Home Blog Page 453

Why the Leviwand Is a Must-Have Accessory for EDM Festival Performers

Want to level up your festival game and leave the crowd in absolute awe? It’s nice that you’re always on the hunt for the next big thing that’ll take your performance to dazzling new heights. Well, we’ve got just the accessory that’ll make you the star of the show: the Leviwand!

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s so special about this Leviwand thingy?” Let’s dive deep into why the Leviwand is the game-changer you didn’t know you needed.

What is a Leviwand, Anyway?

First things first: A Leviwand, also known as a levitation wand, is a flow prop that creates the enchanting illusion of a wand floating and moving hypnotically through the air. Suspended on nearly invisible strings, the wand appears to defy gravity, creating a mesmerizing visual effect that’s both elegant and eye-catching.

Pretty magical, right?

Why Performers are Falling in Love

Performers at EDM (click here for more info) or music festivals are always seeking to thrill the crowd, and the Leviwand is quickly becoming a favorite for so many reasons. Here’s why:

  • Visual Impact: It creates stunning visuals that captivate audiences. With LED lights embedded, it becomes a glowing spectacle, especially during nighttime performances. Just imagine the crowd’s faces lighting up as they see your glowing wand slicing through the dark and syncopating to the beat of your favorite track.
  • Versatility: Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, it is incredibly versatile. It can be manipulated in multiple ways, allowing you to choreograph intricate routines or just improvise on the spot. From slow, elegant moves to fast, dynamic spins, it’s a prop that offers endless possibilities.
  • Ease of Learning: Some props require months (if not years) of practice to master. The Leviwand, much like rave fans, has a more accessible learning curve. With a few weeks of dedicated practice, you can get the hang of the basics and start wowing the crowd. And hey, for those of you who love a challenge, there are plenty of advanced techniques to keep you busy and entertained.
  • Portability: Let’s be real, lugging around heavy, bulky equipment is the last thing you want to do at a festival. The Leviwand is light and compact, easily fitting into your backpack. Talk about rave gear that lets you focus on your performance and enjoy the festival vibes! (Check them out here.)

Getting Started: Choosing Your Wand

Alright, so you’re sold on the idea of a Leviwand, but where do you begin? Here’s a practical guide to getting your hands on the perfect wand.

Type of Wand

There are LED and non-LED wands. If you’re performing at nighttime festivals or love the idea of a glowing wand, an LED Leviwand is your best bet. These come with various light modes and colors, so you can match the wand to your outfit or the mood of your performance.

Length and Weight

They come in different lengths and weights. Shorter wands are faster and more dynamic, while longer wands offer graceful, flowing movements. Heavier wands may be easier to control for beginners, while lighter wands offer more nimbleness for intricate tricks.

String Type

The levitation effect depends on the string connecting the wand to your finger. Invisible fishing line or Kevlar strings are popular choices for their strength and invisibility. Some wands come with pre-attached strings, while others allow you to customize.

Mastering the Wand: Tips and Tricks

Now it’s time to master the magic. But first, start simple. Just like with any new skill, it’s best to begin with the basics. Focus on mastering basic spins and weaves to get a good feel for the wand. There’s no rush here—let your muscle memory build up gradually. Before you know it, with consistent practice, you’ll find yourself improving faster than you ever expected.

Another handy tip is to use mirrors. Practicing in front of a mirror can provide real-time feedback on your movements. It’s a fantastic way to refine your technique and ensure your performance looks as polished as possible. And don’t forget about the treasure trove of Leviwand dance videos available online! (Watch them here.)Seasoned Levi wand performers share their expertise through these videos, making them incredible resources for learning new tricks and perfecting your technique. Take advantage of these tutorials—you’ll be amazed at what you can pick up.

Joining communities of fellow Levi wand enthusiasts can be incredibly motivating as well. Whether it’s online forums, social media groups, or local flow arts meetups, connecting with like-minded performers can enhance your learning journey.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of music. Experimenting with different tracks can really elevate your wand performance. Syncing your movements to the beat can create a more cohesive and impactful show.

Why the Leviwand Elevates Your Festival Experience

By now, you’re probably getting pretty excited about the Levi wand—and for good reason! The Levi wand adds an extra layer of visual intrigue that enhances your performance, making it more dynamic and memorable. It’s a surefire way to stand out in the vibrant, pulsating festival environment.

