SB19 conquers the global wild with defiant new anthem “LAWLESS”

Following their acclaimed Lollapalooza Chicago debut, the quintet delivers a fearless bop that celebrates creative independence and reinvention

Watch the music video of “LAWLESS” here

Manila, Philippines – Fresh from making history with their critically acclaimed debut performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, SB19 has released their latest single, “LAWLESS,” which they premiered live for the very first time on one of the world’s most prestigious music festival stages.

“LAWLESS” marks a new direction for the award-winning quintet, transitioning from a locally established act to a global supergroup brand. In “LAWLESS,” SB19 declares that they’re an outlaw on the run: gutsy, more determined to take chances, and not the type to seek approval.

No longer constrained by conventional industry expectations, SB19’s latest bop sets their sights on disrupting the norm, reflecting a state of creative and career liberation. As the lyrics best describe it, “I'm lawless, better be cautious.”

Buoyed by maximalist production and cinematic soundscapes, “LAWLESS” takes P-Pop to a more sonically riveting ground, fusing hip-hop swagger with contemporary pop, Western, and surf rock influences. 

Accompanying the release is an equally audacious but strikingly entertaining music video that subverts classic outlaw tropes through tongue-in-cheek homage to Western films. The visuals show SB19’s signature blend of wit, charisma, and boundary-pushing creativity. 

SB19’s “LAWLESS” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

Production Credits:

Composers: 

John Paulo Nase (RADKIDZ)

Joshua Daniel Nase (RADKIDZ)

Josh Cullen Santos

Tomas Costanza

Tim Gent

Charles Anthony Rangel

Lyricists: 

John Paulo Nase (RADKIDZ)

Josh Cullen Santos

Tim Gent

Charles Anthony Rangel

Mixing Engineer: Emil Dela Rosa

Mastering Engineer: Emil Dela Rosa

Producers:

John Paulo Nase (RADKIDZ)

Joshua Daniel Nase (RADKIDZ)

Tomas Costanza

Source: Nyou

TECNO MEGAPAD 2 Launches in the Philippines: An 11-inch 2.5K Eye-Care AI Tablet Ready for Learning and Productivity

The slim and versatile tablet arrives with practical AI learning tools, OneLeap cross-device connectivity, and a free Bluetooth keyboard with every purchase

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, August 1, 2026 – TECNO, an AI-powered innovative technology brand, announcedtoday the official launch of the TECNO MEGAPAD 2in the Philippines. Unveiled globally at MWC 2026, the new tablet combines an 11-inch 2.5K eye-care display, practical AI tools, seamless cross-device connectivity, and a slim metal design in one versatile device.

Designed as a tablet that users can start learning and working on immediately after bringing it home, MEGAPAD 2 delivers an out-of-the-box experience without requiring separately purchased accessories. Its thin and lightweight design, internet connectivity, typing capability, and intelligent productivity features help students and young users turn fragmented moments into meaningful study and task-completion time.

Every MEGAPAD 2 purchase in the Philippines comes with one free Bluetooth keyboard, making it ready for learning, note-taking, content creation, and everyday productivity from day one.

Eye-Care Display in Slim Design

TECNO MEGAPAD 2 features an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and has obtained TÜV Rheinland Flicker-Free and Low Blue Light certification. It delivers clear visuals and eye comfort for long study sessions, reading, and entertainment. Packaged in a 6.6mm ultra-slim body, it is lightweight, easy to grip, and highly portable.

AI for Smarter Learning and Daily Convenience

For learning and education, the study hub in MEGAPAD 2 is designed to support different study needs across ages and scenarios. Children can explore LearnUp Massive Free Learning Resources, gaining access to a wide range of educational and interest-based content. Meanwhile, parents can customize parental controls that help create a safer online environment for children. When students encounter difficult questions, Photo-based Problem Solving can identify problems and encourage their independent thinking.

In everyday life, MEGAPAD 2 serves as a smart companion for multiple uses. With AI SnapMemo & MindHub, users can quickly capture and organize useful information into a personalized knowledge hub. AI Drawing Board turns simple sketches into vivid images, bringing ideas to life instantly. For entertainment, AI Captions provide clear subtitle support across apps, helping users enjoy content in different languages. With AI Translation, users can translate photos, selected text, social media content, and face-to-face conversations in up to 160 languages.

Seamless Connectivity and Collaboration 

As the first tablet launched following the update of TECNO’s OneLeap platform, MEGAPAD 2 can easily connect with other products in TECNO ecosystem by drag-and-drop or one-tap pairing. MEGAPAD 2 supports file sharing, photo sharing, and triple-screen collaboration among TECNO smartphones, laptops, and the tablet. It can also connect to a TECNO smartphone or laptop as an extended screen for a larger workspace. When paired with a smartphone, phone calls, messages, and notifications can be synced to the tablet, allowing users to answer calls directly without reaching for the phone.

Reliable Performance 

In terms of performance, TECNO MEGAPAD 2 is powered by a MediaTek Helio 8-Core Processor, delivering an excellent balance between power and efficiency. Available with 12GB (6GB+6GB) or 16GB (8GB+8GB) of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, it also supports microSD expansion up to 2TB. Running HiOS 16, MEGAPAD 2 delivers a smarter interface and a responsive experience for everyday applications and multitasking, while also offering comprehensive protection for privacy, account security, and safer payments.

Product Overview

MEGAPAD 2 – Technical Specifications

Color

Light Green/Space Grey/Cosmic Orange

Display

11- inch LCD display with 2.5K resolution (2560 × 1600 pixels)550 nits

Refresh Rate

90Hz

Processor

MediaTek Helio 8-Core Processor

Operating System

HiOS 16

RAM

RAM: 12GB (6GB+6GB) / 16GB (8GB+8GB) 

Storage

128GB or 256GB

Expandable Storage

microSD card support up to 2TB

Audio

Quad speakers, DTS sound enhancement, single microphone

Battery & Charger

8200mAh; 18W Fast Charge​

Pricing and Availability in the Philippines

The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 is officially available in the Philippines starting August 1, 2026, in Light Green, Space Grey, and Cosmic Orange, with the following configurations:

• 12GB RAM（6GB physical RAM + 6GB extended RAM）+ 128GB storage: PHP 16,999

• 16GB RAM（8GB physical RAM + 8GB extended RAM）+ 256GB storage: PHP 19,999

Every purchase comes with one free Bluetooth keyboard, allowing users to start learning, typing, and completing everyday tasks immediately.

The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 will be available through Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and all TECNO offline stores nationwide.

For related media inquiries, please contact pr.tecno@tecno-mobile.com.

- END -

About TECNO

As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of  “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.

Source: TECNO Mobile Philippines

Filipino band fitterkarma to stage ‘album concert’ in prestigious Metropolitan Theater Manila

The rising alternative quartet celebrates the release of their debut full-length album with a headline concert at one of the country's most iconic cultural venues

Stream their new single "Purgatoryo"—out on streaming platforms worldwide

After taking over pop culture conversations with their meteoric debut, Filipino alternative band fitterkarma will be headlining their first major solo show, kung tayo'y nasa isang horror na pelikula, tiyak ako ang una mong papatayin: The Album Concert, happening on September 19, 2026 at the historic Metropolitan Theater Manila.

Produced and organized by fitterkarma and GNN, the concert will serve as a launchpad for the band’s long-awaited debut full-length album, scheduled for release two weeks before the show.

For the first time, audiences will experience the record live exactly as it was envisioned: from its opening track to its emotional finale, performed in its entirety with elaborate production.

“Witnessing the record live will be a more fulfilling experience,” says vocalist and guitarist Joao de Leon. “For me, watching the songs performed live is the best way to experience it, because music being played live has no limits, reaching and releasing your emotions, and the record is meant to be felt above all.”

The concert also marks fitterkarma’s most ambitious live production to date, featuring an expanded stage design, exclusive concert-only arrangements, and a special collaboration with The Manila String Machine, whose orchestral backing promises to add new dimension to the band’s already cinematic sound.

