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Chicken road instant game review covering rules mechanics RTP and payouts worldwide

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From InOut Games, Chicken Road is an instant casino title where one wrong step can end the round, so decisions matter. This chicken road guide explains the mechanics, the RTP number, and the payout math for players worldwide via Chicken road.

You will also learn how to start safely, how demo play helps, and what to check in a casino lobby before you stake real money.

Quick facts and specs you can verify fast

A fast snapshot helps you judge the game in seconds. The table below focuses on settings that change results or comfort.

🧩 Parameter Value
🐔 Game concept Cartoon chicken moves toward a golden egg, avoiding hidden hazards
👤 Players Single-player
🎯 Main decision Choose a step, then decide to continue or cash out
📈 Multiplier model Multiplier grows after each safe step, then applies to your stake
💥 Loss condition A hazard ends the round and loses the active stake
🧠 Difficulty modes 4 modes Easy Medium Hard Hardcore
📊 RTP 98%
🧮 House edge from RTP 2% in the long run, based on 98% RTP
🗓️ Release date 4 April 2024
🕹️ Format Instant game, not a reel slot, so there are no paylines
🧪 Demo mode Demo Play is available on the provider page
📱 Device fit Mobile-friendly because actions are single taps
🌍 Region fit Worldwide availability depends on each casino catalogue
🔁 Session tempo Short rounds, many decisions per minute
🧾 Skill lever Cashout timing and pace, not pattern hunting

After the specs, the real topic is risk control. The interface is simple, but the pace can pull you into rushed clicks.
A quick check many players miss is round tempo, because the fastest losses are usually self-inflicted.  When the pace feels too quick, the chicken road format benefits from planned pauses and smaller stakes. Those two adjustments travel well across regions and devices.

You may also notice the provider page uses the slug “chiken-road” without the second “c.” This kind of short slug is common in game URLs, and it does not change the game name in casino lobbies.

What the game is in plain terms

Many players group this with crash-style instant games, because you build a multiplier and choose when to stop.
For newcomers, chicken road works like a step ladder where each safe move increases the multiplier, and any hazard ends the round. 

The goal is simple, so the learning curve is mostly about emotion control, not about menus. This structure makes the game easy to explain in any language. It also makes it easy to overplay, because the next click always feels close.

Why it feels different from classic slots

Classic slots hide decisions inside paylines and bonus triggers, so you react after the spin. In chicken road, the decision is direct, because you choose whether to take the next step or lock the return. That design reduces “mystery features,” but it increases responsibility.

The differences are clearer in a quick list.

  • 🎰 No reels or paylines, so outcomes arrive per step rather than per spin
  • ⏱️ Rounds can end in seconds, so tilt control matters
  • 🧾 Payout math stays clear because payout equals stake times multiplier
  • 🧠 Difficulty modes shift risk without extra side bets
  • 🧪 Demo play teaches pacing without deposit pressure

Once you notice the speed, you can plan around it. Without a plan, speed becomes the main problem.

How to start playing worldwide

The start process is similar in most regions, even if payment methods differ. A typical chicken road session begins by choosing a risk mode, setting a stake, and pressing Start in the instant-games lobby. If your casino offers a demo, use it first to confirm the controls on your device.

Use a checklist before you deposit, especially when you play from a new country or while travelling.

  • 🌍 Confirm the casino supports your location and preferred language
  • 💳 Check deposit and withdrawal methods you actually use
  • 📲 Test mobile performance on your current connection
  • 🧪 Play demo rounds to learn the cashout button timing
  • 🧾 Open the help panel to understand the round history display

After that, treat the first cash session as practice. Low stakes give you space to learn how you react after wins and losses.

Core mechanics explained step by step

Every round starts with a stake, then you interact with a path that hides hazards. During chicken road play, each safe step raises the current multiplier, and you can cash out after any safe result.  A hazard ends the round immediately, so there is no partial payout for “almost.”

A clean mental model is “ladder with traps.” You climb, and you decide when to stop climbing.

Here is the loop you repeat.

  • 🟢 Pick difficulty, then place your stake
  • 🟢 Select the next step on the path
  • 🟢 If safe, the multiplier increases and cashout stays available
  • 🔴 If hazard, the round ends and the stake is lost
  • 🏁 If you cash out, the return credits based on the current multiplier

The mechanic is simple, but the tempo can be intense. Slow play often produces better decisions than aggressive play.

Difficulty modes and what they change

Difficulty is the main dial for risk, so it should match your bankroll. With chicken road, higher modes usually offer higher potential multipliers for the same progress, while increasing the chance of hitting a hazard. That makes mode choice a budget decision, not a badge.

Many losses come from mixing high mode with high stake. Keep one of those low, especially early. A practical view of the modes helps.

  • 🐣 Easy supports longer practice sessions and stable cashout habits

  • 🐤 Medium adds swings while staying readable

  • 🐔 Hard suits short bursts when you accept wider results

  • 🔥 Hardcore fits tiny stakes or rare high-risk attempts

After picking a mode, decide what the session is for. “Entertainment” and “profit attempt” need different limits.

