Spanish cuisine is undergoing a wave of innovation as chefs, inspired by new culinary technologies, create new sensations and textures that redefine or give a new take on the traditional Spanish dishes.

For those of you who are in touch with the British music scene and would have loved to watch the Brit Awards but can’t because both our terrestrial and cable TV doesn’t air it, fret not, we have the deets of the winners right here for you!

But before we proceed, let us recap with you the past highlights of the show.

Obvious big winners from the past are The Beatles, Oasis and Blur, who took home at least three awards. Amongst the long list of past winners are also our favourite indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. The Brits’ Critics’ Choice Awards have also led many artists (at that time new) to become big names, such as Adele and Florence and the Machine.

There have also been several notable moments at the Brits. In 1997, Liam Gallagher told the media that he “wasn’t going to the Brit Awards because if he bumped into the Spice Girls, he would smack them”. Spice Girls then went on to win the award for Best British Video that year, and Sporty Spice (Melanie C.) taunted Liam on stage by saying, “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough”. The awards show also saw Queen’s Freddie Mercury last appearance on stage before he passed away.

Notable moments of 2012? Well even if you haven’t watched the show you would have seen it trending on Twitter. Adele, in the midst of giving her heartfelt, genuine acceptance speech on stage (for about like what, 20 seconds?) got cut off by host James Corden to give way to Blur’s performance…which triggered a middle finger from Adele, which then triggered the world.

My thoughts? Don’t hate on James Corden – the poor guy was only doing his job! He did apologize, and it wasn’t his decision to cut Adele’s speech anyway. Don’t hate on Adele either, because she was giving a sincere speech on how she was happy to be back and how she’s proud to be British just to get cut off by the British show. Also, the middle finger was obviously to the producers of the show, not the audience or the fans. Get a grip ya’ll haters. And the Brit Awards? I know and fully agree that Blur truly is outstanding and deserved every minute on that stage but come on, Adele is one of the biggest stars in the world now and she’s British (what happened to the pride?)! You should have given her more time for her speech, she deserved that as well.

But after all’s said and done…we present to you the winners of the Brit Awards 2012!

BEST MALE SOLO ARTIST

Winner: Ed Sheeran
Nominees: James Blake, James Morrison, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Professor Green

British Female Solo Artist

Winner: Adele
Nominees: Florence & The Machine, Laura Marling, Jessie J and Kate Bush

British Breakthrough Act

Winner: Ed Sheeran
Nominees: Jessie J, The Vaccines, Anna Calvi, Emeli Sande

British Group

Winner: Coldplay
Nominees: Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Elbow, Chase & Status

British Single

Winner: One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful (Um what? They’re extremely gorge, I’d give them that, but best BRITISH single? Don’t think so)
Nominees: Adele’s Someone Like You, Ed Sheeran’s The A Team, Example’s Changed The Way You Kissed Me, Jessie J’s Price Tag, JLS’s She Makes Me Wanna, Military Wives’ Wherever You Are, Olly Murs’ Heart Skips A Beat, Pixie Lott’s All About Tonight and The Wanted’s Glad You Came.

MasterCard British Album of the Year

Winner: Adele, 21(Bravo!)
Nominees:  Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto, Ed Sheeran – +, Florence and The Machine – Ceremonials, PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

International Male Solo Artist 

Winner: Bruno Mars
Nominees: Aloe Blacc, David Guetta, Bon Iver, Ryan Adams

International Female Solo Artist

Winner: Rihanna
Nominees: Beyonce, Bjork, Feist, Lady Gaga

International Group

Winner: Foo Fighters
Nominees: Fleet Foxes, Lady Antebellum, Kanye West/Jay Z, Maroon 5

International Breakthrough Act

Winner: Lana Del Rey (if Foster the People didn’t win, she should)
Nominees: Foster the People, Aloe Blacc, Bon Iver, Nicki Minaj

Outstanding Contribution To Music

Winner: Blur (bravo!)

Critics’ Choice

1st – Emeli Sande
2nd – Maverick Sabre
3rd - Michael Kiwanuka

British Producer

Winner: Ethan Johns
Nominees: Paul Epworth, Flood

….there you have it, the Brit Awards 2012!

