Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have released CHALLENGERS [MIXED], featuring nine songs from their score for Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming film, reworked as a continuous DJ set by Boys Noize. Stream the project below.
“It’s been a fun challenge to turn this into one fluid experience and take it even further by redesigning the tracks, creating new elements and changing certain parts – especially on ‘Compress / Repress,’ which turns super epic in the end,” Boys Noize said in a statement. “Working with Trent and Atticus has been a dream come true; they’ve been so great and helpful during the entire process.”
Starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, Challengers hits US and UK theaters on April 26.
It has been almost a quarter of a century, but Ridley Scott has finally made a sequel to one of his most iconic films. Fans have been desperate for Gladiator 2 ever since the release of Gladiator in 2000, and it’s set for release this year.
Gladiator 2 will have the success of its predecessor as a springboard, and it will benefit from the popularity of Roman themes in today’s entertainment market. The new picture has the potential to be the biggest cinematic event of 2024.
Gladiator’s Influence is Still Notable in the Modern Entertainment Industry
Despite being released at the turn of the millennium; Gladiator still has a notable influence on the entertainment industry of the modern age. Arguably, no era is more popular than ancient Rome in some of the internet’s most bustling sectors.
The iGaming sector is one place that’s packed full of titles that still piggyback on the success of Gladiator. At BetMGM, there are games like Gladiator Legends, Wild Gladiators, and Game of Gladiators. The site is listed by thegamedaycasino.com because of its array of top titles like these, as well as its generous $1500 welcome promotion.
Along with Gladiator games, there are plenty of movies and television series that have been influenced by Scott’s 2000 offering. These include Troy in 2004 and HBO’s Rome in 2005. It could be argued that offerings like Game of Thrones and Vikings enjoyed such great success because of Gladiator’s enduring impact on the entertainment industry as well. Scott’s film primed audiences to enjoy watching historical themes with plenty of brutal fight scenes.
When Gladiator 2 comes out, it will have a sprawling audience ready and waiting, hungry for more content in the genre. It could also bring new ideas to the table and inspire a whole range of new games and series.
Gladiator 2 Has a Chance of Beating its Predecessor
Gladiator was a revelation during its related award season and picked up a plethora of Oscars. The full array of these is listed at en.as.com, and they include Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. It was also commercially successful, with a total of $465.4 million at the box office. This was good for the time, but those numbers wouldn’t stack up against modern blockbusters.
Gladiator 2 is likely to beat those box office figures by some margin thanks to the anticipation that surrounds it. According to screenrant.com, the new picture stands to break a variety of records and is likely to easily break the $1 billion mark.
Scott’s upcoming offering has loads of factors that would make it a potential smash hit regardless of whether it had the fame of the original behind it. The cast is incredible and features the likes of Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, two names that can bring in huge crowds. It will also explore brand new themes and bring a unique story to the booming ancient Rome genre.
Gladiator 2 has so much working in its favour that it’s hard to not imagine it being the major film event of the year. The picture is set for release in late November and could potentially beat its predecessor’s box office take before Christmas.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have released ‘Song for Amy’, which they wrote for the new Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black. Listen to it below.
Cave and Ellis composed and recorded the film’s score. Director Sam Taylor-Johnson said in a statement that they were “the only musicians in my mind to score Back to Black,” adding, “Over the years, I’ve listened to everything they’ve composed and longed to realize the dream of working together. Their sensibility as well as understanding of this story has led to a profoundly deep and moving film score.”
‘Song for Amy’ will appear on Back To Black: Songs From the Original Motion Picture, which is out May 17 via UMR/Island Records. The film is out now in UK theaters.
Last month, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds announced a new album, Wild God, which was produced by Cave and Ellis and arrives on August 30.
Tinashe has returned with a new song called ‘Nasty’. Taken from her upcoming project BB/ANG3L PT.2 — QUANTUM BABY, the track comes paired with a video directed by Jonah Haber. Check it out below.
“This is that all summer long kinda BOP!” Tinashe said in a statement. “It’s meant to make you feel sexy, confident, let loose and maybe even unleash some of that sluttiness inside you. We all need a daily reminder that we are our own muses, here’s the inspiration to embrace it.”
BB/ANG3L PT.2 — QUANTUM BABY will follow Tinashe’s 2023 album BB/ANG3L. Last month, the R&B singer joined Machinedrum on the track ‘Zoom’.
