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5 IT Trends Managed Service Providers Can’t Ignore in 2025

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5 IT Trends Managed Service Providers Can’t Ignore in 2025

Technology never stands still, and neither should Managed Service Providers (MSPs). As businesses race to adopt smarter tools, MSPs face challenges to meet new demands. Falling behind isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a fast path to losing clients and revenue.

By 2025, trends such as AI-powered services and stronger cybersecurity will significantly influence the IT industry. Studies already show increasing investments in automation and data security solutions across all sectors.

These changes aren’t optional—they’re necessary for survival.

This post outlines five significant trends shaping managed IT services in 2025. You’ll discover how these changes can benefit your business today. Ready to find out more? Keep reading!

AI and Automation in MSP Services

Artificial intelligence reshapes how service providers manage operations. Automation trims downtime, saves costs, and keeps businesses running smoothly.

Leveraging AI for predictive maintenance

AI removes uncertainty in equipment maintenance. Predictive systems examine current data to identify signs of wear or failure before problems occur. Sensors and analysis tools identify irregularities, minimizing unplanned downtime and expensive repairs.

Small businesses reduce expenses by resolving issues early. For example, AI-driven platforms used in IT infrastructure keep track of server health constantly, finding weaknesses. Consequently, Managed Service Providers enhance service reliability while ensuring clients’ operations remain efficient.

Predictive maintenance isn’t just tech—it’s a more intelligent approach to safeguarding investments.

End-to-end automation for efficiency

Automating tasks from start to finish reduces human errors. Managed tech outsourcing helps providers implement systems that handle repetitive processes like ticketing, patch management, or reporting without manual effort.

This accelerates workflows and allows teams to concentrate on complex challenges instead of routine tasks.

Tools combining AI with automation enable quicker responses to client requests. For example, automated monitoring tools identify issues in IT infrastructure and address them immediately.

Such solutions enhance service delivery while minimizing downtime. Enhanced cybersecurity strategies further improve MSP offerings as threats evolve daily.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Strategies

Cyberattacks are getting smarter and harder to detect. Businesses must build stronger defenses to stay ahead of threats. To better understand what’s at stake and how to prepare, MSPs can review resources like Cantey Tech’s guide to network security, which breaks down core concepts for protecting IT infrastructure.

Deepfake protection tools

Advanced tools now protect against deepfake threats. These harmful AI-generated videos can damage businesses, harm reputations, and spread false information quickly. Managed Service Providers must incorporate software that identifies irregularities in audio or video files to address such problems.

A real-time monitoring system helps identify suspicious content before it spreads. For example, AI-based solutions examine metadata and pixel-level inconsistencies within moments. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” holds true—early detection saves resources and trust alike.

Advanced browser security solutions

Browsers have become a main focus for cyber threats like phishing and ransomware. Managed IT services need tools that closely watch browser activity to identify harmful scripts or redirects instantly.

Features such as sandboxing separate possible threats, protecting sensitive business data.

Using browser-based encryption ensures secure transmission of client information. Solutions with URL filtering prevent access to dangerous websites before any harm is done. These actions not only lower the risk of breaches but also protect compliance with regulations in industries where privacy is crucial.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Businesses crave accuracy when plotting their next moves. Data turns assumptions into clear, practical steps.

Increased reliance on analytics for growth

Analytics plays a crucial role in helping Managed Service Providers stay ahead. By analyzing client trends and system performance, businesses can identify growth opportunities faster.

Predictive models improve decision-making, ensuring resources align with demand effectively.

Cloud-based tools allow IT Services to track key metrics like uptime, user behavior, and spending patterns. These insights help service providers enhance offerings while reducing costs.

Data analytics converts raw information into practical strategies for sustainable expansion.

Tailored IT Solutions

  1. Customized IT Solutions: Managed Service Providers now design services like a chef adjusts recipes—unique to every client’s taste and goals.

Customizable services to meet client-specific needs

Managed IT services must adapt to diverse business goals. Customized solutions align technology with specific operational demands, improving outcomes for companies of all sizes. By focusing on individual challenges, service providers create efficient systems that fit perfectly.

Businesses gain more control when tools and support address exact needs. For instance, hybrid solutions can integrate cloud computing with existing infrastructure smoothly. This approach reduces downtime while increasing flexibility in day-to-day operations.

Sustainability and Green IT Practices

Businesses now demand IT solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility. Providers must reconsider operations to minimize waste and save energy.

Adoption of eco-friendly data centers and technologies
Green technologies lower energy costs and reduce carbon footprints. Data centers now use renewable energy sources like solar or wind to power operations. These facilities also adopt efficient cooling systems that significantly reduce electricity usage.

IT providers switch to hardware with longer life cycles, preventing unnecessary waste. Cloud solutions further decrease physical server demands, saving resources. By adopting these measures, businesses align with sustainability goals while maintaining high-quality IT infrastructure performance.

Responsible Disposal of IT Assets

In addition to adopting green technologies, IT asset recycling plays a crucial role in reducing electronic waste. Proper disposal of outdated equipment ensures that valuable materials are reused and harmful substances are kept out of landfills. By embracing responsible recycling practices, businesses can safeguard both the environment and sensitive data.

Conclusion

The future of managed IT services is changing rapidly. Providers must adopt AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics to succeed. Emphasizing environmentally friendly practices and personalized client solutions significantly impacts outcomes.

These trends are not optional—they are crucial for success in 2025. Stay prepared or risk falling behind.

The Best Songs of May 2025

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Best Songs of May 2025

Every week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with several tracks that catch our attention, then round up the best songs of each month in this segment. Here, in alphabetical order, are the best songs of May 2025.

