Doja Cat has released the deluxe edition of her fourth album, Scarlet, which came out last September. It features seven new tracks: ‘Piss’, ‘Urrrge!!!!!!!!!!’ with A$AP Rocky, ‘Okloser’, ‘Disrespectful’, ‘Masc’ featuring Teezo Touchdown, ‘Headhigh’, and ‘Acknowledge Me’. ‘MASC’ also comes with a music video directed and shot in Los Angeles by Doja Cat and Jamal Peters. Take a listen below.
Chappell Roan Releases New Song ‘Good Luck, Babe!’
Chappell Roan has released a new song called ‘Good Luck, Babe!’. It’s her first new music since her 2023 debut The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and marks the beginning of a “new chapter,” according to Roan, who said the song is about “about wishing good luck to someone who is denying fate.” Check out a lyric video for it below.
Groove and Green: How THC Enhances Musical Experiences
The dance between cannabis and music spans decades, creating unique experiences that resonate deeply with those who partake. This exploration looks at the nuanced relationship between THC, the principal psychoactive component of cannabis, and the auditory delight of music.
The Science and Personal Echoes
THC’s Interplay with the Endocannabinoid System and Brain Responses
At the core of this intriguing interplay is our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network ensuring internal balance. THC’s interaction with this system, especially the CB1 receptors in the brain, might trigger a series of notable effects. The potential for altered perception stands out, with THC possibly transforming sensory experiences to make sounds more vivid and immersive. Moreover, the mood-elevating properties of THC sometimes deepen our emotional connection to music, while its influence on time perception may allow for a prolonged, more engrossing musical engagement.
Diving deeper, research points to THC’s impact on brain regions critical for sound processing and music appreciation. This influence could lead to an increased sensitivity to musical details and a heightened sense of pleasure derived from music, sometimes manifesting as “music-induced chills.” Yet, the complexity of these interactions underscores the need for further research to unravel the full scope of THC’s effect on our musical experiences.
Beyond scientific studies, personal anecdotes from musicians and listeners alike paint a vivid picture of the enhanced sensory journey facilitated by music and THC. Reports often highlight an amplified auditory experience where music’s subtleties become more pronounced, leading to a deeper emotional engagement with the soundscape.
The Creative Symbiosis: Artists, Strains, and Soundscapes
The history of cannabis and creativity is rich, with legends like Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix weaving cannabis into their musical narratives. This tradition continues today, suggesting an enduring bond between artistic expression and THC.
The interplay between specific cannabis strains and musical genres adds another layer of complexity to this relationship. Sativa strains, known for their uplifting effects, may complement creative genres like jazz or psychedelic rock, while the calming nature of indica strains seems to align with more mellow sounds, such as blues or soul music. Hybrid strains, blending sativas and indicas, offer a versatile auditory experience adaptable to various musical styles.
Legal Considerations and Enhancing the Musical Experience
Music Venues and Cannabis Regulations
The legal context of cannabis use, particularly at public music events, presents a maze of challenges. Variations in local laws necessitate a keen awareness of the rules governing public consumption, age restrictions, and the sale of cannabis at music venues.
Recommendations for a Resonant Experience
Crafting a THC-friendly playlist can set the tone for a profound musical journey. High-quality audio equipment can further enhance this experience, making every note resonate more deeply. Engaging with the music mindfully and exploring new artists or genres can also enrich the listening experience. The choice of cannabis strain, whether sativa for its creative spark or indica for relaxation, can tailor the auditory adventure to one’s current mood or desired ambiance, complementing the experience of sipping a THC-infused drink, whether in a can or a crafted cocktail at home.
Experiencing live music under the influence of THC can elevate the concert-going experience, with the communal energy and live sound intensifying the effects of THC. Sharing these moments with friends can turn the experience into a collective journey, deepening the bond over shared musical and sensory explorations, enhanced by the communal enjoyment of THC-infused beverages, whether commercially produced or concocted at home.
