If you still think tequila is only good as a shooter with lime or a building block for your college game day margaritas, you’re living in 1997. The agave-based spirit from Mexico has blown up commercially for more than a decade now and what’s on the shelf here in the US is increasingly refined (and pricey). Sure, it can be great for shots and mixing, but more and more sipping tequilas have hit the mainstream, too.
Long lede short, there are countless high-quality, flavorful, and delicious tequilas (aged and unaged) on the shelves and behind bars these days. Which begs a question: which tequilas are actually being ordered from those bars?
“The number one requested tequila shot is, and maybe always will be, Patrón,” Heather Buelna, head bartender at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay, tells us. “And while this is a very solid pick for a shot of tequila with a very nice balance of agave, caramel, and spice, the biggest reason it’s the most popular request in the category is because of branding and marketing more than anything else.”
Popularity contest or not, asking your favorite bartender is generally the best way to learn more about what people are drinking right now. So we hit up a handful of notable bartenders and had them tell us the one tequila (as a sipper or shot) that guests order the most. While this might not reveal the best options (since hype is big in the tequila world), it’s an interesting launch pad as you enter the wider world of tequila drinking.
Avión Reposado is a big hit with customers neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a cocktail. It’s also great as a base for our margaritas. This tequila blends perfectly with our homemade sour mix. It’s sweet, vegetal, and has nice vanilla notes.
I always get guests who ask for Tequila Ocho Plata. Few tequilas can be enjoyed neat while also being versatile in cocktails. It embodies everything you want in tequila — fresh vegetal notes of agave, a smooth finish, and enough complexity to complement just about any cocktail.
Casamigos Reposado
Casamigos
Jillian Cooper, restaurant and bar general manager at Baker & Able in Huntsville, Alabama
Casamigos Reposado is a popular tequila with our guests. It’s a great choice for those who love tequila. The hint of caramel on the nose from aging in oak barrels balances nicely with the dried fruits and sweetness from the agave.
Don Julio Blanco is a big hit with our guests because of the great brand recognition they have built for themselves over the years. Flavors aren’t nearly as prominent when compared with other smaller producers in the tequila world, but great marketing and brand recognition do a great deal in the spirits business.
Patrón Silver
Patrón
Amanda Phelps, beverage operations supervisor at Frannie & The Fox in Charleston, South Carolina
Patrón is a big seller. We talk to our guests about how Patrón is 100 percent tequila with no additives and has smooth flavors for sipping alone. There’s a reason it’s such a big name in the tequila world.
Fortaleza Blanco
Fortaleza
Leighton Bagley, bar manager at Little Palm in Charleston, South Carolina
Fortaleza Tequila has grown in popularity over the past few years with newer agave fans. It makes sense that it’s a popular choice for guests. Fortaleza has insanely smooth tasting notes of citrus, vanilla, and cooked agave. It comes in at a great price point for either on the rocks or in a cocktail.
Clase Azul Reposado
Clase Azul
Lily Van Duyn, food and beverage manager at The Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg, Florida
Clase Azul Reposado is aged for eight months in American whiskey barrels, creating a very smooth tequila that’s easy to enjoy over rocks with a slice of lime. With subtle hints of vanilla and cloves, plus an eye-catching blue and white bottle, guests are always requesting Clase Azul Reposado at The Vinoy.
Don Fulano Blanco is a popular choice. The fruit of five generations of agave farmers and a singular tequila-making heritage, Don Fulano brings together the highlands of Jalisco and the valleys of Tequila. The brand relies on three key elements to make the best possible Tequila, mature estate-grown agave, proprietary yeast, and volcanic spring water. It’s filled with flavors like citrus, vanilla, and subtle spices.
Espolon Blanco
Espolon
Samantha Seltzer, beverage and service manager at Royal Boucherie in Philadelphia
Espolon Blanco is the most often requested tequila. You can’t beat the quality and price point. Drinkers know they are getting a quality 100 percent blue agave tequila with no harsh bite. It’s smooth, sweet, with tropical fruit flavors and slight cracked black pepper.
