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Toronto-Based Funk Brothers Descendant Nathan Ali Releases Empowered Anthem “Forward” From New EP ‘Parallel’

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Nathan Ali doesn’t flinch from the struggle—he turns it into fuel. His new single “Forward” closes out his deeply personal EP Parallel (Slammin’ Media/Believe) with an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up but chose to rise instead. Driven by haunting melodies and raw lyrics, it’s a rally cry disguised as a slow jam.

“Sometimes in life / You feel like you’re breaking / Feel you can’t make it / Gotta move forward,” Ali sings, steady and clear. And he means it. “I done been there at the bottom / I’ve felt like there’s nothing / But when I stood up and I got it / I got everything I wanted.” These lines hit harder when you know where Nathan’s been.

Raised in foster homes and shaped by poverty, Nathan found purpose through music. In his 20s, he discovered that his father and late uncle were part of Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers—the session musicians behind the biggest soul records in history. That revelation changed everything. He began blending the grooves of that legacy with contemporary R&B, hip hop, and a voice built from pain and persistence.

Since rebranding in 2018, Ali’s music has pulled in over 1.15 million streams. His breakout 2021 album Jungle tallied more than 456,000 of those plays and earned him a devoted following. But Parallel, his latest five-track offering, takes things deeper. It’s a return to the roots, created with longtime collaborators Keylow Jules and BiggD, and shaped by fatherhood, growth, and reflection.

“Parallel is about duality,” Ali says. “I’m an artist, and I’m a father of three. That balance, that tension—it’s everywhere in this music.” From the romantic introspection of “Driver’s Seat” to the streetwise honesty of “Life We Chose,” each track peels back another layer. “Loyal” celebrates ride-or-die love. “One On One” captures late-night temptation. And “Forward” ties it all together with resilience.

The production throughout Parallel stays tight and emotive. Melodic basslines, modern R&B textures, and hooks that linger long after the song ends. But the lyrics are what land hardest. On “Forward,” Ali names the fear, the hustle, and the hope. “Ain’t nothing that could break me,” he declares. “I ain’t gonna let it take me.”

That clarity connects. Nathan’s music resonates with fans of Brent Faiyaz, Khalid, Jeremih, and SZA—listeners who want beats that bump and lyrics that matter. His voice is smooth but grounded, his storytelling sharp. He doesn’t just paint pictures—he builds bridges.

Nathan’s videos and singles have pulled in more than 1.2 million YouTube views. His growing momentum is backed by Slammin’ Media and Believe Distribution, with a campaign targeting Spotify’s Mood Ring, high-rise, and Northern Bars playlists. And with “Forward” as the emotional capstone, the entire project feels purposeful and focused.

Ali doesn’t sugarcoat the past. On “Life We Chose,” he writes about poverty, violence, and making it out: “Coming out the dirt / Living in the ghetto / Momma trying to tell us / Son, don’t you carry metal.” These aren’t fictional bars—they’re scars. But Parallel offers more than survival. It’s about healing, love, and the path ahead.

“Forward” is the kind of track you put on when you’re picking yourself back up. It doesn’t beg for sympathy. It moves. With this single and the EP behind it, Nathan Ali proves he’s not stuck in his story—he’s rewriting it.

Nathan Ali is already on the move. Forward is the direction.

The Partridge Family Meets Slayer: Not Those Carpenters Unleash “Too Broke to Be Pretty!”

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Straight outta Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, family band Not Those Carpenters are flipping the script on fame, filters, and fitting in with their raucous, rebellious new single “Too Broke To Be Pretty!” — now streaming everywhere.

Somewhere between a campfire singalong and a punk show in a barn, Not Those Carpenters have carved out their own glorious, genre-defying lane. Hailing from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, this full-throttle family band channels the heart of The Partridge Family with the bite of Slayer, rolling folk, funk, metal, gospel, and punk into one joyfully chaotic package. Their new single, “Too Broke To Be Pretty!”, is out now and ready to be screamed in your car at full volume.

Made up of Brett, Tamara, Phoenix, and Ivy-Ocean Carpenter, and Pharaoh Amnesty, Not Those Carpenters are as real as it gets: a family that sings, plays, and laughs together—and writes anthems for misfits, outcasts, and the gloriously unfiltered. “Too Broke To Be Pretty!” isn’t just a song—it’s a rallying cry.

Written by Tamara Carpenter, the song was sparked by a moment scrolling through social media. “Wow, everyone looks so good!” she said aloud. Her daughter casually replied, “It’s probably filters.” After diving into beauty apps and watching an awards show glitter with glam squads and gold-plated routines, Tamara had a realization: “I am too broke to be pretty.” And more importantly, she was totally okay with that.

“It costs a lot of money for the looks that they get / Fillers, filters, and things I haven’t heard of yet… / “Lovin’ myself and I don’t need your pity / Perfectly happy with my itty-bitty kitty / You’ll find me alone in the country or the city / ’Cause I’m socially awkward / And too broke to be pretty”

The band leans into their homemade charm and powerful harmonies with full confidence and a wink, delivering lines like “Do you like skulls?” and “Wanna see my rock collection?” in a way only this crew can. The result is a track that feels equal parts protest, party, and therapy session in a patchwork dress.

“The song doesn’t criticize those who engage in external methods to feel better about themselves,” says Tamara. “Rather, it’s a reminder to myself that even if I looked a certain way, I still wouldn’t blend in—I’m socially awkward. And I’m okay with that!”

Whether you’re dressed to the nines or covered in cat hair, Not Those Carpenters are here to remind you: beauty fades, but riff-driven joy and radical self-acceptance are forever.

Because you don’t need a ring light to rock. You just need a family, a fuzz pedal, and the courage to be awkward.

Caylie G’s “Brenda Heather Kelly” Is a Brightly Cynical Pop-Folk Send-Up of the Wellness Apocalypse

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Edmonton-based pop-folk artist Caylie G (they/she) has released their new single “Brenda Heather Kelly,” a biting, glitter-drenched anthem for anyone who’s ever ghosted a party via fake phone call. Out now, the track sets the stage for Caylie’s upcoming third EP, slated for release in September 2025. Equal parts sad-cowboy pop and queer satire, “Brenda Heather Kelly” turns a mirror on influencer culture, performative joy, and the absurdity of trying to be “the hottest person in the room.”

Written by Caylie and long-time collaborator Father Bobby Townsend, who also produced and mixed the track, the song leans into the tension between big feelings and social fakery. With lines like “Everyone loves a miracle drug / I can be sad and make it look fun,” Caylie laces their observations with humour, self-awareness, and a kind of exhausted wisdom that resonates with anyone navigating the pressure to perform their best life online and off.

“Contrary to the glittering theatrics, I’m not a partier,” Caylie says. “This song came from a real party I went to and hated every minute of. I realized I was stuck in this loop of comparison—everyone trying to be cooler, hotter, smaller. So I wrote the song as a kind of exorcism. It’s part diary, part pop diss track, part existential shrug.”

With background vocals from a tight circle of friends and a swooning pedal steel by Booker Diduck, “Brenda Heather Kelly” feels like a honky-tonk therapy session in a group chat gone rogue. The production sparkles, but the melancholy lingers. Lines about Ozempic envy, 37-year-old boyfriends, and Denny’s makeout sessions all point to the song’s central message: that even when we’re pretending to be fine, most of us are just faking a call from our mom to escape the noise.

Caylie’s songwriting ethos blends four-chord storytelling with queer intimacy, navigating heartbreak, mental health, and softness with candour. They describe their sound as “sad-cowboy pop for the lovers, criers, and heartbreak champions that have never gotten over anything.” Since debuting with two EPs in a single year—The Trials and Tribulations of a Twenty-Two-Year-Old Teenager and Softhearted Cowboy—Caylie has steadily built a devoted audience across Canada.

In 2024, they opened for Priyanka (winner of Canada’s Drag Race) and were featured at Winnipeg Folk Fest and Banff Pride. Now, Caylie is set to bring “Brenda Heather Kelly” and a slate of new music to stages across the country. Tour dates for summer 2025 include stops at some of the most beloved indie and folk festivals in Canada:

Caylie G Summer 2025 Tour Dates

  • June 14 – Highlandia – Edmonton, AB
  • June 28 – Revy. LIVE – Revelstoke, BC
  • July 9–13 – Winnipeg Folk Festival (Wandering Minstrels Program) – Winnipeg, MB
  • July 18–20 – Folk On The Rocks – Yellowknife, NWT
  • July 22 – Taste of Edmonton – Edmonton, AB
  • July 26 – The Aviary – Edmonton, AB
  • August 23 – Eastern Slopes Festival – Calgary, AB
  • August 29-31 – Waynestock – Wayne AB

“Brenda Heather Kelly” is the soundtrack for a generation that medicates, disassociates, and quietly copes with being chronically uncool. “It’s not anti-party,” Caylie clarifies, “It’s just for the people who’ve never wanted to be the main character at one.”

Foreigner Releases Spanish Version of “Urgent” as Tribute to Latin American Fans on 2025 South American Tour

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Foreigner is honoring its Latin American fans with a reimagined release of one of its most beloved hits-this time, en espanol. The band has debuted a powerful new Spanish-language version of its global rock anthem “Urgent”.

“Urgent” is performed by Foreigner’s own Luis Maldonado, who takes the spotlight on vocals in a deeply personal tribute to Spanish-speaking fans across the Americas. The release comes as Foreigner rocks across its 2025 South American Tour, which takes the band through Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and more.

“We’ve been embraced by fans in Latin America for decades,” said guitarist and vocalist Luis Maldonado. “Recording these songs in Spanish is our way of saying thank you and sharing the music in a more intimate, personal way.”

On tour, fans can expect to hear all of FOREIGNER’s iconic anthems, including “Cold As Ice,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded,” “Say You Will,” and of course, “I Want To Know What Love Is.”

Ice Nine Kills Drops “A Work of Art” Live Video from Melbourne Amid Horror-Fueled Silver Scream-A-Thon Tour

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Ice Nine Kills has unleashed “A Work of Art (Live in Melbourne, Australia).” Filmed at the band’s recent sold-out show at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, the bloodthirsty video offers a visceral examination of INK’s latest single, which was featured in the No. 1 horror blockbuster Terrifier 3 and has slayed Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart for 18 weeks and counting.

“A Work of Art” has already racked up over 35 million streams and debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. Its extended-cut music video-featuring System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian, Terrifier franchise icons David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown) and Catherine Corcoran, SiriusXM’s Jose Mangin and Vincent Rockwell and Richard Christy (Drummer for Death, Control Denied, and Charred Walls of the Damned). The blood-soaked massacre is directed by Jensen Noen with special effects from Oscar-winner Christopher Nelson and became an instant horror-metal classic upon release. Now, fans can witness the mayhem live, with the band’s signature theatricality on full display in front of thousands of Australian “Psychos.”

The release arrives as Ice Nine Kills begin to tear through the U.S. on their immersive Silver Scream-A-Thon headline tour-a two-night, double-feature experience featuring both The Silver Scream (night 1) and The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood (night 2) performed in full on respective nights along with fan favourites and deep cuts. The tour is currently underway and includes select stadium stops alongside Metallica on the M72 World Tour.

Lilith Czar Unleashes Haunting “POPSICLE” Video as Bride of Frankenstein in Fierce Statement of Creative Rebirth

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 Bold and bewitching, rock artist Lilith Czar is excited to share a brand new music video for her latest single “POPSICLE”. The track – Lilith’s first as an independent artist – has captivated listeners with its unbridled fury and uncompromising artistry. With its release last week fans caught a glimpse of Lilith as the Banshee; now she returns as the bride with a Frankenstein twist.

“‘The Portrait’ video for ‘POPSICLE’ was inspired by Poe’s The Oval Portrait – a story about obsession and how it drains the life from everything it touches,” shares Lilith. “In the video, I’m posing for a portrait, clearly the antithesis of what’s being painted, but it doesn’t matter. They only ever saw what they wanted to see.”

She continues: “The Bride of Frankenstein look is symbolic; she was created without consent, expected to submit, and chose defiance. Ultimately, the fundamental refusal to see the subject at all results in the slow suffocation of spirit, until nothing remains but a hollow echo of what was once alive. This is about creative control, autonomy, and the fight to hold onto who you are.”

Shadows Fall Return with Crushing New Anthem “Souls Devoured” — A Genre-Bending Blast of Pure Metal Fury

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Shadows Fall are back with a brand new song and music video – “Souls Devoured” is a straight up metallic anthem – the kind that band has been crafting with vitality and vibrance for decades. You’re in for galloping solos, three-tiered vocals, massive melodies, and thoughtful lyrics.

“Shadows Fall have always been a band that lets all of our influences and ideas show in our music and have never been afraid to mix and match genres within our sound,” says Fair, pulling back the curtain on the process. “‘Souls Devoured’ is a great example of that style of songwriting where we let it all hang out. It opens with a huge groove and rock riff before transitioning into a black metal-inspired verse to add a little evil to the party. Things open up into a half-time chorus that has an almost Pantera-style vibe before we inject some melodic death metal into the bridge and solo section. On paper, that can sound a bit schizophrenic, but we always try to have a cohesiveness and underlying theme that keeps it all unified. It’s a song that captures what I believe is the true essence of Shadows Fall by bringing in elements of our past but with a clear eye towards the future. It has familiar elements but sounds like nothing we have ever written before.”

