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Battlefield 6 RedSec Gauntlet: All Mission Types, Gameplay and How It Works

Shubhendu Vatsa
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Battlefield 6 RedSec Gauntlet: All Mission Types, Gameplay and How It Works

Battlefield 6’s hotly anticipated Battle Royale mode, RedSec, has officially arrived with Season 1, but its debut hasn’t been the smoothest. Yet the greatest surprise of the update has to be RedSec Gauntlet, which is essentially EA’s attempt to marry Battlefield 6‘s familiar squad warfare with RedSec’s survival-driven approach. According to the creators, Battlefield Redsec Gauntlet is “an all-new cutthroat, knockout-style elimination mode” where eight squads battle through four randomized objectives to rack up points, outlast other teams and vie for a single spot at the top. On paper, this sounds plenty promising (and fun), but it can get confusing once you first drop in. So to help you get started, here’s a quick rundown of what Battlefield RedSec Gauntlet is and how it plays.

Gauntlet Mode in Battlefield RedSec Explained

The new RedSec Gauntlet mode in Battlefield 6 is designed for 32 players with a total of eight squads of four. Every match lasts four rounds on the Fort Lyndon Redsec battle royale map, and each mission takes place in a different region of the battlefield. The Combat Zone will change based on the number of squads left standing, “so that the First Mission has the largest Combat Zone and the Final Mission has the smallest.” On top of that, each round will have a new objective, and your squad will be able to rack up points by killing, reviving, or completing missions.

To further up the ante, all points will be doubled in the final minute of each round, forcing teams to fight right down to the wire. The two lowest-ranked teams are eliminated at the end of every round until only two remain. Moreover, RedSec Gauntlet also lets you bring your own loadouts, including weapons, training paths, and gadgets, plus the classes from Battlefield 6 multiplayer will carry over. If you’ve previously played the standard multiplayer, your existing loadouts will also automatically import into RedSec Gauntlet.

All Mission Types in Battlefield RedSsec Gauntlet

Each RedSec Gauntlet “round” introduces a new mission type, complete with its own objectives and scoring system. The mode features eight missions across multiple Combat Zones, to make sure that “it is incredibly rare to have the exact same Gauntlet mission sequence in back-to-back matches.” Kills and revives both get you one point, and a successful revive also takes away a point from the opposing squad. 

Meanwhile, some mission types are only available during specific rounds, such as Heist. With that out of the way, here are the eight tasks you will confront in RedSec Gauntlet. With that out of the way, here are all eight missions in Battlefield RedSec Gauntlet:

Circuit

You can think of Circuit as an expanded version of Domination. In Circuit, there are multiple consoles scattered across the map and your goal is to capture as many as possible. Every 20 seconds, your squad earns a point for each console under your control. Early rounds might include more than 30 consoles, but the final round narrows that down to just a handful.

Contract

Contract is where things get tense as every elimination, every revive, and every squad wipe matters. You get one point for a kill, one for a revive, and a whopping 15 for wiping a full squad. If a team’s wiped out, they’re out of the Gauntlet and the round ends once a certain number of teams have been eliminated or when the timer runs out.

Deadlock

Deadlock is sort of like King of the Hill, but with rotating zones and Battlefield’s signature scale. The mission is to hold onto zones, and you earn a point for defending a zone for three seconds, irrespective of how many teammates are inside it. The map layout changes as the match progresses, and the early rounds feature multiple rotating zones. However, by the end, everything narrows down to one single, concentrated hotspot.

Decryption

Decryption is a strategic, high-stakes mode that rewards patience. The goal is rather simple: teams must secure beacon devices and hold them for 50 seconds to “calibrate” for 10 points. Each player can carry one beacon device, but carrying it will broadcast your position for everyone to see, and sprinting will break the calibration.

Extraction

Extraction introduces a “grab-and-go” aspect (of sorts) to RedSec Gauntlet. The mission requires you to locate data drives and bring them to drone extraction points dotted across the map. Each successful extraction nets three points, and every player can carry up to ten drives at a time. However, drones remain active only for a short period, so you’ll need to time your deliveries.

Heist

Exclusively available as the final mission, Heist is the RedSec Gauntlet’s ultimate battle and a highly competitive take on Capture the Flag. Instead of flags, the two remaining teams compete to grab cases from the other base while defending their own. Each capture is worth 10 points, while dropped cases can be recovered or reset after a minute.

Vendetta

In Vendetta, the first player who gets a kill is named as their team’s High Value Target. From that point forward, the objective is to keep your HVT alive while going after the enemy’s. HVTs receive one point for every five seconds they are alive; however, they are always visible on the map to all players.

Wreckage

Wreckage is a clever spin on Rush-style gameplay, with bombs spawning around the map and teams collecting them to plant them at M-COM stations. Planting and detonating an M-COM nets 10 points, whereas disarming an enemy’s explosive yields five. While this may sound fairly simple, the catch here is that bomb carriers are visible to all players, and if time runs out before planting, the carrier explodes.

How Does Reassignment Work in Battlefield Redsec Gauntlet?

Reassignment is one of the more interesting features in Battlefield RedSec Gauntlet, allowing you and your squad another chance to stay in the fight. RedSec Gauntlet’s reassignment system is fairly simple. If you’re doing well in the battle, but are eliminated because of a few members bailing out, you can be assigned to another active squad instead of being sent back to the lobby. 

The idea is to keep every squad fully manned and the match competitive, while rewarding skilled players who lose teammates during the mission. At the end of each round (save the Final Mission), all squads, even those that were eliminated, are reviewed for open slots. If a surviving team has an opening, or if multiple squads have partial rosters, a reassignment is made, “guaranteeing the next mission will have the correct number of squads.” However, full squads of four who advance to the next mission remain as is.

Minghang Zhang: The Pianist Bridging East and West Through Emotional Precision

Abbie Wilson
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Minghang Zhang: The Pianist Bridging East and West Through Emotional Precision

In an age when virtuosity often overshadows expression, pianist Minghang Zhang stands out for her rare ability to combine technical mastery with an emotional and cultural depth that transcends borders. Educated across three continents and acclaimed for her nuanced performances, Zhang represents a new generation of artists redefining the boundaries of classical piano performance.

A Journey Across Cultures and Disciplines

Born and raised in China, Zhang’s early immersion in music came through rigorous conservatoire training, a discipline that formed the foundation for her future artistic maturity. She later pursued advanced studies in Europe, where she encountered a diversity of interpretive traditions that shaped her personal voice. This synthesis of East Asian discipline and Western lyricism has become the hallmark of her playing.

