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Frank Sinatra Shines with Count Basie and Duke Ellington on New Double-Vinyl ‘The Giants Of Jazz’

Eric Alper
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Frank Sinatra Shines with Count Basie and Duke Ellington on New Double-Vinyl ‘The Giants Of Jazz’

 UMe, in conjunction with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, announce a new exclusive double-vinyl collection from Frank Sinatra, featuring his historic collaborations with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, entitled The Giants Of Jazz, out now.

This special release includes a pair of timeless albums—It Might As Well Be Swing with Count Basie and His Orchestra and Francis A. & Edward K. with Duke Ellington—newly remastered from the archival recordings. The package includes a new gatefold jacket design that incorporates rare photographs as well as the original artwork.

It is now available HERE via the Official Store.

Comprising seminal performances from Sinatra, Basie, and Ellington, the title The Giants Of Jazz couldn’t be more apropos.

It Might As Well Be Swing initially arrived in August 1964. It saw Sinatra accompanied by Basie in tandem with his orchestra on ten tracks for the second time following 1962’s Sinatra-Basie, and it was Sinatra’s first studio album arranged by Quincy Jones. It housed some of his most celebrated material, ranging from “The Best Is Yet To Come” to the definitive recording of “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words).” The latter has eclipsed 766 million Spotify streams, which speak to its enduring influence and impact for the last 61 years. During 1964, the LP peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200. Retrospectively, Jazz Music Archives rated it “5-out-of-5 stars” and raved, “Absolutely wonderful album by Frank Sinatra as the title states It Might As Well Be Swing and that precisely is what it is with lashing of it from the arrangements of Quincy Jones and as usual the outstanding interpretations of each tune sung by Frank Sinatra.” Of Jones’ contribution, The Guardian applauded, “He arranged Sinatra’s voice in such a way that it made him sound like an instrument in the band and not just another singer taking the lead.”

Famously, the original cover of It Might As Well Be Swing also bears the phrase “A Meeting Of Giants.”

Then, there’s Francis A. & Edward K, first released in January 1968, united Sinatra with Ellington and his big band. Among a bevy of highlights, it features an iconic rendition of “All I Need Is The Girl” and “Indian Summer” that includes a wonderful solo by saxophonist Johnny Hodges. Jazz legends Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope, and others are also part of the Ellington orchestra. Long time Sinatra arranger, Billy May, did the arrangements for the album.

Check out the tracklisting for The Giants Of Jazz below.

The release continues a series of sought-after reissues of Sinatra’s most-celebrated music. First up, a special 4-inch Tiny Vinyl Edition of “Jingle Bells/Silent Night” hits shelves well in advance of the holidays on September 12. Order HERE.

Experience The Giants Of Jazz this fall.

It Might As Well Be Swing Tracklisting:
A1. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
A2. I Wish You Love
A3. I Believe In You
A4. More (Theme From Mondo Cane)
A5. I Can’t Stop Loving You
B1. Hello, Dolly! (From Hello, Dolly!)
B2. I Wanna Be Around
B3. The Best Is Yet To Come
B4. The Good Life
B5. Wives And Lovers

Francis A. & Edward K. Tracklisting:
A1. Follow Me
A2. Sunny
A3. All I Need Is The Girl
A4. Indian Summer
B1. I Like The Sunrise
B2. Yellow Days
B3. Poor Butterfly
B4. Come Back To Me

Rising Pop Force Alessi Rose Unveils Dazzling New Single “First Original Thought” from ‘Voyeur (Deluxe)’

Eric Alper
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Rising Pop Force Alessi Rose Unveils Dazzling New Single “First Original Thought” from ‘Voyeur (Deluxe)’

Today, ascending artist Alessi Rose returns with her new single “First Original Thought” and its accompanying music video. Out now via Capitol Records, the sardonic but sublime new track is the first song released from the upcoming deluxe edition of the 22-year-old singer/songwriter’s acclaimed EP Voyeur, out on November 7. Listen to “First Original Thought” HERE, watch the video HERE, and go HERE to pre-save Voyeur (Deluxe) now.

Said Alessi, “Voyeur Deluxe stemmed from me continuing to write on tour after Voyeur was completed and craving some more big, melodramatic pop songs to perform at my shows, whilst also being in the headspace of wanting to write about things in their most raw and uncomfortable honest forms, in real time.

