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Phil Collins Celebrates 75th Birthday With Limited Edition Color Vinyl Of ‘The Singles’

Eric Alper
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Phil Collins Celebrates 75th Birthday With Limited Edition Color Vinyl Of ‘The Singles’

Rhino Records honors the seventy-fifth birthday of Phil Collins with a special limited-edition color vinyl release of ‘The Singles’. This career-spanning compilation features many of his biggest hits and marks the first time the project appears in this physical format. The collection includes seven solo chart-toppers such as “Against All Odds” and “Another Day in Paradise”. These tracks were newly remastered by Nick Davis to bring a fresh sound to the classic recordings. The release serves as a definitive retrospective of a solo career spanning over three decades.

The compilation originally arrived to cap off a major remastering campaign and includes several hit singles not found on original studio albums. Collaborative tracks like “Easy Lover” with Philip Bailey and “Separate Lives” with Marilyn Martin sit alongside film favorites “A Groovy Kind of Love” and “Two Hearts”. This set previously peaked at number two in the UK and highlights the enduring legacy of the legendary artist. The track listing spans from “In the Air Tonight” to later hits like “Can’t Stop Loving You”. This release offers a high-quality physical celebration of a monumental musical journey.

Track Listing:

A1. In the Air Tonight
A2. I Missed Again
A3. You Can’t Hurry Love
A4. Against All Odds
A5. Easy Lover
B1. Sussudio
B2. One More Night
B3. Separate Lives
B4. A Groovy Kind of Love
B5. Two Hearts
C1. Another Day in Paradise
C2. I Wish It Would Rain Down
C3. Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
C4. Do You Remember?
D1. Both Sides of the Story
D2. Dance into the Light
D3. True Colors
D4. Can’t Stop Loving You
D5. (Love Is Like a) Heatwave

Mercury Prize Winner Sam Fender Shares Reflective New Single “I’m Always On Stage”

Eric Alper
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Mercury Prize Winner Sam Fender Shares Reflective New Single “I’m Always On Stage”

Sam Fender releases the reflective new single “I’m Always on Stage” through Interscope Capitol. This track appears on the deluxe version of ‘People Watching’, which features eight additional songs and a physical release on CD and vinyl. The song originally appeared on the vinyl-only Record Store Day EP ‘Me and The Dog’. This collection brings together all four tracks from that rare release for a wider audience. The music on this record is a sharp unravelling of emotion from an artist at the top of his game.

The track gained further momentum after playing over the end credits of the concert film “Live at London Stadium”. This film captures the Mercury Prize winner performing to eighty thousand fans and includes a live duet of “Rein Me In” with Olivia Dean. Directors Toby L and Kit Monteith showcase the enormity of the event through production by Up The Game. The film documents the high-energy return of one of the most important artists in the UK to the capital for a one-night-only performance.

West Texas Songwriter Randall King Returns With Bombastic New Single “Big Deal”

Eric Alper
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West Texas Songwriter Randall King Returns With Bombastic New Single “Big Deal”

West Texas native Randall King explores the quirks of small-town fame in his bombastic new single “Big Deal” through Warner Music Nashville. The track plays on the various ways residents become local legends, ranging from karaoke skills to the ability to close down a bar. Co-produced by King and Jared Conrad, the song serves as a witty preview of a new 2026 project. Writers Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, and Nick Walsh crafted the lyrics to capture a signature sense of humor and grit.

This anthem is the latest taste of authentic country music from an artist who understands the big-attitude lifestyle of a small towner. This is a flat-out ferocious work that highlights King’s vocal strength and sharp delivery. King describes the release as a big deal that is not a Black Friday sale. He shares that the song is for anyone with a big attitude who knows how life works in a tight-knit community. This new material follows the success of his sophomore album ‘Into The Neon’ and the radio single “I Could Be That Rain” as he returns to the studio.

Electronic Icon Tiësto Ignites A Bold New Era With Melodic Anthem “Bring Me To Life”

Eric Alper
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Electronic Icon Tiësto Ignites A Bold New Era With Melodic Anthem “Bring Me To Life”

Tiësto launches a powerful creative period with the high-energy anthem “Bring Me To Life” through Atlantic Records. This track features stunning vocals from Fors and arrives after a mysterious social-media blackout that triggered a viral countdown among global dance-music fans. The composition captures the sweeping melodies and atmospheric power that defined the early identity of the artist while utilizing a modern creative spark to deliver an emotional lift. These sounds emerged from the overwhelming response to euphoric moments during recent live performances in Mexico City.

