Music Media Review

What will be 2026's Song of the Summer? My theory is Justin Bieber's "Speed Demon". This song has come out of nowhere, and isn't from 2026! Find out what led this tune zooming through radio charts, and how its origin is defying odds the music industry didn't see coming. 

Justin Bieber's YouTube Channel

SWAG, SWAG II, (2025)

"Yukon" at 2026 Grammys

Coachella (Weekend 1) - 4/11/26; Setlist
Coachella (Weekend 2) - 4/17/26; Setlist

New live album 6/26/26!: SWAG LIVE FROM COACHELLA (Weekend I)

You may also like these episodes: Grammys 2026 Predictions, 2016 Love Songs Playlist, 
'Michael' Jackson Biopic Review, Keith Urban's New Yacht Rock Album

Billboard's Song of the Summer; chart

Vote here if you think "Speed Demon" could be 2026's Song of the Summer!

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Kicking off Summer 2026 and Fathers Day weekend, Keith Urban recorded yacht rock cover album flow state. Rock journalist, podcast host, and a great friend from my radio days Eric Senich, co-hosts this track-by-track review. 

Yacht Rock links: Yacht or Nacht, Masterclass' Yacht Rock article, Sirius/XM's Yacht Rock channels, Amazon Music, Pandora, Yacht Rock Revue, Yacht Rock web series 

Eric Senich's Booked On Rock podcast
Recommended episodes: Author Jeff Apter, Jim Gordon, Boz Scaggs, Stevie Nicks

flow state / yacht rock originals playlist

Keith Urban tributed guitarists who passed in 2017

Interviews: Bobby Bones Show, Sirius/XM, Extra, Taste of Country

Music Notes with Jess recommended episodes: Yacht Rock, Yacht Soul
- Past interviews with Eric: MTV's 40th, Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher"

Will Smith's "Just the Two of Us"
Stephen Bishop's "It's Only Love"



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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Disney/Pixar are making movie and music history. Spanning over 30 years, Toy Story 5 will be released in theaters June 19th, and Taylor Swift composed the new movie theme! Reliving this childhood franchise, recap the movies and themes songs in this episode. 

Films: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), Toy Story 4 (2019)

Toy Story 30 Years & Beyond - 20/20 Special

Toy Story 5's L.A. premiere performances (6/9/26): 
"You've Got a Friend In Me - Duet" - Randy Newman & Taylor Swift
"I Knew It, I Knew You - Piano" - Taylor Swift 

Playlist: "You've Got a Friend In Me" - Randy Newman (1995)
"You've Got a Friend In Me - Duet" - Randy Newman & Lyle Lovett (1995)
"When She Loved Me" - Sarah McLachlan (1999)
"You've Got a Friend In Me (Wheezy's Version)" - Robert Goulet (1999)
"We Belong Together" - Randy Newman (2010)
"You've Got a Friend In Me (para el Buzz Espanol)" - Gipsy Kings (2010)
"I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" - Randy Newman (2010)
"The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy" - Chris Stapleton (2019)
"The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy" - Randy Newman (2019)
"I Knew It, I Knew You" - Taylor Swift (2026)

Other Toy Story songs: "Strange Things" (1995), "Sailing No More" (1995), "Woody's Roundup"

List of Disney Academy Awards
List of Taylor Swift past soundtrack songs

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Rock is having big viral moments, including a father and daughter releasing albums spring 2026. Foo Fighters put out their 12th album Your Favorite Toy, and Violet Grohl (eldest daughter of frontman Dave Grohl) reawakens '90s punk/grunge in Be Sweet to Me. I review both albums, tying personal effects curating the new songs.  

Your Favorite Toy's YouTube playlist

The Hannukah Sessions (2020-2022)
Violet Grohl solos: "Take The Box" (2021), "At Seventeen" (2022)

Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert: 
"Hallelujah" - Violet Grohl
Oliver Shane Hawkins drums "My Hero" 

Violet on Foo Fighters' songs: "Making A Fire", "Show Me How" (2023)

Nirvana reunion & Violet: "All Apologies" feat. Kim Gordon @ FireAid (2025)

Taylor Hawkins & Dave Grohl induct Queen to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2001)
Paul McCartney inducts Foo Fighters into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2021)

Gary Numan's "Cars" (1979, 1980)

Nirvana

Be Sweet to Me's YouTube playlist

Jess recommends:
Music Notes with Jess episodes: Taylor Hawkins Tribute Interview, Foo Fighters' "Rescued"
Music Media Review episodes: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Noah Kahan's "The Great Divide"/ album




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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Younger country singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves is back with a new album guiding herself through life. Her 7th album Middle of Nowhere came out May 1st, combining songwriters she's worked on her past albums playing country, folk, and alternative. Collectively, the record fits in her discography with guest vocalists and Tejano instrumentation. I give my track-by-track review as a dedicated fan. 

Interviews: NPR, Apple Music, CBS Sunday Morning

star-crossed visual film (2021)

Vote your fav Kacey album here.

ACMs performance: "Dry Spell"

YouTube album channel

"Mama's Broken Heart" - Miranda Lambert (2013)

Gregory Alan Isakov

Willie Nelson

Episode Recaps: Deeper Well - album review, The Tortured Poets Department  (Music Notes with Jess)

Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" / 'Dandelion', Megan Moroney's 'Cloud 9', 
Noah Kahan's "The Great Divide"/ album


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

My favorite singer Janet Jackson turned 60 on May 16th! Fans are admiring the private stance she opted out of her late brother's Michael Jackson's current biopic Michael, re-discovering her terrific music! The Jacksons threw Janet a big party to celebrate, and The Grammys inducted one of her songs in their Hall of Fame. As a fan, I'll share my wide admiration of her and content to check out her amazing life in this countdown!

