Posts by Phoenixx Staff
Lorde Returns With Cheerful Summer Vibes On “Solar Power”
Lorde has returned with a brand new single and perfect summer anthem, “Solar Power”. The song is the first single since her second LP Melodrama, which was released back in 2017.
In her hiatus from music, the New Zealand native has been busy away from the spotlight learning about climate change (she even went to Antarctica with a team of scientists in February 2019!).
Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, hinted that new music was on the horizon in May 2020 via a newsletter to fans. She stated, “I started going back to the studio in December, just for something to do, and to my surprise, good things came out.”
Lorde has taken us on a melodic journey from suburban beginnings to a big city full of discoveries, and now, the shore. If the single is any telling of things to come, we’re witnessing a songwriter in a brighter, yet equally as descriptive creative spot. “Solar Power” is the quintessential summer single for hitting the beach, moving forward, enjoying the sun’s rays, and living in the moment. Lorde colorfully sings, “Acid green, aquamarine, the girls are dancing in the sand. And I throw my cellular device in the water, can you reach me? No, you can’t”.
Lorde’s influence on pop music since her 2013 debut with Pure Heroine has been undeniable. The music world is sure to welcome back her own voice with open arms and headphones at the ready.
Check out the sun-kissed video for “Solar Power” below!
Article by Tiff Cuthrell, photo courtesy of Lorde
Billie Eilish Announces Happier Than Ever World Tour
Billie Eilish has announced a world tour in support of her upcoming album, Happier Than Ever.
The short announcement video begins panned out with a view of several empty arena seats. After zooming in, we see in clarity a beautifully blonde Billie Eilish in one of the chairs. At the end of the video flashes a link to billieeilish.com/tour, where dates can be found for the upcoming concert festivities.
Last year, Billie cancelled the remaining dates of her expansive When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
tour due to COVID-19. The tour was set to make a stop in Detroit last March.
The Happier Than Ever Tour dots the globe in 2022, including a stop on March 12th at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. Tickets go on sale Friday May 28th. The album Happier Than Ever is currently available for pre-order, and will drop on Friday July 30th of this year.
Check out the full list of tour dates below!
Happier Than Ever tour Dates :
February 3 – New Orleans, LA : Smoothie King Center
February 5 – Atlanta, GA : State Farm Arena
February 6 – Charlotte, NC : Spectrum Center
February 8 – Pittsburgh, PA : PPG Paints Arena
February 9 – Washington, DC : Capital One Arena
February 10 – University Park, PA : Bryce Jordan Center
February 12 – Buffalo, NY : KeyBank Center
February 13 – Philadelphia, PA : Wells Fargo Center
February 15 – Montreal, QC : Centre Bell
February 16 – Toronto, ON : Scotiabank Arena
February 18 – New York, NY : Madison Square Garden
February 19 – New York, NY : Madison Square Garden
February 20 – Boston, MA : TD Garden
February 22 – Newark, NJ : Prudential Center
March 8 – Birmingham, AL : Legacy Arena
March 9 – Nashville, TN : Bridgestone Arena
March 11 – Louisville, KY : Yum! Center
March 12 – Detroit, MI : Little Caesars Arena
March 14 – Chicago, IL : United Center
March 15 – St. Paul, MN : Xcel Center
March 16 – Omaha, NE : CHI Health Center
March 19 – Denver, CO : Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center)
March 21 – Salt Lake City, UT : Vivint Arena
March 24 – Vancouver, BC : Rogers Arena
March 25 – Seattle, WA : Climate Pledge Arena
March 29 – San Francisco, CA : Chase Center
March 30 – Sacramento, CA : Golden 1 Center
April 1 – Las Vegas, NV : T-Mobile Arena
April 2 – Glendale, AZ : Gila River Arena
April 6 – Los Angeles, CA : The Forum
April 8 – Los Angeles, CA : The Forum
April 9 – Los Angeles, CA : The Forum
Article written by : Tiffany Cuthrell, photo courtesy of Billie Eilish youTube
Billie Eilish Announces New Album, Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish has confirmed new music is near!
