Music – Page 513 – 105.7 WDNY

The Format feels ‘Right Where I Belong’ with latest ’Boycott Heaven’ track

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Format has released a new song called “Right Where I Belong,” a track off the band’s upcoming comeback album, Boycott Heaven.

“‘Right Where I Belong’ is a personal song about the lives we’ve built during our time away and the people we’ve built them with,” The Format says. “We know that many of you have grown alongside us and our music over the years – from touring and shows, to homes and families. We hope this song finds you where you are.”

Boycott Heaven, which also includes the lead single “Holy Roller,” is due out Jan. 23. It marks the first Format album since 2006’s Dog Problems. The group broke up in 2008, after which frontman Nate Ruess went on to form the band fun.

The Format then reconvened in 2020 for a planned reunion tour, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They reunited again in 2025 for a brief run of shows and will embark on a full tour in March.

Black Veil Brides tease new single, ‘Certainty’

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

We can say with “Certainty” that Black Veil Brides are releasing new music in 2026.

That’s the name of an upcoming single from Andy Biersack and company, set to premiere on Jan. 8. You can check out a teaser video, which cuts between a closeup of a goat and shots of Biersack digging a large hole, via BVB’s Facebook.

“Certainty” follows the 2025 BVB single “Hallelujah.” The band’s most recent album is 2021’s The Phantom Tomorrow.

Black Veil Brides’ other 2026 plans so far include performances at the Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple festivals.

Music notes: KATSEYE, The Kid LAROI and more

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After previewing it on their recently concluded North American tour, KATSEYE has officially released the fan-favorite track “Internet Girl,” along with a visualizer. The song, a satire of online fame, features the repeated phrase “Eat zucchini,” but the song’s co-writer Justin Tranter won’t reveal its meaning. Justin explained on TikTok, “It’s campy, it’s fierce, it’s c****, it can mean whatever you want.”

The Kid LAROI has released a new single called “Back When You Were Mine,” from his new album, Before I Forget, due on Jan. 9. The single is a breakup song that is seemingly about LAROI’s ex Tate McRae. He sings, “Did everything I was supposed to do/ I defended every lie about you/ I probably would’ve taken lives for you/ Better yet, girl, I probably would’ve died for you/ Back when you were mine.”

BTS‘ long-awaited comeback is getting closer. Big Hit Music, the K-pop superstars’ label, announced “March 20 comeback confirmed” and linked to an article that reported the group revealed that date in a handwritten letter to longtime fans. If March 20 is actually the release date of a new BTS album, it’ll be their first collection of original material since 2020.

Hey, Carly Rae Jepsen, Heated Rivalry wants you. While appearing on the What Chaos! podcast, Jacob Tierney, creator of the steamy Canadian hockey romance based on the book of the same name, was asked if he’s interested in having a song by fellow Canadian Carly featured in the show. Jacob said the show’s budget didn’t allow for it at first, but now that it’s the hottest thing on streaming, “I will next time. … I was even gonna ask her to write a new song.”

Bryan Adams to release new album in 2026 — sort of

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bryan Adams released a new album called Roll With the Punches in 2025, and in 2026 he’s going to keep on rolling out new music. Well, sort of.

In a New Year’s Day video on Instagram, Bryan said, “In April, we have a new album coming out called Tough Town.”

But Tough Town isn’t exactly new: It’s a 10-track bonus disc that was included with the deluxe box set version of Roll With the Punches. So the April release Bryan is referring to is likely a stand-alone version of that disc, for those who didn’t buy the box set.

In his message, Bryan also flagged that acoustic versions of many of the songs from Roll With the Punches are now available on all streaming platforms.

Bryan will spend most of 2026 touring the world, starting in Japan at the end of January. His only U.S. shows are three dates in June at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas.

RAYE and Olivia Dean are 2026’s first chart-toppers in the UK

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

It’s 2026, so where the hell are RAYE and Olivia Dean? On top of the charts, that’s where.

In the U.K., home to both artists, RAYE has scored the first #1 hit of the new year with “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” Olivia’s The Art of Loving has returned to the top of the album charts for a third time since its release, to claim the title of #1 album of 2026.

This is the second time RAYE has landed the first #1 of a new year in the U.K. She originally did it in 2023 with her breakthrough hit, “Escapism.” Reacting to the success of “HUSBAND,” RAYE told OfficialCharts.com, “I am so happy and grateful.”

“This is the first piece from my second album, and I couldn’t have even asked for a better start to this next chapter,” RAYE continued. “Tears in my eyes grateful. Thank you so much, and most of all to those of you who see me and believe in me…THANK YOU. Sending you the hugest hug of gratitude.”

RAYE has yet to announce an album title or release date, but she’ll kick off a world tour Jan. 22 in Poland; the tour will hit North America in March. Meanwhile, Olivia’s North American tour starts in July.

Olivia is also competing for the best new artist Grammy in February; RAYE was nominated for the honor last year. This year, she’s nominated for best music film for her Live At The Royal Albert Hall concert movie.

Nashville notes: Terri Clark’s Canadian accolade + Craig Morgan’s game gig

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Craig Morgan is set to sing “God Bless America” on Saturday as the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. You can watch the game live on ABC/ESPN starting at 5 p.m. PT.

Terri Clark has been honored with the Order of Canada, her native country’s highest accolade for a civilian. Anne Murray, k.d. lang and Joni Mitchell have also received the recognition, which is the “cornerstone of the Canadian Honors System.”

