Music

14 Feb 2024

Justice Set to Appear as Featured Speakers at SXSW 2024

The Justice comeback is gaining momentum, with the French duo confirmed as keynote speakers at SXSW 2024.

Happening at the Austin Convention Center on March 13 at 2:30 p.m., this rare public conversation from Justice’s Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay will focus on their forthcoming album, Hyperdrama (due out April 26), and the legacy and future of the renowned and boundary-pushing project. The conversation will be moderated by Billboard‘s Senior Music Correspondent Katie Bain.

The conversation will take place just ahead of Justice’s Coachella performances on April 12 and 19, where they’ll debut a new live show.

Today (Feb. 14), the pair also released the darkly sexy (but also disturbing and NSFW) video for their recently released track “Generator.” The video features a pair of human-like robots engaging in carnal and also violent acts that evokes a very twisted version of Valentine’s Day. Watch the video below.

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“I think we were excited about the idea of replicating a phenomenon from the 2000s, such as a sex tape, but with a twist,” the video’s director Léa Ceheivi says in a statement.

Out last month as the B-side to “One Night/All Night,” — the album’s disco-leaning lead single with Kevin Parker —”Generator” is classic Justice, with the duo calling the song “like ‘Getaway’ by the Salsoul Orchestra, but with gabber and classic ’90s hardcore techno sounds. Disco/funk and electronic music at large have always been core elements of the music we make as Justice. In Hyperdrama we make them coexist, but not in a peaceful way.”

14 Feb 2024

Beyoncé’s ‘Daddy Lessons’ Up 370% in Streams Following Reveal of Her New Country Era

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up column, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. 
 
This week: The Big Game leads to big gains for country Beyoncé, Usher’s (faux-)lovers and friends and a Whitney classic, while Aimee Carty gets an unexpected lift from the college basketball world, and much more.

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BeyHive Re-Learns Past Country ‘Lessons’ Following New Single Releases



When Beyoncé unexpectedly returned on Sunday night (Feb. 11) by surprise-releasing two new singles, “Texas Hold ’Em” and “16 Carriages,” during the Super Bowl, fans were greeted with a pair of country music tracks that seemingly preview the cowboy-hat nature of her upcoming album, Act II. However, longtime Bey fans were quick to point out that the new songs were not, of course, not Beyoncé first country music foray — after all, 2016’s Lemonade was highlighted by “Daddy Lessons,” a rip-roaring jamboree that eventually received a remix and CMA Awards performance with the Chicks.

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As both “Texas Hold ’Em” and “16 Carriages” get off to hot starts — on their first full day on streaming services, the tracks respectively earned 4.32 million and 2.66 million U.S. on-demand streams, according to Luminate — fans have also returned to “Daddy Lessons” and helped the nearly eight-year-old track receive new life. On Feb. 12, the song earned 160,000 streams, up a whopping 370% from the previous Monday (34,000 streams). We’ll find out on Mar. 29 how much of Act II actually resembles the sonic makeup of “Daddy Lessons,” but until then, expect its streams to stay elevated as fans prepare for Queen Bey’s country era. — JASON LIPSHUTZ

Alicia Keys & Lil Jon Hits Also Boosted by Usher-Headlined Halftime



Usher’s well-received and widely viewed – like, 129-million-plus wide – halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday night (Feb. 11) has of course had a profound effect on consumption of the R&B superstar’s back catalog. We’ll have exact numbers on Mr. Raymond’s post-SB stats to come later on Billboard, but suffice to say he is up fairly dramatically in song sales and streams following his performance, with classics like “Yeah!” and “My Boo” even threatening Billboard Hot 100 re-entrances next week. But he’s not the only artist seeing gains from the halftime extravaganza. 

Alicia Keys, who joined the set primarily to display her vocal and on-stage chemistry with her old duet partner on “My Boo,” also offered a chorus of her own solo 2004 smash ballad “If I Ain’t Got You,” with Usher joining in harmonies at the end. The song consequently racked up 889,000 official on-demand U.S. streams over that Sunday and the following Monday – up nearly 59% from the 560,000 streams it posted over the equivalent two-day period the prior week, according to Luminate. The song also grew in digital sales over the same period, from a negligible amount to nearly 700 copies. (We’ll have to wait to see what impact Keys’ “Got You” performance going viral on Tuesday for less-than-desirable reasons will have on its consumption the rest of the week.) 