Top 10 Hits playlist:
10. “Runaway” (1995)
9. “Again” (1993)
8. “When I Think of You” (1986)
7. “Any Time, Any Place” (1993-1994)
6. “Someone to Call My Lover” (2001-2002)
5. “Together Again” / '(Deeper Remix)' (1997-1998)
4. “Nasty” (1986-1987)
3. “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993)
2. “All for You” (2001)
1. “Rhythm Nation” (1989-1990)

Janet Jackson Documentary (2022)

Janet & "Gymnopédie; Who Sampled

Grammy Hall of Fame speech

Poetic Justice, Usher's "Call Me A Mack"

PIck A Disc interview episode

Microsoft glitch; laptop crash: https://www.instagram.com/p/Chc6XHcJ6AT/

Sunday Inspiration quotes hashtag

My other favs: "Young Love", "Say You Do", Control 35, "If", "The Body That Love You", "Got 'Til Its Gone", "Every Time", "Come On Get Up", "Feels So Right", "Love Scene (Ooh Baby)", "All Nite (Don't Stop)", "Spending Time With You", "Truly", "Take Care", "Rock With U", "Rollercoaster", "Can't B Good", "What's Ur Name", "Make Me", "Nothing", "Unbreakable", "Dammn Baby", "After You Fall", "Broken Hearts Heal", "Made For Now"


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

The 61st ACM Awards return May 17th 8pm/e on Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, and national country radio simulcasts. Despite the 60th ceremony taking place last year, celebs and fans weren't pleased with the turnout. This caused ACM to make internal changes, and diversify 2026's ballot. Before its televised broadcast, I predict how 9 of the awards will result: Music Event of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Duo of the Year, Group of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Follow our social media on the links below to comment your predictions, following along during and after the show. 

ACM Press Release

Taste of Country - Snubs & Surprises

Billboard - Snubs & Surprises

Amazon Music's ACMs Playlist

Lainey Wilson's wedding

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

The Devil Wears Prada's loosely based on author Lauren Weisberger's experience working at Vogue. 20th Century Fox adapted her 2003 book in 2006's film. Covering fashion, business, relationships, and social life, the movie changed pop culture and now the sequel is 20 years later. Female driven musically and societal, The Devil Wears Prada 2 's hitting nerves in fashion, magazine, and print media industries. Viewing all sides, I summarize the characters' context, Lady Gaga & Doechii's dance single "RUNWAY", compare both movies' soundtracks, and other songs catwalking the same swag in a custom playlist. 

Runway magazine movie site. Pre-movie merch, sunglasses

Lincoln Center's The Devil Wears Prada 2 - Red Carpet Event
The Devil Wears Prada soundrack (2006)

Favs: "City of Blinding Lights" - U2, "Seven Days In Sunny June" - Jamiroquai,
"Here I Am" (Kaskade Remix) - David Morales feat. Tamra Keenan

RuPaul's Drag Race

The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack; "Material Lover" - Sienna Spiro

"RUNWAY" Fashion Playlist:
"RUNWAY" - Lady Gaga & Doechii (2026)
"Supermodel (You Better Work)" - RuPaul (1992-1993)
"Vogue" - Madonna (1990)
"Born This Way" - Lady Gaga (2011)
"Rain On Me" - Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande (2020)
"Rapture" - Blondie (1980-1981)
"About Damn Time" - Lizzo (2022)
"yes and?" - Ariana Grande (2024)
"Finesse (Remix)" - Brunos Mars feat. Cardi B (2018)
"Uptown Funk" - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (2014-2015)

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Noah Kahan's an authentic modern folk singer, reawakened over the response fans feel through his music. Emotionally overcoming mental health struggles, he's ready to move on positively with his Vermont family backing him up. Two new projects presenting his stories are Netflix documentary Noah Kahan: Out of Body, and deluxe album The Great Divide: The Last Of The Bugs. Following up from episode 8's review of the title track, I now reveal my thoughts of both finished works. 

Apple Music's page and interviews.

SNL Season 51 finale schedules.

Jess also recommends: 
Music Notes with Jess episodes: Ed Sheeran Top 11, Jelly Roll Bio & Top 3 Hits

Documentaries: The Sum of It All, Jelly Roll: Save Me, Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hileel,

Music Media Review episodes: Megan Moroney's 'Cloud 9', Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ella Langley's 'Dandelion'

Aaron Dessner's discography/production credits.

Bon Iver (Justin Vernon)

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Two postponements and 3 years later, later Michael Jackson has a new biopic! Released after his 2009 death, Universal Pictures / Lionsgate took a unique direction constructing its script and casting. Michael's nephew Jaafar Jackson stars and resembles his late uncle! I input my review how the movie timelines and compare it to other existing media sharing similar qualities. 

MJ The Musical 

The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)

Janet Jackson Documentary (2022)

1993 Super Bowl Halftime Show

"Stranger in Moscow" (1995)

Notorious (2009)

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Interviews: TODAY Show; Late Night with Seth Meyers
Kelly Clarkson Show - both Michael Jackson actors; Coleman Domingo

Jennifer Hudson Show: both Michael Jackson actors & Coleman Domingo

The Jackson 5 Top 10 - Music Notes with Jess episode

Vote your film review here.

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena