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James Blake Announces New Album ‘Trying Times’, Shares New Single

Konstantinos Pappis
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James Blake Announces New Album ‘Trying Times’, Shares New Single

James Blake has announced a new album, Trying Times, his first independent effort after leaving Republic Records. The follow-up to 2023’s Playing Robots into Heaven will be out on March 13 via Good Boy Records. The elegantly eerie new single ‘Death of Love’ is out now, alongside a live performance video by Harrison Adair, featuring the London Welsh Men’s Choir. Check it out below.

Trying Times features contributions from UK rapper Dave and Los Angeles-based vocalist Monica Martin. A few days ago, Blake teased the album via the new website tryingtimes.info, along with the message:

Hi everyone. As a thank you for your support on here, I wanted to share some news with you first. I’ve finished my next record and will be releasing it soon. I’m going to share a song with you and also offer a special first press vinyl edition of the album. The listen & purchase link will be live for 72 hours.

I can’t wait for you the hear the new record, it’s incredibly special.

Trying Times Cover Artwork:

Trying Times Album Cover

Trying Times Tracklist:

1. Walk Out Music
2. Death of Love
3. I Had a Dream She Took My Hand
4. Trying Times
5. Make Something Up
6. Didn’t Come to Argue [feat. Monica Martin]
7. Doesn’t Just Happen [feat. Dave]
8. Obsession
9. Rest of Your Life
10. Through the High Wire
11. Feel It Again
12. Just a Little Higher

Harry Styles Shares New Song ‘Aperture’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Harry Styles Shares New Song ‘Aperture’

After announcing his fourth album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally last week, Harry Styles has delivered its lead single, ‘Aperture’. The downcast, gradually uplifting track was co-written with and produced by Styles’ frequent collaborator Kid Harpoon. Check it out below.

Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

A new thriller series is keeping Netflix subscribers glued to the screen. Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, which premiered in mid-January, is currently the most-watched non-English show on the platform, with 5.4 million views during the last week.

The Indian production is also #1 in nine countries where Netflix is available, and fans on social media seem excited for the show to continue. They might just get their wish.

Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, Netflix hasn’t announced if Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web will return with additional episodes. Still, viewership numbers are solid, and the title isn’t listed as a limited series. While the future looks promising, it all comes down to whether the show’s popularity holds.

“Right now, we believe in doing an ending to every show. So there will be a closure. But if the audience pours in love, and they want to see more of this, then we would love to extend it,” director Raghav Jairath said.

As long as Netflix gives the green light, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web season 2 could arrive in early 2027.

Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Cast

  • Emraan Hashmi as Arjun Meena
  • Sharad Kelkar as Bada Choudhary
  • Nandish Sandhu as Ravinder Gujjar
  • Anurag Sinha as Prakash Kumar
  • Amruta Khanvilkar as Mitali Kamath
  • Zoya Afroz as Priya Khubchandani
  • Ujjwal Gaurahha as Govind Belani
  • Virendra Saxena as Shrikant Saxena

What Could Happen in Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Season 2?

Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web follows Arjun Meena, a customs officer tasked with leading a specialized anti‑smuggling unit at Mumbai’s bustling international airport.

When the government activates a high‑stakes directive to disrupt a sophisticated global smuggling syndicate, Meena assembles a team of reinstated officers known for their integrity and tactical skill. The purpose? To intercept contraband before it crosses international borders. As the investigation deepens, the task force uncovers layers of betrayal within their own ranks, complicating matters.

The show consists of seven episodes, so it’s a fairly quick watch. By the time the end credits roll, viewers get a sense of closure, so you can trust the director’s promise. There are secret ploys, twists, and a dramatic confrontation that wraps up the case.

That said, we’re sure the writers can come up with a fresh problem Meena & company can tackle in Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web season 2. Another smuggling syndicate, perhaps?

Are There Other Shows Like Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web?

If you enjoyed Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, you might want to check out some of the other crime/thriller series trending on Netflix. We recommend Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, His & Hers, Land of Sin, City of Shadows, and The Asset.