“I think hearing any album in the order intended by the artist is an experience in itself,” shares guitarist Lory a.k.a. Mikee Mendoza. “So aside from the studio album itself, we hope to be able to elevate that experience by bringing it into a live setting and bring justice to the recorded versions of our tracks.”

Lory also explained how the collaboration with The Manila String Machine helped transform the songs into something bigger than what they initially imagined. “Since we’ve already worked with them on several recordings, it only felt natural to have them join us onstage for the album launch.”

Formed in 2023, fitterkarma is composed of Joao de Leon (vocals/guitar), Sophia Miranda (bass), Sanders Bayas (drums), and LORY (guitar). Known for combining Philippine folklore with macabre aesthetic and theatrical elements, the band has produced two of the biggest hits of the last two years: “Kalapastangan” and “Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II,” both peaking at No.1 on Spotify Philippines Top 50 and Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charts for multiple weeks.

The critically acclaimed band has also released their new single “Purgatoryo,” which will be part of their upcoming debut album, kung tayo'y nasa isang horror na pelikula, tiyak ako ang una mong papatayin. Cloaked in layers of haze and tension, the brooding track finds the band pushing towards a noise-driven, shoegaze-influenced direction while retaining the melodic pop sensibilities that have become their signature appeal.

Tickets are now available via Ticketmelon with the following tiers:

Orchestra: ₱2,999.00 (Soundcheck Access, Meet & Greet 8pax/Batch, Signed Poster)

Orchestra Side: ₱2,199.00 (Soundcheck Access, Signed Poster)

Loge: ₱2,199.00 (Soundcheck Access, Signed Poster)

Orchestra Back: ₱1,666.00(Poster)

Balcony: ₱999.00 (General Admission only)

Source: Nyou

Miguel Mendoza comes full circle with his own rendition of award-winning hit "Isa Pang Araw"

Eight years after Sarah Geronimo popularized the acclaimed movie theme, its songwriter finally shares the deeply personal version that inspired the beloved composition

Nearly eight years after his composition “Isa Pang Araw” captured the hearts of Filipino audiences as the official theme song of the blockbuster film, Miss Granny, acclaimed Filipino singer-songwriter, composer, and producer Miguel Mendoza lends his voice to the award-winning piece that first emerged from one of the most vulnerable phases of his life.

Originally recorded by Sarah Geronimo for the 2018 film, “Isa Pang Araw” became one of the most viral movie theme songs of its time, earning the 2019 Awit Award for Best Song Written and Performed for a Movie/TV/Stage Play and a nomination for Best Original Song at the 67th FAMAS Awards. Now, Mendoza returns to the composition not as its songwriter alone, but as its interpreter, delivering an intimate rendition that reconnects the song with the personal story that inspired its creation.

Some songs begin as assignments. For Mendoza, however, “Isa Pang Araw” ultimately became something far more personal. Faced with the challenge of writing another piece, he found himself drawing from a deeply emotional period following the passing of his father. The longing for one more conversation, one more embrace, and one more day together became the foundation of what would eventually be one of the biggest hits of 2019.

“I wasn’t simply trying to write another song for the film,” Mendoza shares. “At that point in my life, I was grieving the loss of my father, and I found myself writing from a place of longing. Isa Pang Araw became my way of expressing everything I wished I could still say and every moment I wished I could relive.”

Now, Mendoza revisits the composition through the perspective of the person who first lived its story. Far from reinterpretation, Mendoza describes the release as a homecoming: an opportunity to honor both the journey behind the song and the people who have carried it with them through the years.

“For years, people connected with the song through Sarah’s beautiful performance, and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” he says. “But this recording is different because it allows listeners to hear the song from the voice of the person who experienced the emotions that inspired every lyric.”

Mendoza first gained prominence as a finalist on Philippine Idol in 2006 before becoming the Third Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 in 2009. Since then, he has established himself as one of the country’s respected music creators, writing songs for some of the industry’s biggest artists while also earning recognition for his work in film, including the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Musical Score for One Great Love.

Miguel Mendoza’s version of “Isa Pang Araw” is now available on all major digital streaming platforms worldwide via FlipMusic.

 Source: Nyou

ICEBOX revisits OPM roots with emotional new single "SAAKIN"

The Singapore-based Filipino singer-songwriter embraces his heritage in a deeply personal Tagalog release that explores love, loss, and closure

Press Photos

Manila, Philippines – Following the breakthrough of his chart-topping hit, “ikaw ikaw ikaw,” which has amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone and introduced him to a rapidly growing Filipino audience, Singapore-based singer-songwriter and producer ICEBOX returns to his OPM roots with the release of his new single “SAAKIN”—out today via PARKA.

Embracing the language and emotional depth that have long been central to his identity as a Filipino growing up overseas, “SAAKIN” reflects his evolving commitment to reconnect with his heritage through music.

Lyrically, the song serves as an intimate portrait of the emotional limbo that clings to one after the end of a relationship. Rather than presenting heartbreak as a singular moment, the track lingers in the liminal space between abandonment and longing: a place where one person has already let go while the other remains haunted by memories, unanswered questions, and the hope that refuses to disappear. In summary, the song captures the exhausting cycle of searching for closure in a place that no longer feels like home.

Although much of the song’s lyrical foundation was written nearly three years ago, “SAAKIN” underwent an extensive creative transformation before reaching its final form. Initially conceived as a school project collaboration with longtime friend Julia, the song has evolved through countless demos before ICEBOX revisited it alongside producers Dominic and Timothyof PARKA.

[PRESS PHOTOS]

[ADVANCE PREVIEW OF “SAAKIN”]

ICEBOX also credited the success of “ikaw, ikaw, ikaw,” his crossover collaboration with Filipino singer-songwriter Eliza Maturan, as an inspiration in shaping the final sound of his latest track.

“That song has obviously been such a monumental part of the catalysis of my music career,” ICEBOX admits. “I never really expected those three-hour writing and production sessions with Eliza amounted to such a hit, unlocking the doors to the Filipino market for me and exposing my art to a familiar yet new audience. Being able to garner and meet so many new fans both online and in person through my performances is one of the best privileges I've been able to experience after releasing ikaw, ikaw, ikaw, and it has definitely influenced how I produce and write my new songs (both in English & Tagalog) to fit the so-called ‘sound’ my new audience knows me for.”

After spending countless months listening to and consuming OPM, ICEBOX, along with his co-producers Dominic and Timothy, revisited “SAAKIN,” and the rest, as they say, is history. “I knew "SAAKIN" had to be more than just a school project demo. Not to mention, I was also planning to put it in my upcoming album, which included me really exploring new soundscapes and songwriting styles that were very different from the demo. What came out of those sessions is a track that carries the story and core of an OPM song but is fused with production techniques and textures that are derived from the sounds of my upcoming album.”

While “SAAKIN” serves as a personal statement on its own, it also offers listeners an early preview of ICEBOX’s forthcoming second studio album, which is scheduled for release sometime in September this year. Developed over the past year and a half, the 12-track project promises to further expand his musical identity through new sonic textures and a more intimate style of storytelling.

ICEBOX adds, “Lots of hard work, soul, and passion have been poured into this project, and we're looking to do more shows in the Philippines for the album as well, and I sure hope nobody misses it because these coming songs are more than just earworms—they're stories that you might resonate with one way or another, and I wouldn't want to miss seeing them live.”

About ICEBOX

Leo, professionally known as ICEBOX, is a multifaceted singer-songwriter and producer who hails from Singapore’s emerging music scene. With an ever-growing curiosity and dedication to music, the 21-year-old Filipino’s musical journey displays his unabated pursuit of developing his craft.

Drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences spanning genres and styles, Leo sculpts a sound that transcends auditory boundaries. Imbued with a sense of honesty and vulnerability, he translates his life’s intricacies into every word he pens. Leo’s commitment to authenticity sets him apart not just as a songwriter but also as a storyteller adept at creating resonance with his audience.

As he continues to evolve his artistry, ICEBOX remains unwavering in refining his art, positioning himself to leave a significant mark on Asia’s music landscape.

