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Bennett Woolsey Balances Heart and Honesty With New Single “Tightrope” Out Now

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Los Angeles-based indie singer-songwriter Bennett Woolsey is stepping fully into the spotlight with his latest single “Tightrope,” out now via Third Generation Music Group. The track continues Woolsey’s ambitious release plan of unveiling a new song every five weeks, following “Used To You” and “Tsunami,” each offering another layer of his heartfelt storytelling and textured sound.

Woolsey’s journey began in Southlake, Texas, where he was known more for his speed on the track field than for his songwriting. It was there he first penned “Jimmy the Chameleon” for his high school band Brookside — a song that would unexpectedly take off online years later, amassing millions of streams and sparking the beginning of his solo career.

Since then, Woolsey’s path has taken him through Austin, Nashville, and now Los Angeles, where he’s honed his craft performing intimate shows that blend lyrical honesty with raw musicianship. One concertgoer described his sound best: “He can make a 12-string guitar cry.” Woolsey’s songs are grounded in real experience, shaped by his grandfather’s storytelling influence and inspired by lyrical greats like Passenger, Noah Kahan, and Billy Joel. “I find it easy to write things that are true… about real life experiences,” he says. “The progression usually informs the lyrics.”

Now collaborating with acclaimed producer Tonedeff (Pedro Antonio Rojas Jr.), Woolsey has recorded five new tracks that explore different emotional and sonic dimensions. “Tightrope” stands out as one of his most vulnerable releases yet, reflecting the balance between risk and restraint that defines both his artistry and his life on the move.

Despite his youth, Woolsey carries a reflective maturity. “I’ve done a lot of moving, a lot of leaving,” he admits. “I’ve gotten really good at leaving.” For him, every song captures a moment in time — a snapshot of emotion preserved in melody. As he continues to grow his audience, Woolsey is excited to expand his performances beyond solo sets. “There’s nothing like playing with a band—it’s a whole lot more fun.”

With his stirring voice, intimate lyricism, and cinematic folk-pop sound, Bennett Woolsey is quickly becoming one of indie music’s most promising new storytellers.

Marianne Faithfull’s Complete UK Decca Recordings Reissued as ‘Cast Your Fate To The Wind’ Collection and Remastered Vinyl Series Out Now

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Marianne Faithfull’s timeless artistry takes center stage once again with the release of her complete UK Decca catalog, now reissued across LP, CD, and streaming. The collection, completed before her passing in January, arrives as both a loving tribute and a definitive archive of her early career. Working closely with Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Batt, Faithfull personally contributed to the project, reflecting on her 1960s recordings with new perspective and pride.

All four original Decca albums — Marianne Faithfull, Come My Way, North Country Maid, and Loveinamist — have been meticulously remastered from the original tapes and are available on vinyl, including three appearing on LP for the first time since their initial release. Accompanying them is Cast Your Fate To The Wind, a 2LP set compiling singles, B-sides, rarities, and four previously unreleased tracks, along with a 6-CD box set titled Cast Your Fate To The Wind: The Complete UK Decca Recordings, featuring a 76-page book of rare photos and new essays by Batt.

Faithfull’s Decca years marked a period of duality — both pop star and folk singer — beginning with her debut single “As Tears Go By,” discovered by impresario Andrew Loog Oldham. Decca’s unprecedented decision to release her two debut albums on the same day in April 1965 showcased her dual creative identity: Marianne Faithfull, a polished pop album produced by Mike Leander, and Come My Way, a folk collection rooted in the songs she performed in London clubs.

Her 1966 album North Country Maid represented the peak of her folk period, interpreting songs by Ewan MacColl, Cyril Tawney, and traditional ballads like “She Moved Thru’ The Fair,” a track she would continue performing throughout her career. Loveinamist followed in 1967, blending folk-pop with a baroque sensibility on tracks like Tim Hardin’s “Reason To Believe” and Donovan’s “In The Night Time.”

Cast Your Fate To The Wind offers rare gems from the archives, including “A Strange World,” a previously unreleased single considered as a follow-up to “As Tears Go By,” and a haunting a cappella version of “She Moved Thru The Fair.” It also spotlights her early songwriting with “Oh Look Around You” and “I’d Like To Dial Your Number.”

For Faithfull, these reissues are not just an archival project but a reclaiming of her creative authorship. “I think I did express a lot in my early work,” she reflected before her passing. “What people hear with the jump between these recordings and Broken English is just experience; life happened, but for me it’s all been connected. The music changed, my voice changed, but my approach to making records has always been the same: I’ve always known what I was doing.”

Now, six decades later, the Decca Recordings stand as a full-circle tribute to Marianne Faithfull’s vision, artistry, and enduring legacy — a body of work that helped define the sound and soul of the 1960s.

Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis Light Up R&B With “Is It A Crime” From ‘Hearts Sold Separately’ Out Now

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R&B powerhouse Mariah The Scientist continues her incredible year with “Is It A Crime,” her smooth, soulful collaboration with Kali Uchis, out now via Epic Records. The single arrives alongside her highly anticipated fourth studio album Hearts Sold Separately, available everywhere.

“Is It A Crime” blends Mariah’s signature melodic honesty with Kali Uchis’ lush vocals, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and cinematic. Backed by Matt1k and Nineteen85’s silky production, the track explores love’s complicated gravity — the pull between passion, vulnerability, and risk. “Is it a crime to fall in love a couple times, tell me? What’s it to ya, tell me? Is it a crime?” Mariah asks with confidence, wrapping her emotions in warm harmonies and hypnotic rhythm.

The new single follows the massive success of “Burning Blue,” Mariah’s breakout Billboard hit that climbed into the Top 25 of the Hot 100 and earned RIAA gold certification. “Burning Blue” topped both Billboard’s Rhythmic and Urban Radio charts, marking her arrival as one of the most compelling new voices in R&B. Upon release, it soared to No. 1 on Apple Music, making Mariah the first female soloist to reach that spot this year.

As her career ascends, Mariah’s influence keeps expanding. She was recently inducted into The Recording Academy’s 2025 New Membership Class, while Rihanna publicly praised her during a European press tour. Mariah’s summer continues with a Lollapalooza performance and a special fan-only show at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, followed by a keynote appearance at New York’s ENVSN Festival.

With Hearts Sold Separately, Mariah The Scientist continues to define modern R&B on her own terms — elegant, fearless, and deeply human.

YG and Leon Thomas Turn Up the Smooth Vibes With “Lovers or Friends” From ‘The Gentleman’s Club’ Out Now

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Multi-platinum rapper YG brings the heat with his latest single “Lovers or Friends” featuring Leon Thomas, now out everywhere via BMG. The track continues the rollout of his new album The Gentleman’s Club, blending West Coast groove with R&B smoothness and setting the stage for one of YG’s most polished projects yet.

Produced by longtime collaborator Ty Dolla $ign, “Lovers or Friends” rides a funk-infused, mid-tempo rhythm filled with bounce and warmth. Leon Thomas delivers a soulful hook, singing, “Are we lovers or are we friends? Please don’t make me have to ask again,” capturing the tension and vulnerability of a relationship caught in between. YG brings his signature mix of confidence and sincerity, rhyming his way through romantic uncertainty with honesty and swagger.

The official video for “Lovers or Friends” elevates the song’s aesthetic, continuing the Gentleman’s Club visual story. Shot entirely in black and white, the video opens with sharply dressed male dancers and a full live band, evoking classic style and subtle nods to Michael Jackson’s timeless performance energy. YG and Leon Thomas trade verses and melodies while surrounded by cinematic lighting and smooth choreography.

As the video reaches its close, YG drops off his date at home — only for her partner to appear at the door, leaving fans to wonder whether the song’s question ever got answered. The tension between charm and reality, affection and confusion, makes “Lovers or Friends” one of YG’s most compelling releases yet.

Following the success of singles “Hollywood” and “2004,” this latest track proves The Gentleman’s Club is shaping up to be a bold, refined chapter in YG’s catalog. The full album The Gentleman’s Club is out now via BMG.

Recoechi Unleashes Chicago Soul and Lyrical Fire on Debut Album ‘FLAVAZ’ Out Now

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Chicago’s rap scene gets a powerful new voice with FLAVAZ, the debut album from Recoechi, out now via Closed Sessions. The project lands as a full-bodied expression of the city’s sound — soulful, sharp, and rooted in storytelling — blending hip-hop’s grit with the introspection and warmth that define Chicago’s creative DNA.

Leading into the release, Recoechi dropped “Da Godly,” a final single that shows the full range of his artistry. The track features celestial backing vocals from Denzel Lavel and a smooth, reworked hook by JazStarr, paying homage to Erykah Badu’s “Other Side of the Game.” With production from Renzell and Hudah of Hypnotic Brass, “Da Godly” carries a spiritual energy, balancing raw lyricism with lush instrumentation.

FLAVAZ cements Recoechi’s arrival as a distinctive storyteller, delivering a sonic map of his world through deeply personal reflections and vivid character-driven narratives. The album pulls from a dream team of Chicago producers including Renzell (Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Mick Jenkins, Vic Mensa, Saba, Noname, theMIND, Femdot) and C-Sick, offering an immersive, hometown-rooted experience that feels both classic and new.

Throughout the album, Recoechi explores ambition, struggle, and triumph with lyrical precision, backed by features from some of Chicago’s finest, including JazStarr, femdot., Tree, and Mother Nature. FLAVAZ stands as a powerful introduction to an artist already carving his place among the city’s best.

