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Lala Lala Announces New Album ‘I Want The Door To Open’, Shares New Song ‘DIVER’

Lala Lala, the project of Chicago-based musician Lillie West, has announced her next album: I Want The Door To Open is out October 8 via Hardly Art. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the new single ‘DIVER’, which arrives with an accompanying video co-directed by Brielle Brilliant and West. Check it out and find the record’s cover artwork and tracklist below.

“I want total freedom, total possibility, total acceptance. I want to fall in love with the rock,” West said about the theme ‘DIVER’ in a press release, referring to the myth of Sisyphus. “I think it’s easy to feel like we keep making the same mistakes over and over again, that we’re Sisyphus. The key is falling in love with the labor of walking up the mountain.”

West co-produced the follow-up to 2018’s The Lamb with Yoni Wolf of Why? The LP features contributions from Chicago-based musician Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, poet Kara Jackson, OHMME, Adam Schatz of Landlady, Sen Morimoto, Christian Lee Hutson, Kaina Castillo, Meg Duffy, Will Miller, Gia Margaret, Josiah Wolf, and former tourmate Ben Gibbard.

I Want The Door To Open Cover Artwork:

I Want The Door To Open Tracklist:

1. Lava
2. Color of the Pool
3. DIVER
4. Photo Photo feat. Ohmme
5. Prove it
6. Castle Life
7. Bliss Now!
8. Straight & Narrow [feat. Kara Jackson]
9. Beautiful Directions
10. Plates feat. Ben Gibbard
11. Utopia Planet

Jack Antonoff Debuts Bleachers’ Zadie Smith Collaboration on NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert’ Series: Watch

Jack Antonoff reunited with his Bleachers bandmates for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert’ series, performing a handful of songs from their upcoming album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night outside Electric Lady Studios, where the LP was recorded. Backed by Mikey Freedom Hart on keys and Zem Audu and Evan Smith on saxophone, Antonoff kicked things off with an unreleased song, ’91’, which has a songwriting credit from the novelist and essayist Zadie Smith. Check out the full performance below.

In a recent interview for Rolling Stone, Antonoff called ’91’ “my favorite piece of writing on the record,” adding that “Zadie Smith, who I really love, kind of helped me frame it.” He continued: “I think last time I saw her, I ran into her on the street… And then she came by and [I] was playing her stuff in the studio. There was even a melody thing she had a note on, which she was 100 percent right about.”

Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night is set for release on July 30. It includes the previously unveiled songs ‘Stop Making This Hurt’, ‘Chinatown’, and ‘How Dare You Want More’. Last week, Antonoff teamed up with Jason Isbell for a benefit 7″, in which they covered each other’s songs.

The Best Titles in the Fallout Series

Fallout remains the largest RPG worldwide and highly remembered for the American theming and obsessions. It is a series having plenty of titles varying wildly from the fast to the last.

The first Fallout games were focused on roleplay, while others have continued to focus on exploration but less on dialogue. Therefore, the division ensures Fallout appeals to most people. If you’re a fan of RPGs or want to explore an apocalyptic setting, then look no further. The Fallout universe presents something special for you.

However, in this series, the best titles include:

Fallout New Vegas

The truth is that this game was rigged from the beginning. It remains the perfect example of how the series games should be. Fallout: New Vegas has the best opening in video game history. You have to play this game as a Mojave Express courier, where you will deliver a mysterious package.

While moving, you get caught and left for dead. Before you know it, you’re caught up in something much bigger. And from there on, you become in charge of how things will play out. You need to traverse the landscapes of Vegas, where you encounter shady characters on the way.

Three great powers – the elusive Mr. House, Caesar’s Legion, and the New California Republic – aim to outplay others to control Mojave Wasteland. This will be upon you on whether you want to be involved.

Fallout New Vegas remains one of the memorable games with great experiences in the entire series. These experiences are similar when playing Platin Casino games.

Fallout Shelter

The other game in the series is Fallout Shelter. The amazing thing about the game is that it was ported to PC and consoles. When playing the game, you can create a vault as an Overseer – where you control the inhabitants of the vault and infrastructure.

In this game, you can explore the wasteland looking for new items you can use. Mole rats infesting your vault and Fallout insanity are things to expect.

The game may lack memorable characters you find in the main titles or in-depth questioning, but it’s enjoyable to warrant a try.

Brotherhood of Steel

This Fallout Tactics game is another game worth checking. The game has common things such as strategy games like XCOM, unlike the main Fallout IP. However, Fallout Tactics continues to keep core elements intact.

In addition, this game contains a respectable plot such that it does its own thing without interfering with the game. While playing, you have to control a squad with six soldiers – both humans and Deathclaws.

You can play Tactics in turn-based or real-time, and it allows more tactical gameplay. Moreover, the game has multiplayer mode allowing you to fight with any squad member you control. That makes this game focus on Fallout’s combat rather than RPG mechanics and the story.

The Final Thoughts

Through post-apocalyptic America wastelands, there is something that will remain the same: war. That’s because war never changes. To pick these best Fallout series from the list is a hassle because all are darn good.

A Handy Guide To Opening An Art Gallery

One thing that the human race seems to have kept dear throughout existence is art. From crude cave paintings to intricate digital art pieces, the way people express themselves in different visual mediums continues to evolve.  

Reasons To See Art In Person 

Even though most people have probably never laid eyes on them, many iconic art pieces are known globally. The digital and internet age gives people the opportunity to see art on a worldwide scale. Although it’s practical, the experience isn’t the same. 

And, it’s not just about renowned pieces, but numerous works of art could be seen in your local area, too. There are so many venues around the world. For instance, an art gallery for rent could be used for local artists. Additionally, local malls or hotels could open a temporary viewing area for travelling galleries.  

Steps To Opening An Art Exhibition 

Booking a venue is one step, but other parts might need to be accomplished. Opening an art gallery takes thoughtful planning. The list below includes some points of consideration that might be helpful to your coming gallery launch:

Find More About The Market 

Similar to other businesses, opening a gallery will benefit from getting to know the market or target audience. Depending on where the venue is, you could get to know the local art scene better.  

Find out more about their tastes, what art styles and artists they haven’t seen yet, or just a general feel for what they’re interested in. This strategy might be helpful for research, but it could also be a great way to build up your network and figure out marketing strategies.  

Decide On The Target Audience 

Once you’ve got step one done, you can now decide on your target audience. This will help you find a speciality that can be part of your gallery branding. Establishing authority in a specific niche might boost your popularity in the long run.  

After setting down this baseline, it’s possible to expand your niche later. With this game plan, you might be able to build a steady identity but leave enough opportunities to expand and grow. For example, you can start exhibiting based on traditional mediums. Then, you can explore other artistic mediums in the future.  

Visualize Your Exhibit 

With your artistic eye and creativity, visualizing your exhibit might be a piece of cake. The great thing about art galleries is that you may create a unique experience every time. Posh and clean-cut galleries give off a more mature and classier vibe. Or, you could also go all out with a surreal dreamscape.  

Either way, remember that what you decide on for your first couple of exhibitions might influence your branding. So, it’s a good idea to think through your future exhibits, too.  

Find The Perfect Space 

Getting a venue might take some time since looking at different spaces could make choosing difficult. Impulsive decisions might not be a good idea. Instead, take note of these important points when it comes to choosing the perfect space for your art gallery:  

  • Accessibility: How easy is it for viewers to come to the gallery?  
  • Versatility: Could you design the area with various themes? 
  • Safety: Does it meet safety standards for public businesses?  
  • Costs: Can you afford the space long-term? 
  • Duration: How long do you plan to use the venue? 

The area you choose might be able to determine whether the gallery will be a success or not. Some places might be more open to arts while others aren’t. Thinking about small details like this can help you decide if an area is promising or not. 

Draw Out The Blueprint 

Visualizing is fun, but rendering and finalizing might be harder to do. By drawing it out, you’re deciding on how the gallery flows. What pieces will be first seen or which ones might take a back seat? Like theater, the venue is the stage, and you might need to be strategic about placements not just of art but also with color, lighting, seats, plants, and more.  