The fashion world is constantly evolving, bringing forth trends and accessories that catch the eye of fashion lovers worldwide. Recently, one accessory that has become quite popular is the belly chain. Its alluring appeal and flexibility have made it a sought-after item for those seeking to elevate their style with elegance. In this guide, we will delve into the charm and attraction of belly chains as an accessory.
The Versatility of Belly Chains
Belly chain jewelry comes in various styles, designs, and materials, making them suitable for any outfit or event. Whether lounging on the beach or attending a soirée, a belly chain complements every look. For a trendy twist, you can pair these accessories with crop tops, form-fitting dresses, and even layered over oversized sweaters. The styling possibilities are endless!
Boosting Body Confidence
An empowering aspect of the belly chain is its ability to boost body confidence. Drawing attention to the waist area highlights one’s curves and creates a point that radiates femininity and allure. Many people discover that wearing a waist chain can boost their confidence and make them feel more at ease in their skin.
Choosing the Perfect Waist Chain
When picking out a waist chain, it’s essential to consider your style and preferences. There are options to consider:
Simple Chains: These delicate chains offer a perfect elegance for everyday wear.
Charm Chains: If you want to add symbols or personal touches to your accessory, this style is a choice.
Gemstones: Preferred by those who enjoy a bit of sparkle in their jewelry collection, gemstone-adorned waist chains bring an element of glamour and sophistication.
Beaded Chains: For those looking for eye-catching vibrancy or uniqueness, exploring waist chains adorned with beads is an idea.
Statement Pieces: When you want to make a fashion statement on occasion, opt for chunky, oversized waist chains or ones with intricate designs.
Tips on Styling Waist Chains
To ensure that your waist chain complements your look, here are some styling suggestions to consider:
Outfit Coordination: Choose a waist chain that matches the colors and style of your outfit. Silver chains work well with toned ensembles, while gold chains complement toned outfits.
Try wearing your belly chain over clothing or other accessories like body harnesses or chokers to add depth and create a style.
To highlight the design of your belly chain and avoid discomfort, place it on your waistline rather than pulling or tugging it.
Choose delicate chains for an elegant look; for more formal occasions, use bold and attention-grabbing options to make a statement.
Keep jewelry pieces around your waist area minimal to let your belly chain stand out as the focal point of your outfit.
Caring for Your Belly Chain
To ensure that your belly chain stays beautiful and well-maintained, follow these care guidelines:
Remove your belly chain before swimming or participating in water activities to prevent materials from tarnishing due to prolonged water exposure.
Store your belly chain in a box or pouch away from direct sunlight to minimize oxidation.
After each wear, gently wipe off sweat or oils with a cloth to preserve its shine and extend its lifespan.
In Closing
The appeal of the waist chain goes beyond its charm; it also offers versatility, boosts body confidence, and can elevate any outfit with a touch of glamour. Customize it to suit your taste, try out layering and positioning techniques, and ensure proper maintenance to preserve its exquisite appearance. Let this contemporary accessory reflect your personality and add sparkle to your life!
The diamond is an enthralling stone, popular for centuries due to its bold shine and dazzling luster. Technological advancements have made it possible to create these stones, a process that naturally takes billions of years in a controlled environment in just a matter of weeks.
These lab grown diamonds have the same radiance and durability as their natural counterparts. This makes them the perfect centerpiece for fine jewelry like engagement rings, fashion necklaces and bracelets.
Take a closer look at the beauty of lab grown diamonds by examining the structure and characteristics that make them the ideal ethical choice for the next piece in your jewelry collection. Or you can explore tennis bracelets if this is something you fancy.
The Structure of a Lab Grown Diamond
Under the sparkling surface of a diamond is the crystalline structure that gives it its glow. Formed deep within the Earth under natural conditions, intense heat and pressure bond carbon atoms into a specific 4-way arrangement. This creates a highly stable three-dimensional lattice that gives diamonds exceptional hardness and other distinctive physical properties.
In a lab setting, manufacturers mimic the natural conditions under which diamonds are created, producing synthetic stones with the same visual elements and chemical composition. Scientists use advanced production methods like High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to create these durable, sparkling diamonds.
HPHT. Diamonds formed using HPHT are made by exposing a diamond seed and carbon source to extreme temperatures (1300-1600°C) and pressures (above 870,000 psi). This simulates the natural environment deep within the Earth, resulting in stones that can feature unique color distributions, metallic inclusions and phosphorescence.
CVD. The CVD process introduces a carbon-containing gas into a vacuum chamber, heating it to moderate temperatures (900-1200°C). A microwave beam then deposits carbon on diamond seed crystals. This allows for precise control over the lab grown diamond’s physical attributes, such as size, shape and purity, by adjusting the conditions within the chamber.
The Four Cs in a Lab Created Stone
Once lab grown diamonds are created, they are graded by organizations like the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The lab created diamond is inspected and judged on the Four Cs of diamonds: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. These categories help assess the stones’ overall beauty and market value:
The Four Cs
What it Refers To
Possible Ratings
Price and Visual Appeal
Carat
Refers to the diamond’s weight and size.
Measured in carats: 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Higher numbers mean larger diamonds.
Larger natural diamonds are more expensive due to their size and rarity.
Lab grown stones can be created in various sizes, from an average 1-carat to a stunning 5-carat solitaire stone.
Color
Describes how colorless the diamond is, ranging from clear to tinted.
Graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (visible color). D-F are the most colorless and sought-after.
The less color, the more the diamond shimmers and shines, increasing its value and appeal.
Creating stones in a lab produces diamonds that are nearly colorless. However, they can also be intentionally colored to make high-quality gems with unique hues like pink or yellow.
Clarity
Indicates how many imperfections, or inclusions, the diamond has.
Clarity ranges from Flawless (no inclusions visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye), including intermediate grades like VS1 and VS2 (Very Slightly Included).
Diamonds rated VS1 and VS2 have minor inclusions that are difficult to see with the naked eye, offering a good balance of beauty and value.
Lab grown stones may have fewer inclusions than natural diamonds due to the controlled creation process.
Cut
Measures how well the diamond has been shaped and polished from its raw form.
Ranges from Excellent to Poor. Excellent cuts reflect light better, making the diamond more luminous.
A diamond’s cut affects its sparkle the most. A high-quality cut makes the diamond more vibrant and more attractive.
Lab grown diamond rings often feature Excellent cut grades in emerald, round, pear, oval or princess shapes.
The Final Design: Showcasing the Lab Created Diamond’s Beauty
The beauty and brilliance of lab made diamonds are often showcased in innovative designs that highlight their exceptional quality and incandescence. This type of diamond was crafted to stand out, whether as the central gem in a lab grown diamond engagement ring or as part of a stunning ensemble of uniformly sized stones in a lab grown diamond bracelet.
Lab grown diamond jewelry offers buyers many popular designs to suit their preferences and personal style. These can often be customized with changes to the metal setting or stone size or through creating your own piece featuring the following:
Solitaire pieces. Whether in rings, necklaces or earrings, solitaire designs put a single lab grown diamond front and center, celebrating its purity and luminosity. This minimalist approach allows the diamond to capture and reflect light beautifully, which is ideal for those who prefer elegant simplicity.
Halo settings. A central lab grown diamond encircled by smaller stones enhances the main gem’s visual impact. This design can be found in various jewelry pieces, including rings, earrings and pendants, offering a luxurious and radiant appearance.
Pavé embellishments. Featuring tiny lab grown diamonds set closely together to create a glittering surface. This technique adds a sophisticated glimmer to bands and earrings, making each piece look opulent and finely detailed.
Tennis bracelets. This classic design showcases a row of lab grown diamonds, all of similar size, set in a sleek bracelet. This elegant design provides continuous sparkle, making lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets a popular choice for everyday wear as well as special occasions.
Find the Perfect Blend of Beauty and Ethical Sourcing with Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds offer an ideal combination of visual allure and ethical sourcing. These gems provide an opportunity for responsible shopping while allowing you to enjoy exquisite pieces without worrying about where the diamond originated. With a 100% conflict-free lab grown diamond, you can choose the right lab grown diamond ring or lab grown diamond bracelet for yourself or a loved one and celebrate life’s special moments.
Maggie Rogers is back with her third album, Don’t Forget Me, out now via Polydor. Featuring the the previously released ‘So Sick Of Dreaming’ and the title track, the record was co-produced with Ian Fitchuk, who also co-wrote eight of its 10 songs, at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. “I wanted to make an album that sounded like a Sunday afternoon,” Rogers explained in a statement. “Worn in denim. A drive in your favorite car. No make up, but the right amount of lipstick. Something classic. The mohair throw and bottle of Whiskey in Joan Didion’s motel room. An old corvette. Vintage, but not overly Americana. I wanted to make an album to belt at full volume alone in your car, a trusted friend who could ride shotgun and be there when you needed her.” Read our review of the album.
