Page 20 – That Eric Alper

Malala Yousafzai Reintroduces Herself in New Bestselling Memoir ‘Finding My Way’

Music

Eric Alper

-

Dec 27, 2025

Malala Yousafzai Reintroduces Herself in New Bestselling Memoir ‘Finding My Way’

Nobel laureate and international icon Malala Yousafzai has captured the world’s attention once again with her latest memoir, ‘Finding My Way’, which has quickly become an instant ‘New York Times’ bestseller. Released on October 21, 2025, the book moves beyond the headlines of her well-documented bravery to offer a remarkably intimate and “insistently human” chronicle of her journey into adulthood. Far from the stoic figure often seen on global stages, Malala shares a vulnerable and surprisingly humorous look at her life as she navigated an unfamiliar world after the Taliban’s attack. This memoir traces her evolution from a self-described high school loner to a reckless college student, ultimately finding peace with her past and her identity.

‘Finding My Way’ strips away the mask of perfection to reveal the messy, authentic moments that define a young woman taking charge of her own destiny. Malala candidly reflects on universal experiences—from the anxiety of nearly failing exams and the sting of being ghosted to the joy of finding first love and meeting her partner. By sharing these deeply personal stories, she aims to redefine what it means to be a role model, emphasizing that strength comes from the freedom to be unapologetically yourself. Currently a top-rated title on both Amazon and Goodreads, the memoir serves as a powerful testament to the resilience required to stay true to one’s own voice when the entire world is trying to define it for you.

Olivia Rodrigo Captures Magic with ‘Live From Glastonbury’ Album

Music

Eric Alper

-

Dec 27, 2025

0

Olivia Rodrigo Captures Magic with ‘Live From Glastonbury’ Album

Olivia Rodrigo has officially released ‘Live From Glastonbury (A BBC Recording)’, a powerful live album capturing her definitive 2025 headlining set at the legendary UK festival. The project is available on vinyl in striking magenta and periwinkle variants, offering fans a physical piece of one of the year’s most talked-about performances. Highlighting the tracklist are special renditions of “Friday I’m in Love” and “Just Like Heaven,” featuring a historic guest appearance by The Cure’s Robert Smith. In a moving gesture of philanthropy, the artists’ net proceeds from these specific tracks will benefit Doctors Without Borders.

The release arrives as Rodrigo reflects on the massive success of the ‘Guts World Tour’, which saw her perform 100 sold-out shows across 21 countries and five continents. To commemorate the journey, a new ‘Guts World Tour Book’ is now available for pre-order, featuring over 100 pages of exclusive photography and a personal note from Olivia herself. The hardcover book provides an intimate look at her creative process and tour life, complete with trading cards, sticker sheets, and a fold-out poster. Beyond the stage, the tour’s impact was felt through Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, which distributed over two million dollars to non-profits supporting women’s reproductive rights and education globally.

Rodrigo’s meteoric rise continues to shatter records, with ‘Guts’ debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidifying her status as the youngest artist in history to debut three hits at the top of the Hot 100. The Glastonbury live album showcases her evolution from the ‘Sour’ era into a global rock powerhouse, featuring a setlist that seamlessly blends raw anthems like “All-American Bitch” with fan favorites like “Drivers License.” As she closes this chapter, ‘Live From Glastonbury’ stands as a testament to her incredible stage presence and her ability to bridge generations of music fans alongside legends like Robert Smith.

‘Live From Glastonbury’ Tracklist:

Obsessed
Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl
Vampire
Drivers License
Traitor
Bad Idea Right?
Love is Embarrassing
Pretty Isn’t Pretty
Happier
Enough for You
Friday I’m in Love (with Robert Smith)
Just Like Heaven (with Robert Smith)
So American
Jealousy, Jealousy
Favorite Crime
Deja Vu
Brutal
All-American Bitch
Good 4 U
Get Him Back

Watch Gordon Lightfoot Captured at His Peak on Soundstage 1979

Music

Eric Alper

-

Dec 27, 2025

0

Watch Gordon Lightfoot Captured at His Peak on Soundstage 1979

Relive a masterful performance from the definitive voice of Canadian folk with the complete 1979 broadcast of Gordon Lightfoot on Soundstage. Filmed at the height of his storytelling prowess, this legendary set features flawless renditions of his most enduring classics, including “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Sundown,” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” It is a rare, high-quality window into a golden era of songwriting, showcasing the effortless baritone and intricate guitar work that made Lightfoot a global icon.

