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2025-06-01 15:24:16 ·

The crisis in American air travel, explained by Newark airport

Air travel is such a common part of modern life that it’s easy to forget all the miraculous technology and communication infrastructure required to do it safely. But recent crashes, including near Washington, DC, and in San Diego — not to mention multiple near misses — have left many fliers wondering: Is it still safe to fly?That concern is particularly acute at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which has recently experienced several frightening incidents and near misses in as radio and radar systems have gone dark. This has left an under-staffed and overworked group of air traffic controllers to manage a system moving at a frenetic pace with no room for error.Andrew Tangel, an aviation reporter for the Wall Street Journal, recently spoke to Jonathan Stewart, a Newark air traffic controller. In early May, Stewart experienced a brief loss of the systems showing him the locations of the many planes was directing. When the systems came back online, he realized there’d almost been a major crash.According to Tangel, Stewart “sent off a fiery memo to his managers, complaining about how he was put in that situation, which he felt he was being set up for failure.” Stewart now is taking trauma leave because of the stresses of the job. After many delayed flights, United Airlines just announced that it will move some of its flights to nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport. To understand how we arrived at our current aviation crisis, Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram spoke with Darryl Campbell, an aviation safety writer for The Verge.Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full episode, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.
You recently wrote about all these issues with flying for The Verge — and your take was that this isn’t just a Newark, New Jersey, problem. It’s systemic. Why?You’ve probably seen some of the news articles about it, and it’s really only in the last couple months because everybody’s been paying attention to aviation safety that people are really saying, Oh my gosh!Newark airport is losing the ability to see airplanes. They’re losing radar for minutes at a time, and that’s not something you want to hear when you have airplanes flying towards each other at 300 miles an hour. So it is rightfully very concerning. But the thing is, what’s been happening at Newark has actually been happening for almost a decade and a half in fits and starts. It’ll get really bad, and then it’ll get better again. Now we’re seeing a combination of air traffic control problems; we’re seeing a combination of infrastructure problems, and they’ve got a runway that’s entirely shut down. And the way that I think about it is, while Newark is its own special case today, all of the problems that it’s facing, other than the runway, are problems that every single airport in the entire country is going to be facing over the next five to 10 years, and so we’re really getting a preview of what’s going to happen if we don’t see some drastic change in the way that the air traffic control system is maintained.We heard about some of these issues after the crash at DCA outside Washington. What exactly is going on with air traffic controllers?The first problem is just one of staff retention and training. On the one hand, the air traffic control system and the people who work there are a pretty dedicated bunch, but it takes a long time to get to the point where you’re actually entrusted with airplanes. It can be up to four years of training from the moment that you decide, Okay, I want to be an air traffic controller. Couple that with the fact that these are government employees and like many other agencies, they haven’t really gotten the cost-of-living increases to keep pace with the actual cost of living, especially in places like the New York and New Jersey area, where it’s just gone up way faster than in the rest of the country.This is bad at Newark, but you say it promises to get bad everywhere else too. The cost of living is still outpacing the replacement level at a lot of these air traffic control centers. And the washout rate is pretty high. We’ve seen the average staffing level at a lot of American airports get down below 85, 80 percent, which is really where the FAA wants it to be, and it’s getting worse over time. At Newark in particular, it’s down to about 58 percent as of the first quarter of this year. This is an emergency level of staffing at a baseline. And then on top of that, you have — in order to keep the airplanes going — people working mandatory overtime, mandatory six-days-a-week shifts, and that’s accelerating that burnout that naturally happens. There’s a lot of compression and a lot of bad things happening independently, but all at the same time in that kind of labor system that’s really making it difficult to both hire and retain qualified air traffic controllers.These sound like very fixable problems, Darryl. Are we trying to fix them? I know former reality TV star and Fox News correspondent — and transportation secretary, in this day and age — Sean Duffy has been out to Newark. He said this: “What we are going to do when we get the money. We have the plan. We actually have to build a brand new state-of-the-art, air traffic control system.”To his credit, they have announced some improvements on it. They’ve announced a lot of new funding for the FAA. They’ve announced an acceleration of hiring, but it’s just a short-term fix. To put it in context, the FAA’s budget usually allocates about billion in maintenance fees every year. And so they’ve announced a couple billion more dollars, but their backlog already is billion in maintenance. And these are things like replacing outdated systems, replacing buildings that are housing some of these radars, things that you really need to just get the system to where it should be operating today, let alone get ahead of the maintenance things that are going to happen over the next couple of years. It’s really this fight between the FAA and Congress to say, We’re going to do a lot today to fix these problems.And it works for a little while, but then three years down the road, the same problems are still occurring. You got that one-time shot of new money, but then the government cuts back again and again and again. And then you’re just putting out one fire, but not addressing the root cause of why there’s all this dry powder everywhere.People are canceling their flights into or out of Newark, but there are also all these smaller accidents we’re seeing, most recently in San Diego, where six people were killed when a Cessna crashed.How should people be feeling about that?There’s really no silver bullet and all the choices are not great to actively bad at baseline. Number one is you get the government to pay what it actually costs to run the air traffic control system. That empirically has not happened for decades, so I don’t know that we’re going to get to do it, especially under this administration, which is focused on cutting costs.The second thing is to pass on fees to fliers themselves. And it’s just like the conversation that Walmart’s having with tariffs — they don’t want to do it. When they try to pass it on to the customer, President Trump yells at them, and it’s just not a great situation. The third option is to reduce the number of flights in the sky. Part of this is that airlines are competing to have the most flights, the most convenient schedules, the most options. That’s led to this logjam at places like Newark, where you really have these constraints on it. Right before all of this stuff happens, Newark was serving about 80 airplanes an hour, so 80 landings and takeoffs. Today, the FAA’s actually started to admit restrictions on it, and now it’s closer to 56 flights an hour, and that’s probably the level that it can actually handle and not have these issues where you have planes in danger.But no airline wants to hear, Hey, you have to cut your flight schedule. We saw that with United: Their CEO was saying that the air traffic controllers who took trauma leave had “walked off the job,” which seemed to suggest that he didn’t think they should be taking trauma leave because you have to have more planes coming in. That’s a competitive disadvantage for him, but you also have to balance safety. It’s difficult to understand. It costs a lot of money to fix. This is your textbook “why governments fail” case study and it’s not really reassuring that in 24 hours I’m going to be in the middle of it again, trying to fly out of Newark.See More:
#crisis #american #air #travel #explained

The crisis in American air travel, explained by Newark airport
Air travel is such a common part of modern life that it’s easy to forget all the miraculous technology and communication infrastructure required to do it safely. But recent crashes, including near Washington, DC, and in San Diego — not to mention multiple near misses — have left many fliers wondering: Is it still safe to fly?That concern is particularly acute at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which has recently experienced several frightening incidents and near misses in as radio and radar systems have gone dark. This has left an under-staffed and overworked group of air traffic controllers to manage a system moving at a frenetic pace with no room for error.Andrew Tangel, an aviation reporter for the Wall Street Journal, recently spoke to Jonathan Stewart, a Newark air traffic controller. In early May, Stewart experienced a brief loss of the systems showing him the locations of the many planes was directing. When the systems came back online, he realized there’d almost been a major crash.According to Tangel, Stewart “sent off a fiery memo to his managers, complaining about how he was put in that situation, which he felt he was being set up for failure.” Stewart now is taking trauma leave because of the stresses of the job. After many delayed flights, United Airlines just announced that it will move some of its flights to nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport. To understand how we arrived at our current aviation crisis, Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram spoke with Darryl Campbell, an aviation safety writer for The Verge.Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full episode, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify. You recently wrote about all these issues with flying for The Verge — and your take was that this isn’t just a Newark, New Jersey, problem. It’s systemic. Why?You’ve probably seen some of the news articles about it, and it’s really only in the last couple months because everybody’s been paying attention to aviation safety that people are really saying, Oh my gosh!Newark airport is losing the ability to see airplanes. They’re losing radar for minutes at a time, and that’s not something you want to hear when you have airplanes flying towards each other at 300 miles an hour. So it is rightfully very concerning. But the thing is, what’s been happening at Newark has actually been happening for almost a decade and a half in fits and starts. It’ll get really bad, and then it’ll get better again. Now we’re seeing a combination of air traffic control problems; we’re seeing a combination of infrastructure problems, and they’ve got a runway that’s entirely shut down. And the way that I think about it is, while Newark is its own special case today, all of the problems that it’s facing, other than the runway, are problems that every single airport in the entire country is going to be facing over the next five to 10 years, and so we’re really getting a preview of what’s going to happen if we don’t see some drastic change in the way that the air traffic control system is maintained.We heard about some of these issues after the crash at DCA outside Washington. What exactly is going on with air traffic controllers?The first problem is just one of staff retention and training. On the one hand, the air traffic control system and the people who work there are a pretty dedicated bunch, but it takes a long time to get to the point where you’re actually entrusted with airplanes. It can be up to four years of training from the moment that you decide, Okay, I want to be an air traffic controller. Couple that with the fact that these are government employees and like many other agencies, they haven’t really gotten the cost-of-living increases to keep pace with the actual cost of living, especially in places like the New York and New Jersey area, where it’s just gone up way faster than in the rest of the country.This is bad at Newark, but you say it promises to get bad everywhere else too. The cost of living is still outpacing the replacement level at a lot of these air traffic control centers. And the washout rate is pretty high. We’ve seen the average staffing level at a lot of American airports get down below 85, 80 percent, which is really where the FAA wants it to be, and it’s getting worse over time. At Newark in particular, it’s down to about 58 percent as of the first quarter of this year. This is an emergency level of staffing at a baseline. And then on top of that, you have — in order to keep the airplanes going — people working mandatory overtime, mandatory six-days-a-week shifts, and that’s accelerating that burnout that naturally happens. There’s a lot of compression and a lot of bad things happening independently, but all at the same time in that kind of labor system that’s really making it difficult to both hire and retain qualified air traffic controllers.These sound like very fixable problems, Darryl. Are we trying to fix them? I know former reality TV star and Fox News correspondent — and transportation secretary, in this day and age — Sean Duffy has been out to Newark. He said this: “What we are going to do when we get the money. We have the plan. We actually have to build a brand new state-of-the-art, air traffic control system.”To his credit, they have announced some improvements on it. They’ve announced a lot of new funding for the FAA. They’ve announced an acceleration of hiring, but it’s just a short-term fix. To put it in context, the FAA’s budget usually allocates about billion in maintenance fees every year. And so they’ve announced a couple billion more dollars, but their backlog already is billion in maintenance. And these are things like replacing outdated systems, replacing buildings that are housing some of these radars, things that you really need to just get the system to where it should be operating today, let alone get ahead of the maintenance things that are going to happen over the next couple of years. It’s really this fight between the FAA and Congress to say, We’re going to do a lot today to fix these problems.And it works for a little while, but then three years down the road, the same problems are still occurring. You got that one-time shot of new money, but then the government cuts back again and again and again. And then you’re just putting out one fire, but not addressing the root cause of why there’s all this dry powder everywhere.People are canceling their flights into or out of Newark, but there are also all these smaller accidents we’re seeing, most recently in San Diego, where six people were killed when a Cessna crashed.How should people be feeling about that?There’s really no silver bullet and all the choices are not great to actively bad at baseline. Number one is you get the government to pay what it actually costs to run the air traffic control system. That empirically has not happened for decades, so I don’t know that we’re going to get to do it, especially under this administration, which is focused on cutting costs.The second thing is to pass on fees to fliers themselves. And it’s just like the conversation that Walmart’s having with tariffs — they don’t want to do it. When they try to pass it on to the customer, President Trump yells at them, and it’s just not a great situation. The third option is to reduce the number of flights in the sky. Part of this is that airlines are competing to have the most flights, the most convenient schedules, the most options. That’s led to this logjam at places like Newark, where you really have these constraints on it. Right before all of this stuff happens, Newark was serving about 80 airplanes an hour, so 80 landings and takeoffs. Today, the FAA’s actually started to admit restrictions on it, and now it’s closer to 56 flights an hour, and that’s probably the level that it can actually handle and not have these issues where you have planes in danger.But no airline wants to hear, Hey, you have to cut your flight schedule. We saw that with United: Their CEO was saying that the air traffic controllers who took trauma leave had “walked off the job,” which seemed to suggest that he didn’t think they should be taking trauma leave because you have to have more planes coming in. That’s a competitive disadvantage for him, but you also have to balance safety. It’s difficult to understand. It costs a lot of money to fix. This is your textbook “why governments fail” case study and it’s not really reassuring that in 24 hours I’m going to be in the middle of it again, trying to fly out of Newark.See More: #crisis #american #air #travel #explained

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The crisis in American air travel, explained by Newark airport

