Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 146

MUDI SAMA SHARES SINGLE “BAD LIFE” ON SPECIAL PROJECTS / AVENUE A RECORDS

MUDI SAMA SHARES SINGLE “BAD LIFE” 
ON SPECIAL PROJECTS / AVENUE A RECORDS HERE

“BAD LIFE” VISUALIZER HERE

Today, the English artist Mudi Sama releases his track, “Bad Life” via Special Projects / Avenue A Records / Neon Gold on the heels of his debut "Jealous Type”. Influenced and inspired by artists such as Bloc Party, Dominic Fike, Radiohead, and The Strokes, Mudi Sama is a British-born, Nigeria-raised artist with a sound steeped in alternative culture. His guitar shreds along with his signature raw, poignant vocals: “Make it up as I go, Yeah no one knows, In this glass house, Stop throwing stones, Falling out of the sky,  Into a clouded life,  All these stop signs, All these green lights.” You can see the “Bad Life” video here.

Mudi Sama explains: "Bad Life is a song about rebellion, living through the chaos and figuring it out yourself - ignoring the outside noise. In a world of one size fits all advice and self help theories on every corner which I’ve been subject to myself with many attempts to “turn my life around in 21 days”. It’s always go left or go right with never much reasoning. I wrote this as a letter to myself to not listen to whatever rules the world has there for what to do with your life. “I’ll make mistakes I’ll do what I like”. 

Jamie Rendle (producer and co-writer) & I wanted to explore what it feels like to be in a constant state of flux. Lines like “into the abyss I’m lying and bed & coughing up that has me zeppelin” were written to give the verses 0 release. It’s meant to feel confusing. It’s meant to feel gritty it’s meant to sound on edge. I’m just hoping it portrays all of that and more.”

Forming his musical identity during a time when very few black voices cut through a predominantly white early 00’s guitar scene, genre trailblazers like Kele Okereke and Dev Hynes galvanized him to become that inspiration for aspiring artists of his own time. Mudi channels a distinctly British tone of voice with a globally ambitious alternative sound, joining some of his London peers Bakar and Master Peace to shape the new identity of British indie for the next generation.

https://www.instagram.com/mudisama
https://www.tiktok.com/@mudisama
https://www.youtube.com/@mudisama

Scottish musician Theo Bleak announces new EP, shares "Peach Sky"

THEO BLEAK ANNOUNCES NEW EP

BAD LUCK IS TWO YELLOW FLOWERS

ARRIVING MAY 15, 2025

ETHEREAL LEAD SINGLE OUT NOW

 "PEACH SKY" - LISTEN

MAKING HER NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT

 AT NEW YORK’S NEW COLOSSUS FESTIVAL NEXT WEEK

Photo Credit: Marilena Vlachopoulou 

Today, Scottish alternative folk musician Theo Bleak announces the release of her highly anticipated new EP Bad Luck Is Two Yellow Flowers, out May 15, 2025 via Polymoon. Today’s announcement is heralded by her latest single, “Peach Sky.” Following the success of last year’s introspective single “You Said I’d Feel It All Again,” this track marks another chapter in Theo Bleak’s exploration of raw emotion and dreamlike soundscapes. “Peach Sky” captures the fleeting beauty of a single moment, blending wistful lyricism with the artist’s signature “goth waltz” guitar melodies and lush, layered vocals. Theo Bleak delves into themes of change, longing, and the search for meaning.

“I wrote the song from fragmented thoughts and observations I had kept record of, I wrote Peach Sky with Mark (Johnston) and Dan (Gatreau), while reflecting on the second time I lived and worked on the Isle of Skye,” Theo Bleak explains. “The morning I left the island to return home, the sky was a beautiful peach colour. I reflected on how impermanent my feelings were.” 

LISTEN TO “PEACH SKY”

Today’s single, produced alongside long-time collaborators Mark Johnston and Dan Gatreau, highlights Bleak’s ability to pair emotional depth with experimental production. Drawing on influences from artists such as Radiohead, Mazzy Star, and Pinegrove, “Peach Sky” combines atmospheric guitar tones, dramatic percussion, and cinematic textures to create a sound that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive.

Bleak’s previous release, December’s “You Said I’d Feel It All Again” garnered widespread support. The single was played on BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists, BBC Radio 2’s Unwinds and was also recognized by multiple editorial playlists such as New Music Friday in the USA, UK, Belgium, Sweden & Netherlands as well as Fresh Folk, All New Pop, and Next Gen Singer-Songwriters. Earlier this month, rising star Rachel Chinouriri played the track on her takeover of BBC Introducing on Radio 1. “Peach Sky” hopes to have the same impact, adding to the young artist's impressive repertoire. 

PURCHASE THEO BLEAK VINYL

Fans of Theo Bleak’s work will recognize her trademark blend of vulnerable storytelling and evocative sound design, and Peach Sky hints at a new, matured creative direction. The single continues to build anticipation for her forthcoming EP.

Theo Bleak will play a show tonight at The Grace in London to celebrate today's announcement. Next month, Bleak will make her North American debut at New York’s New Colossus Festival. For more information on upcoming performances, see below. 

