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Four Bold Book Covers Released This March

Gerda Krivaite
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Four Bold Book Covers Released This March

March always feels like a turning point, offering the first real hint of longer days and lighter moods. As we say goodbye to the month, here are four of our favourite book covers it brought us. Maybe it’s time to start that ‘books with beautiful covers’ book club with your friends?

Now I Surrender by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer
Cover design by Lauren Peters-Collaer (Riverhead, 3 March)

There is so much charm to Peters-Collaer’s design: the newspaper-brown background, the whimsical handwritten subtitle font, the mesmerising central red cut out.

The Natural Way Of Things by Charlotte Wood
Cover design by Lauren Peters-Collaer (Riverhead, 10 March)

The elegant title laid out carefully on the grainy horse painting makes me want to find the blurb immediately. Delightful.

I Am Agatha by Nancy Foley
Cover design by Clay Smith (Avid Reader Press, 17 March)

An alluring sunset colour palette that practically radiates heat, paired with a paint-like texture that comes across gorgeously — altogether making for a proudly displayable cover.

Businessmen as Lovers by Rosemary Tonks
Cover design by Oliver Munday (New Directions, 24 March)

Snazzy socks, tailored trousers, shiny shoes… What more could a cover aficionado ask for? Oh, that’s right. A bright pink background.

The New Beauty: Maximalism Takes Over

Alyssa Torio
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The New Beauty: Maximalism Takes Over

Out with the Clean Girl Aesthetic, No-Makeup Makeup trends, Maximalist fashion and beauty are taking over. This time last year, beauty trends have favoured a predominantly minimalistic approach. However there has been a transition to being unapologetically extra. Maximalist makeup thrives on utilising bold and vibrant colours and focusing on luminous skin and expressive beauty looks. This could be a result of the Clean Girl Aesthetic being interpreted as boring, identical, and lacking in and limiting identity, whereas people want to bring individuality, creativity and self-expression back into their looks. 

Roots in Pop Culture: Zara Larsson the ‘Pop Princess’ 

In addition to the move away from the simplicity of the Clean Girl Aesthetic, cultural shifts and a desire for freedom are also major drivers in the shift towards Maximalist makeup. Fuelled by pop culture and amplified by social media, Midnight Sun artist, Zara Larsson has contributed to the rise of Maximalist makeup. From her statement styling including her iconic keychain belt, to her sparkly lids and rhinestone accents, her recent makeup tour looks, by her MUA Sophia Sinot, have been gaining lots of traction and noise due to her risky yet whimsical colour combos and creative placement.  

Zara is always iconically drenched in colour, with her most memorable looks featuring expansive blush placement that sweeps over her nose, and doubles as contour. Maximalist makeup looks invites experimentation and personality, and seeing the ‘Pop Princess’ herself embrace bold colours and playful techniques inspires others to follow and excites fans to experiment too. 

The Revival of 2016 Makeup 

2026 isn’t the first year where we’ve seen the transformative power of makeup. Ironically, we’ve also seen it a decade ago, in 2016, where graphic wings, metallics and glitter, creative face art, and bright lips were the fundamentals, already making statement finishes. Maximalism is a continuation of this, with dramatic eyes, bold lips paired with strong eye looks (not one or the other), and a fusion of gloss, shimmer, and metallic finishes all in one look. The only difference now is that pigment is higher, impact is instant, and individual makeup products are now formulated to work together and blend better. These new and improved products including high-pigments creams, liquids and powders can create high-impact creative placement and saturated colour without easily wearing off or requiring multiple layers of application.  

As the ‘Clean Girl Aesthetic’ may not be as prominent as before, it is still present and continues to influence style and beauty looks today. Even still, it works seamlessly with Maximalist makeup looks. Although this trend is more pronounced, it’s not seen as a replacement for the ‘Clean Girl’ makeup look – both aesthetics can coexist and compliment each other, depending on the vibe and the occasion. Ultimately, as a result of this upcoming trend is that there was a growing demand for something new, different, and more individualistic. 

A Creator’s Guide to Decoding Cultural Power in Film and Music

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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A Creator’s Guide to Decoding Cultural Power in Film and Music

If you really want to understand the reach of cultural power, just look at some of the most influential films and recording artists of the 21st century, from Ryan Coogler’s Sinners to Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

But decoding this power requires looking beyond aesthetics to uncover deep insights into social change, economic impact, and industry evolution.

Now, with the help of analytics, you can identify and chart even more signals of cultural power, unearthing valuable data from award seasons, digital streaming, leadership trends, creator growth strategies, and celebrity case studies.

Insights From Award Season

Even in a digital media renaissance, industry awards like the Oscars and Grammys continue to represent the gold standard of excellence. Likewise, top billing at prestigious film festivals like Cannes and Sundance can put previously unknown directors, actors, and production studios on the map.

Analyzing trends like wins, nominations, and festival prizes can reveal insights into cultural breakthroughs, societal impact, and the powerful act of starting profound conversations. Even an official selection at Cannes provides the kind of industry weight needed to move the needle on cultural influence.

Digital Streaming Signals

While box office numbers are still a relevant metric for assessing the cultural impact of a film, digital streaming metrics provide further context into the financial signals of cultural power. Plus, streaming platforms like Netflix have opened doors for new creators and subject matter.

On the music end, streaming apps like Spotify are amplifying new artists and genres that would’ve gone unnoticed during the days of MTV. Like social media, Spotify is providing an accessible platform to artists who have something powerful to say through their music and unique cultural experiences.

Creative Leadership Trends

Perhaps, one of the most telling metrics of cultural power is leadership itself. Better yet, a new type of leader is emerging from this power, the creator-CEO.

When actors, directors, and recording artists step into the role of CEO, they’re signaling a cultural shift that has a real impact on consumers’ lives. Take, for example, Rihanna’s evolution from recording artist to Founder and CEO of Fenty Beauty.

Building an iconic consumer brand allows creators to take control of their image, perception, and financial growth.

Celebrity Case Studies

Celebrity case studies offer a wealth of insight into the origins and growth of cultural power, with Latina actresses Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, and Sofía Vergara as three notable examples. All three women continue to generate cultural power signals across multiple industries, from film to consumer products.

Jennifer Lopez personifies the “Triple Threat” of award-winning recording artist, actress, and brand mogul. She’s an example of a cultural icon who maintains constant social traction through:

  • Music and performing
  • Film and TV
  • Fragrance lines
  • Fashion brand deals
  • Beauty and skincare companies

She’s frequently credited as executive producer on her film and TV productions, signaling creative and financial control over her empire.

Similarly, actress and producer Salma Hayek has leveraged her critical acclaim and festival success, with films like Frida, to take creative control of her personal brand’s direction. This statement of cultural power is also amplified through her philanthropic commitment to gender equality.

Sofía Vergara’s cultural impact remains strong since her iconic run on Modern Family. Now, she’s wearing the hat of producer and brand mogul, launching a range of product lines, including jeans, home decor, and most recently, coffee. She’s yet another example of the rise of the creative-executive who’s exercising control to build cultural power.

How Creators Build Momentum

Driving cultural power through brand image, creative work, and entrepreneurship requires consistent marketing. When analyzing today’s celebrity case studies, you’ll notice that all of them leverage:

  • Social media
  • Digital advertising
  • Talk show segments
  • Red carpet appearances
  • Front row seats at NYFW

Their body of work, coupled with consistent media interest, positions them as potentially lifelong influencers of cultural power.

Track the Growth of Cultural Power

Take a look around, and you’ll find signals of cultural power all around you, from the latest album you downloaded to that one film that you can’t stop thinking about.

Learn more about the depth of cultural power by taking a deep dive into awards and festivals, streaming data, disruptions in leadership, creator case studies, and strategies that build momentum and relevance. Apply what you’ve learned to turn your own platform into a vehicle for cultural power.

Immerse yourself in arts and culture so that you never miss a trend or conversation. Follow us for the latest album reviews, film sneak-peeks, and more!

The Madison Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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The Madison Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Coming from Taylor Sheridan, the man behind international hit Yellowstone, new series The Madison is sure to turn heads. In fact, it quickly became the most-watched first season of any of Sheridan’s projects.

With a cast featuring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, we would expect nothing less. The only downside is that the series, available on Paramount+, is a quick watch at six episodes. Are we getting more?

The Madison Season 2 Release Date

If you’ve fallen in love with the series, you can breathe easy: The Madison season 2 is already on the way. The show was renewed last year, and filming for the follow-up has wrapped.

That said, there’s no official premiere date yet. You can expect more episodes either in late 2026 or early 2027.

The Madison Cast

  • Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn
  • Kurt Russell as Preston Clyburn
  • Beau Garrett as Abigail Reese
  • Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh
  • Elle Chapman as Paige McIntosh
  • Amiah Miller as Bridgette Reese
  • Alaina Pollack as Macy Reese
  • Matthew Fox as Paul Clyburn

What Could Happen in The Madison Season 2?

The Madison is all about grief and starting over. The story follows the wealthy Clyburn family from New York, whose lives are shattered by a sudden tragedy.

In the aftermath, matriarch Stacy relocates the clan to the Madison River Valley in rural Montana. It’s a place her late husband loved but she barely understood, so they’re all fish out of water. Surrounded by vast landscapes and a slower way of life, the family is forced to confront their loss and fractured relationships.

The series tackles topics like how grief reshapes people, and whether healing requires letting go of who you used to be. The first season is more of a prelude, revolving around Stacy’s decision to stay in Montana for good. She still has a long road toward healing, which will likely be a big focus for The Madison season 2.

“The family unit of the Clyburns is what holds everyone together, and they’re all integral to that dynamic. So there are a lot of questions at the end of season one that will be answered when you get to season two,” Christina Alexandra Voros, who directed the series, told The Hollywood Reporter.

In other words, the extended family is likely to follow Stacy’s lead. Voros also teased that the show could go on for a few years. Turns out, The Madison is just getting started.

Are There Other Shows Like The Madison?

If you like The Madison, you should check out some of Sheridan’s other series. Besides Yellowstone and its spin-offs, the list includes Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lioness, and Landman.

For shows with similar vibes, we recommend The Abandons, The Waterfront, Ransom Canyon, and Virgin River.

Essential Trends Defining This Season’s Street Style

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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Essential Trends Defining This Season’s Street Style

If you’re coming here looking for the evolution of modern style, be sure to bookmark this site as your go-to เว็บบอลสเต็ป. Getting into a groove with your own personal aesthetic is as crucial then as staying in step with the high-end design world turning on a dime.

Fashion is no longer about what we wear; it’s about the story we tell with our choices each day.” This year we are experiencing a huge movement towards functional elegance and bold, recycled materials.

Fifth: Sustainable Luxury: The New Fashion

The industry is pivoting to a “less is more” model that prioritizes quality over quantity. Designers are looking to pieces that will last decades, not weeks. “The vintage ‘everything’ curve is a huge trend right now people want the story behind a piece.” This change goes a long way toward reducing the carbon footprint of the global garment trade.

Must Have Wardrobe Basics For Every Fan

Create a BaseThe foundation is the most important aspect of creating a signature look. You can’t have a high-fashion moment without the basics perfectly tailored underneath.

A fitted blazer is simply the most versatile item any man can own. It easily goes from a work setting to an evening out with friends.

White Button-Downs: Look for high-thread-count organic cotton to be durable.

Straight-Leg Denim: Stay away from overly distressed styles for a timeless look.

Leather Loafers: This season, comfort comes in the form of sartorial shoes.

Matching tones create an elongated, polished silhouette. Monochromatic Sets

How to Wear Bold Colors Without Looking Overdone

Bright colors have been all the rage on runways, but they can be intimidating to everyday consumers. The trick is to temper the drama with neutral “grounding” pieces. Electric blue and sunset orange are two of the hottest colors this season. If you are anxious, try starting with smaller accessories like a scarf or a handbag.

A Meeting Point Between Ease and High Fashion

We’ve entered a time when “athleisure” has become something far more cultured. Now you can wear technical fabrics to a dinner party. Oversize coats matched with sleek fitted joggers provide an interesting contrast of proportions. This outfit prioritizes movement while still being a high-fashion look.

Must Have Requisites To Up Your Everyday Style

And like a good story, an outfit without accessories is nothing but unfinished business. They are the final details that inform the world who you are.

