Music News: Pearl Jam ; Phoebe Ryan ; Seize the Awkward ; Anthony Hamilton feat. Rick James

“Retrograde” is the latest release from “Gigaton,” the acclaimed new studio album from Pearl Jam. The music video is a stunning visual story from Emmy Award winning filmmaker Josh Wakely, “Retrograde” literally paints a chilling version of a future planet Earth beset by climate change. Climate change activist Greta Thunberg makes a cameo appearance as the fortune teller who reveals this would-be future. In the wake of COVID-19, what would have been a live action shoot became a mix of animation and motion capture that presents a chilling vision of Earth beset by climate change. Animators from Vancouver, LA and London were brought onto the project to bring this concept to life.

Director’s statement from Josh Wakely: “‘Retrograde’ is one of the great Pearl Jam songs. There is an urgency and craft to the ‘Retrograde’ song and the entire ‘Gigaton’ album…I loved bringing it to life through sight and motion. It is an unusual time in the world and this has been one of my most fulfilling experiences as a filmmaker. Pearl Jam are a band and group of people that I love collaborating with. The vision that I present – of a world ruined by climate change – is my way of sounding the alarm about the consequences of inaction. I sincerely hope this video serves as a reminder that it’s gonna take much more than ordinary love to lift this up.”

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the “Retrograde” video with director Josh Wakely of Grace – A Storytelling Company.


 

Fellow Red Bank, NJ citizen Phoebe Ryan has a new animated music video out now for her track “Reality” from Columbia Records. Directed by Richie Brown, the video is definitely on the more psychedelic side of things which mesh well with Phoebe’s atmospheric vocals and synths which should help you trip this weekend.


 

 

You don’t need to be there, to be there for a friend. Stars including Addison Rae, Akinyemi, Avery Cyrus, Bryce Xavier, James Henry, The McFarlands, Meghan Trainor, Molly Burke, mxmtoon and brothers Zach Valentine and Pat Ramirez, help showcase the many ways you can reach out and check in with a friend around their mental health.

Checking in with a friend can make a big difference, now more than ever. For more tools and tips for supporting yourself and your friends head to https://seizetheawkward.org.

 

 


 

This track first premiered on CQ a few weeks ago on Instagram, and now you can watch the new Toon 53 produced video starring Anthony Hamilton and Rick James, BIATCH!

The track is called “Back Together” from My Music Box, in partnership with BMG. The song was co-written by Hamilton and Ed D. Kane, and produced by 9th Wonder. It is the first single off his new album that will release in summer 2020