THEO BLEAK LIVE 2025

FEBRUARY

27 - The Grace - London, UK - tickets

MARCH

6 - NuBlu Classic - New York, NY - tickets

9 - Baker Falls - New York, NY - tickets

THEO BLEAK

BAD LUCK IS TWO YELLOW FLOWERS

POLYMOON

Release date: May 15, 2025

ABOUT THEO BLEAK:

Theo Bleak is the musical project of Katie Lynch, a Dundee-based alternative artist known for her atmospheric and introspective sound. Since debuting with Fragments, Theo Bleak has been celebrated for her ability to weave personal experiences into songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Her work draws inspiration from diverse sources, including alternative rock, emo, and visual storytelling, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly unique.

Theo Bleak’s work is more than just music; it is an exploration of the human experience through the lens of nature’s ever-changing beauty. With each piece, she offers a moment of introspection, a chance to reconnect with the world and with oneself. Her music is a journey—a walk through the countryside of the mind and heart, where every step brings a new revelation.

CONNECT WITH THEO BLEAK:

Spotify | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | Website | Facebook

# # #

Goya Gumbani enlists Joe Armon-Jones for new single + announces US & EU tour dates

GOYA GUMBANI SHARES NEW SINGLE/VIDEO “MANUVA(S)” FEATURING JOE ARMON-JONES

ANNOUNCES US & EU/UK TOUR DATES

WARLORD OF THE WEEJUNS OUT MARCH 21ST

VIA GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL

Goya Gumbani by Ivor Lawson-Adamah 

“Manuva(s)” featuring Joe Armon-Jones

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c822D5CEYPI

LISTEN: https://Ghostly.lnk.to/GG-Manuvas

Warlord of the Weejuns

PRE–ORDER/PRE-SAVE: https://ghostly.lnk.to/GG-Warlord-Of-The-Weejuns

"Gumbani is helping to revive and reimagine the city’s boom-bap legacy"

Crack Magazine

"Spoken word reminiscent of '90s hip-hop greats and South London’s vibrant music scene"

NME's 100 List

(February 27th, 2025) - Today, Brooklyn-born, South East London-based rapper Goya Gumbani unveils the latest offering from his forthcoming album with new single “Manuva(s)”. The song was produced by and features renowned UK multi-instrumentalist and member of Ezra Collective, Joe Armon-Jones, and embodies the fluidity of sounds of this new generation of the London Jazz scene. Goya’s agile verses flow in lockstep with Joe’s flittering keys, as he delivers sharp verses about the challenges that arise on the journey of pursuing your dreams. The single’s accompanying visual is another ode to one of Goya heroes, Miles Davis, who sits nodding along to the beat in the hand drawn video that rotates between New York and London. The video is co-directed by Brice Birdsall & Kendrick Cumberbatch, animated by Niallycat and the typography was done by Sigurd Hundertmark. 

“Manuva(s)” follows previously-released singles “Chase The Sunrise” featuring Yaya Bey, Fatima and lojii, and “FireFly” which also featured Fatima, all offerings from his forthcoming debut album Warlord of the Weejuns, out March 21st via Ghostly International. Goya also previewed a separate, unreleased album track with his On The Radar freestyle a few weeks ago, and spoke about the album in an interview for Bandcamp’s Hip-Hop Show earlier this month.

Along with the new song, Goya is also announcing his full run of upcoming tour dates with his band in the US, Europe, and the UK across March, April and May. Preceding the tour run, he will be hosting two special album release events in London at The Standard on March 17th and New York at MOCADA (Museum of Contemporary African Diasporic Art) on March 22nd. The tour will see him play shows on the West Coast, including supporting Shigeto in LA, and across Europe and the UK in April before wrapping the tour with a headline show in Paris in May.

Warlord of the Weejuns is also an ode to the lasting impact that Miles Davis had on Goya, whose fervor for music and his ubiquitous style was formative for him. Goya channels that ambition on this new album, recorded with lush, full-band arrangements that utilize his own voice as part of the instrumentation. With Goya and his sharp, effortlessly smooth delivery leading the way as the album’s tone-setting conductor, he brings in a bevy of musical minds to lay a spacious, radiant collection of musical vignettes that invoke the wordless expressions of jazz and the meditative rhythms of reggae. Threads of affirmation, self-worth, and Black heritage — manifesting knowledge and power from within — run throughout Warlord of the Weejuns. Goya arranged his singular vision with production from Joe Armon-Jones, Swarvy, Franky Bones, Dan Diggers, Alejandro Śanchez, Maxwell Owin, Omari Jazz, Les Lockheart, Zalente and Ghostly labelmate quickly, quickly. 

Check out “Manuva(s)” featuring Joe Armon-Jones and pre-order Warlord of the Weejuns above, see below for all of Goya’s upcoming live dates and stay tuned for more from Goya Gumbani coming soon.

