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Alice Phoebe Lou Unveils New Song ‘Better’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Alice Phoebe Lou Unveils New Song ‘Better’

Alice Phoebe Lou has released a new single called ‘Better’. The track, which follows July’s ‘The World Above’, was recorded at Cedar Creek Studio in Austin, Texas while on the road with Clairo. It features David Parry on guitar, Dekel Adin on bass and percussion, and Ziv Yamin on drums and piano. Check it out below.

“I wrote this song on my childhood piano at my mother’s house in one sitting,” Lou explained in a statement. “I tapped into my imagination and past experiences of the way I used to idealize someone when I first met them, imagining an unrealistic future and being blind to their faults. Putting someone on a pedestal then makes the fall back to earth even harder, when reality sets in and you realize everything you’ve projected onto them and that they could never live up to that.”

Hovvdy Announce New EP, Unveil New Single ‘Bubba (Julie’s Version)’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Hovvdy Announce New EP, Unveil New Single ‘Bubba (Julie’s Version)’

Hovvdy have announced a new EP, Live From Julie’s, which features reimagined versions of songs from their self-titled double album. ‘Bubba (Julie’s Version)’, out today, follows the previously unveiled ‘Jean (Julie’s Verson)’. Give it a listen below.

“Sonically this is the most vulnerable we’ve ever been,” the duo said of the release in a statement. “When we make records, we’re always trying to craft this hyper-layered, expansive world; and as much as we love that approach, it’s easy to get lost in it. With Live at Julie’s we wanted to peel everything back— just sit down and play the songs together.”

Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Hovvdy.

half•alive and Jordana Team Up for New Single ‘Songs’

Konstantinos Pappis
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half•alive and Jordana Team Up for New Single ‘Songs’

half•alive have linked up with Jordana for a new single, ‘Songs’. It’s set to appear on the Long Beach-based trio’s upcoming LP Persona, which is out next Friday, November 15, alongside the previously released ‘Sophie’s House’ and ‘Automatic’. Check it out below.

“There’s a certain magic in the room that gets shared by everyone when you’re at a concert,” the band’s Josh Taylor shared in a statement. “‘Songs’ is our attempt to put that feeling in a bottle. Whether you’re singing along with the band or just listening, it all creates harmony. Lyrics like ‘Let it be infinite while it lasts’ let us see the eternal leaking into the present.”

Jorja Smith Shares New Songs ‘Loving You’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ Featuring Maverick Sabre

Konstantinos Pappis
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Jorja Smith Shares New Songs ‘Loving You’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ Featuring Maverick Sabre

Jorja Smith has released two new songs, ‘Loving You’ featuring Maverick Sabre and ‘Don’t Let Me Go’. Take a listen below.

Smith wrote ‘Loving You’ with Sabre and producer Ed Thomas nearly ten years ago. On Instagram, Sabre commented, “Glad it’s finally here.” The pair previously collaborated for ‘Slow Down’ in 2019. ‘Don’t Let Me Go’, which also has vocals from Sabre, was written around the same time and produced by New Machine.

Earlier this year, Smith joined Childish Gambino on ‘In the Night’ and dropped the song ‘High’.

Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List

Konstantinos Pappis
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Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List

The 2025 Grammy nominations have been announced. Presenters such as Hayley Williams, Billie Joe Armstrong, Gayle King, Kylie Minogue, and Victoria Monet took part in the reading of the nominees. Leading this year’s nominations is Beyoncé, who picked up 11 and extends her career total to a record-breaking 99. Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX notched seven nods apiece, while Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter follow close behind with six each. Check out the full list of nominees below.

The eligibility period for the 2025 Grammys began on September 16, 2023 and ended August 30, 2024, a period that includes major releases such as Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, Charli XCX’s Brat, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet. These were all nominated in the Album of the Year category, along with André 3000’s New Blue Sun and Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol. 4.

First-time nominees include Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon and Clairo, who were both recognized in the alternative music categories, as well as Waxahatchee, whose LP Tigers Blood is up for Best Americana Album. The Recording Academy added three new categories this year: Best African Music Performance, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Jazz Album.

The 67th annual Grammy Awards take place on February 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+.

Record of the Year

The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – 360
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Record of the Year

The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – 360
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Album of the Year

André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Song of the Year

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best New Artist

Benson Boone
Doechii
Chappell Roan
Khruangbin
Raye
Sabrina Carpenter
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Alissia
Daniel Nigro
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessi Alexander
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye

Best Pop Solo Performance

Beyoncé – Bodyguard
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – Apple
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine – Remix
Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone – Levii’s Jeans
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift – Us.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile

Best Pop Vocal Album

Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Best Dance/Electronic Recording

Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On
Four Tet – Loved
Fred Again.. & Baby Keem – Leavemealone
Justice & Tame Impala – Neverender
Kaytranada Featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy

Best Dance Pop Recording

Ariana Grande – Yes, And?
Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]
Charli XCX – Von Dutch
Madison Beer – Make You Mine
Troye Sivan – Got Me Started

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album

Charli XCX – Brat
Four Tet – Three
Justice – Hyperdrama
Kaytranada – Timeless
Zedd – Telos

Best Remixed Recording

Charli XCX – Von Dutch A. G. Cook Remix Featuring Addison Rae
Doechii & Kaytranada Featuring JT – Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix)
Julian Marley & Antaeus – Jah Sees Them (Amapiano Remix)
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso (Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remix)
Shaboozey & David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Remix)

Best Rock Performance

The Beatles – Now and Then
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Metal Performance

Gojira, Marina Viotti & Victor le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Knocked Loose Featuring Poppy – Suffocate
Metallica – Screaming Suicide
Spiritbox – Cellar Door

Best Rock Song

The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – Dilemma
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Rock Album

The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles – Tangk
Jack White – No Name
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds

Best Alternative Music Performance

Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill
Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake
St. Vincent – Flea

Best Alternative Music Album

Brittany Howard – What Now
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
St. Vincent – All Born Screaming

Best R&B Performance

Chris Brown – Residuals
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Jhené Aiko – Guidance
Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET)
SZA – Saturn

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove
Lalah Hathaway Featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie
Lucky Daye – That’s You
Marsha Ambrosius – Wet
Muni Long – Make Me Forget

Best R&B Song

Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Kehlani – After Hours
Muni Long – Ruined Me
SZA – Saturn
Tems – Burning

Best Progressive R&B Album

Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World
Durand Bernarr – En Route
Kehlani – Crash
NxWorries – Why Lawd?

Best R&B Album

Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe)
Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Muni Long – Revenge
Usher – Coming Home

Best Rap Performance

Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Common & Pete Rock Featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again
Doechii – Nissan Altima
Eminem – Houdini
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey – Spaghettii
Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You
Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani – Kehlani (Remix)
Latto – Big Mama
Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM

Best Rap Song

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Rapsody & Hit-Boy – Asteroids
¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich the Kid Featuring Playboi Carti – Carnival

Best Rap Album

Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
J. Cole – Might Delete Later

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

Malik Yusef – Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema Episode 1: In the Beginning Was the Word
Omari Hardwick – Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series
Queen Sheba – Civil Writes: The South Got Something to Say
Skillz – The Seven Number Ones
Tank and the Bangas – The Heart, the Mind, the Soul

Best Jazz Performance

The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord (Sound | Spirit)
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Juno
Dan Pugach & Nicole Zuraitis Featuring Troy Roberts – Little Fears
Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal
Christie Dashiell – Journey in Black
Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner – Wildflowers Vol. 1
Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

Ambrose Akinmusire – Owl Song
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place
Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Sullivan Fortner – Solo Game

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes
Dan Pugach – Bianca Reimagined
John Beasley Featuring Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning to Forever
Miguel Zenón – Golden City
Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band – Walk a Mile in My Shoe

Best Latin Jazz Album

Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero- As I Travel
Eliane Elias – Time and Again
Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Collab
Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, John Beasley & Jose Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy
Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Forever Again
Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!

Best Alternative Jazz Album

Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Keyon Harrold – Foreverland
Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Robert Glasper – Code Derivation

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Aaron Lazar – Impossible Dream
Cyrille Aimée – À Fleur de Peau
Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish
Lake Street Dive – Good Together
Norah Jones – Visions

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue
Bill Frisell – Orchestras (Live)
Julian Lage – Speak to Me
Mark Guiliana – Mark
Taylor Eigsti – Plot Armor

Best Musical Theater Album

Hell’s Kitchen
Merrily We Roll Along
The Notebook
The Outsiders
Suffs
The Wiz

Best Country Solo Performance

Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted
Brothers Osborne – Break Mine
Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses
Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help

Best Country Song

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Album

Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Chris Stapleton – Higher
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion

Best American Roots Performance

The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood – Nothing in Rambling
Rhiannon Giddens – The Ballad of Sally Anne
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – Lighthouse

Best Americana Performance

Beyoncé – Ya Ya
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Empty Trainload of Sky
Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves – Don’t Do Me Good
Madison Cunningham – Subtitles
Sarah Jarosz – Runaway Train
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best American Roots Song

Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Iron & Wine & Fiona Apple – All in Good Time
Mark Knopfler – Ahead of the Game
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best Americana Album

Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy
Maggie Rose – No One Gets Out Alive
Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers
Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
T Bone Burnett – The Other Side
Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Best Bluegrass Album

Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – I Built a World
Dan Tyminski – Dan Tyminski: Live From the Ryman
The Del McCoury Band – Songs of Love and Life
Sister Sadie – No Fear
Tony Trischka – Earl Jam

Best Traditional Blues Album

Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
Little Feat – Sam’s Place
Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman
Taj Mahal – Swingin’: Live at the Church in Tulsa

Best Contemporary Blues Album

Antonio Vergara – The Fury
Joe Bonamassa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Ruthie Foster – Mileage
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour – Friendlytown

Best Folk Album

Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Big Chief Monk Featuring J’wan Boudreaux – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Kalani Pe’a – Kuini
New Breed Brass Band Featuring Trombone Shorty – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The Rumble – Stories From the Battlefield
Sean Ardoin & Kreole Rock and Soul – 25 Back to My Roots

Best Gospel Performance/Song

Doe – Holy Hands
Melvin Crispell III – Yesterday
Ricky Dillard – Hold On (Live)
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell & Israel Houghton Featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Jekalyn Carr – One Hallelujah
Yolanda Adams – Church Doors

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson Featuring CeCe Winans – Holy Forever (Live)
CeCe Winans – That’s My King
Elevation Worship Featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore – Praise
Honor & Glory & Disciple – Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
Jwlkrs Worship & Maverick City Music Featuring Chandler Moore – In the Name of Jesus
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore Featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – In the Room

Best Gospel Album

CeCe Winans – More Than This
Karen Clark Sheard – Still Karen
Kirk Franklin – Father’s Day
Melvin Crispell III – Covered Vol. 1
Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster II (Live)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors
Doe – Heart of a Human
Elevation Worship – When Wind Meets Fire
Forrest Frank – Child of God
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – The Maverick Way Complete

Best Roots Gospel Album

Authentic Unlimited – The Gospel Sessions, Vol. 2
Cory Henry – Church
The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Rhapsody
Mark D. Conklin – The Gospel According to Mark
The Nelons – Loving You

Best Latin Pop Album

Anitta – Funk Generation
Kali Uchis – Orquídeas
Kany García – García
Luis Fonsi – El Viaje
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

Best Música Urbana Album

Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
J Balvin – Rayo
Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan
Young Miko – Att.

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

Cimafunk – Pa’ Tu Cuerpa
El David Aguilar – Compita del Destino
Mon Laferte – Autopoiética
Nathy Peluso – Grasa
Rawayana – ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas?

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Chiquis – Diamantes
Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos
Peso Pluma – Éxodo

Best Tropical Latin Album

Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 – Radio Güira
Kiki Valera – Vacilón Santiaguero
Marc Anthony – Muevense
Sheila E. – Bailar
Tony Succar & Mimy Succar – Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional)

Best Global Music Performance

Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir – Sunlight to My Soul
Arooj Aftab – Raat Ki Rani
Jacob Collier Featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal – A Rock Somewhere
Masa Takumi Featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung – Kashira
Rocky Dawuni – Rise
Sheila E. Featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar – Bemba Colorá

Best African Music Performance

Asake & Wizkid – MMS
Burna Boy – Higher
Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay – Sensational
Tems – Love Me JeJe
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Best Global Music Album

Antonio Rey – Historias de un Flamenco
Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes
Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II
Rema – Heis
Tems – Born in the Wild

Best Reggae Album

Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here
Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By the Film (Deluxe)
Vybz Kartel – Party With Me
The Wailers – Evolution

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album

Anoushka Shankar – Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn
Chris Redding – Visions of Sounds De Luxe
Radhika Vekaria – Warriors of Light
Ricky Kej – Break of Dawn
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus
Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto & Chandrika Tandon – Triveni

Best Children’s Music Album

Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids – World Wide Playdate
John Legend – My Favorite Dream
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – ¡Brillo, Brillo!
Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats – Creciendo
Rock for Children – Solid Rock Revival

Best Comedy Album

Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer
Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner
Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die
Ricky Gervais – Armageddon
Trevor Noah – Where Was I

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording

Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra
Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones
George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow
Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration
Various Artists – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media

London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Bradley Cooper – Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein
Various Artists – The Color Purple
Various Artists – Deadpool & Wolverine
Various Artists – Saltburn
Various Artists – Twisters: The Album

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)

Kris Bowers – The Color Purple
Hans Zimmer – Dune: Part Two
Laura Karpman – American Fiction
Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross – Shōgun
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media

Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
John Paesano – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Pinar Toprak – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Wilbert Roget II – Star Wars Outlaws
Winifred Phillips – Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Best Song Written for Visual Media

Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive (From The Tattooist of Auschwitz)
Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away (From the Netflix Documentary “American Symphony”)
Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (From Twisters: The Album)
*NSync & Justin Timberlake – Better Place (From Trolls Band Together)
Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)

Best Music Video

A$AP Rocky – Tailor Swif
Charli XCX – 360
Eminem – Houdini
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Music Film

Jon Batiste – American Symphony
June Carter Cash – June
Run-DMC – Kings From Queens
Steven Van Zandt – Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Various Artists – The Greatest Night in Pop

Best Recording Package

The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers
Charli XCX – Brat
iWhoiWhoo – Pregnancy, Breakdown, and Disease
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (Baskerville Edition)
The Muddy Basin Ramblers – Jug Band Millionaire
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
William Clark Green – Baker Hotel

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things
John Lennon – Mind Games
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (The Boxes of Lost at Sea)
Nirvana – In Utero
Unsuk Chin & Berliner Philharmoniker – Unsuk Chin
90 Day Men – We Blame Chicago

Best Album Notes

Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live)
Ford Dabney’s Syncopated Orchestras – After Midnight
John Culshaw – John Culshaw – The Art of the Producer – The Early Years 1948-55
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Various Artists – SONtrack Original de la Película “Al Son de Beno”

Best Historical Album

King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Paul Robeson – Paul Robeson – Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV, and Victor Recordings
Pepe de Lucía & Paco de Lucía – Pepito y Paquito
Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition)
Rodgers & Hammerstein & Julie Andrews – The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording) (Super Deluxe Edition)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Peter Gabriel – I/O
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Willow – Empathogen

Best Engineered Album, Classical

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Manfred Honeck – Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 – Bates: Resurrexit (Live)
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
Timo Andres, Andrew Cyr & Metropolis Ensemble – Timo Andres: The Blind Banister

Producer of the Year, Classical

Christoph Franke
Dirk Sobotka
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Erica Brenner
Morten Lindberg

Best Immersive Audio Album

Ensemble 96, Current Saxophone Quartet & Nina T. Karlsen – Pax
Peter Gabriel – I/O (In-Side Mix)
Ray Charles & Various Artists – Genius Loves Company
Roxy Music – Avalon
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Nick Davies – Henning Sommerro: Borders

Best Instrumental Composition

Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pascal Le Boeuf & Christian Euman – Strands
André 3000 – I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Communion
Shelly Berg – At Last

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue(Grass)
Henry Mancini & Snarky Puppy – Baby Elephant Walk (Encore)
Jacob Collier Featuring John Legend & Tori Kelly – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Säje – Silent Night
Scott Hoying Featuring Säje & Tonality – Rose Without the Thorns

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Cody Fry Featuring Sleeping at Last – The Sound of Silence
John Legend – Always Come Back
Säje Featuring Regina Carter – Alma
Willow – Big Feelings
The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Jonah Nilsson & Button Masher – Last Surprise (From “Persona 5”)

Best Orchestral Performance

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Kodály: Háry János Suite, Nyári este & Symphony in C Major
Esa-Pekka Salonen & San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Firebird
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Marin Alsop – John Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
Susanna Mälkki & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Rakastava & Lemminkäinen

Best Opera Recording

Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Lyric Opera of Kansas City & Gerard Schwarz – Moravec: The Shining
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Catán: Florencia en el Amazonas
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Puts: The Hours
San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Symphony – Saariaho: Adriana Mater

Best Choral Performance

Apollo’s Fire & Jeannette Sorrell – Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Artefact Ensemble & Novus NY – Sheehan: Akathist
The Crossing, Donald Nally & Dan Schwartz – Ochre
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel & Eric Holtan – A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance
JACK Quartet – John Luther Adams: Waves & Particles
Lorelei Ensemble & Christopher Cerrone – Christopher Cerrone: Beaufort Scales
Miró Quartet – Home
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos & Emanuel Ax – Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97 “Archduke””

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

Andy Akiho – Akiho: Longing
Curtis J Stewart, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra – Perry: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Mak Grgić & Ensemble Dissonance – Entourer
Seth Parker Woods – Eastman The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc
Víkingur Ólafsson – J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

Fotina Naumenko – Bespoke Songs
Joyce DiDonato, Il Pomo d’Oro & Maxim Emelyanychev – Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder
Karen Slack & Michelle Cann – Beyond the Years
Nicholas Phan, Farayi Malek & Palaver Strings – A Change Is Gonna Come
Will Liverman & Jonathan King – Show Me the Way

Best Classical Compendium

Amy Porter, Nikki Chooi, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Lukas Foss: Symphony No. 1 & Renaissance Concerto
Andy Akiho & Imani Winds – BeLonging
Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Michael Shapiro – Mythologies II
Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly & Curtis J Stewart – American Counterpoints
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina

Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Andrea Casarrubios – Casarrubios: Seven for Solo Cello
Decoda – Coleman: Revelry
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fleur Barron, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves, Axelle Fanyo & San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra – Saariaho: Adriana Mater
Eighth Blackbird – Lang: Composition as Explanation
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Master Chorale – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina

Album Review: The Cure, ‘Songs of a Lost World’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: The Cure, ‘Songs of a Lost World’
Robert Smith couldn’t possibly offer a different ending. The last song on Songs of a Lost World, the Cure‘s marvelous first album in 16 years, sprawls cinematically over 10 minutes, brimming with luscious synths before Smith finally sighs, “It’s all gone/ Left alone with nothing/ The end of every song.” Yet his resignation arrives as nothing if not a foregone conclusion. The opening track ‘Alone’, the one that “unlocked the record” for Smith, begins with the line “This is the end of every song I sing,” and the sequencing seems to have been firm in place for a long time; they’ve been bookending their live sets the same way since first introducing those songs on tour in 2022. ‘Dregs’, a poem by the decadent poet Ernest Dowson that ‘Alone’ was inspired by and directly echoes, does provide some useful context: “And health and hope have gone the way of love/ Into the drear oblivion of lost things.” This is the world Songs plunges headfirst into, where oblivion isn’t just an inevitability but the starting point, the throughline, and above all, a container for everything that cannot be restored in the mortal realm. The preposition matters here: not for, or in, but of a Lost World.

It’s tempting, given the current state of the world and the news that looms over the week following the album’s release, to lean into the apocalyptic connotations of its title. But as a writer who was around both in 2016 and through the COVID years, I’m especially wary of taking this review in that direction. Besides, despite the doomful opening image of birds falling out of the sky, Songs of a Lost World hones in on some of the most strikingly personal lyrics of Smith’s career. He wrote and arranged the whole album, producing and mixing it in Wales with Paul Corkett, while grappling with the death of his mother, father, and older brother – all of whom he lost since the Cure’s last album, 4:13 Dream. ‘I Can Never Say Goodbye’ is a foreboding dramatization of the night his older brother, Richard, passed away in 2019; at the risk of wringing the words dry, Smith keeps the verses simple, leaving in one literary couplet – “Something wicked this way comes/ To steal away my brother’s life” – for its ghostly, evocative power.