Just three weeks after WE DON’T TRUST YOU, Future and Metro Boomin are back with their second collaborative album, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU. The 18-track record boasts guest appearances from the Weeknd (on the opening title track), J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Lil Baby, and more. Cole’s appearance, on a seven-minute track called ‘Red Leather’, follows last week’s ‘7 Minute Drill’, which he released in response to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s earlier track ‘Like That’ and recently called “the lamest shit I ever did in my fucking life.”
girl in red has dropped her sophomore album, I’m Doing It Again Baby!, via Columbia. The follow-up to the Norwegian singer-songwriter’s 2021 debut If I Could Make It Go Quiet was promoted with the songs ‘Too Much’, ‘Doing It Again Baby’, and the Sabrina Carpenter collaboration ‘You Need Me Now?’. “I think a lot of people really thought, ‘Oh, she’s making this kind of music [now], and she’s gonna make that kind of music forever,” Marie Ulven told The Line of Best Fit. “But like I was just making that music because that was my ability. I was making music to my ability, and my abilities are maturing and changing and growing. So now, things are sounding a lot different.”
UK three-piece Still House Plants have released their third album, If I don’t make it, I love u. The record follows 2020’s Fast Edit and marks the first time since 2017’s Assemblages the trio wrote while all living in the same city. Speaking about the title, vocalist Jess Hickie-Kallenbach told The Quietus: “What I like about it is the multitudes that it holds – it could be a horrifically massive statement, and it’s also what you would send your mate if you couldn’t make it to the pub later on. It’s a simple statement, but there’s a breadth of feeling. It’s soothing, and its generous, and it’s also verbal. It’s sayable.”
Shabaka Hutchings has issued Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, his debut solo full-length under the mononym Shabaka. It finds the jazz innovator trading out his usual saxophone to focus on woodwind instruments, enlisting collaborators including André 3000, Esperanza Spalding, Moses Sumney, Brandee Younger, Floating Points, Laraaji, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Saul Williams, Elucid, and more. The record “signifies a departure for me, a departure from the bands that I’ve become known for playing in, and the arrival of the flutes in general,” Shabaka explained. “I bring a lot of flutes to the album and explore different kind of sonic terrains, although for [‘End of Innocence’], it’s not actually the flute, it’s the clarinet. It’s my first instrument, the instrument that I consider to be my primary instrument, so it’s really going back to what I feel most comfortable with.”
Nia Archives has dropped her debut album, Silence Is Loud, via HIJINXX/Island Records. The Bradford-born producer and DJ worked with Ethan P. Flynn, the songwriter and producer known for his work with FKA twigs and David Byrne, on the new LP, and said she wanted to make something “more song-focussed, putting interesting sounds on jungle.” It sees her exploring themes such as “loneliness and the intense potential power of silence (something louder than noise could ever be)” as well as “relationships, family, navigating her 20s and more.” It was preceded by the single ‘Crowded Roomz’.
London band English Teacher have released their debut album, This Could Be Texas, via Island Records. It includes the previously shared singles ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’, ‘Nearly Daffodils’, ‘Mastermind in Specialism’, ‘Albert Road’, and ‘R&B’. “I want this album to feel like you’ve gone to space and it turns out it’s almost identical to Doncaster,” bandleader Lily Fontaine said in a statement. “It’s about inbetweens, it’s about home, and it’s about Desire Paths.” She added, “Sonically and lyrically, the album is about not being quite like one thing, nor quite like another, existing in that space between being assigned a choice and completing it where anything is possible.”
James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg have issued All Gist, their third collaborative album of guitar duets. The follow-up to 2015’s Ambsace features Jean Cook on strings, Anna Jacobson on brass, Wednesday Knudsen on woodwinds, Nick Macri on bass, and Wanees Zarour on violin. In addition to original compositions, it includes covers of Neneh Cherry’s 1988 single ‘Buffalo Stance’, an arrangement by English composer Howard Skempton, and traditional Breton dance tunes.
Dublin’s MELTS have put out their sophomore record, Field Theory, via Fuzz Club. The 9-track Maelstrom follow-up was recorded live to tape in Black Mountain Studios in the summer of 2023, with Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox producing. Introducing the album’s themes, the band shared in press materials: “Like gravity we are drawn to and miss people and like light waves we love people and are loved. We live in orbits of each other, drawn by unseen forces. The album explores these forces, how we relate to each other, the people we live with and the people we live without. At the heart of Field Theory lies the realisation that we inhabit each other’s worlds as much as our own, through a field of wide-ranging forces, as important as the ones keeping the planets in place.”
Bodega have come out with a new album, Our Brand Could Be Yr Life. The 15-track effort is a reworking of Ben Hozie and Nikki Belfiglio’s sole LP as Bodega Bay, a 33-track collection that was self-released in 2015. “It was super meticulous but aggressively lo-fi at the same time, treated like a lush Brian Wilson epic but recorded through a scrappy MacBook mic,” Hozie explained, adding of the process: “We thought of it like a director remaking one of their old films, like when Hitchcock remade The Man Who Knew Too Much, or when Yasujirō Ozu re-did The Story of Floating Weeds. When you’re older and better at your craft, you can revisit the same material but do different things with it.” The singles ‘Tarkovski’, ‘City is Taken’, and ‘Cultural Consumer III’ dropped ahead of the release.
Other albums out today:
Lynks, ABOMINATION; Hour, Ease the Work; Mark Knopfler, One Deep River; The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Unwishing Well; Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, In Lieu of Flowers; Agent blå, STAB!; Aaron Lee Tasjan, Stellar Evolution; BELA, Noise and Cries 굉음과 울음; Louisa Stancioff, When We Were Looking; Humbird, Right On; The Ballroom Thieves, Springdust; great area, light decline; sleepsmakeswaves, It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It; Trummors, 5; Minor Moon, The Light Up Waltz; Clarissa Connelly, World of Work; Kira McSpice, The Compartmentalization of Decay.
Donna Tartt is one of the most prominent and talented contemporary writers, whose novels dazzle with their depth, complexity, and beauty. Her works are true masterpieces of literature that provoke thought, evoke deep emotions, and reveal new aspects of the human psyche. The author has a vast following of devoted readers who eagerly await each new release. However, Donna Tartt does not spoil her fans: her novels are published once every 10 years, no more often. But each of the novels does not leave anyone indifferent: they amaze with their volume and depth of meanings that they contain.
The first novel: “The Secret History”
Donna Tartt’s first work was published in 1992 and became a bestseller that won the hearts of millions of readers around the world. To this day, it is this novel by Tartt that remains the favorite book of many, and for a large number of people, acquaintance with the work of Donna Tartt began with him.
The Ancient Mystery
What attracts readers to the novel most is the atmosphere of mystery, understatement, and tension that emerges from the first page and keeps them engaged until the very end.
One of the key aspects of the plot is the detective element, which is presented in a way that differs from traditional conventions. From the outset, readers are introduced to the crime and its perpetrators. The author skillfully weaves the story, leading them to uncover the truth behind the murder.
The novel abounds with references to ancient literature and philosophical quotes, which elevate it beyond mere fiction and justify its claim to being intellectual prose. These references add depth and complexity to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking read.
The inner world of the characters
The author pays no less attention to the experiences of the characters, carefully noting all the psychological aspects of their personality formation. The romantic aspect of the work is described with surprising tenderness. Moreover, there is a delicate touch of understatement in the way the main characters’ relationship is presented. Although the characters never become a couple, the reader watches with anticipation as the hero’s feelings for the girl develop. He admires and treasures her, as if she were the perfect match for him on dating.com.
“The Little Friend”
The writer’s second novel did not match the sensational success of “The Secret History”, but this does not mean that it was a failure. The book did enter the bestseller list and also became quite popular.
In “The Little Friend”, Donna Tartt skillfully captures the spirit of the American South. She manages to perfectly portray the characters in the novel, making them vivid and understandable for the reader. The gripping plot, secrets, and extraordinary nature of the main character make “The Little Friend” an engaging read. The book can be enjoyed both as a dramatic work with elements of the detective genre and as a thrilling tale.
“The Goldfinch”
The writer’s third novel was released in 2013 and managed to win not only a huge number of rave reviews from readers and critics, but also various prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. Interestingly, the novel was named after the painting “The Goldfinch”, painted in 1654 by a talented pupil of Rembrandt, an artist from Holland Karel Fabricius. And, of course, it is this picture that plays an important role in the plot of the novel.
