Canadian singer Bryan Adams has released his fifteenth studio new album, "So Happy It Hurts," and it’s almost like the late ‘80s never left us, and the oppression of COVID-19 never existed. That’s much of the point of this and the 11 other new songs here. The muscular electric rhythm guitars and generally sunny lyrics take us back to a happier time, when MTV showed music videos and “Cuts Like a Knife,” “Summer of ‘69,” and others by Adams were in heavy rotation. As its title would suggest, this album is almost entirely about good vibes. These are stories about adult relationships, though not always expressed in the most adult terms. Case in point: “I Ain’t Worth Shit Without You,” which with the substitution of one word in the title may have been able to stand alongside Adams’ heyday hits on terrestrial radio. It’s the hardest-edged song on this album. There’s a uniform quality to these 12 songs; there isn’t a weak link among these titles, nor is there one that would have been an MTV champion earworm back in the day. Even with the changing sounds and speeds, the overall sound here tends to remain a bit samey throughout 12 songs. The most notable musical moment on this album is probably the brief Carl-Perkins-ish guitar solo on “Just About Gone.” The attitude along that 12-song journey is almost universally positive, not weighty, or at the very least offering up rally cries. This Canadian Trans-Canada One is the ultimate open road, much as a Yankee would think of Route 66, Highway 61 or the New Jersey Turnpike—all promise, no pain.

James Arthur has recently dropped a punchy new single titled "Lose My Mind," for which he’s teamed up with You Me At Six frontman Josh Franceschi. The track is lifted from the newly released deluxe edition of his fourth album, "It’ll All Make Sense In The End," which adds six new tracks, bringing it up to a hefty 20 songs in total. The release coincides with the artist’s forthcoming tour of the UK and Ireland. He’s got 27 shows pencilled in for March, kicking off in Bournemouth on Sunday 6 and wrapping up in Dublin on Wednesday 30. From there, he’ll head to North America for 19 shows across April and May. Last week, Arthur – a noted inspiration of Måneskin frontman Damiano David – was announced for this year’s edition of Serbia’s EXIT Festival, from July 7-10 at the country’s Petrovaradin Fortress. There, he’ll perform alongside Calvin Harris, Napalm Death and Jax Jones. Meanwhile, You Me At Six are gearing up to celebrate the belated 10th anniversary of their landmark third album, ‘Sinners Never Sleep.’ Joined by The Hunna (with more guests to be announced soon), You Me At Six will play the record in full at two special shows – one going down in Leeds on Wednesday, June 1, and the other in Hatfield on Thursday 2. June will also see the band perform at this year’s Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals in Germany and Rock For People in the Czech Republic. They’ll return to Germany in August to play the 2022 Highfield Festival.

The UK has a long history of producing excellent and dynamic female vocalists. Everyone from Dusty Springfield to Adele has graced world stages. Born and raised in Croydon and taking inspiration from Coldplay to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rachel Chinouriri is an exciting presence among these new voices in British pop. Rachel Chinouriri has now unveiled her new song "All I Ever Asked," which is the first new material since last year's "If Only" and was premiered as Clara Amfo’s Hottest Record In The World on BBC Radio. "All I Ever Asked" is a sunny, upbeat track laden with guitar riffs and bright synth melodies reminiscent of long, hot evenings and lost summer love. The London-based singer/songwriter says that the new outing, "All I Ever Asked," was inspired by a breakup my friend was going through, and it made me reflect on a similar situation I was going through too. The feeling of asking someone you love to respect you in the simplest form and realizing it’s the bare minimum. It’s also about realizing your own worth and not settling for someone who cannot be what you need." Though she garnered attention after a string of acoustic singles from 2018 onwards, it’s Chinouriri’s latest offerings that are starting to create serious buzz and rack up hundreds of thousands of Spotify streams. "Darker Place," her first single of 2021, combined steadfast pop sensibilities with an alternative, slightly eerie groove and accompanied an excellent Joe Goddard remix.

