Music

Steve Miller is sharing another track off J50: The Evolution of The Joker, his upcoming box set celebrating the 50th anniversary of his classic album The Joker. 

Miller has just released the tune “Mama Church (A Capella),” which is one of eight previously unreleased songs on the set. It’s a song he recorded in a hotel room on April 21, 1972.

You can listen to “Mama Church (A Capella)” via digital outlets and on YouTube.

J50:The Evolution of The Joker, dropping September 15, will feature not only the original album but 27 previously unreleased recordings, some of which were taken from Miller’s personal songwriting tapes, along with studio outtakes and more. There will also be six audio commentary tracks, with Miller taking fans through the “evolution” of the album.

J50: The Evolution of The Joker is available for preorder now. 

Meanwhile, the Steve Miller Band is set to kick off the next leg of their North American tour on Saturday, September 9, in Nampa, Idaho. A complete list of dates can be found at stevemillerband.com.

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The list of performers at next week’s MTV VMAs continues to expand.

First-time nominee Metro Boomin will perform his hit “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” with Future and “Calling” with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee and Nav onstage for the first time.

Latin star Peso Pluma will also perform, as will three-time winners Fall Out Boy, who first took the MTV VMA stage way back in 2005. They’re up for two Moon Persons this year, including Best Alternative.

As previously reported, Olivia Rodrigo, Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Måneskin, Shakira, Anitta, Karol G, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER will perform during the show, which will air live from Newark, New Jersey, on September 12. Taylor Swift leads all nominees with 11 nods.

Shakira will receive the Video Vanguard Award, while Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive the Global Icon Award. The rap mogul will also perform live on the VMAs for the first time since 2005.

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Metric has debuted a new song called “Who Would You Be for Me,” a track off the band’s upcoming album, Formentera II.

In an email to fans, frontwoman Emily Haines describes “Who Would You Be for Me” as a “throwback lullaby set in NYC in 2002.”

“All the action takes place in Tompkins Square Park, in a subway car, and at the cage on St. Marks Place where I worked as a waitress when we were getting our start,” Haines shares.

You can listen to “Who Would You Be for Me” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

Formentera II, the follow-up to 2022’s Forementera, is due out October 13. It also includes the songs “Just the Once” and “Nothing Is Perfect.”

Metric’s also playing a run of shows in the fall celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2003 debut album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? 

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Ghost has notched another career first thanks to “Mary on a Cross.”

The viral track, which was originally released in 2019 before becoming a surprise hit on TikTok in 2022, is now certified Platinum by the RIAA. Ghost had previously earned Gold singles with “Cirice,” “Square Hammer” and “Dance Macabre,” but “Mary on a Cross” is their first Platinum hit.

Previously, “Mary on a Cross” became the first Ghost song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Ghost is currently on a U.S. tour in continued support of the band’s most recent album, 2022’s Impera. The outing concludes September 12 in Los Angeles.

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Fall Out Boy is performing at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

The “Dance, Dance” outfit joins the previously announced Måneskin on the bill, as well as other performers, including Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Shakira, Future, Lil Wayne, Doja Cat, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Demi Lovato.

Fall Out Boy is also among this year’s VMA nominees. Their video for “Hold Me Like a Grudge” will compete in the Best Alternative category, along with Blink-182‘s “Edging,” Thirty Seconds to Mars‘ “Stuck,” Paramore‘s “This Is Why,” boygenius‘ “The Film,” and Lana Del Rey and Jon Batiste‘s “Candy Necklace.”

The 2023 MTV VMAs take place September 12.

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Kenny G‘s new album, Innocence, will send you straight to bed.

The 12-track album is based around the theme of lullabies. It features seven original songs, plus Kenny’s versions of well-known songs like “Over the Rainbow,” “Rock-a-Bye Baby” and “Edelweiss.”  The first single, “A Mothers Lullaby,” is available now; the album’s also available for preorder.

“Lullabies are very special to me. They hold a special place in my heart,” says Kenny in a statement. “It’s the melodies. They are beautiful and timeless and whenever I hear them, wonderful memories start rushing back to me.”

“I was extremely honored to record this collection of familiar lullabies (along with some original ones), and I hope that when you hear these timeless melodies, they will bring back wonderful memories or help you start new ones,” he adds.

Innocence is Kenny’s follow-up to his 2021 album, The New Standards, and his HBO Max documentary, Listening to Kenny G. At the moment, there’s no release date.

He’ll kick off a tour October 22 at the Arizona Jazz Festival. He has three dates scheduled for November, followed by shows from December 1 to December 16.

