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Jon Hopkins Announces New Album ‘RITUAL’

Jon Hopkins has announced his first album since 2021’s Music for Psychedelic Therapy. It’s called RITUAL, and it arrives August 30 via Domino. Collaborators on the LP include ylana, 7RAYS, Ishq, Clark, Emma Smith, Daisy Vatalaro, and Cherif Hashizume. As a preview, Hopkins has shared ‘RITUAL (evocation)’, which is meant “to give listeners a window into the full experience.” Check out a video for it below.

Discussing the new album, Hopkins said:

I have no idea what I’m doing when I’m composing. I don’t know where it’s coming from, and I don’t know where it’s going, nor does it seem to matter. I just know when it is finished.So all I can really do is feel my way to the end, then try and retrospectively analyse what might be going on, and try and figure out what its purpose is. What is clear is that this one has the structure of a Ritual. I know what that Ritual is for me, but it will be something different for you. It feels important not to be prescriptive about what this Ritual actually is.

It feels like a tool, maybe even a machine, for opening portals within your inner world, for unlocking things that are hidden and buried. Things that are held in place by the tension in your body. It doesn’t feel like “an album” therefore – more a process to go through, something that works on you. At the same time, it feels like it tells a story. Maybe it’s the story of a process I’m going through, and one that we are all going through. Maybe it’s also the story of creation, destruction and transcendence. Maybe it’s the story of the archetypal hero’s journey – the journey of forgetting and remembering.

RITUAL Cover Artwork:

RITUAL Tracklist:

1. part i – altar
2. part ii – palace / illusion
3. part iii – transcend / lament
4. part iv – the veil
5. part v – evocation
6. part vi – solar goddess return
7. part vii – dissolution
8. part viii – nothing is lost

Locking Legends: Flowerboogie’s Captivating Journey at the MUSCLE MAN Competition

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Earlier this year, Singapore played host to an electrifying display of dance prowess at the MUSCLE MAN vol.1 2v2 locking dance competition. While the team from Hong Kong, Jose and Kayi, clinched the championship, the spotlight was also brightly focused on China’s Flowerboogie (Yingying Li) and her partner Ray, who achieved a remarkable runner-up position.

Flowerboogie, a luminous star in the locking dance scene, had already made her mark by winning championships in the United States and the Philippines in 2023. Her participation in the Singapore competition was highly anticipated by dancers and spectators alike. Without a doubt, her exceptional performance and undeniable talent once again underlined her status in the dance community.

The finals of the competition were particularly enthralling, especially the showdown between Flowerboogie and Jose. Against the backdrop of a rhythmically explosive track, both dancers showcased their exceptional skills. Despite Jose and Kayi securing a tie in this round with their synchronised routines and high completion level, Flowerboogie’s solo performance, following a brief collaboration with Ray, captivated the audience with her unique charm and prowess.

This competition marked the first collaborative effort between Flowerboogie and Ray in a contest setting, with contrasting styles between the two—Ray being known for his strength and explosive power, and Flowerboogie for her smoother, more dance-oriented performances. Despite having only one day for rehearsal and coordination, the synergy and surprise they brought to the stage demonstrated their dedication and talent.

The event was adjudicated by Locking Neal from South Korea, a respected figure in the international dance scene known for his significant achievements. His fair judgment added an extra layer of credibility to the competition.

Flowerboogie and Ray’s exceptional performances garnered widespread admiration and respect from the audience. Their journey in dance is far from over, with each stage challenge marking a step forward in their continuous growth and evolution. The dance community looks forward with great anticipation to more of Flowerboogie’s dazzling displays in the future.

Melodies in the Spring Breeze: A Symphony of Nature and Music at Mary Flagler Cary Hall

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On the evening of April 10th, the gentle breezes of spring wafted through New York’s Mary Flagler Cary Hall, transforming it into a resonating space where music and nature intertwined. The Sunway Music Foundation, in collaboration with acclaimed violinist Shiqi Luo and pianist Nianyi Huang, presented “Petrichor,” a concert that captured the essence of spring through a meticulously curated selection of pieces, immersing every attendee into a vibrant garden of musical vivacity.

