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Depeche Mode Announce New Album ‘Memento Mori’, Detail World Tour

Depeche Mode are back with news of their 15th studio album, Memento Mori, which is due out next spring. They’ve also shared the details of a world tour for 2023, which will include performances at Primavera Sound Barcelona and Madrid. Check out the list of dates below.

Memento Mori marks Depeche Mode’s first album since the passing of founding member Andrew Fletcher. “We started work on this project early in the pandemic, and its themes were directly inspired by that time,” Martin Gore explained. “After Fletch’s passing, we decided to continue as we’re sure this is what he would have wanted, and that has really given the project an extra level of meaning.”

Dave Gahan added, “Fletch would have loved this album. We’re really looking forward to sharing it with you soon, and we can’t wait to present it to you live at the shows next year.”

Depeche Mode 2023 Tour Dates:

Mar 23 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Mar 25 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Mar 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Mar 30 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
Apr 2 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
Apr 5 – Chicago, IL -United Center
Apr 7 – Toronto, ON -Scotiabank Arena
Apr 9 – Quebec City, QC -Videotron Centre
Apr 12 – Montreal, QC -Centre Bell
Apr 14 – New York, NY -Madison Square Garden
May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
May 20 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Antwerpen
May 23 – Stockholm, SE – Friends Arena
May 26 – Leipzig, DE – Leipziger Festwiese
May 28 – Bratislava, SK – Národný Futbalový Štadión
May 31 – Bordeaux, FR – Matmut Atlantique
Jun 2 – Barcelona, ES – Primavera Sound Festival
Jun 4 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena
Jun 6 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena
Jun 9 – Madrid, ES – Primavera Sound Festival
Jun 11 – Bern, CH – Stadion Wankdorf
Jun 14 – Dublin, IE – Malahide Castle
Jun 17 – London, UK – Twickenham Stadium
Jun 20 – Munich, DE – Olympiastadion
Jun 22 – Lille, FR – Stade Pierre Mauroy
Jun 24 – Paris, FR – Stade de France
Jun 27 – Copenhagen, DK – Parken
Jun 29 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park
Jul 4 – Lyon, FR – Groupama Stadium
Jul 7 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion
Jul 12 – Rome, IT – Stadio Olympico
Jul 14 – Milan, IT – San Siro
Jul 16 – Bologna, IT – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
Jul 21 – Klagenfurt, AT – Wörthersee Stadion
Jul 23 – Zagreb, HR – Arena Zagreb
Jul 26 – Bucharest, RO – Arena Națională
Jul 28 – Budapest, HU – Puskás Aréna
Jul 30 – Prague, CZ – Letňany Airport
Aug 2 – Warsaw, PL – PGE Narodowy
Aug 6 – Tallinn, EE – Tallinna Lauluväljak
Aug 8 – Helsinki, FI – Kaisaniemen Puisto
Aug 11 – Oslo, NO – Telenor Arena

Best platforms for content creators to monetize their skills

The world’s consumption of content has considerably expanded in a relatively short time. This significant growth in a variety of categories, including entertainment, gaming, news, and information, has been driven by factors including rising smartphone usage, widely accessible and affordable internet data, and the coronavirus pandemic.

The internet has created new opportunities and sources of income for techies and content creators. While most people opt for a well-paying position, some people work hard and pursue their passion. Many people have been forced to explore for alternative work prospects that can be done remotely because the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted human physical connectivity. As a result, the increased demand for creative content offers content creators a sizable monetization opportunity.

To give more individualized information than before, content creators have increasingly started to experiment with material formats such podcast-style presentations, panel discussions, closed group networking, and video and audio chats. User-generated platforms give content producers the chance to produce original material, connect with niche audiences looking for similar content, and find remote work opportunities.

Here are some of the best platforms for content creators who want to monetize their skills on the internet these days.

  1. Buy Me a Coffee

Jacob A. Tech, better known as Mr. Alex Tech, is a YouTuber who makes videos about technology and how to use it. He has over 1 million subscribers and his videos have been viewed over 100 million times.

Mr. Alex Tech started using Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) in early 2020 to monetize his YouTube channel instead of using Adsense. He has been very happy with the results and says that he has doubled his income by using BMAC.

BMAC is a great platform for YouTubers who are looking for an alternative to Adsense. It is not a subscription service and there are no hefty one-off payments like with some other platforms out on the market today. You can even set this up so people only need your help briefly or might not be able afford full price but still want something extra special when they leave.