Her artistry is not merely the product of technical refinement, but of cultural reflection. “Every note has a purpose, and every silence has meaning,” Zhang has said in past interviews. That sensitivity resonates through her performances of composers such as Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann, where structural clarity and emotional integrity coexist with striking naturalness.

The Art of Interpretation

Critics and peers often note that Zhang’s performances are distinguished by their architectural precision and expressive imagination. She does not merely reproduce the score—she reconstructs it from within, allowing the listener to rediscover familiar works as if hearing them for the first time. In Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli, for example, her balance of tenderness and controlled intensity draws the audience into the composer’s shifting emotional landscape. In contrast, her interpretations of Chinese contemporary works reveal an intimate understanding of tonal colour and rhythmic dialogue between cultures.

This balance is central to her philosophy as an artist: that music should move seamlessly between reason and passion, intellect and instinct. Zhang’s approach to phrasing and dynamic control reflects a deliberate dialogue with tradition, yet her touch and tone betray a deep individuality. Her performances have been described as “clarified emotion”—structured, yet always human.

Recognition and Achievements

Over the past decade, Zhang’s performances have taken her to international stages across Europe and Asia, where her talent has been recognised by juries and audiences alike. Notably, she was a semi-finalist in the International Piano Competition “Cidade de Vigo” (2022) and won Second Prize in the Orbetello Online International Piano Competition (2022). These achievements reflect not only her technical authority but also the artistic authenticity that defines her interpretations.

Beyond the competition circuit, Zhang has presented solo recitals that highlight her versatility—from canonical repertoire to cross-cultural programs combining Eastern and Western works. Her recital The Piano Poetry of East and West, performed at Dalian Henglong Plaza in 2025, was widely praised in local media for its expressive range and the emotional sincerity of her performance. “Zhang Minghang built a musical bridge that connected two worlds through sound,” one reviewer noted.

Artistic Vision and Pedagogical Commitment

In addition to her performing career, Zhang is devoted to piano pedagogy. As a teacher, she encourages young musicians to find their own interpretive voices while maintaining respect for musical structure. Her teaching integrates European traditions of sound and articulation with the reflective, detail-oriented approach characteristic of Chinese musical education. She believes that “the best interpretation is not imitation, but understanding—to comprehend the composer’s world and to express it with honesty.”

Her dual role as performer and educator speaks to her broader artistic vision: to make classical music accessible, relevant, and emotionally resonant for contemporary audiences. Whether performing on international stages or mentoring young pianists, Zhang consistently upholds a standard of sincerity and intellectual integrity.

A Voice for the Present Generation

As global audiences rediscover the power of classical performance in an age of digital distraction, Minghang Zhang’s work feels both timely and timeless. Her performances remind us that technical brilliance is only a means—not an end—to artistic truth. With her distinctive fusion of precision and poetry, she represents not only the future of pianism but also the continuing dialogue between cultures through music.

In Zhang’s playing, one hears more than the sum of notes: one hears a story of cultural empathy, discipline, and imagination. And that, perhaps, is what makes her artistry resonate far beyond the concert hall.

Five Fashion Brands Worth Watching This World Vegan Day

Gerda Krivaite
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Five Fashion Brands Worth Watching This World Vegan Day

With the UN recently announcing that humanity has missed the 1.5°C climate target, we’re reminded to examine the industries contributing most to the crisis — and fashion is among the biggest culprits. The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water globally and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions. But the environmental cost is only part of the story. Over two billion animals are killed annually for wool, fur, and leather, while garment workers in developing nations face unsafe conditions and poverty wages in the relentless push for fast, cheap production.

The good news? Meaningful change is well underway. Brands across the world are stepping up with genuine alternatives that address the impacts of fashion on animals, people, and the climate. In the spirit of World Vegan Day, here are five names proving that ethics and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive:

  1. Immaculate Vegan

    Immaculate Vegan is one of the world’s leading vegan marketplaces, curating products from more than 130 carefully selected labels. Since launching in 2019, their goal has been to prove that shoppers don’t need to compromise on their values for their wardrobe. Immaculate Vegan has a rigorous selection process: every item of a chosen brand must be completely animal-free and crafted using sustainable materials, from natural fibres like organic linen and hemp to innovative alternatives like Mirum, the world’s first plastic-free leather substitute. They only partner with brands committed to responsible production and fair labour practices, including living wages and transparent supply chains. Beyond meeting ethical standards, brands must also offer contemporary aesthetics and quality craftsmanship. Browse their sleek, elegantly designed website here.

  2. Shop Like You Give a Damn

    Founded in 2018 by three vegans struggling to find stylish animal-free fashion online, Netherlands-based Shop Like You Give a Damn has grown into Europe’s largest vegan marketplace. Now featuring over 19,000 products from 200 European brands, the platform operates on five core values: vegan, fair, sustainable, inclusive, and social. Behind the scenes, they use 32 detailed criteria to vet every brand they work with, ensuring genuine impact rather than greenwashing. What started as a solution to hidden leather labels and unexpected wool blends has become a movement to make ethical shopping more accessible for everyone.

  3. Ninety Percent

    Founded in London in 2018 by longtime friends Para Hamilton and Shafiq Hassan, Ninety Percent lives up to its name by distributing 90% of annual profits between the people who make their collections (10%) and five rotating charitable causes (80%) chosen by customers. Each garment contains a unique label allowing wearers to vote for causes, currently spanning wildlife conservation, children’s education, conflict relief and women’s empowerment. Beyond profit-sharing, the brand prioritises impact reduction. Collections use GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL™, and linen produced in zero-wastewater facilities, while their Bangladesh factory provides workers and their families with comprehensive health insurance. It’s a truly inspiring and revolutionary model.

  4. Asquith London

    Founded in 2002 by Alice Asquith, this London-based pioneer has been crafting eco-friendly activewear for yoga, Pilates, and beyond for over two decades. Asquith’s philosophy prioritises pieces built to last over fleeting trends: their signature fabrics include bamboo, organic cotton, and their patented Bambor® blend, chosen for being naturally breathable, anti-bacterial, and exceptionally soft against the skin. All collections are manufactured in GOTS-certified factories in Turkey and India that meet rigorous social and environmental standards through Sedex audits. These are versatile, timeless pieces that move seamlessly from studio to street.

