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The Replacements’ ‘Let It Be’ Returns October 24 in Deluxe Edition with Unreleased Tracks

Eric Alper
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The Replacements’ ‘Let It Be’ Returns October 24 in Deluxe Edition with Unreleased Tracks

Let It Be by The Replacements—Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson, Tommy Stinson, and Chris Mars – originally released by highly revered indie label Twin/Tone Records, is widely hailed as one of the greatest albums of the 1980s and a cornerstone of indie rock. On October 24, the landmark 1984 album returns in a newly remastered and expanded edition from Rhino.

Let It Be (Deluxe Edition) will be available on 4LPs and 3CDs and includes the album alongside unreleased studio and live recordings. Pre-Order Here. A previously unheard version of “Androgynous” is available digitally today. Listen Now.

The set gathers a wide range of unreleased material from the Let It Be sessions, including alternate versions of “Gary’s Got A Boner” and “Favorite Thing,” as well as previously unreleased outtakes “Who’s Gonna Take Us Alive” and “Street Girl.” The alternate version of “Androgynous” out now features a different vocal take and the full piano intro, restored for the first time. All five bonus tracks from 2008’s Let It Be (Expanded Edition) are included here, newly remastered for this set. 

The collection also includes Goodnight! Go Home!, an unreleased 28-song performance recorded in August 1984 at the Cubby Bear in Chicago. Sourced from an audience tape and newly remastered, it finds the Minneapolis quartet charging through material from the not-yet-released album (“I Will Dare” and “Unsatisfied”), early favorites (“Color Me Impressed” and “Takin’ A Ride”), and characteristically offbeat covers “Help Me Rhonda/Little G.T.O.” (originally done by The Beach Boys/Ronny & The Daytonas) and “Can’t Get Enough” (Bad Company).

4LP or 3CD versions of Let It Be (Deluxe Edition), plus a bonus 10-inch vinyl Live at City Garden, will be available exclusively at Rhino.com. Rhino.com exclusive merch bundles include the 3CD alongside a T-Shirt, as well as the 4LP with a 10-inch, and T-Shirt. The six-song soundboard recording was made February 11 at one of the band’s favorite punk clubs in Trenton, NJ. One highlight is a rare performance of the ballad “You’re Getting Married,” a birthday request from the band’s original manager and Twin/Tone co-founder Peter Jesperson, who co-produced the 1984 album, as well as this Deluxe Edition with Rhino’s Jason Jones. Westerberg altered the lyrics mid-song, delivering them to a punk crowd Jesperson feared “might eat him alive”—but didn’t. “In all of The Replacements’ lore,” he says, “I think this is one of the greatest moments ever.”

By the time Let It Be was recorded, The Replacements had nearly outgrown their rough-edged hardcore beginnings. In their place were songs about longing, identity, and the uneasy shift from youth to adulthood. Tracks like “Unsatisfied” and “Answering Machine” embody that evolution, while “Seen Your Video” preserved their instinct for irreverence. The response was immediate, earning a rare A+ from Robert Christgau in The Village Voice and four stars from Rolling Stone. Its critical reputation only snowballed from there, eventually landing it on countless lists of the greatest albums ever made.

As a music journalist and singer and songwriter from the critically acclaimed DC-based pub-rock band the Paranoid Style, Elizabeth Nelson writes in the liner notes, “In form and function, The Replacements were the ultimate rebuke to masculine punk, and Let It Be, at its core, is a record for girls.” It’s also a record for the terminally shy, and for anyone who ever felt like a freak in their own skin. It is, in short, the blueprint for what so many of us wanted and needed rock and roll to be: a refuge, a provocation, and in the end, a way out.

