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17 New Songs Out Today to Listen To: L’Rain, The Tallest Man on Earth, and More

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, August 11, 2026.


L’Rain – ‘elymra’

Ahead of the release of her new album fata morgana this Friday (August 14), L’Rain has unveiled another transfixing single, ‘elmyra’. Cascading around the refrain “All teeth when I see you,” it comes paired with a video choreographed by Elliot Reed and directed by Andy Swartz, starring dancers Coco Villa and Maleek Slade.

The Tallest Man on Earth – ‘Deliver Me From Trying’

The Tallest Man on Earth has announced a new album, Just Beyond Endless Mountain, arriving October 9 via Anti-. Along with the news, he’s shared ‘Deliver Me From Trying’, alongside a video shot in the Swedish countryside. “Somewhere along the way I’d developed this immature aversion to the whole cultural inheritance I grew up with,” Kristian Mattson reflected. “But now I live here again. I’ve read an incredible amount—not just about the music, but about how people actually lived in the old days. I think that’s part of why this record feels more like me than anything I’ve made before. This album really comes from somewhere.”

Caroline Rose – ‘Chow Mein’

Caroline Rose has announced a new album titled Gentling the Horse at the Walt Whitman Mall, which lands on October 23. Produced by John Congleton, it’s led by the wonky, propulsive single ‘Chow Mein’, about which Rose said: “A lot of my songs I think of as scenes in a movie. I relate to characters who are a little strange, who are outsiders, who seem to fuck up a lot or find themselves in awkward situations. Most of these stories are just pulled directly from scenes in my own life, so the character is basically always some version of myself. This is a story about trying too hard to be cool and act normal, but everything is going wrong.”

Shabazz Palaces – ‘Ahh World (I Won the Alpha Bet)’

Ishmael Butler has announced a new Shabazz Palaces album, It’s a Style Sport, which is slated for release on October 23 through Sub Pop. Following the mini-albums Exotic Birds of Prey and Robed in Rareness, it’s led by the meditative single ‘Ahh World (I Won the Alpha Bet)’.

Slow Pulp – ‘Still’

Slow Pulp have shared ‘Spill’, the final single from their upcoming album, Melodie. Following the piano ballad ‘Not for Nothing’ and the infectious ‘Better Man’, it strikes a kind of middle ground, and was actually the first song written while the Chicago-based band was working on 2023’s Yard. “Once we started working on Melodie it felt like a song that could live within the world we were building, so it made it onto the album,” Emily Massey explained, adding: “The song itself is about feeling stuck in a pattern of casual relationships that felt they had some barrier to expressing real love. It’s that delicate dance where you wait for someone else to take the leap. Too afraid to say it too soon but also too afraid to say it too late, waiting to see how it will all play out.”

Chat Pile – ‘Same Rules’

‘Same Rules’ is a haunting preview of Chat Pile’s forthcoming LP Who Loves the Sun, if not quite as heavy as earlier cuts. Bassist Stin described it as “first real Chat Pile song mostly recorded on 4-track cassette. Ray B. had given us the challenge to write a trip hop song and this is what we came up with. Unfortunately he’s rejected ‘Same Rules’ from the challenge as he claims it’s not trip hop at all and that we have to try again. Perhaps we’ll get it right next time.”

Jess Williamson – ‘Tracking the Tropics’

Jess Williamson has previewed her upcoming album A Mile South of Heaven with a gorgeously poignant track called ‘Tracking the Tropics’. “I was in a situation where my confidence had really taken a hit, and all I wanted to do was get in my car, drive as far away as I could, and be back at this one particular little honky-tonk bar in East Austin where I spent so many weekends with my friends throughout my twenties before I moved away (the bar is still there, shout out to The White Horse),” the singer-songwriter explained. “It’s a song about wanting to escape, and longing for a simpler time and for the people and places that make you feel truly known and accepted.”

Fenne Lily – ‘Sleeping’

“I say what I mean and am a little bit mean in the process; it’s a thoughtful rage,” Fenne Lily said, reflecting on her new single ‘Sleeping’, which wastes no time getting in a contemplative groove. It’s the latest offering from Win Win, which arrives October 23 via Nettwerk Music Group.

Lael Neale – ‘Slip Away’

Lael Neale has released three compelling records for Sub Pop in recent years, but her latest, As Killers Do, will be self-released under her new imprint, Consensual Sound, on November 20. The reliably hypnagogic lead single ‘Slip Away’ is out now, alongside a homemade stop motion video.

Anxious – ‘Don’t Move’

Anxious are back with a new single, ‘Don’t Move’, just in time for their North American tour supporting Citizen. It’s an anthemic tune that could have easily landed on last year’s Bambi. “This song is about a relationship that defined my early twenties falling apart – then trying and failing to rebuild it,” vocalist Grady Allen. “It’s about disengaging with reality in hopes of reclaiming the bond you’ve lost with someone, but never feeling truly close in the process. ‘Don’t Move’ is about knowing that feeling, but trying to ignore it in the hope that things will change.”

“This song was the first song from a group of tracks I started writing at the end of last summer,” he added. “There were no expectations for a record, or for a cohesive idea of what that would mean – it just felt like there was a lot of space for ‘let’s just put together whatever comes naturally and see what happens.’ The bridge for this song came first and I was trying to channel some of the atmospheric building action that happens a lot on the B-side of Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity. I was also super inspired by Armlock, probably my favorite new band of the last several years. Their layered acoustic guitars and vocals was something I was trying to pull off on the bridge.”

Death Valley Girls – ‘Message From the Venus Flower’

Death Valley Girls’s newly announced album, Welcome to Earth, was inspired by the devastating wildfires that destroyed lead singer Bonnie Bloomgarden’s home in Altadena. It’s out October 9 via Suicide Squeeze, and the rambunctious first single, ‘Message From the Venus Flower’, is out now. “After the fire, Tommy, my best friend and dog, was not the same,” Bloomgarden explained. “I didn’t bring her medicine when we evacuated cause I didn’t bring anything, even my phone or car. My landlord, who lived in the house in front, drove us to her friend’s house, and it was weeks before we could go back. And when we could go back, everything was destroyed. I wasn’t sure if she was hurting because she wasn’t on her medicine, or if she was scared, or if she didn’t know why we left our home and was mad at me! Previously, we had done sessions with Animal Communicator Amy Wild, and they really helped. They had a session a month or so after the fire, and Tommy tried to tell me that her body didn’t matter, our connection was eternal, because we were eternal souls that reincarnate and meet up in many lifetimes, and moreover, we are always connected and together.”

“The illusion of separation is a very earthly human concept,” she continued. “I told her I don’t care about our souls, I just wanted to know if her body was ok!! Less than a year later, she left her body. I was broken. I had officially lost everything to 2025. After lying in bed wallowing, I decided I needed to try some life. I went on our normal walk and passed by a flower, a butterfly pea (Venus flower.) As I stood there, the flower sent me a message like a lightning bolt to my brain! In an instant the flower shared with me what Tommy had been trying to explain! The flower explained it: IS Tommy. Everything I love is Tommy, because love isn’t just something you feel, share, or do; love is more like a dimension! anything that gives me the feeling I get when I think of Tommy IS her. Because love isn’t just something you feel, share, or do, love is more like a dimension! And you tap into it, or remember often most easily through a physical manifestation like Tommy!”

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard h- ‘Kill for the Steel’

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have dropped ‘Kill for the Steel’, another taste of their upcoming techno album Alien Metal. It follows ‘Level 5’ and the title track.

Axis: Sova – ‘Blow Up’

Axis: Sova – the trio of Brett Sova, Jeremy Freeze, and Josh Johannpeter – have announced a new LP, Flowerage – out October 23 via Ty Segall’s Drag City imprint GOD? Records – and dropped the driving lead single ‘Blow Up’. It comes paired with a video from director Sean Pierce.

Everything Is Recorded – ‘Cut Off Your Nose’

Everything Is Recorded will release a new EP, Cut Off Your Nose, this Friday via XL Recordings. Peter Gabriel joins producer Richard Russell on the record, which also features appearances from Jah Wobble, Roses Gabor, Samantha Morton, Rian Brazil, and  IDK. “Jah Wobble’s bass has been a foundation of so much music I love. he’s an incredible collaborator, a musical hero who’s a joy to work with – so much knowledge and humour,” Russell said, commenting on new single ‘Cuff Off Your Nose’. “For ‘Cut Off Your Nose’ we talked about him being the vocalist as well as the bassist, and he didn’t hesitate. Same conviction, same weight.”

Wobble added: “Working with Richard has been like a breath of fresh air for me. His sessions are always fun, imaginative and idiosyncratic. The way he works is reminiscent of the great Holger Czukay. He understands the importance of ‘the moment’. He’s unpredictable. That’s a pretty rare quality in itself.”

Telemakus – ‘2054’ [feat. Karriem Riggins, Chino Corvalán]

Bay Area artist Telemakus has announced a new album, Eight Ring Revival, which features Flying Lotus, Liv.e, Karriem Riggins (of GENA), Sparklmami, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Nicole McCabe, and more. It’s out October 20, and ‘2054’, and the slinky instrumental ‘2054’, featuring drummer Karriem Riggins and multi-instrumentalist Chino Corvalán, is out now. “Eight silver rings curl around my finger joints. They sleep with me, eat with me, play with me,” Telemakus remarked. “My doctor gave them to me to keep my fingers from hyperextending after I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. After releasing my previous project in 2021, I didn’t realize it would be the last record I made with my hands as I once knew them. One night during a flare, I called a friend in Paraguay and began building a song by asking for single notes, then chords, then structures. From there, a collective process formed: collaborators became extensions of my own expression. I later discovered I could also compose with my feet, developing pieces on a pillow, using toes and ankles to trigger harmony in ways that felt unexpectedly fluid. Recovery came in stages, shaped by clinics, collaborators, and unexpected mentors. What began as limitation turned into method on this album. Songs built across distance, through memory, dreams, and digital space.”

Queen of Jeans – ‘Sweet Devotion’

Queen of Jeans released have announced that their new LP, hard/SWEET, will arrive on October 9. The follow-up to 2024’s All Again was produced and engineered by Justin Bartlett. “We all have the ability to be hard or put up a wall,” the band said. “But we also share the vulnerability of waiting for someone to truly know us and break through.” The heartwarming lead single ‘Sweet Devotion’ is out now.

Grace Cummings – ‘Bloodhorse!’

“‘Bloodhorse’ is an archaic term thoroughbred racehorse that is expected to win,” Grace Cummings explained. “They’re extremely temperamental, full of anxious energy. They are powerful, and sometimes frightening, but they are also extremely vulnerable. When I go to sleep at night, I don’t rest. My eyes are shut but it’s like I’m waiting in the stalls, waiting, waiting. My dreams are full of nightmares. Nothing is calm. And as soon as I open my eyes, I start fucking running.”