  5. The Spark Company

    This female-founded, female-run business makes activism wearable. All apparel uses vegan materials and dyes, produced in sweatshop-free facilities with zero-waste and biodegradable packaging policies. But it’s the broader mission that stands out: championing equality for women and marginalised communities through partnerships with causes like Bloody Good Period, which fights for menstrual equity for displaced people and those in poverty. The Spark Company’s fun collections span Witchy, Pride, and Pop Culture themes, with no shortage of options for slogan tee lovers.

A New Standard of Modern Menswear: Introducing the Distinguished New Arrivals at Jos. A. Bank

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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A New Standard of Modern Menswear: Introducing the Distinguished New Arrivals at Jos. A. Bank

The modern gentleman requires more from his wardrobe than ever before. Clothing must perform with purpose, offer refined sophistication, and deliver comfort that lasts throughout the day. Whether heading into important business meetings, traveling between destinations, or enjoying evenings with friends, men deserve style that adapts seamlessly to every environment. Jos. A. Bank, recognized for its longstanding dedication to premium menswear, has introduced a collection of new arrivals that accomplish exactly that. Each piece reflects thoughtful craftsmanship, versatile design, and a heightened sense of confidence in everyday presentation.

This detailed editorial explores the most compelling additions now available at Jos. A. Bank. With superior construction, elevated silhouettes, and exceptional value, these selections are designed to enhance the wardrobe of any man who takes pride in personal style.

Ben Sherman Hammond Sneakers in Black and White

Price: $48.75 Sale from $65.00

The Ben Sherman Hammond Sneakers are the embodiment of understated refinement. Their slip on design caters to the man who appreciates easy functionality but refuses to compromise on polished aesthetics. The sleek black upper paired with a crisp white sole introduces a clean contrast that feels modern and purposeful.

Comfort is a key highlight. The interior features breathable lining that supports temperature management throughout daily activity while the cushioned insole offers step absorbing support. These sneakers function as an ideal option for men who are constantly moving because they reduce foot fatigue while maintaining a sharp and sophisticated profile.

The versatility of this footwear places it among the strongest essentials in contemporary fashion. Whether paired with chinos in a business casual setting or jeans for a more relaxed weekend style, these sneakers elevate a minimalist look into a confident statement.

Ben Sherman Thames Sneakers in Tan

Price: $67.50 Sale from $90.00

For men who appreciate the rugged character of boots yet prefer lightweight performance, the Ben Sherman Thames Sneakers serve as the perfect hybrid. Their style takes inspiration from the refined lines of a chukka shoe while incorporating the comfort and mobility of an athletic sneaker.

Constructed using premium suede, this design provides texture and visual richness that stands out in everyday dressing. The supportive foam footbed ensures long lasting comfort while the vulcanized midsole contributes both durability and flexibility. The subtle pull tab and neutral tan tone add personality without compromising timeless appeal.

These sneakers pair particularly well with navy, olive, grey, and denim, making them a natural styling companion year round. The result is a footwear choice that feels casual yet undeniably polished which is essential in a world where personal style is always on display.

Jos. A. Bank Tailored Fit Car Coat in Dark Grey

Price: $139.30 Sale from $199.00

Outerwear plays an influential role in how one is perceived because it creates a strong first impression. The Tailored Fit Car Coat represents the ideal balance of sharp appearance and practical protection. The coat is engineered using water resistant polyester which shields against unpredictable weather while remaining comfortable enough for daily wear.

The double zip closure provides added warmth and structural refinement. Unlike bulky coats that distract from professional attire, this design features a tailored silhouette that enhances the physique and complements office clothing without restricting movement.

The neutral dark grey tone offers outstanding wardrobe compatibility. Whether layered over a suit for important engagements or worn casually with sweaters and denim, this coat ensures that elegance remains present in every setting. It is a key investment piece that communicates confidence and preparedness.

Jos. A. Bank Slim Fit Glenn Plaid Dress Shirt in Green

Price: $29.99 Sale from $54.50

A well curated wardrobe demands shirts that reinforce professionalism while still expressing personal taste. The Slim Fit Glenn Plaid Dress Shirt perfectly captures that requirement. Its Glen plaid pattern introduces subtle sophistication that looks equally appropriate in high level business environments and polished social occasions.

Constructed with 98 percent cotton and a touch of elastane, the shirt provides comfortable stretch while maintaining a clean and structured silhouette. The button down collar ensures the shape remains intact throughout the day which is especially beneficial for those who move frequently between meetings and activities.

The shirt is machine washable which offers convenience without compromising refined presentation. Its styling versatility allows men to transition easily from the workday to evenings out while maintaining a composed and distinguished appearance.

Traveler Collection Tailored Fit Puffer Jacket in Black

Price: $55.30 Sale from $79.00

The Traveler Collection Tailored Fit Puffer Jacket takes seasonal outerwear to a new level of performance. It features lightweight insulation that delivers warmth while avoiding the unnecessary bulk typical of traditional puffer jackets. The result is outerwear that supports mobility while maintaining a sharp and sophisticated shape.

The design uses durable nylon construction developed to withstand repeated wear and travel. This makes it a reliable choice for active professionals who require clothing that keeps pace with dynamic schedules. The tailored fit creates a clean outline that pairs easily with denim, dress pants, or athleisure pieces which expands its functionality.

Machine washable care offers additional practicality. For men who appreciate outerwear that is equally stylish and efficient, this jacket proves itself as an essential companion during the cooler months.

Rockport Style Leader 2 Bike Toe Loafers in Dark Tan

Price: $97.50 Sale from $130.00

The Rockport Style Leader 2 Bike Toe Loafers deliver sophisticated presentation and advanced comfort technology which makes them an ideal choice for professional environments. Crafted from full grain leather, these loafers present a polished finish that communicates timeless confidence.

Interior performance features include moisture wicking lining which controls humidity and shock absorbing soles that reduce foot and joint strain through long hours of standing or walking. These thoughtful elements create a superior wearing experience especially for careers requiring full day mobility.

Their slip on design contributes to convenience while maintaining refined detailing that pairs perfectly with tailored suits, dress pants, and elevated business casual attire. The rich dark tan shade enhances a wide range of professional color palettes including navy, charcoal, taupe, and earth tones.

A Collection Designed for Purpose and Distinction

This curated group of new arrivals showcases the very best of what modern menswear should provide. Each piece reflects:

  • Purpose driven craftsmanship that supports daily performance
     • Refined silhouettes that complement the male form
     • Comfort focused engineering for nonstop wearability
     • Timeless aesthetic presentation that remains relevant for years
     • Exceptional purchase value through premium design at competitive pricing

These products give men the ability to approach every opportunity with confidence. Whether advancing in professional environments, stepping into social engagements, or embracing well deserved leisure, this collection offers clothing and footwear that communicate success and sophistication.

