A content creator has publicly alleged that Velo, the fast-growing social app gaining visibility through Product Hunt, failed to pay for sponsored content delivered as part of a brand partnership earlier this year.
According to the creator, who chose to remain anonymous, the agreement involved producing short-form promotional videos for Instagram and TikTok in exchange for payment to be issued immediately after publication. The creator says the content was delivered on time, approved, and posted according to the agreed campaign schedule.
The payment, however, allegedly never arrived.
The creator claims that after following up, representatives from Velo acknowledged the delay and stated that payment was being processed. Two weeks later, the invoice remained unpaid. Since then, the creator says repeated attempts to contact the company through email, Instagram direct messages, and TikTok have gone unanswered.
The creator also alleged that messages sent directly to Velo co-founders Ajay Kumar and Sourav Sanyal were ignored after the content went live.
“The sponsored posts remain live and continue benefiting the brand, while the invoice remains outstanding,” the creator said in a written statement shared online.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and there is currently no public indication that the experience reflects how Velo handles all creator partnerships. The creator emphasized that the account represents a personal experience rather than a broader accusation against the company as a whole.
Still, the situation has renewed discussion around a recurring issue within the influencer marketing industry: creators delivering content before securing stronger payment protections.
Industry professionals often advise creators to formalize partnerships through signed contracts, require partial upfront payment, and include clauses allowing sponsored posts to be removed if invoices are not paid within a specified period. Documentation of all communication, including payment assurances made after deadlines pass, is also widely recommended.
The creator behind the allegations encouraged others who may have had similar experiences with Velo to come forward privately and stated that efforts to resolve the matter directly with the company remain ongoing.
Velo has not publicly responded to the allegations, and neither Ajay Kumar nor Sourav Sanyal have issued public statements regarding the matter.
Look around your closet. Chances are, you’ll find a pair of jeans staring back at you. They’re classic, comfy, reliable, basically the uniform of adulthood. We all know how sacred the hunt for the perfect pair is, it could take years, but everyone ends up with it. That very pair might have guzzled more water than you drank in your entire life, bathed in chemicals you wouldn’t let near your coffee, and burned enough energy to make your electricity bill cry in a corner.
How Much Water Did Your Denim Drink?
A pair like that drinks roughly 3,800 to 7,500 liters of water in its life cycle. And most of it is actually virtual water, meaning it’s spent growing the cotton, long before the jeans exist. Those little white balls are basically hungover water addicts, drinking more than the garment itself will ever need.
Now, imagine if those cotton balls weren’t such water hogs. Planted in rain-fed fields, watered smarter, and treated with a little respect, a pair of jeans could sip half as much water, or less. Some factories even recycle most of what they use, closed-loop systems that turn yesterday’s dye bath into today’s denim. Rivers might even forgive us.
This Pair Runs on Energy… and CO₂
Your jeans aren’t just thirsty, they’re a walking bundle of carbon emissions. The washing, drying, distressing, and heat needed to get that “perfect lived-in look” leave a footprint of roughly 30–35 kg of CO₂ per pair. That’s about the same as driving 150 kilometers in a standard car or powering your laptop for 10 years. Every. Single. Pair. And that’s only the production and finishing, add your own laundry, and the numbers climb even higher.
But it doesn’t really have to be this way. Factories could run on renewable energy, and fancy finishing techniques like ozone or laser fading cut energy use dramatically. And for you? Cold washes, less frequent laundry, and air-drying can slash your jeans’ CO₂ footprint by a third, all while they still look perfectly destroyed.
Faded, Bleached, Poisoned
Almost everyone owns their perfect pair in shades of “slightly different blues”. That faded perfection is achieved by soaking the jeans in poison, literally. Synthetic indigo, bleach, softeners, all dumped in huge volumes, often untreated. In some production hubs, wastewater contains heavy metals and toxic dyes that could make local waterways and ecosystems be mistaken for tie-dye experiments. Then there’s the so-called gray water footprint, the water needed to neutralize all the chemicals our jeans soak in, and it can actually exceed the water used to make the fabric itself.
