One of the hottest ongoing debates among teens is where to cast your allegiance in the smartphone battle. Despite many attempts by other companies, there are still only two major names in the field—Apple and Android. Where you spend your hard-earned money depends on your priorities and the features that you consider must-haves.
Customization
Arguably the largest difference between Android and Apple phones is the respective ability to customize. While Apple undoubtedly delivers a strong product, the iPhone is also, in many ways, a limited product. The base iOS software is stable, user-friendly, and quick. But, despite these strengths, anyone looking for the ability to customize their phone will find themselves disappointed with the iPhone offerings. The ability to customize is the hallmark of the Android experience. This modifiable nature goes far beyond mere fonts and backgrounds—there is little about an Android phone that cannot be changed at the users’ will. However, this flexibility comes at a price. Because the end user’s experience is outside of the manufacturer’s hands, it is difficult to guarantee the security or stability of a customized Android device.
Hardware
Hardware is an interesting focus of the debate between Android and iPhone. Whereas the iPhone is a known quantity from one source, an Android phone can be sourced from almost anywhere. However, there is certainly a set of the most popular devices being sold. For years, the most notable offerings in the Android market have been from the two primary players in the field: Google and Samsung. Hardware is one of the aspects that make it difficult to recommend an Android phone without numerous caveats. Anyone purchasing a new iPhone is certain to get a reliable device that features an excellent camera and fantastic battery life. And, while this can be true for an Android device, some of the most popular devices being sold have hardware that is several years old. Thus, more care must be taken when choosing an Android phone.
Price
One of the main factors that are sure to drive consumers toward an Android device is also one of the simplest: price. Dollar for dollar, most Android devices are simply the less expensive option. This is not to say they are the inferior options, but they are the less predictable choice. Anyone seeking a more customizable and versatile device at an affordable price will do well to look at the mainstream Android offerings. However, if you simply need to know your phone will perform to the same degree no matter the conditions, then an iPhone is likely the better choice for you.
As you can see, there are a number of features to consider when buying your next phone. This includes customization, hardware, and price. Although there are different phones options to choose from, the two biggest contenders are Android and Apple. Keep in mind that both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Decided to buy an iPhone? Check out this article next!
If you are planning on going out and buying
shoes then, it is important to make sure you choose the right type of footwear.
This is because you want to find shoes that will go with every outfit that you
will be able to wear time and time again. In this article, we will discuss how
you can find the right footwear that will go with every outfit. If this is
something that you would be interested in finding out more about then, make
sure you keep reading this article for more information.
How to Find the Right Footwear?
The first step to finding footwear that
will go with every outfit is to know the right places where to look for
footwear. For example, you can do your research online and see which shoes are
in style, browse in shops and also have a look at influencers social media
pages. If you want to have a look online before having a browse in the shops
then, plenty of different types of footwear can be found at
dunelondon.com for you to choose from.
Deciding on a Certain Style
The next step to finding footwear
that will go with every outfit is to make sure you decide on the style that you
want to go for. There are plenty of styles to choose from when it comes to
footwear so, it is important to keep your options open and browse the different
styles that are on offer. When you have decided on a style that you like, then
it can make it a lot easier for you to find the right footwear to go with every
outfit.
Choosing the Right Colour
Another thing that you should take into
consideration when it comes to finding the right footwear that will go with
every outfit is to make sure you choose the right colour. This is an important
thing to take into consideration when it comes to finding footwear that will go
with every outfit because if you match your shoes to colours that you wear a
lot then you will get more use from a single pair of shoes. It might be useful
to take a look online at some of the colours that are in fashion right now and
those that have been around for a long time. This should help you to make the
right decision.
Take Comfort into Consideration
The next thing that you should take into
consideration when finding footwear to go with every outfit is to make sure you
take comfort into consideration. It is important that you take comfort into
consideration when choosing shoes because if you choose shoes that aren’t
comfortable then, the footwear will be impractical, and you will not wear them
when you are going out. If you are planning on getting a lot of wear out your
shoes and you want them to go with every outfit then, make sure you find
comfortable shoes that are suitable for you.