Don Julio 1942
Don Julio
Subhash Sankar, head mixologist at Alaia Belize in San Pedro Town, Belize
Don Julio 1942 Añejo is a big seller for the sipping crowd. 1942 Añejo is exclusively distilled in the brand’s smallest still, pot still six, which produces three barrels per cycle. The aromatics of the 1942 are more complex than any other tequila. The fruit/pepper/menthol finish of the 1942 is reminiscent of an actual cigar finish. This tequila is best enjoyed neat. Its complex unctuous fruit note also lends it to creativity in cocktails.
“I just put some bath salts up my ass, and they are really starting to kick in” is probably something that you never thought you’d hear coming out of Hugh Jackman’s mouth, but you can think Netflix and the minds behind Big Mouth for this gem.
As this trailer also reveals, the Human Resourcesspinoff promises to be edgier (and maybe even grosser) than Big Mouth, and the show doesn’t shy away from Hormone Monsters but does dive into the inner workings of daily lives of those creatures, along with Depression Kitties and Shame Wizards. Expect to hear familiar franchise voices, including Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, David Thewlis, Aidy Bryant, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Keke Palmer, Randall Park, and more. And also, there’s an award-winning, all-star set of new names portraying both new creatures and humans:
NEW CREATURES:
● Helen Mirren as renowned Shame Wizard Rita St. Swithens
● Hugh Jackman as Dante the seductive Addiction Angel
● Lupita Nyong’o as Asha the Shame Wizard
● Chris O’Dowd as Flanny the Lovebug
● Harvey Guillen as Jose the Spider Receptionist
NEW HUMANS:
● Ali Wong as Becca
● Janelle Monáe as Claudia
● Mike Birbiglia as Barry
● Tim Robinson as Doug
Damn Helen Mirren as a Shame Wizard = We live in incredible times.
If you’re looking for a great Scotch whisky, this list is for you. Scotch whisky — blended or single malt — hits a pretty nice stride right under $100 per bottle. This is the point where you can start to find some truly special expressions that are also widely available. Granted, there is a long way to go when it comes to great scotch, but this is a pretty good place to be if you’re looking for a banger.
As for this list, I’ve pulled ten bottles of scotch I dig. I then ranked those bottles based on which ones I think are most worth rushing out to buy. That’s not to say “skip numbers ten through five” or anything like that — in fact, one of those might be a better fit for your particular palate. Since we’re focused on my particular palate though, I’ll say that these scotches only get better (and better) as the countdown ticks along.
Sound good? Let’s dive in and talk about some truly great Scotch whisky to drink.
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months
This no-age-statement whisky has an interesting aging process. The whisky is aged in a combination of used barrels and re-charred barrels. Basically, they take old barrels, strip the charring, rebuild those barrels, and then re-char them to their standards. The process adds a new layer of depth by rejuvenating the staves. The whisky from those barrels is then blended into a darker, smokier, and deeper single malt.
Tasting Notes:
This sip amps up the peat a tad while bringing in the brine next to a clear maltiness, honey pears, and a touch of charred wood. The smoke at play here is more akin seaside campfire while the brininess is reminiscent of oyster liquor with a dry chili spice lurking in the background. There’s a hint of the berry leftover from the Talisker 10, with a touch more peppery spice by the end.
Bottom Line:
While Talisker 10 is the entry-point for this Skye whisky, their non-age-statement expressions serve that purpose too. Storm is a great mixing whisky if you’re looking to spice up your cocktails with a layer of smoke. I also really like it in oyster shooters.
This Scotch blend is a mix of Diageo single malt and single grain whiskies that are all at least 18-years-old. Those whiskies are aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before their married into this well-crafted expression.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a sense of malt next to hints of orange zest, honey, and bright cherry. The palate really delivers on the cherry as the orange zest becomes candied and a nutty edge arrives, ushering in a subtle and almost sweet smoke. The smoke dries a bit as a note of pine arrives late, supported by the orange, cherry, and honey with a touch of warm spice.
Bottom Line:
This blend might not be as iconic as Johnnie Walker, but it offers a beautiful drinking experience. Drink this one of the rocks or layered into a cocktail and you will not be disappointed.
