Since its inception in 2005, the Longines Master Collection has showcased some of the finest Longines watches in recent times. From beautiful dress watches to terrific Chronograph pieces that deliver on their price bracket, aesthetic, and performance. In today’s Watch Spotlight, we’re eager to feature the Longines 42mm Master Collection Chronograph with the moon-phase.
Design
The watch is available in four variations, including two dial options: the Sunray blue dial and the Silver ‘barleycorn’ dial. While diverse, the choices are both challenging to choose between. The blue dial has a more sophisticated evening look and blends like settled paint with the moon-phase at 6 o’clock. While the silver dial presents a more iconic look that I’d argue fits a more extensive range of fashion styles, including the trendy “old money” look. Moreover, there are three variations of the bracelet and strap. The first choice, the stainless steel bracelet, is available on the silver and blue dial. While if you are going for a leather look, you can get the brown alligator strap with the silver dial or the blue alligator strap with the blue dial. In case you want to add new colors, there are also rubber bands for Longines watches perfect for those who are into active outdoor activities.
Size-wise, the watch is 42mm which is in the perfect range for most male wearers but will appear slightly too big for those typically dipping into the 36mm to 38mm ranges. For those unhappy with the size, you can opt for a 40mm option, saving you £200.
Movement
The calibre of the piece is L687, a self-winding mechanical movement ticking at 28’800 vibrations per hour, with a solid power reserve of up to 66 hours. The timepiece has the Chronograph feature, which is super-handy but adds great aesthetic value to the watch. It also features a beautiful moon-phase, which seals the deal.
Conclusion
To put it briefly, this timepiece by Longines ticks the boxes. It’s exciting for the number of functions it holds but also because it’s so well-designed that it works formally and informally. The Longines Master Collection certainly has some exquisite pieces, and while many alternatives appear, not as many excite someone looking for a brand with heaps of history like Longines. At a reasonably low-luxury price tag of £3,400, this piece by Longines would take the crown over many of its competing Swiss watch brands in the price range.
Anytime Fitness, the renowned 24-hour health club chain headquartered in Minnesota, is transforming the way people approach fitness. With a deep commitment to providing a convenient and enjoyable workout experience, Anytime Fitness has embraced technology to create an innovative virtual gym platform. Fengyi Liu, an exceptional visual designer, attempts to transform its brand identity to deliver a fitness journey like no other.
Inspired by the popular Nintendo Switch game “Animal Crossing”, Liu embarked on a mission to infuse the fitness experience with elements of fun, personalization, and community. The result is a captivating mascot in the form of a kettlebell, complete with endearing anthropomorphic expressions. This mascot serves as the centerpiece of user interaction, bridging the gap between individual progress and collective memory within the fitness community. Users can track milestones, share achievements, and connect with like-minded individuals. Liu’s attention to detail highlights the vital role of storytelling in interaction design, elevating the fitness experience.
The project obtained Gold Winner of 2023 Muse Awards. Describing the mascot as a personification of Anytime Fitness itself, Liu emphasizes its role as an energetic and uplifting companion throughout users’ fitness journeys. With its engaging presence, the mascot motivates users to conquer challenges, surpass their limits, and forge a deep sense of camaraderie within the fitness community. By infusing the brand with a relatable character, Anytime Fitness can become a source of motivation and support.
Aesthetics play a crucial role in the brand’s identity. Liu strategically selected a vibrant color palette that encapsulates its essence. The dominant use of purple represents the brand’s commitment to excellence, paying homage to its legacy. Vibrant orange exudes enthusiasm and vitality, reflecting the brand’s aspirations for its users. These colors create a dynamic visual identity, capturing the spirit of Anytime Fitness.
Beyond the digital realm, Liu’s design philosophy extends into the physical spaces of Anytime Fitness. By incorporating the brand’s color palette into the interior design, Liu creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that fosters connection and belonging. This pioneering approach caters to the needs of dedicated fitness enthusiasts who appreciate the brand’s design, immersive and interactive features. By doing so, Liu has successfully crafted an experience where users can discover their unique fitness memories, creating a lasting impact on their overall well-being.
