Music news

• Randy Newman: Dark Matter review – classy song satirist still bites

  03-08-2017 23:30
  (Nonesuch)Randy Newman decided to omit the song he wrote about Donald Trump’s penis from Dark Matter (drolly explaining “the subject is too sore to get into”), but otherwise the veteran American songwriter-satirist is still putting the boot in where it hurts. Putin (“He can drive his giant tank across a Trans-Siberian plain / He can power a nuclear reactor with the left side of his brain”) is drily rendered as Russian orchestral folk. Eight-minute opener The Great D
  
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• Dead Cross: Dead Cross review – energetic rock supergroup ups the ante

  03-08-2017 23:15
  (Ipecac Recordings)As anyone familiar with the thin alt-rock gruel served up by Mastodon/At the Drive-In/Queens of the Stone Age team-up Gone is Gone will attest, the rock supergroup is often something that seems a better idea in theory than in practice. Which makes the self-titled debut from Dead Cross a rare and impressive exception. It reunites Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo with Faith No More wild man Mike Patton (the two previously appeared together in oddball metal outfit Fantômas) for
  
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• Girl Ray: Earl Grey review – teen indie trio to watch

  03-08-2017 23:00
  (Moshi Moshi Records)Indie has remained pretty staid over the last decade – one noticeable change, however, has been an influx of girl or girl-fronted groups. Yet like their pop counterparts, these women have generally struggled to penetrate the mainstream. Could Girl Ray be a rare success story? There’s certainly lots to love about the teen trio – starting with Poppy Hankin’s vocals. Her singing style brings together mannered Englishness, a low, conversational Nicoesque
  
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• Elza Soares: End of the World Remixes review – samba legend gets an electronic victory lap

  03-08-2017 22:45
  (Mais Um Discos)Despite being in her late 70s, the Brazilian samba legend Elza Soares had a banner 2016, putting out the triumphant and progressive album The Woman at the End of the World, and performing at the Rio Olympics opening ceremony, imperious in a purple wig. She gets a victory lap here, with a raft of remixers showing how easily she slips into modern Latin dance. A line is drawn with another Portuguese colony, Angola, and its kuduro style, with DJ Marfox getting hectic while Nidia Mina
  
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• Coldplay: Kaleidoscope review – latest EP piles on euphoria, oiled with tacky charm

  03-08-2017 22:30
  This earnest record draws from the multicoloured dreamscapes of 2015’s A Head Full of DreamsColdplay’s blockbuster records and balloon-filled stadium shows suggest a band beyond the artistic indulgence of an EP; but early short-form releases Blue Room and Safety remain the backbone of their career. Beyond tepid country ballad Hypnotised and a remix of their hit with Chainsmokers, Something Just Like This, their latest release draws from the multicoloured dreamscapes of 2015’s A
  
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• Birmingham (Anthem) (Ft. Jaykae)

  03-08-2017 20:56 via mtv.co.uk
  Birmingham (Anthem) [Official Video]
  
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• Big Bad Wolf: Pond Life review – teasing, intriguing young jazz band

  03-08-2017 20:00
  (Big Bad WolfMusic colleges might continue to teach the harmonic language of bebop as a fundamental of jazz education, but the ways in which creative young musicians use those adaptable skills – in frameworks from electronica to hip-hop via Björk, Radiohead or Frank Zappa – are constantly intriguing. An attractive recent arrival is Big Bad Wolf, a quartet of frontrunners from the Royal Academy and Leeds College of Music, comprising trombone, six-string electric bass, guitar (the
  
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• ACT Family Band: The Jubilee Concerts review – celebrating an inclusive jazz label in style

  03-08-2017 19:45
  (ACT)In April this year, 34 European jazz and new-music celebs associated with Germany’s inclusive and open-minded ACT record label played a day of concerts to mark 25 years since the company’s first release. The exuberant blend of rock-climax burn-ups and unpredictable improv is well caught on these nine tracks. ACT’s wide appeal is warmly, if conventionally, affirmed in Nils Landgren’s hoarsely confiding vocal on Send in the Clowns, the Crusaders-like funk of Walk Tall
  