Produced by GRAMMY Award winner Blake Slatkin (Tate McRae, Rosé), “First Original Thought” finds Alessi co-writing alongside Slatkin and Amy Allen (the 2025 recipient of the GRAMMY Award for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical, whose credits include smash hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”). True to Voyeur’s blunt yet vulnerable storytelling, the glittering track hits back at a guy who’s realized too late that he’s thrown away someone much too good for him.

“‘First Original Thought’ is a cheeky yet cutting song about somebody realising they missed you and need to grovel to try and get you back, far far too late after it’s over,” says Alessi.  “It came from a joke I made about the guy having original autonomous thoughts for the first time ever, and now he’s realised that he misses me, and the song kinda ended being a funny hyperbole of that whole situation.

One of three new songs featured on Voyeur (Deluxe), “First Original Thought” takes the form of a disco-leaning alt-pop banger built on strutting beats and pulsating grooves. With equal parts playful attitude and visceral emotion, Alessi kicks off the track with a perfectly tongue-in-cheek takedown of the one who’s done her wrong: “You had a revelation last night/Did Jesus tell you I’m the love of your life?” Powered by an unstoppable energy (thanks in part to the song’s lush abundance of live guitar, bass, keys, and drums), “First Original Thought” ultimately orbits around an electrifying vocal performance from Alessi, whose voice reaches the stratosphere as she delivers a killer punchline at the chorus (“God, it must be hard/Having your first original thought/But you’ll always be you, and I’ll be a star”).

Directed by Ben Cole (Kylie Minogue, Rosalía) and filmed inside an old asylum chapel, the fantastically choreographed video for “First Original Thought” finds Alessi leading an exercise class for a group of guys from all walks of life. As the song rolls on and the room gets increasingly sweaty, Alessi once again reveals her effortless star power and heartfelt passion for pushing all boundaries.

Released in July, Voyeur quickly earned major praise from the likes of NPR’s All Songs Considered (who included it on their roundup of the best new albums out that week,) PEOPLE, Wonderland and DIY (who declared that “Alessi Rose has firmly secured her status as pop’s hottest new It-girl”). Meanwhile, Dork Magazine stated that “Voyeur is a document of a young woman watching herself mess up in real time and making brilliant pop out of the wreckage. Brave, spiky and self-assured, it marks Alessi Rose not just as one to watch, but one who’s already arrived.” Earlier this summer she graced the cover of NME, accompanying her feature story with a specially curated playlist titled “Songs To Imagine Me Whispering In Your Ear Whilst Draped In Lace.”

Made with in-demand producers  like Sam De Jong (Gracie Abrams, Lennon Stella), John Hill (Cage the Elephant, Carly Rae Jepsen), Sammy Witte (SZA, Halsey), and Couros (Dora Jar, Saya Gray), Voyeur includes standouts like “Same Mouth,” (her Capitol Records debut), “Everything Anything,” (a real-life tale of a problematic ex moving onto her street without warning, featured on V Magazine’s New Music Friday picks), “That Could Be Me” (an angsty alt-rock-edged bop), and “Dumb Girl” (a slow-building epic capturing the whirlwind of unrequited love).

Next Thursday in Seattle, Alessi joins the North American leg of Tate McRae’s Miss Possessive Tour. Bookended by her own headlining Voyeur Tour, her run of dates with Tate follows an action-packed summer whose highlights include making her Glastonbury debut, which Billboard called “superstar-cementing” in their “Best Moments of Glastonbury 2025” recap. With two U.K./European headline tours already under her belt (both of which sold out in less than 10 minutes, subsequently upgraded venues, and immediately sold out again), Alessi also recently joined Dua Lipa in arenas and stadiums across the pond on the Radical Optimism tour. Go HERE for more info on Alessi’s upcoming live dates.

Growing up in Derby, England, Alessi first explored her creative side through poetry at age 13. With inspirations including pop visionaries like Lorde and Kate Bush, she soon began writing songs and later taught herself to produce while working as a bartender to save up for college. After building a following online, Alessi made her official debut in the summer of 2023 with the self-written and self-produced “say ur mine,” which amassed over 40K views in less than a week. From there, she released “hate this part” and a string of singles leading up to her 2024 EP, rumination as ritual. In early 2025, Alessi shared her second EP, for your validation, swiftly earning a global following with highlights like “IKYK” and “oh my.” Named one of the “15 Rising U.K. and Ireland Acts to Watch in 2025” by Billboard, she also garnered critical praise from tastemakers like Line of Best Fit, and The Face  and in this cover feature, Dork Magazine crowned her “the voice of a new confessional pop generation.”

