Tune Talk: Weekly Music News

## New Album Releases and Noteworthy Projects

**Light-Years**: On December 12, Nas teamed up with legendary producer DJ Premier to drop *Light-Years*, the long-awaited culmination of their decades-long collaboration. Released via Mass Appeal, the album spans recordings from 2006 through 2025 and features contributions from Steve Miller Band and rapper AZ. Early reviews have been largely positive, praising its blend of classic boom-bap production and Nas’s reflective lyricism, marking a high point in both artists’ discographies ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-Years_%28Nas_and_DJ_Premier_album%29?utm_source=openai)).

**Tripping Over Time**: Australian indie stalwarts Boy & Bear unveiled their sixth studio album, *Tripping Over Time*, on December 12. Self-produced and released on their own label, the record explores themes of growth and change, with frontman Dave Hosking noting its emotional core centers on “finding peace in who we are and who we’ve become.” To celebrate, the band staged a surprise performance atop the Sydney Opera House steps on December 14, drawing thousands and garnering glowing local press for its intimate yet epic staging ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripping_Over_Time?utm_source=openai)).

**This Is What Christmas Feels Like**: Pop breakout JVKE joined forces with Forrest Frank to issue a festive collaboration, *This Is What Christmas Feels Like*, on December 5. While technically released earlier in the month, its impact peaked during the week ending December 20, when eight tracks entered Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart—led by “Christmas Morning” at No. 10—and the album itself ascended to No. 7 on Top Christian Albums and No. 44 on Top Holiday Albums ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_What_Christmas_Feels_Like?utm_source=openai)).

## Chart Highlights

- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s duet “Die With a Smile” continues to dominate streaming playlists worldwide, bolstering catalogue interest as both artists gear up for 2026 tours.
- Pentatonix’s *Christmas in the City* (Oct 24) remains a holiday staple, recently re-entering the Top 10 of Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart in mid-December ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_the_City_%28Pentatonix_album%29?utm_source=openai)).
- Morgan Wallen’s *One Thing at a Time* and Taylor Swift’s *The Tortured Poets Department* maintained strong showings on the Canadian and U.S. charts, testament to their enduring fanbases ([ca.billboard.com](https://ca.billboard.com/charts/billboard-canadian-albums/2025-10-18?utm_source=openai)).

## Industry Moves and Honors

**Morrissey Signs With Sire Records**: After tumultuous stints with Capitol (which shelved his finished album) and BMG, Morrissey inked a new deal with Sire Records this week. The move ends a self-imposed label hiatus and raises hopes for official releases of the long-teased *Bonfire of the Teenagers* and *You’re Right, It’s Time*, which feature superstar guests like Miley Cyrus and Iggy Pop ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/morrissey-signs-with-sire-records?utm_source=openai)).

**2026 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards**: On December 19, the Recording Academy announced its 2026 Lifetime Achievement honorees: Fela Kuti, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Cher, Carlos Santana, and Chaka Khan. This prestigious roster underscores the Awards’ commitment to celebrating generational trailblazers; the Special Merit Ceremony is slated for January 31 in Los Angeles ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/fela-kuti-whitney-houston-paul-simon-2026-lifetime-achievement-grammys?utm_source=openai)).

**Donna Summer Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame**: Disco icon Donna Summer received posthumous recognition on December 17, joining the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her husband Bruce Sudano accepted the honor, highlighting Summer’s often-overlooked role as a pioneering writer behind classics like “I Feel Love.” The Hall also revealed its 2026 nominee slate, featuring Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, and David Byrne ([pitchfork.com](https://pitchfork.com/news/donna-summer-songwriters-hall-of-fame?utm_source=openai)).

## Premieres, Performances, and Upcoming Events

- **Queen’s Lost Archive Unearthed**: Sir Brian May debuted a never-before-heard Queen track, “Not For Sale (Polar Bear),” during his Planet Rock Christmas Special on December 21. Recorded during the 1974 *Queen II* sessions, the remastered version previews the band’s 2026 deluxe reissue of the album ([thescottishsun.co.uk](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15717036/queen-unreleased-track-new-album-music/?utm_source=openai)).
- **Mariah Carey to Open 2026 Winter Olympics**: Mariah Carey confirmed via social media that she’ll perform at the February 6 opening ceremony in Milan’s San Siro Olympic Stadium. The announcement, made in part in Italian and accompanied by a festive red ensemble snap, cements Carey’s status as a global pop ambassador ([people.com](https://people.com/mariah-carey-to-perform-2026-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-in-milan-11869485?utm_source=openai)).
- **Grammy Week Highlights**: Beyond Lifetime Achievement, nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards (airing February 1, 2026) are already fueling buzz. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nods, followed by heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny, while new category Best Traditional Country Album debuts in 2026 to honor classic-style recordings ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/68th_Annual_Grammy_Awards?utm_source=openai)).

As 2025 winds down, the music world remains vibrant—from surprise archival treasures to genre-spanning new releases and industry milestones—setting a high bar for the year ahead.