diff --git a/lovely/backgrounds.toml b/lovely/backgrounds.toml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fabe8b854
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lovely/backgrounds.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+[manifest]
+version = "1.0.0"
+dump_lua = true
+priority = -1
+
+# Handle the vanilla background shaders
+# Sprite:draw
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = "engine/sprite.lua"
+pattern = '''
+elseif _shader == 'vortex' then 
+        G.SHADERS['vortex']:send('vortex_amt', G.TIMERS.REAL - (G.vortex_time or 0))
+'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+elseif _shader == 'background' then
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('time', G.TIMERS.REAL_SHADER)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('spin_time', G.TIMERS.BACKGROUND)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('colour_1', G.C.BACKGROUND.C)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('colour_2', G.C.BACKGROUND.L)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('colour_3', G.C.BACKGROUND.D)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('contrast', G.C.BACKGROUND.contrast)
+    G.SHADERS['background']:send('spin_amount', G.ARGS.spin and G.ARGS.spin.amount or 0)
+elseif _shader == 'splash' then
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('time', G.TIMERS.REAL)
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('vort_speed', G.STATE == G.STATES.SPLASH and 1 or 0.4)
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('colour_1', G.STATE == G.STATES.SPLASH and G.C.BLUE or G.C.RED)
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('colour_2', G.STATE == G.STATES.SPLASH and G.C.WHITE or G.C.BLUE)
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('mid_flash', SMODS.splash_mid_flash)
+    G.SHADERS['splash']:send('vort_offset', G.STATE == G.STATES.SPLASH and SMODS.splash_vort_offset or 0)
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Make splash_args global
+# Game:main_menu, Game:demo_cta
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''
+local splash_args = {mid_flash = change_context == 'splash' and 1.6 or 0.}
+    ease_value(splash_args, 'mid_flash', -(change_context == 'splash' and 1.6 or 0), nil, nil, nil, 4)
+'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+SMODS.splash_mid_flash = change_context == 'splash' and 1.6 or 0
+ease_value(SMODS, 'splash_mid_flash', -(change_context == 'splash' and 1.6 or 0), nil, nil, nil, 4)
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Make vort_offset global
+# Game:splash_screen
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''--Prep the splash screen shaders for both the background(colour swirl) and the foreground(white flash), starting at black'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+SMODS.vort_offset = ((2*90.15315131*os.time())%100000)
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Draw custom bgs
+# Game:draw
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''
+if G.SPLASH_BACK then
+        if G.debug_background_toggle then
+            love.graphics.clear({0,1,0,1})
+        else
+            love.graphics.push()
+            G.SPLASH_BACK:translate_container()
+            G.SPLASH_BACK:draw()
+            love.graphics.pop()
+        end
+    end
+'''
+position = "at"
+payload = '''
+--[[
+if G.SPLASH_BACK then
+    if G.debug_background_toggle then
+        love.graphics.clear({0,1,0,1})
+    else
+        love.graphics.push()
+        G.SPLASH_BACK:translate_container()
+        G.SPLASH_BACK:draw()
+        love.graphics.pop()
+    end
+end
+]]
+
+if SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS then
+    if G.debug_background_toggle then
+        love.graphics.clear({0,1,0,1})
+    else
+        SMODS.draw_background()
+    end
+end
+
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Get current bg
+# Game:update
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''modulate_sound(dt)'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+SMODS.update_background()
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Create SMODS bg stuff
+# Game:main_menu, Game:demo_cta, Game:sandbox
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''if G.SPLASH_BACK then G.SPLASH_BACK:remove(); G.SPLASH_BACK = nil end'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+SMODS.create_bg_canvasses()
+'''
+match_indent = true
+
+# Game:start_run
+[[patches]]
+[patches.pattern]
+target = 'game.lua'
+pattern = '''
+G.SPLASH_BACK:set_alignment({
+        major = G.play,
+        type = 'cm',
+        bond = 'Strong',
+        offset = {x=0,y=0}
+    })
+'''
+position = "after"
+payload = '''
+SMODS.create_bg_canvasses()
+'''
+match_indent = true
diff --git a/lovely/screenshader_rendering.toml b/lovely/screenshader_rendering.toml
index 1aa6b050b..a9689c383 100644
--- a/lovely/screenshader_rendering.toml
+++ b/lovely/screenshader_rendering.toml
@@ -68,5 +68,18 @@ position = "after"
 payload = '''
 G.SHADER_CANVAS_A = SMODS.create_canvas()
 G.SHADER_CANVAS_B = SMODS.create_canvas()
+
+-- easier to just stick this here
+if not SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 then
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 = SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h, SMODS.Background:get_current_background())
+end
+if not SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 then
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 = SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h, nil, 0)
+end
+
+SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS = SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS or SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1
+
+SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1.canvas = SMODS.create_canvas()
+SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2.canvas = SMODS.create_canvas()
 '''
 match_indent = true
diff --git a/lsp_def/classes/background.lua b/lsp_def/classes/background.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..df6074f30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lsp_def/classes/background.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+---@meta
+
+---@class SMODS.Background: SMODS.GameObject
+---@field obj_table? table<string, SMODS.Background|table> Table of objects registered to this class.
