Month: August 2023

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for 18 months with no end in sight. Russians have been feeling the financial squeeze for quite some time while Putin has been whisking around the nation in his cosmetology train and presumably ducking into his pickle hideout because a leader must keep his priorities in sight. The Russian ruble, however, is finally showing enough signs of no life that Putin must be concerned.

The Kremlin attempted, however, to blame the Russia’s central bank for the crumbling currency, which recently hit another wartime low in comparison to the U.S. dollar. The effects of Putin’s war on the economy are multifold, so the issue is a complex one, and a hacker even let loose with a message that Putin surely did not love. Al Jazeera now reports that the central bank has taken drastic measures in an attempt to save the ruble:

Russia’s central bank has hiked its key interest rate by 350 basis points to 12 percent, an emergency move to try and halt the rouble’s recent slide after a public call from the Kremlin for tighter monetary policy.

The extraordinary rate meeting came on Tuesday after the rouble plummeted past the 100 threshold against the US dollar on Monday, dragged down by the effects of Western sanctions on Russia’s balance of trade and as military spending soars.

Additionally, there has been an update on Putin’s increasingly tight friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Putin recently didn’t seem to care how bad this looks, perhaps because he’s scoring rockets from his new BFF. Whatever the case, the two are now exchanging letters as detailed in North Korean state media, via Reuters:

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged letters on Tuesday pledging to develop their ties into what Kim called a “long-standing strategic relationship,” Pyongyang’s state media KCNA said….

In his letter to Putin, Kim said the two countries’ friendship was forged in World War II with victory over Japan and is now “fully demonstrating their invincibility and might in the struggle to smash the imperialists’ arbitrary practices and hegemony,” KCNA said.

Man, Trump is gonna be so jealous after he had to fork over those North Korean “love letters” from yesteryear.

(Via Al Jazeera & Reuters)

We’ve partied our way through Bocas del Toro and spent enough sunburnt summers in Mexico to know there’s always someplace new on the horizon in Central America. So… where will you satisfy your tropical wanderlust this year? If you’re into vibe-y Central American surf towns, I think I might have your answer. With world-renowned surfing and direct access to a UNESCO protected marine-life mecca, Santa Catalina on the Pacific coast of Panama offers much more than pretty beaches and epic sunsets (though those are pretty great).

Picture this: you start your day with a perfect tube at La Puta or eye contact with the ocean’s most majestic sea creatures on a dive trip. Feeling the midday sun overhead, you feast upon a whole-fried fish, pop into the frutería for fresh coconut water, and let hours slip away under the shade of a palm tree. What’s that? Time to dance the night away barefoot at a beach party on black sand under the shimmering stars. I’m telling you — Santa Catalina, Panama is rising up the ranks of Central America’s off-the-beaten-path destinations for intrepid travelers and digital nomads.

But it’s definitely not fully “on the radar” of American travelers by any means. So here’s the question: are you down for an adventure?

PART I — THE TOWN

Where Exactly is Santa Catalina, Anyway?

When I say off the beaten path, I do mean off the beaten path [This is a travel section with a mostly American and Western European audience — a phrase like “off the beaten path” always comes with an implied “for American and Western European travelers” -ed]. It’ll take you five and a half hours by car from Panama City to reach the striking coastline of Santa Catalina in Veraguas, Panama. If you’re traveling by bus, an easy seven.

But trust me, it’s beyond worth it.

For reference, another one of Panama’s popular surf towns, Playa Venao, is about five hours southeast of Santa Catalina. From the aforementioned Bocas del Toro? You’re a hefty eight hours northwest by car or shuttle. But we all know that the best travel stories come from plot-thickening escapades (obviously), so find yourself off-grid and in-flow as you discover Panama’s best-kept secret.

So… How Rural Are We Talking?