Sigrid has kicked off 2022 and unveiled her first solo single, "It Gets Dark." The new track follows Sigrid's January Griff collaboration "Head On Fire" and marks the Norwegian artist's first solo outing since August's "Burning Bridges." The single is the latest to be taken from the Norwegian pop star’s upcoming second album, which has yet to be announced. Sigrid says of the new release, "I believe you need to feel the lows in life to feel the highs, and you have to know what sucks to then properly appreciate the good stuff. "It Gets Dark" is an ode to that. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about a single release before." The track was premiered on Clara Amfo’s BBC Radio 1 show as the Hottest Record In The World. “I think when we wrote ‘It Gets Dark’ I didn’t know what my second album was going to sound like, and then when I heard that intro, that’s when I knew: ‘This is it – this is the sound,” Sigrid explained. “So it’s been the leading star for the whole new era.” Meanwhile, Sigrid picked up the Best Collaboration with Griff award at the BandLab NME Awards 2022 last week (March 2) for their single "Head On Fire." The pair also performed the song there for the first time and spoke about their friendship on the red carpet at the event. Sigrid is set to embark on her biggest-ever UK, Ireland and European tour next year, which includes a performance at Wembley Arena.

Gearing up for the release of her debut album "I Can’t Let Go," Suki Waterhouse shares with fans another new track set to feature on the record, "Devil I Know." Produced by Grammy-Nominated producer and songwriter Brad Cook and serving as the follow up to previous singles "Moves," "My Mind" and "Melrose Meltdown," the blues-inspired mid-tempo ballad sees the British entertainer lyrically face up to the realities of being constrained to a relationship that no longer serves a purpose. Commenting on the super sultry song, Waterhouse says in a press release: “Devil I Know" is about the twisted pleasures of going back to someone who you’re addicted to and the joy you feel in that moment of breaking your promises.” Scheduled for release April 22nd via Sub Pop Records, "I Can’t Let Go" looks set to give fans a rare insight into the world of Suki Waterhouse – as the actress and singer catalogues some of the most intimate, formative, and significant moments of her life through song. Ahead of the record's release, Megan Jasper, CEO of Sub Pop, says that "A Rainy Day In New York" stars new material: “Suki’s songs are smart, radiant, and incredibly engaging, much like her personality. We knew the minute we heard them that they were important and needed to be out in the world. Sub Pop is over the moon to be working with her!” To celebrate the unveiling of her new LP, Waterhouse will hit the road to play a string of live dates across America this coming May, with shows set to take place in LA, San Francisco and Brooklyn, New York.

At 14, Toronto’s Mia Baron already sounds like a seasoned vet. She continues to make waves in the music industry. The singer-songwriter Mia Baron released a new song, “Rules Are Mine,” on March 8, 2022. The song is the second single of 2022, following “Miss Emotionless,” which tells you to stay true to who you are. You don’t have to act the way others expect if it’s something that is unnatural to you. It’s okay to be different – accept it and be yourself. It was co-written and co-produced by Mia Baron, Matt Kahane and Quin Kiu. The track was written out of frustration; someone close to her was putting her second (while she always put them first) at a time when she really needed them to have her back. Despite her young age, she’s already writing songs people of all ages can relate to. Exuding confidence and yet again showcasing her stunning vocals, Mia Baron is arguably the most talented 13-year-old singer-songwriter in the world right now. I’ve never heard anyone her age with an exceptional voice and impressive songwriting ability. Mia began pursuing music a few years ago by recording covers of her favourite songs and posting them on social media. And in the past year, she has spent time working on and releasing original music. Mia Baron made her mark on the music scene with her emotionally compelling debut single “Hide And Seek.” Co-written alongside Matt Kahane and Quin Kiu, her debut release sets a firm foundation for this gifted artist to showcase her unique talent to the world.

