#every single thing you see will be so perfectly and beautifully curated

[existentialmagazine]

Review: Alexandra’s new indie-pop single ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore’ tethers a growing, layered soundscape with a heartfelt message

Growing up as a singer, the indie-pop singer-songwriter Alexandra found herself confiding in her lyricism where reality failed as a release, now merging her life-long love affair of live performance with meticulously crafted releases. Layering vocals, penning authentic storytelling and overall building enchanting soundscapes with ease, it’s without a doubt that Alexandra should be a name just as known to the masses as those like Phoebe Bridgers and Dodie. Following on from her lighthearted release ‘Bonnie & Clyde’, Alexandra now sees herself sharing more of an intimate side of her musical talents in newest single ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore.’

Settling in with gently strummed, slightly palm-muted acoustic guitar, ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore’ immediately captures a real essence of rawness in its stripped-back approach, with even the slight squeaks that come from shifting between chords adding an essence to the soundscape that inadvertently leaves it so profoundly hard-hitting right from its beginnings. Picking up more with strums that ring out to their full volume and impact, the song begins a slow-burning progressive build from sorrow to more deep jadedness. Very light electric guitar leaves the first chorus standing out too, creating an atmospheric moment you can’t help but be both hooked on while still hurting. Stumbling along with the addition of a driving pulse-like beat and built-up instrumentals that leave the second chorus absolutely flourishing, every element of the production feels carefully curated and sure to whisk you away on a journey you won’t regret pressing play on. As Alexandra’s layered vocals throughout only top off this gorgeous setting, she soars in a higher range that’s personal and emotionally infused, making it unavoidable for you to not leave ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore’ singing along like you’d always known the words.

All-too real and reflective, ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore’ is the soundtrack to any post-party comedown, finding yourself looking in the mirror as well as reliving everything you said and did and thinking - who’s the stranger looking back at me? Detached and hinting at dissociating, Alexandra’s aching lines detail how it feels to lose yourself, introspectively looking for answers and finding you don’t have them. As a partner - or potentially just a newfound flirt - surrounds the track’s narrative, Alexandra finds herself emotionally distant: ‘You say, darling what’s on your mind? But I don’t break, I’m a brick wall, and I hate when you say I’m getting red.’ Seemingly resentful towards them, fallen out of love or just keeping herself closed away, Alexandra’s woefully penned lines seep with a fear of not knowing her own identity while trying to make sense of this romance: ‘don’t call me honey, I don’t feel so sweet. Don’t recognise me, how am I not good at this anymore?’ The track intentionally feels a little vague, allowing for you to resonate with it in whichever capacity it relates to your own experiences, not directly implying any one thing. If you’re struggling to know who you are and feeling cynical about the reality of that self-awareness, Alexandra is here to remind you that’s perfectly okay, she’s still working through waves of that herself: ‘rather be quiet than misunderstood.’

Check out ‘I’m Not Good At This Anymore’ for yourself here to uncover your own meaning in Alexandra’s beautifully written lyricism and tender but wonderfully catchy soundscape!

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown

// This coverage was created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator

[sarcastic-sunshines]

ABIONA AU - Before Abiona Interlude Part 3: Jealousy is a Disease

Pairing: T’ Challa x Black!Reader

Warning(s): None

Word Count:  2893

Link to ABIONA by @writingmarvellousimagines

Link to Face claims (2)

Part: (1) (2) (3) (I1) (I2) (4)

Jealousy is a Disease

It was Saturday, which meant that Alix was home from work. She lived for Saturdays because she would take the morning to sleep in as late as she felt like it. At 7 months, baby was very active and still having football matches in the middle of the night. Add that to the general discomfort of being an expectant mother, Alix’s night were not rejuvenating. Since her little breakdown and her midnight cravings increased, T’Challa had started to spend the nights with Alix, generally being up when she was. He hardly complained and still got up early to do his royal duties. Just like on this specific Saturday, Alix reached out behind her and felt nothing. She went into her guestroom, which was at one point T’Challa’s room but now basically his study because he was only ever in there to work. There he was, but he wasn’t working like she had expected to see… He was laughing on the phone, not his kimoyo beads, his phone. Whoever it was not, wasn't in Wakanda, but they sure had him rolling with laughter at 11AM in the morning.

Alix came in looking suspiciously. T'Challa's back was to her, but as he turned and saw Alix he quickly ended the call.

“Oh my Bast, Tina, you are so funny, but I unfortunately have to go. ” Alix raised her eyebrows and wonder what was unfortunate about ending a call with Tina.

She liked Tina. She was one the single moms in her lamaze class. Ever since she started bringing T'Challa with her, Tina and few other moms, some even married, had decided to befriend him. Every session, T'Challa was the star. They were all touchy, clung to every word he uttered and laughed at everyone of his terrible jokes. It was ridiculous and took away from her time with T'Challa. He was her partner after all, but as of recently, he had turned into the volunteer partner for all the other mom’s in the class. She didn’t know how it started but everytime she saw him hold another mom’s hand, her heartburn made a fiery return and she didn’t like it. Tina, specifically, had been benefiting the most. She now got a ride home from them every once in a while. Again, she liked Tina, and no pregnant woman should have to take the bus if she didn’t have to. However, after watching T’Challa play good Samaritan for an hour and a half, she thought she deserved some alone time.  Tina was starting to infiltrate every aspect of her life and Alix wasn’t having it.

“What did Tina want,” she said with her hands holding her side.

“Good morning to you too? How did you sleep? I slept pretty well except for when you kicked me but as the mother of my child I will forgive you. Did I tell you how beautiful you look when you wake up, ” T’challa said with a humorous smile as he pulled Alix in between his legs as he kissed her belly.

“Yeah, yeah, morning to you to, what did Tina want?”

“If you must know we were just having a casual conversation, nothing special,” he explained while pulling her into his lap. Surprisingly, she didn’t resist. Yet, she was still staring at him suspiciously.

“Then what was so funny?”

“Oh Tina...she was telling me” He struggled to finish the sentence as he laughed. “ ...about... I can’t do it justice.” Alix rolled her eyes and got off his lap and headed to the kitchen as T’Challa tried to get his laughter back under control. She had had enough. She didn’t need this in the morning and she had a child to feed.

The rest of the day passed just the way Alix expected. It was the new normal that she liked but would never admit to. T’Challa always provided her with his undivided attention, from them going grocery shopping, to running more errands. Even going to the mall to try on some maternity clothes. He did have the Doras there, but he never allowed them too close so she wouldn’t feel crowded or draw attention to them. There was a slight difference this Saturday. Every time she turned to look at him, he was on his phone, texting no one else but Tina. Alix was going to lose it. Even when they went to this adorable boutique, and Alix tried on this gorgeous white sweater dress. She exited the dressing room hoping to get T’Challa’s opinion only to find him typing. Though he looked up as soon as she got out only to praise her, she was still ready to throw that phone out the window.

She was in a bit of a mood when they got home. T’Challa refused to ask because frankly the mood swings were becoming a bit much for him and she had been like this since she got up. He liked his Saturdays with Alix and he did not want it to go sour. It was the only time she ever let him pamper her. It allowed him to feel like an actual couple without her getting all caught in the emotions of it and ruining the perfectly good moment. So if she was a bit grumpy, he definitely was not going push it. After putting everything  away they both collapsed on the couch. Alix turned on the TV so they could continue binge watching reruns of the The Fresh Prince. Alix slowly but surely inched closer to T’challa. He noticed but made no comment. It was Saturday after all. Very soon, she was nestled into his arms and willfully accepting the kisses he was leaving on her head and shoulder.

T’Challa’s kimoyo beads went off, signalling he had a call from Shuri. He got up to take the call into his study, leaving his phone on the table. As he placed it Alix’s eyes followed the phone’s placement. She heard the door of the study close and immediately reached for the phone. Of course, a password was needed. It really could be anything. She tried his birthday, no luck, Shuri’s, no luck. She didn’t know Ramonda’s but she didn’t think it would be that. She was running out of chances before the phone would be disabled. On a whim she tried hers and the app screen appeared. Alix rolled her eyes at his corniness while trying not to smile. She went into his contacts and deleted Tina’s number as well as that of all the other moms in Lamaze. She was going to do the dads as well but she didn’t want to be too obvious. She went to his messages and saw the thread between him and Tina. 

She started to feel guilty. Here he was trying to prove his trust and she was getting worked up over a woman who was just being friendly. Or so she hoped. Tina was quite beautiful. She had shown the group pictures of herself before pregnancy but it was like the pregnancy glow really worked in her favour and amplified what was already present. Meanwhile, Alix was not even sure if she had ever even had a glow. The only thing she could contest to was her feet were swelling and her nose was spreading. It was a weak moment, yes, but she didn’t read the messages and put the phone down. She continued to stare at it only to pick it up again and delete the messages. She comforted herself by knowing she didn’t read them. She closed the message app and finally looked at T’Challa’s background. It was one of the pictures she sent when he was in Wakanda for the beginning of the week. She remembered taking that because she, for some reason really missed him and couldn’t explain why. Her curiosity grew so she went to his photo gallery and was shocked how many pictures he had of her and her bump, the baby's ultrasounds over time, and even recordings of their heartbeats. She always wondered why he would ask for a recording every week like it had changed. The nurses now had it prepared before he asked.

Everything was categorised and chronological in true T’Challa fashion. She smiled as she went through them when T'challa entered the room and peaked over the couch only to find Alix going through his photos.

“Might I ask what you are doing?” Alix jumped a little. “I see you are enjoying my photo album. Why are you on my phone anyways?”

She felt embarrassed for getting caught but continued on to lie anyways. “I had to call my mom and your phone was already there so I did that. Your password is quite predictable by the way. ”

“I have nothing to hide, so it is okay if you can figure it out. How did a call lead you to my pictures?” Alix felt the guilt rising again.

“I, um, I saw I was your background and wanted to see the others,” she said looking away from him. “It is strange how many you have. You are a bit stalkerish, aren’t you?”

T'Challa responded. "Don't act like you were not just grinning like a schoolgirl going over my beautifully curated albums."

"Beautifully curated is a stretch,” she said.

"You were still giddy with joy though, " he replied as he went around to rejoin her on the couch.

They went back to watching television when T’challa picked up his phone for the third time in 20 minutes.

He finally spoke. “I know that western technology does not hold to Wakandan but this is ridiculous at this point. All of the mom’s numbers from Lamaze have disappeared including my thread with Tina. I knew I should have added it to my kimoyo contact list.” Alix began to fidget in his arms. T’Challa looked down at her with concern.

“Are you alright?”

“Yup  just a little hot is all.”

“If you say so. I am sure Tina gave me her Instagram, not completely sure why but I will message her from there.”

Alix sat up suddenly and stared at T’Challa in what  can only be described as a strange mixture of emotions. Of course, Tina would give him any possible way to take her time from him.

“I am going to take a nap.”

“Alix,it is 5PM.”

“I don’t care!”

T'Challa watched her disappear without saying a word. He was not ready to deal with whatever that was and he needed Tina to resend him the nursery room patterns she got from pinterest.

After thirty minutes, T’Challa stood outside the bedroom mentally giving himself a pep talk to whatever Alix would say. He promised himself he would start to learn to deal with her mood swings rather than hiding until the storm settled. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Alix” 

“What!?!”

“Um  I was only wondering if you are hungry. Would that make you feel better” She wouldn’t look at him but spoke. “Possibly. Is there anyway you could make some form of pasta. I am craving a creamy meal.”

“Only if you help me.”

“Fine.” She put her hands out for him to help her up.

They started making dinner together, joking around and talking as they normally do. T’Challa was busy hoping that Saturdays would come quicker so she could always be this happy. Suddenly, his phone rang and it was an unknown number.

As he went to pick it up Alix knew exactly who could be disturbing their time. Tina. She liked Tina, but this was really becoming ridiculous.

“Hello Tina. Thank goodness you called. My phone has been acting up and deleted your contact info. Luckily, you gave me you instagram,” he began to chuckle. A chuckle that grew to a full laugh.

