Oh honey, there’s a whole world of entertainment out there for you to enjoy, and each week Gay Times will round up the best new releases to keep you in the know.
Legend Of The United States, Christina Aguilera, is finally back with a new song, everyone’s favourite virtual ape Donkey Kong has arrived on the Nintendo Switch, and Troye Sivan has quite possibly released the very first #BopsBoutBottoming with his latest single.
Check out all of the big releases this week, below.
Christina Aguilera: Accelerate (song release)
It’s been a long six years since Christina Aguilera’s last album Lotus, but the wait is nearly over: Liberation is upon us. The star’s eighth studio album is landing in June, and to kick things off she has served up Accelerate as an introduction. It hears Xtina swerve back to harder beats and Stripped-era production values, with guest spots from Kid Ink and 2 Chainz. It might not be what some fans were expecting, but it’s only a starter. Judging from this, we’re confident the main course is going to be more than fulfilling.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch release)
Four years after its original release on the Wii U, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is making its debut on the Nintendo Switch. It’s the same action-packed side-scrolling platformer that won over critics, but this time crammed into an on-the-go handset. Of course, the good guys at Ninty have added a few extras, including a new simian called Funky Kong who bashes his way through levels on a surfboard. What more could you want, really?
Troye Sivan: Bloom (single release)
No, the Aussie pop prince isn’t singing about his love for flower arranging or a certain British actor on his latest single, but rather something way more personal. Bottoming, in fact. “It’s true, babe / I’ve been saving this for you / Promise me you’ll hold my hand if I get scared now / Might tell you to take a second baby slow it down / You should know I bloom, I bloom just for you,” he sings over an infectious electro-pop backdrop. Surely #BopsBoutBottoming is the pinnacle of the year we’ve dubbed 20GayTeen.
Shawn Mendes ft. Khalid: Youth (song release)
The Canadian singer-songwriter has teamed up with Khalid for his latest track Youth, which is a third taster from his forthcoming self-titled album. “It’s hard to sleep at night, knowing what’s outside / Feeling hopeless, I need focus,” Shawn sings, which seemingly deals with the current social and political climate. It’s a nice addition to what’s shaping up to be Shawn’s most accomplished collection yet.
Mood Music (theatre show)
Joe Penhall’s powerful new play lifts the lid on the emotions and ego that fuel the music business. Mood Music follows a newly-famous singer-songwriter known Cat and her her fraught relationship with seasoned music producer Bernard. At first they are the perfect collaboration in the studio, but when the ownership of a huge hit is called into question, it exposes a dark undercurrent that touches upon everything from the #MeToo movement to plagiarism lawsuits that have recently made headlines. It will run at The Old Vice theatre in London until 16 June.
Tully (film release)
Charlize Theron has delivered more career-high performances than we can count, but her role in Tully (from the creators of Juno) as third-time mother Marlo, struggling with a son who has behavioural problems and an inattentive husband who’d rather spend his evening playing video games, might just be her best yet.
When her obnoxiously wealthy brother offers to hire a night nanny to relieve some of the pressures of new motherhood, Marlo forms a close bond with the nanny, a carefree millennial called Tully, who reminds her of her own youth – and her various affairs with both men and women. We won’t spoil the ending, but the film handles it’s tough subject matter with sensitivity and a dry sense of humour that both charms and breaks hearts.
Celine Dion: Ashes (song release)
Whoever came up with this genius idea needs a bonus. Celine Dion is the queen of cinematic ballads, and Ashes is no different with its soaring production and heart-swelling sentiment. Except for one thing: this is for kick-ass superhero blockbuster Deadpool 2, with the pansexual Marvel star delivering a dainty performance in the accompanying music video – in heels no less. It just needs to be seen, over and over again.
Julia Michaels ft. Trippie Redd: Jump (single release)
As Julia Michaels continues her successful leap from songwriter for the stars to being a superstar in her own right, Jump is the latest bop of her’s that deserves our appreciation. It centres on the uncertainty that comes at the start of a new relationship, and the shiny production gives it a pop sheen that thrives on its subtlety. Consider us excited for the impending full-length debut album.
RAYE: Side Tape (EP release)
With over a billion streams to her name, British singer-songwriter Raye is no stranger to a bouncy anthem. Her latest EP, Side Tape, is packed with them, bringing together infectious beats, earworm hooks and some fire-hot collaborations. With a roster including RAY BLK, Mabel, Stefflon Don, Avelino and Maleek Berry, it’s an electrifying display of the new class in music coming through in force.
