Today's Music Pulse
Oliver Tree dies at 32 in Rio de Janeiro helicopter crash
Singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree was killed in a helicopter accident in Rio de Janeiro at age 32. The tragedy was reported by multiple outlets, confirming the location and cause of death.
Udio’s Licensed AI Music App Will Be Called Starstruck, with Four Creation Modes for Fans (Report)
Udio is launching Starstruck, a mobile‑first AI music app that lets fans generate covers, reimagined tracks, remixes, or original songs using licensed artist vocals. The platform operates on a subscription model with Standard and Pro tiers, limiting the number of monthly creations and keeping all outputs inside a walled‑garden ecosystem. Starstruck is backed by licensing agreements with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, Kobalt and Believe, while Sony remains in litigation. The rollout coincides with Spotify’s AI‑remix add‑on for Premium users, positioning Starstruck against a major streaming competitor.
Hot Chip To Re-Issue ‘The Warning’, ‘Made In The Dark’ & ‘One Life Stand’
British electronic band Hot Chip will re‑issue three seminal albums—'The Warning' (2006), 'Made In The Dark' (2008) and 'One Life Stand' (2010)—on July 17, 2024. The releases include a newly available B‑side, "Bally," streaming for the first time, and coincide with...
Monday Morning Brew #156 (+ Ana Lua Caiano and Paolo Angeli)
Monday Morning Brew #156 spotlights Lisbon experimentalist Ana Lua Caiano, whose 2024 debut *Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado* earned Album of the Year honors. The newsletter announces her new single “Uma Vida A Menos,” a commentary on limited leisure time, as a preview...
Beatles' 1964 D.C. Concert: Raw Energy Unleashed
Watch The Beatles perform their full 1964 concert in Washington, D.C. from the original tapes. Captured at the height of Beatlemania, the performance shows the band’s energy, charm, and unstoppable rise in real time. https://t.co/1otbMem7qZ
Ava Mendoza – Alive Alone, Alive Together
Brooklyn guitarist‑vocalist Ava Mendoza has issued *Alive Alone, Alive Together*, an eight‑track album recorded while touring in 2025. Seven songs are dramatically reworked versions of material from her 2021 instrumental *New Spells* and 2024’s *The Circular Train*, while the new track...
Drake Ties Taylor Swift for the Most Billboard 200 No. 1 Albums Among Soloists
Drake’s latest album ICEMAN entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1, giving him his 15th chart‑topping album and tying him with Taylor Swift for the most No. 1s among solo artists. The milestone places both artists just behind The Beatles, who hold 19 No. 1s across...
Why All Signs Pointed to This Top 40 Neil Young Album Not Working, and How It Miraculously Pulled Through
Neil Young’s second solo album, *Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere*, was created under challenging circumstances. Young recorded while feverish at 103°F, writing classics like “Cinnamon Girl” from his bedside. He assembled the nascent Crazy Horse band with virtually no rehearsal, capturing...
Mike D Has Unveiled His Second Single of the Month with 'What We Got'
Mike D, the former Beastie Boys drummer, dropped his second solo single of May, “What We Got,” while headlining two sold‑out shows at Brooklyn’s Xanadu Roller Arts. The track follows “Switch Up,” his first solo release in 15 years, and...
Drake Becomes First Artist to Hold Top Three Billboard 200 Spots
On May 15, Drake dropped three new LPs—*Iceman*, *Habibti* and *Maid of Honour*—in a surprise triple‑album release. The three titles entered the Billboard 200 at numbers one, two and three, making Drake the first artist to occupy the top three...
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Set UK Chart Record with 12‑Week Reign
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have secured a 12th consecutive week at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart with their duet “Rein Me In,” establishing the longest‑running male/female collaboration in chart history. The milestone underscores the power of cross‑genre partnerships...
Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Elvis & More Artists With the Most Weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200: Full List
Billboard 200 data released on May 30 2026 shows Taylor Swift topping the list of artists with the most cumulative weeks at No. 1, amassing 98 weeks. The Beatles remain the all‑time leaders with 132 weeks, while Drake’s recent debut pushes him to 38 weeks,...