This year statement jewelry is swinging to chunky gold-plated pieces. It gives even the simplest t-shirt and jeans an air of “planned effort.”

  • Belted Waists: “Wear broad belts over oversized sweaters for an hourglass silhouette.
  • Micro Bags: Not the most functional with storage, but a serious style centerpiece.
  • Eco Friendly Sunglasses: Find frames made from bio-acetate or reclaimed ocean plastic.
  • Silk Headscarves: A classic from the 1950s that perfectly complements modern streetwear.

Using different fabrics can create an extremely expensive look for all black outfit. Consider combining silk with wool or leather with thick denim. The feel of clothing is emerging as a priority for luxury consumers. It’s about people wanting to see the craftsmanship in the textures that they wear on a daily basis.

New Designs, Old Threads: The Future of Digital Fashion

As we progress toward a digital age, how we represent ourselves on the internet is soon going to be as significant as actual existence. Virtual clothing houses are actually a thing now. Digital clothing does not have the physical waste of traditional manufacturing, but allows for artistic expression. It is an odd but exhilarating frontier for a new generation of designers.

How Essential Grooming Changes Your Overall Vibe

Fashion is not limited to your outfit; it also applies to your hair, skin and scent. These often ignored details play a great role in creating a cohesive look. Loose, “no-makeup” looks are popular now, with very structured hairstyles as well. The idea is to look polished, but not tryhard; like you literally just woke up looking this good.

How to Discover Your Personal Style in a Fast-Paced World

Given how trends changes in every three days on social media, it can make you feel lost. The folks with the best style tend to be those who tune out the “noise” and stick to what flatters them. Confidence is the best accessory no designer can sell you. Clothes always look better on you when you feel good in what youre wearing.

Fast Fashion: Worth the Investment or Not

I know it’s nice to get the cheapest version of a trend, but you’re seldom going to wear those things past three washes. Purchasing “hero” items saves money long-term.

Examine the seams and fabric makeup before you make any big purchase. Natural fibers from crops like wool, silk and linen will always be better than synthetic blends.

  • Examine the stitching: Loose threads indicate bad manufacturing.
  • Fabric Weight: A heavier fabric will tend to drape better and wear longer.
  • Linings: A good coat will always have a smooth, well-sewn lining.
  • Buttons: Metal or horn buttons are better than thin, plastic ones.

Maximalism and the Boldness of Patterns Come Back

Though minimalism has ruled for years, there’s a “rebellion” against prints. Mixing patterns is being used as an expression of personality and humor. Animal print and floral motifs are being mashed together in ways we haven’t seen since the 90s. The key is consistency, having one color that remains the same across each pattern.

How Global Culture Impacts Local Streetwear

Tokyo street style bears little resemblance to Paris street style. But the internet is blurring those boundaries, resulting in a global “fashion language.” Young designers around the world are incorporating traditional textiles into modern cuts. This pays homage to heritage but keeps the look fresh and relevant for today’s market.”

Conclusion: Create a Seasonless Wardrobe

For any fashion lover, the goal is owning a wardrobe where everything works as one. This “capsule” mentality turns the morning chore of getting dressed into a pleasure.

Look for silhouettes that are flattering to your particular body type not what’s trending on an influencer. Style is a personal expression of self, and that’s true style.

Five Fun Facts About Tattoos

Gerda Krivaite
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Five Fun Facts About Tattoos

 

Tattooing has never been more widespread. In the US alone, 32% of adults now have at least one tattoo, up from 21% in 2012 and just 16% in 2006. What was once considered a mark of counterculture has become one of the most common forms of personal and artistic expression. But behind the modern tattoo studio lies a complex and often surprising history. Here are some lesser-known facts about tattooing, including the practice’s history and cultural weight.

1. The practice of holystoning

When European missionaries arrived in the Cook Islands in the 19th century, they viewed traditional tattooing as a heathen practice incompatible with Christianity. So determined were they to erase it that, according to archival evidence, some tattoos were physically scraped off people’s bodies. The practice of doing so with sandstone became known as “holystoning”. The result, across much of Polynesia, was a form of cultural amnesia: traditional tattooing virtually died out, and many once-revered designs were lost entirely.