The talented songwriter has announced her second LP entitled Happier Than Ever, set to drop on July 30th of this year.
The 16 track album is available for pre-order now. The beautiful cover features an ivory-clad Billie, looking pensive and radiant. She has shed her signature lime-hued locks for a light blonde style, demonstrating a constant evolution both as a person and an artist.
Billie also announced the arrival of a new song, “Your Power”, hitting the airwaves this Thursday at 9 am Pacific Time. The song was co-written with her brother, Finneas, who has been her long-time songwriting partner.
Happier Than Ever is the follow up to her massively successful debut LP, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? that was released in March of 2019.
Last month, Ms. Eilish added another Grammy to her list of accolades for the track “Everything I Wanted”, winning her second consecutive Record Of The Year award. She previously nabbed the title last year for “Bad Guy”, snagging a total of five Grammys in 2020 for her spectacular debut.
Check out the tracklist below for Happier Than Ever, and pre-order the album (include some awesome bundles!) by following the link here.
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Tracklist
1. Getting Older
2. I Didn’t Change My Number
3. Billie Bossa Nova
4. my future
5. Oxytocin
6. GOLDWING
7. Lost Cause
8. Halley’s Comet
9. Not My Responsibility
10. OverHeated
11. Everybody Dies
12. Your Power
13. NDA
14. Therefore I Am
15. Happier Than Ever
16. Male Fantasy
Preview by Tiffany Cuthrell, photo courtesy of Kelia Anne MacCluskey
Sir Sly Releases Wondrous Track “Citizen”, Featuring Gary Clark Jr.
To celebrate the inauguration of our nation’s 46th President, Joe Biden, Sir Sly has released a brand new song entitled “Citizen”. The track features the exceptionally talented Gary Clark Jr.
After the tremendous shift in power with a divisive lean toward justice and equality, “Citizen” is a wonderful voice to mirror not only where we are coming from, but what we can move on from. From the darkness of the previous years and a debilitating pandemic, now is the perfect time for artists to reflect, look ahead, and lend voice to those that have attempted to be silenced.
“Citizen” is profound, emotional, deliberate, delightful, and most of all, important. With a beat as groovy as the LBC, the track masterfully blends vocals, various instruments, and poignant lyrics to set a stellar tone.
Vocalist frontman Landon Jacobs commented on “Citizen” stating, “‘Stay out of politics’ is something that a lot of people comment on the internet these days. No one wants their beloved musicians, athletes, actors, etc. to say anything political. But how can we not write honestly about the world around us? “Citizen” is a song aimed at shutting down this notion of keeping quiet…. I’m inspired by the people protesting in the streets, the POC leading the charge to dismantle white supremacy, and the other voices speaking out about the myriad of issues we are faced with in 2021. “Citizen” was written shortly after his election and is released to the world as a farewell to perhaps the worst and most divisive president in US history.”
Landon also added that after first crossing paths with Gary years back at the BottleRock festival in California, he came to mind as the needed finishing touch for “Citizen”. Gary’s free-flowing style is a perfect accompaniment, to say the very least.
Lyrically, the song begins building toward a fearlessness to speak up, and to not be a perfect citizen. It bridges toward a verse jabbing directly at the previous chaotic, white supremacist-filled four years.
“Little red hat, signal white pride
What you thinkin’, what you thinkin’?
White lies, sign of the times
What’s the dream that you’ve been dreaming?
You will never make anything great again, and you’re not my friend
Can I get an amen?”
Be sure to check out the full song (with powerful visualizer) via the YouTube link below!
Featured photo courtesy of Sir Sly, preview by Tiffany Cuthrell
ATMIG Is Back On The Scene With Beautiful Single, “Ah Hah”
Detroit’s own After The Money Is Gone (ATMIG) is back with a brand new single, just in time for the new year and a fresh start.