For all their overriding sense of gloom, ‘And Nothing Is Forever’ and ‘A Fragile Thing’ work on an intimate level, too, almost conversational. They also both reverse the implications of their titles: the regal ‘And Nothing Is Forever’ doesn’t romanticize the end so much as beautify the promise to be with someone on their deathbed, while the latter, sounding visceral and prickly, reveres love above all else yet falls into the grip of impermanence: “Nothing you can do to change the end.” The album repeatedly beats down the same refrain, but not always in the form of a sigh: “All we will ever know is bitter ends,” Smith spits out on ‘Warsong’, as former David Bowie sideman Reeves Gabrels (making his recorded debut with the band after being with them for more than a decade) lets his guitar wail. The similarly jagged and suddenly upbeat ‘Drone:Nodrone’ finds Smith declaring, “Yeah, I’m pretty much done.”

Placed right in the middle of the record, ‘Warsong’ and ‘Drone:Nodrone’ are its shortest songs and pack the biggest punch while introducing an element of variety. In every other way, though, Songs of a Lost World verges on being almost one-dimensional in its encroaching melancholia, which would be an issue if the Cure weren’t so good at making it feel like a dimension worth getting lost in – so opulent, elegant, and downright epic in its presentation, from Jason Cooper’s relentlessly thunderous drums to the warm cloud of synths enveloping Smith’s voice on ‘I Can Never Say Goodbye’. Most bands of their stature would attempt to return revitalized, but the Cure have no reason to mask their despondency, which is the very thing that guides the album’s typically glacial pacing. “My weary dance with age/ And resignation moves me slow,” Smith sings on ‘All I Ever Am’, “Toward a dark and empty stage/ Where I can sing the world I know.” Unlike similarly pensive entries in their catalog, Songs notably shows no interest in disrupting the pervasive atmosphere with a veneer of pop fantasy; ‘Drone:Nodrone’ comes closest, but it’s still more desperate than catchy. It’s precisely this towering yet oddly approachable density that ultimately makes the album stand apart, even if you have to meet it where it’s at: there’s no hooks and no filler.

So you may argue about it being the best since whichever album you hold as the Cure’s previous high watermark, but it might be the most immersive since before then. Robert Smith couldn’t offer a different ending, a way out of all this death and mourning, but that didn’t stop him from delivering the album that would both satisfy fans and make sense of those themes in the realest, most tangible way he probably ever has. It would be a fitting final statement, but Smith has already talked about having two more Cure albums on the way. I wonder if and how they mayexpand beyond the world I know; whether this record carves out space for fading memories and “the dying of the light” so that the follow-up can imagine someplace new. Or the story and the world remain largely unchanged, as they tend to do, and the Cure just make another miraculous record out of it.

Best TikTok Accounts to Follow for eCommerce Expertise

Sebastian Bickley
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Best TikTok Accounts to Follow for eCommerce Expertise

The world of eCommerce is large, and whilst over 10 million stores existing. New, and old questions get asked everyday. Luckily for us, there are several great TikTok accounts that focus on eCommerce. In our list today, we’ll look at some of the top creators on TikTok covering eCommerce.

Moddy.a.m – Modestas Mankus

Modestas Mankus, also known under his username moddy.a.m has become a favourite among startup businesses in the eCommerce space creating helpful content. From website optimization to eCommerce audits, he has developed a solid following who trust the expertise Mankus brings.

Follow moddy.a.m on TikTok here.

eComTutor

Another superb TikTok channel for e-Commerce companies is titled ecomtutor. With over 30,000 followers it produces clips from podcasts and conversations talking about growing and exciting eCommerce ideas and businesses. While not the most original channel, it certainly deserves some recognition.

Shecommerceuk

Fun doesn’t stop with Shecommerceuk, one of the best British creators within the TikTok eCommerce space. She helps small companies build their conversion rate up and scale their eCommerce store from 0 to something special.

ecommerceskillset

One of our faves in the eCommerce space is ecommerceskillset, a TikTok account focused on Amazon and general eCommerce growth. Their videos focus on the best guidelines when it comes to building a sustainable Amazon eCommerce business and tutorials on how to use the best AI and other tools to upscale your business.

What If Casinos Operated Without Any Music?

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What If Casinos Operated Without Any Music?

Casinos are engaging environments, specifically designed that way so that players will stick around for a long time. They are hubs of energetic ambience that is created from the sounds of slot machines, spinning roulette wheels, background music and the general chatter of people socialising around the space.

But what if a casino operated without any background music? What effect would that have on the entire experience? If things were all just suddenly much quieter, would that be something to aid players’ attention, or would it just eat away at their enjoyment of the casino experience?

Imagine visiting online casinos from casinosonline.ph or other reliable services and playing with the sound turned off on your mobile device or computer. Would you have the same enjoyable experience as you would if you could hear those sounds and lively music? Or would the silent treatment make you want to get away from the gaming experience more quickly?