Research And Select On A Business Model 

Registering as a business is next, and you could decide to file under sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. To ensure that you’re making the right step, getting a professional to guide you with the terms and technical aspects might be a huge help.  

You wouldn’t want to risk assets and liabilities, as this decision could either be helpful or detrimental to the success of your gallery. Take time, consider professional help, and then decide.

Get Ready For Opening Night 

The opening night is a crucial step, and it could be a decisive moment for your gallery. Preparing for this is a whole different set of planning, so you might want to get help from professional planners, too.  

Thinking of the audience is one of the ways you could be more welcoming. You could expect art hobbyists, artists, viewers, and just about anyone. When people get together, it could be an inspiring and unifying moment. But if not handled well, it might end up with conflicts and an overall disastrous experience. So, you might want to create a friendly atmosphere for the gallery by going the extra mile and talking to the guests.  

As a defining moment, the opening may be your opportunity to underscore the gallery’s identity, overall theme, and artistic goals.

Wrapping Up 

Opening a gallery might seem like fun and games, but it’s a serious process and will require more than just decorating a space. Underneath the artistic exterior is a solid business plan and tons of hard work. But for the sake of art and being able to bring them to center stage, it’s well worth the effort.

Thom Yorke Releases “Very 2021” Remix of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’

Back in March, Thom Yorke collaborated with Japanese fashion designer Jun Takahashi to soundtrack his UNDERCOVER Fall 2021 show Creep Very. Now, Yorke has officially released the slowed-down, nine-minute version of the track, which is titled ‘Creep (Very 2021 Rmx)’ and comes with new artwork by Takahashi. Check it out below.

Yorke released his most recent album ANIMA in 2019. He recently formed a new project with Jonny Greenwood called Smile, which debuted new music at the Glastonbury 2021 livestream.

Ohmme’s Macie Stewart Announces Debut Solo Album, Releases New Song

Macie Stewart, the composer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter best known as one half of the Chicago band Ohmme, has announced her debut solo album. It’s titled Mouth Full of Glass and it arrives September 24 via Orindal. Lead single and album opener ‘Finally’ is out now alongside a Lia Kohl–directed music video. Check it out below and scroll down for the LP’s cover artwork and tracklist.

“‘Finally’ came to me at a time when I really needed to be honest with myself and make some hard decisions in my life,” Stewart explained in a statement. “It can be really easy to bury the truth down, but there will always come a time when it bubbles up to the surface. This song is meant to be a gentle urge to face yourself, and ultimately face the cumulative white lies we tell ourselves in order to get through all sorts of relationships. Writing this felt more like a discovery of lightness, rather than a dark absolute.”

She added: “I felt so lucky to have one of my dearest friends and close collaborator Lia Kohl create a video for the song (she also plays cello on the recording). Lia’s video perfectly captures that slow revelation, and helps it evolve into a personal and visual meditation.”

Ohmme issued their most recent album, Fantasize Your Ghostlast year. Revisit out Artist Spotlight Q&A with Ohmme.

Mouth Full of Glass Cover Artwork:

Mouth Full of Glass Tracklist:

1. Finally
2. Garter Snake
3. Mouthful of Glass
4. Golden (For Mark)
5. Where We Live
6. What Will I Do
7. Tone Pome
8. Wash It Away

Album Review: Half Waif, ‘Mythopoetics’

In her spectral, deeply evocative music as Half Waif, Nandi Rose manifests a constant inner battle between passivity and unbridled emotion. Both forces stem from a place not of helplessness but acute self-awareness, and Rose renders those dynamics with the kind of attention to detail that keeps her songs engaging as well as relatable. When she compared her love to an island on ‘Slit’, a highlight off her 2018 album Lavender, the sparse instrumental underscored not the size of her affection, but its inaccessibility, a fiery loneliness that has permeated Half Waif’s music since the project’s inception. Last year’s The Caretaker continued to reckon with the rocky contours of the self and the tempestuous waves that govern it, once again centering on the desire to be known: against the backdrop of a global pandemic, its nuanced exploration of solitude felt at once pertinent and comforting, dark yet hopeful. The singer carried on, “Calm and focused/ Dragging my hips in the wind/ Swollen with promise.”

