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Riley Green's Melbourne concert takes a surprising turn as a fan throws a phone on stage, disrupting the performance.

Riley Green's Melbourne Concert Interrupted by Thrown Phone

Album: Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs by Zach Bryan (2026)
Genre: Country
Format: EP

Artist Background: Zachary Lane Bryan (born April 2, 1996) is an American singer-songwriter from Oologah, Oklahoma. Early life Bryan was born in Japan while his family was deployed in the Navy overseas, but grew up in Oologah, Oklahoma. He is the son of Dewayne Bryan and Annette DeAnn (Mullen) Bryan, and has a sister, Mackenzie. Continuing a family tradition, Bryan was an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy. He used his spare time to write music for his enjoyment. Musical career Bryan started uploading his musi... Part of the Oologah, Oklahoma, USA music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Country movement.

Related Artists: Sam Barber, Tyler Childers

Music Scene: Part of the Oologah, Oklahoma, USA music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Country movement.

Tags: Country, 2020s, EP


Album: Back to Bedlam by James Blunt (2004)
Genre: Pop-Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Good Natured
Record Label: Atlantic
Format: Album

Description: Back to Bedlam is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. The album was released on 11 October 2004 through Atlantic Records. The album was a major commercial success, topping the albums charts of over ten countries, as well as reaching number two in the United States and three other countries, and was met with much acclaim. Back to Bedlam sold 11 million copies worldwide and was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK with almost 2.4 million copies. It is the best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the UK with 3.2 million sold. In 2011, it was overtaken by the Amy Winehouse's Back to Black as the biggest-selling album in the UK in the 21st century. Back to Bedlam currently ranks as the 16th best-selling album in UK Chart history. The named is based on the infamous Psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, commonly known as Bedlam.

Artist Background: James Hillier Blount (born 22 February 1974), better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005. His repertoire can be best described as a mix of acoustic-tinged pop, rock and folk. After recording on the independent American label Custard Records, Blunt won two Brit Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, two Iv... Part of the Tidworth, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Pop-Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: James Morrison, Daniel Powter, David Gray, Jason Mraz

Music Scene: Part of the Tidworth, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Pop-Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop-Rock, Rock/Pop, Good Natured, 2000s, Album, Atlantic

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Back to Bedlam is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. The album was released on 11 October 2004 through Atlantic Records. The album was a major commercial success, topping the albums charts of over ten countries, as well as reaching number two in the United States and three other countries, and was met with much acclaim. Back to Bedlam sold 11 million copies worldwide and was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK with almost 2.4 million copies. It is the best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the UK with 3.2 million sold. In 2011, it was overtaken by the Amy Winehouse's Back to Black as the biggest-selling album in the UK in the 21st century. Back to Bedlam currently ranks as the 16th best-selling album in UK Chart history. The named is based on the infamous Psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, commonly known as Bedlam.

Album: The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses (1989)
Genre: Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Rousing
Format: Album

Description: The Stone Roses is the debut album by English rock band The Stone Roses, released on Silvertone Records in 1989. It cemented the band's reputation among critics, and is still rated by some as one of the most influential albums. In 2004 an Observer Music Monthly poll consisting of musicians and critics voted the album the greatest of all time, as did the writers of NME in 2006, declaring it to be the greatest British album of all time. It is widely considered as the seminal record of the Madchester movement that was active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and as being highly responsible for the mid 1990s resurrection of British guitar music that came to be known as Britpop.

The Stone Roses formed in 1984 and released their full-length debut in the spring of 1989, having previously released a handful of singles on several different labels. The band came from Manchester, where the so-called Madchester movement was centred. Despite not considering themselves part of this scene, their eponymous debut brought them nationwide success along with such Madchester groups as the Inspiral Carpets and Happy Mondays.

The Roses recorded the album with John Leckie, a notable producer who had worked with Pink Floyd on Meddle. It was released by Silvertone, a division of Zomba Records created to work with "new rock" acts.

The band played a number of high-profile gigs supporting the album, including one at what was regarded as the centre of the "Baggy"/"Madchester" scene, Manchester's The HaÃ§ienda nightclub. Andrew Collins wrote in NME: "Bollocks to Morrissey at Wolverhampton, to The Sundays at The Falcon, to PWEI at Brixton - I'm already drafting a letter to my grandchildren telling them that I saw The Stone Roses at the HaÃ§ienda."

The Roses' 1990 Spike Island gig, organized by the band and attended by over 27,000 fans, also holds a formidable reputation. Critics have frequently labeled it the 'Woodstock of the baggy generation'.

Artist Background: The Stone Roses are an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band's most successful lineup consists of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani, and drummer Reni. The band released their debut album, The Stone Roses, in 1989. The album was a breakthrough success for the band and garnered critical acclaim, with many critics regarding it as one of... Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Oasis, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, The Seahorses

Music Scene: Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Rock, Rock/Pop, Rousing, 1980s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 9. Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Stone Roses is the debut album by English rock band The Stone Roses, released on Silvertone Records in 1989. It cemented the band's reputation among critics, and is still rated by some as one of the most influential albums. In 2004 an Observer Music Monthly poll consisting of musicians and critics voted the album the greatest of all time, as did the writers of NME in 2006, declaring it to be the greatest British album of all time. It is widely considered as the seminal record of the Madchester movement that was active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and as being highly responsible for the mid 1990s resurrection of British guitar music that came to be known as Britpop.

The Stone Roses formed in 1984 and released their full-length debut in the spring of 1989, having previously released a handful of singles on several different labels. The band came from Manchester, where the so-called Madchester movement was centred. Despite not considering themselves part of this scene, their eponymous debut brought them nationwide success along with such Madchester groups as the Inspiral Carpets and Happy Mondays.

The Roses recorded the album with John Leckie, a notable producer who had worked with Pink Floyd on Meddle. It was released by Silvertone, a division of Zomba Records created to work with "new rock" acts.

The band played a number of high-profile gigs supporting the album, including one at what was regarded as the centre of the "Baggy"/"Madchester" scene, Manchester's The HaÃ§ienda nightclub. Andrew Collins wrote in NME: "Bollocks to Morrissey at Wolverhampton, to The Sundays at The Falcon, to PWEI at Brixton - I'm already drafting a letter to my grandchildren telling them that I saw The Stone Roses at the HaÃ§ienda."

The Roses' 1990 Spike Island gig, organized by the band and attended by over 27,000 fans, also holds a formidable reputation. Critics have frequently labeled it the 'Woodstock of the baggy generation'.

Album: The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance (2006)
Genre: Alternative Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Moody
Record Label: Reprise Records
Format: Album

Description: The Black Parade is the third studio album by American band My Chemical Romance. Released on October 23, 2006 through Reprise Records, it was produced by Rob Cavallo, known for having produced multiple albums for Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day. It is a rock opera centering on a dying character with cancer known as "The Patient". The album tells the story of his apparent death, experiences in the afterlife, and subsequent reflection on his life.
Four singles were released from the album: "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words", "I Don't Love You", and "Teenagers". The Black Parade has received generally favorable reviews, and the band achieved its first Number 1 single in the UK with "Welcome to the Black Parade". The album debuted at number two on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart and is also certified as platinum by the RIAA, as well as a Platinum certification in the UK and a Gold certificacion in Argentina by the CAPIF and in Chile by the IFPI Chile. The Black Parade was given the Platinum Europe Award by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for 1 million sales in Europe. The limited edition boxed set also earned My Chemical Romance a Grammy Award nomination. In the video game Guitar Hero II (Xbox 360 version), the song "Dead!" was added to the game's track list prior to the earlier PS2 version, and the three songs "Teenagers," "Famous Last Words" and "This Is How I Disappear" are available for download. The Black Parade has sold 1,610,000 copies in the US as of October 2010.