There’s also nothing quite like seeing the faces of your audience light up in amazement as you dance with your wand. The Leviwand’s mesmerizing effect draws in spectators and creates a closer bond between you and the crowd. Besides, using a Levi wand can connect you with other performers and enthusiasts at festivals. If you’re a beginner, you can share tips, show off tricks, and learn with others. In turn, this fosters a sense of community and belonging.

It’s all about making your festival experience richer and more fulfilling—and let’s be honest, more fun too!

Let the Magic Unfold

So there you have it! The Levi wand isn’t just a prop—it’s a magical key to unlocking your full festival performer potential. From its stunning visual effects to its versatility and ease of use, this wand is an invaluable accessory that can elevate your performance to celestial heights.

Ready to dazzle and enchant with your new Levi wand? We believe in you! Now go out there and let your magic unfold. May your festival performances be as radiant as the neon lights that guide your way!

McKinley Dixon Announces New Album ‘Magic, Alive!’, Drops New Single With Quelle Chris and Anjimile

McKinley Dixon has announced his fifth album, Magic, Alive!, which is due for release on June 6 via City Slang. The follow-up to 2023’s Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? is led by the single ‘Sugar Water’, which features the producer, rapper, and songwriter Quelle Chris as well as indie folk musician Anjimile. Check it out below and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.

“I guess if it don’t kill you, make you harder/ Bring him back just for my heart?/ Shit, it seem an easy barter,” Dixon raps on the vibrant and compelling ‘Sugar Water’. The track “is a discussion on how to make fleeting moments last forever, and how to carry those not here with you through time and space,” he explained. “It raises the question ‘what’s the price to pay for an eternal life lived through others memories?’”

Dixon returned to his native Richmond, Virginia in July 2024 to make the record, which features contributions from the likes of Shamir, Pink Siifu, and Teller Bank$. “It’s like a celebration when I make a record back in Richmond,” Dixon remarked. “Everybody has grown, but now here we are together again.”

Magic, Alive! Cover Artwork:

Magic, Alive! Tracklist:

1. Watch My Hands
2. Sugar Water [feat. Quelle Chris & Anjimile]
3. A Crooked Stick [feat. Ghais Guevara & Alfred.]
4. Recitatif [feat. Teller Bank$]
5. Run, Run, Run Part II
6. We’re Outside, Rejoice!
7. All The Loved Ones (What Would We Do???) [feat. ICECOLDBISHOP & Pink Siifu]
8. F.F.O.L. [feat. Teller Bank$]
9. Listen Gentle
10. Magic, Alive!
11. Could’ve Been Different [feat. Blu & Shamir]

Maia Friedman Announces New Album ‘Goodbye Long Winter Shadow’, Shares New Single

New York-based musician Maia Friedman has announced a new album, Goodbye Long Winter Shadow, which is out May 9 via Last Gang Records. It’s led by the single ‘New Flowers’, which brims with self-compassion. According to Friedman, it’s “about love lost, and the inevitable process of losing oneself and finding oneself again.” Check it out below, along with the album cover, tracklist, and Friedman’s upcoming tour dates.

“I enlisted my dear friend Hannah Cohen to sing harmonies, and the closing guitarmony solo was dueled out by Maddy Baltor and I, side by side,” Friedman added of ‘New Flowers’. “It was joyful to say the least. We knew this one needed drums so we called in the legendary Kenny Wollesen and he got it on the first take. I love how Oliver Hill interpreted my demo into this beautiful arrangement for woodwinds and strings.”

Following Friedman’s 2022’s debut Under the New Light, the new album was produced with Philip Weinrobe (Adrianne Lenker, Florist) and Oliver Hill (Magdalena Bay, Helado Negro). Its lyrics draw influence from Friedman’s mother, a Jungian analyst and scholar of mythology. “She writes of artworks, dreams and myths, and draws connections between the imagery, archetypes and cultures that tell similar stories in different ways,” Friedman explained. “It’s a very holistic approach to talking about and exploring mythology and fairytales.”

Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Maia Friedman.

