Home Blog Page 777

Freak Slug Announces New EP, Shares New Single ’27 Club’

Freak Slug announced her new EP Viva La Vulva, sharing the single ’27 Club’ along with the news. The 4-track effort is out May 3 via Our House Online. Listen to ’27 Club’ below.

Speaking about the track, Freak Slug said in a statement: “’27 Club’ juxtaposes happy melodies with sharp sarcastic lyrics about losing somebody you loved to suicide and wishing you’d have known how to be there for them before the age of suicide awareness, reminiscing about how you met, and who they could have been if depression didn’t take over.”

Viva La Vulva EP Tracklist:

1. 27 Club
2. Sleepover Mood
3. Kiss the Devil
4. Viva La Vulva

Everything But the Girl Share Video for New Single ‘Run a Red Light’

Everything But the Girl have released the latest single from their upcoming album Fuse. It’s called ‘Run a Red Light’, and it arrives with an accompanying video directed by Charlie Di Placido. Check it out below.

“I met a lot of characters during my years in clubland, and I wrote this song about the guy at the end of the night, who dreams his big moment is just around the corner,” Ben Watt said of the track in a statement. “All the bravado and good intentions masking the vulnerability.”

“The video is like a dream of the story,” Tracey Thorn added. “We’ve found with this record that choreography can express the emotion in our music without having to be too literal. The characters, the clothes, the movement, the direction all just fit. Charlie and his team really get the feelings we’re going for. It’s been a great collaboration.”

Fuse, the duo’s first album since 1999’s Temperamental, is set to arrive on April 21. It features the previously shared songs ‘Caution to the Wind’ and ‘Nothing Left to Lose’.

A Winged Victory for the Sullen Share New Single ‘All Our Friends Our Vampires’

A Winged Victory for the Sullen – the duo of Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie – have released a new single titled ‘All Our Friends Our Vampires’. Listen to it below.

“For this piece we felt a thirst to return to the simplicity of where we began,” O’Halloran said of the new track in a press release. “To find the sound of our own minuscule nature within our universe, floating weightless in cosmic indifference; writing within the elements of piano and a vintage synth, which became the string quartet and guitar drones, and recording them all to capture time in an acoustic space.”

A Winged Victory for the Sullen’s most recent studio album, The Undivided Five, arrived in 2019 via Ninja Tune.

Watch Sunny War Perform ‘No Reason’ on ‘Kimmel’

Sunny War appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night (March 15), making her late-night television debut with a performance of ‘No Reason’. Watch it below.

‘No Reason’ is taken from War’s latest album Anarchist Gospel, which came out last month. Ahead of its release, the singer-songwriter appeared on CBS Saturday Morning, where she played ‘New Day’, ‘No Reason’, and ‘Whole’.

Watch Maya Hawke Perform ‘Thérèse’ on ‘Fallon’

Maya Hawke was the musical guest on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she performed ‘Thérèse’ from her album Moss. Watch it happen below.

Moss, Hawke’s sophomore full-length, came out last year. In addition to ‘Thérèse’, it includes the early singles ‘Sweet Tooth’ and ‘Luna Moth’.

Lana Del Rey Releases New Song ‘The Grants’

Lana Del Rey has released ‘The Grants’, the opening track on her forthcoming album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. The song, whose title references Del Rey’s real family name, features backing vocals from Melodye Perry, Pattie Howard, and Shikena Jones. Listen to it below.

Del Rey’s new album, the follow-up to October 2021’s Blue Banisters, arrives on March 24. It includes the previously shared singles ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’ and ‘A&W’, the latter of which we named one of our Songs of the Week.

4 Clever Hacks for Managing Cat Litter Odor

If you’re a cat owner, you know how unpleasant litter box odor can be. It’s not just an inconvenience for you but can also make your guests uncomfortable. Fortunately, some clever hacks can help manage the scent and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.

In this blog post, we’ll share five of our favorite tricks to eliminate cat litter odor without breaking the bank or spending hours cleaning up. Get ready to say goodbye to those funky smells once and for all!

The Best Type of Cat Litter

Many types of cat litter are on the market such as clay clumping litter and it can be hard to decide which is best for your feline friend. However, there are a few things to consider when making your decision.

First, you’ll want to consider what material you want your cat’s litter to be made of. Clay is a popular option because it’s good at absorbing urine and feces, but some cats don’t like the feel of it. Alternatively, try a natural litter made from pine or cedar chips. These litters are biodegradable and absorb urine well but may not control odor or clay.

Second, you must decide how much you will spend on cat litter. Clay litters are usually the cheapest option, while natural litter can be more expensive. However, remember that cheaper litter may only last for a short time as more expensive ones.

Finally, consider whether you have any special needs regarding your cat’s litter. For example, if you have a kitten or an elderly cat, you may want to choose a waste with smaller grains so that they don’t have trouble using the restroom.

