Latest news with #Espresso
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Sabrina Carpenter soaks up the sun in Tuscany: a stylish retreat before her album launch
Sabrina Carpenter is taking a well-deserved break in the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, Italy. Image: Instagram. After a whirlwind schedule that wrapped up the globe-spanning "Short n' Sweet" tour, multi-award-winning singer Sabrina Carpenter is taking a well-deserved break in the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, Italy. The 26-year-old pop star jetted off with friends to enjoy lavish accommodation at the picturesque Villa I Busini, where the luxury comes at a price tag of £6,500 (about R154k) a night. This relaxing retreat follows her 2 night sold-out performances at London's iconic Hyde Park, where she captivated audiences. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ As her tour continues, with a North American leg kicking off next month, Carpenter is maximising her downtime in the historic villa, which dates back 600 years and features impressive amenities including swimming pools, walled gardens and a private chef ready to concoct delicious meals for the group. The "Espresso" hitmaker took to Instagram to share snippets of her Italian vacay, treating followers to snapshots that capture her culinary indulgences and leisurely moments spent sipping wine and savouring traditional pasta dishes with friends. Clad in trendy summer attire, she showcased a collection of outfits that perfectly encapsulated the Italian vibe; floral prints, sheer fabrics and playful bloomers. Among her stylish packing choices were a striking pink and white Versace halterneck teamed with an elegant matching sarong, as well as a chic dark green Bottega Veneta Parachute bag. In one picture, Carpenter posed against a tree in a cute midriff-baring bra top with ruffled details, paired with low-slung cotton lace-trimmed bloomers from the budget-friendly brand, Bluepyjamas. While she relishes this getaway, Carpenter is also gearing up for her seventh studio album, "Man's Best Friend", set to release on August 29.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Sabrina Carpenter's Biggest Song Misses No. 1 Again As It Returns
Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' climbs to No. 2 on both the Official Vinyl Singles and Physical ... More Singles charts in the U.K., missing No. 1 again. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) After Sabrina Carpenter released her single "Espresso" in April 2024, it didn't take long for the song to become a global hit. In the United Kingdom, the tune proved to be a breakout smash for the rising star, quickly soaring to No. 1 on multiple tallies during its initial heyday. "Espresso" became a champion on several rankings, and the excitement surrounding Carpenter and her discography has only grown, thanks in part to her ongoing Short N' Sweet Tour. Despite its success, "Espresso" once again fails to claim the No. 1 spot on a handful of rankings as it soars on multiple charts in the U.K. "Espresso" Returns to the Official Vinyl Singles Chart This week, "Espresso" reappears on the Official Vinyl Singles chart, where it is forced to settle for the runner-up spot. The tally is currently dominated by "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," performed by Rachel Zegler, the star of the current revival of Evita on the West End. The track, originally composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber – who is credited as an artist on the recording – blocks Carpenter from reaching the top. "Espresso" launched at No. 2 on the Official Vinyl Singles ranking back in June 2024. In the year and a half it has spent on the tally, Carpenter's cut has collected 17 appearances inside the top 10, but it has never managed to rise to the summit. "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" Leads Several Charts Carpenter also misses out on sending "Espresso" to No. 1 on the Official Physical Singles chart for the first time, as that list is likewise led by "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Unlike on the vinyl ranking, however, "Espresso" doesn't return, because it was already present last frame, down at No. 45. This time around, it rockets more than 40 places to No. 2, a slot it has now owned five times. "Espresso" Surges Across Multiple Charts "Espresso" breaks back onto three of the six U.K.-based charts it appears on this week. In addition to the vinyl tally, the global smash reenters the Official Singles Sales ranking at No. 12 and the Official Singles Downloads list at No. 82. The tune climbs to No. 46 on the main ranking of the 100 most-consumed songs in the country at the same time. It drops slightly on the streaming roster, but still maintains a spot inside the top 40. Multiple Sabrina Carpenter Hits Return to the U.K. Charts "Espresso" is one of six singles by Carpenter that currently appear on the U.K. charts. Several of those return to at least one tally, including "Juno," "Please Please Please," and "Nonsense,' as all of them have become bestselling hits once again.
Global News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Shouldn't we have heard about a ‘song of the summer' by now?