+---@field super? SMODS.GameObject|table Parent class.  
+---@field key string Unique string to reference this object.
+---@field shader? string Key of the shader to apply to the background, shader must already exist to use this.
+---@field path? string Name of the shader file to use if `shader` is not provided.
+---@field atlas? string Key to the atlas used for the background sprite.
+---@field pos? table|{x: integer, y: integer} Position of the background's sprite. 
+---@field fade_time? number Time it takes for this background to fade in.
+---@field fade_ease? string Easing curve used when this background fades in. Must be in SMODS.ease_types
+---@field extend? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, o: SMODS.Background|table): table Primary method of creating a class. 
+---@field check_duplicate_register? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): boolean? Ensures objects already registered will not register. 
+---@field check_duplicate_key? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): boolean? Ensures objects with duplicate keys will not register. Checked on `__call` but not `take_ownership`. For take_ownership, the key must exist. 
+---@field register? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table) Registers the object. 
+---@field check_dependencies? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): boolean? Returns `true` if there's no failed dependencies. 
+---@field process_loc_text? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table) Called during `inject_class`. Handles injecting loc_text. 
+---@field send_to_subclasses? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, func: string, ...: any) Starting from this class, recusively searches for functions with the given key on all subordinate classes and run all found functions with the given arguments. 
+---@field pre_inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table) Called before `inject_class`. Injects and manages class information before object injection. 
+---@field post_inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table) Called after `inject_class`. Injects and manages class information after object injection. 
+---@field inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table) Injects all direct instances of class objects by calling `obj:inject` and `obj:process_loc_text`. Also injects anything necessary for the class itself. Only called if class has defined both `obj_table` and `obj_buffer`. 
+---@field inject? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, i?: number) Called during `inject_class`. Injects the object into the game. 
+---@field take_ownership? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, key: string, obj: SMODS.Background|table, silent?: boolean): nil|table|SMODS.Background Takes control of vanilla objects. Child class must have get_obj for this to function
+---@field get_obj? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, key: string): SMODS.Background|table? Returns an object if one matches the `key`. 
+---@field select_background? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): nil|number|boolean Called each frame. Determines what background to use. Background with the highest number is used.
+---@field set_sprites? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table, bg: SMODS.BackgroundCanvas|table) Used for setting and manipulating sprites of the background when created or loaded.
+---@field update? fun(self: SMODS.Center|table, bg: SMODS.BackgroundCanvas|table) Allows logic for this card to be run per-frame. 
+---@field send_vars? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): table? Used to send extra args to the shader via `Shader:send(key, value)`. 
+---@field get_current_background? fun(self: SMODS.Background|table): nil|string Polls `SMODS.Background:select_background` and returns the key to the background to use.
+---@overload fun(self: SMODS.Background): SMODS.Background
+SMODS.Background = setmetatable({}, {
+    __call = function(self)
+        return self
+    end
+})
+
+---@type table<string, SMODS.Background|table>
+SMODS.Backgrounds = {}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lsp_def/classes/background_draw_step.lua b/lsp_def/classes/background_draw_step.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1db45f000
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lsp_def/classes/background_draw_step.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---@meta
+
+---@class SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep: SMODS.GameObject
+---@field key string Unique string to reference this object.
