Shout Out Louds: Sky and I (Himlen)

Swedish indie-pop quartet Shout Out Louds return with “Sky and I (Himlen),” the melodic third single from their forthcoming sixth full-length album, House, out 18 February. The band’s keyboardist, Bebban Stenborg, takes on lead vocals for the track and brings life to thoughtful lyrics that address identity and isolation. An official music video directed by Shout Out Louds bassist Ted Malmros finds Stenborg driving a …

Ronnie Spector: You’d Be Good For Me

Ronnie Spector, best known as the lead singer of quintessential ’60s girl group the Ronettes, has died at 78 years old. Born Veronica Bennett in Spanish Harlem, she formed the trio with older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley, in 1957. They soon became a popular live act in NYC, but their biggest hit—”Be My Baby” (with its opening drum beats making it …

OkayPlayer’s James Mtume Playlist

Musician, producer, singer/songwriter and activist James Mtume sadly passed away this week. While many know him for his band’s 1983 hit “Juicy Fruit”—which was famously sampled in Notorious BIG’s “Juicy”—Mtume was remarkably prolific far beyond and for many decades, oftentimes behind the scenes. He was a session player with Don Cherry and Herbie Hancock, rose to prominence as part of Miles Davis’ ensemble and, in …