ATREYU unleash striking new video for “Dead” as they celebrate 20 + 1 years of The Curse

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.

Welcome to Rockville Announces 15th Anniversary Lineup

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.

Kilby Block Party 2026 Lineup Revealed

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.

Kilby Block Party 2026 Lineup

Complete Lineup

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.

Violent Vira Unleashes Debut Album

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. 

A drawn picture of Violent Vira with a ghost standing behind her. The red text reads in all caps: "LOVER OF A GHOST" and "VIOLENT VIRA"
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.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw Celebrate Signing to Fiction Records with “Only Girl”

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.

Tour Dates

Tue. Dec. 12 – London, UK @ Omeara

Wed. Jan. 14 – Groningen, NL @ ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag)

Fri. Jan. 30 – Southampton, UK @ So Young Weekender, Suburbia

Sat. Jan. 31 – Bedford, UK @ Ceremony 5.5, Esquires

Wed. Feb. 18 – Hebden Bridge, UK @ The Trades Club

Thu. Feb. 19 – Edinburgh, UK @ Cabaret Voltaire

Fri. Feb. 20 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy 2

Sat. Feb. 21 – Dublin, IE @ Borderline Festival, Workman’s Club

Ice Spice Makes Her Animated Debut With Big Guy for The SpongeBob Movie

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.

Gwen Stefani Brings Holiday Cheer With New Original Track Hot Cocoa

Gwen Stefani is spreading holiday cheer with a brand-new original song today. “Hot Cocoa” arrives at all digital retailers as the latest addition to her chart-topping holiday catalog. The track is one of two new songs featured on the newly released You Make It Feel Like Christmas (Deluxe Edition – 2025), available exclusively on Amazon.

The second new track, “Shake The Snow Globe,” debuted earlier this month as part of Amazon Music Original for the upcoming holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun, premiering globally on Prime Video December 3. Written, co-produced, and performed by Stefani, the song captures her signature playful energy and festive flair. Fans streaming on Amazon Music Unlimited can also view the music video for “Shake The Snow Globe,” directed by Mike Ho, directly through the app.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas first arrived in 2017, topping Billboard’s Top Seasonal Albums chart and showcasing a mix of six originals and six classic holiday tunes. The title track, a duet with Blake Shelton, quickly became a modern seasonal favorite. Stefani followed up in 2018 with a deluxe edition, adding five new songs, including originals like “Cheer For The Elves” and “Secret Santa,” co-written with Justin Tranter and busbee, alongside festive covers of classics such as “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Feliz Navidad” featuring Mon Laferte.

With today’s deluxe release, Stefani continues to blend nostalgia and contemporary pop for the holidays. “Hot Cocoa” adds to her growing collection of original seasonal music, combining her bright vocals with cozy, wintry production that evokes steaming mugs, twinkling lights, and festive cheer. Together with “Shake The Snow Globe,” the tracks reaffirm Stefani’s position as one of pop music’s most versatile and enduring voices, capable of making any season feel celebratory.

For fans old and new, the deluxe edition offers a fresh way to revisit Stefani’s holiday world. It’s a combination of playful originals, familiar classics, and the distinct personality Stefani brings to every note, making it a must-listen soundtrack for the season.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas (Deluxe Edition – 2025) is available now on vinyl here, and to stream here, while the new song “Hot Cocoa” is available to stream here.

NF Returns With Fear, a Cinematic New Chapter in His Darkest Saga

NF is back in the ring. After the chart-dominating success of 2023’s Hope, the Michigan rapper returns today with Fear, a six-song EP that digs further into the psychic terrain he has been mapping for nearly a decade. The project arrives via NF Real Music and Capitol Music Group and immediately repositions him for another era of introspective, big-screen emotional intensity.

Fear pulls no punches out of the gate. The title track and closer Washed Up both received official videos today, continuing NF’s long-running fusion of cinematic world-building and autobiographical storytelling. The visuals connect directly to the dense lore that fans obsess over, with recurring motifs and callbacks that signal a deliberate step deeper into the universe he has built since his breakout in the mid-2010s.

