Online betting has become a global phenomenon, offering players thrilling opportunities to place wagers on sports, casino games, and even unconventional events. With the rise of digital platforms, placing bets has never been easier, and some players have turned small stakes into life-changing sums. In this essay, we will explore some of the most successful online bets, the advantages of online betting, and the positive impact it has had on the gambling industry.
Unbelievable Wins: From Small Bets to Fortune
While many bettors dream of hitting the jackpot, a few lucky individuals have managed to turn modest wagers into massive payouts. Here are some of the most remarkable online betting wins:
The $0.25 Millionaire – A lucky online casino player placed a $0.25 bet on a progressive jackpot slot and walked away with over $20 million, proving that even the smallest stakes can lead to astronomical wins.
The 5,000-1 Leicester City Miracle – In 2016, an online bettor placed a mere £20 bet on Leicester City to win the English Premier League at 5,000-1 odds. The underdog team made history, and the bettor won £100,000, one of the most famous sports betting wins ever.
The $100 Poker Mastermind – An online poker player entered a $100 buy-in tournament and skillfully maneuvered through thousands of competitors to win over $2 million in prize money.
These stories showcase the unpredictability and excitement of online betting, where strategy, luck, and smart decision-making can yield astonishing results.
Advantages of Online Betting
Online betting has transformed the gambling industry in numerous ways, making it more accessible, engaging, and rewarding for players. Here are some key benefits:
Convenience – Unlike traditional betting venues, online platforms are available 24/7, allowing players to place bets from anywhere in the world using their smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Variety of Options – Online betting platforms offer a vast range of markets, from sports betting to live casino games and eSports, catering to different interests and skill levels.
Bonuses and Promotions – Online bookmakers and casinos provide generous bonuses, such as free bets, cashback offers, and deposit matches, giving players added value for their wagers.
Live Betting and Cash-Out Options – The ability to place bets in real-time and cash out early adds an extra layer of excitement and strategy to online betting.
Interesting Facts About Online Betting
The online gambling industry is expected to surpass $100 billion by 2025 due to increasing accessibility and innovation.
One of the largest-ever online sports betting wins was a $14 million payout on a single bet.
Some online platforms allow players to bet on unusual events, including the outcomes of reality TV shows and political elections.
Cryptocurrency betting is gaining popularity, providing faster and more secure transactions for online gamblers worldwide.
Conclusion
Online betting has evolved into an exciting and dynamic industry, offering players a chance to experience thrilling wins from the comfort of their homes. While luck plays a role, successful betting often involves strategy, research, and calculated risks. As the industry continues to grow, online platforms provide a safe and enjoyable way for players to engage with their favorite sports, casino games, and betting markets. However, responsible gambling remains essential, ensuring that betting remains a fun and positive experience for all.
L.A. Witch’s sound conjures the image of the three witches, the weird sisters, in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Pai the thunder, English the lighting, and Sanchez the rain. Their allure is spooky and titillating, compelling the listener to bang their head with the power of ancient witches, especially the ones whose spirits wander the streets of Los Angeles, where the band calls home. DOGGOD, the band’s third studio album, the final contribution to this echoey triptych that has been their discography, abundant with reverb that bounces around the paved bed of the Los Angeles River, manipulates, toys with, and teases the theme of domination versus submission. Who is the God here, and who is the Dog? Each song stabs at the answer. A few words repeat throughout the album, namely “distress” and “forlorn,” embodying the themes of an album full of yearning desire, not above dying in the pursuit of love in all its power.
1. Icicle
For an album that revels in paradoxes (i.e. dog/god, distressed/calm, dominate/submit, dream/reality, king/queen), it only makes sense that the first song of the album opens with a lyrical contradiction: “Icicle, won’t you cleanse my soul/ You are sharp and cold/ Purity come make me bleed.” Purification through mutilation, a taunting and bloody idea suggested over the psychedelic/gothic cumbia pluck of the guitar, establishes the album as one of affliction and release.
2. Kiss Me Deep
‘Kiss Me Deep’ plays with the rhythmic continuity of a train rolling over its tracks, the guitar playing a chugga-chugga over the bass while the drums dance on the cymbal and snare. The song possesses a kind of dark, deep dark loyalty to love and desire: “You love me like a precious dog/ You licked me like a hungry dog.” Perhaps there is power in being a dog, content in its position of subservience as long as it remains beloved. A notable mention in ‘Kiss Me Deep’ is “gallows,” perhaps a nod to the murdered witches after which the band takes its name. This connection between the women who were condemned as witches and modern women, an inheritance of punishment, lasts in “every life,” but thankfully so does being kissed.
3. 777
The album picks up pace in ‘777’, a number considered angelic and related to the pursuit of love and suffering for it. Sanchez sings her lo-fi croon as the drums march along like an army of angels, ready to kill for love, like the gothic/horror divine this song is, as it depicts lovers lying prostrate on the floor like a “wounded warrior” or “forlorn soldier.” If the previous song revels in being a dog, this one remains weary of being on top. The lyrics provoke “Does glory lead to our demise?” as the guitar plucks like a lonely wind chime and only the drums are heard in accompaniment.