If you are a YouTuber who is looking for a way to monetize your channel, we highly recommend that you check out Buy Me a Coffee.

  1. SuperPeer

As the world becomes more and less accessible through technology, SuperPeer has risen to take 10% of both channels. The platform offers one-on-one video calls that are recorded for quality assurance purposes in case you cannot make it happen live on your own terms, like when life gets too busy. You pick your schedule by blocking hours per calendar month so there’s no stress whatsoever with this business model because they’ve got everything covered and all you need is your phone. The best part? You get to keep 80% of the revenue and they handle everything else, from customer service to marketing.

Now that we’ve covered what SuperPeer is and how it works, it’s time to dive into the different types of content you can create as a creator on the platform. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-How-to videos on any topic you’re passionate about.

-Product reviews.

-Unboxing videos.

-Educational videos on a particular topic or subject.

-Interviews with other experts in your field.

-Q&A videos where you answer questions from viewers.

-Video tours of your workspace, studio, or office.

-Day in the life videos.

-Demo videos showing how to use a particular product or service.

-Vlogs documenting your journey as a creator on SuperPeer.

No matter what type of content you create, remember to always be authentic and true to yourself. Your viewers will appreciate your honesty and will be more likely to connect with you on a personal level. You should also note that you can use a video editor to make your videos more polished and professional. This is a great way to stand out from the competition and attract more viewers to your content.

  1. Gumroad

Gumroad is a platform that allows digital products to be sold. It has been around since 2011 and recently gained popularity with the rise in eCommerce, as well as other websites such like Etsy or Ebay for example.

The app boasts 84 thousand creators who collectively earned over $422 million dollars on average, which means if you’re running your own business without any costs involved whatsoever then chances are good at least one person out there could help make things easier by providing materials needed (like images), plus taking care of the selling process for you.

For a predetermined price or subscriptions, users can purchase and sell ebooks, films, cryptocurrencies, newsletters, and other digital goods. The IndieHacker community is quite active on Gumroad and frequently gives advice, hacks, and success stories.

  1. Clubhouse

Clubhouse is a new platform that allows content creators to monetize their passion. The Creator First accelerator program at Club House pays users, and payment can be sent by any user on the app without taking anything for themselves in return. Creator payments are straightforward making it extremely convenient from both sides: consumers will find more incentives while creators get rewarded fairly according how hard they work or innovative ideas put into practice with this service.

This system also offers new opportunities for content producers who are struggling to get their voices heard. On Clubhouse, all you need is a great idea and the willingness to share it with others. The platform will take care of the rest, from promotion to monetization. So if you’re passionate about something and want to share it with the world, Clubhouse is a good option for you.

  1. Streamlabs

Streamlabs is a household name when it comes to streaming. With an increase in monthly searches of over 7700% since 2012, there’s no doubt that Stream Labs has become one if not the most popular platform out on the market today.

This ease-of use program makes managing your multiple streams simple and fun with features such as simultaneous connection across all major platforms like Youtube or Twitch while still giving you full control over how much bandwidth each account uses so they don’t interfere another ones growth potentialities.

Stremlabs goes above and above to make sure you get paid, despite not having a direct monetization agreement like the Partnership program or Google AdSense. While profiting on other platforms, creators can also negotiate sponsorship agreements and design unique tip pages.

Streamlabs is part of a wider movement of websites that enable creators to host and make money from their live streams.

  1. NewsBreak

Since it was founded, NewsBreak has mostly served as a local news aggregator.

The number of Americans using the app is in the seven figures. But the recent buzz is all about the creator program. NewsBreak generously expands its pool of content producers by hiring new writers and video producers.

The platform offers better monetization terms as a reward for local content. The only things you can’t post tales about are PG-13 material, sexual advice, and language that is overtly explicit.

The platform gives early-bird incentives to some producers that guarantee a minimum income, and it pays each view. Most of the right-leaning, male audience members are from both coasts and the Deep South. Therefore, there may be some arguing in the comments section.

  1. Substack

For almost a year, Substack has been the topic of conversation.

Since early 2020, the platform has seen a 1,733% increase in search results. It is difficult to gauge the popularity of Substack because it, like the majority of newsletter businesses, doesn’t rely on search engine finding.