Santa Catalina is right in the sweet spot of rural living and modern-day comfort. After living in other Central American surf towns, Santa Catalina’s amenities are a breath of fresh air to me (and if I’m being honest, a sigh of relief, too). The main road is paved and the town has fiber-optic internet, streetlights, police presence, an ambulance, mini markets, public transportation, and even spring water delivered from the mountains of Boquete (this water is so pure).

Perhaps the most surprising feature is an ATM, an absolute luxury in small-town Central America!

Laidback Vibes

Don’t worry, Santa Catalina hasn’t lost its “small Central American village” energy. Kittens play with chickens on the village road while local fishermen return home hauling the day’s catch over their shoulders. Bougainvillea and hibiscus grow uncontrollably along fence lines and horses roam free, acting as the town’s main method of lawn care. On weekends, the town church comes alive with worshippers who turn the pews into a dance party. The international travelers who come to play are met with warm, Panamanian hospitality.

PART II — WHAT TO DO

A (Newbie) Surfer’s Paradise

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Surfers may already know of Santa Catalina — the town hosted the top surfers of the Americas to compete in the 2023 Pan American Surfing Games. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a pro to catch a ride on some of the best waves in Central America. Santa Catalina has a spot for every surfer (or wanna-be surfer).

Kooks (I mean beginners!) like me can gain confidence on the board at Playa Estero, Santa Catalina’s lengthy black sand beach (Estero is also your spot to meet and party with pretty people so… you might just want to hang there for awhile). Then there’s Playa Santa Catalina, the town’s main beach, where just about anyone can manage to catch a wave when there’s a decent-sized swell. And since you’re right in the heart of town, this is a good beach to show off your skills.

La Punta — For the pros

The pièce de résistance of surf spots in Santa Catalina is La Punta. This lava rock point break is where the really good surfers come to hone their craft (and get totally pitted, bro). Seriously though, La Punta is not for the faint of heart. Not to mention the paddle out is a doozy! But this is the wave that makes Santa Catalina a world-famous surf destination! Punta Roca is another expert-only break, accessed by boat or by Playa Estero at low tide.

There are a number of hidden surf spots that you’ll hear of if you’re in town long enough… but those are top secret. Something that makes Santa Catalina different from other surf destinations in Central America is the vibes in the water. There’s not a lot of heavy localism or sense of competition (for the most part), everyone is just happy to be in the lineup. But for that to remain, guests have to be respectful and also know their limits.

Epic Aquatic Adventures in Coiba National Park

On your trip to Santa Catalina, you can expect to do some of the best scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing you’ll find the world over! Just over 30 miles by boat from Santa Catalina begins the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park — “the Galapagos of Central America”.

Included in the Coiba National Park is Coiba Island, the “Panamanian pearl of the Pacific,” prominent fishing spot Hannibal Bank, and 38 small islands in the “Special Zone of Marine Protection.” Since Santa Catalina is the nearest mainland access point to Coiba National Park, eco-tourism is growing… and quickly.

Isla Coiba: An Unspoilt Refuge

Coiba Island is the single largest island off the Pacific Coast of Central America!

Species on the verge of extinction, like the Scarlet Macaw, and tons of endemic species (animals only found on the island) live largely out of reach from humans in Coiba’s impenetrably lush jungle. Want to know something crazy? For the better part of 85 years (until 2004), Coiba Island was a high-security penal colony for Panama’s most atrocious criminals. Pretty strand of sand right? But there’s no doubt the island’s past helped it to become the thriving ecosystem it is.

Scuba Dive with Whale Sharks and Other Ocean Giants

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One of the first things you’ll notice while walking around the little village of Santa Catalina is the sheer number of PADI-certified dive shops. It’s almost like this is an internationally-recognized mecca for scuba diving! (Wink.) It’s not uncommon to dive with humpbacks (July – November), whale sharks (December – April), hammerhead sharks (June – July), and manta rays (May – November) in Coiba National Park.

You’ll likely encounter nurse sharks, dolphins, and turtles year-round!