Track Listing (FLAVAZ):

  1. FLAVAZ
  2. DA GODLY ft. JazStarr, Denzel Lavell
  3. CONCENTRATION USA ft. MOYANA
  4. AMERICAN PIE ft. Vai Shakoor, Tree
  5. PIE ft. MOYANA
  6. GOLDEN ft. JazStarr
  7. GIANT LEAPS ft. femdot.
  8. INTERRUPTION
  9. N*A MOMENTS**
  10. MICROPHONE DRIP ft. Mother Nature
  11. CAKE INTERLUDE ft. Tree
  12. CAKE
  13. TO BE LOVED ft. Galaxy Francis
  14. FEEL SOME TYPE OF WAY
  15. HEAR WITHCO EYES ft. MOYANA
  16. STARVING ARTIST

Zach John King and Bayker Blankenship Toast Small-Town Nights With “Life Behind Bars” Out Now

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Country risers Zach John King and Bayker Blankenship have teamed up for “Life Behind Bars,” a song that captures the late-night spirit of small-town friendship. Written by King, Jordan Reynolds, and Heath Warren, the track delivers an uplifting twist on the familiar phrase — celebrating the bonds formed long after last call.

“My mind went straight to my hometown,” King shares. “There was a spot called Wings and Things, and after every home football game, everyone would meet up there – just a bunch of us circled up in the parking lot, hanging out, telling stories, making memories. I remember exactly what that parking lot looked like and the kind of people who showed up. That’s what this song is about. Small-town life after the lights go out and the bar closes down.”

When King realized the song was meant to be a duet, he immediately called on friend and fellow country artist Bayker Blankenship. The two met earlier this year while performing at C2C Festival in Europe, forming a fast bond during their time on the road. “I met Bayker Blankenship earlier this year while we were both playing the C2C Festival in Europe,” King says. “We hit it off immediately and basically toured Europe together for two weeks. Bayker was the first person I thought of for ‘Life Behind Bars.’ His voice is unreal, and the song suits him so well.”

Blankenship recalls feeling an instant connection to the track. “When Zach approached me about this song, I was immediately drawn in,” he says. “It felt like being back with my closest friends after being away for too long. Meeting Zach over in Germany during the C2C tour was instant camaraderie. We got into the studio and really brought it to life.”

The duo also released a one-take music video for “Life Behind Bars,” filmed in the heart of a rowdy parking lot hangout with friends gathered around. The video captures the same warmth and energy that defines the song — the kind of community that lingers long after the last beer is poured and the lights go out.

X Ambassadors Reignite Their Breakout Hit With “Renegades (Rerecorded)” Ahead of ‘VHS(X)’ Anniversary Release

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Alt-rock group X Ambassadors mark a major milestone with the release of VHS(X), out now, featuring the new version of their breakout hit “Renegades (Rerecorded).” The project revisits their 2015 debut album VHS with renewed creativity and a clear sense of identity.

“Renegades” became a rallying song for those who live boldly and independently. Now, “Renegades (Rerecorded)” captures the same energy with a deeper sense of gratitude and reflection. The updated version highlights how far the band has come while keeping the original spirit intact.

Frontman Sam Nelson Harris says, “I didn’t think much of this song at first, I’ll be honest. After I sent it off to Alex the day I wrote it, I didn’t think about it at all. But over the years as I’ve witnessed how much it’s meant to so many people, and the doors it opened for me and the band, it’s grown on me. It’s come to represent something scrappy and authentic about who I am and who we are as a band. Unconventional, in a world of our own, and uniquely us.”

VHS(X) offers a thoughtful reflection on the band’s evolution and creative resilience. It celebrates where X Ambassadors began and the enduring message of their music: to stay true, take risks, and keep moving forward.

Bridges Ablaze Ignite a New Era With Heavier Sound on Upcoming Single “Break” Featuring Josh Calhoun

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Austin’s rising rock duo Bridges Ablaze are entering a bold new phase with their upcoming single “Break,” out now on all streaming platforms. Featuring vocalist Josh Calhoun from metalcore band Whether, I, the track marks a powerful shift in tone for the Texas outfit, signaling the start of a heavier, more atmospheric chapter in their sound.

“Break” captures the raw, internal pain of heartbreak from a deeply personal angle. “With a heavier chapter of Bridges Ablaze, ‘Break’ showcases a direction change,” the band shares. “It’s a modern ballad about the breaking of a relationship, showcasing the feelings from the inside of the situation. The song communicates the experience of pain, despair, and being broken by the situation, and shines a window into the protagonist’s heart.”