Air travel is such a common part of modern life that it’s easy to forget all the miraculous technology and communication infrastructure required to do it safely. But recent crashes, including near Washington, DC, and in San Diego — not to mention multiple near misses — have left many fliers wondering: Is it still safe to fly?That concern is particularly acute at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which has recently experienced several frightening incidents and near misses in as radio and radar systems have gone dark. This has left an under-staffed and overworked group of air traffic controllers to manage a system moving at a frenetic pace with no room for error.Andrew Tangel, an aviation reporter for the Wall Street Journal, recently spoke to Jonathan Stewart, a Newark air traffic controller. In early May, Stewart experienced a brief loss of the systems showing him the locations of the many planes was directing. When the systems came back online, he realized there’d almost been a major crash.According to Tangel, Stewart “sent off a fiery memo to his managers, complaining about how he was put in that situation, which he felt he was being set up for failure.” Stewart now is taking trauma leave because of the stresses of the job. After many delayed flights, United Airlines just announced that it will move some of its flights to nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport. To understand how we arrived at our current aviation crisis, Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram spoke with Darryl Campbell, an aviation safety writer for The Verge.Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full episode, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify. You recently wrote about all these issues with flying for The Verge — and your take was that this isn’t just a Newark, New Jersey, problem. It’s systemic. Why?You’ve probably seen some of the news articles about it, and it’s really only in the last couple months because everybody’s been paying attention to aviation safety that people are really saying, Oh my gosh!Newark airport is losing the ability to see airplanes. They’re losing radar for minutes at a time, and that’s not something you want to hear when you have airplanes flying towards each other at 300 miles an hour. So it is rightfully very concerning. But the thing is, what’s been happening at Newark has actually been happening for almost a decade and a half in fits and starts. It’ll get really bad, and then it’ll get better again. Now we’re seeing a combination of air traffic control problems; we’re seeing a combination of infrastructure problems, and they’ve got a runway that’s entirely shut down. And the way that I think about it is, while Newark is its own special case today, all of the problems that it’s facing, other than the runway, are problems that every single airport in the entire country is going to be facing over the next five to 10 years, and so we’re really getting a preview of what’s going to happen if we don’t see some drastic change in the way that the air traffic control system is maintained.We heard about some of these issues after the crash at DCA outside Washington. What exactly is going on with air traffic controllers?The first problem is just one of staff retention and training. On the one hand, the air traffic control system and the people who work there are a pretty dedicated bunch, but it takes a long time to get to the point where you’re actually entrusted with airplanes. It can be up to four years of training from the moment that you decide, Okay, I want to be an air traffic controller. Couple that with the fact that these are government employees and like many other agencies, they haven’t really gotten the cost-of-living increases to keep pace with the actual cost of living, especially in places like the New York and New Jersey area, where it’s just gone up way faster than in the rest of the country.This is bad at Newark, but you say it promises to get bad everywhere else too. The cost of living is still outpacing the replacement level at a lot of these air traffic control centers. And the washout rate is pretty high. We’ve seen the average staffing level at a lot of American airports get down below 85, 80 percent, which is really where the FAA wants it to be, and it’s getting worse over time. At Newark in particular, it’s down to about 58 percent as of the first quarter of this year. This is an emergency level of staffing at a baseline. And then on top of that, you have — in order to keep the airplanes going — people working mandatory overtime, mandatory six-days-a-week shifts, and that’s accelerating that burnout that naturally happens. There’s a lot of compression and a lot of bad things happening independently, but all at the same time in that kind of labor system that’s really making it difficult to both hire and retain qualified air traffic controllers.These sound like very fixable problems, Darryl. Are we trying to fix them? I know former reality TV star and Fox News correspondent — and transportation secretary, in this day and age — Sean Duffy has been out to Newark. He said this: “What we are going to do when we get the money. We have the plan. We actually have to build a brand new state-of-the-art, air traffic control system.”To his credit, they have announced some improvements on it. They’ve announced a lot of new funding for the FAA. They’ve announced an acceleration of hiring, but it’s just a short-term fix. To put it in context, the FAA’s budget usually allocates about $1.7 billion in maintenance fees every year. And so they’ve announced a couple billion more dollars, but their backlog already is $5.2 billion in maintenance. And these are things like replacing outdated systems, replacing buildings that are housing some of these radars, things that you really need to just get the system to where it should be operating today, let alone get ahead of the maintenance things that are going to happen over the next couple of years. It’s really this fight between the FAA and Congress to say, We’re going to do a lot today to fix these problems.And it works for a little while, but then three years down the road, the same problems are still occurring. You got that one-time shot of new money, but then the government cuts back again and again and again. And then you’re just putting out one fire, but not addressing the root cause of why there’s all this dry powder everywhere.People are canceling their flights into or out of Newark, but there are also all these smaller accidents we’re seeing, most recently in San Diego, where six people were killed when a Cessna crashed.How should people be feeling about that?There’s really no silver bullet and all the choices are not great to actively bad at baseline. Number one is you get the government to pay what it actually costs to run the air traffic control system. That empirically has not happened for decades, so I don’t know that we’re going to get to do it, especially under this administration, which is focused on cutting costs.The second thing is to pass on fees to fliers themselves. And it’s just like the conversation that Walmart’s having with tariffs — they don’t want to do it. When they try to pass it on to the customer, President Trump yells at them, and it’s just not a great situation. The third option is to reduce the number of flights in the sky. Part of this is that airlines are competing to have the most flights, the most convenient schedules, the most options. That’s led to this logjam at places like Newark, where you really have these constraints on it. Right before all of this stuff happens, Newark was serving about 80 airplanes an hour, so 80 landings and takeoffs. Today, the FAA’s actually started to admit restrictions on it, and now it’s closer to 56 flights an hour, and that’s probably the level that it can actually handle and not have these issues where you have planes in danger.But no airline wants to hear, Hey, you have to cut your flight schedule. We saw that with United: Their CEO was saying that the air traffic controllers who took trauma leave had “walked off the job,” which seemed to suggest that he didn’t think they should be taking trauma leave because you have to have more planes coming in. That’s a competitive disadvantage for him, but you also have to balance safety. It’s difficult to understand. It costs a lot of money to fix. This is your textbook “why governments fail” case study and it’s not really reassuring that in 24 hours I’m going to be in the middle of it again, trying to fly out of Newark.See More:

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2025-05-31 09:20:50 ·

Our Top 15 Favorite Designers From WANTED 2025

WANTED, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair’sshow-within-a-show, has grown almost exponentially since its first iteration as WantedDesign circa 2011, evolving so much so that the platform – with its iconic yellow walls nestled into the Javits Center – has become one of America’s go-to platforms to find emerging talent, tap into an intimate creative network, and discover trends ahead of the commercial industry. The 2025 showcase provided a wealth of inspiring design, we had to share a roundup all its own…

Mockinbird Studio
Epic in proportion, masterfully constructed, and officially record-making. The Farsala-based Mockinbird Studio showcased their most ambitious project to date: a monumental space divider. It is the largest – and arguably most beguiling – piece of contemporary marquetry artwork in existence, entirely designed and handcrafted in their Greece studio using traditional techniques. The object blends functionality with a narrative-driven, highly-aesthetic composition for the perfect piece of collectible design.

Cuff Studio
Cuff Studio presented their first solo exhibition, entitled “Within,” and unveiled select pieces from their Spring 2025 furniture collection of the same name. The C Back Lounge Chair – a trade exclusive – distills some of their favorite design gestures into an elegant, barely-their structural frame then paired with a sculptural waterfall seat and back cushion. Of note are the protruding curves that seemingly reach out for a handshake and the textural, pink upholstery seen here, which echoes triangular forms used across their broader portfolio.

Mary Ratcliffe Studio + Anony
Presenting together for their fourth ICFF, Mary Ratcliffe Studioand Anony collaborated on a booth filled with sleek and sculptural, architecturally-inspired design objects. Their work is elementally complementary, which lent themselves to a more honest, fulsome showcase. MRS’s monumental furniture pieces are inspired by the physicality of material play, while Anony’s lighting takes inspiration from architectural gestures.

Ready To Hang
Mirrored surfaces are hard to resist, especially when their design makes you feel seen – figuratively speaking. Ready To Hang’s fashionable, ready-to-wear-inspired furnishings feel like fun accessories and an extension of personal style as they approach home decor through concepts found in styling for apparel. This year marked their ICFF debut with a highly curated showcase mixing classic pieces with a few concepts yet to come.

UWU Studios
Typically driven by a human-centered design ethos, multidisciplinary UWU Studios has expanded their scope to include the feline experience. Their UNU Cat Dreams product is equal parts pet play and collectible design, sure to please all parties. Even aesthetes without a furry friend can still appreciate its composition, blending surfaces, textures, colors, and forms for quite unique sculptural compositions. It’s an exemplary approach that elevates everyday objects to the venerable.

Estudio PM
Racking up multiple awards during the show – and rightfully so – Estudio PM demonstrated how fabric waste and unwanted textiles can be recontextualized within the realms of art and home furnishings. The duo behind the initiative created totems and garment-inspired side tables with the careful layering of reclaimed cloth.

Noiro Studio
Hand-blown glass lamps stood on various podiums in a curious display of artisanal lighting comprising colorful bases dotted with glass and stone orbs. Each globe’s curvature represented the fabric of spacetime, with precious objects are suspended within the glass shades – a steady reminder of our weight, and also insignificance, of our existence in the world. Noiro Studio plays with themes of heft and weightlessness, continuing to keep things relative.

Ridezign
Ridezign offers an ode to New York City. The Tesser Collection resembles skyscrapers in miniature blocks constructing cantilevered forms in multiple configurations and colors. These lamps leverage additive manufacturing making every piece made-to-order, reducing overstock, and ultimately eliminating the need for storage. The warm diffusion of the subsequent layers of material create lovely channels of light, adding to the spectacle of the city.

Koba Furniture
Koba Furniture is proud to create all elements for Series 02 within their Baltimore studio – except for the drawer pulls, shares designer Sam Acuff – a testament to the respect for craft that is clearly shown here. Jauntily stocky feet meet tiny tube legs, with a nicely balanced drawer set on top. Extra points for the elevated milk crate; it adds such a nice feel to the booth.

9 & 19
9 & 19 is back this year with organic shapes and cheeky details. Who doesn’t love an easter egg in design? From inlaid squiggles to handmade tiling, this collection offers a unique blend of customization and utility while remaining approachable and fun.

Hannah Via
Hannah Via brings some highly welcome fiber arts representation to WANTED, her tufted lamps bringing a sense of whimsy and possibility to the show. Sporting pops of scarlet, cobalt, and bronze, a light peach background acts as a pendant for a singular Edison bulb, which cases a cozy glow in an elegant connection to the warmth of the yarn it rests upon.

Sawyer Made
Lovingly crafted in Woodbury, Vermont, Sawyer Made is a second-generation family of woodworkers honoring the classic stance and build of a Windsor chair, but with a few modern updates. As the arm meets the back, the angle rotates 90 degrees offering a beautiful detail absent from most traditional Windsors. Like ballet, a combination of experienced craft and innate knowledge makes the hardest work look easy.

Ora House
Cobalt is back in a big way with Ora House, as evidenced by their removable upholstery panels that can be switched out to reflect any style or change in local decor. Playful, soft, and sturdy, the ottoman, bench, and hutch offer a fun way to sit, stay, and store.

Daniel Gruetter
Daniel Gruetter is a woodworker based in Toronto, Canada. Showing an elegant credenza created entirely out of the discarded offcuts from his practice, he upends what is considered valuable on a platform that inherently places value on everything. Employing wooden hinges takes the project to another level, letting a singular material do the talking through expert craftsmanship.

Reces NYC
With a nod to the cobalt we spotted around the show, Reces NYC wraps up our top picks for WANTED this year with a gestural upholstered piece. Elements extend in a satisfyingly solid manner to create an interesting and distinctly luxurious look users could get lost in.
Check out out the rest of Design Milk’s NYCxDESIGN coverage here!
#our #top #favorite #designers #wanted

Our Top 15 Favorite Designers From WANTED 2025
WANTED, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair’sshow-within-a-show, has grown almost exponentially since its first iteration as WantedDesign circa 2011, evolving so much so that the platform – with its iconic yellow walls nestled into the Javits Center – has become one of America’s go-to platforms to find emerging talent, tap into an intimate creative network, and discover trends ahead of the commercial industry. The 2025 showcase provided a wealth of inspiring design, we had to share a roundup all its own… Mockinbird Studio Epic in proportion, masterfully constructed, and officially record-making. The Farsala-based Mockinbird Studio showcased their most ambitious project to date: a monumental space divider. It is the largest – and arguably most beguiling – piece of contemporary marquetry artwork in existence, entirely designed and handcrafted in their Greece studio using traditional techniques. The object blends functionality with a narrative-driven, highly-aesthetic composition for the perfect piece of collectible design. Cuff Studio Cuff Studio presented their first solo exhibition, entitled “Within,” and unveiled select pieces from their Spring 2025 furniture collection of the same name. The C Back Lounge Chair – a trade exclusive – distills some of their favorite design gestures into an elegant, barely-their structural frame then paired with a sculptural waterfall seat and back cushion. Of note are the protruding curves that seemingly reach out for a handshake and the textural, pink upholstery seen here, which echoes triangular forms used across their broader portfolio. Mary Ratcliffe Studio + Anony Presenting together for their fourth ICFF, Mary Ratcliffe Studioand Anony collaborated on a booth filled with sleek and sculptural, architecturally-inspired design objects. Their work is elementally complementary, which lent themselves to a more honest, fulsome showcase. MRS’s monumental furniture pieces are inspired by the physicality of material play, while Anony’s lighting takes inspiration from architectural gestures. Ready To Hang Mirrored surfaces are hard to resist, especially when their design makes you feel seen – figuratively speaking. Ready To Hang’s fashionable, ready-to-wear-inspired furnishings feel like fun accessories and an extension of personal style as they approach home decor through concepts found in styling for apparel. This year marked their ICFF debut with a highly curated showcase mixing classic pieces with a few concepts yet to come. UWU Studios Typically driven by a human-centered design ethos, multidisciplinary UWU Studios has expanded their scope to include the feline experience. Their UNU Cat Dreams product is equal parts pet play and collectible design, sure to please all parties. Even aesthetes without a furry friend can still appreciate its composition, blending surfaces, textures, colors, and forms for quite unique sculptural compositions. It’s an exemplary approach that elevates everyday objects to the venerable. Estudio PM Racking up multiple awards during the show – and rightfully so – Estudio PM demonstrated how fabric waste and unwanted textiles can be recontextualized within the realms of art and home furnishings. The duo behind the initiative created totems and garment-inspired side tables with the careful layering of reclaimed cloth. Noiro Studio Hand-blown glass lamps stood on various podiums in a curious display of artisanal lighting comprising colorful bases dotted with glass and stone orbs. Each globe’s curvature represented the fabric of spacetime, with precious objects are suspended within the glass shades – a steady reminder of our weight, and also insignificance, of our existence in the world. Noiro Studio plays with themes of heft and weightlessness, continuing to keep things relative. Ridezign Ridezign offers an ode to New York City. The Tesser Collection resembles skyscrapers in miniature blocks constructing cantilevered forms in multiple configurations and colors. These lamps leverage additive manufacturing making every piece made-to-order, reducing overstock, and ultimately eliminating the need for storage. The warm diffusion of the subsequent layers of material create lovely channels of light, adding to the spectacle of the city. Koba Furniture Koba Furniture is proud to create all elements for Series 02 within their Baltimore studio – except for the drawer pulls, shares designer Sam Acuff – a testament to the respect for craft that is clearly shown here. Jauntily stocky feet meet tiny tube legs, with a nicely balanced drawer set on top. Extra points for the elevated milk crate; it adds such a nice feel to the booth. 9 & 19 9 & 19 is back this year with organic shapes and cheeky details. Who doesn’t love an easter egg in design? From inlaid squiggles to handmade tiling, this collection offers a unique blend of customization and utility while remaining approachable and fun. Hannah Via Hannah Via brings some highly welcome fiber arts representation to WANTED, her tufted lamps bringing a sense of whimsy and possibility to the show. Sporting pops of scarlet, cobalt, and bronze, a light peach background acts as a pendant for a singular Edison bulb, which cases a cozy glow in an elegant connection to the warmth of the yarn it rests upon. Sawyer Made Lovingly crafted in Woodbury, Vermont, Sawyer Made is a second-generation family of woodworkers honoring the classic stance and build of a Windsor chair, but with a few modern updates. As the arm meets the back, the angle rotates 90 degrees offering a beautiful detail absent from most traditional Windsors. Like ballet, a combination of experienced craft and innate knowledge makes the hardest work look easy. Ora House Cobalt is back in a big way with Ora House, as evidenced by their removable upholstery panels that can be switched out to reflect any style or change in local decor. Playful, soft, and sturdy, the ottoman, bench, and hutch offer a fun way to sit, stay, and store. Daniel Gruetter Daniel Gruetter is a woodworker based in Toronto, Canada. Showing an elegant credenza created entirely out of the discarded offcuts from his practice, he upends what is considered valuable on a platform that inherently places value on everything. Employing wooden hinges takes the project to another level, letting a singular material do the talking through expert craftsmanship. Reces NYC With a nod to the cobalt we spotted around the show, Reces NYC wraps up our top picks for WANTED this year with a gestural upholstered piece. Elements extend in a satisfyingly solid manner to create an interesting and distinctly luxurious look users could get lost in. Check out out the rest of Design Milk’s NYCxDESIGN coverage here! #our #top #favorite #designers #wanted