I have to say that the results (for some) just further prove that the voting system is flawed and we should leave the voting to the people on the management or music critics who know better. I mean come on, One Direction for Best British Single?! Also, it would be hard to not notice that Lady Gaga has not been going home with any awards this year…are we seeing her inevitable demise earlier than expected? But it was ultimately a good show and stellar performances were put up by Rihanna, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Adele and of course Blur (who performed live with Phil Daniels, reminding us again of why we even fell in love with the band in the first place).

On a side note, awards shows always need to have their moments, otherwise how would it be entertaining?

Till the next year’s show!

Image credits: BRIT Awards 2012

The award season is finally in full run! With the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards (SAG), The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), The Grammys ending their run, it is time for the big sister of all award shows to come forward to ascertain the winners of the film industry for 2011.

Taking place this Sunday, 26 February (US time) in Los Angeles, this year’s Academy Awards are set to be one of the most anticipated awards show because the nominees in all 10 main categories seem to cover a diverse range from comedy to even a silent film.

It is extremely unfortunate that Singapore has not seen half of the nominated films in our theatres yet. Granted that the promoters are suddenly riding the Oscar fever and releasing films all through the past two weeks to audience. Still, compared to romantic comedies and action flicks (like the rather mundane Ghost Rider, seriously?), have we reached such a stage that we would rather watch a film that tickles with lame jokes rather than one that sets us thinking? Well, that is another argument for another day.

As expected, Martin Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ and Michel Hazanavicius’s ‘The Artist’ led the nominations with 11 and 10 mentions, respectively. They were both nominated for best picture, alongside ‘The Descendants,’ ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,’ “The Help,’ “Midnight in Paris,” “Moneyball,” “The Tree of Life” and “War Horse.”

“The Artist” certainly seems like the film to beat at this point, and in general most categories seem pretty sewn up. But can it keep up the momentum all the way till Oscars night?

We point out some of our favourites and predictions of that might turn each award into a headline-grabbing TV moment.

Best Picture: The Artist, The Descendents, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Help, Midnight in Paris, Hugo, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War House

There are nine films vying for the biggest prize that the Academy Awards can offer in 2012, and it’s surely between ‘The Artist’ and ‘The Descendants’ to take home the gold. It is hard to predict where the award will swing to. Will the Oscars go for a celebration of old Hollywood in the form of ‘The Artist’? Or will they take into account of the origin instead go for the homegrown ‘The Descendants’, a tale of life lessons and emotional journeys and parenting. We think ‘The Artist’ because of the simplicity of the little film has to offer, so much said was left unsaid.

Best Actor: Demián Bichir for ‘A Better Life’; George Clooney for ‘The Descendants’; Jean Dujardin for ‘The Artist’; Gary Oldman for ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’; Brad Pitt for ‘Moneyball’

We vote for George Clooney. He has been a favourite of the Academy, having been nominated multiple times and won just once for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Syriana’. His performance in Alexander Payne’s moving drama sees him play a family man, which could potentially swing Oscar voters. Gary Oldman should probably win after finally being nominated after so many years, but Clooney winning seems more probable.

Best Actress: Glenn Close for ‘Albert Nobbs’; Viola Davis for ‘The Help’; Rooney Mara for ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’; Meryl Streep for ‘The Iron Lady’; Michelle Williams for ‘My Week with Marilyn’

In any other year Michelle Williams could have fancied her chances with her turn as Marilyn Monroe, as could Viola Davis for the Academy-friendly ‘The Help’. But this year, the inclusion of this shoo-in queen would ruin their chances. Even the most casual cinemagoer will know that Meryl Streep is a cast-iron favourite for Best Actress – after decades without an Oscar and a stunning performance, it’s surely Streep’s turn to bag the trophy once more.

Best Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh for ‘My Week with Marilyn’; Jonah Hill for ‘Moneyball’; Nick Nolte for ‘Warrior’; Christopher Plummer for ‘Beginners’; Max von Sydow for ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’

Christopher Plummer has long been fancied as the winner in this category, and much deserved too for his spectacular role in ‘Beginners’. However Max von Sydow could easily swing the votes of the Academy to honour another experienced screen veteran of the same age (82). The result should be rather interesting.

Best Supporting Actress: Bérénice Bejo for ‘The Artist’; Jessica Chastain for ‘The Help’; Melissa McCarthy for ‘Bridesmaids’; Janet McTeer for ‘Albert Nobbs’; Octavia Spencer for ‘The Help’

Jessica Chastain has had a fantastic year for her run of exceptional performances and it is no surprise of her nomination.This time, she will be fighting it out with co-star Octavia Spencer for their enjoyable turns in ‘The Help’. With her revenge-by-shit-pie triumph, Spencer’s role of racial injustice conquered through you-go-girl tenacity have a high chance of sweeping in for the win. As much as we would love to see Melissa McCarthy win, we all know that that isn’t gonna happen.

Best Director: Woody Allen for ‘Midnight in Paris’; Michel Hazanavicius for ‘The Artist’; Terrence Malick for ‘The Tree of Life’; Alexander Payne for ‘The Descendants’; Martin Scorsese for ‘Hugo’

It will be no surprise who will win this. Michel Hazanavicius, for his interpretation and his ability express so much in this silent film will convince the judges. In addition, usually the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars would sing the same tune.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay):  ‘The Artist’, ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Margin Call’, ‘Midnight in Paris’, ‘A Separation’

It is indeed a relief to see a slew of good films being nominated this year. We kid not, we believe that ‘Bridesmaids’ should be nominated because of the ability to make us laugh till we cry. However, the award will almost certainly go to either silent film ‘The Artist’ or, if the voters decide there aren’t enough words in it, Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’.

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): ‘The Descendants’, ‘Hugo’, ‘The Ides of March’, ‘Moneyball’, ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’

This year’s nominations feature an interesting and unpredictable list, with nominations for ‘The Ides of March’ and Brit hope ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ (pictured) beating out Best Picture nominees ‘War Horse’ and ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’. However, you can expect Alexander Payne’s Hawaiian weepie ‘The Descendants’ to steal the win.

So there you go, do you feel the same way about the films? We left out Best Foreign Film and Best Animated Film simply because we did not have the chance to even be able to catch the trailer of the films. So it is probably just that we did not pick our predictions. It is no surprise who will steal the bulk of the golden statues but you never know, the Academy Awards have always had something up their sleeves.

Image Credits: Associated Press

If the title above isn’t clear enough, here’s what going down (or coming to our sunny shores) 28th April 2011. American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold (A7X for short) will be back in Singapore to play a one night only concert at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa. The made their debut performance in Singapore at the inaugural Singfest 2007. It was followed by a full-fledged concert in 2008.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, the band currently consist of M.Shadows (vocalist), Synyster Gates (lead guitarist), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitarist), and Johnny Christ (bassist). Their former drummer James Sullivan, fondly known as The Rev was found dead in his home late in December 2009. R.I.P, James.

Arin Ilejay, drummer of the now defunct band Confide will be A7X’s touring drummer.

The band has admitted in a couple of interviews that they considered disbanding A7X after the death of the beloved The Rev. However thankfully they did not make that choice and in 2010, they released their fifth studio albums, Nightmare, which earned the band its highest-ever debut on the Billboard album chart when it bowed at No. 1 and topped the Rock, Hard Rock, and Digital charts.

“We are excited to go back to the Far and Middle East,” said M.Shadows, frontman of A7X. “We played to some of the most amazing crowds when we toured there, and we can’t wait to bring our live show back to our friends in those regions.”

We are also excited that A7X will be back! The testosterone filled stage is bound to bring out the rocker in everyone and concert-goers, be sure to look out for Synyster Gate’s slick guitar solos. Tickets are already on sale at SISTIC and be sure to grab hold of the Early Bird ticket sales before it ends on 9th March!

Avenged Sevenfold Live in Singapore
Date: 28th April 2012, Saturday, 8pm
Venue: The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa (Entrance: L1 Forum, Beside Hard Rock Café)
Tickets: Early Bird at S$95 (17th Feb till 9th March) Standard at S$107 (from 10th March) Door Sales at S$123 (28th April)

At prices above exclude booking fee(s)

Image credits: Associated Press

Be addicted.

I’m sure everyone has seen the Dior Addict Be Iconic advertisements starring the ever-famous, recently married model Kate Moss. You know, the one where she gets chauffeured in a vintage Bentley and glams up in that Dior couture-filled hotel suite? Well, come April this year, Dior will launch the new Dior Addict Extreme range in Singapore and the face of the collection is also none other than Kate Moss herself. The range showcases 12 vibrantly rich lip colours, housed in a classy black case. For the manicure- and pedicure-obsessed, there are also nail polishes to charm you with. Play matchy matchy with your lips and nails to show the world the bold, adventurous, and I daresay impulsive inner you.

The collection is based on four different style extracts: Incognito, Lucky, Riviera and Plaza.

