Collaboration
Matt Cameron and Taylor Momsen Cover Soundgarden’s “Halfway There” in Honor of Chris Cornell: Watch
Three years ago today the world lost Chris Cornell. In honor of the late and great frontman, fellow Soundgarden bandmate and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and The Pretty Reckless leader Taylor Momsen teamed up to cover “Halfway There”. The two musicians performed their collaborative rendition on video, broadcasting from their own respective quarantine spaces. Cameron primarily handled the guitar, while Momsen delivered a solemn yet strong vocal performance of Soundgarden’s 2012 King Animal track. Watch below. The Pretty and Reckless played an opening set for what would eventually be considered Cornell’s final live performance in 2017. In a recent interview with Kerrang!, Momsen said was she deeply affected by the deaths of Cornell, whom she considered a musical hero, and The Pretty R...
Sharon Van Etten and Josh Homme Team for Cover of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”: Stream
Sharon Van Etten and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme have joined forces for a modernized rendition of the classic plea for harmony “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”. But whereas Nick Lowe’s original and Elvis Costello’s popular cover layered hope with frustration, Van Etten and Homme’s take weighs heavier in the COVID-19 era. Theirs is a twangy, lamenting version, as if the lack of change between Lowe’s 1974 recording and the world in 2020 has only weighed down the lyrics. Still, darker though it may be, there is a tone of resilience in their voices as they harmonize on the lines, “So where are the strong?/ And who are the trusted?/ And where is the harmony?” After all, belief that things can and will be better is the only way we’re going to get through times lik...
Justin Vernon Side-Project GAYNGS Return with New Song “Appeayl 2 U”: Stream
Right around the same time Justin Vernon began working on some Kanye West classics, the Bon Iver songwriter was also making ’80s soft rock as part of Midwestern supergroup GAYNGS. The band, which was also led by Poliça member Ryan Olson, put out just one album in 2010 before going on an extended hiatus. Now, Vernon, Olson & co. have returned with a comeback single called “Appeayl 2 U”. According to song credits listed on Bandcamp, the new song features Vernon on synths and guitar, while Olson provided production throughout. There are a few other returning GAYNGS members, such as keyboardist Jake Luck of Leisure Birds and Michael Lewis, saxophonist for Andrew Bird. Also appearing are Velvet Negroni, Naeem Juwan (aka Spank Rock), Minneapolis poet and songwriter Dua Saleh, and R&B art...
Jacob Collier Unveils New Single “All I Need” Featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Mahalia: Stream
The genre-bending jazz wunderkind Jacob Collier has unveiled his latest single, and it’s a biggie. Entitled “All I Need”, it pairs Collier alongside Ty Dolla $ign and rising R&B singer Mahalia. Take a listen below. “All I Need” is the latest single off Collier’s upcoming album, Djesse Vol. 3. Previously, he broke down the Origins of “In My Bones” featuring Kimbra and Tank & The Bangas. Djesse Vol. 3 is due out this summer, and marks the third installment in Collier’s four-volume album series following 2018’s Vol. 1 and 2019’s Vol. 2. As you await the new LP, check out Collier’s two-hour interview with This Must Be the Gig during which he spoke about meeting Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, learning to play the audience as an instrument, and ways to stay creative during quaran...
slowthai Isn’t Messing Around on New Single “MAGIC”: Stream
slowthai capped off this past weekend with “ENEMY”, a rowdy single referencing his controversial stage antics at the NME Awards in February. Now just three days later, the British rapper is back with “MAGIC”, his second banging track of the week. Recorded earlier this year, the new single was produced by Kenny Beats, known for his acclaimed joint albums with Denzel Curry (UNLOCKED) and Rico Nasty (Anger Management). The two artists’ first official collaboration is out through Method Records and ASAP Rocky’s own AWGE imprint. As to be expected from slowthai, “MAGIC” is punctuated by the MC’s reliably fired up flow, which alternates between steady spitting and straight-up jumping-on-a-car-roof hollering. “I got the world in my hand,” he boasts in his opening verse, right before Kenny Beats d...
Henry Jamison Shares the Origins of New Song with Lady Lamb “Orchardist”: Stream
Our new music feature Origins finds artists revealing some of the inspirations behind their latest track. Today, Henry Jamison discusses his collaborative with Lady Lamb, “Orchardist”. Musicians are often inspired by life on the road, whether it’s the fugacious sense of time, the yearning for familiar territory, or the distance from friends. For his own mini “road record,” Vermont folk artists Henry Jamison has taken a novel, two-pronged approach with his new EP, Tourism. Due out May 15th via Color Study, the five-track effort focuses lyrically on the “dissolution of self” that led to Jamison’s recent breakup. The strain was brought on by his life as a touring musician, a common story for those whose home is lined with pavement. But while being on the road can bring certain relationships t...