Alix was growing irritated. Thirty minutes go by and T’Challa sees that Alix had been glaring at him and banging pots since he got on the phone. For thirty minutes, she had to listen to them obnoxiously laugh about nothing. Again. She likes Tina, but she was one to be very touchy with T’Challa and make comments about how handsome he is. As if she didn’t know, she wasn’t pregnant because he was ugly.

“Alix, do you need something? You are making so much noise.”

“I need you to get off the phone so we can eat. Baby is hungry!”

“Alright alright.” He went back to his phone call. “Tina, let us talk later, please. HA HA HA. Of course. Thank you again.”

He stared at Alix as she took her plate to the table and angrily began to eat. It suddenly clicked. He had given Apple a bad review when it was someone else who tampered with his phone. He checked his call log and found no call to Estelle was made. He laughed to himself knowing he was going to enjoy this conversation.

He smugly looked at Alix as they ate and said, “I think I figured out how to retrieve all those numbers I lost, ” just to see her squirm. “They must have gotten lost when you had to make that dire phone call to your mom with my phone.” 

“What is the point you are making, T’Challa,” Alix said defensively as she puts down her fork. 

“ No point made. Just observations. ”

“Great. So let me eat.”

“Yes, your jealousy is usually calmer when fed.” Alix immediately looked up and responded.

“I am not jealous, especially of Tina!”

“No one said her name or who it could be,” he said, taking a sip of his drink. He was really enjoying himself at this point as Alix was just staring daggers at him.

“Do not worry. This man only has eyes for the mother of his child. She is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He doesn’t think she has looked any more gorgeous than she has carrying their child.” Alix smiled at the table as he continued. 

“And if she had let her jealousy be put aside, she wouldn’t have ruined the surprise bassinet she had been dying to get that he had spent the whole day trying to get for her. Tina knew a place that still had it available.”

Alix took a  minute to soak up his cuteness. She was grinning really hard. Of course, he was being so sweet. He always found a way to outdo himself.

“Thank you, T’Challa. And no one said anything about jealousy. Tina gossips a lot and I know you don’t always appreciate that so I was trying to help you.”

“Yes  I did notice that about her, but our business was purely informational. By the way, did you know Antoinette and her husband are on their 6th? I do not know why they are in the class. Tina says it is the only alone time they get, ” he said shaking his head. 

Alix laughed because as much as T’Challa said he doesn’t like gossip he enjoyed all tea that is spilled all the time. “I know they definitely look like they need it with 5 children and another on the way. It could never be me. ”

“Yes, 6 is far too many. An even 4 would be more suitable.”

“I hope you are not planning the other three with me because this shop is closed and the IUD is going back as the baby goes out.”

“It didn’t stop me before.”

Alix flicked her napkin at him as they both laughed.

“All I am saying is this little one is going to need a playmate.”

“T’Challa  I cannot have this conversation right now. I am trying to keep this baby fed right now and healthy for the next two months okay.”

“That is fair.” They went back to eating when T'Challa finally said,  “ How about three?”

“They only need one playmate. We both only had one.”

“But more would be better.”

“Well, lucky for you, you haven’t married yet, maybe there is another poor soul you would like to impregnate, ” She said with a smile as T’challa frowned.

“You are so funny, especially since you were the one doing all that conniving and squirming over Tina. I wouldn’t want this poor soul to have to deal with you, knowing she carries my child.”

“You are so full of it,” she said  squinting with a half angry face

“Oh  I know. As are you, that is why we are so compatible,” he smiled at her pouting face knowing he had won.

As they washed the dishes, T’Challa was dying of laughter over Alix. She felt proud that she was the one making him laugh so hard. T’Challa was just so happy he got to enjoy another Saturday.  He wished it continued just so Alix would always be at this level of comfortability.

“Hey, can you use the photo of me by the window as your background. I like that one more, and my bump is more prominent in it.”

“Of course.

She smiled and headed to the bathroom leaving T’Challa to his thoughts as he dried the dishes. His heart felt full today. Everyday, he thought he could not love a person anymore than he had the previous day, only to be proven wrong by how much space in his heart Alix had managed to take while creating more. He did not mind being wrong.

_______________________________________________________________

Taglist:

@dramaqueenamby @writingmarvellousimagines @teechallas-blog @ashanti-notthesinger @chaneajoyyy @wakanda-inspired @90sinspiredgirl @lovely-geek @fonville-designs @chefjessypooh @imagine-mbaku @dopegalkk

[youcantunringthebell]

The Lyin’ King

This is the 99 percent true* story of a friendship that was at least 50 percent false.

Surprising, because I never thought of myself as a gullible person. Shouldn’t a newspaper reporter have the strongest bullshit detector imaginable? (Yes, there was the time my colleagues convinced me the boss was forcing us into “treadmill meetings,” but in all fairness, she seemed to have some body image issues, and the company gym was right there.) In situations where things seem ideal, though, I’m often the first to Google that shit and start finding the flaws.

Except for with Leo. **

I met him through my ex-husband, but after a handful of happy hours, he was more my friend that my ex’s. We had something in common: Upbringing in ultra-conservative Christian families followed by fallout when we left those systems. He was coming out as gay and leaving the church, I could help him navigate that and, being newly divorced, I had a lot of time on my hands. We bonded over mutual rejection and our newfound addiction to online dating.

I try not to use the word “perfect,” because a Buddhist friend reminds me that nothing on this earthly plane fits that description. But Leo was perfect: young, model-gorgeous with a wardrobe to match. Charming in any social situation. Wickedly funny, useful in a crisis, an attentive listener. Go places with Leo and, over time, you will meet literally hundreds of people drawn into his light. Some of them get to stay. It’s intoxicating.

He barely made an effort at work and won employee of the year consecutively. Eventually, he earned a lofty position that absolutely nothing on his resume would demonstrate he could fill, and his bosses loved him there, too. He sang beautifully, danced sexily, painted passably. He ran marathons and lifted weights. Leo even perfectly curated his imperfection, to wit, a scar that came with a hilarious story about a brown recluse hiding in old pants.

He lived with my husband and me briefly, between men, but there were usually men. Never as attractive, typically more accomplished, although that second requirement could be suspended if it looked like the other option was extended singleness. So when Leo started talking about the man he would marry, I burst out laughing and told him he was full of shit. He started crying because I didn’t believe him. I begged him to forgive me.

Looking back, that should have told me something.

Because if Leo had been sitting on a computer in Nigeria emailing me that he was a displaced prince and needed my bank account number so he could reclaim his lost wealth, I’m not completely sure I wouldn’t be bankrupt right now.

The new boyfriend was close to becoming a doctor. The Doctor told me his medical specialty was hugging — that’s how earnest this guy was. He and Leo moved to another state for a residency and, sure enough, got engaged soon after that move. I spoke at their wedding.

Their marriage didn’t last long. Something was always wrong with The Doctor. He wasn’t attentive enough. He walked funny. He overspent. Leo had to take a second job — working weekends at conferences around the globe — to pay the bills. He texted me pictures of scenery in exotic locales. “This looks fun, but you seem angry all the time now,” I told him. Of course he was angry, living with all the stress of keeping them afloat, Leo said.

They got divorced, and Leo announced he was moving home to Nashville, but first he had to move in with a co-worker suffering from a brain tumor to see her through it, plus he was getting more involved in church and going to therapy. No more men, he said, just work, caretaking and the spritual journey of self-discovery for him. Every single phone call came back to the church, therapy or the friend with cancer. I started to feel petty, wanting Leo to come home when there was such important work where he was. Our conversations got awkward.

“Leo always reminds me we’re best friends, but I don’t think I know him at all anymore,” I told my husband. He shrugged. Friendships change, he said.

Instead of Leo moving back to Nashville, The Doctor moved back. Leo called, frantic, with the news. Turns out the doctor had been cheating on him all along with a colleague! He stole all Leo’s money! Leo was ruined! Wasn’t it awful?

So when The Doctor, who worked less than a quarter-mile from my office, texted that we should have coffee now that he was back, I ignored that asshole. A few months later, when he texted that he was thinking about me and asked how I was, I wrote back, “Fine, thanks.” This slow thaw went on for about a year, and eventually it seemed nuts NOT to just forgive him and have coffee. Let he among us who hasn’t cheated for the length of a marriage and then left our spouse destitute cast the first stone, right?

The first half-hour our visit, we discussed weather and work. The Doctor finally introduced the elephant.

“Why do you think Leo and I got divorced?” he asked.

“That’s not important,” I said. “Water under the bridge.”

“I seriously want to know,” he said.

I considered for a moment. “Because you’re a compulsive philanderer and thief?”

The Doctor looked prepared for that answer. No, he said. Just the opposite.

And through a series of lunches with The Doctor plus light stalking, I learned that many things Leo told me since he moved were lies. The weekend conference job was a cover for an affair that predated the marriage — The Doctor figured that out thanks to an unexpected credit card statement. It was a man The Doctor knew as a family friend, a straight husband and father. That meant the pictures sent to me were probably from Google Images. Leo’s co-worker with cancer probably never actually had cancer, and if she did, her daughter already lived in the same apartment.

There really was a church, turns out, because Leo and his lover joined it on the same day, according to an online bulletin.

I started to investigate some stories that didn’t have to do with Leo’s marriage. More lies. The timing on my Nancy Drew act was bad, because Leo was hopping a plane home to see a concert with me the next week.

I emailed him what I’d found out, too afraid I’d fall apart during a phone call, and apologized for the times I came off as judgmental about other people’s affairs. It was none of my business, I wrote, and I could see where it made it impossible to tell me what was going on. We set a time to talk, and Leo tearfully copped to the affair, but nothing else.

“What made you think you couldn’t just tell me the truth?” I asked.

“I always wanted to be so perfect.” He was crying, struggling to get the words out. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be my friend anymore.”

We were silent for a moment, and then I heard a muffled, cheerful greeting. “I’ll be in there in a sec!” Leo shouted. No tears.

“Where are you?” I asked.

He was outside a wedding shower and had to go. “I assume, in light of all this, I shouldn’t come to Nashville,” he said.

“Of course you should still come!” I said. “You need to come now more than ever so we can figure out what the hell happened between us.”

He sent the text a few hours before I was supposed to pick him up from the airport: I’m being called last minute to work one of those conferences, and with my financial situation, I can’t afford to say no.

Even with the truth in the open — realizing that I knew the conferences never existed and The Doctor hadn’t stolen from him — he retreated into the lie. It was like he had no choice. I couldn’t stop staring at my phone.

The way my decade-long friendship with Leo ended shook me for about a year. Now that he was gone, my friends who knew him could step forward with their own experiences. I could look back on things he said and see the cracks. I’ve never felt more stupid. Mostly, my feeling was that because he was so beautiful and charming and talented, and because I am a fat, middle-aged lady with a few jokes and decent writing ability, I never allowed myself to be skeptical with him for fear he’d stop talking to me. I believed someone else with more self-esteem who was a little brighter would have seen right through Leo. This isn’t me being self-deprecating, this is how I actually saw it.

With a few years’ perspective and after meeting a couple more Leos subsequently, I have a theory. I think there may be a lot of Leos out there among us.

Those of us raised ultra conservative, who wake up to the damage that extremism does, face a choice. The day comes where we either speak our truths and stop accommodating the family system, or we always keep a little bit of a lie going so we can keep their favor. Leo was like that. Once he told his family he was gay and they could live with that, he had to construct a perfect gay marriage to a perfect candidate. It couldn’t be troubled like other marriages. There couldn’t be an affair. It had to be perfect.

But those of us who stop accommodating, who say you’re wrong and refuse to support even the slightest vestige of that system, who take our lumps and live with the displeasure ... we get to be rigorously honest. Once we’ve made a stand that life-changing, it no longer matters what our friends, or our boss, or anyone thinks.

We’ve earned our truth. And we may live so strongly in that truth, it seems impossible for someone we love to be enmeshed in lies. We may be completely taken in by that person.