Keep Your Options Open
Overall, there are a lot of things that you
need to take into consideration when it comes to finding footwear that will go
with every outfit and, in this article, we discussed just some of the things
that you should consider. If you are looking to find the right footwear that’ll
go with every outfit then, make sure you keep your options open and use this
article as a guide to help you make the right decision. We hope that you find
some signature pairs that will work with every outfit.
Redbox recently released their top 10 movie rentals for 2019, are you surprised by the results? Which of these do you think are overrated, and which do you think should be placed higher?
Or–have you seen NONE of these, like a certain someone in our office lol.
Panicked about what to get your BFF, family, or even yourself this Christmas, which is right around the corner?
Have no fear, we’ve rounded up a few goodies for you to check out. And if they arrive late in the mail or from Amazon–there’s always Reyes Magos Day on Jan 6th! (that’s is basically “second Christmas” for Hispanics lol)
So without further ado, let’s check out the products!
KiwiCo has released Maker Crate, a new line of hands-on art projects for those ages 14+. Maker Crates were designed to help teens discover new art and design techniques and build their creative confidence by turning their artistic visions into design realities. Each crate includes a chance to experiment with a new technique, draw inspiration from real designs, and take pride in a finished project that’s both fun and functional- for all skill levels.
The sample we received was for macramé planters. The kit included everything from paper clay to sculpting tools to suction cups for hanging, along with easy to follow instructions. Start by designing a macrame keychain to learn knotting. Then craft two macrame hangers. Finish off by sculpting, decorating, and customizing clay pots for your hangers.
For years, fans have been delighted watching their favorite physicists Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) navigate the universe and everyday life along with Penny (Kaley Cuoco), and fellow scientists Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Amy (Mayim Bialik) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), as well as other beloved characters. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series, includes all 279 original episodes from 12 seasons of the top-rated sitcom, and is available for fans to own on DVD and a premium Limited Edition Blu-ray.
The complete set features nearly 12 hours of extras along with an additional disc including three exclusive and never-before-seen featurettes! The special Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxset comes in a beautiful lay-flat book with a fun pop-up and includes a digital copy of every episode!
This gift includes all five seasons of the hit Gotham series available for fans to own on Blu-ray and DVD. From character origins to the final episodes of the hit DC/WBTV series that lay the foundation for the city’s iconic future, the release is the perfect gift for veteran fans and newcomers alike. The series features an all-star cast lead by Ben McKenzie (The O.C., Southland), Donal Logue (Grounded for Life, Vikings), David Mazouz (Touch), Sean Pertwee (Elementary), Robin Lord Taylor (The Walking Dead), Erin Richards (The Quiet Ones), Camren Bicondova (Gotham Stories), Cory Michael Smith (Carol) and Chris Chalk (12 Years a Slave). Shane West (A Walk to Remember) is also introduced in the as the iconic DC Super-Villain, Bane for the final season.
GuruNanda has released a toothpaste called Charcoal White, which contains activated charcoal. Charcoal White not only lifts stains without harsh chemicals or fluoride, but it also freshens breath with a blend of six natural essential oils headlined by peppermint for a great taste.
We tried it and were expecting a mouth full of black, but it actually foams up to a light grey color very quickly. The jet black color is aided by added black coloring, not just pure charcoal, which makes us wonder how much charcoal is actually in the product. Nevertheless, it has kept our teeth white and has a nice taste.
Founded in 2014, Zollipops are natural, gluten-free, sugar-free and non-GMO lollipops that help raise the pH (a scale used to measure acidic or base qualities) in the mouth, neutralize acid and may reduce the risk of tooth decay, dental caries and future development of cavities. Created by 10 year old Alina Morse, Zollipops also contributes 10% of all Zollipops profits to support oral health education in schools.
The line has expanded beyond just lollipops to include Zolli Drops and Zaffi Taffy – tasty and good for your oral health!
