Month: February 2023

Death Cab For Cutie unveiled Asphalt Meadows last year after compelling singles and vibrant late-night television performances. They’ll be heading on a highly anticipated tour with the also Ben Gibbard-fronted band The Postal Service later this year. Today, they’re back with more news.

An acoustic version of Asphalt Meadows is on the way, arriving this spring. It will include a cover of Low’s “The Plan” in honor of late drummer Mimi Parker who tragically passed away last year. About the tribute, Gibbard shared a heartfelt statement. Read it below.

“I first saw Low in 1994 opening for Sunny Day Real Estate at the OK Hotel in Seattle. Since then they’ve been one of the most influential and important bands of my life. It was the fulfillment of my teenage self’s indie rock dream when our bands became friends while on tour together in 2012.

We were incredibly saddened by Mimi’s passing this past November. She was an incredible artist and an even better human being.

We believe the best way to remember the musicians we lose is to play their songs. ‘The Plan’ has always been one of our favorite Low songs and is presented here in tribute to Mimi.”

“Pepper” acoustic is out now as well. Listen to “The Plan” cover above and “Pepper” below.

The acoustic version of Asphalt Meadows arrives 3/10 via Atlantic. Pre-order it here.

Death Cab For Cutie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Kid Laroi recently shared that he headed on tour for the first time this Spring. The “Stay” rapper’s Bleed For You Tour will kick off in March at the Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse. The 20-city tour will also make pitstops in Rhode Island, California, Colorado, and more. The tour comes ahead of his debut album, The First Time, which has yet to be released.

Laroi has tapped singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker to be his opener for several of the shows. The Australian rapper took to Instagram to share the news about the upcoming tour, ticketing information, and a message to his fans.

“PRE-SALE [IS] LIVE NOW. [THE] CODE IS: LOVEAGAIN. EVERYONE ELSE CAN BUY [IT] ON FRIDAY. We leveled up this time, and I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been working on. I love you, family, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!” he wrote yesterday (Janurary 31).

A pre-sale, hosted by the rapper with Discord and Spotify, will run through February 1. General tickets are available beginning on February 3 at 12 p.m. local time. More information is available here.

Check out The Kid Laroi’s Bleed For You Tour dates below.

03/22 — Syracuse, NY @ Oncenter War Memorial
03/24 — Kingston, RI @ Ryan Center*
03/25 — Bangor, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena*
03/27 — State College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
03/28 — Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
03/29 — Ypsilanti, MI @ EMU George Gervin GameAbove Center
03/31 — Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena*
04/01 — Charlottesville, VA @ John Paul Jones Arena
04/02 — Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena
04/04 — Tallahassee, FL @ Donald L Tucker Civic Center
04/05 — Knoxville, TN @ Thompson-Boling Arena
04/07 — Madison, WI @ Alliant Energy Center
04/08 — Coralville, IA @ Xtream Arena
04/15 — Indio, CA @ Coachella*
04/22 — Indio, CA @ Coachella*
04/26 — Boise, ID @ Extra Mile Arena
04/28 — Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center
04/30 — Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
05/02 — Springfield, MO @ Great Southern Bank Arena
05/03 — Champaign, IL @ State Farm Center

Things are awfully weird with streamers these days. Even one of the best ones, HBO Max, is in pure chaos. Along with cancelling nearly finished movies and deep-sixing hundreds of Looney Tunes classics, they also jettisoned a bunch of their original shows, among them Westworld, FBoy Island, and The Nevers. Where would they go next? Could they find a new home? Well, now we have an answer.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, more than 225 shows and movies from Warner Bros. Discovery are heading to Tubi, the ad-supported streamer. In February, their coffers will be filled with not only the aforementioned trio but also Raised by Wolves, Legendary, Finding Magic Mike, Head of the Class, and The Time Traveler’s Wife.

Roku cut a similar deal with WBD, licensing some 2,000 hours from their library, which includes Westworld and FBoy Island as well as The Bachelor, Cake Boss, and Say Yes to the Dress.

Not ever jettisoned title found a new home. Among those still lurking in the streaming ether are The Gordita Chronicles, Love Life, Minx, and Made for Love.

Among the controversial moves made by WBD’s newish honcho David Zazlav was to remove key titles from HBO Max — titles that may have caused subscribers to sign up in the first place — and make money off of licensing them elsewhere. The good news is that many of these will be available, and for free. The bad news is you’ll have to sit through a lot of ads if you want to binge the four seasons of the newly-ish cancelled Westworld.

(Via THR)

Over a year and three months after the tragic Rust shooting, Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were formally charged in conjunction with the fatal accident that occurred on the set of the Western. A statement released by the Santa Fe, New Mexico district attorney’s office also revealed new claims about what happened, including that Baldwin — who inadvertently killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza – did not take firearm training seriously.

As per CNN, Baldwin, who produced and acted in the film, and Gutierrez Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter counts. Both have been accused of failing to perform safety procedures that could have prevented the accidental shooting with a prop gun that appears to have housed live ammunition. In Baldwin’s case, prosecutors have accused him of not taking safety training seriously:

“A training session for at least an hour or more in length was scheduled, but the actual training consisted of only approximately 30 minutes as according to (armorer Hannah Gutierrez) Reed, Baldwin was distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during the training.”

As for Gutierrez Reed, prosecutors say that she didn’t insist on Baldwin taking the training session, didn’t check each round as they were loaded into the firearms, and didn’t follow safety protocols when storing the ammunition:

“Gutierrez Reed was reckless in her responsibility to ensure set safety with the firearm. She failed to correct Baldwin from committing the dangerous and reckless safety violations by pointing the weapon at/towards people and by having his finger on the trigger.”

What’s more, photos and videos show Baldwin repeatedly holding the gun “with his finger inside of the trigger guard and on the trigger, while manipulating the hammer and while drawing, pointing, and holstering the revolver,” according to prosecutors.

Ever since the incident, Baldwin has maintained his innocence, even claiming he didn’t pull the trigger. He also sued some of the film’s crew members. On Jan. 19, when the prosecutors’ charges were announced, Baldwin’s attorney put out a statement calling it “a terrible miscarriage of justice.” An attorney for Guiterrez Reed said they expected a jury to find her innocent and that she “has committed no crime.”

Baldwin and Gutierrez weren’t the only ones charged with crimes. The film’s assistant director David Halls was also charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon, though he has pleaded no contest and entered into a plea agreement that is “pending approval,” as per the D.A.’s office.

(Via CNN)

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got new music from Samia, Blondshell, Fall Out Boy, Fever Ray, and more.

While we’re at it, sign up for our newsletter to get the best new indie music delivered directly to your inbox, every Monday.

Fall Out Boy — “Heartbreak Feels So Good”

Fall Out Boy’s comeback song “Love From The Other Side” was a blazing return, and this new single “Heartbreak Feels So Good” keeps up the momentum. It’s a catchy heartbreak anthem with call-to-action lyrics that are incredibly convincing against such vivacious guitars: “You know it’s heartbreak / We could dance our tears away / Emancipate ourselves / We’ll cry later or cry now but baby,” Patrick Stump sings.

Blondshell — “Joiner”

Blondshell finally announced her debut self-titled album after a string of addictive singles. “Joiner” is as vibrant as the rest, capturing the tension that a lot of her songs contain: “I think I wanna save you / I think I wanna join in,” she sings against breezy guitars.

Samia — Honey

The singles from Samia’s sophomore album Honey were immediately bewitching, from the powerfully vulnerable “Sea Lions” to the totally unfiltered “Kill Her Freak Out.” The whole record watches the singer/songwriter stepping into the most confessional version of herself as possible. The vignettes are endearing; it’s particularly relatable on the title track, when she sings about going to a Porches show in Brooklyn after a long week.

White Reaper — Asking For A Ride

White Reaper have always shredded but their new album Asking For A Ride takes things to another level. Every song is a part of the blazing, relentless journey. In our interview with them about the record, they said that what they learned in the making of it was “to persevere.” And the tracks do exactly that — persisting with righteousness and abandon.

Ben Gibbard — “Frightening Fishes (Main Title Theme)”

Ben Gibbard has been up to a lot — from releasing the new Death Cab For cutie album Asphalt Meadows last year to announcing this year’s DCFC tour with The Postal Service. Apparently he’s not done; he made the theme song for the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. “Frightening Fishes (Main Title Theme)” is a sparkling ballad with lyrics that balance pain with hope: “Let the wreckage all sink to where the fishes are frightening / I wanna hear myself think again,” he sings.

Buzzy Lee — “Cinberblock”

You can’t go wrong with a music video full of puppies. It only enhances the appeal of Buzzy Lee’s new song “Cinberblock,” a relaxed, mesmerizing ballad that highlights the power of her delicate vocals. “In the beginning / You were my end / That’s when the sidewalk started cracking / Darkness came in,” she sings mysteriously.

