‘Dawn FM’ by The Weeknd (Album)
The Weeknd has officially dropped his latest album, Dawn FM (XO/Republic Records). The surprise release began with a compelling trailer for the project and the reveal of the album cover and tracklist earlier in the week. The album, deemed a “sonic experience” by The Weeknd, showcases a unique cast of features from Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Jim Carrey.
As a part of the rollout, The Weeknd appeared in “103.5 Dawn FM”, a live stream experience which aired exclusively on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and in the Amazon Music app.
‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ by Jonas Blue & Why Don’t We
Multi-platinum producer Jonas Blue has kicked off the new year with a bang as he drops the soon-to-be pop smash ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ with hotly tipped US band Why Don’t We. The new year is upon us and this fresh release is primed and ready to set 2022 alight.
‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ is the first new release from Jonas Blue’s brand new collaboration project ’Together’ that will see a stream of new music dropped across the year with exciting global talent. All of these collaborations will feature the theme of togetherness, unity and positivity – a crucial message that’s needed in the world more than ever right now – and is synonymous with Jonas’ music and his hugely successful career to date.
Opening up with a sound space of arpeggiated guitars and piano, the track is soaked in addictive melody, sung by one of the most exciting boy bands on the planet right now.
Jonas comments; “I’ve been wanting to get a collab going with Why Don’t We since they first hit me up on Twitter back in 2019. These guys have amazing vocals which grabbed me instantly, so I knew we could create something really special together. Don’t Wake Me Up has a real depth to the lyrics. If you break it down it’s about finding your true love in your dream. I can’t wait to share it with the world!”
‘People disappear here’ by Halsey
With a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Alternative Music Album and appearances on 30+ “Best Albums of 2021” lists bringing Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power to the forefront once again, the iconic artist kicks off 2022 with the surprise drop of the extended edition of the career-defining album. The new edition includes two new songs – “Nightmare Reprise” and “People disappear here” – for a total of 16 tracks, all penned by Halsey.
Alongside the release of the extended edition, Halsey unveiled lyric videos for “Nightmare Reprise” and “People disappear here” and new visualizers for each of the album’s songs. Over the holidays, she shared live versions of tracks from If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.
‘Sweet Talker (Navos Remix)’ by Years & Years
Years & Years has today released a Navos remix of new single ‘Sweet Talker’. A euphoric, house-inspired rework of Olly Alexander’s latest anthem from the Liverpudlian DJ and producer, the new Years & Years album – ‘Night Call’ – will see a release on Polydor Records on January 21st. Following the album’s release, ‘The Night Call Tour’ will also kick off later this year, featuring a huge London date at The SSE Arena, Wembley on May 26th.
‘Sweet Talker’ continues a whirlwind period of activity for Olly Alexander. Over the festive period alone, Olly hosted The Big New Years & Years Eve Party on BBC1 (with special guests and past collaborators Kylie Minogue and Pet Shop Boys) as well as starring in a Christmas Day special of The Great British Bake Off alongside cast members from his record-breaking, award-winning Channel 4 show, It’s A Sin. All of which sets the stage for ‘Night Call’, and the most essential Years & Years album to date.
The Smile
The Smile, the new group comprising Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons Of Kemet’s Tom Skinner, have revealed their debut single ‘You Will Never Work In Television Again’.
The track, which is available now accompanied by a lyric video (dir. Duncan Loudon) was first heard in the band’s secret show as part of last year’s Glastonbury event Live At Worthy Farm. It is the first official release from The Smile, produced by Nigel Godrich.
Claptone
Swiss DJ / Producer du jour Nora En Pure gives Claptone’s Queen of Ice (featuring Canadian band Dizzy), from his latest album ‘Closer’ the remix treatment, delivering a track perfect for clubs and dance radio. “Maybe this is the best song that I have written and produced so far,” says the house DJ on the track ‘Queen of Ice’ with Dizzy, “pairing this moody beast of music with her sharp and beautifully carved lyrics, and now being able to hear her voice cutting thru the wall of sound.”
EELS
EELS share ‘Amateur Hour’, the 4th single ahead of the release of their anticipated fourteenth studio album Extreme Witchcraft, out on January 28 via [PIAS] and the band’s own E Works Records. EELS leader Mark Oliver Everett, aka E, co-produced the record with PJ Harvey producer and guitarist John Parish, marking the first time the two have recorded together since 2001’s Souljacker album. On the collaboration, E says, “If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook.”
Foxes
Foxes have shared ‘Absolute’, the latest single to be taken from her highly-anticipated upcoming album, The Kick, due for release on February 11 2022 via [PIAS] Recordings.
An ode to freedom and late-night euphoria, the disco-infused track was produced by Ghost Culture (Daniel Avery, Kelly Lee Owens). Discussing the track, Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen) says ‘Absolute’ is about “the middle of one of those nights when everything around you feels perfectly aligned. The people, the sound and the freedom to be exactly who you are.”
Pinegrove
New Jersey-based group Pinegrove shared their new single titled “Respirate.” A crushing ballad, the track is the latest song to release from their forthcoming new album 11:11 (out January 28th on Rough Trade Records) and urges us to look out for and love each other.
Inspired by the chaos during the pandemic, further exacerbated by poor policy & leadership, singer/ guitarist Evan Stephen Halls says, “How can we make sure to look out for one another in the absence of meaningful leadership and materially significant policy? We’ve been stranded but we will look out for each other—what choice do we have? [‘Respirate’] is a reminder that we’re in this together.”