Heavily influenced by 2000s pop and ‘90s trance/EDM, the Toronto-based artist began uploading songs to YouTube in her teens. Pursuing her dream, she launched her project WHOISRUNE in 2019 with her debut track “Adrenaline”. Since then, she has been making her presence known with over eight million total streams between her EP and 14 total singles.
Now, under the name RUNE, the UNFD artist has revealed her newest EP, Depth Perception, along with a striking music video for “Erode”.
Erode
The song dives into introspective themes, accompanied by an ethereal yet hard-hitting rock instrumental. After journeying through Rune’s lulling vocals and melodic verses and melodies, Mike Parsram joins the track. An electronic effect surrounds his screams before dissolving, allowing the screams to come front and center. The feature implements a heavy element into the dreamy song. The mix of electronic and headbanging pieces cements the song as a dynamic and emotional piece.
“‘Erode’ is a dialogue about struggling with your negative inner voice,” RUNE explains. “I wanted to describe it almost as a separate entity from yourself, because I feel like when you are struggling with your inner voice, it always feels like an uphill battle. The chorus lyrics ‘Take away all the pieces now, It takes a sacrifice, to let it all unfold’ describes the way you may feel like you have to give all of your energy to get through, but sometimes things take a sacrifice in order to get better. This means a lot to me in my personal journey of choosing to be a musician, because it’s not a straightforward path and we are often our own harshest critics.”
She continues, “In the end of the song, I included my first language Hungarian. It’s tucked away behind vocal layering, but the lyrics are a back-and-forth of storytelling between the English and Hungarian, which I thought was a cool juxtaposition. When I say ‘Your body will fall away’ in Hungarian, I am saying (general translation) ‘Your heart, your soul, you’ve left it behind, now it searches for you.’ I love the juxtaposition of the softness of my vocals, and the harshness of Mike Parsram on this track. It really feels like you are being tormented by your sleep paralysis demon, or something of the sort.”
Music Video
The song’s official video arrived alongside the release. Directed by Alex McFarland, it creates the perfect atmosphere to match the different sections of the song. The editing style combines the clear, close up shots with grainy footage, creating a haunting visual. RUNE is depicted holding candles while walking through a dark hallway and singing her powerful melody. Upon Parsram’s feature, the camera movements and clips move at a faster pace, reflecting the heavy section.
RUNE’s brand new EP marks the second in her discography. It is a vulnerable and emotional collection of songs, highly anticipated by fans following the singles, “Fast Asleep” and “Sacred”.
Regarding the EP, RUNE says, “This release has a little bit of everything, but the final track, ‘Depth Perception,’ is one that really sums up the whole journey which is why I decided to name the record after it. This EP contains so many different emotions and experiences. A lot of it is written about grief and trying to make the world around you make sense again. But it’s also a record about struggling with your inner voice, and other experiences that shape you for who you are. At the end of it all, the world around you is shaped by the way you view it.”
RUNE finishes, “Ultimately, these songs are all special to me for one reason or another but I hope those who listen can relate to the songs and the lyrics in their own way, through their own depth perception.”
Depth Perception is available for streaming and download now! It is accessable here!
The Chicago-based band has made a significant impact and gathered the attention of many recently. They’ve found their way to a scene favorite with their unique blend of sounds and inspirations. They combine 90’s alt-rock, midwest emo, and electronic elements to create one-of-a-kind art-rock, which is both introspective and fun. Now, This House Is Creaking has released their newest single, “Something Else”.
“Something Else” Artwork
Something Else
The single is characterized by its dynamic contrast. It packs in playful parts, calm pieces, and explosive sections into the three minutes and 48 seconds, leaving no room for a boring moment. The noise pop elements are injected with sharp guitar as the song keeps the listener guessing, contrasting its confessional lyrics.
“This is a song about accepting mediocrity in the face of failure, even when you cannot figure out why it is you’ve failed, and trying to fix things that seem to have broken without understanding how they broke in the first place,” says This House is Creaking, “It’s a funny song we made with our friends Peter Schultze and Hunter Borowick from Tuff Sudz.”
The single follows last month’s release of “2 LAMP (lava lamp)”. It has since been chosen for Pitchfork Selects and Alternative Press A-Sides. The song has also received acclaim from publications such as Chasing Sundays and Glide Magazine.
