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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

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The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

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Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

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Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

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How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

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Bad Omens ‘Just Pretend’: Ironic Parody to NO.1 Radio Rock Hit

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Bad Omens' alt-metal breakout, "Just Pretend," has transcended its origins as an ironic parody to become a genuine No. 1 radio rock hit. The song, featured on the band's 2022 Album, "The Death of Peace of Mind," initially gained traction as a viral TikTok song before claiming the top spot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. In a recent interview with NME, Bad Omens' vocalist-songwriter Noah Sebastian shared the surprising journey of how a song conceived as a comedic take on radio rock conventions evolved into a chart-topping anthem.

Noah Sebastian revealed that the origin of "Just Pretend" was born out of frustration and a desire to make fun of the formulaic nature of radio-friendly rock. In response to pressures from outside perspectives advocating for a more radio-oriented approach, Sebastian decided to prove a point by creating what he describes as an "ironic butt-rock song." The intention was to demonstrate how effortlessly one could produce a song adhering to the stereotypical opinions of mainstream rock.

Despite the initial sarcastic intentions, Sebastian found himself captivated by the chorus he had created for "Just Pretend." The exaggerated boldness and intentionally silly vocals took an unexpected turn, revealing a genuinely great hook that stuck with the songwriter. The decision was made to immediately develop the song for the record, setting the stage for an ironic twist in the band's trajectory.

Throughout their career, Bad Omens has stuck to the principle of creating music without ulterior motives. The band's focus has consistently been on crafting music they genuinely enjoy and feel proud of, rather than succumbing to external pressures or industry expectations. "Just Pretend" stands as a testament to this, as it defied its initial sarcastic purpose to become a radio rock sensation.

Noah Sebastian reflected on the irony of the situation, acknowledging that a song written to poke fun at the ease of creating radio rock has now claimed the top spot on the radio rock charts. The unexpected success of "Just Pretend" marks a full-circle moment for Bad Omens, highlighting how art can surprise us, 'Just Pretend' showcases the unexpected beauty that comes from being true to oneself in creative expression.

Bad Omens' journey with "Just Pretend" serves as a reminder that artistic endeavors, even those born out of irony, can take on a life of their own. The accidental transformation of a parody into a No. 1 radio rock hit underscores the power of genuine creativity and the unpredictable path that music can take when driven by authenticity rather than external expectations.

Bad Omens ‘Just Pretend’: Ironic Parody to NO.1 Radio Rock Hitbad-omens-just-pretend-ironic-parody-to-no-1-radio-rock-hitBy: Mukad Al-HakeemDec 21, 2023Bad Omens' alt-metal breakout, "Just Pretend," has transcended its origins as an ironic parody to become a genuine No. 1 radio rock hit...