DESIGN-MILK.COM

Our Top 15 Favorite Designers From WANTED 2025

WANTED, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair’s (ICFF) show-within-a-show, has grown almost exponentially since its first iteration as WantedDesign circa 2011, evolving so much so that the platform – with its iconic yellow walls nestled into the Javits Center – has become one of America’s go-to platforms to find emerging talent, tap into an intimate creative network, and discover trends ahead of the commercial industry. The 2025 showcase provided a wealth of inspiring design, we had to share a roundup all its own… Mockinbird Studio Epic in proportion, masterfully constructed, and officially record-making. The Farsala-based Mockinbird Studio showcased their most ambitious project to date: a monumental space divider. It is the largest – and arguably most beguiling – piece of contemporary marquetry artwork in existence, entirely designed and handcrafted in their Greece studio using traditional techniques. The object blends functionality with a narrative-driven, highly-aesthetic composition for the perfect piece of collectible design. Cuff Studio Cuff Studio presented their first solo exhibition, entitled “Within,” and unveiled select pieces from their Spring 2025 furniture collection of the same name. The C Back Lounge Chair – a trade exclusive – distills some of their favorite design gestures into an elegant, barely-their structural frame then paired with a sculptural waterfall seat and back cushion. Of note are the protruding curves that seemingly reach out for a handshake and the textural, pink upholstery seen here, which echoes triangular forms used across their broader portfolio. Mary Ratcliffe Studio + Anony Presenting together for their fourth ICFF, Mary Ratcliffe Studio (MRS) and Anony collaborated on a booth filled with sleek and sculptural, architecturally-inspired design objects. Their work is elementally complementary, which lent themselves to a more honest, fulsome showcase. MRS’s monumental furniture pieces are inspired by the physicality of material play, while Anony’s lighting takes inspiration from architectural gestures. Ready To Hang Mirrored surfaces are hard to resist, especially when their design makes you feel seen – figuratively speaking. Ready To Hang’s fashionable, ready-to-wear-inspired furnishings feel like fun accessories and an extension of personal style as they approach home decor through concepts found in styling for apparel. This year marked their ICFF debut with a highly curated showcase mixing classic pieces with a few concepts yet to come. UWU Studios Typically driven by a human-centered design ethos, multidisciplinary UWU Studios has expanded their scope to include the feline experience. Their UNU Cat Dreams product is equal parts pet play and collectible design, sure to please all parties. Even aesthetes without a furry friend can still appreciate its composition, blending surfaces, textures, colors, and forms for quite unique sculptural compositions. It’s an exemplary approach that elevates everyday objects to the venerable. Estudio PM Racking up multiple awards during the show – and rightfully so – Estudio PM demonstrated how fabric waste and unwanted textiles can be recontextualized within the realms of art and home furnishings. The duo behind the initiative created totems and garment-inspired side tables with the careful layering of reclaimed cloth. Noiro Studio Hand-blown glass lamps stood on various podiums in a curious display of artisanal lighting comprising colorful bases dotted with glass and stone orbs. Each globe’s curvature represented the fabric of spacetime, with precious objects are suspended within the glass shades – a steady reminder of our weight, and also insignificance, of our existence in the world. Noiro Studio plays with themes of heft and weightlessness, continuing to keep things relative. Ridezign Ridezign offers an ode to New York City. The Tesser Collection resembles skyscrapers in miniature blocks constructing cantilevered forms in multiple configurations and colors. These lamps leverage additive manufacturing making every piece made-to-order, reducing overstock, and ultimately eliminating the need for storage. The warm diffusion of the subsequent layers of material create lovely channels of light, adding to the spectacle of the city. Koba Furniture Koba Furniture is proud to create all elements for Series 02 within their Baltimore studio – except for the drawer pulls, shares designer Sam Acuff – a testament to the respect for craft that is clearly shown here. Jauntily stocky feet meet tiny tube legs, with a nicely balanced drawer set on top. Extra points for the elevated milk crate; it adds such a nice feel to the booth. 9 & 19 9 & 19 is back this year with organic shapes and cheeky details. Who doesn’t love an easter egg in design? From inlaid squiggles to handmade tiling, this collection offers a unique blend of customization and utility while remaining approachable and fun. Hannah Via Hannah Via brings some highly welcome fiber arts representation to WANTED, her tufted lamps bringing a sense of whimsy and possibility to the show. Sporting pops of scarlet, cobalt, and bronze, a light peach background acts as a pendant for a singular Edison bulb, which cases a cozy glow in an elegant connection to the warmth of the yarn it rests upon. Sawyer Made Lovingly crafted in Woodbury, Vermont, Sawyer Made is a second-generation family of woodworkers honoring the classic stance and build of a Windsor chair, but with a few modern updates. As the arm meets the back, the angle rotates 90 degrees offering a beautiful detail absent from most traditional Windsors. Like ballet, a combination of experienced craft and innate knowledge makes the hardest work look easy. Ora House Cobalt is back in a big way with Ora House, as evidenced by their removable upholstery panels that can be switched out to reflect any style or change in local decor. Playful, soft, and sturdy, the ottoman, bench, and hutch offer a fun way to sit, stay, and store. Daniel Gruetter Daniel Gruetter is a woodworker based in Toronto, Canada. Showing an elegant credenza created entirely out of the discarded offcuts from his practice, he upends what is considered valuable on a platform that inherently places value on everything. Employing wooden hinges takes the project to another level, letting a singular material do the talking through expert craftsmanship. Reces NYC With a nod to the cobalt we spotted around the show, Reces NYC wraps up our top picks for WANTED this year with a gestural upholstered piece. Elements extend in a satisfyingly solid manner to create an interesting and distinctly luxurious look users could get lost in. Check out out the rest of Design Milk’s NYCxDESIGN coverage here!

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2025-05-25 11:18:22 ·

How to Watch the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on a Free Channel

New weekend, new F1 race. If you’re a fan, you’re looking for a free channel that streams the Formula 1 Monaco GP. Rightfully so — overpriced subscriptions aren’t ideal if you want to save money and keep up with F1 races simultaneously.
The good news is that you can watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free with a bit of effort. There’s a handy free channel that broadcasts it in Full HD. This guide will explain how to access it worldwide and stream the event.

Date and time
Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 PM CET / 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT

Free channel broadcasting
SRFFree Channel to Watch F1 Monaco GP Live
We won’t keep you waiting. The channel you’re looking for is called SRF.
SRF is a Swiss-based TV channel known for broadcasting a vibrant palette of sports events. It’s also a place where you can watch MotoGP races for free. This weekend, it’ll broadcast the F1 Monaco GP live, as well.
Since it’s a Swiss TV channel, it has a few issues. For example, it’s accessible only in Switzerland and doesn’t come with English commentary. On the other hand, it’s accessible without an account, so that’s great.
F1 Monaco GP broadcasts on SRF Zwei © SRF
As you can see above, the free live stream of the F1 Monaco GP will be on SRF Zwei. This is the GP race, however, SRF also displays the qualifying if you’re interested.
Stream the Monaco GP for free with NordVPN
How to Stream the Monaco Grand Prix for Free Anywhere
Okay, so SRF is exclusive to Switzerland — is there a workaround?
Yes. Swiss residents abroad often swap their IP addresses for Swiss ones. With a Swiss IP, SRF detects that the user is located in Switzerland. This results in effortless access regardless of the user’s actual location.
According to F1 fans worldwide, NordVPN fits the bill. It’s a famous VPN service with thousands of global servers, many of which are in Switzerland. Moreover, the VPN supplies applications for all devices.
This eases the process of watching the F1 Monaco GP on a free channel, or any other Grand Prix for that matter. The user can install NordVPN, connect to a server in Switzerland, and use SRF even in Europe, the USA, Asia, etc.
NordVPN is a paid VPN, but that’s no issue.
It comes with a non-conditional 30-day money-back guarantee to set things straight. This is, in a way, a NordVPN free trial that you can use it for this purpose, cancel it, and obtain a refund if you don’t need it anymore.
The same principle applies to unblocking other restricted content. With unlimited bandwidth and market-leading speeds, users have reported nothing but pure enjoyment in streaming, gaming, and other online activities.
Can I Watch the Race on F1 TV Pro?
Yes, it’ll be on F1 TV Pro as well, but as you likely know, it’s a subscription service. This means it’s a paid channel, too, and unfortunately, it does cost a lot. F1 TV Pro is also unavailable in some countries — keep that in mind.
Generally speaking, all subscription services, especially those sports-related, tend to be pricey. While SRF’s lack of English commentary is evident, it’s still the best option to watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free.
2025 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule
Not sure when to tune in? Don’t think we’ve forgotten to include a full schedule for your convenience. The event kicks off on May 23rd and ends on May 25th. As always, the race will be on Sunday.
Try NordVPN risk-free now
If that’s your only goal, tune in on the 25th of May and feast your eyes. If you’d rather sit through the entire event and live the hype, here’s how this weekend will transpire:

Event
Date
CET
EST
PST

Race
25th May
15:00
09:00
6:00

Qualifying
24th May
16:00-17:00
10:00-11:00
7:00-8:00

Practice 3
24th May
12:30-13:30
6:30-7:30
3:30-4:30

Practice 2
23rd May
17:00-18:00
11:00-12:00
8:00-9:00

Practice 1
23rd May
13:30-14:30
7:30-8:30
4:30-5:30
#how #watch #monaco #grand #prix

How to Watch the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on a Free Channel
New weekend, new F1 race. If you’re a fan, you’re looking for a free channel that streams the Formula 1 Monaco GP. Rightfully so — overpriced subscriptions aren’t ideal if you want to save money and keep up with F1 races simultaneously. The good news is that you can watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free with a bit of effort. There’s a handy free channel that broadcasts it in Full HD. This guide will explain how to access it worldwide and stream the event. Date and time Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 PM CET / 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT Free channel broadcasting SRFFree Channel to Watch F1 Monaco GP Live We won’t keep you waiting. The channel you’re looking for is called SRF. SRF is a Swiss-based TV channel known for broadcasting a vibrant palette of sports events. It’s also a place where you can watch MotoGP races for free. This weekend, it’ll broadcast the F1 Monaco GP live, as well. Since it’s a Swiss TV channel, it has a few issues. For example, it’s accessible only in Switzerland and doesn’t come with English commentary. On the other hand, it’s accessible without an account, so that’s great. F1 Monaco GP broadcasts on SRF Zwei © SRF As you can see above, the free live stream of the F1 Monaco GP will be on SRF Zwei. This is the GP race, however, SRF also displays the qualifying if you’re interested. Stream the Monaco GP for free with NordVPN How to Stream the Monaco Grand Prix for Free Anywhere Okay, so SRF is exclusive to Switzerland — is there a workaround? Yes. Swiss residents abroad often swap their IP addresses for Swiss ones. With a Swiss IP, SRF detects that the user is located in Switzerland. This results in effortless access regardless of the user’s actual location. According to F1 fans worldwide, NordVPN fits the bill. It’s a famous VPN service with thousands of global servers, many of which are in Switzerland. Moreover, the VPN supplies applications for all devices. This eases the process of watching the F1 Monaco GP on a free channel, or any other Grand Prix for that matter. The user can install NordVPN, connect to a server in Switzerland, and use SRF even in Europe, the USA, Asia, etc. NordVPN is a paid VPN, but that’s no issue. It comes with a non-conditional 30-day money-back guarantee to set things straight. This is, in a way, a NordVPN free trial that you can use it for this purpose, cancel it, and obtain a refund if you don’t need it anymore. The same principle applies to unblocking other restricted content. With unlimited bandwidth and market-leading speeds, users have reported nothing but pure enjoyment in streaming, gaming, and other online activities. Can I Watch the Race on F1 TV Pro? Yes, it’ll be on F1 TV Pro as well, but as you likely know, it’s a subscription service. This means it’s a paid channel, too, and unfortunately, it does cost a lot. F1 TV Pro is also unavailable in some countries — keep that in mind. Generally speaking, all subscription services, especially those sports-related, tend to be pricey. While SRF’s lack of English commentary is evident, it’s still the best option to watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free. 2025 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule Not sure when to tune in? Don’t think we’ve forgotten to include a full schedule for your convenience. The event kicks off on May 23rd and ends on May 25th. As always, the race will be on Sunday. Try NordVPN risk-free now If that’s your only goal, tune in on the 25th of May and feast your eyes. If you’d rather sit through the entire event and live the hype, here’s how this weekend will transpire: Event Date CET EST PST Race 25th May 15:00 09:00 6:00 Qualifying 24th May 16:00-17:00 10:00-11:00 7:00-8:00 Practice 3 24th May 12:30-13:30 6:30-7:30 3:30-4:30 Practice 2 23rd May 17:00-18:00 11:00-12:00 8:00-9:00 Practice 1 23rd May 13:30-14:30 7:30-8:30 4:30-5:30 #how #watch #monaco #grand #prix

GIZMODO.COM

How to Watch the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on a Free Channel

