Andy Molholt is best known as the guitarist of Speedy Ortiz, but last year his solo project Special World released an eponymous EP. Today, Special World returned with “Big Apple, 3am.”

Former Possessed guitarist Brian Montana has been shot and killed by San Francisco police. The death metal pioneer pulled out a gun on a neighbor during an argument about tree clippings on Monday (Apr. 28), and a shootout with cops ensued for nearly a half hour. He was 60.

Jill Sobule has died. The singer and activist best known for the 1995 folk-pop hit “I Kissed A Girl” passed away in a Woodbury, Minnesota house fire this morning; Sobule had been staying with friends in the Minneapolis suburb. She also sang “Supermodel” from the Clueless soundtrack and performed the acclaimed autobiographical musical Fuck 7th Grade in recent years. Sobule was 66.

“You either have it or you don’t/ Either way, I feel confused and alone.” That’s how Smerz’s chic and eventful new Big city life single “Feisty” ends, after a vivid, funny, lengthy description of a night out. Following “Roll the dice,” “You got time and I got money,” and “A thousand lies,” it further builds the hype for the album.

Next month Sufjan Stevens will release the 10th anniversary edition of his flawless opus Carrie & Lowell. He shared the “Mystery Of Love” demo, and now he’s back with the demo of the amazing opener “Death With Dignity.”

Last month, Elle Barbara announced Word On The Street — her first album in a decade — and released the lead single “Hitler, Satan & Associates LLP.” The Montreal musician has done duets with Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier and Sean Nicholas Savage, and last year she performed with Madonna. Today, she’s sharing “Operating Thetan: Unknown.”

On their latest album Bobbie, Pip Blom traded indie-rock guitars for poppy synths. The Dutch band is venturing further in that direction with their new song “Ring” from their just-announced EP Grip.

Kendrick Lamar is currently on tour with SZA, bringing last year’s surprise album GNX to stages all over North America. Last night (Apr. 29), the “Not Like Us” rapper brought out Playboi Carti in Atlanta.

Gene Simmons is offering rock ‘n’ roll fans the chance of a lifetime on his upcoming solo tour: For just $12,495, they can be his roadie and personal assistant at a gig (concert ticket not included, but you do get a bass out of the deal). Around the time JoJo Siwa launched a similar initiative, the KISS co-founder defended his personal roadie promotion with the following argument: As a kid he’d always wondered what the rock-star life was like behind the scenes, and nobody has ever tried something like this before, so why not see how it goes? That line of reasoning, however, does not address the experience’s exorbitant price.

You don’t have to live in New York City to know that Zohran Mamdani should absolutely become the city’s next mayor. Case in point: During the first show of MJ Lenderman’s three-night stand at Brooklyn Steel Monday night, the North Carolina musician invited the state assembly member onstage to give a brief speech about why you should vote for him in the fast-approaching mayoral election.