Conclusion: Confidence Begins with How You Dress

Modern life requires adaptability and poise. Clothing is no longer just a functional necessity but a direct reflection of character, ambition, and presence. The latest offerings from Jos. A. Bank empowers men to bring their best selves to every moment by wearing apparel that looks exceptional, feels effortlessly comfortable, and stands up to the demands of a busy lifestyle.

These new arrivals are not temporary trends. They are wardrobe investments designed to deliver enduring quality and ongoing confidence. There has never been a better time to refresh your personal collection with pieces that fully support who you are and who you intend to be.

Jos. A. Bank continues to uphold a reputation for excellence in menswear. With thoughtful innovations and timeless refinement, this new line reaffirms what today’s gentleman deserves. Superior craftsmanship. Elevated comfort. Sophisticated style.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.

Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass: All Rewards and How to Unlock Them

Shubhendu Vatsa
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Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass: All Rewards and How to Unlock Them

The latest Battlefield 6 update has added a deluge of content to the game, including the much-talked-about RedSec battle royale mode and the debut of Season 1 with its own full-fledged Battle Pass. The Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass, like virtually every other modern live-service game, serves up a long list of rewards broken into free and paid tiers, with players receiving everything from cosmetic upgrades to XP boosters for putting in the hours. Although if you want to get everything that the Season 1 Battle Pass has to offer, you’ll have to pony up 1,100 Battlefield Currency (BFC), which comes to roughly USD $9.99. All tiers of the Battle Pass can easily be unlocked with Battle Pass Points, which are earned through career XP and weekly challenges. There are 110 tiers in total, categorized into seven progression paths, and if you complete every tier before the season concludes, you’ll earn enough Battlefield Currency to pick up next season’s Battle Pass without paying anything extra. So, if you’re wondering what awards you may expect in Season 1, here’s a full rundown of all Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass rewards.

Every Reward in Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass

The Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass is a bit different from what you might be used to in other live-service shooters. The Season 1 Battle Pass is structured across four progression tiers, namely, Recruit, Paths, Ultimate, and Prestige, and you’ll need to progress through them in that order. You’ll start with Recruit, then move on to Paths, which is where most of the action happens. Paths, in turn, is made up of four categories: Rogue Operators, Deniable Ops, Soldiers of Fortune, and Pacific Ghosts. Once you complete all four Paths, you’ll unlock Ultimate and then finally the Prestige tier. With that out of the way, here are all the rewards you can obtain in the Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass:

Path Reward Type Free / Premium
Recruit Pack Hunter Player Card Icon Free
Recruit Canis Lupus (L110) Weapon Package Premium
Recruit 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Free
Recruit Unflinching Assault Soldier Skin Premium
Recruit GGH-22 Secondary Free
Rogue Operators Scratched Out Weapon Charm Premium
Rogue Operators Unidentifiable (M4A1) Weapon Package Premium
Rogue Operators Untraceable Player Card Background Free
Rogue Operators Collaborator Anti-Air Skin Premium
Rogue Operators Classified Player Card Title Premium
Rogue Operators Interspace (M2010 ESR) Weapon Package Free
Rogue Operators Fragmentation Engineer Soldier Skin Premium
Rogue Operators 30 Minute Battle Pass XP Booster Booster Premium
Rogue Operators Alignment (M1014) Weapon Package Premium
Rogue Operators 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Free
Rogue Operators Saito Panopticon 8 Soldier Premium
Rogue Operators Deny Everything Weapon Sticker Premium
Rogue Operators Site Exploitation (M39 EMR) Weapon Package Premium
Rogue Operators Serpentine Support Soldier Skin Free
Rogue Operators Trust Equation Attack Helicopter Skin Premium
Rogue Operators Triangulation (RPKM) Weapon Package Premium
Rogue Operators All-Seeing Uniform Patch Free
Rogue Operators 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Rogue Operators 15 Minute Career XP Booster Booster Premium
Rogue Operators Dead Silence (PSR) Weapon Package Premium
Rogue Operators SOR-300SC Carbine Free
Rogue Operators Forest Sentry Recon Soldier Skin Premium
Deniable Ops Carrion (M277) Weapon Package Premium
Deniable Ops Global Conflict Weapon Charm Premium
Deniable Ops 30 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Free
Deniable Ops Braincase Uniform Patch Premium
Deniable Ops Limited Hangout Assault Soldier Skin Premium
Deniable Ops Target Acquisition (UMG-40) Weapon Package Free
Deniable Ops Splitting Image Vehicle Decal Premium
Deniable Ops Sleight of Hand RPG-7V2 Skin Premium
Deniable Ops Bone Breaker (B36A4) Weapon Package Premium
Deniable Ops 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Free
Deniable Ops Mackenzie Panopticon 8 Soldier Premium
Deniable Ops Classified Weapon Sticker Premium
Deniable Ops Gilded Storm (M240L) Weapon Package Premium
Deniable Ops Sly Hunter Fighter Skin Free
Deniable Ops Bone Voyage Vehicle Decal Premium
Deniable Ops Impending Doom Player Card Sticker Premium
Deniable Ops Still Waters Recon Soldier Skin Free
Deniable Ops Black Site Player Card Background Premium
Deniable Ops Fly Low Transport Skin Premium
Deniable Ops 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Deniable Ops Long Memory (SV-98) Weapon Package Free
Deniable Ops Counter Accusation Engineer Soldier Skin Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Hidden Asset Player Card Background Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Happenstance (SOR-556 MK2) Weapon Package Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Trudge Through Engineer Soldier Skin Free
Soldiers of Fortune Wind At Your Back Attack Skin Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Lucky Devil Player Card Icon Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Clover (M44) Weapon Package Free
Soldiers of Fortune Wellspring Assault Soldier Skin Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Contingency (KV9) Weapon Package Premium
Soldiers of Fortune 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Glimpse Of Gold Transport Skin Free
Soldiers of Fortune Mirror Breaker Sledgehammer Skin Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Lucky Number Weapon Charm Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Lucky Break (SVDM) Weapon Package Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Floor It Player Card Background Free
Soldiers of Fortune Four Leaf Attack Skin Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Coincidence (M60) Weapon Package Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Lucky Charm (M320A1 HE) Skin Free
Soldiers of Fortune 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Shredded Hope (TR-7) Weapon Package Premium
Soldiers of Fortune 15 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Premium
Soldiers of Fortune Mini Scout Sniper Rifle Free
Soldiers of Fortune Health Is Wealth Support Soldier Skin Premium
Pacific Ghosts Thicket Ripple (PW5A3) Weapon Package Premium
Pacific Ghosts Mercury Vehicle Decal Premium
Pacific Ghosts Indomitable Player Card Sticker Free
Pacific Ghosts Golden Rule (M45A1) Weapon Package Premium
Pacific Ghosts Horizon Cutter Transport Skin Premium
Pacific Ghosts 15 Minute Battle Pass XP Booster Booster Free
Pacific Ghosts Phalanx MBT Skin Premium
Pacific Ghosts Blooded Recon Soldier Skin Premium
Pacific Ghosts 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Pacific Ghosts Superheated (M417 A2) Weapon Package Free
Pacific Ghosts Holm Panopticon 8 Soldier Premium
Pacific Ghosts Best Defense Vehicle Decal Premium
Pacific Ghosts 15 Minute Career XP Booster Booster Premium
Pacific Ghosts Sunset Shooter Anti-Air Skin Free
Pacific Ghosts Briar Shot (SG 553R) Weapon Package Premium
Pacific Ghosts Spartan Tactics Uniform Patch Premium
Pacific Ghosts 100 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium
Pacific Ghosts Volatile (AK4D) Weapon Package Free
Pacific Ghosts Heartstopper Engineer Soldier Skin Premium
Pacific Ghosts Myrmidon Weapon Charm Premium
Pacific Ghosts 15 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Premium
Pacific Ghosts Divided Patterns Assault Soldier Skin Free
Ultimate Lattice Parachute Free
Ultimate Golden Valor (Mini Scout) Weapon Package Premium
Ultimate 60 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Free
Ultimate Claw Through IFV Skin Premium
Ultimate Alpha Weapon Charm Free
Ultimate Steadfast Player Card Title Premium
Ultimate Spiteful Mirage Brodie Soldier Skin Premium
Prestige 15 Minute Battle Pass XP Booster Booster Free
Prestige Ascendant Weapon Sticker Free
Prestige 15 Minute Career XP Booster Booster Free
Prestige Above All Vehicle Decal Free
Prestige 15 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Free
Prestige Ectoplasm (USG-90) Weapon Package Free
Prestige 15 Minute Career XP Booster Booster Free
Prestige Heights Unknown Player Card Background Free
Prestige 30 Minute Hardware XP Booster Booster Free
Prestige 200 Battlefield Coins Currency Premium

How to Unlock Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass

To unlock and get started with the Battlefield 6 Season 1 Battle Pass, head to the new tab on the main menu, right between Loadouts and Challenges. From there, you’ll first need to complete the Recruit path, which is a mini, tutorial-like introduction with five quick rewards that familiarise you with how the Battle Pass works. After you’re done with Recruit, the four Paths (Rogue Operators, Deniable Ops, Soldiers of Fortune, and Pacific Ghosts) become available, which can be completed in any order. Moreover, you can pick which of these four you want to spend your Battle Pass Points (XP) on and also switch between them at any moment by opening the Battle Pass menu and setting a new Active Path. However, you’ll need to complete all four Paths to unlock Ultimate and then finally Prestige for some extra rewards.

10 Best Waxing Kits and Hard Wax Beads for Salon-Quality Hair Removal at Home

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10 Best Waxing Kits and Hard Wax Beads for Salon-Quality Hair Removal at Home

The DIY beauty revolution continues to thrive in 2025, with at-home waxing leading the charge. Gone are the days when professional-level hair removal required a salon appointment. Today’s advanced waxing kits deliver spa-quality results right in your bathroom, saving both time and money while offering complete privacy.

The market has evolved dramatically since 2023, with significant innovations in wax formulations, heating technology, and pain reduction features. Let’s explore the absolute best at-home waxing kits and hard wax beads available this year, with insights on what makes each option stand out.

Why At-Home Waxing Has Exploded in Popularity

The post-pandemic shift toward DIY beauty treatments has fueled tremendous growth in the at-home waxing market. Industry reports show double-digit expansion across North America and Europe, driven by three key factors: privacy benefits, significant cost savings compared to salon visits, and dramatically improved product quality.

Modern waxing kits now feature salon-grade technology that delivers professional results without the learning curve that previously deterred beginners. Most importantly, today’s formulations prioritize skin sensitivity while effectively removing even the most stubborn hair.

The Best At-Home Waxing Kits of 2025

1. Tress Wellness Professional Hard Wax Kit

Standing firmly at the top of the market, the Tress Wellness Professional Kit represents the gold standard in at-home waxing. What truly sets this system apart is its comprehensive approach—it includes five distinct bead varieties formulated for different body areas and hair types.

The digital temperature control ensures precise melting (critical for preventing burns while maintaining effectiveness), while the complete accessory kit provides everything needed for professional-level application. Their proprietary formulations incorporate lemon zest, tea tree, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, creating a sensory experience that rivals high-end salons.

Most impressive is the kit’s suitability for even the most sensitive skin types. The pre-wax and post-care products included help prepare the skin and soothe it afterward, significantly reducing irritation and ingrown hairs compared to traditional waxing methods.

2. Tress Wellness Bikini Star Beads

For those specifically concerned with intimate area waxing, the Bikini Star Beads from Tress Wellness offer specialized formulation engineered specifically for the bikini line and underarms. These beads melt quickly and are enriched with chamomile and azulene—ingredients known for their exceptional skin-calming properties.

The hypoallergenic formula makes this option particularly suitable for sensitive skin types who’ve previously struggled with irritation from other waxing products. The specialized approach to intimate area waxing demonstrates why Tress Wellness continues to lead the market—they understand that different body areas require tailored formulations.

3. KoluaWax Premium Kit

KoluaWax has earned its position as a premium contender with a system that emphasizes customization. Their removable silicone bowl design allows for easier cleaning, while their tropical-inspired scent varieties (coconut, hibiscus, and sea salt) transform waxing from a chore into a spa-like ritual.

What distinguishes this kit is the comprehensive approach to pre and post-treatment, with specialized oils that prepare the skin before application and soothe it afterward. The digital display helps maintain precise temperature control, essential for achieving professional results.

4. KOTAMU Digital Wax Warmer

KOTAMU has carved out its niche with an auto-warming function and dermatologist-recommended formulations. This system offers separate bead varieties optimized for face and body, recognizing that facial skin requires gentler treatment than areas with coarser hair.

The hypoallergenic formulation has made it particularly popular among those with sensitive skin, while the intuitive temperature control eliminates guesswork for beginners.

5. Lifestance Wax Kit

The Lifestance kit excels at precision work, making it ideal for smaller areas like the upper lip and underarms. Its LED temperature display provides real-time feedback, while the included tea tree pre-wax spray helps reduce discomfort during application.

The multi-size applicators allow for targeted removal in hard-to-reach areas, and the plant-based formulation emphasizes clean removal with minimal residue.

Top Soft Wax Strip Options

6. Flamingo Women’s Body Wax Kit

For those who prefer ready-to-use strips over heated wax, Flamingo offers a premium solution with strips in two different sizes. Their castor oil and beeswax formulation achieves excellent adhesion while remaining gentle on sensitive skin.

These strips work particularly well for larger areas like legs and arms but may lack the precision needed for facial hair removal.

7. STIXEL Wax Strips

STIXEL’s multi-size strips have gained popularity for their rapid results—typically removing hair in 30 seconds to one minute. Their natural soft wax formulation includes exfoliating properties that leave skin smoother post-application.

These strips conform well to body contours, making them suitable for areas from face to bikini line.

8. Gleebee Wax Strips

With a focus on skin nourishment, Gleebee incorporates jojoba oil and beeswax essence into their 60-strip package. The dual-size approach allows for customization based on the treatment area, while the moisturizing formulation helps prevent the dryness often associated with waxing.

9. Nopunzel Wax Strips

Offering the highest strip count among competitors, Nopunzel provides three different sizes for maximum versatility. Their jojoba seed oil and beeswax formulation achieves excellent hair removal while preventing the skin dryness that often follows waxing treatments.

10. Starpil Pro Waxing Kits

Rounding out the top ten is Starpil’s professional-grade system, featuring quick-melt beads and user-friendly application tools. Particularly beloved by beauty professionals for home use, this system achieves complete removal of even the most stubborn hair types.

Key Innovations in At-Home Waxing (2023-2025)

The last two years have seen remarkable advancements in waxing technology. Digital temperature controls (found in premium options like Tress Wellness, KoluaWax, and Lifestance) have transformed the user experience by eliminating guesswork and preventing burns.

Pain reduction technology has evolved significantly, with hard wax beads engineered to grip hair rather than skin. Particularly notable is the integration of anti-inflammatory ingredients like azulene, chamomile, and tea tree oil, which drastically reduce post-wax redness and irritation.

Sustainability has also become a priority, with increased demand for eco-conscious packaging. Several leading brands now utilize recycled materials and biodegradable accessories like application sticks and paper rings.

Expert Tips for At-Home Waxing Success

For optimal results, licensed estheticians recommend thoroughly cleansing the area before application, applying a thin layer of wax in the direction of hair growth, and removing it quickly against the grain while keeping skin taut.

Common mistakes include improper heating (resulting in burns), poor skin preparation (allowing oils or sweat to interfere with adhesion), and incomplete hair coverage that necessitates repeat treatments.

For sensitive areas, experts particularly recommend hard wax options like those from Tress Wellness and KoluaWax, which are specifically formulated to.

Graphene and the Future of Innovation: Why Investors Are Taking Notice

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Graphene and the Future of Innovation: Why Investors Are Taking Notice

Every decade seems to have a “wonder material” that promises to change everything. In the early 2000s, it was carbon nanotubes. Today, it’s graphene — a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, thinner than paper yet stronger than steel.

From electric cars to sustainable fashion and next-gen tech, this nearly invisible material is quietly shaping the future. And while it’s still early days, investors are already paying attention to the emerging world of graphene stocks — a new frontier where science meets opportunity.

A Material That Redefines What’s Possible

Graphene’s story sounds like something out of a sci-fi film: ultra-light, transparent, flexible, and a better conductor than copper. It could lead to phone batteries that charge in seconds, wearables that stretch like fabric, or airplanes that weigh less and fly farther.

Unlike many “next big things,” graphene is moving beyond hype. Research labs, startups, and major manufacturers are scaling production, taking this atomic-thin material from the lab bench to everyday life.

How Graphene Is Changing Industries

The potential applications of graphene span across every major industry:

  • Energy: Batteries and supercapacitors with faster charging and longer life.

  • Transportation: Lightweight composites that boost fuel efficiency.

  • Electronics: Ultra-fast chips and flexible displays.

  • Healthcare: Sensors that detect diseases at the molecular level.

Its versatility means graphene isn’t just another industrial material — it’s a platform for innovation across science, design, and sustainability.

The Investor’s Angle

For those who see innovation as culture’s engine, investing in the technologies that drive it makes sense. The companies pioneering graphene manufacturing, applications, and commercialization are building the foundation of a trillion-dollar materials revolution.

That’s why graphene stocks have become such an intriguing topic among forward-thinking investors. From startups developing next-gen battery materials to established firms experimenting with graphene coatings, this sector offers early exposure to a material that could define the next era of technological evolution.

Of course, as with any emerging field, the risks are high — but so is the potential. Investors who understand both the science and the story behind graphene are positioning themselves ahead of the curve.

Why It Matters Now

Our culture is increasingly shaped by how fast technology evolves — and how sustainably it does so. Graphene represents that rare intersection of progress and responsibility: a way to make devices lighter, faster, and more energy-efficient without sacrificing performance.

In a time when innovation drives identity, investing in the materials of the future isn’t just financial — it’s cultural. It’s a statement that we believe in human creativity, science, and the pursuit of better design.

Final Thought

Graphene might be invisible to the eye, but its impact is impossible to ignore. Whether you’re a technologist, designer, or investor, understanding this material means understanding where the future is headed.

To explore the latest research, market trends, and investment opportunities, visit grapheneuses.org and dive deeper into the fascinating world of graphene stocks.

Album Review: Snocaps, ‘Snocaps’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Snocaps, ‘Snocaps’

If the words Waxahatchee, Swearin’, or P.S. Eliot mean anything to you, the surprise debut from Snocaps might be the best musical surprise of the year. It’s the return of the Crutchfield twins, whose first band, the Ackleys, made waves in Birmingham, Alabama when they were just 15. Allison sometimes plays as part of Waxahatchee, Katie’s biggest, now Grammy-nominated project, and they’ve promised to perform material from P.S. Eliot, their second band, when they tour together later this year. But Snocaps – which will “put on ice for the foreseeable future” after those handful of shows, according to press materials – offers a chance for them to tap into the obvious, unmatchable chemistry that’s been absent from Waxahatchee’s increasingly acclaimed records, splitting the album’s tracklist evenly and ricocheting between their diverging (but never discordant) songwriting instincts. Backed by two musicians Katie worked with on her latest album, Tigers Blood, MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook, Snocaps is as warm and spontaneous as it is thorny and subtly miraculous.

1. Coast

Over 15 years ago, the Crutchfield twins opened their debut P.S. Eliot album with a song about feeling “aimlessly alive,” having a restless mind, and keeping your foot on the pedal. On the much more anthemic ‘Coast’, driving behaviour is once again billed as a reflection of personal temperament: even on a straight road, the protagonist can’t quite keep a steady pace. She’s more concerned with the interpersonal implications of being in the same car: the element of trust, the inevitable silence, the impending apology. The irony is that Allison, Katie, and Lenderman (on both drums and guitar) do sound a bit like they’re coasting: this is familiar ground, and they sure have a lot of fun with it.

2. Heathcliff

“When you go down/ You’ll take me down with you,” the Crutchfields sing over and over on this perfect little song about sisterhood; Allison could be writing about any kind of relationship, but more than a few lines pin it down to a familial context. Her bass guitar announces itself instantly, but Lenderman takes his time, staying inconspicuous; there’s no frustration baked into his electric guitar. You can take the refrain whichever way you want, but it doesn’t take repeated listens to get it stuck in your head.

3. Wasteland

Picking up the torch, Katie stays on theme: “Gave it everything I had, I am hazmat, I am radioactive/ Caustic car wreck, off the rails and rude and ruining your life.” There’s a sense of lyrical coherence here – more like synchronicity –  even as she and her collaborators settle into the twangier comfort zone of last year’s Tigers Blood; Katie’s poetry is thorny yet rolls off the tongue with incomparable efficiency. She may be standing on solid ground, but the relationship she confronts is a “delicate gamble,” compelling her to let it all out.

4. Brand New City

The Crutchfields are well-versed in loose, unassuming indie rock, but this new configuration lends it a touch of the triumphant. “We quote all our friends/ Like they’re roundtable poets/ The stars of old films,” Allison sings before delighting in each word of the title, Lenderman’s solo colouring in that same dark bar.

5. Hide

Katie’s ‘Hide’ slows the album’s pace back down, but the band really feels this one out. When she begins the second verse with “Our love third degree,” Lenderman grabs the chance to let his wailing guitar drag out the burn. The hushed chorus is no less affecting than the ones you can belt along to, twisting the dynamic of ‘Coast’ and juxtaposing the Crutchfields’ writing styles: “Close your eyes in the passenger seat/ Remember you can trust me” becomes “You will listen now, you’re in the backseat/ Carving your way out, muffle the heartbeat.” There’s an echo of ‘The Dark Don’t Hide It’, the Jason Molina tune Katie and Kevin Morby have often covered.

6. Cherry Hard Candy

Country-fried and confident, ‘Cherry Hard Handy’ once again makes good use of Katie’s songwriting feeding on catastrophic, contradictory impulses: “I might cause a collision/ Rot your teeth out,” she sings, proclaiming herself both friendship and heartbreak. Lenderman’s grubby solo sounds like pressing on the gas pedal, ready to bow out at any moment.

7. Avalanche

‘Avalanche’ is as sure-footed as the previous song, this time from Allison’s perspective. Her lyrics seem to expound on her sister’s earlier description of love as a “delicate gamble”: “He’s got a lot riding on this next hand/ Might wobble but he always wins.” This gentleman makes it look easy, she tells us, a skill the members of Snocaps have long cultivated.

8. Doom

An immediate highlight, ‘Doom’ does everything not to shroud Katie’s lyricism in the verses but makes sure to elevate the chorus, one of her absolute best. “You can cloak a sigh/ But I’m all out of breath/ Saying my goodbyes,” she sings, but it’s one of the few songs here where she climbs up her vocal register, even if she ends on a note of resignation, like trying to land a sinking ship.

9. Over Our Heads

It’s a jarring transition, but ‘Over Our Head’ revs things up like a blast from the past. Of course, its jauntiness is at least a little deceptive: “The emptiness that we both know/ Descends on us when we got no place to go,” Allison sings. But the shared knowledge allows them to go off – Lenderman bends and slides between notes as they repeat, “Don’t bother chasing us, boys,” giving it his best shot.

10. Angel Wings

“I delight in the spectrum of my yearning” might be one of the best thoughts you can have while riding down any street (here, it’s 29th). That delight, ‘Angel Wings’ suggests, comes in moving slowly (again switching up the album’s flow as it does) and letting the thoughts hang around, ache as they might. As Katie sings about knocking her doubt loose, Allison’s voice wraps around it like a foil, eager to assist.

11. I Don’t Want To

Their vocal chemistry sounds even sweeter on ‘I Don’t Want To’, a song that sounds like they could’ve written years ago. What’s the feeling that lingers when you’ve spent a whole album – a lifetime, even – letting your guard down, letting it all out? “I’m pure of heart, this darkness ricochets,” they sing. This isn’t its final destination, but it’s worth capturing.

12. You in Rehab

Allison’s apparent aloofness betrays itself on ‘You in Rehab’, revealing the emotional machinations beneath the song’s gentle cooing: “Me and the sadness move/ Laterally away from one another/ Like you and me.” Though Katie’s writing seems to strike with a more tangible specificity, Allison’s gets under the skin of the kind of interdependent relationships rarely dissected on record. With its title alone, the song turns subtext into text, then reaches beyond it, shooting at some eternal (and probably familial) truth few will ever grasp. This pair certainly does.

13. Coast II

A reprise of the opener, featuring just Katie accompanying a child’s voice on acoustic guitar, ‘Coast II’ closes the album on a dreamy, wistful note. The twins were this young once, more restless still, but perhaps seeing those same qualities mirrored reminds them of all the ways it’s mutated, how they can even be passed on. Aimlessly alive as they still might be, the Crutchfields sound poised with purpose, leaving space for those who’ll help them travel the distance.

Magdalena Bay Release New Songs ‘Unoriginal’ and ‘Black-Eyed Susan Climb’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Magdalena Bay Release New Songs ‘Unoriginal’ and ‘Black-Eyed Susan Climb’

For the past couple of weeks, Magdalena Bay have been sharing a pair of tracks each Friday, raising speculation about the follow-up to last year’s Imaginal Disk. Today, they’re back with another one: the bouncy, tongue-in-cheek ‘Unoriginal’ and ‘Black-Eyed Susan Climb’, which features some brilliant drumming. The band commented: “Two more songs?! When will it end?? Is this the final pair? Don’t think too hard about it. Just let the good times ride.” Of all the pairs, this is definitely the most good-timey. Take a listen below.

8 Albums Out Today to Listen To: Florence + the Machine, Snocaps, Anna von Hausswolff, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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8 Albums Out Today to Listen To: Florence + the Machine, Snocaps, Anna von Hausswolff, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on October 31, 2025:

Florence + the Machine, Everybody Scream

Everybody Scream Artwork“Let me put out a record and not have it ruin my life,” Florence Welch sings on ‘Music by Men’, a stripped-back highlight from the album she’s putting out today.  The visceral origins of these songs are hard to overstate: in 2023, complications from a miscarried ectopic pregnancy forced Welch into emergency surgery mid-tour, which saved her life and prompted an exploration of witchcraft and pagan imagery. Still seeking cathartic release, she delivers a torrential and shadowy record that’s anything but lacking in big choruses and brutal confrontation, yet contains some of her most intimate music to date. Read the full review.

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Snocaps, Snocaps

Snocaps - album art.Katie and Allison Crutchfield, the twin sisters and former P.S. Eliot bandmates, have formed a supergroup of sorts with MJ Lenderman and longtime Waxahatchee producer Brad Cook. It’s called Snocaps, and their surprise self-titled album is out today on ANTI-. Harking back to Allison’s band Swearin’ and Katie’s earlier work as Waxahatchee, the record – produced and almost entirely engineered by Cook – is an absolute treat before the release schedule starts to slow down.

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Anna von Hausswolff, Iconoclasts

IconoclastsAnna von Hausswolff is back with an expansive, revelatory album called Iconoclasts, her first for Year0001. The Swedish musician and composer produced the follow-up to 2020’s All Thoughts Fly with longtime collaborator Filip Leyman. It features collaborations Ethel Cain (who also contributed to the Florence record), Abul Mogard, Iggy Pop, and Maria von Hausswolf, as well as an ensemble of musicians including saxophonist Otis Sandsjö.

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Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo, In the Earth Again 

Chat Pile hayden pedigo album coverIn the Earth Again seems like an unlikely collaboration until it makes entirely too much sense. Fingerstyle guitarist Hayden Pedigo and noise-rockers Chat Pile connected through Oklahoma City’s DIY scene, and the early singles, including ‘Demon Time’ and ‘Radioactive Dreams’, suggested a near-perfect, apocalyptic collision of their stylistic approaches. But the collaborators aren’t afraid to veer into the extremes rather than simply meet in the middle, striking gold with the sprawlingly heavy ‘The Matador’ and ending with the hauntingly intimate ‘A Tear for Lucas’.

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KeiyaA, hooke’s law

KeiyaA_Hooke'sLawkeiyaA wrote the music on her much-anticipated sophomore LP, hooke’s law, over the course of five years. Expanding her fusion of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, electronic, and experimental music, it’s “an album about the journey of self love, from an angle that isn’t all affirmations and capitalistic self-care. it’s not a linear story with a moral at the end,” she explained. “It’s more of a cycle, a spiral – it’s Hooke’s law.” keiyaA added, “With this work i aim to interrogate and embrace anger and conflict, disappointment and dissatisfaction, about not being docile and about rejecting mammyism and traditional expectations of fat black brown and dark skinned women in our communities. i speak about desire + longing, about examining maladaptive tendencies, conflict avoidance – the eternal relationship with the self.”

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claire rousay, A Little Death

a little death ArtworkWith A Little Death, claire rousay completes a trilogy that includes 2020’s A Heavenly Touch and 2021’s A Softer Focus. Crinkling moments of intimacy through field recordings and delicately textured piano, guitar, clarinet, viola, and electronics, the record features contributions from M. Sage and Mari Maurice (aka more eaze). The eight-minute title track, built on piano and viola, is the perfect conclusion and one of the most emotional pieces of music I’ve heard from rousay.

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The Belair Lip Bombs, Again

Again ArtworkAfter reissuing the Belair Lip Bombs’ 2023 debut, Lush Life, Third Man Records has now released the Melbourne power-pop band’s riveting new album Again. Dubbing their sound “yearn-core,” the band produced the LP with Nao Anzai (The Teskey Brothers) and Joe White (Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever). “It was really good having someone else there who was just as invested in what we were playing as we were,” drummer Daniel “Dev” Devlin commented. “Sometimes when you’re recording you’re in your own little world… He made all of us feel really confident in what we were doing.” Maisie adds, “We really didn’t know what to expect going into it. But it was really beneficial having someone on the outside looking in at the songs and can pick up on things that we don’t necessarily see.”

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Alexa Rose, Atmosphere

Atmosphere Album ArtworAlexa Rose has followed up 2021’s Headwaters with a stunning new album, Atmosphere, has arrived via First City Artists. Recorded at Sylvan Esso’s North Carolina studio Betty’s, the 10-track LP was produced by Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues and mixed by Matt Ross Spang. It features pedal steel from Mat Davidson, percussion from Dom Billet, bass from Jeff Ratner, cello from Hilary James, banjo from Helena Rose, and harmonies from Josh Oliver. “This album is all about tenderness,” Rose reflected. “It’s about going out on a limb to feel the full swirl of what life throws at you.”

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Other albums out today:

Daniel Avery, Tremor; Hilary Woods, Night CRIÚ; Guided By Voices, Thick Rich And Delicious; Zach Hill & Lucas Abela, Bag of Max Bag of Cass; Saintseneca, Highwalllow & Supermoon Songs; Eleni Drake, Chuck; Camp Trash, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars; Shlohmo, Repulsor; Ship Sket, InitiatriX; Big L, Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King; Ship Sket, InitiatriX; DJ Premier & Ransom, The Reinvention; Mohinder Kaur Bhamra, Punjabi Disco; Ohm, The Architects; Maneka, bathes and listens; Holy Sons, Puritan Themes; Alister Spence, Within Without; Mark Harwood, Two Actors; Chloe Kim, Ratsnake; Lydia Luce, Mammoth; Massa Nera, The Emptiness of All Things.

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