Creating the latest duo buzz is the sultry 27-year-old Samantha Gongol and Jeremy Lloyd's producer. Their vocals, lyrics, music, and melodies reflect an innovative sound of alternative electronic pop. The Philadelphia-based synth-pop duo Marian Hill has released a new song entitled “SPINNIN,” teaming up with American rapper Kemba and saxophonist Steve Davit. The song is taken from their upcoming third studio album, “why can't we just pretend?”, which follows the single “little bit” featuring GASHI, released in January. The new album is expected to be released later this spring. It was written during the pandemic after the 2018 second album “Unusual.” Jeremy Lloyd said the songs that made the new album are genuinely the best of the best of almost three years of songwriting. Combining a genre fusion of hip-hop and R&B., Their signature dark production infuses a jazzy vibe with lyrics relating to the many faces of romances and love. In 2016, they released their debut album, "ACT ONE," featuring the hit single “Down,” which quickly heated up the social media circuits following an advertisement for the iPhone 7 and Air Pods. This validated their hard work and creative style, moving them up the Shazam charts. The duo is pushing the limits of their original indie electronic music to new innovative techniques in their new album.

Singer-Songwriter Sam MacPherson has steadily released impactful, relatable music that honestly tugs at our heartstrings. McPherson just took it to the next level with his latest single, “How Do You Dress For The Rain?" The single is a follow-up to "Forget To Exist" Now, we are getting a little taste of what he was talking about. “Forget I Exist,” which is beyond what we consider pop perfection. The track shows a different side to his vulnerability that he has shared in the past. “Forget I Exist” is a piece of art that many people can relate to. MacPherson is a singer-songwriter hailing from Red Bank, NJ. Growing up in a musical household, he was constantly exposed to the classics via his father’s and grandparents' record collection, from The Beatles to Stevie Wonder. A musician and lyricist at heart, MacPherson's music explores themes of mental health, dissonance, and relationships. Behind every track on his EP, he allows listeners to connect to every word sung and chord strum on a personal note. The singer-songwriter explains that the songs on his debut EP flowed out with ease as he poured his heart into every track. Sam makes music that he loves and relates to, but he is also making music that impacts people. Though sometimes it is hard to write and record – It’s music like “How Do You Dress For The Rain,” realistically, Sam’s whole discography gives you that “I feel seen and Understood” reassurance.

Mandy Moore will release her new full-length studio album, "In Real Life," via Verve Forecast on May 13th, 2022. The new album serves as a follow-up to "Silver Landings," the critically acclaimed album that marked Moore’s first new body of work in over a decade and was released in March 2020 on the edge of the pandemic. "In Real Life" brings a new level of self-possession to Moore’s songwriting, imbuing each track with both detailed storytelling and lucid self-reflection. From the first seconds of the album’s opening title track, Moore fully immerses the listener in her intimate lyricism and kaleidoscopic sound. Produced by Mike Viola (Andrew Bird, Ondara, Lori McKenna), "In Real Life" expands on the whirlwind creative momentum Moore first set into motion on 2020’s "Silver Landings." To that end, Moore matches the album’s powerful emotional current with a gloriously unpredictable sound, touched with elements of everything from jangly college-rock to cinematic synth-pop to classic singer/songwriter simplicity. Along with the album's announcement, Moore has announced an expansive summer headlining tour for North America, her first in over a decade, and is set to perform at Newport Folk Festival in July. The tour will kick off at the Variety Playhouse on June 10 in Atlanta, GA and will visit 26 major cities, including Webster Hall in New York on June 15, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on June 25, and The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles on July 22.

