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Myke Towers Powers Taco Bell Campaign With “SUNBLOCK”

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

Myke Towers Powers Taco Bell Campaign With “SUNBLOCK”

Latin music superstar Myke Towers joins forces with Taco Bell for the brand’s latest ‘Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas’ campaign, launching today across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. His song “SUNBLOCK” drives the new national spot, blending global reggaeton energy with Taco Bell’s ongoing celebration of food and music culture.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Myke Towers has become one of the most influential voices in Latin music. A two-time Latin Grammy nominated artist, he has scored chart-topping hits including “Soleao,” “LALA,” “Degenere,” and “La Falda,” while ranking among the most streamed Latin artists worldwide. In 2025, he earned his sixteenth No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart and received the Agente de Cambio Award at Premios Juventud for his philanthropic work.

The campaign draws inspiration from a formative 2015 moment in Miami, when Towers, with just $10 in his pocket, walked to Taco Bell and was recognized by a fan for the first time. “It was part of a process. God puts you through things to see how you react. That day was my first sign, even if I couldn’t recognize it yet,” Towers shared. The story anchors the brand’s Taco Martes initiative across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain.

“Myke is an artist who inspires people to move, emotionally, creatively, culturally,” said Karla Patino, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell LA&C. “His journey mirrors the spirit of Live Más: bold, expressive, and authentically connected to the communities we serve.” The partnership connects a global artist with a global brand in a campaign fueled by ambition and cultural pride.

How Convenience Redefined What ‘Good Service’ Means Online

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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By Mitch Rice

What if “good service” online isn’t really about service at all, but about effort? Not friendliness. Not scripted empathy. Effort. Somewhere along the way, we stopped praising brands for being helpful and started rewarding them for being invisible. The companies that win are the ones that remove the friction before we even notice it.

That is why so many people gravitate toward experiences that feel almost too easy, like playing at a platform like a kasyno wypłata bez weryfikacji, where the goal is simple: Let the user do what they came to do, without turning it into a paperwork ritual. Not because of recklessness, but because nobody wakes up excited to be “verified” for the fifth time this month.

Speed Became a Service in Itself

Online, speed is not a feature you admire. It is a standard you punish. That shift is absolutely everywhere: Good service used to mean a fast reply after something went wrong. Now it means nothing goes wrong slowly in the first place.

Just look at how standards hardened across the following categories:

In shopping, the new gold standard is not simply “Delivered.” It is “Delivered fast” or “Delivered the same day.”
In entertainment, it is “Press play, and it starts,” not “Buffer and hope.”
In fintech, it is “Money moves now,” not “During business days.”
In productivity tools, it is “Sign up and get started,” not “Schedule a demo and wait for Tuesday.”

McKinsey has pointed out that customers increasingly evaluate companies based on the quality of digital experiences and that having more robust digital offerings correlates with higher satisfaction. Or, put simply, the speed and smoothness of the digital path has become the service itself.

Kuba Nowakowski, gambling expert at KasynaOnlinePolskie, puts it sharply, stating that “If you offer a slow platform, users no longer consider it busy but rather outdated.” This proves that speed is no longer nice to have — it is a credibility test, because no speed equals no customers.

Fewer Steps Are the New Standard

Convenience did something sneaky to “good service.” It changed it from an attitude to a demanded architecture, especially when doing things on the web.

And since our attention span has significantly dropped over the past century, from 2.5 minutes to less than 40 seconds, UX is no longer considered to be the polish of a functioning website. It is the statement we expect to say, “We are not going to make you work for what you already came here to do.”

This is why checking a website as a guest is a win-win situation. This is why logging in without typing passwords continuously is spreading. This is why identity fields and address fields have disappeared and have been replaced with “autofill” or “place your finger” in the biometric data field. Because when we are browsing nowadays, even the smallest reductions can matter.

Removing one screen, one form to fill, or the “verify your email” button can be the difference between a new user and no user. This, according to expert Nowakowski, is a psychological contract between the potential user and the website.

