Music Notes: Ariana Grande, Joe Jonas and more

Music Notes: Ariana Grande, Joe Jonas and more
Music Notes: Ariana Grande, Joe Jonas and more
Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

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!

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Pusha T drops new single, “Diet Coke,” co-produced by Kanye West

Pusha T drops new single, “Diet Coke,” co-produced by Kanye West
Pusha T drops new single, “Diet Coke,” co-produced by Kanye West
Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Pharrell Williams

Pusha T is back after a long hiatus with his new track, “Diet Coke,” produced by Kanye West and 88 Keys. Ye does not rap on the track, but he is featured prominently in the black-and-white video, dancing to Pusha’s rhymes.

The song begins with a sample of Fat Joe saying a line he made famous in 2021, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”

“Diet Coke” is the first new single from the former Clipse member since “Coming Home” featuring Lauryn Hill in 2019. The song is expected to be on Pusha’s upcoming fourth album, It’s Not Dry Yet, which he plans to drop later this year. It’s been nearly four years since his third and latest album, Daytona, was released n 2018.

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Adele is the big winner at the BRIT Awards, dedicates win to son and ex-husband

Adele is the big winner at the BRIT Awards, dedicates win to son and ex-husband
Adele is the big winner at the BRIT Awards, dedicates win to son and ex-husband
JMEnternational/Getty Images

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.”

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Weezer reveals release dates for ‘SZNS’ albums

Weezer reveals release dates for ‘SZNS’ albums
Weezer reveals release dates for ‘SZNS’ albums
Dylan Buell/Drone Racing League/Getty Images

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.

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Universal teases the trailer for Jordan Peele’s latest thriller, ‘Nope’

Universal teases the trailer for Jordan Peele’s latest thriller, ‘Nope’
Universal teases the trailer for Jordan Peele’s latest thriller, ‘Nope’
ABC/Randy Holmes

The teaser-trailer for Get Out Oscar-winner Jordan Peele‘s latest thriller, Nope, notes a new Universal Pictures tease.

And since Peele has proven to be a master of suspense, the teaser doesn’t reveal much about the new project, and instead shows memorably creepy snippets from 2017’s Get Out and its hit follow-up, 2019’s Us

In fact, the only footage revealed in the tease are quick shots of Nope stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun looking up, and looking really scared.

“This Sunday, find out what’s next from the mind of Jordan Peele,” title cards read. 

Nope, which also stars Knott’s Landing vet Donna MillsThe Crow‘s Michael Wincott and Euphoria‘s Barbie Ferreira, opens in theaters July 22.

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Oscar nominee Ariana DeBose celebrates Black History Month; Nick Cannon’s very unusual Valentine’s Day gift

Oscar nominee Ariana DeBose celebrates Black History Month; Nick Cannon’s very unusual Valentine’s Day gift
Oscar nominee Ariana DeBose celebrates Black History Month; Nick Cannon’s very unusual Valentine’s Day gift
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

West Side Story star Ariana DeBose is celebrating being nominated for an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. She is also recognizing Black History Month in an article she wrote for Variety.

“I look to celebrate our unsung heroes, the Black women who didn’t get the opportunity to be heard or heard in the fullness of all that they had to say,” DeBose  commented. “I also honor that we are taking steps in the right direction — Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, I speak your name as a trans, Black Latina. It’s thrilling to see her work celebrated and it is my hope that she will not be the last. Black History Month is a celebration of diversity, of multi-dimensionality and of infinite possibility.”

In other news, Nick Cannon is often teased about having eight children with multiple women, and he just received a hilarious present from a superstar comedian. Cannon posted a photo of his present on Instagram and commented, “Looks like somebody just sent me an early Valentine’s Day gift!! Vending Machine full of Magnums.”

Later, Kevin Hart admitted he was behind prank. “I see you got my gift @nickcannon ….GOTCHA B****!!!!!!” he wrote. “Now u don’t have an excuse because the condoms are free #PrankWars.” 

Finally, Zendaya has responded to accusations from the anti-drug education organization D.A.R.E. that her Euphoria series glorifies drug use.

“If anything, the feeling behind Euphoria or whatever we have always been trying to do with it, is to hopefully help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain, ” the Emmy winner tells Entertainment Weekly. “And maybe feel like they’re not the only one going through or dealing with what they’re dealing with.”

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Avril Lavigne says she’s “earned the right” to make her upcoming LOVE SUX album

Avril Lavigne says she’s “earned the right” to make her upcoming LOVE SUX album
Avril Lavigne says she’s “earned the right” to make her upcoming LOVE SUX album
Christopher Willard via Getty Images

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.”

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Kane Brown shares photos from Blessed & Free Tour: “This has by far been my favorite”

Kane Brown shares photos from Blessed & Free Tour: “This has by far been my favorite”
Kane Brown shares photos from Blessed & Free Tour: “This has by far been my favorite”
ABC

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.

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Listen to new ODESZA song, “The Last Goodbye”

Listen to new ODESZA song, “The Last Goodbye”
Listen to new ODESZA song, “The Last Goodbye”
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

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.”

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Elvie Shane sings to the “wild and restless souls” in new single “County Roads”

Elvie Shane sings to the “wild and restless souls” in new single “County Roads”
Elvie Shane sings to the “wild and restless souls” in new single “County Roads”
BBR Music Group

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.

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