+---@field order? number Sets the order. `BackgroundDrawStep` objects are evaluated in order from lowest to highest. 
+---@field __call? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, o: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table): nil|table|SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep
+---@field extend? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, o: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table): table Primary method of creating a class. 
+---@field check_duplicate_register? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table): boolean? Ensures objects already registered will not register. 
+---@field check_duplicate_key? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table): boolean? Ensures objects with duplicate keys will not register. Checked on `__call` but not `take_ownership`. For take_ownership, the key must exist. 
+---@field register? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table) Registers the object. 
+---@field check_dependencies? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table): boolean? Returns `true` if there's no failed dependencies. 
+---@field process_loc_text? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table) Called during `inject_class`. Handles injecting loc_text. 
+---@field send_to_subclasses? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, func: string, ...: any) Starting from this class, recusively searches for functions with the given key on all subordinate classes and run all found functions with the given arguments. 
+---@field pre_inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table) Called before `inject_class`. Injects and manages class information before object injection. 
+---@field post_inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table) Called after `inject_class`. Injects and manages class information after object injection. 
+---@field inject_class? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table) Injects all direct instances of class objects by calling `obj:inject` and `obj:process_loc_text`. Also injects anything necessary for the class itself. Only called if class has defined both `obj_table` and `obj_buffer`. 
+---@field inject? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, i?: number) Called during `inject_class`. Injects the object into the game. 
+---@field take_ownership? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, key: string, obj: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, silent?: boolean): nil|table|SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep Takes control of vanilla objects. Child class must have get_obj for this to function
+---@field get_obj? fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table, key: string): SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep|table? Returns an object if one matches the `key`. 
+---@field func? fun(card: Card|table, layer?: string) Handles the drawing logic of the `DrawStep`.
+---@overload fun(self: SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep): SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep
+SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep = setmetatable({}, {
+    __call = function(self)
+        return self
+    end
+})
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lsp_def/utils.lua b/lsp_def/utils.lua
index 78ec29136..5419b00db 100644
--- a/lsp_def/utils.lua
+++ b/lsp_def/utils.lua
@@ -846,4 +846,22 @@ function SMODS.mod_blind_size(mod_blind_size) end
 ---@field mult? number Multiply blind size by this number
 ---@field card? Card Card responsible for blind size modification action, crucial for blind size display to work properly
 ---@field effect? table Table of effects that were calculated
----@field from_edition? boolean 
\ No newline at end of file
+---@field from_edition? boolean 
+
+---@class SMODS.BackgroundCanvas: Moveable
+---@overload fun(...: any): SMODS.BackgroundCanvas|table
+SMODS.BackgroundCanvas = {}
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:__call(...) return self end
+
+--- Creates SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 and SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2, and removes previous instances of both.
+function SMODS.create_bg_canvasses() end
+
+--- Draws the background.
+function SMODS.draw_background() end
+
+--- Updates the current background, and handles the background fade queue. Gets run every frame.
+function SMODS.update_background() end
+
+--- Begins fading the background to a new background.
+--- @param bg string Key for an SMODS.Background object.
+function SMODS.switch_background(bg) end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/core.lua b/src/core.lua
index 9102d8599..948d63975 100644
--- a/src/core.lua
+++ b/src/core.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ for _, path in ipairs {
     "src/overrides.lua",
     "src/game_object.lua",
     "src/compat_0_9_8.lua",
-    "src/utils/weights.lua"
+    "src/utils/weights.lua",
+    "src/utils/backgrounds.lua",
 } do
     assert(load(SMODS.NFS.read(SMODS.path..path), ('=[SMODS _ "%s"]'):format(path)))()
 end
diff --git a/src/game_object.lua b/src/game_object.lua
index e70f0ce5e..ea06a292e 100644
--- a/src/game_object.lua
+++ b/src/game_object.lua
@@ -399,6 +399,12 @@ Set `prefix_config.key = false` on your object instead.]]):format(obj.key), obj.