This 544 page leather-bound work is a must for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit who want to delve deeper into the world of Tolkien with a comprehensive, illustrated guide to the history, lands, and inhabitants of Middle-earth. A lot of work must have gone into preparing this beautiful book, which features a luxurious engraved leather cover, gilded edge pages, and fantastic artwork — so much so that we cannot believe it is so affordable!
“The fantasy world of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth contains a rich assortment of people, cities, and creatures—as well as a deep, intertwined history that spans thousands of years. In this beautifully illustrated, leather-bound volume, best-selling author and Tolkien scholar David Day presents four decades of research and writing on the lands and inhabitants Middle-earth. Sections of this A-to-Z dictionary are devoted to discussion of the battles, history, beasts, and heroes of Tolkien’s stories, and are accompanied by black-and-white illustrations. This comprehensive volume on Tolkien’s world also includes an appendix of three primary legends that served as sources for Tolkien’s creations—the Volsunga saga, the Nibelungenlied, and Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle—and more than 200 black-and-white illustrations.“
Picture this: you’ve got a hot date and you are just about ready to go, but you one quick check in the mirror and notice your teeth are, let’s just say, less than sparkly white. What do you do?
Well, if you’ve got HaloSmile around, you can have noticeable whiter teeth in about 3 minutes. As long as you don’t mind the drool. We’ll explain that part later; let’s cover the product and what it does first.
HaloSmile is a temporary whitening system for your teeth, meaning you literally paint your teeth with it and the coating stays on for hours. Its vegan, peroxide-free, and relatively quick and simple to apply.
Just add two drops of activator to the powder contained in one of the lovely jewel-like pods, stir well using the back of the applicator brush for 30 seconds and put aside. Insert the plastic mouth-holder-open thingy into your mouth, dry your teeth very well, and start applying. Once done, hit your teeth with the final touch “polish” and that’s it.
So, what are the results like? Well, our first attempt came out pretty splotchy. See below. Its just super hard to do because of the prolific amounts of drooling involved, even with paper towel rolled up under the tongue. With practice, however, we’ll probably get it more even. That’s what all the rest of the reviewers claim, and it makes sense.
Drool drool everywhere! Not the most even paint job, esp. on the left-most tooth, but overall not too bad.
The other thing is that it feels a bit “grainy” when you run your tongue over your teeth. But, after several hours, the teeth still look whiter, so the product does work as claimed! One issue for our test subject was that the coating started to wear off unevenly, leaving it splotchy after day 2, because it is really HARD to remove despite lots of brushing and flossing. Actually, there was still visible residue after 4 days. So, they probably need to come up with a way to remove it and throw that into future kits, like one of those rubber-tipped tooth stain erasers.
This tooth makeup system could come in very handy for picture day, prom, etc. AS LONG AS YOU PRACTICE A FEW TIMES BEFORE! Watch this following video to learn how to use, and try not to laugh imagining how silly you will look with that mouthpiece in your grill. The results, once the product is mastered, are worth it though!
If you prefer a more permanent solution to your teeth whitening, this kit will do the trick. Yes we tested it, and it works — pretty well too. Teeth were noticeably whiter after just one application.
All you have to do in brush and floss, rinse using their included wash, apply the peroxide mix (it stings if you get it on your lips or gums–meaning its the real deal!), and let it dry for twenty seconds. Finish off with a two minute round with the dual-energy whitening light (the coolest part of this process by far), and check your results. Need it brighter? You can repeat the process immediately over and over again until you get the shade of white you like! The kit has about 20 applications.
Pro tip: put some cotton or paper towel under your tongue to avoid drooling during the light part.
When we saw the price for we were like “nah” but after just ONE use of this product we were like “heck yes, totally worth it.” It works very, very well to removed dead skin cells, tighten pores, and restore a nice glow. Your face will feel baby smooth and look great. We wish we had a bottle to give away–but we only got sent one and we are keeping it mwahaha!
