I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs James Bay, Ariana Grande, Anthony Hamilton, Elvis Costello, and Penelope.
- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Bay excitedly presents his anxiously awaited fourth full-length album, Changes All The Time, out now via Mercury Records. Listen HERE. These eleven tracks embody the apex of Bay’s output as not only a generational songwriter, but also as a deft and dynamic guitarist with a distinct voice of his own. The lead single and album opener “Up All Night” with The Lumineers and Noah Kahan arrived to critical acclaim upon its release, quickly becoming a fan favorite. This week, the single climbed to #1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay Chart, marking his first #1 at the format. It has also amassed over 30 million global streams. GRAMMY.com declared it ““the folk-pop collaboration that dreams are made of,” while HOLLER. raved, “‘Up All Night’ perfectly encapsulates the shared ability of James Bay, Noah Kahan and The Lumineers to wrap raw, vulnerable emotionality in an infectious, jubilant melody.” NME echoed this excitement, “The single comes as a huge anthem, and sees the trio powering through their personal woes to ensure that they make the most of life.” Guitar.com professed, “Up All Night arrives as a triumphant, foot-stomping tune – with a soaring guitar solo, to boot – sure to get any crowd going when Bay heads out on tour.” Listen to “Up All Night”—HERE.
- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, and international superstar, Ariana Grande releases eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live), featuring seven new live versions of songs from eternal sunshine, including hit singles “yes, and?” and “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”. Listen to eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live) HERE via Republic Records. This week, Ariana will release live videos of the new versions released on eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live). Beginning today, with the live video release of “intro (end of the world)” and will be followed daily with live videos of “eternal sunshine” (October 2), “don’t want to break up again” (October 3), “supernatural” (October 4), “yes, and?” (October 5), “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” (October 6), and “imperfect for you” (October 7).
- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum singer, songwriter, producer, actor, author, father, and R&B icon Anthony Hamilton celebrates the immense impact of Black women on his life with his new single “QUEEN.” This single arrives at a significant moment as the nation gears up for a historic election and the possibility of electing the first Black female president. Get it HERE via his own label My Music Box in partnership with BMG. “QUEEN” is a soulful anthem dedicated to celebrating Black women’s strength, beauty, and resilience. Written and performed by the legendary Anthony Hamilton and produced by Jermaine Dupri, this song is an homage to the QUEENS who have shaped history, nurtured generations, and continue to lead with grace and power. With heartfelt lyrics and a powerful melody, “QUEEN” aims to become a global anthem that resonates with people of all backgrounds, uplifting and honoring the essence of Black womanhood.
- In early 1987 Elvis Costello played a six-night, sold-out stand at the Royal Albert Hall in London; three shows with the Attractions and three devoted to his 1986 album, King Of America, and other realms, with a band billed as The Confederates (the dictionary definition for ally or accomplice and nothing to do with America’s Civil War), featuring guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Scheff from Elvis Presley’s legendary TCB Band, drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and T-Bone Wolk, who added accordion and mandolin to the ensemble. The electrifying never-before-released concert is included on the six-disc box set King Of America & Other Realms, releasing November 1 via UMe, and is being previewed today with Costello’s performance of “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line,” written by Jimmy Bryant and made famous by Waylon Jennings. Stream “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” and pre-order King Of America & Other Realms here: https://elviscostello.lnk.to/
- PENELOPE, the Acclaimed Sundance Coming-Of-Age Episodic Co-Written by Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, Showrun by Mel Eslyn Starring Megan Stott ("Little Fires Everywhere") and Austin Abrams ("Euphoria"), now streaming on Netflix U.S. Feeling out of place in the modern world, 16-year-old Penelope (Megan Stott of Little Fires Everywhere) finds herself almost cosmically drawn to nature. With no plan in place, she leaves her family behind for the beguiling wilderness where she begins to establish a different kind of life for herself. As she learns by necessity, survivalism coalesces with coming of age in this poignant tale co-written by indie stalwarts Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, and directed and show-run by Eslyn.