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Passover is one of the most musical of Jewish holidays. The annual springtime celebration of the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt is full of beloved traditions, from the elaborate seder meal to inviting the prophet Elijah in to join the festivities, and, of course, the eating of unleavened bread called matzah. The meal […]
You could just barely hear it through the raucous screams of excitement from the studio audience, but K-pop boy band ENHYPEN did indeed make their U.S. television debut on Thursday night’s (April 10) Jimmy Kimmel Live! Dressed casually in ripped jeans and T-shirts, HEESUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, JUNGWON AND NI-KI kicked things off in […]
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Lana Del Rey giddies up to country, Bon Iver finds the love and Jelly Roll discovers new “Dreams.” Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lana Del Rey, “Henry, Come On”
“All these country singers / And their lonely rides to Houston / Doesn’t really make for the best / You know, settle-down type,” Lana Del Rey concludes on “Henry, Come On,” a poignant reflection on the dissolution of a romance with plenty of Southern iconography that would fit into the singer-songwriter’s long-teased country album; the song is more swaying ballad than Nashville anthem, but Del Rey sounds magnificent over the finger-picked acoustic guitar as she presents her spin on the country heartbreak standard.
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Bon Iver, SABLE, fABLE
We’ve come a long way from the desolate cabin of For Emma, Forever Ago with Bon Iver, as band mastermind Justin Vernon has preceded the release of long-awaited new album SABLE, fABLE with a press campaign detailing his newfound happiness — and the album does indeed radiate a new type of warmth for the singer-songwriter, whose recent collaborations with Taylor Swift have expanded his profile but whose joy is captured here in quiet, contained bursts.
Jelly Roll, “Dreams Don’t Die”
Jelly Roll is making his acting debut on the CBS hit Fire Country, and to mark the occasion, the country superstar dropped a new single: “Dreams Don’t Die” functions as the type of lump-in-throat croon-along that Jelly Roll has excelled at in the past, motivating the listener to reach for their long-held goals (regardless of whether or not they involve primetime dramas).
Shaboozey & Myles Smith, “Blink Twice”
Shaboozey has announced the upcoming release of the “complete” version of his 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going — a different way of describing a deluxe edition, but an apropos one, considering that the original album came out before “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” had grown into a record-setting smash. “Blink Twice” gives Shaboozey the opportunity to iterate on his sonic and personal success, while also roping in Myles Smith, the singer-songwriter who had a breakout hit of his own with “Stargazing.”
Cynthia Erivo, “Worst of Me”
The time is right for a high-profile Cynthia Erivo album: after Wicked gave her multiple talents a gigantic platform, “Worst of Me,” which previews the June full-length I Forgive You, presents her vocal theatrics in front of cinematic rhythmic pop, her voice spinning down through the verses before defying gravity on the high-powered chorus.
Rauw Alejandro, “Carita Linda”
“Carita Linda” and its accompanying music video may be a heartfelt tribute to Puerto Rico, but the graceful single finds Rauw Alejandro looking outward and finding new musical territory to cover — as his first release since Cosa Nuestra, and arriving at a moment in which Alejandro is performing his first tour with a live band, “Carita Linda” is the sound of a star admirably widening his aesthetic.
Rema, “Bout U”
After releasing “Baby (Is It a Crime),” which featured an affecting Sade sample, earlier this year, Rema has offered a follow-up that sounds more ready-made for a packed Coachella set this weekend: “Bout U” gives the Nigerian star a playful dance atmosphere and lets him wander around, tossing out vocal runs and flirtations as the production glides forward.
Editor’s Pick: Jessie Murph, “Blue Strips”
At the age of 20, Jessie Murph has already hopscotched through multiple genres while always sounding confident in her approach and effortlessly mining interesting lyrical territory; “Blue Strips,” which quickly follows last week’s “Gucci Mane,” starts out as a vocals-only showcase, then segues to a piano ballad before pivoting to a combustible head-knocker just 30 seconds in, but Murph’s voice prevents whiplash, and remains compelling throughout the exercise.
If you were expecting fiddles and pedal steel on the first single from Lana Del Rey‘s upcoming The Right Person Will Stay album, then “Henry, Come On” will be (sort of) a let-down. The long-teased song — sometimes referred to as just “Henry” — is not a spurs jingle-jangling hard-right Cowboy Carter-style turn into country music that some fans were expecting when LDR said she was hoping to mine more of an Americana vein on the follow-up to 2023’s Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. album.
And while the lush ballad definitely leans into some country tropes — with references to hats hanging on walls, cowgirls and a bit of “giddy up” in the chorus — in general it’s in keeping with the singer’s tradition of doe-eyed romance and heartbreak, even if it does open with some gently plucked Willie Nelson-like nylon string guitar.
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“I mean, Henry, come on/ Do you think I’d really choose it?/ All this off and on/ Henry, come on/ I mean baby come on/ Do you think I’d really lose it on ya,” Del Rey sings dreamily over gentle guitar as subtle piano and strings swell on the chorus of the song she co-wrote with Laird, who produced it with the singer and Drew Erickson. “Last call, ‘Hey, ya’ll’/ Hang his hat up on the wall,” she sings hauntingly. “Tell him that his cowgirl is gone/ Go on and giddy up/ Soft like blue jeans/ Call us into forest dreams/ Return it but say it was fun.”
The song appears to tell the tale of a restless woman with an affinity for holding the hands of down home country singers who fly “too close to the sun” and might not be the “settle down type.” In other words, the classic LDR type.
Back in November, Del Rey said the 13-track The Right Person Will Stay album will drop on May 21st, featuring production from frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, as well as Zachary Dawes and Laird (Kacey Musgraves). Last January, the singer teased a country album she was then calling Lasso, and which she promised would be released in September 2024. “We’re going country!” she said at the time. “It’s happening.” She previewed “Henry, Come On,” that same month, though neither the song nor the album came to fruition on the timeline she originally teased.
Either way, you can fully expect “Henry” to get a live run-through when Del Ray takes the stage for the first night of the Stagecoach Festival on April 25.
Stream “Henry, Come On” now.
In new promos for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, Lizzo pays homage to another pop star with a rich history on the SNL stage: Britney Spears. Saturday’s musical guest Lizzo wears a Britney T-shirt in the promos, throwing back to the pop princess’ teen-idol days. This weekend will mark Lizzo’s fourth time performing on SNL […]
Green Day entered 2005 at the center of popular music for the second time in its career — but the first time in a decade. The legendary pop-punk trio had taken over rock music and MTV from 1994-95 with its RIAA diamond-certified debut album Dookie, and had fortified their status as alt-rock fixtures in the […]
So far this season on The Masked Singer, viewers have seen the fuzzy heads come off of Honey Pot (Cedric the Entertainer), Fuzzy Peas (Oscar De La Hoya), Ant (Aubrey O’Day), Bat (Scheana Shay), Space Ranger (Flavor Flav), Griffin (James Van Der Beek), Cherry Blossom (Candace Cameron Bure) and Stud Muffin (Method Man).
Through it all, the show’s judges have consistently given one contestant major props: Yorkie. She first came out, tail swinging, on her spirited cover of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!” during week 7, getting the audience in on the shout-along chorus and then having all the right moves on a cover of New Kids on the Block’s “Step By Step” on Boy Band Night.
Yorkie proved it again on Wednesday night’s (April 9) group C finals Decades Night, when she joined Nessie and Mad Scientist Monster to bop through iconic tunes from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. She jammed out in the episode’s kick-off bop through The Knack’s iconic “My Sharona” as the night’s stars tried to secure the last two spots in the Lucky Six lineup.
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The sparkly pink pup was up first, noting that she chose the ‘60s because the decade reminded her of her “ultimate protector”: her mom. She sounded confident on The Supremes’ “Stop! In the Name of Love,” nailing the song with her alluringly husky voice while adding just the right amount of tail-wagging sass.
In a Battle Royale showdown for the last spot in the Lucky Six, Yorkie took on Mad Scientist Monster during a run through Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle,” with the towering Nessy knocking it out of the park to secure the elusive final spot.
Ken Jeong had high praise for the dogged performer, saying she proved herself to be the “funniest, most charismatic” contestant so far this season, just before she was sent to the doghouse. After a clue noted that she’s on a huge TV show and has had some legal problems, Robin Thicke guessed Full House star and college admission scandal conspirator Lori Laughlin. After guessing Real Housewives of New Jersey star Theresa Giudice last week, always-wrong Ken Jeong pivoted to another Real Housewives star, Beverly Hills’ Kyle Richards.
He was, as usual, wrong, while self-appointed Bravo superfan Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg knew she had it in the bag, doubling down on her previous guess of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne.
The reality icon who has landed nine No. 1 songs on Billboard‘s Dance Club Songs chart spoke to Billboard before her elimination about why Yorkie was the perfect choice for her, how much less stressful the show was than Housewives and why, like Roan, she’s definitely hot to go.
The pink sparkly Yorkie costume seemed like a slam dunk for you. Were there even any other options?
You touched on it immediately. I saw the sketch for Yorkie and I was just, “That’s it! I know this character, it’s perfect for me. I’m in love with this little character.” And that’s why every time I performed, I lived her personality to the fullest. Listen: If you can’t have fun in a pink miniskirt and crop top with sunglasses and pink-tipped ears and pink Ugg boots, there’s something wrong with you. This was just made to have a good time.
You said you chose the Supremes song tonight because it reminded you of your mom. Was that an emotional song for you to sing?
Any time you bring something up about family or you dedicate something, your emotions are in it and yes, of course. I talk about protecting my heart. We’re all emotional beings and, listen, the Yorkie is too! Little Yorkie has feelings too.
You also seemed to really get into you Chappell Roan cover. What appealed to you about that song?
It’s a great little fun song to perform. It has tons of personality. It fit just beautifully and you can get out there and really have a good time. And I’m hot to go, so there you go!
Were you psyched when Jenny channeled Donny Wahlberg to praise your “Step by Step” cover? That’s the ultimate thumbs-up!
I love that compliment. I never get to sing a boy band song, so this was a really nice step out of the norm and I really had a good time with it.
You’ve had nine No. 1s on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, with songs like “Roller Coaster,” “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and, of course, “How Many F—s,” so why not pick a more upbeat dance song to perform?
The themes are set so it would be Boy Band night or Classics night, so I really had to work in the theme of the night, so I picked the material I thought I could do the best with.
Given you chart success, were you bummed that you didn’t make it longer on the show?
No, those things are beyond my control. I just went out there every night and performed to the best of my ability and had a great time doing the show.
So much of Real Housewives each season is about where your relationships stand with the other women, but on The Masked Singer, you’re completely isolated from the rest of the cast. Were there any similarities between this reality competition and your typical experience on reality TV?
No. [Laughs] Let me say this in the best way possible: Housewives can be very uncomfortable at times. Masked Singer was a dream. Few things are more stressful than Real Housewives.
Your son Tommy is a cop. Did he use his detective skills to suss out what you were up to?
My son is a sergeant with the LAPD. And no, absolutely not.
Did any of your Real Housewives castmates directly ask if it was you or recognize your voice?
My voice is quite recognizable, so my DMs are flooded with “I know that’s you, I know that’s you!”
You’ve had so much chart success, but was Masked Singer a way to continue that but with less pressure since nobody knew it was you?
Absolutely. 100%. The Masked Singer was a wonderful way to hide behind a mask and just get out there and perform and really inhabit the character and entertain and I enjoyed every moment of it.
You’re in your 10th year on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Is there any world where you thought you’d be on the show for a decade when you signed on? And what do you see for your future on the show, given the rumors that you might not be coming back?
Another decade? Is that what you said? Oh my God, certainly not a decade. I’ve had the great pleasure of being on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for almost a decade. I don’t know what’s happening the next year or beyond… certainly not another decade.
Tell me about how you’re prepping for your upcoming performance at Mighty Hoopla in the U.K. on June 1.
I’m super excited about the Mighty Hoopla and then Koko [in London] on June 3. I’m super excited to take the show over. I haven’t been to the U.K. in a very long time.
What is Frank Ocean up to? The multi-hyphenate man of mystery recently sent fans into a tizzy with what the kids are calling his supposed finsta account (@kikiboyyyyyyy), which features a profile picture of Michael Jordan holding up three fingers that can be interpreted as Ocean hinting at his third album (and before you react, […]
These two titans of music have come a long way.
What is the scent profile of Duran Duran? It’s an intriguing question that, until now, didn’t have a definitive answer. It feels safe to assume that the members of the always well-appointed new wave group would never leave the house with an unbecoming scent (or their hair just so).
But now you can get the actual eau du Duran thanks to the band’s collaboration with Italian luxury perfume house Xerjoff on two unisex perfumes created with Singer Simon Le Bon and keyboardist Nick Rhodes, along with bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor. Rhodes tells Billboard that the two scents, NeoRio and Black Moonlight, are the perfect parfum essences to encapsulate the long-running group’s dueling musical personas.
“We’ve spent our entire careers dealing with two senses: sounds and vision, which we’ve primarily used to communicate and try to excite other people’s sense,” says Rhodes, 62. “And the thought of adding a third, sense of smell in this case, was enormously appealing.” Rhodes says his band was inspired to work with Xerjoff after the company’s 2021 collaboration with Black Sabbath guitarist, and fellow Birmingham, U.K. native, Tony Iommi on his Monkey Special scent.
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Rhodes says the band approached the idea of a scent just as they would songwriting, with a “blank sheet,” providing the Xerjoff team with a list of smells they liked. “Some people like the smell of freshly cut grass, nobody doesn’t like that,” Rhodes says. “But it doesn’t mean you want to smell like that all day.”
Working with brand founder Sergio Momo, Rhodes says he and Le Bon were counseled to not just think of flowery scents like roses or gardenias, but to instead open their noses to anything from the smell of paint drying on the wall or that unmistakable whiff of a new book when you first crack it open to aromas you might not associate with a fragrance such as petrol or leather.
“It was more abstract, like if you’re in a room at a museum and staring at your favorite painting and getting the essence of that,” he says, with the discussion then moving on to imagery Momo gleaned from the feelings and moods Rhodes and Le Bon described, such as the funk of a nightclub or a field of flowers.
They narrowed their scent preferences down to five or six, three of them dark and mysterious and the other three sparkly, bright and full of energy, which resulted in two “radically different” fragrances, NeoRio and Black Moonlight. Rhodes says the latter — described as “an homage to the eerie and mysterious world that they so often explore through their music and videos, with a scent that oozes intrigue and sensuality” — was closer to his personality, while Le Bon was more tugged toward the sunshine.
That explains why the profile of Black Moonlight promises to wrap you in a “veil of sophistication” thanks to a mix that includes: “Bergamot and mandarin awaken the senses, whilst saffron, lavender, Sambac jasmine and hazelnut envelop you in an intimate embrace.” The scent is also grounded by base notes of patchouli, vetiver, Tonka bean, and benzoin “to create a rich, timeless scent that mirrors Duran Duran’s ability to blend art, innovation, and emotion.”
In an effort to mirror DD’s career-long musical balance of hopeful optimism with a darker, slinky feeling, the exhilarating NeoRio is described as being as “magnetic and unpredictable as the band itself,” [combining] an “irresistible burst of candied fig and rum with the sparkling freshness of elemi absolute, before unfolding with the fiery warmth of saffron and the elegance of soft rose oil, all anchored by the creamy richness of Tonka bean and the timeless depth of balsam from Peru.”
Rhodes says working with chemist Momo was a revelation, as the “Willy Wonka of perfume” brand boss “seems to have this lexicon of every single scent in the world at his fingertips.” In the end, he says the pair followed their instincts like they do when recording an album, with the resulting fragrances so perfectly representing the identity of the band that Rhodes thinks they could be two songs in DD’s catalog.
“Duran Duran have shaped music and style for over four decades, making them the perfectpartners for not just one, but two Xerjoff Blends creations. Their innovative spirit helped inspire every element of this project, from the scent to the packaging,” said Momo in a statement announcing the two fragrances, which are available to buy here now. “Both scents embody the essence of Xerjoff Blends – where artistic visions unite to create a truly unique, multisensory experience. Collaborating with the band members on every detail of this project has been a very special experience.”
As for the most important real-world test, Rhodes confirms that he’s worn his preferred scent out in the world and that at present he and his partner have been at odds over who gets to wear which one. “We have a battle at home because I’ve usually got the one on and my partner’s got the other one on and when we pass in the corridor they intermingle and some days we both end up with the the same one,” he says.
Duran Duran are gearing up for a run of European arena and festival shows this summer beginning on June 3 with the kick-off gig at the Nokia Arena in Tamepere, Finland.
Check out the promo videos for the fragrances below.