Rules to know before your first real-money round

Rules are mostly about what counts as a win and what ends the round. In chicken road, you win only when you cash out before a hazard appears, because the stake is otherwise lost for that round. Most casinos show a round history panel, but it is for review, not prediction.

Keep these basics in mind.

  • 📌 Your stake locks once the round starts
  • 📌 Safe steps raise the multiplier, but do not pay until cashout
  • 📌 Cashout ends the round and credits the calculated return
  • 📌 A hazard ends the round with a full loss of the round stake
  • 📌 Changing difficulty applies only to the next round

One habit saves money: decide your cashout zone before the first click. A plan reduces “one more step” mistakes.

Multipliers and payouts without guesswork

The payout formula is simple, so you can check results without trusting feelings. Inside chicken road, your return equals stake multiplied by the multiplier shown at cashout, and the net profit is return minus stake. If you stake 2.00 and cash out at 1.60x, the return is 3.20 and the net profit is 1.20.

That math is the core of the game, so learn it once and use it forever. It also helps you avoid chasing impossible targets.

A small example is below.

  • 🧮 Stake 5.00
  • 📈 Cashout at 1.20x
  • 💰 Return 6.00
  • ✅ Net profit 1.00

Small multipliers can still build a session, if you repeat them with discipline. Big multipliers are rare, so treat them as optional.

RTP 98 percent and what it really means

RTP is a long-run average, not a promise for a session. For chicken road, the published RTP is 98%, so the implied long-run house edge is about 2% if the implementation matches the spec. Variance can still be high, because losing streaks cluster in fast games.

Use RTP as a comparison tool. It helps you pick between similar games, but it cannot protect you from short-term swings.

Two reminders help here.

  • 🧠 RTP does not prevent losing streaks
  • 📊 RTP needs a huge sample size to show up

If you want one lever you control, choose pace. Fewer rushed clicks often means fewer avoidable losses.

Demo mode and how to use it well

Demo play is useful because it removes money pressure, while keeping the rhythm intact. A smart chicken road demo session is a drill, where you practice stopping at a chosen zone instead of chasing. It also lets you test mobile comfort, because tap accuracy matters more than graphics.

Try a short routine before your first deposit.

  • 🧪 Play 20 rounds on Easy with the same tiny stake setting
  • ⏸️ Cash out at a fixed point, like after two safe steps
  • 📝 Note when you feel the urge to “push it”
  • 🔁 Repeat on Medium and compare how your emotions change

If demo makes you impatient, real money will amplify that. Use the signal to reduce stakes and take more breaks.

Bonuses and promotions that matter for instant games

Promotions are set by casinos, not by the provider, so terms vary by country. When you play chicken road with bonuses, the key question is whether the casino counts instant games toward wagering requirements. Cashback and reload bonuses often fit better than “free spins,” because there are no reels.

Scan these terms before opting in.

  • 🎁 Whether instant games are eligible for wagering
  • 🧾 Max-bet limits while a bonus is active
  • ⏳ Time limits, because fast games burn time windows
  • 💸 Withdrawal caps that reduce real bonus value
  • 🧠 Opt-in rules, because some promos are not automatic

If the rules are unclear, play with cash until you get a written answer from support. That avoids surprise restrictions later.

Mobile and app reality for global players

Most operators deliver the game inside a browser, even when they also offer a casino app. In chicken road sessions on mobile, the main risk is misclicking a step or missing the cashout moment due to distraction. Connection delay can add stress, so test your setup before real stakes.

If you use an app, it is usually the casino app, not a separate provider download. That means performance depends on the operator platform.

Mobile habits that help worldwide are simple.

  • 📶 Compare Wi-Fi and mobile data for delay
  • 🔕 Silence notifications during rounds
  • 🧩 Use landscape mode if buttons feel tight
  • 🔋 Watch battery level, because long sessions sneak up
  • ⏲️ Set a timer for breaks every 15–20 minutes

A small screen can still work well, if you slow down. Your goal is fewer rushed decisions, not more rounds.

Bankroll control that fits a fast step game

You do not wait for a bonus round here, so session structure matters. With chicken road, a practical approach is to split a session bankroll into 50 equal round-stakes, then cap the number of rounds. This keeps losses predictable and stops the “one more chance” loop.

If your session bankroll is 50 units, stake 1 unit per round on Easy or Medium. If you move to Hard, reduce the unit size.

Two guardrails work in any currency.

  • 🧱 Loss limit that ends the session, not just the day
  • 🧾 Win target that triggers cashout and a break

When you hit either limit, stop for at least 15 minutes. Fast games reward breaks because your decision quality improves.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Most expensive mistakes come from changing two variables at once. During chicken road play, raising stake after a loss while also choosing a higher mode compounds variance twice. Another common error is treating history as a predictor, because random outcomes do not “owe” you balance.

Watch for these habits.

  • 🚫 Chasing losses with bigger stakes in the same session
  • 🚫 Jumping into Hardcore after a short losing streak
  • 🚫 Clicking faster when you feel annoyed
  • 🚫 Assuming a bonus counts without checking eligibility
  • 🚫 Playing on unstable internet

If you fix only one thing, fix speed. Slower rounds give you time to cash out on purpose instead of on impulse.

