Music

05 Mar 2024

Ice Spice Says She’s ‘Obsessed’ With Lana Del Rey

Ahead of her 2024 Billboard Women in Music Hitmaker ceremony on Wednesday (March 6), “Munch” hitmaker Ice Spice talked about some of her biggest musical inspirations, one of which might surprise you.

In a recent chat with Billboard, Spice was asked to name some of her favorite hit-makers of all time. After shouting out past Hitmakers honorees including Charli XCX and Dolly Parton (“they’re iconic, each in their own way”), Spice specifically called out Lana Del Rey as her musical north star.

“I’m obsessed with her, and I feel like all of her songs are hits, even the ones that aren’t as big as the others,” Ice Spice, 24, said of the sad-eyed singer who joined her and Taylor Swift in a skybox in February for Super Bowl LVIII to root on champs the Kansas City Chiefs. The unlikely Spice/Del Rey duo got to hang at a pre-Grammys gala honoring Jon Platt last month at the Beverley Hilton and Spice told Complex last year that at the time the only album she wanted to listen to was Del Rey’s 2014 album Ultraviolence.

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“Rihanna, too. I have both [her and Del Rey’s] vinyls. Taylor Swift. Of course, Nicki Minaj. Drake. The list is long!” Spice added in her Billboard chat.

It’s been a wild year for the Bronx MC, who has stormed the charts with a series of Jersey-club infected songs created with her longtime collaborator, RIOTUSA. Starting with her first solo Hot 100 entry with “In Ha Mood” last February, Ice Spice ended 2023 with four Hot 100 top 10s, a high point that tied her with Nicki Minaj (2012) and Cardi B (2018) for the most by a female rapper in a calendar year.

05 Mar 2024

Spice Girls Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Girl Power With Throwback Audition Video

Monday (March 4) was a monumental calendar flip in the history of the Spice Girls. The legendary 1990s girl group featuring Baby Spice (Emma Bunton), Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell), Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham), Scary Spice (Mel B) and Sporty (Mel C) celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first audition for the band with a throwback video of their original try-outs.

“Today marks the 30th anniversary of the very first Spice Girls auditions!,” they wrote. “What started back in 1994 has turned into an amazing journey, way beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Thank you to our fans for your support from day one #FriendshipNeverEnds.”

The 30-second clip cued to the group’s signature 1996 debut hit “Wannabe,” features footage of the casually dressed quintet going through their choreo paces, goofing around between dances and generally laughing and having a blast as the familiar girl power chorus rings out, “friendship never ends.”

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Back in the day, “Wannabe” spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1997, and is one of the group’s nine U.K. No. 1 singles. “Wannabe” continues to have legs, passing one billion Spotify streams in late 2023.

The group went on hiatus in 2000, returning in 2007 for a global tour and again in 2018-2019, though without Beckham, who has not participated in the Girls’ activities for more than a decade. The last time all five women shared a performance stage was at the London Olympics in 2012. Back in early January, though, Mel B teased that the Girls were planning yet another reunion this year to mark three decades of empowerment.

“I’ve been saying it forever. But now we’re actually going to be releasing some really good news in about a few weeks that involves all five of us,” she said when asked about a potential get-back on TODAY. “It’s going to be the gift that keeps on giving, without saying too much about it. I’m going to get myself into so much trouble.” At press time no official information about the Girls’ 2024 activities was available.

Check out the Spice Girls anniversary video below.

05 Mar 2024

New Kids on the Block Announce First New Album in 11 Years, ‘Still Kids’

New Kids on the Block announced their first album of new material in 11 years on Tuesday morning (March 5), Still Kids, which will be released through BMG on May 17.

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The 14-track album was previewed via the mid-tempo single “Kids,” which was co-written and co-produced by David Stewart (BTS, Jack Harlow) and Luke Batt (Katie Melua); the song’s video, directed by Marissa Velez, will premiere on YouTube at 1:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday and the live premiere will take place on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Friday (March 8) during an NKOTB episode takeover.

A release announcing the follow-up to the band’s 2013 studio album 10 promises that the eight full-length from Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood is “full of pop anthems, dance tracks, love songs and grooves that will become fast favorites for the Blockheads.”

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The bouncy “Kids” single features a look-back chorus from the long-running boy band — who are all in their early 50s — on which they sing, “And we’re still just kids from a nobody town/ Still just kids that are messing around/ Making the most of the things that we found.”

“It’s the most mature album we’ve ever made,” said the project’s creative director Wahlberg in a statement; the singer co-wrote seven of the tracks on the album with longtime collaborator Lars Halvor Jensen. “Yet it’s the most fun and most comfortable album we’ve ever made… This album, more than any other, is bringing the New Kids and the fans full circle. It’s about hope and possibilities and being ourselves.” The collection has features from DJ Jazzy Jeff on “Get Down” and Taylor Dayne on “Old School Love.”

McIntyre — who co-wrote six of the tracks with songwriter/producer Sean Thomas — added, “It says a lot about any band to make a record that has energy and passion and lightness and fun and depth – after almost 40 years together? It’s crazy.”

Listen to “Kids” below and check out the album tracklist and NKOTB Magic Summer 2024 tour dates.

Still Kids track list:

  1. “Magic”
  2. “Summer Love”
  3. “Long Time Coming”
  4. “Kids”
  5. “A Love Like This”
  6. “Dance With You”
  7. “Come Back”
  8. “In the Night”
  9. “Runaway”
  10. “Pop”
  11. “Get Down” (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff)
  12. “Old School Love” (feat. Taylor Dayne)
  13. “Better Days”
  14. “Stay”

Magic Summer 2024 North American tour dates (with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Taylor Dayne):

June 14 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center

June 15 — Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

June 18 — Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre

June 19 — Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake

June 21 — Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

June 22 — Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

June 23 — Prior Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheatre

June 25 — Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater

June 26 — Rogers, AR @ Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion

June 28 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena

June 29 — Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre

July 2 — Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre

July 3 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

July 5 — Ivine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre

July 7 — Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 9 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

July 10 — Albuqureque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater

July 12 — Del Valle, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater

July 13 — The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

July 14 — Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion

July 16 — Franklin, TN @ FirstBank Amphitheatre

July 19 — Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 20 — West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

July 21 — Jacksonville, FL @ Dailey Amphitheater

July 25 — Charleston, SC @ CreditOne Stadium

July 26 — Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

July 27 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

July 28 — Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

August 1 — Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

August 2 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

August 3 — Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium

August 4 — Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

August 8 — Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Art Center

August 9 — Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

August 10 — Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center

August 11 — Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

August 15 — Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts

August 16 — Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

August 17 — Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage

August 22 — Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater

August 23 — Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena

August 24 — Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater

August 25 — Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

05 Mar 2024

Beyoncé En Route For Third Week Atop U.K. Chart

Beyoncé should hold onto her U.K. chart crown for a third week, at least.

Based on midweek sales and streaming data tabled by the Official Charts Company, Bey’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (via Columbia/Parkwood Ent) has the advantage.

Beyoncé’s country-tinged hit is her sixth solo U.K. leader, and her first in 14 years. She has an additional two U.K. No. 1s as a member of Destiny’s Child.

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Meanwhile, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (Atlantic) currently sits behind “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 2, with Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) closing out the podium at No. 3.

After cracking the top 10 for the first time last Friday, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign‘s “Carnival” (YZY) continues to move north. “Carnival” is set to climb 9-6 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, for a new peak position. The track appears on the Vultures 1 collection, which recently peaked at No. 2 in the U.K.

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The top debut on the singles tally should belong to Olly Alexander with “Dizzy” (Polydor), the U.K. entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Produced by Danny L Harle, “Dizzy” is new at No. 15 on the chart blast. As frontman with Years & Years, the pop singer scored 10 top 40 singles, including five top 10s and No. 1 in 2015 with “King”.

Close behind is Charli XCX‘s “Von Dutch” (Atlantic), new at No. 16 on the chart update, for what should become the British singer and songwriter’s 15th top 40 hit.

Meanwhile, Twenty One Pilots‘ is expected to land a third top 40 with “Overcompensate” (Atlantic). It’s new at No. 26 on the chart blast.

Finally, Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus could bag another top 40 with “Doctor (Work It Out)” (via Columbia), new at No. 32 on midweek tally. The collab has reportedly been in the works for over a decade, and was intended to appear on but apparently scrapped from Cyrus’ 2013 album Bangerz.

Miley already has 24 U.K. top 40 hits, with three No. 1s, including “Flowers” which led the national chart for 10 weeks in 2023. Pharrell has 19 U.K. top 40s, including four leaders.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, March 8.

04 Mar 2024

Bono’s ‘Surrender’ Wins Audiobook of the Year at 2024 Audie Awards

Bono’s audiobook Surrender, which the U2 frontman authored and narrated, was named Audiobook of the Year at the 2024 Audie Awards, which recognize distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. The awards were presented at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Monday (March 4).

Bono’s audiobook, subtitled 40 Songs, One Story, was released by Penguin Random House Audio in November 2022. It runs 20 hours and 25 minutes. A companion album, Songs of Surrender, debuted and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in April 2023.

The four other finalists for audiobook of the year were All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White, published by Macmillan Audio; Inside Voice: My Obsession with How We Sound, written and narrated by Lake Bell, published by Pushkin Industries; Sing a Black Girl’s Song, by Ntozake Shange, edited by Imani Perry, foreword by Tarana Burke, narrated by Alfre Woodard, D. Woods and full cast, published by Hachette Audio; and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, narrated by Meryl Streep, published by HarperAudio.

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Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) hosted the awards show. Presenters included Felicia Day (a 2024 Audie Award winner), Lake Bell (a 2024 finalist) and Samira Wiley (a 2021 finalist).

Former first lady Michelle Obama won in the business/personal development category for The Light We Carry. Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald won in the literary fiction & classics category for Homer’s The Iliad. In the humor category, the winner was Leslie F*cking Jones, written and narrated by Leslie Jones, with a foreward by Chris Rock.

All 27 categories were gender-neutral this year. The best male narrator and best female narrator categories were transformed to best fiction narrator and best non-fiction narrator.

The awards are presented by Audio Publishers Association (APA), a not-for-profit trade organization. Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks.

The full list of winners can be found on the APA’s website: audiopub.org.

Here are 2024 Audie Award winners in selected categories:

Audiobook of the year

Surrender

Written and narrated by Bono

Published by Penguin Random House Audio

Autobiography/memoir

Making It So

Written and narrated by Patrick Stewart

Published by Simon & Schuster Audio

Business/personal development

The Light We Carry

Written and narrated by Michelle Obama

Published by Penguin Random House Audio

Fantasy

The Dragon Reborn

By Robert Jordan

Narrated by Rosamund Pike

Published by Macmillan Audio

Fiction

Tom Lake

By Ann Patchett

Narrated by Meryl Streep

Published by HarperAudio

Humor

Leslie F*cking Jones

Written and narrated by Leslie Jones, foreword by Chris Rock

Published by Hachette Audio

Literary fiction & classics

The Iliad

By Homer, translated by Emily Wilson

Narrated by Audra McDonald

Published by Audible Studios

Short stories/collections

Wild and Precious: A Celebration of Mary Oliver

By Mary Oliver, with the contributions by Sophia Bush, Ross Gay, Samin Nosrat, Rainn Wilson, and Susan Cain

Narrated by Sophia Bush

Published by Pushkin Industries

04 Mar 2024

Liam Gallagher and John Squire Eye U.K. No. 1

Manchester united! Liam Gallagher and John Squire have emerged as favorites for the U.K. chart title with their first collaborative album.

Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Liam Gallagher & John Squire (Warner Records) takes pole position.

Gallagher is no stranger to life at the top. Across his career, Liam has landed eight U.K. No. 1 albums as a member of Oasis, and a further five as a solo artist.

