Around the Tubes: November 18, 2023

 

     

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie!, Lauren Spencer Smith, Lyn Lapid, Shania Twain, Olivia Newton-John, Adam Blackstone, and Game Show Network.

- “Whoa Mama!” Grab your favorite pair of suspenders, hike up those pants, and get ready to celebrate the holidays with Steve Urkel. From executive producer Wyatt Cenac, Warner Bros. Animation, and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment comes Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie!, an all-new animated holiday movie musical for the whole family to enjoy. Starring the beloved and kind-hearted Steve Urkel, the breakout character from the series Family Matters, Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! features the voices of Jaleel White (as Steve Urkel), joined by Nicole Byer (“Nailed It”), Roy Wood Jr. (“The Daily Show”), and Kym Whitley (“The Bay”). The film will be available exclusively on Digital from participating digital platforms where you purchase movies, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more, on November 21, 2023.  The holiday season is here, and brilliant but accident-prone super genius Steve Urkel has only one mission: to make the holidays the best they can be for everyone! However, things are off to a not so merry start after he ruins a celebration at his local shopping mall and humiliates the department store Santa. Hoping to make things right, Steve invents a device that helps people spread holiday cheer but it only manages to make things worse. Using his big brain and even bigger heart, it’s up to Steve to help the city rediscover the holiday spirit.

-Global breakout Lauren Spencer Smith celebrates the holiday season with her powerful rendition of the iconic “Santa Baby,” alongside an original, “Broke Christmas.” The cover showcases Lauren’s impressive vocal range while  “Broke Christmas,” conveys the relatable burden of holiday spending. Check out “Santa Baby” here and “Broke Christmas here.  Earlier this month Lauren’s cover of “Hallelujah,” appeared exclusively on Apple Music as part of their Carols Covered annual global holiday program. Check it out here.

- 21-year-old singer and songwriter Lyn Lapid reveals her new single “east side,” taken from her forthcoming deluxe EP to love in the 21^st century: the epilogue, out December 1st on Mercury Records/Republic Records. Listen to “east side” now HERE and watch the visualizer HERE!  Lyn says, “I’m so excited to share my new song ‘east side,’ it’s a really special and personal song I wrote about my hometown friends back in Maryland. I wrote about how my hometown friendships over the years have turned into ‘low maintenance friendships,’ mostly because I don’t see my old school friends as much as I used to, yet despite everything it hasn’t affected our friendship at all. We’ve grown to live such different lives with them being in college and me pursuing music full time, we don’t talk or hangout as much as we used to, but our friendship still remains strong even if I’m not as close with them anymore.”

- On November 17, Mercury Nashville/UMe is set to release multiple expanded U.S. and International 2LP vinyl editions of Shania Twain’s widely acclaimed November 2004 compilation album Greatest Hits, marking the first time ever that this record-breaking collection of hits will appear on vinyl. With countless chart-topping anthems throughout Shania’s discography, Greatest Hits represents so much more than a collection of classics – it’s a genre-defining celebration of the queen of country pop. Greatest Hits was certified by Guinness World Records as being the fastest-selling hits collection by a female artist in the U.S., with first-week sales of 529,000 units, sending it well on its way to achieving global sales of over 5M units to date. Both the U.S. and International versions of Greatest Hits have been remastered from the original tapes, and they each now contain two additional tracks: Shania’s latest hit, “Giddy Up!” as well as the fan-favorite “Life’s About To Get Good.”

- MCA/UMe releases both vinyl and CD editions of Dame Olivia Newton-John’s smash-hit, tenth studio album, 1978’s Totally Hot, a record that further reinforced her status as a surefire international superstar. In celebration of Newton-John’s first-ever platinum-certified album’s 45th anniversary, Totally Hot returns to vinyl for the first time in decades in two different options, in addition to being made available on CD and on all major digital platforms.  Totally Hot is available in the following formats: limited-edition 1LP neon coral red vinyl, standard weight 1LP black vinyl, 1CD, and Digital. All versions of Totally Hot can be ordered HERE.

