Anyone who had an iTunes account in 2014 should remember the Songs Of Innocence incident. For those not in the know, that was when U2 gave iTunes users a digital copy of their new album for free. Unfortunately, it was downloaded automatically to everyone’s accounts whether they were a U2 fan or not. Also, it was impossible to get rid of.

U2 fans were likely thrilled to suddenly get Songs Of Innocence for free. Meanwhile, everyone else had this album they didn’t want taking up valuable space in their iTunes library. Showing up overnight with no warning. Effectively feeling like someone hacked your computer, but instead of stealing your identity they just downloaded the new U2 album to your iTunes. It was arguably one of the most incomprehensible album releases in recent memory.

The move garnered so much backlash, particularly the part where you couldn’t get rid of it. Eventually, Apple was forced to design a tool allowing users to finally remove Songs Of Innocence from their iTunes library. At the time, frontman Bono admitted it was a “gross invasion”.

He described it as “[putting] a bottle of milk in people’s fridge that they weren’t asking for.” Allegedly, the album wasn’t initially supposed to automatically download. But, as Bono described then, “I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away with ourselves.”

U2’s 2014 Automatic Album Download Was Allegedly an Attempt to Test the Depth of the Music Industry’s Pockets

As of 2026, it’s been 12 years since that fateful Songs Of Innocence debacle. Now, it’s just something to look back on and laugh about its inherent ridiculousness. At the time, however, it caused genuine outrage among many.

Speaking with The New York Times in October 2026, Bono revisited the album’s unique release strategy. Once again, he admitted it was an overreach on the band’s part, adding that he “went too far on that one”.

Bono has often worked to call attention to financial disparity in the music business. How little artists get paid, how inconsistently, and the importance of supporting artists directly. According to the frontman, giving away Songs Of Innocence was just another tactic he was trying.

“We were experimenting,” he told the NYT. “We wanted to see if we could get Apple or another company to pay for our music and then they distribute it.”

The Edge Felt They Learned From Their Mistakes; Producer Flood Felt It Asked Important Questions About Art

Guitarist The Edge felt that the whole experience was just part of learning from their mistakes. “We take risks. We have to,” he said. “So you fail, you fall on your face at times? That’s part of the gig.” It’s also part of the unique human experience. Even internationally famous bands like U2 still have to try, fail, and learn.

The band’s long-time producer, Flood, shared a similar sentiment in 2015. Speaking with Gigwise at the time, he was asked for his opinion on the album release. Specifically, whether he felt it was a mistake to automatically download the album on more than 500 million iTunes accounts.

“I think what it did was raise whether music is valued in society right now, and I think that’s something that still hasn’t been answered correctly,” said Flood. “It brought about the question of ‘What are peoples’ listening tastes?’ And maybe the biggest question it raised was ‘Are people allowed to have choice or is choice actually being eliminated?’”

It’s interesting to consider these questions in 2026, when it feels like we’re further from the answers than ever. Maybe if U2 puts another bottle of milk in our fridge, we’ll finally learn how to heal the music industry. Perhaps we’ll even achieve world peace.

Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The post Bono Admits That Giving Millions of iTunes Users a U2 Album Download They Couldn’t Get Rid of ‘Went Too Far’ appeared first on VICE.

Earlier this year, on April 10, 2026, former child star Amanda Bynes collaborated with rapper Fenix Flexin on an EDM rap single, “Girlfriend”. Back in 2022, Bynes released a surprise rap single, “Diamonds” with her fiancé Paul Michael, marking her first official music release. Now it seems Bynes is actually taking a stab at a rap career.

On October 26, 2026, she teased a new rap track on her Instagram page. She added the caption, “get hyphy bc trap house is coming soon gang.” The post doesn’t indicate when the new track, “Trap House”, will officially be released.