The evening opened with Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons, setting an elegant and rejuvenating tone. This was seamlessly followed by a cascade of evocative compositions: Chopin’s Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67, No. 4; Tchaikovsky’s Song Without Words, Op. 2, No. 3; Mozart’s Divertimento in D major, K. 334, Minuet; and Debussy’s enchanting “Clair de Lune.” Each piece blossomed with its unique charm, echoing the freshness of spring air.

Violinist Shiqi Luo, founder of the Sunway Music Foundation and a globally recognized soloist and chamber musician, was more than just a performer that evening—she was a conduit of sensory and emotional experiences. Since establishing the foundation in 2023, Shiqi has dedicated herself to discovering and nurturing young musical talents, with her efforts now bearing significant fruit in the world of music.

Throughout the concert, Shiqi not only showcased a range of melodiously elegant pieces but also, as the event’s producer, ensured that the essence of spring resonated deeply with each audience member. Her rendition of Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song” was especially poignant, with her flowing violin narrating the unfolding story of spring, culminating the evening with a perfect crescendo.

Pianist Nianyi Huang, a distinguished guest and long-term collaborator with the Sunway Music Foundation, complemented the evening with his exceptional piano skills. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance at the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of renowned pianist and educator Jeffrey Cohen, Huang’s profound artistry and musical insights have established him as a prominent figure on the classical music stage.

The concert not only celebrated the arrival of spring but also showcased the limitless power of music to convey hope and beauty. This springtime symphony allowed every attendee to experience the harmonious resonance between music and nature, highlighting the profound cultural significance and humanitarian values underlying the performances. This event wonderfully illustrated the enduring power of music to inspire and uplift, truly embodying the spirit of the season of renewal.

Opening Spiritual Potential: An All-Inclusive Manual for Prayer in OSRS

On your trip through Gielinor, a battle skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is the key to unlocking spiritual power. To improve your fighting skills, you must become proficient in the art of Prayer, regardless of whether you are a warrior playing for free or a member enjoying the many benefits of pay-to-play. We’ll examine a variety of training techniques in this tutorial, aimed at both free-to-play and pay-to-play gamers.

The Foundations of Prayer: Comprehending the Ability

Many techniques can be used to improve prayer. These include dispersing demonic ashes, burying bones, praying at Ectofuntus with buckets of slime and bonemeal, utilizing altars in the chaotic temple or player-owned residence, and killing reanimated monsters with the Arceuus Spellbook. Your prayer points are reduced when you activate prayers until they are disabled. These prayers influence assault, defense, and strength, which enhances the effectiveness of combat. As you advance in skill, new prayers become available that provide you more battle stats and adaptability.

A Word on Players Who Do Not Pay

The main training method available to free-to-play warriors is burying large bones, but this requires a lot of time and resources. It’s a wise move to finish the “Restless Ghost” quest and stop praying there until you join. As an alternative, killing Hill Giants and either burying their bones or making money off of them offers a way to engage in battle and have a praying experience. It is possible to obtain gold for membership by using third-party sites such as ChicksGold.

Pay-to-Play Methods

The Gilded Altar is a costly yet effective technique that is well-liked by members. This altar offers three and a half times more experience than burying bones, and it has no special criteria. A Gilded Burner can be built by players with level 75 building in their homes, while altars can be used in world 330 by other players. Visit the Remington Portal with indicated bones and coins to maximum experience gain. This somewhat more click-intensive method will result in a significant experience boost.

Reviving Ensouled Heads: A Mystifying Experience

For members looking for a different kind of prayer experience, reanimating ensouled heads provides a choice. At least level 3 Magic, 60% Arceuus House Favor to access spellbooks, and respectable combat stats to take on reanimated monsters are prerequisites. If you cast the reanimation spell close to the dark altar—which is reachable by fairy rings—you’ll find a more economical way than with the Gilded Altar. If they work quickly, players can get about 200 ensouled heads every hour.

Selecting Your Course: Beginning and Progressing

It is recommended that novices begin with the Gilded Altar and proceed to ensouled head reanimation gradually when prerequisites are satisfied. The ensouled head approach gains more traction as you level up magic, increase food supplies, and gather better gear. It’s a calculated process that guarantees effective Prayer skill leveling and fits in with your character’s development.

