#madden 21

[maddennfl86]

8/21/23-😮✨😮✨😮

[stuffiveseenontv]

Jacket is from Forever 21

[mikeywayarchive]

Instagram story by mikeyway

[Sep 21, 2023]

[acsuttles]

Madden NFL 21 – 2020 – Preseason – Week 1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers At Pitt...

#Madden #MaddenNFL21 #MaddenSeries #NFL #NationalFootballLeague #TampaBay #Buccaneers #TampaBayBuccaneers #Pittsburgh #Steelers #PittsburghSteelers #NFCSouth #AFCNorth #Preseason #ItsJustPreseason

[terrijournal]

Madden nfl 21 mycareer

#Madden nfl 21 mycareer update#

She's going to ask you about your style of play. Immediately after your encounter with the security guard, you're stopped by a reporter. Instead, all you're doing is manually selecting the team that you want to play against. Don't worry about this question, because there actually isn't a wrong answer here. The security guard then asks you who you're here to play. When you first get off the bus in the Face of the Franchise mode, you'll be stopped by a security guard who thinks you're event staff. Select a college team for Face of the Franchise. Below, we'll list out the college teams you can pick to play for. This is going to govern the team that you play with, right up until the NFL Draft and through the NFL Combine. | Hirun Cryer/USG, EA Madden 20 TeamsĪfter you've created your player character in Face of the Franchise, it's time to immediately sign with a college team. The player creation options for Face of the Franchise. Below, we'll present you with all the options you can choose and change when selecting a player. | Hirun Cryer/USG, EA Player Customizationīefore you get going with your journey in Face of the Franchise, you're going to be given the chance to create your very own player character. Your roster options for Face of the Franchise. This means any updates made to the game's roster during the 2019/20 NFL season will be reflected in your journey.

#Madden nfl 21 mycareer update#

Use Active Roster - This option starts you out with the most recent roster update for Madden 20.

This way, everything will start from scratch, with zero players injured.

Use Preseason Roster - Selecting this option loads up the roster of every team from before the 2019/20 NFL season kicks off.

Below, we'll break down the two choices you're given. When you first set out on your journey in the Face of the Franchise mode of Madden 20, you'll be asked to select a roster. It's up to you to make the choices that you think give you the best chance of being drafted to an NFL team, which is the end goal for the entire Face of the Franchise mode. In Face of the Franchise, you'll be making decisions as your player created character, as well as partaking in NFL games. It's a heavily scripted story mode, which sees you starting out from the backup ranks of a college team, and ascending all the way to NFL stardom. If you played a Madden over the last two years, then you'll be pretty familiar with how Face of the Franchise works in Madden 20. Just below, you can find a list of all the significant steps this guide will cover, that are key moments in the story mode. In the rest of this Madden 20 Face of the Franchise walkthrough, we'll be guiding you through the entire mode.

[venuetrust]

Madden nfl 21 mycareer

#MADDEN NFL 21 MYCAREER HOW TO#

#MADDEN NFL 21 MYCAREER FULL#

While it’s nowhere close to the old NCAA Football game, it’s at least something for gamers to play while we wait continues before another NCAA game is made. a M圜AREER NBA game NBA 2K21 is the latest release in the world-renowned. Madden NFL 21 PS4 Controller Not Working on PC Issue Fix. Madden NFL 21 Fix: Controller Not Working on PC.

#MADDEN NFL 21 MYCAREER HOW TO#

How to Edit Save Files in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 (Cheat) How to Scan Your Face in NBA 2K22 Using the Mobile App. As if that weren’t enough, you’re thrown out of your comfort zone and into disarray when Coach O’Brien delivers you an ultimatum – either switch positions to Running Back or Wide Receiver, or pack your bags and take your chances in the NFL Draft! teams, and logos in Madden 22 right here Nba 2k Logo Community Basketball. How to Change & Edit Your Name In M圜areer In NBA 2K22. Live 18 is still my best experience with Gameface. I don't know why EA hasn't used Gameface more Madden and NHL.

