Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 6

SHIMA Unveils Imaginative Debut Album 'Welcome To SHIMAJIMA' via Young Art Records

SHIMA Unveils Imaginative Debut Album Welcome To SHIMAJIMA

Out Now via Young Art Records

 

Buy / Stream  Welcome To SHIMAJIMA
https://idol-io.ffm.to/welcometoshimajima

September 26, 2025 – Female electronica artist SHIMA has unveiled her imaginative debut album Welcome To SHIMAJIMA out now via Young Art Records. 

A deeply conceptual project, Welcome To SHIMAJIMA unfolds across ten tracks that serve as entry points into SHIMA’s fictional island, a place that is simultaneously ancient and modern, familiar and uncharted. Through this world-building, SHIMA transforms her personal reflections and cross-cultural inspirations into an expansive soundscape, weaving together indie electronica, trap, house, and techno.

The world of Welcome To SHIMAJIMA includes previous singles ‘THE MYTH OF KAMIKAZE (神風の神話)’, ‘MAITAKE’, ‘EIYAA’, ‘INVISIBLE’ ‘KARMA’, ‘AWA’, and ‘1807’, which each highlight SHIMA’s fascination with folklore, mythology, and cultural storytelling. ‘Maitake’ draws inspiration from a centuries-old folktale about dancing mushrooms, while ‘1807’ reimagines a traditional fishing song into a contemporary rhythm structure, and ‘THE MYTH OF KAMIKAZE’ reflects on Japanese history and its echoes in modern society. Elsewhere, songs like ‘Sunset’ capture SHIMA’s more intimate side, inspired by a moment of stillness that reframed her relationship with happiness.

The album also features new works that deepen the project’s thematic arc. Opener ‘Tour Guide’ reflects SHIMA’s early years navigating life in Tokyo, sampling the nightlife energy of Shibuya as a metaphor for fleeting connections. Closing track ‘Shiawase’ embodies the Japanese concept of profound gratitude and fulfillment, layering chants from a traditional dance festival over lush production to end the journey on a note of peace and celebration. These additions bookend the record, framing Welcome To SHIMAJIMA as both a personal and cultural odyssey.

"Shima (島） is the Japanese word for island. When used in a compound word, the pronunciation of shima becomes jima. So “Shima Island” would be written as “shima shima” (島島), but pronounced Shimajima  (島島) I decided to name this album Welcome to SHIMAJIMA, as an invitation into the world that I’ve created. SHIMAJIMA is a fictional island that doesn’t exist in any specific location or time period. As a result of being inspired by many cultures from across the world and many time periods throughout history, SHIMAJIMA is a place that feels both foreign, yet familiar. Fresh, yet nostalgic. Undiscovered, yet developed." - SHIMA

Welcome To SHIMAJIMA Tracklist
1. TOUR GUIDE
2. INVISIBLE
3. SUNSET
4. MAITAKE
5. 1807
6. EIYAA
7. KARMA
8. AWA
9. THE MYTH OF KAMIKAZE (神風の神話） 
10. SHIAWASE 

Born to an American father and a Japanese mother and raised in Tokyo, SHIMA is a former J-Pop girl group singer turned electronic solo artist. Her career began at age 14 when she signed to a major Japanese label, and her musical aspirations have since followed her around the globe. Journeying stateside at 18, SHIMA studied Music & Computer Engineering at the University of Miami, furthering her skills as a producer and engineer. A truly innovative blend of modern electronic dance music with elements of traditional Japanese folk music and culture, this meticulously crafted concept album is a showcase of high-level musicianship, razor-sharp vision, and contagious passion of an artist set free. Now based in LA, 2025 has seen SHIMA soar to new heights with performances at Miami Music Week, Coachella DoLaB, and Electric Forest in the lead up to Welcome To SHIMAJIMA. SHIMA will celebrate the album release on September 26 with a listening event at Haus Plant in Los Angeles. RSVP here.

Stream SHIMA’s wondrous debut album Welcome To SHIMAJIMA available now on all platforms.