Conclusion

A powerful fighting ability that necessitates planning and strategy, particularly in the varied OSRS universe. Whether you’re a member exploring the game’s vast possibilities or a free-to-play enthusiast, this guide will provide you with the knowledge to improve your Prayer skill. There are a plethora of experiences available in OSRS, and this tutorial will help you get started. Happy gaming! Don’t be afraid to find and share new techniques while you explore Gielinor.

Video Games as a Form of Art

The debate about whether video games can be considered a legitimate art form has been ongoing for years. As video games evolve, gaining complexity and depth, more people recognize them as entertainment and a severe artistic expression. This article explores the creative aspects of video games, including visual design, music, and storytelling, and discusses how these elements are recognized within traditional art circles.

The Visual Artistry of Video Games

The visual component of games is the most immediately apparent form of artistic expression within the medium. Game graphics have evolved dramatically and this evolution has been seen all cross the board down to King Billy Casinos. From the pixelated characters of the early arcade games to the almost photorealistic environments of the latest releases. Artists and designers spend countless hours creating detailed worlds, characters, and objects designed to be interactive and responsive within the game’s universe.

Games like “Journey” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” are prime examples of gaming visual art. “Journey,” with its vast, sweeping landscapes and elegant character design, utilizes a distinctive visual style that communicates emotion and story without words. “Breath of the Wild” uses a cel-shaded art style that turns the game into a living painting, where every frame is a breathtaking view capable of evoking a strong sense of place and mood.

Creating these visual elements involves traditional art techniques, including drawing, modeling, and animation, combined with advanced computer graphics technology. The result is a form of visual art that is interactive and immersive in ways that traditional paintings or sculptures can never be.

Musical Composition in Gaming

Music in video games has transcended simple background tunes, becoming a pivotal part of the gaming experience that can enhance the atmosphere and evoke emotional responses. Composers like Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu, and Hans Zimmer have brought significant attention to the craft of composing for video games, producing works that stand on their own as substantial musical compositions.

The interactive nature of video game music, where the composition may change based on player actions, represents a musical art unique to the medium. Games like “Final Fantasy” and “The Elder Scrolls” series have soundtracks celebrated by gamers and classical music enthusiasts. Concerts featuring video game music, such as “Video Games Live,” have gained popularity worldwide, demonstrating the music’s ability to connect with audiences in and out of gaming contexts.

Storytelling and Narrative Design

The narrative depth of video games has also seen significant development. No longer confined to simple plots of rescuing princesses or defeating villains, modern games feature complex narratives and character development traditionally seen in literature and film. Games like “The Last of Us,” “Bioshock Infinite,” and “Red Dead Redemption 2” provide narratives that are rich, emotionally engaging, and full of moral complexities.

Video game storytelling is interactive, requiring the player to participate actively in the narrative and make choices that can alter the story’s outcome. This level of interactivity offers a new form of storytelling, pioneering new techniques and strategies that are only possible within digital games.

Recognition in Traditional Art Circles

Despite their artistic achievements, video games have struggled to gain recognition in traditional art circles. However, this perception is gradually changing. In 2012, the Smithsonian American Art Museum hosted an exhibition titled “The Art of Video Games,” highlighting the evolution of video games as an artistic medium. Moreover, the Museum of Modern Art in New York has added several video games to its architecture and design collection, recognizing their importance as design objects.

Video games are increasingly studied in academic settings, with courses and programs dedicated to exploring the artistic and cultural impacts of gaming. They are analyzed not just for their technological innovations but also for their creative content and how they engage audiences in artistic experiences.

Video games combine visual art, music, and storytelling into a cohesive whole that is more significant than the sum of its parts. As they continue to develop in sophistication and depth, the recognition of video games as a form of art only grows. The unique interactivity of video games sets them apart from other art forms, offering a new way of experiencing and interpreting art. This capability to engage players in dynamic and immersive artistic experiences cements video games as a significant form of modern artistic expression.