Meanwhile, Usher’s “Yeah!” collaborator Lil Jon also got his own spotlight moment before being joined by the set’s headliner, leading the crowd in shouts of the timeless refrain to his and DJ Snake’s club perennial, “Turn Down for What.” The song rose 83% in streams from Feb. 5-6 (217,000) to Feb. 12-13 (398,000) and saw an even more pronounced rise in sales, going from a negligible amount to over 1,000 copies. Former Usher collaborators from Gucci Mane to Ella Mai are probably looking at those numbers this week wondering what they gotta do to get the call next time. – ANDREW UNTERBERGER

Super Bowl ‘Wicked’ Trailer Starring Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Spurs Soundtrack Streaming Gains 



During the first batch of Super Bowl commercials on Sunday night (Feb. 11), viewers were treated to the first look at Wicked – the forthcoming Jon M. Chu-helmed movie musical based on the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history. The new film adaptation of the story of Elphaba (Erivo) and Galinda (Grande) hits theaters on Nov. 27, 2024, but fans are already flocking to the existing Broadway cast soundtracks to feed their anticipation. 

On the Monday preceding the Super Bowl (Feb. 5), the official combined tally for songs on the original 2003 Wicked cast recording and the 15th anniversary 2018 edition clocked in at 365,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. By the Monday following the Big Game (Feb. 12), that number rose by a whopping 93.6% to 705,000 official on-demand streams. Expect those numbers to continue trending up as the trailer continues to make the rounds in the months leading up to the film’s theatrical release. With Erivo’s take on the “Defying Gravity” riff already going viral, and Grande’s imminent Eternal Sunshine album poised to make a sizable splash, all eyes are on the Wicked ladies as Thanksgiving 2024 draws nearer. – KYLE DENIS

Old Kanye West Song Benefits From Being Sampled on New Kanye West Song



“Hell of a Life” was not supposed to appear in sampled form on “Carnival,” the breakout track from Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s new collaborative project Vultures 1: a live version of Black Sabbath’s iconic “Iron Man” riff was originally supposed to be lifted into the song, but Ozzy Osbourne refused to clear the sample and sent West a very public cease-and-desist. The fuzzed-out riff from “Hell of a Life,” an album cut from West’s iconic 2010 LP My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, turned into Plan B, and as “Carnival” continues gobbling up streams, “Hell of a Life” has earned a bit of a resurgence as well.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week (Feb. 12-13), “Hell of a Life” earned 96,000 official on-demand U.S. streams, a 54% spike from the same period during the previous week, according to Luminate. Of course, that total pales in comparison to that of “Carnival,” which earned 10.9 million streams between Sunday and Tuesday, and remains entrenched atop daily U.S. streaming charts. Maybe West will sample “Carnival” for a song on Vultures II and create a trickle-down effect on his streaming catalog. – JL

Duke Star Jared McCain’s TikToks Make a Streaming Smash Out of “2 Days Into College”  



Before his fiery first year at Cameron Indoor Stadium alongside his fellow Blue Devils on Duke University’s men’s basketball team, Jared McCain was a TikTok favorite. Now a key player on one of the most popular college sports teams in the country, McCain boasts over 2.4 million followers on TikTok – and his massive audience on the platform has helped turn Irish singer-songwriter Aimee Carty’s “2 Days Into College” into a verifiable streaming hit. 

According to Luminate, “2 Days Into College” earned a little over 50,000 official on-demand streams during the period of Jan. 18-25. Over the next week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1), that number exploded by a mind-boggling 4,319% to 2.23 million on-demand streams. Over Feb. 2-8, streams again improved by a further 101%, good enough for just under 4.5 million on-demand streams. McCain first used the song on TikTok in a Jan. 25 post captioned, “Post workout jingles [Aimee Carty] was elite with this.” The post currently holds over 1.1 million likes and 9 million views, while the clip’s official sound features McCain’s very own a cappella cover of the song. Five days later he posted another clip – soundtracked by a mashup of his cover and Carty’s original track – that garnered one million likes and 10.2 million views. Feb. 2 brought yet another TikTok with the mashup playing in the background, and by Feb. 7, McCain was posting TikToks to a Jersey club remix of “2 Days Into College.” 

That remix – created by TikTok user @prodbyraesam (Feb. 3) — currently boasts over 12,800 posts on TikTok, while an official sound for Carty’s song is not currently available on the platform. Nonetheless, Carty’s Dec. 6, 2023, TikTok previewing “College” has collected 4.1 million likes and 28 million views to date. The fast-rising singer-songwriter has even acknowledged McCain’s impact on the song’s success, dueting one of his TikToks to the tune of 3.7 million views and 361,400 likes. 

As of Feb. 10, “2 Days Into College” is officially Aimee Carty’s Billboard chart debut. The song debuted at No. 22 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 (chart dated Feb. 10) and at No. 5 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 (dated Feb. 17). Carty also makes her first appearance on the Feb. 17 Emerging Artists chart, at No. 32. — KD

Season’s Gainings: Fans Will Always Love Whitney’s National Anthem on Super Bowl Sunday



Reba McEntire’s “Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LVIIII: pretty good! No complaints. But as far as all-time versions of the anthem go, it’s entirely likely that none at the Big Game will ever touch Whitney Houston’s XXV rendition in 1991, a version mighty enough to lift the nation’s Gulf War-era spirits and chart on the Hot 100 multiple times. Also one good enough for fans to play annually on (or after) Super Bowl Sunday: Houston’s rendition racked up 14,000 combined official on-demand U.S. streams over Feb. 12-13, a 52% gain from the equivalent period the week before that, according to Luminate. – AU

14 Feb 2024

Usher to Develop TV Drama Series About ‘Black Love in Atlanta’ Featuring His Music

When Usher said he was “just getting started” after his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, he meant it.

Just days after he took the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Sunday (Feb. 11), the 45-year-old superstar has now announced plans to develop a television drama series centered around his music.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will be produced in partnership with Universal Studio Group’s UCP and will center around “Black love in Atlanta and individuals looking to find a place to call home,” according to its logline, as reported by the outlet. “The series will explore music, style, sex, romance and secrets that threaten to tear relationships apart.”

Usher’s team on the project will include executive producers Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, Katie Zucker and Kenny Meiselas.

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“My 30-year catalog has resonated with so many people no matter where they were in their lives,” he said in a statement. “I’m happy to be working with UCP to bring the music to life. I hope the series resonates with you the way my music continues to.”

The news comes on the heels of the eight-time Grammy winner’s new album Coming Home, which dropped Feb. 9. The 20-track LP features guest spots from BTS’ Jung Kook, Burna Boy, H.E.R. and more, and will likely compete with Kanye West’s Vultures for the top spot on the Billboard 200 next week.

On a more personal front, Usher recently married his longtime partner Jennifer Goicoechea. The pair wed in an intimate ceremony at a Las Vegas chapel on Sunday, just hours before the “Yeah!” singer headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show with guest performers Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Lil Jon and Will.I.Am.

14 Feb 2024

Frankie Beverly of Maze Announces His ‘I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour’

Say it ain’t so. After 54 years, nine gold albums and a string of hits including “Before I Let Go” — which Beyoncé lovingly covered on her live album Homecoming — Maze frontman Frankie Beverly is announcing his farewell tour. The I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour kicks off in Atlanta at the State Farm Arena on March 22 and wraps in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum on May 12. 

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An afterparty following the Atlanta concert is currently being planned with details forthcoming. Once the tour ends, Beverly will travel to Philadelphia for a street renaming ceremony in the city where he and his Maze band — originally called Raw Soul — began forging their musical legacy in 1970.

In an exclusive comment to Billboard, Beverly says, “I want to share with my lifelong fans and associates that I’ll be going out on the road one last time, then retire. Thank you so much for the support given to me for over 50 years as I pass on the lead vocalist torch to Tony Lindsay. The band will continue on as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. It’s been a great ride through the decades. Let the music of my legacy continue.”

