NEW MUSIC WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Post Malone will headline the closing ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, adding one of music’s biggest stars to the championship event at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. FIFA announced the performance as part of a pre-match celebration that will precede the tournament’s championship match by 90 minutes, with the organization describing the show as a tribute to the first 48-team World Cup and the tournament’s journey across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “At a time when sport, culture and global attention converge, Post Malone will deliver a performance designed to celebrate the tournament’s journey and ignite the atmosphere before the world’s attention turns to the two finalists.” He added, “We are thrilled to have so many stars taking to the pitch, from both the football and entertainment worlds. The closing ceremony will set the tone for a historic FIFA World Cup final, uniting the passion of 48 teams, 16 host cities and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage.” The pre-game event will also feature appearances by Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed, while Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to perform the U.S. national anthem before kickoff. The closing ceremony is one part of an entertainment-heavy finale unlike any previous World Cup. Read the full article

Award-winning singer-songwriter Trey Callowayreleases his highly anticipated new single, “Slide,” today. Known for his honest vocals and traditional country sound, Calloway brings his own style and emotion to the song, making every lyric feel personal and every note ring true. Fans of Gary Allan may recognize “Slide” from Allan’s 2021 album, Ruthless, but Calloway delivers a fresh interpretation while staying true to the heart of the song. His heartfelt performance showcases the authenticity and storytelling that have become his signature, giving listeners a new appreciation for the track. “Slide” premiered with Country Evolution. “I really enjoy this song because it’s an upbeat love song that celebrates real, imperfect relationships. I hope it’s a relatable anthem about fighting for love despite our flaws.” — Trey Calloway Calloway recently released his highly anticipated new album Truck Around on all streaming platforms. Songs from the record have been featured by outlets including Center Stage Magazine, Whiskey Riff, Nashville.com, All Country News, RFD-TV, Everything Nash, Dillon Weldon, and Cowboys & Indians. The collection delivers a heartfelt nod to the golden era of ’90s country music while firmly planting its boots in the future of the genre. From hard-hitting honky tonk anthems to timeless storytelling, Truck Around showcases Calloway’s deep respect for country tradition alongside his modern-day authenticity as one of the genre’s rising voices. Read the full article

The country music landscape is experiencing a massive surge in momentum as a powerful, highly competitive mix of major-label heavyweights and rising independent talent command the airwaves. Radio programmers across the nation are aggressively shaking up their rotations, responding to a dense wave of fresh releases that are rapidly reshaping the weekly charts. From massive stadium-packing superstars to grassroots artists breaking through on sheer streaming power, the current airplay cycle is proving to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory, keeping station directors on their toes as listener passion metrics shift on a weekly basis. At the absolute forefront of this major-label push, Sony Music Nashville and Columbia are flexing their chart muscle and dominating prime programming slots. Luke Combs maintains a massive presence on the airwaves, pulling double duty with two distinct tracks. He is currently scaling the charts with his highly personal solo single “Be By You,” while simultaneously generating major industry buzz with his collaboration alongside Charles Westley, “Better That Way,” a joint release via Big Loud and Sony. Not far behind is Megan Moroney, who continues her meteoric ascent as one of the format’s most reliable hitmakers. Her standout single “Medicine” on SMN/Columbia is proving to be a massive weapon, earning heavy rotation and high listener engagement scores. Read the full article

Pop singer-songwriter Siena Fantini returns with her second EP, laundry list, a four-track compilation centered around diaristic themes of self-reflection, complicated relationships, and the unavoidable coming-of-age stories that come with young girlhood. Built around conversational narrative and guitar-laced melodies, laundry list displays the deep complexities tied to the teen’s sophomore and junior years. laundry list is now available to stream and download worldwide on all major music platforms and features her unreleased single, “25.” Through the lens of Siena Fantini’s introspective songwriting, laundry list brings together times of heartbreak, insecurity, friendship fallouts, and finding yourself. While each song explores a different personal experience, Fantini ties the EP together through her vulnerably candid storytelling and the milestones of adolescence. The record opens with the sun-soaked single “casual kisser,” which captures her disappointment with boys who so easily leave a trail of heartbroken girls behind them. The second song on the EP is “25,” a deceptively upbeat track that balances playful pop textures and honey-soft vocals with biting commentary on one-sided toxic friendships. The EP’s most direct release, Fantini transforms the exhaustion of the friendship in question into emotional maturity and self-preservation. Read the full article