What Role Does Music In Casinos Play?

Background music in a casino is there for ambience, and it is used to dictate the atmosphere and create a mood. Although most people tune it out after a while, it still subconsciously has an effect as it works its way into people’s ears.

Casinos carefully select music that will help keep energy levels high and is one of many important tools that a land-based casino will use to keep players playing for as long as possible. Pumping in upbeat music will help players stay in a good mood.

This is especially important in areas of the casino that are naturally high-energy, like roulette tables and slots plays. Things may change in areas like high-stakes rooms, where calmer music to aid focus in a more serious situation will be played.

Basically, everything is just fine-tuned to a specific ambience to shape a player’s experience, from relaxing, comforting jazz to high-energy pop.

Turning It Down

Casinos are not going to do anything to jeopardise their profits, but what if they turned off the music, would that affect their financial margins? Potentially yes, because if players are not in the mood, or are feeling lethargic, then they simply won’t play as much.

People are going to be more prone to boredom and apathy, and just not as interested. That in turn will likely lead to fewer players being around and fewer players just creates even less of a fun atmosphere. Those that are there, will then just likely to get fatigued quicker because there is less stimulation.

Music is more than background filler, it’s a psychological tool and the right music can amplify emotional responses. So music can influence spending and if there’s none there to help players keep their minds off things like fatigue, revenue is going to be impacted. The happier people are, the more likely they are going to stick around and play.

Slot Machines Music

Slot machines are very busy visually and audibly. Many have background tracks that will play throughout the game, along with the in-game sound effects. This is the same thing, with the music from slots is expected to keep a player pumped up and engaged, plus elicit emotional responses by making wins feel even more exciting. A silent machine in contrast, with no music, and no effects, wouldn’t encourage a player to hang around.

What Could Be the Effects of No Music Casino

The impact on enjoyment would be enormous. There are a lot of social cues within a casino that players take from each other, and seeing others in a state of high energy, tapping their foot to the music or even singing to themselves creates a good feeling. Without music, a big element of that would be missing.

Decision-making could also be impacted quite a bit, if music was absent, as it may decrease risk-taking. Lively music from within games gets players primed to take risks, as it gets the adrenaline pumping, so if it wasn’t there, a lot more conservative decision-making would probably happen instead.

That’s not to say everyone would find a casino without music boring. Some players may actually prefer to have things quieter because they believe it would heighten their concentration on what they are doing.

In Conclusion

Everything within a casino is designed to create a heightened playing experience for visitors. Music, lighting, positioning of tables and games, and even the decor and carpet are all part of build

How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?

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How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?

One of the most common questions we hear from newbies is, “How long will it take for edibles to kick in?” If you’re new to cannabis-infused treats, the waiting time before the magic begins can be a bit of a surprise.

Unlike the immediate hit from smoking, edibles require patience as they travel through your digestive system before the THC makes its way into your bloodstream. 

But why such a long wait? And what can you do to better predict when the effects will start? 

In this guide, we examine the workings of edibles, from the science behind the digestion process to the various factors like metabolism and body weight that influence how long the effects take to show. We will equip you with all the information you need to confidently approach your edible session. 

How Much Time Edibles Can Take To Kick In?

The time it takes for edibles to kick in can vary significantly depending on several factors. Typically, edibles start to work anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes after consumption. However, this timing can be influenced by:

  • The type of edible consumed: The form in which the cannabis is ingested, be it gummies, chocolates, cookies, or drinks, can affect how quickly it is digested and starts to work.
  • Your metabolism: Faster metabolisms will process edibles more quickly, leading to a faster onset of effects.
  • Your body weight and composition: Body fat percentage and overall biochemical makeup can influence how THC is absorbed and metabolized.
  • The last meal you ate: Eating edibles on an empty stomach can lead to quicker absorption, whereas having them with a meal, especially a fatty one, can slow down the process but potentially increase the effects.
  • Your tolerance to cannabis: Regular users might find that it takes longer to feel the effects, or they may need higher doses to achieve the same effects as occasional users.

How Much Should You Take?

Determining how much of an edible to take can be a bit tricky, especially for people who are new to cannabis. A good starting point for beginners is 10mg edibles. This dose is commonly recommended because it offers a manageable level of effects for most people without being too overwhelming.

If you’re trying 10mg edibles for the first time, it’s wise to start with half the dose—about 5mg—and see how it affects you over a couple of hours. This cautious approach helps mitigate any discomfort from taking too much too soon. Remember, the effects of 10mg edibles can last several hours, so it’s important to understand how you feel before considering an additional dose.

For regular users, 10mg edibles might be just right or a starting point, depending on their tolerance. It’s always better to be cautious and start lower, particularly with new or unfamiliar edibles. As a general rule, understanding how 10mg edibles interact with your system through careful experimentation is key to enjoying a positive and safe experience.

Why Use Edibles?

