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Tag: Pop music

  • Standing By for Taylor Swift’s Final Showgirl Surprise

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    So, girl …
    Photo: Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images

    This article was originally published on October 2, 2025. Swift dropped another countdown on October 4, ending at 7 p.m., which led to the release of more album variants featuring acoustic songs from The Life of a Showgirl. She’s ready to break records, people!

    Taylor Swift has her release-week run of shows all set to go. For The Life of a Showgirl, Swift has it all scheduled in a handy itinerary to help everyone keep track: The Release Party of a Showgirl in theaters, a few late-night-show cameos, and … wait … what is “Standby,” written around the 7 p.m. slot on Saturday, October 4? Below, all the theories about Swift’s surprise release, in order of least to most likely.

    Fellow showgirl Sabrina Carpenter, who’s featured on the album, is headlining the Austin City Limits festival on Saturday, but a surprise performance at a musical festival sounds like a safety risk for Swift given the huge crowds and the highly anticipated album. The signed CDs were already a fiasco, and that was just on the internet. Swift’s first live performance for the album will probably be in a more controlled and secured environment, like 30 Rock.

    Swift isn’t scheduled for SNL, but that doesn’t mean she can’t show up. She did a surprise introduction of Ice Spice’s performance in 2023; who says a girl can’t have a starring role in a Bad Bunny sketch? Swift could play Marcelo’s new girlfriend as he introduces her to his mother (Pedro Pascal) and aunt (Bad Bunny). She is a huge fan of his, after all, and she’ll be in town anyway for her late-night spot on Seth Meyers.

    “Standby” might be another pool-floatie situation. At the Spotify pop-up in New York, fans got a preview of what looks like merch fit for a pop star after her performance. PJs, a robe, slippers, a duffel bag, an ornament, and a vinyl case were spotted with the new Showgirl logo. Swift hasn’t dropped anything on her web store besides physical music for the new album, and waiting until after everyone has listened to the album seems like the perfect time to drop.

    Throughout the Showgirl era, there have been hints that we’re not totally done with the Eras tour. What about the added Tortured Poets set? Or all the filming that was going on during the final shows? Taylor Nation did say it lost a key in Vancouver. Maybe the surprise could be a live album or an update to the Eras Tour movie on Disney+. In the Spotify experience, there are two photos of Swift during the final leg in Vancouver and several references to the Eras tour stage — written in order, the track list is even in the shape of the stage.

    When Swift bought all of her masters, did she think we would just forget about those “fire” Rep vault tracks? As we get closer to the Showgirl release, Taylor Nation has been teasing that there’s a snake loose backstage. There is a hidden message in the Reputation lyrics on Apple Music that reads, “They don’t make loyalty like they used to.” Is it just another lyric for the new album or a vault track for Rep? When you search the lyric on the iTunes Store, the song “Father Figure” pops up. But there are other possibilities for a Rep vault-track release in the future.

    For Showgirl, Swift worked exclusively with Shellback and Max Martin, who produced nine tracks on Rep, so it wouldn’t be too crazy to think that they could’ve recorded a few more songs together. In the letter she published when she bought her masters, she said she kept “hitting a stopping point” when trying to rerecord her sixth album, but she still recorded the vault tracks. Maybe that was during the Eras tour. Swift also said that there will eventually be a time for the vault tracks to “hatch,” making the dark glittery cracks in the Apple Music Showgirl cover suspicious. Similar cracks that look like Swift’s lightning bolts appeared during “Delicate” on the Eras tour.

    During Swift release week, it’s really hard not to get carried away by Easter eggs. She’s trained us to be this way! What if the standby note is just that? A placeholder for Saturday because she isn’t doing anything that day, and the calendar looked weird without anything else in that spot? Swift wants everyone to be ready for the week ahead — when she inevitably will drop a bunch of merch.

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    Alejandra Gularte

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  • Exclusive Interview: Em Beihold Talks All Things ‘Hot Goblin,’  ‘Brutus,’ And More!

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    Em Beihold has been a mainstay on our playlists ever since her song ‘Numb Little Bug’ came out, so it is no surprise that her artistry is displayed in her newest song ‘Hot Goblin.’ We were lucky enough to chat with Em about ‘Hot Goblin,’ the thematic through lines of her recent music, ‘Numb Little Bug,’ and so much more!

    Stream ‘Hot Goblin’ here!

    Hi Em! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time? 
    Hello hello! Thanks for having me! I like to describe my music as quirky piano pop that talks about difficult things with a certain degree of levity. I’ve also been described as a popified Regina Spektor, and I really like that description. 

    ‘Hot Goblin’ is your latest track! The lyric video felt like stepping into a fairy tale book. When crafting this track, was the inspiration immediately tied to that aesthetic?
    Not really! When I was writing the song, I was initially thinking more along the lines of the experience of being a woman and how fickle our relationship with confidence can be. The fairytale stuff came after and felt obvious once the concept was solidified. 

    Something that immediately drew us to ‘Hot Goblin’ was the vulnerability hidden within this musically upbeat pop track, the understanding of insecurities, but the ability to still find confidence in that. What do writing sessions look like for a song that presents vulnerability in this way?
    I think my co-writers Nick Lopez, Jason Suwito, and I had a lot of fun figuring out what the term “hot goblin” means. As a girl who definitely feels the pressure to constantly present as put-together, fashionable, hot, etc. (especially from social media), it felt freeing to put a name to the feeling of embracing your insecurities and messy parts while still loving yourself completely and not feeling less than. 
    I also wanted the song to be about that feeling on top of the world one day and at the bottom the next, so ‘Hot Goblin’ became a way to give language to that cycle. Nick has been a close friend since we wrote ‘Numb Little Bug’ together, and Jason came into my life during a rough patch in my career, so there was already a lot of trust in the room. After we laughed about the phrase “hot goblin,” which I brought into the session (kind of as a joke), they both got it and locked in immediately. That balance of humor and honesty made the writing process really special. I write my favorite songs when I’m laughing.

    ‘Brutus’ is another recent release of yours! This track features some of our favorite visuals from you yet! Where did the creative vision for this video come from? And what was that on-set experience like?
     I was really inspired by the movie Amadeus, which my mom showed me when I was going through an intense, unforgiving period of depression, where I couldn’t stop comparing myself to other female artists who were creatively unblocked and more successful than me. I related to the character of Salieri and thought it would be fun to bring that rivalry with Mozart as a vignette alongside a few others to tell the story of what I was feeling. The on-set experience is one I will never forget because it was a day full of fun and laughter with friends, which felt SO full circle after a year of essentially crying every day and hating being in my skin. I was so happy to be me and felt so proud of the art that came out of such a hard time. I also checked off two big goals of mine, which were: one, working with my co-director, Ethan Frank, whom I’ve been a huge fan of for years, and two, fencing in a music video since I was a competitive fencer for many years.

    With both ‘Hot Goblin’ and ‘Brutus,’ the themes around the visuals are locked into days of old, with fairy tales and gladiator times. Is there an intentional through line there? 
    You know what; accidentally yes. It wasn’t intentional, but I think the whole album has puzzle-pieced itself together more than I planned for. It’s whimsical, it has hints of classical music, and instruments like the harpsichord! There’s definitely some fun “historical” stuff in there. 

    Egg in the Backseat came out three years ago! Is there a song on that record that, for you, has just gotten better with time?
    I would say ‘Goo,’ because my fans have really taken to that one at my live shows. It’s kind of a sleeper, dare I say!

    We, of course, have to briefly touch on ‘Numb Little Bug!’ Now that you are three years separated from the release of the track, how has your relationship to this song changed as time has gone on? 
    Oh my gosh! I wrote that song about my unfortunate experience with antidepressants, and now (after lots of trial and error), I’ve found one that has absolutely changed my life. It’s a cool marker of where I was then, and how much I’ve grown. I will always appreciate the response to that song and how much it changed my life.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we close out 2025?
    My debut album is coming out very soon in 2026! It’s the proudest I’ve ever been of anything I’ve made. It’s about my journey through depression, experiencing complete loss of self, and how I have come out on the other side to be the happiest and most me I have ever been. It’s fun and pop and silly, and I’m ready for 2025 to be done so I can finally share this new music with my fans!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What do you think of our interview with Em Beihold? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EM BEIHOLD:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Exclusive Interview: Benjamin Steer Talks All Things Figuring It Out, And More!

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    If you’re looking for which artist is going to be the talk of the town before too long, look no further than Benjamin Steer! Benjamin Steer has just released his EP Figuring It Out, which showed us, clear as day, that we were looking at an artist who is going to have a long and prosperous career! We were lucky enough to chat with Benjamin all about the EP and so much more!

    Stream Figuring It Out here!

    Hello Benjamin! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time?
    It’s a pleasure, thank you! I would say my music is sort of a soundtrack to confusion in your 20s, a soundtrack to love, to heartbreak, and to figuring things out. I’d like to think it’s pretty cinematic but has some energy in it too!

    Figuring It Out is your debut EP! What feelings accumulate as you get ready to put your first collection of songs out?
    It is weird. I always feel a bit of anxiety before release days, but then as soon as the project is out, the anxiety disappears. I don’t hold emotional attachment to the songs once they are out. It then becomes a case of how many people can get their ears on it. But certainly, I am really proud of these songs. I feel like it sort of marks the end of my first chapter in the music world. I feel like each song serves a different purpose; the whole thing feels pretty dynamic.

    You described this record as “a hopeless romantic’s dream and downfall.” What is one lyric throughout the project that best represents the dream aspect, and on the other hand, what lyric would you say best represents the downfall?
    I think the dreamer line is definitely the chorus of ‘No One Wants To Die Alone,’ “Live Big Love Fast and not Die Alone.” It is sort of the payoff line in a song that lyrically is frustrated in many senses, and encapsulates the sort of desire of the EP. There are many downfall lines in the EP, so I’ll give you three: ‘Oh Darling,’ “Many nights I try to find you in other eyes… Am I blind to all that makes you you?” ’5%,’ “It’s the 5% that is in the spotlight and the 95 that hides behind my eyes – So I’ll keep it out of mind and out of sight.” ‘Sweat Off Our History,’ “I’ll thread the needle between who I am and what you want from me.” I think all of these lines sort of summarize the pressure that you have to appear complete and confident and put together… But in reality, you are still figuring things out – trying to find a purpose. And you often hide these insecurities and fears in actions and facades that are not favorable to yourself – just to appease others or numb yourself to vulnerability.

    As we are writing this, the EP is officially out! What has the reaction to the record been like over the last few days? How are you feeling post-release? 
    Honestly, I think it went as well as I had hoped. I think these things take a journey themselves when they are out. I think hopefully it has legs to continue to connect with people and make an impact. People have been so supportive and kind, and I feel very unworthy. I always say this, and it is very cliche, but I am just a dude who writes about life and love in his bedroom, so it’s surreal that it is connecting so well!

    When you released ‘No One Wants To Die Alone’ last year, did you already know this track was going to be everyone’s first taste of this EP? Or was it added in as the creation of the EP went forward?
    No Idea. ‘NOWTDA’ always felt special. It was the first song that I wrote, and I was like, if this doesn’t become the biggest song, then I am not sure what will. It felt so right and felt so me. The EP was certainly not a manufactured Idea. It was sort of the collection of the best things I had written in the last 8 months, and it all felt rather cohesive. I think if I were to sit down with the intention of writing an ep, and with a certain goal and message, it would have almost felt like I wasn’t being authentic. That being said, ‘No One Wants To Die Alone’ was probably the first song I wrote out of the ones that made it on to the EP, so maybe in some way it did guide the sonic and messaging of the rest!

    Hailing six songs, half of the record was previously released, and half of the songs were saved for release day. How do you go about deciding which songs you want to hold onto and let fans discover all at once?
    I think there is a feeling that you get when you have a single, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the non-single tracks are missing something. I feel like putting out a bigger body of work allows you to release songs that may never come out as a single, but you still want people to hear them. I think ‘Sweat off our History’ is a good example; this would never be a single, but that does not mean that it isn’t good. So I am glad I had the opportunity to release it.

    We want to go back a bit and talk about ‘Muted Colors,’ This track changed a lot for you! When you look back, what does your relationship with that song look like now vs two years ago when it was released?
    I think ‘Muted Colors’ was the unexpectedly perfect first song to put out. It served its purpose in the time that it was written for me personally, but also to show an audience the type of music and messaging I wanted to pursue. I look back positively on it now for sure. It was the first stepping stone in a long journey to cross the river, and I’m so grateful that I could have even had the chance to start or embark on that journey. I think it worked because I was just honest, it was one of the first songs I had ever written and I did not really have a reference point as to what was ok and what was not. I think I do naturally cringe a little bit looking back to it now because I think my style and tone have changed a bit, but it certainly was a fantastic first step!

