according to neighboring businesses, Casa Bonita’s shroud of secrecy is like the CIA or something.

Well, some South Park fans believe that they now know when the doors will officially open, and everything has to do with the 14th Season episode that largely showcased Casa Bonita. And this theory — dudes, a real fan theory about Casa Bonita — makes note of how Kyle celebrated his birthday (May 26) at the eatertainment venue, so this must mean something. Maybe? Via local NBC affiliate 9 News, people are going there:

Why is this important? Because there’s a Casa Bonita connection.

In the “South Park” Casa Bonita episode, Kyle celebrates his birthday at the the iconic Lakewood restaurant.

Of course, the theory that Casa Bonita will open on May 26 because it’s Kyle’s birthday is only that: a theory, all in good fun, that some fans of the restaurant and the TV show are suggesting on social media.

Also “all in good fun”: people planning on a massive camp-out event in the parking lot, which will be a more chaotic situation than your local shopping mall at Christmastime. Or the grocery store on the day before Thanksgiving. Madness! Seriously though, Parker and Stone are apparently expecting millions of visitors annually, so expect a tourist attraction with the newfound “good” food on the menu.

(Via 9 News NBC)

Nick Cannon’s becoming almost as well-known for his bad music takes as for his many, many kids. While he occasionally has hits — take his Mount Rushmore of female rap, for instance — he’s just as quick to make a crotchety comment about the modern state of rap music that proves his non-stop daddy duties have probably left him out of touch.

His latest thoughts, courtesy of his own Amp Radio show The Daily Cannon on Monday, certainly won’t help in that regard. If anything, he’ll be facing down hordes of angry Swifties and the BeyHive like The Electric Mayhem after negatively comparing both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to Bruno Mars. A bold choice, inciting two of the most hyperactive fan bases at the same time like this.

Debating with his cohorts about which artist he’d rather see on tour, he declared, “No offense, I would rather go to a Bruno Mars show than a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift show.” He then questioned, “Who got more hits?” insisting, “I am a Beyoncé fan. I still believe Bruno Mars actually has more hits records.” Wow, that’s a bold claim. If only there were some publication, established 100 years ago, that could numerically track the performance of artists’ singles… oh yeah, wait:

According to Billboard (via XXL), it ain’t even close. While both have the same number of No. 1 hits (eight), Beyoncé has 21 top tens and 81 total Hot 100 appearances to Bruno Mars’s 32, of which 18 have been top tens.

Bruno Mars is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to take a game off of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. While they fought admirably, the Lakers just did not have enough for the best team in the conference, and on Monday night, Denver was able to complete a sweep at Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles pivoted on the fly this season, going from a team that looked to be at serious risk of missing the postseason to a contender in the West. Now, the franchise enters an offseason where getting over the hump will be the No. 1 priority, unless, of course, LeBron James’ hint that he is considering retirement ends up leading to him ending his career.

The question is how they end up doing that. One rumor that has been around for some time is the team’s apparent interest in Kyrie Irving, but according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, there is another guard who the front office has discussed: Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.

For what it’s worth, Kyrie Irving and Trae Young, two All-Star-level point guards, were both sitting courtside in Los Angeles for the second time this postseason. Young, like James and Davis, is a Klutch client. The Lakers have had internal discussions about what a hypothetical trade offer for Young could look like this summer, according to multiple league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

It’s not hard to see why Young would be an outstanding fit alongside James and Anthony Davis, if there was any way for such a move to come to fruition. His shooting, playmaking, and pick-and-roll mastery would be an outstanding fit alongside the pair, and there have been rumors in the past that he could start looking around for a change in scenery. Many of those rumors came, however, prior to the Hawks making moves in their front office and hiring Quin Snyder to be their head coach, with Young saying he enjoys playing for Snyder and that he believes Atlanta’s new coach will bring the city a championship.

While Lana Del Rey has cemented her status as one of the greats of our generation, her father, Rob Grant, is shaping up to be a star in his own right. At 69 years old, Grant is gearing up to release his debut album, Lost At Sea next month.

During an interview with GQ, featuring Grant and Del Rey, Del Rey noted Grant’s love for Hawaiian shirts. She also revealed that both she and her dad enjoy shopping at stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Though, fans who see them at those stores may more easily recognize Grant than they do Del Rey.

“He’s the only f*cking reason why we get stopped at TJ Maxx,” said Lana. “If I’m with you, then there is zero chance that we’re having a calm day at Marshalls.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Grant noted that he is unsure if he will go on tour with the album. He did, however, express interest in opening for Del Rey. He said that he would likely sit at the piano in one of his favorite Hawaiian shirts.

