Author: Warner PR

BLUR ANNOUNCES BRAND NEW ALBUM ‘THE BALLAD OF DARREN’ OUT JULY 21ST// HEAR THE FIRST TRACK ‘THE NARCISSIST’ NOW

BRAND NEW ALBUM ‘The Ballad of Darren’ OUT 21st JULY 2023

MALAHIDE CASTLE, SATURDAY JUNE 24TH- SOLD OUT

18th May 2023 – blur will release their first album in 8 years, titled The Ballad of Darren and comprising 10 new tracks, on 21st July on Parlophone. First track ‘The Narcissist’ is out now.

Produced by James Ford and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, The Ballad of Darren is the band’s ninth studio album, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.

The Ballad of Darren track listing is: The Ballad, St Charles Square, Barbaric, Russian Strings, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist, Goodbye Albert, Far Away Island, Avalon and The Heights

Damon Albarn said – “This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”
Graham Coxon said – “The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn’t do the job.”
Alex James said – “For any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that.”
Dave Rowntree said – “It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that for granted.”

Today’s surprise announcement comes ahead of the band’s return to the place where it all began – Colchester, Essex*– for their first ever performance at local landmark Colchester Arts Centre tomorrow, marking the start of a short run of warm-up performances which will see the blur visit Eastbourne Winter Gardens on 21st May, The Halls Wolverhampton on 26th May and O2 City Hall Newcastle on 28th May.

These warm-up dates are kicking off a summer of highly-anticipated live shows which will bring Alex James, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree together again to perform their iconic and much-loved songs across Europe over the coming months. The band’s first ever show at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8th July sold out in minutes – with a second Wembley Stadium show added for Sunday 9th July and the bands Irish date on June 24th at Malahide Castle is now sold out.

The complete tracklisting for The Ballad of Darren is:

1. The Ballad
2. St Charles Square
3. Barbaric
4. Russian Strings
5. The Everglades (For Leonard)
6. The Narcissist
7. Goodbye Albert
8. Far Away Island
9. Avalon
10. The Heights

The Ballad of Darren will be available as a Digital Download & Stream (10 tracks as above); Standard CD (10 tracks) and Deluxe CD (12 tracks, w. expanded packaging), Standard Vinyl LP – 12” heavyweight black vinyl; and – exclusive to blur.co.uk – Deluxe Vinyl pressed on 12″ clear vinyl with black swirls, in a gatefold sleeve, with poster, bonus 7” vinyl, album CD (12 tracks) and integrated booklet, including exclusive handwritten notes, sketches and lyrics; and Cassette (10 tracks).

Pre order The Ballad of Darren here.

JANELLE MONÁE UNVEILS THE AGE OF PLEASURE

AWARD-WINNING SUPERSTAR ANNOUNCES HUGELY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM

NEW SINGLE “LIPSTICK LOVER” OUT NOW

RELEASED ALONGSIDE OFFICIAL EMOTION PICTURE

THE AGE OF PLEASURE ARRIVES VIA WONDALAND ARTS SOCIETY/ATLANTIC RECORDS

ON JUNE 9^TH  PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW HERE

PLAYS IVEAGH GARDENS, JULY 6^TH– TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

“As we enter into The Age Of Pleasure, “Lipstick Lover” is our freeassmothafucka anthem inspired by f.a.m. for f.a.m. This is our oasis made with love, rooted in self acceptance, throbbing in self discovery, and signed with cherry red kisses from me to you. ” 

– Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe, music’s foremost freeassmuthafucka, has shared her scintillating new single, “Lipstick Lover,” available now via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records. An official emotion picture, directed by Janelle Monáe and Alan Ferguson, premieres today on YouTube – Watch HERE.

Arriving on the heels of her showstopping Met Gala appearance, “Lipstick Lover” heralds the arrival of Monáe’s hugely anticipated new album, THE AGE OF PLEASURE, due out June 9^th. Pre-orders/pre-saves – including limited edition vinyl – are available now HERE.

THE AGE OF PLEASURE also includes the acclaimed new single, “Float (Feat. Seun Kuti + Egypt 80).” Hailed by Pitchfork as “swaggering, brass-heavy…the sound of a top-tier talent doing a little victory dance,” the track is joined by an official dance video streaming on YouTube HERE.