Connection to dance music is at a peak for the veteran performer as he embarks on this bold chapter. Tiësto states that playing these new sounds live and feeling the energy from the crowd is unbelievable. This experience pushed him into a new era and inspired the direction of both the single and the upcoming album. The artist describes the current moment as more authentic and exciting than ever before. This new material reflects a refreshed creative spark and a commitment to foundational sounds reimagined with high-quality modern production.

Falmouth DIY Heavyweights Low Harness Return With Intense New EP ‘Oblivion’ On Krautpop

Eric Alper
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Falmouth DIY Heavyweights Low Harness Return With Intense New EP ‘Oblivion’ On Krautpop

Falmouth-based quartet Low Harness returns with a new EP titled ‘Oblivion’ through the Krautpop label. This release features a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl lathe-cut for physical collectors. The songs center on human fragility and the loss of personal control. Band members Hannah Gledhill and Martin Pease utilize alternative tunings to craft a sound rooted in noise-rock and experimental traditions.

The music on this record is an anxious unravelling of emotion. These four seasoned DIY minds recorded the material at a converted mill near Wrexham with engineer Phil Booth. The band shares that the songs reflect a choice between mindless oblivion and acceptance. They explore a sense of disenchantment with everyday existence while still yearning for reinvention and connection.

Low Harness formed in 2023 after the members met at the Fish Factory Arts Space. Drummer Ed Shellard and bassist Alex Harmer complete the lineup. The group draws sonic inspiration from 90s noise-rock and the works of Glenn Branca and Einstürzende Neubauten. Their songwriting process moved quickly during practice sessions held in a local garage.

The new material follows the 2024 release of their debut album ‘Salvo’ and continues their exploration of dense textures. Lead single “Hands That Shake” serves as the introduction to this latest collection of tracks. The band remains committed to a gritty and authentic musical approach. This EP stands as a firm statement of their evolving creative direction.

Angel Du$t Announce Massive North American Tour Behind Ferocious New Album ‘COLD 2 THE TOUCH’

Eric Alper
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Angel Du$t Announce Massive North American Tour Behind Ferocious New Album ‘COLD 2 THE TOUCH’

Angel Du$t returns with a sharp collection of aggressive rock n’ roll titled ‘Cold 2 The Touch’ on February 13, 2026. This twenty-six-minute record features a lineup including new members Nick Lewis and Jim Carroll. The group worked with producer Brian McTernan to capture their most ferocious energy yet. High-profile guest appearances from Scott Vogel, Wes Eisold, Patrick Cozens, Frank Carter, and Taylor Young provide a wide range of vocal textures across the eleven tracks.

The music on this record is a blender of hard riffs and big hooks. This is a flat-out ferocious work that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Lead singer Justice Tripp describes the band as people who are always going to play aggressive music. He states that this is happening whether people like it or not. Tripp says he is himself and will crush anyone who gets in his way.

A massive North American run titled “Cold 2 The Touch” begins in early 2026 to support the release. The itinerary covers major cities including Washington, Philadelphia, Montreal, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Support acts vary by date and include established names like Negative Approach and Crown of Thornz alongside modern groups like Jivebomb and Béton Armé.

Tour Dates:

01/31 – 02/01 Boston, MA @ Something In The Way Fest

02/27 – Washington, DC @ St. Stephen’s Church

02/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lithuanian Music Hall

03/01 – Rutherford, NJ @ The Williams Center

03/02 – Albany, NY @ Ophelia’s

03/03 – Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount

03/05 – Toronto, ON @ East End United Basement

03/06 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme

03/07 – Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade

03/08 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

03/09 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

03/11 – Tulsa, OK @ Mass Movement Community Arts

03/12 – Dallas, TX @ Rubber Gloves

03/13 – Houston, TX @ The End

03/14 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

03/15 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room

03/17 – Tucson, AZ @ Urbxn

03/18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rosetta Room

03/19 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

03/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

03/22 – Berkley, CA @ 924 Gilman

03/24 – Portland, OR @ High Limit Room

03/25 – Seattle, WA @ Washington Hall

03/26 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest

03/27 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Fellowship Hall

03/29 – Denver, CO @ Marquis

04/01 – St Louis, MO @ Off Broadway

04/02 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups

04/03 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground

04/04 – New York, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl

04/06 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair

Stealth, Maxdmyz, Sixis And Die Kur Unite For Split Concept Album ‘Wilderness Of Mirrors’

