Sunn O))) Unleash Monolithic New Track “Butch’s Guns” and Reveal Massive European Tour Run

Seattle’s spectral drone metal titans Sunn O))) have delivered more excitement for 2026 with the release of their latest single “Butch’s Guns” — and a sprawling set of UK and European summer headline dates to go along with it.

After nearly three decades pushing the limits of volume, texture and atmosphere, founders Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson are gearing up for one of their most ambitious cycles yet. “Butch’s Guns” arrives as the second preview off their forthcoming self-titled album, Sunn O))), due April 3, 2026 via Sub Pop — marking the duo’s first full-length for the legendary Seattle label.

Sunn O))) performing live at Brutal Assault Festival (Dominik Matus, CC BY-SA 4.0

A New Sonic Monolith: “Butch’s Guns”

Clocking in at over fifteen minutes of fog-thick drone, “Butch’s Guns” showcases everything fans love about Sunn O))) — massive, low-frequency riffing, drawn-out tension and immersive, meditative heaviness that feels more like a ritual than a song. Critics and listeners alike are already describing it as a fitting lead-in to what promises to be one of the year’s most pivotal experimental metal records.

The new album follows their 2019 releases Life Metal and Pyroclasts, and caps a long-anticipated transition into a major label scoring with Sub Pop after years with Southern Lord. The full record was tracked at Bear Creek Studios in Washington and co-produced with Brad Wood, yielding six tracks that tread deep into the band’s spectral soundscapes.

A European Summer Blowout

Alongside the song drop, Sunn O))) have revealed a full roster of headline shows across Europe and the United Kingdom. The run kicks off June 23 in Zurich before rolling through Antwerp, Amsterdam, Cologne, and a series of UK stops, including Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and London — with two nights booked in Berlin to close out the tour.

Tickets went on sale February 20 at 10 am CET, and more dates are expected to be announced as the band continues building momentum.

Highlights from the confirmed leg:
– 23 June: Zurich, CH – Rote Fabrik
– 25 June: Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
– 30 June: Liverpool, UK – The Dome
– 3 July: London, UK – The Troxy
– 6-7 July: Berlin, DE – Silent Green Betonhalle

This European run will follow a substantial North American spring tour, which sees Sunn O))) traversing the U.S. and Canada with stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and more through late April.

Sunn O))) performing live at Brutal Assault Festival (Dominik Matus, CC BY-SA 4.0

What It Means for Sunn O))) in 2026

For a band whose influence stretches far beyond their genre — touching avant-garde, ambient, noise and experimental music worldwide — this latest creative rush feels like a reaffirmation of their enigmatic legacy. With a fresh album, a heavy, meditative single already turning heads, and one of their biggest touring campaigns in years, Sunn O))) are proving that even after nearly 30 years, they still command attention with slow, seismic power.

Whether you’re a long-time pilgrim of feedback ritualism or a newcomer curious about the hypnotic extremes of modern heavy music, “Butch’s Guns” might just be the perfect entry point to one of metal’s most singular journeys.

Jessie Ware Kicks Off Her Superbloom Era with Pulsing New Single “Ride”

London’s beloved export of disco-pop and cinematic soul, Jessie Ware, is back with a fresh offering that’s already creating waves in the dance-music world. On February 20, 2026, Ware dropped her new single “Ride,” a bold and body-moving track that teases the sonic terrain of her upcoming sixth studio album Superbloom, due on April 10, 2026 via Interscope Records.

“Ride” isn’t just another dancefloor cut — it’s a cinematic disco-western, imbued with dramatic flair and seductive energy. Built around an interpolation of Ennio Morricone’s iconic theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the song blends stark western mystique with pulsing grooves fit for clubs and late-night reveries alike.

Photo by Rene Passet, licensed under CC BY 2.0

A Two-Year Tease Comes to Fruition

Fans first caught a glimpse of “Ride” during Ware’s 2024 performances at Glastonbury Festival’s NYC Downlow nightclub, immediately following her headline set on the iconic West Holts Stage. After years of anticipation, the sultry, cheeky anthem has finally arrived in full — and the reactions have been electric.

In a press statement, Ware explained how the track came together: “Ride was the first song I wrote for this record. I made it in 2024 with my best friend Jack Peñate and Karma Kid, who feature throughout the album.” Describing it as “fun, cinematic, cheeky and powerful”, she positions it as a celebration of music that makes you move — emotionally and physically.

From “I Could Get Used to This” to Superbloom

“Ride” follows the release of Superbloom’s lead single, “I Could Get Used to This,” which dropped in January and introduced fans to Ware’s vibrant new chapter — one steeped in romance, escapism, and full-on dancefloor bravado.

With Superbloom, Ware digs deeper into her expansive creative vision — blending her soulful songwriting roots with theatrical production and rhythmic punch. “Ride” makes it clear that this era of Ware’s career is both bold and exhilarating, bridging cinematic storytelling with unfiltered club energy.

Photo by Justin Higuchi, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Why “Ride” Matters

What makes “Ride” particularly compelling is how it showcases Ware’s versatility. From her early days crafting refined soul-pop to her recent disco-leaning releases — like 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure? and 2023’s That! Feels Good! — she’s expertly evolved without losing her core emotional heft.

“Ride” stands as both a standout single and a harbinger of what’s to come on Superbloom — a record already poised to be one of Ware’s most adventurous yet. If nothing else, the track proves that Jessie Ware is an artist still sharpening her edge, ready to surprise us again.

Stay tuned — Superbloom is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most compelling pop releases.

Tigran Hamasyan Unveils His Bold New Sonic World with Manifeste

Few artists in contemporary music have carved out as adventurous and genre-defying a path as Armenian pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan. Since bursting onto the international scene as a prodigy — winning competitions like the Montreux Jazz Festival piano prize and the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition — Hamasyan has continually reinvented his craft, fusing jazz, Armenian folk music, rock, prog elements, electronics and choral traditions into a singular musical voice.

Now, Hamasyan has dropped his highly anticipated Manifeste — a record that isn’t just another album but a statement of artistic intent.

Tigran Hamasyan live at Transition Festival by Dirk Neven / CC BY 2.0

What Manifeste Is — And What It Means

Released on February 6, 2026, via Naïve Records, Manifeste finds Hamasyan at a creative peak, building on his sprawling 2024 project The Bird of a Thousand Voices and pushing his sound into even deeper and more cinematic territory.

Rather than a traditional jazz or solo piano record, Manifeste moves like a ritualistic journey — opening with meditative textures, expanding into dense rhythmic and harmonic interplay, and concluding with grand choral statements. Across its fourteen tracks, Hamasyan loops piano, synths, bass synth, vocals, whistling and programmed drums into an immersive tapestry that marries the sacred and the modern.

Hamasyan himself described the album as both a personal and spiritual manifesto — not just a collection of songs, but a reflection of what he stands for as a creator and human being.

Musical Collaborators & Sonic Scope

True to Hamasyan’s deeply collaborative ethos, Manifeste features an expanded ensemble of musicians who help shape its varied sonic landscapes:

• Marc Karapetian and Evan Marien on bass

• Drummers Arthur Hnatek, Matt Garstka and Nate Wood

• Daniel Melkonyan (trumpet) and Nick Llerandi (guitar)

• Cello by Artyom Manukyan

• Asta Mamikonyan on vocals, plus traditional frame drum (daf) and blul (wind instrument) contributions

• The Yerevan State Chamber Choir, conducted by Kristina Voskanyan enriches several tracks with choral depth.

This expansive palette — from fragile chamber moments to explosive rhythmic zones — gives the album a cinematic breadth that’s been praised by critics and listeners alike.

Themes: From Ancient Roots to Futuristic Visions

What really sets Manifeste apart is its thematic ambition. Rather than isolating jazz or ethnic music, Hamasyan invites his listeners into a multi-layered labyrinth where:

• Armenian folk melodies and sacred musical traditions meet contemporary sound design

• Progressive rock energy collides with electronic production

• Ritualistic choral passages emerge alongside pounding polyrhythms and trance-like grooves

Tracks like “One Body, One Blood” swirl with choir and electronics, while pieces such as “Dardahan” emphasize driving rhythms and dense instrumental interplay — evidence of Hamasyan’s fearless blending of genres.

Tigran Hamasyan Portrait by Vahan Stepanyan / CC BY 3.0

Why This Album Matters

In its scope and ambition, Manifeste feels like a definitive statement from an artist who refuses to be boxed in. It doesn’t just add to Hamasyan’s growing discography — it radiates as a visionary work, rooted in tradition yet full-on futuristic in execution.

Long regarded as one of jazz and contemporary music’s most exciting voices, Hamasyan continues to stretch boundaries, making Manifeste not merely an album, but a compelling invitation into the transformative power of sound.

Listen if you’re curious about where jazz, folk, prog and electronics meet — and if you want to hear one of this generation’s boldest artists in full flight.

On Alex G and Paul Buchanan's Score For The Upcoming Film by Jane Schoenbrun

There’s a fresh wave of excitement washing over the indie music and film communities: Alex G and Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile are set to compose the original score for director Jane Schoenbrun’s highly anticipated new feature Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, slated for release on August 7, 2026.

