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Before you and the fam settle in to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July, be sure to check out “The Fourth in America” concert special — with the performer lineup revealed exclusively on Billboard below.
The special will include performances by headliner Noah Kahan, along with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Sting, Nelly, Counting Crows, Timbaland, The Fray, CAKE, Sublime, Ice Cube, Kaskade, 4 Non Blondes, Ashley McBryde, The War and Treaty and the I Love the 90’s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Young MC, Rob Base and Tone Loc. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the United States Air Force Band will also perform on the special, hosted by CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Dana Bash and CNN anchor Boris Sanchez, along with CNN anchor and correspondent Victor Blackwell and CNN anchor and senior national correspondent Sara Sidner from San Diego.
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The star-studded affair will not only feature performances from wide-ranging artists; CNN will also broadcast fireworks shows from across the country, including in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego, Seward, Alaska and Washington, D.C. with CNN anchor/correspondent John Berman, CNN national correspondent Randi Kaye and CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten providing on-the-ground reporting from Nashville, Fort Lauderdale and New York City, respectively, as the United States celebrates its 249th anniversary of independence.
Now in its fifth year, CNN’s The Fourth in America has built on the success of CNN’s New Year’s Eve programming, making it a yearly destination during the Fourth of July as families across the country tune in after a day of barbecuing and chasing kids around.
CNN’s The Fourth in America special will broadcast live on CNN and CNN International, and will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps on Friday (July 4) with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on CNN and ending at 1 a.m. ET.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Time to pull out your wallets. Prime Day 2025 is almost upon us.
While official dates for the Amazon-issued sale aren’t until July 8-11, we’re celebrating early. To help you get ahead of the curve, we’ve compiled a list of deals on products you can shop now from top brands we know you’ll love. From Adidas and Crocs to Apple and Dyson, this list includes deals up to 35% off on highly sought-after tech and footwear, along with must-have hair styling products and water bottles. So get shopping before you miss out!
Adidas Unisex Adizero Select Team Sneaker in White/Silver Metallic/Black
$48.21
$52.69
9% off
Unisex sneakers from Adidas with textured mesh uppers.
Adidas sneakers are beloved by many, but they can run you a pretty penny. If you can’t get yourself to pay full price, not to fret. Right now, Amazon has marked down Adidas’ Adizero Select Team model to just $48.21. The unisex sneaker is effortlessly lightweight and versatile to style, equipped with comfortable features such as breathable mesh uppers and springy rubber platform-esque soles that cushion the feet to add a subtle pep to your step.
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Sizing options range from 5 to 18 for women and 4 to 17 for men. The White/Silver Metallic/Black colorway is attractive for both men and women. We can picture these kicks paired with sporty athleisure to match the vibe of the shoe. For men, something like sweats and a tank or jorts and a basketball jersey. For women, we’d style these with leggings and a colorful zip-up or cropped hoodie.
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Wavytalk Hair Dryer in Cyber Rose Pink
$31.83
$54.99
42% off
A hair dryer with comb with three attachments.
Ever wanted a hairstyling tool that does it all? Well, look no further than the Wavytalk Hair Dryer. The piece is currently on sale for $31.83 and comes with three attachments that can really do it all. You’ve got the concentrated nozzle that delivers pinpoint precision airflow for targeted styling and greater control. You’ve also got the diffuser attachment that reduces frizz while enhancing and defining your curls or waves. Finally, the comb attachment both smooths and straightens, allowing you to detangle unruly hair with ease.
The dryer itself is a banger even without the attachments. It features an advanced aerodynamic design powered by a strong 1875W motor that offers high-speed airflow so you don’t have to spend hours drying your hair.
Crocs Unisex-Adult Classic Clogs, Black, 11 Men/13 Women
$35.30
$49.99
29% off
Crocs clogs in black with vents to aerate the shoe.
You can’t beat the comfort of Crocs. These unisex Adult Classic Clogs are extremely comfortable, affordable and cute, too. The classic silhouette is equipped with lightweight EVA uppers, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, a versatile polymer known for its rubberlike softness. This material is extremely flexible and easy to wash. Additional features include rounded toes and adjustable backstraps that make sure your shoes are secured to the foot.
The toes are fixed with breathable ventilation holes that keep your toes from sweating, a perfect touch for the sweltering summer heat. The soles of the Classic Clog are also made of plush and bouncy EVA material that cushions the feet. If you’re looking for a comfortable shoe to take you through the summer season, the Classic Clog might be for you.
