Category: News

This time of year can be tricky for beer drinkers. One day it might be 45 degrees and you’re bundled up as it drizzles throughout the afternoon; another day might feel more like August than October. Your beer choices should fit this in-between time of year — that’s why we love classic Saisons and farmhouse ales.

Saison is the French word for season. In the simplest terms, this style is a fruity, sometimes spicy, yeasty pale ale. It’s often lower in alcohol but that’s not always the case. The style’s versatility makes it perfect for the early fall. Grab a lower ABV Saison on a warm day and a slightly higher one on a cooler day. Go fruitier when the sun is shining and spicier when it’s grim outside.

(While similar, a farmhouse ale isn’t necessarily a Saison. The term is more of an all-encompassing catchall for Saisons, gueuzes, bière de gardes, and a few others. They’re all pale ales known for their crisp, fruity, yeasty, funky flavors.)

To find the best beer options for the season, we looked to the professionals for help. We asked a handful of well-known beer experts to share their favorite picks for the best Saisons, farmhouse ales, and all-around funky beers for early fall. Check them all out below.

Saison Dupont

Patrick Chavanelle, research and development brewer at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine

ABV: 6.5%
Average Price: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

What better Saison to drink in the fall than the epitome of the style in the Saison Dupont. The aroma is a burst of hay, citrus fruit, cloves, nutmeg, and earthy funk. While it’s complex, it’s the phenolic spice character from the beer’s fermentation that reminds me of apple picking in the fall.

It’s a fairly amazing feat for a beer to be around for over 175 years and a testament to how great this brew is.

Two Brothers Domaine DuPage

Todd Bellmyer, head brewer at Wynkoop Brewing in Denver

ABV: 5.9%
Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Domaine DuPage by Two Brothers Brewing Company in Warrenville, Illinois, has always been one of my favorite farmhouse beers. It’s more on the bier de garde side — not quite as spicy as a Saison — but still has those classic farmhouse tones of fresh bread and malt to really make it enjoyable to drink as the weather gets colder.

Allagash Saison

Patrick Ware, co-founder and head of brewing ops at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, Arizona

ABV: 6.1%
Average Price: $12 for a four-pack

Why This Beer?

Allagash Goulship if you can find it. This one is really fun. The terroir of their coolship and overall ethos displays beer to the masses in a way no other brewery has accomplished. This beer is a unique take on traditional spontaneous beer which is a true expression of the American brewer’s creativity. Earthy, tart and light caramel lend to the ultimate fall drinking experience. But since it’s difficult to find, I’ll opt for Allagash Saison with its slightly peppery, yeasty, fruity flavor.

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

Julie Walker, vice president of experiences for City Brew Tours

ABV: 7.2%
Average Price: $18 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Not all farmhouse ales are created equal. Brooklyn Brewery’s Sorachi Ace showcases the funk of this unique Japanese hop. In many ways, it’s a traditional Saison, with the hue of unfiltered golden sunshine and a traditional yeast profile. However, the use of Sorachi Ace hops in the boil and while dry hopping brings out hints of lemon, herb, and spice that round out the beer perfectly.

This quirky beer toes the line between summer and fall, making it the perfect choice for this time of year.

The Lost Abbey Ten Commandments

Michael Mathis, head brewer at Cascade Brewing Co. in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 11%
Average Price: $13 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Ten Commandments by The Lost Abbey. It is a big beer in many ways, but it is very rewarding in flavor that fits the fall season extremely well. This beer showcases dark fruits like raisin and plum, which feels perfect for fall and complements the Saison yeast characteristics perfectly. There is also rosemary added to this beer that adds a layer of spice that is inviting and complex without being overpowering.

Dupont Avec le Bons Voeux

Brandon Capps, owner and head brewer of New Image Brewing in Arvada, Colorado

ABV: 9.5%
Average Price: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Towards the end of fall, when the weather starts to really cool, I always look for Avec les Bons Voeux, Dupont’s Imperial Saison. While I drink their classic Vieille Provision year-round, the Bons Voeux is a great one for the shorter and colder days. It has enough sweetness to keep it from being harsh at 9.5% ABV, a tricky balance when you’re playing with dead-dry Saison yeast and higher alcohol. There’s also a complexity; it’s rich, spicy, grassy, and fruity, each sip delivers more flavors and the beer changes quite a bit as it warms, especially as the higher carbonation settles.

It’s the perfect transition between the lighter beers of summer and the winter snifter-stout season.

Orval Trappist Ale

Dave Bergen, co-founder and director of brewing at Joyride Brewing Company in Edgewater, Colorado

ABV: 6.2%
Average Price: $6 for a 12-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

It’s more of a Belgian pale, I suppose, but whatever. I’m still saying Orval. Maybe it’s because I just realized I haven’t had one in a while and now I really want one. Anyway, Orval is a beautiful beer with layers that keep revealing themselves the more you look. Orange and leather, with some funk emerging and bitterness subsiding later on if cellared — which I recommend.

De La Senne Taras Boulba

Colby Cox, co-founder of Roadhouse Brewing Co in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

ABV: 4.5%
Average Price: $4 for a 12-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

Taras Boulba from De La Senne Brewery. This beer, to me, is perfect. It’s a light, hoppy beer — by Belgian standards — and has all the Belgian yeast flavors of a Saison or farmhouse ale without either the hops or the yeast dominating the beer. It’s low alcohol, highly effervescent, and perfect for the lingering sunshine of fall afternoons.

Fantôme Saison

David “Zambo” Szamborski, brewmaster at Paperback Brewing in Glendale, California

ABV: 8%
Average Price: $17 for a 25-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

When the word classic Saison is mentioned, everyone leans Dupont. Yes, it is a great beer that really sets the bar, but there are so many directions you can take this dry spicy style. A small brewery out of Europe called Fantome is one of my personal favorites.

The Fantôme Saison pushes the boundaries of tradition with higher alcohol and massive fruity flavors. They also put out many other variations of this once classic style… they taught me to never be afraid to experiment and innovate.

Sante Adairius West Ashley

Justin Slanina, research and development brewer at Urban South HTX in Houston

ABV: 7.3%
Average Price: $29.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Surviving the cooler months of fall and winter in Houston warrants a treat your self beer. I reach for bright and fizzy during our less treacherous cooler months and West Ashley from Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is my go-to. A perfectly tart and balanced Saison with a perfect fruit stone character, this is a remarkable liquid that makes you wish you had a case to splurge drink.

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As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.

More than 150 years ago, Edgar Allen Poe, literary icon and father of gothic horror, died a dark and untimely death. His demise is shrouded in so much mystery, the story could easily be plucked from the pages of one of his books.

(Cue thunder and lightning.)

Edgar Allen Poe is a name synonymous with suspense and dark romance. His poem “The Raven” is a classic that still appears in modern pop culture, and yes, a football team named themselves after it. Without his book “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” the world’s very first detective story, we very well might not have the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. His beloved moody aesthetic has even inspired other prolific cultural icons such as Salvador Dali and Alfred Hitchcock, according to Biography.

And with the recent news that Mike Flanagan, creator of Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” will be adapting “The Fall of the House of Usher” into a series, Poe’s name is buzzing around yet again.

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Mike Flanagan has more scares headed to Netflix!

Joining The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Mi… https://t.co/ngl58SvT83

— Netflix (@netflix)
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Though many of us can recite a famous morbid line or two, not everyone knows about the tragic life and utterly bizarre death of the Master of Macabre.

It seems Poe was destined to become well acquainted with melancholy, and even some scandal. Born to transient, alcoholic actors—both who died within a few days of each other—Edgar was sent off to a foster home when he was just 2 years old. Later, at age 27, he secretly married his cousin Virginia … who was 13. To be fair, we’re still not sure if this was indeed a romantic relationship. It’s certainly a conversation starter in cultural relativism circles though. Oh, did I mention that the controversial relationship was also cut short by death, when Virginia was overcome with tuberculosis? Are you surprised? Me neither.

Edgar Allen Poe’s child bride Virginia
upload.wikimedia.org

During his life, Poe was the poster boy for “starving artist.” Struggling to make any sort of money from his work, he resorted to gambling to pay off debts. Spoiler alert: It led to more debt … We’re talking burning your furniture to stay warm kind of poor. Not a good look. It eventually led him to joining the army to escape his creditors.

“The Raven” was Poe’s first worldwide success. Other works like “Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” began gaining popularity and critical acclaim. At long last, the writing career he had pursued since the age of 13 was finally coming to fruition.

And then….DEATH! Behold, I’ll tell the tale.

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
upload.wikimedia.org

Once upon a midnight dreary … it was a rainy night in Baltimore, 1849. Election Day (more on that later), a man was found addled, immovable and in the shabby clothes of a stranger. That man was none other than Poe. He spent the next three days in delirium, flowing in and out of hallucinations and calling the name “Reynolds,” who to this day, is unidentified. The great poet’s last words ever uttered were said to be: “Lord help my poor soul.”

Though an official record states the cause of death as “brain swelling,” it has sparked much speculation and alternative theories.

There’s the good ol’ fashioned “beating by ruffians” theory, thought to have happened after friends left Poe in a drunken stupor. Or, for something a bit more sensational, the gang fight could have been instigated by a woman who “considered herself injured” by Poe. Seeing as Poe had a reputation for tumultuous romances, this is entirely plausible.

Then there’s a possible “cooping.” Don’t know what “cooping” is? I didn’t either. But Smithsonian Magazine defines it as “a method of voter fraud practiced by gangs in the 19th century where an unsuspecting victim would be kidnapped, disguised and forced to vote for a specific candidate multiple times under multiple disguised identities.” It added that before the Prohibition, alcohol was often given as a reward for voting. So basically, Poe could have been voted to death. You really can die from anything.

One doctor has hypothesized that rabies was to blame. This theory has a few reported kinks to it, however, as there was no evidence of hydrophobia. Yeah, apparently a common side effect of rabies is a fear of water!

A more modern theory developed when Poe’s grave was dug up and, inside his skull, an unidentified mass was found. A mass that studies now show could have been a lethal brain tumor. I, for one, could see a mind like Edgar Allan Poe’s eating him slowly from the inside in silent agony. And they say that you don’t have to be pained to be creative.

There are still other theories of carbon monoxide poisoning, heavy metal poisoning and, yes, alcohol poisoning. Though that last one is a tad boring.

Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe
upload.wikimedia.org

No matter which theory ends up being true, the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe is one that continues to bewilder, inspire, disturb and delight us. In a way, he is the absolute epitome of transfiguring the grotesque into the beautiful, both in life and in art. And his romantic, yet sorrowful spirit lives on in our retellings of his beloved classics.

Though he himself is nevermore, his poetic style will remain forever timeless.

This time of year can be tricky for beer drinkers. One day it might be 45 degrees and you’re bundled up as it drizzles throughout the afternoon; another day might feel more like August than October. Your beer choices should fit this in-between time of year — that’s why we love classic Saisons and farmhouse ales.

Saison is the French word for season. In the simplest terms, this style is a fruity, sometimes spicy, yeasty pale ale. It’s often lower in alcohol but that’s not always the case. The style’s versatility makes it perfect for the early fall. Grab a lower ABV Saison on a warm day and a slightly higher one on a cooler day. Go fruitier when the sun is shining and spicier when it’s grim outside.

(While similar, a farmhouse ale isn’t necessarily a Saison. The term is more of an all-encompassing catchall for Saisons, gueuzes, bière de gardes, and a few others. They’re all pale ales known for their crisp, fruity, yeasty, funky flavors.)

To find the best beer options for the season, we looked to the professionals for help. We asked a handful of well-known beer experts to share their favorite picks for the best Saisons, farmhouse ales, and all-around funky beers for early fall. Check them all out below.

Saison Dupont

Patrick Chavanelle, research and development brewer at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine

ABV: 6.5%
Average Price: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

What better Saison to drink in the fall than the epitome of the style in the Saison Dupont. The aroma is a burst of hay, citrus fruit, cloves, nutmeg, and earthy funk. While it’s complex, it’s the phenolic spice character from the beer’s fermentation that reminds me of apple picking in the fall.

It’s a fairly amazing feat for a beer to be around for over 175 years and a testament to how great this brew is.

Two Brothers Domaine DuPage

Todd Bellmyer, head brewer at Wynkoop Brewing in Denver

ABV: 5.9%
Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

Why This Beer?

Domaine DuPage by Two Brothers Brewing Company in Warrenville, Illinois, has always been one of my favorite farmhouse beers. It’s more on the bier de garde side — not quite as spicy as a Saison — but still has those classic farmhouse tones of fresh bread and malt to really make it enjoyable to drink as the weather gets colder.

Allagash Saison

Patrick Ware, co-founder and head of brewing ops at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, Arizona

ABV: 6.1%
Average Price: $12 for a four-pack

Why This Beer?

Allagash Goulship if you can find it. This one is really fun. The terroir of their coolship and overall ethos displays beer to the masses in a way no other brewery has accomplished. This beer is a unique take on traditional spontaneous beer which is a true expression of the American brewer’s creativity. Earthy, tart and light caramel lend to the ultimate fall drinking experience. But since it’s difficult to find, I’ll opt for Allagash Saison with its slightly peppery, yeasty, fruity flavor.

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

Julie Walker, vice president of experiences for City Brew Tours

ABV: 7.2%
Average Price: $18 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Not all farmhouse ales are created equal. Brooklyn Brewery’s Sorachi Ace showcases the funk of this unique Japanese hop. In many ways, it’s a traditional Saison, with the hue of unfiltered golden sunshine and a traditional yeast profile. However, the use of Sorachi Ace hops in the boil and while dry hopping brings out hints of lemon, herb, and spice that round out the beer perfectly.

This quirky beer toes the line between summer and fall, making it the perfect choice for this time of year.

The Lost Abbey Ten Commandments

Michael Mathis, head brewer at Cascade Brewing Co. in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 11%
Average Price: $13 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Ten Commandments by The Lost Abbey. It is a big beer in many ways, but it is very rewarding in flavor that fits the fall season extremely well. This beer showcases dark fruits like raisin and plum, which feels perfect for fall and complements the Saison yeast characteristics perfectly. There is also rosemary added to this beer that adds a layer of spice that is inviting and complex without being overpowering.

Dupont Avec le Bons Voeux

Brandon Capps, owner and head brewer of New Image Brewing in Arvada, Colorado

ABV: 9.5%
Average Price: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Towards the end of fall, when the weather starts to really cool, I always look for Avec les Bons Voeux, Dupont’s Imperial Saison. While I drink their classic Vieille Provision year-round, the Bons Voeux is a great one for the shorter and colder days. It has enough sweetness to keep it from being harsh at 9.5% ABV, a tricky balance when you’re playing with dead-dry Saison yeast and higher alcohol. There’s also a complexity; it’s rich, spicy, grassy, and fruity, each sip delivers more flavors and the beer changes quite a bit as it warms, especially as the higher carbonation settles.

It’s the perfect transition between the lighter beers of summer and the winter snifter-stout season.

Orval Trappist Ale

Dave Bergen, co-founder and director of brewing at Joyride Brewing Company in Edgewater, Colorado

ABV: 6.2%
Average Price: $6 for a 12-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

It’s more of a Belgian pale, I suppose, but whatever. I’m still saying Orval. Maybe it’s because I just realized I haven’t had one in a while and now I really want one. Anyway, Orval is a beautiful beer with layers that keep revealing themselves the more you look. Orange and leather, with some funk emerging and bitterness subsiding later on if cellared — which I recommend.

De La Senne Taras Boulba

Colby Cox, co-founder of Roadhouse Brewing Co in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

ABV: 4.5%
Average Price: $4 for a 12-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

Taras Boulba from De La Senne Brewery. This beer, to me, is perfect. It’s a light, hoppy beer — by Belgian standards — and has all the Belgian yeast flavors of a Saison or farmhouse ale without either the hops or the yeast dominating the beer. It’s low alcohol, highly effervescent, and perfect for the lingering sunshine of fall afternoons.

Fantôme Saison

David “Zambo” Szamborski, brewmaster at Paperback Brewing in Glendale, California

ABV: 8%
Average Price: $17 for a 25-ounce bottle

Why This Beer?

When the word classic Saison is mentioned, everyone leans Dupont. Yes, it is a great beer that really sets the bar, but there are so many directions you can take this dry spicy style. A small brewery out of Europe called Fantome is one of my personal favorites.

The Fantôme Saison pushes the boundaries of tradition with higher alcohol and massive fruity flavors. They also put out many other variations of this once classic style… they taught me to never be afraid to experiment and innovate.

Sante Adairius West Ashley

Justin Slanina, research and development brewer at Urban South HTX in Houston

ABV: 7.3%
Average Price: $29.99 for a 750ml bottle

Why This Beer?

Surviving the cooler months of fall and winter in Houston warrants a treat your self beer. I reach for bright and fizzy during our less treacherous cooler months and West Ashley from Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is my go-to. A perfectly tart and balanced Saison with a perfect fruit stone character, this is a remarkable liquid that makes you wish you had a case to splurge drink.

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As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.

Looking for your very own “red light, green light” doll from Squid Game? While I can’t tell you you won’t get a few nervous eye raises from all your future visitors, I can tell you that you might just be in luck. According to The Washington Journal, Netflix is teaming up with Walmart to create a digital storefront on the retailer’s website that sells various merchandise from hit Netflix original series, such as Squid Game and Stranger Things.

While several stores already carry merchandise from Netflix shows (and Netflix even has an online store of its own, Netflix.shop), this deal marks the first time that Netflix has created an official storefront with a national retailer. TWJ said the partnership is “part of Netflix’s broader strategy to develop new revenue streams beyond its core subscription business and market its content away from its own platform.” Josh Simon, Netflix vice president of consumer products, all but confirmed this reasoning, saying this is part of the company’s goal to “meet fans wherever they are.”

“We want to continue to meet fans wherever they are, whether that’s through our biggest online marketplace at Walmart, or the more boutique and curated Netflix.shop [..] The real value is in reinforcing fan love for the shows and films they see on Netflix.”

Some of the Netflix Original items confirmed to be coming to the storefront include Squid Game shirts, Nailed It! baking kits, and a Stranger Things Bluetooth cassette player. Beyond that, not much of Netflix and Walmart’s partnership has been revealed, including just how large it might be. However, based on the size of the two larger-than-life companies, we wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to go big with their e-commerce endeavor.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has already planted himself firmly on the wrong side of history with his support of Donald Trump’s election lies and, well, everything else. So it’s perhaps no surprise that he also finds himself defending another, uh, divisive figure in world history.

Monday marks for some a celebration of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, though in recent years the day has been changed to honor the Indigenous Peoples that Columbus committed countless atrocities against in the name of exploration. The evidence that Columbus wasn’t all that great is vast, and considering the genocide of Indigenous peoples that led to the foundation of America, it’s been seen as less than couth to continue honoring Columbus with his own day.

But according to Raw Story, it seems that Giuliani feels someone had to do all that rape and murder, so why not an Italian? During an appearance on Real America’s Voice with noted criminal Steve Bannon, Giuliani said that all those crimes are what any “hero” does.

“Did he engage in some immoral acts himself?” Giuliani asked. “Did he allow his crew to do it? There seems to be evidence that he did. But we don’t know that for sure. It’s hundreds of years ago.”

“Did he do anything that other men and women of his age would have done? No,” he continued. “And have all of our other heroes done that? I mean, John F. Kennedy — now it’s a different age, but now we know things about John F. Kennedy that make him considerably less than perfect.”

It really is remarkable that Giuliani’s defense here boils down to the whataboutism that every famous person does crimes, and that they are all, somehow, equally bad. But regardless of what former President John F. Kennedy did in his life, none of that equals continuing to celebrate Columbus in America on Indigenous People’s Day. Which is why many do not, no matter how cool America’s Mayor thinks he is.

[via Raw Story]

The world is not enough for Lil Nas X, who on his latest album Montero alone, has tracks with Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Jack Harlow, and even Elton freakin’ John. Let’s not forget the countless versions of “Old Town Road” that have included BTS, Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Thug, and Diplo. So you gotta give it up for his insatiable thirst to continue to collaborate with other like-minded pop stars and we’re pretty sure they’d jump at the opportunity to work with him too.

In what might constitute this week’s most exciting 15 seconds, a recent TikTok post from Lil Nas X laid out images of what a robotic voice introduced as “Artists who I want to make a song with.” The post flashed photos of Willow, Playboi Carti, SZA, Azealia Banks, Kid Cudi, The Kid LAROI, Rema, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Tyler, The Creator, and Cardi B (“again”.)

