Music Media Review

Happy 4th of July 250 ! Celebrating this milestone Independence Day weekend, let's flashback the last time U.S. did from bicentennial 's weekend: July 4, 1976 . I picked 10 songs from that weekend's top 40 of the Hot 100 , curating a perfect party playlist for you to enjoy.  Bicentennial Playlist: “A Fifth of Beethoven” - Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off...

What will be 2026's Song of the Summer ? My theory is Justin Bieber 's "Speed Demon" . This song has come out of nowhere, and isn't  from 2026! Find out what led this tune zooming through radio charts , and how its origin is defying odds the music industry didn't see coming.  Justin Bieber's YouTube Channel SWAG , SWAG II ,  (2025) "Yukon" at 2026 Grammys Coachella (Weekend 1) - 4/11/26; Setlist C...

Kicking off Summer 2026 and Fathers Day weekend, Keith Urban recorded yacht rock cover album  flow state . Rock journalist, podcast host, and a great friend from my radio days Eric Senich, co-hosts this track-by-track review.  Yacht Rock links: Yacht or Nacht , Masterclass' Yacht Rock article ,  Sirius/XM's Yacht Rock channels , Amazon Music , Pandora, Yacht Rock Revue ,  Yacht Rock web series  Er...

Disney/Pixar   are making movie and music history. Spanning over 30 years,  Toy Story 5  will be released in theaters June 19th, and  Taylor Swift  composed the new movie theme ! Reliving this childhood franchise, recap the movies and themes songs in this episode.  Films: Toy Story (1995) , Toy Story 2 (1999) , Toy Story 3 (2010) , Toy Story 4 (2019) Toy Story 30 Years & Beyond - 20/20 Special...

Rock is having big viral moments , including a father and daughter releasing albums spring 2026. Foo Fighters put out their 12th album  Your Favorite Toy , and Violet Grohl (eldest daughter of frontman Dave Grohl) reawakens '90s punk/grunge in  Be Sweet to Me . I review both albums, tying personal effects curating the new songs.   Your Favorite Toy 's YouTube playlist The Hannukah Sessions (2020-2...

Younger country singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves is back with a new album guiding herself through life. Her 7th album Middle of Nowhere   came out May 1st, combining songwriters she's worked on her past albums playing country, folk, and alternative. Collectively, the record fits in her discography with guest vocalists and Tejano instrumentation. I give my track-by-track review as a dedicated fan....

My favorite singer Janet Jackson turned 60 on May 16th ! Fans are admiring the private stance she opted out of her late brother's Michael Jackson 's current biopic Michael , re-discovering her terrific music! The Jacksons threw Janet a big party to celebrate, and The Grammys inducted one of her songs in their Hall of Fame. As a fan, I'll share my wide admiration of her and content to check out her...

The 61st ACM Awards return May 17th 8pm/e on Amazon Prime Video , Twitch , and national country radio simulcasts . Despite the 60th ceremony taking place last year, celebs and fans weren't pleased with the turnout. This caused ACM to make internal changes, and diversify 2026's ballot . Before its televised broadcast, I predict how 9 of the awards will result:  Music Event of the Year, Song of the...

The Devil Wears Prada 's loosely based on author Lauren Weisberger's experience working at Vogue. 20th Century Fox adapted her 2003 book in 2006's film . Covering fashion, business, relationships, and social life, the movie changed pop culture and now the sequel is 20 years later. Female driven musically and societal, The Devil Wears Prada  2 's hitting nerves in fashion, magazine, and print media...

Noah Kahan 's an authentic modern folk singer, reawakened over the response fans feel through his music. Emotionally overcoming mental health struggles, he's ready to move on positively with his Vermont family backing him up. Two new projects presenting his stories are Netflix documentary  Noah Kahan: Out of Body ,  and deluxe album The Great Divide: The Last Of The Bugs .  Following up from episo...

Two postponements and 3 years later, later Michael Jackson has a new biopic ! Released after his 2009 death, Universal Pictures / Lionsgate took a unique direction constructing its script and casting . Michael's nephew Jaafar Jackson stars and resembles his late uncle! I input my review how the movie timelines and compare it to other existing media sharing similar qualities.  MJ The Musical  The J...

ARTEMIS II   is NASA 's latest successful moon voyage. The whole world welcomed the positive distraction, and uniting peacefully. A highlight for space travel and 2026, I inspired this themed playlist adding in the fun.  ARTEMIS II Wake Up Playlist Episode Playlist: “Space Oddity” - David Bowie (1969) “Fly Me to the Moon” - Frank Sinatra (1967) “Man on the Moon” - R.E.M. (1992) “Rocket Man” - Elto...

