• Jon Niles' 2013 Playlist: Drake, The National and Tennis

    Music Times, like so many other music publications, was looking to publish a "Best of 2013" playlist. We met to discuss what such a playlist should include, and that's where we ran into trouble. We couldn't agree. Sometimes two of us just couldn't agree on whether the performer was amazing or terrible, and even when we agreed they were amazing, we couldn't agree on what track was most representative of their work. Hence it was decided that rather than try to agree (a seemingly impossible endeavor), everyone would get their own "favorites of 2013" playlist. We won't argue that these are necessarily the best tracks of the last year, but they're definitely songs that caught our respective attention and caused us to hit 'repeat" over and over and over again.
  • Justin Bieber posts snippets of 'Swap It Out,' 'One Life' and 'What's Hatnin'' from 'Journals' on Instagram [LISTEN]

    It hasn't actually been that long since Justin Bieber last released a new song (only eight days), but for Beliebers, it likely feels like forever. Earlier this week, the teen pop sensation announced that he has delayed the release of his new album Journals by one week, all thanks to an additional song. However, to thank his fans for being oh-so-patient, the Biebz has teased three of the six new songs from the album on his official Instagram account. "Swap It Out," "One Life" and "What's Hatinin'" (feat. Future) have all gotten the snippet treatment.
  • Music a suitable Christmas gift for most, study shows. Digital format getting more popular according to BPI

    The music industry, it is a-changin'. Especially around the Christmas season, when we audiophiles go out shopping for our fellow music-loving friends. A study done by the BPI, a trade body that oversees the music industry in the UK, shows that a majority of survey-takers would indeed enjoy music as a gift for the holidays. One change that continues however is what format they would prefer that music in.
  • 'Beyoncé' music videos for 'Drunk in Love,' 'XO' premiere on VEVO [WATCH]

    If there's one drawback to this era in Beyoncé's career, it's that new music videos are no real surprise. When the pop megastar released her surprise fifth studio album Beyoncé on Friday (Dec. 13), the 14-song record was accompanied by 18 music videos -- one for each song and four bonus tracks. So, when a new single is announced, if you're one of the 617,000 people who have already purchased Beyoncé, you already know exactly what the visual component to the song will look like.
  • Ray Price dead, wife confirms; could new album be on the way?

    Following more than a day of speculation as to the health of country icon Ray Price, his family confirmed Monday evening that the renowned vocalist had passed away. It had been previously reported on Sunday evening by the star's son that he had passed away from pancreatic cancer, but that turned out to be untrue. The current report has been confirmed by Price's wife, Janie. Price had been under hospice care at his home in Mt. Pleasant, TX, because of the cancer. He was 87 years old.
  • Beyoncé's liaison with iTunes means Target won't stock 'Beyoncé'

    Beyoncé's unannounced album stunt wasn't to everyone's liking (it was just to most people's liking). One group that was unamused was Target stores. The superstore chain decided on Monday that as it wasn't given the same opportunity to market the album as iTunes (the only outlet selling Beyoncé upon its release), it will blackball the record altogether.
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces 2014 inductees: Nirvana, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens, Linda Ronstadt and more

    The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced the class of 2014. Next year, Nirvana, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt will be inducted, according to Rolling Stone. The E Street Band will be given the Award for Musical Excellence and Beatles manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham will be recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers.