Tune Talk: Weekly Music News
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated entertainment podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: I want weekly music news. Highlight any new albums, industry news, or noteworthy information.
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome back to "Tune Talk: Weekly Music News," where the beats are fresh and the tea is hot. I'm Brooke, your guide through the ever-evolving soundscape of our musical universe. Let’s groove into the latest news, shall we?
First up, we’ve got a fresh drop from Doja Cat with her fourth album, *Vie*. Released on September 26, this album marks a shift to a more pop-driven vibe, mixing catchy dance tracks with soul-searching ballads. Her lead single, “Jealous Type,” is already a chart-topper with over 100 million streams and a music video climbing past 50 million views. Talk about a hit parade! With producers like Y2K and Hit-Boy on board, Doja continues to redefine herself as a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter.
Sliding over to King Princess, her album *Girl Violence* hit the airwaves earlier this month. It's the talk of the town, especially after her revealing interview with People. King Princess has moved to Partisan Records, leaning into those ‘90s alt-rock vibes we love so much, drawing inspiration from legends like Radiohead. Tracks like “Serena” are getting rave reviews for their raw and daring sound.
In the music industry battleground: Spotify is on a mission, folks! They've axed 75 million spam tracks to clean up those AI fakes cluttering up our playlists. With a new “music spam filter” on the way, they’re looking to ensure your soundtracks stay legit and crispy. But not all is smooth sailing at Spotify. A wave of artists, including Deerhoof and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, are protesting CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in military AI tech by pulling their catalogs. It's a statement resonating beyond the music, highlighting the ethical dilemmas facing the industry today.
On a brighter note, mark your calendars! Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show next February. Expect a high-energy set celebrating his Puerto Rican roots. Can you feel the excitement? Because I’m practically dancing in my seat just thinking about it!
Speaking of chart-climbers, Sombr’s “Back to Friends” has rocketed into the top 5 of the Billboard Global 200. With over 800 million streams, Sombr is proving that viral success can go hand in hand with mainstream appeal.
Now, are you hunting for new sounds? Dive into Pitchfork’s “Selects” playlist from September 22, shining a spotlight on emerging stars like Maajins and Wednesday. It’s your indie mood-curator, keeping your playlists fresh and fabulous.
Now let’s talk innovative releases. Fred Again is launching a “Song and Stage” series, dropping a new track each Friday for ten weeks, followed by a live performance. It’s an irresistible combo of new music and immersive experiences aiming to forge deeper connections with fans.
Rounding out today’s jam session is streaming giant Spotify, flexing its impact with the latest royalties report showing $10 billion paid out to artists last year and a whopping 500 million subscribers worldwide. Streaming isn’t just thriving—it’s setting the stage for a whole new era of music consumption.
And there we have it! Your sonic snapshot of music happenings from September 22 to 28, 2025. Whether it’s pop hits, ethical debates, or emerging artists—there’s always something vibing in the music world. Thanks for tuning into "Tune Talk: Weekly Music News." Until next time, keep those playlists popping, and remember—life might be a song, so make it a darn catchy one!
Catch you later, and remember... it's always Cookie O'Clock somewhere!
## New Album Releases
**Doja Cat – Vie**
Doja Cat released her highly anticipated fourth studio album, *Vie*, on September 26, 2025, via Kemosabe and RCA Records. The project marks a sonic shift towards a more “pop-driven” aesthetic, blending upbeat dance tracks with introspective balladry. Lead single “Jealous Type,” dropped August 21, quickly amassed over 100 million streams and its music video has over 50 million YouTube views within its first week ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vie_%28Doja_Cat_album%29?utm_source=openai)). The album’s diverse production roster includes Y2K, Rogét Chahayed, and Hit-Boy, underscoring Doja Cat’s continued evolution as both a vocalist and songwriter ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vie_%28Doja_Cat_album%29?utm_source=openai)).
**King Princess – Girl Violence**
While King Princess’s third studio album *Girl Violence* officially dropped on September 12, it continued to dominate conversations this week following an in-depth People interview published September 22. Mikaela Straus (King Princess) reflects on moving from a major label to Partisan Records to prioritize artistic integrity and shares how ‘90s alt-rock influences like Radiohead and Fiona Apple shaped the new record ([people.com](https://people.com/king-princess-releases-new-album-girl-violence-exclusive-11813974)). Songs such as “Serena” and “RIP KP” showcase a raw, emotional vulnerability that critics have described as Straus’s most daring work to date ([people.com](https://people.com/king-princess-releases-new-album-girl-violence-exclusive-11813974)).