Alex G, ‘Afterlife’

It’s tempting to describe ‘Afterlife’, the lead single from Alex G’s 10th album and major label debut, as “life-affirming.” But what kind of life are we talking about? Not this one, certainly, nor some kind of traditional conception of the beyond. He sings reverently of a liminal space between “heaven and the TV screen,” as if directly feeding off his work scoring Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw The TV Glow. But rather than eerie and foreboding, ‘Afterlife’ is buoyed by mandolin strums and sparkling synth, “filling up the tank with” this big bright light of inspiration, however slippery its definition. It’s one of Alex Giannascoli’s sunniest songs to date, but don’t mishear that single-word refrain: “Son,” he sings with sheer delight. It’s weird how that burden of responsibility can also make you feel like a kid again, and Alex G runs with the feeling.

Lorde, ‘Man of the Year’

If ‘What Was That’ harked back to ‘Green Light’, then the second single from Lorde’s Virgin had to live up to the Melodrama song that quickly cemented itself as one of the defining ballads of the century. ‘Man of the Year’ is no ‘Liability’, but it is also not really a great point of comparison: it sports a different kind of vulnerability and longs for a different kind of acceptance. Musically, too, it’s far from a retread: the piano chords of ‘Liability’ sound like a full rainbow compared to the spare bass line of ‘Man of the Year’, which seems to spread itself in the ether, balloon, then suddenly evaporate. It’s not a journey so much as an uphill climb, mirroring Lorde’s headspace: “Days go by in the haze, stay up and sleep late.” In the haze, too, is where the questions present themselves. Lorde’s piercing focus, as they rise up from the chest, is simply airing them out.

Sister., ‘Two Birds’

In its strange little way, ‘Two Birds’ begins in medias res: “Then she told me we’re grieving/ And it stays in the air.” Hannah Pruzinsky and Ceci Sturman, who lead the New York indie band Sister. and whose voices intertwine on the song, are singing about leaving their old apartment and having to live apart for the first time in nearly a decade. ‘Two Birds’ crystallizes the moment that shared grief becomes tangible and overwhelming, hanging in the atmosphere yet reverberating through the body – both bodies. They decide to go to a friend’s birthday party, only to find themselves going back to their packed-up music room and make something: “I need you on the last night/ To write the rest of it down.” The rest of the band conjures a fuzzy intimacy, the prettiest noise, as if scabbing at that old wound, or taking one last good look around.

Teethe, ‘Magic of the Sale’

The subject of ‘Magic of the Sale’ reveals itself in the opening lyrics: “Pain goes down/ Watch it go down, watch it go down.” Because Teethe is, generally speaking, a slowcore band, that means the pain goes down slowly, shadowily. But the lead single off the group’s new album mirrors so many other ways in which we bear out trauma: resilience, connection, even beauty. The origins of that pain may remain elusive, but the string arrangement that sweeps over the titular chorus encapsulates all the melancholy persisting in the margins. Boone Patrello and Madeline Dowd’s verses, meanwhile, signal the ways we trade that pain, not for gain, but to lift each other up. And ‘Magic of the Sale’ may be a slowcore song, but it’s not designed to bring you down – Teethe’s ambitions lie elsewhere.

U.S. Girls, ‘Bookends’

“70,000 men, why am I wondering where Riley went?” Meg Remy sings ten minutes into ‘Bookends’. “Gotta speak at the end of my breath/ Cause I’m still wondering where Riley went.” The Riley in question is late Power Trip frontman Riley Gale, and as a tribute, a lead single, or a U.S. Girls song, ‘Bookends’ is nothing short of unconventional. Drawing from Eyewitness to History, a book about people’s eyewitness accounts of historical events, the track ping-pongs between references, soulful meditations, and solos from several different instruments, but when you arrive at that ten-minute mark, those final two minutes sound revelatory. Remy’s vocals grow piercing and primal, blurring the line between despair and transcendence. Caity Arthur, the director of the song’s music video, referred to subverting “the traditional narrative of death as a despairing void, rather, portraying it as a euphoric transitory experience.”But the best you can get out of it all, Remy seems to suggest, might just be plain acceptance. “Like it or not/ That’s what you got.”

Wednesday, ‘Elderberry Wine’

‘Elderberry Wine’ is a warm, gentle sigh of a song. But don’t let it fool you: “Sweet song is a long con” is the first line Karly Hartzman sings on Wednesday’s first single since 2023’s Rat Saw God, suggesting that whatever body of work it may be taken from won’t necessarily go down so easy. On songs like ‘Bull Believer’, Rat Saw God’s gargantuan first preview, every instrument served to accentuate the excruciating pain; here, their purpose is consolatory. When she sings that “everybody gets along just fine,” the point isn’t just that appearances are deceptive, but that the bubble is bound to burst. When you’ve tasted the hangover, you can’t help thinking about the long run. “I find comfort that angels don’t give a damn,” she realizes, her band sounding quite angelic. If only us humans weren’t so wound up by fate.

Wet Leg, ‘CPR’

Wet Leg would never write a conventional love song. ‘Being in Love’, a highlight from the British band’s self-titled debut, likened the feeling to nausea, distractibility, and being punched in the guts. ‘CPR’, the second single from their sophomore LP moisturizer, feels quite a bit like being punched in the guts, but it’s actually revitalizing. Over a chunky, buzzing bass line, Rhian Teasdale muses on the life-or-death-ness of the whole relationship dynamic; maybe being in love doesn’t always feel like “the world caving in,” as it does on the band’s earlier song, but diving off a cliff. Not saying it’s healthier, necessarily, but when Teasdale wonders, “Is this a vibe?,” the answer is obvious.

Wolf Alice, ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’

The first thought that should pop into your head when that jazzy piano riff kicks in: This goes hard. Ellie Rowsell quickly commands your attention with lines like, “Fucking baby, baby man,” then pierces through the facade as she howls, “I’m so sick and tired of trying to play it hard.” While making their Greg Kurstin-produced new album The Clearing, the Wolf Alice frontwoman tried avoiding the guitar as a means of rejecting the “girl singer in band” trope, resulting, at least on first single ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’, in her most chameleonic performance yet. She channels frustration into self-assurance, then radiant vulnerability. “Every flower needs to neighbour with the dirt,” she sings, a symbiotic relationship in which she naturally comes out on top.