Apple AirTag
$24.99
$29
14% off
An airtag you can stow away in your luggage or bag to keep track of your items.
With so much going on in the world, it is often a herculean task to keep track of what’s important. Apple’s AirTag makes taking care of your personal belongings a breeze. The tech uses a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband technology to ping nearby Apple devices, which can then relay the AirTag’s location to the user through the Find My app.
This works on select Apple products. You can store the AirTag in backpacks, luggage, purses and more so you can keep your things safe and protected, even if you don’t always have eyes on them. This Apple product makes a great gift for people who love to travel or for those who lose things easily. You know who you are.
Levi’s Men’s 501 Original Fit Jeans
$55.65
$79.50
30% off
Men’s fitted dark wash jeans in a slew of sizes.
Levi’s are popular, and for good reason — it’s a heritage brand with years of jean-making under its belt. The apparel brand’s denim is often a hefty price, but Amazon has Levi’s classic 501 silhouettes available on sale for just $55.65. The men’s denim is currently available in a standard silhouette and comes in a range of sizes from 28Wx30L to 66Wx34L. The fit of these jeans is straight leg and sits on the wearer’s hips. They’re a dark wash with multiple pockets and bronzy hardware accents. We can see these styled casually with a crisp white tee and Converse. Or go bold and layer on a denim jacket for a Canadian Tuxedo moment.
Hydro Flask Wide Flex Cap Black 64 Oz
$44.62
$64.95
31% off
A black stainless steel water bottle with a handle and black flex cap.
This water bottle from Hydro Flask is sure to quench your thirst. It’s massive and only $44.62 on Amazon. The sleek black style is made of insulated stainless steel that can withstand drops. Additionally, the bottle can keep drinks cold for 24 hours, and hot up to 12. That means you can store anything from tea to soda and water in this bottle without changing the temperature much.
To keep it clean, just pop the bottle in the dishwasher or wash it clean with soap. The most game-changing detail of this bottle is the leakproof cap which means you can toss it into your bag without fear of spillage. Beyond the technical features, the bottle is super cute. The all-black surface is broken up with a white logo, while the shape is bulky and playful.
Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum, Silver/Nickel
$349.99
$469.99
26% off
A powerful cordless vacuume.
Vacuuming has never been easier thanks to Dyson’s V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum. The model is currently available for $349.99, 26% off its original price. Unlike some competitor products, this vacuum is extremely lightweight and comes without a cord so you won’t end up tangled while decluttering.
Two special modes, Powerful and MAX, work to suck up dust and dirt. Powerful is meant for everyday cleaning, while MAX can be reserved for those tougher cleaning jobs. The vacuum’s Motorbar head is compatible with all floor types and works to clean up everything from spilled rice to pet hair. For those detail-oriented cleans, the V8 Plus converts into a hand-held vacuum, offering you two products for the price of one.
Beats Solo 4 Cloud Pink
$129.95
$199.95
35% off
Beats’ over-the-ear headphones in pink.
Beats Solo 4 Cloud Pink over-the-ear headphones are currently on sale at Amazon for $129.95 — that’s 35% off the product’s original price. If you love quality sound like we do, then this is a must-have. Coming in a pastel pink hue, these headphones feature custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers that deliver powerful sound.
The design is lightweight and ergonomic, offering all-day comfort. Plush ear cushions also ensure the wearer can listen to their favorite tunes without a hitch. These headphones boast 50 hours of battery life and can easily be charged up in 10 minutes, giving you up to five hours of playback. Beyond the technical aspects, the color is extremely cute, making your listening experience all the more stylish.
Fans will have to wait until Oct. 24 to see the eagerly anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere. But they got a teaser on Wednesday morning (June 18) when the first trailer for the film starring The Bear‘s Jeremy Allen White as the Boss dropped, revealing the shape and mood of the film that will follow the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s introspective sessions for his stark, 1982 acoustic album Nebraska.
The two-and-a-half minute preview opens with White as Springsteen sitting in a Camaro on a car lot as he tells the salesman that he’s never owned a new vehicle before. “It’s awfully fitting for a handsome devil rock star,” the salesman says, tipping his hat that he knows exactly who his low-key, famous client is. “Well that makes one of us,” White replies.
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We next see Springsteen in his New Jersey bedroom with his guitar tech Mike Batlan (Paul Walter Hauser) as he works out the stripped-down sound of the Nebraska title track. “Don’t need to be perfect,” he tells Batlan, “I want it to feel like I’m in the room by myself.”
Director Scott Cooper’s movie also features Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s longtime manager and confidant Jon Landau, who is seen telling a record exec that his client’s deeply personal album is “not about the charts. This is about Bruce Springsteen and these are the songs that he wants to work on right now,” as White moans out the lyrics to the album’s haunting title song.
Over images of White looking at old pictures, Strong tells a story about the singer’s childhood bedroom, which had a hole in its floor. That hole becomes a metaphor for Springsteen’s complicated relationship with his withholding father (played by Adolescence‘s Stephen Graham). “Bruce is a repairman,” Strong says. “And what he’s doing with this album is he’s repairing that hole in his floor. He’s repairing that hole in himself… and once he’s done that, he’s going to repair the entire world.”
The two-and-a-half-minute trailer ends with triumphant footage of a sweat-drenched White howling “Born to Run” on stage with the E Street Band, the veins in his neck strained to the extreme as he pulls off one of the rocker’s signature stage hops. Springsteen spent time on the set of the film earlier this year and he professed to be very impressed with White’s work.
In a chat on SiriusXM’s E Street Radio in January, the 75-year-old rocker was asked if it felt weird to see White play him on screen. “A little bit at first, but you get over that pretty quick and Jeremy is such a terrific actor that you just fall right into it,” Springsteen said. “He’s got an interpretation of me that I think the fans will deeply recognize and he’s just done a great job, so I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve had a lot of fun being on the set when I can get there.”
In high praise from the singer known for his signature raspy, emotive voice, Springsteen said White was nailing it. “He sings well,” he said. “He sings very well.” Springsteen gave his full blessing for the adaptation of Warren Zanes’ book of the same name and in an interview earlier this year White said he’d studied hours and hours of video and worked with a vocal coach to nail Bruce’s vocal tone and speaking cadence.
The film also features Odessa Young (A Million Little Pieces) as Springsteen’s girlfriend, Gaby Hoffman (Transparent) as his mom, Adele, Marc Maron (Sticks) as record producer Chuck Plotkin and David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) as a Columbia Records executive.
Check out the Deliver Me From Nowhere trailer below.
When Atlantic Records’ Kevin Weaver was approached about the soundtrack to F1, he says the label didn’t face much competition. “The successes that we’ve had speak for themselves,” he notes, which include recent smash soundtracks to films including Barbie and Twisters. Both boasted chart-topping superstars and spawned multiple hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — and, in the case of Barbie: The Album, even landed three Grammys and an Academy Award. Which is partly why, Weaver adds, “We do get a lot of opportunities to see things early and first.”
Weaver, Atlantic’s president of the West Coast, was first approached about F1 last fall by David Taylor, head of music at Apple TV+ and Apple Original Films. He was then introduced to director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who showed him several scenes from the Brad Pitt-starring Formula 1 racing drama and discussed opportunities for music. “At that point, it felt undeniable to me,” Weaver recalls. “We knocked the deal out in less than a week — that is unheard of.”
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Weaver oversaw and produced F1: The Album — which received a kickoff at the Miami Grand Prix in April and will arrive June 27 alongside the film — with Atlantic executive vp/co-head of pop/rock A&R Brandon Davis and senior vp of A&R and marketing Joseph Khoury. This will be Atlantic’s first soundtrack release since restructuring as Atlantic Music Group, with Weaver sharing his gratitude for the “trust and support” from the new leadership team, including CEO Elliot Grainge, GM Tony Talamo and COO Zach Friedman. “From the very start with our launch at the Miami Grand Prix through each weekly single release, we’re lucky to have a team that is so dialed in,” he says.
Still, Weaver believes securing the deal might have been the easiest part of a process that has yielded one of the more genre-diverse soundtracks in recent memory, with contributions from Ed Sheeran, Rosé, Chris Stapleton, Myke Towers, Tate McRae, Burna Boy and more. “We try to look into a crystal ball,” he says. “And so as much as we go with the staples like the Ed Sheerans, trying to forecast artists that are going to be having the biggest moments around when we’re releasing the project and when the film comes out is always of critical importance, too.”
