Cymande new album 'Renascence' out today

LEGENDARY BRITISH BAND    RELEASE THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM RENASCENCE  OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE  ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN HEADLINE DATES FOR OCTOBER 2025 U.S. TOUR BEGINS NEXT MONTH  NEW SINGLE COLTRANE  LISTEN HERE // WATCH VIDEO HERE

Download album cover here

“As Cymande urges listeners to heed the lessons of “yesterday,” the music embodies them.”  – The New York Times “Now, with Renascence, Cymande reaches further into the vibrant spiritual and musical tapestry they started weaving all those years ago.”  – NPR Music “Cymande returns with a haze of engrossing funk”  – OkayPlayer  “It’s powerful to hear such storied innovators still.”  – Relix “living up to the sky-high standards of their 70s arc, it’s a heady dose of spiritual funk that leans into the free expression of jazz.”  – Clash Magazine  “A well-deserved victory lap… Renascence finds Cymande firmly in the pocket”  – MOJO  READ NEW YORK TIMES FEATURE HERE   January 31, 2025  – Today, legendary British band Cymande release their highly anticipated new album, Renascence, released today via BMG – listen here. Also released today is new single “Coltrane,” a jazz-infused hommage to the legendary artist and activist - listen here.  In addition to their US tour, which kicks off in New York City at Irving Plaza on February 13, hitting major cities including Chicago, DC and Los Angeles, Cymande today have announced a brand new European headline tour, with dates in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and more – full dates below.  Tickets for all shows will go on sale next Friday February 7th.   A true return to form and jewel in the crown of their iconic discography, Renascence picks up where their 1974 album Promised Heights left off – a spiritual and sonic follow-up, bringing a fresh modern edge to their iconic sound, which remains foundational to early hip-hop and funk scenes in the United States and UK. Renascence tells the story of a band that never fully got its due back in the day; but are back to take the crown by remaining true to themselves – politically aware, and spiritually positive with infectious grooves.  Their latest single “Coltrane,” out today, is a nod to the multi-faceted legacy of John Coltrane and exemplifies Cymande’s long-held deep jazz influences. “Coltrane” strikes a balance between tight arrangement and a loose comfort, dancing between genres like funk, jazz and Caribbean, that meld so naturally. Its slinking bassline, modal jazz influences, atmospheric shimmers of strings and wails of horns, including saxophone, all underscore the refrain,  “Music is the message that creation sent.”  Guitarist Patrick Patterson says, “It came out of an original rhythm track that Ray [vocalist] put together called Early Morning. The rhythm created certain picture ideas in one’s mind which led to the way we developed the lyric. Also it had a jazzy thing, which brought about the concept about writing something relating to Coltrane. That’s a real three-part thing we put together with everybody making their contribution. I suspect it’s the same for all black musicians, what Coltrane represents in terms of artistry is the pursuit of the highest possible quality.”  Bassist, Steve Scipio adds “And Coltrane was also political! He wasn’t just an artist, and that was also one of the attractions. Although a quiet man by nature, he was aware of the issues that affected black people. This song is in recognition of his music, his creativity and his importance as a jazz musician.”

Photo Credit: Dean Chalkley | Download here

Renascence has everything both old fans and new would want from a Cymande album – spacious, haunting grooves that build over time, letting saxophones wail, drumbeats echo, and guitars trill – see “Coltrane,” “How We Roll (feat. Jazzie B) and “I Wanna Know.” Upbeat soulful dance breaks on “The Darkest Night” and “Carry The World,” and soulful ballads like “Only One Way” (featuring Celeste) on lead vocals, and “Road To Zion” all coalesce into one of the most powerful comeback records, from a band with a lot to say.  Produced by Ben Baptie, Cymande is led by its founding members Patrick Patterson (guitars, vocals) & Steve Scipio (bass, vocals). The band also comprises long time members, Keyboardist Adrian Reid and vocalist Raymond Simpson, with the full complement of players being Richard Bailey (Drums), Donald Gamble (Percussion), Denys Baptiste (Saxophone) Kevin Davy (Trumpet) and Toni Kofi (Saxophone). Renascence will be available starting today to stream, download, on CD and on black vinyl at all major retailers.  A limited edition transparent coral vinyl edition will be made available on the band’s official online store and at select indie retail accounts.     Renascence Track list: Chasing An Empty Dream  Road To Zion  Only One Way (Featuring Celeste) Coltrane Sweeden How We Roll Featuring Jazzie B) Heart Of The Willing I Wanna Know  Darkest Night  Carry the Word  CYMANDE TOUR DATES US TOUR DATES FEB 13 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza FEB 14 - Philadelphia, PA - Ardmore Music Hall FEB 15 - Washington DC - Howard Theatre  FEB 18 - Chicago, IL - Metro  FEB 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre  FEB 21 - Denver, CO – Bluebird FEB 22 - Seattle, WA – Crocodile  FEB 23 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater  FEB 26 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall* FEB 28 - Los Angeles, CA - The Bellwether EUROPEAN TOUR DATES  MAY 25 – Cross The Tracks Festival – London  OCT 7 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega  OCT 8 - Berlin, DE - Huxley’s Neue Welt  OCT 10 - The Hague, NL - Paard  OCT 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso  OCT 13 - Brussels, BE - Cirque Royal  OCT 14 - Paris, FR - La Cigale  OCT 16 - Manchester, UK - Albert Hall  OCT 17 - London, UK O2 Academy Brixton

