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The Japanese House Returns With New Song ‘Boyhood’

Amber Bain, aka the Japanese House, has returned with ‘Boyhood’, her first new music since the 2020 EP Chewing Cotton Wool. Check it out below.

“When my best friend Katie and I were young and in love, we dreamed of riding off into the distance on her horse Bam Bam, away from all the problems that came from being gay and in love back then,” Bain said of the new single in a statement. “This song talks about how sometimes, however hard you try, you can’t help but be a product of the things that happened to you or held you back earlier on in life. But also, and more importantly, it’s about hope for overcoming those things. And look at us now. Not riding away, but towards… something. This horse was very lovely to us, but I think deep down Bam Bam was the horse we were riding all along, and wherever I’m recklessly galloping off to in my life, Katie will be riding bareback behind me like a lunatic, arms around me, like we’d always planned. Rip Bam Bam xxx.”

Dazy Releases Surprise New EP ‘OTHERBODY’

Dazy, the one-man band of James Goodson, has released a surprise new EP called OTHERBODY. Mixed and mastered by Justin Pizzoferrato, the EP follows his debut full-length, OUTOFBODY, which came out last year. Listen to it below, and scroll down for Dazy’s upcoming tour dates supporting Militarie Gun, High Vis, Snail Mail, and Water From Your Eyes.

Dazy 2023 Tour Dates:

Mar 20 Washington DC – Runaway #
Mar 21 Richmond, VA – Bandito’s #
Apr 5 Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
Apr 6 Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge !
Apr 7 Des Moines, IA – xBk
Apr 8 Omaha, NE – Slowdown *
Apr 10 Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre *
Apr 11 Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre *
Apr 12 Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell *
Apr 13 Las Vegas, NV – AREA15 *
Apr 14 Bakersfield, CA – Temblor Brew ^
Apr 15 Oakland, CA – Eli’s Mile High Club ^
Apr 16 San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theatre *
Apr 18 Reno, NV – Cargo Concert Hall *
Apr 19 Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post *
Apr 20 Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre *
Apr 21 Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon ^
Apr 22 Phoenix, AZ – he Trunk Space ^
Apr 23 Flagstaff, AZ – Yucca North *
Apr 24 El Paso, TX – The Lowbrow Palace *
Apr 25 Albuquerque, NM – Sister *
Apr 27 Oklahoma City, OK – The Jones Assembly *
Apr 28 Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge *
Apr 29 Memphis, TN – Black Lodge *
May 1 Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue *
May 2 Cincinnati, OH – Woodward Theater *
May 4 Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street *
May 5 Richmond, VA – Friday Cheers at Brown’s Island *
May 6 Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat *

# with Militarie Gun
! with High Vis
* with Snail Mail, Water From Your Eyes
^ with Water From Your Eyes

Pitchfork Music Festival 2023 Lineup Announced: The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver

Pitchfork Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 2023 edition, which will take place at Chicago’s Union Park from from July 21 to 23. The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver are this year’s headliners, with Alvvays, Perfume Genius, Weyes Blood, King Krule, Kelela, Koffee, Rachika Nayar, Nation of Language, Snail Mail, Grace Ives, MJ Lenderman, and Black Belt Eagle Scout also set to perform. Tickets are on sale now; find more details here, and check out the full lineup below.

“We’re excited to be back at Union Park with a lineup of artists responsible for some of the very best music of the past year—Alvvays, Kelela, Yaya Bey, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupil, Grace Ives, 700 Bliss, and more—alongside a few special moments with indie icons,” said Pitchfork editor in chief Puja Patel in a statement. “For one, this year will mark the very first time that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood (as The Smile) will perform at the Chicago festival, alongside Pitchfork favorite Bon Iver. And Big Thief will complete their tour of the fest’s stages over the years with a headlining set, their first at a festival this size.”

Wand’s Cory Hanson Releases New Song ‘Twins’

Wand frontman Cory Hanson has shared a new single, ‘Twins’. It’s to appear on his forthcoming solo LP, which is titled Western Cum. Check out director Amy Scott’s video for the track below.

Hanson’s new album, which he produced himself, comes out June 28 via Drag City. It includes the previously released single ‘Housefly’.

Shannon Lay Covers Nick Drake’s ‘From the Morning’

Shannon Lay has shared a cover of Nick Drake’s ‘From the Morning’, which will appear on her forthcoming album Covers, Vol. 1. The California singer-songwriter announced the LP last month with a rendition of Elliott Smith’s ‘Angeles’. Listen to both covers below.

Covers, Vol. 1 is due out April 14 via Sub Pop and features covers of songs by Ty Segall, the Velvet Underground, Arthur Russell, Vashti Bunyan, and more. “I absolutely love doing covers,” Lay said in an earlier statement. “It’s such a joy to offer my perspective on songs I admire and spread the word about amazing artists. Covers Vol. 1 is the first in a series of cover records celebrating my obsession with shannonizing songs.”

Lay released her latest album, Geist, in 2021.

Making A Statement: How To Accessorise Your Car

For those who want to make a statement with their car, accessorising is the way to go. Whether you’re looking to add a personal touch or want to stand out from the crowd, there are plenty of options available to help you customise your ride and make it truly yours. From decals and bumper stickers to car wraps and personal number plates, there are endless ways to accessorise your car and make it truly yours. Even small changes can make a big difference, so if you’re ready to take your car to the next level, read on to learn more about the different ways you can accessorise your car.

Personal DVLA Number Plates

If you’re looking to make a statement with your car, a personalised DVLA number plate can help you achieve this. It is possible to personalise your car’s number plate to have a plate that’s all your own. Number plates may seem like a simple accessory, but they can be a great way to help make a car feel more like yours. If you’d like to personalise your car’s number plate, head over to Regtransfers and check out their helpful guide on DVLA number plates. This can help you to understand the rules and regulations that is associated with DVLA number plates.

Dash Cams

If you want to keep track of everything that’s going on in and around your car, a dash cam could be the perfect addition to your vehicle. These cameras are designed to record everything that’s happening in your car, including the road, your journey, and any passengers you have on board. If you have an accident and have a dash cam in your car, you’ll have proof of what happened, which could be crucial if you need to make a claim.

Decals & Bumper Stickers

Decals and bumper stickers are a great option for those who want to accessorise their car but don’t want to make a permanent change. These items can be easily removed and repositioned, meaning you can change your car’s look whenever you want. Decals are easy to apply, so you can add them to your car’s bodywork. Bumper stickers are another option that lets you show off your favourite things and interests. While they’re most commonly used to show support for a cause or person, they can be used to show off your passions too. With bumper stickers, the options are endless, and you can find one to suit any subject matter and personality.

Smartwatch As Your Car Key

Anyone who’s ever lost their car key knows how stressful it can be. But there are ways you can reduce the chances of this happening. One way to keep your car key safe is to get a car key clip, which can be clipped to your bag or belt, meaning your key stays close by at all times. Another option is to invest in a smartwatch that can work as your car key. This means you never need to worry about losing your keys again, and with keyless entry and touch start, you can be on your way without having to check your pockets or bag.

Car Wraps

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to accessorise your car, car wraps are the way to go. You can use car wraps to change the colour of your car or to create a bold design that truly reflects you and your personality. Car wraps are designed to fit snugly on your car’s exterior, protecting your car’s paint job while also adding a unique look. There are plenty of companies out there that offer car wrap services, so you’ll have a wide range of options to choose from. Some companies will allow you to design your own car wrap, while others will provide you with pre-made designs you can choose from.

In-Car Chargers

In-car phone chargers are designed to plug into your car’s power outlet and give your phone a quick boost of power while on the road. These handy accessories are a great way to keep your phone charged while on long road trips or while running errands around town. An in-car phone charger is a fun and unique way to accessorise your car. They’re great for families, too, as you can use them to charge your kids’ phones too. They’re available in a wide range of designs, colours, and styles, so you can choose one that best suits your car’s interior and your taste.

Seat Belt Covers

If you’re looking for a simple way to accessorise your car and make a statement, seat belt covers are a great option. These covers are designed to fit over your existing seat belt and can come in a range of designs and colours. They can be customised with your initials or a message and make for a great gift for anyone who loves to drive. They’re easy to apply and can be removed when you want to make a change.

Built-In GPS

If you’re planning to make long journeys more frequently, you could consider investing in a built-in GPS. A built-in GPS can be added to your car to let you know exactly where you are and where you’re going, making it easier to navigate and get to your destination on time. A built-in GPS can be added to any car and is a great alternative to having a GPS device attached to your windscreen. A built-in GPS can help you navigate the road ahead and let you know the fastest way to get to your destination. It can also help you avoid traffic and find alternative routes if the road ahead is congested. This makes it easier to keep to your driving schedule and arrive at your destination on time, no matter what the traffic is like.

Smart Phone Projection Capabilities

Many people stream music or podcasts from their phones while they’re driving. But for those who don’t want to risk breaking the law and looking down at their phone, there are plenty of hands-free options out there. By investing in a built-in dash display with phone projection capabilities, you’ll be able to use the music and GPS apps on your phone from your car with your voice commands. This means you will never have to spend time searching for the right radio station again as you’ll have access to all your music from your car. Additionally, you’ll also have access to your contact, which means you can make and receive calls without remembering numbers or wondering who’s calling you.

Seat-Back TVs

If you want to take your car’s entertainment system to the next level, you may want to consider installing a seat-back TV. A seat-back TV can be installed in the back of your car’s seat, and it can be used to play movies, TV shows, music, and even games, making them the perfect way to keep kids entertained on long journeys. Seat-back TVs can come with a wide range of different features and can be used to play a wide range of different media, so you can pick a seat-back TV that suits your needs and budget.

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking to make a statement with your car, accessorising is the way to go. Whether you’re looking to add a personal touch or stand out from the crowd, there are plenty of ways to customise your ride. From installing new seat-back TVs to adding custom number plates, there are endless ways to accessorise your car and make it truly yours.

5 of the Most Influential Male Fashion Icons

Throughout the 20th Century (and into the 21st Century), there have been many men who have become influential – both in terms of fashion and in their general lifestyle.

These are the men that people want to follow, they define a generation and provide someone for men to follow. This isn’t about politics, but about fashion, style, and attitude, shifting mindsets by creating an emotional connection.

Influential male fashion icons are not necessarily as common as female icons – whether that is because many men do not put themselves in the position to become fashion leaders, or whether being a follower of fashion is more of a female pursuit is unclear – but those that are on this list have made it because they have left a lasting legacy on the style scene.

Steve McQueen

The well-known and beloved American actor Steve McQueen was known just as much for his antihero persona as he was for his movies – and that earned him the nickname ‘The King of Cool’.

In 1974, McQueen was the highest paid actor in the world despite being notoriously hard for directors to work with.

His style was all about the battered leather jacket, the chunky knit cardigan, and the chukka boots, but he also wore elegant suits with silk printed ties or a pinstripe blazer really well too.

Elvis Presley

The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley has often been described as one of the most influential characters of the 20th Century. While more modern depictions may have shown him as an overweight shell of the man he once was, in his heyday he was considered to be the epitome of sex appeal.

His early gospel and country influences were part of his rockabilly persona, and when it came to personal style he was all about the performance. His early fashion included Cuban-collared shirts with wide-leg pleated trousers; he did not enjoy wearing jeans as he found them to be too constricting. This is what led to him favoring the sparkly jumpsuits when performing – not only to be center of attention, but for the freedom of movement.

The biggest style decision for Elvis was always that shiny, black pompadour hair though.

Mr. T

Born Laurence Tureaud, Mr. T shot to fame after starring as BA Baracus in the A-Team. His signature men’s denim shorts and copious amounts of big, chunky gold jewelry was something that followed him from his BA Baracus persona into his real life.

Aside from acting in movies and TV shows, Mr. T also worked alongside Hulk Hogan on the then-named WWF, later being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

While Mr. T may have dropped all the gold and reinvented himself as a born-again Christian, his look is something that has been copied again and again.

David Bowie

Bowie was a true pioneer of music, choosing to make art with both sound and the way he looked. Whether it was the androgynous style of the dress he wore on the cover of the album The Man Who Sold the World or the kimonos he favored when he was in his Ziggy Stardust phase, Bowie always wore really interesting clothes.

One of his signature looks as ‘The Thin White Duke’ included oversize suits in Monochrome, although later he worked with designer Alexander McQueen who created the iconic Union Jack coat he wore on one of his later albums.

Harry Styles

A more modern entry on this list, Harry Styles shot to fame as part of the supergroup One Direction. While in the band, he was recognized as a bit of a ‘cheeky chappy’, and favored skinny jeans and sheer blouses or floral prints to portray his flamboyant nature.

After 1D went on hiatus, Harry has been known to wear custom pink suits, sequined tops, and satin flares, as well as pairing pearls and a sweater vest – but perhaps his most controversial outfit choice was a Vogue cover shoot in 2020 where he wore a beautiful blue Gucci dress.

He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he is definitely a style icon.

Album Review: M83, ‘Fantasy’

Doesn’t it feel like there should always have been an M83 album called Fantasy? For any other act, the title would sound too bland and generic – certainly not as evocative as Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. But then, Anthony Gonzalez possesses an uncanny gift for using lyrical clichés and cheesy instrumentation to relay a kaleidoscope of feeling. His grand, splendrous synthpop revels in outsized emotions and the power of imaginative world-building, steeped in nostalgia but transcending its vast swathe of influences, from old films to the familiar comfort of classic video games. When he repeats the words “Beyond adventure!” over and over on the first single ‘Oceans Niagara’, longtime fans have every reason to believe that’s precisely where we’re headed. And even if you’ve never heard of this band (unlikely), it doesn’t take long for him to prove it. There isn’t a time in M83’s career when the name Fantasy wouldn’t have felt incredibly on-brand, but nine albums in and after years of wrestling with the overwhelming success of ‘Midnight City’, it seems like Gonzalez has found the confidence to go all in again. Fantasy has a lot to live up to, and it does not disappoint.

For one thing, Gonzalez makes no attempt to shy away from maximalism, like his vision was to make the whole thing feel like a cosmic embrace – think Beach House’s Once Twice Melody without the veil of mystique. (Mimicking that record’s extended rollout, he even shared the first half – or “chapter” – of the LP a month ahead of its release.) “I’m in love with some sadness,” Gonzalez sings on the ‘Amnesia’, whose new wave sound is so blown-out and exhilarating it’s no wonder the darkness ended up being buried in the mix. What ultimately shines through isn’t melancholy but the miracle of love burning “fast and bright,” and it’s impossible not to fall for it. Fantasy doesn’t run at that pace for its full hour-long runtime, though; it might give the impression Gonzalez is traveling across space and time, but really, he’s an architect, meticulously structuring and sketching out the voyage. Everything has its rightful place: the tender ballad ‘Radar, Far, Gone’ doesn’t just offer temporary reprieve, but serves as a poignant centerpiece as revelatory as any blissful crescendo. Even at its dreamiest moments, the record eventually succumbs to rhythm and form: ‘Us and the Rest’ is bathed in serene melancholy, but before you know it, the track ascends back into that higher plane.

Press materials describe Fantasy as Gonzalez’s “most personal album yet,” which may be hard to dispute, but it’s personal in a way that invites you to project your own image into the horizon. “If my sister calls/ Tell her I’m diving into the deeper end/ To the age of wonder/ Where the wire stretches,” goes the euphoric chorus of ‘Earth to Sea’, and the exact words may not even register when he later proclaims, “The deeper end/ I fucking love it/ It licks your soul, before you know it,” but they sure pack a punch. M83 songs have a strange way of describing their own emotional impact without coming off as too on-the-nose, because it’s more like they’re responding to the music: “When you hold us/ It’s electric,” he sings against the celestial expanse of ‘Laura’. The outro of ‘Sunny Boy’, propelled by the question “Can we just make it last?”, seems poised to fulfill its own wish; yet even as the song sprawls over six minutes, its flame seems to die out a little too soon. Perhaps it will stretch out further in a live context – Gonzalez has said he “wanted this record to be very impactful live” – but here, the moment is subtly bittersweet.

Which would explain why he follows it up with ‘Kool Nuit’, the longest track on the album, and one where he truly doesn’t hold back. It keeps morphing as it goes on and on and on, even allowing the introverted artist to let out a scream amidst a rush of imposing strings and ravenous electronics. It’s too startling to doze off to, and when he’s spent so much of the album enchanting the listener with pure romanticism, it’s too late to turn away when the dream suddenly turns haunting. It’s too late to say anything other than: “I’m in love with the darkness!” In a recent interview, Gonzalez explained that, when he’s making songs, “I want to feel like I want to drive fast, I want to run fast, I want to feel like the sound is actually taking over my whole body.” It strikes me as a little too modest. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been behind the wheel, and maybe there’s just too much gravity involved in running, but when I listen to Fantasy, my mind vibrates to the tune of a different kind of magic, beaming out far and wide.

This Week’s Best New Songs: Lana Del Rey, JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown, Midwife and Vyva Melinkolya, and More

Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this best new music segment.

On this week’s list, we have Lana Del Rey’s latest single, the beautifully cinematic ‘The Grants’, which is named after Del Rey’s own family; Feist’s turbulent, sweeping new song ’Borrow Trouble’, taken from her upcoming album Multitudes; ’NMP’, the gorgeously soul-crushing first single from Midwife and Vyva Melinkolya’s upcoming collaborative record; JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brow’s, dense, frenetic new track ‘LEAN BEEF PATTY’; and Isabella Lovestory’s playful, celebratory one-off single ‘Latina’.

Best New Songs: March 20, 2023

Lana Del Rey, ‘The Grants’

Feist, ‘Borrow Trouble’

Song of the Week: Midwife and Vyva Melinkolya, ‘NMP’

JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown, ‘LEAN BEEF PATTY’

Isabella Lovestory, ‘Latina’

Parliament-Funkadelic Vocalist Fuzzy Haskins Dead at 81

Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins, vocalist and original member of Parliament-Funkadelic, has died at the age of 81. His former bandmates revealed the news on social media, writing, “Resting on the verge of getting it on, Clarence Eugene “Fuzzy” Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023) of Parliament-Funkadelic!” No cause of death has been disclosed.

Born in Elkins, West Virginia, in 1941, Haskins got his start singing in the ’50s and ’60s in New Jersey in the doo-wop vocal group the Parliaments, which was led by producer George Clinton and later became known as Parliament-Funkadelic. In addition to writing and co-writing early P-Funk classics like ‘I Got A Thing’ and ‘I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You’, “He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get To That,’ which he also co-wrote,” according to a biography on Clinton’s website. “Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’ But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk. He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”

Haskins remained a full-time member of P-Funk through the 1976’s Hardcore Jollies and briefly rejoined the group on their Live Earth Tour the following year. “By this time, he claimed he was through with singing all the ole dirty songs and began studying the Lord’s Word,” Clinton’s site states. He issued his first solo album, A Whole Nother Thang, in 1976, followed by Radio Active in 1978. Later in life, Haskins became a preacher and focused on recording gospel music.

Haskins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other core members of Parliament-Funkadelic in 1997. “Parliament-Funkadelic pushed boundaries further and further on classic albums like Mothership Connection and Maggot Brain, and set a futuristic pace for Black music,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame spokesperson Dawn Wayt said in a statement. “But Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins kept things connected to their street corner harmony roots.” In 2019, Haskins  received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy for his contribution to P-Funk.

“Fuzzy was not only a talented singer & musician, he was a leader & team player,” P-Funk member Bootsy Collins wrote in an email to NPR. “He was always a light at the party, the shows or wherever he would go. He commanded attention on stage & off. Not in a boastful way, but just being his natural Werewolf self. He could have played the Wolfman. That was an inside joke that got out there in the atmosphere. Fuzzy was so much fun to hang out with. But on stage is where he gave his full attention to entertaining the audience. He was dedicated to his family & friends but anybody that knew Fuzzy knows that he would give u the shirt off his back. He will be missed dearly. R.I.P. my friend.”