Home Blog Page 25

12 New Songs Out Today to Listen To: Iceage, Kurt Vile, and More

There’s so much music coming out all the time that it’s hard to keep track. On those days when the influx of new tracks is particularly overwhelming, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated list of the most interesting new releases (the best of which will be added to our Best New Songs playlist). Below, check out our track roundup for Tuesday, April 7, 2026.


Iceage – ‘Ember’

After releasing the excellent single ‘Star’ last month, Iceage have officially announced their new album: For Love of Grace & the Hereafter is out May 29 via Mexican Summer. The jittery, chaotic new single ‘Ember’ finds Elias Rønnenfelt characteristically singing “I love you in an ominous way.” The accompanying music video was directed by the band and Ira Rønnenfelt. “The songs needed to be immediate, urgent, raw, and fast,” Rønnenfelt said of the record, which was produced with Nis Bysted. “We wanted to try to shed any unnecessary weight. Catching outlets of energy is what excites us the most.”

Kurt Vile – ‘Chance to Bleed’

Kurt Vile has announced a new album, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, proving his titular point with the lead single ‘Chance to Bleed’. The track features Slint’s Ethan Buckler, Optic Sink’s Natalie Hoffman, and the Oblivians’ Greg Cartwright on guest vocals. Vile commented: “‘Chance to bleed’ is some new kinda higher energy rager. Recorded with my band of bros the Violators in Athens, GA… and then on down the road to Memphis, TN where we got town legend Greg Cartwright to rip with us (KV lead gtr on the left and Greg lead on the right!) I finished this jam out in L.A. with Rob Schnapf at the mixing board and by then it was flyin, baby. The video is a hoot: I invited my Memphis friends back out for that and there’re a ton of other legendary guests so keep your eyes peeled. (Yo, Schoolly D!) Love, KV.”

Harmony – ‘I’m Still Learning How to Leave You’

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Harmony Tividad, formerly one half of the duo Girlpool, has announced a new album. Lifetime, the follow-up to 2024’s Gossip lands June 16 via KRO Records. Produced by Yves Rothman and recorded at the famed Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, the soaring, emotional lead single, ‘I’m Still Learning How to Leave You’, is “about the continued strength to surrender responsibility over a person you no longer have the strength to take care of,” according to Tividad. “The pain of how strong the urge continues to be even when you are worlds apart.”

Carla dal Forno – ‘Under the Covers’

Like Iceage’s ‘Star’, Carla dal Forno’s last single, ‘Going Out’, made our list of the best songs of March. Today, she’s back with a new track from the upcoming Confession called ‘Under the Covers’, which is patiently hypnotic. “This song is about the quiet kind of love—the kind that builds slowly in shared routines, small gestures, and the comfort of being understood without needing to explain yourself,” dal Forno explained. “I wanted to capture a love that isn’t dramatic or fleeting, but steady and lived-in—where intimacy shows up in ordinary moments, and understanding becomes its own kind of language between two people.”

Dari Bay – ‘We’re Gonna Be OK’

Dari Bay, the band fronted by Robber Robber’s Zack James – who just released their great second album – have announced a new LP, Surprise Wish, arriving June 26 via Double Double Whammy. About the hooky, luminous new single, James said: “‘We’re Gonna Be Okay’ is about being grateful for what you have because it can all be taken away from you. Around the time that I was writing this song my girlfriend and I were facing some obstacles in our lives, like housing displacement, some health issues, and a lot of general uncertainty. Just some “welcome to the real world” stuff hitting us from different angles all at once. It was a strange and intense time, knowing we had reached a new low point but as a result feeling really lucky to have the stuff that we did have, like our community, and each other and a hope and excitement for the future.”

runo plum – ‘pink moon’

runo plum has unveiled another track for the upcoming EP Bloom Again. The hushed, entrancing ‘pink moon’ was written the evening after the singer-songwriter irst date with her soon-to-be girlfriend and collaborator Noa Francis. “The love I was experiencing felt like a ‘once in a blue moon’ situation–but we are both girls, so it felt cute to make it a ‘pink moon,'” plum recalled. “It really is just a very tender love song, written after my first date with my girlfriend Noa. Looking back on it a year and a half later, it’s definitely a good example of the intensity of the “honeymoon” phase. I recorded it while I was lounging in bed, the night after our date, and there was just something really special about the feeling of the first time playing it that felt impossible to re-create.”

youbet – ‘Undefined’

youbet have previewed their upcoming self-titled album with one final single, the mesmerizing ‘Undefined’. “I wrote ‘Undefined’ while waiting for a guitar student and started to work out this interesting melody and chords,” vocalist and guitarist Nick Llobet said. “The verse came quick which isn’t always the case with my songwriting, sometimes it takes me a while to develop a fully fledged section of a song. Things that come this naturally to me usually make the cut in terms of what I want to play with the band live or record.”

Stephen Becker – ‘Careless’

Stephen Becker has shared a rowdy, driving new song, ‘Careless’, from his forthcoming album Gravity Blanket. “I was stuck on the word careless, and how adding a space flips its meaning entirely,” Becker said. “In relationships, it’s hard to know whether someone’s just being careless (silly, impersonal) or if they actually care less (harsh). I tried to capture that ambiguity with a wily post-chorus guitar riff in the vein of Jonny Greenwood and Ed Rodriguez.”

