Trailblazing musician and producer Brian Eno recently joined ‘The Ezra Klein Show’ to discuss his latest book, ‘What Art Does’, and his long-standing fascination with the intersection of creativity and technology. During the deep-dive conversation, Eno explored his pioneering work in ambient music and his recent experiments with generative AI, arguing that art serves as a vital form of “grown-up play” that helps humans navigate complex emotions. I love Ezra’s podcast, too, especially how he elicits such thoughtful reflections from culture-shaping figures like Eno, who has worked on seminal records for everyone from David Bowie to U2. This episode highlights Eno’s belief that technology should be a collaborator rather than a replacement for human intuition, a theme that resonates throughout his current artistic output.
Renowned bassist and vocalist Gail Ann Dorsey officially released “(It Takes All Kinds) To Make a World,” her first solo single in over two decades. Known primarily for her long-standing role in David Bowie’s touring band and her work with Lenny Kravitz, Dorsey partnered with Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records for this new chapter. The track was recorded in both Paris and New York’s Hudson Valley, featuring a collaborative effort with pianist Michel Amsellem and saxophonist Feal Le Rouzic. Drawing inspiration from 1970s legends like Carole King and Roberta Flack, the song serves as a graceful call for empathy and tolerance. Dorsey describes the project as an effort to reclaim the organic, intricate sound of the music that first ignited her passion, moving away from isolated digital production to capture a more sincere and room-filling vibe.
This single acts as the lead offering from Dorsey’s upcoming studio album, ‘The Appearance of Life’, which is scheduled for release in the spring of 2026. The record is framed as a thematic sequel to her 1988 debut, ‘The Corporate World’, exploring human connection and resilience within a modern society often dominated by corporate interests. Beyond her solo work, Dorsey remains a vital figure in the industry, continuing her involvement with Blackstar Symphony and participating in high-profile David Bowie tribute shows. Label founder Ani DiFranco expressed immense pride in welcoming Dorsey to the Righteous Babe family, citing her long history of bringing grace and presence to every collaboration. With additional singles like “Maybelline” on the horizon, this project solidifies Dorsey’s return to the spotlight as a powerful and unrestricted singer-songwriter.
Sean Solomon, formerly of the Sub Pop-signed trio Moaning, has officially returned with his latest multimedia single and animated video, “Shooting Star.” After finding immense success as an animator and director for artists like Run The Jewels and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Solomon shifted focus to a solo project that finally integrates his visual and musical passions. This new creative direction follows the viral success of his late 2024 track “Car Crash,” which amassed over six million views and encouraged Solomon to ignore industry pressure to keep his two careers separate. “Shooting Star” represents a significant milestone in this evolution, as it is the first song Solomon wrote with his hand-drawn visuals directly guiding the lyrics.
The track delivers a blend of emotional vulnerability and humor, characterized by a DIY indie-rock foundation that feels intentionally loose and raw. Beyond the music videos, Solomon is expanding his world-building efforts by creating custom comics for each release, featuring his lyrics in word balloons. His commitment to a singular aesthetic even extends to his live performances, where he performs alongside a vintage TV set and VHS player. By treating the logistical aspects of the music industry—such as tech riders and stage plots—as opportunities for illustration, Solomon has reclaimed the sense of play that originally drew him to art. This project serves as a definitive statement on creative independence, proving that following one’s instincts can yield both artistic fulfillment and a massive audience.
The songwriting on ‘o\i’ finds Gabriel reflecting on a global period of transition triggered by advancements in AI, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces. Gabriel describes these new songs as his “lumpy bits,” contrasting the “inside out” perspective of his previous album with the “outside in” approach of this new collection. He views the artist’s role as holding a mirror to these technological shifts, exploring how humanity remains interconnected with nature despite the rapid evolution of digital systems. “Been Undone” specifically navigates these themes through an atmospheric, art-rock lens, blending introspective lyrics with the experimental production for which Gabriel is renowned.
Maintaining the high visual standard of his previous work, each track on ‘o\i’ will be paired with a specific piece of art. The release of “Been Undone” is accompanied by ‘Ciclotrama 156 (Palindrome)’ by São Paulo-based artist Janaina Mello Landini. The work features intricate, branching sculptures made from unraveled ropes, which Gabriel notes resemble both tree trunks and fractal brain structures. Mello Landini, who has a background in architecture and mathematics, will eventually create an original piece specifically for this song as the album cycle progresses. This collaboration underscores Gabriel’s ongoing “brain project,” a multi-year exploration into the neurological and emotional impact of music.
London-based French producer and acclaimed visual artist Mcbaise, the musical moniker of Matthieu Bessudo, officially released his fourth studio album, ‘Wrongderful’, via Dirty Melody Records. Three years in the making, the project represents a significant sonic departure from his previous work on ‘Tubes’ by moving away from traditional jazz chords and walking bass lines toward a more expansive blend of yacht rock, funk, and psychedelic pop. Bessudo describes the record as a dual experience where sunny, punchy tracks sit alongside moodier, more introverted compositions. The album features the viral success “Alice” and the hypnotic late-night groove “Moon,” both of which further cement the artist’s ability to pair infectious melodies with sophisticated, throbbing rhythms.
