Music

22 May 2023

8 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Morgan Wade, Ella Langley, Wendy Moten & More

Women offer a slew of top-shelf new music this week, from new EPs from Ella Langley, Jordyn Shellhart and Caroline Jones, to freshly-released new tracks from Morgan Wade and Wendy Moten. Also in the mix are Kyle Nix and the 38’s, Texas troubadour William Beckmann and newcomer Josh Kiser.

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Morgan Wade, “Psychopath”

The “Wilder Days” singer-songwriter follows her breakthrough album with this tale of infatuation between two kindred spirits who find comfort in each other’s eccentricities. “Your dreams are your parents’ fears/ But can I steal you away from here?” she sings, on a succinct, heart-reeling line. She also blurs the swaggering spirit of pop-punk, acoustic country sensibilities and top 40 verve. Though Wade possesses enviable vocal power, here she relies on her gritty lower range to intimate effect. A solo write from Wade, “Psychopath” is the title track to Wade’s upcoming album, out Aug. 25.

Ella Langley, Excuse the Mess EP

Langley brings a heavy dose of hard-driving rock, alongside tender balladry and intimate songwriting, to this project’s compact eight tracks. “You make me wanna drink ’til I’m sick of it,” she sings, depicting a relentless emotional war on the searing “Make Me Wanna Smoke.” She offers slowed-down, moody modern country on the title track, warning a potential suitor that if he gets too close, her heart’s as messy as her home; she later circles back to the premise of being content with imperfection on the softly acoustic album closer “Don’t We All.” Meanwhile, “Could’ve Been Her” finds Langley musing about her ex-lover’s new flame, and contemplating all the ways she would have to compromise herself in order to stay in the relationship (“If I’d just hung around, didn’t know my worth/ I could’ve been her”). Overall, this album offers an all-around solid look into the specificity of Langley’s artistry.

Jordyn Shellhart, Primrose EP

A former Billboard Country Rookie of the Month, Shellhart releases her Warner Music Nashville EP Primrose this week as a testament to her sterling talents as both vocalist and songwriter. Over the course of a dozen songs, she sings of the struggle to live up to the influence of her musical idol on “Joni,” excavates the emotional origins of an argument with a lover on “Who Are You Mad At,” predicts the tide-turning future of a reckless lover on “Maybe Someday You’ll Have a Daughter,” and concludes with the intensely personal and unique perspective of “Near-Death Experience,” a solo write from Shellhart. This project is chock-full of top-shelf songwriting, with Shellhart paired with co-writers including Allen Shamblin, Cameron Jaymes and Barry Dean. A collection that offers immense career promise.

Caroline Jones feat. Vince Gill, “By Way of Sorrow”

Jones’ airy, choral vocal lends a shimmering acoustic take on this song from bluegrass group Cry, Cry, Cry’s self-titled 1998 album. Jones’ rendering veers less bright and joyous than the original, instead capturing a calm prescient mood, the cusp of sorrow shifting to joy. Meanwhile, Country Music Hall of Fame member Gill’s aching harmonies further uplift the track, as do sweetly delivered fiddle and mandolin. Jones, who serves as the first and only female member of Zac Brown Band, includes this track on her newly-released EP, Superpower.

Wendy Moten, “Don’t Give Up”

Moten has been a formidable vocal thread in country music’s live music scene for years, having performed with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Vince Gill; her genre-fluid talents have also added depth and nuance to a cross-section of collaborations and continents, as she’s performed with Julio Iglesias and John Oates, but also earned a top 10 hit in the U.K. with “Come in Out of the Rain.” She brought her singular vocal talents to runner-up status on The Voice. But here, she offers a more intimate collaboration, on a song Moten wrote with David Santos more than a decade ago. Moten throws a soul celebration and spills with joy and grit on a song crafted as a purveyor of determination and solidarity.

