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Good things, as we’ve been told since day nought, take time.
Empire of the Sun fans patiently waited for Ask That God, the electronic-pop act’s fourth studio album. Eight long years.
“As necessary as it probably was for the band to go through that period,” Lord Littlemore tells Billboard, “I would really hope that we never do it again. And we just keep coming with lots of music.”
Ask That God arrived fully formed on July 26, led off by a batch of joyful, hooky singles, including “Cherry Blossom,” “Changes,” and “Music On The Radio,” and “The Feeling you Get” — and their respective, interstellar music videos.
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When frontman Emperor Steele (Luke Steele) and Littlemore (Nick Littlemore) reunite for a new album, it’s the musical equivalent of planets aligning. Littlemore keeps busy with Pnau, operating a label and more, while Steele, the ex-Sleepy Jackson lead, helms a solo project and lapped Australia in February 2023 for an Empire of the Sun run.
“It’s so much fun making music with Luke and our kind of wider family of musicians and people that we’re always seeking and experimenting with. We want to make a lot of music for you guys,” says Littlemore. Empire of the Sun, he admits, “is a really cool band to be in.”
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Anyone familiar with Empire of the Sun would agree. Steele and Littlemore are well-traveled Australians, they step out in a style that’s not of this world, and their canon includes some gems, the type that sit in a place where pop, nostalgia and electronic music intersect.
Recording sessions for Ask That God took place around the globe, beginning in Asia, the influence of which can be seen in those Michael Maxxis-directed music videos. Along the way Steele and Littlemore collected inspiration from anywhere, everywhere. And new instruments, drum machines, “different things that could spark your brain,” explains Steele. “It’s all about tricking your process. You do it new and you feel like a kid again.”
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Ask That God (via EMI) isn’t the first time an Empire of the Sun project has taken eight years to complete its journey.
The colorful group first introduced itself to the world in 2008 with the single “Walking on a Dream,” a top 10 hit in Australia, where they would scoop four ARIA Awards. In the U.S., the song had a second life when it was synced to the Honda Civic “The Dreamer” campaign in 2016 — eight years after its release — driving it to No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and powering it to No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs, their second leader on the tally after 2013’s “Alive”. Across all platforms, “Walking on a Dream” has accumulated north of one billion streams.
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There was “tremendous pressure” after that first record, notes Steele. Trying to navigate expectations, he admits, “it’s so tough.” Older, wiser heads prevailed, and the bandmates now “celebrate what an extraordinary ride this is,” enthuses Littlemore. “It took a long time, to be fair. Like, massive amounts of success, it’s not the dream you might think it is. And it is also the dream you think it is.”
Ask That God follows 2008 breakthrough debut Walking on a Dream, 2013’s Ice on the Dune and 2016’s Two Vines, all of which cracked the top 10 in Australia.
Tour dates will follow later in the year, including a homecoming trek, and concerts in the United States and Mexico. Littlemore, who has battled with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare ailment that can lead to permanent facial paralysis and hearing loss, will cheer on from the sidelines.
When the pair reunite, “we’re trying to find that rare jewel every time,” reckons Steele. “That’s what keeps it exciting for us.”
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Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter Gretta Ray has provided an update on her health, announcing the cancelation of all her remaining 2024 shows to focus on her recovery from a serious heart infection.
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Earlier this month, Ray revealed she was hospitalized in London due to an unknown illness, with the news prompted an outpouring of support from fans worldwide. On July 16, she took to Instagram to thank her followers and shed light on her situation.
“I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love on my latest post, you are all so incredibly kind and it really means the world to me, thank you x,” Ray wrote.
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“I wanted to clarify that luckily I’m not having to deal with this experience on my own – due to the seriousness of my condition my family are here in London taking care of me I am in good hands here in a really good hospital. Just taking it day by day. Lots of love.”
On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.
“I wanted to let you know that the sickness I am recovering from is a rare disease called infective endocarditis – a severe infection in the heart that for me, caused a multitude of distressing repercussions,” she explained in her Instagram post.
“It happened very suddenly and frighteningly, and as a result, took a moment to be diagnosed. Nonetheless I am so, so lucky that I caught it early, and landed in such a great hospital here in London that took amazing care of me. I was then transferred to a second hospital – one that is famous for dealing with this particular disease.”
Ray confirmed that she will need surgery due to the impact on her heart, but for now, she is focusing on regaining strength after completing a long course of intravenous antibiotics and being discharged from the hospital.
“The toll this has taken on my heart means that at some stage I will need to undergo surgery,” she continued. “For now, it’s been a week since I finished a long course of intravenous antibiotics, and two weeks since I was discharged from hospital. Due to the fact that I am stable, the doctors have encouraged me to spend time regaining some strength and immunity outside of hospital.”
Although she is still dealing with some complications, Ray expressed relief at being able to enjoy the world outside the hospital.
“While I’m still dealing with some complications, it’s already been healing being back out in the world… I just take it one day at a time (my mum is also still in London with me x),” she wrote.
All dates are off for the foreseeable future, including her appearance at BIGSOUND 2024.
Ray concluded her update by expressing her gratitude for her fans’ unwavering support, saying, “I know I will be telling this story in more detail when the time is right, but for now I’m processing the trauma and taking things slowly.”
“I can’t tell you how much your kind and thoughtful messages and comments have meant to me in this challenging time, I’m so grateful… sending all my love to you from London, and we’ll speak soon.”
Fleetwood Mac is back in the spotlight with a new release: the release of Mirage Tour ’82, a live album capturing the magic of their iconic performances at The Forum in Los Angeles.
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Mirage, the band’s thirteenth studio album, was issued on 18 June 1982 and produced several hit singles, including “Hold Me,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Pop Chart.
Mirage Tour ’82 features 22 tracks, including six previously unreleased recordings from the Oct. 21, 1982 concert.
Some of the band’s greatest hits, such as “Landslide,” “Dreams,” and “Don’t Stop” are among the newly available live tracks. A live version of “Don’t Stop” has been released for streaming ahead of the album launch.
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“In September 1982, Fleetwood Mac embarked on a 31-city U.S. tour in support of Mirage, the band’s fourth consecutive multiplatinum album and third No. 1 in America. Both shows at The Forum were recorded, and Mirage Tour ’82 combines songs from both into a single concert experience,” reads a statement for the album’s release.
The collection, available on Sept. 20, will come in 3xLP vinyl, 2xCD, and digital formats.
The release follows last year’s Rumours: Live, which debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart dated September 23, 2023. This marked Fleetwood Mac’s highest chart debut since their studio album Say You Will opened at No. 2 in May 2003. Rumours: Live featured recordings from the band’s Aug. 29, 1977, concert at The Forum during their Rumours Tour.
Despite the legendary group’s latest release, which follows the loss of Christine McVie in 2022, the prospects of a full band reunion are slim. Mick Fleetwood has described the idea as “unthinkable,” while Stevie Nicks has stated there’s “no reason” for the group to tour again.
Nicks, however, shows no signs of slowing down the touring life as she continues to rock stages worldwide as a solo artist. She currently has upcoming shows in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Hershey, Pennsylvania this September.
Mirage Tour ’82 Tracklist:
Disc One“Second Hand News”“The Chain”“Don’t Stop” *“Dreams” *“Oh Well” *“Rhiannon”“Brown Eyes”“Eyes Of The World”“Gypsy”“Love In Store”“Not That Funny”
Disc Two“Never Going Back Again” *“Landslide” *“Tusk”“Sara” *“Hold Me”“You Make Loving Fun”“I’m So Afraid”“Go Your Own Way”“Blue Letter”“Sisters Of The Moon”“Songbird”
(* previously unreleased)
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After not releasing an album for half a decade, Khalid is back and better than ever with his third studio album ‘Sincere.’ He discusses how he knew it was time to release ‘Sincere,’ recalls the nostalgia of his early hits like “Young Dumb & Broke” and “Location,” and explains how his songwriting inspiration is sporadic and often a feeling in the moment. He also shares how his intuition guides his music, his dream collaboration with Tyla, and more!
Khalid:
I mean, I’m not afraid to say it, but I love listening to my music because it’s like my own personal journal entries that I get to look back at.
Rania Aniftos:
Totally!
Khalid:
And I’m like, I thought of that?
Hey, what’s up? It’s Khalid here and you’re watching Billboard News.
Rania Aniftos:
Hey everybody, I’m Rania Aniftos with Billboard News. And I cannot be more excited, I have one of my favorite artists here in the studio today. We have Khalid!
Khalid:
What’s up everybody? Happy to be here.
Rania Aniftos:
I’m so happy to have you.
Khalid:
Thank you for having me.
Rania Aniftos:
And like what a special time in your career right now. You’re about to release your third studio album, ‘Sincere.’
Khalid:
This is the one that I have been waiting five years for it to come out. I feel like this is the one full of music that I’ve been harboring over the past half-decade just for the perfect moment. And I feel like no moment is more perfect.
Rania Aniftos:
Where do you feel that you are in your growth journey that you’re like, I feel comfortable with this?
Khalid:
I met a random person a year ago in South Africa, actually. And I had a conversation with him. And he shook my hand and looked me in my eyes. And he told me he was like, “Next year is gonna be one of the biggest years that you’ve had in your career so far. He’s like, 2024.”
Keep watching for more!