Choosing to use edibles can be a preferred method for many looking for the benefits of cannabis without the need for smoking or vaping. Here are some reasons why strong edibles are often favored:

  • Discretion: Strong edibles provide a discreet way to consume cannabis, as they don’t produce smoke or a lingering odor. This makes them ideal for users who prefer to keep their cannabis use private or need to use cannabis without drawing attention.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: One of the main reasons people choose strong edibles is for their prolonged effects. While it might take longer for edibles to kick in, the effects can last much longer compared to smoking or vaping, often extending for several hours.
  • Dosage Control: Edibles are often precisely dosed, making it easier to consume a consistent amount of cannabis. This is particularly beneficial for medical users who rely on exact dosages to manage conditions like chronic pain or anxiety.
  • Healthier Alternative: For those concerned about the potential respiratory risks associated with smoking, strong edibles offer a safer alternative. By bypassing the lungs, edibles eliminate the inhalation of potentially harmful smoke.

How Do Edibles Work?

Edibles work differently from other forms of cannabis consumption, such as smoking or vaping, primarily because they are ingested and processed through the digestive system. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how edibles work:

  • Ingestion: When you consume an edible, it enters your stomach and begins to break down. This is the first step in the journey of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, into your system.
  • Digestion: From the stomach, the edible moves to the intestines, where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. Here, the THC is still in its original form, THCA, which is non-psychoactive. As it continues through the digestive process, it converts into THC due to the heat and the body’s metabolism.
  • Liver Metabolism: The key transformation happens when THC reaches your liver. The liver metabolizes THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a potent form of THC that has a stronger and longer-lasting effect compared to the THC inhaled through smoking.
  • Effects: Once metabolized, the 11-hydroxy-THC enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, where it interacts with the central nervous system, causing the psychoactive effects associated with edibles. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on various factors like metabolism, body weight, and recent meals.
  • Duration: The effects of edibles can last significantly longer than those from smoking or vaping—typically anywhere from 4 to 12 hours—because the THC is released slowly as food is digested and metabolized.

Conclusion

Edibles are a great option for safely enjoying the benefits of cannabis. It can take longer to kick in than smoking because it needs to be digested, which means the effects are delayed but last longer. This can be ideal for those seeking prolonged relief or enjoyment.

To start safely, try a small dose, like a 10mg edible, and wait to see how it impacts you before taking more. This step-by-step approach helps prevent discomfort from taking too much too soon. Since everyone’s body reacts differently, what works for someone else might not be right for you. It’s important to learn how your body responds to edibles and adjust your dosage accordingly.

Use this knowledge to better plan your edible experience. Knowing how to manage your intake effectively ensures that each experience is both enjoyable and safe.

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9 Fun Star Wars Themed Toys That Bring The Galaxy Home

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9 Fun Star Wars Themed Toys That Bring The Galaxy Home

Looking to bring the magic of Star Wars right into your home?

These toys aren’t just for play—they’re perfect for bonding, creativity, and unforgettable memories.

Here’s how each one can ignite adventure in your family.

1. Interactive Lightsabers: Transforming Play with Realistic Battles

REACTOR Saber | galaxysabers.co.uk

Lightsabers have an unmatched appeal, bringing action to life with motion-sensitive effects that respond to every movement. Newer models feature realistic sounds, responsive glowing “blades” that flicker on impact, and an authentic feel, making duels as thrilling as the most memorable scenes from Star Wars. Kids can channel their favorite characters, fully immersing themselves in imaginative battles.

Expert Tip: Set up “training sessions” where kids can:

  1. Practice classic moves or develop their own fighting styles.
  2. Improve hand-eye coordination and build confidence.
  3. Designate a safe “training area” with simple foam obstacles, adding a structured element to enhance the play experience.

Where to buy: I recommend buying from Galaxy Sabers, as their sabers are both realistic and duel-ready, so your kids won’t be breaking them in 5 minutes like the cheaper alternatives.

Why It’s Worth It: Lightsaber play releases energy and offers a unique way to unwind together. Practicing moves in the evening with dimmed lights creates special, memory-filled moments.

2. LEGO Star Wars Sets: Building Memories Brick by Brick

LEGO Star Wars sets offer kids a hands-on way to recreate favorite scenes and invent new ones. These sets cater to different skill levels, challenging kids in varied ways—from complex builds like the Millennium Falcon for older children to simpler builds, like speeder bikes, for younger builders. Working together on multi-part builds also fosters focus, patience, and teamwork.

Expert Insight: For multi-age family play:

  • Choose sets that connect or complement each other, encouraging collaborative play as each child builds part of a larger setup.
  • For younger children, LEGO’s “easy build” models are designed to grow with skill level, promoting a sense of progression.
  • Family “build sessions” turn each piece into part of an ongoing story, giving kids a platform for creative storytelling once construction is complete.

Bonus Tip: Rotate completed sets by taking them apart and storing pieces. This practice revives interest in the set and nurtures creativity, as kids may rebuild it with new ideas each time.

3. Star Wars Droid Robots: Learning Tech and Coding with Characters

Droid robots like R2-D2 and BB-8 combine hands-on play with tech learning, introducing kids to programming basics through character-inspired fun. Controlled via an app, these droids follow commands, making them a great introduction to coding and logic skills. Kids can even set up small “missions” for their droids to navigate, creating an engaging way to build tech confidence.

Advanced Application: Use droids to teach advanced tech skills by:

  1. Trying programming tasks where kids create an obstacle course for the droid.
  2. Taking turns adjusting its path, which teaches problem-solving and shared challenges.
  3. Bonding through teamwork as parents and kids collaborate on “missions.”