Mastering LED Gloving: A Beginner’s Guide to Stunning Light Shows

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Mastering LED Gloving: A Beginner’s Guide to Stunning Light Shows

In recent years, LED gloving has emerged as a vibrant art form, captivating audiences with its hypnotic light displays and intricate hand movements. Whether you’re a dance enthusiast, a performer, or simply someone looking for an engaging hobby, LED gloving offers a creative outlet that combines technology and artistry.

This beginner’s guide will help you explore the basics of LED gloving, introduce you to the essential tools like gloves with lights, and provide tips to create mesmerizing light shows.

What Is LED Gloving?

LED gloving is a form of performance art that uses glove lights equipped with LED bulbs to produce stunning visual effects. Performers wear specially designed gloves with lights and execute intricate hand movements, synchronized with music or ambient beats.

These performances can take place anywhere—from festivals and raves to small gatherings—where the entrancing light shows create unforgettable experiences.

The beauty of LED gloving lies in its versatility. Performers can use a mix of colors, flashing patterns, and speed to create unique effects. Whether you’re drawn to smooth “flow” movements or rapid-paced “tutting,” mastering glove lights allows you to personalize your performances and express yourself creatively.

Why Should You Try LED Gloving?

If you’re intrigued by the idea of combining technology with physical movement, this is the perfect choice. Here’s why:

  • Creative Freedom: With customizable color combinations and light patterns, gloves with lights allow you to bring your artistic visions to life.
  • Stress Relief: Movement-based activities can help combat stress and promote mindfulness.
  • Community: Joining the gloving community means connecting with like-minded performers who inspire and motivate one another.
  • Skill Development: From coordination to rhythm, practicing gloving helps sharpen a variety of physical and mental skills.

Essential Tools for LED Gloving

To get started with gloving, you need the right set of tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

1.   Gloves with Lights

The cornerstone of this art form is, of course, your glove lights. These typically consist of lightweight gloves embedded with tiny LED bulbs at the fingertips. Modern gloves with lights are highly customizable, allowing you to choose from dozens of modes, colors, and flashing patterns.

2.   Light Diffusers

Think of diffusers as the magic tool that adds softness and texture to your light show. Light diffusers help your glove lights display more uniform and beautiful designs, enhancing the overall appearance of your movements.

3.   Carrying Case

Performers often bring their performances on the go—to clubs, festivals, and social gatherings. A sturdy carrying case keeps your gloves with lights safe and organized.

Key Techniques for Gloving

Now that you’ve got the right tools, it’s time to focus on technique. Practicing the following essential moves will help you build a foundation for your gloving journey:

1.   Finger Rolls

Finger rolls are among the first moves beginners should learn. This simple yet eye-catching technique involves rolling your fingers individually to create an undulating effect with your glove lights. Perfecting this move allows you to bring flow and fluidity to your performances.

2.   Tutting

Inspired by angular hand movements (resembling ancient Egyptian art), tutting is a must-know skill in gloving. By connecting straight lines and sharp angles of light, tutting adds a geometric flair to your show. (Learn more about tutting here.)

3.   Liquid Movements

Liquid movements mimic flowing water, offering a hypnotic and calming effect. These large, smooth gestures involve full-arm motions and transitions, creating beautifully flowing trails with your gloves with lights.

4.   Finger Whips

For high-energy performances, finger whips are indispensable. This technique uses quick, flicking movements of your fingers to project light outward. Finger whips are especially effective in fast-paced routines and can add a dramatic flair to your set.

Six Tips to Master LED Gloving

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, follow these tips to take your gloving routines to the next level.

Practice Daily

Consistency is key. Set aside time each day to practice moves like finger rolls, whips, and arm waves. Over time, your muscle memory will develop, and your control over the glove lights will improve.

Start Simple

While it’s tempting to jump straight into complex techniques, begin with the basics first. Foundation moves like liquid and finger rolls are essential for building your flow. Gradually incorporate tricks and more advanced sequences into your routines.

Experiment with Colors

Part of the allure of gloves with lights is their ability to mix and match colors. Play around with your setup to see what combinations best suit your style. For example, cool blues and whites can create a soothing aura, while red and green flashes add intensity.

Synchronize with Music

Great gloving performances often have one thing in common: they flow seamlessly with the accompanying music. Choose tracks with clear beats and practice syncing your hand movements to specific tempos.

Film Yourself

Recording your practice sessions helps you gain visual insight into your performance. Not only can you spot areas for improvement, but you can also appreciate how your glove lights interact with your motion.

Join Online Communities

The LED gloving community is large and welcoming, making it an excellent resource for beginners. Platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and Discord feature tutorials, challenges, and group discussions with other enthusiasts.

Expanding Your Craft

Once you’ve mastered the basics of LED gloving, there’s plenty of room to advance your art. Some performers collaborate with other light artists, while others choreograph routines that blend dance and gloving. Experimentation is the name of the game—don’t be afraid to push boundaries with your glove lights.

For example, you can focus on creating thematic performances. Some glovers synchronize their routines with film soundtracks or pair gloves with lights with rave gear like rave fans to tell a story. As you gain confidence and refine your style, the sky’s the limit.

Final Thoughts

Mastering LED gloving is a rewarding journey that blends creativity, technology, and self-expression. Whether you’re simply curious about the art form or aspire to become a professional performer, gloves with lights provide the perfect entry point.

Start by getting the right tools, practicing foundational techniques, and immersing yourself in the supportive LED gloving community. With time, effort, and passion, you’ll be dazzling audiences with your glove lights in no time.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your first pair of gloves with lights, and let the light show begin!

She the People Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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She the People Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Tyler Perry’s first Netflix sitcom looks like a slam dunk.

He’s already on a roll, with his previous show, drama Beauty in Black, reaching number one on the streamer’s Top 10 after its debut in October 2024. Now, She the People is steadily climbing the same chart, a week after its release.

