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CHARLIE NIELAND Announces Dazzling and Profound New Album ‘Stories From The Borderlines’

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Renowned NYC songwriter and producer Charlie Nieland—known for his work with artists like Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie, and Scissor Sisters—is set to release his deeply personal new album, Stories From The Borderlines, a dazzling and profound exploration of connection and severance. This set of songs is a kaleidoscope of styles, notes Nieland, who describes the meticulously crafted tracks as a geography of intention, passionately mining for light and truth in a darkening world. This new work, featuring drummer Billy Loose, rapper spiritchild, and Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs), showcases a visceral blend of post-punk, glam, dream pop, and progressive rock, a sound one might describe as cinematic soundscapes and poignant songs that are a masterclass in emotional texture.

Nieland explains that the songs tell stories of growing up, of how we got severed, and how we connect, allowing him to burrow into each idea over several years filled with personal drama to create an experience that shifts with each listen. The album includes the new single Shame, which has been released with a firecracker video directed by Hypnodoll and explores the obsessive lust and repulsion weaponized against the queer community. This follows the epic lead track Win featuring spiritchild and The Ocean Understands EP, highlighting Nieland’s continued evolution as an artist who uses sweeping melodies and restless rhythms to deliver an immersive journey.

Nieland’s extensive backstory includes being awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie’s Greatest Hits Sight & Sound and achieving a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry’s single Two Times Blue, which he co-wrote and produced. His commitment to creating culture is resistance, as he believes imagination is more real than what can be measured, making Stories From The Borderlines not just an album but an act of imaginative resistance that marks the start of a bold new chapter.

LAPTOP Delivers Deadpan Jazz-Robotic Cover of Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis”

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NYC artist Laptop has delivered a winter transmission that sits oddly and perfectly within their catalog: a deadpan, jazz-robotic recreation of Tom Waits’ 1978 classic, “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.” This version is equal parts heartbreak and smirk, performed as if a soul adrift at 2 AM in search of a working payphone, capturing the essence of a holiday season that has gone wrong while stubbornly clinging to the hope that things might just go right. For frontman Jesse Hartman, who revived the band with his son Charlie, this song is deeply personal, having played it since he was 13 and noting it was “the blueprint for Laptop” that showed him how to mix sadness and humor.

While both Laptop and Waits are obsessed with doomed characters, Hartman’s version departs from Waits’s gravel-and-whiskey delivery, leaning into Laptop’s signature swing between warmth and machinery: jazz chords, cold synths, more groove, and Hartman’s dry, controlled, emotionally sideways vocal. The basic tracks were recorded in Valencia with Iñaki Ariste Aznar and drummer Mike Desmerais, with Hartman finishing the song in New York this Thanksgiving. Family members, including Odetta Hartman (backing vocals) and Camellia Hartman (violin), fill the edges of the arrangement with warmth, contrasting the icy synth pad and the rhythmic bed that feels like a jazz band learning to operate inside a drum machine.

Though this is a standalone offering, outside the song cycle leading to their 2026 album On This Planet, it fits the themes Hartman has been exploring lately: aging, reinvention, and the personal fictions we tell ourselves to get through the night. The holiday backdrop adds a chill, making it a perfect Christmas song for people who can’t quite afford to believe in Christmas. The final confession, “I need the money to pay my lawyer,” lands with a mix of dry humor and real ache, concluding one of the great American monologues with unsentimental elegance.

GEORGE MICHAEL’S Landmark Debut Solo Album ‘Faith’ Set for Major Vinyl Reissue

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Few albums have defined an era and redefined a generation of pop music quite like Faith, George Michael’s groundbreaking 1987 debut solo album. Nearly four decades later, its influence continues to resonate across music, fashion, and culture, an enduring testament to the artistry, courage, and creative vision of one of the world’s most beloved and successful performers.

To celebrate its continued impact and influence, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music have announced that on February 20th, multiple limited-edition Faith vinyl variants will be available on red and black marble vinyl, Picture Disc, 1 LP and 2 LP black vinyl, single CD, and Blu-ray Audio. Most variants offer “I Want Your Sex- Pts. 1, 2 & 3, The Monogamy Mix” as a bonus track. It’s been over a decade since the album was offered on vinyl.

