Lana Lubany has released a new single called ‘EXPECTATIONS’. It’s taken from the Palestinian-American artist’s new EP THE HOLY LAND, which is out June 2 and includes previous offerings ‘ON MY WAY’, ‘POINT OF NO RETURN’, ‘CLONES’, ‘SOLD’ and ‘THE SNAKE’. Check it out via the accompanying visual below.
“’EXPECTATIONS’ is about letting go and is PHASE 5 of my concept EP ‘THE HOLY LAND’,” Lubany explained in a press release. “I had a lot of ups and downs in my journey to where I am right now, and while getting back on my feet was hard, I did it many times and started believing in myself again, finding my lost identity.”
“In the visualiser (directed by Sahra Zadat), I wanted to emulate being comfortably uncomfortable in my bedroom, where I feel the safest and most vulnerable and am unapologetically myself,” she added. “I have grown a lot by leaving my comfort zone and showing it to the world, and I’m going to keep doing that.”
Nine Inch Nails members and Oscar-winning composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are behind the score for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the movie’s director, Jeff Rowe, confirmed on Twitter.
Tony Hawk first revealed the news in a recent episode of his Hawk vs Wolf podcast during an interview with photographer Sam Muller. “Well now that my teenage hero @tonyhawk has leaked that my music heroes are doing this I can add that the score is absolutely AMAZING,” Rowe tweeted. “Exhilarating, terrifying, heartbreaking, full of sounds I didn’t know existed. I don’t have the vocabulary to describe it. I love it so much.”
Seth Rogers, who is a writer, producer, and star in the film, added on Instagram: “This has been a thrilling process and I can’t wait for you all to see this movie and hear this incredible score.”
Well now that my teenage hero @tonyhawk has leaked that my music heroes are doing this I can add that the score is absolutely AMAZING. Exhilarating, terrifying, heartbreaking, full of sounds I didn’t know existed. I don’t have the vocabulary to describe it. I love it so much https://t.co/kN6KCdHqy1
Primavera Sound is known as one of the best-booked festivals in the world, and last year’s two-weekend edition in Barcelona brought basically every band to celebrate its 20th anniversary. But that did not stop the organizers from outdoing themselves once again. Taking place in both Barcelona and Madrid over two consecutive weekends, this year’s festival is connected by the theme ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’, with the second weekend in Madrid essentially mirroring the Barcelona event, which goes down June 1-3. The 2023 lineup is a thing to behold – from cutting-edge artists to alternative icons and mainstream stars, there’s truly something here for everyone. Headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, Depeche Mode, New Order, and the reunited Blur, and I probably don’t need to convince you to go see those. But to help you navigate the rest of the program, here are 14 non-headline acts we’re excited to see at Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum this weekend.
Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road put on a fantastic show at Primavera last year, and they’re one of the few bands returning to play the festival this year. (They’re scheduled for Thursday; violinist Georgia Ellery’s other band, Jockstrap, which makes dazzling and innovative pop, is taking the Dice stage on Saturday). Following the departure of frontman Isaac Wood and the release of Ants From UpThere early last year, the group has been performing a set of all-new material, though this time fans will have had the chance to familiarize themselves with the songs thanks to Live at Bush Hall, a recently unveiled concert film and live album capturing their three-night stint at the London venue last December. It’s a testament to their ability to continuously evolve and press forward, and there’s no better way to witness it than live.
Alex G
Alex G is one of the most singular and beloved singer-songwriters in the indie world, and despite frequent comparisons to Elliott Smith, he’s constantly been pushing his idiosyncratic sound beyond the confines of the genre. On his latest release God Save the Animals, the artist’s penchant for experimentation, off-kilter melodies, and oblique lyricism are cast through some of his brighest, most inviting songwriting to date, striking the eerily perfect balance his discography has long been hinting at. The album came out back in September, but there’s a gentle warmth to it that should be elevated in a festival setting.