Eric Alper
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Stealth, Maxdmyz, Sixis And Die Kur Unite For Split Concept Album ‘Wilderness Of Mirrors’

NMTCG announces the split concept album ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’, featuring four of the UK’s most uncompromising underground forces: Stealth, Maxdmyz, Sixis and Die Kur. The album channels industrial power, metal aggression and electronic precision into a shared vision of truth, deception and modern paranoia. Drawing its name from the intelligence term describing a world of deception, counter-deception and endless reflection, the album confronts the psychological landscape that emerged from decades of propaganda, espionage and ideological conflict. From the tension of nuclear dread to the manipulation of information in the digital age, ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ challenges listeners to confront how the shadows of the past still shape the fears and fractures of the present. Featuring 12 tracks plus a hidden bonus, the release represents a collective statement rather than a simple compilation.

In an era of digital isolation and fragmented subcultures, ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ stands as a rare moment of solidarity: four independent bands joining forces to create something larger than themselves. The collaboration showcases the strength of the underground, with artists who refuse to be confined by labels, algorithms or commercial trends. Its themes resonate powerfully today with information warfare, media distortion and the corrosion of truth itself. The record addresses the Cold War of the past as much as the cold wars we live through now: ideological, informational and psychological. Built on mutual respect, shared vision and a commitment to art that challenges and provokes, the album reflects the ghosts of past empires while exposing the new architectures of control that define the digital age.

5 Surprising Facts About Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Super Fly’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Super Fly’

When Curtis Mayfield released the soundtrack for Super Fly in 1972, he achieved something rarely seen in the entertainment world. His music didn’t just support the film; it became a cultural giant that eventually earned more money than the movie itself. While the film was a massive hit in the blaxploitation genre, Mayfield used the soundtrack to offer a deep and critical look at the harsh realities of street life. Here are five incredible stories behind this soul and funk masterpiece.

A Conflict of Perspectives

There is a fascinating tension between the message of the film and the lyrics of the soundtrack. While the movie was sometimes seen as glamorous or ambiguous regarding the drug trade, Mayfield used his songs to take a much more skeptical and cautionary stance. He wanted to make sure listeners understood the heavy human cost of the lifestyle depicted on the screen.

From a Cameo to a Classic

The entire project began when director Gordon Parks Jr. invited Mayfield and his band to appear as a nightclub act in one of the scenes. Originally, they were only supposed to provide a single song for that specific background appearance. However, the creative energy was so high that it led to Mayfield composing the entire score and defining the sound of the era.

Recording with a Full House

During the primary recording sessions at Curtom Studios, Mayfield worked with an incredibly large ensemble of nearly forty musicians. This massive in-studio band allowed the guitarists and the orchestra to layer their parts without any of the melodies clashing or “bumping” into each other. This technical luxury resulted in the rich and lush sound that makes tracks like Freddie’s Dead so memorable.

Written in a Basement Apartment

Despite the grand and polished sound of the final record, much of the songwriting took place in a very humble setting. Mayfield wrote the majority of these powerful tracks while living in a basement apartment in Chicago during a period of personal transition. Drawing from his own upbringing in the Cabrini-Green projects, he poured his authentic life experiences into the lyrics.

The Instrumental Oscar Hurdle

The hit song Freddie’s Dead was a massive success on the charts but faced a unique disqualification at the Academy Awards. Even though the music is featured prominently throughout the film’s opening and various scenes, it was ruled ineligible for Best Original Song. This was because the version heard in the movie is an instrumental, and the famous lyrics only appeared on the commercial album release.

5 Surprising Facts About Yes’ ‘The Yes Album’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Yes’ ‘The Yes Album’

Released in early 1971, The Yes Album was the high-stakes breakthrough that saved the band’s career. After two commercially quiet releases, the group found their stride by embracing all-original material and a bold new guitarist. This record saw the quintet moving away from covers and toward the expansive, multi-part suites that would define the progressive rock genre. Here are five fascinating stories from the making of this platinum-certified classic.

