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43 years after its original release, the video for Culture Club’s piano ballad “Victims” has arrived on YouTube. The video resurfaces ahead of the June 9th theatrical release of Boy George & Culture Club, a new documentary film from director Alison Ellwood.

“Victims” was released as the second single off the group’s now-signature record Colour By Numbers. It had the daunting task of following the massive success of “Karma Chameleon,” and diverged stylistically from “Karma’s” influences. “Victims” was only issued in five countries, including the group’s native UK, where it peaked at number three on the UK singles chart.


In the video, Boy George is seen in one of his signature top hats and ribbons in his hair. He sings to the camera as he moves through a changing set, featuring an orchestra, a choir, and a harpist.


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Boy George & Culture Club premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival. This is the latest musical feature from Alison Ellwood, having previously directed The Go-Go’s, Laurel Canyon, and Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing. “I was most surprised by how forthcoming George, Jon [Moss], Mikey [Craig], and Roy [Hay] were in telling their story,” Ellwood told Rolling Stone. “Their powerful testimony takes us on a very personal and immersive journey, with each member experiencing the trials and tribulations of fame and success. I think the audience will be surprised by the depth and sophistication of their catalogue, even beyond the big hits that we all associate with the band.”

The group’s impact continues to be felt. Just recently, Boy George was presented a lifetime achievement award at the British LGBT Awards. He additionally took home the award for music artist of the year. He shared his feelings with the BBC following the event: “I feel so emotional, I was sitting there with my best friends… and I can’t even tell you how beautiful it was.”

Shop Culture Club’s music on vinyl here.

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used to see it all the time, people with their pups in the backseat, head out the window, tongue flapping in the wind. now it seems like everyone’s either flying somewhere or staying home with their pets. i get it, travel’s expensive and complicated but... dont dogs deserve a vacation too? or is it just too much hassle with all the pet-friendly this and that rules everywhere. cant imagine leaving mine behind but then again i also cant imagine dealing with hotel fees and crate anxiety maybe im just nostalgic for simpler times idk.

ok so i was blasting some tycho earlier (obsessed lately!!) and it got me thinking... lowkey there’s this whole category of songs that just make you feel like you’re drifting weightless in orbit, yknow?? like that dreamy mix of synths and reverb where it’s all chill but also kind of epic?? i cant be the only one who gets that vibe from tracks like 'eclipse' by m83 or 'kids' by pale waves (weird pick but trust me it works)... ...anyway does anyone else get this feeling from certain songs?? or am i just over here turning everything into amateur astronomy again lmao cosmic house + stargazing = my entire personality sometimes lol

also unrelated but speaking of space did you know jupiter has 92 confirmed moons now?? wild how we keep finding more and more... idk why but i love that it’s like a mini solar system of its own up there. makes me wanna write a whole playlist themed around moons tbh. might actually do that later if i dont forget (like i always do hahah)

Madonna has released ‘Love Sensation’, the latest club-ready single from her new album – check it out below.

• READ MORE: The Big Read – Madonna: ”People pick on me. That’s just the way it is”

The Queen of Pop is preparing to release her 15th studio record ‘Confessions II’ on July 3, the spiritual follow-up to 2005’s ‘Confessions On A Dance Floor’. Pre-order/pre-save the album here.

So far, she has shared two tracks from it – ‘I Feel So Free’ and the Sabrina Carpenter collaboration ‘Bring Your Love’ – and now she has dropped ‘Love Sensation’, a track she gave a live debut during her impromptu show in New York’s Times Square last night (June 4).

The song was released onto streaming platforms shortly after the set, a pounding, house-inspired track that sees Madge singing: “Love’s the reason why/ It’s a drug that I can’t stop taking/ Baby let’s get high/ Tripping up to the sky/ I’m your love sensation, good vibration, love sensation.”

Watch the official visualiser here:


An estimated 50,000 fans showed up at Times Square for her performance last night, where she played all three of the singles so far, as well as a trio of tracks from the original ‘Confessions’ album, in the form of ‘Hung Up’, ‘Get Together’ and ‘I Love New York’. It was streamed live on the Grindr app and was held in celebration of Pride Month.

‘Confessions II’ will be Madonna’s first record since her 14th album ‘Madame X’, which arrived in 2019, and it sees her reuniting with ‘Confessions’ producer Stuart Price.

“When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto: We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna explained.

“To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” she added. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions, pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”

In the run up to the album release date, Kylie Minogue has responded to rumours of a Madonna collaboration on ‘Confessions II’, and Linda Perry has expressed her desire to produce for Madonna, describing her latest music as “weak” and “trying to compete with Charli XCX“.

Madonna has also been confirmed as one of the co-headliners for the first ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, alongside Shakira and BTS.

The post Check out Madonna’s pounding new club-ready single ‘Love Sensation’ appeared first on NME.

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“Into You,” listeners are still so into you. Ariana Grande’s 2016 single has surpassed two billion streams on Spotify, affirming its stature as one of her most enduring hits.

Grande is no stranger to Spotify’s Billions Club; a whopping 22 of her songs have surpassed a billion streams on the platform. But “Into You” is in an elite tier even among those ultra-popular tracks. It’s her fourth song to amass two billion streams, a list that also includes “7 Rings,” “thank u, next,” and “One Last Time.”


“Into You” first appeared on Dangerous Woman, Grande’s third studio album, which was recently reissued in an expanded edition for its 10th anniversary. She co-wrote the track with Max Martin, Ilya, Savan Kotecha, and Alexander Kronlund, with Martin and Ilya also serving as producers. On an album that saw Grande venturing out in many different directions creatively, the track deployed a pulsing electronic beat that paired well with the rising romantic excitement described in the lyrics.


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Though it wasn’t Dangerous Woman’s highest-charting single at the time, surpassed on the Hot 100 by “Side To Side” and the title track, “Into You” was widely praised by critics as one of Grande’s greatest achievements. Stereogum named it the best pop song of 2016, writing that it “rides like a million-dollar sports car, breathlessly accelerating around corners without smudging its pristine exterior. But it also feels entirely human in depicting an attraction that can barely be contained.”

Critical enthusiasm around the song has continued over the years in tandem with the fan interest evidenced by all those streams. In 2022, Rolling Stone hailed “Into You” as Grande’s greatest song, noting that “she expertly crafts a fantasy that’s so captivating you can’t help but be transported to the fog-covered underground club she’s dreaming about, too.” The following year, The Guardian came to the same conclusion, describing the track as “an immaculately constructed pop stomper that feels as if it’s constantly teetering on the brink of desperation.”

Buy Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman here.

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Anthony Head, the actor known for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso and Little Britain, has died aged 72.

The news was confirmed earlier today (June 5) by his daughters, the actors Emily and Daisy Head, who wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father. He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”

“It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many,” they added.

Head found his signature role as Rupert Giles in the smash hit late-’90s supernatural show Buffy. His popular character was the mentor and surrogate father figure to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s title figure, and it brought Head to international attention.

He later became familiar to UK audiences for playing Prime Minister Michael Stevens in Little Britain, a character heavily inspired by Tony Blair. Head appeared in sketches alongside David Walliams’ Sebastian Love, a character who barely concealed his sexual attraction to Stevens.

I am very sad indeed to learn of the passing of Tony Head. When we were casting Little Britain, we were looking for a 'Tony Head-type', because we never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested, but he was. Lucky us. He was unfailingly brilliant, and always…

— Matt Lucas HQ (@RealMattLucas) June 5, 2026

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More recently, Head also found success with Ted Lasso, playing Rupert Mannion, the vindictive ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca Welton who formerly owned AFC Richmond and eventually became the owner of West Ham United.

His first brush with fame came in the 1980s when he became the face of a fondly remembered Nescafe Gold Blend series of adverts, with his ongoing romance with a character played by Sharon Maughan capturing public attention between 1987 and 1993.

Head went on to play King Uther Pendragon in Merlin, while he also appeared in a range of other major television series, including Doctor Who, Bridgerton, Motherland, My Family, New Tricks, Jonathan Creek and Spooks.

His film career also saw him appear in The Inbetweeners Movie, alongside his daughter Emily, and Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters, while he also portrayed Conservative politician Geoffrey Howe in The Iron Lady.

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Little Britain co-creator Matt Lucas paid tribute on social media, writing: “When we were casting Little Britain, we were looking for a ‘Tony Head-type’, because we never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested, but he was. Lucky us. He was unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm. My heart goes out to Daisy and Emily.”

Harlan Coben, the celebrated writer of the novel The Stranger, the Netflix adaptation of which Head appeared in, described him as “charming and erudite and funny and open and friendly and so damn talented”, saying he “brought joy and warmth and sparkle and wonder to every room he entered”.

Head lost his long-term partner Sarah Fisher, an animal welfare campaigner, last December at the age of 61.

The post ‘Buffy’, ‘Little Britain’ and ‘Ted Lasso’ actor Anthony Head dies, aged 72 appeared first on NME.

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seriously, whats with names like "bassquaker" or "glitchflux"? its like they just smashed two vaguely tech-sounding words together and called it a day. dont get me wrong, some are cool, but others just scream "i used a generator." feels like no one even tries to check if it sounds dumb out loud ive seen a few threads lately about branding for new djs and this keeps coming up. like, if youre trying to stand out, at least pick something that doesnt sound like it belongs on a bad startup logo. or am i the only one who cringes at this stuff? also, quick tip for anyone picking a name: say it in a sentence. "youre listening to dj bassquaker" should not make you laugh.

Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir has announced a new album, This Will Be Us. The news arrives ahead of the 20th anniversary of her debut record, Mount A. Bringing her musical career full-circle, the new record will feature reimagined tracks from Mount A and its follow-ups Without Sinking and Saman alongside two new compositions. This Will Be Us arrives on October 23rd, with its first single, “Bær,” out now.

Hildur is the record’s sole cellist and producer. Seeking to reimagine her old tracks in orchestral arrangements, she is joined by conductor Robert Ames and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. In a press release, she reflected: “When I was recording, trying to be a one-person string orchestra, I always dreamed of having more people playing with me. Now, twenty years later, I decided to make that dream come true – to give that young person the anniversary gift of hearing her music played by an orchestra.”


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The record will be available on vinyl, CD, and a special LP + artcard edition. The album cover artwork was created by acclaimed Icelandic-Danish artist Ólafur Elíasson, with liner notes by Hildur herself and filmmaker Sarah Polley. In addition to the release of This Will Be Us, Mount A, Saman, and Without Sinking will all be released on vinyl.

The first single, “Bær,” originally comes from Saman. Released in 2014, Saman takes its name from the Icelandic word for “together” and reflects Guðnadóttir’s distinctive approach to combining cello and voice. Album track “Biting” is also revisited on This Will Be Us.

Mount A was released in 2006 under the name “Lost in Hildurness.” Hildur recorded the album alone with her cello as a way to, in her words, “hear my own thoughts.” Without Sinking came out three years later, and featured a more collaborative approach. She worked with close musical friends, including Skúli Sverrisson and Jóhann Jóhannsson. Several of Mount A and Without Sinking’s tracks have been reimagined for This Will Be Us.

Listen to This Will Be Us here.

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Steve Lacy has announced his third solo album. Oh yeah?, the follow-up to 2022’s Gemini Rights, is due out July 17 via RCA, and you can see the cover art and tracklist below.

He’s also shared a new single, the smooth, orchestrated R&B track “The Feeling.” Watch the video, directed by Matthew Castellanos, below.

The announcement coincides with the release of Malcolm Todd’s new album Do That Again, which Lacy contributed to the title track of. Listen to that below, as well.





STEVE LACY – OH YEAH? TRACKLIST
oh yeah?
is it cool?
the feeling
pure colour
show you me
doom
nothing
lovesexdrugbomb
nice shoes/in your world
bebe

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John Barnes joined Peter Hook on stage in Manchester to perform his rap from New Order’s ‘World In Motion’ – watch below.

• READ MORE: World In Motion: 10 Geeky Facts About The New Order Football Classic

The former Joy Division and New Order bassist was playing at the Manchester Academy last night (June 4) to mark the 50th anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ legendary show in the city, and he welcomed England legend Barnes onto the stage for a rendition of the 1990 World Cup anthem.

Hook’s epic 35-track performance saw him take a chronological trip through his entire career, and Barnes joined him at the halfway point during the song that became inextricably linked to England’s run to the semi-finals of Italia ‘90, and also New Order’s only Number One single.

Barnes wrote and performed the rap himself back in 1990, with legend having it that he recorded it in a single take. Check out footage of the 2026 version here:

You've got to hold and give, but do it at the right time

Peter Hook & The Light at the Academy World In Motion drops…and out walks John Barnes to deliver that verse.

Goes right off, gaff absolutely erupts
A moment only Manchester could produce.#Madchester #hooky
#JohnBarnes pic.twitter.com/4cZqi3EdIW

— Madchester (@madchester_mdcr) June 5, 2026

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Earlier this week, Barnes revealed audio clips of Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley attempting his rap, and said he battled five other players for the right to perform the rap on the song.

When ‘World In Motion’ was first released, NME asked Barnes how excited he was to be collaborating on a football song, to which he responded: “If I thought it was going to be the same as the usual crap, why bother? But this is alright.”

World Cup fever is ramping up, with the tournament beginning next Thursday (June 11) and England’s campaign starting against Croatia on June 17.

Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds have announced a 30th anniversary re-release of their own England anthem ‘Three Lions’, while Belle & Sebastian have penned a buoyant song for Scotland’s campaign, ‘It Only Takes One Lion’, with Stuart Murdoch telling NME, “you have to understand, it’s been 30 years since Scotland qualified so I think everybody and their dog has written a song for the team”.

Susan Boyle and Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos have teamed up for the Irn Bru World Cup ad, while an official FIFA World Cup soundtrack album has been announced, featuring The Rolling Stones, Shakira and Stormzy.

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Reflecting on the gig last night, meanwhile, Hook wrote on Instagram that it was a “truly memorably show”, and thanked Rowetta and Buzzcocks for their appearances too.

Hook himself was in attendance at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester for the Sex Pistols’ historic show in 1976, and he famously went out and bought his first bass the following day, forming the band Warsaw, who went on to be known as Joy Division.

The show is credited with being a big bang event in British punk music and is also seen as kickstarting the Manchester music scene, with others in attendance including Hook’s future bandmate Bernard Sumner, as well as Morrissey, Mark E. Smith, Tony Wilson and John Cooper Clarke.

The post Watch John Barnes join Peter Hook to rap on New Order’s ‘World In Motion’ in Manchester appeared first on NME.

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