The Best Snorkeling of Your Life

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Okay, so you don’t have your scuba certification and you don’t want to get one. There’s a huge variety of marine life you’ll see on your snorkel trip to Coiba. Just about as much as you’d see diving! Though guarantees are hard, given the unpredictability of the ocean, Santa Catalina is a bucket-list destination for ocean lovers for a reason! Point being: get in the sea, however you feel most comfortable.

Panama’s Jurassic Park

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Known worldwide by big-game fishermen is Hannibal Bank, coined “Panama’s Jurassic Park.” In this part of Coiba National Park resides monstrously huge fish that would be a prize catch for any fishing aficionado (a-fish-ionado, if you will). Upwelling of deep, nutrient-dense water means plentiful fish, which in turn means bigger fish.

Massive yellowfin tuna, black marlin, and hefty dorado come to Hannibal Bank for hunting, and thus become part of a larger hunt — sportfishing!

Learn to Freedive

Freediving is kind of the next coolest thing in the world of water sports. Or maybe that’s foiling, but either way. My life forever changed when I learned freediving in Nicaragua, so if you’re also into mindfulness and meditation, you should definitely consider a freediving course while in Santa Catalina. You’ll learn theory, like how humans withstand over 10 minutes without breathing, and practice, where you’ll do the Frenzel Technique.

Unlike scuba and snorkeling, freediving is less about what you see in the water and more about how you feel in it. It’s no doubt a mental and spiritual workout. Book a freediving course to see for yourself!

Kayak or SUP to a Deserted Island

From just about anywhere on the shores of Santa Catalina you’ll see a white sand, palm tree-enveloped island seemingly a stone’s throw away. Welcome to Isla Santa Catalina. Sometimes I have to remind myself I’m not in the Caribbean. You’ll want to spend some bathing in Isla Santa Catalina’s crystal-clear water, taking tons of aesthetically inclined IG photos, snorkeling, and getting rid of those pesky tan lines (if you catch my drift)… AKA kayak here and forget about the world for a while.

To get to the island, rent a kayak or SUP board at Rolo Hostal or have a little boat (una lancha) to take you over to “La Islita.” Just learn from my mistake and pack snacks and drinks. I promise you’ll end up spending all day on this deserted island, so there’s no need to do it Castaway style.

Note: Please don’t bring anything you can’t take with you on your way out. Leave no trace! And don’t try to swim to the island. It’s dangerous and very embarrassing to get rescued.

Island Hop

There are plenty of other amazing islands to explore off the coast of Santa Catalina, so hire a boat and spend the day island-hopping around Isla Cebaco, Isla Gobernadora, and Isla Tintorera. These coastline views and white sand islands are dreamy AF. Though there are tons of boat tour agencies in the village, I like to book trips renegade style. Meet a captain down on Playa Santa Catalina and ask them to take you to the best islands. You’ll have to do that in Spanish, though, or be cool with paying the tripled gringo price! It’s only fair.

Again, don’t forget your snacks and Balboas (beer), and leave no trace!

PART III — WHAT TO EAT

Santa Catalina has a surprisingly large amount of restaurants for being such a small village, so I’ll share with you my go-to’s.

SNACK: Frutería

First up is the frutería at the very entrance of town. This is the closest you can get to farm-to-table. Not in a pretentious way, but in the literally-right-from-the-farm-to-your-table kind of way. Pick up a bag of tropical goodness (see: passion fruit, rambutan, pineapple, and papaya) for the cost of your Starbucks order. Just bring small bills so el jefe (the boss and sweet old man who runs the place) doesn’t have to chase down change.

BREAKFAST: Caricaco & Café Panachocolat

If you crave a rich breakfast, it’s Belgian waffles with honey and bacon from Caricaco on the corner. Also, they have smoothies, the most legit coffee in town, and a whole treasure trove of fresh-baked goods. Right across from Caricaco is Café Panachocolat, this is the meeting place for gringos, so if you don’t speak Spanish, head here. And if you’re feeling something sweet, their banana bread is absolutely scrumptious when paired with their chai tea latte (which comes with a cinnamon palm tree on top!). So cute.