Drake Sets Album Charts Record as First Artist to Hold Top Three Positions With ‘Iceman,’ ‘Habibti’ and ‘Maid of Honour’
Drake made Billboard history by debuting three albums—"Iceman," "Habibti" and "Maid of Honour"—at No. 1, 2 and 3 on the Billboard 200. "Iceman" opened with 463,000 equivalent album units, the largest R&B/hip‑hop week of 2026 and the second‑largest sales week overall....
President 2026 UK and European Tour Announced
Masked metal outfit President announced a headline tour of the UK and Europe for November, following the release of their debut album Blood Of Your Empire on September 4 via Atlantic Records. The 12‑city run kicks off in Stockholm on Nov 1...
Black Coffee’s Three‑Hour Orchestral Set Rocks London’s O2 Arena
South African DJ Black Coffee delivered a three‑hour orchestral performance at London’s O2 Arena, backed by a full orchestra and special guest Alicia Keys. The show highlights a growing trend of electronic artists partnering with classical ensembles and underscores the artist’s...
IAN HILL Says Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Is 'Shaping Up To Be A Great Classic' LP: 'A Little Bit More...
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill confirmed that the band has finished most backing tracks for their next studio album and that Rob Halford is currently recording vocals. The new record is described as a more direct, slightly traditional follow‑up to...
Today In Hip Hop History: Compton’s Most Wanted Released Their Debut Album ‘It’s A Compton Thang’ 36 Years Ago
Compton’s Most Wanted debuted with *It’s A Compton Thang* in July 1990 on Orpheus Records, delivering a raw West Coast gangsta‑rap perspective before the G‑Funk boom. Produced by DJ Slip and The Unknown DJ, the album blended gritty street narratives...
Today In Hip Hop History: Jeru The Damaja Dropped His Debut Album ‘The Sun Rises In The East’ 32 Years...
On October 1994 Jeru the Damaja released his debut album *The Sun Rises In The East* on Payday Records, with all tracks produced by DJ Premier. The record delivered raw lyricism and a stripped‑down boom‑bap sound that stood apart from...
Drake’s “ICEMAN” Now Eligible For RIAA Gold Certification After First Week Sales
Drake’s third installment of his album trilogy, *ICEMAN*, has logged at least 500,000 album‑equivalent units in the United States during its first week, qualifying it for RIAA Gold certification. The milestone was reported by Complex before Billboard released its official...
Thom Yorke Debuts 'Space Walk' And Slams Music Industry at 2026 Ivors
Thom Yorke unveiled his solo track "Space Walk" while accepting the Academy Fellowship at the 71st Ivor Novello Awards in London. In a fiery acceptance speech he told music‑industry executives to "pull your finger out" and warned that the business...
ROY KHAN On His Upcoming Solo Album: 'I'm Trying To Capture The Sound That KAMELOT Had While I Was In...
Roy Khan, former Kamelot vocalist and current Conception frontman, announced his first solo album, slated for early 2027. The record is being produced by longtime Kamelot collaborator Sascha Paeth, with co‑production from Caio Kehyayan and Adrienne Cowan, and songwriting input from Bill Hudson....
TARJA TURUNEN Explains Why Now Was Right Time For Her To Make 'Heavier' Album With 'Frisson Noir'
Former Nightwish frontwoman Tarja Turunen announced her new solo album “Frisson Noir,” slated for release on June 12, 2026 through earMUSIC. Described as the heaviest record of her career, the ten‑track LP blends orchestral textures with aggressive guitar work and features...
‘He Thinks so Differently’: AR Rahman on ‘Epic’ Collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana
AR Rahman has teamed up with Academy‑award‑winning composer Hans Zimmer to score Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic *Ramayana*. The two‑part film, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is being billed as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious projects with a budget of roughly ₹4,000 crore (about $480 million)....
Shakira and Burna Boy Unveil 'Dai Dai' World Cup Anthem Video with Messi, Mbappé Cameos
Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afro‑beat star Burna Boy released the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” on May 23. The four‑minute video, shot in Miami and directed by Hannah Lux Davis, opens with Lionel Messi, Kylian...
J Balvin Reminded Sueños Festival 2026 Why OG Status Still Has Muscle
Colombian reggaetón star J Balvin headlined the Sueños Music Festival 2026 on May 23 in Chicago’s Grant Park, delivering a one‑hour set that leaned on his classic hits rather than surprise guests. Songs like “Ginza,” “La Canción,” and “Que Calor” reminded fans why...
