With the delayed 2020 Olympics upon us, I thought it would be a nice time to share this perfect photo set from Attitude Magazine starring team GB diver, Tom Daley. The 27 year old two-time Olympic bronze medalist appears here photographed by Eddie Blagbrough.
The photos are part of a dual-cover spread featuring Tom and his BFF diving partner Matty Lee.
Quite a unique editorial from HUF Magazine starring Jerrin Strenge and photographed by Tyson Vick. Not just photographed, but also [temporarily] tattooed. A little background: Vick is not only a stellar photographer, but a talented prop master, costume designer, and illustrator; an overall multi-faceted true artist.
Mr. Vick channeled his creative energy into painting a beautiful work of art onto a beautiful canvas: Jerrin’s body. The intricate tattoo art is immaculate, dreamy, ethereal, and also looks really freaking realistic.
Jerrin’s ability to take direction and work the camera, his insanely good looks, and that pair of white Clever briefs working overtime is quite the lethal combo – especially with Vick behind the lens.
You may know him from his popular Instagram account, or you may be one of his 2.3 million TikTok followers. Seemingly everywhere, Corrado Martini recently joined the Soul Artist Management family.
The Italian-American California native appears here photographed by Marq Mendez for MMSCENE. Read the interview by Maja Vuckovic here.
I can’t believe I am just now getting around to posting this 2016 photoshoot for Adon Magazine. I can say with certainty that is my favorite series of images of Austin Sikora ever, and not just because of my socks kink. KIDDING. (Maybe.)
Jokes aside, it’s no surprise that I love this shoot so much, considering that it was photographed by Viktor Klimenko, who is known for popping out iconic images like a factory. I can say that more than a handful of my favorite photo sets are lensed by the talented Mr. Klimenko.
Klimenko’s shoots are always eye-catching and high quality – partially because he knows how to create a mood, a vibe, keep it consistent and cohesive, with LOTS of style. His eye for aesthetics is next-level, and he knows how to evoke a carnal response in people, as well as stimulate their appreciation for beauty.
Combined with Austin’s talent, experience, and that physique… the results are exponential.
I would have never expected to be so into an olive and grey color palette like this to really do it for me, but it really, really does – and it completely compliments Austin’s gorgeous tan.
But I think what really makes this spread God-tier is the style. The furnishings, the fashion, and yes, those socks. Truth be told though, I am pretty obsessed with those sneakers. Everything piece of apparel in this set is immaculate: from Fendi to Givenchy, to those Diesel briefs that really round out the collection. (Full list of brand credits at the end of this post)
I can’t wait to see more shoots from Viktor Klimenko, hopefully more work from Austin, and of course Adon‘s phenomenal curation.
I don’t usually gush THIS hard about a photoshoot, so ~buckle up~.
I honestly don’t know where to start. I guess we will start first with the stunning Sean Daniels. San Antonio native, 100% certified hunk, talented af, and most importantly, nicest guy EVER. Also like… look at him? His classic good looks really shine in this shoot. Always perfect poses, facial expressions and mood conveyed.
Okay now lets talk about this actual photo shoot for Garage. !!!??? Lighting, setting, editing, styling, grooming, color palette, even props. I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen such an amazing combo of all these things. I am immediately transported to an all-American desert road trip in this vintage camper complete with retro fans, wood paneling, even a real-sugar glass-bottle Mexican Coca-Cola (If you know, you know.) Route 66 goals.
BJ Pascual absolutely nailed it on the vibe and consistency of this collection of photos – as well as immaculate styling and makeup artistry by Joris Studio and Michael Byron, respectively.
As you can tell, I’m kinda obsessed… and lowkey contemplating buying an old camper and going off the grid. I have the feeling I won’t look quite as good in it though 🤷♂️
Airon Mallars never stops. The LA-based model has been starring in spectacular photoshoots at an incredible rate, each one seemingly better than the last. However, this sexy black-and-white set shoot by insanely talented lensman Mazi Shams is a clear standout.
Simple sets, luxurious brands, and perfect angles really set this shoot apart – of course combined with the ridiculous talent of Mallars. Not sure he’s humanly capable of an unflattering pose. Probably not.
Zayn Malik covers British GQ as the Hugo Boss 2017 Man of the Year. A stark contrast to People Magazine’s 2017 Sexiest Man Alive 😬 Hard to believe this was 4 years ago.
The blonde beauty is photographed by legendary photographer Doug Inglish.
I know we just posted Mr. Martini recently, but boy is coming hot with new content rapid fire. Not much else to say here but enjoy this black and white set by lensman Matthew Brookes.
My bloody valentine.
Heartbreaker Hunter Thompson is photographed by Blake Ballard in this painfully romantic series of photos.
Georgia native Carson Aldridge is photographed by Blake Ballard for Issue 3 of Desnudo UK, Summer 2018.
Texas stud Austin Mahone stars as cover boy in this Galore issue from one year ago.
Photographed by Galore founders Prince + Jacob, this clever spread brings back memories of turn-of-the-millennium teen fan magazines that many of us grew up with.
At just 17 years old Mahone was named 2013 MTV Artist to Watch, but six and a half years later has yet to release a proper debut studio album outside of Japan (we are still watching, Austin!). Despite this, the 23-year-old has still racked up 10 million Instagram followers, solidifying him as a bona fide influencer and public figure — impressive, even though his musicianship often takes a back seat.
To hold us off in the mean time, we have his photoshoots, as well as the fire he drops on his Instagram. 🔥
Today is September 13th, 2018 and marks the hopeful comeback of part time music icon and part time skinny legend Mariah Carey with “GTFO.”
Not that she’s ever left. Since 2014’s criminally underrated Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse, the diva has dropped her second #1’s compilation album (when will your fave?), embarked on her Vegas residency and a tour, appeared in her not-a-reality-show-but-an-eight-part-event Mariah’s World, made her directorial debut with A Christmas Melody, and even gifted fans with another underrated single: “I Don’t.”
In short, ya girl’s been busy. Never too busy to continue to be writing and producing behind the scenes though. “GTFO,” written by Mariah alongside Bibi Bourelly (“Bitch Better Have My Money”) and Jordan Manswell, is hopefully the first sign of a fifteenth studio album on the way.
In classic Mariah fashion, “GTFO” is a slow burn of a breakup track, and much like “I Don’t,” she’s over it.
“How ’bout you get the fuck out” is the main hook and it pretty much says it all. The lush beat samples “Goodbye to a World,” a Porter Robinson deep cut that features vocals from AVANNA, a Vocaloid. Mariah rarely samples modern songs, much less any from the EDM genre. We don’t know whether the sample was selected by her or co-producer Nineteen85 but we know how picky she is, and it’s kinda brilliant.
“How ’bout you take your tings and be on your merry way, how ’bout you fly off with a wink, bye bye, baby,” is one of the particularly pleasing melodies in the song. The songbird coos firmly in her whisper voice throughout, not even treading into the further echelons of her voice. Audiences will probably cite this and the overall vibe of the song to current minimalist R&B influencers like Tinashe, The Weeknd, and FKA twigs, lest we forget Mariah has tackled the sound time and time again throughout her career. (Speaking of underrated, let’s talk about Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel shall we?”)
“GTFO” isn’t the lead single anyone would expect from a Mimi album, nor is it the most exciting release, but it proves that she can time and time again still produce incredible music. Mariah’s artistry and involvement in her music has been overlooked for almost three decades, but with each release she continues to prove to those who care that her bar has never been lowered.
Now get the fuck out there and stream “GTFO.”
*Edit* “GTFO” is a first helping from Mariah’s upcoming untitled 15th album, due out later this year. The first official single, “With You,” is slated for release October 5.
20-year old global music star Shawn Mendes stars in the 2018 Young Hollywood issue of Variety, photographed by the legendary Peggy Sirota.
Mendes talks of a possible future in acting, collaborating with John Mayer and why he’s using his platform to support mental health and gun control. Check out the behind-the-scenes video below as well as these GIFs!
We wanna try some right now: Poison Paradise is officially hopping on the hallyu thanks to staff writer Mikey Xi.
Let’s get the nitty gritty out of the way.
