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Converge Unleash Ferocious New Era With ‘Love Is Not Enough’

Eric Alper
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Converge Unleash Ferocious New Era With ‘Love Is Not Enough’

For more than three decades, Converge have carved their own path through punk, hardcore, and metal, creating music that hits with both force and meaning. Now in their 35th year, the band returns with their eleventh album, ‘Love Is Not Enough,’ a record that sharpens their intensity and vision to a razor edge. The title track arrives with a powerful new video, setting the tone for a release that surges with urgency.

“Love Is Not Enough” is a crushing and deeply emotional statement. “It explores what it means to remain empathetic and compassionate in the modern world. A reckoning with who we are today and hope to be in the future, if we can fend off the scavengers,” says vocalist Jacob Bannon. The song captures the band at full strength, driven by raw dynamics and unfiltered expression.

Recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City in Salem, Massachusetts, with engineering assistance from Zach Weeks, the album embraces realism over polish. “I think that realism is missing from a lot of modern music,” Bannon explains. “Sometimes the perfect take is the one that has some wildness to it. It’s not perfectly executed. There’s a lot of powerful moments on this record and a lot of angry moments. The realism amplifies that.” The sequencing builds relentless momentum, intentionally ramping up from start to finish.

Bannon also created artwork for each song, including a striking cover image depicting a celestial witness to a world aflame. Converge continue to treat the band as essential, pouring everything into each release. They will bring that intensity to Saddest Day fest in Boston alongside Touché Amoré, Coalesce, The Hope Conspiracy, Full of Hell, and Soul Glo, followed by festival appearances at Jera on Air in the Netherlands and Outbreak Festival in Manchester.

Soft Skies Inc Channel Record Store Magic On “The Point”

Eric Alper
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Soft Skies Inc Channel Record Store Magic On “The Point”

There was a time when album artwork pulled you in from across a record store aisle. Soft Skies Inc tap into that same sense of discovery with their new single “The Point,” a modern alternative dream pop cut wrapped in striking visuals and emotional urgency. The cover, photographed by Lindsay Metivier of Peel Gallery, captures a searing magenta beam against a red canvas, illuminating and piercing a shadowed figure. It feels like a portal, and the music follows through.

The Philadelphia duo, twin brothers Martin and Ryan Rex, build the track around a relentless backbeat, noisy atmospherics, cascading synth layers, and a wall of guitars. Produced by the brothers with Chris McLaughlin at DeepSpace Studios in Brooklyn, the song pushes their sound into sharper modern rock territory while maintaining their hazy, immersive core. It hits with both force and feeling.

“‘The Point’ is about when something that once saved you starts to drown you instead,” Ryan shares. “It’s about the beautiful kind of destruction you can’t seem to walk away from.” He adds, “The phrasing’s intentionally twisted, the line ‘Why so many of these things did you do to me / Right from the start?’ is meant to sound tangled, like the feeling itself.” The emotional tension is palpable, and the hook lands with undeniable pull.

Mastered by Rich Morales at Super Fine Audio, “The Point” expands the Soft Skies Inc universe. Where earlier singles leaned into jangle pop shimmer and dissonant dream pop haze, this release carries a more dynamic edge. It is confident, textured, and alive with movement. Soft Skies Inc continue to evolve, and with each new chapter, they draw listeners deeper into their world.

Kameron Marlowe Sparks Desert Drama With “Fire On The Hillside

Eric Alper
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Kameron Marlowe Sparks Desert Drama With “Fire On The Hillside

Kameron Marlowe turns up the intensity with his new single “Fire On The Hillside,” paired with a moody official music video that finds him alone in the desert at dusk, playing with flames as the sky fades to black. The visual matches the song’s smoldering tension, capturing a restless spirit caught in the heat of rumor and regret.

Written by Marlowe alongside producer Austin Goodloe and Carson Wallace, the track leans into guitar heavy production and showcases his towering baritone. The sound is gritty and immediate, with each chorus hitting like a spark against dry ground.