Kyle Nix and the 38’s, “Play Nice”

Turnpike Troubadours fiddle player Kyle Nix previously branched out with his own solo album in 2020, and continues his varied artistic expression with another supergroup of sorts, Kyle Nix and the 38’s. The group is made of Nix’s Troubadours bandmate, drummer Gabe Pearson, along with guitarist Adam Duran, guitarist-singer Ken Pomeroy, multi-instrumentalist Kevin Foster, and former American Aquarium bassist Bill Corbin. Nix and company recently released “Play Nice” and “Another Bad Dream,” both flashes of their upcoming album, After the Flood, Vol. 1, out July 28. The former track is a scorching, bluesy enticement, with a heavy bassline, distorted guitar, and coolly gritty vocals, that dissects a strained relationship.

William Beckmann, “Tennessee Drinkin’”

This Del Rio, Texas, native recently scored a local hit with “Damn This Heart of Mine,” and follows with this song of memories and longing undimmed by distance. Written by Beckmann with Jeremy Spillman and Randy Montana, this song is compelled by basslines and fiddle as smooth as Beckmann’s Texas-polished voice.

Josh Kiser, “How I Get High”

This Tennessee native conjures a seductive country-soul track that adds to music’s romance-as-dependency canon. Here, a soaring melody adeptly plays to Kiser’s vocal strengths as a fervent vocalist, his grainy instrument breaking in all the right places. This track, which Kiser wrote with Kat Higgins and Phil Barton, melds his soulful swagger with a bed of polished rhythms and bluesy guitar.

22 May 2023

Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson Bring Dramatic ‘Save Me’ Collab to ‘American Idol’ Finale

Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll reprised their recent performance of the latter’s “Save Me” at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards, bringing their soulful duet to the stage of the season 21 American Idol finale on Sunday (May 21). Jelly Roll began the song solo, standing center stage under dim lights, before being joined shortly by Wilson. The gospel-tinged collab made the most of each artist’s sturdy vocals and engaging stage presence.

After Wilson exited the stage, Jelly Roll transitioned into a performance of his new single “Need a Favor,” welcoming recently eliminated Idol contestant Oliver Steele to join him.

Steele and Jelly Roll share a hometown. The country star grew up in the Nashville suburb of Antioch, while the hopeful was raised in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., less than 25 miles away.

After the performance, Steele posted a photo of himself with Jelly Roll on Instagram, captioning the pic, “That has to be one of the funnest, most bad@ss feeling performances I’ve ever done!!! @jellyroll615 thank you so much for being so welcoming and offering so much wisdom, guidance, and brotherly love. Looking forward to hanging with you some more back home in the 615!! Let’s make some music, brother!!!”

“Need a Favor” is currently at No. 19 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and follows Jelly Roll’s first Country Airplay chart-topper, “Son of a Sinner,” which crested on the tally in January. In February, the country singer broke the record for the most weeks spent atop the Emerging Artists chart, staying atop the chart for 28 weeks.

See Jelly Roll’s full American Idol performance with Wilson and Steele above, and the Idol hopeful’s Instagram post below..

22 May 2023

Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Describes Being ‘Totally Blindsided’ By Florida Assault

Three months after a shocking physical attack following a Def Leppard show in Florida, the band’s drummer, Rick Allen, has finally spoken out about the bizarre incident. In an interview with Good Morning America, Allen, 59, said he was “totally blindsided” by the alleged attack by 19-year-old Ohio resident Max Hartley.

“I heard a couple of steps and then I just saw this [flash] and the next thing I knew was I was on the ground,” Allen told GMA. “I landed on my backside… hit my head on the pavement.” Afraid he’d be attack again after being pushed down, Allen — who lost his left arm after a 1984 car crash — put up his right hand and told his alleged attacker, “I am no threat to you.”

“I don’t think he knew who I was, but he must have seen that I wasn’t a threat because, you know, I’ve only got one arm,” said Allen. Fort Lauderdale police arrested Hartley shortly after the alleged attack near the site of the assault outside the Four Seasons in Fort Lauderdale on March 13, which also allegedly included an assault on a woman who came to Allen’s aid. Hartley was later charged with two counts of battery and four of criminal mischief and abusing an elderly or disabled adult; he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

A police report at the time noted that Hartley hid behind a pillar outside the hotel entrance while Allen smoked and then allegedly rushed at the drummer at full speed and knocked him to the ground. The report said that Allen “hit his head on the ground causing injury” and that when a woman ran out to help Allen Hartley allegedly attacked her as well.