Plus, as Weaver says, Formula 1 is a “very global” brand, with the average F1 fan having music taste that is equally wide-ranging. “I went to a bunch of races. I got to spend time with drivers and team principals and immerse myself into the sport. A big part of general strategy was, ‘What are we doing that has a global feel?’ A big part of it was, ‘What kind of music would you hear when you’re in the paddock at an F1 race?’ ”
Kevin Weaver (second from left) and Rosé.
Evan Hammerman
The A&R experience, as a result, was much different compared with last year’s soundtrack to Twisters, which primarily featured country stars — fitting for a film about chasing tornadoes in central Oklahoma. (Twisters: The Album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.)
Only one artist appears on both projects: Stapleton had an existing song in Twisters and contributed the original track “Bad as I Used To Be” to F1: The Album. “Part of what was exciting was [it would] put Chris on an album and a platform that played in a much broader way than the lane and genre of country music,” Weaver says. “Same thing when I went to Dom Dolla and Tiësto and Peggy Gou: These seminal dance artists saw an opportunity to sit on an album with other global superstars across a lot of different genres, and I think that was part of the coveted nature of why artists really wanted to be a part of this thing.”
For Sheeran in particular, his aptly titled track, “Drive,” came together quickly while he was in the studio with John Mayer and producer Blake Slatkin, saying that “the song fell out of us” after he had seen some of the film. (Dave Grohl is also on the track.) Sheeran recalls how Mayer “just whacked an octave pedal on and went wild” to come up with the song’s riff.
“Movies are my hobby and probably the only thing other than sport that I get, like, starstruck to be part of,” Sheeran adds. “Not just directors or actors or whatever, but being a part of the journey of a movie is so exciting for me.”
Of the album’s 17 tracks, seven singles are already out. McRae’s “Just Keep Watching” has become the first to enter the Hot 100, at No. 33. The song also scored her another No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart.
“We set out to have multiple hits and to move culture. We always have our own odds of what we think are going to be the records, but then other records come out of nowhere,” Weaver says. “We always felt like the Tate song was going to be big. We always knew the Rosé song [“Messy”] was going to be special and really important. I feel really bullish about the Ed Sheeran song, the Burna Boy song [“Don’t Let Me Drown”], Tiësto and Sexyy Red [“OMG!”]. We have a lot of really strong records here. It boils down to which raise their hand.”
Until then, Weaver is already on to his next project — in fact, his next three are locked in. “I have one I can’t talk about specifically, but all I can say is we are doing the soundtrack for probably the most highly anticipated relevant global media [intellectual property] of our generation,” he teases. “And I think that is going to be a monster.”
This story appears in the June 21, 2025, issue of Billboard.
From Coachella to your couch, Yo Gabba Gabba! is so back. Fresh off the beloved kid show’s standout performance at Coachella in April — featuring special guests Flavor Flav, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Portugal. The Man and Thundercat — the full library of the original four seasons of Yo Gabba Gabba! is coming to Apple TV+ […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
To beat the heat this summer, you’ll need a few key items to help you make the most out of a pool party.
Below, you can shop perfect pool party essentials from sunscreen and speakers to beach towels from top brands like Amazon, Target, Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods, all at cost-effective prices. With these picks, you’ll be a few steps closer to lounging poolside.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
An SPF 50 sunscreen that blends into nothing.
Take charge of your skincare this summer with Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 50. It’s important to lather on the sunscreen, especially in this heat, and Supergoop’s formula is aptly equipped to protect you from the sun’s harsh rays. When shopping on Amazon, you can also choose from a range of Unseen Sunscreen sizes and SPFs as low as 40.
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JBL Go 4 Speaker
A pink and mint mini speaker.
JBL’s Go 4 Speaker brings the sound to you on the go in crisp quality. Retailing for $49.95, this speaker is tiny but mighty, bringing pro sound with a punchy base that’ll give your bigger speakers a run for their money. With up to seven hours of playtime, plus two with a playtime boost, you can keep the party going all night long. If you’re worried about damaging your speakers with water from the pool, you have nothing to worry about. The speaker is both waterproof and dustproof, ensuring the tech can withstand any environment, wet or otherwise.
Anray Home 4 Pack Oversized Microfiber Beach Towel
$29.99
$39.99
25% off
A pack of four beach towels in an assortment of colorful hues.
Walmart currently features a set of four ultra-plush microfiber beach towels from Anray for just $29.99. That’s roughly $7.49 per towel. Beyond being extremely colorful and cute, these towels are large — 60″x 30″ to be exact. Soft and fluffy, these towels also have high water absorption. The 100% microfiber construction ensures durability even after a ton of uses, given the fabric is anti-fade, anti-static, anti-wrinkle and anti-shrink.
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Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer Self Tanner Body Lotion
A self-tanning lotion and moisturizer.
Get your tan started on the right foot with help from Jergens via Target. The brand’s Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer Self Tanner Body Lotion is a moisturizing lotion and a self-tan product all in one. How is that possible you may ask? Well, it’s all in the formula. The lotion is formulated with color-enhancing ingredients, like dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and erythrulose, that temporarily darken the skin’s surface layer gradually for a hassle-free, streak-free finish.
Intex 20″ Glossy Panel Multicolor Inflatable Beach Ball
An inflatable ball for the pool or beach.
We’re getting playful this summer with help from Walmart. The retailer features a slew of beach or pool-ready toys so you can keep the good vibes going all summer long, without breaking the bank. This beach ball is a particular favorite of ours because it’s classic and utterly nostalgic, taking us back to our younger years building sand castles and boogie boarding. The multicolored ball is made of glossy puncture-resistant material and stands 20″ in diameter. This toy adds a perfect pop of color to any party and keeps the kids entertained too. It’s a win-win situation.
BANZ Cabana Beach Umbrella UPF 50 – UV Protection
A striped green and white beach umbrella made of UPF 50 sun protection fabric.
This umbrella from Amazon is the key to keeping cool this summer. Whether you’re poolside or at the beach with your toes in the sand, this umbrella keeps you shaded and protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The foil-lined canopy fabric of this UV umbrella blocks 98% of harmful UV rays. The umbrella is tilt-adjustable, so you can angle the canopy wherever the sun is shining to block it out.
DSG Logo Armchair
A folding beach or lawn chair in a deep blue hue.
Lounging is the best part of a pool party. Do it in style with Dick’s Sporting Goods Logo Armchairs. Retailing for $9.99, these chairs are colorful and comfortable to boot. The style was designed to be compact, folding in on itself for easy storage and travel. You’ve also got a netted cup holder on one of the arms to hold your ice-cold beverages. We adore the blue hue, but this chair comes in 12 different shades so you can shop for the color that best suits all your party needs.
Sun Squad 24 Cans/20.7qt Soft Sided Cooler
A pink and coral cooler with collapsing soft sides.
Retailing for $20.00, this cooler comes in pink and coral hues and is equipped with collapsable sides for easy storage. This cooler also includes leak-resistant lining to prevent spillage and can hold up to 24 cans of your choosing. If you’re feeling frisky, you can also store your favorite snacks in this cooler to keep them ice cold, even if it’s sweltering outside.
As a film and television composer who’s worked on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, Rob Simonsen is no stranger to finding a way to weave pop music into his lush scores. But what he was a stranger to was composing for an animated film — until now.
The veteran composer — whose work also includes 2009’s 500 Days of Summer, 2018’s Love, Simon and 2024’s It Ends With Us — will make his animated debut this weekend with Pixar‘s Elio, which hits theaters on Friday. In addition to Simonsen’s score, which hops from 11-year-old Elio’s begrudging home planet of Earth to the far reaches of outer space where he dreams to live forever, there are also two prominent music placements in the film: Talking Heads‘ existential 1981 single “Once in a Lifetime” and Vicente García‘s “Carmesí,” a top 20 hit on Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart in 2017.
In a conversation with Billboard, Simonsen tells us how both of those songs ended up in the movie, how he musically guides viewers between multiple planets in the sci-fi adventure, his 1973 Disney favorite that still resonates today, how he created his own “space disco” track for a memorable montage, and why he “felt at home” working in animated film.
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Rob Simonsen attends the World Premiere of Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” at El Capitan Theatre on June 10, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney/Pixar
I would love to start with when and how you got involved in this project. I’m not seeing any other animated work in your bio, and your only previous Disney project is Deadpool & Wolverine – so was that the connection?
They found me before Deadpool. Actually, I had done some scores that I think they found to use in their film, and they called me to meet with me and shared this really touching story [of Elio] with me. And I really loved what they were going for, and I felt like I understood it and was really excited. Of course Pixar [is] an incredible brain trust, an incredible group of people, and so there was a bit of a sympathetic resonance, I think. And, yeah, we got underway.
How long ago was that?