And that’s OK. Maybe even beautiful.

* I’ve changed one name.

** That’s the name.

[thebandcampdiaries]

Isaiah Mclaughlin has just dropped a new studio work: "Afterlife"

October 2022 - Isaiah Mclaughlin has recently released a new work named "Afterlife". This edgy and inventive album marks a highly anticipated return to the music scene for the artist, who is fresh with new energy and some positive vibe for this new release!

"Afterlife" has a very immersive tone, right off the bat. The artist did a great job at capturing the dynamics of his creative vision, allowing the audience to take a step into his world and empathizing with his personality on a more personal level. The influences at the core of "Afterlife" range from Dark-Pop to alternative and bedroom pop. These styles might seem at odds with each other on paper, but within the context of this mix, they work perfectly.

The album features 13 original songs. As I always like to remind people, we live in the age of singles, so many artists, especially independent acts, tend to focus on releasing one song at a time sparsely throughout the year, For this reason, it is always amazing to see a new artist dropping a full album! Each of these songs has something to offer, and Isaiah was really able to craft a phenomenally curated listening experience, as if this album was a sonic journey to experience. From start to finish, this ride will give you a lot of emotions, feelings, and some unique vibes!

The production quality is outstanding. The mix is nuanced and filled with exciting “ear candy” details that add an extra sheen to the overall listening experience. Isaiah Mclaughlin’s performance sits perfectly well within the mix, and the album is all the more relatable because of it. One of the things that really will jump out at you is the amazing timber of Isaiah’s vocals His sound is sultry and dynamic, yet incredibly nuanced and one-of-a-kind. He utters each word with passion, and there’s pathos behind every lyrical line. The opening track, “Ray of Light” is actually a perfect example. The song features pulsating synth bass lines, along with a reverb-drenched drum pattern and some atmospheric textures. In addition, Isaiah’s mellow and emotion-filled voice cuts beautifully through the instrumental. The song “Will You Follow” has a more upbeat vibe, reminiscent of techno music, but still retaining the artist’s dark-pop sensibilities. “Lilith” takes it a step further with some stunning 80s-inspired drums and some amazing melodies, like the little arpeggiated line in the intro. This is one of the most iconic and recognizable songs on the album, and it could be a fantastic first taste of Isaiah’s music for new listeners There are so many highlights on this album, and another excellent track to note is “Lady of the Night.” This intricate song features some beautiful melodies and one of the most passionate vocal performances from Isaiah. The track has a fast-paced arrangement, but there is also a more dynamic flow that adds a special dreaminess to it. The song “Deceived” leans deeper into the artist’s electronic influences. It has a deeper sound with edge and atmosphere, adding more space and vibe to the mix. On this track, Isaiah’s vocals vibe are almost reminiscent of some of the latest work by artists such as The Mars Volta! The artist continues to give us some unique vibes, especially on the song “Ghost,” which is one of the most innovative arrangements that you will find on the entire album. The final song on the album happens to be the title track itself. This song has some big, cinematic drums and a unique structure that makes it very atmospheric and poetic.

In conclusion, this album is like a Jackson Pollock painting: Much like the famed visual artist used expressive colors and unique shapes in order to portray raw emotion, Isaiah’s music has a very instinctive vibe that immediately sparks that very special emotional reaction in the audience. There is real beauty and lot of heart into this record!

"Afterlife" comes highly recommended to fans of artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Dead Rituals, Son Lux, and Active Child, only to mention a few.

Find out more about Isaiah Mclaughlin and check out "Afterlife" on your favorite digital streaming services.

[taraxacum18]

The antique style is making a huge comeback and it’s about to sweep you off your feet! Styles like Art deco, Art Nouveau, and Edwardian interior design are predicted to be a hallmark trend in the upcoming years’ home décor.

What sets this unique style apart from every other one are its timeless look and its resemblance to the chic Parisian Apartment Décor Style that is highly popular among decorators, designers, fashionistas, and people passionate about stunning aesthetics.

And if you get it right, mixing pieces from different eras can result in a spectacular space with an eclectic vibe that is sure to make a striking impression.

Keep reading to learn more about why antiques are the future of luxury interior decorating!

The Magnetic Appeal of Nostalgia

Antique pieces have the power to bring a special kind of feel to space. They evoke memories of past times that were simpler and filled with luxury and comfort. In a sense, their unique beauty and the appeal of gone eras allow the past to come to life.

Also, it’s impossible not to appreciate expertly-made hand-crafted items, as the intricate design and superb craftsmanship of vintage furniture shine with unmatched charm and character.

There is another aspect of antique furniture’s adoration: its distinct visual interest. The intricacy and the detailing of the antiques are simply unbeatable by their modern counterparts. They add a certain flair to the space that is easy to fall in love with.

A Striking Visual Statement

You can easily transform any design scheme by adding antique pieces to your existing interior style. Vintage furnishings make for amazing statement pieces. Sometimes one good piece is all you need to make an impression.

When masterfully placed, such a show-stopping item can be a magnificent centerpiece of the room.

In addition to stealing the spotlight, antiques can sometimes add a perfect accent to your space. Rugs, accessories like vintage-inspired vases, or accent tables can highlight the unique beauty of your home.

Even unusual-looking tiles and floor surfaces can help you bring the charm of the past areas back!

And as a bonus, antique furnishings have a story to tell, especially if they are inherited! And even if they are not, a vintage piece can spark your imagination and make you envision who used it and what kind of life they had. It can be a great conversation starter too!

The Art of Decorating With Antiques

There is no reason to limit yourself to a single style or one era. When done right, mixing antiques can result in a charming, eclectic space. In other words, you can use any piece in a modern setting, or blend antiques from different styles and eras quite nicely!

For example, an 18th century English mirror with a French Regency console can create a perfect, lavish effect. Or you can mix things up a bit and freshen up your baroque side table with a classic Italian sofa.

If you are a newbie to the mix and match style, stick to the famous, easy-to-follow 80/20 rule!

As long as you devote time to sourcing the right pieces and combine them properly you can take your home to a deeply personal, chic, and eclectic level.

Use Timeless Pieces to Create an Inviting Dining Room

The dining room is a place of everyday gatherings for most people. It’s the space where we enjoy our meals, socialize, and catch up on the day with our loved ones. It’s a central place of every home, so it makes sense to invest in quality, beautifully designed pieces that will enhance its look and create an inviting, cozy atmosphere.

When selecting furniture opt for a traditional dining room table and chairs with a timeless design that will elevate the look of your space for years to come. Stick to the sets made of finest hardwood as they ensure durability.

Meticulously crafted, classic pieces are also easier to combine with other furniture and items in your dining room. And they offer both exceptional style and practicality.

To create a remarkable antique dining room, stick to furniture made of dark wood and pair it with light elements – they will bring out the amazing detailing perfectly. Opt for light-colored walls, neutral pieces, and a few accents like a vintage carpet with an eye-catching color for a curated look that never goes out of style.

The Mesmerizing Charm of Parisian Apartment Décor Style

The Parisian apartment-style is all about chic, dreamy spaces that embrace history. The best of them mix periods and styles for an alluring eclectic atmosphere. But the chic Parisian interior just isn’t it without its magic décor item: the chandelier.

Swapping out a basic fixture for this staple of elegant décor will make a huge difference in your home! From mid-century lighting chandeliers to more contemporary ones, these sparkling beauties are a must-have if you are after French elegance and flair.

Balance out the more antique-looking items with a contemporary armchair like a Danish mid-century design armchair. Just make sure they are usable, active parts of your space.

French are passionate about mixing and matching, so it’s pretty common to see different styles and periods together.

Adorn Your Living Room With Vintage Flair

There is something incredibly alluring about enlivening a space with context and history. The right combination of the old world and contemporary pieces can make your living room feel young and alive! And it will add loads of character to it as well!

Upholstered sofa in a cotton damask, armchair covered in silk velvet, and a Louis XV desk with the 19th-century rug will transform your living room into your own historical retreat with effortless elegance.

The 90s home décor is making a rebound too, so if you are into emerald green, blonde wood, and natural materials like rattan and wicker, the timing is right to experiment with past trends and give your living room a makeover!

By mixing in contemporary and vintage pieces you’ll create a space that speaks to today. Antiques work amazingly well in modern spaces, and giving them a new life can be exciting!

Restoring Furniture Is Gaining Traction

There is something appealing about displaying a unique, one-of-a-kind piece instead of a mass-produced one. This is one of the main reasons behind furniture restoration popularity. And with so many available resources online, more and more people are turning to crafts and DIY projects.

In fact, this particular topic has become so popular that there are entire TV channels dedicated to it.

And as a plus, materials are readily available almost everywhere, so many people have become passionate about searching for vintage pieces and giving them their old glow back. While breathing new life into a piece, make sure to get it as close to the original condition as possible.

And finally, repairing spectacular works of art and restoring them to their former glory can be incredibly rewarding.

A Much Smaller Carbon Footprint

This aspect of antique furniture should never be overlooked in today’s circumstances! Although factory-made fast furniture comes with a lower price tag, antiques are a more sustainable choice in comparison to contemporary manufactured pieces.

Antiques of exceptional quality are now more widely available, and they are not unreasonably priced like they used to be at the turn of the century when their demand peaked.

Buying a used piece of furniture is a good example of an eco-friendly solution since it reduces demand for new furniture and resources like timber, water, and electricity, and therefore eliminates extra strain on the environment.

People are becoming more aware of how their shopping habits and their choices affect the environment, so they are turning to more sustainable options when furnishing their homes. With that being said, embracing antiques becomes more than just the luxury interior decor.

It’s a greener alternative that’s both aesthetically stunning and an effective way to fight throwaway culture.

With a growing desire of people across the globe to lead a more eco-conscious life without sacrificing style, antiques are the obvious choice and the definite future of luxury interior decorating!

[exilevilifyrp]

Congratulations SIDNEY, you have been accepted for the role of DALLAS COSTA with the face claim DJ COTRONA! It’s clear that you put a lot of effort into this app, and it really paid off! You painted a clear picture of who Dallas is and what he’s gone through to get here, and you’ve painted it beautifully. We cannot wait to see you bring our boi Dallas to life! 

Make sure to check out our checklist and send us your blog within 24 hours!  

BASIC INFO (ALIAS/NAME, AGE, PRONOUNS): Sidney, 21, she/her

IN CHARACTER

CHARACTER YOU’RE APPLYING FOR:Dallas Costa. AGE AND GENDER IDENTIFICATION: Thirty-three / Cis-male GENESIS: Hybrid — His left leg (from just above the knee) has been replaced with a technologically advanced prosthetic after an accident involving two inexperienced Costa soldiers who fled during an arms deal gone wrong, which landed Dallas pinned between the wall of an abandoned building and a vehicle. They took the weapons without paying and left him for dead. His leg was removed immediately due to infection and therein replaced and paid for with cash. Before the operation, he’d never considered leading a synthetic life, but the strength he garners from such technology attached to his person has intrigued him and over the years, he’s made smaller adjustments such as the removal of his right hand, which was replaced with another technologically advanced prosthetic. This time the advancement was custom made so the pads of the fingers are linked to Polly, his best girl. This gives no one else permission to fire her without first a scan of his curated fingerprint. SPECIAL SKILLS: Dallas is highly proficient in a number of self-taught skills such as hand-to-hand combat, but he’s most proficient with guns. He fired his first at the age of seven and was given his very own pistol on his tenth birthday by none other than his father. Which he then affectionately named Woody. It made a home on his hip despite the constant slipping of the holster on his slender frame, that is, until his fifteenth birthday. His mother gifted him an antique Colt Python. The grip was unlike anything he’d felt before, like silk against his palm, curving perfectly within the frame of his hand. He’d named her Baby and she was beautiful, purring each time he pulled her trigger—each time she took a life. But if there was ever a thing he treasured most, it was Polly. A sleek, all black Remington shotgun with a custom grip that he’d bought himself on his eighteenth birthday. From the moment she’d graced his right hand, it was an epic romance coated in sin and savagery. She’s been his partner in crime for twelve years and gotten him out of more than one bad spot. And to this day she waits for him just outside his cell, sitting on a shelf gathering dust instead of wreaking the havoc the two of them were made for. FACE CLAIM: DJ Cotrona

