Music

Jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz has died of pneumonia complications as a result of COVID-19, his son confirmed to NPR tonight (April 15). He was 93. Born in Chicago on October 13, 1927, Konitz was credited for his skills as a thoughtful and adventurous improvisor during his lifetime. His career stretched for more than 70 years,

The Performing Rights Organizations—American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and SESAC—have teamed up to form a new coronavirus relief fund as part of the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. The fund will focus on helping songwriters, composers, and lyricists. Make donations or apply for assistance here. “Songwriters, composers and lyricists

Jamie xx is back with a new solo song—his first under his own name since releasing his debut album In Colour in 2015. It’s called “Idontknow” and it’s been a staple of his live shows since last year. A 12″ vinyl release is coming out around May 1 in the United Kingdom and May 15

The Japanese guitarist, composer, and inventor Ryo Kawasaki has died, his daughter confirmed on Facebook. He was 73. Between pioneering the jazz fusion field in the 1960s and ’70s and issuing house music singles in the ’80s and ’90s, Kawasaki helped develop the earliest waves of guitar-synth technology alongside Korg and Roland. He also developed

Frank Ocean’s “Cayendo,” which he released earlier this month, has landed the singer his first Top Ten spot on any Billboard chart. “Cayendo” has reached No. 8 spot on the Hot Latin Songs chart this week, according to Billboard. “Cayendo” first appeared in October when Frank previewed it during an episode of his revived blonded

Elvis Costello has written a lengthy tribute to the late John Prine. “My own introduction [to John Prine] was via an Atlantic Record single plucked out of a discount bin of 45rpm records on the counter of Rushworth and Dreaper in Liverpool,” Costello wrote in his essay, which exceeds 2,600 words. He continued: It was

Kid Cudi has shared a brand new track called “Leader of the Delinquents.” Cudi teased a clip of the song during an Instagram Live session on April 10. Hear the single below (via Republic). Cudi announced his next studio album Entergalatic back in July 2019. A release date was never revealed, but Cudi tweeted the

The documentary about Other Music, the beloved New York City record store that closed in 2016, will be released through “virtual screenings” this week. The film was originally slated for a theatrical opening on April 18 and a physical release the same day for the since-postponed Record Store Day. This Friday, April 17, it will

With music fans responsibly self-isolating and social distancing and venues on lockdown, artists are finding creative ways to navigate the coronavirus outbreak and its profound impact on the entertainment industries. To help you keep track, Pitchfork is rounding up a daily slate of concert streams, digital gatherings, community support efforts, and other endeavors artists are

A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip has announced three upcoming albums. In a video posted on his Instagram account on April 10 (also his 50th birthday), Q-Tip sat playing a bass riff as text appeared announcing three titles: Algorhythms, Riot Diaries, and The Last Zulu. Q-Tip also wrote: “Thank u god willing I will get with

This week’s episode of Saturday Night Live was entirely remote, with cast members broadcasting from their homes and a special appearance from host Tom Hanks. Coldplay’s Chris Martin served as the musical guest for the episode, offering up a cover of the Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks classic “Shelter From the Storm.” Watch it

John Prine died on April 7 of COVID-19 complications. He was 73. Tributes have been pouring in from the music world in the days following his passing. Today, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd shared a cover of “Paradise” from Prine’s debut self-titled album. “Miss you, brother.” Watch it happen below. Following Prine’s death, countless genre-spanning

Bonnie Raitt has shared a new video paying tribute to the late John Prine, who passed away on April 8 from COVID-19 complications. In the video, Raitt performs “Home,” originally written by Karla Bonoff and covered by Raitt on her 1977 album Sweet Forgiveness. “For those who aren’t blessed to have a secure and safe

Sturgill Simspon has tested positive for COVID-19, as the singer revealed via a post to his Instagram account earlier today. Simpson said he first sought medical attention on March 13, when he began to experience “chest pains, fever, and pre-stroke blood pressure levels,” but was unable to be tested for coronavirus until April 6. He

Caroline Polachek has released the instrumentals for her most recent album Pang. You can purchase them over on her Bandcamp page. Check out the alternate cover artwork for the new instrumental album below. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Polachek was scheduled to perform shows in Austin and Dallas that have since been postponed. Waxahatchee recently

Travis Nelsen, longtime drummer in Austin indie rock group Okkervil River, has died. Okkervil River announced the news in a statement on their Instagram account on April 9. “Travis Nelsen, Okkervil River’s drummer from 2003-2010, passed away on Tuesday,” the band wrote. “He was a radiant, hilarious, charismatic, generous, passionate human being with a heart

Consequence of Sound has announced Angel from Maywood: A Livestream Tribute to John Prine. The homage to Prine, who died earlier this week, will feature performances by the Decemberists’ Colin Meloy, Kevin Morby, the Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle, Grace Potter, Norah Jones, the Head and the Heart, Lake Street Dive, and more. The tribute will

Swathed between two flutes and a mesmerizing piano, the new instrumental song “Liama” is a lovely reminder to slow things down and listen to the music. Ensconced in an imaginative song for the listener’s taking, the duo behind “Liama” are New Jersey’s Steve Markoff and Patricia Lazzara, with Allison Brewster Franzetti helming the piano. As

Iggy Pop has announced new 2xCD reissues of his classic albums The Idiot and Lust for Life. In addition to remastered versions of the original albums, the reissues feature bonus live discs: Live at The Rainbow Theatre, recorded at London’s Finsbury Park in 1977, and TV Eye Live, respectively. The Stooges founder is also releasing

Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris have released a new song. The latest track from the team behind “Yeah!” is called “SexBeat.” That’s it below. Usher’s song “Climax” recently came up in an interview with the Weeknd, which then led to social media challenges and subtweets. (Here’s a summary, if you’re interested.) Ludacris’ most recent album

The Weeknd was featured on the latest cover of Variety following the recent release of his new album, After Hours. In the interview with Variety’s Jem Aswad published yesterday (April 8), the singer talks about the new album at length. Amid all the relatively typical album-cycle conversation about influences and what individual songs are about,

Hayley Williams has unveiled another track from her solo debut PETALS FOR ARMOR. The latest song is titled “My Friend.” Watch its lyric video below. “My Friend” is the eighth offering from the Paramore frontwoman’s solo debut. In February, she shared PETALS FOR ARMOR I, which featured five songs from her album, including “Simmer” and

Philadelphia rapper Chynna Rogers died today at age 25. Following the news of her passing, tributes poured in from her peers and friends. “I don’t like doing this when my people go but I think everybody needs to know that you were special,” Vince Staples wrote. “Too special for words. Stay outta trouble lil cuh.”

Cindy Lee, the project of former Women frontperson Patrick Flegel, has released a new album called Cat O’ Nine Tails. Check out a preview collage of the record and a video for one song, “I Don’t Want to Fall in Love Again,” below. Cat O’ Nine Tails is available by digital order through a Geocities

Omar Apollo is back with a new single called “Imagine U.” Take a listen to the new song, co-produced by Kenny Beats, below. “I’m all about the feeling when it comes to music,” Apollo said in a statement. “The lyrics and melody came to me so naturally and I feel like free thinking is what’s

The music world is reacting to the death of John Prine, who died today (April 7) of COVID-19 complications at the age of 73. “A simple majority of who I am as a person, let alone a musician, is because of John Prine,” Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon tweeted. “He is my number 1.” Amber Coffman

Apple Music has launched a $50 million advance royalty fund to ensure that artists will get paid and label operations can continue during the coronavirus pandemic, Rolling Stone reports. The streaming giant confirmed the news in a letter to labels (obtained by Rolling Stone). Eligible labels must have a direct Apple Music distribution deal and