Just last summer, the band released their second studio album, I Want To Feel At Home Here. It includes tracks such as “Talk To Me”, which focuses on noise and melody, and “Elden Ring”, which displays a tender end of their range. It questions what is happening in the world and the introspection on how to find oneself in it. The album makes it clear that their next sonic steps will always remain unique and unpredictable.
Delaney Bailey 2025 Tour
Live
This House is Creaking has been brought to participate in some significant live shows. Water From Your Eyes, Hotline TNT, and Delaney Bailey, on her Midwest Tour this fall, all include the Chicago sonic visionaries.
They will begin 2026 by opening for DIIV on January 17. It takes place at Linkin Hall in Chicago, Illinois, as part of Tomorrow Never Knows Festival’s 20th anniversary. Later that month, on January 24, they will perform at the Ground Control Touring Presents: 4th Annual Abortion Access Benefit Series at the Empty Bottle. Artists such as Tobacco City, Good Flying Birds, Action/Adventure, and Mass Text will join them for the benefit show.
Live event dates can be found below.
DECEMBER
2 – The Bishop – Bloomington, IN %
4 – Lager House – Detroit, MI %
5 – Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL %
JANUARY 2026
17 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL *
24 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL #
* w/ DIIV
% w/ Delaney Bailey
# Ground Control Touring Presents: 4th Annual Abortion Access Benefit Series
The leading music video network in the world, Vevo, named their artist of the year as Gigi Perez. Each year, they choose one in celebration of their annual Vevo Discover Artists to Watch list. Gigi Perez had previously worked with Vevo for live performances of “Fable” and “Sailor Song” and now has returned for her short film, Back to the Beach.
Photo: Vevo
Vevo and Gigi Perez
Following her album At The Beach, In Every Life, Gigi Perez has welcomed the world to view live performances of “Fable” and “Sugar Water”. Alongside this are song explanations and insight into her background and beginnings in music.
JP Evangelista, SVP, Content, Programming and Marketing, Vevo, spoke on Perez, stating, “Gigi Perez is the definition of what it means to be an artist on the rise. With a sound that is bold yet vulnerable, storytelling that’s deeply authentic, and a stage presence that is simply unmatched, she perfectly embodies the next generation of artists that Vevo always loves to champion. She’s a true artist in every sense of the word, and represents the very best of this new generation of global talent: fearless, driven, and completely themselves. The entire team is already so proud of the strides she’s taken in this industry, and we are so thrilled to support her at such a pivotal moment in what promises to be a long and storied career.”
Photo: Vevo
Back to the Start
The film begins at the Village Music Cafe in Palm Beach. The cafe is where Perez began her career and is a second home to her. “One day, I drove by the mall and noticed that there was an open mic,” Gigi muses, “Ever since that day I walked through the doors, the owners, Steven and Donna, took me in as their own kid – their musical child.”
She credits the cafe for allowing her to grow her confidence and love for performing. Then, she explains her amazement at performing in such a small cafe to now playing 65 shows in 2025 for over 700,000 people.
“I think the first few years of putting music out under my artist name, there were a lot of constant roadblocks. Like, every single day, there was a door that you opened, and behind it was like a little fist that punched you in the face. But this year, it was different. Things started to just flow and happen in a way that I just haven’t experienced before…I’m just so grateful.”
Watch the Film
The film, directed by Seth Halter, is available to view here!
My Chemical Romance are closing out their 2026 schedule with two massive shows that solidify another milestone in their career. The band has announced a pair of Los Angeles dates for Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, both taking place at the legendary Hollywood Bowl. The back-to-back Halloween weekend performances mark their fourth and fifth consecutive nights at the venue, setting a new record as MCR become the first band to ever play five shows in a row at the iconic amphitheater.
The announcement arrives just after the final three dates of The Black Parade 2026 Tour, which has already proven to be one of the band’s most celebrated runs since reuniting. The upcoming “Devil’s Night” and “Halloween” shows promise a distinct atmosphere shaped by the holiday energy, the Bowl’s dramatic setting beneath the Hollywood Hills, and the band’s ongoing focus on crafting immersive live experiences.
For the October 30 show, The Used will join as special guests, reconnecting two bands that helped define a generation of alternative music fans. On Halloween night, MCR will be joined by Thrice, another staple of the era that continues to push forward with intensity and introspection.