Factories could stop treating rivers like chemical dumping grounds. Low-impact dyes, enzyme washes, closed-loop treatment, and proper wastewater management could cut most of the pollution. We can’t personally clean a river, but we can buy from brands that disclose water treatment and chemical standards, and if you really crave that fading vintage look, just go second-hand. Jeans still perfect.
The Little Threads That Conquer Oceans
Every time we toss our jeans in the wash, they’re shedding tens of thousands of tiny fibers. Some studies put it at 50,000 per load. These little threads don’t just vanish, they go through sewage, end up in rivers and oceans, and carry along dyes, chemicals, and even pesticide traces. Fish eat them, snow in the Arctic eats them, tap water probably drinks them too.
But they don’t have to be global troublemakers. Factories could pre-wash the denim, use fiber-capturing filters, or coat the threads to stop shedding. Wash smart at home, cold, gentle, minimal detergent, microfiber-catching bag, and you cut their empire in half.
Maybe we slow down. Second-hand finds, a little respect for laundry day, and a curious glance at what our favorite brands are really up to. Or maybe even pay a little extra for something that actually lasts. Jeans already survive our roughest years, it would be nice if one survived our whole life. I want to swear on a pair like my mother swears on that 1996 one.
Financial literacy is a cornerstone of sound financial decision-making, impacting families across various socio-economic backgrounds. Understanding the dynamics of raising children and the associated financial burdens is essential for effective budgeting and planning. The Rocket Mortgage’s Parents and Kids Report offers valuable insights into these dynamics, revealing that many parents find the cost of raising children exceeds their expectations. This article will explore how analyzing this report can enhance financial literacy, offering actionable insights for families to better manage their finances.
Analyzing Rocket Mortgage’s Parents and Kids Report for Better Financial Insights
The Rocket Mortgage report highlights key areas where families can improve their financial strategies. One such area is budgeting for family dynamics, which is crucial for managing unexpected expenses. The report provides data that can help families anticipate and plan for these costs, much like a Family Limited Partnership (FLP) systematically organizes family wealth. By understanding patterns in spending and saving, families can develop more effective budgeting practices, aligning closely with their financial goals.
Utilizing the report’s insights, families can also explore tools like Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) and 529 College Savings Plans to better prepare for future educational expenses. The report’s data encourages proactive financial planning, ensuring that families are not caught off guard by the rising costs of education. This approach can significantly reduce financial stress, providing a clearer path to achieving long-term financial stability.
Key Financial Literacy Lessons from Rocket Mortgage’s Study
Rocket Mortgage’s study underscores the importance of financial planning in the context of family growth. A critical takeaway is the role of custodial accounts under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), which provide a structured way to save for a child’s future. These accounts can be instrumental in teaching children about money management from an early age, fostering financial literacy that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Moreover, the report emphasizes the need for SSN verification to protect against identity theft, a growing concern as children become more digitally active. Parents can use this information to implement measures that safeguard their family’s financial information, ensuring that their children’s financial futures are secure.
Utilizing Data from Rocket Mortgage to Boost Family Financial Education
Family financial education can be significantly enhanced through the strategic use of data from Rocket Mortgage’s report. By focusing on succession planning, families can better prepare for the future, ensuring that wealth and responsibilities are transferred smoothly to the next generation. The report offers insights into how families can integrate financial literacy into everyday learning, making it a part of the family culture.
Additionally, understanding the role of a Trust Protector can be crucial in managing family trusts and ensuring that financial goals are met. This role involves overseeing the administration of a trust, ensuring that it aligns with the family’s long-term financial objectives. The report’s findings can guide families in selecting the right individual for this role, enhancing the effectiveness of their financial strategies.
Strategic Approaches to Improving Financial Literacy with Rocket Mortgage Insights
One strategic approach highlighted by Rocket Mortgage’s insights is the use of Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT) to manage tax liabilities while supporting philanthropic goals. This dual benefit not only helps in reducing taxes but also instills a sense of social responsibility within the family. By analyzing the report, families can identify opportunities to incorporate charitable giving into their financial plans, promoting both financial literacy and community involvement.
Furthermore, the report suggests the importance of Family Office Management as a holistic approach to overseeing family wealth. This involves creating a centralized structure for managing investments, taxes, and other financial matters, ensuring that all aspects of the family’s financial life are aligned and efficiently managed. The insights from Rocket Mortgage can guide families in establishing or improving their Family Office Management practices.
Analyzing Rocket Mortgage’s Parents and Kids Report provides families with actionable insights to improve financial literacy. By understanding the financial challenges associated with raising children, families can better plan and manage their finances. The report’s data supports the development of comprehensive financial strategies that include budgeting, education savings, and succession planning. As families apply these insights, they not only enhance their financial literacy but also secure their financial future. Embracing these strategies ensures that families are well-equipped to navigate their financial journeys with confidence.
Still not using free AI tools for Shopify brands? Discover options that can put you at an advantage.
You most probably know that strong visuals, polishedlistings, and consistent marketing campaigns are key to standing out in a crowded market. And if you are a Shopify store owner who still spends loads of money on professional photography and editing software, or does all-nighters enhancing product photos and writing product descriptions, you are missing out. In fact, competitors are already outpacing you.
While your method still works, it might not be the most suitable option given today’s demands. What if I told you that there are free AI tools for Shopify brands that let you get more sleep, pay less, and create better? Feels hard to believe at first. But statistics show that around75% of marketing organizations have already adopted AI, either through full implementation or active experimentation.
Whether you are operating a one-person store, a growing team, or a full-size business, free AI tools for Shopify brands help you multiply capabilities, achieve professional branding, and sell more with fewer resources.
Five Free AI Tools for Shopify Brands
Simfa
Among all the free AI tools for Shopify brands on this list,Simfa stands out as a multi-functional AI toolkit. As the app itself says, using it is like stepping into the ultimate creative lab. Instead of relying on separate tools for editing, enhancing, and writing product content on Shopify, Simfa streamlines workflows into a single system. In the same way, it removes technical barriers, allowing store owners to instantly create content that looks professional and campaign-ready. This is especially valuable for businesses that need to produce social media content, ads, andproduct images at speed and at scale.
Key Features:
Advanced image generation, editing, styling, and transformation
Automated video color grading and transformation
Dedicated e-commerce tools for product image enhancement, background removal, and description creation
Dynamic staging presets for multiple product categories, including furniture, fashion, electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, food, and beverages
Shopify Magic
Shopify Magic is Shopify’s very own built-in AI assistant. It is a suite of free tools designed to help merchants manage everyday store tasks. Shopify Magic also uses Large Language Models to deliver personalized content with less human effort.
Key Features:
AI-powered product descriptions
Automated email marketing and customer support
Image editing tools for product photo enhancement
AI admin navigation
ChatGPT
Unlike other free AI tools for Shopify brands, ChatGPT is a generative AI chatbot that specializes in the writing process, generating captions, ideas, and SEO content within minutes. At the same time, it can generate images from user prompts. ChatGPT is commonly used by e-commerce brands for content creation and marketing support.
Key Features:
Content creation for ads, blogs, and SEO pages
Multi-purpose writing support across e-commerce workflows
AI-assisted brainstorming for branding and campaign ideas
Wiser AI
Wiser AI focuses on improving the performance of Shopify brands through personalization and data-driven strategies. Compared to others that help with content creation, this app boosts sales. It creates a fully optimized upsell and cross-sell ecosystem.
