"Petal" by Ariana GrandeRepublic Records, Babydoll MusicProducers: Ariana Grande, Ilya, Max Martin

If you are expecting a grandiose pop album from Ariana Grande, then Petal is not the album for you. Grande takes a step back with her eighth studio album—it’s more experimental with a strong focus on its pop synth arrangements. The production is airy and haunting especially on tracks like “freak” and “like i do.” Grande’s subdued vocals are a divisive stylistic choice as it makes all the songs sound repetitive and muddled. As a result, none of the songs really stand out. It’s nice to see Grande get out of her comfort zone and do something different, but it’s also disappointing that she’s hiding her amazing vocals through the production. 

The post "Petal" by Ariana Grande first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def drops $18m royalty lawsuit against Sony Music after parties ‘resolved the matter’The dismissal was without prejudice, leaving Dupri and his companies free to bring the claims again.
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Classical Reviews August 2026Explore August’s top classical music releases, featuring Peteris Vasks, Mozart, Beethoven, Fauré, Schubert, and more.

Now Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell sue Anthropic in multi-billion dollar lawsuit: ‘One of the largest and most blatant ongoing thefts of intellectual property in history.’The publishing arms of all three major music companies are now litigating against the Claude maker
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Coco Smith Signs with VHS RecordsDate Signed: June 2026Label: VHS RecordsType of Music: Singer-SongwriterManagement: mauricemusicmanagement@gmail.com Booking: mauricemusicmanagement@gmail.com Publicity: Kenzie Davis, Big Hassle - kenzie@bighassle.com A&R: Reed Black, VHS Records - reedblacksound@gmail.com Web: instagram.com/cocosmith__

New York singer and songwriter Coco Smith comes from a family of musicians and, as a child, she would regularly listen to The Beatles (courtesy of her dad) and Eleni Mandell (her mom’s influence) in the car. She would sing along, but writing her own songs began in high school.

“I began to feel a lot of strong and deep emotions, probably to do with being gay and my dad’s illness,” Smith says. “I didn’t know any other way to put them out except to write them into music—my parents had already kinda taught me how. Performing and playing the songs solo came soon after, a band came years later, in college. I would probably advise other parents to do the same, if they want their child to make music and still love it as they get older.”

While her sound may have progressed and developed over the years, Smith’s influences remain the same: Big Thief, Pinegrove, Julia Jacklin, John Lennon, and Maisy.

“I think, honestly, I just got more confident, and that changed my sound,” Smith says. “The first couple of years of college, I didn’t think anyone would care enough to play my music with me. It wasn’t until I began playing the basements in Allston that I was like, ‘okay, I want a band so badly.’ I started wanting songs with ‘teeth’ as Sam Skinner would say, and it took me a while to figure out what that meant. I had angry things to say, in a mellow way, like Julia Jacklin.”

Smith’s new album, You Won’t Get My Message but You’ll Hear It, is out now via Brooklyn-based indie label VHS Records. “I found them online,” Smith says. “I wanted an artist-forward label that wasn’t affiliated with any major labels, based in N.Y.C. I also knew Fish Hunt’s music and loved it and had seen People I Love open for my guitarist Ash’s release show for her own project, Wulfer, and loved that too.”

Smith recently dropped “Multiform,” a single taken from the new album. “’Multiform’ was recorded with Sam Skinner, in his studio, with Isaiah, Isaac, and Theo,” Smith says. “It was a part of my album, You Won’t Get My Message but You’ll Hear It. We recorded it last December, for three days. The ‘triumph, despite’ theme was nailed into the ground. That is always what I want for my music, the hopeful tinge out of something horrible, and Sam got it.”

With the album out, Smith is looking forward to more releases this year. “I’m working on a song with my friend, Remy, and a couple long-distance songs with my friends Corbin and Cade,” she says.The post Coco Smith Signs with VHS Records first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

"Music, Fashion, Film" by Charli xcxAtlanticProducers: A.G. Cook, Finn Keane

Thirteen years after the release of her debut True Romance album, British pop artist Charli xcx has dropped her seventh full-lengther and, while not the year’s best album by any means, it offers further proof that her musical journey is a rewarding one, both for her fans and herself. It’s gratifying to see Charli xcx having a Gaga-esque period of her career where the naysayers, the people decrying her for being over-produced and over-stylized, are being silenced by the sheer quality of her recent output, this album included.

