Music News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Hikaru Utada, best known in the gaming world for her work on Kingdom Hearts, has released a re-recorded version of Hikari, the Japanese version of Simple and Clean.

Come one come all, Silas Darkmoon and his Darkmoon Faire will start making regular appearances in Warcraft Rumble later in Season 5. Once the Darkmoon Faire arrives, you can tap the Darkmoon Faire icon in the center of the map to complete challenges, earn prize tickets for you and your guild and then exchange tickets for marvelous rewards of your choice.

Nearly five years after the release of Joker, the Oscar-winning DC comics-inspired drama starring Joaquin Phoenix, its sequel is finally ready for a spotlight. The first trailer for Joker 2 debuted on Tuesday at CinemaCon, the trade show for all things theatrical release, and shows off Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, and some of the new music that has been rumored for the film.

Beat Saber is not stopping! Hip Hop has long been one of the most requested music genres and the least represented within the game, but the wait is over: the Hip Hop Mixtape is out now on Beat Saber for PS VR2 and PS VR. The track list includes some of the biggest names in Hip Hop like Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and 2Pac, covering different eras and styles of this influential music genre.

You can pretty much do anything in Fortnite these days. You can hunt down Greek gods, watch the solar eclipse virtually, or unleash a Waterbending fury as a character from Avatar: The Last Airbender. And starting Tuesday, players will once again be able to attend a virtual version of Coachella, the popular music festival, in the game.

Love crossword puzzles but don’t have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? That’s what The Mini is for!

Apple has entered into a partnership with Shutterstock, a stock photos and videos library, to utilize its data for training its artificial intelligence (AI) models. The agreement suggests that Apple is making strides towards developing its proprietary foundation model. Despite previous speculations regarding the integration of Google's Gemini AI and Baidu's Ernie Bot (in China) into the iPhone 16 series for AI functionalities, it seems Apple's long-term strategy involves incorporating its own native AI model.

Apple updated its App Store rules Friday to allow emulators for retro console games globally with an option for downloading titles. However, the company warned that the developers are responsible for making sure that they follow copyright rules.

The Battle Cats is gearing up for another round of virtual idol adventure with the iconic Hatsune Miku. From April 8th until April 22nd, 2024, you get to dive into the 4th rerun of the collab since we got our last taste of it back in March 2021.

Greetings, Polygon readers! Each week, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.

Despite Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown releasing just a few months ago, there's apparently another spinoff Prince of Persia title currently in development, and it's heading to early access through Steam later this year. According to Insider Gaming, this next game is a roguelite adventure, suitably titled 'The Rogue Prince of Persia' — which we think is a rather clever name.

We live in a world in which a Bob Marley biopic has grossed nearly as much as Aquaman 2, completely outpaced Madame Web, and currently stands as the third-highest-grossing movie of 2024. Bob Marley: One Love, which stars Kingsley Ben-Adir (Peaky Blinders, Secret Invasion)as the reggaetitan, and Lashana Lynch (No Time to Die, The Woman King) as his wife and confidante, Rita, is pure grounded drama — and another major win for director Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Vocaloid idol Hatsune Miku’s next video game crossover was announced and released today, and it’s the perfect kind of collaboration for the character. If you buy a new $2 DLC, you can now play as Crypton Future’s popular virtual singer in the PC and PS4 versions ofCrypt of the NecroDancer.

When Homeworld 3 was first announced, I kept hoping for a VR mode announcement that never came. Wouldn’t it be great to see all of the iconic ships flying around, dogfighting and exploding all around your head? It’s a no-brainer! It turns out that the lack of VR support wasn’t because Homeworld 3’s developers at Blackbird didn’t see the potential; it was because there was another studio, FarBridge, working on a parallel Homeworld game that’s built for VR – specifically the Meta Quest 2 and 3 – from the ground up. It’s called Homeworld: Vast Reaches (see what they did there?) and, as coincidence would have it, after Homeworld 3’s delay to this coming May, both will launch very close together.

Best noise cancelling headphones: What makes noise cancelling devices popular? These devices have the power to eliminate background noise so the users can listen to music, and podcasts, or stream content online with greater focus. While there are several types of noise cancelling devices available in the market, the most effective ones are said to be headphones. If you are looking for high-performing headphones, then we have curated a list of all the best noise cancelling headphones from top brands such as Bose, Sony, JBL, and others to help you find the one which suits your requirements. Check out the list of headphones and pick the one which is coming to your liking.

Unix, a rapidly expanding brand in the mobile accessories and consumer electronics sector, has unveiled its latest offerings: the "Made in India" smartwatches – Breeze and Hydra. These smartwatches, designed to cater to the evolving needs of consumers, come packed with advanced features including BT Calling and Hindi language support, among others.