 
     assert(load(SMODS.NFS.read(SMODS.path..'src/game_objects/attributes.lua'), ('=[SMODS _ "src/game_objects/attributes.lua"]')))()
 
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    ----- API CODE GameObject.Background
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    assert(load(SMODS.NFS.read(SMODS.path..'src/game_objects/backgrounds.lua'), ('=[SMODS _ "src/game_objects/backgrounds.lua"]')))()
+
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     ----- INTERNAL API CODE GameObject._Loc_Pre
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/game_objects/backgrounds.lua b/src/game_objects/backgrounds.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..06f1599e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/game_objects/backgrounds.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+-- bg draw steps; allows for creating multilayered backgrounds
+SMODS.BackgroundDrawSteps = {}
+SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep = SMODS.GameObject:extend {
+    obj_table = SMODS.BackgroundDrawSteps,
+    obj_buffer = {},
+    required_params = {
+        'key',
+        'order',
+        'func',
+    },
+    -- func = function(bg) end,
+    set = "Background Draw Steps",
+    register = function(self)
+        if self.registered then
+            sendWarnMessage(('Detected duplicate register call on object %s'):format(self.key), self.set)
+            return
+        end
+        SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep.super.register(self)
+    end,
+    inject = function() end,
+    post_inject_class = function(self)
+        table.sort(self.obj_buffer, function(_self, _other) return self.obj_table[_self].order < self.obj_table[_other].order end)
+    end,
+}
+
+SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep {
+    key = "base",
+    order = -math.huge,
+    func = function(self)
+        if self.children.base then
+            self.children.base:draw_shader(self.shader or "dissolve")
+        end
+    end,
+}
+
+-- DO NOT CREATE NEW INSTANCES OF THIS
+SMODS.BackgroundCanvas = Moveable:extend()
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:init(X, Y, W, H, prototype, alpha)
+    Moveable.init(self, X, Y, W, H)
+    prototype = (type(prototype) == "string" and SMODS.Backgrounds[prototype] or prototype) or SMODS.Backgrounds.splash
+
+    self.states.collide.can = false
+    self.states.hover.can = false
+    self.states.drag.can = false
+    self.states.click.can = false
+
+    self.alpha = alpha or 1
+    self.canvas = SMODS.create_canvas()
+    self.children = {}
+
+    if prototype then
+        self:set_active_bg(prototype)
+    end
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:draw()
+    if self.alpha <= 0 then return end
+    local fading = self.alpha ~= 1
+    if fading then
+        love.graphics.setCanvas(self.canvas)
+    end
+    for _, k in ipairs(SMODS.BackgroundDrawStep.obj_buffer) do
+        SMODS.BackgroundDrawSteps[k].func(self)
+    end
+    if fading then
+        love.graphics.setCanvas(G.CANVAS)
+        love.graphics.setColor(1,1,1,self.alpha)
+        love.graphics.draw(self.canvas, 0, 0)
+        love.graphics.setColor(1,1,1,1)
+    end
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:set_sprites()
+    self.children = self.children or {}
+    local obj = self.prototype
+
+    local atlas = obj.atlas_key or 'ui_1'
+    local pos = obj.pos or {x = obj.atlas_key and 2 or 0, y = 0}
+    self.children.base = SMODS.create_sprite(self.T.x, self.T.y, self.T.w, self.T.h, atlas, pos)
+    self.children.base:set_alignment({
+        major = self,
+        type = 'cm',
+        bond = 'Glued',
+        offset = {x=0,y=0}
+    })
+
+    if obj.set_sprites and type(obj.set_sprites) == 'function' then
+        obj:set_sprites(self)
+    end
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:clean_up_children()
+    for _, v in pairs(self.children) do v:remove(); v = nil end
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:set_active_bg(prototype)
+    self.prototype = prototype
+    self.shader = prototype.shader
+    self:clean_up_children()
+    self:set_sprites()
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:remove()
+    self:clean_up_children()
+    Moveable.remove(self)
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:update()
+    local obj = self.prototype
+    if obj and obj.update and type(obj.update) == 'function' then
+        obj:update(self)
+    end
+end
+
+function SMODS.BackgroundCanvas:ease_alpha(target, delay, ease_type)
+    if target == self.alpha then return end
+    target = math.min(1, math.max(target, 0))
+    delay = delay or 2
+    SMODS.is_bg_fading = true
+    G.E_MANAGER:add_event(Event({
+        trigger = "ease",
+        ref_table = self,
+        ref_value = "alpha",
+        ease_to = target,
+        delay = delay,
+        type = ease_type,
+        blocking = false,
+        blockable = false,
+    }))
+    G.E_MANAGER:add_event(Event({
+        func = function()
+            SMODS.is_bg_fading = false
+            return true
+        end,
+        trigger = "after",
+        delay = delay,
+        blocking = false,
+        blockable = false,
+    }))
+end
+
+SMODS.Backgrounds = {}
+SMODS.Background = SMODS.GameObject:extend {
+    obj_table = SMODS.Backgrounds,