ICEBOX”s “SAAKIN” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via PARKA.

INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Source: Nyou

WAIIAN and Rjay Ty finally join forces on long-awaited collaboration “2RARE”

Blending sharp lyricism, fearless energy, and a dream collaboration with Rjay Ty, the new single shows an artist reaching for even greater heights

Manila, Philippines – Following the breakout success of his full-length album, BACKSHOTS, Filipino rapper WAIIAN officially opens a brand-new era in music with the release of his new single, “2RARE,” featuring fellow hip-hop heavyweight Rjay Ty. Serving as the lead single from his highly anticipated album arriving later this year, the track announces the return of one of Philippine hip-hop’s most important young voices with sharper focus and an unmistakable hunger for what’s next.

Entrenched in hard-hitting production and razor-sharp verses, “2RARE” reveals an artist whose ambitions have only grown larger. More than a comeback record, the single stands as a declaration that the artist once considered a rare discovery has now stepped into the spotlight, ready to push further, move faster, and reach ever greater heights.”

“I chose ‘2RARE’ because it’s one of the loudest songs on the project, and I felt like it had been a while since I put out a straight-up rap track,” says the urban hitmaker. “It represents a side of me that fans have been waiting to hear again. At the same time, it gives a glimpse of what’s coming with the new album—the energy and the direction I’m taking in this next chapter.”

The release also fulfills a collaboration that fans have been hoping for since the start of his career. Although WAIIAN and Rjay Ty had shared several writing sessions over time, the opportunity to create a record that truly reflected both artists only arrived when the timing—and the chemistry—finally aligned. Rather than simply exchanging verses, the pair painstakingly crafted every element of the song alongside producers from Kashira, helming its structure, dynamics, and overall energy into a record that feels both effortless and intentional.

WAIIAN explains, “I've wanted to collaborate with Rjay for a long time, but I never really felt ‘ready.’ Maybe because of the expectations, or maybe because it's a little intimidating working with someone you've looked up to for so long. Now that I have the new studio, I was running out of excuses not to finally make it happen. We put a lot of thought into the entire song, not just laying down our verses and calling it a day. Every decision was made with one goal in mind: to make a song we'd all love to listen to ourselves. We figured if we loved it first, there’s a good chance the listeners would feel the same.”

Sonically speaking, “2RARE” emerged through experimentation rather than imitation. Created without relying on specific musical references, the track evolved organically as WAIIAN, Rjay Ty, and the Kashira production team pushed one another creatively, refining ideas until they landed a jab that felt unmistakably their own. The willingness to explore and experiment mirrors the artistic direction of the forthcoming album, which promises to venture across limitless sonic landscapes while remaining grounded in WAIIAN’s lyrical craft.

“I want my fans to believe in themselves and know that it's cool to be different—to sound different, think different, and be different,” WAIIAN points out. “I hope this project encourages people to embrace what makes them unique instead of trying to fit in. That's what I strive for with every song I make. If people walk away from ‘2RARE’ and the album feeling more confident in who they are and inspired to express themselves without fear of judgment, then I've accomplished what I set out to do.”

WAIIAN and Rjay Ty’s “2RARE” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Source: Nyou

THE STROKES UNVEIL MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM REALITY AWAITS

MASSIVE GLOBAL TOUR CONTINUES IN AUGUST

The Strokes in Costa Rica / Photo credit: Johann Rashid

July 24, 2026—The Strokes unveil their long-awaited new album, Reality Awaits—their first in six years—today via Cult Records/RCA Records. The LP features singles that have quickly become fan favorites: “Going Shopping” and “Falling out of Love.” Reality Awaits awaits.

The album was recorded in Costa Rica with the legendary producer Rick Rubin, who the band worked with on 2020’s acclaimed The New Abnormal. Following these first sessions, the band and Rubin continued meet around the globe to finish the album, wherever inspiration struck.

While in the studio in Costa Rica, The Strokes invited director Johann Rashid to capture the magic and create a short film. In Transit: Part II debuted yesterday, offering a glimpse into the sessions and the creative process behind the album. Part II serves as a sequel to the group’s 2004 In Transit documentary. Watch In Transit: Part II here. 

The project comes ahead of touring throughout the year, including a massive hometown show at New York’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park—the band’s first New York headline in years—with support from Beach House, TV on the Radio and Fcukers. Further dates include two nights at London’s O2, Paris’ Accor Arena, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and many more.

The Strokes recently shared the music video for “Going Shopping”—paying homage to Paul Simon’s classic video for “You Can Call Me Al,” with Walton Goggins in Chevy Chase’s iconic role. Goggins was on location for a feature film in the Canary Islands but told the band on a call, “let's go shopping!” In late May, Julian Casablancas and friends traveled to Tenerife—a Spanish island off the coast of Morocco—to meet up with Walton Goggins on location to shoot.

In May, The Strokes debuted “Falling out of Love” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, playing one of the show’s final music performances.

The Strokes are a band from New York City. Since their 2001 debut, their beloved discography has defined the sound of a generation.

Reality Awaits album cover art — Untitled (Cowboy) 1989 courtesy of Richard Prince

REALITY AWAITS TRACK LIST

1. Psycho Shit

2. Dine N’Dash

3. Lonely in the Future

4. Falling out of Love

5. Going to Babble On

6. Going Shopping

7. Liar’s Remorse

8. The Fruits of Conquest

9. Tyrants of the Mellow Moon

THE STROKES LIVE

August 8—San Francisco, CA—Outside Lands Music Festival [SOLD OUT]

August 14—Tokyo, JP—Summer Sonic

August 15—Osaka, JP—Summer Sonic

August 22—Pasadena, CA—Just Like Heaven

August 25—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater||

August 27—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena#

August 28—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena||

September 12—Tampa, FL—Benchmark International Arena¦

September 13—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live¦ [SOLD OUT]

September 17—Charlotte, NC—Truliant Amphitheater¦

September 18—Atlanta, GA—Shaky Knees Music Festival

September 20—Asbury Park, NJ—Sea.Hear.Now Festival

October 2—Queens, NY—Flushing Meadows Corona Parkˆ

October 6—London, U.K.—The O2§ [SOLD OUT]

October 7—London, U.K.—The O2§ [SOLD OUT]

October 11—Amsterdam, NL—Ziggo Dome§ [SOLD OUT]

October 13—Dusseldorf, DE—PSD Bank Dome§ [SOLD OUT]

October 15—Berlin, DE—Uber Arena§ [SOLD OUT]

October 17—Bologna, IT—Unipol Arena§ [SOLD OUT]

October 20—Barcelona, ES—Palau Sant Jordi§ [SOLD OUT]

October 22—Paris, FR—Accor Arena§ [SOLD OUT]

October 25—Newcastle, U.K.—Utilita Arena§ [SOLD OUT]

October 26—Manchester, U.K.—Co-op Live§ [SOLD OUT]

October 28—Dublin, IE—3Arena§ [SOLD OUT]

November 20—Lima, PE—Estadio Universidad San Marcos»

November 22—Mexico City, MX—Corona Capital

November 24—Quito, EC—Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa

November 27—Santiago, CL—Primavera Sound Fauna

November 29—Buenos Aires, AR—Primavera Sound Buenos Aires

December 2—Bogotá, CO—Coliseo Medplus±

December 5—São Paulo, BR—Primavera Sound São Paulo

☨with Hamilton Leithauser

*with Thundercat and Hamilton Leithauser

‡with Cage the Elephant and Thundercat

†with Hamilton Leithauser and ÖLÜM

||with The Garden and ÖLÜM

#with The Garden

¦with Geordie Greep and Promiseland

ˆwith Beach House, TV on the Radio, and Fcukers

§with Fat White Family and Alex Cameron

»with Future Islands

±with Courtney Barnett

 Source: Sony Music

MULTI-PLATINUM 2X GRAMMY-WINNING GLOBAL SUPERSTAR TYLA MAKES HER GRAND RETURN SOPHOMORE STUDIO ALBUM A*POP THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED FOLLOW-UP TO THE HISTORIC TYLA AVAILABLE NOW

TYLA’s globe-stopping debut campaign laid the groundwork for an international pop career that altered the history books. With A*POP, she’s set to halt the earth on its axis once again.

(Los Angeles, CA — July 24) A*POP, the highly-anticipated second studio album from TYLA, whose hitmaking and charisma helped her become one of the most dominant global superstars in all of music in the last two years, has arrived. The 14-track album, which has been teased and coveted for well over a calendar year, and sports the bonafide hits “CHANEL,” “IS IT,” “SHE DID IT AGAIN,” and “IS IT LOVE,” is available now. Stream it HERE.

To commemorate the release of the landmark project, TYLA will headline The Today Show’s Citi Summerstage® Friday July 24th in New York City, and will fly to Chicago to headline the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game halftime show on Saturday June 25th. She will be the first international artist to headline the WNBA halftime show in its 28-year history. The appearances cap off a global rollout that has brought A*POP directly to fans around the world. In the lead-up to release, TYLA hosted a series of intimate fan listening experiences with YouTube in London, Atlanta and New York, giving fans an exclusive first listen to the album alongside TYLA herself. She also teamed up with Vevo for the Official Live Performance of “IS IT LOVE” released this week, with more performances from the series set to roll out soon. Watch her performanceHERE. Beyond music, TYLA also unveiled her very own Bratz doll this week, marking another major cultural moment for the global superstar.

The TYLA takeover has begun. Stream A*POP today.

[GET: TYLA, A*POP]

[WATCH: “IS IT LOVE” MUSIC VIDEO]

[WATCH: “SHE DID IT AGAIN” MUSIC VIDEO]

TYLA formally announced the album tracklist last week on Instagram, where she etched each song of her 14-song tracklist in neon paint during an immersive reveal. It was the latest feather in the cap of what’s been a calculated and explosive rollout that began with the subtle announcement of the album’s title in the video for “CHANEL,” which has now been viewed over 140 million times.

Though the ripple effect of her groundbreaking debut album campaign was still creating waves throughout the industry—TYLA took home her second GRAMMY Award, for “PUSH 2 START,” earlier this year—TYLA began formally teasing A*POP on this year’s GRAMMY red carpet, where she revealed to Rolling Stone that her efforts had started to galvanize. “I just knew that as I lived through the making of the album, it was going to fall into place, which it did,” she told the outlet after accepting her second award for “Best African Music Performance.”

With the momentum of 2025’s release of “Chanel” still white-hot, TYLA tapped Zara Larsson for “She Did It Again.” The single release became a global event, debuting on over seven global charts, earning TYLA her fourth Hot 100 chart hit and becoming a culturally captivating social moment, with hundreds-of-thousands of TikTok creates dedicated to emulating the vivacious energy TYLA and Zara conjured. Vanity Fair said the duo created “herstory” with the record. As her next act, TYLA liberated the album’s next single, “Is It Love,” a painstaking romantic ballad that shot to the top of the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart, earning TYLA her fourth Afrobeats chart-topper, more than any artist since 2024.

As curiosity for A*POP grew, so did TYLA’s aura. Her third year at the MET Gala was met with widespread enthuse. Following her scene-stealing appearances at the 2024 and 2025 ceremonies, where she donned a nude Balmain dress that prompted VOGUE to call her a “fashion force,” and a Barbie-inspired vintage Jacquemus gown that stole global headlines respectively, TYLA reprised her role as star of the carpet with a peacock-inspired Valentino dress referred to as “bold” by Cosmopolitan—a common theme in TYLA’s career. She would also perform several high-profile international engagements, including Portugal’s Afro Nation Festival and Romania’s Beach Please!. 

TYLA’s debut album campaign, which produced the standard and deluxe edition albums TYLA and TYLA+, launched a two-year period of dominance. Her ability to elevate as an artist and celebrity while maintaining an intimate relationship with her avid fanbase of “Tygers,” is a dynamic unique to superstars of TYLA’s ilk. WithA*POP, she’s set out to prove that she is here to stay.

Stream A*POP today.

Photo Credit: Catherine LoMedico

Download photo here

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About Tyla

In an era where niche culture has taken priority over monoculture, two-time GRAMMY® winner TYLA has ascended to true and unequivocal global superstar status. With A*POP, asserted and fully aware of her presence in pop music, she presents a project that refuses containment or dismissal. It’s confrontational, candid but fun, and spills authenticity rooted in where she’s from: a country that has always spoken in more than one musical language. Through this language, she reveals her range not just as an African artist, but as a global pop star with an entire world behind her.

TYLA’s journey got off to a historic beginning in 2024, when she won her first GRAMMY® Award, and made Billboard chart history with the three-time RIAA®Platinum smash hit “WATER,” and the release of her seminal debut albums, TYLA and TYLA+. The set produced another Hot 100 and GRAMMY®-winning hit, “PUSH 2 START,” and sent seven songs to the U.S. Afrobeats chart, including two no. 1s. The campaign made TYLA the highest-charting African female soloist on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200. With her highly-anticipated second go-round, A*POP, TYLA picked up where she left off. “CHANEL,” the album’s lead single, was an immediate pop sensation. It topped the U.S. Afrobeats chart and earned over 150 million video views, while TYLA’s follow-up effort, the Zara Larsson-assisted, Britney Spears-inspired “SHE DID IT AGAIN,” became a disruptive cultural moment, and amplified TYLA’s commitment to the pop star realm. “IS IT LOVE?,” the album’s third single, earned TYLA her record fourth no. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart. A*POP is available now.

Source: Sony Music

Singapore-based Filipino artist, bloo!, releases debut EP, in moments of stillness

The five-track EP delves into grief, rage, and finding your way back to yourself

[PRESS PHOTOS / Credit: Titus Madrideo]

Singapore/Manila, Philippines – bloo!, the recording project of Singapore-based Filipino artist Thea Madrideo, has released her debut EP “in moments of stillness" on all major streaming platforms worldwide.

“in moments of stillness” is a five-track collection written entirely by Madrideo over two years in the quiet, disorienting aftermath of a life that changed overnight and in the slow, uneven work of returning to herself. The EP does not perform healing. It documents the act, honestly and in the order it actually happened.

Deeply entrenched in singer-songwriter intimacy and pop rock energy, bloo!'s sound carries the emotional directness of early 2000s lyricism, drawing from artists like Kitchie Nadal, Alanis Morissette, and Michelle Branch. Her lyrics move between English and Filipino, reflecting the natural texture of how she thinks and feels.

The five tracks move through a complete emotional arc. “soup” opens the EP in a state of sabaw, the Filipino slang for a mind running on autopilot, surviving but not processing, until the weight compounds and overflows. “back2me” is the anger that finally gets permission to exist: petty on the surface, cathartic underneath, ending in the realization that running back to yourself is more freeing than running back to the source of pain. “that's why” is the record’s turning point: a vulnerable admission of self-blame and the courage it takes to finally place it somewhere real. “blue's clues” is the reminder that healing is not linear, the song for the 3am moment when stillness creeps back in and you appeal to choose yourself again. “dramatic” closes the EP not with romance, but with gratitude, written for every friend and family member who stayed patient and didn't think she was too much while she found her way back.

“They're not perfect. Some of them are messy and petty and unresolved, in the way that real feelings tend to be. But they're honest. And I think that's the thing that matters most when you're making music for the moments that are hard to name,” says Madrideo.

bloo! is named after the safe space where Madrideo wrote the EP's first song and the ones that followed. The project is produced in collaboration with a close circle of Manila-based musicians and producers.

TRACKLIST

01.  soup

02.  back2me

03.  that's why

04.  blue's clues

05.  dramatic

ABOUT bloo!

bloo! is a music project by Singapore-based Filipino artist Thea Madrideo: a space where unspoken thoughts and deepest feelings become something tangible.

Drawing from singer-songwriter intimacy and pop rock energy, bloo! makes music for the quiet hours: the ride home, the moment before sleep, the stillness after everything changes. Influenced by Kitchie Nadal, Alanis Morissette, and Michelle Branch, her sound carries emotional directness, confessional without being fragile, tender without losing its edge. bloo! is for people who feel deeply and want music that meets them there.

Her debut EP, in moments of stillness, is a five-track collection about grief, anger, and the slow return of one's voice. It’s written entirely by Madrideo and recorded over two years with a close circle of collaborators between Manila and Singapore.

Source: Nyou

JENNIE captivates with ethereal new single “Less than a Lover”

Watch the music video here

Set to headline Lollapalooza Chicago

Global superstar JENNIE releases her ethereal new single and music video “Less than a Lover,” available now via ODDATELIER/Columbia Records.

The single is JENNIE’s ode to summer, capturing the excitement and lingering emotions of a relationship that exists somewhere between friendship and romance. Written by JENNIE, the song explores the space with someone who is more than a friend but “Less than a Lover,” JENNIE embraces the confusion and exhilaration of an undefined connection. Expanding her sonic palette with a softer alternative-pop sound, the track pairs lo-fi guitar textures and vintage electric keyboards, JENNIE's vocals and lyricism, naturally expressing the subtle feelings that arise in a relationship that is neither friendship nor love. The accompanying music video, based on a story by JENNIE, sees her slip into another world, another character, another version of herself while shooting a short film with friends, where a faux love story shapes a new dynamic between them that was absent before. 

JENNIE first teased “Less than a Lover” to a massive crowd during her historic headlining set at Governors Ball in June. Since then, she has dominated the festival stages at Mad Cool, Open’er and Roskilde. She will continue her summer festival run as a headliner at Lollapalooza in Chicago, before making her first-ever appearance at Summer Sonic Festival in Japan.

As one of the most influential global artists of her generation, JENNIE continues to redefine modern pop through her fearless artistry and creative vision. From record-breaking releases and sold-out performances to fashion partnerships, she has established herself as a singular force across music, fashion and culture, continuing to shape the entertainment landscape.

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Source: Nyou

Filipino-American singer-songwriter, Rocco kicks off a bold new era with indie-pop EP 'A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)'

LISTEN HERE

July 24th, 2026 – 23-year-old rising Filipino-American singer-songwriter Rocco kicks off a bold new era with the release of his EP, 'A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)'. Fans can listen to the full EP HERE.

Born out of a deep-seated love for the romantic comedy surge of the 1990s and 2000s, the project sees Rocco building an immersive universe. This body of work is punctuated by an episodic short-form narrative series across his social platforms showcasing his acting talents, a rollout format that has already generated an overwhelming reaction online.

"What's a good cheeky love story without a good soundtrack. I decided to build a world from the ground up. Writing music which doesn't just support the narrative but is embedded in the story."
— Rocco

Rocco - "Palm" (Official Lyric Video)

Driven by a conversational, deeply evocative perspective, the EP's focus track "Palm" captures the poignant realisation of growing apart from someone who once knew you best. Grounded in specific, intimate memories rather than traditional love tropes, the track navigates the complex nostalgia of watching someone you love take a path you cannot follow. It is a cinematic slow-dance track that beautifully encapsulates the quiet ache of moving on.

Following his previous single "Break", this new EP positions itself perfectly at the intersection of sombre slow jams and upbeat heart-stoppers. By tying these tracks to his social skits, Rocco delivers a completely cohesive visual and sonic experience.

With 'A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)', Rocco delivers more than just a collection of songs; he invites listeners into a fully realised world where heartbreak and humour beautifully coexist. By blending raw, bedroom-pop vulnerability with the grand scale of a cinematic episodic series, the EP serves as a definitive statement of his evolution as a multidisciplinary creative. It is a poignant, brilliantly structured first chapter that leaves audiences eager to see where his sonic and visual journey takes them next.

'A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)' Tracklisting:
1. Nobody
2. Break
3. Isn't You
4. Palm

Listen to 'A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)' HERE
Watch the official lyric video for "Palm" HERE

About Rocco

Unapologetically himself, Rocco is a 23-year-old Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and producer known for his atmospheric bedroom pop sound, playful melodies, and a colourful personality. Raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, he dedicated himself to music early on before moving to Los Angeles. His academic path was short-lived when his breakout singles "Spin You Round" and "Baby Blue" exploded online, prompting him to pursue music full-time and embark on his first headline tour.

Seamlessly blending moody textures with soaring alternative melodies, his music explores the intricate dynamics of intimacy, heartbreak, and emotional vulnerability.

Rocco is steadily positioning himself as a compelling voice in the global indie landscape, having established a strong regional footprint across Asia, tracking heavily in markets including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand, alongside major city centres like Hong Kong.

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Asian-Australian artist, Ivoris imagines life as a "Seashell" in new single ahead of debut album

LISTEN HERE

Photo Credit: Isabella Salvatore

“I’ve always thought if I lived by the sea, I’d be a lighter, freer soul. Being a seashell would be the ultimate version of that - to be a physical part of the ocean” — Ivoris

July 24th, 2026 – Singer, songwriter, and producer Ivoris ponders life outside of human troubles in her new single “Seashell”. Fans can listen to the song here and watch the official video here. 

This song is a sonic painting of sea sparkles, swaying waves and deep oceanic breaths. Ivoris’ signature vocals dance over a gentle bed of acoustic guitar and swaying percussion. This song was co-produced with her collaborator Simon Lam (Charli XCX, 2charm, Cup Sport). The lyrics gently invite the listener to the oceanic world of her upcoming debut album. 

“Seashell started as a journal entry,” Ivoris shares. “I’d been pondering if we as humans can ever be freed from the struggle to reach our potential, or from the dread of time passing us by. I wrote this line - I long to try a seashell’s eyes, and that birthed the song”.

“Seashell” arrives ahead of Ivoris' long-awaited debut album, 'Pour My Heart Out', set for release on September 4. Exploring the romance of powerful emotions, the album marks the most radiant and personal chapter of Ivoris' artistic journey to date. Speaking about the project, Ivoris shares, “'Pour My Heart Out' feels just like me. It’s about having a really absorbent heart, one that is constantly overflowing with emotions”. This sentiment is beautifully reflected in the album artwork, which features Ivoris curled up inside an oyster shell cradling a pearl. Much like the songs themselves, the handcrafted oyster shell symbolizes the care, vulnerability, and emotion poured into every part of the project.
 

Ivoris - "Seashell" (Official Video)

2026 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year for Ivoris and you've discovered her at just the right time. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, Ivoris has captivated listeners around the world with her distinctly whimsical sound and heartfelt storytelling.

To celebrate the release of 'Pour My Heart Out', Ivoris will embark on her third headline tour in China this August, followed by her first headline tour across Asia in October, with stops in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Philippines. Stay tuned for more tour details, and fans can sign up for the pre-sale here.

Listen to "Seashell" here
Watch the official video for "Seashell" here
Sign up for the pre-sale here
Pre-save 'Pour My Heart Out' here

About Ivoris

Singer/songwriter/producer Ivoris has crafted a dreamy pop/R&B soundscape defined by colourful melodies and vulnerable lyricism. Since her debut in 2018, her distinctly whimsical style has earned her a loyal global following, with growing momentum driven by international headline tours in China and official showcases at SXSW Austin and Sydney. As she enters 2026, Ivoris stands at a defining moment in her career, with rising global recognition, particularly across Asia. 

Ivoris’ journey began early as she started writing short songs on the piano at just six years old. By 13, after picking up her first guitar, she became deeply immersed in songwriting, spending hours in her bedroom filling journals with songs about crushes, imagined heartbreak, and nature. These early expressions laid the foundation for her signature introspective and emotive style.

Her breakthrough came with her debut EP 'My Messy Mind', led by the viral single “I Wish My Mind Would Shut Up”, which amassed over 350 million streams across Chinese platforms and established her as a rising voice in the Asian market. In 2023, she performed the track on the Chinese music reality programme 'Youth Project', further elevating her profile in China. This momentum translated into two headline tours across the country, performances at major festivals, support slots for international acts, and showcase appearances where she performed alongside prominent Asian-American artists.

Today, Ivoris commands a strong global digital presence, with over 222,000 monthly Spotify listeners, more than 37 million streams outside China, and over 350 million streams within China. Her audience spans key markets including the US, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Canada, Australia, and South Korea. Across Chinese platforms, she has amassed over 500,000 followers, alongside a growing presence on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Independent pop artist Estelle Fly marks a new era of desire with ‘Bury it’ - a song about the power of unspoken attraction

24 July 2026 — Independent pop artist Estelle Fly is back with her first release of the year - ‘Bury it’ - a song about the power of unspoken attraction and the tension of deep yearning for someone you can’t fully have.

‘Bury it’ marks a defining new chapter in Estelle’s music career. Confident and unapologetically herself, the single embraces vulnerability and desire with newfound conviction, signalling a new era that pushes her sound forward while introducing herself to listeners old and new.

“This song feels like both an ending and a beginning,” said Estelle. “It represents me beautifully closing the chapter of everything that’s brought me to this point, and introducing what I like to call an era where I am exploring the concept of desire.”

“It’s an era where I finally have the freedom to explore ideas and emotions I’ve always wanted to write about. Not just about love, but also longing, vulnerability, confidence, attraction, and all the beautifully complicated parts of being human that I don’t always share openly.”

Listen to Estelle Fly’s ‘Bury it’ here

“Sonically, I wanted ‘Bury it’ to feel intimate and somewhat hypnotic, almost like you’re caught in a memory you don’t really want to leave. Lyrically, there’s a lot that’s intentionally left unsaid that is expressed through the music. Sometimes the strongest emotions are not the ones we confess, but the ones that we keep to ourselves.”

“With ‘Bury it’, I wanted to capture the tension of yearning for someone, but knowing you can’t fully have them. The feeling of the push and pull between wanting someone and choosing not to act on it is exciting, confusing and strangely addictive all at once. This feeling that we end up burying is usually the one that we remember the longest.”

In the music video for ‘Bury it’, Estelle plays an actor who is often cast as on-screen lovers with her co-star. Off camera, they’ve always been good friends, but over time, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. When two people are reminded by the world constantly about their chemistry, you start to wonder if the feelings are acted out or have always been there.

Estelle Fly is one of the few pop artists from Singapore who strikes a fine balance between music and dance, having traversed through the entertainment scene in multiple roles as an idol and actress, and now an independent soloist. In 2025, Estelle released her latest EP ZONE, and took to the stage at Waterbomb Singapore. This year, she has been selected as a Spotify RADAR artist, and will be releasing new songs to mark her upcoming new era.

INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC

 Source: Nyou

GRAMMY-NOMINATED SINGER-SONGWRITER LUKAS GRAHAM SHARES SOULFUL, ROOTS-DRIVEN NEW SONG “GOOD TIMES”

LISTEN HERE | WATCH MUSIC VIDEO HERE

TITLE TRACK FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM GOOD TIMES, ARRIVING AUGUST 14 VIA UNIVERSAL MUSIC AND VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP

PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE HERE

Globally acclaimed singer-songwriter Lukas Graham has released“Good Times,” the spirited, roots-charged title track and openingsong from his forthcoming 13-track album Good Times, out August 14 via Virgin Music Group. Bright, communal and rooted in the Celtic and folk traditions that shaped his upbringing, the song sets the tone for an album that brings Lukas back to the storytelling tradition and Irish musical heritage at the heart of his earliestrelationship with music. “Good Times” arrives alongside an official music video that weaves together archival footage from before and during Lukas's rise, captured by the photographers and videographers who documented his journey, celebrating the friends, family, and moments that shaped him. Listen to “Good Times” HERE. Watch the video HERE. Pre-order/Pre-save the album HERE.  

Watch/Listen: Lukas Graham “Good Times”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QgmgNKA_mU 

Good Times brings Lukas full circle, reconnecting him with the Irish heritage of his late father Eugene, a Donegal-born musiclover who booked folk musicians throughout Scandinavia and helped introduce Lukas to the sounds and traditions that shapedhis earliest relationship with music. After years of global successand life on the road, the album finds Lukas returning to thoseroots with a collection that feels deeply personal and unmistakablyhis own.

The album was first introduced with “To Know A Girl,” a banjo-driven offering paired with a soaring vocal and powerhousechorus. He followed with “Second Chance,” a spirited, foot-stomping anthem that channels the communal spirit of a front-porch hootenanny into a celebration of owning your mistakes, embracing renewal and choosing to become a better version of yourself. 

The album was recorded with a rolling collective of musicians in Nashville and New York, many of whom had a personalconnection to Eugene and the folk community Lukas grew up around. The players include Michael McGoldrick, one of the world’s great uilleann pipe and Irish flute players; bassist Sam Grisman; Tim O’Brien on mandolin and backing vocals; Stuart Duncan on fiddle; and Brian Sutton on guitar — a lineup that rootsthe album in the Celtic, bluegrass and acoustic traditions Lukas grew up around.  “People my dad knew. People who had slept on a couch in my mum and dad’s living room,” Lukas explained. “It was very important to me that we got a hold of some of thesemusicians and got that cultural connection.

The Grammy-nominated Danish soul-pop artist first achievedglobal fame with the 2015 breakout hit "7 Years" — a reflectiveballad that earned three Grammy nominations, topped charts in more than 15 countries, and placed him among the first 25 artists in Spotify's Billions Club. Over the past decade, he has built a multi-platinum international career spanning four albums, with hits including "Love Someone," certified platinum in 18 countries. His work blends soul, pop, and deeply personal storytelling, exploringthemes of family, love, and resilience — from the loss of his fatherto becoming one himself.

Known for his emotional depth and powerful live presence, Lukas Graham has sold out tours across Europe, North America, and Asia, and performed on major stages including the Grammy Awards, MTV VMAs, and Good Morning America. This year, he will join Ed Sheeran as a special guest on select North American dates of the 2026 "Loop Tour," beginning August 15 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN — for a full list of dates, see below.

Good Times Tracklisting

1. Good Times

2. Second Chance

3. Before You Go

4. To Know A Girl

5. Freetown Road

6. River Run

7. Falling

8. Carry Me Home

9. Days Like These

10. Rich Man

11. Nights I Won’t Forget

12. Last Mile

13. Loved You Better

Lukas Graham North American Tour Dates w/ Ed Sheeran:

Aug. 15, 2026 - Minneapolis, MN - U.S. Bank Stadium
Aug. 20, 2026 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre
Aug. 21, 2026 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre
Aug. 22, 2026 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre
Aug. 29, 2026 - Detroit, MI - Ford Field
Sep. 4, 2026 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium
Sep. 5, 2026 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium
Sep. 19, 2026 - Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field
Sep. 25, 2026 - Foxborough, MA - Gillette Stadium
Sep. 26, 2026 - Foxborough, MA - Gillette Stadium
Oct. 3, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Oct. 10, 2026 - Indianapolis, IN - Lucas Oil Stadium
Oct. 17, 2026 - Charlotte, NC - Bank of America Stadium
Oct. 24, 2026 - Arlington, TX - AT&T Stadium
Nov. 7, 2026 - Tampa, FL - Raymond James Stadium

###

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For further information on Lukas Graham, contact:mabuhay@balckstar.space

SHAKIRA CO-HEADLINES THE FIRST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ FINAL HALFTIME SHOW PERFORMING HER NUMBER 1 GLOBAL HIT “DAI DAI”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

MIAMI, FL (July 19th, 2026) - Global superstar Shakira co-headlined the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Showalongside Madonna , Justin Bieber and BTS. For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, the final featured a halftime show, bringing together global artists for a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture, and purpose, to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.  

Shakira performed her global number 1 smash hit, 'Dai Dai,' which is the official anthem of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Shakira partnered with Global Citizen and FIFA to provide access to education for children in underserved communities with record royalties from 'Dai Dai' being donated to the Education Fund, and Sony Music will match the first $250,000 raised with a donation. Additionally, Shakira is donating $1 from every ticket sold to her upcoming 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' tour to the Education Fund.

