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Old Dominion’s ‘Barbara’ Era Is Here: New Single “Late Great Heartbreak” Shows Off Soulful New Groove

Eric Alper
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Old Dominion’s ‘Barbara’ Era Is Here: New Single “Late Great Heartbreak” Shows Off Soulful New Groove

The highly anticipated sixth album from Old Dominion, titled ‘Barbara’, is officially OUT NOW, having been released on August 22nd. As a final preview of the album’s stylistic experimentation, the band shared the single “Late Great Heartbreak,” which demonstrates the winningest Vocal Group Of The Year act in country music history flexing their considerable songwriting muscle. While the album is certainly packed with the country rock bangers and lighters up ballads firmly established in their wheelhouse, “Late Great Heartbreak” finds the quintet embracing an easygoing, soul inflected vamp that looks further back to old school soul music, echoing the sound of immortal ’80s radio rock hits. The confidence built over a decade of knowing their audience has allowed Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers to explore these exciting new directions, knowing their dedicated Odies community will follow them wherever inspiration leads.

The song originated from a spontaneous in studio experiment with a simple question: “What if we made a Huey Lewis song?” That spirit of fun and creative freedom is exactly what fueled the making of ‘Barbara’. Ramsey says of the session, “The freedom we feel now comes through in the amount of fun we have during the recording process. It was inspiring to goof off. There wasn’t any pressure in the room. We just wanted to laugh our asses off and make a song that was catchy as hell.” Contrary to what the title might suggest, “Late Great Heartbreak” is a playful, wry celebration of moving past a breakup, featuring Ramsey singing, “R.I.P. to you and me, I’m finally moving on/ From the late great heartbreak/ I’m crossing off my ex and paying my respects,” over a buoyant piano and a strutting rhythm section. This track represents the band in its purest form, created with no outside writers or session players, truly making ‘Barbara’ their most eclectic and personal album yet.

‘Barbara’ Track Listing

  • Making Good Time
  • Water My Flowers
  • Me Most Nights
  • Man Or The Song
  • Break Your Mama’s Heart
  • Miss You Man
  • Talk Country
  • Late Great Heartbreak
  • Crying In A Beach Bar
  • One Of Us
  • What Doesn’t Kill A Memory
  • Sip In The Right Direction
  • Goodnight Music City

38 Special Marks 50 Years with ‘Milestone’ Album, “Slightly Controversial” Out Now

Eric Alper
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38 Special Marks 50 Years with ‘Milestone’ Album, “Slightly Controversial” Out Now

The classic southern rock band 38 Special is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the release of ‘Milestone’, their first album of new music in over twenty years, which is officially OUT NOW. The album arrived on September 19th, marking a massive moment for the group responsible for worldwide hits like “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught Up In You.” The band is currently promoting the single “Slightly Controversial,” an electrifying track that features the soaring vocals of Train frontman Pat Monahan. The album itself is packed with talent, featuring guest appearances and co-writes from music giants like Randy Bachman and longtime creative partner Jim Peterik. Peterik, known for his work with bands like Survivor, has been a key contributor to 38 Special’s sound for decades, proving that this new music is deeply rooted in their successful tradition. The band’s determination to update their signature blend of “muscle and melody” ensures their sound is fresh for the 2020s while honoring their rock and roll heritage.

Frontman and co founder Don Barnes described the collaboration, saying, “This song is wrapped around a mystery woman who’s been through a few things in her life. She wants to keep people guessing and talking about her every move and they just can’t seem to figure her out. Her choice to be an enigma is for her own emotional protection. I’ve known someone like this and felt compelled to explore the story. The song is a powerful guitar banger with Pat Monahan and me singing together. Pat absolutely crushed it! We all had a great time putting that track together.” Monahan reciprocated the excitement, exclaiming, “What a great honor to sing on a track from one of my favorite bands and songwriters. I hope I did it justice.” With ‘Milestone’ OUT NOW, fans can immediately dive into the track and the rest of the album, which includes nine songs full of the snarling guitars and anthemic melodies that have defined 38 Special for a half century. The band is also maintaining its relentless touring schedule throughout 2025, with shows across the US alongside friends like Kansas, The Outlaws, and Jefferson Starship.

‘Milestone’ Track Listing

  • So Much So Right
  • Slightly Controversial (feat. Pat Monahan)
  • All I Haven’t Said
  • The Main Thing
  • Long Long Train (co-written by Randy Bachman)
  • Looking For My Life
  • Making Up For Lost Time
  • Windows of Memories
  • The Look

Isabela Merced Drops “Apocalipsis (Salsa Version),” Gets That Salsa Heat Moving!

Eric Alper
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Isabela Merced Drops “Apocalipsis (Salsa Version),” Gets That Salsa Heat Moving!

Fresh from a wildly successful period that included prominent roles in the series The Last of Us and the box office giant Superman, actress and singer Isabela Merced has returned to her musical roots. She is celebrating her Peruvian heritage with the release of the dynamic single “Apocalipsis (Salsa Version),” a smoldering reinvention of her original song. This incredible Latin anthem was produced by the highly acclaimed Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Tony Succar. Originally written and produced by Merced herself alongside her brother, Gyovanni Moner, back in 2020, “Apocalipsis” has been transformed into an explosive track that masterfully fuses salsa and pop music. Succar, known for his innovative style in Latin music, brings his signature energy and precision to the arrangement, successfully merging traditional salsa instrumentation with exciting contemporary flair.

Merced is enthusiastic about the new direction the song has taken, saying, “‘Apocalipsis’ has always been one of my most passionate songs, and hearing it come alive in salsa feels like it’s been reborn. Tony brought this explosive energy and authenticity that made me fall in love with the song all over again. It’s our love letter to Peru, to salsa, and to the joy of making music that moves your soul and your body.” The song was recorded between Miami and Los Angeles, and it stands as a celebration of culture, rhythm, and identity, uniting two coasts and two generations of Peruvian artistic talent. Succar’s world class production elevates the track, creating a high voltage showcase of Latin artistry that is available everywhere now.

Waylon Jennings’ Long Lost Music on ‘Songbird’ Album Is Out Now

Eric Alper
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Waylon Jennings’ Long Lost Music on ‘Songbird’ Album Is Out Now

Music fans are celebrating the news that previously unreleased music from the legendary Waylon Jennings is on its way. The late country star’s son, Shooter Jennings, has officially shared “The Cowboy (Small Texas Town),” which is a brand new single available now through Son of Jessi and Thirty Tigers. This track, which was written by outlaw country icon Johnny Rodriguez and originally recorded during the sessions for Jennings’ chart topping 1978 album, ‘I’ve Always Been Crazy’, serves as the first taste of the forthcoming album, ‘Songbird’. This new collection of material is the first of three full albums planned for release, starting with ‘Songbird’ out now.

Shooter Jennings spoke about the new single, saying, “It’s a beautifully simple song that tells the story of an artist from humble beginnings uniting both sides of the aisle over music and I think the first half tells my dad’s tale pretty simply. The second half really turns the heat up. It’s got one of my favorite lines I’d heard in a long time in it about the ‘white collar people.’ It fits more today maybe than it did when it was written.” The track is a perfect way to introduce this project, offering a window into a creatively rich time for the groundbreaking superstar.

‘Songbird’ was compiled and mixed by Shooter Jennings at Hollywood’s famous Sunset Sound Studio 3. The album brings together recordings that were produced between 1973 and 1984 in various studios by Waylon Jennings and his long time drummer and co producer Richie Albright. The sessions feature members of Jennings’ influential backing band, The Waylors, including Albright and the renowned pedal steel guitarist Ralph Mooney. Also featured are special guests like Tony Joe White and Jessi Colter. The project was initially revealed earlier this summer with the release of the first single and title track, Jennings’ heartfelt rendition of the Fleetwood Mac song “Songbird.”

The entire ‘Songbird’ project came about in the summer of 2024 when Shooter Jennings started to organize hundreds of high resolution multitrack transfers of his father’s personal studio recordings. Having just started an exclusive residency at Sunset Sound Studio 3, which he has affectionately renamed “Snake Mountain,” Shooter began examining the tapes alongside veteran engineer Nate Haessly. His original goal was simply to find a few lost songs he could share, but he ended up discovering much more: “an audio record of an incredibly profound artist and his legendary band through their peak period of creative expansion.”

Jade LeMac Pop Artist Lights Up the Moment With Her EP ‘It’s Always At Night’

Eric Alper
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Jade LeMac Pop Artist Lights Up the Moment With Her EP ‘It’s Always At Night’

21-year-old pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jade LeMac has released her highly anticipated EP It’s Always At Night, out now via Warner Music Canada / East West Records – pre-order/pre-save here. The announcement comes alongside the release of the new single and lyric video for “Running Home”.

“Running Home” is a refreshing pop-track with an infectious hook that leaves listeners wanting more. Jade’s songwriting on love is relatable and with this track she digs into the feeling of security in a relationship. Explaining the inspiration she says,  “Running Home is a song about reassuring the person you are in a relationship with that you will always choose them no matter how they might feel.” 

Jade has consistently transfixed audiences and tastemakers alike with her unapologetic approach, and unique perspective. Her breakout hit “Constellations,” which landed a sync in Tubi’s new 2024 movie, Sidelined: The QB and Me, continues to grow, having surpassed 325 million streams, leaving fans eagerly anticipating new music.  The upcoming EP It’s Always At Night will bring four new songs, alongside “Running Home,” and fan-favourite “Pink Balloon.” With this project, Jade dives into themes of being in love and finding yourself through it all, opening herself to listeners and empowering herself through her vulnerability. Explaining, Jade says,  “It’s Always at Night is a story about a person who’s in love with love. There are songs for so many emotions – heartbreak, desire, love, and lust. Each song is its own story about the different ways I’ve felt while being in love with someone.”

Earlier this summer, Jade took the festival stage at both Montreal’s Osheaga, as well as Chicago’s Lollapalooza, even joining ROLE MODEL at his Lollapalooza afterparty.  Now, the celebrated singer-songwriter is gearing up to join GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris’ upcoming North American tour this fall as the opener. See full tour itinerary below. 

Jade, is a rapidly rising star who has received praise from the likes of LA Weekly, OnesToWatch, Rolling Stone and Wonderland Magazine to name a few and has received a GLAAD Award nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. She has built a devout and evergrowing fanbase by being true to herself as a Queer Vietnamese Canadian, and re-shaping the definition of pop stardom. With It’s Always At Night, Jade positions herself as one of the most exciting pop-artists to watch.

It’s Always At Night Tracklist:

  1. Running Home
  2. Heaven’s Sake
  3. Sleeping with the Lights On
  4. Intertwined
  5. Sweet Dreams
  6. Pink Balloon

Charley Pride: The Lost Tapes Unearthed! Country Legend Gets Down with R&B Great Brook Benton on ‘Endlessly’

Eric Alper
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Charley Pride: The Lost Tapes Unearthed! Country Legend Gets Down with R&B Great Brook Benton on ‘Endlessly’

A previously unreleased album by the late country music artist Charley Pride has been confirmed for an upcoming release. Pride, who passed away in December 2020, left a notable legacy in music, including numerous awards, No. 1 songs, and millions of records sold. His career began after he transitioned from semi pro baseball in the late 1950s, eventually establishing himself in the country music genre with his smooth baritone vocals.

In 2017, the presence of new material was confirmed when several forgotten reels were located in a storage room at Pride’s Dallas production office. Following his passing, the multi track reels were verified to contain recordings of a Brook Benton tribute album, which Pride recorded in the 1980s but never commercially released. In 2021, the tapes were digitized. ‘Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton’ is scheduled for release on September 19th on Music City Records, coinciding with the 94th anniversary of Brook Benton’s birth. The album’s first single, “Thank You Pretty Baby,” will be available on Friday, August 29th, across digital music platforms.

This project is described as an homage to singer and songwriter Brook Benton, showcasing elements of vintage country, rhythm and blues, and pop music. It suggests that Pride’s artistic range was not limited to country music. The material was originally recorded in Dallas during a gap in Pride’s recording contracts, specifically between his tenure with RCA Records and 16th Avenue Records. The production style, helmed by Bob Pickering, chief engineer at Pride’s home studio CECCA Sound, is noted as being different from his standard 1970s and 1980s country recordings. The album features a string section and a collection of professional North Texas musicians from the mid 1980s, including bassist Chuck Rainey and jazz pianist Fred Crane.

The track selection for the tribute primarily covers songs from Benton’s initial successful period between 1959 and 1961. These include titles like “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” “Endlessly,” “Thank You Pretty Baby,” “So Close,” “So Many Ways,” and “Kiddio,” all of which were major R&B hits that also performed well on the Top 40 pop chart. The release of this album is viewed as a demonstration of both Charley Pride’s vocal adaptability and the talent of the North Texas studio musicians who supported him. It is anticipated that this previously unreleased work may contribute further to Pride’s overall body of work.

The full track listing for the album is:

  • Think Twice
  • Endlessly
  • It’s Just a Matter of Time
  • Hurtin’ Inside
  • Thank You Pretty Baby
  • Pretend
  • Kiddio
  • So Close
  • The Ties That Bind
  • So Many Ways

5 Surprising Facts About The Killers’ ‘Hot Fuss’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About The Killers’ ‘Hot Fuss’

Hot Fuss arrived with glitter, pulse and neon heart, giving the Killers a debut that reshaped rock radio and club floors across the world. Behind the synths, stories and rising stardom sits a handful of incredible true facts that reveal just how wild and unlikely the album’s journey really was. Here are five little known moments that shaped the making and legacy of Hot Fuss.

1. Matt Pinfield Inspired “All These Things That I’ve Done”
Before the Killers rose to global success, Matt Pinfield visited the band in Las Vegas while he was mentoring wounded soldiers returning from Iraq. He shared stories with Brandon Flowers over a late night conversation. Flowers went home and wrote “All These Things That I’ve Done” that same night. The famous line “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” came directly from Pinfield’s work with the Army mentoring program.

2. “Mr. Brightside” Became the Most Successful UK Single Never to Hit Number 1
Although it peaked at number 10, the track became a historic chart force in the United Kingdom. By 2024 it spent over 408 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, later passing 480 total weeks by 2025. It became the third biggest selling and streaming song in UK history. It also reached 10x Platinum in the UK, one of only two songs to cross that mark without reaching the top spot.

3. The Band Chose a New Order Homage for the “Somebody Told Me” Video
The music video for “Somebody Told Me” includes visuals inspired by New Order’s “Crystal,” which featured a fictional band also called the Killers. The group named themselves after the band in that New Order video. The desert performance clip with LED screens mirrors the same aesthetic. The video became an early visual signature that tied the Killers back to their post punk heroes.

4. Most of Hot Fuss Came From Demos the Band Decided to Keep
Much of the album was originally recorded as spontaneous demos with producer Jeff Saltzman in Berkeley. The band kept these demo versions because they carried an energy that felt raw, fresh and unrepeatable. Only “Everything Will Be Alright” came from a separate recording at Dave Keuning’s apartment. The demo spirit became a defining part of the album’s sound.

5. The Iconic Vocal Tone Came From One Default Echo Farm Setting
Producer Jeff Saltzman relied heavily on a single Echo Farm default setting that created the slightly overdriven, delayed vocal sound across the entire album. The effect delivered an 84 ms delay and gave Brandon Flowers a bright, urgent tone. That consistency shaped the full record and became one of its most recognizable sonic signatures.

5 Surprising Facts About Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’

Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange changed modern R and B with its dreamy worlds, rich storytelling, and the orange glow that shaped an entire era. Behind the acclaim sits a set of fascinating details that reveal just how bold and experimental the project truly was. These five little known facts show how the album came together with creativity, risk, and pure Frank Ocean imagination.

1. The Album Was Written in Only Two Weeks
Frank Ocean and Malay began writing in February 2011 and formed ideas by improvising at keyboards and guitars. Ocean typed lyrics on a laptop for the first time instead of storing lines in his head. The two shifted between past experience and imagination to build entire worlds. Ocean later said the album defined exactly where he stood as an artist.

2. Frank Recorded Alone for Months Before Rejoining Malay
Ocean tracked vocals by himself for several months, aiming for a standard that satisfied him before any production began. Only after shaping the emotional tone did he reconnect with Malay. Those solo sessions created the intimate atmosphere that runs through the album. Malay said Ocean carried a diligent, focused work ethic throughout the process.

3. Andre 3000 Agreed to Appear Only If Big Boi Did Not Join Him
Frank originally invited both Outkast members for “Pink Matter.” Andre 3000 chose to appear alone because he did not want an Outkast reunion on another artist’s album. Andre played guitar and delivered a verse after Frank asked him to tell any story he wanted. The collaboration became one of the album’s most iconic features.

4. Frank Planned to Record the Album Alone in a Beverly Hills Mansion
Ocean originally intended to avoid expensive studios by renting a mansion with a pool and sauna and bringing gear into the home. He recorded only three songs there: “Lost,” “Pyramids,” and “Analog 2.” The rest happened back at EastWest Studios, where he preferred the vintage 1960s equipment. The mansion idea became a creative side path instead of the main workspace.

5. Everest the Dog Received Executive Producer Credit Instead of Frank
Wanting the focus to stay on the work, Frank requested that his own name not appear on the front cover. Instead, he credited Everest, his Bernese Mountain Dog, as the album’s executive producer. It added a playful, personal detail to an album that wrestled with deep emotion, identity, and memory. It also echoed Frank’s love for anonymity and storytelling.

Five Surprsing Facts About Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’

Eric Alper
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Five Surprsing Facts About Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’

‘Brat’ arrived with a wild spark that lit up the music world, fashion world and internet culture all at once. Charli XCX captured a rave soaked spirit that felt bold, loud and proudly messy in the best way. The album moved charts, moved minds and moved bodies on every dance floor. These five little known facts show just how deep the brat universe runs.

The Final Green Shade Came After Testing Around 500 Options
Designer Brent David Freaney auditioned roughly five hundred greens before landing on Pantone 3507C. Charli wanted a colour that felt intentionally off trend and wonderfully abrasive. The goal was a shade that sparked instant reaction. The entire brat aesthetic grew out of that single choice.

The Album Artwork Took Five Months of Development
The cover looks simple, yet the design process stretched across five full months. Versions with photographs, patterns and alternate fonts sat on the table. Charli and the team kept returning to the bold green square. The final layout matched Charli’s love for something plain, loud and impossible to ignore.

The Brat Wall Changed Messages Throughout the Release Cycle
A wall in Greenpoint, Brooklyn became a live billboard for each milestone. It first read “i’m your fav reference” then switched to “brat” then turned white for the deluxe edition and later displayed “lorde” to tease her involvement. Each repaint matched a new moment in the album timeline.

“Girl, So Confusing” Was Confirmed To Be About Lorde
Listeners speculated for months about the unnamed artist in the song. The guesses focused on Marina, Rina Sawayama and Lorde. Charli eventually confirmed that Lorde inspired the track. Lorde later joined the official remix and added her own perspective to the story.

Charli Debuted Snippets of “Spring Breakers” and “365” at Her Boiler Room Set
On 22 February 2024, Charli dropped surprise previews of the songs during a warehouse set. Fans identified the titles by ear alone. These clips circulated heavily online. The Boiler Room moment became a key early spark in the rollout of Brat.

John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton Rekindle Their Songwriting Magic With the Warm and Wise New Album “Together Again”

Eric Alper
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John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton Rekindle Their Songwriting Magic With the Warm and Wise New Album “Together Again”

John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton return with “Together Again”, a fourteen song collection arriving January 9, 2026, that celebrates a partnership born on quiet pandemic afternoons and strengthened through years of Mondays at Two Zoom calls. What began in August 2021 as a way to ease isolation quickly became a creative ritual, yielding nearly two hundred songs and a renewed sense of play between two of folk music’s most respected voices. Their first album “Together” topped folk charts in 2023, and this new chapter carries the same spirit of curiosity, humor and deep craft that defines their friendship.

The album reflects a pair of artists who remain at the height of their powers even as their touring lives shift. Paxton has stepped off the road at eighty eight, and McCutcheon has scaled back his travel at seventy three, yet both channel decades of lived experience into songs filled with warmth and clarity. The opener “The Future” draws on McCutcheon’s memories from the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, where he watched young talents like Alison Krauss and Molly Tuttle signal the next generation’s rise. Elsewhere on the album they explore remembrance in songs like Old Dog and Rebel Gal, honor Pete Seeger with Pathfinder, share humor in Cheatin’ While I’m Eatin’, and weave in a classic baseball tale with Famous for a Day.

Their writing sessions still carry the same energy that sparked the project. McCutcheon jokes that they have material for ten more albums, a nod to the creative flood they never anticipated. Paxton brings the abandon and insight that Billy Collins once compared to using the pen as a flashlight, illuminating forgotten corners of human experience. McCutcheon brings a sense of wonder rooted in the fourteen year old kid who once learned Woody Guthrie songs from a library book.

“Together Again” celebrates the companionship, imagination and lived history that only decades of storytelling can produce. It is a rare gift to have these two voices side by side once more, sharing songs shaped by friendship and time.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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