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Selena Gomez Isn’t Prioritizing Releasing An Album, Describing Music As ‘A Hobby That Went Out Of Control’

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All the way back in November 2022, Rolling Stone relayed that Selena Gomez planned to “have some writing sessions, round out the 24 songs she’s already written for her next album, which she says she may start recording by the end of the year.” Nearly two years later, Gomez has yet to release a new album.

Don’t hold your breath, either.

On Monday morning, September 9, Vanity Fair revealed Gomez as its October 2024 cover star. The accompanying profile by Yohana Desta included an update on Gomez’s musical output, as excerpted below:

“The musical part of Emilia Pérez came easier. Gomez dove into the singing and the often intense choreography, which meant tapping back into her pop persona. ‘I can sing Spanish really well,’ she says, having released several songs in Spanish, including the 2021 EP Revelación. She enjoyed recording the songs for this film, which were written by French singer and lyricist Camille with Clément Ducol, but wants fans to know she doesn’t have plans to release any new music of her own at the moment.

‘I don’t know if I’m ready, you know?’ she says. ‘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.’”

Earlier this year, Gomez said on the SmartLess podcast that she felt like she “had one more album in me,” but “would probably choose acting” if she had to do only one for the remainder of her career.

In August 2023, Gomez dropped “Single Soon,” which was her first and only release of 2023 and produced by Benny Blanco, her boyfriend.

Gomez released Rare in 2020 as her most recent LP, but her Revelación EP was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2022 Grammys.

Gomez is currently starring in the fourth season of Hulu’s Only Murders In The Building. Emilia Pérez is due out in select theaters this fall before hitting Netflix on November 13, as per Netflix.

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Is Bon Iver Releasing A New Album?

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Bon Iver hasn’t released an album since 2019’s i,i. Which isn’t to say that founder Justin Vernon hasn’t been busy. He’s collaborated with everyone from Taylor Swift to Travis Scott to Zach Bryan, and he and The National’s Aaron Dessner put out How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? as Big Red Machine in 2021. But it appears Bon Iver is about to return in a big way.

On Monday, Bon Iver’s social channels shared a black and white video of Vernon appearing behind a clapperboard. There’s no dialogue, but there is a link to the band’s website. It’s unclear if what’s being teased is a song or an album or something else, but you can pre-save whatever it is here.

Vernon rarely gives interviews these days, but in 2020, Dessner told Pitchfork how his collaboration with Swift, Folklore standout “Exile,” came together. “I sent him the song and he was really into it. He tweaked some parts and added parts as well — the bridge where he says, ‘Step right out.’ The end, too, and his choral parts,” he said. “It was fun because Justin and I work on a lot of stuff together, so it was very easy and natural. At some point I felt like a superfan, hearing two of my favorite singers.” Tim Walz’s kid probably liked it, too.

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Why Wasn’t Lil Wayne Selected To Perform At The Super Bowl?

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While the announcement that Kendrick Lamar would perform the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans was met with general excitement from fans, some fans questioned the pick, believing that local artist Lil Wayne would have been a better selection. So, why wasn’t Lil Wayne chosen to perform at the Super Bowl?

First things first: There’s never been a rule that the Super Bowl halftime performers must be local acts. That’s a recent development from hip-hop fans online after a “wouldn’t it be cool if…” proposition evolved like the monsters from an Alien movie into something far less innocuous.

In the last five years, we’ve had Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, who are most notably not from Miami; The Weekend, who is not from Tampa; and Rihanna, who is not from Arizona. The first show to be performed entirely by locals in pretty much the whole modern history of the Super Bowl Halftime Show was 2022’s combination of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar in Los Angeles, and they were joined by two New Yorkers and a Detroiter.

Of course, coming off an impressive showing by Usher in Las Vegas this past February, it only makes sense fans would want the newly minted “tradition” to return. However understandable it is, though, Roc Nation, the NFL’s music partner, hasn’t ever had an obligation to hometown performers (and when you think about where all the NFL has teams, let’s all just be thankful for that).

Kendrick’s pick also meets pretty much all the criteria Roc Nation would be looking for in a performer. To let Audiomack co-founder and longtime industry insider Brian Zisook tell it, K. Dot’s available, popular, and culturally impactful, with enough hits to fill up the 15-minute performance slot and a penchant for showmanship that will translate well both live and on TV.