IN DEPTH

ANALYSIS:

+  PASSIONATE: He may be careless but that by no way means he doesn’t feel. In fact, he feels very deeply, intensely, just not in the grander sense of the word. He doesn’t find passion in the intellectual or practical, no. He loves those immediate pleasures; the exquisite release of a good lay, the sharp bite of a fist pounding into flesh, the crisp tingle of smoke filling his lungs, the jerk of a bullet leaving its chamber. He wants what he wants and he wants it now, and this is perhaps the very reason he’s always chasing some sort of high, looking some way to replicate the first time he fucked someone or the first time he pulled that trigger. +  CONFIDENT: If there’s one thing Dallas knows, it’s how good he looks; how charming he is; how irresistible his magnetism can be. In one swift breath, he can reel you in with a smirk and a witty comment. And it’s been this way for as long as he can remember. His confidence has always been there, no doubt overly inflated by a mother trying to make up for a father’s hatred, always telling her little boy how special he was. How handsome and perfect. It’s inflated his ego, left him paralyzed in terms of criticism and made him feel invincible—infallible. +  FEARLESS: He’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. If anything, he runs toward them, always looking for a way to prove himself godly. To show the world that he truly is worthy of their worship. It started off small, jumping off the highest bridge into freezing water, drinking the spiciest hot sauce, lifting the most weights. Anything he could turn into a competition, he would. And he’d win every single time. But if anyone were to stare too closely at this attribute, they’d see it stemmed from the lack of value Dallas gives his life. He may wish to be a king, to be revered and loved and followed by disciples, but who would worship a man that doesn’t care if he lives or dies? Only a fool, that’s who.

—  HEADSTRONG: An individualist first and last, he’s never been one to conform nor has he ever wished to live within the confines of a predetermined destiny. He desperately wants the notoriety that comes along with hard-work, but always refuses to put in any effort for no other reason than that’s what everyone else would do. He wants things his own way even if he’s not willing to work for it and therein lies the oxymoron that is Dallas Costa. —  RECKLESS: Responsibility as well as following rules have never been his strong suit, in fact, Dallas has always seemed determined to live outside the confines of society, taking what he wants and saying fuck the rest. Factoring in any sort of consequence before he takes action has never held much importance simply because he couldn’t care less. —  IMPULSIVE: He always thinks before he acts, never really taking the time to analyze a situation and instead instantly acting as his mind tells him too. More often than not, he listens to his first thought and acts accordingly and it’s this that causes most of his fights and in turn, is the reason for most of his bruises or scars. It undoubtedly stems from a rudimentary lack of conviction and follow through in his earlier years, as well as never having been told the word no. When the answer is always yes, there’s no reason to not do exactly what you want all the time.

BIOGRAPHY: 

Brute force and brash tones, that was all he’d ever known. Lungs filled with hot air, legs furiously kicking, he entered this world a fighter. A wretch of a human. Willful and arrogant, demanding survival instead of earning it. A child born of privilege, with the words of his childhood always sharpened like knives. All used to nick and scrape away all the weakest parts of him, his father desperately wishing to mold and shape Dallas into much more than he was supposed to be. But with pockets deeper than a young boy could ever imagine, Dallas ran wild with impropriety, focusing on immediate pleasures instead of working for what he wanted. What else was he to do? He was born prince, the city at his fingertips, and he walked through life with ease because no one had ever taught him any different. He took what he pleased and never apologized for who he was.

A Costa. A King in the making.

He was a rambunctious boy, carefree and curious, rife with desire to impress the man who’d raised him with never a kind word and instead always a firm hand: his father. Mitchum was never a generous man, never one to spend more than a few minutes at a time with Dallas if he thought the boy deserved it, which he rarely did. But he always did have a message, a mantra, if you will. You’re destined for greatness, he’d say. But the look in his eyes never quite met the weight of those words, as if he never truly believed them when he looked at his own son. It was easy to pick up on, that rejection from the man who gave him life, and at such a young age it only made him an angry child, his fists always clenched in an uncontrollable rage, never quite sure where it truly stemmed from because looking too deep inside always seemed like a ridiculous notion—something a man doesn’t do. Not when downing half a bottle of whiskey would do the trick.

So instead he lived in the moment, in the now, hurdling from each liquored up escapade to the next, always acting first and forgetting to even ask for permission later. Wherever he went, a fight surely erupted, chaos following him around like an invisible mentor, teaching him the way of conflict, of seizing any and all opportunity to play on people’s delicate emotions, to assert control over those meek and mild mannered. But such unfettered dominance undoubtedly stemmed from that very weakness his father had always known Dallas had, and he told him as such time and time again. Every time he disappointed his father, he was told how useless he was. How impetuous and immature, so ignorant and idiotic.

Think before you act, his father would always say, mustache set in a straight line as he tidied up yet another one of his son’s messes.

But where’s the fun in that? Dallas would ask, a shit-eating grin playing across his handsome features, already planning his next adventure.

But much to his son’s amusement, there came a time when Mitchum’s opinion no longer mattered, no longer held any credence in the Costa hierarchy for he’d gone and gotten himself arrested. He’d never been one for mistakes, never put himself in the position to be vulnerable in the eyes of the law, but one misstep, one miscalculation of his own self worth had landed him in prison for life and smeared his family name in one fell swoop. Some could say he simply fell, that Mitchum Costa, the once-revered patriarch, flew too close to the sun, and just as foolish and reckless as Icarus, he burned. And with him, his entire family was scorched, tainted by defeat and crippled by the loss of their supposedly fearless leader. Forcibly, they crashed into a devastating heap, smited down by Mitchum’s delusions of grandeur, helplessly watching in despair as their name and all they stood for fell from grace. And if he was asked, Dallas would probably laugh at such a thing. With a wicked smile upon his face, of course, and a celebratory drink in his hand, he’d offer up a toast as he saluted his father, congratulated him on making the gravest mistake of all: claiming himself a God, the very thing he’d always told his son never to do. But this story isn’t about a father’s failings, nor the pain or hardship of a callous man who got what exactly he deserved.

This is a story of a wild boy, greedy in his resilience, with an infectious sort of lawlessness coursing through his veins,  rising from the wreckage of a legacy turned to dust.

Following the imprisonment of his father at age fifteen, his mother had to make a name for herself somehow. She had to come up with a way to earn a living, figure out a way to keep a roof over her son’s head and put food on the table now that all their accounts had been frozen. But if there had been one thing Mitchum had done right, it was lock down contingencies. Followers of Haus Costa had flocked from far and wide, like vultures circling the body, hoping to get a chance at the seat now that the king had fallen. But instead of crumbling under the pressure of losing her husband, their provider and breadwinner, and cowering at the sight of six-foot-three, two hundred pound men at her door, Eliana stepped up. She refused let some nobody without the name of Costa nor the damn-near royal blood take over the syndicate, no. She became the leader Mitchum never could have dreamed of, taking on the nitty-gritty parts of the job with grace, attempting to instill a sense of responsibility into Dallas. She worked day-in and day-out, never breaking a sweat, never hesitating an inch when she had to get her hands dirty, nor giving it a second thought when she chose to pass on those same lessons to her son.

A beast of a woman, she had transformed a name once mildly feared and most certainly sneered at in a quite few sections of the universe into one that elicited great renown, now existing in only the most darkest of places, whispered on the lips of the most evil of monsters. Costa, it lurked in the shadows, ominous and terrifying.  What did they sell? Guns, drugs, protection. What did they trade in? Secrets, ammo, fame and fortune. Harrowing and revered ten-fold compared to her husband, Eliana had turned an ambitious little syndicate into an empire rich with blood-splattered gold. And with her help, Dallas rose ever higher. For eventually it’d be him who would take over. It’d be him and only him to fulfill a legacy, like his father had always wanted, he just never could have imagined it’d be Eliana’s instead.

He started off slow despite the urge to fall head over heels into the family business, regardless of the desire to drench dip his fingers into the sea of boundless income and violence. It called to him, the senselessness of it all, the way it was complete chaos organized by his mother, no longer a victim but a heroine of epic proportions. The way she worked, with such ease and calculated moves, like a master of chess and everyone she met a simple pawn in her game, weak and pliable and bending to her every will. He wanted that for himself, wanted to hold that kind of glory in the palm of his hand. And if he could have, he would have willed himself a deity, demanded people bled in his name by the thousands only to strike them down when they fell at his feet in worship. And if there had been one thing such infamy had taught him, one thing he’d learned while watching his mother reinvent herself a Queen, it was that such power, autonomy and influence in the right hands, well, it could span an entire universe.

And so he worked himself to the bone, laid himself bare before Eliana’s throne only to be met with disapproval, with hindrance, taking him nearly three years to work from mere foot soldier to captain. And what a perilous climb it had been, an uphill battle with seemingly no end in sight, but she knew her son better than most. She knew wanting responsibility and handling it were two very different beasts, their motives completely different, and before she could offer him such a position in good conscience, he had to learn; had to grow up; had to become a man. And for a while, it worked. For once in his life, Dallas stepped up. He never let his guard down and focused on every task at hand with unprecedented precision—like a true heir. Earning respect had never been his forte, not when he was handed far too much far too soon in his adolescence, but men came to fear him. They cowered when he entered a room, one hand gripping Polly as she rested gently against his shoulder and the other twirling a cigarette. But anyone who ever claims power doesn’t corrupt, is a fool. And so was Dallas.

With the title of underboss, of second-in-command in his sights, he began to slip. Little things fell through the cracks as his vision tunneled, once again only able to focus on those immediate pleasures he loved so much. It was one thing when his love of a good time would cloud his judgement, when it would force him to act instead of think, to do instead of plan ahead, but now? He wanted that crown, the one resting atop his mother’s head; it called to him, whispering in his ear like a seductive mistress of avarice, begging him to give in—to betray everything and seize that throne.

It was reckless, what came next. Taking that job with those two idiots, two inexperienced soldiers just like he had once been, and trusting that they could get the job done, that they’d have his back when the shit hit the fan. And when the unexpected happened, when the buyers demanded the drugs and refused to pay, their guns loaded and aimed right at Dallas’ head, the soldiers cowered. They cracked under the pressure, pissed themselves and left him for dead. He’d managed to take down two out of four on his way down, and before the Overwatchers showed up and slapped the cuffs on him. And even though he was barely conscious, he couldn’t help but laugh. To smirk in the face of irony, belligerent and ornery in its determination to be his undoing. For history had surely repeated itself, and despite his best efforts, Dallas Costa had become the last thing he’d ever imagined: exactly like his father.

EXTRA MUSE: ZODIAC: April 3rd, 2146 — aries; the ram. MBTI: estp; the entertainer ALIGNMENT: chaotic neutral; follows his own whims, individualist, values his own liberty, avoids authority, resents restriction, cares about chaos more than anything else. TEMPERAMENT: sanguine; social creature, rather talk than listen, easily bored, energetic, good sense of humor, forgives and forgets because life is too short, loves attention and strives to be well-liked, dramatic, vain. ARCHETYPE(S): Maverick, Royal, Tastemaker STRENGTHS: courageous, determined, self-assured, enthusiastic, intense WEAKNESSES: impatient, moody, short-tempered, hasty, aggressive.

Pinterest Playlist More inspiration: x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x

POSSIBLE CHANGES: None.

[jakejamesjournalism]

a list: the best posse cuts in hip-hip over the last 10 years.

Highlighting some of the best group efforts in rap.  To qualify, the song must have been released after July of 2009 and feature at least 4 people.  There are some incredible tracks with 3 rappers that had to be omitted...