To celebrate the launch of this new era, Monáe graced the March cover of EBONY Magazine, which stated, “the singer-songwriter returns to music as their fullest self…we’re perhaps witnessing the queerest, and by association, the Blackest, of Monáe’s eras yet…”

“Float” – which Monáe initially teased on her hugely popular Instagram – was first heard late last year as the official anthem of ABC/ESPN’s NBA Saturday Primetime campaign, with Janelle contributing voiceover narration to promo spots highlighting the biggest matchups and stars in the league. The track was used extensively throughout all NBA coverage through mid-March, spanning promos, Primetime matchups, in-game placement, social media, and more. In addition, “Float” was featured in an animated piece marking Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the #1 spot on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list, shared across ESPN’s socials and James’ Instagram to reach more than 275M combined followers.

The Pretenders Announce New Studio Album ‘Relentless’
Due For Release 1st September 2023 Via Parlophone.

Listen To New Single ‘Let The Sun Come In’.

Before Exclusive ‘Relentless’ UK & Ireland Intimate Club Shows
19th May Dolans, Limerick SOLD OUT
20th May Cypress Avenue, Cork, Ireland SOLD OUT
21st May Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23rd May Limelight, Belfast, Northern Ireland SOLD OUT

Touring With Guns N’ Roses Across Europe Through June

Photographer Credit: Ki Price

The Pretenders return with the announcement of ‘Relentless’, their fourteenth studio album, due for release 1st September 2023 via Parlophone and available to pre-order now.

‘Relentless’ is a clearly defined snapshot of where The Pretenders are in 2023. Arriving with the impulsiveness and attitude that at once defines the band’s eternal spirit, brand new single ‘Let The Sun Come In’ is also released today, following a premiere on the BBC Radio 2 Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. Listen here.

Speaking about the album title, Chrissie Hynde said:

“I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word. And I liked the definition: “showing no abatement of intensity”. It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.”

The news arrives as The Pretenders look ahead to a massive summer of live performances. Tomorrow night, Friday 12th May, the band will unleash new songs from ‘Relentless’ as they headline Brighton’s Great Escape Festival, starting a sold out tour of very special exclusive club shows visiting some of the UK and Ireland’s most intimate venues.

On 30th June The Pretenders will join Guns N’ Roses as special guests at London’s BST Hyde Park, and at huge outdoor shows in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands, before headline performances at summer festivals including Midnight Sun, Bearded Theory, Black Deer and Kite. In October the band will land in America to play Ohana Festival, California, by invitation of Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl. More 2023 live activity is soon to be announced.

‘Relentless’ is the second consecutive Pretenders album to be written as a collaboration between Chrissie Hynde and the band’s resident guitar hero, James Walbourne. Especially sought after in his own right, having recorded with Dave Gahan, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Rails amongst many more.

Speaking about the Hynde/Walbourne songwriting process, Chrissie Hynde said:

“We had developed this method of working remotely and it seemed like we just kept on doing it for this album. This is something that we’ve honed down to an art in the last few years. He always comes up with something I wouldn’t have thought of myself and I love surprises.”

Produced by David Wrench and recorded at Battery Studios in West London, the album’s 12 tracks feature what Chrissie describes as “The Pretenders Collective”. This extended band features James Walbourne (guitars), Kris Sonne (drums), Chris Hill (double bass), Dave Page (bass) and Carwyn Ellis (keyboards and guitars).

‘Relentless’ also features a long hoped-for collaboration with the esteemed composer Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile), who provides the string arrangement and conducted the 12 Ensemble for the album’s beautiful closing track, ‘I Think About You Daily’.

‘Relentless’ is The Pretenders’ first album to be released via Warner Brothers – Parlophone’s parent record label – since 1999. After first signing to small independent label Real Records on the back of the heyday of punk rock, The Pretenders’ first single led them to sign with Sire – whose parent company was also Warner Brothers – via legendary A&R Seymour Stein, a partnership lasting 20 years.

And now in 2023 and The Pretenders are back at their live and brilliant best – the upcoming ‘Relentless’ tour follows a handful of very intimate shows played earlier this year for Independent Venue Week. Fans were treated to a glimpse of as yet unreleased new music as The Guardian confirmed, “Hynde’s songwriting is as sharp as ever, with new songs stealing the limelight from classic hits”. All Pretenders live dates and last remaining tickets are listed here.

