Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 90
May 20, 2025
Kokoroko shares new single + 'Tuff Times Never Last' due July 11th
KOKOROKO SHARE NEW SINGLE “CLOSER TO ME”
SECOND STUDIO ALBUM TUFF TIMES NEVER LAST
DUE OUT JULY 11TH
HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR BEGINS JULY 30TH
Kokoroko by Kemka Ajoko
“a beauty that draws in a casual listener with a catchy, heartfelt harmony or memorable riff, but also provides a rich melange of inspirations for a trained ear, from afrobeat to jazz, soul, funk, and beyond.”
HYPEBEAST
"an entrancing, groove-rooted concoction informed equally by jazz, Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat and the larger Black music diaspora."
SPIN MAGAZINE
“an irresistible ray of sunshine, danceable and joyous.”
BROOKLYN VEGAN
“a vital example of not only jazz’s new form but the shape of things to come for British music.”
THE GUARDIAN
“Kokoroko are harnessing the transformative nature of Afrobeat for a new generation.”
CRACK MAGAZINE
“Closer To Me”
LISTEN: https://kokoroko.lnk.to/closertome
Tuff Times Never Last
PRE-ORDER: https://kokoroko.lnk.to/tufftimesneverlast
(May 20, 2025) - London-based contemporary jazz collective Kokoroko share their new single “Closer To Me”, the latest taste of their forthcoming second studio album Tuff Times Never Last. Produced by Miles James (Little Simz, Yussef Dayes, Tom Misch), “Closer To Me” is a swaggering and laissez faire number that effortlessly succeeds in creating a vibe to soundtrack the looming start of summer.
Centered around themes of intimacy and longing, “Closer To Me” lyrically follows in the vein of their previous single “Sweetie” – being a track for the lovers and the yearners but this time expressed with greater earnestness. The hypnotic refrain repeated throughout the track “When you call me baby / Baby make me lose control / Do I like it maybe / Sweet my mind and sweet my soul” serves to evoke a palpable air of sensuousness and romance.
Speaking on the decision to creatively explore the matters of the heart with more directness in their music, co-bandleader Sheila Maurice-Grey said – “You can feel like especially as musicians, you don't want to write about love because everyone’s writing about love. But then sometimes that’s actually, that's all I want to write about. So why not lean into it?”
A Hip-Hop record in essence that recalls the fabled Soulquarians era with tasteful avant-garde funk and neo-soul elements akin to the work of Roy Hargrove, “Closer To Me” is a valiant representation of the band’s growth as songwriters, crafting a track that is accessible and more mass-appealing without sacrificing their musicality.
Speaking on the track’s creative process and inspiration, co-bandleader Onome Edgeworth said – “‘Closer To Me’ for me is a Hip-Hop record at its core. It doesn’t have any rapping on it, but the drums, the sampling and the feeling of it is very Hip-Hop. It’s like the old Common records”.
“Closer To Me” marks the latest offering from the septet’s upcoming album Tuff Times Never Last which is set for release on July 11th via Brownswood Recordings. The new body of work is a spirited and vibrant collection of songs serving as an optimistic reminder to tightly hold and embrace the many dualities that occur in life. Over the course of the 11-song suite, the album explores togetherness, community, sensuality, childhood, loss and above all perseverance.
The accompanying artwork was painted by Luci Pina, the acclaimed illustrator whose work has been sought and commissioned by the likes of The Cut, Soho House, DICE, Apple Music and It’s Nice That. Embedded within the image is Kokoroko’s ode to London in the summer.
While the afrobeat jazz of their previous work is a core part of the record’s sonic design, the new album largely pulls from British R&B from the 80s, neo-soul, West African disco, bossa nova, lovers rock and funk. Last month, the album’s first single “Sweetie” – the horn-led and wonky-sounding tune saluting West African disco dropped. Upon its release, the single earned praise from The Guardian, Mixmag, Hypebeast, Official Charts, Bandcamp Daily, CLASH, The Line Of Best Fit and a plethora of others.
To coincide with the release of Tuff Times Never Last, Kokoroko will be heading on a full North American tour beginning in July. The tour starts in Philadelphia before heading to Brooklyn, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and more. See full tour routing below and purchase tickets at www.kokorokomusic.co.uk.
Listen to “Closer To Me” above and see tour details below. Stay tuned for more from Kokoroko coming soon.
