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. 

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 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."

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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."

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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. 

Addison Rae's "Headphones On" takes viewers from everyday life to Icelandic fantasy

In her latest music video for "Headphones On," Addison Rae transports viewers between the scenes of mundane reality and vibrant fantasy. Directed by Mitch Ryan and set against Iceland's stunning landscapes, the visuals complement the song's theme of using music as an escape from life's challenges.

The video's concept is simple, a grocery store worker daydreaming of another life. In the grocery store scenes, Rae appears with her hair in a messy bun, riding a coin-operated horse. These segments contrast with fantasy sequences filmed in Iceland, where Rae wears a pink wig and rides a white horse across scenic countryside. 

Visually, the production quality is impressive. The cinematography captures Iceland's natural beauty in dreamlike fashion, while smooth editing transitions create a nice flow between Rae's dueling worlds. Her pink-haired fantasy self has a distinctive aesthetic that's reminiscent of early 2000s pop with a pastel twist. 

Several visual techniques are used to distinguish between reality and fantasy. The grocery store scenes use dim lighting and grayscale color palette, while the Iceland scenes feature saturated colors, soft focus, and dreamlike camera flares. 

The lyrics touch on personal struggles, adding an emotional component to an otherwise upbeat tune. References to accepting pain and finding comfort in small rituals, along with allusions to her parents' public divorce, provide a vulnerable undercurrent beneath the dreamy imagery. Musically, the track offers a bass-heavy beat supporting Rae's vocals in a way that feels new to her discography.

As Rae continues to evolve from social media personality to recording artist, "Headphones On" demonstrates a growing confidence in her artistic vision and visual storytelling abilities. By combining stunning visuals, personal lyrics and musical experimentation, she carves out her own unique space in pop's current landscape. Her debut album, "Addison," is available for streaming June 6.

Why Katy Perry’s space stunt falls flat for feminism in pop

As younger pop stars champion authentic activism, Perry’s space stunt highlights the generational divide in feminist expression

Last week, pop star Katy Perry joined Blue Origin’s all-female crew for a brief 11 minute journey to space. While Perry and Blue Origin’s PR machine celebrated this as a feminist triumph, writer Liz Carolan’s article in The Irish Times raises important questions about the substance behind the spectacle.

Here’s what Carolan had to say about Perry’s space adventure:

“When Katy Perry returned from her 11-minute trip to the outer reaches of the earth’s atmosphere this week, she had the breathless enthusiasm of a returning gap year student. “You never know,” she beamed to the cameras, “how loved you are, until the day you launch.” Who could blame her exuberance? Experiencing weightlessness and seeing the planet from so high up sounds exhilarating.

It turns out that a lot of people can blame her. The backlash has been swift and brutal. Much of it focused on the faux feminism in the marketing blitz that surrounded the launch. The flight, which was organized by Jeff Bezos’s private space travel company Blue Origin, was billed as the first all-female crew to travel to space since 1963.

There were token nods to real feminist concerns in the PR. A team behind the redesigned space suits by Monse, which included designers from Oscar de la Renta, were given a full feature in The New York Times Style section. In remarks that caused widespread hilarity, Perry said she was putting the 'ass' in astronaut.”

For followers of female artists in pop music, Perry’s space venture represents a frustrating missed opportunity. The brief trip exemplifies the shallow, marketable “girl power” that characterized Generation X and millennial feminism but feels painfully outdated to younger audiences.

Perry’s brand of feminism, where empowerment often comes packaged in glitter and innuendo, stands in stark contrast to the more authentic approaches embraced by younger female pop stars. Artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter are leading the charge by tackling substantive issues like LGBTQ+ rights, female sexuality and equal pay between genders.

Teen Magazine describes Roan as a, “...prominent icon in the LGBTQ+ community, loud in her opinions and fighting for the people.”

Carpenter, meanwhile, has redefined female sexuality in pop through music that is both playful and profound. Take for example her raunchy “Nonsense” outros, which have attracted worldwide attention while on tour. Still, her approach to expressing femininity feels authentic rather than packaged for male consumption. 

The focus on sexy, designer spacesuits in Perry’s space adventure feels like an attempt at packaging female ambition in a way that remains palatable to traditional male power structures. In Perry’s version of feminism, when women are breaking the glass ceiling, they're still expected to look good doing it.

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As Carolan points out, this approach undermines any genuine feminist messaging. Perry’s space stunt represents an outdated brand of feminism that seems engineered for media consumption rather than authentic expression. 

In an era where fans increasingly expect their pop idols to use their platforms meaningfully, Perry’s approach feels like a relic from an earlier time. Modern feminism in pop music isn't just about visibility: it's about substance, advocacy, and authenticity.

Top 6 female popstar skins in Fortnite, ranked

Female pop stars have made their mark in Fortnite, integrating their unique styles and music to players worldwide. Here is my ranking of the top female popstar skins based on design quality, accuracy, and in-game popularity.

6. Lady Gaga: The pop icon brought her Chromatica-era aesthetic to Festival Season 2.  Her skin features futuristic designs and theatrical elements that recreate her iconic tour looks. 

Lady Gaga skin. Courtesy of Epic Games.

The skin includes Chromatica inspired instruments including a black electric guitar and flaming keytar that players can use in concert.

Despite the creative efforts, the graphical execution falls short of expectations, landing it last on the list. 

5. Ice Spice: Spice's distinctive style translated well to Fortnite when she joined the game in late 2024. Players can both embody her as a playable character or face her as a boss guarding Shark Island, complete with a massive inflatable version of herself marking the territory. 

Her "Fisherrr (Remix)" and "Deli" outfits capture her signature Y2K aesthetic and ginger curls, but accessories and variations remain limited. 

4. Karol G The reggaeton superstar made her Fortnite debut in a five-part playable concert, including outfits and accessories reflecting her vibrant performance style and Colombian heritage.

Karol G skin. Courtesy of Epic Games.

Accessories of note include an iridescent electric keytar and flowered microphone stand. The bundle also includes the red, sparkling Carolina Outfit.

Despite the unique accessories, the skin doesn't offer the same level of reactive features or style options as some higher-ranked entries.

3. Ariana Grande: This skin recreates Grande's signature high ponytail with a cosmic twist, including a shimmering two-piece set. 

Ariana Grande skin. Courtesy of Epic Games.

 The skin features reactive elements that light up or change color during gameplay, a first of its kind in Fortnite. 

Even years after release, her skin remains one of the most requested items when it returns to the Item Shop landing it towards the top of the list. 

2. Billie Eilish This skin comes in two distinct styles: the green-haired look associated with her earlier albums and her more recent blonde era.

Billie Eilish skin. Courtesy of Epic Games.

Unlike other artist skins that simply recreate tour outfits, Eilish's bundle includes reactive elements that respond to eliminations and victories with color shifts and screen effects. 

The ability to choose between the singers more classic looks and her newer "Happier Than Ever" aesthetic allow players to choose their favorite era.

1. Sabrina Carpenter Taking the top spot is Carpenter who made her Fortnite debut in 2025 for Festival Season 8.

Sabrina Carpenter skin. Courtesy of Epic Games

The bundle features Short n' Sweet tour looks, including her pink glittery two-piece set with matching boots and the exclusive yellow babydoll dress.

The attention to detail in her character model is the best so far, from her perfectly styled blonde hair to her face, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the singer.

This skin has quickly become a favorite among players landing it number one on the list.