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15 Albums Out Today to Listen To: Robyn, Snail Mail, Slayyyter, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on March 27, 2026:


Robyn, Sexistential

SexistentialAt one point on her self-financed, self-titled, and first independently released album, Robyn assumed the role of a captain attempting a crash landing before launching into a song called ‘Crash and Burn Girl’, echoing her description of Sexistential as feeling “like a spaceship coming through the atmosphere at a really high speed.” More than two decades after Robyn, and aided by early collaborators like Teddybears member Klas Åhlund, Sexistential still prioritizes the pleasure principle – “I’m never inspired by pain,” she told one celebrity fan, Tinashe – while defiantly eschewing the trappings of a “maturing” pop star. Read the full review.


Snail Mail, Ricochet

Ricochet Cover ArtworkSnail Mail is back with her third album, Ricochet. Working with Aron Kobayashi Ritch, the bassist and producer of New York’s Momma, the Valentine follow-up finds Lindsey Jordan transposing a period of self-imposed yet heavenly isolation into her most comfortably subdued songs to date. There’s still a delicate tension gnawing beneath the surface, as solitude’s gorgeous quiet borders on obsessive dissocation. Jordan, though, will go a long way to dance around it. Read the full review.


Slayyyter, WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA

wort-girl-in-america Cover ArtworkIn the lead-up to WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA‘s release, Slayyyter dropped the album’s entire first half in a promotional rollout that has included a healthy amount of shitposting. But stick around for the record’s back half, which flits between the star-flaunting noise of ‘Yes Goddd’ and ‘I’m Actually Kinda Famous’ and surprisingly clean-sounding indie-pop on tracks like ‘Unknown Loverz’ and ‘Old Fling$’. “This music was made from a very pure place, chasing songs I wanted to listen to over and over after the studio,” Slayyyter said in press materials. “By approaching it that way, I rediscovered how much I love making music. The prompt wasn’t thinking about hits, or algorithm music. I began asking myself: If I died tomorrow and had one last thing to contribute, what would it sound like?”


Courtney Barnett, Creature of Habit

Creature of Habit coverAptly for a record called Creature of Habit, Courtney Barnett steps into a familiar groove very quickly on her latest album. More than just humanity’s habitual tendencies, the Australian artist’s fourth album was inspired by some major life changes, including moving from Australia to Los Angeles and closing her long-running label Milk! Records. On the stirring ‘Site Unseen’, featuring Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, the pair sing, “Letting go of everything that might have been/ And if we like it here, we’ll stay another year/ Let’s figure out the rest another day.”


Charlotte Cornfield, Hurts Like Hell

Hurts Like Hell coverCharlotte Cornfield’s sixth album and Merge debut is an invitation to feel everything a little more intensely. Vulnerability has always been the singer-songwriter’s forte, and she refines it on Hurt Like Hell, twirling melodies around with remarkable ease. The Philip Weinrobe-produced record features vocals from Feist, Buck Meek, Christian Lee Hutson, and Maia Friedman, as well as some good tour stories, including a fictional one based on a band named Squiddd (no relation, I presume). Cornfield’s backing band also included Palehound’s El Kempner (guitar/vocals), Lake Street Dive’s Bridget Kearney (bass/vocals), Adam Brisbin (guitar/pedal steel), and Sean Mullins (drums).


Dry Socket, Self Defence Techniques

Dry SocketSelf Defence Techniques is the second LP by Portland hardcore band Dry Socket. Muscular and urgent, it follows 2024’s Sorry For Your Loss as well as a series of one-off singles, EPs, and split singles. “I wanted to write an emotionally angry album about everything that’s going on now,” vocalist Allen said in our Q&A. “It feels really uncontrolled for most of us, like we don’t have choice in how we interact in the world right now.”


Fcukers, Ö

Ö Album ArtworkNew albums by underscores, Robyn, and Slayyyter leave you wanting more? Fcukers have got you covered. Ö, the debut album from the buzzy New York-based duo of Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker, has some strong competition this month, but offers more of an indie house bent, bolstered by equal parts sleek and sharp production from Kenneth Blume (fka Kenny Beats). Dylan Brady contributed additional production, while the record was mixed by multi-Grammy winner Tom Norris.


The New Pornographers, The Former Site Of

the former site of.The New Pornographers have followed up 2023’s Continue As A Guest with The Former Site Of. Homing in on the reflective, understated songwriting that marked their previous record, the band’s 10th LP finds A.C. Newman, Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, John Collins, and Todd Fancey being joined by legendary session drummer Charley Drayton. “Having time in my studio really opened things up,” Newman explained. “I don’t like wasting my bandmates’ time, and always felt guilty when I’d give them a song, ask them to do something, then completely change the song and ask them to do it again. Now I can get the skeleton of a song together first—just a couple of elements, the key feeling, really as little as possible—before bringing it to the band and running from there.”


