Earlier this week, André 3000 surprise-dropped an improvisational piano EP and showed up to the Met Gala with an entire piano on his back. It serves as the follow-up to his 2023 flute album New Blue Sun, but jazz pianist Matthew Shipp is not a fan.

Earlier this week, HEALTH returned with the Chelsea Wolfe collab “MEAN.” On Thursday (May 8), the Los Angeles band’s frontman Jake Duzsik joined mainstream metal band Bad Omens during their Sonic Temple set to perform their song “The Drain.”

The Simpsons did a ska episode. On Sunday (May 4), episode 16 of season 36 aired and starred a character named Maximillian von Wonthelm, who’s a member of a ska band called the Skankfurters. It featured music cues from Hepcat.

Waxahatchee is currently on tour, playing headline shows and opening for Wilco. On Friday (May 9), she played Tennessee at the Pinnacle and had Brennan Wedl join her for a cover of Kathleen Edwards’ “Six O’Clock News.”

This week marks one year since the death of Steve Albini. On Friday (May 9), the legendary recording engineer’s estate launched a sale of his archives, including books, records, CDs, shirts, flyers, zines, and more.

New type of pope dropped. Harry was in apparently in Vatican City for the announcement? But streets are saying Leo is more of a second wave emo fan.

There’s nothing like the high of finding a silly little pop song that makes you want to blow up your life with a smile on your face–songs that make you feel like anything is possible even if you make the boldest, stupidest mistake of your life. Such is the case when I heard “Sue Me” by Audrey Hobert for the first time today. It’s a care-free sugary pop track that feels like Sky Ferreira’s “Lost In My Bedroom” had a sleepover with Taylor Swift’s “Style.”

LSDXOXO has already announced the follow-up project to his debut album DOGMA from last fall. It’s a mixtape called DGTL ANML that features a stacked roster of collabs including Cobrah, VTSS, Boys Noize, Kilo Kish, River Moon, and Izzy Spears. Today, he shared the latest single called “Satisfy” featuring Shygirl. Although LSDXOXO has made several appearances at Club Shy shows around the world, the last time these two seductive sirens worked together on a record was LSDXOXO’s remix for Shy’s 2021 single “TASTY,” off the 2020 ALIAS EP.

Felly is a Connecticut-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter that’s lately been releasing some very pleasant songs. He has a new album Ambroxyde coming out June 27 via everwonder that he produced alongside Grammy-nominated and Mercury Prize-winning producer Gianluca Buccellati (Lana Del Rey, Arlo Parks, The Marias). He’s shared the singles that feel a bit Tom Petty (“High On You“); and he’s got a whisper tone that reminds me of Angelo De Augustine (“Ambroxyde“), but vocal range and composition choices are a bit like Dominic Fike (“Black Shoes”). He bounces between soft folk and rugged southern rock. Today, he’s shared another single called “Wildfire” that (ironically) feels perfect to blare outside in the blossoming weather.

Today, rising alt-country singer-songwriter Jack Van Cleaf released his sophomore album JVC. And if you’re a sucker for self-deprecating, existential songwriting with strong melodies like me, it’s a release standout. He’s already gotten a good bit of traction, having opening slots for Noah Kahan, Briston Maroney, and Madi Diaz. He’s even struck up a creative relationship with polarizing country super star Zach Bryan, who’s featured on the album. JVC proves staying power with poignant lyricism and warm vocals.