“’Here’s What I Need To Know’ is a song about the moment when you know a relationship is finished – either because you’re over it, or you realize the other person is,” the band explained in a statement. “It’s about how all the details of those moments, like an Aaliyah song on the radio or watching snow fall through a window, become imprinted in your memory as well.”
They continued: “Musically, the first half builds using arpeggiated synths, trance stabs and layers of percussion. For the second half, we sampled a small bit of the end of the chorus, the last two chords and the word “over” to create a loop. Then, like in a French Touch song, we used that loop as the basis for the full beat that comes in to end the song and provide some release.”
Let It Be Blue is due for release on May 6. It was led by the single ‘Storm Around the World’.
“We wrote ‘Totally Fine’ after a long creative drought,” Stefan Babcock explained in a press release. “We all agreed to take a break from PUP during lockdown, to take some time to deal with our mental health and get some space from each other. After 3 months of not writing any songs, ‘Totally Fine’ was the first thing to pop out. It broke this creative dam wide open, just months worth of pent up frustration all smashed into this one song. After that, we ended up going on a bit of a tear and wrote the rest of the record really quickly. The drumming on this song still blows our minds. It’s so manic and wild and makes the song feel like it’s about to fall apart at any moment, which is kinda like how it feels to be in PUP.”
Students often go through the most stress, especially in their formative years. A lot of energy goes into multitasking and making sure one is fed and healthy during this whole process. From high school students to Ph.D. students, students have a hard time relieving stress. They take in a plethora of responsibilities, classes inclusive, and at a point, the stress factors just keep increasing.
Two significant ways students tend to handle their workload are:
To outsource work that may be more time consuming
To drop any activity unrelated to their studies totally to find more time for school work.
Most times, students prefer the former option. For example, a student can easily decide to buy dissertation paper online for cheap instead of spending hours working on their paper and getting a low grade. Let us put it into perspective. They are probably already exhausted from their hectic day and at low productivity. These students are then expected to put their best into writing a paper that is vital for their final grade. This assignment does not reduce the fact that many of them have numerous activities, especially for those with part-time jobs. It only makes sense that they may not be as efficient in the midst of the stress.
Movies For Stress?
Movies are great forms of entertainment. They have been and still are enjoyed by different students regardless of age. Streaming movies or going out to the cinema to watch them are common ways students enjoy this form of entertainment.
Letting students spend time watching movies has been frowned upon by many who assume movies and serials like Queen’s Gambit or Euphoria are mere distractions. However, movies have been shown to relieve stress in many individuals, and students are not left out. Students can reduce their stress levels by watching different kinds of movies (in various genres and languages) which have different purposes. Watching Movies can be really helpful for students, and here are some essential benefits of movies:
It is an excellent source of Relaxation
Students need to work very hard so they can do well in school. However, burnout is common and could lead to failure, especially when rest is not factored into the equation.
So while you’re studying hard, you should also take time out to rest and give your brain a break. Watching a movie/movies is a tested-and-tried way to do this. You can take time out from the stressful study schedule and just enjoy the storyline.
Watching Movies can be an Educational Hobby.
Movies are more educative than many people think. Movies ease the improvement of the language skills of students as well as increase their communicative competence. For example, there are many ESL students who polish their English proficiency by watching movies. Students are able to watch movies and learn simultaneously. It is basically studying with a hint of relaxation or vice versa.
Movies Provide Motivation and Inspiration
Stress for students can be precipitated by a lack of motivation and inspiration, whether for projects or creative assignments. Movies can really help in the inspiration department. Movies come in different genres, and there are many centered around student life and other school-related issues. Picking the right movie from these genres can help to motivate and inspire students. Students who watch these movies are able to get newer options and ideas from them visually.
An Affordable Option of Relaxation.
Most students keep a tight budget while in school. This can also elevate stress for them. Since fancy dining and other expensive activities are off the table for them, staying in and watching movies is a much more affordable option to relax. You can still relax while being able to afford only essentials. It is comfortable, saves your money, and also saves your mental health.
Cinema Therapy
Over time, studies have shown that watching movies can be a form of therapy. Students rarely have time for themselves, and of course, they can barely afford therapy. So, watching movies is a great option. Students dealing with stress tend to escape their own lives and problems for the One to Two hours that the movie runs.
Another great thing about cinema therapy for stress is that it is self-administered. When students are aware of the actual mental and emotional benefits that movies proffer, it makes watching movies very vital for them.
