It has been nearly five years since Solange Knowles released a new album, 2019’s When I Get Home. Since then, she hasn’t been in the spotlight much, despite composing the score for a ballet, directing a short film, Passage, and launching the Saint Heron creative agency. But it seems that may be changing soon, as the singer recently returned to social media to issue a rare post sharing photos from In Service To Whom, a four-part live performance featuring a multimedia presentation at Volume Fest at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
According to Saint Heron’s website, In Service To Whom will see Solange perform with a 10-piece ensemble playing orchestral works she composed from 2018 to 2023, along with her own commercial releases. Meanwhile, on Solange’s Instagram, she describes the piece and the inspiration behind it:
As I contemplate the evolution and maturation of my artistry, “In Service To Whom” was developed around constructing new narratives surrounding my body, the posture of rest, protection from the gaze, and speaks to a reemergence into the world of everyday life following periods of personal incubation and self-revitalization. The piece featured a sound piece featuring artist Autumn Knight and premiered “Not Necessarily In Arms Reach, Music for Two Tubas ” and “If the Promise is Large” for solo cello and double bass.
Fans in the replies and comments on both posts have expressed anticipation and confusion about whether this work constitutes an impending release — like a new album, for instance. However, Solange, who’s thrived in recent years while cultivating an air of mystery about her work, doesn’t seem forthcoming. Surely, she’ll let us all know exactly what it is — and whether she really will be releasing a new album — soon enough.
Emma Stone may have locked down a Golden Globes win for Poor Things, but there’s still one accomplishment that continues to escape the actress: Becoming a Jeopardy! contestant.
While appearing on a recent episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Stone revealed that she’s been trying for years to get on Jeopardy!, and no, she will not settle for the celebrity version of the show. She wants the real deal.
“I apply every June,” Stone said. “I don’t want to go on ‘Celebrity Jeopardy.’ I want to earn my stripes. You can only take the test once a year with your email address, and I’ve never gotten on the show. I watch it every single night and I mark down how many answers I get right. I swear, I could go on ‘Jeopardy.’”
Of course, if Jeopardy! producers let one celebrity appear on the regular version of the show, they’re going to have let more compete in the same way, which would actually be kind of hilarious. Imagine watching celebrities get absolutely wrecked on TV by everyday people. How is this not happening already?
In the meantime, you can catch Emma Stone’s award-winning performance in Poor Things. Here’s the official synopsis:
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Whether you’re a hardcore tequila snob or a more casual drinker who likes to have a margarita or a Paloma now and again, everybody needs a solid under $30 bottle of tequila. Something that’ll taste reliably good, gets the job done and is versatile. Toasting to a new opportunity? This bottle is there. Knocking back a shot with a few friends after (or before) a night out ? This bottle is there. Need to make a quick cocktail? This bottle is the base.
Allow me a quick tangent — sneakerheads have in their roster of shoes what we call a “beater,” this is a comfortable and cheap pair of sneakers that you can slip on for most occasions without fear that you’re wearing out your more coveted pricier sneakers. This might lead you to believe that the beater is a throwaway, but a great beater can sometimes be your favorite pair. What does any of this have to do with tequila? Well, It’s time you have a beater bottle of tequila on your bar cart.
Once you start paying close to $100 for a bottle of tequila, you’re dealing with some seriously nice stuff. The type of tequila with a distinct flavor and character that you might not want to dilute in a mixed drink and one you definitely don’t want to waste shooting. Unless you’re filthy rich, the bottles at or over $100 aren’t beater bottles — a good beater bottle is going to cost you less than $30.
Cheap tequila has a bad reputation and we don’t doubt that you’ve regretted a buy in the past — which is why we’re here to highlight tequilas under $30 that are worth the money. The following eight bottles are all solidly good. No, none of these tequilas are going to blow your mind with their flavors or characteristics, but they might blow your mind in value.
Here are our favorite eight tequilas under $30 for 2024, ranked.