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• Lal and Mike Waterson: Bright Phoebus review – siblings' folk masterpiece reissued

  03-08-2017 19:30
  (Domino)Folk music should rage against the dying of the light, not be a keepsake of a few lucky record collectors. Until now, this extraordinary album of dark, bracing originals had only been available on miserably cheap CD-Rs, or on one of the 1,000 properly printed 1972 LPs, so thank God for Domino Records, who have remastered and repackaged it with reverence and love.Related: Bright Phoebus: the story of a lost British folk classicContinue reading...
  
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• Various: Pop Makossa – The Invasive Dance Beat of Cameroon 1976-1984 review – gloriously fresh

  03-08-2017 19:15
  (Analog Africa)First popularised in the west by saxophonist Manu Dibango with his unexpected 1970s hit Soul Makossa, makossa is one of the great dance styles of west Africa. It’s the national music of Cameroon, and was created when traditional rhythms fused with rumba and funk in the cities. The songs here were recorded during a classic era for the style, but at a time when African music was still largely unknown in the west, yet they still sound gloriously fresh, thanks largely to the com
  
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• Sibusile Xaba: Unlearning/Open Letter to Adoniah review – an astonishing debut

  03-08-2017 19:00
  (Mushroom Hour Half Hour)
  For those of us unfamiliar with the South African genre malombo, the music made by guitarist and singer Sibusile Xaba sounds like a wonderfully chaotic blend of bossa nova, flamenco and prog folk; sung soulfully in Zulu over a tangle of jazzy chords on a nylon-strung guitar. Xaba was mentored by two celebrated South African musicians, Philip Tabane and Madala Kunene, but his music is far more interesting. This album is divided into two halves: An Open Letter to Adoniah
  
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• Zoella Reminds Us Why We Love Her As She Bares All In Real Makeup-Free Selfie

  03-08-2017 18:59
  Shocker: she gets spots just like us mere mortals.
  
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• Jessie Ware Releases Moody ‘Midnight’ Video

  03-08-2017 18:56
  The ‘Tough Love’ singer is back with her first video in two years…
  
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• "F**k It!" Friday: Lilly Singh

  03-08-2017 18:37
  AKA Superwoman. No, actually...
  
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• Celebrity Big Brother 2017: Jemma Lucy And Trisha Paytas Can't Stop Licking Food Off Of Each Other's Bodies

  03-08-2017 18:30
  This is a totally normal icebreaker, right?
  
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• Sophie Kasaei And Joel Corry's Mr & Mrs Quiz Revealed Some VERY Interesting Insights Into Their Relationship

  03-08-2017 18:27
  Wait, you LOVE Shayne Ward?!
  
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• Camila Cabello Drops New Singles 'OMG' and 'Havana'

  03-08-2017 18:26
  The ‘Crying In The Club’ has teamed up with Quavo and Young Thug for these future hits...
  
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• Kim Kardashian Reveals The Instagram Moment She Regrets The Most

  03-08-2017 18:12
  Is it the naked selfie? Is it the vampire facial?
  
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• Sheer Mag: will their songs about gentrification propel them into arenas?

  03-08-2017 18:00
  The Philadelphia five-piece have seen one practice space raided by a Swat team and another taken over by ‘crackheads’ – all good material for music that combines retro riffs and disco rhythms with a 21st-century social conscienceStanding in the front rows of Sheer Mag’s show at the Islington Assembly Hall in north London, it’s easy to imagine that this mid-July gig is taking place in a different decade. Kids in dungarees jive to the Philadelphia band, while middle-a
  
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• Celebrity Big Brother 2017: A History Of The Most Outrageous Celeb Feuds The Housemates Have Ever Had

  03-08-2017 17:56
  Jemma Lucy and Brandi Glanville are neck and neck for the most...
  
