While You Were Away: Remembering Tony Bennett, New Music From Alice Cooper And Nas, And More
Want to catch up on music news? We’ve got you covered. This week we’re remembering Tony Bennett and jamming out to new music from Nas, Alice Cooper, and Lacuna Coil. All this and more on this week’s edition of While You Were Away.
Tony Bennett, legendary pop singer, has died
Tony Bennett has died at 96 years old.
The singer’s publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed the news to The Associated Press on Friday (July 21st) saying he died in his hometown of New York. At this time, no specific cause of death has been given, but the singer had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
With a career spanning nearly 10 decades, Bennett proved to be prolific releasing 61 studio albums. He’s also earned multiple achievements throughout the years including a total of 19 Grammy wins and a pair of primetime Emmy Awards. He holds two Guinness World Records: one for the oldest person to have a No. 1 album in the US at 88 for 2014’s Cheek to Cheek, his first collaboration with Lady Gaga; the other for the longest time (68 years, 342 days) between releasing the same single “Fascination Rhythm.”
Bennett is survived by his third wife Susan Benedetto, with whom he founded the non-profit Exploring the Arts.
Our thoughts go out to Bennett’s family and friends during this time.
Lacuna Coil share ‘Never Dawn’ lyric video
Lacuna Coil have shared the official lyric video for their latest single “Never Dawn.”
The song was first premiered as a partnership with the board game Zombiecide: White Death.
Talking about the new track, frontwoman Cristina Scabbia says:
“First presented, in its instrumental version in the trailer for Zombicide White Death game, and then in its live version during our last sold out show in LA, we’re so incredibly thrilled to finally unveil the full version of ‘Never Dawn!’ This song is a fierce survival journey throughout grotesque and frozen lands where the power within is the main weapon. Ignite the fire in your heart, and enjoy the listening!“
Watch the video below.
Nas surprise releases new album ‘Magic 2’
Well, this was unexpected. Last week, Nas revealed that his next album was ready and it would be out in a few days. The rapper dropped Magic 2, the follow-up to 2021’s Magic, last Friday (July 21st).
He revealed the news on Instagram sharing the album’s artwork along with its release date. Magic 2 marks the rapper’s fifth album in the last four years. Along with Magic 1 and 2, he released the King’s Disease trilogy between 2020 and 2022. The first album in the trilogy earned him his first-ever Grammy Award.
Stream Magic 2 below.
Alice Cooper teams up with Tom Morello for new song ‘White Line Frankenstein’
Alice Cooper recently shared his new single “White Line Frankenstein” featuring guitar virtuoso Tom Morello.
“White Line Frankenstein is a monster that we created,” Cooper said about the song. “It’s a truck driver who’s been out there a long time. He’s the king of the road. He doesn’t live in a house. He lives in that truck. In the song, this surreal tough guy is driving on white lines for his whole life. So, ‘White Line Frankenstein’ would be his CB handle. It’s monstrous and definitely a stage song.”
The track comes from his upcoming album Road, which drops on August 25th.
Listen to “White Line Frankenstein” below.
Tours on sale this week
CHVRCHES vocalist Lauren Mayberry is heading out on her first solo tour this fall. The tour starts in Washington, DC on September 4th and wraps up in Los Angeles on September 25th. Following this, Mayberry will travel to the UK for a series of shows before touring Europe. Get all the details here.
Godsmack recently announced a new run of North American dates featuring support from Atreyu and I Prevail on select dates. Flat Black featuring former Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook will open all shows. The tour kicks off on September 3rd in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and concludes on October 22nd in Quebec City. See all the dates here.
Angel Du$t will head out on a UK and North American tour in support of their new album, BRAND NEW SOUL, this fall. The North American leg kicks off November 3rd in Baltimore, Maryland, and wraps up December 10th in Brooklyn, New York. Tickets are currently on sale. Get all the details here.
The Pretenders will embark on a special, intimate headline tour this summer which will see them perform in smaller venues across America. The tour starts August 16th in New York and runs through October 6th in San Francisco, California. Dates and tickets here.
