King Princess has shared a new single from her upcoming album Hold on Baby. It’s called ‘Change the Locks’, and it was co-produced alongside the National’s Aaron Dessner at his home studio in Stuyvesant, New York. Check it out below.
As Stereogum points out, Mikaela Straus posted a video on Instagram earlier this week, explaining that she met Dessner at his home studio the day after her grandfather’s funeral. ‘Change the Locks’ was the first track they wrote together, and it “became this song that — it just helped me heal so much.”
Hold on Baby is set for release on July 29 via Zelig Records/Columbia Records. So far, King Princess has shared the advance singles ‘Too Bad’, ‘Cursed’, ‘For My Friends’, and ‘Little Bother’ with Fousheé.
Belle and Sebastian are the latest band to perform a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR. They played three tracks from their last album, A Bit of Previous – ‘Unnecessary Drama’, ‘Working Boy in New York City’, and ‘Reclaim the Night’ – plus the classic ‘Judy and the Dream of Horses’, off their 1997 record If You’re Feeling Sinister. Watch it below.
Belle and Sebastian released A Bit of Previous, their ninth studio LP, back in May. Last month, they put out a video for the title track, which isn’t featured on the album.
The Mars Volta have released a new single, ‘Graveyard Love’, which is accompanied by a short film directed by the band’s own Omar Rodríguez-López. Elaborating on the lyrics of the song, singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala said in a statement: “They will seek your ruin, and burn your lands, because if they can’t have you, no one can.” Watch and listen below.
Last month, The Mars Volta returned after a decade-long hiatus with ‘Blacklight Shine’. The single was teased via an audiovisual cube installation that appeared in Grand Park in Los Angeles, which can now be experienced online here.
The debate over “Song of the Summer” is often contested — will it be a highly popular singer’s release that seems geared for maximum playtime, or a newcomer with a breakout hit? Summer energy can be lazy, frantic, or a mix between the two, making the search especially hard. To try and narrow it down, Our Culture has compiled a 15-track list to accompany your summer.
‘Sacrifice’ by The Weeknd
The Weeknd’s 2022 album Dawn FM posited himself as the king of the underworld, but that doesn’t mean Hell is without its jams. Piggybacking off the success of ‘80’s-tinted After Hours, songs like ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Take My Breath’ dip their toes into the throwback production style of the era, without ever being overpowering, as ‘Blinding Lights’ sometimes tended to be. The bassline is killer, the outro is catchy, and ‘Sacrifice’ not being as big of a hit as ‘Blinding Lights’ will forever be a mystery.
‘BREAK MY SOUL’ by Beyoncé
It’s no ‘FORMATION’, but Beyoncé’s six-year comeback single ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ is a grower in its own right. Assisted by Big Freedia, the queen of bounce, shouting the affirmation-like “Release the stress/ Release the love, forgive the rest,” and a well-used Robin S. sample, ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ is a rallying cry suited for a period of time that is working very hard to break our souls. Though Queen B, one of the richest humans on the planet, singing about working a nine-to-five is pretty funny, her writing is inspirational and deceptively simple. “I’m taking my new foundation/ And I’ma build my own motivation,” she sings, eventually incorporating an angelic choir into her performance. Her upcoming RENAISSANCE is said to be a dancefloor-filler album, and ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ is just one taste of the hits yet to come.
‘Venom’ by Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae’s futuristic R&B debut Hypnos entrances all the way through, but the standout track is ‘Venom’, an upbeat and glitchy track. Though the lyrics are descriptive of a sort of femme fatale killer (“Go get ’em, fake killer / Don’t tell ’em, straight venom”), the playfulness of the track makes it insanely catchy. Her sweet and high voice is used exceptionally well, pulling the listener in before the dopamine hit of the chorus.
