Lady Gaga is the latest artist to postpone their album over the coronavirus pandemic. Established artists with first week expectations won’t get the ears and eyes they want. Most of these artists will postpone their releases because the can’t fully capture the public’s attention with around-the-clock media coverage of the pandemic. It’s a great time for bedroom artists to release music.

Gaga said, “While I believe art is one the strongest things we have to provide joy and healing to each other… it just doesn’t feel right”

She explained, “This is such a hectic and scary time for all of us, and while I believe art is one the strongest things we have to provide joy and healing to each other during times like this, it just doesn’t feel right to me to release this album with all that is going on during this global pandemic.”

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Check out Cool by Linney. The track landed on New Music Friday (Deutschland, Switzerland) and Spotify’s Best New Pop and Brand Chill. After several single releases, this track has received the best overall debut. Linney is Los Angeles based and has been building her resume through featured topline vocals on a number of breakout dance tracks. She first made waves upon the release of her single, “Outta My Heart,” which was tweeted Halsey. Give it a stream.

Check out the track That Nice by Vallé. I was hooked quickly. Hip hop fans could take a liking.  Enjalas Jenkinson (his real name) takes inspiration Van Morrison, Chris Brown, Russ, J.Cole, and Kendrick lamar. Based in New Zealand, he’s opened for JessB and UnchainedX.  Check out the track on the Indie Invaders Playlist.

Although many artists have cancelled or postponed tours, Justin Bieber has not. His upcoming Changes tour is set to kick off in May.  This is a big game of chance. First, promoters need several months of lead up time. It’s around the clock promo for big arena tours – weeks, days, and seconds matter. Promoters lost those weeks . Insiders claim the 26 year old isn’t canceling the tour…yet.  As with other artists, Bieber and team are taking this minute by minute.

According to sources: “He knows that some spots might have to be cancelled or postponed and right now he is taking it minute by minute and case by case. His people are keeping him up on everything and he will act appropriately when needed. If he can go out, he will. If cities and venues tell him he can’t, then he will abide by everything that is brought to him. It is touch and go right now but he is hoping for the best. He is around people he loves and who loves him so he is going to ride it out and see what happens.”

The Canadian streaming king seems to be immune to COV19. The Weeknd is looking to have an explosive week despite around the clock media coverage on the pandemic.  His new album After Hours (Republic)  projected to move 400k+ units.

It worked for The Weeknd but it may not work for everybody. One may think it’s easy to go unnoticed when the media has grasped the public’s attention with social distancing and self-quarantine measures. For instance, French singer Thomas Dutronc, who has Iggy Pop on his new album has delayed the release.

Ok, to release or not to release? Established artists with expectations should probably wait until the seas calm down. They certainly won’t get the eyeballs they are looking for. Plus, people in times of a crisis tend want to venture into new territory and leave the familiar. Lesser known artists may benefit from a difficult time. A new artist tends to offer new solutions. New artists should continue to release new music now. Artists are living through history. This history will produce a new crop of artists that will spark generational change.