album rollout

Lil Yachty Unveils New Album Artwork & Release Date

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New music from Lil Yachty has been a long time coming. Thankfully, the 25-year-old announced on Tuesday (January 17) that he has plenty on the way before the month comes to an end.

Earlier this afternoon, the “Poland” artist dropped off the cover art and official release date for his highly anticipated Let’s Start Here project. The effort’s artwork sees a series of distorted faces – men and women – manically laughing while wearing suits.

In his caption, Yachty announced an arrival date of January 27th. “Chapter 2. Thank you for the patience,” he later added.

Let’s Start Here marks the Georgia native’s first release since August 2021’s BIRTHDAY MIX 6. For that EP, he teamed up with friends like Lil Tecca (“Virgo World”) and DC2Trill (“Three Six Talk” and “Lord of the Beans”). It remains unclear if the rapper presently has any plans to collaborate on his upcoming album.

As Genius notes, Yachty first teased his work in May of last year. At the time, he wrote on social media, “I try not to tweet ‘cuz I know y’all want [the] album… I’ll come back with that, best one yet. Promise.”

By early October, his “Poland” single was making serious waves about what’s next for the SoundCloud star. At that time, he promised his project in the new year. However, he was granted an unfortunate Christmas gift when the entirety of his work leaked under the name SONIC RANCH on December 25th.

Lil Yachty attends the “On The Come Up” Premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 08, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic)

A few days later, Yachty clarified that the title was inaccurate. Still, he planned to move forward with dropping his album in the new year. The official cover, title, and release date still wound up leaking a few days early thanks to a vinyl release website.

In other news, earlier this month the “Yacht Club” artist was on the hunt for an all-female band. Read more about his latest musical endeavours here, and check back later for more hip-hop news updates.

[Via]

B. Cool-Aid “Cnt Go Back” On Their Latest Single

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We showcased plenty of new music on our Fire Emoji and R&B Season playlists this past weekend. If those tracks aren’t enough to cure your Monday blues, we understand – and so does B. Cool-Aid. Earlier today, the duo shared their “Cnt Go Back ( Tell Me )” single in preparation for their upcoming album.

Pink Siifu and Ahwlee shared the good news today (January 16), that their Leather Blvd. project is due out on March 31 via Lex Records. Their first single specifically gives listeners a preview of what’s to come. It boasts appearances from names like Liv.e, Butcher Brown, and Jimetta Rose, as well as V.C.R. and Maurice II.

Throughout the song, the artist’s voices markedly blend together to sing, “Shawty said ‘Gotta keep movin’ / I been down bad like I can’t go back.” Spanning just over five minutes, “Cnt Go Back” includes several beautiful moments that fans of the artist are sure to revisit.

As Pitchfork reports, B. Cool-Aid’s debut project, Brown, previously premiered in 2017. Two years later, they shared a follow-up in the form of Syrup.

Since then, things have been relatively quiet, though 2022 did see two singles debut from the group. “COO” and “usedtoo” are their names, the latter also sees an appearance from Jay Feeniks.

Aside from their work together, Siifu and Ahwlee have been known to aid each other in their individual efforts. The latter helped the former with 2018’s Ensley and 2020’s FlySiifu’s.

Additionally, his production skills came in handy on the $mokebreak EP and Gumbo’! in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Stream B. Cool-Aid’s “Cnt Go Back ( Tell Me )” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the new track in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

Shawty said “Gotta keep movin’”
I been down bad like I can’t go back
Shawty said “Gotta keep movin’”
I been down bad like I can’t go back

[Via]

Lana Del Rey Poses Topless On Upcoming Album Artwork

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After delivering Chemtrails Over The Country Club and Blue Banisters in 2021, Lana Del Rey took something of a well-deserved break last year. However, now that 2023 is settling in, the “Dealer” singer is more than eager to begin releasing new music again.

Her ninth studio album was previously announced as Did You Know There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. Aside from that, the public knew little – until the 37-year-old gave an update earlier this week.

Lana Del Rey attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Sean “Diddy” Combs on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

In a black-and-white Instagram post that violates nudity guidelines, Lana poses topless. She sits on the floor, one arm behind her head. Her button-down shirt is left open, exposing her right breast. As NME reports, the NSFW image is the alternate artwork for the project.

The other accompanying photos see the singer in a lace bra and cardigan. A silk bow also hangs in her hair. Along with the cover, Lizzy Grant also gave fans a look at the tracklist and features. Standout titles include “Candy Necklace,” “Taco Truck x V8,” and “Paris, Texas.”

She was the sole guest appearance on Taylor Swift’s Midnights late last year. Still, Lana opted to work with all male collaborators for her album. Father John Misty, Bleachers, Tommy Genesis, and Jon Batiste will all appear on the forthcoming project in different capacities.

Lana’s initial release date for Ocean Blvd was March 10. “March 24 now, thanks,” she wrote to her followers earlier this week. “Box set, and merch.”

In December she shared her “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” single. It was produced by the vocalist herself, alongside Jack Antonoff, Drew Erickson, and Zach Dawes.

Find a censored version of Lana Del Rey’s next album cover below, and check back later for more pop culture updates.

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Rarelyalways Announces Debut Album Along With “LET’S” Single

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Rather than waiting until New Music Friday, this week we’ve got some tracks to share with you on Monday. Coming through with “LET’S” is London-based artist Rarelyalways, whose latest arrival is sure to help start your week on a high note.

The single arrived earlier today (January 9), along with another titled “Voice note 0142.” Together, these form the preview for the rising star’s debut album, Work, due out later this year.

Along with “LET’S,” Rarely collaborates with director MadeInEden on the accompanying music video. In the clip, he engages in a pillow fight on a snowy rooftop in London.

“Got rid of the bronze, ‘cuz your rare like gold / Weighed up the cons, still pursuing goals,” he raps. “I ain’t finna front, this ain’t the real one, hold / I trust, ain’t gotta look thru your phone.”

A press release reveals that the artist’s early musical influences came from the time he spent drumming alongside his father. Rarely went on to attend the prestigious BRIT School, where he fine-tuned his skills before landing gigs in South London.

His sound has been described as “the intersection of hip-hop and experimental jazz wrapped in an ominous, abstract style.”

Rarelyalways’ debut album is set to debut on March 10. Both of today’s new arrivals will appear on the tracklist, alongside unreleased songs like “Msg” and “Fire.”

From the looks of the project’s Apple Music page, no features will appear on the 14-track effort.

Stream Rarelyalways’ “LET’S” and “Voice note 0142” below. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the new tracks in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

Got rid of the bronze, ‘cuz your rare like gold
Weighed up the cons, still pursuing goals
I ain’t finna front, this ain’t the real one, hold
I trust, ain’t gotta look thru your phone

[Via]