Month: July 2024

On Feb. 19, 2023, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” turned 55 years old. And the internet was feeling feelings over it.

After premiering on Canadian TV in 1963, Fred Rogers’ beloved children’s program debuted in the U.S. in 1968, inspiring generations of kids across North America to be more thoughtful, kinder neighbors.

One person feeling the feels on the show’s anniversary was model, author, and Twitter goddess Chrissy Teigen.

Teigen tweeted the most delightful anecdote about why Rogers would often announce that he was feeding the fish during the show.

Mister Rogers would narrate himself feeding the fish each episode with u201cIu2019m feeding the fishu201d because of a letter he received from a young blind girl who was worried the fish were hungry. Love you, Mister Rogers.https://twitter.com/pbsds/status/965596450733228032u00a0u2026

— chrissy teigen (@chrissy teigen)
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“Mister Rogers would narrate himself feeding the fish each episode with, ‘I’m feeding the fish,’ because of a letter he received from a young blind girl who was worried the fish were hungry,” she wrote. “Love you, Mister Rogers.”

Aaaaaand I’m crying.

Rogers included the text of the girl’s letter in his book, “Dear Mister Rogers, Does It Ever Rain in Your Neighborhood?” published in 1996.

As he noted in the book (emphasis added):

One girl and her family wrote to tell us there was a special reason why she wanted me to talk about feeding the fish each day.

Dear Mister Rogers,

Please say when you are feeding your fish, because I worry about them. I can’t see if you are feeding them, so please say you are feeding them out loud.

Katie, age 5 (Father’s note: Katie is blind, and she does cry if you don’t say that you have fed the fish.)

This downright adorable clip from the series shows Rogers reassuring little Katie that the fish were always well-fed:

Sylvia Earle brought her underwater microphone to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood so children could listen to the fish in the aquarium. When the fish don’t make…

“I need to feed the fish right away,” Rogers said in the episode, before shaking the container of food above the tank. “I have some friends who get very concerned when I forget the fish during our visits.”

Aaaaaand I’m ugly crying.

Rogers showed us how simple it often is to be a more compassionate friend.

“I just wanted you to know that even if I forget to feed them when we’re together, I come back later and feed them, so they’re always taken care of,” Rogers concluded. “It’s good to know that fish and animals and children are taken care of by those who can, isn’t it?”

Yes it is, Mister Rogers. The world needs more neighbors like you.

This article originally appeared on 02.20.18

Sometimes you see something so mind-boggling you have to take a minute to digest what just happened in your brain. Be prepared to take that moment while watching these videos.

Real estate investor and TikTok user Tom Cruz shared two videos explaining the spreadsheets he and his friends use to plan vacations and it’s…well…something. Watch the first one:

What in the wealth is thispic.twitter.com/NTPTKT5CZG

— Karim Alammuri (@Karim Alammuri)
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So “Broke Bobby” makes $125,000 a year. There’s that.

How about the fact that his guy has more than zero friends who budget $80,000 for a 3-day getaway? Y’all. I wouldn’t know how to spend $80,000 in three days if you paid me to. Especially if we’re talking about a trip with friends where we’re all splitting the cost. Like what does this even look like? Are they flying in private jets that burn dollar bills as fuel? Are they bathing in hot tubs full of cocaine? I genuinely don’t get it.

To be crystal clear here, the top 5 friends on the Forbes list are willing to spend more than double what the guy at the bottom of the Welfare 10 list makes per year on a 3-day guy’s trip. I don’t know what to do with this information.

u201c@Radio_Reem Those that make less are called the “Welfare 10” ud83dude2dud83dude2dud83dude29u201d

— Karim Alammuri (@Karim Alammuri)
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But that’s not even the full spreadsheet. It might make sense if this guy was just rich, had always been rich, only knew rich people, and therefore having multiple millionnaire friends was his normal. Surely that’s some people’s reality who were born into the 1%.

That’s not the case here, though, because Cruz also has a Welfare 10 list. He says this group of friends who make less than $100K a year call themselves that, and perhaps that’s true. (If I were a part of this group, I might call myself a welfare case too because everything’s relative and some of these dudes spend more in an hour of vacation than I spend on my mortgage each month.)

It’s like we can see our society’s wealth gap all laid out nice and neatly in a spreadsheet, only these people aren’t even the uber-wealthy and uber-poor. This is just the range of this one guy’s friends.

I have nothing against people who build success and wealth for themselves, and even $5 million per year is hardly obscenely wealthy by billionaire standards. But Cruz says he’s known most of his “welfare” friends since college, which presumably means most of those guys have college degrees and are making pittance in comparison with the Forbes list. One could claim the guy making $5 million a year just works harder, but does he really work 100 times harder than the guy making $50,000? Doubt it.

Money makes money, and after a certain threshold of wealth or income, it’s actually quite easy to get and stay rich without actually “earning” more money, assuming you’re reasonably wise and responsible. So maybe the guys who are willing to shell out $125,000 for a week-long trip should offer to pay the travel expenses of the friends they “hang out with regardless of income” who don’t even make that in a year, since that’s probably just the interest they’re making on their wealth anyway.

But what do I know? This is like an entirely different world to me and probably 99+% of Americans, as evidenced by some of the responses.

u201c@araless Broke Bobby every time itu2019s time for a trip https://t.co/VTUf3xW1DWu201d

— Karim Alammuri (@Karim Alammuri)
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u201c@_jasminwats @Radio_Reem I noticed everyone with PTO has less than is legally required in the U.K., crazy!!u201d

— Karim Alammuri (@Karim Alammuri)
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Naturally, there will be a range of incomes in any group of people, but 1) most of us don’t actually know how much our friends make, and 2) even fewer of us make spreadsheets with that information in order to rank our friends and figure out who can go on which vacations.

People are just endlessly fascinating. That’s all I’ve got.

This article originally appeared on 08.20.21

One of the most interesting things about traveling the world is noticing how people from your country are a bit different from the place you’re visiting. In America, you’re mostly around fellow countrymen so it’s hard to notice the things that make us stand out.

But when you travel abroad, you quickly notice that no matter how hard you try to blend in, there are a lot of dead giveaways that show people you’re from the states that go way beyond your accent.

A Reddit user named ILoveTallWomen asked the online forum “Non-Americans of Reddit, what is a dead giveaway that somebody is American?” to see what they think makes us stand out. “I’m not American and am curious about what other foreigners think,” they added.

There was one answer that people in the thread repeated over and over again—Americans are very friendly people. Countless commenters noted that Americans will approach anyone and start up a conversation. As a person from the U.S., I think that’s a positive stereotype. There’s nothing wrong with being overly friendly.

​People also noted that Americans tend to carry themselves with a lot of confidence and have an abundance of infectious enthusiasm.

On the negative side of things, a lot of people also noted that Americans are loud and have questionable fashion sense. We stand out abroad because we love staying comfortable by wearing white socks and sneakers on just about any occasion.

Maybe we’re happy because our feet don’t hurt?

Here are 17 of the best responses to the dead giveaways that someone is American.

Upworthy Podcast: Dead Giveaways Someone is American

On a recent episode of Upworthy Weekly, hosts Alison Rosen and Tod Perry discuss the internet’s hottest, most uplifting and most amusing topics – including d…

1.

The most popular poster shared a list:

• Wearing sneakers with anything
• Big smiles, firm handshakes
• Lots of Northface products
• Renting Segways for sightseeing tours (sometimes using those on cobblestone)
• Using big adjectives generously (“Wow, your aunt’s kidney stones sound awesome!”, “This Euroshopper beer tastes great!”)
• Clapping and cheering
• Telling one’s whole life story within 15 minutes of meeting them
• Loving stories and narratives in general (which makes them fun companions) — [Deleted]

2.

“Apart from the accent? Mostly its the ‘prepared for anything’ look they have about them (fanny pack, backpack, bottled water, camera pouch) compared to various other tourists – Asians tend to herd together for safety, while Europeans vary between blend-right-in Scandinavian to designer-brands-everywhere French and traffic-laws-are-for-others Italian. But Americans are the only ones who seem to view a perfectly civilised, modern city like some kind of uncharted jungle that doesn’t have places to shelter in the rain or buy cheap bottled water.” — Yorkshire_Pudden

3.

“Incredibly loud but incredibly friendly.” — kevio17

4.

“I asked my wife (Japanese) she said ‘In Japan I can spot Americans by the way they dress. Compared to Europeans, Americans tend to lack fashion sense.'” — RegionFree

5.

“When you can hear them before you see them.” — C1t!zen_Erased

6.

“‘On the streets they are instantly recognizable. They walk in an ugly indifferent manner, usually with their hands in their pockets. Or they’re leaning against a pole or wall with a newspaper in their hand and gum in their mouth. According to the people who met them they are more human than the English, for example, whenever someone needs help they do it quicker and better than the English.’ — My Grandpa in the Netherlands. In a letter to his sister. June 4th 1945.” — MidnightWineRed

7.

“North Face jackets. I went to college in the US (I’m not American) and when I went home for my first winter break wearing my brand new North Face jacket my friend asked me if I was given American citizenship with the purchase.” — merbonobo

8.

“I’m English, but I’ve lived here for 14 years. It’s pretty obvious just from your demeanour. Americans generally are more confident in the way they present themselves, most other countries tend to be more reserved. Walk into a room full of different nationalities, I guarantee the American person will be the first to introduce themselves. It’s a confidence thing, and I admire it.” — zerbey

9.

“When I was visiting Germany in college, a girl said to me, ‘Do you know how I know you’re an American? You wear white socks.’ Needless to say, I haven’t worn white socks since.” — ars3nal

10.

“We (Americans) describe distances in driving time, as opposed to miles or kilometers. My European relatives always make fun of me for having no clue how far away the next town is, but knowing exactly how long it takes to get there.” — hbombs86

11.

“Canadian here…the dead giveaway is when they call me ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘darling.’ I fucking love Americans and I love those terms of endearment!” — AraEnzeru

12.

“Dead giveaway: They’re surprised we can drink a beer (or any alcohol) in public in my country.” — P1r4nha

13.

“European here … there’s a noticeable trend among Americans to wear jeans, t-shirts, and hooded sweaters when they’re abroad. Lots of branded goods too (North Face, A&F, Hollister, Ed Hardy mostly). And in summer, a great percentage of the cargo-shorts-wearers are Americans. But among all that, visible tattoos on otherwise ‘normal-looking’ people (i.e. not looking like street thugs) are a common indicator too. Americans love tats.” — I_AM_A_IDIOT_AMA

14.

“In WWII, my grandpa’s company had a problem with German spies. At night the guards could not tell if intruders were returning patrols or enemy soldiers; especially since the spies spoke with flawless American accents. Before opening the gates, they tried asking questions like “What’s the capital of Nebraska?” but it didn’t always work since the Germans were highly trained and could answer most of the trivia questions. Finally, they stumbled upon a simple but effective test. They would ask them to sing the 4th verse of the Star-Spangled Banner. He told me ‘If they start singing, then you shoot ’em. No American knows the 4th verse.’ Turns out the whole song had been included in one of the German espionage training manuals.” — [Deleted]

15.

“They ask you what you do.” — Askalotl

16.

“They say ‘like’ a lot and seem to start sentences with ‘so’ for no apparent reason. Good bunch, though.” — [Deleted]

17.

“MM/DD/YYYY.” — dusmeyedin

This article originally appeared on 2.20.23

A local reporter at Hometown Life shared a unique and heartfelt story on March 16 about a mother struggling to find shoes that fit her 14-year-old son. The story resonated with parents everywhere; now, her son is getting the help he desperately needs. It’s a wonderful example of people helping a family that thought they had nowhere to turn.

When Eric Kilburn Jr. was born, his mother, Rebecca’s OBGYN, told her that he had the “biggest feet I’ve ever seen in my life. Do not go out and buy baby shoes because they’re not gonna fit,’” Rebecca told Today.com. Fourteen years later, it’s almost impossible to find shoes that fit the 6’10” freshman—he needs a size 23.

None

— (@)

The teen’s height doesn’t stem from a gland issue; he comes from a family of tall people. Both his parents are over 6 feet tall.

Eric plays football for Goodrich High School in Goodrich, Michigan, but doesn’t wear cleats, which led to a sprained ankle. He also suffers from ingrown toenails that are so severe he’s had two nails on his biggest toes permanently removed.

Last year, the family was lucky enough to stumble upon five pairs of size 21 shoes at a Nike outlet store. It was discovered they were made especially for Tacko Fall, the NBA player with some of the most enormous feet in the game. To put things in perspective, Shaquille O’Neal wears a size 22.

However, Eric soon grew out of those as well. The family was left with one more option: have orthopedic shoes made for Eric at the cost of $1,500 with no guarantee he won’t quickly grow out of those as well.

After his mother’s heartfelt plea to Hometown Life, the family got much-needed help from multiple companies, including Under Armour and PUMA, who are sending representatives to Michigan to measure his feet for custom shoes.

CAT has reached out to make him a custom pair of boots. Eric hasn’t had any boots to wear for the past five Michigan winters.

None

— (@)

Kara Pattison started a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the family to help them purchase custom shoes for “the rest of the time Eric has these feet.” It has raised nearly $20,000 for the family in just over a week.

“The success of this fundraiser is well beyond what was ever expected,” Pattison wrote on the site on March 18. “The Kilburns plan to open a bank account dedicated to Eric’s future footwear and some specialized sports equipment. He can use this to get a helmet that fits for football along with pads. They will also look into a football and track jersey for him.”

The sense of relief felt by Rebecca, Eric and the rest of the Kilburn family must be incredible. It has to be frustrating to be unable to provide your child with something as basic as footwear.

“It’s been overwhelming,” Rebecca told Hometown Life. “I have been this puddle of emotions, all of them good…It’s the coolest thing to be able to say we did it! He has shoes! I am not usually a crier, but I have been in a constant state of happy tears…We are so grateful.”

This article originally appeared on 03.23.23

Animals can be far cleverer than we give them credit for, especially creatures we don’t think of as having distinct personalities. Most of us expect cats and dogs to do show us their unique quirks, but what about a flying squirrel?

A video is making its way around the internet that has people giggling over the dramatic antics of a large pet flying squirrel. It includes no narration explaining what’s happening and no context—it just shows a flying squirrel repeatedly faking its own death by broom.

That’s right. Death by broom. And from the way it looks, the little bugger came up with the idea on its own and made multiple attempts to create a convincing crime scene.

This is one you just have to see.

Twitter user @Birrellebee wrote that the squirrel “faked his own death, and created a whole crime scene…for attention. I think I’m in love.”

Whether the squirrel really did this just for attention or for some other reason isn’t clear, but no one seems to offering a more plausible explanation for it.

Watch:

u201cThis flying squirrel faked his own death, and created a whole crime sceneu2026for attention. I think Iu2019m in love. u201d

— Sarah Beeud83dudc1d (@Sarah Beeud83dudc1d)
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While some people have expressed understandable concern over flying squirrels living indoors as pets, we don’t know what the living situation here really is. Maybe the squirrel was injured and rescued. Maybe it can’t survive in the wild. We simply don’t know.

What we do know is that this adorable rodent deserves an Oscar for its performance. The way it gracefully somersaults right into position. The placing of the broomstick on its neck and splaying itself out flat on its back. The checking to see if anyone is looking. The repositioning of the murder weapon multiple times to figure out which one seems more believable.

Was that really what it was doing? Who knows. But it was a genuinely incredible performance nonetheless.

And of course, the people of the internet didn’t disappoint in the comments.

u201c@pimlius @nycsouthpaw Well, maybe he shouldu2019ve thought of that, befor being such a wee drama queen. Nobody likes an attention whore.u201d

— Sarah Beeud83dudc1d (@Sarah Beeud83dudc1d)
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u201c@RIDICULO_pathy @BirrelleBee I love this squirrel ud83dude02ud83eudd70u201d

— Sarah Beeud83dudc1d (@Sarah Beeud83dudc1d)
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“@GreigBeck @BirrelleBee @MAllanScott It’s an insurance scam.”

u201c@GreigBeck @BirrelleBee @MAllanScott Itu2019s an insurance scam.u201d

— Sarah Beeud83dudc1d (@Sarah Beeud83dudc1d)
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u201c@Marx_Bros_Thing @BirrelleBee Sameu201d

— Sarah Beeud83dudc1d (@Sarah Beeud83dudc1d)
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This article originally appeared on 6.6.23

As a participant in the Amazon Associates affiliate program, Upworthy may earn proceeds from items purchased that are linked to this article, at no additional cost to you.

Out of all human inventions, books might just be the greatest. That may be a bold statement in the face of computers, the internet and the international space station, but none of those things would be possible without books. The written recording of human knowledge has allowed our advancements in learning to be passed on through generations, not to mention the capturing of human creativity in the form of longform storytelling.

Books have the power to change our lives on a fundamental level, shift our thinking, influence our beliefs, put us in touch with our feelings and help us understand ourselves and one another better.

That’s why we asked Upworthy’s audience to share a book that changed their life. Thousands of responses later, we have a list of inspiring reads that rose to the top.

Unsurprisingly, the most common responses were religious scriptures—the Bible, the Quran, the Book of Mormon, etc. Beyond those, here are the most common books, both fiction and non-fiction, that people considered life-changing.

1. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

“From the very first page, Coelho’s storytelling prowess weaves a tapestry of adventure, wisdom, and self-discovery that is unparalleled. The protagonist’s quest for his personal legend resonated deeply with me, prompting introspection into my own aspirations and purpose. The narrative, while seemingly a simple tale, unravels layers of universal truths and timeless wisdom that are applicable to every reader’s journey.” – Matt Brown

“Such greatness. Coelho tells the story with simplicity and elegance, and it is beautiful. The Alchemist is rhetorical kind of book that stays with you, and demands some time to unfold in your mind. Loved it!” – J. Green

Find “The Alchemist” on Amazon.

2. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz

“This book literally changed my outlook on so many things. I’ve read it at least three times completely through. It helps deal with anxiety and helps you reframe and analyze your thoughts which may be troubling you. The writing style is great and I’ve already read other books by the same author. Would highly recommend purchasing this if you want to rethink your assumptions about yourself or other people.” – Freddy

“By far the best book I’ve read. The simplicity in composition and detail is amazing. Would recommend everyone have a read. This book is truly a masterpiece.” – Joshua

Find “The Four Agreements” on Amazon.

3. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

“I remember reading the book many years ago and being moved by it especially being from the North and not as familiar with racism. I wondered why some schools were banning it so decided to revisit. I had forgotten the details but it is still an important book and reminds us that the fight against all prejudice is never finished and its current resurgence is cause for concern. This book should be required reading at a pretty young age. We can’t change what we don’t understand. If you have children read it with them and teach them well.” – Maria

“I can’t imagine, for the life of me, why this book has been banned. It is the most moral and righteous book I’ve ever read. It represents a time in our history when racism was endemic to the white population except for one compassionate lawyer. Told from his children’s point of view with an unforgettable narrator, the story of a small southern town comes alive.” – Peggy

Find “To Kill a Mockingbird” on Amazon.

4. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

“This has become a true icon in the book of books on understanding how the mind works and how we become trapped in it. A must read.” – Bill C.

“This book helped me through the toughest time in my life. It was an easy read, but ultimately, it helped me open my mind to many things and see things from multiple perspectives. My life coach recommended this book, and I’m happy that she did. It truly did save my life.” – Coach J.

Find “The Power of Now” on Amazon.

5. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig

“I did not expect to enjoy this book so much. I very much admire the writer’s prowess in creating a beautiful and inspiring story out of a depressing premise and what I admire even more is the perspective he has given me about life.” – Ashish S.

“‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig is nothing short of a literary masterpiece that effortlessly weaves together the threads of life, regret, and the boundless possibilities that lie in our choices. This No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and worldwide phenomenon is a soul-stirring exploration of the human experience that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page.” – George L.

Find “The Midnight Library” on Amazon.

6. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

“Atomic Habits by James Clear isn’t just a book; it’s a roadmap to personal excellence. Deserving a resounding 5 out of 5 stars, this masterpiece has profoundly impacted my approach to habit formation and personal development.” – Ahamed

“Whether you’re looking to break free from destructive habits, achieve ambitious goals, or simply lead a more fulfilling life, this book is a must-read. Clear’s insights have the power to ignite change and propel you towards the best version of yourself.” – SC

Find “Atomic Habits” on Amazon.

7. “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom

“I wish I had read this book earlier. It teaches to love those in your life with everything you have. We never know when life will take them away. Our parents will continue to age. Our friends will drift away. We will end up driving away the ones we say ‘I love you’ to. It’s not too late to tell them how much you love them. It’s not too late to show them how much you love them. If you share your love before it’s too late, you won’t live your life with regret.” – P.M.

“Mitch Albom is my favorite author. Tuesdays with Morrie did not disappoint. Please please read this book. It is heartwarming, inspirational and will make you do an introspection that will change your priorities. I promise.” – A.C.

Find “Tuesdays with Morrie” on Amazon.

8. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle

“By page 16, I’d already sobbed, laughed, sobbed, reconsidered who I am, how I live my life, and what I’m doing next, and cried again. So much fire lit. This is a masterpiece. Thank the universe (and Glennon) it published now. Lord knows we need this now. It is already one of my top favorite books ever, and I read a lot. Like, a LOT.” – Anna S.

“”Untamed” is a powerful and empowering memoir that delves deep into themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and breaking free from societal expectations. Doyle’s writing is raw, honest, and deeply relatable. From the moment I started reading, I felt a connection to her journey and the struggles she navigates. One of the standout qualities of this book is Doyle’s ability to articulate complex emotions and thoughts in a way that resonates with readers. Her insights into the expectations placed on women, the constraints of traditional roles, and the journey to reclaiming one’s true self are both enlightening and inspiring.” – Frank C.

Find “Untamed” on Amazon.

9. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl

“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl is a poignant exploration of resilience under the most testing conditions. As a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, Frankl intertwines his concentration camp experiences with his psychological expertise. Central to the book is the idea of logotherapy, which posits that finding meaning in life is the primary human drive. Frankl’s narrative transcends its historical context, offering timeless insights into human endurance and the quest for purpose. The book is especially impactful for those facing personal adversities, as it highlights the power of choice and perspective in shaping one’s destiny.” – Neal W.

“This little one hundred page book is perhaps the most meaningful and profound that you can ever read. Disturbing, yet full of ‘tragic optimism,’ this book will change the way you think about life, happiness, and meaning.” – Paige T.

Find “Man’s Search for Meaning” on Amazon.

10. “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer

“Michael A. Singer’s “The Untethered Soul” is a literary masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on my journey of self-discovery. I stumbled upon this gem through a TikTok video recommendation, and I am profoundly grateful that I did.” – Matt B.

“This book encapsulates every spiritual book I’ve read into a concise oneness! Everyone would benefit in some way by reading this book. Period.” – Joe S.

Find “The Untethered Soul” on Amazon.

11. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry

“Brought this book since my daughter had to read it for school and I always like to know what are they are teaching her. I am going to be honest very surprise that they are giving this kind of story to a 8th grader since the story is very intense, surprising, sad but at the same time beautiful and teach the real meaning of love and sacrifice. That live in an idealistic world does not work and it’s never better than having love in your live.” – Marla

“The way Lois slowly introduces us into her idyllic and yet cruel world is simply amazing. The end of the book has left me completely moved and flabbergasted.” – Nathan S.

Find “The Giver” on Amazon.

12. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch

“I’ve read this book twice now. Once at 18 and now again at 33! Both time it hits deep. Fantastic read!” – A.C.

“Professor Randy Pausch was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In response, Pausch wrote and delivered one last lecture–a self-help guide on living life with purpose and meaning. But his lecture wasn’t really for his students or for the world, although it’s been a massive bestseller. It was for his children.

One of my favorite books of all-time, with one of my favorite lines of all time. ‘If I could only give three words of advice, they’d be, ‘Tell the truth.’ If I got three more, they’d be, ‘All the time.’ –Randy Pausch” – Phil W.

Find “The Last Lecture” on Amazon.

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels, but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week, we got new music from Kelly Lee Owens, Nilüfer Yanya, Cassandra Jenkins, and more.

While we’re at it, sign up for our newsletter to get the best new indie music delivered directly to your inbox, every Monday.

Sunset Rubdown – “Reappearing Rat”

For the first time since 2009’s Dragonslayer, Sunset Rubdown are back with a new album. The blog-rock outfit, led by Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug, will return with Always Happy To Explode this fall, and, in the meantime, they’ve given us a taste of what’s to come. “Reappearing Rat,” its lead single, resuscitates the instantly memorable indie-pop of the band’s peak. “The rat has reappeared,” Krug sings in the refrain. Fortunately, so have Sunset Rubdown.

Macseal – Permanent Repeat

“It just takes some time,” a certain emo band once said. Another certain emo band, the Long Island four-piece Macseal, have recontextualized that line for their own song, “Four Legs.” A lot of emo music reflects on the halcyon days of bygone adolescence and how, while frightening, aging is a worthwhile process on its own merits. Such is the thesis of Permanent Repeat, the sophomore album from Macseal, a record that concerns itself with familial relationships, domestic bliss, the hardships of touring, and the introspection that results from it all. Helmed by producer Billy Mannino, Macseal mines the past to better appreciate the present.

Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn – “Breath Out”

Many people know R&B star Dawn Richard for forming the girl group Danity Kane, but the New Orleans artist has taken a turn to the underground with an incredible run of music both solo and collaborative. The latter, with composer and multi-instrumentalist Spencer Zahn, came in the form of Pigments, released in late 2022. As a collection of ambient pieces built on synth pads, clarinets, upright bass, and Richard’s powerful, commanding voice, it was an unlikely match made in heaven. Such is the case with its follow-up, Quiet In A World Full Of Noise. Lead single “Breath Out” fortunately proves that Pigments was not a one-off, isolated experience, as atmospheric as it may have been. Richard and Zahn’s latest work grounds the two musicians as complementary collaborators, each bringing out the strengths of the other.

Floating Points – “Key103”

Sam Shepherd has had a dizzying past few years. From his 2021 collaborative album with Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra to composing scores for the San Francisco Ballet, it has been a while since Shepherd released a full-blown dance album. First and foremost, Floating Points is a dance project, and, despite a handful of one-off singles, the Manchester producer hasn’t made a proper electronic album since 2019’s Crush. That changes with the forthcoming Cascade, which pays homage to his upbringing in Manchester and how he became engrossed in its musical history. Lead single “Key103,” with its rigorous drums and deep bass, makes it clear that Shepherd wants to get the dance floor moving again.

Magdalena Bay – “Image”

Magdalena Bay, the indie-pop duo composed of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, are about to return with a new album, Imaginal Disk, next month. It’s a concept record with the scope of a full-fledged sci-fi film, tracing the adventures of a character named True, whose body has rejected an alien-created “disk upgrade” meant to explore the missing connection between apes and humans. If this all sounds gimmicky on paper, then that contradicts its execution. On “Image,” the two musicians craft an infectious synth-pop banger rife with arpeggiated synths, a groovy dance beat, and enveloping sonic details.

Cassandra Jenkins – My Light, My Destroyer

Cassandra Jenkins’ 2021 breakthrough album, An Overview On Phenomenal Nature, was phenomenal. So it’s no surprise that her new record, My Light, My Destroyer, is also phenomenal. Cosmic horns and strings adorn the record like sparkly, breathtaking holiday ornaments, and the New York songwriter expands her aural purview on tracks like the strutting “Clams Casino” and the crunchy “Petco.” Originally, Phenomenal Nature was intended to be her final record. As gorgeous as it is, let’s be thankful that it wasn’t.

Kelly Lee Owens – “Love You Got”

Kelly Lee Owens is here in color. It may seem trite to draw from the album art for a tidy metaphor about the album’s actual music, but it’s impossible to ignore. The black-and-white covers of 2017’s self-titled record and 2020’s Inner Song hinted at the dark, clubby ambiances within. Though Owens’ music remains as danceable and gauzy as ever on “Love You Got,” its individual elements ring through with disarming clarity on this preview of her next record, Dreamstate. Propulsive house beats support Owens’ most upfront vocal performance yet. Like filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s shift to colorful palettes on his late-career masterpiece, 1990’s Dreams, the Welsh electronic producer reinvigorates and refines her already-strong style.

Font – Strange Burden

The dance-punk quintet Font have had a meteoric rise, opening for artists like Water From Your Eyes and Yard Act plus performing on Austin City Limits’ main stage while having just a couple of tracks on DSPs. The Austin band is following up on all the buzz with their debut album, Strange Burden, a lean, muscular, and immediate record that clocks in at 28 minutes with seven songs. Shifting from LCD Soundsystem-esque synth-punk on “It” to The Bends-era Radiohead guitars on closer “Natalie’s Song,” Font prove they’re worth the hype.

Nilüfer Yanya – “Call It Love”

Nilüfer Yanya has officially pulled off a hat track for singles from her forthcoming third album, My Method Actor. Capping off this musical hat trick is “Call It Love,” an ode to trusting your instincts and letting your innate sense of self guide you through whatever challenges lie ahead. “Caught by a different tide and I’m thrown / Nothing for certain / Caught in the distance / Guide me alone,” she sings. On her latest song, Yanya conquers volatility through steadfast self-assurance.

Julie – “Clairbourne Practice”

Much like how Sonic Youth considered themselves artists first and musicians second, Julie is a band that consists of multimedia artists who also make music. From the serrated edges of their grungy, ’90s-esque punk sound alone, it’s apparent that vocalist-guitarist Keyan Zand, vocalist-bassist Alexandria Elizabeth, and drummer Dillon Lee have confidently staked their claim as an exciting new band. Following their 2021 EP is their full-length debut, My Anti-Aircraft Friend, scheduled for release this September, and its lead single, “Clairbourne Practice.” Here, Julie presents an unwavering vision of their art with a veteran’s conviction. Soon, they’ll be everywhere. They’re so Julie.

Missy Elliott is currently on her Out Of This World tour, but her futuristic hip-hop is leaving Earth in more ways than one.

NASA — y’know, the ones who are actually good at spaceships — announced on Monday (July 15) that it had transmitted Missy Elliott’s 1997 breakout hit “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to Venus through its Deep Space Network from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Deep Space Station 13 in California on Friday, July 12. According to NASA, the distance the song traveled is about 158 million miles, taking nearly 14 minutes to reach Venus at the speed of light.

This marks the first-ever time NASA has broadcast a hip-hop song into space — and they sure picked an appropriate one. NASA’s Deep Space Network system has transmitted only one other song into space: The Beatles’ “Across The Universe.” The Digital and Technology Division director of NASA’s Office of Communications, Brittany Brown, explained why Missy was chosen to be just the second musical act and the first hip-hop one transmitted to space.

“Both space exploration and Missy Elliott’s art have been about pushing boundaries,” Brown said. “Missy has a track record of infusing space-centric storytelling and futuristic visuals in her music videos, so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of this world is truly fitting.”

Missy continues to make history; last year, she was the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.

Unpredictable king Sebastian Stan remains a fan fave as Bucky Barnes, but he has arguably had the most interesting outside-of-the-MCU career of his contemporaries. Of course, his striking range was obvious once he donned the Jeff Gilooly mustache for I, Tonya, but Stan has kept the unexpected choices coming, from playing a fine young cannibal in Fresh to transforming into a certain hair rocker (and talking to his own crotch) in Pam & Tommy.

Stan’s upcoming A24 film, A Different Man, however, takes him not only into physical transformation territory but on a journey that might turn his soul inside out. The Covenant star (and fortunately, he is a good sport when that film arises in conversation) portrays an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis who takes the plunge in a medical procedure, which he quickly regrets:

Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.

Stan (as Edward) soon finds himself competing against Adam Pearson’s Oswald for that coveted role, which puts him on a darkly comic path that will surely lead no where predictable. After all, A24 does not miss, and Stan won the best actor award for this performance at the Berlin Film Festival.

Adam Pearson spoke with Entertainment Weekly about how he found a common thread with Stan while making the film: “[Y]ou don’t know what it’s like to have a disfigurement, but you do know what it’s like to not have privacy and to have your life constantly invaded. You become public property.’”

Directed by Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man arrives in theaters on Sept. 20.

When Chance The Rapper released his debut album, The Big Day, his inspirations — faith, fatherhood, newlywed bliss — were clear. Equally clear, however, was the fact that however happy with his life the Chicagoan had become, his fans were unhappy with the musical results.

To be fair, although many of the jokes about the album ran toward clowning Chance for his “wife guy” persona, five years later, the critiques have become more cohesive, focusing on the beat selection, unbalanced, overlong track listing, preponderance of ill-fitting guest stars (DaBaby appearing on “Hot Shower” feels especially egregious in hindsight), but mostly on the bars.

Because whether Chance is rapping about God or guns, acid or alimony, the one thing you could always depend on from his was top-notch lyrical constructions. Through his initial three-mixtape run (10 Day, the star-making Acid Rap, and the earth-shifting mainstream arrival Coloring Book), what defined Chance was his care and commitment to the craft of writing; for about a week or two in 2016, Chance was arguably poised to enter the same “top of the pyramid” rapper conversations as Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar — the so-called (recently disputed) Big Three.

In recent months, The Rapper has taken to releasing new singles again, ostensibly from the long-awaited follow-up to The Big Day, a concept project called Star Line Gallery. The singles — “Buried Alive,” “Together,” “Stars Out” — are notable in that while they’re conceptually not all that far off from the concerns of songs from The Big Day like “Eternal,” “5 Year Plan,” and “Zanies And Fools,” their reception from fans has been much more positive — if not reaching the commercial heights that Chance has seen in the past.

Which begs the question: Can Chance The Rapper get back in rap fans’ good graces?

The answer, like most things these days, might be more complicated than it seems. While fans seem more receptive to the mature lyrical themes that Chance has explored with his new releases, and have expressed interest in his recent production choices, it might not be as simple as dropping an album and watching the accolades roll in. Chance has gone through some major changes in both life and business since The Big Day, and they could affect the way his music is received the same way his circumstances did in 2019.

The biggest thing is, of course, that he has since divorced his wife Kirsten Corley. In a joint statement, the couple said, “We came to this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. God has blessed us with two beautiful daughters who we will continue to raise together. We kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate this transition.” This leaves Chance in an interesting position; on one hand, fans who ridiculed his “wife guy” posturing may find “divorced guy” content more relatable — it worked recently for Anderson .Paak. On the other hand, there’s also a possibility that mining his personal life may leave fans wrong-footed — just look at the mixed reception to Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

However, the change that could affect the outcome of any future rollout plans more than any other aspect is Chance’s split with former manager Pat Corcoran. Corcoran was arguably a major factor in Chance’s rise to stardom; he was also, in Chance’s view, a big reason for his downfall, although he’s never said it in such uncertain terms. The fact remains, Chance, as an independent artist, must be strategic in how he uses his resources — which are much more limited than those of rappers who’ve had a similar level of mainstream popularity. He’s also re-entering the spotlight after major changes to the recording industry landscape.

His then-unprecedented deal with Apple Music to release and promote Coloring Book — which could be credited with much of its commercial success — has become old hat these days, and Apple Music’s influence has been diffused throughout any number of alternative streaming sources. More artists than ever are releasing albums to DSPs every week, so it’s harder to cut through the noise. Social media platforms have rejiggered their algorithms to favor video content, ads, and political vitriol, making it harder to build a groundswell or mount a widespread promotional campaign. And while Chance The Rapper has shown some aptitude for using TikTok, even its power to make stars has been diluted in past months thanks to big changes made by record labels and their licensing deals with the precariously politically positioned video platform.

Ironically, though, his independence could be his greatest asset in his attempt to make his comeback. While a similarly positioned major label artist could find themselves handcuffed to the label’s agenda and timetable — or public perception — Chance has the flexibility and agility to change tack when and how he needs to. He can choose singles that he likes, but if he notices fans responding to another one, he can pivot without having to drag an entire machine in a different direction. He also isn’t chained to expectations; a win for an independent artist looks a lot different than one for a major label tentpole with the futures of the whole roster riding on their success — for example, look at the success of former Chance collaborator Megan Thee Stallion’s recent release Megan.

But more than anything else, Chance has what he’s always had: A supremely gifted imagination and the dedication to channel that talent through his pen. As his new singles have shown — bolstered by three years of “writing exercises” released periodically alongside longtime friend Vic Mensa — Chance is still one of the best rappers in the world, outright. He’s still one of the best performers in hip-hop. At the end of the day, those are still the foremost skills, and no amount of situational shenanigans can take that away. When he does drop Star Line Gallery, fans can be reasonably well assured that they’ll be getting his best this time around.