Which rockstar made the best nepo babies?
Plus post-Grammys thoughts and a devastating albums chart debut
Hi everyone! Last week I correctly predicted that Chappell Roan would win best new artist at the Grammys. That probably means I’m right about a lot of things and you should subscribe to this newsletter and perhaps even share it.
Several great nepo babies have come from rockstars and their WAGs. Zoë Kravitz. Jemima and Lola Kirke. Liv Tyler. Stella McCartney. There are more but these are what came to my mind first, which shows you where my cultural priorities are.
Lately I’ve been obsessed with two nepo babies, both of whom were spawned from the very same rockstar. The rockstar: Bono. The babies: Elijah and Eve Hewson.
(Bono and Ali Hewson also have two other kids, John and Jordan, but they are not relevant for the purposes of this newsletter)
Please note: It’s very difficult for me to like new music by men. But every once in a while, a man breaks through the glass ceiling of my taste. It just goes to show that men who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians and want to be part of my playlists…They need to step up because I think they would be welcome.
That’s what happened with Inhaler in 2023. Before I knew anything about the Irish band, I heard “These Are the Days,” the first single for their second album, “Cuts & Bruises.” They were reminiscent of the pop-leaning rock acts that were all over Tumblr in the mid 2010s (The Killers, The Kooks, The Vaccines).
It was only later that I found out that Inhaler’s lead singer, Elijah Hewson, now 25, is Bono’s son. It all clicked! If you listen to old U2, father and son’s voices sound nearly identical. Not to mention all of the ‘80s rock influences in Inhaler’s music.
Inhaler’s third album, “Open Wide,” comes out tomorrow, and it might be their most realized record yet. Its energy is infectious, and its bouncy synths and very pop-forward melodies further distinguish them from the massive, anthemic rock of U2. My favorite songs are “Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)” and “A Question of You.”
This is a music substack, but I’m using this as an excuse to share how much I love Apple TV+’s “Bad Sisters.” It’s about a group of sisters who want to kill one sister’s abusive husband. The audience knows he’s dead, but it takes the first season for us to find out what really happened.
I love the Garvey sisters like I love friends, especially Eve Hewson’s character, Becka. Maybe it’s because she and I share a little-sister mentality, or we just both have really dark hair and pale skin. And while I preferred the first season, the second season’s finale blew me away. This show illustrates how one family collectively deals with trauma, even as they go about their individual lives.
I can’t write about these nepo babies without noting how they have handled being nepo babies. But both Elijah and Eve have made it clear that their parents didn’t want them to go into show business.
“She hated it,” Elijah told the London Evening Standard about his mom in 2023. “Then as she saw how passionate I was about it, and about the lads, she had no choice but to get on board.” The lads! He made it clear his parents don’t always financially support his endeavors.
“Our first time coming to London, our Airbnb got cancelled. I rang her: ‘Any chance of a hotel?’ She said: ‘When me and your dad first went over to London, we had to stay on a park bench one night. So, do that.’”
Spoiler: He did not sleep on a park bench.
“Certainly I had a very privileged upbringing,” he continued. “So the moments where they can put me through challenges like that, they do.”
Eve has said that her parents didn’t want her to be an actor when she was a teen. She told Byrdie that they wanted her to be an architect.
“[My parents] were like, ‘Oh my god, this is what she wants to do.’ They just didn’t want me to move to Hollywood. They didn’t want me to get caught up in the movie business. I mean, look at the music industry, at the movie industry—it is stark. There’s a lot of bad shit out there. They were concerned for their 15-year-old child that, all of a sudden, came home and was like: I want to be an actress. They were like, ‘Oh god, no. Please be an architect.’”
In late 2022, Eve responded to NY Mag’s nepo baby cover story to sarcastically complain that she wasn’t featured in it. But she was! The whole thing was cringe and she deleted it all.
❤️ LOVE NOTES ❤️
A handful of post-Grammys thoughts:
I am so happy more of America knows who Benson Boone is now. This substack was great at identifying that “Beautiful Things” is the ultimate FYP-core song.
Chappell Roan’s Speech Isn’t Just About Health. It’s about Equity. And let’s pay attention to which tours are offering their employees healthcare!
I don’t remember the last time I thought an award show red carpet interviewer did a good job. The Babyface drama is just one example.
This sums up the night:
ICYMI in November Pitchfork announced that they will no longer host their annual Chicago music festival. The festival’s co-founder shared what was going on behind the scenes.
There is nothing more “U.S. hardcore punk” than a fast-fashion, one-size-fits-”most,” lace-edged tank top from Brandy Melville.
Mei Semones announced her debut album, “Animaru” and shared the super-sweet single “Dumb Feeling,” in which she alternates between singing in English and Japanese about life in NYC. Her lightweight vocals float over finger-picked guitar and a jazzy/bossa nova style. It’s lovely and makes me wish for spring.
A couple of weeks ago I attended Mei’s album listening event at the newly opened Funny Bar. Everyone there knew everyone! I knew no one! Ha. There was not wine, but there was a disco ball and crayons for the paper tablecloths. Plus I overheard someone there say they knew someone who got arrested at a Rainbow Kitten Surprise concert.
🚨 VIBE CHECK 🚨
What the people are actually listening to:
We have a new Hot 100 No. 1, “4x4” by Travis Scott! It’s the year’s first No. 1 that was released in 2025. More notably, it’s Scott’s first No. 1 since 2020. (The Astroworld tragedy took place in 2021.) It’s his 5th No. 1 overall. The net proceeds from the single will benefit Direct Relief’s California Wildfire Response Fund.
More 2025 songs that are new to the chart:
“Fat Juicy and Wet” by Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars at No. 17 (love)
“Sports Car” by Tate McRae at No. 21
“Blue Jean Baby” by Zach Bryan at No. 73 (kinda low for him, no?).
Meanwhile, Oct. 2024 track “Weren’t For the Wind” by Ella Langley debuted at No. 85 and Sept. 2024 song “Mutt” by Leon Thomas debuted at 100.
Apparently Kane Brown put out a new album, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and had songs chart at No. 58 (it’s the song that features Jelly Roll…sigh) and 79.
I’m devastated to admit that I may have cursed the charts in my newsletter last week. Debuting at No. 4 on the albums chart—you’re not going to believe this—Teddy Swims’s “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2).” As if we haven’t endured enough. I didn’t know it was possible to try everything but therapy more than once, but if anyone’s going to do it, it’s a guy with face tattoos, grills and a wide-brimmed hat.
💋 HOT DATE 💋
Soccer Mommy at Brooklyn Steel, Jan. 30
It was my first trip to BK Steel of 2025 and certainly not my last. L’Rain opened Soccer Mommy’s sold-out show. I’d seen them once before when they opened for Kim Gordon. Even if you’re not acquainted with their music, their live show seems to be improvised and is jazzy and hypnotic enough to keep your attention. The frontwoman shared that she was conquering trauma that night—It was her first time at the venue since she’d broken her foot on that very stage, and she continued to perform! Rewatch Chappell’s speech, rinse, repeat.
I have no idea how many times I’ve seen Soccer Mommy. Maybe 7? I was disappointed that she didn’t perform “Still Clean” or “Scorpio Rising” from her debut studio album, but then I realized, Natalia, you’ve seen her play those songs 7 times. Her performance of “Salt in Wound” from her new album reignited my love for the song.
The last two times I saw Soccer Mommy, Sophie Allison brought up the idea of an after party, adding that she would not attend said party. To me, it shows that she wants people who feel connected with her music to connect with each other (and leave her out of it). She’s no longer the indie girlie posting tons of selfies, replying to comments and tweets. Maybe she’s limiting our access to her life, but she’s encouraging our access to one another, and I really respect that shift.
🔥 Old Flames 🔥
Almost every month, I make a playlist full of songs I’m loving. Once the month is over, I start a new one. This has allowed me to create monthly time capsules, and now I’m sharing them with you because I love you!
Last February I was listening to… Then new singles from Kacey Musgraves, Beyoncé and Maggie Rogers. And it’s officially been one year since my Raffaella obsession began.
In February 2023 I was listening to… Inhaler! Ice Spice, Hannah Jadegu and allll the songs from “Daisy Jones and the Six.”
In February 2022 I was listening to… “Kissing Lessons” by Lucy Dacus, songs from Mitski’s “Laurel Hell,” the pinkest Australian pop star Peach PRC
In February 2021 I was listening to… Loretta Lynn (RIP), The Sundays and Remember Sports.
In February 2020 I was listening to… : “Lilacs” by Waxahatchee, the first music I ever heard from Porridge Radio, the debut of “Garden Song” by Phoebe Bridgers. What an ominous time.
In February 2019 I was listening to… “Lasting Friend” by Samia, Stella Donnelly (where has she been?!), lots of Julia Jacklin because I was reviewing her album “Crushing,” which still holds up.
😘 Friday I’m in Love 😘
Tomorrow’s notable album releases:
There are only two things you actually need to know about me. My name is Natalia and my favorite podcast is Las Culturistas. They end every episode with a song. I end every newsletter with a song.
One more thing…I made this beautiful photo my phone wallpaper.