Goodbye Long Winter Shadow Cover Artwork:

Goodbye Long Winter Shadow Tracklist:

1. Happy
2. New Flowers
3. In A Dream It Could Happen
4. Iapetus Crater
5. Russian Blue
6. Suppersup
7. A Long Straight Path
8. On Passing
9. Foggy
10. Vessel
11. A Heavenly Body
12. Open Book
12. Soft Pall Soft Hue
13. Shape Is Your Own
14. Witness

Maia Friedman 2025 Tour Dates:

Wed Mar 19 – Boston, MA – City Winery*
Thu Mar 20 – New York, NY – Joe’s Pub*
Fri Mar 21 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse*
Wed Apr 2 – Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music*
Thu Apr 3 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre*
Fri Apr 4 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center*
Sat Apr 5 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium*
Wed Apr 30 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre*
Fri May 2 – Seattle, WA – Triple Door*
Sat May 3 – Portland, OR – Mission Theater*
Mon May 5 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel*
Wed May 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever*

*supporting Basia Bula

Wishy Announce ‘Planet Popstar’ EP, Share New Single ‘Fly’

Wishy have announced a new EP, Planet Popstar, which arrives April 25 on Winspear. It’s a compilation of B-sides recorded in the sessions for the band’s debut album, Triple Seven. On the sun-kissed, soaring new single ‘Fly’, Nina Pitchkites sings, “I found a way/ To be grateful every day/ Even when I sit and wait/ Knowing I gotta fly.” Check it out below.

“This song conveys a general theme of enjoying the present, being in love, and not taking yourself too seriously,” Pitchkites said in a press release. “Me, Kevin, and Steve Marino co-wrote this song around the same time we wrote the track ‘Triple Seven’. It was one of several demos that Steve brought to the table for us to toy with.”

The vinyl edition of the EP will appear on a two-sided 12” along with Wishy’s debut EP Paradise, which has never received a physical release, as Paradise on Planet Popstar. “We really wanted to lean into the high-production style and had a lot of fun in the studio using these songs as an opportunity to explore a more polished, adult-contemporary feel,” singer/guitarist Kevin Krauter explained.

Read our Artist Spotlight interview with Wishy.

Planet Popstar EP Cover Artwork:

Paradise on Planet Popstar Tracklist:

Paradise

1. Paradise
2. Donut
3. Spinning
4. Blank Time
5. Too True

Planet Popstar

6. Fly
7. Planet Popstar
8. Over and Over
9. Chaser
10. Portal
11. Slide

Mandy, Indiana’s Scott Fair Shares Debut Single as set dressing

0

Mandy, Indiana’s Scott Fair has launched a new side project called set dressing. Its debut single, the ominous, atmospheric instrumental ‘class valedictorian’, is out now. Give it a listen below.

Mandy, Indiana’s debut LP, i’ve seen a way, came out in 2023. Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Mandy, Indiana. 

The Åre Murders Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

0

Are you a fan of Nordic crime dramas? Then you’ve probably already binged The Åre Murders, Netflix’s Swedish series about a detective who gets entrenched in intriguing investigations.

With a suffocating tone and dedicated performances, it quickly drew in viewers who prefer their entertainment with a side of murder.

The bad news is that the show consists of only five episodes, so you can breeze through it during a lazy weekend afternoon. If you’re clamoring for more, you’ll likely have to wait a while.

The Åre Murders Season 2 Release Date

The Åre Murders premiered in early February 2025 and made it to the Netflix Top 10 in multiple countries, including the US and UK.

At the time of writing, there’s no news about a potential season 2 – but a solid viewership can definitely translate to more episodes.

As long as that happens, fans of the show can gear up for The Åre Murders season 2 to arrive sometime in early 2026. We’re guessing it will debut during winter. The snowy views can match the weather outside.

The Åre Murders Cast

  • Carla Sehn as Hanna Ahlander
  • Kardo Razzazi as Daniel Lindskog
  • Charlie Gustafsson as Anton Lundin
  • Francisco Sobrado as Raffe Herrera
  • Amalia Holm as Rebecka Nordhammar

What Will Happen in The Åre Murders Season 2?

The series revolves around Hanna Ahlander, a detective going through a difficult time who moves from Stockholm to her sister’s vacation home in Åre.

Once there, she becomes involved with a case about a missing woman and works with a local police officer reluctant to accept her help.

There’s also a second case as the series progresses, but we don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t tuned in yet. As a whole, the show explores themes like trust, evil, and small-town secrets.

The Åre Murders Season 2 will likely continue in that vein, allowing Hanna to investigate more crimes. The end of season 1 saw her even more tormented than at the start of the show, so it will be interesting to track the character’s evolution.

Is The Åre Murders Based on a Book?

Yes, The Åre Murders is based on the novel series of the same name by Viveca Sten. Season 1 covers the first two novels, Hidden in Snow and Hidden in Shadows. Those have also been translated into English.

Overall, the series consists of five books so far. In other words, there should be enough source material for a potential season 2.

Sweet Magnolias Season 5: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

0

When it comes to romance, Netflix knows how to keep viewers coming back from more. From international hits like Bridgerton to sweet series like XO, Kitty to fun romps like Emily in Paris, it’s easy to find a new show to get hooked on.

With four seasons already streaming, Sweet Magnolias fits the bill. Revolving around three best friends as they navigate through life and love, it’s the definition of a comfort watch. So, when can you expect fresh episodes? We’re not sure, but we bet they’re coming.

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Release Date

Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias came out in February 2025 and quickly made its way to the highest position on the Netflix Top 10. At the time of writing, the show hasn’t been renewed for more episodes.

“We don’t have a Season 5 yet, but I’ve been doing this show long enough that 85% of my waking thoughts are about Sweet Magnolias. So all sorts of possibilities exist,” showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson recently told Deadline.

Given its popularity, there’s a good chance Sweet Magnolias Season 5 will eventually become a reality. If the series follows its current release pattern, it may hit Netflix in late 2026.

Sweet Magnolias Cast

  • JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend
  • Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan
  • Heather Headley as Helen Decatur
  • Logan Allen as Kyle Townsend
  • Anneliese Judge as Annie Sullivan
  • Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox

What Will Happen in Sweet Magnolias Season 5?

Sweet Magnolias is set in the small town of Serenity and follows three lifelong friends. Maddie is a newly single mom recovering after a divorce, Dana Sue is a talented chef dealing with restaurant and personal challenges, and Helen is a determined lawyer juggling her career with her personal life.

As the show progresses, it explores themes related to romance, friendship, and second chances. The friends support each other through thick and thin, which makes Sweet Magnolia particularly heartwarming.

The residents of Serenity went through a lot in season 4 – and while some stories concluded in a satisfying manner, others were left more open-ended. For instance, will Maddie actually go through with her big life change? Are Helen and Erik truly endgame? Sweet Magnolias Season 5 is sure to provide some answers, so we’re sat.

Is Sweet Magnolias Based on a Book?

Yes, Sweet Magnolias is based on the novel series by Sherryl Woods. There are 11 novels in the series. In other words, checking out the source material would translate to an epic binge-read session.

The Hooligan Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

0

A form of violence associated with football, hooliganism is a bona fide subculture in many countries where the sport reigns supreme. That’s especially the case with Poland, where TV series The Hooligan is set.

Debuting in January 2025, the twisty Polish show follows a 17-year-old who tries to navigate the violent world his father has introduced him to. But as he keeps plunging into this danger, he slowly begins to understand there’s no easy way out.

Should we gear up for more episodes? For now, only time will tell.

The Hooligan Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, The Hooligan hasn’t been officially renewed for season 2. However, it hasn’t been long since the show made its debut. If it manages to build a solid enough fanbase and viewership soars, we might be in for a second installment.

We’re sure the creators can find a way to continue the story, despite the bleak ending of season 1. If that’s the case, new episodes may hit streaming in 2026 at the earliest.

The Hooligan Cast

  • Grzegorz Palkowski as Kuba
  • Marta Zmuda Trzebiatowska as Justyna
  • Mila Jankowska as Blanka
  • Wojciech Zieliński as Zyga
  • Karol Pochec as Michal
  • Antoni Bronner as Micolaj

What Will Happen in The Hooligan Season 2?

The Hooligan centres on Kuba, a teenager who becomes entangled with a notorious hooligan group. His father was involved with them as well and suffered the consequences, but Kuba still decides to follow in his footsteps.

As he learns more about this violent world, he’s sure he can outsmart the group’s leaders to make a quick buck. He also has his new girlfriend to think about, so his recklessness escalates. Soon, the violence reaches a boiling point, and Kuba’s fate takes a turn for the worse.

Without spoilers, Season 1 seemingly ends Kuba’s story on a sad note. However, it also suggests that the violence is cyclical and that escaping the world is no easy feat. Season 2 could find a way to bring Kuba back into the action, or it could potentially follow other characters. Like Kuba’s younger brother, perhaps.

Is The Hooligan Based on a Book?

The Hooligan is original work. Written by Klaudiusz Kuś and directed by Łukasz Palkowski, it’s not based on a specific book.

