Recent studies have brought about a paradigm shift in our understanding of homophily and forming connections. With the speed up of neuro tech and advanced neuroimaging techniques in the recent years, scientists have been able to achieve major breakthroughs and measure brain activity from two or more individuals simultaneously. One of the neurobiological underpinnings they have discovered is that people with similar personality traits are more likely to have the same taste in music.

This new study was conducted by Cambridge academic Dr David Greenberg. Greenberg is a psychologist, behavioural scientist, and musician. He is the founder of the Musical Universe project, which is a scientific platform that uses masses of data to advance knowledge and improve lives across cultures. Greenberg has developed multiple scientific tests on musical engagement and his research has examined music at the intersection of social science, neuroscience, genetics, and clinical treatment. Greenberg’s recent study investigated the relationship between musical preferences and our personality. The study involved more than 350,000 participants from over 50 countries and 6 continents, discovering that the link between musical preferences and personality are universal.

Greenberg does not seek to pigeonhole music-lovers, and has said: “If people who score high for neuroticism, for example, are being fed more intense music and they’re already feeling stressed and frustrated, is that helping with their anxiety or is it just reinforcing and perpetuating? These are the questions we now need to answer. Musical preferences do shift and change, they are not set in stone. And we are not suggesting that someone is just extroverted or just open.We all have combinations of personality traits and combinations of musical preferences of varying strengths. Our findings are based on averages and we have to start somewhere to begin to see and understand connections.”

Why wait? Let’s change the world now through music! I’m honored that @DiscoverMag wrote a featured article showing the social power of music and the unique role of personality. #musicscience #musictherapy #psychology @BarIlanU @Cambridge_Uni https://t.co/WeFLMFDBtn

— Dr. David Greenberg (@greenbergmusic) April 27, 2022

Some of the eye-opening findings include: “Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Shivers’ is as likely to appeal to extraverts living the UK as those living Argentina or India. Those with neurotic traits in the US are as likely to be into Nirvana’s ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’ as people with a similar personality living in Denmark or South Africa. Agreeable people all over the world will tend to like Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, or Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s ‘Shallow’. National borders cannot stop open people from replaying David Bowie’s Space Oddity or Nina Simone. It does not matter where a conscientious person lives, they are unlikely to enjoy Rage Against the Machine.”

Greenberg hopes for future research to test the links between music and personality in real-world settings as a way of seeing how music can be a bridge between people from different cultures around the globe.

Read more about the findings from the study here.

Listen to a podcast featuring Greenberg discussing what are music taste says about us here.

Whilst speaking backstage at East London’s ‘All Points East’ Festival, Kayne explained her recent track is part of a new project, saying: “This next project is about my experience in London, and in this industry as well, ‘Rat Race’ is about my perception on London and how everything is so fast, and you’ve got to keep up. It delves into that. It’s a bit of a brain-fart that one, but I love it.” Kayne was conflicted about whether she wanted to release the track publicly, adding, “It’s definitely a diary entry tune, and it’s wicked that people love that stuff. I didn’t really think that was going to come out when I first wrote it, so it’s rewarding.”

@willowkayne Rat Race, out 22nd August. Pre save link in bio #JustJack #fyp #newmusic ♬ Rat Race – Willow Kayne

The genre-blurring pop provocateur picked up the Rising Star Award at the Ivor Novello Awards back in 2021. This award allowed her the opportunity to work and receive mentorship from ‘Chic’ icon and legend, Nile Rodgers. Kayne explained that the experience taught her that there’s no, “crazy, tactical formula to making a banger. There’s no real ‘this is what you have to do to make a banger’. It’s just going with it, which was very lucky to hear actually, it released a lot of stress.”  Nile Rodgers has called Kayne a “genuine star in the making.”

Willow released another single in July this year named,”White City”. She described the inspiration for this tune on her instagram, stating, “I wrote this song as a diary entry about London last year. It’s crazy to see history/communities being knocked down and replaced with these gigantic skyscrapers that nobody can afford to live in. Having the two extremes of wealth and poverty right on the same street, not just in White City but everywhere here it seems. “Everyone in the place is seeing a different sunshine” I always think it when I walk down the street in my area, we all have such different perceptions of this place as our home, different views of the same exact place”

Kayne’s genre-fused style has developed from her early upbringing and the eclectic taste of music both her parents had. In an interview Kayne said, “I used to think I wanted to be a pop star, but I’ve realised that’s kind of limiting. If I can change the direction that pop can be, then that’s what success sounds like to me to be honest.”

