57 Channels and Only This Is On: May 4, 2025

 

Mobland:  How disappointing that Chekov’s hand grenade did not go off in the third act.  Sure, there are still more episodes left and maybe it will go off in the finale, but I really was hoping that it got thrown at the funeral. 

 

The Last of Us:  So it took the show almost an entire season to get Joel and Ellie to Wyoming, but Ellie and Dina were able to get to Seattle in half an episode.  That is giving strong late season Game of Thrones vibes.  Really, they are not running into any obstacles?  It is just a straight shot, no infected nor questionable humans on the way?

 

Andor:  So are we going to get one secondary death each segment?  We said goodbye to Brasso during the first batch and Cinta this time.  It does feel like Bix may come sooner than later.  Considering Luthen is such a big part of the Rebellion but is not seen in Rogue One, he is not long for this world.  Vel is a hard one, she is related to a Senator so it feels like she cannot be found out without blowback to Mon.  Cyril and Dedra are just cogs in the Empire machine so they can just survive and become insignificant when the Empire falls.  Though a show about them in the Empire’s ashes could be interesting.  The big question for me is Kleya.  She seemed like a background character during the first season, but may have turned out to be the most interesting character.  If Luthen goes down it probably is a good guess she goes down with him, but she is sneaky, she might be able to weasel herself out of a trap.  I kind of hope we see her after this.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  Wait, why exactly did June and Moira split up?  That just seems like plot contrivance. 

 

Survivor:  On no, the dreaded, someone with little screen time all of the sudden gets a lot of screen time and is promptly voted out.   The editing seems to be a lot more even in the New Era, especially with the extra half hour, it seems like a while since this has happened.  After her rap, it is disappointing we did not get more of Star this season.  But one thing the show really loves to do, new or old era, is telegraph who is going to win Immunity by spending so much time before the Immunity Challenge with players targeting the person that ends up becoming immune.  Sigh.  But my big question with this episode is does Mitch really think he is in the Strong People Alliance?  Maybe they are not showing just how good the Strong People are able to convince him, but he has got to notice how many times those 4 (or 6 when David was still around) go off without him.

 

The Stolen Girl:  They actually had me for a second that the girl might be the thief’s.  I guess the Photoshop of the birthmark pretty much confirms she is not.  But it does seem like she did have a daughter, so what exactly happened to her.  And how does this tie into the real mother.

 

Leverage: Redemption:  Having a solo mission is kind of fun.  Makes me wonder what one with Elliot would look like.

 

Grosse Point Garden Society:  I wonder if I get half credit for prediction the dog murderer would be the dead body if the dog death indirectly led to the death.  But the show did a poor job making it seem like the mother-in-law could be capable of dogicide.  Why not start with reporting the dog to the landlord like with foster first?  Going straight to doggie murder seems extreme first step to getting a grandkid.  And to the father in law, why not shut off the wood chipper?  Why even try to pull out a quill that is already partially destroyed?

Around the Tubes: May 3, 2025

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Summer of 69, Nine Perfect Strangers, Lorde, Erin Gibney, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Lamont Landers, Rachel McIntyre, The Surrender, Call Her Alex.

- Hulu has debuted the official trailer and for the Original movie "Summer of 69."  Marking Jillian Bell’s feature directorial debut and starring Chloe Fineman, Sam Morelos, Matt Cornett, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy and more, “Summer of 69” premieres May 9 on Hulu.  An awkward high school senior hires an exotic dancer to help seduce her longtime crush before graduation, leading to unexpected friendship and lessons in self-confidence, acceptance and adulthood.

- Hulu has debuted the official trailer for season two of "Nine Perfect Strangers."  The new season premieres on Hulu on May 21, 2025 with a two-episode launch. New episodes stream Wednesdays leading up to the season finale on July 2. Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing everyone involved, including herself.

- Lorde has officially announced her highly anticipated new album, Virgin, set for release on June 27. The project marks the New Zealander’s first full-length body of work in four years and promises a bold evolution in her sound and storytelling. You can pre-order the album HERE.  The announcement follows the release of her new single “What Was That”, co-produced by Lorde, Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro. The track has been praised for its raw energy and emotional immediacy, offering a glimpse into the sonic world of Virgin.  “What Was That” has already made a major impact, hitting #1 on Spotify in the US — Lorde’s first US #1 on the platform since “Royals”. It also landed at #3 in the UK and #5 globally, solidifying Lorde’s triumphant return to the top of the charts.  The video for “What Was That”, shot on location in New York — including a surprise performance in Washington Square Park — captures the intimate, spontaneous spirit of this new chapter. Watch it HERE & listen to the single HERE.