‘Dai Dai’ has taken the world by storm, becoming the number 1 song worldwide, making Shakira the first artist to reach number 1 on Spotify in both English and Spanish.  In addition to being number 1 globally on Spotify, it tops the Billboard Global Top 200 and on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart becoming the first FIFA World Cup Anthem to top the chart .  It has hit the number 1 spot in France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Korea, Sweden, Norway, The UAE, Belgium, Spain, and top 5 in the UK, China, Italy, Portugal and Canada. The music video also has been number 1 on YouTube since its release 8 weeks ago, with more than 400 million views.  Watch HERE

For the performance Shakira took to the stage wearing a custom Roberto Cavalli look by Fausto Puglisi, embellished with Swarovski crystals. Cavalli also dressed her when she performed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tourcontinues across the United States with performances at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on July 20 and 21, followed by UBS Arena on July 23 and Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hallon July 25. The LMYNL tour was the highest-grossing tour globally of 2025 and highest-grossing tour of all-time by a Hispanic artist, as reported by Billboard Boxscore. Later this year, she will return to Spain for her European residency : 12 stadium performances in Madrid at the specially built ‘Shakira Stadium’ throughout September and October, following the success of her record-breaking stadium tours across North and South America.

About Shakira

Shakira is a Colombian singer-songwriter and multi-GRAMMY® award winner. She has sold over 95 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including four GRAMMYs®, fifteen Latin GRAMMYs®, and multiple World Music Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, to name a few. She is the most-viewed female Latin artist, and one of the top-10 artists of all time on YouTube with over 27 billion cumulative views, and the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time on Spotify.

Most recently, Shakira released her twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, to rave reviews and a GRAMMY® win for Best Latin Album. The album is a dazzling testament to her resilience and strength, as well as music's power to transform the most trying experiences into precious moments. In the first 24 hours it was released, the album became the most-streamed album of 2024 and was certified 7x Platinum. Less than a week after releasing her critically acclaimed new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira surprised a crowd of over 40,000 people, the largest audience for a performance in Times Square and larger than any New Year's Eve crowd, with a mesmerizing performance at the TSX Stage in Times Square. Watch HERE. In 2025, Shakira launched her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran stadium world tour, recently crowned as the “highest-grossing Hispanic tour of all time,” achieving a gross revenue of $421.6 million, inclusive of 82 stadium shows all across the US and Latin America with over 3.3 million people in attendance.

Shakira’s previous album, El Dorado, ranked #1 on iTunes in 37 Countries, won Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2017 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, and Best Latin Pop Album at the 2018 GRAMMY® Awards. With over 12 billion streams, it is one of the most-streamed female albums of all time. In 24 hours, “SHAKIRA || BZRP Music Sessions #53” made history both on Spotify with over 14 million streams and on YouTube with over 52 million views. The song debuted at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is another historic moment for Shakira, as she is the first solo woman to debut in the Top 10 on the chart with a song recorded in Spanish. It is also the Spanish-language song with the most streams in a single day in Spotify history. In September, Shakira received the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards and, in honor of her award, put on a breathtaking performance of her greatest hits.

Follow Shakira on:

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Source: Sony Music

Love As You Are: Something for the Trentahin Crowd

The trentahin crowd is often overlooked by romance authors. Usually, kilig literature is centered on the twenty-something category. YA is also popular, and I am a guilty fan. But as a trentahin and soon to be kwarentahin (shudder) in a few days, I feel that more authors should write stories for my age group. After all, we have lived through wars with exes and self-doubt. We also have the capacity to purchase books just because. And with that, it is an honor for me to review Tara Frejas’s latest novel, Love As You Are.

The prolific author’s 17th book (yes, seventeenth!!!) focuses on characters in their late thirties. Isagani and Moe felt so familiar to me that even their inside jokes felt uncomfortably like my own. In my knowledge, the author and I have not touched based at all. But when Isagani called his mom the queen, I cringed because someone I used to know (I call him manchild on Threads) called his mom the queen of my life. Unlike me, Moe got her happily ever after with Isagani. I kept on reading despite the familiarity because I could relate to Moe’s insecurities. All her worries were mine at some point. Also, this novel kept me company as I was preparing for an important medical procedure. This trentahin love story kept me sane and satisfyingly kilig. Safe to say that this book made me smile, reminisce, and thank God that I am marked safe from the ones that got away.

BRB I need to workout! I need an Isagani in my life to check on my fitness progress- or not. The best romance that I discovered during the course of this novel is the relationship that I reinforced with myself. I love myself just as I am.

Love As You Are by Tara Frejas can be pre-ordered here. It will be released digitally on August 15, 2026.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review.

Miki Matsubara’s City Pop Classic "Mayonaka no Door~stay with me" Surpasses 500 Million Streams on Spotify

A miraculous voice echoing globally, transcending time and space 47 years after its release

Listen to “Mayonaka no Door~stay with me” here

Since her debut in 1979, Miki Matsubara has left a vivid impression on the Japanese pop music scene and has become the driving force behind the recent global City Pop boom. Now, her debut single, "Mayonaka no Door~stay with me," has officially surpassed 500 million cumulative streams on Spotify, making it the 10th Japanese song in history to achieve this milestone. Notably, this is the first-ever feat for a Japanese song released in the 1900s.

Mainly driven by digital natives and overseas listeners, her support continues to expand even today, recording an unprecedented long-term hit that transcends the boundaries of eras and national borders.

Starting with its 18-day run at No. 1 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart in December 2020, the song has consistently maintained its position within the TOP 10 on the "Billboard Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan" and "GENIUS JAPAN INTERNATIONAL TOP10" since tracking began.

Furthermore, "Mayonaka no Door~stay with me" has been nominated for "Best Japanese Song in Latin America" at Japan's international music awards, "Music Award Japan 2026," for the second consecutive year. With non-stop offers for film soundtracks pouring in from all over the world - including the United States, France, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and Singapore - the track is gaining increasing attention from global video creators and drawing worldwide eyes as an iconic representation of Japanese music. 

***

About NexTone

NexTone is well-known as one of the most prominent distributors in Japan, partnering with over 1,000 labels and managing a catalog of more than one million Japanese songs. We excel in anime and game-related music and have experience and a strong track record in exporting Japanese content internationally. 

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For more information contact mabuhay@blackstar.space

Viral Indonesian artist, Jordan Susanto unveils his most personal album yet with 'Million Different Reasons'

LISTEN HERE

July 17th, 2026 —  Singer-songwriter Jordan Susanto returns with his second album, ‘Million Different Reasons’, a deeply reflective collection of songs that explores the many forms of love, human connection, and self-discovery. Fans can stream the album here.

The album is anchored by its title track, "Million Different Reasons", which encapsulates the emotional heart of the record. Across its tracklist, Jordan explores themes that are often overlooked in contemporary pop music, from the quiet strength of platonic love in male friendships to self-acceptance, yearning, anxiety, and the countless emotions that shape the human experience. Together, the songs invite listeners to reconsider the many ways love exists beyond romance.

At its core, ‘Million Different Reasons’ challenges conventional ideas of love. Rather than limiting love to romantic relationships, Jordan explores it as a broader expression of acceptance, connection, friendship, and shared humanity.

"I have been, and am still, exploring the vastness of the human experience, and how nuanced love can be beyond the romanticism we have been fed by pop culture. Upon experiencing a great love I didn't fully comprehend at the time, I wrote, 'It's such a shame that love's the only way we say, a million different reasons we hold hands, make love and sing and dance,' reflecting on how limiting language and convention can be in describing the way we experience emotions and life itself".
 

Jordan Susanto - "Million Different Reasons" (Official Music Video)

Sonically, 'Million Different Reasons' reflects the culmination of the music Jordan has admired and immersed himself in throughout his life. Rather than recreating the sounds of the past, he draws from a wide range of influences and reinterprets them through an instinctive songwriting approach, allowing each song to find its own musical identity while remaining authentically his.