Flea, Honora

Honora album coverAndre 3000’s flute album, Flea’s trumpet album – what’s next? It’s far from a one-to-one comparison, to be fair. Flea’s electric bass playing is still a prominent feature on Honora, the 63-year-old Chili Pepper’s debut solo album, especially on the Thom Yorke-assisted ‘Traffic Lights’, and it’s hardly an ambient-leaning record, save for the 10-minute delight ‘Frailed’. But it does bring together a star-studded cast of players, including guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and saxophonist Josh Johnson. Even his bandmates Chad Smith and John Frusciante briefly show up.


Sluice, Companion

Sluice, CompanionCompanion could be about whoever you please. The third LP and Mtn Laurel Recording Co. debut from Sluice – now a four-piece featuring Justin Morris on guitar and vocals, Oliver Child-Lanning on bass and various instruments, Avery Sullivan on drums, and Libby Rodenbough on fiddle – opens itself up for projection as its subjects naturally shapeshift. Recorded with producer/engineer Alli Rogers at Betty’s, where 2023’s Radial Gate took shape, in the winter of 2024, the LP was crafted over two years, sounding both weathered and sincerely open-hearted. Don’t miss out on the 8+ minute sprawlers, ‘Gator’ and ‘Unknowing’.


The Twilight Sad, IT’S THE LONG GOODBYE

It's the Long Goodbye cover artworkThe Twilight Sad have returned with a cathartic new album, IT’S THE LONG GOODBYE. The Scottish post-punk group’s first LP in over seven years features The Cure’s Robert Smith on several tracks. “To know that I’m saying things that connect with other people, that’s such a powerful thing,” singer/lyricist James Graham commented. “I want to be a relatable person that talks about things that can happen and give an opportunity for people to go, well, you’re not alone. I want people to be able to listen to this record and hear that it comes from a place of raw emotion. The album is an opportunity to share my experience and move forward with my life.”


RAYE, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.

THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE coverRAYE’s sophomore album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., has arrived. The cinematic (Hanz Zimmer is actually featured on ‘Click Clack Symphony’), ambitious record is divided into four “seasons,” with each side of the vinyl representing a different chapter in a journey from darkness to light. “Music is medicine, I’ve always said that,” RAYE said. “I guess I’m in the process of making medicine for myself that I can share with the world. I want us all to say to ourselves that it’s going to be all right, and I’m going to have faith in the seeds that I’ve planted beneath the snow. I wanted to create something that is a hug, bed or soft place for that person who needs it.”


Stuck, Optimizer

Optimizer cover artworkStuck have dropped Optimizer, their third record in the span of six years. The trio of Greg Obis (vocals, guitar), David Algrim (bass), and Tim Green (drums) accentuates the absurd, idiosyncratic edges of their post-punk sound, which is naturally anxiety-ridden. The band worked with engineer and producer Andrew Oswald, tracking at Chicago’s Electrical Audio studios. Speaking about the single ‘Instakill’, Obis reflected: “I found myself in a bad way in 2024. Reeling with financial stress and a deep sense of precarity with my career, I was desperate for answers. This led me down a deep hole of online self-help huckster gurus. Charitably, I think that many of these people mean well and a few genuinely have good advice. But even the best of them are trying to prey on your insecurities and circumstances in order to sell you a course or a health supplement, which I think is both dark and funny. ‘Instakill’ uses these huckster gurus to explore the futility of constant self-optimization. Is it possible to change who you are?”


José González, Against the Dying of the Light

Against the Dying of the LightJosé González is back with another album of soothing, fingerpicked guitar. That said, there’s a bit more heft and rage baked into Against the Dying of the Light, as it takes its name from the famous Dylan Thomas poem. “Against The Dying of the Light is a collection of songs reflecting on humanity,” the Swedish singer-songwriter explained. “Who we are – tribes of sentient apes with stories that sometimes are incompatible with each other and tools that could eventually lead to dystopia or extinction. It’s also a reflection of how we create hurdles to human flourishing by stubbornly clinging to dogmatic ideologies, where people follow dudes who pretend to know shit they don’t.”


New German Cinema, Pain Will Polish Me

NewGermanCinemaFear of Men’s Jessica Weiss has unveiled her debut solo album under the moniker New German Cinema. Five years in the making, Pain Will Polish Me was produced with Alex DeGroot t (Zola Jesus, Cate Le Bon), drawing inspiration from German art-house auteur Rainer Werner Fassbinder as well as the “quiet dissonance” of modern Berlin. “Germany’s history is everywhere but it’s unsaid,” she noted. “Fassbinder brought it into view. I wanted to approach the same sense of unease through sound.”


Other albums out today:

Irreversible Entanglements, Future Present Past; Yeat, ADL (A Dangerous Lyfe / A Dangerous Love); Tigers Jaw, Lost on You; Lauren Auder, Whole World As Vigil; Chief Keef, Skeletor; Holy Fuck, Event Beat; King Tuff, MOO; Konradsen, Hunt, Gather; Irreversible Entanglements, Future Present Past; Paula Kelley, Blinking as the Starlight Burns Out; Monster Rally, Echoes of the Emerald Sands; Melissa Etheridge, Rise; worriedaboutsatan, No Knock No Doorbell; Wintersleep, Wishing Moon; Cannons, Everything Glows; Caroline Davis, Fallows; Emil Mark, Mellemtid; Myrath, Wilderness Of Mirrors; Shinichi Atobe, Silent Way; Dobrawa Czocher, State of Matter.