4. I Hunt You Pray
The Dog/God paradox reaches a particularly macabre mood in ‘I Hunt You Pray’. Darkness haunts Sanchez’s vocals, which drone like a very dreary huntress crawling across a dirty pub floor, tired of waiting for affection. The homophone in the title “I hunt you pray” could also be heard as “I hunt you prey,” the second of which sounds slightly more menacing. She repeats that line with a pause between you and pray, playing with our ears even further, reveling in inexactitude, the liminal space between the hunter and hunted, dog and god. Towards the end of the song, an ethereal synthesizer mingles with the guitar, bass, and drums, like an elucidatory light growing brighter and louder, stealing the song from the vocals, which perhaps has become its own kind of prey to the music.
5. Eyes of Love
With a folkier twist, ‘Eyes of Love’ takes some respite from dark desire turning into a shimmering reflection. Talk of revelations and biblical imagery, like a crown of thorns, “Heaven in your eyes,” “consecrate your beauty and power,” and the album cover of two hands clasped in a prayer position around a dagger (not unlike the cross-shaped dagger Macbeth used to kill King Banquo) evokes the spirituality of love. If these eyes of love can cast a glance of affection, they can also devour.
6. THE LINES
At the outset of this song, Pai’s hypotonic style of bass sounds like its sister instrument, the cello, making the song exude a genre-bending post-punk and gothic sound. The lyrics reach a poetic altitude, as Sachez’s vocals trace ambivalent, invisible lines. An organ intercedes with an ethereal hum as the guitar plays through a smoke-filled room. English on drums acts as glue, turning the song into a sermon one might hear performed at the church of L.A. Witch.
7. Lost at the Sea
A scenic drive up the 101, a California road trip, an ol’ timey ghost town, this song slows down as guitar plays a gentle strum, the drums tick a melody like an ambivalent clock, and the vocals speak of “the sirens sing” and “songs of deities,” two images of womanhood and seduction. Sirens, seabound mermaid creatures in Greek mythology known to drag sailors to their death, mix their noise with deities, demanding to be heard. Cosmic power draws two ships, two lovers, together, but one without the other causes sails to drift. When this happens, the vocals become lost at sea, appearing sparsely between the guitar and synthesizer’s melodies.
8. DOGGOD
The surf rock sound that originated in Southern California claims its spot on the beach in the album’s titular track, surfing the waves that were once looked at longingly, and now are being ridden with glee. ‘DOGGOD’ revels in submission: “Want me to be down at your feet/ I beg and cry for my relief,” and finds power in a lower position. Sanchez has made a symbolic connection between women and dogs, their shared perceived subservient positions in society, but that is the power of the palindrome, the meaning changes based on perspective.
9. SOS
This album rocks, floating up and down across the desert sea, jerking with the tide, going out with a bang. ‘SOS’ rises from the bottom of the ocean to the surface “where it’s not that deep blue.” This song closes the album by evoking the first song. Instead of an icicle, frozen in time, dripping with potential danger, ‘SOS’ is a hanging on an iceberg. There is a religious element to this roundabout conclusion, like the second-coming of a chunk of ice, but in a stronger and deeper, although not less deadly, form. Sanchez’s vocals rise to a yell, like a coming wave, shouting “may date may date,” and for “deliverance,” then falls, overtaken by the band’s crescendo, ending with an echo like this whole album is just a memory, stuck in your head, a mirage indeed.
In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on April 4, 2025:
Black Country, New Road, Forever Howlong
Black Country, New Road have released Forever Howlong, their first studio album following the departure of frontman Isaac Wood. With bassist Tyler Hyde, May Kershaw, and Georgia Ellery trading lead vocals, the band’s third LP achieves a different kind of complexity – and uplift – by dividing itself through each member’s songwriting inclinations. It was previewed by the singles ‘Besties’, ‘Happy Birthday’, and ‘For the Cold Country’.
The Ophelias are back with a new album, the Julien Baker-produced Spring Grove. They tracked the album over ten days at Young Avenue Sound in Memphis in 2021, the year after the release of their last album Crocus. “It feels like the completion of a years-long aim,” vocalist Spencer Peppet said in our interview. “And I think that a lot of that was just finally knowing what we wanted and being able to say that the guitar should sound so crunchy, or it should be more guitar-led, or have really forward bass, or keep the violin kind of on the lower end of the notes until we get to this one part. It feels like we locked in with what we wanted and were able to really do it for real.”
New York indie-folk outfit Florist have unveiled their fifth studio album, Jellywish, which homes in on the tender minimalism and escapism of their previous work. “Jellywish believes in the incredible magic within us and around us here in this reality, and the potential for a beautiful and symbiotic Earth if we do not turn away from what is evil but instead challenge it and stand up for what is not,” bandleader Emily Sprague explained. “It is meant to be a gentle but firm nudge to think about, and deconstruct the parts of our world which do not serve us all equitably; systems of power and control which can harm, destroy, box us in to ridiculous constructs, and take away anyone or anything’s right to a free and happy life. From the self to the collective consciousness, Jellywish asks us to look inside, outside, every which side, to remember love and empathy, caregiving, and the vigilant rejection of systemic harm towards our planet and the beings inhabiting it.”
Jane Remover‘s Revengeseekerz, which never got a proper release date, has arrived. JR wrote, performed recorded, mixed, and mastered in the record Chicago this winter, and it’s a blast all the way through. The follow-up to 2023’s Census Designated features the early singles ‘JRJRJR’ and ‘Dancing With Your Eyes Closed’, as well as a guest spot from Detroit rapper Danny Brown on the frenzied ‘Psychoboost’. “The radio I sleep to glitches, my dreams give me nausea,” the artist sings on ‘Fadeoutz’, capturing the ethos of the record. “Stumbling at the show, fans walking in on me vomiting.”
