Humans are super-predators—even when we’re not actively behaving as such. A recent study conducted in an English forest documented the reactions beavers had to the sound of wolves, bears and humans. While they ignored the wolf sounds and were “mildly concerned” by the sound of a bear, the beavers were “profoundly disturbed” by the sound of human speech. A different study played human speech in …
$100
Made in collaboration with NASA, LEGO’s homage to Apollo 11’s endeavor is intended for individuals over 16 years old. It includes a complex lunar lander to assemble, a semi-realistic depiction of the surface of the moon to situate it on, two golden helmet-adorned figures to place and countless exterior features to manipulate. When complete, the final product is a nostalgia-laden depiction of those famed first …
Inspired by sex as taboo, especially among older people, Italian designer Elena Tamburini created Filotea—a collection of furniture that encourages physical affection whether solo or with another individual. The range includes several standout pieces: Otello is a mirror surrounded by feathers, which allows the user to caress their own face, and the Filomena is a body brush that stimulates the skin. Our favorite is the …
French photographer François Prost’s Gentlemen’s Club collection archives the sun-soaked facades of strip clubs across the southern US—everywhere from the beaches of Florida to downtown Houston. Through 193 photos, Prost surveys the design of these buildings, with their “generic signifiers of sex and sensual pleasure,” focusing on parts of the country that have “conservative and puritan reputations.” The exteriors are brightly colored, eerily similar from city …
In the Talk of the Town section of The New Yorker’s 26 July 1969 issue, reporters visited eight moon-landing parties—and documented the excitement that unfolded. From 50th Street and Sixth Avenue to the headquarters of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, audiences tuned in to the incredible quest and watched anxiously as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin ventured into the unknown. Spliced with footage from the …
Expanding upon their line of stylistically filtered eyewear, Tens Sunglasses adopts a rich, warm hue for their newest release, the Spectachrome, now available to back on Indiegogo. Complete with a quirky video, these sunglasses set their wearer into a color spectrum and texture that matches Wes Anderson-directed films. And, not only are the glasses a trip into his vision, but they’ll protect yours too—with UV400 …
$7
Despite the title, UK-based It’s Freezing in LA! focuses on climate change on an international level. Their third issue, titled “Protest,” covers global strikes, marches and walkouts that have been initiated in opposition of fossil fuels, mining, and much more. But, this issue also addresses potential solutions, how new construction adheres to recent legislation and the challenges companies face when switching to electric vehicles. It’s …
$395
British mixed media artist Joe Webb combines found images to make otherworldly, cosmic scenes. For “Controllers” (a four-color screenprint made in an edition of 75 with Jealous Gallery), Webb plays with proportions and skews the viewer’s perception, placing an astronaut high above Earth but in the sightline of suited men behind a control board. The sky is covered in a black diamond dust overlay—replicating millions …
$399
Crafted from sand-washed silk habotai with satellite images printed all over, RÆBURN’s flowing NASA dress documents the environmental changes due to climate change. The oversized dress features slits on either side and a v-neck, and is a loose, lightweight option that will transcend seasons. The brand uses the same NASA images on plenty more garments too—shorts, pants, coats and accessories for all genders. Each is …
$28
Legendary DJ/producer/composer Jeff Mills (aka The Wizard) is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing by releasing a conceptual album inspired by the moon. Available as a double-LP (or on CD), the record, called Moon — The Area of Influence, will be made up of Mills’ nuanced, cinematic and Detroit-rooted techno. In his words, “This album and the imagination that helped to produce it …
Red Hearse, a new group consisting of Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew and TDE producer Sounwave, just released their second single “Half Love.” It’s brooding and looming but ultimately offset by delicate, high-reaching vocals from Dew. Antonoff’s stroke is recognizable but it’s certainly distant from the work he’s done with Bleachers or the tracks he’s penned for various other singers. The Grant Singer-directed video depicts a …
This delightful bit of indie and bedroom pop will appear on LA-based Jay Som’s forthcoming album, Anak Ko (out 23 August). It starts off simply—filtered vocals with drums and guitar—and Som is the star until the track breaks open and rhythmic bass and psych-influenced ambience pours out. The Weird Life-directed video provides a visual portrayal of the track’s sonic essence, too. A special purple tie-dye …
Traditional pump espresso machines often demand careful attention from their users—the grind, tamping pressure, pour and temperature are at best left to their discretion, or at worst left to chance. De’Longhi‘s newest offering, the La Specialista EC9335.M, leaves just about everything to the machine. It has easy-to-use controls that deliver precise grinds, as well as ideal tamping pressure and temperatures for specific pulls—along with the …
Contrary to the worries that electric vehicles will be less fun than engine-revving and gas-burning ones, Lotus unveils its Evija: an all-electric hypercar capable of 1,972 hp to get from zero to 62mph in under three seconds. With a top speed of over 200mph, the Evija holds court with its hypercar peers. It’s not a driving enthusiast’s dream disguised as an electric car, either—its 250-mile …
From Wilco’s forthcoming album, Ode to Joy (out 4 October), “Love Is Everywhere (Beware)” is a sprawling and steady folk song with lots to love. “Right now I’m frightened how love is here / beware / our love is everywhere,” the band’s frontman, Jeff Tweedy, sings atop jubilant guitar riffs. In a statement to announce the track, album and coinciding tour, Tweedy says, “There must …
From London-born and Brooklyn-based artist Shura (aka Alexandra Denton) comes “The Stage,” a disco-influenced alt-pop tune about a date—specifically, her first with her current girlfriend. “And we’re done with music / so if you’re assuming / you’re coming back with me / then maybe yes you can,” she sings. It’s glitzy, romantic and reflective of plenty of influences (and events). Shura’s second album (which follows …
Handmade in California, Sigil‘s scents are rich and complex without using artificial additives or encompassing fillers. The brand’s founder and alchemist, Patrick Kelly, relies on his own nose and his memory of scents to combine real ingredients until he’s happy with the final product. And, while many natural fragrances are muddled and overly earthy, Sigil’s are layered and delicate—they melt into the skin and resurface …
Housing some 6,000 pieces of art and an 18,000-volume library of cartoons and comics, London’s Cartoon Museum has a new, permanent home designed by Sam Jacob Studio. Be it the two main galleries or the education room (accessible by a door hidden in a bookcase), bright and bold graphic features define the interior experience. It’s a well-matched design for the works within. Read and see more …