+    obj_buffer = {},
+    set = "Background",
+    required_params = {
+        'key',
+    },
+    send_vars = nil, -- same as Shader.send_vars
+    select_background = nil, -- should this bg be used, works like SMODS.Sounds:select_music_track
+    set_sprites = nil, -- sets sprites
+    update = nil, -- runs on update
+
+    fade_time = nil, -- how much time it takes for this bg to fade in
+    fade_ease = nil, -- which easing curve this bg uses when fading in
+
+    inject = function(self)
+        -- assert(self.shader or self.path, "Background " .. self.key .. " not given shader key or path")
+        if self.path and (not self.shader) then
+            SMODS.Shader.inject(self)
+            self.shader = self.key
+        end
+
+        self.fade_time = self.fade_time or 2
+    end,
+    get_current_background = function(self)
+        local bg
+        local maxp = -math.huge
+        for _, v in ipairs(self.obj_buffer) do
+            local s = self.obj_table[v]
+            if s.select_background and type(s.select_background) == 'function' then
+                local res = s:select_background()
+                if res then
+                    if type(res) ~= 'number' then res = 0 end
+                    if res > maxp then bg, maxp = v, res end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        return bg or (G.STAGE == G.STAGES.RUN and "background" or "splash")
+    end
+}
+
+SMODS.splash_mid_flash = 0
+SMODS.splash_vort_offset = 0
+SMODS.Background {
+    key = "splash",
+    shader = "splash"
+}
+
+SMODS.Background {
+    key = "background",
+    shader = "background"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/utils/backgrounds.lua b/src/utils/backgrounds.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..184f5351f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utils/backgrounds.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+function SMODS.create_bg_canvasses()
+    if SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 then SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1:remove(); SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 = nil end
+    if SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 then SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2:remove(); SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 = nil end
+    SMODS.background_queue = {}
+
+    local w, h = G.CANVAS:getDimensions()
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 = SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h, SMODS.Background:get_current_background())
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 = SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h, nil, 0)
+
+    SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS = SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1
+end
+
+function SMODS.draw_background()
+    local primary_canvas   = SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS == SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 and SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 or SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2
+    local secondary_canvas = SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS == SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 and SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 or SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1
+
+    primary_canvas:draw()
+    secondary_canvas:draw()
+end
+
+SMODS.background_queue = {}
+SMODS.is_bg_fading = false
+
+function SMODS.update_background()
+    -- queue bg fades
+    local cur_bg = SMODS.Background:get_current_background()
+    if
+        SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS and SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS.prototype and SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS.prototype.key ~= cur_bg
+        and SMODS.background_queue[#SMODS.background_queue] ~= cur_bg
+    then
+        SMODS.background_queue[#SMODS.background_queue+1] = cur_bg
+    end
+
+    -- handle fade queue
+    if not SMODS.is_bg_fading and #SMODS.background_queue > 0 then
+        local bg = SMODS.Backgrounds[table.remove(SMODS.background_queue, 1)]
+        SMODS.switch_background(bg)
+    end
+end
+
+function SMODS.switch_background(bg)
+    local w, h = G.CANVAS:getDimensions()
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 = SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 or SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h)
+    SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 = SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 or SMODS.BackgroundCanvas(-30, -13, w, h)
+
+    local new_canvas = SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS == SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 and SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2 or SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1
+    local old_canvas = SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS == SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 and SMODS.BG_CANVAS_1 or SMODS.BG_CANVAS_2
+
+    -- set new canvas
+    SMODS.PRIMARY_BG_CANVAS = new_canvas
+    new_canvas:set_active_bg(bg)
+
+    -- fade out old canvas
+    old_canvas:ease_alpha(0, bg.fade_time, bg.fade_ease)
+    new_canvas.alpha = 1
+end