31 July 2011

JAPAN RELIEF : ENTRY TWENTY-NINE



Back in June, MTV did Video Music Aid Japan 2011 inviting the likes of Lady Gaga, Tokio Hotel and MONKEY MAJIK to perform in support of the disaster that Japan has been struggling through. I bring this up again now because MTV Music are broadcasting a highlight show tonight for viewers in the UK, which I think is fantastic. They aired it for the first time at 2am on Saturday morning, but tonight's 10pm slot is a little more accessible I reckon.

Of course, I'd watched some performances on YouTube already, but I saw English indie band One Night Only light up the stage only just yesterday. The guys rocked their uplifting collaboration number with Coca Cola, "Can You Feel It", and it was really quite inspiring, a perfect choice of song for the event. Lead vocalist George Craig threw in some supportive lyrics in Japanese throughout and I just thought that was brilliant. I think they embodied the spirit and encouragement that was the whole purpose of this year's VMAJ, it was a touching performance.

29 July 2011

BIRDY ED SHEERAN COVER VIDEO



I wrote about English singer-songwriter Birdy earlier this month, and she's been one of my top played artists these last couple weeks. Like I said then, I first heard her music on Radio 1's Live Lounge, when she performed The XX's "Shelter" and an amazing take on Ed Sheeran's popular number "The A Team". It's this latter song that she has now recorded and this is the video of her rendition live from RAK Studios. Her debut album is due for release September 19th as she now heads to LA to complete it. And for sure, I'll be writing about her again then. Such a talent.

26 July 2011

PATRICK STUMP FEAT. LUPE FIASCO



Frontman vocalist of Fall Out Boy, currently on an indefinite hiatus, has been readying for his new and first solo album "Soul Punk" which has just had its release date announced for October 18th. Today sees the official release of his single "This City" featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco, with a music video coming soon, which apparently is to feature very little other than Patrick Stump singing his song, for the reasons of focusing on his music and letting it speak for itself. I'd say that's fair enough and actually pretty respectable. The album looks to fuse his punk band roots with a soulful vibe to turn his feelings and anger into something meaningful and positive, and I for one am very eager to check it out. His debut LP from February was great, I think he's great.

UNIFORM EXPERIMENT IPOD BOOMBOX


Minimalistic Japanese designer brand Uniform Experiment have teamed up with Lasonic, experts in all things audio, to bring this ultra cool boombox for the much-forgotten iPod. With the ever-rising popularity of iPhones and iPads, Apple's original MP3 player is probably fading on its way out now, but I'm an iPod Classic owner and I still love the click wheel and the simplicity of how it works. I even occasionally find myself playing Vortex every so often.

Anyways, this media player, set for a Fall 2011 launch, takes a chunky retro boombox appearance, and I genuinely don't think there's anything cooler in the world than an original big ass boombox. Of course though, this one is ready and prepared for today's technology, allowing for iPod connectivity so any tune we own can come blasting out on demand. I've not seen in it action but if those speakers were to bounce and tremble massively to the beat of the music, that would be so awesome.

25 July 2011

BOSE COMPANION 20 MULTIMEDIA SPEAKER SYSTEM


For the first time, audio wizards Bose have created a computer speaker system that not only produces room-filling sound sex, but also comes in only two pieces. That is, there is no bulky bass module that is truly massive and surprisingly heavy, a problem I have to deal with. But the all new Companion 20 incorporates TrueSpace® technology which allows for full, wide, natural sound through the two slick desktop units. And if what they claim is true, which to be fair usually is, then it's a top innovation that solves the modern-day pursuit of space and simplicity together with quality.

23 July 2011

22 July 2011

LIGHTS EVERYBODY BREAKS A GLASS


LIGHTS is back with a new single after hitting mainstream with her "intergalactic" electro-pop vibe, working the synths and sensual vocals for her debut album "The Listening". The new single "Everybody Breaks A Glass" features electronica band Holy Fuck and rapper Shad K, as she experiments with dubstep layers. I don't think it breaks any new ground in terms of pop music and with her second album looming, I hope it doesn't all sound like this. It's not bad but not particularly exciting either.

However, this official lyrics video which just dropped today, is actually created by LIGHTS herself, using her own artwork which I think is cool. The single is already available for download with the new album apparently complete, just waiting on a release date.

MASTER-PIECE SUEDE IPHONE COVER



As part of master-piece's new Fall 2011 collection of the Equipment Series, this is their premium suede iPhone 4 cover. So so nice. The Japanese brand brings its quality and craftsmanship to these iPhone covers, including two leather choices too. But it's this deep teal suede cover that is so appealing to me. I find it has a sense of regality, the soft suede texture embossed with master-piece's signature branding. And it's practical too, thin and solidly constructed. For the material and design, it is unsurprisingly priced on the high side at £65 but by no means untouchable. Want.