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Beverly’s final tour trek is being produced by the Black Promoters Collective (BPC). “Since the ‘70s, the legendary Frankie Beverly has blessed us with timeless hits such as ‘Happy Feelings,’ ‘Golden Time of Day,’ ‘Joy and Pain’ and the seminal party starter ‘Before I Let Go,’” BPC CEO Gary Guidry tells Billboard.
“His music has contributed to the soundtrack of our lives by enriching our experiences with his soulful melodies. We are honored to join forces with him on his farewell tour.”

Among Beverly and Maze’s early mentors was Marvin Gaye. After relocating to San Francisco and meeting Gaye in 1971, the group began touring as the R&B/pop legend’s opening act. In fact, it was Gaye who suggested that Raw Soul change its name to Maze. Maze went on to record for Capitol and later Warner Bros., releasing a series of hit albums and singles between 1977 and 1993.

Pre-sales for Frankie Beverly & Maze’s I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour begin Feb. 15 with sales to the general public starting Feb. 16. Get your tickets info here. See the full tour itinerary below:

  • March 22 — State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Ga.
  • April 6 – Mobile County Fairgrounds — Mobile, Ala.
  • April 13 – Toyota Arena — Houston, Texas
  • April 27 – United Center — Chicago, Ill.
  • May 12 – Kia Forum — Los Angeles, Calif.

14 Feb 2024

Drake Promises to Cover Fan’s Surgery Bills During St. Louis Concert: ‘We Gonna Help You Out’

Drake has been giving back to his fans quite a bit while on the road. During his Monday night (Feb. 12) stop in St. Louis asking, the “6 God” rapper spotted a fan asking for his help covering an upcoming costly surgery — and Drizzy stopped the show to let them know that he would pay for the unspecified treatment.

“You got a sign that says, ‘Please help me with my surgery.’ I don’t know what kinda surgery you need, sir. I really don’t but I’ma let you know from me to you St. Louis love, we gon’ take care whatever the surgery is,” Drake promised. “We gonna help you out because we want you to be at the next show with us. You gotta show us love.” The fan’s face appeared on the Enterprise Center jumbotron, as he emotionally reacted to the rapper’s promise.

This is far from the first charitable move Drake’s made on the It’s All a Blur — Big as the What? Tour. Last week, during a show in Nashville, the OVO boss congratulated a fan on finishing chemotherapy and blessed them with a $100,000 gift.

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“Listen, forget Drake, forget anybody else in this building right now. That’s a true soldier right there,” Drake said which drew an ovation from the crowd. “I hope my manager doesn’t kill me ’cause I’ve never really done this much, but, listen, I want you to cash this in at the end of the night. We’re gonna give you $100,000. I love you and I wish you the best.”

According to a report from The Tennessean, the fan was identified as Lauren Schwallie and she has been fighting breast cancer since 2022.

“One thing led to another and I was at the front of the stage and Drake blew me a kiss and told me that he loved me! That’s all I was focused on … And then just like the money on top of it is just insane,” she told the publication of the pleasant surprise.

Drake and J. Cole’s It’s All a Blur — Big as the What? Tour continues this weekend with a pair of shows in Pittsburgh where another lucky fan could reap the benefits of Drizzy’s deep pockets.

Find footage of both of Drake’s grand gestures below.

14 Feb 2024

Protoje & Stonebwoy to Bring Authentic Dancehall Experience to Boomyard Stage at Cali Vibes Festival

Cali Vibes — the West Coast’s biggest reggae, roots music and hip-hop festival — returns to Long Beach this weekend with one of its strongest lineups yet, including headliners Gwen Stefani, Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Ice Cube and more.

For the third year in a raw, Cali Vibes will include the Boomyard stage curated by Leslie Cooney, a longtime A&R rep at Delicious Vinyl specializing in Jamaican and Caribbean dancehall, reggae and soca artists. This year’s Boomyard stage will include Jamaican rapper and reggae artist Kabaka Pyramid, Jamaican reggae artist Protoje, rasta reggae singer Lutan Fyah, Ghana artist Stonebwoy and DJ sets from KrossFayah, DJ Daneekah and Mr Crooks.

