Recipe: Arnott’s has revealed how to make Iced VoVo biscuits

The most famous pink and red biscuits in Australia can now be remade at home with the official recipe for Iced VoVo. The iconic Arnott’s treat is the latest to be demystified by the Aussie brand as part of their generous series revealing once-secret recipes for those in lockdown. That eternal favourite combination of marshmallow,…

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Caliphate Netflix

Is Netflix’s Caliphate worth watching?

Streaming on Netflix now, Caliphate is an eight-episode thriller shot between Sweden and Jordan, following a planned ISIS terror plot in Stockholm while at the same time examining the much deeper issue of radicalisation. With a long-running show like Homeland wrapping up (rather well, might I add) after eight seasons, it’s expected that some fans…

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Washington Dark Parts

Track of the Day: Washington “Dark Parts” (2020)

Megan Washington has clearly been creative during Isolation. She is back with a new track, “Dark Parts” and an animated video which she has created herself. It’s a hell of a party track, even if it does ask us to open up and share the parts of us we keep hidden. This song is playful…

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Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways restarts several Australian services this week

Qatar Airways will resume some of their Australian services starting Wednesday 20th May. The announcement follows the airline’s approval to operate to Brisbane, granted back in early April when the carrier helped take over 5,000 people home in the face of tough state borders. This is, of course, part of the gradual restart of services…

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The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pancakes from The Arcade Restaurant in Memphis

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Virgin Australia

You can now use your Velocity points with Virgin Australia again

Following a four-week ban placed on Velocity members redeeming points with Virgin Australia, the airline is now allowing frequent flyers to use the virtual currency to book domestic flights. Of course, this is all contingent on the troubled airline being sold soon, but things do at least look promising with several potential buyers on the…

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Emirates resumes passenger flights to Australia with strict health measures

Emirates has become the latest international carrier to pick up some key routes following the relaxation of lockdowns around the world. This includes flights into, and out of, Sydney and Melbourne. After the current pandemic forced them to cut some of their most valuable services, Emirates plans to restart services from 21st May, including to…

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Philips Airfryer XXL Review: The chunky kitchen gadget that’s trending for good reason

Every now and again a specific kitchen essential rises in ranks, sitting comfortably at the end of frenzied shopping queues and rushed online orders. The awkwardly pear-shaped airfryer is having such a moment right now, and despite aesthetically being the George Costanza of kitchen tools, the hype has been well-placed. Aldi recently put a budget…

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KIAN

Interview: KIAN (AUS) on “Every Hour”, turning 18 and growing as a musician

It’s been a full year since The AU Review caught up with KIAN, when the then 16-year-old dropped his debut EP BLISS. Since its release, KIAN has ticked off phenomenal milestones musicians decades his senior are waiting to achieve: he played Splendour in the Grass and Spin Off Festival, toured the UK and Europe with Conan Gray, travelled…

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Recipe: Kaeng Khiao Wan from Amari Hotels, Thailand

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Tourism Australia launches new streaming campaign ‘Live From Aus’

Over the next three days, Tourism Australia will unleash a diverse live program of virtual travel experiences, showcasing a huge range of the country’s best to inspire domestic travel once restrictions lift. Anyone with an internet connection can discover a wide range of Australian experiences across everything from nature to music, world-class food and, of…

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Joker, 1917, Ford v Ferrari and more digital downloads are $5 right now

If you don’t want to play the waiting game and count the days before the likes of Joker and 1917 hit streaming services than this week is going to be good to you. For the next few days, from now until Wednesday 20th May, a digital download frenzy called Mega Movie Week is on, slashing…

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Paper Mario

Paper Mario: The Origami King coming to Switch in July

Paper Mario, the king of Mario RPGs, is finally back. Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are on their way to the kingdom’s annual origami festival, but something is amiss. Peach seems to be acting a bit strange. You might say her character has suddenly become … paper thin. All of this is surely the work…

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Track of the Day: Scarlet Parke “Pretend” (2020)

Seattle-based artist, Scarlet Parke returns with her latest single “Pretend”, produced by Jake Crocker. After releasing her debut LP, Flight Risk, the artist is known for channeling raw emotions and experiences into her music. The track evokes nostalgic feelings towards an ex-lover with an eclectic side of smooth r&b-pop-trap beats. The recurring lyrics throughout the…

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Recipe: Fry Sauce – a legendary condiment in Utah

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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GTA 5

GTA 5 is free right now on the Epic Games Store

GTA 5, one of the most popular and successful video games of all time, is free right now on the Epic Games Store. The reason the game has had such a dramatic cut in price is due to the Epic Mega Sale, a mid-year event that applies significant discounts to popular games. Throughout each week…

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Interview: Steve Smyth on recording his latest EP Blood in a church, and life in lockdown in Spain

Steve Smyth is arguably one of Australia’s most talented singer-songwriters. These days Steve calls Barcelona home, and with Spain being one of the worst affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,  his lock-down conditions have been more stringent than most. I caught up with Steve a couple of weeks ago, as he was releasing “Yours Sincerely”, a…

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18 minutes of gorgeous Ghost of Tsushima gameplay

Today’s new PlayStation State of Play broadcast was all about Ghost of Tsushima. Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world action-adventure game set in Feudal Japan. It follows a wandering samurai named Jin, who wages a solitary war against Mongols invading the island of Tsushima. In short, it’s exactly the sort of game PlayStation look for…

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Track of the Day: Josh Pyke “Doubting Thomas” (2020)

A follow-up to his first release in five years (“I Don’t Know”), “Doubting Thomas” is the new one from the reliable Josh Pyke and another strong offering from the veteran Aussie singer-songwriter. Pyke, in a statement, says the break allowed him to shed some “self-imposed rules” when it comes to songwriting, and that “Doubting Thomas”…

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Recipe: Pasiflora Cocktail from Los Cabos luxury resort “Solaz”

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Guest Playlist: Bloods reveal the tracks behind upcoming EP Seattle

Inspired by and recorded in the city of the same name, Seattle is the upcoming EP from Sydney garage-pop-punkers Bloods. Fronted by Marihuzka Cornelius/MC, and with Dirk Jonker on drums, and Mike Morgan providing guitar, bass and backing vocals, the trio’s latest is a love letter to 90s rock and iconic turn of the century…

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Review: HBO’s new film Bad Education is “the most Australian movie about Long Island ever made”

The newest feature film for us to enjoy from the company of our own homes during isolation is one that was never acquired for big screen distribution. Coming from HBO Films (following the largest acquisition deal of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival), Bad Education is the dramatised telling of a true story of corruption…

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Howlite

Exclusive Single Premiere: Howlite “Infancy” (2020)

Melbourne band Howlite make their return this week, with new single “Infancy”. Offering insight into their forthcoming EP Not Here, the single sees the trio venturing into the territory of “dark” other-worldly pop. We’re excited to bring you this exclusive first listen ahead of tomorrow’s official release date.  Alison Thom’s beguiling vocal is what immediately…

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Unreal Engine 5

New Unreal Engine 5 demo promises eye-popping PS5 visuals

Epic Games have unveiled Unreal Engine 5, the next iteration of their popular software development kit. The trailer, released this morning on social media, shows a lengthy real-time demo that spotlights two new systems — Lumen and Nanite. Lumen is a new system for dynamic global illumination. Its job is calculating how light should look…

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Mafia Trilogy

Mafia Trilogy announced, full reveal coming May 20

2K Games has announced Mafia Trilogy, an apparent collection of all three mainline Mafia titles. This would include the original Mafia, Mafia II and 2016’s Mafia III. All we have to go on right now is the teaser trailer. The most interesting part is that footage from Mafia II lookin’ real good. You can check…

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Australian Book Industry Awards

Bluey: The Beach makes history at the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards

This afternoon, the 2020 ABIAs (Australian Book Industry Awards) were live streamed into the homes of book lovers across Australia. Winners were toasted, writers celebrated, and history was made, in more ways than one. Thanks to COVID-19 2020 saw the Award’s Gala held virtually for the first time in the event’s history. 2020 also marks the…

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Amazon’s Ring plans to upgrade its Video Doorbell, without upping the price

It’s getting more and more cost effective to join the traditionally expensive ecosystem of smart home security tech. Amazon’s Ring is giving a big nod to that fact with the announcement of its next-generation Video Doorbell, featuring significant improvements on the original model while maintaining its very attractive price of AU$149 The Amazon-owned company will…

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Oppo A91 Review: Mid-range prowess but dated specs

The mid-range market has been a sweet spot for smartphones in the past few years, and Oppo are more focused on it than ever with the A91. While the Chinese company awaits the release of their much anticipated and super premium Find X2 Pro, it may be the A91 that ends up being one of…

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Texas Chilli

Recipe: How to make authentic Texas chilli

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Track of the Day: Woodkid “Goliath” (2020)

It’s been a hot minute between drinks for French artist Woodkid, whose acclaimed cinematic pop sees him sit somewhere in between M83 and Hans Zimmer. Tracks like “Run Boy Run” have notably popped up in shows like Umbrella Academy, and he also scored the 2015 Jonás Cuarón film Desierto. There’s an industrial feel to his…

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