LOONA (stylized as LOOΠΔ), of Blockberry Creative, is probably the greatest and most innovative group to happen to K-Pop and perhaps pop music in at least the past few years. With a unique rollout process, each of the 12 members were revealed previously with their own single, music video, and b-side. Every 3-4 girls would debut as a sub-unit as well, each with their own unique style and sound.
Technically in less than two years LOONA released 19 singles and videos (filmed throughout 7+ different countries) with 12 mini albums, three albums and two re-releases, with five live show and promo cycles. Possibly the greatest feat of all? They’re good. From pure bubblegum pop, a tango-inflected orchestral ballad, Eurodance, and horn-driven throwbacks, the group has proven their versatility as a group and each girl as a solid solo contender.
Also, each music video has contributed a side of an intricate storyline that makes up the LOONAVERSE. What’s the story? We don’t even know ourselves. Fans have come up with many theories, some debunked, some still holding up. What we do know? Not a lot, but some of them have super powers like travelling through realms by eating cherries, the youngest is lost in the forest, the oldest is an android, a couple are gay as hell, and one loves bread.
Tired? They’re just barely getting started.
Say hello to HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul, YeoJin, ViVi, Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, Yves, Chuu, GoWon, and Olivia Hye. Get familiar while you can with each of their stellar solo debuts.
August 20th, 2018: “Hi High,” the highly anticipated debut single has dropped, nearly two years after first girl HeeJin was first revealed.
You’d be hard pressed to find a bubblegum track that carries the same bursting energy that “Hi High” does – and I challenge you to find anything this brilliant in Western pop today.
After such a wait, it’s hard not to feel giddy and proud of the fully realized unit, but objectively the song is a certified bop! Starting off with their signature spoken intro (“I know it’s been a long day, I haven’t seen you today / you’re somewhere, I’m sure”), “Hi High” brings together the 90s punchy pop sounds of LOONA 1/3’s “Love & Live,” the euphoric effervescence of LOONA / Odd Eye Circle’s “Girl Front” and the pure unbridled glee of LOONA / yyxy’s “Love4Eva” in a genre that Blockberry describes as “Hi Energy.” This has become the inspiration for the title of the mini album: [ + + ], (like [1/3 + Odd Eye Circle + yyxy]… get it?) Innovative queens.
For Orbits (their official fanbase name) who may have felt underwhelmed by “favOriTe” – which wasn’t the debut single, but a “lead” single, because Korea said fuck you – this is surely going to be a destiny fulfilled moment. Significantly more screen time for all your biases, a much more engaging video to further the LOONAVERSE story, and a towering chorus to satisfy any thirsty pop fan. ViVi still only has one line though, and I am calling for justice for our Hong Kongese princess. Production team Digipedi (SHINee, BoA, Seventeen) still consistently comes through with the visuals, the girls are quite literally racing to find each other and to snatch Twice’s wigs. Through highways and abandoned waterparks the girls of Odd Eye Circle collect each girl, joining together at a pink construction plant for one of their most engaging choreographies yet.
It’s not uncommon at all to find a K-pop girl group to go for the cutesy concept, especially early on in their careers, but you’d be hard pressed to find a bubblegum track that carries the same bursting energy that “Hi High” does – and I challenge you to find anything this brilliant in Western pop today. Quite possibly a favorite K-pop quality of mine is how groups don’t necessarily put sadness at the obvious forefront of the song. However, behind earworm woo-o-o-o-ahh’s, the shifting minor chords and melodies add a sense of underlying somberness to the bright track. “Love is even crueler than college exams,” they sing over sparkling synths, a glorious line encapsulating all the cheekiness, melancholy, and unashamed youthfulness that pop should be.
Pop stans love hyperbole and the ever rabid Orbits are certainly no exception. However, with just how strong and engaging the entire LOONA experience has been so far, it’s not hard to understand how the fanbase has grown to so fiercely stand behind their girls. K-pop has been really the industry consistently serving quality and consistently fresh material and after two years of nearly non-stop content, LOONA is still bringing fresh and unique moments to the table. Keep an eye on these girls, because it’s about to be moonrise kingdom up in this bitch.