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Goldenvoice’s own Nic Adler got his start working in the mailroom at Delicious Vinyl, the West Coast hip-hop label that was home to the Pharcyde, Tone Loc, Young MC, The Brand New Heavies and other acts in the late 1980s and ’90s, says label co-founder Mike Ross, who also hired Cooney around the same time to bring reggae artists to the label. In 2018 — the same year reggae imprint Delicious Vinyl Island was launched — Cooney and Ross created a regular showcase and party for Jamaican artists called Boomyards at Delicious Pizza on West Adams in L.A.

“The idea behind it was to create a place to commune and celebrate the records we were putting out,” says Cooney. “I was putting out records by a lot of these young Caribbean acts and Boomyards became a way to play those records and meet up with DJs and dancers in the community. I used my relationships with all of my friends like Shaggy, Protoje and Mr. Vegas and all of these big artists that would just come touch the mic because they were friends of mine and the Party just took off.”

Jamaican DJ and singer Yaadboy, who performs at Boomyards, was the first artist Cooney worked with at the Delicious Vinyl Island imprint, although Delicious Vinyl’s ties to Jamaican music go back to the hip-hop-reggae group Born Jamericans, whose debut record Kids from Foreign was released on the label in 1994. As the record business changed, Cooney shifted focus to managing acts including Mr. Vegas and Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano and building up the Boomyards brand.

“It’s an extended community and everybody that I put on my stage is friends or family with a lot of other Jamaican people in the community,” Cooney explains. “So the stage is kind of like a meeting point. We’ll have the Marleys on the main stages, but their kids will be performing on the Boomyards stage or DJing.”

Cooney expects Protoje’s Sunday set to be among the biggest draws for the Boomyard stage, telling Billboard that “fans are going to get the real culture there because they’re going to see Protoje perform the way he might at home at a sound session. It’s DJs, playing his tracks live, mixing them live, flying in sound effects and all sorts of fun. It’s going to be insane.”

Learn more at www.calivibesfest.com.

14 Feb 2024

Beyonce Serves Texas Girl Glam at Luar Fashion Show

Beyoncé loves a theme, and with Act II of her Renaissance album trilogy seemingly leaning country, the superstar has used her Southern roots to inspire her outfits lately.

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The “Break My Soul” singer attended the Luar runway show during New York Fashion Week on Tuesday (Feb. 13) alongside her mom Tina Knowles. For the occasion, Bey rocked a silver blazer with over-the-knee metallic boots, complete with a matching head wrap and cowboy hat (as seen in the photo above).

Tina also shared a photo on Instagram, in which she, Bey and Solange Knowles pose alongside the designer, and you can get a much better look at Bey’s glam cowgirl outfit. See the post here.

During the Super Bowl festivities on Sunday (Feb. 11), Beyoncé ended long-rumored speculation about the second act of her Renaissance trilogy by posting a teaser labeled “act ii” on Instagram, adding the project’s release date: March 29. She also released two songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

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debut atop the Billboard 200, spawned a pair of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits — “Break My Soul” (No. 1) and “Cuff It” (No. 6) — and soundtracked the historic Renaissance World Tour, which grossed over $579 million.

Between the references to her home state of Texas and the country sound of the new music snippet, it looks like fans were onto something with their theory that Beyoncé’s next LP will find her delving into country music.

14 Feb 2024

Which Is Your Favorite Karol G No. 1 Hit? Vote!

If her debut album title is any indication, Karol G has been unstoppable — especially on the Billboard charts, where she’s earned eight No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs list.

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In celebration of her 33rd birthday Wednesday (Feb. 14), the Colombian singer is releasing a new single in collaboration with Tiesto — their third together following “Don’t Be Shy” and “Provenza (Remix)” — which promises to be the next club banger.

She first teased part of the song’s lyrics on X: “No quiero nada si no es CONTIGO” (I don’t want anything if it’s not with you). She later confirmed a new bop was coming during one of her concerts in Mexico’s Estadio Azteca over the weekend.

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Billboard has curated a poll for fans to vote for their favorite No. 1 “Bichota” hit. 

The poll includes “Dame Tu Cosita,” the 2018 track featuring Pitbull, El Chombo and Cutty Ranks that ultimately earned Karol her first No. 1 hit. “China” — alongside Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, and J Balvin — was the singer’s second No. 1 hit, and it remained at the top for 12 weeks.