For a record whose sense of hope lay in waiting for a better tomorrow, Rose was quick to follow it up, issuing single after single from Mythopoetics starting January 2021 – not even a year after The Caretaker’s release – before unveiling the full album last week. The Hudson Valley-based artist has said her fifth LP is the one she has been trying to make for a decade now, which undermines just how much of a steady evolution the project has undergone. A culmination of Rose’s strengths as a songwriter and producer, Mythopoetics isn’t the album previous Half Waif efforts strove to be, but rather builds on the growing self-assurance of each release while unleashing their revelatory power. With help from longtime collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, and film composer Zubin Hensler, Rose initially intended to make a piano-based record of old material, but ended up with a collection of new songs that further expanded her palette, resulting in her best and most striking work to date.

Despite straying from their original plan, Mythopoetics anchors in the kind of direct, emotive songwriting Rose typically excels at, but manages to unlock their full depth partly by melding her layered synth textures with a more organic array of sounds. This fusion makes for the most immersive evocation of Rose’s persistent lyrical concerns yet: the introductory piano ballad ‘Fabric’ finds the subject flirting with the impulse to hide away from the world (“To be a bird and tuck my head into my feathered neck/ Watch all the world turn black, wish I could live like that”), but the shimmering melodies of ‘Swimmer’ open up to the possibilities of human connection – even, and especially, in the midst of illness and loss. Where its predecessor imagined a better future while relaying anxiety in palpable terms, here darkness intrudes on the mind in the form of a metaphor while feelings both immense and mundane carry the charge of a real sensation. When she declares “I wanted to sing for you/ So I’m going to sing for you” in an attempt to capture one final moment with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, the production gives it the cinematic resonance that ripples throughout the album, yet her delivery is grounded enough to make the drama feel genuine.

Track after track, Mythopoetics presents a perfect marriage of sound and content. ‘Take Away the Ache’ offers an intimate vignette of a personal relationship, using shuffling percussion and cut-up vocal samples to mirror the combined effect of a foggy state of mind and a lack of communication; the air clears up briefly in the chorus, where Rose warmly pleads, “I know that I’m asking for more than you can give/ But isn’t love just living like that?” While the album’s kaleidoscopic bursts of sound can suggest an unraveling, they can also magnify the scale of despair its characters must endure: when Rose explodes into the chorus of ‘Fortress’, singing “I’m ruined to the universe/ Cause it knows what hurts,” the swirling pads and clattering percussion seem to act as an affirmative echo from the universe itself.

But what elevates the album, more than any improvement in production, is that the songs are gripping enough that they could work in the stripped-back context Rose and Hensler originally envisioned. The hooks are stronger, the melodies more memorable, and none of them detract from the impact or subtlety of Rose’s songwriting. Press materials describe ‘Party’s Over’ as a “pop banger”, and though that may seem like a reductive description, it’s largely thanks to the song’s catchiness and pop appeal that its message to “just keep walking” is effective; its placement in the middle of an album wrapped in loneliness makes it feel triumphant. It’s clear Rose isn’t framing generic optimism as an easy solution, either: the song merely allows for a collective breath of relief before ‘Horse Racing’, a devastating metaphor for humanity’s endlessly destructive patterns that deftly pulls you in with the propulsive force of its hook.

While many of these songs highlight Rose’s ability to zoom out and examine the world around her, her writing is still at its most potent when it focuses on the individual. Though during the process of making The Caretaker Rose found herself creating the character that gives the record its title, Mythopoetics might at first seem like a misleading name for an album as earnest and personal as this. Rose’s lyrics don’t engage with the act of mythmaking – as easy of a path as that would be for a songwriter this deep in their career – but the title does acknowledge the transformative role subjectivity can play when weaving past, present, and future. ‘The Apartment’ is a startling example where the singer does just that, tracing her cigarette habit back to her childhood before placing us in the middle of a messy and vulnerable situation: “Lit up like a target outside the apartment/ Like I’m fucking performing my need.”

But the compassion a song like ‘Sourdough’ exudes is anything but performative. “I would stare at the sun/ If it’d help the ones I love/ Though I’d burn in my skull/ I would smile to see them well,” she sings, a desire so intense it infects her lungs in a whole different way. The shooting star that passes by on closer ‘Powder’, too, is “like a lit cigar,” but rather than extending the simile, the artist is able to see the moment, and the traumas of the past, with newfound clarity. Like smoke that diffuses into the atmosphere, the pain is all but gone, but seeing things for what they are presupposes knowing what you can, and want to, see. ‘Sodium and Cigarettes’ lays out that formula in simple, emotional terms, but puts faith in the imaginative power of storytelling: “Wishing you would come back/ Knowing you won’t stay/ But I believe in something more/ Than what’s in front of me.”

CHVRCHES Share New Single ‘Good Girls’

CHVRCHES have shared ‘Good Girls’, the latest offering from their forthcoming album Screen Violence. Check it out below.

Lead singer Lauren Mayberry said of the new song in a statement: “The opening line (killing your idols is a chore) was something I wrote after listening to some friends arguing about the present day implications of loving certain problematic male artists — I was struck by the lengths that people would go to in order to excuse their heroes and how that was so juxtaposed to my own experiences in the world. Women have to constantly justify their right to exist and negotiate for their own space. We’re told that Bad Things don’t happen to Good Girls. That if you curate yourself to fit the ideal – keep yourself small and safe and acceptable — you will be alright, and it’s just not fucking true.”

Screen Violence, the Scottish trio’s first album since 2018’s Love Is Dead, is due out August 27 via Glassnote Records. It was preceded by the singles ‘He Said She Said’ and the Robert Smith collaboration ‘How Not To Drown’.

Classic Women’s Haircuts That Are Coming Back In Style

The saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Never was it truer than for fashion? Looks come, go and become fashionable again as people rediscover and repurpose them for their generation.

Here are some that have come back in a big way after laying quietly in wake to return to their moment in the sun.

The Pixie Cut

If you’re looking for a stylish pixie cut, a hairstyle camp can help you find one perfect for your face shape and hair texture. Moreover, you don’t have to be worried about looking unfeminine with a pixie cut, as stars like Zoe Kravitz will demonstrate. As women assumed more visibility in society, the style has been adopted more and more, not as a symbol of rebellion but a sign of women’s comfort with dramatically short hair. 

Actress Audrey Hepburn popularised the pixie cut in the 1950s at a time when women were expected to wear their hair longer. According to Vogue’s history of the hairstyle, the pixie was a symbol of women’s non-conformity and empowerment. This was because it freed them from the length and onerous hair care routines.

The Mullet

No matter how you feel about the mullet, it was everywhere in the 80s. While it was a favorite of large men in the decade of excess, women have taken over the mullet in its new incarnation.

The look is also sleeker, stylish and the difference in lengths is not as harshly defined. Its return has been fuelled by several celebrities who have recently adopted the look, favorite, go-to, including Miley Cyrus and Rihanna.

The Afro

This 70s favorite went the way of disco and 8 track tapes. Unlike them, though, it’s been making a resurgence among Black women with natural textured hair. 

In its heyday, the “Fro” was a symbol of resistance. Black women who wear the style today wear it as a sign of freedom as they leave relaxers, perms, weaves, and wigs behind and embrace their natural hair.

Bobs

The bob has had a long history stemming back to the 1880s popularised by (you guessed it) an actress named Polaire. Polaire’s native France crossed the seas and made its way to the US, where it became the go-to style for “flapper” girls.

Flappers used the bob as their personal declaration of independence from traditional feminine roles, which was a bold statement in the 1920s. 

Bobs have been reappearing every decade since then. 