Lily Seabird’s stunning new album, Trash Mountain, is named after a pink house sitting on a decommissioned landfill site at the back of Burlington’s Old North End, which the singer-songwriter has called home for several years now. “I was just singing out thinking about that – a place that could have so much beauty to me, and so much sense of community, but then it has that name,” Seabird said in our Artist Spotlight interview. “I’d be constantly thinking about the climate crisis and pollution and late-stage capitalism, just the state of the world, and I sing a lot about – this time of year, all the garbage people have thrown on the side of the road comes out of the snow and is just there. So there’s lots of trash around, and it just seems like a palpable metaphor to me.”
DJ Koze has released Music Can Hear Us, his first album in seven years, via his imprint Pampa Records. Described as “a 64-minute return trip to space,” the playful, idiosyncratic, and at times pensive follow-up to 2018’s Knock Knock features guest appearances from Damon Albarn, Sofia Kourtesis, Soap&Skin, Ada, Sophia Kennedy, the Notwist’s Markus Acher, and Marewrew.
Sleigh Bells have returned as rambunctious and bombastic as ever with Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, their first album in over three years, and as to the title. “‘Bunky Becky’ was a nickname for Alexis’ dog Riz, who passed away in December 2023,” Derek Miller explained in a statement. “When she passed away, Alexis and I had been talking about writing an anthem for her. And then Alexis’ son Wilder was born, and he’s the birthday boy. Even though the title sounds a little ridiculous – and it’s totally okay to laugh at it — with a little bit of context, it’s actually life and death. We lost somebody that we love, and we gained somebody that we love.”
The Hold Steady bandleader Craig Finn has released Always Been, a shimmering embrace of an album that was produced by Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs. Kathleen Edwards and Sam Fender also contribute vocals on the LP, which follows 2022’s A Legacy of Rentals. “I believe this to be the most narrative record I have made,” Finn said in a press release. “Most songs concern a protagonist who pursued a career as a clergyman despite a lack of faith. The record tells the story of his rise and fall and redemption.”
Scowl, Are We All Angels; The Waterboys, Life, Death and Dennis Hopper; David Longstreth, Dirty Projectors & Stargaze, Song of the Earth; Djo, The Crux; L.A. Witch, Doggod; duendita, A Strong Desire to Survive; Barker, Stochastic Drift; Chy Cartier, No Bring Ins; Marlon Williams, Te Whare Tīwekaweka; Sister Ray, Believer; Walt McClements, On a Painted Ocean.
In the evolving landscape of contemporary art, where technology, environmental consciousness, and social critique collide, Tianyi Ren responds with profound inquiry. A London-based Chinese Tibetan multidisciplinary artist, Tianyi Ren’s works exists at the nexus of speculative fiction, environmental sustainability, and anthropology, offering not just commentary but immersive experiences that demand participation.
Reshaping the Narrative: Art as an Interactive System
Tianyi’s art is neither static nor passive. It is a living system of exchange, where digital and physical realities blend seamlessly, compelling audiences to engage with complex themes. Her background in interaction design and visual communication manifests in installations that act as speculative worlds—realities that might exist but are yet to be fully realized.
Take, for example, “Takakia”, an interactive installation that extends beyond aesthetic experience into ecological advocacy. Named after a rare moss species on the brink of extinction in the Tibetan Plateau, the work harnesses climate data (1960-2050) to generate real-time visuals via TouchDesigner, which are then projected onto live moss. The integration of Arduino sensors transforms audience interaction into a visceral confrontation with environmental fragility—a poetic yet urgent plea for climate awareness.
This interplay between human agency and natural vulnerability is a recurring theme in Tianyi Ren’s work. “Ripple Effect” similarly explores human impact on the environment by visualizing global oil spills, where audience movement dictates the spread of pollution. “The Invisible Hand”, on the other hand, takes a socio-political turn, using projection mapping onto sand to illustrate the unseen forces that shape societal behavior—be it economic, political, or ideological.
Navigating Identity and Freedom: A Personal Reckoning
As a Chinese Tibetan artist based in the UK, Tianyi Ren’s exploration of identity, heritage, and personal freedom is deeply intimate yet universally resonant. Nowhere is this more evident than in “Tangled Freedom”, a photographic series set in a small Tibetan temple near Mount Kailash. The work juxtaposes the symbolism of prayer flags—representing spiritual aspirations—with the artist’s personal struggle for liberation. Here, Ren navigates the duality of tradition and autonomy, questioning whether religious and cultural structures serve as pathways to self-discovery or entanglements that restrict agency.
This tension between belief and autonomy echoes in “Truth?”, an installation that manipulates visual perception to question subjective realities. Lines distort spatial awareness, mirroring the biases and preconceptions that cloud human understanding. In this, Ren articulates a powerful critique of epistemology, cultural conditioning, and the limits of human perception.
Beyond Speculation: Towards a Participatory Future
Tianyi Ren’s work is not about answering questions but provoking new ways of seeing, questioning, and participating. Through the fusion of data-driven aesthetics, technological interaction, and philosophical critique, she challenges the boundaries between observer and participant, nature and machine, tradition and progress.
In a world increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, climate precarity, and socio-political flux, Tianyi Ren’s speculative art does not merely mirror reality—it alters it. In doing so, she offers a vital blueprint for engagement, urging us to consider our roles not just as passive spectators but as active agents in the construction of the future.
Drake dropped his new album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U ($$$4U) alongside PartyNextDoor over a month ago, but fans aren’t feeling it and have been all over social media letting everyone know what they think.
The new album dropped on Friday the 14th and one fan on X, couldn’t help but say, “Drake dropping a “sexy-themed” album on Valentine’s Day is such a Drake thing to do”, and we can’t agree more.
In this article, we cover information surrounding the latest album release by the two OVO artists and what fans and critics alike are saying online.
While many concluded that the rap feud is over, it seems that the “6 god” is not done especially now that Kendrick Lamar performed at the Super Bowl.
The Canadian rapper loves high stakes ventures
Drake has never shied away from high-stakes ventures, whether in music, business or even gambling. The Canadian rapper is known for placing massive bets across various sports with some losses making more headlines than his wins.
He has also expressed his love for slot machines and called them his favorite casino games. With his bold approach to risk-taking, it wouldn’t be surprising if he enjoys the kind of massive high-roller casino bonuses featured under a source like Bonus Focus.
However, we bet he has never enjoyed any moment of the rap beef which he lost terribly against the kid from Compton, aka Kendrick Lamar.
The 2024 rap beef was considered another high-stakes venture for the 38-year-old where he had a lot to loose. He put his career on the line when he decided to go head-to-head with one of the most influential hip-hop artists of our generation.
Considering Kendrick’s success over the past few months, it appears that Drizzy has much more to do than dropping what fans described as a “garbage” album.
What fans and critics are saying about Drake and PND’s $$$4U
Drake’s latest collaboration with PartyNextDoor, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is his first major work since he dropped “For All the Dogs” (FATD) in 2023. The album received fans´ mixed reactions on social media where they expressed their opinions.
One user on X blatantly said, “Jokes apart, this is really below the par Kendrick Lamar set.” “Zero Replay value. Why do they sound the same in all of the songs, no creativity,” they added.
Disgruntled listeners reported on Reddit expressing their frustrations, with one user saying that besides 2 or 3 songs, the rest was “Zzz.” Echoing the sentiment, another user commented that the album was “meh.”
The user added that it had some good tracks but was mostly bland and suggested that Drake needs to edit his albums better because, as it stands, it’s “really just samey samey and uninspired for the majority of the run time.”
Another critic didn’t hold back, stating that the music was genuinely some of the most horrible non-gimmick music they’d heard and questioned how people online could defend it.
Adding to the criticism, another person remarked that the album deserved an “A–” grade, indicating it was always going to be low effort and garbage. Yet another disappointed listener expressed a preference for cinematic punishment over the music, saying they’d rather watch “The Matrix 3” than listen to 70 minutes of Drake.
Podcast reviews engaged with fans and started comparing the 21-track project to some of Drake’s collab albums. “What A Time To Be Alive” with Future was branded a classic, “Her Loss” with “21 Savage” was declared the best in terms of lyrics, and $$$4U with PND received the most versatile tag.
Commenting under NFR Podcast’s post, one staunch fan of the 6 mentioned that Reports reveal that “$$$4u really felt like that breath of fresh air for Drake, he got back in that old Drake bag and that’s what I wanted from him, it’s got some of his best R&B performances this decade thus far and it gets better with every listen.”
He concluded with double exclamation marks alongside a 100 emoji. Other than that, most of the fans were quick to label the R&B/Soul album as trash.
Final thoughts
We wonder what Drake must be feeling now when he lost the rap beef, Kendrick Sweeping the Grammy’s with “Not Like Us”, and going ahead to perform it at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Having the whole stadium scream the lyrics (“Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor”) of the song that gave KDot the victory lap in the hip-hop war while Serena William’s crip walked in the background was quite insane!
As if that wasn’t enough, Kendrick is now the first rapper to cross over 100M monthly listeners in Spotify history thanks to his latest release album “GNX” which is aging like fine wine while denying Drake’s new project the attention it could have gotten if he haven´t chosen to enter a rap beef.
As Mr. Duckworth put it during his halftime performance, Drizzy chose the right time but the wrong person to battle with. It remains to be seen whether Drake will be able to bounce back and regain some of the favor and commercial success he has now lost in the hip-hop world.
Perfume Genius was the musical guest on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, delivering a striking rendition of his Glory single ‘It’s a Mirror’. Watch it happen below.
Glory, the follow-up to 2022’s Ugly Season, came out last month.
HAIM have released a new song, ‘Everybody’s Trying to Figure Me Out’. Following last month’s ‘Relationships’, the single was co-written with Rostam Batmanglij and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. There’s a striking vulnerability to the song, though it hews towards the same warmth Danielle Haim brought to her recent Bon Iver collab ‘If Only I Could Wait’. “You think you’re gonna die/ But you’re not gonna die,” it resolves. Check it out below.
On Instagram, Danielle Haim wrote: “This next song we will be releasing is my favorite song we’ve written in the last couple years 🙂 writing it has gotten me through some hard times, and we felt this might be of some use to get our vibes right for this summer! I started writing this after a panic attack I had the night I got home from tour. I was very confused because I was SO SO SO happy about our incredible tour, but something about being alone with myself scared the shit out of me. after a lot of reflecting I realized I’ve let a lot of people try and tell me how I should live my life, but I realized in making everyone else happy, I lost myself. I wrote this as a way to believe in myself again and quit being scared to do what I want. I hope this finds anyone who needs it.”