A Mannequin and a Broken Foot

The album’s distinctive cover was captured during a chaotic thirty-minute window at photographer Phil Franks’ flat. The band had arrived late for the shoot because they were recovering from a head-on vehicle collision that occurred the night before. Because keyboardist Tony Kaye had a fractured foot from the crash, the final photo shows him sitting with his leg hidden in a plaster cast.

Chart Success and a Little Help

The album’s climb to number four on the British charts was partially aided by a clever marketing move from manager Brian Lane during a national postal strike. Lane visited a young Richard Branson’s record store on Oxford Street and purchased enough copies of the album to ensure it hit the top of that shop’s independent sales chart. This initial momentum created a buzz that led to genuine massive sales once the official tracking resumed.

The Chess Metaphor and John Lennon

The first half of the beloved suite I’ve Seen All Good People uses the game of chess as a lyrical metaphor for navigating complex human relationships. Jon Anderson also included subtle nods to John Lennon throughout the track to honor the legendary songwriter’s influence. If you listen closely near the three-minute mark, the backing vocalists can be heard singing the chorus to Give Peace a Chance under the main melody.

A Live Solo on a Studio Album

While most of the album was recorded at Advision Studios, the energetic acoustic piece Clap was actually recorded live at the Lyceum Theatre in London. Steve Howe wrote the intricate tune to celebrate the birth of his son Dylan and drew inspiration from the fingerstyle playing of Chet Atkins. Though original pressings mistakenly titled the song The Clap, it has since become a signature showcase of Howe’s technical brilliance.

The Bonanza Argument

The powerful opening track Yours Is No Disgrace almost sounded very different because of a debate regarding its primary riff. Some members of the band initially worried that Jon Anderson’s main musical theme was far too similar to the famous opening music of the television series Bonanza. They eventually moved forward with the arrangement and it became a ten-minute masterpiece that helped establish their signature sound.

5 Surprising Facts About Yes’ ‘Fragile’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Yes’ ‘Fragile’

When Yes released Fragile in November 1971, they were a band on the verge of a massive global explosion. This album marked a pivotal moment where their intricate arrangements and soaring harmonies found a perfect balance with newfound commercial power. Featuring the debut of a legendary keyboardist and the first appearance of their most famous cover artist, this record remains a cornerstone of the progressive rock movement. Here are five incredible stories from the making of this platinum-selling masterpiece.

A New Sound and a Tough Choice

Rick Wakeman joined the band at a critical moment after Tony Kaye left due to artistic differences regarding electronic instruments. On the very same day he was invited to join Yes, he was also offered a prestigious touring spot with David Bowie. He chose to join the band because he felt they offered him more artistic freedom to use his massive array of Mellotrons and Moog synthesizers.

The Five Percent Management Fee

The quirky thirty-five-second instrumental track titled Five Per Cent for Nothing was actually a clever jab at the band’s former business affairs. Bill Bruford came up with the title as a reference to a deal where their former manager, Roy Flynn, was entitled to five percent of their future royalties. It stands as a short and complex rhythmic exercise that showed off the band’s technical precision.

The Secret Origin of Roundabout

The lyrics for the hit song Roundabout were written by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe while they were traveling in a transit van through the Scottish Highlands. After encountering nearly forty different roundabouts on the road from Aberdeen to Glasgow, they decided to write about the journey and the misty mountains. The famous line about mountains coming out of the sky was a literal description of the peaks appearing through the heavy clouds.

Forward Thinking with Backward Audio

One of the most recognizable moments in rock history is the swelling piano note that opens the album. To create this dramatic effect, the band recorded two piano chords and then physically played the tape backward so the sound would rush toward the listener. This innovative studio technique gave the opening of the record a mystical quality that perfectly set the stage for the music to follow.

A Bonsai World and a Lost Masterpiece

This album was the first time the band worked with artist Roger Dean, who created the famous image of a tiny planet breaking apart. Dean originally developed a creation myth about a space ark towing pieces of a broken world which fit the band’s feelings of being fragile at the time. While the artwork is world-famous, the original paintings for the front and back covers were unfortunately stolen from a London hotel room years ago.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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