In essence, the confluence of THC and music opens up a realm of heightened auditory experiences, offering a unique lens through which to engage with and appreciate music. While personal experiences with this synergy may vary, the overarching narrative points towards a transformative and enriching journey through the world of sound, guided by the subtle influence of THC, whether enjoyed in a can or in a homemade infused cocktail.
Porij Share New Song ‘Ghost’
Porij have released a new single, ‘Ghost’, the latest preview of their upcoming debut LP Teething. Listen to it below.
Teething is set for release on April 26 on Play It Again Sam. So far, it’s been previewed by the singles ‘My Only Love’ and ‘Unpredictable’.
Young Jesus Unveils New Single ‘Moonlight’
Young Jesus has shared a new track, ‘Moonlight’, from his forthcoming album The Fool. Like lead single ‘Brenda & Diane’, it’s accompanied by a non-album song, this one called ‘Bully (live in Esmont, VA)’. Take a listen below.
Discussing ‘Moonlight’, John Rossiter said:
When I was 20 I started writing about these characters, David and Eloise. There’s a whole Young Jesus album from about 15 years ago about them. Then they left my life and I forgot about them. Or maybe I tried to forget, to move on from them.
They came back on this record– a lot of things wanted to come through that I didn’t expect on this record. Lappin recorded this one, with guitar and voice. We built some sounds around it, but it’s guided by that connection. All these songs started with me sitting down with a friend, showing them the tune on guitar or piano and singing them these stories. I played bass on this one, rare for me, but I’m glad Lappin pushed me to try it.
Of ‘Bully (live in Esmont, VA)’, he added:
Dawood, Chris, and I were driving through Virginia to play a show on our friends farm. It was cold and Jay had dug out a few fire pits. The folks living in the house made a stew from roadkill and salad and sides for everyone. They fixed my broken glasses with a hot glue gun.
On that tour, I’d sing bully over a cassette of the piano loop playing out of my mom’s old tape player. I got up to sing and it was too cold up on the deck, so I went by the fire and sang with everyone sitting in a circle chatting. Dawood recorded it with his phone and that’s the tune.
The Fool, the follow-up to 2022’s Shepherd Head, arrives May 24 via Saddle Creek. Revisit our inspirations interview with Young Jesus.
Kamasi Washington and André 3000 Collaborate on New Song ‘Dream State’
Kamasi Washington has released a new song, ‘Dream State’, featuring André 3000 on flute. It’s lifted from his new album, Fearless Movement, which also includes contributions from Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Patrice Quinn, vocalists George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid, and D Smoke, and others. Listen to ‘Dream State’ below.
“When you receive a text from a wind friend something beautiful usually transpires,” André 3000 shared in a statement. “The day Kamasi invited me to a session for Fearless Movement I was so geeked and honored. Now, every time we get together something interesting happens. We first played during a recording session for New Blue Sun and it’s been fruitful ever since.”
“‘Dream State’ is a celebration of life and the opportunity it gives us to explore new possibilities,” Washington added. “We created this song together instantaneously as we improvised off the music we made in the moment. It was such an honor to work on this song with one of my heroes, the great André 3000. And what an amazing experience André 3000, Brandon Coleman, Tony Austin, Mono/Poly and I had gliding freely through this world of sound not knowing where we would end up, but joyful in the journey itself.”
Fearless Movement is slated for released on May 3 via Young. It was led by the closing track ‘Prologue’.
Cloud Nothings Release New Song ‘Silence’
Cloud Nothings have previewed their upcoming album Final Summer with a new song called ‘Silence’. It follows previous cuts ‘Running Through the Campus’, ‘I’d Get Along’, and the title track. Check it out below.
“I wrote this song after reading that Samuel Alito’s Roe v. Wade opinion tried to justify banning abortion with quotes from a guy who literally burned women at the stake for being ‘witches’ in the 1600s,” vocalist/guitarist Dylan Baldi explained in a statement. “Like, how stupid do you have to be to think that a guy like that has said anything worth listening to at all? It’s wild that you can be a Supreme Court justice and also be an idiot. So I made ‘Silence’ about how sometimes you feel powerless watching bad people run the world, but that hopefully in the end you can find a way to live by decent values in whatever place you’re in.”