Toupee or Hair System? Modern Solutions for Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness affects millions of men worldwide, but modern technology has given rise to solutions that go far beyond the traditional toupee. While toupees were once thick, heavy, and easily noticeable, today’s hair systems offer natural, comfortable, and virtually undetectable options. Understanding the difference can help you choose the solution that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic goals.

Traditional Toupees: The Old Standard
Classic toupees were typically made with thick bases and heavier hair, often requiring adhesives or tapes to stay in place. While they added volume, they were prone to slipping, visible edges, and an unnatural appearance. Many men found them uncomfortable for long-term wear, and the maintenance required frequent adjustments or trips to a stylist.

Modern Hair Systems: Lightweight and Realistic
Today’s hair systems are designed with innovation in mind. Unlike traditional toupees, they use ultra-thin bases that conform to the scalp, making them lighter, breathable, and far more comfortable. The two most common base types are:

  1. Skin Base: This type uses a thin, flexible silicone or polyurethane layer that mimics the look of real scalp. Individual hairs are injected to simulate natural hair growth, creating the appearance of real follicles. Skin bases are highly durable and provide a realistic look, even up close.

  2. Lace Base: Lace bases are made from fine, breathable material where each hair is hand-tied. This allows for natural movement and styling versatility, making the hair system almost invisible when applied correctly. Lace bases are particularly suited for people who want to part their hair in multiple directions or style it freely.

Why Base Material Matters
The choice between skin and lace bases is crucial for achieving a natural look. Skin bases provide a polished, durable finish, ideal for short hairstyles and close-cropped looks. Lace bases, on the other hand, are perfect for long, flowing styles or those who prioritize a completely invisible hairline. Both options simulate real hair follicles, offering men a level of realism and confidence that traditional toupees simply cannot match.

TopUniqueHair: Pioneering Modern Hair Systems
Brands like TopUniqueHair have refined the art of hair systems, combining high-quality human hair with advanced base technology. Their systems are designed for comfort, realism, and long-term wear, making them a practical choice for men seeking solutions to hair loss. Whether you prefer the seamless finish of a skin base or the versatility of a lace base, modern hair systems from TopUniqueHair allow you to regain a natural, stylish appearance without the compromises of old-school toupees.

Conclusion
In short, today’s hair systems represent a significant evolution from traditional toupees. Lightweight, realistic, and customizable, they provide men with an effective solution to male pattern baldness. By understanding the differences between base types and choosing a high-quality provider like TopUniqueHair, you can achieve a look that is natural, confident, and effortless—making hair loss a worry of the past.

Alcohol Rehab 101: Effective Treatment Options & Recovery Tips for Lasting Sobriety

Taking the first step toward recovery from alcohol dependence requires immense courage. If you or a loved one are struggling with your relationship with alcohol, you are not alone. Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of adults face similar challenges every year, grappling with the physical and emotional weight of alcohol addiction. Recognising the problem is a monumental achievement, but understanding how to move forward is where real change begins.

Alcohol dependence is a complex condition that alters brain chemistry, making it incredibly difficult to stop drinking without professional support. Trying to quit cold turkey can be dangerous and often leads to relapse. This is why seeking professional help is crucial. Medical experts and trained therapists can guide you safely through the process, offering tools tailored to your unique situation. This guide will walk you through what alcohol rehab entails, the different treatment options available, and actionable steps you can take to maintain lasting sobriety.

Understanding Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol rehab is a structured treatment framework designed to help individuals stop drinking and address the underlying causes of their addiction. It provides a safe, supportive environment where you can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. The ultimate goal of any rehab programme is to equip you with the coping mechanisms needed to live a fulfilling life free from alcohol.

Treatment generally falls into two main categories: outpatient and residential rehab. Outpatient rehab allows you to live at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions and medical check-ins at a clinic. This option offers flexibility, allowing you to maintain work or family commitments. However, it requires a strong support system at home and a high level of personal motivation, as you are still exposed to everyday triggers.

On the other hand, residential rehab involves staying full-time at a specialised treatment facility. This immersive approach removes you from the stresses and temptations of daily life, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery. Regardless of the path you choose, early intervention significantly improves the chances of long-term success. Engaging with structured rehab programmes before physical and emotional health deteriorates further can make the journey to sobriety smoother and more manageable.

Residential Rehab: A Closer Look

When people think of comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment, residential rehab is often what comes to mind. By stepping away from your usual environment, you break the cycle of habit and trigger-driven drinking. Residential rehab offers a safe, substance-free haven where every aspect of your day is designed to promote healing.