Upcoming Live Dates
7/30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
8/01 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
8/02 - Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival
8/03 - Washington, DC @ 930 Club
8/05 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
8/08 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theater
8/10 - Telluride, CO @ Telluride Jazz Festival
8/12 - La Jolla, CA @ UCSD Ampitheatre
8/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
8/14 - San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
“Closer To Me” artwork by Luci Pina
North American tour flyer
Tuff Times Never Last artwork by Luci Pina
Kokoroko
Tuff Times Never Last
July 11, 2025
Brownswood Recordings
1. Never Lost
2. Sweetie
3. Closer To Me
4. My Father in Heaven
5. Idea 5 (Call My Name) (feat. LULU)
6. Three Piece Suit (feat. Azekel)
7. Time and Time (feat. Demae)
8. Da Du Dah
9. Together We Are
10. Just Can’t Wait
11. Over / Reprise
Kokoroko Full Band Personnel:
Sheila Maurice-Grey (co-bandleader, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals)
Onome Edgeworth (co-bandleader, percussion)
Anoushka Nanguy (trombone, vocals)
Tobi Adenaike (guitar, vocals)
Yohan Kebede (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals)
Duane Atherley (bass, vocals)
Ayo Salawu (drums, vocals)
Additional Personnel:
Chelsea Carmichael (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute)
Connect with Kokoroko
Winter Announces New Album, US Tour & Shares "Just Like A Flower" Video
WINTER
SIGNS TO WINSPEAR &
ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM
OUT AUGUST 22ND
SHARES LEAD SINGLE “JUST LIKE A FLOWER”
ANNOUNCES FALL US HEADLINE TOUR
Winter by Sophie Hur
Praise for Winter:
“one of the most exciting artists within the new generation of shoegaze” - Spin
“"tantalizing and captivating..the effervescent ecstasy of solitude” - The FADER
"unsettling shoegazey sprawl" - Stereogum
“Winter’s fusion of dream pop and shoegaze sounds like it’s blooming from the lavish botanical gardens that dot Los Angeles” - i_D
“emotionally revealing, musically beautiful, and verging on brilliant overall” - AllMusic
“Breezy and fluid” - KCRW
“achingly gorgeous dream pop” - KEXP
“tasteful ’90s nostalgia” - Consequence
“infectiously cool..excellent songs..as the guitar haze lifts, the melodies stay with you" - Brooklyn Vegan
"brings in spoken word and trip-hop influences to her shimmery dream pop sound" - Bandcamp
“full of smoldering instrumental layers and ecstatic melodic beauty" - Under the Radar
"a dreamy confection of fuzzy guitars, otherworldly vocals, and layered walls of sound" - Bust
“a shoegazey gem” - Guitar World
Today, Winter has announced her highly anticipated new album, Adult Romantix, due out August 22nd via her new label home Winspear. Chronically an emotional coast-to-coast move, she spent roughly two years writing songs in a transitory state: often in between tours, in different cities, and in various sublets. The follow-up to 2022’s landmark What Kind of Blue Are You?, and a goodbye love letter to her time in L.A., Samira Winter describes Adult Romantix as “a tunnel of summers and memories,” inspired by romantic-period texts like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as well as ‘90s rom-coms—indulging in heady melodrama and romantic and platonic longing, while also embracing a lighthearted, youthful innocence. The album was recorded and produced with longtime collaborator JooJoo Ashworth (SASAMI, Corridor, Automatic) and mixed by Henry Stoehr (Slow Pulp). Alongside the announce, Samira spoke with The FADER for an in-depth profile on the new record.
Following a delicate, jangly intro, the album’s motor kicks into full gear with “Just Like A Flower,” which merges Sarah Records sweetness with an all-out, whammy-heavy, Dinosaur Jr.-esque attack. “This song captures the essence of daydreaming in your bedroom—a place where limitless imagination and inspiration can exist,” shares Samira, “It ties back to memories of writing songs in my old bedroom in Echo Park, CA. There were these summer nights when I’d walk back from a local show with a sense of wonder and enchantment, only to lie down on my bed and replay everything that happened in my head like a movie.
“It felt incredibly nostalgic coming back to LA to film the video. The girls were about the same age as those who inspired me during those lost LA summers. It was heart-tugging though, because it was right after the fires and David Lynch’s death, so there was an extra layer of vulnerability in the air. It was so beautiful to see the community come together—it made the video all the more special. In a way, we were documenting these girls in a moment in time, captured in one of their most intimate spaces.”
WATCH “JUST LIKE A FLOWER” OFFICIAL VIDEO
The singer-songwriter and guitarist has been a mainstay in Los Angeles’ music scene for over a decade, carving out her own niche of gloriously detailed and eclectic dream pop under the name Winter. After growing up in Curitiba, Brazil and playing in her first bands in Boston, she relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 and fell in love with the city. She found a sense of belonging in its DIY rock community—the basement of her longtime Echo Park home was host to countless shows and even Winter’s first practices—and she grew attached to L.A.’s cosmic, inspiring aura. But at a certain point, Samira was craving a change of scenery to facilitate self-growth, a painful, but necessary realization that brought about a move to New York City.
2022’s What Kind of Blue Are You? was, in her words, “a total reset”—a dark, healing, and intensely personal record that cemented Winter’s unique musical language. As Samira began to confront the end of her decade-plus in L.A., she was overcome by waves of memories and nostalgia, which stirred feelings of pure-hearted reverence for her 20s—catching shows at The Echo, driving through Southern California, and soaking in the blistering sun for so long you start to feel an, existential, impending sense of doom. So, instead of exorcising inner demons, for Adult Romantix, Samira visited the ghosts of heartfelt memories, which had spilled into her present reality.
In addition to today’s album announcement, Winter has announced a run of Fall headline shows with support from A Country Western & Hooky (whom she just released a collaborative EP with). Tickets on-sale Thursday, May 22nd at 10am local time.
Tour Dates:
09/27 - Boston, MA @ Warehouse *
09/28 - Troy, NY @ No Fun *
09/30 - Toronto, ON @ Garrison *
10/01 - Detroit, MI @ Lager House *
10/03 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas *
10/04 - Milwaukee, WI @ X Ray *
10/05 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry *
10/07 - Denver, CO @ Lost Lake +
10/09 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court +
10/11 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza +
10/12 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi +
10/14 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord +
10/16 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo +
10/17 - San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room +
10/18 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar +
10/24 - Atlanta, GA @ Altar Masquerade
10/25 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle Back Room
10/26 - Washington, DC @ DC9 +
10/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Warehouse on Watts +
10/30 - New York, NY @ Zone One +
11/08 - London, UK @ Pitchfork Music Festival
* A Country Western
+ Hooky
Blood Incantation Announce North American Summer Tour
Blood Incantation Announce Performances Across North America This Summer, Supporting Acclaimed Album Absolute Elsewhere
Including Two Unique Experiences: The Caverns in Pelham, TN and Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago, IL
With Special Guests: Steve Roach, Cynic, Pallbearer, Krallice
Tickets On Sale Friday, May 23 at 10AM Local Here
[image error]Photo By Julian Weigand |
| L-R Paul Riedl (Guitars, Vocals), Morris Kolontyrsky (Guitars), Jeff Barrett (Fretless Bass), Isaac Faulk (Drums)
Blood Incantation announce performances across North America this Summer in continuation of their Absolute Elsetour. The run kicks off with a unique experiential show at the world-renowned subterranean venue, The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee. From there the band cross the East Coast to the Midwest, playing Chicago’s Bohemian National Cemetery, followed by two performances at this year’s Fire in the Mountains Festival in Montana. The tour runs down the Pacific Northwest and concludes with a headlining show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Steve Roach, Cynic, Pallbearer and Krallice will join as special guests. Blood Incantation will perform selections from across their catalog including their recent highly lauded album, Absolute Elsewhere. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 23 at 10AM Local Here. See below for a full rundown and more information.
