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The Linda Lindas Announce New Album ‘Gotta Get Out’ With Hayley Williams Collab ‘Closer’

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Linda Lindas Announce New Album ‘Gotta Get Out’ With Hayley Williams Collab ‘Closer’

The Linda Lindas have a new album on the way. Gotta Get Out comes out August 28 via Reprise/Warner Records, following up 2024’s No Obligation. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the soaring new single ‘Closer’, a collaboration with Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Check it out below.

“‘Closer’ is about feeling like you’re losing control of time, and watching yourself grow older from afar,” the band’s Bela Salazar and Lucia de la Garza said in a statement. “Lately, we’ve been realizing how important it is to stay present, especially when our lives feel constantly in motion. It feels perfect that Hayley Williams was down to collaborate on this song with us, because we’ve been fans of her throughout so many of her different eras – and she’s seen us grow up over the last ten years! We’ll always be honored that we got to write and get emo with the queen of emo herself.”

In addition to singing on the track, Williams helped write the bridge, and they all went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios once the session was over. Hayley later told them the song felt like listening to her teenage self; it might feel like that for you, too.

Gotta Get Out Tracklist:

1. Gotta Get Out
2. Burning Out
3. Helado de Limón
4. Blood On Our Hands
5. Closer
6. Nothing Left
7. High Horse
8. Break
9. I Could Be Wrong
10. Everybody Told Me
11. Okay
12. See You Next Time

Album Review: Jack White, ‘Frozen Charlotte’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Jack White, ‘Frozen Charlotte’

It’s a fact that there are few guitar wizards like Jack White. Most musicians would die for that kind of reputation, less concerned with the quality and consistency of their recorded output, let alone how it makes its way into the world. But White’s solo discography has been more illustrious and discourse-churning than any White Stripes fan could expect: from his identity-defining first couple of records to the experimental trilogy that began with 2018’s truly bonkers Boarding House Reach. “I feel like a magician/ But the trick’s on me,” White, whose overflow of ideas sometimes gets the best of him, sings on ‘All Alone Again’ from the just-released Frozen Charlotte, in fact his seventh album (son?). With a title referencing a traditional folk ballad about a girl who froze to death because she refused to cover her dress, the new album contains any impulse to show off but still manages to impress, stripping things down in the vein of 2023’s No Name. (Another trilogy unfurling before us?) “To find a needle in a haystack/ Well it’s plenty easy/ You just burn down the haystack,” White quips, but only offers the illusion of starting over from scratch: behind every razor-sharp lick, every precise guitar tone, is a wealth of experience.

1. G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs

“Welcome to the Garden of Eden” are the first words flying out of White’s mouth, and from there he rumbles through the Genesis story as if retelling it for the first time, with cut-throat simplicity and fervor. It almost serves to justify his back-to-basics, “Watch me rock, then I roll baby” approach, delicious from the moment he grants the forbidden fruit the taste of a power chord over squealing keys. If all it takes for White to avoid doomer territory is a little religious revisionism and plenty of guitar heroics, let us all have a blast with it.

2. Derecho Demonico

Did White come up with the line about a twister storm first, or did he make his guitar sound like a twister storm and then fit some words into it? I’d bet on the latter, though Bobby Emmett’s keyboard solo is just as wild. “I got one rule: I don’t start nothing/ Nothing that I cannot finish,” White declares. Good thing he started this one.

3. There’s Nobody There

White is his Zeppelin bag here (I’d argue Physical Graffiti-era, while also echoing his own Lazaretto), sucking all the juice from an admittedly infectious riff: humming alongside it, shouting “Aye, aye, aye,” tracing his fingers all the way around it. When he’s done repeating the line “Well, if you know me then you’ll then never love me,” it seems to set off a bomb that could end the track then and there, but it’s not long before he regains his composure. 

4. Raising the Grain

It may not sound as raw as the previous tracks – not that the riff isn’t nasty, just slathered in delay – but White makes up for it with visceral, witchy language: “Girl, I will boil in linseed oil/ Crack the shellac make my blood boil.” Don’t try at home; just turn the volume up.

5. You’ll Never Fix Me

White gathers up a storm before landing on a shiny guitar lick that, true to the song’s title, hardly stays in one place. For a split second in the second verse, the bass creeps up to the foreground, enough to warrant a search of who’s playing. I’ll save you the data: Dominic Davis.

6. Nobody Knows

White gets explicitly philosophical again on ‘Nobody Knows’, pondering not so much “all the little things like where we came from or where we’re gonna go,” as he did on the opener, but human fragility. From Yuval Noah Harari’s next book: “Are the homosapiens the future aliens?” It sounds better than it reads, of course.

7. Dollar Bill

By giving space to the main guitar riff before ratcheting up the instrumentation, White sheds light not just on that particular series of notes so much as the impeccably fine-tuned effects that make it sound dizzying all its own. We don’t know what particular crime the female protagonist is accused of here, only that she did it “for the love and a dollar bill,” which fits into the album’s thematic preoccupation with vanity.

8. I Can’t Believe What I’m Hearing

Frozen Charlotte falls into a bit of a slump with ‘I Can’t Believe What I’m Hearing’, which has a solid foundation but doesn’t go crazy on it the way other tracks do. The final solo is good, don’t get me wrong, just slightly underwhelming following the titular lyric. 

9. Thick as Thieves

The duelling guitars get the message across as clearly as the lyrics: “If you will help me become a fool/ I will receive and conceive to help you too/ Your gentle hands will take the wheel as my sticky fingers steal.” White may be playing both parts, but it takes the whole group to get the job done.

10. All Alone Again

White spends more time rapping throughout Frozen Charlotte than you’d expect, so the way he rides the melody on the strutting ‘All Alone Again’ is refreshing. It retains the album’s bite and humour but dials up the emotion, especially when it’s reduced to just his voice and nimble guitar. You’ll end up alone, he suggests, but the we is far from silent.

11. She’s in a Frenzy

You bet the song called ‘She’s in a Frenzy’ is among the album’s most ferocious, its punk spirit augmented by Patrick Keeler’s tight yet flavourful drumming. The more White sings the titular chorus, the more it scans as an act of projection, even delusion: “I’m so filled with jealousy that I can’t see what is true.” It is perhaps the only track on Frozen Charlotte that doesn’t feel impersonal in its vilification, stinging like it’s supposed to.

12. Making Contact

A year after making headlines for purchasing a cell phone for the first time, Jack White now regularly posts on social media, so the sardonic couplet of “Making contact/ Making content” doesn’t totally come from a place of detachment. Everyone’s out there making their own secret garden, putting shame on Adam and Eve.

13. Neighbors Blues

“They want to keep an eye on me/ So they can get their licks,” White sings, “I’m gonna get some of my own.” Indeed, the one that opens ‘Neighbours Blues’ is among the album’s best, spiky and ominous in equal measure. Having recently watched the HBO show Neighbors, I can’t listen to the closing track without calling to mind scenes of people hard set on keeping each other out of their backyard. Even as a person in the public eye, and for all the cynicism that pervades Frozen Charlotte, White sounds more unsettled than sympathetic. Where does that sudden drive to fence off every aspect of our lives come from? Instead of abandoning that first riff for another idea, he reinforces it by piling on more layers. In the language of rock ‘n’ roll, that’s gotta count as hope.

Agent Kim Reactivated Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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Agent Kim Reactivated Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

A spy thriller is doing numbers on Netflix. Agent Kim Reactivated, which revolves around a father who has to rely on his long-buried skills to save his daughter, has already spent two weeks in the platform’s top 10 charts.

With 10.5 million views this week, the Korean production is currently the most-watched non-English show on the service. It’s also #1 in 11 countries. Does that mean a second season might be on the way? Here’s what we know so far.

Agent Kim Reactivated Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, there’s no official news available about a potential Agent Kim Reactivated season 2.

Unfortunately, the title is listed as a limited series on Netflix. Plus, Korean shows are often a one-and-done affair. It looks like one season is all we’re going to get.

Agent Kim Reactivated Cast

  • So Ji-sub as Agent Kim
  • Choi Dae-hoon as Sung Han-soo
  • Yoon Kyung-ho as Park Jin-cheol
  • Joo Sang-uk as Ju Gang-chan
  • Son Na-eun as Jung Sang-a
  • Seo Su-min as Kim Min-ji
  • Yu Ji-ahn as Ju Hye-ri

What Is Agent Kim Reactivated About?

Do you like shows that mix family drama with intense action? Then Agent Kim Reactivated might be right up your alley.

Adapted from the popular webtoon Manager Kim, it centres on Kim Do-hyeon, a seemingly ordinary bank manager and single father. He lives a quiet, almost invisible life while raising his teenage daughter, Kim Min-ji. To his coworkers, he appears timid and conflict-averse. What no one knows, however, is that he hides a dangerous past.

When Min-ji disappears without a trace, Do-hyeon is forced to abandon the peaceful existence he has spent years building. Drawing on dormant combat skills and intelligence networks, he launches a desperate search for her.

Turns out, Do-hyeon was once an elite North Korean black-ops operative who later defected and became a double agent. Because of his history, he remains on North Korea’s most-wanted list. Exposure could put both him and his daughter in mortal danger. Action ensues.

The show starts slowly, letting you get to know Do-hyeon as an awkward father, which makes the moment he unleashes his hidden skills far more satisfying. It’s a good chance you’ll be hooked from there.

While Agent Kim Reactivated season 2 is unlikely, the show is ongoing. Double episodes arrive weekly on Netflix until late July. We’re sure the finale will be worth the wait.

Are There Other Shows Like Agent Kim Reactivated?

If you’re enjoying Agent Kim Reactivated, check out some of the other international series streaming on Netflix. Recent additions include Viral Hit, Teach You a Lesson, The WONDERfools, If Wishes Could Kill, Sins of Kujo, and Bloodhounds.

Worst Neighbor Ever Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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Worst Neighbor Ever Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

If you thought your neighbours were unreasonable, this Netflix true crime series will make you reconsider. Over the course of four episodes, Worst Neighbor Ever has great potential to shake you to your core.

The anthology came out on July 1 and is currently climbing the platform’s charts. With 10 million views this week, it’s the second most-watched show on the streamer. It also made the Top 10 in 68 countries. Could this mean a sequel is on the way? Here’s what we know so far.

Worst Neighbor Ever Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, there’s no official news available about Worst Neighbor Ever season 2. Given the solid viewership numbers, though, there’s a very good chance the series will return.

Unfortunately, there probably are plenty more “neighbours from hell” tales left to tell. As long as Netflix gives the green light, new episodes could drop in 2027 or 2028.

Worst Neighbor Ever Cast

  • Bella Baskin
  • Ashley Lee
  • Frances Zaayer
  • Shawna Scott
  • Caroline Herrling
  • Melina Armstead
  • Lyndon Versoza
  • Miles Armstead

What Is Worst Neighbor Ever About?

