Apple Music “First Listen” has hosted many album releases in 2021, featuring artists from streaming locations across the globe: NY, LA, London, Australia, Germany and Japan. The diverse group of talent offered surprisingly intimate looks into their life, creative process, and genuine thoughts on their newest contribution to the music scene.
LADY GAGA + TONY BENNETT, Love for Sale: “In 2014, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga teamed up to take on the Great American Songbook with the duets album Cheek to Cheek. The album immediately went to #1 on the Billboard chart and the world has never been the same. For their follow-up act, these to artists are coming together once again, this time narrowing their focus to one seminal songwriter: Cole Porter. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, Love for Sale features a mix of jazz ensemble, big band, and orchestral arrangements.” Read full article here.
ED SHEERAN, =: “Ed Sheeran is counting down to the release of his new album with a very special Apple Music ‘First Listen’ global live-stream celebration next week… First Listen is a series of free Apple Music hosted virtual launch parties, harkening back to the album listening parties of yore but now with almost unlimited, ways for artists to connect with and treat their biggest fans to something special before releasing new music to the world. Acting as a live event extension of some of Apple Music’s most popular and influential playlists, these virtual listening parties could include everything from unreleased tracks, to special surprise guests and more.” Read the full article here.
KAROL G, KG0516: “The #FirstListenKarolG event was hosted by Zane Lowe, who spoke with the artist about the creation of the album and the interactive experience behind the project; in addition to [her] career, sources of inspiration, among other topics that have marked [her] career… ‘I made this album with a lot of love. I don’t know if it will be number one, but in my heart it is the best album of 2021 and I am very happy to release it together with you, Zane and my fans,’ said Karol G.” Read the full article here.
EASY LIFE, life’s a beach: “Leicester alt-pop misfits Easy Life release debut album life’s a beach this Friday (May 28), and to get us all worked up into a smooth lather, have unveiled another colorful new video, this time for ‘ocean view.’ The themes of both album and video are sure arriving at the right time, as the so-called easy life in this country on the left of the Atlantic gears us for a three-day weekend where virtually all of us will finally be allowed to go outside.” Read the full article here.
MIGOS, Culture III: “The Migos have finally released their long-awaited album, Culture III. Culture III dropped on Friday and features from Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Drake, Future, Polo G, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, as well as posthumous appearances from Juice WRLD and Pop Smoke. The album follows the release of the project’s first single, ‘Straightenin’ and was paired with a live, First Listen album release event on Apple Music with Zane Lowe.” Read full article here.
BiSH, GOiNG TO DESTRUCTiON: “To commemorate the release of ‘GOiNG TO DESTRUCTiON,’ Apple Music’s distribution event ‘First Listen’ will be held for the first time in Japan from 21:00 on 8/3 (Tuesday)!” Read the full article here.
Dan + Shay, Good Things: “When it came time to pick the title for their first album since 2018’s self-titled set, which debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney knew there was only one choice: Good Things. ‘After the past year and a half that we’ve all had, I feel like that’s kind of where our hearts were and what we thought out fans wanted to hear,” Smyers says… Dan + Shay’s fourth studio set for Warner Music Nashville stays on brand for the platinum duo, with its 12 tracks offering irresistibly upbeat ditties and piano-based, brooding heartbreakers. It’s all bound together by the pair’s unabashedly romantic sensibilities — as well as smooth, layered harmonies (led by Mooney’s crystalline vocals) and Smyers’ pristine, innovative production.” Read full article here.
Rag N Bone Man, Life By Misadventure: ” ‘What I’ll take from this whole album experience is it’s made me a more open human being,’ Rag’n’Bone Man tells Apple Music. ‘It’s about sort of finally being able to be really honest about yourself and realising your flaws… There’s a common theme of growing up … We’re all winging it and I’m trying. We grew up in a time where it was very difficult to show your feelings, our generation have a responsibility to make sure our kids don’t feel like that.’ ” Read the full article here.
Olivia Rodrigo, Sour: “Rodrigo also expressed the surreal feeling of having her album finally being out to the world. ‘To be honest, it doesn’t register as being real life yet, but I just feel so proud of the record, and whatever happens if people love it or if people hate it, I’m just so happy with the sort of slice of my life that I’ve really memorialized in music,’ she said. ‘I just had so much fun making it. At the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for.’ ” Read the full article here.
Credit: Union Editor
Kari Heavenrich 