Miley Cyrus has shared ‘End of the World’, the latest preview of her upcoming album Something Beautiful. It follows the recently released ‘Prelude’ and the title track, and it comes paired with a music video directed by Cyrus, Jacob Bixenman, Brendan Walter. Cyrus executive produced the new record with Shawn Everett, who worked on ‘End of the World’ alongside Michael Pollack, Jonathan Rado, Maxx Morando, and Alvvays’ Molly Rankin and Alec O’Hanley, both of whom contributed lyrics and played on the song. Check it out below.
Something Beautiful is set to arrive on May 30 via Columbia.
Every week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with several tracks that catch our attention, then round up the best songs of each month in this segment. Here, in alphabetical order, are the best songs of March 2025.
Alan Sparhawk and Trampled by Turtles – ‘Stranger’
Low’s Alan Sparhawk made the collaborative nature of his second solo LP clear by titling it With Trampled by Turtles. Sprawhwak may be the more recognizable name outside of Duluth’s creative community, but the alt-country group are also longtime pillars of the city’s music scene. It’s not hard to imagine the simplicity of ‘Stranger’, the album’s lead single, being refracted and slowed down to fit the distorted atmospherics of Low’s BJ Purton-produced records, but the song’s bluegrass arrangement pushes Sparhawk’s voice toward clear conviction. “You gotta put up with stranger people than you know now/ You gotta go through some dangerouser things than you thought you’d have to,” he sings, still bending grammatical rules to emphasize his point. More innocent souls might settle with might have to; Sparhawk knows life’s uncertainty is non-negotiable.
Car Seat Headrest – ‘Gethsemane’
“A series of simple patterns slowly build themselves into another song,” Will Toledo sings on ‘Gethsemano’, casually revealing the Car Seat Headrest MO. The lead single from The Scholars stretches over eleven minutes, stitching together fragments of what could be separate tracks into an epic narrative introduction to the mysterious, spiritual world of the band’s latest rock opera. There’s a clear evolution between its parts, though: “I never missed a prayer and I always did the dishes” becomes, through some form of dark mysticism, “I can do whatever the fuck I want when I want to.” The song is seemingly about Rosa, a medical student at the fictional Parnassus University whose life is transformed after reviving a medically deceased patient, but you’re never quite who’s speaking, and a whole cast of characters eventually comes up: “the naked priest, the introvert, the millionaire, conspirator.” Through it all, the song brims with the possibilities of new love, even if it, too, ends up being reduced to rubble.
Chappell Roan – ‘The Giver’
Chappell Roan’s long-teased country pop offering could have raised a few eyebrows, but whether it’s been stuck in your head since its Saturday Night Live debut or its official release in March, you know that fiddle is all camp, no cringe. Roan delivers a country song with all the panache and playfulness of knowing she might never put out another one without making this one sound like a one-off. You can get plenty of airplay out of song with a winking hook like “I get the job done,” but the single becomes an anthem via the gasp-inducing lines it sneaks in around the chorus: “Girl I don’t need no lifted truck/ Revving loud to pick you up/ Cause how I look is how I touch.” The rest of whatever project it ends up appearing on may be stylistically louder, but ‘The Giver’ sounds as effective as it claims to be.
Destroyer – ‘Cataract Time’
Another month, another Destroyer song on this list. The entirety of Dan’s Boogie is now out, so there probably won’t be another one next month, but the album’s third single, ‘Caract Time’, might be its most revelatory. It sprawls over eight minutes, but the song might be the most gentle and inviting on the whole record, hardly veering off course in favour of unfiltered emotion – a rarity in Destroyer’s catalog. “I just sat down and started singing it over a little chord progression and melody,” Dan Bejar said in our interview. ‘Cataract Time’ is a portrait of exhaustion, of being on the road too long, the performative bubble bursting. It runs slower than the world requires of him, but its pace feels not just correct, but somehow illuminating.
MJ Lenderman – ‘Dancing in the Club’ (This Is Lorelei Cover)
When his cover of This Is Lorelei’s ‘Dancing in the Club’ was released, MJ Lenderman revealed that Box for Buddy, Box for Star was the album he listened to the most in 2024. By inviting him to take on the track for the record’s deluxe edition, Nate Amos expresses his own admiration by way of trust: someone like MJ Lenderman could only bring the song’s lonely desparation higher up the surface. Lenderman understands that fucking up your guitar means fucking up your heart, not just the other way round. He’ll slow down the song and draw out the lyrics to make their dissociation feel more personal than situational. And he will, of course, take pleasure in singing the words “A loser never wins/ And I’m a loser, always been,” lifted as they seem from his own Manning Fireworks. More than self-lacerating, though, the cover arrives as a source of comfort, too: being your own worst enemy doesn’t mean you can’t be seen, or find yourself a little less alone.
Matt Berninger – ‘Bonnet of Pins’
“It takes a lot to really disappear/ Always leave traces in the leaves,” Matt Berninger sings on ‘Bonnet of Pins’, the first words we get to hear from his next solo album. At first glance, it seems to dig further into the depressive patterns of the National’s last two albums, which came out of a period of creative and personal burnout for the singer. But on the lead single from Get Sunk, the narrator is not the one who appears as a ghost. “The closest thing she’s ever found to love/ Is the kind you can’t get rid of fast enough,” he says of the person suddenly reemerged, flesh and bones and all, the one finishing off his drink. It sends a jolt through his nervous system big enough to turn ‘Bonnet of Pins’ into one of Berninger’s most revitalizing solo songs to date. “Poor you,” the ghost shrugs. But you feel way more than pity.
billy woods – ‘Misery’ [feat. Kenny Segal]
Another song about misery loving company – only hazier and more haunting than anything else on this list. billy woods introduced his new album GOLLIWOG with a Kenny Segal collab that sticks to the formula the pair mastered on Maps while marking a kind of lyrical shift. The album supposedly finds the rapper revisiting a story about an evil golliwog (like the one on the album cover) he wrote when he was nine, but one hopes no part of ‘Misery’, a song that includes the line “she came to me already wet with sex,” can be traced back to his childhood. The jazz-inflected track is dreamlike in a way that seems to travel through time even though it only lasts two minutes, blurring the line between ecstasy and confusion, night and the morning after – so fast there’s barely a moment to question any of it.
caroline – ‘Total euphoria’
Three years after their debut album, caroline returned in gloriously off-kilter fashion with ‘Total euphoria’. Driven by stabbing guitar, drums that never quite gel into place, and keyboards that hover radiantly but never quite in sync, you’re left wondering how the song could possibly amount to a sound befitting its title, but the experimental UK outfit naturally gets there. The instrumentation doesn’t cohere so much as endlessly revolve into something greater than the sum of its part, something blissfully communal, especially as Jasper Llewellyn and Magdalena McLean start singing in unison. The ambiguous betrayal at the song’s emotional core is never resolved, but you somehow get it, totally.
feeble little horse – ‘This Is Real’
Unlike songs like ‘Dancing in the Club’ and ‘Cataract Time’, ‘This Is Real’ makes a dissociative trip sound like a blast – in the literal sense, at least. “Put the heater to the–” Lydia Slocum sings before the – nu metal? death metal? neither tag quite conveys the disruptive wall of distortion – guitars complete the sentence for her: max. The Pittsburgh four-piece’s first new music in two years showcases a band not so much harnessing the contrast between hypnotic contradiction and dynamic intensity as erasing the difference. They’re the kind to drill the point home, but not without a twist or two; they’ll let out an indecipherable scream, but not without a real confession. “I got my anger off my chest but/ We’ll never be the same again,” Slocum ultimately sings, hushed and human. It’s a good thing, you venture.
The Ophelias – ‘Salome’
Vengeful and invigorating, ‘Salome’ uses the Biblical story of the titular character to take a stab at sexist men in the music industry. “I want your head on the platter,” Spencer Peppet sings, stretching out the I as much as she revels in the daydream. “It gets boring, the monotony of misogyny,” Peppet wrote in her Substack, but the song itself is anything but. Although sort of a lyrical anomaly on the band’s mostly diaristic new album Spring Grove, it punches up their sound – with the assistance of producer Julien Baker, who also provides additional guitar and harmonies – in electrifying ways they’ve long been reaching for. It’s about people that drive you mad, yes, but mostly the madness that drives you forward.
Technology functions as an essential connector for people while delivering support services, particularly to minority groups throughout the current digital era. For transgender people, finding resources that address their unique needs can be challenging. Transgender lives extend beyond dating, with support, health, safety, and community being equally important aspects of their existence. This is why we’ve compiled a list of vital apps for trans people that serve various purposes beyond justtrans dating. These tools encompass platforms for LGBT friendship, resources for health, and spaces for meeting others within the transgender community.
From support groups that assist trans women to apps that promote understanding of gender identity, each resource plays a unique role in empowering transgender people. While dating apps may connect individuals romantically, this article will explore a broader spectrum, ensuring that trans women and men have access to comprehensive support and resources as they navigate their journeys. This article examines the key apps and platforms that serve transgender people.
The Best Online Transgender Support Platforms
Finding a supportive space is vital for many in the transgender community. Online transgender support groups and projects provide a safe space where people can share their experiences, seek advice, and make LGBT friends. These groups are often the best resources for those who are looking to connect with other trans people near them and find understanding and encouragement. In a truly discrimination-free environment, members can engage in meaningful conversations about issues related to trans dating, transitioning, and mental well-being. We will discuss multiple organizations that create this supportive environment.
Trans Lifeline
The peer-support service Trans Lifeline exists to assist members of the transgender and LGBTQ community and comes from within their community itself. This service provides anonymous and confidential help to those who question their gender identity or are going through transitions, including legal and medical aspects. Unlike typical crisis hotlines, Trans Lifeline invites calls from anyone in need of a supportive ear, ensuring a welcoming environment to make LGBT friends and connect with like-minded people.
All operators are members of the trans community, which creates an environment based on special understanding among members. To protect callers, the policy requires consent before law enforcement can participate in any calls. Active phone support combines with a comprehensive web-based resource section that includes materials for trans rights documentation procedures and medical options along with tips for transitioning.
The service provides Spanish language accessibility together with a website emergency exit option. Trans Lifeline operates as an essential resource that maintains a truly inclusive community.
The Tribe
As a welcoming space, The Tribe creates connections to build community spirit for people in the LGBT community. Offering a robust network of support for all LGBTQ+ people, including mental health resources not confined to gender or sexual orientation, it emphasizes building connections that matter. With various forums and groups available, members can engage with their peers on issues ranging from personal challenges to shared experiences, facilitating discussions on topics such as theadvantages of dating a trans woman.
Through its therapist directory, The Tribe assists users in locating ongoing mental health support that matches their requirements, yet it does not provide emergency services nor specific audio/video assistance. The gender-inclusive, community-based model allows all members to obtain essential tools for their growth and connects individuals in a valuable way for personal development.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a vital resource dedicated to supporting trans youth and LGBTQ+ people through its comprehensive mental health resources and suicide prevention services. This organization creates a welcoming community where young people can find guidance and understanding tailored to their unique experiences. With a focus on providing crisis intervention and support, The Trevor Project offers confidential chat and hotline services, ensuring that trans folks have immediate access to help when they need it most. Additionally, they provide educational resources to promote awareness and foster acceptance among peers, helping to build a safe environment for friends and allies alike.
Transbucket
Transbucket serves as an exclusive online platform dedicated to trans people who access a rich collection of information about medical transition. It serves as a unique space for active users to share their experiences with various gender-affirming procedures, surgeries, and treatments. The platform lets users read firsthand accounts and look at comparison photos while learning from people who went through equivalent gender transitions.
Transbucket maintains a large list of medical professionals who receive favorable ratings while honoring users’ privacy needs and welcoming every gender identity from binary to non-binary. While it doesn’t offer formal support groups or hotline assistance, it serves as a valuable resource for queer women and others seeking knowledge and community within gender groups, helping them make informed decisions about their journeys.
Online Tools and Platforms
In the quest for well-being and support, online tools and platforms offer essential resources for every trans person working towards their specific gender affirmation goals. These platforms foster an environment of gender diversity, providing access to health services, community connections, and valuable information tailored to individual needs. By leveraging these tools, people can navigate their journeys more effectively, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive in a society that recognizes and celebrates their identities.
imi
Tools likeimi are essential in today’s climate, particularly as they address the growing mental health crisis affecting LGBTQ+ youth. Launched in early 2020, this platform provides free, research-backed support tailored to meet the unique needs of young people exploring their gender expressions. Created with input from hundreds of LGBTQ+ teens—including BIPoC, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals—imi fosters a safe digital space for sharing stories and experiences.
Collaborating with organizations like CenterLink, Hopelab, and It Gets Better, imi aims to ensure an LGBTQ community safe for all. Guided by research, their mission is clear: uplift and affirm these young voices, helping them navigate challenges like being trans on social media and connecting with other members of the community. Ultimately, imi provides a much-needed resource that allows youth to finally focus on their well-being and empowerment.
FOLX
The digital healthcare platformFOLX serves the LGBTQIA+ community with a purpose to create better healthcare experiences for people who have experienced system-based discrimination. FOLX launched its operations in December 2020 through the vision of founder A.G. Breitenstein who focuses on providing inclusive healthcare services such as gender-affirming care together with primary care and mental health support.
This platform encourages meaningful connections through its community features, allowing users to engage in chatting, participate in support groups, and join events tailored to their needs. Whether a trans girl seeking advice or anyone looking to build a network, FOLX fosters a thriving environment for health and wellness. The platform provides all necessary tools for members through their crisis support service and library resources to help members achieve success. For a $25/month membership, FOLX provides accessible quality care for its members through multiple insurance options.
Plume Health
Plume Health is a virtual clinic dedicated to gender-affirming care for the trans and gender non-conforming community. Co-founded in 2019 by trans physician Dr. Jerrica Kirkley and ally Dr. Matthew Wetschler, Plume emphasizes inclusive medical services. With over 60% of its team identifying as trans, the clinic offers individualized hormone therapy, including estrogen and testosterone prescriptions tailored to patients’ gender goals.
In addition to hormone therapy, Plume provides mental health support, transition assistance, and a range of sexual health services. By fostering a supportive community and uplifting trans opinion leaders, Plume Health is transforming healthcare access for thousands of people.
REFUGE Restrooms
REFUGE Restrooms is an application dedicated to providing safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. The app enables users to easily locate restrooms nearby, contribute new listings, and share feedback through ratings and reviews.
Social & Safety Apps
Social and safety apps are vital for supporting the well-being of LGBTQ+ people. These social apps enhance the app’s user experience by providing tailored resources for mental and physical health. Offering everything from health tracking to emergency support, these platforms empower users to find safe spaces and connect with supportive networks, enabling them to live authentically and confidently.
Voda App
Voda is an app designed to provide accessible, inclusive, and competent mental health support specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community. Built by and for the community, Voda combines AI-driven tools with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Users can access personalized mental health tools, self-guided therapy programs, and LGBTQIA+-voiced meditations covering a wide range of topics, from coming out to managing stress and building self-worth.
Available for Android and iOS, Voda prioritizes user privacy, ensuring that all personal info is encrypted and securely stored, allowing members to retain ownership of users’ personal data. While basic resources, like the Trans+ Library, are free, those seeking enhanced features can subscribe to Voda Plus for £8 a month or £55 annually, with discounts available for LGBTQIA+ charities.
GeoSure
GeoSure is an app designed to provide safety information for travelers and includes an “LGBTQ+ safety rating” for over 30,000 neighborhoods worldwide. The app employs AI and crowd-sourced data to evaluate and score areas on a scale from one to 100, with one representing the safest conditions.
The LGBTQ+ safety rating assesses the likelihood of harm or discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, helping users navigate their surroundings. Many have found this review helpful, especially when planning trips.
InReach
InReach is the world’s first open-source, verified, LGBTQ+-inclusiveapp, designed to meet the diverse and intersecting needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker, a queer immigrant, or a non-binary user, InReach offers comprehensive resources in areas such as medical care, legal assistance, housing, and mental health support.
Accessible to resource seekers, legal professionals, and allies alike, InReach guarantees safety and confidentiality, ensuring all users find trustworthy referrals. With features like personalized searches, user reviews, and the ability to suggest new resources, InReach aims to revolutionize support networks, helping every member of the LGBTQ+ community thrive.
RUBIES Chatbot
The RUBIESchatbot is an AI-powered tool created to provide free support for trans people and their families. Designed with care and understanding, this chatbot offers guidance on a variety of topics pertinent to the LGBTQ+ journey, with a strong emphasis on gender identity and expression.
Whether you have questions about hormone therapy, hormone blockers, or surgical options, the chatbot delivers information in a simple, approachable manner. Additionally, it highlights supportive clothing options specifically for trans women. Beyond individual support, the RUBIES chatbot also fosters communication and understanding among families, encouraging parents to engage with and support their children on their personal journeys.
BOBU App
TheBOBU app, developed byAcross Rainbows, is a transformative tool aimed at enhancing street safety for LGBTQ+ people. Launched in 2021, it was created in response to rising concerns about public safety as hate crimes have surged. BOBU empowers users to navigate a network of vetted “safe spaces” across the UK, ensuring that everyone can feel secure and supported while expressing their authentic selves.
Each participating venue has undergone inclusive training called “Bear Necessities,” equipping staff to foster a welcoming atmosphere. Users can rate venues based on their experiences, providing feedback that helps maintain safety standards. With BOBU, you can confidently explore social spaces that prioritize respect and inclusivity, making every outing a positive experience.
Dandarah – RISE
Dandarah is a vital app designed to enhance the safety of trans women in Brazil, named in honor of Dandara don Santos, a trans woman who tragically lost her life to violence in 2017. The app utilizes user-generated maps to pinpoint locations where trans women commonly gather, allowing users to communicate real-time updates about safety concerns and incidents of violence in their areas.
Equipped with a panic button feature, Dandarah enables users to quickly alert five emergency contacts and local services if they feel threatened. Initially inspired by findings from the Divas study, which revealed the extensive danger faced by trans women in Brazil, Dandarah has been a beacon of hope, downloaded over 5,000 times since its launch. The project continues to evolve, focusing on empowering trans women to identify risks, access support, and ultimately foster a safer community.
Dating Apps
Dating apps have become essential tools for those looking to connect within the LGBTQ+ community, especially for people who wish to date trans partners. Platforms like Grindr and dedicated transgender dating apps provide spaces for users to find meaningful relationships, whether romantic or platonic. These apps often incorporate social media elements, making it easier to share experiences, connect over common interests, and foster a sense of community.
Fiorry
Fiorry stands out among the best transgender dating apps, specifically designed to create a secure and inclusive online dating experience for trans people. The app offers unique features tailored to meet the needs of the transgender community, including profile options that allow users to express their gender identity authentically. Fiorry prioritizes safety by implementing robust measures for blocking disruptive users, ensuring that all interactions remain respectful and supportive.
Moreover, Fiorry employs comprehensive verification processes to build a community of genuine users, making it one of the safest dating apps available. With its focused approach on fostering meaningful connections, Fiorry provides a welcoming space where trans individuals can find love and companionship while prioritizing their comfort and security.
Grindr
Grindr is a well-known dating app for trans people and the broader LGBTQ+ community, dedicated to fostering connections across various identities within the dating world. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and geolocation features, Grindr allows users to find potential matches nearby, enabling a dynamic and engaging experience. The app promotes inclusivity by welcoming all sexual orientations and gender identities, making it a popular choice among users seeking to connect with trans dating app features. With its focus on community, Grindr serves as more than just a dating platform; it is a space to share experiences and build connections in a supportive environment.
OkCupid
OkCupid is a prominent dating platform celebrated for its inclusive options that cater to a diverse range of gender identities and sexual orientations. Users can select from numerous gender identities and sexual preferences, allowing for a more personalized dating experience. This flexibility empowers users to express themselves authentically and connect with others who share similar values and interests.
In conclusion, the landscape of apps for trans community has evolved significantly to cater to the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. From safety-focused platforms to inclusive environments, these apps provide valuable resources and connections for those navigating love and companionship. Emphasizing support, community, and authenticity, these tools are essential, ensuring that everyone can find their place in the world.
Black Country, New Road have released 
The Ophelias
New York indie-folk outfit Florist have unveiled their fifth studio album, 
Lily Seabird’s stunning new album, Trash Mountain, is named after a pink house sitting on a decommissioned landfill site at the back of Burlington’s Old North End, which the singer-songwriter has called home for several years now. “I was just singing out thinking about that – a place that could have so much beauty to me, and so much sense of community, but then it has that name,” Seabird said in our 
DJ Koze has released 
Sleigh Bells have returned as rambunctious and bombastic as ever with 
The Hold Steady bandleader Craig Finn has released 
Navigating Identity and Freedom: A Personal Reckoning