Fair opens up about the subject matter, saying, “Lyrically, the song is about finding yourself trapped in an apocalyptic event where demons and disasters have begun to consume the world. It’s about fighting for survival as the planet crumbles around you and you realize the only way to survive it is to fight fire with fire. We spend most of our lives trying to quiet the evil voices in our mind or denying they exist but in this scenario tapping into that darkness and letting the personal demons out may be the only way to survive the terror.”

He finishes, “Facing pure evil by becoming that evil yourself. You know, heavy metal type sh*t! I usually write from a personal or philosophical place but ‘Souls Devoured’ allowed me to step outside of that box and tap into a dark form of storytelling that fit the intensity and foreboding vibe of the instrumental side of it. Bang your head and get into it!”

John Lodge of The Moody Blues Returns with “Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” Tour, Celebrating Classic Hits and Moodies Magic

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John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has announced he will be back on the road with an electrifying new show titled ‘Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’!

Following the phenomenal success of his ‘Days of Future Passed’ show over the last two years, John wanted to now go back to basics… what are the songs that he loved performing in the Moody Blues? How could he bring these enduring songs to audiences, staying true to the original sound, yet breathing new life into them? These songs might have been discovered by listeners on release, or by newer generations later, but whenever they first heard them, they made an indelible impression on them. John’s task was clear, he wanted to recreate the sound and the feel of a Moody Blues show of the past, but at the same time bring in the incredible musicianship of his band, and his experience of performing these songs for over 50 years, to give these classic songs that extra dash of magic.

When John wrote the hit single ‘Singer’ in 1972 it was because people were looking to him to change the world… this composition replied that he’s just a singer in a rock and roll band! But his message went on – John wanted everyone to be part of the music, and if you’ve ever experienced one of John’s shows you will know how true this is. The music and camaraderie will lift you up, it may not change the world, but it might make it a little brighter…

This incredible new show will feature songs from ‘the core seven albums’ including ‘Days of Future Passed’, Seventh Sojourn, and more, plus ‘Octave’ and the triple platinum selling album ‘Long Distance Voyager. It will bring together some of the captivating moments of his ‘Days of Future Passed’ show, all of John’s hits with the Moodies, and, of course, tributes to all his bandmates. This truly will be a show of Moodies Magic and ‘a trip worth taking and remembering’! (Tony Violanti review of John’s show March 24, 2025)

Together with Jon Davison of YES and his 10,000 Light Years Band, John will lovingly recreate ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Ride my See-Saw’, ‘Gemini Dream’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘The Voice’, ‘Steppin’ in Slide Zone’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’ and much more. Also, experience deep cuts from these classic albums, and, together with the electrifying video and lights, be taken on a journey through time.

The tour kicks off on July 19th at the Vogel in New Jersey, and continues through to Des Plaines, IL on August 7th.

Following a stroke at the end of 2023, John has gone from strength to strength, driven by his love for this music, and his deeply held desire to continue to share it with the fans. The critically acclaimed shows in July and November 2024 are testament to his passion and commitment, and as John says, his hope is that people leave with a little bit of joy around them.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure performing Days in its entirety over the last couple of years, but I’m so excited about our new show… there are a few songs I’ve not performed before that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and many of our classic songs seem to have taken on a new meaning following health challenges, so I hope everyone will enjoy continuing on this journey with me. I’m doing great, and I just love to share this music with the fans. I look out and see familiar faces, and occasionally some new ones, and I love what we’ve shared over so many decades. Thank you for keeping the faith.”

USA Dates
July 19 The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ
July 20 Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
July 23 Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ
July 24 Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA (on Sale May 2nd)
July 26 Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA
July 27 Infinity Hall, Hartford, CT
July 29 Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
July 30 JPT Film & Event Center, Newport, RI
Aug 1 MCL Pavilion, Newport, KY
Aug 2 Agora, Cleveland, OH
Aug 6 Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
Aug 7 Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, IL

RADWIMPS Release Cinematic New Video “Tamamono” for NHK Drama Anpan as Part of 20th Anniversary Celebration

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Acclaimed Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary, are excited to release their brand new music video “Tamamono,” the theme song of the new NHK Drama Series “Anpan” available worldwide on NHK World Premium.
 