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, is there anything coming up that fans can look forward to? Any live shows?
    Hopefully got a lot of exciting stuff coming up! Going to hopefully do another London headline before the end of the year, and then a bit more of a fuller tour in early 2026! I’m also really excited to open for Arthur Hill on his UK tour in September!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song from Benjamin Steer’s EP, Figuring It Out? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BENJAMIN STEER:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Meet A2O May: How this Chinese girl group proved they are ‘Bigger, Badder, Better’ | amNewYork

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    A2O May

    Photo courtesy of A20 May

    Chinese girl group A2O May are the next-generation global group revolutionizing the entertainment industry with their latest single, “B.B.B.” (Bigger, Badder, Better), bridging cultures and generations through music. 

    Pronounced AY-TWO-OH-MAY, A2O members CHENYU, SHIJIE, QUCHANG, MICHE, and KAT debuted less than one year ago and have already amassed over 30 million views with their single, “BOSS,” and are the first Chinese group to enter the United States Top 40 Radio Chart with “Under My Skin.” The quintet made their debut stateside at iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango festival stage in Los Angeles, becoming the first Chinese idol group to do so. 

    For the members of A2O May, seeing the sea of fans, affectionately known as MAYnia, at Wango Tango, clutching tightly onto their light sticks and cheering them on, was a moment in time they will never forget. 

    “It was such a memorable first live stage in the US. We were really nervous, but as soon as we got on stage, we just locked in and performed to the best of our abilities. Seeing the purple light sticks from MAYnia, our fans, gave us energy and carried us through the performance,” QUCHANG said.

    “I still remember the moment we encountered Doja Cat and Meghan Trainor backstage, and we were all such big fans, and meeting them in person was so inspiring, and just being in the same festival environment with artists we admire gave us even more motivation to dream bigger,” MICHE said.

    Their pre-debut single, “Under My Skin,” showcased that they are the new kids on the block with a fresh perspective on today’s youth and their endless possibilities. However, their newest single, BBB, underscores their confidence as performers. 

    “So, ‘Under My Skin’ was our first bloom, innocent and fresh, and with ‘BOSS,’ we showed our energy and what girl power looks like. And finally, with’ BBB,’ we’ve grown more confident and powerful. ‘BBB’ brings together the journey from ‘Under My Skin’ and ‘BOSS,’ while also showing how we are moving forward, breaking the limits to something beyond,” KAT said. 

    “’BBB’ is all about the confidence and energy we all have inside. So, it’s also a message to our fans, reminding them to be bold, be themselves, and to feel bigger, better, and better in their own lives too. Musically, ‘BBB’ has a strong and catchy baseline with stylish sounds that bring out a unique color on stage. This comes through even more strongly, creating a performance that the audience can truly enjoy,” CHENYU added.

    BBB has become a rallying call for young women to feel empowered to be themselves, stating, “I just wanna be myself tonight. Don’t got to be nobody else,” and “I’m bigger, badder, better than the cool kids.” The members of A2O May state that in order to gain this type of strength, they gather confidence from each other and lean on each other for support.

    “I actually find confidence in my girls. They always, like, lift me up and remind me of my strengths, and each of them has something I can learn from, whether it’s vocals, rap, or, like, stage presence. Seeing their strengths and their hard work gives me a lot of power to improve myself. And that inspires me to keep moving forward,” SHIJIE said.

    A2O May says fans can look forward to their first EP being released soon and that they are excited to continue on their journey together. 

    “Experiencing this journey with MAYnia is the greatest thing ever and thank you for being with us. We love you all,” KAT said. 

    “There’s so much more we want to share with you, so stay tuned and look forward to what’s next,” MICHE added.

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    Amanda Moses

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  • Exclusive Interview: Hunter Daily Talks All Things ‘Claw Marks,’ Upcoming EP, and More!

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    Looking for your next favorite artist? Look no further than one of the artists we are sure is going to have a huge year as we round out 2025 and jump into 2026: Hunter Daily! Hunter is responsible for one of our favorite EPs of the year with Claw Marks, and we were lucky enough to get to pick her brain all about the project, as well as turn back the clock and take a look back at where it all began with ‘Die in LA.’ Let’s jump in!

    Stream Claw Marks here!

    Hi Hunter! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time?
    If a diary entry and a pop song had a baby, that would be my music. It’s folkypoppy, and confessional—like little stories you can crash out or cry to.

    ‘Claw Marks’ is your latest release and your fourth release from your upcoming EP sharing the same name. Can you tell us what it was about this track that made you want to name the project around it? Or did the song come from the name of the EP?
    The lyric is: “Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.” That pretty much sums me up as a person and as a songwriter. This EP is about gripping too tightly, even when you know better—and ‘Claw Marks’ felt like the perfect way to name the whole messy, complicated story.

    After the release of ‘Claw Marks,’ you have left two tracks unreleased from the EP. What goes into deciding what to hold back?
    It’s kind of like dating—you don’t give everything away on the first night. I wanted to build suspense, to leave people wondering what else is coming. Save the best for last.

    The video for ‘Claw Marks’ feels so intimate and jam-packed with emotion, and for us, really brought the song alive! Can you talk to us a bit about the vision for the visuals?
    That video is basically my breakup paranoia turned into art. You know when you break up with someone and your brain won’t stop imagining what they’re doing without you? Who are they with? What does their life look like now? We took those spirals and put them on screen. It’s unhinged, but so is heartbreak.

    ‘Die in LA’ was your first track, and next month marks three years since its release. When you look back on that track, is there a skill that you honed in crafting it that can still be found in your most recent work?
    Wow—that’s so crazy; I can’t believe it’s been three years already! That song gave me the confidence to step into being a solo artist. It was the first time I realized I had something unique to share, a perspective that only I could bring. That song taught me how important it is for me to tell my truth.

    Songwriting is a huge part of who you are as an artist. When you look at this EP, is there a lyric that you are particularly proud of?
    There’s one line: “A spaceman’s gonna suit up, a cowboy’s gonna ride.” It sounds playful, but it’s really about inevitability—that people are gonna do what they’re gonna do, no matter how much you want them to stay. It’s my way of making peace with that.

    On a similar note, we know that crafting any project can take a village, but it’s also important to give yourself a pat on the back. Is there something you can point to on this record—whether it’s the creative process, the rollout, or beyond—that you are proud of yourself for accomplishing?
    I’m proud that this project actually sounds like me. Not the version of me I thought I was supposed to be, but the messy, dramatic, loves-too-hard, refuses-to-let-go version. That’s growth to me.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, we have to ask: Will we have some chances to hear all of this new music live soon?
    Oh, definitely. These songs were written to scream in a room with people. Performing them live is the part I’m most excited for—it’s where the claws really come out. I haven’t officially announced, but I do have a tour in the works!!

