The holiday season welcomes a hilarious dose of nostalgia as comedic powerhouses Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly step into the shoes of music icons for a legendary parody. Channeling the surreal 1977 encounter between David Bowie and Bing Crosby, the duo delivers a shot-for-shot recreation of the famous “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” duet. Directed by Matt Villines and Oz Rodriguez for Funny Or Die, the video perfectly captures the staged dialogue and awkward charm of the original television special. Seeing Ferrell’s focused intensity as Bowie paired with Reilly’s uncanny take on Crosby provides a fantastic tribute to one of the most unexpected collaborations in broadcast history.
Gryffin and Mathame Transform “Higher Power” Into a Late-Night Club Anthem
Dance music powerhouse Gryffin has teamed up with rising producer Lavern and electro-pop duo AR/CO to unleash a cinematic new remix of “Higher Power” by the Italian duo Mathame. This fresh version elevates the original anthemic energy into uncharted territory by layering atmospheric melodies over driving underground rhythms and pulsating percussion. By chopping the ethereal vocals of AR/CO and introducing deep droning synths, the rework offers a sophisticated perspective designed specifically for the late-night club experience. This release follows a prolific season for Gryffin who has recently collaborated with electronic titans like Kaskade and Excision while continuing to champion a wide spectrum of sounds through high-profile official remixes.
DOWNGIRL Returns with Ferocious New Single “CPR”
The powerful femme-punk outfit DOWNGIRL has returned with a ferocious new single titled “CPR” alongside a striking music video that transforms real-life fear into a defiant statement of community. This blistering anthem features snarling guitars and the razor-edged delivery of vocalist Alex Neville while drawing directly from a volatile night where the band members found themselves barricaded for safety. By channeling the visceral panic of being a target in a dangerous environment, the track serves as a cathartic eruption and a sharp call for men to address the aggressive behaviors they allow.
The accompanying music video directed by Tim Kent elevates this message by reclaiming space through a lens of queer joy and solidarity with the help of Dykes on Bikes. This vibrant visual representation shifts the narrative from one of vulnerability to one of pride and protective strength within the local punk scene.
Every explosive drum beat and gritty guitar line in “CPR” reinforces the band’s commitment to pushing modern punk into uncharted and meaningful territory. This release highlights the unspoken understanding of instinctive awareness while providing a sense of power and survival for everyone who has ever felt at the mercy of their surroundings. It is a brilliant example of how authentic lived experiences can be forged into a world that is cinematic and unapologetically inventive.
FiiO Snowsky Retro Nano Packs Serious Audio Tech Into a Cassette Inspired Design
The portable audio world just received a major dose of nostalgia with the launch of the FiiO Snowsky Retro Nano. This eye-catching Bluetooth DAC and headphone amplifier blends a vintage cassette player aesthetic with high-end modern internals like dual CS43131 DAC chips and a Qualcomm QCC5125 chipset. Despite its playful appearance and lightweight plastic build, the device supports premium codecs including LDAC and aptX Adaptive to ensure a high-resolution listening experience. The design features a colorful display with a dynamic UI that simulates a spinning tape, successfully capturing the charm of the nineties while delivering clean and transparent sound quality.
Versatility is the focus of this compact powerhouse as it offers both a 3.5mm single-ended jack and a 4.4mm balanced output to drive a wide variety of headphones. One of the most unique features is the user-replaceable 10440 lithium battery which allows music lovers to swap power cells on the go rather than waiting for a recharge. The Retro Nano also functions as a wired USB DAC for computers and smartphones, providing a significant audio upgrade in a pocket-friendly form factor. With a stable Bluetooth 5.1 connection and eight specially tuned sound presets, this device manages to bridge the gap between serious audiophile performance and pure retro fun.
How The Average White Band Flipped the Funk World on Its Head
The legendary Scottish group Average White Band successfully flipped the funk world on its head when they crashed the American soul charts during the 1970s. Despite not looking the part, these musicians produced some of the most surprisingly soulful and heavily sampled tracks in the history of R&B including “Pick Up the Pieces” and “Cut the Cake”. Their undeniable groove even turned heads in America and famously rubbed the James Brown crew the wrong way as they dominated the disco and soul scenes.
Ashley Cooke Spotlights Heartfelt Stories in New “It’s Been a Year” Video
Country powerhouse Ashley Cooke has unveiled a deeply moving video for her hit song “It’s Been a Year” that captures the raw spirit of life in Nashville. By placing a microphone on Broadway and asking strangers to share what they overcame this year, the artist created a space for authentic emotion and pride to shine through. The resulting footage serves as a beautiful acknowledgement of the challenges and triumphs that help people grow, turning the song into a communal experience.
Originally released as a surprise drop to close out a breakthrough season, “It’s Been a Year” quickly became a standout track on the massive twenty-four song debut album ‘Shot in the Dark’. The lyrics perfectly resonate with anyone working toward a goal while navigating major life milestones like growing older or celebrating new arrivals. It carries a profound personal connection for the songwriter because her own grandmother was declared in remission from breast cancer on the very day the track originally debuted.
Since its introduction, the track has evolved into a staple for year-in-review social media content by summing up the confusing and fun nature of living. The video emphasizes the power of honest storytelling and highlights why so many listeners find comfort in the vulnerability of her debut record. Seeing these real stories paired with the hit song provides an uplifting perspective on the resilience of the human spirit as the year comes to a close.
Evie Williams Captures Early Adulthood Tension in “Heather Court”
Pop artist Evie Williams has released her evocative new single “Heather Court,” a hazy blend of indie folk and psychedelic textures that marks her most introspective work to date. Named after an old apartment block that symbolized a romanticized future, the track explores themes of self-sabotage and the gap between one’s imagined life and a reality of “mattresses on the floor.” Driven by warm, overdriven guitars and a lazy drum swing, the song showcases Williams’ signature feather-light vocals and features a hypnotic spoken-word bridge that dissolves into rich, stacked harmonies. Following a successful run as a QUBE Effect finalist and a sold-out debut full-band show, Williams steps into a moodier sonic palette with this release, delivering a sun-bleached, melancholic anthem for anyone navigating the bittersweet feeling of wasted potential.
Marshmello Delivers High-Energy Recap with Apple Music’s 2025 Megamix
Global hitmaker Marshmello has been tapped to curate Apple Music’s fourth annual year-end Megamix, putting a high-octane spin on the biggest tracks of 2025. Available exclusively on the platform, the mix features chart-dominating artists such as Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, Blackpink, Doechii, Lorde, Bad Bunny, and Addison Rae, all reimagined in immersive Spatial Audio. This year’s edition continues a prestigious holiday tradition that has previously seen the likes of Diplo and DJ Khaled at the helm, spanning genres from global pop to hip-hop. By blending his signature electronic production with the year’s most influential sounds, Marshmello offers fans a definitive, club-ready snapshot of the musical landscape over the past twelve months. Check it out here.
Brett Young Covers Justin Bieber with Signature Swagger on “Yukon”
Brett Young is closing out the year with a surprise for his following by officially releasing a warm and stripped-back cover of the Justin Bieber hit “Yukon” via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. This new version puts a distinct country-leaning swagger on one of the most celebrated songs of 2025 and highlights the diamond-selling artist’s natural ability to connect as a soulful storyteller. By leaning into the intimate vocal style that has become his trademark, Young manages to offer a fresh perspective on the track while maintaining the emotional core that made the original a chart-topping favorite. This festive release serves as the perfect bridge between his highly successful world tour and the massive headline trek scheduled to begin early next year.
2.0 Tour 2026:
- Jan 22 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
- Jan 23 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
- Jan 24 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center
- Jan 29 – Troy, OH – Hobart Arena
- Jan 30 – Joliet, IL – Rialto Square Theatre
- Jan 31 – Wabash, IN – Honeywell Center
- Feb 05 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
- Feb 06 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
- Feb 07 – Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
- Feb 12 – Bowling Green, KY – SkyPAC
- Feb 13 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
- Feb 14 – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall
- Feb 20 – Duluth, MN – DECC Symphony Hall
- Feb 21 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
- Feb 22 – Nixa, MO – Aetos Center for the Performing Arts
- Feb 26 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
- Feb 27 – Albany, NY – The Palace Theatre
- Feb 28 – Bensalem, PA – Parx Casino Xcite Center
Freddie Mercury Revisits “Living On My Own” for ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ Anniversary
Freddie Mercury Revisits “Living On My Own” for ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ Anniversary
Freddie Mercury, Queen, David Wigg, Munich, Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae,
The archival vaults have opened once more for the final chapter of a video series celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s debut solo album ‘Mr. Bad Guy’. This concluding episode takes listeners back to a candid 1985 interview in Munich where the frontman sat down with journalist David Wigg to discuss the personal nature of his songwriting. While the special edition vinyl reissue hit shelves on December 5, this footage provides an intimate look at the experiences of love and loneliness that fueled tracks like “Living On My Own”. Mercury remains in peak form throughout the clip, balancing his trademark wit with rare moments of vulnerability regarding the isolation of his international lifestyle.
During the conversation, the singer reflects on the rhythmic sexuality of “Foolin’ Around” and the self-aware warning within “My Love Is Dangerous”. He famously describes himself as a romantic at heart while acknowledging that he might not be the easiest partner for anyone to keep up with. These revelations offer a fascinating counterpoint to the flamboyant image portrayed in the “Living On My Own” music video which was famously filmed at his thirty-ninth birthday celebration. Mercury explains that while his life often resembles a gypsy style of travel between global hotels, he still manages to find his own version of a boogie time amidst the solitude.
The new special edition reissue of ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ features a fresh mix from Queen’s longtime sound team of Justin Shirley-Smith and Joshua J Macrae. Available on translucent green vinyl and as a picture disc LP, the record serves as a testament to Mercury’s desire to explore musical territory outside of his primary band. From the operatic heights of “Made In Heaven” to the dancefloor energy of “I Was Born To Love You”, the album captures a spectrum of moods that Mercury felt were a natural reflection of his life in the mid-eighties. The series concludes with a mischievous exchange about the album’s chocolate box cover art where the icon jokes about his dark blue shades and butch aesthetic.
This retrospective celebration honors a record that earned gold status and delivered a number one hit while Mercury was operating at the peak of his powers. By revisiting the Munich sessions and the honest words shared with a trusted friend like Wigg, the project highlights the enduring legacy of an artist who always preferred to keep things interesting. Whether discussing the sexual vibe of a rhythm or the reality of his clipped wings, Mercury continues to fascinate audiences four decades after these songs first hit the airwaves. It is a fitting tribute to a performer who put his entire soul into his first solo outing away from the Queen machine.