#spotify

Gracie Abrams Announces Third Studio Album "Daughter From Hell" Gracie Abrams has confirmed the release of her third studio album, Daughter From Hell, set for July 17, 2026. The 26-year-old artist shared the news on her Instagram account on May 11, expressing her excitement about the project. In her post, she wrote, "Whoa whoa whoa. Freaking out. I am so ready for it to be yours," indicating her eagerness for fans to experience the new work. Pre-orders for the album are now available on her official website, while pre-save options are live on Apple Music and Spotify. The album’s lead single, "Hit the Wall," is scheduled to premiere on May 14, with fans able to stream the track ahead of the full release. According to pre-save details on Apple Music, the album will feature 16 tracks, with "Hit the Wall" serving as the opening track. While the full tracklist has not been officially confirmed, fans are awaiting further updates on the remaining songs. Gracie Abrams has also introduced multiple vinyl variants for the album, including a standard edition and exclusive options such as a signed version and a lavender-colored vinyl with an exclusive cover. These special editions are available for purchase through her official store, offering collectors and fans unique ways to own the album. Additionally, the album will be released in CD and cassette formats, with bundled packages also available. Collaborations on Daughter From Hell remain undisclosed at this time. While Gracie Abrams has not confirmed any guest artists for the project, she has previously worked with notable musicians such as Taylor Swift, who appeared on the fan-favourite song "Us" from Abrams’ previous album, The Secret of Us. No other confirmed collaborations are currently listed.#apple_music #spotify #gracie_abrams #the_secret_of_us #daughter_from_hell

Kacey Musgraves’ Intimate Performance With Spotify Made Me Love Country Music Again Confession: I’ve long been in a situationship with country music, and it’s…complicated. I’d like to be able to commit as a fan. But the longer I live as a Latine queer woman in a political climate that challenges my existence, the more I struggle to ignore the conservative views and values inextricably linked to the genre. Fundamentally created by Black and brown folks in the South, country music used to be rooted in raw storytelling and unfiltered emotion—but sometime around the Vietnam War, it pivoted toward supporting right-wing politics. And at a certain point in my life, it felt like something I could no longer support. That said, if there is anyone I can depend on to push for inclusivity in the historically traditionalist country music industry, it’s Kacey Musgraves. With her Grammy-winning 2018 album Golden Hour (in which she traded some of her kitschy lyricism for a pared-back approach), I was reminded of what it really meant for pedal steel guitar strings to pull at your heartstrings. Her quick wit and fresh yet familiar melodies have made her one of my favorite songwriters (across any genre) ever since. When she teamed up with Spotify to host an intimate performance at the Nashville Palace in Tennessee to premiere some songs off her upcoming sixth studio album, Middle of Nowhere, I knew I had to make my way down south. Nashville has a rich musical history—especially since Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park are also located about four hours away from the country music capital. But before this trip, I’ve only ever known Nashville as Hannah Montana’s hometown and a top Bachelorette destination because of the live music bars down Broadway.#spotify #nashville #kacey_musgraves #nashville_palace #middle_of_nowhere

Taylor Swift UMG Deal May Get Artists Big Spotify Share Sale Payout Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge announced on April 29 that the company’s board had approved the sale of half of UMG’s equity stake in Spotify. A portion of the proceeds from the transaction will be distributed to UMG artists, a move that aligns with a 2018 pledge by the company to share future Spotify divestment profits with its artists. This decision follows a broader industry trend, as Warner Music Group and Sony Music Group had previously made similar commitments. The deal gained attention due to Taylor Swift’s role in shaping the terms. In November 2018, Swift left her longtime label, Big Machine, to join UMG’s Republic Records. During her contract negotiations, she secured a clause ensuring that any payout from Spotify share sales would not be clawed back, a provision that now appears to benefit artists broadly. In a post on Instagram, Swift highlighted her request for the payout to be non-recoupable, stating that UMG had agreed to the terms, which she claimed would be more favorable than previous industry standards. The financial implications of the sale are significant. Pershing Square, a major UMG investor, had previously proposed a non-binding offer to acquire the company, estimating UMG’s Spotify stake at 2.7 billion euros ($3.1 billion). Under this proposal, Pershing would have sold the stake and allocated 750 million euros ($865.4 million) to artists, with the remaining 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) used to fund the transaction. While UMG has not yet sold any shares, the board’s approval of the partial divestiture suggests the deal is moving forward. The potential payout could provide substantial relief to artists, particularly those still owing back advances to their labels.#taylor_swift #spotify #universal_music_group #pershing_square #lucian_grainge

Universal Music Group to Sell Half Spotify Stake, Double Share Buyback Amid Q1 Revenue Pressure Universal Music Group announced on Wednesday that it would sell half of its equity stake in Spotify, with proceeds initially allocated to its share buyback program and shared with artists under its compensation policies. The decision comes as the world’s largest music company reported first-quarter revenue that remained flat year-over-year in reported terms but rose 8.1 percent in constant currency due to the weaker U.S. dollar. The company also plans to double its share buyback authorization, proposing an additional 500 million euros in buybacks pending shareholder approval at its annual general meeting. The board of Universal Music Group stated that it believes its shares are undervalued relative to its business performance and future prospects. Revenue for the quarter totaled 2.9 billion euros ($3.4 billion), while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell 3.8 percent to 636 million euros. However, EBITDA increased 3.9 percent in constant currency terms. The company highlighted its top-performing releases in the quarter, which included the works of BTS, Taylor Swift, Olivia Dean, Morgan Wallen, and the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack. These titles contributed significantly to the company’s revenue and underscored the continued popularity of global and regional artists. The stake sale and buyback plan reflect Universal Music Group’s strategic response to financial pressures, particularly the impact of currency fluctuations on its reported revenue. By monetizing its Spotify stake, the company aims to strengthen its balance sheet and provide returns to shareholders.#taylor_swift #spotify #bts #morgan_wallen #universal_music_group

Ellisar: The Rising Singer Behind the Hit Track in Dhurandhar 2 Ellisar, an American-born self-made singer, has made waves in the music industry with her unique talent and collaboration on the popular Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2. Known for her soulful voice, Ellisar’s contribution to the film’s soundtrack has garnered attention, marking her entry into the Hindi cinema scene. A New Voice in Bollywood Ellisar’s journey to Dhurandhar 2 began with her collaboration on the track “Shashvat Sachdev,” which she co-wrote and performed. The song, blending her distinct vocal style with the film’s cinematic flair, has been praised for its emotional depth and melodic appeal. Despite having no prior ties to the Indian film industry, Ellisar’s talent caught the attention of Aditya Dhar and Shashvat Sachdev, who recognized her potential and gave her a platform to shine. Background and Music Career Ellisar, who resides in the United States, is a self-proclaimed creator of her music. She independently produces her tracks and collaborates with emerging music composers. Her discography includes several English songs, such as Crash Out, Do It Again, Anymore, Man Down, and Back 2 U, which are available on platforms like Spotify and Jio Saavan. As of now, Ellisar has amassed a monthly listener base of 94,734 on Spotify and has released around 15 tracks on Jio Saavan. While she hasn’t yet signed with a major music label, her growing presence on streaming platforms highlights her rising popularity. Social Media and Personal Life Ellisar’s social media profiles, particularly Instagram, showcase her vibrant personality and artistic side. Her posts often feature candid snapshots of her life, alongside snippets of her music. Though her follower count is modest, her content resonates with fans who appreciate her authenticity.#aditya_dhar #spotify #dhurandhar_2 #ellisar #shashvat_sachdev

Bruno Mars adds yet another milestone to his career Bruno Mars has achieved another significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most successful artists in music history. According to Spotify, he is the most-listened-to artist globally, with 16 Grammy Awards and 10 chart-topping singles to his name. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Mars recently unlocked a new achievement with the release of his album The Romantic, which marked his first No. 1 album debut in over a decade. The album, released in late February 2026, also coincided with the return of his No. 1 single, "I Just Might," which had previously peaked at the top of the charts two months earlier. This week, the single reclaimed the No. 1 spot, while the album’s lead track, "Risk It All," debuted at No. 4. All of The Romantic’s songs charted on the Hot 100, a testament to its widespread appeal. Mars had not released an album under his own name since 2016, and The Romantic represents his first full-length project in nearly a decade. The album’s success is attributed to its strong streaming numbers and vinyl sales, which have grown significantly in recent years. Notably, The Romantic is Mars’ first album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and it marks the first time he has achieved a No. 1 album and a No. 1 single simultaneously. This milestone follows a 13-year gap between Mars’ previous No. 1 albums, which were Unorthodox Jukebox in 2013 and 24K Magic in 2017. While this gap is far shorter than Paul McCartney’s 36-year record between No. 1 albums, it underscores Mars’ consistent ability to produce chart-topping work. However, his success is not solely defined by chart peaks. Instead, it is measured by the longevity of his albums.#spotify #bruno_mars #the_romantic #billboard_200 #hot_100

Bad Bunny Performs His First-Ever Concert in Japan: Review Bad Bunny’s first live performance in Asia marked a significant milestone in his global career, showcasing his enduring popularity and artistic influence. The event, part of Spotify’s Billions Club series, took place at the Tipstar Dome Chiba in Tokyo on March 7, drawing a crowd of less than 2,000 fans and a handful of VIPs. Among the attendees were Blackpink’s Lisa, who danced enthusiastically during “Dákiti,” and contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, who engaged with the performance. The intimate setting highlighted Bad Bunny’s ability to connect with his audience, even in a high-profile international setting. The concert featured a curated selection of Bad Bunny’s most streamed tracks on Spotify, with 29 songs surpassing a billion streams. During the show, the artist emphasized the emotional weight of his success, telling the crowd, “Muchos números, pero no son números. Sino personas con las que he conectado a través de todos estos años con mi música, entonces por eso estamos aquí con ustedes.” This sentiment underscored the personal connection he fosters with fans, transforming streaming numbers into a celebration of shared experiences. The stage design reflected a blend of cultural elements, with towering cherry blossom trees symbolizing the event’s location in Japan. The performance opened with the instrumental of “EoO,” sparking immediate energy in the venue. Fans responded with traditional Puerto Rican attire, including pavas (woven straw hats), flags, and spontaneous dance circles, creating a vibrant atmosphere that mirrored the energy of his larger residencies. Bad Bunny’s rendition of “Baile Inolvidable” became a standout moment, with fans forming impromptu dance pairs and embracing strangers, embodying the unifying power of his music.#tokyo #spotify #bad_bunny #tipstar_dome_chiba #blackpink_lisa

Badshah apologises after his Haryanvi track Tateeree sparks controversy, takes down song from all platforms Badshah, the popular Indian rapper, has issued an apology following widespread backlash over his Haryanvi track "Tateeree," which has drawn criticism for its alleged objectionable lyrics. The song, which was removed from all major streaming platforms, reportedly contains content that has been accused of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women and minors. The controversy has led to calls for accountability, with authorities taking action against the artist. The Haryana State Commission for Women summoned Badshah for a meeting to address the allegations surrounding the track. Officials claimed the lyrics in "Tateeree" were inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning to women and children. The commission emphasized that such content undermines efforts to promote gender equality and protect vulnerable groups. Badshah, who has been a prominent figure in the music industry, reportedly acknowledged the concerns and expressed regret for any offense caused. The song's removal from platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music followed pressure from both public figures and legal entities. While Badshah’s team initially defended the track, citing artistic freedom, the backlash intensified after the Haryana commission’s intervention. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the responsibilities of artists in addressing sensitive social issues. The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny faced by musicians in India regarding the content of their work. Critics argue that while creative expression is important, it should not cross into territory that harms societal values or marginalizes specific groups.#badshah #tateeree #haryana_state_commission_for_women #youtube #spotify