The post comes after the early September hoopla regarding how Lil Nas X had no Black male guests on the Montero tracklist. When Lil Nas X posited that perhaps they didn’t want to work with him, Kid Cudi responded, saying essentially that he was game.

Let’s face it, Lil Nas X has really got this social media thing down and it’s probably a good bet that at least half of those bucket list collaborators end up on a track with him at some point.

For years EA has been one of the most well-known developers of sports titles across the world. Madden, NHL, and FIFA are all games released yearly by EA Sports with a history of developing titles like NBA Live and NCAA Football as well. However, of all those titles one game sticks out above the rest. Madden is the only game that is licensed with an individual instead of a brand or organization. Could we be seeing this come to an end in the near future? It seems very possible!

On Monday, EA announced in a press release that it was considering the possibility of changing the name of the FIFA franchise. EA Sports Group General Manager, Cam Weber, mentioned how authenticity is important to them and wanted to further explore that in their games. Weber went on to state that the idea of a name change was being explored.

“As we look ahead, we’re also exploring the idea of renaming our global EA SPORTS football games.” Weber said. “This means we’re reviewing our naming rights agreement with FIFA, which is separate from all our other official partnerships and licenses across the football world.”

“The future of football is very big and very bright.” Weber said. “Our priority is to ensure we have every opportunity to continue delivering the world’s greatest interactive football experiences. Thank you again for your support and feedback on this year’s game. We look forward to creating the future of football with you.”

This can mean so many possibilities for more than just the FIFA franchise, but let’s start off there. If Weber is announcing in a press release that they’re “exploring the idea of renaming” FIFA then that likely means they’ve already decided to change the name. It wouldn’t make sense for EA to announce that it was thinking of doing this only to remain with the FIFA branding on the box. Those kinds of conversations are usually kept behind closed doors and then announced to the public when they’ve been decided on.

So going under the assumption that a name change is going to happen, what could that name be? Polygon did a little bit of digging and found that EA had filed for trademarks in the United Kingdom and European Union for the name EA Sports FC. We found that they had also filed for this name in the United States as well. While companies do file for trademarks sometimes just to ensure it has the name, this branding style matches up with the recently announced EA Sports College Football.

With the college football game, it was clear that a break from the NCAA for individual licensing with schools allowed them more flexibility as the future of the NCAA is a bit shaky, to say the least. Going the same route with FIFA is interesting, and we’ll have to wait and see if other EA franchises follow suit. For now though, we can only speculate and wait until a name change for FIFA has been officially announced.

Back in July, the hyperpunk duo WHOKILLEDXIX graced the UPROXX Sessions stage with an intense performance of their glitchy breakout single “Spy?,” bringing the TikTok-favorite song to a whole new audience. Capitalizing on that attention, they followed up with a brand-new song called “Mondays!” bringing in a new set of collaborators in the form of Russian punk rock hellraisers Pussy Riot. The new track resurrects the nu-metal sound of the late nineties, with group members Karm The Tool and Yung Skayda contributing skittering rap vocals and the members of Pussy Riot turning up with ad-libs and roaring electric guitars.

While WHOKILLEDXIX is still a relatively new act, the Connecticut-based duo has already garnered plenty of attention thanks to the streams accumulated from uses of the track on TikTok, leading to a spate of coverage generating even more streams of “Spy?” — 40 million and counting. The group’s appeal is in their melange of styles — by switching from glitchy pop to anxious rap to aggressive rock sounds, they’ve proven to have a hook for fans of every genre, while their devil-may-care demeanor is an effective reflection of the contrarian outlook of their Gen-Z fans.

Listen to “Mondays!” above.

WHOKILLEDXIX is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

When Rockstar officially announced Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition it wasn’t too surprising. Rumors had been swirling for months that something like that was in the works and it was cool to finally know we’d be getting some new, potentially modern, versions of the original Grand Theft Auto. However, it did seem a little weird that this game was being made at all with how readily available those three games are on digital stores, as it has rarely been difficult to find any of the PS2-era GTA games.

Rockstar must be aware of how easy it is because it turns out that they’re going to make it very difficult to find the current versions of those games in the near future. With the announcement of a GTA remaster on the way it’s going to lead to the delisting of the current games from digital stores. Via their support page.