More on Stress
Stress is the way the body responds to pressure. Various life situations and events may cause stress. New experiences or lack of control can be solid triggers for stress. It could also be caused by both positive and negative life events. Everyone copes with stress differently depending on previous exposure to stress and general socio-economic factors like family life, places of origin, and personal experiences.
Similarly, too much stress may elicit adverse effects on humans. It can cause a long-term state of fight or flight which may cause an overwhelming feeling that may affect your mental and physical health. Stress, which is often a result of raised cortisol (stress hormone) levels, has been exhibited itself in various ways. It tends to manifest as anxiety, migraines, or even depression. There are a few ways to help yourself manage stress, and they are:
Understand when stress becomes a problem. You need to know when your body gives off physical warnings like muscle tension, headaches, etc. Please do not ignore them and learn to pay attention to the emotional signs. Consider what causes stress for you and sort out practical solutions to improve your quality of life.
Make necessary changes. You should reorganize things and prioritize yourself and other essentials in your life. Don’t take on too much and learn to delegate where necessary. For students, learn to outsource if necessary. Try not to take on too many responsibilities at once.
Try to build support systems. Your family and close friends would help you reduce stress, whether financially or emotionally.
Get healthy practices. A healthy diet might seem nearly impossible for students; however, you can try to put in one healthy meal as often as possible. Reduce smoking or alcohol consumption as much as you can and try to get some exercise. It goes a long way in helping you feel better and less stressed.
Take time out and watch movies! It’s as simple as that. Personal space away from other people can help relieve stress. What better way to do that than watch movies?
Conclusion
Stress can be very unpleasant to deal with, especially for students. Getting help from external sources to help with the pressure works well. Also, movies are paving the way for stress-free school lives for many students. Films and serials on streaming services like Netflix allow us to take a break from our current state of mind and take us to a safe place even though it’s for a short time. It also gives our brains rest from our thoughts laced with worry and stress. Movies help students feel relieved and provide many opportunities for learning while relaxing, thus, reducing stress. Binge-watching movies at a stretch, instead of studying, is not the way to go, but once in a while, students should put their feet up, watch movies, and enjoy the luxe of the worry-free state of mind that movies provide.
Jane Inc., the project of Toronto-based artist Carlyn Bezic, has shared a new single titled ‘2120’. It’s the latest offering from her upcoming LP Faster Than I Can Take, following lead single ‘Contortionists’. Give it a listen below.
“This is a song about the relentless passage of time, the tension between hope and despair, and choosing to be hopeful about the future of our planet despite all the reasons we have not to be,” Bezic explained in a statement. “It’s about feeling powerless as an individual, yet finding power in my emotional reaction to what’s happening in the world… That my sadness and my anger is meaningful and important, and it can fuel me to commit to hopeful action.”
Faster Than I Can Take is set to arrive on April 22 via Telephone Explosion.
The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver have shared a new single, ‘PARDON?’, taken from their forthcoming album Super Champon. The follow-up to 2019’s Itekoma Hits is out May 6 via Damnably, and ‘PARDON?’ follows early singles ‘I Am Not Maternal’, ‘Don’t Call Me Mojo’, and ‘Dirty Old Fart Is Waiting for My Reaction’. “Sometimes, the more you insist, the harder it is to understand you,” the group said of the track in a statement. “We don’t have time to understand if you don’t have time to understand.” Check it out below.
Super Champion Cover Artwork:
Super Champion Tracklist:
1. I Am Not Maternal
2. YAKITORI
3. I Won’t Dish Out Salads
4. PARDON?
5. Nabe Party With Pocket Brothers
6. Leave Me alone! No, Stay With Me!
7. I Checked Your Cellphone
8. I Put My Love To You In a Song JASRAC
9. Don’t Call Me Mojo
10. Where Did You Buy Such a Nice Watch You Are Wearing Now
11. George & Janice
12. First-class Side-guy
13. You’re No Hero Shut Up F*ck You Man-whore
14. I don’t Want To Die Alone
15. Dirty Old Fart Is Waiting For My Reaction
16. Do You Want Me To Send a DM
17. Do You Want Me To Send a DM Part 2
18. Let’s Shopping After Show
Rosalía begins MOTOMAMI with a proclamation. “Me contradigo, yo me transformo/ Soy todas las cosas, yo me transformo,” she sing-raps on ‘Saoko’: I contradict myself, I transform/ I’m everything, I transform. It’s a bold way to kick off her much-anticipated third album, not just because of how it shatters expectations musically – deconstructing 2000s reggaeton by interpolating Daddy Yankee and Wisin’s 2004 single ‘Saoco’ and then throwing in a ton of distortion and even an improvisational piano jazz breakdown – but also because of how much of a personal statement it is. The Spanish superstar’s striking, underappreciated debut album, 2017’s Los Ángeles, was a collection of re-recorded flamenco and folk songs; 2017’s Grammy-winning El Mal Querer sought to modernize the flamenco genre while adapting a 13th-century romance novel to explore toxic relationship. Right out of the gate, MOTOMAMI promises not only the continued evolution of Rosalía’s dizzying sound, but an expansive self-portrait that’s unlike anything she’s delivered before.
It’s not really her approach that changes on MOTOMAMI, but how much further she’s willing to take it – and how much more of herself she’s willing to show. It’s important to note that although El Mal Querer might be seen as the beginning of Rosalía’s effort to combine traditional and contemporary sounds and cultures, Los Ángeles, too, was impressive in its survey of a wide range of flamenco styles, not to mention the decision to end with an outstanding cover of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s classic ‘I See a Darkness’; from the earliest stages of her career, she displayed a readiness to move outside the rigid boundaries of her formal training (before graduating from the Catalonia College of Music, her albums were technically university projects). For all the acclaim that it brought her, her rise to international fame hasn’t come without controversy: flamenco purists of the Andalusian region were quick to accuse the Catalan singer of cultural appropriation, and her crossover success has raised legitimate questions about what it means for a white European woman to rise to the forefront of Latin pop.
MOTOMAMI brings forward Rosalía’s kaleidoscopic vision as well as her eclectic taste, borrowing from genres such as reggaeton and bachata as much as it does hip-hop, electro-pop, and avant-garde music. Rather than seeking to pioneer some all-encompassing musical aesthetic, it feels like Rosalía uses the album’s hybridized palette to broaden her avenues for artistic expression, and instead of sounding like a complete mess, it ends up offering a more intimate and nuanced view of her idiosyncratic personality. Part of this comes in the way she honours her influences, which feels sincere even when her playful confidence compels her to sneak in a few surprises: The most obvious example is ‘Delirio de Grandeza’, which pays homage to Cuban singer Justo Betancourt while incorporating a rap sample from the Vistoso Bosses’ 2009 track ‘Delirious’. More than a genre-bending artist with a penchant for futurism, MOTOMAMI foregrounds Rosalia’s gifts as a producer and arranger, working with the likes of Michael Uzowuru, Pharrell, Tainy, Sky Rompiendo, and El Guincho to create a cohesive experience that’s also refreshing and thrilling at every turn.
MOTOMAMI‘s structure points to its focus on duality, with MOTO implying strength and aggresion and MAMI bringing to mind vulnerability and nature; both are connected to femininity. This contrasting energy is evident in the album’s musical references: on the thumping ‘Chicken Teriyaki’, she namechecks Julio Iglesias, Naomi Campbell, and Mike Dean, while on ‘Bulerías’, over a familiar flamenco instrumental, she declares, “God bless Pastori and Mercé, Lil’ Kim, Tego and M.I.A.” Some of the contradictions tied up with the album aren’t exactly intentional, like the fact that the song that became an early hit, the Weeknd-featuring ‘La Fama’, is one of the few tracks where she addresses the downsides of fame.
The way Rosalía achieves a sense of freedom that feels natural is not through pure versatility, but earnestness. Just like the power of her voice has less to do with sheer talent than the way she wields it, the complexity of her work is not about its many layers but how she unfolds them, which is with pathos, control, and subtlety. Although its two-sided presentation makes sense, the album is really about working outside any binaries rather than reinforcing them. You don’t need to compare songs to feel those different facets coming together: ‘La Combi Versace’, featuring Dominican star Tokischa, is at once minimalist and invigorating, while the magic of ‘Bulerías’ stems from the way it experiments with a traditional format through percussion and vocal processing. ‘Hentai’ really forces you to look beneath the surface, pairing delicate balladry with raunchy lyrics before firing away a barrage of beats, perhaps so that the frenetic energy of ‘Bizcochito’ comes as less of a shock. Which, of course, it kind of does. Whatever path Rosalía chooses to take, it’s this restlessness that clearly lights the way.