New weekend, new F1 race. If you’re a fan, you’re looking for a free channel that streams the Formula 1 Monaco GP. Rightfully so — overpriced subscriptions aren’t ideal if you want to save money and keep up with F1 races simultaneously. The good news is that you can watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free with a bit of effort. There’s a handy free channel that broadcasts it in Full HD. This guide will explain how to access it worldwide and stream the event. Date and time Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 PM CET / 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT Free channel broadcasting SRF (Switzerland) Free Channel to Watch F1 Monaco GP Live We won’t keep you waiting. The channel you’re looking for is called SRF. SRF is a Swiss-based TV channel known for broadcasting a vibrant palette of sports events. It’s also a place where you can watch MotoGP races for free. This weekend, it’ll broadcast the F1 Monaco GP live, as well. Since it’s a Swiss TV channel, it has a few issues. For example, it’s accessible only in Switzerland and doesn’t come with English commentary. On the other hand, it’s accessible without an account, so that’s great. F1 Monaco GP broadcasts on SRF Zwei © SRF As you can see above, the free live stream of the F1 Monaco GP will be on SRF Zwei (link: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/live/srf-zwei?tvLiveId=c49c1d64-9f60-0001-1c36-43c288c01a10). This is the GP race, however, SRF also displays the qualifying if you’re interested. Stream the Monaco GP for free with NordVPN How to Stream the Monaco Grand Prix for Free Anywhere Okay, so SRF is exclusive to Switzerland — is there a workaround? Yes. Swiss residents abroad often swap their IP addresses for Swiss ones. With a Swiss IP, SRF detects that the user is located in Switzerland. This results in effortless access regardless of the user’s actual location. According to F1 fans worldwide, NordVPN fits the bill. It’s a famous VPN service with thousands of global servers, many of which are in Switzerland. Moreover, the VPN supplies applications for all devices. This eases the process of watching the F1 Monaco GP on a free channel, or any other Grand Prix for that matter. The user can install NordVPN, connect to a server in Switzerland, and use SRF even in Europe, the USA, Asia, etc. NordVPN is a paid VPN, but that’s no issue. It comes with a non-conditional 30-day money-back guarantee to set things straight. This is, in a way, a NordVPN free trial that you can use it for this purpose, cancel it, and obtain a refund if you don’t need it anymore. The same principle applies to unblocking other restricted content. With unlimited bandwidth and market-leading speeds, users have reported nothing but pure enjoyment in streaming, gaming, and other online activities. Can I Watch the Race on F1 TV Pro? Yes, it’ll be on F1 TV Pro as well, but as you likely know, it’s a subscription service. This means it’s a paid channel, too, and unfortunately, it does cost a lot. F1 TV Pro is also unavailable in some countries — keep that in mind. Generally speaking, all subscription services, especially those sports-related, tend to be pricey. While SRF’s lack of English commentary is evident, it’s still the best option to watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free. 2025 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule Not sure when to tune in? Don’t think we’ve forgotten to include a full schedule for your convenience. The event kicks off on May 23rd and ends on May 25th. As always, the race will be on Sunday. Try NordVPN risk-free now If that’s your only goal, tune in on the 25th of May and feast your eyes. If you’d rather sit through the entire event and live the hype, here’s how this weekend will transpire: Event Date CET EST PST Race 25th May 15:00 09:00 6:00 Qualifying 24th May 16:00-17:00 10:00-11:00 7:00-8:00 Practice 3 24th May 12:30-13:30 6:30-7:30 3:30-4:30 Practice 2 23rd May 17:00-18:00 11:00-12:00 8:00-9:00 Practice 1 23rd May 13:30-14:30 7:30-8:30 4:30-5:30