Now, as to why Lil Wayne was not selected. While some fans — and even some veteran performers like Cam’ron and Mase — would rather believe in elaborate conspiracies about Roc Nation founder Jay-Z holding a decades-long grudge against Wayne, the truth is probably a lot simpler: Wayne just doesn’t meet the above criteria.

While his popularity is undeniable, it’s equally undeniable that the peak of that popularity is past him; for contrast, Lil Wayne hasn’t had a top-ten-charting single in the past five years (2019’s “Don’t Cry” featuring the late XXXtentacion). And while he’s got more than enough hits to fill the allotted set time, Wayne’s always been a meat-and-potatoes kind of performer; he certainly isn’t going to break out roller skates and costume changes, let alone construct a whole hall of mirrors on the field or hover on a platform above it.

Meanwhile, we aren’t even sure Wayne would be available to perform next February; he could have a tour booked, he could be working on new music, or be involved in one of a thousand other projects. As a hardcore sports fan, he may be planning to take in the show from the stands. Or, on the other hand, perhaps he is available, does have the desire, and actually is part of K. Dot’s plan for the show — although their respective relationships with Drake make this outcome unlikely.

After all, Wayne’s one of Kendrick’s biggest inspirations aside from Kurupt, and it’s not like the Compton native is averse to including guest stars in his sets. It’d probably be far easier for Wayne to appear for a verse of “A Milli” than put together a whole show for a national audience who may not even be all that familiar with his work (try to remember that country music is the most popular genre on the charts this year, so there may not be much demand for a “Bling Bling” performance outside Wayne’s existing audience).

So, while we can’t say for sure why Wayne wasn’t picked to lead the show, we do know that there are plenty of good reasons for Kendrick Lamar’s selection. And, since we can’t completely count out a Wayne appearance, it seems premature to call it a snub. We don’t even know who’s playing the actual game yet, so maybe a little patience is warranted — and could pay off when halftime actually hits.

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Selena Gomez Named The Jennifer Lawrence Movie That Inspired Her Own Acting

Following her breakthrough, wow-that-Disney Channel-kid-can-actually-act performance in Spring Breakers, Selena Gomez failed to take advantage of the momentum by starring in movies that were beneath her, like Getaway and Behaving Badly. But she turned things around with the charming The Fundamentals of Caring, a 2016 comedy-drama that also featured future Only Murders In The Building co-star Paul Rudd.

“He’s just really great working with people,” she told Vanity Fair in one of their “Rewatches” videos, “especially with both of us at the time, we didn’t know, at least I didn’t know what I was doing.” Gomez said finding her character in The Fundamentals of Caring was her “putting my toes into the water.”

The actress also revealed that she was inspired by Jennifer Lawrence‘s remarkable performance in Winter’s Bone. “I just loved how she put so much care into her character choices,” she said. “And they were all different, but had a bit of an edge and yet softness to it. So I felt there was something in this movie that was good and real.” J-Law got nominated for an Oscar for Winter’s Bonemaybe Gomez will be next for Emilia Pérez. She already has a Best Actress award from the Cannes Film Festival.

You can watch the Vanity Fair video above.

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Andrew Garfield Left A Peaceful Retreat Only To Be Besieged With Horse Memes From His Romcom With Florence Pugh

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We live in a time when it’s impossible to rip yourself away from the internet for two days without missing out on whatever meme just so happens to be making the rounds that week. Jared Leto’s 2020 retreat disaster should be enough to discourage anyone from leaving society behind for a few days, but Andrew Garfield didn’t get that memo.

Garfield stars alongside Florence Pugh in We Live In Time, a gut-wrenching love story told out of chronological order. But instead of focusing on the plot or Pugh’s hairstyles, the conversation surrounding the movie right now is all about a horse. Not just any horse, this horse, who seems just as shocked to be there as you are.

The poster dropped last month, right before Garfield was about to head on a retreat for nearly a week. Is going off the grid before a big movie release the best idea? No, and while Garfield was on the retreat, the internet went wild with horse memes of all different varieties and variations.

The actor told AP News, “I was about to go into a retreat for six days where I wouldn’t have my phone. And I saw this image for our film that had been released. And I noticed the horse. And I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s an interesting choice.’ I don’t know, did I approve that? I’m pretty sure Florence didn’t approve that,” he explained. “So I saw that and I was like,’Oh, that’s a choice, man.’ Ah, I’m sure I’m the only one to notice it,’ Turn my phone off for six days,” he said. He carried on with his retreat, and finally saw the meme explosion nearly a week later.

Garfield added, “When I’m in the departure lounge coming back from wherever I was, I turn my phone on finally. And it’s just horse meme. I was wrong. People noticed it. And Colbert noticed and did a whole monologue on it. Honestly, I was crying.” While Garfield got a kick out of the horse (let’s just call him Herman), Pugh wasn’t so sure about him. In the same conversion, the duo had a heated discussion on if Herman the Horse made the final cut:

GARFIELD: How do you feel about the horse?

PUGH: I was just so grateful it’s actually not in the movie.

GARFIELD: It is in the movie. It was there.

PUGH: Not it’s not. The head of it was. The eyes weren’t. I was waiting for it.

GARFIELD: Dude, it was there. I’m sorry.

PUGH: When?

GARFIELD: In the scene when we’re on the thing. I promise you.

PUGH: I don’t think it was. I heard you laugh.

GARFIELD: It was there for a flash. Am I wrong?

PUGH: I don’t think it was in the movie, babe.

GARFIELD: Baby. This is undebatable.

We may never know if the horse is in the film (it’s not, according to Pugh) but the actress says she didn’t want the meme moment to take away from the seriousness of the film. “I was just so worried that that amazing, gorgeous, glittery moment was going to be s—- on by this horse meme — which was hilarious, sure. But I was like, ‘No! Not at that point in the movie.’” On the other hand, Garfield thinks that nobody would even know about the film if it wasn’t for the memes. You’ll just have to see if the horse makes it into the final cut when We Live In Time hits theaters on October 11th.

(Via AP News)

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Jessie Murph Made A Soulful Statement With ‘That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil’

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Jessie Murph wanted to spend her That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil release week with her fans. At each listening party across the country, the 19-year-old genre-defying singer-songwriter was reminded that persevering through adolescent bullying in Athens, Georgia was worth it. “It felt like one big therapy session, honestly,” Murph tells Uproxx over Zoom two days before her debut studio album arrived. In Columbus, Ohio, people sang along to “Someone In This Room” featuring Bailey Zimmerman. At other points, fans have attached to “Love Lies,” a pleasant surprise for Murph.

Nothing is more important to her than sharing music with the world, and nothing could possibly stop her from it. That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil solidifies that Murph, who already has two platinum-certified songs and 12.65 million monthly Spotify listeners to her name, has only scratched the surface of her resonance.

Below, Murph told Uproxx about her journey to her debut LP, her respect for Shaboozey, and what she hopes people understand about her after listening to it.

You’ve cited the late Amy Winehouse as an inspiration, and I could tell that right away with the opening track, “Gotta Hold.” Was there a particular moment where you channeled or felt the most inspired by Amy in the studio?

Well, I think my whole life I’ve been very inspired by her. The first song I ever remember covering — I think I was like eight or nine — was “You Know I’m No Good” by her. She’s always just been a huge inspiration, and the more I explore musically and the more I just find myself as a person, I come into myself musically simultaneously. I’ve been letting the soul side of me, which is stuff I love so much, come out and flourish, especially on this album.

Had you been more hesitant to lean into soul prior, or is it more to do with naturally coming of age?

I think it’s just more a natural progression. I try not to ever think too much about what I’m sounding like. It’s definitely a more mature sound coming out in this album, but like I said, it’s happening as I grow up.

Actually, you’ve frequently named Amy, Adele, and Drake as formative influences. I think this album encapsulates all three, given the soul, the belted vocal runs, and the effortless flow. How have you cultivated such a unique blend as your signature sound?

I don’t know. I never really think about it. I think it would freak me out to think about it too preemptively. It just comes out as I’m making these songs. With this album, the creative process was a little different. I would go in the studio, and everybody would just be on instruments and somebody would hand me a mic. I would just kind of get to freestyle these melodies and most of these lyrics, which is really sick and something that I found so freeing. So everything just kind of came out in the font of what I’ve always listened to because I think you are what you listen to a little bit.

Do you remember the first time someone reacted to your singing voice in a way that made you realize it was unusual that you sound like that?

I think I was 11, and I posted a video on YouTube of me singing “Titanium,” and I remember it got like 24,000 views. I remember being so freaked out and excited about that. I think that was the first moment that I was like, Whoa, I could really do this if I work hard enough. I always wanted to be a singer, but growing up, especially in Alabama, everybody’s like, “That is not realistic.”