Upcoming Live Dates:

*= w/ Shigeto

3/14 - London, UK @ The Standard London (album listening event)

3/22 - New York, NY @ MOCADA 

3/25 - New York, NY @ Club 101 NYC

3/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Ghengis Khan (after show at Afters Club House)

3/28 - San Diego, CA @ Friends of Friends

3/29 - Phoenix, AZ @ Central Records

3/30 - Las Vegas, NV @ Fat Cat

3/31 - Long Beach, CA @ Vine

4/1 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room *

4/11 - Berlin, DE @ HHV (in-store live show & record signing)

4/17 - London, UK @ Jazz Café (tickets)

4/20 - Nottingham, UK @ Mimm

4/25 - Bristol, UK @ Star & Garter

5/23 - Paris, FR @ La Boule Noir

Billy Idol's first new album in a decade "Dream Into It" due 4/25 on Dark Horse Records, new single "Still Dancing" debuts with video

 BILLY IDOL’S DREAM INTO IT DUE
APRIL 25 ON DARK HORSE RECORDSNEW SINGLE “STILL DANCING” DEBUTS TODAY
WITH STEVEN SEBRING-DIRECTED VIDEOIDOL NOMINATED FOR ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAMETOUR WITH JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS KICKS OFF
APRIL 30 IN PHOENIX
photo credit: David RaccugliaFebruary 26, 2025—Rock legend Billy Idol is set for the release of his first full-length album of new music in over a decade.  Dream Into It  is out April 25 on Dark Horse Records, featuring appearances by Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart of The Kills. See below for a complete track list and album art, and pre-order the record  HERE .In anticipation of the forthcoming record, Idol is debuting the new single “Still Dancing” alongside a video directed by Steven Sebring; stream/share the video and new track  HERE .“‘Still Dancing’ is really a reflection of my whole journey,” explains Idol. “From the punk rock period through to now. And I’m still looking towards the future, still living the life I set out to live.“At the start of the song I’m recalling the early times in London, when I was living in squats or at friends’ apartments, all my belongings in a plastic bag. Everybody at home or work told you what you were doing was never going to happen. But punk rock gave me an opening. I was surrounded by people who loved the music as deeply as I did and you were going to throw caution to the wind, believe in what you were doing and grab on for dear life.“As the song says, there have been many moments along the way where I’ve been self destructive. But what’s seen me through is that unflinching belief in the music that started all those years ago. That’s been the greatest gift of all.”Alongside the upcoming album, Idol was recently nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Fan voting is open through April 21  HERE , with inductees to be announced at the end of April.Additionally, Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! Fellow superstar Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will join Idol on all shows. Produced by Live Nation, the run of arenas and amphitheatres kicks off at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on April 30 and includes stops at an array of storied venues including New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD and more. Tickets are available at  billyidol.net/tour , see below for a complete list of dates. Five dollars from every ticket sold to the Los Angeles show at Kia Forum will be donated to the  American Red Cross  to support Southern California Wildfire Relief. Billly Idol will also personally match this donation.Last year, Idol celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his landmark sophomore album  Rebel Yell  with a Deluxe Expanded Edition out now via Capitol/UMe. Idol also recently released the concert film  Billy Idol: State Line , a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam—the first-ever concert performed at the location. The film highlights the history and significance of the Hoover Dam and includes two unique sets of Billy Idol’s iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line.ABOUT BILLY IDOLFor 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the definitive faces and voices of rock’n’roll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock’n’roll decadence. Touring consistently around the world for the last ten years and showing no signs of slowing down, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records, earning praise from fans and critics alike.BILLY IDOL
DREAM INTO IT1. Dream Into It
2. 77 (featuring Avril Lavigne)
3. Too Much Fun
4. John Wayne (featuring Alison Mosshart)
5. Wildside (featuring Joan Jett)
6. People I Love
7. Gimme The Weight
8. I’m Your Hero
9. Still DancingBILLY IDOL: IT’S A NICE DAY TO…TOUR AGAIN!April 30—Phoenix, AZ—Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
May 3—Houston, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman*
May 4—Austin, TX—Moody Center*
May 7—Fort Worth, TX—Dickies Arena*
May 9—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
May 10—Tampa, FL—MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
May 13—Sunrise, FL—Amerant Bank Arena*
May 16—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion*
May 17—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena*
May 20—Tinley Park, IL—Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre*
May 21—Cincinnati, OH—Riverbend Music Center*
May 23—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage*
June 18—Northeim, DE—Waldbuhne
June 20—Copenhagen, DK—Copenhell
June 22—Milton Keynes, UK—Forever Now Festival
June 24—London, UK—Wembly Arena†
June 27—Munich, DE—Koenigsplatz
June 29—Bonn, DE—Kunstrasen
July 2—Wiesbaden, DE—Brita-Arena
Julu 4—Klam, AT—Clam Rock
July 5—Eisenstadt, AT—Lovely Days
July 8—Budapest, HU—Budapest Park
July 9—Belgrade, RS—Kalemegdan Park
August 16—Philadelphia, PA—TD Pavilion at The Mann*
August 17—Saratoga Springs, NY—Broadview Stage at SPAC*
August 20—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden Arena*
August 22—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion*
August 23—Mansfield, MA—Xfinity Center*
August 26—Bangor, ME—Maine Savings Amphitheatre*
August 28—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre*
August 30—Noblesville, IN—Ruoff Music Center*
August 31—Milwaukee, WI—American Family Insurance Amphitheatre*
September 3—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
September 5—Salt Lake City, UT—Utah First Credit Union Amphithatre*
September 12—Palm Springs, CA—Acrisure Arena*
September 14—Berkeley, CA—Greek Theater*‡
September 17—Wheatland, CA—Toyota Amphitheatre*
September 19—Ridgefield, WA—Cascades Amphitheater*
September 20—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena*
September 23—Chula Vista, CA—North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre*
September 25—Los Angeles, CA—The Kia Forum** with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
† with New Model Army‡ Non-Live Nation Date BILLYIDOL.NET

Adam Lytle Announces New LP | Shares "Black Masses" New Single + Video via Post-Punk | 'Altars' Due Out May 2nd via All DSP's

Adam Lytle Announces New LP,  
Shares "Black Masses" New Single + Video via Post-Punk

Read V13, Northern Transmissions, and Vents Features

 Altars Due Out May 2nd via All DSP'sPhoto by Meg MolliPRE-SAVE: Adam Lytle - Altars
Pre-Save

WATCH/LISTEN & SHARE: Adam Lytle - "Black Masses"
Stream | YoutubeToday, Indie Rock artist Adam Lytle releases his newest single, "Black Masses". This is the first single of his upcoming album, Altars.

Adam on the track, "Black Masses is a parable. A time-worn story of how the power-hungry use violence and religious fervor to achieve what they feel is their divine right to lead. The accompanying film stars Sean Shannon as a desperate priest losing his grip on reality. The film was shot on 16mm by Douglas K. Horton, Directed by Patrick Cecilian, and edited by Bill Kemmler. ” Adam Lytle - "Black Masses" Altars - Bio:

Across eleven tracks Lytle and his band harness a ferocious sound crafted from the wreckage of the modern American landscape.The delicate fingerpicking that opens the record gives way to an electric swagger that sounds looser and darker than anything we’ve heard from Lytle before. Here, myth bleeds into reality and vice versa. It is a world of beauty and horror, of moments that burn with meaning and moments that slip through your fingers like smoke.

Altars was written by Adam Lytle and produced with Liars and Parquet Courts collaborator Jonathan Schenke. 

Lytle wrote the album while living in Paris and Arles, France in the winter of 2024. The record features guitarist Cameron Kapoor, drummer William Logan, bassist Kevin Copeland, percussionist Mauro Refosco, vocalist Kristina Moore, and multi-instrumentalist Oli Deakin. With sessions at Figure 8 Recording and Studio Windows in Brooklyn, Lytle and Schenke showcased their unique alchemy, combining live performances with a process of experimentation that heightens the emotional impact of Lytle’s soul-stirring narratives.

“This collection of songs is united by their unwavering examination of Devotion. It’s a raw and unrelenting record but there is a strange, fragile beauty throughout. At its core, It’s the sound of a fiercely talented group of musicians who understands that every broken line, every fractured moment, holds within it the possibility of transcendence.“

‘Altars’ will be released on streaming, with CD and standard vinyl available for pre-order now.

Altars - TRACKLISTING :

01. Savage Thunder

02. Lead On, Desire

03. Sister Wave

04. Midnight Shakes The Memory

05. That Was Me

06. Sanctuary

07. Heaven

08. Black Masses

09. Nothing Lies Beyond

10. Hollow Eyes

11. Sea of Tears

 

TOUR DATES

February 26 - Cassette, Queens NY

February 27 - Colony Woodstock, Woodstock, NY

April 30 - The Sultan Room - NY Album Release Show

Get Tickets HERE

Adam Lytle - Bio:

A technician of the sacred, Adam Lytle writes songs that explore the darker regions of the heart.  The New York songwriter has built a passionate following around the alluring sound of his nylon-string guitar and poetic lyrics. With his electrifying band, he transforms from a quiet, introspective artist to a powerhouse performer; seductive and menacing all at once.

After years of honing his craft, Lytle emerged at the turn of the decade as a distinctive voice in the tower of song. With its striking lyricism and evocative arrangements, his solo debut This Is The Fire drew comparisons to the work of Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, and Scott Walker. Audiences around the world took note as Lytle embarked on tours across Europe and the United States. 

Arriving a little over a year after its predecessor, the new album Altars is the fruit of his long running collaboration with producer Jonathan Schenke. While Lytle’s guitar and voice still take center stage, gone is the monumental orchestra which lifted his debut. In its place, there is something more earthbound, more opaque; a cacophony of screeching metal, blown-out amps and apocalyptic rhythm. A ferocious sound crafted from the wreckage of the modern American landscape.

Altars is a record that arrives at a moment of great turmoil. The air is thick with the promise of something dark and destructive. Where many artists have stood at the edge of this darkness and turned back, Lytle leads us deeper into the void. He sings for the ones who feel too much, the ones whose hearts beat in rhythm with the sorrow of the world, the ones who have loved, lost, but are still standing. Like the great poets of the underworld, his songs echo in the silence long after they’ve ended.

