El Michels Affair: Ala Vida

Founded by Leon Michels, El Michels Affair has been releasing genre-defying music for 15+ years—drawing inspiration from American R&B to Turkish psych-funk, soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop and everything between. Perhaps best known for working with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and Wu-Tang Clan, Michels returns next month with El Michels Affair’s fifth album, Yeti Season—set for release 26 March. From the record comes “Ala Vida,” …

Affordable Plastic Waste Bricks That Are Stronger Than Concrete

Materials engineer Nzambi Matee—the founder of Nairobi-based Gjenge Makers—not only invented a brick made from plastic waste that’s stronger than concrete, but she also set up the factory after losing patience waiting for government funding. The bricks are made from a blend of discarded high-density polyethylene (traditionally used for products like shampoo bottles), low-density polyethylene (plastic bags) and polypropylene (used for tougher items like buckets)—all …

Raveena: TWEETY

Raveena’s whimsical and glittery love song “TWEETY” references sublime 2000s R&B. The track’s music video—which she co-directed with Chris Cadaver—is equally nostalgic, with plenty of candy-colored psychedelic scenes that hark back to kids’ TV of yesteryear.