Four promo singles later, Ella Langley 's Dandelion album is out! Her humble growth inspired its conception, especially with current country/pop #1 "Choosin' Texas ". Will the record withstand same longevity like the top hit? I overview the singles' beforehand success, then summarize rest of the tracks' themes.  I recommend hearing  Episode 4 and Episode 6 to preview this new one.  Dandelion 's pr...

Red Hot Chili Peppers are one on my favorite and greatest rock bands of all time! Their zany music has lasted 4 decades, now the lineup is ready to share stories in 2 new projects. The Rise of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hileel ,   and Flea's first album  Honora .   As a dedicated fan, I give my review of both works in this episode.  Interviews: Zane Lowe Show, Tonight Show , Finding Yo...

Celebrating the 20th anniversary since Disney Channel aired Hannah Montana , Disney+ filmed a reunion documentary , and iHeartRadio Music Awards gave Miley Cyrus an Innovator award . Growing up publicly and personally, she's lucky maintaining self-control living a wild life, and shaping her pop music career. Looking back, I countdown 10 solo hits I recommend.  Miley Cyrus Top 10: 10. “II Most Want...

Noah Kahan is a contemporary folk singer , sharing mental health issues through his music. He aims it'll help others like him, and established a non-profit to help others like him. With his upcoming album The Great Divide , the title track voices his growth, and so will a Netflix documentary looking into his private life. Inspiring resilience just in time for spring's beginnings, I give my review...

We've watched  Harry Styles   grow up publicly and musically for 15 years. From UK's The X Factor , One Direction , and a solo global pop artist! To review his 4th album  Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally , I interviewed Seeing Them Live 's podcast host Charles Zona, and his teenage daughter. They share great stories as Harry's biggest fans, and seeing his concerts!  Harry's promo cameos: 202...

2026's music is off to a country start. Megan Moroney 's 3rd album 'Cloud 9' debuted #1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums, and 200 simultaneously ! It's record breaking for her career, and coinciding  with Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" back to Hot 100 top spot ! What could've made ' Cloud 9 ' s "3rd time the charm" luck? Music, fans, or marketing? I analyze the facts and let you decide in this e...

Breaking a 10-year solo hiatus, Bruno Mars just released his new album   The Romantic ! Recapping his 15+ years music career, we explore the different styles he's composed and sang. Hear my critique comparisons of Bruno's  discography , and his other 2026 plans.  Romantic Radio - synopsis and rerun schedule iHeartRadio's Love Songs Channel Promo short video / livestream clip Mentioned Media: R&amp...

Billboard history has been made so soon on 2026's charts. An astonishing one is by modern country singer, Ella Langley . Her song "Choosin' Texas" spanned over late 2025, recently hit #1 on the Hot 100 ! Aside from this crossover success, this track has set records for recent country songs, and broke a milestone streak since a famous female earned her #1 topping the Hot 100 and Hot Country. In thi...

Happy Valentine's Day! Music exchanges are popular amongst our loved ones, a popular theme trending since New Years' is the year  2016 ! So much music and pop culture from then, remain topical in 2026! Its nostalgia is cheering up globally, let's time warp replaying our favorite 2016 love songs for Valentine's Day. (I've listed other obscure cuts I enjoy below.).  2016 Love Songs Playlist : “Make...

Super Bowl LX (60) is upon us! There's divide Bad Bunny doing the Halftime Show, but he's not the first Latin artist to do so and was invited back a  second time. I recap prior broadcasts when Latin singers performed Super Bowl Halftime Shows, and other programming NFL's partnering with celebrities. Super Bowl Latin Halftime Show Performers: XXVI: ( 1992) -  Gloria Estefan XXXIII: (1999 ) - Gloria...

What better way to begin a new podcast, talking about the upcoming Grammys! The 68th ceremony is airing 2/1 on CBS and Paramount+ for a final airing. ABC acquired the rights starting 2027-2037.   Will pop culture influence winning results? I analyze 6 categories trending 2025's music scene. Hear my virtual ballot, then view before and after the show on our social media pages. Grammys pre-show will...

Welcome, I'm Jess. After hosting Music Notes with Jess for 6 years, I'm restarting a second podcasting chapter. Keeping up with modern music's rapid industry, I'll share my weekly opinions about all kinds of media: songs, TV, movies, holidays, make playlists, tributes, and celebrations. Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Become a supporter of this podcast: https:/...