This Week In Music: Shawn Mendes, Lisa Remar, and More!, News In Progress

We at TREMG love spotlighting rising and underappreciated talent to give underground creators a platform and the recognition they deserve. But while we love a good monthly roundup, there’s so much great music coming out on a weekly basis that we wanted to share even more. And artists like ASTN and Seth Elkins were killing it this week! Here’s what you may have missed over the past few days.

TREMG Interviews

We got to talk to two incredible female artists about their latest projects! Geneviève Racette finds love after heartache on her new album Satellite, while burwell’s boxes EP unpacks her grieving process after her mother’s passing. Both ladies poured their hearts out into these new songs and it’s apparent in every word they sing.

TREMG Reviews

Brian Straw offers another glimpse into the emotional world of his Baby Stars/Dead Languages album with the new bonus track “Silent Partner,” a commentary on his experience fighting alcoholism to achieve his dreams.

New Signings

Congratulations to Seattle’s very own Museum of Light, who just announced their signing with Spartan Records and are preparing for their Spartan debut, “Soft Openings,” in April. They’re also putting the final touches on their new album, Horizon, so be sure to pre-save that right here! In the meantime, you can get a taste of their arena-ready rock sound on their Bandcamp.

Across the Atlantic, Swedish rock outfit Omni of Halos – a supergroup that includes members of bands like Bombus, De Lyckliga Kompisarna, and Firebreather – have joined the Lövely Records family, so a big congrats goes out to all five members! Their debut single, “You Suck,” discusses toxic relationships with a fierce edge, and they’ll be releasing an EP called Care Free in May.

New Singles

Seth Elkins delivers the perfect party anthem for spring with “Los Angeles Fantasy,” a feel-good track with a bouncy beat that will get stuck in your head within just a few listens. If you’re planning a trip to California, this needs to be on the soundtrack! Playful references to Beverly Hills and L.A. nightlife make it an electric banger that’ll get you and your friends hyped for any occasion.

On “lankersham…,” queer artist Lisa Remar handles an existential identity crisis with a delicately graceful air reminiscent of cult-favorite artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski. There’s a soulful vibe that really captures how much the lyrics mean to her as she finds her footing and confidence while coming into her own. Her voice and introspective message will move you effortlessly!

I felt seriously stuck, sidetracked from my purpose. My reality had become so skewed and I’d grown into someone I wasn’t really proud of at all. My focus had insidiously shifted into staying fame adjacent. it all ended quite abruptly, ties were cut off and I was completely drained over trying so desperately hard to seem like I wasn’t trying hard at all. The song is about being unexpectedly plucked into the lives of others just to be discarded like fast fashion or a Happy Meal toy.
Lisa Remar

Nicky Youre and david hugo team up for a retro pop-rock jam on “Never Go Wrong,” a sweet song about feeling an instant connection with someone. This track sounds like a chill summer afternoon feels, and it’s the perfect choice as warm weather approaches. We’d totally rock out to this song while driving with the windows down or even just taking a nice walk outside!

david hugo: We starting talking about those one-in a-*bAziLLiOn* scenarios where you meet someone and it immediately feels familiar, a la ‘I’ve seen this film before.’

Nicky Youre: So we wanted to capture that feeling somehow with a catchy chorus that feels as exciting and good as those relationships do.

New Albums and EPs

Machine Gun Kelly tackles fame, mental health, and a little bit of romance on mainstream sellout, his second pop-punk album that takes a heavier approach to the genre than 2020’s Tickets To My Downfall. Collabs with Lil Wayne, iann dior, Landon Barker, blackbear, Bring Me The Horizon, Gunna, WILLOW, and Young Thug marry his current focus on rock with his rap-heavy past in an addictive way we can’t get enough of. Check out an in-depth breakdown of the record’s main themes and artistic focuses right here!

ASTN makes his Warner Records debut with the introspective You’re Almost There EP, a stunning blend of pop, R&B, and synth that explores the rollercoaster of emotions someone faces after a breakup. With five thoughtfully-crafted songs, ASTN channels the confusion, frustration, sadness, and ultimate acceptance into a sleek package that makes us eager to see what else he has up his sleeve. To the team at Warner, you struck gold with this one!

Almost is relative. Someone else’s ‘almost’ might not be the same as yours. [It’s about persistence.] That’s the mindset you have to have, even when you fall short a couple of times, or when you thought it was your time. Just know you’re almost there, regardless.
ASTN

Warning: The music video below contains flashing images – viewer discretion is advised for people with photosensitivity.

Zheani challenges the dark side of the human experience on the experimental I Hate People On The Internet, which fuses elements of pop, rock, hyperpop, and electronic into an unforgettable exploration of the harsh feelings we all try to push away on a regular basis. From sadness to anger, it touches on every section of the emotional spectrum with a polished rage and a firm, unrelenting perspective that establishes Zheani as a rising artist you need on your radar.

I Hate People On The Internet explores hate. The hate projected by others from without and the hate of self from deep within. Hate that is fuelled by fear, jealousy, and rage. The righteous hatred of lies and the sinister self-loathing that takes so many innocent young lives. Hatred has many poisonous faces and exists in every human heart.
Zheani

Live Events

The industry is still buzzing about this year’s SXSW Festival, and fans are joining in on the conversation thanks to performances from Shawn Mendes and Sebastián Yatra at the Samsung + Billboard Stage. Not only were their sets simply incredible, but they were filled with treats for the audience. Mendes performed a never-heard track called “When You’re Gone” and played songs like “Call My Friends” live for the first time. Meanwhile, Yatra sang his fan-favorite “Dos Oroguitas” from Encanto, which is now Oscar-nominated, and gave a show-stopping performance of his recent hit “Tacones Rojos.”

Shawn Mendes and Sebastián Yatra Perform at Samsung + Billboard Presents The Stage at SXSW at Moody Amphitheater in Austin, TX on March 19, 2022. Photos by Chris Carrasquillo and Karl Walter for Billboard.

If you’re in Ohio, you need to see Journey when they hit the Hall of Fame Village as part of the Concert For Legends on August 6th. Tickets go on sale on April 1st, so set your reminders and keep an eye out for the announcement of the opening act on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

And for those on the west coast, groups like Everclear, Soul Asylum, and Fastball are teaming up for the ultimate nostalgic show at the Flannel Nation Festival, which will take over Port of Los Angeles on August 13th. Be sure to grab your tickets and stay updated on Facebook and Instagram!

In a slightly different vein, Metallica is teaming up with The Coda Collection for a selection of concert movies and documentaries available right here! The specials will offer fans a new perspective of the iconic performances and songs they’ve come to know and love, as well as offering the streaming debut of their 1992 documentary A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica, which focused on the creation of their Quebec Magnetic album.

March 24th: “Cunning Stunts” and “Orgullo, Pasión, y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México”
March 31st: Metallica 40th Anniversary LIVE (Night One)
April 7th: Metallica 40th Anniversary LIVE (Night Two)
April 21st: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica
May 19th: Quebec Magnetic
June 9th: Français Pour Une Nuit

In Memoriam: Taylor Hawkins

We send our condolences and love to the family, friends, bandmates, and fans of Taylor Hawkins, the legendary drummer of Foo Fighters. Hawkins has built a beautiful legacy of not only incredible musicianship, but also inspiring so many to pick up their own drumsticks and pursue their dreams. May his memory and legacy carry on for decades to come.

Warning: The performance video below contains flashing images – viewer discretion is advised for people with photosensitivity.