Today's Music Pulse
Oliver Tree dies at 32 in Rio helicopter crash
Singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree was killed in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro at age 32. The incident was reported by Deadline and corroborated by Clash Music.
RIP Sonny Rollins (1930-2026)
Legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins passed away at his Woodstock, New York home on May 25, 2026, at age 95. The announcement came on the same day the world marked the centenary of Miles Davis, underscoring a symbolic passing of a jazz era. Rollins, known as the “Saxophone Colossus,” left a 70‑year recording legacy that continues to generate significant streaming and licensing revenue. His death has prompted immediate tributes from musicians, festivals, and record labels.
Lauren Bush
Canadian‑born jazz vocalist Lauren Bush, now based in London, completed a FACTOR‑funded 2025 Canadian tour, performing in nine cities with a different local trio each night. The tour, which featured 27 musicians across nine dates, underscored her community‑first ethos and...
BTS Crowned 'Artist of the Year' At American Music Awards
BTS secured the American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year title for the second year in a row, beating rivals such as Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. The fan‑voted win highlights the power of the BTS ARMY, which...
BTS Bring ‘Hooligan’ Music Video to Life at the American Music Awards
BTS took the stage at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas, delivering a live rendition of their Arirang track “Hooligan.” The performance was staged amid red lighting and black outfits, mirroring the song’s music video, and coincided with...
Drake Makes Chart History as New Album Trilogy Lands Top Three Spots
Canadian rapper Drake made Billboard history by debuting three new albums—"Iceman," "Habibti" and "Maid of Honour"—in the top three positions of the Billboard 200. "Iceman" opened at No. 1 with 463,000 equivalent album units, driven by 462.2 million on‑demand streams. "Habibti" and...
BTS Clinches AMA Artist of the Year, Others Honored
BTS Wins Artist of the Year at American Music Awards, as Katseye, Sombr, ‘Golden’ Also Score Top Honors: Complete Winners List https://t.co/UcgEcfcIph via @variety
With New Album Pureflow Pt.1, Le Sserafim Are Facing Their Fears and Are Stronger for It
Le Sserafim released their second studio album, Pureflow Pt.1, on May 22. The 11‑track record flips the debut mantra of fearlessness, arguing that confronting fear builds strength, and spans styles from Latin house to punk and funk. The group, a Hybe subsidiary,...
The Color of Rain
Los Angeles poet‑performer aja monet releases her second album, the color of rain, merging slam poetry with jazz, soul, and electronic production. The record, co‑produced with bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, drummer Justin Brown and trumpeter Nico Segal, expands her vocal palette through humming, trills and pitched‑down...
Förlorarnas Natt
Swedish musician Dicksson, operating the Discreet Music label, has issued *Förlorarnas Natt* (“Night of the Losers”), a concept album fashioned as a soundtrack for an imagined teen film. The record channels 1970s Italian film‑score aesthetics, employing Rhodes keyboards, vintage Korg...
Teddy Swims Brings Down the House With ‘Mr. Know It All’ at American Music Awards
Teddy Swims delivered the live debut of his new single “Mr. Know It All” at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas. The performance took place on a set resembling a boarded‑up house, highlighting his soulful vocals with minimal...
The Strokes Unveil Expansive 2026 “Reality Awaits” World Tour Across Five Continents
The Strokes announced a 2026 “Reality Awaits” world tour that will run from June to October, covering North America, Europe, Japan, South America and Mexico. The trek supports their seventh studio album, due June 26, and features a rotating roster...
AI‑Generated ‘Viking Rappers’ Pull Millions of Streams, Prompting Royalty Debate
An independent label in South Carolina has released AI‑generated Viking‑themed rap and AI‑driven Christian rock, racking up 56,699 monthly Spotify listeners for one act and dozens of full‑length albums. The surge has ignited a debate over how royalties and licensing...
Karol G Enchants at 2026 AMAs With Ethereal ‘Ivonny Bonita’ Performance
Karol G made a splash at the 2026 American Music Awards, delivering an ethereal rendition of “Ivonny Bonita” from her Tropicoqueta album. She was presented with the International Artist Award of Excellence, the first time the honor has been given...
BTS Returns to AMAs After Four-Year Hiatus
"All of us are so happy to be back at the American Music Awards again" -RM @BTS_twt is BACK on stage at the @AMAs for their first award show appearance in four years to present Best Female R&B Artist to @SZA...
MARTA Brings ‘The Heat’ to Summer Dancefloors
Canadian DJ‑producer MARTA drops her latest club anthem, "The Heat," building on the breakout success of "Keep Moving." The track delivers a dark, sweat‑soaked groove designed for peak‑time pressure and packed summer dance floors. Featuring loop‑ready vocals and a hypnotic...
Drake Sets Billboard Triple Crown, Records Biggest Streaming Debut of 2026
Drake captured the top three spots on the Billboard 200 with ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR, while ICEMAN logged 462.2 million on‑demand streams in its first week – the biggest debut of any album in 2026. The sweep also gave...
Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone Inspired A '80s Music Video That's Still Legendary
Young MC’s 1989 single “Bust a Move” topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #7 and went platinum, selling over a million copies. The music video, conceived by Delicious Vinyl co‑founder Mike Ross, casts Young MC as a Rod Serling‑like narrator, mirroring the detached voice...
Penelope Trappes ~ OPVS NOVUM: A Requiem Reworked
Penelope Trappes has released OPVS NOVUM: A Requiem Reworked, a full‑album reinterpretation of her 2025 record A Requiem. Ten tracks are presented in a new order, each remixed by a roster of experimental artists such as Gazelle Twin, Julia Holter,...
Boards of Canada Debuts New Album "Inferno" At Intimate LA Listening Session
Boards of Canada unveiled their long‑awaited album "Inferno" to roughly 300 attendees at a private listening session in Los Angeles on May 22. The duo’s first public playback in 13 years was staged at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, complete with...
Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' Fused Church and Pop Rebellion
Rosaries, guitars, gospel choirs, and one lyric that made executives nervous, Madonna’s 'Like a Prayer' brought church straight to the dance floor. These 5 facts reveal the bold creativity behind one of pop’s most fearless albums. https://t.co/K9N1gR2tWa
The Grammys Allegedly Reached Out To Drake For “ICEMAN” Submissions
Drake’s triple‑album drop—ICEMAN, HABIBTI, and MAID OF HONOUR—has dominated streaming charts and reinforced his commercial clout. Rumors circulating from OVO insiders claim the Recording Academy reached out to Drake, his label OVO and parent company Universal Music Group to encourage...
Video Premiere: Mama Doom – “Woven Linen” (NSFW)
New York trio Mama Doom, known for guitar‑free retro doom, released a striking video for their single “Woven Linen.” The video, produced by Gratuitous Productions, features the band blindfolded amid occult‑themed gore, brief topless nudity, and a visual homage to *Suspiria*....
Frizzell D’Souza & Abdon Mech, Jass Manak and All The Songs To Know This Week
Rolling Stone India’s weekly music roundup spotlights a travel‑themed wave of new releases across India’s indie, Punjabi and pop scenes. Bengaluru singer‑songwriter Frizzell D’Souza partners with Nagaland’s Abdon Mech for the single “Places I Find You In,” while Delhi‑based SoHumble...
RAYE Pushed Herself to Her “Limit” With New Album and Recent Touring
British singer‑songwriter RAYE released her second album, "This Music May Contain Hope," in March after a three‑year, high‑intensity recording period. She told Billboard she pushed herself to her limit while balancing relentless touring and studio work. The album earned a...
Elliott Wilson Declares Drake’s “ICEMAN” Album Of The Year
Elliott Wilson, veteran hip‑hop journalist, announced on May 25 that Drake’s album ICEMAN earns a 13‑out‑of‑18 score and deserves hip‑hop album of the year. Wilson praised 13 tracks while omitting five, signaling selective approval despite a lingering personal feud. The...
Lizzo Addresses the Backlash and Performs Live at The New York Times
Lizzo appeared on The New York Times’ Popcast, addressing recent lawsuits and her artistic evolution. She discussed the legal challenges surrounding her management and songwriting credits while promoting her upcoming album “Bitch.” The interview featured a stripped‑down performance of four songs, highlighting...
Queen Latifah on Hosting the American Music Awards, Releasing New Music This Year and Being a Taylor Swift Fan: ‘She...
Queen Latifah is set to host the American Music Awards on May 25, marking her first stint as host since 1995. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, reviving the AMAs after a brief hiatus. In...
AI‑Generated Kurdish Song 'Her E Gule' Goes Viral on TikTok and Instagram
Kurdish‑German producer Baris Korkmaz (aka Paix) and vocalist Luwam Mesfin released the AI‑generated song 'Her e Gule,' which has amassed millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. The track’s blend of traditional Kurdish melody with synthetic vocals is prompting both...
Legendary Rocker Billy Idol Performing Medley of Hits at AMA Awards, To Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor
Billy Idol capped a landmark 2026 by releasing his first album in three years, "Dream Into It," and earning a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class. The 70‑year‑old rocker was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement...
Chris Stapleton Flirts With His Wife, Duets With Lainey Wilson, and Powers Through a Rainstorm During Nashville Stadium Show
Chris Stapleton headlined a two‑hour concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, delivering a mix of hits, covers, and surprise duets. He performed alongside his wife Morgane, brought out Allen Stone for an Al Green cover, and shared the stage with rising star...
Keith Urban Previewing Upcoming Album During AMA Awards Performance
Keith Urban used his AMA Awards performance to preview his upcoming album *Flow State*, slated for release on June 12, 2026. Unlike his previous work, the record is largely a collection of cover songs, featuring collaborations with Little Big Town, John Mayer and...
Paul McCartney Talks About Origins of New Album With Actor Paul Mescal in Amazon Short Film Streaming Now
Paul McCartney teamed with actor Paul Mescal for an Amazon‑produced short film that delves into the personal stories behind his forthcoming album *The Boys of Dungeon Lane*. The film premiered on Amazon Live and the Amazon Music app on May 25, positioning the...
Drake Becomes 1st Artist to Simultaneously Hold Top 3 Spots on Billboard 200 Albums Chart
Drake made history on May 25, 2026 by occupying the top three positions on the Billboard 200 with his newly released trilogy—*Iceman*, *Habibti* and *Maid of Honour*. *Iceman* debuted at No. 1, giving the rapper his 15th chart‑topping album and tying Taylor Swift...
Stability AI’s Julian Parker, a Key Researcher Behind Stable Audio, Joins Spotify’s ‘Artist-First AI’ Team – Days After Streamer’s Landmark...
Julian Parker, a senior researcher behind Stability AI’s Stable Audio models, has joined Spotify to bolster its artist‑first AI program. His move follows Spotify’s landmark licensing agreement with Universal Music Group that will let fans create paid AI‑generated covers and...
Born 133 Years Ago Today, the Virginia Native Who Became One of Country Music’s First Commercial Recording Stars
Ernest Van “Pop” Stoneman, born May 25, 1893 in Virginia, became one of the first commercially successful country‑music recording stars. His 1925 debut single “Sinking of the Titanic” sold roughly two million copies, and he recorded about 200 tracks in the 1920s....
MASTERPLAN Shares Music Video For 'The Call' From Upcoming 'Metalmorphosis' Album
German power‑metal veterans Masterplan announced their new studio album “Metamorphosis,” slated for release on June 26, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. The band unveiled the official video for the fourth single “The Call,” which guitarist Roland Grapow describes as the album’s most...
Anula Namshum’s ‘NTWM’ Video Takes Us To a Party By Tea Plantation Workers
Singer‑songwriter Anula Namshum returns after a four‑year hiatus with the indie‑rock single “NTWM,” co‑written and produced with guitarist Lemuel Mazumder and featuring bassist Nisham Pul and drummer Stephen Krisikro. The track, originally born from a 2017‑18 jam session, blends dreamy...
Vitesse X Reimagines Filter’s “Take A Picture” While We Wait for What Comes Next
New York‑based producer and DJ Jordan Stern, performing as Vitesse X, has released a cover of Filter’s 1990s hit “Take A Picture” via Music Website. The reinterpretation swaps the original’s grunge edge for hazy, trip‑hop‑leaning drums and weightless, atmospheric textures. The single...
