The prestigious award, which was handed out Thursday, honors the best album of the year from a British or Irish artist.
Other nominees included Wolf Alice‘s The Clearing and Fontaines D.C.‘s Romance.
In a fitting bit of timing, Fender’s also just released a new collaboration with the legendary Elton John, called “Talk to You.” The track will appear on the upcoming deluxe edition of People Watching, due out Dec. 5.
“I was playing around with the riff and thought what I need is a really good pianist and then hmmm, I wonder who I can call?” Fender says of writing “Talk to You.” “And of course, who better than Elton John.”
The original People Watching dropped in February.
Kevin Federline’s book ‘You Thought You Knew’ (Listenin Books)
Britney Spears has once again taken to social media to respond to claims that her ex-husband Kevin Federline makes about her in his new memoir You Thought You Knew — and is also accusing her family of neglect.
On X and Instagram, Britney writes that she is “always being threatened or made to believe I’m the bad one as they profit off my pain,” adding, “I 100 percent beg to differ the way he is literally attacking me in his interviews.”
In his book Kevin accuses Britney of abusing drugs and alcohol, and exhibiting disturbing behavior, like watching their sons sleep while holding a knife.
“why is HE SO ANGRY … and what’s scary is he’s convincing. It literally blows my mind the moments he stops before he cries. Are you f****** serious,” Britney writes about Kevin’s current press tour. “I know his book will sell loads more than mine. If you really love someone then you don’t help them by humiliating them.”
“What scared me was how serious and angry he got, people have no idea, it is way worse than anyone could imagine … the boy hates me and it is deep anger to literally say the things he is saying.”
Britney then accuses her mother of calling her only “one time in six years” and not inviting her to her son’s birthday party in Louisiana. “They secretly love to cast me out and make me feel completely isolated,” she adds.
She finishes her lengthy post by writing, “I will start acting, doing real columns monthly … I might even start my own radio podcast,” and gives thanks to “the people supporting my heart right now.”
In a separate post, Britney wonders if she would feel “more confident and not alone and prettier” if she “had a family that respected me.”
In response to Federline’s book, a rep for Britney told ABC News, “With news from Kevin’s book breaking, once again he and others are profiting off her and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin. All she cares about are her kids … and their well-being during this sensationalism.”
Chris Young’s ‘I Didn’t Come Here to Leave’ (Black River)
Chris Young started his career when his self-titled debut came out on RCA Records in 2006. Now another chapter begins with the arrival of his 10th album, I Didn’t Come Here to Leave, his first for Black River.
His final RCA project, Young Love & Saturday Nights, landed in March 2024; its title track topped the chart the following September.
Even though he didn’t quite understand it, Chris couldn’t seem to stop making new music.
“I was like, ‘What am I doing? I’ve got a record out. We’d just had a #1. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m just continuing to write more and more songs,'” he recalls.
Once his RCA deal was up and he started exploring other opportunities, it started to make sense.
“I had most of this album teed up, ready to go,” he explains. “I definitely rerecorded all of the demos that I had. I normally just do three or four passes, but on this record, I spent a whole lot of time just making sure we got it right, even if it was a single word.”
Ultimately, Chris believes some divine intervention might’ve played a part.
“It is sort of a God thing,” he reflects. “It was like upstairs knew I needed this music and I was just being pushed to create. And I was like, ‘I’m gonna to take January, February, and March off this year.’ Nope, that did not happen.”
In the end, he couldn’t be happier with the collection, which features his current hit, “Til the Last One Dies.”
“This album just sort of came together in such a cool way that it just feels right,” Chris says. “I’ve used this quote, ‘Art’s never finished or completed. It’s only abandoned.’ I feel like this record was completed.”
Rick Allen of Def Leppard performs onstage during the 2025 Backyard Concert supporting Teen Cancer America and the UCLA Health Center at a private residence on October 03, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BC)
Def Leppard received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 10, and the honor has got them feeling nostalgic.
First, frontman Joe Elliottrevealed his most memorable moment with the band — their 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction — and now drummer Rick Allen is sharing his.
Allen, who lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984, says in a new video posted to Instagram it was being introduced by Elliott at his first show back after the accident, at the 1986 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in England.
“It was interesting, before the show we all sort of said, you know, we’re just going to do it like a normal show and, you know, just no drama,” he says. “But as the show went on, you felt this wave of support coming toward the stage. And it really got to the point where Joe had to say something.”
He adds, “And for me, it was pretty incredible. I just broke down crying because I was so, I just felt so supported by everybody. And it was a massive success personally and for the band.”
Allen and Def Leppard have been touring ever since that day. They toured the U.S. this summer and will return for a Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in February. A complete list of dates can be found at DefLeppard.com.
Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons of the rock and roll band Kiss pose for a portrait session in January 1975 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
KISS founding guitarist Ace Frehley is being remembered by his former bandmates, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss.
Stanley and Simmons released a joint statement following the news of Frehley’s Thursday death at age 74, sharing that they “are devastated” by Ace’s passing.
“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” they said. “He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”
They added that their thoughts were with Ace’s wife Jeanette Frehley, his daughter Monique Frehley, “and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”
Criss remembered Frehley in a post on his website, writing, “With a broken heart and deep, deep sadness, my brother Ace Frehley has passed away,” and sharing that he and his wife “were with him to the end.”
“I love you my brother,” he continued. “As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace’s solo career, Ace influenced and touch[ed] the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army.”