Thomas Dollbaum – ‘Coyote’

Prepare yourselves for the beauty of a Thomas Dollbaum record that comes out next month, titled Birds of Paradise, with one of its standouts. ‘Coyote’ sees the singer-songwriter harmonizing with Jake Lenderman on drums, joined by bassist Nick Corson (The Convenience, Video Age) and guitarist Josh Halper (Lily Haitt, Peter One). “This song is about a few separate memories I have that blended over time,” he explained. “The first memory is convincing a friend who was drunk and could barely stand to not jump off a roof into a pool. Another memory is of my friend lighting his uncle’s RV on fire after an argument, and then many memories of controlled burns and coyotes crossing roads in the area of Florida where I grew up.”

Hrishikesh Hirway – ‘Things Change, Even Now’

We’ve heard some lovely previews of Hrishikesh Hirway’s upcoming album In the Last Hour of Light, including collabs with Iron & Wine and Fenne Lily. Today, the singer-songwriter has shared the poignant ‘Things Change, Even Now’, a song about his father, who was hospitalized after an accident a few years ago. “When [producer] Phil Weinrobe told me that we were going to record this album live, including the vocals with everyone in the same room, without overdubs or the chance go to back and edit or re-do any of the music, I was terrified,” Hirway shared. “But then, I realized it was probably the most appropriate way to record a song like this. The whole album, but especially this one, is about confronting and accepting how little control I have over so many fundamental aspects of my life. You can only try your best. And I feel like that really came through in the recording.”

Tomorrow Woman – ‘Ultrasound’

Tomorrow Woman, the project of California-born, Paris-based artist Betsy Roszko, has shared an intoxicating tune, ‘Ultrasound’.  “I started out just wanting to make something dark and clubby and fun, and then the song kind of took on a life of its own,” Roszko remarked. “I hope it unlocks a slightly concerning version of you on the dance floor.”

Grandmas House – ‘DOG’

Bristol’s Grandmas House have shared a raucous new single, ‘DOG’. “‘DOG’ is about a feeling, written whilst struggling with a chronic illness that no professional could explain,” the band said of the track, which was recorded with producer Ali Chant. “We all have something that burdens us in life, be it mental health, chronic illness, grief, trauma or heartbreak. It’s always there, waiting around the corner.”

DTF St. Louis Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Part midlife crisis story, part murder mystery, DTF St. Louis is all around a good time. The HBO show has been enjoying a decent amount of buzz since it premiered, its popularity steadily growing with each episode.

Ahead of the first season finale, however, many viewers are wondering what comes next. Will there be more episodes somewhere down the line? Here’s what we know so far.

DTF St. Louis Season 2 Release Date

Unfortunately, DTF St. Louis season 2 is a long shot. The show has always been marketed as a limited series, with HBO doubling down on that description in promotional materials.

While a follow-up is never out of the question if the show becomes an international phenomenon, the story is also pretty self-contained. For now, it looks like seven episodes is all we’re going to get.

DTF St. Louis Cast

  • Jason Bateman as Clark Forrest
  • David Harbour as Floyd Smernitch
  • Linda Cardellini as Carol Love-Smernitch
  • Richard Jenkins as Detective Donoghue Homer
  • Joy Sunday as Jodie Plumb
  • Arlan Ruf as Richard
  • Peter Sarsgaard as “Modern Love”
  • Wynn Everett as Eimy Forrest

What Is DTF St. Louis About?

DTF. St. Louis is a dark comedy-drama revolving around three main characters. Clark is a local TV weatherman, Floyd is an ASL interpreter, and Carol is Floyd’s unpredictable wife.

What begins as a friendship between the men spirals when Clark introduces Floyd to a hookup app for married people called “DTF St. Louis.” That interaction sets off a wild chain of events that ultimately leads to one of them dead.

The shown is told in non-linear fashion, constantly rewinding and reframing events, which is a big part of its charm. The appealing cast doesn’t hurt either, and the mystery at the heart of the narrative keeps viewers on their toes.

As episodes unfold, you’re forced to ask yourself who’s lying and who’s truly responsible for the death. Was it a murder? Was is something else entirely? And how guilty should certain parties feel about how events went down? In other words, the series gives you plenty to think about.

While DTF St. Louis season 2 is unlikely, there’s still the finale to go, which will arrive on April 12. Hopefully, the ending will be a satisfying one.

Are There Other Shows Like DTF St. Louis?

If you like DTF St. Louis, dark crime dramedies with similar vibes include Love & Death, Big Little Lies, Dead to Me, Fargo, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, and Ozark.

Alternatively, catch up with HBO’s latest trending series. Like The Pitt, The Comeback, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Wireless Festival Canceled After Kanye West Denied Entry to UK

The United Kingdom has denied Kanye West entry to the country. The rapper, legally known as Ye, made an application to travel to the UK via an Electronic Travel Authorisation on Monday, and the country’s Home Office denied it “on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good.” The announcement follows weeks of debate around his booking at Wireless Festival, which has now been cancelled.

In a press statement, the festival’s organizers said:

The Home Office has withdrawn YE’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders. As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.

Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.

After taking out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal to apologize for Nazism and antisemitism in January, Ye released his album BULLY last month. In a new update to his letter, he wrote, “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly. My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through music. I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”

Kurt Vile Announces New Album, Shares New Single ‘Chance to Bleed’

Kurt Vile has announced a new album, his first in four years. It’s called Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, and having familiarized myself with the city solely through its consistent outpouring of DIY talent, I can only agree. The (watch my moves) follow-up is set for release on May 29 via Verve. To accompany the news, Vile has unveiled the hook-filled lead single ‘Chance to Bleed’, which features Slint’s Ethan Buckler, Optic Sink’s Natalie Hoffman, and the Oblivians’ Greg Cartwright on guest vocals. Check it out below, along with Vile’s extensive tour schedule.

About the track and and its accompanying video, Vile said in a statement: “‘Chance to bleed’ is some new kinda higher energy rager. Recorded with my band of bros the Violators in Athens, GA… and then on down the road to Memphis, TN where we got town legend Greg Cartwright to rip with us (KV lead gtr on the left and Greg lead on the right!) I finished this jam out in L.A. with Rob Schnapf at the mixing board and by then it was flyin, baby. The video is a hoot: I invited my Memphis friends back out for that and there’re a ton of other legendary guests so keep your eyes peeled. (Yo, Schoolly D!) Love, KV.”

Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me was largely self-produced, with help from Violators bassist Adam Langellotti, keyboardist Matthew Jugenheimer, drummer Kyle Spence, guitarist Jesse Trbovrich, and longtime Violators boardsman Rob Schnapf. “This is my ‘bringing it all back home to Philly’ record,” Vile explained. “I’m treating it like my last record. I put everything into it. It’s my best vocal record. It’s my best electric guitar record. It’s my most organic record, made in the comfort of my own zone.” He added, “I’ve been waiting for that kinda natural element to show up again in my recordings, like the old home recording days. I think I finally caught that again, but in a higher fidelity; it’s never overly polished, but it’s still pretty damn shimmery.”

Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me Cover Artwork:

kurt vile philadephia album cover

Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me Tracklist:

1. Zoom 97
2. 99 BPM
3. Rock ‘o Stone
4. You don’t know cuz it’s my life
5. Chance to Bleed
6. Philly’s been good to me
7. 99th song
8. Red Room Dub
9. Every time I look at you
10. Piano for Sarah
11. Avalanches of Snow

Kurt Vile 2026 Tour Dates:
Tue Jun 16 – Toronto, ON – History *
Wed Jun 17 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre *
Fri Jun 19 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground *
Sat Jun 20 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival
Sun Jun 21 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony (North to Shore Fest) *
Mon Jun 22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre *
Tue Jun 23 – Cleveland, OH – The Roxy *
Thu Jun 25 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall *
Fri Jun 26 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed *
Sat Jun 27 – Eau Claire, WI – Blue Ox Music Festival
Sun Jun 28 – St Paul, MN – Palace Theatre %
Wed Jul 1 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom –
Thu Jul 2 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall %
Fri Jul 3 – Seattle, WA – 5th Avenue Theatre %
Sun Jul 5 – South Lake Tahoe, CA – The Hangar %
Tue Jul 7 – San Francisco, CA – The Castro Theater %
Wed Jul 8 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo %
Thu Jul 9 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park %
Fri Jul 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren %
Sat Jul 11 – Santa Fe, NM – The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Co. %
Mon Jul 13 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theatre !
Tue Jul 14 – Houston, TX – Heights Theater !
Wed Jul 15 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom !
Fri Jul 17 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern !
Sat Jul 18 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium !
Sun Jul 19 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel !
Mon Jul 20 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom !
Wed Jul 22 – Washington, DC – Howard Theatre !
Thu Jul 23 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount !
Fri Jul 24 – Boston, MA – Royale !
Sat Jul 25 – Philadelphia, PA – The Dell Music Center >$
Thu Aug 13 – Paredes de Coura, PT – Paredes de Coura Festival
Sat Aug 15 – Saint-Malo, FR – La Route du Rock
Mon Aug 17 – Hamburg, DE – Mojo
Tue Aug 18 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega
Fri Aug 21 – Trondheim, NO – Pstereo
Sun Aug 23 – Hasselt, BE – Pukkelpop
Mon Aug 24 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
Tue Aug 25 – Nijmegen, NL – Doornroosje
Thu Aug 27 – La Tour-de-Peilz, CH – Nox Orae
Fri Aug 28 – Paris, FR – Rock en Seine
Sat Aug 29 – Luxembourg, LU – Den Atelier
Sun Aug 30 – Köln, DE – Gloria
Tue Sep 1 – Munich, DE – Muffathalle
Wed Sep 2 – Prague, CZ – Archa+
Thu Sep 3 – Berlin, DE – Huxleys Neue Welt
Fri Sep 4 – Maastricht, NL – Zero for Three
Sun Sep 6 – Dorset, UK – End of the Road
Mon Sep 7 – Bristol, UK – The Crane %
Tue Sep 8 – Brighton, UK – Chalk %
Wed Sep 9 – London, UK – Troxy %
Fri Sep 11 – Manchester, UK – The Ritz %
Sat Sep 12 – Birmingham, UK – XOYO %
Sun Sep 13 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 TV Studio %
Mon Sep 14 – Dublin, IE – Vicar Street %
Tue Sep 15 – Leeds, UK – Project %
Wed Nov 4 – Buffalo, NY – Asbury Hall $
Thu Nov 5 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall $
Fri Nov 6 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall $
Sat Nov 7 – St. Louis, MO – The Sovereign $
Sun Nov 8 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall $
Tue Nov 10 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s $
Wed Nov 11 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall $
Thu Nov 12 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room $
Fri Nov 13 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s $
Sat Nov 14 – Denver, CO – Summit $
Mon Nov 16 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge $
Tue Nov 17 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall $ #
Wed Nov 18 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theatre $
Fri Nov 20 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club $
Sat Nov 21 – Charleston, SC – The Music Farm $
Sun Nov 22 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre $
Mon Nov 23 – Richmond, VA – The National
Tue Nov 24 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar $

*    with The Sadies
%  with Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band
–  with Alex Amen
!    with Being Dead
$   with Twisted Teens
>   with TAGABOW
#   with Optic Sink

M.I.A. Releasing New Album ‘M.I.7’ Next Week

M.I.A. has announced a new album that will be out next Friday. The singer’s first album since 2022’s MATA is set for release via her own independent label OHMNIMUSIC. M.I.7 is billed as her “gospel album, not in genre, but in spirit,” and you can hear a glimpse of that on today’s lead single ‘EVERYTHING’ below.

Featuring the American gospel group Sunday Service, the new album was recorded in Ethiopia, Egypt, India, London, Australia, and Los Angeles. “Performed as if it were her last, M.I.7 arrives as a revelation in her personal timeline, completed in the chaos of the current moment,” a press release states. “Biblical in its references and prophetic in its delivery, the album channels the singular production and vocal prowess she has been lauded for over the past 20 years. But this time she leaves politics at the door, and enters with something more intimate, more ancestral, more existential, more transcendent, and more essential than anything she has made before.”

Album Review: Thundercat, ‘Distracted’

How does Thundercat start his day? “Overworked, underpaid,” the bassist-singer born Stephen Bruner shrugs on ‘You Left Without Saying Goodbye’, the final track on his first album in six years. That might seem like a long stretch of absence to be overworked and underpaid, but Bruner has certainly kept busy, appearing on songs by Silk Sonic, Justice, Kaytranada, and more. Many of the collaborators he picked up along the way feature on his guest-heavy new album, Distracted, including Tame Impala (alongside whom he appeared on the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack), Channel Tres, and A$AP Rocky. After popping up on the title track of Gorillaz’s 2023 album Cracker Island, he also got producer Greg Kurstin on board, helping offset his drowsy expressions of overstimulation, inertia, and restlessness with more balanced production. It finds him lovestruck and world-weary, the grief of It Is What It Is still lingering in his mind, yet Distracted manages to stay mostly focused. 


1. Candlelight

The opening track begins in an intimate mode, a loungey prayer against burnout that doubles as a tribute to two important figures in Stephen Bruner’s musical education, Reggie Andrews and Meghan Stabile. DOMi & JD Beck’s appearance doesn’t exactly scan as passing the torch, but it puts their youthful virtuosity, which pushes the song towards astral jazz, in a different light. The fact that it dims out in just two and a half minutes feels like an illusion. 

2. No More Lies

The next track strangely feels way longer than it has any right to be. As Thundercat’s first proper new music since the pandemic, it’s remarkable how much it cedes ground to the psych excursions that marked Tame Impala’s lockdown-anticipating The Slow Rush, though that squelchy bass is unmistakable. When it comes to expressing a uniquely LA brand of male loneliness, though, Bruner and Kevin Parker, reprising his ‘Dracula’ role, are a great match. “It’s not your fault/ I’m just kind of an ass,” Bruner sighs, goofing off even in the painful act of saying goodbye.

3. She Knows Too Much [feat. Mac Miller]

Thundercat’s basslines on Balloonerism, the latest posthumous Mac Miller album, buoyed about half of its songs in subtle ways. It’s no surprise the collaboration Bruner digs up here is a highlight, the brassy instrumentation totally enmeshed in Miller’s energy rather than prodigiously standing apart from it. The lyrical sensibility isn’t too far removed from ‘No More Lies’, but the execution is way sweeter.

4. I Did This To Myself [feat. Flying Lotus and Lil Yachty]

After Miller laments that he can’t buy his way into this girl’s love, Thundercat echoes the sentiment ‘I Did This To Myself’, adding Lil Yachty and Flying Lotus to the party. Bruner’s high falsetto and sense of humour perfectly intersect: “Girl, you look annoyed/ Like you’ve already had enough/ Do I remind you of your ex?” While Yachty dramatically proclaims that he’s mad, Bruner seems to use his fluid bass playing to drift off, without a care in the world. 

5. Funny Friends [feat. A$AP Rocky]

Perhaps Thundercat wanted to maintain the 15-track album streak, but ‘Funny Friends’ sounds like it belongs on a different record – maybe it was destined for A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb, where the unreasonably pompous beat would make sense. But it also boasts a melodically irritating chorus about being funny friends until the end, and you know what they say about showing and telling. 

