Silence is Good for Your Brain

While plenty of people sing the praises of white noise or classical music, silence is actually incredibly important for your brain’s health. From generating new cells to exercising memory and imagination, encouraging self-reflection and relaxation (two minutes of silence proved to be more calming than “relaxing” music or sounds), there’s a lot to be said for the sound of silence. No wonder the very word …

Jamie Lidell: Walk Right Back

From his upcoming album Building A Beginning (his first since 2013’s self-title record), Jamie Lidell has released “Walk Right Back“—a soulful tune that’s immediately recognizable as the British-born, Nashville-based artist. With a groovy bass line, whistles and Lidell’s sublime vocals (which never quite sound effortless, but that somehow adds to the charm) this track was made for summer road trips.

Fukushima Radiation Zone Photos

Bangkok-based, Malaysian-born photographer Keow Wee Loong says that he recently sneaked past authorities in Fukushima to photograph the ghost city, which was hit by a nuclear meltdown as a result of the devastating tsunami in 2011. Loong’s photos—which are equal parts bleak and fascinating—show a minimart with groceries all over the floor, a pharmacy similarly disheveled, a video store and a laundromat—with clothing still in …