10. Slippery- Migos ft Gucci Mane

It felt right that the list of best posse cuts started with raps premier posse. Migos, the most charismatic and star powered rap group this half of the decade shows why on Slippery, with the help of a rejuvenated Gucci Mane.  Like all their best tracks, Quavo immediately sets the tone with his great ear for melody and unpredictable cadence.  Offset seamlessly takes it from there making hilarious brags about his girl looking like a wildebeest before going into triple time about the usual suspects: Patek Phillipe, models, full throttles, and Gucci’d up collars.  Takeoff ends the song sounding possessed after Gucci gives one of the most patient and introspective verses of his life.  When it comes to posse cut trap rap, Slippery has all you’ve ever wanted in abundance.

9. All the Way Up (Remix)- Fat Joe, Jay Z, Remy Ma, French Montana & Infared

I’d venture to say this song got more mainstream airplay than any other track on this list.  Released late May of 2016, this siren glaring club ready banger was synonymous with the summer of 2016.  The song has more than most summer hits that come and go. Show-stopping verses from both Jay Z and Remy Ma make this remix a truly memorable affair.  Jay Z understood the moment, realizing the magnitude of publicly addressing Lemonade on record for the first time.  He brilliantly deflects the scathing aspects of the record and brushes it off as just another example of him getting money.  His homage to Prince is among the most emotionally resonant rap bars he’s conjured up in years…all the more so since Jay actually owns the Prince catalog.  I would love to see Jay relegate himself to an Andre 3000 type of role going forward, especially after he cemented his legacy with the late career gem 4:44.  The second half of the song belongs to Remy Ma, who makes you feel every syllable in a verse so raw and emphatic you can’t help but feel all the rage spending “7 winters and 6 summers” on vacation can build up.  South Bronx legend Fat Joe’s verse gives you a laugh and French relegated to the bridge is the perfect amount of him on this radio posse cut that offers far more than most in its class.

8. Big Beast- Killer Mike, Bun B, T.I & Trouble

There isn’t a track #1 on any hip-hop record in recent memory that just set the tone for what’s to come quite like ‘Big Beast.’  “Hardcore G-Shit! Homie I don’t play around!”  A call to arms that is just the beginning.  Listening at the time primarily out of my love for Definitive Jux.  The track, produced entirely by El-P drew me in, especially the tempo flip after Trouble’s futuristic bridge. Futuristic or not, the song is a vivid portrait of street life in Atlanta.  Full of Bun B’s wise man advice “Don’t leave till your ass get grown” and T.I’s full-bodied imagery, “A record full of felonies, searching for a better me/ But choppers go off in my hood like Iraq, Cuba, Tel Aviv.”   For five minutes you inhabit that ATL street corner.  

Killer Mike makes it clear, in order to make it in the streets of Atlanta; one must be a Big Beast.  The socially conscious rap anthem served as an unforgettable reintroduction into Killer Mike, someone I’ll admit, I always associated with as an inferior extension of Outkast and the Goodie Mob. Here Michael Render demands to be heard.  A singular vision with the power to resonate in an underground rap scene that happened to be dying for his perspective.  With Big Beast, the El-P and Killer Mike creative flood gates officially opened. Lucky for us.

7. Really Doe- Danny Brown ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt

Like all great posse tracks, the best verse shouldn’t be easy to agree on.  The down played modest hook provided by Kendrick Lamar does a good job bridging what’s most important on the track. The verses.  Every verse could be considered the best.  A hilarious manic Danny Brown who is “rolling up with them vegetables.”  Ab-Soul’s sixteen bars playfully bend his patent hardcore bars with socioeconomic realities, a verse that exemplifies all that’s ever made him a compelling emcee.  Kendrick does his thing as per usual and Earl Sweatshirt doesn’t.  In my favorite verse of the song, Earl ditches his cryptic and triple entendre tendencies for a more straight forward take a bat to your head approach.  Aggressively honest and devoid of his usual wordplay techniques, Earl ponders “I’m at your house like, ‘Why you got your couch on my Chucks?’ Motherfucker.” The comic relief is there.  Really Doe is lyrical labyrinth designated for the purist of rap fans.  Four world class emcees each with a different flow, each on top of their game. Enjoy.

6. Move that Dope- Future ft. Pusha T, Pharrell Williams & Casino

Future’s creative 360 from emo auto-tuned heart throb to drugged up nihilist was complete here.  His split from Ciara turned his heart cold and drove him into various chemical comfort zones.  Chemical zones that acted as his muse, similar to Pusha T, who finds himself right at home on a track like this.  He delivers some of the most expressive drug rap bars of the song, totally in tune with the general concept.  Someone who is a stranger to the general concept of “moving dope” is Pharrell.  Such songs aren’t usually up his alley, but Pharrell rapping on anything is usually a gift, and here is no exception.  His personal alienation from dope moving proves to be totally irrelevant as he spends time in the cosmos “frequency: high, like a spaceship” and bringing to life his personal idiosyncrasies “The Gandalf hat and the weird ass clothes, that’s Commes des Garcon and the Buffalo.”  Over menacing production from Mike-Will-Made-It, Future rings in his new sound and mantra with a group of A-list friends, one familiar with moving dope, the other familiar with constant reinvention.  Here, Future handles the scales beautifully.

5. Zip That Chop That- Black Hippy

Revisiting ‘Zip that Chop That’ makes me once again yearn for the Black Hippy album that was always promised but never came.  This overlooked early career gem was released in 2010, and provided a young white kid with his very first Kendrick Lamar exposure. Before Section.80 and Setbacks, ‘Zip That Chop That’ was all I knew. What’s amazing about Black Hippy is how easily they fall into their respected roles.  Jay Rock comes on strong as the deep voice of reason, having the rest of the crews back no matter what Compton issue may erupt. Ab-Soul acts as the groups source of comic relief, while Schoolboy Q acts as the vice, the devil on the other shoulder.  And then there’s a young Kendrick… his commentary on the plight of black Compton youth not yet legendary.  Excelling in the tracks latter third, it takes three listens to realize Kendrick is the best rapper on the song.  It’s no surprise success has came to the rap collective individually, but Zip That reminds us all some of their best material comes from them working together.

4. Oldie- Odd Future

The most influential group to any millennial ‘Left Brain’ hip hop listeners.  After Bastard I wrote off Tyler as a creative but drama seeking iconoclast, I didn’t give much else released by the collective an ear.  It wasn’t until Frank Ocean started to release music did I think to revisit odd future’s discography in a different light.  Oldie is a song that makes me glad I revisited.  Who is rapping is ultimately irrelevant, the chemistry between the worst rappers of the group and those who could be considered geniuses is uncanny.  It creates a universal feeling of friendship and community that transcends skill level.  This was taking putting your friends on to a whole new level. The talent lies in Tyler, Frank, and Earl, but for a long time the other members of the collective had roles inside the collective that held immense value to those who actually had talent.  Tyler, Frank and Earl fed off the group, all of its flaws, for better or worse.  Seeing how unwavering and passionate their belief is in their own vision, it’s clear that Odd Future was a talent incubator that ended up cultivating three of the most influential artists of the modern-day era.

3. Mercy- Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz

Turning the posse cut into high performance art was something Kanye spent a lot of the decade mastering.  Quite frankly, from the G.O.O.D Friday roll-outs to the standout tracks on Cruel Summer to Ultralight Beam, this entire list could’ve been comprised of Kanye orchestrated posse cuts.  Excluding Ultralight Beam, which I didn’t find qualifying enough to be featured on this list, Mercy is the most meticulously curated posse cut Kanye released.  The lead single on a project Kanye wanted to use to emphasize the depth of his label, Mercy does exactly that.  He put Pusha T and Big Sean in a position to spend the summer all over the radio, threw down a solid verse himself after an understated beat switch, all leading to the breakout performance of 2 Chainz, who’s rap career took off to stratospheric heights after his show stopping verse on Mercy. Kanye succeeded in putting all his boys on without compromising the artistry in the slightest bit. Most posse cuts will sacrifice a bit of innovation in order to focus more on the lyrics.  An old school approach to keeping posse cuts and the spirit of rap as competition alive. Once again, Kanye refuses to play by those rules. Mercy is high performance art, lyrical rap, pitch-black club banger, and total team flex all in one.

2. 1 Train- Asap Rocky ft Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T

The sound of ‘1 Train’ actually sounds like a train ride.  The production for this timeless epic rap track fits the narrative perfectly.  The track provides a transient urban feeling mixed with unpredictable DJ premier like scratches and gritty lo-fi drums.  It’s a beautiful canvas for hook-less rap music. It never tires, and neither do the emcees.  Every rapper featured on this track has something relevant to say from Danny Brown’s hilarious “Weed a different color like a hood rat bra and panties” observation or Action Bronson “selling Susan Sarandon.” Asap’s impressive “Bag made of Goyard, cheffin’ like I’m Boyar-Dee, probably selling D in your local courtyard” line is an emphatic change of cadence.  Big K.R.I.T declares himself a true artist on the songs final line and after delivering what could arguably be the tracks strongest verse, a true artist sounds like an understatement.   Everyone rapping punches above their weight.  The ULTIMATE posse cut.

1. Forever- Drake ft Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem

Released ten years ago in August, Forever did a great job living up to its namesake.  From the Lebron starring music video to Drakes hook, Forever basically predicted the future.  Three weeks later on another platinum record Lil Wayne raps “We gon’ be alright if we put Drake on every hook.”  That era of hip hop officially started on this track.  Finding himself on a track with three legends who all decided to bring above average verses, Drake holds his own by coming up with the first of a million ubiquitous hooks.  His combination of rap skill, hook making and singing proved to be a tool set big enough to hang with the greats, even when they themselves brought their A-games.  It also opened the door to the possibility that Drake himself could be a great one day. Personally, I think it still remains to be seen, but the hooks are still catchy, and the numbers don’t lie.

[jakejames09]

Raps Best Posse Cuts of the last 10 Years.

Highlighting some of the best group efforts in rap.  To qualify, the song must have been released after July of 2009 and feature at least 4 people.  There are some incredible tracks with 3 rappers that had to be omitted..

10. Slippery- Migos ft Gucci Mane

It felt right that the list of best posse cuts started with raps premier posse. Migos, the most charismatic and star powered rap group this half of the decade shows why on Slippery, with the help of a rejuvenated Gucci Mane.  Like all their best tracks, Quavo immediately sets the tone with his great ear for melody and unpredictable cadence.  Offset seamlessly takes it from there making hilarious brags about his girl looking like a wildebeest before going into triple time about the usual suspects: Patek Phillipe, models, full throttles, and Gucci’d up collars.  Takeoff ends the song sounding possessed after Gucci gives one of the most patient and introspective verses of his life.  When it comes to posse cut trap rap, Slippery has all you’ve ever wanted in abundance.

9. All the Way Up (Remix)- Fat Joe, Jay Z, Remy Ma, French Montana & Infared

I’d venture to say this song got more mainstream airplay than any other track on this list.  Released late May of 2016, this siren glaring club ready banger was synonymous with the summer of 2016.  The song has more than most summer hits that come and go. Show-stopping verses from both Jay Z and Remy Ma make this remix a truly memorable affair.  Jay Z understood the moment, realizing the magnitude of publicly addressing Lemonade on record for the first time.  He brilliantly deflects the scathing aspects of the record and brushes it off as just another example of him getting money.  His homage to Prince is among the most emotionally resonant rap bars he’s conjured up in years…all the more so since Jay actually owns the Prince catalog.  I would love to see Jay relegate himself to an Andre 3000 type of role going forward, especially after he cemented his legacy with the late career gem 4:44.  The second half of the song belongs to Remy Ma, who makes you feel every syllable in a verse so raw and emphatic you can’t help but feel all the rage spending “7 winters and 6 summers” on vacation can build up.  South Bronx legend Fat Joe’s verse gives you a laugh and French relegated to the bridge is the perfect amount of him on this radio posse cut that offers far more than most in its class.