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2025-05-24 05:39:58 ·

Disney's 23 Best And Most Memorable Songs Ever, Ranked

Start SlideshowStart SlideshowDisney has enchanted us for decades with its resplendent animation and fantastical stories of princesses, wicked witches, and fire-breathing dragons, but music has always been its most indelible sprinkle of pixie dust. There are songs that move us, make us dance, and help us understand the characters that have already been so lovingly drawn. With over 350 songs in the Disney canon, it’s nearly impossible to narrow them down, but we’ve chosen the 23 in honor of the year 1923, when Walt Disney founded the company. These songs are the most magical and remind us why Disney has endured for over a century.Previous SlideNext Slide2 / 25List slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsList slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWhistle While You Work - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Larry Morey and Frank Churchill’s merry tune about finding the joy in the most mundane of chores is quite simple, with only nine lines, yet incredibly catchy. Adriana Caselotti’s warbling, baby voice is fitting for this old-fashioned, operetta-style number and the entire sequence that features the big-eyed, adorable forest creatures helping her out. The squirrels sweep the dust with their tails, and the raccoons wash dirty clothes in a nearby watering hole to every sprightly beat. It’s difficult not to be beguiled by this little ditty, and you’ll find yourself humming it the next time you do your spring cleaning. Previous SlideNext Slide3 / 25List slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoList slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoStephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, Encanto - Cast - The Family MadrigalLin-Manuel Miranda’s fingerprints are all over modern Disney soundtracks. He is a master at crafting clever, fast-paced, and genre-blending earworms. The biggest ones to emerge from Encanto are “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” where he blends classic Broadway stylings with punchier salsa and reggaeton genres. “The Family Madrigal” may not have reached the same level of pop culture infamy as the other songs in this film, but it’s a clever and economical way to introduce the Madrigal family and their powers. Stephanie Beatriz’s bubbly voice as Mirabel suits the song’s bouncy rhythm perfectly, while the Colombian folk instruments such as an accordion, caja vallenata, and guacharaca match the colorful energy of the magical town the Madrigals call home. Previous SlideNext Slide4 / 25List slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogList slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogDig a Little DeeperRandy Newman’s toe-tapping blend of big-band swing and gospel choir refrains perfectly captures the vibrant soul of the New Orleans setting. The feisty Jennifer Lewis leads “Dig a Little Deeper” as Mama Odie, backed by the rousing Pinnacle Gospel Choir. The song’s brassy rhythms help Tiana let loose and Naveen to realize that he’s in love with her. The lessons Mama Odie imparts through the lyrics are wise and grounded: it doesn’t matter what you have or where you come from—that doesn’t define who you are. True fulfillment doesn’t come from material wealth, status, or outward appearances—it comes from understanding what you really want on the inside. The song crescendos with Anika Noni Rose’s powerful belt and the soulful shouts of Mama Odie’s bright flamingo chorus. Previous SlideNext Slide5 / 25List slides20. “I See the Light” from TangledList slides20. “I See the Light” from Tangled“I SEE THE LIGHT” | Tangled | Disney Animated HD The dreamy melody of “I See the Light” begins with a soft guitar. Glenn Slater and Alan Menken’s composition is fairly simple, allowing the glittering visuals to take center stage. The song takes place during the lighting ceremony that Rapunzel has yearned to visit after observing it from her tower for 18 years. Flynn and Rapunzel float on a gondola, surrounded by over 45,000 glowing lanterns floating in the air, dotting the sky and reflecting off the water that surrounds them. The characters sing the verses separately in their heads before their emotions burst, then they harmonize the chorus loudly, compelled by their realization that they’re in love. It’s a unique and touching way of framing a Disney love song. Previous SlideNext Slide6 / 25List slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinList slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinAladdin - Friend Like MeHoward Ashman’s playful lyrics and Alan Menken’s up-tempo, syncopated, vaudevillian song was the perfect musical playground for Robin Williams to fill with the zany impressions and quirky voices he was renowned for. A trumpet warbles in between one of the clever lyrics, sights and sounds so jam-packed with hilarity that you can barely stop to catch your breath. Robin Williams was so adept at improvisation that he had nearly an entire day’s worth of material. The animation is just as bonkers as his vocal performance, where Genie morphs into countless creatures—from a train whistle to a maître d’, a boxing trainer, a bunny, and a dragon. The Broadway-style showstopper culminates with a kick line under bright spotlights with monkeys, elephants, and dancing girls in crop tops and harem pants. “Friend Like Me” is a shining showcase for one of our finest comedic talents, the great Robin Williams. Previous SlideNext Slide7 / 25List slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboList slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboDisney’s “Dumbo” - Baby MineSongwriters Frank Churchill and Ned Washington are responsible for childhood traumas everywhere with “Baby Mine,” which takes place when Dumbo’s mother has been jailed as a “mad elephant” for fiercely protecting her son against his bullies. She reaches her trunk through the bars to cradle Dumbo to the soft, slumbering melody accompanied by haunting strings. Betty Noyes’ has that rich, rounded tone found in vintage singing, and it conveys Mrs. Jumbo’s maternal strength. The images of all the animals—zebras, tigers, monkeys, and even the underwater hippos—nestled in the love of their mothers, except for poor Dumbo, set against the song’s soothing orchestra, is absolutely heart wrenching. “Baby Mine” is the kind of song that inspires dreams of being comforted and cared for by a loving parental figure.Previous SlideNext Slide8 / 25List slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyList slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyOnce Upon A Dream | Sleeping Beauty Lyric Video | DISNEY SING-ALONGS Jack Lawrence and Sammy Fain craft a solo-turned-duet with a woozy, mysterious quality that perfectly complements the story of Sleeping Beauty. Mary Costa has such an elegant and operatic voice, with rich tones that make her sound far more mature than a 16-year-old girl. She’s soon joined by the strong, handsome voice of Prince Phillip, who appears unexpectedly in the forest. Their romance unfolds quickly, twirling together in the woods, surrounded by beautiful medieval-inspired, Gothic-Renaissance style visuals. The lilting orchestration and the grand choral ensemble add to the old-world mystique. The lyrics—of knowing someone before you truly know them, of seeing them in your dreams—add a tinge of mysterious excitement and mystical fate to their romance. Previous SlideNext Slide9 / 25List slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameList slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameHellfire - The Hunchback of Notre DameAlan Menken and Stephen Schwartz crafted one of Disney’s darkest songs. It’s hard to imagine Disney taking this type of creative risk again. “Hellfire” is sung by a corrupt priest consumed by lust for the Romani woman Esmeralda. The deep-voiced Tony Jay plays the dishonorable Frollo, who paints himself as a virtuous man—even though he killed Quasimodo’s mother and nearly killed Quasimodo. A true Catholic would have helped them. Today, Disney would never dare to show that authority figures—especially religious ones—can often be wrong and hypocritical, if not outright evil. This is one of the most provocative villain songs, in which Frollo essentially confesses his horniness. He sings of being enraptured by Esmeralda’s smoldering eyes and raven hair—a desire that burns and threatens to turn him to sin. “Hellfire” also has a spooky quality in its use of Latin and the intense religious choir that looms over Frollo in judgment, cloaked in red with faces like empty black holes. It’s a haunting song of operatic grandeur, with notes that flare and fade like the flames dancing in front of him. Previous SlideNext Slide10 / 25List slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaList slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaA Dream Is a Wish Your Heart MakesSung with silky warmth and a shimmering, ethereal vibrato by Ilene Woods as Cinderella, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” is soft and soothing, yet carries an undercurrent of quiet determination. She sings to her loyal companions—adorable flocks of birds and mice—who wear the tiny outfits she’s lovingly made for them. They join in during a break of the song that is more playful and buoyant while she prepares for another grueling day of chores, yet she stays positive by believing her dreams will come true. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” has become a marketing anthem for the studio—used in various ads to evoke nostalgia, magic, and the promise that dreams really do come true, with Disney theme parks as the place where that magic can happen. Previous SlideNext Slide11 / 25List slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchList slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchHawaiian Roller Coaster RideThe rich voice of Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu and the cheerful Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus come together for a song that is as sweet and breezy as a summer’s day. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” takes place during a touching moment of family bonding as Lilo, Nani, and David go surfing, gliding through the waves with ease. Stitch has been naughty, so he feels a little shy about enjoying the day with them, but he slowly begins to warm up to what it feels like to have a family. We see the adorable progression as the little thrill-seeker ends up riding the waves too. The song’s instrumentation—featuring ukulele, traditional Hawaiian fingerstyle guitar, and steel guitar—evokes the ocean waves and open skies, giving it that relaxed, beachy vibe. Both the animation and the song itself honors the film’s beautiful Hawaiian setting. Previous SlideNext Slide12 / 25List slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanList slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanMulan | I’ll Make a Man Out of You | Disney Junior UK “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns” Donny Osmond sings in his perfectly crisp voice. The rousing number “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel is the pump-up song for a training montage. It starts out comical as we see Mulan and her clumsy friends attempt to become the ideal Chinese soldier. The catchy chorus uses evocative nature metaphors for the type of strength and calm that Mulan needs to find, and the deep-voiced punctuation “Be a man!” at the end of each line adds to the hype. When Donny Osmond belts “Time is racing towards us, ‘till the Huns arrive,” you feel a thrilling rush of urgency and swell with courage. The final chorus plays against no instrumentation, the manly voices of the soldiers booming, allowing you to focus on Mulan and her friends now kicking ass. Previous SlideNext Slide13 / 25List slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinList slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinAladdin - A Whole New WorldBrad Kane’s voice carries an excited, breathy quality that draws you in as he whisks Jasmine away on a magic carpet ride. He sounds bright and earnest as he describes the shining, shimmering, and splendid world that Jasmine has never seen and he’s eager to show her. Lea Salonga, who is a Broadway legend in her own right, has an angelic innocence as Jasmine. Their voices come together in perfect harmony for this sweeping duet. “A Whole New World” is one of Disney’s most romantic love songs, with a melody that flutters and glides like the magic carpet itself. Written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice, the orchestration has lush strings that propel the adventurous animated sequence where they soar through the clouds, pass the Sphinx, and touch down near a group of horses. Previous SlideNext Slide14 / 25List slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanList slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanStrangers Like Me- TarzanOpening with a pulsing drum track, Strangers Like Me evokes the spinning wheels in Tarzan’s mind as he learns more about what lies beyond the jungle. The montage is gorgeously animated, featuring old-fashioned ink illustrations that Tarzan looks at through a magic lantern. He sees the city of London, a giant castle, the Sphinx, and even outer space for the first time. This flood of information drives the song’s urgent pace.The filmmakers craft the entire animated sequence as a response to the lyrics, as Tarzan watches Janeor shows off a pocket of the rainforest filled with parrots. Phil Collins’ bright voice captures Tarzan’s wonderment, especially in the soaring chorus, where Tarzan expresses his desire to learn more about strangers like him. You feel his hunger for the great, wide world in the song’s pounding, tribal drumbeats. Previous SlideNext Slide15 / 25List slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesList slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesHercules│ I Won’t SayThe story of the ancient Greek hero Hercules has such a unique musical style, with lyricist David Zippel and composer Alan Menken blending doo-wop, Motown, and gospel soul. The muses serve as a literal Greek chorus, commenting on the action with their sassy perspective. In “I Won’t Say I’m in Love,” Megara’s velvet-voiced, sarcastic Susan Egan stands apart from other Disney heroines, who often sing fluttering arias about dreaming of a prince. Instead, Megara resists her feelings because she’s been burned too many times before, creating a comical juxtaposition with the Muses, who cheekily insist that she’s in love. They tease her with “Check the grin, you’re in love.” It’s a playful and flirtatious song that celebrates an unconventional Disney princess and musical choices. Previous SlideNext Slide16 / 25List slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaList slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaAuli’i Cravalho - How Far I’ll GoEver since their introduction in The Little Mermaid, Broadway-style “I Want” songs have become a hallmark of Disney princess films. They are passionate solos that reveal what each heroine desires most in the world. Whatever her heart longs for becomes the emotional engine driving the story forward. In “How Far I’ll Go,” composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana is torn between her dream of exploring what’s beyond her remote island and her duty to her family. She’s genuinely torn, even wondering if she’s wrong to yearn for what lies beyond the horizon. Auli’i Cravalho’s pure, heartfelt voice captures all the wistfulness and uncertainty of growing up. The melody swells and crashes gently like ocean tides, mirroring the push and pull of Moana’s inner conflict. Previous SlideNext Slide17 / 25List slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastList slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast - Be Our GuestMusic Video Broadway royalty Jerry Orbach helms this showstopper with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The suave candlestick Lumière uses the number to lure Belle out of her bedroom, and show that the enchanted castle is more friendly and exciting than spooky and depressing. “Be Our Guest” has clever, fast-paced lyrics sung in a classic “patter song” style which then explodes in a lively, French can-can finale. The living castle objects just want to serve and make someone happy again, offering Belle elaborate meals and dazzling entertainment. Everything is on the plate for Belle, from soup du jour, hot hors d’oeuvres, beef ragout, cheese soufflé, and of course, the grey stuff. What’s just as exciting about the number as its giddy music is the animation, with spoons swimming in punch bowls like a Busby Berkeley number, prismatic spotlights, sumptuous, brightly-colored cakes, a glowing chandelier, and dancing flatware. Previous SlideNext Slide18 / 25List slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanList slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanPhil Collins - You’ll Be in My Heart /TarzanPhil Collins knocked it out of the park with the entire Tarzan soundtrack. Somehow his earthy voice, drum-infused instrumentals, and heartfelt lyrics were the perfect mix for this jungle story. Rather than a traditional Disney musical, Phil Collins acts as an omnipresent narrator, commenting on the action or voicing the character’s thoughts. “You’ll Be In My Heart” rightfully earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Originally written as a lullaby for his own daughter, the song starts off tender, with Phil Collins almost gently whispering against soft marimbas. Its lyrics of true love and devotion are moving, especially in the scene where Kala sings it to a baby Tarzan, who, despite being a different species, experiences a bond where love and care know no bounds. The song eventually crashes into driving drums, moving toward a bridge that sees the child fly free on their own: “When destiny calls you / You must be strong / I may not be with you / But you’ve got to hold on.” This song is touching for anyone who has ever loved someone and watched them grow, no matter what type of relationship. Previous SlideNext Slide19 / 25List slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidList slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid - Under the SeaThose solo calypso opening notes of “Under the Sea” immediately get you excited, and Samuel E. Wright delivers a rollicking underwater bash. His booming voice and vivacious energy are perfect for the overdramatic crustacean and his mission to convince Ariel that living under the sea “is the bubbles” with no troubles. “Under the Sea’ buoys the rainbow-colored montage of marine life that fills Ariel’s world—fish, dolphins, and coral reefs. The scene cleverly ties the instruments to various creatures and animation — harps echo the swirling school of fish, shells mimic steel pans, and a pair of octopuses intertwine their legs like bass lines. With its infectious Caribbean beat, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s song is a true banger and impossible not to love, which is why it won the 1990 Oscar for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide20 / 25List slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasList slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasPocahontas - Colors of the Wind“You think the only people who are people / Are the people who look and think like you / But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger / You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.” In this increasingly polarized world, that message has never been more relevant. Pocahontas is not immediately smitten with John Smith; instead, she condemns his entire culture, which prioritizes gold and hatred over acceptance and the beauty of nature. Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics paint gorgeous pictures of the American wilderness, questioning why the white men who have invaded these lands cannot appreciate the world around them — from the grinning bobcats to the sweet berries to the trees that stretch toward the sky, if only we let them grow. Alan Menken’s surrounding score is rapturous, carried by Judy Kuhn’s passionate vocals. More than just the profound lyrics, it’s the visuals that make this musical number so unforgettable — particularly John Smith and Pocahontas dancing in a pastel-colored wind. It’s no surprise that “Colors of the Wind” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide21 / 25List slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioList slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioPocahontas - Colors of the WindWritten by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, “When You Wish Upon a Star” has come to define Disney itself, typically playing over the castle logo that opens every movie. The ethereal ballad is sung by Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, whose resonant yet quirky voice feels like someone sharing a story by a crackling fire. “When you wish upon a star / Makes no difference who you are / Anything your heart desires / Will come to you,” he tenderly sings over the opening credits. The gentle melody wraps you in a warm embrace of possibility. People often make fun of Disney adults, but perhaps one reason we hold on to Disney films long after growing up is that they offer hope in an increasingly grim world. This aspirational song reminds us there is more to life than the ordinary—if we just dare to imagine.Previous SlideNext Slide22 / 25List slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastList slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast Tale As Old As Time HD As Mrs. Potts, Angela Lansbury’s warm, cheery English voice adds a rosiness to this powerful love ballad, backed by an orchestra of sumptuous strings. The lyrics aren’t the pure romanticism of past Disney love stories; there is no love at first sight here. Instead, Mrs. Potts gently reflects on how true love can take time to blossom, and how relationships sometimes require change, admitting your faults and working hard to set aside your vices and worst qualities. It’s a surprisingly mature outlook for a Disney love song. The accompanying animation is one of the most exquisite sequences in Disney history: Belle’s golden dress glides delicately across the floor as she and the Beast dance in the grand ballroom, the camera swirling to reveal the sparkling chandelier and Michelangelo-esque ceiling of painted cherubs above them. That Howard Ashman wrote this song while dying from complications of AIDS makes it all the more poignant. Previous SlideNext Slide23 / 25List slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidList slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidJodi Benson - Part of Your WorldBefore The Little Mermaid kicked off the Disney Renaissanceprincess songs were mostly focused on their prince charmings. They had very few aspirations outside of dreaming about their prince or wishing for their prince. But the introduction of the songwriting team Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who had worked on the off-Broadway show Little Shop of Horrors, helped develop a Disney princess that had greater ambitions. Ariel wanted to see the human world, and she would express that within a Broadway-style solo called the “I Want” song, where the protagonist sings about, well, what they want. “Part of Your World” has a flowing melody and a sweet yearning in Jodi Benson’s voice. We see her comical misunderstanding of what her treasures are, all whozits and whatzits galore. “Wouldn’t I love to explore that shore up above?” her voice soars while reaching out through the top of her grotto towards the sun. In that moment, with her big eyes and aching voice, you completely understand how much the human world means to her.Previous SlideNext Slide24 / 25List slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingList slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingCarmen Twillie, Lebo M. - Circle of LifeNo Disney song is quite as epic as Elton John’s “Circle of Life.” The image of the rising sun, paired with the opening lines sung passionately in Zulu by Lebo M., without any instrumentals, immediately hooks you into this sweeping story of the African savannah. The title, “Circle of Life,” is fitting for this tale of birth, death, and everything in between. The lyrics somehow encompass everything about our big, beautiful world — how finite life is, and the experiences, both good and bad, that give us balance. There’s despair and there’s hope. There’s faith and there’s love. The lyrics are poetic and make you think about the wonder and mystery of existence. The song reaches a powerful peak at the end when the chorus rises together. It’s impossible not to get full-body chills on that final soaring note, “It’s the circle, the circle of life,” punctuated by the thunderous drumbeat, where the sight of Rafiki lifting Simba on Pride Rock cuts to black. “Circle of Life” is a beautiful song with a grand vision, especially for a film geared towards children.