ADAM LYTLE LINKS
Website | Instagram | Youtube | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple | Soundcloud 

Ed Kuepper (The Saints) & Jim White (The Dirty Three) Announce After The Flood Album / Out March 21st On 12XU

ED KUEPPER (THE SAINTS) & JIM WHITE (THE DIRTY THREE) ANNOUNCE 'AFTER THE FLOOD' ALBUM OUT MARCH 21ST ON 12XU LISTEN TO 'THE CRYING DANCE' Photo: Jude Kuepper 
In the final days of February 2022, Brisbane received approximately 80 percent of the city’s average annual rainfall in a mere 72 hours. Upstream, Wivenhoe Dam, the city’s main flood mitigation strategy, received close to three Sydney Harbour’s worth of water in less than three days. Nearly 3000 Brisbane streets were flooded and highways were closed for days, isolating some communities. Thirteen people lost their lives and over 23,000 properties were flood-affected. Let’s go back in time. Back in the mid-90s the Dirty Three opened for Ed Kuepper in Melbourne. That’s when Ed and Jim first crossed paths. Jim of course was well-aware of Ed; who wasn’t? This was an artist who had redefined Australian music not just once with The Saints, not just twice with Laughing Clowns, but was at it again for a third time. under his own name. For his part Ed was watching Jim play and making a mental note. Time passed… a lot of time passed. Jim left the country with the Dirty Three and built a formidable reputation as a collaborator and sideman. Ed was in his pomp, touring and releasing albums, building a remarkable body of work that now stands at over 50 albums. Roll forward to 2020. Time became malleable, even these most industrious of artists found themselves with time to kill. Jim was unexpectedly back in Australia, in fact stranded in Australia. Despite all the complexities of the pandemic Ed recognized an opportunity to capture the collaboration he’d long had in mind. The original idea was for the two of them to do a few shows together. It would be ‘casual’. But it proved to be anything but. Amidst the on-off restrictions and the threat of the virus the tour was a turbulent ride. They performed two sold out nights at the Sydney Opera House and fluked the only gig at Rising before the Melbourne Festival was cancelled. Other gigs were blown out and plans would be changed at the last minute. Touring was precarious with Ed and Jim unsure when restrictions would be announced, leaving them high and dry or forcing them to drive cross country late at night to cross state lines before the borders were closed. Ed refers to them at one point “operating like a guerrilla outfit on the NSW/Queensland border.” In amidst this turmoil, a musical bond was forged. Ed appreciated Jim’s “rhythmic intent. It’s intuition based” he explains. “With Jim there’s an overlap of influences but Jim has his own character. “ The duo grasped an opportunity to enter Melbourne’s Sound Park Studio. Working quickly over four days they captured the music they had been performing. “We took what we’d been doing live and brought it into the studio” Ed recalls. “It was important that we captured the immediacy of what we’d been doing, that it wasn’t labored over. Everything was laid down live”. The resulting album features eight tracks that provide, as Ed puts it “The broadest representation of what we did, with the most variety.” The widescreen selection of songs gives a tracking shot of Ed’s career to date. The earliest song reimagined here is The Saints' "Swing For The Crime", which originally appeared in 1978 on the 'Prehistoric Sounds' album. Ed’s early 80s band, Laughing Clowns is generously represented and rewired with the songs "Crying Dance", "The Year Of The Bloated Goat" and "Collapse Board". His solo career is deeply mined for reworked hidden gems; "Demolition" and "Miracles" (both from 2007’s 'Jean Lee & the Yellow Dog') and "The Ruins’"(from 2015’s 'Lost Cities'). "The 16 Days" originally appeared on Ed’s second album under his own name, 'Rooms of the Magnificent' in 1986.
 More time has passed. Many of Ed’s long out of print albums have been reissued, his work with The Saints has been released globally as a deluxe boxed set. There has been associated touring with original Saints drummer Ivor Hay, Mick Harvey (Birthday Party/Bad Seeds), Mark Arm (Mudhoney) and Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys) joining Ed on the road. (“The towering impression left by the nights proceeding? That Kuepper is “a motherfucker of a guitar player, his sound just as molten and unrelenting as back in the day” - Uncut UK). Jim White remains as prodigious as ever, releasing his debut solo album, rekindling the Dirty Three for their biggest Australian tour and highest charting album. Creatively restless as ever he has recently worked with The Hard Quartet, Marisa Anderson, Bill Callahan, Myriam Gendron and Xylouris White. Deep into their careers, at the top of their game, ever curious, changing and searching, Ed and Jim reach another high-water mark. 
After The Flood Recorded and mixed by Idge at Sound Park Studio, Melbourne, Spring 2023Produced by Ed Kuepper and Jim White After The Flood is being released in the US by 12XU and Australia and New Zealand by Remote Control 

Laibach Share "Fedayeen" & Announce New Original Symphonic Work 'Alamut' || Out 5/9 On Mute

LAIBACH SHARE NEW TRACK “FEDAYEEN”
 

SLOVENIAN COLLECTIVE AND A/POLITICAL 
ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A NEW ORIGINAL SYMPHONIC WORK 
 

ALAMUT OUT 5/9 ON MUTE  

Photo credit: Valter Leban
 

Today Laibach and A/POLITICAL have announced details of Alamut, an original symphonic work by the Slovenian collective, composed in collaboration with Iranian composers Idin Samimi Mofakham, and Nima A. Rowshan. Alamut will be released on double vinyl, double CD box set (both with extensive sleeve notes) and digitally via Mute on May 9, 2025.

The album, which launches today with “Fedayeen”, takes inspiration from Alamut (1938), the telling of a story from eleventh century Persia by Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol about martyrdom and the Cult of Personalities that went on to inspire the video game series Assassin’s Creed.

Listen to “Fedayeen”, conducted by Navid Gohari, HERE.

Pre-order Alamut HERE.