Tracklist for Voyeur (Deluxe) by Alessi Rose

1. “Same Mouth”
2. “Take It or Leave It”
3. “Everything Anything”
4. “Stella”
5. “That Could Be Me”
6. “RIP”
7. “Bittersweet”
8. “Dumb Girl”
9. “First Original Thought”
10. “Get Around”
11. “Falling Forever”

Rap Phenomenon Ice Spice Drops Fierce New Single “Baddie Baddie” Sampling M.I.A.’s “Bad Girls”

Eric Alper
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Rap Phenomenon Ice Spice Drops Fierce New Single “Baddie Baddie” Sampling M.I.A.’s “Bad Girls”

Today, 4x GRAMMY-nominated, Bronx phenom, and Princess of New York Ice Spice returns with new single “Baddie Baddie” out now via 10K Projects/Capitol Records. Listen HERE.

Produced by Ice Spice’s longtime collaborator RiotUSA — who also handled production on career-defining hits like her gold-certified breakout single “Munch (Feelin U)” — “Baddie Baddie” samples M.I.A.’s iconic and era-defining anthem, “Bad Girls.”

Most recently, Ice was featured on the cover of NYLON for their September Issue; she also teamed up with ATL-based Grammy nominated Queen of the Souf rapper Latto for the first time ever to surprise drop new single “Gyatt” via RCA Records — click HERE to listen. The official music video directed by Hidji World, notably garnered over 7 million views in just 2 weeks of its release.

Earlier this year, Ice Spice made her film debut in Spike Lee’s latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky. Ice is also set to make her return to the big screen this December in the upcoming SpongeBob Movie – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, and release a new original song for the film.

“Baddie Baddie” marks the beginning of a new era for Ice and is also her first solo release since her explosive Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl (Deluxe) album,released last December, featuring 5 brand new tracks including “Hannah Montana” featuring NLE Choppa and DaBaby, with additional features from BB Trickz and Anuel AA. Ice’s wildly anticipated official debut album Y2K!, was originally released in July 2024 to rave reviews and came stacked with hits including the Sean Paul-sampling “Gimmie A Light” and hater-dismissing “Think U The Shit (Fart),” which notably became her highest solo charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 (#37). The album was also hailed by Pitchfork for featuring “some of her most dynamic and abrasive bars to date,” while also praising the album for sounding “like nothing her peers could make, swerving from one sonic inspiration to the next.”

With a sugar rush of playful sensuality and unbothered cool, Ice Spice has established herself as the music world’s latest shapeshifting superstar. Since emerging with “Munch (Feelin’ U),” in the fall of 2022, she has reconfigured the raucous energy of the Bronx to make anthems for baddies and their baddie friends—sexy theme songs that ring off in the club or a NY deli, places Ice Spice has no problem turning into her own personal dancefloor. Powered by singles like “In Ha Mood” and “Princess Diana,” as well as the deluxe edition of her Like..? EP, she’s collected more than 2.5 billion streams, multiple top 5 Hot 100 singles, and four GRAMMY® nominations, including nods for Best New Artist, Best Rap Song, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. More symbolically, she’s become an emblem of the new Big Apple, a fact that isn’t lost on the media.

Writing for The New York Times, Maya Salam listed Ice Spice as the breakout pop artist of 2023, citing her “cool, confident, raw” signature sound. Meanwhile, Variety listed Like..? as her fourth favorite project of last year, praising her “sharpshooter flow” and her all-around versatility on the project. For their part, Billboard named Ice Spice 2023’s Rookie of the Year. It’s all part of a calculated level up at the intersection of planning, distinctive style and unfailing belief. As Rolling Stone put it, “it’s already tough to imagine we ever lived in a world without her.”

Ice Spice’s breakout really began with “Munch (Feelin’ U),” a track that quickly became a playgirl’s dancefloor bat signal. The song earned Ice Spice her first RIAA-certified Gold plaque before amassing nearly 120 million Spotify streams. After initially releasing the song and its follow-up, “Bikini Bottom,” she signed a deal with Capitol Records and 10k Projects. From there, she fortified her buzz with “In Ha Mood” and the Lil Tjay-assisted “Gangsta Boo.” Both tracks landed on her debut EP, Like..?, a critically acclaimed project that crystallized her star status.

The hits have only continued to pile up. In February 2023, Ice Spice appeared on “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” a PinkPantheress single that’s equal parts infectious and emotionally vulnerable. That March, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then came the “Princess Diana” remix with her idol Nicki Minaj. All of that was before she guested on Taylor Swift’s 2023 single, “Karma,” which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100. Ice Spice parlayed that popularity surge into 12 performances as Doja Cat’s opening act for The Scarlet Tour. It was her first time performing in arenas, which has set her up for even bigger stages, like Coachella, which she’ll hit in April 2024.

Her musical impact has only made her a ubiquitous cultural force. Last year, she appeared as the star of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS campaign, with her fly everygirl persona making her a perfect fit for an emerging fashion powerhouse. That summer, she teamed up with Nicki Minaj again for “Barbie World,” a single that belonged to the Barbie soundtrack. A flurry of effervescent pop, the track peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 chart. She also appeared alongside Ben Affleck for a Dunkin’ commercial introducing her MUNCHKIN Drink, a frozen treat named after her dedicated fan base. Malleable enough to oscillate among brands, genres, and fans, it’s no surprise that Google announced Ice Spice as the second-most searched musician of 2023. Her level-up isn’t stopping anytime soon. With her debut album on the way, Ice Spice plans to continue to make varied soundscapes her playground. 

Country Rock Powerhouse HARDY Drops Explosive New Album ‘COUNTRY! COUNTRY!’ After Madison Square Garden Triumph

Eric Alper
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Country Rock Powerhouse HARDY Drops Explosive New Album ‘COUNTRY! COUNTRY!’ After Madison Square Garden Triumph

Fresh off his first-ever headline date at Madison Square Garden, superstar HARDY shares his highly anticipated new album COUNTRY! COUNTRY! today—get it here. An acoustic video for title track “Country Country” is also out today.

“I’ve never been more fired up about a record than I am about COUNTRY! COUNTRY!,” says HARDY. “This album is like a love letter to the genre that’s given me everything. I think there’s something for everyone in here and I can’t wait to share it with the world. I hope everyone enjoys listening to this one as much as I enjoyed making it.”

The album and its singles “Dog Years,” “Bottomland”—watch the music video here—and “Bro Country” have received enthusiastic early acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Forbes, Holler, Entertainment Tonight and more.

“Favorite Country Song”—initially shared via recent EP COUNTRY! and performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!—is surging at country radio, and “Bro Country,” created with close friend and labelmate ERNEST, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart.

COUNTRY! COUNTRY! marks HARDY’s return to his roots, written in the wake of his much-lauded rock album Quit!!, released last year to widespread critical acclaim. While he loved the thrash of jumping headfirst into the rock world, he missed his community: the peers he wrote No. 1 country radio hits and put together the HIXTAPE series with. After a step away, he felt refreshed.

The new album takes its name literally, ranging from celebrations of his youth in the Mississippi mud—“Bottomland” being named for a specific camo pattern HARDY favors for hunting—to commentary on the state of country music at large. In sum, it’s a celebration of what makes HARDY HARDY.

The Madison Square Garden date momentously marked the end of the months-long JIM BOB World Tour. This run has seen him headline festivals and his own shows coast to coast with support from Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., McCoy Moore and inaugural CROW RECORDS signee Sikarus.

He’ll play festivals through the end of the year including Country vs. Cancer—presented by the American Cancer Society, HARDY’s recently launched charity endeavor The HARDY Fund and Whiskey Jam—to benefit the ACS. HARDY will headline alongside Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Lanie Gardner and McCoy Moore at The Pinnacle in Nashville. More information here.

The pride of Philadelphia, Mississippi has earned his reputation as “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter), “capable of writing the big hits for radio, obstinate enough to do something completely unexpected, and savvy enough to find the throughline for it all” (Rolling Stone). A five-time ACM award winner and two-time CMA award winner, HARDY has also won three CMA Triple Play awards, was named the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and is a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. He’s collaborated and shared stages with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell and more.

Neo-Soul Star Olivia Dean Unveils Dazzling Second Album ‘The Art of Loving’

Eric Alper
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Neo-Soul Star Olivia Dean Unveils Dazzling Second Album ‘The Art of Loving’

 Multi-BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominee OLIVIA DEAN today releases her highly-anticipated second album The Art of Loving, including lead single ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’, via Capitol Records. Listen now.

To an eagerly awaiting audience Olivia Dean unveils her long-awaited sophomore album; The Art Of Loving, produced with Zach Nahome; a record glimmering in the thoughtful exploration of love, in its many forms. Effortlessly blending warmth and honesty throughout her heartfelt depictions of romantic and platonic love, Olivia elegantly displays her honed and mastered musical craft through her ever-resonant songwriting.

