Zara Larsson could be called a veteran pop star... because there's an undertow of struggle to her glittering party-girl persona. The teen-age version of her... remains lodged in my memory—a closeted power vocalist dulling her instrument to fit catchy and anodyne tracks.
I want to grow brands that I'm passionate about, and dirty soda has always been a part of my life. It wasn't just this viral moment that people who watch Secret Lives saw. It was something that's more sustainable.
"'The Life of a Showgirl' was really inspired by the energy that I felt like looking into crowds and seeing you guys every single night. This album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that's the way that I get to feel every single day of my life because of my fiancé, who's here tonight."
I do not turn to celebrities for trenchant political takes or honestly really expect them to know what's actually going on in the news. However, I also think that most good art engages with the world in which it's being created, and now that we're in good-art-naming season (aka awards season), ignoring that world is privileged at best and evil at worst.
London R&B singer Ella Mai broke out in 2018 with the sleeper hit "Boo'd Up," which employed its chorus, mimicking a heartbeat, to channel the kind of easygoing romance that puts a skip in your step. "There Goes My Heart," a highlight from her new album, Do You Still Love Me?, captures the more demanding somatic rhythms of a love that brings your defenses crashing down.
Destin Conrad dropped his second studio album, a jazz project titled wHIMSY. Both albums climbed the charts, and Conrad snagged a Grammy nomination for best progressive R&B album for Love on Digital his first as a solo artist. In an interview with All Things Considered, Conrad said he sometimes wondered if people wouldn't take him seriously as a musical artist because of his history on the former video-sharing app Vine, where Conrad shared quirky jokes and clips of himself singing samples
Sabrina Carpenter is set perform at the 2026 Grammys, the Recording Academy has announced, 12 months after she stole the 2025 show with a Goldie Hawn-inspired production of her singles "Espresso" and "Please Please Please." The pop star is also up for six awards at this year's ceremony: Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Man's Best Friend; and Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video for "Manchild."
Last month, LaRussell announced his signing of a "project deal" with San Francisco label EMPIRE, one of the music industry's largest and most powerful independent labels and distributors. In 2023, he announced a deal with Live Nation for select concert dates. Both deals, LaRussell indicated, allowed him to make decisions on his own terms. The Roc Nation announcement comes after images of a late January meeting between LaRussell and Jay-Z were shared online.
The 68th Grammy Awards aren't just a night of music industry awards, but a rock star celebration of music itself. There was a slew of showstopping performances at this year's awards ceremony, hosted at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, one of which featured all seven nominees for the best new artist category inlcuding Olivia Dean, Lola Young, and Sombr. Other performances included the in memoriam segment of the show, which featured country superstar Reba McEntire performing at the Grammys for the first time.
With so much good music being released all the time, it can be hard to determine what to listen to first. Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. This week's batch includes new albums from Ari Lennox, Lucinda Williams, and Cat Power. Subscribe to Pitchfork's New Music Friday newsletter to get our recommendations in your inbox every week.
"I've always believed that music is about connection and emotional truth. What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression, not instead of it. This project respects the artist's voice, the artist's choices, and the artist's ownership. I grew up watching my parents create wonderful dreams that were owned by other people. ElevenLabs makes it possible for anyone to be a creator and owner. That matters."
Wang was on the edge of 17 when she arrived at Nashville International Airport with her entire life packed into three suitcases and a carry-on. She had traveled all the way from Zhejiang, China, chasing a dream that would ultimately shape her future: studying music business at Belmont University. Now 26, Wang is an Artist Development Manager at Sony Music Entertainment.
Summer Walker is taking her Over It trilogy on a 19-date arena tour. The Still Finally Over It trek kicks off in Toronto this May before crossing the States and then heading to England in August. British-Nigerian singer Odeal and rapper Monaleo will open on select dates. You can check out the full list of stops below. Walker's 2025 album Finally Over It capped off an acclaimed three-part series for the R&B star that began with 2019's Over It and its 2021 sequel Still Over It.
Taylor Swift, Kiss' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher Tricky Stewart, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. Swift's songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends and she'll no doubt bring extra attention to this year's new class. Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley fresh off the band's farewell will also be recognized for their glam rock classics Rock and Roll All Nite and I Love It Loud.
"Can't get enough of this one from @turnstileluvconnection," Branch wrote in the caption of her Instagram post sharing the stripped-down piano cover. Get Turnstile Tickets Here We named "NEVER ENOUGH" as the Heavy Song of the Week when it was released in April 2025 as the first preview of one of the best albums of the year, hardcore or otherwise. The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.
