Today's Music Pulse
Soft Cell Announces Final Album ‘Danceteria’
British synth‑pop duo Soft Cell revealed that ‘Danceteria’ will be their last studio album, marking the end of their recording career. The announcement was reported by Pitchfork and echoed by The Quietus.
Jennie Announced as Headliner of Open’er 2026
South Korean star Jennie Kim, a member of BLACKPINK, has been confirmed as the Saturday headliner for the Open’er Festival in Gdynia, Poland, performing on July 4 on the Orange Main Stage. The four‑day event, running July 1‑4, also features legacy acts such as The Cure, Calvin Harris, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Florence + The Machine, The xx and David Byrne. Jennie’s appearance follows a busy summer schedule that includes Mad Cool, Lollapalooza and the Governor’s Ball, and comes after her solo debut album ‘Ruby’ received critical acclaim. The festival’s press release highlights her 55 million monthly Spotify listeners and nearly 90 million Instagram followers, underscoring her global cultural influence.
BTS-Nomics, Overseas Investment Strategy, and the Future of K-Pop: 5 Things We Learned on HYBE’s Q1 Earnings Call
HYBE reported Q1 2026 revenue of $477 million, a 39.5% YoY rise, driven by BTS’s *Arirang* comeback. The company highlighted BTS as a “legendary brand” poised to dominate the global concert market and detailed margin‑protecting tactics such as a 360‑degree stage...
Rosalía at London’s O2 Arena: Timings, Set List, Last-Minute Tickets, Reviews and Everything You Need to Know
Spanish pop star Rosalía is performing two back‑to‑back shows at London’s O2 Arena on May 5‑6, 2026, as part of her high‑profile LUX Tour. Both dates sold out quickly, with secondary markets offering tickets at a premium. The concerts feature a 23‑song...
Modern Diet – For Now
Modern Diet, an emerging indie pop act, dropped its new single “For Now” in 2026. The breezy track, described as a summer‑stroll anthem, is available on SoundCloud and linked to the band’s Instagram presence. Reviewers note its sugary melody and...
Chance Meeting Leads to Fruitful Collaboration on Goal Weight’s “Keep Telling Yourself That”
Goal Weight’s debut album Keep Telling Yourself That emerged from a serendipitous encounter between violinist Jennifer Gersten and double‑bassist Marguerite Cox at a celebrity yoga retreat during the pandemic. The eight‑track record is fully improvised, weaving folk motifs, microtonal experiments, and avant‑garde noise...
Remember When George Harrison Made a Video That (Sort Of) Contained a Beatles Reunion in 1987
In 1987 George Harrison released the single “When We Was Fab” from his Cloud Nine album, accompanied by a whimsical video directed by Kevin Godley and Lol Crème. The clip featured cameo appearances by Elton John, Ringo Starr, Neil Aspinall and Ray Cooper, and a masked...
Rising South African Soprano Is Dead at 32
South African soprano Khayakazi Madlala died unexpectedly at age 32, prompting a heartfelt statement from Cape Town Opera. Madlala, a native of Matatiele, had risen quickly in the operatic world, earning a debut at London’s Royal Opera House last year as the...
VILLANELLE Drop Introspective Single ‘Opportunity Arising’
British alt‑rock trio VILLANELLE released their debut EP 'Measly Means' on May 6, adding the introspective single 'Opportunity Arising' to the tracklist. The new song departs from the band's usual high‑intensity riffs, featuring sweeping slide guitar and a shoegaze‑infused, softer vibe....
Abigail Lapell – Shadow Child
Canadian singer‑songwriter Abigail Lapell released her ninth studio album, Shadow Child, on May 8 2026. The record, recorded while she was pregnant, weaves nine tracks around each month of gestation and confronts miscarriage, reproductive health, and the joy of new life. Guest appearances...
Towa Bird Can Shred With the Pop Stars and the Riot Grrrls
Towa Bird, the 27‑year‑old TikTok‑originated singer‑songwriter, is set to release her sophomore LP “Gentleman” on May 15, 2026. The album follows her 2024 debut “American Hero,” which earned her a reputation for high‑octane rock anthems. Produced entirely by Patrick Wimberly—known for work...