As society continues to embrace digital and interactive media, the artistic value of video games is increasingly acknowledged. The conversation about video games as art is not just about what games have been but also what they have the potential to become. By blending technology and traditional art forms, video games offer a new canvas for entertainment and artistic expression that resonates with a global audience.

FAQ: Video Games as a Form of Art

Can video games be considered a legitimate form of art?

Video games can be viewed as a legitimate art form. Like traditional art forms, video games involve creativity in their design and execution, including elements such as visual art, music, and storytelling. The interactivity of video games adds a unique dimension to the artistic experience, engaging players in ways that traditional art forms do not.

What are some examples of video games known for their artistic value?

Several video games are celebrated for their artistic value, including “Journey,” “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “The Last of Us,” “Shadow of the Colossus,” and “Bioshock Infinite.” These games are known for their exceptional graphics, immersive storytelling, and innovative gameplay that contribute to their overall artistic impact.

How has music contributed to video games being recognized as an art form?

Music in video games has become a crucial element that enhances the gaming experience, similar to how a soundtrack enhances a film. Composers of video game music, such as Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo, have created iconic scores that resonate with players outside the gaming context. Additionally, concerts featuring video game music have helped legitimize the artistic value of gaming compositions.

Are there any institutions that recognize video games as art?

Yes, several prestigious institutions now acknowledge video games as a form of art. Notably, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York have held exhibitions and included video games in their collections, acknowledging their cultural and artistic significance.

What makes video game storytelling unique compared to other mediums like films or books?

Video game storytelling is unique because it is interactive. Players make decisions that can influence the narrative, leading to multiple endings or varying character developments. This interactivity allows players to become part of the story in a way that is impossible in more passive media forms like films or books.

How do video games use visual art?

Video games use visual art through detailed graphics, character design, and environment creation. Art styles in video games can range from photorealistic to stylized, each chosen to enhance the thematic elements and gameplay experience. The visual aspect of games is not only about aesthetics but also about creating a functional, interactive world.

Why has there been resistance to recognizing video games as an art form?

Resistance to recognizing video games as an art form often stems from misconceptions that video games are solely for entertainment or are primarily aimed at younger audiences. Additionally, the commercial aspect of video games can lead some traditional art critics to view them more as products rather than artistic creations. However, as video games’ cultural impact and artistic ambition continue to grow, these perceptions are gradually changing.

How are video games studied in an academic context?

In academia, video games are studied under various disciplines, including media studies, cultural studies, and game design programs. Scholars examine video games for their narrative techniques, artistic elements, cultural impact, and their role as interactive media. This academic interest further validates video games as a form of creative expression.

Juvederm: Transform Your Look with Med Supply Solutions’ Elite Products

A Leader in Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Recognized globally for its extensive line of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, Juvederm, offered by Med Supply Solutions, stands at the forefront of cosmetic treatments designed to combat facial aging. This premier line includes products like Juvederm Voluma XC, Ultra XC, and Ultra Plus, each tailored to meet specific aesthetic needs, from smoothing lines to restoring volume lost due to aging.

The Science Behind Juvederm’s Effectiveness

At the core of Juvederm’s success is its formulation of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body known for its ability to retain moisture and add volume. Juvederm fillers are designed with a smooth gel consistency, allowing easy injection and immediate, natural-looking results. These gels are specifically created to integrate into the tissue, enhancing volume and improving skin quality and smoothness over time.

Targeted Treatments for Every Facial Concern

Juvederm’s diverse product range addresses various aesthetic concerns:

  • Juvederm Voluma XC is expertly crafted for cheek augmentation, effectively restoring mid to deep dermis volume.
  • Juvederm Ultra XC and Ultra Plus are perfect for lip augmentation and the correction of perioral lines, offering subtle and striking results.
  • Juvederm Vollure XC and Volbella XC specialise in smoothing moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

Med Supply Solutions: Ensuring Access to Top-Quality Fillers

Med Supply Solutions offers a dependable source for purchasing Juvederm products, ensuring that healthcare providers can deliver consistent and optimal treatment outcomes. By partnering with reputable manufacturers, Med Supply Solutions guarantees that all fillers are genuine, FDA-approved, and sourced responsibly, providing clinicians and patients with peace of mind regarding the quality and safety of their cosmetic treatments.

