In April last year Eunike Tanzil signed to Deutsche Grammophon, becoming the first female Asian composer to join the Yellow Label. Now the LA-based Indonesian composer-pianist-producer has recorded her debut album, The First of Everything. Musical snapshots of a series of significant firsts in her life, its 12 tracks reveal the gift for storytelling that is central to her work, whether she is writing for stage, screen or concert hall, or sharing her creativity and improvisational skills through her much-loved Hum Me A Melody series and other social media initiatives.
Working with orchestrator Max Knoth, Eunike recorded The First of Everything at Berlin’s Teldex Studios with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and conductor AnnaHandler. She plays piano, celesta, bells and even snare drum herself, with fellow DG artist Sophie Kauer playing solo cello on two tracks.
The album will be released in all formats on 12 September 2025. A limited-edition LP version, on crystal-clear vinyl, includes a signed art-print poster featuring part of the score of “Opening” on one side and a photo of Eunike on the other. A second limited edition, available with either a CD or an LP, offers access to a 15-minute digital masterclass with the composer. A first single, “Remembering”, comes out digitally on 6 June. This will be followed by “Pink Sakura” on 11 July, then “Reverie” on 8 August – a week after Anna Handler conducts the LA Philharmonic in the world premiere of Eunike’s Ode to the City of Dreams at the Hollywood Bowl (31 July).
The First of Everything reflects the versatility, sense of freedom and spirit of adventure that are all part of Tanzil’s modern take on orchestral music. “There’s a story behind each track, and all the tracks are based on personal experiences, specifically first experiences – the key moments in my life that shaped me into who I am today,” she explains. “Once I found the flow and knew what the album was going to be about, it all came very naturally.” She tells her musical tales using great stylistic and instrumental variety, from more minimalistic pieces to sweeping, cinematic orchestral statements.
One of the latter is “Genesis”, a film soundtrack in miniature, written as a homage to the man who first inspired Eunike to compose: Hollywood legend John Williams. “When I was about 13 I heard his Jaws Fugue,” she recalls. “That’s when I first fell in love with the orchestra.” By contrast, the suitably dreamy “Reverie”, on which Eunike plays piano and celesta, stems from a tiny motif by Ravel – “He’s my biggest inspiration in terms of classical composers, so this is my tribute to him.”
A tribute of a different kind can be heard in “Remembering” which, together with “Requiem”, distils Eunike’s memories of her first experience of grief. “This piece holds a very special place in my heart because it’s about my grandmother,” says the composer. “I wrote the melody when I was 16, right after she passed away. I’ve kept it to myself for 10 years and I’m so grateful that we’re finally sending this piece out into the world.”
Cellist Sophie Kauer appears on “Aria” and “Metamorphosis”. “Both tracks are about someone evolving and growing,” notes Eunike, “so I’m giving Sophie all the freedom to be herself.” As for Kauer, she found it fascinating to work so closely with a composer. “It’s amazing to see her whole vision coming to life,” she observes. “Eunike’s music really engages a lot of people who maybe wouldn’t normally listen to classical music, which is what I’m all about too.”
Summing up the experience of recording The First of Everything with Eunike, conductor Anna Handler says, “I admire her discipline, her vision, her precision. She always tries to improve and search for her own musical language and it’s just wonderful to work with her.”
“It was my childhood dream to have my debut album recorded by a large orchestra,” says Eunike in response. “I feel very grateful and honoured that I’m part of this incredible project with so many great musicians.”
Today, indie rock’s exemplary everyman Kurt Vile announces Classic Love, a five-track EP with Nashville songwriter Luke Roberts, releasing 7/25 on Verve Records. To celebrate the announcement, Vile shares the title track “classic love,” which was originally a demo of Roberts’ that the two finished together. The title track is representative of the Classic Love EP as a whole – rooted in collaboration, succinct and infectious. Check out the new single & pre-order the EP here.
The official music video for “classic love,” featuring Vile and Roberts and a pick-pocketing scheme, also released today.
Speaking on the single, Vile says, “I always thought ‘classic love’ was the epitome of a song that belonged on the radio. When I heard Luke and Kyle [Spence’s] recording of this (they even got Kyle’s old Harvey Milk bandmate, Creston Spiers to play some on it) it just floored me: like this could be old or new, just a timeless track… I figured the best way I could help it reach the masses was to just get myself up in that track as well and move ‘er through the kv / verve machine. I believe in Luke so much and, yeah, this song in general has been my and Kyle’s religion for some time. Luke is just a great songwriter, man. Now it can be immortalized in the canon of classic songs! The minute I heard this song I just wanted to be involved. Love ya, Luke!”
After packing an entire album’s worth of songs, licks, and winsome wisdom into his 2023 EP Back to Moon Beach, indie rock’s exemplary everyman Kurt Vile stuck to the medium’s more traditional format with Classic Love. The project draws heavily on Vile’s friendship and creative partnership with Nashville songwriter Luke Roberts. After meeting via MySpace, they toured together for Kurt’s seminal B’lieve I’m Goin Down… album, while Roberts has gone on to release LPs on Thrill Jockey and Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace. Their collaborative work emanates an energy that’s “sad and funny at the same time,” something Vile says is a guiding ethos of his music.