Personal Trainer Announce Third Album “Human Assholes” And Share “Punch Drunk Love”
Amsterdam collective Personal Trainer announced their third album, Human Assholes, slated for release on 4 September through Bella Union. The record’s first single, Punch Drunk Love, arrives with a video and features guest vocals from Susanne Linssen of Hospital Bombers and...
Diva Employs AI on New Videos
Bulgarian‑Swiss soprano Sonya Yoncheva has debuted IÇON, a series of AI‑augmented video singles featuring arias by Bellini and Donizetti. The videos were shot in a theatre with more than 120 on‑stage participants, and the AI studio required an additional twelve...
"One Version Is About a Car, the Other Is About a Feminine Hygiene Product. Guess Which the Kids Liked to...
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band turned Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 album track “Blinded By The Light” into a US #1 single in 1977. The band’s version altered the lyric “deuce” to sound like “douche,” sparking a ban in the Bible Belt and...
Pass This On: Olof Dreijer’s Favourite Records
Swedish producer Olof Dreijer, half of the avant‑garde duo The Knife, is set to release his first solo LP, "Loud Bloom," a 14‑track collection that fuses dance‑floor energy with global vocal talent. The album features collaborators such as Sudanese singer...
Arijit Singh and Prajakta Shukre, Danny Pandit, Kalra Saab and All The Songs to Know This Week
Rolling Stone India’s weekly roundup spotlights a surge of genre‑blending releases across the Indian music landscape. Coke Studio Bharat reimagines Bulleh Shah’s poetry in “Bulleya Ve,” while Arijit Singh partners with composer Prajakta Shukre for the non‑film ballad “Ya Tum.” The list also highlights Costheta’s nu‑metal single...
Annabel Kennedy Joins IMG Artists for General Management
Mezzo‑soprano Annabel Kennedy has signed with IMG Artists for general management, joining the agency’s roster under Senior Artist Manager Isabella Pitman. Kennedy brings a decorated competition record, including the Royal Over‑Seas League International Singing Award and prizes at the IVC...
Across the Horizon Ep. 63: Pan-American
In this episode, host Bob Holmes chats with Mark Nelson (Pan American) about his new album *Fly the Ocean in a Silver Plane* and his recent collaborations with artists like Chelsea Bridge, Michael Gregoni, and Kramer. They reflect on how...
Smashed Glass, Smack & Dog-Throwing: The Anarchy of Early Clock DVA
Clock DVA emerged from Sheffield in 1978 with a deliberately confrontational ethos, turning live shows into chaotic spectacles that often ended in bans and riots. Their early performances, aided by performance‑art duo PTI, featured smashed lighting tubes, animal offal, and...
Lise Lindstrom & Stefan Vinke Lead Atlanta Opera’s ‘Götterdämmerung’
The Atlanta Opera will present Richard Wagner’s "Götterdämmerung" as part of the first complete Ring cycle staged in the Southeast. The production, directed by Tomer Zvulun, runs from May 30 to June 7, 2026 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts...
RAGEFLOWER Signs With Weird Fishes
Australian indie rock/pop act RAGEFLOWER, fronted by Madeleine Powers, has signed a management deal with the nine‑month‑old firm Weird Fishes. The artist recently broke through with a debut EP, high‑rotation singles on triple j, and placements on key Spotify and Apple...
4000 Fans Reveal Shared Truths About Live Music
When over 4000 music fans speak, what do they agree on? On this week’s Drowned in Sound podcast we explored the astonishing findings of the fan-led review of live & electronic music
Zay's Voice Blend Deepens Haunting Love Lyric
The more I listen to It’s Been Awful, the more I melt into it. 1 part in particular has been dominating my brain, from Supaficial: “Ain’t scared of ya/But I’m scared of your love” Zay blending his voice w another here...
Nebula Becomes Latest Fan-to-Artist Investment Platform
Music tech startup Nebula, in partnership with distribution firm Supply Chain Music, launched an “earn‑before‑you‑stream” platform that lets fans purchase Nebula tokens to fund artists and receive a share of future royalties. Artists keep 100% ownership of their music, can...
He Left the Berlin Philharmonic to Find His Voice. He Found a World Stage.
After 14 years as a viola principal in the Berlin Philharmonic, Australian composer‑performer Brett Dean left the orchestra to pursue full‑time composition. His decision, spurred by his wife Heather Betts, led to a flourishing career that now includes commissions from...
