stayc main image

Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

Read more
stayc main image

Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

Read more
stayc main image

What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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”.

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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

Read more
stayc main image

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 ...

Read more

Exploring Don Toliver’s New Universe: 'Hardstone Psycho' Album and Fortnite Game Launch

stayc main image

Don Toliver, the Houston-born maestro of atmospheric melodies and genre-blending soundscapes, is once again redefining the boundaries of music and immersive experiences with his latest album, Hardstone Psycho. Just over a year since he invited us into the evocative world of Love Sick, Toliver now ushers fans into an even more intricate and enthralling universe with his fourth studio album.

Hardstone Psycho is an ambitious project, carefully crafted and divided into four distinct parts. The album kicks off with two solo tracks, “Kryptonite” and “Tore Up,” setting a strong, introspective tone before diving into collaborative waters. Kodak Black lends his unique flair to the third track, “Brother Stone,” while the first segment concludes with “Attitude,” featuring Charlie Wilson and Cash Cobain. This track has already gained attention with a narrative-extending video featuring a cameo from Travis Scott, who also contributes to two other tracks on the album.

As the album progresses, listeners are treated to an array of star-studded collaborations. Teezo Touchdown, Future, and Metro Boomin add their unique touches, enhancing the album's rich and varied soundscape. One standout track is the intriguingly titled “Purple Rain,” a nod to Prince, and a subtle connection to Future's previous work, “Purple Reign.” This blend of past influences and fresh creativity showcases Toliver's ability to bridge different musical eras and styles.

Beyond the music, Don Toliver is expanding his creative empire into the realm of gaming. Drawing on his years-long enthusiasm for Fortnite, Toliver has launched the Hardstone game within the platform. This free-to-play game allows fans to explore Psycho Valley, an interactive world inspired by the new album. Toliver expressed his excitement about this innovative venture, highlighting it as a pivotal moment in his career where fans can engage with his music in an entirely new way.

In addition to his album and game release, Toliver is also set to perform as part of the Cactus Jack lineup at the 2024 edition of Lyrical Lemonade's Summer Smash festival. Fans can look forward to seeing him live in various cities, including Milan and London, bringing his latest musical creations to life on stage.

Hardstone Psycho is available now on all major streaming platforms, offering a multi-sensory journey that goes beyond traditional listening. With this album, Don Toliver continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be an artist in the modern age, blending music, storytelling, and interactive experiences into a cohesive and captivating universe.