Music, Fashion, Film has also arrived just a few months after Charli xcx’s soundtrack for the recent Wuthering Heights movie, and in many ways, it feels like a continuation of that, more so than 2024’s much-heralded Brat. This is pop, sure, but it’s so much more. The artist, and we use that word deliberately, does her thing of taking the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions with the backdrop of contemporary life looming over everything. But it’s the left turns that she takes on a song like “Yeah” or “Persona,” where she’ll just slam on the brakes seemingly on a whim (though obviously not really). 

There are moments that feel bleak, others that are lush. She lashes out on “Camera,” justifiably so. And then unleashes melody overload on “Magic Metal Montana.” The albums ends with “No One Lasts Forever,” a collab with movie legend David Cronenberg, which included the line “You need to understand the feeling, of the crushing highs and lows of ego.” One gets the feeling that, as she continues this journey, she’s understanding it more and more. The post "Music, Fashion, Film" by Charli xcx first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Spotify promotes Joe Hadley to VP of Global Music Content, Partnerships; J.J. Italiano named Head of EditorialSpotify says the new structure will preserve Editorial's "distinct voice, expertise, and decision-making," while creating "a more connected Music team."
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Kenny Whitmire Signs with MCADate Signed: May 2026Label: MCAType of Music: CountryManagement: River House ArtistsBooking: The Neal AgencyLegal: Hunter Cottingham PLLCPublicity: LEDEA&R: MCAWeb: kennywhitmire.com

Hailing from Woodstock, GA, Kenny Whitmire came to Nashville in 2022. The blossoming country star’s music draws on ‘90s-flavored hits every bit as much as the genre’s most famous traditionalists. He started putting original songs on social media, with one in particular, “I Gave Her The Moon,” taking off big time and generating a wave of industry attention.

Yet the wheels were already in motion for signing with MCA before that happened. Zebb Luster, who would eventually become Whitmire’s manager, connected him with Hannah Wilson, one of the storied label’s A&R reps. “She came to watch me play a gig, and soon after we had a little meeting,” reveals the crooner, whose voice has been compared to Keith Whitley and Randy Travis. “We got dinner and talked about music.”

That led to Wilson connecting Whitmire with producer Dave Cobb. “I had some phone calls with him, which is the coolest thing in the world,” admits Whitmire, “because I grew up on a lot of Chris Stapleton.” The artist was also impressed by MCA’s current crop of rising newcomers, including Carter Faith and Vincent Mason. 

Before offering a contract, the brass at MCA had Whitmire perform a quick acoustic show in their offices. “I played them five or six songs I had been writing. They seemed to enjoy most of them,” he recalls with characteristic modesty. Whitmire believes that the quality of his songwriting, combined with his videos going viral, is what ultimately got the venerable label to put forth a deal.

“It felt like the right choice. I trusted my gut and the good Lord,” tells Whitmire. Instinct aside, he sought the opinion of fellow Georgian Austin Snell, for whom he’d played guitar. “I talked to him a lot about what I should do,” he recalls. “And he seemed to be aligned with MCA.”

Whitmire further felt comfortable going with MCA based on Luster’s advice. “I put all my trust in him,” the young performer swears. “I knew he had my best interests at heart.” And despite meeting with other labels, he wanted to remain loyal to the home that first showed interest, calling it “a pretty easy choice.”

The down-to-earth singer is currently in the midst of a major tour supporting Billy Currington, Ian Munsick, and Tracy Lawrence. His debut EP, Fool In A King Size Bed, is out now.The post Kenny Whitmire Signs with MCA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Authentic Brands Group acquires majority stake in IP of Drake’s OVO brandAs part of the transaction, Authentic network partner Vince Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: VNCE) has acquired OVO's operating business and will oversee the brand's design, product development, merchandising, and retail stores.
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10 Great Rock Albums That Were Completely Ignored When They Came Out

Kyle Fishman Signs with ERN’s Cadillac MusicDate Signed: June 2026Publisher: ERN’s Cadillac MusicType of Music: Country, Pop, RockManagement: Lauren LieuPublicity: Corey Brewer, Rachel Heatherly, Big Loud - corey@bigloud.comA&R: Mike Giangreco, Dane Schmidt

Born and raised in California, Kyle Fishman has been making music most of his life. He started out playing in death metal bands and touring throughout his teens, but he always liked other genres, including pop and country. 

Fishman began making a name for himself as a songwriter, collaborating with rock bands such as Underoath, The Used, and Story Of The Year. He eventually formed a friendship with fellow writer Dallas Davidson, who offered him a deal with his company, Play It Again Music Publishing, on the condition that he would move to Nashville. “I’ll be there tomorrow,” Fishman responded. “I just packed a backpack and my computer and left.”

At the time, Davidson was renting the top floor of Big Loud from the renowned label’s owner and founder, Craig Wiseman. Fishman moved in and started collaborating with others, including Morgan Wallen and a rapper named SNO (Ernest Keith Smith). Smith and Fishman continued creating together at each other’s studios during the seven or eight years Fishman was signed with Play It Again Music.

Fishman then took a break from publishing, remaining a free agent for over a year. Meanwhile, Smith reinvented himself as a country artist under the stage name ERNEST. In 2023, he founded his own publishing house, ERN’s Cadillac Music, through Big Loud Publishing and located on that third floor where Fishman had once lived. One day, Smith casually dropped that, if Fishman ever wanted another publishing deal, he’d be happy to sign him. 

Being friends for so long meant negotiating the agreement was simple. “I told them what I wanted and expected, and he told me what he wanted and expected,” explains Fishman. “It kind of lined up perfectly.” Fishman has penned hits for artists such as Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Dustin Lynch. With that kind of talent, it’s no surprise many other publishers made overtures, but going with ERNEST was the only decision he seriously considered. 

Besides bringing his Music City journey full circle, signing with ERN’s Cadillac Music feels like a homecoming. “It’s a friends and family vibe,” states Fishman, whose country-oriented production and writing credits now include Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, and Blake Shelton. “It’s a really comfortable and creative place to be. It’s just like hanging with your friends and songs happen in between.”The post Kyle Fishman Signs with ERN’s Cadillac Music first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Luminate launches AI music identification framework, with ‘AI Generated’ labels reaching CONNECT later this yearLuminate says its CONNECT platform "can now flag AI-generated songs and artists worldwide."
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The First Albums That Started It All for AllMusic’s Editors

Dummy Signs with Polyvinyl Record Co.Date Signed: March 2026Label: Polyvinyl Record Co.Band Members: Alex Ewell, drums, synths; Emma Maatman, vocals, synths, organ; Nathan O’Dell, vocals, guitar, organ; Joe Trainor, guitar, synths; Lance Umble, bassType of Music: Ambient RockManagement: Eric Mayers, Red Light Management - eric.mayers@redlightmanagement.comBooking: Geoff McGovern - Ground Control Touring, geoff@groundcontroltouring.com Legal: Paul SommersteinPublicity: Patrick Tilley / Pitch Perfect PR, patrick@pitchperfectpr.comA&R: Seth HubbardWeb: notdummy.com

For ambient rockers Dummy, making music a full-time endeavor wasn’t part of the original equation. “Our ambition was solely artistic,” asserts guitarist Joe Trainor. “The goal was just to make music we thought was cool, play some shows, and maybe put out a cassette.” 

And yet, through focusing on their craft, they earned the attention of Trouble In Mind Records. The husband-and-wife duo that founded the Chicago-based indie had discovered Dummy during the pandemic and decided to reach out. A conversation about likeminded artists ensued. “They were dweebs about music in the same way we were,” explains Trainor.

Two albums later, the couple shut down the label, leaving Dummy in the lurch. The band soldiered on and recorded a demo for their third LP, with Trainor assuming the duty of sending the tune to friends on labels they liked. One was Fred Thomas whose group, Saturday Looks Good To Me, is signed to Polyvinyl Record Co., home to artists such as Laura Jane Grace, Deerhoof, and The Get Up Kids. Thomas subsequently passed a note to the label’s cofounders, Darcie Knight and Matt Lunsford, informing them the band was a free agent.

As luck would have it, the label’s heads were already fans. For their part, Dummy’s members had been lovers of all things Polyvinyl for a long time. Trainor recalls discovering one of their leading artists, Rainer Maria, while he was still in high school. “In college, I was obsessed with all those records,” chimes in drummer Alex Ewell. “It was a dream label for us.”

Polyvinyl is much larger than Trouble In Mind, thus allowing the band greater financial resources for everything from longer studio sessions to lusher album packaging. “For the first time, we have a budget for music videos and stuff like that,” rambles Trainor with glee. 

The label is also putting out Dummy’s first two albums, Mandatory Enjoyment and Free Energy. Neither has been commercially available for approximately a year. Notes Trainor with gratitude, “We’re stoked that those records will be back in stores.”The post Dummy Signs with Polyvinyl Record Co. first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

The Amazon Pain ForestThe latest 'Tim's Take' from Music Business Worldwide founder, Tim Ingham
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