IDK and Rico Nasty Rep the DMV on New Single “495”: Stream
The NBA season is currently on hold, but fortunately there are many documentaries out there for fans to get their basketball fix. In addition to the hit Michael Jordan miniseries, The Last Dance, Kevin Durant’s new Showtime program Basketball County: In the Water will focus on hoopers from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) region of the US. However, Basketball County also happens to feature some non-baller talent from that part of the country in rapper IDK, who was born and raised just 30 minutes south of Baltimore. IDK has been enlisted to be the music supervisor, composer, and narrator for the entire series. This is a huge opportunity for IDK, and he’s coming off the bench hot in his new role by dishing out a new single called “495”. Joining him on the track is a dream team of f...
Future Announces New Album High Off Life, Due Out This Friday
Future has released seven records in the last eight years, and he’s not about to let a pandemic put a stop to his prolific ways. Today, the Atlanta rapper has announced a new album called High Off Life and it’s due out this Friday, May 15th. Although a tracklist hasn’t been revealed, a press release promises A-list collaborations with Drake, Travis Scott, DaBaby, Lil Uzi Vert, and Young Thug, among others. The entire project was executive produced by DJ Esco, who’s worked extensively with Future and acts like Rich the Kid and Young Scooter. High Off Life follows up on Future’s two 2019 projects, his WIZRD full-length and his Save Me EP. In recent months, the MC has also dropped off solo single “Tycoon” and a joint effort with Jhené Aiko, as well appeared on Drake’s new Dark Lane ...
Jacknife Lee Starts a Riot With Beth Ditto and Earl St. Clair on “I’m Getting Tired”: Stream
Between lockdown, the pandemic death toll, and The White House’s endless foibles, it’s hard not to feel completely burnt out on reality. That’s the kind of energy producer Jacknife Lee is channeling on his latest single, “I’m Getting Tired”, featuring Beth Ditto and Earl St. Clair. With the help of his two collaborators, Lee turns all of his inner frustrations outward in the form of soulful chaos mixed with noise-rock and fiery jazz fusion and funk. The collision of genres may seem a little busy on paper, but Lee is a master of balancing everything out — after all, his production credits do include an array of artists, such as R.E.M., Taylor Swift, and The Killers, and Regina Spektor. And at the end of the day, it’s that clashing of feelings and sounds that ultimately provides the catharsi...
Paramore’s Hayley Williams Unveils Debut Solo Album Petals for Armor: Stream
At long last, Hayley Williams has released her debut solo album, Petals for Armor. Stream it below via Apple Music and Spotify. As fans can attest, the roll-out for this record has been quite unusual. In addition to sharing individual singles, the Paramore frontwoman chose to break up the album into three separate EPs. The first was surprise-released in February, while the second followed in late April. Today brings the complete full-length — all three parts — to listeners for the first time. In a press statement, Williams explained her reasoning behind this distribution process. “There are a lot of themes covered on the album as a whole and I thought it best to separate some of these themes so that there can be time for everyone to digest some of the songs before we move along to others,”...
Lil Tjay Drops New Mixtape State of Emergency: Stream
Lil Tjay has returned with a new mixtape called State of Emergency. Stream it in full below via Apple Music or Spotify. Spanning seven tracks, the collection follows up on Lil Tjay’s impressive 2019 full-length debut, True 2 Myself. Here, the young Bronx native is joined by a handful of fellow rising New York hip-hop talents, including the late Pop Smoke, Jay Critch, Fivio Foreign, Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow, Jay Gwuapo, and J.I. The Prince of New York. According to a statement, Lil Tjay’s Pop Smoke collaboration, “Zoo York”, was one of the last tracks the fallen rapper recorded before his sudden passing in February. In an Instagram post promoting State of Emergency, Lil Tjay crowned himself the “King of New York” (while also taking a swipe at Tekashi 6ix9ine), “F*CK ALL THAT OTHER S...
Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande Premiere New Collaborative Song “Stuck With U”: Stream
Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande may be stuck inside, but that hasn’t stopped them from recording new music together. Today, the global pop stars have revealed their new collaborative single “Stuck With U”. Though the two are known for their upbeat numbers, “Stuck With U” sways with ease, delicacy, and a retro sound reminiscent of the ’60s. The track’s tender nature is especially fitting, given that all proceeds from the streams and sales will benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation to fund grants and scholarships for children of healthcare workers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, police officers, and firefighters serving at the front lines during the global pandemic. On Instagram, Grande gushed over the song, writing, “i can’t fully articulate ……… howwwww...