The book’s central character is Hassan-i Sabbāh, the charismatic religious and political leader of the Nizari Ismailis who founded the mysterious military formation known as the Assassins. Hassan-i Sabbāh was a self-proclaimed prophet who led a holy war against the Seljuk Empire from his eyrie – the castle of Alamut. Bartol’s novel - known for its maxim “Nothing is true, everything is permitted” - examines the mechanisms of propaganda at a time when their author was witnessing, first hand, the rise of Fascism in Trieste (Italy).  

In Laibach’s 9-track retelling of Alamut, these ideas of radical nihilism are interwoven with the classical Persian poetry of Omar Khayyam, while the sensual verses of Mahsati Ganjavi blend with minimalist orchestral colors derived from the Iranian tradition. Hassan-i Sabbāh’s propaganda mechanisms echo in the industrial principle of the workings of the orchestra and Laibach’s unique sound. 

The album was recorded at the concert in Križanke Outdoor Theatre, Monastery of the Holy Cross, Ljubljana, by Laibach and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the Iranian conductor Navid Gohari. Laibach’s firm belief that “cultural and political differences in these complex times must be overcome through a profoundly open cooperation, against all odds” meant that the production was expected to premiere in Tehran, but the current political climate has so far prohibited this. Instead, they invited the Human-Voice Ensemble vocal group from Tehran, who worked alongside two Slovenian ensembles: the Gallina Vocal Group, and AccordiOna, a 60-piece accordion orchestra.

Alamut was composed by Luka Jamnik (Laibach), Idin Samimi Mofakham, and Nima A. Rowshan. 

Laibach continue their Opus Dei Revisited tour - which will feature their recent interpretation of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” - with a series of dates.

 

LAIBACH – OPUS DEI TOUR:

2025:

2/27/2025 - Lausanne, Les Docks, CH
2/28/2025 – Bologna, Link, IT
3/1/2025 - Nova Gorica, SNG Nova Gorica, SI
3/4/2025 - Skopje, Macedonian Philharmonic, MK
3/5/2025 - Athens, Gazarte, GR
3/6/2025 - Sofia, Pirotska 5, BG
3/7/2025 - Bucharest, Quantic Club, RO 
3/8/2025 - Beograd, Dom Omladine, RS
3/14/2025 - Celje, SLG Celje SI
3/21/2025 -  Maribor, Narodni dom, SI
4/5/2025 - Sarajevo, Dom mladih, BA

Tickets and further information: https://www.laibach.org/future-events/

 

Track listing:

1. Overture
2. Secret Gardens
3. Fedayeen
4. Transition
5. Meditation I
6. War
7. Doors of Perception
8 . Metaverse
9. Meditation II & Epilogue

RECENT RELEASES:

Opus Dei Revisited: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-odr
“White Christmas”: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-silence-wc
“Strange Fruit”: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-sf
Opus Dei (Remastered): https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-od24
The Engine of Survival: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach_teos
Love is Still Alive EP: https://mute.ffm.to/lb-lisa
The Future: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-tf
Love Is Still Alive I (Moon, Euphoria): https://youtu.be/lQSqCvpAVQQ

 

CONNECT WITH MUTE:
FACEBOOK | BLUESKY | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEB 

CONNECT WITH LAIBACH:
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEB

Mappe Of Share New Single "Happiness In The Singularity" via Americana Highways | Read Features | Out Now via Paper Bag Records

Mappe Of Share New Single "Happiness In The Singularity"
via Americana Highways

Read It's Psychedelic Baby Feature

Out Now via Paper Bag Records

Photo Credit: Vanessa HeinsLISTEN & SHARE: Mappe Of - "Happiness In The Singularity"
Stream PRAISE FOR MAPPE OF
"In the case of Mappe Of’s music, catharsis comes from a deep dive into the core elements of our shared human experience: Mortality, Empathy, Volatility, and the Journey."
-Atwood

"At times, the music is soothing and cinematic, with lush washes of classical strings and spacey keyboard textures filling a large sonic space, but distorted guitars and odd sound effects often shatter the spell."
-Relix

"Glitchy and synthy, wistful and wise, engrossing and ethical, familiar and foreign"
-Exclaim!Today, Mappe Of release their latest single, "Happiness In The Singularity". This song features airy, ethereal melodic vocals that effortlessly blend with the beats and strings. It strikes a perfect balance between danceable energy and reflective melancholy, creating a space where time feels suspended. The track captivates with an emotional pull that leaves you both energized and introspective, drawing you deeper with each beat and note.
 
