Reneé Rapp has shared ‘Why Is She Still Here?’, the latest single from her forthcoming sophomore LP BITE ME. It arrives with an accompanying visual, which you can check out below.
BITE ME, the follow-up to 2023’s Snow Angel, is out August 1 via Polydor Records.
In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on July 18, 2025:
Hushed, gorgeous, and warmly elusive, Alex G’s major label debut is a high watermark in a career full of them. There’s still a treasure trove of childhood memories for the singer-songwriter to dig up, to try and bridge the disparate pieces and fill the missing ones. “I’ve searched far and wide/ For a place like this/ Now I can close my eyes,” he sings at one point on Headlights. And what happens then, in the blackness? Maybe his voice thrives, writing out every word, rescuing his younger self. Maybe it gets all distorted, firing up his imagination. Maybe he’ll get dizzy with the big bright light; maybe he’ll miss the one glaring right at him. Read the full review.
It took three years after Forth Wanderers dissolved in 2018 for the question of making music again to arise. “It felt like there wasn’t as much riding on the band,” guitarist Ben Guterl said in press materials. “We all felt free to mess around and have fun.” The Longer This Goes On is playful, tuneful, and riveting, experimenting with the edges of the band’s sound. “We had more fun with style and testing what we could get away with, whether it’s bluesy, country, slower, or darker; whatever sounded good,” vocalist Ava Trilling added.
The Seattle-based trio of singer and bassist Lena Farr-Morrissey, guitarist Sam Fason, and drummer Cam Hancock have come through with their debut album, Air Between Us. Their music may sound oceanic and ethereal, but it’s just as concerned with the human world as it is with drifting beyond what the eye can see. They recorded the LP at The Unknown in Anacortes, working with engineer Nich Wilbur. “We were committed to the three piece way of doing things, but wanted to make it sound as lush and as full as possible,” Fason explained.
Disiniblud, the self-titled collaborative effort of experimental producers and multi-instrumentalists Rachika Nayar and Nina Keith, is the product of what they describe as “wordless conversation.” Overflowing with beauty, wonder, and pain, that back-and-forth is anything but static, harnessing elements of indietronica, neo-classical, and glitch pop to capture immeasurable yearning. Julianna Barwick, Tujiko Noriko, Cassandra Croft, ASPIDISTRAFLY, Katie Dey, June McDoom, and Ponytail’s Willy Siegel appear as guests on the LP.
Cassie Wieland fleshes out her sound on her debut full-length as Vines, I’ll be here, adding a real sense of dimension to the melancholy that pervaded 2023’s Birthday Party EP. The opening track is called ‘I’m getting sick’, but it’s only the start of the journey, which later includes track titles like ‘Happy is hard’, ‘Tired’, and ‘Keep Driving’ one after the other. By the closing title track, the record stretches its wings outward, pushing beyond the mental spiral that weakens its subject. “I’m almost home and I want to turn around,” she sings on ‘King of Swords’. “I’ll do anything to leave my skin.”
Billie Marten has released a new album, Dog Eared, following up 2023’s Drop Cherries. The UK singer-songwriter worked on the layered, warmly inviting record with producer Phil Weinrobe in New York in the summer of 2024. At his at his Sugar Mountain studio, they enlisted a cast of collaborators that included Catalan singer-songwriter/guitarist Núria Graham, bassist Josh Crumbly, guitarist Mike Haldeman, multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, Sam Evian, Maia Friedman, Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco, drummer/multi-instrumentalist Vishal Nayak, keys/synth player Michael Coleman, and Sam Amidon.
Madeline Kenney has followed up 2023’s A New Reality Mind with a new LP, Kiss From the Balcony. Contemplative and beautifully textured, the record was made in collaboration with Ben Sloan and Stephen Patota, growing out of two week-long studio sessions in Oakland. It was previewed by the singles ‘Scoop’, ‘All I Need’, and ‘Semitones’.
DJ Haram has dropped her debut album, Beside Myself, via Hyperdub. As playful as it is claustrophobic, the follow-up to 2023’s Handplay EP boasts guest spots from Armand Hammer,, Bbymutha, SHA RAY, her 700 Bliss partner Moor Mother, and Dakn, as well co-production from August Fanon, El Kontessa, Kay Drizz, and musicians including trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, and guitarist Abdul Hakim Bilal. “We have to start organizing outside the frame,” Haram commented. “Music is a liberation technology, a vessel of truth and resistance.”
Jim Legxacy, black british music; Raekwon, The Emperor’s New Clothes; Lord Huron, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1; Cleo Reed, Cuntry; Dream, Ivory, When You Come Back I Have So Much to Tell You; Jade Bird, Who Wants to Talk About Love; Hannah Holland, Last Exit on Bethnal; Styx, Circling From Above; Message to Bears, Tired Eyes, Waking Hearts.
South Korean indie rock band Silica Gel have teamed up with Japanese Breakfast‘s Michelle Zauner for a fantastic new song called ‘NamgungFefere’. “This was the first time I’ve ever written lyrics in Korean,” Zauner explained in a statement. “Anyone who’s familiar with my work knows how much my Korean heritage has come to mean to me, so it was very personal to collaborate with such a revered Korean band and to create something for a larger Korean audience.” Check it out below.
Japanese Breakfast released her most recent LP For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), in March.
No mouse? No worries! Using your Mac for office work or creative stuff without a mouse is perfectly fine. However, did you know that it’s possible for gaming, too? Whether you’re travelling light or your mouse is unavailable, you can still play without breaking a sweat. Specifically, it’s doable because there are plenty of games for Mac without a mouse. Also, there’s no need to look further. We’ve lined up five Mac games that you can play using the trackpad, a controller, or just the keyboard.
Cuphead is a stylish side-scroller. But what makes it special is that its visuals are inspired by 1930s cartoons. Also, this one looks like a classic run-and-gun action game. It features some old-school brutal boss fights. Specifically, you can explore worlds, master power moves, get new weapons, and uncover secrets. So, it demands precision. But you can do all of that using your keyboard.
FTL: Faster Than Light requires users to control a spaceship and save the galaxy. Similarly, you will command a crew to accomplish various missions and defeat enemies. At the same time, the adventure allows you to select weapon targets and control the power distribution of the spacecraft. The need to evaluate decisions during battles makes the game addictive and strategic.
Return to Monkey Island is a modern take on the classic point-and-click game. This time, the game supports full controller or keyboard navigation. Specifically, it allows you to take on the role of Guybrush Threepwood. You’ll have to explore different islands to make allies, solve puzzles, and interact with old friends.
Baldur’s Gate 3 works surprisingly well with keyboard and controller setups, even if it’s a full-blown RPG. The game enables players to create their own character or play as an Origin hero. Likewise, you need to explore, fight, and romance your way to a journey across the Forgotten Realms.
Hollow Knight is an awesome action-adventure side-scrolling game. It’s set in a damaged kingdom of insects and heroes. As you make your own path, you’ll have to navigate caverns, defeat deadly creatures, and befriend creepy characters.
Playing games on your Mac doesn’t require a full setup all the time. With these games for Mac without a mouse, you’ll have epic game time with flexible control options. So, next time someone says you can’t play without a mouse, show them this list!
When Apple unveiled the M1 Chip in 2020, it redefined what MacBooks could do. Specifically, the Silicon chip boosts performance, improves energy efficiency, and enhances application responsiveness. However, it remains to be seen whether a MacBook M1 can handle gaming.
Yes, the Apple device can handle games. But with some limitations. According to an article by MakeUseOf, the MacBook M1 is far from being a top-tier gaming machine. Likewise, the state of gaming on the device is somewhat substandard. But it can serve you well if you’re only looking for fun and effective gaming. In short, it’s only ideal for casual gamers.
The M1 chip contains a unified memory architecture. Similarly, it has high-performance CPU and GPU cores. Plus, there’s more efficient thermal management. Its integrated GPU also packs a surprising power that compensates for the lack of a dedicated graphics card. These features are significant improvements from the Intel-based Macs. But it may still not crack the top 20 of the best gaming rigs.
MacBooks have never been recognized as one of the leaders in the gaming community. Likewise, the market share of macOS gamers is less than a fraction of that of Windows gamers. For that reason, most game developers don’t even bother creating macOS versions of many titles. So, the Mac gaming library isn’t as vast as the Windows collection of games. Based on MakeUseOf, Steam games for macOS are around 7,000 while Windows has more than 20,000.
Nonetheless, the introduction of Silicon chips may be slowly narrowing the gap. Similarly, Apple is beginning to focus on optimization. So, the gaming scene on Mac could be shifting to a more promising direction. Also, there are other methods that make it possible for the MacBook M1 to run games. Particularly, players can try BootCamp Assistant or use Apple’s Rosetta 2. They can also download or access games from Steam, GOG, App Store, or Epic Games Store. If those options still don’t work, gamers can turn to cloud gaming. Specifically, the choices include Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce NOW.
Here is a list of games that can run on a MacBook M1:
The MacBook M1 may not outperform gaming PCs, but it can game. With all the improvements and additional methods to play games, all you need to ensure is sufficient ventilation. The future of Mac gaming is bright!
Spiritual Cramp have announced a new album, Rude, to follow up their 2023 self-titled debut. Out October 24 on Blue Grape Music, the record was produced by John Congleton and features Sharon Van Etten on the song ‘You’ve Got My Number’. Check out the energetic lead single ‘At My Funeral’ below.
“When you focus on yourself and the people around you, you can keep your side of the street clean,” vocalist Michael Bingham said in a press release. “And when I see the opposite of that, I get kind of offended, which is what a lot of these songs are about.”
Rude Cover Artwork:
Rude Tracklist:
1. I’m An Anarchist
2. Go Back Home
3. At My Funeral
4. Automatic
5. You’ve Got My Number [feat. Sharon Van Etten]
6. I Hate The Way I Look
7. Interlude
8. Violence In The Super Market
9. True Love (Is Hard To Find)
10. Crazy
11. Young Offenders
12. New Religion
13. People Don’t Change
The Last Dinner Party have announced their second album, From the Pyre. The follow-up to 2023’s Prelude to Ecstasy will be out October 17 via Island Records. The first single, ‘This Is The Killer Speaking’, is as stately and theatrical as anything on their debut, but ramps up in classic rock n’ roll fashion as Abigail Morris sings from the killer’s POV. Check it out below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.
“This record is a collection of stories, and the concept of album-as-mythos binds them,” the band shared.” ‘The Pyre’ itself is an allegorical place in which these tales originate, a place of violence and destruction but also regeneration, passion and light.” They continued:
The songs are character driven but still deeply personal, a commonplace life event pushed to pathological extreme. Being ghosted becomes a Western dance with a killer, and heartbreak laughs into the face of the apocalypse. Lyrics invoke rifles, scythes, sailors, saints, cowboys, floods, Mother Earth, Joan of Arc, and blazing infernos. We found this kind of evocative imagery to be the most honest and truthful way to discuss the way our experiences felt, giving each the emotional weight it deserves.”
This record feels a little darker, more raw and more earthy; it takes place looking out at a sublime landscape rather than seated an opulent table. It also feels metatextual and cheeky in places, like a knowing look reflected back at ourselves.
From the Pyre Cover Artwork:
From the Pyre Tracklist:
1. Agnus Dei
2. Count The Ways
3. Second Best
4. This Is The Killer Speaking
5. Rifle
6. Woman Is A Tre
7. I Hold Your Anger
8. Sail Away
9. The Scythe
10. Inferno
Nine Inch Nails have announced the details of the official Tron: Ares soundtrack album, which arrives September 19 via Interscope. While Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have made a lot of film-score work in recent years, the new single ‘As Alive as You Need Me to Be’ marks their first as NIN since the 2021 Health collaboration ‘Isn’t Everyone’. Check out the fittingly foreboding track below.
Tron: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) will be Nine Inch Nails’ first full-length since 2020’s Ghosts V: Together and Ghosts VI: Locusts. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Hasan Minhaj, and more, the film hits theaters on Friday, October 10.
Dev Hynes has announced his first Blood Orange album since 2018’s Negro Swan. It’s called Essex Honey, and it’s out August 29 via RCA. In addition to the previously released single ‘The Field’, which made our best songs of June list, the record features contributinos from Lorde, Caroline Polachek, Daniel Caesar, Mustafa, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, Tariq Al-Sabir, Ian Isiah, Tirzah, Eva Tolkin, Wet singer Kelly Zutrau, Liam Benzvi, Amandla Stenberg, Naomi Scott, and author Zadie Smith.
To mark the announcement, Hynes has released two new singles: the gorgeously funky ‘Somewhere in Between’, and ‘Mind Loaded’, a mesmerizing track that boasts vocals from Lorde, Caroline Polachek, and Mustafa. Take a listen below.
Essex Honey Cover Artwork:
Traditional retail therapy has met its match. While brick-and-mortar stores limit you to predictable inventory and fixed prices, mystery box platforms have revolutionized the shopping experience with an element of anticipation that regular stores simply can’t replicate. The global mystery box market has grown by over 300% since 2020, with collectors and casual shoppers alike discovering that the thrill of unboxing often delivers more satisfaction than walking out of a store with a predetermined purchase.
After extensively testing dozens of platforms and analyzing thousands of user experiences, we’ve identified the mystery box websites that consistently outperform traditional retail in both value and excitement. Our research revealed that JemLit leads the pack with its exceptional product variety, transparent odds, and authentication guarantees that rival any flagship store. This comprehensive review breaks down the top five platforms that prove mystery boxes aren’t just an alternative to retail shopping – they have the potential to provide a degree of excitement and value that you won’t find anywhere else.
Our testing methodology went beyond simple unboxing videos or surface-level reviews. We approached each platform like skeptical shoppers, comparing their offerings directly against retail alternatives. This meant evaluating product variety, checking pricing transparency, examining how clearly items were displayed, and verifying fairness claims through multiple purchases over several months.
The most striking revelation was how these platforms often provided better product transparency than physical stores. While retail shops hide clearance items or bundle unwanted products, the best mystery boxes we tested clearly displayed all possible items with exact odds. JemLit particularly impressed us by showing complete product catalogs before purchase, something even premium retailers rarely match.
Understanding that shoppers have diverse needs, we categorized platforms based on how they serve different buyer preferences compared to traditional retail experiences.
JemLit creates one of the most enjoyable online mystery box shopping experiences for newcomers by providing a simple, easy-to-navigate, and searchable platform. Unlike stores where sales pressure and hidden costs frustrate shoppers, JemLit presents everything upfront – exact items, precise odds, and total costs including shipping. Their tutorial system surpasses any retail training, walking users through every feature without pushy sales tactics.
What truly sets JemLit apart from both competitors and traditional stores is their commitment to transparency. Every mystery box displays complete contents, authenticated products, and realistic value assessments. During our testing, JemLit’s variety exceeded what we’d find in multiple retail stores combined, all accessible from one platform. Their customer service responded faster than most store employees – except when they’re trying to sell you something, of course – providing detailed answers about products, shipping, and policies within minutes.
Collectors seeking specific items often face frustration in retail stores with limited stock and inflated prices. Our testing revealed three platforms that serve collectors better than traditional shopping:
Offers exclusive items unavailable in regular retail, with authentication guarantees that can exceed store standards. Their rotating inventory includes limited editions and discontinued items that collectors struggle to find elsewhere.
Specializes in luxury items with better authentication than many consignment stores. Their transparent odds mean collectors know exact chances for specific pieces, unlike retail’s “while supplies last” uncertainty.
Provides themed collections organized better than retail displays, with clear categorization helping collectors find specific interests without visiting multiple stores.
Budget shoppers often feel discouraged by retail’s misleading “sales” and hidden markups. These platforms offer genuine value and transparency:
Consistently delivers items valued above box prices, with no hidden fees or surprise costs at checkout. Their entry-level boxes provide a variety impossible to match with retail budget shopping.
Offers free starter boxes with no strings attached, something retail stores would never consider. Their global shipping often costs less than driving to multiple stores.
Features good mystery boxes at various price points with clear value propositions, eliminating the guesswork of retail clearance shopping.
International shoppers face significant retail limitations – restricted selections, inflated import prices, and limited availability.
JemLit excels with worldwide shipping at reasonable rates, offering products unavailable in many countries’ retail markets. Hapabox similarly serves global customers without the geographic restrictions that can frustrate international retail shoppers.