Pros and cons from a player’s view

Trade-offs are normal, so match the game to your style. For chicken road, the main advantage is clear control, because you always see the multiplier and choose when to stop. The main drawback is temptation, because the next step always feels small.

Pros are straightforward.

  • ✅ Clear payout math and simple controls
  • ✅ High published RTP compared with many slots
  • ✅ Demo access makes onboarding quick
  • ✅ Difficulty modes let you tune swings
  • ✅ Short rounds suit limited time windows

Cons are also clear.

  • ⚠️ Fast rhythm can trigger impulsive sessions
  • ⚠️ Higher modes can drain bankroll quickly

    ⚠️ Not all casinos count it for bonus wagering

  • ⚠️ Feature variety is limited if you prefer reels and bonus rounds
  • ⚠️ Mobile misclicks can be costly

If the cons describe your past sessions, keep stakes small and keep sessions short. A strict plan can make the format workable.

A short field note on behavior and pacing

Fast games reveal your habits quickly, which can be useful. In chicken road, you may notice a surge of confidence after two quick wins, followed by an urge to “secure a big one.” That urge is the point where many players give back profit.

A small routine helps you interrupt the cycle.

  • 🧘 Take two deep breaths before the first step
  • 🧮 Decide your cashout zone before the round starts
  • 🧊 After a loss, pause 10 seconds before the next stake

This routine is simple, but it creates friction. Friction is good here, because it slows decisions and reduces tilt.

Worldwide notes on payments and currency handling

Payments are handled by the casino cashier, not by the game, so country details vary. When chicken road is offered in multi-currency lobbies, watch conversion spreads, because hidden exchange costs can exceed the game edge. Withdrawal speed matters more than deposit speed, so prioritize methods known to pay reliably in your region.

Practical checks are worth a minute.

  • 💳 Prefer methods with predictable fees in your country
  • 🧾 Check minimum withdrawal amounts, which vary by market
  • 🕒 Note weekend processing rules, because banks differ
  • 🔐 Enable two-factor login on the casino account
  • 📩 Confirm support works in your language and time zone

If support cannot explain withdrawals clearly, choose a different operator. A smooth exit is part of safe play. A good habit is to test one small withdrawal before you scale stakes, even if deposits were instant. For many people, chicken road stays fun only when exits are easy and limits are respected. That is a global rule, whether you play in euros, dollars, or local currency.

Final verdict for careful players

This title is easy to learn, but it is not a passive slot. For chicken road, the best results usually come from consistent cashouts and strict session limits, not from bravery. If you like quick rounds and you can follow a plan, the game fits short sessions across most markets.

Treat it like a sprint. A few measured rounds can be enough, and a break often improves the next decision more than a bigger stake.

FAQ

How does cashout timing change results in this step-based format? 

Early cashouts lock smaller multipliers and reduce blowups. Late cashouts chase bigger returns and raise the chance of losing the whole stake.

What should global players check before depositing and starting a session?

Check withdrawal speed, fees, currency conversion, and whether instant games count for bonuses. Test mobile stability to avoid misclick losses.

Does the published RTP mean I will profit if I play long enough each week?

No. RTP is long-run theory, not a guarantee for your sessions. Variance and your cashout choices can dominate week to week.

Is demo play enough to build discipline or only to learn buttons and flow?

Demo helps with both, but discipline comes from rules you follow. Practice fixed cashout zones and slower pacing to build the habit.

Which difficulty mode suits beginners who want fewer swings and longer play?

Easy usually supports longer sessions with the same bankroll. Move up only after you can stop on schedule and keep stakes stable.

The Most Anticipated Games of 2026: Top 5 Releases Coming to PC and Other Platforms

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If you’re a gamer, you would by now be dying to see the games of 2026. With so much anticipation built last year, many people are already rooting for this year as one of the biggest in modern gaming. Talk about the long-awaited franchises returning and even brand-new ideas finding their way to the limelight. No doubt, gamers are going to have the best year ever.

And while players will have more than enough titles that will keep their adrenaline high throughout, we understand there will be a desire to try other forms of entertainment at some point; whether as a way to take a break or extend the fun. For those in that category, engaging in an activity like sports betting is advisable. Apart from sharing a thrill that is similar to gaming, it also holds the possibility of being financially rewarding, especially for punters who know their way around the best events and markets.

Another essential consideration is the platform to use. As betting expert Kate Richardson opines, only a few things determine the level of success in sports betting as the choice of bookmaker. To make the right call in this area, experts recommend that punters consult review sites and guides such as https://www.mightytips.com/bookmakers/ to discover information on the best online bookmakers in their territories today.

Now, let’s go see some of the most anticipated games to be released this year.

5 Games Coming to PC and Other Platforms in 2026 You Shouldn’t Miss

As Shigeru Miyamoto once said, “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.” That patience seems to be paying off with many of the titles coming in 2026. If you’re wondering why many gamers are excited, you are about to find out. Just keep reading to see five standout titles that many fans think are must-play this year, of course, with the game release dates.

1. 007 First Light

Date: May 27, 2026

Not so many franchises carry the legendary weight of James Bond. 007 First Light is a full reboot and an origin story, following Bond before he earns his 007 status. The game was developed by IO Interactive. That’s the same studio behind Hitman, and it’s clear they have put in every effort to make sure the title stands out for its stealth, planning, and precision combat.