SHIMA Upcoming Tour Dates
September 26 – Welcome To SHIMAJIMA Release Party – Los Angeles, CA
September 28 – Same Same But Different – Lake Perris, CA
October 11 – Momentous Festival – Bentonville, AR
October 25 – Wicked Oak – Burnet, TX
October 31 – Hulaween – Live Oak, FL

Robin Taylor Zander (Cheap Trick) Announces New LP, Shares "She Can't Turn Back Now" Single | LP Out 10/17 via Confidential Records

Robin Taylor Zander Announces New Album,
Shares "She Can't Turn Back Now" Single + Video via POPDUST

Read Psychedelic Baby Feature

Robin Taylor Zander LP Out 10/17 via Confidential Records
 Photo Credit: Jay Gilbert and Chris SchmittLISTEN & SHARE: Robin Taylor Zander - "She Can't Turn Back Now"
Stream | YouTube

LISTEN & SHARE: Robin Taylor Zander - "All She Wrote"
Stream | YouTube

LISTEN & SHARE: Robin Taylor Zander - "Nobody's Home"
Stream | YouTube

Robin Taylor Zander (member of Cheap Trick) today has announced that his new self-titled album will be released on October 17th via Confidential Records. He's also shared the sunny yet melancholic new single "She Can't Turn Back Now," which is accompanied by a Jon Gillies directed video. The track follows singles "All She Wrote" and "Nobody's Home."

Rolling Stone calls Robin Taylor Zander â€œCheap Trick’s Secret Weapon.” A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Robin is a full-time member of Cheap Trick, with seamless facility on guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals. With lush immersive harmonies, Robin delivers vintage pop rock with a modern twist – a taste of ‘60s British invasion, ‘70s punk, ‘80s new wave, and ‘90s alternative – a sonic palette that’s Robin’s own. 

Co-produced with rock legend Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon, Cheap Trick) and mixed by Douglas with renowned engineer Jay Messina (Kiss, Peter Frampton), Zander's new album delivers a deeply personal, unfiltered solo effort that resonates with raw, poetic emotion.

A career in music was inevitable for Robin Taylor Zander. It's in his heart, his soul -- and his very DNA. “RTZ,” whose father is the founding frontman for iconic rock band Cheap Trick, drops his new single "She Can't Turn Back Now," following his acclaimed debut solo album, The Distance (2023). A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Robin is now a full-time member of Cheap Trick, a seamless utility player on guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.

"She Can't Turn Back Now" is out today via Confidential Records. 

Robin Taylor Zander - "She Can't Turn Back Now" Robin Taylor Zander - Bio:

A career in music was inevitable for Robin Taylor Zander. It's in his heart, his soul -- and his very DNA. “RTZ,” whose father is the founding frontman for iconic rock band Cheap Trick, drops his new single “She Can't Turn Back Now,” following his acclaimed debut solo album, The Distance (2023). A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Robin is now a full-time member of Cheap Trick, a seamless utility player on guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.

Robin's music is awash in smoothly textured instrumentation and soaring, layered vocal harmonies and pop melodies. Robin melds together the influence of the Beatles and Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, the Move and the Who and so many others, in a sonic palette that’s Robin’s own. Writing all the songs and recording guitar, bass, drums, and vocals for his solo debut, Robin reveals his exceptional musical chops, range, and versatility.

Growing up in a house filled with musical instruments, recordings, and memorabilia, Robin’s own musical journey goes back to the age of 3, when he got his first ukulele. He graduated to guitar when he was five, followed by drums, bass, and piano, and singing in his school chorus. “When I was little, I would take a record and try to learn the bass part or the guitar part, then the next day try to learn the drum part and piano part. Then I'd sing it and I'd be able to record it in my own.”

If there’s anything he's learned since picking up that ukulele 25 years ago, it's that there's always something to prove, whether it's in the studio or on stage. As Robin readily acknowledges. "The one thing I know is this is exactly what I want to be doing -- and what I've always wanted to be doing."

Confidential Records NYC is the record label of legendary producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick). Jack has had the honor of producing five bands inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.ROBIN TAYLOR ZANDER LINKS
Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Linktree | Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud

Magdalena Bay unveils "Second Sleep" with official video, double single also includes "Star Eyes"

