It’s the first of June which means the first official day of summer is around the corner! Whether you are putting together your summer playlist or looking to discover your next favorite artist, you’ve come to the right place. This week is packed with new music and… wait for it… a new movie. We have Tower of Power’s “cranial-crushing funk amalgamation of soul, vintage, R&B, groove, pop and rock” (Glide), Swedish pop/R&B singer/songwriter/producer Lucas Nord’s brand new EP and writer-director Bart Layton’s latest film that combines documentary film making with drama, crime and comedy. All of these releases are a unique artistic combination of their own and they’re all Out Today!
50 years strong, but still funky as ever, Tower of Power celebrates their golden anniversary with the release of their newest album Soul Side of Town through Artistry Music. Emilio Castillo, leader of the group, explains in a Billboard interview how the band set out to make “the best record of our career.” When all was said and done they had finished 28 songs, choosing 14 of the best for this album. You’ll hear a twist of modern and classic as the songs combine vibrant vibes with a wide range of electrifying sounds – its pure soulful excellence. Watch their powerful BBC performance with Jools Holland below before gettin’ groovy with the rest of the album here!
Stockholm-based DJ Lucas Nord delivers another set of awesome beats with his new EP Ego through Bisous. Nord is best known for the single “Run on Love” featuring Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo released in 2013. The song reached number one on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart, giving Nord his first U.S. chart-topper. Since, he has released three albums, Islands, After You, and Company. In a recent interview with Somewhere Magazine, Nord explains how he’s been working on this five-track EP for quite some time. “I had these five that I really liked so I decided to reproduce everything and do it all myself. I produced, mixed, and mastered the whole EP, except for ‘Different Songs’ which I co-produced by Zach and Roger.” Check out Nord on Live @ East FM performing “Care Enough” below before dancing your way through the rest of the EP!
13 years ago, four teenagers set out to steal millions of dollars worth of rare books from a local college. The story behind this bizarre heist comes to theaters today in American Animals. Written and directed by Bart Layton, the film blends recreations with real-life participants, telling the story of the crime with a comedic edge. The film starring Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival last January. So as you are plotting your weekend plans (get it?), be sure to include this Sundance sensation that Rolling Stone says is “Un-F***ing-Believable. A high-style caper. You won’t stop talking about.” Now playing in a theater near you.
Thanks for joining us for this week’s Out Today. See you next week with more great releases!