VITAMINscrub is an antioxidant infused facial cleanser with a mild exfoliating action. You only need a small amount each time you use it (rubbing it in for about 30 seconds before rinsing), and it smells GREAT, almost good enough to eat. In fact, you can eat a lot of the raw ingredients in this, because it contains things like mango, aloe vera, green tea, grapefruit, turmeric, and even hemp seed oil.
According to the company:
VITAMINscrub is good for all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination and normal. It’s designed for daily use. Environmentally-friendly bamboo particles act as a polish to resurface the skin and keep pores clear.
For those who prefer a few less harsh chemicals on their body when applying deodorant, you might want to give Crystal Mineral Enriched Deodorant a go.
The two samples we were sent (Freshly Minted and Mountain Fresh) have a pleasant smell and don’t leave a thick white residue on your shirts or sheets like a few other essential-oil based deodorants we have tried in the past. As far as controlling odor for 24 hours as claimed, results here were mixed. Let’s just say we recommend a touch up application every once in a while if you are exerting yourself and sweating above average.
The product incorporates essential oils, and while it does contain common things like propanediol and sodium stearate, it is aluminum and paraben-free and hypoallergenic. You can check the safety of the ingredients of any other cosmetic or household product ingredient at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin-Deep Database.
While summer is basically over (sob), don’t think you don’t need sunscreen still. Outdoor activities like skiing, skating, and sports still expose your skin to UV rays, and you need protection. For a convenient way to apply it, try the Sun Shield Stick SPF 50 by MyChelle. Its like a chapstick for your skin, and is lightly tinted for a neutral finish.
From the website:
Sun Shield Clear Stick SPF 50 is a mineral-based, water-resistant sunscreen that glides on smoothly and dries clear to deliver powerful UVA and UVB full-spectrum protection. Zinc Oxide provides a safe alternative to harsh chemical sunscreens. The addition of Avocado, Jojoba, and Vitamin E Oils help moisturize and protect, and Cocoa Seed Butter soothes skin and supports elasticity. Perfect for on the go. .52 oz. Made without GMO, Gluten, Parabens, Petroleum, Phthalates, Silicones, Sulfates, Ureas, Artificial Fragrances, and Artificial Colors. Vegetarian. Cruelty-free. Reef Safe and Biodegradable. Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 17%
So the main ingredient is good old zinc oxide, and that makes this product reef safe for use when diving or enjoying places like Xel-ha in Cancun (which we highly recommend, having just come from a vacation there whoop whoop!).
7th Heaven Dead Sea Mud and Peel-Off Mask, prices unavailable #TWKGIVEAWAY
Alright, we did not have time to test these out by press time, but wanted to include them for those looking for quick detoxes and refreshers for their faces. They are made by a company with a good pedigree as far as eco-friendliness and commitment to being cruelty-free, Montangne Jeunesse, which has been in business since 1985.
The products we were sent are single-use Dead Sea Mud mask and a peel-off mask. The instructions are super easy: simply clean and dry your face, apply the contents, and wait until COMPLETELY dry. Then remove and voila! — fresh face!
One thing we have to mention is the striking artwork on the labels, which feature some smiling, yet somewhat terrifying, half-human, half plant creatures lol.
Look at them:
OMG. They are certainly attention-grabbing!
At any rate, here is the description for the peel-off mask:
Clean and purify your skin with our Dead Sea Salt peel off! Chamomile soothes your skin and Fucus Vesiculosus (Seaweed) fights free radicals. Leave your skin feeling healthy and revitalised!
And the mud mask:
We’ve harvested nutrient rich minerals from the Dead Sea to draw out impurities and open blocked pores for clean, soft skin. Key ingredients Dead Sea salt, seaweed, lavender.
If you had a challenging childhood, or know somebody who did, you know how difficult it can be if you don’t have somewhere to turn. New Haven Youth and Family Services, in the San Diego area, is one of those places youth can turn to–and they would like to get the word out about their services and a fundraising effort happening right now.