With only eight episodes streaming, viewers are curious about whether they’ll get more. We’ll start with the good news.

She the People Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, there’s no news on She the People season 2. However, we can confirm this isn’t the last time you’ll see the charming Antoinette Dunkerson.

Netflix decided to split the first season into two parts, so another eight episodes are coming our way. They’re set to arrive on August 14.

If the show gets renewed, we’ll probably get season 2 in 2026, at the earliest.

She the People Cast

  • Terri J. Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson
  • Jade Novah as Shamika
  • Drew Olivia Tillman as Lola
  • Tré Boyd as Titus
  • Dyon Brooks as Basil
  • Jo Marie Payton as Cleo
  • Robert Craighead as Governor Harper
  • Michael Rose as Governor Hill

What Could Happen in She the People Season 2?

She the People revolves around Antoinette Dunkerson, who becomes Mississippi’s first Black lieutenant governor. However, her new political role comes with challenges. It doesn’t help that she has to deal with a condescending and sexist governor who seeks to undermine her authority.

On top of that, her outspoken family is no picnic, and their antics often thrust her into the media spotlight. Even so, Antoinette is determined to serve her community and fix systemic issues, which makes her easy to root for. A potential romance might be brewing as well.

Part 1 ends with Antoinette standing up for herself, but there’s still be trouble ahead, especially since viewers are left on a bit of a cliffhanger. We’ll have to wait a couple of months to see what happens next.

As for where the story might go in She the People season 2, we have no idea. It all depends on how this first installment wraps up. August can’t come soon enough.

Are There Other Shows Like She the People?

She the People blends comedy with political/social commentary, which makes it an engaging watch. If the show is up your alley, you might be into The Good Fight, The Politician, The Mayor, and Veep. Checking out Tyler Perry’s other work is also a good idea.

Sirens Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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Sirens Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Netflix’s dark comedy Sirens is doing numbers. The series debuted on the platform on May 22, earned 16.7 million views in four days, and reached the Top 10 in all countries.  A stunning cast and intriguing premise can still go a long way.

Clocking in at only five episodes, the show makes for a quick binge. So much so that many viewers are asking for more. However, Sirens was marketed as a limited series. Could the impressive viewership numbers sway the streaming powers that be to order a second helping?

Sirens Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, there’s no news on a potential Sirens season 2. That said, it’s never out of the question. There have been instances when Netflix decided to expand a limited series due to popular demand. Beef is a prime example.

On a similar note, the show’s talent isn’t dismissing the possibility. “These characters are real people to me. (…) I could write them until the day I die. I’d never say never, but could I do them justice in another season? I’d have to think about it,” creator Molly Smith Metzler told Glamour.

Star Meghann Fahy is also hopeful. “It ends in a very natural way, but I can imagine what the characters’ worlds become. I, for one, would love to know what happens to Michaela, where she goes. So I think it’s definitely within the realm of possibility. We didn’t talk about it on set, but I would love to do more,” she said while chatting with Variety.

In case Netflix orders additional episodes, we’re guessing they could arrive sometime in 2027.

Sirens Cast

  • Meghann Fahy as Devon DeWitt
  • Milly Alcock as Simone DeWitt
  • Julianne Moore as Michaela “Kiki” Kell
  • Glenn Howerton as Ethan Corbin III
  • Bill Camp as Bruce DeWitt
  • Felix Solis as Jose
  • Kevin Bacon as Peter Kell

What Could Happen in Sirens Season 2?

Sirens unfolds over a single, explosive weekend. The story centres on Simone, devoted assistant to the enigmatic Michaela, a socialite and philanthropist. Simone has been distancing herself from her family, including her sister, Devon.

When Devon unexpectedly shows up, urging Simone to return home, she becomes worried by Simone’s entanglement in Michaela’s fancy world. In other words, she gets cult vibes.

As the weekend progresses, we learn more about the characters’ hidden traumas and complex dynamics. Without giving away too much, the series culminates in a dramatic shift of power, leaving what comes next to the audience’s imagination.

If Sirens season 2 becomes reality, we’re pretty sure we’ll learn more about how these three women move forward – and what type of event is likely to bring them back together again.

Are There Other Shows Like Sirens?

Sirens is part dark comedy, part psychological drama. If you’re into that, you might also like Nine Perfect Strangers, Succession, Your Friends and Neighbors, The Perfect Couple, The White Lotus, Revenge, or Big Little Lies.

The Best Albums of May 2025

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Best Albums of May 2025

In this segment, we round up the best albums released each month. From billy woods to Matt Berninger, here are, in alphabetical order, the 13 best albums of May 2025.

billy woods, GOLLIWOG

billy woods, GOLLIWOG“Everything buffering, reality lag and jump/ Sometimes barely recognize the people I love,” billy woods raps on ‘Golgotha’, a line that cuts to the core of his hallucinogenic writing. The Brooklyn rapper articulates bad dreams, ghostly memories, and gloomy, cross-generational visions with strange lucidity, and while GOLLIWOG marks his first full-length effort without a primary collaborator in six years, he’s hardly alone in it. Sometimes it’s hard to trace who’s relaying whose story, how the past blurs into the present, though woods points to a tale about an evil golliwog – the racist caricature the record is named after – that he wrote as a child, remembering how his mother said it needed some work. So we get a challenging, unsparing 18-track record that stands among the all-timer’s very best.

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caroline, caroline 2

caroline, caroline 2“Not everything needs to even out.” The line stands out amidst the elusive tapestry of ‘Beautiful ending’, though the closer to caroline’s second album doubtlessly lives up to its titular promise. Not everything needs to resolve lyrically to make some sort of sense; not everything needs to line up musically to leave a mark on you. caroline 2 is a delightfully uneven yet meticulously crafted record, one that’s enamoured not so much with the disparateness of its parts as it is in the delicate act of stitching them together. In it you can hear empty spaces and vast stretches of time, people existing in the same room yet setting themselves adrift, bridging distances big and small. I can’t imagine not submitting yourself to its spell.

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Deradoorian, Ready for Heaven

Deradoorian, Ready for HeavenAngel Deradoorian wants her process to feel immediate, but unlike the meditative and jammy Find the Sun, Ready for Heaven took time. The singer-songwriter started writing music for the record by herself in a really small, uninhabited town in upstate New York, but ended up reworking and editing it tirelessly across various stages. In their recorded form, the songs remain fluid and kinetic while carrying a blazing, prickly intensity all the way through. Even at its most despairing and subconscious, Ready for Heaven feels like a wake-up call. Read our Artist Spotlight interview with Deradoorian.

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Florry, Sounds like…

Florry, Sounds like...Sparks fly all over Sounds like…, Florry’s second album with Dear Life Records. It’s impossible to deny on the record’s euphorically charged, lyrically intriguing opener, ‘First it was a movie, then it was a book’, but there’s plenty of magic to be found as the Vermont-based septet loosens up on the rest of the record. Like pretty much every album coming out of Asheville’s Drop of Sun Studios, this one, co-produced with Colin Miller, sounds lived-in and magnetic. There is a rawness, at times even an explicit emptiness, in bandleader Francie Medosch’s lyrics, but it’s hardly something to stop the band dead in its tracks. “I was hoping to use this song to talk about/ Something that had been going on but I could not get it out,” she sings on ‘Dip Myself in Like an Ice Cream Cone’. Something like it, still, spills out.

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Jenny Hval, Iris Silver Mist

Jenny Hval, Iris Silver MistThe follow-up to 2022’s Classic Objects, named after a fragrance made by Maruice Roucel for the French perfumerie Serge Lutens, doesn’t dwell on Jenny Hval’s love of perfume but draws on it as a means of interrogating her relationship with performance. Though ISM has evocative properties for Hval, she was more directly inspired by a comment she came across online that it “would be what the ghost in Hamlet could wear.” It resonated with her, she said, “because it was how I thought of myself as an artist — a ghost from a time when music mattered, still hammering away — and my record, which to me was sounding ghostly and was invaded by hazy, smoky and powdery textures.” Vaporous and haunted, Iris Silver Mist is also gripping and sensuous enough to convince you that it still matters, here and now. Read the full review.

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Kali Uchis, Sincerely,

Kali UchisKali Uchis, Sincerely,’ records tend to feel like a breeze, even when the Colombian American singer-songwriter drifts between styles and languages. But Sincerely,, her latest album, seals itself into her very own paradise. Though it elicits many of the same pleasures as 2024’s Orquídeas, it feels like a world apart: the album boasts no guest features, with the majority of the songs growing out of voice notes and sung entirely in English. Its dreamy, timeless euphoria may scan as one-dimensional, but there’s delight in hearing Uchis luxuriate in the transformations of her life, still admitting insecurities while letting the good parts bleed together. Her music often feels sun-kissed; here, she soaks it all up. Read the full review.

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Matt Berninger, Get Sunk

Matt Berninger, Get SunkIf the last time you engaged with Matt Berninger’s songwriting was through the most recent National albums, Get Sunk’s backstory and overarching mood will sound familiar. In 2020, the frontman struggled with a long period of writer’s block and depression that informed 2023’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein and its surprise companion, Laugh Track. But while Berninger’s second solo album, the follow-up to his gorgeously refined 2020 debut Serpentine Prison, emerged from a similar headspace, the sinking here happens deeper in his subconscious, words slipping out of the blurry space of memory, sleepiness, or a complete breakdown. Working with producer Sean O’Brien and a cast of musicians including Booker T Jones, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), and Julia Laws (Ronboy), he keeps himself right on the edge. Read the full review.

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Mei Semones, Animaru

AnimaruFeaturing nearly the same backing band as last year’s Kabutomushi EP, Mei Semones‘ full-length debut deepens her seamless blend of dreamy bossa nova and jazz-inflected indie rock, maintaining a gorgeous atmosphere while dynamically maneuvering from one odd feeling to another. There’s so much heart and charm in it, though, that no part of its eclectism feels alienating. “There’s something I like about it,” she sings of the ‘Dumb Feeling’ that opens the album, then spends the rest of it elaborating in a musical language entirely her own. Read our Artist Spotlight interview with Mei Semones.

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PUP, Who Will Look After the Dogs?

PUP, Who Will Look After the Dogs?“I got caught in the teeth of the thoughts that keep me awake,” Stefan Babcock sings on ‘Paranoid’, a blistering highlight off PUP‘s new album Who Will Look After the Dogs?. Gnawing at intrusive thoughts is baked into the Canadian punk outfit’s DNA, but the despair that pervades the follow-up to 2022’s The Unraveling of PUPTheBand is so visceral that it threatens to throw the band’s signature mix of darkness and snark way off balance. Babcock wrote more, and more alone, than he has for any other PUP record, and while learning to be aware of his headspace was a crucial part of the process, inspiration also struck by practicing the things that grounded and distracted him. Read our inspirations interview with PUP.

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Shura, I Got Too Sad for My Friends

Shura, I Got Too Sad for My FriendsAfter the pandemic halted the momentum of the Shura’s previous album, forevher, she found herself at a roadblock – unable to listen to, much less write, music that inspired her – but also a different kind of community in video game streaming. She’d chased her dream of living in New York, albeit at a time of stifled human interaction, before moving back to London without realizing that’s what she was doing. I Got Too Sad for My Friends not only offsets some of the encroaching loneliness with guest features from Cassandra Jenkins, Helado Negro, and Becca Mancari, but blankets its accompanying despair with rich swirls of sound and textured instrumentation, even upping the tempo on some of the pop songs. Read our inspirations interview with Shura.