Turnstile
“You really gotta see it live to get it,” Turnstile bassist Franz Lyons sings on ‘No Surprise’, a 46-second track from their third album GLOW ON. The hardcore group has broken through in a big way, and if anything, that record was proof that you really don’t need to see it live to get it; the studio recordings are as riveting, inventive, and transcendent as you could possibly want them to be. Still, I strongly suggest you do. Turnstile are known to put on one hell of a show, no matter what setting they find themselves in. They’ve played every kind of festival, and they’re extremely good at what they do. Even for those who don’t care about hardcore, it’s an opportunity for collective catharsis you don’t want to pass up.
The Beths
Few contemporary bands make power-pop as exhilarating and catchy as the Beths. The quiet/loud dynamic that works so well in a live context was utilized to great effect on last year’s Expert in a Dying Field, which is packed with some of their sharpest and most captivating material yet. Even if you go into their set not knowing the words to every song, you might find yourself singing along anyway.
Soul Glo
It’s tough having to pick between Beth Orton, Julia Jacklin, and Soul Glo, who are all playing at 6:00pm on Friday, June 2. They each make very different kinds of music, but they all released great albums in 2022. Beth Orton’s Weather Alive is wistful and richly atmospheric, while Julia Jacklin’s PRE PLEASURE delivers bracingly vulnerable and mature indie rock. But it’s Soul Glo’s Diaspora Problems, a landmark hardcore album that sounds at once boundary-pushing and boundless, that I’m most excited to hear live, along with any tracks they choose to showcase from their impressive back catalog. You can catch a number of indie-leaning acts at Primavera at any given time, but like Turnstile, seeing Soul Glo here is a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast has been touring heavily in support of their successful 2021 album Jubilee, so I was a little surprised they weren’t on the bill last year (though they did play the São Paulo iteration of the festival). It won’t be hard to catch them this year, especially if you’re going on Friday: they’re slated to perform at both 6:50pm and (an apparently shorter set) at 10:05pm. Plus, they’re booked for the Primavera a la Ciutat event on Sunday. They have plenty of great songs that lend themselves to a festival setting, but it’s this part on ‘Paprika’ that I’ve been dying to hear live: “How’s it feel to stand at the height of your powers/ To captivate every heart?/ Projecting your visions to strangers/ Who feel it, who listen to linger on every word?” Be there, and we’ll find out.
Tomberlin
Tomberlin may be known for her gentle, introspective indie folk, but i don’t know who needs to hear this… – which we broke down track-by-track with Tomberlin – opened up her sound in a variety of ways. There are big, cathartic moments like ‘happy accident’, but even spare moments like the title track are so resonant that they sound big in their own way. They hold so much weight and tension, and Tomerblin is careful and deliberate about how she releases it. “These songs are simple, but it ain’t easy,” Tomberlin sings. “To sing it like it is, believe me.” They’ve offered me comfort in the loneliest times, and to get to experience them with a group of people who feel the same way will surely be special.
Alvvays
I got to see Alvvays when they were touring behind 2017’s Antisocialites, and it was an incredible show. Last year, though, they followed that album up with Blue Rev, which both retained and refined their best qualities: indelible hooks, clever songwriting, and sharp, immaculate production, all swirling together in a way that’s both ridiculously infectious and unruly. There’s also a lot of craft that goes into their songs, but there’s also a confidence and immediacy that brings so much fresh energy to Blue Rev. It’s a feeling you have to hear channeled live. (Although you’ll have to head quickly to the main stage to catch the better part of Kendrick Lamar’s performance.)
Christine and the Queens
After releasing Redcar les adorables étoiles last year under the moniker Redcar or Christine and the Queens Presents Redcar, Chris is returning this June with PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, which features two Madonna collabs and production from Mike Dean. The alt-pop singer has called it the “second part of an operatic gesture,” and the singles so far have lived up to that description – this is epic, immersive, and meticulously produced synth-pop that lends itself to a grand, theatrical performance, and the organizers made the right decision by scheduling it just after midnight.
Yves Tumor
Yves Tumor’s live show has garnered rave reviews thanks to the band’s raw magnetism and incredible musicality, promising the sort of explosive rock show you rarely get to see these days. Tumor’s persona appears both fearless and transgressive, and on their excellent new LP, Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), they embody it while further expanding the possibilities of their sound. As comfortable as they are playing tricks in the studio, they know how to captivate an audience. Like Christine and the Queens, Tumor’s output is as heady and enigmatic as it is sensual and transformative, but also leans a bit darker, so seeing one right after the other makes a lot of sense. (Tumor is also playing a DJ set earlier in the day.)
Wednesday
Wednesday is one the last names you’ll see in this year’s festival poster, but in April they put out what many consider one of the best rock albums – for my money, the best album – of the year so far. The Asheville band has been honing their blend of shoegaze and country for a while, but Rat Saw God lives up to the hype that’s been bubbling up in every conceivable way. Their music can be cathartic and somber, tuneful and noisy, comforting and excruciating all at once, often swimming in reverb or loaded with distortion as it careens between extremes. Combined with the group’s unique musical chemistry, it should make for an unforgettable show. Make sure to stick around for the 8-minute epic ‘Bull Believer’, which will probably close the set.
Arlo Parks
The fact that Arlo Parks and Holly Humberstone are playing at the same time on Saturday is an unfortunate conflict, given that there’s probably a significant overlap in their audiences – they’re both part of a new wave of UK songwriters specializing in candid, evocative alt-pop. But Parks is fresh off the release of her sophomore album, My Soft Machine, a step-up from her Mercury Prize-winning debut that takes her songwriting in a more dynamic and ambitious direction, which makes me excited to hear songs like ‘Devotion’ and ‘Blades’ live. The emotional resonance is still there, but there’s also a palpable joy in her music that I’m sure will make its way through the crowd.
The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs are one of the few acts that are only playing the Barcelona edition of the festival, and you don’t want to pass up the chance to see their rousing, immersive rock n’ roll in the flesh. Their live sound is captured in the 2020 record LIVE DRUGS, which cemented “their status as one of the premier live bands of their generation,” according to Pitchfork. 2021’s I Don’t Live Here Anymore then offered some of their most vibrant and accessible songs yet, and as far as they may stretch them out in a live context, the possibility of transcendence is always somewhere along the road, should you follow along.
Caroline Polachek
When it comes to pop, Primavera has a good track record of covering everything from mainstream stars to artists with more left-of-center sensibilities. Last year’s lineup exemplified this by including Dua Lipa, Lorde, Charli XCX, and Rina Sawyama. This year, you have the likes of Halsey, Rosalía, and Calvin Harris topping the bill, and you’ll also find Caroline Polachek, who is having a big year with the release of Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, her sophomore record and by far the most acclaimed pop album of the year. Its maximalist, theatrical nature should be accentuated in a live setting, and I’m curious how some of her more eccentric, heady choices will translate. When Caroline Polachek welcomes you to her island, you simply can’t say no. (Even if it unfortunately conflicts with parts of Kelela and Jockstrap’s sets.) Plus, how can you miss the chance to hear the flamenco-inspired ‘Sunset’ live in the actual city of Barcelona?
If you’re a fan of Spidey, then you’re in for a treat with the new gameplay video released by Sony and Insomniac for their highly anticipated game Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This 10-minute clip showcases exactly what every fan desires. Set to launch in Fall 2023, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the next installment in PlayStation’s critically acclaimed franchise, developed by Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games and PlayStation exclusively for the PlayStation 5 console.
Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this best new music segment.
This week’s list includes the lead single from Anjimile’s new album, ’The King’, which is at once graceful, imposing, and dramatic; Squid’s latest, ‘The Blades’, which builds with the sprawling intensity the band normally excels at but then deflates into a finale that’s more emotionally crushing than cathartic; Loraine James’ ‘2003’, a pensive, hypnotic track that takes its name from the year her father passed away; Speakers Corner Quartet’s ‘Soapbox Soliloquy’, which features striking vocals from LEILAH as the London collective’s smooth instrumental contorts into weird shapes; ‘Time Ain’t Accidental’, another lovely, moving single from Jess Williamson’s new album; and ‘Devotion’, an explosive, Deftones-inspired highlight from Arlo Parks’ sophomore LP.
