POPS

The All-In Podcast devotes a segment to turbulence in the AI industry, covering reports that Anthropic's long-anticipated IPO may be at risk, the debut buzz around Meta's Muse, falling token prices across AI providers, growing market share for open-source models, and fresh failures in AI alignment. The wide-ranging episode is drawing heavy attention among tech and finance audiences tracking AI's commercial and safety trajectory.

Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against alleged hackers responsible for leaking her unreleased music, according to ABC News. The legal action targets those accused of obtaining and distributing songs that were never officially released. Fans and music industry watchers are following the case closely, as leaks of unfinished material have become a recurring problem for major artists and their labels.

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is facing plagiarism accusations over her track I've Seen It. The story was reported by The Guardian, though details of who brought the accusation or what the song is alleged to have copied have not been made clear. Fans and music commentators are weighing in on the claims as the story circulates.

The New York City Ballet held its annual fall gala, drawing attention for an unusual pairing: rock icon Stevie Nicks joined forces with the company for an evening blending music, fashion and dance. The event, covered by the New York Times, mixed celebrity guests, designer costumes and new choreography, prompting the question of whether such a high-wire combination of pop culture and classical ballet could pull off gracefully.

The Hōlei Sea Arch, a lava rock formation on Hawaii's coast estimated to be around 550 years old, has collapsed into the ocean. The collapse removes a well-known natural landmark at the end of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Observers are noting the fragility of coastal lava formations shaped by constant wave erosion and volcanic activity.

Liz Harris, the musician behind the ambient project Grouper, has given an interview to The Guardian in which she says it is 'rational to fear the music industry'. She discusses how virality and streaming scammers affect artists, and talks about her new 'restorative' dream-pop trio. Her remarks underline growing artist anxiety about streaming economics and online exposure.

The Siberian ethnic-pop group Otyken has put out a new song called Storm, with the music video available on YouTube. Otyken, known for blending traditional Siberian instruments and throat singing with modern pop production, has a growing international following, and fans are sharing the new release across social platforms.

A commentary piece argues that classical music needs figures like Lizzo to stay relevant and broaden its audience. Lizzo, a pop star and trained flutist, has drawn attention for bringing her flute playing into mainstream performance, sparking debate about diversity, accessibility and tradition within the classical world. Supporters say her visibility challenges outdated ideas about who belongs on the concert stage.

A fresh wave of music has arrived for New Music Friday, with new releases from Lasso, Crimson 99, KATSEYE, Ricky Martin and the late Mac Miller, alongside other artists. The roundup highlights the week's most anticipated drops across pop and Latin music, giving fans plenty of new material heading into the weekend.

Japanese idol group Mugendai MewType have released a new single titled Our Survival through Bushiroad Music. The release is being picked up by metal and alternative music outlets, with reviewers noting the group's blend of idol pop and heavier rock sounds. The single marks a new entry in the group's growing discography under the Bushiroad label.

A new fashion editorial called Doll Haus of Dread reimagines horror film icons through a couture lens: Ghost Face stalks in platform boots, Pinhead appears in a gown, and other classic villains get high-fashion makeovers. Photos from the series have been published by WWD, drawing attention for blending slasher-movie imagery with runway styling.

The tag 'CaramelCandid' is circulating alongside hashtags for J-rock, J-pop, idol and music, suggesting fans are sharing content about a band, song or idol act connected to the name. No further details about who or what 'CaramelCandid' refers to were available, and no specific event, release or announcement has been confirmed.

New music from Victoria Monét, Drake and Noah Kahan is out this week, and Billboard is asking readers to vote for their favorite release. The poll highlights a crowded release week spanning pop, hip-hop and folk, giving fans a chance to weigh in on which project is winning the week across the industry.

A rare pear variety known as the pera cocomerina survives only in a small town in Italy, where it is grown locally and nowhere else in meaningful quantities. Reports describe it as one of the world's rarest pears, drawing attention to efforts to preserve a fruit with deep local roots.

K-pop group Stray Kids have decided to withhold their music from consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards, following the same move by BTS. The decision means neither group will submit recent releases for Grammy nomination, a notable stance from two of the biggest Korean acts in the global music industry. Fans and industry watchers are debating what the coordinated withdrawal signals about the groups' relationship with the Recording Academy.

Japan's TBS news program News 23 covered three major stories: the launch of applications for the children's NISA investment program, a data leak involving Times Car sharing services, and a press conference by members of the pop group timelesz. The children's NISA opening marks a new government-backed savings scheme for minors, while the Times Car breach has raised concerns about customer information security.

A Popular Science report says adult female Burmese pythons are the biggest problem in Florida's invasive python crisis, because their hunting strategy lets them take large prey and reproduce rapidly. The species has devastated mammal populations across the Everglades, and researchers focus on removing egg-bearing females to slow the spread.

Australian artist Mallrat, the project of singer Grace Shaw, is set to perform at The Greek Theatre. The show has drawn attention as the artist, known for her blend of indie pop and hip-hop, continues building an international touring profile. Details on the date and ticketing were not provided.

Users on Reddit are reporting that the iPhone 18 Pro's speakers produce unexpected popping noises during use. The complaints, shared on the discussion platform, describe audible crackling or popping sounds from the device. The reports have been picked up by tech media, drawing attention to a potential hardware or software issue in Apple's newest flagship phone. Apple has not commented on the claims so far.