Praise For Absolute Elsewhere:
“the metal album of the year” NPR
“For Blood Incantation, the metal mandate to seek extremity is joyously open-ended, freeing them to explore quietude as often as ruckus. Into the Stargate!” #7 Album of the Year - TIME
(Best New Music) “Following their proggy instincts to galactic new heights, the Denver quartet balances krautrock’s surreal splendor with death metal’s profane madness, finding hypnotic focus in even the heaviest riffs.” Pitchfork
#1 Best Metal & Hard Rock Albums of 2024 - Consequence
“A six-track launch into the outer galaxies, this adventurous album seamlessly interweaves bludgeoning blast beats and technically precise metallic assaults with spacey synth excursions…” #6 Best Metal Albums of 2024 - Rolling Stone
“too grand to ignore…’Absolute Elsewhere’ stunned even the genre’s most transitory listeners for its prog rock spirit, synth detouring, playful kraut teases, hardened blast beats and throat-ripping vocals. It’s cinematic.” - Associated Press
Opening The Gates With Blood Incantation - Stereogum (Read Interview)
“Blood Incantation continues to stage an exhilarating campaign of deconstructing extreme music” Best Albums of 2024 - New York Magazine / Vulture
“an amazing, proggy, thrilling death metal epic” The Needle Drop
New Noise Magazine Issue 74 Cover Story
Decibel November 2024 Cover Story
“This album is the work of a band who have proven themselves capable of anything. It belongs on the shelf alongside Pestilence’s ‘Testimony Of The Ancients and Spheres’, The Orb’s ‘UFOrb’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’. It’s a goddamn masterpiece.” The Wire
“the ultimate Blood Incantation album” Brooklyn Vegan
(Album of the Week) “brilliant left turn that makes us totally re-evaluate what these guys are capable of.” Treble
"a mind- blowing masterpiece" Metal Hammer
“Time is a flat circle in Blood Incantation’s soundsphere. It’s as if all the music they’ve released over the years exists simultaneously in its own dimension. Their journeying into the far-flung corners of the known musical universe is an exploration of the tiniest particles that make up our reality, the big theories of existence, and our very consciousness.” The Quietus
[image error]
Blood Incantation Live Dates:
North America
Jul 12: Pelham, TN - The Caverns ^>
Jul 14: Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
Jul 15: Lakewood, OH - The Roxy
Jul 17: Chicago, IL - Bohemian National Cemetery >
Jul 18: Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe
Jul 19: Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit
Jul 21: St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
Jul 22: Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
Jul 23: Minneapolis, MN - The Varsity Theater
Jul 26: Black Feet Nation, MT - Fire In The Mountains *
Jul 27: Black Feet Nation, MT - Fire In The Mountains *
Jul 29: Edmonton, AB - Union Hall
Ju 30: Calgary, AB - The Palace Theater
Aug 01: Tacoma, WA - Temple Theatre Ballroom
Aug 02: Tacoma, WA - Temple Theatre
Aug 03: Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
Aug 06: San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
Aug 07: Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern %
* Festival
Timewave Zero Set
> No Krallice
% w/ Steve Roach & Cynic
^ w/ Pallbearer
Worldwide
Oct 06: Bristol, UK - SWX #
Oct 07: Dublin, IE - The Academy #
Oct 08: Greater Manchester, UK - Albert Hall #
Oct 09: Glasgow, UK - Garage #
Oct 10: London, UK - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire #
Oct 11: Nijmegen, NL - Soulcrusher Festival: Doornroosje #
Oct 12: Frankfurt am Main, DE - Batschkapp #
Oct 14: Istanbul, TR - IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş ^
Oct 16: Athens, GR - Floyd - Live Music Venue ^
Oct 18: Lisboa, PT - Amplifest Sessions: Music Station %
# w/ Oranssi Pazuzu and Sijjin
^ w/ Esoteric
% w/ Author & Punisher
May 19, 2025
OMD Starts North American Summer Tour This Week, Walt Disco To Support NA Tour | LP Bauhaus Staircase Out Now via White Noise
OMD Starts North American Summer This Week
Walt Disco To Support NA Tour
LP Bauhaus Staircase Out Now via White Noise
Photo by Ed MilesLISTEN/PURCHASE & SHARE: OMD - Bauhaus Staircase LPStream / Purchase
WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Kleptocracy"
YouTube
LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Anthropocene"
Stream / YouTube
LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Veruschka"
Stream / YouTube
LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Slow Train"
Stream / YouTube
LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Bauhaus Staircase"
Stream / YouTubeThis week, legendary pop duo Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) will begin their 2025 North American Summer Tour, including dates at Washington, D.C.'s Lincoln Theatre (5/22 + 5/23) Los Angeles, CA's Greek Theatre (6/20 + 6/21), and New York, NY's Terminal 5 (7/8). These dates follow their spectacular performance at Pasadena, CA's Cruel World this past weekend. Full tour routing can be found below, and you can buy tickets here. Over the past four decades — give or take a decade break — the illustrious and critically acclaimed Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) have sold over 40 million records worldwide, establishing them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups. Their 13 long players include benchmark-raising classics Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1980), Organisation (1980), Architecture & Morality (1981), and Dazzle Ships (1983). OMD conquered the United States, and yielded the 1986 hit, " If You Leave " from the Pretty In Pink Soundtrack. They have also achieved 12 top 20 hits on the UK Singles Chart, as well as three top 20 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Following the recent celebration of their 40th anniversary, OMD returned last year with their first new studio album since 2017's highly praised The Punishment Of Luxury , a record entitled Bauhaus Staircase (released via White Noise through The Orchard). The record is regarded as OMD's most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba - born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown when, as Andy McCluskey admits: "I rediscovered the creative power of total boredom."
Predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey and Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father), Bauhaus Staircase’s other main external influence was David Watts, mainly known as a rock producer who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent No 1 album and mixed two tracks on the new OMD record. With Bauhaus Staircase, OMD have created a landmark album worthy of their finest work, showing a duo who are still perfectly in sync 45 years after their first gig at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s. "I’m very happy with what we’ve done on this record," McCluskey summarizes. "I’m comfortable if this is OMD’s last statement."Tickets and more information for all of OMD's forthcoming live dates can be found HERE.
OMD LIVE
5/22/25 - Washington, D.C. - Lincoln Theatre
5/23/25 - Washington, D.C. - Lincoln Theatre
5/24/25 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
5/28/25 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live
5/29/25 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre
6/1/25 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
6/2/25 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
6/3/25 - Austin, TX - The Moody Theater
6/5/25 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
6/6/25 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union
6/9/25 - Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre
6/10/25 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
6/11/25 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
6/13/25 - Forest Grove, OR - Cruel World
6/15/25 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
6/17/25 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
6/18/25 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
6/20/25 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
6/21/25 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
6/22/25 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
6/26/25 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
6/28/25 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
6/29/25 - Royal Oak, MI - Music Theatre
7/1/25 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
7/3/25 - Toronto, ON - History
7/4/25 - Toronto, ON - History
7/6/25 - Huntington, NY - Paramount
7/7/25 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
7/8/25 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
OMD LINKSWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music Bauhaus Staircase - LP BIO :
By rights, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark should be in semi-retirement, performing classics like "Enola Gay" and "Maid Of Orleans" on the nostalgia festival circuit like so many peers.
Instead, they’ve created a landmark album worthy of their finest work. Having made one of their most universally acclaimed albums last time out, when 2017’s The Punishment Of Luxury returned Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys to the Top Five for the first time since 1991’s Sugar Tax , the duo have somehow managed to better it. Welcome to Bauhaus Staircase , both OMD’s most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba.
The universal love shown for The Punishment Of Luxury meant there were doubts about making a new album at all. "The fans and the critics said: 'You can put The Punishment Of Luxury up against their best work' and rated it next to Architecture And Morality or Dazzle Ships," notes Paul Humphreys. "The reception was so good, we thought: 'Maybe we should stop now, at the top,' so the idea of making a new record had some trepidation for us."
McCluskey agrees, explaining: "We’ve worked hard to rebuild ourselves since reforming, and we’re in a wonderful position where we’re cooler than we’ve been for a long time. We wouldn’t forgive ourselves if we released an album where fans said: 'Oh no, this is the one where they’re a pastiche of themselves.' If Bauhaus Staircase is to be our last album, we’re going out with a strong statement."
The new album’s beautiful film noir ballad "Veruschka" exemplifies the determination OMD had to make Bauhaus Staircase an album to rank among their finest. McCluskey reasons: "My attitude is like I say in that song: if you’re too afraid to jump off the cliff, you’ll never learn to fly. We couldn’t keep saying: 'It’s not going to work.' You have to keep trying, to see where you end up."
The impetus to kickstart new explorations came during lockdown when, as McCluskey admits: "I rediscovered the power of total boredom." He acknowledges he was privileged to have that comfort, but being stuck at home took the singer back to his earliest days as a songwriter: "It was like being a teenager, mum watching Kojak and me thinking: 'Fuck this, I’m going to my room to write a song.' For the first time since then, there was nothing else to do. It’s good inspiration."
McCluskey had long wanted to write songs called "Anthropocene," "Kleptocracy," and "Bauhaus Staircase." Here was his chance. Humphreys, meanwhile, used lockdown to revisit his stockpile of ideas. "Andy and I never dispose of a song idea," he laughs. The music for "Veruschka" dates back to the unmade second album for Onetwo, Humphreys’ short-lived duo with Propaganda singer Claudia Brucken. "I discovered 'Veruschka,' and Andy immediately said: 'Oh yeah, I’m having that!' He’s written such a beautiful lyric for it. 'Anthropocene' was Andy’s concept, but he couldn’t think of the right music for it. I gave Andy a cool track I’d found from years ago, and he said: ‘I’m going to abandon my backing track, this is much more interesting.'"
To save anyone Googling, "Anthropocene" is the term for the current era in Earth’s evolution, when mankind is directly affecting it. A spiritual heir of Dazzle Ships ’ mordant electro bangers, "Anthropocene" is a six-minute masterclass in tension as a voiceover starkly intones how mankind is 'crushing all diversity' of other species, while essentially remaining a 'geological hiccup.' Spoiler alert: the final line is "One million years from now, global human population is zero."