For Younger Kids: Simple commands or having the droid patrol a room is perfect for younger ones, providing early exposure to robotics concepts in a playful format.

4. Star Wars Plush Characters: Comfort and Creativity Meet Adventure

From Baby Yoda to Chewbacca, Star Wars plush toys offer warmth and familiarity. Soft characters like these provide a comforting companion at bedtime and a fun friend during playtime. Interactive plush options add sounds and movements, bringing an extra layer of personality that younger fans find captivating.

Expert Tip for Parent-Child Interaction: Use plush toys as springboards for storytelling:

  • Let your child bring Baby Yoda or another character along on errands, inventing small “missions” for their companion.
  • Role-play with plush toys to develop creativity and emotional awareness as kids imagine their character’s “perspective.”

Takeaway: Plush toys bring comfort but also teach empathy and responsibility, turning playtime into an experience with deeper benefits.

5. Star Wars-Themed Board Games: Strategy Meets the Star Wars Story

Board games like Rebellion and Outer Rim turn family game nights into interactive, story-driven adventures. With varying levels of complexity, these games provide immersive play, building both imaginative and strategic thinking. Playing together promotes patience, problem-solving, and teamwork, while beloved characters add excitement for the whole family.

Pro Strategy: Make the most of these games by:

  • Encouraging older kids to try challenging roles to explore strategic nuances.
  • Pairing younger ones with an older sibling for team play, fostering mentorship and engagement.
  • Switching up teams to keep gameplay fresh and introduce different styles and strategies.

In Practice: These board games create a screen-free bonding experience and teach cognitive skills like memory and planning. Family playtime deepens connections and encourages kids to think creatively—all while having fun.

6. The Star Wars Coding Kit: Learning Coding Skills Through Play

The Star Wars Coding Kit by Kano introduces kids to coding fundamentals with fun, hands-on projects. Kids can experiment with creating sound and light effects, helping them understand the basics of programming. By “coding the Force,” they gain familiarity with tech skills in a way that feels fun and accessible.

Advanced Coding for Older Kids: Encourage further learning by:

  1. Combining effects to create custom soundscapes or scenes.
  2. Introducing more advanced tasks as confidence grows.
  3. Focusing younger children on simpler tasks like adding light or sound effects, sparking interest in STEM.

Why It’s Amazing: Learning coding through a favorite world like Star Wars makes complex concepts more approachable. Over time, kids build confidence in their tech abilities, preparing them for more advanced learning.

7. Star Wars Voice-Changing Helmets: Step into the Action with Full Immersion

Voice-changing helmets let kids sound like their favorite characters, adding depth to role-play. Adjustable settings let kids sound like Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, or Kylo Ren, creating an immersive experience that encourages imaginative play, whether for daily play or family role-playing nights.

Enhancing Play: To make the most of these helmets:

  • Set up a themed role-play night where each family member takes on a character for a shared “mission.”
  • Encourage empathy as kids try to see situations from their character’s perspective, a skill that builds emotional awareness.
  • Enjoy watching kids bring stories to life, adding depth to family time.

Bonus Tip: Playing with voice changers improves vocal control and expression, helping kids explore new tones and projection—all within a playful, laughter-filled context.

8. Star Wars Digital Drawing Tablets: Unleashing Artistic Talent

A Star Wars-themed drawing tablet offers kids a canvas to explore digital art. Templates, coloring pages, and tutorials support skill development, allowing kids to sketch, shade, and design characters and scenes. This setup reduces paper waste and provides unlimited opportunities to practice drawing.

Pro Tip for Parents: Spark creativity with themed prompts:

  • Ask your child to “draw a new planet” or “design a Jedi,” shifting focus to imaginative creations.
  • Introduce older children to advanced features like layering and shading for more detailed work.
  • With consistent practice, kids can create a portfolio of Star Wars-inspired artwork showcasing their growth.

Why It Matters: Digital art encourages focus, patience, and creativity. Practicing on a tablet builds skills they can refine over time, helping them gain confidence in their abilities.

9. Model Kits of Star Wars Ships: Crafting Precision and Patience

Star Wars model kits like Bandai’s X-Wing or TIE Fighter offer a satisfying, hands-on project for kids who enjoy detailed work. Unlike LEGO, these kits call for painting, gluing, and careful assembly, creating a sense of satisfaction and achievement. Finished models serve as cherished keepsakes that kids can proudly display.

Advanced Techniques: Introduce realism with:

  1. Simple painting and weathering techniques to enhance model details.
  2. Watching a tutorial together or guiding them with brushes and paints, helping them build craftsmanship skills.
  3. Hands-on artistry that teaches patience and attention to detail, which benefits many areas of life.

Takeaway: Completing these kits boosts confidence and lets kids showcase their efforts. For Star Wars enthusiasts, they become more than just toys—proud creations symbolizing dedication and passion for the galaxy.

Each Star Wars-inspired toy is more than just a plaything; it’s an invitation to create, learn, and share memorable experiences as a family. With a bit of involvement, these toys become part of an ongoing adventure, sparking joy, growth, and creativity that your kids will treasure.

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