Invada Films recently launched its first cinematic venture with the thriller ‘GAME’ which arrived in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this past November. Co-founded by Portishead legend and film composer Geoff Barrow, the production house brings a gritty 1993 British rave scene backdrop to life on the big screen. The project stars Sleaford Mods frontman Jason Williamson alongside Marc Bessant in their first leading roles as they navigate a high-stakes survival story. Directed by John Minton in his feature debut, the film was shot entirely in and around the Bristol area to maintain a sense of authentic local atmosphere.
The premiere took place at the opening night of the Mayhem Film Festival in Nottingham with the core creative team in attendance for special Q&A screenings. This project marks a significant career shift for Barrow who co-wrote and produced the film alongside a close-knit group of longtime collaborators. Early festival previews highlighted the gripping performances and the unique tension of the screenplay written by Rob Williams. With ‘GAME’ now in wide release, the Bristol-based team is already looking ahead to future developments in their growing film catalog. Fans of the Invada Records aesthetic will find plenty to love in this cinematic expansion of their creative universe.
Malvika delivers a late-night rush of pop and R&B with her recent single “Spiraling” which showcases her unique ability to blend traditional Indian mridangam with modern trap pulses. Produced by Abhishek Singh under his Lionoath moniker, the track features airy harmonies and floating synths that glide effortlessly over warm analog chords and heavy 808 percussion. This cinematic record was co-written with Julia Ross and Ash Minor to capture the breathless chaos of ambition and self-reinvention through a futuristic yet organic lens. Known to millions as a prominent fashion voice and trained Bharata Natyam dancer, she continues to bridge the gap between her cross-cultural aesthetic and contemporary soundscapes. The song serves as a sleek highlight in her creative universe and reflects the deep influence of her late grandmother’s artistic legacy.
Visionary artist and producer Labrinth recently marked his return to the spotlight with the arrival of ‘Prelude’ through Columbia Records. This eight-track collection serves as a powerful introduction to a massive new sonic universe that he is currently preparing to unveil. The project features the standout focus track “Pull Me In” which anchors the emotional experience with raw, gospel-tinged vocals and hypnotic production. Every song on this EP showcases his unique gift for bridging immersive sound design with deeply personal storytelling to create a universally resonant sound.
The momentum continues to build as he prepares for a highly anticipated return to the stage at Coachella 2026. Performing at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, he will bring the high-octane energy of this new era to one of the biggest festivals in the world. This upcoming live chapter follows a prolific career of chart-topping hits and creative direction. His ability to remain unapologetically unguarded ensures that his latest work feels both inquisitive and celebratory for a global audience of dedicated listeners.
Beloved folk-pop artist Rachael Sage and her longtime band The Sequins are currently celebrating the soulful vibes of their latest single “Belong To You” from the recent full-length studio project ‘Canopy’. This track serves as a heartfelt tribute to the loyalty of friendship by merging pop, gospel, and Americana into a uniquely meaningful celebration of love. The arrangement features the rich textures of a Hammond organ and harmonica alongside the grounded cello work of Dave Eggar to create a truly universal listening experience. Sage highlights how the collective vocal contributions from the band members add a deep layer of emotional resonance to this specific recording.
The fourteen-song collection arrived earlier this autumn via MPress Records and marks a significant milestone as the debut studio album for the full band lineup. Produced by Sage alongside Mikhail Pivovarov and mixed by Andy Zulla, the record tackles big themes like radical inclusivity and self-acceptance during a time of cultural upheaval. Listeners can now explore the piano-pop confession “The Best Version” and the joyful energy of “Live It Up” which showcase her talent for finding light in dark places. This album follows her previous success on the Billboard charts and reinforces her reputation as a prolific songwriter who consistently delivers music with a compassionate and hopeful vision.
Miley Cyrus expands her critically acclaimed era today with the arrival of ‘Something Beautiful Deluxe’ featuring two massive new collaborations. The lead single “Secrets” brings together rock icons Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood for a deeply personal track inspired by family transparency. This release also includes a sprawling thirteen-minute experimental piece titled “Lockdown” alongside legendary artist David Byrne.
Judd Apatow captures the incredible life-long friendship between comedy giants Bob Newhart and Don Rickles in the short film ‘Bob and Don: A Love Story’. This documentary for The New Yorker highlights how these two total opposites maintained a legendary bond throughout their storied careers. Their connection proves that the greatest comedy often flourishes within the deepest and most enduring personal loyalties.
Alex Rabinowitz of Pop Culture Brain highlights a fascinating moment from 1939 where ‘The Wizard of Oz’ essentially debuted the first documented graphic t-shirt. During a quick ten second sequence, workers wear these printed shirts while putting the scarecrow back together following a flying monkey encounter. This cinematic masterpiece basically pioneered a staple of modern fashion that remains a global wardrobe essential today.
Canadian electro-pop heavyweight Lights is set to deliver a supercharged deluxe treatment of her latest studio effort with the arrival of ‘A6EXTENDED’, due January 30, 2026. This expanded edition features eight brand-new tracks that delve deeper into the raw, synth-driven world of ‘A6’, a project entirely written and produced by the JUNO Award winner herself. The announcement is heralded by the lead single “EDUCATION,” a shimmering, mildly dramatic take on the personal growth found within the “messy middle” of love. Building on the momentum of her sold-out (A)LIVE AGAIN tour and her recent ‘dEd’ and ‘PEP’ eras, this new chapter showcases the artist’s most deeply personal storytelling to date, pulled directly from the pages of her own A6-sized journals.
The release follows a historic milestone for the multi-hyphenate artist, who was recently honored as the first-ever recipient of the Billboard Canada “Visionary Award” during the Women in Music gala at Rebel in Toronto. Presented by longtime friend deadmau5 and rock legend Bryan Adams—who recently collaborated with Lights on the ‘A Great Big Holiday Jam’ project—the award celebrates her nearly 20-year career of boundary-breaking creativity. From her early synth-pop roots to her genre-spanning work with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and Travis Barker, Lights continues to redefine the modern artist’s path. Her upcoming international tour will bring the high-octane energy of ‘A6EXTENDED’ to major rooms across North America, including a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Detroit’s St. Andrew’s Hall.
Across the 21-track collection, Lights balances the “bliss of sensuality” with the grit of real-life lessons, maintaining her signature blend of indie-pop earworms and atmospheric production. Tracks like “LEARNING TO LET GO” and “FINAL ROUND” highlight the technical evolution of her sound, while fan favorites like “CLINGY” and “ALIVE AGAIN” anchor the project’s emotional core. Whether she is exploring the “recklessness of love” or the quiet contemplation of grief, ‘A6EXTENDED’ stands as a definitive testament to her longevity and her refusal to rely on nostalgia. With her sixth studio album reaching over a hundred million streams, this deluxe expansion ensures that the world of ‘A6’ remains in heavy rotation well into the new year.
For the first time in thirty years, the definitive acoustic performance from The Cranberries is available as a standalone release. Recorded on Valentine’s Day 1995 and now out via Island Records/UMe, ‘MTV Unplugged’ captures the Irish quartet at the peak of their global ascent following the success of ‘No Need to Argue’. The nine-song set features stripped-down, string-laden reinterpretations of massive hits like “Zombie” and “Linger,” as well as “Yesterday’s Gone,” a rare gem written the day before the taping that has never been released in a studio format. Previously only available as a bonus in the sold-out 30th-anniversary 3LP box set of ‘No Need to Argue’, this collection finally honors the haunting mezzo-soprano of the late Dolores O’Riordan in a dedicated format. Fans can choose from standard black vinyl, CD, and a limited-edition alabaster white vinyl featuring an alternate cover available exclusively through Complex.
Two generations of blues-rock royalty collided when legendary multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood joined the Tedeschi Trucks Band for a powerhouse performance at Bridgeport’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. During the first of a two-night stand on their “Live In ’25” tour, Winwood—who had just completed a masterful opening set of his own—returned to the stage mid-way through TTB’s performance to lend his iconic vocals and guitar work to a medley of Sly & the Family Stone classics. The 13-piece ensemble tore through a “fiery instrumental interchange” on “Sing a Simple Song” before transitioning into an “incendiary” rendition of “I Want to Take You Higher.” The collaboration served as a poignant tribute to the late Sly Stone, with Susan Tedeschi and Winwood trading soulful verses over the band’s double-drum attack and Derek Trucks’ stinging slide guitar work. The night also featured a notable appearance by Nashville trumpeter Emmanuel Echem, who stepped in for longtime member Ephraim Owens, adding a fresh brass edge to the band’s already massive wall of sound.