Artist Background: My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way. Shortly after forming, the band signed to Eyeball Records and released their debut album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. They signed with Reprise Records the next year and released their major label debut Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge in 2004; the album was a commercial s... Part of the New Jersey, USA music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Gerard Way, Frank Iero, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco

Music Scene: Part of the New Jersey, USA music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Alternative Rock, Rock/Pop, Moody, 2000s, Album, Reprise Records

Additional Context: Sales figures: 2800000. Rating score: 9. Based on 3 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Black Parade is the third studio album by American band My Chemical Romance. Released on October 23, 2006 through Reprise Records, it was produced by Rob Cavallo, known for having produced multiple albums for Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day. It is a rock opera centering on a dying character with cancer known as "The Patient". The album tells the story of his apparent death, experiences in the afterlife, and subsequent reflection on his life.
Four singles were released from the album: "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words", "I Don't Love You", and "Teenagers". The Black Parade has received generally favorable reviews, and the band achieved its first Number 1 single in the UK with "Welcome to the Black Parade". The album debuted at number two on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart and is also certified as platinum by the RIAA, as well as a Platinum certification in the UK and a Gold certificacion in Argentina by the CAPIF and in Chile by the IFPI Chile. The Black Parade was given the Platinum Europe Award by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for 1 million sales in Europe. The limited edition boxed set also earned My Chemical Romance a Grammy Award nomination. In the video game Guitar Hero II (Xbox 360 version), the song "Dead!" was added to the game's track list prior to the earlier PS2 version, and the three songs "Teenagers," "Famous Last Words" and "This Is How I Disappear" are available for download. The Black Parade has sold 1,610,000 copies in the US as of October 2010.

Album: you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love by Olivia Rodrigo (2026)
Record Label: Olivia Rodrigo PS
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from US, known for folk pop, musical, pop, pop punk, pop rock

Related Artists: Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift

Music Scene: Part of the Temecula, California, USA music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Manufactured Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, Olivia Rodrigo PS


If Olivia Rodrigo has a superpower, it’s that, at 18, she already understands that adolescence spares no one. The heartbreak, the humiliation, the vertiginous weight of every lonesome thought and outsized feeling—none of that really leaves us, and exploring it honestly almost always makes for good pop songs. “I grew up listening to country music,” the California-born singer-songwriter (also an experienced actor and current star of Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) tells Apple Music. “And I think it’s so impactful and emotional because of how specific it is, how it really paints pictures of scenarios. I feel like a song is so much more special when you can visualise and picture it, even smell and taste all of the stuff that the songwriter's going through.” 
To listen to Rodrigo’s debut full-length is to know—on a very deep and almost uncomfortably familiar level—exactly what she was going through when she wrote it at 17. Anchored by the now-ubiquitous breakup ballad ‘drivers license’—an often harrowing, closely studied lead single that already felt like a lock for song-of-the-year honours the second it arrived in January 2021—SOUR combines the personal and universal to often devastating effect, folding diary-like candour and autobiographical detail into performances that recall the millennial pop of Taylor Swift (“favorite crime”) just as readily as the ’90s alt-rock of Elastica (“brutal”) and Alanis Morissette (“good 4 u”). It has the sound and feel of an instant classic, a Jagged Little Pill for Gen Z. 
“All the feelings that I was feeling were so intense,” Rodrigo says. “I called the record SOUR because it was this really sour period of my life—I remember being so sad, and so insecure, and so angry. I felt all those things, and they're still very real, but I'm definitely not going through that as acutely as I used to. It’s nice to go back and see what I was feeling, and be like, ‘It all turned out all right. You're okay now.’” A little older and a lot wiser, Rodrigo shares the wisdom she learned channelling all of that into one of the most memorable debut albums in ages. 
Let Your Mind Wander
“I took an AP psychology class in high school my junior year, and they said that you're the most creative when you're doing some type of menial task, because half of your brain is occupied with something and the other half is just left to roam. I find that I come up with really good ideas when I'm driving for that same reason. I actually wrote the first verse and some of the chorus of ‘enough for you’ going on a walk around my neighbourhood; I got the idea for ‘good 4 u’ in the shower. I think taking time to be out of the studio and to live your life is as productive—if not more—than just sitting in a room with your guitar trying to write songs. While making SOUR, there was maybe three weeks where I spent like six, seven days a week of 13 hours in the studio. I actually remember feeling so creatively dry, and the songs I was making weren't very good. I think that's a true testament to how productive rest can be. There's only so much you can write about when you're in the studio all day, just listening to your own stuff.” 
Trust Your Instincts
“Before I met my collaborator, producer—and co-writer in many instances—Dan Nigro, I would just write songs in my bedroom, completely by myself. So it was a little bit of a learning curve, figuring out how to collaborate with other people and stick up for your ideas and be open to other people's. Sometimes it takes you a little while to gain the confidence to really remember that your gut feelings are super valid and what makes you a special musician. I struggled for a while with writing upbeat songs just because I thought in my head that I should write about happiness or love if I wanted to write a song that people could dance to. And ‘brutal’ is actually one of my favourite songs on SOUR, but it almost didn't make it on the record. Everyone was like, ‘You make it the first [track], people might turn it off as soon as they hear it.’ I think it's a great introduction to the world of SOUR.” 
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
“I wrote this album when I was 17. There's sort of this feeling that goes along with putting out a record when you're that age, like, ‘Oh my god, this is not the best work that I'll ever be able to do. I could do better.’ So it was really important for me to learn that this album is a slice of my life and it doesn't have to be the best work that I'll ever do. Maybe my next record will be better, and maybe I'll grow. It's nice, I think, for listeners to go on that journey with songwriters and watch them refine their songwriting. It doesn't have to be perfect now—it’s the best that I can do when I'm 17 years old, and that's enough and that's cool in its own right.” 
Love What You Do
“I learned that I liked making songs a lot more than I like putting out songs, and that love of songwriting stayed the same for me throughout. I learned how to nurture it, instead of the, like, ‘Oh, I want to get a Top 40 hit!’-type thing. Honestly, when ‘drivers license’ came out, I was sort of worried that it was going to be the opposite and I was going to write all of my songs from the perspective of wanting it to chart. But I really just love writing songs, and I think that's a really cool position to be in.” 
Find Your People
“I feel like the purpose of ‘yes’ people in your life is to make you feel secure. But whenever I'm around people who think that everything I do is incredible, I feel so insecure for some reason; I think that everything is bad and they're just lying to me the whole time. So it's really awesome to have somebody who I really trust with me in the studio. That's Dan. He’ll tell me, ‘This is an amazing song. Let's do it.’ But I'll also play him a song that I really like and he’ll say, ‘You know what, I don't think this is your best song. I think you can write a better one.’ There's something so empowering and something so cool about that, about surrounding yourself with people who care enough about you to tell you when you can do better. Being a songwriter is sort of strange in that I feel like I've written songs and said things, told people secrets through my songs that I don't even tell some people that I hang out with all the time. It's a sort of really super mega vulnerable thing to do. But then again, it's the people around me who really love me and care for me who gave me the confidence to sort of do that and show who I really am.” 
You Really Never Know
“To me, ‘drivers license’ was never one of those songs that I would think: ‘It's a hit song.’ It's just a little slice of my heart, this really sad song. It was really cool for me to see evidence of how authenticity and vulnerability really connect with people. And everyone always says that, but you really never know. So many grown men will come up to me and be like, ‘Yo, I'm happily married with three kids, but that song brought me back to my high school breakup.’ Which is so cool, to be able to affect not only people who are going through the same thing as you, but to bring them back to a time where they were going through the same thing as you are. That's just surreal, a songwriter's dream.”