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Disney's 23 Best And Most Memorable Songs Ever, Ranked
Start SlideshowStart SlideshowDisney has enchanted us for decades with its resplendent animation and fantastical stories of princesses, wicked witches, and fire-breathing dragons, but music has always been its most indelible sprinkle of pixie dust. There are songs that move us, make us dance, and help us understand the characters that have already been so lovingly drawn. With over 350 songs in the Disney canon, it’s nearly impossible to narrow them down, but we’ve chosen the 23 in honor of the year 1923, when Walt Disney founded the company. These songs are the most magical and remind us why Disney has endured for over a century.Previous SlideNext Slide2 / 25List slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsList slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWhistle While You Work - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Larry Morey and Frank Churchill’s merry tune about finding the joy in the most mundane of chores is quite simple, with only nine lines, yet incredibly catchy. Adriana Caselotti’s warbling, baby voice is fitting for this old-fashioned, operetta-style number and the entire sequence that features the big-eyed, adorable forest creatures helping her out. The squirrels sweep the dust with their tails, and the raccoons wash dirty clothes in a nearby watering hole to every sprightly beat. It’s difficult not to be beguiled by this little ditty, and you’ll find yourself humming it the next time you do your spring cleaning. Previous SlideNext Slide3 / 25List slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoList slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoStephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, Encanto - Cast - The Family MadrigalLin-Manuel Miranda’s fingerprints are all over modern Disney soundtracks. He is a master at crafting clever, fast-paced, and genre-blending earworms. The biggest ones to emerge from Encanto are “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” where he blends classic Broadway stylings with punchier salsa and reggaeton genres. “The Family Madrigal” may not have reached the same level of pop culture infamy as the other songs in this film, but it’s a clever and economical way to introduce the Madrigal family and their powers. Stephanie Beatriz’s bubbly voice as Mirabel suits the song’s bouncy rhythm perfectly, while the Colombian folk instruments such as an accordion, caja vallenata, and guacharaca match the colorful energy of the magical town the Madrigals call home. Previous SlideNext Slide4 / 25List slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogList slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogDig a Little DeeperRandy Newman’s toe-tapping blend of big-band swing and gospel choir refrains perfectly captures the vibrant soul of the New Orleans setting. The feisty Jennifer Lewis leads “Dig a Little Deeper” as Mama Odie, backed by the rousing Pinnacle Gospel Choir. The song’s brassy rhythms help Tiana let loose and Naveen to realize that he’s in love with her. The lessons Mama Odie imparts through the lyrics are wise and grounded: it doesn’t matter what you have or where you come from—that doesn’t define who you are. True fulfillment doesn’t come from material wealth, status, or outward appearances—it comes from understanding what you really want on the inside. The song crescendos with Anika Noni Rose’s powerful belt and the soulful shouts of Mama Odie’s bright flamingo chorus. Previous SlideNext Slide5 / 25List slides20. “I See the Light” from TangledList slides20. “I See the Light” from Tangled“I SEE THE LIGHT” | Tangled | Disney Animated HD The dreamy melody of “I See the Light” begins with a soft guitar. Glenn Slater and Alan Menken’s composition is fairly simple, allowing the glittering visuals to take center stage. The song takes place during the lighting ceremony that Rapunzel has yearned to visit after observing it from her tower for 18 years. Flynn and Rapunzel float on a gondola, surrounded by over 45,000 glowing lanterns floating in the air, dotting the sky and reflecting off the water that surrounds them. The characters sing the verses separately in their heads before their emotions burst, then they harmonize the chorus loudly, compelled by their realization that they’re in love. It’s a unique and touching way of framing a Disney love song. Previous SlideNext Slide6 / 25List slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinList slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinAladdin - Friend Like MeHoward Ashman’s playful lyrics and Alan Menken’s up-tempo, syncopated, vaudevillian song was the perfect musical playground for Robin Williams to fill with the zany impressions and quirky voices he was renowned for. A trumpet warbles in between one of the clever lyrics, sights and sounds so jam-packed with hilarity that you can barely stop to catch your breath. Robin Williams was so adept at improvisation that he had nearly an entire day’s worth of material. The animation is just as bonkers as his vocal performance, where Genie morphs into countless creatures—from a train whistle to a maître d’, a boxing trainer, a bunny, and a dragon. The Broadway-style showstopper culminates with a kick line under bright spotlights with monkeys, elephants, and dancing girls in crop tops and harem pants. “Friend Like Me” is a shining showcase for one of our finest comedic talents, the great Robin Williams. Previous SlideNext Slide7 / 25List slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboList slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboDisney’s “Dumbo” - Baby MineSongwriters Frank Churchill and Ned Washington are responsible for childhood traumas everywhere with “Baby Mine,” which takes place when Dumbo’s mother has been jailed as a “mad elephant” for fiercely protecting her son against his bullies. She reaches her trunk through the bars to cradle Dumbo to the soft, slumbering melody accompanied by haunting strings. Betty Noyes’ has that rich, rounded tone found in vintage singing, and it conveys Mrs. Jumbo’s maternal strength. The images of all the animals—zebras, tigers, monkeys, and even the underwater hippos—nestled in the love of their mothers, except for poor Dumbo, set against the song’s soothing orchestra, is absolutely heart wrenching. “Baby Mine” is the kind of song that inspires dreams of being comforted and cared for by a loving parental figure.Previous SlideNext Slide8 / 25List slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyList slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyOnce Upon A Dream | Sleeping Beauty Lyric Video | DISNEY SING-ALONGS Jack Lawrence and Sammy Fain craft a solo-turned-duet with a woozy, mysterious quality that perfectly complements the story of Sleeping Beauty. Mary Costa has such an elegant and operatic voice, with rich tones that make her sound far more mature than a 16-year-old girl. She’s soon joined by the strong, handsome voice of Prince Phillip, who appears unexpectedly in the forest. Their romance unfolds quickly, twirling together in the woods, surrounded by beautiful medieval-inspired, Gothic-Renaissance style visuals. The lilting orchestration and the grand choral ensemble add to the old-world mystique. The lyrics—of knowing someone before you truly know them, of seeing them in your dreams—add a tinge of mysterious excitement and mystical fate to their romance. Previous SlideNext Slide9 / 25List slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameList slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameHellfire - The Hunchback of Notre DameAlan Menken and Stephen Schwartz crafted one of Disney’s darkest songs. It’s hard to imagine Disney taking this type of creative risk again. “Hellfire” is sung by a corrupt priest consumed by lust for the Romani woman Esmeralda. The deep-voiced Tony Jay plays the dishonorable Frollo, who paints himself as a virtuous man—even though he killed Quasimodo’s mother and nearly killed Quasimodo. A true Catholic would have helped them. Today, Disney would never dare to show that authority figures—especially religious ones—can often be wrong and hypocritical, if not outright evil. This is one of the most provocative villain songs, in which Frollo essentially confesses his horniness. He sings of being enraptured by Esmeralda’s smoldering eyes and raven hair—a desire that burns and threatens to turn him to sin. “Hellfire” also has a spooky quality in its use of Latin and the intense religious choir that looms over Frollo in judgment, cloaked in red with faces like empty black holes. It’s a haunting song of operatic grandeur, with notes that flare and fade like the flames dancing in front of him. Previous SlideNext Slide10 / 25List slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaList slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaA Dream Is a Wish Your Heart MakesSung with silky warmth and a shimmering, ethereal vibrato by Ilene Woods as Cinderella, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” is soft and soothing, yet carries an undercurrent of quiet determination. She sings to her loyal companions—adorable flocks of birds and mice—who wear the tiny outfits she’s lovingly made for them. They join in during a break of the song that is more playful and buoyant while she prepares for another grueling day of chores, yet she stays positive by believing her dreams will come true. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” has become a marketing anthem for the studio—used in various ads to evoke nostalgia, magic, and the promise that dreams really do come true, with Disney theme parks as the place where that magic can happen. Previous SlideNext Slide11 / 25List slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchList slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchHawaiian Roller Coaster RideThe rich voice of Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu and the cheerful Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus come together for a song that is as sweet and breezy as a summer’s day. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” takes place during a touching moment of family bonding as Lilo, Nani, and David go surfing, gliding through the waves with ease. Stitch has been naughty, so he feels a little shy about enjoying the day with them, but he slowly begins to warm up to what it feels like to have a family. We see the adorable progression as the little thrill-seeker ends up riding the waves too. The song’s instrumentation—featuring ukulele, traditional Hawaiian fingerstyle guitar, and steel guitar—evokes the ocean waves and open skies, giving it that relaxed, beachy vibe. Both the animation and the song itself honors the film’s beautiful Hawaiian setting. Previous SlideNext Slide12 / 25List slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanList slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanMulan | I’ll Make a Man Out of You | Disney Junior UK “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns” Donny Osmond sings in his perfectly crisp voice. The rousing number “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel is the pump-up song for a training montage. It starts out comical as we see Mulan and her clumsy friends attempt to become the ideal Chinese soldier. The catchy chorus uses evocative nature metaphors for the type of strength and calm that Mulan needs to find, and the deep-voiced punctuation “Be a man!” at the end of each line adds to the hype. When Donny Osmond belts “Time is racing towards us, ‘till the Huns arrive,” you feel a thrilling rush of urgency and swell with courage. The final chorus plays against no instrumentation, the manly voices of the soldiers booming, allowing you to focus on Mulan and her friends now kicking ass. Previous SlideNext Slide13 / 25List slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinList slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinAladdin - A Whole New WorldBrad Kane’s voice carries an excited, breathy quality that draws you in as he whisks Jasmine away on a magic carpet ride. He sounds bright and earnest as he describes the shining, shimmering, and splendid world that Jasmine has never seen and he’s eager to show her. Lea Salonga, who is a Broadway legend in her own right, has an angelic innocence as Jasmine. Their voices come together in perfect harmony for this sweeping duet. “A Whole New World” is one of Disney’s most romantic love songs, with a melody that flutters and glides like the magic carpet itself. Written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice, the orchestration has lush strings that propel the adventurous animated sequence where they soar through the clouds, pass the Sphinx, and touch down near a group of horses. Previous SlideNext Slide14 / 25List slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanList slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanStrangers Like Me- TarzanOpening with a pulsing drum track, Strangers Like Me evokes the spinning wheels in Tarzan’s mind as he learns more about what lies beyond the jungle. The montage is gorgeously animated, featuring old-fashioned ink illustrations that Tarzan looks at through a magic lantern. He sees the city of London, a giant castle, the Sphinx, and even outer space for the first time. This flood of information drives the song’s urgent pace.The filmmakers craft the entire animated sequence as a response to the lyrics, as Tarzan watches Janeor shows off a pocket of the rainforest filled with parrots. Phil Collins’ bright voice captures Tarzan’s wonderment, especially in the soaring chorus, where Tarzan expresses his desire to learn more about strangers like him. You feel his hunger for the great, wide world in the song’s pounding, tribal drumbeats. Previous SlideNext Slide15 / 25List slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesList slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesHercules│ I Won’t SayThe story of the ancient Greek hero Hercules has such a unique musical style, with lyricist David Zippel and composer Alan Menken blending doo-wop, Motown, and gospel soul. The muses serve as a literal Greek chorus, commenting on the action with their sassy perspective. In “I Won’t Say I’m in Love,” Megara’s velvet-voiced, sarcastic Susan Egan stands apart from other Disney heroines, who often sing fluttering arias about dreaming of a prince. Instead, Megara resists her feelings because she’s been burned too many times before, creating a comical juxtaposition with the Muses, who cheekily insist that she’s in love. They tease her with “Check the grin, you’re in love.” It’s a playful and flirtatious song that celebrates an unconventional Disney princess and musical choices. Previous SlideNext Slide16 / 25List slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaList slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaAuli’i Cravalho - How Far I’ll GoEver since their introduction in The Little Mermaid, Broadway-style “I Want” songs have become a hallmark of Disney princess films. They are passionate solos that reveal what each heroine desires most in the world. Whatever her heart longs for becomes the emotional engine driving the story forward. In “How Far I’ll Go,” composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana is torn between her dream of exploring what’s beyond her remote island and her duty to her family. She’s genuinely torn, even wondering if she’s wrong to yearn for what lies beyond the horizon. Auli’i Cravalho’s pure, heartfelt voice captures all the wistfulness and uncertainty of growing up. The melody swells and crashes gently like ocean tides, mirroring the push and pull of Moana’s inner conflict. Previous SlideNext Slide17 / 25List slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastList slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast - Be Our GuestMusic Video Broadway royalty Jerry Orbach helms this showstopper with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The suave candlestick Lumière uses the number to lure Belle out of her bedroom, and show that the enchanted castle is more friendly and exciting than spooky and depressing. “Be Our Guest” has clever, fast-paced lyrics sung in a classic “patter song” style which then explodes in a lively, French can-can finale. The living castle objects just want to serve and make someone happy again, offering Belle elaborate meals and dazzling entertainment. Everything is on the plate for Belle, from soup du jour, hot hors d’oeuvres, beef ragout, cheese soufflé, and of course, the grey stuff. What’s just as exciting about the number as its giddy music is the animation, with spoons swimming in punch bowls like a Busby Berkeley number, prismatic spotlights, sumptuous, brightly-colored cakes, a glowing chandelier, and dancing flatware. Previous SlideNext Slide18 / 25List slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanList slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanPhil Collins - You’ll Be in My Heart /TarzanPhil Collins knocked it out of the park with the entire Tarzan soundtrack. Somehow his earthy voice, drum-infused instrumentals, and heartfelt lyrics were the perfect mix for this jungle story. Rather than a traditional Disney musical, Phil Collins acts as an omnipresent narrator, commenting on the action or voicing the character’s thoughts. “You’ll Be In My Heart” rightfully earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Originally written as a lullaby for his own daughter, the song starts off tender, with Phil Collins almost gently whispering against soft marimbas. Its lyrics of true love and devotion are moving, especially in the scene where Kala sings it to a baby Tarzan, who, despite being a different species, experiences a bond where love and care know no bounds. The song eventually crashes into driving drums, moving toward a bridge that sees the child fly free on their own: “When destiny calls you / You must be strong / I may not be with you / But you’ve got to hold on.” This song is touching for anyone who has ever loved someone and watched them grow, no matter what type of relationship. Previous SlideNext Slide19 / 25List slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidList slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid - Under the SeaThose solo calypso opening notes of “Under the Sea” immediately get you excited, and Samuel E. Wright delivers a rollicking underwater bash. His booming voice and vivacious energy are perfect for the overdramatic crustacean and his mission to convince Ariel that living under the sea “is the bubbles” with no troubles. “Under the Sea’ buoys the rainbow-colored montage of marine life that fills Ariel’s world—fish, dolphins, and coral reefs. The scene cleverly ties the instruments to various creatures and animation — harps echo the swirling school of fish, shells mimic steel pans, and a pair of octopuses intertwine their legs like bass lines. With its infectious Caribbean beat, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s song is a true banger and impossible not to love, which is why it won the 1990 Oscar for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide20 / 25List slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasList slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasPocahontas - Colors of the Wind“You think the only people who are people / Are the people who look and think like you / But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger / You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.” In this increasingly polarized world, that message has never been more relevant. Pocahontas is not immediately smitten with John Smith; instead, she condemns his entire culture, which prioritizes gold and hatred over acceptance and the beauty of nature. Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics paint gorgeous pictures of the American wilderness, questioning why the white men who have invaded these lands cannot appreciate the world around them — from the grinning bobcats to the sweet berries to the trees that stretch toward the sky, if only we let them grow. Alan Menken’s surrounding score is rapturous, carried by Judy Kuhn’s passionate vocals. More than just the profound lyrics, it’s the visuals that make this musical number so unforgettable — particularly John Smith and Pocahontas dancing in a pastel-colored wind. It’s no surprise that “Colors of the Wind” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide21 / 25List slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioList slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioPocahontas - Colors of the WindWritten by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, “When You Wish Upon a Star” has come to define Disney itself, typically playing over the castle logo that opens every movie. The ethereal ballad is sung by Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, whose resonant yet quirky voice feels like someone sharing a story by a crackling fire. “When you wish upon a star / Makes no difference who you are / Anything your heart desires / Will come to you,” he tenderly sings over the opening credits. The gentle melody wraps you in a warm embrace of possibility. People often make fun of Disney adults, but perhaps one reason we hold on to Disney films long after growing up is that they offer hope in an increasingly grim world. This aspirational song reminds us there is more to life than the ordinary—if we just dare to imagine.Previous SlideNext Slide22 / 25List slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastList slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast Tale As Old As Time HD As Mrs. Potts, Angela Lansbury’s warm, cheery English voice adds a rosiness to this powerful love ballad, backed by an orchestra of sumptuous strings. The lyrics aren’t the pure romanticism of past Disney love stories; there is no love at first sight here. Instead, Mrs. Potts gently reflects on how true love can take time to blossom, and how relationships sometimes require change, admitting your faults and working hard to set aside your vices and worst qualities. It’s a surprisingly mature outlook for a Disney love song. The accompanying animation is one of the most exquisite sequences in Disney history: Belle’s golden dress glides delicately across the floor as she and the Beast dance in the grand ballroom, the camera swirling to reveal the sparkling chandelier and Michelangelo-esque ceiling of painted cherubs above them. That Howard Ashman wrote this song while dying from complications of AIDS makes it all the more poignant. Previous SlideNext Slide23 / 25List slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidList slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidJodi Benson - Part of Your WorldBefore The Little Mermaid kicked off the Disney Renaissanceprincess songs were mostly focused on their prince charmings. They had very few aspirations outside of dreaming about their prince or wishing for their prince. But the introduction of the songwriting team Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who had worked on the off-Broadway show Little Shop of Horrors, helped develop a Disney princess that had greater ambitions. Ariel wanted to see the human world, and she would express that within a Broadway-style solo called the “I Want” song, where the protagonist sings about, well, what they want. “Part of Your World” has a flowing melody and a sweet yearning in Jodi Benson’s voice. We see her comical misunderstanding of what her treasures are, all whozits and whatzits galore. “Wouldn’t I love to explore that shore up above?” her voice soars while reaching out through the top of her grotto towards the sun. In that moment, with her big eyes and aching voice, you completely understand how much the human world means to her.Previous SlideNext Slide24 / 25List slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingList slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingCarmen Twillie, Lebo M. - Circle of LifeNo Disney song is quite as epic as Elton John’s “Circle of Life.” The image of the rising sun, paired with the opening lines sung passionately in Zulu by Lebo M., without any instrumentals, immediately hooks you into this sweeping story of the African savannah. The title, “Circle of Life,” is fitting for this tale of birth, death, and everything in between. The lyrics somehow encompass everything about our big, beautiful world — how finite life is, and the experiences, both good and bad, that give us balance. There’s despair and there’s hope. There’s faith and there’s love. The lyrics are poetic and make you think about the wonder and mystery of existence. The song reaches a powerful peak at the end when the chorus rises together. It’s impossible not to get full-body chills on that final soaring note, “It’s the circle, the circle of life,” punctuated by the thunderous drumbeat, where the sight of Rafiki lifting Simba on Pride Rock cuts to black. “Circle of Life” is a beautiful song with a grand vision, especially for a film geared towards children. #disney039s #best #most #memorable #songs