Incognito - Chic and discreet.

Incognito - Effortless sophistication.

Lucky - Kate's favourite of a bold, dazzling pink.

Lucky - Be the daring style icon that you are.

Riviera - Cruise elegance.

Riviera - Exuberant corals of the sunset.

Plaza - Depth and intensity.

Plaza - The glamorous diva beckons.

Judging from the photos alone, Riviera seems to pull at my heart strings the most. Oh that bright, electrifying coral! It’s my Colour of the Moment. It’s going to be so hard to resist! The Dior Addict Extreme Lipsticks will each retail at S$45, while the Dior Addict Extreme Vernis will each retail at S$37. The collection will be available from 1st April 2012 onwards.

On 9gag.com recently, I saw a comic featuring Alyson Hannigan through her acting career, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to American Pie 1 and 2, and of course, How I Met Your Mother. And oh my word, that woman really never ages (“ALYSON HANNIGAN – Y U NO GET OLD??”). She was as gorgeous back then in 1997 as she is today in 2012 – and that is a whopping 15 years. Today, however, we have something that tops the lovely Mrs. Denisof  in the anti-ageing department, take a look at this baby below:

40 years, and still looking good! The Nike Cortez has come a long way since its creation in the mid-sixties by Bill Bowerman, the 1972 U.S Running Coach. Designed to be a supreme training shoe for long distance runners, the Cortez combines a thick, long-wearing outer sole with a full-length sponge and mid-sole cushion to absorb those nasty road shocks, reduce leg fatigue, and simultaneously, to elevate the heel, reducing Achilles tendon strains. The first of its kind, it paved the way for lighter, waterproof running shoes for generations to come.

 THE CORTEZ OG, LEATHER

With a simple aesthetic and wearability, the Cortez has been titled the most “democratic” sneaker Nike Sportswear has to offer. With a sleek shape, rubber rounded toes, low profile EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning and impact protection, the Cortez is all about performance. But who’s to say you can’t kick ass and still look your best? A distinctive leather heel tab coupled with premium leather offers durability, and acts as the perfect backdrop for Nike’s esteemed Swoosh.

THE LADY CORTEZ, NYLON

With a deconstructed upper that gives the shoe a more feminine and sleek look, the Lady Cortez in nylon comes in a wide myriad of colours. The nylon upper also offers a comfortable and lightweight fit with lush suede overlays for enhanced durability, while the leather upper lends a premium feel. Solid rubber outsoles in a herringbone pattern deliver premium traction while you’re burning rubber (soles), so there’s no need to worry when you’re out on the tracks – style and performance comes together in one classy package with the Lady Cortez.

 THE CORTEZ CLASSIC, NYLON

 Without losing the shoe’s original integrity, the Cortez Classic has been re-engineered for improved comfort. Available in either a premium, durable, reinforced full grain leather, or a breathable, waterproof, 3-layer lightweight nylon upper, the Cortez Classic offers flexible comfort with exceptional durability – without losing that old-school, classic charm. Step into a pair of these babies and you can feel what the star runners of the 1970s felt.

Check out the range of Cortez shoes, and Nike’s SPRING 2012 Men’s and Women’s collections, out at Nike stores islandwide.

Fancy going to a dress up party that doesn’t only allow you to dress up like a scary ghost?

After bringing the ultra talented DJ Doze to Ku De Ta last Saturday, Ku De Ta is now back again to give all you party-goers another treat. Their Radio Star Party series is back and this time it’s a Feather Party!

If you aren’t already familiar with the series, here’s what it’s about: It’s a series of glamorous themed parties and you are required to dress according to the theme, which varies from party to party. This Saturday would see Ku De Ta as a fantasy of feathers as they enthrall you in both decorations, costumes and not to mention, music.

DJ Suren will grace the event, bringing to life the Top 40 hits off the radio. He’s definitely a common household name among frequent clubbers, having spun for various clubs around Singapore and earning quite the reputation for himself.

Sounds like a good plan to make for yourself on a Saturday night! Ku De Ta is located at the Sky Park in Marina Bay Sands and is one of the hottest clubs to seen around. Party the night away against the beautiful backdrop of Singapore’s skyline. Partying can never get any classier than in Ku De Ta.

You’d be pleased to know that we’re giving out 2 pair of tickets again! All you have to do is retweet our tweet for the contest (we’ll mention in the tweet if it’s for the contest) just like our previous giveaway! The contest will end at 23 February at midnight.

