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Yungblud’s “more cynical” new album ‘IDOLS’ part two will be arriving “imminently”

Yungblud is teasing the second part of his new double album ‘IDOLS’, which he described as “more cynical” and said would be arriving “imminently”. READ MORE: Yungblud is ready to leave his idols behind The first part was released in June and was produced by Andrew Watt, who is also producing the second instalment. Advertisement The artist, real name Dom Harrison, told Rolling Stone that its first track is titled ‘I Need You to Make the World Seem Fine’ and contains the lyrics: “Pictures of idols rise up and fall/Wish you knew it all/Lift your head from the pillow, you’ve been missing enough/Built yourself a wall.” “The first part is about self-reclamation and flying, learning how to get your wings. The next bit is the real realism — how do you live in the real world as this person you’ve discovered? It’s a little bit more cynical,” he said. Later, Harrison said: “‘Idols’ was extremely maximalist,” he says. “What me and Watt wanna do is extremely minimalist. We really wanna make it sound live, band-y. We might not even record to a click. I’ve been listening to [Jeff] Buckley and [Chris] Cornell and [Scott] Weiland, going into this zone of ’93 MTV Unplugged, Stone Temple… Read More →

07JANNews

Robyn announces new album ‘Sexistential’ with title track and single ‘Talk To Me’: “I feel like the purpose of my life is to stay horny”

Robyn has announced her new album ‘Sexistential’ and shared the title track and single ‘Talk To Me’ – find all the details below. The Swedish pop icon’s ninth studio LP – her first since 2018’s critically acclaimed ‘Honey‘ – will land on March 27 via Young. It will be released on CD, limited cassette and digitally, along with magenta, white and alternate art vinyl formats. You can pre-order it here. Advertisement Following her recent comeback single ‘Dopamine‘, Robyn has now shared the title track and the song ‘Talk To Me’, both of which you can listen to below. The former is described as “possibly the world’s first rap about having one-night stands while 10 weeks pregnant after IVF” in a press release. She said: “It was my cue. I have to do this, I have to write a rap about IVF.” [embedded content] The latter, which was co-written by Max Martin, their first collaboration since 2010’s ‘Time Machine’) meanwhile is described as “pure, unadulterated fun”. Robyn added: “I wrote it during the pandemic when there was no way to be physical. I like talkers, that turns me on.” Recommended [embedded content] Co-produced with longtime collaborator Klas Åhlund, Robyn said of the… Read More →

06JANNews

A$AP Rocky shares psychedelic new single ‘Punk Rocky’ with video featuring Winona Ryder, Danny Elfman, Thundercat and more

A$AP Rocky has shared his new single ‘Punk Rocky’, and the video features an impressive cast, including Winona Ryder – watch it here. ‘Punk Rocky’ is the lead single from his upcoming album ‘Don’t Be Dumb’, out next Friday (January 16), and it features a psychedelic rock sound. Advertisement “She ain’t gon’ be in my life no more / Got me crying in the microphone,” he sings in the track. “Let me shout on the megaphone / That ho ain’t my type no more.” And ‘Punk Rocky’s surreal video has already made a strong impression on fans. In the footage, Rocky sports pink rollers in his hair and is rehearsing in a garage with his punk band as Ryder, who plays a neighbour, looks on. The actress watches the band in a Beavis And Butthead T-shirt while eating blackberries, before another neighbour becomes unhappy with the noise. Along with Ryder, the video stars Danny Elfman, Thundercat, and Rocky’s cousin A$AP Nast. The video appears to be an important part of the album’s narrative, in which the rapper showcases six alter egos. In the clip, he brings five of them to life. Per Variety, there’s “Rocky portraying GR1M, Tommy Revenge as… Read More →

06JANNews

Ted Nugent praises “real McCoy” Yungblud and “idiot” Jack White while hitting out at Green Day and “good friend” Tom Morello

Ted Nugent has praised Yungblud and Jack White while hitting out at Green Day and his “good friend” Tom Morello over their politics. The US guitarist, songwriter and activist is a high-profile supporter of President Donald Trump, and known for his right-wing political views and pro-gun stance. Advertisement On New Year’s Day (Thursday January 1), Nugent uploaded a video titled ‘Let’s Talk Music’ on his official YouTube channel. Here, the musician shared his thoughts on White’s halftime performance at the Detroit Lions game on Thanksgiving Day – where he brought out Eminem. Nugent – who, like White and Eminem, is from Detroit, Michigan – praised the former White Stripes frontman’s “great” set at the event. “He’s not a 10. He’s like a four [or] a five, but he really delivered real rock ‘n’ roll,” he told viewers (via Consequence). However, Nugent went on to criticise White’s politics. He called both him and Eminem “total idiots”, continuing: “They don’t want their country to have secure borders. They think men should destroy women’s sports. Well, that’s not… that’s exactly what they stand for.” He explained: “When you hate Donald Trump, you want men in women’s sports to destroy women’s rights. That’s what… Read More →

05JANNews

Kneecap promise new album incoming for 2026

Kneecap have told fans that they will be releasing a “brand new album” later this year The Irish rap trio had a headline-catching 2025, and to round it out they sent out a social media post last week (December 31) in which they thanked fans for their continued support and promised that the 2026 would be a big year for them. Advertisement “They tried to crush us and they failed,” they said. “Thanks to all of you sound c*nts we’re stronger than ever.” “Big things to come in 2026 – including a brand new album. But nothing is more important than supporting each other and keep taking action for Palestine,” they added. Well well a chairde Gael. Been some year for our big Fenian family. 💚🤍🧡 They tried to crush us and they failed. Thanks to all of you sound c*nts we’re stronger than ever. Big things to come in 2026 – including a brand new album. But nothing is more important than… pic.twitter.com/TeufFMBKJK — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) December 31, 2025 Kneecap released their breakthrough album ‘Fine Art’ in 2024, a record that NME gave the full five stars, writing: “In the dark of the night out, the moment is all that matters and the rave will set you free. To shout that in a… Read More →

05JANNews

Björk shares message of support with Greenland after Donald Trump annexation threat: “Colonialism has repeatedly given me horror chills up my back”

Björk has voiced her support for Greenland’s independence following Donald Trump’s proposition to annex the country, and said that the topic of “colonialism has repeatedly given me horror chills up my back”. The US President has repeatedly hinted at the prospect of having the island become an annexed part of the United States, and told reporters recently that the country “need[s] Greenland from the standpoint of national security” (as per BBC News). Advertisement Citing how its location could be strategic for the US when it comes to defence purposes, the idea has been repeatedly criticised by officials and residents in the Danish territory. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen dismissed Trump’s threat as a “fantasy” and told the president “that’s enough now”. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also said that Trump has “no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom”. Greenland has been self-governed since the late ’70s and has a population of roughly 57,000 people, although matters of foreign policy and defence are still run by Denmark. Icelandic music icon Björk has now also hit back at Trump – as well as Denmark – sharing a statement across social media encouraging those in Greenland… Read More →

04JANNews

Alex Van Halen working on new record with Toto’s Steve Lukather

Alex Van Halen has revealed that he is working on a new album alongside Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. The legendary rock drummer, who co-founded Van Halen with his younger brother Eddie in 1972, appeared on the Metal Sticks podcast on Thursday (January 1), hosted by Iron Maiden’s Nick McBrain, and spoke about his current musical projects. Advertisement “I’m getting ready to do this record with Lukather and a couple of other people,” Van Halen said. “It should be exciting.” It is unclear whether the album will be a new Van Halen album or a side project. The band have not released a studio record since 2012’s ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’, and have been inactive since Eddie’s death from complications from throat cancer in 2020 at the age of 65. [embedded content] A report from De Telegraaf last year suggested that Alex was working on a collection of unfinished Van Halen songs alongside Lukather, with the drummer saying: “[Eddie] and Steve Lukather were very good friends and they often worked together. There is no one who can do this process with me as well as he can” (via Guitar World). “Did Alex say that? Oh, in that case the news is true,” Lukather responded. “Ed, Alex and I were very close for years. It is true that we worked on it together.” Recommended Alex has said in… Read More →

04JANNews

Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson says baby daughters may “never be able to walk” due to rare muscular condition

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has revealed that her twin baby daughters will “probably never walk” due to a rare muscular condition. Nelson gave birth to the girls – Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster – in May, confirming that they had been born prematurely at 31 weeks, and saying that she and her partner, the London-based rapper Zion Foster, were “so blessed” by the girls’ arrival. Advertisement Now, in an emotional video posted to her Instagram page on Sunday (January 4), Nelson has opened up about the girls, revealing that they have received a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which she described as “the most severe muscular disease”. She outlined what she said have been “the most gruelling three, four months and endless appointments”, before confirming that she had been told that her daughters are suffering from “SMA type 1”. “It does affect every muscle in the body, down to legs, arms, breathing, swallowing,” she said, adding that both daughters were struggling to feed properly or move their legs freely. She explained: “Essentially, what it does is, over time, it kills the muscles to the body, and if it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.” Recommended Nelson said that doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital informed her that the… Read More →

03JANNews

Listen to Peter Buck join The Icicle Works’ Ian McNabb on cover of R.E.M.’s ‘So. Central Rain’

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has collaborated with The Icicle Works’ Ian McNabb on a new version of ‘So. Central Rain’ – listen below. The track – originally released as a single from R.E.M.’s second album ‘Reckoning’ in 1984 – came together last year and has now been shared by Buck on R.E.M.’s official website. Advertisement “In the year just passed, I recorded some guitars on a version of ‘So. Central Rain’ by my friend Ian McNabb,” Buck wrote. “You might remember him from The Icicle Works. It’s a cool version. Hope this helps start the new year off well!” The cover will be included on McNabb’s upcoming album ‘65’, which is due to be released on October 4 this year and which you can pre-order here. Watch the video here: [embedded content] Buck was a founding member of R.E.M. and remained with the iconic Athens, Georgia band throughout their time together from 1980 until 2011. McNabb, meanwhile, was the frontman of Liverpool new wave band The Icicle Works in the 1980s and has had a prolific solo career since his debut album ‘Truth And Beauty’ in 1993. Recommended Last February, Buck and his former bandmates reunited on stage at the 40 Watt Club in Athens at a… Read More →

03JANNews

Watch Billy Joel play alongside his own tribute act in first show since brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joel has played live for the first time since his brain disorder diagnosis last year, appearing alongside his own tribute act. Joel last performed on stage in February 2025, but last night (January 2), he made a surprise appearance alongside the Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles in Wellington, Florida in front of a crowd of thousands at a show to mark the town’s 30th anniversary. Advertisement The legendary singer-songwriter joined them for two songs – ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ and ‘Big Shot’ – and was joined on stage by his daughters Della and Remy. “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” Joel quipped from the stage during his 12-minute cameo. Watch video footage of the event here: [embedded content] Last May, Joel cancelled all of his scheduled concert dates after revealing that he had been diagnosed with the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). A statement at the time said that the condition had been “exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance”. Recommended “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,” the statement added. “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.” His… Read More →

02JANNews

Watch Lucy Dacus perform ‘Bread And Roses’ at Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral inauguration

Lucy Dacus performed ‘Bread And Roses’ at Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral inauguration event – check it out below. READ MORE: Lucy Dacus – ‘Forever Is A Feeling’ review: diving headlong into love Mamdani got to celebrate his inauguration as New York’s mayor during an event at City Hall after he was formally sworn in at midnight and Dacus was on hand for a live performance. Advertisement The song is a longstanding political anthem associated with women’s suffrage and workers’ rights, incorporating lines from James Oppenheim’s 1911 poem. Fittingly, Dacus’ supergroup Boygenius worked it into their song ‘Stay Down’. It has also been covered by the likes of Judy Collins, Phil Collins, Pete Seeger, and Utah Phillips. Check it out below: Lucy Dacus performing ‘Bread and Roses’ today at Zohran Mamdani’s Inauguration Ceremony today in New York City! pic.twitter.com/s2Lvm5S1DI — boygenius source (@boygeniussource) January 1, 2026 Dacus brought out Mamdani on stage when she was performing at All Things Go Festival in September. “This is what our city should feel like,” he told the crowd at the time. “It should be a city where trans New Yorkers are cherished, a city where our queer neighbours are celebrated, and a city where each and… Read More →

02JANNews

How David Bowie’s iconic ‘Heroes’ became the last song of the ‘Stranger Things’ finale

The creators of Stranger Things have revealed how the iconic David Bowie track ‘Heroes’ was chosen as the final song of the series. The fifth and final season of the hit Netflix show was broadcast yesterday on New Years Day (Thursday January 1) and saw the heroic group of friends come together one last time, on the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance, to battle Venca. Advertisement Season five was split into three volumes, with the first four episodes airing on November 27, and the remaining four episodes being broadcast across Boxing Day and New Years Day. Alongside the star-studded cast, including Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Millie Bobby Brown, the series also came with an impressive soundtrack featuring ’80s hits from the likes of Kate Bush, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, ABBA and more. During the ending credits though, it was the classic Bowie single ‘Heroes’ that was played as the final song of the entire series. [embedded content] Speaking to Netflix Tudum, show co-creator Ross Duffer revealed that the song was chosen after it was suggested by Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on the show and also releases music under the alias Djo…. Read More →

01JANNews

MTV shuts down final music-only channels with ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’

MTV have closed down their remaining dedicated music video channels, ending with the Buggles’ ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’. As of yesterday (December 31), the network closed its final 24-hour music video stations across the UK, with MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live all being removed from platforms like Sky and Virgin Media. The flagship MTV channel will remain active in the UK, and it is expected to continue to primarily broadcast reality series. Advertisement As a sign-off, they played the video for 1979 new wave classic, a symbolic choice at it was also the first video that MTV ever aired when it launched in the US in 1981. MTV’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, has also shuttered the same channels in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Hungry, Australia and Brazil (via Deadline). [embedded content] There are now officially zero MTV channels in the UK that play actual music. pic.twitter.com/bQDYiwqSc2 — PumpkinSpider (same name on Bluesky) (@PumpkinSpider) December 31, 2025 After the launch of MTV in 1981, its counterpart channel MTV Europe followed in 1987 – opening with Dire Straits’ ‘Money For Nothing’ – and MTV UK arrived in 1997. That channel stopped showing music videos in 2011. Recommended MTV quickly became a staple of pop culture after its launch, and… Read More →

01JANNews

Foals tease new album: “2026…The Year of The Fire Horse”

Foals have teased a new studio album, describing 2026 as “the year of The Fire Horse”. The Oxford band have not released a record since 2022’s ‘Life Is Yours’, but in a post on social media today (January 1), they have strongly hinted that a new album will be on its way later this year. Advertisement “HNY! 2026…The Year of The Fire Horse…” they wrote on Instagram. The post came alongside a photo of a recording studio and white board chart that appears to show the recording parts of various songs. Check out the post here: It comes just weeks after frontman Yannis Philippakis spoke about the possibility of a new record, telling Rolling Stone UK in December: “I’m thinking about a Foals record, for sure. We just took a holiday together in Iceland and we were chatting about a record, so I reckon next year, keep your eyes peeled.” Back in 2024, Philippakis told NME that the band’s next album “could be the best Foals record yet”. He said at the time that the band “really want to have some time at home and apart to individually get replenished and be inspired – not make one out of a knee-jerk sense of obligation. We want the next record to be really special. Recommended “We’ve been busy so it’s good to go out… Read More →

31DECNews

Taylor Swift thanked for “generous” donations to children’s charities in Nashville and Kansas City

Taylor Swift has been thanked for her “generous” and “timely” donations to children’s charities in Nashville and Kansas City. The pop megastar has quietly been making major donations to causes of her choosing in recent years, including foodbanks in the UK, the American non-profit Feeding America, to whom she recently gave $1million, and a young fan battling cancer, who she gave $100,000. Advertisement Now, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville has thanked her for a major donation to their Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program, which helps patients between 15 and 25. “We are so grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous gifts to Monroe Carell,” the hospital’s chair Juan C. Salazar has said. “She is a true partner as we strive to provide a brighter, healthier future for the children and communities we serve.” “These gifts are so timely – of course, it is the holiday season, when a hospital stay is especially tough. And we are also seeing continued increases in the number of patients and families who turn to us for care,” he continued. “This makes a difference for us all.” Debra Friedman, director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the hospital, added: “The future of adolescent and young adult cancer research and care is full of progress and possibilities because of the generosity of donors… Read More →

31DECNews

Canadian musician’s show cancelled after AI wrongly labels him a sex offender

A musician in Canada has had a concert cancelled after he was falsely identified as a sex offender by a Google AI overview. The Juno Award-winning fiddler, singer and songwriter Ashley MacIsaac had been due to play at the Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada on December 19, but he said he was informed that the show was called off after a Google AI summary wrongly asserted that he had been convicted of a series of offences, including sexual assault. Advertisement The venue reportedly saw the misinformation online, with MacIsaac saying he believes the AI mistook him for a man in Canada with the same name. The musician has now told The Canadian Press that he thinks he may have been defamed by the error. “If a lawyer wants to take this on (for free)…I would stand up because I’m not the first and I’m sure I won’t be the last,” he said. [embedded content] “You are being put into a less secure situation because of a media company – that’s what defamation is,” he said, adding that he is worried what might have happened had he been trying to enter another country. “I could have been at a border and put in jail. So something has to be figured… Read More →

30DECNews

Liam Gallagher teases 2026 Oasis activity: “Bring on 2027 I mean 2026 I mean Happy Easter”

Liam Gallagher has stoked rumours by teasing possible Oasis activity for next year. Earlier this month, the frontman appeared to confirm that the band would not be touring again until 2027 at the earliest, replying to inquisitive fans on X by tweeting, “We’re not doing anything in 2026 sorry”. Advertisement That was then followed up by a blunt denial that Oasis would be playing at Knebworth next year, as well as a comment that “I don’t [have] snizzle to do until 2027 I mean happy Christmas.” Earlier today (December 30), however, Liam fuelled the possibility that there might be announcements to do with Oasis sooner than that. Replying to one fan who wrote that “Oasis 2025 will officially be over in a day”, Liam responded: “Bring on 2027 I mean 2026 I mean happy easter”. Bring on 2027 I mean 2026 I mean happy easter — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) December 30, 2025 He also sent out a couple of teasers relating to the make-up of Oasis setlists, in the event that they do come together for more dates in the next few years. One fan asked if ‘Listen Up’ would make the list in the future, to which he said: “If we tour again there will be changes to the set list thems the rules”. If we tour again there will be changes to the… Read More →

30DECNews

Amyl and the Sniffers’ Amy Louise Taylor sues US photographer over “exploitation of her image”