With an undeniable aura of nostalgia and timelessness, each track offers an individual glimpse into the complex layers of love. Lead track ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’; delivered with an accompanying visual; gleams with joyful rhythms and hopeful lyricism, setting a powerful tone for the record. The song takes a fresh perspective on dating, and urges the listener to be reminded of their own worth and abundance. As we’re led through the album, reaching tracks ‘Let Alone The One The Love’, ‘Loud’ and ‘Close Up’, we’re exposed to a refreshing vulnerability, expressed through songwriting guaranteed to last the test of time. 

Olivia’s signature sound weaves its way throughout the entirety of The Art Of Loving, notably on ‘A Couple Minutes’ and previously released ‘Lady Lady’, as well as hit singles ‘Nice To Each Other’ and ‘Man I Need’. Delicate and soulful, Olivia wraps up the record with ‘I’ve Seen It’, a ballad built on warmth and reflection, gratefully aware of the meaningful traces of love. 

Speaking on the album Olivia notes: “I don’t think this is a cynical thing to say but I don’t think love is just magic that happens to you, I think you’ve got to put the time in, it’s a craft, it’s like playing an instrument or any other skill… I’m a romantic, hopelessly, hopelessly. And I suppose I’m trying to just bring a little bit of love, and loving, back into your life.”

Her debut album Messy received widespread critical acclaim on release and cemented her status as one of the most compelling voices across neo-soul and pop. More recently, Olivia became the first British female to have 3 UK top 10 singles since Adele. Her latest track ‘Man I Need’ quickly became the highest charting song from a UK act on Spotify’s Global Charts this year, as well as charting at #37 (to date) on the Billboard Hot 100. Earlier this month, she announced her biggest ever UK and EU headline tour to date, kickstarting April 2026, including 4 sold-out nights at The O2 London.

Previously this year, Olivia opened for Sam Fender on his run of UK headline shows as well as coming out at London Stadium to perform their collaboration on Sam’s track ‘Rein Me In’. She recently performed with Sabrina Carpenter at her BST Hyde Park show on July 6th and will be joining her again on a string of US dates in October and November, including five sold out nights at Madison Square Garden.

With this new record, Olivia Dean invites listeners into a new era of sound and storytelling. Poised as a tender, intentional deep dive into the many dimensions of love – romantic, platonic, self, and everything in between – The Art of Loving begins an exciting new chapter from one of the UK’s most mesmerising artists. 

Upcoming Live Dates [Headline Tour:

4th October – Austin City Limit, Texas, USA [Festival]
11th October – Austin City Limit, Texas, USA [Festival]
23rd October – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
24th October – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
26th October – Madison Square Garden, NYC, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
28th October – Madison Square Garden, NYC, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
29th October – Madison Square Garden, NYC, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
31st October – Madison Square Garden, NYC, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
1st November – Madison Square Garden, NYC, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
4th November – Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
5th November – Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, USA [Sabrina Carpenter support]
22ND APRIL – OVO HYDRO – GLASGOW, UK*
23RD APRIL – OVO HYDRO – GLASGOW, UK*
25TH APRIL – CO-OP LIVE – MANCHESTER, UK*
26TH APRIL – CO-OP LIVE – MANCHESTER, UK*
29TH APRIL – THE O2 – LONDON, UK*
30TH APRIL – THE O2 – LONDON, UK*
1ST MAY – THE O2 – LONDON, UK*
2ND MAY – THE O2 – LONDON, UK*
8TH MAY – FOREST NATIONAL – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM*
9TH MAY – ZIGGO DOME – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS*
11TH MAY – MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC HALLE – DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY*
12TH MAY – VELODROM – BERLIN, GERMANY*
14TH MAY – ROYAL ARENA – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK*
16TH MAY – UNITY ARENA – OSLO, NORWAY*
17TH MAY – AVICII ARENA – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN*
20TH MAY – THE HALL – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND*
22ND MAY – KOZEL CARROPONTE – MILAN, ITALY*
17TH JUNE – ACCOR ARENA – PARIS, FRANCE*
20TH JUNE – FAIRVIEW PARK – DUBLIN, IRELAND*
21ST JUNE – FAIRVIEW PARK – DUBLIN, IRELAND*

Weston Estate Release New Single “COOL GIRL” Following Summer of ‘SUPERBLOOM’ Highlights

Eric Alper
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Weston Estate Release New Single “COOL GIRL” Following Summer of ‘SUPERBLOOM’ Highlights

Today, lo-fi alt-pop band Weston Estate share their new single “COOL GIRL,” out now on Arista Records. “COOL GIRL,” created during a writing trip in Oak Land, North Carolina is the Raleigh natives first new single since their EP SUPERBLOOM released at the beginning of summer.  
 