    Check out more of our new music coverage here!

    We would love to hear from you! What do you think of Hunter Daily’s track ‘Claw Marks?’ Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HUNTER DAILY:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Exclusive Interview: Kevian Kraemer Captures An Endless Summer With ‘Tan Lines’

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    Coming off of the success of his EP Jersey or Mars, Kevian Kraemer bottled up the feeling of summer love in his latest single ‘Tan Lines.’ The opening chords are riddled with nostalgia for the carefree energy that only exists in the heat of the summer. Everything is more exciting in the summer, especially, as Kevian reminds us, falling in love. With ‘Tan Lines,’ we have to take one last glance in the rearview mirror as summer slips away.

    ‘Tan Lines’ is a perfect introduction to the world of Kevian Kraemer music. But it barely scratches the surface. If ‘Tan Lines’ highlights the serenity of summer, the rest of his discography feels like one endless summer. It takes us through the first feeling of sun on your face after a long winter, to watching the sunset on a cool midsummer night, and all the way the the first chill of fall that makes us wonder how summer flew by so fast. The mix of pop, alternative, and indie adds up to a sound that’s uniquely Kevian Kraemer. And he doesn’t stop at the sound. With lyrics about growing up and learning everything you can about life, Kevian could easily soundtrack a coming-of-age film. Keep reading this exclusive interview to hear all about his music, from creating it to everything that comes after!

    Introducing Kevian Kraemer

    Welcome to The Honey Pop! Could you introduce yourself to our readers who may not be familiar with your music yet?
    Hey! My name is Kevian Kraemer, I’m 19, from New Jersey, and I make indie rock music!

    Your latest EP Jersey or Mars was released right at the beginning of this summer. The sound of the EP is perfect for a summer day. How would you describe the shift from Jersey or Mars to where you are at the end of summer with ‘Tan Lines’?
    I think in making ‘Tan Lines’ I chose to pursue a more alternative sound compared to the familiar pop-rock world of Jersey or Mars. This last single was a ton of fun to make, and I’m for sure going to explore that area of my sound moving forward.

    Jersey or Mars focuses a lot on transition, moving on from a past relationship, and looking forward to whatever comes next. Looking forward to this next chapter of your music, what would you say you most want to accomplish?
    My number one goal is to put together my most cohesive project yet, and I would also love to tour and play my first round of festivals in 2026.

    One thing you excel at is capturing the feeling of nostalgia. With the acoustic sound and the reflective lyrics, we feel like we’re looking back on everything that’s ever happened to us. How do you get into the mindset to write these songs?
    I think that it’s just the ability for my friends and me to be vulnerable and honest when writing each and every song. It’s always my goal to capture exactly how I felt when writing about a certain time, no matter how complex the emotion or situation.

    Of course, you also perfectly captured the feeling of summer love in ‘Tan Lines.’ If you had to pick one song to soundtrack this summer for you, what would it be?
    I think my soundtrack of Summer 2025 is ‘Golden Days’ by Whitney. I grew up listening to their music since I was super young, and with such rapid change and growth this summer, it became super nostalgic while on the road touring.

    Image Source: Sean Schmitt

    You seem to have no problem capturing the exact feeling you’re going for in your songs. If you had to describe the ideal setting for someone to listen to your music for the first time, what would it be?
    I feel like my music is definitely best suited for driving in the car with your friends and the windows down, or, in contrast, lying in your bed alone staring at the ceiling and blasting each song in your headphones.

    The way you filmed the ’Tan Lines’ music video wonderfully adds to the feeling of nostalgia for the summer. It feels like watching a home video, and getting a glimpse into the lives of people who love each other. What was it like to film?
    It was such a fun experience to get a bunch of my hometown friends together with our film team. The whole video was shot on a 1960s Super 8, which posed some challenges but paid off tremendously. The beach day was perfect, and I’m so incredibly proud of the work that everyone did on it.

    The ‘Tan Lines’ video feels like something that a historian would unearth in the future and use to describe what a summer was like. How would you want to be remembered in the future?
    I want to be known as someone who was unapologetically themself. Other than that, I just would love to keep playing electric concerts and have people continue to see themselves in my work.

    What one song from your past projects would you want to show to people to describe yourself in the future?
    ‘June is getting old’ is one of my favorite songs I’ve made, and I hope more and more people find it 🙂

    Tour Life

    You’ve been playing these songs for crowds all over on the Jersey or Mars Tour. What has it been like seeing these songs take on a new life on tour?
    It was pretty much the most unreal experience of my life so far. To see every single crowd scream every word to every song was incredible and an out-of-body experience, frankly. Also, just playing this new music was so much fun and really translated well in making people jump up and down and go crazy.

    It looks like you closed out your tour in your hometown of Asbury Park, NJ. How has your hometown impacted your music?
    I think my hometown has impacted my music in many ways, some of them even on a subconscious level. Growing up in Asbury Park was such a gift for me, being surrounded by so many different artists and musicians. I was able to thoroughly explore my identity and who I wanted to be, and I’m forever grateful for that.

    What was it like singing these songs that are so riddled with reflection in the town that must have inspired some of the stories you sing about?
    I’m not gonna lie, it was super trippy. I found myself losing track of the show a few times because it was just such a full-circle moment. Nonetheless, it was one of the coolest things I’ve done so far.

    Speaking of tour, you’re hitting the road with Smallpools! What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned on tour so far?
    Be kind and stoked for every opportunity and moment to play live music! It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to play for so many people in so many different places, and I just can’t wait to get back out there.

    Thanks for talking with us! Are there any tricks up your sleeve that you can tease about tour, or anything else you might be looking forward to?
    NEW MUSIC SOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!

    Image Source: Courtesy of Atlantic Records

    Count us in! We’re ready for Kevian Kraemer to be a part of our autumn. And our winter. And every summer, too. And if you love good music like us, you won’t want to miss what he comes up with next. If you haven’t already, check him out now and let us know your favorite songs! If you’re a die-hard fan, let us know what you’re looking forward to! Either way, we’re ready to discuss at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KEVIAN KRAEMER:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

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    Caitlyn Tarney

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  • Sabrina Carpenter Is the Best Frankenstein Reboot of the Year—(Please Please Please) Let Me Explain

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    At the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, Jacob Elordi was reportedly moved to tears by a standing ovation that lasted either 13 or 15 minutes, depending who you ask, after the world premiere of his latest film, Frankenstein. Elordi plays the creature at the center of director Guillermo del Toro’s take on the classic, and critics are all “forgiveness” this, and “artistry” that about the latest visual interpretation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 horror novel. However, the world has been overlooking the real-life reboot that’s been right under our noses, not to mention at the top of the Billboard 200 chart: Sabrina Carpenter and her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, released August 29.