Both places have solid wifi perfect for your digital nomad needs.

LUNCH: Caricaco & Fonda La Arena

If you loved Caricaco like I do, head back for lunch. Since the owner is part Panamanian-part Lebanese, the menu offers a worldly fusion. I’m completely obsessed with the Lebanese plate and the salmon bowl, but the burgers are also fabulous and everything is plated beautifully.

The best local spot?

Fonda la Arena is my top pick, hands down! This little family-run restaurant has some of the freshest and cleanest seafood in town. The service is great, and they have a cute little patio for you to people-watch from. You can’t go wrong with a filet of catch of the day (usually corvina) or the shrimp plate (salsa roja, por favor!). Rice with lentils is the traditional Panamanian side, but I highly recommend the boiled yucca, it tastes like pure butter.

PIZZA: Pizzeria Jammin’ & Sugar Mama’s Cafe

Everyone’s favorite pizza spot is Pizzeria Jammin’. My Italian boyfriend confirms the pizza is good, and I agree, but I’d say the social scene here is the real draw. Pizzeria Jammin’ is one of the oldest restaurants in town and is kind of the place to see and be seen on a Friday night. Order up a whole pie (my fav is the veggie) with a glass of red wine, and you’ve got yourself a nice start to your Friday night.

Personally, I’m a thin-crust girl who doesn’t like an overly-oily pizza, so my preferred pie is the veggie pizza from Sugar Mama’s Cafe with slices of fresh zucchini and eggplant.

PART IV: WHERE TO PARTY

Since it takes some dedicated travel to reach this part of Panama, the type of people you’ll meet in Santa Catalina are rad and down to earth, as are the locals. The party scene here is less about getting fucked up and more about swapping stories, connecting over a shared love of nature, and just having a good ol’ time.

Hands down the best spot to mingle is at Oasis Surf Camp and beach bar on Playa Estero. Attend one of their dreamy electronic music parties under the palms and enjoy a sublime Panamanian sunset with Caipirinha in hand (yes, it’s made with cachaça, not vodka). There’s also Vista Linda across the river from Oasis (don’t worry, it’s mostly passable). On the weekends you can catch a bouncy DJ orchestrating a chill, post-surf gathering on their big wooden deck. Let loose. And if you’re into local parties, which, I’ll admit are sometimes a f*cking vibe, head to Elisa Cantina in the village.

Just be prepared for ringing in your ears when you’re laying in bed later. The music is bumpin’.

Recently, Genre Music Festival brought in a slew of musicians, DJs, and live artists for their debut event in Santa Catalina. I was out of town, but heard it was a great time. Word is there was also a fire after-party at Catalina Hideaway’s beachfront hotel. If you’re really keen on the festivities, you’ll be pleased to hear that Santa Catalina’s nightlife is about to get more rowdy with the Selina Hostel slated to open by December 2023.

PART V — WHERE TO SLEEP

Santa Catalina has lodging for every kind of traveler. Except maybe for those that are looking to live in the lap of luxury — this is a village! There’s a chance you’ll wake up to roosters and fall asleep to the blasting of reggaeton (usually only on Sundays).

With beachfront rooms, a cute beach bar, and all the surfboard rentals your heart desires, it’s no surprise that Hotel Oasis & Surf Camp on Playa Estero is one of the top lodging options in town at $62 a night. Definitely book one of the new glass-front cabins!

For mellow digital nomads and surfers who want to be close to La Punta, I highly recommend Cabañas Sherlley ($80 a night). The Caribbean flair to this multicolor hotel is energizing, and long-term stays are super reasonably priced considering each room has AC, its own kitchenette, and private bathroom. Say hi to Flor the cat for me!