#MADDEN NFL 21 MYCAREER FULL#

Just revolve everything around how my Player is doing and give my the full athlete experience. I dont need a story driven sports career mode. Once you set foot on campus the stakes get even higher as you not only have to deftly navigate a Quarterback controversy right out of the gate, but also have to figure out how to appease your domineering, old school approach, newly minted Head Coach Red O’Brien – all while attempting to build your draft stock through two challenging seasons of college football AND win an College Football Playoff Championship (or two) along the way. But, I prefer that over M圜areer and Fotf. What starts off as a normal Signing Day ends with a dramatic twist after you don the hat of the school you’ve chosen to attend. Not only that, but the players stamina also does not recover even. This makes it to where by the end of a given match, my players are all on zero stamina. Your story doesn’t end there though as you’re thrust center stage on National Signing Day as ten FBS schools vie for your talents. It usually occurs at a random point in the season, but out of nowhere on both player career and manager career, my player (s) stamina will begin to drain at more than double the normal rate. NBA 2K21 M圜AREER Wishlist No Nicknames, Voice Options, Storylines, Choices & more,Contrary to popular belief, NBA 2K games don’t just add this game mode for Chris Smoove to play. Here’s the information provided by EA Sports when it comes to what exactly gamers can expect from the college mode in the game. The college teams that will be available to select from include: Florida, LSU, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Nebraska, Oregon, Miami, Texas and USC. In that mode, users will start in high school football and work their way into offers from college football programs. According to EA Sports, multiple college football seasons can be played using the “Face of the Franchise” mode.

[pinerduck]

Madden nfl 21 ps5 review

Madden nfl 21 ps5 review update#

I often found running backs weren’t getting into space, and the linemen weren’t quick to move at all. The AI of your teammates feels like it’s regressed from last year. These changes don’t do a lot to really change things, but they do allow for more control. If you’re making a pass or going on a run, you can now use the right stick to link together stiff arms and spins fluidly to break away down the field. When defending a play, your defensive line have more options to sack the quarterback, stopping pass rushes whilst using the right stick. Gameplay probably sees the biggest improvement, but there’s nowhere near enough of a change for anyone outside of die-hard fans to really notice. The effort put into Longshot has never come back, and whilst Madden NFL 21 tries to incorporate passion and emotion, it falls pretty flat. There’re a fair amount of cutscenes even when you’re in the NFL, making it feel as though your entire career is part of a bigger narrative than ever before. Much like previous iterations, you go through the rigmarole of playing through college, university, and then the NFL. He confides in you, asking you not to say anything, but regardless of whether you choose to or not, you’re still a tattletale. You start off as a quarterback that gets drafted in at college after the starting QB reveals to you he has a heart defect. It’s story is still filled with tropes galore and moments that will have you cringing more than a David Brent joke, but at least it’s better than last year. Your avatar will also be the character you use as part of the ‘Face of the Franchise’ mode, and is a vast improvement on last year’s. You’ll also earn new items of clothing for your created avatar the more you level up, giving you a reason to continue in the mode. You can pick a Prototype for your player which allows you to pick specific skills and attributes to build upon, and the more you play the more you can improve your ‘class’. Whilst these matches don’t last too long, they offer a nice step away from the simulation of other modes. You can snap the ball to anyone, pass multiple times as long as you’re behind the Blitz line, and even punch and kick the ball to your fellow teammates. Each team gets three opportunities to score a touchdown. Taking place across various backyard environments, you play in 6v6 matches that focus more on scoring, removing many of the rules to ensure gameplay is more arcade-like than realistic. Perhaps the biggest addition to Madden NFL 21 is The Yard. Just like the Career Mode in FIFA, Franchise Mode has always been my favourite, but I’ve barely touched it this year. Visuals haven’t really been touched, neither have some of the biggest modes in the series. There is far too much in Madden NFL 21 that has been completely ignored, and it’s obvious from the moment you jump in.