Drawing from his lived experiences while embracing a more curated and universal perspective, ‘Million Different Reasons’ is Jordan's most personal body of work to date. While not strictly autobiographical, each song carries an emotional honesty rooted in his own journey of understanding himself and the people around him.

"I am on a journey in understanding myself and others better. I'm glad music and art have become the classroom for that," Jordan shares.

The album also captures the chemistry of the musicians who have helped shape Jordan's artistic journey. Created in close collaboration with his touring band, The Soul & Rollers, alongside a dedicated team of producers, engineers, and collaborators, the record preserves the collective sound they have developed together over years of performing. Since forming in 2022, the band has grown from playing bars, weddings, and private functions to festival stages and major concert venues, making ‘Million Different Reasons’ a milestone that celebrates their evolution together.

With ‘Million Different Reasons’, Jordan Susanto delivers an album that is both intimate and expansive—one that encourages listeners to embrace the complexity of love in all its forms, and to find meaning in the countless connections that shape who we are.
 

'Million Different Reasons' Tracklisting
1. Life Lately
2. Nona
3. Death of Me
4. Nervous
5. Such a Shame
6. Breathing Underwater
7. Something on Your Mind
8. Take a Look at Yourself
9. Million Different Reasons
10. Someday I'll See
 

Listen to 'Million Different Reasons' here
Watch the music video here

About Jordan Susanto

Jordan Susanto is a singer and songwriter from Jakarta who is known for his musical approach that combines elements of soul, funk, and R&B with a strong songwriting sensibility. Since his debut in 2023, Jordan has quickly attracted attention through his warm vocal character and compositions that emphasize emotion and musicality.

In 2024, he released his debut album 'Jordan' which introduced his musical spectrum to a wider audience. The album produced a number of releases that received a positive response, including "Senopati In The Rain" which was at the top of Spotify's Viral 50 charts in Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as achieving the Top 5 position in several other Southeast Asian countries. Some other songs such as "Still Drunk" and "Will I Ever Love Again" also strengthened his presence in the regional area.

Jordan's journey on the music scene was also marked by his appearances at various festivals, including the Java Jazz Festival and We The Fest. At the end of 2024, it won the AMI Awards for the Best Soul/R&B Artist category, and returned in the same nomination the following year.

Entering the next phase of his career, Jordan continues to develop his musical direction through recent releases that explore a more expressive and dynamic approach. With a fan base that continues to grow and a reputation as an authentic musician, Jordan Susanto is increasingly asserting his position as one of the most promising singer-songwriters from Indonesia today.

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Steve Lacy releases new album Oh yeah?

“The subtleties and texture in the vocals, the tactile rumble of drums, and the almost effervescent guitar melodies. The tracks…strike a personal, introspective tone, as if Lacy’s taken the perceptive and cunning lens he’s used to observe life and love from 10,000 feet, and turned it inward”  

– Rolling Stone on Oh yeah?, August 2025

Steve Lacy releases his highly anticipated third album, Oh yeah? via RCA Records. The album features the long-awaited collaboration “is it cool? (feat. SZA),” as well as the acclaimed lead single “the feeling,” which served as a brilliant reintroduction to Lacy’s ability to manifest modern Pop, Alt, and R&B in a sound that is less genre-defying and more genre-defining. The result is an album that is undoubtedly Steve’s most ambitious and personal art to date.  

LISTEN TO Oh yeah? HERE

Oh yeah? is a record for guitar kids who love synths and synth kids who love guitars. It’s an album splashed with raw openness, energetic connection, sonic beauty, and some of Lacy’s most personal, transparent lyrics. With guest appearances from the likes of Erykah Badu and Cecile Believe, and SZA, Oh yeah? is intersectional, cutting, a comedy, a tragedy, and has allowed Steve to further design an aural world that is singularly him. That “him” has taken Lacy, who released his first EP almost ten years ago, to the highest of highs: at only 28, he has two songs in the Spotify Billions Club, as well as two Grammy Awards.  He has stood alongside his musical peers like Kendrick Lamar and Solange, sells out shows across the globe, and is universally known as a style maverick whose eye for design grows bolder every day.  

In a recent cover story, The Cut described Lacy as “potentially being Gen Z’s first rock star,” a big claim in an era of pop girlies, K-Pop kids hunting demons, and country balladeers. On first listen, Oh yeah? undoubtedly – and instantly –  takes that potential and turns it into reality, a defining musical moment for an artist with many, many more to come.

Oh yeah? TRACKLIST:

1. oh yeah?

2. is it cool? (feat. SZA)

3. the feeling                   ​

4. pure colour (feat. Erykah Badu)

5. show you me             ​

6. doom

7. nothing

8. lovesexdrugbomb (feat. Cecile Believe)

9. nice shoes / in your world

10. bebe

To usher in this new record, Steve will embark on a series of tour dates across Asia this Summer, including headlining slots at Summer Sonic and Lalala festival. For ticketing information, visit https://www.wearesteve.net/ + see below for a full list of tour dates.

ALL UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

August 13th - Toyosu PIT - Tokyo, Japan

August 15th - Summer Sonic Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan

August 16th - Summer Sonic Osaka - Osaka, Japan

August 19th - Olympic Hall - Seoul, Korea

August 21st - Lalala Festival Manila - Manila, Philippines

August 23rd - Lalala Festival Jakarta - Jakarta, Indonesia

Steve Lacy press photo, credit: Gus Van Sant — download HERE

Steve Lacy:

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 Source: Nyou

ALYSON to stage first major concert with full orchestra this Friday, June 17, 2026

The Filipino band brings its acclaimed sophomore album, AFTER OURS to life in an ambitious orchestral production, ahead of its international debut at AXEAN Festival 2026 in Bali, Indonesia

Manila, Philippines – Filipino city pop band ALYSON is set to headline their first major concert with AFTER OURS: Live and in Full!, happening on July 17, 2026, at Aster Events Place in Mandaluyong City. The special show will bring the band’s acclaimed sophomore album to life through expansive arrangements, immersive production, and a revitalized live music experience unlike anything they’ve presented before.

Known for their lush sonic brew of Manila Sound, Japanese city pop, Brazilian funk, ‘80s OPM, and jazz, the five-piece act will perform the entirety of AFTER OURS alongside a full orchestra, offering audiences fresh interpretations that highlight the album’s sophistication and depth. The concert also marks a creative leap for the band, who have taken on a more active role in co-producing the show, further honing its artistic direction from concept to execution.

“Preparations are going exceptionally well,” the band shares in a press statement. “We’ve been rehearsing for this show as a band for a long time now, so we’re confident that we can put on a good show. We’ve also been rehearsing with our orchestra, and it’s another experience to hear our music played altogether like this with so many talented people. The production team and our management have also been working double time to get this show off the ground, so we’re truly thankful for all their help.”

Official poster

Apart from the orchestral collaboration, ALYSON hints that the audience can expect even more surprises throughout the evening.

The Summer Nights band reveals, “While we make no secret of the involvement of the orchestra and their hand in elevating our performance, we think there’s still room for surprises. Maybe some special guest or two, maybe some unexpected numbers. What we can say is that it’s a setlist you can only see at a show like this. You’ll have to be there to find out.”

Beyond the music, AFTER OURS: Live and in Full! is the band’s most ambitious production to date, reflecting years of growth, collaboration, and a desire to create a vital connection with their audience on a deeply personal level.

“This is, to date, the largest and most involved show we’ve ever done,” explains the band. “We’ve never played anything with this many people involved on and off the stage. It’s honestly evolved into something we never imagined we’d be able to do. We’re just happy to share this moment with everyone who’s supported us and treat them to an experience that’s beyond even what we imagined when we started this!”

The concert comes at an exciting time for ALYSON. Next month, the band will make its international festival debut at the AXEAN Festival in Bali, Indonesia, taking place on August 29 and 30 at Jimbaran Hub.

AFTER OURS: Live and in Full is co-presented by Offshore Music PH and GNN, with support from ONErpm.

Tickets are still available via bit.ly/afterourslive.

Source: Nyou