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“I think the true test of a pop song, for me, and I’ve talked to a lot of other writers about this, is you take your demo, you pop it in your car and you drive down Sunset Blvd. to Santa Monica, and that’s the Hollywood car test,” producer and musician Ryan Tedder once said about the genre. This week, it seems the artists took this advice between glittery pop or rock-inspired anthems.

Continue scrolling for Uproxx’s Best New Pop roundup.

Bebe Rexha — “Blue Moon”

Dropping her anticipated album, Bebe, this week, Rexha has delivered on a ton of shimmery songs, including collaborations with Dolly Parton, Snoop Dogg, and David Guetta. “Blue Moon” is no different, other than being a solo take, as it builds off of space-age metaphors and disco influences through the modern pop trend.

Jessie Ware — “Hello Love”

Keeping with the dancefloor-ready trend in music this week, none other than Jessie Ware dropped a full album of songs in that wheelhouse with That! Feels Good!. Three turns into the record, Ware used “Hello Love” to give listeners a “breather” if playing in order, while still being a soaring pop track. “It feels quintessentially me, but with me having grown with experience in writing,” she said in an Apple Music interview.

Niall Horan — “Meltdown”

“Meltdown” is Niall Horan‘s latest single from his forthcoming album, The Show, and despite the title, it serves as a warm hug to listeners who might be struggling. “I really love how the tempo of the song and the groove intensifies that feeling of spiraling out of control, and adds even more urgency to the panic and irrational thinking,” Horan previously shared on Instagram. “In the chorus there is a major shift in the the mood as there is some calm brought to the chaos.”

Kesha — “Eat The Acid”

Kesha is also back this week with two new songs: “Fine Line” and “Eat The Acid,” from her recently-announced next album, Gag Order. Specifically, the latter track is intended to warn listeners about everything that comes with fame, over an addictive Rick Rubin-co-produced instrumental.

The Blssm — “Merry Go Round”

The Blssm described the new track, “Merry Go Round,” as one that “is a theme song for a ‘chaotic good’ type character – someone who falls too hard, feels too much, and is destructive along the way but also cares so deeply,” later adding, “This song is for when you’re feeling melodramatic and emotional at the club.”

Taeyang — “Shoong!” (feat. Lisa)

Already two powerhouses on their own, Bigbang’s Taeyang and Blackpink’s Lisa have made some serious waves by deciding to collab for “Shoong!.” By the time her verse hits, it proves just how fitting of a choice it was, as she matches the badass energy and nails the choreography in the video.

Nessa Barrett — “American Jesus”

The second single from Nessa Barrett’s next EP, “American Jesus” finds her relying on love like a form of religion, with the music video using small-town country aesthetics. “It’s about the fantasy of someone who is your savior, your cowboy in a crown,” Barrett said in a statement. “Everyone dreams about a love that’s heavenly, and I know everyone will be able to relate to this.”

Seventeen — “Super”

Seventeen‘s music video for their new song, “Super,” uses choreography to convey the high energy present in the beat drops and overall instrumental. “We’ll never rest, everyday, make it make it / Don’t break until we make it,” they note, hinting at the intensity that fuels them.

Illenium — “Eyes Wide Shut”

Illenium’s new song, “Eyes Wide Shut,” is a collab with Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker that blends electronic and the pop-rock era — especially on the rocking first chorus with Barker’s drum line prominently introduced. It is also prominently featured on the DJ’s recently-released fifth studio album, which dropped over the weekend.

“To me, a self-titled album is the core sound of who I am,” he shared in a statement. “I get to explore my original musical inspirations and blend something that truly feels fresh.”

Kenzie — “Sickly Sweet”

Being inspired by musicians like Billie Eilish, Kenzie decided to turn the tables for her latest song, “Sickly Sweet.” Taking a different perspective to detailing a toxic relationship, she notes that it “takes two to tango,” as she pushes right back.

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

Emma Watson hasn’t appeared in a movie since 2019’s Little Women. There are two reasons for this. The first: she earned gobs (goblets?) of money from playing Hermione in the Harry Potter series, enough to buy a little town full of little people. The other explanation is that Watson “wasn’t very happy” with the profession, as she revealed in an interview with the Financial Times.

“I wasn’t very happy, if I’m being honest,” she said. “I think I felt a bit caged. The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have very much control over. To stand in front of a film and have every journalist be able to say, ‘How does this align with your viewpoint?’ It was very difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things where I didn’t get to be involved in the process.” Watson continued:

“I was held accountable in a way that I began to find really frustrating, because I didn’t have a voice… And I started to realize that I only wanted to stand in front of things where if someone was going to give me flak about it, I could say, in a way that didn’t make me hate myself, ‘Yes, I screwed up, it was my decision, I should have done better.’”

When asked if she would return to acting, Watson replied, “Yes, absolutely. But I’m happy to sit and wait for the next right thing. I love what I do. It’s finding a way to do it where I don’t have to fracture myself into different faces and people. And I just don’t want to switch into robot mode anymore.”

She probably won’t break her hiatus with the Harry Potter show (for many reasons).

(Via the Financial Times)

Ten years ago, Chance The Rapper — fka Tony Jizzle — released his breakout mixtape Acid Rap, changing the trajectory of his then-burgeoning career — and of Midwestern hip-hop, if you subscribe to his view of things. To commemorate the occasion, The Rapper announced a 10th-anniversary concert in his hometown Chicago, which sold out in moments.

The demand for his performance — he hasn’t toured since canceling his tour for debut album The Big Day in 2019 — was so high that he’s responded by adding two new shows to his schedule, one in Los Angeles and one in New York. The New York show will take place on August 26 at the Barclays Center, while the LA show is on September 21 at the Forum. Tickets for the new shows go on sale this Friday, May 5 at 10 am local time. You can find more information at LiveNation.com.

In addition to the new shows, Chance was also finally able to add the breakout single “Juice” back to the streaming versions of the mixtape, which was reissued in 2019 without it due to sample clearance issues. Despite missing one of its fan-favorite tracks, Acid Rap was able to break onto the Billboard charts for the first time, becoming his highest-charting release yet at No. 5.

The 2023 Met Gala was flooded with notable fashion moments from famous musicians. Rihanna arrived fashionable late, but as the singer is currently with child, all was forgiven. Cardi B effortlessly blended both the feminine and masculine elements of the evening’s theme. Doja Cat and Lil Nas X deliver their unique takes on a fierce feline. While Diddy’s clothing company Sean John formally debuted at the event.

However, one unforeseen trio caused a flood of thirsty responses on social media. International musicians, Stormzy, Burna Boy, and Skepta, now referred to on social media s the West African Brotherhood, sported color-coordinated Burberry looks at the Met Gala had fans in love. Although the theme of the evening was centered around the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, the musicians found a way to mix elements from both fashion houses. This marks Burna Boy and Skepta’s first appearance at the Met Gala. Stormzy has previously attended the revered event.

When asked about the inspiration behind his look, Skepta told GQ, “Karl Lagerfeld was a master of suit making, and so for me, it seemed appropriate to stick to that vibe. It’s a pretty clean outfit, I’ve got some studded creeper shoes, but apart from that, it’s really slick.”

Check out some of the fans’ reactions to their looks below.

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

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 Indigo De Souza, Beach House, The National, Beach Fossils, 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.

Home Is Where — “Yes! Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!”

Home Is Where made quite an impression on the emo scene with the memorable 2021 EP I Became Birds, which exploded with the off-kilter folky vibe of Neutral Milk Hotel but was singular and emotional enough to stand on its own. “Yes! Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!” leans into its midwest roots (despite the fact that the band is from Florida), bursting with cathartic instrumentation and expressive vocals.

The Gaslight Anthem — “Positive Charge”

The Gaslight Anthem’s first song in nine years is here. “Positive Charge” doesn’t waste any time; it kicks off with immediate exhilaration. A rush of intense guitars lead the listener into the track, and Brian Fallon’s introspective lyrics search for light: “I need a spark / I need a positive charge / Plug it into my veins and make me love this life again.”

Buggin — “Not Yours”

Chicago’s Buggin are one of the most in-your-face hardcore bands right now. Their new ripper “Not Yours” catapults straight into fiery territory, all metallic guitars and angry shouts that culminate into a seismic breakdown that’s sure to go crazy in a live setting.