El Padrino is produced at NOM 1438, Destiladora del Valle de Tequila, where a jaw-dropping 192 brands are produced. Despite coming from a distillery that has so many brands in its roster, El Padrino is actually pretty good. The tequila is made low and slow, cooked in brick ovens and roller mill extracted and fermented in wood vats.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A heavy black pepper presence hovering over fresh-cut grass and a hint of tropical fruit. There is some eye-water-inducing harshness here.
Palate: That harshness doesn’t translate to the palate. Instead what you get here is roasted agave, zesty orange peel notes, and caramel with a hint of vanilla.
Finish: Harsh and spicy, with a strong alcohol finish. This tequila is definitely a burner.
The Bottom Line:
Fruity and zesty with a harsh finish. It’s rough stuff, but it tastes like agave, which is never a bad thing.
Given how direct and clear the flavors of Lunazul are, I’m surprised it’s this cheap and this good. The tequila is produced at NOM 1513, Tierra De Agaves from agave that is hand-harvested, cooked in an autoclave, fermented with proprietary yeast, and twice distilled in copper pots.
It has a bit of harshness to it that will make shooting a struggle, but mix this up in a cocktail and you’ve got a damn fine base to build upon.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There is a dry peppery quality to the aroma softened by vanilla with the tiniest hint of roasted agave lurking beneath the stronger notes.
Palate: Surprisingly vegetal and sweet, a mix of vanilla, black pepper, and sugarbee apple skins.
Finish: Very dry, that sweetness dissipates and the cracked black pepper flavor dominates. There is a sort of minty quality to balance it out but it’s not enough to cover the harshness.
Olmeca Altos is a tequila made low and slow with a natural flavor that really delivers on agave. Produced at NOM 1111, Pernod Richard Mexico, the agave here is slow-cooked in brick ovens, crushed by a tahona roller mill, and fermented in copper pots.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A warm rush of roasted agave.
Palate: Lots of citrus zest with some vegetal sweetness. There is a bright and biting quality to this tequila that I really like.
Finish: The finish is interesting here, it begins herbal and smooth but the more of it you drink, the more the heat starts to build.
The Bottom Line:
Natural tasting and agave forward with a bright character and a nice burn.
I will never stop riding for Espolòn. This is a brand I put forward any chance I get, it’s my go-to under $30 bottle to pick up when I’m hosting a party and I need to make a lot of drinks without breaking the bank. It’s quality stuff, gets the job done, and it’s versatile, perfect for shooting and mixing.
Is it the best tequila in this price range? No, not at all, but it’s readily available and guaranteed to be stocked anywhere that sells tequila. The tequila is produced at NOM 1440, Campari Mexico, where it is one of three brands. The agave is cooked in an autoclave and roller mill extracted.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A strong ethanol scent dominates with some zesty citrus notes lurking underneath the alcohol. Not the best nose.
Palate: Juicy pineapple with earthy black pepper qualities hover over a base of roasted agave. There is a slight vegetal quality here, but you have to strain to taste it.
Finish: Buttery and vegetal, the finish here is surprisingly pleasant for its price point.
The Bottom Line:
A solid cheap bottle that tastes the way tequila should.
A great single-estate blanco tequila produced at NOM 1103, Tequila San Matias de Jalisco. The agave is slow-cooked in a stone oven, roller mill extracted, and undergoes open-air fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Corazón de Agave has several different tiers of tequila, the single estate line is what I’d call mid-tier. Not the best of the best, but still some damn fine tequila.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There is a distinct fruity character here, I’m getting juicy pineapple and a mix of citrus.
Palate: That tropical fruit quality translates nicely to the palate with a hint of fresh green pepper, chilies, and a light hint of jasmine.
Finish: A mild spice that mingles nicely with roasted agave and orange zest.
The Bottom Line:
Bright and tropical, with a nice mild spice at the finish.
You can’t go wrong with pretty much anything from Tequileño’s roster, and while the blanco wouldn’t be my first choice from the brand, for a tequila in this price range, it punches way above its weight. Produced at NOM 1108, Jorge Salles Cuervo y Sucesores, where it is the only brand in production, this tequila blanco is made using agave cooked in a high-pressure autoclave that is roller mill extracted and fermented in a cement tank.
