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IFPI introduces AI rules for international music charts
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has adopted new principles for identifying and assessing generative AI music on international charts. The policy supports clearer labelling of AI use while seeking to ensure charts continue to recognise primarily human-created work and exclude music that may exploit artists or manipulate streaming. To qualify, AI-assisted tracks must…
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Xbox tech boss says ‘unacceptable’ outage should not have affected disc games
Xbox’s technology chief has apologised after a roughly 20-hour service outage reportedly prevented some users from playing games they owned on physical discs. Scott Van Vliet said this was “unacceptable” and contrary to Xbox’s intended design, highlighting renewed concerns that technical failures and licensing checks can limit access to purchased games. The outage on Monday…
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Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist revealed
The 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist has named 12 British and Irish albums competing for the annual award, which recognises artistic achievement across contemporary music. The selection combines major pop and rock figures with newer artists and a charity compilation. – Dave — *The Boy Who Played the Harp* – Dove Ellis — *Blizzard* – Florence…
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Afterlife Announce New Album ‘The Pain That Shapes Us’
Afterlife have announced their new album, ‘The Pain That Shapes Us’, marking their first full-length release in five years. The record is presented as the band’s most open and vulnerable work yet, with vocalist Tyler Levenson saying it reflects personal struggles that have shaped the group. Due on 6 November via Mascot Records, the 11-track…
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Chart Rewind: In 2011, Jason Aldean Added Another No. 1 ‘Anthem’
Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart on 30 July 2011, despite scepticism that its spoken, rap-influenced verses would not suit country radio. Its success reinforced Aldean’s reputation for stretching country music’s stylistic boundaries and became his sixth chart-topper at that stage of his career. The song was…
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Path of Exile 2 finally has a fix for two of its longest-lasting, and most frustrating, technical problems
Grinding Gear Games says the latest Path of Exile 2 patch, combined with Nvidia’s 680.88 Game Ready driver, substantially improves two persistent technical issues: ‘device removed’ crashes and lengthy shader compilation. The changes matter because both faults had disrupted play for months, particularly for some players in demanding end-game content. The device-removed issue could cause…
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The final Soundgarden album is currently being mixed
Soundgarden’s drummer Matt Cameron has confirmed that the band’s final album is now being mixed, signalling progress towards the eventual release of material recorded with the late Chris Cornell. The project matters because it will be the band’s first and last posthumous release featuring Cornell, who died in 2017. Cameron said the recordings had been…
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Gen Con 2026: All the news, reveals, and tabletop gaming announcements
Gen Con 2026, the major US tabletop gaming convention, has begun in Indianapolis, bringing together more than 70,000 fans and hundreds of exhibitors. Polygon’s coverage highlights new board games, role-playing games and other announcements, with some convention products expected to sell out before wider release. – Gen Con runs for four days from 30 July,…
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The Rings of Power showrunner confirms there will be no Harfoots in season 3 of The Lord of the Rings prequel: “It was time for them to take a little bit more of a backseat”
The Harfoots will not appear in the third season of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, according to showrunner Patrick McKay. The decision signals a shift in focus as the prequel series moves further into its wider Middle-earth story and gives other characters greater prominence. McKay said it was time for…