6. What Is Left to Say [feat. The Lemon Twigs]

Aesthetically, Thundercat and the Lemon Twigs’ retro sensibilities complement each other well, if not well enough to cruise down three choruses. Just skip after the second one for cringe-safe listening. 

7. I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time

Bruner’s paranoid earnestness is a breath of fresh air, if an odd counterweight to the track’s kaleidoscopic synths. It’s one of the few tracks where Greg Kurstin’s pristine production feels slightly mismatched, especially as it leaves room for some clunky rhymes. 

8. Anakin Learns His Fate

Interpersonal politics give way to world-weariness as Bruner’s geekdom keys into moral profundity. If that’s the goal, at least, it incentivizes the musician to craft a fuller journey of a song, complete with a wordless, laid-back outro that seems to offer a hideout. 

9. Walking on the Moon

It naturally leads into ‘Walking on the Moon’, which opens with the lines, “Your warm embrace, I’m underwater/ So abiotic, no one around us/ Where no one has gone before.” It’s lovely and deeply silly in an almost transcendent way, one of the album’s best arguments for slaphappy distraction.

10. This Thing We Call Love [feat. Channel Tres]

Reviving the album’s collaborative spirit after a string of solo tracks, the song’s flirtatious mood is elevated by the full-bodied beat, not to mention Channel Tres’ sultry vocals. The theme remains “There’s no one here, girl, but us,” but it’s hardly suggestive at this point. 

11. ThunderWave [feat. WILLOW]

If Thundercat were to reserve a single guest spot for Distracted, it probably would have been WILLOW. Their mellifluous duet finally embodies the warm union the album has been teasing over the last few tracks, a schmaltziness that’s too genuine to resist. 

12. Pozole

It doesn’t have a proper feature, but you don’t have to look at the credits to figure out that the Lemon Twigs are behind the production on this ethereal ballad. “Does it even matter if I show you who I am?” Bruner asks, returning to the evasive fallibility of the earlier songs. 

13. A.D.D. Through the Roof

Bruner’s most thoughtfully self-aware verse unfurls in a single stretch on ‘A.D.D. Through the Roof’, staying true to its title. As he prepares to show off his unparalleled skills on the six-string bass, it’s almost a surprise, and not an unpleasant one, when keys turn up to do the heavy lifting; there’s more than one way to ease a restless mind. 

14. Great Americans

‘A.D.D. Through the Roof’ and ‘Great Americans’ could be a two-parter, but this one’s genuinely funny, potentially the funniest Thundercat has been on record. With a line like “Dear Lord, send help, I’m talking to my cats (Meow),” it’s all about the delivery, and Bruner nails it. He recently joined A$AP Rocky on SNL; clearly, he deserves his own guest spot. 

15. You Left Without Saying Goodbye

Another song about overstimulation might seem, well, a little overwhelming, but it’s a fitting closer, skulking its way to a conclusion with no attempt at resolution. It’s also how I imagine it feels to watch Thundercat and King Krule on the same festival day. You wonder why the guy started ghosting you? Probably out there thinking about other women, you assume, when really what’s on his mind: “Just don’t forget the magnesium.” In a recent interview, he said, “What’s the saying? ‘You live long enough to see yourself become the villain’? You keep going, you might come back around again. Maybe somebody’s got to chop your hand off or something.” It’s in that headspace that you can imagine him thinking up the final punchline: “Maybe I should start an OnlyFans and show some feet.” The joke deflects, whatever gets you through the day, and you go back to work.

Finding the Right Yacht Charter Broker for Your Maritime Adventure

The decision to charter a superyacht represents one of life’s most significant leisure investments. Yet navigating the complex landscape of available vessels, charter terms, and destination options can prove overwhelming without expert guidance. This is precisely where a knowledgeable yacht charter broker becomes invaluable, transforming potential confusion into seamless, expertly-coordinated experiences that exceed expectations.

The Critical Role of Yacht Charter Brokers

Yacht charter brokers function as specialists operating at the intersection of vessel operations, guest services, and maritime logistics. They maintain comprehensive inventories of available charter yachts, possess intimate knowledge of vessel capabilities and crew qualifications, and understand the nuanced requirements that distinguish exceptional charter experiences from mediocre ones.

Beyond mere vessel access, professional brokers curate matches between specific guests and appropriate vessels. They assess guest preferences, budgets, group sizes, activity interests, and dietary requirements, then identify vessels and crews optimally suited to deliver desired experiences. This consultative approach prevents mismatches that might otherwise disappoint clients or underutilise vessel capabilities.

Understanding Broker Specialisations and Networks

The most effective charter brokers often specialise in specific geographic regions or vessel categories. Some concentrate exclusively on Mediterranean charters, developing encyclopaedic knowledge of Greek island anchorages, Italian port facilities, and French Riviera protocols. Others specialise in Caribbean operations, understanding seasonal weather patterns, hurricane preparedness, and tropical cruising logistics.

Similarly, brokers may focus on particular vessel sizes or operational models. Some specialise in intimate 30-metre motor yachts suitable for small family groups, whilst others concentrate on 100-metre superyachts hosting large parties. This specialisation allows brokers to develop expertise that benefits clients seeking specific experiences.

Professional brokers maintain established relationships with vessel operators, crew members, provisioning services, and maintenance providers. These networks represent accumulated social capital developed through years of professional relationships and consistent ethical dealings. When complications arise—weather delays, equipment issues, or special requests—brokers leverage these relationships to solve problems rapidly.

How Yacht Charter Brokers Add Value

A reliable yacht charter broker provides services extending far beyond simply connecting clients with available vessels. Professional brokers conduct thorough vessel inspections, verifying that crew qualifications match advertised claims and that vessel condition meets luxury standards. They review insurance documentation, ensuring adequate coverage protects guest safety and financial interests.

Pre-charter consultations establish detailed expectations regarding itineraries, meals, activities, and accommodation preferences. Brokers communicate these specifications to vessel operators, ensuring crews prepare accordingly. This advance coordination prevents disappointing surprises and ensures seamless transitions when guests embark.

Negotiating Optimal Charter Terms

Experienced brokers understand market dynamics and seasonal pricing fluctuations. They recognise when particular vessels represent exceptional value or when charter operators might negotiate favourable terms to secure bookings during shoulder seasons. This market knowledge enables brokers to secure superior value compared to direct client negotiations lacking industry insights.

Brokers also negotiate contract terms protecting client interests. They ensure cancellation policies permit reasonable flexibility, clarify additional fee structures, verify insurance coverage details, and establish dispute resolution mechanisms. These contractual protections prove invaluable should complications arise during charter periods.

The Charter Booking Process Explained

Professional brokers structure charter bookings through distinct phases beginning with consultation. Initial discussions establish guest preferences, desired dates, budget parameters, and must-have amenities. Brokers then present suitable vessel options with detailed specifications, crew information, and available itineraries.

Once a vessel captures client interest, brokers arrange detailed briefings covering vessel systems, crew introductions, and operational protocols. Many brokers facilitate site visits, allowing prospective guests to inspect vessels personally before committing to charters. This transparency builds confidence and prevents mismatched expectations.

Payment processing follows, typically structured as deposits securing reservations with final balances due closer to charter commencement. Brokers coordinate insurance requirements, ensure visa documentation is prepared, and arrange ground transportation connecting airports with port facilities. This comprehensive service eliminates logistical complexity from client shoulders.

Geographic Expertise and Destination Knowledge

Exceptional brokers develop profound knowledge regarding destination characteristics, seasonal considerations, and operational logistics specific to particular regions. Mediterranean specialists understand that spring offers perfect sailing conditions with manageable crowds, whilst summer brings peak prices and crowded popular anchorages.

Caribbean brokers recognise hurricane season dynamics, advising clients regarding optimal booking windows and vessel positioning strategies. They understand which islands offer exceptional dining, cultural experiences, or water sports opportunities. This detailed destination knowledge transforms generic charters into personalised adventures precisely matching client interests.

Quality Assurance and Reputation Management

The finest charter brokers fiercely guard their reputations, understanding that client satisfaction directly correlates with future business and referral generation. They conduct post-charter debriefings with clients, gathering feedback regarding crew performance, vessel condition, and overall experience quality. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures consistently exceptional service delivery.

Brokers also manage disputes professionally, advocating for client interests when legitimate concerns arise. Rather than passively accepting complaints, ethical brokers work collaboratively with vessel operators to resolve issues and, where appropriate, secure appropriate compensation. This advocacy builds client loyalty and demonstrates genuine commitment to guest satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do yacht charter brokers typically charge for their services?

Most brokers operate on commission structures, earning 10 to 20 percent of charter fees paid by clients. This commission-based model aligns broker interests with client satisfaction, since dissatisfied clients represent lost future business and referrals. Some brokers charge flat consultation fees for specialised advisory services beyond standard brokerage.

What qualifications should professional brokers possess?

Reputable brokers hold industry certifications, maintain professional memberships in yacht brokerage associations, and demonstrate extensive charter market experience. The finest brokers often possess maritime backgrounds, nautical knowledge, and established relationships within the superyacht industry. Look for brokers willing to provide client references and detailed explanations of their service offerings.

Can brokers assist with customised charter requests?

Absolutely. Experienced brokers excel at coordinating specialised requirements including helicopter transfers, Michelin-starred chef arrangements, specific water sports equipment, or unique destination experiences. Their vendor relationships enable coordination of services that individual clients would struggle to arrange independently.

What happens if circumstances change after booking?

Professional brokers work with vessel operators and clients to accommodate reasonable modifications. Cancellation policies typically permit flexibility within defined parameters, and brokers often facilitate rescheduling when clients encounter unexpected circumstances. Their established relationships provide leverage that individual clients lack.

How do brokers ensure vessel safety and crew competence?

Reputable brokers personally inspect vessels, verify crew certifications, and confirm insurance coverage before recommending charters. They maintain ongoing relationships with vessel operators, enabling rapid response should performance issues emerge. This oversight protects guest safety and investment security.

Conclusion

Selecting an experienced yacht charter broker transforms the charter booking process from potentially overwhelming research into streamlined, expertly-guided experiences. Professional brokers leverage market knowledge, established relationships, and destination expertise to match clients with vessels and crews perfectly suited to delivering exceptional adventures. By partnering with knowledgeable brokers who prioritise client satisfaction, travellers secure superior value, enhanced safety, and memorable experiences that justify the investment in professional guidance. Whether planning your first superyacht charter or commissioning your tenth, engaging a trusted broker represents the most prudent investment in ensuring your maritime journey exceeds expectations.

Zilan Lin Unpacks the Transformative Power of Motion Design in Luxury Fashion and Beauty

0

In an era increasingly shaped by dynamic digital experiences, the luxury fashion and beauty sectors are undergoing a profound aesthetic evolution. Motion design is becoming an increasingly important part of brand storytelling.

Zilan Lin, a distinguished Motion Designer and CG Artist, is a key player in this change. She is part of a new wave of creatives helping heritage brands embrace the dynamic potential of motion design, transforming static traditions into vibrant, immersive narratives.

Lin sheds light on why motion design, despite its prevalence in other industries, remains a relatively “new” frontier for high-end brands. “Luxury was historically built on the stillness of a photograph—the frozen moment of a couture gown or a high-jewelry piece,” Lin explains. 

“Motion introduces another dimension—time, rhythm, and movement—which requires a new visual language. Motion design is ‘new’ because it represents a fundamental shift: heritage houses are now learning to breathe in the dimension of time.”

This adaptation is crucial as audience engagement gravitates towards video formats on digital platforms. “For many luxury houses, the challenge is maintaining the sense of refinement and restraint while adapting to digital platforms where audiences experience brands through video content,” Lin notes. “Because of this shift toward social-first storytelling, motion design is becoming increasingly important. It allows brands to translate their visual identity into movement while preserving the elegance and precision that define luxury aesthetics.”

Lin’s expertise has been sought by global powerhouses such as Chantecaille (Beiersdorf), La Mer (The Estée Lauder Companies), and Guerlain (LVMH). For Guerlain’s 2025 Lunar New Year campaign, she served as Lead CG Artist and On-set VFX Supervisor, “bridging live-action with CGI to bring a refined cinematic dimension to their seasonal marketing.” 

At Chantecaille, a French beauty brand, Lin works as Lead Motion Designer, where she has “developed a cohesive motion language that translated the brand’s botanical-driven luxury into a new chapter of animation storytelling,” she notes.

Lin’s work on La Mer’s 2025 Lunar New Year “SHUI” campaign involved guiding the CG visual pipeline to ensure the concept was realized with the precision and elegance expected of a top-tier skincare brand. Lin explains that by “ensuring every pixel serves the story, I transform commercial deliverables into elevated brand assets that resonate globally, reinforcing prestige above the digital noise.”

The true potency of motion design, according to Lin, lies in its capacity for profound brand storytelling. “Video is the most impactful medium for brand storytelling because it is inherently dynamic, eye-catching, and versatile.” 

By “introducing the temporal dimension, motion design expands the narrative beyond the frozen moment of a static image,” orchestrating “rhythm, pacing, and atmosphere” to significantly heighten audience engagement. Crucially, “the true power of motion is to communicate craftsmanship and materiality in ways static imagery cannot.” 

Lin explains how subtle kinesthetic cues, like how the specific cadence of a reveal or the fluid grace of a transition, can suggest the physical weight of a luxury bottle, the softness of a texture, or the inherent elegance of a brand’s philosophy. 

“It transforms a passive viewer into a participant in a sensory journey, ensuring the brand’s story isn’t just seen, but deeply felt,” she said.

Beyond aesthetic enhancement, motion design is a powerful driver of commercial success. Lin explains, “Motion design is inherently explanatory—moving images communicate ideas more clearly and persuasively than text alone, encouraging audiences to keep watching.” 

It enables products to feel “more tangible,” translating features into “an emotional experience” and building crucial consumer trust by highlighting “texture, material, and form through movement.” 

In the fast-paced digital landscape, attention is the currency of modern marketing. “In my opinion, a well-crafted motion piece is one of the most effective ways to earn it,” she said, able to capture audience interest within mere seconds.

A prime example of Lin’s innovative approach is the 2025 Chantecaille Lip Crème Campaign, where she served as lead motion designer. Her strategy was to “create a story that reflected both the product and Chantecaille’s deeper brand values,” particularly the brand’s long-standing commitment to elephant protection. 

Challenged to integrate the Lip Crème launch with wildlife conservation, Lin pioneered a “sophisticated collage and origami animation style.” This handcrafted, poetic approach allowed her to juxtapose rich beauty textures with natural elements in a meaningful way, all while maintaining “L’élégance du silence,” ensuring graceful, unhurried pacing. 

As Lead Motion Designer, she managed the “campaign video end-to-end, shaping the visual direction, animation language, and storytelling” for a distinctive and emotionally resonant digital experience.

Currently, Zilan Lin applies her diverse talents at Chantecaille, where she crafts impactful videos for product launches and brand campaigns, including developing design toolkits for APAC markets and introducing AI-driven workflows. Her extensive career includes pivotal roles at PETERARNELL, freelance projects for high-profile clients such as Salesforce and T-Mobile, and internships at DreamWorks Animation (contributing to “Kung Fu Panda 4”) and Dress Code Studio. 