With a run of adored albums and EPs starting in the late 2000s, Vile quickly became a critical favorite and commercial stalwart thanks to 2013’s Wakin on a Pretty Daze and 2015’s B’lieve I’m Goin Down… A leading figure in Philadelphia’s robust indie rock scene, Vile has released nine solo LPs since 2019, as well as a cavalcade of EPs, collaborating with Courtney Barnett, John Prine, Hope Sandoval, The Avalanches, and many more.
Classic Love is a concise but emblematic entry in the Kurt Vile canon: infectious, yet unvarnished, showcasing his natural ability to craft his own songs and interpolate others that you want to keep listening to.
Kurt Vile is currently on tour throughout North America and playing both headlining dates and shows with Pixies. See all Kurt Vile tour dates here and listed below.
CLASSIC LOVE EP TRACKLIST 1. classic love 2. hit of the highlife 3. classic love (kv version) 4. slow talkers ’22 5. wildflower
KURT VILE TOUR DATES 6/27 Vancouver, BC Orpheum * 6/28 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Concert House 6/29 Boise, ID Knitting Factory Concert House 7/08 Montreal, QC MTelus (Metropolis) * 7/09 Montreal, QC MTelus (Metropolis) * 7/10 Québec City, QC Festival d’été de Québec 7/11 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall 7/12 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Bluesfest 7/13 Buffalo, NY Asbury Hall 7/15 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount * 7/16 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount * 7/19 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway * 7/20 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place 7/21 Portland, ME State Theatre 7/22 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore * 7/23 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore * 7/25 Washington, DC The Anthem * 7/26 Washington, DC The Anthem * 7/28 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit * 7/29 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit * 7/31 St. Paul, MN Palace Theatre * 8/1 St. Paul, MN Palace Theatre * 8/2 Evanston, IL SPACE 8/3 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue
With his eagerly-anticipated second album, Falling in Love, released September 12th on Decca Records, Matteo steps confidently into the spotlight as the next generation artist, with the heart of a poet and the reach of a global pop star.
That next generation is more than just a title: When your father is the legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli – the voice that has wowed the world for over three decades – forging your path isn’t just a career move for his son Matteo – it’s a birthright, a burden, and a generational breakthrough which has taken him from heir to innovator.
Today, Matteo Bocelli also shares the deeply moving new single To Get To Love You. Co-written with Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Wadge, this heart-wrenching ballad weaves in a sample from the iconic 1968 Michel Boisrond film La Leçon Particulière, adding cinematic depth to its timeless emotion.
It’s a powerful statement from an artist who is more than a famous surname. This story isn’t just a son riding coattails – it’s a star carving his own path while evolving his rich heritage. Like Enrique Iglesias brought his father Julio’s Latin passion to global pop in the early 2000’s, Matteo is poised to launch his own unique niche of sensual and emotive music that transcends time and trends.
But it hasn’t always been easy. With the Bocelli name carrying an almost mythic weight, it has meant living under a microscope.
The pressure to live up to his father’s extraordinary reputation has shaped his journey, fuelling his determination to prove his own extraordinary artistry. ‘Being a Bocelli is both a privilege and a responsibility,’ he says. ‘I’ve never wanted to run from my father’s incredible legacy but I do want people to hear my voice, my emotions and my version of love.’
And they will. Falling In Love is an album rich in romantic yearning and vulnerability, with passionate showpieces like Amnesiad’amore and the cinematic, emotionally-charged pop ballad entitled If I Can’t Have You. Every track combines a power of classical tradition with modern storytelling.
Matteo co-wrote all the original songs with acclaimed writers including Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran), Toby Gad (Beyoncé, John Legend), Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, James Morrison), Iain Archer (Snow Patrol, Jake Bugg), and Johan Carlsson (Ariana Grande, Maroon 5). As well as singing, Matteo plays piano, showcasing his musicianship throughout the album.
His sound draws from a rich tapestry of influences, not least pop superstar Ed Sheeran. Their collaboration on Chasing Stars– the solo single that launched Matteo into global recognition in 2023.
But what elevates his artistry even further is the warmth he brings beyond the studio. It’s a deeply human outlook that seems to radiate from him – and perhaps part of why his appeal extends far beyond his voice. His charisma and warmth have won him friendships with global icons like Bella and Gigi Hadid, thanks to their shared family connections. And it was Matteo’s and his father Andrea’s voices that filled the air at Kourtney Kardashian’s wedding.
Just as Ferrari embodies Italian excellence on four wheels, the Bocelli name is synonymous with the country’s rich culture. The Bocellis are no ordinary family. Home for them are the rolling Tuscan hills and vineyards, evoking the quintessential Italian dream of sun-soaked afternoons, sipping Aperol Spritz by the pool, driving vintage cars through olive groves – all against the backdrop of stirring soundtracks.
It’s offers an irresistible yet languid escapism which is why Matteo invited every producer and musician working on Falling In Love into his own home where he indulged them with his passion for cooking, making pasta with fresh tomato sauce from ingredients direct from his garden. Simple pleasures like food and friendship help inspire the honesty in his music.
This November, Matteo brings his unique blend of tradition and charm back to the UK with three intimate shows. Following the global success of his debut tour – which sold out iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House – he will also tour globally this Autumn. Having performed for King Charles III, President Biden, and opened for Lionel Richie, Matteo will perform three shows in the UK in Manchester (Nov 2), Birmingham (Nov 4), and London (Nov 5).
While the world sees him as a singer, Matteo’s cross-medium talents have seen him also star in a Guess fashion campaign, act alongside Idris Elba, and even appear with his family in The Simpsons’ festive special Feliz Navidad.
This is Matteo Bocelli – the multi-skilled artist, the down-to-earth yet romantic dreamer, the heir to a timeless tradition. Like Shawn Mendes stepping onto a global stage, or Enrique Iglesias redefining romance for a generation, Matteo is set to become a universal favourite – a modern icon with an old soul, a bridge between old-world passion and new-world sophistication.
Tracklisting
1. To Get to Love You 2. Falling in Love 3. Mi Historia 4. Love Like This 5. Loving You 6. Glimpse of Happiness 7. Naive 8. If I Can’t Have You 9. Amnesia d’amore 10. Angel in Disguise 11. Caruso
UK Tour Dates:
2 November Manchester, The Bridgewater Hall 4 November Birmingham Symphony Hall 5 November London Adelphi Theatre
Five-time Grammy Award winner Samara Joy has released a new single, “Flor de Lis (Upside Down),” a fresh take on the Brazilian classic originally written by Djavan nearly 50 years ago. Sung in Portuguese and arranged by Joy’s drummer Evan Sherman, the track pays tribute to Brazil’s enduring influence on jazz, arriving just ahead of Joy’s tour dates in South America, July 27 through August 2. The “Flor de Lis (Upside Down)” cover artwork features a painting by Brazilian illustrator Anna Cunha.
“Although it’s a heartbreaking story, the poetic lyrics and beautiful melody resonated with me immediately,” says Joy. “I got the chance to sing ‘Flor de Lis’ in Rio during my first trip there over a year ago and hearing the audience join in harmony only cemented how important this song is to the fabric of Brazilian music and culture. In this new arrangement by drummer Evan Sherman with a beautiful painting as the cover by Brazilian illustrator Anna Cunha, we hope to show our appreciation for the impact that Brazilian music has on our artistry as well as the impact it continues to have on the world.”
The Bronx-born jazz sensation continues her meteoric rise with a string of major accolades and career milestones. Her latest studio album Portrait offers a snapshot of Joy’s growth since her GRAMMY Best New Artist win, not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as a lyricist and band leader. In February, she earned two more Grammys at the 67th Annual Awards, winning Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance, bringing her total Grammy count to five. Shortly after, she was honored with her first NAACP Image Award, crowned Outstanding Jazz Album for Portrait, which she co‑produced alongside Brian Lynch. This Spring, she was a featured guest on the new season of Sesame Street and was featured in ELLE Magazine’s Women in Music issue, which you can read here.
For Black Music Month, Joy is featured in EBONY’s STAMPED, the second annual list of “The Headliners” shaping cultural conversation, alongside FKA Twigs, The Weeknd, Glorilla, Coco Jones and more. EBONY praises Joy’s once-in-a-generation voice, which “echoes legends yet feels entirely her own.” See the full list here.
Joy’s global tour, which recently included her anticipated sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in her hometown of New York City (photos via Rolling Stone here), will continue throughout the Summer and Fall. Please see below for all upcoming dates, and visit https://www.samarajoy.com/ for more information.
Samara Joy 2025 Tour Dates June 27 – Ottawa, Canada – Ottawa Jazz Fest June 28 – Montreal, Canada – Place Des Arts – Maison Symphonique at Montreal Jazz Festival July 3 – Vienna, Austria – Wiener Konzerthaus July 5 – Chantilly, France – TSF Jazz Chantilly Festival July 6 – Hamburg, Germany – Elb Philharmonie July 7 – Montreux, Switzerland – Montreux Jazz Festival July 9 – Karlsruhe, Germany – Tollhaus July 11 – Copenhagen, Denmark – DR Koncerthuset July 12 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – North Sea Jazz Festival July 14 – Perugia, Italy – Umbria Jazz Festival July 19 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall (with BBC Proms Orchestra) July 27 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Nescafe July 29 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro Coliseo July 31 – Sao Paolo, Brazil – Teatro Cultura Artistica Aug. 2 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Vivo Rio Sept. 26 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center for the Arts Sept. 27 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center for the Arts Sept. 29 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre Oct. 1 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts by the Bay Nov. 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Miller Theater Nov. 14 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium Nov. 15 – Madison, WI – Wisconsin Union Theater Nov. 18 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory Nov. 19 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall Nov. 21 – St. Paul, MN – The Fitzgerald Theater Nov. 22 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater Jan. 24, 2026 – Grand Cayman – McBride’s World at Sea May 16, 2026 – New York, NY – Geffen Hall
About Samara Joy: A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical — her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work — she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazz scene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique and charisma that defined her jazz heroines — including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae.
Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which DownBeat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe edition of the album was released, as well as the EP A Joyful Holiday, which won two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance (“Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” feat. Sullivan Fortner).
Her latest Verve album, Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band. Portrait also spotlights her burgeoning gifts as a lyricist, in ingenious arrangements that meld her thoughtful words with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and her late mentor Barry Harris.
Cheaper Than Cheep, a never-before-seen concert film by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, filmed at the height of their powers in their modest Hollywood rehearsal space on June 21, 1974, is now available to stream on Frank Zappa’s Official YouTube beginning today. The full performance, which will be free to watch for the next 72 hours, has been unearthed from The Vault after more than 51 years. Cheaper Than Cheep was directed and produced by Ahmet Zappa and produced by Frank Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers. The project was a labor of love for Ahmet who has a special connection to this period of his father’s music, having been born just a month prior.