“‘Fire on the Hillside’ is about what happens when a small town rumor gets out of control,” Marlowe shares. “Where I’m from, folks talk and sometimes that talk burns hotter than any match. It’s a story about heartbreak, anger, and letting the smoke roll on something you can’t take back. I wanted it to feel like you could smell the diesel and hear the crackle before it all goes up.”

Fresh off his Seventeen Fall Tour, which drew thousands across 13 dates in the U.S. and Canada, Marlowe keeps the momentum rolling. He is set to appear at Luke Bryan’s 2026 Crash My Playa weekend and will return to C2C next spring across the U.K., Germany, and the Netherlands, carrying this fiery new anthem with him.

Goldfrapp Dazzle Again With ‘Supernature’ 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Eric Alper
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Goldfrapp Dazzle Again With ‘Supernature’ 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Goldfrapp mark 20 years of their era defining third album with the release of the ‘Supernature’ 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition via MUTE and BMG. The expanded set celebrates a record that reshaped electronic pop, pairing the original album with B sides, classic and brand new remixes, unreleased live radio session recordings, and a Blu ray 5.1 surround mix.

The duo recently unveiled a fresh remix of the acid laced “You Never Know,” their first new Goldfrapp release in years. Sun’s Signature, the project of Elizabeth Fraser and Damon Reece, delivers a striking reimagining of “Koko,” while Richard X refines “Beautiful” into a sleek, club ready pulse. Goldfrapp also revisit “Let It Take You,” sharpening its edges into a darker glide without losing its cinematic sweep.

Originally released in 2005, ‘Supernature’ pushed pop into bold new territory. Mixed to glossy perfection by Spike Stent, whose credits include Madonna, Bjork, Massive Attack, and U2, the album produced enduring singles such as “Ooh La La,” “Number 1,” and “Ride A White Horse.” It topped charts worldwide, earned multi platinum sales, and secured multiple BRIT and GRAMMY nominations. The album’s influence remains undeniable, its sound still echoing across dance floors and radio waves.

The deluxe edition arrives across three CDs in expanded packaging and a peacock colored double vinyl edition featuring a bonus remix 12 inch. The vinyl pairs new remixes from Goldfrapp, Sun’s Signature, and Richard X with definitive reworks by Alan Braxe and Fred Falke and Phones, all cut at half speed for enhanced sound quality. Two decades on, ‘Supernature’ still glows with confidence and style, a high gloss statement that continues to captivate.

KISS Ignite 50 Years Of ‘Alive!’ With Explosive Deluxe Anniversary Editions

Eric Alper
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KISS Ignite 50 Years Of ‘Alive!’ With Explosive Deluxe Anniversary Editions

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Kennedy Center honorees KISS mark 50 years of ‘Alive!’ with a sprawling 50TH Anniversary Deluxe Edition via UMe. The landmark live album returns newly remastered and expanded across multiple formats, including Super Deluxe 4CD plus Blu ray Audio, Super Deluxe 8LP plus Blu ray Audio, Deluxe Picture Disc Vinyl, Premium Color Vinyl, and Super Deluxe Digital. For the first time, the original album is also available on a single CD.

Mastering legend Bernie Grundman revisits the 1975 stereo analog master tapes, delivering fresh transfers in HRA 192 by 24, HRA 96 by 24, 44.1 by 16, and Atmos. His remaster puts Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley front and center with striking clarity and punch. Earlier this month, the band set the tone by releasing the previously unheard “C’mon And Love Me (Live In Davenport, Iowa)” to streaming platforms.

The Super Deluxe box sets feature a staggering 120 tracks, including 88 unreleased recordings. Fans can experience two full 1975 Dressed To Kill Tour concerts from Davenport, Iowa and Wildwood, New Jersey, newly mixed by Eddie Kramer from the original multi track analog tapes with no overdubs. The Blu ray Audio disc presents new Atmos and 5.1 mixes alongside high resolution stereo, paired with a visualizer showcasing rare photos and master tape imagery.

Both CD and vinyl editions are packed with collectibles, highlighted by a 100 page hardcover book with liner notes by Ken Sharp and fresh interviews with Stanley and Simmons. Reproductions of the 1975 press kit, backstage passes, posters, ticket stubs, guitar picks, and more deepen the experience. The Deluxe Picture Disc Vinyl and Premium Color Vinyl editions add striking new packaging, limited to 1,000 and 3,000 units respectively through the official KISS store.