    While Elordi is a natural pick to play the mix-and-match creature, with his six-foot-five frame and classically handsome face just begging for some monstrous prosthetics, the diminutive, perky, and often lingerie-clad Carpenter and her career are an apt stand-in for the misunderstood figure at the center of the story, painstakingly crafted only to be reviled by the maker. Shelley’s tale examines themes of bodily autonomy and patriarchal control, which easily transpose onto Carpenter’s image, in which she somehow manages to rotate through a wardrobe of vintage Victoria’s Secret teddies and lacy robes with sky-high heels. She’s not dressing for the male gaze. As she said in a 2024 interview with Time, she’s dressing for herself and empowering her fans to do the same. “Femininity is something that I’ve always embraced,” she told the magazine. “And if right now that means corsets and garter belts and fuzzy robes or whatever the fuck, then that’s what that means.” While a bustier and heels may be part of the Playboy Bunny uniform, when Carpenter dons the same look, it’s with a wink and the knowledge that her stiletto heels are a means of lifting her to the top of the world.

    Her career, like that of any other pop sensation, owes plenty to those who came before her: a dash of Dolly Parton’s big hair and commanding lyrics, a sprinkle of Britney Spears’s girl-next-door sexpot vibe, a heaping scoop of Taylor Swift’s collaborator-heavy, country-influenced discography, and more. Stir to combine and bake for 20 minutes. And voilà, you have yourself a Carpenter, a chart-topping amalgamation of the divas of yore, familiar yet novel. But just as Carpenter is celebrated for her absolute bangers, the same society that demanded a pop star exactly like her shrieks that she’s too provocative, a bad influence, sending our delicate young girls a bad message. Clutch your pearls, folks; a former Disney child star is singing about sex! It’s almost as if she…grew up? A concept. In “Tears,” a song off her new album, Carpenter sarcastically marvels at how hot it is when the male object of the narrator’s affection acts with basic human decency. “I get wet at the thought of you / Being a responsible guy / Treating me like you’re supposed to / Tears run down my thighs,” she sings. Similarly, the creature doesn’t understand why Frankenstein, who created him and tended to him, recoils in horror at what he’s done and runs from him. Carpenter in “My Man on Willpower”: “He used to be literally obsessed with me / I’m suddenly the least sought-after girl in the land.”

    In the book, the thoroughly alienated and rejected creature vows revenge and goes on a killing spree, eliminating those Frankenstein loves one by one. In “Goodbye” Carpenter sings, “Broke my heart on Saturday / Guess overnight your feelings changed / And I have cried so much I almost fainted / To show you just how much it hurts / I wish I had a gun or words.” Thankfully, she chooses words.

    Carpenter’s revenge on those who wrong her is bloodless but brutal; just listen to “Never Getting Laid” and imagine being on the receiving end of that, for one example: “Baby, I’m not angry / I love you just the same,” she sings, before continuing, “I just hope you get agoraphobia someday / And all your days are sunny from your windowpane / Wish you a lifetime full of happiness / And a forever of never getting laid.” Trapped inside by fear, watching everyone else have a nice time, and no sex? Withering.

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    Kase Wickman

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  • David Archuleta hits a chord with his ‘Earthly Delights’ EP and tour

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    A 17-year-old David Archuleta stole the hearts of “American Idol” fans with his playful “gee-whiz” demeanor and persona. The 34-year-old has shed that image to reveal his queer, sensual side with his “Earthly Delights” EP and the single “Crème Brulee.”…

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    Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

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  • Say Goodbye To Summer With Emily James’ Summer Nostalgia

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    As we move into September, it’s time to say goodbye to summer. Emily James isn’t letting it go quietly, though. With her EP Summer Nostalgia, she confronts everything on her mind. Summer has a way of heightening every emotion, especially when you’re young. So it’s easy to reflect on what you said, what you did, and what you would’ve done differently. And that’s exactly what Emily does as she looks back on adolescence and young love.

    ‘Suburbia’

    The opening track, ‘Suburbia,’ reflects on a euphoric first love. Coming after years of distance from the feelings, the nostalgia takes over. The track feels both bittersweet and carefree. It’s as if we’re remembering a time we felt on top of the world while also recognizing that it’s safely tucked away in our past. It’s these moments that shape us, after all. Even better, the ‘Suburbia’ music video feels like watching a coming-of-age film. Emily zooms in on the exhilarating sensation of young love while still capturing the feeling of nostalgia.

    Looking In The Rearview Mirror

    Summer Nostalgia was born as Emily moved back to her hometown in New York. After living in Los Angeles for seven years and then writing and recording in London, she was able to reconnect with her roots. As she looks back on growing up in her hometown, as well as how much she’s changed in her years away, the result is a 6-track run of flawless, cinematic nostalgia, with a lingering hope for whatever happens next. She’s changed, she’s grown up, but she still has a lot of questions. What if things had happened differently? ‘Underdog’ ruminates on holding onto something that she shouldn’t. ‘Blueprint’ yearns for something she thought had been perfect. But they all wonder: What could have been?

    ‘Picture It’ confronts this question head-on. She reconnects with a past love and realizes she might have a chance to do things differently: to find out what they missed the first time. The music video finds Emily with the same person from ‘Suburbia.’ Even after all the time away, she feels like the joy of young love when they’re together again. And it might just work out this time.

    It felt like I was watching a movie. You zoom into these little vignettes, and then you’ll zoom out a little bit to the present day, and then zoom back in. It felt like something I’d never done before in terms of having this interweaving timeline and flickering between present and the past, with memories coming in and out.

    Emily James

    Summer Nostalgia comes after exploring themes like adventure and healing in past songs like ‘Brooklyn,’ ‘Cannonball,’ and ‘London.’ One thing is for sure: Emily James is an expert at writing about whatever crosses her mind. With storytelling like hers, we feel like we’re a part of her journey with her. And you don’t want to miss where she goes next.

    Check out Summer Nostalgia here and let us know your thoughts! We’re ready to talk favorite songs, or anything else on your mind, at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EMILY JAMES:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

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    Caitlyn Tarney

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  • Review: Punk superstars honor heavy metal titans during superb concert

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    The world’s greatest pop-punk band paid tribute to the most important heavy metal men of all time on Saturday night.

    It occurred when The Offspring — the fabulous Orange County act known for such alt-rock-radio smashes as “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy),” “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” and “Self Esteem” — tipped its hat to the late-great Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath midway through its winning set at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View.