Madden nfl 21 ps5 review update#

Add a seasonal update and don’t charge for a full price game. It would’ve been more beneficial to have EA do what Konami are doing with PES this year. This year, Madden just isn’t the same and, frankly… I’m pretty sad about it. Madden used to be a huge deal, especially in games media circles: it signified the start of the the big games being released in the run up to Christmas, and always had me excited. Madden NFL 21 is similar on the field, apart from some changes to how the defensive line works, and various modes have largely been ignored. With the current gen coming to a close, it feels like EA Sports has chosen to put out a Madden game that is far too similar to last year’s efforts.

[demofoods]

Is madden 21 cross platform

EA confirmed that Madden NFL 21 would not feature cross platform multiplayer gameplay across different devices. Madden NFL 21 on PS5 or Xbox Series X and Series S is a free upgrade for anyone who bought the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version of the game, from now until Madden NFL 22’s launch next summer Madden NFL 21 is headed to the next generation of consoles. The information associated with Madden 21’s next-gen launch has made its way to the public via the initial reveal, and some follow-up information. Madden NFL 21 Xbox - How to Invite An Opponent To Play. Madden 21 Next Gen price The price of Madden 21 for the current generation of consoles is $59. Cross-platform means that people can play together regardless of what console they use, and this would also include PC if EA decided to make it cross platform. Supposedly it also has re-worked stats for players based on the tracking data they got from RFID chips that players have been wearing.

Differences between Madden NFL 22 vs Madden NFL 21. However, wouldn't this be alleviated if I am using game pass? Let me know if Xbox game pass on PC creates a meaningful distinction for cross platform play. 8:54am Cross Platform/PC Player Base Why isn’t Madden cross platform? Makes NO New X-Factor abilities, fresh out of the lab, are designed to elevate the stars of a new generation in Madden NFL 21. Madden NFL 21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X: EA Wants it to 'Feel Like a Completely Different Game' and not only is there no cross-platform multiplayer, but there won’t even be cross-generational No, Madden 21 was not cross platform, as it is the same with most EA sports games. APEX No, Madden 21 was not cross platform, as it is the same with most EA sports games. Get help from the community, find gameplay tips, and level up by answering player questions 24/7. No, Madden NFL 21 does not have crossplay multiplayer. Guest, get started playing Madden 21 now in our ladder matches, cash-out matches, or tournaments! Create A Match View Matches Create A Team. To invite an opponent to play against you in Madden, you must first launch Madden on your Xbox. That is over a decade’s worth of Madden reviews. Provided it doesn't take a step back after the leap to a new console generation, gameplay is the biggest reason the franchise will remain in its current top spot. MHSAA partners with PlayVS, the official scholastic esports platform, to recognize the first true sports titles as Varsity competition for Spring 2021, offering players a virtual, competitive alternative to contact sports amid COVID-19. Hence, you will be able to play with others but only with those who have the same platform as you. It seems like Madden NFL 22 might add Cross Platform Play to fix this game. tv, PLUS everything included with Amazon Prime. It brings complete Tips for Madden 21 Coins, reviews, news reports, etc. 99 for the standard edition The Madden 21 release date is here at last – on PS4 and Xbox One, that is. Leave your mark and shatter expectations as you Entitle for MADDEN NFL 21 on Xbox One before the release of MADDEN NFL 22, and upgrade to MADDEN NFL 21 XBOX SERIES X|S for free*. Madden NFL 21 is an American football video game based on the National Football League (NFL), developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts. It’s where superstars become legends, and MVPs become cover stars. Master the basics with our digital game manuals.