Album: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

Artist Background: Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 - 23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul (sometimes labelled as blue-eyed soul and neo soul), rhythm and blues, and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her 2006 follow-up album, Back to Black, led to five 2008 Grammy Awards, tying the then record for the most wins... Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Duffy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Adele, Etta James

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.


The producer Mark Ronson remembers when Amy Winehouse came in with the lyrics for “Back to Black”. They were at a studio in New York in early 2006, their first day working together. Ronson had given her a portable CD player with the song’s piano track, and Winehouse disappeared into the back for about an hour to write. What she re-emerged with was great: bleak, but funny; tough, but hopelessly romantic. The chorus, though—it kept tripping him up: “We only said goodbye in words, I died a thousand times.” “This thing in my brain went off,” he tells Apple Music, “like Producer 101. Like, doesn’t it have to rhyme?” He asked her to change it, but she just gave him a blank look. “Like, ‘What do you mean, change it? That’s how it came out—I don’t know how to change it.’” Ronson still has the page, actually: In one corner, the chords for the Grover Washington song “Mr. Magic”, which Winehouse covered on her first album, 2003’s Frank; in another, the phone number of someone Ronson thinks Winehouse met at the club the night before. And drawn around the lyrics, little cartoon hearts, the kind you might see in a young girl’s diary. 
For all her brashness, what makes Back to Black so moving is the sense that Winehouse is constantly trying to punch through her pain—not to suppress it, exactly, but to wrap it in enough barbed wire that nobody could quite reach its core. “He left no time to regret/Kept his dick wet with his same safe old bet”: That was her. But the cartoon hearts: Those were her, too, no matter how hard she worked to keep them hidden. Salaam Remi—who produced the half of the album that Ronson didn’t—says listening to her lyrics was like being with a kid who’s misbehaving: You want to laugh because it’s funny, but if you do, she’s just going to push it further. “That was her shifty comedic energy,” Remi tells Apple Music. “You weren’t getting ‘I’m heartbroken.’ You were getting ‘I’m going to take the piss out of you for thinking you’re going to do something to me.’” 
The album’s appeal to soul music is obvious: The Motown horns (“Rehab”, “Tears Dry on Their Own”), the girl-group romance (“Back to Black”), the organic quality of the arrangements (“You Know I’m No Good”)—much of it courtesy of Brooklyn outfit The Dap-Kings. But Winehouse’s presentation still makes her music feel different—not so much an attempt to recreate the past as to honour the music she loved while still being true to the trash-talking, self-effacing millennial she was. Remi’s experience working with Nas and the Fugees makes sense: The sound of Back to Black might appeal to retro-soul fans and jazz classicists, but the attitude is closer to rap. And years before the next generation learned to temper their misery with sarcasm, memes and deadpan fatalism, we had Winehouse and her cartoon hearts, fluttering around words so crass you could barely believe she was singing them at all, let alone with a horn section. Yes, she’s funny. But she isn’t kidding.

"The Essential Michael Jackson" showcases a masterful blend of pop, rock, and soul, characterized by its polished production and innovative arrangements. The album features a rich tapestry of instrumentation, from the punchy brass sections in "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to the lush strings in "Human Nature." Each track is meticulously crafted, with layered harmonies and rhythmic grooves that create an infectious energy. The tempos vary, offering both upbeat dance anthems and slower, emotive ballads, all underpinned by tight, syncopated rhythms. The sonic textures are distinctively vibrant, with a dynamic range that highlights Jackson's vocal prowess and the intricate production techniques of the era, making this compilation a definitive showcase of his artistic brilliance.

Album: The Essential Michael Jackson by Michael Jackson (2005)
Genre: Pop
Record Label: Epic/Legacy
Format: album

Artist Background: Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began hi... Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: The Jacksons, The Jackson 5, 3T, Janet Jackson

Music Scene: Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, 2000s, album, Epic/Legacy


"The Art of Loving" envelops listeners in a lush soundscape, characterized by its warm, analog production that seamlessly blends contemporary R&B with vintage soul influences. The instrumentation is rich and varied, featuring smooth electric piano, subtle strings, and crisp percussion that create a dynamic yet intimate atmosphere. Each track oscillates between mid-tempo grooves and slower ballads, allowing for a fluid exploration of emotion. The textures are layered, with Dean's velvety vocals weaving through harmonies that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Distinctive for its organic feel, the album captures the essence of love in all its complexities, making each song resonate deeply while maintaining an inviting, polished finish.

Album: The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean (2025)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is an English singer. She began her career working in collaboration with Rudimental. She was named Amazon Music's 2021 breakthrough artist of the year and recorded an exclusive version of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" for Amazon's 2021 Christmas Originals line-up, which charted at number 19 in the UK singles chart Part of the Greater London, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era.

Related Artists: Nectar Woode, Joy Crookes, Joesef, Eloïse

Music Scene: Part of the Greater London, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era.

Tags: 2020s, Album


By her own admission, Olivia Dean is an “extreme perfectionist”. But, one day while making her debut album, the London singer-songwriter found herself mumbling the word “messy” over and over again while playing her guitar—and unlocked something lighter within herself. “I just loved the idea of flipping ‘messy’ from being a negative word into this beautiful thing,” she tells Apple Music. “I applied that to finishing the album and it was like, ‘We’re going to keep me laughing in there’ or, ‘The piano doesn’t have to exactly be in time on that part.’ I think in an age where everybody is pretending that their life is amazing, it’s really refreshing to be like, ‘My life’s a mess. And your life’s probably a mess too.’ But that’s fine: That’s the spice of life.” 

The aptly titled Messy is a sublime debut—that “messy approach” lending it a warm, immediate feeling that often makes listening feel like you’re right inside it. The album houses the soulful, jazz-inflected, old-soul songwriting and made-for-summer-days pop that Dean has built her name on: “In the studio I’d say, ‘Can you do this one a bit more like you just had the best day of your life, but suddenly the sun is setting?’” she says. There are sculptural, string-laden ballads (“No Man”), loose instrumental moments (such as on “Ladies Room” and “Getting There”) and intimate confessionals on her mental health (“Everybody’s Crazy”) or watching an ex thrive without her (“Dangerously Easy”). It’s all anchored by Dean’s effortless vocals, and the album presents as an irresistible series of vignettes set everywhere from the girls’ bathroom at a pub to her imaginary flower shop in South London (“I Could Be a Florist”) and home, on the exquisite “Carmen”—a jubilant tribute to her grandmother who came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation. Here, Dean takes us inside Messy, one track at a time. 