    The tribute began with a short bit by lead guitarist Noodles (aka, Kevin Wasserman), who — living up to his name — nicely noodled his way through a short take on “Electric Funeral” from Sabbath’s landmark second studio album, 1970’s “Paranoid.”

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    Jim Harrington

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  • David Cook brings new music, hits to New England tour stops

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    Rocker and “American Idol” winner David Cook is expected to bring his new music to the Massachusetts shores and a New Hampshire town on his upcoming tour.

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    By Angelina Berube | aberube@eagletribune.com

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  • Ariana Grande to kick off massive concert tour with 2 Bay Area dates

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    Ariana Grande is coming to the Bay Area.

    The multiplatinum-selling and Grammy-winning vocalist — who also scored an Oscar nomination for her role in the hit film “Wicked” — is set to kick off The Eternal Sunshine Tour at Oakland Arena on June 6 and 9.

    Ariana Grande tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Sept. 10, arianagrande.com.

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    Jim Harrington

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  • Exclusive Interview: Elizabeth Nichols Talks All Things ‘I Got A New One,’ and More!

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    When we look at the bright new class of country music, one of the stars shining the brightest is undoubtedly Elizabeth Nichols! From her breakout hit ‘I Got A New One’ to her newest track ‘Daughter,’ we are getting to watch an artist fully come into her own, discover her sound, and get better with each song.

    We were lucky enough to chat with Elizabeth Nichols all about her success so far, new music, and receiving the coveted Kelly Clarkson treatment.

    Listen to ‘Daughter’ here!

    Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for chatting with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time? 
    I’d say probably clever and honest. Those are two elements that I see in all my favorite songs. I try to balance the two. I don’t want to be too clever that I’m not honest, or too straightforward that it kills the clever.

    ‘Tough Love’ is officially out! This acts as your debut multi-track project! What emotions have been going through your head as these seven tracks now live out in the world?
    I am so grateful. If you had told me one year ago that this is where I would be, I would have never believed you. The idea that some group of girls in another state is in the car with their friends, singing one of my songs, is the most surreal part of it all. Music is such a beautiful part of life, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to make it.

    The video for ‘I Got A New One’ perfectly encapsulates each lyric of the track! Can you tell us a bit about that creative process and crafting the visuals?
    I grew up on Taylor Swift music videos. I love when a video really tells a story in the same way a song does, so it was important to me to really bring that visual side to life. We got to work with amazing creative directors, and it was so fulfilling to see the story turn from words on a page to a scene I got to be a part of.

    What has it been like for you to see the way people have latched onto ‘I Got A New One’? Did you have any inkling that this song would be one that people took to? 
    ‘I Got A New One’ was the first single I’d ever released, so I had no idea what to expect at all. I am so grateful that people like it and it’s connected the way that it has—that song truly changed my life.

    We know that ‘Ain’t Country’ was your first jump into writing a country track. What changes about the songwriting process when you’re writing with a genre in mind? 
    I was about 10 years old the last time I had written any kind of song, so ‘Ain’t Country’ was the first song I’ve written as an adult, and I think that country sound just kind of naturally came out of me because that’s what I grew up listening to. I also love storytelling and lyricism, and country music is a genre that really celebrates those things and makes space for that part of the craft.

    Ahead of the release of Tough Love, was there a song you were most looking forward to seeing fans’ reactions to? 
    I was most excited for fans to hear ‘Tough Love’ because it was the one song that I hadn’t teased at all before its release, so nobody had heard a single note of it. It was also the newest song out of the seven—I wrote it only a few weeks before the EP came out. There is something about how honest it is that I hoped fans would connect with.

    We have to ask, ‘I Got A New One’ has officially received the Kelly Clarkson treatment! What was that like for you? 
    I was and am extremely grateful. Kelly Clarkson is literally an American icon. She is so unbelievably talented, so the fact that she liked a song I wrote enough to cover it is a huge compliment—my family and I were so excited when it happened.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we round out the last few months of 2025? 
    Some more music! I have a new single coming out in August. I’m also playing some shows throughout the end of this year, which I’m really excited about. I love meeting people out on the road.

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of Tough Love by Elizabeth Nichols? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH NICHOLS:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Don’t Overlook Dua Lipa’s Masterpiece Radical Optimism

    Don’t Overlook Dua Lipa’s Masterpiece Radical Optimism

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    Dua Lipa might be starting to wonder if she’s forever destined to release records at less-than-opportune moments. Her second studio album, Future Nostalgia, arrived on March 27, 2020 — roughly two weeks after the country was plunged into the earliest, most harrowing days of the COVID-19 pandemic…

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    Preston Jones

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  • Nobel Prize in literature is awarded to South Korean author Han Kang

    Nobel Prize in literature is awarded to South Korean author Han Kang

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    STOCKHOLM — South Korean author Han Kang was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for what the Nobel committee called “her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”

    Nobel committee chairman Anders Olsson praised Han’s “physical empathy for the vulnerable, often female lives” of her characters.

    “She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in a poetic and experimental style, has become an innovator in contemporary prose,” Olsson said.

    Nobel literature committee member Anna-Karin Palm said Han writes “intense lyrical prose that is both tender and brutal, and sometimes slightly surrealistic as well.”

    Han becomes the first Asian woman and the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel literature prize. She also becomes the second South Korean national to win a Nobel Prize, after late former President Kim Dae-jung won the peace prize in 2000. He was honored for his efforts to restore democracy in South Korea during the country’s previous military rule and improve relations with war-divided rival North Korea.

    Han wins the Nobel at a time of growing global influence of South Korean culture, which in recent years has included the success of films like director Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “ Parasite,” the Netflix survival drama “Squid Game” and the worldwide fame of K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK.

    Han, 53, won the International Booker Prize in 2016 for “The Vegetarian,” an unsettling novel in which a woman’s decision to stop eating meat has devastating consequences.

    At the time of winning that award, Han said writing novels “is a way of questioning for me.”

    “I just try to complete my questions through the process of my writing and I try to stay in the questions, sometimes painful, sometimes – well – sometimes demanding,” she said.

    With “The Vegetarian,” she said, ”I wanted to question about being human and I wanted to describe a woman who desperately didn’t want to belong to the human race any longer.”

    Her novel “Human Acts” was an International Booker Prize finalist in 2018.

    Han made her publishing debut as a poet in 1993; her first short story collection was published the following year and her first novel, “Black Deer,” in 1998. Works translated into English include “The Vegetarian,” “Greek Lessons,” “Human Acts” and “The White Book,” a poetic novel that draws on the death of Han’s older sister shortly after birth. Her most recent novel, “We Do Not Part,” is due to be published in English next year.