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From sample albums to fresh collabs, check out this week’s New Music Friday for the culture’s latest & greatest in music.

—A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, B4 BOA — In preparation of his forthcoming full studio album Better Off Alone, the New York rapper dropped his new 3-track EP as well as the official music video for “Happy Birthday.”

—Tee Grizzley ft. Chris Brown & Mariah The Scientist, “IDGAF” — The trio linked up for the slick new single produced by Chopsquad DJ. It marks the third Tee Grizzley x Chris Brown collab following “F*** It Off,” “Set the Record Straight” and “Lil Brother” and the second Chris x Mariah collab following “So Unfair.”

—NLE Choppa, “College Girls” — Fresh off “It’s Getting Hot,” his unique take on Nelly’s hit classic “Hot in Herre,” the Memphis rapper celebrates university girls in the new song, arriving just days before he takes the VMAs pre-show stage. 

—Young Nudy ft. Latto &. Sexyy Red, “Peaches & Eggplants Remix” — The rising Atlanta rapper tapped the two women rappers for a remix of the viral hit from off his fourth album, Gumbo.

—Bryson Tiller, “Down Like That” — The R&B crooner laid vocals for the new song set to appear on the soundtrack to the upcoming children’s animated film Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. 

—Flo Milli, “Chocolate Rain” — Gearing up for her new album, Fine Ho, Stay, the Alabama rapper dropped off her latest single, a catchy, upbeat track featuring notes of Kelis‘ “Milkshake.” 

Hits in Heavy Rotation:

—Timbaland ft. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake— “Keep Going Up“

—Nicki Minaj — “Last Time I Saw You” 

—Tyla Yaweh — “Summer Vibes” 

—Usher ft. Summer Walker & 21 Savage — “Good Good” 

—Doechii ft. Kodak Black — “What It Is (Block Boy)“

—Chris Brown — “Summer Too Hot” 

—Saweetie ft. Tyga & YG — “Birthday” 

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Keith Urban and Vince Gill are returning as hosts and performers at their All for the Hall benefit concert in Nashville.

The event, which benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, will take place December 5 at Bridgestone Arena. 

Also joining Keith and Vince as performers are Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, HARDY, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Griffin and other as-yet-unannounced special guests.

The theme for this year’s concert is “The Song Remembers When,” which will feature artists performing two songs: one that defines a memorable moment in their life and one of their hits.

“Getting to curate, create and collaborate on our All for the Hall shows has always been mad fun for me,” shares Keith. “There’s so much love and respect for all the work the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum does, not only from the artists and the industry, but the audience too. I love that Vince will be there with me again this year – and we have another incredible ‘guest list’ and always some surprises too! LET’S ROLL.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 15, at 10 a.m. CT at livenation.com.

More information on the event can be found at countrymusichalloffame.org.

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Jimmy Buffett may be gone, but his music lives on, and he’s helping fans “keep the party going,” which is exactly what he wanted them to do.  Buffett passed away on September 1, but a new album, Equal Strain on All Parts, will be released November 3, and now, fans are getting their first preview of the record. 

Three tracks from the album have just been released: “Like My Dog,” “My Gummie Just Kicked In” and “Bubbles Up,” which already has a fan in Paul McCartney.

In the legendary Beatle‘s tribute to Buffett following his death, McCartney wrote that he “loved” Bubbles Up,” noting, “I told him that not only was the song great but the vocal was probably the best I’ve heard him sing ever.”

McCartney shared in the post that he plays bass on “My Gummie Just Kicked In,” which was inspired by his wife, Nancy Shevell, who was a bit unsteady on her feet when she entered a dinner party, prompting Buffett to ask if she was okay. She responded, “Oh, no — I’m fine. My gummie just kicked in!”

In addition to McCartney, the album features a host of other special guests, including Emmylou Harris, Angélique Kidjo, the Preservation Hall Jazz band and more.

Here is the track list for Equal Strain on All Parts. It is now available for preorder.

“University of Bourbon Street” (feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band)
“Bubbles Up”
“Audience of One”
“My Gummie Just Kicked In”
“Close Calls”
“Equal Strain On All Parts”
“Like My Dog”
“Ti Punch Café” (feat. Angelique Kidjo)
“Portugul or PEI” (feat. Lennie Gallant, Will Kimbrough)
“Nobody Works On Friday”
“Fish Porn”
“Johnny’s Rhum”
“Columbus”
“Mozambique” (feat. Emmylou Harris)

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