Category: News

The only thing better than playing great video games? Playing great looking great videos games. Luckily for all you Xbox Series owners out there, Microsoft’s latest endeavor is focused on making games running on both the Series X and S look brighter and sharper than ever before with the launch of Dolby Vision gaming support.

As of today, Xbox Series X|S owners can now enable Dolby Vision gaming on their consoles, adding “brighter highlights, sharper contrast, and more vibrant colors” to their games, according to Microsoft (via The Verge). The feature — which has been in testing since May — seems to be a big part of Xbox’s future, with Microsoft reporting it will be available in more than 100 HDR games in the coming years. According to Xbox program manager at Microsoft Katie Slattery:

“There are more than 100 next-gen HDR titles optimized for Series X / S that will feature Dolby Vision, and in the future you’ll see more games like Halo Infinite taking full advantage of Dolby Vision.”

Today however, Xbox users can enjoy ten titles that already support Dolby Vision: F1 2021, Psychonauts 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Gears 5, Borderlands 3, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, DIRT 5, and Metro Exodus. While the visual upgrade is free for all console owners, it is worth noting you’ll need a compatible Dolby Vision TV to take advantage of it. Microsoft also recommends enabling automatic low-latency mode (ALLM) to better your experience.

LeBron James caused a bit of a stir earlier this year when he decided to sidestep questions about taking the COVID vaccine. As someone who understands the power of the positions he takes on things, James opting to not advocate for taking one of the vaccines designed to help end the ongoing pandemic raised eyebrows, particularly because he said he wanted to keep his thoughts on the matter private. Plenty of folks, like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, called James out over this.

With vaccines — and, perhaps more accurately, the hesitancy that a number of players have over taking it — being a major talking point on Monday as the first group of teams went through media day in the lead-up to the 2021-22 NBA season, James was unsurprisingly asked about whether or not he received one. He opted to no longe remain private, saying that he did research and eventually decided getting it was the best thing for himself and for his family.

James went on to say that he does not want to be a public advocate for the vaccine, and that he wants people to make their own choices.

Of course, James has enough clout that his saying he got the vaccine might be all the advocacy he needs to do to convince people to get it. As for the Lakers as a whole, Frank Vogel said on Tuesday that the team is on track to be 100 percent vaccinated by the time the season begins.

Los Angeles is the land of the beautiful people and home of the overpriced drinks. I’ve lived in LA for all of my adult life, and I’m still not used to the $17 cocktails (nor will I ever be). Despite the damage to my bank account, I genuinely love it here. You truly can’t beat the year-round sunshine, captivating ocean views, and endless supply of rooftop bars or glamorous late-night events.

While exclusive Hollywood Hills parties and boujee, influencer-packed restaurants are fun, I typically prefer a more laidback scene. That’s why I spend a lot of my free time on what we locals call the “West Side.” More specifically, I often find myself in Venice Beach.

If there’s one neighborhood that brings a little more color and character into an otherwise posh (and sometimes isolated-feeling) city, it’s Venice Beach. From vibrant graffiti murals painted on the sides of gas stations to beachgoers cruising down the boardwalk in rainbow rollerskates, Venice is the epitome of the California dream… but a little weirder and therefore more fun. If you’re not familiar, you might recognize the iconic Venice Boardwalk from a legendary Red Hot Chillie Peppers music video. Or maybe you’ve spotted it in the backgrounds of classic LA-based films like Lords of Dogtown.

Although the eccentricity is tenfold compared to other parts of LA, Venice’s prices don’t differ much from the rest of the city. Meaning generally expensive. But contrary to popular belief, there are ways to make an oceanside vacation in LA’s most vibrant neighborhood affordable without skimping on all that it has to offer. If you’re ready to check this Los Angeles gem off your bucket list without blowing all your cash, keep reading for my budget-friendly guide to Venice Beach, California.

PART I – Where to Stay

Stay Open

The best part of Venice is immersing yourself in all of the wackiness that can be found there. On any given day, you might stumble upon sword-swallowing street performers, drum circles on the beach, artists creating immaculate sand sculptures, and tipsy tourists who may have had one too many drinks at the Venice Whaler. Luckily, you don’t need to stay in any swanky five-star hotel to score accommodations in the thick of the fun. Book a bed at Stay Open for an elevated hostel experience, right on the boardwalk.

Stay Open is artistically decorated and super Instagrammable, always a plus. The co-living space has a shared kitchen and lounging area, so it’s easy to connect with others and make friends if you’re a solo traveler. When I spent the night at Stay Open, I felt instantly welcomed and invited into the festivities. One of the other guests was a chef from Dallas, Texas who was happy to cook burgers for dinner. Someone else showed off their impressive amateur bartending skills by making everyone margaritas to wash their meals down. Although I was only at Stay Open for one night, it really did feel like an inclusive and safe community.

The best part about Stay Open, though? Instead of reserving a bed with a curtain, like older-style Euro hostels, you get your very own sleeping pod. It’s literally like a cocoon in the form of a bunk bed. Closing the door to your pod makes for a dark, quiet, and private space for sleeping and downtime. Each pod includes its own twin bed (it’s seriously so cozy!), USB outlets, complimentary WiFi, and an LED light system. So you can do your late-night reading or get home after dark without worrying about waking the other guests.

Learn more about Stay Open and book a pod of your own here.

The Kinney

If shared living spaces aren’t your thing, check out The Kinney. With guest rooms hovering around $200 per night, this young-minded, party-centric hotel serves up everything that Venice is all about. It’s complete with bold, in-your-face designs, an outdoor courtyard with ping pong tables and firepits, as well a heated pool and spa. It’s the ultimate laidback hotspot for energetic adventurers and partiers.

Just one block from the bustling shopping and dining hub of Abbot Kinney Boulevard (hence, the name), The Kinney couldn’t be in a more prime location. It’s walking distance to the beach, of course, but it’s also conveniently located near some of the best Venice restaurants and bars. Right now, The Kinney is running a seasonal promotion for 25% off your stay, so you can get even more bang for your buck.

Use the promo code FALLSAVE and book your room here.

PART II – Where to Play

Walk or Bike on the Venice Beach Boardwalk

Besides the early morning marine layer, you can pretty much expect sunny skies year-round in LA. There really isn’t a bad time to visit. If you’re trying to save on cash, the good news is you don’t need much to have a great time in Venice. You’re on the beach, after all! But if you get sick of lounging in the sand, take a walk or bike ride down the famous Venice Boardwalk. (Tip: If you book a pod at Stay Open, you can use their complimentary guest bikes.)

You’ll cruise by a slew of art, jewelry, food, and souvenir vendors that sell one-of-a-kind trinkets for only a few bucks. If you’re feeling dangerous, you can even get yourself a tattoo right on the boardwalk. Well, a henna tattoo that washes off after a couple of weeks. This boardwalk is probably one of the top three people-watching spots on the planet. Am I exaggerating? No, not at all. As I already mentioned, there are street performers every few hundred feet – from dance groups and acrobats to musicians and painters. You’re never short of entertainment.

If you’re one for outdoor sports and fitness, you’ll be happy to learn that the boardwalk leads to a skate park, outdoor gym, basketball courts, and plenty of open space for a quick sweat session. The skate park always makes for a good show, even if you don’t skate yourself. I love stopping to watch the skaters of all ages fly around the half-pipes and launching into the air. Sometimes you can even catch a Livestream of the action on the Venice Skate Park’s Facebook page here.

Along the boardwalk are also tons of sit-down restaurants, bars packed with day drinkers, and boutique retail shops. When you get wiped out from all the busyness, grab a bite or drink to-go and chill out in the grass areas under the cool shade of a palm tree.

To find out more about the many wonders of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, click here.

Explore the Abbot Kinney Art Scene

If you’re looking for some more free fun and creative inspiration, make your way to Abbot Kinney Blvd. Aside from the trendy restaurant and shopping scenes, there is a passionate community of art lovers. Abbot Kinney is home to several art galleries, including Art Unified, The G2 Gallery, and the Hamilton Press Gallery. With these creative spaces all within walking distance of each other, you can make your own Venice art crawl.

Not only are there galleries to peruse, but the streets are filled with beautiful works of art, too. Graffiti painted on the sidewalk, street art, and giant murals plastered on the sides of buildings can be found on every corner of Abbot Kinney. The entire mile-long boulevard is like its own outdoor gallery. You don’t want to miss it!

Check out all of the shops, galleries, and restaurants on Abbot Kinney here.

PART III – Where to Eat

The Butcher’s Daughter

Contrary to what you might expect based on the name, The Butcher’s Daughter is a plant-based restaurant, cafe, and juice bar. The healthy hotspot serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch so it makes for a delicious meal at any point in the day. If you go for brunch, order the Seasonal Waffle. It’s made with green tea and lemon verbena then topped with peach compote and plant-based chantilly cream – and it’s only $15. Savory, sweet, and tart all in one? Mmm…yes, please. Pair it with the Mimosa Flight for the brunch experience of your dreams. You get to select the base of each mimosa from the menu of fresh-pressed juices, so you can at least pretend it’s a healthy morning drink.

If you go to The Butcher’s Daughter for dinner, you’ll definitely want to try one of the restaurant’s stone oven pizzas. I am a loyal member of the fruit-on-pizza gang, so my go-to is the Dolce Picante Pizza. It’s topped with stone fruit, Calabrian chili, cauliflower bechamel, arugula, and feta. The plethora of flavors and textures packed into every bite is unbeatable. However, if you’re a fruity pizza hater, there are plenty of other classic dishes you’re sure to love on the menu.

Browse through The Butcher’s Daughter’s daytime, evening, and drink menus here.

Forma

Maybe it’s the Italian in me speaking, but you can never go wrong with any combination of cheese and carbs. That’s why I love Forma. Yes, it’s named in honor of formaggio — Italian for cheese — a promise which makes perusing the menu all the more enticing. Forma has a wide variety of main course meals, but it’s the small plates and sides that make it worth the visit. This is the kind of place that’s great to go with a group before a night out on the town. With many sharable options on the menu, it’s easy to order a ton of food for the table and split the check for an affordable pre-party dinner. My favorite shareables are the charcuterie board (a classic wine night essential) and the gnocco fritto, which is fried pizza dough, burrata, and tomato sauce spread (for only $9).

What really makes the Forma menu stand out, though, is the cheese bar. Let me repeat, a cheese bar. You can conduct your own cheese tasting by curating a plate of the restaurant’s selection of more than 50 cheeses. This selection also includes a few vegan cheese options, so all you dairy-free folks can join in as well.

In addition to splitting appetizers among your group, you can also get a bottle of wine to complement your food. If you down your bottle before you’re even halfway through dinner, try one of Forma’s signature cocktails. These are on the pricier side of things, but it’s worth splurging on at least one. I order the “Hot Stuff” cocktail, which seems like Forma’s take on a spicy margarita with an Italian twist. It’s made with tequila, Aperol, ginger, fresh lime, grapefruit, jalapeno, and mint. It is a whole mess of flavors that somehow blend together to form a tart and zesty refreshment.

Ready to dig in yet? Check out the full Forma menu here.

PART IV – Where to Party

High Rooftop Lounge

There’s a special place in my heart for rooftop bars. Sunshine, great views, and daytime cocktails are the key ingredients for a great time. I’ve been to most of the popular rooftops in every neighborhood of LA, and High Rooftop Lounge continues to rank at the top of my list. Sitting above Hotel Erwin, this trendy yet laidback bar offers one of the best views in Venice. Take a walk around the bar’s perimeter and you’ll get a full 360-degree view. On one side is the heart of the Venice Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean, and on the other side is a view of the city, including the Downtown skyline and Hollywood Hills. (Tip: Check the weather forecast and make a reservation during sunset. High Rooftop Lounge has an incredible view of the sun setting over the horizon each night.)

Although it’s much of what contributes to the good vibes and carefree ambiance, the picturesque views aren’t the only thing High Rooftop Lounge has to offer. The beer, wine, cocktail list, and full bar are fully stocked with everything you need for a boozy beverage. Maybe it’s the quirky (and fitting) name that draws me in, but I always order the “LA Woman” cocktail — a concoction of vodka, prickly pear, lemon, and dragon fruit. On an extra hot day, I’ll go for the LA Palomita Slushee, a frozen blend of tequila and grapefruit. All of the specialty cocktails embody the endless sunshine energy that flows through all of Venice, and it’s hard to resist trying each one on the menu. If you go to High Rooftop Lounge in the fall or winter, they also have a seasonal selection of hot cocktails to choose from.

If you want to sip on a variety of drinks without going overboard on the check, head up to the rooftop between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday for happy hour. The happy hour menu features food and drink specials all for $10 or less.

See the High Rooftop Lounge 360-view for yourself by clicking here.

The Waterfront

Just a short walk on the boardwalk from High Rooftop Lounge is another one of my favorite spots called The Waterfront. It’s a beer garden and restaurant all in one, which makes for a chill, welcoming environment. It’s like a backyard summer barbecue packed full of young partiers and tourists alike, making it easy to mingle. The Waterfront is generally pretty rowdy on a nice weekend day since it’s an up-and-coming party scene (it just opened a few years ago in 2018). The line to get in can get long, so get there early if you’re going on a sunny Saturday afternoon. If you do get stuck in a line, though, it’s totally worth the wait.

I can’t go to The Waterfront without ordering at least one Frosé, a frozen mix of watermelon and rosé wine with coconut water, lime, lavender, and Lillet (and garnished with a cute little flower on top for fun). It’s like drinking a sweet boozy cup of frozen candy. If you’re not one for fruity pink drinks, there are plenty of draft beers and wine waiting for you behind the bar. As of right now, The Waterfront doesn’t serve any hard alcohol. This is good news for budget vacationers since wine and beer are cheaper, and if you’re a lightweight like me, they’re still equally effective.

View The Waterfront’s full menu of food and drinks here.

In a new interview with XXL, Lil Nas X recounts coming out in the wake of the success of his hit song “Old Town Road,” calling it a “duty” to represent other queer people within hip-hop. He previously called the making of his song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” therapeutic for him after coming out, which he tells XXL is something he would not have done had “Old Town Road” not been so popular and successful.

“I don’t think I would have ever came out,” he says. “I honestly felt like it was kind of my duty. Especially if I wanted to move forward. And what I was doing, because authenticity is very real, and I feel like people can see right through that. And that’s a part of me.”

His reluctance is understandable. While his announcement was greeted with plenty of acceptance, there were also those who rejected him — as he rightly predicted they would when he refused to admit to being a Nicki Minaj stan. Almost immediately, he faced backlash from other famous figures. He was forced to check Kevin Hart on The Shop over Hart’s old homophobic bits, while in the wake of his success, he’s had to field knee-jerk reactions from other rappers like Dave East, Joyner Lucas, and Boosie Badazz, while shutting down Twitter commenters who claim he’s “being gay for success.”

Nas also had a hard time recruiting other rappers to feature on his debut album Montero, telling a fan on Twitter, “maybe they didn’t want to work with me.” Fortunately, he’s got others on his side such as Kid Cudi, who believes Nas will “break down” the “cloud of homophobia” stifling hip-hop simply by being an example to the youth who might feel left out right now.

This week in pop music saw some star-studded collaborations and some sizzling singles. Coldplay linked with K-pop supergroup BTS for a fun track, Charlie Puth and Elton John got together for a soulful tune, and Karol G turned up the heat with a fiery song.

Each week, Uproxx rounds up the best new pop releases. Listen up.

Coldplay, BTS — “My Universe”

This week, pop heavy hitters Coldplay and BTS united for a shimmering new single, “My Universe.” The upbeat song features a catchy chorus and expertly combines both groups styles of music, continuing Coldplay’s venture into classic pop on their upcoming album Music Of The Spheres. “I love them, and we love them, and it’s been such a joy,” Chris Martin said in a statement. “It’s something you could look at so cynically, and we have at times, but anytime there’s actual communication or music between us, it just feels so good.”

Elton John, Charlie Puth — “After All”

Elton John and Charlie Puth teamed up for the tender tune “After All,” a gentle ballad about believing in love. The song arrives on John’s upcoming collaboration album The Lockdown Sessions and started with a chance encounter at an LA restaurant. “As a songwriter, I have admired and looked up to Elton John my entire life,” Puth said about working with the legend. “It is truly incredible how the melodies and chords seem to come to him instantly whenever he sits down at the piano. I got to witness that firsthand when we wrote this song together. He is world class and the true definition of a musical genius.”

Karol G — “Sejodioto”

After releasing the album KG0516 earlier this year, prolific songwriter Karol G returns with yet another piece of new music. “Sejodioto” is an empowering anthem that adds another catchy tune to her catalog and she sings of finding power in being on her own over traditional reggaeton and hip-hop style beats.

Alessia Cara — “Best Days”

When all the hardships we’ve collectively experienced over the last two years, Alessia Cara knows we’re all dreaming of the “Best Days.” Her new stripped-down ballad arrives on her new album In The Meantime and is a powerful reflection on the anxieties of the future and the passing of time.

Poppy — “Hysteria”

With her new album Flux and high-profile partnership with WWE, Poppy leans into her new alt-rock brand. The song “Hysteria” still holds onto elements of shimmering pop, positioning Poppy’s soaring vocals over a kaleidoscopic of electric guitars.

Gia Woods — “Next Girlfriend”

Offering another preview of her upcoming EP Heartbreak County, which arrives in early October, Gia Woods delivers the playful track “Next Girlfriend.” The song is the latest buoyant offering from the singer, which combines a groovy beat at Woods’ captivating lyrical delivery. “As a gay girl, I didn’t explore my sexuality as freely as most of my friends,” Woods said in a statement. “Navigating coming out of the closet, feeling like an outsider, and not knowing how to tell if other girls were gay, all affected how I experienced growing up in LA.”

Alina Baraz — “If You Let Me”

Soulful pop singer Alina Baraz offered her fans the four-track EP Sunbeam this week. The project featured the vibe-heavy song “If You Let Me,” a swooning tune combining a quick-tempoed beat with Baraz’s sultry vocals to make a perfect late-night listen.

Disclosure — “Observer Effect”

After making a grand return with their 2020 album Energy, UK electronic duo Disclosure return with a new single, the fully instrumental track “Observer Effect,” which arrives on their upcoming DJ-Kicks mixtape. The club-ready tune features a driving beat that makes for an irresistibly dancey single.

Hana Vu — “Keeper”

LA-based songwriter Hana Vu shared the effortlessly dreamy new track “Keeper” this week. The song officially announces her upcoming album Public Storage, which is set for a November 6 release date, and features urgent lyrics and atmospheric production.

Amber Mark — “What It Is”

Four years after releasing her last project, Amber Mark’s new single “What It Is” officially announces her upcoming album Three Dimensions Deep. The track continues on the same themes of Mark’s previously released singles, combining a funk-forward and dance-ready rhythm with deeply introspective lyrics to create an undeniable bop.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Los Angeles Lakers added some reinforcements at the center position this offseason, as Dwight Howard returned to the place where he won a ring and DeAndre Jordan hopped on board to bring some veteran savvy. But on Tuesday during the team’s media day, Anthony Davis made clear that he will line up at the 5 for long stretches this year.

Davis said that, while Howard and Jordan could start depending on some matchups, he’s spoken to Frank Vogel and is “comfortable with” anchoring the team’s starting rotation.

“That was the expectation and that was discussed, and I expect to play center,” Davis said. “I’m not sure what’s gonna happen, me and Frank talked about it a couple of times and that’s the plan. Right now, nothing is set in stone, but we wanna see what that looks like, and I’m comfortable with that. Obviously there’s times where Dwight or DJ might get the start at center depending on games, but for the most part, I think the plan is to go with me playing center.”

It’s a big boost for the Lakers, because while the team has looked lethal in recent years with Davis playing the 5, he’s said on a few occasions that his preference is playing the 4. With L.A. presumably having something of an issue with floor spacing due to LeBron James and Russell Westbrook being in the team’s starting lineup, putting Davis at center and having the space to start someone who is a more dangerous shooter should help.

As one of the world’s best-selling artists with fifteen Grammy Awards to her name, fans are constantly on the lookout for new music from Adele. Seeing as the celebrated singer’s last album arrived in 2015, it’s often that news about her personal life is in the headlines more than information about her next release. But that changed this week after a rumor started circulating on social media that Adele is about to drop new music this week — and of course her fans were over the moon.

Rumors of Adele’s new music were ignited by The Morning Hot Tub 89.9 Hot FM radio host Mauler. In a since-deleted tweet captured by Uproxx, Mauler wrote, “New Adele. This week.”

Mauler didn’t disclose her sources, but it was enough to get Adele fans excited about the possibility of hearing new music from the singer.

Some fans talked about the emotional toll they’d take from hearing a new Adele ballad.

Other Twitter users were waiting to see an official post about new music from the singer, which has yet to come.

Though Adele has neither confirmed or denied the new rumor, the singer has recently addressed the status of her next era. Just before the pandemic, her manager suggested the singer would drop some songs in 2020. The singer then teased that her next album could be expected in September of 2020. That clearly didn’t happen, but the pandemic could have delayed the singer’s release plans.

HBO just dropped the new teaser for Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11, and it’s pure Larry. While it doesn’t give away any plot lines for the long-awaited season, the teaser is just simple, silly, and dumb, and we love it. Set to the tune of 2001’s iconic opening theme, the teaser notes that “the world has changed,” as it zooms in on the sun rising above the Earth. Except it’s not the Earth, it’s Larry David‘s giant head because, clearly, one thing has stayed the same.

Here’s the official announcement from HBO for Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11, and like the teaser, it’s not giving away anything either:

The comedy series continues to prove how seemingly trivial details of one’s day-to-day life – a cold cup of coffee, a stained shirt, a missing toothbrush – can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events. To keep the narrative spontaneous, the series is shot without a script and cast members are given scene outlines and improvise lines as they go.

Considering the teaser hints at the ongoing pandemic, you’d assume Curb will tackle… all of that, and it will, according to star Jeff Garlin. However, as Garlin explained in the spring, only the first episode will touch the “COVID stuff,” and then after that, it’s a post-COVID world on the show. It’s a decision that Garlin couldn’t have been happier with after watching the South Park pandemic special.

“I didn’t laugh once,” Garlin told the 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt podcast in April. “People don’t want to watch COVID stories. We’ve got our own COVID stories. Get them away from me.”

Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11 premieres October 24 on HBO.

Bartees Strange has long cited TV On The Radio is a primary musical influence, and now he’s gone ahead and covered the indie-rock favorites: Today, he teamed up with Eric Slick and Ohmme for a rendition of “Province,” recorded as part of a singles series from Sylvan Esso’s new label, Psychic Hotline.

Strange said in a statement, “I’ll never forget when I found TVOTR. I saw their performance on Letterman while channel surfing. I jumped out of my bed. They gave me somebody to look up to. I don’t think I really knew what I wanted to do musically until I saw them. That was a big deal for me.”

Slick, meanwhile, went into detail about how the recording came to be, saying:

“Bartees and I started talking earlier this year. I loved his album and there seemed to be some interest in working together. We talked about our admiration for TV On The Radio. I was driving around one day and thought about how much I listened to Return To Cookie Mountain in 2006, and how it was a formative record for me. It’s such a strange and simultaneously straightforward album. I made a basic acoustic cover of their song ‘Province’ and from there Bartees added his vocal take. Then I reached out to Ohmme, one of my favorite bands from Chicago. Sima and Macie added some ethereal swells and tied the whole song together. Then I removed all of the rough tracks and built a more modern structure underneath with Mellotron, Moog, and MPC. I’m so excited about the way it came out, and I am deeply inspired by what Bartees and Ohmme brought to the table.”

Listen to Strange, Slick, and Ohmme’s cover of “Province” above.

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 a surprise EP from Laura Jane Grace, an excellent new single from Bartees Strange, and the first full-length Angels & Airwaves album in six years. Check out the rest of the best new indie music below.

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

Andy Shauf – Wilds

Andy Shauf released one of last year’s best albums with The Neon Skyline. Shauf wrote 50 songs for that record, cutting a lot of great material from the final product. His new album, Wilds, finally showcases some of this material, building upon the world that he generated through song with The Neon Skyline

Angels & Airwaves – Lifeforms

Tom DeLonge has been busy with almost everything but music over the last several years. You’ve probably read about it. But amidst the effort to, you know, shift the very concept of life on earth as we know it, DeLonge was piecing together a new album with his band Angels & Airwaves. The resulting effort Lifeforms is finally here, existing as a document of and homage to DeLonge’s entire musical life, echoing his biggest inspirations and even his own discography, as he explained to me in a recent interview. DeLonge knows how to write a hook, and Lifeforms is an impressive return for Angels & Airwaves that is certainly not lacking in moments that will get your head bobbing.

Laura Jane Grace – At War With The Silverfish EP

Just about a year after dropping her debut solo album Stay Alive out of the sky, Laura Jane Grace has once again surprise-released a new project. At War With The Silverfish is a new EP of songs born of “late night madness and loneliness, orphan songs that came wandering in looking to feed like insects.” The seven-track effort is a demonstration of Grace’s pure songwriting talent, with very few — if any — studio flourishes outside of light drum programming.

Shortly – Dancer

At long last, Detroit’s Shortly has finally “officially” arrived with a full-length album. Dancer was produced by Shortly and Joe Reinhart (Hop Along, Beach Bunny, Smidley, Diet Cig), and was developed from sketches on codependence, gender dysphoria, and the tenderness of belonging. The resulting album is emotional and raw, illustrative of Alexandria Maniak’s talents as one of Michigan’s strongest songwriters.

Frames – Every Room

Richmond emo outfit Frames make twinkly, driving rock songs full of catchy guitar riffs and Sarah Phun’s soaring vocals anchoring impressive arrangements. Their new album Every Room is their strongest to date, with lyrics detailing unresolved resentment and guilt that will draw you in and spit you out.

Japanese Breakfast – Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack)

Japanese Breakfast has been attached to the just-released video game Sable for some time, and now we can immerse ourselves in the full soundtrack. The 32-track project is full of glitchy, ambient soundscapes that create a world unto themselves. “It was important to me that each biome in this world felt unique,” Michelle Zauner explained in a statement. “I used woodwinds and vocal layering to make monumental ruins feel ancient and unknown, industrial samples and soft synths to make atomic ships feel cold and metallic, classical guitar and bright piano to make encampments feel cozy and familiar.”

Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine – A Beginner’s Mind

After leaning into electronics on his latest album The Ascension, Sufjan Stevens has returned to the world of folk for his new collaboration with Angelo De Augustine. The 14-track album A Beginner’s Mind began to come together when “the pair headed to a friend’s cabin in upstate New York for a ‘monthlong songwriting sabbatical,’ writes Derrick Rossignol for Uproxx. “At the ends of their days, Stevens and De Augustine would unwind by watching movies, and the duo’s songs soon began to reflect on the films. The album was inspired by ‘shoshin,’ a word from Zen Buddhism that means ‘Beginner’s Mind’ (hence the album title) and refers to a sense of openness and eagerness.”

Bartees Strange – “Weights”

Celebrating a massive year of growth, Bartees Strange is gearing up to release a deluxe version of his debut album Live Forever, which features a new track called “Weights.” Produced by Will Yip, “the song immediately kicks off with a wall of sound,” writes Carolyn Droke for Uproxx. “Washed out guitars and a driving beat accompany Strange as he sings of feeling distant from a past flame and regretting how their timing didn’t work out as he had hoped.”

Let’s Eat Grandma – “Hall Of Mirrors”

On their first new song in three years, UK indie-pop duo Let’s Eat Grandma — aka Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth — deliver what Rachel Brodsky calls for Uproxx a “shimmery dream-pop jam.” Although there’s no official word of a forthcoming new record from Let’s Eat Grandma, “Hall Of Mirrors” sets the bar quite high for what’s to come.

Faye Webster – “Overslept”

It’s only been a few short months since Faye Webster dropped her excellent sophomore album I Know I’m Funny Haha, but she’s showing no signs of slowing down. The newly-released track “Overslept” is what Carolyn Droke describes for Uproxx as “a wistful tune features vocals by Japanese artist Mei Ehara, who Webster said was a big source of inspiration for her on the album.”

Ovlov – “Land Of Steve-O”

Connecticut cult legends Ovlov have been putting out music on and off over the last few years, but now they are finally officially back with a new record. Buds is previewed by “Land Of Steve-O,” which is “an upbeat, antsy track that moves along with persistent percussion and sharp guitar solos,” according to Rachel Brodsky for Uproxx.

Blackstarkids – “All Cops Are Bastards”

Blackstarkids’ debut project Whatever, Man was one of 2020’s most exciting releases, and the trio’s proper debut album Puppies Forever is shaping up to do the same in 2021. The latest single “All Cops Are Bastards” is a raucous track that “kicks off with fuzzy guitars and a catchy hook,” writes Carolyn Droke for Uproxx. “As a crashing beat arrives, the trio fire off verses making it clear that they’re no friend of the police.”

Heart Attack Man – “Pitch Black”

Heart Attack Man are back with a vitriolic, bombastic new EP called Thoughtz & Prayerz. The excellent lead single “Pitch Black” is a driving, melodic meditation on not letting your past dictate your present, which the band described in a statement as “truly being in X-Games mode with your emotions and shit.”

The Copyrights – “Stuck In The Winter”

I first discovered The Copyrights on the excellent punk compilation The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore. Nearly ten years later, the band is about to drop a new record called Alone In A Dome on Fat Wreck Chords. The new single “Stuck In The Winter” is an excellent melodic punk track with a massive hook that is hard not to fall in love with.

The Regrettes – “Monday”

The Regrettes’ 2019 album How Do You Love? was a first look at the ways that 2000’s-era rock and punk music was about to make a comeback in a big way. Now, the band is back with “Monday,” a uniquely modern track that Lydia Night explains is about “really learning and trying my best to keep on dancing the pain away so I hope people can relate to that and dance with me.”

RIVER – “Dance In The Darkness”

German duo made waves with their debut single “Inappropriate,” and now they’ve returned with “Dance In The Darkness,” a highly danceable track that is built upon a groovy baseline and harmonized vocals. It’s a promising look at what’s to come as the duo continues to roll out new music.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.