Those callbacks extend to the EP’s cover, which depicts a stately mansion engulfed in flames. The image is an intentional echo of his 2015 album Mansion and has already sparked theories about whether Fear represents a confrontation with the emotional spaces he once locked away. The teasers leading up to release amassed more than 22 million views, proving his core audience remains one of the most engaged in contemporary hip hop.

Musically, Fear finds NF widening his circle without losing the internal focus that defines his work. Sorry features a guest turn from British pop powerhouse James Arthur, who brings a bruised melodic counterpoint to NF’s trademark tension. Who I Was pairs him with mgk for a collision of two artists who have built massive followings by refusing to fit clean genre lines. Rounding out the track list are Home, Give Me A Reason and the intense closer Washed Up.

Fear lands as NF’s first batch of new music since Hope, which topped Billboard’s Top Album Sales, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. That record reaffirmed NF’s place as a singular voice in the mainstream. Clash Music praised Hope as a thrilling return, while NME highlighted the song Happy as a moment of brutal honesty in his ongoing mental health journey. Both the title track and Happy have since gone Gold.

The success of Hope carried into a massive world tour across 2023 and 2024, with NF selling out arenas globally while remaining largely absent from traditional press cycles. His refusal to play the social media game has become a core part of the mystique. Despite the quiet exterior, he remains one of the most consumed artists on the planet with more than 55 billion global streams, 62 RIAA certifications and over 1.25 million tickets sold. Billboard has dubbed him one of the world’s biggest rappers, while Forbes noted that his ascent is proof of what can be built outside the conventional industry playbook.

Fear is a continuation of that ethos. It is NF doing what he does best. He confronts the inner storms directly, turns those storms into massive hooks and presents the whole thing with the theatrical gravity of a blockbuster. The EP is out now on all platforms, with vinyl and limited signed CDs available through his online store. Listen to Fear here.

FEAR – Track Listing

1.    FEAR

2.     HOME

3.     WHO I WAS with mgk

4.     GIVE ME A REASON

5.     SORRY with James Arthur

6.    WASHED UP

Glixen Reveals “Medicine Bow” after Eventful Year

Glixen has had an eventful 2025, from touring to the release of their acclaimed EP Quiet Pleasures. Now, the band continues the momentum with their newest release, “Medicine Bow”.

Glixen

The Phoenix four-piece has made waves in the shoegaze scene since their inception in 2020. Stereogum described the band as “a crucial contributor to the ongoing American shoegaze renaissance.” They have also received praise from publications such as Alternative Press, Paste, and NME, who stated, “Just when you thought the shoegaze revival had reached its logical endpoint, along comes Glixen with the audacity to explode that notion.” They have continued to evolve their sound, working with producers such as Jack Endino (Nirvana) and Sonny DiPerry (My Bloody Valentine, DIIV). Fan favorites such as “lust” and “foreversoon” have emerged from the collaborations.

The band has had an extremely eventful 2025. They released their critically acclaimed EP Quiet Pleasures and hit the road on their first headlining tour across North America. Now, “Medicine Bow” has been revealed.

A white and grey blurry image with the song title and band typed in the lower right corner.
Single Artwork by @eeeeelllfffyyyyyyyyy

Medicine Bow

“Medicine Bow” is a deeper dive into the hard-hitting yet haunting sound. The lyrics are dreamy and introspective, sung in Aislinn Ritchie’s lulling voice.

“It’s a sense of urgency bound to the quiet yearning for self-comfort,” Glixen explains. “The song drifts between lucidity and a fever dream, where soft vulnerability meets slow-burning decay. The lead and rhythm guitars melt and unmeld in a hypnotic blur, mirroring the emotional push and pull at the heart of the track. With each refrain, ‘Medicine Bow’ becomes a reflection of that internal ache to hold on while letting go — a sonic unraveling that feels intimate and disoriented.”