Lord Huron Unveils Cinematic “Watch Me Go” Video

Music

Eric Alper

-

Dec 27, 2025

0

Lord Huron Unveils Cinematic “Watch Me Go” Video

Following a landmark year that saw the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1’, Lord Huron has returned with a stunning new music video for the track “Watch Me Go.” Directed by Jackie! Zhou, the visual narrative embraces the grand storytelling traditions of country music, further expanding the theatrical universe created by Los Angeles-based artist Ben Schneider. The release arrives on the heels of a massive television appearance on CBS Saturday and a completely sold-out anniversary tour for their seminal record ‘Strange Trails’.

5 Surprising Facts About Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank U, Next’

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank U, Next’

When Ariana Grande released Thank U, Next, she delivered one of the defining pop statements of the streaming era. The album captured her at a moment of full creative control, translating personal experiences into sharp, conversational pop songs that resonated instantly and globally. Its sound balanced trap-influenced beats, R&B intimacy, and unmistakable pop melody, placing Grande at the center of modern pop’s evolution.

The album reshaped expectations for how pop records could be written, released, and consumed. Recorded quickly and shared without a long traditional rollout, Thank U, Next reflected the pace of digital culture while deepening pop’s emotional range. Ariana Grande framed growth, self-reflection, and confidence as chart-ready ideas, setting a blueprint that influenced pop songwriting and production across the next generation.

1. The Album Came Together at Record Speed
Most of the album was written and recorded in about two weeks. Sessions followed the end of the Sweetener tour and focused on efficiency and emotional immediacy. Grande co-wrote every track and directed vocal arrangements closely.

2. Pop Streaming Records Fell Instantly
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It delivered the largest streaming week ever for a pop album at the time. Every track entered the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.

3. Two Singles Opened at Number One
“Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings” both debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s singles occupied the top three chart positions at once. Grande became the first solo artist to achieve this.

4. Trap-Pop Became a Pop Centerpiece
The album leaned into trap-influenced pop and R&B with minimal arrangements. Heavy 808s, sparse synths, and vocal layering drove the sound. This approach influenced pop production trends across the next several years.

5. Vulnerability Defined the Writing
Lyrics focused on self-growth, grief, and emotional clarity. Songs like “Needy,” “Ghostin,” and the title track framed reflection as empowerment. The album presented openness as pop strength.

5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Rising’

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Rising’

For longtime fans, The Rising feels like a moment when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band locked back in with purpose and heart. Hearing that familiar sound again after years apart carried weight on its own, and the songs arrived with a clarity that felt grounded, human, and deeply connected to real lives.

This album spoke in voices that fans recognized immediately. Ordinary people, quiet heroism, grief carried day by day, and the slow work of endurance all lived inside these songs. With the E Street Band fully present, The Rising sounded expansive and communal, the kind of record that invited listeners to stand together and keep moving forward. Here are 5 amazing facts you didn’t know about the album.

1. The E Street Band Reunion Defined the Album
The Rising marked the first full studio album with the E Street Band since Born in the U.S.A. in 1984. Their return shaped the album’s sense of scale and shared energy. The group recorded together with urgency and focus, capturing the sound of a band fully reconnected.

2. The Songs Came Directly From Lived Experience
Springsteen wrote much of the album after speaking with first responders and families affected by September 11. He attended funerals and listened closely to personal stories. Those conversations guided the album’s emotional center and narrative perspective.

3. The Title Track Was Built on a Single Image
“The Rising” drew inspiration from news accounts of firefighters climbing the World Trade Center stairs. The song pairs physical ascent with spiritual imagery. Gospel-style vocals and repetition give it the feeling of motion and lift.