LET IT BE (DELUXE EDITION)

3CD Track Listing

Disc One: 2025 Remaster

  1. “I Will Dare”
  2. “Favorite Thing”
  3. “We’re Comin’ Out”
  4. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out”
  5. “Androgynous”
  6. “Black Diamond”
  7. “Unsatisfied”
  8. “Seen Your Video”
  9. “Gary’s Got A Boner”
  10. “Sixteen Blue”
  11. “Answering Machine”

Disc Two: Rarities

  1. “Gary’s Got A Boner” – Alternate Version *
  2. “Favorite Thing” – Alternate Version *
  3. “Perfectly Lethal”
  4. “Temptation Eyes”
  5. “Who’s Gonna Take Us Alive” *
  6. “Heartbeat, It’s A Lovebeat”
  7. “Answering Machine” – Home Demo #1
  8. “Answering Machine” – Home Demo #2 *
  9. “Street Girl” – Takes 1 And 2 *
  10. “Sixteen Blue” – Alternate Version
  11. “Unsatisfied” – Full Length Version *
  12. “Androgynous” – Alternate Version *
  13. “20th Century Boy”
  14. “Hey Good Lookin’” – Live

Disc Three: Goodnight! Go Home!: Live at Cubby Bear, Chicago, IL, (March, 1984)

  1. “Can’t Hardly Wait” *
  2. “Left In The Dark” *
  3. “Unsatisfied” *
  4. “I Will Dare” *
  5. “Favorite Thing” *
  6. “Kids Don’t Follow” *
  7. “Run It” *
  8. “Color Me Impressed” *
  9. “Hayday” *
  10. “Nowhere Is My Home” *
  11. “Love You Till Friday” *
  12. “Help Me Rhonda/G.T.O.” *
  13. “Takin’ A Ride” *
  14. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” *
  15. “Gary’s Got A Boner” *
  16. “Johnny’s Gonna Die” *
  17. “Can’t Get Enough” *
  18. “I’m In Trouble” *
  19. “Don’t Ask Why” *
  20. “Take Me Down To The Hospital” *
  21. “Shiftless When Idle” *
  22. “Mr. Whirly” *
  23. “Hitchin’ A Ride” *
  24. “Black Diamond” *
  25. “20th Century Boy” *
  26. “Go” *
  27. “Gimme Noise” *
  28. “White And Lazy” *

LET IT BE (DELUXE EDITION)

4LP Track Listing

LP One: 2025 Remaster

Side One

  1. “I Will Dare”
  2. “Favorite Thing”
  3. “We’re Comin’ Out”
  4. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out”
  5. “Androgynous”
  6. “Black Diamond”

Side Two

  1. “Unsatisfied”
  2. “Seen Your Video”
  3. “Gary’s Got A Boner”
  4. “Sixteen Blue”
  5. “Answering Machine”

LP Two: Rarities

Side One

  1. “Gary’s Got A Boner” – Alternate Version *
  2. “Favorite Thing” – Alternate Version *
  3. “Perfectly Lethal”
  4. “Temptation Eyes”
  5. “Who’s Gonna Take Us Alive” *
  6. “Heartbeat, It’s A Lovebeat”
  7. “Answering Machine” – Home Demo #1
  8. “Answering Machine” – Home Demo #2 *

Side Two

  1. “Street Girl” – Takes 1 And 2 *
  2. “Sixteen Blue” – Alternate Version
  3. “Unsatisfied” – Full Length Version *
  4. “Androgynous” – Alternate Version *
  5. “20th Century Boy”
  6. “Hey Good Lookin’” – Live

LP Three: Goodnight! Go Home!: Live at Cubby Bear, Chicago, IL, (March, 1984)

Side One

  1. “Can’t Hardly Wait” *
  2. “Left In The Dark” *
  3. “Unsatisfied” *
  4. “I Will Dare” *
  5. “Favorite Thing” *
  6. “Kids Don’t Follow” *

Side Two

  1. “Run It” *
  2. “Color Me Impressed” *
  3. “Hayday” *
  4. “Nowhere Is My Home” *
  5. “Love You Till Friday” *
  6. “Help Me Rhonda/G.T.O.” *
  7. “Takin’ A Ride” *

LP Four: Goodnight! Go Home!: Live at Cubby Bear, Chicago, IL, (March, 1984)

Side One

  1. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” *
  2. “Gary’s Got A Boner” *
  3. “Johnny’s Gonna Die” *
  4. “Can’t Get Enough” *
  5. “I’m In Trouble” *
  6. “Don’t Ask Why” *
  7. “Take Me Down To The Hospital” *

Side Two

  1. “Shiftless When Idle” *
  2. “Mr. Whirly” *
  3. “Hitchin’ A Ride” *
  4. “Black Diamond” *
  5. “20th Century Boy” *
  6. “Go” *
  7. “Gimme Noise” *
  8. “White And Lazy” *