The Weeknd new album/performance/video out now

THE WEEKND OFFICIALLY RELEASES HEAVILY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM HURRY UP TOMORROW OUT NOW VIA XO / REPUBLIC RECORDS; LISTEN HERE Watch Performance of “Open Hearts” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Watch it HERE

Global superstar The Weeknd has officially released his highly anticipated studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow via XO / Republic Records. The new album follows a record breaking 2024, during which The Weeknd became the first artist in history to have 27 songs with over 1 billion streams each on Spotify. Hurry Up Tomorrow serves as the final and most personal chapter of the diamond-certified artist’s acclaimed trilogy series following After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022). Check out the full tracklisting below.  The Weeknd appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this evening and performed a unique version of “Open Hearts”. Watch it HERE.  Proceeds from the album track “Take Me Back To LA” will be donated to LA Regional Food Bank, who are providing emergency food assistance to those directly impacted by the LA wildfires. Originally scheduled for release on January 24th followed by a one-night-only Rose Bowl concert, Hurry Up Tomorrow was postponed due to the devastating effects of the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Out of respect for those impacted by the crisis, The Weeknd chose to cancel the planned album release concert at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and donated 1 million dollars to LAFD Foundation, GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund, and LA Regional Food Bank.   In partnership with Spotify, The Weeknd also announced the Hurry Up Tomorrow “Pop Up Experience” that will take place Friday, January 31st - Sunday February 2nd in NYC. The Experience is an experiential art installation that will transport fans on a journey through the mind of The Weeknd in his final act of this trilogy. There will also be a retail portion of this event showcasing a collection of exclusive products - genuine leather jackets, a bomber jacket, custom fleece, tees + long sleeves as well as hats and bandanas. Hurry Up Tomorrow music product will also be available for purchase.You can find more information HERE. Specialty retailer Hot Topic will also showcase an extensive Hurry Up Tomorrow album collection, including tees, hoodies, posters, and more, as well as The Weeknd x Frank Miller Hurry Up Tomorrow collector's edition vinyl. These items will be available at all Hot Topic stores nationwide and online at hottopic.com. In addition, Hot Topic has announced an exciting Hurry Up Tomorrow “takeover” event, taking place from Friday, January 31st, to Sunday, February 2nd, at its Downtown Summerlin store in Las Vegas, NV. During this exclusive event, the store will transform into a Hurry Up Tomorrow retail experience, featuring a limited-edition collection, including a highly anticipated The Weeknd x Frank Miller Hurry Up Tomorrow apparel capsule – available only in Las Vegas at the “takeover.” For more information, follow @hottopicmusic. The Weeknd initially built anticipation for the project by unveiling the album’s cover and announcing a one night only special stadium concert at Estádio Morumbi in São Paulo. The performance, streamed exclusively on YouTube, drew millions of global viewers and featured surprise appearances from Playboi Carti and Anitta. The sold-out event became the top-trending music performance in the U.S. and trended in 24 other countries, further cementing The Weeknd’s status as a global music icon. “Timeless”, heavily anticipated by fans after being teased during his São Paulo performance, debuted in the Top 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Later this year, The Weeknd will also star alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan in a feature film inspired by his new album. Hurry Up Tomorrow is written and directed by Trey Edward Schults for Lionsgate and will release May 16, 2025, exclusively in theaters. The psychological thriller is both inspired by and features new music from The Weeknd, who scored the film with Daniel Lopatin.

HURRY UP TOMORROW TRACKLIST Wake Me Up Cry For Me  I Can’t Fucking Sing São Paulo  Until We’re Skin & Bones Baptized In Fear  Open Hearts Opening Night Reflections Laughing   Enjoy The Show Given Up On Me I Can’t Wait To Get There Timeless    Niagara Falls   Take Me Back To LA Big Sleep Give Me Mercy Drive The Abyss Red Terror Without a Warning Hurry Up Tomorrow

Watch The Weeknd’s “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti here.  Watch The Weeknd’s “São Paulo” featuring Anitta here.