*Please note that is a 18 and above only event.

Just a while back, we had been flooded by American television and cooking that taught us that burgers should be our staple. Now, every other restaurant seems to have introduced some kind of brunch menu that offers variations of the same dishes. So when we came upon Roadhouse, our suspicions came up, what can this rustic-looking restaurant offer?

We could not be more wrong because just a step into this homely sun-lit restaurant, a certain authenticity stamped on our hesitation. Taking over the space that Cafe Hacienda used to dwell, Roadhouse introduces our all-time favourite diner food so often seen on American network television programmes that whetted our appetites. In a rustic yet contemporary setting, Roadhouse serves up mouthwatering dishes that is strong in character and flavour. So with their introduction of a new menu, we could not be more excited to try.

We are all familiar with Pigs in a Blanket, but have you heard of Shrimps in a Blanket? Roadhouse included this eclectic creation in their new menu and it is a definite must-try. Here, jumbo ships are wrapped in a sweet and salty maple roasted bacon and roasted. The shrimp,when paired with the sticky caramelized sauce, heightened the freshness of the seafood that contrasted delightfully with the crunchy bacon. And if you found the pairing a tad rich, a roasted tomato and jalapeno salsa provided the necessary zest.

The Cajun Chicken Salad was the perfect warm salad to have a balmy afternoon. Tender Cajun chicken chunks, still warm from the grill provided the richness to crisp selection of rocket tomatoes. Tossed in a sweet homemade honey-mustard dressing, the salad was peppered with crunchy cashews that provided texture and surprise in every bite.

Already a crowd-pleaser, Roadhouse offers an extensive selection of burgers and sandwiches that are made on their in-house Josper grill. When we first heard of their use of the Josper grill, our ears perked up immediately! What is it, you may ask? The Josper (pronounces Hosper) is the latest in-thing with famous chefs around the world. With its mechanics of combining an oven and a charcoal grill, it cooks your meat in half the time with the thick walls keeping the heat in. As a result, your meats would be cooked perfectly despite using half the time intended.

Naturally, we had to select a burger to sample the effectiveness of this grill! The Simply Brie-vine Burger offered an interesting play of ingredients with the usage of grilled poached pear and brie cheese on a wagyu patty. The sweetness of the fruit played up the sharp salty flavour cheese that melted under the heat of toasted bun. Together with the wagyu patty that had that wonderfully charred flavour and tender beefiness on the inside, there was a full 15 minute pause in the lunch conversation. No doubt because of the grill, the juices stayed sealed in the patty and the fats were cooked until it melted with the slightest pressure. I think we have run out of adjectives for ‘delicious’.

For vegetarians, Roadhouse also has a varied offering. The Mushroom Melt Quesadilla had our vote. Underneath a crispy shell, we found an abundant medley of buttered mushrooms and sweet caramelized onions hidden. But what captured our tastebuds was the clever use of Monterey Jack cheese. The sharp melted cheese provided much flavour to provide a richness to the vegetables and creamy guacamole. Not many renditions of the quesadilla uses Monterey Jack cheese and we appreciate Roadhouse for going the extra mile to use it to heighten the flavour.

Being part of the Prive Group, Roadhouse had a certain expectation when it came to desserts. Pastry Chef Esther Cheng did fantastic job in establishing a dessert menu that was both simple and extensive at the same time. From the classic Peach Melba sundae to a delicate S’more Ice Cream Cake, you would be able to find something you would be willing to save that extra stomach space for.

But uncharacteristically, we found ourselves choosing the Esther’s Lemon Meringue Pie. The last time we had a lemon tart, we had been sorely disappointed with the starchy or overly sweet curd. Roadhouse diminishes all the worry with their version. Nestled in crunchy crust, the smooth and creamy lemon curd was both tart and luscious in texture. Having a crisp crust shows that the lemon tart was made to order and not left in a chiller till ordered, we approve.

Instead of a marshmallowy meringue characteristic of a lemon dessert, Roadhouse offered a variation in texture with tubes of crisp meringue, garnished with sugared lemon zests. Unusual but the combination worked and is memorable. Even little touches like a lemon syrup showed their attention to details. One of the best lemon tarts we have had!