MAGDALENA BAY UNVEILS NEW SONG “SECOND SLEEP” WITH OFFICIAL VIDEO DOUBLE SINGLE ALSO INCLUDES “STAR EYES”TWO SOLD OUT NIGHTS AT LOS ANGELES’ 
HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY THIS WEEKEND, 
TOUR CONTINUES WITH IMAGINAL DISK FILM IMMINENT Press photo, credit Amalia Irons September 26, 2025—Amid a sold-out nationwide tour, Magdalena Bay unveils new song “Second Sleep” today with an official video directed by Amalia Irons––watch  here . The track comes as part of a double single alongside “Star Eyes”—listen to them  here . The two songs mark the band’s first new music since the release of their breakthrough, universally acclaimed sophomore LP  Imaginal Disk  last year.“‘Second Sleep’ and ‘Star Eyes’ are two songs we made around the end of Imaginal Disk––both a sort of spiritual successor to the album’s mood and emotional arc,” says the band. “We like how they complement each other, so here they are as a pair.”Kicking off their tour with San Francisco’s The Warfield and Portola Music Festival and two shows in their adopted hometown of Los Angeles at Hollywood Forever Cemetery this weekend, the band will play Austin City Limits, III Points Festival, Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy, Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway and more this fall. See full routing below and get tickets here. Written and produced in full by the band’s Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, Imaginal Disk was widely touted as one of the best of last year. Featured on Best of 2024 lists from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Vogue, Paste Magazine—which named single “Death & Romance” the #1 song of the year—and more, Imaginal Disk found Magdalena Bay selling out every date of their North American and European/U.K. headline tours.In celebration of the LP’s one-year anniversary, Magdalena Bay teased the release of the long-awaited album movie. Directed by Amanda Kramer and written and edited by Tenenbaum and Lewin, the film elaborates on the world of Imaginal Disk. The band revealed elements of the story in the videos for “Death & Romance,” “Image” and “That’s My Floor,” as well as in their performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and on the road on the Imaginal Mystery Tour. Further details of the film and its release are imminent.Magdalena Bay is the Los Angeles by way of Miami duo consisting of Mica Tenenbaum (vocals, producer, songwriter) and Matthew Lewin (producer, songwriter). The two first met at an after-school music program in Miami where they grew up, bonding over shared musical influences and eventually starting a prog rock band Tabula Rasa. That band broke up, but when Tenenbaum and Lewin crossed paths again in college, they reconnected with the goal of making something closer to pop music that blends retro and futuristic elements under the moniker Magdalena Bay. They released a series of EPs leading up to their critically acclaimed debut album, Mercurial World, in 2021 and went on to sell out their multiple headline tours, play numerous festivals around the world—including Coachella and Lollapalooza, tour with Billie Eilish, Charli xcx, Caroline Polachek, Flume and collaborate with Grimes, Lil Yachty, JIHYO, Blu DeTiger and more.2025 IMAGINAL MYSTERY TOUR DATESSeptember 26—Los Angeles, CA—Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 27—Los Angeles, CA — Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 29—Seattle, WA—Showbox SoDoSeptember 30—Vancouver, BC—The Orpheum TheatreOctober 1—Portland, OR—McMenamins Crystal BallroomOctober 3-5—Austin, TX—Austin City LimitsOctober 5—Dallas, TX—House of Blues DallasOctober 7—Indianapolis, IN—Egyptian Room at Old National CentreOctober 8—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music WorksOctober 10—Austin, TX—Emo’sOctober 10-12—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits October 12—Oklahoma City, OK—The CriterionOctober 14—Houston, TX—House of Blues HoustonOctober 15—New Orleans, LA—The Fillmore New OrleansOctober 17—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live October 17-18—Miami, FL—III Points FestivalOctober 20—Atlanta, GA—Coca-Cola RoxyOctober 21—Raleigh, NC—The RitzOctober 22—Norfolk, VA—The NorVaOctober 24—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at FenwayOctober 25—Washington, DC—The AnthemOctober 26—Philadelphia, PA—The FilmoreDecember 31—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom www.imaginaldisk.world

Lucky Horse Red release their debut, self-titled album

LUCKY HORSE RED RELEASE THEIR DEBUT,

SELF-TITLED ALBUM

A TALE OF LOVE, CHEATING, ADDICTION, SEX AND SEXUALITY, ALL UNDER THE SCORCHING SUN OF THE WILD, WILD WEST — OUT NOW VIA

SHUGA RECORDS — STREAM

PATCHWORK SUPERGROUP OF LA DIY ROYALTY FROM 

TWIN PEAKS, THE AQUADOLLS AND MORE

RELEASE HAZY, SILHOUETTED OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR

 "ANGELS LOOM" — WATCH

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW TONIGHT AT LA’S MONTY BAR

Lucky Horse Red album artwork by Noelia Towers 

An album of vices for those who think they can outrun them, Los Angeles intersectional, genre-bending project Lucky Horse Red today releases their self-titled debut record. Fronted by the endearingly enigmatic Bunny Gaubert, who was previously shot for Playboy, the unique depths of her voice crackle across the lucky 13 tracks. Her tone feels both far away and like something echoing inside of you; simultaneously drunk and stone-cold sober as her writing freely flows like anarchic poetry. 

A patchwork of LA DIY royalty, the band is rounded out by Keilah Nina; the former bassist of cult-followed band The Aquadolls, Mark Martino of Babe Ruthless on guitar, multi-instrumentalist and husband Laine Gaubert, steel player Colin Croom of Twin Peaks and MJ Lenderman’s touring band, punk guitarist Jake Melendez of Thee Azmatics, and drummer Mika Rabina who is also the leading lady of Siam Jem. 