The Balvenie is renowned for doing everything in-house from growing grains to making their own barrels while also being the distillery that spearheaded the whole “finishing whisky in a different cask” movement. In this case, the juice spends 14 years maturing in ex-bourbon barrels. The whisky is then batched and transferred to barrels that The Balvenie aged their own blend of West Indies rum in.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a welcoming rush of buttery toffee up top with hints at brown spices, bright red berries, and a touch of sweet malts. The palate brings around creamy vanilla dotted with those sweet and slightly tart red berries next to a very soft and sweet oakiness. The finish is medium-length and full of soft wood, vanilla cream, and a touch of that spice.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the whiskies that’s just nice. It’s so easy-sipping, even neat, that you’ll be hard-pressed not to pour a second. It’s not overly complex, but that’s okay in an everyday sipper like this.
This is the same juice as the old-school Johnnie Walker Platinum. The blend is comprised of 18 whiskies from Diageo’s stables that are all a minimum of 18 years old. The primary distilleries in the bottle are Blair Athol, Cardhu, Glen Elgin, and Auchroisk.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a rich and buttery toffee that’s counterpointed by a bowl of ripe and sweet fruit that really draws you in. The caramel malts mix with marzipan, creamy vanilla pudding, and a nice rush of juicy winter tangerines that have just been peeled. Adding a little water, those orange oils marry to a deep, dark chocolate nature, which leads towards a velvety and ever-so-lightly smoky close.
Bottom Line:
There are moments in this whisky that feel almost like a creamy old bourbon. It’s really enticing, especially in a highball with sharp fizzy water. It also works with just a single rock to let the whisky bloom a little in the glass. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
This Campbeltown whisky is distilled at the iconic Springbank Distillery. The whisky is a no-age-statement release that leans into the peatier end of the Springbank offerings. The whisky is bottled with a little water added to cut the proof down but without filtration or added color.
Tasting Notes:
You get a big whiff of vanilla pudding on the nose that leads towards singed marshmallow and a backyard firepit vibe with fresh, savory herbs growing nearby and fruit trees (think pear and peach) hanging overhead, adding a light fruity woodiness. The palate lights those fruity wood on fire and lets the soft and sweet smoke drive the taste as the creamy vanilla is counterpointed by a slight Ace Bandage note and an earthy dry clay. The finish takes its time and lets the sweet smoke slowly fade away while a hint of sweet vanilla lingers underneath the pall.
Bottom Line:
This is a great introduction to Springbank’s “other” whiskies. It’s definitely for the peat enthusiasts but, I think, the bourbon vanilla and fruity vibes can entice the peat-curious too. That’s especially true if you mix this into a highball with good soda water.
Caol Ila is a tiny Islay distillery that is more familiar to hardcore whisky fans than the casual drinker. This expression is the distillery’s entry-point whisky that highlights the subtle peatiness, gentle aging, and the soft lapping of the sea against the distillery’s outer white walls.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a matrix of dried roses soaked in water touched by orange oils, almonds, and a trace of classic Listerine buzziness. The sip has a savoriness that feels like olive oil speckled with coarse sea salt next to a distant billow of briny smoke, all counterpointed by sweet malts and fruits. The finish sweetens the smokiness with a fruity-yet-spicy tobacco edge while the end fades towards an almost salty-sour hint of citrus.
Bottom Line:
It was hard not to put this at number one. This is a stellar pour: Neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. It’s so subtle and deep while still feeling 100 percent accessible. There’s nothing overdone or “loud” about this whisky. It’s a quiet whisper in your senses that’s very enticing.
This smoky Islay peated malt means “smoky two.” Well, that’s what “Toiteach A Dhà” translates to anyway. The whisky is a peated malt that’s matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and then married with an eye cast towards the sea and all that sherry wood.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a clear sense of sweet and stewed plums with a focus on cinnamon sticks and an almost spicy smokiness. The palate shifts towards a savory fruit (think pumpkin) with flourishes of dark chocolate next to meaty dates and lightly salted sardines. The end leans back into the spicy and very briny smokiness as the malts ebb and flow between sweet and dry with a plummy texture.
Bottom Line:
I know, “sardines” and “dark chocolate” don’t sound like they go together. But trust me, they do in this format. This whisky really leans into the sea-meets-smoke aspects of a great Islay whisky with serious depth next to easy drinkability. While this is great neat, you really do need to add a little water to let it bloom properly in the glass.
The bulbous bottle from The Glenrothes is all about the sherry. The expression spends an undisclosed amount of years in first-fill sherry casks. When those barrels are just right, the whisky is then batched and vatted before being proofed down only slightly.
Tasting Notes:
You’re met with candied orange peel spiked with hints of eggnog spices and a touch of gooey pine resin. The taste holds on tightly to that candied orange, while adding in a velvety vanilla cream generously dusted with those eggnog spices and a softer touch of almost sweet wood. The finish zeroes in on the orange and nutmeg as the vanilla and oak fade away on the slow end.
Bottom Line:
This is comforting. You can drink this neat all day long. It also makes one hell of an old fashioned, thanks to all those sherry/wintry notes.
High up on the Orkney Islands, Highland Park is making whisky for modern-day Vikings. Valknut (a knot of three triangles honoring those who fell in battle) uses locally grown “Tartan barley” that’s malted with a bit of local peat. That whisky spends an undisclosed amount of time aging in American oak that held sherry. The juice is vatted, proofed with Orkney’s soft water, and bottled in a bespoke Viking-inspired bottle.
Tasting Notes:
Imagine vanilla pods warming up in a pan and just starting to release their oils and smoke next to a hint of black pepper and cedar. The palate holds onto that vanilla while adding a touch of black licorice and clove next to more cedar and maybe some fennel-crusted rye bread. The finish holds onto the spice with a chewy tobacco vibe next to an almost fatty smoke from a backyard salmon smoker and a touch of orange oils.
Bottom Line:
This is a whisky that may well make you say “wow” when you finish that first dram. There’s a lot going on and it all tracks from the licorice to the rye bread to the fatty fish oils. Again, add a little water to your glass (or a rock) to really let this whisky shine.
This is the most recognizable Lagavulin out there. The malts are smoked just down the road from the distillery at Port Ellen and the juice is crafted expertly by the sea at Lagavulin. Then the whisky spends 16 long years mellowing in old American and Spanish oak.
Tasting Notes:
Imagine a beach fire that’s using dried seaweed as fuel next to mugs of honeyed black tea and a clump of wet moss on the nose. The taste of this dram meanders through dried pipe tobacco smoke laced with hints of vanilla and tart apple while notes of briny caramel lead towards an oyster shell minerality. The finish is pure silk as the seaweed grows wetter and the smoke sweetens towards that caramel, vanilla, and apple.
Bottom Line:
This is the best peated whisky you can buy for under $100, full stop. It’s smoky, sure, but there’s so much more going on. It’s truly an icon of the peated whisky world thanks to those layers of wood, sea, and peat coming together in every sip. Pour this one over some rocks, neat, or in a Smoky Cokey and you’ll never be disappointed.
While a pair of rare sneakers might seem to be a strange thing to go to war over, for Wale, they represent the difference between authenticity and appropriation. That’s the theme of his Folarin II track “Tiffany Nikes,” which turns the Diamond Supply Co. collaboration with Nike into a metaphor for the sort of cultural touchstones that get hijacked by outsiders looking to profit from hip-hop without putting in the time or appreciation to earn their spot within it.
Fittingly, the video is shot inside the Diamond Supply Co. store on Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles, where Wale, a massive sneakerhead from the days before apps and blogs, shows off the titular Tiffany Dunks. However, he’s also willing to change with the times; the video also doubles as a promotion for the NTWRK app, a “mobile-first video shopping platform” that blends webshows (like the ones on Snapchat and Instagram) with advertising and a marketplace similar to StockX. In addition, Wale and NTWRK are giving away a pair of Tiffany Nikes for $1 to encourage fans to sign up for the app for a chance to win.
Watch Wale’s “Tiffany Nikes” video above and catch Wale live as he wraps up his Under A Blue Moon Tour this week.
Folarin II is out now via Warner Records. Get it here.
Wale is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The WNBA is in the midst of a generational shift, one that sees new ownership groups coming in from elsewhere in the world of sports that see the league as a chance for investment in the future, not worrying about the balance sheets of today. The result is a power struggle at the highest levels of the league that has begun to play out publicly.