Listen to “COOL GIRL”  HERE and revisit SUPERBLOOM HERE.
 
The self-written and produced single “COOL GIRL” is an epic sound journey that moves between hushed intimacy, sunny full-band moments, darkly disjointed passages and ethereal bliss. Discussing the new single, Weston Estate shares, “’Cool Girl’ is about moving how you want, even when nobody is watching. Being wild and untouchable. Someone with a magnetic energy that you can’t seem to stay away from, but you also know that you can’t pin them down. It’s about watching someone you love outgrow the world around them. It’s the realization that she’s meant for something bigger, and the hardest but most honest thing you can do is ask her to leave you behind and step into that larger life.” 
 

Weston Estate kept busy this summer which kicked off with the release of their anticipated EP SUPERBLOOM. August saw the band make their way to Europe both for shows in London and to appear as the surprise guest at influencer/boxer Logan Paul’s wedding before hosting their own self-curated SUPERBLOOM Fest in Brooklyn, the band’s new hometown. The festival included a performance from the band as well as by their friends Biking with Francis, Wolfacejoeyy, Yung Fazo and more.

 
SUPERBLOOM cemented Weston Estate’s status as a “no-skip” band. The previously unheard “Thinking Out Loud”is an epic sonic journey in three minutes, moving from hushed intimacy to sunny full-band moments to darkly disjointed passages to ethereal bliss. The lyrics similarly wrestle with post-breakup complexity: “Wasted, on again off again, back on just to find out what it’s like / Thinking maybe time will tell me how to fail you / I can’t get away, you feel like mine.”
 
Fans were previously treated to the lushly R&B-infused “Camouflage” and EP opener “I Saw Something,” described by Melodic Magazine as “an exhilarating mix of lush indie, vibrant alt-pop, and experimental dance.” Weston Estate preceded their SUPERBLOOM era with the one-off single “Petra,” which inspired Ones To Watch to rave that “the group ushers listeners into a vibrant and vulnerable world full of lush soundscapes and heart-aching lyricism that resonates with a palpable emotional depth.” That sentiment rings truer now than ever.

Amazon Music Celebrates Country Music Month with New Originals and Historic Grand Ole Opry Takeover

Eric Alper
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Amazon Music Celebrates Country Music Month with New Originals and Historic Grand Ole Opry Takeover

This week, Amazon Music kicks off Country Music Month with a month-long slate of content celebrating the best in country music.

To kick the celebration off, Amazon Music will release four new Amazon Music Originals, including Kane Brown’s reimagined marching band version of his album track, “2 Pair (Game Day Version),” available now. Additional Country Music Month Amazon Music Originals include Noeline Hofmann’s cover of Guy Clark’s “Dublin Blues,” which will be released on October 3rd; Tucker Wetmore’s cover of The Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands To Yourself,” releasing October 10th; and Carter Faith’s cover of Addison Rae’s “Fame Is A Gun,” out October 21st.

“I love that my fans have made ‘2 Pair’ the song of the summer—so how about a version for the football season with a drumline and marching band?” said Kane Brown. “Hope this gets you pumped up. Go Dawgs!”

Amazon Music is making history as the first streaming service to curate a Grand Ole Opry takeover, featuring performances by Lauren Alaina, Dan + Shay, Russell Dickerson, Carter Faith, Noeline Hofmann, and Lainey Wilson on October 21st. This themed Opry show will be hosted by Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton of the Country Heat Weekly podcast. Streaming on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, Prime Video, and the Amazon Music app, the celebration of Country Music Month and the Opry’s 100th anniversary will transform the iconic Opry barn from its iconic red to “Country Heat” orange during the special show. Carter Faith will also debut her Amazon Music Original cover of “Fame Is A Gun” during the broadcast.

Country has long been a top-performing genre on Amazon Music. The “Country Heat” brand recently achieved a major milestone: surpassing 30 billion streams in the US alone since its 2016 launch. The flagship country destination, which includes both the “Country Heat” playlist and station, has become a key source for country music discovery. This includes the Country Heat Weekly Podcast, hosted by Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton, which entertains listeners with today’s top tracks, shares the latest country music news, features candid conversations with beloved artists, celebrates milestones in country music history, and spotlights rising stars.