Draag — Dark Fire Heresy

Philadelphia’s Draag declare themselves “not a shoegaze band” on their Twitter, but the opening track to their new album Dark Fire Heresy reverberates with the quintessential soaring, dreamlike sound kin to Slowdive or Ride. However, as the record goes on, it takes unexpected twists and turns, picking up the pace on the whirling “Demonbird” and buzzing exuberantly on the hallucinatory “Midnight Paradise.” It’s fair for Draag to not want to be pigeonholed in a genre that often doesn’t take risks; Dark Fire Heresy speaks for itself.

Beach Fossils — “Run To The Moon”

“Dare Me” was a strong lead single from Beach Fossils’ new album Run To The Moon. “Run To The Moon” is another breezy preview that captivates with laid-back guitars and soft vocals as Dustin Payseur reminisces on tumultuous times: “Staying out all night / We’re all taking drugs / Acting stupid, having fun / Till the sun is coming up.”

Indigo De Souza — All Of This Will End

Singles for Indigo De Souza’s new album All Of This Will End, like “You Can Be Mean” and “Smog,” already proved that the record would be phenomenal. Still, it exceeded expectations with an abundance of unforgettable tracks, from the vibrant opener “Time Back” (It feels like I’m losing my best friend / But we’re going to love again / On the other side”) to the pained “Parking Lot” which recounts a moment of dissociation. No matter what the experience is she’s dealing with, she doesn’t deem it as good or bad — she sees all sides of things, because after all: “Who gives a f*ck? / All of this will end,” she declares on the title track.

Horse Jumper Of Love — “Heartbreak Rules”

Last year, Horse Jumper Of Love shared their new album Natural Part. They’re already back with a mini-LP called Heartbreak Rules, and the title track is out now. “When you pour a drink from one cup to another sometimes you spill a bunch on the table and you have less in the new cup. I was thinking about the heart being like that in transitional times of life,” vocalist and guitarist Dimitri Giannopoulos said about the song in a statement. At a little over two minutes, the ballad is thoughtful and melancholy: “Through the transfer / There’s always something lost forever,” he sings.

Thundercat, Tame Impala — “No More Lies”

A collaboration we never knew we needed: Thundercat and Tame Impala, for this new song “No More Lies.” It’s as dreamy as you’d expect, and their vocals enmeshed together make a gorgeous harmony as they navigate a complicated relationship. “You and I both know it’s harder than it seems / Love is a two-way street / I’m letting go because the both of us don’t need to drive / Baby, it’s one at a time,” Thundercat sings.

Beach House — Become

New music from Beach House is always a treat. Last year’s Once Twice Melody was a sprawling, hypnotic album and “Superstar” was maybe one of their best songs to date. Become is their new EP containing songs that were recorded during the session for that record, so inevitably it’s a glimmering, ruminative extension to Once Twice Melody, the five songs all mesmeric.

The National — First Two Pages Of Frankenstein

An album with features from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sufjan Stevens is obviously going to be an emotional experience — but especially when it’s an album by The National. First Two Pages Of Frankenstein is a vulnerable, poignant whirlwind that addresses mental health with candid honesty like on “Your Mind Is Not Your Friend” and vividly describes the end of a relationship in “Eucalyptus.”

Chance The Rapper is currently promoting his mini-tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of his breakthrough mixtape, Acid Rap, and last night, he stopped by Late Night With Seth Myers. Sporting a Canadian tuxedo and his signature baseball cap, Chance recounted the success of Acid Rap, his early career doing shows at the library, and even his first rap name — which wasn’t quite as good as his current one.

“‘Chance The Rapper’ is a great rap name because it’s very on the nose,” Myers commented. “But I have to imagine you had some other options early on.”

“Oh yeah,” Chance remembered. “When I was in 8th grade, I went by Tony Jizzle… I’m glad that that part of my life is over with.” Cue the loud guffaws from the crowd.

The Rapper — lol — also had some fun reminiscing on that hilarious night a few years ago when the New York Knicks redundantly described him as “Chance The Rapper: Rapper” on their Jumbotron, leading to both a cheeky response from Chance and one of my favorite things I’ve written. Myers pulled out a screenshot from a much more recent Chicago Bulls game in which the Jumbotron at his hometown arena took his suggestion to the Knicks in describing him instead as “Chance The Rapper: Father/Zaddy.”

You can watch the full interview above.

Bad Bunny was a strong contender for best dressed at last night’s 2023 Met Gala. As he stepped onto the red carpet, his backless custom white suit had a creative spin as he was joined by a 26-foot train of florals designed by Simon Porte Jacquemus — who chose Benito as his guest.