2. Pain as rite of passage

For many Polynesian societies, pain was not incidental to the tattooing process but central to it. In Tahiti, the chief’s son was observed closely during tattooing for any signs of pain, while in Samoa, the experience was said to be the male equivalent of the pain of childbirth. For Samoan men in particular, tattooing was considered the crucial event of a lifetime, the moment from which “all other happenings were dated”.

3. Longest tattoo session

The longest recorded tattoo session lasted more than 64 hours, completed by tattoo artist Darren “Sraw” Arellano in Denver in 2025.

4. Tattooed Egyptian mummies were mostly women

Of the 13 tattooed mummies discovered at the ancient Egyptian site of Deir el-Medina, 12 were women. For a long time, archaeologists assumed this meant tattooed women were of low social status. More recent scholarship has overturned that theory entirely, suggesting that many of these women held important religious roles, with their tattoos serving as permanent markers of their connection to healing and worship. One mummy bore 30 individual tattoos, many invisible to the naked eye, including hieroglyphic symbols and the Eye of Horus, pointing to a woman of significant spiritual standing.

5. Ötzi the Iceman

Ötzi the Iceman, who died around 3250 BC in the Tyrolean Alps, is the oldest tattooed human ever found, with 61 tattoos across his body. Many of his tattoos appear directly over areas where he suffered from arthritis and joint pain – his lower back, knees and ankles – leading researchers to believe they may have functioned as a form of therapeutic treatment, not unlike early acupuncture.

Games of 2026: The Most Anticipated Releases and New Titles

Sebastian Bickley
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Games of 2026: The Most Anticipated Releases and New Titles

2026 is expected to be a big year for gamers. With blockbuster AAA titles, long-awaited sequels, and ambitious new IPs, the industry is bringing in scale, storytelling, and technical innovation. From record-breaking budgets to changing pricing models, gamers are anticipating must-play releases this year. Let’s break down the anticipated games of 2026.

GTA 6 

Starting with the biggest game shaping 2026: GTA VI. Fans are looking forward to the GTA 6 release and major publishers even plan around this major industry event.

The Grand Theft Auto 6 release date is 19 November 2026, and will be expected on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This date is affecting other games because they don’t want to release their games on the same day, and this is attracting attention on betting sites.

More interesting, the GTA 6 budget runs to a billion dollars, the most expensive game developed. This is seen in their massive open world design combining Vice City and Leonida, advanced AI systems, and years of development. 

As for the GTA 6 price, it’s expected to be about $70 to $80, or £60–£70 in the UK, and this aligns with the current AAA pricing trends. There are rumors of expensive editions but the standard prices stay within the industry norms.

GTA VI is quite special because it has dual protagonists, Lucia and Jason, an evolving open world, enhanced AI and realism, and a next-gen experience. Games will probably be judged against the GTA VI benchmark. 

Phantom Blade Zero 

Phantom Blade Zero is the rising star among other 2026 titles, and this is generating massive global attention. The game combines martial arts, dark fantasy, and high speed combat to give players a unique experience. 

Fans are looking forward to the confirmed Phantom Blade Zero release date which is on 9 September 2026 on PS5 and PC. The game has advanced and impressive features like a Kungfupunk aesthetic, fast-paced, skill-based combat, unreal Engine 5 visuals, and a story-driven single player experience.

The game represents the rise of Chinese AAA development, a strong competitor to Soulslike titles, and a global shift in diversity. This is among the most talked about games of the year. Fans are anticipating this game towards the end of 2026.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2

Remasters are playing an important role in 2026’s lineup. The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2 will bring classic stealth titles to today’s platforms, and include better visuals and performance. It reintroduces iconic gameplay to the new audiences.

This is an exciting choice for those who want nostalgia and modern technology, and these combined give the game a strong commercial success potential.

Other Major AAA Titles to Watch 

Beyond GTA VI and Phantom Blade Zero, 2026 has other high profile releases. From the RPGs to superhero games, there’s something for every genre. 

Crimson Desert 

Crimson Desert is one of the ambitious RPGs of 2026, combining cinematic storytelling with an open world. Developed by Pearl Abyss, the game delivers a fully single player narrative driven experience set in the war torn continent of Pywel. Players take the role of Kliff, navigating political conflict, battles, and mythical threats. The game has proven its impact, selling over 2 million copies in the first day. Expect:

  • Seamless open world with dynamic environments
  • Deep combat system with melee, combos, and strategy
  • Large-scale boss fights with mythical creatures
  • Side activities like crafting, fishing, and exploration

Marvel’s Wolverine 

Unlike superhero games, Marvel’s Wolverine delivers a gritty and personal story centered on Logan. Made by Insomniac Games, it reminds you of Spider Man but focuses on brutality and emotional depth. Release date on 15 September 2026, the game offers a standalone experience in Marvel. Look out for a:

  • Story-driven single-player campaign
  • Brutal close combat mechanics 
  • Exploring other X-Men characters
  • PS5 exclusive performance and graphics.

007 First Light 

There’s 007 First Light, marking the return of James Bond to gaming after over 10 years. Created by IO Interactive, which made Hitman, the game follows young Bond as he earns his license to kill in the origin story. Unlike previous Bond games, this title isn’t about action but strategy and following the story. Anticipate:

  • Espionage-focused gameplay with different missions
  • Combines stealth, combat, and cinematic set pieces
  • Original storyline inspired by classic Bond themes
  • Uses gadgets, vehicles, and spy technology

State of Decay 3 

State of Decay 3 is a survival game that combines open-world exploration with deeper community management systems. Details are limited but this is a major upgrade over the previous games. It focuses on long-term survival strategy instead of action.

  • Persistent open world with evolving threats
  • Advanced survival mechanics 
  • Building a base and managing a community
  • Cooperative and solo gameplay options

Fable 

The Fable reboot is among the anticipated RPG comebacks. Set in Albion, the game reminds you of the iconic humor and morality system in the original series, but introduces modern open-world mechanics and deeper player choice. Unlike the older entries, this version focuses on player freedom, so decisions affect the game. 

  • Fully open world with interactive NPCs
  • Morality system affecting the story outcomes
  • Elements like property ownership, relationships, and life are well simulated
  • Rich narrative and branching choices

Industry Trends Defining Gaming in 2026 

Aside from the individual games, there are trends shaping the industry. For one, rising development costs. AAA budgets reach hundreds of millions to a billion and longer development cycles. There are standardised pricing models for the basic game with premium editions increasing revenue.

Another trend is the next-gen exclusivity, available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. There are fewer cross-gen releases too. And we are seeing games from around the world, whether it’s China or Europe, as seen in Phantom Blade Zero.

FAQ

Will GTA VI be released on PC at launch?

There’s no official confirmation yet. Current reports suggest PC may release later after the console launch.

Which game is expected to win Game of the Year 2026? 

There’s no confirmation yet but GTA VI will dominate the awards with its scale and innovative design. 

Are game prices expected to increase further after 2026? 

According to industry trends, the price might increase gradually, especially for deluxe content and special editions.

The Best Songs of March 2026

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Best Songs of March 2026

Every week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with several tracks that catch our attention, then round up the best songs of each month in this segment. Here, in alphabetical order, are the best songs of March 2026.

Aldous Harding, ‘One Stop’

The strangest, most delightful thing about the first glimpse of Aldous Harding’s imminent album is that it almost tricks you into believing you’ve never heard her music before. Even if you can sonically trace a line from 2022’s Warm Chris to Train on the Island – they were both produced with John Parish, after all – Harding stays true to the feeling that sometimes when you write, no matter how long ago the last time was, it flows like the first. In the case of ‘One Stop’, that means looping a quivering, unpredictable piano underneath prickly, playful vocal performance: “I’m gonna write what I know/ Things I ain’t known for a long time,” she sings, as if songwriting is merely a process of conscious iteration, of reminding oneself the deeper truths we tend to ignore in daily life. Harding’s humour usually has the flair of an inside joke understood by a single insider, but the next bit is almost like standup: “I met the real John Cale/ He had no words, but I don’t mind/ I packed the stage while he ate rice.” Another enigmatic artist, it seems, that’s just like us. 

