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You’ve probably noticed that every car you’ve ever had—unless you got your license in the ’50s—has had small black dots on the bottom of the windshield. They appear to be meaningless decorations or some kind of dot-matrix-style graphics but they have a very important job that keeps you safe and the windshield attached to the body of your car.

Windshields were originally held in place by metal trim that secured them to the car’s body. In the ’50s and ’60s, manufacturers transitioned to using an ultrastrong adhesive to keep the window in place.

That’s why, if you’ve ever had to have your window replaced, it’s a pretty simple process. All it takes is for the old adhesive to be removed so the old window can be popped out. Then, the new adhesive is applied and the new window is dropped in place in the car’s body.

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To keep the unappealing adhesive hidden around the edges of the windows, manufacturers created black dots from ceramic paint known as “frits.”

The dots are baked into the window to make an aesthetically pleasing transition from the thick black line that obscures the adhesive to the rest of the window. They are positioned in a halftone pattern so they get smaller as they recede from the black tinted area that hides the adhesive.

This gives the appearance that the black area is slowly fading into the clear windshield.

“This makes the windshield a structural component of the vehicle’s body,” Richard Reina, product training director for CarID.com, said according to Travel and Leisure. “The frit is black painted enamel that’s baked onto the surface of the glass, and it provides a secure point of contact between the glass, urethane adhesive, and windshield frame.”

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The frits also play a role in manufacturing the window. They provide temperature control when the glass is being heated. The black painted glass heats up faster than the rest of the glass and the frits evenly distribute the heat to prevent unnecessary warping.

Craig Campbell, an automotive repair expert and founder and CEO at Auto Parts Guideline, says the only thing you should worry about is if the frits appear to wear off.

“This is because the adhesive is what keeps the glass in place,” Campbell said according to Travel and Leisure. “Without it, the glass could become loose and fall out of the frame. While this is unlikely to happen, it’s still something that you should be aware of. If you’re unsure of how to replace the dots, you can always take your car to a professional for help.”

Now the next time you’re at a party you can wow everyone with your incredible knowledge of car windshields. If that information goes over well, you can let everybody know what that handle is for on the roof of your car.

Some folks think it’s for holding on to when the driver gets a little crazy. In reality, it’s for helping people get in and out of the vehicle.

Three years ago today (June 7), Australian rapper Masked Wolf posted his breakout single “Astronaut In The Ocean” to SoundCloud, kicking off the song’s ascent to chart dominance and near-ubiquity thanks to its popularity on TikTok. Naturally, we couldn’t let Wolf hang out at Uproxx Studios without securing a performance of the track for UPROXX Sessions — and what better time to release it than on the song’s third anniversary?

Showing some love to Los Angeles with a designer Dodgers hat and a black-on-black Essentials hoodie, Masked Wolf raps the anxiety-laden lyrics directly to the camera, displaying all the charismatic intensity that has made him a star and that turned “Astronaut” into a sleeper hit.

Since its original release in 2019, “Astronaut In The Ocean” was re-released by Elektra Records on its second anniversary, climbing to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and received numerous awards nominations in Masked Wolf’s homeland, including Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release and Breakthrough Artist at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards.

Watch Masked Wolf’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Astronaut In The Ocean” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

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

Lil Wayne is set to take the stage at Governors Ball in New York City this weekend. He will be taking the slot previously occupied by rap trio Migos. (Furthermore, it was also just announced that this year’s festival will be livestreamed on Twitch, via the official Governors Ball channel.)

This news comes amid rumors of Migos breaking up, after fans noticed Migos member Offset and his wife, Cardi B, unfollowed fellow Migos members Quavo and Takeoff on Instagram last month. Also last month, Quavo and Takeoff released a song called “Hotel Lobby” under the moniker Unc And Phew.

When asked by a TMZ paparazzo if the breakup rumors were true, Quavo appeared to dodge the question.

Later that month, DJ Akademics also spoke with TMZ, claiming he has recently spoken with Offset and doesn’t believe a breakup is underway.