A spin-off of Worst Roommate Ever and Worst Ex Ever, this four-part anthology examines real-life cases in which ordinary neighbourhood conflicts escalate. Through interviews and body-cam footage, the show explores how people living only a few feet apart can become each other’s greatest threat.

The opening episode follows a houseguest who becomes consumed by perceived slights and imagined grievances. The second episode investigates an explosion that shatters a quiet residential community, while the third follows two homeowners faced with a relentless harassment campaign launched by an evicted neighbour. The finale revolves around the mastermind of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

What makes the series so gripping is that the stories are not only frightening, but hit close to home. They show how minor disagreements, financial desperation, paranoia, and resentment can escalate into life-changing tragedies. On top of that, they feature people who live across the street or occupy the apartment next door. In other words, people who are tough to escape.

A potential Worst Neighbor Ever season 2 would likely continue in the same vein, with each episode featuring a case meant to give viewers the creeps.

Are There Other Shows Like Worst Neighbor Ever?

If you found Worst Neighbor Ever addictive, we recommend checking out some of the other docuseries and true crime content on Netflix.

Recent additions include Michael Jackson: The Verdict, Trust Me: The False Prophet, Should I Marry a Murderer?, The Predator of Seville, and The TikTok Killer.

Madison Square Garden Reportedly Kept a Database Flagging LGBTQIA Celebrities

Konstantinos Pappis
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Madison Square Garden Reportedly Kept a Database Flagging LGBTQIA Celebrities

Madison Square Garden allegedly kept an internal database of celebrities and VIPs that included labels for sexuality, racial identity, and “risk” levels. In a new report by Wired, journalists Noah Shachtman and Maddy Varner examined documents that were published last month by the criminal hacker collective ShinyHunters and first covered by 404 Media. Among 39,539 entries in the New York City venue’s “talent” database, 93 people were flagged as “LGBTQIA,” including Phoebe Bridgers, Ricky Martin, and Geese guitarist Emily Green.

Some celebrities’ race and gender identity were also noted in the database, but not consistently. Around 400 celebrities were reportedly assigned a “risk” score; Freddie Gibbs, Lil Jon, DaBaby, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie were among those labelled “high risk,” while Morgan Wallen, Lily Allen, and Jadakiss were marked “medium risk.” Ice Spice, Selena Gomez, and Benson Boone were deemed “low risk.”

Some of the artists listed have already responded on social media. Geese drummer Max Bassin wrote on Instagram Stories: “Fuck you James Dolan, you absolutely disgust me.” Freddie Gibbs tweeted, “D’Fuck I got to do with this?”

Dolan is the executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment, the company behind MSG, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. He is also the executive chairman and CEO of MSG Sports, which includes the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as Sphere Entertainment, which includes the Sphere in Las Vegas. According to reports, hip-hop producer and longtime Knicks fan DJ Pete Rock is currently marked as “DO NOT HOST” in the database, which he believes is connected to his previous call for a boycott of Dolan after former Knicks player Charles Oakley was forcibly removed from the venue. “You can’t stop me from being a Knick fan, but your controlling behavior towards people is very unprofessional,” Rock told Wired.

In a press statement, an MSG spokesperson said, “Wired‘s reporting is inaccurate and false. MSG is pursuing legal remedies.”

The Ultimate Guide to AI Logo Makers

Prince Addams
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The Ultimate Guide to AI Logo Makers

In 1971, Nike only paid $35 for the iconic swoosh mark. But the cost of making a logo has shot up significantly since then. In fact, Pepsi’s redesign in 2008 came with a hefty price tag of $1 million. However, not everyone has the money for it or the skills to do one themselves. But AI logo makers have changed the game for many small-scale brands and businesses.

A logo often speaks before a business does. It’s the first thing customers or clients see, long before the product or service. Statistics suggest that 60% of consumers don’t typically choose brands with outdated or unappealing logos. So with the right AI tools, branding can be faster, more accessible, and definitely much cheaper.

If you don’t have the resources and skills to make a brand mark that sticks, but don’t want to end up on the list of businesses with the worst logos ever, this guide is here to help. It will break down everything you need to know about AI logo makers and offer a few practical insights.

What are AI Logo Makers?

AI logo makers are exactly what the words mean. They’re tools that tap into the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to make logos instantly. Users just need to enter details. That can include the brand name, specific industry, color preferences, design styles, typography, and tagline (if there’s any). And that’s about it. No manual sketching of ideas. No time-consuming brainstorming sessions. In short, they’re like a graphic designer without costly hourly rates.

As of now, many platforms go beyond simple logo creation. They also help produce matching branding assets for a complete visual identity. Depending on the chosen AI logo maker, creators can generate:

  • Primary and secondary logo variations
  • Display pictures and banners for social media
  • Brand color palettes
  • Transparent PNG, SVG, or vector files for digital and print use

So they’re not just valuable for quickly designing logos. These tools are also beneficial in maintaining a consistent brand across different platforms. According to recent data, consistent logo use can lead to a 23% increase in revenue.

Why are AI Logo Makers Becoming So Popular?

Based on Clutch data, 88% of businesses use AI design tools to some degree. And it’s clear why many are adopting these smart alternatives. They simplify one of the most difficult parts of launching a brand. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Fast turnaround – Traditional logo design can take up chunks of a calendar. AI logo makers can generate multiple logo concepts within minutes. No more waiting for drafts and revisions.
  • Lower costs – Professional logo design is expensive. These AI tools for brand logos control overhead expenses. That makes them ideal for businesses with limited branding budgets.
  • Ease of use – High-end graphics software comes with steep learning curves. But by creating a logo with AI, users don’t need to master design theory or complex programs.
  • Creative customization – Creativity is harder than most people think. Logo generators do the heavy lifting. Creators only need to provide the instructions and feedback.

With these tools, brands can spend more time growing their business. Rather than consuming their days and resources on building a visual identity.

Who Should Use AI Logo Makers?

Big brands usually rely on human design agencies. It’s because these AI tools come with a few caveats. Originality isn’t guaranteed because they depend on predefined templates and learned design patterns. Creative direction is limited, as AI only pulls from algorithms and data. Limitations that established businesses can’t settle for.

For that reason, AI logo makers are typically intended for those who need quality branding without a complicated workflow or steep price. These can include:

  • Small business owners making logos for menus, packaging, or storefronts.
  • Content creators designing logos for YouTube channels or Twitch streams.
  • Startup founders testing branding directions before investing in a design agency

Consider sellers trying to build a clothing startup on Etsy or Amazon. They could quickly generate several logo concepts before applying them to apparel mockups and online stores.

Top Features to Look for in an AI Logo Maker

With so many options in the market, choosing the best one can be tricky. Not every platform offers the same level of flexibility and quality. Before making a pick, consider your workflow and creative needs. So always try to prioritize options that offer:

  • Professional branding assets – More than the actual design, the tool should provide various resources. These include editable vector files, extensive font and icon libraries, and high-resolution exports.
  • User-friendly interface – Many small brands avoid professional software due to its complexity. Make sure your pick offers an intuitive interface for easy navigation and use.
  • AI-powered customization – The best AI logo makers help with a design from scratch. Choose the one that provides smart suggestions or allows personalization (font, color, visual elements).
  • Commercial licensing – What good is eye-catching design if it can’t generate profit for a business? Ensure the tool allows commercial use for every output rendered.

Exploring the Must-try AI Tools for Making Logos in 2026

To save you time from searching, here’s a narrowed selection of the best AI tools to make logos with ease and efficiency:

  1. Looka – An AI-powered platform for designing logos. Users can generate hundreds of options and retain creative control to match the brand’s vision. It also comes with a brand kit feature that delivers on-brand marketing materials.

Pricing: $96/129 per year (logo & brand kit) or $20/65 one-time purchase (logo only)

  1. Brandcrowd – Combines logo design and logo purchasing. Creators can use it to create customizable, non-AI-looking logos. What’s more, it allows users to design logos based on multiple keywords and industry types. This ensures precise, context-correct output.

Pricing: Free package and paid plans start at $9 per month

  1. Design.com – A tool that offers thousands of templates and advanced AI models to deliver top-tier logos. It’s also a full-design platform. So users can easily adjust and tweak every detail.

Pricing: Free package and paid plans start at $15 per month

Wrapping Up

For small-time brands and businesses, it’s best to leave professional designers and costly software to big market players. Yes, using AI logo makers doesn’t replace thoughtful, manual branding. But they provide an excellent starting point. They remove much of the technical work required to create a professional-looking identity.

In the long run, many would say that human design remains the more valuable option. Non-templated design. Brand storytelling. To balance it out, treat these tools as a creative partner. Combine your thoughtful ideas with the automations they offer. This way, you can ensure you come up with a logo that represents your brand confidently across every platform.

11 New Songs Out Today to Listen To: Kisser, Ed O’Brien, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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11 New Songs Out Today to Listen To: Kisser, Ed O’Brien, and More

There’s so much music coming out all the time that it’s hard to keep track. On those days when the influx of new tracks is particularly overwhelming, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated list of the most interesting new releases (the best of which will be added to our Best New Songs playlist). Below, check out our track roundup for Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Kisser – ‘Bad Boy Mountain’ and ‘Ghostgirl’

In our recent interview, Big Thief’s Buck Meek talked about kissing as one of the inspirations behind his latest solo album and mentioned his new band, Kisser. It features several artists who contributed to that record, including Germaine Dunes, Jesse Quebbeman-Turley, and Adam Brisbin. Today, they’ve shared their first songs, the raucous ‘Bad Boy Mountain’ and the quieter ‘Ghostgirl’.

Ed O’ Brien – ‘Abbeycwmhir’

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien has unveiled ‘Abbeycwmhir’, a beatific track from the sessions behind his recent solo album, Blue Morpho. The title translates from Welsh as “Abbey in the Long Valley.”

The Last Dinner Party – ‘Knocking at the Sky’

The Last Dinner Party have dropped a new single, ‘Knocking at the Sky’, taken from a new deluxe edition of their second LP From the Pyre. “’Knocking at the Sky’ is the final tale from The Pyre,” the band shared. “After creating an album about storytelling and worldbuilding we thought it apt to end this act with a story set in the sinister mythworld itself: Los Angeles. Hollywood is the ultimate fairytale; the stakes are at surreal heights, the landscape is unruly and plastic and its populated with a cast of Grimm characters all striving and struggling at the centre of their own hero’s journey.”

Hannah Cole – ‘MMA’

Hannah Cole has announced her debut album, Switchbacks, with the gauzy, cathartic new single ‘MMA’. She tracked the LP, which is out in September, with her longtime collaborator and partner Josef Kuhn.

Starcleaner Reunion – ‘Never Odd or Even’

New York outfit Starcleaner Reunion have announced their debut full-length, Umbrella, arriving September 25 via Take Care Records. The nervy, hypnotic new single ‘Never Odd or Even’ leads the LP. “‘Never Odd or Even’ is about the anticipation of sharing secrets,” the band explained. “Some of them can be entertaining while others could reveal dark things. This song explores the experience of a personal secret leaving that protective space in someone’s mind. The push and pull dynamic of the music, bouncing between propulsive motorik rush and 5/4 waltz, mimics that trajectory between that excitement and unimaginable darkness.”

Getdown Services – ‘Cha Cha Slide’

Getdown Services have released a dreamy, oddly nostalgic song called ‘Cha Cha Slide’, which is lifted from their upcoming album Massive Champion. “This song is about the feeling of everyone else somehow knowing what to do,” Josh Law explained. “It’s about a feeling I’d get as a child that has never quite left me; that I just don’t really know what to do at social occasions. It’s about realising that trying to connect with and understand people is a lifetime of trial and error. It’s probably the saddest song we’ve ever written.”

Sam and Louise Sullivan – ‘Love & Devotion’

Sam and Louise Sullivan have shared the title track from their forthcoming album, Love & Devotion. “People say it’s hard, but it’s easy when you got the sway,” Louise sings, and the music proves their point. Sam described it as the duo’s “folk-rock wedding song,” adding: “It’s fashionable these days to say, ‘ooh, love is so hard; we have to work on our relationship; we need to find compromise, etc.’ No. Wrong. Love should be easy and very fun.”

Theo Bleak – ‘We Will Not Be Lovers’

We haven’t heard from Theo Bleak since last December’s Bargaining, a project that held my interest during a month when us music writers don’t typically pay attention to a lot of new music. Today, the Scottish musician is back with a lovely cover of the Waterboys’ ‘We Will Not Be Lovers’, which comes with a video by Jacob Gandy.

The Mary Wallopers – ‘Landlord’s Demise’

Ireland’s The Mary Wallopers are back with ‘Landlord’s Demise’, the latest offering from their third album, Paddywhackery. “This is a song about the fall of empire in Ireland, and an expression of our disdain for the Landlord Class,” Andrew Hendy expounded. “It’s based on a true story about a Manor House falling down around its aristocratic owner, and is also inspired by Tom Barry’s book ‘Guerilla Days in Ireland’. It’s a song for all the struggling renters, in dingy flats and mould infested bathrooms, living in fear of another rent hike.”

Initiate – ‘Numb the Pain’

“We all wondered, ‘What would it sound like if Clairo wrote a Quicksand record?’” Crystal Pak, vocalist of the California hardcore outfit Initiate, said of their new single ‘Numb the Pain’. (The question is, what would Peppa Pig think of it?) The exhilarating track leads their new EP With Love // With Rage, out on August 7 via Blue Grape. It “starts off with a callback to our last single, ‘Alone At the Bottom’,” according to Pak, “showcasing the ebbs and flows that life can throw at you. Where much of hardcore leans into anthems of brotherhood and sisterhood, this track still embraces those themes, but frames them through a more introspective lens. The addition of melodic softness and acoustic elements makes it clear from the outset that this is meant to land differently — not as a rallying cry, but as something more personal and reflective. In a way, it stands apart while still feeling connected to the core of what we do — expanding our sound without losing the heart behind it, and showing that strength doesn’t always have to come through volume alone.”

Hannah Cole Announces Debut Album, Shares New Single ‘MMA’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Hannah Cole Announces Debut Album, Shares New Single ‘MMA’

Hannah Cole has announced her debut album, Switchbacks, which will arrive on September 4 via Tight Knit. Following a couple of EPs, 2024’s Glisten and 2023’s Big Bite, it’s led by the new single ‘MMA’, which lays Cole’s tender vocals over grungegaze bliss. Check out the video for it below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.

Cole recorded Switchbacks with her ongtime collaborator and partner Josef Kuhn in their home studio between 2024 and 2025. Sonny Diperri (American Football, Wisp, Julie) handled the mixing. “Success is a moment that comes and goes, but I think the joy and experience that comes with making music is something I can take with me forever,” Cole said in a press release.

Switchbacks Cover Artwork:

Hannah Cole - Switchbacks

Switchbacks Tracklist:

1. Switchbacks
2. MMA
3. Pitcher
4. Give
5. Mechanical Bull
6. Dancing
7. 100 Bucks
8. Shooting Star
9. Mosquito Hawk
10. Every New Day

Album Review: Kelela, ‘new avatar’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Kelela, ‘new avatar’

As soon as PinkPantheress joins Kelela on ‘the bridge’, the penultimate track and final single of new avatar, she helps sum up the entire project: “Spare my eyes, I fear I get no sleep.” For the Washington, D.C.-born singer-songwriter, sleeplessness turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. The night is where negativity festers, curdling uncertainty, regret, and desire into pure nerves; it’s also what gets her gears turning, harnessing a formlessness eventually reclaimed by the morning light. For over a decade, Kelela has proven herself a master of liminal spaces, and the follow-up to 2023’s Raven, for all its rough edges and unpredictable twists, is her most illuminating. Sleep may elude her sometimes, but she knows how to court the dark, blurring the boundary between artist and listener, singer and subject. “Through a prism in my head you consume,” she sings alone on an earlier track, “I’m the curator.” 

