Music opinion: Record labels - The birth of a career and the death of autonomy
In 1993, O(+>, more famously known as Prince, appeared in public after having changed his stage name to an unpronounceable code and with the word ‘SLAVE’ drawn on his cheek.
This was not one of the pop star’s many artistic statements. Rather, it was a calculated effort to draw attention to the predatory relationship between him and his record label, Warner Bros.
More than three decades later, this dismal tale has unfortunately not stayed an anomaly.
It has become emblematic of the music industry at large and how record labels continue to create 'slaves' out of musicians.
Artists continue to sign their rights away, one exploitative contract at a time, writes Music News Blitz’s Arwen Lehmann.
Music opinion: Why does every song now have multiple versions?
Songs don’t really have only one version anymore, writes Music News Blitz’s Fatima Azize.
If you hear something once, that’s not necessarily actually the version that sticks.
There could be a sped-up version. Or a slowed one. Or some random remix trending on TikTok that makes you forget what the original even sounded like.
It’s weird because this didn’t used to happen.
There used to just be the song - maybe a remix if it was big enough - but that felt like an extra, not the main thing.
Now it feels like releasing one version is just the starting point.
Music opinion: Are fans taking concert culture too far?
There is loving an artist, and then there is wearing an adult nappy so you do not lose your spot at the barricade, writes Music News Blitz’s Fatima Aziz.
Mood-boosting music: Six songs to lift your spirits
Summer is in full swing, the World Cup is on, and the only thing missing is a really good playlist.
If you’re in need of a musical pick-me-up, Music News Blitz writer Megan Hamilton has compiled six songs to lift your spirits: some oldies-but-goodies, some new hits, and some songs waiting for you to discover them.
Music opinion: Five 2020s electronic duos that are breaking out of the underground
At the forefront of any advancement within the electronic soundscape is an electronic duo, writes Music News Blitz’s Arwen Lehmann.
In the 2020s, the ‘electronic duo’ has evolved in the seductive shadows of the underground, reinventing the genre one project at a time.
Here are five electronic duos that are changing the face of electronic music and could be the defining electronic artists of the 2020s in the coming years.
Music opinion: Five movie soundtracks that have stood the test of time
I can’t be the only person who, without fail, always leaves the cinema with a new favourite song.
As exciting as the new music is, however, some soundtracks just stick, no matter how long it’s been since watching the film.
Music News Blitz’s Megan Hamilton explores her top five timeless movie soundtracks.
Music opinion: The feminist question of Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter has quickly become a name few would fail to recognise.
Known for her playful innuendos and witty humour, her songs have gripped the Western world since the 2024 release of “Espresso”.
However, provocative language and chosen aesthetics have resulted in strong public opinion on the feminist position of the star.
With our celebrities continuing to shape wider society, the debate is an undeniably important one.
Yet while much of that debate centres on whether Carpenter's brand of femininity is empowering or regressive, her tendency to provoke political discussion without substantially contributing to it leaves the conversation frustratingly unresolved, writes Music News Blitz’s Katie Slater.
Music opinion: How Tame Impala has influenced an entirely new genre of music
Unlike typical artists who rely on melodies and instruments to define their sound, Tame Impala’s signature sound is created solely through production.
With lyrics more as the accompaniment of the rhythm, the layers and psychedelic waves come together to create a distinctive and unconventional sound that has become the soundtrack for 2026.
So, how has this unique blend become so popular amongst Gen Z audiences? Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan explores.
Music opinion: Why music biopics such as ‘Michael’ have become so popular
Since the release of the latest biopic, ‘Michael,’ based on the life of Michael Jackson, it has brought to light the growing trend of biographical films based on iconic musicians.
With narratives showcasing the legendary chapters of each star's life, audiences can witness the rise and downfall of fame, driving both nostalgia for older audiences, whilst simultaneously introducing younger viewers to some of the most influential performers in popular culture.
From Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ to Elton John in ‘Rocketman,’ and ‘Elvis,’ based on Elvis Presley, audiences have shown a strong interest in stories that explore the people behind the music, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
Music opinion: Have phones killed the concert experience - and should they be banned?
In the digital era, with social media at the height of our connections, the desire to capture every moment is at the tip of our fingers.
But what for? Proof to everyone else that we’re having a good time?
This problematic issue has been particularly prevalent across TikTok, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
Music opinion: 12 songs you need to have in your summer playlists
With summer fast approaching, and the weather making it feel like it already has, Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill explores 12 songs that are necessary for the playlists you’ll blast on your summer drives this year.
Music reaction online content: Unlocking your personal perspective or constraining it?
Music News Blitz writer Zach Heynes explores the online phenomenon of music reactions, a subgenre of content creation where influencers share their live reactions to a song or album.
Great films, greater soundtracks - underrated music from popular films
Music News Blitz’s Zach Heynes discusses three standout scores from already popular films to shine a light on an aspect of the cinematic experience that warrants some more credit.
10 years of La La Land: How a perfect musical film was created
A movie that achieved huge successes on every front was bound to have brilliant music, but the end product provided by Justin Hurwitz is breathtaking.
With Damien Chazelle as director, fans of music-heavy films were already well aware of his work with Justin Hurwitz from the brilliant 2014 film, Whiplash.
Released in the summer of 2016, La La Land picked up an Academy award for both ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Original Song’ (City of Stars).
The connection between what is shown on screen and what is heard from the score feels perfectly seamless.
Wonderfully orchestrated pieces of music match the vivid and energetic scenes which create some of the finest cinematic experiences in any film, writes Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Music opinion: Why I won’t be watching the new Michael Jackson film — and why you shouldn’t either
As someone who practically lived in a trillby and makeshift sock glove as a child, my opinions on the new biopic “Michael” are something I write as a formerly devoted fan of the pop-superstar Michael Jackson.
While hearing even the introduction of ‘Billie Jean’ still stirs deep nostalgia, it is safe to say this is not enough to justify this film in today’s climate for me.
With ongoing high-profile abuse scandals dominating public discourse, my concerns come from the long history of accusations of child sexual exploitation made against the star.
Music News Blitz writer Katie Slater unpacks this tension.
Music opinion: Women are making jazz cool again
Jazz originated within African-american communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th century.
It became popular globally during the prohibition era in the 1920s and was the main genre until the 1940s and 1950s when Bebop rose in prominence.
Popular jazz artists include Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and John Coltrane – an era that was defined mostly by the male artists of the time.
The 1950s and 1960s solidified that jazz was no longer a main genre, instead being replaced by Rock & roll.
In recent years, jazz has had a resurgence, with female artists at the forefront, writes Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.
Music Opinion: Zara Larsson’s ‘Girls Trip’ transforms ‘Midnight Sun’ into a collaborative playground
Following on from the cult success of ‘Midnight Sun’, Zara Larsson has opted to remix the sound into a new collaborative women-centred album, ‘Girl’s Trip’ - in perfect time to take summer 2026 by storm.
In ode to a girl’s trip, Music News Blitz’s Macy Wright takes us on a trip of our own through the artistic new album.
Five music artists who you may not know have been inspired by global folk or classical music
Art cannot exist without outside influence and throughout history, we have seen this reflected within popular music.
Music analysis: A look at how divorce curates career-defining albums
Women have always had a foothold in the music industry, their creativity transcending the glass ceilings that have otherwise subjugated them in other fields, writes Music News Blitz’s Isaac James.
Music news: A new era for Blossoms with new single ‘Joke About Divorce’
This is the first bit of music we are hearing from Blossoms since their album Gary in 2024. Should fans anticipate more to come?
Music News Blitz writer Bella Ford shares her thoughts…