21 July 2011

BON IVER HOLOCENE SINGLE


Bon Iver's self-titled second album is pure magic. I've been listening to it a lot lately and "Holocene" has been a track I've particularly taken a liking too. I love the alternative soft rock and R&B influences making this epic textured sound, beautifully soothing, despite the deep poetry that is the downbeat self-analytical lyrics. Although, I have to say that's quite easy to overcome considering I find it difficult to comprehend what he's saying most of the time anyway.

Just so happens that "Holocene" is the A side to their upcoming single, announced just today. It's set for release on September 6th, coupled with a Peter Gabriel cover of "Come Talk To Me". From a widely appreciated album, the single is sure to be well received.

UNDERCOVER FALL/WINTER '11 BACKPACK


A preview of what's to come from UNDERCOVER by Jun Takahashi includes this gorgeous backpack. Rucksacks and backpacks have been acquiring quite a bit of hype lately and this item is sure to please enthusiasts when it drops for Fall 2011. It's made of a camel canvas and dark brown leather base, with fine leather and nylon details to finish. With the quality craftsmanship and compact shell shape, this is a thing of beauty. If you can afford it.

APPLE OS X LION RELEASE


When Apple properly unveiled Lion to us at WWDC, I have to admit I was impressed with what it had to offer. Then I read an entry on Gizmodo explaining why it wasn't as good as it sounds, prematurely hampering my excitement, despite the article going into such fine details about how many fingers swipe what that I wasn't even sure what it was talking about. But now that I've had a day to use it myself, I want to honestly describe its interface, whilst trying not to be biased by the negative review I had read first.

Except that's very difficult when everything said in that article I agree with.

I do not understand why iCal and Address Book have taken a cheap toy-like appearance, which by the way is unchangeable. It's so horrible, just doesn't fit with the rest of Apple's simple slick looks in silver. Gestures have been featured heavily as one of the main new functions but sadly finger swiping isn't at all consistent across applications. In fact, gestures aren't included at all in iPhoto to navigate between images or between events, nor does it do anything to see my next or previous message in Mail - both really annoying. Mission Control doesn't let you organise your spaces and windows to how you want. Little inabilities like these are so frustrating, making me pissed off with it all despite some great features.

Full screen apps are beautiful, exactly what we wanted. The animation when navigating between them is smart. The absence of the scroll bar makes a huge difference in terms of clutter. But for me, all these positives are completely overshadowed by the flaws I'm afraid. I'd think twice before getting Lion. Maybe three times.

20 July 2011

NEW APPLE MACBOOK AIR


So that's their new approach. Light and thin but with no compromises. They've really committed to it too because it looks like the plastic MacBook is no longer available on their store. Fitted with the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, flash storage and hi-res LED screens as standard, it does sound pretty good. And as an owner of the 2.5kg MacBook Pro, I would kill for a powerful notebook that's as portable as this. Of course it comes with the all new OS X Lion too, which I'll write about later once I get accustomed to its interface. Took fucking ages to download and install.

19 July 2011

JASMINE VAN DEN BOGAERDE


That's Birdy, fifteen-year-old English schoolgirl with a talent I didn't know could exist in such a teenager. But then, it's not the age that's so remarkable, her musical gift is genuinely beyond beautiful. She's a singer/songwriter (studying for GCSEs next year) who has a voice so real, so powerful, so filled with emotion. She sings to the piano, which was taught to her as a child by her concert pianist mother. The combination of the two is just stunning. I heard her for the first time on the radio this morning as she performed live in the BBC Live Lounge with Fearne Cotton, and honestly I trembled to her utterly gorgeous sound. She's so good it's unfair.

Birdy signed with 14th Floor Records in 2008 and just this year released her first single, a cover of "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver and I'm not sure how it totally surpassed me but it actually entered the Top 20 in the UK charts. Just this week, she released the official video for her second cover single "Shelter" originally by The XX which you can watch below. Her debut album, which is in production as we speak, is set to be a cover album, followed by another with original tracks - both of which I cannot wait to be mesmerised by. I can't praise her enough, I feel like I'm caught in her spell.

18 July 2011

THE UMBRO TEE SHOP


I've already spoken about my fondness for what Umbro are currently doing and their football/lifestyle approach. And this here is just great. I just found out about this, it's the Umbro Tee Shop where they offer very limited t-shirts, showcasing the world's love for football, contributed by top designers.

It's super limited with only 11 pieces available for their weekly designs released every Monday. It certainly helps to cheering up my start of the week for sure. They're priced at a cool £20, available online worldwide, and I am definitely gonna be looking out for one to grab. It's just so brilliant.