‘Relentless’ will be released via Parlophone on baby pink vinyl, black vinyl, and CD from 1st September. Pre-order the album now https://Pretenders.lnk.to/Relentless.

‘Relentless’ Tracklist

1. Losing My Sense Of Taste
2. A Love
3. Domestic Silence
4. The Copa
5. Promise Of Love
6. Merry Widow
7. Let The Sun Come In
8. Look Away
9. Your House Is On Fire
10. Just Let It Go
11. Vainglorious
12. I Think About You Daily

Pretenders 2023 Live Dates

12th May Great Escape Festival, Brighton
13th May Rescue Rooms, Nottingham SOLD OUT
14th May MASH, Cambridge SOLD OUT
16th May Cheese & Grain, Frome SOLD OUT
17th May The Sugarmill, Stoke SOLD OUT
19th May Dolans, Limerick SOLD OUT
20th May Cypress Avenue, Cork, Ireland SOLD OUT
21st May Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23rd May Limelight, Belfast, Northern Ireland SOLD OUT
25th May Midnight Sun Festival, Stornoway, Scotland (headlining)
28th May Bearded Theory, Derbyshire (headlining)
30th May De Roma, Antwerp
31st May De Roma, Antwerp
9th June Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain (with Guns N’ Roses)
11th June Kite Festival (headlining)
12th June Estadio Abanca Balaídos, Vigo, Spain (with Guns N’ Roses)
16th June Azkena Festival (headlining)
17th June Black Deer Festival (headlining)
27th June Bellahouston Park, Glasgow (with Guns N’ Roses)
30th June BST Hyde Park, London (with Guns N’ Roses)
3rd July Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany (with Guns N’ Roses)
5th July Bernexpo, Bern, Switzerland (with Guns N’ Roses)
8th July Circo Massimo, Rome, Italy (with Guns N’ Roses)
11th July Evenemententerrein Weert Noord, Netherlands (with Guns N’ Roses)
1st October Ohana Fest, CA (with Foo Fighters)

Ethereal yet expansive, Galway-formed band NewDad (a moniker they picked from a random name generator) draw musical influence from the likes of The Cure to Pixies. Mixing grungy distortion with incandescent melodies, the tracks are further brought to life by singer Julie Dawson’s ghostly vocals, as presented in today’s offering ‘In My Head’ – their debut on Fair Youth/Atlantic Records (listen here).

Marking an exciting new era for the four-piece, ‘In My Head’ presents the band’s widescreen ambition as they level up their iridescent sonic. Written in their Galway rehearsal room, recorded at The Church in London (Paul Epworth’s studio) and mixed by Mike Crossey (MUNA, The 1975, Wolf Alice), the song finds Julie grappling with inner turmoil: “I’m buried under blankets / Descending into madness / And there’s no escape from the thoughts burned in my brain”.

Formed in Galway, Ireland in 2020 before the world came to a standstill – the group officially came together for a musical practical at school as part of a final year music project – NewDad have released two EP’s previously: Waves (2021) and Banshee (2022) – both produced by long-time collaborator Chris W Ryan, with the latter mixed by John Congleton (St Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers). Part of the Ireland’s fruitful music scene (one that’s generated Fontaine’s D.C, CMAT and Just Mustard over recent years), NewDad are here to remind us of the restlessness, anxieties, and relationship hang-ups that we’ve all come to face over our lives. Straddling the autobiographical with the fantastical, the band also draw influence modern-day cinema and TV to the serene coastal environment of Galway that backdropped their formative years.

NewDad, who are currently recording their debut album at the legendary Rockfield Studios (Black Sabbath, Oasis), have previously opened for Paolo Nutini at Alexandra Palace (and are set to support him again on his Irish tour in June alongside Julia Jacklin), Fontaines DC at Custom House Square and Inhaler at Fairview Park.

CHARLIE PUTH ENLISTS SABRINA CARPENTER FOR  

“THAT’S NOT HOW THIS WORKS” [Sabrina’s Version] 

THE NEW COLLAB FOLLOWS THE RELEASE OF THE OFFICIAL TRACK FEATURING DAN + SHAY AND MUSIC VIDEO STARRING SABRINA CARPENTER  

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer, Charlie Puth released a new version of “That’s Not How This Works (feat. Dan + Shay & Sabrina Carpenter) [Sabrina’s Version], via Atlantic Records. Sabrina’s version follows the official track’s release, featuring three-time GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-platinum duo, Dan + Shay, last month.