With exclusive content, curated programming, and high-profile live events, Amazon Music continues to solidify its role as a major destination for country music discovery and artist support. This year’s Country Music Month campaign highlights the commitment from Amazon Music to telling the stories behind the music and creating deeper connections between artists and fans.

Melissa Carper Joins JD McPherson’s “Socks: A Rock & Roll Christmas” Tour This Holiday Season

Eric Alper
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Melissa Carper Joins JD McPherson’s “Socks: A Rock & Roll Christmas” Tour This Holiday Season

Austin-based singer-songcrafter/upright bassist Melissa Carper will join JD McPherson’s upcoming “Socks: A Rock & Roll Christmas” Tour, a run of 14 dates that kicks off in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 4.

“It’s a dream come true to be opening for my friend JD McPherson on his annual Christmas tour,” Carper says. “JD encouraged me a couple of years ago to record a Christmas album; he told me how fun it is to write Christmas songs, and I’ve taken that advice to heart! This tour is going to be a blast and, I’m sure, the best holiday season I have had in years.”

Rolling Stone Country has praised Carper’s writing and style, saying she sounds like a “voice from a bygone era.” Dubbed “Hillbillie Holiday” by friend and frequent collaborator Chris Scruggs, Carper has an instinctive sense for storytelling, both observant and intuitive.

As with the message of her latest LP, 2024’s Borned In Ya (Mae Music/Thirty Tigers), these traits have been sharpened by life experiences and the many turns of her career. Carper’s deep, old-timey music roots were firmly planted as a child, playing upright bass and singing in her family’s traveling country band in rural Nebraska. Her love of country classics was cultivated as she lay beneath the console listening to her parents’ record collection. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and more became the soundtrack of her youth. When Carper’s father gifted her a collection of Jimmie Rodgers’ recordings, she began to find her voice and calling as a songwriter.

As a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she spent much of her time in the music library, instinctively drawn to the great jazz classics and jazz vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole. She also discovered Lead Belly, uncovering a deep well within when singing his songs. Carper stands firmly on the shoulders of American ramblers, crooners, and songsters; you’ll hear all of these influences in the music she has made over the years as a member of numerous touring acts and as an internationally recognized solo performer.

Carper’s Daddy’s Country Gold (2021) and Ramblin’ Soul (2022) both received strong critical praise for their seamless blend of vintage styles and her warm, distinctive vocals. Borned In Ya built on that journey and cemented Carper’s reputation as one of today’s most compelling and authentic voices in roots music.

SOCKS: A ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TOUR DATES

12/4 – Louisville, KY – Headliners
12/5 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
12/6 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
12/7 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
12/9 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
12/10 – Baltimore MD – Ottobar
12/11 – Wilmington, DE – Arden Gild Hall
12/12 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
12/13 – Rochester, NY – Temple Theatre
12/14 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
12/16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall
12/17 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
12/19 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
12/20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

O.A.R. Announce 20th Anniversary Edition of ‘Stories of a Stranger’ with Rare Bonus Tracks

Eric Alper
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O.A.R. Announce 20th Anniversary Edition of ‘Stories of a Stranger’ with Rare Bonus Tracks

Craft Recordings and O.A.R. are proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Stories of a Stranger, the band’s landmark fifth studio album, with a special expanded edition. Available December 5, Stories of a Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition) revisits a pivotal era in the multi-platinum band’s career, pairing the original 2005 album with rare bonus material: a long-out-of-print EP—featuring performances of “Heard the World,” “Lay Down,” and “About Mr. Brown,” plus the studio outtake “Sometimes,” from the original Stories of a Stranger sessions.

The reissue arrives in both 2-LP and digital formats, with the vinyl housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket. Alongside the standard vinyl edition, an exclusive “Cloud Swirl” color pressing will be available via the band’s official store. To coincide with today’s announcement, O.A.R. have shared “Sometimes (Stories of a Stranger Sessions)” as an advance single, offering fans the first glimpse of the expanded material. Stream/download the track and pre-order the full collection now.

With O.A.R.’s 30th anniversary on the horizon, Stories of a Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition) ushers in a new chapter of celebration for the multi-platinum-selling five-piece: Marc Roberge (lead vocals, guitar), Richard On (lead guitar, backing vocals), Chris Culos (drums), Benj Gershman (bass), and Jerry DePizzo (saxophone, guitar, backing vocals). As the band prepares for an action-packed 2026 marking three decades together (more details coming very soon), they reflect on Stories of a Stranger as a pivotal moment in their journey—a career that has included multiple Platinum and Gold certifications, two sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden, more than a dozen packed shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and one of the most passionate fan communities in modern rock.

“Stories of a Stranger marked a new chapter for our band,” says DePizzo. “To revisit it 20 years later, and to share songs like ‘Sometimes’ as part of this expanded edition, feels like opening a time capsule with our fans. This deluxe edition isn’t just about looking back—it’s about celebrating how far we’ve all come together.”

Formed in 1996, O.A.R. (short for Of A Revolution) got their start in Rockville, Maryland, and built a grassroots fanbase while attending The Ohio State University, thanks in no small part to their exhilarating live show. After making their debut with 1997’s The Wanderer, the band continued to cultivate their colorful and wildly catchy sound—a one-of-a-kind collision of bright and bold guitar work, heart-pounding rhythms, high-energy horns, and sing-along-ready vocals.

Released on October 4, 2005, by Everfine Records and Lava Records, Stories of a Stranger emerged as a monumental triumph for the band, with AllMusic declaring that the album “presents everything that defines O.A.R.” Along with debuting at No. 40 on the Billboard 200, the 12-song LP delivered hit singles like “Heard the World,” “Lay Down,” and the Gold-certified “Love and Memories.” Penned with multi-GRAMMY®-winning songwriter Glen Ballard, the soul-baring “Love and Memories” reached No. 98 on the Billboard Pop 100, No. 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and No. 18 on the Adult Top 40.

Recorded during the Stories of a Stranger sessions, “Sometimes” makes for a glorious addition to the album. With its feel-good message of open-heartedness and hope, the life-affirming anthem provides an instant mood boost by way of its bouncing rhythms, driving guitar riffs, and sublime sax solo. Featured on Side D of Stories of a Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition), “Sometimes” appears alongside O.A.R.’s euphoria-inducing live renditions of “Heard the World,” “Lay Down,” and longtime fan favorite “About Mr. Brown”—all recorded on July 22, 2005, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey.

Since the arrival of Stories of a Stranger, O.A.R. have cemented their legacy with an ever-adventurous catalog now comprised of ten studio LPs and six live albums (most recently, 2024’s Live From Boston). Known for their extensive summer touring and extraordinarily close connection with their fans, the band looks toward their 30th anniversary festivities with equal parts gratitude, awe, and elated anticipation.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been making music together for three decades,” says DePizzo. “When we first started playing in a basement, none of us could have imagined the journey that would follow. In 2026, we get to celebrate 30 years of O.A.R. the best way we know how—out on the road with a massive summer tour, sharing new music, honoring the songs that brought us here, and capturing it all on film. It’s not just a milestone for the band, it’s a celebration of the community that’s been with us every step of the way.”

One Hundred Moons Share Haunting New Single “Ear to Ear” Ahead of ‘Black Avalanche’

Eric Alper
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One Hundred Moons Share Haunting New Single “Ear to Ear” Ahead of ‘Black Avalanche’

Toronto’s One Hundred Moons has released their most recent single, “Ear to Ear,” serving as the latest glimpse into their forthcoming album, Black Avalanche. It’s a song that drifts along like a whisper in a dark, dimly lit corridor. Vocals thread through layers of murky guitars, and minor chords twist in both unsettling and undeniably attractive ways. Listening to it is akin to being guided through a haunted labyrinth without knowing the way out, discovering something surprising at each new turn.

In a densely layered soundscape, flourishes of dissonance contribute to bringing a sharp melodic edge that, in turn, makes it impossible to resist the pull. One Hundred Moons specializes in making atmospheres that are so palpable they seem to have a certain weight. By the time it’s done, the song has left tiny pieces of itself behind in your brainstem, a spectral resonance that makes you want to go back again and again for another listen.

This release comes in the middle of the band’s fall tour, where the songs from Black Avalanche will find new life on stage. The trek started September 19th at Maxwell’s in Waterloo, and continues through Oshawa, Niagara, Toronto, Hamilton, and Windsor. Each show promises to transform the album’s hypnotic textures into an immersive live experience.

“Ear to Ear” offers another window into what the upcoming album, Black Avalanche, promises to offer. For anyone drawn to music that challenges as much as it captivates, this track, as well as the album it hints at, promises a journey worth taking.

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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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