8. Big Beast- Killer Mike, Bun B, T.I & Trouble

There isn’t a track #1 on any hip-hop record in recent memory that just set the tone for what’s to come quite like ‘Big Beast.’  “Hardcore G-Shit! Homie I don’t play around!”  A call to arms that is just the beginning.  Listening at the time primarily out of my love for Definitive Jux.  The track, produced entirely by El-P drew me in, especially the tempo flip after Trouble’s futuristic bridge. Futuristic or not, the song is a vivid portrait of street life in Atlanta.  Full of Bun B’s wise man advice “Don’t leave till your ass get grown” and T.I’s full-bodied imagery, “A record full of felonies, searching for a better me/ But choppers go off in my hood like Iraq, Cuba, Tel Aviv.”  For five minutes you inhabit that ATL street corner. 

Killer Mike makes it clear, in order to make it in the streets of Atlanta; one must be a Big Beast.  The socially conscious rap anthem served as an unforgettable reintroduction into Killer Mike, someone I’ll admit, I always associated with as an inferior extension of Outkast and the Goodie Mob.  Here Michael Render demands to be heard.  A singular vision with the power to resonate in an underground rap scene that happened to be dying for his perspective.  With Big Beast, the El-P and Killer Mike creative flood gates officially opened. Lucky for us.

7. Really Doe- Danny Brown ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt

Like all great posse tracks, the best verse shouldn’t be easy to agree on.  The down played modest hook provided by Kendrick Lamar does a good job bridging what’s most important on the track. The verses.  Every verse could be considered the best.  A hilarious manic Danny Brown who is “rolling up with them vegetables.”  Ab-Soul’s sixteen bars playfully bend his patent hardcore bars with socioeconomic realities, a verse that exemplifies all that’s ever made him a compelling emcee.  Kendrick does his thing as per usual and Earl Sweatshirt doesn’t.  In my favorite verse of the song, Earl ditches his cryptic and triple entendre tendencies for a more straight forward take a bat to your head approach.  Aggressively honest and devoid of his usual wordplay techniques, Earl ponders “I’m at your house like, ‘Why you got your couch on my Chucks?’ Motherfucker.” The comic relief is there.  Really Doe is lyrical labyrinth designated for the purist of rap fans.  Four world class emcees each with a different flow, each on top of their game. Enjoy. 

6. Move that Dope- Future ft. Pusha T, Pharrell Williams & Casino

Future’s creative 360 from emo auto-tuned heart throb to drugged up nihilist was complete here.  His split from Ciara turned his heart cold and drove him into various chemical comfort zones.  Chemical zones that acted as his muse, similar to Pusha T, who finds himself right at home on a track like this.  He delivers some of the most expressive drug rap bars of the song, totally in tune with the general concept.  Someone who is a stranger to the general concept of “moving dope” is Pharrell.  Such songs aren’t usually up his alley, but Pharrell rapping on anything is usually a gift, and here is no exception.  His personal alienation from dope moving proves to be totally irrelevant as he spends time in the cosmos “frequency: high, like a spaceship” and bringing to life his personal idiosyncrasies “The Gandalf hat and the weird ass clothes, that’s Commes des Garcon and the Buffalo.”  Over menacing production from Mike-Will-Made-It, Future rings in his new sound and mantra with a group of A-list friends, one familiar with moving dope, the other familiar with constant reinvention.  Here, Future handles the scales beautifully. 

5. Zip That Chop That- Black Hippy

Revisiting ‘Zip that Chop That’ makes me once again yearn for the Black Hippy album that was always promised but never came.  This overlooked early career gem was released in 2010, and provided a young white kid with his very first Kendrick Lamar exposure.  Before Section.80 and Setbacks, ‘Zip That Chop That’ was all I knew.  What’s amazing about Black Hippy is how easily they fall into their respected roles.  Jay Rock comes on strong as the deep voice of reason, having the rest of the crews back no matter what Compton issue may erupt.  Ab-Soul acts as the groups source of comic relief, while Schoolboy Q acts as the vice, the devil on the other shoulder.  And then there’s a young Kendrick... his commentary on the plight of black Compton youth not yet legendary.  Excelling in the tracks latter third, it takes three listens to realize Kendrick is the best rapper on the song.  It’s no surprise success has came to the rap collective individually, but Zip That reminds us all some of their best material comes from them working together.

4. Oldie- Odd Future

The most influential group to any millennial ‘Left Brain’ hip hop listeners.  After Bastard I wrote off Tyler as a creative but drama seeking iconoclast, I didn’t give much else released by the collective an ear.  It wasn’t until Frank Ocean started to release music did I think to revisit odd future’s discography in a different light.  Oldie is a song that makes me glad I revisited.  Who is rapping is ultimately irrelevant, the chemistry between the worst rappers of the group and those who could be considered geniuses is uncanny.  It creates a universal feeling of friendship and community that transcends skill level.  This was taking putting your friends on to a whole new level. The talent lies in Tyler, Frank, and Earl, but for a long time the other members of the collective had roles inside the collective that held immense value to those who actually had talent.  Tyler, Frank and Earl fed off the group, all of its flaws, for better or worse.  Seeing how unwavering and passionate their belief is in their own vision, it’s clear that Odd Future was a talent incubator that ended up cultivating three of the most influential artists of the modern-day era.

3. Mercy- Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz

Turning the posse cut into high performance art was something Kanye spent a lot of the decade mastering.  Quite frankly, from the G.O.O.D Friday roll-outs to the standout tracks on Cruel Summer to Ultralight Beam, this entire list could’ve been comprised of Kanye orchestrated posse cuts.  Excluding Ultralight Beam, which I didn’t find qualifying enough to be featured on this list, Mercy is the most meticulously curated posse cut Kanye released.  The lead single on a project Kanye wanted to use to emphasize the depth of his label, Mercy does exactly that.  He put Pusha T and Big Sean in a position to spend the summer all over the radio, threw down a solid verse himself after an understated beat switch, all leading to the breakout performance of 2 Chainz, who’s rap career took off to stratospheric heights after his show stopping verse on Mercy. Kanye succeeded in putting all his boys on without compromising the artistry in the slightest bit. Most posse cuts will sacrifice a bit of innovation in order to focus more on the lyrics.  An old school approach to keeping posse cuts and the spirit of rap as competition alive. Once again, Kanye refuses to play by those rules. Mercy is high performance art, lyrical rap, pitch-black club banger, and total team flex all in one.

2. 1 Train- Asap Rocky ft Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T

The sound of ‘1 Train’ actually sounds like a train ride.  The production for this timeless epic rap track fits the narrative perfectly.  The track provides a transient urban feeling mixed with unpredictable DJ premier like scratches and gritty lo-fi drums.  It’s a beautiful canvas for hook-less rap music. It never tires, and neither do the emcees.  Every rapper featured on this track has something relevant to say from Danny Brown’s hilarious “Weed a different color like a hood rat bra and panties” observation or Action Bronson “selling Susan Sarandon.” Asap’s impressive “Bag made of Goyard, cheffin’ like I’m Boyar-Dee, probably selling D in your local courtyard” line is an emphatic change of cadence.  Big K.R.I.T declares himself a true artist on the songs final line and after delivering what could arguably be the tracks strongest verse, a true artist sounds like an understatement.  Everyone rapping punches above their weight.  The ULTIMATE posse cut.

1. Forever- Drake ft Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem

Released ten years ago in August, Forever did a great job living up to its namesake.  From the Lebron starring music video to Drakes hook, Forever basically predicted the future.  Three weeks later on another platinum record Lil Wayne raps “We gon’ be alright if we put Drake on every hook.”  That era of hip hop officially started on this track.  Finding himself on a track with three legends who all decided to bring above average verses, Drake holds his own by coming up with the first of a million ubiquitous hooks.  His combination of rap skill, hook making and singing proved to be a tool set big enough to hang with the greats, even when they themselves brought their A-games.  It also opened the door to the possibility that Drake himself could be a great one day. Personally, I think it still remains to be seen, but the hooks are still catchy, and the numbers don’t lie. 

[guynewyork]

What We Own

I find it fascinating what we think belongs to us.

And on Tumblr especially, we have new and odd notions of ownership, especially when it comes to art, because every single one of us is curating our own little space over here. And once we put something on it, no matter who created it, or where it came from, we feel that it’s ours. At least a little. 

Maybe it’s simply a thing we want to share, or maybe a thing we want to show off. Maybe we created it originally (although I suspect a very small % of tumblr posts are ‘original’), but whatever it is or where it came from it’s in our space and we have some tiny bit of need to control it. To curate it. To stamp it with our presence. I uploaded the thing, so it’s mine! It’s my bloody upload! 

What a beautifully messy concept!

And, of course, it works the other way around too. This story I wrote is mine and that picture I took is mine, but what happens when I share something I’ve made with the world? And what happens when I post something I’ve made to a platform whose main feature is the ability to share things as quickly and effortlessly as possible without regard to its origin?

As a writer, it’s pretty clear that once I put a thing out into the world whatever ownership I once had of it vanishes. There may be some legal rights, but let’s face it, when it comes to tumblr at least, that’s rarely what we’re talking about. Someone else will read into my story things I never intended and it will change and be something else and there’s not a fucking thing I can do about it. 

And since it’s tumblr, someone will download my photo and make it black and white and blow up my ass until it’s four times the size, and there is also nothing I can do about that either other than ask people not to. Which is perfectly fine, although I feel like it’s something of an uphill battle.

If you want to make art that belongs only to you, you can’t share it at all. I’d suggest making it and then burning it before anyone else sees it. Wash your face in the ashes and let it soak into your skin: a lone poem that only you have read and can hardly remember.

But I do like the mess and the confusion. What does it mean to curate on a blog platform that moves faster than most of us can follow? And what does it mean to share art on a platform where attribution is both a last minute thought and a simple feature? 

If the web was designed to share information with as few barriers as possible, then Tumblr is the web on crack, throwing our thoughts, our images, and our words out into the swirling mass of people all around the globe, each one who will latch on, wrap their arms around it, and hold it gently as they smile and say, “this is mine.”

I suspect that this conundrum (if we can even call it that) will soon vanish as it becomes easier and easier to find the source of a thing. As google image search gets better we’ll know within seconds who created a photo, a painting, a building, or a poem. Attribution will be nearly irrelevant since anyone can find out where it came from with a small effort.

But until then, we get to keep on being weird. 

Look at these things I made from the ashes of your life and the glory of your existence?  

(On a side note, I don’t even know what the terms of service are for tumblr. What rights do I retain about my original content? I’m clearly allowing it to be shared, but as for everything else, I don’t know, and I don’t especially care to look.)

[sweetsmellosuccess]

True/False 2017: Day 3

Quest: Jonathan Olshefski’s sprawling record of a decade in the lives of a N.Philly family, as they endure tragedy, joy, and assorted hardships, is nothing if not organic. Starting as a short doc about Christopher “Quest” Rainey, and his wife, Christine’a “Ma Quest,” as they run their in-home music studio for the locals, Olshefski sagely kept his cameras rolling on the family, especially when their young daughter, PJ, gets shot by a stray bullet out on the neighborhood basketball court. The Raineys display extraordinary grace and composure – despite the myriad pressures and difficulties all around them, you never see the couple even so much as significantly raise their voices at one another – no matter the circumstances, and even after PJ is non-fatally shot, and their eldest son, William, is diagnosed with brain cancer, they remain steadfastly resolute in their devotion. Kind, gentle, and endlessly patient, the Raineys inadvertently become a model of proper togetherness and loving cohesion, during times of crisis, and otherwise. The film shoots off in so many different directions, you can understand why it was so difficult to edit into a single, comprehensive piece, but, like the Rainey’s own lives, the beauty is in scope, not the through-line.