Summertime: when the weather, activities, emotions and music coalesce to make memories, for better or worse. I, for example, am still triggered by Heat of the Moment by Asia, which was big during the summer of 1982, during which I suffered a very bad breakup. Even today, a few notes are enough to bring back that university-era hurt. Anything from Green Day's Dookie immediately transports me to the summer of 1994. You're probably thinking of your own personal songs of summers gone by. There's another level to this. Each year, there are one or two songs released in May or June that rise to the level of universal ubiquity by midsummer. It's the earworm with the contagiousness of the measles. It's an inescapable hit that no one is capable of avoiding. If you're not listening, you're at least hearing it enough that it becomes indelibly imprinted on your brain. You may not like the song, but it's everywhere. Resistance is futile, and before long, its existence is connected to a specific few months on the calendar. Story continues below advertisement It wasn't all that long ago that we were aware of most of the popular songs of the moment, including the ones we hated, even to the point of knowing most of the words. Summer songs were that powerful. There's a portion of the music industry (and thus the general public) that remains obsessed with declaring who has the official Song of the Summer (yes, they capitalize it). It's all marketing bumf, of course, a chance to goose streams of priority acts so they blast up the charts, creating even more hype. Last year, for example, it was all about Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso battling it out with Beautiful Things by Benson Boone. In 2023, we were pointed at Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire. A year earlier, it was As It Was by Harry Styles. 2:07 Sabrina Carpenter bites back ahead of (another) Sabrina Summer I could be wrong, but I don't remember the music industry's Song of the Summer obsession existing before 2010. This seems to be a product of the streaming age, an effect to take us back to an era when there was a universal consensus about what songs were hits, what songs we all needed to know about, and what songs defined a period of time. Story continues below advertisement Today, though, things are different. We no longer live in a monoculture where everyone is constantly exposed to the same thing. Our attention to, well, all entertainment has been segmented, stratified, separated, and personalized down to the second. We listen to what we want, when we want, wherever we are, and on whatever device we happen to have. MIDiA, a music business analytics company, suggests that we are extremely close to what they call 'peak fragmentation.' The concept of anxiously waiting for a radio station to play your favourite hit song at the same time as thousands of other listeners is a thing of the past. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The reason I bring this up is that here we are in the middle of July, and there doesn't seem to be a strong Song of the Summer candidate for 2025. Oh, sure, Billboard has its Songs of the Summer chart (the number one position is currently held by Alex Warren's Ordinary), but I have no idea if I've ever heard it — and I work in radio and the music industry! Nor can I hum any of the top five: What I Want from Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae, Morgan Wallen and Just in Case, Luther from Kendrick Lamar and SZA, and *sigh* more Morgan Wallen with I'm the Problem. True, maybe I'm the problem. But if we dig deeper, it may be a fault of the music. According to Chartmetric, another music business data analytics company, there are substantially fewer breakout hits this year (23 vs. 49), with less than half the number of hit songs that we saw at this point in 2024. Plenty of 2025's top-charting songs — think Die with a Smile from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars — were released last year. Story continues below advertisement What's more, there are no 2025 albums that have the cultural impact that Brat by Charli XCX had last year. For this summer, the smart money had been on Something Beautiful, the Miley Cyrus concept album, but so far, crickets. Lorde's Virgin doesn't seem to have much momentum, either — at least not yet. Rock? The highest-charting album in the country, according to Billboard Canada, as I write this is — wait for it — Rumours (1977) by Fleetwood Mac at number 18. The Tragically Hip's greatest hits collection, Yer Favourites (2005), is next at 24. What this comes down to is what constitutes a 'hit' in this day and age. A song may do well on the Spotify Top 50 but flounder on radio. It could show up on an important playlist but not translate to use on Instagram and TikTok. A big movie will come with one or two halo songs that don't travel beyond the closing credits. Cross-media pollination just isn't very strong in 2025. 