“Every unnecessary step feels like the platform shifting the burden onto the customer. People do not call it bad service anymore, but it becomes a not-worthy service instantly. Completely scratched off, never intended to be tried or used again.” And that’s totally worse, because it kills conversion and potential business expansion.

Self-Service as the New Customer Support

We are not saying customers don’t need support or don’t value a handy voice guiding them through a process. The journey has changed here, too.

Let’s consider a subscription platform and check a “good service” through this looking glass:

You can easily change a plan without calling or contacting anyone.
You can pause a subscription instead of canceling.
You can update a delivery address or delivery window before the package ships.
You can correct a mistake without being treated like you are confessing a crime.

This is why today’s online companies invest in “account settings” like they used to invest in call centers. Self-service is not a deflection tactic when it is designed around outcomes. It becomes a real service because it removes the need for a conversation that should never have been necessary.

And if it is not enough, there is always a chatbot or contact email address included, but it is the final resort, usually. “But a chatbot that cannot actually solve the issue in the first place is not considered automation but a speed bump with a smile,” Kuba Nowakowski from KasynaOnlinePolskie.com remarks with wit.

And this matters in almost any field. It applies to banks that force phone calls for basic changes, to airlines that make credits hard to apply for, and to SaaS tools that hide billing behind tickets.

Convenience raised the bar: If the user cannot resolve it in-product, the product feels unfinished, incomplete, and unpolished. And that brings up a lot of “ifs” in the saturated online market, right?

Control Became the New “Nice”

Convenience also redefined service by shifting power. Users began expecting control, not permission. The internet used to have dark cancellation flows, confusing billing pages, and returns that were designed like obstacle courses.

A company could get away with that because switching was harder, and alternatives were less polished. Now, the market is saturated, and habits are brutal. If people can join in seconds, they expect to leave in seconds too. That does not mean they want to leave, per se. It means they want to feel they could, and that the company is not trapping them.

Kantar’s Entertainment on Demand data shows streaming reached 96% of U.S. households in the second quarter of 2025, and the average number of paid services dropped slightly from 4.2 to 4.1 per household, a small but telling sign of subscription trimming. When people are constantly pruning subscriptions, a good service becomes the set of reasons they do not bother canceling.

Control shows up as transparency, not friendliness, through things like:

Clean renewal dates
Obvious receipts
Easy downgrade paths
No mystery fees
No hidden menus

When a platform makes the rules legible, customers interpret it as competence and fairness.

Personalization as a Service

Convenience evolved again when platforms began reducing not only steps but also thinking.

Personalization, at its best, is cognitive convenience. It helps you decide faster. It remembers what you like. It makes the next step obvious without making you feel observed. You see it in:

Media platforms that continue exactly where you left off
Retail, as your size is remembered
Navigation tools that learn your commute patterns
Productivity apps that suggest the next action based on what you usually do

“There’s a thin line between personalization and stalking,” Nowakowski points out. “The convenience of personalization comes with a trust requirement. If users don’t understand why they are seeing something, they assume the worst. Explain recommendations, give controls, and it will feel like a service instead of spying.”

Takeaway

Once we got used to these kinds of ease, we became a bit “sluggish” online. We started expecting convenience in different forms, whether it’s a banking app, a subscription service, or an online flower delivery. And that’s okay, just as long as you feel comfortable and not overwhelmed, overcontrolled, or a bit stalked, right?

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

British Alt.Metal Quartet NIGHT THIEVES Ignite With “Mycelia” Ahead Of ‘Metaxis’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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British Alt.Metal Quartet NIGHT THIEVES Ignite With “Mycelia” Ahead Of ‘Metaxis’

Firing out of the nation’s capital, British alt metal quartet NIGHT THIEVES return with “Mycelia,” a thunderous new single taken from their debut album ‘Metaxis,’ landing Friday 20 March. Packed with pounding riffs and sky-high choruses, the track captures the band’s arena-sized ambition and razor-sharp songwriting. The video is out now, amplifying the intensity with striking visuals to match.

NIGHT THIEVES have carved a reputation for a high-octane blend of alt metal muscle and emotionally charged melodies. Tastemakers including Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, BBC Radio One and Planet Rock have spotlighted the band, while live dates alongside Marisa and the Moths and Chuggaboom have cemented their standing as one of the UK’s most compelling new heavy acts.