The Hollywood Bowl has long been regarded as one of the world’s most storied venues, hosting legends across genres for decades. My Chemical Romance’s five-night run not only marks a historic moment for the space but also reinforces the group’s status as one of the most influential and enduring bands of the past twenty years.
Tickets for both newly announced shows go on sale Friday, November 21 at 9:00 a.m. PT here. Fans can join the Artist Presale by signing up before 11:59 a.m. PT on Wednesday, November 19 at the provided link, with no code required.
Atreyu have returned with their first new release in more than two years, dropping a stark and unsettling video for their latest single “Dead.” The Southern California veterans have always thrived at the intersection of punishing heaviness and soaring melody, and their newest track leans hard into that balance. Recorded by Matthew Pauling, “Dead” captures a band that is still evolving while staying rooted in the sound that made them metalcore fixtures in the first place.
The video, directed and produced by Sean Stiegemeier, matches the intensity of the song with imagery that pushes into darker emotional territory. In a statement, the band said, “‘Dead’ lyrically is about a very real and very dark question. It was important for us for the video to match that energy. This video may be sensitive to some but to us it was important to match the reality and the gravity of what ‘Dead’ is about.”
Alongside the release, Atreyu are back on the road for a celebratory run marking the 20 + 1 year anniversary of their influential 2004 album The Curse. The record remains a defining moment of the mid 2000s metalcore surge and delivered classics like “Bleeding Mascara,” “Right Side of the Bed,” and “The Crimson.” The current tour brings the album back to packed rooms across North America, giving longtime fans a chance to revisit the era that helped launch the band to global recognition.
The new single arrives on the heels of a massive year for Atreyu. The group recently wrapped a co headlining U.S. tour and continued to dominate festival stages, appearing at Download, Hellfest, Welcome to Rockville, and Inkcarceration. Their 2023 full length The Beautiful Dark of Life made a strong Billboard debut and has already surpassed 75 million streams, further cementing their staying power in heavy music.
With more than one billion streams across their catalog and a fanbase that grows by the day, Atreyu’s commitment to reinvention keeps them moving forward. For now, “Dead” marks the beginning of their next chapter as they revisit one of their most iconic eras onstage.
The “World Center of Rock” originally established itself at the Daytona International Speedway in 2011. Since then, it has attracted record-breaking crowds and become an international dream destination for fans of rock music. In 2025, over 230,000 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries gathered on the festival grounds to witness the 14th year of the festival. Year after year, the festival generates an estimated $80 million in economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and local business engagement.
Now, following its record-breaking 2025, “one of the best festivals in the world” (Rock Feed), has announced its 15th anniversary lineup. Brought to life by Danny Wimmer Presents, the festival will return to the Daytona International Speedway from May 7 through 10 in 2026.
Headliners
Over 160 bands from all rock genres will perform across the five stages. It was previously announced that Bring Me The Horizon and My Chemical Romance would headline, and now Guns N’ Roses and Foo Fighters join the list of acclaimed acts.
Thursday, May 7, will be led by Guns N’ Roses, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, and Staind. Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch said, “We are dropping our 10th studio album and kicking off our 20th anniversary world tour in 2026, so starting the year at Welcome To Rockville feels perfect. It is one of the biggest rock festivals in North America, and there is no better stage to fire the first shot of this next chapter of Five Finger Death Punch.”
Friday then brings Foo Fighters, TURNSTILE, The Offspring, and Parkway Drive to the stage. The following day, Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, and Lamb of God will top the bill. Then Sunday, May 10, the festival will conclude with My Chemical Romance, A Day to Remember, Rise Against, and Yellowcard as the main acts.
The full festival lineup can be found below.
Special Moments
Plenty of special moments will be taking place over the four unforgettable days.
From First To Last, Egypt Central, and Primer 55 will be reforming to play reunion shows. Alongside this, many bands will be having their home-state shows, including A Day To Remember, Yellowcard, Magnolia Park, and Not Enough Space. There are also a few bands that have not been to Florida in years, and/or Rockville will be their only Florida show for a while. Some haven’t been to the U.S. in years and are putting on a rare show. This includes bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, Parkway Drive, Sepultura, Coal Chamber, The Ready Set, and Spineshank.