Tom Meikle (aka Mappe Of) on the track, "This track represents a reflection on legacy. I had been thinking a lot about the idea of legacy, particularly the way it evolves as technology captures so much of who we are. Our digital legacy is now hard to distinguish from the tangible impact we make on the earth and the people around us. There’s also this middle period of technological history, with physical media like VHS tapes, where if they’re not preserved by other means, they’ll degrade and eventually be lost to time. We’re in this strange moment in history where we’ve witnessed the beginning of a feasibly infinite legacy, where hundreds of years from now, someone could download our digital records and get a decent idea of who we were as people. Comparing that to hundreds of years prior, we really know very little about these historical figures we hold in such high regard, in terms of their actual personalities, the way they carried themselves, the subtleties that define us. I often find myself feeling like our collective obsession with legacy is meaningless, once we’re gone, we’re gone, but at the same time, there is something beautiful in the preservation of the idea of people."
 Mappe Of - Happiness In The Singularity (Official Visualizer)
About Mappe Of:
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Tom Meikle, known by his artist moniker Mappe Of, first emerged on the scene with the highly acclaimed, self-produced, 'A Northern Star, A Perfect Stone' in 2017 (Paper Bag Records). The album immediately captivated listeners with its sonic landscape, an ethereal avant-folk tour de force that belonged to no time or place. From classically inspired, masterfully performed intricate guitar arrangements to hauntingly beautiful melodies and vocal textures to lush epic soundscapes, this debut album introduced the world to a new artist unafraid to annihilate any musical boundaries and chart his own course. The high-concept full-length 'The Isle of Ailynn' followed in 2019, showcasing Tom’s skill and talent for songwriting and production mere months before the world shut down. Since his debut, Mappe Of has amassed over 15 million streams across DSPs, had his music featured in several primetime network television series, drew the attention of tastemaker media outlets, and, before the pandemic, performed at notable festivals and toured with the likes of Bahamas, Martha Wainwright, SYML, and Matt Holubowski. After a long hiatus forced by the pandemic, Mappe Of is poised to re-enter the music scene with fresh works that promise to continue his journey of musical exploration and boundary-pushing creativity.MAPPE OF LINKS
Website | Spotify | Instagram

Pyramids explore black metal/reggaeton on their new album for The Flenser

Pyramids explore black metal / reggaeton fusion on their new album for The Flenser
Pythagoras— incoming May 2nd

Share music video for first single
"Fools Gold (Mi Vida Ha Ido Pa Atras)"

Photo by Faith Malimba | Hi-res here

Nine years in the making, the new album from Pyramids— Pythagoras— is a daring study in genre synthesis. The band continues to push boundaries in both sound and aesthetic, blending jagged fragments of black metal and shoegaze as they have done since their influential 2008 Hydra Head Records debut.

On Pythagoras, Pyramids add unconventional layers of reggaeton and neoperreo to both voice and rhythm. Named after the ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras represents the band’s ongoing commitment to innovation, and the perpetual juxtaposition of the delicate and the devastating, embracing complex musical structures and rhythms that both challenge and captivate the listener. At the heart of the album lies an intricate balance between aggressive blast beats and the syncopated pulse of reggaeton’s signature dembow rhythm—a concept born from founder Rich Loren Balling’s own immersion in both extreme music and pop genres.  He comments, “One need only trace a simple lineage like Black Sabbath through Darkthrone to see that over time, music compounds itself towards the extreme, until one day it is so extreme and dense and noise-rich, that the brutal transitions into bliss.  The sonic palette is then cleansed and the listener can start the cycle over again. It isn’t difficult to see the leap from Transilvanian Hunger to a work like Jesu’s Conqueror. I surmise that some of the most innovative music in the last decade has taken place in female pop, and even more specifically, in female neoperreo and reggaeton. After years of listening to extreme metal and harsh noise, this was my ground zero for the next reinvention.” 

Today, the album's first single "Fools Gold (Mi Vida Ha Ido Pa Atras)" arrives.

Watch "Fools Gold (Mi Vida Ha Ido Pa Atras)" video

Listen / share on DSP's

The journey to Pythagoras began after the release of Pyramids' 2015 album A Northern Meadow (Profound Lore), a work that earned critical acclaim for taking what Pitchfork deemed “a beautiful mess” of its debut to a more focused, yet equally genre-defying, sound. The following nine years, Balling, along with original members Matthew Kelly, Matt Embree, and David Embree,  ventured further into harsh noise before finding a link between the evolution of extreme music (think Black Sabbath to Darkthrone) where the intensity of genre keeps mounting until eventually it becomes blissful and harrowing, and in a move akin to palette cleansing, adopted an unexpected reverence for the innovation happening in pop music, specifically female Neoperreo and reggaeton artists such as Emjay, La Zowi, Six Sex, Bea Pelea, Karol G, and Rosalia. His newfound appreciation for the rhythm and intensity of reggaeton, particularly its organic ability to interplay with metal’s blast beats, laid the foundation for the distinctive sound of Pythagoras. Through this album, Pyramids introduces a dynamic fusion where global rhythms meet atmospheric shoegaze textures, all with the aggression of a black metal sensibility at its core.

Pythagoras is not just a sonic evolution—it is an exploration of the cycles of musical extremes. Balling believes that genres, like metal, evolve towards greater intensity until they reach a point of such sonic density and noise that they return to something beautifully melodic and transcendent. This concept is reflected in the album’s dense, layered compositions and its ability to both overwhelm and soothe the listener. The album’s rhythm is a complex mathematical interplay, where the familiar blast beat and pounding dembow rhythm intersect, creating a sound that is both chaotic and hypnotic.

To bring the album’s vision to life, Pyramids enlisted vocalist Emy Smith, whose neoperreo-influenced vocals add a haunting, ethereal layer to the dense soundscape. The album's cover art, created by Miami-based nail artist Kro Vargas (aka Krocaine), further captures the ominous yet captivating essence of the music, hinting at the fusion of genres and cultures that defines Pythagoras.