Tucker Wetmore performed a mash-up of his #1 “Wind Up Missin’ You” and his new single, “Brunette,” on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC. If you missed it, the show’s available to stream now on Hulu.

Michael Bublé: One album, 10 different years at #1

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Before Michael Bublé goes back into deep freeze for another year, give him his flowers for his latest chart accomplishment.

Billboard reports that Michael’s holiday album, Christmas, is #1 on the Canadian Albums chart dated Jan. 3, 2026. The album, which first came out in 2011, has therefore hit #1 in 10 different years, more than any other album in that chart’s history.

Christmas hit #1 in 2011 when it was released and has returned to the top in 2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026. By comparison, it’s only been #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in two different years.

Michael’s record label says that Christmas is the bestselling holiday album of the 21st century, earning billions of streams and more than 16 million physical copies sold worldwide.

On New Year’s Eve, Michael wrote on Instagram that he was “stepping into the new year with gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead. Cheers to 2026!”

Duffer brothers on landing Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ songs for ‘Stranger Things’ finale

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(SPOILER ALERT) Music has always played a huge role in the Netflix series Stranger Things, and the series finale was no exception.

In season 5, episode 8, which debuted on New Year’s Eve, two songs from Prince’s Purple Rain — “When Doves Cry” and the title track — played a pivotal role in the culmination of the series’ final battle, in which a bomb destroys the Upside Down. Show creators Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer have shared their thought process behind using the tracks.

“Once we came up with the idea that the record was going to be the trigger for the bomb, we knew we needed an epic needle drop, and so many ideas were thrown around,” Ross tells Tudum. “I think there’s nothing really more epic than Prince.”

Ross says the two songs from the album “lined up perfectly for us,” noting the choice was right “because I think it summed up the emotion of the moment.”

But there was some fear they might not get the clearance to use the songs.

“What is also very exciting about it is it just has not been used,” Ross says. “[Prince’s] estate does not generally allow that song to be licensed outside the Purple Rain movie.”

Matt credits the renewed popularity of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Deal With God),” which returned to the charts after it was used on the show, with helping them acquire the rights.

“We were told that it was a real long shot, so we just crossed our fingers,” Matt says. “Thank God they agreed.”

Meanwhile, Variety reports that Spotify streams of the two Prince songs have skyrocketed since they were used in the show. “Purple Rain” has seen a 243% increase in global streams, and “When Doves Cry” has seen a 200% increase. Prince’s catalog has shot up 128% since the episode debuted.

Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi says new solo album is ‘definitely’ coming out in 2026

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has given fans an update on his next solo project.

In a New Year’s message, Iommi discussed the highlights of his 2025, including his reunion with his Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler for the Back to the Beginning show in July. He also referenced the band getting the Freedom of the City honor from their hometown of Birmingham, England, where the concert took place.

Of course 2025 wasn’t all happy, with Tony noting the “unfortunate” and “sad” passing of Ozzy a couple of weeks after the concert.

Tony detailed what fans can expect in the coming year, offering, “Of course in 2026 I shall have definitely, definitely my solo album out and I’m really looking forward to that.” He added, “I’m enjoying doing it and it’s been great fun and I really hope you enjoy it.”

In other Sabbath-related news, Geezer recently revealed how artificial intelligence is helping him with his music.

Video posted from a Q&A at the 2025 Steel City Con in December shows Geezer responding to an inquiry about whether he has any more albums “in the tank.” He says he’s got “tons of stuff,” noting AI has been helping him update music he wrote in the ’80s and beyond.

“And what held me back before, I didn’t have a singer when I’m at home, but AI came along. So all my songs now, I’ve updated them all and I’m using an AI singer to bring all the lyrics out,” Geezer said. “So now I can take it to singers that I’m gonna be working with and go, ‘This is what I want on the album,’ so they’ve got a better idea. It’s really helped me. A lot of people think it’s cheating.”

Megan Thee Stallion launches her first Popeyes restaurant as franchise owner

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion has officially begun her run as a Popeye’s franchise owner, opening her first restaurant in South Beach, Miami.

She shared a video on Instagram documenting her visit to the location, including her reaction to the space. The clip shows Megan touring the restaurant, meeting each member of the staff and addressing the team in a brief speech.

“This is gonna be the best experience for me, and I hope it’s gonna be a good experience for y’all cuz I’ma be coming up in here and I’ma be acting fool,” she said. “I hope this is a fun job. I hope everyone is having a blast. This is the first Megan Thee Stallion Popeyes. I just want to lead with love. I want everybody to lead with kindness. That’s my main thing. I don’t like that mean s***.”

Elsewhere in the video, the chef cooks in the kitchen, the cashier takes orders and Meg attempts to pack a customer’s meal. When someone asks to speak to the manager, Megan pops out from the back and replies, “How can I help you?”

Meg first teased the location in April as the Miami building was under construction. The opening marks the latest chapter in her partnership with Popeyes, following the launch of her Hottie Sauce and the Animegan collection.

“Prepping Thee Hot Staff before THEE OFFICIAL FIRST EVER MEGAN THEE STALLION POPEYES OPENED. I’m so excited, so proud, and I just feel so much gratitude! Hottiessss I’m officially a franchise owner,” she writes. “Come to South Beach Miami and dine with us.”

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