In order to make the best viral video possible in Content Warning, you need the proper equipment. Once you and your crew of friends go down into the Old World, all manner of spooky monsters and events will start popping off, but you only have so much air and battery life to get the best shots. Each video you post to SpookTube earns you cash to invest in better items to catch even scarier stuff on tape next time, but not all the items are very clear in how they will help you rack up the views. These items can get quite pricy, so save up that ad revenue and check out what all the items are in Content Warning before quitting your job to be a full-time SpookTuber.

Legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu will compose the central theme for the as-yet-unnamed third game in Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, tentatively committing to the job after being put on the spot by Rebirth director Tetsuya Nomura.

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has been indulging in all sorts of madcap nonsense over almost three decades, from sophisticated criminal operations and heists at one end to sandbox shenanigans on the other, with the player running around, blowing stuff up, and attracting increasing amounts of police attention. However, Talita, a nonprofit agency based in Sweden, decided to use Grand Theft Auto 5 to tell a more important story, focused on saving women from the hands of traffickers rather than pursuing personal wealth and indulgence.

As AI eventually starts branching out into the music industry that may potentially harm the livelihood of famous musicians, notable stars such as Katy Perry, Billie Eilish and a multitude of others have decided to collectively address this problem by reaching out to developers, companies, services and other entities the only way they know how; through a letter. The contents of this letter reveal that these high-profile artists have become voices of those who cannot be heard in the AI era, and do not wish that this technology replaces the raw talent and skill that humans possess.

Square Enix has officially begun development on the third and final part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.

Dave The Diver will be added to the PS Plus Extra and Premium game catalogue on its PlayStation launch day of April 16th, Mintrocket has confirmed. Dave The Diver mixes a lot different gameplay elements together from ocean exploration, running a sushi restaurant, seahorse racing, and an anime music rhythm game all mixed together in this pot. There is also a Godzilla DLC coming in May.

Have you ever wondered how the iPhone’s Dynamic Island might look on Android? Well, it’s not just a wild fantasy. You can actually bring the free-floating, shape-shifting pill to your Android phone and make it your new notification hub. Sounds cool? Let's dive in.

If you've ever caught yourself jamming out to a Latin-filled song in a Final Fantasy game, or any other game in which Nobuo Uematsu was credited as a composer, you might've been wondering just what the heck the singers are saying so elegantly, yet powerfully.

To get free trials to Apple subscriptions like Apple TV Plus and Apple Arcade, you typically have to buy new Apple products. Some phone plans include them as perks, too. However, Best Buy is offering free trials to new and returning customers who have a free Best Buy account.

AI roundup: A Pune-based startup, Glovatrix has taken advantage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to introduce a voice translation device for sign languages. This is a great step to discard communication barriers among the deaf community. In other news, OpenAI looks for expansions and opens a new office in Tokyo. Know more about such AI news from today. 

Google's Podcasts app, boasting over 500 million downloads globally, is set to cease operations for users in the United States on April 2. Despite its large user base, only a small fraction of U.S. podcast listeners, around 4%, utilize the platform. This imminent shutdown has prompted concerns among users who now need to transfer their podcast subscription data to alternative services. However, this migration process can be complex and may expose users to potential security risks such as scams and credential theft.

There's been a lot of chatter about this Stellar Blade demo recently. First, it was released accidentally, and although Sony took it back down pretty quickly, it wasn't fast enough to stop a few people playing and sharing footage online. So, we knew a demo was coming, and it wasn't much later that we got official confirmation. Now, the time has come: it's available to download and play right now on PS5. Those in the US can click here, and it's here for UK readers.

Ghost Trick is a detective story with a supernatural twist. In it, you play as a ghost with amnesia, trying to solve your own murder. As many of you recall, this used to be a handheld in 2010 (it seems like forever ago!). It launched on Google Play on March 25 2024.

Koji Kondo joined Nintendo in 1984 and ended up composing basically every memorable theme from the Mario or Zelda series. The legendary composer had a particularly wild idea for a stage effect in last year's Super Mario Bros Wonder, and while that idea was rejected, it did end up giving Kondo the opportunity to bring his voice to the game.

The next game from the studio behind Celeste and TowerFall won’t be releasing this year as originally planned.

The Last Of Us continues to leave such a mark on the video game industry, it's hard to imagine a time when it wasn't around. The original version of the first game was released in June 2013, celebrating its tenth-anniversary last summer. To celebrate ten years of The Last Of Us, Naughty Dog is releasing a tenth-anniversary vinyl featuring all of the music from the first game. Releasing shortly after the original game turns 11, you can pre-order your copy of the limited edition OST now.

Keita Takahashi’s surreal gaming masterpiece Katamari Damacymarks its 20th anniversary this year, and publisher Bandai Namco has done something truly meaningful to celebrate: It’s resolved whatever rights issues were keeping the game’s classic soundtrack album off music streaming services, and republished it. Royal rainbow!

Boat, India's leading audio and wearables brand, is set to shake up the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) market with its latest offering, the boAt Airdopes Supreme. These earbuds promise to redefine the audio experience for users, delivering premium features at an affordable price point.

Connections is the latest puzzle game from the New York Times. The game tasks you with categorizing a pool of 16 words into four secret (for now) groups by figuring out how the words relate to each other. The puzzle resets every night at midnight and each new puzzle has a varying degree of difficulty. Just like Wordle, you can keep track of your winning streak and compare your scores with friends.

Highwater is a story-driven tactical strategy game set in a ruined and flooded world. You play as Nikos as he sets off in his dinghy to try and reach Alphaville, where he plans to sneak onto a rocket that the ultra rich are using to escape the ruined Earth they destroyed. While it might be a premonition from the future and it looks good on a surface level, there is a lack of polish and depth here that undercuts the game’s better qualities.

Three weeks on from its release, the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth train rolls on. That'll happen with a game that has so much to do alongside an already compelling story. Reviews and reactions to Rebirth have shown it's hard to pick holes in the early Game of the Year contender as almost every aspect of the sequel has been celebrated. That includes Rebirth's soundtrack, and if you were hoping to pick up a Collector's Edition of the OST, Amazon has provided a second chance.

With the Vision Pro finally available, many consumers are curious about Apple’s AR/VR headset and the apps that come with it. While some are from companies you recognize — Disney+, Max, TikTok, Zoom, Reddit and others — there are plenty of independent developers that launched visionOS-optimized apps.

With the Vision Pro finally available, many consumers are curious about Apple’s AR/VR headset and the apps that come with it. While some are from companies you recognize — Disney+, Max, TikTok, Zoom, Reddit and others — there are plenty of independent developers that launched visionOS-optimized apps.

It'll likely take years before the U.S. government's massive antitrust lawsuit against Apple is resolved — but the iPhone maker's troubles with European regulators offer a glimpse of what changes American customers may see down the line.

Chef and restaurateur Jose Andrés inviting actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Bryan Cranston and O'Shea Jackson Jr. over for dinner in a new TV special and Jake Gyllenhaal starring in an update of the pulpy cult classic “Road House” are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

A new rogue-lite FPS is hitting the scene, and like Bullets Per Minute and Hi-Fi Rush before it, Robobeat charges you with jumping, sliding, and shooting in time with its music. Marching to the beat of its own drum though, this upcoming game from Kwalee utilizes rogue-lite levels that are always changing and even lets you control the music you fight to.

New features for the PlayStation 5 system software are on the way, and while some are much needed improvements, it's hard not to feel like these particular additions should have been part of the console's user experience from the beginning. Sony's PS5 is approaching its fourth anniversary, and while the system software itself rightfully takes a back seat to the actual games available on the hardware, its home screen and system navigation have always been a sticking point. Recent updates for the DualSense controller improved audio input and output, and similar incremental changes for the PS5 are on the horizon.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is bringing the classically sarcastic wizarding hero back to video games for the first time in decades, and the Future Games Show can reveal that he's not the only one making a glorious return, as none other than 80s pop sensation (and ultimate internet meme) Rick Astley will be making a guest appearance in the game's soundtrack.

If you want a groovy adventure in space, I've got good news for you. Right now you can embrace your inner 'space-faring getaway driver' by grabbing a key for Super Space Club, the movement-based top-down shooter we are giving out as part of IGN Plus.

Dead Island 2’s second DLC expansion, SoLA, is going to be released on April 17th, Deep Silver has announced. The new content will take players to the the one of the biggest music festivals in California, whose soundtrack has changed from raving beats to the sounds of the undead. The content includes the new location, a new enemy types, and new legendary weapons.

The new PDP Riffmaster looks like an average guitar controller at a passing glance. In many ways, the $129.99 controller coming out in April is exactly what you expect. But aside from its familiar strum bar, whammy bar, and clusters of colored frets, it has a hardware feature that could make it sought after by a crowd that has no interest in playing music games.

PDP's latest product, the Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller, is set to hit the store shelves next month at a price tag of $130, reviving a market of plastic musical instruments that allow fans to live out their fantasies as rockstars.

There’s nothing quite like a night at the theatre. The escapism, the fantastical narratives, the impressive stage design; all of this awaited Princess Peach as she was invited to the Sparkle Theater for what promised to be a wonderful evening in Princess Peach: Showtime!. However, rather than having to put up with someone talking throughout, or a screaming child in the front row, Peach has to deal with Madame Grape and the Sour Bunch invading the building and corrupting everything.

Famed Kingdom Hearts composer Yôko Shimomura revealed that she is "knee-deep" in work right now, composing the fourth game's soundtrack.

Alpha Protocol is returning to PC with full compatibility for current PCs, a licensed soundtrack, and performance improvements. Alpha Protocol was delisted in 2019 from all digital storefronts due to the music rights expiring.The revival has come about with SEGA, Obsidian, and GOG all working together, with the soundtrack having a new license.

Have you ever just wanted to run away from it all? When you’re dealing with mounting problems at home, the idea of jumping in a car and driving away as far as possible sounds appealing. What better way to leave the past in the dust than to hit the open road and go wherever your wheels take you?

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is coming to Android. It’s a relaxing adventure like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. An exact release date hasn’t been announced yet, but developer Hyper Games says the Android version is coming “later.”

Alpha Protocol is returning to PC with full compatibility for current PCs, a licensed soundtrack, and performance improvements. Alpha Protocol was delisted in 2019 from all digital storefronts due to the music rights expiring.The revival has come about with SEGA, Obsidian, and GOG all working together, with the soundtrack having a new license.

Larian Studios announced a physical version of Baldur's Gate 3 was coming in Q1 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Deluxe Edition of the game that not only puts 2023's Game of the Year on discs but comes with a lot of extra stuff including a physical version of the game's fantastic soundtrack. If you want a physical version of that OST but don't want to buy the Deluxe Edition of the game, a triple vinyl version is now available for pre-order.

The ambitious, yet flawed Alpha Protocol is available for purchase once again. The 2010 game, which was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Sega, was removed from all platforms in 2019 because Sega’s music licensing rights had expired. The game is making a comeback as a DRM-free exclusive on GOG.com, available today for $19.99, with an additional 10% launch discount lasting through April 3.

Hi-Fi Rush was easily one of the surprise hits of 2023, which just so happened to be one of the best years for game releases collectively. Despite not having the immediate chance to experience the latest creation by Tango Gameworks due to Xbox exclusivity, Microsoft’s recent announcement of PS5 support has finally enabled us to dive into this excellent rhythm-focused action game. And by no surprise, it’s just as enthralling as it ever was, and an essential title for those looking for a hyper-stylish experience.

One of the best games of 2023, Hi-Fi Rush is out now on PS5. It’s the latest step in a four game plan to bring formerly Xbox exclusive games to rival consoles, but put all the business to one side for a second, because this is a fantastic mash-up action game that deserves to be played.

With today's Patch 10.2.6 update, immerse yourself in the pirate anthem and enjoy the new treasure map loading screen of the new Plunderstorm event. Plunderstorm Event Guide

Fallout, the new TV show based on the game series (also called Fallout), will be a show about a lot of things: post-apocalyptic survival, weird nuclear creatures, old-timey music, and, as Fallout co-showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet has said, factionalism. Nowhere is that clearer than the new preview scene Prime Video dropped ahead of the show’s April 12 premiere.

When it comes to choosing the perfect pair of headphones, there's a myriad of options available in the market catering to different preferences and needs. Let's delve into some of the top contenders in the realm of wireless headphones, each offering its own set of features and functionalities. Check out the top wireless headphones on Amazon:

Love to hum tunes? Do you fail to easily identify the songs linked to those tunes? Well, YouTube Music is rolling out a feature to do just that. Yes, there is good news coming your way as the app is expected to include the “hum to search” feature. This feature enables users to find music just by humming the song. This feature has already been made available to the YouTube app since October 2023 and the Google search. Now, the feature is set to make its way to the YouTube Music app. The app is reported to have similar icons and functionality as the YouTube app. Know more about the “hum to search” feature for the YouTube Music app.

In a surprising turn of events, the digital realm collided with the music industry as renowned Twitch streamer Kai Cenat found himself entangled in a peculiar feud with none other than the iconic Kanye West. The feud was ignited by a seemingly innocuous critique of West's YZY clothing line during one of Twitch star Kai Cenat's routine streaming sessions.

The rising tide of AI scams targets vulnerable populations; US hosts first military AI conference with global allies; Israeli startup harnesses AI for antibody discovery; AR Rahman advocates AI as tool for music enhancement, not job displacement- this and more in our daily roundup. Let us take a look.