Zabba, a Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, engineer, and musician, will be featured on the new track. Additionally, Lil Dexx is also a featured collaborator. On the new track, it seems Amanda Bynes has taken an interest in rage, a subgenre of hip-hop. In recent years, rage has been popularized by artists such as Trippie Redd and Playboi Carti. The subgenre is defined by distorted 808 bass, mixed with hyperpop synth and either high-pitched or aggressive vocal delivery, typically using Auto-Tune. Bynes signed with Create Music Group back in April, which will distribute her upcoming releases.

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Amanda Bynes Retired From Acting In 2012

Amanda Bynes is primarily known as an actor, never as a musician or singer. As a young child star, she was seen as a child prodigy, drawing comparisons to legends such as Lucille Ball. She was a breakout star on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show All That from 1996 to 2000. Capitalizing on her newfound fame from All That, she starred in her own spin-off, The Amanda Show, from 1999 until 2002.

Bynes successfully transitioned into film, making her big-screen debut in Big Fat Liar in 2002, where she co-starred alongside Frank Muniz. Following this, she starred in a string of successful teenage films such as What A Girl Wants, She’s The Man, and Hairspray.

During the film of Easy A in 2010, she experienced mental health issues. Following a mental breakdown, she retired from acting in 2012 at the age of 24. Stepping away from the spotlight, Byne’s spiral down a path of drastic and shocking changes. In 2013, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after lighting a fire in her neighbors driveway. Around this time, following multiple public breakdowns, DUI’s and social media outbursts, Bynes was placed in a conservatorship in 2013. This lasted until 2022, though she was placed on psychiatric hold that same year after another public outburst.

In recent years, Bynes has shown signs of progress. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising after five years. In 2024, she hosted a sold-out art show in Los Angeles. More recently, in July 2026, Bynes launched a line of accessories and bags through her fashion brand, New York $peed.

Photo by DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

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After 17 years without new music from Dead Man’s Bones, actor Ryan Gosling has revived his forgotten band of the 2000s. It’s the perfect time of year for this return, as Halloween is only days away. Back in 2009, his group Dead Man’s Bones released their self-titled debut album through ANTI-Records.

This project was an indie rock project, mixed with theatrical goth rock and folk. Inspired by their shared love for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, Gosling started the group with musician Zach Shields, who had an obsession with ghosts as a child. The two shared this fascination, as Gosling’s family moved out of his childhood home, believing it was haunted. Shields is a screenwriter, producer, and director who frequently collaborates with Michael Dougherty. He co-wrote Krampus (2015) and has contributed greatly to the new Godzilla franchise.

In 2005, the two formed the spooky band Dead Man’s Bones, feeding off their shared interest in ghosts. Their 2009 debut featured the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir, part of the music school founded by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They began releasing tracks through Myspace and also YouTube in late 2008 and continued in 2009. Additionally, that same year, the group toured the US throughout the fall season, right around Halloween, of course.

At the time, it seemed the acclaimed actor would make music his regular side hustle, much like Johnny Depp. Instead, the group has been on hiatus since 2010.

Dead Man’s Bones Releases New Single

For the first time in 17 years, Dead Man’s Bones has released a new single on October 27, 2026. Their new track, “Lost In The Night”, was released with a new music video starring Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer. Tim Anderson produced the new single, having also produced the band’s only album release in 2009. The duo shopped around to different Los Angeles studios before deciding to record in a barn outside the city. With two guitars, two drum machines, and two synthesizers, the band recorded “Lost In The Night.”

Though no full-length sophomore album has been announced, the band hinted at further releases on the band’s Instagram page on the morning of October 27. The caption to their post simply read, “Thanks for sticking with us all these years. New single, ‘Lost In The Night’. More coming soon.” With Halloween only days away, it’s unclear what the band plans to release next or when.

Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP via Getty Images

The post Ryan Gosling Resurrects His Spooky Rock Band After 17 Years, Releases Surprise New Song Just in Time for Halloween appeared first on vice.

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The Wall Street Journal recently explored the issue of phones in restaurants, noting that many eating establishments have come to resemble “scroll zones that simply serve food and drinks.” The paper had earlier declared, “phones are becoming the new cigarettes.” You might think that very few individuals would appreciate their dinner companions staring down at their Apple devices during shared outings, but, then again, you often see whole tables absorbed in scrolling as a way to avoid actually communicating with each other or just to stave off social awkwardness, thereby often increasing the awkwardness.

The Wall Street Journal visited The Edge in Harlem, which proudly boasts a sign reading, “No Wifi / No Screens / Connect / With Each Other.” Phones, however, aren’t actually banned there, as it’s the philosophy that’s important. WSJ highlighted that The Antagonist in North Carolina makes a practice of distributing pouches by Yondr for electronics that can only be unlocked by staff. Meanwhile, Tribeca’s Eulalie outright bans phones. They told WSJ that they view their ban as empowering to diners, as it gives them an “out” and an explanation as to why they couldn’t take any calls that might have come their way while on premises.

The Rise of Phone-Free Restaurants Is Changing How Americans Eat Out

Personally, I agree with the sentiment that phones should generally be put away while eating. Even if there are no phone-addicts at your table, others can still spoil the atmosphere. No one wants to be in the background of someone else’s Instagram video. Another concern is that eating mindlessly while texting, for example, is highly disrespectful to the chef who prepared your meal, assuming that it is worthy of your focus.

However, too many rules can be perceived as off-putting, obnoxious, and make patrons feel like they’re in elementary school rather than paying for a luxury experience. While most calls are far from urgent, phones do serve as safety lines. The question becomes difficult because, in an ideal world, people would behave sensibly without having to be forced, but that is far from the case in 2026. In fact, I have even witnessed individuals go so far as to have the volume turned up on their devices while in restaurants, causing me to want to use the cutlery for purposes other than those for which they were designed.

Fortunately, as WSJ points out, according to recent findings by The Harris Poll, 83% of Gen Zers say they have taken steps to limit social media usage at some point. Thus, there is hope for a better future with fewer screens.

The post Why Some Restaurants Are Starting to Ban Cell Phones (and Why Customers Are Loving It) appeared first on vice.

In July 1974, while Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was still being filmed in Martha’s Vineyard, the decaying remains of a young woman were discovered in the nearby Race Point Dunes of Provincetown, Massachusetts. The mystery victim was almost decapitated and both of her hands had been removed—presumably to prevent anyone from identifying her. Tucked beneath her head were a blue bandana and a pair of Wrangler jeans. For close to 50 years, the girl was known only as the “Lady of the Dunes.”

Despite having been exhumed several times between 1980 and 2013, police were unable to determine who they’d found that day in Provincetown. This led to numerous theories regarding the woman’s killer, with some even suggesting that mobster “Whitey” Bulger was responsible. The decades-old cold case ended up back in the news around 2018, when an earlier blog post from Stephen King’s son, fellow author Joe Hill, resurfaced. In it, Hill pointed out that a female extra in Jaws was wearing the same outfit found underneath the Lady of the Dunes.

Did Steven Spielberg Accidentally Film a Murder Victim in ‘Jaws’? The Mystery Explained.

At about 54 minutes and 2 seconds into the film, the woman in question briefly pops up during a crowd sequence sporting a blue bandana and jeans. This young lady, according to Hill, bears a “striking resemblance” to a composite sketch of the unidentified murder victim. Though Hill acknowledged that there were several problems with his theory, like the fact that the woman in the scene doesn’t appear to be wearing Wrangler jeans, he still ran the observation past an FBI friend of his. “Odder ideas have cracked colder cases,” he was told.

We may never know for sure if the Lady of the Dunes was in Jaws, but in 2022, the FBI finally identified her as Ruth Marie Terry of Tennessee (born September 8, 1936). The following year, the case was officially closed and Terry’s husband, Guy Muldavin, who died in 2002, was named as her killer. “I’m sort of fascinated by the idea that, for decades afterwards, every time Jaws came on TV, he saw his dead wife turning her head to stare out of the screen at him,” said Hill while speaking with Inside Edition, “There’s something sort of chilling in that notion.”

The post Why Stephen King’s Son Thinks a Famous Murder Victim Is Hiding in ‘Jaws’ appeared first on VICE.

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