Also close to La Punta is the Hotel Santa Catalina (away from the roosters and reggaeton). If you’re looking for the nicest hotel in town, this is probably it. Rooms start at $105 a night, and if you’re looking for the most scenic oceanfront pool for reading (or Instagram thirst traps), Hotel Santa Catalina has you covered. You can even watch surfers at La Punta while being served food and drinks from the restaurant right above.

I love their margarita on a hot day!

But I’d be remiss not to mention NATIVO Boutique Hotel in the lineup at $65 a night. You’ll love their food and the pool has an insane view of La Islita out front. They also have an incredible (and not overly-sugary) caipirinha, which is half off during daily happy hour.

Who would’ve guessed Jon Batiste was an undercover Swiftie? Today (August 16), during an appearance on Elvis Duran And The Morning Show, Batiste covered a Taylor Swift deep cut.

With nothing but a keyboard and some help from his backing band, the New Orleans artist delivered a cover of “Sweet Nothing” from Swift’s 10th studio album, Midnights. Of course, Batiste had to give it his signature touch. At the bridge of the song, he added some glistening piano harmonies, and delivered some jazzy croons to close out the song. At the conclusion of the performance, the show’s host is heard tearing up.

This isn’t the first time Batiste has shown love to Swift. In an interview with People back in June, Batiste expressed interest in collaborating with her.

“I just went to the Taylor Swift concert and it would be fun to do something with Taylor,” he said. “She was nice enough to invite us and give us tickets to one of her MetLife Stadium shows over Memorial Day weekend, and I’d love to work with any of the living legends, you know, any folks that I can learn something from — even if we don’t put it out.”

Batiste is currently gearing up to release his upcoming sixth studio album, World Music Radio.

World Music Radio is out 8/18 via Verve/Interscope. Find more information here.

With Fox News in his rearview after the veteran TV anchor walked away from the network over a behind-the-scenes dispute with another personality on The Five, Geraldo Rivera is opening up about his public rebuke of Tucker Carlson.

Even before Carlson’s revisionary take on the January 6 attacks made it to the air, Rivera was suspended by Fox for literally calling “bullsh*t” on Tucker’s attempt to paint the MAGA riot as a false flag. When the “documentary” aired earlier this year, it scandalized Fox News, and Rivera once again slammed Carlson shortly after the controversial anchor was shockingly fired.

However, Rivera would soon be next out the door, but he looks back proudly at his efforts to hold Tucker’s feet to the fire, which privately earned him the praise of his colleagues who were afraid to speak out.

“I got calls from within Fox. Right on. You know, we’re shocked, we’re outraged by what Tucker is trying to do. Thank you for speaking out, you know from people that could not speak out,” Rivera told Mediaite. “You know, I even advised some prominent people just to cool it, that I could, I’ll take the heat because I felt that I was more bulletproof. I mixed my metaphors there, but I felt that I could say things that others, perhaps more vulnerable in their or more early in their careers, could not say.”

Rivera went even further to say that his ouster at Fox had less to do with his reported clashing with Greg Gutfeld and more to do with his refusal to toe the network line.

“I don’t want to focus in on any particular person, you can read the record, but I can tell you what happened vis a vis me and Tucker because that was the real substantive part of it,” Rivera revealed.

(Via Mediaite)

Olivia Rodrigo is currently preparing to drop her second album, Guts, this fall — with the latest single, “Bad Idea Right,” making waves since its release last week. Although the pop star found major success in 2021 with her debut record, Sour, she was acting long before that.

One of Rodrigo’s main roles that brought her a fan base was as Nini in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Although she appeared as a prominent character during the first two seasons, she took a step back in Season 3 to be a guest star — as she was focusing on her music career instead.

Her episodes had been filmed just before she kicked off her Sour Tour.

“All of that was shot with this crazy schedule in mind, which Olivia deserves because she is the queen of the world,” the show’s creator, Tim Federle, told People Magazine last year, as season three gave closure to Nini as a character.

Still, despite Rodrigo no longer appearing on the show, she hasn’t ignored her roots completely. She attended the red carpet for the Season 3 premiere last July and posed with her castmates.

During an interview with Bru On The Radio last month, Rodrigo also shared that she kept some set keepsakes, including a varsity jacket and her name insert from the director’s chair.

With Season 4 of the show getting released earlier this month, fans had been wondering if Rodrigo would reappear. However, she does not, but it is also not ruled out in the future.

Even if you’ve never seen a second of Vanderpump Rules (guilty!), you’re probably aware of “Scanadoval.” Or at least heard of it. The abridged version is this: Tom Sandoval, one of the stars of the Bravo series, cheated on his girlfriend Ariana Madix with another member of the cast, Raquel (or Rachel) Leviss. There’s more to the story, but that’s all you need to coming into Leviss’ new interview on the Just B with Bethenny Frankel podcast.

Leviss strongly hinted that she’s finished with Vanderpump Rules. “My mistakes that I’ve made on camera live on forever,” she told Frankel. “And you mentioned something about the addiction of doing reality television and the way that they always dangle that carrot in front of you, like, ‘Well, you need to tell your side of the story otherwise it’s gonna be written for you.’ And that’s terrifying. So I almost went back… just because of that.” (The “almost” is the giveaway that she won’t be back.) Leviss also revealed how a FaceTime video recorded without her consent led to Madix learning about the affair.

“I decided to be adventurous and look at the adult section on the TV,” she recalled. “And Tom and I FaceTimed a lot, so it turned into something more of an intimate FaceTime. I expected to have privacy in that moment, so that happened.” Leviss spent the following day doing press, only to suddenly receive a text from Madix that contained “two screen recorded videos and a text that said, ‘You’re dead to me.’” That’s how Leviss learned Madix knew about the affair — and it’s also how Leviss learned “that I had been recorded without my consent.”

Leviss sent an “immediate cease and desist letter” to stop the video from being shared, but “some of Ariana’s friends have described the video in great detail online,” she said. “And she also sent it to me, so I don’t know who else she sent it to. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sent it to other people, but it’s not legal.” You can listen to the podcast below.

(Via Rolling Stone)

Despite once sharing a label home, Del Amo, California rapper Reason is convinced that another rapper is going to be bigger than his former labelmate Kendrick Lamar. Appearing on the podcast New Rory & Mal, Reason predicted that when J. Cole releases his album The Fall Off, he will be “bigger” than Kendrick and explained why.

As the hosts reminisced about Kendrick’s seismic verse from Big Sean’s “Control” in 2013, they noted that the Compton rapper was a bigger name than almost everyone he named, except for Drake. However, when Mal asks if Reason thinks Kendrick is bigger than J. Cole today, Reason has to offer his rationale for saying no.

“I think when The Fall Off drops, the fruits of his labor from being so active will show,” he says, after being careful to note that it was “not ’cause he’s better than [Kendrick]” due to TDE fans being “f*cking crazy.” “They’ve done this for years, though,” he elaborates, miming a set of scales going up and down. “To me, they’ve kinda like — [Kendrick] is bigger at this point, Cole [is bigger at that point]. They’ve kinda done that for a long time.”

He knows just how crazy TDE fans — and staff — can be after a controversial appearance on another show last week, during which he criticized the label for the disjointed rollout of his new album Porches. His comments prompted TDE president Moosa to call in and get into a heated debate about his position on the label, reminding him that Moosa’s predecessor Dave Free hadn’t wanted to sign Reason at all. Reason says that he and Moosa both have things they wish they hadn’t said but that the conversation was necessary.

Meanwhile, hip-hop fans have debated for years whether Kendrick or J. Cole was the bigger artist (after Drake, of course) due to their similar levels of commercial success and parallel rises through the blog era. However, J. Cole himself said around the time his last album, The Off Season was released, “As I’ve gotten older, I realize … no one is truly my peer or can relate to what’s going on in my life better than these people right here — just in terms of whatever pressures there might be … nobody can really relate to that like these dudes, and I really genuinely f*ck with these dudes.”