‘Bloodhorse!’ is the title track of Cummings’ forthcoming LP, which arrives on Friday. “The lyrics to this song were inspired by a visit to a beauty clinic,” she continued. “I went for a facial, which was a gift to myself for my birthday, but the clinician gave me a mirror and told me to look in it and tell me what I didn’t like about myself. Everything, I thought, I hate everything. But I told him I didn’t like the way my brow was furrowed. He said to me: Grace, nobody needs to frown. He gave me botox, to take the frown away. I hated myself, but at least I’d look happier. I’d be a winner. But the thing is, I couldn’t move my face for the next three months.  When I felt something, it couldn’t come out, it felt trapped inside my face like so many other things trapped inside my head. When I cried, I couldn’t feel it come out of my body. And I hated it.”

To Become a Legendary Film Adaptation, You’ve Got to Respect the Source Material

The Godfather, The Exorcist, Dangerous Liaisons, The Silence of the Lambs, Forrest Gump, The Lord of the Rings, No Country for Old Men, and several more rank among the most legendary of book-to-film adaptations. They adapted the original works faithfully while also creating masterful films that all stand the test of time.

When it comes to adapting a book, mainly, people just expect the key points to be realised honestly, framed in the right way, and put on the big screen for a new experience of the same story. This is not what moviegoers recently got by seeing the all-IMAX film “based” on Homer’s epic, The Odyssey.

As a result, once the hype dies down, it’d be fair to assume that, while a filmmaking achievement to do it all in IMAX, The Odyssey won’t go down as a legendary adaptation. It simply misses too many of the requirements and is actively subversive to one of the best-known stories ever told to reach that level of prestige.

What it Means to Be a Faithful Adaptation

Being faithful to a story isn’t always about following the plot beats and character work to a T. Rather, tone and relaying the underlying themes – which are particularly tricky to nail down and truncate into film – matter much more to the experience.

How you go about this differs greatly depending on the medium. You could look to The Walking Dead for the wiggle room permitted. The comic series was adapted into a very long-running TV show. As it evolved through the early seasons, while it kept to many core beats and, importantly, retained the mood, some aspects changed to enable it to better suit TV storytelling.

The Walking Dead, of course, spans several different mediums of adaptation. Some don’t need to adhere to the story, but rather the mood and aesthetics, such as with the collection of UK casino slots found online. The Walking Dead slots adapt from the show. Each features the core cast, music, walkers, and leverages the setting for its features.

In film, it’s about keeping the heart of the story and bringing through the characters and their motives, flaws, and choices that made them so popular in the source material in a more refined way. Often, a great story needs to be cut down for the big screen, and that’s where the true skill of an adapter comes into play.

Examples of the Great Adaptations

The Odyssey tried to get a huge epic into three hours, which would have been a challenge on its own. Even so, there are plenty of examples of filmmakers achieving this in a way that’s faithful to the source material and gives cinemagoers a grand experience. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the prime example of this being possible – and from over 20 years ago.

Even so, smaller stories that pack a lot in with characters and themes that engrossed millions of readers can just as easily inspire savvy creatives to make great adaptations. The Devil Wears Prada did a grand job of reflecting the plight of Andy at Runway, while Gone Girl made the right steps to subtly frame the story as a real horror. American Fiction, adapted from Erasure, superbly brings Thelonius and his realisation of what the masses want from books.

Often considered to be among the greatest films ever made, it’s perhaps not a surprise that many see The Godfather film, as TG notes, as being superior to the book. Even with this being the case, the books made the story, laid down the foundations, and made it possible for Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo to refine it for the big screen.

It’s difficult to even adapt one of the greatest books of all time, but those that do so faithfully while leveraging some movie magic see their productions become legendary.

Shabazz Palaces Announce New Album ‘It’s a Style Sport’, Share Single

Shabazz Palaces have announced a new LP, It’s a Style Sport, which is slated for release on October 23 through Sub Pop. It’s led by the new song ‘Ahh World (I Won the Alpha Bet)’, which you can hear below.

The new record follows the sibling mini-albums Exotic Birds of Prey and Robed in Rareness. Produced by project leader Ishmael Butler and Erik Blood, it features guest contributions from Marquette Miller, Thaddillac, Evan Flory-Barnes, Gerald “Tugboat” Turner, Kassa Overall, and Carlos Overall.

It’s a Style Sport Cover Artwork:

Shabazz Palaces It's a Style Sport artwork

It’s a Style Sport Tracklist:

1. Ahh World (I Won the Alpha Bet)
2. Field Notes
3. Show Me Missouri in Mink
4. Jheri Curl Jump
5. Deadstock Dude
6. Tongue in Chic
7. Heliocentric Immortality Manifesto H.I.M.
8. Olivia According to Touch
9. Money Can’t Save Your Mind
10. From One Future to Another

How Workplace Injury Benefits Cover Medical Bills and Lost Pay

A workplace injury can turn a stable paycheck into a source of stress almost overnight. In Greenville, South Carolina, the numbers show just how much is at stake. As of January 1, 2025, the state’s maximum weekly workers’ compensation rate climbed to $1,134.43, reflecting rising wages across the region. That increase tracks with local pay trends, too, since workers in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer metro area earned a mean hourly wage of $27.49 in the most recent measured period. For someone recovering from a job-related injury, losing even a portion of that income while medical bills pile up can feel overwhelming.

That’s exactly why understanding how workers’ compensation benefits actually work matters so much. Speaking with an experienced Greenville workers’ compensation attorney can help injured employees make sense of their options before deadlines or paperwork errors put those benefits at risk. From covering emergency treatment to replacing missed wages, these benefits are designed to soften the financial blow of an injury. Let’s take a closer look at how they cover medical bills and lost pay, and what injured workers should expect along the way.

