NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #57 (Monday, April 29, 2024)

NYT Strands on a cellphone
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide/NY Times/Shutterstock)
Connections today: Quick menu

Need a bit of help with NYT Strands today? The theme isn't that obvious, once you get the first couple you should be on a roll.

Below, we've compiled some useful hints for Strands #57, as well as the answers, should it come to that. We'll start off with some clues, before building up to the full answer for Strands #57, so read on if you need a little help.

Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for Strands #57.  

Today's NYT Strands answer — Today's theme and hints

The official theme for NYT Strands #57 is... "Name dropping".

And here's an unofficial hint from me: Top of the pops.

If you're still in the dark, here are some useful words to give you those valuable clue tokens:

  • SPAIN
  • BEAN
  • RIPE
  • NAPS
  • BRAND
  • MUSE

Still struggling? The spangram will give you a hint about the connection word. Today, it starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'.

Scroll down to find out what it is...

It's MUSICIANS.

Today's Strands answers

So, what are today's Strands answers for game #57?

Drumroll, please...

  • SEAL
  • PRINCE
  • BRANDY
  • PINK
  • MEATLOAF
  • JEWEL
  • COMMON

Strands #57

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

...and the spangram was MUSICIANS.

Clues used: 0.

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Hi Strands fans. Another somewhat cryptic theme here, but pretty easy once you get a couple on the board that you're looking for one-name musicians (though no room for Beyonce, Sting, Morrissey or Cher I note).

I got kind of lucky by putting SEAL in with during my usual attempt to build up incorrect words for the clue section above. Once I realized that was right, I immediately spotted PRINCE and it was obvious what the connection was. I entered the spangram of MUSICIANS from left to right and looked for the next artist.

I saw BRANDY snaking between the spangram and SEAL, and then noticed PINK hiding in the top-right corner. This left a single path for the trickiest name in the puzzle: MEATLOAF.

JEWEL followed and I only had one left. I'd never heard of COMMON, but it clearly wasn't going to be "NOMMOC"...

Yesterday's Strands answers

Reading this in a later time zone? You can find the full article on yesterday's Strands answers for game #56 right here.

Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

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