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Liam Gallagher & John Squire would represent a first leader for Squire, who has impacted the top 10 on four occasions as guitarist with the Stone Roses, and once as bandleader of the Seahorses.

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Coming in at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is The Mandrake Project (BMG), the seventh solo record from Bruce Dickinson, best known as lead singer of Iron Maiden. The Mandrake Project is the British heavy metal veteran’s first full-length release since 2005, and is set to become his first U.K. top 10 as a solo artist.

Leeds, England rock favorites Kaiser Chiefs’ should nab an eighth U.K. top 10 appearance with Easy Eighth Album (Kaiser Chiefs), on track for a No. 3 debut. Kaiser Chiefs have twice led the tally, with 2007’s Yours Truly, Angry Mob and 2014’s Education, Education, Education & War.

Yard Act, also from Leeds, is targeting a No. 4 start with their sophomore studio release, Where’s My Utopia? (Island), while Manchester-formed rock act Everything Everything complete an all-new top 5 on the midweek tally with Mountainhead (BMG). It’s on track to bow at No. 5, for what would be their sixth U.K. top 10 album.

The current leader, Rod Stewart and Jools Holland’s Swing Fever (EastWest/Rhino) is expected to swing from the chart zenith, down 1-6.

After dominating the 2024 Brit Awards over the weekend, where she collected a record-setting six honors, RAYE is on the rebound. The homegrown R&B star’s debut My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources) is set to vault 96 places for a top 10 reentry, at No. 7. My 21st Century Blues won album of the year at the BRITs, and peaked at No. 2 following its release last year. The British artist also won for artist of the year, song of the year for her No. 1 single “Escapism” (featuring 070 Shake), R&B act, new artist and songwriter of the year.

Meanwhile, British rapper and songwriter Skrapz (real name: Christopher Kyei) is tracking for a top 10 berth with Reflection (1&Only), his fourth studio LP. It’s new at No. 8 on the midweek tally, and predicted to become his first U.K. top 10 album.

Also heading for U.K. top 40 enters are recordings from Big Big Train (The Likes Of Us at No. 13 via Century Media), Jacob Collier (Djesse Vol. 4 at No. 18 via Decca) and These Wicked Rivers (Force of Nature at No. 36 via Fat Earth).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, March 8.

04 Mar 2024

Ciara Calls Husband Russell Wilson Her ‘Inspiration’ After His Release From Denver Broncos

Ciara is her husband’s No. 1 fan no matter what

Following the news that Russell Wilson had been cut from the Denver Broncos, the NFL quarterback took to Instagram on Monday (March 4) to thank “Broncos Country” for their support. “Over these last two years, you have welcoming my family and me with open arms and have embraced us as members of the Denver community,” he wrote in his statement, alongside photos of himself playing on the field. “This city will always hold a special place in my heart. Our family grew here, we made countless memories and friendships, and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.”

After thanking his teammates, the team’s crew and more, Wilson concluded his statement by writing, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. God’s got me. I am excited for what’s next.”

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Ciara shared a sweet message in the comments of the post, writing, “One of One! My greatest inspiration! I love you.”

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See the post here.

The post comes shortly after the Broncos announced the end to its time with Wilson after just two seasons, despite the team signing Wilson to a five-year $242.6 million deal, subsequently taking a $85 million dead money hit over the next two seasons due to the early release.

“We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year,” the statement from the team’s general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton reads. “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team while wishing him the best as he continues his career.”

Ciara and Wilson tied the knot in 2016. The couple has since welcomed three children, six-year-old Sienna Princess, three-year-old Win Harrison and three-month-old Amora Princess. Ciara also shares nine-year-old son Future Zahir with her ex, rapper Future.

04 Mar 2024

Jack Black Sends ‘Love’ to Britney Spears After ‘…Baby One More Time’ Cover

Jack Black teamed up with his longtime bandmate Kyle Gass to record a cover of Britney Spears’ 1998 breakout hit, “…Baby One More Time,” and the star revealed he’s a fan of the pop princess at the premiere for Kung Fu Panda 4 on Sunday (March 3).

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“Britney, if you’re watching, I love you. I love the song,” Black told Entertainment Tonight. Of the cover itself, he added, “We’re very proud of it, [and] I hope you like it, too.”

Black also was thrilled at the thought of collaborating with Spears. “I’m here! I’m ready when you are. I’m waiting by the phone,” he said. “I got kicks! I don’t quite have Britney kicks, but you know, I got some moves.”

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A team-up with the “Piece of Me” superstar is unlikely, as Spears took to Instagram back in January to shut down rumors that she’s working on an album. “Just so we’re clear most of the news is trash,” she wrote in her post. “They keep saying I’m turning to random people to do a new album … I will never return to the music industry !!!”

The post seemed to be in response Page Six and US Sun report that the singer is working with Charli XCX and Julia Michaels to co-write a long-awaited 10th studio album. The singer’s last album was 2016’s Glory, though also teamed up with Elton John for 2021’s “Hold Me Closer.”

Watch Jack Black’s “…Baby One More Time” cover below.

04 Mar 2024

Brit Turner, Blackberry Smoke Drummer & Founding Member, Dead at 57

Brit Turner, a founding member and the drummer for rock band Blackberry Smoke, died on Sunday (March 3). He was 57 years old.

Turner was battling glioblastoma, a form of cancer in the brain, and in November 2022, underwent a surgery to remove a brain tumor. The band confirmed the news of his death via a social media statement. “It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother @britturner13 has moved on from this life,” the group wrote alongside a photo of Turner. “If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet. Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.”

The statement noted that funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. “Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family through this fight,” Blackberry Smoke wrote, before encouraging fans to visit Fact Relief’s website to help out Turner’s family.

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See the full post here.

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Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Ga., back in 2000 and consists of Turner, vocalist and guitarist Charlie Starr, bassist Richard Turner, guitarist Paul Jackson and keyboardist Brandon Still. After releasing their debut album, Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime, in 2003, the group found success with their 2009 follow-up, Little Piece of Dixie. With their fourth studio album, Holding All the Roses, Blackberry Smoke snagged their first No. 1 and biggest sales week on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. 2016’s Like An Arrow also topped the chart. Overall, the band released eight studio albums, most recently dropping Be Right Here in February 2024.

04 Mar 2024

Watch Sabrina Carpenter Run Into Barry Keoghan’s Arms After Eras Tour Set in Singapore

Sabrina Carpenter is feeling light as a feather with a certain Irish actor on her mind. In an adorable video from the 24-year-old singer-actress’ weekend shows opening for Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour in Singapore, she shares a sweet exchange with Barry Keoghan — whom she is rumored to be dating — moments after finishing her set.

In the clip, a camera zooms in on Carpenter after she steps offstage in her black dress and signature knee-high boots. When she sees Keoghan, she runs into his arms, and the Saltburn star spins her around in a circle before walking with her into the wings at Singapore National Stadium.

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As some fans pointed out, the clip is quite reminiscent of the time Swift greeted Travis Kelce in a similar way after her concert in Buenos Aires last year, running to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and planting a big kiss on him.

The “Feather” singer has served as Swift’s supporting act throughout the Latin America, Australia and Singapore legs of the Eras Tour. Fans spotted Keoghan cheering her on from the audience during her March 3 set, during which she capped off her performance of “Nonsense” by singing in her NSFW improvised outro, “He said that he wishes he was on me / Got me wetter than the Jewel Changi / Singapore, I hope you like my songy!”

Carpenter and the 31-year-old actor have been sparking dating rumors since the beginning of this year, with the pair reportedly meeting at Paris Fashion Week in 2023. In February, they attended a Grammys afterparty and posed for a cute photo together.

The Girl Meets World alum has been touring in support of her most recent album Emails I Can’t Send, which debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 in summer 2022. Since then, she’s steadily found Billboard Hot 100 success with singles “Feather” and “Nonsense” peaking at Nos. 29 and 56, respectively, more than seven months after the LP dropped.

Watch Carpenter’s sweet moment with Keoghan below.