New Haven has served over 15,000 youth over its 52-year history. It owns homes for kids that need a place to live, has high result, innovative care programs and nationally recognized career tech, innovative residential care programs, and a charter high school in Chula Vista
Board member Shaun Alger from Volohaus says, “This program is amazing. I have been serving on the Board for 7 years, and can tell you first hand the life changing impact and positive inflection New Haven delivers. You can make a HUGE impact on New Haven Youth and Family Services and the young men they serve by making a donation, which will go towards a matching contribution by Farmer’s Insurance. Anything, even $10, helps!”
New Haven was again selected as one of only 10 charities vetted by Farmers Insurance Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines GC January 23, 2020 to receive matching donations. Farmers measures number of donors AND dollar amount of donations to accelerate the matching formula.
The winter months bring a lot of wonderful things with them. Winter brings snow, ice skating, skiing, hot chocolate, bonfires and more. It also, of course, brings the cold. This is the time of year when shorts and sandals are put away, and scarves and sweaters come out. However, just because dressing for winter means dressing in layers and bundling up, it doesn’t mean you can’t still look amazing.
Coats and Jackets
No winter wardrobe is complete without a warm, beautiful coat. There are all types of jackets and coats out there designed to fit any taste. For warmth and comfort, nothing beats big, fluffy, oversized goose down coats. They are incredibly warm and make you feel like you’re inside a giant marshmallow. If you want something more professional, parkas are perfect. Their long length makes them look elegant, and the thick insulation keeps you quite toasty. For an edgier, more casual look, faux-fur lined leather jackets are a great choice, and if you’re looking for something more sporty, ski or snow jackets will do the trick. No matter your style, there is a coat or jacket out there for you. Just be sure to find one warm enough for the climate in which you live.
Boots and Shoes
The best footwear option for the colder months is, of course, an attractive pair of boots. Boots are a comfortable, stylish and most importantly, warm choice for both men and women. There are work boots and steel-toed boots for rugged, outdoor activities, chic leather, fur and cloth boots for casual outfits and dressy ankle-, calf- or even thigh-high boots for more upscale occasions. However, if you’re one of those people who simply must wear sneakers year-round, make sure they are up to the challenge. They’ll need to be made of warm material, such as leather, suede or shearling, and you’ll definitely want them to be waterproof. Furthermore, anywhere you walk outdoors is bound to be slick and icy. Therefore, it’s important to choose boots and shoes that have good traction on them in order to stay safe from common slip and fall hazards that you may encounter this winter.
Accessories
Don’t discount the appeal of accessories this winter, either. You can find all kinds of unique accessories to make you look totally fashionable while also keeping out the cold. Gloves and scarves are common accessories for winter, but they aren’t the only ones. Keeping your head warm is very important to maintaining body heat. This can be achieved with beanies, knit caps, toboggans, and even some hats, all of which can be very representative of your own personal style. Balaclavas can even work under the right circumstances. Other lesser-used but just as relevant winter accessories include shawls, wraps, woolen socks, leg warmers, fuzzy earmuffs, tights, long johns, headbands and more. In addition to looking fantastic when paired with the right outfit, these items are also usually made of soft, snuggly material that will make you feel like you’re walking around in a cloud.
Winter is no longer defined by frumpy sweatshirts and matching stirrup sweatpants. In fact, your winter wardrobe can be just as sexy and appealing as your summer one. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to go buy new clothes? So make a shopping list, and check it twice, because this winter you’re going to look better than nice!
Making the step up from the rack to designer brands is always exciting. You will often have the perfect item in mind before you get it and the day when it is actually yours is always going to be exciting. However, there are some things you should think about along the way. Here are some of the things you should think about when buying your first designer item.
Why Do You Want It?
Before you even start thinking about how you are going to buy the designer piece, you should think about why you want it. Many young people want to buy designer pieces because they think it will give them some sense of worth or they will come off as particularly stylish to friends and acquaintances. These are not good reasons to buy designer pieces and they can leave you feeling frustrated if you do not get the response you are looking for. One of the best reasons why you should buy designer brands is that you simply like the look of their goods and how they make you feel when you wear them — not just to impress others.