Kirsty McLean to Perform at Ronnie Scott’s Classical
British soprano Kirsty McLean will headline a "Divas" concert at Ronnie Scott’s Classical on June 15, accompanied by pianist Patrick Milne. The program blends operatic arias from Bellini, Bizet and Tchaikovsky with crossover hits associated with Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko,...
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg 2026 Review: L’Orfeo
Leonardo García Alarcón conducted Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie in 2026, delivering a concert‑version praised for vivid staging, dynamic lighting, and integrated dance. Soloists Mariana Flores and Valerio Contaldo were highlighted for their compelling portrayals of La Musica/Proserpina/Euridice and Orpheus....
Pink Turns Blue @ The Lexington, London, UK, May 3, 2026
Pink Turns Blue headlined a dark‑themed concert at London’s Lexington on May 3, 2026, delivering a set that spanned their 1985 debut to the 2025 album *Black Swan*. Opening acts Greenhaus and The Snake Corps, both veteran goth‑inspired bands, warmed the crowd...
‘In Times Like This, It Pays to Be Italian’: Mind Enterprises, the Campari-Necking Italo Disco Revivalists Who Became a Meme
Italian duo Mind Enterprises turned a balcony‑side Campari meme into a cultural touchstone, showcasing their neo‑Italo disco sound. Their 18‑date North American tour, capped by a Coachella slot, forced them to negotiate U.S. restrictions on on‑stage drinking and smoking. The...
Russell Haswell – Let It Go
Russell Haswell’s newest noise record, *Let It Go*, drops on Editions Mego, delivering a confrontational collage of industrial textures, glitchy beats, and atonal soundscapes. The album opens with a field recording of an overheating generator and spirals through tracks that...
Anoushka Shankar S Chapters Premieres in Hong Kong
On 3 June 2026 the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong will present the Hong Kong premiere of Anoushka Shankar’s orchestral work ‘Chapters’ at the City Hall Concert Hall, conducted by Robert Ames. The piece is a joint commission by the BBC Proms, De Singel and CCOHK and...
Charlotte Symphony to Present ’Emergency Shelter Intake Form’
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, together with nonprofit Roof Above, will stage Gabriel Kahane’s oratorio‑style work “emergency shelter intake form” as the centerpiece of its season‑finale concerts on May 15‑16 at the Knight Theater. Conducted by Music Director Kwamé Ryan, the program features...
Arena One, AMC Theatres Lift the Curtain on ‘Next Chapter of Live Shows’
Arena One and AMC Theatres have launched “Arena One at AMC,” a live‑concert experience streamed to 300 AMC locations across 89 U.S. markets starting in June. The format lets artists perform on a purpose‑built stage while interacting with cinema audiences...
Maryland Opera Announces Summer 2026 Concert Series
Maryland Opera unveiled a five‑concert summer series titled “First Fridays at Boordy Vineyards,” scheduled for June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4 and October 2. Each 75‑minute outdoor performance will feature a mix of opera, operetta and Broadway arias performed by internationally acclaimed singers...
‘It’s Exposing Yourself to a Different Audience’: The Living End Look Ahead to Their Great Southern Nights Show
Australian punk‑rock veterans The Living End are set to headline Great Southern Nights Live Fest in Tamworth on May 9, sharing the bill with Lime Cordiale, Jet, Thelma Plum and Kita Alexander. Frontman Chris Cheney says the mixed‑bill regional festival is a strategic move...
Forever
Danish producer Jesper Nørbæk, operating as Hekt, released his debut album "Forever" on Numbers in 2026. The record channels the bright, bass‑heavy pop‑techno of early‑2010s icons like SOPHIE and Hudson Mohawke, delivering 13 tracks that blend classic EDM structures with experimental...
Han-Earl Park Uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM (Buster & Friends, 2026)
Berlin‑based Korean American guitarist Han‑earl Park has released the avant‑garde album “What is Old Is New Again,” a collection of 21 solo miniatures recorded between January 2024 and February 2026. The tracks are largely first‑take improvisations that explore bizarre guitar mechanizations and...
SOULVINCI
WiFiGawd releases *SOULVINCI*, his first full‑length album with Grammy‑winning producer Dylvinci. The 16‑track, 31‑minute project leans heavily on plugg‑style, hazy beats while weaving psychedelic textures and rapid‑fire wordplay. Reviewers praise the chemistry between WiFi’s understated flow and Dylvinci’s layered production,...