You released “When I’m Not Around” in 2021 in response to the bullying you’d faced in your hometown, Athens, Georgia, after beginning to share your music. Was there a moment when you contemplated quitting because you were tired of being judged?

No, not at all. If anything, it made me want to do it more. I’ve always been so motivated by spite. So, people being like, “You suck,” or something like that, just made me want to prove them wrong. I’m actually still grateful for all of that because it really did push me to say the things I was saying. I feel like I wouldn’t have been so spiteful in my songs if I didn’t have that type of chip on my shoulder.

Do you hear from people back home now who have conveniently changed their opinions?

Of course. Yeah. I have no resentment in my heart for any of that. I talk to people occasionally, and I’m so grateful for all of that. I’m able to look at everything with a different perspective now, thankfully, instead of being mad about it.

When did the process for this album start?

The second half of last year into this year was predominantly when the whole thing started from front to back, but the main chunk of songs I made in a week, I think. It was in the summer at some point last year, I think. Something happened, and I was so hurt, and it brought out a lot of other past anger that I’d held in my entire life, honestly. I’ve never been good at talking about things, but when you don’t, that sh*t comes to the surface. That really happened to me, and everything just came out at once.

You told Billboard that “there’s a lot of emotion” behind That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil. Where does that emotion stem from?

I think I’ve always been very emotional. I’ve always felt things so deeply, whether it’s good or bad. It’s always going to be super extreme, which is great for what I do but not great for my mental health. I’ve always been like that my whole life. I mean, thank God I have this to pour it into, because otherwise, I feel like that could be so damaging and controlling.

If you had to choose — and I’m forcing you to, so blame me — which three emotions are the glue throughout all 12 tracks?

Ooh. I’d say anger, spite, and hurt.

I read in an old Flaunt interview that you have notebooks in which you wrote as a kid about wanting to do what you’re doing now. Have you re-read them recently?

I do read them occasionally. I haven’t done it in a while. I need to sit down and do that actually, especially with the album coming out. It’d probably be really surreal. But, yeah, I definitely do have a lot of that stuff. I remember this one specific thing I have that I wrote. I think I did it around probably 12 or 13, and it was this contract I wrote myself. It said, “By signing this, it means you abide by becoming a singer,” or some sh*t like that. And I signed it. From that moment forward, I remember being in my room, in my basement, making so many videos, and posting as many as I could. I was so adamant that I wanted it to happen.

How do you think you’ve grown from Drowning, your February 2023 debut mixtape, to your debut LP?

I think a large part of the growth is sonically, and I feel like I get better at songwriting the more I do it, which is just the natural thing that happens. But I’ve just come into my sound more and myself and a lot with the creative process. Traditionally, in most sessions, I feel like people go in and sit down and they’re like, “OK, what are you going through?” You talk it out, and you come up with a title, and then you write it. I’ve always found that process to be so excruciating. It makes you feel naked — and not in a good way. I wanted to change that for this album. Being able to go and just freestyle, most of it was so therapeutic and good. I could just sing whatever melodies I wanted, and they would just come out, and I wouldn’t really have to talk about it, which was so nice.

Do you remember where you were and what happened when you thought of That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil as the title?

I don’t remember where I was when I realized that was the title, but it was in one of the first songs off the album, “Son Of A B*tch.” I always knew that line was crazy, and I feel like it really just encapsulates the album well. I knew for a long time that was going to be the title.

What statement does this album make about you as an artist?

I think it makes the statement of I can do absolutely anything. I’m rapping on it. I’m singing on it, I’m really singing on it. But I definitely was adamant that I wanted to get both of those points across because I am so passionate about both. I feel like that’s something that’s almost unique to me in the way of just being able to do both and loving them both so much.

Which song was the toughest to release to the public because it’s so vulnerable?

I never really think about that until after the fact.

Probably smart.

But I think the most vulnerable song on the project is definitely “I Could Go Bad.” It kind of takes the album and wraps it up and gives it reason for why you’re so f*cking angry the whole time. I mean, it’s like, F*ck yeah, I’m mad, but you take that away, and I’m just hurt. That feels really vulnerable.

Shaboozey opened for the first leg of your In The Sticks Tour this spring. Did observing him up close as his artistry and life exploded to a new level inspire you to push yourself even more?