    Olsson, the committee chair, called “Human Acts” a work of “witness literature.” It is based on the real-life killing of pro-democracy protesters in Han’s home city of Gwangju in 1980.

    The literature prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers of style-heavy, story-light prose. It has also been male-dominated, with just 17 women among its 119 laureates until this year’s award. The last woman to win was Annie Ernaux of France, in 2022.

    Six days of Nobel announcements opened Monday with Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun winning the medicine prize. Two founding fathers of machine learning — John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton — won the physics prize on Tuesday. On Wednesday, three scientists who discovered powerful techniques to decode and even design novel proteins were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

    The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award next Monday.

    The prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million) from a bequest left by the award’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

    ___

    Lawless reported from London. Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed.

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  • Review: This is one of the most surprising success stories in music history

    Review: This is one of the most surprising success stories in music history

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    Cigarettes After Sex is one of the biggest surprise success stories in music history.

    The El Paso, Texas trio makes lo-fi dream-pop music — the kind that would seem way more at home being played in a quirky David Lynch movie than some big sports arena — drawing inspiration from such varied sources as Miles Davis and the Cowboy Junkies.

    The band’s sound, however, is unflinchingly consistent, to the point where the uninitiated could be forgiven for believing that Cigarettes After Sex really only has one song — which is then played with different lyrics and goes by about three dozen different titles

    The ceiling on a act like this, traditionally, has been headlining theaters and small clubs.

    Yet, here we are in 2024 and Cigarettes After Sex are the hottest band in all of rock — with a tour that is drawing full houses to major basketball/hockey arenas across the country.

    And the trio deserves every bit of that once-seemingly unfathomable success, a point that was underscored most recently as Cigarettes After Sex delivered a gorgeous evening of ambient-pop and shoegaze-y indie rock before a packed house of some 13,000 fans at Oakland Arena on Saturday night. It was the first Cigarettes After Sex appearance in the Bay Area since performing an equally enjoyable set during the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2023.

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    Jim Harrington

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  • Is it still Brat Summer? Find out at Charli XCX’s Orlando arena show

    Is it still Brat Summer? Find out at Charli XCX’s Orlando arena show

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    Photo by Harley Weir courtesy Charli XCX/Faceboook

    Charli XCX comes to town this weekend

    Charli XCX has entranced fans of hyper-pop into fervent devotion for years, but leveled up exponentially with this year’s Brat.

    With that album, Charli XCX unleashed perhaps one of the best pop albums and seasonal takeovers of all time. Brat was a loaded crossover album seamlessly blending pop and experimental electronic music, and packed with certified club anthems reflecting on themes of projection (“Sympathy Is a Knife”), self-sabotage (“I Might Say Something Stupid”), bearing children (“I Think About It All the Time”), and all the seriousness and levity that is driving to the airport (“Apple”).

    Hailed as “a cultural reset” Brat and the ensuing “brat girl summer” (see: sweat, sex, white tanks, “It girls,” controversy, dancing all night to lyrics you’d confess to a therapist) immediately took on a life beyond mere listening, spawning memes, multiple Boiler Room sets, dance parties, the “Apple” TikTok dance, a website dedicated to brat green (#8ACE00), an infatuated Kyle MacLachlan, a presidential campaign theme, etc. Charli XCX brings her PARTYGIRL 365 disposition to Orlando Sunday with co-headliner Troye Sivan.

    7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Kia Center, $45.50-$125.

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    Nicolette Shurba

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  • Review: Britpop’s greatest front man was back in action in the Bay Area

    Review: Britpop’s greatest front man was back in action in the Bay Area

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    Pulp only has five cities listed on its long-overdue North American tour.

    And — wow — were Bay Area fans ever fortunate that one of those highly coveted spots was in San Francisco.

    The thousands of fans who packed into the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Monday night (Sept. 16) were absolutely thrilled to be able to witness the first local Pulp gig in over 10 years. For their part, Pulp was every bit as sensational as it was back at that April 17, 2012 gig at the Warfield, which came sandwiched between its two Coachella music festival performances.

    Taking the stage right at 9 p.m., the iconic Britpop group delighted fans on Monday with a stellar two-hour show that featured 19 songs — a half-dozen of which came during two very generous encores. (Perhaps that tilt was only appropriate given that the road show has been dubbed the This Is What We Do For An Encore tour.)

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    Jim Harrington

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  • What to Stream: Keith Urban, ‘The Golden Bachelorette,’ Zack Snyder series and ‘WandaVision’ spinoff

    What to Stream: Keith Urban, ‘The Golden Bachelorette,’ Zack Snyder series and ‘WandaVision’ spinoff

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    Keith Urban’s 12th studio album and Kathryn Hahn starring in the “WandaVision” spinoff “Agatha All Along” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

    Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: season two of the “Frasier” reboot on Paramount+, the debut of “The Golden Bachelorette” and the Strokes’ lead singer Julian Casablancas and his rock band the Voidz will release a new album, “Like All Before You.”

    — Writer-director Azazel Jacobs’ latest movie stars Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen as sisters who gather in the New York apartment of their dying father. A highlight of the fall season, “His Three Daughters” is one of the most memorable tales of siblinghood, and of a death in the family, in recent memory. It’s out on Netflix on Friday, Sept. 20.

    — With Election Day fast approaching, Max is looking back to the last presidential race. The HBO documentary “Stopping the Steal,” directed by Emmy-winner Dan Reed, focuses on Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 results in Arizona and Georgia, culminating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. It features interviews with Trump insiders like former Attorney General Bill Barr, former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin and White House campaign official Stephanie Grisham. The producers say it “explores and debunks the claims of ballot tampering, illegal immigrants and deceased people voting.” The film premieres Tuesday on Max.

    — On Friday, Sept. 20, Keith Urban, a fixture of contemporary country, will release his 12th studio album, “High.” He’s spent quite a bit of time in Las Vegas, doing the residency thing, but it’s clear songwriting — and making new material — has always been a source of creative magic for the veteran perform. And there’s range, from the equal parts self-effacing and empathetic “Messed Up as Me” to the life-affirming “Wildside.”

    — Nelly Furtado’s seventh studio album and first in seven years, the appropriately titled “7,” arrives at a point of artistic rediscovery for the Canadian singer-songwriter. Just don’t expect any rehashing of the singles that made her a superstar in 2000 (yes, that means “I’m Like a Bird,” “Turn Off the Light” and the like.) Instead, she’s embarked on a sonic experiment, from the bilingual Latin pop of “Corazón” with Colombian psychedelic cumbia innovators Bomba Estéreo to the electro-pop “Love Bites” featuring Tove Lo and SG Lewis.

