In this week’s edition of What’s Going On, we’ve got the latest from veteran rock gods Scorpions, a surprising collaboration from Nina Simone, and a brand new music video from the genre-defying Shaboozey. Plus, hot new releases from Preston Pablo and Nemahsis, two young Canadian artists to keep an eye on. As always, if you dig what you’re hearing, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
Scorpions – Rock isn’t dead and iconic German band Scorpions is out to prove that with their new single “Rock Believer”, the title track of their forthcoming album. The feel-good upbeat anthem is not only a love letter to the band’s loyal fans but to rock music as a whole. What can you expect from the new Scorpions album? Frontman Klaus Meine says: “The new material sees us return to our roots. We simply wanted to reactivate the original SCORPIONS’ DNA — great riffs, strong melodies. We tried to transport that live feel to the studio with all five of us playing in one room again at last. Having Mikkey Dee [drummer] in the band is like a shot of fresh energy and real fun.” Rock Believer is due out on February 25. If you can’t get enough Scorpions, check them out this March and April at Planet Hollywood Resorts & Casino during the band’s Vegas residency.
Listen to Scorpions’ new single “Rock Believer” below.
Nemahsis – Canadian artist Nemahsis is going to win you over with her new single “dollar signs.” Having already won critics over with her debut single “what if i took it off for you?”, getting the attention of Vogue magazine and amassing a huge following on Tik Tok, it seems like Nemahsis is on the verge of a huge breakout moment and “dollar signs” just might be the song to push her over the edge. The breezy track features brilliant guitar, Nemahsis’ light airy vocals, and deeply introspective lyrics that are sure to endear you to the dynamic singer-songwriter. Discussing the story behind “dollar signs”, Nemah says: “Numerous times, I have found myself being taken advantage of—often in ways unimaginable… I can’t say that I am proud of every decision or every path I’ve taken, but I can say proudly that still, my “noes” outnumber the “yeses.”
Listen to Nemahsis’ new single “dollar signs” below.
Preston Pablo – Rising Canadian singer-songwriter Preston Pablo is out now with “Don’t Break (My Soul).” Produced by Montreal duo Banx & Ranx, “Don’t Break (My Soul)” is a heart-wrenching earworm that showcases why Preston Pablo is one of Canada’s most promising young talents. Explaining what “Don’t Break (My Soul)” is all about, Preston Pablo says: “‘Don’t Break (My Soul)’ is a letter to myself after experiencing heartbreak and true loneliness for the first time. The song goes through the motions of a breakup; from shock, to pain, to reminiscing on what once was. It reflects on both the bad and the good parts of a failed relationship, showing that there can be light even after all the darkness.”
Listen to Preston Pablo’s new single “Don’t Break (My Soul)” below.
Nina Simone – If you had the year starting out with a slamming new Nina Simone remix on your 2022 Bingo Card, you win. Feeling Good: Her Greatest Hits & Remixes is due out on February 11 and gathers together some of Nina Simone’s most beloved songs and also features a host of top DJs providing hot cutting-edge remixes that are sure to help introduce these timeless tunes to a new generation. Some of the DJs involved include Joel Corry, SOFI TUKKER, Riton, and Rudimental among others. As a taste of what to expect from the project, the Hot Chip remix of “Be My Husband” is out now. Hearing the propulsive beat and shiny synths under Nina Simone’s voice might catch listeners off guard at first, but quickly makes for an enjoyable listen.
Listen to the Hot Chip remix of Nina Simone’s “Be My Husband” below.
Shaboozey – Genre-bending artist Shaboozey is kicking off the new year by dropping the music video for his song “Tall Boy.” The Virginia-born singer-songwriter effortlessly blends hip-hop and alt-country/Americana on his single, it really is the right sound for this moment in time. After listening to the song, you’ll understand why it needs a beer-soaked visual to match. Discussing what the “Tall Boy” video is all about, Shaboozey says: “The video and song speak to working Americans, enduring the challenges life throws at them. At the end of the day, no matter how difficult things get, we could all use some Booze.” Keep your eyes on Shaboozey, he’s going to be huge.
Check out the new music video for Shaboozey’s “Tall Boy” below.
