Weekly International Music News Roundup: Robyn's Comeback & The Post-Grammy Glow-Up

Friday's here, which means it's time to catch up on what's been happening in the music world this week. And honestly? It's been massive.

From Robyn announcing her first album in seven years to some seriously exciting tour news, there's plenty to get hyped about. Let's dive in.

Robyn Is Back (And She's Going HUGE)

The Swedish pop legend is officially returning. After seven years since Honey, Robyn just announced her ninth studio album Sexistential, dropping on March 27, 2026.

But here's the real kicker, she's not just releasing an album and calling it a day. She's launching a full-blown world tour, her biggest headline run ever. We're talking 20 arena dates across Europe, North America, and Australia. This is her first proper world tour since 2019, and if you've ever seen Robyn live, you know this is going to be something special.

The tour kicks off in Europe before hitting North America with a stop at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, then wraps up down under in Australia. In London, she's playing the O2 Arena, and back home in Stockholm, she's doing three consecutive nights at the Avicii Arena. Three nights. That's how you know she's serious.

The Support Acts Are Stacked

What really stands out about this tour is the lineup Robyn's personally curated. She's bringing along Romy (from The xx), Peaches, Grace Ives, Erika de Casier, Smerz, 808 State, and Saya Gray (who's worked with Charli xcx).

It's basically a who's who of forward-thinking pop and electronic artists. If you're going to one of these shows, get there early. The openers alone are worth the ticket price.

Tickets went on sale today (February 13) through official platforms, though U.S. presales kicked off earlier this week on February 11. If you're still on the fence, don't sleep on this, her last tour sold out pretty quickly.

What We Know About Sexistential

Details about the album are still pretty tight, but here's what we do know: Robyn worked with longtime collaborator Klas Åhlund on production, and this is her first time co-writing with Max Martin since 2010. Yeah, that Max Martin.

Early word from people who've heard tracks? They're calling it "her biggest record in decades." It's supposed to blend her signature emotive synth-pop sound with some contemporary influences from her recent collaborations, including her work with Charli xcx and other emerging artists in the hyperpop/electro-pop space.

If Honey was introspective and slow-burning, Sexistential sounds like it might be more expansive and arena-ready. Which makes sense given the tour she's about to embark on.

Post-Grammy Energy Is Real

While Robyn's dominating the news cycle this week, we're still feeling the aftershocks from Sunday's Grammy Awards. It was a night full of surprises, emotional speeches, and some genuinely great performances.

Bad Bunny continues his world domination, while Lady Gaga reminded everyone why she's been at the top of the game for nearly two decades. Both artists walked away with major wins, and their performances were easily among the night's highlights.

What's interesting is how the Grammys are finally catching up with what people have been listening to for years. Latin music, K-pop, and global sounds are no longer "special categories", they're front and center. It's about time.

K-Pop Gets An Oscar Nod

Speaking of global recognition, here's something wild: a K-pop song just got an Oscar nomination.

We're living in a timeline where Korean pop music isn't just charting globally, it's being recognized by the Academy. Whether you're a K-pop stan or just a casual listener, you've got to admit that's pretty cool. The genre's influence on global pop culture has been undeniable for years, and now it's getting the mainstream acknowledgment it deserves.

Harry Styles' MSG Residency Is Breaking Records

Over in New York, Harry Styles is in the middle of an absolutely bonkers run at Madison Square Garden. We're talking multiple sold-out nights at one of the world's most iconic venues.

The shows have been everything you'd expect from a Harry Styles concert, glitter, feather boas, incredible vocals, and a setlist that spans his entire solo career. Fans are camping out for days just to get barricade spots, and social media has been flooded with videos of the crowd losing it during "Sign of the Times" and "As It Was."

If you managed to snag tickets, consider yourself lucky. If not, well, there's always the next tour (and knowing Harry, there will definitely be a next tour).

The Black Keys Are Back In Action

Garage rock duo The Black Keys also made waves this week with news of a new album and accompanying tour. After a brief hiatus, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are returning to their gritty, blues-rock roots.

The album's expected to drop sometime this spring, with tour dates following shortly after. If you're into raw, stripped-back rock music that hits hard, this is one to watch. The Black Keys have never been ones to follow trends: they do their own thing, and it works.

Why This Week Matters

What's fascinating about this particular week in music news is how diverse everything is. You've got Robyn bringing Swedish pop perfection, Bad Bunny representing Latin music on the world's biggest stage, K-pop breaking into Hollywood, Harry Styles selling out arenas, and The Black Keys keeping rock music alive.

There's literally something for everyone, no matter what your taste is. And that's kind of the point, right? Music is in a really exciting place right now. Genres are blending, borders are disappearing, and artists are getting the recognition they deserve regardless of where they're from or what language they sing in.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for new music to dive into or shows to catch, this is your moment. Robyn's album drops in just over a month, tour announcements are flying in left and right, and we're only in February. Imagine what the rest of 2026 has in store.

At Rock Universe, we're always keeping an ear to the ground for what's next in music. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who loves a good tune, staying connected to what's happening in the industry makes everything more exciting.

So mark your calendars for March 27 (Robyn's album), start hunting for tour tickets, and keep your playlists fresh. It's going to be a hell of a year.

What are you most excited about from this week's news? Let us know( we love hearing what you're listening to.)