With Pythagoras, Pyramids are once again poised to redefine the future of extreme music. As one of the most forward-thinking forces in contemporary music, the band continues to forge a path that transcends genre and time. Their unique blend of delicate beauty and devastating intensity invites listeners to explore a world of sound that is both expansive and claustrophobic, suspended between warmth and emptiness. Pythagoras is not just an album; it is a statement—a daring, innovative work that challenges convention and leads the listener through the unknown into new realms of sonic possibility.

Pre-order Pythagoras here.

Pythagoras, track list:

Fools Gold (Mi Vida Ha Ido Pa Atras)Pretty PigsBones and EggshellsMira Mirame BrillarBrineCracksGod of Light

Pyramids: Bandcamp | Instagram

THE KNOCKS & DRAGONETTE COMBINE FORCES ON "THE HERO"

THE KNOCKS & DRAGONETTE COMBINE FORCES;
REVEAL SECOND SINGLE
“THE HERO” HERE + VISUALIZER HERE

THEIR NEW ERA IS SET IN THE FICTIONAL COMPANY 
REVELATION TECHNOLOGIES 
WHICH STARS RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WINNER AQUARIA

“REVELATION” VISUALIZER HERE

Artist photo credit: Gina Manning
 

"...euphoric synth-pop fantasy "Revelation." - Out Magazine
V's New Music Roundup -  V Magazine
"...Dance-Pop Heater" - This Song Is Sick

ESCAPE YOUR MYTH 
TO INHABIT YOUR LEGACY

Today, the NYC electronic duo The Knocks and Canadian electro-pop powerhouse artist Dragonette (aka Martina Sorbara) reveal the second installment of their collaborative journey entitled “The Hero” after releasing "Revelation" last month. Once again, they deliver a match made in synth-pop heaven. This new era is set in a 1980's corporate liminal space at the fictional company Revelation Technologies, with Aquaria (RuPaul’s Drag Race winner) being the muse. This collaboration is a follow-up to The Knocks & Dragonette’s 2019 GRAMMY-nominated single "Slow Song." 

Revelation Technologies’ official spokesperson says: "Many people spend a lifetime in search of a meaningful moment. We are here to help. On February 26th, we invite you to close your eyes and open your heart to the latest, cutting edge in Revelation technologies. Connect inward to your emotional self in harmony with our new product “The Hero” and let the meaning find you."

Dragonette (aka Martina Sorbara) adds: "This song is about the banality of how a relationship can turn cold. When it’s not a dramatic explosion of betrayal or strong emotions that crash together. It’s about finding yourself in the midst of something else, unseen and unknowable making the question “is this working” hard to answer."

With more to be revealed by Revelation Technologies, please keep a close eye on The Knocks & Dragonette and the muse Aquaria.

The Knocks bio:
The prolific GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum-selling NYC dance music luminaries deliver a carefree electronic sound that draws from disco, house, hip hop, soul, funk, indie, and pop. Comprised of James Patterson and Ben Ruttner, the duo produce a dizzying array of danceable, New York-inspired music, bringing their DJ sets and live electronic performances around the world.

With more than 3 billion streams and consistent chart success, they have released 3 full-length albums, 5 EPs, and performed their hit singles on US late night TV shows, including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers. Known for their collaborative prowess, The Knocks have worked with artists across the musical spectrum, ranging from indie [Foster The People, MGMT, MUNA], hip hop [Cam'ron, Wyclef, Method Man], dance [Purple Disco Machine, ODESZA, SOFI TUKKER], and pop [Billie Eilish, Carly Rae Jepsen, Charli XCX].

Dragonette bio:
Martina Sorbara, better known as the electro-pop artist Dragonette, has lived multiple musical lifetimes over the past 15 years. A JUNO Award-winning artist and sought-after songwriter, Sorbara has scored numerous global hits, including “Pick Up the Phone,” “Let it Go,” and the chart-topping “Hello” with Martin Solveig. She’s collaborated with the world’s biggest DJs (Basement Jaxx, Kaskade, and Galantis, among others) and released four acclaimed albums, including the JUNO-nominated Fixin to Thrill (2009) and Bodyparts (2012). Along the way, Dragonette has headlined shows across the globe; supported the likes of Duran Duran, New Order, Ke$ha, and Miike Snow; and played to thousands of fans at Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.

A longtime priority writer with Sony/ATV publishing, the Toronto-based Sorbara also regularly works with acts under UMG, Warner Music, Syco, and Spinnin’. Her musically diverse credits include songs for Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper, Pretty Sister, Mike Mago, and Carly Rae Jepsen with The Knocks.

The Knocks
https://theknocks.com
https://theknocksmusic.komi.io
https://ffm.link/theknocksig
https://ffm.link/theknockstiktok
https://ffm.link/theknocksdiscord
https://ffm.link/theknocksfb
https://ffm.link/theknockstw

Dragonette
https://www.dragonette.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dragonette/
https://www.facebook.com/dragonette
https://twitter.com/dragonette
https://dragonette.komi.io/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dragonette

Aquaria
https://ageofaquaria.com
https://www.instagram.com/ageofaquaria
https://www.tiktok.com/@ageofaquaria
https://www.facebook.com/AgeOfAquaria/