LIVE AT CITY GARDENS 1984

10” Track Listing

Side A

  1. “I Will Dare” *
  2. “Hayday” *
  3. “20th Century Boy” *

Side B

  1. “You’re Getting Married” *
  2. “God Damn Job” *
  3. “Color Me Impressed” *

* Previously Unreleased

Why Cassettes Aren’t Dying Anytime Soon

Eric Alper
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0
Why Cassettes Aren’t Dying Anytime Soon

Walk into a record store today and you’ll notice something you might not have expected a decade ago: rows of brightly colored cassette tapes sitting alongside vinyl and CDs. Far from being a relic, the humble cassette has become one of the most exciting growth stories in music. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, tapes represent more than just a way to listen. They’re a badge of fandom, a collectible, and a way to connect to music in a physical world that feels more special than a swipe.

Cassettes are booming again because they give fans something tactile. In an era where millions of songs live in the cloud, putting a tape in your hand feels intentional. It means Side A, Side B, artwork, lyrics, and a limited number of tracks—all of which encourage listeners to slow down and experience the music as a whole. That ritual resonates deeply with young audiences craving experiences that feel grounded.

Artists have embraced the format as well. Taylor Swift has released her albums on cassette, turning each drop into a collectible moment for fans. Olivia Rodrigo, Kacey Musgraves, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles have all joined in, offering cassettes as part of their album rollouts. Independent acts use tapes too, relying on their affordability and fast turnaround to connect directly with fans at shows.

The numbers back it up. In 2009, U.S. cassette album sales hit a low point of just 34,000. Fast forward to 2022, and sales topped 440,000, according to Luminate. That’s more than a twelve-fold increase in little over a decade. 2023 stayed steady at over 436,000 units, showing that this is no blip—it’s a sustained revival.

Collectors play a huge role in this momentum. Tapes are smaller and cheaper than vinyl, often selling at concerts for under $15, making them the perfect entry point for younger fans. With variants, special shells, and exclusive runs, a cassette can double as both a listening format and a piece of art. For artists, this opens a new lane of creative expression, one that fits seamlessly with fashion, design, and fan culture.

Technology has helped too. Companies like We Are Rewind and FiiO are producing Bluetooth-enabled cassette players, giving listeners modern convenience with analog charm. That means a teen can buy a tape at a merch table, pop it into a deck, and stream it wirelessly to headphones. The old becomes new again, and suddenly a format once considered vintage feels perfectly current.

Cassettes thrive in part because of their role in storytelling. Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks, packaged on tape, reminded audiences of the emotional power of mixtapes. Limited-edition releases from artists like The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys highlight the same thing: music feels different when it comes in a package you can hold, flip, and treasure.

The DIY scene has never let go of the cassette. Indie artists continue to press them because they’re affordable and personal. A small run of 100 tapes can go a long way for a band on tour, offering something physical to hand to fans after a show. For those fans, it becomes more than merchandise—it’s a keepsake of a night, a moment, a connection.

Social media adds fuel to the fire. TikTok and Instagram love visual storytelling, and cassettes fit perfectly. They’re photogenic, retro, colorful, and endlessly customizable. Fans show off collections, swap tapes, and share unboxings, keeping the format alive in feeds across the world.

The cassette’s story today is about abundance. It’s about more ways for fans to connect, more outlets for creativity, and more formats that matter. With global stars and grassroots acts embracing it equally, the cassette remains a format that celebrates music’s past while shaping its future.

And that’s why cassettes aren’t going anywhere. They’re thriving, loved, and more relevant than they’ve been in decades. The click of a tape, the snap of a case, and the hum of Side A turning into Side B all matter again—and for millions of young fans, it feels like the perfect way to fall in love with music.

SQUANDERERS Announce New Album ‘SKANTAGIO’ Out August 22, Share “Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation”

Eric Alper
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0
SQUANDERERS Announce New Album ‘SKANTAGIO’ Out August 22, Share “Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation”

Deemed a “sound-experimental supergroup” by Stereogum, SQUANDERERS is the trio of guitarists Wendy Eisenberg and David Grubbs alongside multi-instrumentalist and legendary producer Kramer. The group was born from a spontaneous, exploratory afternoon studio session — three renowned players coming together with only a shared curiosity: how do time and space conspire to create sound?

