New Song Releases
The HU Unleash Mongolian Cover of Metallica’s “Sad But True”: Stream
Mongolian act The HU have covered the Metallica classic “Sad But True” in their native tongue, employing both traditional Mongolian instruments and throat singing. It’s a passionately detailed twist on the catchy metal song, transforming the song’s hook and bouncy riff into something new altogether. It manages to sound like The HU’s other traditional Mongolian folk rock without losing the song’s inherent Metallica-ness. Don’t worry, you can still effectively headbang to it. “Like millions of people around the world, Metallica has been a huge influence and inspiration for us as music fans and musicians,” The HU’s Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar said in a press release. “We admire their 40 years of relentless touring and the timeless, unique music they have created. It is a great honor to show...
Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande Release New Version of “Oh Santa!”: Stream
What’s a holiday season without multiple gifts from the Christmas queen herself, Mariah Carey? Not only has the pop icon released a new Christmas special on Apple TV+ today, but it features a new collaborative song with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. All three vocal powerhouses come together for an updated version of Carey’s 2010 original “Oh Santa!”, and it’s definitely something right off a holiday wishlist. The trio also appear in the corresponding music video, each artist outfitted in dazzling, festive attire, naturally. Who needs a PS5 when you have this kind of dream team under the tree? On Instagram, Grande gushed over the opportunity to team up with such accomplished singers. “I am no longer in my body,” she wrote. Same, tho. Editors’ Picks Over on Billboard, Carey s...
100 gecs Unwrap New Anti-Christmas Song “sympathy 4 the grinch”: Stream
Consider the halls gec’d. The experimental pop duo 100 gecs have returned with a new Christmas song called “sympathy 4 the grinch” that wraps their signature quirks in silver and gold. Laura Les and Dylan Brady pack so many influences into their music that there’s no telling where they’ll draw from next, but this tune finds a cheerful middle ground between their neon electro-pop and early 2000s pop-punk. The ska-like verses sound like chiptune’d versions of a Reel Big Fish song, while the bouncy pre-chorus and crunchy guitar riffs during the hook throw it back to Good Charlotte’s “The Anthem”. Lyrically, the song is almost somewhat of an anti-Christmas tune. After Les complains that she “Wanted some speakers, Xbox, and t-shirts / I’ve been good like every single day/ Looked under my tree, ...
Rina Sawayama Drops SAWAYAMA Deluxe Edition: Stream
Rina Sawayama has released a deluxe edition of SAWAYAMA, one of our Top 50 Albums of 2020. Stream it below via Apple Music or Spotify. Out through Dirty Hit, the expanded collection consists of the 13 original SAWAYAMA songs, plus 11 additional tracks. Three of these have never before been made available: “LUCID”, “We Out Here”, and “Bees & Honey”. There is also a cover of The 1975 song “Love It If We Made It”, alongside acoustic renditions of “Bad Friend”, “STFU!”, and “Chosen Family” and fresh remixes helmed by Dream Wife and Pabllo Vittar. Sawayama herself executive produced the deluxe project with help from Clarence Clarity (who also contributed production). Meanwhile, Nicole Morier (Britney Spears) and Kyle Shearer (Carly Rae Jepsen) both have co-writing credits. Editors...
Aminé Uncorks Deluxe Edition of Limbo: Stream
Aminé has dropped a new deluxe edition of his latest album Limbo. Stream it below through Apple Music or Spotify. This continues the trend of hip-hop deluxe editions that offer a whole new record’s worth of material. The Portland rapper has added seven additional tracks: “Mrs. Clean”, “Zack & Cody” featuring Valee, “Gelato”, “Talk” with Saba, “Chicken” featuring Toosii, “Buzzin” with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and “Solid”. These cuts come front-loaded, after which Limbo unspools as it did when first released over the summer. In a September interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Aminé explained his intentions behind the album, saying, “When I started making Limbo I though a lot about legacy. I was inspired by a lot of albums, but one that inspired me a while ago was 4:...
Tori Amos Unboxes New Christmastide EP: Stream
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, and stream the new holiday project from chamber pop extraordinaire Tori Amos. Her Christmastide EP is officially out today and can be found below via Apple Music or Spotify. Out through Decca Records, Christmastide serves as Amos’ first new solo material since the 2017 full-length Native Invader. It features four original tracks, including lead single “Better Angels”. According to Amos, she hopes the EP can be a jubilant “safe space” from these turbulent times. “With Christmastide it was important to be positive and to try and lift people’s spirits,” she commented in a statement. “It’s a time of year that should be joyful with family and friends but also can sadly be a very lonely place for some.” Editors’ Picks “Many families will ...
Green Day Revive The Network for New Album Money Money 2020 Part II: Told Ya So!: Stream
Last month, Green Day revived their secret new wave side-project The Network and dropped a brand new EP out of nowhere. Now, they’re keeping that momentum going by releasing Money Money 2020 Part II: Told Ya So!, their first new album under the moniker in nearly 17 years. Stream it below via Apple Music or Spotify. Part II: Told Ya So! follows The Network’s debut release, Money Money 2020, which came out back in 2003. This new record sees the trio pick up where they left off by poking fun at dystopic futures, technology, and the mind-melting abilities of culture in general over the span of 25 (!) new songs. Looking at song titles like “Pizzagate” and “Hey Elon”, it’s clear that Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool decided to have fun with the songwriting process, which in tu...
The Weeknd Releases “Blinding Lights” Remix with Rosalía: Stream
There’s only four weeks until 2021 begins, but that isn’t stopping The Weeknd from making these last moments count. He just released a new remix of “Blinding Lights” featuring Rosalía, and it’s available to stream below. Despite having to postpone his massive tour, 2020 has arguably been The Weeknd’s biggest year ever — especially due to the sheer willpower of “Blinding Lights”. The After Hours single dominated the radio, was Spotify’s most-streamed single of the year, and has spent a full year on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. No wonder it earned our coveted spot as the best song of 2020. Of course, all of this is in addition to the other cool things he’s done in support of After Hours. The Weeknd performed an augmented reality concert on TikTok, literally lost his head in the “Too Lat...
Jin of BTS Drops New Solo Single “Abyss”: Stream
2020 has been another massive year for beloved K-pop band BTS, what with their first-ever music Grammy nomination and history-making single “Dynamite”. But as any celebrity will attest, global domination can take a major mental and physical toll on you. That’s where BTS member Jin currently finds himself. Ahead of his 28th birthday, the Bangtan Boy has released a new solo single titled “Abyss”, inspired by his recent reflections on worldwide fame and the group’s loyal #BTSARMY. Jin explained on the BTS blog, writing, “Recently, in a press conference, I said: I don’t like to share my sad feelings with the fans. This is because I only want to show them the good things. However, I feel differently if it’s through music. I don’t like to share it through my everyday actions, but I think it woul...
La Chica Shares Intense New Song “La Loba”: Stream
La Chica is a French/Venezuelan singer, songwriter, and pianist who makes dazzling art-pop that feels like a living, breathing being. Today, she’s released one of these musical creatures, “La Loba”, which perfectly encapsulates the spine-tingling beauty of her work. The new song uses a combination of eerie piano and tense hand claps to create a mood that brings to mind Fiona Apple’s manic Fetch The Bolt Cutters and FKA twigs’ ghostly Magdalene. Most of the track is delivered in tongue-trilling Spanish, but the menacing phrase “I pick up the bones” come through in deadpanned English for pointed emphasis. Its accompanying video is similarly captivating, featuring shots of La Chica coated in blood while screaming, striking poses next to wolves, and lounging back in a chair to puff on a c...
Britney Spears Celebrates Birthday by Sharing Unreleased Song “Swimming in the Stars”: Stream
Looks like Britney Spears fans have been granted their Christmas wish this year. In celebration of her 39th birthday, the pop icon has unearthed a previously unreleased song called “Swimming in the Stars”. Out through RCA Records, “Swimming” is a leftover track that was originally recorded during sessions for Spears’ 2016 album Glory. Despite having been shelved all these years, its positive lyrics — about briefly forgetting our worries and holding onto joy — actually make for a refreshing and relevant remedy for this hellish 2020. “Head first, all the way down/ In gravity’s arms we’ll drown/ The world is ours/ When we’re swimming in the stars,” sings Spears. Stream it down below. Editors’ Picks The newly revealed song will be included on the deluxe vinyl edition of Glory, which...
The Hold Steady Announce New Album Open Door Policy, Share “Family Farm”: Stream
The Hold Steady have announced their eighth studio album, Open Door Policy. The follow-up to last year’s Thrashing Thru the Passion is due out on February 19th via the group’s own Positive Jams label and Thirty Tigers. The new full-length was almost entirely written and recorded prior to the pandemic. However, “the songs and stories explore power, wealth, mental health, technology, capitalism, consumerism, and survival – issues which have compounded in 2020,” according to frontman Craig Finn. Recording took place at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, New York with assistance from producer Josh Kaufman and engineer D. James Goodwin. The album is The Hold Steady’s second to feature their current six-piece lineup, which has been described by Finn as the band’s “best” iteration. Editors’ P...