85th Birthday Tribute: 80 Iconic Dylan Covers Ranked
Bob Dylan turns 85 on Sunday. Five years ago, some of us got together to come up with a list of the 80 best cover versions of Dylan songs for @Variety, so this seems like a good time to resurrect...
UFO Releases Remastered Classic with Unheard Live Set
UFO's 'The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent' expanded reissue is out now, pairing a newly remastered version of the classic 1981 album with a previously unreleased Hammersmith Odeon live set newly mixed by Brian Kehew. https://t.co/vdHnngfzBQ
Hip‑Hop Icon Rob Base Dies at 59, Leaving Behind ‘It Takes Two’ Legacy
Rob Base, the Harlem‑born rapper who helped define hip‑hop’s crossover era with the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” died at 59 on May 22, 2026, after a private battle with lung cancer. His death sparked an outpouring of remembrance from...
Van H
Van Halen's '5150 (Expanded Edition)' is out now, a 40th anniversary box set featuring over 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings and a remastered HD upgrade of 'Live Without A Net.' https://t.co/mUJ6y64105
New Book Traces How Dylan and the Beatles Reshaped Each Other and Music History
Author Jim Windolf has released "Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other—and the World," a deep dive into the reciprocal influence of the two 1960s icons. The work blends biography, cultural analysis,...
The Game Salutes Drake’s Commercial Dominance With “ICEMAN” Trilogy
Los Angeles rapper The Game used an Instagram Story to celebrate Drake’s unprecedented commercial performance, sharing first‑week sales projections for the artist’s three‑album ICEMAN trilogy. The flagship album ICEMAN is projected to move 460,000 album‑equivalent units, while HABIBTI and MAID...
Who Gets to Be in the Room?
The San Francisco Symphony appointed Elim Chan as its music director, making her the first woman to lead one of America’s “Big 7” orchestras and the least‑proven choice in decades. Meanwhile, Chicago venues are locking patrons’ phones to create screen‑free experiences,...
1973 Country Hit, Written in 5 Minutes, Listed Among ‘Greatest Rock Songs' Of All Time
"Ramblin' Man" was written by Dickey Betts in just five minutes and released as the lead single from the Allman Brothers Band’s 1973 album *Brothers and Sisters*. The track arrived after the tragic deaths of founding members Duane Allman and...
Olivia Rodrigo Drops “The Cure,” Second Single From June 12 Album
Olivia Rodrigo released “The Cure,” the second single from her forthcoming album ‘You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love,’ citing it as her favorite track. The acoustic‑driven song signals a more experimental direction ahead of the June...
Watch Iron Maiden Perform Classic Tune for First Time in 38 Years
Iron Maiden opened the 2026 leg of its Run for Your Lives World Tour in Athens, Greece, marking the start of a European sweep that celebrates the band’s 50th anniversary. While the set list mirrored last year’s, frontman Bruce Dickinson...
DEAN DELEO's ONE MORE SATELLITE Completes Work On Second Album
Dean DeLeo’s side project ONE MORE SATELLITE has completed mixing and mastering its sophomore album, targeting a fall 2026 release. The ten‑track record features Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz on one song, bassist Robert DeLeo on half the album, and contributions from...
BAD BRAINS' DARRYL JENIFER Announces New Instrumental Album 'The Weather Channel'
Founding BAD BRAINS bassist Darryl Jenifer is set to release his new instrumental album, “The Weather Channel,” on July 17 via Org Music in LP, CD, and digital formats. The record fuses exploratory jazz with elements of fusion, dub, psychedelia, and...
Charli XCX Shares ‘Playboy Bunny’, the Punky B-Side to New Single ‘SS26’
Charli XCX has dropped the punk‑infused B‑side “Playboy Bunny,” paired with her latest single “SS26.” The track is exclusive to a 7‑inch vinyl and her Instagram “b.sides” feed, deliberately bypassing streaming platforms. Charli explains the two songs act as sonic...
UPON A BURNING BODY Share "Voices In The Dark" & "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing"
Texas metalcore band Upon a Burning Body released two new tracks, “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” and “Voices In The Dark,” from the deluxe edition of their upcoming album Blood of the Bull, slated for May 29. A music video for...
