Renegade graffiti artist Banksy has created this stencil work just in time for the run up to Christmas. Titled ‘Shop til you drop’, the work is a comment on our detestable reliance on consumer culture. Have a look, and see what you think:
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As always MISHKA provide us with, what can only be described as, an interesting Fall/Winter collection. The Brooklyn based label reaffirms its position as the ‘odd-ball’ players in streetwear with this eclectic mix of conventional styles and eccentric designs.
Whilst the snap-back look has become haggard and rocked to the death, Mishka still bring some sweet caps to those of us that aren’t completely absorbed by the Mitchell and Ness hype. There is a selection of fine shirts available too; the tees and sweaters also have some interesting graphics that will, no doubt, turn a few heads and start some conversations. All in all, this isn’t a wondrous drop from these NYC cool-cats; yet, there are some pieces that may be worth scraping some shrapnel together for.
Kevin McPhee – Blue Organ
With releases on Idle Hands and [nakedlunch] already in 2011, Toronto’s Kevin McPhee returns on Hypercolour’s off shoot HypeLtd. The EP, titled Blue Organ, follows previous releases by house’s newest matriarch Maya Jane Coles and London’s T.Wiliams.
Lapped up in sensual female vocals, ‘Your Side’ and ‘I Will’ show McPhee’s tentative side; teary eyed and heart wrenching, the tracks exemplify ability to induce emotion. These tracks for me are the highlight of a much-accomplished EP.
‘Hang My Head’ is a less dreamy, more club orientated track, punching along with a low-slung baseline. While ‘Blue Organ’, the title track, reestablishes the equilibrium, with dreamy percussive tones.
This is an accomplished EP from McPhee, blanketed in subtle mopey vibes perfect for 5am listening.
The Roots – Undun
The legendary Roots crew are back; and to coincide with their new album they have produced a short film showcasing 4 of the tracks. The album, Undun, is dropping on December 6, and from what we hear it is dope. Undun tells the story of Redford Stephens (1974-1999) through the utilization of a reverse narrative, with Redford attempting to make sense of his former life. As he progresses and the story deconstructs Redford discovers that he in fact led to his own demise. The video was shot and directed by Clifton Bell, whom has worked with everyone, following his four-year study at the University of North Carolina, from Ice Cube to Method Man; Redman to Anthony Hamilton. Anyways, enough of this babble check the video; cop the music.
FaltyDL – Atlantis
New Yorker Drew Lustman, aka FaltyDL, is one of my standout electronic artists of 2011. Following releases on All City and, his excellent album “You Stand Uncertain”, on Ramp Records Drew Lustman returns with his latest offering on Mr Scruff’s Ninja Tune print.
Built around moody chords, vocal phrases and ridden with percussive elements, FaltyDL’s trademark sounds are synonymous with the last decade rather than the former; reminiscent early 90’s dance is what we have come to expect; and Atlantis delivers.
After a long and lethargic summer, we are back with our weekly feature of swag.
Manatash is an outdoor, mountaineering, brand established in Seattle, USA, in 1994. Following a philosophy of sustainability, Manatash serves a wide range of outdoor attire – from rafting to kayaking. Their passion for sustainability and protection of the environment sees them using recyclable materials, hemp and other sustainable fabrics. This 4-way jacket is exactly what it says on the tin; with or without hood; as a reversible padded vest; or simply as double-barreled coat, vest and jacket. Following the rhetoric of their environmental ethos, the jacket is made entirely of sustainable, recycled fabrics.
Born in Turin in 1911, Superga have been producing the 2750 for almost 100 years. Following a simple design, they have consistently produced high quality footwear for the Italian populate. The classic 2750 heritage is a perfect example of the iconic, durable, shoe.
In 1954 Levi’s 501s reached the American East Coast, new territory for the brand, adding a zip-fly to maximize the appeal to the new market. The result, huge sales in their new venture; however, not everyone was pleased. As a compromise, Levis ran the 501 in the zipped and unzipped models, taking the US by storm. The ‘memory rinse’ 1954 XX 501 is a homage to the classic heritage collection, and is sick; but at 200 Great British Pounds, you have to be serious about denim to cop.
Carl Craig – Just Another Day (2011) – PE65277
Detroit, once a thriving hub of industrial commerce in the modern Western world, synonymous with Automobile manufacturing – General Motors – an innovative and debouching powerhouse, the area became known as the “Motor City”. A series of cataclysmic events culminated in the demise of the region as a global industrial epicenter. However, away from the apocalyptic industrial landscape Detroit’s arts scenes flourished, mainly music, with Motown records a major player in the emergence of African American music.
It was not until the 80’s, when again Detroit’s African-American populates rose, that Detroit stamped its authority again, with the emergence of Techno. Using analog synthesizers and drum machines young musicians, such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Carl Craig, facilitated an electronic movement that would change the face of clubbing for ever.
Fast forward to 2011, and dancefloor experimentalist and innovator Carl Craig is still on top of Techno. “Just Another Day” was initially released in 2004 as an EP; however, Craig has remastered it as a mini-album.
Testament to the strength of the material, 7 years on and its still sounding fresh, tentative and groundbreaking. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, nor will the vast majority of people find this ‘groundbreaking’ or ‘tentative’; for the vast majority this is simply a techno album, like most other. However, that is missing the very essence of the EP. The drum kit has been stripped, depriving dance music of its fundamentals– the beat – to most this is desolation, deprivation and desecration. In modern music, that is dance music; the beat facilitates the dancefloor; without it, what is there to dance to? This is the marvel of the album; the essence; the point; and testament to it. Not only does each track engross, captivate and subdue the listener, it does so without the maximum impact of dance’s favorite instrument.
Nicolas Jaar presents Darkside
Darkside is an amalgamation between Nico and guitarist Dave Harrington, whom is part of Jaar’s live band. The pair, under Jaar’s own label Clown and Sunset, will be releasing the EP in early December, with each track shrouded in mystery simply named A1, A2 and A3. Little information has been released, as of yet, clips are impossible to find online, with only Giles Peterson’s exclusive clip available – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wq8d. However, from what we have heard, which was a mini clip of all three tracks, this EP is huge, and will indefinitely be one of the standout releases of the year.
Here we have the fall release from ONLY NY. This streetwear brand has established itself as a firm favourite amongst the cool kids, and it’s easy to see why. This autumns unassuming release typifies ONLY’s approach to streetwear. The pocket tees are fresh, whilst the plaid shirts are a throwback to the nineties, swag. Check the release after the drop.
MTN Beenie
Navy Pocket Tee
Country Flannel Shirt - Maple Plaid
Halloween, and another reason for Stussy to add to the collab annals. Here we see the prominent streetwear brand teaming up with CREEPY, an American horror-comic magazine that depicted the weird and the twisted. Some could see this drop as Stussy cashing in on the ever-so corporate Halloween market, however, CREEPY’s cult status makes this collab worthwhile; an original, and refreshing drop from the streetwear colossus.
Creepy Group Tee
Creepy Goosebumps Tee
Creepy Stock Ballcap
PSA’s favourite son Jeremy Scott is back, and with a vengeance. Teaming up with Japanese pop group 2NE1 for a tasty take on his trademark wing design. Combining vibrant colours, faux fur and the infamous wings to create the ultimate shoe. Somehow managing to surpass previous disgusting designs, this is by far the worst trainer I have ever seen.
The elusive house label My Love is underground here serve up another outstanding release in their vinyl only collection. The label, built around an ethos of ‘hardcore’ deep house, has truly manifested into a collectors dream – with releases such as Brawther’s Deep Inside being limited to 100 copies.
The sixth release on the Parisian label comes from Inner Sense – aka French producer Henri Fontaine – who vindicates his position with an outstanding EP. Now in the 7th edition, the releases seem to be following a tangible course –contradictory to electronic music on the market at the moment.
This limited edition vinyl, coming in a tasty red, has already sold out; therefore, is already a collector’s item. Sorry to tease. Anyway, check out the tracks.
Back on the scene after a 15+ year absence, the Hurricane is back. Sporting the classic aesthetics of the 90’s original, it also adopts features from Nike’s Free outsole. These are hard, with Nike bringing the 90’s back.
24 Kilates x ellesse – 117 vintage – “fab 5″
Synonymous with your dad’s wardrobe rather than street fashion, Italian sportswear apparel ellesse have returned to the stage. Teaming up with Barcelona boutique 24 Kilates to bring a runner/5-panel pack. Manifesting around the founding colours of ellesse, and working off a yachting theme, the collection, dubbed 117 vintage, can be copped from the 15th of September. Alert your dad.
Courtesy of Hypebeast.