A typical stay in a residential rehab centre lasts between 28 and 90 days, depending on the severity of the dependence and individual progress. During this time, you follow a carefully structured daily routine. Days usually consist of morning wellness activities, group therapy sessions, individual counselling, and educational workshops. This structure helps rebuild healthy habits that addiction often destroys.

The therapies offered in residential settings are diverse and holistic. You will likely participate in one-on-one psychotherapy to uncover the root causes of your drinking. Holistic therapies, such as mindfulness, art therapy, and fitness programmes, are also commonly integrated to heal the mind and body.

Success rates for residential rehab are notably high, largely because of the immersive nature of the treatment. Being surrounded by professionals 24/7 means that medical and emotional support is always available, especially during challenging moments. Furthermore, sharing a living space with peers who understand your struggle creates a profound sense of community, reducing the isolation that often accompanies addiction.

Other Effective Treatment Options

While residential care is highly effective, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment involves several components that can be used independently or as part of a broader care plan.

Medical Detoxification

Before therapy can truly begin, the body must be cleared of alcohol. Detoxification under medical supervision is a vital first step for many. Because alcohol withdrawal can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening symptoms, attempting it alone is heavily discouraged. In a medical detox programme, doctors and nurses monitor your vital signs and can prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, ensuring your safety and comfort.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling

Once detox is complete, the psychological work begins. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of addiction treatment. It helps you identify negative thought patterns and behaviours that lead to drinking. Through CBT, you learn to challenge these thoughts and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. Individual counselling also provides a private space to work through trauma, anxiety, or depression that may be fuelling the addiction.

Group Therapy and Peer Support

Connection is a powerful antidote to addiction. Group therapy sessions, guided by a professional therapist, allow you to share your experiences and learn from others. Beyond formal treatment, peer support networks play an essential role in long-term recovery. Community groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery offer ongoing encouragement, accountability, and camaraderie long after formal treatment ends.

Practical Recovery Tips for Lasting Sobriety

Leaving a treatment facility or completing an outpatient programme is not the end of the journey; it is the beginning of a new chapter. Sustaining sobriety requires daily commitment and deliberate choices. Here are some practical recovery tips to help you build a vibrant, alcohol-free life.

Create a Supportive Environment

Your immediate environment plays a massive role in your recovery. Begin by removing all alcohol from your home. If you live with others, ask them to respect your boundaries by not keeping alcohol in shared spaces or drinking around you during early recovery. Surround yourself with friends and family members who champion your sobriety and understand your goals.

Avoid Triggers and Manage Cravings

Triggers are people, places, or situations that spark the urge to drink. Identify your personal triggers—whether it is a specific pub, a stressful work situation, or even feelings of loneliness—and develop a plan to avoid or navigate them. When cravings strike, use techniques learned in rehab, such as deep breathing, going for a walk, or calling a sponsor. Remember that cravings are temporary; they will pass if you give them time.

Build Healthy Routines

Addiction often brings chaos, so establishing a healthy daily routine is incredibly grounding. Prioritise consistent sleep schedules, nutritious meals, and regular physical exercise. Exercise, in particular, releases natural endorphins that can boost your mood and reduce stress. Finding new hobbies or rediscovering old passions can also fill the time previously occupied by drinking, giving you a renewed sense of purpose.

Access Ongoing Support

Recovery is not something you have to do alone. Engage actively in aftercare programmes offered by your treatment provider. These might include weekly check-in calls, alumni groups, or ongoing counselling. Continue attending community peer support meetings. Having a network to lean on during tough times is one of the strongest predictors of lasting sobriety.

Conclusion

Overcoming alcohol dependence is a challenging journey, but it is deeply rewarding. A life free from the grip of addiction offers clarity, renewed relationships, and improved physical and mental well-being. Whether you are taking the first tentative steps for yourself or researching options for someone you love, please know that recovery is entirely possible with the right help.

Do not wait for a crisis to make a change. Seeking professional help through structured alcohol rehab programmes provides the safety, guidance, and tools necessary to reclaim your life. If you or a loved one are struggling, reach out to local alcohol rehab centres, speak to your GP, or contact a trusted UK support organisation today. Your future is worth fighting for, and support is just a conversation away.

How a Retired FBI Special Agent is Engineering a New Standard for Local Purity in the Houston Area

Introduction The transition from high-stakes national security operations to the meticulous world of candle manufacturing is a journey defined by a single principle: precision. For Rob Woloszyn, a retired FBI Special Agent and former U.S. Marine, the path to founding the business in January 2024 was not a retirement from work, but a strategic pivot to a new kind of local mission. After thirty years of protecting the public interest through high-stakes investigations, Rob now applies that same investigative rigor to the domestic environment, crafting non-toxic, high-performance candles from a professional foundry in Willis, Texas. This is not merely a post-retirement hobby; it is a tactical application of material science and project management, built on the bedrock of a “zero-fail” mentality forged in the most demanding theaters of operation. Every batch of wax is treated with the same forensic scrutiny as a piece of high-value evidence destined for a federal courtroom, and by choosing to support the Willis Candle Shop, consumers are investing in that same standard of uncompromising excellence. By treating fragrance as a field operation, Rob Woloszyn has set a benchmark for quality that challenges the status quo of the mass-market artisanal industry.