Olivia Rodrigo’s New Album: Everything We Know So Far

Konstantinos Pappis
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Olivia Rodrigo’s New Album: Everything We Know So Far

Olivia Rodrigo has been teasing her third album. Nicknamed OR3, the GUTS follow-up has no release date or tracklist as of yet, but we’ll update this post when they’re announced. Here’s everything we know so far.

What has Rodrigo said about it so far?

In a fan newsletter sent on August 11, Rodrigo wrote: “The GUTS world tour is officially over!! thank u 4 making each and every show so special. the end of the GUTS era feels bittersweet, but I’m sooooo excited for all that’s y3t to come!!!! speaking of what’s next…clear ur calendar tomorrow at 9 A.M. P.T. for something special i’ve been working on to celebrate all our GUTS tour memories together.”

More recently, she hinted at a new album in an October 2025 interview with Nylon. “I won’t say too much, but I think 2026 is going to be a busy year for me,” she said. “I’ve been having a lot of fun dreaming things up.” That same month, she confirmed in a promo video for American Express that she’s working on a new album, and in November posted a photo of herself in the studio.

In interviews, Rodrigo has been quite vague about the album’s sonic or thematic direction, talking about experimenting with “new sounds” and “different perspectives.” About the writing process, she told Cosmopolitan last October: “I always find that I’m the most inspired when I can be at home and feel really grounded and comfortable in my surroundings. I didn’t write a ton of stuff that I think will make it into the world while I was on tour. I love writing to get my thoughts out, but I’m not sure any of it was really good. I’ve really been doing most of the meat and potatoes in my writing at my house in LA.”

Have there been any visual hints?

Fans noticed that the color palette of Rodrigo’s official website changed from purple – associated with her first two albums – to red. (In case you’re wondering, Red is Taylor Swift’s fourth, not third, album.) But the speculation around the record’s visual identity really began when the singer appeared at Canada’s Osheaga Festival in Montreal wearing a red shirt featuring a big number 3 – pretty glaring as Easter eggs go.

Has Rodrigo released any music since GUTS?

Fans were expecting some new music from Rodrigo in January after her front page displayed the words “Driver’s License Application for Renewal.” It turned out to be a pretty divisive cover of ‘drivers license’ from David Byrne in honour of SOUR‘s fifth anniversary.

This story will be updated…

Shifting Contours of the Body

Kahyun Lee
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Shifting Contours of the Body

Although the text description in Xiao Ge’s work explicitly mentions ‘the body’, it does not present the human body directly. Instead, the artist constructs a poetic metaphor through three ceramic vessels. This choice is not a coincidence. Ceramics have long been closely related to humanity’s pursuit of beauty, refinement, and power, and the vase serves as a proxy for the body due to this charged history. Despite its smooth and sophisticated appearance, the body of the ceramic vessel is born from the tension between contradicting forces. Thrown on the wheel, one hand is placed inside the vessel, pushing outwards, while the other hand is positioned on the outside, stabilising the form to create the curves. Between the outward force expanding the form and subtle pressure compressing the shape, the elegant contour of the vessel emerges. Xiao Ge dwells on this condition of fluidity, malleability, and liminality of the body.  

The artist continues to expand on this particular dynamic of the body, positing a hypothetical scenario that imagines the boundless fluidity without the limit of stable form. In Beneath Soft Folds, three scenarios articulate different ways the body continues to morph, constantly negotiating the aesthetic standards, the othering gaze, and unstable identity. Across the three sections, or three acts, the heightened fluidity is materialised through organic matters rooted in and growing out of the vessel’s surface. With accumulating time, crystalline structures accrete onto the ornate vase decorated with vertical ribs and grooves. The crystal proliferates, spreading out to the curves and settling into delicate valleys. The sharp, angular edges of the crystal alter the sleek silhouette of the body, rupturing the rippling surface.

“Beneath Soft Folds”, 2025. Installation view at A Space Gallery. Courtesy of the artist.