Olly Pitcher – “Floating Through a Dream”
Olly Pitcher, the Brighton‑based electronic producer, dropped the single “Floating Through a Dream” in May 2026. The track weaves house‑inspired beats with lush, alternative synth textures, moving from tropical brightness to a moody, nocturnal vibe. It appears on Obscure Sound’s...
Hollow Howl – “Gap In The Sky”
Hollow Howl, a New Jersey post‑punk quartet, dropped their new single “Gap In The Sky” on May 5, 2026. The track showcases Rachel Mackow’s dynamic vocals over moody guitars, synth‑tinged bass and thunderous percussion, creating an art‑rock soundscape that blends brooding tension with...
The Willful Deaf – “Spirit of Youth”
The Willful Deaf’s new single “Spirit of Youth” fuses psychedelic folk with dub‑inflected rhythms, showcasing Matthew John Watts’ vulnerable, layered vocals. Guest musicians contribute banjo, mandolin, bass and keyboards, adding depth to the three‑minute track. An extended mix further amplifies...
Best Australian Music of the Week: April 27th-May 3rd
Rolling Stone Australia’s weekly roundup spotlights the most compelling Australian releases from April 27 to May 3, featuring debut albums, singles, and collaborations across rock, country‑pop, and indie genres. Highlights include Mulga Bore Hard Rock’s “Big Train,” Rachael Fahim’s debut *Who You...
“I Even Ask Directions of the Lightning”: Alex Koford Talks Unreleased Robert Hunter Lyrics and the Ethos of “Mercury”
Alex Koford, a self‑taught Bay Area musician with jazz‑trumpet and opera lineage, has been mentored by Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh since his early days at Terrapin Crossroads. Lesh handed Koford a cache of unreleased Robert Hunter lyrics themed around...
#SHOWBIZ: Rolling Stones Announce July 10 Release of New Album 'Foreign Tongues'
The Rolling Stones announced their 25th studio album, “Foreign Tongues,” slated for release on July 10, 2024, less than three years after the surprise comeback “Hackney Diamonds.” The band unveiled a new single, “In The Stars,” and revealed guest appearances by...
#SHOWBIZ: Magical Splash of Joy at Intimate Fan Gathering
South Korean idol Park Soo‑young, known as Joy of Red Velvet, concluded her 2026 Joy Splash Asia tour with an intimate fan meeting at Kuala Lumpur’s Zepp venue, attracting 1,500 “Reveluvs.” The event blended live performances of solo hits and...
M.I.A. Slams Kid Cudi After Being Cut From Rebel Ragers Tour
Kid Cudi announced on May 4 that M.I.A. was dropped from his Rebel Ragers Tour following a provocative speech about immigration and politics. The British rapper fired back on X, accusing Cudi of gaslighting and defending her decades‑old lyrics. The...
Michael Biopic Hits $400 Million Global, Secures Spot Among Top Music Musicals
Antoine Fuqua’s Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, surpassed $400 million in global box‑office receipts during its second weekend. The milestone makes it the second‑highest‑grossing music biopic ever, highlighting sustained audience appetite for music‑driven cinema.
Diplo Predicts Club Nights Will Evolve Radically by 2034
I branched out from markets reporting today at @WSJ ‘s Future of Everything Festival and sat down with @diplo I asked him what a club night will look like 10 years from now https://t.co/anZRIbDojW
MÖTLEY CRÜE And SHINEDOWN To Perform On Season Finale Of 'American Idol'
Mötley Crüe and Shinedown are set to perform on the May 11 season finale of American Idol, which will also feature acts like Clay Aiken, Jason Mraz and Nelly. The three‑hour broadcast airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the following...
Kreng ~ Wormhole
Belgian composer Kreng releases his first album in 11 years, "Wormhole," shifting from his signature haunted‑house ambience toward a sci‑fi narrative. The record unfolds like a film score, layering glowing drones, dissonant strings, and unconventional sounds such as crustacean skitterings...
Total Tommy Returns With New Single ‘Pretty Little Mouth’
Australian indie‑pop artist total tommy returns after a 12‑month hiatus with the single “Pretty Little Mouth.” The track was recorded in a London studio alongside producer Tom Stafford, known for work with Joy Crooks and Orla Gartland. Musically, the song twists scuzzy...