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Smerz, Big city life

Big city life Up until now, Smerz records have tended to pique my interest, even amaze, then soon slipped from my mind. But Big city life, the Norwegian duo’s fuzzily glorious new album, clicked in immediately – and demanded repeated listens. Evocative of their experiences in New York and their hometown of Oslo, the record – playful and, to borrow one of the track titles, feisty – resonates on a wider scale. Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt’s eccentricity remains intact, layering one ambiguous feeling after another, but never without pulsing forward. “I’m realizing lately/ That I won’t feel like this again,” is the closing sentiment on ‘A thousand years’. Might be half-remembered, even imagined, but never anything less than real.

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Stereolab, Instant Holograms on Metal Film

Instant Holograms on Metal Film coverFifteen years may have passed since Stereolab’s last album, but no amount of time – or retro-futurist aesthetics – can keep the Groop’s music from feeling pertinent. Instant Holograms on Metal Film, the follow-up to Not Music, airs out the despondent mood that record left fans with in all its tight propulsion, and even some of the headiness that has marked their whole career. Intuitive as it always feels, their approach seems to react first to the identification of a structural issue: “The goal is to manipulate/ Heavy hands to intimidate/ Snuff out the very idea of clarity/ Strangle your longing for truth and trust,” Laetitia Sadier sings. So Instant Holograms, as unmistakably and engagingly Stereolab as its predecessor, leans into more humanist impulses, resulting in one of their most open-hearted, forward-looking, and essential collections to date. Read the full review.

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yeule, Evangelic Girl Is a Gun

evangelic girl is a gunEvangelic Girl Is a Gun is billed as “an homage to the artist’s role,” but the artist being Nat Ćmiel, it is also a diffusion, fragmentation, and untethering. Their latest album as yeule continues to both explore and fracture its liminal identities while delivering one of their most plentifully catchy and euphoric records to date. In past yeule albums, those qualities yielded highlights; here, as they explore the intersection between post-humanism and pop stardom, they constitute the norm. While still trading in a mix of art-pop, alt-rock, and trip-hop, it’s the most alert yeule has sounded.

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Clipse Release Comeback Single ‘Ace Trumpets’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Clipse Release Comeback Single ‘Ace Trumpets’

Clipse’s comeback single, ‘Ace Trumpets’, has arrived. It’s the lead cut from the Virginia Beach rap duo’s much-anticipated reunion album, Let God Sort Em Out, which is set to drop on July 11. Pharrell Williams, the creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, produced the whole LP, which was recorded at the company’s headquarters in Paris. Check out the grimy, intoxicating new single below

High-End Makeup Products vs. Dupes

Alyssa Torio
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High-End Makeup Products vs. Dupes

With makeup brands constantly releasing new product launches, a common problem we face is weighing our options, and deciding between products before buying. Moreover, making a choice between high-end products and their dupe is a typical struggle – should you treat yourself to that designer lipstick, or can you uncover a similar product that works just as well, for the fraction of the price? Luxury beauty brands tend to tempt us, and justify their steep price points with stunning packaging and high-performance formulas, making it easy for us to accept that paying more guarantees better quality. However, with many affordable brands innovating and improving, with the help of technology and R&D in formulation, retailers such as Target and Boots now offer an extensive range of budget-friendly beauty dupes that many times triumph their luxury OG. 

High-End: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £39 

Dupe: e.l.f. Beauty Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £15

The Charlotte Tilbury foundation is an award-winning best seller in the beauty industry as it adds a soft-glow, dewy base to your makeup. On the other hand, the e.l.f. foundation closely replicates the formula by also providing a luminous finish with a sheer coverage. Both foundations are complexion-enhancing, resulting in a ‘your skin but better’ natural, satin finish. In particular, Flawless Filter contains Brightening Flower Extract which further brightens complexion, and hydrates and nourishes the skin. Overall, both products share similarities, however given that some e.l.f. users with oily and combination skin have reported that it can accentuate texture and pores, as well as the Flawless Filter containing superior ingredients, including many skin benefits, it is definitely worth investing in Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter! 

High-End: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, £28 

Dupe: L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, £12.99

The Too Faced mascara is a No. 1 Best Seller and is especially known for the bold and glamorous look it can add to enhancing the eyes. However, L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise is an excellent dupe as these volumizing and lengthening mascaras are both long-lasting and have the same effect. However, although Too Faced’s mascara is highly pigmented, it can be prone to smudging and clumping, and it’s difficult to remove, therefore L’Oréal’s mascara may be worth purchasing over the luxury product, as it performs just as well, has easier removal, and also costs £15 less than the original! 

High-End: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, £29 

Dupe: L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H More Than Concealer, £10.99

These popular full coverage concealers both have long-wearing, crease-resistant and transfer resistant qualities. They tackle the struggle of concealer settling into fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes, by keeping this area looking more fresh, youthful and flawless for longer! However, Tarte’s Shape Tape is preferred for a full glam look over the more natural everyday finish L’Oréal gives, as it seamlessly brightens, and covers dark circles and blemishes, but ultimately, the choice between these two brands depends on your skin type. L’Oréal’s concealer is more suited to dry or textured skin, as it contains more hydrating ingredients, whereas Tarte’s concealer is better suited to oily or combination skin or all-day wear, given that it has a complete matte finish where it can control shine throughout the day. 

High-End: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £39 

Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, £7.99 

When comparing the Laura Mercier and Maybelline loose powders, they are both popular choices for setting makeup – they are known for their finely milled, lightweight formula that provides a smooth, airbrushed finish. However, if you’re looking for a long-lasting product, the Laura Mercier powder locks in makeup and lasts for 16 hours, whereas Maybelline’s longevity is only moderate and some users have also noticed that it can ‘darken slightly upon application’. On the other hand, Laura Mercier’s powder is filled with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, which contribute to evening out complexion by brightening the skin and fading any dark spots or hyperpigmentation. Final verdict: we therefore recommend to go all out and buy this powder as its not only the No. 1 Setting Powder, but it’s also completely reliable and maintains a flawless finish! 

High-End: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, £19 

Dupe: Maybelline Lifter Gloss, £8.99 

These popular lip glosses are both known for their high-shine, super-glossy finishes and comfortable wear. On the one hand, Fenty features a non-sticky formula with a subtle plumping effect that’s known for their universally flattering shades, but on the other hand Maybelline contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates the lips, and makes them look naturally full. Also, instead of having a handful of universally flattering shades, they have a wide range of over 20 shades to choose from, allowing you to customise your looks, whilst also finding your true everyday shade match! Although the Maybelline Lifter Gloss is cheaper, this doesn’t mean you are sacrificing quality and in this case the dupe outperforms the luxury product; you should no doubt add this to your makeup bag and skip the splurge! 

9 Albums Out Today to Listen To: Miley Cyrus, Matt Berninger, caroline, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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9 Albums Out Today to Listen To: Miley Cyrus, Matt Berninger, caroline, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on May 30, 2025:

Miley Cyrus, Something Beautiful

Something BeautifulMiley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful has arrived. Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, Alvvays’ Molly Rankin, the War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel, Tobias Jesso Jr., Kenny Segal, bassist Pino Palladino, saxophonist Joseph Shabason, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, Model/Actriz’s Cole Haden, and BJ Burton are among the notable contributors to the LP, which was executive-produced with Shawn Everett and luxuriates in some of her grandest and most cinematic arrangements to date. Ahead of its release, Cyrus shared the singles ‘Prelude’, ‘Something Beautiful’, ‘End of the World’, and ‘More to Lose’.

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Matt Berninger, Get Sunk

Matt Berninger, Get SunkMatt Berninger has released a new solo album, Get Sunk. Working with producer Sean O’Brien, the National frontman enlisted the help of of friends and musicians including Booker T Jones, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), Julia Laws (Ronboy), Kyle Resnick (The National), Garret Lang, Sterling Laws, Mike Brewer (Nancy), Walter Martin (Walkmen), Paul Maroon (Walkmen) and Harrison Whitford. The results are more dynamic and less carefully gracious than his solo debut Serpentine Prison, which makes it a sea worth diving into, even if you know, more or less, exactly what you’re gonna get. You can stare at one thing forever – it’s nothing till you feel it rush through your bones. Read the full review.

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caroline, caroline 2

caroline, caroline 2caroline have followed up their self-titled 2022 debut with an even more delightfully chaotic record. The experimental octet still works on a micro scale, but caroline 2 is wide-eyed and enchanting without shying away from emotional profundity. “One of the fundamental themes is the idea of different things happening at once, things that are very different from each other but also simultaneous,” the band’s Jasper Llewellyn, who produced the record with Casper Hughes and Mike O’Malley, explained. The LP, led by ‘Total euphoria’, was written and recorded across various studio sessions over an 18-month period.

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yeule, Evangelic Girl Is a Gun

yeule, Evangelic Girl is a Gunyeule has come through with a new album called Evangelic Girl is a Gun, the follow-up to their excellent 2023 LP softscars. The Singaporean artist explores the intersection between post-humanism and pop stardom, blurring the line between emotional fragmentation and transformation. “I made a deal with an angel to immortalise the fragments of my heart falling away forever across light-years of voids cutting through blades of chromatic illuminations, these endless glaciers of me,” yeule wrote. “I put my trust in Vasso Vu to resurrect through art, the invisible gravitic tug of violence with his razor sharp claws of chrome.”

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Shura, I Got Too Sad for My Friends

Shura, I Got Too Sad for My FriendsShura has returned with a new album, I Got Too Sad for My Friends, her first since 2019’s forevher. Produced by Luke Smith, the record features collaborations with the aforementioned Cassandra Jenkins, Becca Mancari and Helado Negro. “I thought I might never get to make a record again. So it was that selfish, childish thing of: I want all the sweets I can see in the sweet shop. I wanted to approach this record by doing all the things that either I wish I’d already explored or have never done and want to. I wanted to really make decisions that bring me immediate joy,” Shura said in our interview, citing Brooklyn, memoirs, and The Little Prince as some of the inspirations behind the new album.

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Alan Sparhawk, With Trampled By Turtles

With Trampled by TurtlesAlan Sparhawk has released his collaborative effort with fellow Duluth musicians Trampled by Turtles. Following Sparhawk’s production of the group’s 2014 album, Wild Animals, the record arrives less than a year after his debut solo album, White Roses, My God. “When the opportunity seems right, you jump,” Sparhawk said of the collaboration, adding, “When playing together is that powerful an embrace, why stop there?” With Trampled By Turtles was previewed by the singles ‘Stranger’, ‘Not Broken’, and ‘Get Still’.

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Sea Lemon, Diving for a Prize

Sea Lemon, Diving for a PrizeSea Lemon, the moniker of Seattle musician Natalie Lew, has unveiled her mesmerizing full-length debut, Diving for a Prize. Describing her sound as “shoegaze but with pop structures,” Lew cites Enya, Caroline Palochek, Air, and My Bloody Valentine as inspirations. “With these songs, I wanted to find a place for myself in the world,” she said. One of the early singles, ‘Crystals’, features Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard.

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Garbage, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light

Garbage, Let All That We Imagine Be the LightGarbage are back with a new album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light. The follow-up to 2021’s No Gods No Masters was recorded at at Los Angeles’ Red Razor Sounds, Butch Vig’s home studio, and in singer Shirley Manson’s bedroom. “Going into making this record, I was determined to find a more hopeful, uplifting world to immerse myself in,” Manson explained in a press release. “The title of the album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light, is the perfect descriptor for this new record as a whole. When things feel dark it feels imperative to seek out forces that are light, positive and beautiful in the world. It almost feels like a matter of life and death. A strategy for survival.” Read our track-by-track review.

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Ty Segall, Possession

Ty Segall, PossessionTy Segall has released a new album, Possession, via Drag City. It marks the prolific singer-songwriter’s 16th solo album, following last January’s Three Bells. Segall collaborated with longtime collaborator and filmmaker Matt Yoka on the lyrics for the record, which, per a press release, features “invigorated new sounds around every bend—glittering rhythm arrangements feature more of Ty’s own piano woodshedding than ever, joined in battle by sweeping movements of strings and horns. Rife with singing guitar leads and banks of Ty’s vocal harmonies, Possession features some of Ty’s most inspired songs to date.”

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Other albums out today:

Ben Kweller, Cover the Mirrors; Foxwarren, 2; CIVIC, Chrome Dipped; Planning for Burial, It’s Closeness, It’s Easy; Aesop Rock, Black Hole Superette; Swans, Birthing; Gordi, Like Plasticine; Sally Shapiro, Ready to Live a Lie; Obongjayar, Paradise Now; Faun Fables, Counterclockwise; Mt. Joy, Hope We Have Fun; Photographic Memory, I Look at Her and Light Goes All Through Me; Hari Maia, The Endless Hum.

Mastering the Art of Thrift: Vintage Classics Worth Hunting

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Mastering the Art of Thrift: Vintage Classics Worth Hunting

Thrifting is no longer a fringe pursuit. For the modern man who appreciates style, quality and substance, the vintage market is where the real treasures lie. And it’s not just about saving a few quid or jumping on the sustainability bandwagon. We’re talking about the pleasure of unearthing pieces rich with history, character, and craftsmanship. The treasures often missing in today’s fast fashion.

As fashion experts, we know that a well-chosen vintage piece can elevate an entire outfit. The key? Knowing what to look for, how to spot quality, and how to make it your own.

Why Vintage Matters in Modern Men’s Style

Nowadays, fashion makes us live in a world where trends shift weekly, and wardrobes are stuffed with disposable garments. In such a fleeting setting, vintage offers something far more enduring: timeless design and genuine quality.

The details can speak volumes. We’re talking horn buttons, real wool, sturdy stitching, and honest wear. The kind of pieces made to last. And when you wear them today, you’re not just wearing clothes, you’re carrying forward a story.

For men who want to stand out without shouting, vintage is the silent flex.

The Vintage Classics Every Man Should Hunt For  

  1. Levi’s Selvedge Denim (501s, 505s)

An absolute staple. Look for “Big E” red tabs, chain stitching, and button flies. Made with sturdy selvedge denim that softens and fades beautifully with time, vintage Levi’s give you that lived-in authenticity fast fashion can’t replicate.

  1. Military Flight Jackets (MA-1, A-2, G-1)

These jackets aren’t just rugged, they carry decades of aviation history. The MA-1 is a streetwear icon, while leather A-2s or shearling B-3s bring an instant edge. Original labels from Alpha Industries or vintage US military contracts? Even better. 

  1. Harris Tweed or Heritage Blazers

Nothing beats a proper wool blazer with weight and presence. Check for Harris Tweed labels, elbow patches, and tailored silhouettes that work over denim or pleated trousers alike. British tailoring from vintage Savile Row makers is a treasure trove.

  1. M-65 Cargo Trousers & Military Surplus

Rugged, roomy, and full of real-world utility. Look for dated tags and original buttons. These trousers pair perfectly with modern streetwear or minimalist staples.

  1. Harrington Jackets
    A timeless staple worn by everyone from Mods to movie stars. Lightweight, sharp, and effortlessly cool. Look for original Baracuta labels or tartan linings. Style a classic Harrington jacket with jeans, a tee, and loafers—or layer over a hoodie for a modern twist.

The Thrifting Playbook: Expert Tips for a Successful Hunt

First things first: know your measurements. Sizes have changed over the decades, so you need to bring a tape measure to your hunt and take the time to understand which size you are across time periods.

Next, scan for quality. Check seams, labels, buttonholes, and fabric feel. Trust your fingers as much as your eyes. And be patient. The best pieces take time to find.

Learn to read labels. Made in Italy? Woolmark certified? Deadstock? All good signs to look for.

Make sure your picks are tailored wisely. A £20 blazer plus £30 tailoring can easily rival a £300 new one.

And shop smart. Check charity shops in wealthier areas as well as vintage markets, and online platforms like Vinted, eBay, or Grailed.

And finally. Don’t be afraid to ask. Talk to shop owners. They’re the experts and know what’s coming in next. 

How to Care for and Style Your Finds

Once you’ve scored a few gems, knowing how to look after and style them is just as important as the find itself. Vintage pieces can last decades. But only if you treat them right.

Wool:

Most vintage wool pieces (coats, jumpers, blazers) don’t need frequent washing. Instead, air them out after wear, especially in a breezy, shaded spot. If they need a deeper refresh, opt for professional dry cleaning, particularly for tailored items. Avoid over-washing. Wool naturally resists odour and bacteria.

Denim:

Vintage denim was built to last. Wash it as little as possible to maintain colour and shape. When you do, turn it inside out, wash it in cold water, and air dry. Never tumble dry. It’ll shrink and stiffen the fabric. For rare or valuable pairs, spot clean or soak instead.

Leather:

Leather jackets and shoes age beautifully if cared for. Wipe off dirt with a damp cloth, then use a specialist leather cleaner followed by a leather balm or conditioner. Store jackets on padded hangers to avoid shoulder dents and keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent cracking.

General tip:

Always check for signs of age (moth holes, seam wear, odours) before cleaning. Some damage can worsen with the wrong treatment. When in doubt, consult a cleaner who specialises in vintage garments.

Wear Your Story, Not Just a Look

Thrifting isn’t about dressing up like your granddad. But about finding pieces that feel like you and no one else. Every scuff, stitch, and button must tell a story that resonates with you. And when you find that one-of-a-kind jacket or pair of boots, you’re not just buying clothes, you’re investing in individuality.

So next time you walk into a secondhand shop, don’t just browse—hunt. Because style isn’t about what’s new but what what lasts and makes you.

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