Find a Genuine Seller
The problem with designer goods is that
fakes pop up all over the market. A dedicated seller like SSENSE is
always going to be able to provide you with genuine goods instead of
knock-offs. You need to be extremely careful as fake designer goods can look
incredibly convincing. Scammers can now even duplicate the certificate of
authenticity which comes with the priciest of goods to try and swindle even the
most careful of designer lovers.
One of the easiest ways to catch a scammer
out is the price. If something is listed for a price which is too good to be
true, you will most likely be looking at something which is fake. Don’t be
tempted to grab those Gucci sneakers at the lower price; you are only going to
be picking up a fake pair and lining the pockets of a scammer.
Choose Something You Will Use
Some people are tempted to buy a beautiful
dress when they shop for their designer goods. However, this means that you
might wear it once for a special occasion like a birthday and then never reach
for it again. If you instead pick something which has plenty of wearability,
you are likely to get more use out of it and therefore much better value for
money.
For example, many people choose either a
pair of shoes or a handbag for their first designer item. By buying one of
these, you will know that you are likely to use it quite a bit and it won’t
just sit in your closet.
Buying your first designer item is an
important milestone. While it requires some careful thought, you should make sure
you find the perfect piece for your style. It might take a little while to
track down but you should make sure you find something which you know you are
going to love forever. The right designer good is out there waiting for you to
buy it.
From billboard chart toppers to most streamed albums, these are the hottest pop stars at the top of the music industry food chain.
Let’s
face it — pop stars rule the media scene.
Everyone
loves a good movie, but pop songs
drop all the time, whereas major Hollywood movies are few and far
between.
Chances
are you’ve had a pop song stuck in your head before. You mouthed it as you
scanned the grocery store aisles; it interrupted your thoughts as you tried to
fall asleep; you even hummed the songs you didn’t like!
Pop
songs are just plain catchy.
And
following along with the lives of celebrities is a guilty pleasure for many of
us.
Why
did Miley and Liam divorce? Who is Ariana Grande feuding with? Does Zayn
Malik have a new girlfriend?
We
can’t answer every question you may have, but we can tell you who some of the
more famous stars are today. That way you can narrow down your hunt of gossip
to the select few that appear here.
Read
away!
Biggest Female Pop Stars
Let’s get this list started with four favorite females that are dominating the charts (and tabloids) right now.
The
tiny and tattooed Ariana Grande is making headlines for a variety of reasons.
First,
she released her fifth LP — Thank U, Next— this February, and it was very well-received.
Three
of the singles hit the Top 100 on Billboard’s music charts: “7
Rings,” “Thank U, Next,” and “Break Up With Your
Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” Whether you liked the songs or not, you can’t deny
their great beats and memorable lyrics.
Second,
she made the news recently after suing Forever 21 (for a cool $10 million)
after using her likeness, without permission, in recent advertisements. Could
that have contributed to Forever 21’s recent closure of stores across the U.S.?
And,
unsurprisingly, she became the most-followed female on Instagram with 146.3 million followers. Sorry, Selena
Gomez!
Grande also recently collaborated with Miley Cyrus. Let’s move on to her next.
Despite
what you have to say about Miley’s lifestyle, her voice is one that goes
unmatched.
Her
new ballad, “Slide Away,”
is an ode to her newly-ended marriage with Liam Hemsworth (much to fans’
dismay). And in preparation for her soon-to-be-released She Is Miley
Cyrus, she put out a six-song, 19-minute EP entitled She Is Coming.
One song from the album, “Mother’s Daughter,” came with a
body-positive music video that fans adored.
On
top of all this music, she starred in Black Mirror‘s most recent season,
playing the complex character of Ashley O.
And sticking with the movie theme, she, along with Lana Del Ray and Ariana Grande, made a soundtrack and accompanying video for the new Charlie’s Angels reboot.
Lover was the star’s seventh LP
and the album we’ve all been patiently waiting for since 2017.
