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Mercury Prize 2023 Shortlist: Arctic Monkeys, Jessie Ware, Jockstrap, and More

The shortlist for the 2023 Mercury Prize, which honours the best British and Irish albums of the year, has been announced. Arctic Monkeys have earned their fifth nomination with The Car, tying Radiohead for most Mercury Prize nominations. Jockstrap, Jessie Ware, J Hus, Shygirl, Fred Again.., and Loyle Carner are also among this year’s nominees. Check out the full shortlist below.

The 2023 Mercury Prize will be handed out at a ceremony at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on September 7. This year’s judges are Anna Calvi, Jamz Supernova, Jamie Cullum, Hannah Peel, Kerrang! creative director Phil Alexander, broadcasters Sian Eleri, Danielle Perry, and Mistajam, journalists Will Hodgkinson and Tshepo Mokoena, BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 head of music Jeff Smith, and music programming consultant Lea Stonhill.

Last year, Little Simz won the Mercury Prize for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be
Fred Again – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
J Hus – Beautiful And Brutal Yard
Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!
Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B
Lankum – False Lankum
Loyle Carner – Hugo
Olivia Dean – Messy
Raye – My 21st Century Blues
Shygirl – Nymph
Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy

Jeff Rosenstock Releases New Single ‘HEALMODE’

Jeff Rosenstock has released a new track, ‘HEALMODE’, lifted from his upcoming LP HELLMODE. The album is out September 1 via Specialist Subject, and it includes previous singles ‘LIKED U BETTER’ and ‘DOUBT’. Listen to ‘HEALMODE’ below.

In a lengthy statement about the new song, Rosenstock said:

In January of 2020, my wife and I packed some clothes, instruments, hard drives and plants into a Prius and drove out west to our new home in Los Angeles. Weird time to move across the country, anyone else who did it will tell ya the same. Tucked within the global terror that 2020 held for all of us to share was a brutal summer – fireworks at a gender reveal party led to wildfires that tore through a bone dry state where temperatures seemed to stay in the hundreds deep into October.

As a New Yorker, the rain always used to get me down in the dumps, like, it would stop me in my tracks. A year or so of staying put in California, as the weather seemed to do the same, had me craving the stuff – giddy with anticipation as dark clouds would cluster overhead and resigned to disappointment as they would gleek out a few drops at best. Mostly they’d just dissipate and return me to a world stuck in time, an entire country away from my home. Ash fell from the sky and our little air quality apps would be emblazoned with a dark red icon wearing a gas mask. The hardware stores quickly ran out of air filters.

I wanted the rain. I wanted it to piss all the garbage out of the atmosphere and leave me with clear skies and snowy mountain peaks. I wanted to run errands in an empty grocery store. I wanted my day to feel different than the 300 that came before it. I wanted life on Earth to feel sustainable. I wanted the drought to end.

A year later there I was, on my stoop December 23, 2021, having somehow just completed a joyful seven-week North American tour during the Omicron surge. In a few hours, my post-tour PCR test would come back “DETECTED” and I’d have to text all the friends I just got off tour with, warning them to potentially not see their families that holiday. But for now, I didn’t know shit and I was in love with this stupid simple moment – Christmas tree strapped to the roof of that Prius, sucking the cold in and out, marveling at my breath floating in the air like a six-year-old.

So here’s a song about the rain, and maybe about appreciating what you have when you have it. It’s mostly acoustic guitar, woodwinds, vibraphone, synthesizer and my friend Laura. I also sing pretty quietly on it. I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Hotline TNT Sign to Third Man, Share Video for New Single ‘Protocol’

Hotline TNT — the New York-based project led by Will Anderson – have signed to Third Man Records, marking the announcement with the new single ‘Protocol’. The track arrives with an accompanying video from director Fiona Kane. Watch and listen below.

“This song is about falling on a sword — sometimes you just gotta hold an L even when in your heart of hearts you know it’s not fair,” Anderson said of ‘Protocol’ in a statement. “Saving the relationship is worth taking the blame now and again.”

“It’s a rock n roll push and pull silent comedy for summer,” Kane added of the visual. “The most important parts of summer are beating the heat and listening to rock music.”

Hotline TNT’s debut LP, Nineteen in Love, came out in 2021 via Smoking Room.

Pretenders Release New Song ‘A Love’

The Pretenders have released ‘A Love’, the latest single from their upcoming album, Relentless. Check it out via the accompanying visual below.

“I suppose ‘A Love’ is the most traditionally Pretenders-sounding song on the album, in the vein of ‘Kid’ or ‘Talk of the Town’ or any of the mid-tempo ones over the years,” Chrissie Hynde said in a press release. “I often see love/relationships almost in the same vein as drug addiction. Although, having said that, I know I am jaded and cynical…”

Relentless is set for release on September 15 through Rhino. Previously, the band shared the singles ‘Let the Sun Come In’ and ‘I Think About You Daily’.

Shamir Shares Video for New Single ‘The Beginning’

Shamir shared another single from his upcoming album, Homo Anxietatem, which arrives August 18 on Kill Rock Stars. Following the previously released tracks ‘Oversized Sweater’, ‘Our Song’, and ‘Crime’, ‘The Beginning’ comes with a self-directed video filmed in Bartram’s Garden with musicians including members of the band Friendship and the artist Ladifa. Check it out below.

“’The Beginning’ is a song I wrote when I was 14 years old and had never experienced love, yet I was already inundated by all the typical tropes,” Shamir explained in a statement. “Even back then I realized a happy ending was contingent on a healthy beginning. The video represents the healing power of being around friends after a break up.”

Irreversible Entanglements Announce New Album ‘Protect Your Light’, Share Single

Irreversible Entanglements – the band composed of the poet/vocalist Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother), bassist Luke Stewart, trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, saxophonist Keir Neuringer, and drummer Tcheser Holmes – have announced a new album, Protect Your Light. It will arrive on September 8 via their new label home, Impulse!. Below, check out the first single from the record, ‘Free Love’, along with the cover artwork and tracklist.

“We are thrilled to welcome Irreversible Entanglements to the Impulse! Family,” Dahlia Ambach-Caplin, SVP A&R and Artist Development at Impulse!/Verve Label Group, said of the signing. “Their music is not only brilliant but also courageous and contemporary. Protect Your Light embodies so much of Impulse!’s history while also looking unassailably forward as well.”

Protect Your Light was primarily recorded over three days in January 2023 at Rudy Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. It features contributions from pianist Janice A. Lowe, cellist Lester St. Louis, and vocalist Sovei.

Irreversible Entanglements’ last album was 2021’s Open the Gates.

Protect Your Light Cover Artwork:

Protect Your Light Tracklist:

1. Free Love
2. Protect Your Light
3. Our Land Back
4. Soundness
5. root⇔branch
6. Celestial Pathways
7. Sunshine
8. Degree of Freedom

Puma Launch New Futuristic Exotek Nitro Sneaker

Puma has launched a new sneaker in their sportswear line, the Exotek NITRO. The design is inspired by the game-changing NITRO FASTROID sneaker, which made its debut during Puma’s “Futrograde” presentation at New York Fashion Week.

Puma ambassador Memphis Depay premiered the Exotek NITRO with two gradient colourways on the shoe’s structural cage, revealing black NITRO cushioning beneath, while black mesh and leather cover the upper. As with the sole, the Formstrip also has a geometric pattern.

Incorporating architectural practices and biological structures, the new Exotek NITRO is conceptualized around the concept of visible technology. PUMA Exotek NITRO’s ultra-soft sole cushioning is encapsulated in a structural cage, creating an engineered tooling solution that enhances support while giving the wearer all the benefits of heightened comfort.

The sneaker will be exclusive to Foot Locker, available online and in selected stores starting from the 3rd of August, 2023.

Styles for the Ages: Your Guide to Tailcoat Fashion

Fashion is a constantly shifting landscape, an echo of our changing world and society. Yet, amid this lively dance of styles one garment remains steadfast, maintaining its timeless elegance while gently evolving: the venerable tailcoat. Like fashion watches, These pieces bring a dash of sophistication and regality that can elevate anyone to the epitome of grace and style. With an array of different styles, each with its unique flavor and function, the tailcoat offers versatility in spades. So let’s take a closer look at some of these standout tailcoat styles and how they fit into formal fashion.

The Morning Coat

First up, meet the Morning Coat, your go-to for day-time formal events, be it weddings, fancy luncheons, or even horse races. Also known as the “cutaway,” its signature cut with a front that elegantly curves from the waist and concludes to a single point at the back sets it apart. Usually, you’ll find it paired with striped trousers, a waistcoat, and a tie or cravat, giving off a distinct vintage charm. Crafted typically from thicker fabrics like wool, it’s a great pick for those chilly days or outdoor events.

The Dress Coat

Now, if you’re aiming for the peak of formal evening wear, let me introduce you to the Dress Coat, or the “white tie.” Dress Coats have a shorter front with a crisp waistline, and the tails cascade straight down at the back. It’s generally crafted from a more refined, lightweight material such as barathea or grosgrain. The traditional ensemble includes a white pique waistcoat, a shirt with a wing collar, and a white bow tie. The Dress Coat is your passport to unmatched sophistication.

The Tuxedo Coat

The Tuxedo Coat, the “black tie,” offers a bridge between formal and semi-formal evening wear. A late 19th-century invention, the Tuxedo Coat comes in lighter materials like wool or wool blends, and it’s available in a plethora of colors, although black and navy blue continue to be crowd favorites. To complete the Tuxedo Coat ensemble, you’ll need a cummerbund or waistcoat, a pleated shirt, and a black bow tie.

Fashion trends might be as fleeting as a shooting star, but the tailcoat, in all its glory, stays as a beacon of elegance and finesse. Regardless of the occasion, picking the perfect style can significantly enhance your appearance, making you stand out in the crowd. Despite their classic essence, tailcoats are not averse to personal touches. By pairing them with accessories such as pocket squares, boutonnieres, or cufflinks, you can customize them to reflect your unique style.

The Frock Coat

An often overlooked yet unique style of tailcoat is the Frock Coat. Historically worn during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, the Frock Coat features a rounded, double-breasted front and falls to the knee, with no tail. This coat became a symbol of status, distinguishing the upper class from the rest. Today, it has regained popularity for its vintage appeal and is perfect for period-themed events. Although not as common as the other styles, the Frock Coat definitely has its place in formal fashion.

The Spencer Jacket

The Spencer Jacket is an abbreviated tailcoat that emerged during the Regency period. It’s a short jacket that ends above the waist in the front but extends into tails at the back. This style was designed for horse riding, hence the shortened front. The Spencer Jacket is a great option for outdoor formal events and is well-suited to be paired with high-waisted trousers and a cravat.

The Tailcoat in Modern Times

In contemporary fashion, the tailcoat still holds a prestigious place. Designers constantly find innovative ways to keep this classic piece relevant, incorporating modern cuts and fabrics while preserving the tailcoat’s traditional essence. From the red carpet to royal events, tailcoats continue to make a statement, embodying timeless elegance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tailcoat is about more than just selecting a piece of clothing. It is a decision that reflects an understanding of tradition, style, and personal identity. Each style of tailcoat tells a different story and creates a unique impression, allowing the wearer to portray themselves in a sophisticated and tasteful manner. While trends in fashion will come and go, the allure of the tailcoat remains steadfast, a testament to its timeless charm and elegance. No matter the occasion, wearing a tailcoat is a powerful way to make a statement and leave a lasting impression.

In conclusion, whether it’s the morning coat, the dress coat, the tuxedo, the frock coat, or the Spencer jacket, there’s a tailcoat for every event and individual. Armed with the knowledge of different tailcoat styles and the expertise of professionals from Debonair Formalwear, you are now well-equipped to venture into the world of formal attire with confidence and panache.

Sinéad O’Connor Dead at 56

Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56. The singer’s family confirmed her death in a statement to Irish news network RTE, saying, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.” No cause of death was disclosed.

Born in 1966 in Glenageary, County Dublin, Ireland, O’Connor had a difficult childhood after her parents separated when she was eight. The singer would later claim that her mother, who died in a car accident in 1985, physically abused her, which led to her becoming an advocate for abused children throughout her life. In 1984, O’Connor met Colm Farrelly and formed the band Ton Ton Macoute, making waves on the Dublin rock scene before she was signed by Ensign Records as a solo artist. Her first major assignment was providing the vocals for ‘Heroine’, a song she co-wrote with The Edge for the film Captive.

O’Connor moved to London and released her debut album, 1987’s The Lion and the Cobra, when she was barely 20 years old. With its 1990 follow-up, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, she became a worldwide sensation thanks to her haunting cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, which became the No. 1 single worldwide that year. She went on to release eight more studio albums throughout her career. Her most recent full-length was 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss.

In 1990, O’Connor became the target of criticism for refusing to perform in New Jersey if the concert was preceded by the US national anthem, and she boycotted the 1991 Grammy Awards in protest of the first Gulf War. But her most controversial act came in 1992, when she made an appearance on Saturday Night Live during which tore up a photo of the Pope while singing an a capella version of Bob Marley’s ‘War’, asking viewers to “fight the real enemy.”

O’Connor was open about her decades-long struggle with mental illness, which she wrote about in her 2021 memoir Rememberings. In January 2022, she experienced the tragic loss of her 17-year-old son Shane, who died by suicide after going missing just days prior. A week later, O’Connor was hospitalized following a series of concerning tweets. She was the subject of Nothing Compares, a feature documentary that premiered at Sundance in 2022. Earlier this year, she shared her final recording, ‘The Skye Boat Song’, as part of the soundtrack of the TV show Outlander.

“Been living as undead night creature since,” O’ Connor wrote in her final social media post. “He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”

O’Connor is survived by her three children Jake Reynolds, Roisin Waters, and Yeshua Bonadio.

Ada Lea Unveils New Song ‘heard you’

Ada Lea has shared a new song, ‘heard you’. Following the recently released ‘hometown (edit)’, ‘heard you’ was a secret bonus track exclusive to the singer-songwriter’s 2021 LP one hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden and has now been made available digitally for the first time. Listen to it below.