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• Woman's Top Lip Almost Falls Off After Botched Lip Fillers

  03-08-2017 17:27
  Grim.
  
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• Marc Almond webchat – post your questions now

  03-08-2017 17:25
  He topped the charts with Soft Cell, made records with Nico and once knocked Kylie and Jason off their perch. Ask Almond all about it when he visits the Guardian for a live webchat at 11.15am UK time on Monday 7 August2.48pm BSTTrying to pin Marc Almond down isn’t easy. On the one hand, he’s taken inspiration from opera, performance art and the Soho arts scene in an often experimental musical career that’s involved collaborations with the likes of Coil, Mark Ravenhill and Nico.
  
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• Harry Potter Actor Robert Hardy Has Died

  03-08-2017 17:18
  The star was known for playing Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter movies.
  
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• Get to Know: Hare Squead

  03-08-2017 16:26
  We caught up with the Irish hip-hop trio to find out a little bit more about them and their music...
  
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• Experts Claim 13 Reasons Why Sparked An Increase In Searches About Suicide

  03-08-2017 16:25
  The numbers went up in the weeks following the series.
  
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• Celebrity Big Brother 2017's Jemma Lucy Was Once On A Show Called Brat Camp When She Was 15 And It's AMAZING

  03-08-2017 16:20
  Jemma's first dip in the reality TV pool was way back in the day.
  
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• The Sexiest Spoilers From Ex On The Beach Series 7 Episode #8

  03-08-2017 16:12
  Don't miss brand new Ex On The Beach, Tuesdays at 10pm - only on MTV!
  
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• Kesha Releases New 'Rainbow' Song 'Hymn' For "People Who Feel Like Outcasts"

  03-08-2017 16:06
  The 'We R Who We R' singer dedicates the gorgeous mid-tempo to her fans and anyone who feels alone...
  
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• Brian Eno reissues review – back to the future with his most beautiful music | Alexis Petridis' album of the week

  03-08-2017 16:00
  After leaving Roxy Music, Eno created solo albums – Here Come the Warm Jets, Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), Before and After Science and Another Green World – presaging everything from post-punk to My Bloody ValentineGlam rock made stars of some unlikely people. From Sparks’ Hitler-moustachioed Ron Mael to Slade guitarist Dave Hill, it was an era packed with people who, at any other point in rock history, might have struggled to get any further than a record company&rsquo
  
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• Drake Share Clip For 'Gyalchester' To Promote New OVO Shop

  03-08-2017 15:42
  IT appears Drake is now pouring his energy into retail, with his latest OVO store opening in Toronto on the 4th August..
  
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• Teen Mom UK 2: Check Out These Exciting Spoilers From Episode 3

  03-08-2017 15:40
  Don't miss BRAND NEW Teen Mom UK, Wednesdays at 8pm - only on MTV!
  
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• Celebrity Big Brother 2017: Jordan Davies And Sam Thompson Get Oiled Up And Perform Their Very Own Magic Mike Show

  03-08-2017 15:36
  These two have become best friends faster than you can say Celebrity Big Brother.
  
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• Peel Off Foundation Is A Thing That Exists And It Could Help With Your Acne

  03-08-2017 15:34
  We're not sure how to feel about this.
  
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• Desire

  03-08-2017 15:03 via mtv.co.uk
  Desire
  
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• Lil B Introduces The 'Black Ken' Mixtape by Dropping 7 New Tracks

  03-08-2017 14:58
  Good things come to those who wait, and after certainly making us wait (and wait), Lil B has finally given his elusive 'Black Ken' mixtape an August 17th release date.
  
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• Ed Sheeran Takes Us to Ghana in Surprise 'Bibia Be Ye Ye' Video

  03-08-2017 13:56
  The 'Shape of You' hitmaker is back with a brand new visual...
  
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• WSTRN Take Us To J.A For ‘Txtin’ Featuring Alkaline

  03-08-2017 13:43
  WSTRN are back with the visuals to‘Txtin’ featuring dancehall giant Alkaline. The West London trio: Haile, Akelle and Louis Rei blast onto the scene with the infectious 'IN2' and ‘Txtin’ is set to follow suit.
  
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• Teen Mom UK’s Sassi Simmonds Praised By Fans For Showing The ‘Reality Of Being A Mum’

  03-08-2017 13:42
  Her honesty has won the hearts of fans.
  
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• Kate Nash review – spry confessionals from pop prizefighter

  03-08-2017 13:39
  Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
  On a self-funded tour to mark 10 years since her No 1 debut album, Kate Nash is as physical a performer as she is on Netflix wrestling drama GlowIt’s not every day you see “no crowdsurfing” signs deployed around Edinburgh’s genteel Queen’s Hall. But a sold-out visit from Kate Nash – DIY pop star, TV wrestling queen and veteran creator of millennial vignettes – is occasion enough. With an expectant audience crammed tight agai
  
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• Chris Martin Covers Linkin Park's 'Crawling' In Moving Tribute To Chester Bennington

  03-08-2017 13:33
  The Coldplay frontman paid his respects to Chester Bennington and his family with the emotional performance...
  
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• Readers recommend playlist: your songs about loss

  03-08-2017 13:00
  This week’s reader-curated playlist certainly wasn’t at a loss for suggestions – No Doubt, the Divine Comedy and Black Sabbath are among those making the cut
  Here is this week’s playlist – songs picked by a reader from hundreds of suggestions on last week’s callout. Thanks for taking part. Read more about how our weekly series works at the end of the piece.When I invited you to share your songs about loss I had no idea what a fabulous selection of music you wo
  
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• Madison Beer's 'Dead' Music Video Is Finally Here

  03-08-2017 12:59
  The YouTube sensation is making her popstar ambitions a reality...
  
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• Miley Cyrus' Parents May Have Saved Her Relationship With Liam Hemsworth

  03-08-2017 12:45
  Miley learned a valuable lesson from her rents.
  
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• Watch Kesha Perform 'Praying' and More 'Rainbow' Songs For The First Time

  03-08-2017 12:39
  The 'Tik Tok' singer will give you chills - and maybe make you cry - with the live debut of 'Praying'...
  
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• Pia Mia Returns With Sizzling 'I'm A Fan' Video

  03-08-2017 12:38
  The 'Touch' singer teams up with Jeremih for her brand new single...
  
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• Ex On The Beach Spoiler Video: Marty McKenna Tells Chloe Ferry Sam Scott Won't Have Sex With Her For This Reason

  03-08-2017 12:30
  Don't miss brand new Ex On The Beach, Tuesdays at 10pm - only on MTV!
  
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• Just Some Stuff You Probably Never Knew About Pubes

  03-08-2017 12:27
  Hey, you clicked on it. Not us.
  
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• YSL Are Selling Stiletto Roller Skates For Anyone Who Has A Lot Of Cash And A Disregard For Their Personal Safety

  03-08-2017 12:19
  Sounds a bit like a broken ankle waiting to happen...
  
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• Young Dumb & Broke [Explicit]

  03-08-2017 12:00 via mtv.co.uk
  Young Dumb & Broke (Official Video)
  
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• Paul McCartney revealed as guest drummer on new Foo Fighters album

  03-08-2017 11:34
  The Beatles legend will join a secret guest – ‘the biggest pop star in the world’ – on the rockers’ new LP Concrete and GoldThe Foo Fighters have revealed that Paul McCartney is a guest on their new album, playing drums on one of the tracks.Speaking to ET Canada, a band member said: “He’s a pal. We’ve known him for a long time. He’s great. He’s the most wonderful person in the world. He’s a great guy. He hadn’t even heard of
  
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