Hartley was arrested a short time later after police found him at another hotel allegedly breaking car windows.

Allen told GMA that he is coping by playing drums, specifically for the long-running band’s first show since the attack, an intimate gig Monday night (May 22) in Sheffield, England. “I know that I’m not going to be playing music in a band forever,” Allen told GMA. “But while I am, I plan on making as many people happy as I possibly can. And this is my time. This is my opportunity.”

22 May 2023

Taylor Swift Says She’s ‘Never Been This Happy’ at Eras Tour Show: ‘My Life Finally Makes Sense’

Taylor Swift is feeling a little extra bejeweled as of late. At a recent Eras Tour concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., the 33-year-old superstar shared that she’s doing better than ever before diving into that night’s surprise songs.

“I kind of just feel like telling you … I’ve just never been this happy in my life, in all aspects of my life, ever,” she told fans Saturday (May 20). “And I just want to thank you for being a part of that.”

“It’s not just the tour, I just sort of feel like my life finally feels like it makes sense,” she continued.

Swift remained elusive about what, besides her sold-out stadium tour, is putting a smile on her face these days — but fans do have a few guesses. For one, the “Anti-Hero” singer is rumored to be dating The 1975’s Matty Healy. The alleged new romance comes just a couple months after news of Swift’s breakup from Joe Alwyn, whom she was with for six years, went public.

The pop star has also seemingly been spending a lot of time in the studio — sometimes with Healy — and has been spotted a number of times in recent weeks at New York City’s Electric Lady Studios. Is a new project in the works? Or, perhaps another re-recorded album to follow July 7’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)?

“I thought I’d play this song which brings me a lot of happy memories,” Swift added Saturday, before playing that night’s first surprise song, “Question…?,” on guitar.

Afterward, the 12-time Grammy winner took to the piano to perform “Invisible,” a deep cut from her 2008 debut album.

Watch Taylor get candid with fans over the weekend at Gillette Stadium below:

22 May 2023

Smashed Kurt Cobain ‘Nevermind’-Era Guitar Sells For $600K

A classic piece of Kurt Cobain memorabilia went under the gavel this weekend at Julien’s Auctions and raked in huge bucks. The Fender Stratocaster signed by the late Nirvana singer and former bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic — which had been smashed to bits by the singer and reassembled — sold for nearly $600,000 after initially being listed for $60,000.

Julien’s said before the $595,000 sale that the instrument was splintered by Cobain on stage during Nirvana’s Nevermind album era and that it was put back together afterward, but was unplayable. In addition to the trio’s signatures, the guitar also has a message to pal Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan from Kurt that read, “Hell-o mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain/ Washed up rockstar.”

The black guitar’s neck plate featured an engraving reading “Boddah Lives,” in reference to Cobain’s imaginary childhood friend and came in a black hard case with the inscription “Abort Christ.” According to a description, Cobain gave the busted guitar to Lanegan in the fall of 1992 during the North American leg of the Nevermind tour. In describing its condition, Julien’s noted that it had been “smashed and reassembled” and that “aside from the broken neck there are many marks and signs of use and abuse including chunks of wood missing from the bottom rear of the body.”

That wasn’t the only high-ticket Nirvana item that went in the auction. A bidder also paid big bucks for a setlist from the band’s April 17, 1991 show at the OK Hotel in Seattle, Washington, which sold for $50,800, from the show that featured the live debut of their soon-to-be-iconic breakthrough hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which was released in November of that year.

Last May the iconic left-handed 1969 Fender Mustang guitar played by Cobain in the 1991 video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” sold for $4.5 million.

See a picture of the guitar below.

22 May 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Pinky Promises That She Is ‘So So So So Close’ To Finishing Second Album

Olivia Rodrigo had a lot to celebrate over the weekend. The singer marked the second anniversary of the release of her full-length 2021 debut, Sour, as well as some good news about her in-the-works follow-up.

“oh man oh man oh man. SOUR turns 2 years old today. no words could ever describe how much this album means to me and how insanely grateful I feel for every blessing it has brought into my life,” she wrote in a post that first appeared as a hand-written note via her newsletter and then migrated to her socials.

There she added some home behind-the-scenes photos and video from the sets of the videos for her debut, as well as a video of her freaking out and running down the street screaming upon seeing a massive billboard promoting Sour.

Back in January, Rodrigo told fans she was back in the studio with producer Dan Nigro in a brief video in which she banged her head along to Nigro’s piano playing, writing, “working on so many new songs I’m excited to show u. Thank u for everything.”

In November, fans got the first hint that new music from the singer was on the horizon when she sent a video message out through Spotify Wrapped. “Hey, it’s Olivia! I just wanted to say thank you so much for listening to my music this year,” she said. “I really, truly couldn’t be more grateful and I’m so excited for next year, and all of the new things and new music that 2023 will bring. So I’m sending so much love your way and thank you again! Bye!”

Rodrigo’s Sour album went to No. 1 upon its release, spending five weeks atop the chart in 2021, and featured the Hot 100 No. 1s “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U.”

See Rodrigo’s post below.

22 May 2023

Jaxsta Named Master of Metadata at 2023 Bizzy Awards: Exclusive

Jaxsta is awarded Master of Metadata honors at the Music Business Association’s Bizzy Awards 2023, Billboard can exclusively reveal.

Based in Sydney, the official music credits database snags a category that recognizes companies that have made a significant impact in the area of data processing, credit clarification, streamlining or otherwise promoting clean data and best practices.

“We are exceptionally proud to be recognized by the Music Business Association for our excellence in metadata,” comments Jaxsta CEO Beth Appleton in a statement. “It is critical that the industry has one verified source of truth and that we continually value and insist on official credits,” she continues. “Only by doing this, can we ensure that creators are paid quickly, accurately and cost-effectively.”

Currently, Jaxsta’s data set includes over 55 million recordings and almost 15 million works which are matched, deep-linked and searchable by multiple industry identifiers, including ISRC, ISWC, Spotify IDs, UPCs and more.

This Music Biz honor, adds Michael Stone, Jaxsta CTO, “is a testament to the trust placed in Jaxsta by our label partners.”

Jaxsta’s victory closely follows the launch of Vinyl.com. A vinyl-hunter’s dream, the new online store is powered by Jaxsta’s official music credits and gives record buyers verified creative contributions metadata on every album, for a deep dive into artists, songwriters, producers, composers, engineers, musicians and any other contributors.

The vision for Vinyl, its creators say, is to offer quickly expand its offer beyond selling vinyl to include merchandise, tickets, digital collectibles and other “experiences that connect fans with creators.”

First announced and held in 2022, the Bizzy Awards also presents the Leading Light Award, the Agent of Change Award, the #NEXTGEN_NOW One To Watch Award and others.

Read more here.

22 May 2023

Ed Sheeran Holds Top Spot on U.K. Albums Chart With ‘Subtract’

Ed Sheeran is unmoved at the summit of the U.K. albums survey as – (Subtract) (via Asylum) logs a second week at No. 1.

The English singer and songwriter has a perfect six No. 1s, with all of his albums logging multiple weeks at the top. Just one week after scooping the year-best sales tally in the U.K., Subtract is set to chase down another target. It’ll draw level with the three-week reign of Sheeran’s 2011 debut set + (plus) if it holds its position when the next chart is published, Friday, May 26.

The highest new entry on the latest chart, published May 19, belongs to English rapper Potter Payper, as his debut full-length LP Real Back in Style (0207) starts at No. 2. That’s a career high for the artist (real name: Jamel Bousbaa), who previously cracked the top 10 with 2020 mixtape Training Day 3 (No. 3) and 2021’s Thanks for Waiting (No. 8).

Completing the podium is Jonas Brothers with The Album (Polydor), new at No. 3. It’s the fourth top 10 LP for the brothers Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas, following 2007 debut Jonas Brothers (No. 8), 2009’s Lines, Vines and Trying Times (No. 9) and 2019’s record Happiness Begins (No. 2).