A century after it first gained popularity, the sleek, straight-cut bob is required for every woman who considers herself sophisticated. However, the bob’s versatility also makes it a favorite for women who want a playful, low-maintenance style as well.

The “Farah Fawcett”

This iconic feathered look could not be avoided during Fawcett’s heydey as a Charlie’s Angel. Singers like Lizzo and Saweetie have resurrected the loose, big curled look and have made it their own. Both have followers numbering in the millions in social media who have also adopted the look and have brought it back to life.

The Rachel

If you’re a fan of the hit 90s show Friends, you know this hairstyle. Nearly thirty years later, it has been making a sneaky comeback.

Interestingly enough, Jennifer Aniston, whose career has been defined by this haircut, hated it while she wore it. She has been known to complain about how difficult it was to style independently, and she couldn’t understand why the hairstyle was as popular as it was.

That hasn’t stopped women from asking their stylists for similar looks, and it appears the look is officially back, as Renee Zellweger wore it to the Golden Globes this year.

The Shag

If you think shag, you are definitely thinking Meg Ryan in her mid 90s heyday. Or, if you want to go back further, then Jane Fonda’s look in the 1970s movie “Klute.”

The shag is specifically designed to look as though you haven’t made an effort with your hair and the breezy, blowsy look is perfect for women who want to look good but don’t want hair that is too finished or structured.

The best part about the shag’s return to prominence? It’s an easy look to achieve for virtually anyone. It is decidedly low maintenance, and it can make your hair look as though it is thicker and fuller.

If 2021 is the year you decide to change things up a bit with your hair, instead of looking to the future, it may pay to look to the past. The resurgence of these hairstyles shows that there is much there to inspire still.

Top 3 Fashion Habits That Are Not Sustainable

It is always important to try and follow as many sustainable fashion trends as possible. Well, realistically, they shouldn’t be ‘trends’, they should just be the normal way people approach fashion. Needless to say, the majority of people follow a few fashion habits that really aren’t sustainable in the slightest. Do you do this on purpose? No! It’s more a case of you not really thinking about the way you buy clothes because you’re used to going about things in a certain way. 

Nevertheless, you can still change your habits if you’re aware that they’re bad. Here are the top fashion habits that most certainly are not sustainable in the slightest:

Buying brand new clothes

Continuously buying brand new clothes is the least sustainable fashion choice you can make. For one, you should aim to reuse your existing clothes as much as you can before buying something new. Then, if you want to get something new to wear, consider one of the following options:

  • Buying second-hand items
  • Renting your clothes

There are loads of places where you can buy high-quality clothing that’s only been worn once or twice, and it is so sustainable to do this. Likewise, you can hire designer clothing to wear for an occasion, sending it back for someone else to hire after you. Again, this is incredibly sustainable as the same items are getting reused and you’re not giving in to fast fashion and buying loads of cheap clothes all the time. 

Throwing away old clothes

Chucking your old clothes away is terrible for the environment. They end up in landfills where they are burned, using up lots of energy and contributing to pollution. It’s such a waste to just throw things away, even if they’re a bit battered. 

Nowadays, there are countless ways you can make your old clothes more useful. You could try to repurpose them yourself, or you can simply donate them to people in need. Lots of charities offer clothes collections, and this is the easiest way to avoid generating fashion waste. 

Not checking how the clothes are made

What are your clothes made from, and how are they made? If your clothes are all mass-produced in a factory, the chances are they are the definition of unsustainable. They’re made from materials that aren’t sustainable, and the way they’re made will probably pollute the atmosphere. 

Most of us don’t stop to ask these questions, so we’re guilty of being more unsustainable than we intended. The solution is to shop around for more sustainable clothing that is made from better materials and follows better manufacturing processes. Plenty of brands are hopping aboard this trend, so you will have no shortage of sustainable clothing items to choose from. 

Don’t feel guilty for following these bad habits. It’s hard to understand what is sustainable until you’ve had the opposite pointed out. Now you know where you’re going wrong, it is easy for you to put it right. Focus on avoiding these fashion habits if you want to be more sustainable.