We hope you all had a fantastic Halloween filled with creepy tunes and a little spooky fun! As we step into November, it’s time to turn our attention to the fresh sounds hitting the airwaves. In this week’s instalment of What’s Going On, we’ve got a lineup of exciting new releases that are sure to warm up the chilly days ahead. From returning rock legends to emerging artists making waves, there’s something for every music lover to enjoy. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
The Weeknd – Global pop superstar The Weeknd has unveiled his highly anticipated song and music video for “São Paulo” featuring Brazilian sensation Anitta. Directed by FREEKA, the video takes a dark body horror twist, showcasing Anitta as a pregnant character who has a twisted face emerging from her belly. This haunting imagery adds a striking visual layer to The Weeknd’s artistic evolution. The glitchy electronic track draws inspiration from viral Brazilian funk, perfectly blending genres. This release follows The Weeknd’s record-breaking achievement of over 120 million monthly listeners on Spotify and recent chart-topping hits like “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti, setting the stage for his upcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Listen to The Weeknd’s new single “São Paulo” featuring Anitta below.
The Cure – Much to the delight of their fans around the world, The Cure made their triumphant return with SONGS OF A LOST WORLD, their first new album in 16 years. With both critics and Cure faithful alike raving about the album, it showcases the band’s enduring legacy. It highlights that the band that headlined Glastonbury four times and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 is just as vital as ever. Written and arranged by Robert Smith, the album features contributions from band members Simon Gallup and Jason Cooper and was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The cover art, designed by long-time collaborator Andy Vella, highlights Janez Pirnat’s sculpture Bagatelle. SONGS OF A LOST WORLD blends atmospheric sonic landscapes with Smith’s exceptional vocals. The set may be light on hooks, but the standout track “A Fragile Thing” is the closest to having a pop feel. Sprawling epics like “Endsong” and “And Nothing Is Forever” are sure to resonate as instant classics for Cure fans.
Listen to The Cure’s “A Fragile Thing” below.
Talia Schlanger – Canadian songwriter and broadcaster Talia Schlanger has released her new EP, Latent Lounge Live from The Hangar. This captivating live collection features renditions of two original songs from Talia’s album Grace for the Going, alongside covers of iconic Canadian tracks: Neil Young’s “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” and Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel.” Known for her engaging interviews when filling in on CBC Radio’s Q (or listeners may remember her from NPR’s World Cafe), Schlanger is now making waves with her unique blend of bluesy folk-rock, indie pop, and baroque pop. With this 4-track EP, she showcases her musical versatility and deep connection to Canada’s rich musical heritage.
Listen to Talia Schlanger’s “Narrow Bridge (Live from The Hangar)” below.
Kodak Black – Rapper Kodak Black returned with his new single and video “Catch Fire” this Halloween. The track serves as the introduction to his surprise mixtape Dieuson Octave. Fire has been a recurring theme for Kodak. On a recent Kick livestream, he showcased a car in flames on the roadside, which is also featured in the single’s artwork. The Florida rapper directed the video himself, fully realizing his creative vision. While his controversial persona often divides listeners, one truth remains: his music resonates powerfully.
Listen to Kodak Black’s new single “Catch Fire” below.
K.Flay – Multi-platinum singer-songwriter/rapper K.Flay is showing her softer side with two new tracks, “Perfectly Alone (softer version)” and “Barsoap (softer version),” both taken from her upcoming EP I’m Making Friends With The Silence. This EP, due out November 12th 2024 via Giant Music, reimagines six songs from her 2023 album MONO with a stripped-back intimate sound. These latest releases follow the warm reception “Punisher (softer version)” and “Carsick (softer version)” received just a few weeks ago. After dealing with hearing loss and tinnitus, K.Flay collaborated with producer Lonas to create this softer collection, emphasizing subtlety and simplicity.
Listen to K.Flay’s new tracks “Perfectly Alone (softer version)” and “Barsoap (softer version)” below.