Carla dal Forno, ‘Going Out’

Carla dal Forno makes a love that’s both forbidden and unrequited sound like a breeze. The first Confession of her forthcoming album is a familiar one: her romantic interest is going out with an old friend, and she can’t hide her feelings any longer. “Shouldn’t want to hold you but I do,” she sings over a clangorous, insistent bassline, and the leap to And I will is as short as that from the verse to the chorus. Against the tactile rhythm section, the Australian singer-songwriter’s pensive, reverb-drenched voice and vaporous synths remind us that this all may be a bout of wishful thinking. But at least for the duration of the song, dal Forno dresses up the possibility of their intimacy as a mathematical certainty, finally urging one half of the equation to come on and listen. The rest of us, at least, should oblige. 

Fire-Toolz, ‘Balam =^..^= Says IPv09082024 Strawberry Head’

Few artists can make the guttural splurge of a song like ‘Balam =^..^= Says IPv09082024 Strawberry Head’ sound so pristine. Not just pristine, but seamless, diffusing the boundaries between its seemingly contradictory sonic signifiers – shimmering synths, fiery screams, purring, the perfect pop song runtime – rather than balancing them. Fire-Toolz has pulled this off countless times before, but with a new album, Lavender Networks, coming out on Warp, it could serve as a gateway to Angel Marcloid’s bountiful, uncompromising world for a lot more people. So long as it remains “the new Fire-Toolz single,” you can easily recommend it as a good place to start; from then on you can probably just say Lavender Networks.

Gelli Haha, ‘Klouds Will Carry Me to Sleep’

The most gleeful song of 2026 so far comes from Gelli Haha, who put out one of the most undersung art-pop LPs of 2025, Switcheroo. Tacked on at the end of the album on streaming services but released as a standalone single, ‘Klouds Will Carry Me to Sleep’ ensures you’re paying attention. Someone in the comment section of its delightfully cartoonish video mentions the Gelliverse, and you want to be in on it. Any song that spells “clouds” like that is bound to be a little kooky, but this one earns all its absurd maximalism with a singalong hook that hasn’t escaped my brain since it was released. I don’t know if it can carry you to sleep, but it can definitely transport you to a fantasy realm where your imagination has a lot more power. “I feel you wrapped around my finger,” she declares in one of the song’s most legible lines, all the whimsy in the world at her disposal. 

Iceage, ‘Star’

Elias Rønnenfelt has released compelling music in the years since Iceage’s last album, staying in the limelight last year with his solo album Speak Daggers and an appearance on Dean Blunt’s Lucre EP. But the Danish band’s first single in half a decade is a force to be reckoned with. Instead of mystifying allure, Rønnenfelt aims for feverish eroticism that favours directness over platitudes: It’s not “Love is like a dying star,” but “You got me dying like a star,” and the ensuing “Ay ay a” does most of the talking. The group’s melodic post-punk locks into a jangly groove in the chorus, as if to render the singer’s infatuation a little less ominous. But chaos is inevitable, and Rønnenfelt grabs the opportunity to wrangle the word “Louisiana” into the strangest shapes. Is that the “you” whose “stellar winds rush so well through me”? Is it a diversion or pure devastation? For a song that’s surprisingly poppy, ‘Star’ redeems itself by ending in a nebulous collapse.

Kelsey Lu, ‘Running to Pain’

I haven’t seen enough love for Kelsey Lu’s ‘Running to Pain’, but I feel like that’s going to change around the release of the chamber-pop artist’s Dirty Hit debut, So Help Me God. Co-produced with Jack Antonoff and Yves Rothman, it rivals Lana Del Rey’s ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ as the best thing Antonoff has had a hand in producing over the past few years. Shimmering and volcanic – with an accompanying video fittingly shot on the Spanish island of Lanzarote – ‘Running to Pain’ expands and contracts in line with Lu’s acrobatic vocals, which begin in soft resignation as they’re cradled back to the safety of pain. But the very act of running quickens the singer’s heartbeat, finding a different kind of solace in motion. During the bridge, the song reveals a turbulent dynamic with a lover who “smooth[s] like a jagged knife” – but the real dance here is with pain itself, the double-edged sword of managing it: let it go and you’ll risk your sanity, let it rush in and there’s seemingly no salvation. Enter So Help Me God.