It has been certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A whiff of ethanol with roasted agave and some citrus.
Palate: Juicy orange with brown sugar, agave, and a mix of all-spice and vanilla.
Finish: I’m strangely getting a slight oakiness here, with a lot of bright agave character and a smooth vanilla aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
A bright, natural-tasting tequila that leans a bit on the sweet side. I like this one a lot for shooting.
It’s rare to find a tequila under $30 that is completely additive-free, but Cimarron is just that! Produced at NOM 1146, Tequileña, Cimarron is made using estate grown agave that is slow cooked in an autoclave, screw and roller mill extracted, fermented in stainless steel thanks and rested for three to six months in American white oak barrels to reach the reposado state.
Aside from being the only additive-free brand on this list, it’s also the only reposado. So if you’re into mellow vibes, this is the pick for you!
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A bouquet of spicy cinnamon and roasted agave with a hint of oak.
Palate: That roasted agave and cinnamon dominate the palate, gently sweetened by some caramel notes and a hint of brown sugar molasses.
Finish: Surprisingly floral with a hint of vanilla and a spicy oak finish.
The Bottom Line:
A great additive-free reposado that won’t break the bank.
Arette’s green top tequila blanco is fairly new to me but I couldn’t be more impressed. Another additive-free brand, Arette is produced at NOM 1107, Tequila Arette de Jalisco, and made from agave cooked in a high-pressure autoclave, roller mill extracted, and fermented in a stainless pot with a copper coil.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Wet soil with floral black pepper and some cooked agave.
Palate: A strong mix of citrus and vegetal qualities with a hint of salt, green grass, and wet soil.
Finish: A nice spicy and earthy finish that lingers nicely.
The Bottom Line:
In this price range, it’s our favorite blanco tequila. Clean, direct, and tasty, this tequila offers a lot of different flavors that are a pleasure for the palate to explore.
The Atlanta Hawks 2023-24 season has not gone according to plan, as they sit in 11th place in the East at 15-21 as we near the midway point of the season. In fact, the last two seasons have not seen the Hawks reach the heights they hoped for when they traded three first round picks to pair Dejounte Murray with Trae Young in the backcourt.
Now, with the trade deadline looms in a month’s time, there are daily reports from just about every newsbreaker in the league of Murray’s availability on the trade market and the teams interested in him. Earlier this week Shams Charania said the Spurs were potentially interested in bringing Murray back — which, I have some questions about given Murray wasn’t exactly glowing in his review of his time with the Spurs after he was traded to Atlanta. Adrian Wojnarowski then said on Threads the Hawks have “gone as far as they’ll probably go” with a Murray-Young backcourt. Marc Stein likewise has detailed the Hawks openness to dealing Murray, and on Thursday Jake Fischer provided a list of five teams that have at least had some form of discussions on a Murray trade with the Hawks.
Murray has generated a substantial market during preliminary conversations around the league. The Hawks have been considered one of the more aggressive front offices this season, sources said, in terms of teams that have been willing to approach rival executives with actual trade concepts as opposed to general interest in specific players. And at this juncture, to varying degrees, the Lakers, Knicks, Sixers, Heat and Pistons are five suitors expected to engage Atlanta about acquiring Murray over the coming days and weeks before Feb 8:
However, while there’s plenty of interest there’s also not an obvious frontrunner. Fischer points out that the Knicks and Sixers are likely to be more cautious in their approach to the deadline and seem more like teams poking around rather than aggressively pursuing Murray. The Lakers, he notes, don’t want to include Austin Reaves and the Hawks aren’t interested in D’Angelo Russell, stalling out talks between those teams. The Heat have a need in the backcourt but haven’t gone beyond initial talks, and the Pistons are basically exploring every possible avenue available to them given their 3-35 record.
All of this is to say, Murray certainly seems like he’s going to get moved in the next month, but there’s not a team considered a favorite to bring him in. That’s in part because his value was once considered being a defensive stopper, but in Atlanta he has been a net-negative on that end. Some will counter that a better situation could bring more out of him on that end, but there’s not quite the same enthusiasm for teams about his two-way impact as there was when he broke through as an All-Star in San Antonio.