Liu emphasizes that brand identity extends beyond visuals, highlighting the importance of user engagement. The goal is to foster empathy, address individual needs, and create a sense of unity within the fitness community. By expanding the platform’s capabilities, Liu hopes to solidify its position as a leader in the fitness industry. The brand’s dedication to revolutionizing fitness and providing a personalized, enjoyable workout experience knows no bounds.
draag me, the duo of Spirit of the Beehive’s Zack Schwartz and Corey Wichlin, have announced a new LP. lord of the shithouse, the follow-up to 2020’s i am gambling with my life, lands August 18 via Doom Trip. It includes contributions from Body Meat, CRASHprez, Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo, and Devin McKnight. Along with the announcement, they’ve shared two new songs, ‘blade in view’ featuring Body Meat and ‘death cult’. The music video for ‘blade in the view’ was made by Ada Baba, while the one for ‘death cult’ was directed by Schwartz. Check them out below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.
lord of the shithouse Cover Artwork:
lord of the shithouse Tracklist:
1. Like a Nuisance [feat. Crashprez]
2. Cut the Check
3. Wax Figures in the Rain
4. Throwing Rocks
5. Memory 107
6. Death Cult
7. Faces of Vultures
8. Dangle From the Smoke Ring
9. Blade in the View [feat. Body Meat]
10. Donny Path [feat. Pedazo de Carne con Ojo]
11. The Process [feat. Devin McKnight]
12. Nightclub
13. Following
14. Lord of the Shithouse
15. Faster Now (It’s Almost Late)
Gwen Stefani has returned with a new single called ‘True Babe’. Marking her first new music since 2021’s ‘Slow Clap’ featuring Saweetie, the track was produced by Swedish production duo Jack & Coke and and LA songwriter and producer KThrash. Listen to it below.
Stefani, whose last solo album was 2015’s This Is What the Truth Feels Like, recently performed at the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, California. She also announcied that she will be returning to The Voice for Season 24, along with coaches Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and John Legend.
Carly Rae Jepsen is back with a new single, ‘Shy Boy’. The track was produced by James Ford and comes with an accompanying visual, which you can check out below.
Jepsen released her latest album, The Loneliest Time, in October. She recently announced a string of summer dates across New York and Los Angeles. She’s also set to perform at Glastonbury Festival and will join boygenius for a few dates on their North American tour.
The Blessed Madonna has teamed up with Jacob Lusk of Gabriels for a new track, ‘Mercy’. It follows the London-based producer’s recent collaborative singles ‘Serotonin Moonbeams’ (with Uffie), ‘We Still Believe’ (with Jamie Principle), Fuck what u heard’ (with Todd Edwards), and ‘Shades of Love’ (with the Joy). Check it out below.
“I’m interested in the dichotomy of the sacred and the ordinary in songwriting,” the Blessed Madonna explained in a statement. “Agony and ecstasy. A song about love and heartbreak can still be a deeply spiritual piece of work. I began by thinking about what love is for me in my life and arrived at the simple idea that it was at its core a promise not just to live but to forgive. Love is Mercy. Over many revisions and with the developments that came from working with Jacob and the rest of the many people who came together to make this record a reality, the idea deepened and we found exactly the sweet spot between the church and the dance floor that I was looking for. The gospel influence is intentional and undeniable. I thought in particular about the sculpture The ecstasy of St Theresa which is an incredibly rich image that feels as carnal as it does holy. This is my conception of god: those moments where we are humbled by a love so big that we can’t imagine being worthy of it or worthy of the kind of acceptance and mercy we feel.”
Icona Pop have shared the details of their first album in a decade. The follow-up to 2013’s This Is… Icona Pop is called Club Romantech, and it’s out September 1 via Ultra Records. Listen to the new single ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ below.