Ahmet Zappa said:
“Bringing Cheaper Than Cheep to life has been one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences of my life—both as a director and as Frank Zappa’s son. I’ve wanted to complete this project for over 12 years. The 1970s Mothers lineup featured in this film is my favorite era of my dad’s music. The band, the vibe, the arrangements—this is the stuff I grew up revering. It’s the soundtrack of my DNA. But this performance was tragically shelved back in 1974 after the audio and video fell out of sync. That crushed my father. And for decades, it stayed buried.
What makes this concert even more sacred to me is the timing of it all. My dad filmed this just weeks after I was born—at a time when both my mother and I almost didn’t make it. I had a collapsed lung that no one caught—except for my dad. He heard something the doctors didn’t. He saved my life. Meanwhile, he was coming off the 10-year anniversary tour of The Mothers and mounting this wildly ambitious concert film with his own gear, lights, crew—his rehearsal space turned into a full-blown soundstage. He was juggling life and art in the most intense way possible. And when he found out the film wasn’t in sync, after everything he’d gone through, I can only imagine the disappointment.
Finishing this film was a personal mission. He saved me. So I did the best I could to save this. For me, this is art and not commerce, and I did not take a fee to direct and produce. This was a pure labor of love and I poured myself into every frame, every audio match, every restoration choice. It was brutal at times—we had to fight through decades of decay, glitches, missing pieces—but I wanted to do it right. I probably drove the team crazy with how meticulous I was, but that’s the only way I know how to work when it comes to honoring my dad.
This is more than just a concert film—it’s a thank-you note to my father, and a love letter to the fans who’ve kept his music alive. I hope longtime fans lose their minds when they see it, and I hope new fans get a sense of just how fearless and brilliant this band was. Cheaper Than Cheep is funny, chaotic, tight as hell, and joyously weird—everything a great Zappa experience should be.”
Cheaper Than Cheep is now available to stream in full and for purchase in a variety of formats, including a special, limited edition multi-format Super Deluxe box set featuring the concert film on Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and stereo mixes, a companion stereo soundtrack presented on both 2CD and 180-gram 3LP black vinyl, plus an extensive 12-page booklet with rare, unseen images and informative liner notes from Travers alongside a detailed and heartfelt remembrance from musician Ruth Komanoff Underwood who performed percussion that evening. The set is housed in a telescoping slipcase and include four bonus lithographs. The Blu-ray includes four extras – two performances, a blooper reel, and a deep excerpt from the out-of-print Claymation film, “The Amazing Mr. Bickford.” Additional options include a Blu-ray video + 2CD set, a standalone soundtrack on 180-gram 3LP black vinyl and a limited edition 3LP picture disc Super Deluxe box set, exclusively available via Zappa.com, uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl.
In the early 1970s music performance shows like “The Midnight Special” “Soul Train,” “In Concert,” and in the UK, “The Old Grey Whistle Test,” were all the rage in America, beaming rock, pop and R&B artists directly into people’s homes across the country, offering an unprecedented at-home concert experience. Inspired by these shows, or perhaps because of potentially not receiving offers to perform on them, or even more likely, wanting to control all aspects of the production, Zappa took matters into his own hands, as he often did.
On the first day of summer, June 21, 1974, Zappa and his band, the Mothers of Invention, invited a small audience to their humble rehearsal hall on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, Calif., for what would be an intoxicating, sweat-drenched two-hour-plus performance. A small film crew equipped with multiple cameras captured every riveting musical moment while the audio was recorded by a mobile recording truck. Unfortunately, when Zappa watched the footage he was devastated to learn, that similar to his Roxy project before it, the audio and video weren’t synchronized. Two months later, Zappa would team up with the Los Angeles-based PBS station KCET and get the sought-after TV special he wanted, later released commercially as The Dub Room Special. As a result, the June concert that he planned to shop to major TV networks was shelved, never to be revisited by Zappa in his lifetime. It languished in The Vault for more than five decades.
Now, more than 50 years after that magical, sweltering summer night in 1974, thanks to advancements in post-production editing tools, fans can experience the concert as if they were there in the front row. Dubbed Cheaper Than Cheep, this never-before-heard-or-seen two-hour concert program reveals the most intimate performance ever captured from the 1974 Mothers lineup, direct from the lovingly resurrected and restored original audio and videotape masters housed in The Vault.
Every aspect of the DIY taping, from the psychedelic light show and stage setup, to the camera crew and audio recording, was self-funded by Zappa, who jokes at the beginning of the concert that it’s “cheaper than cheap.” The use of the intentionally misspelled “Cheep” in the title is both a nod to his song “Cheepnis,” about his love for cheaply made monster movies of the ‘50s and ‘60s and their inherent charm, as well as a tongue-in-cheek mistake to underscore the shoestring budget it was made on. Inside the hall, the stage was implemented with the band’s current touring equipment, including a basic backdrop and lighting. The concert was captured on multi-camera direct to 2” Quad Videotape, the industry standard at the time, with the audio recorded by the Wally Heider Remote Truck outfitted with two 16-track tape machines, with Kerry McNabb in the engineer’s seat.
Cheaper Than Cheep was assembled by adhering to Zappa’s lead, incorporating all of the planned segments, while sequencing the live material based on performance order and typical 1974 live set lists. A team, led by Ahmet Zappa in the directorial role and Joe Travers as a producer, was assembled to bring the project to life. John Albarian, who worked on “Roxy: The Movie,” edited the performance footage and perfectly and painstakingly matched picture to audio for the first time. Jeremy Rhodes handled additional editing and sweetening while acclaimed audio engineer team Erich Gobel and Karma Auger mixed the concert in immersive Dolby Atmos as well as 5.1 and stereo.