Check out videos of Reason addressing both questions above.

Broken Social Scene co-founder and lead vocalist Kevin Drew is gearing up to release new solo music. Today (August 16), Drew has announced his fourth solo album, Aging. Ahead of Aging, Drew has shared two new songs — “Out In The Fields” and “Party Oven.”

Many of the songs on Aging are inspired by the passing of Drew’s close friends and mentors. Drew wrote the songs on the album over the course of the past 10 years.

“Pain is a hard thing to let go until you’re ready,” said Drew in a statement. “And that’s kind of where I was at with this record. Music, for me, is a release–it’s a place where I can go and express what it is that I want to say.”

Aging will arrive this fall, by way of a rather peculiar rollout. The physical version will actually release first in September, with the digital version to follow. Perhaps the nostalgia factor of it all is one that comes with age.

You can listen to “Out In The Fields” and “Party Oven” above and see the artwork and tracklist for Aging below.

1. “Elevator”
2. “Out In The Fields”
3. “Party Oven”
4. “All Your Fails”
5. “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark”
6. “Awful Lightning”
7. “Fixing The Again”
8. “You’re Gonna Get Better”

Aging will be out on physical formats on 9/22 via Arts + Crafts. It will be available on streaming platforms beginning 11/3. Find more information here.

To honor the tenth anniversary of their debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, Chvrches will be releasing a special edition of the album that includes four previously unheard songs and five live tracks.

“It feels quite strange that Bones is almost a decade old,” lead singer Lauren Mayberry shared in a statement. “In some ways, it’s like it just happened, but also like that era was a lifetime ago. We are very grateful to all the fans who gave that album a special place in their heart, and still show us so much kindness today.”

The first of these unheard songs to see the light of day is “Manhattan,” which was one of the first songs that Iain Cook and Martin Doherty played for Mayberry — after they wrote it back in 2011. It also is a reference to the Manhattan Project, making it a fitting time to release among the Oppenheimer craze.

Check out Chvrches’ “Manhattan” above. Below, find the tracklist and cover art for The Bones Of What You Believe‘s anniversary edition.

1. “The Mother We Share”
2. “We Sink”
3. “Gun”
4. “Tether”
5. “Lies”
6. “Under The Tide”
7. “Recover”
8. “Night Sky”
9. “Science/Visions”
10. “Lungs”
11. “By The Throat”
12. “You Caught The Light”
13. “Manhattan”
14. “White Summer”
15. “Talking In My Sleep”
16. “City On Fire”
17. “We Sink” (Live)
18. “Now Is Not The Time” (Live)
19. “Lies” (Live)
20. “Strong Hand” (Live)
21. “By The Throat” (Live)

The Bones Of What You Believe (10th Anniversary Edition) is out 10/13 via Glassnote. Find more information here.

Through three Team USA exhibition games — wins over Puerto Rico, Slovenia, and Spain — Anthony Edwards’ numbers do not pop off the page. The All-Star wing is averaging 14 points (54.8 percent true shooting), 4.3 rebounds, two assists, and one turnover in 21 minutes per contest. Team USA has thus far elected for an egalitarian approach offensively, with Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton typically initiating the action. Edwards has rarely been compelled to assert himself, nor did the first two games ask him to do that, as they were blowouts.

Late in Sunday’s win, though, the newly minted 22-year-old strung together a handful of sequences that distanced his squad from the Spaniards, sparked nine points, and led the team to a third straight victory. Among those plays was Edwards turning defense to offense by winding around a pindown screen after a tardy start, rejecting a jumper, and cramming home a fast break slam.

Despite the occasional hiccup — he could get lower in his stance on the ball, he’s prone to gambling, and his execution on switches remains dicey — Edwards’ defense has been a steadfast positive in these three international appearances. Whether that translates to FIBA World Cup play or the NBA’s regular season is a mystery, but Edwards has looked sharper, particularly with his off-ball awareness, motor, and impact.