With the October 8, 2021 announcement of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Rockstar Games Launcher, previous versions and bundles featuring these titles will be removed from console and PC digital retailers as of the week of October 11, 2021.

This isn’t necessarily surprising because the new version is being put out on modern consoles, it is kind of a bummer. For one, these remasters are supposed to be a “definitive” version of the original trilogy. Doesn’t that mean that changes will be made? What if someone wants to play the original game in its original state? Well, if they didn’t buy it before it’s delisted then they better hope to find a physical copy, because that option doesn’t seem like it’s going to be available anytime soon.

This decision by Rockstar is leading to some fans discussing the idea of game preservation and if it’s okay for a developer to just release remasters and erase the previous games from existence. While that is a valid point, the counter to it would be that most GTA games sold thousands of copies and are available for relatively cheap. Just as an example, Grand Theft Auto III is currently $20 on Amazon and can also be found used for as low as $2. It might be difficult to play the game, with the need for a working PlayStation 2, but copies of the game are not exactly scarce.

All of that said, it’s still disappointing to see Rockstar choose to make a decision like this. Hopefully, it’s only a temporary one to increase sales of the Remastered Trilogy and eventually those original games will become available again in their original state.

We’re Here (HBO, 9:00pm) — Nope, you’re not looking at a photo of Beyoncé. This ^^ would be the fabulous Shangela (of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame), who’s back with the rest of the Queens (including Bob and Eureka) in Spartanburg, South Carolina after COVID interrupted the first round. In Season 2, the trio will continue to recruit small-town residents (in this case, that would be Noah, Faith, and Olin) and train them for onstage moments that they never dreamed possible.

The Babysitter’s Club: Season 2 (Netflix series) — The updated dramedy series continues to adapt the best-selling Ann M. Martin books to follow friendships that evolve through the opening of a babysitting business. New members arrive, along with new lessons and new journeys, but thank god that they always remember what’s most important.

9-1-1 (FOX, 8:00pm) — A high-school homecoming celebration becomes ground central for truck-bound mayhem, and Harry’s working through his kidnapping’s aftermath with the help of Athena and Michael.

Roswell, New Mexico (CW, 8:00pm) — It’s showdown time for Jones, and Liz is working to save the love of her life, but does she trust herself?

Ordinary Joe (NBC, 10:00pm) — It’s like Sliding Doors but with TV Prince James Wolk (Watchmen, Mad Men, Political Animals, Zoo) and no Gwyneth Paltrow. If that’s not enough to make you climb aboard, consider that Wolk not only plays a rock star (!) but two other Joes in parallel timelines. This week, the Joes must each confront an unfamiliar challenge. Music Joe looks for his son, Cop Joe’s in a shooting aftermath, and Nurse Joe’s looking toward a career opportunity.

Y: The Last Man (FX on Hulu) — The acclaimed graphic novel gets its due as a dystopian TV drama starring Diane Lane as the globe’s de facto president. Her son becomes, as the title suggests, the very last man on Earth following an apocalyptic event that pretty much obliterates the Y chromosome. Although the Y appears to refer to the chromosome, the show takes a nuanced approach and does not operate on a merely gender-binary level.

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon — Chelsea Handler, Finn Wolfhard, James Blake Ft. Slowthai

Late Night With Seth Meyers — Ron & Clint Howard, Sec. Hillary Clinton, Louise Penny

In case you missed these weekend picks:

Muppets Haunted Mansion (Disney+ special) — After several Muppets-themed Christmas offerings, it’s about time that we’ve received a spooky installment, and let’s face it, more Miss Piggy is always a good thing. Gonzo takes center stage here while attempting to survive the evening in (according to the synopsis) “in the most grim grinning place on Earth.” The special’s actually inspired by all four of the Disney Haunted Mansion attractions that are scattered around the globe, expect original songs, along with plenty of celebrity cameos along with the all-star Muppets cast.

Madame X (Paramount+ movie) — In this concert documentary, Madonna takes viewers on tour with her (from way back in January 2020, so pre-pandemic, obviously) all the way to Lisbon, Portugal. Her set included 48 onstage performers, including other musicians and dancers, and she’s here to share her vision with the rest of the world. Her statement on the film points towards reaching out to fans “at a time when music is so deeply needed to remind us of the sacred bond of our shared humanity.”