This Sci-Fi-tinged spy adventure blends cinematic storytelling with sandbox missions, signature disguises, and clever use of gadgets as a core weapon system. The James Bond tone is grounded, tense, and focused on secrecy rather than explosions.

2. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Date: May 30, 2026

Batman returns in brick form with LEGO Batman. Inspired by Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, this open-world fantasy-styled take lets players revisit Gotham with co-op fun and polished gameplay.

Many people have long been anticipating Traveler’s Tales to release a major LEGO Batman title. Now that they are finally yielding the call and making this return, fans are quietly waiting for May 30. Although the new release will tend more towards family life, you can still expect clever references, vehicles, and puzzles that longtime fans will appreciate.

3. Resident Evil Requiem

Date: February 27, 2026

No doubt, Resident Evil Requiem is one of the biggest games fans are waiting for to be released this year. Set to land on the 27th of February, the fan favorite is already stealing the spotlight. Resident Evil Requiem stars FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, shifting focus back to vulnerability and investigation.

In this remake style evolution, players are going to be enjoying a dynamic camera system that lets them switch perspectives quickly and in real time. The game would be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox series X|S. Capcom confirmed the game release date in an official press briefing, making the February date a solid fact.

4. Code Vein 2

Date: January 30, 2026

Code Vein, the thrilling action game, is set to surprise fans with the Code Vein 2 release on the 30th of January this year. The title takes a deeper dive on its action theme by introducing improved partner AI, larger interconnected zones, and smoother combat.

It will be available mostly for PC, PS5, and Xbox series fans, but news has it that there may be a backward consideration for Xbox One and PS4 players through a performance upgrade.

5. Game Quest: The Backlog Battler

The most unusual entry here, Game Quest: The Backlog Battler, turns your own library into enemies. It reads your Steam data and generates foes based on unplayed titles, price paid, and hours logged.

Created by indie studio developer Nic Taylor, this brand-new concept rewards self-awareness and persistence. It’s quirky, personal, and surprisingly tough, especially if you own a lot of games you never touched.

The launch window is Q1, and it is officially scheduled for release in 2026. Quick highlights of Game Quest include:

  •     Features stealth, horror, RPG, and experimental console experiences
  •     Strong support across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation platforms
  •     A mix of AAA titles and creative indies

Final Thoughts

As Hideo Kojima once said, “Games shouldn’t only be fun. They should teach or spark an interest in other things.” The top titles in 2026 look ready to deliver exactly that. From 007 First Light to experimental indies, many of the titles arriving this year are sure to cause a wave in the gaming world. So, it’s not a surprise that for gamers, 2026 has been one of the most anticipated years ever.

The games lined up for the year are going to speak to the interests of any fan, regardless of their unique interests.  Whether you’re following an Xbox new release, planning your next vehicle-heavy mission, or tracking trends beyond the screen, this lineup has all it takes to give you an unforgettable gaming year.

Roulette Statistics Explained: Expected Value and Variance by Bet Type

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Most players know how to place a bet in roulette. Fewer know how each bet behaves over time. Behind every spin, there is a fixed set of outcomes and a set of numbers that actually shape your chances in real time. If you understand them, then you start to see why the game plays out the way it does.

European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36, plus a single zero. That is the version you’ll find in most of the online casinos and in real games of live roulette in Australia, where rules follow the standard layout. Because every spin has 37 possible outcomes, the math stays consistent – and that helps you compare bets properly.

In the table below, you’ll see how common bet types stack up. We’re looking at three key numbers for each one: the chance it wins, its expected value, and its standard deviation – which shows how much your results are likely to swing.

Bet Type (European) Win Chance Expected Profit per $1 Bet (EV) Standard Deviation (Swing Size)
Red / Black 48.65% –$0.027 ~$1.00
Dozen / Column 32.43% –$0.027 ~$1.40
Corner 10.81% –$0.027 ~$2.80
Street 8.11% –$0.027 ~$3.27
Split 5.41% –$0.027 ~$4.07
Straight-Up 2.70% –$0.027 ~$5.84

What you’ll notice is this: every bet has the same expected loss – about 2.7 cents per dollar. But not all bets feel the same. Some swing a little, some swing a lot. That’s where variance comes in, and why tools like Roulette77 often point to these stats to explain why certain bets feel safer or riskier – even if the long-term average is the same.

Five Core Ideas That Keep Showing Up

Roulette uses a limited number of outcomes, so statistics like expected value and variance can be calculated exactly. These concepts are often used by sites like Roulette77 to explain why different bets produce different experiences at the table.

Here are the five core ideas that apply to every roulette bet:

  1. Probability – This tells you how often your bet is likely to win.
  2. Payout – The return offered if a bet wins.
  3. Expected Value (EV) – The average amount gained or lost per bet over many rounds.
  4. Variance – This measures how wild or steady your results tend to be.
  5. Standard Deviation – The square root of variance, showing how far typical outcomes move from the average.

Together, they give you a full picture of what to expect.

What Expected Value Actually Tells You

Let’s make this simple. Expected value (EV) is what you’d win or lose on average if you placed the same bet hundreds or thousands of times. It doesn’t say what will happen today. But it tells you where things trend in the long run.

Here’s an example. If you bet $1 on red, your chance of winning in European roulette is 18 out of 37. If you win, you get $1 profit. If you lose, you lose the $1 you bet.

The EV for that is:

  • (18/37 × +$1) + (19/37 × –$1) = –$0.027

That’s a 2.7 cent loss for every $1 bet, on average. And that number stays the same across most bet types – even if the payouts and win chances change. The house edge in European roulette is always about 2.7%, and every payout is set to reflect that.

Why the House Edge Never Really Changes

No matter where you bet – red, a corner, a single number – the house edge stays locked in. It’s built into the payouts.

Take the straight-up bet. You’re betting on one number out of 37. True odds would suggest you should win 36:1. But roulette pays 35:1. That missing one unit? That’s the house edge in action.

How Variance Explains the Ups and Downs in the Game

Variance shows how bumpy your ride can be. Some bets win often and lose little – they feel calm. Other ones lose often but hit big when they win – they feel wild.

Even-money bets like red or black give you wins nearly half the time. Your bankroll moves up and down, but not wildly. Straight-up number bets win only about 3% of the time, so you can go 30 spins without a hit, then suddenly win 35 times your stake.

Standard deviation gives us a way to measure that. In short, the higher it is, the bigger the average swing.

A $1 bet on red has a standard deviation of about $1. A $1 bet on a single number? That jump is almost $6 per spin – six times the impact. The average loss is still just $0.027 either way, but how you get there feels completely different.

Why Risk Isn’t Just About the Bet Size

You could bet $10 on red or $10 on a single number – same stake and same house edge – but the ride is totally different. One gives you a good shot at a steady return. The other might pay nothing for ages, then jump high all at once.

Players often think of risk in terms of how much they’re betting. But in roulette, where you bet changes risk even more than how much. Variance is the number that shows this – and understanding it can help you avoid betting in ways that feel worse than you expected.

How You Can Use This to Play Smarter

Stats won’t guarantee a win. But they help you think clearly – and that makes a big difference. If you know your expected value, you know what the house edge is costing you over time. If you know your variance, you know what kind of swings to expect.

This matters for:

  • Bankroll planning – Smaller bets on high-variance bets go a long way. Larger bets are safer on low-variance ones.
  • Session control – You’ll be less surprised when a streak happens – good or bad.
  • Wheel choice – European roulette gives you better odds than American. French roulette with “La Partage” gives back half your bet on zero – lowering the edge even more.

Roulette77 and similar educational tools often explain these ideas because they help people play with more awareness. The goal isn’t to win every spin. It’s to understand what each bet means, so you’re not playing blind.

Album Review: Lucinda Williams, ‘World’s Gone Wrong’

These days, the world bears its weight on you before you even get the chance to look around. Doom is not simply coupled with scrolling; it pre-registers. In this climate, Lucinda Williams feels no need to be subtle or overly specific, only to affirm that she’s no lone ranger. “We are here to bear witness/ To this monstrous sickness,” she sings on the closing track of her latest album, World’s Gone Wrong, the monsters needing no introduction. Whether slow-burning or downright funky, the album recognizes the pervasive nature of its own weariness and uses every style at its disposal to fight apathy – not to push the world beyond this point of no return, but to keep going in spite. 


1. World’s Gone Wrong [feat. Brittney Spencer]

The opening title track strikes the perfect balance, relaying the struggles of a working-class couple over shiny guitars, a warm Hammond B-3, and a soaring hook. Williams’ perspective is hardly absent; her verses are conversational, but as she zooms out in the chorus, her attempt to offer universal solace feels personal. The song’s most touching moment comes when she finaly homes in on a tender scene of the wearied couple putting on Miles Davis and dancing. Anybody listening should know that alone can do a world of good. 

2. Something’s Gotta Give [feat. Brittney Spencer]

Williams keeps the crunch of the opening track but spins darker, moodier chords, illustrating “the heaviness to these days.” Unlike the systems it skewers, at no point does the song seem at risk of falling apart, but there’s a fire in its robust arrangement, reinforced by country singer’s Brittney Spencer’s backing vocals. 

3. Low Life

Several times I listened to this song, pinning it as the album’s secret standout, before realizing it was co-written by Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek – they’re both credited, but mentioned nowhere in the press materials. It finds them relaxing into a soulful, gospel-inflected tune – elevated by Mickey Raphael’s breathtaking harmonica – about finding refuge in a dive bar with no television or familiar faces in sight. It hits even if you’re sober. 

4. How Much Did You Get for Your Soul

‘How Much Did You Get for Your Soul’ picks the groove back up but comes off more redundant than redemptive. William’s biting delivery salvages some of the clunkier lyrics, which get the point across quickly but become tiresome after four minutes, and the instrumentation could use a bit more muscle. Still, it’s well-placed and too enjoyable to pass up.

5. So Much Trouble in the World [feat. Mavis Staples]

The band adds touches of reggae as they deliver a cover of Bob Marley’s perfectly pertinent ‘So Much Trouble in the World’. But it’s not the apt choice that resonates so much as the song’s appearance as a duet with Mavis Staples, converging the legendary singers’ perspectives. It should at least point you in the direction of Staples’ excellent covers LP from last year, which, taking its name from Mark Linkous’ ‘Sad and Beautiful World’, feels spiritually aligned with Williams’ latest. 