As Zappa Vaultmeister, Travers often came across the audio and video masters, with “June 21st, 1974,” prominently written on the spines, in The Vault, but it was years before he ever discovered the treasure that awaited. As he writes in the liners, “I had no idea what they were or what they were for. They remained a mystery for years. The digital transfers of the elements happened over a long period of time, mostly due to budget and priority. Some were done for identification purposes while Gail Zappa was alive during the 2000s. Imagine how exciting it was for us to finally discover what this stuff actually looked like for the first time. It was a gold mine waiting to be unearthed. Most of the masters were transferred during the ‘Save The Vault’ Kickstarter campaign by Alex Winter circa 2017 or so.”
Zappa’s lineups were ever evolving as members came and went based on The Maestros needs and ever-changing musical direction, and this incarnation of The Mothers of Invention was no exception. Personnel had expanded for a 10 Year Anniversary Tour in March and by June the band had downsized. The lineup, which consisted of Zappa (guitar, vocals), Chester Thompson (drums), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Jeff Simmons (guitar, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax, flute, vocals), Ruth Underwood (percussion) and Tom Fowler (bass), were still finding their groove together and Underwood, who left for several months due to personal reasons, which she beautifully writes about in her essay in the booklet, was re-familiarizing herself with the complex material. On top of that, there were other issues with the shoot, including intense heat from the lighting which at one point made Duke’s keyboards too hot to play. As Underwood remembers, “We had a long rehearsal and a detailed soundcheck that morning. With the lights set, and the photographers and audience crammed into our modest space, the heat in the room became extremely problematic,” adding, “Frank insisted on doing several takes of specific pieces, which added to our general exhaustion.”
However, none of this is apparent in the thrilling performance which features Zappa and the Mothers performing a rousing set of songs from across his already deep catalog, as well as staples that made up his live shows at the time. Songs range from “Cosmik Debris” and the title track from his Apostrophe (‘) album released a few months prior in March, to early versions of the then-unreleased “Village of the Sun” and “RDNZL,” the latter which especially allowed Underwood to shine on marimba, to “Montana” and “Camarillo Brillo” from 1973’s Over-Nite Sensation to Uncle Meat (1969) cuts “The Dog Breath Variations” and “Uncle Meat.” Zappa’s debut album, 1966’s Freak Out!, is represented with three tracks – “How Could I Be Such A Fool,” “I’m Not Satisfied” and “Wowie Zowie – while several songs that would end up on Roxy & Elsewhere a few months later in September were played that night, including “Son of Orange Country” and “More Trouble Every Day.” Other highlights include “Let’s Make The Water Turn Black” from 1968’s We’re Only In It For The Money, live favorites “Dupree’s Paradise” and “Penguin In Bondage” and “Inca Roads,” which would be released the following year on the studio album One Size Fits All. The concert bursts with stunning musical improvisation from all musicians, capped off by Zappa’s legendary guitar workouts.
Interspersed throughout the concert are segments with artist Cal Schenkel, who created many of Zappa’s album covers and Claymation animator and director Bruce Bickford who would collaborate with Zappa for many years on a number of projects, most notably “A Token Of His Extreme” (1976) and “Baby Snakes – The Movie” (1979). This footage is the earliest known of Bickford who had only just recently signed on to Zappa’s production company, Intercontinental Absurdities.
While Zappa might have thought that the band, who hadn’t had many rehearsals together, wasn’t ready for prime time, Cheaper Than Cheep stands as an incredible document of a moment where a band was finding its footing and letting loose having a great time performing together, evident by the ear to ear smiles on their faces. This lineup has become a fan favorite over the years and it’s easy to see why.
“You’ll see a man wearing every possible hat, as he attempts to control all aspects of this filmed event from uncontrollable variable conditions and locations,” Underwood writes of Zappa, adding, “he does this while presiding over and participating in the musical performance. That, in and of itself, isn’t new for FZ, but what is new is that we see it unfold in real time.”