It
contains eighteen different ballads, most on the subject of — you guessed
it — love. After all, that’s worked so well for her in the past. Why
change the tune now?
That
goes for self-love, too. “The Man” is all about staying strong as a
female in the world of men.
Visit here often
for the accompanying tour we all know is bound to be announced any day now!
Seventeen-year-old
Eilish became popular with the crooning “Ocean Eyes” —
a song that she only intended to be a part of her dance routine in 2015.
But
her siblings thought it too good to remain in dance class.
They
posted it to SoundCloud in 2016 and soon, major record labels were fighting to
pick it up. In only a short amount of time, the song got played by an
astounding 10 million people.
Soon
after, she released a music video for the song that was just as popular. This
is only the beginning of her story.
Her
new album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, featured a
variety of hits — one of which, “Bad Guy,” came in the #1 spot on the
Billboard Top 100.
Biggest Male Pop Stars
All right — time to turn it over to the guys that are making waves in the pop music scene.
Canadian
heartthrob Shawn Mendes has had 13 songs reach the Billboard Top 100 chart.
Five
of them have even hit the top 10: “Señorita” with Camila Cabello,
“If I Can’t Have You,” “Stitches,” “Treat You
Better,” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.”
“Señorita” even spent some time in the #1 spot! (It likely had a little bit to do with the popularity of Camila Cabello as well.)
Khalid
has a soulful, diverse voice that rides the line between pop and R&B.
His
first and only album to date, American Teen, is just
that — a collection of pop songs that describe life as a living, loving,
growing and learning teenager.
He
also does a number of notable collaborations with artists from Billie Eilish
and H.E.R. to Halsey and Ed Sheeran.
This
is another reason we’re hearing him everywhere. Play a Shawn Mendes playlist on
Spotify and “Location” by Khalid is bound to pop up. He was featured
on more than twenty songs with various artists in the last year alone.
It’s safe to say Khalid and his duets aren’t going anywhere!
Post
Malone is not only the subject of many a hilarious meme, but he’s a rising star
in pop, hip hop, and R&B.
He’s
had a whopping 44 songs
on the Billboard Top 100. Three of those became #1 hits while nine reached the
Top 10.
One
song, “Sunflower,” got featured in the newest Spiderman: Into
the Spider-Verse movie, further catapulting Malone to the top of
everyone’s playlists.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little (Pop) Star
These
are some — of many — of the biggest pop stars right now.
This
list is certainly not exhaustive. The pop music scene is full of awesome
talent. You’ll just have to turn on your local radio station to hear more.
For more great articles like this, browse the rest of our site!
Retro-pop futurism hits new peaks with Magdalena Bay, a Los Angeles-based duo dripping with semi-ironic style. Following the release of mini mix vol. 1—a genre-bending 12 minute flurry of nostalgic production and saturated visuals—Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin have followed up with two new songs: Venice and Good Intentions. Read on for an inside look on what makes the group tick.
We recently saw a switch from the reclaimed look of your Mini-Mix series to a more polished feel with your recent release “Venice.” Is there a point for you where aesthetic informs your music, or vice versa?
Our music definitely informs our aesthetic! And our aesthetic doesn’t exactly inform our music, but we do think that both in our visuals and our music we like to have fun and not take ourselves TOO seriously. So even in a more polished video like “Venice,” we like having some DIY weirdness and crafty vibes.
What’s your most unconventional source of influence?
Don’t know if it’s unconventional or not, but a non-musical influence for us is video games. We’ve just gotten into Zelda and Mario games and they have such sick soundtracks and stories that we’re definitely inspired by!
What might people be surprised to know about you?
That we started making music in a progressive rock band in high school. Our music was inspired by 70s bands like Yes and we didn’t even like pop until a few years ago! Now, we’re obsessed with it.
What’s your favorite song of yours that you think might be overlooked by fans?
Probably “Set Me Off,” it’s such a jam!
Are you guys still working long-distance? Run us through your collaborative process living cross-country from each other.