Alex G performing live — Photo by Conan00, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

A Match Made in Sonic Heaven

American singer-songwriter Alexander Giannascoli, known professionally as Alex G, has quietly built a reputation as one of indie music’s most compelling sonic storytellers. Beyond his acclaimed solo albums, Alex G has been a key musical collaborator for Schoenbrun — scoring We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and I Saw the TV Glow — crafting eerie, immersive sound worlds that blur emotional introspection with cinematic breadth.

Joining him on this project is Paul Buchanan, the Scottish singer-songwriter best known as the voice and heart behind The Blue Nile. Buchanan’s rich, atmospheric vocal and songwriting style helped define The Blue Nile’s deeply emotive, slow-burn sophistication — a legacy solidified on classics like A Walk Across the Rooftops.

This pairing — Alex G’s experimental textures paired with Buchanan’s emotionally resonant melodic sense — hints at a score that will be unlike anything either has done before, blending cinematic breadth with emotional precision.

About the Film

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma follows a young director tasked with rebooting the final chapter of a fictional horror franchise. When they seek out the original film’s star, they soon tumble into a surreal, blood-soaked odyssey of desire, fear, and delirium. With Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson headlining, Schoenbrun’s film promises a genre-bending ride that nods to classic midnight-movie thrills while subverting them with queer insights and psychological depth.

Schoenbrun’s vision has been described as an attempt to create the kind of “sleepover horror classic” they wish they’d had growing up — a weird, cozy, midnight plunge into the uncanny that calls unsuspecting viewers out of the horror aisle straight into something stranger.

Paul Buchanan portrait — Photo by Nick Hedges, used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike (historical interview image).

What This Collaboration Means

This marks an enticing new chapter for both artists:

• For Alex G, it continues a growing reputation as one of indie cinema’s most evocative composers.

• For Paul Buchanan, it’s a rare return to high-profile musical collaboration since his solo work and The Blue Nile’s catalogue reached cult status over decades.

Fans of both musicians — and lovers of boundary-pushing film scores — have plenty to look forward to when this bold, genre-defying film hits screens this summer.

Mutiny After Midnight — A Groove-Driven Shift in Sound

Sturgill Simpson, the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter best known for reshaping modern Americana and progressive country, has dropped one of the most intriguing announcements of the year. Under his alter ego Johnny Blue Skies, Simpson has revealed a brand-new album titled Mutiny After Midnight, hitting shelves (and turntables) on March 13, 2026.

Image Credit: Sturgill Simpson, 2016. Photo by Carl Lender. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.

The Next Chapter in Simpson’s Musical Evolution

Simpson has been a chameleon throughout his career — from the gritty outlaw roots of High Top Mountain and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music to the heartfelt soul of A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. In recent years, he made a deliberate choice to release only five albums under the name Sturgill Simpson. To keep creating music beyond that promise, he adopted the vibrant alter ego Johnny Blue Skies.

His first LP under this moniker, Passage Du Desir, arrived in July 2024, signaling a new era of genre-bending exploration. Now, Mutiny After Midnight picks up the thread — this time with a bold perspective and an electric groove at its core.

A Dance Record With a Rebellious Heart

Mutiny After Midnight isn’t just another album — Simpson describes it as “a mutiny”, a declaration against stagnation and a celebration of rhythmic freedom. Rather than sticking to the country and rock elements he’s known for, the record sets its sights squarely on groove and movement, blending disco inflections, fusion-inspired harmonies, and raw songwriting energy.

Recorded at Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville with his band Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, the sessions were intentionally spontaneous — songs and lyrics were written in the moment, giving the album a dynamic, almost live feel.

Simpson’s manifesto for the album is equal parts joyful and defiant. As he put it, this is music meant not just to be heard — but to be felt, lived, and danced to.

The Album That Can’t Be Streamed

In a bold move that flies in the face of streaming culture, Mutiny After Midnight will be released only on physical formats — vinyl, CD, and cassette — with no digital streaming at launch. This decision underscores Simpson’s philosophy that music should be a tangible experience, and it’s already created buzz among fans and collectors alike.

The nine-track album kicks off with the provocative opener “Make America Fuk Again”, setting the tone for an album that balances social commentary with relentless dance grooves. Other standouts include “Excited Delirium,” “Venus,” and “Everyone Is Welcome.”

Image Credit: Sturgill Simpson performing live at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2023. Photo by David McClister. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.

What’s Next for Johnny Blue Skies

With Mutiny After Midnight set to make landfall in March, anticipation is high. Beyond its pressing plant rollout, Simpson’s focus appears to be on delivering music that connects deeply with listeners, cuts through cultural noise, and invites people to move and reflect simultaneously.

If the first Johnny Blue Skies album was a herald of creative reinvention, then this one could be the full declaration of independence — from genre, expectation, and convention. Count on this being one of the most talked-about records of 2026.