Key Features:
AI-driven product recommendation for better conversions
Performance tracking based on analytics
APIs for integrations and personalization
Kive
Completing the options of free AI tools for Shopify brands is Kive, a platform that creates product shots and on-brand visuals using AI. It is most useful in maintaining structure and consistency in visual planning. Kive enables faster creation with presets, streamlined high-creative workloads with automated features, and precise results with smart technology.
Key Features:
Brand asset management for consistent visual identity
High-end visuals generation and editing
Prompt library for saving and sharing the best instructions with teams
Final Notes
AI tools continue to power the Shopify ecosystem. Nowadays, several free AI tools for Shopify brands that specialize in different parts of operations are at everyone’s fingertips. It is up to you whether you want to stick with lengthy methods or tap into these advanced tools to unlock new creative and marketing possibilities.
The choice is really up to you. But to make the right pick, select the option that helps you build faster content pipelines, test more ideas, and maintain consistency across platforms. And on the list, Simfa offers a clear edge with multiple features, from visual capabilities to writing and beyond. If you want to achieve faster production and maintain high-quality output, Simfa is the tool to start with today.
May brings singing birds to townhouse balconies, blooming trees to city parks, traffic to local coffee shops, striped shorts to sandy beaches, and Demi Moore to the French Riviera. Which can only mean one thing: the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is here, and with it comes an alarming amount of black, sequins, and trails. Last night was the festival’s official kickoff, the opening ceremony, followed by the premiere of La Vénus Électrique (The Electric Kiss). Good thing that kiss was electric because fashion, for the most part, wasn’t. Yet, we’ll always pick and choose our favorites, not everyone spent the evening losing battles against satin.
The model arrived in head-to-toe white, pairing a long-sleeved Stella McCartney gown with Pasquale Bruni diamonds and a perfectly coordinated hijab, while a smokey eye and glossy lips completed the look.
And where there’s white, there’s black. Bel stepped out in a sculptural Pierre Cardin dress from Fall 2024, with a coordinating hat and softly bronzed makeup. No Cannes red carpet is physically capable of operating without at least one dramatic black silhouette.
Emily may be in Paris, but Sylvie has just moved further south. Leroy-Beaulieu turned to Saint Laurent, Spring 2026, to be exact. The star walked out in a voluminous purple gown, layered with ruffles and styled with Pomellato jewelry.
Negga turned to Spring colors too, lace and sparkling fringe included. The actress opted for a custom Dior evening dress, paired with toasty makeup and a natural lip, with the colors slightly shifting under the Mediterranean sun.
Hellstar built its reputation on bold graphics and a relaxed silhouette that fits naturally into streetwear culture. Hellstar sweatpants show up consistently because the brand has strong visual identity – the graphic look is recognizable without being loud in the wrong way. Brand visibility matters in this space, and Hellstar has it. The relaxed fit and heavy-weight feel add to the appeal. It’s a piece that reads as deliberate, not just comfortable.
How Do Hellstar Sweatpants Fit?
How do hellstar sweatpants fit – this comes up a lot, and the answer depends on what you’re going for.
The default hellstar sweatpants fit is relaxed. Not oversized, not slim – somewhere in between that still looks intentional. Most people find them true-to-size for a comfortable, easy silhouette. If you want a baggier drop through the seat and thigh, sizing up one works well.
Length runs on the longer side for most models. If you’re shorter, that’s worth factoring in – the hem can bunch at the ankle, which affects how clean the overall look is.
Comfort is consistent. The waistband sits well, the fabric has weight to it. These aren’t thin loungewear – they hold their shape through a full day of wear.
How to Style Hellstar Sweatpants
Keep the top simple. A plain tee or basic hoodie lets the sweatpants carry the outfit. A hellstar sweatpants outfit built around a graphic-heavy top usually ends up competing with itself – the bottom already has enough going on.
Sneakers should be clean. Low-profile silhouettes in neutral tones work better than technical runners or heavily branded footwear. The goal is balance, not contrast.
Outerwear keeps it easy – a plain coach jacket or minimal puffer sits well without adding visual noise. One accessory is fine. More than that starts to overcrowd a look that’s strongest when it stays focused.
Popular Silhouettes and Styling Direction
A few silhouettes come up regularly. Hellstar pants in relaxed and baggy cuts are the most common – wide through the leg, relaxed from waist to hem, best worn with a fitted or cropped top to keep proportions in check.
Hellstar flare sweatpants and hellstar flared sweatpants sit differently. The flare kicks out below the knee, which changes how you pair them. Avoid chunky sneakers here – a cleaner, lower profile shoe works better with the wider hem.
Men’s hellstar pants tend to run with more length and room through the seat. The silhouette is meant to look easy, not tailored – that’s the point.
How to Spot Fake Hellstar Sweatpants
Knowing how to spot fake hell star sweatpants saves you from a bad purchase. A few things to check before buying.
Print quality is the first signal. On real pieces, graphics are crisp and consistent – edges are clean, not blurred or uneven. If the print looks slightly off or the colors bleed, that’s a problem.
Stitching should be tight and even throughout. Check the waistband, leg seams, and any embroidered details. Loose threads or inconsistent tension are red flags.
Label details matter. The tags on Hellstar pieces have specific font and layout. Compare product photos carefully against known reference images – differences in text size or placement are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
Seller reputation and return policy tell you a lot. If a seller has no return option and limited product photos, that’s worth taking seriously. Hellstar joggers and sweatpants appear on a lot of third-party platforms – verify the source before committing.
Final Thoughts on Hellstar Sweatpants
Hell star sweatpants work well in streetwear when the fit is right and the outfit stays balanced. Pick the silhouette that suits your proportions, keep the rest of the look clean, and run through the basic quality checks before buying. That’s really all it takes.
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 Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The Strokes – ‘Falling Out of Love’
The Strokes have dropped the second single from their first album in six years. ‘Falling Out of Love’ follows last month’s ‘Going Shopping’, and the band will debut it live on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how they pull that off; not only is it a midtempo ballad that drags on for over six minutes, but Julian Casablancas’ vocals are also heavily filtered.
The Mountain Goats – ‘Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds’
‘Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds’ is a delightful title for a lead single, and I’m happy to report that the Mountain Goats’ just-announced album, Days, has plenty more where that came from. It’s hooky and driving, and as John Darnielle notes, “Most songs here are in major keys but don’t let that fool you. If you do let that fool you I have a bridge to sell you; there is nothing on the other side of the bridge. Still, you shouldn’t let that deter you. Who am I to tell you what kind of bridge you need, or where the bridge you need should lead? Nobody, really. Nobody at all.”
Tove Lo – ‘I’m your girl right?’
Tove Lo has shared a new single called ‘I’m your girl right?’. It’s taken from her forthcoming album, Estrum, arriving September 18.
Hovvdy – ‘Try Try Try’
Hovvdy are returning with a new album, Big World, which is led by the bleary yet propulsive ‘Try Try Try’. “When it comes to the music, there’s literally never questions between Charlie and me, only answers,” Will Taylor commented. “We can always show up and not have to worry about the music, and that continues to amaze me.”
Eartheater – ‘Paradise Rains’
Eartheater has announced a new album, beautifully titled Heavenly Body: If I’m the Bottle You’re the Message, set for release on July 12. Exploring themes of pregnancy and motherhood, the album features co-production from TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek and a guest appearance from Oklou. The wondrous, mercurial ‘Paradise Rains’ is out today. “‘Paradise Rains’ is a song about buying back my childhood farm after being estranged from it for 20 years,” Alexandra Drewchin said in a press release. “I conceived my baby the day we first stepped back on the property. So many memories, good and bad, were resuscitated being back, and calloused tensions dissolved and got washed away by the showers of deep love with my new little family.”
Alex Cameron – ‘Red Hook Rain’
Alex Cameron is back with news of his fifth studio album, Late to Set, arriving July 24. The throbbing lead single ‘Red Hook Rain’ was “written on the edge of a hurricane with the sky shaking like the heads of so many disapproving Gods,” per a press release.
mmj – ‘nobody knows’
mmj is the new solo project of Megan James, one half of Purity Ring. Having signed to Captured Tracks, today she’s shared the project’s first single, ‘nobody knows’. It reminds me of the direction the members of Let’s Eat Grandma, another indie pop duo, have taken on their solo efforts this year: more subdued but no less hypnotic. “‘nobody knows’ is close to the sun for me. It resonates a little differently every time I play it,” James said of the track. “The opening line is: ‘nobody knows a fallen star from wildfire ash raining down on the yard.’ It presents the ways we know so little, but also the things we deny and can see if we choose to, and what we should see and be in order to survive in this place; what we deserve to have and be as individuals and collectively. ‘nobody knows’ is circular, a fractal glimpse of humanity in the span of a song. I hope you feel it.”
Sari Lightman – ‘The Way I Saw You’
Sari Lightman, who cut her teeth in the projects Tasseomancy and Lightman Sisters with her twin sister, Romy, has announced her solo debut. The Way I Saw You, out June 26, was produced by Meg Duffy (Hand Habits, Perfume Genius) and features Pat Kelly (Perfume Genius, St Vincent), Aaron Otheim (Mega Bog), Jesse Quebbeman-Turley (Buck Meek, Cherry Glazer), and Evan Cartwright (Cola, U.S. Girls). The delicate, inward-looking title song was inspired by Eve Babitz. “A journalist sits across from the writer Eve Babitz, decades into Babitz’s reclusive period after an accident left her disfigured,” Lightman reflected. “She yearns to be remembered the way she was in her writing – sensual and carefree. To live in the rose, immortal, blossoming inside a body of work. There is a lot to be said about an Artists’ myth when in reality, the human experience is much messier, undignified – not to mention the cruelty pelted onto beautiful women as they age. Instead I went down a theological rabbit hole with the rose. I thought about Dante’s Paradise and all those feminine saints stashed in the petals, like an exquisitely scented sexy hotel. ‘Let Eve live here’ I thought.”
Brian Fallon – ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’ and ‘Better Before’
Brian Fallon, frontman of the Gaslight Anthem, has served up a pair of new tracks, ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’ and ‘Better Before’. “‘Not Bad for New Jersey’ is my way of celebrating what I do and where I’m from,” the New Jersey-based artist explained. “I wrote that song looking back on my life the way you do after almost ending up in a crash – like, ‘How did I make it through that?’ I really could’ve busted myself open somewhere along the way, but somehow I’m still here, and I’m still in one piece.”
Jacques Greene – ‘What You Say’ [feat. umru]
Jacques Greene has joined forces with umru for an exhilarating new tune, ‘What You Say’. “Working with umru seems to follow a certain pattern,” Greene remarked. “He comes to the studio in Montreal, the track materializes out of thin air as quickly as we can keep up, and the results ignite inspiration in me for months to come. ‘What You Say’ was made in my studio last year, and it has stayed with me as a lightning bolt on my hard drive. Freshhhhh energy into 2026.”
Baby Rose – ‘But, Nvm’
Baby Rose has detailed a new album, YEARNALISM, which will be released on July 10 via Secretly Canadian. The striking, laidback lead track ‘But, Nvm’ comes with a video directed by Amaya Segura and Rae Blackman.
Hovvdy are back. The duo of Will Taylor and Charlie Martin have announced their new album, Big World, which drops on August 14 via Arts & Crafts. Its first offering, ‘Try Try Try’, is hazy but upbeat, arriving alongside a Michael Rees-directed video. Check it out and find the album cover and tracklist below.