We’re not working long distance anymore, but we did for like two years! It was a lot of sending files back and forth and a bit of a hassle but we think it helped us develop our songwriting skills independently in a cool way.
Are there any lessons from your experience in a prog-rock band that you’ve applied to your careers as pop musicians?
Definitely! We love injecting weird chords and song structure into our pop songs. We think it keeps things interesting.
Mica, as a working professional in marketing, are there any lessons you’ve learned at work that you’ve applied strategy-wise for the group?
Haha maybe! I think it’s helped me have a productive mindset. It’s important to always have new videos, photos, newsletters, and ways for fans to connect with us and feel like they’re a crucial part of our journey, because they are!
You’re both young, but if you had the opportunity to travel back in time and give one piece of advice to your younger selves (say, age 13), what would it be?
We’d tell ourselves to stop listening to Radiohead nonstop and check out Kylie Minogue!
What’s up next for Magdalena Bay?
More singles, more shows, and maybe some long form releases soon…
Can we please get a selfie of whatever you are doing at the moment, to keep it real for the fans? : )
Yes, here’s an awkward pic of us driving down the PCH from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles (attached)
Michael Peña is a Los Angeles-based musician and Kanye West enthusiast. When he’s not busy being unusually defensive about Kacey Musgraves on the internet, he can be found on Instagram.
If this is your first foray into the world of Tokyo Ghoul, the opening sequence of Tokyo Ghoul S, the second live-action film in the franchise, will be a baptism by fire.
The film opens as a beautiful model with heterochromatic eyes (each is a different color) arrives to her luxury hi-rise apartment, only to be greeted by a sparkly mask-wearing ghoul who proceeds to, in order: promise she won’t be violated; force her to do an uncomfortable dance with him; rip out and eat her eyeballs. Oh yeah, then he throws her out the window to her bloody death. I think that counts as “violating” but I guess ghouls have different standards.
And that is the introduction to the villian of this movie, Shuu “The Gourment” Tsukiyama (Shota Matsuda), who has some serious food fetishes but, unfortunately, little backstory.
For those unfamiliar with Tokyo Ghoul, its set in a world co-inhabited by normal humans and ghouls who must feed on people to survive – ala vampires but with serious martial arts skills and superweapons called kagune, which are literally part of their bodies. Ken Kaneki (Masataka Kubota) is our warm-hearted half-ghoul, half-human protagonist who really doesn’t want either ghouls or humans to be hurt or killed, but alas regularly finds himself in situations where both are.
Tsukiyama, the aforementioned eyeball muncher, catches wind of Kaneki’s unique biological makeup, and decides he must have a taste of such a rare breed of ghoul. He befriends Kaneki through their common bond over books, and sets in motion a plan for the ultimate ghoulish feast.
While Kaneki’s plot line is ostensibly the focus of the film, I found that the true standout of the movie is ghoul Touka Kirishima (Maika Yamamoto), who is struggling with her friendship to a mortal — knowing the danger that she poses should she ever find out her true identity. Her storyline is a nod to the complicated nature of relationships among different classes, or even biological races, of people — and the sad truth that friendship can be marred by differences people have no control over.
She also happens to kick major ass, and in this film demonstrates why she is such a valuable character not only to Kaneki, but to the Tokyo Ghoul universe itself. Looking forward to seeing more of her!
Other pluses of the film are the fight sequences, which are quite fun albeit kind of short, and seeing the effort some of the ghouls go through to try to better the darker parts of their nature. If they can do it, maybe we humans can too!
Weaknesses include the lack of backstory for The Gourmet, a lack of Hide’s comic relief, and a fairly predictable trajectory: bad guy does bad things, hero almost dies trying to stop him — will he prevail? I think you know the answer–especially as the mid-credits scene portends a Tokyo Ghoul 3.
All-in-all, Tokyo Ghoul S is a’ight. Fun to watch but not something that breaks any new ground. B minus.
The film opens Monday, September 16 in 400 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The film will have a three-day limited theatrical run (September 16, 18 & 20) and will screen in Japanese with English subtitles.