The forthcoming album ‘Metaxis’ builds on the momentum of their 2024 ‘Polarity’ EP. Produced by Grammy-nominated Romesh Dodangoda, known for work with Bring Me The Horizon, Nova Twins and Funeral For A Friend, the record expands the band’s sonic scope with towering hooks and finely tuned production. It is a bold and expansive statement that hits with force and precision.

With “Mycelia” setting the tone and ‘Metaxis’ on the horizon, NIGHT THIEVES charge into 2026 with undeniable energy. The early response speaks volumes, this is a band stepping confidently onto a much bigger stage.

Duran Duran Reissue 1993’s ‘Duran Duran’ And 1995’s Thank You On 2LP Vinyl

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Duran Duran Reissue 1993’s ‘Duran Duran’ And 1995’s Thank You On 2LP Vinyl

British new wave trailblazers Duran Duran revisit a defining chapter of their 1990s catalogue with vinyl reissues of ‘The Wedding Album’ and Thank You. Both albums return as expanded 2LP black vinyl editions, marking their first pressings on vinyl since their original release runs. The reissues also arrive on CD, presented without bonus material.

Originally released in 1993, ‘The Wedding Album’ restored the band’s global chart presence with “Ordinary World” and “Come Undone.” The album reached No. 4 in the UK and No. 7 in the US, reaffirming Duran Duran’s international stature. Its unofficial title stems from the cover art featuring the wedding photos of the band members’ parents, an image that quickly became iconic.

Two years later, Thank You delivered an ambitious collection of covers, including interpretations of songs by Lou Reed, Melle Mel, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Iggy Pop. UK Top 30 singles “Perfect Day” and “White Lines” continue to hold a firm place in the band’s legacy, with “White Lines” remaining a live favourite.

The new 2LP format gives both albums room to breathe, expanding their original single-LP configurations. ‘The Wedding Album’ comes housed in a newly embossed sleeve with a 12-inch art card, while Thank You is presented in a gatefold sleeve with a poster. These editions spotlight an era that reshaped the band’s trajectory and reaffirmed their lasting cultural presence.

‘The Wedding Album’ Duran Duran / CD and 2LP vinyl:

Too Much Information
Ordinary World
Love Voodoo
Drowning Man
Shotgun
Come Undone
Breath After Breath
U.M.F.
Femme Fatale
None of the Above
Shelter
To Whom It May Concern
Sin of the City

Thank You Duran Duran / CD and 2LP vinyl:

White Lines
I Wanna Take You Higher
Perfect Day
Watching the Detectives
Lay Lady Lay
911 Is a Joke
Success
Crystal Ship
Ball of Confusion
Thank You
Drive By
I Wanna Take You Higher Again

Winnipeg Folk Festival Opens Young Performers Program For Rising Artists

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Winnipeg Folk Festival Opens Young Performers Program For Rising Artists

The Winnipeg Folk Festival is proud to announce applications are now open for the 25th edition of the Young Performers Program (YPP), which runs from July 8-10, 2026. Celebrating 25 years of supporting young artists, the program invites musicians aged 14–24 from across Canada, and beyond, to take the next step in their artistic journey by performing on a Winnipeg Folk Festival stage.

The program, supported by the National Arts Centre, offers the selected musicians to spend two days participating in workshops and mentorship sessions led by artists from the Winnipeg Folk Festival lineup and respected music industry professionals. On the last day, the Friday of the festival, participants perform on the Shady Grove stage in front of a festival audience, an opportunity to share their music in a supportive environment.

“As a performer who participated in the program several times in my youth, I can confidently say that it had a profoundly positive impact on who I am as a musician today,” said Micah Erenburg (The Secret Beach). “The opportunity to connect with mentors and fellow musicians in my age group, both locally and from abroad, was a uniquely special and invaluable experience. I cannot say enough about how much the program has contributed to my growth, as well as to the development of so many of my contemporaries in the Canadian music scene.”