Final Summer is due for release on April 19 via Pure Noise Records.
Adult Jazz Release New Song ‘Marquee’
Adult Jazz have unveiled a new single, ‘Marquee’, lifted from their upcoming album So Sorry So Slow – out April 26 via Spare Thought. It follows previous offerings ‘Suffer One’ and ‘Dusk Song’. Listen to it below.
“I think this is essentially a wedding song – written after a spate of going to lots of weddings, feeling happy, lonely, and after 2014, ostensibly welcomed into that institution,” the band’s Harry Burgess explained in a statement. “I was thinking about ceremonies that involve staking out ground, beating the bounds, and hoping for an idea of community broader than a series of sealed family units.”
“An early idea for the album artwork was the image of a tattered wedding marquee in a stark landscape – which came from some lines from a thing I wrote for a little book called Toffee Hammer back in 2018,” Burgess added. “A couple of pieces in that book were pitting gay rights against climate breakdown, documenting our historical culpability for disaster/extreme weather etc.. (à la that UKIP councillor in 2014, sodom and gomorrah) for a bit of fun. It was mainly as a laugh, but also how thinking about any progress feels a bit strange when the ecological death knell is ringing!”
Lazy Day Unveils New Song ‘Bright Yellow’
Lazy Day – the project of London-based songwriter Tilly Scantlebury – has released a new single, ‘Bright Yellow’. Listen to it below.
The song’s origins trace back to Scantlebury’s PhD in Queer American Art, a project that led to a three-year break from Lazy Day. “My research was focussed on queer representation in contemporary art,” they explained. “Catherine Opie’s photographic portrait series Being and Having from 1991 was the work that sparked ‘Bright Yellow’. It’s made up of the faces of 13 queer people, captured like comical mugshots against a bright yellow background: ‘Kings like them had never been seen.’ At its very best, art can change the way that we see and think and live, acting like a window into another world — which is how I want my music and this song to feel as well.”
Peggy Gou Announces Debut Album ‘I Hear You’, Shares New Single
Peggy Gou has announced her debut album: I Hear You will be out June 7 via XL Recordings. Along with the previously released ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ and the Lenny Kravitz collaboration ‘I Believe in Love Again’, the LP includes the new single ‘1+1=11’. Check out its Olafur Eliasson-directed video below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.
“I Hear You is more than just my debut album,” Gou said in a statement. “It embodies countless hours of dedication in my journey to create something timeless, and is a testament to the power of listening, to ourselves and to each other.”
Commenting on the video, Eliasson shared:
Dance is transformative! It bends and reshapes our relationship with time and space. When I was a teenager, breakdancing changed my life. I was into popping, moving like a robot, and doing the electric boogie. Street dance enabled me to explore the space of my body in relation to the world around me. I came to realise that by moving, I could change space. I could change what I saw and what I sensed. And these experiences actually proved foundational for my later artistic work.
Sculpture and dance are both non-verbal languages. Sometimes in order to communicate, you simply have to move. That’s what happened when I first met Peggy. We were having lunch, talking about our shared interests in psychosonics, rhythm, and movement, and to show her the moves I was talking about, I stood up in the restaurant to dance. I was thrilled that she later asked me to dance on video for one of her upcoming releases and to develop the visual language for it. By bringing together dance – embodied exploration of space – with colourful shadows, lights, and mirrors, I was able to bring some of the key interests that have long shaped my art into an entirely new context. Working together has been rewarding and a lot of fun!
I Hear You Cover Artwork:
I Hear You Tracklist:
1. Your Art
2. Back To One
3. I Believe In Love Again (with Lenny Kravitz)
4. All That (feat. Villano Antillano)
5. (It Goes Like) Nanana
6. Lobster Telephone
7. Seoulsi Peggygou (서울시페기구)
8. I Go
9. Purple Horizon
10. 1+1=11