I think two and a half years ago, something around there. This one had a longer time frame than what I’m normally used to, working in live-action. I wrote a suite after seeing an initial cut and having a conversation with the director and really felt what they were going for. And I sat down and I wrote a suite and I sent it, and that ended up being “Elio’s Theme,” which is in the film — starts and ends the movie.
What was the biggest difference between scoring an animated film and the other movies you’ve previously worked on?
Oh, lots of stuff. You know, getting used to seeing hand sketches of really emotional scenes and filling in the blanks with your imagination, which actually is a process that I love. In a lot of ways, there’s not the limitations of exactly what frame something needs to hit. So you’re allowed to create music that has a little bit more inherent music logic to it. And in some cases, they’re able to get some of these things in kind of early and maybe have some musical moments even to hang the cut and the animation on.
Oh wow, that has to be very cool when that happens.
That happened pretty rarely, but when it does happen, it’s certainly nice.
This movie travels to so many different locations, so can you talk about creating music for each setting of this movie? So when Elio is on Earth, versus when he’s in the Communiverse, versus when he’s on Hylurg.
We were definitely trying to give each different location its own flavor. So for Hylurg, we focus on this low male choir and low brass. And for the Communiverse, we use these choir dolls, which are these small, handmade wooden robot dolls that are made by a Swedish company called Teenage Engineering. And we used them as kind of our vocal choir for the Communiverse, which they’re encoded with vowels and words and consonants, and it sounds like language, but it’s not English. It’s not really any specific language. So it has this kind of uncanny resemblance to human voices, but yet it sounds otherworldly, slightly technological. And then on Earth, it’s quite grounded, and there’s a lot of atmosphere, with simple piano melodies to kind of speak to Elio’s heart and his longing.
One of my favorite music moments is when Glordon and Elio are in the Communiverse and basically just treating it like one big amusement park, and there’s sort of a montage of all the fun they’re having. What were you going for with that music?
Kind of a pop track, a space disco cut. I love space disco. What an amazing little subgenre of the ’70s and ’80s. You know, Meco doing these kind of orchestrated but synthesized disco versions of all these sci-fi movies, theme songs and whatnot. And do a modern version of that, but also something that has this kind of nostalgic whimsy to it but with a solid beat that kind of makes you bop your head hopefully.
There are also two pop music parts of the movie – let’s start with the first one, Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” Was that something you were involved in selecting, or was that the dream song that the filmmakers already wanted there?
Yeah, they picked that actually. By the time I saw the first cut, when I was brought on, it was in there. And I love that song, so I was happy to see it there.
I was racking my brain to think of another moment in a Disney/Pixar movie that features an existing song in its entirety like that and was having a hard time coming up with one. It’s jarring in a very cool way!
Yeah, it is a bit different for them. And off the top of my head, I’m not sure that I know of another one.
The other moment is a Vicente García song called “Carmesí,” which plays on Aunt Olga’s car radio in the movie. How was that song chosen?
I know they were chasing some options. And I think, actually, Zoe Saldaña [who voices Elio’s Aunt Olga] may have mentioned that song and put it forward as a song that she liked. So I think that there was a cool thread of involving her in that choice.
Between Stranger Things and Deadpool & Wolverine, you’re very familiar with how a song can get a big bump from being placed in a movie like this. Do you see a world where this young audience is going to discover Talking Heads and David Byrne or Vicente García through this film?
Sure, especially since there’s only those two song pieces. The Talking Heads, it’s interesting — it’s an older song now, but it still feels fresh sonically. And yeah, I hope that a young generation gets introduced to David Byrne.
Were you a Disney kid growing up or before working on this? What does working on a Disney project mean to you?
Disney has changed the world and has had so many influences and impacts on the world. And I really love that [Walt] Disney was a real visionary and someone who was trying to transport people to new places, but yet, in these new places, you hopefully find something inspiring about life and humanity and the experience of being human, and he was a really forward-thinking person. So, I mean, it’s undeniable the mark that Disney has left, and Pixar as well. Their track record is incredible, and they’ve had so many movies that have been so enjoyable to watch and have been so well-made and so smart, and I think they really cracked the code on making films that appeal to adults and kids. So it was a real dream to get a call from them and to work on this one.
Do you have a personal favorite Disney project from your past?
