From rising artists kicking down the door with breakout singles to rock royalty in The Rolling Stones proving they’ve still got plenty of gas in the tank, there’s a whole lot of fresh noise worth turning up loud in this week’s instalment of What’s Going On. Your speakers are officially booked and busy. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
The Rolling Stones – Mick, Keith, and the gang are wasting no time following up their Grammy-winning comeback Hackney Diamonds, announcing the arrival of their new studio album Foreign Tongues on July 10. Led by the hot new single “In The Stars,” the 14-track collection pushes the band into fresh sonic territory while keeping their swagger fully intact. Featuring special appearances from Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, and a final contribution from the late Charlie Watts, Foreign Tongues is further proof that you can’t count out the Rolling Stones.
Listen to The Rolling Stones’ new single “In The Stars” below.
Året Var – Swedish duo Året Var, featuring acclaimed musicians Tove Styrke and Sanna Sikborn Erixon, arrive with a striking debut EP that turns political anxiety into cathartic indie rock. Är Du Nöjd Nu? sees the pair blending prog influences, poetry, and sharp social commentary while keeping that Swedish knack for pop melodies intact. In an era of increasingly sanitized mainstream slop, Året Var feels thrillingly unafraid to expand the boundaries of pop. The Swedes win again!
Listen to the title track of Året Var’s EP Är du nöjd nu? below.
Kuzi Cee – Emerging Canadian R&B standout Kuzi Cee leans into late-night vulnerability on his new single “Shot in the Dark,” a glossy and surprisingly emotional cut about risking your heart despite the fear of getting burned. Blending nostalgic early-2000s R&B sounds with sleek current pop production, the Calgary-based self-proclaimed ‘Gen Z loverboy’ continues carving out his lane as one of Canada’s most promising new voices. “Shot in the Dark” feels like a confident step forward for this young star on the rise.
Listen to Kuzi Cee’s new single “Shot in the Dark” below.
BODEGA – New York art-rock shapeshifters BODEGA return with “Pick up the Check,” a wiry, sharp-tongued anthem that trades post-punk detachment for something warmer and more human. Channelling shades of Talking Heads, The Stone Roses, and Jane’s Addiction, the NYC quintet turns relationship fatigue into a cheeky indie-rock escape plan. Fun fact: the track was recorded in a deconsecrated church in Leeds. Talk about atmosphere!
Listen to BODEGA’s new single “Pick up the Check” below.
Madska – Philadelphia trio Madska are reclaiming a famed Greek mythological creature on “Medusa,” a fiery, brass-laced anthem that is equal parts defiant and cathartic. Led by vocalist Maddy Rose Weisman, the band blends alternative rock, indie-pop, and soulful R&B into a sound that feels both intimate and urgent. Inspired by the mythological feminist icon, “Medusa” burns with simmering rage and emotional honesty, positioning Madska as a band worth keeping firmly on your radar. Don’t mess with them.
Listen to Madska’s new single “Medusa” below.