The terrific song, which drops today, is entitled “Ah Hah” and is available on all streaming platforms.
“Ah Hah” was composed during quarantine, and is a wonderfully welcome reflection for our chaotic 2020 year.
With the Coronavirus pandemic touching the entire globe, the gorgeous music emerging from the shadows is a breathtaking rainbow at the end of a very dark tunnel.
The song welcomes the listener with beautiful acoustic guitar, soon joined by percussion and vocals.
Vocalist Tobias Lipski sets the stage, as Julia Hickling sweeps in with accents setting the perfect tone while the story begins. Tobias and Julia’s voices blend and compliment each other in the kind of way that lets you know a band was destined to come together.
The lyrics paint, “Every day at your front door is a smiling face hiding the predator, ah hah… What makes them feel alive is what makes you bleed, beautiful dependency”. Bass, and electric guitar eventually amalgamate, rounding out the song’s incredible sound.
“Ah Hah” exquisitely presents a powerful commentary on companies that capitalize on customer needs and desperation, while still giving voice to so many who have been taken advantage of.
The poignant lyrics make it easy to look back on some of this year’s worst and ugliest moments, brought forth by nothing but sheer greed and selfishness.
With a key change, the band lays down pure poetry…
“Let’s engineer our mother, keep water from our brothers.
Point the finger when it hits the fan.
Let’s make them suffer, blame one another.
Sell the poison, hide the cure.”
Before the final “Ah Hah” chorus, the band delivers one final, impactful line. “…and as you step on me, I’m stepping on the ones deserving of this song – ah hah”.
During a special stream to celebrate “Ah Hah”, ATMIG will be performing a brand new track called “Quiet”. The stream will take place tonight at 10 PM, and gives an insider glance showing the band’s chemistry translating seamlessly from studio to stage. I feel very grateful to have gotten a behind the scenes peak at some of the stream, and it was a true joy to witness the band in action. I can promise you, the forthcoming stream is one you won’t want to miss!
“Quiet” is sure to be another tremendous example that the sky is the limit for ATMIG as they continue to grow, create, and put forth an effortlessly cohesive sound.
As 2020 comes to a close, we can all take comfort in knowing not only are we all in this together, but lovely songs like “Ah Hah” can carry us with some new perspective into the year ahead. ATMIG is hoping to play shows in Chicago and New York over the coming year. Music lovers are joining the band in keeping their fingers crossed that concerts can return in 2021.
Be sure to follow ATMIG on Facebook for updates, and please also visit their official site (which has some awesome merch, too!)
Give “Ah Hah” a listen below.
Preview by Tiffany Cuthrell, photo courtesy of ATMIG
SURPRISE! Taylor Swift Announces folklore Sister Album, evermore
Taylor Swift has announced the surprise release of her 9th studio album, evermore. The album is set to drop tonight at midnight, and will be the sister album to her massively successful previous release, folklore.
In a post on her social media platforms, Taylor reflects, “To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs. To try and put it more poetically, it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice: to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music. We chose to wander deeper in.”
Notably, as Taylor expresses, her albums have always been pieces that stand alone, and are clearly their own entity. After one era, she plans and moves on to the next. folklore was clearly a very special exception, and I personally cannot wait to wander deeper into those musical woods.
folklore had contributions by the pens of Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, William Bowery (who is actually Joe Alwyn!), and Justin Vernon. The post previews, “We’ve also welcomed some new (and longtime) friends to our musical kitchen table this time around…”
evermore is available for pre-order now at taylorswift.com.
Preview by Tiffany Cuthrell, photo courtesy of Beth Garrabrant
Run The Jewels Lend Talent & Likeness To Cyberpunk 2077
Run The Jewels debuted a new music video for epic track, “No Save Point” from their contribution to the game Cyberpunk 2077.
The futuristic video, which premiered at the Adult Swim Festival on Friday, nods to characters and themes in the game, including the Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City. Killer Mike and El-P are featured in the game as talented alter-ego duo, Yankee and the Brave. Other cameos include Keanu Reeves, A$AP Rocky, Grimes and more.
The first-person action game is set to drop on December 10th after many COVID setbacks, and will be available on multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4 and 5, Stadia, Xbox One, as well as Xbox Series X/S.
Check out the hard-hitting track below, as well as RTJ chatting with Adult Swim about the game and new song.
Preview by Tiffany Cuthrell, Illustration by Mad Dog Jones and Tim Saccenti
Stillwell Interview : Band Reflects On Stellar New Album + Collaborative Journey
Phoenixx Music Magazine caught up with the amazing band Stillwell to touch base about their incredible new album Supernatural Miracle, their collaborative process, evolution, Peter the rhino, and even Halloween.
Read the full interview below, and be sure to check out Supernatural Miracle, available now on all streaming platforms.
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Phoenixx Music Magazine: We both adore the new album, and noticed a comfortability and strength as a band, more than ever before! Was there a moment you realized you had finally found the sound you had been looking for?
Stillwell: Yes, it was the moment when Wuv stated almost the exact thoughts & feelings you have. Once he had mentioned it, it solidified we were on to something good
PMM: I absolutely love the album’s message to persevere, no matter what challenges come your way. Were there any challenges you had to face and overcome as far as getting out an album during this chaotic year?
Stillwell: There are always challenges when putting music out, especially during a time like this. And now we’ve been DIY for this album so that upped the ante. So if you noticed we’ve been using social media way more than we ever had in the past with our earlier releases.
PMM: It was easy for us to hear evolution and growth collaboratively from each album to the next. Has your process changed making music as Stillwell, as opposed to with your other bands?
Stillwell: Definitely. With Stillwell we have a different chemistry and understanding when we get together. Each album had a vastly different approach, but “Supernatural Miracle” in particular was as advertised, a Supernatural Miracle. Everything flowed.
PMM: For those moments you feel like you’re “in a rush to go nowhere fast”, do you guys have any hobbies or passions outside of music that really help to rejuvenate your creativity?
Stillwell: Wuv is a carpenter, something he’s been doing since he was a kid with his dad. Fieldy paints, within the past few years he’s painted a series of characters called “Izms” and has raised money for charity with them. Q is a martial artist who’s been training most of his life along with being a comic book collector.
PMM: It felt like Supernatural Miracle especially gave each band member’s talents a chance to shine. The way the album is crafted is remarkable, and very cohesive. How has working as Stillwell helped you to grow as individuals and musicians, apart from your other projects?
Stillwell: We’ve learned to not force the issue when it came to writing for Stillwell, no acting like there’s a sense of urgency, letting things flow and giving each individual the space and patience needed to do what they do. This is opposed to our first album where it was too tense and we were overthinking everything.
PMM: I’ve noticed a lot of fans expressing, “A Come To Jesus Moment” is exactly what they’ve needed during this crazy time. What has the response from fans been like so far in terms of welcoming the new album?
Stillwell: A majority of the responses have been great, everything from, like you said, what they exactly needed too people discovering us for the 1st time, which is cool because if “Supernatural Miracle” is their first impression, we’re very cool with that
PMM: Can you tell us about the genesis of Peter the rhino? He’s got some serious style, and it was cool to see Zip De Long’s animation bring him to life.
Stillwell: Peter was an idea we had when we dropped our first album, some 10+ years ago. We knew we wanted to produce an action figure of some sort. The name “Peter” was Q paying respect to his cousin Peter who was the first person in his life to Introduce him to bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Zip is awesome at what she does, and a very cool person who shows a lot of love online for Stillwell.
PMM: Obviously touring isn’t really possible at the moment. Do you have any ideas or plans for how to play this music for fans?
Stillwell: We’ve been utilizing social media a ton. This is the most we’ve ever done anything like this with live feeds, posts, comedy sketches, boomerangs, whatever we can come up with on a daily basis. Anything that’s going to direct traffic to make people curious enough to go check out our music and what it is that we’re doing.
PMM: Our favorite track from Supernatural Miracle is definitely “Best Day Ever”. Was there a song on the album that you were especially proud of how it came together?
Stillwell: We know it’s a generic answer but we love all the songs and are very proud with this particular album. To make something this cohesive and with the understanding that we were going to make something that we believe to be fun or fun music was extremely important to us so that when somebody tunes into what it is that we are doing they’re having fun and listening to some really fun music, good music.
PMM: Halloween is my favorite of all the holidays, so I have to ask … Do you have any plans to dress up for Halloween this year?
Of course!!! That’s our favorite holiday too, we think 90% of the holidays are our favorite holidays hahahahaha
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Interview by Tiffany Cuthrell + Jonathon Wright, photo courtesy of Stillwell
Stillwell Releases Tremendous Single “Gasoline”, Ahead Of Third Album’s Debut
Exceptional supergroup Stillwell is back with a brand new single that has dropped right ahead of their third album’s release.
Stillwell is a stellar altrock melding of the minds that is sure to result in an incredible new album. The band consists of Korn bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, P.O.D. drummer Noah “Wuv” Bernardo, and vocalist/guitarist Anthony “Q-Unique” Quiles.
The single, “Gasoline” is now available for excited ears across all listening platforms (check out the creative lyric video below!). Their new album, Supernatural Miracle, drops on September 18th. “Gasoline” rocks hard with a powerful beat. Q-Unique sings a chorus exclaiming, “Let’s add gasoline to the fire, let it all go up in a ball of flames”. The song feels like a terrific anthem for the chaos of our present time.
Stillwell has expressed that this effort has been their most cohesive ever, and the first single leaves no doubt about that. As they arrive at the doorstep of Supernatural Miracle‘s release, the band has reflected that they have finally found their own voice and sound. “We intentionally made sure to not sound like the other bands we’re a part of, out of respect, integrity and just wanting to push ourselves creatively,” Fieldy expressed in a release from the band. “If people want to hear Korn, POD or the 10 bands Q works with, they can just listen to those, Stillwell is it’s own thing. We put together what I think is our best work yet.”
Be sure to keep up to date with all things Stillwell by following the links below. Their website is packed with some awesome bundle pre-orders as well!
Stillwell links:
Official Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music
Preview by Tiffany Cuthrell, photo courtesy of Stillwell
Album Review : Taylor Swift’s folklore Is Just What We Needed
Taylor Swift’s new album is a cup of hot chocolate joy for our shivering, tattered souls.
In the midst of a global pandemic, folklore is the unexpected surprise we never knew we needed. Through sixteen gorgeous tracks (plus one bonus), the album takes us on a journey away from our troubles, and into an emotive world anyone can relate to. folklore reminds us of what Taylor Swift does best… telling us the most beautiful stories through brilliant songwriting.
The second the album begins, a wonderful, calming vibe is set. folklore starts with a light beat and piano tapping along. From the first lines, Taylor shows that folklore will be a refreshingly honest album, a style from her that we have grown accustomed to. “I’m doing good, I’m on some new shit. Been saying yes instead of no. I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though.”
The album’s second track, “Cardigan” is equally as beautiful and honest. I can’t help but picture the song being written in a reclusive cabin, but like Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago. Its venturing music video was released on the same day, and fits the song perfectly (I made sure to include a link below..!) The song’s chorus is one any person who has been in love can relate to, “..and when I like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed, you put me on and said I was your favorite”.
Third comes “the last great american dynasty”. The piano accompanies us along still, as the beat gets a little hipper, a little quicker. The narrative follows Rebekah and Bill, highlighting their journey and bold traits in a way only Taylor Swift can do.