The Investigative Standard of Material Science and Wax Chemistry In the world of professional manufacturing, the objective is only as good as the intelligence gathered to reach it. When Rob retired in 2019, he didn’t want another traditional title; he wanted a project he could execute with the same “hunt” he used to collect vital intelligence for the country. One of the primary challenges Rob Woloszyn identified when entering the artisanal industry was the prevalence of “greenwashing”—the practice of using vague, unregulated terms like “natural” or “organic” to mask inferior, potentially harmful ingredients. Drawing on his experience managing complex evidence-collection strategies, he took an investigative approach to wax chemistry and spent eight months in a deep-dive research phase. This rigorous technical audit of the industry’s supply chain is what defines The Willis Candle Shop Difference, ensuring that every fragrance profile is vetted for safety and environmental impact before it ever touches a wick. The investigation revealed a disturbing trend: many mass-market candles rely on paraffin, a petroleum byproduct that can release soot and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By choosing to work with American Soy Organics coconut and soy wax, Rob ensures a cleaner burn that respects the health of the consumer.

Engineering the Foundry: Professional Standards and Electrical Integrity Rejecting the “traditional grind” of a corporate job, Rob Woloszyn engineered a 17×32 ft metal building on his 1.29-acre lot in Willis, Texas, located just 45 feet from his front door. True to his perfectionist nature and PMP (Project Management Professional) background, Rob did the electrical work himself to ensure the facility met industrial safety standards. This involved running underground lines to code, installing lighting and ventilation systems, and pounding an 8-foot copper rod into the Texas dirt for grounding to protect against surges. Every outlet in the shop is AFCI and GFCI protected to prevent electrical hazards and ensure a stable environment for production. Rob approached the construction of this shop with the same tactical mindset one would use to establish a Forward Operating Base, where infrastructure failure is not an option. Furthermore, he engineered dedicated 20-amp circuits specifically for his candle machinery to handle high-wattage heating elements. This level of technical scrutiny ensures that the shop operates with the same reliability as a mission-critical tactical center.

The Math of a Successful Mission: Surgical Scaling The business is managed with the analytical precision of a high-level project manager who understands that “hope” is not a strategy. Rob Woloszyn has broken his operational goals down into a clear, measurable math: targeting 70,000 monthly organic visits by December of 2027. With a 1.5% conversion rate (candle transactions), this targets 1,050 transactions per month. Rob has calculated that with the average candle purchase being 2.1 candles, rounded down to a conservative 2, he must produce and sell 2,100 candles a month. Scaled over 12 months, this equals 25,200 candles a year. With an average profit margin of just over $10 a candle after all overhead is paid at the Willis Candle Shop, this results in a targeted annual profit of $252,000. Rob applies the same “hunt” for evidence to his digital audience, using sophisticated investigative methods to ensure his brand is no longer invisible to those who need it. Every single data point—from the cost of shipping labels to the percentage of returning customers—is tracked and analyzed to ensure the mission remains on course.

A Commitment to the Veteran Community and American Industry As a veteran-owned business, the Willis Candle Shop remains deeply connected to the military and law enforcement communities that formed Rob’s identity. This journey from the U.S. Marine Corps to a small-business founder was recently featured in the Fall 2025 issue of U.S. Veterans Magazine. By sourcing materials domestically—from American Soy Organics coconut and soy wax to domestic fragrance houses—Rob Woloszyn supports American farmers and local industry. This dedication to “Made in the USA” integrity is a continuation of the service-oriented philosophy that defined his entire professional life. Rob understands that supporting domestic production is a vital part of maintaining national economic security and local prosperity. Today, he uses his platform to advocate for second chances, purposeful living, and the courage to embrace change even after a long and storied career in the government.

Why Ingredients Matter: The Safety Protocol The Willis Candle Shop performs rigorous in-house quality control on every batch produced, leaving nothing to chance. Rob Woloszyn tested over 500 candles to dial in the current formulas for scent throw, burn performance, and proper wick function across various vessels. Unlike mass-produced “cheap candles” that use industrial stabilizers and undisclosed dyes, these candles are crafted with pets and family in mind. By excluding paraffin and synthetic junk additives, Rob ensures that the “soul” of the candle remains pure and non-toxic. This level of quality control is a direct result of a 30-year journey of service where “good enough” was never an option. Rob believes that if you wouldn’t trust a material in a high-security environment, you shouldn’t trust it in your home where your family sleeps. For Rob Woloszyn, the process of smoothing the top of a candle is handled with the same focus as a forensic investigation: it must be correct, it must be verified, and it must be safe.

Conclusion Excellence is a habit, not a destination. From the training grounds of the service to the fragrance foundry, the objective remains the same: excellence, integrity, and contribution. Rob Woloszyn invites customers to not just buy a fragrance, but to support a brand that prioritizes their health and their community. Each flame is a symbol of hope, a second chance, and a daily reminder to live with purpose. Whether through the soothing crackle of a wood wick or the clean throw of a coconut soy blend, the mission is to illuminate life, one precisely crafted candle at a time. This transition represents a shift from identifying threats to fostering a sanctuary, ensuring that every home in America has access to a safer, cleaner burn that promotes well-being. From the front lines of national security to the quiet foundry in Willis, Texas, the mission remains the same: excellence in every detail.

Engin Demir’s Synchronous Illusion: Power and Subjectivity in Today’s Algorithmic Society

In our digital society, we struggle to grasp the meaning of our present moment. Instead, we experience the instance of carpe diem as the unnatural, predictable, calculated construction of the computational processes, algorithms, and data systems that pervade our contemporary lives. Do we still autonomously organise our time, construct our behaviour, or select and produce knowledge? Or is there a surveillance and authoritarian regime that influences and shapes us through the ubiquitous use of AI?

Synchronous Illusion (2025) seems to suggest that humans are merely a node in a web of material and non-material beings, and that we have technologised our lifestyle to the extent of, imperceptibly, departing from an unconstrained and purely humanist subjectivity. Even if it is pervaded by a serene soundtrack, the video’s opening scene — with its central female bionic character — reminds us that biotech intervenes in the human body and cognition through computational processes, implants, and cryonics.

Still Image of “Synchronous Illusion”, 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

Engin Demir here deals with power and subjectivity in algorithmic society, where a techno-oligarchy controls the infrastructure and humanity becomes the subject — making his intentions clear with a visual strategy that foregrounds contrast and scale. Demir conjures a complex interplay in this hyper-programmed visual environment: a contrasting cold and warm colour palette, the fantasmagoric as opposed to the urban, and the notion of difference between male and female explicitly conveyed through each gender’s signifiers — such as stereotyped siren-like bodies and fast cars. The strategy clearly points to the divergence between the machinic and the human, yet Demir does so by neither flattening opposites into one nor avoiding the possibility of fusion. Moreover, Synchronous Illusion is interested in finding modalities of resistance: the ability to move between these contending domains by incorporating fluidity, metamorphosis, and non-fixity as a way of civilisational endurance.

Still Image of “Synchronous Illusion”, 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

Intersecting the domains of technological advancement, shifting social order, and the current process of reconfiguration of human perception, this video interprets existence as perspectival, plural, interchangeable, adjustable, and unstable. The interaction of personas in Synchronous Illusion — at times contextualised in a surreal manner within a cityscape, at others as if they were in a temple or a dark cave — instils in the viewer a multi-positional awareness of the coexistence of wide range of principles of being, knowing, and world-making capable of countering platform capitalism. Therefore, it explicitly states that there is hope, despite human vulnerability inside technological systems.

“Synchronous Illusion”, 2025. Installation view at A Space Gallery.

Ultimately, Demir’s fragmented and robotic bodies suggest that we should envision the fight ahead: a battle in which, even if humanity is becoming a universe of data fragments, we shall not lose our unified subjectivity. His art enunciates that — no matter how much identity is distributed across digital networks and surveillance cameras, or if our behaviours are predicted before they happen and our decisions are automated in advance — we shall consciously and proactively adjust to the system and challenge the superstructure in order to survive.

Marathon: How to Get the Vidmaster Title and Complete Every Challenge

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Looking to get the Vidmaster Title in Marathon for the flex? Introduced as a modern nod to the original Vidmaster challenges from Bungie’s classic Marathon trilogy, this title is easily one of the toughest unlocks in the game right now. Set within Cryo Archive, Marathon’s Vidmaster Title is basically a high-end completion badge that will push you through layered objectives and extraction routes in order to get through the punishing parts of the activity and finish its end-game run. So, if you’re looking to add it to your profile, here’s how to get the Vidmaster Title in Marathon.

Marathon: How to Get the Vidmaster Title and Complete Every Challenge

As part of the latest update in Marathon, Bungie has introduced the Vidmaster Title, which takes some of the hardest objectives in the game and places them inside Cryo Archive, ranging from combat and survival to contract-based objectives, where runs are longer, riskier, and far less forgiving.

To unlock the Vidmaster Title in Marathon, you’ll need to complete seven core challenges, followed by an eighth requirement that unlocks once the first seven are done. Here’s a look at every Vidmaster challenge in Marathon:

  • This is Dedication Syndrome – Complete all seven CyberAcme Cryo Archive limited contracts within a single weekend cycle
  • Welcome to the Stab Factory – Get 25 melee eliminations in one run without dying or extracting early
  • Carry Your Scars – Successfully exfil from Cryo Archive without using any healing items during the run
  • Jurisdictional Annihilation – Take down a UESC Warden using a grenade for the final blow
  • No Good Rooks – Eliminate 3 ROOK enemies in a single run
  • Drop 7 – Eliminate 7 enemy Runners in one Cryo Archive run before extracting
  • Master Class – Unlocks automatically once every other Vidmaster challenge is complete
  • [Redacted] – A hidden objective that becomes available after completing the rest

Each of these challenges will test a different part of your gameplay; although most of them can be completed with the right loadout and some patience. Moreover, the Cryo Archive contracts stack multiple objectives and many of these objectives also involve Vault access, so your runs will often come down to finding keys, opening Vaults, and working through their mechanics while other teams are also active in the same areas.

Completing each challenge will reward you with a high-rarity item, which includes everything from Vault Keys to Profile Background, Knife skin, Weapon Charm and even Weapon stickers. Once you’ve worked through the main set of challenges, you’ll need to complete one final hidden objective before the Title actually unlocks, though it hasn’t been fully confirmed yet. Take care of that last step, and the Vidmaster Title is yours, with nothing left to prove after that.

From that point on, anyone you take down in Marathon will know you’ve already made it through some of the toughest runs in the game. And that does it for our how to get the Vidmaster Title in Marathon guide. Good Luck out there!

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Etro & Marco De Vincenzo Part Ways

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When Etro hired Marco De Vincenzo back in 2022, it looked like a clean break. He was the first creative director outside the founding family, after all. A new chapter, a fresh point of view. Four years later, that chapter closes the way these things usually do, with a polite statement, and right on cue with a broader shift happening behind the scenes.

At Etro, De Vincenzo didn’t really change the formula. No reset, not even a proper shift, just a steady push in the same direction. Which is tricky when that direction goes all the way back to 1968. Prints stayed central, the styling got sharper, and the collections finally shed some of their nostalgia. His version of Etro fit the moment. It was modernized enough to be seen, yet not everyone watching reached for their wallets.

Before De Vincenzo, Etro was already limping, slow growth, post-COVID slump, a bit tired. When he came in, things spiked a little in 2022, then slid again over the next couple of years. Technically better than the worst years before him, but not by much. Nothing stabilized, nothing really grew. After 2021, the brand was sold to private equity (L Catterton). De Vincenzo came in under that new ownership, but the ride stayed bumpy. By 2025, the Etro family was completely out, leaving the company in the hands of investors still figuring out what the brand should be today.

How much past is a brand allowed to keep before it just becomes noise? A loud one too. Here’s hoping the next chapter answers that. And that Etro still feels like Etro once it finds its peace.

Skrillex Releases New Single ‘Duro’ With Young Miko

Skrillex has dropped a new single, the party-starting ‘Duro‘, a collaboration with Young Miko. It arrives a full year after the pair debuted it at Ultra Music Festival 2025. Check it out below.

Earlier this year, Skrillex released the EP Kora. It followed a prolific 2026, which included the release F*CK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3.

Understanding the Lifetime vs. Monthly Options in SuiteDash Pricing

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The pricing plan for a software solution influences the way individuals and teams work. Most platforms provide payment structures that can flexibly cater to different needs and budgets. Lifetime and monthly payments are two very popular options, but people wonder which one is a better fit. Distinguishing between these plans provides every investor with the maximum value for their spend.

Overview of Payment Structures

When looking at the software providers, like SuiteDash, buyers are typically given a choice between two kinds of payments: either a lifetime payment (usually a one-off payment for lifetime access to specific software) or a monthly subscription for the supply of that software. Both methods have their unique advantages and drawbacks. Understanding how these SuiteDash pricing structures are built can help in making an informed choice. 

Monthly Plan Benefits

Unlike the large up-front payments typical of in-house or on-premise solutions, monthly subscriptions allow users to pay as they go. Many people are fans of this setup, as it lowers the cost of admission. This allows you the flexibility to cancel the service if requirements change or if the software is not to your liking. It is also useful for budgeting since the smaller amounts are much easier to work into your normal expenses. 

Lifetime Plan Advantages

One lifetime fee, and you can access it forever. This can be an appealing long-term option for an individual. A one-time program fee is required, but there are no downstream program charges to keep using the program. In time, this can amount to significant savings, particularly for individuals who intend to use the software for a few years. This model can ensure no repeat billing, so for organizations with stable requirements, they can forget about billing again and again.

Cost Comparison Over Time

The actual amount you will spend over decades shows a true difference between lifetime and monthly plans. You may look at those monthly payments and think they are manageable, but note that over time, they can add up quite a bit. A one-time purchase typically equals the cost of several years of monthly billing. Considering how long you expect to interact with the software will confirm which model brings you more value in the long run.

Commitment and Flexibility

The monthly subscription option is the most flexible because there is no long-term commitment. Users can assess the software and adapt as their situations change. However, a lifetime plan does imply continued use, so it is probably best suited to anyone who feels they have made the right choice. The combination of a lifetime option means initially taking on more risk in order to reap savings down the line.

Upgrades and Support Considerations

When choosing a pricing plan, take into account the type of ongoing support and updates offered. Although lifetime and monthly plans typically offer software updates, they may restrict priority or access to premium support features. It could be a good comfort for long-term users to know that their early investments are still paying off by having consistent updates and help

Budget Planning and Cash Flow

People or companies with low budgets paying monthly can help alleviate the financial burden. Repeat payments are a lot easier to slot into an operating budget than one big infrequent payment. On the other hand, the ones that have the resources available might prefer a lifetime plan to avoid constant payments and make accounting easier. Balancing these considerations helps ensure the payment structure aligns with financial priorities.

Who Should Choose Which Option? 

Monthly subscriptions are ideal for those who favor flexibility, have unpredictable software requirements, or are considering utilizing the software. This enables users to get hands-on experience testing features to evaluate if the software is the right fit prior to making a heavy capital investment. For everyone else, lifetime payments are still a good idea if you are likely to use the software forever and want the costs to be predictable. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing between lifetime and monthly pricing models will be based on a trade-off between flexibility, cost, and commitment. This can be decided by carefully evaluating certain personal or organizational needs. Both payment methods deliver unique advantages and are capable of achieving fantastic value with the right conditions. By analyzing usage expectations and financial considerations, users can make the right choice for their continuing needs.

Book Review: Madeline Cash, ‘Lost Lambs’

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Have you heard of the newest literary conspiracy? According to author Freddie deBoer, the onslaught of positive coverage surrounding Madeline Cash’s debut novel Lost Lambs isa coordinated media campaign that has been, to some degree and in some way, orchestrated from above.” That The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Atlantic, LitHub, The Washington Post, and likely many other publications reviewed the book is all because “someone with connections and influence sweated their way to ensure that this rollout happened.”

That person is called a publicist, and Madeline Cash has quite the good one. But I empathize and agree with DeBoer in that there are, regardless of quality, some books that lap up all the attention and get awarded with constant coverage and interviews, leaving many others to the wayside. In her essay for The Walrus, Tajja Isen shows that even if a writer does everything correctly, publishing switch-ups or mishaps might still put them at a disadvantage to the buzzier and more popular books that are selected for mass consumption. They’re the ones that earn their spot in Vulture’s Approval Matrix, are more than briefly noted in The New Yorker, and sometimes appear on TV as part of a book club roundup. Cash accumulating all three is a lot of luck and a lot of hard work. So while there is a network of people writing and talking about Cash, they’ve been doing so for years, and it’s more than likely a result of natural waves of intrigue and word of mouth. This “conspiracy” really is just chatter.

Plus, I’d heard of Cash long before all of this, rifling through her short story collection, Earth Angel, when it was released on the indie publisher Clash, at a local store (I was in the middle of a self-imposed book spending embargo). And later, when I noticed her book deal, and later, when I saw the cover of the novel, or throughout the years seeing her literary magazine, Forever, which she runs with Anika Jade Levy, another writer whose novel got a lot of coverage, including in these pages. So this explosion of hype around Lost Lambs hasn’t been out of nowhere, and it’s not as sinister as it’s made out to be.

Ironically, it couldn’t have happened to a better book. The Flynn family at Lost Lambs’s center revolves around a conspiracy in their town regarding Paul Alabaster, who the father, Bud, works for. One day on the family laptop, Harper—the youngest, a Stewie-like girl who learns languages in her spare time—notices some misplaced data points. Bud shrugs it off, but it turns into a catastrophe when he digs deeper at work and is thrust into a global plan that he’s suggested to knock off.

Reeling from his recently opened marriage and chastised at work, Bud enrolls in the Lost Lambs support group, where he sets his sight on Miss Winkle, the group’s administrator who complains about the church’s broken bells while not donating anything to the fundraisers. Catherine, whose relationship with her neighbor ends when she discovers his collection of clay vaginas stored in his basement, is more able to separate her emotions and make the best of their situation, pivoting to lesbianism.

But Lost Lambs centers the girls, who, like in most movies starring snarky and adventurous children, figure out the mystery. The lisping Louise chats with an online terrorist and is eventually put on the no-fly list for attempting to bring a bomb onto an airplane, and Harper starts dating a man working security at Alabaster’s mansion, who is dubbed “War Crimes Wes” as he won’t reveal what he saw in combat. And Harper, unstimulated and looking for something fulfilling, almost dies while trying to win Our Lady of Suffering’s Inner Beauty Pageant by holding her breath for as long as she can.

Cash is a natural and smart storyteller, and her Franzen-esque family novel unfolds with confidence and playfulness. There are puns and word tricks—owing to a gnat problem in the church’s basement, words like “donated” are retyped as “extermignated,” which, to me, never got old, even when cheeky business names like the bar “Olive Or Twist” were a little light)—but a genuine humor to conversations as she gets into the mind of this anxious, singular family. It feels like the narrative was always there, waiting for a talented writer to come along and imagine it. Believe the hype—or the conspiracy.


Lost Lambs is out now.