March 29, 2024

On the Radar: Eminem’s Surprise LP, The Orwells Breakup, Muse Announce New LP + More

Chicago Music

Kick off the week by catching up on the hottest music news with the latest edition of On the Radar.

Eminem Drops Surprise Album ‘Kamikaze’

Last Friday, Eminem surprise the world with a new album dubbed Kamikaze. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and Eminem, it includes the song from the Venom soundtrack, which he previously teased. The record features guest spots from Joyner Lucas, Royce Da 5’9,” Jessie Reyez, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. If the artwork looks familiar it’s because it’s a homage to Beastie Boys’ License to Ill.

For this album, Eminem goes full savage laying into his haters and critics. And he speaks out about the reaction to his critically panned LP, Revival. On the “Fall,” he raps “Last year didn’t work out too well for me.” He also talks about it on “Lucky You:” “I took an L when I dropped my last album/ It hurt me like hell but I’m back on these rappers.” Check out the tracklisting and listen to the album here.

The Orwells break up amid sexual misconduct allegations

The Orwells are no more. Days after sexual abuse allegations surfaced, the band announced they’re breaking up. They posted the news on Twitter saying “The Orwells have disbanded.” Last weekend, a number of sexual abuse allegations were made against band members Mario Cuomo, Henry Brinner, and Grant Brinner, detailed in an extensive Reddit thread. The accusations included sexual interactions with underage girls, sending unsolicited nudes and videos, and rape.

The Orwells first responded to the news by canceling their hometown show at the Metro. They also released a statement denying the allegations calling them “baseless” and “brought as a personal attack against us.”

“While callow altercations and vulgar language we’ve used in the past must be recognized and owned up to, the accusations of sexual assault are completely unfounded,” the garage rockers continued. “No member of this band has ever acted without consent or maliciously taken advantage of anyone.”

Muse announce new album ‘Simulation Theory’

British rock band Muse have announced their new album Simulation Theory, out November 9 via Warner Bros. Records. The follow up to 2015’s Drones was self-produced by the band along with Rich Costey, Mike Elizondo, Shellback, and Timbaland. Along with the announcement, they also shared the new music video for the song “The Dark Side.” This marks the fourth song they’ve released from the upcoming LP, following “Dig Down,” “Though Contagion,” and “Something Human.”

Simulation Theory will be available in three formats: the standard edition, a deluxe edition, which features 16 tracks, and the Super Deluxe featuring 21 tracks. Bonus songs include an acoustic gospel version of “Dig Down,” “Pressure” featuring a UCLA Bruin Marching Band, a live version of “Thought Contagion,” acoustic renditions of various tracks including “Something Human,” and “Alternate Reality” version of “Algorithm” and “The Dark Side.” Pre-order the album here.

Upcoming Shows

Guess who’s back, back again? Eminem returns to Chicago to play the United Center Wednesday, September 5. Get your tickets here.

Critical darlings Car Seat Headrest hits up the Riviera Theatre with special guest Naked Giants Friday, September 7. Grab tickets before they sell out.

Electronic artist Virtual Self plays the Aragon Ballroom with Utopia System Friday, September 7. You still have a chance to get tickets here.

Catch Fidlar on their A North American Tour with Dilly Dally and Nobro Saturday, September 8 at The Vic. Grab tickets here.

Chicago Artist Spotlight: Derek Brown

Tinley Park resident Derek Brown is not your ordinary saxophone player. He’s a one-man music making machine. Brown was the director of Jazz studies at Abilene Christian University for six years before he decided to focus on his music career. He’s clearly a talented sax player, but it’s his unique “BEATBoX SAX” style that will leave you in awe. Not only does he lay down a smooth riff, he beatboxes while playing and even finds time to sing. It all comes together for an unbelieve experience. When he’s not creating his own music, he’s playing in other bands and projects around the world.

He released his second album, FiftyFifty, last week and in support of the release, he’s heading out on tour. Brown’s current trek finds him playing shows in all US states, which he kicked off in Chicago proper. Check out the dates and get tickets here. Pick up a copy of the new album here. For the latest updates make sure to follow Brown on Twitter and Facebook.