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Amyl and The Sniffers are turning heads on the ARIA Albums Chart this week, debuting at No. 2 with their high-energy third album, Cartoon Darkness.
It’s a big moment for the Melbourne punk rockers, who’ve managed to climb even higher than their self-titled debut in 2019, which landed at No. 22, and almost match their 2021 release Comfort To Me, which peaked at No. 2. Their chart presence, paired with three ARIA Awards (including Best Group in 2022), marks them as a fierce force in the Australian music scene.
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While Amyl and The Sniffers were poised to snatch the top spot, it was hip-hop innovator Tyler, The Creator who claimed No. 1 with Chromakopia. Released on an unusual Monday schedule, Tyler’s album marks his seventh studio effort and his first ARIA Albums Chart topper, narrated by none other than his mother, Bonita Smith. The record features the hit single “Noid,” debuting at No. 13, alongside four other tracks in the Top 50. Tyler’s star power in Australia continues to rise, building on his previous top 10 albums, with Igor reaching No. 3 in 2019 and Call Me If You Get Lost landing at No. 2 in 2021.
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Meanwhile, Aussie favorites Sheppard re-enter the chart at No. 10 with their fourth album, Zora, which had earlier peaked at No. 8, meaning they’ve now locked in four consecutive Top 10 albums.
Green Day makes a throwback splash, too, with the 20th-anniversary edition of American Idiot hitting No. 12. The 2004 classic, which spent two weeks at No. 1 upon its initial release, is proving its staying power, especially as fans celebrate its recent reissue.
On another nostalgic note, Powderfinger’s Parables For Wooden Ears re-enters the chart at No. 36 for its 30th anniversary. Originally peaking at No. 51 in 1994, the album now returns as fans reflect on Powderfinger’s legacy, including six No. 1 albums and a massive 18 ARIA Awards to their name.
On the singles front, Rosé and Bruno Mars continue their reign at the top with “APT.,” making history as Rosé becomes the first solo Korean artist to hold the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Chart for more than a week since PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012.
Bruno Mars also holds steady at No. 4 with his duet with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile,” showing his consistent staying power in the Australian market.
With Cartoon Darkness, Amyl and The Sniffers remind us that punk is alive, well, and making serious waves on the charts. Their gritty, unfiltered sound is resonating louder than ever, bringing fresh energy to the Australian rock scene and showing that they’re here to stay.
Just after POW reached their first anniversary, the rock-inspired K-pop boy band dropped a new EP, Boyfriend, whose lead single title track paid homage to one of the scene’s favorite artists — pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne.
For “Boyfriend,” the quintet reinterpreted Avril’s 2007 single “Girlfriend,” the Canadian superstar’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the year’s biggest tracks. POW kept the original’s stomping production and undeniably catchy chorus intact for the hybrid track with a new mix of Korean and English lyrics.
POW members Jungbin, Yorch, Hyunbin, Dongyeon and Hong tell Billboard that the superstar played a significant role in their musical backgrounds and made a song like “Boyfriend” happen.
“We’ve loved band sounds and Avril Lavigne’s songs were always on our playlist,” the group says. “We think she was the first to show how punk can be so appealing in pop music. We’re grateful she made it possible for us and so we’ve worked hard to release ‘Boyfriend.’”
“For this remake, I listened to all of Lavigne’s albums,” adds POW eldest member Yorch. “I was drawn to her timeless drum sounds and couldn’t get over the rawness and cool beat of the drums. I recently got an electric guitar and she’s opened my eyes to acoustic real sound. And, it’s something K-pop should also look out for.”
When honoring both the sound and aesthetics from Avril’s debut in 2002, the A&R for POW’s record label, GRID Entertainment, saw their work as helping connect K-pop more extensively to music culture today.
“We believe that youth culture is the essence of mainstream K-pop,” a representative from GRID’s A&R says. “Rebellious, grunge-like, and youthful innocence defines K-pop and POW’s music is grounded in real rock and band sounds. It still feels like the 2000s era, a period where analog and digital collide. That is why we find Avril Lavigne’s music relevant, powerful and resonating with people in their teens, 20s, and 30s. It’s her greatest strength and the reason her music inspires us for interpretation.”
From bands like POW, SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids to solo superstars like BoA and former LOONA members Yves and Heejin, here is a collection of K-pop stars who have expressed their admiration for Avril Lavigne.
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Image Credit: Courtesy Grid Entertainment
Snoop Dogg’s new single, “Gorgeous,” featuring Jhené Aiko, marks an exciting return to his roots while ushering in a fresh era in his collaboration with Dr. Dre.
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The track, released today via Death Row, Aftermath and Interscope and produced by Dre alongside Blu2th, Preach Bal4, and FredWreck, is the first official single from Snoop’s upcoming album Missionary, set for release on Dec. 13.
With “Gorgeous,” Snoop channels his signature West Coast style, blending laid-back rap verses with Aiko’s ethereal vocals to deliver a track that’s smooth and reflective, an early taste of the creative synergy expected on Missionary.
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“Gorgeous” isn’t just a new single; it represents the continuation of a storied partnership between Snoop and Dre that has shaped hip-hop since the early ’90s. Their history began with the theme song for the 1992 film Deep Cover and quickly escalated with The Chronic, where Snoop’s voice became synonymous with Dre’s groundbreaking production style.
The collaboration peaked when Dre produced Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and cemented Snoop’s status as a hip-hop heavyweight. Since then, Snoop has amassed 12 Billboard Top 10 hits, with career-defining tracks like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” the latter marking his first No. 1 single.
Dr. Dre’s role in Snoop’s career has been pivotal, with each collaboration underscoring their mutual influence on the sound and legacy of West Coast hip-hop. Snoop’s recent milestone of achieving Billboard Top 10 hits across four consecutive decades—joining the ranks of Jay-Z and Mariah Carey—only highlights his enduring relevance in the industry.
Alongside Jhené Aiko, “Gorgeous” sets the stage for Missionary, which will feature an array of high-profile guests, from Eminem and 50 Cent to Sting and the late Tom Petty.
Stream “Gorgeous” below.
The Cure has finally released Songs of a Lost World, their first new album in 16 years since 4:13 Dream in 2008.
Available on all major streaming platforms, this album marks a long-awaited return for fans and captures the haunting, atmospheric sound that has defined The Cure’s influence on music for over four decades.
The album’s journey began with the first single, “Alone,” released on Sept. 23. Frontman Robert Smith described the track as “the song that unlocked the record.”
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“As soon as we recorded that song, I knew it had to be the opening song, and I felt the whole record come into focus,” he said.
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Smith had spent significant time searching for the right words to encapsulate the record’s tone, ultimately returning to a phrase he had been considering for years. “For some time, I tried to find the right opening phrase for the right song that would lead the way for the project, working on the concept of ‘being alone,’ always with the nagging feeling of already knowing what the opening phrase should be.”
Inspiration struck when Smith recalled Dregs, a poem by the English poet Ernest Dowson. “As soon as we finished recording, I remembered the poem ‘Dregs’ by the English poet Ernest Dowson,” Smith noted. “That was the moment I realized that the song—and the album—had become something concrete.”
Another notable track, “A Fragile Thing,” continues the exploration of vulnerability and the inevitability of change. The song’s lyrics, “Nothing you can do to change the end,” reflect a poignant acceptance of life’s impermanence.
Produced by Smith and longtime collaborator Paul Corkett, who also worked with the band on Bloodflowers, Songs of a Lost World is available in various formats, including standard LP, double LP, exclusive indie-store colored vinyl, CD, deluxe CD with Blu-ray, and digital editions, giving fans a range of options to experience the new record.
To commemorate the album’s release, The Cure will perform their only scheduled show of the year at Troxy in London, which will be live-streamed on their YouTube channel under the title “Show of a Lost World: The Cure Live at Troxy” at 7 a.m. AEDT on Nov. 2. Tomorrow, BBC2 will also air a night dedicated to The Cure’s music and legacy in celebration of the album launch.
With more than 30 million albums sold, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2019, and four Glastonbury headlining performances, The Cure’s legacy as one of the U.K.’s most influential bands is undeniable. Formed in 1978, the group has continually reinvented itself while staying true to its dark, introspective style.
Stream Songs of a Lost World below.
Shawn Mendes just released “Heart of Gold,” a new single that’s as touching as it is personal.
Written about a childhood friend who passed away from a drug overdose, “Heart of Gold” taps into the raw emotions of losing someone too soon.
In the song, Mendes opens up with lines reflecting the regrets of not being there when it mattered: “Honestly, it’s been a while since I thought of you / In the end, we didn’t talk much / I didn’t know what you were going through / I’m sorry that I wasn’t there.” Then, in the chorus, he celebrates his friend’s legacy: “You had a heart of gold, yeah / You had a heart of gold / You left too soon, it was out of your control.”
Recently, Mendes gave “Heart of Gold” another layer of meaning by dedicating it to late One Direction member Liam Payne during a live show in NYC on Oct. 18. Stopping the music to speak to fans, Mendes shared, “We heard the news about Liam. It felt like… It felt completely devastating. I got to meet him a couple times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes gleamed — it was beauty, shining into his eyes.”
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He explained that the song is not just about loss but about celebrating those who have left an impact: “It’s about grieving those we miss with tears, but it’s also about celebrating them… who they were and what they’ve left in this world.” Mendes added, “I just want to take a second to send so much love to him wherever he is up there… Liam, we love you! And the world is crying for you, brother.”
As he launched into the song, Mendes dedicated the night’s performance to Liam, saying, “This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”
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Throughout his career, Mendes has scored four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, with his debut album Handwritten kicking off his career by landing at No. 1 in 2015. His collaboration with Camila Cabello, “Señorita,” topped the Billboard Hot 100, and he’s had big hits like “Stitches” and “Treat You Better” reach the Top 10. Mendes has also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart three times.