Originally released in 1975, ‘Alive!’ captured performances from Detroit, Cleveland, Davenport, and Wildwood, propelling the band into the Top 10 and sending “Rock And Roll All Nite” up the charts. Fifty years later, it remains a towering live document, now expanded and remastered to roar louder than ever.

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” Marks 50 Years Of Stage Conquering Glory

Eric Alper
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Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” Marks 50 Years Of Stage Conquering Glory

Fifty years after its release, “Bohemian Rhapsody” stands taller than ever. The latest episode of the YouTube series Queen The Greatest celebrates the song’s extraordinary journey across five decades of live performance, tracing how it evolved from ambitious studio creation to global stage phenomenon. The episode arrives as the single returns to No. 1 in the UK following a special blue vinyl reissue marking its half century.

With nearly three billion Spotify streams, “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains embedded in popular culture. Brian May reflects on its enduring power in the series. “The song continues to resonate,” he says. “We go on stage and play it at the Albert Hall, with a full orchestra and 150 piece choir, and it’s fresh as a daisy. It’s new and exciting, and the reaction you get from people is just amazing.”

The episode opens in December 1975 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, where a silk suited Freddie Mercury presents an early live segment of the track during its nine week UK chart run. It then leaps to Live Aid in 1985, capturing Freddie at the piano before a global audience of 1.5 billion. “The response from the crowd was so deafening,” Brian recalls, “it took your breath away.” The performance remains one of rock’s defining moments.

From the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, where Axl Rose joins Queen and Elton John, to the 46664 concert in Cape Town with the Soweto Gospel Choir honoring Nelson Mandela, the anthem proves endlessly adaptable. The journey lands in 2014 with Adam Lambert fronting the band at London’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Freddie appearing via archive projection as the song closes the circle. “It will always be there, I think, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’” Brian says. “It’s truly immortal and that’s a good feeling.”

Guns N’ Roses Turn Up The Heat With Remastered ‘Live Era ’87-’93’ Vinyl Set

Eric Alper
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Guns N’ Roses Turn Up The Heat With Remastered ‘Live Era ’87-’93’ Vinyl Set

UMe and Geffen celebrate the enduring power of Guns N’ Roses with the newly remastered ‘Live Era ’87-’93’, a definitive document of the band at full throttle. Recorded across the globe between 1987 and 1993, this landmark live collection captures the grit, volume, and voltage that made them one of the most explosive forces in rock.

Remastered from the original stereo analog master tapes for the first time since 1999, the set brings fresh depth and clarity to 23 live tracks. These are of era performances that defined stadiums and rewrote expectations, including “November Rain,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Welcome To The Jungle,” “Don’t Cry,” and “Paradise City.” The energy is immediate, the crowd roars are massive, and the band sounds unstoppable.

The collection is available in multiple formats, including a Premium 4 LP Color Vinyl, a Standard 4 LP 180 Gram Black Vinyl, and a Digital Remaster. The digital edition also includes the expanded bonus track “Coma,” originally featured on the 1999 vinyl and Japan release. Each configuration delivers the raw electricity that turned live shows into legend.

‘Live Era ’87-’93’ stands as a towering reminder of what happens when a band meets its audience at maximum intensity. Press play, drop the needle, and step back into one of rock’s most seismic eras.

5 Times Music Really Did Change The World

Eric Alper
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5 Times Music Really Did Change The World

There are times when music rewrites culture. Across decades and genres, songs and concerts have sparked hearings, influenced legislation, and forced governments to respond. Here are five times music helped change a law or public policy, with lasting impact.

“Strange Fruit” And The Push For Anti Lynching Legislation

When Billie Holiday began performing “Strange Fruit” in 1939 at Café Society in New York, the song stunned audiences into silence. Its stark lyrics about lynching in the American South forced a brutal reality into mainstream spaces that had long avoided it.

While federal anti lynching legislation would not pass until 2022, the song became a cultural rallying point for decades of activism. It helped galvanize public support and kept the issue alive in national conversation, contributing to the momentum that finally led to the Emmett Till Antilynching Act being signed into law.

Live Aid And Global Debt Relief Conversations

In 1985, Bob Geldof organized Live Aid, a massive transatlantic concert held in London and Philadelphia to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. It drew an estimated global TV audience of nearly two billion.

Beyond the immediate fundraising, Live Aid pushed Western governments to confront African debt and food policy in new ways. The visibility and public pressure influenced aid packages, debt restructuring discussions, and set the stage for later initiatives such as expanded debt relief programs in the 1990s and 2000s.

“Rock The Vote” And Youth Voter Registration Reform

Launched in 1990 amid controversy over warning labels and censorship debates, Rock the Vote used musicians and pop culture icons to mobilize young voters. The campaign partnered with MTV and major artists to make civic engagement feel immediate and urgent.

Rock the Vote’s advocacy helped defend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the “Motor Voter” law, which made it easier for Americans to register when applying for driver’s licenses. Music driven activism played a measurable role in increasing youth voter participation and protecting access to the ballot.

N.W.A., “F*** Tha Police,” And Free Speech Battles

When N.W.A released “F*** Tha Police” on Straight Outta Compton in 1988, the backlash was immediate. The FBI sent a warning letter to the group’s label, and law enforcement groups attempted to block performances.

The controversy ignited national debate around artistic freedom and police accountability. Courts consistently upheld First Amendment protections for musicians, reinforcing legal precedents around free expression. The case became a defining moment in the relationship between hip hop, protest music, and constitutional rights.

“Sun City” And Cultural Sanctions Against Apartheid

In 1985, Steven Van Zandt organized Artists United Against Apartheid and released the protest song “Sun City,” protesting performers who played the South African resort during apartheid. The project brought together dozens of major artists in a unified cultural boycott.

The song strengthened global cultural sanctions and amplified pressure on governments to adopt stricter economic and diplomatic measures against South Africa. Music became part of a broader international campaign that contributed to policy shifts and, ultimately, the dismantling of apartheid in the early 1990s.

Music alone rarely passes a bill. But it can change the climate around it. From anti lynching advocacy to voter access and global sanctions, these moments show how a song can move people first and policy second.

Nate Bargatze To Receive 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award In Las Vegas Spotlight

Eric Alper
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Nate Bargatze To Receive 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award In Las Vegas Spotlight

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced that Nate Bargatze, the No. 1-grossing comedian in the world, will be the recipient of the prestigious 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award.

The award will be presented at the 2026 NAB Show on April 21 in Las Vegas as part of the Annual “We Are Broadcasters” event on the Main Stage, where Bargatze will also participate in a fireside chat and Q&A.

“Nate Bargatze has become one of the most important figures in American entertainment by making comedy that resonates across generations and platforms,” said Nick Radziul, NAB Television Board Chair. “His work demonstrates how broadcast television continues to be the cultural bridge between creators and audiences, delivering unparalleled reach and trusted, must-watch content that sparks shared moments viewers embrace.”

Bargatze, dubbed “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up” by The Atlantic, is also one of the most accomplished. He has broken multiple venue records, hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards, written a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and hosted two “Saturday Night Live” episodes with sketches that became instant classics. He also recently won a Grammy for his Netflix special and comedy album, “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.”

Bargatze’s 2025 comedy tour, “Big Dumb Eyes,” was ranked No. 1 by Pollstar, grossing a reported $77.5 million and topping a list that includes Kevin Hart, Nikki Glaser, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle. In 2024, Bargatze set a new record for the biggest one-year gross—$82.2 million—by any comedy performer in history, according to Billboard.

His first book, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind,” shot to No. 1 on the New York Times Best-Sellers list, remaining on the list for 11 weeks. His stint in 2025 as host of the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS was the highest rated Emmys broadcast in four years.

“Nate Bargatze’s rise underscores the continued ability of broadcast television to build a sense of community and reach large audiences at a time when viewing habits are rapidly changing,” said Curtis LeGeyt, NAB president and CEO. “His power to create and deliver widespread appeal among the broader public is central to what NAB Show represents and why Nate is such a fitting honoree.”