Lin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts, having previously studied 2D and Experimental Animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Her proficiency spans Adobe Creative Suite, C4D, and Blender, underpinning her multifaceted capabilities as an animator, art director, and AI visual storyteller.

As luxury brands increasingly seek to captivate discerning digital audiences, Zilan Lin’s work exemplifies how motion design is not merely an enhancement, but a vital new dimension, weaving richer narratives and forging deeper connections in the evolving landscape of high-end aesthetics.

Your Friends & Neighbors Season 3: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

The Jon Hamm messy Apple TV drama Your Friends & Neighbors is back with season 2, ready to double down on suburban chaos. The critically acclaimed series is still going strong, with early reviews praising the sophomore season for highlighting how “wealthy white men, in particular, constantly fail upward.”

While that’s certainly good news for fans, you might worry that the show’s premise can’t stretch for too long. Could another installment be right around the corner? Here’s what we know so far.

Your Friends & Neighbors Season 3 Release Date

The Apple TV hit scored an early renewal, so you can breathe easy: Your Friends & Neighbors season 3 is happening for sure.

As for a possible release date, the series has relied on a fairly traditional one season/year schedule so far. We expect the follow-up to premiere in spring 2027.

Your Friends & Neighbors Cast

  • Jon Hamm as Andrew “Coop” Cooper
  • Amanda Peet as Mel Cooper
  • Olivia Munn as Samantha “Sam” Levitt
  • Hoon Lee as Barney Choi
  • Mark Tallman as Nick Brandes
  • Lena Hall as Allison “Ali” Cooper
  • Aimee Carrero as Elena
  • Isabel Gravitt as Tori Cooper
  • James Marsden as Owen Ashe

What Could Happen in Your Friends & Neighbors Season 3?

At its core, Your Friends & Neighbors is a slightly absurd crime story about how far someone will go to keep up appearances.

The story centres on Coop, a hedge fund manager whose life collapses almost overnight. He loses his job, his marriage, and his identity. Instead of starting over, he begins to rob his wealthy neighbors in a desperate attempt to maintain his lifestyle.

As expected, said neighbors hide secrets of their own. Coop slowly uncovers the rot beneath their seemingly perfect lives and gets tangled up into a dangerous web of lies.

In the show’s second season, Coop is still living his double life. However, a mysterious new neighbor played by James Marsden moves in. Not only is he charismatic, but he’s very perceptive, and could become a threat to Coop’s operation.

As for Your Friends & Neighbors season 3, it’s a little early to speculate. That said, Coop may not be quite as untouchable as he thought, so it will be interesting to follow him as he spirals. For now, you can catch season 2 episodes weekly on Apple TV, with the finale scheduled for early June.

Are There Other Shows Like Your Friends & Neighbors?

If you like Your Friends & Neighbors, you probably enjoy series that chip at the façade of suburban bliss. Similar titles include Weeds, The Affair, Santa Clarita Diet, Mad Men, Desperate Housewives, and Ozark.

Alternatively, catch up with Apple TV’s other popular series. Like Imperfect Women, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, Hijack, Severance, or Pluribus.

Four exhibitions to see in London this April

This month, Our Culture selects four art exhibitions for you to explore in the sunnier weather:

Bibliophilia by Jack Milroy at Shapero Modern (15 April – 15 May)

At Shapero Modern, Bibliophilia celebrates the intricate, fascinating work of British artist Jack Milroy. Known for his meticulous cut-paper constructions, Milroy transforms illustrated books into sculptural objects, carefully excising their images to create layered, three-dimensional scenes that extend beyond the confines of the book itself.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shapero Modern (@shaperomodern)

I Set Out, I Walked Fast by Katharina Grosse at White Cube, Bermondsey (22 April – 31 May)

I Set Out, I Walked Fast at White Cube Bermondsey marks a major UK presentation of Katharina Grosse’s expansive approach to painting, with a bold emphasis on colour. Known for using a spray gun to apply vivid colour across everything from canvas to architecture, Grosse pushes painting beyond its traditional limits, allowing it to spill into space and reshape the viewer’s surroundings.

 

Bekyk hierdie plasing op Instagram

 

‘n Plasing gedeel deur Katharina Grosse (@katharina_grosse)

To Build and Remember by Martand Khosla and Saad Qureshi at Nature Morte (10 April – 25 April)

To Build and Remember brings together the work of Martand Khosla and Saad Qureshi, whose practices approach memory from complementary angles. Trained as an architect, Khosla works with salvaged materials and structural forms, drawing on the ways cities carry traces of history in their surfaces. Qureshi, working primarily in sculpture, creates intricate, suspended forms that reference migration and the passage of time.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nature Morte (@naturemorte_india)

The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East museum (18 April – 3 January 2027)

The Music is Black: A British Story traces the profound influence of Black British musicians on the UK’s cultural landscape. Spanning genres from jazz and reggae to grime and drill, the exhibition brings together archival material and contemporary works to explore how music has built community and resistance across generations. Opening alongside the show, a new partnership with BBC Music will see the launch of The Music is Black Festival, developed with East Bank partners across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, extending the exhibition’s themes beyond the gallery space.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by V&A East (@vam_east)