[nyc-looks]

Anthony, 21

“The two layered tops are both thrifted, jeans from Worn Star, belt thrifted by Steve Madden, bag thrifted, and shoes are Demonia. Atm I’ve been pulling inspo by my favorite early 2000s pop icons, runway shows from the same era, Japanese street style and just people I see walking around in Brooklyn.“

Mar 30, 2024 ∙ Crown Heights

[philistiniphagottini]

Hiii! Anon here who asked

"2, 15, 21, 23, 42 and 65 smut prompts with Portgas D Ace, pretty please <3"

Can you just do: 2, 15, 24 and 42 smut prompts with Portgas D Ace and fem reader instead of everything else then? If no, that's also understandable <3

Also, have a lovely day!

p.s.: you deserve all the hugs in the world <333

be happy hooman :)

AHHHHHHHHHHH thank you for being so patient with my dumb ass, I really, really appreciate it. I'm going to assume that you meant 23 instead of 24 ((because that's what you asked for previously)) I hope that's okay! I hope you enjoy :D

Smut Prompts

Prompts 2 + 15 + 23 + 42

cw. smut, penetrative sex, body worship, light breeding kink, slight temperature play, squirting, creampie ((this is quite vanilla lol)), female reader

Ace’s body was scorching hot to the touch. It felt like you were going to suffocate beneath him, bare body stuck against the sweat soaked bedsheet and the sweltering heat of Ace’s naked skin. You could feel the perspiration dotting your brow as every hair on the nape of your neck stood up in anticipation. Your breath hitched as you felt warm, large hands roam the expanse of your body, your skin prickling with goosebumps despite being bathed in the naked flames of a burning forge.

A warm hum stirred in Ace’s throat as he languidly rolled his hips, burying his cock deeper into the soused walls of your pussy as you trembled beneath him. Warmth tickled your spine and pooled rapidly in the pit of your stomach, your hands clasping the back of Ace’s neck as your fingers curled and pulled at the baby hairs lining his nape.

"You look so pretty" Ace murmured with a husky purr of your name. "So beautiful."

His large palms smoothed over your thighs and hips, slowly crawling up your body as he continued to bump his hips into yours. Your eyelashes fluttered over your burning cheeks, eyes threatening to slip close as the hot coil in the pit of your stomach twisted tighter to each wavering breath. You could hear your pulse drumming loudly in your ears as your heart fluttered wildly in your chest, close to leaping up into your throat as the tips of Ace’s fingers left a trail of fire in their wake as they danced along your body. They lingered between your sticky thighs, beads of slick rolling down the plush insides as he felt the place where your bodies were intimately joined in fervid rapture. Another soft hum stirred in his chest, the sound bordering on a delighted purr as his hands continued to roam your body. A spine-tingling shiver wracked your body when you felt a puff of hot air against the hollow of your throat as Ace dragged his bruised lips across your skin, lazily mouthing at your neck as he buried his cock deeper inside you.

"We fit together so perfectly" Ace breathed into the crook of your neck. "Like two puzzle pieces."

You whined his name as his hands squeezed the soft pudge of your belly, kneading at your flesh like a contented cat as your skin spilled between his digits. The tips of your ears felt hot as you twisted beneath him, his soft words of praise making your blood simmer hotly in your veins. His hands continued to paw at your soft stomach, thumbs dragging along the sensitive skin of your v-line as his teeth nipped at your jaw. Your hands tangled in his mop of dark hair, your chest heaving and soft tits bouncing as your pert nipples rubbed sensually against the hard muscles of his chest, your back arching as his cock carved a path deeper into you. You could feel the clap of his pelvis against the pearl sitting pretty at the top of your pussy, the bundle of nerves flushing to life from the delicious friction. Your tongue felt heavy as you tried to peel it off the roof of your mouth, throat bobbing as you swallowed thickly and tasted the desire in the back of your throat. You could barely think past the thick fog clouding your mind as Ace squeezed your belly yet again, his fascination almost maddening as another spike of pleasure left you feeling rather breathless. His voice vibrated against your skin when he spoke, tongue tasting the perspiration clinging to your skin as his pearly white teeth followed the path of his tongue.