In 2019, Karol made history with her Nicki Minaj-assisted “Tusa.” The song became the first title by two women in a lead role to open atop the chart since its inception in 1986. 

She has also teamed up with Becky G on “MAMIII,” which hit No. 1 in 2022 and topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for 10 weeks; and in “TQG” with Shakira, which peaked at No. 1 in 2023, leading the chart for five weeks. 

Her latest No. 1 one banger is “QLONA” in collaboration with Peso Pluma.

Below, see all the Karol tracks to hit No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and vote for your favorite one. 

14 Feb 2024

Columbia Records’ Ron Perry to Receive UJA-Federation of New York’s 2024 Music Visionary of the Year Award

Ron Perry, chairman/CEO of Columbia Records, will receive the 2024 Music Visionary of the Year Award at the UJA-Federation of New York’s luncheon this spring. The award recognizes Perry’s professional accomplishments and commitment to philanthropy.

“We are thrilled to honor Ron as our 2024 UJA Music Visionary of the Year,” Daniel Glass, founder/CEO of Glassnote Records, chair of UJA’s music division and co-chair of UJA’s overall entertainment division, said in a statement. “Ron is one of the new leaders of our industry. Throughout his career, Ron stays close to songwriters and artists. He has proven himself to be a true trailblazer and ‘song person’ — the greatest compliment a music executive can get.”

Recent honorees include Sony Music Group CEO Rob Stringer; Amazon Music vp Steve Boom; SiriusXM president/chief content officer Scott Greenstein; and Universal Music Group executive vp Michele Anthony, as well as Doug Davis; Avery and Monte Lipman; Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler, John Sykes and Tom Poleman; Troy Carter and Daniel Ek; Fred Davis and Daniel Glass; Tom Corson and Peter Edge; Jody Gerson and Jon Platt; Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman; Charles Goldstuck and Kevin Liles; Barry Weiss; and Clive Davis.

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As chairman and CEO of Columbia Records since 2018, Perry oversees a diverse roster of artists including AC/DC, Adele, Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, Blink-182, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Central Cee, Depeche Mode, Halsey, Harry Styles, The Kid LAROI, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Rosalía and Tyler the Creator.

Prior to Columbia Records, Perry was the president and partner of SONGS Music Publishing, where he signed The Weeknd, XXXtentacion, Lorde, Diplo and others before the company’s sale to Kobalt in December 2017.

Funds raised at the luncheon will go toward UJA’s annual campaign supporting the year-round work of confronting antisemitism, promoting inclusion and caring for New Yorkers of all backgrounds. A portion of the proceeds will also support UJA’s Music for Youth, which helps thousands of young people connect to life-changing music programs.

Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people annually. Every year, UJA-Federation provides approximately $180 million in grants.

14 Feb 2024

Mountains, Machines & Mushrooms: Helado Negro Talks New Album ‘Phasor’ 

Few artists blend the organic with the electronic as seamlessly and thoughtfully as Roberto Carlos Lange, known by his stage name Helado Negro. With his ninth studio album, Phasor, the Ecuadorian-American singer/producer embarks on a journey that transcends the boundaries of sound, technology, and nature. This voyage is underscored by an unexpected triad: the majestic Smoky Mountains, the humble mushroom, and a supercomputer.

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Following the success of Far In, which peaked at No. 85 on Billboard‘s Top Album Sales chart in November 2021, Phasor emerges as a culmination of the creative’s evolving musical style and thematic exploration, from the drum and bass-leaning This Is How You Smile (2019) to the quarantine reflections of Far In.

Phasor defies easy categorization — a trait Lange himself acknowledges. “The main story can be so elusive,” he muses. “There’s intention, but there’s also obscurity and literal meanings.” This openness sets the stage for an album rich in multifaceted themes, from introspection and personal connection to profound engagements with the natural world.