Director David Fincher is well known for his impactful psychological thrillers, which make up a significant portion of his film credits, though he’s also helmed a number of biopics and book adaptations. However, even when his work isn’t centered on crime or mystery, it’s still defined by a certain gritty quality. Something viewers can be sure of when beginning a David Fincher film is that the story they’re entering will haunt them after the end credits roll, perhaps challenging or altering their beliefs. Here are thirteen suspenseful films – including a few directed by Fincher – that are sure to leave audiences unsettled.
Training Day (2001)
In Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day, Jake (Ethan Hawke) is an ambitious and idealistic officer who joins experienced narcotics detective Alonzo (Denzel Washington in an Academy Award-winning performance) for a day of training and evaluation. As the day continues, Jake begins to see that Alonzo’s methods are not always ethical. The thrilling crime movie has viewers on the edge of their seats as it becomes clear that Jake is being led into a trap. Training Day is an exploration of brutality and corruption within the police force that has withstood the test of time – if anything, it’s become a film that needs more explosion now than ever before.
Se7en (1995)
Like Training Day, Se7en begins with a rookie cop joining an older, more experienced officer; like Jake and Alonzo, Brad Pitt’s David Mills often butts heads with Morgan Freeman’s Detective William Somerset. The two have different views on how the case should be conducted, but eventually, the scale of the crime outstrips them and they must work together to stop a vicious serial killer from completing his series of murders. The killer, known only as John Doe, is on a mission to punish the citizens of his city for the seven deadly sins. Each murder is grizzly, gruesome, and leaves an impact on both the characters and the audience. In addition to the mystery and tension, Se7en offers food for thought on how civilization impacts human nature on an individual level as well as on a global scale.
Zodiac (2007)
Another Fincher film, Zodiac is based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, who was at large in the 60s. As one of the most unsolved serial killer cases in American history, it has been the subject of much public speculation and provided ample material for pop culture. Zodiac is told mostly from the perspective of cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who believes his natural problem-solving skills can lead him to the killer. He teams up with detectives and journalists (Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.) for a terrifying investigation that leaves the characters unsettled and forever changed.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Though The Silence of the Lambs was released earlier than any of Fincher’s work, it’s a must-see for fans of his movies – and fans of the thriller genre in general. The Academy Award-winning film is a staple of the genre, masterfully building suspense and tension. Based on the eponymous novel by Thomas Harris, the film uses the source material and its skilled actors to great effect. FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) asks Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a convicted serial killer and psychopath, for insider knowledge on another serial killer case. As she digs deeper into the investigation, her childhood trauma gradually creeps up on her, and Lecter begins to get under her skin.
Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler is a chilling thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom, a petty thief who realises he can make money by capturing footage of crime scenes for news outlets. As Lou descends deeper into the competitive circle of news videography, he resorts to extreme methods to get a shot that will guarantee a purchase. He establishes his own business and hires assistants to ensure that each grisly crime scene gets the best coverage. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler is well-paced but manages to gradually increase the suspense along with the stakes.
Gone Girl (2014)
Adapted from the novel by Gillian Flynn, David Fincher’s Gone Girl is a meticulous study on the seemingly perfect marriage of Amy (Rosamund Pike) and Nick (Ben Affleck). As the plot unravels, told partly through Amy’s diary entries, viewers begin to see the cracks in the relationship that lead to Amy’s disappearance on their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick adamantly defends himself to the authorities but bungles almost every public appearance. Like the public, the film’s audience is sure to be divided over who is to blame for the marriage’s dissolution and Amy’s disappearance. Over the course of the film, the mysteries multiply, revealing darker sides to the characters.
Fight Club (1999)
Fight Club is another Fincher-directed film, based on the eponymous novel by Chuck Palahniuk. This unsettling thriller has a lot to say about capitalism, masculinity, and various forms of addiction. Starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, Fight Club is a satirical story of an underground fight club for men who have no other way to exert their frustrations with their otherwise bland and unfulfilling lifestyles. However, there’s something sinister about the fight club, which turns into something much greater as it expands around the world. Similarly, the main character is not who he appears to be, and even he can’t be sure of who that is.