“They might be going through a small disagreement or whatever,” said Akademics. “I think that they’re angling it because, you know, Takeoff and Quavo just put out a song, so they’re kind of letting it lie, letting the questions linger or something like that… But at the end of the day, they’re family. Offset confirmed that to me, too… Come on, I just can’t see a gangster group — like, the only sign of trouble is them hitting unfollow.”

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

One of the best things going for ESPN right now is their addition of JJ Redick and now CJ McCollum as authoritative NBA voices who go on First Take and refuse to let it slide when Stephen A. Smith (or Mad Dog or anyone else) goes off the rails.

Instead of trying to simply out-yell Smith, which is impossible to do because he is the king of sports yelling and gets you into trouble, they just very calmly pick apart his argument and it clearly drives Stephen A. crazy. The latest example of this came on Tuesday morning while discussing Darvin Ham’s Lakers press conference and where the team can go next year, with Smith saying they can be a playoff team but not much more before launching into a tangent about how he didn’t like Russell Westbrook being at Ham’s presser, which caused Redick and McCollum’s ears to perk up.

After letting Smith go for almost three uninterrupted minutes, Redick and McCollum proceeded to tag-team Smith over his “random, random take” that had Smith pressed and trying to explain himself, while McCollum wanted them to roll the tape to remind Smith of what he just said (2:58 mark of the above video for when Redick jumps in).

“So you said a random, random take,” Redick pressed. “And then you explained a bunch of things about Russell Westbrook that had nothing to do with that take. So I want clarification on something. What is your issue with Russell Westbrook being at that news conference? You did not explain that well at all Stephen A.”

“That’s a wild thing for you to say,” McCollum jumped in with. “Him supporting his team, his organization, his coach, a fellow African-American man who got hired by the Los Angeles Lakers. This is what you said! … You said that him going to the press conference, you’re disappointed in that? Run the tape. We got the tape. That’s what you said. … Even if you didn’t mean it the way I said it, you said that he shouldn’t have been at that press conference, that’s foul.”

It really is incredible television and the new version of First Take where they bring in a rotating group of guests to spar with Stephen A. rather than just him and Max Kellerman yelling for three hours really has been terrific for the show. I hope this continues and also think the next evolution of the show is to have a stenographer in the corner like a courtroom frantically transcribing the entire show so that at any time someone can demand another person’s comments be read back to them verbatim. I think that would add an extra layer of drama to the proceedings and also be hilarious if someone was to read back Stephen A.’s wildest arguments to him in a dry, flat voice.

If you think a legitimate reason to own an AR-15 is to “shoot varmints,” you might be a redneck Senator John Thune.

Borrowing a page from fellow GOP Congressman Ken Buck, Thune told reporters he believed the deadly weapon — which has been used in 11 of the last 12 mass shootings — was the best form of defense against “prairie dogs and other varmints” which is why he’s wary any kind of gun reform. Buck stuck to a similar deflection tactic when asked about America’s painfully obvious gun problem, claiming people in his state needed AR-15s to protect their chickens from raccoons.

“An AR-15 is a gun of choice for killing raccoons before they get to our chickens,” Buck said in a video posted on social media.

In Thune’s case, the senator from South Dakota explained away the “millions” of AR-15s already owned by Americans by claiming that there are “many legitimate reasons” to own the military-style weapon.

“They are a sporting rifle,” Thune said. “And it’s something that a lot of people for purposes of going out target shooting — in my state they use them to shoot prairie dogs and, you know, other types of varmints. And so I think there are legitimate reasons why people would want to have them.”

So in case you’re a bit fuzzy on where Thune and some of his GOP colleagues stand when it comes to gun control, let’s clear it up: the right to shoot small, furry animals while cosplaying as some kind of Call of Duty character is more important to these people than saving the lives of children, the elderly, and really anyone hoping to go see a movie or get groceries or attend school without the fear of a shooting.