The event’s theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty, crossed over into Bad Bunny’s outfit, as flowers were a significant part of Lagerfeld’s designs. The backless choice also pulled inspiration from a Chanel No. 5 ad from 2005 that starred Nicole Kidman.

“Bad Bunny is my favorite artist, it’s a dream to dress him for my first Met Gala,” Jacquemus told Vogue. “I was so inspired by him, he is the ultimate Jacquemus muse.”

He continued, speaking about the backless nod to the ad, “I was obsessed with it and asked my best friend to record it for me, to watch it in my bedroom over and over. I was just a kid and this dress and long train stayed in my mind forever.”

By the time photos of Bad Bunny’s suit and train surfaced online, social media users were loving that it wasn’t just a simple black suit — which has become a common joke about male attendees doing the bare minimum.

“A man with a train!!!!! OBSESSED,” one user wrote.

View pictures of Bad Bunny’s brilliant Jacquemus backless and floral-themed suit above. Continue scrolling for some additional reactions to it.

Doja Cat turned heads last night (May 1) while walking the red carpet of the 2023 Met Gala. Dressed in Oscar de la Renta, the “Kill Bill” rapper took a unique approach to the evening’s theme of Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty. Instead of opting for a black-and-white look, one of the signature fashion trends the late designer was known for, the musician stepped into the role of glamour kitty.

Paying homage to the Lagerfield’s beloved cat, Choupette, Doja sported facial prosthetics to appear more feline-like. But her transformation didn’t stop there. While walking the red carpet, Doja fully embodied her animal muse down to the “language.” When stopped by Vogue correspondent Emma Chamberlain, Doja responded to all questions posed with multilayered meows.

But why did Doja Cat only meow at the Met Gala? Based on the entertainer’s past actions, she was just having a good laugh at the public’s expense. In fact, she wasn’t the only one to only meow on the red carpet: Lil Nas X did as well.

Trolling the public is something Doja Cat thrives at. For one recent example, just look at her Paris Haute Couture Week eyelash mustache look. Doja Cat’s first viral moment was the songwriter dressed as a cow for her 2018 song “MOOO!” Why not elevate that by dressing as a high-fashion cat?

Starting Tuesday, May 2, thousands of Hollywood writers will go on strike after contract negotiations failed between the studios and the Writers Guild of America. Like the previous strike in 2007-2008, the impact will be immediately felt on late night talk shows where new material needs to be written on the fly to react to current events. Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and others will go dark and start airing reruns until the strike is resolved.

According to Reuters, the next shows to be affected will be daytime soap operas “since they are traditionally written not long before they are filmed.” As for currently airing sitcoms, they should remain unaffected as their episodes are already written and filmed.

Meanwhile, streaming services, which have been a major source of contention leading to the strike, are relatively prepared to keep providing content until an agreement can be reached:

Netflix (NFLX.O), which makes shows around the world, has said it can feed its service with shows produced outside the United States. But its U.S.-based series would be affected if a strike drags on.

HBO Max, which is switching its name to Max in late May, has been saving up programming to release with its re-branding.

News shows will not be affected because those writers belong to a different union, and as we know from the 2007 strike, reality TV will also continue unimpeded.

(Via Reuters)

Yesterday, as part of the biggest night for fashion, Doja Cat appeared at the 2023 Met Gala, paying tribute to the theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty, in a unique way.

Fitting to her stage name, Doja dressed as Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, but with a high-quality spin. (Unlike others, who simply chose to just wear a giant cat suit.) Doja’s sparkly dress had a hood with cat ears. She also had some special effects makeup on that turned her into the animal. Because of this, she committed fully to the bit on the red carpet.

In a currently viral interview with Emma Chamberlain, a YouTuber who was talking to the other guests, Doja decided to answer in a way that only she could.

“I mean, wait, so who made it?” Chamberlain asks about the dress. Doja replies with a simple answer, “Meow.”

To every question, she makes a similar sound. “Wow, OK. So, something a little different,” Chamberlain responds as Doja nods.

“What was your inspiration for tonight? And be honest with me. Go into detail,” the interview continues. This time, Doja answers with a few different meows, in place of an actual answer. Sadly, as most of us don’t speak cat, we won’t be able to know for sure what she actually was saying. Or thinking.

Check out Doja being a cat above. Below, find some more reactions to the hilarious and unique interview.