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Chicago Punk Mainstays The Arrivals Return Loud With Payload And New Song

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After a 15-year hiatus, The Arrivals return with ‘Payload,’ their first new album since 2010’s ‘Volatile Molotov,’ coming soon via Recess Records. The long-awaited release marks a confident new chapter for one of Chicago’s most enduring punk bands, alongside the arrival of the album’s first single, “Just Like My Brother.”

Recorded by Joe Gac of Meat Wave at Electrical Audio, ‘Payload’ captures the band’s powerful, dynamic sound with clarity and force. The recording jumps with urgency and detail, placing melody and grit firmly side by side.

“It’s still wild to me how every time we get into a room together, after being separated by large swaths of miles and time, we just pick up exactly where we left off,” says guitarist and singer Little Dave Merriman. “This record definitely captures who we are now. It’s got some flavors we haven’t served up yet. But it’s 100 percent us. 100 percent Arrivals.”

“Just Like My Brother” earns an enthusiastic response for its buoyant rhythm and earworm chorus, carrying the spirit that made ‘Volatile Molotov’ a lasting favorite. The song celebrates chosen family with warmth and drive, reinforcing the band’s gift for pairing sharp storytelling with hooks that stay close.

Formed in Blue Island, Illinois in 1996, The Arrivals remain rooted in working-class punk shaped by decades of DIY culture. ‘Payload’ continues their tradition of letting each song stand on its own, blending influence, instinct, and lived experience into a record that sounds immediate, thoughtful, and fully alive.

Punk Icons Dropkick Murphys And Haywire Unite On ‘New England Forever’ Vinyl

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Dropkick Murphys and Haywire join forces on a new 12-inch split LP titled ‘New England Forever,’ capturing the shared spirit forged while touring Europe together last fall. Each band contributes three original tracks and a cover of the other’s song, making the eight-song release a true two-way collaboration.

The record highlights mutual respect and raw chemistry. Haywire takes on Dropkick Murphys’ “The Boys Are Back,” while Dropkick Murphys deliver their own charged version of Haywire’s “Always By My Side.” The result is immediate, loud, and rooted in shared punk values, with both bands sounding locked in and fully committed.

New England Forever earns an enthusiastic response for its urgency and unity. The songs hit with conviction and purpose, reinforcing the idea that scene-driven punk thrives when community and collaboration lead the way. It is a release built to be played loud, passed hand to hand, and lived with.

The vinyl will be available exclusively at shows on Dropkick Murphys’ “For The People…In The Pit St. Patrick’s Day Tour,” launching February 9 in Portland, Maine. The run wraps March 13, 14, 15, and 17 in Boston during the band’s annual St. Patrick’s Day hometown dates, drawing fans from around the world.

Supporting on most dates are The Aggrolites and Haywire, turning the tour into a traveling celebration of punk, soul, and shared roots. New England Forever stands as a physical keepsake from the road, built for the pit, the merch table, and the long memory of the scene.

Track Listing
Side A: Dropkick Murphys
Citizen I.C.E. featuring Haywire
Only The Strong
Solidarity
Always By My Side (Haywire cover)

Side B: Haywire
New England Forever featuring Dropkick Murphys
Hang Up The Telephone
The Henchmen
The Boys Are Back (Dropkick Murphys cover)

Stevie Nicks’ ‘Rock a Little’ Gets Audiophile Anniversary Treatment

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High-fidelity specialists Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab unveil the 40th Anniversary 180g 45RPM 2LP edition of Stevie Nicks’ platinum-certified 1985 album ‘Rock a Little.’ Available to order January 16, the strictly limited pressing of 4,000 numbered copies celebrates one of Nicks’ most colorful and emotionally expansive solo statements.

Mastered at MoFi’s California studio and pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, the release is sourced from the original analog tapes and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket. The album’s layered dreamscapes, wide dynamics, and tonal detail arrive with striking clarity, presenting the music with balance, depth, and dimensional precision that elevates every performance.

Nicks’ enthusiasm for the project reinforces the album’s standing in classic pop history. Opener “I Can’t Wait” lands with heightened drama and presence, while “Imperial Hotel” snaps with rhythmic drive and bold hooks. The reissue draws out the album’s emotional core, where intimacy and ambition move side by side.

The record features contributions from Benmont Tench and Waddy Wachtel and includes Nicks’ impassioned take on Chas Sanford’s “Talk to Me,” a Top 5 hit that remains a defining moment in her solo catalog. Each track benefits from the expansive headroom and rich tonal palette of the new mastering.

