Category: News

Maybe we have nostalgia-driven television shows like “Stranger Things” to blame, but music from the ’80s has made its way back into the mainstream. Just what makes that ’80s sound so distinctive?

You could go the scientific approach and attribute it to the heavy use of synthesized piano. And you’d certainly be right. A study published by Humanities Commons noted that one particular preset (E. PIANO 1) on the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer could be heard in up to 61% of No. 1 hits on the pop, country and R&B Billboard charts by 1986.

Of course, I think we’d have to acknowledge that there was more to it than electric piano. That music just had a certain attitude all its own. It was loud, both audibly and visually. And perhaps best of all—it encouraged people of all shapes and sizes to be bold and embrace their inner weirdo.

So, just what is the “most ’80s ’80s song” of all time? That was a question recently posed on AskReddit. Here are 16 of the best answers:

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“Take On Me” – A-ha

@Starstarstar42 said it best: “It is the 80’s distilled, run through a charcoal filter, then run through a 2nd distillation to remove any 70’s & 90’s impurities, leaving only the concentrated 80’s with delicate woodsy overtones and hints of plum.”

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears for Fears

It certainly helps that this song plays during an iconic scene in “Real Genius,” a quintessential ’80s movie.

“I Ran (So Far Away)” – A Flock of Seagulls

Flock of Seagulls … the band who brought us the ’80s most iconic (and unflattering) haircut.

​“Rio” – Duran Duran

With the constant sailboat imagery in the music video, perhaps “Rio” started yacht rock.

“Let’s Go Crazy” – Prince

The ’80s were a time for epic guitar solos. And Prince delivered the most epic guitar solos of all time.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper

Lauper’s first single as a solo artist not only became an instant hit, but a bona fide power anthem for girls everywhere. Especially those who just wanted to wear loud colors and cheap jewelry.

“Video Killed the Radio Star” – The Buggles

Technically this song came out in 1979. But, being the first music video ever shown on MTV in 1981, this classic by The Buggles really paved the way for every other ’80s hit. Little did the creators of this ode to nostalgia realize, it was only the beginning of the rise of technology in the media.

“Material Girl” – Madonna

Though Madonna has gone through several different incarnations since, the robot voice and heavy synth arrangement in “Material Girl” definitely had her in full-on ’80s mode, despite wearing a dress inspired by Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

Of course, an even better version of this song came out in 1989 when Sesame Street made “Cereal Girl.”

“Just Can’t Get Enough” – Depeche Mode

Because the ’80s wasn’t just about outrageous fashion choices. You could also dress like Neo from “The Matrix.”

“Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley

Astley had no idea that this one song would immortalize him as a meme forever.

“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison

According to @momzilla, it’s the quintessential “sitting heartbroken on the bleachers at the 8th grade dance because your crush is dancing with someone else” songs.

“Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins

Can anyone hear this song and not think of “Top Gun?” I don’t think so.

“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey

Journey’s signature song was ahead of its time structurally, with the hook coming after two pre-choruses and three verses. Still, “Don’t Stop Believin’” became a phenomenon that still shows up in pop culture everywhere, not to mention your local karaoke bar.

“99 Luftballons” – Nena

Childlike wonder mixed with images of a nuclear holocaust? There’s nothing more ’80s than that.

“Don’t You Forget About Me” – Simple Minds

Because ”The Breakfast Club.” Obviously.

“Walk Like an Egyptian” – The Bangles

“We were all doing that stupid dance all the time.” – @killebrew_rootbeer

This is certainly not an exhaustive list. But it’s enough to give anyone an ’80s playlist starter pack. Be warned: Listen for too long and you might find yourself in neon spandex and saying things like “gag me with a spoon.” Which might not be a terrible thing.

The Jan. 6 hearings are on a break now, but among the many oft-shocking things we learned was this: Nobody except for a handful of wackos, like Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani — and not even Ivanka — believed the 2020 election was stolen. They told that to Donald Trump, over and over and over, and yet he persisted in spreading what’s been dubbed “The Big Lie.” Now, about a year-and-a-half after the term was coined, Trump is launching one of his definitely legit lawsuits.

As per The Hill, Trump announced that he planned to file a lawsuit against CNN, saying they’ve defamed him not only since he started spreading unsupported and damaging claims about the 2020 election, but going back to 2016, when he won a presidential election (albeit not the popular vote).

“I have notified CNN of my intent to file a lawsuit over their repeated defamatory statements against me,” Trump wrote in a statement, adding that this is only the beginning. “I will also be commencing actions against other media outlets who have defamed me and defrauded the public regarding the overwhelming evidence of fraud throughout the 2020 Election. I will never stop fighting for the truth and for the future of our Country!”

A letter to CNN from Trump’s attorneys, which runs some 282 pages and which was sent on July 21, cites dozens of examples of the news network referring to election fraud claims made by Trump as “lies,” “false narratives” and “baseless theories.” Trump apparently also doesn’t like that they’ve called his claim that the election was stolen “the Big Lie.”

Of course, Trump’s history with lawsuits is…not great. After he lost re-election in 2020, he and his legal team filed dozens of them, alleging widespread fraud. Each and every one of them were dismissed for lack of evidence, including by Trump-appointed judges. Even the right-leaning Supreme Court, populated by three of his own appointees, weren’t having his nonsense. Still, good luck!

(Via The Hill)

Jacksonville, Florida rapper Nardo Wick is on a roll after following up his appearance in the 2022 XXL Freshman Class with the deluxe version of his breakout mixtape, Who Is Nardo Wick? Adding 12 new tracks to the fan-favorite debut, Nardo only includes two new features; one is Latto, who joins Lakeyah on the “Baby Wyd” remix, and the other is fellow fast-rising neophyte The Kid Laroi, who appears on “Burning Up.” Today, Nardo and Laroi shared the video for “Burning Up,” which was directed by Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett.

Bennett, who has become a go-to for Gen Z artists looking for colorful and creative visual companions to their biggest hits, is a wise choice. Since both artists on the track are a couple of years away from drinking age, the old standby of shooting the video in a nightclub is out of the question. Instead, Bennett decks them out in matching black suits and straps a pair of proton pack-bearing blasters to their backs, turning them into a (much younger) version of the titular characters from the 1997 sci-fi action film, Men In Black (a movie older than both artists). The clip turns out to be short but effective, and they look like they’re having a blast running around in the forest playing alien cops and boating on a serene lake.

You can watch the video for “Burning Up” above. Who Is Nardo Wick? (Deluxe) is available here.

While Post Malone is getting ready to not only headline summer music festivals like Outside Lands in San Francisco and Brazil’s Rock In Rio, on September 10th, his Twelve Carat Toothache headlining tour gets underway. So what better way to hype up one of the most anticipated tours of the fall season than by dropping a tour documentary from 2019’s massive Runaway Tour? That’s exactly what the “Rockstar” singer is doing with Runaway, which will be coming out on August 12th for free on Amazon’s Freevee streaming platform and the new trailer is electric.

“I’m gonna be myself, and if you don’t like it, I don’t give a f*ck,” Posty says in the trailer, where we see a ton of behind the scenes footage of his sold out arena tour stops with Swae Lee in 2019. There are explosions, there are fan interactions, there are appearances from Drake, Travis Barker, Alicia Keys, and Ozzy Osbourne, there are candid moments and then there’s Post Malone on stage, alone with tens of thousands of people hanging on his every word as he drops his head back and screams, “I love y’all more than life itseeeelllllllffff!”

Watch the trailer for Runaway above.

Post Malone’s Runaway tour documentary comes out on 08/12 via Amazon Freevee.

We all know it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. But a “healthy weight” can mean different things to different people. To make matters worse, the proliferation of weight-loss fads makes it even harder to cut through the noise and find a plan that’s right for you. So it’s no wonder most people have difficulty reaching and maintaining their weight-loss goals. But what if there was a nutrition and exercise book designed to meet your specific needs and not those of the so-called “average” person? Well, thanks to Beyond Body’s personalized wellness book, there is!

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As mentioned above, books that deal with diet and exercise aren’t designed for individuals. They need to appeal to the masses. Even books that cater to niche groups need to find a broad audience and aren’t made with the individual in mind. That’s not a complaint. It’s just a fact. Publishers need to keep the lights on, and you don’t make money with an audience of one. Or at least that used to be the case.

The average person doesn’t exist. So why settle for the average diet?

But now, thanks to modern technology, a company called Beyond Body offers the world’s first fully-personalized wellness book. It factors in your specific needs, goals, and body type in order to create a custom diet and exercise plan, so you can have the best shot at reaching and maintaining your goals.

Beyond Body: Personalized Wellness

It couldn’t be easier. Just take a simple 1-minute quiz, and the experts at Beyond Body will use your specific information to generate the perfect plan to meet your needs based on your body type and situation. Since the book is based on your unique answers, it will typically include a fully customized meal plan, workout plan, tips for meal prepping, quality sleep and other tailored guidance all in one place. Best of all, you’ll receive this personalized information via email within 24 hours of completing your intake questions. There’s even a hardback version you can order if you want to enjoy having a physical book with your name on it!

So if you’re serious about your diet and exercise, why settle for plans designed for the masses? Click here to cut through the fads and gimmicks and revolutionize the way you diet and exercise with the world’s first fully personalized wellness book from Beyond Body. It’s never been easier to take control of your health.

Upworthy has earned revenue through a partnership and/or may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through links on our site.

A little under nine months ago, Houston rapper Maxo Kream released his third studio album, Weight Of The World, which included appearances from fellow standout rappers such as ASAP Rocky (“Streets Alone“), Don Toliver, Freddie Gibbs, and Tyler The Creator (“Big Persona“), as well as the singles “Greener Knots” and “Cripstian.” Talking about this album in interviews, he said, “With this one, you’ll understand what’s going on from Brandon Banks, like where I left off.” It looks like he’s got a little more explaining to do; today, he released the deluxe edition of Weight Of The World with six new tracks.

Included among them: new tracks “Jigga Dame,” “Football Heads” featuring Benny The Butcher, “The Vision” featuring Anderson .Paak, and “Mixin Juices” with Detroit rapper Babyface Ray. Maxo has been carefully rolling out the new songs over the past month, leaving an enticing trail of breadcrumbs to follow up to the new release. To commemorate its release, Maxo also dropped the video for “Mixin Juices.” The frenetically-edited clip is simple and stripped down, depicting the two rappers posted up with some high-end cars, bottles of cough syrup, and a few of their closest friends.

You can watch the “Mixin Juices” video above and get the Weight Of The World deluxe edition here.

Despite What We Do in the Shadows making it to four seasons on FX, Matt Berry had no idea how popular the show is until he made a recent trip to Los Angeles. The British actor, who plays the perpetually horny Laszlo Cravensworth, has been in the UK for most of the pandemic and filming for the FX series takes place in Canada, which left Berry completely unaware that WWDITS became a hit in the States.

“It’s moderately successful in the U.K., to put it kind of politely,” Berry told Polygon before revealing how his Los Angeles trip opened his eyes to the show’s popularity thanks to fans yelling Laszlo’s catchphrase at him:

“When I went [to LA], it’s like, Oh, sh*t, this is quite a thing,” Berry said. “There’s billboards everywhere. You know, people shout on the street and that kind of thing.

“It’s either ‘Bat!’ or ‘Laszlo!’ Mostly ‘Bat!’”

The “Bat!” line has become one of Lazlo’s most fan-favorite quirks — the vampire character yells it whenever he transforms into a bat — and, like most of the show, it was completely improvised. During a recent interview, Berry couldn’t quite place the first time he said it, but he does remember needing a quick way to end a scene with frequent screen partner Natasia Demetriou, who plays his vampire wife Nadja.

“It was just a kind of signifier,” Berry told Polygon. “It’s always funny if someone says the thing that they’re going to do. That’s probably why I said it.”

“I remember almost dying with laughter,” Demetriou added. “It wasn’t in the script.”

(Via Polygon)

Jeopardy! has not been quite the same since host and Canadian and American treasure Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer at the end of 2020. Trebek had hosted the show for 37 seasons, so his exit was jarring for fans, who were unsure if the beloved trivia show would continue.

While they tested out other hosts, including the problematic Mike Richards and a slew of guest celebrities, the current season has been carried by longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings and actress/scientist Mayim Bialik. As fans had previously speculated, the rest of season 39 will be hosted by Jennings and Bialik, who will alternate their duties for the foreseeable future.

As Deadline pointed out, Jennings will host the first batch of episodes of Season 39, which starts taping in August, through December, with Bialik stepping in starting in January.

Producer Michael Davies wrote a lengthy blog post updating fans on the next phase of Jeopardy! content, which will also include a Second Chance Competition, a daily highlights reel, and, of course, a podcast! Here is an excerpt from Davies’ statement:

I write today with the exciting news that we have closed and signed deals with Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings to be the hosts of Jeopardy! moving forward.

The fact is, we have so much Jeopardy! to make, and so many plans for the future, that we always knew we would need multiple hosts for the franchise and we are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed. And succeed it has. With Mayim and Ken hosting, the show is considerably up in viewership year over year, with more than 27M viewers tuning in each week this season. When you consider that almost every other show in broadcast television and syndication is declining, this has been a quite remarkable season: we’re the most-watched entertainment show on all of television. Yes, all of television.

In Mayim and Ken, we have two outstanding hosts at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers who connect with their own unique fanbases, new fans, and the traditional Jeopardy! viewer. Ken will kick off the season in September, host the inaugural Second Chance competition and the heavily anticipated Tournament of Champions featuring Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach, Ryan Long, and many, many more. His initial hosting run will take us through December. In the meantime, Mayim will host Celebrity Jeopardy! on ABC in primetime. When she takes over from Ken in January, the current plan is to have her host a couple of new tournaments as well as the Jeopardy! National College Championship and as many weeks as she can manage with her other primetime commitment to Call Me Kat. We know you value consistency, so we will not flip flop the hosts constantly and will keep you informed about the hosting schedule.

You can check out the rest of Davies’ blog post here. Season 39 of Jeopardy! will begin airing this September.

(Via Deadline)

We all need a little escape sometimes, and Louisville, Kentucky-based trio Wombo agree. Rather than looking to movies or video games, Wombo created their own post-punk fairy tale in the form of their new album Fairy Rust. Inspired by stories from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson, Wombo combine fantasy with the mundane to craft a 12-track project that’s pure organized chaos.

The band’s expertly executed art-rock sound is complete with droning guitars, frenetic chords, and angular melodies that make it impossible not to get up and move to. But Fairy Rust also has its slower moments. Tracks like “7 Of Cups,” which references the tarot card symbolizing imagination and wishful thinking, cranks the tempo down to a hazy, atmospheric rate. Others like “Snakey” are a bass-forward, playful study on a hero’s journey.

Ahead of the release of Fairy Rust, Wombo sat down with Uproxx to talk about the new album, sensitive skin, Joan Jett, and Keira Knightley in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Chaotic, organized, sad, happy.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

That we tried our best.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

I don’t know yet!

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

There isn’t one singular person that I could fairly say.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Hopefully I haven’t yet eaten the best meal of my life.

What album do you know every word to?

I don’t think I know every single word to any album but Room On Fire by The Strokes comes close.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

I think the most memorable, not necessarily the best, was my very first concert, a free one at the Kentucky State Fair. It was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and halfway through she had to sit down and they had to help her off stage by the end. Her voice sounded great though.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Something comfortable and simple and makes me feel like myself and not distracted by anything coming loose or slipping or anything.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

I like this comedian Servideo, especially her characters Anubis and Victoria.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

I think my bandmates are sick of it by now, but I keep playing Blackstar by David Bowie.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream. I have really sensitive dry acne prone skin and I’ve been struggling to find a moisturizer that doesn’t break me out in pimples or hives but is also moisturizing enough. Most of my google searches are skin care related. If anyone is reading this and knows some good tips/products please help.

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Anything obscure and fun you can find at your local record/thrift shop. I love Fat Rabbit here in Louisville. They always have interesting finds.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

Our friend’s house in Philadelphia. There was a giant mobile of terrifying haunted looking dolls that made a horrible screeching noise whenever you spun it, and we slept in the room with it on the floors and couches, all piled in together, and in the night we could literally hear the noise. I enjoyed myself there. I think others in our group not so much.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

My first tattoo was a crescent moon behind my ear (original yes) and it was a stick and poke done by a friend. After that, I’ve given myself several stick and pokes as has my boyfriend. My favorite one I’ve given myself recently is medusa on my ankle. I’ve never paid for a tattoo yet.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

If Led Zeppelin or Heart is on 107.7 WSFR or 95.7 WQMF or any station here in Louisville, it stays put.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

There are so many nice things I’ve had done for me by so many people. It’s hard to sum one experience up. I’ve had a lot of help and support from friends and family over the years.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

I would warn her about her pancreas and tell her to lay off the booze and drugs.

What’s the last show you went to?

Last show was one we played for Waterfront Wednesday here in Louisville. I got to see War. My friend accidentally burned my shoulder with his cigarette while we were dancing to “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” It was a lot of fun and they were incredible.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Pride And Prejudice. I love Keira Knightley period pieces. Also if Pineapple Express is on, I’m watching.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

I’m not sure. I guess they are hidden pretty good.

Fairy Rust is out 7/29 via Fire Talk. Pre-order it here.

After emerging as an up-and-comer to keep an eye on in 2021, 17-year-old Glaive is having a terrific 2022 so far. He shared five new songs on a deluxe edition of his All Dogs Go To Heaven EP and teamed up with Machine Gun Kelly on “More Than Life.” Now, he’s gotten his own Spotify Singles release which features a pretty cool cover of the Death Cab For Cutie classic “I Will Follow You Into The Dark.”

The original song is of course an acoustic tune with a straightforward arrangement and a tender and reserved vocal performance from Ben Gibbard. Glaive opts for a different direction, though. Although it begins true to the original recording, he switches things up starting with the second verse, when he switches to a more fast-paced rock guitar riff and impassioned vocal performance, gradually turning up the knob on the intensity until he abruptly returns to more intimate territory for another hook. It’s one of those covers that bends the source material without breaking it, adding a compelling new dimension to the song while still properly honoring it.

In a statement, Glaive says of the recordings:

“Around the time of the recording, I was listening to a lot of Death Cab For Cutie. The idea for the cover came about when during a session one day I was tired of working on my own music but still wanted to make music. It’s one of the only songs I know how to play on guitar so I started to work through it with Ralph and Danny and Jeff and it just clicked.

The original (minnesota) is my favorite song I’ve ever made. It’s so energetic and crazy whereas the Spotify Single is a lot more thought out and beautiful. Again, I’m a sucker for acoustic guitar on a song and I’m glad it worked so well with this version.”

Listen to Glaive’s Spotify Sessions above and revisit Death Cab’s original “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” below.