That said, the series does draw inspiration from real-life issues surrounding football fan rivalries and hooliganism. These rivalries often extend beyond the stadium – and The Hooligan explores what can happen when they do.

Black Warrant Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

0

There’s something deeply fascinating about TV series set behind bars. From Oz to Prison Break to Orange Is the New Black, they let you into a world you don’t often see depicted on the small screen.

Between the constant tension of the prison hierarchy with its alliances/betrayals and the fact that the characters have more than enough time to confront their past, prison shows make for addictive viewing.

That seems to also be the case for Black Warrant, a Hindi-language crime drama that hit Netflix in January 2025. Over the course of its first season, it delivers an absorbing story viewers can’t get enough of. In fact, we can’t help but ask for more.

Black Warrant Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, Black Warrant has not been renewed for season 2. That said, the show has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which bodes well for its future.

Additionally, more than a month after its release, it still reigns high in Netflix’s Top 10 Shows in India, so people are still tuning in. The more they do, the better the chances for more episodes.

If that happens, however, viewers will be in for a bit of a wait. Black Warrant season 2 will likely premiere sometime in early 2026.

Black Warrant Cast

  • Zahan Kapoor as Sunil Gupta
  • Rahul Bhat as DSP Rajesh Tomar
  • Paramvir Singh Cheema as Shivraj Singh Mangat
  • Anurag Thakur as Vipin Dahiya
  • Sidhant Gupta as serial killer Charles Sobhraj
  • Joy Sengupta as SP JP Singh
  • Tota Roy Choudhury as SP Mukhopadhyay

What Will Happen in Black Warrant Season 2?

Black Warrant offers a gripping portrayal of life within the walls of Tihar Jail, one of Asia’s largest prisons.

It revolves around Sunil Gupta, one of the jailers, who starts off as idealistic and determined. Once he begins to navigate the prison’s complex power dynamics, though, he’s confronted with corruption and rubs shoulders with notorious criminals, so his morals are tested time and time again.

As long as the series is renewed for a second season, it will likely continue to explore prison life and make the protagonist face intriguing moral dilemmas. We can’t wait.

Is Black Warrant Based on a Book?

Yes. The series is an adaptation of the best-selling memoir Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. It came out in 2019 and packed a scathing depiction of the Indian prison system.

As a former superintendent of Tihar Jail, Gupta didn’t hold back when recounting his experiences. Pick it up if you’re in the mood for a thrilling and revelatory read.

9 New Songs to Listen to Today: Samia, Patterson Hood, and More

There’s so much music coming out all the time that it’s hard to keep track. On those days when the influx of new tracks is particularly overwhelming, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated list of the most interesting new releases (the best of which will be added to our Best New Songs playlist). Below, check out our track roundup for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.


Samia – ‘Lizard’

‘Bovine Excision’, the first single from Samia’s upcoming album Bloodless, made our list of the best songs of January 2025. The musician has now shared its second preview, ‘Lizard’, which captures the experience of dissociating from your body at a beautiful party. “It’s painful to stay present, to exist as a real, flesh-and-blood person at a party, after existing comfortably as a myth or a memory,” Samia explained. “And it was even more painful to try not to ruin a party I’d already ruined.”

Patterson Hood feat. Waxahatchee, ‘The Forks of Cypress’

According to Drive-By Truckers co-leader Patterson Hood, “The Forks of Cypress a real place, a few miles just north of my hometown of Florence, Alabama.” It lends its name to his gorgeously ethereal new duet with Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, set to appear on his upcoming LP Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams. Hood continued: “A former plantation house, once owned by a cousin of Andrew Jackson, it was struck by a ‘lightning cluster’ in 1966 — when I was two — and exploded into flames, burning to the ground in under five minutes. All that was left were these huge columns, in a rectangle on top of the hill overlooking the meadow. It was right by a very creepy rickety one-lane bridge that the locals called Ghost Bridge. I drove past this (and crossed the scary bridge) every week of my childhood on my way to my Great Uncle’s house (where I spent every weekend). Later, as a teenager, kids would drive dates out to Ghost Bridge and tell ghost stories and make out. The bridge was torn down about a decade ago.”

“I wrote the song as pure fiction, inspired by those great story songs that Bobbie Gentry did, ‘Ode to Billie Joe,’ etc., where she implies a story without really telling it,” he added. “In my head, I heard Katie Crutchfield singing it with me and was blessed that she was willing to do so. She’s one of my very favorite artists and such a lovely person.”