Lucky Horse Red blends psych, rock ‘n’ roll, indie, Americana roots, folk, jazz and punk. Recorded at Joshua Tree Recording Studio, the dark, folky trip hazily yearns for both excess and innocence. The band’s debut LP tackles love, cheating, addiction, sex and sexuality, all under the scorching sun of the wild, wild West.

 STREAM LUCKY HORSE RED VIA SHUGA RECORDS

Bunny Gaubert shared, â€œOur self-titled record is a storytelling project where it’s not a disjointed journey despite the rapid genre fluctuations. It’s the tale of the rush of all things bad, body and soul. Laughing and looking back during a car chase that won’t end well, the muscle fatigue of guilt in a 24-hour diner, the high of spinnin’ round down and out on amphetamines in the deep desert, it’s a telephone booth with no service, it’s a lost cause, its pursuit of pleasure and violence, it’s trouble and restlessness, it’s a beautiful town drunk, it’s baritone belly laugh echoing in empty dives. It’s noise, jazz, Americana roots, it's angry, it's lying, it’s a sober truth. Natural born killers up all night getting down with God.”

Press photo by Weirdo Music Forever 

Tonight, Lucky Horse Red will celebrate their album release with a show in Los Angeles at Monty Bar. Making a name for themselves in the LA scene, they recently played at Family Affair Folk Fest alongside Mirrorball, The Kept Men and more. In November, the band will have a monthlong residency at Good Times at Davey Wayne's. See all upcoming shows below. 

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

September 26 - Los Angeles, CA - Monty Bar (album release show) - free show

October 9 - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell (with Charlie Horse, Horse Rider) - tickets 

November 4 - Los Angeles, CA - Good Times at Davey Wayne's (with Dakota Blue)

November 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Good Times at Davey Wayne's (with Annika Maya)

November 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Good Times at Davey Wayne's (with superGOODthings)

November 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Good Times at Davey Wayne's (with Michael Newsted)

December 7 - Chicago, IL - Sleeping Village (with The Knee-Hi’s and Babe Ruthless)

LUCKY HORSE RED TRACK LIST

"Smoke & Fire"

"Whiskey"

"Four Roses Neat"

"Peace"

"Telephone Booth (Everybody's Comin' Alive)"

"Cash Grass Ass"

"Mr. Middle West"

"Ballroom Striptease Interlude"

"Angel's Loom" — Watch

"Shuga Cane"

"Anywhere My Baby May Lay"

"Noon Moon"

"Route 66 is An Old Friend of Mine"

###

For more information on Lucky Horse Red please visit:

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music

Rufus Wainwright and the Pacific Jazz Orchestra present I'm A Stranger Here Myself - Wainwright Does Weill

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT AND THE PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA PRESENT

I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF – WAINWRIGHT DOES WEILL

NEW TRIBUTE ALBUM SEES 3X GRAMMY® AWARD-NOMINATED SINGER-SONGWRITER AND LOS ANGELES’ PREMIER 40-PIECE ORCHESTRAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

EXPLORING THE RICH SONGBOOK OF GERMAN-AMERICAN COMPOSER KURT WEILL

INVENTIVE RENDITION OF “MACK THE KNIFE” PREMIERES TODAY – LISTEN

OFFICIAL PERFORMANCE VIDEO STREAMING NOW - WATCH

 I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF – WAINWRIGHT DOES WEILL 

ARRIVES ON STANDARD VINYL, CD, AND STREAMING/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD 

VIA PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA/THIRTY TIGERS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21

PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES  AVAILABLE  NOW

Rufus Wainwright and the Pacific Jazz Orchestra have lifted the curtain on I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill, a compelling new tribute album that sees the 3x GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer-songwriter uniting with Los Angeles’ premier 40-piece orchestral jazz ensemble to delve into the rich and complex songbook of legendary German-American composer Kurt Weill. I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill arrives via Pacific Jazz Orchestra/Thirty Tigers in a variety of formats, including standard vinyl, CD, and streaming/digital download, on Friday, November 21. Pre-orders/pre-saves are available now HERE. 

I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill is heralded by today’s premiere Wainwright and the PJO’s inventive rendition of perhaps Weill’s most iconic song, “Mack the Knife,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services alongside an official performance video streaming now at YouTube.

“The songs of Kurt Weill have long haunted my imagination and remain solidly mysterious. Be it the opening trap of Mack the Knife or closing explosion of Lost in The Stars, this wondrous musical journey began, continues and will never end.” â€“Rufus Wainwright

PRE-ORDER/PRESAVE I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF – WAINWRIGHT DOES WEILL

LISTEN TO “MACK THE KNIFE”

WATCH â€œMACK THE KNIFE” OFFICIAL PERFORMANCE VIDEO

I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill  not only honors Kurt Weill’s legacy but also continues Rufus Wainwright’s lifelong exploration of artists who, like him, live at the crossroads of high art, pop culture, and emotional excess. Known for his theatrical flair and vocal prowess, Wainwright’s fascination with Weill’s music goes back for decades — in his early twenties he wore out the vinyl grooves of Teresa Stratas’ famous Weill album and he has long expressed his admiration for Weill’s unique blend of “pop music with an operatic sensibility, the profane with the divine.” Premiering in May 2023 at New York City’s Café Carlyle, Wainwright Does Weill marked Wainwright’s first extensive exploration of Weill’s repertoire. While Weill’s musical influence can be heard in Wainwright’s own songwriting, he had never before dedicated an entire evening to singing the German musician’s songs. Wainwright followed the sold-out five-night residency in New York by expanding his approach with a fully orchestrated concert version performed on the grand stage of Los Angeles, CA’s Theatre at Ace Hotel in 2024 with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra under the baton of Chris Walden in 2024. Wainwright and the PJO brought a unique interpretation to Weill’s singular compositions, which are celebrated for their fusion of classical, cabaret, and jazz elements.​ with featured performances of classic songs such as “Surabaya Johnny,” “Je ne t’aime pas,” “September Song,” and “Lost in the Stars.” Now captured on record for the first time and featuring guest appearances by Viola Odette Harlow and the Netherlands’ famed Metropole Orkest, I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill, is at its core less about perfect preservation of the past and more about breathing new life into it – channeling Kurt Weill’s music through a 21st century lens with wit, grandeur, and unapologetic heart.

“The genius of Kurt Weill is something of an enigma – and it is probably his own fault,” writes legendary musician/producer Peter Asher in the album’s exclusive liner notes. â€œHe should be one of the most famous songwriters or composers of any generation, inspiring (as he has) numerous and stylistically diverse iterations of his work – but it is perhaps his own versatility that prevents any single singer from claiming the crown for the definitive interpretation of his songs. From an era when the divisions between pop music and musical theatre, between hit songs and opera, were virtually impenetrable, he ignored them absolutely.

“I would suggest that this album covers all bases. Rufus does not approach these songs as a jazz singer would, nor indeed as classical works. He rather inhabits them as a singer-songwriter might. Throughout, Rufus avoids the tempting jazzy licks,  and Chris Walden’s brilliant Pacific Jazz Orchestra arrangements follow him with magical restraint and clarity. The songs all have room to breathe, even when the orchestra does start to really swing vigorously, as it does on the inevitable ‘Mack the Knife.’ It is not incidental that in this live recording Rufus (with his impeccable intonation and phrasing) makes these songs sound easy to sing – which they most emphatically are not!"

I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill follows the recent release of the live London West End cast recording of John Cassavetes’ Opening Night, the first-ever stage musical with music, lyrics, and orchestrations by Wainwright, available now via Center Stage Records HERE. Based on the 1977 film Opening Night by groundbreaking filmmaker John Cassavetes and featuring a book and direction by Ivo van Hove, John Cassavetes’ Opening Night premiered in London at the Gielgud Theater in the spring of 2024. Recorded live over the show’s final four performances in May 2024, John Cassavetes’ Opening Night (Original West End Live Cast Recording) sees Wainwright’s songs for the production performed by the cast including Sheridan Smith, Nicola Hughes, Benjamin Walker, and Olivier Award-nominated actress Amy Lennox. The release of the album was celebrated earlier this month by a sold out triumphant one-night-only concert at New York City’s Town Hall featuring performances by some of Wainwright’s many talented friends in the world of music and theater, including Sara Bareilles, Darren Criss, Patti LuPone, and Elizabeth Teeter, with Wainwright himself joining the cast to sing some of the songs and act as MC, explaining the musical’s story throughout the evening. The show raised over $60,000 for the ACLU.

In addition, Wainwright is slated for a wide range of international live dates through the summer of 2026. Highlights include intimate solo headline shows across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe as well as a very special performance of his landmark Rufus Does Judy concert set for June 10, 2026 at London’s renowned Royal Albert Hall. For complete details and ticket availability, please visit rufuswainwright.com/tour. 

Masma Dream World Releases New EP 'A Grave In A Lucky Site'

MASMA DREAM WORLD

WIRE MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2025 COVER STAR

RELEASES NEW EP

A GRAVE IN A LUCKY SITE

OUT NOW VIA VALLEY OF SEARCH

WATCH “ONE ALONE” OFFICIAL VIDEO

US & EU TOUR DATES THIS FALL

Press Photo by Mike Gustafson  

Early Praise for Masma Dream World:

“A matrix of lucid electronics.. On PLEASE COME TO ME, Masma Dream World plumbs the abyssal depths of the divine feminine, charting a path of devotion to the Mother Kali” - The Wire ‘Cover Story’

"music rooted in drones and ritual rhythms..like a visitor probing a dark cavern, occasionally knocking something loose that clatters noisily into the void" - The New York Times

"a strange, discomfiting document of the singer-composer’s energy..tangles together traditional African sounds and rhythms with Western electronic styles ranging from ambient to harsh noise" - The FADER

"a divine, spectral source of unease..“mother” is the only lyric in the song, but it hits you like a paragraph, rummaging through your skin until it crawls" - Paste Magazine

"The astonishing new record from Masma Dream World obliterates all genres to arrive at something haunting, potent, and powerful." - Bandcamp Daily

“by turns meditative, tortured, and exultant, it transmutes the abyssal language of devotion and the divine feminine through cavernous electronics, spine-chilling noise, and a powerful voice” - Our Culture

“a striking and viscerally powerful experience” - Outside Left

Masma Dream World has released her new EP, A GRAVE IN A LUCKY SITE, out now via Valley of Search. The EP’s three songs are culled from the same sessions that yielded PLEASE COME TO ME, her sophomore album released earlier this year to critical acclaim, including a coveted spot on the cover of The Wire Magazine. The album was born from an extensive period of time spent deepening her spirituality through meditation, Hindu mysticism, and Advaita Vedantic texts. To preview the collection, she shared “KALA,” a transportative reverie of atmospheric drones and vocal chants, and today she’s released a video for “One Alone,” the EP’s haunting opening track. 

On the EP, she says â€œFrom the ONE, many appears.”

Masma Dream World is the experimental project led by Bhakta artist, producer and healer Devi Mambouka. With roots in Gabon and Singapore, Mambouka is a child of the world. She recalls rainforest rituals and the presence of ghosts and spirits throughout her childhood in Gabon before immigrating to The Bronx. Here, instead of forests, she lost herself in record stores and began a spiritual, educational journey, DJing and immersing herself in NYC’s nightlife. She studied religions of all kinds but found her guides in magic, maternal Hindu ancestors, the Black Madonna and Kali, the Hindu goddess of creation and destruction, and the mother of the forgotten ones.

Her father was from the indigenous Bahoumbou tribe of Gabon, while her mother is Bengali and Cantonese from Singapore. Her influences are global in scope. The mystical experiences of her travels are incorporated into the music, like the church bells on today’s single, or spontaneous singing inspired by a visit to La Vierge Noire (the Black Madonna) in Rocamadour, France. While walking through a cave, the spirits led her to record her voice, so she pulled out her phone. That recording appears on “The Island Where the Goddess Lives” and the sound is echoey and distant, reversed language going back through time. There are field recordings from her visits with her family in Singapore and the temples and rice paddy fields of Bali. 

In the isolation of a bitter Wisconsin winter surrounded by the Northwoods, her connections to the spiritual unseen world deepened. When she returned to her mother’s apartment in New York City, she stumbled upon old, damaged tapes of spiritual lectures from her late aunt’s collection and saw it as a sign to begin work on the album.

WATCH “ONE ALONE” OFFICIAL VIDEO

Masma Dream World turned heads with her 2020 debut Play at Night, a record that established the multi-instrumentalist as a singular voice, combining field recordings, throttling bass, skittering electronics and traditional Gabonese rhythms for an awe inspiring, transportative sound. 

Her album from earlier this year, PLEASE COME TO ME, was preceded by singles “O, Dark Mother,” “Pordeno Me,” “PLEASE COME TO ME,” & “Ancient DNA.” Devi graced the cover of Wire Magazine this month, and the singles were praised by The FADER, Paste Magazine, Bandcamp Daily, and The New York Times, among others. A limited-edition cassette release of PLEASE COME TO ME will feature today’s EP tracks.

Those who have experienced Masma Dream World live know it’s unparalleled, a haunting combination of field recordings, performance art, and awe inspiring vocal performances. In two weeks she’ll perform in New York’s Ridgewood neighborhood before heading to Europe for a run of festival appearances, and returning for shows in Philadelphia and New Hampshire. Tickets available HERE.