6. Sing Unburied Sing

Inspired by Jesmyn Ward’s novel of the same name, ‘Sing Unburied Sing’ kicks the album’s second side into gear with a mix of urgency and mystery. On backup, Maureen Murphy and Siobhan Kennedy knock it out of the park. 

7. Blue Tears

“The dream is deferred/ And the churches are burning” might be the best lines Williams delivers on World’s Gone Wrong, fittingly snuck into this swampy blues jam. The references are clear but Williams’ vocals lend them scorching weight, even if this is another song that would’ve benefitted from being a duet. 

8. Punchline

Though almost exactly the same length as the previous track, ‘Punchline’ doesn’t justify it in the same way, an ominous lament that coasts on a few too many platitudes. But Williams conveys her despirited mood with more nerve than most, singing, “The world’s turning faster/ Spinning out of control/ And the two-face masters/ Tricking the lost souls/ They know how to choose you.” God may have forgotten the punchline, but the ones with blood in their hands are those whose own runs cold. 

9. Freedom Speaks

“They will kill to keep me down/ They don’t want me to speak,” Williams sings with hard-won conviction, “So let me remind you/ Just what’s at stake.” (It’s there in the title.) After the beaten-down ‘Punchline’, ‘Freedom Speaks’ is the vibrant polemic the album sorely  needed before its conclusion, holding on to the hope someone out there is still listening. 

10. We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Around 

Featuring Norah Jones, the album’s second duet is its second best song: Williams’ weariness is at its most poetic and lived-in, the production as liquid as the lies she says we’ve been sold, and Jones’ contributions make it sound slightly less disheartening. It’s a final reminder that the 73-year-old is here to bear witness and withstand, not necessarily chart the path to resistance, but providing the necessary fuel to survive. 

The Hunt For Gollum: Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailers and More

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Middle-earth is calling again, and this time we’re going back to Frodo’s early days in the Shire. Warner Bros.’ The Hunt for Gollum is set to bring The Lord of the Rings back to the big screen for the first time since The Hobbit trilogy ended more than a decade ago, telling a story that’s mostly been left off-screen. Announced in 2024, the upcoming film will be set before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring and take inspiration from Tolkien’s appendices, following the long, largely unseen period between Bilbo Baggins’ farewell and Frodo’s departure from the Shire, as Gandalf’s concerns about the One Ring start to grow.

Andy Serkis is returning as Gollum while also directing, with Peter Jackson producing and Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens writing the script. With filming all set to kick off sometime in May and a December 2027 release already on the calendar, here’s everything we know so far about The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, including the release date, cast, story details, and what to expect next.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum: Release Date

The next trip to Middle-earth is still some way off, but we now finally have a date. Warner Bros. has confirmed that The Hunt for Gollum will arrive in theatres on December 17, 2027.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum: Cast

So far, Warner Bros. has revealed very little about the cast of The Hunt for Gollum. The film is expected to enter production sometime in May, but there’s still no word on the wider cast. Currently, the only character officially confirmed is Gollum himself, with Andy Serkis set to reprise his role from Peter Jackson’s trilogy and also direct the film. Beyond that, we’ve had a few teases about who else could be part of the film. Recently, Sir Ian McKellen revealed that Gandalf and Frodo will both appear in The Hunt for Gollum, teasing that the story will reunite the two characters on screen.

While McKellen did not say who will play Frodo, the comment has naturally raised questions about Elijah Wood’s possible return, especially with Andy Serkis and McKellen already back in their original roles. “It’s going to start filming in May. It’s going to be directed by Gollum, and it’s all about Gollum. But I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting. There’s a character in the movie called Frodo and another character called Gandalf, and apart from that, my lips are sealed,” McKellen said during the For the Love of Fantasy fan event in London (via TikTok).

While the studio has yet to confirm who will be playing Frodo, Elijah Wood has suggested that McKellen’s comments are likely accurate, joking that “a wizard is to be trusted” while also adding that he isn’t allowed to confirm anything just yet. “I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted,” Wood told ScreenRant at Fan Expo New Orleans. “Aside from any of that, I’m not really allowed to confirm. I’m really excited about the film. I think it really is a creative ‘getting the band back together.’ A lot of the creative heads of department are back and in that space again. Philippa [Boyens] I think, is co-writing it and producing it. It’s very much that core original group getting back together to tell this story that will feel like a really fun exploration of this character that we all love so much. And I’m just really excited.”

Moreover, it looks like The Hunt for Gollum will feature a different Aragorn this time. While the character is set to be central to the story, reports suggest the part is being recast, as Viggo Mortensen is now considered too old to portray a younger version of the ranger. According to The One Ring (via SFF Gazette), auditions are already underway in London and New Zealand to find a new actor to take on the role, as the film is said to be set roughly 20 years before The Fellowship of the Ring. For now, here’s what the cast of The Hunt for Gollum looks like so far:

  • Andy Serkis as Gollum
  • Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf
  • Elijah Wood as Frodo

What Will The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Movie Be About?

With pre-production ramping up in New Zealand, The Hunt for Gollum is preparing to begin filming later this year, ahead of its December 2027 release. The upcoming film will fill one of the most important gaps in Tolkien’s timeline, pulling directly from The Lord of the Rings appendices. Set years before The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hunt for Gollum’s story will take place after Bilbo’s 111th birthday, but well before Frodo ever leaves the Shire. At this point, Gandalf’s suspicions about Bilbo’s ring are growing harder to ignore.

Fearing that Gollum could be captured and forced to reveal what he knows to Sauron, Gandalf turns to Aragorn and sends him in search of Gollum. From there, the story follows a long, exhausting pursuit across Middle-earth, with the hunt stretching over years and repeatedly going cold.

While Tolkien’s version of these events plays out slowly over a long stretch of time, the film is not expected to follow that structure beat for beat. Andy Serkis has been clear that the goal is not to simply retrace familiar ground. Speaking to Empire, the actor said the team has “a very specific task ahead of us,” aiming for “a return to Middle-earth that satisfies the passion and the love that generations of Lord of the Rings fans have for these stories, while also presenting something completely fresh and new.”

Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are once again deeply involved, having helped shape both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans got an extra vote of confidence from Elijah Wood, who revealed at DesertCon in Mexico (via The Direct) that he knows “a great deal” about the script — and that “it’s really good.”

“The brain trust behind Lord of the Rings, Fran, Peter, Philippa, they are heavily involved,” said Wood. “It feels like getting that old machine up and running again with all of the right people.” Boyens has also hinted at what makes the film’s story special. In an interview with Empire, she described The Hunt for Gollum as “an adventure story with a really strong psychological, interior story,” hinting the film will spend as much time inside Gollum’s fractured mind as it does tracking his movements across Middle-earth.

Are There Any Trailers For The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?

As of writing, there are no trailers for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The film has yet to begin filming, and with shooting expected to start later this year, it’s still too early for a teaser or trailer.

Are There Other Movies Like The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?

If The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has you itching for more Middle-earth–style storytelling, The Hobbit trilogy, particularly An Unexpected Journey, is an easy next watch (or rewatch).

Beyond Tolkien, films like 1988’s Willow, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Green Knight explore similar fantasy themes. And of course, it’s worth brushing up on Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy, where it all began.

Fallout Season 3: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

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Prime Video’s global TV hit Fallout keeps going strong. Season 2, which premiered in December 2025, is set to become one of the platform’s top 4 returning series, behind Reacher and The Rings of Power.

Not only that, but Prime Video has greenlit a reality show, Fallout Shelter, based on the video game extension released in 2015. All signs point to Fallout continuing past season 2, right?

Fallout Season 3 Release Date

Right. Prime Video renewed Fallout for a third outing months ago, so fans don’t have to worry about the show reaching the finish line anytime soon.

The new episodes are rumoured to start filming in May, which means that Fallout season 3 could arrive in early 2027.

Fallout Cast

  • Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean
  • Aaron Moten as Maximus
  • Kyle MacLachlan as Hank MacLean
  • Moisés Arias as Norm MacLean
  • Xelia Mendes-Jones as Dane
  • Walton Goggins as Cooper Howard / The Ghoul
  • Frances Turner as Barb Howard

What Could Happen in Fallout Season 3?

The post-apocalyptic drama is inspired from the beloved video game franchise. The story is set after the Great War of 2077, a cataclysmic nuclear exchange that left the world in irradiated ruin.

In this desolate future, survivors live in starkly different conditions. Some sheltered in luxury underground Vaults. Others survived above ground, forging brutal lives in the wasteland.

The narrative centres on Lucy, a Vault-dweller forced to confront the real world. Things turn out to be much less glamorous than she expected. On a quest to find her father, she connects with Maximus, a soldier of the Brotherhood of Steel, and with a bounty hunter.

Without giving too much away, the first season ends with Lucy discovering a bitter truth that shatters her worldview. Season 2 expands the story by having her head toward the ruins of New Vegas, where new problems arise. There’s still one episode to go, with the finale dropping in early February.

While it’s a bit early to speculate about Fallout season 3 ahead of the last season 2 episode, it’s safe to assume that Lucy and the Ghoul may be caught in larger political crossfires. For now, we’ll have to wait and see.

Are There Other Shows Like Fallout?

If you enjoy Fallout, you might want to check out other post-apocalyptic series available to stream. We recommend Silo, Foundation, Raised by Wolves, The Last of Us, and The 100.

Five Palestinian Artists Creating Across Borders

“In the case of a political identity that’s being threatened, culture is a way of fighting against extinction and obliteration. Culture is a form of memory against effacement,” wrote scholar Edward Said in Culture and Resistance — a truth embodied by Palestinian visual art, which has developed under uniquely fractured conditions. Artists separated by borders and exile often create without knowledge of their contemporaries’ work; yet this geographic scattering hasn’t weakened the resulting art. Instead, it has produced a diverse body of work united by the common purpose of bearing witness and asserting existence in the face of erasure and using visual language to document realities that dominant narratives distort or ignore. Here are five Palestinian visual artists whose work explores the layered complexities of personal and national resilience.