- Country-pop singer-songwriter Erin Gibney just released her new single, "wasted potential," via Rock Ridge Music.  Says Gibney about the song: "'wasted potential' is a song I wrote after leaving my long-term relationship. It talks about the pain and sadness of giving years to something you thought would last forever, only for it to end. The lyrics of this song are extremely close and personal to me and describe the feelings I worked through in my breakup. I felt a sense of panic when my relationship ended over the thought of giving the first half of my 20s to the wrong person. I wrote this song with Alex Angelo and am so excited to finally bring it into the world!"

- Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ little known 1974 concert album, Saturnight: Live From Tokyo, is now available globally in multiple formats for the first time ever, more than 50 years after it was originally released only in Japan, due to contractual restrictions. The record has been remastered from the original production master at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios and is available on CD, vinyl and digitally for streaming and download via Cat-O-Log Records/UMe.  The CD is packaged in a digisleeve with a 16-page booklet featuring lyrics and new retrospective recollections from those who were there, including bassist Bruce Lynch and the band’s 1974 tour manager Carl Miller, and additional notes. The vinyl is available on 140-gram black vinyl or as a limited edition pressing available only via CatStevens.com, uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl on 140-gram lava splatter vinyl, both packaged for the first time in a gatefold sleeve with the aforementioned liner notes. Saturnight was released in a super limited edition as an “RSD First” for last year’s Record Store Day Black Friday event exclusively on 180-gram orange splatter color vinyl.  Purchase/stream Saturnight: Live From Tokyo: https://ycs.lnk.to/saturnightPR

- Alabama-born singer, songwriter, and soul powerhouse Lamont Landers makes his long awaited major label debut with the release of “Lotta Love,” out now via Lucille/MCA/Republic.  The new single is accompanied by an official visualizer - watch HERE.  Produced by multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton) “Lotta Love” showcases Lamont Landers' unmistakable voice soaring effortlessly over smooth piano, a deep-grooving bass line, and bold, brassy horns. With raw emotion pouring through the hook—“I gotta whole lotta love… come and get you some”—the track blends bluesy guitar licks and a laid back soul vibe that hits instantly. It’s a strong introduction that positions Lamont as one of 2025’s most exciting breakout artists.

- Fresh off her Whiskey Jam debut, Nashville-based Americana/country singer-songwriter Rachel McIntyre Smith is set to release her new EP, Honeysuckle Friend Deluxe Edition, independently on June 27, 2025. Produced by Dran Michael (who also worked with Smith on her debut EP, Glory Daze), Smith’s lyrically driven songs on the EP are full of her trademark “comfort twang” music, which reminds listeners of the classics while also adding a relevant and fresh perspective. A reissue of her 2024 EP, the deluxe edition includes some new songs, as well as previously unreleased bonus content.  “I had such a good time creating the aesthetic and sonic world of Honeysuckle Friend that I didn’t want it to end,” Smith says. “I wrote two of the deluxe tracks after I had the concept for Honeysuckle Friend – ‘Hummingbird Woman’ and ‘My Place’ – they felt like they were meant for the project even though I already had my track list complete. It felt strange to add them to another project, so I decided to keep the party going with deluxe tracks.”  https://www.rachelmcintyresmith.com/

- A fraught mother-daughter relationship is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies, and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead. As the bizarre and brutal resurrection spirals out of control, both women must confront their differences as they fight for their lives – and for each other.  The Surrender, streaming on Shudder Friday, May 23rd.

- Hulu announced the new original documentary series, “Call Her Alex,” which will launch June 10 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally. “Call Her Daddy” creator, host and executive producer Alex Cooper is at the top of her game, signing one of the biggest deals in podcast history. This revealing two-part series gives audiences a behind-the-scenes, intimate look at her journey and the defining moments that shaped her influential voice.  “I’ve shared my life with the Daddy Gang since I started "Call Her Daddy"—but this documentary series takes it even deeper,” said Alex Cooper. “It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the moments that shaped me—the raw, the messy, the personal stuff I’ve never felt comfortable sharing until now. My hope is that by bringing people along for this part of my journey, they’ll feel both more connected to my life and more empowered in their own."

Transmissions from Pluto: Coming to Pluto May 2025

 

Welcome to the May edition of Transmissions from Pluto, where we’re serving up anime marathons, babysitter mishaps, and movie nights so good you might forget to leave the couch. We’re kicking off Ani-May with a revamped collection that includes brand-new anime channels, fan-favorite marathons, and over 800 hours of fresh content to dive into. We’re also celebrating National Babysitter’s Day on May 10 with the Pluto debut of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (though fair warning, this babysitter might not be the best role model). And if you’re in the mood for a movie marathon (or three), we’ve got you covered. Stream epic favorites like Gladiator, Boogie Nights, Hellboy, A Few Good Men, The Faculty, Zero Dark Thirty, Only the Brave, and more all for free, all month long. Scroll down for everything new and unmissable this May on Pluto TV. ANI-MAY Whether you're a die-hard anime fan or just curious what the hype is about, our team of expert curators at Pluto TV have made sure there is something for everyone this Ani-May. We just dropped our biggest anime refresh ever on Pluto TV with 800+ hours of programming, 120+ movies, 50+ new series, and brand-new channels that range from action-packed adventures to laugh-out-loud comedies and iconic throwbacks. Here’s what’s streaming (and coming soon!) this Ani-May. New Channels Rolling Out This Month: Anime x HIDIVE: A curated mix of fan-favorite hits like Food Wars and Farming Life in Another World Anime Comedy: Over-the-top, ridiculous fun with shows like Pop Team Epic and Ghost Stories Inuyasha: Featuring episodes of the iconic series, day and night Anime Movies: Marathons from franchises like Naruto, Bleach, and Lupin the 3rd Kids Anime: Action-packed picks for the younger crowd (Beyblade, Bakugan, and more) Special Events + Marathons: One Piece Birthday Bash on the One Piece Channel (May 5): Celebrate Luffy’s most legendary moments, all day long Anime All Day Marathons: Weekly marathons spotlighting JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Hunter x Hunter, Speed Racer, Death Note, and more Anime x HIDIVE Marathons: Dive into full-day takeovers like Food Wars, Fate/Stay Night, K-On!, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, and Clannad Pluto TV Anime Movies: Epic movie nights every weekend, featuring titles from Bleach, Naruto, Urusei Yatsura, City Hunter, and more Plus, even more marathons on channels like Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Lupin the 3rd that you won’t want to miss! Whether you’re diving in for the first time or reliving your favorite story arcs, there’s never been a better time to tune into anime for free, all month long, on Pluto TV. NEW MOVIE SPOTLIGHT Enjoy a special note from the director of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. I am immensely proud of this joyful and hilarious film about young suburban Black kids left to fend for themselves over the summer—which, when you dig a little deeper, reveals a real and honest story about being forced to grow up before your time. Our all-star cast truly brought this world to life. Simone Joy Jones, Donielle Hansley Jr., Ayaamii Sledge and Carter Young shine as the siblings at the center of the chaos. Nicole Richie is a comic wonder as the off-the-wall CEO of a fledgling fashion company, and June Squibb is an absolute revelation as the babysitter. The film is also stacked with rising stars like Tyriq Withers and Jermaine Fowler—plus a few fun cameos from the original (but you’ll have to watch to see who!). I couldn’t be more thrilled that Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is now streaming—for free!—on Pluto TV. We set out to make something bold, heartfelt, and for everyone. I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. Wade Allain-Marcus— Director, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (2024) PREPPING FOR LAUNCH NEW CHANNELS ANIME x HIDIVE Your go-to spot for anime. Dive into fantasy, slice-of-life, romance and more. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here. ANIME x HIDIVE is where anime fans belong. INUYASHA Kagome Higurashi, an average ninth grader, gets pulled into an ancient well by a demon, bringing her 500 years in the past to a feudal era.  PLUTO TV ANIME COMEDY Laugh along with your favorite characters on Pluto TV Anime Comedy! From the most mystical worlds to the high school classroom, enjoy stories about the power of friendship and the most hilarious, zany, and irreverent comedies.  PLUTO TV ANIME MOVIES Tune in to Pluto TV Anime Movies for feature-length anime stories. Whether you’re looking for celebrated classics by anime auteurs, fan favorite franchise hits, or cult darlings, Pluto TV Anime Movies has got you covered.  KIDS ANIME Embark on thrilling adventures! From action-packed scenes to laughter-filled journeys, there's always something exciting waiting for you. Dive into epic battles, hilarious moments, and heartwarming friendships on Kids Anime! S.W.A.T. For this highly skilled unit, the biggest challenge is navigating loyalty between fellow officers and the streets of Los Angeles. S.W.A.T. is now streaming 24/7 on Pluto TV. TENNISCHANNEL 2 TennisChannel 2 is Tennis Channel’s second network, airing select live tournament coverage from both the women’s and men’s professional tours. The network also features original series and unique storylines & interviews from shows like Second Serve.   NEW MOVIES American Outlaws Bad Ass Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses Bad Ass 3: Bad Asses On The Bayou The Big Hit Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Black Cop Boogie Nights Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Double Team The Faculty Faster A Few Good Men Gladiator Go (1999) Hamburger Hill Hellboy (2004) House Of Flying Daggers Hyena Road Identity (2003) Jamesy Boy Jawbreaker (1999) Jerry Maguire Junebug Kung Fu Hustle Little Man Man Of The House (2005)   Mission: Impossible Mission: Impossible II Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation Multiplicity Next Of Kin Only The Brave (2017) The Other Boleyn Girl Pain & Gain Panic Room Playing With Fire Predestination Proud Mary The Raid 2 Raid, The: Redemption Safety Not Guaranteed Saving Face (2005) Single White Female (1992) Southland Tales The Tailor Of Panama The Ides Of March Thunderheart Tigerland Zero Dark Thirty

57 Channels and Only This Is On: April 27, 2025

 

The Last of Us:  So that happened.  I certainly was not expecting Loretta McCreedy to go so hard.  But if I had to choose between her and Elllie, I may still choose Loretta.

 

The Last Anniversary:   Um, so why exactly did Sophie and her ex end up at a pool party?  I get they were in charge of something to do with a party, but still, I do not see how that leads to a pool party.

 

The Righteous Gemstones:  Well there goes my Laid theory; it turned out to be the ex-husband that is disappearing the new boyfriends.  That does not bode well for Eli.  Granted his children will make sure nothing happens to him.  There seems to be a good change the ex-husband will be alligator food by the end of the season.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  Of course June runs into Lawrence while trying to escape.  Granted he may be the most interesting character right now.  What exactly is he going to do with the knowledge that the other commanders are plotting his death and will make New Bethlehem back to Gilead after it suits them?

 

Andor:  Oh wow, they added some comedy to the show.  I wonder if we will so the incompetent rebels again.  And just what went wrong with that mission?  I guess we will find out later.

 

But I do want to take some time to complain about the release schedule.  I always found the 9:00 P.M. on the east coast annoying.  If you are shooting for primetime, why not 8:00 then.  But doing the 9:00 from for this show is more annoying.  Do they really expect those of us on the east coast to stay up until midnight to watch all three?  I know I cannot do that.  Since Wednesday is busy, I am stuck just watching one episode a day.  I wish there was someone at Disney who had a brain cell and realize how stupid this is.

 

Survivor:  Oh no, horrible move by Joe and Eva at the exact worse time.  Can they not do math?  Their alliance had a 6-3 advantage.  Voting out David will give Mary a very good reason to join the outcasts.  If she does, your 6-3 advantage turns into a 4-4 tie and thy do not have the social awareness to realize that Kyle has one foot out of the alliance and is clearly working with Kamila because they conspire to vote out that one dude during the tribe swap.  All they had to do it get Mitch this week and it would have been golden.

 

Happy Face:  Wait, so the person convicted of killing the women has an alibi, and Keith seemingly faked that he did it, so who actually killed her?  With one episode left, could they actually solve a decades old cold case?

 

The Stolen Girl:  Okay, it seemed like the sexting relationship was the impetus of the kidnapping, but the mother having no digital imprint before getting married is highly suspicious.  Who was she before that?

 

Grosse Point Garden Society:  As someone who subscribes to the whoever killed the dog was is the dead body theory, it is nice to see the dog storyline is back.  Though I do not think the mother-in-law is the dead body.  If she was, her husband would not have stayed silent about it.  Then they seemingly spoiled the dead body.  They are using their car to dispose of it and we saw some douchebag drop it off.  But also the other mom was the last person we saw drive it.  I do think both are red herrings.  Maybe they stole the wrong car.  