Plenty of important album anniversaries are ready to be celebrated on the Welcome to Rockville stage. Staind will be celebrating 25 years of Break The Cycle, and is set to play select songs from the landmark album. Alongside them, Sleeping With Sirens is celebrating 15 years of Let’s Cheers To This, Flyleaf with Lacey Strum will celebrate 20 years of their platinum-certified self-titled album, and DragonForce’s Inhuman Rampage turns 20 years old. Death Angel will be playing Act III while Drowning Pool and Salvia both celebrate 25 years of their iconic albums Sinner and Every Six Seconds.
Welcome to the Big Stage Competition & Pre-Party
The 2026 edition is bringing back the Welcome to the Big Stage competition. This allows viewers to vote on which bands they want to see play Rockville during the Sunday episodes of the Space Zebra show at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT on the DWP Twitch channel. Bands can enter the competition here!
The excitement on the festival grounds begins the night before the start on May 7, with the Welcome to Rockville Official Pre-Party on May 6. The pre-party will feature performances from Fuel, Local H, Adelitas Way, and Ashes Remain. Pre-party passes are included with all camping packages and available to the public as a standalone ticket for $15 (all-in) here.
A Word from the Force Behind the Festival
Earlier this year, Danny Wimmer Presents and the Daytona International Speedway announced a 10-year agreement. This secures Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach through 2025.
“Fifteen years in, Rockville has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined,” says Danny Wimmer of DWP. “Last year’s record-breaking crowd raised the bar for what this festival could be, and this year’s lineup lives up to that energy. Bringing together Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, My Chemical Romance, Bring Me The Horizon, and so many others on the same bill is more than a booking decision — it’s what keeps this genre alive and moving forward. Rock only grows when every era and every sound has a place, and it’s important to me that all corners of this world are represented here. Being able to deliver a lineup like this in my home state is something I’m truly grateful for.”
“With the full lineup now revealed, fans can start getting loud for the 15th anniversary of Welcome To Rockville at Daytona International Speedway,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “We’re bringing the heat in 2026 — Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin and over 160 bands ready to blow the doors off The World Center of Racing. Daytona is built for moments like this, and Rockville will deliver them all weekend long.”
Passes
All passes for Welcome To Rockville are on sale now and can be found here! This includes single-day, four-day GA, VIP, and the exclusive Daytona Owners Club. Fans can secure their spot for as little as $1 down with flexible layaway options available for over six months.
Service fees on all pass purchases include a charity fee for the DWP Foundation, which donates to local and national charities throughout the year. For every ticket sold, $0.25 is donated. So far, DWP has donated over $2 million, $800,000 being in 2024 alone.
They have also partnered with GOVX once again to offer specifically priced passes. This includes four-day GA and single-day GA for military, nurses, firefighters, and police. Eligibility can be verified here. The festival’s student offer will be available in 2026. Students with a valid .edu address are granted access to $125 (all-in, fees included) single-day GA passes via FEVO. More details can be found here!
Fans can book an official Welcome To Rockville hotel package via Jampack for as low as $10 down. This offers access to nearby hotels, shuttle service, and other exclusives. Jampack Hotel + Admission packages also allow festival re-entry each day. Additional perks will vary depending on the hotel package.
A very limited number of Car + Tent camping passes are still available as an add-on to festival pass purchases. These include festival re-entry access and free entry to the Wednesday night Welcome To Rockville Official Pre-Party. RV camping passes are currently sold out; however, the waitlist is available. Camping amenities include indoor restrooms and showers, in-and-out privileges, and a general store for supplies and more. General and Premium parking passes are now available.