“UFO”
“I thought it was the perfect opener because it’s like, ‘Hello, everyone. You’re about to go on a journey with this shy alien who is trying to find a place to land herself. Come along.’ This was one of the earliest songs we wrote for the record—it started out as a joke, as a lot of our songs tend to. [Producer] Matt [Hales] and I were having a cup of tea, and I said, ‘It’s a bit of a sexy problem.’ He thought it was hilarious. We went back to the studio, and I was talking about Nick Drake and how I liked the guitar style of his songs. The song was written really quickly and I listened to it 20 times that evening, like, ‘This is it.’”

“Dive”
“I love the drama, and my karaoke song is ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor so I knew I wanted to have [an intro like that] on my record. I wrote this on a really sunny day in London and was talking about how I was ready to fall in love again and feeling open to it. We were thinking about Aretha Franklin and Carole King and all the chords that they use to make your heart feel like you’re flying on a cloud. This one took the longest to finish—because I knew it was good, that it could be an important song, that it was special. It might sound carefree but a lot of work went into it. I was working on it for a year.”

“Ladies Room”
“I was in my local pub in the girls’ bathroom and this lady said something like, ‘Girls, never go out with a man 20 years your senior.’ Then he called her and she was like, ‘I don’t want to go home but I’ve got to leave.’ I thought that was a brilliant start to a song because I’ve had that before. When I was a little younger and not as independent as I am now, [I] was in, to put it frankly, more toxic relationships. I would have gone home if my boyfriend was like, ‘Stay in with me,’ so I needed to write a song that was like, ‘Do whatever you want to do.’ The rest of it was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got to Give It Up’ and how that party sound goes throughout it.”

“No Man”
“Originally this had loads of instrumentation. It was dense, with crazy drums, and I realised I wasn’t doing justice to what I was singing about, which was quite sad and vulnerable. I wanted it to feel quite [James] Bond-y, but I was also listening to a lot of Mac Miller’s Circles. I don’t want to talk about the subject matter too intensely—I feel people can get the vibe of what it’s about.” 

“Dangerously Easy”
“This one is about seeing somebody you loved doing really well without you and feeling like, ‘How are they making it look so easy? Why are you so fine without me?’ But it’s not an angry song—it’s very amicable. Some of my favourite lyrics on this record are in this song. It’s got this kind of ‘Redbone’-y bassline in the bridge and I love it. The one feels quite old school to me.”

“Getting There (Interlude)”
“This was always just on the end of ‘Dangerously Easy’, but I thought, ‘She’s got legs. She can be her own song.’ When we were recording the last bits to the album, I said to the band [Dean made the record with her live band], ‘When we get to the end, just go for it.’ It was the first take of what we did.”

“Danger”
“At first I thought, ‘I can’t have two songs on the same album with “danger” in. That’s not allowed.’ And then I was like, ‘Anything’s allowed.’ I had been wanting to write something fun because I’d been writing a lot of sad music. I had this complex of, ‘If something’s fun and simple then it can’t be good.’ Actually, yes, it can. I think of some songs as Tangfastics—they’re just fun sweeties that you love. And other songs are like sad muesli. You’ve got to have it, it’s good for you, but it’s not the most exciting. I definitely wanted to play with lovers rock and bossa nova, because I grew up listening to a lot of that stuff. It’s also just a classic Olivia Dean song: I will fall in love with you, but not quite.”

“The Hardest Part”
“She’s an oldie but she had to be on the album because I think this song has been very defining for me. It was written at a time when I was very sad and was trying to process letting go of a relationship that I thought was it for me—as you do when you’re young and in love. I was so invested, but had this epiphany: ‘You are not a good person for me, and I’ve changed so much, and you are not able to love the person that I’ve changed into.’ Accepting that, that’s the hardest part. I’m so proud of the lyric: ‘I was only 18/You should’ve known that I was always gonna change.’ That concept of people telling you that you’ve changed like it’s a bad thing. It’s like, ‘Yes, I have and that’s fantastic.’” 

“I Could Be a Florist”
“I went to the studio and was supposed to be finishing ‘Dive’, but I was having a little bit of an existential moment—I felt I couldn’t turn off from music. I was fantasising about how wonderful it would be to be a florist. You could make lovely bouquets for people and bring people joy and look at flowers all day and then put the closed sign on the shop door. It came super quickly—I left the demo how it was. Now, obviously when I listen to it, [I realise] it’s a love song and it’s about wanting to bring flowers to people as a metaphor for love.” 

“Messy”
“The last track I wrote for the album. I had this guitar part that I kept playing over and I just kept saying the word ‘messy’. I thought, ‘What is this song about? What am I trying to say?’ Maybe it was about a relationship being messy, but I had one of those epiphany moments, like, ‘No. It’s a song to myself. I’m writing a song to tell myself I’m allowed to be messy. Your album doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be you.’” 

“Everybody’s Crazy”
“I love this song, but it does also terrify me. It really puts me out there. As in, my heart on the line. But you have got to be brave. It’s all well and good for me to have songs like ‘Ladies Room’ where I’m like, ‘I’m an independent lady, you can’t tell me what to do,’ but obviously I go home and cry into my pillow sometimes. Let’s be real. For me, this song is a warm hug, a bowl of tomato soup, but then at the end it’s like you’re on mushrooms and suddenly the world’s opening up.”

“Carmen”
“Out of everything I’ve made, this felt like the thing I made most for me. It feels so specific to my life. I knew that I wanted to immortalise my grandmother forever, even when I’m gone and my great-grandkids are gone. That’s what music can do for someone. It was something that was very private at the beginning. It’s a song about her coming to the UK from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation. She got on a plane in 1963 and came over with her baby sister and completely changed her life. Then she had four kids, and they had kids and one of them is me.

“I wanted this to feel like a celebration because, at the time and now, there is a lot of negativity around Windrush. I thought, ‘They need a celebration.’ The way that people from that generation loved the Queen—they needed the love back and the lyric ‘Never got a jubilee’ was me giving her that. When I was writing this song, I pictured my granny sitting on a throne, steel pans are playing and everybody’s just having a great time and eating mac and cheese at her diamond jubilee. I cried when we had the steel pan player come in and record because I just think it’s the most beautiful sound in the world—for me, it’s nostalgic for a place I’ve actually never even been to, but to have that on the record was so important. I’m so proud of this song. My granny knows it exists, but she hasn’t heard it yet. I guess I’m just nervous.”

"Visitor" envelops listeners in a smooth pop soundscape characterized by lush synths and airy vocal harmonies. The production is polished, with a blend of electronic and organic instrumentation that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Tracks like "This Is My House" and "You Stole the Show" showcase a mid-tempo energy, balancing upbeat rhythms with reflective lyrics. The use of layered textures, particularly in songs like "Mono No Aware," adds depth and complexity, while maintaining a cohesive sonic identity. The album's standout moments lie in its ability to evoke emotion through subtle dynamics and rich sound design, making it a distinctive entry in contemporary pop.

Album: Visitor by Sienna Spiro (2026)
Genre: Pop | Mood: Smooth
Record Label: Capitol Records
Format: Album

Music Scene: Emerged in the contemporary era.

Tags: Pop, Smooth, 2020s, Album, Capitol Records


Visitor is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro. It was released on 3 July 2026 through Capitol Records and follows the release of her debut extended play, Sink Now, Swim Later (2025). Visitor has been preceded by the release of four singles: "You Stole the Show", "Die on This Hill", "The Visitor" and "Material Lover", the latter of which was featured on the soundtrack for The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026).
Visitor is primarily a blend of the soul and pop genres, with lyrical content centred around love, loss and the fragility of life. The title of the album is a reference to Spiro's feeling of impermanence and fear of things ending, a theme seen throughout the record. Spiro worked with songwriters including Michael Pollack and Omer Fedi, the latter of whom executive produced Visitor.