Since its launch in 2000, the Young Performers Program has welcomed countless talented musicians. Many alumni have gone on to build successful careers and some have even performed on Winnipeg Folk Festival stages, including Micah Erenburg (The Secret Beach), Faouzia Ouiya (Faouzia), Liam Duncan (Boy Golden), Dylan McDonald (Field Guide), Roman Clarke, Grant Davidson (Slow Leaves), Brandy Zdan, Olivia Lunny, Cara Luft, Daniel Champagne, Ariel Posen, Allison DeGroot, Richard Inman, and Amber Nielson, Jess Rae Ayre and Michelle Anderson (Sweet Alibi).

Applications for the 2026 program are now open, with a deadline of April 10, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca.

2026 JUNO Awards Announce Cameron Whitcomb Performance and a Tribute to Joni Mitchell by Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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2026 JUNO Awards Announce Cameron Whitcomb Performance and a Tribute to Joni Mitchell by Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell

From birth to myth, The JUNO Awards continue to celebrate and support Canadian artists across every stage of their creative journeys. This year’s JUNO Awards Broadcast will feature a breakout performance from TD JUNOS Debut Artist, five-time JUNO nominee Cameron Whitcomb, alongside Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell, honouring Joni Mitchell with the Lifetime Achievement Award Tribute Performance Presented by the National Music Centre. The 55th Annual JUNO Awards will air live across Canada on Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. ET on CBC TV and CBC Gem and globally on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.

Together, these moments reflect CARAS’ long-standing philosophy of championing Canadian music talent from early development through to enduring cultural impact, a commitment rooted in education, growth, celebration, and honour.

Cameron Whitcomb’s performance marks a defining moment in a breakthrough year. With five nominations this year, the rising artist has quickly moved from discovery to national recognition, connecting with audiences through deeply personal songwriting and a raw, authentic sound. The Nanaimo, BC-native’s album, The Hard Way, and his JUNOS performance not only celebrate a banner year, but underscore CARAS’ commitment to championing breaking talent as they step onto the global stage.

At the other end of that career trajectory stands Joni Mitchell, one of Canada’s most influential and enduring creative voices. The recipient of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by your National Arts Centre, Mitchell’s storied career spanning multiple eras, genres, 19 studio albums, live recordings, including timeless works like “Free Man in Paris,” “Help Me,” “River,” “A Case of You” and “Big Yellow Taxi,” has redefined songwriting and left an immeasurable mark on music worldwide. Her legacy will be honoured during the Broadcast with a special tribute performance presented by the National Music Centre featuring 2026 JUNO Nominee, 12-time JUNO Award Winner, including the 2009 Humanitarian Award and 2017 Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction, Sarah McLachlan, and two-time JUNO Award winner Allison Russell, two artists whose own work reflects the emotional depth, poetic honesty and creative courage Mitchell helped pioneer.

Broadcast live from Hamilton on CBC, The 2026 JUNO Awards continue to reflect Canada’s evolving music story, honouring both the future being written and the legends whose work will endure forever.

The official 2026 JUNO Awards merch drop is here! Hoodies, long sleeves, tees, snapbacks, socks, and more. Grab the full collection at junoawards.ca/merch or during JUNO Week at select events. Celebrate Canada’s biggest night in music in style.

JUNO Week Events

The official launch of Canada’s Biggest Week in Music starts at the JUNO Kickoff Concert. This concert-style showcase will feature performances from 2026 JUNO Award-nominated group James Barker Band, Robyn Ottolini, 2026 JUNO Award nominee Sacha, Kalsey Kulyk and The Redhill Valleys.