From that first meeting came If a Body Meet a Body, their debut collaboration, released this past November on Shimmy-Disc.

Now, SQUANDERERS return with their second full-length, SKANTAGIO, out August 22nd via Shimmy-Disc. Following recent singles “THEME FOR SKANTAGIO” and “THEME FOR NARCOLEPTICS,” the trio now shares the album’s final pre-release meditation: “Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation.”

The track is a glimmering, crinkly piece that gradually builds an uneasy intensity—chords quicken, scatter, and ultimately bloom into a kind of organized chaos, a dissonant harmony that feels as deliberate as it is unbound.

As with the first two singles, the accompanying video was created by Kramer in his signature Ambient-Cinema style, features footage of the Cicada mating ritual and explores the concert of “The Preparedness Paradox” or the incorrect perception that there had been no need for careful preparation as there was little harm, although in reality the limitation of the harm was due to preparation.

With SKANTAGIO, SQUANDERERS hone in on singular ideas and stretch them into whole worlds—invoking thought, creativity, and deep reflection. Though born from improvisation, the album was guided by an evolving vision.

“Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation” is out now. SKANTAGIO LP is out August 22nd via Shimmy-Disc.

SKANTAGIO Track Listing:

Side A:
1. Theme for Skantagio
2. Theme for Narcoleptics
3. Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation
4. Theme for Fruitful Tangents
Side B:
1. Theme for All Unawares
2. Theme for The Path Made Visible
3. Theme for Undivided Neglect

cktrl Announces Debut Album ‘spirit’ Out September 19, Shares New Single “rush”

Eric Alper
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cktrl Announces Debut Album ‘spirit’ Out September 19, Shares New Single “rush”

Bradley Miller, known artistically as cktrl, announces his highly anticipated debut album, spirit, set for release on September 19th via R&R. To accompany the release, the British multi-instrumentalist unveils a new single, “rush,” offering a glimpse into the emotional depth and sonic richness of the upcoming project. spirit is cktrl’s first full-length album since 2022’s EP yield.

For his debut album, cktrl drew inspiration from a quote by bell hooks: “Healing is an act of communion.” This sentiment serves as a guide throughout the project, emphasizing that true recovery from pain is rooted in connection and community. “We are all we got,” mentions cktrl.

Spirit Track Listing:

1. undo my eyes
2. kira
3. spirit (demo)
4. balance
5. anima
6. rush
7. april interlude
8. april
9. garden
10. open

RÜFÜS DU SOL Announce Biggest South American Headline Tour for Early 2026

Eric Alper
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0
RÜFÜS DU SOL Announce Biggest South American Headline Tour for Early 2026

Today Grammy-winning live electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL announce their largest South American headline tour to date, set for early 2026. 

The band’s return to South America comes just after 2025’s captivating headline performances at Lollapalooza Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Estéreo Picnic in Colombia, further solidifying their standing as one of the most in-demand live electronic acts worldwide. A new milestone for the band, this round of tour dates promoted by Live Nation will take them to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Curitiba, São Paulo, Medellín and Bogotá for their biggest headline shows in the region to-date.

RÜFÜS DU SOL recently capped off the North American leg of their record-breaking Inhale / Exhale World Tour, where they headlined Lollapallooza’s Saturday night and performed to over 61,000 fans at the Los Angeles finale at Rose Bowl Stadium. Supporting their widely acclaimed fifth studio album Inhale / Exhale, the tour has broken new ground for electronic music, selling more than 700,000 tickets across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. This run marks the band’s most ambitious outing to date, with monumental sell-outs including two nights at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium, Miami’s Bayfront Park, and Colorado’s DICK’S Sporting Goods Park amid their multi-continent tour. 

This Fall, RÜFÜS DU SOL will return to Australia for a dozen sold-out arena shows, celebrating their roots before carrying that momentum into South America in early 2026.

Pre-sale begins Monday, August 25 with general on sale to follow on Wednesday, August 27 at 10AM local time. Tickets are available at rufusdusol.com/live for select shows while supplies last.  

RÜFÜS DU SOL Tour Dates

October 3 – Rise Festival – Jean, NV

November 7 – RAC Arena – Perth, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 8 – RAC Arena – Perth, AU (*)

November 11 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Adelaide, AU (*)

November 13 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 14 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 15 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 20 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 21 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 22 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 25 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Brisbane, AU (*) | SOLD OUT

November 26 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Brisbane, AU (*) 

November 29 – The Outer Fields at Western Springs – Auckland, NZ (*)

February 19 – Movistar Arena – Buenos Aires, AR | NEW

February 22 – Movistar Arena – Santiago, CL | NEW

February 25 – Pedreira Paulo Leminsky – Curitiba, BR | NEW

February 27 – Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu – São Paulo, BR | NEW

March 4 – Estadio Cincuentenario – Medellín, CO | NEW

March 6 – Coliseo MedPlus – Bogotá, CO | NEW

* With Support from SG Lewis (Live)

RÜFÜS DU SOL are the Grammy-winning live electronic trio formed in Sydney Australia, composed of Jon George, James Hunt, and Tyrone Lindqvist, who are now one of the genre’s most highly regarded studio and touring acts. Known for creating emotive electronic music built for the dancefloor, RÜFÜS have released four studio albums, including their most recent full length effort Surrender, which saw them tour across 60 cities, selling 700,000 tickets globally. RÜFÜS’ Jon George and James Hunt have also fostered a DJ project for the project, which triumphs as one of the most popular in the space. The band have translated this success into their own Rose Avenue imprint and boutique Sundream festival in Tulum and Baja, Mexico. 

Laveda Share New Single “Strawberry” Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Love, Darla’ Out September 12

Eric Alper
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Laveda Share New Single “Strawberry” Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Love, Darla’ Out September 12

“’Strawberry’ was an integral part of discovering the landscape that the other songs on the album would eventually live within,” says Jake Brooks, guitarist of NYC-based noise rock/shoegaze outfit Laveda on the band’s newest single/video from their anticipated third album, Love, Darla (out September 12, 2025 via Bar/None Records). Evolving organically from a spontaneous session, “Strawberry” captures Laveda at a formative point in their creative evolution – where raw ideas, tested live on tour, gave way to a fully realized sonic identity.

“Strawberry started as a jam between Ali [Genevich, lead vocalist] on bass and me on guitar,” Jake adds. “We sent it to Joe [Taurone, drummer] and he completely expanded it into this sick drum part.” Performing the song at live shows and essentially workshopping it on stage, the band worked this and ‘Heaven‘ during live sets and evolved it into full songs. “Playing unfinished music live helped us discover what made the songs tick.We made tweaks over time and eventually ended up with something much more refined. It was an integral part of shaping the entire record.”

For Ali, writing “Strawberry” meant diving deep and mining her own psyche for inspiration. “It’s about trying to escape from your inner demons. It’s incredibly inspiring to create art in NYC, but the noise – literal and figurative – makes it overwhelming,” she explains. “Social media doesn’t help. People say messed up things in comments. It bums me out. I guess I consider myself to be whatever the opposite of a parasocial is.”

In addition, Laveda is also announcing a tour across the States that will see them perform in major markets such as Chicago, IL; St Louis, MO; Nashville, TN; Austin, TX; Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA with more shows to be announced in the coming weeks. 

Laveda tour dates:
September 16 Brooklyn, NY Baby’s Alright (album release)
September 18 Rochester, NY Bugjar
September 19 Buffalo, NY Revolution Gallery Lounge
September 20 Cincinnati, OH MOTR
September 21 Chicago, IL Burlington Bar
September 22 Indianapolis, IN Healer
September 23 St Louis, MO Sink Hole
September 24 Nashville, TN Basement (matinee show)
September 25 Dallas, TX TX Tea Room
September 26 Austin, TX Mohawk (Levitation – support for The Dandy Warhols)
September 27 El Paso, TX Rosewood Bar
September 28 Phoenix, AZ Thunderbird Lounge
September 30 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
October 1 Los Angeles, CA Permanent Records Roadhouse (late show)
October 2 Las Vegas, NV Grey Witch
October 5 San Francisco, CA Kilowatt Bar
October 10 Seattle, WA Conor Byrne
October 11 Richland, WA Ray’s Golden Lion
October 12 Bellingham, WA The Shakedown (support for Shilpa Ray)
October 14 Salt Lake City, UT International
October 16 Kansas City, MO miniBar
October 17 Padukah, KY Padukah Beerworks