Album: 50 Years – Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Genre: blues
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: CD

Artist Background: Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band formed in 1967 in London. The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood. Despite band founder Peter Green naming the group by combining the surnames of two of his former bandmates (Fleetwood, McVie) from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, bassist John McVie played neither on their first single nor at their first concerts. The keyboardist, Christine McVie, who joined the band in 1970 while married to John McVie, a... Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Musical Influences: Bob Brunning, Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Mick Fleetwood

Related Artists: Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Heart, Eagles

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: blues, CD, Warner Bros. Records


"The Highlights (Deluxe)" showcases a masterful blend of atmospheric synths and pulsating basslines, enveloping listeners in a rich sonic landscape. The production is polished and layered, with shimmering electronic textures that create a sense of depth and intimacy. Upbeat tracks feature driving tempos and infectious hooks, while slower ballads evoke a haunting vulnerability, marked by ethereal vocal harmonies. The interplay between lush instrumentation and minimalist beats adds a dynamic tension, allowing for moments of both euphoria and introspection. Distinctive for its seamless transitions and cohesive sound palette, the album captures a modern pop aesthetic while maintaining an emotional resonance that lingers long after the final note.

Album: The Highlights (Deluxe) by The Weeknd (2024)
Genre: R&B/Soul
Record Label: Universal Republic Records
Format: album

Artist Background: Abel Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), better known by his stage name The Weeknd, is a Canadian R&B recording artist and record producer from Toronto, Ontario. He began recording songs under the stage name The Weeknd and uploading them to YouTube in late 2010, though his identity was initially unknown. In March 2011, The Weeknd released a nine-song free album, House of Balloons, which was critically acclaimed. The title track is based on a sample of Siouxsie and the Banshees' hit single "Happ... Part of the Toronto, Canada music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with R&B movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Related Artists: Tory Lanez, Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Don Toliver

Music Scene: Part of the Toronto, Canada music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with R&B movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: R&B/Soul, 2020s, album, Universal Republic Records


Album: The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers (1994)
Genre: Alternative Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Record Label: Epic
Format: Album

Description: The Holy Bible is the third studio album by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. It was released on 29 August 1994 through Epic Records and was the last of the band's albums released before the disappearance of lyricist and guitarist Richey Edwards on 1 February 1995. Edwards was struggling with severe depression, alcohol abuse, self-harm and anorexia nervosa at the time the album was written and recorded, and its contents are considered by many sources to reflect his mental state. The songs focus on themes relating to politics and human suffering.
Although it reached number six on the UK albums charts, global sales were disappointing compared to previous albums, and the record did not chart in mainland Europe or North America. The album was promoted with tours and festival appearances in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, in part without Edwards. The album regularly appears in UK music magazine polls of the greatest rock albums.

Artist Background: Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band that was formed in 1986 in Blackwood, South Wales and consists of James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals and lead guitar), Nicky Wire (bass guitar and lyrics) and Sean Moore (drums and percussion). The band is part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s. They are colloquially known as "The Manics", or simply, "Manics". Originally a quartet, the band became a trio when primary lyricist and rhythm guitari... Part of the Blackwood, Wales music scene. Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: James Dean Bradfield, Suede, Mansun, Ash

Music Scene: Part of the Blackwood, Wales music scene. Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Alternative Rock, Rock/Pop, Philosophical, 1990s, Album, Epic

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Holy Bible is the third studio album by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. It was released on 29 August 1994 through Epic Records and was the last of the band's albums released before the disappearance of lyricist and guitarist Richey Edwards on 1 February 1995. Edwards was struggling with severe depression, alcohol abuse, self-harm and anorexia nervosa at the time the album was written and recorded, and its contents are considered by many sources to reflect his mental state. The songs focus on themes relating to politics and human suffering.
Although it reached number six on the UK albums charts, global sales were disappointing compared to previous albums, and the record did not chart in mainland Europe or North America. The album was promoted with tours and festival appearances in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, in part without Edwards. The album regularly appears in UK music magazine polls of the greatest rock albums.

Album: From the Dark by Tony Iommi (2026)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Format: Album

Description: From the Dark is the first solo studio album in over two decades from Black Sabbath co-founder and heavy metal pioneer Tony Iommi, released on October 23, 2026 through BMG.
The album marks Iommi's first full-length collection of new solo material since Fused (2005) and his first major studio release since Black Sabbath's final record, 13, in 2013. Musically, From the Dark leans heavily into the glossy, stadium-doom style of the Ronnie James Dio era of Black Sabbath and their subsequent spin-off band, Heaven & Hell.

Artist Background: Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi (born 19 February 1948) is an English guitarist and songwriter. Best known as a founder member of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, he is the group's sole continual member. In 2000, Iommi released his first legitimate solo album, titled Iommi. The album featured several guest vocalists including Ian Astbury, Henry Rollins, Serj Tankian, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Phil Anselmo, Peter Steele and Ozzy Osbourne. Also in the vocal mix was Skin (of Skunk Anans... Part of the Birmingham, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Heavy Metal movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the Birmingham, England music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Heavy Metal movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Heavy Metal, 2020s, Album


From the Dark is the first solo studio album in over two decades from Black Sabbath co-founder and heavy metal pioneer Tony Iommi, released on October 23, 2026 through BMG.
The album marks Iommi's first full-length collection of new solo material since Fused (2005) and his first major studio release since Black Sabbath's final record, 13, in 2013. Musically, From the Dark leans heavily into the glossy, stadium-doom style of the Ronnie James Dio era of Black Sabbath and their subsequent spin-off band, Heaven & Hell.

"The Ones That Got the Plays" showcases a vibrant pop sound characterized by polished production and infectious melodies. The album features a blend of upbeat anthems like "California Gurls" and "Roar," driven by punchy percussion and shimmering synths that create an energetic atmosphere. Tracks such as "Dark Horse" and "Teenage Dream" introduce deeper bass lines and layered vocal harmonies, adding a rich texture to the listening experience. The tempo varies from the danceable grooves of "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" to the more reflective moments in "Thinking of You." Overall, the album's distinctive quality lies in its ability to seamlessly merge catchy hooks with dynamic instrumentation, ensuring an engaging and uplifting sonic journey.

Album: The Ones That Got the Plays by Katy Perry (2026)
Record Label: Capitol Records
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from US, known for bubblegum pop, dance-pop, disco, electropop, pop

Related Artists: Rihanna, Bebe Rexha, Dua Lipa, Ava Max

Music Scene: Part of the Santa Barbara, California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, Capitol Records


Album: Fudge by Michael Kiwanuka
Genre: Alternative

Description: For the self-produced FUDGE, Michael Kiwanuka quite clearly set out with one mission in mind: to make the music he loves. The first words we hear on opening track “Summer Clothes” aren’t Kiwanuka’s, in fact, but a recording of jazz legend Chick Corea saying exactly this: “What music is about... is creating the kind of things that you think are beautiful.” FUDGE is a tender, considered offering of art for the sake of it, a tribute to his own definition of beauty that never veers into selfish or self-serving songwriting.

