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Dama Scout Unveil New Single ‘pineapple eyes’

Dama Scout have shared a new single, ‘pineapple eyes’, the latest offering from the art-rock trio’s forthcoming debut LP gen wo lai (come with me). Check out a visual for it, created by the band themselves, below.

“‘pineapple eyes’ is a much loved bisected finger food piled high on a platter of disappointment,” Dama Scout remarked in a statement. “Full bodied and finely balanced, sweet and umami notes give way to a full frontal sourness.”

Dama Scout’s debut album comes out April 22 via Hand in Hive. So far, they’ve previewed it with the singles ’emails from a suzanne’ and ‘dan dan bub’.

Luke Steele Shares Video for New Song ‘Pool of Love’

Luke Steele, the Australian musician best-known as half of the electro-pop duo Empire of the Sun, has shared a new track from his forthcoming debut solo album Listen to the Water. Check out ‘Pool of Love’ below.

Speaking about the song, Steele said in a press release:

I’m finally getting the answers to questions, after so many years. For me I think I’m so impatient. So head strong when I want the deliverance or something resolved if it doesn’t happen on my time table I’d become disappointed and confused. Grasping that ideal that you literally have everything you need on the inside or you, your own pool of love, the keys to the kingdom.”

Sonically I wanted it to sound warm and approachable, like an ear cocoon. A lot of these songs on the album I’d write little guitar patterns, then attack the vocals separately, which is a trick I use to switch your brain when writing so you can break out of habitual musical patterns.

Listen to the Water is set for release on May 13. It includes the previously unveiled singles ‘Common Man’ and ‘Armageddon Slice’.

Lizzie Reid Releases New Single ‘Bible’

Lizzie Reid has returned with a new single called ‘Bible’. It marks the Glaswegian singer-songwriter’s first new material since her 2021 debut EP Cubicle. Take a listen below.

“’Bible’ is about being nervous about falling in love again. I was feeling something, and that scared me,” Reid explained in a press release. “I wanted to get things right this time, be important to someone, and not to bring my anxieties into the picture. Becoming involved with someone tends to bring up things within yourself. It holds a mirror up and forces me to look at myself through someone else’s eyes.”

Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Lizzie Reid.

Röyksopp Enlist Astrid S for New Song ‘Breathe’

Röyksopp have previewed their upcoming project Profound Mysteries with a new song, ‘Breathe’, featuring Norwegian singer-songwriter Astrid S. The track follows the previously shared singles ‘This Time, This Place’ with Beki Mari, ‘Impossible’ featuring Alison Goldfrapp, ‘(Nothing But) Ashes…’, and ‘The Ladder’. It comes alongside a short ‘Breathe’ film titled I Hate My Shelf, which was directed by Swedish filmmaker Andreas Nilsson, a longtime Röyksopp collaborator who worked on short films for their albums Junior and Senior and the music video for ‘This Must Be It’. Watch and listen below.

“I have always wanted to collaborate with Röyksopp, they have been and continue to be a huge inspiration for me,” Astrid S said in a statement. “I’m really excited for the music to finally come out!”

Röyksopp’s last album was 2014’s The Inevitable End, which the Norweigian duo called their “goodbye to the traditional album format.” The 10-track Profound Mysteries is described as “an expanded creative universe and prodigious conceptual project.”

!!! Release New Song ‘Here’s What I Need to Know’

!!! have released ‘Here’s What I Need to Know’, the second single from their upcoming album Let It Be BlueCheck it out below.

“’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’.

PUP Share Video for New Song ‘Totally Fine’

PUP have shared another single from their forthcoming album THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBANDwhich is out next Friday, April 1. It’s called ‘Totally Fine’, and it follows previous cuts ‘Waiting’, ‘Robot Writes a Love Song’, and ‘Matilda’. Check it out via the Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux-directed video below.

“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.”

How Can Watching Movies Help Students Relieve Stress

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Try to build support systems. Your family and close friends would help you reduce stress, whether financially or emotionally. 
  4. 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.
  5. 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 Unveils New Song ‘2120’

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 Takefollowing 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.

Otoboke Beaver Share Video for New Single ‘PARDON?’

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

Album Review: Rosalía, ‘MOTOMAMI’

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.