Finally, he added, “To the KISS Army and Ace’s Rock Soldiers, my heart is with you all… Broken…”
KISS was formed in New York City in 1973, with Frehley on lead guitar and vocals, Stanley on vocals and rhythm guitar, Simmons on vocals and bass, and Criss on drums and vocals. Frehley left the group in 1982 but rejoined them in 1996. He then left again in 2002, after KISS’ first farewell tour. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Singer/guitarist Ace Frehley performs at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre on October 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images)
Ace Frehley, the founding guitarist for the rock band KISS, has died at age 74.
His death was confirmed in a statement from his family.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken,” the statement read. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.”
The statement went on to say, “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Frehley, whose costumed stage persona with the band was The Spaceman, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014.
The news comes just weeks after Frehley canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates “due to some ongoing medical issues.”
Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley, co-founded KISS with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss in New York City in 1973. They released their self-titled debut in 1974 and began to gain a following thanks to their live shows, which included face paint, wild stage outfits and plenty of pyrotechnics.
Their breakthrough came after the release of 1975’s Alive!, a double live album that featured live recordings from their first three records. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard chart and sold over 9 million copies worldwide.
KISS went on to become one of the bestselling bands of all time.
Frehley left the group in 1982 but rejoined them in 1996. He then left again in 2002, after KISS’ first farewell tour.
Over the years he had a contentious relationship with his former bandmates. He did not participate in KISS’ final End of the Road world tour, which wrapped in New York in 2023, and claimed that he had not been invited to take part. Simmons contended Frehley was always welcome to join them.
Monaleo attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
“Soulaan” refers to “the distinct culture, history, and knowledge of Black Americans before and after colonization in America,” as reported by soulaan.com. It’s a term Monaleo connected with, so much so she made it part of her latest song.
“That spoke to me, because my ancestors were slaves. It felt like a really beautiful way to display Black American pride and continue honoring the people [who] came before me,” she says in an interview with Billboard, adding she knew shortly after learning the term that she “wanted to find a way to incorporate that message into my music.”
“I grew up with my grandmother and my mother, Southern Black American women, so the culture and the roots run really deep,” she explains. “It doesn’t sound like I’m preaching, but I’m just getting my generation to understand the importance of knowing your history.”
Monaleo’s message continues in the “Sexy Soulaan” video, which features the Black American Heritage Flag, alongside flags from Haiti, Angola and Congo.
“We’re all Black,” she says of her decision to include the flags. “When cops pull us over, they’re not trying to figure out if you’re from Haiti or Jamaica. … They just see you as a Black person here in America. I wanted to show some solidarity across the diaspora, and that’s why you see the flags stitched behind me.”
As for why she chose a Black American Heritage Flag instead of the American flag, she explains, “A lot of Black Americans don’t really resonate with the American flag, because we know how much blood has been shed over it. And we know that we’re not really included.”
She adds the flag was created to recognize Black Americans and give them something to “be proud of.”
“Sexy Soulaan” appears on Monaleo’s Who Did the Body project, which is set to arrive on Friday.
Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber in New York City, December, 2010 (Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Clear Channel)
Kim Kardashian has few regrets, but one of them is doing a photoshoot for ELLE magazine featuring a 16-year-old Justin Bieber — when she was 29.
On the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kim was asked by host Alex Cooper, “What is something you probably should have gotten canceled for, but didn’t?” Kim replied, “I don’t know who approved this and I don’t know who thought that this was normal, this narrative, but I did a photo shoot with Justin Bieber, and he was 16 years old and I don’t know how old I was.”
“His girlfriend was there, his parents were there, I mean it was like nothing creepy at all, but I look back and I’m like, ‘Who thought that was a good idea,’ you know? You know, I must have been 30 years old?” Kim continued.
She explained that the concept was based on the movie The Graduate, in which a recent college graduate, played by Dustin Hoffman, is seduced by a much-older married woman, played by Anne Bancroft.
“I just think that was like an odd concept and why none of us thought that that was odd at the time,” Kim concluded. “But now we look back and I’m like, ‘That would have not been the most appropriate thing.'”
Dua Lipa performs at New York’s Madison Square Garden, September, 2025 (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ABA)
At each stop of her Radical Optimism tour, Dua Lipa has performed a cover of a song by an artist associated with the city or country where she’s performing, sometimes joined by a local artist. According to Variety, she’s done 56 such covers so far. Will they ever be officially released? Well, maybe.
In a chat with Variety, Dua says she got the idea to do the covers after she performed with country superstar Chris Stapleton at the ACM Awards in May 2024.
“It was so much fun that I proposed it to the band and to the team: ‘How fun would it be if every night we do a different song?'” she recalls. “And everyone was like, ‘Well that’s quite ambitious.'”
Dua says choosing the song is a “team effort” and learning all those songs is “nerve-wracking,” especially when she was touring in Europe and performed songs in French, German, Czech and other languages. She plans to do Spanish and Portuguese songs for the upcoming Latin American tour leg, as well.
Among the special guests who’ve joined her for some of those covers — a list that includes Green Day, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie and Gwen Stefani — Dua says singing with Lenny Kravitz, who joined her in New York City for a rendition of his hit “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” was the most fun.
But when asked point-blank if she plans to release an album of the covers, Dua replies, “Um,” and then adds, in a fake foreign accent, “I cannot reveal the answer!”
She thinks she’s started a trend, though.
“I’m sure other people are going to be doing it after this,” she predicts. “It is really fun and really rewarding but it is a lot of f****** hard work, so good luck!”