Kiwanuka savours each strum and softly-padded drumbeat, and even the friction from discordant moments or clashing notes (“You Sent Me Flying”) never feels out of tune or place. Half of FUDGE‘s tracks clock in at five minutes or over, which invites the listener to stretch out with languid, slow-building meditations (“Love in My Heart”), hushed confessions of love (“Sing”) or dusky, panoramic instrumentals (like “Steve’s Paradise”, in which Kiwanuka’s voice is a sparse presence—we don’t hear him until about halfway through—giving the organ, sliding guitar and backing harmonies to take the lead). FUDGE is a tribute to taking your time.

Artist Background: Michael Kiwanuka is a British soul musician who is signed to Communion Records. He has been compared to Bill Withers, Randy Newman, and Otis Redding, as well as Van Morrison and the Temptations. In January 2012 he won the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll. Kiwanuka grew up in Muswell Hill, North London, the son of Ugandan parents who had escaped the Amin regime. He attended Fortismere School, leaving there in 2005 after completing his A-Levels. He was regarded as a very friendly and modest student wit... Part of the Newton Abbot, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Related Artists: Son Little, Curtis Harding, Black Pumas, Leon Bridges

Music Scene: Part of the Newton Abbot, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: Alternative

For the self-produced FUDGE, Michael Kiwanuka quite clearly set out with one mission in mind: to make the music he loves. The first words we hear on opening track “Summer Clothes” aren’t Kiwanuka’s, in fact, but a recording of jazz legend Chick Corea saying exactly this: “What music is about... is creating the kind of things that you think are beautiful.” FUDGE is a tender, considered offering of art for the sake of it, a tribute to his own definition of beauty that never veers into selfish or self-serving songwriting.

Kiwanuka savours each strum and softly-padded drumbeat, and even the friction from discordant moments or clashing notes (“You Sent Me Flying”) never feels out of tune or place. Half of FUDGE‘s tracks clock in at five minutes or over, which invites the listener to stretch out with languid, slow-building meditations (“Love in My Heart”), hushed confessions of love (“Sing”) or dusky, panoramic instrumentals (like “Steve’s Paradise”, in which Kiwanuka’s voice is a sparse presence—we don’t hear him until about halfway through—giving the organ, sliding guitar and backing harmonies to take the lead). FUDGE is a tribute to taking your time.

Album: Time Flies… 1994-2009 by Oasis (2010)
Genre: Indie | Style: Britpop | Mood: Reflective
Record Label: Epic
Format: Compilation

Description: Time Flies... 1994–2009 is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis. Released on 14 June 2010, the album contains all 27 UK singles released by the band between 1994 and 2009, including "Whatever" and "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", which had previously never appeared on an Oasis studio album. "Sunday Morning Call" is not listed anywhere on the artwork but appears as a hidden track on track 13 of the second disc.
Five different versions of the album were released, the two-disc CD version, DVD, the deluxe box set, five-LP box set and the iTunes deluxe edition. A box set featuring postcards of the sleeves of every UK Oasis single was released concurrently with the album.
In Japan, Time Flies entered the charts at #2, with first-week sales of 59,348 copies; while in the United Kingdom, it entered the charts at #1, with first-week sales of 101,297.

Artist Background: Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums, percussion), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar and vocals). They have had eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums, and won fifteen NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Award... Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Britpop style.

Related Artists: Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Beady Eye, The Stone Roses

Music Scene: Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Britpop style.

Tags: Indie, Britpop, Reflective, 2010s, Compilation, Epic

Additional Context: Sales figures: 101297. Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes


Time Flies... 1994–2009 is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis. Released on 14 June 2010, the album contains all 27 UK singles released by the band between 1994 and 2009, including "Whatever" and "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", which had previously never appeared on an Oasis studio album. "Sunday Morning Call" is not listed anywhere on the artwork but appears as a hidden track on track 13 of the second disc.
Five different versions of the album were released, the two-disc CD version, DVD, the deluxe box set, five-LP box set and the iTunes deluxe edition. A box set featuring postcards of the sleeves of every UK Oasis single was released concurrently with the album.
In Japan, Time Flies entered the charts at #2, with first-week sales of 59,348 copies; while in the United Kingdom, it entered the charts at #1, with first-week sales of 101,297.

Album: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. by RAYE
Genre: pablobiel

Description: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. is the second studio album by British singer and songwriter RAYE, released through Human Re Sources on 27 March 2026 The album features appearances from composer Hans Zimmer, soul legend Al Green, RAYE's grandfather Michael, her sisters Amma and Absolutely and consists of 17 tracks including lead singles «WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!» and «Nightingale Lane.» <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/RAYE/THIS+MUSIC+MAY+CONTAIN+HOPE.">Read more on Last.fm</a>.

Related Artists: Jorja Smith, Mabel

Tags: pablobiel

THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. is the second studio album by British singer and songwriter RAYE, released through Human Re Sources on 27 March 2026 The album features appearances from composer Hans Zimmer, soul legend Al Green, RAYE's grandfather Michael, her sisters Amma and Absolutely and consists of 17 tracks including lead singles «WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!» and «Nightingale Lane.»

Album: The Great Divide by Noah Kahan (2026)
Format: Album

Related Artists: Hozier, The Lumineers, Caamp

Music Scene: Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


“I describe this album as like I’m in the shower and I’m half yelling at the shower head and pretending it’s whoever I want to talk to and taking responsibility or throwing blame, like those conversations that you wish you could have with people but have never been able to,” Noah Kahan tells Apple Music of his fourth album The Great Divide.

Underneath Kahan’s trademark folksy veneer lies an urgent, high-stakes reckoning. Following the breakthrough success of 2022’s Stick Season, the Vermont-native singer-songwriter was left to assess the impact—not just on himself, but on those closest to him. “My life hasn’t just gone away and the impact of the music I made and the person I’ve become doesn’t just escape from these people just because they haven’t been living out on the road with me,” he says.

With a few new collaborators in tow, including Aaron Dessner (“I felt very lost and I kind of just like trauma-dumped on him and he took it so well,” Kahan says) and pop whisperer Amy Allen (who’s written for the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo), Kahan weaves through the highs and lows of returning home again. 

Kahan also marks a big distinction between his last album and this one, mirroring his own growth. “Stick Season is like doing shrooms and thinking you understand the entire world, and The Great Divide is like three months later: ‘That was great and that was helpful, but there’s a lot more we gotta figure out still,’” he says. “He’ll do some shrooms with you, but he’s not going to pretend like it’s going to change his life. He’s not going to become a kayak guide somewhere. He has to go to work in the morning.” Below, Kahan takes us through four key tracks in his own words:

“End of August”
“I wanted to create a scene that just felt like late summer in Vermont or in a small town where there’s just that total quiet and you can almost hear music in the air. One thing that my family and I have in Vermont is, like, I walk through the woods and the woods are haunted, but not by mean spirits. We’ve all individually said, ‘Oh, I heard voices in the woods,’ and when I was writing that, I wanted it to feel like what those voices would sing if you were just like walking through the woods or driving past the woods in Vermont.”

“23”
“The song itself is not based on a story of my life, but based on a lot of friendships I have with people who have family members who are struggling with addiction or who have siblings who they can’t connect to. It’s that feeling of ‘I want you back, but I don’t want this version of you back’ and ‘I want that moment when we were sitting over the car hood and you were showing me how the engine worked and everything was normal’. And so seeing who you are now betrays this version of you that I really want you to be in this memory I have of you. It’s a little selfish, because it’s like you’re asking someone to change for you, but it’s that kind of childlike innocent hope that someday we’ll just be exactly where we were.”