TOUR DATES

Oct 1st - Zagreb, HR @ ZEZ Festival

Oct 25th - Innsbruck, AT @ Positive Futures Festival

Nov 1st - Belgium, BE @ La Botanique w/ SUNN

Nov 20th - Philadelphia, PA @ The Rotunda (Fire Museum Presents)

Nov 21st - State College, PA @ Manny’s Live Performance Space

Nov 22nd - Keene, NH @ Nova Arts at Brewbakers

Tracklist:

01 One Alone

02 KALA

03 Where everything stops

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

MÖTLEY CRÜE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF “THEATRE OF PAIN” WITH NEW DELUXE BOX SET

MÖTLEY CRÜE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF “THEATRE OF PAIN” WITH NEW DELUXE BOX SET FROM BMG

 WATCH THE LIMITED EDITION UNBOXING – HERE 

PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD / PRE-ORDER 

“THEATRE OF PAIN 40TH ANNIVERSARY” HERE NOW

AND LISTEN TO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1985 LIVE VERSION OF 

“SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS ROOM” – LISTEN HERE

MÖTLEY CRÜE: ‘THE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY’ CONTINUES WITH LAST FOUR SHOWS OF 2025 AT DOLBY LIVE AT PARK MGM THROUGH OCT. 3 

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE   

Photo Credit: Mark "WEISSGUY" Weiss 

LOS ANGELES, CA — [September 26, 2025] â€“ Rock legends Mötley Crüe today announced a special 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set for Theatre Of Pain, out November 14th via BMG. 

Released in June of 1985, Theatre of Pain marked a bold new chapter for Mötley Crüe – stylistically daring, musically explosive, and unapologetically street glam.   

Fueled by the swagger of “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” and the anthemic pull of “Home Sweet Home”, the Crüe’s third studio album broke new ground while staying true to their hard rock roots. This trailblazing album set the music and style template for many bands that followed, while the Crüe themselves continued to evolve and reinvent their look and sound with each album. 

Theatre Of Pain was their first LP to hit the US Top 10, landing at #6, and became a global smash (#7 Australia, #7 Sweden, #5 Finland, #11 Canada, first UK Top 40 at #36). The album is now RIAA Certified 4X Platinum in the US and 3X Platinum in Canada.

The lead single, their cover of “Smokin’ In The Boys Room,” became their first US Top 20 hit, reaching #16. The iconic “Home Sweet Home” video was the most requested on MTV for over 90 days, leading to the infamous “Crüe Rule,” limiting videos to 30 days. The song recently hit #1 again — this time at US Classic Rock Radio — thanks to their new version featuring global superstar Dolly Parton.

The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set is a must-have for fans and collectors, featuring reimagined artwork, the newly remastered album on color vinyl, a never-before-released 1985 Long Beach live concert (2LP), rare demo recordings (1LP), and a 76-page hardcover book packed with never-before-seen photos and memories from the Theatre Of Pain era. This definitive set captures the raw energy and spirit of a band at their peak — and is available only for a limited time.

40th Anniversary Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set for Theatre Of Pain - 

Theatre Of Pain â€“ 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Box Set Includes: 

1LP Remastered Theatre Of Pain original album on color vinyl 2LP Never Before Released Live Album originally recorded for Westwood One radio broadcast on color vinyl 1LP Rare Demos Album on color vinyl 76 Page Hard Cover Book featuring many never before published photos from Theatre Of Pain Tour 

 WATCH the Theatre Of Pain Limited Edition Deluxe unboxing – HERE 

In addition to the limited edition deluxe box set, Theatre Of Pain 40th Anniversary will be available in standard audio, Dolby Atmos audio, as well as a variety of physical configurations including standard CD and LP sets alongside CD & LP exclusive variants at Walmart, an LP exclusive for Independent Retail, an LP exclusive for Amazon and an LP exclusive for Urban Outfitters. A limited edition Theatre of Pain 40th Anniversary cassette will also be available exclusively at the Crüeseum. 

Fans can step inside the Crüeseum to experience the new Theatre of Pain Collection, showcasing unseen candid moments, tour-worn clothing, backstage itineraries, powerful live photography, and more from Mötley's 1985 classic. 

Original Theatre Of Pain Album Tracklist: 

Side A                                                             Side B

City Boy Blues                                         1. Tonight (We Need A Lover) Smokin’ In The Boys Room                     2. Use It Or Lose it Louder Than Hell                                     3. Save Our Souls Keep Your Eye On The Money                4. Raise Your Hands To Rock Home Sweet Home                                  5. Fight For Your Right 

Live In Long Beach / Westwood One 2LP Tracklist (ONLY Available in Box Set): 

Side A                                                             Side B

Looks That Kill                                         1. Piece Of Your ActionUse It Or Lose It                                       2. Home Sweet Home Shout At The Devil                                   3. Red Hot / Guitar SoloFight For Your Rights                               4. Keep Your Eye On The Money Ten Seconds To Love 

Side C                                                            Side D

Louder Than Hell / Drum Solo                1. Smokin’ In The Boys Room Too Young To Fall In Love                       2. City Boy Blues Knock ‘Em Dead, Kid                              3. Helter Skelter Live Wire                                                 4. Jailhouse Rock 