The Weeknd is an undisputed king of the streaming music era, as evidenced by the fact that “Blinding Lights” is the most-played song in Spotify history. Since its release in late 2019, the song has been racking up streams, and now, it has reached a height no song before it ever has: It’s the first song to ever reach 4 billion total streams on Spotify.
As of this post, Spotify currently shows “Blinding Lights” as having 3,999,046,181 streams, but some started reporting this afternoon (January 11) that the song had eclipsed 4 billion. Regardless, if it hasn’t hit 4 billion quite yet, it will any second now (perhaps by the time you read this) and become the first song to ever do so.
Currently, after “Blinding Lights” on the all-time Spotify list are Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” (3.74 billion streams), Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” (3.15 billion), Post Malone and Swae Lee’s “Sunflower” (3.1 billion), and Tones And I’s “Dance Monkey” (2.97 billion). Just outside the top 5 is The Weeknd and Daft Punk’s “Starboy” at 2.95 billion plays.
Faye Webster announced her new album, Underdressed At The Symphony, with a new Lil Yachty collaboration titled “Lego Ring.”
The two appear in the song’s video, where they play a video game together — similar to Guitar Hero or Rock Band, but with way more color. Basically, it’s a perfect fit for the carefree vibes of the song. It was directed by Kyle Ng of Braindead Studios, and viewers can also join in on the fun, with more information available here.
Underdressed At The Symphony will be available for purchase in many forms, including CD, cassette, standard vinyl, and some unique pressings, like “Faye Blue” and a limited-edition B&W bullseye vinyl copy.
Webster is also set to continue touring throughout the summer. She will be doing tours in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Fans across the globe can also catch her performing at festivals like Spain’s Primavera Sound, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo, and many more. A complete list of dates can be found here.
In a 2021 interview with Uproxx, Webster said of her friendship with Yachty, “We basically came from the same place and were doing the same thing, so it’s really inspiring to see him thrive. You know, it makes me feel like, ‘OK, well if I work really hard, too…’ I think just sharing ideas with him… What we do is so different, but when we’re together, it doesn’t feel that way at all.”
Check out the “Lego Ring” video above. Below, find the complete tracklist and cover art for Webster’s next album.
Faye Webster’s Underdressed At The Symphony album cover art
Secretly Canadian
Faye Webster’s Underdressed At The Symphony tracklist
1. “Thinking About You”
2. “But Not Kiss”
3. “Wanna Quit All The Time”
4. “Lego Ring” Feat. Lil Yachty
5. “Feeling Good Today”
6. “Lifetime”
7. “He Loves Me Yeah!”
8. “eBay Purchase History”
9. “Underdressed At The Symphony”
10. “Tttttime”
Underdressed At The Symphony is out 3/1 via Secretly Canadian. Find more information here.
What do you get when you mix artificial intelligence with editing software?
Mind-blowing images, apparently.
Brazilian digital artist Hidreley Leli Dião creates ultra realistic portraits of beloved cartoon characters as well as historical figures.
The magic is in a unique blend of Photoshop, FaceApp, Gradiente and Remini, according to his contributing article on Bored Panda. Using this formula, even The Simpsons characters feel like real people you would pass on the street.
Some of Dião’s latest works include the characters of Disney’s “Encanto,” like:
Thank you Hidreley for giving us some genuine wonder to peruse through on the internet. If you’d like to see more of Hidreley’s work, you can follow his Instagram here.
When we think about gifted conversationalists, we’re more likely to think of great talkers—those who wow us with their insights, wit, and charm. However, communication experts believe that if you want to make a great impression on someone, knowing how to listen goes a long way.
Those of us who love being verbose may think the world loves us because of how well we can talk. But the person sitting in front of you has a lot to say, and nothing makes them feel better during a conversation than your undivided attention.