Welcome To Rockville 2026 Lineup
Full Festival Lineup
The overall music lineup for Welcome To Rockville 2026 is as follows: Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses, Bring Me The Horizon, TURNSTILE, Five Finger Death Punch, The Offspring, Breaking Benjamin, A Day To Remember, Godsmack, Staind, Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Yellowcard, Rise Against, All Time Low, Motionless in White, Alice Cooper, Ice Nine Kills, Amon Amarth, Simple Plan, Lorna Shore, Coheed and Cambria, Slaughter To Prevail, Sleeping with Sirens, Hollywood Undead, Black Label Society, Highly Suspect, Dance Gavin Dance, Architects, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, Poppy, The Warning, Behemoth, Dethklok, Zakk Sabbath, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Tom Morello, Underoath, Black Veil Brides, Mayday Parade, Sepultura, Suicidal Tendencies, Starset, Coal Chamber, Sevendust, Yelawolf, Badflower, Story of the Year, Plain White T’s, Avatar, In Flames, Switchfoot, The Home Team, State Champs, Gym Class Heroes, The Plot In You, Static-X, Hatebreed, We The Kings, Paleface Swiss, Kreator, Eagles of Death Metal, 3OH!3, Cradle of Filth, The Wonder Years, L.S. Dunes, Atreyu, DragonForce, Wind Rose, Carcass, Palaye Royale, Failure, Polaris, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, DevilDriver, From First To Last, Apocalyptica, Senses Fail, Four Year Strong, FUEL, Violent Vira, Dying Fetus, Breathe Carolina, Whitechapel, thrown, Bloodywood, Buckcherry, All That Remains, Anberlin, Magnolia Park, Cattle Decapitation, The Ready Set, Catch Your Breath, Crown The Empire, Chelsea Grin, Death Angel, Biffy Clyro, Drowning Pool, DOPE, Make Them Suffer, Thornhill, Demon Hunter, Saliva, Brand of Sacrifice, Fozzy, Holding Absence, Sick Puppies, 10 Years, Dead Poet Society, VOILÀ, Napalm Death, Spineshank, Thy Art Is Murder, Alpha Wolf, Deicide, The Paradox, Local H, Carnifex, Bodysnatcher, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Egypt Central, Winona Fighter, House of Protection, Fame On Fire, The Word Alive, Amira Elfeky, Suffocation, Nonpoint, The Ataris, Jiluka, Nekrogoblikon, Red, Ill Niño, Psychostick, Adelitas Way, Framing Hanley, Immolation, Archers, Galactic Empire, Signs of the Swarm, Primer 55, Disembodied Tyrant, Ashes Remain, Spiritworld, Distant, Infected Rain, Castle Rat, Not Enough Space, The Haunt, Wolves at the Gate, Snuffed On Sight, If Not For Me, Colorblind, Ladrones, Platinum Moon, Netherwalker, and Kill The Robot.
What began as a single-day block party in 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of SLC’s all-ages music venue, Kilby Court, has since grown into one of the foremost destination festivals for indie music fans. They have now released their official lineup for the 2026 edition.
Last year’s festival brought over 25,000 fans per day from around the world. Now, Kilby Block Party will continue the festival’s longstanding tradition of bringing fans together and artists to celebrate life, community, and live music. The seventh annual Kilby Block Party will take place at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 15 to 17.
Lineup
S&S Presents is excited to announce the official lineup for the 2026 edition of Kilby Block Party. Topping the bill are Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, Hayley Williams, and more. Over 70 artists will be taking the stage, with more acts including Alex G, Blood Orange, Modest Mouse, Dry Cleaning, The Last Dinner Party, American Football, Melody’s Echo Chamber, and more.
The acclaimed acts and unforgettable experiences that emerge from Salt Lake City each year have earned the festival plenty of praise. Last year was “the ultimate indie musicscape of your dreams” (Paper Magazine), “an indie fan’s dream fest,” (The Needle Drop), and “the best festival experience I’ve ever had,” (Paste Magazine).
Tickets
Kilby Block Party has dedicated itself to its fans, and in an effort to do so, it has become one of the most affordable in the country.
Three-day passes will go on sale Wednesday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. MST. Information on tickets and travel packages can be found here! The three-day passes start at $249, and payment plans begin at only $49 down. In favor of buyer transparency, all ticket prices are listed as all-in, with no added fees or taxes. This year, early bird tickets sold out almost immediately, so it is encouraged that fans act quickly to secure their prices at the lowest possible. Until November 26, or while supplies last, the ticket sale will feature tickets at Tier 1 pricing.