Written, arranged, produced, and performed almost entirely by George Michael, Faith marked the emergence of a new type of pop icon, an artist capable of blending soul, R&B, and rock into a sleek, emotionally charged, and deeply personal sound. The album catapulted the then 24-year-old artist to global superstardom, outselling Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince, and earning him a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, three American Music Awards, and a record-breaking run of four U.S. No. 1 singles, including “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,” and “Monkey.” All of which makes George the only British male solo artist ever to achieve four U.S. No. 1 singles from a single album on the Billboard Hot 100, a record that remains unmatched.

Faith has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, topping charts in over ten countries, and cementing George Michael as one of the best-selling British solo artists of all time. Emerging as a defining anthem of its era, its title track with its instantly recognizable guitar riff and iconic leather-jacket-clad video became a cultural touchstone of the late ’80s, inspiring countless artists and defining the MTV generation.

Beyond its commercial triumphs, Faith was a bold artistic statement. It showcased George Michael’s exceptional songwriting, vocal prowess, and meticulous production; a creative tour de force that challenged genre boundaries and redefined what a pop album could be. From the sensual introspection of “Father Figure” to the gospel-tinged power of “One More Try,” every track remains a masterclass in emotion and craftsmanship.

As the world continues to rediscover George Michael’s genius, Faith stands as a monument to his brilliance, a timeless reminder that true artistry transcends decades. Today, its spirit lives on in the voices of artists inspired by his honesty, style, and unwavering individuality.

Minimizing our environmental impact was the guiding principle for this release, from start to finish. We used sustainable materials and environmentally responsible methods at every stage.

The vinyl itself is pressed on Biovinyl, a PVC derived from renewable, bio-based sources—a clear alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic. Packaging is manufactured using a combination of FSC-certified materials and printed with vegetable-based inks. Furthermore, the sturdy outer polybag is intended to stay with the album as a permanent protector, preventing unnecessary waste.

This album was manufactured at Optimal Media in Germany. For every album pressed, a contribution is made to their regional nature conservation project at Nature Park Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide to support tree planting, forest maintenance and management. Optimal commits to resource conservation throughout its production process, minimizes production waste to achieve 100% waste recycling within the company, and sources 65 percent of electricity from renewable sources.

The CD is made with 90 percent recycled polycarbonate and packaged in FSC-certified materials from sustainably managed forests, and the artwork was printed using vegetable-based inks. Manufactured at Sonopress, who commit to ensuring their production processes are environmentally sound and aims to minimize energy consumption using combined heat and power in their production process to emit 52% less CO2 compared to traditional energy consumption in Germany.

‘FAITH’ TRACK LISTING (Bonus track available on most variants):

  1. Faith
  2. Father Figure
  3. I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)
  4. One More Try
  5. Hard Day
  6. Hand to Mouth
  7. Look at Your Hands
  8. Monkey
  9. Kissing a Fool
  10. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)
  11. I Want Your Sex – Pts. 1, 2 & 3, The Monogamy Mix (Bonus Track)

REBEKAH SNYDER Drops Alt-Country Christmas Single “Up on the Housetop”

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Alt-country and Americana artist Rebekah Snyder is welcoming the holiday season with a charming new single, a modern country take on the classic Benjamin R. Hanby Christmas tune “Up on the Housetop.” The track, which arrives tomorrow, Friday, December 12th, carries a deep story rooted in family: Snyder realized she had a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a Christmas song with her three young children while they were with her in Nashville working on her upcoming album with producer Dean Miller. Inspired by her son’s performance of the song at his second-grade pageant, the recording became a multigenerational celebration, featuring her children on vocals, including the iconic “clicks” and a chorus of “ho ho ho.”

This heartfelt rendition follows Snyder’s recent success with Adam Cunningham on their charting duet “Don’t Ever Date A Yankee.” For this holiday single, Snyder steps into the Christmas spotlight with a nod to classic country traditions, recording the track with fiddle and banjo in the spirit of Dolly Parton’s cover of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel No. 8,” complete with a playful “blue” yodel to bring new life to the standard. For Snyder and her resilient family, the track became a celebration of togetherness and the simple, enduring joy of the holiday season.

HAND ON HEART Deliver Romantic Christmas Single “Frosted Memories (Under the Christmas Tree)”

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Italian hard rock/AOR quartet Hand On Heart is celebrating the holiday season with their brand-new single, “Frosted Memories (Under the Christmas Tree),” a romantic and atmospheric Christmas ballad that marks the first chapter of their upcoming second album, due in 2026. Following the strong response to their debut album, Space, the band returns with a song that blends melodic sensitivity with the warm, emotional sound typical of late ’80s and early ’90s rock ballads. Listeners will instantly recognize influences from stadium-rock heavyweights like Bon Jovi, Journey, Bryan Adams, and Bad English, all reimagined through the band’s distinctive modern identity.

The single, which explores emotions, memories, and the intimate atmosphere of the holiday season, was produced and arranged entirely by the band, with recording split between Tuscany, Italy, and England, where the final mix and guitar parts were completed, giving the track a polished, international feel. With its romantic melodies, cinematic arrangements, and rock-driven intensity, “Frosted Memories (Under the Christmas Tree)” provides a fresh, seasonal twist that fits perfectly within Hand On Heart’s style. Fans can look forward to the official music video, which is currently in production and expected to be released around Christmas 2025.

SABRINA STERLING Releases New Single “Jukebox,” Inspired by Raw Honesty and Grief

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Rising alt-pop storyteller Sabrina Sterling has released her brand-new single, “Jukebox,” a track built on warm, nostalgic production and her signature crystal-clear vocals, which explores the deep ache of longing for a version of someone that never truly existed. Sterling, who is known for her intimate, soul-baring releases, pushes even further into raw honesty here, explaining that she wrote the song after having to cut her father out of her life, saying, “sometimes I would miss – not who he was – but who he was supposed to be.” At just 20, the diaristic storyteller has already built a loyal following by writing emotionally resonant songs well beyond her years, having quickly gone viral after posting her first song to TikTok and later earning millions of views and co-signs from artists like Finneas and Olivia Rodrigo, solidifying her as a talent to watch.

HONEY BXBY Drops Fiery New Single “Shame,” Ushering in Next R&B Era

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Honey Bxby, armed with natural curls, red-hot attitude, and vocals built for revenge, has ushered in her next era with the fiery new single “Shame,” out now via Rebirth Ent. / ART@WAR / Warner Records. The track is a sleek evolution in her sound, style, and storytelling, serving as a soulful, stinging takedown of a disloyal lover that flips heartbreak into a power move. With smooth vocals over a hypnotic beat and an unmistakable nod to the Wu-Tang Clan, Honey is not pleading; she’s issuing a final check: “Shame on a n- for thinking he can play me…” The accompanying visual cleverly uses chaos erupting behind her while she sits unbothered, a perfect metaphor for walking away with dignity.

“Shame” arrives hot on the heels of the vocalist’s rising original holiday smash, “All I Want,” a sultry, tongue-in-cheek Christmas record that is positioning her as one of the few new R&B artists expanding into seasonal classics early in their career. Following her breakout year and the success of her most recent EP, Raw Honey—which cemented her as one of R&B’s most magnetic newcomers with collaborations from Lil Kim and Coi Leray—Honey Bxby continues to prove she is a fearless vocalist with a sharp pen and a clear point of view. With “Shame,” the table is now set for her most elevated, intimate, and fiery chapter yet.

THE CURE’s GRAMMY-Nominated Album Performance Hits Cinemas in ‘The Show Of A Lost World’

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The Cure’s widely acclaimed and now GRAMMY-nominated album, Songs Of A Lost World, is being brought to cinemas worldwide in a special event film, The Cure : The Show Of A Lost World, debuting tomorrow. This film captures the band’s one and only full performance of the 31-song album, which took place on the night of its release at London’s Troxy in front of 3,000 fans. Directed by GRAMMY-nominated Nick Wickham, the show has been remixed, recut, and 4K remastered, featuring a new Dolby Atmos sound mix by Robert Smith himself, allowing audiences to experience the landmark performance of the entire new record, plus a five-song set celebrating 45 years of the Seventeen Seconds album.

This event is being released via Lost Images, Polydor/Capitol Records, Mercury Studios, and Trafalgar Releasing, with the cinema screening taking place just before the physical Blu-Ray/DVD is released on December 13th and the digital download on December 19th. The band shared a preview of the film in the form of their performance of the track “Alone.” This is an unmissable cinematic moment that celebrates the latest chapter in The Cure’s legendary career, capturing the full scope and emotional weight of the new work in stunning detail.

MEGADETH Pulls Back the Curtain on Final Album with ‘Behind The Mask’ Cinematic Event

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Thrash metal legends Megadeth, working with Trafalgar Releasing, have unveiled the trailer for Megadeth: Behind The Mask, a cinematic legacy event set to debut on screens worldwide on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. This one-night-only film event—which will screen in over 1,000 cinemas across more than 35 countries—arrives on the eve of the release of the band’s self-titled final studio album, which is due out the following day. Frontman Dave Mustaine pulls back the curtain on 40 years of Megadeth history, sharing untold stories and offering his own track-by-track reflections on the new LP. This immersive film will provide fans with the world premiere of the new album in its entirety, making it a powerful celebration of one of metal history’s most influential bands.

In the lead-up to the album and film’s debut, the current lineup—Mustaine, Teemu Mantysaari, James LoMenzo, and Dirk Verbeuren—have already released two tracks: “I Don’t Care” and the album’s first single, “Tipping Point.” Adding a significant full-circle moment to their final album, Megadeth also announced a special bonus track: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which Mustaine originally co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich back in 1984.

To get tickets go here.

EPICA Unleashes “Avatar – The Final Incarnation” Ahead of Massive European Tour

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Symphonic metal titans Epica have proudly released their explosive new single, “Avatar – The Final Incarnation,” a track inspired by Hindu philosophy, where Mark Jansen notes Kalki represents the final avatar who restores balance and restores truth and purity at the end of the age. Jansen shares that the concept of breaking free from cycles through self-realization and inner transformation “resonates deeply,” channeling a powerful and universal journey toward liberation that is both universal and powerful. The track arrives with a stunning visualizer featuring artwork taken directly from the band’s forthcoming Aspiral Oracle Card Set, a beautifully crafted deluxe boxset that launches worldwide on January 7th. Vocalist Simone Simons adds that the new song will definitely “warm you up for the journey we’re about to take together” as the band prepares to kick off “The Arcane Dimensions” European Tour from January through March, bringing them together with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession for an unforgettable live experience.

tour dates 2026

16.01.26 | Palladium | Cologne, DE
17.01.26 | Zenith | Munich, DE
18.01.26 | Forest National | Brussels, BE
20.01.26 | Bristol Beacon | Bristol, UK
21.01.26 | Barrowlands | Glasgow, UK
23.01.26 | O2 Apollo | Manchester, UK
24.01.26 | Eventim Apollo | London, UK
25.01.26 | Le Zenith | Paris, FR
27.01.26 | Halle 622 | Zurich, CH
28.01.26 | Alcatraz | Milan, IT
30.01.26 | Razzmatazz 1 | Barcelona, ES
31.01.26 | Sala La Riviera | Madrid, ES
01.02.26 | Coliseu dos Recreios | Lisbon, PT
03.02.26 | Bikini Toulouse | Toulouse, FR
04.02.26 | Radiant-Bellevue | Lyon, FR
06.02.26 | MHP Arena | Ludwigsburg, DE
07.02.26 | Ziggo Dome | Amsterdam, NL
06.03.26 | Inselpark Arena | Hamburg, DE
07.03.26 | Haus Auensee | Leipzig, DE
08.03.26 | Columbiahalle | Berlin, DE
10.03.26 | Poolen | Copenhagen, DK
11.03.26 | Fallan | Stockholm, SE
13.03.26 | Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali | Oulu, FI
14.03.26 | Black Box | Helsinki, FI
15.03.26 | Helitehas | Tallinn, EE
17.03.26 | Arena Torwar | Warsaw, PL
18.03.26 | Gasometer | Vienna, AT
20.03.26 | Barba Negra | Budapest, HU
21.03.26 | Forum Karlin | Prague, CZ
22.03.26 | Jahrhunderthalle | Frankfurt, DE