Charli xcx is officially crossing into the cinematic universe with The Moment, a music-fueled feature she stars in and co-conceived, arriving in theaters January 30 via A24. The teaser trailer reveals Charli playing a pop star navigating fame ahead of a major arena tour, blurring fiction and reality with glimpses of her album ‘Brat’ and even her real name in neon lights.
Directed by Aidan Zamiri and written with Bertie Brandes, the film features an all-star cast including Alexander Skarsgård, Rosanna Arquette, Rachel Sennott, Kylie Jenner, Kate Berlant, Isaac Cole Powell, and more. In the trailer, Charli says, “When I felt like people started to care about me, nothing else mattered. Nothing was more important than Brat.”
She’s no stranger to bold moves, with recent roles in upcoming films like Faces of Death and A Tree Is Blue adding to her growing screen presence. Produced by Charli and David Hinojosa, The Moment brings together charisma, chaos, and cinematic pop flair in a way that only she can.
Paul Gilbert is back with a concept album like no other. His new record ‘WROC’ arrives February 27 via Music Theories Recordings, and it’s fueled by a source no one saw coming: George Washington’s “Rules of Civility.” That’s right. One of rock’s most adventurous guitarists is taking 16th-century etiquette and spinning it into full-blown, high-energy rock songs, complete with vocals, soaring melodies, and technical fireworks.
The first taste, “Go Not Thither,” is already out with a brand new music video. The track brings together classic metal riffage, throbbing vibe pedals, and ZZ Top-style boogie grooves, with Paul’s signature sense of humor intact. “Hundreds of years ago, everyone must have been walking around kicking the earth,” he says. “They kicked the earth so much that a rule had to be invented to put a stop to it!” That playfulness runs through the entire album.
‘WROC’ was recorded live at The Hallowed Halls in Portland, with Nick D’Virgilio on drums, Doug Rappoport on guitar, and Timmer Blakely on bass. The sessions were fast, fun, and face-to-face. Paul added vocals later, but the soul of the record is pure live-band energy. From the opening stomp of “Keep Your Feet Firm And Even” to the melodic phrasing of “Speak Not Evil Of The Absent,” Gilbert brings George Washington’s words into a modern, musical spotlight. He calls it one of the most joyful albums he’s ever made, and the tracks absolutely glow with that feeling. This is a guitar hero in full creative flight, inspired by history and charging forward with heart, humor, and serious chops.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are celebrating 20 years of ‘Howl’ with a deluxe box set that feels as rich and layered as the album itself. Out January 30 via [PIAS], the anniversary edition brings fans closer than ever to the heart of a record that shaped a new chapter for the band. Originally released in 2005, ‘Howl’ opened a new path for BRMC, filled with folk, blues, and gospel spirit.
When it first dropped, SPIN captured the shift perfectly: “Bruce Springsteen stripped down his songs to reflect his pessimistic journey through the badlands; BRMC’s scaled-back sound is reflective of a group that’s come out on the other side of that trip and doesn’t want to hide behind feedback any longer.” Every song carried weight. Every lyric felt lived-in.
The 20th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set includes the original studio album on white vinyl, the Howl Sessions, and five previously unreleased demos and alternate mixes. Fans will find over 100 never-before-seen photos in the included photobook, along with original handwritten lyrics for each track. The set also features a collector’s poster and a 2LP version of ‘Howl’ with a custom BRMC etching on side 4. For CD lovers, the full studio album is also included. This release brings the era of ‘Howl’ vividly back to life.
Cork-based post-punk trio Ash Red have released their debut album “The Foreign Game” via Blowtorch Records now.
Following the success of their STUPID EP, which charted on the UK Alternative Albums Charts, Ash Red continue to evolve their signature dark, bass-heavy post-punk sound with this full-length debut.
Singles such as ‘DB Cooper’ and ‘Friends?’ have garnered significant traction on Spotify and other streaming platforms, signalling the arrival of a bold, confident full-length statement. The Foreign Game captures Ash Red at a peak of creative evolution, blending jagged post- punk riffs, brooding atmospherics, and expansive sonic textures. The album features “Albini-esque” production, emphasising raw, live energy while allowing dynamic variation between heavy and light moments—seen on tracks like the intense ‘Island’s Edge’ and the more delicate ‘Alone Again’.
The albums closer and title track exemplifies the band’s central approach, exploring themain themes of the album: what it means to be an outsider: the exile, isolated and lost.
Using football as its frame, the album title draws on the history of ‘Rule 27’, whichGAA used to forbid its members from playing so-called ‘foreign games’ until 1971.
The band themselves use this as an analogy for the ‘Importance of being yourself’ Since forming in 2019, Arthur Murray (guitar/vocals), Tadhg O’Keeffe (bass/backing vocals), and Isaac Walsh (drums) have built a devoted following through relentless live performances across Ireland, including headline shows at The Workman’s Club (Dublin), as well as supporting major acts such as Public Image Limited.
Rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. releases his new single “Gary” via Big Loud Records, kicking off the beginning of a new era following his massively successful 2023 debut double album Søn of Dad. The track premiered this week with an electrifying performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The slow-burning rocker builds to a propulsive peak, combining Wilson Jr.’s grunge influences with his signature lyricism that touches upon modern life in Middle America.
Wilson Jr. is nominated for New Artist of the Year at tonight’s CMA Awards, where he will also perform twice. He will play his moving rendition of “Stand By Me,” which has earned over 20 million global on-demand streams to date, and will join fellow New Artist of the Year nominee Shaboozey for a special performance of “Took A Walk,” their song from the critically-acclaimed 2025 film The Long Walk, based on the novel by Stephen King.
