Author: Musicians Today Contributor

July 18’s wave of album releases from veteran acts like Styx and Bush alongside emerging artists like Jessie Murph and Alex G marks what feels like a mini cultural reset—a musical back-to-school moment. This mid-July convergence isn’t random; it’s a calculated strategy that resonates as a seasonal turning point in the industry. Mid-July lands between peak summer energy and the gradual shift toward autumn rhythms. As people return from vacations, update road trip playlists, and gear up for back-to-school transitions, their musical appetites begin to shift. Labels know this. Releasing albums now captures both summer’s exuberance—ideal for upbeat tracks—and the early stages of…

July 18, 2025, brought a notable swell in album releases, delivering a cross-genre array of new music from both legendary names and rising voices. This cluster of releases reflects a deliberate mid-summer strategy by artists and record labels to maximize visibility, streaming potential, and fan engagement during one of the year’s most music-driven seasons. Headlining the week’s drops is Circling From Above by Styx, the band’s 18th studio album and a powerful reminder of their longevity. While staying true to their progressive rock roots, the new album incorporates modern production and lyrical themes that explore digital transformation and human ambition.…

British soul-pop artist Olivia Dean began her much-anticipated Across The Atlantic Tour last night at the iconic Brooklyn Paramount, marking a significant leap in her burgeoning career. With tickets starting from an accessible $58, Dean’s arrival on the U.S. stage underscores her growing appeal across the Atlantic. At just 26 years old, Dean has steadily gained notoriety for her emotive vocals and introspective, autobiographical songwriting. First garnering acclaim with her debut album Messy in 2023—which produced fan favorites like “Dive” and “The Hardest Part”—she has since become known for her intimate blend of neo-soul and pop. The U.S. leg of…

Lady Gaga has officially launched her long-awaited Mayhem Ball residency at the Park Theater in Paradise, Nevada, delivering a darkly opulent, theatrically rich performance that critics and fans are lauding as a career milestone. The nearly two-and-a-half-hour show unfolds across five dramatic acts, incorporating cinematic storytelling. It weaves a visual journey from innocence to controlled chaos—complete with gothic gowns, sleek choreography, and orchestral flourishes. As Rolling Stone described, this opening night was nothing short of “a spectacular and theatrical performance” that “thrilled fans and dominated social media.” The production begins with a short film introduction, The Mayhem Manifesto, featuring Gaga’s…

When the Steve Miller Band announced on July 16 that they were cancelling their entire 2025 U.S. tour due to extreme weather concerns, the immediate reaction from many fans was confusion, even skepticism. But as the dust settles, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this decision—unprecedented in scale for a legacy rock act—is a bellwether for the live music industry’s vulnerability to climate change. More importantly, it’s a wake-up call for artists, promoters, and fans to rethink what tour resilience truly means in a warming world. The 31-date tour, set to run from August to November, was nixed not because of…

The Steve Miller Band’s sudden cancellation of its entire 2025 U.S. tour on July 16 has sent ripples through the live entertainment industry—not just because of the loss of 31 performances, but because of the reason behind it. The legendary rock group cited “extreme and unpredictable weather” as the central factor in calling off the tour, marking one of the most high-profile acknowledgments yet of climate change’s growing impact on concert logistics. The canceled tour, which was scheduled to span from August to November, was set to include performances across a wide range of U.S. regions, from New York to…

The Jonas Brothers have marked two decades in the music industry with the release of “I Can’t Lose”, their third single from the forthcoming album Greetings from Your Hometown, due out on August 8, 2025. Dropped on July 15, the upbeat disco-pop track premiered live during a Mastercard-backed event benefiting Stand Up to Cancer, fittingly combining their celebratory milestone with charitable outreach. The song’s debut featured a special performance for cancer-impacted fans, with Mastercard pledging one cent per qualifying purchase—up to $5 million—to the Stand Up to Cancer campaign through August 22. The music video, filmed during the live event,…

Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Wilco, has announced a remarkable new project: Twilight Override, a sprawling triple album featuring 30 tracks. The record is slated for release on September 26, 2025, via the indie label dBpm Records. The announcement, made on July 15, 2025, came alongside four singles: “One Tiny Flower,” “Out in the Dark,” “Stray Cats in Spain,” and “Enough.” These tracks offer a potent preview of the album’s tone—a deep dive into the darker, more contemplative side of our current era. Recorded at Tweedy’s Chicago studio, the Loft, Twilight Override builds on his 2020 solo record Love Is the King. It features…

British indie breakout Wet Leg—consisting of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, joined by full-time members Josh Mobaraki, Ellis Durand, and Henry Holmes—released their second studio album, moisturizer, on July 11 via Domino. The follow‑up to their award‑winning debut showcases a clear artistic evolution, expanding on their witty lyricism and catchy riffs while exploring deeper, more personal territory. Recorded in autumn 2024 at Brighton’s Salvation Studios with producer Dan Carey—who helmed their first album—the 12‑track set reflects a band now fully integrated with their touring lineup . Teasdale has described moisturizer as built around love songs directed toward her non-binary partner, marking a pivot from their debut’s anti-romantic tone.…

Hip‑hop veterans Pusha T and Malice, better known as Clipse, have reunited to deliver their highly anticipated album Let God Sort Em Out, released July 11 via Roc Nation. The project marks their first full-length effort since 2009’s Til the Casket Drops, ending a hiatus filled with solo highs, spiritual detours, and industry clashes. In a move that’s captured both fan enthusiasm and critical attention, the album is fully produced by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, breathing fresh Neptunes-inspired energy into their signature style. The album also features heavyweight guests like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Tyler, the Creator, John Legend, The‑Dream, Stove God Cooks,…