Something for the Weekend; D-Block Europe, Taylor Swift & TOMORROW X TOGETHER release new music today

Of course, Taylor Swift is dominating the trend today, with the release of another re-recorded version of one of her earlier works, while headliners for this weekend’s Wireless Festival, D-Block Europe, have contributed their latest efforts ahead of their Sunday performance at Finsbury Park, London.

There’s also something new from the soundtrack to the upcoming “Barbie” movie, which already has elicited my interest at least. Billie Eilish has recently confirmed she will be part of the soundtrack that already boasts Ice Spice (another Wireless Festival performer this weekend), HAIM and Dua Lipa - who is still copping some flak for the audacity not performing with Sir Elton John at Glastonbury.

Special shout out to a third Wireless Festival 2023 group also, who dropped a surprise three track EP earlier this week; FLO, the UK’s great all-female R&B hope who have been likened to SWV and at times En Vogue (mainly from us of a certain age), have also dropped a bonus track featuring Bellah, which if the sun remains out for you, is a pretty good way to finish your Friday work day.

Enough conjecture and posturing - what has caught my attention for the weekend ahead?

D-Block Europe - Potential

For those of you going to Wireless Festival 2023, perhaps it’s apt to start off with the latest track from South London collective D-Block Europe. With their single “Overseas” already amassing nearly 150 million plays on Spotify, it could be easy to write off their music for the use of auto-tune, but it compliments the musicianship the collective have created. 

Good auto-tune is still good, and they should without question be getting a hometown hero welcome as they headline Sunday at Finsbury Park this weekend. They’re progressively growing so I’m waiting for critical mass to occur when those who don’t know, finally do.

Taylor Swift - I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)

Taylor Swift continues to re-record her works that are owned by Scooter Braun, with “I Can’t See You (Taylor’s Version)” the latest offering, but with a twist - a certain change in some lyrics including a question in the PeopleWorld office; who is the Emma in question when Taylor sings “when Emma falls in love.”

Congratulations to all the lottery winners also that received their pre-release codes to see Taylor Swift play in the United Kingdom next year also. Fingers and toes crossed now you’ve reached the final hurdle - buying the tickets themselves.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER featuring The Jonas Brothers - Do It Like That

Regular PeopleWorld visitors will be familiar with our collective enjoyment of K-Pop, with articles extolling the virtues of BTS, BLACKPINK and EXO. Add TOMORROW X TOGETHER to that list with the release of “Do It Like That,” a collaboration with The Jonas Brothers. 

Very much fitting with every expectation people may have regarding the hyper-bubbly production that K-Pop has become renowned for, it’s a testament once again that when pop music is done well, it’s done really well. More to come on the website for TOMORROW X TOGETHER, we promise.

Lauran Hibberd - Honda Civic

Paramore getting back together and now supporting Taylor Swift during her European tour dates, Avril Lavigne getting a bit of a career retrospective, that pop-punk sound is starting to surface once again much like nu-metal made a bit of a stir a couple of months ago. Interestingly, Lauran Hibberd worked with DJ Lethal on her 2022 album, “Garageband Superstar.”

The Isle of Wight performer is one of the latest to emerge from the always bubbling under pop-punk scene, with her break up song as catchy as the first time you heard “Sk8r Boi” or for the more indier-than-thou out there, elements of Be Your Own Pet. I’m happy to hand in my “indie cred” card for the admission; I really like the song - just send me the forwarding address.

Fifty Fifty - Barbie Dreams (featuring Kaliii)

The duality of a human being is set to be demonstrated come July 21st; for the optimistic of us, no doubt we’ll all be off to see Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the eagerly awaited “Barbie” movie. For the more jaded and cynical of us, there’s “Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan.

But musically, I have to give credit to the soundtrack for the “Barbie” film; in particular, FIFTY FIFTY’s track featuring Kaliii. It’s perfectly sugary sweet, hyper-kinetic bouncy pop that you would expect to appear on the soundtrack to the film given the press images and ridiculous amount of pink involved. Even if you’re not a fan of “Barbie”, the interpolation of Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” for it’s ultra hooky intro and chorus.