2:42 Will Netflix and other major streaming services leave Canada after CRTC ruling? But here's the biggest issue. The streaming music services have access to more than 200 million songs in their libraries, all available to users with just a couple of pokes at their phone. Contemporary artists aren't just competing with their peers for attention; they're competing against the greatest songs of all time. These songs may not be new, but they're certainly new to young people in the midst of their musical coming-of-age years. Story continues below advertisement And the price? Free, or something very close to it. There's still time for a 2025 Song of the Summer, of course. Hearken back to 2022 when Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill reached the peak of its virality that August. There might be something gestating on TikTok right now that will explode in the next four weeks. But just because something goes crazy on TikTok doesn't mean it will land on the radar of those who don't use the platform. Nor does reaching number one on the Spotify Top 50. A true Song of the Summer has to transcend all platforms simultaneously — and that just hasn't happened so far in 2025. Music has always been a cyclical thing, so maybe this is just one of those occasional droughts. Or maybe we're entering an era when not enough people latch onto the same song at the same time. Do people care about the 'hits' the way they used to? Could it be that the new stuff that's out there is unable to create strong emotional connections? Does too much of today's pop music sound the same? Are artist images as strong and relatable as they used to be? With so much music available, is it possible for music consumers to create connections with individual artists? Strange times, indeed. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer, no matter how you want to soundtrack it.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Sunset Jam offered something special
THE Sunset Jam music event packed a full house as crowds gathered at Heritage Valley in Kuala Lumpur recently for a laid-back showcase hosted by Fly FM and Hot FM, featuring Jakeman, Arif and Alya Kamaluddin, and the anticipated deejay debut of Khairy Jamaluddin, spinning under the name CAGE. The venue buzzed with anticipation well before sunset, offering ample space to dance, chill and grab coffee from the pop-up vendor. People of all stripes streamed in, from regular party-goers to curious onlookers who've never seen a former politician work the turntables. Everyone came for one thing, and it was to see if KJ could actually DJ or if they'd witness an epic fail. The evening kicked off with Arif and Alya, who proved they belonged on the lineup. Arif bounced through rhythm-heavy sets peppered with playful samples that had the early crowd nodding along, while Alya's layered electronic beats with smooth transitions that showcased real skill behind the decks. Both drew the early arrivals in and kept the feet moving, laying the foundation for what was to come. When CAGE finally stepped into the booth for his first-ever DJ set, the energy shifted. Here was a man who'd spent years navigating political stages now facing his biggest test yet: making a room full of strangers dance to his beat. KJ then took the crowd on a nostalgic journey through his personal greatest hits, a curated blend of timeless anthems from "This Is How We Do It" to "Islands in the Stream," seamlessly mixed with recent chart-toppers like "Espresso". The setlist felt like flipping through the pages of a beloved mixtape with each transition sparking cheers of recognition. Were there stumbles? Absolutely. Transitions fell flat at first, beats missed their cue, and some drops dragged longer than necessary. But considering he'd trained for just two weeks under the guidance of DJ Julian Fernandez from DJs Playground, CAGE did rather well. "I wanted something familiar, to play stuff that people know," KJ explained about his track selection, and it showed because it felt like this was all about creating a shared experience. People weren't just nodding along, they were singing full choruses with hands up, turning the place into a living-room dancefloor. For someone with zero professional DJ experience, CAGE demonstrated something you can't teach: the ability to read a room and keep people engaged. Years of public speaking had clearly prepared him for this different kind of performance. Jakeman wrapped the evening with a closing set that reminded everyone what professional DJing sounds like. He brought out the classics, which included smoothly sliding in Datuk Sheila Majid's iconic hit "Sinaran" and delivered the kind of flawless performance that gave the evening its perfect sendoff. By the end, Sunset Jam proved that you can throw a massive, well-produced party without losing the connection that makes these events special. The crowd hadn't just come to be impressed, but they'd come to move, connect, and be part of something fun. As for CAGE, he may be new behind the decks, but judging by the cheers and the genuine smiles among the audience, this probably won't be his last set. There was something refreshing about watching someone embrace being a beginner again, especially when they do it with such enthusiasm. With Sunset Jam 2.0 already on everyone's mind and social media buzzing with videos of the event's highlights, this might be the start of something special.
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Priest at center of Sabrina Carpenter video drama is selling olive oil, wine
He's peddling every Italian delicacy — except for Espresso. The priest who was famously punished for allowing pop princess Sabrina Carpenter to film a racy music video at his Brooklyn church is now selling his own line of Italian delicacies at his parish's festival this weekend — and finally opened up about the unholy fiasco, telling The Post he was misled by the video's producers. Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello introduced his 'A Taste of Heaven' olive oil and flight of wines on the opening day of the annual Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, marking the start of a new chapter since having to do penance for his decision to delve into the world of pop music. 7 Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello unveiled his olive oil and wines this week a the Feast of Mt. St. Carmel. William C Lopez/New York Post He told the Post that he allowed the pint-size songstress to film the video for her No. 1 pop hit 'Feather' at the storied church in 2023 after he was shown a script for the shoot — which he says failed to include the near biblical amount of violence and gore that was seen in the final product. 'I originally allowed it because it was another way that I thought I would be able to attract young people in the church. What they put on paper and showed me was not what they filmed in the church,' Gigantiello told The Post in the parish's rectory Friday. 'I regret that I allowed it, and I didn't oversee it more. But I believe also that the reaction was a little too much.' The 2023 video featured the scantily-clad songstress standing at the altar of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church between clips of her facilitating the death of several men, which unsurprisingly sent pearl-clutching shockwaves well beyond the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. The 'Espresso' singer publicly defended the venue choice, saying: 'We got approval in advance … and Jesus was a Carpenter.' Her reps did not immediately return a request for comment. 7 Cooking and food are a way to bring people to the church's table, Giganteillo explained. William C Lopez/New York Post Gigantiello, 66, was demoted for allowing the debacle, and had his administrative duties as a pastor restricted. It was a punishment he implied was handed down by the 'church hierarchy' because he already had notoriety before the fiasco and they needed a fall guy. 'My face was all over, and then there was a price with that. Because when some people come in and they don't like it and they have authority, these things happen,' he continued. 'But I have to say, the people of the diocese, the people of the parish and the people in the civic community, are behind me 1,000%' Now, the famous priest is continuing his mission to reach young people in more savory ways, particularly through his signature tomato sauce, olive oil and wine. This time it's being well received. 7 Gigantiello is a Culinary Institute of America graduate. William C Lopez/New York Post 'People love it. You know they're interested in it. Someone said, 'he's the new Martin Stewart,'' Gigantiello joked to The Post in the parish's rectory Friday. Gigantiello has already been hawking his signature tomato sauce for roughly a year, a venture he started as a way to invite younger people to the church in a natural and comfortable manner. Williamsburg has more millennials than any other zip code in the US, and Gigantiello has successfully drawn the age group into the faithful fold by appealing to their taste buds. And he has the skillset for it — Gigantiello graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked as a professional chef and cooking teacher for a decade before he entered the seminary at age 30. 7 The priest first released his tomato sauce last summer. William C Lopez/New York Post 7 A customer dubbed the priest as the 'new Martin Stewart.' William C Lopez/New York Post 'To show hospitality to people is a Godsend because it opens up many doors. It's a way of saying that, 'You're important and I welcome you. Jesus was always eating in people's homes and welcoming people, and that's what we try to do here. We try to meet people where they're at. We're not trying to bang religion over their head or condemn everyone,' he explained. Introducing the extra virgin olive oil, as well as his Amarone red and Pinot Grigio white wines, was a natural evolution, he explains. Plus, the 'staples in Italian cuisine' are necessary ingredients for recipes in Gigantiello's upcoming cookbook, titled 'A Taste of Heaven from Brooklyn' after the condiment line. The sauce retails for $10, while the olive oil and wine each go for $20 — but those looking for a discount can get the bundle for $45. 7 'They see the collar on a food product, it captures people's attention. That's something that I know makes a difference,' he said. William C Lopez/New York Post All three have a picture of Gigantiello in his priestly garb, which he says helps bring in the dough. 'They see the collar on a food product, it captures people's attention. That's something that I know makes a difference,' he said. 'I think my sauce is very, very good. Is it better than some others? I would say no. But people may have a tendency to buy mine because they see it's 'a taste of heaven.'' Dozens have already scooped up their packs on the first two days of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the annual festival famous for Giglio, the 4-ton, 72-foot statue that is 'danced' through sweltering streets by a team of 120 men known as 'lifters.' 7 Gigantiello tells The Post he regrets not investigating the Sabrina Carpenter video more closely before he allowed them inside the church. Sabrina Carpenter/YouTube It's too soon to guess how much the ingredient line will reap, but Giganteillo said all the profits will benefit the St. Peter for Humanity Foundation, a charity that addresses the medical needs of poorer children across the globe, he says. The famous priest will not take home a dime — even though he is technically allowed to. Priests do not take a vow of charity like nuns or Franciscan monks, he explained, meaning they can own cars and homes like the $700,000 Southmapton house he owns with another Brooklyn pastor. Making money for charity is just a plus, according to Gigantiello. The main point of peddling sauce, olive oil and wine is to bring his people to the table over a common thread: food. Gigantiello hosts weekly Sunday dinners after mass, in particular for his younger parishoners, as a means of opening a door for their age group, saying: 'Saturday they go party. And Sunday morning, they're hungover, so Sunday night, let's go to church.'