1. idea 1

Like a smooth, silvery liquid moving slowly down the drain, the introductory guitars portend a world of frightening intimacy. As they accumulate layers during the chorus, Kelela’s voice soars as if hoping to echo through the walls of an empty house where danger looms in every corner, itching at her. “Only decay,” she ultimately sings, an observer first before succumbing to the process: “So we decay.”

2. point black

Kelela’s music often earns rightful praise for its sonic seamlessness, but the narrative continuity here is worth noting: the singer’s most fervent thoughts are activated while a lover lies asleep beside her, allowing her to nail down the toxic, previously elusive dynamic with precise language. “The guns are pointed at me,” she repeats, less to make the truth sink in than in hopes it permeates the other’s subconscious – but not without dipping it in contradiction, claiming that “the bullet set me free.” As the industrial beat gathers more dirt, a moment in the dark sheds light on her newfound agency: “I’m taking what I want, babe/ But you can’t stay.”

3. goin down

Beginning with little more than perfectly textured guitar chords and Kelela’s tender, moody vocals – she was just “too spent too weak,” now she’s “crying all day” – you have no idea where ‘goin down’ might go. The title offers a hint: the moment she verbalizes her downward spiral, a muffled, sludgy beat applies intense pressure, even as her voice once again reaches skyward. It alone seems to soften the atmosphere, and Kelela even injects a bit of humour in the next verse: “When it’s nothin at stake, we run a mile/ I’m talkin marathon shit.” Three songs in and her endurance is already astounding.

4. outta time [feat. A. K. Paul]

The eerie trip-hop beat seems to be cut from the same cloth as the previous songs, darker even, but ‘outta time’ quickly lightens into one of new avatar’s most syrupy songs, not least thanks to its first feature, A. K. Paul. Instead of being worn down, the guitar carries an impeccable shine as it floats above the murky waters. In Kelela’s words, it’s her “Prince/Janet/D’Angelo/Nirvana bag activated.” I’m not going to argue with that.

5. against me

Over guitar and drums that, impressively, cascade with the same level of liquidity, Kelela zooms into a romantic battlefield where arguments prove “paper thin, falling down” – or into the earth, it sounds like. Soon enough, that melodic foundation evaporates, giving way to supple bass and synths that ground Kelela’s words with a certain emotional clarity. “My heart is as heavy as yours,” she sings, ready to let the weight go.

6. crystalize

Kelela continues to give the impression she’s writing this whole album while her lover is asleep; ‘crystalize’ picks the lyrical thread up from ‘point black’ while the guitar seems to spring forth directly from ‘against me’. “Are you up? Are you mine? Borderline,” she sings, that last word encapsulating the blurry space Kelela is comfortable traversing. The same sentiments creep up – frustration, uncertainty, helplessness. Even as the relationship seems to have run its course, though, the singer remains an idealist, asking – not the person so much as the light in their eyes – “Are we tethered inside?” 

7. retaliation lullaby

The you doesn’t arrive here until late into the track; before the recurring accusation “you sleep in,” before retaliation is even on her mind, Kelela’s primary concern is sleep. She’s tossing and turning, “waking up to the rain outside,” though the actual sound of it in the background has a lulling effect, washing the dirt off the guitar arpeggios. There are echoes of every one of Kelela’s projects throughout new avatar, but ‘retaliation lullaby’ hews closer to In the Blue Light, last year’s unplugged album reinterpreting songs from across her discography. 

8. linknb

Driven by an airtight rhythm section, Kelela quickens the album’s pace to match her train of thought, a confidence she knows might give too much away. “All I know is that I paved the way,” she sings, surely not by chance, not long before the album’s two big guest appearances.

9. don’t piss me off

For another artist, ‘don’t piss me off’ might have worked better as a duet, but Kelela is such a versatile singer, and her voice is so compellingly treated, that it doesn’t need to be. Against her better judgment, she stretches her bravery to its limits as she commands her lover to come over (“Subject: me + u/ Location: my place/ Time: now”) before she loses her patience. Notice how the gauzy guitars have faded from view, as if confusion can be cured by fixating on the present – or forging it into being. 

10. new life forms [feat. Fousheé]

‘new life forms’ is R&B at its most escapist and ethereal, a brief respite from all the seemingly toxic masculinity that darkens the rest of the album. Or, as Fousheé artfully puts it, “Mario and Luigi gone/ Couple baddies on the beach/ We took them titties out,” but not before commanding us to “blast these fuckin speakers til there’s hearing loss.” It’s funny, given it’s one of the record’s most lushly understated songs – worth turning up, still, if only to relish Oscar Scheller’s detailed production.

11. the bridge [feat. PinkPantheress]

Maybe not so much: before its conclusion, new avatar glides from breezy playfulness to a pure state of euphoria with help from another Oscar Scheller collaborator, PinkPantheress. Having her on ‘don’t piss me off’, where the beat is punchier, might have made just as much sense, but their intimacy here is so effortlessly invigorating that it doesn’t need an ounce more tension. “First time, just right” indeed.

12. if we meet again

“Even when you say you regret it you make it so obvious,” PinkPantheress observes on the previous song. On the closer, Kelela herself imbues the word “obvious” with endless melancholy: “You could hear this song but you’ll never see/ All the ways you were killin me,” she sings over an arrangement so sparse you might be convincing she’s finally falling into slumber. It might as well have been a demo dreamt up in the middle of the night, but her vocal performance is impeccable and direct even at its quietest. “You don’t rock hard enough” is, perhaps knowingly, an accusation one could theoretically throw at new avatar; some promo that suggested it would incorporate heavier instrumentation. You could never hear this album and actually believe that, though; at least you’d have checked out way earlier. Kelela may be tired of some shit, but she’s not one to give up so easily – not when staying up a little longer can yield such beautiful music.

The Top Boutique Clothing Suppliers for Independent Retailers in 2026

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The Top Boutique Clothing Suppliers for Independent Retailers in 2026

Here’s a stat that should keep every boutique owner up at night: Dead stock swallowed a brutal 38% of SMB inventory in 2024 — part of an industry-wide crisis that produced somewhere between 2.5 and 5 billion excess items worth up to $140 billion in lost sales.

And yet, the opportunity is staggering. The global apparel market sits at $1.84 trillion in 2025, with women’s apparel alone commanding $930 billion. The question isn’t whether there’s money to be made — it’s whether you can stock the right things without drowning in the wrong ones.

Boutique owners need suppliers as agile as the trend cycles themselves — cycles often born in the global fashion capitals shaping boutique trends. 

This ranked, criteria-driven shortlist cuts through the noise by evaluating suppliers on the metrics independent retailers actually care about: open ordering, trend refresh rate, MOQ flexibility, and domestic shipping speed.

Methodology: How We Evaluated These Suppliers

We built this list for one specific person: the independent boutique owner who needs to test small trend capsules without betting the farm on a single buy. 

The data backs up this approach — boutiques testing with 40 units or fewer saw 32% higher full-price sell-through in the first 30 days than those buying 100-plus pieces upfront, according to Fashion Bomb Daily research.

Here’s what we measured:

  1. MOQ & Order Flexibility — open-pack models, no per-SKU minimums, and low checkout thresholds that let you test trends without overcommitting.
  2. Trend Refresh Rate — daily or high-frequency new arrivals, catalog depth, and the ability to keep pace with micro-season shifts.
  3. Domestic Shipping Speed — US-based warehousing, express delivery windows, and overall order-to-door velocity.
  4. Pricing & Margin Potential — wholesale price range relative to attainable retail markups (industry average 50–60% gross margin).
  5. Platform & Dropship Integrations — native Shopify, TikTok Shop, or WooCommerce connections, plus unbranded packaging.

Shopper behavior reinforces these priorities: your supplier needs to keep your costs low and deliver quality that earns you those stars.

1. Dear-Lover — The No-MOQ Powerhouse for Global Trend Testing

Founded in 2007 and operated by Quanzhou Shiying Clothes Co., Ltd., Dear-Lover supplies over 360,000 boutique owners in 160-plus countries through a vertically integrated ecosystem. That’s what makes this supplier different. Dear-Lover uses the open-pack wholesale model that eliminates per-SKU minimums entirely — you buy exactly what you want, not what a pre-packed assortment forces on you. 

And with 30-plus new women’s apparel styles dropping daily across 120-plus subcategories, your store stays stocked with what’s fresh, not what’s leftover.

  • MOQ & flexibility: In-stock women’s clothing carries zero MOQ — the only hurdle is a checkout threshold. New users can even snag 3 free samples (just pay shipping) to test quality before committing, per the Dear-Lover FAQ.
  • Pricing, margin & discounts: Factory-direct wholesale pieces range from $4 to $18, letting retailers hit that sweet 50–60% gross margin by pricing at 2x cost, as Daisi Jo Reviews noted. Bulk discounts stack on top: 5% off orders over $1,000, 10% off $2,500-plus, according to the Dear-Lover FAQ. On a retail dress, that translates to a margin.
  • Shipping & fulfillment: US-based warehousing means domestic orders ship in 3–5 business days via express. International express via DHL, UPS, or FedEx takes 5–7 business days for US-bound orders. That domestic infrastructure makes returns and exchanges dramatically simpler for American boutiques.
  • Dropshipping & integrations: Direct API sync with Shopify, TikTok Shop, and WooCommerce, with all orders shipped unbranded — no Dear-Lover markings anywhere. Merchants on the Shopify App Store consistently praise reliable order processing, fast shipping, and responsive support (often via WhatsApp).
  • User signals: Trustpilot shows a 4.9/5 star rating from hundreds of verified boutique owners, while SmartCustomer aggregates 584 reviews at 4.3 out of 5 — with frequent praise for good quality, fast shipping, and on-trend selection. On Reddit, some users flag shipping costs as a pain point, but the no-MOQ, low-price structure remains the major draw for budget-conscious boutiques. Plus-size styles run up to a genuine 4XL — not just extended standard sizing.

Best for boutique owners who want maximum mix-and-match flexibility, the lowest possible inventory commitment, and reliable US fulfillment. 

Less ideal if you require guaranteed free shipping on every order or plan to stock mostly pre-order categories with higher minimums. 

Overall, the factory pricing and daily trend feed make this the top pick for agile trend testing.

2. FashionGo — The Multi-Vendor Marketplace Anchored in LA

Since 2002, FashionGo has connected over 1 million retailers with more than 1,200 active vendors, cementing its role as a cornerstone of LA’s wholesale trade. Unlike single-supplier models, this is a discovery platform where boutiques can browse a massive range of brands — from contemporary labels to fast-fashion staples — all in one place. 

The platform sweetens the deal with net-60 payment terms on qualifying orders and free shipping when you spend $300 or more for apparel vendors, which helps ease opening-order risk.

  • MOQ & payment flexibility: MOQs vary by vendor, but net-60 terms and pay-later options (30, 45, or 60 days) give retailers breathing room to sell before the bill comes due.
  • Trend tools & variety: Real-time trend data tools help buyers spot emerging styles across a huge multi-brand catalogue, making it easier to stock exactly what’s moving in your market.
  • Pricing landscape: Unit costs are wide-ranging — from budget brands to higher-end labels — so your average margins will hinge on individual vendor negotiations and tend to be less factory-direct than single-source suppliers like Dear-Lover.

Best for retailers who crave multi-brand discovery and extended payment terms to manage cash flow. 

Less ideal if you need a single, low-MOQ source with ultra-fast individual shipping that doesn’t rely on a $300 threshold for free delivery.

3. Tasha Apparel — Same-Day Shipping from LA’s Fashion District

Operating since 2005, Tasha Apparel has carved a niche as an LA-based wholesale distributor with shipping on orders placed before noon PST. Its prices run 60–80% below standard wholesale rates — positioning it as a cost-per-piece play on this list.

  • Pricing & speed: That 60–80% discount off traditional wholesale allows for strong retail margins, while the shipping promise gets inventory to US buyers fast — no waiting around for international freight.
  • Assortment & plus-size: Trendy women’s apparel and dedicated plus-size styles are available, though the catalogue revolves around LA warehouse stock rather than daily global drops.
  • No-MOQ dropshipping: Both bulk buyers and dropshippers benefit from no order minimums, making it simple to test a handful of pieces before committing to volume.

Best for boutiques that prioritize fast fulfilment and rock-bottom per-piece pricing. 

Less ideal if you need a constant flood of brand-new styles every single day or international warehousing options to serve a global customer base.

4. Trendsi — Dropship-First with Social Commerce Built In

Trendsi is a fashion-first dropshipping and open-pack platform natively built for Shopify and TikTok Shop, giving it a distinct edge for social-commerce boutiques. With on-trend styles, no monthly fees, and returns, it removes common friction points that trip up small retailers.

US-based inventory ships in business days, and the platform includes professional in-house product photography — a serious time-saver for lean teams.

  • Plug-and-play social integration: Real-time inventory sync and unbranded packaging let you sell seamlessly across TikTok and Instagram without ever touching stock.
  • Visual & return advantages: Done-for-you photography and returns lower the cost of listing and managing customer exchanges.
  • Price point: Trendsi wholesale prices range per item — higher than factory-direct sources like Dear-Lover, but often offset by the value of integrated visuals and return logistics.

Best for social commerce boutiques that sell through short-video platforms and want a hands-off dropship experience with built-in returns. 

Less ideal if your margin model depends on the absolute lowest unit price and you prefer to control your own photography and branding from scratch.

5. Bloom Wholesale — Off-Price Deals and Weekly New Arrivals

Bloom Wholesale operates out of the LA Fashion District, supplying women’s boutiques with no minimums, weekly new arrivals, and flat-rate $9.95 US shipping on orders under $800. Its off-price model creates a treasure-hunt dynamic — bargains surface among weekly curated drops, and a dropship programme is included so you can test items without holding inventory.

  • Cost-conscious structure: Flat-rate shipping and no minimums keep upfront costs predictable for small test orders.
  • Curated weekly refresh: Instead of daily dumps, you get a hand-picked drop of trendy women’s and plus-size apparel every week.
  • Off-price positioning: Products are deeply discounted, which can translate to higher margins if you retail at full market prices.

Best for bargain-minded boutiques that love a weekly curation drop and predictable low shipping costs. 

Less ideal if you need a daily trend feed or massive catalogue depth to cover every sub-niche.

What to Watch Out For

No supplier is perfect, and the smartest boutique owners go in with eyes open. Here’s what deserves your attention before committing.

Shipping costs can bite harder than expected. Even flexible suppliers may charge for international legs, and user reviews on platforms like Reddit frequently cite shipping as a margin-eroding factor, especially for low-priced items where the freight can rival the product cost.

Quality variance at the $4–$18 price point is real. At those numbers, occasional inconsistency comes with the territory. Always order samples first — many suppliers, including Dear-Lover, offer free samples for new users where you only cover shipping — before committing to larger orders. A $12 sample order beats a $1,200 mistake every time.

Marketplace versus direct trade-offs matter. FashionGo’s multi-vendor model offers fantastic discovery, but it can complicate returns, branding consistency, and MOQ predictability across different sellers. Know what you’re trading for variety.

Return policies vary wildly. Many other platforms require boutique owners to absorb return shipping, which can quickly erode already-thin margins on lower-priced pieces.

Overstock risk still exists, even with no-MOQ models. A miss on trend forecasting can leave you with excess no matter how flexible your supplier. 

The data is clear: test capsules of 40 units or fewer boost sell-through by 32% compared to large buys, as Fashion Bomb Daily found. Lean ordering is your real hedge against dead stock.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the shortlist, ranked: Dear-Lover for ultimate no-MOQ flexibility and daily trend refresh; FashionGo for multi-brand discovery with net-60 terms; Tasha Apparel for shipping and deep discounts; Trendsi for social commerce natives who want a fully integrated dropship experience; and Bloom Wholesale for off-price weekly drops that keep costs low.

Inventory risk is the enemy of independent retail. With 38% of SMB inventory turning into dead stock in 2024, suppliers that eliminate per-SKU minimums let boutiques reallocate cash to what actually sells. 

The ones that combine that flexibility with fast domestic shipping and platform integrations? Those are the partners worth building a business around.

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