You know, I love [1973’s] Robin Hood. I loved it as a kid, and I recently rewatched it, and I was struck by how relevant it is to today’s times. So I recommend that movie as a rewatch to anyone now. It’s really, really resonant, and the music is incredible in that it’s very, very catchy melodies and a great score by George Bruns, who is an amazing Disney composer, and Roger Miller delivering these amazing songs. Some of those melodies are just constantly in my head. I find myself absentmindedly whistling the “Whistle Stop” song from Robin Hood when I’m walking down the street.
Do you hope to do more animated work after this?
Yeah, I would love to. I really enjoyed working with animators. They’re so sensitive. You know, their whole job is to capture the essence of a human emotion with drawings and representations of humans, and knowing exactly what kind of emotion to go for. And emotion is almost infinite in terms of the gradation of it and the spectrum of human emotions. And Pixar, they’re the best at doing these very specific facial expressions, and the performances that they infuse their characters with is really impressive. And I saw as these animations kind of improved over time and got more specific, a character would wince in a certain way or kind of make a face in a certain way. And I just appreciate how much study of humanity animators have to do, and that’s what we do as film composers, you know? You’re a study of human emotions. So I felt at home with these people. So I’d love to do it again.
What was it like seeing the movie in its entirety the first time?
I think when I saw the whole thing, I had some notes for myself. [Laughs] But, you know, we really worked hard and I think banged it into great shape, and I think the movie really sings. Sitting back and watching it with an audience for the first time at a premiere was great. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for the characters and a lot of laughs, and it’s very breezy and, I think, very poignant in moments. So to be able to feel that with a group of people, you know, that’s an irreplaceable experience.
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Approved by Y2K baddies and TikTok influencers alike, Lancome’s Juicy Tubes create some of the most kissable pouts around.
The gloss has enjoyed a resurgeance in popularity as of late, likely in part to the revolving door that is the trend cycle. Iconic aesthetics from the 2000s are back in full swing, from clothing to makeup, and Juicy Tubes certainly fit the bill. You can shop the silky gloss everywhere from Lancome’s website to Sephora, Ulta Beauty and even Amazon for just $25.
Lancome Juicy Tube in 20 Lavender Latte
A lip gloss with a shimmering lavender finish.
Dubbed the “original high-shine gloss,” Juicy Tubes were first launched by Lancome in 2000, capitalizing on the frosty and ultra-glossy lip trend of the time. The gloss was so popular that Lancome claims to have sold 20 tubes per minute at the product’s peak.
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Juicy Tubes was briefly discontinued in 2018 and made a comeback in 2020. Following its return to the makeup market, Lancome launched a campaign in March titled Lancôme Juicy, bringing together famous faces such as Kelly Rowland, Ed Westwick, Hilary Duff, Gabrielle Union and Chad Michael Murray to discuss their experience with the iconic lip gloss.
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Lancome Juicy Tube in 05 Marshmallow Electro
A lip gloss with a pink and gold reflect.
Each gloss leaves the lips looking fuller without an overly sticky residue. Juicy Tubes come in three impressive finishes: sparkly, cream and jelly. The lip gloss also comes in a slew of shades — 11 to be exact. The line includes wearable neutrals and vampy browns, allowing for different looks for different skin tones. Some of our favorite shades include 05 Marshmallow Electro, 01 Pure and 20 Lavender Latte.
05 Marshmallow Electro is for our Y2K baddies looking for a high-shine flush to the lips. The gloss is has finely milled gold reflects that work to catch the light, giving the wearer the appearance of a plump pout. 01 Pure is a universal shade with a clear finish that works in tandem with the natural shade of your lips. We’d recommend wearing this gloss with a lip pencil to offer your lips dimension, making the gloss more impactful.
Lancome Juicy Tube in 01 Pure
A lip gloss with a clear glossy finish.
Finally, 20 Lavender Latte is a new shade for Lancome, and a great one at that. The new addition to the Juicy Tubes family boasts a sheer lavender base with finely milled champagne glitter suspended throughout. Much like 05 Marshmallow Electro, this gloss’ sparkling catches the light to help make your lips look fuller. We think this gloss would look great on darker skin.
No matter what shade you choose, Juicy Tubes will give your lips a boost of hydration that’ll take you back to the days when Britney Spears was on the radio and frosted tips were all the rage.
In the 10 years since Sophie broke through the noise with singles such as “Bipp” and “Lemonade,” the late visionary has become synonymous with progressive pop production. So for the 10th anniversary of her breakthrough set of songs, the producer’s collaborators are celebrating her influence with a commemorative release.