Before entering the NBA, his understanding and investment in adhering to schemes off the ball lagged, along with his screen navigation. Because of his frame, quickness, and dexterity, he’s long projected as an overwhelming isolation defender, yet struggled wiggling over screens, which substantially narrowed his utility at the point-of-attack. Most encouraging from his summer showings up to this point is how well he’s performing in a chaser role. Mikal Bridges is usually assuming on-ball duties and that’s left Edwards to craft his signature elsewhere, weaving through pindowns and other off-ball screening actions.

He’s ducking his shoulder under picks to stay attached to assignments and wielding his strength and length to overwhelm opponents. Even if he’s caught on a pick or a tad late recognizing movement, he won’t give up on the play. His attention to detail and off-ball activity are persistent, something that’s predominantly ebbed and sometimes flowed in his career. He’s been a menace with his 6’9 wingspan to populate passing lanes, strip ball-handlers, and recover back into plays. In just 63 minutes, he’s tallied 10 steals and three rejections.

Part of Edwards’ defensive exploits are tied to his tantalizing physical tools. The athletic advantage he’s held on the international circuit is not as drastic on the NBA scene — he’s blotted out a few gaffes that would likely descend into full-fledged breakdowns in the league. Yet his willingness to remain engaged and generally dictate the terms of engagement are critical. Too frequently throughout his career, he’s banked on those tools being a magic bullet, only to be out of position for them to not matter. That’s rarely happening much in these exhibition games. He’s blending effort, technique, and athletic gifts, which would help turn an already impressive American defense into something even more troublesome for opponents.

At the point of attack, he’s played more erratically, though the instances of bouncy, enticing mobility to curb drives and prompt giveaways arise nonetheless. He’s pursuing tons of steals, sometimes to the detriment of a defensive shell, but is also rewarded fairly commonly to explain why he’s trying for so many pickpocketing possessions. That’s his style in the NBA, though, and it’s less fruitful. Sharpening the approach may behoove him long-term.

Anecdotally, his on-ball screen navigation hasn’t matched his off-ball endeavors, so translating some of these sequences to the NBA could also prove more challenging. It is, however, not difficult to watch him completely erase offensive intentions and ogle at his possibilities on the domestic stage. Crouch low, harass a live dribble, and gobble up space laterally. Edwards is doing precisely that on occasion, just as he’s exhibited in spurts with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Given the lack of practice time and familiarity, Team USA’s offense has unsurprisingly been a bit sticky at times (cold outside shooting has also hurt). The playmaking aptitude of the roster is somewhat thin after Haliburton, too, though there are certainly talented distributors supplementing him. I just think the offense could shift into stagnant shot-making displays if Haliburton’s creation is quelled, although this group is capable of thriving that way.

Regardless, the defense, in part because of Edwards’ initial returns, might end up as the USA’s calling card. Fresh off his Defensive Player of the Year nod, Jaren Jackson Jr. is patrolling the interior like a hawkish hall monitor, whether it’s in ball screens, help rotations, or switching onto the perimeter. He’s been the team’s best player, complementing his domineering defense with efficient, selective scoring.

Together, he and Bridges form a sprawling pick-and-roll tandem. Jackson’s discipline, positioning, and timing as a drop defender are clinical, and Bridges is a nightmare when he tethers himself to initiators or walls off pocket passes around screens. I’ve loved watching them zap the gusto from offenses individually and collectively. I understand why the Memphis Grizzlies reportedly dangled four first-round picks to land Bridges and pair him with their All-Star big man this past winter.

Two more exhibitions await Edwards and USA before their World Cup debut against New Zealand on Aug. 26. Those represent a pair of chances to continue his upward ascent defensively. Behind playmaking and pacing refinements, he became a bona fide star last season. If he translates and maintains these defensive improvements into the fall, he’ll soon add “two-way” to that moniker, and everyone — himself, the Timberwolves, Team USA — will benefit.