Nick Knox, longtime drummer for the influential psychobilly band the Cramps, died Friday at the age of 60. Fellow former members of the Cramps, including the band’s second drummer Miriam Linna and guitarist Kid Congo Powers confirmed Knox’s death on social media. No cause of death was provided. Born Nicholas Stephanoff, Knox served as drummer in the short-lived Cleveland protopunk This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: The Cramps Drummer Nick Knox Dead at...

“We’re gonna do a mood shift,” Trent Reznor told the audience at Nine Inch Nails‘ gig Friday night in Las Vegas. “Instead of some happy, upbeat songs,” he said, pausing dramatically for laughter, “we’re gonna switch it up and do something melancholy.” His band then cued up the cascading synths it used on a This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Nine Inch Nails Bring Smoke, Refigured Classics to Vegas...

Chaka Khan unveiled her new song “Like Sugar,” the Queen of Funk’s first track in over a decade and the first single off her upcoming new album. Khan teams with Major Lazer producer Switch on the track, which rides a funky bassline, a classic dance beat and an infectious chorus where Khan declares, This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Hear Chaka Khan Return With ‘Like Sugar,’ First New Song in...

EDITORS’ PICK: Christina Aguilera, Liberation “On Liberation, gets closer than ever to zeroing in on the right path for her immense skills,” writes Brittany Spanos. “Her eighth album is a healthy mix of hit-chasing, theatrics and soon-to-be classic power ballads that emphasize her immense skills over half-baked conceptual themes… Once again, she This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: 10 New Albums to Stream Now: Christina Aguilera, Mike Shinoda, Sophie and More Editors’...

Kali Uchis reflects on her life as one cinematic journey in an exclusive video filmed at Bonnaroo 2018. “If my life is a movie – in the movie there’s always the bad part,” the genre-colliding R&B artist tells Rolling Stone. “There’s also the parts where you’re down and out, This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Kali Uchis: Go Behind the Scenes With Singer at...

Bebe Rexha alternates between self-loathing and optimism on her glittery new electro-pop song “I’m a Mess.” The singer-songwriter opens with affirmations – “Everything’s gonna be alright; everything’s gonna be OK/ It’s gonna be a good, good life – that’s what my therapist say” – before sliding into anxiety on the chorus. “I’m a mess; I’m a loser/ I’m a hater; I’m a user,” she admits This article originally appeared on...

In recent years, we’ve seen musicians talk openly about their gay identity and same-sex relationships. Others have proudly shared their stories about being transgender This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Music’s Unsung LGBTQ...

Up and coming Cash Money Records-signed crooner Jacquees possesses one of the great tones in contemporary R&B – glinting and willowy, his voice skims over beats with guileless, melismatic charm. But on his debut album his musical choices are as single-minded as his voice is elastic. He slips from one romantic conquest to the next, but his unvarying approach dulls the impact of his erotic This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Review: R&B Singer Jacquees Takes It A Little Too...

Since her debut single in 2013, Scottish sound sculptor Sophie has emerged as quite possibly the most important, boundary-destroying producer of the last decade. Early singles like “Bipp,” “Lemonade” and her co-production on QT’s “Hey QT” were packaged as “pop” songs, but were actually exercises in anonymous avant-garde cartoon chipmunk bubblegum replete with stark retro-future noise, slurps This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Review: Sophie’s ‘Oil of Every...

There is a veritable army of musical masterminds credited on the new Chromeo album, Head Over Heels: Pino Palladino, the bassist who anchors D’Angelo’s albums; Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the writer/producer behind Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” and Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name;” Tawatha This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Review: Chromeo’s ‘Head Over Heels’ Clings to a Proven R&B...

Luis Fonsi pairs Caribbean atmosphere with a reggaeton groove on his slick new song “Calypso.” British rapper Stefflon Don adds some English bars and back-ups on the multi-lingual track. Throughout the single, Fonsi croons in Spanish about a beachside romance over a steel drum hook. The This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Hear Luis Fonsi’s Tropical New Song With Stefflon Don,...

Alt-J revisited their Relaxer single “In Cold Blood” on Thursday’s Late Show with a performance that featured guests Pusha-T and This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Alt-J Recruit Pusha-T for ‘In Cold Blood’ Rework on...

2 Chainz recruited Drake and Migos’ Quavo for his heavy-hitting new song “Bigger Than You.” Throughout the hooky trap cut, the rappers contrast their humble beginnings and current rap star status. “Chain so big, should have came This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Hear 2 Chainz’s New Song With Drake, Migos’ Quavo, ‘Bigger Than...

Christina Aguilera celebrated the release of new album Liberation by donning a disguise and busking in the New York subway alongside Jimmy Fallon on Thursday’s Tonight This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Watch Christina Aguilera, Jimmy Fallon Busk in Disguise in NYC...

British singer Cher Lloyd strives for a new start on “4U,” her new collaboration with Swedish producer Joakim Molitor. The track starts with a swoon, as Lloyd softly croons about leaving old insecurities and demons behind: This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Hear Cher Lloyd Ditch Demons for Love on New Song...

This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Opens Up About Life After Chester...

In the three years since Alessia Cara released her Isaac Hayes-sampling anti-party anthem “Here,” the Canadian singer-songwriter has released a debut album; appeared on two Top 10 hits in collaboration with other stars (Zedd’s “Stay” and Logic’s “1-800-273-8255”); sung the pop radio version of a the latest Disney This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Alessia Cara Talks ‘Growing Pains,’ Self-Care and New...

Grammy Award-winning singer Alessia Cara returns with “Growing Pains,” the first single off her as-yet-untitled sophomore album. Cara released her debut LP Know-It-All in 2015. Pop & Oak produced the booming track, which was written solely by Cara. The lyrics reflect the anxiety of transitioning from teen to young adult in the public eye. “Don’t know why I can’t see the sun/ This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Alessia Cara Reflects on Self-Love in Spotlight on New Song ‘Growing...

Xtina is, hands down, one of the greatest vocalists of her generation. And she has spent the better part of two decades figuring out what exactly to do with that voice. There was the bubblegum of her self-titled 1999 debut and her transition into R&B-infused, low-rise jean’d adulthood. Then came concepts: old school sound of 2006’s Back to Basics and the electro-futurism of This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: Review: Christina Aguilera Flexes Her Diva Power on the Excellent...

Foo Fighters surprised fans during their Firenze Rocks Festival set in Florence, Italy on Thursday when they invited members of Guns N’ Roses onstage to perform the latter’s Appetite for Destruction classic, “It’s So This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: See Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses Play Scorching ‘It’s So...