Many journalists who lost their careers in traditional media now have the option of creating their own news hubs and charging a subscription. In a gamble on the newsletter craze is Substack. Not only is email alive and well. It is sweeping the globe.

According to Radicati’s study, there are approximately 4 billion active email users. The Dispatch, a political Substack periodical, predicted 2021 gross revenues ranging from $1.08 million to $10. 8 million.

  1. Momspresso

With a ten-year existence, Momspresso is one of the largest network of user-generated content for women. The platform helps businesses conceptualize and launch digital campaigns while using traffic on their social media platforms in ten different languages, with the help of influencers, content creators, and others. It is a bilingual content platform designed for the complicated mothers of today. It is a mom-only area that is teeming with the spirit of possibilities. The carefully written content supports mothers in their duties as wives, daughters, and, most importantly, as women, not only as mothers.

  1. YouTube

YouTube has been a lifesaver for many video makers during this Covid-19 outbreak. The online platform offers an advertising system that allows content creators to monetize their activities and it’s still standing strong as the best place in today’s market where people can go share, upload or watch videos.

This is good news for those looking for an alternative place to generate some extra income during these trying times. However, as with any online platform, there are certain guidelines that users need to follow in order to make the most out of YouTube.

Here are some tips on how you can make money from YouTube:

Plan your videos

This is probably the most important step in creating successful YouTube videos. You need to have a clear idea of what your video is going to be about before you start filming. This will help you stay on track and avoid rambling which can lead to your viewers losing interest.

Invest in good equipment

You don’t need to break the bank to get started but it’s important to have decent equipment if you want your videos to look professional. A good quality camera and microphone will go a long way in making your videos look and sound great.

Create engaging content

Your viewers will only stick around if your content is engaging and entertaining. Keep this in mind when planning and filming your videos. Try to add some variety to your content so that your viewers don’t get bored.

Use keywords

Keywords are important for getting your videos ranked in YouTube’s search results. Do some research to find out which keywords are most relevant to your video content and include them in your title and description.

Promote your videos

Once your videos are live, it’s time to start promoting them. Share your videos on social media, forums, and other websites. You can also run ads on YouTube to get more views.

Monetize your videos

YouTube offers a monetization feature that allows you to make money from your videos. You can sign up for AdSense which will place ads on your videos and pay you based on views and clicks. You can also join YouTube’s Partner Program to get access to more advanced features like sponsored videos and merchandise sales.

Analyze your performance

Keep track of your video views and engagement rates to see what’s working and what’s not. You can use YouTube’s Analytics tool to get detailed information about your audience and how they interact with your videos. Use this data to improve your future videos.

These are just some of the things you can do to make money from YouTube. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful YouTuber.

  1. My.Club

You might have heard of OnlyFans, an option that a lot of content creators have chosen to monetize their content. But did you know that there are other sites like OnlyFans to make money that are in fact better? One of them is My.Club.

On this platform, you decide the cost to join your club, sell your exclusive material, and retain 80% of the money you make.

Creators may sell their work and engage with fans in a variety of ways thanks to the numerous features and options available on My.Club. The good news is that you may save time by using My.Club to export your content from other websites and get verified with just one click if you already have an account on another similar website rather than having to submit all of your content again.

You can collaborate with other content producers on My.Club to submit pieces that highlight one another. Teamwork is key, and this is a terrific opportunity to meet people and create friends while generating more visitors.

Additionally, My.Club gives you the assurance that it will always be adult-friendly and devoid of surprises (that is what they stand for).

FIFA 23: Best Young GK Wonderkids for Career Mode

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With a vast selection of players in FIFA 23, it cannot be easy to scout out the perfect defender for your optimistic team. So, as a cheat code, we’ve decided to make this guide for your career mode — specifically for the goalkeeping position. Saving you money and time and, most importantly, helping you build your ultimate team with wonderkids — no matter the budget.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Overall 88 – Potential 92)

Donnarumma is undoubtedly already well established within the game of football. At only 23, Donnarumma has made 49 appearances for Italy already and has been the number one goalkeeper for PSG since signing for the team in 2021.

While he is impressive and has an overall 88 in the game, he isn’t the best signing in terms of money. The Italian goalie starts with a market value of €103.5M and a wage of €110K, making him out of reach for any mid-table sides in the La Liga, Premier League, or even Seria A (If you’re looking to bring him back to Italy).

