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Daneshevskaya Releases Video for New Song ‘Scrooge’

Daneshevskaya is back with a new song, ‘Scrooge’. It marks the first new music from Anna Beckerman’s project since the release of last year’s Long Is the Tunnel. The track was mixed by engineer Marcus Paquin and comes paired with a video directed by bandmate Maddy Leshner. Watch and listen below.

“This song is about making someone a villain so that you can accept that they don’t want to be in your life anymore,” Beckerman explained in a statement. “Becoming detached from someone in that way to the point where you can see them like other people see them is empowering, but also really sad. Even though it was written a few years ago, it keeps being relevant in my life.”

Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Daneshevskaya.

Goat Girl Share Video for New Song ‘gossip’

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Goat Girl released a new one-off single, ‘gossip’. The track was produced by the band and mixed by John ‘Spud’ Murphy in Ireland during the recording of their latest album, Below the Waste. It comes with a video directed and edited by singer/guitarist Lottie Pendlebury, which you can check out below.

“We started recording gossip in Ireland with John ‘Spud’ Murphy making Below The Waste but it felt more like it’s own thing than a part of the album,” the band explained in a press release. “We took the stems from Dublin and reworked them in London with Ruby. We wanted to lean into its electronic potential and do something quite different sonically. Lyrically, it uses natural imagery as a metaphor for contemplating hearsay and destructive behaviours.”

Geese’s Cameron Winter Announces Debut Solo Album, Shares New Single

Cameron Winter, frontman of NYC-based band Geese, has announced his debut solo album: Heavy Metal will be out on December 6 via Partisan Records. It does not include Winter’s recently unveiled songs ‘Vines’ and ‘Take It With You’, but today, he’s previewed the LP with a new track, ‘$0’, which he shared as a free download on his website last week. Check out the music video for it below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.

“A year ago, I was inspired to make an album outside of my band Geese; unfortunately for Geese fans, I thought it would take four months and it took a year and a half,” Winter explained in a statement. “I got a lot of advice that it was too early to ‘go solo’, probably because most people feel that ‘solo albums’ come once a band is basically over the hill and that they’re usually uninspired cash grabs, but rest assured, my solo album is unique, because barely anybody knows who my band is, I’m young and not afraid of living with my parents and I’m free to chase whatever ideas I want.”

Winter recorded Heavy Metal primarily in a series of Guitar Centers across New York, assembling what a press release calls “hastily performed improvisations” using in-store equipment. “It was actually a great way to work,” Winter commented. “I had no time to overthink anything, I just played straight from the heart and recorded everything. After a day or two I’d inevitably get kicked out and I’d move on to the nearest franchise and keep working.”

Geese released their most recent LP, 3D Country, in June 2023, following it up with the companion EP 4D Country. Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Geese.

Heavy Metal Cover Artwork:

Heavy Metal Tracklist:

1. The Rolling Stones
2. Nausicaä (Love Will Be Revealed)
3. Love Takes Miles
4. Drinking Age
5. Cancer of the Skull
6. Try As I May
7. We’re Thinking The Same Thing
8. Nina In A Field Of Cops
9. $0 Man
10. Can’t Keep Anything

Friko Share New Single ‘Pride Trials’

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Friko have shared a new single, ‘Pride Trials’, which is taken from the upcoming expanded edition of their debut album, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here. Listen to it below.

“’Pride Trials’ was actually one of the first Friko songs,” the band explained in a statement. “We started playing it in late 2019 at DIY shows in Chicago and then we recorded it around that time as well. It went through many transformations and ended up at a place that we truly love. This is a very special song for us.”

The deluxe edition of Where we’ve been, Where we go from here is out November 22 via ATO. It features 11 bonus tracks, including the previously unveiled ‘If I Am’. Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Friko.