No matter which type of litter you choose, clean the box regularly and scoop out waste daily to help control odor.

How to Change Your Cat Litter

If you’ve ever dealt with a stinky cat litter box, you know how important it is to keep it clean and odor-free. You can do a few simple things to ensure your cat’s litter box stays fresh and smells great.

Here are a few tips for changing your cat litter:

  • Use scoopable litter. Scoopable litter is easier to clean and helps control odors better than non-scoopable litter.
  • Change the litter regularly. Depending on the size of your cat’s litter box, you’ll need to change the trash every one to two weeks. Be sure to scoop out the old litter before adding fresh litter.
  • Add an odor control agent. Various products on the market help control smell in cat litter, such as crystals or powders that absorb odors. Try using baking soda or vinegar to help prevent odors naturally.
  • Keep the litter box clean. In addition to scooping out waste regularly, give the entire package an excellent weekly cleaning with mild soap and water. This will help remove any built-up smells that may be causing odor problems.

The Right Way to Scoop Cat Litter

If you’ve ever scooped cat litter, you know that it can be a smelly task. The good news is that there are some things you can do to minimize the odor.

The first step is to ensure you’re using the correct type of litter. We recommend clay-based litter because it does a better job of absorbing odor than other types of litter.

Once you’ve chosen the correct type of litter, it’s essential to scoop it regularly. The more often you scoop, the less chance for odors to build up.

When you do scoop, be sure to dispose of the waste properly. An excellent way to do this is to seal it in a plastic bag before throwing it away.

Finally, keep your cat’s litter box clean. A dirty box can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause bad smells. Clean the container at least once a week with soap and water.

What to Do If Your Cat Misses the Litter Box

If your cat misses the litter box, don’t panic. You can do a few things to clean up the mess and prevent it from happening again.

First, remove all of the soiled litter from the area. Then, thoroughly clean the area with hot water and soap. You may also want to use a disinfectant to kill any bacteria that may be present.

Once the area is clean, you’ll need to figure out why your cat missed the litter box in the first place. If something is wrong with the litter box, such as a dirty or cramped space, you’ll need to fix those issues. If your cat is sick or stressed, that may also be a factor. Talk to your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.

Once you’ve determined the cause of the problem, take steps to prevent it from happening again. This may mean changing the type of litter you use, providing more litter boxes, or reducing stress in your cat’s environment.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned cat owner or a newbie, managing litter box odor is an ongoing challenge. Incorporating some of these clever hacks into your routine can make the process easier and more effective, ensuring a happier and healthier living environment for everyone in your household.

EA and Premier League celebrates the new ePL Invitational 2023

The English Premier League (EPL) is not the only major talking point among football fans in England. Arsenal’s quest to win their first EPL title in over two decades is certainly grabbing many headlines. The Gunners are now 5/6 favourites to lift the trophy with Paddy Power, who are listed as one of three highly-recommended sites by oddschecker based on the strength of their welcome campaigns and general user experience. However, FIFA enthusiasts also had their appetite whetted for this month’s ePremier League Grand Finals with a new tournament led by the EPL in partnership with Electronic Arts (EA).

The eFL Invitational 2023 was staged on February 7th, bringing together all the elite FIFA players representing the 20 top-flight clubs in March’s ePremier League Grand Finals. The event was led by social media personalities Chunkz and Elz the Witch, both of whom were named team captains for the event, with each personality given ten clubs a piece.

What was included in the eFL Invitational 2023?

The players in Team Chunkz and Team Elz the Witch then faced-off in a string of hilarious challenges inspired by FIFA 23. Some of the ten challenges included a FIFA 23 Crossbar Challenge, in which players were tasked with hitting each goal post as well as the crossbar with the virtual ball. The first team to hit all three posts was the winner. There was also a Pro-Am game, with the team captains partnering with one of the Club Pros in a 2-on-2 contest.

Teams entered the ‘Fun House’, competing in FUT friendlies against one another while wearing goggles to distort the players’ vision. Will Brass, chief commercial officer at the EPL, said the ePL Invitational was the ideal chance “to get to know our finalists” ahead of the ePremier League Grand Finals. Brass said that the ePL has “gone from strength to strength” since the competition’s inauguration in 2018. Brass confirmed the Premier League was always “looking at new ways” to enhance the ePL brand.

You can catch the stream of the ePL Invitational 2023 at any time via the EPL’s official YouTube channel, which broadcast all three hours of action live to viewers.

The ePremier League Grand Finals promises to be an adrenaline-fuelled event for FIFA fans. Staged at Here East within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London, players representing all 20 EPL clubs will battle it out for a share of the £100,000 prize pool.

The format of the competition sees the four players representing the top two clubs in the Grand Finals securing places in the EA Sports FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs and Play-Ins. In the US, the best FIFA 23 players stateside have also recently done battle in the eMLS Cup, in search of places in the Global Series Playoffs and Play-Ins too.