Amyl & The Sniffers lead vocalist Amy Louise Taylor has sued a US photographer over “exploitation of her image”. READ MORE: How Amyl and the Sniffers found their voice: “The world’s filled with junk. I don’t wanna be contributing to that” Taylor filed the complaint in the district court of California, accusing photographer Jamie Nelson of selling pictures taken for a Vogue Portugal photoshoot as “fine art prints” without her permission. Advertisement Court documents detail that the issue began in July 2024, when the band’s manager, Simone Ubaldi, reached out to Nelson to photograph the band for their upcoming album, ‘Cartoon Darkness’. However, the shoot later fell through, after the band “expressly communicated” to Nelson that they didn’t want her to use their name, image and likeness to promote her own photography business, and to sell merchandise, including “fine art prints”, per documents obtained by the Guardian. “As explained to Ms. Nelson, the Band was zealously protective of their image and did not want these used for non-Band-sanctioned, private commercial purposes such as Ms. Nelson had proposed. As a result, the photo shoot was never conducted,” the complaint reads. Months later, Nelson allegedly contacted Taylor, requesting to photograph her “with the express… Read More →

29DECNews

Slipknot’s Clown defends AI as “a professor in my pocket who only wants to do what I ask it”

Slipknot percussionist Clown has spoken out in favour of AI, which he says he thinks of as “a professor in my pocket who only wants to do what I ask it”. READ MORE: Clown talks Slipknot’s 25th anniversary tour and future: “We probably have several albums in us right now” The artist – real name Shaun Crahan – has said in a new interview that he is “employing AI 190 percent” and he’s been using it “my whole life”, thinking of it as a tool that can be helpful to musicians. In addition, he also claims to have used it to transform “thousands and thousands” of poems he’s written since he was young into something else. “No one needs to use it,” he added. Advertisement “Here are my words,” he offered as an example to The Escapist. “Don’t change them. Don’t alter them. But show me some different ways to sing it.” “What’s the difference between me pulling out my pocket producer… or me trying to get a famous producer that might not even work with me and could potentially cost me $150,000… who will only give me one or two ways – I’m not mentioning any names!” “It’s still going… Read More →

29DECNews

Lewis Capaldi says he will start working on new music in January after falling into “creative rut” in 2025

Lewis Capaldi says he’s been in a “creative rut” this year, but is heading into the studio in January. READ MORE: Lewis Capaldi – ‘Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent’ review: overwrought and frustrating The musician returned this year with an EP, ‘Survive’, in November, marking his first new music since his 2023 album ‘Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent‘. Advertisement It followed his surprise set on the Pyramid Stage at this year’s Glastonbury – a particularly poignant slot as his break from performing live started after he was forced to cut his set on the same stage in 2023 short due to struggling with tics caused by Tourette’s. Now, Capaldi has admitted that despite his successful year, he’s been in a creative rut. Appearing on Australian radio show Carrie and Tommy recently, he said: “I haven’t written a song since March of this year, I haven’t picked up a guitar, or written anything new. I was finding myself in a bit of a creative rut. “In January, well, next month, I’ve got some studio time booked in, and that’ll be the first time I’ll have got back to making stuff,” he added. [embedded content] Recommended Describing his songwriting process, Capaldi… Read More →

28DECNews

Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent defends selling new CD single for $225

Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent has come under fire for selling his new limited-edition CD single for $225 (£166). The musician, who played with the band from 1982 to 1984, announced the ‘Ride The Serpent’ single at the start of the month, the latest release from his current band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion. Advertisement He wrote on December 1 that each disc would be a “very limited collection piece” with “handwritten” autographs and individually “numbered in my handwriting”, with the whole run to be limited to 500 copies. At the time, he added that he would be pricing each single at $300 (£222), in an effort to combat “pirating entities” who he said were “watching and waiting like a hawk to seize whatever I release and bootleg it”. “I understand the bitching, the moaning, the whining about price, but you must also understand that my situation is as such that my music is so desired that it will be targeted and taken from me immediately, which I cannot/will not allow,” he added. “I wish it was not this way, but I’m honored that it is. It’s a double-edged sword for me, but I sincerely hope that when you think it through you will understand the dilemma I face” (via Stereogum). The ‘Ride The Serpent’ single… Read More →