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How To Choose a Natural Perfume For A Date

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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How To Choose a Natural Perfume For A Date

Embarking on a date is like stepping into a world of possibilities, and the right fragrance can be your invisible companion, leaving a lasting impression. Natural perfumes, with their alluring and subtle notes, are gaining popularity among those who seek a unique olfactory experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect natural perfume for your next romantic rendezvous.

Understanding Your Personal Style

Before diving into the world of natural perfumes, take a moment to reflect on your personal style. Are you more drawn to floral, woody, or citrusy scents? Understanding your preferences will serve as a compass, guiding you through the myriad of options available. If you’re not sure, explore a variety of scents and note which ones resonate with you the most.

Consider the Occasion

Different occasions call for different fragrances. For a romantic date night, opt for a scent that is sensual and inviting. Earthy and warm notes like vanilla, patchouli, or sandalwood can create an intimate ambiance. Avoid overpowering scents that may distract from the connection you’re trying to build. Subtlety is key.

Embrace Natural Perfume Ingredients

Choosing a natural perfume means embracing the beauty of botanical ingredients. Look for fragrances and quality perfume dupes that are crafted with essential oils and extracts rather than synthetic chemicals. Not only do natural ingredients offer a richer and more authentic scent, but they also tend to be gentler on the skin, making them a perfect choice for close encounters.

Test Before You Invest

Never underestimate the power of a patch test. Perfumes can react differently with individual skin chemistry, and what smells heavenly on one person may not have the same effect on another. Apply a small amount on your wrist and let it mingle with your skin for a few hours before making a decision. This simple step can save you from potential discomfort and ensure that the fragrance complements your natural scent.

Explore Unisex Options

Perfume is a personal expression, and it’s not confined to gender norms. Unisex fragrances often boast a harmonious blend of masculine and feminine notes, offering a versatile option for anyone. Consider exploring this category for a scent that resonates with both you and your date.

Longevity Matters

A good natural perfume should not only smell delightful but also have staying power. Look for fragrances with base notes like cedarwood, vetiver, or musk, as these tend to linger on the skin for an extended period. Longevity is particularly crucial for date nights, ensuring that your chosen scent lasts throughout the evening without the need for frequent reapplication.

Opt for Ethical and Sustainable Brands

The allure of natural perfumes extends beyond their enchanting scents; it also includes the commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Many natural perfume brands prioritize cruelty-free and eco-friendly production methods. By choosing a perfume from such a brand, you not only enhance your personal fragrance collection but also contribute to a more conscious and compassionate industry.

Trust Your Instincts

In the end, the most important factor in choosing a natural perfume for a date is trusting your instincts. Your sense of smell is a powerful tool that can guide you to the scent that resonates with you the most. Take your time to explore, experience, and let your nose be the ultimate judge.

In the realm of dating, where first impressions linger, a carefully chosen natural perfume can be your secret weapon. By understanding your preferences, considering the occasion, embracing natural ingredients, and trusting your instincts, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the perfect fragrance to accompany you on your romantic adventure.

Final Thoughts On Choosing A Natural Perfume For A Date

As we navigate the intricate dance of dating, the significance of a well-chosen natural perfume cannot be overstated. It’s a silent communicator, weaving itself into the fabric of the memories you create. By understanding your preferences, exploring ethical brands, and trusting your instincts, you can unlock a world of olfactory delights that enhance your personal style and leave a lasting impression.

So, the next time you embark on a date night, let your chosen fragrance be a testament to your attention to detail and a subtle invitation to share in the enchantment of scented moments. After all, in the world of romance, the right scent can be the invisible thread that weaves its way through the tapestry of a memorable evening.

4 Things Tenants Should Know Before Renting a Property

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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4 Things Tenants Should Know Before Renting a Property

Renting a property can be an exciting and daunting experience for tenants, especially if you are looking in becoming a tenant in France. While it offers the opportunity to have a place of their own, there are certain things that tenants should be aware of before signing a lease agreement. 

In this blog post, we will discuss four important things that every tenant should know before renting a property. These include getting tenant insurance, understanding the lease agreement, knowing their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and being aware of the landlord’s expectations. 

By having these key pieces of information, tenants can be better prepared for their renting journey and avoid any potential problems or misunderstandings. Let’s get started.

Get Tenant Insurance

One of the first things tenants should consider before moving into a rental property is getting tenant insurance. Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which covers the building and its contents, tenant insurance only covers the personal belongings and liability of the tenant. In case of unexpected events such as fire, theft, or damage to the property, having tenant insurance can provide financial protection for tenants.

It can also cover additional living expenses if the rental becomes uninhabitable. It is important for tenants to carefully review their insurance policies and ensure they have proper tenant insurance based on their needs and budget. For instance, some insurance policies may exclude certain types of damages or only cover a limited amount. It is advisable to shop around and compare different insurance options before making a decision.

Understand the Lease Agreement

The lease agreement is a legally binding contract between the tenant and the landlord that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement. Before signing the lease, tenants should thoroughly read and understand every clause to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings in the future. It is important to pay attention to details such as rent amount, due date, security deposit, pet policies, maintenance responsibilities, and termination clauses.

Tenants are also advised to ask for clarifications or seek legal advice if there are any uncertainties in the lease agreement. Understanding the lease agreement can help tenants avoid potential conflicts and ensure a smooth renting experience.

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a tenant, it is essential to know your rights and responsibilities under the law. This includes knowing laws related to rent control, security deposits, eviction procedures, repairs and maintenance, privacy rights, and discrimination.

Tenants should also be aware of their responsibilities such as paying rent on time, keeping the rental unit clean and in good condition, not causing damage to the property, and following any rules set by the landlord. Being familiar with these rights and responsibilities can help tenants protect themselves and ensure a fair and respectful relationship with their landlords.

Be Aware of Landlord’s Expectations

Every landlord has their own expectations for their tenants. It is important for tenants to be aware of these expectations before moving into a rental property. This can include things like maintaining the lawn, notifying the landlord of any repairs needed, or following specific rules such as no smoking on the premises.

Tenants should also clarify any expectations with their landlord and make sure they are comfortable with them before signing the lease agreement. Good communication and understanding of expectations can help tenants maintain a positive relationship with their landlord and avoid any conflicts.

Being informed about tenant insurance, the lease agreement, rights and responsibilities, and the landlord’s expectations are crucial for a smooth renting experience. Tenants should always do their due diligence and seek clarification or advice when needed to ensure a successful tenancy.  Remember, a little extra preparation can go a long way in making the renting process a positive and stress-free experience.  So, keep these tips in mind when looking for your next rental home.

Eyedress and the Marías Team Up for New Song ‘Separate Ways’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Eyedress and the Marías Team Up for New Song ‘Separate Ways’

Eyedress and the Marías have linked up for a new song titled ‘Separate Ways’. It’s the first of two collaborations between Eyedress and the Marías set for release this year. Check it out below.

Eyedress recently signed with RCA and dropped two collaborative tracks with Mac DeMarco, ‘The Dark Prince’ and ‘My Simple Jeep’. The Marías released their debut album, Cinema, in 2021.

Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List

Konstantinos Pappis
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Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List

The 2024 Grammy nominations have been announced. SZA scored the most nominations with nine overall, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. Phoebe Bridgers follows with seven nods – six with boygenius and one for her SZA collab ‘Ghost in the Machine’ – alongside Victoria Monét and mixing engineer Serban Ghenea. Billie Eilish, Jack Antonoff, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Jon Batiste all picked up six nominations. This year’s first-time Grammy nominees include Alvvays, Ice Spice, Neutral Milk Hotel, Gracie Abrams, Troye Sivan, Romy, Laufey, and Sarah Tudzin of illuminati hotties. Check out the full list of nominees below.

The 66th Grammy Awards take place on Sunday, February 4, at Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena. Prior to the show, the Recording Academy reduced the number of nominees in the Big Four categories from 10 back down to eight. Three new categories were also added this year: Best Alternative Jazz Album, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best African Music Performance.

Record of the Year
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough
Jon Batiste – Worship
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
SZA – Kill Bill
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Victoria Monét – On My Mama

Album of the Year
Boygenius – The Record
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
Jon Batiste – World Music Radio
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
SZA – SOS
Taylor Swift – Midnights

Song of the Year
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
Dua Lipa – Dance the Night
Jon Batiste – Butterfly
Lana Del Rey – A&W
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
SZA – Kill Bill
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero

Best New Artist
Coco Jones
Gracie Abrams
Fred Again..
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Noah Kahan
Victoria Monét
The War and Treaty

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Daniel Nigro
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Hit-Boy
Jack Antonoff
Metro Boomin

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Justin Tranter
Shane McAnally
Theron Thomas

Best Pop Solo Performance
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
Doja Cat – Paint the Town Red
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Labrinth Featuring Billie Eilish – Never Felt So Alone
Lana Del Rey Featuring Jon Batiste – Candy Necklace
Miley Cyrus Featuring Brandi Carlile – Thousand Miles
SZA Featuring Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine
Taylor Swift Featuring Ice Spice – Karma

Best Pop Vocal Album
Kelly Clarkson – Chemistry
Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
Ed Sheeran – – (Subtract)
Taylor Swift – Midnights

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Aphex Twin – Blackbox Life Recorder 21f
Disclosure – Higher Than Ever Before
James Blake – Loading
Romy & Fred Again.. – Strong
Skrillex, Fred Again.. & Flowdan – Rumble

Best Pop Dance Recording
Bebe Rexha & David Guetta – One in a Million
Calvin Harris Featuring Ellie Goulding – Miracle
David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi Leray – Baby Don’t Hurt Me
Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam
Troye Sivan – Rush

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
James Blake – Playing Robots Into Heaven
The Chemical Brothers – For That Beautiful Feeling
Fred Again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
Kx5 – Kx5
Skrillex – Quest for Fire

Best Rock Performance
Arctic Monkeys – Sculptures of Anything Goes
Black Pumas – More Than a Love Song
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough
Foo Fighters – Rescued
Metallica – Lux Æterna

Best Metal Performance
Disturbed – Bad Man
Ghost – Phantom of the Opera
Metallica – 72 Seasons
Slipknot – Hive Mind
Spiritbox – Jaded

Best Rock Song
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough
Foo Fighters – Rescued
Olivia Rodrigo – Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl
Queens of the Stone Age – Emotion Sickness
The Rolling Stones – Angry

Best Rock Album
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Greta Van Fleet – Starcatcher
Metallica – 72 Seasons
Paramore – This Is Why
Queens of the Stone Age – In Times New Roman…

Best Alternative Music Performance
Alvvays – Belinda Says
Arctic Monkeys – Body Paint
Boygenius – Cool About It
Lana Del Rey – A&W
Paramore – This Is Why

Best Alternative Music Album
Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Boygenius – The Record
Gorillaz – Cracker Island
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
PJ Harvey – I Inside the Old Year Dying

Best R&B Performance
Chris Brown – Summer Too Hot
Coco Jones – ICU
Robert Glasper Featuring Sir & Alex Isley – Back to Love
SZA – Kill Bill
Victoria Monét – How Does It Make You Feel

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Babyface ft. Coco Jones – Simple
Kenyon Dixon – Lucky
Victoria Monét ft. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét – Hollywood
PJ Morton ft. Susan Carol – Good Morning
SZA – Love Language

Best R&B Song
Coco Jones – ICU
Halle – Angel
Robert Glasper ft. SiR & Alex Isley – Back to Love
SZA – Snooze
Victoria Monét – On My Mama

Best Progressive R&B Album
6lack – Since I Have a Lover
Diddy – The Love Album: Off the Grid
Terrace Martin and James Fauntleroy – Nova
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
SZA – SOS

Best R&B Album
Babyface – Girls Night Out
Coco Jones – What I Didn’t Tell You
Emily King – Special Occasion
Summer Walker – Clear 2: Soft Life EP
Victoria Monét – Jaguar II

Best Rap Performance
Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar – The Hillbillies
Black Thought – Love Letter
Coi Leray – Players
Drake & 21 Savage – Rich Flex
Killer Mike Featuring André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane – Scientists & Engineers

Best Melodic Rap Performance
Burna Boy Featuring 21 Savage – Sittin’ on Top of the World
Doja Cat – Attention
Drake & 21 Savage – Spin Bout U
Lil Durk Featuring J. Cole – All My Life
SZA – Low

Best Rap Song
Doja Cat – Attention
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice ft. Aqua – Barbie World
Lil Uzi Vert – Just Wanna Rock
Drake & 21 Savage – Rich Flex
Killer Mike ft. André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane – Scientists & Engineers

Best Rap Album
Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
Killer Mike – Michael
Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains
Nas – King’s Disease III
Travis Scott – Utopia

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Aja Monet – When the Poems Do What They Do
J. Ivy – The Light Inside
Kevin Powell – Grocery Shopping With My Mother
Prentice Powell and Shawn William – For Your Consideration ’24 – The Album
Queen Sheba – A-You’re Not Wrong B-They’re Not Either: The Fukc-It Pill Revisited

Best Jazz Performance
Jon Batiste – Movement 18’ (Heroes)
Lakecia Benjamin – Basquiat
Adam Blackstone ft. the Baylor Project & Russell Ferranté – Vulnerable (Live)
Fred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding – But Not For Me
Samara Joy – Tight

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Patti Austin Featuring Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – For Ella 2
Fred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding – Alive at the Village Vanguard
Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke – Lean In
Cécile McLorin Salvant – Mélusine
Nicole Zuraitis – How Love Begins

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Kenny Barron – The Source
Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix
Adam Blackstone – Legacy: The Instrumental Jawn
Billy Childs – The Winds of Change
Pat Metheny – Dream Box

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
ADDA Simfònica, Josep Vicent, Emilio Solla – The Chick Corea Symphony Tribute – Ritmo
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Dynamic Maximum Tension
The Count Basie Orchestra Directed By Scotty Barnhart – Basie Swings The Blues
Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest – Olympians
Mingus Big Band – The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions

Best Latin Jazz Album
Eliane Elias – Quietude
Ivan Lins with the Tblisi Symphony Orchestra – My Heart Speaks
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band – Vox Humana
Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente – Cometa
Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo – El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2

Best Alternative Jazz Album
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily – Love in Exile
Cory Henry – Live at the Piano
Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, SuperBlue – SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree
Louis Cole – Quality Over Opinion
Meshell Ndegeocello – The Omnichord Real Book

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Liz Callaway – To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim
Rickie Lee Jones – Pieces of Treasure
Laufey – Bewitched
Pentatonix – Holidays Around the World
Bruce Springsteen – Only the Strong Survive
Various – Sondheim Unplugged (The NYC Sessions), Vol. 3

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer ft. Rakesh Chaurasia – As We Speak
House of Waters – On Becoming
Bob James – Jazz Hands
Julian Lage – The Layers
Ben Wendel – All One

Best Musical Theater Album
Kimberly Akimbo
Parade
Shucked
Some Like It Hot
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Country Solo Performance
Brandy Clark – Buried
Chris Stapleton – White Horse
Dolly Parton – The Last Thing on My Mind
Luke Combs – Fast Car
Tyler Childers – In Your Love

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Dierks Bentley ft. Billy Strings – High Note
Brothers Osborne – Nobody’s Nobody
Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin – Kissing Your Picture (Is So Cold)
Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson – Save Me
Carly Pearce ft. Chris Stapleton – We Don’t Fight Anymore

Best Country Song
Brandy Clark – Buried
Chris Stapleton – White Horse
Morgan Wallen – Last Night
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything

Best Country Album
Brothers Osborne – Brothers Osborne
Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country
Tyler Childers – Rustin’ in the Rain
Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan

Best American Roots Performance
Jon Batiste – Butterfly
Blind Boys of Alabama – Heaven Help Us All
Madison Cunningham – Inventing the Wheel
Rhiannon Giddens – You Louisiana Man
Allison Russell – Eve Was Black

Best Americana Performance
Blind Boys of Alabama – Friendship
Tyler Childers – Help Me Make It Through the Night
Brandy Clark ft. Brandi Carlile – Dear Insecurity
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – King of Oklahoma
Allison Russell – The Returner

Best American Roots Song
The War and Treaty – Blank Page
Billy Strings ft. Willie Nelson – California Sober
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Cast Iron Skillet
Brandy Clark ft. Brandi Carlile – Dear Insecurity
Allison Russell – The Returner

Best Americana Album
Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark
Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions
Rhiannon Giddens – You’re the One
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
Allison Russell – The Returner

Best Bluegrass Album
Sam Bush – Radio John: Songs of John Hartford
Michael Cleveland – Lovin’ of the Game
Mighty Poplar – Mighty Poplar
Willie Nelson – Bluegrass
Billy Strings – Me/And/Dad
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City of Gold

Best Traditional Blues Album
Eric Bibb – Ridin’
Mr. Sipp – The Soul Side of Sipp
Tracy Nelson – Life Don’t Miss Nobody
John Primer – Teardrops For Magic Slim Live At Rosa’s Lounge
Bobby Rush – All My Love for You

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Samantha Fish And Jesse Dayton – Death Wish Blues
Ruthie Foster – Healing Time
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Live in London
Larkin Poe – Blood Harmony
Bettye LaVette – LaVette!

Best Folk Album
Dom Flemons – Traveling Wildfire
The Milk Carton Kids – I Only See the Moon
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell at Newport [Live]
Nickel Creek – Celebrants
Old Crow Medicine Show – Jubilee
Paul Simon – Psalms
Rufus Wainwright – Folkocracy

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band – New Beginnings
Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers – Live At The 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Lost Bayou Ramblers & Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Live: Orpheum Theater Nola
New Breed Bass Band – Made in New Orleans
New Orleans Nightcrawlers – Too Much to Hold
The Rumble Feature Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. – Live at the Maple Leaf

Best Gospel Performance/Song
Stanley Brown ft. Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard & Karen Clark Sheard – God Is Good
Erica Campbell – Feel Alright (Blessed)
Zacardi Cortez – Lord Do It For Me (Live)
Melvin Crispell III – God Is
Kirk Franklin – All Things

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Blessing Offor – Believe
Cody Carnes – Firm Foundation (He Won’t) [Live]
Lauren Daigle – Thank God I Do
for KING & COUNTRY ft. Jordin Sparks – Love Me Like I Am
Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Your Power
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – God Problems

Best Gospel Album
Erica Campbell – I Love You
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Hymns (Live)
Maverick City Music – The Maverick Way
Jonathan McReynolds – My Truth
Tye Tribbett – All Things New: Live In Orlando

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Blessing Offor – My Tribe
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Emanuel
Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle
Lecrae – Church Clothes 4
Phil Wickham – I Believe

Best Roots Gospel Album
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet – Tribute to the King
Blind Boys of Alabama – Echoes of the South
Becky Isaacs Bowman – Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times
Brian Free & Assurance – Meet Me at the Cross
Gaither Vocal Band – Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light

Best Latin Pop Album
AleMor – Beautiful Humans, Vol. 1
Gaby Moreno – X Mi (Vol. 1)
Maluma – Don Juan
Pablo Alborán – La Cuarta Hoja
Paula Arenas – A Ciegas
Pedro Capó – La Neta

Best Música Urbana Album
Rauw Alejandro – Saturno
Karol G – Mañana Será Bonito
Tainy – Data

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Cabra – Martínez
Diamante Eléctrico – Leche de Tigre
Juanes – Vida Cotidiana
Natalia Lafourcade – De Todas las Flores
Fito Paez – EADDA9223

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)
Ana Bárbara – Bordado a Mano
Flor de Toloache – Motherflower
Lila Downs – La Sánchez
Lupita Infante – Amor Como en las Películas de Antes
Peso Pluma – Génesis

Best Tropical Latin Album
Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta – Siembra: 45(degree) Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022)
Luis Figueroa – Voy A Ti
Grupo Niche Y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia – Niche Sinfónico
Omara Portuondo – Vida
Tony Succar, Mimy Succar – Mimy & Tony
Carlos Vives – Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así

Best Global Music Performance
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily – Shadow Forces
Burna Boy – Alone
Davido – Feel
Silvana Estrada – Milagro Y Disastre
Falu & Gaurav Shah (ft. PM Narendra Modi) – Abundance In Millets
Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain ft. Rakesh Chaurasia – Pashto
Ibrahim Maalouf ft. Cimafunk & Tank and the Bangas – Todo Colores

Best African Music Performance
Asake & Olamide – Amapiano
Ayra Starr – Rush
Burna Boy – City Boys
Davido Featuring Musa Keys – Unavailable
Tyla – Water