- Emmy® award-winning musical director, musician, singer, and songwriter Adam Blackstone unveils the cover art and tracklist for his forthcoming second solo album and first Christmas album, A LEGACY CHRISTMAS, which is set for release on November 24 (“BASSic Black Friday”)!!  Pre-order/Pre-save HERE.   The album features a myriad of A-list guests, including Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, Boyz II Men, Keke Palmer, 2023 Stellar® Awards New Artist of The Year Lena Byrd Miles, and more. With a total of ten joyful songs, A LEGACY CHRISTMAS warms up the season as the perfect soundtrack!

- This Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Game Show Network will be running marathons of fan favorites and new additions.  The marathons will feature Split Second and America Says, both hosted by John Michael Higgins, People Puzzler hosted by Leah Remini, Switch hosted by Jeff Hephner, and Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey. Joining the Game Show Network staples is a run of Card Sharks, hosted by Joel McHale.  The episodes will run 8a - 6p on Thursday, and 8a - 8p on Friday.

THANKSGIVING 11/23

8:00a- Switch (Jeff Hephner)

11:00a- America Says (John Michael Higgins)

2:00pm- People Puzzler (Leah Remini)

BLACK FRIDAY 11/24

8:00a- Split Second (John Michael Higgins)

11:00a- Family Feud (Steve Harvey)

4:00p- Card Sharks (Joel McHale)

57 Channels and Only This Is On: November 12, 2023

 

 Fear the Walking Dead:  So Morgan recently went back to Atlanta and now Dwight is going all the way to Virginia?  Geez, it is like there is unlimited fuel in the apocalypse.  How are these people driving long distances?

 

Survivor:  Well, Kaleb’s Shot in the Dark turned out was worthless if he was just voted out the very next week.  But it looks like we are heading for an all chick’s alliance.  How often does that actually work out?  Just Parvati?

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion:  How appropriate on the Pride episode, it comes down to two gay homosexuals being up for elimination?

 

Doom Patrol:  Well, that did seem like a pretty definitive ending.  I wonder what would have happen if there was a third season.  Would Rita have stayed dead?

 

Loki:  They really suck Sylvie with that silly mullet all season?  I feel really bad for her.  So Loki is just He Who Remains Now?  Though I am confused what actually happened to Who He Remains.  But this whole season was confusing.

 

Lessons in Chemistry:   I recently got three free months of Apple TV+ and got caught up on this show.  It is hilarious.  Though of the shows I have watched so far, there seems to be a theme on this service of shows that I laugh a lot through, but I am not entirely sure if they are actually supposed to be funny (The Morning Show and See being the other two that fit this bill).  Calvin being hit by the bus followed by an episode with a talking dog was just wild.

 

As for the latest episode, I was surprised none of Elizabeth’s audience actually showed up to the protest.  Except her rowing partner was there but was not actually even mentioned at all like he was a glorified extra.   And just how does the priest know Calvin?  I get a very strong female Forrest Gump from this show and these giant coincidences just feeds into it.

Around the Tubes: November 11, 2023

     

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on The Circus, The Artful Dodger, Death and Other Details, Noah Kahan, Chelsea Cutler, Flula Makes Five, and Taylor Swift.

- After eight seasons and 130 episodes, the groundbreaking, four-time Emmy^® nominated political docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH – hosted by John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri – concludes with a series finale episode on Sunday, November 12 at 7 P.M. ET/PT streaming on Paramount+ with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan and on SHOWTIME linear.   Since the historic 2016 presidential race, THE CIRCUS has brought viewers behind-the-scenes and beyond the headlines of the nation’s biggest political stories inside the Beltway and beyond – while delivering the fast-paced, on-the-ground perspective, compelling and unfettered inside access, and eye-catching cinematography for which the show has been celebrated.   For eight seasons, THE CIRCUS has captured everything from Trump’s unexpected presidential victory and his contentious time in office, to the polarizing politics of the pandemic, the 2020 election and ensuing insurrection on Capitol Hill, Biden’s presidency at a time of international turmoil, and much more. The hosts have traversed the globe to give viewers a look at what the public rarely sees and explore the high human drama inherent in American politics. 