Closing piano ballad “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You” carries lasting emotional weight, composed in memory of Joe Walsh’s daughter and delivered with grace and restraint. With this anniversary edition, ‘Rock a Little’ earns renewed appreciation as a deeply felt, sonically adventurous chapter in Stevie Nicks’ enduring legacy.

Jazz-Pop Newcomer Elysia Biro Introduces Debut EP With “Gentleman Blue”

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Rising jazz-pop artist Elysia Biro announces her debut EP ‘Running From Nothing,’ arriving April 24, alongside the release of her new single “Gentleman Blue.” Written over several years across Vancouver Island, England, and Los Angeles, the EP captures a period of growth, movement, and artistic definition.

“In the writing of this music, I have drawn deeply from my roots – building each song around the core of a jazz trio or solo piano,” Biro says. “Each song is an epiphany – small truths revealing themselves.” Together, the EP unfolds as a series of reflections shaped by time, place, and lived experience.

Released today, “Gentleman Blue” brings a freeing, danceable groove inspired by a moment of unexpected clarity. “I saw this beautiful older woman dancing like she didn’t have a care in the world,” Biro shares. “I wrote about the realization that we are all growing, and embracing the privilege it is to grow.” The song carries warmth, movement, and emotional ease.

Written on bass rather than piano, “Gentleman Blue” features electric and upright bass, drums, organ, upright piano, alto sax, synthesizer, acoustic guitar, and Wurlitzer electric piano. Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios, the track earns an enthusiastic response for its layered arrangement and relaxed sense of timing.

Since releasing her debut single “Just Wait A Minute,” Biro has surpassed 3.5 million streams and delivered standout performances at Cadogan Hall and the London Jazz Festival. With ‘Running From Nothing,’ she continues shaping a sound rooted in jazz tradition, modern pop form, and expressive musicianship.

Country Breakout Braxton Keith Leans Into Western Swing With “I Ain’t Tryin’”

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Country riser Braxton Keith keeps his momentum rolling with “I Ain’t Tryin’,” a dance-floor-ready Western swing track arriving January 16, 2026 via Warner Records Nashville. Schooled on the classics and wired for today, the song leans into easy confidence, throwback twang, and a groove built to move a room.

“I Ain’t Tryin’” brings casual charisma front and center, complete with a Bob Wills-style “haw haw!,” mellow steel guitar, and bright fiddle lines that bounce from beat to beat. The track was co-written with Brice Long and Will Jones and features 19-year-old fiddle standout Carson Peters, adding snap and sparkle to the arrangement.

“It’s like a good pair of jeans that come back in style,” Keith says. “It’s just good old country music.” The response around the song highlights how cleanly it captures the power of classic country when delivered with conviction, personality, and swing-forward energy.

The release arrives as Keith earns major industry recognition, landing on Rolling Stone’s “Country Albums We’re Excited to Hear in 2026” list and Amazon Music’s “2026 Artists to Watch.” After logging more than 130 shows in 2025 while supporting Cody Johnson, Gavin Adcock, and Luke Bryan, Keith continues building a reputation as a must-see live act.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/16 – Cheyenne, WY – The Lincoln Cheyenne
1/17 – Deadwood, SD – Red Dirt Fest
1/23 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall
1/24 – Terrell, TX – Silver Saloon
1/29 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Two Dimes
1/30 – Starkville, MS – Rick’s Cafe
1/31 – Bossier City, LA – Bulls Bands & Barrels
2/6 – Baton Rouge, LA – Texas Club
2/7 – Rosenberg, TX – Third Coast Bucking
2/12 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
2/13 – Saint Louis, MO – Hot Country Nights
2/14 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
2/19 – Los Fresnos, TX – Los Fresnos Rodeo
2/21 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
2/22 – San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
3/13, 14 – Melbourne, VIC – Margaret Court Arena*
3/16, 17 – Sydney, NSW – Hordern Pavilion*
3/20, 21 – Ipswich, QLD – CMC Rocks Festival
3/28 – Winston-Salem, NC – Bulls, Bands & Barrels
3/29 – Isle of Palms, SC – Windjammer
4/11 – Somerville, TX – Chilifest
4/18 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage
4/23 – Santa Fe, NM – The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Company
4/25 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach
4/26 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company
5/8 – Faison, NC – Creekstone Rising Music Festival
5/10 – Saint Pete Beach, FL – Country Thunder Florida
5/24 – Santiago, MX – Monterrey Country Fest
6/7 – Lexington, KY – Railbird Music Festival
6/18 – Bloomington, IL – Tailgate N’ Tallboys
6/19 – North Lawrence, OH – The Country Fest
7/8 – Chicago, IL – Windy City Smokeout
7/11 – New Salem, ND – ND Country Fest
7/18 – Eau Claire, WI – Eau Claire Event District
8/6 – Oshkosh, WI – XRoads41
8/8 – Sikeston, MO – Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo
8/15 – Imperial, NE – Chase County Fair & Expo
8/27 – Mount Morris, MI – Genesee County Fair
9/11–9/13 – Bristol, TN – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
*Supporting Riley Green

Spotify’s Artists To Watch 2026 Spotlight The Next Wave Of Breakout Talent

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For years, Spotify has shaped how listeners discover what’s next. Now, its Artists to Watch 2026 list brings together a global lineup of emerging voices already gaining momentum across playlists, scenes, and cultures. These artists reflect where music is moving, not later, but right now.

The list spans genres and geographies, from Afrobeats standout MOLIY to rock and alternative firebrands Ecca Vandal, Speed, and Die Spitz. In pop, names like ADÉLA, Baby Nova, and Noah Rinker highlight songwriting with personality and purpose, while R&B artists Isaia Huron, Jai’Len Josey, Mack Keane, and JayDon bring emotional clarity and groove-forward precision.

Country and folk are equally well represented, with Vincent Mason, Zach John King, Laci Kaye Booth, Max McNown, Hudson Freeman, Dove Ellis, and Folk Bitch Trio showing the genre’s range and depth. Dance and electronic artists KETTAMA, Prospa, and Jackie Hollander deliver movement-driven tracks that already feel built for repeat listens.

Hip-hop voices Hurricane Wisdom, PLUTO, sosocamo, and Ovrkast. push sound and storytelling forward, while Latin artists Young Cister, María Isabel, rusowsky, and Hermanos Espinoza expand the list’s global reach. Each artist is paired with a handpicked essential track, creating a playlist that captures energy, ambition, and forward motion.

The Artists to Watch 2026 playlist earns an enthusiastic response for its breadth and intention. It plays like a snapshot of culture in progress, full of artists ready for wider stages and deeper conversations. This is a collection that rewards curiosity and invites listeners to discover the names shaping the year ahead.

Sports Illustrated And Tight End University Launch Big Game Weekend With Tight Ends And Friends

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For 70 years, Sports Illustrated has shaped how fans experience sports culture. Now, ahead of the biggest weekend on the calendar, Sports Illustrated teams up with Tight End University to launch Tight Ends & Friends, a high-energy celebration kicking off Big Game Weekend in San Francisco.

Taking place Thursday, February 5 at Public Works, the event brings TEU’s community-first culture into an immersive nightlife setting. Designed as a collegiate-style party with elevated production, the night blends interactive games, turf-inspired builds, and a soundtrack built for momentum and connection.

Early excitement surrounds the limited Early Bird ticket release priced at $85, a nod to San Francisco 49ers tight end and TEU founder George Kittle. Additional ticketing details and talent announcements will follow, adding to the anticipation surrounding one of the weekend’s most talked-about gatherings.

The music anchors the experience, culminating in a headline performance by Loud Luxury with Frank Walker opening the night. The response around the event highlights its energy and intent, delivering lift, community, and cultural relevance in equal measure.

Produced by Rubicon Talent and Authentic Live, the night features all-inclusive access, food giveaways, surprise appearances, and sponsor activations from Cash App, Novartis, Zenni Optical, Kinder’s, Smirnoff, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Dockers, Champion, and Verizon. Tight Ends & Friends sets the tone for the weekend with authenticity, access, and shared celebration.

Indie Rock Band Don’t Believe In Ghosts Unleash New “Paper Tiger” Video

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Don’t Believe In Ghosts have released the new music video for “Paper Tiger,” the latest single from their album ‘But On The Bright Side,’ out now via Mindful Recordings. The album has already appeared on multiple Best of 2025 lists, carrying the band’s momentum straight into the new year with confidence and clarity.

The “Paper Tiger” video leans into the song’s emotional push and pull, capturing the feeling of chasing something just out of reach while trying to stay grounded. Scenes reflect doubt, desire, and quiet determination, echoing lyrics shaped by heavy thoughts, fragile confidence, and the resolve to keep moving forward.