Alban Lafont (Overall 80 – Potential 85)

Lafont is another goalie that places in France and has the potential to be the number one goalkeeper for any solid Champions League title-hoping side. At 23, Lafont hasn’t yet made any appearances for the French international team but is in line after Lloris, who has had quite a successful career. However, for Nantes, he has made over 100 appearances since 2019 (this includes whilst being on loan from Fiorentina).

As a player in FIFA, he deserves attention for two reasons. Firstly, in comparison to Donnarumma, his market value is around a fourth of the Italian keeper’s. Lafont has a market value of €25.5M with a wage bill of €21K, making him an affordable option for those mid-table teams looking to reach a Champions League spot.

Luís Manuel Arantes Maximiano (Overall 79 – Potential 85)

Another fantastic young goalkeeper in FIFA is Luís Manuel Arantes Maximiano, the Portuguese goalie who currently plays for Seria A side Lazio. Luís Maximiano hasn’t made any international appearances for Portugal just yet but will look to do so when he establishes himself as a top keeper in the Seria A.

From the game point of view, Maximiano starts with a solid 79 overall rating and has the potential to reach 85. Like Lafont, he has a reasonable market value of €22.5 million and a wage bill of €32K.

Diogo Meireles Costa (Overall 79 – Potential 86)

Diogo Meireles Costa, better known as simply Diogo Costa, currently plays in the GK position for Porto and has already made 7 appearances for the national team of Portugal. His first clean sheet for the national team came against North Macedonia in a 2-0 win for Portugal, which saw Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes score two goals.

Potential-wise, Costa can reach 86 rated within the game, making him suitable for the top sides. With a market value of €30.5M, he is slightly more expensive than Lafont and his Portuguese teammate Maximiano.

Giorgi Mamardashvili (Overall 78 – Potential 84)

The national team of Georgia seems to be getting more and more promising young players joining their team, and Mamardashvili is undoubtedly one of them. Mamardashvili is only 21 but already a key player in a solid Valencia side and the national team of Georgia, where he has already made 5 appearances and kept 3 clean sheets.

In terms of the game, Mamardashvili has an overall rating of 78 and a potential rating of 84. While that is slightly lower than his counterparts, he certainly makes up for it in his age and market value which is only €18.5 million.

Maarten Vandevoordt (Overall 70 – Potential 84)

Belgium’s Vandevoordt currently plays for KRC Genk, a relatively strong side within the Belgian league, even though they finished 6th in the 2021-22 season. While Vandevoordt hasn’t made any senior national team appearances, he has made consistent appearances for the U21, U19, and U17 Belgian sides. For his club, he has made over 60 appearances which is quite impressive as he is only 20.

FIFA 23-wise, Vandevoordt is one of the more exciting young prospects who starts with a slightly low overall of 70 yet has the potential to grow into a solid top-tier goalie with an overall of 84. Unsurprisingly, his low rating gives him a fantastic steal-like market value of only €3.4 million, making him accessible to even EFL Championship sides.

Gabriel Slonina (Overall 66 – Potential 81)

Goalkeepers have probably been the best export in terms of positions from the United States. Friedel, Howard, Guzan and other keepers have established themselves as somewhat legends in the game. Slonina might be another on the list. At only 18, he was signed to Chelsea in August for $10 million and loaned back to Chicago Fire, where he has made over 40 appearances. Nicknamed “Gaga,’ he hasn’t made any appearances for the United States national team even though he was also called up by the Polish senior team — which the United States-born Slonina rejected.

When it comes to game potential, Slonina isn’t a beast. In fact, he only goes up to 81, which can seem a little weak for sides looking to compete for the big trophies. However, he makes a perfect fit for teams like Wolves, Aston Villa, or even Tottenham. Price-wise, Slonina is cheap with a market value of €1.7 million and a starting overall of 66.

Guillaume Restes (Overall 60 – Potential 83)

Restes is certainly the dark horse of this list and the main reason we mentioned him last. Restes currently plays for the French side Toulouse and has made several appearances for the France U17 side. At only 17, he hasn’t done much in terms of game time but certainly looks to be an up-and-coming goalkeeper who could become the next big thing in France.

Restes starts with a tiny overall of 60, a rating in which he would have trouble even making the first team in League 2 in England. Yet, he can snowball to a potential rating of 83, making him a solid Premier League side goalie. So, if you’re looking to start your career mode with a player that barely makes your first team but throughout your career journey becomes your go-to option, then Restes is your man.

5 Amazing & Fun Places to Visit in Canada

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Canada has some of the most splendid landscapes in the world. From stunning scenery like that of Banff National Park to more modern places like the CN Tower, one can experience their beauty from afar. Though you may also want to experience new Canadian casinos, you can check out the latest here to find out more about them.

In this article, we’ll look at five fun and exciting places to visit when you’re in Canada.

Royal Ontario Museum

The ROM, also known as the Royal Ontario Museum, boasts many beautiful exhibitions and galleries for all ages and interests. Their previous shows have focused on Wildlife photography, Egyptian Mummies, and various cultures across Canada. If you’re an artistic person or simply one that wants to explore great art and culture, then ROM is the place to visit for you.

Banff National Park

The Banff National Park is around 2,564 square miles big, meaning, in simple words — it’s enormous. With over 3 million visitors each year, the place holds some of the most majestic wallpaper-worthy views one can imagine. It is also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, which also includes sites like Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper. For explorers, the Banff National Park is the place to go; it holds so much and provides a consistently beautiful and thrilling landscape to survey.

Banff also holds vast wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, wolverines, red foxes and more. Among them are a few endangered species, including the Banff Springs snail and the Woodland Caribou.

body of water across trees and mountains

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is widely known for its unique beauty that can seem scary yet exciting. Luckily, there are many ways to explore the views while being completely safe, including by boat and helicopter. 

The main spot to visit when you get to Niagara Falls is certainly the Horseshoe Falls which is around 820 feet in width and 167 feet in height. The spot is located on the Canada-United States border and is the preferred spot by travelling visitors.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

At Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, you can explore the waters of the world. Located on the base of the CN Tower in downtown Toronto, the Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in Toronto. Discover your own underwater adventure in the Aquarium’s world of 20,000 aquatic animals. With over 5.7 million litres of water and over 100 interactive opportunities, the Aquarium features the longest underwater viewing tunnel in North America. Definitely, a place to visit for those that love water creatures. 

Rogers Centre

Home to the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts, the stadium features a retractable roof, an in-house hotel, and a Hard Rock Cafe. No matter if you’re a sports fan or not, it certainly is a majestic place to visit and perfect for visiting tourists looking to explore the game of Baseball get yourselves some Blue Jays tickets.

Babehoven Share Video for New Song ‘Often’

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Babehoven have shared a new single, ‘Often’, lifted from their upcoming their debut album Light Moving Time. Following previous cuts ‘Stand It’ and ‘I’m On Your Team’, the track arrives with an accompanying video directed by Kevin Prince. Watch and listen.

“‘Often’ is a song about grief, about holding love for a person I’ve lost, about trying to let go and find new paths for myself,” the band’s Maya Bon explained in a statement. “This song changed my life when I wrote it and has provided clarity for me in times of chaos.”

Light Moving Time will be released on October 28 via Double Double Whammy. Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Babehoven.

Gold Dust Unveils New Song ‘Larks Swarm a Hawk’ Featuring J Mascis

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Stephen Pierce has shared a new track from his upcoming second album as Gold Dust. ‘Larks Swarm a Hawk’, which features J Mascis on guitar, comes paired with a cover of the Weakerthans’ ‘Virtue the Cat Explains Her Departure’. Take a listen below.

Discussing the new single, Pierce said in a statement:

You ever see a flock of small birds band together to take up a fight against a hawk or vulture or any kind of larger bird? Do you see yourself more as the hawk or one of the larks? I’d like to say I’m one of the small birds here, but I sympathize with what the hawk is experiencing too, subsumed by the stormcloud of minutiae, overwhelmed by the little shit that on its own wouldn’t cause a single ripple in the ocean. In any case, I don’t think anyone in that arrangement is having a very easy go of things.

It’s one of those “death by a thousand paper cuts” situations, and this song is ostensibly about that and about feeling let down by yourself, feeling like you’re letting down those around you.

Having a body and a mind and thoughts and words and trying to get them all to work in conjunction with one another: it’s asking a miracle, really.
I’m asking my voice to make words that do justice to my thoughts.
If I say anything at all, I’m asking myself to do it in a way that won’t end up with my foot in my mouth.
I’m asking my foot to not go so reflectively straight to my mouth regardless of what’s said.
I’m asking my body to not continue to poison itself to sleep, or worse.
I’m asking for my life to change in any small way that makes it easier to just be, and to be receptive to that change if it comes.
To not fight against the calm—
And if the storm rolls in, to be able to say (and mean) that we need the rain.

I’m asking my mind to please, for fuck’s sake, just leave me with a quiet moment from time to time. I’m asking myself to forgive me my imperfections and just try to be better at this humiliating earthly navigation that we’re all trudging through each passing day.

Any one of those things on its own would be a miracle.

I am asking for a miracle.

In “Larks Swarm a Hawk,” I’m looking inward as if staring at one of those “you are here” shopping mall maps, recognizing the things about myself that I don’t like, trying to find the goddamn food court, and hoping to see to some shift towards betterment from the inside out.

As far as the music goes, I’d asked J if he’d want to play a solo on one of the new songs I was working on, and then sent across this one. Maybe it’s foolish to precede a solo by the most masterful and expressive guitarist of a generation with one of my own. Nevertheless, I’m happy with mine, and I’m hoping that it works to tee up J’s absolute ripper— it comes in with such an intense ferocity and beauty. To say it’s an honor to share space on this song with J would be an understatement: I’m beyond grateful that he’s graced this record with his ridiculous superlative genius.

The song provided an opportunity for me to dust off my old electric 12-string. It seemed to ask for a Byrds-y chime that I was happy to be able to provide. Any opportunity to allow an atypical or infrequently-used instrument to have some sort of sway over the process of creation or transcription (or whatever) is a welcome one to me: I sure play that 12-string differently than I play any other guitar of mine.

Now, for any birders out there in a huff at any inaccuracies here: I know that we don’t really have much by way of larks in New England (maybe an occasional meadowlark), but I took some poetic license here: I don’t think the title would work as well if it were the more accurate “Grackles Swarm a Hawk,” would it?

Anyway, hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening.

Gold Dust’s The Late Great Gold Dust is set for release on November 4 through Centripetal Force Records.

Album Review: Johanna Warren, ‘Lessons for Mutants’

Two years ago, Johanna Warren’s Chaotic Good painted a self-portrait of an artist in turmoil. From the cover artwork – Warren’s contorted body sprawled across the floor in a red dress – to the agonized vocal performances, the album conveniently aligned with the bleak mentality of the early pandemic moment it released into. Her music felt, for the first time, eruptive. Nothing was repressed, she put everything on the table. ‘Twisted’, Chaotic Good’s soul-crushing centerpiece, found Warren testing the limits of her voice, screeching fearlessly. Her words were blunt and unlyrical: simple gateways into a no-holds-barred vocal performance.

Now, Warren returns with Lessons for Mutants, a calmer and more restrained follow-up record. With most of the songs written during a period of medical recovery and under doctor’s orders to “do nothing”, the album traces familiar themes of loss and defeat. Yet here, Warren gravitates towards a melancholic acceptance of life’s whirlwind, moving beyond Chaotic Good’s intense affective expressions. At times the restraint is haunting. At others, it makes the album feel distant and uninvolving. Lessons for Mutants walks a fine line, simultaneously one step forward and one step backwards for Warren.

‘I’d Be Orange’, the deceptively cheery opener, is a modest rocker peppered with old-fashioned backing vocal “ooo-la-la”s. It’s rollicking fun, boasting ironic and (sometimes self-)deprecating jabs. “Time to swallow bitter pills/ Rectify the countless ills/ I’ve committed in the name of healing,” she sings, acknowledging the mess of contradictions inherent in moving forward. Yet at the same time, the track feels overly polished. Anonymous production plagues most of the rock-oriented tracks, also including ‘Piscean Lover’ and ‘:/’. Meanwhile, more inspired decisions glimmer in the background of quieter tracks. ‘Oaths’ glistens with slow, ethereal percussion and fluttery violin textures from Raven Bush (nephew of Kate Bush). Unfortunately, the mix leaves Bush’s contribution (the highlight of the song) buried low, like a faint treasure only for a focused ear.

On Mutants, Warren delivers occasional moments that recall Chaotic Good’s commitment to unleashing the full potential of her voice. On ‘Piscean Lover’, a growly and distorted grunge turn, Warren lets herself shout. But even at her most wild and uninhibited, Warren’s rawness feels a little self-conscious. By and large, the production and vocal performances feel subdued (though credit to Warren for trying her hand at yodeling on ‘Good Is Gone’). Yet there’s no shame in subdued art. On ‘Involvulus’, the finale, Warren’s remove becomes the song’s greatest asset. The gaping spaces between notes become as important as the notes themselves. Here, restraint draws us into Warren’s meticulously-told story, narrated by a trio of strings, piano, and voice.

Pain is omnipresent across these songs, but it always feels delicate, sidestepping grand catharsis. On ‘Tooth for a Tooth’, Warren’s voice is replaced by a whistle playing the same melody: a substantial turn from Warren’s penchant for blistering crescendo. In fact, the album’s final lyrics drop a heartbreaking allusion to Orpheus’ fatal glance and then, abruptly, the album ends. While Mutant’s stories are packed with drama and emotion, the deliveries are somber and simmering. This approach bypasses her knack for gritty self-exorcisms, finding a home in quietude and restraint.

Origami Angel Share New Surprise EP ‘DEPART’

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Origami Angel have dropped another surprise EP, following last Friday’s stripped-back re: turn. Out now on Counter Intuitive Records, the hardcore-leaning DEPART was recorded and mastered by Jake Checkoway and mixed by Owen Traynor. Listen to the 10-minute project below.

In the Digital Age, What Does Bingo Mean to Cinema?

Throughout the history of cinema, one can find a number of iconic films and TV shows which feature the classic game of bingo in an important scene. The likes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Better Call Saul, The Babadook, Rampage, and Bad Grandpa are just a few examples of movies where bingo plays a prominent role.

Oftentimes, bingo is used to signal a wholesome or even a retro setting, with quiet games of bingo often being disrupted by a particularly loud personality or an unexpected event. However, in the digital age, this use of bingo may no longer hold up. Let’s take a closer look at how the digital age changed bingo, and what this could mean for cinematic representations.

The new bingo

No discussion of bingo in contemporary culture can exclude the importance of digital-only bingo platforms, which also allow people to play bingo from their smartphone via an app. Countless players now choose to play free bingo games like Paddy’s Pad or Paddy’s Pennies. In addition, sites like Paddy Power run virtual online bingo events where anyone can enter from home for the chance to win real cash prizes.

This is all part of a wider shift represented by the rise of online bingo. While brick-and-mortar bingo is still popular, there is no denying that digital bingo has changed how people play, and where bingo sits in modern culture today.

A shifting image

The bingo scenes in films that we know and love might be cinematic gold, but they no longer square up with the contemporary image of bingo. As mentioned, more people than ever are playing online. What’s more, a significant portion of bingo players now play bingo on their smartphones via dedicated apps, meaning that they can play on the go, wherever they happen to be.

On top of this, we have seen a huge shift in the demography of bingo. That’s to the sudden rise of hipster bingo venues and bingo “rave” events by the likes of Bongo’s Bingo, this centuries-old game now has a new cachet as something hip, urbane, and distinctly millennial, as this report from The Guardian concludes.

In all of the popular representations of bingo on the silver screen, this new image has yet to make an appearance. If you try to find an example of a film depicting the modern millennial playing bingo on their phone or heading with their friends to a city center bingo rave, you will struggle to find anything.

An updated representation?

All of this begs the question as to whether cinema’s take on bingo will be updated to reflect shifting cultural realities. We have already seen other entertainment pastimes receive a 21st-century cinematic update, with the likes of online gaming, online shopping, social media, and virtual reality (as this GameSpot roundup nicely demonstrates) now being ubiquitous in contemporary cinema and television.

As this new form of digital bingo becomes more and more prominent, it is entirely possible that we will soon start seeing rom-coms featuring meetups in online bingo rooms, or buddy comedies where the action takes them to an underground bingo party. Of course, only time will tell.

Cinematic representations of mass culture and popular entertainment are important barometers of both social and technological trends. In the digital age, the game of bingo intersects both of these.

Turnover Share New Single ‘Tears of Change’

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Turnover have shared another single from their upcoming LP Myself in the Way. It’s called ‘Tears of Change’, and it follows previous cuts ‘Wait Too Long’, ‘Mountains Made of Clouds’, ‘Ain’t Love Heavy’, and the title song featuring Turnstile’s Brendan Yates. Check it out below.

Myself in the Way is set to arrive on November 4 via Run for Cover Records. Turnover have also revealed the support lineup for their North American headline tour in support of the album, and it includes George Clanton, Yumi Zouma, Horse Jumper of Love, Video Age, Temple of Angels, and Rik on select dates; find more details here.