Ava Max announces third album, "Don't Press Play"

Pop artist Ava Max announced her third studio album, "Don't Click Play," available for streaming on Aug. 22. The singer made the announcement via her Instagram. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AVA MAX (@avamax)

The album, originally titled "Made From Scratch," marks Max's first full-length release since her 2023 album "Diamonds & Dancefloors." 

The singer announced the project through a mysterious website that allowed fans to preview snippets of upcoming music after signing a digital petition. Here fans can also preview, "Lovin' Myself", which is expected to be the second single of the album. 

Max's third album was initially scheduled for late 2024 but was delayed to 2025. According to the singer, the postponement allowed her to create a more cohesive project that better reflects her artistic vision. 

Max told Energy News Berlin, "I've personally been through so much again this year [and] it's been an even bigger emotional ride than last year. This year was one of the best and one of the worst years of my life. I went through something that I'm talking about on the third album."

Max rose to international fame with her 2018 hit "Sweet but Psycho," which topped charts in 22 countries. Her previous albums include "Heaven & Hell" (2020) and "Diamonds & Dancefloors" (2023).

Chatting with celebrity stylist, Parker Blaine

Parker Blaine courtesy of Parker Blaine

Parker Blaine Noreiga, better known as Parker Blaine, is a celebrity stylist and influencer based in Los Angeles. She began her styling business in 2016, and her clients include pop stars like Ava Max, Leah Kate and Ariana Grande.

How do you establish a unique style for each client while still keeping them on-trend?

I love this question! I would say it's about finding that sweet spot between the client's personal aesthetic and current trends. I spend a lot of time getting to know my client's aesthetic by listening to their music, looking at their socials, just getting to know their general vibe.

Then, I see what event I am styling for. A music video shoot might have a different feel than an awards show. And of course, I always have tons of options for my clients to choose from.

Would you say social media has changed the way you approach styling? 

Kind of. In this business, it's important to think of how these looks will translate on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It's kind of like added pressure. But also, it gives me a chance to see feedback on my looks. I can see what looks the fans really respond to, and which looks they might not love as much.

 How do you source pieces for major events like award shows?

Leah Kate courtesy of Parker Blaine

For big events, we're usually working 2-3 months in advance, reaching out to designers or working on custom pieces.

I prepare for award season all year honestly. I see something at fashion week, and I'm like, oh that would be perfect for so and so, and I keep it saved in an album on my phone.

What about creating looks for artists on tour? Is it a similar process? 

Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that I still plan months in advance and try to capture the client's aesthetic. But, tour looks are much more involved. With a onetime event, it's a little easier to get away with uncomfortable or even impractical fashion, if that makes sense.

With a tour, I have to make sure the wardrobe can function consistently for months, and most importantly, the client feels comfortable moving around. 

Plus, I'm generally working with more people than just the client, people like creative directors, choreographers, set design. We all work together to execute the client's vision for their tour.

Currently, what look are you obsessed with?

Hmm. Right now, I'm obsessed with the look I created for Ava Max recently. It's very bold; leather, boots, fire, all of it. It's for her album "Don't Click Play" which is out in August.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by parker blaine noriega (@parkerblainee)

Lorde releases new album, "Virgin"

Musical artist Lorde revealed today that her fourth studio album, titled "Virgin," will be released on June 27, marking her first full-length album since 2021.

Lorde made the announcement via her official website and social media platforms, where she shared the album's cover art featuring a blue X-ray image of a pelvis with a visible zipper and IUD.

The album is produced by Lorde and Jim-E Stack, with additional writing credits from Fabiana Palladino and Dan Nigro. Nigro recently won a Grammy for producer of the year and has worked with musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lorde (@lorde)

 Lorde described the album's aesthetic on her website, "THE COLOUR OF THE ALBUM IS CLEAR. LIKE BATHWATER, WINDOWS, ICE, SPIT. FULL TRANSPARENCY. THE LANGUAGE IS PLAIN AND UNSENTIMENTAL." SHE ADDED THAT SHE WAS "TRYING TO MAKE A DOCUMENT THAT REFLECTED MY FEMININITY: RAW, PRIMAL, INNOCENT, ELEGANT, OPENHEARTED, SPIRITUAL, MASC."

The album's lead single, "What Was That," was released on April 24 and was accompanied by a spontaneous music video filmed in New York City. The single was teased earlier in the month when Lorde joined TikTok and shared a photo featuring a snippet of the song, which quickly went viral with over 30 million views.

"Virgin" will follow Lorde's previous albums: "Pure Heroine" (2013), "Melodrama" (2017) and "Solar Power" (2021). Her debut album launched her to international fame with the hit single "Royals" and cemented her place in the pop music world.

As anticipation builds toward the June 27 release date, "Virgin" promises to showcase yet another transformation from an artist known for reinventing herself with each album cycle.

Netflix announces Karol G documentary set for premiere in May

Colombian pop singer Karol G is set to unveil her highly anticipated documentary "Tomorrow Was Beautiful" on Netflix, available for streaming on May 8. 

Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Cristina Costantini, the documentary traces Karol G's journey from her childhood in Medellín, Colombia, to her creation of "Mañana Será Bonito," which made history as the first Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200 chart.

Netflix dropped a trailer this week featuring behind the scenes footage from the artist's record-breaking stadium tour, and interviews where she discusses the industry skepticism she experienced as a woman in reggaeton pop. 

According to Constantini, the documentary aims to present an authentic portrayal of life on tour. 

"In my first conversation with Karol, she expressed a deep desire to do a warts-and-all documentary about what life on tour can be like," Costantini said in a Netflix press release. "She wanted to show the hard parts and the struggle that it took to get where she is now."

When initially revealing the documentary, Karol G promoted it on social media by posting a handwritten note.  Translated from Spanish, she writes, "A story born from dreams that seemed impossible, fueled by unwavering faith" and calls the piece, "A relentless journey that defied all odds."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KAROL G (@karolg)

The documentary arrives as Karol G continues expanding her influence in entertainment. Her Mañana Será Bonito Tour generated over $313 million in revenue, setting a record as the highest-grossing Latin tour by a female artist. 

More recently, she made her acting debut in the Netflix series "Griselda" and was named Billboard's Woman of the Year for 2024, becoming the first Latin woman to receive the honor.

Chappel Roan signs with Foundations Management

Grammy-winning artist Chappell Roan has officially signed with Drew Simmons of Foundations Management, leaving behind her previous management team of eight years.

Simmons, known for managing pop stars Noah Kahan and Rebecca Black, announced the partnership Monday via Instagram. Simmons wrote, "Thrilled to be working with Chappell Roan - it's an honor to welcome her to Foundations."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Drew Simmons (@drewsimmons)

The move comes months after Roan parted ways with former manager Nick Bobetsky, who had represented her since 2018. Under Bobetsky, Roan's debut album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" climbed to No. 2 on the charts, and the singer drew a record-breaking crowd during her Lollapalooza performance last year.

As of now the reasoning behind the departure remains unclear, with neither Roan nor Bobetsky making an official statement. 

The management shakeup coincides with the singer's recent pivot towards country music with her single "The Giver," which debuted at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 and topped the Hot Country Songs chart. 

The artist is also reportedly working on her sophomore album with producer Dan Nigro.

Katy Perry mocked for Lifetimes tour choreography

Footage from Katy Perry's recent tour opener in Mexico City is going viral, but not for the reason you'd think. The singer, who recently made headlines for her Blue Origin space flight on April 14, is now trending for what some are calling lackluster choreography and a low-energy performance. 

Clips shared widely across social media platforms shows Perry performing robotic dance moves while wearing a futuristic cone bra costume. The concert, which included moments where she made exaggerated facial expressions and performed robot-like movements, was met with ridicule online.

Fans took to TikTok to express their opinions, "I feel like she's really in her flop era," said user phoebe_parson21. "She's still thinking she is an astronaut," said user JillDenlea. 

An X post reacting to Perry's performance, that has gathered 10.5 million views and 50 thousand likes, is simply captioned with question marks.

??? 😭 pic.twitter.com/9bcChs64qh

— 𝖌𝖆𝖇 (@gabgonebad) April 24, 2025

Despite the backlash received for her 11-minute flight to space, Perry seems to embrace an intergalactic theme throughout the concert. At one point she is seen flying above the stage in a metallic spacesuit, at other times wielding a red lightsaber. Theatrical elements that have done little to distract from the choreography critiques.

While the tour's choreographer Kaylie Yee and creative direction company Squared Division haven't made an official comment, some loyal fans have defended the singer, insisting that Perry's quirky performance style is part of her established artistic persona.

The "Lifetimes" tour, which began Wednesday in Mexico City, continues Perry's return to the spotlight after her recent ventures beyond the music world.

@jessicagolich @eddy’s online 👾🎥 Katy Perry performs ET at opening night in Mexico City #katyperrymexicocity #lifetimestour #lifetimestourmexico2025 #lifetimestour2025 #katyperry #katyperrylifetimestour ♬ original sound - JessicaGolich

Lorde ends hiatus with new single "What Was That"

New Zealand pop artist Lorde made her return to music after a nearly four-year hiatus with new single "What Was That."  This is the first single from her untitled fourth studio album, expected in early fall 2025. The track has been praised by fans and critics alike, commending the personal lyrics and experimental sound.

The song is a noticeable shift from her acoustic-heavy "Solar Power," released in 2021. The synth-pop melody is reminiscent of her earlier work, particularly the "Melodrama" album. For this project, Lorde collaborated with producers Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro, the latter known for his work with pop star Olivia Rodrigo.

Before the official release, Lorde teased the track on social media and invited fans to New York's Washington Square Park for a preview. Though police initially dispersed the crowd due to permit issues, the singer was spotted later in the evening preforming an impromptu concert for fans.

Lyrically, the track offers intimate insights, incorporating references to the singer's previous heartbreak and her history with substance use.  

On her website, Lorde described the song's emotional origins: "LATE 2023. BACK IN NEW YORK. DEEP BREAKUP. STOPPING BIRTH CONTROL. EVERY MEAL A BATTLE. FLASHBACKS AND WAVES. FEELING GRIEF'S VORTEX AND LETTING IT TAKE ME. OPENING MY MOUTH AND RECORDING WHAT FELL OUT." 

While details about her upcoming album remain scarce, Lorde has hinted at significant changes in her musical direction. Her recent collaboration with Charli XCX on "Girl, So Confusing" and appearance at Coachella earlier this month have kept her in the spotlight, building momentum for her official comeback.

"What Was That" is available for streaming on all major platforms.