"Want a put a baby right here" Ace said, the large palm of his hand pressing down on your stomach. "Will you let me?"

It felt like your insides turned to mush around the shape of his cock, plush walls fluttering around his girth as the pressure in your core started to bubble to the surface. You started to nod along to his words, fingers pressed hard into his scalp as you threatened to rip the roots of his hair out. A moan tickled the back of his throat as you mewled with bliss beneath him, legs loosely wrapping around his waist and ushering him closer as you dug your feet into the beautiful dip of his back.

"Please" you whispered hoarsely, voice straining at the edges. "Please Ace, put a baby in me."

You could swear the temperature in the room just skyrocketed and the blistering heat almost made you choke. Ace’s lips suddenly captured yours in a searing kiss, his tongue prying apart the seam of your lips as he whispered a litany of ‘thank you’ into the hot cavern of your mouth. His musky scent tickled your nose as you breathed deeply, a string of soft moans crawling out of your throat as he sucked your tongue into his own mouth. The pace of his hips only increased a fraction as he thrust into you, the tip of his cock grazing against the soft, gummy patch inside of you that made stars swirl in your vision. He jammed his thumb against your twitching clit, rubbing the bundle of nerves in tight circles as he continued to worship your body, praises of your name muffled against your kiss swollen lips like a prayer.

Your feet kicked at his back as the smouldering fire in your stomach was stoked into fiercer flames, the pressure intense and threatening to break something inside of you at a moments notice. You writhed beneath the hot press of Ace’s body, your pussy slobbering filthily around his cock as you tried to suck him deeper, desperate to feel him pressed against the raw nerve inside you that was about to snap. You parted from his swollen lips with a heavy gasp, a hiccup of pleasure stuck in your throat as tears pricked the corner of your dazed eyes.

"Ace" you whined. "Gonna cum. Gonna cum really hard."

Ace gently hushed you, holding your gaze with his bright stare as he rubbed soothing circles against your belly.

"It’s okay, pretty baby" he reassured. "I got you. You can cum."

You threw your head back into the safe confines of your pillow, your lips parted around a loud cry that echoed around your stuffy bedroom as the coil in your stomach shattered. Your pussy spasmed around Ace, your clit twitching violently against his rough thumb as your veins were flooded with white hot relief. Your juices spilled forth in thin, translucent threads, drooling around his cock as he continued to rut against you like a dog in heat. Ace fought to keep his eyes uncrossed as he groaned, your snug pussy squeezing him so tight as he smothered the head of his cock against the most sacred part of you. Your body continued to twitch in the aftermath of your pleasure as the push of Ace’s hips came to an abrupt halt, cock buried to the hilt inside of you as he came with a loud grunt. His cock kicked with each rope of his viscous seed that painted your walls, the heat his body provided occupying your hazy mind as you were filled to the brim. Your nerves continued to zap you as he pumped every last drop of his seed into your greedy pussy, your snug walls milking him until he was completely dry. 

The warmth overflowed and dribbled down your quaking thighs, your pussy still clenching tight around Ace’s cock as it kept your centre plugged and stuffed full. His hard pants mingled with your own laboured breathing, his clammy skin sticking to yours as wisps of dark hair stuck to the side of his freckled cheeks. He trailed wet kisses over your chin, trying to coax you out of your stupor and draw your gaze to him once more. Your head eventually tipped as you gazed down at him through lidded eyes, head still swirling up in the clouds as your nerves had yet to settle. Your grip on his hair eased as you massaged your fingers along his scalp, teasing the knots out of his wild hair with a warm smile. He rubbed his hands against your full, round belly, a hum of content bubbling up your throat as his hands worshipped your body. He rested his chin between the valley of your breasts, a wide grin lighting up his features.

"Are you full? Do you need more?"

[maddennfl86]

Richard Madden in Rome on April 21, 2023. ✨

[rob-pattinson]

RICHARD MADDEN 2023 | seen in Rome, Italy (April 21)

[galadriel1010]

I love capped bus fares in the UK, but the fact that even with the capped fares, it's still cheaper for one person to drive to town and park than get the bus is maddening. It's £4 return for a 21 minute bus ride. I would have to be in town for over 4 hours for that to be cheaper than parking. It's madness.

[aayakashii]

I wasn’t sure if you wanted the request through the ask me anything box or under the post for the Kiss me prompts. It’ll probably be easier to do it here, but may I have the kissing prompt with Jin from Tokyo debunker. I would like ❤️16 fluffy and a little suggestive and ❤️21 that is smutty.

I truly love your work! You even help me to improve my own writing. I hope to be on your level some day. Also take your time with mine. I’m sure you are getting a lot of requests right now💙

Yes yes, through the ask box is perfect! And oh my god 😭 I'm gonna think about your words everytime I feel insecure about my writing 😭 truly, thank you so much, I'm so so happy you like what I write and that little old me can actually help people get inspired ;w;

By the way, I'm gonna split your ask into two, since I wrote two different drabbles for each prompt!

The second part of this ask is here!

Warnings: none, just a little bit suggestive

The first few drops of rain began pouring while you and Jin walked away from the old library building and towards Frostheim's castle. The sky had quickly gone dark gray with thunderclouds during your time in the library and your heart dropped, thinking about how you'd have to dry your clothes once you went back to your dorm.

Jim tutted, taking his coat off of his shoulder and raising it over his head like a makeshift umbrella. He pulled you closer to his body without uttering a word and you gasped loudly when your back touched Jin's toned chest.

You felt a traitorous heat burn on your cheeks. The strong scent of sandalwood with vanilla of his body flooded your senses despite the rain that fell hard over and around you.

It made your lower body tingle, and you squirmed against him, slightly frustrated with how easily he could distract you without even trying.

“What's wrong?” he asked as you two began to clumsily walk towards a small gazebo that defied the test of time, the coat barely protecting you from the water.

“W-what? What do you mean?” your voice cracked pitifully, not subtle at all.

Jin raised an eyebrow, eyes quickly flitting towards you as you two entered the small place.

“Well, you look weird.” you winced at his blunt statement “Also, you gasped way too loudly when we started walking here. Did you see something or what?” he asked, shaking his coat and sending countless droplets of water everywhere.

You hadn't even noticed you gasped out loud while sniffing his perfume like a mad dog, and you had to resist the urge to slap your own forehead.

“It's nothing, um, I mean…” you cleared your throat “I was just surprised.”

“By…?” he elongated the word, clearly curious to know what it was that bothered you when you two were walking.

“By… I just thought you, uh. You smell really good and stuff and… yeah…” you averted your gaze, embarrassed, despite following the stupid impulse of just straight up telling him what got you so bothered.

Maybe he would tell you what perfume he was wearing?

Yes, that would be perfect.

As he raised an eyebrow again, a slow and wicked grin spread on Jin's lips.

“Oh really? You like my perfume?” he stepped closer, a predator air to the way he approached you.

“I- I do.” you swallowed hard, eyes locked onto his hands running through his own hair and the drops of rain that ran down his collarbones and into his clothes.

“Go on. Check if you truly like it and I'll tell you what it is.” he leaned down, smirking and exposing his neck to you.

You managed to at least pretend you were hesitating before getting closer and breathing in his scent deeply.

You closed your eyes in bliss, sighing loudly while that delicious fragrance flooded your senses again.

When you opened your eyes, Jin's face was mere inches apart from you, and your breath hitched. His eyes searched for yours, a silent plea for permission.

You nodded and closed your eyes again, humming as you felt his lips softly press against yours.

It was maddening, the feeling of his lips sucking your bottom lip softly and his fragrance drowning you in him.

