Month: August 2023

Duran Duran wave in their new era with the release of “Danse Macabre,” a fresh cut with shades of darkness.

Teased earlier this month, “Danse Macabre” (which translates to the Dance of Death) is the title track from the Rock And Roll Hall of Famers’ forthcoming 16th studio album, due out Oct. 27 via Tape Modern/BMG.

The legendary ‘80s band welcome on board some familiar guests for the forthcoming LP, including former guitarists Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo, Paper Gods collaborator Mr. Hudson, longtime producer Nile Rodgers, and Måneskin’s Victoria De Angelis.

Announced in March as a “special new music project,” Danse Macabre is a Halloween concept album, “catalyzed by one special live performance” in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, 2022, reads a statement from the band’s reps.

It’s “the soundtrack to their ultimate Halloween party,” and contains three new compositions, including the first release, plus reworked songs, and covers of songs by Billie Eilish, Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, Siouxsie And The Banshees and more.

Spanning 13 songs, Duran Duran “unearth bright melodies from the darkness, threading together new songs, themed covers, and newly reimagined versions of their own ‘spooky’ classics,” reads the official statement.

Opening with a fog horn and a synth riff reminiscent of “All She Wants Is,” “Danse Macabre” is like no Duran Duran song that came before it. Cuccurullo and Hudson assist on “Danse Macabre”, over which Simon Le Bon raps out the opening verse. Joshua Blair produces.

The song “celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween,” says founding band member and keyboardist Nick Rhodes. The idea for the album, he continues, was born out of that Sin City show. “We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event…the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humor was simply irresistible.”

After all these years, says founding member and bass player John Taylor, “Danse Macabre offers an interesting insight into the personality of the band. The music packs a real punch.”

Danse Macabre follows a dizzying spell of activity for the band, which included their 2022 induction into the Rock Hall at a ceremony in Los Angeles, where the band members revealed for the first time Andy Taylor’s cancer diagnosis. Also, DD headlined London’s Hyde Park, performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, closed the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on their home soil of Birmingham, and worked their way across North America for a headline tour which included sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden, three nights at the Hollywood Bowl, and a special Cancer Awareness Trust fundraiser Aug. 19 at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, CA.

North America dates continue Thursday, Aug. 31 at Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, MN.

The English act’s last album, 2021’s Future Past, debuted at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, their highest-charting effort since the classic lineup reunited in 2004 for Astronaut, which also peaked at No. 3.

“Danse Macabre” tracklist
Nightboat
Black Moonlight
Love Voudou
Bury A Friend
Supernature
Danse Macabre
Secret Oktober 31st
Ghost Town
Paint It Black
Super Lonely Freak
Spellbound
Psycho Killer (feat. Victoria De Angelis)
Confession in the Afterlife

Afrobeats star Burna Boy blasts into top spot in the U.K. chart race with I Told Them…, his seventh studio LP.

The Nigeria-born artist leads the Official Chart Update with his latest release, which features assists from Dave, 21 Savage and J. Cole.

If it holds its position, I Told Them… would give Burna Boy his first crown, and fourth U.K. top 40 appearance, after 2019’s African Giant (No. 16), 2020’s Twice As Tall, and 2022’s Love, Damini, which both peaked at No. 2.

At least two tracks from it are predicted to crash the top 40 on the U.K. singles chart, including “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” and “Cheat On Me” with Dave.

Burna Boy’s career has been cooking of late. Earlier this summer, he became the first African artist to headline a stadium concert in the U.K., when he played his Love, Damini tour date at a packed-out 60,000 capacity London Stadium.

Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Burna Boy already has a No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart for 2019’s “Own It,” with Stormzy and Ed Sheeran. On the other side of the Atlantic, he won a Grammy Award for 2020’s Twice as Tall (best global music album), and headlined a headline show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in April 2022.

According to the Official Charts Company, Steps singer Claire Richards could snag a career-best solo appearance with her second LP Euphoria. It’s new at No. 2 on the chart blast, and should outpace her solo debut, 2019’s My Wildest Dreams, which peaked at No. 9.

Shock-rock legend Alice Cooper is on track for his highest-charting album since 1989 with Road, new at No. 3 on the midweek tally, while indie-pop artist Ashnikko’s debut album Weedkiller could plant itself in the top 10. It’s new at No. 4 on the Official Chart Update.

Close behind is Digga D, with the hip-hop artist’s latest full-length set Back to Square One. It’s set to drop in at No. 6. The British rapper, singer and songwriter led the chart last year with his mixtape Noughty By Nature.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Sept. 1.

Los Angeles singer-songwriter August 08 has died at age 31. 

“The entire Def Jam family mourns the tragic loss of Ray’ August 08′ Jacobs,” Def Jam said in a statement to Billboard on Tuesday (Aug. 29). “A brilliant songwriter, an accomplished musician and a singular artist, August will remain in our memory as a beloved colleague and friend. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”

Born Ray Jacobs, August was the first signee to Jhene Aiko’s Allel Sound label and released his first EP under her imprint in July 2022. Titled Towards the Moon, August’s project was anchored by his song “Water Sign” with Aiko. Towards the Moon was the follow-up to his April 2022 EP Towards the Sun. 