Stream “Heart of Gold” below:
‘Tis officially the season, and Jason and Travis Kelce are getting into the holiday spirit with their new Boyz II Men-assisted Christmas song, “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights),” which arrived on Friday (Nov. 1).
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The track, which details the NFL duo returning to their hometown after some time away, gets an R&B spin thanks to Boyz II Men’s harmonies as they sing, “It feels so good to be back home again with all my family and friends/ Sharing gifts and memories/ We make under the Christmas tree.”
“I always have a blast when I get to join the guys on the Christmas album, but it was wild to be on a song with a group as iconic and timeless as Boyz II Men,” Travis said in a press statement. “My friends and I grew up on their music, and it’s still in the rotation today, so it was just an unreal experience.”
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“It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” marks the first single off A Philly Special Christmas Party, the third charitable album from The Philly Specials, a.k.a Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Last year’s A Philly Special Christmas Special raised over $3 million and featured singles “This Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Fairytale of Philadelphia” and “Pretty Paper.”
Additionally, to celebrate the single, Jason and Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, will bring exclusive The Philly Specials-inspired holiday ornaments to QVC on Nov. 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET. They will be sold as a set of four and will come with ornaments of Jason, Jordan, Lane and a Christmas tree. Proceeds from the vinyl sales will go to support Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station and 87 and Running Foundation, plus a number of other Philadelphia based organizations.
A Philly Special Christmas Party is set for release on Nov. 22. Listen to “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” below.
Lil Uzi Vert has released their fourth full-length studio album, Eternal Atake 2 (out Nov. 1).
The Philadelphia rapper announced the release of their long-awaited record just one week prior (Oct. 24), sharing a mysterious teaser trailer to promote the album.
“On March 6, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert mysteriously vanished,” the screen reads. “While it was never confirmed what happened that day, the faithful believed it to be the fulfillment of a long-awaited prophecy… Eternal Atake.”
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The March 2020 disappearance date refers to the release of Lil Uzi Vert’s second album, Eternal Atake. Much of the record’s artwork and promotion was in reference to the infamous Heaven’s Gate religious group, whose mass suicide made national headlines in 1997. Surviving members of the group initially threatened Lil Uzi Vert with legal action in 2018 over their appropriation of the Heaven’s Gate logo.
The promotion for Eternal Atake 2 once again sees Lil Uzi Vert leaning into Heaven’s Gate’s underlying beliefs of ufology and prophecy fulfillment, with the album trailer featuring the rapper being transported via UFO to another dimension. Upon arrival, their memory is extracted and wiped clean by a group of natives from this unknown planet, who are seemingly possessed with a purple-tinted gleam in their eyes.
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Lil Uzi Vert had previously hinted towards retirement after the release of their next album, telling TMZ in December 2023 that following the release of Luv Is Rage 3, they would step away from music to focus on making women’s clothes.
Currently, Luv Is Rage 3 has been given no release date, with Eternal Atake 2 ostensibly arriving in its place. It serves as the follow-up to 2023’s The Pink Tape, which was released in June 2023 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 167,000 total album units sold.
The original Eternal Atake was releasing to streaming services in March 2020 just ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. EA sold 288,000 total album units in the first week. The project came in at No. 4 on Billboard‘s Top 20 Rap Albums of 2020 list.
Stream Eternal Atake 2 below.
Kevin Liles, the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, has issued a statement in the wake of news that Atlanta rapper Young Thug is to be released from prison following a guilty plea on Thursday (Oct. 31).
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Liles, who co-founded 300 Entertainment in 2012 and signed Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) to the label in 2014, issued his statement late on Thursday following the completion of Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.
“Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery’s freedom,” Liles stated. “There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight.
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“We must always remember artists aren’t fictional characters,” he concluded. “They’re human beings first. God bless Jeffery and his family.”
Thug, 33, has spent the past two years in custody, following his arrest in May 2022 with 27 others from his YSL Records label as part of a 56-count indictment for violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) law. The trial, which began in November 2023, was built around claims that YSL had committed murders, carjackings, drug dealing and many other crimes.
Following days of closed-door negotiations with Fulton County prosecutors, Thug refused to take a plea deal that would have resulted in his immediate release, ultimately opting for a non-negotiated guilty plea. Late on Thursday, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Thug to 15 years probation with no time to be served.
Ahead of his sentencing, Thug noted the power and influence he holds in his community, telling the court he takes “full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges”.
“I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am,” he added. “I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”
Young Thug is officially returning home after pleading guilty in a criminal case accusing him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. The rapper was sentenced to 15 years probation and no prison time on Thursday (Oct. 31). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Thug (real name […]
Greeicy has reeled in Kapo for the official “A Veces A Besos (Remix)” out today (Oct. 31). The highly-anticipated collaboration comes four months after Greeicy unleashed the original track in mid-June. Both the original and remix are helmed by Latin Grammy-winning producer Ovy on the Drums. “A Veces A Besos,” which translates to “sometimes with […]