It's a song where McCluskey’s boyhood dream to become a paleoanthropologist finally gets to roam around in OMD’s music, and is worth the wait. "I’m fascinated by the various human forms over the past millions of years," he says. "We as human beings are changing the planet in a physical way, creating our own geological epoch." A laugh. "The current Anthropocene epoch, that’s the sort of thing I write songs about. This stuff is all in my head and comes out in my lyrics. I’m not the average songwriter. Paul’s track was 'That’s it!,' then became bigger and bigger, a programming journey."
The ominous narratives on "Anthropocene" and its companion track, the sinister "Evolution Of Species," were achieved by Google’s Text-To-Speak function. "I got bored of vocoders," smiles McCluskey. "I was looking for alternative ways of putting lyrics into songs that didn’t require me to sing them. The different languages in 'Evolution Of Species' are via Google Translate – I hope it’s done them properly."
If those songs show OMD’s icily electronic side, then "Look At You Now," "Where We Started," and the stunning closer "Healing" rival any ballads in McCluskey and Humphreys’ 45-year career. "That’s a constant thread in OMD," acknowledges Humphreys. "We like our pop side: we’ve been blessed with a knack for writing commercial melodies. But there’s always the deeper side too."
"Where We Started" manages to convey a world of empathy and solace in just 34 words. "I had nothing more to say than those lyrics," nods McCluskey. "It’s a song for someone I care deeply about, saying: 'I’m sorry you’re hurting. I love you and, if you ever need a hug, let’s go back to page one.' We were all isolated from each other during Covid, concerned for our health and future, but it was also a time of great compassion. Several songs on this album, although it was completely unconsciously, are about love and support in difficult times."
Conversely, the clattering, hectic "Kleptocracy" is OMD’s greatest straight-up protest song. It was written at the start of lockdown but, as McCluskey points out: "References to Trump, Johnson, and Putin are sadly still relevant. They just won’t fuck off." The line "It doesn’t matter who you vote for, they’ve bought the man you elected" summarises the duo’s disgust at the current state of democracy. "Dazzle Ships was about the Cold War, but we haven’t been so overtly political before," says Humphreys. "The older we get, the more forthright we get. You have to be politically aware in the current climate, because there’s so much craziness going on that you’re forced into an opinion."
The chewy discourse of 'Kleptocracy' is wrapped in an absolute earworm. "It’s what we do," laughs McCluskey. "'Enola Gay' wasn’t the most palatable lyrical content, but that’s got a very catchy tune."
Protest is also present in Bauhaus Staircase’s title track. Named after German artist Oskar Schlemmer’s 1932 painting, recreated by Roy Lichtenstein in 1988 for his Pop Art series of classics, it’s a nod both to McCluskey’s love of the Bauhaus era, the power of protest art, and his sadness as a trustee of National Museums Liverpool that Governments tend to cut arts funding just when times are hard and we need our souls nourishing.
"We knew 'Bauhaus Staircase' had to open the album and 'Healing' had to end it," McCluskey reveals. "'Bauhaus Staircase' has this energy that grabs you as soon as the record starts. It starts aggressively, then it just builds and builds until it’s a maelstrom of synths and howling vocals."
The tender "Healing" is a moment of reflective calm after the myriad emotions preceding it. It’s a rare OMD co-write, with lyrics by McCluskey’s friend, Liverpool singer-songwriter Caroline England, and production from Uwe Schmidt, who records as both lounge star Senor Coconut and glitch artist Atom TM. McCluskey says: "Caroline had said, semi-jokingly, that if I ever have writers’ block, she’d write some words for us. I called her bluff. What Caroline wrote works so well that I feel so comfortable singing 'Healing.' We’re big fans of Atom TM, so I sent Uwe the demo of 'Healing,' asking him to make it sound more modern. He took the rather lumpy musical idea I’d had and created a fantastic ambient electro swirl. Healing is such a beautiful song, emotionally very powerful."
Humphreys and McCluskey envisage 'Healing' as a centrepiece in OMD’s new tour in April, which climaxes with a huge concert at London O2. "That’ll be a landmark, but it’s also terrifying to play such a big show," admits Humphreys. "We always conceptualise how we look for each album, and we never scrimp on the budget. We love putting on a good show." McCluskey adds: "Our touring sales have gone up exponentially in the last decade. We’ve been a bit of a secret band, but now that people have had chance to see us, they tend to come back."
The new album’s other main external influence is David Watts. Mainly known as a rock producer, who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent No 1 album What’s Rock And Roll?, Watts mixed "Kleptocracy" and the raucous glam-tinged explosion, "Slow Train." "David chose the right songs to work on," notes Humphreys. "I’m a clean, electro mixer, whereas David brought some rock elements which enhances those songs appropriately."
Humphreys ceded mixing the whole album as he became a second-time father two years ago, explaining: "I’ve got the sweetest kid, who’s taken up quite a bit of my time. I don’t want to work quite as hard as I have in the past, as I don’t want my daughter saying to my wife: 'Who’s that guy over there?' 'That’s actually your dad.'"
If real life meant OMD were happy to get help, Bauhaus Staircase remains unmistakably the work of a duo who are still perfectly in sync 45 years after their first gig at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s. They wouldn’t have released the album if it wasn’t up to The Punishment Of Luxury’s exacting standards. "We might be seen as 'heritage,' but we’re not going to make a new album just so we can have a new logo on our T-shirts," insists McCluskey. Or, as McCluskey summarises: "I’m very happy with what we’ve done on this record. I’m comfortable if this is OMD’s last statement."