“’Where Do We Go From Here’ was one of the first songs we wrote in the fall of 2020 after realizing we couldn’t move back to LA because of the pandemic,” Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt said in a statement. “Back in Stockholm, we formed a small crew to start making music and thought ‘what the fuck are we going to do now?’ Eclectic, fun, hard, pop, deep, mainstream, catchy, weird, late at night, early in the morning – always with a tear in the corner of the eye and a smile on our face. That’s how ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ feels and that’s how CLUB ROMANTECH feels too.”
Talking about the album, Hjelt said: “As Icona Pop, we can release a pop tune or a super hard dance song, and that’s who we are. When we started to write this album, we didn’t have any rules. We just had a vision we wanted to share with our fans.”
“We’re inviting them into our world.“We put all of our problems and stress into what we’re doing,” Jawo added. “We love disguising our heartbreaks and sadness in uplifting songs you can dance to. It was a very emotional process, and it’s all in the music.”
Club Romantech Cover Artwork:
Club Romantech Tracklist:
1. Fall In Love
2. Desire (with Joel Corry)
3. Shit We Do For Love (with Yaeger)
4. Stick Your Tongue Out
5. Make Your Mind Up Babe
6. Stockholm At Night
7. Where Do We Go From Here
8. I Want You (with Galantis)
9. Loving You Ain’t Easy
10. Need You
11. Off Of My Mind
12. Faster
13. You’re Free (with Ultra Naté)
14. Feels In My Body
15. Spa (with SOFI TUCKKER)
Young Thug is back with a new album called Business Is Business. The follow-up to 2021’s Punk was executive produced by Metro Boomin and features guest appearances from Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Gotit, Yak Gotti, Travis Scott, Bslime, and fun.’s Nate Ruess. It marks the Atlanta rapper’s first project since he, Gunna, Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick, and other members of the YSL collective were arrested on RICO charges. Shortly after Gunna released his latest record Gift & a Curse last week, Young Thug teasedBusiness Is Business via a QR code.
Militarie Gun have dropped their debut album, Life Under the Gun, via Loma Vista Recordings. Following the Los Angeles band’s All Roads Lead to the Gun EPs, the 12-track effort includes the previously released songs ‘Will Logic’, ‘Do It Faster’, and ‘Very High’. The LP was engineered by Taylor Young at the Pit Recording Studio. “This is what I thought we sounded like all along,” the band’s Ian Shelton said in press materials. “It’s always felt like a melody-forward band to me, but I think now we’re finally achieving what I was always setting out to do.” Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Militarie Gun.
Wye Oak, the duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack, have released Every Day Like the Last, a collection of new songs and previously unreleased tracks. “Every Day Like The Last — that could mean every day like the day that came before, or it could mean every day like the last day that you get,” Wasner explained. “Both meanings apply. But for me, trying to live inside of the uncertainty is the theme. That is the thread that ties all the songs together—tolerating the discomfort of not knowing.” Stack added: We both were feeling not wanting to be tethered into the machine in the way that we had been for so long. We just wanted to be able to make stuff in the room. And when we were able to do that, the aspirations shifted, because we were able to exercise this other muscle that we hadn’t in a long time.”
Swans are back with their first album since 2019’s leaving meaning. Michael Gira recorded the LP alongside Kristof Hahn, Larry Mullins, Dana Schechter, Christopher Pravdica, Phil Puleo, and Ben Frost. “After numerous pandemic-induced cancellations of tours for the previous Swans album leaving meaning, and an apparent bottomless pit of waiting, waiting, waiting, and the strange disorientation that came with this sudden but interminable forced isolation I decided it was time to write songs for a new Swans album and forget about everything else,” Gira explained. “They came relatively easily, always informed by the suspicion that these could be my last. When I finally was able to travel, songs in hand, to Berlin to work with my friends recording this record, the feeling was akin to the moment in The Wizard of Oz when the film changes from Black and White to Color. Now I’m feeling quite optimistic. My favourite color is pink. I hope you enjoy the album.”
Albert Hammond Jr. has issued Melodies on Hiatus, which follows the Strokes guitarist’s 2018 effort Francis Trouble. The 19-track album, half of which has already been shared, was co-written remotely with Simon Wilcox, who penned lyrics to Hammond’s demos. “I’m going through changes and these songs reflect behaviors and moments of mine that—as time has gone on—have taken shape and become universal,” Hammond explained. “I get asked about the meaning or big picture of this album, but it’s just that writing songs and creating is who I am and feels like why I exist. My goal is to have my music be part of someone’s life, part of their fabric, and this feels like the best collection of music I’ve made and my best attempt at achieving that.”
Geese have followed up their 2021 debut project with 3D Country, which is out now via Partisan Records/Play It Again Sam. The Brooklyn band co-produced the record with James Ford, and it features the previously shared tracks ‘I See Myself’, ‘Mysterious Love’, ‘Cowboy Nudes’, and the title track. Drummer Max Bassin summed up the new LP thusly: “It feels like going to the circus and instead of having a good time, everyone is trying to kill you.”
Amanda Shires has issued Loving You, her new covers album with the late Bobbie Nelson. Shires and Lawrence Rothman produced the LP, which includes the previously shared rendition of the Gershwin classic ‘Summertime’, featuring guest vocals by Willie Nelson. “I first saw Bobbie playing when I was 16 or so at some festival somewhere in Texas where I grew up,” Shires recalled in a press release. “I saw her perform many times over the years and always admired the way she played so effortlessly and with so much strength and confidence. She radiated music. Much of my path seemed possible because I saw a woman working and making a career of music at a young age, and that woman was Bobbie Nelson.”
TNGHT member Lunice has put out his sophomore album, OPEN, out now via LuckyMe. The Montreal producer’s follow-up to 2017’s CCCLX was previewed with the singles ‘No Commas’ and ‘Last Time’. Each song on the LP was created with the idea of how it would translate to live performances in mind, and its list of collaborators includes rappers and producers such as Cali Cartier, Zach Zoya, Yuki Dreams Again, DAGr, Jay Centrury, Stargate, and DRTWRK.
Other albums out today:
Kim Petras, Feed the Beast; Cable Ties, All Her Plans; Destiny Bond, Be My Vengeance; M. Ward, supernatural thing; Kelly Clarkson, chemistry; The Men, Fuzz Sessions; Big Freedia, Central City; Black Duck, Black Duck; Public Image Ltd., End of World; Rrose, Please Touch; Coi Leray, COI; Elijah Wolf, Forgiving Season; Johanna Samuels, Bystander; Martin Frawley, The Wannabe; Blue Lake, Sun Arcs; V/Z, Valentina Magaletti and Zongamin, Suono Assente; Pardoner’s Peace, Loving People; Portugal. the Man, Chris Black Changed My Life; Grady Strange, See You Later, Separator; Mammatus, Expanding Majesty; Oren Ambarchi & Eric Thielemans, Double Consciousness.
Taylor Swift, the global superstar known for her captivating music and empowering lyrics, possesses a lesser-known passion that runs as deep as her talent—a love for horses.
She is one of many stars that shared her passion for these beloved creatures, and to the surprise of most fans, she is a big horse lover.
In this article, we explore Taylor Swift’s lifelong connection to these majestic creatures and how they have shaped her life and creative journey.
Join us as we dive into the world of Taylor Swift and her unbridled passion for horses.
Taylor Swift and Horses
A Childhood Bond
Taylor Swift’s love of horses started at an early age. She spent a lot of time up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania, surrounded by nature and the equestrian world.
Recognizing her affinity for horses, her parents nourished it by enrolling her in horseback riding classes and giving her with an opportunity to interact with these magnificent creatures.
A Source of Inspiration
Horses have been a wellspring of inspiration for Taylor Swift’s music and artistry. Their grace, strength, and untamed spirit resonate deeply with her creative soul.
Through her lyrics, she often weaves metaphors and imagery related to horses, showcasing her profound connection to these animals. Their presence in her songs symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Horses in Taylor Swift Videos
Despite her huge passion for horses, she doesn’t own any. However, she grew up with horses and loves to take casual rides.
On top of that, we think that Taylor Swift is a big believer in horse symbolism since in many of her music videos we can find horses.
For example, in her song Blank Space, we can find many horse elements in the video.
First of all, there is a scene where two white horses confront her in her bedroom and tell her everything is going to be okay.
There is another scene where Taylor Swift and her “boyfriend” in the video are riding horses. And another is where the horse observes her while she is trying to cut down a tree with their names written on it after the breakup.
This shows that horses in Taylor Swift’s life are supportive and true companions. They are here to support her through tough times.
Giving Back to Equine Causes
Driven by her love for horses, Taylor Swift has used her platform to support equine causes and advocate for their well-being.
She has made generous donations to organizations dedicated to horse rescue and rehabilitation, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring these magnificent creatures receive the care and respect they deserve. Her actions inspire her fans and highlight the importance of animal welfare.
Final Words
Even though Taylor Swift isn’t showing much of her passion for horses, the truth is, her childhood life made her fall in love with these incredible creatures.
We can rarely spot Taylor Swift at horse racing events or using horse racing bonuses by TwinSpires. Still, having a passion for horses doesn’t mean that you must show up on every big Derby Day.
In fact, she managed to keep her private life quite secret, and even though we don’t know for sure that she has got a horse, there is a good chance that she purchased one.
Taylor Swift’s love of horses exemplifies the power of connection, inspiration, and pursuing our genuine passions.
Horses have played a crucial role in defining her life, from the early awe that ignited her passion for these creatures to the deep influence they have on her artistic path.
She inspires people to find their own sources of joy, embrace their interests, and enjoy the beauty and power found in the environment around us via her music, activism, and personal connection with these amazing creatures.
Whether you are an enjoyer of artistic creations or enjoy making art yourself, the law works is a crucial, if oft-overlooked part of the art process. In this guide, we explore the topic of law in the art world; what it is, why it matters, and some of the different types of laws that are in place.
What is law in art? Why does it matter?
Put simply, failure to account for the law can leave artists and buyers open to being taken advantage of or taking advantage of one another. The law protects the rights of both parties. For buyers, this includes protection from fraud, misrepresentation, and paying an unfair price. For artists, it protects artworks from being stolen or copied, and ensures that they are correctly compensated for their hard work and creativity.
Law in the art industry is also used to retain trust in art and the market for it. And lastly, the government has an incentive to promote the law through art – both to maximise tax revenues and support the creation of art for the good of culture and society at large.
Copyright law
One of the main types of law that impacts artists, buyers, and people working with art is copyright. According to the National Portrait Gallery, this type of law is designed to ensure that the creator of a piece of art has complete control over how the piece is used, including stopping it being copied. If a third party wishes to use the art for a commercial purpose, they must pay the creator for the privilege.
Copyright law is enshrined in the UK under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, with copyright lasting until the artist passes away, plus 70 years. After this period, it typically enters the public domain and may be used by any individual or organisation.
Art ownership laws
There is also law governing what happens when an artist sells their art. According to expert comments in a 2019 Lexology article, when a seller and buyer agree to go through with a sale, copyright over the work falls to the buyer.
Of course, the seller may wish to stipulate within the contract of sale that they retain copyright, though this would need to be agreed by the opposing party too. Once payment is made, the contract goes into effect.
Art forgery law
If a piece of art is sold and turns out to be a fake, then the buyer may be covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the buyer be guaranteed a refund. The contract itself may also feature terms relating to forgeries. Proving a piece of art is fake can be complicated, however.
Understanding the interplay between art and the law is important. Hopefully, with the information above, you should feel more at ease selling, purchasing, or using art commercially.