The full lineup for Kilby Block Party 2026 is as follows: Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, Hayley Williams, Modest Mouse, Alex G, Blood Orange, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, Japanese Breakfast, Magdalena Bay, Flipturn, The Last Dinner Party, Birston Maroney, Beach Bunny, American Football, Snail Mail, Grandaddy, Pattie Gonia, Between Friends, Ritt Momney, The Moss, Nilüfer Yanya, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Wild Nothing (Playing Gemini), Kevin Morby, Drugdealer, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Ben Kweller, Dehd, Ethan Regan, Show Me The Body, Lyn Lapid, Jane Remover, Quadeca, Dry Cleaning, Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, Kennyhoopla, Hannah Cohen, Newdad, Chanel Beads, Freak Slug, Tops, Automatic, Feeble Little Horse, Die Spitz, Provoker, Mustard Service, This Is Lorelei, Hotline TNT, Caroline, Folk Bitch Trio, Wombo, Old Mervs, The Kilans, Cardinals, YHWH Nailgun, FIGHTMASTER, Glom, Gelli Haha, Rachael Jenkins, Dad Bod, Wilbere, Jill Whit, Bad Luck Brigade, Gonk, Starr 67, Nadezdha, Chalk (SLC), Pop up by Pixie and the Partygrass Boys.
Following her hit singles and debut EP, Violent Vira has revealed her debut album. Lover of a Ghost is an emotionally intense journey through a world handcrafted by the artist.
Violent Vira
Violent Vira has emerged as a prominent force in the rock and heavy scene. 2021 saw the release of her debut single “I Don’t Care”. The song has since amassed over 94 million streams on Spotify alone and gone viral on TikTok. “I Don’t Care” has been used in millions of videos, from edits, lip syncs, and vents. Fans especially love the sped-up version, appropriately named the nightcore version in tribute to the early-to-mid-2000s time period her music is reminiscent of.
With other hits such as “God Complex”, “I’ll Save Myself This Time”, and her debut EP, Till’ Death Was Never Enough, Violent Vira has not only built a strong fanbase, but a community. One that became hungry for her very first album.
Concept
The concept of “Lover of a Ghost” is nothing new to fans of Violent Vira. The ghost imagery has been in visualizers, music videos, and artwork before.
Her website explains the concept of the album best, stating, “A girl abandoned by her lover is ostracized by the people of the small religious town she lives in for refusing to believe he fled the scene of a deadly crime. Following the last signal from his cell phone, she arrives at the location he was last pinned only to find yards of bloodstained caution tape wrapped around the trees and a chalk outline on the road. The unspoken horror before her fractures her sanity with unexpected grief.”
It continues, “Desperate for answers, she returns to the scene in search of clues, only to be met by the silent gaze of a ghost standing in the corner of where it all took place. Will she come to terms with the reality of her abandonment, rooted in homicide, or will she let her mind be consumed by the illusion of a lover who will never leave?”
The album explores the world created by Violent Vira, infused with themes of grief, religion, identity, abandonment, and obsession.
Singles
January 24, 2025, “Saccharine” was released, following her signing to the New York City-based independent label, Mom + Pop. The song was extremely well-received, gathering the attention of millions. The song showcases Violent Vira’s iconic melodic and clean verses and addictive belting chorus. It came with a blue and teal tinted music video in order to amplify the emotional intensity of the single. The video, directed by Dylan Cole, can be found here!
The second single, “Burn Me With A Bible”, followed. With its deep, introspective lyrics and cinematic music video, it captivated fans. Then, on October 15, 2025, “Common Decency” arrived. The song features a more pop-punk leaning vibe while still incorporating the classic Violent Vira elements.
Lover of a Ghost Album Artwork
Lover of a Ghost
On November 14, Lover of a Ghost was released. Alongside each song is a visualizer or music video, making the concept even easier for fans to contextualize and imagine.
The album begins with the appropriately titled track, “Intro”. It is made up of suspense-building synthesizers and two people speaking, a woman and a child. The song ends with the woman asking, “Do you think I’m going to heaven?”, for the child to respond with “No.” The woman giggles, asking, “What? Where am I going then?”, and to this the child replies, “Nowhere,” making for a chilling start to the album.
The album then journeys through the emotionally intense, hard-hitting, and narrative songs. All of which stay true to the Violent Vira sound that fans have come to love. “Lil Crush” features distorted/fuzzy vocal production in the chorus, adding to the intensity. Its official music video shows Violent Vira holding missing posters, gathering photos, and at the scene of the crime. “Trap Nest” is another standout track, with its gut wrenching chorus and overall dynamic contrast throughout the track.
The album ends with “Chasing Ghosts”. For a while, the track builds, allowing the listener to focus completely on the lyrics. Violent Vira sings, “My arms start to numb / I can’t / Evade / Descend” before unleashing all energy over the breakdown. The mix of singing and screaming reflects the true intensity of the lyrics, such as “Remedies shoved in my throat / Like a rat that they can’t medicate”.