Dude, I am the biggest Shaboozey fan. I mean, getting to see him perform — first of all, he’s an incredible performer. I think that was his first tour, which is really sick. I’ve been a fan of him for a very long time, and I’m so glad he’s getting his flowers. He’s just got that swag about him.

You’ve had so many successful collaborations, from “Heartbroken” with Diplo and Polo G to “Wild Ones” with Jelly Roll or “Texas” with Maren Morris. That’s before mentioning Teddy Swims and Bailey Zimmerman are also featured on this album. Did you feel pressure to prove that you don’t need features in order to make a resonant record?

I mean, it’s definitely crossed my mind, but at the end of the day, I just f*cking love collabs, actually. It’s real fun. I think I’ve been viewing it through a lens of I’m just blessed to be able to do that than as pressure, which is good. The other perspective kind of stresses me out. But I’m passionate about this album, and I feel like I put my heart and soul into it. That’s all I can really do. Whatever happens on the other side of that is none of my business.

What are you most looking forward to about this next leg of your In The Sticks Tour?

I’m just excited to go back to the sticks. I prefer going to the sticks over big cities any day. The shows are so much more fun. The people are so nice. I love that sh*t, so I’m real excited about that. Oh, my God. I’m playing my first-ever arena in my hometown, which is really sick.

That’s something you probably didn’t even know you could write down in a notebook when you were a child.

It’s actually been one of my goals. I saw Disney On Ice at this arena when I was a little kid. I’d watch hockey games there, and I would sit there and watch the game and be like, “I’m going to play here one day.” And now, I’m going to play there.

There’s nothing better than that. You never wavered. How do you think this album represents you being rewarded for staying true to yourself?

I don’t know, to be honest. Everything’s been kind of a blur. I think what’s kept me really grounded and really myself is that I’m just always so focused on the music. That’s what I love. I don’t care about any of the other sh*t. The music is just — I love it. It lights me up inside. Getting to perform the music and sing with people, that is what truly makes this worth it for me.

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Muna Requested Fans To Stop Bullying, Hacking, And Cyberstalking Because It’s ‘Truly Scary For Us’

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Muna’s Katie Gavin expressed gratitude for having “these f*cking amazing fans that have proved to be so loyal and will show up for us” when Muna served as Uproxx’s November 2023 cover stars.

If only all Muna fans behaved amazingly.

On Sunday, September 8, Muna posted a statement to their Instagram Story addressing concerning behavior within their fan base.

“We love our fans, but some stuff has been happening recently that we cannot be silent about,” Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson wrote. “Cyberstalking, hackings, and bullying other fans and our loved ones, plus spreading falsehoods about us and our loved ones for clout and attention online has been going on for months, and we have to address it now for our own safety and peace of mind.”

They continued, “This sh*t is truly scary for us, and it’s literally embarrassing to have to post about this, but here we are. Not gonna say names because you guys know who you are. And we do, too. Cut it the fck out.”

Muna released their self-titled third LP in June 2022, and the band’s most recent release was Live At The Greek Theatre In Los Angeles this June.

“It’s mystical, it’s in the trees, and it’s a legendary place,” Maskin told Uproxx of Muna’s October 2023 The Greek shows. “I grew up going to shows there, and it always was a dream of ours to be able to play a show that big. And to be able to do that? It’s just trippy. Life is interesting, and it’s kind of funny. We did it, and now it’s over, and you’re still existing and moving on to whatever’s next.”

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Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Belted Out ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ At The US Open Final

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There are certain songs that resonate for everyone of a certain age. Among the tracks that stir up something deep inside for my age group, those in their early-to-mid 30s, is “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness.

There is something so engaging about the song that you can’t help trying to hit your highest falsetto on the chorus, and if you don’t believe me, just ask two of the most famous people of my age group — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. With Kelce opening his season on Thursday with a Chiefs win over the Ravens, the couple was able to spend their weekend in New York to take some Fashion Week festivities and the U.S. Open. On Sunday, the two were in a box sipping on Honey Deuces for the men’s final that Jannik Sinner won over American Taylor Fritz, and during a break in action the Arthur Ashe Stadium DJ threw on “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” and Swift and Kelce (and plenty of others in the crowd) belted it out in a little impromptu karaoke session.

That is the appropriate level of commitment needed to sing along with The Darkness, as you can’t half-ass it when trying to hit those notes.