Charli XCX Unleashes Gritty Single 'SS26' With Runway‑to‑hell Video
Charli XCX released the single 'SS26' accompanied by a high‑concept Paris runway video that depicts a catwalk leading straight to hell. The track, co‑produced with A.G. Cook and Finn Keane, marks a stark shift from her dance‑heavy 'Brat' era and...
Bruce Springsteen Keeps Hope and Dreams Alive on Tour: 10 Best Moments From Cleveland
Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams tour reached its 17th stop in Cleveland, kicking off the final week of a seven‑and‑a‑half‑week, 20‑date trek that began in Minneapolis. The setlist remained unchanged after the band added the Clash’s “Clampdown” early...
Charli XCX Drops Cheeky ‘Playboy Bunny’ B-Side to ‘SS26’
Charli XCX has unveiled a cheeky pop‑punk B‑side titled “Playboy Bunny,” available only on her Instagram account and as a limited‑edition 7" vinyl. She explains the track is deliberately opposite in sound to her lead single “SS26,” serving as a...
SOUNDGARDEN Is Still 'In The Process' Of Finishing Final Album With CHRIS CORNELL: 'It's Very, Very Important To All Of...
Surviving members of Soundgarden are close to completing a posthumous album featuring unreleased recordings with late frontman Chris Cornell. The band is working with original producer Terry Date to flesh out decade‑old demos, some dating back to 2015, into finished...
JACK OSBOURNE Responds to Backlash About A.I. OZZY: "He Would Be Into This"
The Osbourne family has licensed Ozzy Osbourne’s likeness to Hyperreal and Proto Hologram to create a high‑fidelity AI avatar that can mimic his mannerisms and speech. Jack Osbourne addressed backlash, emphasizing the project’s tasteful intent and advanced technology. The avatar...
Boards Of Canada – Inferno
After a thirteen‑year silence, Boards of Canada returned with Inferno, an eighteen‑track, 70‑minute album that blends cinematic IDM with occult and hauntological themes. The record arrives amid heightened geopolitical tension and digital fatigue, offering a nostalgic yet unsettling soundscape. Their...
Spotify, Universal Music Group Ink Landmark AI Remix Licensing Deal
Spotify and Universal Music Group announced a licensing agreement that lets Premium subscribers generate AI‑powered covers and remixes of UMG catalog tracks. The paid add‑on, unveiled at Spotify’s Investor Day on May 21, is billed as a new revenue source...
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Kick of Memorial Day Weekend with “Summertime Blues,” Special Guest and More
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) launched Memorial Day weekend with a high‑energy set on the Stone Pony’s outdoor Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The quintet wove together Grateful Dead classics, an Allman Brothers instrumental, and a rare Van...
Drake's Triple Album Drop Sets UK Chart Record, Dominates Top 10
On May 15, Drake unleashed three surprise albums—*Iceman*, *Habibti* and *Maid of Honour*—propelling him to a historic UK chart feat: the first artist ever to debut three studio albums inside the Top 10 simultaneously. The move sparked a streaming surge and reignited...
Ludacris Reunites With Dave Meyers for Wild “Pull Over” Music Video
Ludacris dropped the cinematic video for his new single “Pull Over,” released through DTP Records and Def Jam. The clip was co‑directed by veteran music‑video auteur Dave Meyers—who previously helmed “Stand Up” and “How Low”—and Cam Erickson. Featuring surreal humor, Ludacris appears...
Joey Bada$$ Returns With New Red Bull 60-Second Freestyle
Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ returned to Red Bull Studios for a new 60‑second freestyle, released on the brand’s Red Bull 1520 YouTube channel. The performance follows a high‑profile year that saw him drop his fourth studio album "Lonely At The...
Olivia Rodrigo, Vince Staples: 8 Songs We’re Talking About This Week
The New York Times highlighted eight new tracks released over Memorial Day weekend, featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s orchestral‑driven single “The Cure,” Charli XCX’s fashion‑infused rock‑pop “SS26,” and Vince Staples’ socially charged “White Flag.” Other notable songs include Katie Pruitt’s protest‑laden “Same...