A new Of Monsters and Men song is dropping this week.
The track, called “This Happiness,” arrives Tuesday, April 19, at 10 a.m. ET alongside a video.
The announcement is accompanied by a photo of what appears to be band members Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson and Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir dressed in sad clown makeup, which makes us think that “This Happiness” might be an ironic title.
“This Happiness” follows Of Monsters and Men’s singles “Visitor” and “Destroyer,” which were released in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The band’s most recent album is 2019’s Fever Dream.
Last fall, Of Monsters and Men released a 10th anniversary reissue of their 2011 debut album, My Head Is an Animal.
Ed Sheeran and rapper Lil Baby will drop their hotly anticipated “2step” remix — and its music video — this Friday. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Ed revealed why dropping the music video is bittersweet.
“We filmed the 2step video last year in Kyiv, [the capital of Ukraine],” the “Shivers” singer wrote. “Although it was my first time there, I quickly loved the people and the place. There was no sign of the horror that was to come to Ukraine and my heart goes out to everyone there.”
Russia invaded the country in late February, which has resulted in the deaths of its citizens and widespread destruction of cities and towns. Ed acknowledged that the city fans will see in the “2step” now looks drastically different.
The Grammy winner announced his forthcoming music video will assist the people of Ukraine, revealing that “proceeds from the YouTube streams will go to the DEC’s Ukraine appeal.” The organization, run by the Disasters Emergency Committee organization, aims to provide relief, supplies and support to those who have fled the war-torn country.
Ed previously performed in last month’s Concert for Ukraine benefit, which ITV has uploaded in full to its YouTube channel and has included a link where you can donate to ongoing humanitarian efforts.
The “Beers and Sunshine” singer has booked a four-month tour that brings him and a crew of rising country stars to a variety of festivals across the country. The tour begins with his 13th annual “Darius & Friends” concert at the Ryman Auditorium in benefit of St. Jude on June 6, followed by an appearance at Nissan Stadium as part of CMA Fest on June 9.
Throughout the season, Darius will make stops at Bridgestone Arena as a guest on Brooks & Dunn‘s Reboot Tour, California Mid-State Fair, a pair of festivals in British Columbia, Canada and more. The tour wraps on September 10 in Montana at the Lake Ozarks Amphitheater.
Ryan Hurd, Elvie Shane, Jameson Rodgers, Lindsay Ell, Tenille Townes, Larry Fleet, Caylee Hammack, Tyler Booth and Daves Highway will open for the Hottie & the Blowfish frontman throughout the trek.
“There’s nothing better than a summer concert!” Darius declares on Instagram, adding that he “can’t wait” to hit the road.
Tickets to several shows go on sale on April 22 at 10 a.m. local time. Visit Darius’ website for a full list of dates.
Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Fat Joe and many more stars are mourning New York City hip hop icon DJ Kay Slay, who passed away Sunday evening. He was 55. His family confirmed he died after a four-month battle with COVID-19.
Born Keith Grayson, Kay Slay was a radio DJ, music executive, and recording artist who began selling mixtapes in 1993. He dropped his first album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1, in 2003, followed by The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2,More Than Just a DJ, The Big Brother, and Hip Hop Frontline. His latest album, The Soul Controller, was released in 2021.
“Thank u @djkayslay for being u,” Snoop Dogg commented on Instagram. “God bless ya soul.”
LL Cool J wrote, “Such a real one. So solid. Rest in power King. I’m gonna miss you B. #ripdjkayslay.”
50 Cent thanked Slay for helping to launch his career. “I will never forget rappin in Kay Slay’s kitchen when I was trying to get on,” the rapper/actor posted. “He was the go to guy.”
Fat Joe praised Slay for promoting him when he was unknown. “My brothers we lost a General today, a Pillar of our community. We will hold this man in the highest regards for he is an icon,” the “Lean Back” MC commented. “RIP SLAY. We love you. We’ll keep your name alive as long as I’m here. GOD BLESS.”
The first teaser-trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder is finally here, and it brings along some sweet music.
The Guns N’ Roses classic “Sweet Child o’ Mine” provides the soundtrack to the clip, which finds the self-proclaimed “Strongest Avenger” working out to turn his “Lebowski Thor” body from Avengers: Endgame back into his usual superhero physique. But while he’s back to his old self, physically, Thor finds himself embarking on a new life path, declaring that his “super-heroing days are over.”
“These hands were once used for battle,” he explains, as he buries his fearsome axe Stormbreaker in the soil. “Now they’re but humble tools for peace.”
We’ll see how long that lasts, as we see a glimpse of some big alien battles.
The teaser also features appearances by Chris Pratt‘s Star-Lord and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Tessa Thompson‘s Valkyrie, and the return of Natalie Portman‘s Jane Foster, who’s seen holding Thor’s iconic hammer at the end of the clip.
Hopefully we’ll hear “Sweet Child o’ Mine” in the actual movie, too. You may recall that 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok used Led Zeppelin‘s “Immigrant Song” not once, but twice.
Thor: Love and Thunder premieres July 8 from Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.
Jack White has debuted in the top five on the Billboard 200 with his latest solo album, Fear of the Dawn.
The record, White’s fourth solo effort, lands at number four on the chart with a total of 42,000 equivalent album units, 39,000 of which were traditional album sales. That latter figure makes Fear of the Dawn the best-selling album of the week.
Prior to Fear of the Dawn, White had a streak going of three straight number-one solo albums, having debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 2012’s Blunderbuss, 2014’s Lazaretto and 2018’s Boarding House Reach. Outside of his solo work, White has one more number-one album: the 2019 Raconteurs release Help Us Stranger.
White will have a chance to start a new number-one album streak later this year with Entering Heaven Alive, his second solo record of 2022. That’ll be released July 22.
In the meantime, you can catch White live on his ongoing Supply Issues tour, which continues Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Psy burst onto the scene in 2012 with his viral hit “Gangnam Style” and successfully introduced K-pop to Western radio. Now, he’s ready for his next music era, and has previewed the first song off his upcoming album, Psy 9th.
On Friday, Psy released an animated teaser for the song “Happier.” The track is a departure from the fanciful vibe we’ve come to expect from the singer. Based on the 20-second preview, this new single appears to be more serious and emotional in nature. It shows a young boy playing with a glowing yellow ball that has “Happiness” emblazoned on it. As he grows older and life begins passing him by, the ball begins rolling farther away and he is unable to catch it.
“Happier” features vocals from Crush, who sings, “I wanna be happier” before Psy’s rap verse takes over and fades as the teaser comes to an end.
The song, which is due out April 29 at 6 p.m. Korean time, will be the eighth track off the forthcoming PSY 9th album, which will be the musician’s first album in about five years. A release date for the new studio effort is forthcoming.
From writer-director Taika Waititi — the guy who used Led Zeppelin‘s “The Immigrant Song” not once, but twice in Thor: Ragnarok — the new teaser for Thor: Love and Thunder is set to Guns ‘N Roses‘ classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
The teaser opens with Chris Hemsworth‘s title character as a child, a teen, god-like superhero, and then the fat Thor we saw in Avengers: Endgame. However, having given up his throne to Tessa Thompson‘s Valkyrie at the end of that film, he’s finally able to “choose his own path.”
To that end, he’s shown getting back into shape, using massive chains as workout ropes and wearing a trucker cap emblazoned with his self-given nickname, “The Strongest Avenger.”
“These hands were once used for battle,” he explains, as he buries his fearsome axe Stormbreaker in the soil. “Now they’re but humble tools for peace.”
However, as battle breaks out on an alien world, he throws open his shirt to reveal his newly re-jacked chest. This makes Chris Pratt‘s Peter Quill/Star-Lord roll his eyes.
That said, Thor declares: “My super-heroing days are over.”
“Not every god has a plan,” a title card reads, hinting at Thor’s quest of discovery, with his trusty rock pal Korg by his side.
The eye-popping teaser ends with a glimpse of Natalie Portman, herself jacked and holding the god’s hammer, in her turn as Thor herself.
Thor: Love and Thunder opens July 8 from Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.
Journey‘s Jonathan Cain and The Who‘s Roger Daltrey will both take part in a special virtual wine-tasting event scheduled for May 15 that will help raise money for Teen Cancer America, the charity co-founded by Daltrey and his band mate Pete Townshend.
The event, dubbed “Sip & Sing,” will be hosted by Cain and will feature tastings of four different wines, as well as performances of a number of classic Journey songs by Jonathan and some of his musical friends. In addition, Daltrey will appear to deliver a special message.
Cain will be joined by master sommelier Ferdinando Mucerino and vineyard owner Dennis De La Montanya, the latter of whom teamed up with Jonathan in 2008 to launch the Finale Wines brand.
Following the tasting, Cain and some of the other participants will take part in an online Q&A with the virtual attendees.
Those who’d like to attend the wine tasting can order either a four pack, an eight pack or a 12 pack of wines, with the eight pack featuring two bottles of each wine being sampled and the 12 pack featuring bottles of an additional four wines chosen by Cain and Mucerino.
The wine packs will be delivered by the event’s partner, the Wine Insiders online wine marketplace. Orders must be placed by May 10 at 4 p.m. ET.
Proceeds raised by wine purchases will benefit Teen Cancer America, which funds programs and designated social and recreational areas in U.S. hospitals geared specifically toward adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Those who wound like to view the event without participating in the wine tasting can purchase a ticket for $25.
The event streams at 7 p.m. ET, and will be archived for on-demand viewing via a YouTube link.
Doja Cat, Carly Rae Jepsen and Megan Thee Stallion used the Coachella stage as a platform to debut their brand-new songs over the weekend.
Doja, who still insists she’s retiring from music, performed an odd new single on Sunday that blends heavy metal and rap as she forcefully laughs along with an electric guitar. Then at the end, she announced Taco Bell is bringing back the Mexican pizza to its menu. People were confused by the bit, as seen on a fan captured-video. Doja also brought on rappers Rico Nasty and Tyga during her set.
As for Carly, the “Call Me Maybe” singer took over the Coachella stage on Friday for the first time since 2018 and debuted her new song, “Western Wind.” A fan managed to record part of the debut performance. Soon after, Carly announced on Twitter that the single is coming soon and fans can pre-save it now.
Meg also unloaded her new, “very… personal” diss track on Saturday night, which samples Jodeci, Raekwon, and Ghostface Killah’s “Freek’n You.” A fan captured the explicit performance on video. According to Meg’s Twitter, she’ll be dropping the track soon.
Also performing at Coachella was Post Malone, but he didn’t have anything new to share with fans — but according to TMZ, he had a strong message. While taking over the stage on Saturday, the “Circles” rapper became emotional as he spoke about loving everyone, even strangers, before discussing the ongoing crises of COVID-19 and Ukraine. Posty hoped to inspire fans to reach out to those who are struggling.
He also brought on Quavo during his set and, at the end, did a little crowd-surfing. The outlet adds his shirt vanished as he was surfing and it is unknown how that happened.