Janet Jackson released her ninth studio album, "20 Y.O.," in September 2006, when she was at a strange place in her career. Two years earlier, she was the center of a controversy that was yet another instance of the unending culture wars when conservatives would clutch their collective pearls at the seeming end of moral values. Jackson appeared at the Superbowl XXXVIII halftime show, performing with pop star Justin Timberlake. He reached out to pull at her costume during her performance, revealing her nipple for a few seconds before she quickly covered herself. Her eighth album, "Damita Jo," came out a month after the Superbowl performance. Although it debuted to excellent first-week sales, the album’s sales dropped off after selling just over a million copies due to lack of radio and television support, seemingly instigated by the vengeful Les Moonves. Two years later, Jackson returned with "20 Y.O," which celebrated the 20th anniversary of her 1986 breakthrough album, "Control." The album, her last for Virgin Records, would be another attempt to correct her career and slumping sales. The publicity for the album referenced her classic "Control" album, arguably to the detriment of "20 Y.O" as Jackson’s career was in a very different place in 2006 than in 1986. In 1986, The Jackson, Jam, Lewis team still had undeniable chemistry, and the best parts of "20 Y.O." demonstrated why they ruled the pop charts for so long. To prove that point, they released a beguiling and appealing first single for the album, the mid-tempo “Call on Me,” a duet with rapper Nas. It’s a relatively subtle track that percolated sweetly on a simple chiming synth and an easy, soft beat. It’s a bubbly, sugary confection that should have been a big hit. Though it landed in the top 40 and topped the R&B charts (her 16th number one R&B hit), it was still a soft chart success. It’s a shame because the song was just as good as anything popular at the time. The electrifying dance track recalled why Janet Jackson should be regarded as the heir to Donna Summer‘s place as the Queen of Disco. Riding on the sampled record scratches and drums of Herbie Hancock‘s classic 1983 hit “Rockit,” the song is reminiscent of Jackson’s best dance singles. The Hancock sample and the droning synths have a fun, retro ’80s vibe that feels like an apt tribute to "Control." Meanwhile, rapper Khia’s presence gives the song a contemporary gloss. And as from her work since 1993, Jackson’s murmured, panting vocals are sexually charged. Another song that joyfully recalls Jackson’s salad days is the colourful “Daybreak,” which will remind fans of her classic hits like “When I Think of You” or “Escapade.” Jackson’s sweet, candy-coated vocals, layered and sonically multiplied, trill melodically over thick synths that bring to mind the late ’80s, early ”90s soul-pop. “Show Me” is another affectionate look at her ’80s days, her pretty coo warbling over a crowd of bouncing synthesizers and gleaming keyboards. ‘” Enjoy” is a joyful, swinging tune that benefits immensely from Jackson’s delightful chirping. Though Jackson’s strongest suit is dance music, she shines on the luxurious ballad, “Take Care,” vintage Jackson, Jam, and Lewis babymaking pop. The song has all the trademarks of a classic Janet Jackson ballad: dreamy, hushed vocals, soft synths, muted beats, full of atmosphere. It also has a seemingly loose structure that feels like time stops when the music plays. It also has a beautiful passage in which Jackson does some of her best singing when she adds an urgent pulse to her voice. Unfortunately, quite a few misses on "20 Y.O.," which relegates the album low on her storied discography. It isn’t that the low points are wrong – the crack team behind the record is too good to make bad music. Still, a lot of it feels like rote by-the-numbers dance-pop and contemporary R&B. “Get It Out Me” is a loud, clattering number that is missing a memorable hook or melodies. “Do It 2 Me” is a skittery midtempo number that feels like anything one would hear on radio R&B in 2006. And single “With U” does sport an excellent vocal performance by Jackson, but it’s squandered on a bland urban-pop tune that melts into a so-so blandness. Because of the heavy conditions that weigh the album down, it’s difficult to assess whether it would have been a success had it not been for these outside forces. After "20 Y.O.," Jackson would leave Virgin Records, her label for over a decade (she was at one point, the highest-paid performer in pop music), for a one-album stint at Island with the underperforming Discipline (2008). She then took a long hiatus of seven years – her lengthiest in between studio releases – to return with the warmly received "Unbreakable," which would become her seventh number one album on the Billboard album charts. The album became emblematic of the excesses of sexism, misogyny, and racism, particularly when looking at the reach of powerful, successful white men. Moonves’ meddling in Jackson’s career – as well as his reported ruining of "Designing Women" writer Linda Bloodworthworth-Thomason’s career – was a symptom of a systemic issue of toxic masculinity, power, and privilege. Moonves was eventually toppled, disgraced, and discarded. Although, fifteen years from its release, "20 Y.O." remains misunderstood mainly due to the fraught conditions that shaped it. Although it broke no new ground, the album saw Jackson confidently hit her veteran stride doing what she does best: turning out full-bodied R&B that thrills discerning audiophiles everywhere.