CHEAPER THAN CHEEP SUPER DELUXE BOX SET TRACKLISTING
CD1: 1. “Cheaper Than Cheep” 2. Cosmik Debris 3. Band Introductions 4. RDNZL 5. Village Of The Sun 6. Montana 7. Duke Goes Out 8. Inca Roads 9. “Get Down Simmons” 10. Penguin In Bondage 11. T’Mershi Duween 12. The Dog Breath Variations 13. Uncle Meat
CD2: 1. How Could I Be Such A Fool 2. I’m Not Satisfied 3. Wowie Zowie 4. I Don’t Even Care 5. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black 6. Dupree’s Paradise Introduction 7. Dupree’s Paradise 8. Oh No 9. Son Of Orange County 10. More Trouble Every Day 11. Apostrophe’ 12. Camarillo Brillo 5:53
Disc 3: Blu-ray Audio: Dolby Atmos (48k24b) / Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (96k24b) / PCM Stereo (96k24b) 1. Intro / Cheepnis – Percussion / “Cheaper Than Cheep” 2. Cosmik Debris 3. Band Introductions 4. RDNZL 5. Village Of The Sun 6. Montana 7. Duke Goes Out 8. A Visit To The Art Studio 9. Inca Roads 10. “Get Down Simmons” 11. Penguin In Bondage 12. T’Mershi Duween 13. The Dog Breath Variations 14. Uncle Meat 15. How Could I Be Such A Fool 16. I’m Not Satisfied 17. Wowie Zowie 18. I Don’t Even Care 19. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black 20. Dupree’s Paradise Introduction 21. Dupree’s Paradise 22. Oh No 23. Son Of Orange County 24. More Trouble Every Day 25. Apostrophe’ 26. Camarillo Brillo
Bonus 1. Time Is Money (excerpt) 2. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) – Incomplete 3. Art Studio Outtakes 4. The Amazing Mr. Bickford (excerpt)
LP1 Side 1: 1. “Cheaper Than Cheep” 2. Cosmik Debris 3. Inca Roads’
Side 2: 1. RDNZL 2. Village Of The Sun 3. Montana 4. Duke Goes Out
LP2
Side 3: 1. “Get Down Simmons” 2. Penguin In Bondage 3. T’Mershi Duween 4. The Dog Breath Variations 5. Uncle Meat
Side 4: 1. How Could I Be Such A Fool 2. I’m Not Satisfied 3. Wowie Zowie 4. I Don’t Even Care 5. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black
LP3
Side 5: 1. Oh No 2. Son Of Orange County 3. More Trouble Every Day
Side 6: 1. Dupree’s Paradise 2. Apostrophe’ 3. Camarillo Brillo
Today, The Smashing Pumpkins have formally detailed the long-awaited reissue and reformation of their 2000 masterpiece, Machina/The Machines of God, and its companion album, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. This reimagined project, featuring extensive remixing and remastering, will be out in multiple formats on August 22 via UMe and through Madame Zuzu’s Tea Shop.
Billy Corgan’s Madame Zuzu’s tea shop in Highland Park, IL is exclusively offering an expansive 80-song vinyl box set featuring a 48-track MACHINA plus an additional 32 bonus tracks of demos, outtakes, and live performances, marking the first time these two records will officially be united. This vinyl box set is the only format available to listen to all 80 songs in its entirety. Preorder the box set HERE.
Additionally, the rock band will release a 16-song reissue of the original Machina/TheMachines of God vinyl on August 22, and pre-orders will begin on June 27. UMe will also be releasing various 25th-anniversary remastered formats of Machina/The Machines of God including a black 180g 2LP vinyl reissue; a 180g limited-edition color 2LP in corona red/black, as well as CD and digital formats on August 22. Preorder Machina/TheMachines of GodHERE.
“It’s taken some 25 years to finally release MACHINA as we in the band had hoped it would be, and with MadameZuzus.com as the only place one can get this expansive, 80-song collection, I personally could not be more proud,” said Corgan “MACHINA was meant as our swan song, and it was truly a labor of love to bring it to fruition, however broken we were back then. But with the band about to embark on a global tour in 2025, as well as my solo tour with The Machines of God, this set stands as a celebration and testament of will, for the songs alone have helped James, Jimmy, and I keep the faith.”
The Smashing Pumpkins are set to kick off a month-long international tour beginning July 27 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Fans can find full tour details and ticket information on the band’s official website. Meanwhile, Billy Corgan’s solo project, Billy Corgan and The Machines of God, is currently wrapping up the final two headlining dates of their A Return to Zero Tour, with upcoming shows in Milwaukee, WI, and Minneapolis, MN.
Machina CD Reissue Track List: 1. The Everlasting Gaze 2. Raindrops + Sunshowers 3. Stand Inside Your Love 4. I Of The Mourning 5. The Sacred And Profane 6. Try, Try, Try 7. Heavy Metal Machine 8. This Time 9. The Imploding Voice 10. Glass And The Ghost Children 11. Wound 12. The Crying Tree Of Mercury 13. With Every Light 14. Blue Skies Bring Tears 15. Age Of Innocence
Machina 2LP Reissue Track List: A1 The Everlasting Gaze A2 Raindrops + Sunshowers A3 Stand Inside Your Love A4 I Of The Mourning B1 The Sacred And Profane B2 Try, Try, Try B3 Heavy Metal Machine B4 This Time B5 The Imploding Voice C1 Glass And The Ghost Children C2 Wound C3 The Crying Tree Of Mercury D1 Speed Kills** D2 Age Of Innocence D3 With Every Light D4 Blue Skies Bring Tears **Vinyl and Digital bonus track
Madame Zuzu’s Box Set Track List: SIDE 1A Le Deux Machina Stand Inside Your Love I Of The Mourning God’s Promise The Crying Tree Of Mercury
SIDE 1B Slow Dawn The Sacred And Profane The Everlasting Gaze Here’s To The Atom Bomb Wound
SIDE 2A Glass’ Theme Heavy Metal Machine Blue Skies Wrought Tears Pale Scales Vanity Autumn
SIDE 2B “Machina, Machina” Raindrops + Sunshowers Glass And The Ghost Children
SIDE 3A Real Love The Imploding Voice One Moment Speed Kills
SIDE 3B Here’s To The Atom Bomb, Too Try, Try, Try Whyte Spyder Don’t Wanna Be Your Lover Cash Car Star
SIDE 4A Dross Lucky 13 Hmm Without You Winterlong
SIDE 4B Laugh If There Is A God This Time Blue Skies Bring Tears
