What Happened?

Celebrities honor Beyonce on her birthday.

She is the queen, always. Beyonce Knowles turned 36 on Monday, and in honor of Queen Bae’s day of birth, a whole host of celebrities from all corners of the pop-culture world paid tribute by appearing in a gallery of images dressed similarly to how Beyonce appeared in her video for “Formation.” Those who paid tribute included Serena Williams, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Obama. Also, apparently her birthday cake cost over $3,500, but you do you, ‘Yonce.

@Beyonce Thank you for the beautiful letter and for being a role model who kids everywhere can look up to. –mo

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 13, 2012

What’s New?

Albums

“Life Changes” – Thomas Rhett (pop-country)

Nashville’s rising pop-country star Thomas Rhett continues his push toward pop-country dominance with his third LP, out today. “Life Changes” doesn’t stray much from Rhett’s country background, but it does push farther into his pop influences. Hear the jangly guitars accompanying the title track and/or the processed beats behind sixteen, and you’ll hear how Rhett’s latest outing is looking to please audiences of all genres.

“All the Light Above It Too” – Jack Johnson (acoustic-pop)

Johnson has always been known for his mellow, playful tunes, and the acoustic singer-songwriter’s seventh LP draws influence from all of his previous releases. “You Can’t Control It” channels the more electric vibes from his fifth LP, “To the Sea,” and the stripped-down nature of “Sunsets For Somebody Else” reflects the organic qualities from “In Between Dreams.” Make sure to spin this one while you can still sit outside without a sweatshirt.

“Play Dead” – Mutemath (synth-pop/rock)

New Orleans-based Mutemath loves to shake up their sound. Whether it be major shifts, like from the bluesy-rock influence of “Odd Soul” to the heavily pop and synth focused “Vitals,” they never like to stand still musically. When looking at the group’s fifth LP “Play Dead,” many of the changes come in subtle places. Moving away from intimate, disco-infused influence from their last LP, “Play Dead” seems to push the ceiling of sound, always going larger in scope. Perhaps this was influenced by the time they spent with Twenty One Pilots on the road, it’s up to the listener to decide.

Singles

“You’re the Best Thing About Me” – U2

The Irish rock legends returned this week announcing the release date for their upcoming 14th LP, “Songs of Experience” (Dec. 1), and dropped another track from the record. “You’re the Best Thing…” features a fairly traditional approach from the group, opting to stick with a familiar color pallet and structure that fans of the group should find instantly familiar.

In Case You Missed It…

Foo Fighters and Weezer are touring together(!!)

…in Australia. Two of alt-rocks biggest names announced this week that they would be hitting the road together for a string of shows down-under in January. A pairing of groups this big only comes around when you have a significance remotely similar to Dave Grohl’s post-Nirvana group. While this is certainly epic, it doesn’t quite top the billing of Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers together back in 1999.