Alt-pop artist Lucy Frost has just released her newest single, “Shit Kicker,” a lustful indie-pop track that captures the thrilling push and pull of falling for someone despite seeing their flaws. By blending dark humor with reckless obsession, the song explores the intoxicating urge of craving someone even though you know the relationship is fated for doom. “Shit Kicker” is now available on all digital streaming platforms. Her full-length album, Vitamins, will be released later this summer. Lucy Frost’s airy vocals immediately set the song’s magnetic and bouncy atmosphere, drawing listeners into its tension-filled narrative. The sarcasm and humor in the lyrics, such as “I think I’ll make you my fixation, take a little as a medication,” make the story light and digestible, but they also highlight the avoidant attachment style Frost has when it comes to being vulnerable with someone. The song’s intensifying percussion, combined with the steady bass, reflects the complex sensibilities that appear as new romances deepen. Frost encapsulates the tendency to romanticize someone and ignore the obvious red flags as fixation begins to outweigh logic. “'Shit Kicker' is about falling headfirst, eyes closed, towards what will only be an inevitable downfall. It's about crushing on someone who you know is bad for you, but you just can’t help yourself,” explains Frost. Read the full article

Dance-pop artist Kyle Waves has released his newest single, “Internet Boy,” a playful yet assertive track that delves into the complicated experience of being admired and held up on a pedestal by people who only think they know you. Constructed around echoing synths and pulsing electronic rhythms, the song reflects Kyle Waves's growing confidence and evolving artistry as he explores the complexities of being objectified, consumed, and misunderstood online. “Internet Boy” is now available for streaming on all music platforms. Rather than focusing on romantic narratives, "Internet Boy" centers on his personal experiences and perspectives as a young LGBT creative. Through lyrics like, “I’m your internet boy, Like it, save it, touch it, claim it, Giving you joy,” Waves teases his parasocial listeners, creating a sharp social commentary while still maintaining the dancefloor-ready momentum he's been known for. “Internet Boy” serves as an anthem for queer artists navigating visibility and perception in the digital age. Being online and social is essential for a musician in today’s world, but it can also lead to parasocial relationships, where people take ownership of an artist because they support them. “In a way, I feel like this song is me taking ownership and control of my sexuality and the stereotypes that tend to follow younger gay men on the internet in terms of how accessible and attention-seeking we are portrayed as being,” Kyle Waves says. Read the full article

Singer-songwriter and outlaw Lacy J. Dalton is celebrating the 45th anniversary of her signature hit “Takin’ It Easy,”the title track from her third album with Columbia Records. Released in July 1981 as the lead single from the project, the song went on to become the highest-charting single of Dalton’s career, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Co-written by Dalton, Billy Sherrill, and Mark Sherrill, “Takin’ It Easy” helped define her distinctive blend of country, rock, and soulful storytelling, and remains one of her most enduring classics. To purchase/stream: lnk.to/TakinItEasy “‘Takin’ It Easy’ started as my old friend Mark Sherrill’s idea. We began writing it together in his fishing boat on a lake near Hendersonville, Tenn., then finished it with his cousin, the great Billy Sherrill, whose legendary productions included George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ray Charles, and, lucky for me, my record too. Looking back 45 years later, it’s amazing to see how many people still connect with this song. I’m grateful it has continued to mean so much to so many fans through the years.” — Lacy J. Dalton  Dalton recently reissued three fan-favorite albums and five singles as part of her ongoing partnership with StarVista Music. Read the full article

There are songs written for the charts, and then there are songs written for survival. For Emmy Award-winning spoken word artist, educator, and America's Got Talent champion Brandon Leake, his new single "I've Got" was born from a season when he needed hope himself. A vibrant fusion of spoken word, hip-hop, and gospel music, "I've Got" arrives as both a personal testimony and a communal anthem, delivering a message of gratitude, resilience, and joy at a time when many people are searching for reasons to keep moving forward. STREAM HERE At its core, "I've Got" explores what remains when life feels uncertain and overwhelming. Rather than focusing on absence, the song centers on presence—the small, steady anchors people hold onto during difficult seasons. Written during a deeply personal chapter for Leake and his family, the record reflects a turning point where music became both outlet and expression. Leake shares, "'I've Got' is a joyous fusion of Spoken Word, Hip-Hop, and Gospel music. From its sonics to its lyrics, this track is meant to be a breath of fresh air." Known worldwide as the first spoken word artist to win America's Got Talent, Leake continues to expand his artistry beyond the stage that first introduced him to millions. With "I've Got," he steps into a hybrid musical space where storytelling, hip-hop rhythm, and gospel-rooted soul converge, bringing his work into a new landscape while remaining grounded in the narrative voice that defines his work. Read the full article

Loud Media has launched a new station in Knoxville, introducing the Greg Beharrell-centered GREG FM format to East Tennessee on 105.9 WGAP. The station, branded as 105.9 GREG FM, features the format developed by YEA Media Group and built around the humor, storytelling, observations and distinctive style of syndicated personality Greg Beharrell. According to Loud Media, the format combines music, entertainment, comedy and unexpected content to create a unique 24-hour listening experience designed to stand apart from traditional radio offerings. "Radio works best when it surprises people," said Aaron Ishmael, owner of Loud Media. "Greg has built a tremendous following by doing exactly that. His ability to connect with listeners through humor, storytelling, and a genuinely unique perspective makes him a perfect fit for our vision. When we learned about the GREG FM format from YEA Media Group, we knew Knoxville deserved to hear it." Beharrell, known for his unconventional humor, welcomed the launch in his trademark style. "Launching GREG FM in Knoxville is more than I could have asked for," Beharrell said. "I've long been in awe of Knoxville, specifically, the rarity of the letter x being followed by the letter v which, like Greg FM, seems as though it shouldn't work, yet, somehow..." The station is now airing throughout the Knoxville market on WGAP and is also available online and through connected listening platforms. Read the full article

Bailey Zimmerman is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in New Mexico after authorities accused the 26-year-old performer of causing extensive damage to a hotel room at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, with losses estimated at more than $16,000. A warrant for his arrest was issued June 18 following the May 27 incident, which occurred the same day he canceled a scheduled concert on his “Different Night Same Rodeo” tour. According to court documents cited by multiple outlets, Zimmerman has been charged with felony criminal damage to property involving more than $1,000 and a misdemeanor count of obtaining services fraudulently. Investigators allege the singer appeared intoxicated and behaved erratically during soundcheck, where security personnel reported he was stumbling, falling and throwing equipment. After the performance was called off, resort officials allegedly removed him from the property because of his conduct. Authorities said Zimmerman declined transportation arranged by the resort and police were eventually called to escort him away. Housekeeping staff later entered the room and discovered extensive damage, including broken furniture and electronics, holes in walls and missing items, according to an affidavit obtained by entertainment outlets. Read the full article

"The new Eileen Carey "This Is Where" (Rolley Cstr) is a solid chart-breaker for Sound Machine” Tom Barstow/Moyock, SC Read the full article

Tim McGraw returns to the music scene with the arrival of two tracks, marking his first standalone material in more than a year. The simultaneous release of “Pawn Shop Guitar” and “Song for America” comes after the artist stepped away from his active schedule to address several physical ailments. According to a statement from the singer, a period spent recovering from notable back and knee problems provided an unexpected window for writing and reflection. McGraw noted that the downtime allowed him to focus on personal narratives, stating, “I was able to really dig into some personal stories in those songs for the first time.” The autobiographical track “Pawn Shop Guitar,” which was written alongside Tom Douglas, chronicles McGraw’s early professional struggles and the sacrifices required during his initial pursuit of a musical career in Nashville. The title also serves as the namesake for his upcoming 33-date summer concert tour across North America, which is scheduled to begin in July. The companion piece, “Song for America,” functions as a patriotic mid-tempo tribute ahead of the upcoming U.S. semiquincentennial. The composition, co-penned by Douglas and JT Harding, utilizes wide-ranging geographic imagery to depict the complexities of domestic life. These songs arrived just ahead of the launch of McGraw’s North American PAWN SHOP GUITAR TOUR. Read the full article

The mainstream Top40 radio landscape continues to be a high-stakes battleground for chart position, characterized by an intense tug-of-war between major label powerhouses and a rapidly rising class of independent breakouts. As the summer season approaches, programmers are locking in their playlists, balancing massive multi-format collaborations with fresh indie singles that are capturing significant listener engagement. Major Labels Maintain Dominant Chart Momentum Major label heavyweights are securing prime real estate on the dial, fueled by high-velocity releases from format staples. Leading the charge is Gracie Abrams with her tracking single “Hit The Wall” (Interscope/ICLG), moving alongside Justin Bieber’s highly buzzed-about record “SPEED DEMON” (Def Jam/Republic). Concurrently, Sabrina Carpenter is landing a definitive listener favorite with her latest track, “House Tour” (Island/Republic). Backed by aggressive label infrastructure and undeniable commercial momentum, all three artists are primed for significant chart climbs in the coming weeks. A powerful wave of cross-format contenders is also moving up the ranks. Shakira & Burna Boy are finding massive multi-format appeal and cross-cultural traction with their vibrant collaboration, “Dai Dai” (Sony Music Latin). Read the full article

iHeartMedia Atlanta has announced two leadership additions at Country WUBL (94.9 The Bull), appointing Ashley Layfield as Program Director and Corey Calhoun as afternoon host. "These are two of the most exciting additions we've made to the Bull in recent years," said Jill Strada, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. "Corey's experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for Country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry." Layfield joins the Atlanta cluster from iHeartMedia Tampa, where she currently serves as Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for US103.5. She brings nearly 20 years of radio experience, including a successful tenure at K92.3 Orlando, which earned the Academy of Country Music's Large Market Station of the Year honor during her time there. Layfield has also been active with industry organizations, including the Alliance for Women in Media. "Atlanta is one of the most dynamic and influential country radio markets in the nation, and I'm honored to join the incredible team at 94.9 The Bull," Layfield said. "The station has a strong legacy with deep community roots, and I'm excited to build on that foundation." Calhoun arrives from iHeartMedia Washington, DC, where he serves as co-host of mornings on WMZQ. Read the full article

iHeartMedia Atlanta has announced two leadership additions at Country WUBL (94.9 The Bull), appointing Ashley Layfield as Program Director and Corey Calhoun as afternoon host. "These are two of the most exciting additions we've made to the Bull in recent years," said Jill Strada, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. "Corey's experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for Country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry." Layfield joins the Atlanta cluster from iHeartMedia Tampa, where she currently serves as Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for US103.5. She brings nearly 20 years of radio experience, including a successful tenure at K92.3 Orlando, which earned the Academy of Country Music's Large Market Station of the Year honor during her time there. Layfield has also been active with industry organizations, including the Alliance for Women in Media. "Atlanta is one of the most dynamic and influential country radio markets in the nation, and I'm honored to join the incredible team at 94.9 The Bull," Layfield said. "The station has a strong legacy with deep community roots, and I'm excited to build on that foundation." Calhoun arrives from iHeartMedia Washington, DC, where he serves as co-host of mornings on WMZQ. Read the full article

Maren Morris is gearing up for another stretch on the road, unveiling “The dreamGIRL Tour,” a special summer 2026 run that follows the conclusion of her ongoing Dreamsicle Tour this spring. Launching shortly after she wraps up her current tour in Texas this May, Morris will kick off the new dates on June 13 in Calgary. The 12-show run, featuring support from Scout Willis, will take her across the western part of North America with stops including Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and more before wrapping up in Bonner, Montana on July 25. Timed alongside the 10-year milestone of her breakout debut Hero, Morris has teased a “uniquely curated setlist” that blends standout tracks from across her four albums, paired with a more “intimate live experience” than fans have seen from her in the past. One of the standout dates includes a July 19 performance at Red Rocks in Colorado, where she’ll be joined by The Highwomen and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Full info can be found on Morris’ official website. General tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Read the full article

Dark industrial band, CHOKE CHAIN has unleashed their new & highly-anticipated release, Decomposition. The EP is the aural equivalent of existential dread. CHOKE CHAIN is no stranger to tackling such topics, but the band takes it to another level on Decomposition. Completely raw and uncompromising, the songs on Decomposition take the listener to a very dark place, and through the entire runtime of the record, there isn’t a single moment of relief. The human race continuously proves itself to be largely incapable of any kindness or empathy, instead being completely obsessed with killing and destroying. That’s the central focus of Decomposition. Says CHOKE CHAIN founder, Mark Trueman: “The EP was mostly written during a time where I was very close to giving up. Everything felt completely hopeless, and still does to some degree. I really tried to put all of that feeling into these songs. I also tried to confront some of my personal trauma on this record, which is something I’ve pretty explicitly tried not to do through my music in the past. Decomposition will be available on CD, vinyl LP and on all major digital outlets worldwide on July 10th! Check out the video for “Decomposition” HERE Read the full article