In true Rock ‘N’ Roll style, hot young rocker Elliot James Reay has released his second single, “Boy In Love.”
This is the 22-year-old Reay’s first release after his independently released debut “I Think They Call This Love” and has since signed with Interscope / Island EMI.
Following the dreamy ballad and soaring vocals of his debut, Reay’s sophomore single continues to fully embrace the 1950’s and ’60s’ style and ponders that same timeless, head-over-heels kind of love, but with a more upbeat and Rock ‘N’ Roll tone. Keep an eye on this talent.
Check out ‘Boy In Love’ here:
Kesha Goes on a ‘Joyride’
Multi-Platinum global pop superstar Kesha has lifted the curtain on the long-awaited official music video for her hit single, “Joyride.”
Directed by Dimitri Basil (Kylie Minogue, Vance Joy), Cooper Roussel (Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Miami Horror), and Laura Gorun (Joywave, Kings of Leon), the action-packed visual – which sees Kesha racing through the desert in an explosive car chase with evil baddies in hot pursuit – premieres today on YouTube. “Joyride” is available everywhere now on Kesha’s own Kesha Records.
The “Joyride” music video marks the culmination of an epic 2024 for Kesha, while also setting the stage for her eagerly anticipated new single, “Delusional,” out on Nov. 29, and teasing an even bigger year ahead in 2025.
Check out ‘Joyride’ here:
Challenger Give Metal New Meaning with ‘Aluminum Hand’
Wilmington, Delaware’s, Challenger released their debut album, The Aluminum Hand, on Heading East Records. The band started releasing singles over the summer that were co-produced by Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday/Say Anything).
Vocalist Andrew Price says, “The Aluminum Hand is a story that travels across genres riding on top of heavy guitars and familiar nostalgic moments from the late early ’00s emo and ’90s rock.”
Guitarist Steve Payne adds, “We really stayed true to our vision and left no stone unturned during the writing and recording of The Aluminum Hand. This is the guitar record I’ve been dreaming of making my whole life. Working with [Mascherino] was a game-changer when it came to thinking outside the box for our songwriting and guitar playing.”
Listen to ‘The Aluminum Hand’ here:
Conor Oberst & Craig Wedren – ‘Justice To A Scream’
The filmmakers of the award-winning short documentary “ALOK” share the film’s end title track, “Justice to a Scream.” Co-written and performed by Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Shudder to Think’s Craig Wedren, the track features lyrics that include lines from the film and poetry from the film’s subject, internationally acclaimed non-binary author, poet, comedian, and public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon (they/them).
Along with “Justice To A Scream,” “ALOK” also features a score by Wedren (YELLOWJACKETS) and Simón Wilson.
“Conor Oberst was my idol growing up,” notes Vaid-Menon. “I’ve always regarded his lyricism as among the very best of contemporary poetry and it’s such a full circle moment to collaborate with him on this song. Literally a dream come true. And what a bop!”
“I am a longtime admirer of ALOK,” Oberst said. “Their powerful writing, art and advocacy for transgender people and all people who suffer from the lunacy of ignorance and bigotry that permeates our society is inspirational. So when the opportunity to work on this song with Craig Wedren came along I was thrilled.”
Check out ‘Justice To A Scream’ here:
Jason Charles Miller Shows He ‘Needs a Rescue’
Jason Charles Miller has released his official music video for “I Need A Rescue,” the second video from his new album ‘Knives In The Dark.’ The song and video features guest keyboardist and vocalist Ellis Hall, best known for his work with Tower Of Power, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Patti LaBelle, to name just a few.
“The song ‘I Need a Rescue’ accidentally became a tribute to Deep Purple – Mark 3 in particular, the David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes lineup that did the albums ‘Burn’ and ‘Stormbringer’,” Miller says of the track. “I’ve often said that ‘Burn’ has been one of the most influential albums in my life, and I think it’s one of the best rock albums in history, period! Once Gary [Potter, guitarist] came up with the riff for ‘Rescue,’ the song basically wrote itself. I had become friendly with Ellis Hall through knowing his family, and he’s an absolute legend. What he added to the recording, with his B3 playing and amazing vocals, really took it over the top.”
Check out ‘I Need a Rescue’ here:
Omar Apollo Hits the Big Screen with Track ‘Te Maldigo’
Following the red carpet premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer” in Los Angeles and ahead of its theatrical release on Nov. 27, Omar Apollo is releasing “Te Maldigo.”
The song was written for the film and is accompanied by a music video directed by Guadagnino, where Omar can be seen in character performing the song.
Produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who composed the score for the film, “Te Maldigo” is Omar’s first song entirely in Spanish since 2022’s “En El Olvido.”
Stunning in a custom suit created by LOEWE creative director and “Queer” costume designer Jonathan Anderson, Omar croons the tender ballad into a retro microphone fitting of the film’s 1950s Mexico City setting.
Based on William S. Burrough’s novella of the same title, “Queer” stars Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, and Omar Apollo. The film was picked up for US release by A24 and debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a 9-minute standing ovation and became one of the fall’s most highly-anticipated releases.
Janita Proves She’s the ‘Real Deal’ with New Single
Janita’s upcoming album “Mad Equation” features the lead single “Real Deal.”
With this new record, co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Lesley Gore, David Cloyd), Janita continues to demonstrate that much like contemporaries the only formula she’s interested in following is her own.
“The title ‘Mad Equation’ is about trying to do the math to figure someone out,” Janita said. “Trying to size someone up. There’s actually a mathematical formula called ‘the mad equation’ which physicists use to measure the unpredictability of something. I think it’s fair to say that over the course of my career, people have been trying to figure me out too. Am I the long-haired blonde soul singer? Am I the Finnish teenage star? Am I the American alternative rock ’n’ roller? Gosh, I’m just such a problem. So, maybe I’m a mad equation for some. Well, with this new record, problem solved.”
The first single from the new record has special meaning for Janita.
“‘Real Deal’ was inspired by two of my favorite films, ‘The 400 Blows” and ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.’ I identify with the rebellious nature of the characters in both those movies—living life off the grid, doing something that doesn’t make a lot of ‘traditional’ sense to most. Being an artist in this world is a mad pursuit, yet it’s the work I’ve schooled myself in, and done, all my life. So I find myself living, symbolically, in a permanent shootout like Butch and Sundance and I’m alright with it. More than just ‘alright’ with it—it’s the life I’ve chosen.”
Check out ‘Real Deal’ here:
Venbee Goes to a ‘dark place’ with new single
Following her debut mixtape, zero experience, last year, trailblazing artist venbee returns with single, “dark place,” out now via Arista Records. In signature venbee style, “dark place” is a dark, drum-and-bass-fuelled anthem designed for after-hours. The track melds her honest, raw, and often taboo lyrics over a hard-hitting beat, the result is a perfect soundtrack for late nights that fade into early mornings. Following a year of immersing herself in the studio, this single marks a return for venbee with lots more to follow.
venbee says about “dark place” and new music: “I wrote ‘dark place’ with my mates Punctual and Kaz Poole. It’s all about how people find light in their darkest places, but I want people to take their own meaning from it. I wanna see people listening to it in the rave and having a good time to it, most importantly. I’ve also been in the studio writing lots of other new tunes and can’t wait for them all to be out in the open.”
Listen to ‘dark place’ here:
Manuel Turizo Walks Down Memory Lane with ‘201’
Latin GRAMMY-nominated and U.S. Platinum-selling Colombian artist Manuel Turizo unveils his long-awaited fourth studio album, “201,” titled after the apartment number of his childhood home in Montería, Colombia.
Released under La Industria INC. via Sony Records, Manuel Turizo’s latest project showcases his artistic evolution, musical versatility, and signature ability to break barriers by seamlessly blending genres. Listen to 201.
“With 201, I wanted to explore new sounds while staying grounded in the music that shaped me,” said Turizo. “It’s an album that represents where I am in my life right now, both personally and artistically.”
The 12-track album takes listeners on a journey through diverse soundscapes, blending urban rhythms, tropical Latin influences, and fresh musical textures. The album highlights Manuel’s unique ability to craft hits that resonate across genres while staying authentic to his Colombian roots.
Check out Manuel Turizo here:
Spark of Life: ‘No One Hates Me More Than Me’
Southern California post-hardcore outliers Spark of Life have announced plans to release a new album, Plagued By The Human Condition, in early 2025.
The LP finds the band once again collaborating with friend Fred Armisen, who plays drums on a cover of “Never Say Never,” by ’90s cult favorite That Dog. The LP’s first single “No One Hates Me More Than Me” is out now.
Singer Steve Jennings says, “This song, much like the record, is about loss, regret and the pain it inevitably causes in its wake. But it is also about finding hope in that loss and coming out the other side with a positive and grateful perspective.”
Check out ‘No One Hates Me More Than Me’ here:
The DoGs of Detroit ‘Do Anything,’ Play Redwood in Dec.
