SAWGOD/Columbia country singer-songwriter Langley is a bona fide mainstream star, thanks in large part to the bittersweet smash “Choosin’ Texas,” which is ensconced in Spotify’s U.S. Top 5 as of this writing. Meanwhile, several other tracks by the Alabama-born artist, whose shelf is already groaning with CMA and ACM trophies, are on the move—and her new album, Dandelion (due in mere days) should help her level up yet again. If only she didn’t have to deal with another kind of weed invading her garden, namely this publication.
After a brilliant setup, Columbia megastar Harry Styles bowed at #1 with Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., notching the year’s biggest chart debut—particularly impressive given the set’s adventurous, EDM-leaning bent.
The Full Stop giant’s rollout included a splashy on-sale, big Grammy and BRITs looks, a compelling Netflix special and an SNL platform as both host and musical guest.
Now Styles moves on to his massive “residency tour.” It’s just another chapter in the charismatic Brit’s astounding career—if only he could avoid the sloppy Kiss of this HITS shout-out.
“The culture war is over,” declared The New York Times shortly before our latest print issue went to press. “Bad Bunny won.”
That may sound like hyperbole, but the Rimas supernova’s AOTY win and other huge Grammy looks, followed by an infinitely bigger Super Bowl appearance, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the haters who dismissed him seriously misread the room.
Bunny got a gigundo streaming boost after the Grammys without performing; now that the massive Super Bowl audience has seen him do his thing, he’s redefining what “moving the needle” means. How big, in Bunny’s case, is big? P.S. ICE out.
This Weekend Gallery Can’t Get No Satisfaction
OK, what year is it? Seriously, between the Stones and McCartney coming out with new music and songs from 1983 and 2011 flying up the streaming charts, we’re pretty confused. Of course, we’re confused most of the time. The following anachronistic selection of trade photos is unlikely to clarify things.
The HITS Interview: Scout Easley
Sony Music Publishing A&R VP Scout Easley has lived up to her name, inking or (co-signing) such singular writers as Chappell Roan, PinkPantheress, SIENNA SPIRO, Addison Rae, Malcolm Todd and Remi Wolf. She spoke to us about growing up in the California desert, discovering music through dance, how she found her way into the biz and building a career around instinct, emotional connection and the long game. Read the full interview at the link in bio.
The HITS Interview: Tyler Arnold and Ben Adelson
The resounding worldwide #1 debut for Noah Kahan’s new album, The Great Divide, feels like a coronation for an artist who has tirelessly worked his way from barely attended New England open-mic nights to the top of charts. Inside Mercury Records, however, it’s the ultimate proof of concept.
Since taking the reins at the relaunched label in 2022, Chairman/CEO Tyler Arnold and President/COO Ben Adelson have quietly built Mercury into one of the more dominant labels in the business, leaning on long-term artist development in an era in which patience is rarely rewarded.
That strategy is now paying off at scale. The label has stacked smash albums from Post Malone (whom then-A&R assistant Arnold signed in 2015) and Kahan, played a central role in Morgan Wallen’s record-breaking run via its alliance with Big Loud and routinely lands multiple titles in the Top 20 year-end consumption charts. Read more at the link in bio.
With his latest album, Mercury star Kahan has produced another blockbuster to follow the 5m+ ATD Stick Season. The #1-bowing Great Divide has racked up a terrific SEA number without an obvious single—meaning his fans are faithfully streaming all 21 tracks of the expanded Last of the Bugs edition. If only the guitar-slinging troubadour could come up with a spray to keep us from incessantly bugging him, including an appearance on the cover of our latest print edition.
Hold on to Your Hat: It’s a Stagecoach Gallery
It takes a hardy sort to withstand several days in the driving desert wind and relentless sun. Fortunately, if you’re laced, there’s a ready supply of booze, a VIP space with air conditioning and someone on hand to feed you grapes. Let’s see how some of our biz pals flourished in the face of the elements.
