Music
Megan Thee Stallion’s Boisterous ‘Good News’ Is A Carefree Club Album With Rotten Timing
Marcelo Cantu As it is, ‘Good News’ is a breath of fresh air for a year that left many feeling stifled and stuck indoors. …


The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
Next year, Megan Thee Stallion’s rollicking new album Good News will be the perfect complement to carefree nights out and liquor-fueled house parties. This year, however, it has the rotten luck to have been released into a nightlife-dulling pandemic, blunting its sharp nose for antics. That makes it a weird project to take in; on one hand, there’s intent to consider, while on the other, there’s context. They’re both always a factor in how music is listened to, processed, enjoyed, reviewed, or discarded, but in this case, how you view Good News depends on which aspect you give the most account. As it is, Good News is a breath of fresh air for a year that left many people feeling stifled and stuck indoors.
As a directive work of entertainment, it’s A1. Ever since entering the mainstream consciousness in 2018 with her fan-favorite EP Tina Snow, Megan’s been pretty consistent in offering her tongue-wagging status-quo-challenging brand of femininity and empowerment. She may only have one bag, but Good News demonstrates how impossibly deep it can get, expanding the range of classic 1990s hip-hop and R&B samples she can co-opt to her purposes (Adina Howard’s “Freak Like Me,” Michel’le’s “Something In My Heart,” and yes, The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya” all make appearances). The production is absolutely stellar and Megan rarely misses a beat.
But as a historical document, a record of the state of the world as of its release, Good News seems mostly disinterested in speaking to the moment. The obvious exception, of course, is Megan’s head-on address of the most devastating event in her personal world: The July incident in which she accused fellow rapper Tory Lanez of shooting her in the feet. Fittingly set to the aforementioned Biggie classic, she defiantly dismantles his mewling defenses of his actions on the night in question and his frankly appalling counter-accusations on his own recently released project, Daystar.
“Talkin’ ’bout bones and tendons like them bullets wasn’t pellets,” she growls on “Shots Fired,” directly referencing Tory’s lyrics from “Money Over Fallouts” to undercut his objections. “A p*ssy n***a with a p*ssy gun in his feelings.” There’s a dismissive, almost perfunctory tone to the opener, almost as if Megan is exasperated she even has to address this nonsense still; this is her getting it out of the way so she can get back to being a hot girl. However, in the process, she inadvertently applies the same treatment to her Breonna Taylor callout toward the end of the song. With only one line devoted to the subject on pretty much the whole album, Meg leaves listeners with only her New York Times op-ed to find her comments on any topic deeper than twerking.
On standout tracks like “Freaky Girls” and “What’s New,” Meg judo flips patriarchal attitudes, turning the male gaze and its resultant criticism back on her critics. “Pussy n****s on the internet talk ‘bout some pussy they ain’t gettin’,” she sneers at them. Meanwhile, on “Go Crazy,” she steals the show from punchline pros 2 Chainz and Big Sean who turn in some of their funniest verses of the year (“Your ho just left, she a southpaw” sent me to heaven and back). And when Megan teams up with Juicy J — as she does on “Freaky Girls,” “Work That,” and “Outside” — their chemistry remains unmatched and every bit as potent as it was on Fever in 2019.
She even brushes up on the weak points from her spring EP Suga: The singing and poppier tracks that dragged down the back half of that effort. While they still aren’t her strong suit, she strategically scatters the dancehall-aping “Intercourse” and synth-pop reach “Don’t Rock Me To Sleep” to keep them from dragging the energy too far down. The latter is even a decent example of its particular species, it’s just not quite what you really want to hear this particular artist trying to do.
One thing you won’t hear her do here is address most of the noxious bad vibes from the course of this year. While you wouldn’t expect an album called Good News to sink too far into rehashing our various shared misfortunes, the “News” part does kind of entail some commentary on current events. That commentary is a no-go, though; the Breonna Taylor reference is about as topical as it gets. Whether that lack comes as a welcome break from the onslaught of terrible dispatches from the 24-hour doomsday documentary cycle or a critical failure on the part of the artist depends on your view.
This is where longtime readers might expect me to complain about the lack of depth on the majority of Good News, but to be honest, I think there’s a lot to be said for knowing your lane and staying in it. If literal legions of male rappers can get away with endless tributes to cars, chains, watches, and elaborate cocktails of drugs, surely Megan can serve up a collection of odes to her body — especially when they’re as well-executed and hooky as the song titled “Body,” which employs a Miami-bass-ish, uptempo drumline for her to chat about her “out-of-control” ass-to-waist ratio and love for herself (“If I wasn’t me… I would have bought me a drink”).
Megan takes enough steps outside her comfort zone to justify her staying in it, while she finds a truly astonishing range of ways to tackle her favorite subjects. If most of the songs here are club anthems they display a lot of variety — “Don’t Stop” is as different from “Body” as “Girls In The Hood” is from “Do It On The Tip” — and they get the job done; TikTok and Instagram are already swiftly filling with choreographed dance routines and confidence-building quotes inspired by Megan’s unbowed persona. If she can continue to pave the way for a wave of unabashed, uninhibited, empowered women with no use for the status quo, well then, that’s good news, indeed.
Good News is out now via 1501 Certified Ent/300 Entertainment. Get it here.
Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Artist Spotlight
Shawn Mendes Gets Real About Mental Health in Eye Opening New Documentary

Shawn Mendes opens up about his mental health in his recent documentary, he takes that honesty to a whole new level. From the time he was a teenager becoming famous, to dealing with the huge pressures of being a global star, Mendes has talked openly about how it affects his mental well-being. Through his personal stories, fans get an even closer look at his journey, which is filled with ups and downs as he searches for genuine happiness. In his 2020 Netflix documentary, *Shawn Mendes: In Wonder*, the singer of hits like “Stitches” shares a touching portrait of his life at the height of his career.
Despite all his success, he expresses a desire for simpler times. “I’m so grateful. I love these performances and I’ve never had more fun,” he shares. “But at the same time, I just want to spend time with my parents, watch movies, drive around, lie on a soccer field, and hang out with my friends. I miss that right now. It’s pretty intense.” Even when he was at the top, Mendes craved the little joys that many people take for granted. The pressure to keep performing, creating, and looking perfect weighed on him, and he continued to discuss this in the years following the documentary.
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Flash forward to 2022, Mendes opened up again in a heartfelt social media post. At just 23 years old, with millions of fans and chart-topping songs, he shared that he was still battling feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. “Right now, I feel like a 23-year-old who’s either soaring high or sinking low,” he wrote. “Maybe that’s just what it’s like to be in your 20s, or maybe that’s just me.” His honesty struck a chord with fans who saw him as highly successful. Mendes admitted that despite his accomplishments, he often felt like he wasn’t doing enough. “The truth is, even with so much success, I still feel like I’m failing. I focus too much on what I don’t have and forget to appreciate what I do. I feel overwhelmed.”
Mendes’ willingness to talk about his mental health emphasizes that being famous doesn’t protect anyone from the stress of both personal and public expectations. His experience is not only a reflection of his own struggles but also offers hope to many fans who might feel the same way. In an industry that often emphasizes perfection, Mendes is changing the conversation by embracing being real and true to himself. What makes his story so inspiring is that it’s not just about his challenges but also his growth. Mendes is learning to handle his feelings, stay true to who he is, and understand that success doesn’t always lead to happiness.
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His readiness to share his story, no matter how complicated it may be, makes him relatable to his supporters. Through his documentary and candidness, Mendes encourages an important discussion about mental health in music. He’s showing that being vulnerable isn’t a weakness but a strength, a message that will likely inspire many others to be kinder to themselves. Though Shawn Mendes is a global superstar, at the end of the day, he’s just a young man trying to figure things out, just like everyone else. In his honesty, he’s discovered a connection with people.
Music
FAR FROM GODS ignite deep reflection with “Through the Flames”

FAR FROM GODS are back with their new song, “Through the Flames,” a powerful track that resonates emotionally. This alternative hip-hop song follows their earlier release, “Shapes,” and explores the struggle between finding inner peace and dealing with the chaos around us. It’s a mix of sadness and melody, acting as a heartfelt confession and a bold anthem that sticks with you. “Through the Flames” creates a thoughtful atmosphere. The music surrounds you like a thick fog. The song moves with intention, allowing every word to sink in deeply.
The lyrics of “Through the Flames” focus on perseverance. They talk about facing the pressures of a world that often seems overwhelming while trying to keep your spirit alive. The verses feel personal yet relatable, highlighting the responsibility of maintaining one’s true self amid chaos. There’s a sense of pain in the words, but they also convey strength, reminding us that discovering who we are can be tough and sometimes leaves scars. FAR FROM GODS skillfully blends sadness with energy in this track. It never loses its forward momentum, like someone walking through the ashes of their past toward something brighter.
The unique mix of alternative hip-hop elements creates a sound that feels both introspective and urgent. The smooth melodies and impactful lyrics deepen the emotional connection, making “Through the Flames” a reflective experience and a rallying cry for self-care. FAR FROM GODS carve their unique path in the alternative hip-hop scene with this new song. “Through the Flames” is a journey through personal reflection, struggle, and resilience. In a world filled with distractions and pressures, this song is a strong reminder that sometimes, the only way to move forward is to face the fire.
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