Adele Says “Hello” to Breaking Records: In its first week out, Adele’s newest album, 25, has broken the record for largest single sales week since Nielsen began keeping track of point-of-sale purchases in 1991. The record was previously held by *NSYNC’s album No Strings Attached, which sold 2.42 million copies in its first week, compared to 25‘s 3.38 million. After only a week of sales, 25 has also become the best-selling album of 2015, surpassing even Taylor Swift’s incredibly popular 1989. Experts are projecting 25 to break 4 million copies sold soon, leaving everyone wondering what other records the album may be set to break.

Mixed Feelings about Museum of Feelings: New York City’s financial district is host to the new Museum of Feelings, which occupies a portable building in a pop-up location. The Museum is marketed as “the first museum that reacts to emotions–and turns them into art.” Its facade has rainbow glow and its interior is host to installations that provide various sensory experiences. The Museum’s online presence on Facebook and Twitter urges visitors to post selfies called “moodlens” that change color to reflect changing emotional state. Based on this data, the site claims to be able to track and gauge the emotions of cities across the world. The carefully hidden corporate backing by Glade has many questioning the authenticity of the project–though there is no explicit mention of the company’s products. The site does make scent recommendations based off of mood profiles, making many wonder if the entire museum is just a cloaked advertisement. Nonetheless, many are enjoying the museum for the intriguing and sensory-delighting interactive installations. Visitors can decide for themselves  if they want to walk the line between art and consumerism.

New Looks into Shakespeare’s Home: Archaeologists have unearthed more of the famous playwright’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon, including the kitchen, a cold storage pit, and a possible brew house. Shakespeare purchased the home, which had more than 20 rooms and 10 fireplaces, in 1597 for 120 pounds. Digging up these new areas of the home have helped archaeologists and historians understand the daily life of the playwright, giving insight into “the rhythm of his working life.” The current dig is led by the Centre of Archaeology of Staffordshire University and is part of a 5.25 million pound project meant to “tell the story of Shakespeare’s family home and the real man behind the works– husband, father and son of Stratford.” The project helps remind us that even the most famous historical icons are, after all, human.

Iranian Orchestra Barred from Performing over Women Members: A performance by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra was cancelled at the last minute as venue coordinators refused to allow women musicians to play on stage. The orchestra was set to perform the national anthem at the World Wrestling Club Cup competition. Conductor Ali Rahbari reflected angrily on the incident, saying: “I was offended and said it was impossible for me to accept such an insult…We either play all together or we leave.” Unfortunately this incident is only the latest in a long line of barred performances for women musicians–they have even been barred from singing solo in public since the Islamic revolution of 1979. This marks the first time the Symphony Orchestra, one of the country’s oldest and most respected groups, has been cancelled on account of its female contingent. Hopefully the incident will draw attention to the tragic status quo for female musicians in Iran and lead to more discussion promoting equal opportunities for women artists and musicians there.