‘The Path’ by Lorde
Released at the tail end of summer last year, ‘The Path’ certainly didn’t get the recognition it deserves. Based on just vocal performance and instrumentation, it’s one of Lorde’s best works to date — the serene singing of “Let’s hope the sun will show us the path” in the last half is almost a summer blessing. The lyrics sometimes dip into 2013 Lorde, starting the song off with “Caught in the complex divorce of the seasons,” when she’s probably just talking about the month of June, but any discrepancies are forgivable in the track as a whole. A perfect album opener, it sets the tone for Solar Power immediately and concisely.
‘The Big Sky’ by Kate Bush
‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ might be the Kate Bush song that’s having a summer resurgence, but I’d throw ‘The Big Sky’ from the same album, Hounds of Love, in the running. ‘The Big Sky’ is huge and jubilant, Bush entranced by our cosmos and place on the earth, mesmerized by something as simple as a slate of blue we see everyday (“What was the question?/ I was looking at the big sky,” she sings, distractedly). The pulsating beat builds momentum as it becomes the pinnacle of an 80’s feel-good jam, complete with a choir. Whether listening while laying down cloud gazing or walking around, her approach to nature will likely change yours as well.
‘Scent’ by YUKIKA
YUKIKA’s first solo 2022 release glides effortlessly into her catalog of dazzling pop gems, keeping with the city pop trend she cultivated on 2020’s standout SOUL LADY. Complemented with a saxophone, an electric guitar, and YUKIKA’s impossibly light voice, “Scent” is perfect for either a high-energy workout song or simply lazing around. The song comes after her recent engagement announcement, which makes her lyrics of “When I touch you I feel like I’m holding you tight/ I keep shaking, I’m cutting it close/ When you touch my scent that flows backward/ I’ll flinch and find you” all the more sweeter.
‘Want Want’ by Maggie Rogers
Clunky song title be damned, ‘Want Want’ by Maggie Rogers is a perfect encapsulation of summer’s freedom. From the roaring bassline to the lyrics stemming from desire and need, it’s easy to memorize and easier to sing along to. Rogers has crafted a grittier, rough-around-the-edges approach to pop, but the her emotional sensibility offrom her debut is still in play here. “Can’t hide what you desire, once you own it / Can’t fake what you can’t break up with,” she sings. This, plus lead single ‘That’s Where I Am’ suggest an immensely successful sophomore effort in her upcoming Surrender.
‘It was me’ by Yerin Baek
Zaps of electricity spark in “It was me,” Yerin Baek’s first release since her 2021 covers EP. Her voice sounds like a lullaby, pulling in new melodies and styles that make her work so dynamic and flexible. 2019’s personal Every letter i sent you. and 2020’s electronic tellusaboutyourself are melded perfectly here, creating a lulling and exciting tune. “What made me disappear/ What made me shine/ It was me,” she sings, a telling sign her upcoming work will be filled with even more self-reflection.
‘This Hell’ by Rina Sawayama
Whether it’s the allusions to the heat of hell, Rina Sawayama’s tongue-in-cheek writing about homophobic protestors, or the killer electric guitar bridge, ‘This Hell’ is a perfect way to kickstart Sawayama’s Hold the Girl era. It combines the detailed and personal writing about being a queer woman (“Got my invitation / To eternal damnation,” she teases) and the eclectic yet precise production that her debut, SAWAYAMA, was lauded for. The disparity between this song and her next release ‘Catch Me In The Air’, never jarring, makes Hold the Girl a highly anticipated release.
‘Eye in the Wall’ by Perfume Genius
Perfume Genius’ recent Ugly Season was filled with avante-garde baroque pop, but one of the most successful songs came in the form of ‘Eye In the Wall’, a sprawling, cosmic journey. Starting slow, it quickly expands into a frantic, pulsating energy, with Mike Hadreas singing, “Wild and free, your body onscreen/ I’m full of feeling/ I’m full of nothing but love.” The hazy momentum keeps up in the entire song, evoking images like rolling through the Californian desert on the way to Coachella.
