Music

Ariana Grande proved she does her own makeup, and her fans are shook.  When doing an Instagram tutorial about how she perfects her signature look — aka the long cat-eye — Ari free-hands her inky black eyeliner with two simple strokes and zero mistakes.  Fans say the tutorial gives them hope that they, too, will be able to get on Ariana’s level.

Joe Jonas is teasing more about DNCE‘s return.  According to him, the band’s upcoming new single, “Dancing Feet,” is going to somehow include “dance battles to end all dance battles.”  He also shared a video that shows his band and DJ Kygo, who will also feature on the upcoming track, practicing their moves.  Joe has not yet announced when the single drops.

Meghan Trainor may present a picture-perfect parenting lifestyle for the camera, but the “Me Too” singer admits it’s a farce.  Taking to Instagram, Meghan shared a hilarious video of the facade she puts up about parenting her one-year-old son, Riley.  The clip starts with the “expectation” part of being a mom before jump-cutting to the “reality” — showing her toddler trying to rip off the kitchen cabinet doors.  At least she’s honest!

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Adele was the big winner at the BRIT Awards — the British equivalent of the Grammys — which took place Tuesday night in London.

The star grabbed the top award, Artist of the Year, and also captured the Song of the Year trophy for her number-one smash “Easy on Me” and the Album of the Year prize for 30.

But most exciting of all, Adele also performed: She sang “I Drink Wine,” from 30, while sitting on a piano wearing a green gown.

Adele dedicated her Album of the Year trophy to her son, Angelo, and her ex-husband, Simon Konecki. She said, “This album was all of our journey, not just mine, and I’m very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and putting out an album that was so personal to me — ’cause not many people do that any more. My son has been so kind and gracious and patient with me over the years.”

As for the other winners, Dua Lipa was named Best Pop/R&B Act, Olivia Rodrigo‘s “good 4 u” won International Song of the Year, Billie Eilish was named International Artist and Silk Sonic won International Group.

Ed Sheeran was named Songwriter of the Year, and he opened the show with a hard-rocking performance of “Bad Habits,” which he sang with British rock band Bring Me the Horizon.

Dua wasn’t able to attend the ceremony because she’s launching her Future Nostalgia tour in Miami tomorrow night. “Although we would’ve all loved to be in London celebrating with you like this — we’ve been rehearsing so we can put on a killer show for you all!!” she wrote on Instagram. “So grateful to do what I love everyday with people I love.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The season of Weezer will soon be upon us. Or, rather, SZNS.

Last year, frontman Rivers Cuomo announced a plan to release four Weezer albums in 2022, each tied to one of the calendar’s four seasons. In a tweet this week, Cuomo revealed the release dates for the SZNS records.

Spring will arrive on March 20, followed by Summer on June 20, Fall on September 22, and Winter on December 21.

The announcement comes with two caveats, though. The first is that each of the release dates should coincide with the first day of that album’s corresponding season, and that if it doesn’t, Cuomo asks you to “please correct” him. While Spring, Fall and Winter are correct, the Farmers’ Almanac tells us the first day of summer is actually June 21.

The second caveat is that the release dates are “not confirmed with any record company or manager,” so who knows if they’ll actually stick.

Even if the SZNS albums don’t arrive as planned, you still have plenty of new Weezer music to listen to, since Cuomo and company released two records in 2021: OK Human and Van Weezer.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Avril Lavigne celebrates the 20th anniversary of her debut studio album, Let Go, this June.  In a new interview, the “Love It When You Hate Me” singer reflected on her storied career and why she’s so excited for her next chapter.

Speaking to Fault, the Grammy nominee explained, “I look at all my albums like a journey into my story over the last 20 years. I’ve been writing music from when I was a teen, to a young adult and this one is my story today as a woman.” 

Avril’s upcoming seventh studio album, LOVE SUX, comes out February 25 , and she says it marks “the first time I’ve made a record that’s rock all the way through.”

“When I started the album, I was definitely in the mindset of ‘If I’m going to rely on anyone in this world, it’s going to be me,'” she continued. “I’ve had been doing this so long and reached a lot of goals in my career. I feel I’ve earned the right to have fun and enjoy what I built over all of these years.”

“Being out on the road for a year at a time, traveling, doing promo, and all the other work that I put in over the years, it’s now time to just make fun music and have a blast,” Avril explained. “This record is one I’ve always wanted to make.”