Early Claim Choices

After an on-the-job accident, early records can shape care access, wage checks, and dispute risk. A workers’ compensation attorney can help injured employees review notice duties, doctor limits, claim paperwork, and payment questions as evidence develops. Such guidance matters because missed deadlines or vague forms may delay treatment or reduce income support.

What Medical Benefits Cover

Medical benefits usually pay reasonable care tied to the job injury. Covered treatment may include emergency evaluation, physician visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medicine, braces, imaging, and mileage for approved appointments. The claim must connect symptoms to the accident or occupational condition. Insurers may question care that appears unrelated, excessive, or weakly documented. Detailed clinical notes help link pain, function, restrictions, and recovery needs.

Why Approved Doctors Matter

Many benefit systems require treatment from an authorized doctor or clinic. Outside care without permission can create billing issues. An injured employee should confirm who may provide follow-up before scheduling visits. If swelling, numbness, weakness, headaches, or radiating pain appears, the worker should report changes quickly. Written referrals also matter. They explain why a specialist, scan, therapy plan, or procedure became necessary after the incident.

Emergency Care Rules

Emergency care works differently because delay can threaten life or long-term function. A worker should seek immediate help for heavy bleeding, chest pressure, head trauma, breathing trouble, burns, paralysis, or possible spinal injury. After urgent treatment, the employee should notify the employer as soon as possible. Hospital records, discharge instructions, and prescriptions should be saved. These papers can support medical payment and wage benefit decisions.

How Lost Pay Benefits Work

Lost pay benefits replace part of earnings when an injury prevents regular duties. The amount often depends on average wages before the accident. Overtime, second jobs, bonuses, or seasonal hours may affect that calculation if state rules allow them. Payments rarely match full income. They are meant to reduce financial harm while the worker heals, receives treatment, or follows medical restrictions.

Temporary Disability Payments

Temporary disability benefits may apply when a doctor keeps an employee away from work for a limited period. They may also apply when restrictions block normal duties and no suitable light assignment exists. Precise work notes are important in such cases. A vague note can cause confusion about lifting, standing, sitting, bending, driving, or shift length. Clear limits help employers decide whether modified duty is realistic.

Light Duty and Reduced Hours

Some injured employees return with lighter tasks or shorter schedules. If reduced work pays less than pre-injury earnings, partial wage benefits may help cover part of the difference. The employee should keep pay stubs, schedules, and restriction slips. Those records show prior income compared with current earnings. If assigned tasks exceed medical limits, the worker should document the issue and report it promptly.

Permanent Impairment Pay

Some injuries leave lasting limits after treatment ends. A doctor may assign an impairment rating, which can affect permanent benefit value. This rating measures remaining loss of function, not frustration alone. Disputes may arise over the rating, work capacity, or future care. Independent exams, functional testing, and clear medical reports may help when an insurer undervalues a lasting injury.

Common Claim Delays

Claims may slow when reports are late, forms are incomplete, or medical records conflict. Employers or insurers may question whether the injury happened during job duties. They may also raise prior condition arguments. Consistent dates, witness names, photos, incident reports, treatment notes, and wage records can help reduce doubt. A worker should keep copies of each letter, message, bill, prescription, and notice.

Bills During a Dispute

Medical bills can arrive before a claim decision becomes final. An employee should not ignore them. The billing office may need claim numbers, insurer details, or adjuster contact information. If collection notices appear, records should be saved. Disputed charges may later be corrected if treatment is accepted. Careful tracking prevents confusion between health insurance, workers’ benefits, and personal balances.

Taxes and Household Budgeting

Many workers worry about taxes and monthly bills during recovery. Wage benefits may be treated differently from regular pay, depending on benefit type and location. Household budgeting still matters because replacement checks are usually lower than normal earnings. Rent, utilities, food, childcare, medicine, and transportation can become harder to cover. Planning around reduced income helps families avoid late fees and service interruptions.

Protecting the Claim Record

A strong claim record grows from steady habits. The worker should report symptoms honestly, attend appointments, follow restrictions, and avoid guessing on forms. Social posts, missed visits, or inconsistent statements may create problems. Each update should match medical facts and work status. Good records do not guarantee approval, but they make payment decisions clearer and harder to challenge unfairly.

Conclusion

Workplace injury benefits can help pay for medical costs and replace part of lost wages, but details matter throughout the claim. Treatment approval, wage calculations, work restrictions, and recordkeeping all affect the result. Injured employees can reduce delays by reporting promptly, saving documents, and following medical guidance. When disputes arise, legal guidance may help clarify rights, deadlines, and benefit options so recovery does not become a financial crisis.

Lael Neale Announces New Album ‘As Killers Do’, Unveils New Single ‘Slip Away’

After three albums on Sub Pop, Lael Neale has announced a new full-length, As Killers Do, that will be self-released under her new imprint, Consensual Sound, on November 20. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the hypnagogic lead single ‘Slip Away’, which is accompanied by a homemade stop motion video. Check it out and find the album cover and tracklist below.

Talking about the new single, Neale said: “We act as little gods. Assuming great import. All that we build, create, collect and become, to be taken away. We are not gods. The only consolation I have in a world of megalomaniac billionaires and sociopathic leaders. They all will die. We all will die. The Earth will go on.”

