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Last week, we were all charmed by the story about how Brooklyn indie band Here We Go Magic randomly picked up John Waters hitchhiking in Ohio. But why was John Waters hitchhiking in Ohio? Because he is writing a book, tentatively titled Carsick, about his eight-day cross-country trip. He says everyone was "lovely." Good job on your manners, America!
Frolicking by a helicopter. Booty shorts. Makeup-free and stunning. Sitting on a photo-strewn floor, giddy after an all-nighter. That's right, new mommy Beyoncé is back, and she's spent the past month prepping for her comeback concert tonight at the grand opening of Revel resort and casino in Atlantic City. The just-released "making of" video doesn't reveal too much, but we do know "Halo" — which Beyoncé hadn't sung in over a year — is on the set list and that we can expect some good ol' chair dancing, interpretive ballet, and fan-waving backup. But this is Beyoncé! She'd never give away the really good stuff.
So, Song of Summer enthusiasts, have you heard Icona Pop's "I Love It" yet? Do you love it? If so, Vulture's Amanda Dobbins has five more international indie-pop jams for your barbecuing pleasure.
The outtakes from Amy Wallace's must-read D'Angelo profile — it's here! — include some speculation about the track list for his third album. What do we learn? It will maybe include the songs he debuted in Europe ("Ain't That Easy, "Sugar Daddy," and "The Charade") along with a fourth song, "1000 Deaths," which she describes in dark detail. The album isn't quiiite locked down yet, but! It's only May. Believe in 2012.
Riffing briefly with Hot 97 this morning, Eminem confirmed his next solo album — speculated as the reason he's not doing that Kurt Sutter boxing movie anymore, or at least right now — is under way. The relevant bits, delivered in Eminem-ish fashion: "I'm kinda getting into my next record a little bit" and he's "starting to toy" with it. But first comes the Shady Records debut of Slaughterhouse, featuring Slim's buddy Royce da 5'9" and three other Friends of Em, on June 12. Marshall executive produced.
Randy Newman may proclaim, "I Love L.A.," but Los Angeles is deeper, richer, and more vibrant than that shouty stream of Chamber of Commerce clichés. For an Angeleno like me, "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers comes closer to capturing the city's true vibe.
It starts out sunny: "I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion / I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am / She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy / And I never worry ... "
And then takes a dark — very L.A. — turn: " ... Now that is a lie."
Your reignited rap beef of the day comes courtesy of Pusha T, whose new The-Dream-assisted track, "Exodus 23:1" ("Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness" is the New International translation), contains some unkind statements about someone who is not named, but is probably Drake. (Remember that Pusha, unlike the rest of America, is not so charmed by the sweaters.) Unsurprisingly, Drake bestie and ancient Pusha foe Lil Wayne took exception to the song (the YMCMB jab "You signed to one n*gga that signed to another n*gga that's signed to three n*ggas / now that's bad luck" probably had something to do with it), and he's already firing back on Twitter: "Fuk Pusha t and anybody that love em." Presumably, more angry words from Wayne, Drake, and friends will follow. Peace, it is so fragile. Anyway, song's below if you're feeling feisty.
Vulture's annual Song of Summer Contest is already in full swing — here are your Steamroll Pop and Hipster Cookout nominees, by the way — but we are always on the hunt for new contenders. So when Vulture caught up with erstwhile LCD front man James Murphy at last night's Kitchen Spring Gala, we obviously went straight to the SoS. "I just made a list," he told us, but "I can't tell you [what's on it]. It's a big secret." [Editor's Note: it won't be secret for long; we'll be publishing his list in a few weeks.] We asked Murphy if he'd be willing to weigh in on Vulture's working list in the meantime, and he very graciously agreed — despite the fact that our selections were less than familiar to him. On Gotye: "Terrible! No, I don't know." Carly Rae Jepsen? "I don't know who that is." (Ouch.) What about "Wide Awake," the latest from Katy Perry? "I don't think I've heard that. I don't know it. I mean, I might have heard it but I don't know it by name."
Tonight's final showdown between Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez set a new record, according to host Ryan Seacrest. 132 million people voted in this year's contest, trumping last year's Scotty McCreery–Lauren Alaina matchup, which drew a measly 122 million votes. Oh, and for those who aren't planning a date with their DVR, the winner is ...
With an assist from the Billboard Awards, "Call Me Maybe" jumped to the No. 2 spot on this week's "Hot 100," bumping Maroon 5's "Payphone" and fun.'s "We Are Young" to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. Gotye is still No. 1, but we are so close, America. This is our time.
Party Lines Slideshow: Benjamin Walker, Hugh Dancy, and More on Vibrators and Sex Shops
Susan Sarandon, Jason Segel, Ed Helms, and More at a Screening of Jeff Who Lives at Home
Judd Apatow, Kristen Wiig, Mandy Patinkin, and More at the Writers Guild Awards East
Party Lines Slideshow: Megan Hilty, Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, and More at the Premiere of Smash
Party Lines Slideshow: Michael Fassbender, Viola Davis, George Clooney, and More at the National Board of Review Awards
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