If you spend a lot of time gaming, certain gear out there can go a long way to enhancing the experience, making you more comfortable, and helping you achieve your peak performance. Whatever games you like to play, here are some items and accessories you should seriously consider adding to your setup.
A Backup Power Source
Don’t lose your save! With backup power sources such as portable power stations, you can keep playing as if nothing happened in the event of a power interruption. There’s nothing like a power outage during a final boss and needing to redo hours of gameplay just to get back to where you left off when the lights come back on. With a backup power source, you can ensure that you have enough time to, at the very least, save your game. You can even keep playing without missing a beat.
A Quality Gaming Chair
Ensure you have a chair that provides the proper support and keeps you comfortable during long hours in front of your screen. You don’t want to get body aches and pains from spending too much time in an uncomfortable chair. With the right ergonomic chair, you can remain comfortable and help prevent any dreaded back pain long after saving your game and walking away.
An Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Especially if the games you tend to play use a mouse, you could benefit from having one designed to keep your arms, wrists, elbows, and hands in a comfortable, natural position. The right computer mouse can help prevent pain associated with an uncomfortable mouse, especially if you’ll be playing for hours at a time.
Customizable Lights
Set the right tone for your gaming session with smart, customizable lights. There are options on the market that allow you to control the color and brightness. You can dim the lights when night falls or set it to a specific color if you want to achieve a certain mood in the room to match your game.
A Good Headset
Don’t want to miss a thing in the games you’re playing? Invest in a high-quality headset that you can rely on, whether you want to hear every aspect of the game you’re playing or you’ll be use it to communicate with other players in online play. Many options on the market are available, so you should be able to find something that fits all your needs. Ensure it’s comfortable for long play sessions!
Wireless/Bluetooth Controller
The days of needing to fiddle with wired controllers are a thing of the past. Depending on what you play, find a high-quality compatible wireless controller that you can use for play. Like your headset, make sure it’s comfortable to wear for extended periods!
In Summary
Did you know that video games offer extensive benefits, including promoting social interaction with online gaming and problem-solving skills? Of course, you want to enjoy real-world life too, but while you’re getting your gaming time in, ensure you’re as comfortable as possible with some of the gear we’ve detailed above.
Taylor Swift has shared a music video for her new version of ‘Karma’ featuring Ice Spice. Swift premiered the video, which she directed herself, at the first New Jersey stop of her Eras Tour on May 26. The Bronx rapper then joined Swift onstage to perform the track at the MetLife Stadium. Check it out below.
The ‘Karma’ remix appears on the latest deluxe edition of Midnights, titled Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition), which also includes an extended version of ‘Snow on the Beach’ with additional vocals from Lana Del Rey, as well as the Target CD bonus track ‘Hits Different’.
Xiaohan Lu, an accomplished photographer, has recently unveiled her latest masterpiece, “Premiere Mediocre.” This captivating collection draws inspiration from her extensive experience collaborating with numerous models and influencers. Lu’s profound realization struck a chord: the stark contrast between individuals’ glamorous social media personas and their actual everyday selves. Eager to capture this stark reality, she skillfully employs her lens to reflect and portray this phenomenon.
“Premiere Mediocre” emerged as a phrase I encountered in a book, describing the marketing tactic that fabricates the impression of opulence in consumers’ lives”, elucidated Lu. With a distinct approach, she employed the language of fashion photography to delve into the realm of how young individuals indulge in luxury products, specifically how these possessions are utilized to curate their online personas.
In her artistic vision, Lu devised a poignant scenario where the girl positioned against the blue backdrop instinctively glances to her left, mirroring the real-life inclination of individuals striving to observe themselves through the lens of social media. Lu highlighted that the attainment of the coveted “premiere” status often relies on meticulous makeup and extravagant attire. However, she encountered a perplexing challenge in visualizing the concept of “mediocre” – finding an embodiment of moderate or average quality proved to be an arduous task.
Instead of incorporating mundane elements into her compositions, Lu opted for utilizing food as props during her shoots. Her rationale behind this choice stemmed from the belief that daily food items, like sandwiches or sausages, hold an essential role in most people’s lives. Through their inclusion, Lu sought to vividly depict the concept of “mediocre” as something neither inherently good nor bad—a fitting representation of the ordinary aspects of life. The models adorned themselves with either luxurious designer bags or casual shopping bags, yet paradoxically, they found themselves indulging in food at highly conspicuous locations within their poses.
In addition to the use of sausages, Lu creatively incorporated other commonly encountered objects like shrimp shells, lollipops, and popcorn. These artistic choices facilitated a striking collision between the realms of “premiere” and “mediocre”, amplifying the visual impact of her work.
In order to achieve a visually striking effect, Lu captured the models against vibrant backgrounds infused with vivid pinks, purples, greens, and blues. “The three selected models were all influential figures on RED, and coincidentally, they were also my real-life friends. When choosing the background colors, I took into consideration their content styles and personal preferences, aligning the tones with their individual aesthetics.” She states.
With a background in fine arts, fashion designer Ruochun Ding has been dedicated to building up an effortlessly chic style. She strives to find a middle ground that is both practical and stylish, avoiding designs that are overly minimalist or highly avant-garde. As a result, Ding naturally attracts customers to her brand without excessive effort on either side.
According to Ding, each piece she creates features subtle and unique details, allowing them to be versatile for everyday wear without appearing excessive or unnecessary. Building a connection with her target audience is Ding’s goal, aiming to establish a relatability with her design concepts.
“I like the use of classically minimal colors such as black, white and gray. Meanwhile, I would like to make a difference by creating simplified details in my design,” Ding added, “Just like what I did with my latest collection EPITO.ME, where I integrated a sense of looseness into elongated silhouettes with a touch of tailoring details.”
Ding put her favorite elements, pleats and tailoring into the concept of EPITO.ME because she believes that the collision and contradiction of the opposites can deliver an unexpectedly fabulous outcome. Additionally, subtle changes in tailoring is the best way to avoid excessive effort that may undermine the minimalist sentiment.
The collection is inspired by body aesthetics, which is something that Ding constantly finds inspiring and is attracted to. She reckons that each fraction of a human body is beautiful and focuses on the overall harmonious phenomenon between the model and the clothes.
Ding’s priority is to generate a style that fits into the wardrobe of everyone for any occasion. She hopes her design can give a unique identity to her customers, lighting up every day of life. But in order to do that, Ding understands that her design has to resonate with her target audience.
“The fashion industry is always changing and competitive. It is rather hard for new designers to build up a good brand image within this industry without the accumulation of experience and resources. I have to keep putting effort into what I’m doing right now but I also know that I can’t please everyone,” Ding said.
Ding believes that an assertive mentality is a necessity to survive in any industry since people are always under attack regardless of what they do. Of all the ways to deal with the negative voices, Ding has learned to simply focus on herself to be the best solution just like the concept of EPITO.ME——effortlessly chic.
Swedish synth-pop band the Mary Onettes have unveiled two new tracks, ‘Forever Before Love’ and ‘Future Grief’. The latter features a guest appearance from Adnes Aldén, a close friend of brothers Philip and Henri Ekström. Take a listen below.
“‘Forever Before Love’ is about finding the way back to yourself after a very long relationship,” Philip Ekström explained in a statement. “The process of trying to connect with the person you were before that.”
“This track has been around for quite some time,” he added of ‘Future Grief’. “We recorded the vocals with Agnes in 2016 and we have been waiting eagerly to share this one. Agnes wrote the lyrics for the verse and I wrote the words for the choruses, which gives the story a nice two angel perspective.”
Earlier this year, the Mary Onettes returned with another double single featuring ‘Easy Hands’ and ‘Pearl Machine’.