4. Earlier Songs Found New Meaning
Some tracks predated September 11, including “My City of Ruins.” Originally written about Asbury Park, the song took on broader resonance. Its gospel structure and communal message aligned naturally with the album’s themes.

5. Commercial and Critical Impact Arrived Immediately
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and topped charts internationally. It won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and honors for the title track. Fans and critics embraced it as a defining chapter in Springsteen’s catalog.

5 Surprising Facts About Sturgill Simpson’s ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Sturgill Simpson’s ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’

Within the arc of modern country music, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music stands as a quiet but decisive turning point. Sturgill Simpson drew from classic country structures while reintroducing ideas that had long lived at the genre’s edges: philosophical curiosity, spiritual searching, and a willingness to question certainty. The result felt rooted in tradition yet unmistakably forward-looking, speaking fluently to country’s past while expanding its emotional and intellectual range.

The album arrived during a period when Americana and outlaw country were regaining cultural ground, and it helped solidify a new lane for artists interested in depth over polish. By pairing Dave Cobb’s organic production with songs that explored love, mortality, belief, and consciousness, Simpson reinforced the idea that country music could engage with complex ideas while remaining deeply human, melodic, and timeless. Here are 5 amazing facts you didn’t know about the classic album.

1. The Title Carries Two Meanings
The album title nods directly to Ray Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. It also references metamodernism, a cultural philosophy focused on oscillation, sincerity, and complexity.

2. Fans Heard It Early
Before release, the entire album streamed via MSN’s Listening Booth and NPR Music’s First Listen. That early access helped build word-of-mouth momentum ahead of launch.

3. Late Night Helped Spread the Word
Simpson promoted the album with performances on Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He also appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

4. One Song Traveled Everywhere
“Turtles All the Way Down” appeared in The Bridge, Yellowstone, Watchmen, Reservation Dogs, and the film Dog. The song carried the album’s philosophical themes across multiple screens.

5. A Synth-Pop Cover Found New Context
Simpson’s cover of When in Rome’s “The Promise” appeared in The Leftovers. The performance introduced the 1980s song to a new audience through a country lens.

5 Surprising Facts About Bad Bunny’s ‘YHLQMDLG’

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Bad Bunny’s ‘YHLQMDLG’

When YHLQMDLG landed, it arrived as a statement of cultural confidence and musical memory. Bad Bunny tapped directly into reggaeton’s roots, channeling the energy of early-2000s perreo while presenting it through a modern, global lens. The album connected generations, linking the genre’s club beginnings to its streaming-era dominance.

Its influence extended far beyond charts. YHLQMDLG reinforced Spanish-language music as a central force in global pop, shaping how reggaeton, Latin trap, and crossover Latin sounds moved in 2020. With massive streaming success, genre-spanning production, and unapologetic identity, the album set a new benchmark for how Latin artists could define trends on their own terms.

1. The Title Was Hidden in Plain Sight
The album title first appeared inside the music video for the lead single “Vete.” Fans spotted it before the album announcement, turning the acronym into an early clue for what was coming.

2. A Leap Day Release by Design
Bad Bunny announced the album just two days before release. It arrived on February 29, 2020, making Leap Day part of the album’s identity and rollout.

3. Old-School Reggaeton Was the Blueprint
The album drew heavily from early reggaeton styles. Tracks like “Safaera” leaned into beat switches and structures inspired by the genre’s 2000s era.

4. A Record-Setting Spanish Album
YHLQMDLG debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. At the time, it became the highest-charting all-Spanish album in the chart’s history.

5. Streaming Defined Its Global Reach
The album finished 2020 as Spotify’s most streamed album worldwide. It also became the best-selling Latin album in the United States that year and won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album.

5 Surprising Facts About Drake’s ‘Take Care’

Music

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Drake’s ‘Take Care’

When Take Care arrived, it marked a defining moment in 2010s hip hop and R&B. The album presented a slower, more introspective approach that centered mood, atmosphere, and emotional clarity, setting a new standard for how personal mainstream rap could sound.