The release was accompanied by the official music video and short film, directed by Phillip R. Lopez, which starred Carpenter as Puth’s love interest. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the pair navigate the highs and lows of a toxic young relationship.

Like the original track, Sabrina’s version opens with Puth’s solo vocals accompanied by his piano as he describes the back-and-forth of an ending relationship. The addition of Carpenter offers the partner’s perspective while incorporating her soft yet powerful vocals and harmonies.

TENTH STUDIO ALBUM ‘chemistry’ OUT JUNE 23^RD VIA ATLANTIC RECORDS

STREAM “mine” / “me”: https://atlantic.lnk.to/mine-me

PRE-ORDER chemistry: https://Atlantic.lnk.to/chemisty

GRAMMY-winning global superstar Kelly Clarkson has unveiled double singles “mine” / “me” – the first taste of her highly anticipated tenth studio album chemistry, arriving June 23^rd and available for pre-order now via Atlantic Records.

“Having chemistry with someone is an incredible, and overwhelming, feeling. It’s like you have no choice in the matter. You are just drawn to each other. This can be good and bad. This album takes you down every path that chemistry could lead you down.” – KELLY CLARKSON

The pair of songs perfectly compliment and contrast, showcasing the lyrical complexity featured on the project three years in the making. Soaring vocals and a mounting instrumental find Clarkson lyrically honest-as-ever on “mine,” chanting “go ahead and break my heart, that’s fine” before craving karmic retribution. Meanwhile the focus shifts inward on “me,” a triumphant anthem of self-empowerment co-written with GRAMMY-nominated rising star GAYLE. Culminating with the lyric “don’t need to need somebody when I’ve got me,” the song’s message proves equally intimate and universal.

“We decided to release ‘mine’ and ‘me’ at the same time because I didn’t want to release just one song to represent an entire album, or relationship. There are many stages of grief and loss on this album. Each song is a different stage and emotional state.” – KELLY CLARKSON

chemistry was first announced last month alongside an exclusive Las Vegas engagement, chemistry…an intimate night with Kelly Clarkson, opening Friday, July 28, 2023 at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Designed exclusively for the Bakkt Theater stage, Clarkson and her longtime band will immerse fans in an intimate music experience that spans her two-decade long catalog of award-winning hits. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ticketmaster.com/KellyVegas.

One of the most popular artists of this era, Kelly Clarkson has sold more than 25 million albums and 40 million singles worldwide. The Texas-born singer-songwriter first came to fame in 2002 as the winner of the inaugural season of American Idol and quickly became one of pop’s top singles artists, in addition to the first artist to top each of Billboard’s pop, adult contemporary, country and dance charts. chemistry marks her tenth studio album and third full-length release with Atlantic Records, following 2017’s Meaning of Life and 2021’s When Christmas Comes Around…. Meanwhile on the small screen, her multi-Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, is currently filming its 4^th season (while already picked up through 2025), and her tenure as multi-season champion coach on The Voice resumes for the show’s current 23^rd season.

chemistry track list:

1. skip this part
2. mine
3. high road
4. me
5. down to you
6. chemistry
7. favorite kind of high
8. magic
9. lighthouse
10. rock hudson
11. my mistake
12. red flag collector
13. i hate love (feat. Steve Martin)
14. that’s right (feat. Sheila E.)

April 14, 2023 – Today, the Irish artist on everyone’s watch list, whoisdays is rocketing into 2023 with an infectious new single ‘Everything (About Her)’ released via Diffusion Lab / Warner Music Ireland.

David Costello aka whoisdays (previously day_s) has returned with a new direction and a new name, he explains, “I think I just needed a switch up, I have changed my sound a lot, so I thought why not change the name as well? Also, it gets rid of that dumb underscore lol.”

The new indie-pop track ‘Everything (About Her)’ was co-written with Oisin Furlong and Chris Bubenzer AKA Benza, inspired by late 1990s and early 2000s rock, fusing styles from each of their backgrounds to create an earworm of an anthem.  Combining rock guitar chords and disco influences, whoisdays explains, “The song is about wanting only one person, no matter how many others come along or how much you know it won’t work.”

Not only changing his name, the new single sees whoisdays taking a different direction from previous releases….’I think ‘Everything (about Her)’ shows a maturity in my music, I’ve gotten to a stage now where I’m enjoying making music again.  I’m not so pressed on writing in a specific style but instead just enjoying the process of seeing what happens in the studio. The song is fun, that’s what it’s all about.’