Despite parting ways with Sub Pop, As Killers Do finds the singer-songwriter continuing her collaboration with Guy Blakeslee. Staying true to their DIY minimalism, the follow-up to last year’s Altogether Stranger was tracked in the kitchen of a bungalow in Echo Park, Los Angeles with a Tascam cassette 8-track machine.

“What’s real is becoming much harder to discern day to day,” Neale reflected. “And for that reason, I hunger for it more strongly. I used to long for more followers, higher streaming numbers, more sales, but in the light of recent revelations concerning falsification of numbers, I am much less interested in it. I make music and paintings because it’s what I do. Because I go crazy inside my own mind when I’m not making things. And it’s peak fulfillment when the things I make to help myself work to help someone else.”

Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Lael Neale.

As Killers Do Cover Artwork:

AS KILLERS DO cover art

As Killers Do Tracklist:

1. I Wanna Be Unwound
2. As Killers Do
3. We Can Go Far Out
4. Down With The Mind
5. If I Was A CLoud
6. Joan Of Arc
7. Picasso’s Wife
8.The Side Effects Are Death
9. Slip Away
10. Only Passing Through

Ellie Goulding’s New Album: Everything We Know So Far

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Ellie Goulding’s sixth studio album, I Know Too Much, is on the way. Here’s everything we know so far.

When will Ellie Goulding’s new album be released?

I Know Too Much, the follow-up to 2023’s Higher Than Heaven, is out September 4 via Polydor Records.

Has Ellie Goulding released any singles from the album?

The pop singer has previewed the LP with the singles ‘Black Prada Dress’, ‘4 Seasons’, and ‘Ravers’.

What does the album cover look like?

I Know Too Much cover

What has Ellie Goulding said about the new album?

“The album came from the idea that maybe we can know too much. There is a certain kind of freedom in the ease of not knowing,” Goulding said in a press release. “This album is a collection of songs that represent a crossroads in my life where I realized what the freedom of not knowing has gifted me in the past, yet a time when I am at the precipice of understanding the true power in knowing. Through the chaos of this great change, I went to my comfort zone and found my refuge in the studio. My initial instinct was I didn’t know where it was all going, but I just knew I needed to be in the studio. Writing a song has always been my best form of therapy.”

Speaking about the single ‘Black Prade Dress’, she explained: “’Black Prada Dress’ really sets the tone for I Know Too Much.  The album came from the idea that maybe we can know too much. There is a certain kind of freedom in the ease of not knowing. This album is a collection of songs that represent a crossroads in my life where I realized what the freedom of not knowing has gifted me in the past, yet a time when I am at the precipice of understanding the true power in knowing. Through the chaos of this great change, I went to my comfort zone and found my refuge in the studio. My initial instinct was I didn’t know where it was all going, but I just knew I needed to be in the studio. Writing a song has always been my best form of therapy.”

Before the album was formally announced, Goulding teased it in an interview with The Sun back in 2024, saying, “I’ve been writing about what’s been going on in my life. But also just observations, friends, my connection with nature — the usual things that I tend to gravitate towards writing about, maybe slightly more elevated or evolved from the last album.”

This post will be updated…

Must-Have AI Tools for Studying

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Grades are just letters and numbers, they say. While that’s true to some degree, it’s not a healthy guiding principle when studying. Because if it is, then what’s the point of education? However, it’s understandable because studying can be difficult. Lecture notes pile up. Textbooks get highlighted until entire pages glow. Formulas still make no sense after three explanations. But the key is not to avoid it, but to make the work lighter. That’s why you need AI tools for studying.

According to a survey by the Digital Education Council, there’s a 6% increase in AI use among students. It brings the total to over 90%. And it’s not hard to see why. These AI tools support different parts of the learning process.

To give you a concrete view of what they offer, this article rounds up the essential options built specifically around the mechanics of studying: capturing what you hear, turning it into material you can review, checking your math, making sure it actually sticks, and more.

Top Five Best AI Tools for Studying

Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM)

Google calls it an AI-powered research assistant. But Gemini Notebook isn’t like the usual research tools. Instead of just searching the web, the primary source of information is the sources users upload. PDFs, slides, lecture recordings, even YouTube videos. So students study what they actually need to focus on. They can ask questions about the material. Gemini Notebook answers and cites the exact passage behind every response. It puts study guides, mind maps, and summaries at the users’ fingertips.

Key Features:

  • Turning a stack of readings into an Audio Overview
  • Source-grounded answers with inline citations
  • Supports a broad range of file types

Pricing (via Google AI subscriptions):

  • Free Package
  • Plus Package – $4.99 per month
  • Pro Package – $19.99 per month
  • Ultra Package – $99.99 per month

Real Use Case:

Gemini Notebook helps graduating students avoid struggling with 200 pages of assigned readings. It can generate a 15-minute Audio Overview. This allows them to listen effortlessly and build a mind map to see how different topics actually connect.

StudyFetch

AI tools for studying
Image Credit: StudyFetch

StudyFetch works like a dedicated digital study environment. It has over 10 features designed to help students in studying. Users can upload course materials and use AI-powered tools to make a study plan, record lectures, and make structured notes. It also comes with an AI assistant called Spark.E. It’s like a tutor that answers any questions and tailors explanations to a student’s learning style. What’s more, it can turn learning content into flashcards, practice quizzes, and interactive games that make studying more effective.

Key Features:

  • Built-in AI companion for diverse studying methods
  • Keeps the learning process in one place
  • Converting uploaded materials into study resources

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Base Package – $7.99 per month
  • Premium Package – $11.99 per month

Real Use Case:

Business students who are behind on three chapters before a midterm will have no problem catching up with StudyFetch. The tool can generate a 20-question practice test targeting the weak areas. It can also deliver an auto-built flashcard deck. Learning resources that speed up the review process.

Wolfram Alpha

Earning its place on the list of AI tools for studying is Wolfram Alpha. It’s not one of those general-purpose chatbots. At its core, it’s best for studying mathematics, science, technology, society, culture, and more. Wolfram’s standout trait is that it’s a computational engine that solves equations and plots functions. And users don’t need to guess how it reached the answer. This tool shows the actual steps. And using it is very simple: students ask questions in plain English.

Key Features:

  • Interactive explanations and step-by-step solutions
  • Supports advanced STEM subjects
  • Generating high-quality graphs and visual plots

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Pro Package – $9.99 per month
  • Pro Premium Package – $12 per month

Real Use Case:

Wolfram Alpha makes sure finance students’ calculations don’t go off track. They can enter a financial model and get results with a detailed breakdown. This way, students can compare the output to their own.

Traverse

AI tools for studying
Image Credit: Traverse

The Traverse premise is to cover the entire learning cycle. It does so by delivering connected note-taking, mind mapping, and spaced-repetition flashcards. This puts students in a better position to visually connect ideas, organize learning materials, and turn selected information into study resources. All in one place. Built around cognitive science principles, passive re-reading becomes an unnecessary studying method. This approach helps students achieve long-term retention of complex, interconnected subjects.

Key Features:

  • Connecting understanding and memory
  • Shareable mind maps for collaborative studying
  • Learning dashboard that tracks progress and areas of improvement

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Member Package – $15 per month
  • Enterprise Package – $35 per month/user

Real Use Case:

Some AI tools make it feel like students are studying isolated facts. With Traverse, MCAT students can conceptualize and master any content more easily. All thanks to its concept-mapping and spaced-repetition features.

Otter

Studying often means doing many things at once. But not every student is a multitasker. So Otter ensures they don’t skip one of the vital components of studying — note-taking. As an AI notetaker, it turns spoken lectures into searchable, editable text in real time. That means Otter tackles studying before the review session even begins. Therefore, students can confidently focus on a professor’s explanation instead of trying to write down every sentence.

Key Features:

  • Automated speaker diarization and takeaway tracking
  • Automatically joins discussions and classes once set up
  • Generating insights, summaries, and study guides

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Pro Package – $16.99 per month
  • Business Package – $30 per month
  • Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing

Real Use Case:

Otter allows psychology students to record a long lecture. Then, they can later search the resulting transcript for terms or generate a summary of key topics. A helpful way to prepare for an exam.

Choosing the Must-Have AI Tools for Studying in 2026

Look, studying isn’t just one task. So it makes sense that AI tools for studying support different areas. Like the ones recommended on this list. Gemini Notebook keeps you grounded in your actual readings. StudyFetch creates a more dedicated study workflow. Wolfram Alpha shows its work on technical problems. Traverse makes sure what you learn actually stays learned. Otter captures lectures for later review.

The trick is choosing tools that support various stages of studying. Not just five versions of the same chatbot. Use them with caution and be mindful of school regulations. So don’t treat them as shortcuts around learning. Make them part of a study system.

Smartest AI Tools for Exam Preparation

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Deepening your stock knowledge is beneficial. However, relying purely on it during examinations is not a strategy. But it’s understandable. Reading a textbook from cover to cover. Organizing notes. Reviewing lectures. Memorizing concepts. Getting ready for a test can easily be time-consuming and mentally exhausting. Yet, cramming or avoiding them entirely shouldn’t be an option. In fact, a study revealed that 75.5% of students experience exam anxiety. And those two are part of the many reasons why. But what if we told you that a small stack of AI tools for exam preparation can turn things around?

If flashcards or quizzes are the only thing you’re after, we’ve got dedicated breakdowns of the best AI tools for making flashcards and creating quizzes. Some of the tools here can generate flashcards and quizzes, too. But this list isn’t just that. It also covers tools that reason through problems, organize scattered notes, and tutor you through concepts you’re stuck on.

Top Five Best AI Tools for Exam Preparation

Claude

AI Tools for Exam Preparation
Image Credit: Claude

Claude stands out for one reason. That’s explanations. No sugarcoating: it can and will break down a concept a third time without getting annoyed. Built by Anthropic, this general-purpose AI assistant is capable of handling long, messy documents. The AI can analyze textbook chapters, lecture notes, or a scanned problem set. This gives users a way to ask it to summarize key ideas or explain why an answer is wrong. Students learn the reasoning. A way to help them apply the same approach during the actual exam.

Key Features:

  • Breaking complex topics into logical, easy-to-follow steps
  • Evaluates different perspectives on a challenging question
  • Practice questions and study guide generation

Pricing:

  • Free Plan
  • Pro Package – $20 per month
  • Max Package – Starts at $100 per month

Real Use Case:

Pursuing a law degree is difficult. More so, taking the exams. But Claude can help students compare legal principles and highlight recurring themes using uploaded case summaries.

Gemini Notebook (NotebookLM)

The name changed. But the usefulness remains. Gemini Notebook is still a reliable AI partner, especially for exam preparation. How? It stays grounded in a student’s specific course material. The setup is simple. Create a notebook and upload the source materials. Like lecture slides, plain text, PDFs, websites, and URLs. These become the AI’s main resources for building a personalized knowledge base. Ask questions, and it answers using only that material. Each response even cites the exact passage it pulled from.