‘Western Wind’ by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is known for her big, unabashed pop bangers (‘Run Away With Me’, ‘Now That I Found You’, ‘Want You in My Room’) but on her first solo release this year, ‘Western Wind’ kicks back and relaxes. Taking a hint from Lorde’s Solar Power of last year, Jepsen’s new era is nature-focused, grounded, and bathed in atmosphere. It’s a perfect song just to chill to, and Jepsen seems as relaxed as ever when she sings, “Coming in like a western wind/ Do you feel home from all directions?”
‘Loose’ by Grace Ives
Janky Star is a perfect name for Grace Ives’ sophomore album, a record that combines intimate and diary-like writing with eclectic, home-bound production. Quiet rasps of falling on the floor, doing splits, admiring a diner worker fill the album, but she flexes her vocal muscles on this song, singing “I’ve been loose/ Every night.” She has the power to pull focus, yet filling whole songs with it might be overpowering. Smartly, she leaves the verses for her quirky and relatable anecdotal writing, and fills in the choruses with her bold voice. It’s alright not to be perfect, and Ives’ music is the jolt of life-affirming sound we need.
‘Libre’ by Angèle
Angèle’s ‘Libre’, filled with vocal chops and a groovy, bouncy beat, is an ode to freedom in a studded pop package. Owing it to herself to live as freely as she can, she playfully teases on the chorus: “Living free/ Believe me, it will change/ I stayed standing and I came to like it.” The song has an airiness, assisted by her dynamic voice, and it’s worth mentioning that in the dream-like music video, she becomes an astronaut jumping around the streets of a city. If you’re not spending the summer like her, what are you even doing?
‘What I Want’ by MUNA
“When I go out again/ I’m gonna drink a lot/ I’m gonna take a shot,” lead singer of MUNA Katie Gavin asserts at the beginning of this track. The band’s new self-titled album is all about listening to your body and prioritizing yourself, and nowhere is it more apparent on this pulse-pounding song. “I’ve spent too many years not knowing what/ What I wanted, how to get it,” she sings, and now, it’s time to make up for lost time. Whether it’s because of the pandemic, or a kind of queer second adolescence MUNA is filled with, “What I Want” is an ode to pleasure, casting thoughts of self-doubt aside.
‘Big Time’ by Angel Olsen
Gone are the sharp, angular and anxiety-provoking strings of 2019’s All Mirrors — Angel Olsen wants to sing about love on her latest release, Big Time. Her lyricism accompanied by a new twang paints the picture of a perfect summer day: “We’re always busy, baby, not this time/ Lay in the tall grass, talking with your eyes.” She repeats, “I’m lovin’ you big time, I’m lovin’ you more,” filling the song with a sweet sincerity.
Listen to the full 2022 Summer Playlist, featuring a few additional picks, on Spotify.
Commenting on ‘Missing You’, Sam Lewis said in a statement: “Conceptually, it felt like the perfect introduction. It’s a story about temptation and dwindling fear. Your eyes are wandering.” Of ‘Something About Your Love’, he added: “It’s no secret I’m a massive Daft Punk fan. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever made to a tribute to them. I was listening to Discovery a lot, and there’s a specific technique to it. I chopped up the sample of these seventies keys and drums. It came together easily. Lyrically, It’s a pure confession of admiration for someone. It’s the perfect contrast to ‘Missing You’.”
Nigerian star Burna Boy’s new album, LOVE, DAMINI, has arrived via Atlantic Records. The 19-track LP features collaborations with Ed Sheeran, J Hus, Popcaan, Blxst and Kehlani, J. Balvin, Khalid, Victony, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. “That’s how I like to sign all my letters, because I didn’t know the proper [signoff],” Burna Boy said of the album title in a Billboard interview. “It’s a bit personal [because] it’s bringing you into my head on my birthday — when you turn 31 and ain’t got no kids, everything is going good and bad at the same time. You reflect and then you get as lit as possible. Then you sleep and wake up and reflect again. I’m reflecting on everything — what I’m doing and what’s happening where I’m from. Where I’m from is a part of where I’m going.”
