Weekly International Music News Roundup
What a week it's been in the music world! From chart-topping comebacks to massive tour announcements, December 2025 is proving to be absolutely electric for music fans everywhere. Whether you're into pop, rock, hip-hop, or K-pop, there's been something massive happening that's got everyone talking.
Let's dive into all the biggest stories that have been making waves across the globe this week.
Chart Domination Stories
Taylor Swift's Unstoppable Run Continues
Taylor Swift is basically living in her own universe right now. "The Life of a Showgirl" has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for an eighth non-consecutive week, pulling in 99,000 units. At this point, we're not even surprised anymore – the woman is practically chart royalty. If you've been sleeping on getting that exclusive tour merch, now's probably the time before it becomes impossible to find.
Mariah Carey Owns Christmas (Again)
Speaking of chart royalty, Mariah Carey just tied her own record with "All I Want for Christmas Is You" hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the 19th time. Nineteen times! The song is literally older than some of our customers, and it's still absolutely crushing it every December. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this track dominating everything, and honestly, we're here for it.
K-Pop's Global Takeover
Stray Kids are having an absolutely insane year. Their album "HOP" is leading the 2025 World Albums year-end chart after seven solid weeks at No. 1, and their follow-up "KARMA" is sitting pretty at No. 2. These guys are proving that K-pop isn't just a trend – it's a full-blown global phenomenon that's reshaping how we think about international music success.
Fresh Releases Hitting Different
Pink Floyd's 50th Anniversary Celebration
The legends did it again. Pink Floyd dropped "Wish You Were Here 50" on December 12th, and it's everything you'd want from a 50th-anniversary reissue. They've restored those iconic emotional guitar parts and atmospheric arrangements that made the original so special. For anyone who's been wanting to dive deeper into Pink Floyd's catalog, this is your golden ticket.
Nas and DJ Premier Unite
When two hip-hop legends team up, you know it's going to be special. Nas and DJ Premier just released "Light-Years," a 14-track masterpiece that perfectly blends classic East Coast boom-bap with contemporary sounds. It's the kind of album that reminds you why these guys are considered absolute icons in the genre.
Rock and Metal Scene Goes Wild
The heavy music community has been absolutely spoiled this week. We've got new albums from Lord of the Lost ("Opvs Noir Vol. 2"), Volumes ("Mirror Touch"), Graham Bonnet Band ("Lost In Hollywood Again"), Magic Dance ("No Way To Surrender"), and Juliana Hatfield ("Lightning Might Strike"). That's a lot of new music to digest, and honestly, we're not complaining.
21 Savage Drops "What Happened to the Streets?"
21 Savage surprised everyone with his 14-track project "What Happened to the Streets?" on December 12th. Coming as a follow-up to his Billboard 200-topping album, this release shows he's not slowing down anytime soon. The streets are definitely still watching.
Tour Announcements That Have Us Hyped
Guns N' Roses Are Back in a Big Way
This is huge. After dropping two brand new singles – "Nothin'" and "Atlas" – which are their first new tracks since 2023, Guns N' Roses announced a massive 2026 world tour. We're talking about one of the most influential rock bands of all time hitting the road again. The demand for GNR merch is about to go absolutely through the roof.
Evanescence's Epic 2026 World Tour
Amy Lee and the gang are taking things global next year with their 2026 world tour, featuring some incredible supporting acts including Spiritbox and Poppy. This lineup is going to be absolutely incredible for anyone into the heavier side of alternative rock. The combination of Evanescence's gothic rock with Spiritbox's modern metal sound? Chef's kiss.
Radiohead Sets New Records
Radiohead just set an attendance record at London's O2 Arena, proving that even after all these years, they can still pack venues like nobody's business. These guys have been pushing musical boundaries for decades, and seeing them break attendance records shows their influence is stronger than ever.
Industry Buzz and Random Coolness
Oasis and James Bond? Yes, Please
Here's something we definitely didn't see coming – Oasis is reportedly being considered by Amazon MGM to record the next James Bond theme. Think about it: the band that gave us "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" potentially creating the soundtrack for 007's next adventure. The reunited British rock legends would be perfect for this, and honestly, we can already imagine how epic it would sound.
Depeche Mode Goes Experimental
Depeche Mode is releasing something pretty unique called "Depeche Mode: M" – an experimental documentary that's coming alongside a traditional concert film and live album called "Memento Mori: Mexico City." These electronic music pioneers are always finding new ways to push creative boundaries, and this project sounds like it's going to be something really special for longtime fans.
What This Means for Music Fans
This week has shown us just how diverse and exciting the music landscape is right now. You've got Taylor Swift dominating pop, Stray Kids leading the K-pop charge, legends like Pink Floyd and Guns N' Roses proving their timeless appeal, and fresh artists like 21 Savage keeping hip-hop evolving.
For anyone building their music collection or looking to support their favorite artists, this is honestly the perfect time. The variety of new releases means there's something for literally everyone, whether you're into atmospheric rock, hard-hitting hip-hop, or experimental electronic sounds.
The tour announcements are particularly exciting because they show that live music is stronger than ever. After everything the industry has been through, seeing major artists planning massive world tours for 2026 is incredibly encouraging.
Looking Ahead
With Christmas just around the corner and the year winding down, it feels like artists are really going all out to end 2025 on a high note. The combination of chart success, fresh releases, and major tour announcements suggests that 2026 is going to be absolutely massive for music fans.
Whether you're hunting for the perfect holiday gift for the music lover in your life or planning which tours to catch next year, this week has given us plenty to be excited about. The music world is in a really good place right now, and we can't wait to see what comes next.
Keep your ears open and your playlists ready – something tells us the best is yet to come.