“Paper Tiger” earns an enthusiastic response for its balance of tension and lift. The song pairs introspective verses with a sky-high chorus, delivering a massive hook that sticks while letting vulnerability breathe. It feels immediate, purposeful, and emotionally resonant without overstatement.

The track was co-written by and features backing vocals from Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs, Nick Brown of Mona, and Don Miggs of Whole Damn Mess. It was mixed by Mark Needham, known for work with The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Fleetwood Mac, Neon Trees, and Chris Isaak, giving the track its polished but punchy sound.

“But On The Bright Side” was recorded across New York City, Nashville, and the Midwest, with a focus on live performances, analog gear, and classic studio workflows. With the “Paper Tiger” video, Don’t Believe In Ghosts continue shaping indie rock that feels lived-in, hopeful, and built to connect.

Alternative Pop Breakout Maeve Alexander Turns Friendship Fallout Into “Nailbiter”

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Rising alternative pop artist Maeve Alexander shares her new single “Nailbiter,” a sharply observed song about the quiet devastation that follows a friendship breakup. Built on confessional songwriting and emotionally charged melodies, the track lands with clarity and purpose, marking an important creative moment in her evolving catalog.

Written in summer 2025 after the sudden end of a seven-year friendship, “Nailbiter” arrived quickly and honestly. “The song wrote itself before I fully understood what I needed to say,” Maeve says. “Friendship breakups carry a quiet, often unspoken grief, even when the devastation feels all-consuming.” That urgency gives the song its emotional weight.

The response to “Nailbiter” highlights its directness and emotional precision. The song captures ache without overstating it, pairing vulnerability with momentum in a way that feels immediate and lived-in. It reflects growth, healing, and the clarity that arrives when emotions are allowed space to move.

Maeve Alexander’s sound sits between alternative pop and indie rock, often compared to Rachel Chinouriri, Lola Young, Syd Taylor, and Hayley Williams’ solo work. Her music blends raw lyricism with melodies full of motion, shaped by a background that includes classical training, punk pop bands, and underground scenes.

She recently brought that energy to the stage while showcasing her indie pop EP ‘A Ghost Story’ at The Broadway as part of a Breaking Sound curated lineup. With “Nailbiter,” Maeve continues a creative chapter rooted in self-reflection, human connection, and the courage to turn emotional fallout into forward motion.

The Casualties Return With “People Over Power” And A Renewed Punk Rally Cry

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After nearly a decade without new recorded music, The Casualties roar back into focus with “People Over Power,” a blunt-force statement that reasserts exactly where they stand. Released via Hellcat Records, the track wastes no time delivering its message, driven by breakneck momentum and unfiltered conviction. It lands as a rallying cry rooted in lived frustration, channeling anger toward collective action rather than resignation.

Frontman David Rodriguez describes the song as a response to relentless pressure from systems that feel stacked against everyday people, boiling the message down to its most direct form: people come first. Drummer Marc “Meggers” Eggers calls it a pure protest song, built to provoke reaction and movement. The band’s approach remains grounded in the street punk tradition shaped by The Exploited and the Sex Pistols, pairing rapid-fire riffs with unapologetically political intent.

That urgency carries straight into their 2026 live return, with The Casualties heading to the UK and Europe for a run of festival and headline appearances beginning in March. The shows extend the song’s message beyond the studio, reinforcing the band’s long-held role as a voice for the disillusioned and defiant.

Tour Dates:

March 29 – Scarborough (UK) @ Scarborough Punk Festival
June 6- Linz (AT) @ Sbäm Festival|
June 12- Torgau (DE) @ Ain’t Like You Festival|
June 20- Etxebarri (ES) @ Ehuneko Bat
June 26- Rennes (FR) @ Superbowl Of Hardcore
June 27- Munster (DE) @ Vainstream Rockfest
June 28- Tabor (CZ) @ Mighty Sounds
July 10- Prolsdorf (DE) @ Krach Am Bach
July 25 – Hohenems (DE) @ Speedfest
July 30- Argenta (IT) @ DLB Festival
July 31- St Maurice de Gordans (FR) @ Sylak Open Air
August 6- Jaromer (CZ) @ Brutal Assault
August 7- Ancora Praia (PT) @ Sonic Blast Festival
August 8 – Duffel (BE) @ Brakrock
August 11- Tolmin (SI) @ Punkrock Holiday
August 15- Carhaix (FR) @ Motocultor
August 20- Loburg (DE) @ Spirit Festival
August 22- Oostkamp (BE) – Parkpop