So regardless on whether you need lunch or that time out, Roadhouse offers an escape to reality with comfort and decadent food. Tucked into a quiet corner at Dempsey, you might find yourself in a food coma and losing hours of time just enjoying good food at reasonable prices. Oh and did we mention that the only burger patties they offer are wagyu? Well, who are we to deny our stomachs?

Thank you Roadhouse, for reminding us that we should no longer feed ourselves with anything but good nosh.

Roadhouse
Block 13 Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6476 2922 | Website 
Mon–Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm, Sat–Sun: 9.00am – 4.00pm/ 6.30pm to 10.00pm

Image Credits: Guo Wei, Ho

Heartbreak. You can break it down to stamp on its minscule pieces and leave your foot bleeding or you can pick it up and make something beautiful out of it.

Singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson has done the latter with her fifth studio release, Human Again. She has taken her heartbreak and nurtured it into something that promises a story that is poignant and deep-seated. Channeling the angst and vulnerability of its predecessors like Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill or Kelly Clarkson’s My December, ‘Human Again’ is a raw and brutal portrait of the end of a relationship and the tide that comes after the storm.

And while the record is a natural next stop following her last release (2009’s Everybody), ‘Human Again’ will come as a surprise to those who expect another near-acoustic compilation of cutesy love songs and occasional Grey’s Anatomy-ready self-deprecating ballads.

Many would agree that “Human Again” isn’t Ingrid’s typical sound, but many are also embracing how she is trying something new with her music and exploring other sounds. We approve.

Part of Michaelson’s charm comes her intense focus on the small details of the immediate situation (“What if there’s always cups in the sink? What if I’m not what you think?”). She’s let go of some of that here. It reaches outside, beyond the domestic closeness of albums past.

Of all her albums, Human Again sounds as if it’s had the most hands on it, spackling on layers of string accompaniment and other production frosting. Some of her trademark intimacy gets lost underneath these at times seam-bursting additions. But the lush production gives other songs on the album a polished feel. On “Blood Brothers” especially, the arc of orchestral muscle swoops down and propels the melody skyward.

But as in any tale of major heartbreak, for every moment of strength, there will come a moment of weakness. A moment where despite your better judgments, you give into your masochistic instincts and find yourself paralyzed by the after-effects of sleeping in the bed you once shared with someone you love. And on Human Again, these moments are abound.

An example is ‘I’m Through,’ a gut-wrenching ballad that tells the story of Ingrid’s inability to let go of her ex. In the song, she’s dating someone new. They laugh together and have a seemingly good time, but, simply put, “he holds the door and holds my hand but doesn’t feel like you.” Never one to shy away from exposing her innermost emotions in her lyrics, Ingrid has written a song that flawlessly illustrates the pain that comes with trying to force yourself to move on before you’re ready to.

Debuting at the top of the iTunes charts, ‘Human Again’ is a true testament to Ingrid’s artistry. It is a rare record in that it marks a major evolution for an already established musician while both preserving and amplifying the authenticity of her previous releases.

More often that not, it is an album that is honest from start to finish. But be warned, if you recently experienced a bad breakup, you might want to keep your friends close.

Fever Avenue’s Picks: Blood Brothers, Always You, Ghost, Palm of Your Hand

Going back to its Japanese roots for its next collaboration, Uniqlo will be collaborating with Jun Takahashi and his cult label, Undercover. With a full lineup of clothing for men, women, children and even babies, the UU collection centers around a family-centric theme. The men’s line matches gentle colours with darker tones, while the women’s line is based on a palette of colours and patterns drawn from Takahashi’s label.

Truly a family affair, Takahashi designed the children’s and babies’ line with his wife and partner, Rico. Being parents of two, the couple sought to produce a playful combination of colours, prints and details, seeking to push the collection far beyond the conventional realm of children’s clothing. Parents can now have fun playing dress-up with their children and have matching outfits too.

Here are some of our favourites from the collaboration:

UU Men

UU Men

UU Women

UU Women

UU Children

UU Children

UU Children

The UU collection will be available in stores on March 16. View the complete collection here.

About Jun Takahashi:
Acclaimed Japanese designer Jun Takahashi established the Undercover label with a friend in 1990, when he was a student at Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo. After Undercover’s celebrated Tokyo Collection debut in 1994, the brand shifted to the global stage with a highly acclaimed appearance at Paris Fashion Week in 2002. In the international fashion world, Takahashi is known for inventively blending a distinctively punk-inspired aesthetic and elements of modern street fashion to produce uniquely high-end styles.