Weekly International Music News Roundup (Jan 9 – Jan 16, 2026)

Another week, another stack of massive music news to catch up on. From record-breaking tour announcements to long-awaited album drops and festival lineups that'll have you reaching for your wallet, the music world has been buzzing. Here's everything you need to know from this week in international music news.

Bruno Mars Makes a Massive Comeback

Let's start with the biggest story of the week. Bruno Mars has officially announced The Romantic, his fourth solo studio album: and his first in nearly a decade. The album drops on February 27, and fans are already losing their minds.

The lead single "I Just Might" hit streaming platforms on January 9, bringing those signature sultry, retro pop vibes we've been missing. It's smooth, it's catchy, and it's pure Bruno.

But that's not all. Mars also announced The Romantic Tour, his first global stadium run in years. The tour kicks off in April and runs through October, hitting North America, Europe, and the UK. And here's the wild part: the tour broke Live Nation and Ticketmaster records for single-day ticket sales, shifting a staggering 2.1 million tickets worldwide. Due to overwhelming demand, Bruno has since added more than 30 additional dates.

If you missed out on tickets, keep your eyes peeled for more dates. This one's going to be special.

More Major Album Announcements

Bruno wasn't the only one making headlines this week. Here's a quick rundown of other big album news:

J. Cole confirmed his seventh studio album The Fall-Off is coming February 6, 2026. After years of teasing and a few delays, Cole fans can finally mark their calendars.

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers announced his debut solo album HONORA. The record features some seriously impressive collaborations, including Nick Cave and Thom Yorke. If that lineup doesn't get you curious, nothing will.

Morrissey is back with Make-Up Is a Lie, his latest solo effort. Love him or hate him, Moz always knows how to grab attention.

Louis Tomlinson announced his new album How Did I Get Here?, arriving January 23. One Direction fans: this one's for you.

The Black Crowes unveiled their upcoming album A Pound Of Feathers. Southern rock is alive and well.

Hot New Singles Worth Checking Out

Beyond the album announcements, we got some solid new music this week. Here are the standout singles:

• Bruno Mars – "I Just Might" – Already mentioned, but worth repeating. Smooth, romantic, and impossible to skip.

• A$AP Rocky – "Punk Rocky" – Rocky's blending hip-hop with punk energy on this one. It's raw, it's loud, and it hits hard.

• Zach Bryan – "Plastic Cigarette" – Honest, stripped-back Americana. Zach continues to prove he's one of the most authentic voices in country music right now.

• Hilary Duff – "Roommates" – A synth-pop surprise from Hilary Duff, teasing her upcoming album Luck… or Something. It's catchy and fun: perfect for a throwback pop moment.

• Cate Le Bon and St. Vincent – "Always the Same" – A dreamy, artsy collaboration between two incredibly talented artists.

Robyn also dropped two preview songs from her upcoming album Sexistential. If you've been waiting for new Robyn, your patience is finally paying off.

Tour Announcements and Festival News

It's shaping up to be a massive year for live music. Here's what got announced this week:

BTS Comeback World Tour

K-pop legends BTS have officially announced their long-awaited world tour, kicking off April 9 in South Korea and running all the way through March 2027. The tour spans 79 dates across cities like London, Tokyo, Sydney, Los Angeles, and many more. A new album drops March 20, right before the tour begins.

ARMY Membership ticket sales start January 22, with general sales on January 24. This one is expected to generate over $1 billion and break all kinds of records. If you're a fan, don't sleep on those ticket drops.

Governors Ball 2026 Lineup

A$AP Rocky, Lorde, and Stray Kids have been announced as headliners for the 2026 Governors Ball Festival. That's a seriously diverse and exciting lineup: something for hip-hop fans, indie lovers, and K-pop stans alike.

Eurovision Live Tour

Here's something new: the first-ever Eurovision Live Tour has been confirmed for 2026. The tour will feature performances across Europe and the UK, including a major show in London. Whether you're a Eurovision superfan or just love the chaos, this is one to watch.

More Festival News

• Tomorrowland Thailand was officially announced for December 2026. The iconic electronic festival continues to expand globally.

• Ultra Music Festival confirmed its debut New Zealand edition for 2026. Kiwis, your time has come.

• EDC Thailand (January 16–18, Phuket) featured massive sets from Tiësto, Zedd, and deadmau5 for a huge beachside party.

• Zamna Festival wrapped up in Tulum, Mexico, with headliners like David Guetta and RÜFÜS DU SOL bringing the jungle vibes.

• Day Zero Tulum saw Damian Lazarus curate a ritual-inspired experience featuring names like Seth Troxler.

Documentaries and Special Projects

Music docs are having a moment, and this week brought some exciting news on that front.

Paul McCartney announced the release date for Man on the Run, a documentary exploring his post-Beatles reinvention and the formation of Wings. It premieres on Prime Video on February 27, 2026: the same day as Bruno Mars' album, funnily enough.

Depeche Mode: M, a concert film and documentary directed by Fernando Friar, started streaming on Netflix on January 9. The film follows the band's Memento Mori world tour and is a must-watch for any synth-pop fan.

They Might Be Giants announced the EP Eyeball and teased an upcoming tour. TMBG fans, get ready.

Chart Highlights and Streaming News

Taylor Swift continues her chart dominance. "The Fate of Ophelia" logged its tenth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first single to reach double-digit weeks at the top. Swifties, take a bow.

On Spotify's global charts, Djo's "End of the Beginning" led the way across the US and worldwide. Meanwhile, Olivia Dean's "Man I Need" topped the UK and Australia charts.

Trending Industry Headlines

Here's a quick look at some of the other stories making waves this week:

• Britney Spears announced she won't perform in the US anymore but is open to international shows. The news sparked plenty of debate among fans.

• Bad Bunny is facing a $16 million lawsuit over voice sampling. Legal troubles aside, he remains one of the biggest names in global music.

• Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Alex Warren lead the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations. Awards season is heating up.

• Spotify dropped controversial ICE recruitment ads after widespread backlash. A reminder that platforms are always under scrutiny.

• Fetty Wap has been released from prison and is reportedly plotting a comeback. Will he reclaim his spot in hip-hop? Time will tell.

• Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit against Universal has been dismissed. Another legal chapter closed.

Wrapping Up

That's your roundup of the biggest international music news from January 9–16, 2026. From Bruno Mars breaking ticket records to BTS gearing up for the tour of the decade, 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for music lovers.

Got a favourite story from this week? Spotted an artist you want to support? Head over to Rock Universe to browse band tees and get ready for the year ahead in style.

Catch you next week with more music news.