In the realm of audio equipment, Sony has established itself as a pioneer, consistently delivering products that blend quality, innovation, and affordability. For those seeking headphones that offer exceptional sound without breaking the bank, Sony's lineup presents a compelling array of options. Here, we delve into the 5 best Sony headphones for budget-conscious audiophiles, exploring their features, benefits, and why they stand out in the crowded headphone market.

Best noise cancelling headphones: Do you know why many users pick headphones over earbuds? Because headphones provide a high-quality sound with greater noise cancellation. This enables listeners to enjoy their music, games or movies in any environment. Headphones have been part of wearable segment for decades, but now with advanced Bluetooth technology, they are often preferred even over earbuds. If you are someone who is looking for a headphone so you can separate yourself from the world and noise then we have got you covered. We have curated a list of 5 high-quality noise cancelling headphones from top brands such as Sennheiser, Bose, JBL, and more so you can pick the one which matches your requirements. Check out the list of headphones.

Weekend OTT watchlist: The launch of season 20 of “Grey's Anatomy” and albums from Justin Timberlake and Kacey Musgraves are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists: The dramedy “The Girls on the Bus” starring Melissa Benoist that follows female reporters embedded on a presidential campaign, Taylor Swift's concert film “The Eras Tour” landing on Disney and the comedy “Girls5Eva” jumps from Peacock to Netflix for its third season. Check out the weekend OTT watchlist below: 

In the world of audio technology, the perfect headset can make all the difference. Whether you're a music lover seeking immersive sound, professional attending virtual meetings, or a gaming enthusiast craving a competitive advantage, bluetooth headphones offer more than just audio. Here we have listed the top five bluetooth headphones that cater to diverse needs, ensuring an unforgettable auditory adventure. Explore discounts of up to 45 percent on some renowned brands, just check out these 5 best bluetooth headphones including from Sony, JBL and others.

The Demiguise Statues are some of the most important collectibles in Hogwarts Legacy. Not only are they featured in one of the game’s most popular side quests, but they’re used to upgrade one of the best spells available to your witch or wizard. That means you’ll want to go out of your way to find these objects – even if that means you’ll need to slog around the map a few times.

Helldivers 2 players really want to be able to experience the game's best mission with some added challenge.

When Paul Atreides moved from his home planet of Caladan to Arrakis, his life changed in countless ways. His dad died, he met a girl, and he… maybe became a dark messiah who will be responsible for the deaths of 61 billion people. But the most immediate change for Paul was that he moved from a gorgeous planet with oceans and cliffs to Dune, which is just a giant desert. That sucks.

Simple Mobile Tools was a collection of basic, free, open-source apps for Android devices, including a file manager, calendar, and photo gallery. The apps were popular alternatives to paid apps and services, but the developer sold out the app suite to ZipApps recently, which then proceeded to ruin the apps with subscriptions and ads. The Fossify project has picked up where Simple Mobile Tools left off, so you can keep using the excellent app suite on your phone or tablet.

Best Bluetooth headphones: In an era where music serves as the backdrop to our lives, the significance of owning premium headphones cannot be overstated. With the advancement of Bluetooth technology, headphones have undergone a transformative shift, offering users unparalleled freedom and convenience. Among the number of options available, here's the list of the top 5 Bluetooth headphones currently available on Amazon. Each of these headphones promises not only exceptional sound quality but also a suite of innovative features designed to enhance your auditory experience.

Legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has revealed he struggled with composing Sephiroth's now-iconic theme tune, One Winged Angel.

Best boAt headphones on Amazon: In today's fast-paced world, music has become an integral part of our lives, whether we're commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home. With the advancement of technology, wireless headphones have gained immense popularity due to their convenience and hassle-free experience. Among the myriad options available, boAt headphones stand out for their superior sound quality, innovative features, and stylish designs. Let's explore three top boAt headphones available on Amazon that promise to elevate your music experience to new heights.

Zanarkand is, arguably, one of the most haunting pieces of music ever composed for a Final Fantasy game. However, in a recent interview with Japanese outlet Weekly Ochiai, accomplished Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu revealed that the legendary theme from Final Fantasy 10 had an unlikely origin. 

Top 5 wireless headphones: In today's world, where music and audio play a significant role in our lives, having the right headphones can elevate your listening experience to new heights. With the convenience of wireless technology, you can enjoy your favorite tunes without the hassle of tangled cords. Among the vast array of options available, we've handpicked the top 5 wireless headphones, each offering exceptional sound quality, comfort, and innovative features. From Sony, Bose to Sennheiser, check top deals on Amazon.

Legendary video game music composer Nobuo Uematsu says he doesn’t think some modern video game soundtracks are as interesting as those in older games.