Britney Spears "Circus" is back -- new album, tour (Reuters)

Reuters - Britney Spears starred in her own "Circus" on Tuesday, performing songs from her new album of that name under a big top in New York City, unveiling plans for a 2009 tour and celebrating her 27th birthday.

Beyonce to perform at Essence Fest in New Orleans (AP)

AP - Beyonce is the first artist lined up for next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Neko Case schedules "Cyclone" for March (Reuters)
Reuters - Neko Case will follow 2006's "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," the best-selling album of her career, with "Middle Cyclone."

Brandy breaks 4-year recording hiatus (Reuters)

Reuters - You can't blame Brandy for being a little nervous stepping back into the recording studio. Four years have elapsed since the release of the R&B/pop singer's fourth album, "Afrodisiac." And it has been just two years since her headline-making car accident in which another driver died.

Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig (E! Online)

E! Online - More details on the Travis Barker-DJ AM reunion we reported last week.

As music sales slow, digital market offers hope (Reuters)

Reuters - Ever since Apple's iTunes store launched in 2003, the digital music market has received an annual Christmas gift in the form of a sales boost, as consumers unwrap new iPods and gift cards for the holidays.

Britney's Big Top Hits the Road (E! Online)

E! Online - Britney Spears is proving the adage that it's better to give than receive, with the 27 years young birthday girl bequeathing unto her fans not one but two gifts on her special day. Not only did Spears' second attempt at a comeback album, Circus, drop this morning, the singer has also unveiled, to great anticipation, the dates for her long-awaited North American comeback tour.

Christian rockers Red guided by "Instinct" (Reuters)
Reuters - In an interesting clash of inspiration that combines "The Divine Comedy" and a highway accident, Red's sophomore album, "Innocence & Instinct," echoes the emotional ups and downs the Grammy Award-nominated rock act has experienced over the last two years.

U2 scrap Rick Rubin tracks on new album (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - U2 have shelved a host of tracks recorded with Rick Rubin on their forthcoming 12th studio album.

New Jay-Z song leaks, old videos go mobile (Reuters)

Reuters - Jay-Z fans have both new and old music to enjoy this week.