Live Dates:

18th April – Ruby Sessions

ABOUT WHOISDAYS:

whoisdays blurs the lines between rock, punk, and hip-hop and grew up listening to Nirvana and hip-hop but pulled influences from Jeff Buckley to Steven Tyler. From a young age, he mastered the skill of songwriting as well as playing piano and guitar. Whoisdays has had a strong and impressive start to his career thus far, establishing himself as an intriguing rising talent on the Irish scene. Having released several singles, with just under 1.5 million streams on his debut single, “Last Night” and more tracks that were equally popular, such as “Elbows,” all of which represented a natural maturity of his distinctive sound. His debut EP ‘Born To Be Alone’ was released on October 22’. The five-track EP explores raw emotions, heartbreak, frustration, and all that life throws at everyone in modern times.

whoisdays has amassed an incredible 4.5 million global streams and has previously earned the accolades as 2FM’s Rising Artist, Goldenplecs Fresh Picks, and featured on Mango x Mathman 2018’s Choice Music Prize nominated song of the year ‘Lord Hear Us’. Having worked with Diffusion Lab for the last few years developing and honing his talent and transitioning into a grungier, more unabashed style that feels like the artist he wants to present to the world.

MAHALIA RETURNS WITH ‘TERMS AND CONDITIONS’

LISTEN HERE

MAHALIA’S SECOND ALBUM WILL BE ARRIVING SUMMER 2023!

April 6th 2023 – Further to announcing that her highly-anticipated second album is complete, today, GRAMMY-nominated R&B star Mahalia has returned with her brilliant and bold new single ‘Terms and Conditions’ – available now, globally via Atlantic Records.

“I’m quite emotional about this release finally being everybody else’s!” says Mahalia on the release of her luminescent new single. “It’s almost like a love letter to myself whilst being a warning to others. It’s all about setting boundaries and deciding what things I would no longer compromise on. I made this song with my wonderful friend and artist, Raye and two of my favourite producers – The Elements. This record is just the first taste from my upcoming second album and I can’t wait to see if people like it!”

Having teased the single to fans across her social platforms over the last month, the highly-anticipated release marks her first of 2023, and follows on from her previous release ‘Bag Of You’ which landed in November 2022.

Making a triumphant return with this up-tempo ode to knowing your worth and implementing boundaries; Mahalia hones in on her signature style as she writes about the nitty gritty of relationships, respect and compromising.

The last few years have marked many achievements for the Leicester-born star. Beginning 2020 with her second BRIT nomination, Mahalia featured on up-and-coming fellow Midlands rapper Pa Salieu’s debut mixtape, ‘Send Them To Coventry’, whilst also gracing the tracklist of Headie One’s #1 album ‘Edna’. Subsequently, Mahalia also received a GRAMMY nomination for ‘All I Need’ – Jacob Collier’s single of which she features alongside US rapper, Ty Dolla $ign. Shortly after, Mahalia concluded the year with three MOBO nominations for ‘Best Female Act’, ‘Best R&B/Soul Act’ and ‘Album Of The Year’ for her debut album, ‘Love and Compromise’, winning in the first two categories. In 2021, Mahalia was also nominated for her first ever Ivor Novello award for her 2020 collaboration with UK lyricist Pa Salieu for his single ‘Energy’ and subsequently concluded the year with an incredible headline show at London’s prestigious venue, O2 Brixton Academy. Adding to her long list of achievements Mahalia opened for Adele at her 2022 BST shows in Hyde Park last Summer whilst also joining Alicia Keys during her o2 Arena shows in London – she then concluded the year on a high, winning her third MOBO Award for Best R&B/Soul Act.

Besides the awards and nominations, it’s also been a time of deep personal growth, one that Mahalia describes as a real rollercoaster in her personal and professional life. Reflection has been the thread running through Mahalia’s writing and while the current global situation offers little more than uncertainty, the singer hopes that her music will encourage her listeners to carve out time to also look back and re-evaluate: “We’re all fixated on how we can make ourselves better but I want people to also reminisce on lovely or painful situations they’ve lived through and how they’ve helped shape the people they are now.”

Stay tuned for news on the release of Mahalia’s highly-anticipated second album which will be arriving this summer.