“Porch Light”
“I always worried that my mom felt or my family felt like I wasn’t myself anymore and that I was just some ghoul that would come in to extrapolate further success or further emotion for my own gain. The truth is my mom never felt that way. She always felt she always showed me love and showed me patience and understood the gravity of what I was going through. I wanted that hope to be in there, like, ‘I’ll leave the porch light on for you.’”

“Dan”
“There’s a few lines in the album that I feel like speak to that present feeling of, like, you’re already there. Like, heaven is a drink in the backyard. Like, where do we go when we die? I wouldn’t mind if it was right here. I wouldn’t mind if I was sitting by the fire with my buddy, or even lost in the woods, or even in a moment of, like, there’s something scary happening but you’re with this person and you’re experiencing this together in the same exact way.”

"+-=÷× (Tour Collection: Live)" captures the raw energy of Ed Sheeran's live performances with a vibrant mix of acoustic and electronic elements. The production is polished yet retains an organic feel, emphasizing the warmth of guitar strumming and the crispness of layered vocal harmonies. Upbeat tempos drive tracks forward, creating an infectious energy that resonates with the audience. The instrumentation blends traditional folk sounds with subtle electronic beats, enhancing the rhythmic complexity without overshadowing the lyrical intimacy. Distinctive textures emerge through the use of looping techniques and ambient soundscapes, creating an immersive listening experience that bridges the gap between studio precision and live spontaneity.

Album: +-=÷× (Tour Collection: Live) by Ed Sheeran (2024)
Genre: Pop
Record Label: Atlantic Records UK
Format: album

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, 2020s, album, Atlantic Records UK


Album: (What's The Story) Morning Glory? [Deluxe Remastered Edition] by Oasis (1995)
Genre: Indie Rock
Record Label: Big Brother Recordings Ltd
Format: album

Description: Noel Gallagher had a novel way of overcoming Difficult Second Album Syndrome when it came to making (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?—he had it written already. When the Oasis guitarist and chief songwriter began telling journalists around the release of debut Definitely Maybe in 1994 that he’d already penned the songs for its follow-up, a few must have imagined it was idle boasting from a new artist experiencing their first flush of success. Not in this case. But even Noel, underneath all the bragging, couldn’t have had any idea just how profoundly these songs would connect. Definitely Maybe had established Oasis as the most exciting British guitar band of the decade. (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? made the Manchester quintet massive on a global scale.

Definitely Maybe was an astounding introduction but its strength lay in its fury, rock ’n’ roll as a means to wriggle out of humdrum life and make a break for something better. Here, the anger had subsided. These were supersized anthems made for mass sing-alongs and communal euphoria. The songs may have been burning a hole in Noel’s back pocket but everything else about …Morning Glory was of the moment. Recording, mainly done at Rockfield Studios in Wales, was quick—done like they were in a hurry, in a handful of weeks across May and June 1995. And they were in a hurry—there was a world out there to conquer. Band members were only handed a demo of the songs they were about to record days before and backing tracks were nailed in a matter of takes. Everything aligned in perfect alchemy, the sheer promise of these choruses making the band play better, new drummer Alan White bringing a more rhythmic dynamism to the group and Liam Gallagher responding to his elder brother upping the ante by delivering the vocal performance of a lifetime. No one else could conjure that mix of yearning and swagger that makes “Wonderwall” so powerful. It’s a good job, then, that he chose correctly: Noel had said he wanted to sing one of the record’s surefire big hitters. It was either that or “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and he made his younger sibling pick.

The barbed aggression might have been toned down in the music but it was still an ever-present elsewhere. Sessions were halted for two weeks when a giant brawl between the Gallaghers concluded with Noel being driven home to London by White. But that tension is what made Oasis tick, especially at the point in their career when there were still things to prove. 

It was released in October 1995 and it soon became clear it was more than just your regular successful second album from an excellent rock band. This was a landmark in British culture. It’s hard to remember now what it was like to first listen to …Morning Glory as a mortal collection of songs. Most of the tracks here have become bigger than that, music that has seeped into the consciousness, culture-shaping songs that just are. How could it be allowed for so many classics to be sat next to each other on the same album? As well as “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger”, there’s the melancholy uplift of “Cast No Shadow”, the cosmic opus of “Champagne Supernova”, the thrilling crackle of the title track.

Shifting well over 20 million copies, it went on to become one of the best-selling records of all time. It’s about more than just Oasis, too, an album full of hope and longing released in time to soundtrack a period when everything felt like it was on the up in the UK. Emerging from recession, the country entered economic prosperity, experienced a change of government and—through the achievements of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Lennox Lewis, Kate Moss, Danny Boyle, Tracey Emin, the Spice Girls, and Oasis and all of their Britpop peers—suddenly felt like one of the world’s cultural centres. Here, in 50 minutes, is the story of a decade. There was no stopping Oasis at that point. That was something that could only be done by the band themselves and …Morning Glory was when they could still harness the chaos and turn it into something magical. It’s the sound of a once-in-a-generation band operating at their dazzling best.

Artist Background: Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums, percussion), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar and vocals). They have had eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums, and won fifteen NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Award... Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Britpop style.

Related Artists: Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Beady Eye, The Stone Roses

Music Scene: Part of the Manchester, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Britpop style.

Tags: Indie Rock, 1990s, album, Big Brother Recordings Ltd

Noel Gallagher had a novel way of overcoming Difficult Second Album Syndrome when it came to making (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?—he had it written already. When the Oasis guitarist and chief songwriter began telling journalists around the release of debut Definitely Maybe in 1994 that he’d already penned the songs for its follow-up, a few must have imagined it was idle boasting from a new artist experiencing their first flush of success. Not in this case. But even Noel, underneath all the bragging, couldn’t have had any idea just how profoundly these songs would connect. Definitely Maybe had established Oasis as the most exciting British guitar band of the decade. (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? made the Manchester quintet massive on a global scale.

Definitely Maybe was an astounding introduction but its strength lay in its fury, rock ’n’ roll as a means to wriggle out of humdrum life and make a break for something better. Here, the anger had subsided. These were supersized anthems made for mass sing-alongs and communal euphoria. The songs may have been burning a hole in Noel’s back pocket but everything else about …Morning Glory was of the moment. Recording, mainly done at Rockfield Studios in Wales, was quick—done like they were in a hurry, in a handful of weeks across May and June 1995. And they were in a hurry—there was a world out there to conquer. Band members were only handed a demo of the songs they were about to record days before and backing tracks were nailed in a matter of takes. Everything aligned in perfect alchemy, the sheer promise of these choruses making the band play better, new drummer Alan White bringing a more rhythmic dynamism to the group and Liam Gallagher responding to his elder brother upping the ante by delivering the vocal performance of a lifetime. No one else could conjure that mix of yearning and swagger that makes “Wonderwall” so powerful. It’s a good job, then, that he chose correctly: Noel had said he wanted to sing one of the record’s surefire big hitters. It was either that or “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and he made his younger sibling pick.

The barbed aggression might have been toned down in the music but it was still an ever-present elsewhere. Sessions were halted for two weeks when a giant brawl between the Gallaghers concluded with Noel being driven home to London by White. But that tension is what made Oasis tick, especially at the point in their career when there were still things to prove. 