Best Global Music Album
Susana Baca- Epifanías
Bokanté – History
Burna Boy – I Told Them…
Davido – Timeless
Shakti – This Moment

Best Reggae Album
Buju Banton – Born For Greatness
Beenie Man – Simma
Collie Buddz – Cali Roots Riddim 2023
Burning Spear – No Destroyer
Julian Marley & Antacus – Colors of Royal

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Kirsten Agresta-Copely – Aquamarine
Omar Akram – Moments of Beauty
Ólafur Arnalds – Some Kind of Peace (Piano Reworks)
David Darling & Hans Christian – Ocean Dreaming Ocean
Carla Patullo ft. Tonality and the Scorchio Quartet – So She Howls

Best Children’s Music Album
Andrew & Polly – Ahhhhh!
Pierce Freelon & Nnenna Freelon – Ancestars
DJ Willy Wow! – Hip Hope for Kids!
Uncle Jumbo – Taste The Sky
123 Andrés – We Grow Together Preschool Songs

Best Comedy Album
Trevor Noah – I Wish You Would
Wanda Sykes – I’m An Entertainer
Chris Rock – Selective Outrage
Sarah Silverman – Someone You Love
Dave Chappelle – What’s In A Name?

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
Meryl Streep – Big Tree
William Shatner – Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder
Rick Rubin – The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Senator Bernie Sanders – It’s Ok to Be Angry About Capitalism
Michelle Obama – The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Daisy Jones & The Six – Aurora
Various Artists – Barbie The Album
Various Artists – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By
Various Artists – Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3: Awesome Mix, Vol. 3
Weird Al Yankovic – Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)
John Williams – The Fabelmans
John Williams – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Ludwig Göransson – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer
Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt – Barbie

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarök
Jess Serro, Tripod & Austin Wintory – Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Peter Murray, J Scott Rakozy & Chuck E. Myers “Sea” – Hogwarts Legacy
Sarah Schachner – Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare II
Stephen Barton & Gordy Haab – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Best Song Written for Visual Media
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
Dua Lipa – Dance the Night
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice Featuring Aqua – Barbie World
Rihanna – Lift Me Up
Ryan Gosling – I’m Just Ken

Best Music Video
The Beatles – I’m Only Sleeping
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For
Kendrick Lamar – Count Me Out
Troye Sivan – Rush

Best Music Film
Moonage Daydream
How I’m Feeling Now
Live From Paris, The Big Steppers Tour
I Am Everything
Dear Mama

Best Recording Package
Caroline Rose – The Art of Forgetting
Hsing-Hui Cheng – Cadenza 21’
Perry Shall – Eletrophonic Chronic
Iam8bit – Gravity Falls
Yu Wei – Migration
Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck – Stumpwork

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
The Collected Works of Neutral Milk Hotel
For The Birds: The Birdsong Project
Gieo
Inside: Deluxe Box Set
Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition

Best Album Notes
John Coltrane & Eric Dolphy – Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy (Live) (album notes by Ashley Kahn)
Howdy Glenn – I Can Almost See Houston: The Complete Howdy Glenn (album notes by Scott B. Bomar)
Iftin Band – Mogadishu’s Finest: The Al Uruba Sessions (album notes by Vik Sohonie)
Various Artists – Playing for the Man at the Door: Field Recordings from the Collection of Mack McCormick, 1958-1971 (album notes by Jeff Place & John Troutman
Various Artists – Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos (album notes by Robert Gordon & Deanie Parker

Best Historical Album
Bob Dylan – Fragments – Time Out Of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17
Various Artists – The Moaninest Moan of Them All: The Jazz Saxophone of Loren McMurray, 1920-1922
Various Artists – Playing for the Man at the Door: Field Recordings from the Collection of Mack McCormick, 1958-1971
Lou Reed – Words & Music, May 1965 – Deluxe Edition
Various Artists – Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Bokanté – History
Boygenius – The Record
Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
Feist – Multitudes
Victoria Monét – Jaguar II

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Gustavo Dudamel, Anne Akiko Meyers, Gustavo Castillo & Los Angeles Philharmonic – Fandango
Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 & Schulhoff: Five Pieces
Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, George Lernis & A Far Cry – Sanlikol: A Gentleman Of Istanbul – Symphony For Strings, Percussion, Piano, Oud, Ney & Tenor
Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Contemporary American Composers
Shara Nova & A Far Cry – The Blue Hour

Producer of the Year, Classical
David Frost
Morten Lindberg
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Brian Pidgeon

Best Remixed Recording
Depeche Mode – Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix)
Gorillaz Featuring Tame Impala & Bootie Brown – New Gold (Dom Dolla Remix)
Lane 8 – Reviver (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix)
Mariah Carey – Workin’ Hard (Terry Hunter Remix)
Turnstile and Badbadnotgood ft. Blood Orange – Alien Love Call

Best Immersive Audio Album
Alicia Keys – The Diary of Alicia Keys
Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarok
George Strait – Blue Clear Sky
Madison Beer – Silence Between Songs
Ryan Ylyate – Act 3 (Immersive Edition)

Best Instrumental Composition
Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia – Motion
John Williams – Helena’s Theme
Lakecia Benjamin ft. Angela Davis – Amerikkan Skin
Ludwig Göransson – Can You Hear the Music
Quartet San Francisco Featuring Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – Cutey And The Dragon

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Hilario Duran And His Latin Jazz Big Band Featuring Paquito D’Rivera – I Remember Mingus
Just 6 – Angels We Have Heard On High
Ludwig Göransson – Can You Hear the Music
The String Revolution ft. Tommy Emmanuel – Folsom Prison Blues
Wednesday Addams – Paint It Black

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
Cécile McLorin Salvant – Fenestra
Maria Mendes ft. John Beasley & Metropole Orkest – Com Que Voz (Live)
Patti Austin ft. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – April in Paris
säje ft. Jacob Collier – In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Samara Joy – Lush Life

Best Orchestral Performance
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Scriabin: Symphony No. 2; The Poem Of Ecstasy
Los Angeles Philharmonic – Adès: Dante
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra – Bartók: Concerto For Orchestra; Four Pieces
The Philadelphia Orchestra – Price: Symphony No. 4; Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony
San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Best Opera Recording
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Blanchard: Champion
Boston Modern Orchestra Project & Odyssey Opera Chorus – Corigliano: The Lord Of Cries
The Dime Museum; Isaura String Quartet – Little: Black Lodge

Best Choral Performance
The Clarion Choir – Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil
The Crossing – Carols After a Plague
Miró Quartet; Conspirare – The House Of Belonging
San Francisco Symphony Chorus – Ligeti: Lux Aeterna
Uusinta Ensemble; Helsinki Chamber Choir – Saariaho: Reconnaissance

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Anthony McGill & Pacifica Quartet – American Stories
Catalyst Quartet – Uncovered, Vol. 3: Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, William Grant Still & George Walker
Roomful Of Teeth – Rough Magic
Third Coast Percussion – Between Breaths
Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax & Leonidas Kavakos – Beethoven For Three: Symphony No. 6, ‘Pastorale’ And Op. 1, No. 3

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Robert Black – Adams, John Luther: Darkness And Scattered Light
Andy Akiho – Akiho: Cylinders
Yuja Wang; Teddy Abrams, conductor (Louisville Orchestra) – The American Project
Seth Parker Woods – Difficult Grace
Curtis Stewart – Of Love

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Reginald Mobley, soloist; Baptiste Trotignon, pianist – Because
Karim Sulayman, soloist; Sean Shibe, accompanist – Broken Branches
Laura Strickling, soloist; Daniel Schlosberg, pianist – 40@40
Lawrence Brownlee, soloist; Kevin J. Miller, pianist – Rising
Julia Bullock, soloist; Christian Reif, conductor (Philharmonia Orchestra) – Walking In The Dark

Best Classical Compendium
Anne Akiko Meyers – Fandango
Christopher Rountree, conductor – Julius Eastman, Vol. 3: If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich?
Peter Herresthal – Mazzoli: Dark With Excessive Bright
Alex Brown, Harlem Quartet, Imani Winds, Edward Perez, Neal Smith & A.B. Spellman – Passion For Bach And Coltrane
Chick Corea – Sardinia
Andy Akiho – Sculptures
Aaron Diehl Trio & The Knights – Zodiac Suite

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Thomas Adès, composer (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic) – Adès: Dante
Andy Akiho, composer (Andy Akiho, Ankush Kumar Bahl & Omaha Symphony) – Akiho: In That Space, At That Time
William Brittelle, composer (Roomful Of Teeth) – Brittelle: Psychedelics
Missy Mazzoli, composer (Peter Herresthal, James Gaffigan & Bergen Philharmonic) – Mazzoli: Dark With Excessive Bright
Jessie Montgomery, composer (Awadagin Pratt, A Far Cry & Roomful Of Teeth) – Montgomery: Rounds

Album Review: IAN SWEET, ‘SUCKER’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: IAN SWEET, ‘SUCKER’

“I think the indie rock world really feeds off trauma,” Jilian Medford said in press materials for her new album, SUCKER. “If you’re not going through something terrible, people are like, ‘What’s the story?’” Even if it becomes relatively clearer by the time of release, promoting it can be exhausting: Medford’s previous effort as IAN SWEET, the captivating and resonant Show Me How You Disappear, was written while she was in an outpatient therapy program for anxiety, and she found herself being pigeonholed as a “mental health advocate girlie” after it came out. But making that record saved a part of her, and her latest opens with an acknowledgment of the mortal sense of urgency that can come with writing music. “What if I die with this song in my head and I never get to sing it?” she wonders on ‘Bloody Knees’, enough times that the thought gains more weight than the relationship at it revolves around. When it could save one’s life, isn’t that, more than any single narrative or personality, the thing worth treasuring?

This may not be the mindset or intensity that drives the entirety of SUCKER, but it feels like the necessary starting point, a transition from one album to the next. It’s less about surviving through a crisis than the joy and catharsis of getting to sing about it. With a new sense of assurance and security, Medford foregoes some of the trappings of indie rock confessionalism by leaning into her pop sensibilities; at the same time, she strays from pop’s mainstreaming of growth and healing by proclaiming she’s “so far” from getting there on the title track. She’s still uniquely gifted at writing lyrically chaotic, self-destructive anthems – “I’ve been a mess/ Haven’t slept/ Started smoking again” – but it sounds more like she’s coming at them from the other side, self-aware enough to have fun and be a little dramatic about it. You could almost call it lighthearted.