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Echoes of the Smoky Mountains

The Florida-bred musician’s move from Brooklyn to Asheville, North Carolina, marked a significant shift in his creative landscape. “My connection was water, the beach and mostly city life,” Lange remembers about his upbringing, and evinced in “Colores del Mar.” The Smoky Mountains’ breathtaking beauty and tranquility offered a stark contrast to the urban environments he had previously inhabited. “The mountains are really spectacular. They surround you, going hiking, having all these views and being able to see so much. It really affected me,” the singer mentions, where the serene and the sublime merge, as his “mountainous muses.”

From Fungi to Frequencies

Ahead of Phasor‘s release, Lange piqued interest with a social media post on X displaying a collection of magic mushrooms, suggesting they played a role in the album’s creation. “This album was on heavy rotation while making my new album,” he wrote. While playful, this isn’t far from the truth: The album embodies a psychedelic exploration not just in sound but in spirit (listen to the exploratory sounds of “Out There” and “Echo Tricks Me”), drawing parallels between the mind-expanding journey of psychedelics and the boundless possibilities of musical exploration.

“There’s this physical space and then this mental and spiritual space that gives me more freedom to feel a little more quiet in my mind,” he tells Billboard Español. “Also having a little more focus and deeper intention with my work.” 

Bridging Histories Through Sound

Opening track “LFO” (Lupe Finds Oliveros) connects the legacies of two pioneering women: Pauline Oliveros, an Tejana avant-garde musician known for her philosophy of deep listening, and Lupe López, a Mexican-American Fender amplifier technician from the 1950s whose meticulous craftsmanship has resonated through time. Lange found inspiration in the intersecting stories of Oliveros and López, tying together their contributions to music and sound. 

Oliveros’s work in deep listening — a practice of fully immersing oneself in the sounds of one’s environment — and López’s renowned precision in the Fender factory highlight a shared legacy of listening and creating with intention.

Lange was captivated by the narrative of collectors and niche enthusiasts who treasure the unique tone of amplifiers that bear Lopez’s signature “Her amp was on the assembly line where there were multiple workers making them. Each person wrote their name on a piece of masking tape, and put it inside the amp. They call them the Lupe amps,” he shares with admiration. “I think it’s really endearing, and I find it really amazing…the value is really in the appreciation for the care that she put into it.”

Through “LFO,” the musician not only honors these two figures but also delves into broader themes of listening, identity and the enduring impact of those who’ve shaped the landscape of sound. “I really appreciated… how all those things connected between her, Lupe, and the people who are appreciating Lupe’s work,” Lange comments. This track, and the album as a whole, invites listeners to explore the deep connections between music’s history and its future, reminding us of the power of sound to bridge disparate worlds.

A Symphony with a Supercomputer

The album’s technological heart beats with the rhythm of the SalMar synthesizer, a unique instrument that encapsulates Lange’s fascination with the intersection of music and machinery. Corresponding with the archivist at the University of Illinois since 2019, he spent hours with the SalMar synth, finding inspiration in its capability to create music generatively, using a blend of old supercomputer brains and analog oscillators. 

“An Italian-American educator and musician, Salvatore Martirano, invented it for himself to make generative music that constantly changes and evolves. It’s a one of a kind instrument,”  he shares. “He would perform with it live, and listen, this thing is huge to travel with. One of the musical pieces he published at the time was ‘L’s GA, Ballad, Octet‘ short for Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, an anti-war piece against the Vietnam War. I thought it was cool to see all these deeper intentions with it, [denouncing] the corrupt mentality of violence, but then also pushing through with invention, creativity, and inspiration.” 

“There’s such a uniqueness to it,” he says, underscoring the instrument’s influence on the album. The SalMar’s “loops, textures and ideas” permeate Phasor, serving as a bridge between the digital and the organic, the past and the present.

Performing Phasor Live and Beyond

As Lange looks ahead, the live performance of Phasor represents an exciting frontier. The dynamic nature of live music allows Phasor to evolve in real-time, offering audiences a unique experience that captures the essence of his creative vision. “Performing this music live has been so fun recently,” says the artist. “What’s really cool about that is that context can’t be changed. To experience live music, you have to be there in person.”

He adds, “I love it when people are able to determine their own [interpretation]. There’s no prescriptive way to listen to this record. I listen to it in so many different formats, at home, in my car, jogging. It’s really important to find connections where you can.”