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This Week’s Best New Songs: Phoebe Bridgers, 100 gecs, Wild Pink, and More

Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this best new music segment.

On this week’s list, we have the infectiously fun and hooky new single by 100 gecs, ‘Doritos & Fritos’, which fuses ’90s pop-rock and ska; Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘Sidelines’, a typically somber yet strikingly resonant track written for the upcoming Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends; Wild Pink’s new single ‘Q. Degraw’, a dark, distorted track about dealing with health problems; ‘Gonna Lose’, the vibrant lead single off Built to Spill’s upcoming Sub Pop debut; Tomberlin’s ‘sunstruck’, a tender and layered reflection on choosing to focus on your own growth; Jamie xx’s exuberant and dazzling ’Let’s Do It Again’, his first original solo release in two years; and Mallrat’s catchy and occasionally hilarious new track ’Surprise Me’, which features a guest verse from Azealia Banks.

Best New Songs: April 18, 2022

100 gecs, ‘Doritos & Fritos’

Song of the Week: Phoebe Bridgers, ‘Sidelines’

Wild Pink, ‘Q. Degraw’

Built to Spill, ‘Gonna Lose’

Tomberlin, ‘sunstruck’

Jamie xx, ‘Let’s Do It Again’

Mallrat feat. Azealia Banks, ‘Surprise Me’

12 Best Quotes from Licorice Pizza

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Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza is a nostalgic, adventurous, and funny coming-of-age story set in 1970s California. The film stars Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, both in their film debuts, and features a smattering of well-known actors in supporting roles. Bradley Cooper, for instance, plays Jon Peters, who is based on a real person. Hoffman’s Gary is a fifteen-year-old entrepreneur and self-proclaimed showman. His interest in show business leads him and Alana to meet with executives, producers, and other characters inspired by real-life people in the industry. These fun tidbits are presented with lighthearted humor so that even viewers who don’t get the references will be entertained.

Alana is considerably older than Gary, but this doesn’t stop him from trying to pursue her romantically. They end up teaming up to start their own business selling waterbeds, while Alana becomes involved with some important people through Gary’s Hollywood connections. She also spends a lot of time with his young friends, for which she feels judged by her sisters (played by her real-life sisters and HAIM bandmates, with whom she recently premiered a new music video directed by Paul Thomas Anderson himself). Though Gary and Alana are different in many ways, they share many similarities, too. Gary is quick to notice this, but Alana is adamant that their relationship will never cross over into romantic territory, even as she realizes how well they work together operating their business. Licorice Pizza is a joy to watch, and its vibrant script is peppered with memorable quotes, leaving viewers nostalgic for the film as well as its liberated 70s setting.

Alana: Are you asking me out?
Gary: Yes.
Alana: I’m not going on a date with you – you’re twelve.
Gary: You’re funny. I’m fifteen.

Gary: I’m not trying to pressure you … If you want to come and say hello, if it’s convenient within your plans, I’d love to see you.
Alana: “Convenient within my plans”?

Gary: I’ve been right here the whole time. I get this feeling I was meant to know you, Alana.
Alana: You know I’m twenty-five, right? I can be your friend, but I can’t be your girlfriend. That’s illegal.
Gary: You give me hope. This is fate that brought us together. This is fate.

Alana: What are you doing?
Este: I didn’t even say anything!
Alana: What are you doing? What are you thinking, huh? “I’m Este. I work for Mom and Dad. I’m perfect. I’m a real estate agent. Alana doesn’t have her life together. Alana brings home stupid boyfriends all the time.”
Este: I mean…
Alana: I knew it! I knew that was what you were thinking. You’re always thinking things, you thinker. You thinker! You think things!

Gary: I met the girl I’m gonna marry one day, Greg.

Alana: Stop.
Gary: What.
Alana: I can hear you breathing. Stop.
Gary: Breathing?
Alana: Yes.

Gary: I’m not going to forget you. Just like you’re not going to forget me.

Alana: F*** off, teenagers!

Alana: I’m cooler than you. Don’t you forget it.
Gary: I don’t need you to tell me whether I’m cool or not, old lady.
Alana: What was that?
Gary: I said “milady”.

Jon Peters: You have a good relationship with your dad?
Alana: Yeah.
Jon Peters: What does he do?
Alana: Real estate.
Jon Peters: Did he teach you how to drive? You’re good at it. It’s not easy – Gary can’t do it.

Alana: You don’t even know what’s going on in the world. You think that the world revolves around Gary Valentine and whatever stupid sh*t you come up with.
Gary: It does.

Jon Peters: There’s no gas-o in the goddamn car-o, Steve-o.

How Movies Fit in the Current American Cultural Landscape

Movies have been a part of the American cultural landscape pretty much since they first appeared. The US population considered silent films starring Charlie Chaplin culture’s height a century ago. Since then, we’ve come to a point where the special effects that appear on screen are more dazzling than moviemakers could have ever imagined.

What might Orson Wells have thought if he could have seen the latest Avengers movie? Would he have loved it, or would he have felt the special effects buried what, in the past, only gifted actors could have effectively conveyed?

It’s an interesting question, and it’s one we’ll explore right now.

Movies Don’t Mean the Same as They Once Did

Declining box office numbers are the first thing that’s worth mentioning when talking about movies and where they fit in society right now. At one point, a movie might come out that perfectly epitomized the American zeitgeist at that time. Think about a movie like Easy Rider. That felt like a cultural event that perfectly captured the hippie movement when it came out in the late 1960s.

Now, Americana is not that easy to define. You should consider the Dolly Parton’s Stampede show in Branson if you want to see what America is all about in 2022. Perhaps you’d be better off taking a road trip and checking out the most bizarre roadside attractions.

The point is that America can’t seem to agree on its identity so much anymore. It means different things to various people. What strikes one part of the population as the perfect film fails to move the needle for other segments at all.

Personal Preference

Of course, personal preference always plays a part when talking about a movie’s potential box office success. Many people feel like Martin Scorsese is a great director, or you could talk about the Cohen brothers or Wes Anderson. However, despite often finding critical acclaim, it’s rare for even those notable auteurs to come up with a movie concept that’s a smashing success across many different demographics.

To find a movie like that, you might have to go as far back as Titanic or Jurassic Park. These are movies that not only found critical acclaim, but they also brought in audiences that varied in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, etc. That crossover success is extraordinarily rare, and it happens less and less in modern times.

Home Entertainment Options

Movies are not doing so well at the box office for other reasons as well. You can certainly look at the pandemic as playing a huge part in why ticket sales dropped precipitously over the past two years or so. Most theaters stayed closed for many months. Even when they reopened, some individuals didn’t want to go back, especially if they had an immunocompromised condition.

Even now, some choose to stay away. Maybe they see a movie coming out that interests them, but they feel like it’s not worth it to risk their health. That’s not the only reason ticket sales have stalled, though.

Frankly, movies are just not the cultural experiences that they used to be in the sense that you could feel connected to your fellow citizens by seeing one in an actual movie theater. Think about how fast movies go from theaters to home viewing right now.

Thirty years ago, you would have to wait as long as six or nine months for a movie released in theaters to come out on a VHS tape that you could watch at home. You couldn’t watch it on a service like HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any of the other available streaming options. The pirate movie industry existed, but it was nothing like today.

Now, you can wait for as little as six or eight weeks if you don’t feel like seeing a movie in theaters, and you can watch it on one of the streaming services we mentioned. You can even watch it on a 75-inch TV with cinematic quality that’s arguably almost as good as what you’d see in a theater. You can set up a home entertainment room that has surround sound that comes close to matching the moviegoing experience.

What Does All This Mean for Hollywood?

Hollywood is about a million miles away from its Golden Age when stars like John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean lit up the silver screen. Now, nine times out of ten, it’s less about the actors and more about the special effects. Actors like Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. find success because they’ve learned how to act in front of a green screen.

The director tells them to imagine a monster in front of them that, in reality, is a dangling tennis ball. The special effects will create the visuals that you see in post-production.

Some smaller and low-budget films still do okay, and many of them garner the Oscar nominations and wins about which the huge Marvel and DC movie directors simply don’t care. They’re interested in box office results, not just in the US but internationally. That’s why Hollywood doesn’t seem to mind censoring certain film elements: they’re eager to court the money that Chinese and Indian audiences can add to a movie’s overall success.

Hollywood, and the moviemaking industry, are in a place right now that was inconceivable not just a hundred years ago when Charlie Chaplin was a big star but as recently as a couple of decades ago. Some people still love going to the movies, and they continue to do so now that the CDC has given them the okay.

Others have opted out of seeing movies in theaters anymore. They feel like they can wait a few weeks to see the identical film at home, but also because the bombast of the latest Marvel movie no longer thrills them. Ironically, as movies have gotten bigger, louder, and flashier, they’ve ceased to feel as special to a not insignificant population segment. 

Watch Damon Albarn Join Billie Eilish at Coachella 2022

Billie Eilish brought out Damon Albarn on stage during her headlining set at Coachella last night (April 16). The pair covered Eilish’s Happier Than Ever track ‘Getting Older’ before being joined by De La Soul’s Posdnuos for a rendition of Gorillaz’s 2005 hit ‘Feel Good Inc.’. Earlier in the set, Eilish also brought out Khalid to perform their duet ‘Lovely’. Check out footage from her set below.

Introducing Albarn, Eilish said: “Shut the fuck up and please give a warm welcome to Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn. This is the craziest shit I’ve ever experienced. This man changed my life in a lot of ways and changed my complete view of what music could be and what art could be and what creation could be. My first favorite band ever was the Good, The Bad and the Queen when I was six years old, and Blur changed the world and Gorillaz changed the world and this man is literally a genius.”

In an interview with The New York Times earlier this year, Albarn called Eilish “exceptional” and her songwriting “really interesting” compared to that of Taylor Swift, a comment Swift later responded to on social media by telling him not to discredit her writing.

Watch Lizzo Perform ‘Special’ and ‘About Damn Time’ on ‘SNL’

Lizzo pulled double duty as host and musical guest on last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, where she debuted ‘Special’, the title track from her upcoming sophomore album. She also played ‘About Damn Time’, the lead single from the LP. Check it out below.

Special, the follow-up to 2019’s Cuz I Love You, is out July 15 via Nice Life and Aquatic.

 

 

Watch Harry Styles Bring Out Shania Twain for Two Songs at Coachella 2022

Harry Styles brought out Shania Twain as a surprise guest during his headlining set at Coachella last night (April 15), performing covers of ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’ and ‘You’re Still the One’. His set also included the live debut of ‘As It Was’, the lead single from Styles’ upcoming album Harry’s House, as well as two new unreleased tracks: ‘Boyfriends’ and ‘Late Night Talking’. Watch footage from the set below.

Introducing Twain onstage, Styles said: “In the car with my mother as a child, this lady taught me to sing. She also told me that men are trash. To you, to the memories you gave me with my mother, I will be forever grateful. I’m so grateful you’re with us here tonight. This is very special for me.”

Harry’s House arrives May 20 via Columbia.

Tips To Create Engaging Reels

Instagram Reels, if you really like them or otherwise, are presumably the biggest trends media on the Web as we approach 2022. 

If you’ve not already hopped on the Reels wagon because of whatever purpose, now would be the time to start fiddling with Instagram Reels and to see exactly what sort of results you could get. Instagram is presumed to be consciously focusing Reels above other content types in the platform.

Instagram desires Reels to prosper, however for the period, it’s logical for any of them to offer greater scope for Reels material.  

The recommendations proffered below are ripped straight from Instagram and will enable us in starting work with Reels.

Entail Music That Flows With Your Material

It’s extremely crucial to also include the music that perfectly matches your content to produce the necessary vibe. Recognize that compelling reels are founded on strong content and, of course, songs!

Using the Align Tool, You Can Construct Seamless Transitions

Even though there are transitions, the viewing public will essentially plunge in! It works, believe me. Use Instagram’s integrated tool to ease-out transitions. Simply line up your original videos before measuring another one, and you’re done! You’re fully prepared to go!

Consider Your Reel Extra Approachable by Adding Text

Including text is the simplest and most direct way to help your viewer understand what your subject matter is about. It almost always brings attention to your subject matter and tends to make it more approachable.

Inspire Creativity

Instagram, like TikTok, intends that when viewers see a Reel, those who will want to recreate it with their own account. The key here is to create something that others can replicate while also incorporating their own creativity. 

One of the most popular TikTok challenges, for example, was the “shoe transition challenge,” in which users would throw a and strike it with their feet on rhythm while transforming outfits. It works since it is simple to recreate as well as being difficult sufficiently not everybody can pull it off, and it makes it possible for originality in its implementation.

Try Sharing One-Of-A-Kind Material

Make your products stick out by using a standard system and motif that people will acknowledge. For instance, you might initiate each reel with a discussion and some text, followed by the “reveal.” Perhaps you always use a specific filter or film from a specific angle. 

Preserve Ease

Less is much more. Capture with your mobile and then use the Reels camera’s consequences. This is associated with truly inspirational creation — if you have anything too high-end, it is hard to replicate. 

Retain Significance and Emotional Depth

Audiences would like to be able to determine with and connect to your content. Implement everything that “of the instant” into your Reels. Maybe you’d like to produce content related to a specific time of year, day next week, or based on culture moment — anything at all from politics to songs to playing games and beyond. 

Add a currently popular song to your Reel or songs that are related to the objectives you’re constructing for a quick victory (more on that later).

Begin Drawing the Audience In

It is essential, like all subject matter, to instantaneously draw the viewer in. Reels encourages this with message and impacts. Here are some of the instances from publisher Lonnie Marts IIV, who actually starts just about all of his Reels with text, usually posing a question related to the Reel’s plotline.

Narration is necessary for success in whatsoever type of social media sales promotion, which would include Instagram Reels. Your Reels should always tell a complete story from beginning to end.

Assume each Reel as a time to share a narrative regarding your brand, whether it’s an academic video, a mildly amusing viral trend, a fast product demo, behind-the-scenes content, or whatever else.

To begin storyboarding for your reel, address the following questions:

  • What will your Reel be about?
  • Is there a starting point, a middle, and an end to your story?
  • What do you want your audience to feel?

Be Inventive and Unique

If you post the very same (or similar) material like everyone else on Instagram, your followers will ultimately become bored and leave watching. Also, wouldn’t just rehash the material you’ve already decided to post on your feed or Stories. 

If you need instant Instagram growth, you can try MegaFamous.

To genuinely help your business grow, your Reels material has to be innovative. Recognize this: what could you do on Reels that your competing companies aren’t? How can you display your topic/business specialty in a creative manner? It is not really groundbreaking, but it should be more imaginative than another video.

Provide Worth 

If you’ve not started to notice, TikTok and Instagram Reels have continued to progress much further than choreographed dances. People keep making videos online, and they’re enjoyable to watch. 

Nevertheless, for brand names looking to achieve maximum use of Reels, generating academic or analytic content is a great way to get noticed.

End up making the most of your Instagram Reels by offering relevant benefits to consumers. We couldn’t just automatically give your viewers a price break on your product lines when we say “value.” Use your reels to start educating them. Start giving them knowledge and guidance that they won’t be able to find somewhere else. This affirms you as a specialist or public intellectual in your specific business niche.

Don’t Reuse Substance

Repackaging content for different social media sites is a smart option… to a point. Instagram seems to be very clear (and vicious) about the reality that reprocessing your TikTok posts will not be considered acceptable.

Conclusion

Reels are a possibility to provide some fun. Recognize it.

Don’t be scared to experiment with different systems. Deal with new trends. Make the most out of the characteristics of Reels. Develop content that might not be suitable for other styles but is ideal for the Reels expertise.

Watch Arlo Parks Join Phoebe Bridgers at Coachella 2022

Last night (April 15), Phoebe Bridgers made her Coachella debut. Performing on day one of the festival’s 2022 edition, Bridgers was joined on stage by Arlo Parks for the two final songs of her 12-track set, ‘Graceland Too’ and ‘I Know The End’. She also gave her new single, ‘Sidelines’, its live debut. Watch highlights from the set below.

Phoebe Bridgers and Arlo Parks previously covered Radiohead’s ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ together. ‘Graceland Too’ and ‘I Know The End’ are both taken from Bridgers’ latest album, 2020’s Punisher. Parks will play her own set at Coachella later today. The two-weekend event, which is streaming on three channels, takes place April 15-17 and April 22-24 in Indio, California.

 

Taylor Hawkins Posthumously Featured on Edgar Winter’s New Johnny Winter Cover ‘Guess I’ll Go Away’

Late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins appears posthumously on the new album from blues-rock veteran Edgar Winter, Brother Johnny, which arrived Friday via Quarto Valley Records. The LP sees Winter collaborating with likes of Ringo Starr, Billy Gibbons, and Michael McDonald to play songs by his late brother Johnny, who died in 2014 at the age of 70. Hawkins handles lead vocals on a cover of ‘Guess I’ll Go Away’. Listen to it below.

Edgar Winter wrote about working with Hawkins in a note on his website:

I had only just met Taylor, and barely got to know him, but I was so impressed by his sincerity, positive energy, and pure enthusiasm. He had a unique spontaneous style different from anyone I’ve ever worked with before. I can be very opinionated — but as soon as heard what he was doing, I knew it was best to step back, stay out of the way, and let him do his thing. That session was an experience I will never forget.

When I tried to open a business discussion, he simply would not hear of it. He said — I don’t want ANYTHING for doing this, I just want’a get out there and Rock. And Rock HE DID! I don’t know if it was out of respect for Johnny, a desire to help me in what I was doing, compassion for the nature of the project, or his friendship with Ross. Most probably all these things — but whatever it was, he gave it His ALL!

I listened to it last night, and couldn’t help but cry. It’s a song about the lure of sex, the danger of drugs, and the Love of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Johnny wrote it around the time of his first rehab, and it expresses feelings almost everyone I know has been through in one way or another. I would guess (like most all musicians) Taylor couldn’t help but identify with it. All I know is he put his whole heart and soul into it, and I am so sad that I never found a way to thank him properly as he so deeply and profoundly deserved.

 Taylor Hawkins died suddenly last month in Bogota, Colombia at the age of 50. The cover of ‘Guess I’ll Go Away’ marks his first posthumous release.

Watch The Who Perform ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ on ‘Colbert’

The Who appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last night (Apirl 15), delivering a performance of their 1971 hit single ‘Behind Blue Eyes’. The rendition was filmed during a stripped-down acoustic show at the Royal Albert Hall in London in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Watch it below.

The Who are embarking on a North American tour later this month, where they will be joined by local orchestras at each stop. The spring leg of the tour will wrap in Bethel, N.Y. on May 28, while the fall tour kicks off in October and concludes with two nights at Las Vegas’ Dolby Live in early November.