Your Morning Coffee Podcast: AI Covers, Live Nation News, "If I Ran Spotify...", More
The Your Morning Coffee podcast highlighted three pivotal music‑industry developments. Federal and state officials urged a judge to separate Live Nation from Ticketmaster after a recent antitrust verdict, signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny of concert‑ticket monopolies. Spotify and Universal Music Group...
Universal Music Group and TikTok Ink Multi‑Year Licensing Deal to Boost Artist Reach
Universal Music Group and TikTok have sealed a multi‑year licensing agreement that keeps UMG’s catalog on the platform while adding new advertising, e‑commerce, and AI‑protection features. The deal aims to deepen fan engagement, improve artist promotion, and safeguard human‑created music.
Drake Sets New ARIA Chart Record With Three Top 10 Album Debuts
Drake has set a new ARIA chart record by debuting three albums—*Iceman*, *Maid Of Honour* and *Habibti*—in the Australian top 10 during the same week, with *Iceman* landing at No. 1. He is the first artist since the chart’s 1983 inception to...
The Alt Weekly Roundup (5/25/26)
The Alternative Weekly Roundup (May 25, 2026) spotlights five fresh releases across the indie spectrum. Cleveland noise‑rock outfit honeybee debuts the LP *Only Dark Shit*, merging abrasive riffs with space‑rock ambience. Polish jazz collective Jutra drops *A Mid Size Universe*, a dreamy,...
Upcoming Metal Releases: 5/24/26 – 5/30/26
The week of May 24‑30 2026 sees a wave of new metal releases spanning doom, avant‑garde, progressive, and death sub‑genres. Monolord’s eight‑track “Neverending” arrives on Relapse Records with veteran producer Sylvia Massy, while Trelldom’s “…by the word…” pairs Gaahl’s vocals with saxophonist Kjetil Møster....
Cult Canyon Shares New Video for “Run Red Lights”
Chicago‑based musician Josh Chicoine, former frontman of The M’s, has released a new music video for “Run Red Lights,” a standout track from Cult Canyon’s debut album Smoke Tricks. The video accompanies a radio‑friendly edit that shortens the original 7‑minute‑20‑second...
Zoe Konez – ‘Everything’s Fine’
Zoe Konez, a Brighton‑based singer‑songwriter, releases her self‑produced album *Everything’s Fine* on June 12, 2026. The record blends folk fingerpicking with chamber‑pop arrangements, exploring themes of urban loneliness, renewal, and shared human connection. Several tracks, including “Paragon,” “I Don’t Want...
Antoine Dougbé Et L’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou 1977-1982
Benin-born songwriter Antoine Dougbé’s late‑1970s/early‑80s recordings with the Orchestre Poly‑Rythmo de Cotonou have been reissued by Analog Africa. The collection blends Cuban rumba, Congolese guitar, and Vodún rhythms into trance‑like West African funk, featuring phased guitars, synth lines, and call‑and‑response...
K Wata – Give U Space
Short Span, the Sheffield‑based electronic label founded by veteran curator Matthew Kent, has added K Wata’s debut album “Give U Space” to its rapidly expanding roster. The record, released just three weeks after Yu Su’s “Foundry,” fuses dub techno, early‑dubstep bass, Houston hip‑hop ambience...
Manic Street Preachers Announce 3Olympia Dublin Show This October
Welsh rock veterans Manic Street Preachers have added a standalone Dublin headline to their 2026 itinerary, playing the historic 3Olympia Theatre on Thursday, October 22. The concert is not linked to their upcoming UK co‑headlining tour with Suede and serves as...
Sugar Review – Bob Mould’s Reunited Band Still in a Sweet Spot Between Noise and Melody
Bob Mould has reunited his 1990s alt‑rock band Sugar for a UK and Ireland tour, following three New York shows. The trio—Mould, bassist David Barbe, and 73‑year‑old drummer Malcolm Travis—delivers a 90‑minute set of 23 songs, including two newly written...
Girl Pop Group VIVA’s Music Is Now Streaming, Two Decades After They First Made Waves
Indian pop pioneers VIVA have finally placed their debut album and follow‑up VIVA Reloaded on major streaming services. The five‑member girl group, formed in 2002 after winning Channel V’s Popstars, originally collaborated with top composers like Salim‑Suleiman and Shankar‑Ehsaan‑Loy. Their...