Rare Demos LP Tracklist (ONLY Available in Box Set): 

Side A 

Home Sweet Home (Demo) Smokin’ In The Boys Room (Demo – Alternate Guitar Rough Mix) City Boy Blues (Demo) Home Sweet Home (Demo -  Instrumental Rough Mix) 

Side B 

Keep Your Eye On The Money (Demo) Tommy’s Drum Piece From Cherokee Studios Hotter Than Hell (Demo for Louder Than Hell) 

Bob Gruen Punk Opening @ Morrison Hotel Gallery Thursday, September 25th 2025

All photos taken by Alexander Laurence

Benders Circuit @ LACDA Thurs Sep 25 2025

All photos taken by Alexander Laurence 

FKA twigs announces new album due 11/14 + shares first single

FKA TWIGS DETAILS NEW ALBUM 

 EUSEXUA AFTERGLOW DUE NOVEMBER 14TH

NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO “CHEAP HOTEL” OUT NOW

EUSEXUA Afterglow album artwork

What the press is saying about FKA twigs: 

"[FKA twigs] wanted to 'transcend human form' with her new album. She nails it"

Rolling Stone

“Twigs’ third album brings club music into her sensual, supernatural world. It’s a masterful pop-star moment for the artist.”

Pitchfork, Best New Music

“Eusexua” tests how much she can remain herself within pop’s constraints. The answer: quite a bit.

The New York Times, Critic’s Pick

EUSEXUA Afterglow 

PRE-SAVE/ORDER: https://fkatwigs.lnk.to/afterglow

“Cheap Hotel” 

LISTEN: https://fkatwigs.lnk.to/cheaphotel 

WATCH: https://fkatwigs.lnk.to/cheaphotel-MV

(September 25, 2025) - FKA twigs details her forthcoming album EUSEXUA Afterglow, an entirely new body of work that will serve as a continuation of her critically acclaimed album EUSEXUA, which was just shortlisted for The Mercury Prize 2025 for Album of the Year. Initially conceived as a deluxe album to EUSEXUA, Afterglow has now evolved into a full-fledged body of work, with an entirely new tracklist set for release on November 14th. The announcement comes alongside her new single “Cheap Hotel,”and a Jordan Hemingway-directed music video featuring the Clermont Twins, as well as an official album trailer.

January’s EUSEXUA was a love letter to the techno rave scene and how it can initiate change within. EUSEXUA Afterglow expands on the feelings that come after experiencing EUSEXUA, transmuting them into a soundtrack for the hours after the rave and extending that high into the afters. It is the experience of having left the rave but still feeling the pulse of the music and the euphoria of movement still inside you even though you have physically left that space. Afterglow is a record steeped in the reverence of techno, but the beats now are fractured and derelict, and playful most importantly. Afterglow is the culmination of all the skills that FKA twigs has developed across her acclaimed catalog — the adoration of the dancefloor evident across EUSEXUA, the playful hooks of CAPRISONGS, the vulnerability of MAGDALENE, the sensuality of LP1 and the waviness or her earliest EPs.

EUSEXUA Afterglow’s announcement follows a summer tour and festival run in support of EUSEXUA and recent single "Perfectly,” which was previewed across the EUSEXUA tour, including Primavera in Barcelona and at LadyLand in New York City. Just last month, twigs launched the Afterglow era in Seoul, South Korea, with an intimate listening party followed by a sold-out rave for fans where she played “Cheap Hotel” for the first time. 

EUSEXUA is a word of twigs’ own making, which she defined as the “moment before an orgasm: pure nothingness but also pure focus in a state of eusexua. That’s kind of the way I want to live my life right now,” in her April 2024 cover story for British Vogue. A “love letter to how dance music makes [her] feel,” EUSEXUA was executive produced by twigs herself alongside longtime collaborator Koreless and features additional production from Dylan Brady, Eartheater, Ethan P Flynn, G-Dragon, Jeff Bhasker and Nicolas Jaar, among others.

Upon its release mid-January, EUSEXUA received rave reviews from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, Vulture, Variety, NME, and received a Best New Music stamp from Pitchfork and a Critic’s Pick from The New York Times. It has already been included in several midyear roundups from Consequence, which described EUSEXUA as “a triumph,” Rolling Stone, Variety, NPR, Vulture, Harper’s Bazaar, Stereogum, Paste Magazine, and more. 

Pre-save/order EUSEXUA Afterglow and listen/watch “Cheap Hotel” above and stay tuned for more from FKA twigs coming soon.

FKA twigs 

EUSEXUA Afterglow 

November 14, 2025 

Atlantic Records/Young Recordings

FKA twigs by Jordan Hemingway

Connect with FKA twigs: 

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