The band worked on the record with longtime collaborator Ben Littlejohn. “The last record felt like such a generous offering: a double-album, deeply personal, you can literally hear me crying on some songs,” Martin said in a statement. “With this one, we wanted to take on the challenge of making something more concise and to the point, and give the fans something that feels like a shorter but more exciting ride.”
“When it comes to the music, there’s literally never questions between Charlie and me, only answers,” Taylor added. “We can always show up and not have to worry about the music, and that continues to amaze me.”
1. Life So Wide
2. Way Down
3. JJ
4. What I Had
5. Blast
6. Starry
7. Try Try Try
8. Junk
9. You Will Go Far
10. Give It Away
11. Untitled
12. Wannabe (Radio Queen)
The Mountain Goats have announced a new album called Days, which is out on August 7 via their own Cadmean Dawn label. It follows last November’s Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan, but it was actually conceived as a sequel to 2017’s excellent Goths. It’s led by ‘Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds’, a compelling and propulsive single that’s also got the best title on the record. (‘Hidden Majesty of Later Venom Albums’ and ‘Best Hard Rock Albums 2013’ follow closely behind.) Check it out below.
“This album began life as Grunges, a sequel to Goths, after I made a joke on social media about writing a song called ‘Contemplating Pearl Jam in the Carolina Dawn’,” John Darnielle explained in a press release. “A few months later my wife left town for a two week residency in Virginia. My wife leaving town to play hockey in Banff is how All Hail West Texas happened. These songs are loosely about the 70s, 80s, and 90s, which is to say they’re about the accumulation of days, each one a little further back than the next, sometimes miraculously seeming clearer as they recede and sometimes blurring into unrecognizable shapes which are sometimes pleasant and sometimes troubling. Most songs here are in major keys but don’t let that fool you. If you do let that fool you I have a bridge to sell you; there is nothing on the other side of the bridge. Still, you shouldn’t let that deter you. Who am I to tell you what kind of bridge you need, or where the bridge you need should lead? Nobody, really. Nobody at all.”
The Mountain Goats recorded the new album at Manhattan’s Sear Sound with producer John Congleton. It features bassist and French horn player Rob Jost, harpist Mikaela Davis, group backing vocals from Catherine Russell and Jamie and Carolyn Leonhart, and more.
Days Cover Artwork:
Days Tracklist:
1. Song for Layne Staley
2. Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds
3. Shallow Grave
4. Candlebox
5. Annie Haslam Imperial Phase
6. Crying on Eddie Nash’s Grave
7. Days
8. Best Hard Rock Albums 2013
9. Going to Fennario
10. Woodstock
11. Hidden Majesty of Later Venom Albums
12. Last Day
Towards the end of MUNA’s new album, Katie Gavin is convinced she’s past her prime – “and everyone knows it.” It’s a natural insecurity, but it’s laced with the understanding that “everyone” now implies a larger group of people who are far from friends or devoted fans. The band’s self-titled 2022 effort spawned their most successful song, the Phoebe Bridgers collab ‘Silk Chiffon’, and they don’t shy away from the reality of what that means, in interviews or on record. Whenever the band comes up in the lyrics of their latest, Dancing on the Wall – self-produced, like all their records, but with a heightened urgency – it’s to affirm that they’re doing alright, if with a knowing sigh. “Lots of people love me now,” Gavin sings to deal with an unrequited love, “Lots of people.” Whatever personal grievances these often dizzyingly infectious songs latch onto, they point to a band continuing to grow into themselves rather than self-consciously aging out of their peak.
1. It Gets So Hot
The album’s first dance-pop jam isn’t about being at the club so much as the thrill of anticipation: “And she’s so hot when she’s putting on her makeup,” Katie Gavin sings, eager to watch her sweat it off in a matter of seconds. But there’s a reason the song’s called ‘It Gets So Hot’ – more than the object of her desire, it’s about the atmosphere percolating: the house that doesn’t have AC, the sweat dripping down the concrete. Her lyrics are as vivid as the song’s pulsating production, delaying the euphoric release.
2. Dancing on the Wall
The opening song’s lack of catharsis is explained by the rejection that fuels the title track – “I had visions dancing in my mind, but/ You’re so last minute with your new excuse.” MUNA make up for it with one of their most infectious songs to date, one that encapsulates their most appealing qualities.
3. Eastside Girls
After channeling desperation into a universal anthem on ‘Dancing on the Wall’, the group offers a more localized, winking take on the formula, one that’s both celebratory and self-deprecating. The bridge is designed to be shouted by members of the same scene it lovingly makes fun of, shrugging at everything from non-monogamy to roommate drama. The rest of the record is broad enough to earn a couple of “If you know, you know” type songs like this one.
4. Wannabeher
The band offers their take on Bikini Kill’s ‘Rebel Girl’, which is punchy without quite being punky. Even with the song’s sultry tension dialed up, it feels slightly watered-down by MUNA’s standards; they could’ve done more with the classic premise.
5. On Call
The track is less in-your-face than the ones that come before, but the anxious-avoidant dynamic that’s been established heightens its sense of drama. “I wanna be somebody to you/ But if you just want a warm body, that works too,” Gavin sings, but you already feel the cold shivering up.
6. So What
Confusion around unrequited desire bubbles into bittersweet acceptance, which is mirrored in Naomi McPherson’s finest production on the album. It’s wistful but vibrant, adding more colourful flourishes to offset the flat cynicism of Gavin’s lyrics. The second verse jumps out: “The reviews that came in/ The fangirls and harshest critics/ Are all in agreement/ It’s my best work without you in it.” The singer’s personal affairs are inadvertently projected onto a group that’s found itself in the spotlight. I don’t know that I agree, though; if anything, their best work revolves around an “I” that feels larger than itself.
7. Party’s Over
in case the title doesn’t get the message across, you can feel the unease creeping up on this interlude.
8. Big Stick
Though not a proper single, ‘Big Stick’ was made available for a limited amount of time prior to the album’s release, with proceeds going toward Pal Humanity. You could argue the overtly political song would make more sense as a one-off track, allowing it to make an actual impact without stifling the flow of the record. Delivered with a mix of cool detachment and earnest intensity, though, it feels well-placed to kick off the record’s back half.
9. Mary Jane
Gavin goes back to laying out her frustration over a despondent lover, though it doesn’t inspire the same cathartic recklessness as the title track.
10. Girl’s Girl
At this point, Gavin keeps hammering the point home: “Isn’t it so ironic/ How you’re giving away your love/ Except to the one who wants?” But there’s a lighthearted aloofness to the accusation, not to mention a willingness to name names. Guitarist Josette Maskin especially has fun with the extent to which the lyrics are laying it on thick, shredding and stepping back in equal measure.
11. …Unless
The point, of course, is that there’s no hope for this relationship. So you know where this is going.
12. Why Do I Get a Good Feeling
Anchoring in a shuffling beat, this is another example of McPherson’s standout production, which makes use of the song’s five whole minutes to cast away the listener’s skepticism: After all this disappointment, how could anyone still get a good feeling for a person like this? It’s dizzying, self-aware, and convincing against all odds.
13. Buzzkiller
A sudden shift in perspective? A bout of low self-esteem? Whatever the impetus for ‘Buzzkiller’, it’s a sign that getting the queasy feelings off their chest gives MUNA permission to close with a big-hearted ballad, reaching new levels of vulnerability. “And the band’s doing well,” Gavin sings, quickly correcting herself, “I mean, we’re doing alright.” The specificity is in their performances: the slow strum of guitar that amplifies the chorus’s indelible melody, the strings struggling to find their place after the last track’s swirling propulsion. The record starts and ends in anticipation, just a different kind of knot in the throat. Maybe you still feel it after a protest or concert that should have given you hope; it doesn’t mean you don’t come out of it unchanged.