“The song was fleshed out wonderfully by Phil and Brad Cook (who played keyboards, dobro and bass on it), Dan Hunt on drums, and then Kevin Morby put the cherry on top with a stunning lead part.”

Youth Lagoon – ‘Gumshoe (Dracula From Arkansas)’

Youth Lagoon‘s new LP, Rarely Do I Dream on Friday, arrives on Friday. The shimmering and propulsive ‘Gumshoe (Dracula From Arkansas)’ is its latest preview, following previous cuts ‘Speed Freak’‘Football’‘Lucy Takes a Picture’, and ‘My Beautiful Girl’. “Someone said my music makes them feel like they died in the forest, and I’ve honestly never heard a better compliment,” Trevor Powers said in a statement. “I don’t think I have a song that’s more suited for that description than ‘Gumshoe’. I usually write out of pure love, delirium, or just to get the devil off my back, and this one checks all three boxes… it may be the closest I’ve come so far to finding real freedom in music.”

Avalon Emerson – ‘Don’t Be Seen With Me’

DJ and producer Avalon Emerson has signed to Dead Oceans, announcing the new project Perpetual Emotion Machine with a buoyant rendition of Oppenheimer Analysis’ cult classic ‘Don’t Be Seen With Me’. “These songs were created for my DJ sets,” Emerson remarked. “Whether they’re entirely original, edits to recontextualize old favorites, instrumental, or feature me singing, they are all part of my perpetual emotion machine. And the machine steams on.”

Hannah Cohen – ‘Draggin”

Hannah Cohen has previewed her forthcoming album Earthstar Mountain, with a new track, ‘Draggin”, a pleasant tune about how maddening familiar love can be. “There is a universal truth: Water is wet, the sun rises in the east and your family will drive you to your brink,” Cohen remarked in a press release.

Lonnie Holley – ‘That’s Not Art, That’s Not Music’

Lonnie Holley has shared another deeply stirring track, ‘That’s Not Art, That’s Not Music’, from his upcoming record Tonky. This one’s about “Holley’s early experiences in the art world and larger institutions’ apprehension in accepting Black self-taught art as fine art,” according to a press release. Over horns, flute, and marimba, Holley sings, “Gathering our arts/ Gathering our music/ Incorporating it into song/ Us being rejected/ They were saying, ‘That’s not good enough’/ Not good enough/That’s not art/ That’s not music.”

Anxious – ‘Never Said’

Anxious have served up another cathartic track from their new album Bambi ahead of its arrival this Friday. “In our music subculture, there often seems to be this dynamic where people stay close to others regardless of the fact of whether they really like them or not,” Grady Allen explained in a statement. “You hear subtle whispers and rumors about what people really think of you, but those feelings are never expressed to you directly. It’s an exhausting social dynamic and one that I am desperate to let go of. ‘Never Said’‘s lyrics focus on that idea. The song came about super weirdly and indirectly. I went over to Dante’s [Melucci, guitarist/co-vocalist] house last winter and we just started shooting this riff back and forth. We started Frankenstein-ing new parts onto it over several months and eventually it just sort of fell into what it was. It was a cool process — we rarely write that way. It was fun to just sort of keep throwing things together and see what happened.”

Melvins 1983 – ‘Victory of the Pyramids’

Melvins 1983 – the incarnation of the Buzz Osborne-fronted band that features original Melvins drummer Mike Dillard – have shared a 10-minute epic called ‘Victory of the Pyramids’. It’s taken from the 34-minute LP Thunderball – out April 18 – which Osbourne described as “the third Melvins 1983 record we’ve made together, and I wanted it to be bombastic. I think we achieved that. I also wanted to do something with electronic artists Void Manes and Ni Maîtres for a long time. Both of them are exceptional talents. Their out-of-the-box use of electronics pushed Thunderball beyond my expectations.”

Andy Bell – ‘Don’t Cha Know’

Erasure frontman Andy Bell has announced a new solo album, Ten Crowns, which is set for release on May 2. “I mean, I’ve got everything I could possibly wish for, you know, I really have, but that’s not to say I’m always fulfilled,” Bell said in a press release. “This album’s about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, embracing life – and about taking that feeling on even when you’re fighting demons in the world, like homophobia, and fighting demons in yourself. It’s about being celebratory and uplifting.” New single ‘Don’t Cha Know’ sounds like it, too.