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Disney's 23 Best And Most Memorable Songs Ever, Ranked

Start SlideshowStart SlideshowDisney has enchanted us for decades with its resplendent animation and fantastical stories of princesses, wicked witches, and fire-breathing dragons, but music has always been its most indelible sprinkle of pixie dust. There are songs that move us, make us dance, and help us understand the characters that have already been so lovingly drawn. With over 350 songs in the Disney canon, it’s nearly impossible to narrow them down, but we’ve chosen the 23 in honor of the year 1923, when Walt Disney founded the company. These songs are the most magical and remind us why Disney has endured for over a century.Previous SlideNext Slide2 / 25List slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsList slides23. “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWhistle While You Work - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Larry Morey and Frank Churchill’s merry tune about finding the joy in the most mundane of chores is quite simple, with only nine lines, yet incredibly catchy. Adriana Caselotti’s warbling, baby voice is fitting for this old-fashioned, operetta-style number and the entire sequence that features the big-eyed, adorable forest creatures helping her out. The squirrels sweep the dust with their tails, and the raccoons wash dirty clothes in a nearby watering hole to every sprightly beat. It’s difficult not to be beguiled by this little ditty, and you’ll find yourself humming it the next time you do your spring cleaning. Previous SlideNext Slide3 / 25List slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoList slides22. “The Family Madrigal” from EncantoStephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, Encanto - Cast - The Family Madrigal (From “Encanto”) Lin-Manuel Miranda’s fingerprints are all over modern Disney soundtracks. He is a master at crafting clever, fast-paced, and genre-blending earworms. The biggest ones to emerge from Encanto are “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” where he blends classic Broadway stylings with punchier salsa and reggaeton genres. “The Family Madrigal” may not have reached the same level of pop culture infamy as the other songs in this film, but it’s a clever and economical way to introduce the Madrigal family and their powers. Stephanie Beatriz’s bubbly voice as Mirabel suits the song’s bouncy rhythm perfectly, while the Colombian folk instruments such as an accordion, caja vallenata, and guacharaca match the colorful energy of the magical town the Madrigals call home. Previous SlideNext Slide4 / 25List slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogList slides21.“Dig a Little Deeper” from Princess and the FrogDig a Little Deeper (From “The Princess and the Frog”/Sing-Along) Randy Newman’s toe-tapping blend of big-band swing and gospel choir refrains perfectly captures the vibrant soul of the New Orleans setting. The feisty Jennifer Lewis leads “Dig a Little Deeper” as Mama Odie, backed by the rousing Pinnacle Gospel Choir. The song’s brassy rhythms help Tiana let loose and Naveen to realize that he’s in love with her. The lessons Mama Odie imparts through the lyrics are wise and grounded: it doesn’t matter what you have or where you come from—that doesn’t define who you are. True fulfillment doesn’t come from material wealth, status, or outward appearances—it comes from understanding what you really want on the inside. The song crescendos with Anika Noni Rose’s powerful belt and the soulful shouts of Mama Odie’s bright flamingo chorus. Previous SlideNext Slide5 / 25List slides20. “I See the Light” from TangledList slides20. “I See the Light” from Tangled“I SEE THE LIGHT” | Tangled | Disney Animated HD The dreamy melody of “I See the Light” begins with a soft guitar. Glenn Slater and Alan Menken’s composition is fairly simple, allowing the glittering visuals to take center stage. The song takes place during the lighting ceremony that Rapunzel has yearned to visit after observing it from her tower for 18 years. Flynn and Rapunzel float on a gondola, surrounded by over 45,000 glowing lanterns floating in the air, dotting the sky and reflecting off the water that surrounds them. The characters sing the verses separately in their heads before their emotions burst, then they harmonize the chorus loudly, compelled by their realization that they’re in love. It’s a unique and touching way of framing a Disney love song. Previous SlideNext Slide6 / 25List slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinList slides19. “Friend Like Me” from AladdinAladdin - Friend Like Me (HD 1080p) Howard Ashman’s playful lyrics and Alan Menken’s up-tempo, syncopated, vaudevillian song was the perfect musical playground for Robin Williams to fill with the zany impressions and quirky voices he was renowned for. A trumpet warbles in between one of the clever lyrics, sights and sounds so jam-packed with hilarity that you can barely stop to catch your breath. Robin Williams was so adept at improvisation that he had nearly an entire day’s worth of material. The animation is just as bonkers as his vocal performance, where Genie morphs into countless creatures—from a train whistle to a maître d’, a boxing trainer, a bunny, and a dragon. The Broadway-style showstopper culminates with a kick line under bright spotlights with monkeys, elephants, and dancing girls in crop tops and harem pants. “Friend Like Me” is a shining showcase for one of our finest comedic talents, the great Robin Williams. Previous SlideNext Slide7 / 25List slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboList slides18. “Baby Mine” from DumboDisney’s “Dumbo” - Baby MineSongwriters Frank Churchill and Ned Washington are responsible for childhood traumas everywhere with “Baby Mine,” which takes place when Dumbo’s mother has been jailed as a “mad elephant” for fiercely protecting her son against his bullies. She reaches her trunk through the bars to cradle Dumbo to the soft, slumbering melody accompanied by haunting strings. Betty Noyes’ has that rich, rounded tone found in vintage singing, and it conveys Mrs. Jumbo’s maternal strength. The images of all the animals—zebras, tigers, monkeys, and even the underwater hippos—nestled in the love of their mothers, except for poor Dumbo, set against the song’s soothing orchestra, is absolutely heart wrenching. “Baby Mine” is the kind of song that inspires dreams of being comforted and cared for by a loving parental figure.Previous SlideNext Slide8 / 25List slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyList slides17. ”Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping BeautyOnce Upon A Dream | Sleeping Beauty Lyric Video | DISNEY SING-ALONGS Jack Lawrence and Sammy Fain craft a solo-turned-duet with a woozy, mysterious quality that perfectly complements the story of Sleeping Beauty. Mary Costa has such an elegant and operatic voice, with rich tones that make her sound far more mature than a 16-year-old girl. She’s soon joined by the strong, handsome voice of Prince Phillip, who appears unexpectedly in the forest. Their romance unfolds quickly, twirling together in the woods, surrounded by beautiful medieval-inspired, Gothic-Renaissance style visuals. The lilting orchestration and the grand choral ensemble add to the old-world mystique. The lyrics—of knowing someone before you truly know them, of seeing them in your dreams—add a tinge of mysterious excitement and mystical fate to their romance. Previous SlideNext Slide9 / 25List slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameList slides16. “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre DameHellfire - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz crafted one of Disney’s darkest songs. It’s hard to imagine Disney taking this type of creative risk again. “Hellfire” is sung by a corrupt priest consumed by lust for the Romani woman Esmeralda. The deep-voiced Tony Jay plays the dishonorable Frollo, who paints himself as a virtuous man—even though he killed Quasimodo’s mother and nearly killed Quasimodo. A true Catholic would have helped them. Today, Disney would never dare to show that authority figures—especially religious ones—can often be wrong and hypocritical, if not outright evil. This is one of the most provocative villain songs, in which Frollo essentially confesses his horniness. He sings of being enraptured by Esmeralda’s smoldering eyes and raven hair—a desire that burns and threatens to turn him to sin. “Hellfire” also has a spooky quality in its use of Latin and the intense religious choir that looms over Frollo in judgment, cloaked in red with faces like empty black holes. It’s a haunting song of operatic grandeur, with notes that flare and fade like the flames dancing in front of him. Previous SlideNext Slide10 / 25List slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaList slides15. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from CinderellaA Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (from Cinderella) Sung with silky warmth and a shimmering, ethereal vibrato by Ilene Woods as Cinderella, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” is soft and soothing, yet carries an undercurrent of quiet determination. She sings to her loyal companions—adorable flocks of birds and mice—who wear the tiny outfits she’s lovingly made for them. They join in during a break of the song that is more playful and buoyant while she prepares for another grueling day of chores, yet she stays positive by believing her dreams will come true. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” has become a marketing anthem for the studio—used in various ads to evoke nostalgia, magic, and the promise that dreams really do come true, with Disney theme parks as the place where that magic can happen. Previous SlideNext Slide11 / 25List slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchList slides14. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & StitchHawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (From “Lilo & Stitch”) The rich voice of Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu and the cheerful Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus come together for a song that is as sweet and breezy as a summer’s day. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” takes place during a touching moment of family bonding as Lilo, Nani, and David go surfing, gliding through the waves with ease. Stitch has been naughty, so he feels a little shy about enjoying the day with them, but he slowly begins to warm up to what it feels like to have a family. We see the adorable progression as the little thrill-seeker ends up riding the waves too. The song’s instrumentation—featuring ukulele, traditional Hawaiian fingerstyle guitar, and steel guitar—evokes the ocean waves and open skies, giving it that relaxed, beachy vibe. Both the animation and the song itself honors the film’s beautiful Hawaiian setting. Previous SlideNext Slide12 / 25List slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanList slides13. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from MulanMulan | I’ll Make a Man Out of You | Disney Junior UK “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns” Donny Osmond sings in his perfectly crisp voice. The rousing number “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel is the pump-up song for a training montage. It starts out comical as we see Mulan and her clumsy friends attempt to become the ideal Chinese soldier. The catchy chorus uses evocative nature metaphors for the type of strength and calm that Mulan needs to find, and the deep-voiced punctuation “Be a man!” at the end of each line adds to the hype. When Donny Osmond belts “Time is racing towards us, ‘till the Huns arrive,” you feel a thrilling rush of urgency and swell with courage. The final chorus plays against no instrumentation, the manly voices of the soldiers booming, allowing you to focus on Mulan and her friends now kicking ass. Previous SlideNext Slide13 / 25List slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinList slides12. “A Whole New World” from AladdinAladdin - A Whole New World (HD 1080p) Brad Kane’s voice carries an excited, breathy quality that draws you in as he whisks Jasmine away on a magic carpet ride. He sounds bright and earnest as he describes the shining, shimmering, and splendid world that Jasmine has never seen and he’s eager to show her. Lea Salonga, who is a Broadway legend in her own right, has an angelic innocence as Jasmine. Their voices come together in perfect harmony for this sweeping duet. “A Whole New World” is one of Disney’s most romantic love songs, with a melody that flutters and glides like the magic carpet itself. Written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice, the orchestration has lush strings that propel the adventurous animated sequence where they soar through the clouds, pass the Sphinx, and touch down near a group of horses. Previous SlideNext Slide14 / 25List slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanList slides11. “Strangers Like Me” from TarzanStrangers Like Me (1080p Full HD) - Tarzan (1999)Opening with a pulsing drum track, Strangers Like Me evokes the spinning wheels in Tarzan’s mind as he learns more about what lies beyond the jungle. The montage is gorgeously animated, featuring old-fashioned ink illustrations that Tarzan looks at through a magic lantern. He sees the city of London, a giant castle, the Sphinx, and even outer space for the first time. This flood of information drives the song’s urgent pace.The filmmakers craft the entire animated sequence as a response to the lyrics, as Tarzan watches Jane (“Every gesture, every move that she makes / Makes me feel like never before”) or shows off a pocket of the rainforest filled with parrots (“Come with me now to see my world / Where there’s beauty beyond your dreams”). Phil Collins’ bright voice captures Tarzan’s wonderment, especially in the soaring chorus, where Tarzan expresses his desire to learn more about strangers like him. You feel his hunger for the great, wide world in the song’s pounding, tribal drumbeats. Previous SlideNext Slide15 / 25List slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesList slides10. “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from HerculesHercules (1997) │ I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) [DPU HD 4K] The story of the ancient Greek hero Hercules has such a unique musical style, with lyricist David Zippel and composer Alan Menken blending doo-wop, Motown, and gospel soul. The muses serve as a literal Greek chorus, commenting on the action with their sassy perspective. In “I Won’t Say I’m in Love,” Megara’s velvet-voiced, sarcastic Susan Egan stands apart from other Disney heroines, who often sing fluttering arias about dreaming of a prince. Instead, Megara resists her feelings because she’s been burned too many times before, creating a comical juxtaposition with the Muses, who cheekily insist that she’s in love. They tease her with “Check the grin, you’re in love.” It’s a playful and flirtatious song that celebrates an unconventional Disney princess and musical choices. Previous SlideNext Slide16 / 25List slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaList slides9. “How Far I’ll Go” from MoanaAuli’i Cravalho - How Far I’ll Go (from Moana/Official Video) Ever since their introduction in The Little Mermaid, Broadway-style “I Want” songs have become a hallmark of Disney princess films. They are passionate solos that reveal what each heroine desires most in the world. Whatever her heart longs for becomes the emotional engine driving the story forward. In “How Far I’ll Go,” composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana is torn between her dream of exploring what’s beyond her remote island and her duty to her family. She’s genuinely torn, even wondering if she’s wrong to yearn for what lies beyond the horizon. Auli’i Cravalho’s pure, heartfelt voice captures all the wistfulness and uncertainty of growing up. The melody swells and crashes gently like ocean tides, mirroring the push and pull of Moana’s inner conflict. Previous SlideNext Slide17 / 25List slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastList slides8. “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast - Be Our Guest (HD) Music Video Broadway royalty Jerry Orbach helms this showstopper with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The suave candlestick Lumière uses the number to lure Belle out of her bedroom, and show that the enchanted castle is more friendly and exciting than spooky and depressing. “Be Our Guest” has clever, fast-paced lyrics sung in a classic “patter song” style which then explodes in a lively, French can-can finale. The living castle objects just want to serve and make someone happy again, offering Belle elaborate meals and dazzling entertainment. Everything is on the plate for Belle, from soup du jour, hot hors d’oeuvres, beef ragout, cheese soufflé, and of course, the grey stuff. What’s just as exciting about the number as its giddy music is the animation, with spoons swimming in punch bowls like a Busby Berkeley number, prismatic spotlights, sumptuous, brightly-colored cakes, a glowing chandelier, and dancing flatware. Previous SlideNext Slide18 / 25List slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanList slides7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from TarzanPhil Collins - You’ll Be in My Heart /Tarzan(ターザン)Phil Collins knocked it out of the park with the entire Tarzan soundtrack. Somehow his earthy voice, drum-infused instrumentals, and heartfelt lyrics were the perfect mix for this jungle story. Rather than a traditional Disney musical, Phil Collins acts as an omnipresent narrator, commenting on the action or voicing the character’s thoughts. “You’ll Be In My Heart” rightfully earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Originally written as a lullaby for his own daughter, the song starts off tender, with Phil Collins almost gently whispering against soft marimbas. Its lyrics of true love and devotion are moving, especially in the scene where Kala sings it to a baby Tarzan, who, despite being a different species, experiences a bond where love and care know no bounds. The song eventually crashes into driving drums, moving toward a bridge that sees the child fly free on their own: “When destiny calls you / You must be strong / I may not be with you / But you’ve got to hold on.” This song is touching for anyone who has ever loved someone and watched them grow, no matter what type of relationship. Previous SlideNext Slide19 / 25List slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidList slides6. “Under the Sea” from The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid - Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video) Those solo calypso opening notes of “Under the Sea” immediately get you excited, and Samuel E. Wright delivers a rollicking underwater bash. His booming voice and vivacious energy are perfect for the overdramatic crustacean and his mission to convince Ariel that living under the sea “is the bubbles” with no troubles. “Under the Sea’ buoys the rainbow-colored montage of marine life that fills Ariel’s world—fish, dolphins, and coral reefs. The scene cleverly ties the instruments to various creatures and animation — harps echo the swirling school of fish, shells mimic steel pans, and a pair of octopuses intertwine their legs like bass lines. With its infectious Caribbean beat, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s song is a true banger and impossible not to love, which is why it won the 1990 Oscar for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide20 / 25List slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasList slides5. “Colors of the Wind” from PocahontasPocahontas - Colors of the Wind (Blu-ray 1080p HD) “You think the only people who are people / Are the people who look and think like you / But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger / You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.” In this increasingly polarized world, that message has never been more relevant. Pocahontas is not immediately smitten with John Smith; instead, she condemns his entire culture, which prioritizes gold and hatred over acceptance and the beauty of nature. Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics paint gorgeous pictures of the American wilderness, questioning why the white men who have invaded these lands cannot appreciate the world around them — from the grinning bobcats to the sweet berries to the trees that stretch toward the sky, if only we let them grow. Alan Menken’s surrounding score is rapturous, carried by Judy Kuhn’s passionate vocals. More than just the profound lyrics, it’s the visuals that make this musical number so unforgettable — particularly John Smith and Pocahontas dancing in a pastel-colored wind. It’s no surprise that “Colors of the Wind” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Previous SlideNext Slide21 / 25List slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioList slides4. “When You Wish Upon a Star” from PinnochioPocahontas - Colors of the Wind (Blu-ray 1080p HD)Written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, “When You Wish Upon a Star” has come to define Disney itself, typically playing over the castle logo that opens every movie. The ethereal ballad is sung by Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, whose resonant yet quirky voice feels like someone sharing a story by a crackling fire. “When you wish upon a star / Makes no difference who you are / Anything your heart desires / Will come to you,” he tenderly sings over the opening credits. The gentle melody wraps you in a warm embrace of possibility. People often make fun of Disney adults, but perhaps one reason we hold on to Disney films long after growing up is that they offer hope in an increasingly grim world. This aspirational song reminds us there is more to life than the ordinary—if we just dare to imagine.Previous SlideNext Slide22 / 25List slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastList slides3. “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast Tale As Old As Time HD As Mrs. Potts, Angela Lansbury’s warm, cheery English voice adds a rosiness to this powerful love ballad, backed by an orchestra of sumptuous strings. The lyrics aren’t the pure romanticism of past Disney love stories; there is no love at first sight here. Instead, Mrs. Potts gently reflects on how true love can take time to blossom, and how relationships sometimes require change, admitting your faults and working hard to set aside your vices and worst qualities. It’s a surprisingly mature outlook for a Disney love song. The accompanying animation is one of the most exquisite sequences in Disney history: Belle’s golden dress glides delicately across the floor as she and the Beast dance in the grand ballroom, the camera swirling to reveal the sparkling chandelier and Michelangelo-esque ceiling of painted cherubs above them. That Howard Ashman wrote this song while dying from complications of AIDS makes it all the more poignant. Previous SlideNext Slide23 / 25List slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidList slides2. “Part of Your World” from The Little MermaidJodi Benson - Part of Your World (From “The Little Mermaid”)Before The Little Mermaid kicked off the Disney Renaissance (a period of more sophisticated storytelling and box office success) princess songs were mostly focused on their prince charmings. They had very few aspirations outside of dreaming about their prince or wishing for their prince. But the introduction of the songwriting team Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who had worked on the off-Broadway show Little Shop of Horrors, helped develop a Disney princess that had greater ambitions. Ariel wanted to see the human world, and she would express that within a Broadway-style solo called the “I Want” song, where the protagonist sings about, well, what they want. “Part of Your World” has a flowing melody and a sweet yearning in Jodi Benson’s voice (and given a more soulful power in the live-action version from Halle Bailey). We see her comical misunderstanding of what her treasures are, all whozits and whatzits galore. “Wouldn’t I love to explore that shore up above?” her voice soars while reaching out through the top of her grotto towards the sun. In that moment, with her big eyes and aching voice, you completely understand how much the human world means to her.Previous SlideNext Slide24 / 25List slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingList slides1. “Circle of Life” from The Lion KingCarmen Twillie, Lebo M. - Circle of Life (From “The Lion King”) No Disney song is quite as epic as Elton John’s “Circle of Life.” The image of the rising sun, paired with the opening lines sung passionately in Zulu by Lebo M., without any instrumentals, immediately hooks you into this sweeping story of the African savannah. The title, “Circle of Life,” is fitting for this tale of birth, death, and everything in between. The lyrics somehow encompass everything about our big, beautiful world — how finite life is, and the experiences, both good and bad, that give us balance. There’s despair and there’s hope. There’s faith and there’s love. The lyrics are poetic and make you think about the wonder and mystery of existence. The song reaches a powerful peak at the end when the chorus rises together. It’s impossible not to get full-body chills on that final soaring note, “It’s the circle, the circle of life,” punctuated by the thunderous drumbeat, where the sight of Rafiki lifting Simba on Pride Rock cuts to black. “Circle of Life” is a beautiful song with a grand vision, especially for a film geared towards children.