Caroline Romano Releases New Single, "IDK These Days" | New EP Out February 21st

CAROLINE ROMANO REVEALS NEW SINGLE, "IDK THESE DAYS" 'HOW THE GOOD GIRLS DIE' EP OUT 2/21

Nashville-based alt-pop artist Caroline Romano returns with her latest single, “IDK These Days,” offering a raw and introspective preview of her upcoming EP, 'How The Good Girls Die,' set for release on February 21st. This new track follows a string of successful releases including “Body Bag,” “Pretty Boys,” and “Born To Want More," all of which will be included on the 'How The Good Girls Die' EP next month. “IDK These Days” showcases Caroline’s knack for blending vulnerability with compelling storytelling. The minimalist arrangement emphasizes her poignant lyrics and heartfelt vocal delivery, making it one of the most emotionally charged tracks on the EP. “I wrote ‘IDK These Days’ during a period of inexplicable anger and frustration,” Caroline shares. “It’s about the little things—like snow and traffic—that used to be trivial, suddenly becoming overwhelming. It’s that unsettling feeling when even your mom notices you’re not yourself, and you’re stuck in this state of discontent, feeling like a middle schooler again.” Caroline further reflects, “The song speaks to the fear that these emotions might linger longer than desired. It’s about the struggle of being honest when asked how you’re doing and admitting, ‘I don’t know these days.’ While these feelings are fleeting, in the moment, they feel all-consuming. This song is my way of confronting those emotions head-on, admitting them aloud, and finding solace in that admission.” Caroline Romano has established herself as a versatile artist, effortlessly transitioning between misty-eyed ballads and fiery alt-rock anthems. Since the release of her 2022 debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, and her subsequent 2023 EP, 'A Brief Epic,' Caroline has continued to come into her own as an artist, revealing new layers of her artistry with each release.  With the forthcoming release of 'How The Good Girls Die,' Caroline pushes her creative boundaries further, promising a collection of tracks that offer an honest, unfiltered look into her world. 'How The Good Girls Die' will be out February 21st. Listen to "IDK These Days" on all streaming platforms:  https://onerpm.link/idkthesedays Pre-Save 'How The Good Girls Die' EP:  https://onerpm.link/175217417040

Photos by Hayley Mikell

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iyla Releases New Single "Overboard"

IYLA OFFERS FIRST TASTE OF NEW MUSIC IN 2025, WITH SOULFUL NEW SINGLE “OVERBOARD” - OUT NOW

LISTEN “OVERBOARD”   Rising R&B/Soul singer iyla returns today with her first offering of new music in 2025, in the form of the refreshingly hypnotic “Overboard.”    “Got you floating up defying gravity. No need to talk about it, no we don’t waste time. Fingers tips they dancing on my waist line,” she coos over pulsating beats, before taking it to the chorus, “I’m gon’ have you begging me for more. Tell me are you sure? Begging me for more. Ready to go overboard. Imma have you begging me for more.” Describing the new track, iyla reveals, “’Overboard’ is a soulful vocal rollercoaster that exudes sexiness and confidence that splashes you in the face.”   Listen to “Overboard” HERE.   “Overboard” follows the release of last year’s “Strut,” (LISTEN) an in your face, no holds barred banger, hailed by Rated R&B as “a much-needed bounce-back anthem,” with VIBE proclaiming, “in the world of blue-eyed soul, iyla is back,” calling the song “a bold contrast from her ballad, ‘Blue Eyes,’ iyla’s beautiful and emotional ballad, released one year after the passing of her beloved mother and best friend, following a hard-fought eighteen month battle with cancer. The official music video for “Blue Eyes,” directed by iylaincorporates nostalgic snippets from childhood videos and sees iyla paying tribute to her mother, tossing roses into the ocean, in a beautiful, heart-wrenching homage.   Watch the official music video for “Blue Eyes” HERE.

Since the release of iyla’s debut EP, ‘War + Raindrops,’ (including fan favorites ‘Juice’ and ‘Flowers’) its subsequent follow-up, 2020’s ‘OTHER WAYS TO VENT’ (featuring standouts ‘Strings,’ ‘Tattoo Tears’ and the Method Man-assisted ‘CASH RULES’) and most recently, 2023’s Appetite For Disaster’ (including ‘Impala (Feat. Symba), and ‘Lost Me (Feat. Benny The Butcher)’)  the young Los Angeles-born artist -- whose influences include Destiny’s Child, Brandy, Aaliyah, SZA, Kehlani and H.E.R – has amassed more than 200 million streams across all platforms. She has achieved Top 40 success at rhythmic radio, been appointed by YouTube Music as one of their Foundry Artists (following in the footsteps of ROSALÍA and Dua Lipa), reached No. 11 on iTunes’ R&B charts, No. 16 on Apple Music’s R&B charts, and was named by Complex as one of their top 20 R&B artists to watch in 2023. In addition, iyla has opened for Demi Lovato and headlined her first ever North American tour with sell out shows in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Toronto, to name a few. With 3 EPs under her belt, iyla has received critical acclaim from the likes of FADER, V Magazine, NYLON, MTV, and Vogue.   Stay tuned for more news and music from iyla, coming soon.   “Overboard” is available everywhere today.   Apple Music | Spotify    Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube