Blly Nomates, the project of the Bristol-based singer-songwriter Tor Maries, has announced a new album: Metalhorse comes out May 16 via Invada Records. The follow-up to 2023’s CACTI is led by ‘The Test’, a driving slice of heartland rock. Check it out below, and scroll down for the cover artwork and tracklist.
“It’s working at something against the odds and feeling like someone’s helping you from the other side, and if they see you that’s the test,” Nomates said in a statement. “I really feel that when we’re playing it live. Like, with everything that’s going on, I can’t believe this is surviving.”
Metalhorse was recorded at Paco Loco in Seville, Spain with producer James Trevascus. Bassist Mandy Clarke (KT Tunstall, The Go! Team) and drummer Liam Chapman (Rozi Plain, BMX Bandits), who play in Nomates’ live band, joined Maries in the studio, which was booked just three months after the passing of her dad to Parkinson’s. “We were so close and our bond was music,” she shared. “That was my safety and protection in the world. Even in the care home, as things were getting worse, I’d visit him and he’d ask me what I was doing. I’d show him the new demos, or I’d have been on the radio. It sort of saved everything from being shit, because we had this positive thing to talk about.”
“To me, Metalhorse is this crumbling fairground where some rides are nice to get on and some rides aren’t,” Maries added. “That’s how life felt for a minute, and it still feels like that a bit now.”
Puzzles are the old faithful of games, sticking with you throughout every stage of your life, from wordsearches at school to a page of Sudoku before work, they itch a spot in the brain like nothing else.
Luckily, I’m not the only one who feels like this, game developers have turned our love of solving even the toughest of puzzles and turned them into parts of immersive worlds and storylines.
If you are a proud Mac owner, don’t fret, you’ve not been left out of this development, this list runs down some of the best picks for a good brain-wracking challenge:
1. Portal
It’s a classic for a reason. Both iterations of the platformer feature headache-inducing levels alongside a star-studded cast of voice actors delivering some of the series’ iconic dialogue, J.K Simmons and Stephen Merchant to name just two.
2. The Witness
The Witness is a puzzler’s dream, an open-world, beautiful graphics, and over 500 puzzles to get your teeth into. The game sees the player traversing a mysterious island, with caves, winding paths and mountains to explore. Along your journey you are greeted with a huge variety of puzzles, but don’t worry if you get stuck, you’re always able to step away and keep on exploring even if you haven’t figured one out yet.
3. The Case of the Golden Idol
This 2022 release combines all the drama of Agatha Christie with the charming yet striking graphics of Papers, Please. The game’s interactive environment gives you everything you need to solve the mystery, but its also there to throw you off – can you step into the shoes of a detective and separate the lead from the red herring?
4. Inscryption
Have you ever looked at an escape room and thought it would be better with the lights off and accompanied with monstrous creatures? If so, Inscryption is the game for you. The card-based psychological thriller takes you through a series of escape-room style puzzles and sucks you into an unforgettable story.
5. The Talos Principle
If you’re looking for a brain wracking experience, look no further than the Talos Principle series. The two games combine futuristic technology with the architecture and philosophy of ancient Greece. It’s challenging, beautiful and thought provoking, and even better, there’s two of them.
6. OneShot
A list of puzzle games wouldn’t be complete without a cosy top-down adventure. Your mission to guide a young boy through an unknown world and restore the sun in its sky tales you on a path filled with endearing characters and leaves you wishing you could go back in time and play it through blind again.
The classic mob action series, Mafia, is set to receive a new addition in 2025, a sequel exploring the gritty mob world of 1900s Sicily.
The game, now confirmed to be called Mafia: The Old Country, sets out to be a “cinematic experience”, telling the story of the young protagonist, Enzo, and the origins of the mafia on the island.
The Mafia series launched back in 2002 with a second game coming in 2010 and a third open-world based iteration in 2016. While the prequel will be based in Sicily, the first three games take place in fictional interpretations of American cities, Chicago, New York and New Orleans.
Release Date and Information
The highly anticipated addition to the Mafia franchise is set to be launched in summer 2025 and will be a prequel to the other games in the franchise.
The release date was announced at the 2024 Game Award’s where a longer second trailer was displayed to the eager crowd.
The game’s summer release means it will have to compete with what could be the biggest game release of all time, GTA 6.
While relatively little is known about the release of the new game, we do know that it will be released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Rumours and New Additions
Hanger 13, the game’s developers, are set to move away from Mafia 3’s open-world style, reverting back to action-adventure gameplay with a linear storyline.
The developers stress that “authenticity is at the heart” of the new game, focussing on world-building, using the game’s beautiful unreal engine 5 graphics engine and “fully localized voice acting in Sicilian to match the setting and time period” and fully immerse the player in the story.
The game explores the origins of the organised crime in Italy, following the story of a young Sicilian Enzo Favera, as he takes his oath to join the Torrisi family and enters into the “brutal underworld” of 1900s Sicily.
Previous fan theories expected the story to revolve around a younger Don Salieri, the main antagonist in the first Mafia, as he emigrated from Sicily to America in 1908.
While the story may be fronted by a new face, fans are still hopeful to see, or atleast hear of, some of the old fan-favourites of the series.
It has been rumoured that the game will span a much longer time period than previous entries, taking place over a decade with a focus on “empire building”, allowing players to buy land and expand their operations with businesses and casinos.
Fans on Reddit also pointed that the time period and setting would allow for an exploration of one of the original game’s protagonist’s backstory and family. Tommy Angelo emigrated from Sicily in 1904, meaning that if the story is set at the dawn of the 1900s, it is more than possible that a very young Tommy, or his family, could make an appearance.
Doechii has officially released ‘Anxiety’, a song that’s already been trending on TikTok over the last couple of weeks. The rapper performed the original version of the track, which samples Gotye’s Kimbra-featuring hit ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’, five years ago on her YouTube channel. Doechii also sang the song’s chorus on Sleepy Hallow’s ‘ANXIETY’, which appeared on the 2023 album Boy Meets World. Check it out below.
Last month, just after winning Best Rap Album at the Grammys for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii released the track ‘Nosebleeds’. More recently, she teamed up with JENNIE for ‘ExtraL’.
Free spins are a key component of online casino promotions. This article explores why casinos offer free spins and how they are used in marketing strategies. We will examine their role in attracting new players and retaining existing ones, understand the strategic benefits, and discuss the psychological effects. Additionally, we will address some challenges and criticisms associated with free spins.
What Are Free Spins?
Free spins are specific promotions at online casinos that allow players to use slot machines without using their money on each spin. These spins are provided as bonuses to attract new users or keep existing players engaged. Despite being “free”, these spins typically come with conditions that dictate their use.
One common condition is the wagering requirement, which requires players to bet a certain amount of money before withdrawing winnings from free spins. Another condition often seen is game restrictions, where the free spins are only usable on certain slot games chosen by the casino. These conditions ensure that while players get a chance to play for free, the casino also protects its interests by controlling how these spins can be used and how winnings must be handled.
Marketing Advantages of Free Spins
Free spins are a strategic tool used by online casinos for various marketing purposes. Here’s how they contribute to casino marketing strategies:
Attracting New Users: Free spins provide a low-barrier entry for potential new players. For example, the 5 free spins no deposit offer is a good deal, allowing them to experience real gameplay without any initial investment.
Retaining Players: Casinos utilize free spins to keep existing players engaged. These are often distributed through regular promotions or as part of loyalty programs, motivating players to log in and play consistently.
Cross-Promotion: Free spins are effectively used to promote less popular or new games. Allocating spins to these games directs player traffic towards them, increasing their visibility and play rates.
Psychological Impact of Free Spins
Free spins tap into powerful psychological triggers that make them are particularly appealing to players. The allure of “something for nothing” plays a crucial role here, as people naturally gravitate towards opportunities to gain without risk. This offer of free play without financial commitment reduces the barrier to participation and entices players into engaging with the game.
Additionally, the potential for risk-free wins stimulates excitement and continued play. Players are more likely to feel comfortable and motivated to explore other aspects of a casino’s offerings when they perceive that they can win something at no cost. The excitement of possibly winning money without a stake heightens the pleasure of gaming, encouraging prolonged interaction and more profound involvement with the casino’s environment.
Challenges and Criticisms
While free spins are a common feature in online casinos, they come with several challenges and criticisms:
Misleading Promotions: Free spins can sometimes be presented with unclear terms, leading to player confusion and dissatisfaction. This issue arises when conditions, such as wagering requirements and limited eligibility, are not transparent, resulting in disputes and a loss of trust among players.