Tinariwen Announce New Album ‘Amatssou’, Release New Song

The Tuareg band Tinariwen have announced their new album, Amatssou, which will be released on May 19 via Wedge. They’ve also shared its lead single, ‘Tenere Den’, which is accompanied by an Alexis Jamet-directed visual. Check it out below.

Marking the band’s ninth studio LP, Amatssou was produced by Daniel Lanois and recorded in Djanet, an oasis in the desert of southern Algeria located in Tassili N’Ajjer National Park. It features contributions from Jack White collaborator Fats Kaplin, Wes Corbett, and Kabyle percussionist Amar Chaoui.

Amatssou Cover Artwork:

Amatssou Tracklist:

1. Kek Algham
2. Tenere Den
3. Arajghiyine
4. Imzad (Interlude)
5. Tidjit
6. Jayche Atarak
7. Imidiwan Mahitinam
8. Ezlan
9. Anemouhagh
10. Iket Adjen
11. Nak Idnizdjam
12. Tinde (Outro)

Album Review: Miley Cyrus, ‘Endless Summer Vacation’

I wasn’t a huge fan of ‘Flowers’ when it first came out. Musically, it seemed to signal a shift from the broad new wave/classic rock revivalism of 2020’s Plastic Hearts to something more distinctly disco-indebted, a stylistic pivot that would make sense but wasn’t particularly exciting. Emotionally, the song cycles through heartbreak with such familiar ease that it seems disinterested in selling its own message of self-care. On repeated listens, and as the single became an inescapable hit, this unmarred composure felt like part of the point: if there’s any kind of acceptance here, it’s growingly wearied and distant, a tentative step in the journey of self-discovery rather than a point of arrival. On streaming services, Endless Summer Vacation is bookended by a demo (or rather “demoified”) version of the track, which does a much better job of evoking the very real and lonely sense of regret that simmers at the heart of the song. It’s a fitting conclusion that also sounds just like the start.

All this to say that, refreshingly, you can talk about Endless Summer Vacation as more than a disco-inspired or breakup album. It’s about more than which persona Cyrus has decided to embrace at this particular stage in her career. That doesn’t mean it’s not overall messy or underwhelming in execution, but its conflicted yet generally relaxed mood makes for an intriguing listen, showing a willingness to mess with the nuances of big emotions rather than merely their presentation. Cyrus has said that Endless Summer Vacation is vaguely divided into two parts, ‘AM’ and ‘PM’, but they don’t form a neat or cohesive narrative. Across both sides, there’s more of a split between songs that lean toward the bruised, breezy melancholy of ‘Flowers’ and those more closely aligned with its quiet rendition, earnest and direct in their yearning. There are hits and misses on both ends of the spectrum, though the album’s shakiness has less to do with Cyrus’ presence than whether the music is able to match it.

For the most part, the endless part of Endless Summer Vacation feels ironic, or at least a false promise. But for a brief moment on ‘Rose Colored Lenses’, Cyrus relishes the possibilities: “Let’s stay like this forever,” she offers, caught under the daze of production (courtesy of Harry Styles collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson) that’s inviting if not entirely convincing, before it naturally dissipates. ‘You’, a more straightforward R&B ballad, puts the singer’s personality front and center as she craves “That late-night sweet magic, that forever-lasting love” – perhaps a different kind of forever. By the time we reach ‘Violet Chemistry’, a synth-infused track with an assist from James Blake, Cyrus brings togeher those different shades of desire, admitting that this connection “may not be eternal but nocturnal, nothin’ more” while colourfully stretching out the song. There’s a rather rich interplay between feeling and sound, but elsewhere, the meeting of ideas feels incongruous. Songs like ‘Thousand Miles’ or ‘Handstand’ come across as lackluster and directionless, either sticking too closely to the script, or, in the case of ‘Handstand’ (a Harmony Korine co-write), veering so far out of bounds that it becomes a bewildering centerpiece.

The second side offers more stylistic variation, but the results are once again mixed. There’s something funny about the fact that a song called ‘Wildcard’ is followed by one of the tamest and most laidback songs on the album, ‘Island’, in which Cyrus asks, “Am I stranded on an island/ Or have I landed in paradise?” Like ‘Flowers’, both of these songs have a weird way of undercutting their own weight, but they at least feel like they belong on the same album. Second single ‘River’ should have been the first: a fierce, sultry banger that actually delivers the sort of maximalism much of Endless Summer Vacation has been hinting at, while the closing piano ballad ‘Wonder Woman’ benefits from its universal simplicity and a striking vocal performance (“She makes sure that no one’s ’round to see her fall apart/ She wants to be the one that never does,” she sings, her delivery subtly landing closer to the existential dies). Cyrus proves these different sides can peacefully co-exist; it’s just a shame she rarely commits to any particular direction, coasting on a strange middle ground that sounds like fun until you’re desperate to move on and get back to work.