Viagra Boys have returned with their third album, Cave World, out now via YEAR0001. The album follows 2020’s Welfare Jazz and was produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt and DJ Haydn. Ahead of its release, the Stockholm post-punks previewed the LP with the songs ‘Punk Rock Loser’, ‘Ain’t No Thief’, and ‘Troglodyte’. Cave World is “inspired by current events,” according to press materials, aiming “to tear through the insanity and confusion the world currently finds itself in.” Singer Sebastian Murphy said in a statement: “I just wrote down, ‘Who is the true ape?’” Murphy also added in a statement. “People look down at apes as primitive life forms, but we’re just this horrible, lazy society killing each other and starting wars, while they’re able to love and feel. Does that make them the true ape or us?”
Metric have released a new album called Formentera. It marks the band’s eighth album, following 2018’s Art of Doubt, and includes the previously unveiled singles ‘All Comes Crashing’ and ‘Doomscroller’. In an interview with NME, frontwoman Emily Haines described Formentera as “probably the most important record that we can make other than our first album.” She explained: “Logistically, we could not get our band across the border and that was the longest we’ve gone without playing a show since we started. There was a sense that this could actually be it – a lot of people are not going to bounce back in our industry. There’s always a sense of urgency [when making a record], but it was really pronounced and the sense that we have to manifest our way out of this, it’s all we can do.”
Brent Faiyaz has a new album out called Wasteland. Released via his own label Lost Kids, the Grammy-winning singer’s proper follow-up to 2017’s Sonder Son boasts guest appearances from Drake, Tyler, the Creator, Alicia Keys, Raphael Saadiq, and Tre Amani, while Jonathan ‘Freeze’ Wells serves as executive producer. Jordan Waré provides string arrangements and production on several of the record’s 19 tracks, with additional contributions from The Dream.
Katy J Pearson has issued her new album, Sound of the Morning, via Heavenly Recordings. The follow-up to the singer-songwriter’s 2020 debut Return was written and recorded in late 2021 and was co-produced by Ali Chant and Dan Carey. The singles ‘Talk Over Town’, ‘Alligator’, ‘Game of Cards’, and ‘Float’ preceded the record. “I want people to feel things with my music, but I don’t want to cause my listener too much trauma,” Pearson said in press materials. “Counselling is expensive, so you’ve got to pick your battles…”
Party Dozen have put out their third album, The Real Work, via GRUPO/Temporary Residence. It follows the Australian noise-rock band’s 2020 record Pray For Party Dozen and marks the first Party Dozen album to feature anyone besides the core duo of saxophonist Kirsty Tickle and percussionist Jonathan Boulet; Nick Cave contributes vocals to the previously shared track ‘Macca the Mutt’. The band also released ‘Fruits of Labour’, The Iron Boot’, and ‘The Worker’ ahead of the release.
Wu-Lu, the project of south London-based artist Miles Romans-Hopcraft, has dropped his new album LOGGERHEAD via Warp. The record features collaborations with Asha, Lex Amor and Léa Sen, as well as contributions from Ego Ella May, Morgan Simpson (black midi), Demae, and Mica Levi. It was previewed with the singles ‘Blame’, ‘South’, ‘Scrambled Tricks’, and ‘Times’. “I’ve had a sharp turning point over the last few years. I’m going to express myself rather than holding it in,” Wu-Lu said in press materials. “When I say ‘Loggerhead’, I mean me. It’s a mono feeling, insular. It’s internal.”