## Industry Developments
**Spotify Cracks Down on Spam and AI Content**
Spotify announced removal of 75 million spam tracks over the past year, a move prompted by an influx of AI-generated fakes aiming to game royalty payouts ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/25/spotify-removes-75m-spam-tracks-past-year-ai-increases-ability-make-fake-music?utm_source=openai)). The platform will introduce a new “music spam filter” to detect mass uploads of ultra-short or instrumental tracks masquerading as legitimate releases, alongside a DDEX-based AI-content disclosure requirement to identify synthetic works ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/25/spotify-removes-75m-spam-tracks-past-year-ai-increases-ability-make-fake-music?utm_source=openai)). This initiative aims to safeguard genuine artists’ earnings while still enabling innovative, responsible AI music creation.
**Artist Backlash Over Military AI Investments**
A growing number of acts—including Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—have pulled their catalogs from Spotify to protest CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in Helsing, a defense-tech firm developing AI-powered drones and submarines ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/09/25/bands-leaving-spotify-protest-military-investments/?utm_source=openai)). Artists argue that their streaming royalties indirectly support lethal AI applications, reflecting broader concerns about ethical investing in the music community ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/09/25/bands-leaving-spotify-protest-military-investments/?utm_source=openai)). Spotify maintains that royalty payouts are higher than ever, but the exodus underscores deep-seated mistrust among independent musicians.
**Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show**
On September 28, it was officially announced that Bad Bunny will perform the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/bad-bunny-to-play-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=openai)). Bad Bunny dedicated the performance to his Puerto Rican heritage and hinted at a special setlist spanning his recent hits, including tracks from *Debí Tirar Más Fotos* (January 2025) ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/bad-bunny-to-play-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=openai)). Apple Music’s sponsorship marks another major brand collaboration in a halftime show renowned for record-breaking viewership.
## Chart and Streaming Highlights
**Sombr’s “Back to Friends” Climbs Charts**
Sombr’s breakout single “Back to Friends,” initially released in early 2025, surged into the top 5 of the Billboard Global 200 for the week ending September 27, marking the artist’s highest Peaking position yet ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_Friends?utm_source=openai)). The track has earned over 800 million Spotify streams and won Best Alternative Video at this year’s MTV VMAs, solidifying Sombr’s status as a viral phenomenon turned mainstream contender ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_Friends?utm_source=openai)).
**Pitchfork Selects Playlist Spotlights Emerging Acts**
Pitchfork’s September 22 “Selects” playlist curated eight tracks from rising artists like Maajins, Wednesday, and Optic Sink, providing industry tastemakers’ endorsements ahead of October release seasons ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/wednesday-maajins-this-week-pitchfork-selects-playlist?utm_source=openai)). This weekly roundup often correlates with subsequent streaming spikes, offering a barometer for indie and alternative music trends ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/wednesday-maajins-this-week-pitchfork-selects-playlist?utm_source=openai)).
## Noteworthy Initiatives
**Fred Again’s Weekly Release & Performance Series**
Electronic producer Fred Again announced a novel “Song and Stage” series beginning October 3 in Glasgow, where he will debut a new track each Friday for ten weeks and immediately perform it live in a different city ([thescottishsun.co.uk](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15396272/fred-again-show-glasgow/?utm_source=openai)). This fusion of release strategy and immersive shows exemplifies innovative engagement models as artists seek deeper fan connections in the streaming era ([thescottishsun.co.uk](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15396272/fred-again-show-glasgow/?utm_source=openai)).
**Spotify’s Royalties Report**
Earlier this year, Spotify’s Loud & Clear report highlighted $10 billion in royalties paid to rights holders in 2024 and more than 500 million paying subscribers globally, emphasizing streaming’s pivotal role in industry growth and diversification ([newsroom.spotify.com](https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-03-12/beyond-profits-how-the-music-industrys-cultural-and-financial-impact-define-its-success-in-2025/?swpmtx=f9b91e3dcd3a468aadc0b477fab422ff&swpmtxnonce=1cfbf7f7b8&utm_source=openai)). The data underscores how subscription and ad-supported tiers jointly fuel unprecedented artist payouts and forecast a near-future milestone of one billion paying users ([newsroom.spotify.com](https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-03-12/beyond-profits-how-the-music-industrys-cultural-and-financial-impact-define-its-success-in-2025/?swpmtx=f9b91e3dcd3a468aadc0b477fab422ff&swpmtxnonce=1cfbf7f7b8&utm_source=openai)).
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This roundup captures the pulse of the music world from September 22–28, 2025, from major album drops and artist-exclusive insights to industry shifts driven by AI and ethics, chart-topping singles, and experimental release strategies.
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