Last week, Wilson Jr. announced the Gary The Torch Tour, which will begin on March 6th in Columbus, OH, and includes stops in Toronto, Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many more. Ahead of next year’s tour, Wilson Jr. will close out 2025 with his headlining debut at the Ryman Auditorium with two sold-out shows on November 23-24.
It’s been a busy year for Wilson Jr. who released both a deluxe edition of his widely lauded debut double album Søn of Dad, which featured his moving rendition of “Stand By Me” that has been streamed tens of millions of times and has been included in a primetime Pampers commercial, as well as his recent Blankets EP, which included covers of songs by Nirvana, Temple of the Dog, The Postal Service and The Smashing Pumpkins. He also performed the National Anthem at this year’s NFL Draft.
In between headline shows, Wilson Jr. supported Eric Church during his three-night run at Red Rocks this July, made his Newport Folk Festival debut, and joined Hardy on his Jim Bob World Tour. He will kick off 2026 with a performance at Mile 0 Festival in Key West and will join Church again for a trio of shows in February before performing at Railbird Music Festival and Under The Big Sky Festival next summer.
uliana Hatfield releases her third single “Fall Apart,” a track built around the image of a guitar sinking to the bottom of a pool and serving as a clear metaphor for being discarded. The song carries her familiar balance of weighty themes and bright melodies.
uliana Hatfield releases her third single “Fall Apart,” a track built around the image of a guitar sinking to the bottom of a pool and serving as a clear metaphor for being discarded. The song carries her familiar balance of weighty themes and bright melodies.
Juliana views the track as grounded in honesty and pointed toward resilience. Her new album ‘Lightning Might Strike’ arrives December 12 through American Laundromat Records with pre orders available on CD, cassette, and LP in four vinyl color options, including signed editions available here.
Charlottetown skate punks TeethOut return with their new single “Here We Go” and announce a new release through High End Denim Records. The five piece band still leans into the fast, melodic chaos that shaped their early years, fueled by nineties punk nostalgia, cheap coffee, and loud singalongs. Their earlier EPs ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’ and ‘Brittle But Elite’ earned surprising momentum, including a number one spot on community radio’s alternative charts, and built a foundation for this next step.
Regarding “Here We Go,” Josh Lavigne says, “We wanted to write something instantly catchy that people could sing along to after one listen. ‘Here We Go’ came together fast, built around a simple hook and that high energy pop punk feel we grew up on. It’s one of those songs that sticks with you for days.” The band continues to tour across the Maritimes and shows no signs of slowing down.
New York’s own DES ROCS has released a raucous new single, ‘The Juice‘ from his forthcoming 2026 album on Sumerian Records.
The perfect soundtrack for a drag race, street fight or grand slam, ‘The Juice’ delivers the revved up raw energy DES ROCS is known for. It’s no surprise his music has been featured prominently in the UFC, and many other sporting events across ESPN, including the 2025 World Series.
“Creating The Juice was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life making a song,” says Des. “Because for me, it’s this kind of fulfilment of an energy I’ve always wanted to capture, but one that’s increasingly elusive in today’s landscape. It’s unchecked and unrestricted in every way. It’s my purest expression of pure rock n roll satisfaction.”
DES ROCS is currently putting the final touches on his new album, to be released first quarter of 2026 on Sumerian Records.
Canadian emo-rock trio SECOND HARBOUR — comprised of brothers Xavier and Vincent Morency, along with John Muggianu — recently announced their signing to SharpTone Records and will release the Coalesce EP on December 12.
Second Harbour today share the video for angular and unforgettable new single “Mourning Dove.”
In true DIY fashion, the video was shot and edited by the band and it features the members knuckling down on their instruments while playing in an abandoned house.
As for the song, the subject matter goes for the jugular.
“The lyrics to ‘Mourning Dove’ are hands down the most painful I’ve ever written,” offers Xavier. “They’re made to spear you in the stomach, and unapologetically so. Coincidentally, they’re also my favorite lyrics of ours. I spent a lot of time making sure they could be read differently than they were heard, and I couldn’t be more proud of the song we built around them.”
ardboard Sessions and Ernest Packaging present “The Church Experience with Cory Henry,” a new installment in the series where musicians perform on instruments crafted entirely from cardboard. This edition showcases Henry at a cardboard Wurlitzer, Nick Clark on a cardboard Fender bass, and TaRon Lockett on a cardboard drum kit. Together they perform three original gospel hymns. “All To You” is out now, with “Thank You Lord” arriving November 25 and “The Lord Is Blessing Me” following on December 2.
Henry grew up in Brooklyn and was surrounded by church music from childhood. This year he earned a GRAMMY for “Best Roots Gospel Album” with his project Church and previously won awards for work with Rosalia and Kanye West. His collaborations span Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, Imagine Dragons, and many others. His appearance in Cardboard Sessions adds another distinctive milestone with a performance built around instruments engineered from cardboard.
Cardboard Sessions is a free form video project created by the team behind Cardboard Chaos and Ernest Packaging. Their instruments and concepts include cardboard Vans sneakers, a cardboard surfboard, a cardboard skateboard, and now a full gospel setup. Past sessions have featured artists including Billy Gibbons, J Mascis, Matt Sorum, Terry Reid, Daru Jones, Marcus King, Robby Krieger, the Preservation Hall All Star Band, LP, Pete Yorn, Meg Myers, and Dogstar.