Refreshing as they may be, though, it’s not the driving hooks and anthemic build-ups that provide the biggest release. ‘Comeback’, a song dedicated to her mother, who took care of her as she recovered from her mental health crisis, is quietly earnest, gliding through memories of childhood innocence and towards a striking realization: “Wish that I could bury it/ All this deadwеight, heartache, bad dreams, can’t sleep/ Losing strеak, now you’re losing me.” SUCKER is Medford reclaiming herself even as she sings about messing up, a point she homes in on by following up ‘Comeback’ with one of the punchiest and most thrilling pop songs on the LP, ‘Your Spit’. It’s “mostly about making out,” Medford has said, and the “mostly” makes itself felt both in the familiar dread creeping through her lyrics (“I’m afraid this could all go away”) and her playfully manipulated vocals.

SUCKER benefits from Medford’s more spontaneous and immediate songwriting approach, but it’s these little tweaks and emotional shifts that often make the record come alive. It never feels stagnant. The artist had to let go of feelings of self-doubt around her own work in sharing it with co-producers Alex Craig and Strange Ranger’s Isaac Eiger, who add texture and broaden its palette of influences. Coldplay remain an eternal reference point for Medford, and a large part of SUCKER feels specifically, lovingly indebted to A Rush of Blood to the Head, from its strange confidence to its haunting guitar work. But while she may have gone as far as to cover ‘Yellow’ and recreate its video back in 2021, this new album is much more intent on capturing the evolution of her own musical and emotional language, which songs like ‘Clean’ and ‘Hard’ reveal in their subtlest musical touches. “Every day’s the same/ I ran out of things to say,” she admits on ‘FIGHT’, but ‘Hard’ closes the album with a heart full of longing, of wanting nothing but a love interest to keep going until they gush out every single detail. “You said you’ve never felt more alive,” Medford sings, changing her cadence only slightly each time she repeats it. That’s the kind of thing you stay for.

Lala Lala Unveils New Song ‘Armida’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Lala Lala Unveils New Song ‘Armida’

Lala Lala has shared a new single, ‘Armida’. Following the recently released ‘HIT ME WHERE IT HURTS’, the track was co-produced by Melina Duterte of Jay Som. Check out a lyric video for it below.

“’Armida’ is a true heartbreak song written after I had to get sober again last year,” Lillie West explained in a press release. “I asked Melina Duterte to produce. I was listening to a lot of Oneohtrix Point Never, and we used him as a sonic reference.”

Lala Lala’s most recent album was 2021’s I Want the Door to Open. Read our Artist Spotlight interview with Lala Lala.

Albums Out Today: PinkPantheress, Beirut, Chris Stapleton, Vyva Melinkolya, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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Albums Out Today: PinkPantheress, Beirut, Chris Stapleton, Vyva Melinkolya, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on November 3, 2023:

PinkPantheress, Heaven knows

PinkPantheress’ debut album, Heaven knows, has arrived. Following her 2021 mixtape to hell with it, the LP finds the British singer collaborating with Greg Kurstin, Mura Masa, Danny L Harle, Count Baldor, Phil and Cash Cobain. “The record is about grief for a loss but being at peace with yourself in your aloneness,” she said in a statement. “Journeying from hell into purgatory, but I’m ok with being there.” On social media, PinkPantheress added: “this album is an accumulation of music i’ve made over the last two years, with some beloved tunes that might sound familiar and some cutie features who i can’t wait to announce.” Rema, Kelela, Central Cee, and Ice Spice have guest spots on the project.

Beirut, Hadsel

Zach Condon is back with the first Beirut album in nearly five years. Out now on his own Pompeii Records, Hadsel features the previously released singles ‘The Tern’ and ‘So Many Plans’. Condon wrote, performed, and produced its 12 songs between a remote region of Northern Norway and his current home city of Berlin. “In the first days of 2020, I arrived on Hadsel, an island in the middle of Vesterålen, far up in the northern part of Norway,” he explained. “The cabin I rented had a beautiful view of the mountains and water but my personal highlight was that it came complete with a pump organ on ‘infinite’ loan from an organ-loving neighbor. This unique instrument is what had inspired me to bring my studio with me, a nightmare transit process that I was too stubborn to avoid. How I thought of this as a form of retreat and rejuvenation I will never know. I believe at this point my friends and family were convinced I had lost my mind, or would do so in the polar night.”

Chris Stapleton, Higher

Chris Stapleton has released a new album called Higher. Chris and his wife Morgane Stapleton co-produced the follow-up to 2020’s Starting Over with longtime collaborator Dave Cobb. It features instrumentation from bassist J.T. Cure, pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin, pianist Lee Pardini, and drummer Derek Mixon, as well as the singles ‘White Horse’, ‘Think I’m in Love With You’, and ‘It Takes a Woman’.

Vyva Melinkolya, Unbecoming

Vyva Melinkolya – the project of Louisville singer-songwriter Angel Diaz – has a new album out called Unbecoming. Following her recent collaborative record with Midwife, Orbweaving, the 10-track effort features the advance tracks ‘I65’, ‘Doomer GF Song’ (featuring Midwife), and ‘222’ (featuring backing vocals from Ethel Cain). “Unbecoming is my effort to, not shed off, but to grow past and set aside the person I was when a lot of the things [in the lyrics] were happening to me,” Diaz told Stereogum. “A lot of Unbecoming is sad love songs, but also a good three or four tracks on the album are about intimate partner violence. Which is something, thank God, I hadn’t had to write about before, and something I hope I don’t have to write about again.”