15 July 2011

UNIQLO x UNDERCOVER COLLABORATION


We found out a few weeks ago that Uniqlo's hit partnership with Jil Sanders and her +J collection will be ending come the end of the year, with the initial 3-year deal not to be renewed. It was a successful project, proving that high quality chic garments can be accessible, and such well designed pieces too. But Uniqlo have been quick to find a new collaboration, agreed as a long-term project, they have joined up with Japanese brand Undercover led by Jun Takahashi. They're a unique brand offering "strange but beautiful" products in multiple stores across Japan.  The first pieces will be released for Spring 2012 and this is something to be excited for.

14 July 2011

NIKE AIR RALSTON MID LITE TZ



Available in August, this is a top combination of Nike's ability to provide comfort technology and the appropriate design for an urban lifestyle. Nike Sportswear present these Ralston Mids, which includes Nike Air innovation for light and comfortable use, showcased in a classic desert shoe made with a premium suede upper. It comes in three simple and timeless colourways, both offering a traditional and assured addition to our footwear collections for daily use in the modern day. It's cool.

12 July 2011

VANS ERA 59 C&P NAVY


This just got restocked at Flatspot earlier today, and rightly so. The Era 59s have a good shape and the details packed into this particular model makes it a real sexy shoe. A heavy gauge canvas makes the upper, which features a beautiful tartan lining and metal eyelets too. The dark brown leather laces and corduroy heal panel finish it to perfection, nicely wrapping it up and emphasising the quality of the chosen materials. At only £49 this is a winner.

07 July 2011

MUJI NEW SEASON PREVIEW XMAS 2011


Today I popped in to Muji's Xmas 2011 preview event at Foubert Place, London. Samples from the upcoming Autumn/Winter collection and Christmas items were on show, accompanied by Asahi Super Dry beer and sushi which, I have to say, was well received by me.

Personally I fucking adore Muji. Their vision for simplicity and efficiency is one that I share and the products are spot on - clean and modern. To live in Muji would be a dream. (Though some of their range I do find totally bizarre, for example the pictured Felt Sushi Set, part of the Xmas range.)

Some pieces that stood out included their leather card case, plastic playing cards and the apparel looked refined and chic. My favourite product though is the Touchscreen Gloves. They're not gloves with an integrated touch screen, that would be silly, but the fingertips are made with some next innovative sensor fabric which allows for iPhone use whilst keeping your hands warm in the wool gloves. Genius. Coming in five colourways and priced at just £12.95, they are for sure my pick of the bunch. Very excited for their release and my eyes are peeled.

04 July 2011

JAPAN RELIEF : ENTRY TWENTY-EIGHT


SEND-AI. A simple play on words by Blaise Plant of MONKEY MAJIK which represents the band's charity live event in Osaka yesterday, where they performed along side other Sendai-based artists to 'send love' and raise awareness for what Japan has been going through over the last few months. Their performance follows on from their appearance at MTV's VMAJ just last week and it was actually the world's second most watched event live on Ustream. I was one of them having woken up at half six on Sunday morning here in London and what a fantastic show it was.

Guest artists included Gagle, SOUL ADDICTION and Rake, local Japanese artists making hip hop, jazz fusion and acoustic songs respectively. MONKEY MAJIK played a set in front of a crowd of 3000 which was full of emotion, fun and a sense of unity. It was beautiful to watch as they played tune after tune of pure goodness.

Though the show will be broadcast on MTV Japan in August, I've not found any videos put up already for us who won't be able watch that but I'll have a scout and update the MONKEY MAJIK page accordingly. They say this was only the first of the band's support for the cause through their music so I eagerly await what's to come next.

01 July 2011

NIKE SB BLAZER HI CHARCOAL


These are cool. Out July 2011.

ENGLAND AWAY TAILORED BY UMBRO


The new Away jersey was unveiled today, adorned by David Haye in Germany ahead of his upcoming fight. Since Umbro was fully purchased by Nike, they've looked to combine the heritage where they started with needs of the modern game. Working with high-fashion designers, they are now 'tailoring' their shirts to a new level of quality and simplicity, bringing football shirts back to the fabric, back to the core.

The arrival of this new brand of jerseys, publicised most significantly through the England kit, has unfortunately been overshadowed by the national team's unconvincing major campaigns, namely at the World Cup in 2010. Despite attention focusing on the poor footballing performances, the new kits should be hugely welcomed and are something we should be proud of. The 11/12 Away jersey comes predominantly in deep blue, a refreshing change from our standard red choice of colour. It's tipped with a sky blue collar and features very little else, again emphasising the shape and detail of the actual shirt.

I've been really impressed with Umbro's releases and, for me, they are so headed the right direction, recognising exactly what footballers need and what the fans care about.