Dark cabaret metal specialists Tardigrade Inferno officially announced that their third studio album, ‘Hush’, will be released on March 5, 2026. This new project serves as a thematic successor to their 2023 record ‘Burn the Circus’, opening with the metaphorical sounds of a circus burning down and a phoenix rising from the ashes. The band has transitioned toward a more mature aesthetic for this release, featuring oil-on-canvas cover art by Milena Kress and the notable absence of their long-time mascot, the Tardigrade. To offer a first taste of the record, the group premiered the official music video for their lead single, “Hide’n’Seek,” which showcases their signature blend of ironic lyricism and retro-futuristic horror-movie keyboards.
The production of ‘Hush’ was handled by Vladimir Lehtinen, who worked to capture the ferocious energy of the band’s live performances within a precise studio environment. Vocalist Darya Rorria utilizes her versatile contralto to deliver dark narratives that range from tragic whispers to soaring, tense passages. This album follows the momentum of their June 2025 live release, ‘Made in Hell’, and aims to deliver a more sincere and tangible sonic experience. ‘Hush’ will be available in multiple formats including CD, digital, and four exclusive vinyl editions. Fans can expect a sound that is both familiar to long-time listeners and technically elevated, solidifying the group’s place at the center of the dark cabaret metal scene.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill continues his ambitious year-long project, ’50 Years From Home’, with the release of its third installment, ‘Brown’s Diner Bar’. Arriving via MCA Nashville, this EP follows ‘I Gave You Everything I Had’ and ‘Secondhand Smoke’ as part of a series celebrating Gill’s five decades in the music industry. The title track serves as a folk-inspired tribute to the historic Nashville eatery that Gill first visited in the mid-70s. Featuring a signature smooth electric guitar solo, the song captures the “funky vibe” of a burger joint that has been a staple for Music Row songwriters and musicians for a century. Gill reflects that these songs are deeply truthful, noting that a songwriter needs years of lived experience to fully understand and relate to the stories they choose to tell.
The collection features an impressive roster of guest contributors and co-writers including ERNEST, Jake Worthington, Leslie Satcher, Wade Bowen, and Waylon Payne. These collaborations result in a cohesive set of six new songs that balance nostalgia with contemporary creative energy. The EP concludes with a poignant, newly recorded version of his classic hit, “When I Call Your Name,” bringing the project’s reflective theme full circle. This release comes at a high point in Gill’s legendary career, arriving shortly after he was honored with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. By curating this series of monthly EPs, Gill proves that his artistic momentum is as strong today as it was when he first left his Oklahoma home fifty years ago.
Laufey, dodie, and Jacob Collier joined forces with the National Symphony Orchestra for a breathtaking performance of the traditional folk ode “Wild Mountain Thyme” at the Kennedy Center. Part of the PBS series Next at the Kennedy Center, the collaboration was curated by Ben Folds as part of his Declassified program, which aims to reimagine contemporary music through an orchestral lens. The performance showcased a fascinating blend of musicality as the three artists transitioned between delicate solos and complex vocal harmonies. Jacob Collier further elevated the atmosphere by encouraging audience participation, turning the historic venue into a massive choir. This unique pairing of a rising jazz superstar, a celebrated English singer-songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso highlighted the versatility of the National Symphony Orchestra while bringing a fresh, modern perspective to a classic folk standard.
Olivia Rodrigo and Feist collaborated for a stripped-down performance of The White Stripes classic “We’re Going to Be Friends” during the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Los Angeles. The performance served as a tribute to inductees Jack and Meg White, whose influential career was honored by 2010 Rock Hall Inductee Iggy Pop. Jack White accepted the induction on behalf of the duo, marking a significant moment in the ceremony as contemporary artists celebrated the legacy of the Detroit rock icons. The acoustic rendition highlighted the melodic simplicity of the original track while showcasing the vocal chemistry between the multi-platinum pop star and the celebrated Canadian indie singer-songwriter. This collaboration was part of a larger tribute that also featured Twenty One Pilots, altogether cementing the enduring impact of The White Stripes on the modern alternative landscape.
Scottish indie artist Theo Bleak officially unveiled her single “Megan in New York,” a track that serves as a raw and haunting chronicle of a trip that marked the beginning of the end of a major chapter in her life. Co-written with long-time collaborator Mark Johnston, the song explores the damaging dynamics driven by passion and intense emotional connections lacking intellectual reason. Bleak explains that the track was inspired by the self-implosion of her life in the city, conversations with her friend Megan, and reflections on a man who kept her frozen in time. The single acts as the lead entry for her fourteen-song mixtape, ‘Bargaining’, which arrived late last month through Full Gloom.
The mixtape itself is a chronological documentation of a transformative year spent in the most intense stage of grief. Written and recorded at her saddest moments, the collection captures cathartic pain and hope with an unflinching honesty that even includes the audible creak of her studio chair. Theo Bleak excavates every bad experience and mistake for the sake of her songwriting, inspired partly by the complex philosophy found within the journals of her late great-uncle, John. This project marks a significant evolution for the Dundee-based artist following the success of her 2023 EP ‘Pain’, solidifying her reputation as one of Scotland’s most vulnerable and essential voices.