“This is all so new for me,” said Grant. “The idea of going out and actually going on a big stage and playing, that’s still intimidating to me. I’m willing to try it.”

Lost At Sea is out 6/9 via Decca Records and Universal. Find more information here.

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 Blur, Bully, The Japanese House, Origami Angel, 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.

Liza Anne — “Cheerleader”

Liza Anne was known for infectiously morbid anthems with her melancholy hits “I Love You, But I Need Another Year” and “1,000 Years.” Since then, she’s leaned into positivity with her 2020 album Bad Vacation watching her decide to want better for herself when it comes to relationships and mental health. “Cheerleader” is her more jubilant material yet, and it’s invigorating to witness, especially with its relentless groove.

Horse Jumper Of Love — Heartbreak Rules

The opening to Horse Jumper Of Love’s new min-album Heartbreak Rules feels like a movie: “A tune drifts out the window / Released into the world / I’ll bring it to your house / Somehow I already lost you.” Dimitri Giannopoulos’s tired vocals often paint weird, visceral images, yet this one is singularly devastating. Loss is a major theme on this work, coming up in the following song, the title track: “Through the transfer / There’s always something lost forever,” he sings. It’s a beautiful addition to the band’s already sprawling discography.

Origami Angel — “My PG County Summer”

Origami Angel don’t hesitate to go for blood. Their bombastic new track “My PG County Summer” is proof of that right off the bat: “Welcome all the tourists, infiltrate the capital / Protesting abortion, tickets to the nationals / Come every July, American as apple pie / Ever since I was a kid, it kinda blew my mind.” Politics in pop punk is hard to come by, and Origami Angel certainly have the wit and riffs for it to work.

The Japanese House — “Sunshine Baby”

“Sunshine Baby” is the perfect title for The Japanese House’s glimmering, weightless new track. The band captures the fleeting nature of everything, and the way it’s both beautiful and painful: “Hold on to this feeling ’cause you won’t feel it for long / You won’t feel it for long,” Amber Mary Bain sings. Luckily, when it ends you can click repeat.

Blur — “The Narcissist”

Blur is back. The project fronted by Damon Albarn, who’s often busy with Gorillaz, just announced their new album The Ballad Of Darren, their first in eight years. “The Narcissist” is the first taste, a mid-tempo song with vivid lyricism: “I took the acid / Under the white horses / My heart it quickened / I could not tear myself away / Became addiction / If you see darkness look away.” It’s an intriguing return.

Bully — “Change Your Mind”

Bully’s new album Lucky For You is out next month and the singles keep getting better. “Change Your Mind” finds her in brighter territory after a string of grungy songs; it’s more pop-leaning with a memorable chorus: “If I, I can’t change your mind / Or be the one in time / At least I know I tried / It hurt but I’m alive / And I’d do it all again,” she shouts passionately.

Spanish Love Songs — “Haunted”

“’Haunted’ is a reintroduction of sorts for us,” Spanish Love Songs said of their new song. It comes from their new album No Joy, the follow-up to 2020’s Brave Faces Everyone. It immediately bursts with their signature pop-punk pathos: “You pulled off the road so you could cry / It’s too quiet in the suburbs,” and it only gets more emotional from there.

Who Is She? — “Thursday”

Who Is She? made headlines the other month for getting disinvited from the Seattle Kraken games after playing a Jeff Bezos-dissing track in an Amazon arena. With members of Tacocat, Chastity Belt, and Lisa Prank, the group makes breezy music, and “Thursday” is a laid-back track with great lyrics: “Why do I get so obsessed with / People I don’t even like?”

Mandy, Indiana — I’ve Seen A Way

Mandy, Indiana’s I’ve Seen A Way is a sensory experience. The opening track “Love Theme (4K VHS)” places the listener in a rainy, warped atmosphere, followed by the pulsating “Drag [Crashed],” which is at once unsettling and infectious. No matter what’s going on, the songs can be felt reverberating through your body.

Koyo — “You’re On The List (Minus One)”

Lots of anthemic emo and pop punk has erupted from Long Island, and Koyo are the newest torchbearers. “You’re On The List (Minus One)” exemplifies their sticky melodies and explosive instrumentation; the lyrics capture the angsty sound: “When your catastrophic dial tone / Meets the fear of being all alone / It’s stillness I choose / Restlessly reading the room.”

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