On Wednesday (June 18), record label Numbers will debut an expanded anniversary edition of SOPHIE’s Product, the 2015 compilation album that brought together some of the producer’s earliest releases. Alongside the original compilation’s eight tracks, the expanded edition of Product will also include two previously unreleased singles — “Ooh” and “Get Higher” — and “Unisil,” a Product-era track that was released in 2021.
“Ooh,” originally created in 2011, features vocals from The X Factor alum Jaide Green, who reflected in a statement on her first reaction to hearing the track. “‘Ooh’ stood out to me, it was fun, playful, and creative. It was clear the lyrics were very significant to SOPHIE, however it didn’t feel like your usual heartbreak song, it was uptempo and happy,” she wrote. “Even still, there was a strength behind the words. I thought it was a perfect fit, pure genius.”
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Meanwhile, “Get Higher” was first written by SOPHIE in 2013, when she shared the hyperpop-tinged production with singers Cassie Davis and Sean Mullins. “She had this unapologetic ferocity for being true to who she was, that was infectious. I remember dancing around in the studio, vibing to the energy of creation in a way that I had never experienced before, devoid of ego,” Mullins said in a statement of the new track. “That’s what SOPHIE did for me, and I think what she’s done for a lot of other people with her incredible ability to connect us all to our higher selves through the act of creativity.”
Product will be released on all streaming platforms Wednesday, with physical editions — including deluxe vinyl, CD and a “Product card” featuring an NFC code for instant tap access to the album phones — will be available in stores starting on July 11.
Check out the full tracklist for the 10th anniversary release of SOPHIE’s Product below:
“BIPP”
“ELLE”
“LEMONADE”
“HARD”
“MSMSMSM”
“VYZEE”
“L.O.V.E.”
“UNISIL”
“GET HIGHER” (new)
“OOH” (new)
“JUST LIKE WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE”
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Selena Gomez teamed up with Oreo to release a new flavor — and a song to go with it. The exclusive cookie flavor was dreamt up by the star and the Oreo team, inspired by the “Calm Down” singer’s love of horchata. The collaborative dessert is a one-of-a-kind sweet-and-spiced flavor combo, featuring a layer of rich chocolate and cinnamon creme all atop a layer of sweetened condensed milk-flavor creme with cinnamon sugar inclusions.
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All this is sandwiched between two chocolate cinnamon flavored wafers. Simply put, the flavor is inspired by Gomez’s childhood favorites. “Horchata is a comforting flavor to me. It brings back many memories with my family and has such a nostalgic experience. It’s always been one of my absolute favorites,” Gomez tells Billboard.
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Selena Gomez x Oreos Cookie
Selena Gomez x Oreos cookie in a horchata flavor.
Each cookie is embossed with a design made with her fans in mind. An exclusive cookie can be found in approximately every three packs that features Selena’s signature a la Willy Wonka. Along with the cookie drop, Gomez and Oreo Brand are dropping an exclusive remix of “I Can’t Get Enough” that’s just as sweet as the cookies themselves.
“This song will always have a special place in my heart for obvious reasons. When Benny [Blanco] and I were working on our album, we knew the song was part of our story and would be included on the album,” Gomez elaborates of her collab album I Said I Love You First with her fiancé, Blanco. “We wanted to give the fans something fun to go with the Oreo collaboration and this song made the most sense thematically. The remix feels a bit more playful than the original. I really like the faster tempo too. I think it goes well with the summer and being outside.”
Selena Gomez x Oreos.
Oreo
Now here’s the most important info: How does Gomez eat her Oreos? Everyone has a specific way of doing it, and the singer’s method is quite unique. “For some reason, I love to eat them with a fork dunked in milk,” she shares. “Not sure how or why I even started doing it that way. I recently shared a very old photo of me eating one with a fork. Highly recommend trying it.”
Gomez’s limited-edition Oreo cookies arrived on June 2 and will be available only for a limited time, while supplies last.
“I do love Oreo cookies. I only want to do partnerships that are authentic to me. That’s why this partnership from the creation of the cookie, to giving my fans something special with the remix which you can listen to by scanning my signature Oreo cookie,” Gomez says. “In addition, Oreo is making a donation to the Rare Impact Fund, which is incredibly important to me.”
The cookie packs are available worldwide in Canada, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