He gently pushed his tongue between your lips and you moaned, feeling the faint taste of cigarette and tea that was so distinct, so him.

Your little moans and whimpers spurred him on, pulling you flush against his body, holding you tightly as if he was preventing you from ever escaping his arms.

And it's not like you wanted that either.

The lack of oxygen was leaving the both of you lightheaded, so, after a little while, Jin begrudgingly pulled back. You whined and he chuckled against your cheek, warm and damp with the rain that was finally letting up.

“It's Jean Paul Gaultier.” he murmured against your skin.

“What?” you wheezed, still out of your senses.

Jin leaned back to look at your flushed face. You blinked fast, trying to focus on his porcelain face.

“The name of my perfume. Jean Paul Gaultier.”

Your lips formed an “o”, not quite sure what to do with that information.

“Okay. Good.” you nodded “Keep… keep wearing it.”

He smirked, thumb pressing against your bottom lip while he pulled your chin towards his smug face again.

“I guess I have no choice.”

Drabble event rules and prompt list

[unholyverse]

waterparks // marvin magazine issue #10

(full transcript under the cut)

Waterparks

WORDS by HOLLY SOLEM

PHOTOGRAPHY by DANIEL PRACOPCYK

Waterparks are places you go for fun; both pools and slides and the gloriously buzzy, pop punk band featuring members Geoff Wigington (lead guitar), Otto Wood (drums), and singer/guitarist Awsten Knight, whose neon energy matches his hair. Their music leads you down sonic chutes and up rainbow ladders with four albums, countless tours, millions of listeners and a recent signing with Fueled By Ramen, the label under which they are about to drop their highly anticipated 5th studio album. MARVIN had the good fortune of catching up with Knight—who is busy prepping for a European tour, a US tour and the release of the band's new album—to talk about all that goes into creating the bubbly world of Waterparks.

The new album titled Intellectual Property features eleven legit bangers filled with anthemic choruses. psychedelic experimentation and hooky melodies all polished to a sheen. There are hints of megalithic rock bands like Muse, inspiration from The Beach Boys and the pop punk sounds we have come to expect. But as for the "pop" part, this record goes in hard with collaborations with the likes of blackbear and songwriter/producer Julian Bunetta.

I love pop music and we got an offer to write with this dude, Julian, who has credits on 95% of One Direction's discography. I fucking love One Direction. I don't want to be dramatic but let's say I've got a top 60 favorite songs, I think four or five are One Direction songs. And Julian's written on all of them. I was just like, 'I want to do what I do but with him too.' And then I made "FUNERAL GREY", "BRAINWASHED", and "FUCK ABOUT IT", with him.

For this album, the band brought in more outside alliances than on previous albums, with Knight saying. "I think I was more open to [collaborations] on this album. Other people's opinions and thoughts and stuff like that. Normally, I don't really love writing with people that I don't know very well because it can feel very sterile. You walk in and they're like, 'what do you want to write about? You're like, 'oh fuck'—because it's a personal thing." And when it comes to getting personal, Knight is also realizing that to his surprise, the more personal he gets-the more vulnerable lyrically—the more universal the message.

I feel like I used to be kind of freaked out by [vulnerability], especially earlier, on album one. I was really nervous about it and it sounds so lame in retrospect but I didn't even want to do any acoustic songs. I liked burying myself a lit- tle bit behind a big instrumental. [The song] "21 Questions" for example. I sent that along with all the other demos to Benji because I wanted his opinion and he was like, 'this is one of the best ones.' Those wind up being the favorites, which seems counterproductive because songs are supposed to be relatable. And I never feel like I'm being relatable but I try to be less selfish with the writing. I want this to be for someone else.

When Knight refers to "Benji" he is talking about Benji Madden, one half of legendary pop punk duo Good Charlotte. Benji, along with his brother and bandmate Joel, manage Waterparks after discovering them on YouTube and DM'ing them on Twitter back in 2015. Knight received the news of the Maddens' invitation to fly to LA for a meeting while working as a babysitter who gave guitar lessons.

