Month: October 2021

It’s another tale of the age-old war between art and censorship. When two museums in Vienna were banned on social media for risqué works, they turned to the one place where they knew their adult subject matter would be welcomed: OnlyFans.

In July, the Albertina art museum had its TikTok account blocked for displaying the art of Nobuyoshi Araki, whose photographs (like the one seen below) have a reputation for blending eroticism and bondage. So, okay, sure, his work explores sexual themes. But does it really warrant a social media ban?

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Screenshot from a blog depicting Araki’s Sentimental Journey2.bp.blogspot.com

Only one month later, another museum, the Leopold, experienced a similar form of overly strict censorship when Facebook flagged its post of a piece made by Art Nouveau illustrator Koloman Moser. Does this image look “potentially pornographic” to you?

Facebook even deleted a post by the Natural History Museum of Vienna showing the Venus of Willendorf. I mean, I guess it can be considered lewd for those with a Paleolithic fertility fetish.

This brings up a nuance that A.I. has failed to grasp: nudity ≠ sex. And by not recognizing this, social media outlets restrict arguably uncontroversial subject matter while simultaneously failing to actually prevent anyone from being exposed to inappropriate content.

In a recent press release, the Vienna Tourist Board labeled the clearly flawed social media algorithm as a “new wave of prudishness.” So they had to go to the least prudish place on the internet.

As part of the “Vienna Laid Bare” initiative, the museums have teamed up with OnlyFans, a platform that not only allows nudity and sex, it prospers from it. Not without its own history of crackdowns against sexual content, OnlyFans nevertheless maintains a reputation for being a safe place to share NSFW images. Free from the scrutiny of Facebook, virtual visitors may now look upon the works of previously censored artists like Araki and Moser. All for only $4.99 a month. What a steal in the name of rebellion!

Though it has been quite the marketing maneuver, Helena Hartlauer, head of media relations at the Vienna Tourist Board, says it’s more than a publicity stunt. According to an article in Art News, Hartlauer said the platform pivot was also to “show solidarity with artists who are censored. If you can’t show your artwork on social media this can really be an obstacle to your communications efforts, and even to your career.”

The launch didn’t happen without a few hoops to jump through. The Guardian reported that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram all rejected links to the platform, delaying actual promotion for weeks. In the article, Hartlauer remarked that the obstacle presented is just another clear-cut example of suppression of artistic expression made by the all-powerful social media platforms.

Hartlauer continued, “This marketing initiative of ours is not the ultimate solution for this problematic relationship between the art world and social media, but … we want to stand up for our values and our beliefs. … Vienna has always been famous for being open-minded.”

Hopefully, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can also become a little more open-minded.

Singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun is having a bit of a moment following the release of her 2021 album, In Defense Of My Own Happiness. Spotify took notice and tapped her to be part of their Spotify Singles program, where artists do live or new versions of one of their own songs, and usually do some sort of unexpected cover or collaboration, too. For Oladokun, being part of the program feels like a big look, and she even called it “a dream come true.”

“I’ve been a rabid consumer of Spotify Singles since their inception,” she said in a press release. “Being asked to do one was a dream come true and I wanted to bring in the best crew. I asked Jason Isbell to play guitar on the Bonnie Raitt cover and he absolutely smashed the energy and emotion of what I was trying to do. So excited to have these out in the world.”

Released today, her singles include a version of her song “Sunday,” and a pretty incredible cover of Bonnie Raitt’s stone cold classic, “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” For her version, Joy tapped Jason Isbell to add some epic guitar work as Joy delivers a version that will make Bonnie proud. Check out both new songs below.

Nicolle Snell, an adventure leader for Black Girls Trekkin’, sees hope around every bend in the trail. In a recent interview for Greater Outdoors for UPROXX, Snell proclaimed, “I think things are changing. The stereotype of who belongs in the outdoors or who’s welcome in the outdoors or who you even see in the outdoors is changing because there are so many groups like ours that are trying to change that narrative.”

It’s often overlooked just how widely minorities were segregated or outright barred from the outdoors and how recently that shifted. Up until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black, Indigenous, and various other people of color were either segregated while entering U.S. national parks or, in some cases, barred entirely from entering. That very real discrimination created a gap in how different groups of Americans engaged with nature that still has echoes in the present day.

But things are changing as Nicolle Snell describes in the latest installment of Greater Outdoors. Jasmine Lowe, who also leads adventures for Black Girls Trekkin’, agrees.

“Our mission really is to promote diversity and inclusion in the outdoors,” she says. “It’s just making sure that there are more of us out there [in nature] and feeling comfortable.”

While getting out into nature is a big part of what groups like Black Girls Trekkin’ do, it’s also about physical and mental health, finding a community, and healing of trauma. Both Snell and Lowe agree that a big part of why they love leading hiking groups is that they’ve found people who share in their love of the outdoors and are looking for a way to engage in nature on a deeper level, which is a powerful draw.

You can watch the whole segment above to learn more about the important work these members of Black Girls Trekkin’ are doing. For more ways to get out into the outdoors yourself, check out the 2021 Uproxx Fall Experience Guide.

As the members of former girl-group Fifth Harmony slowly but surely begin to launch their solo careers, Lauren Jauregui fans have been patiently waiting. Though Camila Cabello went solo first, and not even her fellow bandmates can deny the star power of Normani — who is riding high off not one but two perfect singles, “Motivation” and “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B — but now it’s Lauren’s turn. After letting fans know back in September that her new project, Prelude, was going to be coming soon.

Earlier this month, she shared a bit more, dropping the magnetic and contemplative “Colors,” and announcing a live show with the streaming platform, Moment House, during which she debuted new music. “Scattered” is a brand new song from Jauregui, and it’s sticking in the jazzy, quieter lane she’s been working in lately. But, it’s different from her past work because this one features a rapper cameo, from none other than Vic Mensa, who knows a thing or two about the jazzy, quiet lane himself. Vic shows up in the middle of Lauren’s dance performance to drop his verse, and his lowkey flow is perfect for her aching single.

Prelude will officially be out on November 5th, so keep an eye out for more new music potentially coming before the release. She also announced a handful of intimate underplay shows following up the EP’s release, check out those dates below.

11/20 — New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
11/22 — Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
11/23 — Miami, FL @ Club Space – The Ground
12/01 — Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
12/02 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

Steve Bannon is awfully close to being hunted down by U.S. Marshals. Former president Donald J. Trump’s former Chief Strategist has defied a subpoena to provide documents and answer questions about his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol siege. The committee unanimously voted that he should be held in contempt. The matter now heads to the House, and on Wednesday they held a Rules Committee hearing about what to do next. And during it, two of the legislative body’s Trumpiest members — Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan — did what they do best: acted like total nuisances.

The two representatives — once widely dubbed as Beavis and Butt-Head — were grilled separately during the hearing, though both had the same objective: derail the occasion with far right talking points, false equivalencies, misinformation, and general shoutiness.

Let’s take Gaetz first. Among the many claims he tried to push forward was that no one cares about what Steve Bannon said on his podcast the day before the Capitol siege, when he told listeners to “stap in” for something “very dramatic.”

But members of the House asked him questions anyway. His biggest foe for the day was Rep. Jaime Raskin of Maryland, a longtime constitutional scholar and member of the committee. He and Gaetz got into a shouting match, with Raskin eventually telling him that one line he fed him “might work on Steve Bannon’s podcast, but that’s not going to work in the Rules Committee of the United States House of Representatives.”

Raskin also asked him, point blank, if he believed Joe Biden won the 2020 election, which of course he tried to dodge.

Rep. Ed Perlumutter, of Colorado, also gave him hell.

Meanwhile, Jim Jordan tried to draw a false equivalency between an assault on a federal building, inspired by sitting Republican politicians, and nation-wide protests that either got out of hand or were exacerbated by aggressive police.

Jordan also once again tried to claim he had no idea how many times he spoke with a sitting president during arguably the darkest day of his tenure.

Jordan was big mad that subpoenas had been issued for those with connections to the Jan. 6 violence, although maybe he was jealous he hadn’t been summoned (yet).

Raskin also grilled Jordan.

Eventually Rep. Norma Torres, of California, dropped some excellent shade on both Gaetz and Jordan, referencing both of their biggest ongoing scandals, which each involve sexual misconduct.

Both congressmen have a habit of derailing hearings, but some argued it was clear that by opening themselves up to questioning, they were both in over their heads.

But of course, their antics on Wednesday were why they weren’t part of the committee.

The House will vote on Thursday whether or not to hold Bannon in criminal contempt. In the meantime, Gaetz may join him, albeit possibly in a different prison.

It’s another tale of the age-old war between art and censorship. When two museums in Vienna were banned on social media for risqué works, they turned to the one place where they knew their adult subject matter would be welcomed: OnlyFans.

In July, the Albertina art museum had its TikTok account blocked for displaying the art of Nobuyoshi Araki, whose photographs (like the one seen below) have a reputation for blending eroticism and bondage. So, okay, sure, his work explores sexual themes. But does it really warrant a social media ban?

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Screenshot from a blog depicting Araki’s Sentimental Journey2.bp.blogspot.com

Only one month later, another museum, the Leopold, experienced a similar form of overly strict censorship when Facebook flagged its post of a piece made by Art Nouveau illustrator Koloman Moser. Does this image look “potentially pornographic” to you?

Facebook even deleted a post by the Natural History Museum of Vienna showing the Venus of Willendorf. I mean, I guess it can be considered lewd for those with a Paleolithic fertility fetish.

This brings up a nuance that A.I. has failed to grasp: nudity ≠ sex. And by not recognizing this, social media outlets restrict arguably uncontroversial subject matter while simultaneously failing to actually prevent anyone from being exposed to inappropriate content.

In a recent press release, the Vienna Tourist Board labeled the clearly flawed social media algorithm as a “new wave of prudishness.” So they had to go to the least prudish place on the internet.

As part of the “Vienna Laid Bare” initiative, the museums have teamed up with OnlyFans, a platform that not only allows nudity and sex, it prospers from it. Not without its own history of crackdowns against sexual content, OnlyFans nevertheless maintains a reputation for being a safe place to share NSFW images. Free from the scrutiny of Facebook, virtual visitors may now look upon the works of previously censored artists like Araki and Moser. All for only $4.99 a month. What a steal in the name of rebellion!

Though it has been quite the marketing maneuver, Helena Hartlauer, head of media relations at the Vienna Tourist Board, says it’s more than a publicity stunt. According to an article in Art News, Hartlauer said the platform pivot was also to “show solidarity with artists who are censored. If you can’t show your artwork on social media this can really be an obstacle to your communications efforts, and even to your career.”

The launch didn’t happen without a few hoops to jump through. The Guardian reported that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram all rejected links to the platform, delaying actual promotion for weeks. In the article, Hartlauer remarked that the obstacle presented is just another clear-cut example of suppression of artistic expression made by the all-powerful social media platforms.

Hartlauer continued, “This marketing initiative of ours is not the ultimate solution for this problematic relationship between the art world and social media, but … we want to stand up for our values and our beliefs. … Vienna has always been famous for being open-minded.”

Hopefully, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can also become a little more open-minded.

Welcome to SNX DLX, our weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the market. Here we are a little over a week until Halloween, and we still haven’t been treated with Nike or Adidas big Halloween sneaker releases. It looked like they had plans to drop this week, but all Halloween releases have been delayed until next week, which means if you wanted to rock some glow-in-the-dark sneakers before Halloween, it’s not going to happen.

Given the week we’re entering, it hardly matters that we have to wait for the Halloween drops. WMNS-exclusive Nike Dunks, new Air Force 1s out of the famed Alyx studios, brand new Yeezys, and Salehe Bembury’s latest New Balance collaboration — what is this, summer? Seriously, we haven’t had a week this exciting since early August, so it’s good to see the sneaker brands firing on all cylinders once again. Let’s get into it.

Nike WMNS Dunk High Cashmere

Ahh, another week, another dope as hell WMNS-sized exclusive from Nike. We’re finally at a point now where it feels like Nike’s WMNS-only releases are dope enough to compete with their larger size runs, hell if anything, the WMNS releases have been stronger than anything Nike has dropped all year.

The Dunk High Cashmere features a classic basketball shape constructed with a white leather upper and pastel overlays, with an off-white swoosh and matching outsole accenting the whole thing. This is another winner, even if the colorway feels off-season.

The Nike WMNS Dunk High Cashmere is out now for a retail price of $110. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or at aftermarket sites like Flight Club.

Adidas Yeezy BOOST 380 Stone Salt/Pyrite

At the top of the week Yeezy Brand dropped two new colorways of the 380 silhouette, Stone Salt and Pyrite. This is a classic Yeezy drop, minimal design with earth-toned colorways named after rocks, but get it while you can because we have a sneaking suspicion that Yeezy Brand is beginning to mix things up.

We might be in the final days of the earth-toned Yeezys as we head into an era where Ye is utilizing more color in his designs.

The Adidas Yeezy BOOST 380 is out now for a retail price of $230. Pick up a pair at the Adidas webstore or via Yeezy Supply.

1017 Alyx 9sm x Nike Air Force 1 High

Coming straight out of Matthew M. Williams’ 1017 Alyx studios is probably the most hyped release of the week, the 1017 Alyx 9sm Nike Air Force 1 Highs. The double sneaker drop includes a black tumbled leather iteration with a University Red swoosh, or a University Red sneaker with a black swoosh.

It’s not the most exciting color combination we’ve ever seen (red and black has been done to death), but we can’t deny that it’s dope and probably just as good if not better than those MSCHF Satan Shoes.

The 1017 Alyx 9sm x Nike Air Force 1 High is open for raffle now at Alyxstudio and will retail for a price of $452.

Salehe Bembury New Balance 574 YURT

We’ve been talking about it for weeks and now it’s finally here, The New Balance 574 Yurt, Salehe Bembury’s latest New Balance collaborations. Featuring a re-tooled version of New Balance’s 574 silhouette, the YURT features hairy suede and mesh construction with leather accents atop a new impact-absorbing midsole and a whistle attachment at the heel.

The YURT is meant to be a more outdoors-inspired version of the 574 and was given two neutral colorways and a special box as a result. Your options include a grey Shark Skin colorway or a more lively Forest Green with Burgundy. Both are predictably dope, but the Forest Green wins, hands down.

The Salehe Bembury New Balance 574 YURT is set to drop on October 22nd for a retail price of $149.99. Pick up a pair at the New Balance Webstore.

Adidas ZX 2k BOOST Patrick Mahomes

The Adidas ZX 2K Boost Patrick Mahomes aren’t even out yet and Adidas is already slashing almost $50 off the list price, from $160 to $112. Couple that with the fact that these shoes were originally slated to drop about a month ago and we’re left scratching our heads. What are you trying to tell us about these shoes Adidas?

Whatever, we’re not going to sit here questioning why Adidas is discounting brand new sneakers from one of football’s MVPs, we’ll take the deal! Featuring a textile upper with reflective rainbow accents and a Zebra-striped BOOST midsole, the ZX 2K promises soft cushioning with strong energy return from enhanced performance.

The Adidas ZX BOOST Patrick Mahomes is set to drop on October 23rd for a retail price of $112. Pick up a pair via the Adidas webstore.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 MX Oat

Since Yeezy’s inception, the brand has been known for utilizing a very specific monochromatic color aesthetic. Ye doesn’t give every sneaker the monochromatic treatment, but if you zoom out and take a look at every single sneaker ever released by the brand, you’ll see a definite trend. That’s been changing this year. Yeezys are becoming more colorful and even when the brand is keeping things monochrome, they’ve been opting for bolder colors lately.

This MX Oat colorway of the 350 V2 feels like a significant departure from all that’s come before. The MX Oat features a swirling marbled design that combines yellow, blue, orange, and red streaks over a tan Primeknit upper. Looks like we’re entering a new era of Yeezys, bring it on!

The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 MX Oat is set to drop on October 23rd for a retail price of $220. Pick up a pair at the Adidas webstore or via Yeezy Supply, or scoop it up on the aftermarket at GOAT or Flight Club.

Nike Air Trainer 3 Saquon Barkley

If you were born before, or even during the ‘90s, you’ve no doubt noticed that modern fashion is completely indebted to that era (as well as the early ‘00s, but that hasn’t quite taken over, yet) but just because modern streetwear is obsessed with the ‘90s, doesn’t mean everything from that decade has carried over, like the Nike Air Trainer 3. Until now.

The Trainer 3 is typically emblematic of Bo Jackson but now Saquon Barkley is inheriting the silhouette and making it his own signature silhouette. The new body features modern reflective detailing as well as Saquon’s signature lightning logo on the heel and his number, 26, stitched at the heel.

We’re pretty excited to see if the Air Trainer 3 becomes a staple of this current era of streetwear, it definitely has the looks to pull it off.

The Nike Air Trainer 3 Saquon Barkley is set to drop on October 22nd for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.

If you’re completely new to the world of mezcal, you’ve probably heard it described as “like tequila but smokier.” We understand where people are coming from with that description, but it does a complete disservice to mezcal’s complexity. Mezcal isn’t just a smokier tequila (in fact we could argue that it’s tequila that is actually a brighter mezcal, but we won’t), it inhabits its own world of flavor that is familiar to a tequila drinker, but wholly new. It’s robust, floral, sweet, vegetal, natural, and less often inhabits that ethereal vanilla and caramel world that great tequilas so often sit in, and delivering something more grounded, earthy, and yes, we’ll give it to you, smokey.

But the world of mezcal isn’t as accessible and present as the realm tequila resides in, so… where to start? We’ve tried to simplify the search for you by listing off some of our favorite bottles of mezcal and the occasions they work best for. From the most affordable labels to the most absurdly luxurious we’re sure that whatever bottle speaks most to your needs on in this list will serve as a great entryway into the deep and delicious world of mezcal.

The Best Mezcal For Sweet Sipping — Mezcal Alipus San Luis Del Rio (Zach Johnston)

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $52

The Mezcal:

Mezcal Alipús does everything just right down in Oaxaca. The high-altitude distillery slowly roasts their agave in earthen ovens after stone milling. Wild yeast starts the ferment in old pine vats. Old-school copper stills double distiller the spirit.

Everything is small-time and family-run but the highest standard.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a nice backbone of smoked tropical fruits — think grilled pineapple, smoked mango, baked banana — on the nose next to a rich agave with a hint of spice. The palate has this enticing matrix of savory fruit next to dried cinnamon sticks, orange oils, smoked salt, and a touch of caramel sweetness. The end is short and sort of savory with a hint of spicy greens next to light cucumber slices.

Bottom Line:

While I like sipping this on the rocks, it really shines best in a highball with a touch of lime. The water brings out all those funky savory fruits, more spices, and a touch of dark cacao powder with a little more spice.

The Best Mezcal For Absolute Newbies — Cutwater Mezcal Joven (Dane Rivera)

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $54.99

The Mezcal:

Truly a beginner’s bottle, Cutwater gives you a good idea of what flavors to expect when drinking mezcal — a bounce between charred earthiness and sweet floral flavors— without overwhelming you with something that tastes like a far cry from the tequila you’re more familiar with.

Utilizing the wild maguey that grows in the rocky terrain of Durango Mexico, Cutwater’s Joven is distilled in volcanic pit ovens with an open fermentation process.

Tasting Notes:

An initial hit of sweet cherry greets you and settles nicely into flavors of roasted caramel and vanilla before finishing with a sweet floral kiss. There are no harsh chemical flavors to turn you away from this one, and while the smokiness leaves a bit to be desired, it’s still present enough to satisfy expectations.

Bottom Line:

It’s not going to “wow” the snobby crowd out there, but it’ll give you a good starter course. It should be a journey of flavors and this delivers with something easy to drink that still offers complexity and a lot of flavor.

The Mezcal That Punches Above Its Price Tag — Lejana y Sola Mezcal Joven (Dane Rivera)

ABV: 42%

Average Price: $56.95

The Mezcal:

Lejana y Sola’s mezcal hails from Oaxaca and is produced using traditional electricity-free production methods like fire-pit roasting and horse-drawn Tahona extraction. Utilizing a mix of Espadin and Cuishe agave harvested from the Oaxacan hillsides and distilled at a family-owned palenque in Lachilá, Lejana y Sola truly exemplifies the artisanal tendencies of the mezcal producing scene.

Tasting Notes:

Hearing about traditional production methods is cool and all, but it’s just lip service if it doesn’t have the flavor to back it up. Luckily it’s not all talk with Lejana y Sola thanks to its smokey bite that settles on the tongue in rich ribbons of vanilla and roasted agave. Fruity notes dusted with cracked black pepper linger on the backend.

Bottom Line:

From nose to the body, a pleasure to sip and the smoothest mezcal you’ll find at this price point.

The Easiest Mezcal To Fall In Love With — Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal (Dane Rivera)

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $75.78

The Mezcal:

Don Maguey makes some of the finest Mezcal you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting, but before you drop $180+ on the brand’s excellent Pechuga mezcal (which, after experiencing this, you’ll want to do), you should start with the also excellent but much more affordable Chichicapa.

This expression is produced in the village of San Baltazar Chichicapa using espadín agave that is twice distilled in traditional wood-fired copper stills. The result is a light on the nose mezcal full of deep complexity that always leaves something for the palate to discover.

Tasting Notes:

Chichicapa is a bouquet of flavors, ping-ponging between notes of rich toasted agave, soothing butterscotch, and chocolate smokiness, and tropical hints of citrus, juicy fruit with a delicate mint (almost chemical, but not quite) lift on the backend. Easily the most refreshing Mezcal I’ve ever had the pleasure of sipping.

Bottom Line:

You’re never going to go wrong with a bottle of Del Maguey, and Chichicapa is a perfect entry point to this rich and complex mezcal. Once you’re familiar with this, move on to the twice-as-expensive Pechuga and compare!

The Most Flexible Mezcal — Bozal Barril “Reserva” Mezcal (Zach Johnston)

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $96

The Mezcal:

Bozal is doing some of the best work in mezcal right now. This expression is made used Barril wild agave that was used as natural fencing on the borders of farms around Oaxaca. The hearts of the wild agave are slow roasted with a lot of smoke before the distillate is made while holding onto the wilder aspects of this truly Indigenous spirit.

Tasting Notes:

The nose on this is so light with moments of burnt orange oils next to a singed burnt vanilla husk and dried jicama flowers. The taste is pure cream with dots of orange oils next to a bitter cacao bean, a little tobacco twinge, and a touch of banana bread with walnuts and brown spice. The finish holds onto the creamy nature while staying light with zero burn, leaving you with the baked banana, burnt vanilla, and a final touch of that dark citrus oil.

Bottom Line:

This is so easy to sip. It’ll really blow you away as a sipper while also shining as a cocktail base.

The Mezcal Best Reserved For Celebratory Toasting — Los Vecinos Del Campo Tobala Mezcal (Dane Rivera)

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $109.99

The Mezcal:

Los Vecinos del Campo is a special project crafted by Buffalo Trace Bourbon makers Sazerac Company and Casa San Matias, makers of the excellent Corazon de Agave, so you’re right to approach this bottle with high hopes and expectations. It absolutely delivers.

Made using Tobala, a species of agave that requires 12-15 years of maturation and yields a limited quality of mezcal (hence the price), Los Vecinos is the type of bottle that inspires chatter between respected drinkers steeped in that artisanal spirits world. Show up to the hangout with a bottle of Los Vecinos, and your snobbier set of friends will step to you with respect.

Tasting Notes:

This leans on the smokier and earthier side of the Mezcal flavor spectrum hitting you with a sharp cactus bite that transitions into a heavy charred oak flavor tand finishes with a burn that bounces between harsh tar, roasted fruit, and spice.

Bottom Line:

You’ll never find a dull moment while drinking Los Vecinos del Campo. When it hits your palate it dances with contrasting and complimenting flavors that will always draw you in for another taste.

Our Desert Island Pick — Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero (Zach Johnston)

ABV: 42%

Average Price: $999

The Mezcal:

Clase Azul is making some of the best juice in the game — tequila or mezcal. This expression is made from the very rare Papalote wild agave from Guerrero only. The hearts are very slowly roasted with the sea not too far away. Everything about the process is low and slow with wild fermentation, old-school distillation, and local spring water in the mix.

Tasting Notes:

The nose on this is kind of mind-blowing with hints of hot peanut oil in a wok as it just starts to smoke next to oily yet fresh sprigs of rosemary, a touch of wet hibiscus flowers, the bitter pith of a grapefruit, and a bit of pitchy kindling. The palate builds on that pitchy kindling with a rush of the seaside with a bit of a nori edge next to pickled green peppercorns, a hint of grapefruit oils, and a warm and spicy tobacco chew. The end is short but pronounced, with the warmth from the tobacco lingering and leading back toward the bitter grapefruit and the resinous wood.

Bottom Line:

I don’t think I ever had “mezcal” before I tasted this. That’s not true at all. I’ve tasted well over 100 mezcals over the last couple of years. But all of them disappeared when I tasted this. Hell, every tequila I’ve ever tasted disappeared from my memory when this passed my lips. It’s just … divine. It’s like falling into a soft cloud of roasted agave spears and letting them hug you as you slowly fall asleep.

The Mezcal For The Smoke Averse — Madre Mezcal (Steve Bramucci)

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $47.99

The Mezcal:

Madre Mezcal almost has too perfect of a design sense for its own good. The red label that looks like the cover of a Hemingway novel and the poured glass bottle with tiny imperfections… Visit the company’s Instagram and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were on the page of a really savvy influencer (or graphic designer) rather than a booze brand. Surfing, mushrooms, block prints — the whole cultural zeitgeist of a certain type of stylish LA cool person is represented. But the brand’s marketing (which, to be clear, is insanely good and oozes cool, precisely why it might tempt a mezcal aficionado to look askance at the spirit behind the purposefully rudimentary-looking label) should not be allowed to distract from the fact that Madre is made right.

The mezcal I tried (the brand currently features two expressions) is distilled from espadin and cuishe agave and roasted underground before the agave hearts are ground by horse-drawn tahona (at three different family-owned Oaxacan distilleries). It’s specifically aimed at not blowing out your palate with smoke, allowing the vegetal notes of the agave to shine.

Tasting Notes:

You do get smoke on the nose but it arrives paired with agave minerality. Cut wild sage and crushed seashells, if I had to put a finer point on the notes. The palate is distinctly un-smokey. It’s still mineral forward — not salty but certainly conjuring that — which is accented by fire-roasted green pepper that’s been spritzed with honey water. The finish is smooth and distinctly un-hot with a little grapefruit rind kicking up.

Bottom Line:

This is a wonderful starter mezcal for anyone who doesn’t want to go too HAM on the smoke. I also like it as a margarita base. While it’s common to do margaritas with mezcal these days, I find many expressions overpower the lime completely with smoke. Madre doesn’t have that problem.

The Mezcal That Is Actually Another Spirit Completely — Raicilla De Una (Steve Bramucci)

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $59.99

The Mezcal:

Racilla is… not mezcal. It’s a different agave-based spirit that had been clandestinely produced for generations to avoid tariffs and was only recognized as an artisanal agave spirit by the Mexican government in June of 2019. Because it’s produced in Jalisco, which isn’t a mezcal-producing state, its designation would be different regardless of how it tasted, but make no mistake — it does taste different. The smokiness is far more subtle than most mezcals and the fruitiness is far more prominent.

Like Madre Mezcal, Racilla de Una has a cool label and a great vibe — there’s even a backstory intertwined with Waves 4 Water, a longtime friend of Uproxx. The brand’s founder, Ethan Lovell, has stylish taste and tons of influential friends, but it’s his love for the spirit itself that really makes this brand shine.

Made with 100% maximilliana agave grown in the mountains of Jalisco and distilled at Taberna Sierra Mascota in an adobe ground oven before being distilled again in stone — both of which create a distinctly different flavor profile than a copper still. The spirit is then aged for eight years, which would put it in the extra anejo zone, were it a tequila.

Tasting Notes:

There is smoke on the nose but it’s really light. Instead, you get peppercorns and a little grapefruit pith, plus some really nice cement-earthen hints turning into earthy, roasted cocoa nibs. By the time we get to the palate, we do get some sugars coming in. In this case, it’s more in the form of brown sugar-basted, roasted citrus fruits. It’s a nice punch of flavor right off the bat. Then things get a little funkier with a little salty Mexican cheese and more cocoa nibs that had touched wet cement as the mouth-coating finish fades.

Bottom Line:

I like this as a sipper to show friends a spirit that they’ve probably never tried. I also like it as a simple cocktail with a little grapefruit soda — basically a paloma riff. But to really enjoy the depth, I say try it straight, add a few droplets of water, then drop in an ice cube and a spritz of soda water — it’s interesting enough to be deeply engaging in all three of those preparations.

Back when the Lakers went on their 2020 NBA Championship run inside the bubble, Halsey launched a basketball-specific Twitter account that quickly became both a good luck charm and a lightning rod. For over a week after the @Halseyandone account went live in September of last year, the Lakers went on a winning streak before beating the Miami Heat in the finals a month later. The pop star tweeted out on the eve of the Game 6 clincher that “my experience has been completely amplified by this account.”

It was pretty clear that Halsey was a bonafide NBA fan. They praised the Heat’s East run, then talked smack to the Miami Heat, showered Alex Caruso and Rajon Rondo with love, and hoops fans (and haters) ate it up.

The account clocked well over 100K followers. But as they say, seasons change, and soon after the Lakers got bounced by the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round of the 2020-21 playoffs, the account went dormant. One month later, Halsey’s son Elder was born. There are more important things in this world than Twitter. (Take notes. You know who you are)

But the seasons have changed again and now Lakers superfan Halsey is back in the hoops twitter game and Elder is apparently along for the ride. “Now I’m literally Halsey and 1,” she tweeted with a downright adorable photo of little Elder in full Lakers gear.

Game 1 of the Lakers season was as up and down for the Lakers, just as much it was for @Halseyandone. Anthony Davis was a giant in the paint in the first three quarters and Halsey promptly showed their allegiance to The Brow.

Then things took a turn for the worst in the fourth quarter. New Laker Russell Westbrook showed that he’s still very much a below average outside shooter and couldn’t really buy a bucket from most anywhere on the floor. He was a paltry 4 for 13 shooting and sported a game worst -23 rating en route to err…leading…the Lakers to a 121-114 loss to the Warriors. Halsey was not pleased and tweeted “I’m gonna puke.”

Not the greatest debut for the greatest basketball team in Los Angeles. But hoops heads and Halsey fans can rejoice that the best NBA x pop star crossover Twitter account is back.

While legendary actress Jamie Lee Curtis might have made a name for herself delighting movie fans everywhere with her extraordinary acting skills — and more recently for her shocking reprisal of Laurie Strode in the latest Halloween movie, Halloween Kills — Curtis is now sharing with the public a bit more about the most important role in her life: being a supportive mother. Following the recent gender transition of her 25-year-old daughter, Ruby, Curtis has made herself available to questions and interviews about being a parent to trans daughter, spreading information and compassion about what that entails. In a recent interview with People, Curtis and Ruby opened up about how their family dynamic has changed since Ruby came out as transgender to her mother last year, explaining how it’s been an ongoing process for everyone involved.

The conversation began with Ruby explaining that while the experience of coming out to her parents was “scary,” she wasn’t worried about it, as her parents had always been “so accepting” of her throughout her entire life. Curtis continued, stating that more than anything, Ruby’s transition has been an opportunity for her to learn and grow.

“It’s speaking a new language,” she says. “It’s learning new terminology and words. I am new at it. I am not someone who is pretending to know much about it. And I’m going to blow it, I’m going to make mistakes. I would like to try to avoid making big mistakes.”

Ruby was quick to state that she doesn’t get mad at her parents for making mistakes as they relearn how to address her, telling her mother she’s “done the most” she can and “that’s all [she] wants.” In order to better support her daughter, Curtis said she has become increasingly more intentional with her speech, finding herself slowing down and being more “mindful” about what she’s saying, as well as paying attention to how she’s saying it. Curtis then admitted she still “messes up,” but doesn’t mind sharing her stumbles and experiences if “one person reads this” and then feels free to come forward as transgender to their own family, friends, and community.

“I am here to support Ruby. That is my job. Just as it is to care and love and support her older sister Annie in her journeys. I’m a grateful student. I’m learning so much from Ruby. The conversation is ongoing. But I want to know: How can I do this better? .. You still mess up, I’ve messed up today twice. We’re human. But if one person reads this, sees a picture of Ruby and me and says, ‘I feel free to say this is who I am,’ then it’s worth it.”