It was released in October 1995 and it soon became clear it was more than just your regular successful second album from an excellent rock band. This was a landmark in British culture. It’s hard to remember now what it was like to first listen to …Morning Glory as a mortal collection of songs. Most of the tracks here have become bigger than that, music that has seeped into the consciousness, culture-shaping songs that just are. How could it be allowed for so many classics to be sat next to each other on the same album? As well as “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger”, there’s the melancholy uplift of “Cast No Shadow”, the cosmic opus of “Champagne Supernova”, the thrilling crackle of the title track.

Shifting well over 20 million copies, it went on to become one of the best-selling records of all time. It’s about more than just Oasis, too, an album full of hope and longing released in time to soundtrack a period when everything felt like it was on the up in the UK. Emerging from recession, the country entered economic prosperity, experienced a change of government and—through the achievements of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Lennox Lewis, Kate Moss, Danny Boyle, Tracey Emin, the Spice Girls, and Oasis and all of their Britpop peers—suddenly felt like one of the world’s cultural centres. Here, in 50 minutes, is the story of a decade. There was no stopping Oasis at that point. That was something that could only be done by the band themselves and …Morning Glory was when they could still harness the chaos and turn it into something magical. It’s the sound of a once-in-a-generation band operating at their dazzling best.

"Papercuts" by Linkin Park (2024) revisits the band's signature blend of nu-metal and alternative rock, weaving together intense guitar riffs with electronic elements. The production is polished yet retains a raw edge, characteristic of their earlier works. Tracks like "Crawling" and "In the End" feature driving rhythms and layered textures, while "Numb" and "Breaking the Habit" offer a more introspective, melodic approach. The album balances high-energy anthems like "Bleed It Out" with the atmospheric depth of "Castle of Glass" and "One More Light." The use of dynamic shifts and contrasting tempos creates a compelling sonic journey, maintaining the emotional intensity and lyrical depth that define Linkin Park's enduring appeal.

Album: Papercuts by Linkin Park (2024)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries. Its following studio album, Meteora, continued the band's success, topping the Billboard 200 album chart in 2003, and was followed by extensive touring and charity work around the world. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth-greatest band ... Part of the California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Mike Shinoda, Dead By Sunrise, Grey Daze, Dead Sara

Music Scene: Part of the California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Compilation


"Stick Season" envelops listeners in a rich tapestry of folk-pop soundscapes, characterized by its warm, organic instrumentation. The album features a blend of acoustic guitars, gentle piano melodies, and subtle strings, creating a lush backdrop that feels both intimate and expansive. The production is crisp yet earthy, allowing the natural resonance of each instrument to shine through. Kahan's vocals float effortlessly over the arrangements, imbued with a raw emotionality that enhances the lyrical depth. The tempos vary from reflective ballads to more upbeat tracks, maintaining a consistent energy that feels both grounded and uplifting. The distinctive layering of harmonies and ambient textures invites repeated listens, revealing new nuances with each spin.

Album: Stick Season by Noah Kahan (2022)
Record Label: Republic Records
Format: Album

Artist Background: Noah Kahan (born January 1, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter of folk-infused pop who signed to Republic Records in 2017. Kahan released his first single, "Young Blood" on January 27, 2017, and released four other singles over the course of 2017. His fans are known as "busyheads". Kahan made his television debut in 2018 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert performing the single "Hurt Somebody". Kahan released his debut Extended Play (EP) carrying the same name in January 2018, including... Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Hozier, The Lumineers, Caamp

Music Scene: Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album, Republic Records


Noah Kahan’s third album, October 2022’s Stick Season, was never meant to be a full-length project. Kahan was looking to take a break from the more polished, pop-leaning writing sessions he’d been doing and found himself gravitating towards the music of his childhood. Bon Iver and James Blake were the soundtrack of his long, snowy winters in Vermont, and the term “stick season” refers to the time between autumnal splendour and the season’s first snowfall. For some, this period, with its changing leaves and trick-or-treating in New England, is idyllic. According to Kahan, it’s “super depressing”—but it was also super inspiring.

“It wasn't until I wrote the song ‘Stick Season’ after a session that I realised I was making an album,” Kahan shared with Apple Music’s Hanuman Welch. “I looked back at the rest of the tunes, and they all fit this theme about home and about isolation. Once I had three or four songs that I thought could make up an album, telling the rest of the story became very natural, and a really focused experience. I was really happy to have that narrative through line figured out early on. Those things were present before I finished, which was really nice and helpful to guide the whole process.”

Winters in New England are famously brutal. The sun vanishes, the temperatures plummet and the world slows to a crawl. Kahan is deeply familiar with this cycle of transition and rebirth, but it wasn’t until much later that he realised how deeply he was impacted by the changing of the seasons. “Every year growing up, my entire family would really, really dread winter coming,” Kahan explains. “I had the worst times in my childhood, in my life, in the wintertime. It was always something that was foreboding, and stick season, in that time between the stunning autumn in Vermont and New Hampshire, became this cold, grey, empty place.” Those experiences are the narrative thread of Stick Season, which unfolds as equal parts eulogy and exhumation—a layer-by-layer cataloguing of childhood memories, heartbreak and resentments toward the claustrophobia of small-town living.

“When I was living at home in Vermont after high school, I was super, super lonely, obviously, but also just kind of socially not developed,” he says. “And then I thought, ‘Man, I'm alone, and that's why I'm feeling all these terrible things.’ I moved to New York City and I felt just as alone there as I had in Vermont. I realised that what was going on was a lot of internal things that I needed to work out, a lot of problems that I had to work on in therapy, and also discover through writing some of the songs about this stuff. Finally, when I started singing about being alone and being out in Vermont, I felt like I could come to terms with some of those things.”

Album: Diamonds by Elton John (2017)
Genre: Pop | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Excitable
Format: Compilation

Description: Diamonds, Elton John’s ultimate greatest hits collection in honour of his and Bernie Taupin’s 50-year songwriting career, is now available in a variety of different formats: 2 CD, a 2 LP gatefold album, and a 3 CD limited edition box set.

Spanning the many decades of Elton’s unparalleled career, each collection features newly remastered audio, and illustrations of iconic Elton looks from each of the five decades of his career.

The 3 CD limited edition box set contains 34 tracks over two discs, plus 17 bonus tracks of personal favourites curated by Elton himself. It also includes a set of 5 postcard illustrations of Elton as well as exclusive annotations for each track and specially chosen 7” or CD-single picture sleeve graphics from various territories around the world in a 72 page hardback book.

Artist Background: Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, England) is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor. He has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. In his four-decade career John has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" has sold o... Part of the Pinner, Middlesex, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Queen, Paul McCartney

Music Scene: Part of the Pinner, Middlesex, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Rock/Pop, Excitable, 2010s, Compilation

Additional Context: Based on 1 votes


Diamonds, Elton John’s ultimate greatest hits collection in honour of his and Bernie Taupin’s 50-year songwriting career, is now available in a variety of different formats: 2 CD, a 2 LP gatefold album, and a 3 CD limited edition box set.

Spanning the many decades of Elton’s unparalleled career, each collection features newly remastered audio, and illustrations of iconic Elton looks from each of the five decades of his career.

The 3 CD limited edition box set contains 34 tracks over two discs, plus 17 bonus tracks of personal favourites curated by Elton himself. It also includes a set of 5 postcard illustrations of Elton as well as exclusive annotations for each track and specially chosen 7” or CD-single picture sleeve graphics from various territories around the world in a 72 page hardback book.

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