Earlier this offseason, Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis explained why he made Becky Hammon the first coach to make $1 million per year, saying that coaches salaries aren’t part of the CBA and he wants to make clear his investment in the team (and wishes he could pay players more). He did this in response to Liz Cambage, a former Aces star now in Los Angeles, calling out the discrepancy in Hammon’s salary and the max salary for WNBA players — as well as the travel conditions they face flying coach from game to game.
Davis also addressed that, saying he thinks the WNBA should allow teams to charter flights, something they currently aren’t allowed to because some teams can’t afford it and have it written into the CBA that it can’t be done to avoid a competitive imbalance. On Tuesday, we learned the battle over chartered flights is not something new to this offseason and that Davis’ statements follow a year-long fight behind closed doors about the issue.
Howard Megdal wrote a terrific, detailed report for Sports Illustrated about the situation, where Liberty owner Joe Tsai flaunted the league’s rules and secretly chartered flights for his players throughout the second half of last season, earning a $500,000 fine for doing so — one many owners thought wasn’t enough. Per Megdal, there is a division between the new big money owners and the longtime owners in the league, one that led to some contentious arguments during the early days of the offseason about chartered flights, with Tsai finding a way to get chartered flights sponsored by an airline for three years, but the Board of Governors shutting down the plan.
On Sept. 13, according to a source familiar with the call, the WNBA Board of Governors considered an unofficial proposal from the Liberty to make charter flights the default travel option for WNBA teams—the Liberty said they’d found a way to get it comped for everyone in the league for three years—but it lacked majority support. Some owners worried that players would get used to it, so there’d be no going back, and others wondered whether players might just prefer a salary hike instead.
Tsai eventually took his frustrations with the league’s refusal to engage in talks about chartered flights public, noting his plan to get airlines on board on Twitter in October.
League says you can’t fly charter because different owners have different financial circumstances. I’m working with Commissioner Englebert to find a charter sponsor. Conversations with airline CEOs going well. They get the idea of equity for women athletes.
The line that is drawing the most attention, rightfully so, from the piece is that “some owners worried that players would get used to it,” which seems to be the point that Tsai and Davis are trying to make with their comments — these players deserve to be used to that kind of treatment. This is a fight that only seems to be escalating within the BOG, and it will be fascinating to see what comes next because, at some point, the change is coming and owners unwilling or without the ability to spend are likely going to get muscled out.
While the charter flight issue is written into the WNBA’s CBA, there are other ways for new owners to shift the balance of power and push other teams to up their treatment of players in the process. We’ve already seen how the Aces and Liberty have upgraded facilities to be in line with their NBA counterparts. In a league where money is mostly the same from team to team, it’s things like that — facilities, support staff, etc. — that can swing free agency decisions, and it forces other teams to follow suit or get left behind. That’s the case across all sports, with the NBA seeing an arms race of sorts in recent years with new state of the art practice facilities, and it’s a signifier that the WNBA is on the right path in terms of increased investment in the players.
With all the talk of expansion for the WNBA and the need to add teams given the amount of talent coming into the league and just 12 teams to take all of those players in, one would expect new ownership groups to be more in line with the Davis’ and Tsai’s. A few more owners with deep pockets who see the league as a long-term investment vehicle in a growing industry rather than a business in need of turning a profit or coming as close as they can in the immediate might just flip the majority on the Board of Governors. When that happens, the influx of cash into the league figures to come quickly and concerns over travel conditions for players will become a thing of the past.
Earlier this year, relentless rockers Pup returned with the announcement of their forthcoming album The Unraveling Of PupTheBand, the follow-up to 2019’s Morbid Stuff. They’ve released a new single today to heighten the hype for this new record, and it’s working. The track, “Matilda,” is an epic, exhilarating journey tinged with emotional, poignant chords and disillusioned lyrics. The music video is worth watching, featuring actor and comedian Mike Mitchell (you might recognize him from Judd Apatow-produced Netflix show Love) amongst other notable people.
The band wrote of the song and namesake axe:
“Matilda is the name of my favourite guitar. She was a gift from my friend Ryan, after watching me accidentally break the only guitar I owned in the middle of a long tour. I had no money to buy a replacement, and Ryan’s act of kindness is up there on my list of ‘nicest things anyone’s ever done for me.’ I played Matilda nonstop for 7 years at every PUP show, even when my bandmates started complaining that she sounded like sh*t. As the band got bigger, the pressure to sound better was building and so I bought a ‘good’ guitar and played Matilda less and less. Before I knew it I hadn’t played her in over a year. I wrote this song based on this intense feeling of guilt and sadness and shame and nostalgia and regret, watching her rot away in a corner. I love this guitar and I love Ryan and wanted to do right by them, and I felt like I’d failed them both. I convinced the band that Matilda deserved one last rip on a PUP record, and I played her during the bridge of this song. It sounds so sh*tty. But good sh*tty. Great sh*tty. For me, it was the most joyful and cathartic moment in the entire making of this record.”
Watch the video for “Matilda” above.
The Unraveling Of PupTheBand is out 4/1 via Little Dipper/Rise Records. Pre-order it here.
In a very Larry David move, an HBO documentary about Larry David was pulled from the schedule the day before it was supposed to premiere.
The Larry David Story has the Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator sitting down with his buddy Larry Charles “for a peek behind the proverbial curtain, as David gets candid about his personal and professional highs and lows,” according to HBO. It was scheduled to air at 9 p.m. EST tonight, but late yesterday, HBO Documentaries tweeted, “The #LarryDavidStory on @HBOMax is being postponed. Instead, Larry has decided he wants to do it in front of an audience. Stay tuned for more info.”
The #LarryDavidStory on @HBOMax is being postponed. Instead, Larry has decided he wants to do it in front of an audience. Stay tuned for more info.
In the trailer for The Larry David Story, which has since been pulled from YouTube, David admits, “I never thought of myself as being funny. Anything I was associated with that could be successful was a shock.” Maybe not as shocking as seeing David in a Super Bowl commercial for crypto (please stop doing this), but his point remains.
Here’s more for whenever / however it airs: “In between reflecting on his bumpy road to success – and hit series Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm – David shares his thoughts on everything from metaphysics to parenthood. Genuine, hilarious, and eye-opening, The Larry David Story shines a new light on the infamous cynic who remains a singular voice in comedy today.” Until then, I don’t know, watch the Chunnel episode of Seinfeld?
Ahead of his upcoming fourth albumOxy Music, Alex Cameron has delivered a new single and music video for “K Hole.” The song follows previous cuts “Sara Jo” and “Best Life.” On “K Hole,” Cameron critiques modern life and methods of self-care.
“Generation self medication,” Cameron said in a statement. “Social groups, shattered mirrors pieced back together and bound by saliva. Holding hands just to say ʻItʼs ok that everything isnʼt ok.ʼ Thereʼs love here, and peace, if youʼre alright with being on your own. We like it in pairs —but thereʼs only room for one in a K Hole.”
In the song’s accompanying video, directed by Jim Larson, Cameron is seen in a doctor’s office receiving transfusion therapy. He quickly nods off and dreams of dancing and grooving in the St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights. His outfits change throughout the clip, as the church spins slowly, with the stained glass windows creating a trippy, kaleidoscope effect. At the end of the song, Cameron is waken up by the doctors, informing him that the treatment is complete.
Watch “K Hole” above.
Oxy Music is out 3/11 via Secretly Canadian. Pre-save it here.
It’s been a pretty sweet week for pop music. Avril Lavigne finally made her long-awaited pop-punk comeback with the smashing album Love Sux, and Rosalía has continued to roll out her forthcoming album Motomami (whose artwork caught a lot of people’s attention) with a new single and video “Chicken Teriyaki.”
Los Angeles-based, up-and-coming artist Deb Never makes catchy tunes that blend pop, hip hop, and grunge. In “Crutches,” she deadpans about the exhaustion of waiting for life to get better and determines to gain some agency over her life. It’s not until the end that the optimism reveals itself, as the songs bursts into a brighter, refreshing sound.
Joshua Bassett — “Doppelgänger”
Joshua Bassett is realizing the magnitude of his heartbreak on “Doppelgänger.” “The song poured out of me immediately after seeing someone who I thought was my ex at a coffee shop,” he said about the track, and the racing, conflicting thoughts he experienced afterward are portrayed in this painfully honest single.
Avril Lavigne — “Cannonball”
The pop-punk revival into the mainstream is gaining even more momentum now that Avril Lavigne is back in the game. This killer opener to her new album Love Sux contains the same energy and personality that “Sk8er Boi” did back in 2002; it’s explosive, infectious, and irresistible.
Nessa Barrett — “Dying On The Inside”
TikTok star Nessa Barrett is showing off her ability to tackle serious topics with care and honesty and still make the track danceable and upbeat. The video captures the darkness of the situation with flocks of bats and lots of fire. Even though it’s depressing, there’s a sense of catharsis, too.
Juliana Madrid — “Madonna”
Juliana Madrid, a Texas-based singer-songwriter, is making her debut with this stunning track, “Madonna.” Her breathy vocals make the song shine, and the lyrics, which were co-written by her, Benjamin Ruttner of The Knocks, Simon Oscroft, and Alex Winston, are haunting and evocative and linger after the song finishes.
Kehlani — “Little Story”
Kehlani takes their music very seriously, moving from project to project. Blue Water Road is next on their agenda and its new single previews a carefully-constructed, brooding sound that lets their gorgeous vocals serve as the centerpiece. The build-up is worth it when violins create a soothing, all-encompassing soundscape at the end.
Cavetown, Beabadoobee — “Fall In Love With A Girl”
For this heartwarming ballad, Cavetown, the thriving project of Robin Skinner, teamed up with future Halsey opener Beabadoobee. The result is a cute love song about going after the one who treats you right: “I heard you fell in love with a girl / She makes you feel like the world is on your shoulder when you’re over your head.” It’s sweet and cinematic, as if it’s from the scene of resolution in an emotional movie.
Rosalía — “Chicken Teriyaki”
To prepare for the release of her forthcoming third studio album Motomami, Rosalía unveiled this bouyant track with an equally as fun music video full of dancing. It follows “La Fama,” her seductive collaboration with The Weeknd. Both songs point toward a playful album with a sharp edge.
Regina Spektor — “Becoming All Alone”
Along with Avril Lavigne’s comeback, there was the return of Regina Spektor, who announced her first album since 2016’s Remember Us To Life. This lead single is promising in its simple yet profoundly moving lyrics: “It makes me carsick / Stop the meter sir / You have a heart / Why don’t you use it?”
Bakar – “Free”
In Bakar’s dynamic new single, “Free,” synths hum and twinkle whenever the bouncing rhythm pauses, and Bakar is like a conductor, guiding the song with passionate, rich vocals. He raps and sings, using his voice as an instrument to declare his desire for freedom.
Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
After Netflix announced in February that its collection of Marvel series were leaving the platform at the end of the month, many presumed that the more adult-themed content would make its way to Hulu as Disney+ continued to pursue more family-friendly content where darker, more violent shows like The Punisher and Jessica Jones would feel out of place. Turns out Disney felt otherwise.
On March 1, Disney+ announced that all of the Marvel Netflix series (along with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will be available for streaming on March 16. However, to prepare for the more graphic content, Disney+ also announced a new set of parental controls that will launch on the same day. Via Total Film:
“When opening Disney Plus for the first time on or after March 16, all subscribers in the U.S. will be prompted to update their Parental Controls,” reads a press release from Disney. “This includes the option to select content ratings restrictions for each profile as well as to add a PIN to lock profiles. Those that choose to keep their settings the same will continue to enjoy Disney Plus as they always have within a TV-14 content rating environment, with the option to make changes at any time under Profile settings.”
Bringing the Netflix series to Disney+ marks an interesting move for Marvel Studios after the month of December saw both Charlie Cox‘s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin officially join the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye, respectively. However, what hasn’t been firmly established is whether the events of the Netflix series count as canon. This latest move could suggest that Marvel is leaning towards making the shows “official,” but then again, some assumed the Netflix series would make the jump to Hulu, and look what happened.
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