Willow’s up and coming tour dates:

Most of us would wholeheartedly agree, that music is one of the healing luxuries we have in life that can transport us, and help elicit positive feelings of joy and euphoria. Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain” and according to some studies, this statement may be true. Our culture has erroneously taught us that we should find ways to get rid of negative feelings, rather than truly experience them. Music is one of the forms of escapism humans often turn to when it comes to escaping negative emotions, or to help them sit with those emotions and listen to what they’re trying to tell you.

According to a major study, Britain is a psychologically fragile society in which increased wealth has impacted soaring levels of individual isolation and stress. The Power of Music is a collaborative project between UK Music and Music For Dementia, which aims to illustrate how music can play more of a role in improving health and wellbeing. ‘The Power of Music’ report was recently launched at the Universal Music UK headquarters, with the goal to look at how music can support staff, create savings and generally improve healthcare services.

Grace Meadows, who is the campaign director Music for Dementia said,“The pandemic has shown us how we urgently need to reimagine health and social care in the UK.Music has a critical role to play in this and while we’re committed to making this happen, we can’t do this alone. We need leadership, public engagement and funding at the very least, including the appointment of a Power of Music Commissioner who will turn our recommendations into action. One of our biggest challenges is that many people still don’t fully appreciate the power of music, but we could begin to change that within a year. We’re calling upon the Government and leaders in the fields of health, care, music, charity and philanthropy to work together to ensure the greater use of music in social prescribing and make it a key tool in public health strategies.”

Although no real commitments have been made just yet, Nadine Dorries the UK government’s Culture Secretary who wrote the report’s foreword said: “Music can be a powerful tool. It is clear to me that more should be done to understand the social value of music, and the unique opportunities it presents to alleviate long-term and chronic conditions, including learning disabilities, depression and dementia. I look forward to working with the creative and health sectors to harness the power of music and boost its untapped potential to support health and wellbeing.”

Read the full report here.

The show has been produced by Fremantle label, Naked and distributed by A+E networks. Speaking on the release of the new series, BBC Commissioning Editor Patrick McMahon says: “I’m thrilled to welcome Krept, Konan and DJ Target back for a new series of the Rap Game UK. With epic new challenges, gripping new format twists, and some of the most talented artists we’ve ever had competing for that crown, this year’s contest looks set to be the biggest, best and toughest yet.” Naked Creative Director Tom O’Brien added, “It’s great to be bringing The Rap Game back again. With new showrunners (Trent Williams Jones and Steve Earley), a new cast and new even higher stakes, Naked can’t wait to see who will be the new winner.” 

In 2021, The Rap Game UK was most nominated for two Broadcast Digital Awards, being the Best Entertainment Programme and Best Popular Factual Programme. That year it was also nominated in the Formatted Popular Factual category in the 2021 RTS Programme Awards. The show was also nominated for a BAFTA Award back in 2020.

This years up and comings MCs taking part include, T Big Jest and JClarke, P3Lz, Mayo, Mwangi and Zoellz. The six contestants have travelled to Manchester to compete in a series of challenges aimed at showcasing their individual musical, lyrical and performance abilities. The six MCs will undertake challenges across the series whilst being guest mentored by some of the biggest names in the UK scene – and this year this includes Unknown T, Shaybo, BackRoad Gee, Leomie Anderson, D-Block Europe, Lethal Bizzle, Jaykae, and more.  The winner will gain a £20,000 cash prize, as well as a mentorship scheme to help them create and launch their own music after the contest ends.

A teaser for the opening episode of the new series that came out last Thursday shares, “DJ Target and Krept & Konan return to Manchester to search for the next big rap star. Six aspiring rappers discover that winning this series will be tougher than ever, with a twist revealed that none of them expect. Their opening challenge sees some artists make a bigger impression than others.”

You can watch the show live on BBC Three at 9pm every Thursday. You can also watch the new series online via BBC iPlayer, where the past three series are also available to stream.

The Brit winner has just released her second album today, “About Last Night…”. The album contains her new hit singles, “Let Them Know”, “Crying On The Dance Floor” and “I Wish”. In celebration of her new release, Mabel posted on Instagram today, “ABOUT LAST NIGHT OUT NOW. During lockdown I created through my music a fantasy party and a place that I could escape to in my imagination. The record is a night out with all the ups, the downs and everything in between. I’m showing you another side to me and it’s been a trip so thank you for riding with me.I hope it makes you feel confident and I that it makes you want to dance dance dance. Welcome to the party”

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A post shared by M a b e l (@mabel)

‘About Last Night…’ is Mabel’s second album, following on from her 2019 debut album “High Expectations” which held fan favourite tracks such as ‘Don’t Call Me Up’, ‘Mad Love’, ‘Finders Keepers’ and ‘Fine Line’. Mabel admitted that the traumatic events happening around the world during lockdown provided musical inspiration for this album.  She said,“It was an emotional time, obviously with George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. It was a time of a lot of reflecting for us as a family, being mixed. There was a lot of creativity based in that pain. That was a source of inspiration for me.”The break not only provided Mabel with new music but also a new outlook. I just am proud to be who I am. I am not apologetic about anything. It’s good to be humble, but it’s also okay to say positive things about yourself.”

Mabel’s “About Last Night…” tracklist:

‘About Last Night…’ (intro)

‘Animal’

‘Let Them Know’

‘Shy’

‘Definition’

‘Good Luck’ (with Jax Jones and Galantis)

‘Take Your Name’ (interlude)

‘Let Love Go’ (with Lil Tecca)

‘Overthinking’ (with 24kGoldn)

‘Crying on the Dance Floor’

‘I Love Your Girl’

‘When the Party’s Over’

‘LOL’

Digital and streaming edition

‘I Wish’ (Joel Corry featuring Mabel)

‘Deal or No Deal’ (with A1 x J1)

Apple music edition

‘Let Love Go’ (acoustic)

‘Toxic’ (acoustic)

‘Overthinking’ (slowed; with 24kGoldn)

‘Crying on the Dance Floor’ (acoustic)

The album can be ordered from Mabel’s official website here

Raye posted a statement today about her new song, stating, “I wrote this song a week after I took to Twitter to protest my freedom. I was angry, scared and desperate and I set up a microphone in my living room barefaced and puffy eyed, just me and my dear engineer Felly sat there, silence speaking louder than words, I took a deep breath and vented my sand little heart out. The original beat for this song was created years ago by the INCREDIBLE talent that is my dear Mike with an entirely different song on top of it , a song I was itching to share a long time ago. I took this instrumental, deleted the top line and wrote an entirely new story.”

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Raye then added, “This song marks the first step of my unapologetic truth and my desire to exist and speak fearlessly. I want to build a fan base who doesn’t care what genre I share with the world, but is just excited to hear my next story. I have been through a lot in the darkness. I am just so grateful for you all, this both a scary but insanely empowering time. For the first time I am in control entirely of my career and that alone has given me more life and purpose than I have ever felt before.”

Raye left Polydor Records almost a year ago after feeling like she was being somewhat controlled, as she explained in a statement: “Since I joined the label, the message was: you need to choose your sound otherwise you’re confusing people. I got it into my head that I wasn’t a real artist because I didn’t have one sound. It was, as she puts it, a real mindf**k. “When you’re told enough times that having different styles is a weakness, you start to talk down to yourself. I was looking at everyone else on the label asking myself, ‘Raye… everyone else has a clear identity; who are you?’”

Raye has articulated the liberation she feels having left the label. When speaking about her new single, she said, “It’s super angry. I was both crying and red with rage, just writing these lyrics, and capturing how I really felt in that moment. I didn’t want anything to influence what I want to express. I’m trying to tell my story, and that’s what matters. I don’t want to cater to an audience – I want the audience to love me for what I’m saying and what I want to express. “Hard Out Here” is my story, it’s not going for the charts.”

You can pre-save Raye’s new single here. The official video will be premiering tonight at 6.00pm – the link for this can be found here.

The study was conducted by Japanese scientists who examined 51 young adults in their 20s. When considering the neuroscience of our brain, it is known that the left hemisphere plays a significant part in the processing of verbal information. With this in mind, the scientists focussed primarily on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as it’s the part that is responsible for decision-making and everyday movements. Dr. Hideaki Soya, the study’s lead author, reported to ScienceDaily that,“The results were surprising. We found that groove rhythm enhanced executive function and activity in the l-DLPFC only in participants who reported that the music elicited a strong groove sensation and the sensation of being clear-headed. Groove rhythms elicit groove sensations and positive affective responses.” The young participants reported that the groove rhythms elicited a sensation of feeling “clear headed” as well as a strong “groove sensation”.

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The researchers also discovered that an individual’s response to a particular groove will depend on their own personal background (musical preferences, musical processing skills, and culture). They added, “Our findings indicate that individual differences in psychological responses to groove music modulate the corresponding effects on executive function. As such, the effects of groove rhythm on human cognitive performance may be influenced by familiarity or beat processing ability”. Furthermore, the researchers concluded that the positive effects of groove music on executive function can have positive effects on our mental wellbeing. In addition, they emphasised the positive cognitive effects and benefits of dancing, exercising while listening to music and listening to your favourite songs. It’s also important to note that it does not have to be electronic dance music which stimulates the left prefrontal cortex, but any music that contains a groove.

So, if you weren’t tempted enough – this study is a reason in itself to book onto a music event or festival this summer.

Here are a selection of the UK music festivals coming up:

I’m so upset to see that @Dominorecordco have removed the 3 albums of mine they own from digital and streaming services. This is heartbreaking to me. People are reaching out asking why they can’t stream the music and I’m sad to have to say that it’s out of my control.

— Four Tet (@FourTet) November 21, 2021

Hebden responded to this with a statement on twitter, stating, “I’m so upset to see that Domino Records have removed the 3 albums of mine they own from digital and streaming services. This is heartbreaking to me. People are reaching out asking why they can’t stream the music and I’m sad to have to say that it’s out of my control”. After explaining that he was in an ongoing legal dispute with the record company, he added, “Earlier this week Domino’s legal representative said they would remove my music from all digital services in order to stop the case progressing.  I did not agree to them taking this action and I’m truly shocked that it has come to this. I considered the people who ran Domino to be my friends and to be driven by trying to create a great musical community. As a result Domino own 3 of my albums forever. Music I created that’s important to me and to many of you too.” 

Due to Domino Record’s calculated action, Hebden was allowed to amend his lawsuit further in order to include the removal of his music which had further breached his contract.  However, one and a half years later, it seems the electronic producer and his former record label have come to a settlement at last. Hebden announced on twitter that Domino Records had finally recognised his initial claim, resulting in him receiving 50% royalty on past and future streaming and download income. This is to be treated as a licensing income, rather than a CD or record sale.

Hebden vocalised his disappointment that the major record label will still own part of his catalogue, stating, “Sadly Domino still own parts of my catalogue for life of copyright and would not give me an option to take back ownership.I hope these types of life of copyright deals become extinct – the music industry isn’t definitive and given its evolutionary nature it seems crazy to me to try and institutionalise music in that way.” Hebden ended his post giving thanks to those who supported him through the legal dispute, saying “I feel so thankful for the people who worked with me on this, all of them understood my motivation, and I am truly grateful for all of the fans and artists who showed support for the intention here.

I have a bodacious update on my case with @Dominorecordco. They have recognised my original claim, that I should be paid a 50% royalty on streaming and downloads, and that they should be treated as a license rather than the same as a CD or vinyl sale.
(1/8)

— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022

The Chemical Brothers will play a DJ set from inside the iconic Arcadia spider on Friday 24th June between 11pm and 1am. Fan can expect to see a big show, they recent shared an Instagram post with the caption stating, “Intense rehearsals completed. Brand new intense show. We’re ready for the summer, see you in a field soon.”

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Other highlights confirmed for to perform on the Arcadia stage line up include, Carl Cox, Calvin Harris, Four Tet, DJ EZ, Kurupt FM and Camelphat B2B Patrick Topping.

See below full set times for The Pyramid and Other Stage:

Friday, June 24

The Pyramid Stage

• Billie Eilish, 10.15pm – 11.45pm
• Sam Fender, 8.15pm – 9.15pm
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, 6.15pm – 7.30pm
• Wolf Alice, 4.45pm – 5.45pm
• Crowded House, 3.15pm – 4.15pm
• Rufus Wainwright, 1.45pm – 2.45pm
• Ziggy Marley, 12.15pm – 1.15pm

The Other Stage

• Foals, 10.30pm – 11.45pm
• St. Vincent, 8.30pm – 9.30pm
• Idles, 6.45pm – 7.45pm
• Supergrass, 5.15pm – 6.15pm
• First Aid Kit, 3.45pm – 4.45pm
• Blossoms, 2.15pm – 3.15pm
• Kae Tempest, 1pm – 1.45pm
• The Libertines, 11.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday, June 25

The Pyramid Stage

• Paul McCartney, 9.30pm – 11.45pm
• Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, 7.15pm – 8.30pm
• Haim, 5.30pm – 6.30pm
• AJ Tracey, 4pm – 4.45pm
• Easy Life, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
• Joy Crookes, 1.15pm – 2pm
• Les Amazones D’Afrique, 12pm – 12.45pm

The Other Stage

• Megan Thee Stallion, 10.30pm – 11.30pm
• Burna Boy, 8.30pm – 9.30pm
• Olivia Rodrigo, 6.45pm – 7.45pm
• Glass Animals, 5.15pm – 6.15pm
• Metronomy, 3.45pm – 4.45pm
• Skunk Anansie, 2.15pm – 3.15pm
• Tems, 1pm – 1.45pm
• Hak Baker, 11.45am – 12.30pm

Sunday, June 26

The Pyramid Stage

• Kendrick Lamar 21.45pm – 23.15pm
• Lorde 19.30pm – 20.45pm
• Elbow 5.45pm – 6.45pm
• Diana Ross 4.00pm – 5.15pm
• Herbie Hancock 2.00pm – 3.00pm
• Dakhabrakha 12.45pm – 13.30pm
• Black Dyke Band 11.30pm – 12.15pm

• Pet Shop Boys 21.40 pm – 23.15pm
• Years & Years 19.45pm – 20.45pm
• Kacey Musgraves 18.00pm – 19.00pm
• Fontaines DC 16.30pm – 17.30pm
• Declan Mckenna 15.00pm – 16.00pm
• Lianne La Havas 13.30pm – 14.30pm
• Sea Girls 12.15pm – 13.00pm
• Kojey Radical 11.00 – 11.45pm

Full Line up and Set Times can be found here.

The Libertines will play ‘Up The Bracket’ in full plus a career spanning set of Singles and B sides on 23rd July at Wembley and we’re thrilled to be joined by dear friends @thecribs @ThePaddingtons @LouisDunford and @DJAmazonica.https://t.co/a52BW74Lja#UPTHEBRACKET20 pic.twitter.com/6IY3q2l932

— Libertines (@libertines) June 16, 2022

The band are also set to release a special 20th Anniversary Edition of Up the Bracket on October 21st through Rough Trade. This release will provide fans with a remastered edition of their original album that was produced by Mick Jones, and will come with 65 unreleased recordings, that include original demos, live recordings, radio sessions and a live 2002 recording from the 100 Club. This special release can be pre-ordered here.

‘Up The Bracket’ arrived like a raging bull in a tired post-Britpop china shop, introducing The @libertines‘.

In celebration of 20 years since this astonishing debut, it now arrives as a deluxe boxset with double vinyl, cassette & book.@RoughTradeRecshttps://t.co/W6fWHoTaPmpic.twitter.com/mfzVDGsdWK

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) June 16, 2022

Frontman Pete Doherty recently teased plans for a follow-up to 2015’s ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’, proposing a similarly eclectic mix of genres comparing it to The Clash’s ‘Sandinista’. In a recent statement he said, “We still feel there’s unfinished business and there are more songs to write. But he (Barat) doesn’t want to do it in England, or in France, which he sees as my turf. So the plan is to go to Jamaica and try to make another Libertines record. I don’t know how or when it’s going to happen but I think it will. ‘Sandinista’ still encapsulates it because there are still a lot of ideas. It’s just about getting everyone in a room and getting on with it.”

Watch the official video for their 2002 single “Up The Bracket” here.

Upcoming shows:

JUNE
24 – Pilton, Somerset Glastonbury Festival (sold out)
30 – Bristol O2 Academy (sold out)

JULY
01 – Manchester Castlefield Bowl
23 – London Wembley Arena

AUGUST
05 – Cardiff University Great Hall
06 – Bingley Bingley Weekender
08 – Edinburgh O2 Academy
28 – Portsmouth Victorious Festival

SEPTEMBER
02 – Coventry Godiva Festival