Regulatory Issues: As governments and regulatory bodies impose stricter controls, casinos must navigate these regulations carefully. Ensuring compliance while offering free spins involves balancing promotional tactics with legal requirements to prevent misleading advertising and ensure protection.
Excessive Play: The appeal of free spins can encourage players to engage in more extended sessions than they initially planned, leading to excessive gambling behaviors. It is important to play safely becauseproblem gambling can significantly impact personal and financial well-being.
Comparing Free Spins with Other Promotional Strategies
Free spins differ from other promotional tools like bonuses and loyalty programs in structure and impact. They offer immediate access to gameplay without any initial financial commitment from the player, unlike bonuses that often require a deposit or specific actions to be unlocked. This makes free spins highly accessible to both new and returning players, providing an easy way to engage without navigating complex requirements.
Furthermore, free spins are cost-effective for casinos. They promote player engagement and game testing without the direct expense associated with cash bonuses, which add real money to players’ accounts. This strategic use of free spins helps casinos manage their promotional expenditures efficiently while maximizing participation and interest in various games.
Conclusion
Free spins are a vital marketing tool for online casinos, attracting new players and maintaining the interest of existing ones. They enhance player activity and promote various games effectively, but they also bring challenges, such as transparent communication and strict regulation compliance. It is crucial for casinos to manage these promotions carefully, ensuring they encourage responsible gambling while still achieving their marketing goals. This balance is essential for maintaining a fair and sustainable gaming environment for all players.
Poppers are a popular recreational drug whose fumes are inhaled to provide warmth, dizziness and mild euphoria. Their long history spans from 70’s club scenes to the modern counterculture movement. Today, we will cover the origins and evolution of poppers, painting a picture of what they are and how they have managed to stay relevant for so long.
The Origins and Evolution of Poppers
The name poppers is an umbrella term for various chemicals, including amyl nitrates, butyl nitrates and isopropyl nitrate. These chemicals were first synthesised in 1844, to treat heart conditions. The most commonly used one at the time was amyl nitrate because of its ability to expand blood vessels.
Poppers were less popular throughout the 19th century and for most parts of the 20th century, except for occasional medical prescriptions. However, sometime in the 70s, their use as recreational drugs began to increase immensely, with brands like Rush brand helping fuel their popularity. They were particularly common in gay circles thanks to their muscle relaxation and sense heightening effects.
Fast forward to the mid-21st century, poppers have become even more popular. The party drug that was once confined to underground scenes and nightlife culture is now widely available in retail and online stores. You have probably heard people referring to them as leather cleaners or room deodorisers. All these nice names are designed for compliance with legal regulations.
Reasons Why Poppers Have Endured from Disco to Modern Times
The endurance of poppers as a recreational drug can be attributed to various reasons. Let’s explore some of these reasons:
Accessibility
Poppers are generally accessible compared to most substances considered to be of the same calibre. That is mainly because they have remained legal in various countries and people no longer require a prescription to acquire them. In addition, you can purchase them online and get delivery to your location, making acquisition very convenient for users.
Affordability
Another thing that has contributed to the endurance of poppers as a recreational drug is their affordability. The drug is generally cheaper compared to other recreational substances in the market. In addition, users do not require special equipment and other paraphernalia to use poppers. They simply open the container and inhale.
Perceived Safety
Last but not least, poppers are considered a safer drug compared to other options in their category. That is mainly because it has short-lived effects and there is no risk of physical addiction. However, it is essential to note that the drug is only safe when used the right way. For example, poppers should only be inhaled and never swallowed or ingested.
Conclusion
Although poppers have evolved over the years, it is evident that they still hold a cultural relevance, especially in modern counterculture. Their continued popularity can be mainly attributed to their accessibility, affordability and perceived safety among the users. So, whether used as a party enhancer or a cultural symbol, one thing is clear; poppers aren’t fading from the scene anytime soon.
The online casino industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the digital entertainment world, with millions of players engaging in gambling platforms daily. However, the success of an online casino is not solely dependent on game selection or bonuses—it also heavily relies on strategic partnerships.
Online casino partners, including Pin-up partners, affiliates, software providers, payment processors, and marketing agencies, play a crucial role in enhancing player engagement and driving traffic to gaming platforms. These partners help casinos attract, retain, and entertain players while ensuring a seamless user experience.
As the industry becomes more competitive, leveraging innovative partnerships is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity. In this article, we will explore the importance of online casino partnerships, their role in boosting engagement, and how they shape the future of digital gambling.
Understanding the Concept of Online Casino Partnerships
Online casino partnerships are strategic collaborations between gambling operators and third-party entities that provide services, technology, or promotional efforts to improve the casino’s performance. These partnerships come in various forms, including:
Affiliate Partnerships – Influencers, bloggers, and gambling comparison sites that promote casinos in exchange for commissions.
Game Developers – Software providers responsible for creating high-quality, engaging casino games.
Payment Providers – Companies that facilitate seamless transactions for deposits and withdrawals.
Marketing Agencies – Experts who implement strategies to attract and retain players.
Responsible Gambling Organizations – Entities that help casinos promote ethical gambling practices.
Each partner plays a unique but essential role in making online casinos more engaging, fair, and accessible to players.
How Affiliate Partners Drive Player Engagement
1. Increasing Casino Visibility Through SEO & Content Marketing
Affiliate partners use search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing to drive organic traffic to online casinos. They create:
Casino Reviews – Detailed articles about the best casinos, their games, bonuses, and payout speed.
Game Guides & Tutorials – Educational content that helps players understand how to play different casino games.
Comparison Websites – Platforms that rank and compare online casinos based on player preferences.
By leveraging these strategies, affiliates increase casino exposure, bringing in a steady flow of new players.
2. Social Media and Influencer Marketing
Many casino partners include influencers and social media marketers who engage audiences through interactive content. Strategies include:
Live Streams – Twitch and YouTube streamers showcasing real-money casino gameplay.
Social Media Ads – Targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Community Engagement – Influencers hosting Q&A sessions, giveaways, or tournaments to build casino communities.
This modern approach to marketing creates trust, excitement, and long-term player retention.
The Role of Software Providers in Player Engagement
1. Creating High-Quality & Immersive Games
Game developers are at the core of player engagement. The more exciting and interactive the games, the longer players will stay. Key features that increase engagement include:
Advanced Graphics & Animations – Modern slots and live dealer games with stunning visuals.
Innovative Mechanics – Features like Megaways™, Cluster Pays, and Progressive Jackpots.
Multi-Platform Accessibility – Games optimized for desktop and mobile devices.
Popular game providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming consistently deliver top-tier content that entertain players.
2. Live Casino & Gamification Elements
Live dealer casinos have revolutionized player engagement by offering:
Real-Time Interaction – Players can chat with live dealers and fellow gamblers.
Game Shows & Interactive Features – Popular titles like Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, and Lightning Roulette.
Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) – Future advancements to create more immersive experiences.
By bridging the gap between virtual and real-life gambling, live casinos have significantly increased player retention rates.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Player Engagement
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how casinos engage players. AI-powered tools help in:
Personalized Gaming Experiences – AI analyzes player behavior to offer customized game recommendations.
Automated Customer Support – Chatbots and AI-driven assistants provide instant responses to player inquiries.
Fraud Prevention & Security – AI detects unusual betting patterns and prevents fraudulent activities.
AI enables a more personalized and secure gambling experience, keeping players engaged and improving overall satisfaction.
Esports Betting Partnerships and Their Growing Impact
Esports betting is a rapidly expanding sector, and online casinos are partnering with esports organizations and influencers to tap into this growing market. These partnerships bring:
Esports Tournaments & Betting Markets – Offering betting options on popular games like CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Streamer Collaborations – Working with Twitch and YouTube streamers to promote esports betting.
Hybrid Casino-Esports Platforms – Integrating traditional casino games with esports elements.
This crossover between casino gambling and esports betting is attracting a younger demographic, increasing long-term engagement.
The Importance of Localization and Regional Partnerships
Online casinos that expand into international markets must localize their services to attract regional players. Key localization strategies include:
Multi-Language Support – Offering casino platforms in multiple languages.
Localized Payment Methods – Accepting region-specific payment options (e.g., WeChat Pay in China, UPI in India).
Cultural Adaptation – Adjusting game themes and promotions to align with regional preferences.
Localization ensures that casinos connect better with local players, improving engagement and customer retention.
Building Player Trust Through Responsible Gambling Partnerships
While casino partners focus on driving engagement, maintaining trust and ethical gaming practices is equally important. Online casinos collaborate with responsible gambling organizations like:
GamCare & BeGambleAware – Providing resources for problem gambling support.
Self-Exclusion Programs – Enabling players to take breaks when needed.
AI-Driven Behavior Monitoring – Detecting problematic gambling patterns and offering early intervention.
By prioritizing responsible gaming, casinos foster trust and long-term player loyalty.
The Future of Casino Partnerships in Online Gambling
As technology continues to evolve, casino partnerships will become even more dynamic. Future trends include:
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs – Offering personalized bonuses based on player behavior.
Blockchain-Based Transparency – Ensuring provably fair gaming and secure transactions.
Metaverse Casinos – Creating virtual gambling spaces where players can interact in real-time.
These advancements will redefine player engagement strategies, ensuring that online casinos remain innovative and competitive.
Conclusion
The success of an online casino is not just about offering games—it depends on strong partnerships that drive player engagement, enhance security, and improve user experiences.
From affiliates driving traffic and game developers creating immersive content to payment providers ensuring seamless transactions and marketing agencies implementing retention strategies, each partner plays a vital role in sustaining a thriving online casino ecosystem.
By leveraging strategic partnerships, innovative technology, and responsible gaming initiatives, online casinos can attract new players, retain existing ones, and create a sustainable, engaging gambling experience for all.
Burn injuries are somewhat common yet harmful types of injuries. This could cause minor scars to a permanent one that can also traumatize you for life. Recklessness can be a primary cause of a fire. Whether it’s in the office, school, or even in your own home. Types of recklessness can vary from faulty wiring to playing with matches. Small fire can turn into a big one especially if it is not taken out immediately. Fire can burn a lot of important things, such as documents, furniture, and even cause intense and extreme injuries to a person. With this, a person is entitled to compensation for every trauma the fire might cause such as physical and emotional. Thankfully, there are lawyers who have an expertise in this kind of case. Burn injury lawyers will help you to navigate the case by ensuring that you will receive the right compensation for the accident that happened and the injuries that you have attained. They will help you in fast recovery and legal protection to the victims. A step by step guide will be discussed in this article on what to do after a burn injury.
If a fire breaks out in your office or apartment building and you see that you have been injured or a part of your body got burned in the incident, your first instinct is to get out of the building and find an open space where you can distinguish the remaining fire in your clothes or body. Call for help or 911 to get immediate medical assistance from the fire. What you can do is remain calm to minimize the pain that the burn may have caused in your body. Identifying the burn injury is important to know the severity and treatment that must be undergone to an individual. First degree burn is a superficial type of burn injury like swelling, redness, minor swelling, and mild pain. Second degree is a type of burn injury that has partial thickness type like intense red, and swelling. Third degree burn is a type of burn injury that has full thickness burn. Primary symptoms of third degree burn are charred, nerve damages, and appear to be white. Fourth degree burn is the extreme burn damage a person can experience, this really burns the skin up to the muscle tendons leaving it in blackened state and complete loss of sensation.
Knowing the severity of the injury that an individual might attain from the fire, it is important to gather evidence and documents that can support the claim and compensation that will come later. If the burn injury was too severe, let the authority or the police do the investigation and the lawyers would just connect with them to negotiate with the case. For now, it is important to collect all the medical records and documents that you will attain from the injury. Make sure to record from laboratory tests to the medicines that were prescribed to cover all the financial cost that was spent in the recovery.
How can a lawyer help in this case? A burn injury lawyer would settle all the negotiations and discussions with the persons involved in the fire incident. They would also cover insurance claims that you are rightly entitled to. Being a victim in a fire accident is horrible enough as you have to recover your health and injuries from the accident. Hiring a trusted lawyer would put you at ease and give you the assurance that everything is being taken care of.
The ability to transform ideas into tangible expressions is crucial in the creative field. Artists, designers, and writers often juggle various tools and formats, striving to bring their visions to life. This digital toolbox revolutionises the creative process, allowing individuals to craft, edit, and share their work effortlessly. Technology has opened up new pathways for expression, with digital tools playing a key role in this transformation. Discover how these tools can enhance your work and streamline your creative process.
Embracing the Digital Revolution
The digital era has redefined how creatives operate, offering an extensive range of tools for every aspect of the creative process. Whether graphic design, film editing, music production, or writing, the digital toolbox is versatile and robust. The ability to transform basic concepts into polished artistic pieces is one advantage of these tools.
With the right digital tools, creatives can focus on producing compelling content without getting bogged down by technical challenges. This shift allows creative professionals to invest more energy in artistry than content sharing and presentation logistics.
Fortunately, there is a free online tool that includes features that simplify processes, such as converting documents from one format to another. Using it can help ensure your work maintains its intended format across different devices and platforms.
The digital toolbox offers convenience and enables creatives to experiment fearlessly. With options to undo and redo, make changes on the go, and access an array of editing features, creatives are empowered to produce innovative work that reflects their unique vision.
Enhancing Accessibility and Collaboration
Digital tools significantly enhance accessibility, freeing creatives from the limitations of location and device. Cloud-based platforms and online tools enable seamless collaboration, allowing teams to work together from anywhere in the world in real-time. This capability accelerates project completion and enriches the creative output with diverse perspectives.
Shared documents and collaborative platforms facilitate ongoing feedback and iterative processes, which are essential for projects requiring multiple editing rounds. By integrating these tools into their workflow, creatives can increase productivity and ensure their final work reflects a comprehensive and polished vision. Remote collaboration tools such as video conferencing and instant messaging have become indispensable in maintaining consistent communication and creative synergy among team members.
Moreover, the ability to collaborate with peers and clients remotely can lead to stronger partnerships and more effective creative solutions. By tapping into a global talent pool, creatives can harness unique viewpoints that may not be available in a traditional work environment. This openness to collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that reflect a well-rounded and expansive approach to creativity.
Exploring New Artistic Mediums
Digital tools provide a wide space for creatives to experiment with various mediums. Artists can work with digital painting, 3D modelling, and interactive experiences, expanding beyond traditional methods. These tools introduce new perspectives and innovative works. They also make art more accessible to a larger audience.
Creatives can harness this potential by experimenting with new digital tools that align with their interests. Whether learning new software or exploring virtual spaces, these opportunities can inspire creatives to broaden their artistic scope and engage their audience innovatively. By participating in online workshops and tutorials, artists can continuously develop their skills and stay informed about emerging technologies that enhance artistic expression.
Digital mediums provide a platform for interactive art, where audiences can engage with creative works in new and dynamic ways. This interactivity enriches the viewer’s experience and adds another layer of complexity and depth to the artwork itself. This merging of technology and creativity invites artists to push boundaries and redefine the traditional notions of art.
Streamlining the Creative Workflow
Efficiency is vital in the dynamic creative industry. Digital tools enhance creative capabilities and streamline workflows, allowing more focus on the art itself. Automation features and batch processing reduce repetitive tasks, enabling creatives to devote more energy to ideation and innovation.
Implementing project management strategies or automation techniques can significantly reduce administrative tasks. By creating an efficient workflow, creatives can ensure their energy is directed towards producing high-quality work. This approach enhances both productivity and the impact of the final product. Tools like time-tracking apps and task management software help to organise daily activities, ensuring deadlines are met without compromising on creativity.
Furthermore, digital tools facilitate the better organisation of creative assets, allowing for quick retrieval and utilisation. This organised approach to asset management ensures that creatives can maintain consistent quality across their work, saving time while enhancing output. Through efficient workflows, creatives can more effectively manage their time, resulting in timely and exceptional projects.
Staying Ahead in a Competitive Landscape
The creative industry is competitive, and staying ahead requires awareness of artistic trends and technological advancements. Digital tools equip creatives with the ability to remain current, offering insights that can inform creative decisions. By leveraging data-driven insights, creatives can better understand their audience, refine their techniques, and ensure their work resonates with their target demographic.
Utilising analytics tools can help creatives gauge audience preferences and adapt their work accordingly. By understanding engagement levels, creatives can refine their craft and maintain a competitive edge, ensuring their artistic vision aligns with their audience’s changing tastes. Engaging with online communities and social media can also provide valuable feedback, inform future projects, and foster a connection with the audience.
