Sam Fender and Olivia Dean claim 73-year UK chart record with 'Rein Me In'

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" spent its 19th consecutive week at the summit of the UK Singles Chart on July 31, surpassing Frankie Laine's 1953 record for 18 weeks with "I Believe." Fender said he was "completely lost for words" after the achievement, which charts the song's remarkable staying power across nearly five months at the top. (via Stereogum)

Ariana Grande arrives with Petal. Grande released her eighth studio album on July 31 via BabyDoll Music and Republic Records, a 12-track collaboration with producer Ilya Salmanzadeh built around a single creative partnership. The album follows "Hate That I Made You Love Me," released in May, and marks Grande's most personal work to date. (via Billboard)

Cardi B returns with Ah Ha. The rapper released her first single of 2026 on July 31 after previewing it on a beach over the previous weekend. The track showcases her signature bombast and sass, reasserting her place atop hip-hop after months away from releasing. (via Billboard)

A Munich Regional Court ruled on July 31 that AI music firm Suno infringed German and U.S. copyright law by training its generative model on songs in GEMA's repertoire without permission or licensing. The German performing rights society sued over the use of works including "Rasputin," "Daddy Cool" and "Mambo No. 5," and the court granted GEMA's claims for injunctive relief, damages and disclosure of illegal revenue. Suno said it is weighing an appeal. (via Music Business Worldwide)

Universal Music and Sony report strong Q2 earnings. Universal Music Group generated $3.83 billion in the second quarter, up 13.3 percent year-over-year, driven by releases from Noah Kahan, BTS, Olivia Rodrigo and Drake among others. Sony's recorded-music and publishing division generated $3.12 billion, up 12.7 percent. The results underscore the industry's ability to extract revenue from streaming and live performance as touring rebounds globally. (via Music Business Worldwide)

SOCAN buys CMRRA from SoundExchange. Canada's performing-rights and mechanical-licensing societies merged when SOCAN acquired CMRRA, consolidating the landscape for collecting and distributing royalties to Canadian songwriters and rights holders. (via Music Business Worldwide)

Live Nation hits $7.7 billion in Q2 revenue. The live-entertainment giant reported a 9 percent year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by a 10 percent rise in fan attendance at its venues and festivals, signaling the touring boom's continued momentum. (via Music Business Worldwide)

Charli XCX gave live debuts to songs from "Music" and "Fashion" at a Nashville Spotify event on July 30, previewing unreleased material from her catalog to an intimate crowd. The performance showcased the Hyperpop pioneer's expanding sonic palette across both established work and experimental directions. (via Stereogum)

Tame Impala brings special guests in Boston. Kevin Parker's Tame Impala brought out two collaborators on July 30 in Boston: singer-actress Jennie (BLACKPINK member) and alternative artist Djo, expanding the setlist with guest appearances that delighted fans. (via Stereogum)

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry rolled out AI chart-eligibility principles across its global network of official music charts on July 30, requiring that tracks made with or by AI be marked and eligible only under specified conditions. The move aims to prevent algorithmic content from flooding charts while creators navigate licensing and consent questions around training data. (via Music Business Worldwide)

Google upgrades its Lyria AI model. Days after Suno's courtroom setback, Google announced improvements to Lyria with "more realistic and emotionally nuanced vocals." The search giant's generative music tool competes directly with Suno and others in a field facing mounting legal scrutiny over copyright and training-data sourcing. (via Music Business Worldwide)

Sir Paul McCartney earned his first-ever Mercury Prize nomination on July 30 for his album "The Boys of Dungeon Lane," a 14-track record and his 20th solo studio album. At 84, McCartney shares the distinction of oldest nominee with folk pioneer Martin Carthy, nominated last year at the same age. The 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist of 12 also includes Raye and Florence and the Machine, with the ceremony set for October 22 in Newcastle. (via Stereogum)

The Irish music community mourned Glen Hansard, who died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on July 29 at age 56. The Frames frontman and co-star of the film "Once" won an Academy Award for best original song with Markéta Irglová, and his songwriting touched generations of Irish musicians. Tributes poured in from Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Wilco's Nels Cline and Hozier, who remembered Hansard's generosity to fellow artists and his place at the center of Dublin's musical life. (via Rolling Stone)

Boy George exits Jesus Christ Superstar amid backlash. Culture Club's Boy George withdrew from a West End production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical on July 31, days before his first scheduled performance as King Herod. The departure came after George released an AI-assisted song titled "We Will Dance Again" earlier in the week, which drew widespread criticism for its pro-Israel messaging amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. (via Stereogum)