Next comes the gorgeous, “exile” with Bon Iver. The piano is with us once more as Bon Iver’s unmatched harmonies trace their way along the lyrics. Swift joins in on the second verse, adding her own prose and chorus with tremendous harmonies. The song builds as Bon Iver and Swift join together in an emotional duet that feels just as open as “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”. I can’t help but feel endlessly happy for this collaboration, and the opportunity to introduce such a beautiful song into my musical library.
Throughout the album, I can undoubtedly recognize Jack Antonoff’s production and unmistakable lyrical cadence. His hand has been such a welcome friend on so many of Swift’s track treasures. The masterful folklore has a vulnerable feel that throws me back to Swift’s older albums, yet possesses the growth and wisdom of one like Lover.
“seven” brings a nostalgic summer feeling as Swift’s light vocals take us from a tree swing over a creek, to sipping sweet tea. Lyrics like, “…and I think you should come live with me, and we can be pirates. Then you won’t have to cry, or hide in the closet” allow us to feel another’s connection in the most profound of ways. It’s easy and wonderful to pick out the lyrical inspiration for the title of each deluxe edition available to order. Finding the edition’s titles feels like a glorious scavenger hunt.
“this is me trying” offers such incredible insight into the depth of work a relationship requires, personal growth, and the feeling of looking back. “I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere. Fell behind all my classmates, and I ended up here.”
“illicit affairs” makes me reminisce on the hidden encounters that graced us in “Style” and “I Know Places”. It expresses how unique a connection can be with those we love in such a profound way. “You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else… You taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else”. It also paints such a perfect picture of how foolish love can make us… “Don’t call me kid, don’t call me baby. Look at this god-forsaken mess that you made me… You know damn well for you I would ruin myself a million little times”.
“invisible string’ is one of my personal favorites on the album. It begins with such a relatable adventure when we’re waiting for love to come along… “Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park, I used to think I would meet somebody there.” The instrumentation and vocal expedition of the song is vast and beyond lovely. In typical Taylor Swift fashion, she continues to include color throughout, emphasizing feeling and allowing any listener to easily put themselves in her shoes. “Gold was the color of the leaves when I showed you around Centennial Park… Gave me the blues and then purple skies.” A standout lyric, “Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA, you ate at my favorite spot for dinner” weaves the golden invisible string that leads these two souls together.
“betty” so vividly takes us back to Taylor’s songwriting and stylistic roots in the very best of ways. Beginning with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, the song reflects on an old connection and opportunities passed. Swift’s expletive additions remind us just how much her courage has grown as a songwriter as well. “But if I just showed up at your party, would you have me? Would you want me? Would you tell me to go fuck myself? Or lead me to the garden?” With a key change, and glorious “Love Story”-type of ending, she sings, “Yeah, I showed up at your party, will you have me? Will you love me? Will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends?” Betty also welcomes some mystery, leaving us wondering if Betty is someone Swift is reminiscing, or a story told from another perspective. This unknown makes the song even more endearing.
Appropriately, “hoax” closes out the album with just a piano and Swift’s emotive vocals. Strings add such a gentle touch in all the right places. Acoustic guitar joins as well, adding subtle but beautiful layers. The honest chorus hits with, “Stood on the cliff side screaming, ‘Give me a reason’. Your faithless love’s the only hoax I believe in.”
Overall, folklore is a downright masterpiece. It plays like an album I could listen to forever, and never tire of. The collaborative hand of the National’s Aaron Dessner is evident and so welcome throughout. In hindsight, folklore is the type of album that seems perfect to have made in our current time. Typically, Swift’s albums have been released in grand fashion, with several cryptic hints, videos, and singles proceeding… but this album has taken us back to the basics of great music in such a stripped-down moment in history. folklore is a (Polaroid) snap into creativity and remote collaboration at its finest, a sonic photo we can look back on and enjoy forevermore.
Review by Tiffany Cuthrell, photo by Beth Garrabrant