Two “SNL” sketches, in which Bargatze plays George Washington skewering the absurdities of his nation’s system of weights, measures and its version of the English language, have been viewed more than a combined 42 million times on YouTube, helping propel his career to stratospheric levels.

In 2023, Bargatze launched Nateland Entertainment, a family-friendly company and platform producing standup specials, podcasts and content across film and television. He is currently creating a new amusement park and entertainment complex in Nashville, Tenn., sparked by the closure of his beloved Opryland USA, where he worked as a teenager.

Bargatze’s cultural footprint is about to get even bigger. He created, co-wrote, executive produced and stars in the upcoming comedy “The Breadwinner” in theaters starting May 29 alongside an all-star cast, marking his feature film debut. In addition, he co-created a new comedy game show, “The Greatest Average American,” premiering Feb. 25 on ABC and Hulu, also serving as the show’s host and executive producer.

With his trademark brand of deadpan, self-deprecating, observational humor, Bargatze has excelled, in part, because of (some might say despite) being a “clean” and apolitical comic, a distinction he embraces as helping unify a deeply divided nation.

Past winners of the Television Chairman’s Award, first presented in 2009 Kelsey Grammer, include Penn & Teller, Jennifer Hudson, Sterling K. Brown, Jim Parsons and Mario Lopez.

14 Movies That Prove Valentine’s Day Is Better With the Remote All to Yourself

Eric Alper
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0
14 Movies That Prove Valentine’s Day Is Better With the Remote All to Yourself

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s also for sweatpants, takeout that no one “just wants a bite” of, and full control of the remote.

If you’re single, happily solo, or simply not in the mood for candlelight anything, here are 14 movies to watch on your own. Alphabetical. Zero compromises. Maximum comfort.

Bridget Jones’s Diary
Wine. Diary entries. Glorious awkwardness. It’s chaotic, relatable, and a reminder that life doesn’t have to be polished to be romantic. Bonus points if you narrate your own evening.

Clueless
Fashion, friendships, and sharp one-liners. It’s pure joy wrapped in plaid. Watch it and remember that confidence is always in style.

Deadpool
Technically a love story. Just with more sarcasm and explosions. Perfect if you want romance with a side of chaos and zero sincerity.

Eat Pray Love
Breakups can lead to pasta, travel, and self-discovery. It’s indulgent in the best way. Ideal for when you want a little wanderlust with your wine.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Nothing says healing like a disastrous vacation in paradise. It’s messy, funny, and weirdly comforting. Laughing at someone else’s breakup is therapeutic.

How to Be Single
A city, a friend group, and a lot of questionable decisions. It’s about figuring things out without rushing the ending. A solid reminder that your timeline is your own.

John Wick
Yes, it starts with heartbreak. Yes, it escalates quickly. Sometimes Valentine’s Day calls for stylish action and very few feelings.

Legally Blonde
Elle Woods taking over law school is the energy we all need. Smart, pink, and endlessly quotable. Self-love, but make it fabulous.

Little Miss Sunshine
A dysfunctional family road trip that’s both hilarious and tender. It’s about finding your people, even when they drive you nuts. Offbeat and heartfelt in equal measure.

Lost in Translation
Quiet, reflective, and beautifully lonely. It captures that feeling of being on your own in a big world. Watch it if you’re in a thoughtful mood.

Magic Mike
Plot? Sure. But let’s be honest. It’s fun, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s perfect for a Valentine’s night that’s strictly about you.

The Devil Wears Prada
Ambition, style, and icy one-liners. It’s a masterclass in career glow-ups. Spend the night with Miranda Priestly instead of anyone who can’t text back.

The Social Network
Fast dialogue, big ideas, and a reminder that not all great stories are romantic. Sometimes it’s nice to watch a movie about building something instead of falling for someone.

Under the Tuscan Sun
A fresh start in Italy and a house that needs work. It’s about rebuilding your life, one small choice at a time. Also, the scenery alone is worth it.

Valentine’s Day is just a date on the calendar. Your couch, your snacks, your rules. Press play on something that makes you laugh, think, or cheer, and call it a perfect night.

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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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