Today sees the U.S. release of Prince’s new albums ART OFFICIAL AGE and, with his band 3RDEYEGIRL, PLECTRUMELECTRUM. Even for an artist who’s put out plenty of albums in his three-and-a-half decade career, these releases stand out. They cap over two years of increasingly public activity that have included a whirlwind U.K. tour; a barnburning set at…

You weren’t surprised to see Justin Timberlake rocking an iPad in the “Suit & Tie” video—but what if Bruce Springsteen shows up chugging a Smirnoff Ice in the “Glory Days” video? Universal Music Group is using new technology that allows them to retroactively place products in existing videos. The first musician to “participate” will be Avicii, who will…

As European fans discovered when Prince’s two new albums were released there earlier today, a song on PLECTRUMELECTRUM features Minneapolis’s own Lizzo and Sophia Eris. PLECTRUMELECTRUM is Prince’s new album with his band 3RDEYEGIRL; the other album, ART OFFICIAL AGE, is credited to Prince alone. On “BOYTROUBLE,” a girl-power romp, first Sophia Eris and then Lizzo contribute spirited raps over…

What songs about leaves (or the solitary leaf) do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break?

It’s National Coffee Day. What are your favorite coffee-themed songs by local artists? Here are a few nominations. The Jayhawks, “Five Cups of Coffee” The Andrews Sisters, “Proper Cup of Coffee” A Firm Handshake (featuring Zach Sobiech), “Coffee Cup” Pert Near Sandstone, “20 Cups of Coffee” Charlie Parr, “Coffee’s Gone Cold” Prince, “Starfish and Coffee”…

When U2‘s new album Songs of Innocence was released for free to half a billion iTunes users, it came with temporary cover art. The album’s official cover has now been revealed; it features drummer Larry Mullen Jr. embracing the midsection of his 18-year-old son. Bono says the cover represents the idea that “holding on to your own innocence is a lot harder than…

For her first album in four years, Lucinda Williams pulled out all the stops. 'Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone' is a sprawling collection featuring 20 songs, almost all written by Lucinda herself. She is one of the great songwriters of our time and an Americana legend.

Prince has always had a thing for numbers. To create his first recorded output in four years, Prince tapped a trio of musicians he found through social media to form his new band 3RDEYEGIRL. And after nearly two years of marathon jam sessions, rehearsals, and rounds of ping pong with his new bandmates and new producer, Prince ended up with not one, but…

Saturday, Sept. 27, is Cassette Store Day, and that stokes a lot of nostalgia: What was the first cassette you remember owning? What was on the best mix tape you ever made? Do you still own any cassettes? Did you ever make a tape for a potential significant other? Share your cassette-related recollections.

This Saturday, Sept. 27, is the inaugural Cassette Store Day. It’s inspired many to think back on their many audiocassette memories. Here are ten of mine. The “Scream’r” blank cassettes. Each had a nose printed on it so that the two spools looked like eyes, which I thought was awesome. My first two pre-recorded cassettes,…