Placebo – “Happy Birthday in the Sky”
After nearly a decade of silence, Placebo makes a striking return with the album Never Let Me Go. The lineup shift saw drummer Steve Forrest depart, and guitarist Stefan Olsdal and frontman Brian Molko growing closer in the wake of his exit. Sonically, the band trims excess and leans into a more concise approach, occasionally weaving in electronic textures that refresh their sound while keeping the core mood intact.
“Coming out of the shadows isn’t easy,” Molko commented in a Le Parisien interview. “Perhaps it’s a bit cunning, but Stefan and I are naturally shy. The isolation of the pandemic offered a protective shield, and we grew to enjoy it. It gave us space to contemplate the future and imagine worst-case scenarios.”
Zivert and “Three Days of Rain” – “Breathe”
The anticipated collaboration between Zivert and the rock outfit Three Days of Rain has finally surfaced in a formal release. In a blog post, the singer explained that the track came together spontaneously, not as part of a planned schedule. The release was originally set for next month, but market demand for new music evidently accelerated the decision. The song captures the tenderness of lovers reuniting after a long separation, affirming that their feelings remain safeguarded.
Asia – “Cross”
Singer Anastasia Alentyeva, known by her stage name Asiya, unveiled the single “Crosses.” Her prior hit “Why are you so good” helped propel her debut album to attention last year. Asiya also appears as a contestant on the show Songs on TNT, expanding her visibility within the program’s audience.
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Harry Styles announced the arrival of his third studio album, Harry’s House, with a teaser released on May 20. The teaser features a cardboard house slowly rising behind the performer as he moves across the stage. Last year’s chart-topping single “Watermelon Sugar” from the debut album Fine Line earned Styles his first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, reinforcing his status as a leading figure in contemporary pop.
Black Midi – “Love Story”
British group Black Midi released an EP that includes covers spanning a wide musical spectrum. The lineup features renditions of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man,” Captain Beefheart’s “Moonlight on Vermont,” and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” Aptly titled Cavalcovers, the release aligns with the momentum generated by their preceding album Cavalcade and signals the band’s playful yet ambitious approach to repertoire reinterpretation.
Lorde – “Secrets from a Girl (She’s Seen It All)”
Lorde unveiled the music video for “Secrets From a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)” from the Solar Power era. In the visual, three versions of the singer appear to perform in unison along a seaside stage, echoing motifs familiar from the video for the title track. The piece adds dimension to the album’s cinematic storytelling and showcases Lorde’s evolving visual language.
Tyler, Creator and Nigo— “Come on, Let’s Go”
Tyler, the Creator, released a playful track and accompanying video in which he waits for a woman while he plans ahead. The single appears on the compilation I Know Nigo, curated by Japanese fashion designer and Bape founder Nigo. The compilation also features collaborations with Pusha-T, ASAP Rocky, and Kid Cudi, highlighting the cross-genre reach of the project and Tyler’s continuing creative experimentation.