The release follows the success of their recent single and video “Frozen,” which has propelled Bridges Ablaze past 3 million streams across Apple Music and Spotify and 3 million views on YouTube. Building on that momentum, the duo plans to release a full EP exploring this new sonic territory — a sound they describe as floating somewhere between “gaze” and “thall,” where heaviness and atmosphere meet.

Formed in 2019 after a chance encounter at a Guitar Center in Austin, Bridges Ablaze was born from the creative connection between Brien Allen and Ruben Zamora. Allen, a self-taught guitarist pursuing Petroleum Sciences at the University of Texas, and Zamora, a former military hopeful from El Paso turned musician, found instant chemistry that set their musical path ablaze. Their synergy and drive have since made them one of Austin’s most promising acts, even earning recognition from the Austin American-Statesman on its “25 Austinites Leading the Pack in 2025” list.

Produced by Robby Joyner of Fire From The Gods, “Break” serves as both a creative evolution and emotional statement for Bridges Ablaze. With its fusion of cinematic heaviness and heartfelt lyricism, it’s a signal flare for what’s to come — a redefinition of what modern rock can sound like when passion meets precision.

PartyNextDoor Takes Fans on a Virtual Flight From Toronto to Miami in Fortnite Music Experience

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PartyNextDoor is blurring the line between concert and adventure. The R&B singer, songwriter, and producer invites fans into his world with an all-new immersive Fortnite music experience launching tomorrow at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. Developed in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Immersive Music Studios, and OVO Sound, this virtual jet-setting journey takes players from the CN Tower in Toronto to the beaches of Miami for a one-of-a-kind performance and afterparty.

Inside the Fortnite experience, players will board a private jet alongside PartyNextDoor’s larger-than-life avatar, traveling through his creative universe while completing interactive quests, scavenger hunts, parkour levels, and mini-games. The event culminates in a visually striking live show at a digital recreation of David Grutman’s legendary LIV at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, where PND performs cinematic versions of fan favorites like “Break from Toronto,” “M a k e I t T o T h e M o r n i n g,” and “Somebody Loves Me.”

“When the opportunity to create our own world came up, it was a natural fit,” PartyNextDoor says. “I’ve been a fan of Fortnite for years, and this was a chance to bring my music and vision directly into that universe.”

The launch follows a massive year for PartyNextDoor, who continues to dominate charts and streaming platforms. His latest album P4 has surpassed one billion streams, driven by standout singles “No Chill” and “Make It to the Morning.” Meanwhile, his recent collaborative project with Drake, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, topped both the Billboard 200 and Apple Music charts across all genres.

A pioneering artist and the first signee to Drake’s OVO Sound, PartyNextDoor’s songwriting credits include megahits like Rihanna’s “Work” and DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts.” Now, he’s expanding his creative reach once again — this time, into the metaverse.

Fans can play the PartyNextDoor Fortnite Experience starting tomorrow, exclusively within Fortnite’s custom island mode, and catch “Break from Toronto” as a new Jam Track available in the Fortnite Shop.

Little Big Bring Chaos to North America With ‘The Original Skibidi Tour’ and Wild New Single “COCO COPTER”

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Punk-pop-rave provocateurs Little Big are gearing up to unleash absolute madness across North America with their 17-date The Original Skibidi Tour. The run kicks off October 22 in New York City and wraps November 14 in San Diego, marking the group’s biggest U.S. and Canadian trek to date. Tickets are on sale now.

The LA-based collective, originally from Saint Petersburg, are fresh off the release of their latest chaotic anthem “COCO COPTER,” a delirious burst of absurdist energy that only Little Big could deliver. The new single comes with a hilariously unhinged music video that perfectly captures their anarchic, genre-defying spirit.

Frontman Ilya Prusikin calls it one of their wildest creations yet. “Little Big – The Original Kings of Italian Brainrot are back with their latest wild creation! If you thought Bombardino Crocodilo was over the top, and Ballerina Cappuccina felt too tame for your hardcore disco cravings, buckle up. Coco Copter spins through chaos, dodges Skibidi Toilet, and drops bangers like it’s second nature. It’s loud. It’s absurd. And yeah… It’s definitely going to get stuck in your head for way too long. You’ve been warned.”

Known for blending biting satire, club beats, and pure insanity, Little Big have carved out a global cult following with their viral hits, theatrical visuals, and unapologetically weird brand of pop art. The Original Skibidi Tour promises to bring their spectacle to life with high-octane performances, dazzling visuals, and plenty of dancefloor chaos.

Tour Dates – The Original Skibidi Tour:
10.22 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10.23 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues
10.24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
10.25 – Washington, DC @ The Howard Theatre
10.27 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
10.28 – Toronto, ON @ REBEL
10.30 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
10.31 – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre
11.1 – Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
11.4 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
11.5 – Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theatre
11.7 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11.8 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
11.9 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11.12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
11.13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether
11.14 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park