Internet sensation and rising songbird Chloe Moriondo unveils the charming, breezy new single “Sammy.” This is accompanied by a music video starring Moriondo’s own pet dog (the titular Sammy). The charming new single arrives ahead of Moriondo’s forthcoming EP, "Puppy Luv," due April 8th. Expanding on the EP, Moriondo unveiled "Puppy Luv," a collection of canine songs that I coincidentally wrote over the past couple of years. To me, it feels like a playful bite from a tiny puppy that kind of stings a little later. I dedicate it to Sammy, my dog!” Alongside the announcement of her forthcoming EP, Chloe Moriondo will head out on tour in support of mxmtoon’s North American headline dates. The trek kicks off May 2nd in Montreal, Quebec and includes two nights at The Fonda in Los Angeles and New York City’s Webster Hall. Chloe will also be hitting the festival circuit with upcoming performances at Seattle, WA’s Capitol Hill Block Party and this year’s Firefly Festival. Following the release of their critically acclaimed album Blood Bunny last May, Moriondo’s momentum only continued throughout the fall, releasing “Dizzy (feat. Thomas Headon and Alfie Templeman)” and supporting Ashnikko’s sold-out headline tour between her headline dates. Chloe has racked up praise from Billboard, Pitchfork, The FADER, PAPER, UPROXX, Refinery29, and more. Following Blood Bunny's release, Moriondo made her television debut performing "Bodybag" on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! and appeared soon after on The Late Late Show With James Corden, where they played a dynamic rendition of "I Want To Be With You."

British alt-rock band Florence + The Machine returned with the new single “King,” written by Florence Welch in February. They have now unveiled a new song, “Heaven Is Here,” and an accompanying music video directed by Autumn de Wilde and shot in Kyiv, Ukraine, in November. The heavily percussive track rides the momentum of a hand clap current, punctuated by big hits of drums, piano, and acoustic guitar. Florence Welch’s vocals are equally punchy but balanced with some big, drawn-out harmonies. According to Florence Welch, two of the dancers in the video are sheltering in their home city as it remains under siege by Russian forces. “To my brave and beautiful sisters Maryne and Anastasiia,” she wrote on Twitter, “I love you. I wish I could put my arms around you.” She shared another statement about the song: “Heaven Is Here” was the first song I wrote in lockdown after an extended period of not being able to get to the studio. I wanted to make something monstrous. And this clamour of joy, fury and grief was the first thing that came out. With dance studios also shut, it was my dream to one day create choreography with it. So it’s one of the first pieces of music I have made specifically with contemporary dance in mind." Last year, the group contributed “Call Me Cruella” to the soundtrack for Disney’s "Cruella," while before that, they were dropping scattered songs such as “Light of Love,” Moderation,” and “Haunted House.” Florence and the Machine’s most recent LP, "High as Hope," was released in 2018.

James Arthur has dropped a music video with You Me At Six singer Josh Franceschi. "Lose My Mind" was co-penned by Arthur alongside Cass Lowe and Corey Sanders and follows the singer's fourth studio album, "It'll All Make Sense In The End," released in November 2021. The new track is lifted from his forthcoming deluxe edition adds six new tracks, bringing it up to a hefty 20 songs in total. It’s due out on March 11. The release coincides with the artist’s forthcoming tour of the UK and Ireland. He’s got 27 shows pencilled in for March, kicking off in Bournemouth on Sunday 6 and wrapping up in Dublin on Wednesday 30. From there, he’ll head to North America for 19 shows across April and May. Meanwhile, You Me At Six are gearing up to celebrate the belated 10th anniversary of their landmark third album, "Sinners Never Sleep." Joined by The Hunna (with more guests to be announced soon), You Me At Six will play the record in full at two special shows – one going down in Leeds on Wednesday, June 1, and the other in Hatfield on Thursday 2. June will also see the band perform at this year’s Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals in Germany (alongside Green Day, Muse, Volbeat, and more) and Rock For People in the Czech Republic. They’ll return to Germany in August to play the 2022 Highfield Festival.

Veteran R&B singer Frankie J has been making music for more than two decades. And he’s consistently pushed against the rules of the genre that stifle so many artists. Frankie J is now back with a new album named "Back2Us." This is his first English album since he recorded "Eleven" in 2017. The project also serves as his first R&B album since the 2006 project "Priceless," as his later albums have been more Pop. The Latin singer had previously released the Raz B featured single “With You,” and the Baby Bash featured single “Love Is On The Way.” Both are included on the album and a handful of new songs. The man born Francisco Javier Bautista Jr. in San Diego started his career in freestyle, scoring such regional hits as “Believe in Love” and “She’s Leaving.” He was an original member of Los Kumbia Kings, the group started by Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla. He scored solo pop hits with “Don’t Wanna Try” and “Obsession (No es Amor).” After being absent for seven years, his last Spanish album, “Canciones Que Recuerdo,” is another left turn after being absent for seven years. It’s his first since 2013’s Grammy-nominated “Faith, Hope y Amor” and features 15 lushly produced covers of Spanish-language standards from, among others, Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal. Frankie J conceived the album four years ago with business partner Charles Chavez, who has worked with several Houston acts. He received a Grammy Award nomination for his album "Faith, Hope y Amor" in 2013 for Best Latin Pop Album.

Following the success of her collaboration with Smino on "2 seater," Tiana Major9 has returned with a new soulful new single called "My Peace..." which finds her learning how to be vulnerable with a lover who provides her with nothing but nurturing love and patience after being faced with other toxic relationships. The song is the second single appearing on the forthcoming EP "Fool Me Once," out March 15 via Motown. “Try Peace” arrives with a warm music video that finds Tiana Major9 making sense of her complicated emotions. She takes a human approach to the concept, processing while completing simple daily tasks like bringing the groceries inside, doing laundry, and getting ready with friends. “I’m very used to being in the room with just one musician. Like my brother, in the past, and him playing the guitar and us creating the song from the first note to the end of the song—that’s my ideal. I always go back to that. But recently, I’ve been in the studio working with producers in a similar way, or even more new to me: a producer having beats and folders ready for me,” the singer said in 2021. "You can find real gems sometimes, but it can also be a little limiting. A lot of the time, it’ll be loops—the same beat for three minutes—and I don’t feel like my music is that, so it’s quite challenging because I’ll want to change or add things,” she continued. “There’s also a producer called PRGRSHN—he helps with my vocals, vocal production and song production. I love having him in the room. It’s always good to have familiarity when you’re recording.”

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and producer Astn, who went viral on TikTok for his R&B remix of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” has signed with Warner Records. The R&B breakout star, whose real name is Austin Sanders, dropped his debut EP as Astn, “Tell Your Friends,” in 2017. and now he marks the release of his first song with Warner, titled “Gradually.” “The song poses the question: Is it more agonizing to see someone you love vanish from your life all of the sudden, or slowly detach from you over time?” Astn said in a statement. “It’s about knowing this person is on their way out, and yet you still try to make it work, salvaging anything from it that might be left. But truthfully, there’s a beauty in letting go.” Senior vice president of A&R Ericka Coulter brought Astn to Warner Records. In a statement to Variety, co-chairman and CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck praised the artist’s “ability to move between both pop and R&B influences so effortlessly.” “Astn is a star in the making,” said Bay-Schuck. “His inspirations are familiar, and his music timeless, yet he’s bringing to it a fresh style all his own. He’s so clear on who he wants to be, what he wants his music to sound like, what he wants his visuals to look like and what will make the most authentic connection with his fans; these are all marks of a true artist.” Bay Schuck continued, “When you add his natural ability to utilize all the tools the social space has to offer, along with a bright and talented management team, you’ve got the makings of a breakout act. [Co-chairman and COO] Tom Corson and I are thrilled to welcome him to the Warner Family.”

Nearly four years have passed since Jacob Banks released his debut album, "Village." The acclaimed LP, which showed up on Rated R&B’s year-end albums list in 2018, is finally getting a proper follow-up. Banks’ sophomore album, "Lies About The War," will be released later this year under his imprint Nobody Records. Jacob Banks readies for the debut of a brand new project with the release of a powerful new single and music video, “Just When I Thought.” The dramatic visual punctuates the soulful and hard-hitting record with inky, saturated colours and a suspenseful storyline. The single ends with a sweeping choral section that soothes the soul just as fast, and it gets your blood pumping. Songs recall familiar feelings, emotions, and memories. Jacob Banks transmits comfort from this familiarity. The Nigerian-born and London-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist allow a flood of thoughts, perspectives, and inspirations to flow through his music. After generating nearly 200 million streams and receiving praise from NPR, VIBE, Coveteur, and Wonderland Magazine, he readies another album release, slated for a Spring 2022 release. The forthcoming project will be released under his label Nobody Records. In addition to headlining sold-out shows on multiple continents, he delivered electrifying performances at Coachella, SXSW, Austin City Limits, and Lollapalooza and has performed with the likes of Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, and Alicia Keys.