Keeping abreast of the latest digital developments and trends allows creatives to anticipate shifts in audience preferences, ensuring their work remains relevant and impactful.
Expanding Creative Horizons with Technology
Embracing technological advances opens many opportunities for creativity well beyond traditional boundaries. Virtual and augmented reality, for example, enable artists to create immersive environments and interactive art pieces, ushering in a new dimension of engagement. These technologies allow for exploring concepts in previously unimaginable ways, providing creators with innovative platforms to tell their stories.
Additionally, AI-powered tools transform the creative process by offering suggestions, enhancing designs, and generating initial drafts or concepts. This technological assistance empowers artists to explore a wider array of possibilities, pushing the boundaries of their work while maintaining their unique artistic touch.
By adopting these cutting-edge tools, creatives can remain at the forefront of artistic innovation and continue captivating their audiences with extraordinary experiences.
There’s so much music coming out all the time that it’s hard to keep track. On those days when the influx of new tracks is particularly overwhelming, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated list of the most interesting new releases (the best of which will be added to our Best New Songs playlist). Below, check out our track roundup for Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Car Sear Headrest – ‘Gethsemane’
Car Seat Headrest have announced their first album in five years, The Scholars, with a cathartic, multi-part epic called ‘Gethsemane’. “Rosa studies at the medical school of Parnassus University,” the band said of the character it portrays. “After an experience bringing a medically deceased patient back to life, she begins to regain powers suppressed since childhood, of healing others by absorbing their pain. Each night, instead of dreams, she encounters the raw pain and stories of the souls she touches throughout the day. Reality blurs, and she finds herself taken deep into secret facilities buried beneath the medical school, where ancient beings that covertly reign over the college bring forth their dark plans.”
Tune-Yards – ‘Limelight’
Tune-Yards have returned with news of their first LP since 2021’s sketchy. It’s called Better Dreaming, and it comes out May 16 via 4AD. It’s led by the slinky and infectious ‘Limelight’, of which the duo’s Merrill Garbus said: “This one almost didn’t make it onto the album because it felt trite, especially given multiple genocides across the globe and the particular impact on children (the kids are not ‘alright’). But it kept coming back as people kept responding positively to it, in particular our own kid. Who am I to talk about getting free, about us all getting free? Fannie Lou Hamer said, ‘Nobody’s free until everybody’s free’ and it feels vulnerable but important to see myself as part of that ‘everybody.’”
Destroyer – ‘Cataract Time’
Destroyer’s ‘Hydroplaning Off The Edge of The World’ just made our list of the best songs of February 2025, and its predecessor ‘Bologna’ landed on the same list the previous month. If those singles weren’t dramatic enough, the new one, ‘Cataract Time’, sprawls gorgeously over eight minutes. His new album Dan’s Boogie comes out March 28. “The song is a reckoning, a dressing down, a walk in the park where you carefully record your steps and describe the park and somehow the recording and the description undoes you,” Bejar explained. “Which is why it’s important that the song be as groovy as it is. That part I didn’t see coming. There is a lightness that points to a future, even if I think it’s the heaviest thing I’ve ever written. John [Collins] outdid himself in the mix. His filigree harps changed everything. I think it is his favourite song on the record.”
Scowl – ‘Tonight (I’m Afraid)’
Santa Cruz band Scowl have shared another massive yet ferocious single off their upcoming album Are We All Angels. ‘Tonight (I’m Afraid)’ follows previous cuts ‘Special’, ‘Not Hell Not Heaven’, and ‘B.A.B.E.’.
Alien Boy – ‘Changes’
Portland emo outfit Alien Boy have announced a new album, You Wanna Fade?, which lands May 9 via Get Better. “Change is always hard for me, even when I know I need it,” vocalist and guitarist Sonia Weber said of the jangly yet emotive lead single ‘Changes’. “There’s more and more ghosts the older I get. This song’s for trying to acknowledge the ghosts and grieving an old life.”
Anika – ‘Walk Away’
Anika has previewed her forthcoming album Abyss with ‘Hearsay’, which is easygoing yet brutally candid, inspired by “the reckless nature of 90s /2000s Hole / Courtney Love records — of not giving a shit — telling it how it is, not scared to offend, not scared to be cancelled. We have also lost the space for healthy debate, for difference of opinion, shutting down those we don’t agree with, removing them from our social networks.” The Berlin artist added: “This song is saying all the things I want to say but am too scared to say or that society doesn’t accept me to say. It is dealing with mental health — the state of poor mental health in these fucked up, divided, isolated, social media, war, pest, rise of the right times. It is the deconstruction of the feminine — of topics considered to be private realm.”
Glare – ‘Nü Burn’
Heavy shoegaze outfit have shared ‘Nü Burn’, a gauzy and enveloping preview of their debut full-length Sunset Funeral. “‘Nü Burn’ is about how it feels like the world stops when you’re grieving,” the band explained. “‘I’ll find you in a new sun, feel a new burn’ means finding those we lost in the warmth we feel… it’s a big, explosive song and probably our heaviest. When we finished writing, it we immediately knew it’d be a single.”
Lucius feat. Madison Cunningham – ‘Impressions’
Lucius have teamed up with Madison Cunningham for ‘Impressions’, the beautifully layered latest single from their self-titled album. “We wrote ‘Impressions’ in Ethan Gruska’s home studio in Los Angeles,” the duo recalled. “Together with Madi, we were exchanging ideas and feelings about the changes in our lives and how to reckon with them — the choice as to what to keep with you, and what to let go of, as we grow and evolve, and the questioning of yourself when you’re living a life you don’t recognize anymore.”
Mei Semones – ‘I can do what I want’
Mei Semones has released a dynamically compelling new song, ‘I can do what I want’, taken from her first LP, Animaru. “‘I can do what I want’ is one of the most high-energy songs on the album, as well as one of the most challenging songs to play,” Semones explained. “Lyrically the song is centered around doing what I want and what is best for me, and I hope it empowers other people to do what they want & prioritize what is best for them too.”
Suzanne Vega – ‘Speakers’ Corner’
Suzanne Vega has announced that Flying With Angels, her first new studio album in eleven years, will arrive on May 2. “That’s something you don’t want in democracy: the shutting down of the Speakers’ Corner where people get a say,”Vega said in a statement about its lead single. “This is a moment in time when people are saying a lot, but sometimes they’re not making sense or not telling the truth. People should be accountable for what they say. They can’t just lie. One would think that that would be self-evident.”
Graham Hunt – ‘I Just Need Enough’
Wisconsin-based musician Graham Hunt has signed to Run for Cover, marking the announcement with the lovely new song ‘I Just Need Enough’. “A friend and I were out walking and we ran into an old high school teacher of his,” Hunt he shared. “He asked if I wanted a guitar, he didn’t play it and he thought someone should. He said every day is another bite out of the shit sandwich. This was the first riff I wrote on it. It’s a song about love but it’s not a love song.”
I’m With Her – ‘Ancient Light’
It’s been seven years since I’m With Her — the folk trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins – released their debut LP, See You Around. Yet ‘Ancient Light’, the first single and opening track of their just-announced full-length Wild and Clear and Blue Wild And Clear and Blue – out May 9 – sounds warmly familiar. “We started playing around with this riff in a Silverlake bungalow in October of 2022,” the band recalled. “We were still at the beginning of writing this album, and as these images of joyful melancholy floated towards us, we found ourselves reaching for them in a free-flowing way that felt wholly new to us, yet completely natural. This song is a journey, and (producer) Josh Kaufman encouraged us to open the song up and let it breathe. ‘Ancient Light’ sets the tone for the entire album, communing with our past and future selves.”
Sedona feat. Claud – ‘She’s So Pretty’
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Sedona has linked up with Claud for the angsty new tune ‘She’s So Pretty’. “‘She’s So Pretty’ is about learning to let go of old stories, knowing your worth, and putting yourself first,” Sedona said of the track, which appears on her debut record, Getting Into Heaven – out May 23.
Dean Johnson – ‘Blue Moon’
Dean Johnson has unveiled a new song, ‘Blue Moon’, which marks the Seattle musician’s signing to Saddle Creek. The breezy tune arrives as the 20th installment of the labels Document series. About it, Johnston said: “Did you ever lie in bed listening for a sound down the street? A whistle, a coo, the approach of someone’s feet? This song is ultimately an ode to bedroom windows; to climbing out of them late at night.”