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All The Best New Music From This Week That You Need To Hear

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Keeping up with new music can be exhausting, even impossible. From the weekly album releases to standalone singles dropping on a daily basis, the amount of music is so vast it’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. Even following along with the Uproxx recommendations on a daily basis can be a lot to ask, so every Monday we’re offering up this rundown of the best new music this week.

This week saw Megan Thee Stallion dive back into the K-pop world and ASAP Rocky link up with J. Cole. Yeah, it was a great week for new music. Check out the highlights below.

For more music recommendations, check out our Listen To This section, as well as our Indie Mixtape and Pop Life newsletters.

Megan Thee Stallion — “Neva Play” Feat. RM

Megan Thee Stallion finds herself back in the BTS universe after collaborating with the K-pop titans on a remix of “Butter.” This time, she links up with just RM on “Neva Play,” of which Meg said she’s “never heard [RM] rap in this style before.”

Halsey — “Ego”

Halsey has so far leaned into a rock-influenced sound on the songs we’ve so far heard from The Great Impersonator, and that’s true of last week’s “Ego,” which sees her grappling with her personal demons.

ASAP Rocky — “Ruby Rosary” Feat. J. Cole

J. Cole has remained relatively under the radar since bowing out of the Kendrick Lamar feud. ASAP Rocky just got him to resurface, though, on “Ruby Rosary,” an Alchemist-produced number that just might have a Drake diss in there.

Toro Y Moi — “Madonna” Feat. Don Toliver

There’s a ton of variety on Toro Y Moi’s new album Hole Erth, from the dreamy “Heaven” to the more hip-hop-leaning “Madonna,” the latter being a collab with Don Toliver.

MJ Lenderman – “Wristwatch”

Uproxx’s Steven Hyden says of MJ Lenderman’s new album Manning Fireworks, “Manning Fireworks would be my favorite album of most years, but in 2024 it feels like an especially precious commodity. It’s the kind of record that makes me want to write like Jon Landau after seeing Bruce Springsteen in 1974.”

Central Cee and Raye — “Moi”

Central Cee and Raye have both emerged as stars in their circles in recent years, and now they’ve combined forces on “Moi.” They lean heavy into the French on this one, on which the two flex their current success.

Rex Orange County — “2008”

Of his new album The Alexander Technique, Rex Orange County previously said it feels “as though this is the first time I’m trying to make a project about everything in life.” Part of that is a nostalgic look back on “2008,” which includes references to Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West.

The Dare — “All Night”

The Dare has been on the rise (he popped up in Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s “Guess” video recently). That culminated last week with the new album What’s Wrong With New York, along with a sold-out tour.

LE SSERAFIM — “Crazy” Feat. PinkPantheress

LE SSERAFIM dropped “Crazy” a week ago, but that didn’t mean they were done with the song. They quickly followed it up with a remix, which taps PinkPantheress to add her spark to the track.

Fred Again.., Duskus, Four Tet, Skrillex, and Joy Anonymous — “Glow”

Fred Again.. has followed up his star-making 2023 with an active 2024 that includes a new album, Ten Days. He reunites with his Coachella buddies Four Tet and Skrillex on the project’s “Glow,” which also features Duskus and Joy Anonymous.

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Shaboozey Thanked Beyoncé For ‘Opening A Door For Us’ In Response To His CMA Awards Nomination (And Her Snub)

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Beyoncé was not nominated for a single CMA Award, but her efforts didn’t go totally unnoticed thanks to her Cowboy Carter collaborator Shaboozey. Shaboozey, whose breakout single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” topped the charts in August, was nominated for two awards: best new artist and single of the year. In acknowledging his nominations — and, seemingly, Beyoncé’s snub — he addressed the opportunities created by the Renaissance singer, even if she didn’t get to enjoy the benefits herself.

“That goes without saying,” he wrote on Twitter (never calling it “X”). “Thank you @Beyonce for opening a door for us, starting a conversation, and giving us one of the most innovative country albums of all time!”

In explaining the inspiration behind Cowboy Carter ahead of its release, Beyoncé shared her intention to create space for Black artists after being made to feel unwelcome at the 2016 CMA Awards. “This album has been over five years in the making,” she wrote. “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.”

There’s little doubt which experience she referred to, and Beyoncé herself is probably unsurprised by the snub, as she signed off the above message by noting, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.” The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer likely knew exactly how her latest project would be received — or not — by the country establishment. But it looks like they can’t keep her out completely, thanks to Shaboozey.