LA-based singer-songwriter Em Beihold is one to watch as she breaks the Internet with her bright melodies and raw lyrics. Her latest single “Numb Little Bug” has taken over TikTok by storm, with over 60,000 videos using the audio in under a month. We discuss with Em blowing up on social media, mental health, and the genuine connection that she has developed with her fans. “Numb Little Bug” illuminates the idiosyncrasies of Beihold’s signature style. Piano glimmers before her buoyant verses bounce over a sparse, bassy beat. Perfecting her piano-driven approach with all of the musical quirks and nuances intact, Em’s spirited delivery glides over handclaps and heavenly harmonies as she asks, “Do you ever get a little bit tired of life, like you’re not really happy, but you don’t want to die, like a numb little bug that’s gotta survive?” However, the song's history goes a little further than that, as the writing for the song began in August 2021, when it also went viral online. In a TikTok, Beihold explained it took “5 months and 13 versions” to get it right.” The time seems to have been worth it, though it is now a big success! The success of the “Numb Little Bug” can be attributed to the reliability of the lyrics. The track has become the anthem of all those just exhausted but trudging through. Online, people are recording their daily routines, thoughts, and art to this snip of the chorus. While there are days where we indeed might feel like a “Numb Little Bug,” we should also be able to feel as snug as a bug on a rug in the meanwhile. Em Beihold’s music is here to help do just that!

Charli XCX should have already performed on "Saturday Night Live," but the singer was booked to take to Studio 8H back in December, but her set was cancelled due to COVID concerns. At the time, Charli said that she was “devastated and heartbroken” by the news, but she promised that she would return. True to her word, she did so last night, taking the stage to perform “Baby” and “Beg For You” from her upcoming album, "Crash." Both performances were on the seductive side, as Charli danced and twirled her way around the stage, all while showing some skin to viewers. “Baby” and “Beg For You” are two of four singles that Charli has released so far from Crash. “Baby” serves as its latest single, while “Beg For You” is a track Charli released back in January, with a feature from Rina Sawayama. The remaining singles from the album are “New Shapes” with Caroline Polachek and Christine And The Queens and “Good Ones.” Last week (February 26) on "SNL," LCD Soundsystem were the musical guests, performing old songs "Thrills" and "Yr City’s A Sucker" and becoming guardian angels for a sketch.

It must be tough to come up with an original score for a new musical based on a hugely popular Hollywood film while still retaining mainly elements that made people fall in love with the story in the first place. But here, Bryan Adams and long-time collaborator Jim Vallance have enough confidence in their music and songs to ensure that the film's spirit is retained with a bit more of a contemporary twist. On the 16 track new album "Pretty Woman: The Musical," there are certainly plenty of highlights in songs, with dreamy but powerful numbers such as "Anywhere But Here" and "This Is My Life" making a real impact – thanks to Samantha Barks and her naturally powerful vocals and performance hitting all the right spots. On the other side of this, some songs don’t help push the story forward – in particular, "Rodeo Drive" feels like a random addition and "Luckiest Girl in the World" doesn’t feel as though it works in the context of the story. As already mentioned, Samantha Barks is a delight to listen to, offering plenty of warmth to the character but also strength and resilience that is wonderfully made clear during "This Is My Life." Elsewhere, Andy Karl makes for a suitably charismatic Edward, with his renditions of "You’re Beautiful" and "You and I" are proving to be real strong highlights of the show. This is, of course, full credit to Bryan Adams, who knows how to deliver a romantic song, as we all know through thanks to his hit "Everything I Do) I Do It for You," released in 1991.