Created through an extensive collaboration between Drake and producer Noah “40” Shebib, Take Care established a sonic blueprint built on minimalist production, submerged melodies, and a blend of singing and rapping. These elements became widely adopted across hip hop and R&B, influencing artists who embraced vulnerability, late-night textures, and reflective songwriting.

The album’s themes of fame, relationships, ambition, and self-examination resonated broadly with listeners. Its commercial success, critical acclaim, and lasting presence in conversations about the best albums of the 2010s reflect its enduring influence on modern music culture. Here are 5 things you might not have known about the album.

1. Built Around Time and Patience
Drake named the album Take Care to reflect a slower creative process. Recording began in 2010 and focused on cohesion rather than speed. Much of it was recorded in Toronto, grounding the album in a specific place and mood.

2. The Sound Came From a Tight Core Team
Noah “40” Shebib handled most of the production, shaping the album’s signature low-tempo and atmospheric style. Additional producers like Boi-1da, T-Minus, and Jamie xx added texture without disrupting the album’s unified feel.

3. A Major Early Platform for The Weeknd
The Weeknd contributed vocals and songwriting to multiple tracks. His involvement helped introduce his dark, minimalist R&B sound to a global audience, while Drake and 40 disputed claims about how much material was shared.

4. It Leaked and Still Dominated
Despite leaking online nine days early, the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It sold 631,000 copies in its first week and later earned Diamond certification from the RIAA.

5. No #1 Singles, Massive Legacy
None of the album’s singles reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even so, Take Care remains one of the strongest-performing albums of the 21st century and earned Drake his first Grammy for Best Rap Album.

5 Surprising Facts About Lady Gaga’s ‘The Fame Monster’

Eric Alper

-

Dec 26, 2025

0

5 Surprising Facts About Lady Gaga’s ‘The Fame Monster’

When The Fame Monster arrived, it did more than extend a blockbuster debut. It shifted the temperature of pop music. In a moment when glossy escapism ruled the charts, Lady Gaga leaned into something darker, theatrical, and emotionally charged, proving that mainstream pop could still be strange, challenging, and deeply conceptual without losing its mass appeal.

The project sharpened Gaga’s influence across music, fashion, and visual culture. Its industrial edges, Gothic moods, and club-ready hooks reshaped the sound of late-2000s electropop, while its monster metaphors offered a new language for exploring fame, fear, and identity. This was pop that invited listeners onto the runway, into the club, and behind the curtain all at once.

More than a reissue, The Fame Monster became a cultural hinge point. It elevated Gaga from hitmaker to architect of a fully realized pop universe, set a new standard for ambitious pop rollouts, and inspired a generation of artists to think bigger, darker, and more cinematically. Years later, its influence still pulses through modern pop, dance, and electronic music. Here are 5 amazing facts about the album.

1. It Almost Wasn’t Its Own Thing
The Fame Monster started as a deluxe reissue of The Fame, but Lady Gaga pushed back hard. She felt re-releases were often overpriced and creatively lazy. Instead, she argued the new songs were conceptually different, calling the two projects yin and yang.

2. Eight Songs, One Dark Idea
Unlike The Fame, this project explored the darker side of celebrity using “monster” metaphors. Fear of love, sex, alcohol, and fame itself all became characters. Gaga said touring exposed her to real-life “monsters” that shaped the songs.

3. Fashion Shows Shaped the Sound
The album wasn’t just inspired by clubs and charts. Runways and fashion shows played a major role in its identity. Gaga described it as pop built from industrial and Gothic beats, 90s dance melodies, and 80s melancholic pop obsessions.

4. The Cover Art Caused a Fight
Both album covers were shot by Hedi Slimane, but the darker brunette image was initially rejected. The label felt it was too Gothic for mainstream audiences. Gaga convinced them by tying it to the album’s yin and yang concept.

5. A Monster of a Tour Followed
The Monster Ball Tour supported the album from 2009 to 2011. It became the highest-grossing tour ever by a debut headlining artist. Not bad for a project that almost stayed stuck as a bonus disc.