Avril burst into the scene when she released her debut single, “Complicated,” on March 11, 2002.  With her seventh — and, according to her, best — album coming out in a few weeks, she says she’s no longer feeling any “pressure” when it comes to her music career.

Said Avril, “Life’s short so it’s time for me to have fun.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ODESZA is back with new music for the first time in almost four years.

The duo has released a track called “The Last Goodbye,” featuring soul and blues singer Bettye LaVette. The song is a reworking of LaVette’s 1965 song, “Let Me Down Easy.”

“This song was born out of the concept of trying to bring these lasting, defining musical pieces like the 1965 release of ‘Let Me Down Easy’ by Bettye LaVette into a modern and contemporary electronic setting,” ODESZA says. “The idea of bringing two worlds together, that at first seem distant, has always been something we’ve been drawn to.”

You can download “The Last Goodbye” now via digital outlets.

ODESZA’s most recent album is 2017’s A Moment Apart, which features the single “Line of Sight.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kane Brown had the time of his life on tour. 

The country superstar recently wrapped up the first leg of his Blessed & Free Tour, and describes it as his “favorite” tour thus far — and he has the pictures to prove it. 

On Instagram, Kane shared a gallery of photos enjoying life on the road, including he and wife Katelynsharing a kiss backstage, Kane performing on stage in front of crowds of arena-sized crowds, and special moments like signing autographs for fans and when Thomas Rhett surprising him in the middle of the show. 

“I’ve been on a lot of tours, and this has by far been my favorite,” Kane describes. “Plus the wifey got to see the last show!!” 

The Blessed & Free Tour launched in fall 2021 and recently wrapped with a show in Las Vegas. Kane is set to revive the tour with a handful of dates this spring, beginning with his debut stadium show in his hometown of Chattanooga, TN at Finley Stadium on May 7.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elvie Shane is exploring “County Roads” in his new single. 

The singer has unveiled the follow up single to his #1 hit, “My Boy,” is the rock-infused country song that’s inspired by his youth growing up in Caneyville, KY filled with “young love,” “good music” and “cheap gasoline.” 

“Here’s to the wild and restless souls/Who got their street smarts running down them/County roads,” Elvie chants in the chorus. 

“The story in ‘County Roads’ is the American graffiti that painted my coming of age years,” Elvie describes in a statement. “Knowing where you came from is important to understand where you are and where you could go. All the full-throttle mistakes made, lessons learned, and good times had are equally important. The choice for next single was a no-brainer after showing my better sides with ‘My Boy.’”

“County Roads” is featured on Elvie’s debut 2021 album, Backslider, the same year “My Boy” became his first #1 single. 

The hit singer is about to head out on his headlining My Kinda Trouble Tour that kicks off February 17 in Chattanooga, TN.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Florida Georgia Line is going on hiatus.

Following speculation that the duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley was breaking up after Tyler temporarily unfollowed his band mate on social media in the midst of the 2020 election and canceling their 2021 tour over COVID-19 concerns, FGL is setting the record straight. 

“I think ‘taking a break’ is the proper term, as opposed to breaking up,” Tyler tells People. Brian, who has moved back to his home state of Florida, insists that they’re not parting ways, but rather focusing on their personal passions. The Ormond Beach native recently released his debut solo album, Sunshine State of Mind, and will be embarking on the headlining Made by the Water Tour this spring and summer. 

“We’re taking a break from recording our music,” Brian says. “We’re being artists. We love creating. And so a couple years back, we started writing without each other and trying different writers, and now we’re both doing that with our music.”

FGL currently has a handful of shows scheduled on the calendar this year, which Tyler refers to as a chance to “celebrate” their legacy and fans.” He says that he and Brian will “then support each other on the next chapter of our musical and creative journey, which is going to be individually for a while,” adding, “So we’re excited.”

On Sunday, the duo reunited for the opening of their new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong, which is on display until January 1, 2023.  

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Spoon has released a new song called “My Babe,” a track off the band’s upcoming album, Lucifer on the Sofa.

The tune, which is available now for digital download, is accompanied by a live performance video filmed during Spoon’s concert in Los Angeles last fall. You can watch that streaming now on YouTube.

“My Babe” is the third song to be released from Lucifer on the Sofa, following lead single “The Hardest Cut” and “Wild.” The whole album arrives this Friday, February 11.

Spoon will launch a U.S. tour in support of Lucifer on the Sofa in April. Tonight, they’re playing a one-off show in Santa Ana, California.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.