Björk shared a message of support for the people of Greenland on Monday morning (Jan. 5) just days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a brash early morning military assault on the country on Saturday (Jan. 3).

“I wish all greenlanders blessing in their fight for independence,” the Icelandic singer wrote on Instagram of the two countries that share a Viking heritage and historically friendly relations. “Icelanders are extremely relieved that they managed to break from the danish in 1944 ,
we didn´t loose our language ( my children would be speaking danish now ) and i burst with sympathy for greenlanders,” Björk added.

The message appeared to be spurred by the latest chatter from Donald Trump in which he renewed his talk of wanting to annex Greenland for what he claimed were strategic defense reasons. “We need Greenland for a national security situation,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (Jan. 4). “It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” A day earlier, Trump, who came into office promising to end U.S. interventions overseas, also told the Atlantic, “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.”

Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark and since his election last year Trump has repeatedly veered from his staunch “America First” policy by threatening to make the country (as well as Canada) part of the United States. He also appeared to abrogate his MAGA marching orders to focus on domestic matters over the past few months with a series of attacks on boats in the Caribbean which he’s claimed, with scant evidence so far, were ferrying dangerous drugs, ending with Maduro’s adbuction over the weekend. Following Maduro’s capture Trump claimed that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela for an indefinite period of time, with no announced plan so far about how that government takeover would play out.

One of Trump’s former staunchest defenders, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — who announced last year that she is resigning as of today (Jan. 5) following a public split with the president — told the New York Times on Saturday that the Venezuela attack could lead to the kind of open-ended conflict that Trump has repeatedly claimed he was against, calling it “what many in MAGA thought they voted to end… Boy were we wrong.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back against Trump’s latest imperialist threat, saying America must stop its unprovoked saber-rattling about annexing Greenland immediately. “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the U.S. needing to take over Greenland. The U.S. has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom,” Frederiksen said in a statement on Sunday, noting that Denmark, and by proxy Greenland, are part of NATO and “therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee.”

Frederiksen also reminded the White House that the two countries already have a defense agreement and have historically been close allies, with Greelandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen dubbing Trump’s remarks “very rude and disrespectful.“

“Colonialism has repeatedly given me horror chills up my back, and the chance that my fellow greenlanders might go from one cruel coloniser to another is too brutal to even imagine,” Björk wrote, adding a common Icelandic phrase that translates to “from ashes into the fire.”

“dear greenlanders declare independence !!!!,” Björk pleaded. “sympathetic wishes from your neighbours warmthness.” Trump’s renewed call for the U.S. to take control of Greenland.”

The first days of 2026 bring with them with new music from several rising artists, among them Josh Weathers, who issues his album Neon Never Fades. Abbey Cone puts a fresh spin on an often-sung topic on “Change the Man,” while Katlin Owen, known for his work with artists including Brian Kelley and Chase Rice, steps forward as an artist in his own right.

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.

Josh Weathers, Neon Never Fades

Josh Weathers starts off 2026 with a solid barrel of ’90s country-inspired tunes with his project Neon Never Fades, signaling that the resurgence in ’90s country sounds is far from over. His nimble voice weaves through songs that pull from hardcore honky-tonk (“Livin’ the Life”), soulful country-rock hybrids (“Up at Night,” “Life Still Happens”) and the pensive ballad “Never Died From It.” Working with writers including Bobby Pinson and Brett Sheroky, and smart production from Dan Friszell, Weathers sings of carefree, youthful nights, love, loss and lessons learned along the way. Some of his previous music has been steeped in soul, blues and pop, but his new album cements Weathers as a new country voice worth listening to this year.

Abbey Cone, “Change the Man”

A honeyed fiddle intro launches this straight-to-the-point anthem that melds a swirl of barroom country, pedal steel, guitar and piano with Cone’s silvery vocal and sage relationship advice. “If he’s givin’ you the minimum/ Just get rid of him,” Cone sings, washing her unabashedly country vocal over a pull-no-punches message. Cone co-wrote the song with Madison Kozak, with production from Jack Schneider and Matt Andrews.

Parker Graye, “When Do We Stop Talking”

Graye offers this polished, dreamy country-pop ballad that finds the singer-songwriter chronicling the rise and fall of a relationship coming apart. As it unravels, she’s left wondering how to finally break the habit of reaching out and talking, and when to fully let go. Graye’s dulcet tones are a stellar match for this song’s gorgeous melody. The song was written by Graye with Olivia DaPonte and Averie Bielski.

Katlin Owen, “Just a Hat”

South Carolina native Owen, a producer/guitarist and vocalist known for his session work with artists including Brian Kelley, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Chase Rice and Mickey Guyton, proves he possesses a vocal charisma of his own that’s worth putting in the spotlight. His latest release blends polished production, crisp guitar and bright piano, as he issues a perspective that cowboy culture goes far beyond simply donning cowboy aesthetics. “I’m gonna be breaking my back working overtime/ Putting food there on the table,” he sings, as he etches a scene of familial dedication, work ethic, integrity and love that goes into every handshake and every word kept. Owen wrote this track with Mandi Sagal.

Trevor Martin, “No Matter What”

Kentucky native Martin is known for his romantic, uplifting tracks such as “Keeper” and “This Much.” He continues in that vein on his latest song, baring his earnest dedication and determination to be there for his loved one regardless of the highs and lows they embrace and endure. “You can’t pick and choose when life throws its punches/ But you can choose who you’re gonna face them all with,” he sings. A smooth, radio-friendly track written by Martin with Jonathan Gamble and Brian Bunn, this song again places Martin as a consistent wellspring of songs marked by tenderness and amorous charm.

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The streaming service features hundreds of livestream concerts, a catalog of past shows — including by Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Billy Strings, Pearl Jam, Jack White, Phish and others — exclusive bonus interviews, discounts, official concert audio, member discounts, curated playlists and other benefits. The beauty of the service is you can stream tens of thousands of official concerts and exclusive livestreams, all for less than the price of a ticket. The streams are high-quality, shown in HD or 4K with impeccable sound quality that makes you feel like you’re clutching the barricade, standing in a throng of excited concertgoers cheering your favorite artist on.

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