    — Everyday around the world, or at least, the internet, guitar bands are born out of an obsession with the Strokes. Luckily for those musicians, its members have never ceased music-making, and on Friday, Sept. 20 its singer, Julian Casablancas, and his rock band the Voidz will release a new album, “Like All Before You.” There’s a lot to dig into — like the metallic riffs of “Prophecy of the Dragon,” or the minimalist synth production of “Flexorcist.”

    — Paramount+ has cornered the market on new music docuseries, and on Tuesday will continue that title when it premieres the three-part “Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ’80s Hair Metal.” Leather pants optional but strongly encouraged.

    — AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

    — Since the reveal in 2021’s “WandaVision” that Kathryn Hahn’s nosy neighbor Agnes was really the witch Agatha Harkness, fans have waited to see more of the character. Hahn stars in a spin-off, “Agatha All Along,” debuting Wednesday on Disney+. The witch is now powerless and forms a new coven to get her abilities back. Patti LuPone and Aubrey Plaza are new cast members.

    — America fell in love with Gerry Turner’s search for love on “The Golden Bachelor” and now a woman will be courted in “The Golden Bachelorette.” Joan Vassos, 61, has 24 men ages 57 and up to choose from. “Golden Bachelor” fans will remember Vassos as the contestant who opted to leave the show in episode three because her daughter had recently given birth and was experiencing symptoms of postpartum. Vassos, whose husband of 32 years died in 2021 from pancreatic cancer, says her goal going into the show was not to end up engaged, but in a promising relationship. “The Golden Bachelorette” debuts Wednesday on ABC and streams on Hulu.

    — If season one of the “Frasier” reboot on Paramount+ was about introducing viewers to Grammer’s return to Boston to fix his strained relationship with his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), season two will flesh out the supporting cast. Peri Gilpin revives her Roz character from the original series in a recurring role. Other guest stars include Yvette Nicole Brown, Patricia Heaton, Rachel Bloom and Grammer’s real-life daughter, Greer, as Roz’s daughter. The second season of “Frasier” premieres Thursday.

    — Zack Snyder’s“Twilight of the Gods” is an adult animated series featuring well-known Norse mythology characters Thor and Loki but the star in this story is the warrior Sigrid, who saves King Leif in battle and later becomes his wife. An attack by Thor on their wedding night starts a war. It premieres Thursday, Sept. 19 on Netflix.

    — Alicia Rancilio

    — Gamers who grew up in the 1980s will never forget UFOSoft, the company behind such classics as Bug Hunter, Pilot Quest and Grimstone. Actually, you’ve already forgotten, because UFOSoft never existed. It’s the brainchild of some of the 21st century’s most talented indie designers, who are paying tribute to the 8-bit era with UFO 50. It’s a collection of, yes, 50 original games, including racing, fighting, shooting, running-and-jumping and dungeon crawling. The creators, who include the masterminds behind real-life hits like Spelunky and Downwell, say every title in the collection is a complete game — this isn’t just a bunch of minigames. You can download the whole package to your PC on Wednesday.

    — The Plucky Squire is an intrepid lad named Jot whose exploits have earned him quite the reputation in the storybook land of Mojo. But when the malevolent sorcerer Humgrump gets jealous, he kicks Jot off the page and into our more treacherous 3D world. Our hero has some mad sword skills — but he may find out that the pen is mightier. It’s the debut release from the studio All Possible Futures, whose cofounder is a veteran of Pokémon, and it shares that franchise’s colorful character design and bouncy animation. The tale unfolds on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch or PC on Thursday.

    — Lou Kesten

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  • The director of the Paralympic closing ceremony wants to turn the Stade de France into a dance floor

    The director of the Paralympic closing ceremony wants to turn the Stade de France into a dance floor

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    PARIS (AP) — The final act of the Paralympics in Paris will be a giant dance party.

    That’s a promise from Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies for this year’s Olympics and Paralympics.

    Jolly says 24 DJs will perform thumping techno and dance music at the Stade de France on Sunday as the curtain falls on the 2024 Paralympics.

    “We want to turn the Stade de France into the biggest dance floor to celebrate the end of the Paralympics,” Jolly told The Associated Press in an interview.

    Much like during the Paralympic opening ceremony, which featured artists with disabilities and dancers using crutches or wheelchairs, the dance floor will be open for all.

    “There will be choreographic sequences that will showcase the body,” Jolly said.

    The closing ceremony marks the end of Paris’ Olympic and Paralympic journey. For Jolly, a 42-year-old theater director, it’s the final chapter of a busy summer.

    Jolly directed the July 26 opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the Seine River, which was widely praised but also met some criticism.

    Some viewers thought a scene featuring French singer Philippe Katrine disguised as Bacchus, the deity of wine and celebration in the ancient Roman mythology, was a depiction of “The Last Supper,” a famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci that represents Jesus Christ’s last meal with his apostles. Critics considered that a mockery of the Catholic Church. Paris 2024 organizers said they were “sorry” if people took offense.

    Though Jolly said his intention was not to mock religion, he and his family faced harassment on social media, including death threats and attacks based on his sexual orientation and wrongly assumed Israeli roots, prompting French authorities to open a hate speech investigation.

    “I’ve been doing shows for 20 years, and I’ve had critics on all my theatrical productions,” Jolly said. “Criticism can please, it can hurt. That’s the job. But the attacks, the threats, the insults … that’s a different matter.”

    Jolly, who received support from French political leaders including President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, said the controversy did not lead to any changes to the ceremonies that followed.

    “Absolutely not,” he said. “Nothing was changed, and nothing should have been changed.”

    He noted that all scenes were approved months in advance by the French government, the city of Paris and the International Olympic Committee.

    A native of Rouen, Jolly moved to Paris to prepare for the Games, dedicating two and a half years to creating the ceremonies. Much of the preparation for the previous ceremonies took place at night or in remote locations, in an effort to maintain a degree of secrecy.

    Preparations for Sunday’s closing ceremony are no different. With the Stade de France hosting Paralympic athletics competitions during the day, many of the rehearsals take place at night.

    “I fully dedicated myself to the job,” Jolly said. “I did not celebrate anything yet, I did not party, I did not even had time to rewatch the ceremonies on TV.”

    Jolly said he’s considering writing a book about his Olympic experience before returning to his roots in theater.

    “I don’t think I’ll ever have an audience like that (of the Olympic opening ceremony) again in my life,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter. There are also important things that can happen in a 50-seat theater.”

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    AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games

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