The DoGs of Detroit have a new album out, appropriately tabbed “Unleashed” and the LA rockers will be celebrating with a show at The Redwood Friday December 13th with The Hollywood Stars and Code Blue.
The Hollywood Stars have a new album out as well, called “Starstruck.”
Writing, recording and performing LIVE dates featuring original members Loren Molinare and Mary Kay joined by veteran drummer and lumber slinger Rob Klonel. The Dogs are officially back courtesy of Rum Bar Records with “Unleashed.”
Go here for tickets to the show and follow The DoGs on social media here.
And watch The DoGs’ latest video single here:
Coco Jones Goes ‘By The Fireplace,’ Sings at Macy’s Parade
With Christmas right around the corner, powerhouse singer-songwriter and multi-hyphenate actress Coco Jones presents a holiday four-pack entitled “Coco By The Fireplac”e out now via High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings.
Continuing with the holiday festivities, Coco Jones will be performing “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28th and music from her holiday project on NBC’s Christmas In Rockefeller Center on December 4th.
In the spirit of celebration, Coco proves once again she is a force in R&B with two 2025 GRAMMY Award nominations for “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” in the categories of Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance, the latter she took home at last year’s GRAMMY Awards for her Platinum selling single “ICU.”
Gearing up for her debut album in 2025, Coco recently joined forces with Future and London On Da Track for “Most Beautiful Design.” The song joins previously released singles “Sweep it Up” – watch here, and “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” – watch here, to appear on her anxiously-awaited album.
Listen to Coco Jones here:
Sven Gali Drops ‘Lunatic Fringe’ Metal Video
Canadian heavy rock legends Sven Gali have released a powerful cover of Red Rider’s 1981 classic “Lunatic Fringe,” bringing a hard-hitting intensity to the track.
Known for energetic performances and gritty sound, Sven Gali reimagines the song with a heavier edge, blending driving guitar riffs and thunderous drums with the same raw emotion that made the original a timeless anthem.
The video, produced in 2024, captures the band’s high-octane spirit while paying homage to the song’s impactful and dark message. With their heavy twist, Sven Gali reintroduces “Lunatic Fringe” to a new generation of listeners, adding their signature intensity to this legendary piece of Canadian rock history.
Check out ‘Lunatic Fringe’ by Sven Gali here:
Drug Church Keep Punk Alive with Album ‘Prude’
Drug Church have been building a very strong case that they’re the best loud guitar band in the game. Their fifth full-length album, Prude is a 28-minute blast of aggression, melody, irreverence, and genuine heart.
The album tricks the listener into thinking there’s nothing all that surprising about a difficult-to-pigeonhole punk band from Albany, NY, with a name like Drug Church somehow having a career at all, much less one that would last over 10 years and qualify them to be among the best live bands around.
“I think at this point I’m at peace with the fact that I’m not a musician–I’m a band guy,” said vocalist Patrick Kindlon. “I’m just a guy in a band. It works because there’s a drive to express myself and we’re good enough at this that we’re allowed to do it–but I’m never gonna try to sell myself as a person that’s pushing boundaries or is super clever. I make music because I enjoy it.”
Check out ‘Prude’ here:
Wild Billy Childish Drops Two Albums
Out now: Not one but two new albums by Wild Billy Childish’s lastest group, Wild Billy Childish and The North Kent Folkways Revival (feat. members of The Singing Loins) release two brand new albums.
“Cape Trafalgar” and “The Speech of Karatakus” are available on vinyl LPs via Hangman Records. They’re also streaming now on all digital platforms.
Buy here
Agoria Releases ‘Unshadow’ and a Digital Surprise
Sébastien Devaud, better known as Agoria, is offering a new concept in music consumption. He releases the new album “Unshadow” but is also offering an NFT-style purchase for the single “Gateway.” Go here.
A French electronic music producer from Lyon, DJ, and digital artist, Agoria began his musical career in the mid-1990s and gained recognition in the early 2000s with his debut album “Blossom” (2003). Renowned for his unique fusion of techno, house, and ambient music, he is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential electronic music producers of his generation.
Over his career, Agoria has released several albums, EPs, and singles, including ‘The Green Armchair’ (2006), ‘Impermanence’ (2011), ‘Drift’(2019), and .dev (2021). He has worked with major labels like Universal Music and Virgin, as well as independent labels like Pias.
Check out ‘Unshadow’ here:
– The New Releases column is compiled by Donna Balancia. Contact Donna at [email protected]