Yours Are The Only Ears — “Dreamer”

“‘Dreamer’ is about waking up to the realization that you need to move on from a painful relationship,” Susannah Cutler explained about her new song as her project Yours Are The Only Ears. Though grappling with difficult topics, the track is easy to listen to, buoyed by soft guitars and her thoughtful vocals.

Fever Ray — “Kandy”

Fever Ray are preparing for the release of their new album Radical Romantics, their first in over five years. The singles have all been compelling and the newest one, “Kandy,” is no exception. The track is eerie and atmospheric, plunging the listener into their dark yet soothing world of sounds.

P.E. — “Branding Crisis”

With “Branding Crisis,” P.E. take their time to make any noise at all. It comes from their 100% improvised NOPE Tapes Vol 1 arriving next month. It was recorded in Brooklyn and “Branding Crisis” is a dreamy, immersive taste. It warps and twists as if tangible; the sounds are up to interpretation by the listener, making them a part of the process.

King Tuff — “How I Love”

King Tuff’s new track “How I Love” is a laid-back, ruminative ballad with gentle guitars and introspective lyrics: “Gets a little bit lonesome / Out here in the endless void,” he sings, but the mood is optimistic, bringing the listener into its infectious, easygoing atmosphere.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

We’re only a few weeks into 2023, but it’s already shaping up to be a strong year for Japanese Role-Playing games.

This year is going to have something for everyone. If you’re a veteran fan of the genre or simply looking to try out your first JRPG, 2023 has a wide swath of titles to choose from. There are new entries to legendary franchises, retro-reimaginings riffing on classic ideas, sequels to long-running series, and even remakes of long-forgotten titles making this year an exciting one for JRPGs.

Here are 10 JRPGs that you should have on your radar in 2023 along with trailers to get you pumped for what’s to come.

Persona 3 Portable

Release Date: Jan. 19th
Trailer: Watch here

Persona has become a mainstay in the JRPG space over the years. However, many fans who’d fallen in love with the franchise thanks to Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal haven’t had a way to play Persona 3 on modern consoles.

Persona 3 is the first title in the franchise to feature the beloved “social link” mechanics which allow you to build relationships with characters in the game. Persona 3 Portable is a great way to play this title thanks to its streamlined gameplay and the option to play as a female protagonist. If you missed it the first time around, don’t miss your chance to dive in now.

Fire Emblem Engage

Release Date: Jan. 20th
Trailer: Watch here

Fire Emblem is Nintendo’s long-running tactical RPG series that is widely popular in Japan. While it’s taken a few stops and starts for Fire Emblem to find its niche in the West, the last entry Fire Emblem: Three Houses solidified its popularity for good.

With Fire Emblem Engage Nintendo maintains the traditional turn-based combat systems that the series is known for but mixes it up with the “Emblem Rings” system that allows you to summon popular Fire Emblem characters from previous titles. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, Fire Emblem has always done a great job of being accessible to all audiences and if you have a Nintendo Switch, it’s certainly worth checking out.

Forspoken

Release Date: Jan. 24th
Trailer: Watch here

Square Enix’s Forspoken was one of the first titles announced for PS5. It’s also a new IP and features a Black protagonist, which is rare in JRPGs. With Forspoken, Square Enix is utilizing the power of the PS5 to create a high-energy action RPG that’s all about casting powerful magic spells in a beautiful open world.

In addition to awe-inspiring battles with mythical beasts and undead monsters, you’ll be able to control protagonist, Frey, as she executes awesome parkour moves over mountains, through fields, and in crumbling fortresses all without loading screens. Forspoken is looking to be an interesting new entry from Square Enix and one that will really put your PS5 through its paces.

Like a Dragon: Ishin

Release Date: Feb. 21st
Trailer: Watch here

With the wild popularity of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Sega has decided to remake a long-asked-for title in the Yakuza franchise that never made it out West. Like a Dragon: Ishin is an action RPG that takes place during the Late Edo Period in Japan.

Just like previous entries in the Yakuza series before the release of Like a Dragon, this remake utilizes a robust combat system focused on swordsmanship and gunplay. Instead of fistfighting in the neon-kissed streets of Japan, you’ll play as a long swordsman cutting your way through enemies with katanas, revolvers, and more.

Like a Dragon: Ishin will be a perfect fit for you if you enjoy samurai, action combat, and a deep story-based game that also isn’t afraid to get a little goofy with minigames and long-running gags.

Octopath Traveler 2

Release Date: Feb. 24th
Trailer: Watch here

Square Enix surprised JRPG fans in 2019 with Octopath Traveler, a new JRPG franchise that had a unique 2.5D art style and traditional JRPG gameplay. While many loved the music, presentation, and turn-based battle system, some thought it didn’t all come together.

Octopath Traveler 2 features multiple characters, each with their own intersecting stories. New to the sequel is a day and night cycle which determines the actions characters can perform depending on the time of day. It seems like this will greatly increase replayability. This second foray into the franchise really looks like it will knock it out of the park this time around.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Release Date: March 3rd
Trailer: Watch here

Team Ninja is known for making difficult, but rewarding action games. Their latest title, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is taking the lessons they learned from Ni-Oh and making a new Souls-like action game set in a dark fantasy version of China’s Three Kingdoms period.

If you’re looking for an ultra-challenging action RPG after Elden Ring then this might be just what the doctor ordered. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will have loads of character customization, enemy variety, and a unique “morale” system that provides variance in difficulty while you play.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Azure

Release Date: March 14th
Trailer: Watch here

Nihon Falcom’s Legends of Heroes franchise has quickly become one of the biggest JRPG universes in gaming today. Each title builds upon a deeply connected story spanning over 14 games. The latest entry to come to the West is The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Azure which is a sequel to Trails from Zero.

We’ll be honest, at this point, the Legends of Heroes franchise isn’t the most approachable series to get into. But if you are someone willing to commit or have been eagerly anticipating the conclusion to this part of the story, Trails of Azure is for you. Ditto if you’re looking for a complex story with rich characters, fun dialogue, and a unique turn-based battle system.

Final Fantasy XVI

Release Date: June 22nd
Trailer: Watch here

It wouldn’t be a JRPG list without mention of a Final Fantasy title. 2023 is bringing us quite possibly the biggest Final Fantasy of all time with the release of Final Fantasy XVI. While the last entry in the mainline franchise bridged fantasy with reality, showcasing cars, skyscrapers, and more, Final Fantasy XVI seems to be returning to the series’ roots.

Final Fantasy XVI promises us armor-clad warriors, prodigious summoned beasts, world-altering magic, and sweet, sweet melodrama. Now that we’ve seen a few trailers, we know that Final Fantasy XVI has completely moved away from turn-based combat. Instead, it’s embracing an action-packed combat system that has as much Devil May Cry as it does Final Fantasy. This will most certainly be the biggest budget JRPG released in 2023 and one you shouldn’t miss if you own a PS5.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Release Date: TBD 2023
Trailer: Watch here

If you’ve been playing JRPG for a while, then you’ve probably heard of the franchise Suikoden. Fans have been clamoring for a new title in the franchise from Konami for years, to no avail. Series creator, Yoshitaka Murayama, answers their pleas with a new project that he funded through Kickstarter called Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes claims to live up to its name with over 100 characters to recruit. Sporting a unique 2.5D aesthetic that iterates on the work that titles like Octopath Traveler have done. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is shaping up to be a unique and robust JRPG with an exciting spin on turn-based combat, and a sprawling world filled with lively characters.

Sea of Stars

Release Date: TBD 2023
Trailer: Watch here

Sabotage Studio burst onto the scene with their megahit The Messenger, a Ninja Gaiden-inspired 2D side-scrolling action platformer. Now they are working on Sea of Stars, a JRPG heavily inspired by Chrono Trigger, Illusions of Gaia, and Breath of Fire.

Sea of Stars promises interactive turn-based combat with timing-based prompts. It will have a richly detailed, explorable world with many traversal options from sailing, swimming, climbing, and more. Another great touch is they’ve enlisted legendary composer Yasunori Mitsuda who created Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack to compose the music for Sea of Stars.

Google recently announced that its researchers had created a “music-making” AI bot that generates original music from any text. Whether it’s a paragraph-long prompt or a one-word phrase, this new technology can transform it into melodic audio. The model system is called MusicLM.

So far, the function is not open to the public. The tech giant has released snippets of audio from songs created using short descriptions that can craft various genres, vibes, and even specific instruments.

MusicLM has been described as a “model generating high-fidelity music” from text descriptions like “a calming violin melody backed by a distorted guitar riff.” The model system can generate music at 24 kHz that remains consistent over several minutes,” according to a report by Cornell University.

The study also reveals that the model system can transform “whistled and hummed melodies” according to the specific style described in a text caption.

It’s unclear when the Google AI music maker will be released to the public, as it will likely stir conversations about intellectual property and copyright infringement. It will be interesting to see how the tech giant rolls out the platform in the near future.

Snippets of the AI-generated songs have been uploaded to Google’s Github account. You can listen here.