LA songwriter/producer Betty Moon released her 10th studio album COSMICOMA on May 21st. The album contains 8 tracks, one of which was released as a single prior to the album’s release, “My Only One”. The single was well-received and foreshadowed the rest of the album’s sound: rock-influenced and full of powerhouse vocals.

At midnight on Thursday, August 12th, Machine Gun Kelly, known for his extensive rap career, released a highly anticipated follow up single and music video to his previous pop-punk album Tickets to My Downfall alongside Travis Barker (drummer of Blink-182) with their latest single collaboration for “papercuts” through Lyrical Lemonade.

English synth-pop pioneers Duran Duran show that after 50 years, they can still produce great music. Their latest single, “MORE JOY!” is very much in keeping with what fans have come to expect from Duran Duran, which is catchy pop music with superb songwriting and excellent musicianship. The song “MORE JOY!” has many of the traits of the band’s classic 80s output, but still remains relevant to today’s music scenes. Bands continue to look to Duran Duran for influence such as Japan’s CHAI who sing back-up vocals on “MORE JOY!”

On Friday, July 23rd, Brian ‘Head’ Welch’s band Love and Death released their official music video for their cover of DJ Snake & Justin Bieber's Smash Hit “Let Me Love You” featuring Lacey Sturm (formerly of Flyleaf).

British singer-songwriter Aluna Francis, also known as Aluna, publishes “Summer of Love” (released via Higher Ground) alongside electronic duo Will Lansley and John Morgan, also known as Punctual.  The track is the third single of 2021 that Aluna has released, previous singles being “Don’t Hit My Line” featuring Tekno and “Trouble” featuring Michael Brun and Alcai Harley.  Aluna’s newest single is a perfect balance of exciting and lighthearted, yet tight track that places listeners in a trance with its hypnotic house/electro beats, vivid drum patterns, and enchantingly soft voice from Aluna. An exceptional group of tracks to revitalize the remaining summer season. 

Billie Eilish’s sophomore album ‘Happier Than Ever’ has officially debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., as well as in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. ‘Happier Than Ever’ also now officially holds the record for highest vinyl sales upon release over the last 30 years. This is her second Number 1 album in the U.S. and in multiple countries around the world.

The Fox God has spoken, but what does it all mean? 

On Monday, August 9th, Ice Nine Kills the slasher-core metal band has continued to roll out new tracks off their highly anticipated sequel 'The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood' (out October 15th via Fearless Records) and this time around it was an ode to Child’s Play with a killer music video single drop of ‘Assault & Batteries’. For those who don't know, Child’s Play is a horror movie franchise that features everyone’s favorite 80’s Good Guy Doll, only this one is possessed with the spirit of a Serial Killer named Charles Lee Ray giving the iconic psychotic killer doll his well-known nickname, Chucky.

A native of Astoria, Queens, the singer/songwriter Doris Cellar has had a career as diverse as the borough she calls home. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Cellar is just as skilled in playing odd instruments such as the harmonium and glockenspiel as she is playing the more traditional rock instruments the keyboards and guitar. Cellar, has likewise maneuvered in between musical genres just as effortlessly.

Philadelphia pop-punk band Grayscale recently released “Babylon (Say It To My Face)”, the second single off their upcoming third studio album. The single was released on August 4th, and the full album will be released later this month. The band’s last studio album was released in 2019, so their upcoming album Umbra is highly anticipated.

On July 9th, Scottish-Swedish musician Nina Nesbitt released a new single, “Summer Fling”. It was also accompanied by a stunning music video, directed by Wolf James. After an amazing career so far, her new single does not disappoint and shows a promising future for Nesbitt.

While the loss of founding member Joey Jordison weighs heavy on the minds of Slipknot’s devoted fans (lovingly called maggots by the band) there is some very positive news on the horizon. Slipknot is promoting a massive touring show called Knotfest. Billed as “a mind-altering collision of music, art, and culture,” Knotfest is set to be a huge multi-venue event with a killer line-up of heavy bands and visceral entertainment.

On Tuesday, July 27th, 2021, Spiritbox, one of this year's hottest and fastest rising bands, have today announced the release of "Constance (Acoustic)", a stunningly haunting, acoustic version, of their 2020 hit "Constance". The reimagined version of the song was recorded in a church with accompaniment from a string trio earlier this year in conjunction with The Grammy Museum COLLECTION:live #spotlightsaturdays in partnership with BMG.

Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, also known as The Chemical Brothers, are an English electronic band known for their elaborate and rich, big beat/electronic discography. On July 23, The Chemical Brothers released a new single “The Darkness That You Fear”, a return after 2 years since the duo released their ninth studio album “No Geography” in 2019. The release of the new track is an exciting start to The Chemical Brothers’ new venture with Republic Records, after parting ways with their previous label, Virgin Records.

On Friday, July 23, 2021, wildly popular TV series Paradise City has finally released the soundtrack to Season 1 via Sumerian Records.

The metal community is saddened by the sudden loss of Joey Jordison. On Monday, August 29th, Jordison died peacefully in his sleep. Jordison was well known for his role as the drummer and founding member of the band Slipknot, for whom he had co-written many of their hit songs. He was 46.

On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, after a five-year hiatus, Las Vegas-based horror rockers Vampires Everywhere returned with their new track “WITCH”, having been freshly signed with Cleopatra Records. Not only that, but the band has also announced a new string of Fall 2021 tour dates.

Following their 2019 acoustic project, Annie’s Takeout is preparing to release their first studio EP, titled Twister EP. While the release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, this is definitely a project that you’re going to want to keep your eye out for. The first single “Rooms Tinted T.V. Blue” was released on June 11th, and the second single “Oh, Wow” was just released on July 24th. 

On Thursday, July 15th, 2021, The Demented Duo of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide, otherwise known as Twiztid, accompanied by their drummer Drayven, have released a new single "Neon Vamp" feat. Dani Filth (vocalist of Cradle of Filth) and produced by Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Spirit Adrift). The track is taken from Twiztid's upcoming album ‘Unlikely Prescription’ which will be released on September 10th, 2021, pre-orders are available now, here.

On June 29th, 2021, post-hardcore band Eidola released their new single, Counterfeit Shrines, along with a music video. With this announcement, the band also shared that they are working on an album with Blue Swan Records and Rise Records titled “The Architect”. The album will be released on September 17th, and fans are ready to hear what Eidola has in store. This single is the first song the band has released in four years, and as old fans celebrate the return, new fans are joining in and waiting in anticipation.