My Shadow is the debut full-length by the Buffalo-bred, Brooklyn-based artist Quinton Brock. Out now via Shadow Panther, the 17-track album features guest appearances from Portugal. The Man., Travie McCoy, and Pink Siifu. Brock, who cut his teeth with the surf/blues rock duo The Get Money Squad, shared a string of singles prior to the release of the LP, including ‘To The Moon’, ‘There For You’, ‘Touch’, and the title track.
Other albums out today:
Caterina Barbieri, Spirit Exit; Laura Veirs, Found Light; Wormrot, Hiss; NoSo, Stay Proud of Me; James Bay, Leap; Delicate Steve, After Hours; BERRIES, How We Function; Mush, Down Tools; Journey, Freedom;Spiral Stairs, Medley Attack!!!; Antti Tolvi, Spectral Organ / Feedback Gong; Maxim Mental, Make Team Presents Maxim Mental in Maximalism; Fireground, Dreams; Flowertown, Half Yesterday; Ian Daniel Kehoe, Yes Very So; Rae Morris, Rachel@Fairyland; Alice Cohen, Moonrising.
Watkins Family Hour have collaborated with Fiona Apple on the new track ‘(Remember Me) I’m The One Who Loves You’. The song was originally written by Stuart Hamblin and was popularized by Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, and Dean Martin. Check out the new rendition below.
‘(Remember Me) I’m The One Who Loves You’ will appear on Vol. II, Sara and Sean Watkins’ third album under the moniker, which also features guest spots from Jackson Browne, Jon Brion, Madison Cunningham, Willie Watson, and more.
“We love singing old country songs with Fiona Apple,” the group told Consequence of Sound, which premiered track. “The first time we met her was on stage at the old Largo in 2003, during one of Jon Brion’s now legendary Friday night shows. Jon is always great at finding common musical territory between unlikely musicians. He called out Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight” and Fiona sang the absolute hell out of it. She embodied it so completely and owned it in a way we’d never witnessed. We worked up ‘(Remember Me) I’m the One Who Loves You’ with Fiona during a Family Hour tour in 2015, and were so pleased to get to revisit it for this record.”
Ciara is back with a new single, ‘Jump’, which features the Los Angeles hip-hop group Coast Contra. “I’m back on my mission to make the world dance,” Ciara wrote on Twitter. A music video for the track will premiere today at 12pm ET. Give it a listen below.
‘Jump’ marks Ciara’s first new solo single since 2020’s ‘Rooted’, which was produced by Hudson Mohawke and Stargate. Her last album was 2019’s Beauty Marks.
Do you love playing PC games offline? Do you miss the days when you could play your favorite games without having to worry about data caps or bandwidth restrictions? If so, you’re not alone. Offline gaming is growing in popularity, and there are several good reasons for that.
There’s something special about playing free computer games on your own – it’s like you have the opportunity to test out your skills and see how far you can go on your own. No one else is judging you, so it’s easy to let loose and have some fun. With so many free PC games to download at GameTop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
There are plenty of benefits to playing laptop games offline, whether you’re looking for an escape from the internet or just want to wind down and relax without distractions. Now here are the 6 reasons why it might be better to play your favorite offline games instead of online:
You can play offline games anytime, anywhere.
Whether you’re stuck in a train or just don’t have an Internet connection, you can still enjoy your favorite games without ever having to worry about an update or lag. You can play the latest and greatest releases without fearing that your connection will slow down or stop working mid-game, and you can even take your gaming with you on the go without worry of waiting until you get a chance to plug in again.
No pay-to-win. Just play-to-win!
Are you tired of having to spend money on in-game items or subscriptions in order to stay alive and compete in the most popular online games? Well, that’s because you’re not alone. In fact, there are actually a lot of people out there who are sick of this whole business model, and they want to play the games without all the extra hassles. If that sounds like you, then you need to check out some of the best offline games at GameTop!
These games require no internet connection whatsoever, so you can dive right into the action without having to worry about any pesky ads or long load times. There’s a widespread misconception that “free” games are always inferior in quality. But this couldn’t be further from the truth! So whether you’re looking for a way to escape the grind of everyday life or just want to try something new and innovative, make sure to take a look at some of the best offline games out there.