“August is an incredible writer, singer and artist whose music speaks to me on so many levels… As a fellow Los Angeles native, I am so proud of him,” Aiko told Variety last year upon signing him. “August’s talent, love for songwriting and hands on approach with his art is something I can relate to and have a great amount of respect for. It was a natural evolution of our friendship and musical collaboration to have him become the first artist signed to Allel Sound. I couldn’t be more excited to work with August.”

Before August teamed with Def Jam and Aiko’s label, he previously aligned with 88rising, where he worked with Joji on his Seasick album cut “What We Used To Be.” He also paired himself with ScHoolboy Q on “Cutlass” on the aforementioned project.

“RIP August the kindest and most talented genius you will be missed beyond words,” 88rising shared on Instagram. “Thank you for being an amazing mentor and a steadfast friend through all these years. We are forever grateful to you and the joy you brought in every room, through every song. Your energy, guidance and care gave so much inspiration and strength that will be carried on always.”

In June, August 08 released “Bruises,” which he called “an expression of love through all.” “Been through a lot of heartache in my love life but I’ve always been able to put the pieces back together and move forward. ‘Bruises’ speaks to love and how it may waiver but never completely abandons us,” he said after the release. “This video represents love in all forms and how no matter our difference we can love through all. I love how music can connect people from all over allowing for freedom of express. I wanted to pay homage with love and respect to the art and the community.”

On the songwriting side, August collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign, Duckwrth, Kyle and more. He also co-wrote DJ Khaled’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “I’m the One,” featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne.

Róisín Murphy is speaking out following a viral Facebook comment circulating social media in which the Irish singer appears to criticize puberty blockers for what she called “little mixed up kids,” launching backlash from trans rights and gender affirming care supporters.

The singer took to Twitter on Tuesday (Aug. 29) to share a lengthy statement, noting that she’s been “thrown into a very public discourse in an arena I’m uncomfortable in and deeply unsuitable for.” She added that she’s had a Facebook account for years, and commented on a post bringing up “a specific issue that was only broadly related to the original post. It was something that had been on my mind. I knew my friends were informed about the topic. I should’ve known too that I was stepping out of line.”

She continued: “I’ve spent my whole life celebrating diversity and different views, but I never patronise or cynically aim my music directly at the pockets of any demographic. The music I make is the core of everything I do and it’s ever-evolving, freewheeling and unpredictable. For those of you that are leaving me, or have already left, I understand, I really do, but please know I have loved every one of you. I have always been so proud of my audience and understood the privilege of performing for you, all through the years.”

Murphy went on to apologize to her fanbase, a large portion of which are part of the queer community. “I am so sorry my comments have been directly hurtful to many of you,” she wrote. “You must have felt a huge shock, blindsided by this so abruptly. I understand fixed views are not helpful but I really hope people can understand my concern was out of love for all of us.”

Dr. Joshua D. Safer, MD, executive director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, previously told Billboard that when medical intervention becomes necessary for a trans person, there are a number of different procedures minors can undergo. Those who have yet to start puberty may begin their transition process using puberty blockers — medication meant to “pause puberty” for up to a year to prevent permanent physical change.

When it comes to gender diverse people, puberty blockers can simply buy time before the patient decides how they want to proceed with their transition — as blockers are reversible. “If puberty were not paused, irreversible physical characteristics from the natural puberty would occur and require more involved treatment later like surgery,” Dr. Safer explains.

See Murphy’s full statement below.

As the Hollywood strikes continue, five of the most popular late-night talk show hosts had an idea to meet up every week to discuss the complexities behind the ongoing discussions and protests.

As a result, Spotify revealed on Tuesday (Aug. 29) that it is teaming up with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver for a new limited-series podcast, called Strike Force Five. The series, which will run for at least 12 episodes, will launch Aug. 30 and feature the hosts’ insights, opinions and, of course, humor to the show as they navigate the Hollywood strikes. The series will be hosted on Spotify’s Megaphone, with Spotify as the exclusive sales partner.

All proceeds the hosts earn from Strike Force Five will go toward out-of-work staff of the hosts’ respective shows as the strike continues, including The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. 

The ongoing Writers Guild of America strike has been affecting TV series, late night talk shows and awards shows since May 1, after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to produce a new deal. “While company profits have remained high and spending on content has grown, writers are falling behind,” the WGA said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels. On TV staffs, more writers are working at minimum regardless of experience, often for fewer weeks, or in mini-rooms, while showrunners are left without a writing staff to complete the season. And while series budgets have soared over the past decade, median writer-producer pay has fallen.”

Listen to the Strike Force Five introduction trailer below.