SIDE 5A In My Body Innosense Try (Again) Drain Yet Another Promise Home
SIDE 5B With Every Light Age Of Innocence Let Me Give The World To You Soot + Stars Machina Theme
SIDE 6A Untitled Blue Skies Bring Tears (Early Version) Go (M2 Version) Vanity (Sadlands Demo) Raindrops + Sunshowers (Band Demo)
SIDE 6B Soul Power (M2 Version) Here I Am (Sadlands Demo) The Crying Tree Glass And The Ghost Children (Pumpkinland Demo) Age Of Innocence (Acoustic Demo)
SIDE 7A Rock On End Of The Joke Stand Inside Your Love (Early Version) Home (Home Demo) Identify (Movie Demo)
SIDE 7B Rainy Day Song Lucky 13 (M2 Version) Satur9 (M2 Version) The Imploding Voice (Pumpkinland Demo) Without You (Sadlands Demo) Wound (Sadlands Demo)
SIDE 8A Speed Kills (Early Version) Whyte Spyder (M2 Version) Summer (Rehearsal) Let Me Give The World To You (Sadlands Demo) Heavy Metal Machine (M2 Version)
SIDE 8B I Of The Radio (Instrumental Demo) Sleeping Giant Attached By Satellites (Sadlands Demo) Glass’ Theme (M2 Demo) Promise (Nyc Demo) Fuck You (Live 12.02.00)
The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the most iconic, iconoclastic, and influential bands of all time, shaping alternative music and culture. Since forming in Chicago in 1988, the group has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and garnered two GRAMMY® Awards, seven MTV VMAs, and an American Music Award. Their catalog includes seminal offerings such as the platinum Gish [1991], the quadruple-platinum Siamese Dream [1993], the diamond-certified Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [1995], the platinum Adore [1998], and the gold Machina/The Machines of God [2000]. Rolling Stone cited both Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness among its “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” It would also be impossible to envision alternative music and culture without their signature iconography such as the idyllic album artwork for Siamese Dream, the black Zero shirt, the laissez faire bliss of the “1979” music video, the gothic metamorphosis of “Ava Adore,” or the multi-dimensional live shows that sell out worldwide to this day. 2018 saw The Smashing Pumpkins unveil SHINY AND OH SO BRIGHT, VOL. 1 / LP: NO PAST. NO FUTURE. NO SUN. and launched the immensely successful Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour, which packed arenas. Maintaining this momentum, the band released their eleventh full-length double album , CYR [2020], representing yet another evolution, and more recently, ATUM[2023], the sequel to 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and 2000’s Machina/Machine of God. The band’s 2024 album, Aghori Mhori Mei, written in the immediate aftermath of ATUM, sees a return to form for original members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha, and harkens back to the band’s early 90’s canon; where guitars, bass, drums, and spiking vocals ruled.
Just hours before taking the famed Great Oak Stage in London’s Hyde Park, where she’s opening for 3x GRAMMY winner Olivia Rodrigo today, flowerovlove drops “new friends,” a bright, brilliant reply to being friend zoned.
Of the track flowerovlove states, ‘new friends is a conversational summery pop phenomenon about the state after a breakup where the other person asks to still be friends just to keep u around new friends takes us on a journey of empowerment of knowing you want to be in love and in a lovergirl world.’
The 20-year-old Londoner – who was named as a 2025 artist to watch by Rolling Stone and InStyle – gave “new friends” its live debut while opening for Halsey on select dates of her U.S. tour. This summer, flowerovlove will play her first U.S. festivals – Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.
“new friends” is the follow-up to her Valentine’s Day release, “I’ve seen ur ex.” Declaring flowerovlove “on radiant form,” Clash Magazine said, “‘I’ve seen ur ex’ is a precocious slice of alt-pop, somehow both flirtatious and venomous in tone…Another dazzling moment…”
Winner of a Music Week Women In Music award and nominated for a MOBO, flowerovlove has amassed over 90 million combined global streams in her career to date, including 60 million streams for her Capitol releases alone. “BOYS,” one of her 2024 singles, was proclaimed “fire as hell” by SZA. Over the past two summers, flowerovlove has played numerous UK/EU festivals, including Glastonbury, Camp Bestival, Primavera Sound and Reading & Leads.
Following a flurry of viral success, buzzing 14-year-old singer, songwriter, and proud New Jersey native Dom Innarella unveils a brand new single entitled “Jersey In July” out now.
“‘Jersey in July’ is about that one person who drives you crazy in all the best and worst ways,” the young star shares. “It’s like how summer in Jersey can be amazing but also super intense. I wanted the song to feel like that… even if she’s bad for me, I don’t even mind.”
Already renowned for his powerhouse voice, the young Italian-American crooner doesn’t disappoint on this anthem. The track laces a head-nodding beat with lithely strummed acoustic guitar. Against this backdrop, he flexes his range. Left almost speechless by a crush, he confesses, “She feel like Jersey in July. She got me sweating every time.” The tune’s got “song of the summer” written all over it, and it also indicates big things on the horizon for Dom!
At the top of the year, Dom made waves out of the Garden State with his breakout “Bout Me,” which has amassed over 10 million streams and incited the applause of Melodic Magazine and more. His first release debuted #1 on Canada’s Spotify Viral Chart, #2 on the US Viral Chart, and #35 in Australia. Now, he’s inviting everyone to enjoy “Jersey In July.”
It’s just the beginning though. Get ready for more new music from Dom Innarella!
Dom Innarella sings with the kind of style, swagger, and soul that you’d typically only find by dusting off an old 7-inch or firing up a vintage jukebox. He may be 14-years-old, but the Italian-American New Jersey native’s vocals could just as easily melt hearts on the dancefloor of a smoky jazz club or across TikTok. This timeless spirit has quietly elevated him to the forefront of popular culture as a phenomenon shouted out by everyone from Usher and J Balvin to Steve Aoki and Teddy Swims. Music was practically ingrained in his DNA since childhood. At seven-years-old, he often sat at the dining room table with his maternal grandfather and sang along to doo-wop classics on YouTube for hours on end. Eventually, he honed his performance chops by taking acting classes and participating in chorus and theater at school. By 2023, he gravitated to social media and dropped viral covers of Bruno Mars, Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, and Rihanna. He left listeners speechless and caught co-signs courtesy of everyone from Justin Bieber to Timbaland. His original tracks elevated him to another level together. During 2025, he initially dropped “Bout Me” on the social media platform Hunna G Beats. The song surged online as top-tier creators adopted it, including Piper Rockelle, c4pr1i, Cesar Mendoza, and Brennan Myers. Beyond gathering 6 million Spotify streams and counting, he stunned viewers with showstopping performances on From The Block and On The Radar as well as receiving acclaim from Melodic Magazine. Stacking up millions of streams and views and attracting Republic Records, he captivates on a series of 2025 singles and his forthcoming debut.
Norah Jones and John Legend have come together for their first-ever collaboration on the enchanting new single “Summertime Blue,” a breezy, wistful duet from two acclaimed stars of the music world. The song was produced by Jones and Gregg Wattenberg who planted the seed for this momentous meeting of two of the most distinctive voices and highly decorated artists of our time, singer-songwriter-pianists with a combined 23 GRAMMY Awards between them including wins for Best New Artist.
“I’ve been working on a side project with Gregg, and when I found out he also works with John I got so excited because I’ve always admired him, but we had never crossed paths,” says Jones. “Gregg said we should do a song together and got the idea brewing so I jumped at the chance. John welcomed us to his studio in LA and we had so much fun recording and hanging.”
“Ah, what a perfect way to start the summer! I’m so honored to be part of this beautiful record with Norah,” says Legend. “Her voice, soul and musicianship, her graceful presence, are all undeniable. I’ve been a fan for so long. I’m so glad we could finally collaborate.”
“Summertime Blue” features Jones and Legend on vocals accompanied by Jones on piano, Wattenberg on guitar, Josh Lattanzi on bass, Shawn Pelton on drums, and a string arrangement by Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer performed by Eggar on cello with violinists Marianna Brickle and Katie Thomas.
Kickstarting a bold new era, GRAMMY Award-winning pop powerhouse Kim Petras is back with a brand-new single “Polo” out now. Kim is in the driver’s seat of this new chapter, amplifying the spirit that originally defined her and empowered her fans around the world.
Kim commented on the new single, “Polo was the first song that kinda reset all of the music I was working on. It makes me feel cute and like a bitch! When we wrote it I had three broken toes and Margo XS and I were just playing SSX 3 and Silent Hill and it kinda just magically came to us and was everything!!”
Handpicked by Kim to launch her new era, “Polo” is co-produced by Kim Petras, Margo XS, Nightfeelings, with additional production by atlgrandma. The single’s distorted synths brush up against a head-nodding club-ready beat. Kim’s dynamic vocals instantly transfix with a flirty refrain she teases, “You want to get me out my Polo shirt.” It takes flight as a fiery pop banger.
Kim takes over PRIDE festivals across the country, surprising fans with special performances of new music, including the single “Polo” – watch HERE. In the past month, she notably took the stage at OutLoud Festivalin both West Hollywood & Boston, as well as World Pride Music Festival, leaving fans buzzing with excitement for new music.
Next up, she will be leading the pack with performances at PRIDE festivals in San Francisco, Nashville, and San Diego. Teeing up more music on the horizon, she even teased another banger called “Freak It”—check out another clip HERE.
Kim Petras finds and shares her own kind of solace through pop music. Long before emerging as a history-making GRAMMY Award-winning global sensation and elite songwriter, she grew up in rural Germany. Isolated, lonely, and misunderstood, she found refuge and connection in pop, studying and obsessing over goddesses a la Madonna, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and Gwen Stefani. By immersing herself in the music and intently tuning into the lyrics, she even learned English from watching Britney Spears. The world initially got to know Kim in 2017. Launching a quiet grind, she vaulted to the forefront of pop music and culture on her own terms. She shattered all expectations and reached superstar status when she joined forced with Sam Smith on “Unholy.” It toppled the Billboard Hot 100 at #1, went 2x-Platinum in the United States, and even garnered a GRAMMY Award in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.” She captivated with a procession of acclaimed projects such as Clarity, Slut Pop, Feed The Beast, Slut Pop Miami, and fan favorite TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. Speaking to her impact, she graced the covers of Sports Illustrated’s coveted Swimsuit Issue, Cosmopolitan, OUT Magazine, WWD, and more. Emerging as a style icon, she made headlines every time she appeared at an event like the Met Gala or CFDAs. Piling up billions of streams, selling out tours, and resonating with a devout global audience, she has quietly become one of her generation’s most impactful stars. Now, she ignites what promises to be her biggest, brightest, and boldest era yet with “Polo” and her upcoming third studio album for Republic Records.
