God, I’m losing my touch. Not only have I never knowingly heard “Rein Me In”, I couldn’t have named it as the current #1, and had no idea it had so utterly obliterated Bryan Adams’ record stint. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...

Demise of the monoculture: why so many have never heard UK’s record-breaking No 1 single

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In is longest-running No 1 single in UK chart history, and yet it seems to have passed many people by

theguardian.com

Now spinning: "Black Ice" by AC/DC (2008) We saw the band on the epic Black Ice tour. We had no idea how bad Malcolm's dementia already was, and just how hard he worked every single day to re-learn the songs he co-wrote, in order to not disappoint the fans.

Myspace is plotting a comeback — and Millennials can’t believe it www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...

Myspace is plotting a comeback — and Millennials can’t believe it

independent.co.uk

Now spinning: "Freedom" by Neil Young (1989) The album kicks off with "Rockin' in the Free World", and it has never seemed more apposite.

Now spinning: "24 Carrots" by Al Stewart (1980) One of my favourite singer/songwriters and an amazing wordsmith. His "Year of the Cat" is one of my favourite albums of all time. I picked this up at Wellington Market over the weekend for free, when I spent £20 on AC/DC!

Fascinating breakdown of “Blue Monday” by New Order (1983). Built from drum machines, sequencers, and icy synth layers, it defined a new era in electronic music and became the highest selling 12” single of all time. www.facebook.com/creatingmusi...

1M views · 24K reactions | New Order - Blue Monday: Breakdown (Widescreen 2025) Released in 1983, Blue Monday became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. Built from drum machines, sequencers, and icy synth layers, it defined a new era of electronic music. In this breakdown, we pull apart the parts that made it an ’80s anthem. Bernard Sumner: vocals, Moog Source synthesizer, programming, vocoder​ Peter Hook: six-string bass​ Stephen Morris: keyboards, programming​ Gillian Gilbert: keyboards, programming​ Produced by New Order Writers: Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner Engineer: Michael Johnson Assistant Engineers: Barry Sage and Mark Boyne Recording Studio: Britannia Row, Islington 12” Single Sleeve Design: Peter Saville Label: Factory Records Factory Catalouge Number: FAC 73 #howdoesitfeel #neworder #bluemonday #factoryrecords #donnasummer #kraftwerk #postpunk #synthpop #newwave #newwave80s #80santhem #vinyljunkie #peterhook #gilliangilbert #stephenmorris #bernardsumner #musicproducer #musicproduction #80s | Creating Music And Sound

New Order - Blue Monday: Breakdown (Widescreen 2025) Released in 1983, Blue Monday became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. Built from drum machines, sequencers, and icy synth layers, it...

facebook.com

ILMARINEN - “In the Tavern” Self-described as “Medieval violin death metal”, and sounding like a mix of Alestorm, Turisas, and Fairport Convention! Interesting, but possibly not everyone’s cup of tea. youtu.be/RBdbeFN2pTk?...

ILMARINEN : In the Tavern - ** Live at 44NextDoor Stream Stage

YouTube video by 44 NextDoor - Online Live Music Stage

youtu.be

“Ignoramus Stupidatus” by Radio Everything Radio Everything is the new cartoon metal/bubblegum pop side project from Chris Catalyst. Chris is guitarist with Eureka Machines and Scaramanga Six, and has previously worked with Ginger Wildheart, Ugly Kid Joe, and Terrorvision. youtu.be/n0NEVisHr8A?...

Ignoramus Stupidatus - Radio Everything

YouTube video by Chris Catalyst

youtu.be

Exciting news - the strongest evidence yet that the red giant, Betelgeuse, has a much smaller companion star.

ESO@eso.org · 4d ago

Meet a giant and its buddy!  This video takes you to the red supergiant star Betelgeuse, where our VLT has obtained the clearest image yet of what likely is a companion star orbiting it: Betelgeuse B. The discovery of Betelgeuse B solved a century-old mystery. 🔭 🧪 1/2

Now spinning: "Don't Play That Song!" by Ben E King (2022) A compilation of the greatest songs by the soul/R&B legend. The song "Stand By Me" is one of two I want played at my funeral.

Now spinning: "Hardware" by Billy F Gibbons (2021). The third solo album from the ZZ Top guitarist was released in June '21 to generally favourable reviews. The track "Stackin' Bones" features vocals by the amazing Larkin Poe (Lovell sisters).

Seriously, eww. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

Pass the pit diapers! Why are fans wetting themselves to stand front row at concerts?

Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen have all dealt with audience effluence in recent weeks – but that’s only one part of a fearsome subculture that has built up around fandom, endurance and ‘...

theguardian.com

Astrophysics isn’t my field, but I’ve never been convinced by the cosmological models that need the assumption of ‘Dark Energy’ to work. Something that we have no evidence for, and we don’t know what it is. This article covers research that shows some serious cracks in the consensus.

Heather Shearer@heather-sea55.bsky.social · 2w ago

#scicomm 🧪 I’m no expert on astrophysics but I like this idea theconversation.com/does-dark-en...

How did dogs become man's best friend? Dive into the neuroscience behind domestication in this week's post by Eve Gautreaux pennneuroknow.com/2026/07/14/b... #PsychSciSky #SciComm 🧠🟦 🧪

Becoming man’s best friend: Biology’s survival guide for animals in a world with humans

Many animals have evolved to coexist with—or even rely on—humans. A few key changes in neurobiology may explain how evolution has shaped dogs and other animals into human companions.

pennneuroknow.com

Now spinning: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John (1973). Sir Reg Dwight's masterpiece double album, with so many great songs. Four sides of genius. Pictured is my original 1973 UK pressing, showing off the evocative artwork.

From the interview on the Today programme (BBC R4)… Justin Webb: “What is your appeal to the people of Clacton?” Binface: “I’m not Nigel Farage”.

Now spinning: "Back in Black" by AC/DC (1980). *The* prime example of "all killer, no filler". Every song is a masterpiece. Pictured is the 2003 remaster/reissue on heavyweight vinyl, as unfortunately I parted company with my original 1980 pressing about 25 years ago.

Right now, the moon is receding from Earth at a rate of about 4 cm/yr, roughly the same speed your fingernails grow. Not much, but over billions of years what will happen to it? What is the fate of our moon? It's probably not what you think. www.scientificamerican.com/article/what... 🧪 🔭

What will happen to Earth’s moon in the far future?

The moon is Earth’s constant companion. But will that always be the case?

scientificamerican.com

I’m surprised I have to say this on BlueSky, but… I’m interested in music, science, and dogs. I don’t care how many followers I have. If you follow me just so that you can invite me to support your service, product, religion, political party, or other scam, please don’t. I will block you. Thank you.

A fascinating summary of a study into DTD, or “Atopia” - the inability to construct a cognitive map with which to navigate one’s environment.

Grant Jacobs BioinfoTools/NotJustDNA 🔬🧬🖥️✍️📚🇳🇿@notjustdna.bsky.social · last mo.

🧪 The condition that causes people to get lost in their own home: developmental topographical disorientation “As far as researchers can tell, this is just simply how their internal navigation system has always worked.” theconversation.com/the-conditio...

www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

‘Techno in a monastery – are you ready?’ The Greek priest whose doom metal album is the year’s hippest record

His church thinks electric guitars are the devil’s work. But Father Tabakis is on a mission to change that – with Paradise Metal, a religious dubstep album that outdid Daft Punk and Aphex Twin

theguardian.com

Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People, co-wrote the disco group’s classic hits “Y.M.C.A.,” ″Macho Man” and “In the Navy,” and delighted crowds while dressed as the band’s helmeted and mustachioed police officer, has died. He was 74.

Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ dies at 74

chicagotribune.com

Now spinning: "The Joshua Tree" by U2 (1987). Whatever we may think of what Bono has become in the years since, this is still an utterly stupendous album. The opening three tracks are amongst the most sublime 15 minutes in rock music, ever.

As those of you who follow my music postings may have noticed, where I am posting streaming links for music that I am sharing, wherever possible I am now linking to TIDAL instead of SPOTIFY. For the time being, Tidal looks to be the more ethical choice by a number of metrics. tidal.com

Now spinning: "Dreamboat Annie" by Heart (1975). Can't go wrong with Heart's double-platinum-selling debut album. Pictured is my 1976 UK edition (September 1975 was the original release date in the band's native Canada).

Now spinning: "The House That Dirt Built" by The Heavy (2009) In the mood for some absolutely classic "rock n' soul", and this collection of songs which has been widely used to soundtrack games, TV shows, and movies (especially "Short Change Hero").

Now spinning: Plastic Letters by Blondie (1978) My favourite Blondie LP is Parallel Lines. But, Plastic Letters is where I fell in love. Specifically, "Denis", performed on TOTP, including Ms Harry wearing a top legal by about 1/2". 15-yr-old me was very impressed... with the music, obviously!

Global music streaming platform, TIDAL, have announced a radical policy on AI-generated music that will not reward it with royalties. And, yes, I acknowledge that it’s a sad state of affairs that I even have to describe such a policy as “radical”. tidal.com/ai-policy

Tidal AI Policy

Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music.

tidal.com

Now spinning: "A Pound of Feathers" by The Black Crowes (2026). First time out for this brand new arrival, released today. Kicks off with "Prophane Prophecy", a track that sounds like the bastard offspring of The Rolling Stones and AC/DC.

Just arrived: "A Pound of Feathers" by The Black Crowes. On white/black splatter vinyl, with T-shirt and slipmat.