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Music News: How's the Queen biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'
Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'Fox
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by Jay Gabler

October 26, 2018

Above, listen to an episode of The Current's daily Music News podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. You can also sign up for a daily Music News e-mail.


Bohemian Rhapsody, the new Queen biopic, hits theaters on Friday, Nov. 2. In today's episode of our Music News podcast, Jade and I talk about the movie, which we caught in a preview screening — and also break down the soundtrack, which includes live recordings including the band's legendary Live Aid set from 1985. Click above to hear the conversation!

This week's new music releases also include...

Ty Segall: Fudge Sandwich

The prolific Ty Segall just released his fourth album of 2018, and there's even a fifth if you count a very limited-edition tape associated with his L.A. art show. Fudge Sandwich is easier to come by, and it's a collection of covers from the late '60s and early '70s. "Segall says Fudge Sandwich was made just for fun and that's exactly what you'll have listening to it," writes the Associated Press.

Robyn: Honey

It's here: Robyn's first new album in eight years. And yes, it rules. The 40-minute Honey is full of sparkling synthpop that will totally scratch that itch you've been having since Body Talk blew your mind and dragged you to the dance floor in 2010. It's a quieter album, more pulsing than banging, but Robyn's longing lyrics are as relatable as ever, and it climaxes with the poignantly hopeful final track. With this album in your pocket, you might just feel like Robyn: that you're never going to be brokenhearted ever again.

Boygenius: Boygenius

The supergroup of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus has released their debut EP, and it's "all too brief," says Pitchfork in a rave review. Dayna Evans calls it "a blueprint for how to do a supergroup right: elevate each other's individual talents, seamlessly blend your distinct-but-simpatico genres, and sing like hell together in lung-shattering harmony."

Tyler, The Creator: "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

The Grinch has always been a character for people who love to hate Christmas, and Tyler the Creator plays into that grumpy glee with his new take on the classic song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

The song was originally written for the 1966 animated TV special based on Dr. Seuss's 1957 picture book How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, with lyrics by Dr. Seuss himself and originally performed by the legendary Thurl Ravenscroft (a.k.a. Tony the Tiger).

It's since been covered by everyone from RuPaul to Mannheim Steamroller to Darius Rucker to the Glee cast to Jim Carrey, who sang it as part of his starring role in the 2000 live-action movie about the Grinch.

Now the Grinch is coming back in computer-animated form, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch in a movie opening on Nov. 9. Odd Future's breakout leader Tyler the Creator puts a hip-hop spin on the song for a single that's out now.


Songs sampled in podcast
Jahzzar: "Comedie" (CC BY 4.0)
BoxCat Games: "Against the Wall" (CC BY 3.0)
Queen: "Radio Ga Ga"
Ty Segall: "Low Rider"
Robyn: "Ever Again"
Boygenius: "Me and My Dog"
Tyler, The Creator: "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"