Our extensive testing revealed crucial insights about mystery boxes online that every shopper should understand before making their first purchase.
Quality platforms display complete information upfront, unlike stores that hide fees or conditions. Every item, the odds of winning, and the cost appear clearly before purchase. This transparency eliminates retail’s frustrating surprises at checkout. Online mystery box platforms like JemLit set new standards by showing everything customers need for informed decisions.
Mystery box platforms frequently provide better product verification than physical retailers. Serial numbers, original packaging, and manufacturer documentation come standard. Direct partnerships with brands ensure authenticity. This systematic approach surpasses many retail stores that mix authentic products with questionable grey market items.
Online platforms offer buyer communities to share experiences and insights, something that’s largely unheard of in traditional shopping. Real-time reviews, unboxing statistics, and user forums all add to the experience. These features help you learn from others’ experiences, so you can make better purchasing decisions.
While our review highlights where to find the best mystery boxes in the current market, some additional strategies can help maximize your shopping experience.
Approach mystery boxes as entertainment rather than investment opportunities. Allocate funds you’re comfortable spending for the experience itself. This mindset shift prevents disappointment and enhances enjoyment. Unlike retail’s focus on specific outcomes, embrace the excitement of discovery while staying within predetermined limits.
Take advantage of wishlists, notifications, and tracking features unavailable in retail stores. Monitor odds changes and new box releases through platform alerts. Study unboxing statistics to understand probability patterns. These digital tools provide insights impossible with traditional shopping, helping you time purchases optimally.
Most platforms offer new user bonuses that retail stores rarely match. Use free boxes to understand platform mechanics without risk. Apply welcome credits to explore different box categories. Save referral bonuses for higher-value boxes after gaining experience. This strategic approach maximizes value while learning each platform’s strengths.
After testing and comparison shopping between traditional retail and online platforms, we found several distinct advantages of mystery boxes. They offer superior variety, genuine pricing transparency, and shopping experiences free from retail’s common frustrations. JemLit emerged as the clear leader, combining all the benefits we sought – vast selection, honest pricing, clear product displays, and provably fair systems.
For anyone tired of retail’s limitations and looking for better shopping experiences, these platforms represent the future of product discovery. JemLit’s commitment to customer satisfaction, authentic products, and fair practices takes it to another level, and it’s the logical place to start for both newcomers and experienced shoppers alike
Unlike physical stores limited by shelf space and inventory costs, mystery box platforms can offer thousands of products across countless categories. Digital platforms like JemLit partner directly with manufacturers and distributors, accessing inventory that would be impossible for traditional retailers to stock. They can feature limited editions, international products, and items from multiple brands simultaneously. This virtual inventory model eliminates geographic limitations, seasonal restrictions, and the need to clear physical space for new products.
Mystery box platforms display total costs upfront, including all fees and shipping, eliminating retail’s common practice of adding surprise charges at checkout. Every box shows exact contents and odds, unlike stores where “sale” prices often hide original markups or exclude numerous items. Platforms must maintain transparency to build trust in their randomization systems, creating clearer pricing than retail’s intentionally confusing models with hidden fees, membership requirements, and constantly changing promotions.
Quality platforms use cryptographically verifiable randomization systems that can be independently checked, ensuring true fairness. Unlike stores that may hide the best items for preferred customers or manipulate availability, mystery box algorithms treat all buyers equally. Published odds remain constant regardless of who’s purchasing, when they buy, or how much they spend.
For non-urgent purchases where specific models aren’t required, mystery boxes often provide better value than traditional shopping. They excel for collectors seeking variety, tech enthusiasts open to different brands, or fashion buyers enjoying surprise elements. However, they don’t replace targeted shopping for specific immediate needs. The key is understanding when mystery boxes offer advantages – discovery shopping, gift giving, or building collections – versus when traditional retail’s certainty is necessary.
Reputable platforms implement authentication processes exceeding many retail stores. Look for platforms providing manufacturer serial numbers, original packaging, and warranty documentation. Sites like JemLit maintain direct relationships with brands and authorized distributors, ensuring authenticity. They often provide verification methods, letting you confirm products directly with manufacturers. This documentation and transparency frequently surpasses retail stores that may mix authentic items with grey market products.
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