I called the guys and we're like, 'holy shit.' So we all went and bought swimsuits because…California. And yeah, that was it. After we met them, we went back to our hotel and were just like, 'what is happening? A week ago we were still passing out flyers outside of other people's shows. And we're right here, right now. This is the weirdest shit.'

A literal dream-come-true for Knight and the band, who eventually would make the move to LA from Houston while missing its Tex-Mex and Thai food, and of course, his family. But when it comes to the weather, he's all about California. He doesn't even mind the earthquakes. He was in a rooftop hot tub during one and actually found it rather exciting. For a man who has toured the world, there's a bright-eyed innocence and almost childlike wonder to him. His seeming lack of cynicism is as refreshing as freshly fallen snow which he admits he only saw for the first time not that long ago. But now, Knight talks about having stress dreams as he and the band get ready to embark on a European leg, followed by an extensive US tour.

Here's the thing, I like to play shows and I like to meet people. The other 22 hours of the day, I like having my space. I'm pretty particular, you know what I mean? I like my zone where I can sit and just do stuff. You go from peace and quiet and doing what you want all the time to sharing a small living space and a bus with twelve people. It's basically having twelve people in your living room for two months. And you're just like, 'ah, but the shows are great' as long as the shows are fun and everyone is having a great time, that makes it worth it to me.

He's also superstitious. Around his apartment there are crystals, there are obsidian and selenite wands in front of all the mirrors. He has a healer-type person come in and energetically clear his space, insisting he throw away objects that may have "dark entities" attached. "I'm luckier than people I know. They're like, 'why is the light always turning green when you go to it? Why do you always get the front spot at the store?' I'm like, it's because I don't split the pole, you know? Can't split a pole when you're walking. There's a bunch of superstitions. But I follow them and I'm crazy lucky."

In addition to music, he recently penned a well-received book of personal essays called, You'd Be Paranoid Too (If Everyone Was Out to Get You). He plans to write a novel next and has also started a clothing line called HiiDef. that fabricates small collections that sell out fast. His enthusiasm for the line is on par with music. "If everybody made the songs that I wanted to hear, I wouldn't have to do this. The same thing applies with clothing." Passion abound, he is all smiles when discussing plans for the future of Waterparks.

How do I get to the fucking moon? I think anyone who hears this album is going to love it. Cause I think it's incredible. I'm looking at the songs right now. I'm just like, 'man, straight slappers.' Even the last song, which I know wouldn't be a single or anything-that's probably one of the best accomplishments of a song that we've ever been able to pull off. I see this album in plaques on the wall. All right, we're manifesting now.

He names his goals out loud, as one is meant to do when calling them in, mentioning things like how much he'd like to play the Redding and Leeds Festivals at sunset. Then he pulls up the Waterparks US tour schedule online while musing, "I want one of those big "Sold Out" things across all the dates. It's getting there dude. Yeah, actually, it's going crazy right now." In real time, he seems to discover that the banners that cross nearly all of the show dates do indeed read, "Sold Out". And then it's clear. Awsten Knight is lucky. But luck is really about preparation meeting opportunities and he has definitely shown up to the game prolific and prepared. Five albums in, it's clear that Knight and Waterparks have only just begun.

@waterparks

[sassysnowglobe]

Audio gift: Next to Normal - Last London Preview (21 August 2023) - Donmar Warehouse

Cast: Caissie Levy (Diana Goodman), Jamie Parker (Dan Goodman), Jack Wolfe (Gabe Goodman), Eleanor Worthington-Cox (Natalie Goodman), Jack Ofrecio (Henry), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden).

Last performance before Press Night. Recorded from the aisle, so you can hear the cast running up and down the stage. Also includes the outtro music after curtain call.

Side note: There was a single camera present in the audience to professionally record the show for the ‘archives’.