- Hulu has revealed the official trailer for the upcoming Australian Original series "The Artful Dodger," exploring the adult double life of Charles Dicken's famous prince of thieves, aka The Artful Dodger. All eight episodes of season one, starring Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Thewlis and Maia Mitchell, premiere on Hulu Wednesday, November 29.  The Artful Dodger" explores the adult double life of Charles Dickens’ famous prince of thieves, Jack Dawkins aka The Artful Dodger, whose fast pickpocketing fingers have turned into the skilled hands of a surgeon.  Set in 1850s Australia, in the lively colony of Port Victory, Dodger’s past returns to haunt him with the arrival of Fagin, luring him back into a world of crime. A greater threat - to Dodger’s heart - is Lady Belle, the Governor’s daughter, determined to become the colony’s first female surgeon.

- "Death and Other Details" (FKA “Career Opportunities in Murder and Mayhem”), the 10-episode series, premieres January 16, 2024 with two episodes, then one episode weekly, with a two-episode finale on March 5, 2024.  Set amidst the glamor of the global elite, “Death and Other Details” centers on the brilliant and restless Imogene Scott (Violett Beane), who finds herself in the wrong place/wrong time (okay, it was kinda her fault) and becomes the prime suspect in a locked room murder mystery. The setting? A lavishly restored Mediterranean ocean liner. Suspects? Every pampered guest and every exhausted crew member. The problem? To prove her innocence, she must partner with a man she despises—Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin), the world’s greatest detective. The series stars Violett Beane, Mandy Patinkin, Lauren Patten, Rahul Kohli, Angela Zhou, Hugo Diego Garcia, Pardis Saremi and Linda Emond.

- Over his nearly 40-year career in showbiz, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Chris Isaak has revealed many sides to his persona: seductive crooner, roots rocker, actor, film score composer, talk show host, and television talent judge. This holiday season, Isaak is spreading the yuletide cheer and sharing his love of dogs with the video for “Dogs Love Christmas Too,” out November 9th via Sun Records, and by partnering with BISSELL Pet Foundation to raise awareness for their Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption event.  Isaak kicked off his nationwide 2023 It's Almost Christmas tour in style on October 30th in Nashville at The Ryman Auditorium. With two instant-classic Christmas albums in his catalog, Isaak has shown he’s not too cool to get into the holiday spirit. This year, he’s proving he may be dog’s best friend by pairing the video for his swinging seasonal fav, “Dogs Love Christmas Too,” from his 2022 album, Everybody Knows It's Christmas, with BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption program. 

- Following his widely successful breakthrough year, critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan receives a GRAMMY® Award nomination for Best New Artist.  After months of fans begging for a collaboration and following a surprise performance together in Nashville, today, Kahan finally joins forces with RIAA Diamond-certified Irish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Hozier for a new version of “Northern Attitude” out now—the latest release in his Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) collaboration series. Listen to “Northern Attitude” with Hozier HERE!

- Platinum-Certified singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer Chelsea Cutler releases an acoustic version of her fan favorite hit “Your Bones” today—listen HERE! “Your Bones” is featured on her recently released new album Stellaria, out now. The powerful anthem has soundtracked thousands of fans’ love stories online, with Chelsea’s girlfriend filming and editing the song’s official visualizer. Not to mention, Chelsea recently gave a stunning stripped-back performance of the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live!—watch HERE.  Following Stellaria’s release, Chelsea revealed her 2024 headline tour titled “The Beauty Is Everywhere Tour.” Kicking off in Atlanta on February 16th, the tour makes stops at iconic venues across North America throughout the spring, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall on February 23rd, Los Angeles’ The Hollywood Palladium on March 22nd, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on March 30th, and more. See the full list of tour dates below—tickets are on-sale now at www.chelseacutlertour.com/.

- This week's episode of Flula Makes Five,"Flula and the Farfaflougat Factory” featuring David DeLuise (Wizards of Waverly Place) is out today on all streaming platforms. On this week's episode, Flula’s home baking business is blowing up. Boom! But is it also making the entire town sick with salmonella? Meanwhile, Cameron uses his college fund to buy an NFT from David DeLuise (Wizards of Waverly Place) who plays a shifty door-to-door NFT salesman. Stream the show HERE.  The official soundtrack featuring original music and clips from the series is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. “My Uncle Tippi (Is Stupid)” b/w “Is There Room In Your Heart? (Theme to Flula Makes Five)” is now available on limited edition “pee-pee yellow” vinyl and can be purchased HERE.

-  Continuing an unprecedented and historic run at the top of the charts and popular culture, Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) bows at #1 on the Billboard 200, Top Album Sales, Vinyl Albums and Top Streaming Albums charts this week with over 1.6 million units in the U.S. and over 3.5 million globally. This achievement notably makes her, “The First Artist To Score Six #1 Album Debuts With Over 1 Million Units Sold” in history. Impressively, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) has notched the “Biggest First-Week Sales for a Re-recorded Album Ever” and emerged as the “First Album To Debut With 1 Million Units Sold First-Week Twice” in 2014 and 2023.  Plus, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) actually eclipsed the 2014 first-week sales of 1989, making it “The First Taylor’s Version To Net a Bigger Debut than the Original” with over 1.6 million total consumption.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: November 5, 2023

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Wait, Charlie is alive?  I am pretty sure we saw her die.  Although, I guess she is dead now, granted we did not actually see her die.  Just heard a gunshot and saw some brown hair under a tarp, so, who knows, maybe she will come back to life a second time.

 

Survivor:  The Shot in the Dark is so forking stupid.  Especially if Kaleb gets voted out next week.  But maybe he will end up like Wentworth who got all but two or three votes and make it quite further in the game.

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion:  Yeah, there was no chance they were able to get 23 ball in 23 minutes that was just an impossible task.  But I did like this challenge.  It is a shame it was not two teams to see who can do it the fastest.  That would have been fun.

 

Quantum Leap:  An episode in the middle of the L.A. Riots was as awkward as I was expecting.  

 

Doom Patrol:  There is really only one episode left?  How are they going to take down Immortus and the butts with teeth at the same time?

 

Loki:  So how did Sylvie manage to keep a Temp Pad when the TVA seemed to disappear?  But if Loki time jumps to before the start of the season and just negates everything we saw, that will just make this a waste of a season.  And I was extremely disappointed that Casey was not actually from Jacksonville.

Around the Tubes: November 4, 2023

    

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Letterkenny, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Eels, Adam Blackstone, Kid Cudi, Futurama, The Cost of Inheritance: An American ReFramed Special.

- Join us on December 26 back in Ontario for the last time as LETTERKENNY returns for its 12th and final season on Hulu! The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: the Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players, who are constantly feuding over seemingly trivial matters that often end with someone getting their ass kicked. In Season 12, the small town contends with a comedy night at Modean's, a country music hit, the Degens' bad influence, a new nightclub, and an encore at the Ag Hall. And that’s just for starters.

- The Equal Strain On All Parts (Mailboat Records, distributed by Sun Records) album journey began one year ago. The studio was booked for early 2023, and as Jimmy Buffett’s longtime collaborator of 50 years, Michael Utley recalls, “There were no songs; just ideas in Jimmy’s head. The first song he sent us was actually ‘Fish Porn’” — which raised a few eyebrows! Jimmy and his longtime friend and fishing buddy, novelist Carl Hiaasen came up with this clever story that's guaranteed to bring a smile. Co-producers Utley and Mac McAnally were not worried and knew the songs would come. The album came together quickly and was recorded in Key West, Nashville, New Orleans and Los Angeles.   The 14-track record (with 11 originals and 3 covers) is classic Jimmy Buffett.   He also invited a feast of well-known friends, including Paul McCartney, Emmylou Harris, Angelique Kidjo, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The album also features contributions from his frequent co-writer and honorary Coral Reefer Will Kimbrough and PEI artist Lennie Gallant. Find Equal Strain On All Parts here.

- Catch A Fire, Bob Marley And The Wailers seminal first release on Island Records, universally regarded as the album which put reggae music on the global stage, is out now, as a beautiful deluxe edition via UMe. The release celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the album’s original release in 1973. In addition three classic tracks, Slave Driver, Get Up, Stand Up & Stop That Train, all recorded live at the Wailer’s legendary performance at the Sundown Theatre in the village of Edmonton, North London in 1973, are now live on the Bob Marley YouTube channel. A hugely anticipated new film BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, celebrating the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, is in theatres February 14th, 2024. Produced by Ziggy Marley, Cedella Marley and Rita Marley, and with Stephen Marley as the music supervisor, the film tells the inspirational story of how Bob overcame huge adversity to become one of the world’s most revered musical and cultural giants through the power and beauty of  his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family, the film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

- Critically acclaimed rock group EELS have announced the release of a new compilation album, EELS So Good: Essential EELS, Vol.2 out on December 15th via E Works/[PIAS]. Pre-orders are available here.  Spanning over 15 years, seven studio albums and featuring some of EELS best loved songs, the album includes hits such as "Fresh Blood" and "That Look You Gave That Guy", new favorites from 2020’s Earth To Dora, as well as three previously unreleased tracks and five that are being pressed to vinyl for the very first time, including "Royal Pain" from the motion picture Shrek The Third, and "Man Up" from the official soundtrack of "Yes Man".

-  Emmy® award-winning musical director, musician, singer, and songwriter Adam Blackstone heralds the holidays with a brand new mistletoe-ready single entitled “Christmas Kisses” featuring Keke Palmer. Listen to “Christmas Kisses” HERE. It arrives as the lead single from Blackstone’s forthcoming second solo album and first Christmas album, A LEGACY CHRISTMAS, which is set for release on November 24 and will also feature guest artists to include Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, Boyz II Men, and more.  On “Christmas Kisses,” Adam’s inimitable delivery uplifts Keke’s soaring and soulful vocals. Between cheery guitar, vibrant horns, and lively drums, she leans into melodies that are just as warm as a fireplace on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Adam heats up the verses before the chantable chorus, “Don’t forget about my kisses on this Christmas.” The holidays have never been this romantic, thanks to “Christmas Kisses.”

- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, actor and director Kid Cudi releases “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott, the next single from his anxiously awaited ninth full-length studio album, INSANO. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE via Republic Records. It stands out as his first full-length offering since 2022 and one of the most anticipated records of this year.  Listen to “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott, HERE

- Hulu has renewed the adult animated series “Futurama,” which hails from 20th Television Animation, for two seasons (seasons 13 and 14) and an additional 20 episodes. Hulu originally revived the beloved series in 2022 with a 20-episode order. Season 11 premiered on Hulu on July 24th, following a massive presence at San Diego Comic-Con. The season is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 86%, and was on Nielsen’s Top 10 Original Series List for six of the weeks during its run. Season 12 is expected to debut on Hulu in 2024.

-  PBS, WQED, WORLD, and American Documentary announced that the new documentary The Cost of Inheritance: An American ReFramed Special will have its national broadcast premiere on January 8, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS App. The film will launch on WORLD on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The one-hour film traces the nation’s legacy of systemic inequities to modern-day America, introducing audiences to descendants of enslaved persons and slave owners, profiling their complex intertwined histories, and detailing how their quest to bridge divides galvanized them to seek reparations together. The film’s world premiere will be at DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, on November 12, 2023. View the trailer here.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 28, 2023

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Thankfully they explained who that the big reveal was because did not remember that guy at all.  He was from, what, the second season?  I vaguely remember him and his family took in the main cast but then (shocker!) turned out to be evil.  But I think it is pretty reasonable to assume that someone you bashed in the head with a hammer died and did not just lose an eye. 

 

Billions:  I wonder at what point they decided to end the series with Take the Money and Run.  I would not be at all surprised if it they thought of it right after deciding to do a show about evil people with a lot of money.  But good riddance to this show.  Oh, wait, they are developing Million, Trillions and shows set in London and Miami (where it sound like Wags will be going).  Meh.

 

Survivor:  These Gen Z’ers are annoying.  You are grown men, stop playing with your Pokémon.  Even someone on The Challenge was talking about those things for small children.  At least one of them got voted out. 

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion:  Finally a season without the same old boring cast members with the same old alliances… well, at least until the champions arrive.  Though it does seem at this point they may not show up until the “Chaos” section.  And everyone working together for The Challenge was weird.  What happens when they succeed?  Where is the drama?  But poor women, they all decide to vote for a guy and the very first women nominate another woman.  I do wonder how the whole vote would have gone down if anyone other than Berna had voted first.  They really should do a secret vote like in USA. 

 

Doom Patrol:  So the Butt’s with Teeth can talk now?  Cool.  Though how did the one Butt with Teeth become the scientist lady? 

 

Loki:  So all time has been destroyed?  Well, Marvel had a good run.  Oh wait, there is still two episodes left?  How do you continue after the destruction of all time?

Around the Tubes: October 28, 2023

   

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Culprits, Thriller 40, Claire Rosinkranz, Kid Cudi, Taylor Swift, and Fizz.

- “Culprits” kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?   Complete season 1 only on Hulu, Friday, December 8th.

- SHOWTIME announced that the new documentary feature THRILLER 40 will make its debut on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan on Saturday, December 2, and premiere that day at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. The feature will also make its international debut on December 2 on Paramount+ in the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Latin America and South Korea and on MTV internationally, excluding China and Japan.   Forty years after the release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” – the best-selling album of all time worldwide – Director Nelson George takes fans back in time to experience the making of the record-breaking album and the release of the accompanying short films that forever redefined the music video format. Featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, THRILLER 40 chronicles the creation of a pre-internet global phenomenon unlike anything before it or since. “Thriller” launched Michael Jackson into mega-stardom and to this day continues to influence all aspects of culture and entertainment, including the worlds of music, dance and fashion. Music and entertainment luminaries including Usher, Mary J. Blige, Will.I.Am, Mark Ronson, Misty Copeland, Maxwell and John Landis are featured in the documentary.

- 19-year-old Southern California singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Claire Rosinkranz unveils the official music video for her latest single “Swinging At The Stars,” taken from her debut album Just Because, out now. The sunny and playful video stars Claire alongside actor Gavin Casalegno [Jeremiah in Amazon Prime’s The Summer I Turned Pretty], following the two best friends on a summertime adventure around Malibu.  Watch the music video HERE.  On the meaning behind the song, Claire says, “‘Swinging at the Stars’ is about wanting to experience the fullness of living, and about experiencing beautiful things with someone else. I love to feel everything. I’m obsessed with the abundance that comes with being alive. The fact that I’m capable of feeling all these things and all these emotions - and so if I can touch all the corners of that, that’s what this song feels like.”

- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, actor and director Kid Cudi releases “Ill What I Bleed”, the next single from his anxiously awaited ninth full-length studio album, INSANO. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE via Republic Records. It stands out as his first full-length offering since 2022 and one of the most anticipated records of this year.  Listen to “Ill What I Bleed” HERE.  Watch the video HERE.  He initially set the stage for INSANO with the fan favorite single “PORSCHE TOPLESS.” It has already reeled in nearly 10 million Spotify streams and counting in addition to earning critical acclaim. Right out of the gate, The FADER proclaimed, “Cudi celebrates the good times on his latest effort,” while Complex applauded its “bouncy production and a carefree hook.” HYPEBEAST fittingly christened it “a fun and upbeat summer anthem,” and Consequence of Sound dubbed it “a top-down, tunes-up party track.”

- Taylor Swift just captured #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Cruel Summer.” With this achievement, she has once again made history and become “The First Female Artist To Score Ten #1 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and Ten #1 Albums on the Billboard 200.” Since its release over a year ago, Midnights has not left the top 10 of the Billboard 200. Notably, the standout track “Anti-Hero” held the #1 spot for eight weeks and is the longest charting song of her career. The track has not left the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a full year. This week with “Cruel Summer,” Taylor claims her 30^th week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  “Cruel Summer” has historically completed “The Longest Run For a Female Soloist From a Hot 100 Debut to #1 (Non-Holiday),” climbing to the top after four years and two months. This marks the “Longest Climb for a Non-Holiday Female Track from Release Date” and the “Second Longest Climb for a Non-Holiday Track in the Soundscan Era from Release Date.”

-  fast rising musical collective FIZZ release their highly anticipated debut album The Secret To Life via Decca Records. FIZZ was born when longtime friends and musicians dodie, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown came together to make music together as a band for the first time. Locking themselves away at Middle Farm Studios with sonic wizard Pete Miles, engineer Soren Bryce and drummer Mat Swales, they ripped up their personal musical rule books to embrace creative freedom, maximalist music making and most importantly, fun.  What emerged after a whirlwind two weeks together was their technicolour, psychedelic and wholly unpredictable debut album The Secret To Life: 12 tracks that exist somewhere in the space between reality and make believe, featuring the singles ‘High In Brighton’, ‘Hell of a Ride’, ‘Close One’ and ‘As Good As It Gets’. On their quest to discover The Secret To Life, the band traverse the bombastic, the silly and the heartfelt, rounding everything out with a five minute, five part, theatrical no holds barred curtain closer.