Aesop Rock, Integrated Tech Solutions

Aesop Rock has returned with Integrated Tech Solutions, his first solo studio album since 2020’s Spirit World Field Guide, via Rhymesayers. It boasts guest appearances from billy woods, Hanni El Khatib, Rob Sonic, Nikki Jean, and Lealani Teano. “We are not done once a problem is solved,” Aesop Rock wrote on social media. “With new innovation comes new problems. Success is failure. As the dark forces around us evolve – We will continue to need efficiency-forward, tech-savvy solutions integrated seamlessly.”

Pure Bathing Culture, Chalice

Portland duo Pure Bathing Culture have put out a new LP, Chalice, via First City Artists. Following 2019’s Night Pass, Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman co-produced and mixed the LP with Justin Chase in Cottage Grove, Oregon in 2021. “It was the first time out of our home in Portland since the pandemic began, and there was something really magical about being in a small western town that was also opening up for the first time,” the duo explained, adding: “This collection of songs is about the ritual of creativity, progress and transformation, the search for transcendence and joy, and the ability to overcome the things that haunt us.”

Other albums out today:

Wiki & Tony Seltzer, 14K Figaro;  John Francis Flynn, Look Over the Wall, See the Sky; Rick Ross & Meek Mill, Too Good to Be True; Aïsha Devi, Death Is Home; Lola Brooke, Dennis Daughter; Art Feynman, Be Good the Crazy Boys; Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Influential; Roadside Graves, I Won’t Cry Alone; YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Decided 2; Kirsten Ludwig, Sunbeam; jess joy, SOURCEHEIRESS; Lucy Railton, Corner Dancer; Helmet, Left; PHONY, Heater; Pruillip, Pruillip; Patrick Shiroishi, I Was Too Young to Hear Silence.

String Machine Share Surprise New EP ‘Turn Off Anything on Again’

Konstantinos Pappis
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0
String Machine Share Surprise New EP ‘Turn Off Anything on Again’

String Machine have surprise-released a new EP, Turn Off Anything on Again. It features three new songs: ‘Misfire’, ‘Out Loud’, and ‘I See You the Same’. Take a listen below.

Turn Off Anything on Again marks the band’s first release since last year’s Hallelujah Hell Yeah. “We took a little break from shows to get our feet under us again,” frontman David Beck explained in a press release. “‘Turn off anything on again’ is a memento to hush the rat race of being in a band to return to a patiently creative place. In the broader sense, it’s a memento to hush the hustles of our lives sometimes to savor the more important things.”

The new songs were recorded in a barn in the Allegheny National Forest belonging to Beck’s late grandfather. “Grandpa Bob passed away on New Year’s Eve 2022, so it felt like a spiritual thing to be there with the band,” Beck said. “We were surrounded by cowboy decor, he had dozens of saddles hung in the rafters of the barn where we recorded. No phone service, only a VCR player and copies of Meet the Parents, Star Wars: Phantom Menace, and Snow Day.”

He continued: “No phone service, hiking trails for miles. A swimming hole down the dirt road, miles and miles of places where you can close your eyes and only hear the wind in the trees. As the next year unfolds, we’re going to commit to the Bob Beck Barn being a sacred, isolated place for us to create and record.”

Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with String Machine.

Dua Lipa Shares Video for New Single ‘Houdini’

Konstantinos Pappis
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0
Dua Lipa Shares Video for New Single ‘Houdini’

Dua Lipa has released her new song ‘Houdini’. The track was produced by Danny L Harle and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, who also co-wrote it along with Caroline Ailin and Tobias Jesso Jr. Check it out below, alongside a video directed by Manu Cossu with cinematographer André Chemetoff.

“This track represents the most light and freeing parts of my singledom,” Lipa said in a statement. “’Houdini’ is very tongue in cheek, exploring the idea of whether someone is really worth my while or if I’ll ghost them in the end. You never know where something may take you, that’s the beauty of being open to whatever life throws your way. I’m looking forward to sharing that feeling of defiant bliss with my fans.”

Ailin, Harle, Jesso Jr., and Parker are described in a press release as “core collaborators” of a forthcoming project, which marks the beginning of a new chapter following 2020’s Future Nostalgia. “A lot of this album was written in those joyous moments of absolute chaos and how I moved through the world with lightness and optimism of whatever the outcome may be,” Lipa commented.

070 Shake and Ken Carson Team Up for New Song ‘Natural Habitat’

Konstantinos Pappis
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0
070 Shake and Ken Carson Team Up for New Song ‘Natural Habitat’

070 Shake and Ken Carson have joined forces for a new song, ‘Natural Habitat’. It’s taken from Shake’s forthcoming project, set to arrive in early 2024, and comes with a visual directed by Machine Operated. Check it out below.

Earlier this year, 070 Shake shared the single ‘Black Dress’ and joined Christine and the Queens on the song ‘True Love’. Her sophomore album, You Can’t Kill Me, came out in 2022.

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