Juvederm Injections: A Procedure Tailored for Comfort and Efficacy

The injection process for Juvederm fillers is minimally invasive and typically completed within a single office visit. Before treatment, a properly licensed practitioner will evaluate the patient’s medical history and discuss any previous allergic reactions or severe allergies to ensure suitability for the treatment. During the procedure, Juvederm is carefully injected into the targeted areas using an ultra-fine needle, with the amount and depth of injection tailored to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome.

Emphasizing Safety and Post-Treatment Care

While Juvederm is celebrated for its safety and efficacy, patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, extensive sun or heat exposure, and alcoholic beverages for the first 24 hours following treatment to minimize swelling and optimize results. It is also important for patients to report any unusual pain, severe headache, or vision abnormalities to their practitioner immediately, as these could be signs of complications.

Juvederm remains a gold standard in injectable fillers, offering transformative results that rejuvenate and enhance facial features. In the next section, we will delve deeper into Juvederm treatments’ benefits and transformative outcomes and explore how Med Supply Solutions continues supporting aesthetic medicine’s evolving needs with this advanced filler technology.

The Advanced Science of Juvederm

Refining Facial Aesthetics with Juvederm’s Injectable Gels

Juvederm’s suite of HA dermal fillers, particularly the Ultra XC injectable gel, is pivotal in restoring lost volume and adding smoothness to the skin. These injectable gels are meticulously formulated to target moderate to severe facial wrinkles, including smile lines and forehead lines, seamlessly blending into the skin to promote a youthful and vibrant appearance.

Specialized Solutions for Comprehensive Facial Enhancement

Juvederm XC injectable gel is renowned for addressing age-related volume loss, enhancing lip volume, and defining chin contours. The gel’s versatility allows for tailored applications, ranging from subtle lip enhancements to significant volume additions in areas like the cheeks and chin, providing options for both minor touch-ups and major transformations.

Addressing Complex Aesthetic Needs

Juvederm offers solutions beyond typical dermal fillers for those with specific concerns, such as deep smile lines or sagging in the lower face. The Ultra XC and Voluma XC gels are designed to penetrate the mid to deep dermis, effectively restoring volume and firmness to areas affected by severe volume loss. These products are especially beneficial for patients seeking noticeable, long-lasting results without surgical procedures.

Innovations in Injection Techniques and Safety

Juvederm fillers are administered through advanced skin injection procedures that prioritize patient comfort and precise results. Each injection site is carefully selected and treated to ensure optimal gel integration, enhancing facial contours and maintaining natural facial expressions. The technology behind Juvederm also includes safeguards against severe allergic reactions, with formulations free from gram-positive bacterial proteins, which significantly reduces the risk of adverse immune responses.

Overcoming Challenges with Juvederm

While Juvederm is generally well-tolerated, patients must discuss any history of multiple severe allergies or skin conditions with their healthcare provider before treatment. Proper assessment and technique are essential to avoid complications such as permanent scarring or skin sores. Furthermore, Juvederm’s unique properties ensure that the filler remains effective even in highly mobile face areas, preventing unnatural stiffness and promoting lasting skin smoothness.

Juvederm: A Trusted Name in Cosmetic Treatments

As a leading product in aesthetic medicine, Juvederm continues to set high standards for dermal fillers. Med Supply Solutions offers a comprehensive range of Juvederm products, ensuring practitioners can provide customized, effective treatments. By stocking Juvederm, Med Supply Solutions helps clinics and medical professionals keep up with the latest advancements in cosmetic treatments, providing their patients with safe, reliable, and cutting-edge solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 1 syringe of JUVÉDERM cost?

The cost of one syringe of JUVÉDERM typically ranges from $600 to $1,000, depending on the specific product within the JUVÉDERM line and the geographical location of the clinic.

How long do JUVÉDERM fillers last?

JUVÉDERM fillers can last 6 months to over a year, depending on the specific HA dermal filler used and the individual’s skin type and lifestyle.

Is JUVÉDERM better than Botox?