Lily Seabird, ‘Demon in Me’

“There’s something inside of us all/ The ones who creep and they crawl in their skin/ Till it feels like it’s gonna fall off,” Lily Seabird sings on ‘Demon in Me’, as if half-remembering a quote that keeps lingering in her mind. For most of the song, she keeps them – seemingly animated by Z Zalewski’s clarinet, Michael Sabin’s trombone, and her own saxophone – at bay, poetically trying to circle it. But as the demon in her keeps picking battles, the Burlington singer-songwriter opts for an exorcism of a crescendo, letting feral guitars do the screaming. As the crescendo thins out, Daniel Snyder’s drums thunder back in at the end as if to ascertain: Game over. 

London’s New Ferrari Store Wants You to Buy a Jacket Now, a Supercar Later

Vera Adamidou
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London’s New Ferrari Store Wants You to Buy a Jacket Now, a Supercar Later

Turn your head at that very specific corner where Old Bond Street and Piccadilly meet, and you’ll see Ferrari’s new lifestyle hub. The Maranello brand has turned out to be way more than horsepower now. It’s slowly building a world around itself, and London, the global crossroads of culture, style, and tech, is where it wants to land.

Ferrari Style London store opening
@ferraristyle via Instagram

Who knew you could dress a 1905 Queen Anne building in a sharply contemporary interior, fully stripped of any retro baggage, and make it look this good. Ferrari Style’s creative director Rocco Iannone, Berlin-based architecture studio Gonzalez Haase AAS, and Milan’s Formafantasma collective apparently did. Portland stone façade on the outside, polished and brushed steel on the inside. 850 square meters and guests (Lewis Hamilton, Ed and Amy Westwick, and the list goes on) are greeted by three very shiny, and very red, Formafantasma sculptures, car doors made into mannequin-like constructs.

Ferrari Style London store opening
@ferraristyle via Instagram

And that shade was everywhere. From industrial sofas to leather handrails, and velvet elevators that climb from the ground floor to the Tailor Made Atelier on the first, where customers get to play designer for a bit, and the upper floor, where collectibles and installations find a new life. All this metal and concrete, and red shows up again and again, from the runway collections we’ve seen during Milan fashion week to the capsule pieces that Rocco let us get a glimpse of.

Ferrari Style London store opening
@ferraristyle via Instagram

Naturally, my brain jumps straight to that one jacket the Internet couldn’t stop obsessing over (guilty as charged). Leather on top, wool below, and a needle-punched process that locks wool fibers into lamb leather, creating the kind of degradé effect that makes you think it just happens naturally, even though every stitch is planned. The there’s the so-called Q-Cycle, a fabric that turns old tires into silk-like yarn. Jackets, bags, knitwear, whatever you want. Waste becomes luxury, a red one too.

Travis Scott’s Job at Oakley? Hiring Matthew Μ. Williams

Vera Adamidou
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0
Travis Scott’s Job at Oakley? Hiring Matthew Μ. Williams

Turns out everything Oakley needed was Travis Scott putting his favorite designer on a payroll. The artist was just named Chief Visionary Officer last year, but Scott was already deep into Williams’ world long before. Of course, Oakley didn’t create that connection, but it created two very fitting titles for it.

Williams came up through the Kanye West creative machine, Travis came out of it, different roles, same ecosystem. When Been Trill was just getting off the ground with Williams and Virgil Abloh, Travis had the tees, soon after the ALYX belts, and eventually worked his way to Williams’ namesake label too. From streetwear to Givenchy to Lady Gaga, eyewear was only a matter of time. On March 26, Williams was tapped as Oakley’s creative director, leading apparel, footwear, and accessories.

“Growing up in California, Oakley was part of my upbringing. I have always admired the brand’s technical and innovative intent, which greatly aligns with my own process and design language. Oakley has such a rich heritage, with history rooted in both performance sports and global culture. I am honored to join the company and look forward to working together with Travis and all Oakley teams to guide the brand into a new era,” said the latest addition to Oakley’s reset. With those two in the mix, the streetwear crowd is a natural target. And who knows, they might even get along with hikers.

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