JOHN MELLENCAMP

NEW YORK — (AP) — There's a brutal calculus that goes on in John Mellencamp's mind these days. “This album really is one guy speaking about himself and his life. Mellencamp, whose past hits include “Jack and Diane,” “Pink Houses” and “Hurts So Good,” doesn't labor over songs like he used to. This is an incredibly powerful body of work.”The album and title song are named after playing cards. Mellencamp notes that they have swords behind their backs and calls them the most dangerous cards in the deck.

There’s a brutal calculus that goes on in John Mellencamp’s mind these days.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp returns with his first album of original songs in five years, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp returns with his first album of original songs in five years, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack.

As the “Hurts So Good” singer explains it, “girls” and what he calls “hangers-on” have been barred from entering backstage premises since 1991 – when his then-wife Elaine Irwin put her foot down.

The Stream This combination of photos shows promotional art for "A Hero," a film premiering Jan. 21 on Amazon, left, "Munich: The Edge of War," a film premiering Jan. 21 on Netflix and "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," premiering Jan. 21 on Apple TV+. MOVIES— Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi latest masterpiece, "A Hero," comes to Amazon Prime Video on Jan. 21. — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— In the fall of 2021, two quintessentially American singer-songwriters got together for a song about making the most of the time we've got left. — Keb' Mo' releases the 13-track album "Good To Be" on Friday. — It's party time again for Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober on the Apple TV+ reboot "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," debuting Friday.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album of rootsy rock from John Mellencamp, the return of puppet friends from “Fraggle Rock” and a virtual Sundance Film Festival where all the selections can be streamed.

British rock band Coldplay are headed out of this world with a new cosmic-themed album called “Music of The Spheres,” scheduled to drop on Oct. 15.

Bruce Springsteen has won the Woody Guthrie Prize, which is given annually to an artist seen as carrying on the spirit of the folk singer whose music focused on the plight of the poor and disenfranchised.

This aerial photo taken from video provided by Fox11 News KTTV-TV shows the Hollywood Hills home, center, where Pop Smoke, 20, was shot and killed early Feb. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles. Authorities say three men and two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the home-invasion death of the rising rapper. (Fox11 News KTTV-TV via AP)

This aerial photo taken from video provided by Fox11 News KTTV-TV shows the Hollywood Hills home, center, where Pop Smoke, 20, was shot and killed early Feb. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles. The three men were identified as Jaquan Murphy, 21, Corey Walker, 19, and Keandre D. Rodgers, 18, all of Los Angeles. Pop Smoke and his entourage staying at the home are not believed to be associated with the gang, Tippet said. “It’s our belief that (the home-invasion robbery) was based on some of the social media" posts, Tippet said. Earlier this year, Pop Smoke released the mixtape “Meet the Woo 2,” which debuted at No.

In this undated photo provided by Republic Records is Pop Smoke. "We are devastated by the unexpected and tragic loss of Pop Smoke," Republic Records said in a statement. An autopsy was planned after Pop Smoke was declared dead at a hospital. Chance the Rapper, 50 Cent, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj, who collaborated with Pop Smoke, were among those paying tribute on social media. “Young tycoon gone2soon had a blast wit ya,” Snoop Dogg posted, along with a video of himself and Pop Smoke on stage together.

A mural depicting rock and roll legend John Mellencamp is nearing completion in his hometown of Seymour, Indiana. - A mural depicting rock and roll legend John Mellencamp is nearing completion in his hometown of Seymour, Indiana. The mural is located on Second Street, on the side of This Old Guitar Music Store. The store's owner and high school classmate of Mellencamp, Larry McDonald, tells WLKY he worked since 2014 to make the mural a reality. Those close to the project say it has not been decided if Mellencamp will return to Seymour for its unveiling.

Anchor, "CBS Sunday Morning"