JUVÉDERM and Botox serve different purposes. JUVÉDERM is a dermal filler used to add volume and smooth deep folds, while Botox is used primarily to relax facial muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, making them complementary rather than competitive treatments.

What does JUVÉDERM do to your face?

JUVÉDERM adds volume to facial tissues, reduces wrinkles, enhances lips, and restores youthful contours to the face through minimally invasive facial injections, providing a smoother and more refreshed appearance.

Top 5 Must-Try Table Games at Online Casino Sites

When it comes to online casino gaming, one of the more popular categories is table games. Players have access to table games via traditional formats as well as live dealers. There are endless ways to explore titles like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Learning more about the top five table game types allows you to know which games to play first. Each option below includes low to high buy-ins and can be found at most online casinos in the UK and other countries.

Blackjack

Perhaps the most popular table game available today online is blackjack. It’s easy to play, as you need to reach the closest to 21 without going over. Beat the dealer, and you win! The game costs little to play and can offer payouts of 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 for a natural blackjack, based on the game type.

Blackjack is featured in a traditional format with simple rules or in more complicated variations. You can play this game with side bets like 21 + 3 or Perfect Pairs to have more chances of winning a prize. Since it is a player favorite, the number of blackjack games is typically vast at iGaming sites.

Roulette

With online roulette, players can access the American, French, and European versions. Players generally play the last two options as they have the better house odds at 2.70%. These are just the standard versions of roulette. Online casinos can offer a lightning format, auto roulette, and other options.

The choices will be endless based on the site you select. Some casinos offer roulette in table game format, while others also include live dealers. With the live option, you can play from home and make real-time decisions as you would at a physical casino.

Baccarat

Many players are intimidated by baccarat, considering it a high-roller game. At a physical casino, the game is typically played with high buy-ins. Online, it’s different. Everyone is invited to play, with the casino offering low to high buy-ins.

Online baccarat is a great way to learn how to play the game and gain experience before you visit a land-based venue. You must select the Player, Banker, or Tie bet to play. The hand that is closest to nine wins, so select correctly, and you earn a payout.

Casino Hold’em

Poker fans can also find games at online casino sites, particularly in the live dealer’s section. Casino Hold’em is a popular choice, played like Texas Hold’em, but you are not competing against other players. You need to have the best poker hand to beat the dealer and win.

With this game, you must know basic poker hands to make decisions. You can make your move once you receive the two-hole cards and see the first three community cards. The online casino game is a great way to practice poker strategy and learn how to play before taking on fellow players.

Craps

Yet another common table game found at online casinos is craps. This is another intimidating game in the physical sense, as players have no idea how to get started. Craps may seem confusing, so playing online helps individuals feel more comfortable learning how the game works.

With craps, you can open the online game details and read the rules. You can review the paytable and learn more about each bet type before you start playing. The online version is the perfect way to practice and have a shot at winning real prize money. The game is generally limited, but players should have access to at least one version per casino.

Getting Started

You need an online casino account to play table games like these from home. Setting up your account with personal information takes about five to ten minutes. Once you have created an account, you are logged in and ready to deposit funds.

Players must deposit funds before gaming can begin. After the first transaction, select one of the table games above to start playing. It’s a simple process that allows you to explore various casino games from home without having to travel.

Online gambling is a great way to enjoy entertainment without any extra expenses such as travel costs, dining, gas, etc. The savings and convenience are the main factors behind the industry’s popularity!

Hamish Hawk Announces New Album ‘A Firmer Hand’, Shares New Single

Hamish Hawk has announced he has signed to Fierce Panda and will release his new album, A Firmer Hand, on August 16. The follow-up to last year’s Angel Numbers is led by the single ‘Big Cat Tattoos’, which arrives with a video from director Andrew Pearson. Check it out and find the album cover and tracklist below.

“‘Big Cat Tattoos’ is just one of the great unsaids that make up the new record, and it’s the birthplace of the album’s title: A Firmer Hand,” Hawk explained in a statement. “Unknowingly I’d been building up an ugly arsenal of great unsaids over the past few years, and the album became a place I could offload them, and with any luck put them to rest.