Around the Tubes: April 26, 2025

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Fallout, Lorde, Lyn Lapid, Lauren Spencer Smith, Florence Road, Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Shaggy and Sting, Robert Randolph, Vince Guaraldi, Steely Dan, and Tennis.

- Based on the best-selling global video game franchise, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment brings you the most bombastic and delightful post-apocalyptic action mission to ensure the survival of humanity with the release of Fallout: Season One on Blu-ray & DVD on July 8. A limited edition 4K UHD Steelbook will also be available exclusively at Amazon. The 4K UHD Steelbook and Blu-ray sets will both include a set of 6 Collectible Art Cards (available while supplies last). Get ready to binge all 8 episodes of the phenomenal series, plus go behind the scenes with over an hour of bonus content. Pre-order your copy today!  Fallout stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Aaron Moten (Emancipation), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), and Walton Goggins (The White Lotus). Athena Wickham of Kilter Films also executive produces, along with Todd Howard for Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks. The series cast includes Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O'Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time).

-  Lorde returns with “What Was That”, her first major release in almost four years and co-produced by Lorde, Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro. Listen HERE.  The accompanying music video was shot on location in New York, including Washington Square Park, where Lorde surprised fans with a pop-up performance earlier this week.

- Gold-Certified singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Lyn Lapid releases her long-awaited debut album, BUZZKILL, via Mercury Records—listen HERE. The 12-track album features her recently released singles “death wish,” “i’ll be happy when,” “coraline” and “buttons,” as well as the new title track, “buzzkill,” which is unveiled today alongside the official music video—watch HERE. Known for marrying her honest and vulnerable storytelling through both lyrics and visuals, Lyn released mini-trailers for each of the songs on the album leading up to the release, which culminated into the official album trailer—watch HERE.  Up next, Lyn is gearing up to kick off the “BUZZKILL World Tour” in a few weeks. Beginning on May 6th in Berlin, the highly anticipated tour will first see Lyn headline shows across Europe and the UK before heading back to North America, where she’ll perform in major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Vancouver, and more through the end of June. See the full list of tour dates below and at www.lynlapidtour.com.

- Breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith shares new song, “IF KARMA DOESN’T GET YOU (I WILL)”—Listen/share HERE and watch/share the official lyric video HERE.  The track is from her forthcoming sophomore album, THE ART OF BEING A MESS, set for release June 27 on Island Records/Republic Records. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

- Florence Road today release their second single ‘Caterpillar’.  You can listen to ‘Caterpillar’ HERE.  In addition, the band have unveiled a lo-fi performance of the track, filmed on VHS on their recent trip to Boston, Massachusetts by Ace Torie. You can watch it HERE.  Produced by Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo), ‘Caterpillar’ is a gorgeous acoustic ballad about the delicate emotions surrounding anxiety that breaks and bends against a lush, subtle string arrangement. Frontwoman Lily’s raw, velvet-edged vocals shine throughout, exuding both vulnerability & strength and anchoring the track with an undeniable magnetism.

-  2025 marks Bob Marley’s 80th birthday anniversary, and as a part of the year-long celebration, Ziggy Marley’s Tuff Gong Worldwide will re-release the critically acclaimed MARLEY via video steaming platforms and a special 80th Collector’s Edition DVD including two hours of never-before-seen interview footage with the reggae icon’s friends and family.  MARLEY, first released in 2012 and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, Marley is widely regarded as the definitive documentary on the life, music, and legacy of the global reggae icon. Featuring rare footage, never-before-seen performances, and interviews with Marley’s family, friends, and collaborators, Marley offers an intimate and comprehensive look at the man behind the music. The film explores his journey from humble beginnings in Jamaica to becoming one of the most influential musicians of all time, spreading messages of love, unity, and resistance that continue to resonate worldwide.  MARLEY is available via domestic video streaming platforms now; with a global streaming release of July 15, 2025. The 80th Edition Collectors DVD is available at Amazon and independent film and music retailers.  FOR COMPLETE MARLEY STREAMING AND DVD AVAILABILITY: https://bmarley.lnk.to/marleydoc

- There’s only one Smokey Robinson. He embodies soul music, but he has always defied categorization. One constant, however, throughout the two-time Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and four-time Grammy winner’s career, is his ability to inspire. That’s why Robinson’s music endures. Today, he adds to his legendary canon with his Gaither Music debut, What The World Needs Now, a collection of uplifting classics performed with Robinson’s unmistakable silken touch.  “Whenever I’m in the studio, I’m having fun. Recording this time was even more special because we went in with a purpose: to record an uplifting album in a time when the world needs some inspiration,” Robinson says. You can watch the behind-the-scenes mini-documentary about the making of the album here.  Smokey Robinson’s album, What the World Needs Now, are available on CD and vinyl at Gaither.com. 

- Grammy-winning collaborators Shaggy and Sting will release a new remix of their single, “Til A Mawnin,” on April 25 via a partnership between Shaggy’s Ranch Entertainment and VP Records. Originally released in February, their track - built on a rework of Junjo Lawes’ “I’m Not Crazy” riddim - pays tribute to Jamaican sound system culture and debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae songs chart.  The original version of “Til A Mawnin” garnered media coverage in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, The Associated Press, among others, with live performances on Live with Kelly and Mark (March 10) and The Tonight Show (March 11), followed by a co-headlining performance at the Reggae Rise Up Festival in St. Petersburg, FL. 

- After lighting a fire with the thunderous first single “Sinner,” six-time GRAMMY nominee and blues/rock pedal steel firebrand Robert Randolph returns with “Big Women”—a bold and joyful celebration of confidence and power. The second single from Randolph’s forthcoming album Preacher Kids (out June 27 on Sun Records) arrives alongside a black-and-white performance video brimming with swagger and soul.  Rooted in an irresistible guitar riff and driven by an instantly memorable chorus—“Big women got me riding high! Big women make me feel alright!”—the track began as a lap steel jam and a vocal scat idea before evolving into a full-throttle ode to self-possessed women everywhere. Singer-songwriter Judith Hill brought the song home, writing the verses and chorus.  Watch the “Big Women” video here.

- Omnivore Recordings has announced Vince Guaraldi’s Oh, Good Grief! will be getting a reissued released on CD and yellow vinyl on May 30.   Many people got to know Vince Guaraldi through his 1963 Grammy®-winning song, “Cast Your Fate To The Wind,” or via Sounds Orchestral’s Top-10 cover of it two years later. Lee Mendelson heard Guaraldi’s version when working on a Peanuts documentary, and contacted Guaraldi asking him to score it. Although the documentary never aired, that’s when Guaraldi composed “Linus and Lucy” and all the other songs included on his 1964 album, Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown. A year later in 1965, Mendelson once again tapped Guaraldi to score the upcoming Peanuts Christmas special.  Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/qSNHkGznSIQ.  Pre-order: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/oh-good-grief

- Steely Dan’s darkly cynical and musically intricate fifth album, 1976’s The Royal Scam, with such fan favorites as “Kid Charlemagne,” “The Fez,” “The Caves of Altamira,” and the biting title track, will return to vinyl for the first time in more than forty years on June 6 via Geffen/UMe, concluding the extensive reissue program of the band’s classic ABC and MCA Records catalog that began in November 2022 with the Dan’s legendary debut LP, Can’t Buy A Thrill. The series, which is personally overseen by founding member Donald Fagen, returns the group’s first seven records to vinyl, most of which haven’t been available since their original release.  Pre-order The Royal Scam now: https://steelydan.lnk.to/TheRoyalScamLPPR

- Acclaimed indie-pop duo Tennis today releases their seventh studio album, Face Down In The Garden, arriving via their own Mutually Detrimental label. Produced and recorded by the husband and wife duo of Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore in their Denver, CO home studio, the album marks the final recordings from this incarnation of Tennis. Offsetting intuitive melodies with unusual arrangements, the new album sees the duo returning to their roots; making music that both feels familiar but also resists convention. Tennis has fully blossomed and leaves listeners with an LP that is unquestionably their most fully realized effort and a natural ending point“Face Down In The Garden is our seventh studio album,” says Moore. “The inspiration for new work came while we were still on the road touring Pollen. We felt a clear pull to write new music, but ran up against a series of bizarre setbacks. We blew tires and lost an engine. I developed a chronic illness. We took a doomed voyage that culminated in an attempted robbery at sea. Fragments of songs that first arrived like gifts from the universe later refused to be completed. Our days were awash in major and minor crises that dragged the album out endlessly.