Saj Issa

Saj Issa is a Palestinian-American artist, raised between the Midwest and the West Bank, Palestine. Currently based in New York City, she is known for exploring cultural memory and identity through painting and ceramics. She has honed her practice through artist residencies at Belger Crane Yard Studios in Kansas City and Craft Alliance in St. Louis, among other programs. Issa cites a formative moment in Ramallah, when she discovered a pile of broken pottery shards at a former ceramic factory — she was captivated by the fragments, imagining the ways they had been shaped and the stories they carried.

 

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Beesan Arafat

Beesan Arafat’s paintings demonstrate both artistic mastery and profound devotion to Palestine, its people and culture. She works from the principle that art can carry more political force than politics itself, creating canvases that tell stories Western media frequently ignores. Among her most striking works is her tribute to the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian aid convoy ever assembled for Gaza, transforming solidarity into a visual record.

 

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Hazem Harb

Born in 1980 in Gaza, Hazem Harb now resides between Rome and Dubai, creating photographic collages, mixed media works, acrylic paintings and drawings. His practice is rooted in the concept of memory — particularly its fragility and selectiveness, pondering the way certain moments persist while others disappear or get distorted. For Harb, centering truth-telling and factuality becomes an act of resistance against erasure.

 

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Sliman Mansour

Hailing from Birzeit, Mansour played a foundational role in shaping contemporary Palestinian art and served as head of the League of Palestinian Artists throughout the 1980s. His initial body of work portrayed Palestinian life and resistance through images of peasants and traditionally dressed women. In the 1970s, olive trees and themes of land became central to his practice, while his latest work zeroes in on isolated figures expressing the weariness of endless anticipation and the weight of loss.

 

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Dima Srouji

Palestinian architect and artist Dima Srouji approaches cultural heritage as a site for communal repair. Her artistic practice involves collaboration with anthropologists, archaeologists, stone masons, sound designers and glassblowers, working with materials sourced from Palestine. A former Jameel Fellow at the Victoria & Albert Museum (2022-2023), she currently directs the studio Underground Palestine within the MA City Design programme at London’s Royal College of Art.

2026 Is The New 2016

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Last week, 2016 happened again. One minute it was 2026 and the next it was King Kylie lipsticks, sock boots, sparkling diamonds, Vetements, Yeezy, Virgil Abloh, and that very specific Snapchat dog filter. I even saw Kim Kardashian posting a throwback captioned “I promise whatever happened to you in 2016 mine was crazier”, which is probably why it’s coming back. Some of it should really stay in the past, but most of it shouldn’t.

Off-White, Supreme, Vetements, Yeezy, BAPE, Fear of God, 2016 clearly loved streetwear. I miss those paparazzi-heavy streetwear hybrid outfits, big T-shirts if it was warm, even bigger hoodies if it was cold, paired with knee-high stiletto boots and a khaki bomber on top that could blind you if the inside caught the light. Or whatever side-slit sweatpants Adidas made then with a lace corset on top, a big fat chocker, heeled sandals on the bottom and Kanye West by the side, it really was an iconic outfit ten years ago. This should be everyday life again. We still mix street style and casualwear with heels and girly accessories but I really need to see vivid three-striped jackets with pearl necklaces sitting on top in a Rihanna way again, huge faux furs over military shorts and bedazzled lace-up sandals like models wore in the background of a 2016 music video. We still love contrast, but it’s all a bit toned down, too easy on the eyes.

Don’t get me started on hair, or at least cover the clean-girls’ ears. Vivids. King Kylie era blues, greens, greys, reds, just bring actual colors back. Big messy buns that made you look like you’d just lost a fight with a cat, red lipstick with no occasion. It belonged in coffee shops, on basketball courts, even at the park. Now I play a game at weddings or official gatherings called “spot the red lip”. The score is usually zero. Sometimes one.

I don’t really believe what we miss is 2016 itself, but the intensity of it. The comfort with being a little too visible, excessive, and maybe too much.

Lady Gaga Covers Mister Rogers’ ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’

Lady Gaga has recorded a cover of the theme song from the classic children’s show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Redfin and Rocket Mortgage enlisted the pop star to deliver her version of the song for a commercial that will air during Super Bowl LX. Check out the teaser below.

“Mr. Rogers was so clearly someone who stood for something and it is powerful to think of what he would say right now,” Gaga says in the clip, calling it “a special song to revisit at this time.”

She adds that “it was interesting to create something really heartfelt that keeps the purity and beauty of the original version, but does it in a new way.”

King Princess Covers Geese’s ‘Au Pays Du Cocaine’ for BBC Radio 1

King Princess delivered a rendition of Geese’s ‘Au Pays Du Cocaine’ during her appearance on BBC Radio 1 yesterday (January 27), calling it “such a lesbian anthem.” Watch it below.

She added of her song pick: “‘You can change and still choose me’? I don’t know. Ask some of your lesbian friends what that means. It’s just such a beautiful song. It really represents what it’s like to be in love right now, like a song about two people wanting freedom and wanting to be individuals and yet are actively choosing to stay together and that feels super present but also extremely queer.”

Geese made their SNL debut last weekend, performing ‘Au Pays Du Cocaine’ as well as ‘Trinidad’.