The Cage Fighter: There are times when you see a doc so beautifully composed and delivered, you have to wonder if the whole thing was scripted anyway. In Jeff Unay’s adroit hands, the story of Joe “Big Joe” Carman, an aging amateur MMA fighter, whose desire to stay in the ring, goes very much against the wishes of his long-suffering wife and four daughters, who only want to see him retire and stop hurting himself, becomes like something in-between Sly Stallone’s Rocky series and Darren Aronofsky’s The Fighter. Joe is remarkably likable, compulsively training every second he’s not working as a pipe fitter, devoted to his wife and children – except for his consistently lying to them about his retirement from the ring – and big-hearted, even as his struggle becomes not some underdog story of redemption, but a document of an emotionally damaged man, whose only self-solace comes while facing the flying knees, elbows, and fists of his opponent. Unay is smart enough to delve into the big studio-like arc of Joe’s story, even while deconstructing its iconography. In the film’s best scene, Joe unexpectedly meets up in a bar with the fighter the film has built up to be his arch-nemesis, and the two spend time drinking shots, bonding over their craft, and comparing notes on their crumbling personal lives. You still can’t help but feel the film’s various manipulations and obvious recreation of key moments, but Joe himself is never seems less than perfectly authentic.

Dina: In its own way, even more problematic than The Cage Fighter, Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini’s film about Dina and Scott, a pair of adults on the spectrum as they prepare for their upcoming nuptials, feels expressly manipulated and curated, even as the couple’s own devotion to one another becomes ever-more touching. The film is composed of locked-down shots, the subjects flitting in and out of the meticulously composed frames, as if something out a Jarmusch film, and is tightly edited to surface the couple in particularly amusing set-ups, all of which give it the faint air of something potentially exploitive, but the filmmakers’ affection for the couple, and their unfiltered adoration of each other, prevents the project from sinking with its own off-kilter ambitions. Dina has a somewhat tragic past, including a previous marriage, and another relationship that turned terrifyingly violent, but in the affable, attentive Scott, she’s found someone with whom it feels safe again to share her life. For Scott’s part, sexual passion and demonstration are concepts he’s “working on,” even as their potential intensity unmoors his otherwise happy complacency. The film just shies away from presenting the couple as stand-ins for all of our equally baffling and unsettled relationships, which is a tender mercy: They are far more fully realized than serving as off-beat symbology.

For the next three days, I will be in sunny Columbia, MO, enjoying the fantastic True/False festival, amongst the buskers, Queue Queens, art installations, and wildly enthusiastic crowds, taking in a range of documentaries both fraught and hopeful.

[fashiontrendin-blog]

The world's top makeup artists predict the beauty look Meghan Markle will choose on her big day

http://fashion-trendin.com/the-worlds-top-makeup-artists-predict-the-beauty-look-meghan-markle-will-choose-on-her-big-day/

The world's top makeup artists predict the beauty look Meghan Markle will choose on her big day

While the country counts down to the hottest wedding of the year, we’ve got one major question about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal wedding.

Which beauty look will she go for? Will she play it safe and opt for a classic look or go bold? Jade Beer, the author of The Almost Wife, has answers.

She spoke to the top makeup artists in the industry to find out their predictions for Meghan’s big day beauty look. Prepare for some serious inspo…

Sophie McMullan, Beautisserie

I know Meghan is a fan of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, which I favour too. It photographs beautifully, feels light on the skin and has a buildable coverage that looks natural. She always likes to have her freckles showing through her base, and this allows for that, whilst still covering any imperfections and redness. For longevity, she may want a primer, her day-to-day favourite being Laura Mercier’s Illuminating Primer [now called Tinted Moisturizer], which she often wears alone. But for her big day, it’s best to go with one that has fewer light-reflecting properties, as these will make her look blown out in the flash photography.

Meghan Markle’s father WILL give her away at the royal wedding

Meghan’s favourite eye pencil, MAC’s Teddy, is also a staple in my kit. It’s a beautiful warm brown that has hints of bronzy golden tones which will bring out the warmth in her eyes. It’s also one you can use inside the waterline, should she want to intensify the look for evening. For lips, instead of her usual Charlotte Tilbury Very Victoria, which is a brown-toned nude, I’d urge her to go for a fresher, pinkier shade such as Pillow Talk. A cult classic blusher, and one you’ll find in Meghan’s make-up bag, is Orgasm by Nars. This might be a little too shimmery for the classic bridal look I’m sure Meghan is going for, so I’d be tempted to use a similar peachy tone but one that has more of a satin finish. I’d then use highlighter over the top with strategic placement; cheekbones, bridge of nose, inner corners of eyes and Cupid’s bow. I favour Becca’s, as they’re not chunky or glittery and give you that ‘glowing from within’ look.

Without question, eyelash curlers are integral. I use these on every single client of mine, wedding or otherwise. Meghan likes a very polished look, and these will help her achieve that perfectly – they’ll open up her eyes, making them look bigger, and lift her lashes so they’re more visible and therefore look longer. Shu Uemura’s have been in my kit since the beginning of my career – I cannot live without them. As an extra tip, she should start with waterproof mascara, then a thickening mascara, then apply waterproof again to seal it all in, bullet-proof.

Zoe Taylor, Chanel

Meghan is such a natural beauty with great skin, but even so I would always start with a mask, to help her to relax and enjoy her day – it’s also a great way to get skin prepped for a wedding. Sisley Black Rose is such a favourite of mine – it’s so luxurious and works very efficiently. It is important to use a good primer; Chanel Le Blanc is great and helps with the longevity of make-up.

Then I would use a very light foundation or tinted moisturiser (I think Chanel Les Beiges Tinted Moisturizers are great, as the formula is light but with nice coverage), plus concealer to even out skintone. Charlotte Tilbury’s The Retoucher is good, as it can be used as a concealer and a brightener. Meghan’s brows are so perfect, I would just set them with Troy Surratt and if they needed any tiny bits filled in I would use Chanel Stylo Sourcils brow pencil, as this is a very natural way to add in brow hairs.

Betting has been suspended on Meghan Markle’s wedding dress after flurry of bets are placed on one designer…

Meghan doesn’t need so much eye make-up as she has a beautiful natural contour around her eyes, so I would concentrate on a soft brown liner (Tom Ford Eye Kohl Intense in Metallic Mink) blended into the lash line on top, and a curled lash. A little soft highlight of colour over the lids to help set the liner (Decorte Eye Glow Gem in BE390) is stunning.

A waterproof mascara is ESSENTIAL – Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara is great.

I’d use just a healthy flush of colour on the cheeks – Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush is great for achieving sheer, buildable colour. To finish, I’d apply natural lip liner to add a tiny hint of definition, and a fresh rosebud lip colour. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Camellia would be lovely, or Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy if she wanted a hint of colour and healthy shine.

Anna Priadka, Makeup54

Meghan needs colours and textures that won’t date – so that in 50 years’ time, people will look back and still think her make-up looks modern and elegant. You only need to look at Princess Diana’s wedding make-up to see that – it still looks fresh and beautiful now.

Getting Meghan’s complexion right is crucial and she should never compromise with a cheap base. A long-wear, transfer-resistant foundation, a concealer and powder are musts. Primer will also come in handy, to help your make-up wear more evenly throughout the day. Getting a professional shade match is super important. Meghan will be having lots of photos on the day, and will possibly be wearing a low-cut dress or having her shoulders on show, so her base must match the colour of her body.

I think Meghan’s make-up looks great day to day, so I’m sure her wedding make-up will be a hit. She seems to know her own face and what suits her. However, as a tip to all brides-to-be, don’t go with what’s trending. The Instagram-effect, overly highlighted, immaculately contoured look may be what’s in now, but in 30 years’ time it won’t be.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s cutest moments

Charlotte Tilbury

Skincare is always so important but especially in the lead-up to your wedding, so that you’ll have the most perfect skin on the day. I always say you can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas. I believe that the key to magic skin is looking after and maintaining the best skin of your life, and in order to look gorgeous and flawless on your special day, glowing, luminous skin is a must.

I follow the same skincare routine every day. The first thing I do in the morning to get my instant glow is cleanse with my Multi-Miracle Glow balm. Enriched with vitamins and floral extracts, this cleanser gives the complexion a youth boost. I then multi-mask with my Goddess-Skin Clay Mask, followed by my Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask. The glow-giving, lifting effects last for eight hours – this is also perfect to use on the morning of the wedding to prep your complexion before applying make-up.

Then my Magic Cream will give every bride the perfect glowing base for her big day. After that, I’ll apply either my ‘Gisele-in-a-jar’ Wonderglow (it has a fluorescent core technology which means it soft-focuses lines and pores and re-emits natural light from your skin, giving you a natural, lit-from-within radiance) or my Brightening Youth Glow, my magic skin solution which instantly blurs, brightens and smooths for the most gorgeous, glowing, dewy, ethereal complexion – I liken it to Liv Tyler in The Lord Of The Rings.

To conceal tired eyes from a sleepless night, every bride needs my Mini Miracle Eye Wand – it’s like eight hours’ sleep in a wand. It has a peptide-packed serum that helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines, and an illuminator with a magic ingredient called a million lights that bounces out any darkness that gathers in the under-eye domes for more wide-awake, bigger, brighter-looking eyes. To conceal imperfections, use my The Retoucher – it acts like a natural plaster to help disguise blemishes. Use it anywhere you need a bit more coverage for a flawless finish.

Meghan Markle: Her gorgeous hair & makeup moments

For foundation, if you’re looking for a natural, flawless, glow-giving finish, try my Light Wonder Foundation. Or, for fuller coverage with a hydrating, flawless finish, my Magic Foundation feels as light as air on the skin and the Supercharged Vitamin C ingredient helps give a matte appearance, perfect for any wedding-day nerves. Remember, at your wedding, you’ll spend a lot of your time outside, so you must find the perfect foundation to match your skintone; check the colour in natural daylight. Get your biggest, brightest, most sparkling-looking eyes EVER for your wedding day with my brand-new Bigger, Brighter Eyes eyeshadow palettes, which enhance the appearance of eye size. Inspired by those sparkling, eye-widening filters on social media, I have colour-curated and coded the palettes using those gorgeous universal reddy tones which naturally colour contrast and brighten the iris to make the eyes look instantly bigger and brighter. It’s what I call ‘putting the lights into the eyes’.

Once your make-up look is complete, it’s important to finish with a finely milled powder to lock it in effortlessly and keep everything from slipping, from the walk down the aisle to the party. It also removes any unwanted shine for all your gorgeous wedding photos. My Airbrush Flawless Finish powder will blur away any lines or imperfections to softly mattify and keep everything in place – it’s like the highest-thread-count cashmere for your skin. It is also enriched with rose wax and almond oil so it won’t sit heavily on the skin. I only like to use powders on the T-zone – down the nose, on the chin and across the forehead. I always keep the cheekbones free of powder so that they remain dewy and catch the light.

Keep a well-sharpened lipliner close by – this will be your best friend. Not only does it literally resize and reshape your lips, but you can also use it as a stencil to make your lipstick last longer.

Meghan Markle’s style… it’s not just suits, y’know

If you want to draw attention to your lips, you can easily modernise your bridal look by opting for a matte-textured lipstick. My Matte Revolution lipstick doesn’t dry the lips and stays put, even on your wedding day. My Very Victoria and Pillow Talk shades are gorgeous dreamy nudes for your wedding-day lip – perfect for the first kiss as a married couple!

Lisa Potter-Dixon, Benefit

Meghan’s signature look consists of gorgeous dewy skin, bronzer, great brows, liner, lashings of mascara and a nude lip. This is definitely a look that I could see her creating for the big day. It’s simple and timeless and would look gorgeous in the world’s press pictures.

For brides, I always say that great brows and base are key. Using a fibre gel through your brows (such as Gimme Brow+) is a must, as it gives a natural, soft finish. Base wise, primers are a great way to keep your make-up in place for longer, as well as helping you get a flawless finish. Stick to the foundation you know and love. Meghan is going to have the world’s press snapping her every move, so she should avoid an oily formulation. Don’t let your make-up artist convince you to wear something you’re not comfortable with – there’s nothing worse than feeling you have tons of make-up on when you prefer a natural finish, and the reverse is also true if you prefer a heavy base.

Eye wise, a bronze smokey look is always a winner. Remember, you want your pics to be timeless. If you want to change up your look from day to night, add a bright lip or a touch of sparkle in the centre of your eye for evening. Never compromise on time – make sure you give yourself plenty to get ready. Trust me, this is coming from a girl who did her wedding make-up in three minutes and 56 seconds (yep, my dad timed it and put in in his speech!).

Priyanka Chopra calls Meghan Markle a ‘princess for the people’ in touching tribute

Fred Letailleur, YSL Beauté

Touche Éclat is a not only a bridal must-have, but it’s also a favourite of Meghan Markle’s. It will erase signs of fatigue and you can trust it to keep you looking rested for the whole wedding day. Face primers are also a wedding staple. Apply Blur Primer with your fingers or a flat foundation brush to keep your skin radiant, matte, soft and silky; it will smooth out any open pores or uneven skin texture. All Hours Foundation, which comes in 22 different skintones and three undertones, is a great high-coverage, smudge-proof foundation for weddings as it lasts 24 hours on any skin type. Always invest in a fresh mascara to avoid clumpy lashes on the day – my favourite is False Lash Effect Mascara for natural added volume. Finish with two sprays of YSL Hydrating Setting Spray – it refreshes and hydrates the skin and will stop make-up from looking cakey.

Debbie Finnegan, MAC

For Meghan I would recommend: MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion to blur and perfect for an instant ‘beauty filter’ vibe; MAC Strobe Cream in Peachlite for a fresh, youthful luminosity that would complement her skin; MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15 applied in a sheer way to allow her beautiful freckles to show but still give a long- lasting, fresh, natural coverage and finish. MAC Eye Shadow x 9 in Amber Times Nine would contain all of the soft Champagne and golden shades needed to subtly enhance Meghan’s eyes in an absolutely princess-like manner. I’d team this with a long-wearing black liner and a waterproof mascara.

As a final touch, I’d use a light wash of MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick to gently enhance her lip tone, as its golden fleck would be just enough to catch the light.

Brides should avoid major fake-tanning sessions if they want to look fresh and healthy. I’d also advise not being too heavy-handed with highlighters – your wedding day is not the time to bring out your inner Wizard Of Oz Tin Man!

All brides need long-wearing products and I would recommend an eye primer like MAC Prep + Prime 24 Hour Extend Eye Base which can drastically increase the length of wear of your eyeshadow. Ensuring skin looks amazing from morning to night means finding the right formula and shade to perfectly match your skin type and tone. We have 50+ shades of Studio Fix Foundation available, so finding your exact shade is super easy.

A good powder to set your make-up is also vital for summer weddings. Ideally it should be oil absorbing, with minimal coverage, and not contain talc, as this can cause it to change colour in oily areas. For this reason, MAC Blot Powder is an essential product for all my brides.

Jade Beer’s novel, The Almost Wife, now available for pre-order now.

[theweddingaffairuk-blog]

2018 Luxury Spring Showcases & Fairs

For those of you who are not yet wed and are on your pretty planning journeys, boy, do we have a treat for you! I’m sure you will have heard us talking non-stop about our rather special array of wedding fairs coming to a location near you very soon, after all, we are planning for what is going to be an extremely busy Spring season.

In fact, it will be the busiest for a while, with 11 (and counting!) stunning luxury shows for you to attend. And below? I’ve got all the details of every single beautiful venue that will be playing host, making it easier for you to find out how you can be there, finding the up-most talented suppliers and venturing around some of Yorkshire’s most prestigious wedding venues.

Oh, and before we forget, there will be Prosecco. Lot’s of it.

The York Marriott Hotel

First up, in just a couple of months, on the 21st of September, 12-3pm we will be at the city chic hotel, The York Marriott.

It’s fair to say that this fair is always a huge success, and undoubtedly one of the largest wedding fairs in York, with an average of over 200 brides attending each show. I mean it could be the delicious canapés, Prosecco, or the fact you will get to chat to a vast variety of York’s premium wedding suppliers; all on hand, ready to help you plan your perfect day

Ripon Cathedral – The Ultimate Wedding Showcase

Next, we are at the absolutely breath-taking Ripon Cathedral – the picture perfect setting for a wedding show with 100+ exhibitors, catwalks, cocktails, cakes and entertainment; in fact, this one’s our largest most prestigious events of the year, so this seems like the perfect place to start with…

We’re delighted to invite you to join us on Saturday 27th January 12-4pm for The Wedding Affair Traditional and Vintage Show at Ripon Cathedral – If you’ve got a sparkling ring on your finger you are most definitely in for a treat, so, quick! Pop it in the diary and snap up your discounted tickets online whilst you have plenty of time.

Bridal Deluxe – The Pavillions In Association with Belle Bridal

Bridal Deluxe The Show is Yorkshire’s brand new consumer Luxury Wedding Event, a carefully curated presentation of over 120 of the region’s luxury wedding suppliers in the most stylish of venues. A fresh, modern take on wedding shows with a nod to all things super stylish. Bridal Deluxe aims to present the ultimate bridal event experience for all visitors.

The event will take place at The Pavilions of Harrogate, 18th February, 12-4pm based within the Yorkshire Showground and occupy both the Wharfe and Aire Rooms, a total of over 1000 square metres

Goldsborough Hall

The Wedding Affair at Goldsborough Hall is undoubtedly one of our most beautiful wedding fair’s. I mean, just look at the stunning photographs we have from last year’s showcase. Goldsborough Hall not only is a gorgeous wedding venue close to Knaresborough and Harrogate, but it’s steeped in Royal History. With beautifully kept gardens (12 acres to be precise) stately rooms and the loveliest of staff, it’s a wonderful wedding fair to visit and perfect choice as a wedding venue.

Wood Hall Hotel & Spa

Get your pen’s at the ready and clear the date for the 4th March 1-4pm this is definitely one for the diary. You must join us to see the venue dressed to impress in all its beauty.

Wood Hall Hotel & Spa in Wetherby remains a tranquil country house hotel where today’s pressures seem an age away. Wood Hall is the perfect luxury hotel in West Yorkshire for you to enjoy a weekend break, family getaway, or simply, some rest and relaxation. Of course, it too makes Bride’s dream weddings turn into a reality.

Ever since the house was completed around 1790, it has been a place of peace and relaxation.

On the day, at Wood Hall Hotel we will have over 35 suppliers in attendance. Of course, these will be some of the finest in the area, and ones that Wood Hall and The Wedding Affair would love to introduce to you (they’re all rather a talented bunch).

Swinton Park

If meeting the best in the wedding industry and having a day out planning your wedding sounds like your favourite way to spend a Sunday, then you won’t want to miss out joining us for The Wedding Affair at Swinton Park! We have everything from mobile fizz bar’s, delicious cakes, gorgeous gowns, planners, stylists and much more!

Swinton Park is, quite simply a gorgeous, outstanding castle hotel and stately home. Set in beautiful, vast grounds, it must surely be your dream wedding venue. The luxury hotel is surrounded by 200-acres of stunning, perfectly manicured parkland, providing a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos. Pop by on Sunday 25th March, 2018, 1-4pm.

The Queens Hotel, Leeds

The Queens Hotel is a truly stunning venue; elegant, stylish and glamorous. Just imagine having your photos taken on the terraced balcony, with the spectacular views across the city as your backdrop! With 1920’s inspired Art Deco décor, there’s a truly luxurious feel to the hotel across the range of suites, making it the ideal venue for both large weddings and more intimate celebrations.

Join for a fusion of talent and a spectacular venue on Sunday 9th April, 12-3pm.

Bawtry Hall

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to this stunning venue in South Yorkshire on the 15th April, 12-3pm – a first for The Wedding Affair team and set to be a spectacular day, we’ll have a selection of the area’s finest talent at our luxury wedding fayre.

A grand Grade II Listed building boasting an opulent white Tuscan front porch that is encapsulated by decadent, landscaped gardens embellished with crisp white hydrangeas. Idyllically situated in the heart of the historic market town of Bawtry. The beautiful Hall could be yours exclusively for the day.

The Talbot Hotel

The Talbot Hotel in Malton is located in the bustling historic market town Malton. A stunning country manor house that overlooks the vast countryside, and beautiful landscapes.

On the day of the wedding fair you will get the chance to explore the historical house, York house, and the Marquee, all set up looking oh-so pretty, just as your wedding could be. We have in store for you some amazing, talented florists and event stylists so you can be sure you will walk away with masses of inspiration about your very own special day.

Cannon Hall

We’re very excited to announce that we’ll be working with Garden Weddings Event Planners to bring you a beautiful event at Cannon Hall on Sunday 29th April. There will be a whole host of fun, including some amazing talent, cocktail bars, nibbles and you’ll be able to explore the venue and grounds that could be yours for the day.

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3 Degrees of Inspiration: Weiyi Li, Benjamin Critton & Wayne Daly

Call for entries: Enter your best work (or your team’s!) into the In-House Design Awards!

Editor’s Note: This is part 51 in Emily Potts’ inspirational series. Every other week she features three artists whose work offers fresh, fun, and stimulating creative inspiration. Each artist picks the next link—someone who personally inspires him/her. Check out the fiftieth part in the series, featuring Olimpia Zagnoli, Tamara Shopsin & Laurel Schwulst.

Laurel Schwulst is inspired by …

Weiyi Li

Weiyi’s works fill me with a sense of lightness, wonder, and absolute awe. She is an artist, designer, curator, publisher, and retailer (according to her website), but secretly I think she is even more.

BIG AND USELESS and NOW is a typeface made out of a single stroke. Many people like big typefaces, but not many people make them useless and now. I love the typeface’s website adaptation (in Flash).

To make up is a container for a broken mirror. It is poetic, strange, and somehow perfect. Although it looks mass-produced, only one can be made at a time. More info can be found in her writing, “Function as Narrative.”

Weiyi Li is inspired by …

Benjamin Critton

There is always a kind of tension in his work, between simplicity and humor, between carefully drawn alphabets and comic-style roman columns. I also get inspired by the way he publishes his works. He is running an online business as a platform presenting and selling his works. You can see how a designer directly delivers his work to the audience, instead of standing behind clients.

The dots series is simple, vivid, and humorous. Ben chose the very mundane object – dot labels as the subject. Due to its lightness, the dots can be seen as both an object and flat image. The final product is a series of abstract screenprint pieces with super strong visual impact.

The Pools project is a collaboration with his partner Heidi. It has the clear and concise qualities of Ben’s work, and it’s a good example of the transformation between object and image.

Benjamin Critton is inspired by …

Wayne Daly

Wayne is a designer and producer of books. I’m also positive that he can and does design other things, both independently and collaboratively (and probably expertly), but I know his work as it relates to the books he makes. Formerly of the print studio at the Architectural Association, newly of the nascent Daly & Lyon (with longtime collaborator Claire Lyon), Wayne is downright prolific. The risk, of course, is that ‘prolific’ somehow becomes synonymous with “insensitive” or “haphazard,” and this couldn’t be further from the truth. I admire (and consume, with all the good and bad that word implies) Wayne’s output because it defers to its content, always and forever, and is seemingly uninterested in generating superfluous form; form-giver vs form-maker. Distilled just-so, and presented at the volume of a perfect score (the strings never swell too earnestly, nor are they afraid to drop out entirely), Wayne’s work is excellent because it is empathetic. As if this wasn’t sufficient, Wayne also makes for a lovely neighbor at book fairs.

Cedric Price Works had been in the works (sorry) for several years prior to its release earlier this year. And rightly so: At 1424 pages across two volumes, and spanning 50+ years of output from the remarkable British architect and instructor, the book is comprehensive, absolute—literally encyclopedic. I recall receiving a small (and no less considered) primer publication about the project at the New York Art Book Fair in 2014 or thereabouts. The result, three years later, is a true Feat: an elegant, celebratory, beautifully-composed tome.

A happy moment in which a great publisher (Perimeter, AU) works with a great photographer (Slack, US), and works with great designer (Daly, UK) on a perfectly-scaled, humbly-produced, non-linear, non-verbal, super-subjective photographic survey of a singular locale. The book (Walking in Place 1: New Orleans) is a true pleasure to engage with. Its design barely-there, and all the better for it.

Tune in next time to see who inspires Wayne Daly.

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