Key Features:

  • Explains exam-specific concepts to reinforce understanding
  • Source-backed summaries and citations
  • Audio Overview feature for a podcast-style learning

Pricing (via Google AI subscriptions):

  • Free Package
  • Plus Package – $4.99 per month
  • Pro Package – $19.99 per month
  • Ultra Package – $99.9 per month

Real Use Case:

Gemini Notebook can help a history student avoid trying to finish reading chapters at the last minute. It allows one to upload a semester’s worth of assigned readings. Then, a student could either generate an Audio Overview or ask specific questions.

Studley AI

Name anything required to get ready for a test. Studley AI has features for it. As a dedicated study platform, its principle is to help students learn faster and nail their exams. Like Gemini Notebook, the setup involves uploading class notes, webpages, or YouTube videos. What happens next is what sets Studley AI apart. It generates a full study set. Flashcards. Quizzes. Summaries. Virtual tutor. Podcast-style audio version. Users can even receive detailed feedback and access a dashboard to monitor the progress.

Key Features:

  • Real-time feedback and insights
  • Adaptive learning recommendations
  • Practice questions and revision support

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Unlimited Package – $3.74 per week (billed monthly)

Real Use Case:

Biology exams call for factual memorization and analytical reasoning. To prepare for one, students can turn to Studley AI. It allows them to review cell structures, complete AI-generated quizzes, and immediately revisit weaker topics.

YouLearn AI

Hiring a personal tutor is costly. But YouLearn AI gives you one for a fraction of the cost. Users can upload PDFs, lecture recordings, notes, and more. YouLearn AI builds a structured lesson. All with summaries and practice quizzes. It also offers a chat tutor that answers questions with references back to the source material. The tool also bundles a voice-driven study experience. In other words, it gives students an interactive way to understand confusing topics better and prepare for exams.

Key Features:

  • Supports multiple file formats
  • AI-powered question answering
  • Breaking down answers and tracking progress

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Pro Package – $20 per month
  • Max Package – $45 per month (billed annually)

Real Use Case:

YouLearn AI can help a student stuck on a particular lecture. With uploaded material, students can immediately review difficult topics or make connections across lectures that were never explicitly explained.

Notion AI

AI Tools for Exam Preparation
Image Credit: Notion AI

Notion AI helps address the most common pitfall of exam preparation: cramming the night before. What it does is offer organization. This way, preparation begins even before an exam is announced. At its core, it can automatically record and store notes in subject-specific folders. And now, Notion AI can also provide summaries and generate study schedules. What’s more, a chat feature lets users ask specific questions or get practice questions to facilitate faster recall learning.

Key Features:

  • AI summaries and note organization
  • Custom study tracking throughout the semester
  • Automated data extraction

Pricing:

  • Free Package
  • Pro Package – $12 per month/member
  • Max Package – $24 per month/member
  • Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing

Real Use Case:

University students can use Notion AI to keep weekly notes throughout the semester. Once the finals approach, they can generate a single consolidated outline that pulls the key concepts from every page recorded.

Choosing the Smartest AI Tools for Exam Preparation in 2026

Preparing for exams is crucial. So make sure your process is working. Don’t just study longer. Study smarter. That’s what AI tools for exam preparation offer. They reduce the time spent organizing notes, reviewing lectures, and identifying knowledge gaps. This way, the focus is on learning.

But realistically, no single tool covers everything. And that was the goal — let AI tools fill distinct roles. Studley or YouLearn for turning raw material into structured study sets. Claude or Gemini Notebook for reasoning through the hard conceptual questions. Notion AI as the glue that keeps it all organized in one place from day one.

The point is, the exam still has to be taken by you. However, the hours spent building study materials from scratch don’t have to be.

How To Make Better Fashion Decisions Before Every Purchase

Selecting garments with care is a way to build a collection that fulfills daily needs and looks uniform. Shoppers often buy clothing or accessories because they feel a sudden urge but these pieces are frequently impractical or do not match what the owner likes. Planning systematically before a purchase is a method to lower waste, save money and ensure that owners are happy with what they own. Individuals who examine specific standards before they spend money are likely to choose items that match their long term objectives.

Identify a Specific Aesthetic

Aesthetic preferences are a primary consideration for any purchase. Identifying the colors, shapes and visual themes that are appealing makes it simple to find pieces that integrate with current belongings. When a shopper understands their own tastes, they are less likely to follow temporary trends that do not suit them. Reviewing the garments and accessories that are used most frequently provides information about wearing habits. Identifying recurring patterns among favorite items reveals what provides physical comfort and a sense of poise – this knowledge is a foundation for making decisions that remain pleasing as time passes.

Assess Compatibility with Current Items

It is necessary to determine how a new item fits with current possessions before buying it. A garment that coordinates with multiple existing pieces is more functional than one that is only wearable in one specific way. Planning outfits in advance helps a shopper decide if an item will be used regularly. Compatibility applies to accessories as well as clothing – For instance, a shopper who wants body jewelry should consider how the piece matches their overall appearance and current collection. Items that blend easily into a collection are more useful than those bought without a specific plan.

Examine Construction & Materials

Inspecting the build of an item before a purchase prevents future dissatisfaction. Garments and accessories that are constructed well tend to last for a longer duration, keep their original appearance and provide comfort. Examining the fiber content, the consistency of the stitching, the strength of the fasteners and the general assembly shows the durability of the product. High quality is not always synonymous with the highest price – Evaluation involves deciding if an item is worth the financial cost. A piece that remains in good condition for years is a better use of resources than many low quality alternatives that require frequent replacement.

Reflect on Practical Requirements

Clothing purchases should match the daily activities of the wearer. While an item may be visually attractive, functional needs are also significant. Deciding where and how often a piece is worn helps determine if it is a necessary addition to a collection. Functionality is also relevant for small details – A shopper who buys nose rings, for instance, is served – considering the comfort of the metal, the effort required for cleaning and how the shape fits into a daily routine – these details ensure that the item remains useful after the initial interest fades.

Prevent Hasty Decisions

Hasty purchases are often the result of feelings rather than logic. Price reductions, limited offers and internet trends create a sense of urgency. Pausing before a final decision provides time to confirm if the item is truly necessary. Waiting for a period before finishing a transaction is an effective habit – this delay allows a shopper to compare different products, judge the value and see if the item fits their goals – this practice reduces spending on unnecessary items and leads to better results.

Analyze Price & Utility

Shoppers compare the cost of an object to its practical value. High expenses are reasonable when an object resists wear, performs many functions and serves its owner daily. An inexpensive product is a disadvantageous selection if the manufacturer used low quality materials or if the object lacks a specific function. Owners determine the true value of clothing – dividing the total price by the number of times they wear the garment. Items that function well in diverse settings are more beneficial than those reserved for infrequent ceremonies. Careful buyers make logical decisions – prioritizing how long an object remains useful rather than focusing on the initial payment.

Conclusion

Effective garment selection requires more than choosing visually appealing items. Individuals develop better habits when they define their aesthetic preferences, verify how pieces fit together and examine construction quality. Daily practical requirements demand consideration to ensure every item serves a function. Avoiding impulsive purchases allows for a thorough analysis of an item’s long term value. Consumers who act with deliberate intent build collections that represent their specific identities and provide durable utility.

The Best Strategies For Finding Affordable Quality Perfumes

Finding a perfume with high standards is possible without spending large amounts of money. Many perfumes with lower prices are durable, smell pleasant and contain reliable ingredients when shoppers know what to seek. It is possible to discover perfumes that are useful and effective through research and careful buying methods.

Understanding Perfume Value

The value of a perfume is more than its price – Factors like how long the scent stays on the skin, the container and the reputation of the maker are what make a perfume a good purchase. A perfume that is inexpensive but lasts a long time and fits a person’s taste is often more satisfying than an expensive product bought without thought. Shoppers are encouraged to focus on their experience with the product rather than assuming that high costs are the only sign of excellence. Some fragrances with fair prices are made with specific ingredients and careful methods. It is helpful to compare options based on how they perform and if they are appealing to find perfumes that are worth the cost.

Researching Perfume Brands

Learning about different companies is an effective way to find inexpensive options that are reliable. Many established companies have products at different price levels – this allows shoppers to find well made perfumes without looking only at luxury items. Researching the history of a company, what customers say and the details of the product is helpful for making a choice. Some inexpensive perfumes are popular because they have attributes that people expect from expensive ones. As an example, people who like perfumes often consider Mont Blanc Explorer when they want a balanced product that smells sophisticated. Exploring companies that are not famous can lead to finding many good options.

Comparing Fragrance Performance

Performance is a key factor when deciding if an inexpensive perfume is a good purchase. A perfume that lasts for many hours and can be smelled by others nearby is a better value because the user does not need to apply it as often. It is useful to test how a perfume changes over multiple hours to understand its true performance. Comparing perfumes that cost similar amounts allows shoppers to see which ones have better results. It is better to observe how the scent changes over time rather than choosing a perfume based only on how it smells immediately – this method makes the quality of the perfume more clear.

Shopping Through Samples

Using small samples before buying a full bottle is a very effective way to find good, inexpensive perfumes. Samples allow shoppers to try different scents without spending a lot of money – this makes it less likely that someone will buy a perfume they do not like. Sample sets also allow for the comparison of many scents from different companies. Shoppers can find which perfumes have the best scent, durability and price – testing many options – this method leads to better decisions and prevents the waste of money.

Looking Beyond Popular Releases

Famous perfumes get a lot of attention but they are not the only good choices. Exploring perfumes that are less famous can help shoppers find inexpensive alternatives that are unique. Many companies make excellent perfumes that are not well known because they are not advertised heavily. Some individuals also look for perfumes that are similar to expensive styles. As an example, Versace Eros is a famous perfume but shoppers who want a good value can also look for other perfumes that work well at different prices. Looking for names that are not famous creates more chances to find good options.

Taking Advantage Of Smart Purchasing Options

The timing and the way a person buys a perfume can change the cost. Price reductions, gift sets and small bottles are ways to buy good perfumes for less money. It is also helpful to compare prices at different trusted stores to find the best deals. Buying a small bottle is a practical choice for people who like to try many different scents. It allows shoppers to use perfumes of high caliber without paying for a large amount – this approach is helpful for people who want many different items in their collection.

Considering Personal Preferences

The quality of a perfume is related to how much the person wearing it likes it. A perfume that has good reviews is not always the right choice if the scent is not what the individual prefers. Understanding which scents and strengths a person likes makes it easier to find inexpensive options that are satisfying. A list of preferred characteristics can make shopping easier – Shoppers are more successful when they focus on perfumes that match their tastes instead of following trends – this helps create a collection of perfumes that are enjoyable and have good value.

Conclusion

Finding good perfumes at low prices is possible with research, patience and comparison. Shoppers can find perfumes that are excellent without high costs – focusing on performance, looking at different companies and using samples. A well chosen perfume that is inexpensive is able to provide the same enjoyment as expensive options. Shoppers can build a collection that fits their tastes and their budget when they understand what makes a perfume valuable.