Pink corals multiply across the vase, ultimately engulfing it. The colonies of corals refuse to be legible for classification and claim their space through excessive and unpredictable growth. In the final section, a meiping vase—characterised by its simple and graceful shape with rolled rim, small neck, and tapered body—appears. In contrast to its minimal and refined silhouette, vegetation arises from invisible cracks. Soon the vessel transforms into a site, a ground for the bush, mushrooms, and insects to thrive on.  

Still Image of “Beneath Soft Folds”, 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

The three scenarios demonstrate how the body is perpetually in action. As the title Beneath Soft Folds suggests, the artist questions what lies beneath an ostensibly soft exterior of the body. The vases reveal the arduous movements and sustained negotiations that unfold on and under the surface of the body.  

Still Image of “Beneath Soft Folds”, 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

If Barbara Kruger employs the visual language of mass media and direct words to address the viewers and declare the body as the battlefield, Xiao Ge adopts a poetic approach, illustrating the constant battles unfolding on the skin of the body. In Xiao Ge’s practice, the skin is a porous and responsive membrane, living with the pressure, speaking back at the gaze.  

Slayyyter’s New Album ‘Wor$t Girl in America’: Everything We Know So Far

Konstantinos Pappis
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Slayyyter’s New Album ‘Wor$t Girl in America’: Everything We Know So Far

Slayyyter has a new album on the way. The rising pop star’s third full-length, WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA, is out March 27 via RECORDS/Columbia Records. Here’s everything we know so far.

What’s the backstory?

The highly-anticipated project marks Slayyyter’s major label debut, following 2023’s STARFUCKER. She teased it with a euphoric run of singles including ‘BEAT UP CHANEL$’, ‘CANNIBALISM!’, and ‘CRANK’ before announcing it alongside the hypnotic ‘DANCE…’ on Friday, January 16.

What does the album cover look like?

wort-girl-in-america Cover Artwork

What’s the tracklist?

1. DANCE…
2. BEAT UP CHANEL$
3. CANNIBALISM!
4. OLD TECHNOLOGY
5. CRANK
6. GAS STATION
7. YES GODDD
8. UNKNOWN LOVERZ
9. OLD FLING$
10. I’M ACTUALLY KINDA FAMOUS
11. $T. LOSER
12. WHAT IS IT LIKE, TO BE LIKED?
13. PRAYER
14. BRITTANY MURPHY.

What are the inspirations behind it?

Slayyyter has offered some hints as to the influences behind WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA over on Tumblr. Responding to a fan about what inspired her shift in sound, she said:

ME. me as an artist. the sound is purely me. people are going to try to compare it to current artists which is soooOoooo annoying and annoys me already but micro trend terminology has no place here . this new music is truly the essence of me. soft and sweet, nasty and vicious, heavy and fast. im rapping im SPITTING im singing my heart out tapping into my full vocal range its real instruments its electronic its punk its indie electro its sad its funny its clever its dark its bitter. its when u put an ipod on shuffle and u hear a track by U2 then m.i.a then kid cudi back to back but they all feel sonically related. it’s the album i was born to make and took many years of sharpening my skills and gaining live music/stage experience to create.

She also opened up about some stylistic reference points, saying: “style inspo has been like two different sides, kind of like the music, boyish shit and streetwear, supreme, number (N)ine, old shredded up denim, sharpied ripped up t shirts, muddy boots, trucker hats, and then theres also this half of my style that is feminine and romantic, i have taken a lot of inspiration from pictures of costumes i wore as a kid, princessy dresses, ballerinas, dress up kind of clothing like the uptown girls star shoe replicas i made. a lot of nods to things i grew up loving. brittany murphy is my favorite style icon overall. not even just red carpet but even her street style was so effortlessly cool to me.”

Will Slayyyter tour in support of the album?

Slayyyter has some festival appearances in the months to come, including Coachella and Gov Ball in 2026.