“Strawberry” follows the band’s gripping singles “Heaven” and “Cellphone,” each revealing a new shade of the band’s ever-evolving palette. Where “Heaven” summoned the neon-streaked chaos of late-night wanderings and East Village nostalgia, and “Cellphone” dissected digital burnout with jagged guitar lines and punk smirks. “Strawberry” bridges the two – a woozy meditation brimming with atmosphere, honesty, and sonic abandon.

Set against the jagged concrete of their current home just outside of Manhattan in Queens, NY and the soft glow of its city’s late-night subway platforms, Laveda’s third LP Love, Darla presents their most experimental and emotionally resonant work yet. Co-written and performed by founding duo Ali Genevich and Jake Brooks, with contributions from bassist Dan Carr and drummer Joe Taurone, the album trades the pastoral tones of their Upstate NY roots for the frayed edges and fractured beauty of New York City.

Laveda will celebrate the release of Love, Darla with select shows this fall, including their recently announced album release show in Brooklyn at Baby’s Alright on September 16.

“Strawberry” is out now on all major streaming platforms. Love, Darla is available September 12, 2025 via Bar/None Records.

Love, Darla Tracklist:

  1. Care
  2. Cellphone
  3. I Wish
  4. Dig Me Out
  5. Strawberry
  6. Heaven
  7. Highway Meditation
  8. Bonehead
  9. Tim Burton’s Tower
  10. Lullaby

WILDES Announces Second Album ‘All We Do Is Feel’ Out September 12, Shares New Single “Without a Heart”

Eric Alper
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0
WILDES Announces Second Album ‘All We Do Is Feel’ Out September 12, Shares New Single “Without a Heart”

London-based singer-songwriter WILDES (Ella Walker) will release her second album, All We Do Is Feel, on September 12th. Today, she shares her new single “Without a Heart.” WILDES has confirmed a couple of events to celebrate the album’s release, with more to be announced soon.

Show Dates:

Wednesday 10 September – Album Listening Party – Shai Space, London
Wednesday 15 October – Paper Dress Vintage, London

Ryan Reidy Announces New Art Rock Album ‘Fringe Body Parts’ Out November 7

Eric Alper
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0
Ryan Reidy Announces New Art Rock Album ‘Fringe Body Parts’ Out November 7

Chicago/Los Angeles-based musician Ryan Reidy has announced his new LP Fringe Body Parts, due out November 7th. To accompany the announcement, he’s shared the fuzzed-out, catchy lead single “Dr. Felix And His Fringe Body Parts.”

The new album from Reidy is noisy, unhinged, and guitar-forward, yet it still maintains a strong pop sensibility–with soaring melodies filtered through a blood-pumping wall of sound, the 12-track LP is a magnificent take on art rock through a Midwestern DIY lens.

Ryan Reidy’s roots run deep in the DIY and underground music scenes, previously playing in acts such as Ari Ari (Friction Records), Thunders (A Squared Industries/Asthmatic Kitty), and has been a touring musician for Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s and Male Gaze. The new album from Reidy is a noisy, unhinged blend of punk, noise rock, art rock, and garage rock.

Fringe Body Parts Track Listing:

1. Dr Felix And His Fringe Body Parts
2. Death of Pleasure
3. Rainbow Mountain
4. Impossible to Love
5. Obscurer
6. Performance Crimes
7. Positions
8. Greyman and Moon Girl Pt. II
9. The Scrubbed Summer of Love
10. Potion Control
11. All Berries
12. The Girls In My Home Town

Fraser T. Smith to Receive BMI President’s Award at 2025 BMI London Awards

Eric Alper
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0
Fraser T. Smith to Receive BMI President’s Award at 2025 BMI London Awards

BMI today announced that Fraser T. Smith will be presented with the BMI President’s Award at the 2025 BMI London Awards held on 29 September at The Dorchester. The multi-award-winning producer, songwriter and musician will be honoured for the remarkable breadth of his career-defining work and collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the world, such as Adele, Drake, Sam Smith, Snow Patrol and more. The private event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg.

The ceremony also pays tribute to the British and European songwriters and publishers of the previous year’s most-performed songs on US streaming, radio, film, television and visual media from BMI’s repertoire of over 22.4 million musical works. The BMI London Song of the Year, Million-Air Awards, and awards for Pop, Film, Television and Cable Television Music will also be presented throughout the evening.
“Fraser T. Smith is widely recognized as one of the UK’s most influential and sought-after producers and songwriters, whose musical contributions and ability to span genres created some of the most impactful songs of our generation,” said O’Neill. “We’re thrilled to commemorate his illustrious career as an acclaimed collaborator and a solo artist with the BMI President’s Award. We’re also excited to celebrate our BMI family of award-winning songwriters and composers and recognize their musical achievements over the last year.”

Smith has spent much of his career spanning over three decades, producing and songwriting for some of the most prominent artists in the world, including Adele, Craig David, Drake, Florence and the Machine, Gorillaz, Kano, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Snow Patrol and many more. Before becoming one of the UK’s most in-demand creators of contemporary music, Smith was a session guitarist in the 1990s, performing on more than 200 records. In 1999, he met a then-unknown Craig David, and was his guitarist for five years before collaborating on three of David’s albums, Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average and Trust Me.

Over the years, Smith has co-written, mixed and produced seven No. 1 singles in the UK, two Billboard No. 1 singles in the US, contributed to 18 No. 1 albums, and has received multiple awards, accolades, and praise from his peers and the media alike. In 2011, Fraser won a GRAMMY for his work on Adele’s massively successful album 21 and received his first Ivor Novello nomination for “Broken Strings” by James Morrison the following year. In 2015, Fraser received a GRAMMY nomination for his contributions to Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour and was honored with a Latin GRAMMY for his collaboration with Mexican duo Jesse & Joy on Un Besito Más. Smith was shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize, nominated for a 2017 Brit Award, and won Best Album at the MOBO Awards for his work on Kano’s album, Made in the Manor, and was also honored for Stormzy’s Brit and Ivor Novello-winning debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer. Most recently, he produced Snow Patrol’s album, The Forest Is The Path, the band’s first No. 1 album in 18 years, and produced Kae Tempest’s critically acclaimed 2025 album, Self-Titled.

Smith has received critical acclaim as a solo artist as well. His 2020 debut, 12 Questions, was recorded under the moniker Future Utopia and featured an incredible roster of artists, including Stormzy, Dave, Kano, Ghetts, Bastille, Es Devlin, Simon Armitage and Idris Elba. Returning earlier this year, Future Utopia released two brand new singles in 2025, kicking the year off with the hypnotic disco-inspired “Don’t Try This At Home” and teamed up with Lava La Rue on the mesmeric psyche banger “The Pleasure Trap.” Smith won an Ivor Novello Award in 2021 for his collaboration with Dave on one of the album’s singles, “Children of the Internet,” marking the second Ivor for the pair, with the first in 2018 for Dave’s “Question Time.”

As a BMI President’s Award honouree, Smith joins an elite group of previous recipients including benny blanco, Luis Fonsi, Noel Gallagher, Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, Ludacris, P!nk, Willie Nelson, Pitbull, T-Pain, Taylor Swift, Brian Wilson, and Dwight Yoakam, to name a few.

Dave Koz and the Summer Horns Turn Flight Delays into an In-Flight Stevie Wonder Concert

Eric Alper
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Dave Koz and the Summer Horns Turn Flight Delays into an In-Flight Stevie Wonder Concert

What began as a frustrating travel ordeal for Dave Koz and the Summer Horns quickly transformed into an unforgettable experience. Stuck on the tarmac and later diverted to Boise, the group was asked by a flight attendant if they could play for the restless passengers. With instruments in hand, Koz and his bandmates—Marcus Anderson, Marcel Anderson, Jeff Bradshaw, Leo P, and Evan Taylor—launched into Stevie Wonder’s “You Haven’t Done Nothing.” What could have been just another miserable delay turned into proof that even in chaos, music has the power to uplift and unite.



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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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