Playing offline PC games is a great way to conserve your online data plan.
When you play offline, your computer isn’t communicating with the online servers that provide updates and multiplayer gaming services for many popular games. This means that you can take advantage of these services without having to worry about using up your monthly data allotment.
Offline games reduce your exposure to malware and other online threats.
One of the most common risks associated with playing online games is malware infection. malware infection can occur when you open an email that contains a link to a malicious site, when you browse unsecured web pages, or when you install a software app from an untrustworthy source. In addition, online gaming can expose you to other sensitive information, such as your passwords and financial records. By playing offline games, you reduce your exposure to these risks and enjoy the benefits of gaming without exposing yourself to potentially harmful consequences.
You can play in complete privacy.
No one can see what you’re doing unless you choose to share your screen. You can play them on your own schedule and in your own way, without worrying about what other people think or how they’re going to judge you. It’s the perfect way to get lost in a world of virtual reality that feels just as good as it does when you’re sharing it with everyone else.
You can save your progress in offline games, so there’s never a need to start from scratch again.
If you’re anything like me, you play video games in spurts. Sometimes when you’re playing, something will come up—a job interview, class, family obligation—and your gaming all but disappears. That’s where offline game mode comes in. Offline mode gives you the ability to continue playing your game even when you’re not connected to the internet. This means that no matter what comes up, you can still finish the story or level or fight the boss. In offline game mode, your progress in the game is saved and you are able to play the game as if you were always online. This feature is especially useful for people who play video games sporadically and have to pause their game occasionally so they can do other things.
It’s funny how, in this age of technology, we’re still so fond of our offline PC games. Sure, we have the option to play them online, but there’s something about playing a game on your own, in your own space, that just feels so much more special. There’s something about the simplicity of an offline game that really appeals to us. There’s no need to worry about connection issues or lag, no need to worry about other players ruining your fun. Just you, the game, and your own personal space. And for some of us, there’s just something about the old school graphics that really hits the spot. Sure, we can enjoy our games on high resolution screens, but there’s something about the classic pixelated graphics that really brings us back to a simpler time. Whatever the reason, we just love playing our offline PC games. And we think you might too!
So why not take a break from the internet and play offline pc games today? If you’re looking for a way to escape the world for a little while, why not try some of these amazing offline PC games at GameTop? You’ll never want to go online again!
The 1975 have officially announced that their new album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, will be out on October 14 via Dirty Hit. The LP was recorded at Real World Studios in Wiltshire, England and Electric Lady Studios in New York. Today marks the release of its first single, ‘Part of the Band’, which was co-produced by Jack Antonoff and comes with a video directed by Samuel Bradley. Check it out and find the album cover and full tracklist below.
The 1975 have been teasing the follow-up to 2020’s Notes on a Conditional Form for some time. Late last month, they revealed the title of the LP via postcards mailed to fans. They also shared the full lyrics for ‘Part of the Band’, and frontman Matty Healy has been sharing snippets of the track on his Instagram page. The band will make its live return this August, performing two shows as part of Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival.
Being Funny in a Foreign Language Tracklist:
Being Funny in a Foreign Language Tracklist:
1. The 1975
2. Happiness
3. Looking for Somebody (To Love)
4. Part of the Band
5. Oh Caroline
6. I’m in Love With You
7. All I Need to Hear
8. Wintering
9. Human Too
10. About You
11. When We Are Together
Nigerian star Burna Boy’s new album, 
Viagra Boys have returned with their third album, 
Metric have released a new album called 
Brent Faiyaz has a new album out called 
Katy J Pearson has issued her new album, Sound of the Morning, via 
Party Dozen have put out their third album, 
Wu-Lu, the project of south London-based artist Miles Romans-Hopcraft, has dropped his new album 
My Shadow