Prisoners (2013)
Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners is a masterclass in building tension and suspense. This crime movie follows the journeys of three men: a father whose daughter – and her friend – has been abducted, the detective working the case, and a potential suspect the father has taken captive. The father (Hugh Jackman) begins to lose his patience with the detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) when the investigation yields no leads. Taking things into his own hands, the father’s increasing desperation leads him to take his emotions out on the captive suspect (Paul Dano), whose guilt is questionable at best. The characters are taken on a lifechanging journey that leads them to question their most fundamental beliefs that make them who they are.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Like Fincher’s films, David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive invites the viewer to decipher the story’s message. At the surface level, this neo-noir mystery follows the relationship of two young women in Los Angeles. Betty (Naomi Watts) is an aspiring actress with big dreams who meets Rita (Laura Harring), an amnesiac who has suffered an accident she can’t remember. In between auditions for movies, Betty tries to help Rita rediscover her identity. Both the film industry and the quest to help Rita lead Betty to strange situations where she apparently begins to recall forgotten elements of her own past. A series of seemingly unrelated vignettes serve as clues to viewers.
Memento (2000)
Another film interested in uncovering the truth, Christopher Nolan’s Memento also features an amnesiac trying to resolve his past. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is an insurance investigator whose last memory is of his wife getting killed before him. Now, he uses tattoos to remind himself where he is in his investigation to find the killer and avenge his wife. The story skips between timelines, placing the viewer in a similar state of mind to Shelby, who is perpetually confused and trying to catch his mind up to the present. As the stakes increase, Shelby finds himself in more danger and realises that he may be misinterpreting the few memories he has of his previous life.
Shutter Island (2008)
Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island is another mystery film whose central character is an unreliable narrator thanks to his altered memories. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. marshal sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a remote, top security mental hospital. Accompanied by his colleague Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), Teddy explores the island and begins to question the way the facility is run. The same eerie feeling that infuses Fincher’s films crawls under viewers’ skins in Shutter Island, especially when more of Teddy’s past is revealed.
Sicario (2015)
Emily Blunt leads the cast of this FBI drug-bust film. Alternately quiet and action-packed, Sicario balances big, epic moments with subtler, disturbing scenes that invite the audience to ruminate on what’s really at stake. Upheld by a brilliant score (Jóhann Jóhannsson) and stunning cinematography (Roger Deakins), this is another excellent thriller from Denis Villenueve. Fincher fans will appreciate its sweeping, epic feel, the deeply unsettling plot, as well as the focus on the main characters, FBI agents Kate (Blunt) and Reggie (Daniel Kaluuya), who are conflicted when their seniors bring an assassin (Benicio del Toro) on board.
Black Swan (2010)
A thriller of a different nature, Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan follows Nina (Natalie Portman), an ambitious ballet dancer who has been cast as the White Swan. However, her artistic director doesn’t believe she has the right personality to portray the White Swan’s downfall and believes that another dancer (Mila Kunis) would better suit the role. This drives Nina on an obsessive quest to become better. Over time, she loses herself in the world of the dance, but the psychological thriller subverts expectations when least expected.
Mary Lattimore and guitarist Paul Sukeena have announced a new collaborative LP called West Kensington. It’s scheduled for release on May 20 via Three Lobed, and it includes the new single ‘Altar of Tammy’. Listen to it below.
Last year, Lattimore released Collected Pieces II, her second volume of unreleased rarities. The Los Angeles-based harpist’s last solo album, Silver Ladders, came out in 2020.
West Kensington Cover Artwork:
West Kensington Tracklist:
1. Hundred Dollar Hoagie
2. Flaming Cherries Jubilee at Antoine’s
3. Altar of Tammy
4. Didn’t See The Comet
5. This Time Juliane Landed Softly
6. Garage Wine
Lollapalooza has announced the lineup for its 2022 edition. The festival will return to Chicago’s Grant Park on July 28-31, with headlining sets from Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole, Green Day, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Baby, and Kygo. The lineup also includes Charli XCX, IDLES, Glass Animals, Jazmine Sullivan, Turnstile, Wet Leg, MUNA, King Princess, 100 gecs, Denzel Curry, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Manchester Orchestra, Caroline Polachek, Dashboard Confessional, Remi Wolf, PinkPantheress, Tinashe, Maxo Kream, Horsegirl, Meet Me @ the Altar, and many more. Tickets are available here. Check out the poster below.
Son Lux and Moses Sumney have collaborated on the new song ‘Fence’, which is lifted from Son Lux’s soundtrack to the new A24 movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. Listen below.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) will be released on April 8 via A24 Music. The 49-track LP includes the previously shared David Byrne and Mitski duet ‘This Is a Life’ as well as collaborations with Randy Newman, André 3000, and others.