12 Great Quotes from Gladiator (2000)

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Arguably, Ridley Scott‘s best film ‘Gladiator’ didn’t disappoint when it won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), and Best Director (Ridley Scott). It stands as one of those iconic Hollywood movies with epic scenes and dialogue that still gets quoted in contemporary media. It also recently had a sequel made, also directed by Ridley Scott. However, it was Paul Mescal who took the big role on this film.

However, before we wander off, here are some of the best quotes from the Gladiator film.

  1. Commodus: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don’t think there’s ever been a gladiator to match you. As for this young man, he insists you are Hector reborn. Or was it Hercules? Why doesn’t the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do have a name. Maximus: My name is Gladiator. Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name. Maximus: [removes helmet and turns around to face Commodus] My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
  2. Maximus: At my signal, unleash hell.
  3. Maximus: Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?
  4. Commodus: The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Striking story! But now, the people want to know how the story ends. Only a famous death will do. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Maximus: You would fight me? Commodus: Why not? Do you think I am afraid Maximus: I think you’ve been afraid all your life.
  5. Lucilla: Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.
  6. Maximus: Strength and honor.
  7. Maximus: Nothing happens to anyone that he is not fitted by nature to bear.
  8. Juba: And now we are Free. I will see you again… but not yet… Not yet!
  9. Maximus: You don’t find it hard to do your duty? Cicero: Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.
  10. Proximo: Those giraffes you sold me, they won’t mate. They just walk around, eating, and not mating. You sold me… queer giraffes. I want my money back.
  11. Marcus Aurelius: When was the last time you were home? Maximus: Two years, two hundred and sixty-four days and this morning.
  12. Juba: You have a great name. He must kill your name before he kills you.

Kim Deal Shares New Single ‘Nobody Loves You More’

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Ahead of the release of her first solo album, Nobody Loves You More, on Friday (November 22) the Breeders’ Kim Deal has shared the title track. It’s the latest in a string of singles, following ‘Coast’‘Crystal Breath’, and ‘A Good Time Pushed’. Check it out below, along with Deal’s upcoming tour dates.

Kim Deal Tour Dates:

Nov 22 – Chicago, IL – Reckless Records
Mar 1 – London, UK – Barbican
Mar 10 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur
Mar 13 – New York, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
Mar 15 – Washington, DC – Capitol Turnaround
Mar 21 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
Mar 23 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
Mar 24 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Mar 26 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Mar 27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
Mar 29 – Joshua Tree, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s
Mar 30 – San Diego, CA – Observatory North Park
Jun 5-07 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound
Jun12-14 – Porto, Portugal – NOS Primavera Sound

Franz Ferdinand Share Video for New Song ‘Night or Day’

Franz Ferdinand have shared a new single, ‘Night Or Day’, alongside a music video. It follows ‘Audacious’ in previewing the band’s upcoming album The Human Fear. Check out the Rianne White-directed clip below.

“Life may never be easy, but damn, we’ll make sure we live it up night or day,” frontman Alex Kapranos said in a statement. “Night into day. We collaborated with the hugely talented Rianne White to capture the Drama-Noir of the environment where we recorded this and the rest of the LP. She has a sensitivity and energy which exploded into that space, giving a glimpse of the world where we made the music. Storm shake the room and boom… the dark heart of Scotland beats strong. Filmed entirely on location at AYR Studios.”

White added: “This song emulates the turbulent, transcendent immensity of feelings that live and breathe within four walls. Born with Franz Ferdinand in their Scottish studio, where they recorded this beauty, ‘Night or Day’ was a powerful meeting of visual and sound, all caught in the eye of 16mm black and white film. These are the storms we dance in!”

The Human Fear is set to arrive January 10 via Domino.

Gg (Members of caroline) Share Video for New Song ‘Byre one’

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Gg – a project featuring Mike O’Malley, Jasper Llewellyn and Casper Hughes, founding members of the band caroline – have released their first single, ‘Byre one’. The track, which was recorded in Scotland, comes paired with a video by Thomas Hogge. Check it out below.

caroline’s debut eponymous album arrived via Rough Trade in 2022. Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with caroline.

 

How to Prevent Lag While Gaming on Your Phone

Gaming on a mobile device, especially an iPhone, can be incredibly immersive and satisfying—until you hit a lag spike that leaves you helpless in the middle of an intense match. Lag is a frustrating issue, and it can happen to anyone, regardless of device model or game genre. From slow performance to interrupted gameplay, lag can ruin the experience. Fortunately, there are actionable steps to enhance your iPhone’s performance and keep it running smoothly. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make your iPhone faster and optimize it for gaming.

1. Clear Background Apps to Free Up Memory

Running multiple apps in the background can consume valuable resources, especially when it comes to mobile games that demand high processing power. Even if it doesn’t seem like they’re doing much, these apps can slow down your device significantly.

Quick Tip: Before starting a gaming session, double-tap the Home button (or swipe up on newer iPhones without a Home button) and close all non-essential apps. Also, don’t forget about phone cleaning. Do you know how to clean up iPhone storage without spending a lot of time on manual cleaning? For quick results, you can use the iPhone cleaner app. The app helps clean up phone automatically by deleting temporary files, duplicates, or similar photos. The app can also compress videos and even create protected partitions in the memory.

2. Optimize Graphics Settings in the Game

High-quality graphics can make a game look amazing, but they also place heavy demands on your iPhone’s processor. While high-end models can handle these graphics, older or mid-range iPhones may struggle. Many games offer settings that let you adjust the graphics quality. Lowering these settings will reduce strain on your device and improve speed.

For instance, reducing the resolution, shadow effects, and textures can lead to a performance boost. Plus, your iPhone will use less battery power, which is crucial if you’re planning on an extended gaming session.

3. Clear Cache and Temporary Files

Over time, your iPhone accumulates temporary files and cache, especially if you play games frequently. These files can take up significant storage space and slow down your device. Clearing them regularly can help prevent lag during gameplay.

To clear cache:

  • Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
  • Tap on the apps you want to clear and delete cached data.

According to a report, clearing cache on mobile devices can boost performance by about 20%, especially on older models. Try to make it a routine to keep your device clutter-free.

4. Disable Auto-Downloads and App Updates

Auto-downloads and updates can slow down your iPhone, particularly when they start running in the background without notice. The App Store and iCloud backup are common culprits here. Turn off auto-downloads to prevent unexpected slowdowns.

Here’s how to disable it:

  • Go to Settings > App Store > Automatic Downloads and toggle off all options.
  • Disable iCloud backups temporarily if they tend to sync during gaming.

This simple step can free up processing power, allowing your iPhone to prioritize the game.

5. Reduce Motion and Transparency Settings

Apple’s iOS offers numerous visual enhancements, like motion effects and transparency in the interface, to create a smoother experience. However, these effects require processing power and can cause lag, especially on older iPhone models.

To disable these features:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
  2. Turn on Reduce Motion to limit animation effects.
  3. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enable Reduce Transparency.

These adjustments are known to improve response times and free up memory, giving your iPhone a faster performance edge.

6. Enable Low Power Mode When Needed

Low Power Mode isn’t just for saving battery; it also reduces background activity, which can improve performance when gaming. However, it may limit some features, so use it only if you’re experiencing significant lag and want a smoother gaming experience.

You can enable Low Power Mode by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. Or simply toggle it on from the Control Center for quick access.

7. Regularly Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone may sound basic, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to refresh your device’s memory. When you restart your iPhone, it clears out temporary files and resets background processes. Aim to restart your phone at least once a week, especially if you’re a frequent gamer.

In a survey, 47% of users reported faster performance after regularly restarting their phones, making it an underrated yet crucial tip.

8. Keep Your iOS Updated

Apple frequently releases updates to improve performance and fix bugs that could be causing lag. Keeping your iPhone’s operating system up-to-date ensures that you have the latest patches and optimizations for smoother gameplay.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if an update is available.

Interestingly, each iOS update is estimated to increase performance efficiency by about 5-10% on older devices.

9. Free Up Storage Space

Storage space is a crucial factor in your iPhone’s speed. The closer your iPhone’s storage is to being full, the slower it will perform. Aim to keep at least 20% of storage free by regularly deleting unused apps, photos, or large files.

To check your storage:

  • Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

By keeping your device clutter-free, you ensure smoother and faster gaming sessions.

10. Consider Using a Game-Boosting App

There are third-party apps designed specifically to boost your phone’s gaming performance. These apps temporarily stop unnecessary background activities and optimize CPU usage, making them useful for serious gamers. Although they may not deliver the same results as built-in optimization, some users find them beneficial for eliminating minor lag issues.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to prevent lag and make your iPhone faster for gaming, try these strategies. Clear background apps, adjust graphics, regularly clear cache, disable auto-downloads, reduce motion effects, and make sure your device is updated. Simple actions like freeing up storage and restarting your device regularly can yield noticeable improvements. Start with these steps, and you’ll be able to enjoy smoother, lag-free gaming on your iPhone.

The Multidisciplinary Journey of Jinyun Li

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Jinyun Li is a talented multidisciplinary designer and visual artist known for her innovative approach to blending art and technology. With a unique background that began in accounting, she brings a structured, analytical perspective to her creative work, allowing her to merge precision with imagination. Her career spans multiple disciplines, including UX design, furniture and industrial design, installation art, fashion, and film, which she uses to craft visually compelling, user-centered experiences. She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Muse Design Awards, NYX Awards, and MarCom Awards, affirming her commitment to excellence and her ability to push creative boundaries. Her work is deeply rooted in a philosophy of accessibility and inclusivity, focusing on designing experiences that are as meaningful as they are visually engaging.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technology in design?

I stay updated by constantly learning, whether through online courses, industry articles, or exploring new software. Additionally, I actively engage with design communities where I can see what’s trending and share insights. This continuous learning is essential in design since technology and trends evolve rapidly. I make it a point to integrate these insights into my work, ensuring that my designs are both innovative and aligned with current user expectations.

What motivates you to keep creating and innovating in your field?

My motivation comes from a desire to connect with people and make a difference through design. Knowing that a project can enhance someone’s experience or inspire them is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also driven by a curiosity to explore new ideas and experiment with different mediums, from digital interfaces to installation art. This constant evolution keeps my work fresh and meaningful, allowing me to push creative boundaries and offer new perspectives.

What advice would you give to aspiring designers and creatives?

My advice would be to embrace a learning mindset and be open to exploring diverse experiences. Don’t be afraid to take risks or venture into unfamiliar areas, as each experience adds depth to your skills and perspective. Seek feedback, but remember to trust your own vision. Building resilience and adaptability is crucial, as the design field can be unpredictable. Lastly, focus on creating work that resonates with your values and passions—this authenticity will help you make a lasting impact and grow as a creative professional.

How do you balance working across so many disciplines, and how does one field influence another in your creative process?

Balancing multiple disciplines requires a combination of time management and a deep passion for each field. I view my work not as separate silos but as interconnected parts of a larger creative vision. My work in film informs my storytelling in UX design, where I create user journeys that feel intuitive and immersive. This interconnectedness keeps my work dynamic and prevents creative stagnation.

What role does storytelling play in your creative process, and why do you think it’s important?

Storytelling is at the heart of everything I create. Whether it’s designing a chair, crafting a film, or building a user interface, I think of each project as a narrative—something that takes the audience or user on a journey. For example, in furniture design, the “story” might be how the piece integrates into a space and complements the lives of those who use it. In UX design, the story is about guiding users smoothly and meaningfully through an interaction. I believe storytelling is what transforms functional design into something memorable. It adds depth, emotion, and a sense of connection, making the work resonate on a human level.