Donald Trump has been threatening a 2024 presidential run ever since he left office — or had the election “stolen” from him, if you believe his Big Lie, which you should not. Traditionally, candidates don’t announce they’re going to run until after the midterm elections, but Trump is reportedly growing tired of being a “kingmaker” and would prefer to be the candidate that everyone’s paying attention to.

According to a new report, Trump is weighing his options on when to announce his 2024 run, and he could pull the trigger as early as July 4. Although, there are disputes within his camp if this will actually happen because, and you might not believe this, Donald Trump is kind of a loose cannon. Via NBC News:

One question is “whether he can sort of suppress his excitement about a 2024 rematch and not, say, go ahead and put that statement out … and waits for a big event, a big speech to do it,” the second adviser said. “A betting person says he’s doing it, and he also wants to crowd out the rest of the field.”

Two people in Trump’s orbit told NBC News they had been asked informally to hold July 4 as a date for a possible announcement, but Miller — noting that Trump hasn’t yet decided to run — said it is “not true” that the day has been reserved, even unofficially, for a launch.

In the meantime, Trump has been aggressively laying the groundwork for a 2024 run by holding rallies (which Proud Boys and QAnon symbols are now banned from) and leaning hard into the conservative gun owner base by appearing at the NRA convention just a few days after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. While rational people called Trump’s appearance, “one of the most f*cked up things I’ve ever seen in my life,” it’s a move that’s likely to play well with Republican voters who have no interest in gun control despite the prevalence of mass shootings. Everything is fine and/or normal.

(Via NBC News)

(Spoilers for Ozark will be found below.)

Ozark (sadly) came to an end about a month ago, and Ruth Langmore is already sorely missed. Marty and Wendy Byrde and the kids miraculously survived, despite all odds, and showrunner Chris Mundy previously explained this ending as a metaphor for capitalism. However, that hasn’t quelled people’s thirst for an eventual spinoff, and Mundy confirmed that followups are possible (although not currently in the works) while Jason Bateman signaled that he was open to the possibility. Now, Mundy is answering to a fan theory that won’t quit.

That theory surrounds the moments (after Ruth is obviously already dead, given that her vengeance against Navarro came back to bite her in the butt) when the cookie jar full of Ben’s ashes returns to the scene. Private investigator Mel was clutching that thing and suggesting that the evidence contained therein would put the Byrde parents away, and then Jonah pulled the trigger and blammo, end of show. We don’t see who or what Jonah shot, but Mundy feels that this is a “pretty unambiguous” development.

Oh really? As much as I’d like to believe that Jonah suddenly recognized Wendy as the root of all evil, Mundy is pouring cold water everywhere. Via IndieWire, the showrunner declared (alongside moderator Jimmy Kimmel at a recent For Your Consideration event) that Mel bit the dust:

While some fans believe young Jonah (Skylar Gaertner), son of lakeside criminal kingpins Marty and Wendy Byrde (Jason Bateman and Laura Linney), shot down the cookie jar full of incriminating evidence, Mundy said “I think he shot Mel [the cop], and Mel is dead. And I think they went to their crematorium, just off screen.”

So there you have it. As a followup, Kimmel declared “I’m glad you’re not playing coy about this [like] ‘Well, that’s for you, the viewer, to decide,’ and then 14 years later you go ‘Yeah, that’s what happened.’” And is this a satisfying conclusion? That’s a tough one. Jonah did break bad already, so it makes sense, even if it’d be a lot cooler if Jonah shot Wendy and then Ruth miraculously sprang back to life, and then it would be Ozark: The Zombie Years. Clearly, I’m overthinking this one.

(Via IndieWire)

Phoebe Bridgers has one of the best senses of humor in music, which she showed off this afternoon with a new concert poster. The image shows off a lot more than Bridgers’ humor, too… specifically, her backside.

In promotion of Bridgers’ upcoming June 16 concert at Queens, New York’s Forest Hills Stadium (with Muna and “a very special surprise guest”), Bridgers shared a poster that features a photo of herself. Looking at just the right half of the image, Bridgers appears to be wearing a nice and simple outfit consisting of black pants, a white shirt, and a black bowtie. Direct your gaze to the other side of the image, though, and the mirror behind Bridgers reveals a missing back half of the outfit. Consequently, Bridgers’ reflected, lingerie-covered back, butt, and legs are exposed for all to see.

Photographer Davis Bates, who it seems took the photo, also shared the original Bridgers photo without the promotional text and graphics, as well as some other behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot (which Bridgers shared on her Instagram Story). For those who don’t understand the context behind the image, it’s a re-creation of a classic photo that has floated around the internet for years now, of a man in the same half-clothed set-up as Bridgers.

While it’s probably not too hard to get people to go to a Phoebe Bridgers concert given how beloved she is, a little promotion doesn’t hurt, especially when it’s this fun.

Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history, but like anyone that relies heavily on the three-ball, there are times where they go cold.

The Warriors star is currently trying to shake free of a slump through two games of the NBA Finals in which he has hit just 4-of-15 from deep at home. With the series shifting to Boston tied at 1-1, the Warriors will eventually need Klay to get it going as Boston will surely be looking to send extra attention to Stephen Curry after back-to-back big games. Thompson, unsurprisingly, isn’t panicking after a relatively slow start to the series, as he leans on that beloved mantra of every gunner: “shooters shoot.”

On Tuesday, Thompson did divulge some information on how he tries to get back on track with the help of the internet, noting that he’ll go to YouTube and watch some of his best performances so he can get that visual of what it looks like when everything is in sync and that ball “was just flowing off your fingertips.” Specifically, his go-to search is “Game 6 Klay,” which offers a number of choices from his illustrious career.

It makes sense why this would work, but Klay will need to make sure he doesn’t get caught watching those videos in the locker room, as Draymond Green is ready to get some jokes off if he does.

Green and the rest of the Warriors might find Klay’s methods funny, but if it works, they’ll be thrilled whenever he finds that rhythm (as he has in big games in each of the last two series).

Last month, Shygirl announced that her debut album Nymph would be coming out on September 30th. It set the stage for a methodical rollout that showcases the UK singer’s unique avant pop created with a talented cadre of producers representing the best in experimental pop, hyperpop, and more. Each new track is taking a different shape, like the shimmering bounce that Sega Bodega and Kingdom brought to “Firefly” and now the riveting tension of the Arca-produced “Come For Me.”

The arresting “Come For Me” arrives with a new visual that journeys through a forest, with the elusive Shygirl waiting for the camera to find her at the end of a mossy stream, or perched atop a lone rock amongst tall trees. “Come when you’re called, be easy if I take the lead,” she sings hypnotically over Arca’s twisty synapses.

Shygirl recently appeared on FKA Twigs’ “Papi Bones” off of Caprisongs, and it’s clearly informing the aesthetic she’s building for Nymph. It’s one that will also feature producers like Danny L Harle, Mura Masa, Noah Goldstein, BloodPop, and Vegyn. Shygirl summed up her ethos in a statement: “Every piece of work or project is like a sculpture to me.”

Watch the video for “Come Home For Me” above and check out Shygirl’s upcoming tour dates below.

06/10 — Gräfenhainichen, DE @ Melt! Festival
06/11 — Beyond The Pale Festival, Ireland
06/17 — New York, NY @ Ladyland Festival
06/22-26 — Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
06/24 — Madrid, ES @ Paraiso Festival
07/02 — Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
07/13 — Berlin, DE @ Berghain
07/14 — Dour, BE @ Dour Festival
07/22 — Maubeuge, FR @ Les Nuits Secretes Festival
08/07 — Katowice, Poland @ Katowice Festival
09/03 — Bristol, UK @ Forward Festival
09/16-18 — Los Angeles, CA @ Primavera Sound
09/23 — Bentonville, AR @ FOR_MAT Festival
11/05 — Sao Paolo, BR @ Primavera Sound
11/12 — Santiago de Chile, CL @ Primavera Sound
11/13 — Buenos Aires, AR @ Primavera Sound

Nymph is out 9/30 via Because Music. Pre-order it here.