“I tried to avoid cleaning things up at the time of writing, I cornered myself into a warts-and-all approach,” he continued. “But don’t be fooled, ‘Big Cat Tattoos’ is all talk. Our hero gets a few barbs in nice and early, and lands a couple of clumsy jabs, but in the end we’re witness to nothing more than a petty diatribe. It’s embittered, unbecoming and wholly embarrassing. It does have a certain get-up-and-go, though.”

Opening up about A Firmer Hand, Hawk said:

Writing this album, I opened up my closet, and a skeleton came out. The thing that links all of the songs is a sense of the unsaid, whether out of guilt, shame, repression, embarrassment, coyness, whatever it might have been. I realised: I am going to say these things, and not all of them are going to make me look good. The album made so many demands, and I just gave myself over to it.

Once I’d given myself over to the idea, I thought, I have to stick to this. I can’t hide anything from it. I can’t clean it all up for consumption. It felt uncomfortable for me – and that’s exactly how it should feel. That’s a really strong position.

Through the writing of “Machiavelli’s Room”, followed by the arrival of songs such as “Milk an Ending” and “Juliet as Epithet”, “A Firmer Hand” came into focus as an album directed towards Hawk’s relationships with men: friends, lovers, family, colleagues.

I thought, this is the body of the record. The fact that it makes me nervous tells me it was the right thing to do.

A Firmer Hand Cover Artwork:

A Firmer Hand Tracklist:

1. Juliet as Epithet
2. Machiavelli’s Room
3. Big Cat Tattoos
4. Nancy Dearest
5. Autobiography of Spy
6. You Can Film Me
7. Christopher St.
8. Men Like Wire
9. Questionable Hit
10. Disingenuous
11. Milk an Ending
12. The Hard Won

Jessica Pratt Unveils New Single ‘The Last Year’

Ahead of the release of her new album Here in the Pitch this Friday, May 3, Jessica Pratt has released a new single, ‘The Last Year’. The track, which closes the LP, ends with a piano melody from Al Carlson. It follows previous entries ‘World on a String’ and ‘Life Is’. Check out a visual for it below.

How to foster a better cycling culture in the UK

Cycling is a great way to get from A to B with it offering a way to exercise and move quickly, without breaking the bank. Around 7.6 million people actively cycle in the UK according to data from 2022, which shows how popular it is.

The scope for increasing the number of cyclists in the UK is huge and it’s something we should be looking at doing with so many environmental benefits. However, a better cycling culture is needed in Great Britain before more people will hop on the pedals.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do this and our guide offers some of the things that government bodies and cycling charities can be doing to help.

Why do we need to foster a better cycling culture in the UK?

With cycling being already popular in the UK, you may be wondering why the culture needs to be better. The first reason is safety. Reports from 2023 highlighted that 83 cyclists were killed last year, showing that this is a problem that needs to be resolved.

One other reason cycling should be encouraged is because of the environmental benefits it offers. More cyclists commuting to work, the shops or other areas of their lives should reduce congestion on roads, which will be a positive move to make the UK greener.

What are the different ways we can do it?

To keep our cyclists free from danger while reaping the rewards of cycling participation in the UK, the following methods should be done:

Improve safety for cyclists

Picking up a reliable road bike is the first step to improving safety. Good bikes offer responsive riding to help riders avoid dangerous situations.

Other protection equipment can reduce danger too but the Highway Code currently states that it’s only advised that road cyclists should wear a helmet. We believe that this should be a legal requirement and other equipment should be encouraged too. This includes elbow pads and lights.

Increase awareness of cycling laws for drivers

Vehicles are a major worry for cyclists and many drivers find themselves getting frustrated by road bike users. This is largely due to a lack of understanding of the rules of the road.

Cyclists are encouraged to ride in the centre of the lane for their safety and have priority over car users. If drivers knew this, it may reduce frustrations, which could lead to fewer risky manoeuvres to overtake them.

Ensure our cycling infrastructure is adequate

While the UK is taking great strides to improve the infrastructure of cycling in the UK, there is still a long way to go. Some of the main ways this can be improved is by doing the following:

  • Increase the number of bike storage spaces
  • Create more cycle lanes
  • Make cycling more accessible with grants or discounts