Beyond the Broadcast stage, JUNO Week 2026 will bring Canadian music to life across Hamilton with a city-wide lineup of live events that showcase artists at every stage of their careers. The full lineup of events is coming soon, but confirmed lineups for some fan favourite events for JUNO Week include:

JUNOfest Presented by CBC

For two epic nights, Hamilton’s iconic stages come alive with high-energy, genre-spanning performances from your favourite Canadian artists and JUNO nominees — all unlocked with one digital pass for an unforgettable music experience. Featured artists include Amelia Maxwell, Ammoye (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Anna Sofia (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Annie-Claude Deschênes (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Bells Larsen, Billianne, Blunt Chunks, Burs, Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Cam Kahin, Carrie Clark, Chris LaRocca, CODE Quartet (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Computer, cootie catcher, Dumb Crush, Ebril, Falls for the Elderly, Felix Cartal (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Feura, Fito Blanko, Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters, GRAE, Great Lake Swimmers, Ivy Gardens, JayWood, Jordan Astra, Junkhouse, Just Ideas, Kali Horse, Katie Tupper, Korea Town Acid (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Laila Biali, Lia Pappas-Kemps, Lindsay Schoolcraft, Los Chukos, Loversteeth, LU KALA, Mariel Buckley (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Mario Puglia (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Mattie Leon, Mauvey, Miss Emily (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), MXJ, Myst Milano, Nicolette & The Nobodies, poolblood, Puma June, Rachel Bobbitt, Ralph Nyoni, SadBoi (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Sebastian Gaskin (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Shawnee Kish (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Siibii (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Silverstein (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Sister Ray (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Smug LLC, Status/Non-Status, Steve Marriner (2026 JUNO Award Nominee), Steve Strongman, Superstar Crush, Tedy, Ten Minute Detour, Terra Lightfoot, Tia Wood (2026 JUNO Award Nominee).

JUNO Comedy Show Presented by SiriusXM Canada: hosted by Zabrina Douglas will have sets by 2026 JUNO Award nominees Adam Christie, Charlie Demers, Dave Merheje and Faris Hytiaa

JUNO Stories from the Studio: Hosted by CBC’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe with 2026 JUNO Award nominee panellists Joel Stouffer, Karen Kosowski, Jason Dufour

Junior JUNOS presented by CBC Kids and Hamilton Public Library: hosted by Joojo Paintsil with performances from 2026 JUNO Award nominees Ari Cui Cui, Chris McKhool, Ginalina, Hip Kids Music and Young Maestro

JUNO Honouring Ceremony Presented by Destination Indigenous: Hosted by Falen Johnson, the ceremony will pay tribute to the voices shaping the future of Indigenous creativity in Canada with performances by Allied Nations, Little Creek Singers, 2026 JUNO Award nominees Siibii and YB Nakota

Fans can secure tickets to beloved JUNO Week events at junoawards.ca/all-events/

The 55th Annual JUNO Awards, produced by Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company), will air live across Canada at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, CBCMusic.ca/junos and stream globally on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.

New Broadcast Performer

Cameron Whitcomb

Cameron Whitcomb’s JUNO Awards performance arrives at a defining moment in his career. The BC-raised singer-songwriter has emerged as one of Canada’s most compelling new voices, earning widespread attention for his honest and emotionally charged songwriting. Following the release of his debut EP Quitter and a whirlwind year of touring, Whitcomb’s music has connected deeply with audiences through stories of resilience, recovery and self-discovery. With five JUNO Award nominations this year, his appearance on the broadcast stage marks a powerful milestone.

Joni Mitchell Tribute Performers

Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan’s role in the Joni Mitchell tribute carries deep artistic resonance. As one of Canada’s most influential singer-songwriters and an inductee of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, McLachlan’s career has long embodied the emotional honesty, poetic depth and creative independence that define Mitchell’s legacy. From her own era-defining catalogue to her continued relevance today, including a 2026 JUNO Award nomination for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year, McLachlan represents a direct lineage of Canadian songwriting excellence. Her participation in this tribute is both a celebration of Mitchell’s impact and a powerful reminder of how that influence continues to echo through generations of artists. Accompanied by her long-time band, McLachlan will proudly lead the tribute performance in what is sure to be an unforgettable moment.

Allison Russell

Allison Russell brings a powerful and deeply personal voice to the Joni Mitchell tribute performance, shaped by a career defined by fearless storytelling, artistic independence and emotional honesty. A Grammy and JUNO Award-winner and Polaris Prize short-listed artist, Russell’s work spans music, theatre and advocacy, weaving together themes of survival, compassion and liberation. As a proud member of Joni Mitchell’s Joni Jam band, her connection to Mitchell’s legacy is both personal, and artistic, rooted in a shared commitment to truth-telling and creative freedom. Russell’s participation in this tribute honours not only Mitchell’s influence, but the living, evolving power of songwriting as a force for healing, resistance and human connection.

Bea Elmy Martin Captures Friendship and Growth on Intimate New Single “Anouk”

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Bea Elmy Martin Captures Friendship and Growth on Intimate New Single “Anouk”

Bea Elmy Martin is quietly carving out a vital space within the UK alternative landscape. London born and bred, her music is defined by emotional precision, blending ethereal vocals, orchestral intimacy and brooding electronics. Raised on the sounds of classic soul artists like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway, Bea developed an early understanding of melody and feeling, using songwriting as a way to process life, love and loss from a young age. She describes songwriting as her journal, a way of breaking overwhelming emotions into something tangible and manageable, allowing moments of beauty, pain and connection to surface gently rather than being forced.

After the release of her 2021 debut single “Blue Escape”, which earned early BBC tastemaker support from Jack Saunders and Lauren Laverne, Bea began a slow, intentional creative journey alongside her producer Dominick J Goldsmith (HÆLOS). That collaboration led to Under The Yew (Vol. 1), released in May 2025, a luminous, grief-to-beauty infused meditation on loss and renewal. Rather than chasing momentum, Bea allowed the work to unfold over time, sustaining its emotional thread through subsequent singles “Lost” and “Born To Fly” from Under The Yew (Vol. 2), before returning in January 2026 with “Unscarred” a track that continued her exploration of transformation and inner strength.

“This project has been a personal excavation,” says Martin. “Under The Yew transforms loss into light—each track a step toward unscarred resilience. ‘Anouk’ feels like coming home.” The record draws comparisons from Air or Portishead to Billie Marten and Adrianne Lenker whilst centering raw emotional precision.

Her new single “Anouk”, offers one of her most intimate moments yet. Written about her best friend, whom she met at university, the song evolved slowly as their relationship changed and deepened over time. “Anouk is a song I wrote about my best friend,” Bea explains. “While recording it, we were living on opposite sides of London, which was challenging at times, but we made it work. Because the song is about someone I love very deeply, every session I felt a push to make it sound more and more ethereal because she is so special to me.” The track became one she revisited more than any other, its structure and feeling shifting alongside the friendship itself. “In a way, the song moved alongside our friendship as it grew and changed. Going back into a song multiple times doesn’t mean you lack intention. Sometimes it’s exactly what a song needs.”

Sonically, “Anouk” leans into softer, more organic elements, pairing plucky acoustic guitars with gentle electronics and celestial harmonies, anchored by Bea’s intimate vocal delivery. A voice note from her friend is laced into the track, adding a deeply personal layer and inviting listeners directly into their bond. The result is a song that captures a specific age, place and emotional chapter that Bea hopes will one day be returned to with laughter, tears and warmth. “A lot changed for both of us during the writing process,” she says, “and I think that movement is woven into the song itself. You can hear the growth, the distance, and the closeness all living side by side.”Across her releases, Bea has earned support from Clash, Notion, Wonderland, EARMILK and Mystic Sons, alongside continued backing from BBC tastemakers Huw Stephens, Tom Ravenscroft, Lauren Laverne and Jack Saunders. With a devoted and organically grown following, Bea Elmy Martin emerges as one of the scene’s most compelling, multidimensional voices: patient, profound, and unmistakably on the rise. The release of “Anouk” will be accompanied by a headline show at The Elephants Head in Camden on the 19th February.

10 Songs That Feel Like Summer

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Some songs don’t just play in the background, they change the temperature in the room. Windows roll down. Shoes come off. The day stretches a little longer. Whether it’s a beach drive, a backyard hang, or a late sunset that refuses to quit, these tracks carry that unmistakable summer charge.

“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift
Bright, urgent, and just a little chaotic, this one feels like sprinting through city streets at golden hour. It’s sweaty, breathless pop that captures the rush of a summer crush you know might burn out fast.

“Levitating” – Dua Lipa
Pure disco sunshine. The bassline bounces, the hook glows, and suddenly everything feels lighter. It’s the kind of song that makes even a grocery run feel like a rooftop party.

“Cake By The Ocean” – DNCE
Sugary, loud, and built for dancing without thinking too hard. It has that carefree energy of a beach day that turns into a night you didn’t plan but won’t forget.

“Feels” – Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean
This one practically smells like sunscreen and salt air. The groove is smooth, the vibe is effortless, and it slides perfectly into a late afternoon playlist when nobody’s ready to go home yet.

“Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
Warm guitars and that laid-back pulse feel like heat rising off pavement. It’s sweet without being syrupy, and it captures that hazy, slow-motion kind of summer romance.

“Good as Hell” – Lizzo
Confidence turned all the way up. This track feels like getting dressed for a night out after a long beach day, hair still a little messy, mood fully restored.

“Island in the Sun” – Weezer
Soft, easygoing and nostalgic, this one feels like a memory even the first time you hear it. It’s built for hammocks, quiet roads and days that don’t need a schedule.

“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X
Playful and impossible to ignore. The bounce and repetition make it perfect for blasting from a car stereo with the windows down, volume just slightly too high.

“Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves
No subtlety here, just pure joy. It’s the musical equivalent of stepping outside and realizing the weather is exactly what you hoped for.

“Heat Waves” – Glass Animals
Dreamy and a little moody, like summer nights that linger past midnight. It hums instead of shouts, making it perfect for that quiet drive home when the sky is still warm but the air is finally cool.

Selena Gomez And Kenneth Cole To Be Honored At 2026 Social Impact Summit

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Selena Gomez And Kenneth Cole To Be Honored At 2026 Social Impact Summit

Selena Gomez and Kenneth Cole will be honored at the 2026 Social Impact Summit, set for March 30 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Hosted by the Social Impact Fund and the FIT Foundation, the third annual event will spotlight leaders working at the intersection of fashion, beauty and philanthropy. Gomez will receive the Excellence in Beauty Philanthropy Award, while Cole will be presented with the Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award.

Gomez is being recognized for her work through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund, which pledges one percent of all Rare Beauty sales to expand access to youth mental health services. In five years, the initiative has raised more than $30 million and supports 30 nonprofit organizations worldwide. “Using my platform in a meaningful way has always been important to me,” Gomez said, noting the fund’s mission to reduce stigma and increase access to care for young people.

Cole will be honored for four decades of advocacy, including early efforts to address the HIV/AIDS crisis and the founding of the Mental Health Coalition in 2020. “I have always believed that business and philanthropy are not independent; they are in fact interdependent,” Cole said. He emphasized his continued commitment to advancing mental health awareness and encouraging open dialogue.

The invitation-only summit will feature panels with leaders from brands including M·A·C Cosmetics, Kate Spade New York, LVMH and The Estée Lauder Companies. The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m., followed by a reception, and marks the first edition focused specifically on fashion and beauty philanthropy.

Kristen Bell Joins “Sonic The Hedgehog 4” As Amy Rose

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2026

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Kristen Bell Joins “Sonic The Hedgehog 4” As Amy Rose

Kristen Bell is officially joining the “Sonic the Hedgehog” universe. The actor has signed on to voice Amy Rose in “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” set to hit theaters March 19, 2027. The casting continues the franchise’s streak of stacking its voice roster with high-profile talent.

Bell joins returning cast members Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Idris Elba as Knuckles and Keanu Reeves as Shadow. The live-action ensemble, including Jim Carrey, James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, is also expected to reprise their roles. Jeff Fowler returns to direct, with Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher and Toru Nakahara producing.

Amy Rose was teased in the mid-credits scene of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” where she swoops in to rescue Sonic from a swarm of Metal Sonics. In the Sega games, Amy is a pink hedgehog known for her fierce loyalty and her determined affection for Sonic. Her long-awaited film debut sets up a major new dynamic for the franchise.

The “Sonic the Hedgehog” films have collectively surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, with the third installment becoming the highest-grossing entry in the series. With Bell now onboard, the fourth chapter builds on that momentum as Paramount continues expanding one of its most successful game-to-screen properties.