Also new to the top 10 on the fresh Official U.K. Albums Chart is Brighton, England indie-rock act Lovejoy with their third EP Wake Up & It’s Over (Anvil Cat). It’s new at No. 5, for the four-piece’s first-ever top 10 appearance, bettering the No. 12 peak for 2021’s Pebble Brain.

And finally, Alison Goldfrapp grabs her first solo top 10 album, as The Love Invention (Skint) starts at No. 6. As the singer for electro-pop duo Goldfrapp, alongside Will Gregory, the British artist boasts a further five U.K. Top 10 albums: 2005’s Supernature (No. 2), 2008’s Seventh Tree (No. 2), 2010’s Head First (No. 6), 2013’s Tales of Us (No. 4) and 2017’s Silver Eye (No. 6).

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22 May 2023

Eurovision Songs Enjoy ‘Record-Breaking’ Charge Into U.K. Top 10

Loreen very nearly made it two wins in the space of a week.

Sweden’s representative at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest won by a landslide with “Tattoo”. And in the U.K., “Tattoo” (via UMG International) has made a big impression with music fans, as it gathered momentum through the chart week.

“Tattoo” debuts at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published last Friday (May 19), in a tight race won by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “Miracle” (Columbia).

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According to the Official Charts Company, “Miracle” clocked up a market-leading 5.1 million U.K. streams during the latest seven-day stretch, for its sixth non-consecutive week at No. 1.

Meanwhile, Loreen lands a new career high, beating the No. 3 best for “Euphoria,” her winning entry from the 2012 Eurovision.

“Tattoo” leads a “record-breaking” charge for Eurovision songs in the U.K. top 10, the OCC reports, as Finland act Käärijä’s “Cha Cha Cha” (No. 6 via WM Finland), U.K. entry Mae Muller’s “I Wrote A Song” (up 45-9 via Capitol) and Norway singer Alessandra’s “Queen of Kings” (No. 10 via Universal Music AS) all enter the top tier for the first time, following the recent song contest, the final of which took place held at May 13 at Liverpool’s M&S Arena.

Further down the list, Chicago hip-hop artist Lil Durk bags his third U.K. top 40 appearance as “All My Life” (Ministry of Sound) featuring J Cole starts at No. 17, while east coast drill rapper Lil Mabu cracks the top 40 for the first time with “Mathematical Disrespect” (Lil Mabu), new at No. 27.

Finally, two songs are enjoying revivals for totally different reasons. Florence + The Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” (Island), which appeared on the English act’s 2009 album Lungs, is on the rise following its sync to Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. It’s up 27-21.

And as the U.K. leg of her Renaissance World Tour gets underway, Beyonce’s “Cuff It” (Columbia/Parkwood Ent) reenters the chart at No. 24.

22 May 2023

‘American Idol’ Crowns Its 2023 Winner

American Idol has a new champion.

Following months of auditions, solo highs, the goodbyes, duets, trips to California and Hawaii, all of it came to a head on Sunday night (May 21) as America chose its Idol.

For those who’ve been a passenger for this latest, 21st edition, the winner had announced himself months ago. The grand finale was confirmation of what many already knew.

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During the special on ABC, the three finalists – Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough – had their last chance to impress the viewers by way of solo performances and duets with the stars.

And, with millions watching on at home, the stars did come out. Keith Urban, Kylie Minogue, Ellie Goulding, Lionel Richie, TLC, REO Speedwagon, Pitbull & Lil Jon, and others filled the screens.

America chose Tongi and Danielle as the final two contestants.

There could be only one, and that was Tongi.

The Hawaii highschooler with the beautiful voice and the tragic story had captured the hearts of Idol obsessives in recent months. With each performance, Tongi’s legend grew.

On the final, he performed Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us,” “Cool Down,” got the tears flowing with a tribute to his own, late father, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and teamed-up with James Blunt for a rendition of “Monsters.”

Tongi can now kick start his career with a recording contract, part of the spoils that come with winning the annual competition.

Get the winning feeling below.