It may seem that several separate novels fit into The Goldfinch, which gives the work a resemblance to a television series.Together with the main character, we move through time and space, explore many states of America and live with him for a lifetime. Just like the rest of Donna Tartt’s novels, this book constantly keeps the reader in suspense and makes them vividly empathize with the characters.
The film adaptation
In 2019, a film adaptation of Donna Tartt’s novel was released, which faced the challenge of fitting a complex plot into a two-hour movie. Unfortunately, it cannot be said that the film perfectly accomplished this task, most critics agree that the original plot written by Tartt lost some of its appeal in the adaptation. Nevertheless, the film is still worth watching for the talented cast and its other merits.
What’s next?
There are rumors circulating on the internet that in 2024 we can expect the publication of Donna Tartt’s fourth novel. Indeed, it has been exactly 10 years since the release of her last work. While there is no confirmed information at this time, there is no doubt that when a new piece of writing from this author is released, it will once again capture the attention of readers everywhere.
Thursday have released their first new song since 2011. It’s called ‘Application for Release From the Dream’, and it arrives 13 years to the day since the release of the post-hardcore band’s last album No Devolución. They debuted it live at a concert in Albany, NY, and it’s also their first single in 25 years without a record label. Listen below.
Announcing the new single on Instagram, Thursday shared the following statement:
Tonight we release our first song in 13 years. It’s also our first release in 25 years WITHOUT a record label. That’s 25 years since we set out in a small white van to play basements and VFW Halls — attics, kitchens and back yards — with a bunch of burned CDRs marked in black Sharpie: “Summer Tour ’99.” In those 25 years, there were so many highway breakdowns, so many emergency rooms, run-ins with the law. So much time laughing in the studio, so many hours huddled together backstage or loading gear in the rain. And yes, 25 years of legal disputes and public blowouts. But now we are free. Free to make our own mistakes. Free to turn this band into whatever we dream it to be, whether we want to make it a collective of rotating members, a small cottage industry, a publishing house, a record label, or just a group of friends still having fun together after all these years. So tonight we step on stage at a tiny independent venue like we would’ve played when we were releasing Full Collapse (23 years ago this week) or again when we released No Devolucion (13 years ago this week). The kind of place we hope we get to keep playing at for as long as they’ll have us. Because no matter the size of the stages we’ve played in those 25 years, we remain— at heart — a small band, a bunch of kids still screaming in a basement. But we’re your small band and we love you. Thanks for everything. We’ll see you at midnight, in your time zone. “It’s just a moment now.”
Dua Lipa has shared a new single from her third album, Radical Optimism. Following ‘Houdini’ and ‘Training Season’, ‘Illusion’ is accompanied by a Tanu Muino-directed music video shot at the Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc in Barcelona. Lipa co-wrote the track with Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Kevin Parker, and Harle and Parker co-produced it. Watch and listen below.
“‘Illusion’ was the first song Caroline, Danny, Tobias, Kevin and I worked on together, and it really broke the ice for the record,” Lipa said in a press release. “It’s about knowing what you’re getting yourself into, but staying for the hell of it. The joke’s on them, it’s the fun of playing someone at their own game because ultimately you won’t fall for an illusion.”
Radical Optimism, the follow-up to 2020’s Future Nostalgia, arrives on May 3.
Maggie Rogers
Just three weeks after WE DON’T TRUST YOU, Future and Metro Boomin are back with their second collaborative album, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU. The 18-track record boasts guest appearances from the Weeknd (on the opening title track), J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Lil Baby, and more. Cole’s appearance, on a seven-minute track called ‘Red Leather’, follows last week’s ‘7 Minute Drill’, which he released in response to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s earlier track ‘Like That’ and recently called “the lamest shit I ever did in my fucking life.”
UK three-piece Still House Plants have released their third album, If I don’t make it, I love u. The record follows 2020’s Fast Edit and marks the first time since 2017’s Assemblages the trio wrote while all living in the same city. Speaking about the title, vocalist Jess Hickie-Kallenbach told 
METZ
Shabaka Hutchings has issued 
Nia Archives has dropped her debut album, 
London band English Teacher have released their debut album, 
James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg have issued 
Dublin’s MELTS have put out their sophomore record, 
Bodega