This story will be updated…

How the Creator Economy Is Redefining Cultural Innovation

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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How the Creator Economy Is Redefining Cultural Innovation

The creator economy is no longer a fringe concept. It is the foundation of today’s cultural evolution. With millions of creators producing content across fashion, music, visual art, and lifestyle, digital creators are shaping what culture looks like in real time. More than just influencers, they are entrepreneurs, tastemakers, and community builders operating outside traditional media frameworks.

This shift has democratised cultural production. Creators are not waiting for gatekeepers. They are launching clothing lines, composing viral songs, and building loyal fan communities from their phones. According to Goldman Sachs, the creator economy could exceed €440 billion by 2027. But it is not just about numbers. It is about values like ownership, authenticity, and innovation.

Platforms Are the New Cultural Hubs

For creators to thrive, they need platforms that do more than host content. They need ones that understand how culture moves. Forward-thinking platforms offer monetisation tools, fan engagement features, and flexible content control.

Take these fashion photographers as an example. Each one is reshaping visual narratives through a creative lens and personal brand. Their work reaches beyond galleries and lives across social feeds and subscription platforms that reward both quality and consistency.

This is where InstaFans enters the conversation. As a thoughtful OnlyFans alternative, InstaFans gives creators full autonomy with features like adjustable visibility, direct messaging, and flexible pricing. All of this is wrapped in a transparent commission structure. Its focus on safety, sustainability, and community makes it a standout for creators looking to grow without compromise.

Community Is the Core of the Creator Economy

Cultural influence today is measured less by follower count and more by community engagement. Fans want connection, access, and authenticity. The platforms that succeed are those that empower creators to foster real relationships with their audiences.

InstaFans supports this through its Discovery Page, which promotes public content, along with real-time messaging tools and a low 18 percent commission for early adopters. It is not about viral trends. It is about building trust, encouraging creative freedom, and giving creators the space to scale responsibly.

Creators can offer paid posts with free previews, schedule content for consistency, and manage subscriptions with clarity. These are small tools with big impact. They help creators not just perform but build sustainable digital businesses.

From Culture Consumers to Co-Creators

What makes the creator economy so unique is how it blurs the line between audience and artist. Fans are not just watching. They are subscribing, tipping, and helping creators shape their next move. Music artists like Charli XCX exemplify this with collaborative rollouts and bold aesthetics, such as her latest single “Wall of Sound” which reflects the hybrid nature of today’s culture.

Platforms like InstaFans support this energy by giving creators control over their content and their community. They do not just host. They empower. And that is the key to keeping culture moving forward.

Final Thoughts

As the creator economy matures, the future of culture will be built by individuals rather than institutions. It will be shaped by creators who value freedom, by audiences who value connection, and by platforms that value both.

In that future, InstaFans is already ahead of the curve.

Denzel Curry Announces New Project The Scythe, Shares New Single With Bktherula and Lazer Dim 700

Konstantinos Pappis
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Denzel Curry Announces New Project The Scythe, Shares New Single With Bktherula and Lazer Dim 700

Denzel Curry has announced a new collective called The Scythe. The project features Ferg, Bktherula, TiaCorine, and Key Nyata, all of whom appeared on Curry’s last record, 2024’s King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2. The Scythe will release their first LP, Strictly 4 the Scythe, on March 6 via Loma Vista. Listen to the fiery ‘Lit Effect’, featuring Bktherula and Lazer Dim 700, below.

“The Scythe is a family and a group,” Curry said in a statement. “We still have our respective solo careers, but when we come together, it’s The Scythe.”

Strictly 4 the Scythe Cover Artwork:

The Scythe Artwork

Strictly 4 the Scythe Tracklist:

1. The Scythe w/ TiaCorine & Ferg
2. Lit Effect w/ Bktherula & LAZER DIM 700
3. Phony Shit w/ Juicy J, Ferg & Key Nyata
4. Mutt That Bih w/ 1900Rugrat & Key Nyata
5. Hoopty w/ TiaCorine & Smino
6. You Ain’t Gotta Lie w/ 454 & Luh Tyler
7. Tan w/ Bktherula & TiaCorine
8. Up w/ Rich the Kid, Ferg & Sadboi

Arctic Monkeys Release New Song ‘Opening Night’ to Benefit War Child

Konstantinos Pappis
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Arctic Monkeys Release New Song ‘Opening Night’ to Benefit War Child

Arctic Monkeys are back with their first new music since 2022’s The Car. ‘Opening Night’ will appear on HELP(2), an upcoming benefit album for the UK-based children’s charity War Child, alongside contributions by Big Thief, Pulp, Cameron Winter, Olivia Rodrigo, Arooj Aftab and Beck, Sampha, King Krule, Depeche Mode, and Black Country, New Road. (What a lineup!) Listen to the buzzing, slinky ‘Opening Night’ below.

The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer served as the creative director for HELP(2), which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with James Ford. It’s set for release on March 6. Other contributors include Anna Calvi, Arlo Parks, Bat for Lashes, beabadoobee, Beth Gibbons, Dove Ellis, Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Sampha, the Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, and Young Fathers.

“When James Ford called and asked if we’d contribute to the HELP(2) album we set to work on a song idea and assembled in Abbey Road to record it,” Arctic Monkeys stated in a press release. “We are proud to support the invaluable work War Child do and hope the record will make a positive difference to the lives of children affected by war.”

The project is inspired by the 1995 charity compilation HELP, which raised money for War Child’s humanitarian aid in Bosnia and featured Radiohead, Oasis, Massive Attack, and Sinead O’Connor.

“I felt incredibly honored when War Child asked me to work on HELP(2),” Ford said.”The original HELP meant a lot to me and to have the opportunity, given the current news cycle, to help galvanize our music community into doing something as unarguably positive as helping children in war zones seemed like a no brainer. The experience of making the album itself has been very powerful, and dare I say life affirming for me personally, against the backdrop of a very difficult year. I’m extremely proud of the results and of the efforts made by all involved. I can’t wait for people to hear this very special record.”

HELP(2) Cover Artwork:

HELP(2) Artwork

HELP(2) Tracklist:

1. Arctic Monkeys – Opening Night
2. Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest – Flags
3. Black Country, New Road – Strangers
4. The Last Dinner Party – Let’s do it again!
5. Beth Gibbons – Sunday Morning
6. Arooj Aftab & Beck – Lilac Wine
7. King Krule – The 343 Loop
8. Depeche Mode – Universal Soldier
9. Ezra Collective & Greentea Peng – Helicopters
10. Arlo Parks – Nothing I Could Hide
11. English Teacher & Graham Coxon – Parasite
12. Beabadoobee – Say Yes
13. Big Thief – Relive, Redie
14. Fontaines D.C. – Black Boys on Mopeds
15. Cameron Winter – Warning
16. Young Fathers – Don’t Fight the Young
17. Pulp – Begging for Change
18. Sampha – Naboo
19. Wet Leg – Obvious
20. Foals – When the War is Finally Done
21. Bat For Lashes – Carried my girl
22. Anna Calvi, Ellie Rowsell, Nilüfer Yanya & Dove Ellis – Sunday Light
23. Olivia Rodrigo – The Book of Love

Oscar Nominations 2026: Nick Cave, HUNTR/X, Diane Warren Among Best Song Contenders

Konstantinos Pappis
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0
Oscar Nominations 2026: Nick Cave, HUNTR/X, Diane Warren Among Best Song Contenders

The 2026 Oscar nominations have been announced. This year’s contenders for Best Original Song include Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s ‘Train Dreams’ (from the film of the same name), HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden’ (KPop Demon Hunters), Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson’s ‘I Lied to You’ (Sinners), Dianne Warren’s ‘Dear Me’ (Dianne Warren: Relentless), and Nicholas Pike’s ‘Sweet Dreams of Joy’ (Viva Verdi!).

Göransson was nominated for both Best Original Song and Best Original Score this year. His score for Sinners is in the running alongside works by Jerskin Fendrix (for Bugonia), Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Max Richter (Hamnet), Jonny Greenwood (One Battle After ­Another).

The winners of the 2026 Academy Awards will be revealed on Sunday, March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O’Brien is set to return as host.

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