As the old saying goes, we never quite remember everything someone has said to us, but we’ll never forget how they made us feel. When you actively listen to your conversation partner, they feel that you value them and are receptive to their needs. It also eases any feelings of conflict or resentment.
After a good conversation, the person you spoke with should think, “Wow, that person really gets me,” instead of, “It was like I didn’t even exist.”
A study from 2016 on sales calls did an excellent job of quantifying the amount we should speak versus listen during a conversation. A marketing director at Gong.io analyzed 25,537 sales calls using artificial intelligence and found that the interactions where the salesperson talked 43% of the time and listened 57% of the time had the highest sales yield.
This finding has come to be known as the 43:57 rule.
Even though the study was conducted on business calls, the reason that it works should apply to social conversations as well. Paying more attention helps a salesperson identify the client’s needs and makes them feel comfortable spending money because they know it’s with someone who understands their interests.
It’s the same as a social situation where the person you speak to wants to know they are valued and you respect what they say.
This is excellent advice, but sometimes it’s hard to listen when you’re in a fun conversation and have a lot to say. Kate Murphy, author of “You’re Not Listening,” says it’s all about staying calm.
“Deep breaths are always good. They’re always good. Because it…calms down that fear response. It helps you get more centered,” Murphy told WBUR. “But also to develop your curiosity. Like I said, make it more important to be curious than to be right. And to go into every conversation with that mindset of how could I be wrong? Instead of, let me prove how I’m right.”
“That’s how you develop creative ideas. It’s how you cooperate. It’s how you find middle ground, or at least a peaceable existence,” Murphy added.
The idea that to be a great conversationalist one should master the art of listening is a bit counterintuitive. But, if you feel that you have a lot to say in conversations and can be interesting to listen to, imagine how great that’ll make others feel when you show that you enjoy listening to them as well. It’s a virtuous cycle where everyone wins.
There’s one thing you can say about little kids that’s pretty consistent no matter who the kid is, and it’s that they’re brutally honest. Whether you have something stuck in your teeth or you’ve gained weight, a small child will inform you – loudly, and usually in front of others. But one preschooler’s moment of honesty is going viral for how relatable it is.
An exhausted and cranky 4-year-old named Jude has had enough. The little boy had just gotten home from school when he must’ve been asked something before the camera started rolling because his response was a #same moment.
“Listen. No, do you hear me? I’m cranky, I’m tired, I worked hard at school,” Jude says to his dad.
Jude’s mom, Amber Tinker uploaded the video to TikTok where it went viral with over 14 million views and over 1.5 million likes. The tiny grumpy human was clearly not interested in whatever shenanigans his dad was up to and he let him know it.
Jude’s dad, Justin Tinker was attempting to tease the boy about messing with him later but Jude was having none of it. The preschooler quickly repeated that he was cranky and tired after working hard at school. He mumbles something as he walks towards a barn when his dad stops him.
“I’ve already got everything fed and watered. I already got the eggs, I did your job cause I knew you was tired,” Justin calls out.
Though his dad did his chores for him, Jude still didn’t feel like he got his point across because later in the video he repeats how cranky and tired he is. Both of his parents explained they also worked hard today and were tired but it was obvious that Jude out tired them all. In the end he declared he was getting a bath tonight. Maybe his mom will bring him a cold Capri Sun and light some candles while he soaks in a bubble bath. Preschool must be rough these days.
Kali Uchis revealed today (January 11) that she is expecting her first child, as she and Don Toliver have been dating. The reveal might have been a shock to fans, however, who might not have known the two were together, especially without catching some of their public appearances.
Here’s what to know.
How Long Have Don Toliver & Kali Uchis Been Dating?
“We’re not crazy public or nothing like that,” he told the publication. “We just vibe.”
“I already had it in my mind to go out there and shoot a video with her incorporated into it, to make it a real-deal situation,” Toliver added, as they went to Colombia to shoot the videos earlier in the year. He also met her family while out there, but to keep the relationship private, he didn’t reveal much else.
Because of this, Uchis and Toliver had likely been dating at least a bit before then, enough to go to meet her parents.
Check out the couple’s baby announcement below.
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