“Medicine Bow” is available for streaming now and can be found here

Live

Glixen has supported acts such as Interpil, DIIV, Narrow Head, and Nothing in the past. Continuously touring, the group recently played Coachella and Reading & Leeds this year, marking their first time performing in Europe. After touring with acts such as Turnover, Panchiko, and Scowl, they are preparing for their next adventure.

Next month marks the beginning of their co-headline tour with Glare. On December 3, in El Paso, Texas, the tour begins. They will be traveling through cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle,  Vancouver, and more, before commencing on December 20 in Dallas, Texas. Then, Glixen will take the stage at Something In The Way Festival in Boston, Massachusetts in January and Outbreak Festival in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Tour dates can be found below!

Tour

DECEMBER 

3 – EL PASO, TX – LOWBROW PALACE +

5 – PHOENIX, AZ – CRESCENT BALLROOM +

6 – LOS ANGELES, CA – EL REY +

7 – SAN DIEGO, CA – SOMA SIDESTAGE +

9 – SACRAMENTO, CA – HARLOW’S +

10 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – RICKSHAW STOP +

12 – SEATTLE, WA – BARBOZA +

13 – VANCOUVER, BC – THE PEARL +

14 – PORTLAND, OR – HOLOCENE +

16 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – KILBY COURT +

17 – DENVER, CO – CERVANTES OTHER SIDE +

19 – SAN ANTONIO, TX – PAPER TIGER +

20 – DALLAS, TX – STUDIO AT THE FACTORY +

JANUARY 

31 – SOMETHING IN THE WAY FESTIVAL – BOSTON, MA

JUNE

26-28 – OUTBREAK FESTIVAL – MANCHESTER, UK

+ – w/ Glare

Kesha Rings in the Holidays Early with “Holiday Road” Re-Release

Kesha is getting festive ahead of schedule. The pop icon just dropped her fan-favorite cover of Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” across all streaming platforms. Originally released last year as a Spotify-exclusive track, the holiday anthem is now available everywhere after racking up nearly 52 million streams.

Produced by longtime collaborator Zhone, the track became an unexpected hit during its initial run, climbing to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. It marked the first time the 1983 original ever reached the top ten in any Billboard category.

Fans looking to add something special to their holiday collections can also snag the song’s first-ever vinyl release. Limited to 1,750 copies, the 7-inch will drop November 28 as part of Record Store Day Black Friday 2025. The B-side features “A Very Merry Christmas from Kesha,” a previously unreleased version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that first appeared on her YouTube channel back in 2010.

The release caps off a massive year for Kesha, who has been riding the wave of her chart-topping sixth album, . (PERIOD), and her sold-out Tits Out Tour. The tour has already hit major venues across North America and will continue into 2026 with dates in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe.

KESHA: THE TITS OUT TOUR

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

19 – Brisbane, AU – Riverstage

21 – Sydney, AU – Mighty Hoopla †

 22 – Melbourne, AU – John Cain Arena (UPGRADED VENUE)

24 – Adelaide, AU – AEC Arena (SOLD OUT)

26 – Perth, AU – Perth HPC (SOLD OUT)

28 – Christchurch, NZ – Electric Avenue †

KESHA: THE TITS OUT TOUR

EU/UK 2026

MARCH 2026

4 – Berlin, DE – Uber Eats Music Hall (SOLD OUT)

6 – Paris, FR – Zénith Paris

7 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live (SOLD OUT)

9 – Antwerp, BE – Lotto Arena

11 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

13 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios

14 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios

16 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton

17 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton

19 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Civic Hall

21 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena

JULY 2026

3 – Leeds, UK – Roundhay Park *

5 – Margate, UK – Dreamland †

7 – Cork, IE- Live at the Marquee

10 – London, UK – BST Hyde Park *

† FESTIVAL APPEARANCE

* SUPPORTING PITBULL

If this holiday season needed a little sparkle, Kesha just delivered it. Stream “Holiday Road” here.