Lover of a Ghost
The album makes for an incredible debut through its thoughtful, intense, and introspective journey into the concept created by Violent Vira. It was produced by Grammy Award winner Jennifer Decilveo and released via Mom + Pop.
“Lover of a Ghost” is available now! You can access it here.
Fiction Records is home to The Cure, St. Vincent, The Horrors, Billie Marten, and more acclaimed acts. Today, November 17, 2025, they announced the signing of the London six-piece band, Man/Woman/Chainsaw.
“Only Girl”
Along with the signing announcement, the band has revealed the first single under the new partnership, “Only Girl”. The single immediately dives into a captivating and fun violin-led instrumental, which is then joined by light and bouncy vocals. It has been a highlight of recent live performances, sharing its energy with the crowd. “Only Girl” was recorded at RAK Studios with Geordie Greep producer Seth Evans and Margo Broom, who also worked with the band on their BBC 6 Music playlisted single, “Adam & Steve”.
The lead vocalist on the track, Vera Leppänen, states, “‘Only Girl’ is our playful love song. Built around a ripping violin top-line and birthed from a grungy guitar jam, it gradually became something more boisterous and altogether more joyful – a total declaration of love. We had a lot of fun making it.”
The song arrived alongside a visualizer made by Charlie & Charlie. The video pictures a blue dancing ballerina spinning on a loop, inside of a blue, heart-shaped music box.
“Only Girl” is available now and can be accessed here!
Live
The band has had an extremely 2025 year so far. The single and announcement follow their recent UK tour in October, marking their second completely sold-out tour of the year. Beyond their live performances, the group has appeared in live sessions for KEXP and for Steve Lamacq at BBC Radio 6 Music. Furthermore, the spring brought the band to the United States for their Austin debut at SXSW in Texas.
Now, the band has announced a free London show at Omeara in December. Tickets for which are available now. Man/Woman/Chainsaw will also tour through February; full dates are listed below. Three further headline dates in February: Hebden Bridge, Edinburgh, and Liverpool will all go on sale this Friday, November 21st, at 10am. Information is available here.
Ice Spice is diving into the animated world with a brand-new original track for the upcoming Paramount and Nickelodeon film, The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants. The song, titled “Big Guy,” arrives today alongside a high-energy music video and a limited-edition 7” vinyl featuring artwork by celebrated Japanese graphic artist Verdy and his iconic panda-rabbit character, Vick.
“Being part of the SpongeBob soundtrack is such a full circle moment for me. It’s crazy to see my music in a movie that’s been part of so many people’s childhoods, including mine,” Ice Spice said. The 4x GRAMMY-nominated rapper also makes her first-ever voice cameo in the film, adding another layer to her expanding creative footprint.
“Big Guy” premiered globally on MTV Live, MTVU, and across MTV’s worldwide network of channels, with a simultaneous appearance on the Paramount Times Square billboards. The song follows Ice Spice’s recent release “Baddie Baddie,” which highlighted her Paris Fashion Week moments and served as her first solo release since her acclaimed deluxe album Y2K!: I’m Just A Girl. The album originally dropped in July 2024 and included hits like the Sean Paul-sampling “Gimmie A Light” and “Think U The Shit (Fart),” which became her highest solo Billboard Hot 100 entry at number 37. Critics praised Y2K! for its dynamic bars and genre-bending production, establishing Ice Spice as a voice with unmatched versatility.
Since her breakout with “Munch (Feelin’ U)” in 2022, Ice Spice has become a cultural force, earning over 2.5 billion streams, four GRAMMY nominations, and multiple top-five Hot 100 singles. She has collaborated with icons like Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift and contributed to Barbie The Album with “Barbie World.” Her arena debut as Doja Cat’s opening act and upcoming Coachella appearance signal her growing presence on massive stages.
With “Big Guy,” Ice Spice brings her signature playful energy and confident swagger to the big screen, further cementing her status as one of music’s most unstoppable new stars. The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants hits theaters on December 19, promising fans a high-seas adventure with the soundtrack set to match.
Stream “Big Guy” here and check out the music video for Ice Spice’s previous single “Baddie Baddie” below.
