Media Monarchy plays RZA, Ibibio Sound Machine, Laibach and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for May 7, 2026. ♬
Marko Munih and the Radio Symphony Orchestra with the Ljubljana Choir – “Don Pasquale – Choir Of The Domestics” (Cassette)
‘The Best Of Opera Choirs’
GMS Productions – Unknown Date
*Marko Munih and the Radio Symphony Orchestra with the Ljubljana Choir – “Don Pasquale – Choir Of The Domestics” (Cassette) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtnmFfJnQEU // https://www.discogs.com/release/20315869-Radio-Symphony-Orchestra-Ljubljana-Choir-Marko-Munih-The-Best-Of-Opera-Choirs // In the plot, the number of servants greatly increases after Norina, the fake wife employed by Dr. Malatesta to prank Don Pasquale, hires many more staff members, creating chaotic and humorous situations. Gifted by Justin K!*
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Theodore Shapiro – “Timeless” (Inst.)
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Original Score)’
Hollywood Records – May 1, 2026
*Theodore Shapiro – “Timeless” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/3972GsiWMy8 // https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxLOqeODUgNqCEFlblbr8 // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33612209/ // From ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Original Score),’ available now via Hollywood Records.*
Heitor Pereira – “Rebellion” (Inst.)
‘Animal Farm (Soundtrack From The Angel Film)’
Lakeshore Records – May 1, 2026
*Heitor Pereira – “Rebellion” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/qwVdEAliM-E // https://open.spotify.com/album/7aQGMHk6KegKZWR2QFvSo3 // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2467700/ // From ‘Animal Farm (Soundtrack From The Angel Film),’ available now via Lakeshore Records.*
Tyler Bates – “Mainstreet Hunters” (Inst. w/RZA)
‘One Spoon Of Chocolate (Original Score)’
Gravel and Echo Recordings – May 1, 2026
*Tyler Bates – “Mainstreet Hunters” (Inst. w/RZA) https://youtu.be/qyn-vKXGzQg // https://open.spotify.com/album/6rup6RppOsvB6EKTkJmYV7 // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32192973/ // From ‘One Spoon Of Chocolate (Original Score),’ available now via Gravel and Echo Recordings.*
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Billy Childs – “Ask Me Now” (Inst.)
‘Triumvirate’
Mack Avenue – April 24, 2026
*Billy Childs – “Ask Me Now” (Inst.) https://billychilds.bandcamp.com/track/ask-me-now-2 // https://billychilds.com // From ‘Triumvirate,’ the just-released album by six-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer, Billy Childs. Available now via Mack Avenue.*
Oliver James – “1-2-3”
‘1-2-3 / Nothing Is Forever’
Colemine Records – June 12, 2026
*Oliver James – “1-2-3” https://oliver-james.bandcamp.com/track/1-2-3 // The A-side of ‘1-2-3 / Nothing Is Forever,’ the upcoming 7″ by Tennessee soul man, Oliver James. Due on June 12th via Colemine Records.*
Ibibio Sound Machine – “Return to Sender”
Digital Single
Merge Records – April 29, 2026
*Ibibio Sound Machine – “Return to Sender” https://ibibiosoundmachine.bandcamp.com/album/return-to-sender // https://ibibiosoundmachine.com // Here’s the new single by UK funk/soul collective, Ibibio Sound Machine, available now via Merge Records.*
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Laibach – “Love Machine” (w/Senidah)
‘MUSICK’
Mute – May 1, 2026
*Laibach – “Love Machine” (w/Senidah) https://laibach.bandcamp.com/track/love-machine-feat-senidah // https://wtc.laibach.org/collections/media // https://www.allmusic.com/album/musick-mw0004767270 // Here’s a potential bell-ringer from ‘MUSICK,’ the just-released album by Laibach, available now via Mute. AllMusic calls it, “A genuinely baffling stab at Eurovision-ready dance-pop from the Slovenian industrial collective, with lyrics critiquing AI.”
Los Retros – “Odisea” (Inst.)
‘Odisea’
Stone’s Throw – Apr. 3, 2026
*Los Retros – “Odisea” (Inst.) https://play.cdnstream1.com/s/kcrw/today-s-top-tune/los-retros-odisea // Los Retros returns with ‘Odisea,’ a debut album entirely written and recorded by Oxnard native, Mauri Tapia. Inspired by Japanese City Pop (the genre!), the project blends lush, nostalgic production with themes of love and spiritual growth. Since his breakout hit “Someone To Spend Time With,” Tapia’s stepped into a new chapter — marriage, fatherhood, and faith.*
Bon Iver – “Jelmore” (Live)
‘Volumes: One’
Jagjaguwar – Apr. 3, 2026
*Bon Iver – “Jelmore” (Live) https://play.cdnstream1.com/s/kcrw/today-s-top-tune/bon-iver-jelmore // Bon Iver unveils ‘VOLUMES: ONE,’ a powerful live collection drawn from performances between 2019 and 2023. Curated by Justin Vernon, the album captures the band at its most expansive and dynamic, offering definitive versions of fan favorites like “Jelmore” (recorded in Jakarta in 2020). More than a live record, VOLUMES: ONE launches a new archival series — a vivid snapshot of Bon Iver’s evolving sound and the communal energy that defines their live shows.*
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Mikaela Davis – “Starlite Tonite”
‘Graceland Way’
Kill Rock Stars – April 24, 2026
*Mikaela Davis – “Starlite Tonite” https://mikaeladavis.bandcamp.com/track/starlite-tonite // https://www.mikaeladavis.com // From ‘Graceland Way,’ the just-released album by California-based harpist, singer and songwriter, Mikaela Davis. Available now via Kill Rock Stars.*
Ducks Ltd. – “Easy Come, Easy Go” (Grant Mclellan Cover w/Martin Courtney)
Digital Single
Carpark Records – April 27, 2026
*Ducks Ltd. – “Easy Come, Easy Go” (Grant Mclellan Cover w/Martin Courtney) https://ducksltdband.bandcamp.com/track/easy-come-easy-go-feat-martin-courtney // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Go-Betweens // This cover of Australian singer/songwriter and guitarist, Grant Mclellan (The Go-Betweens), is the new single by Toronto’s Ducks Ltd.. Available now via Carpark Records.*
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Lesley Gore – “Hey Now” // “Maybe I Know”
‘Girl Talk’
Mercury – 1964
*Lesley Gore – “Hey Now” // “Maybe I Know” https://open.spotify.com/track/5xhP0ie13xzoWAvfmsb6vn // https://open.spotify.com/track/4GTSIdVIP1zCCqXnHPewrZ // https://www.discogs.com/release/8160944-Lesley-Gore-Girl-Talk // Here’s two tracks from the stereo version of Lesley Gore’s 1964 album, ‘Girl Talk’. The album by the then-19 year-old singer-songwriter included two top forty hits in “Maybe I Know” at number 14 and “Look Of Love” at number 27. This one is a great listen and is one of Gore’s best albums… but don’t pick this one up at your local shop, opt for the much better mono version, as the stereo mix is likely to annoy you! Both of today’s tracks have been ripped with a mono cartridge to produce room-filling mono sound.*