Japan's Number_i Release New Six-Track EP ‘GOD_i’ Including Focus Track “Frisco”
NUMBER_I
RELEASE NEW SIX-TRACK EP
‘GOD_i’
INCLUDING FOCUS TRACK “Frisco”
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE AT HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
SET FOR JUNE 1 AT THE ROSE BOWL IN PASADENA, CA
RECENTLY AWARDED GQ JAPAN’S ‘BEST MUSIC GROUP’
AT MEN OF THE YEAR 2024
“In a music industry that’s constantly evolving and packed with fierce competition, Number_i is quickly rising to the top as one of the most electrifying and innovative boy bands to emerge in recent years. Formed in October 2023, this powerhouse trio--composed of Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi–
came together for something fresh and dynamic: Number_i.” – TMRW
Japan’s music sensation Number_i releases their new EP, GOD_i today, May 19. The new collection of infectious tracks features the focus single “Frisco” alongside previous releases, Billboard Japan #1 “GOD_i” and “HIRAKEGOMA.”
Listen to Number_i’s GOD_i EP here:
https://tobe-music.lnk.to/GOD_i_EP
View the “GOD_i” single video:
In support of the new music, Number_i–who is Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji and Yuta Kishi--will arrive stateside for their first ever North American featured festival set at Head In The Clouds on Sunday, June 1, at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Known for their genre-blending sound and high-energy performances, Number_i is set to bring their signature style to the festival’s stacked lineup. Tickets and more information are available at la.hitcfestival.com.
The EP’s title track debuted at #1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart earlier this year, further solidifying the group’s rapid rise in the global music scene. It was produced by group member Yuta Kishi, conveys a fierce message of “wishing to give the courage to take a step forward,” and features a compelling new sound for Number_i, with a melancholic top line and an addictive beat in the chorus.
“HIRAKEGOMA”--a new-style pop tune that combines catchy phrases with heavy, powerful beats which also appeared on the powerhouse trio’s 2024 debut album No.I–translates to “open the door” in Japanese. Other tracks showcase the versatility of each artist. “ロミジュリ”is a bass-filled classic funk jam while tracks ”i_Dog” and “Psycho” has Number_i coming back with a harder edge.
The release of GOD_i comes after the group was honored at GQ Japan’s Men Of The Year 2024, taking home the award for “Best Music Group.” Read more about Number_i “in their own words” (English translation) via Newsweek Japan’s cover story here: https://www.newsweek.com/number-i-japanese-boy-band-interview-1941741
Tracklist for GOD_i:
GOD_iロミジュリi_DOGFriscoPsychoHIRAKEGOMA
Number_i is Yuta Kishi, Yuta Jinguji and Sho Hirano. Credit: TOBE
About Number_i:
Number_i, a group consisting of Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi, carries a name that embodies the ideas of being “one of a kind,” “love,” and the desire to “walk together with those who support them.” They made their debut on January 1, 2024, with the digital release of their song “GOAT.”
On September 23, 2024 , they released their first full album, No.I, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Japan JP Albums chart and ranked #4 on Spotify’s TOP ALBUMS DEBUT GLOBAL chart.
On January 27, 2025 , they released a new digital single “GOD_i,” produced by Yuta Kishi. The song achieved remarkable success, topping the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100, ranking #3 on the U.S. iTunes Music Videos chart, and reaching #1 on the Hip-Hop chart.
On April 16, 2025, they collaborated with global artist Jackson Wang on the official remix of his latest single, releasing “GBAD (Number_i Remix),” which quickly generated widespread buzz.
Their highly anticipated EP, also titled GOD_i, featuring brand-new coupling tracks, was released May 19, 2025.
On June 1, 2025, Number_i is also scheduled to perform at the Head In The Clouds Festival in Los Angeles, marking a significant step in their global expansion.
Connect with Number_i:
YOASOBI share new song "Watch me!" | playing Primavera Sound + London this summer
photo credit: courtesy of YOASOBIPRAISE FOR YOASOBI:
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READ COVER STORY HERE
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LISTEN TO IKURA'S FEATURE
READ HERE
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READ HERE May 19, 2025—J-pop superstar duo YOASOBI have unveiled a new song, “ Watch me! ” The track acts as the theme for television anime series, Witch Watch . Known for creating songs based on novels, “Watch me!” is inspired by an original novel penned by Kenta Shinohara. Listen/share HERE.YOASOBI will perform a pair of landmark headline dates in London this summer—June 8th and 9th at Wembley Arena. They’ll also take the stage at Primavera Sound in Barcelona on June 6th.The duo recently teamed up with PlayStation® to release a new song, “PLAYERS,” in celebration of the legendary gaming console’s 30th Anniversary in Japan. It was written based on “game episodes that users wish they could experience again after erasing their memories.” Watch HERE.They recently journeyed back to the states for a performance at “matsuri ’25: Japanese Music Experience LOS ANGELES.” Summer 2024 saw their first ever show at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, followed by Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway. They also played Chicago’s beloved Lollapalooza music festival. These performances followed their Coachella debut and sold-out shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco earlier in the year.This winter, they completed their largest Asia arena tour to date—also the largest arena tour by a Japanese artist ever. Comprised of composer Ayase and vocalist ikura, YOASOBI are record-breaking international superstars in the making. Their first song, “Into The Night (Yoru ni Kakeru),” was released in November 2019, immediately attracting attention by achieving #1 on numerous streaming charts in Japan and appearing on viral charts in several countries. It was #1 on the 2020 Billboard JAPAN Combined Song Chart and Streaming Song Chart, and in January 2023 the total plays surpassed 900 million streams marking a first in Japan. YOASOBI gained international attention and reached #1 on the Spotify charts for the Japanese Artist Most Played Internationally in 2021. Their song “Monster (Kaibutsu)” was named one of the 10 Best Songs of 2021 by TIME.YOASOBI’s TikTok LIVE performance achieved the highest ever viewership for a Japanese artist on the platform when it was streamed by more than 630k fans with simultaneous viewers surpassing 120k. Their first arena tour “YOASOBI ARENA TOUR 2023 ‘Denkosekka’” consisted of fourteen shows in seven cities with a total of 130k attendees as the duo continues to attract attention in all directions of their career.Their global smash hit song “Idol” was named the #1 Song of the Year in 2023 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart . It smashed a multitude of records, amassing 22 consecutive weeks in the #1 spot. The song also broke the record for the fastest single to reach 100 million streams on the Billboard Japan chart and surged to #1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart .
Billie Eilish Extends Sold-Out HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR
BILLIE EILISH EXTENDS SOLD-OUT HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR WITH NEW JAPAN DATES AND SECOND NORTH AMERICAN LEGTICKETS AVAILABLE STARTING TUESDAY, MAY 20 WITH PRESALES
GENERAL ONSALE BEGINS THURSDAY, MAY 22 AT BILLIEEILISH.COM
With her sold-out 2024/2025 HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR currently underway, Billie Eilish has today announced 23 additional arena dates in Japan and the U.S. for this year. Produced by Live Nation, the newly added shows include two nights at Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena on August 16 and 17, followed by a second U.S. leg this fall with stops in Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, New Orleans, Austin, and more. The tour will now span 106 dates in total, concluding on Sunday, November 23 at Chase Center in San Francisco—more than a year after it first kicked off in fall 2024.
Since launching last September, Billie Eilish has brought her tour to North America and Australia, and is currently touring across Europe, the U.K., and Ireland. The run has featured multiple-night stops in several cities, including five sold-out hometown shows at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and three sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden in New York. The current tour leg continues Thursday, May 29 with two shows in Cologne, followed by stops in Prague, Vienna, Paris, Barcelona, and more. This July, she’ll also headline an impressive six sold-out nights at The O2 in London.
U.S. TICKETS: Tickets for BILLIE EILISH: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR 2025 U.S. dates will
be available starting with an American Express® Presale beginning Tuesday, May 20 at 12pm local time, while supplies last. Terms apply. Terms available HERE. Remaining tickets will be available during the general on-sale starting Thursday, May 22 at 12pm local time at billieeilish.com.
JAPAN TICKETS: Tickets for BILLIE EILISH: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR 2025 Japan dates will be available starting with an American Express® Presale beginning Thursday, May 22 at 12pm local time, while supplies last. Terms apply. Terms available HERE. Promoter Pre-order will follow, beginning on Wednesday, May 28 at 12pm local time and Pre-order (1st stage) will begin on Friday, May 30 at 12pm local time at billieeilish.com.
Billie Eilish is using Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange to give fans, not scalpers, the best chance to buy tickets at face value. To make this work, tickets will be non-transferable and the tour may cancel tickets posted elsewhere for more than face value. In New York, where resale can’t legally be restricted, tickets will be transferable. Fans can still buy and sell their tickets at the original price paid on Ticketmaster.
Billie Eilish’s critically acclaimed third studio album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT was released May 17, 2024 via Darkroom/Interscope Records, and continues to shatter the ceiling for artists in 2025. Her GRAMMY® nominated smash hit BIRDS OF A FEATHER is now the most streamed song on Spotify by a female in the last decade, surpassing 2.5 billion streams, making it the fastest song in history to achieve this. It is also the longest charting solo song by a female artist in Billboard Pop Airplay chart history.
Listen to HIT ME HARD AND SOFT HERE.
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR 2025 JAPAN DATES
Sat Aug 16 – Tokyo, Japan – Saitama Super Arena
Sun Aug 17 – Tokyo, Japan – Saitama Super Arena
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR 2025 U.S. DATES*
Thu Oct 9 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Sat Oct 11 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Sun Oct 12 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Tue Oct 14 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Thu Oct 16 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Fri Oct 17 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Sun Oct 19 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Mon Oct 20 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Thu Oct 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Sat Oct 25 – Long Island, NY – UBS Arena
Sun Oct 26 – Long Island, NY – UBS Arena
Fri Nov 7 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Sat Nov 8 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Mon Nov 10 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Tue Nov 11 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Thu Nov 13 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
Fri Nov 14 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
Tue Nov 18 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Wed Nov 19 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Sat Nov 22 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Sun Nov 23 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
i-dle Release Mini Album “[We are].” Release Official Music Video For "Good Thing."
i-dle RELEASE EIGHTH MINI-ALBUM “[We are]”OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR FOCUS TRACK “GOOD THING” OUT TODAY
WATCH“GOOD THING”
LISTEN
“[WE ARE]” [EP]
Internationally acclaimed, chart-topping K-pop group i-dle, formerly (G)I-DLE, are kicking off their new era with "[We are]" - the first body of original songs under their newly christened name.
Listen to “[We are]” HERE.
Released today, the six-track mini-album, led by the focus track 'Good Thing,' is a punchy collection of songs that reflect the group's confident and boundary-pushing approach.
Watch the official music video for “Good Thing” HERE.
Renowned for writing and producing their own songs, the award-winning quintet - made up of MINNIE, MIYEON, SHUHUA, SOYEON and YUQI - has over 6.8 million monthly Spotify listeners, have amassed over 6 billion YouTube views, and have garnered tens of millions of followers across all platforms around the world.
The powerhouse group celebrated their 7th anniversary this month with a name change to reflect the next chapter in their evolution. The "G" was dropped from the name to re-assert that the group's identity can't be defined by gender. The deleted parenthesis in the name also denotes that future music releases and concepts will be 'limitless'.
“[We are]” is out everywhere now.
More news to come.
"We are" tracklisting
:01. Good Thing
02. Girlfriend
03. Love Tease
04. Chain
05. Unstoppable
06. If You Want
Credit: CUBE Entertainment
ABOUT i-dle
i-dle reshape, refashion, and reimagine what K-pop can be with an immersive, innovative, and independent vision boosted by their own songwriting, production, and curation. Since 2018, the quintet—MIYEON, MINNIE, SOYEON, YUQI, and SHUHUA—haven’t just challenged expectations; they’ve changed the game entirely. They set a precedent by personally helming their music and creative, evolving as a unit over seven years together, selling out arenas, and breaking records. It’s why they’ve consistently expanded their influence and attracted a devout global fanbase of millions whom they’ve affectionately dubbed, “Neverland.” In 2018, they exploded as an international phenomenon with breakthrough single “LATATA.” Delivering mini-albums and EPs at a breathless pace, their expansive catalog has notched multiple #1 debuts in Korea in addition to seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard World Albums Chart, vaulting to #1 with I Feel [2023]. Sophomore full-length, 2, impressively surpassed one million sales in less than two days, cementing i-dle as “the 5th highest-ranking K-pop girl group of all-time for initial release sales.” They have also garnered Golden Disc Awards, Asia Artist Awards, and Melon Music Awards. The massive I-dol World Tour packed arenas in Seoul, Hong Kong, Sydney, and the United States. USA Today hailed their “unique tracks and concepts that underscore the multi-faceted nature of each member,” and Refinery29 attested, “It isn’t simply their bold, sensual concept that sets them apart among budding K-pop girl groups, however — [i-dle] is one of the rare groups who makes its own music.” Beyond praise from Elle, Teen Vogue, Billboard, and more, GRAMMY.com put it best, “Breaking stereotypes has always been [i-dle]’s main drive.” Now, this collective continue to push forward in 2025 with the mini-album [We are].
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK
Buscabulla Share Cathartic New Single; New Album Out June 13
BUSCABULLA SHARE “TE FUISTE”
ACCLAIMED PUERTO RICAN INDIE DUO
HERALD EAGERLY AWAITED SECOND ALBUM
WITH CATHARTIC NEW SINGLE – LISTEN
U.S. HEADLINE TOUR BEGINS JUNE 19 IN MIAMI
SPECIAL BRIC CELEBRATE BROOKLYN HEADLINING SHOW
INCLUDING CHUWI AND PASO NEGRO
CONFIRMED FOR JUNE 26
SE AMABA ASÍ ARRIVES EVERYWHERE VIA DOMINO ON FRIDAY, JUNE 13
PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW
Photo Credit: Quique Cabanillas
Acclaimed Puerto Rican indie duo Buscabulla have shared their intensely liberating new single, “Te Fuiste,” available now via Domino. An official visualizer premieres today on YouTube.
“We needed this to be a high-energy song that you could jump to,” says Buscabulla co-founder Raquel Berrios. “The message is so cathartic that you almost need to dance to it to process the pain when you are losing the person you love.”
LISTEN TO “TE FUISTE”
WATCH “TE FUISTE” OFFICIAL VISUALIZER
“Te Fuiste” marks the latest track release from Buscabulla’s upcoming new album, Se Amaba Así, arriving everywhere on Friday, June 13. The eagerly awaited collection is available now to pre-order digitally and on limited-edition clear vinyl, standard black vinyl, and CD. An official album trailer welcoming fans into the world of Se Amaba Así is streaming now.
A raw and penetrating song cycle exploring the struggles and challenges of relationships in the modern world, Se Amaba Así was heralded last month by the album’s cinematically incendiary opening track, “El Camino,” available everywhere alongside an official music video streaming now on YouTube.
“We took the decided approach to turn inward, to ourselves, and explore the struggles of not only our own romantic relationship but romantic relationships in general,” Berrios says of the new album. “Wrestling between traditional versus modern ideas of love, Se Amaba Así is a cathartic, self-reflective journey of songs influenced by Latin and tropical genres of the past seen through a contemporary lens.”
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE SE AMABA ASÍ (DIGITAL)
PRE-ORDER SE AMABA ASÍ (STANDARD BLACK VINYL/CD)
WATCH SE AMABA ASÍ (OFFICIAL ALBUM TRAILER)
LISTEN TO “EL CAMINO”
WATCH “EL CAMINO” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Buscabulla will celebrate the arrival of Se Amaba Así with a U.S. headline tour getting underway June 19 at Miami, FL’s ZeyZey and then continuing through mid-July. Highlights include stops at such vaunted venues as Chicago, IL’s Lincoln Hall (June 28), Los Angeles, CA’s The Belasco (July 3), Phoenix, AZ’s Crescent Ballroom (July 6), and Austin, TX’s Antone’s Nightclub (July 10). A special BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn show with Chuwi and Paso Negro is now confirmed for June 26. For complete details and ticket information, please visit buscabulla.com.
BUSCABULLA - SE AMABA ASÍ U.S. TOUR 2025
JUNE
19 – Miami, FL – ZeyZey
20 – Orlando, FL – The Social
21 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Altar)
23 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd
24 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
26 - Brooklyn, NY -BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn w/Chuwi and Paso Negro
28 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
JULY
1 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club
3 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
5 – San Diego, CA – Quartyard
6 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
9 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
10 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
11 – Dallas, TX – Tulips FTW
12 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)
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