This week’s edition of What’s Going On features big announcements from rockers True Villains and David Cook and new music from LILHUDDY, Dawn Richard and John Roberts. As always, if you dig what you’re hearing, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
True Villains – Contrary to popular belief, rock isn’t dead and True Villains are out to prove that with their new single “Dig Your Grave,” dropping on March 5. The Nashville band consisting of members Tim Venerosa (guitar), Beau Lastavich (vocals), Barry Conaway (bass), Greg Herndon (keys), and Matt Carter (drums) have paid their dues and pride themselves on making hard-hitting music. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver, Alice in Chains), “Dig Your Grave” doesn’t sound like anything else that’s currently out, it’s heavy but the lyrics are where the song really shines for me. On what the new single is about, the band says: “Our latest single “Dig Your Grave” is a heavy reminder that sometimes there are situations in life when you need to face up to the consequences of our own actions. Alternatively, you are not responsible for cleaning up someone else’s mess that they’ve created for themselves. Sometimes the best lessons are the ones learned the hardest.”
In the meantime, listen to True Villains’ single “Blood in the Water” below.
David Cook – David Cook likely first came on your radar when he won the seventh season of American Idol in 2008 but he has only continued to soar since then. The talented musician and singer-songwriter just announced his new EP The Looking Glass, which will be released on April 16. The six song EP has already spawned two singles “Red Turns Blue” and “Strange World” and the third single “Fire” will be out on March 19. Check back in March for coverage of “Fire” but while you wait, I’d recommend listening to the EP’s first single “Red Turns Blue.” Released back in June 2020, “Red Turns Blue” is a rousing raucous track about the anxiety and manic highs that Cook struggles with. Speaking about the song to People.com, David Cook said: “This song became a therapeutic process for me, as a way to personify my anxiety and make it something other than me — which in an odd way has helped me navigate my relationship with it.”
Listen to David Cook’s single “Red Turns Blue” below.
John Roberts ft. Debbie Harry – In a move that I’m sure has made him the envy of Blondie fans around the world, John Roberts has teamed up with the iconic Debbie Harry for “Lights Out” – his new single produced by Junior Sanchez. You’ve definitely heard John Roberts’ voice before as he’s best known for providing the voice of Linda Belcher on Bob’s Burgers. “Lights Out” gives you everything you’d want from a big dance track, a pulsating beat, a sense of euphoria and a catchy hook delivered fantastically by Debbie Harry. The music video is a treat as well, animated and directed by Kris Baldwin (Birds of Prey, Cartoon Network’s DC Super Hero Girls). On his experience working with Harry, Roberts states: “Working with someone as professional and legendary as Debbie Harry is something I will never forget. She came in and nailed it and this song is a dream come true.”
Listen to John Roberts’ new single “Lights Out” ft. Debbie Harry below.
Dawn Richard – Genre-defying artist Dawn Richard has announced her new album Second Line: An Electro Revival which is due out on April 30 via Merge Records. The first taste of what’s to come from the project is “Bussifame,” a vibrant dance track with an equally kinetic self-directed music video. As Dawn has shown us already in her career going from her time in Danity Kane and Diddy’s Dirty Money to her critically acclaimed solo work, you can’t put her in a box sonically, and “Bussifame” is a great example of that as it mixes house, footwork, R&B, and pop. On what she’s hoping to accomplish with Second Line, Dawn describes the album as “a movement to bring pioneering Black women in electronic music to the forefront.” Further clarifying: “You never see women appreciated as producers and artists alike, especially Black women in the electronic space. The time is now for us to start recognizing their talent, not only in electronic music but in all genres.”
Listen to Dawn Richard’s new single “Bussifame” below.
LILHUDDY – Chase Hudson aka LILHUDDY is back with “The Eulogy of You and Me,” his newest release via Immersive/Geffen Records. Coming off the success of “21st Century Vampire”, LILHUDDY is keeping the pop-punk vibes going on his second single. If you loved the blend of pop, punk and alternative with an uplifting self-love message that you heard on LILHUDDY’s debut track, “The Eulogy of You and Me” has a similar vibe. On what “The Eulogy of You and Me” is all about, LILHUDDY says: “We’ve all experienced heartbreak from a toxic relationship at one point or another. That feeling of relief once you put an end to that relationship is so freeing. This song is a way for me to connect with my fans on a more personal level and I hope they sing it at the top of their lungs whenever they’re going through that type of situation.”
Listen to LILHUDDY’s new single “The Eulogy of You and Me” below.