The music video, directed by video director/graphic designer MESS, depicts in three parts the human society that is tossed about by unexpected events and the tragedy and joy of life, in which suffering, sadness, and joy are repeated like the cycle of life. Like celebrating the “beauty of our miserable lives,” as the lyrics of the song say, this music video tells the story like watching a full length film.


 
“Tamamono” was exclusively written for the NHK Drama Serial “Anpan” and is the first new song release by RADWIMPS in a year and 9 months. The song has been in the making since May of last year, and it took the band more than 6 months to complete the production. “My goal was to write a song that is challenging and adventurous.” As Yojiro Noda commented, the music video is a great representation of the song “Tamamono” which shows various expressions within a single track.
 
“Anpan” is a story based on the lives of Yanase Takashi, the creator of “Anpanman,” a famous Japanese anime character, and his wife Nobu. It depicts how two individuals overcame countless hardships to create “Anpanman,” embodying the idea of ‘justice that never wavers,’ and inspiring love and courage that make the joy of living well up from within.

 
To commemorate the 20th anniversary, the band will be releasing their past albums on vinyl starting with Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To from 2013 which will drop on May 7, 2025. One title will release every month until September. Preorders for Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To,” “Zettaizetsumei,” “Arutokoroni No Teiri,” “RADWIMPS 4 -Okazu No Gohan-and RADWIMPS 3 -Mujintou ni Motteikiwasureta Ichimai- LPs are now available for international fans on their Overseas Store. All titles are limited edition so make sure to preorder to secure your copy.
 
Formed in 2001, RADWIMPS made their major label debut in 2005. Soon after, they garnered a broad fan base, with the younger generation at the core. The band has released nine studio albums thus far. The band’s creation of music for Shinkai’s previous record-breaking animated feature films “Your Name.” and “Weathering with You” led to recognitions at the Japanese Academy Award for Best Original Score. Their musical activities go far beyond Japan, including touring extensively around the world.
 
In Nov. 2021, the band released their latest studio album FOREVER DAZE and went on the road for a nationwide Japanese tour to support the album. “FOREVER DAZE” was written and recorded throughout the pandemic and speaks to the musical challenges the guys faced, their hopes moving forward and features a diverse group of collaborators and experimental elements. In 2022, Radwimps teamed up with highly acclaimed film music composer Kazuma Jinnouchi to create the perfect soundtrack and score for award-winning auteur director Makoto Shinkai’s latest film “Suzume.” To coincide with the movie release around the world, the band went on the road for their 2023 sold out North American, European, Australian and Asian tours with more follow-up dates in Asia and Latin America in 2024.

Lonesome River Band Blends Banjo and Telecaster on New Single “Blues,” a Playful Peek at Upcoming Telegrass Project

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Since the early 1990s, when Lonesome River Bands Sammy Shelor began pulling out a red Telecaster electric guitar to jam away on the group’s signature “Hobo Blues,” the snappy sound of “chicken pickin’” has had a place in the legendary group’s approach to bluegrass. Savvy listeners caught its unobtrusive presence in the quintet’s first single of the year, “I’m on to You,” but on “Blues,” their newest Mountain Home Music Company release, it shares the spotlight with the more traditional sounds of fiddle, mandolin and Shelor’s banjo.  

“We’ve all had the ‘Blues’ in our lives,” says Shelor, “but this Adam Wright song sees the ‘Blues’ in a whole different light. It’s a light-hearted break from the sad songs — one that we have a ton of fun with. Featuring our good friend Rod Riley on the Telecaster, it comes from our upcoming ‘Telegrass’ project.”

Indeed, the Telecaster makes an early appearance in the track, sliding in between the fiddle kick-off and the opening words of the first verse and lingering underneath. Mandolinist Adam Miller’s laconic lead vocal is a perfect vehicle for the deadpan humor of Wright’s lyric:

Last thing you said when you walked out the door
Was ‘I hope you get blues like never before’
I sold the ring I bought and headed off down the road
I didn’t stop ’til I got to the water, and I just want you to know 

I’ve had the blues since you said goodbye
I’ve been watching these big blue waves rollin’ in under a big blue sky
With a girl in a chair with the prettiest pair of baby blue eyes
I’ve had the blues since you said goodbye 

With a round robin instrumental “breakdown” section that sets up the defiant bridge, “I’ve never been better, and I kind of hope that I have these blues forever,” and an extended outro that features the Telecaster trading licks with banjo and fiddle, “Blues” is a tantalizing preview of Lonesome River Band’s “Telegrass” that’s sure to perk up listeners’ ears.

“Blues” is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.