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Gaming – Polygon shared a link

2025-05-21 08:35:14 ·

Fortnite trolls players with Jar Jar Binks skin that’s nearly impossible to get without cheating

Normally, when you buy a skin in Fortnite, you can simply equip it and immediately sport your new costume. The new Star Wars skin that Fortnite just released is different. For 1,500 V-Bucks — or about — you get the privilege of grinding XP before you can don the latest Jar Jar Binks skin.The chaotic battle royale offers two versions of the ditzy Gungan; one is the canonic alien you see in the main Star Wars movies, while the other originates in a long-standing fan meme. Darth Jar Jar wears a menacing black and red attire emblematic of the dark side. To play up the joke, fans need to earn a whopping 1,280,000 XP before they can actually start terrorizing the island as dark Jar Jar.To put this into perspective: The basic battle pass this season goes up to level 70, which requires 5.6M XP. So unlocking Jar Jar is the equivalent of getting 17 consecutive battle pass levels. It’s not impossible by any means, merely time consuming. Unless, of course, you opt to play a user-generated level designed specifically to grant the user massive amounts of XP without doing much.Undoubtedly, at least some who buy this Jar Jar skin will have to resort to such methods. We’re nearing the end of the season and there isn’t a ton of time before the skin leaves the shop on June 6. Dedicated players have likely already amassed a high level through the easier challenges in the season, so any consequent XP will be tied to more complex or difficult goals. All of which is to say, anyone sporting Darth Jar Jar can be considered a veritable tryhard.On top of all of this, the you spend only goes toward the basic Jar Jar skin. If you want the associated accessories like a back bling or weapon skin, you’ll have to shell out even more money. There is no bundle that grants you the set for a slightly lower price than purchasing each item individually.Fans are rightfully baffled, judging from reactions on places like Reddit. “Kind of insane tbh,” reads the top comment on a thread asking why Epic Games would do this.Japes aside, Darth Jar Jar is not the first of his kind. In the past, Epic has tied enormous XP requirements to purchasable skins, but those instances were more readily accepted by the community due to their rarity. “OG skins,” as they are known, are classic styles that were largely available near the start of Fortnite’s lifespan. To honor the faithful who got the skins before they were cool, Epic made sure that everyone else had to earn the right to wear the same skins.Darth Jar Jar, though? As Binks might say, how wude.See More:
#fortnite #trolls #players #with #jar

Fortnite trolls players with Jar Jar Binks skin that’s nearly impossible to get without cheating
Normally, when you buy a skin in Fortnite, you can simply equip it and immediately sport your new costume. The new Star Wars skin that Fortnite just released is different. For 1,500 V-Bucks — or about — you get the privilege of grinding XP before you can don the latest Jar Jar Binks skin.The chaotic battle royale offers two versions of the ditzy Gungan; one is the canonic alien you see in the main Star Wars movies, while the other originates in a long-standing fan meme. Darth Jar Jar wears a menacing black and red attire emblematic of the dark side. To play up the joke, fans need to earn a whopping 1,280,000 XP before they can actually start terrorizing the island as dark Jar Jar.To put this into perspective: The basic battle pass this season goes up to level 70, which requires 5.6M XP. So unlocking Jar Jar is the equivalent of getting 17 consecutive battle pass levels. It’s not impossible by any means, merely time consuming. Unless, of course, you opt to play a user-generated level designed specifically to grant the user massive amounts of XP without doing much.Undoubtedly, at least some who buy this Jar Jar skin will have to resort to such methods. We’re nearing the end of the season and there isn’t a ton of time before the skin leaves the shop on June 6. Dedicated players have likely already amassed a high level through the easier challenges in the season, so any consequent XP will be tied to more complex or difficult goals. All of which is to say, anyone sporting Darth Jar Jar can be considered a veritable tryhard.On top of all of this, the you spend only goes toward the basic Jar Jar skin. If you want the associated accessories like a back bling or weapon skin, you’ll have to shell out even more money. There is no bundle that grants you the set for a slightly lower price than purchasing each item individually.Fans are rightfully baffled, judging from reactions on places like Reddit. “Kind of insane tbh,” reads the top comment on a thread asking why Epic Games would do this.Japes aside, Darth Jar Jar is not the first of his kind. In the past, Epic has tied enormous XP requirements to purchasable skins, but those instances were more readily accepted by the community due to their rarity. “OG skins,” as they are known, are classic styles that were largely available near the start of Fortnite’s lifespan. To honor the faithful who got the skins before they were cool, Epic made sure that everyone else had to earn the right to wear the same skins.Darth Jar Jar, though? As Binks might say, how wude.See More: #fortnite #trolls #players #with #jar

WWW.POLYGON.COM

Fortnite trolls players with Jar Jar Binks skin that’s nearly impossible to get without cheating

Normally, when you buy a skin in Fortnite, you can simply equip it and immediately sport your new costume. The new Star Wars skin that Fortnite just released is different. For 1,500 V-Bucks — or about $13 — you get the privilege of grinding XP before you can don the latest Jar Jar Binks skin.The chaotic battle royale offers two versions of the ditzy Gungan; one is the canonic alien you see in the main Star Wars movies, while the other originates in a long-standing fan meme. Darth Jar Jar wears a menacing black and red attire emblematic of the dark side. To play up the joke, fans need to earn a whopping 1,280,000 XP before they can actually start terrorizing the island as dark Jar Jar.To put this into perspective: The basic battle pass this season goes up to level 70, which requires 5.6M XP. So unlocking Jar Jar is the equivalent of getting 17 consecutive battle pass levels. It’s not impossible by any means, merely time consuming. Unless, of course, you opt to play a user-generated level designed specifically to grant the user massive amounts of XP without doing much.Undoubtedly, at least some who buy this Jar Jar skin will have to resort to such methods. We’re nearing the end of the season and there isn’t a ton of time before the skin leaves the shop on June 6. Dedicated players have likely already amassed a high level through the easier challenges in the season, so any consequent XP will be tied to more complex or difficult goals. All of which is to say, anyone sporting Darth Jar Jar can be considered a veritable tryhard.On top of all of this, the $13 you spend only goes toward the basic Jar Jar skin. If you want the associated accessories like a back bling or weapon skin, you’ll have to shell out even more money. There is no bundle that grants you the set for a slightly lower price than purchasing each item individually.Fans are rightfully baffled, judging from reactions on places like Reddit. “Kind of insane tbh,” reads the top comment on a thread asking why Epic Games would do this.Japes aside, Darth Jar Jar is not the first of his kind. In the past, Epic has tied enormous XP requirements to purchasable skins, but those instances were more readily accepted by the community due to their rarity. “OG skins,” as they are known, are classic styles that were largely available near the start of Fortnite’s lifespan. To honor the faithful who got the skins before they were cool, Epic made sure that everyone else had to earn the right to wear the same skins.Darth Jar Jar, though? As Binks might say, how wude.See More:

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gaming bolt shared a link

2025-05-20 20:17:00 ·

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty

What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry. With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run. "When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?" The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges. However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger? Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in. This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty. "There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue." Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.” When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly. Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetryare nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special. There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers. Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry. "Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters." Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime. Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes. With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else. This game was reviewed on PC.
#kingdom #come #deliverance #brushes #death

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty
What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry. With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run. "When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?" The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges. However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger? Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in. This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty. "There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue." Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.” When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly. Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetryare nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special. There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers. Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry. "Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters." Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime. Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes. With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else. This game was reviewed on PC. #kingdom #come #deliverance #brushes #death

GAMINGBOLT.COM

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty

What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry. With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run. "When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?" The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges. However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger? Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in. This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty. "There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue." Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.” When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly. Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetry (sometimes badly, depending on your stats) are nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special. There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers. Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry. "Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters." Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime. Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes. With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else. This game was reviewed on PC.

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GamingBolt shared a link

2025-05-20 19:07:01 ·

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty

What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry.
With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run.

"When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?"
The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges.
However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger?
Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in.
This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty.

"There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue."
Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.”
When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly.
Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetryare nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special.
There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers.
Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry.

"Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters."
Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime.
Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes.
With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else.
This game was reviewed on PC.
#kingdom #come #deliverance #brushes #death

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty
What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry. With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run. "When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?" The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges. However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger? Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in. This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty. "There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue." Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.” When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly. Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetryare nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special. There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers. Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry. "Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters." Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime. Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes. With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else. This game was reviewed on PC. #kingdom #come #deliverance #brushes #death

GAMINGBOLT.COM

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty

What defined the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 experience for you? Was it being immersed in a reactive world where every action, from committing crimes to doing laundry, felt significant? Encountering well-realized characters with complex motivations and goals? Getting down in the mud with Henry but eventually going on to larger-than-life scenarios? Maybe even roaming the gorgeous landscape, taking in the sights, engaging in desperate combat against bandits and soldiers alike, and building out your version of Henry. With other aspects doubtless contributing, the answer could very well determine how much you enjoy Brushes With Death, the developer’s first story DLC for the title. We’ve seen the addition of Barber Mode, Hardcore Mode, and even Horse Racing via free updates, but what does the developer bring to the table in terms of new stories and quests? The answer: A significant amount, that too at a fairly low price, even if the stakes are non-existent and don’t really matter in the long run. "When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in?" The story sees Henry running into a mysterious person tied to a tree in the woods, seemingly conversing with a painted skull. After intervening and keeping him from becoming wolf chow, the latter introduces himself as Voyta, a painter. He had his brushes stolen thanks to two shifty individuals and subsequently requests Henry to retrieve them in a non-violent fashion. And Henry, being the do-gooder that he is, obliges. However, the individuals in question have a different story about their encounter with Voyta, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Why does he talk to the painted skull? Who does the skull belong to? Why does he want Henry to investigate some locations, and why does he become progressively more disturbed? How does he know about the Skalitz-born hero? Is this another deception or a play at something bigger? Over time, Voyta’s nature shifts from playfully coy to enigmatically conflicted, as if he’s fighting against something and doubtful about dragging you along for the ride. Naturally, you have to find out why, and maybe help him resolve some personal demons in the process. However, as intriguing as the mystery surrounding the painter may be, the emotional pay-off just doesn’t quite hit, especially when measured against the rest of Henry’s journey and the conflicts he’s embroiled in. This is a deeper issue with video games in general. When you’ve crafted such an epic narrative spanning multiple cities and battles, culminating in incredible fashion, where could a DLC story slot in? There isn’t a single right answer, but some developers work well at creating new tales with varying degrees of scale and drama to complement the main narrative. See The Witcher 3’s Hearts of Stone or Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty. "There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue." Brushes With Death opts to tell a smaller, self-contained and personal story hinging on one man’s moral dilemmas. However, it would probably help if some of the “revelations” had any meaningful impact on your journey or if Henry’s involvement amounted to “more or less along for the ride.” When it comes to the actual steps in the questline, they’re pretty much what you’ve always done while wandering the gorgeous Bohemian landscape. Go from one location to the next, either delivering items, fighting bandits, collecting materials or talking to people. There is some nuance to these steps. One of the two aforementioned individuals can be challenged to a game. But if you get frustrated, and rightfully so, you can slaughter him and his buddy and take the items off their corpses. Whether you tell Voyta the truth later or lie about it is up to you, and your reputation is affected accordingly. Another quest step involves meeting an old lady. Her memory isn’t what it used to be, and you can either harangue her to focus or do everything that her deceased spouse would do to jog her memory. Even if the individual steps of picking Valerian flowers, repairing her dress, and reciting poetry (sometimes badly, depending on your stats) are nothing unique, it does make for a cute side quest and an additional wrinkle to the mystery. Of course, the follow-up steps of investigating three separate spots on the map are more in line with your average open-world exploration without anything special. There’s plenty of gravitas – it’s just that the overall plot lacks weight. Credit where it’s due to the development team, though, for delivering some top-notch dialogue. Henry’s exasperation and growing uncertainty with each step offer genuine moments of levity and intrigue, backed by the ever-incredible voice-acting. Voyta is also a compelling character, and the slow dropping of his walls to reveal more of what’s paining him is interesting to behold. Leveraging your skills to draw out responses is also notable if only to unravel his various layers. Brushes With Death also doesn’t rush its conclusion, offering a long enough questline and character arc to fully realize Voyta’s story. It doesn’t measure up to the base game’s very best by a long shot, but it’s not a terrible complement to everything else going on, even if I wasn’t completely sold on his burgeoning friendship with Henry. "Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters." Also, on the plus side, the DLC offers a new cosmetic system – the ability to paint your shield. This may seem initially trivial, but the customization is fairly in-depth, as you select a pattern, two colors, a symbol category, and finally, a design. If you’ve ever wanted the image of Mutt carrying a fish with legs or the signature battle hare to be the last thing your enemies ever see, then there’s plenty of fun to be had. Best of all, it’s free, and you can change your shield’s design anytime. Brushes With Death can take anywhere between seven to ten hours. While that means significant back and forth between locations, even while fast-traveling, and completing seemingly menial tasks, it also translates into plenty of interesting conversations and well-voiced characters. It’s definitely worth picking up alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, especially if you’re diving into the open-world action RPG for the first time. However, you might want to wait for the developers to issue some fixes since the latest patch introduced a few texture glitches. Though I didn’t find it particularly rampant during my time with the DLC, it was noticeable enough during some scenes. With how successful Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been, and how the story effectively ends Henry’s journey, I’m interested to see what the other two DLCs – Legacy of the Forge and Mysteria Ecclesia – have to offer. If they can deliver some new mechanics that enrich the overall experience and maybe some notable, if ultimately inconsequential, stories, then it would only make for a better overall game, even if it’s the core that should demand your time and attention above all else. This game was reviewed on PC.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty