Hype’s Exclusive: Afrojack Set To Take Over Malaysia At Thirst 2013

Afrojack is set to take over Malaysia this December!

Making his way back to Malaysia, Dutch DJ, Afrojack made a name for himself in 2011 when his hit Take Over Control featuring Eve Simons became an overnight worldwide club and chart hit which went platinum in America. The DJ and producer who is also a songwriter has collaborated with the likes of David Guetta, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Beyonce and many more more. Now a Grammy Awards winner, Afrojack is set to grace Malaysia with his presence once again this December 14th, 2013 (Saturday) at Thirst 2013.

Afrojack gives Hype.My everything we want to know in this exclusive interview. Check it!

You’ve graced Malaysia with your presence before. What are you most excited about coming back for Thirst this December?

It’s just great to be back in Malaysia again! Last time I was there it was really great so I hope the next time will be even better! I love the Malaysian fans!

The country itself, great atmosphere and all of the great fans which came to my show last time! Thanks again! Let’s try to make it even better next time!

How long will you be staying in Malaysia this time round?

Probably just one day. It’s too bad, but I have to go back home after the gig.

Any hints as to where fans can spot you when you’re in town?

Haha! I have no idea, not yet at least. I will only be in Malaysia for a short period of time so I will probably go around town to eat something. So if anybody has some tips? Let me know!

Tell us about how Afroki came about and when can we expect a full on collaboration with Steve Aoki?

Well, it all started years ago when we just wanted to do something together. We made a track and then we started to crash each others gigs off and on, and then Afroki came along. I hope we can make another good track again together in the nearby future, you’ll never know!

How does it feel to play for an Asian crowd as compared to an European or an American crowd?

It’s different. In one way they are the same: happy and jumping all the time but in the other way, it feels like the Asian crowd loves the music more and are enjoying the tracks more individually. I always love coming back to Asia, I want to do it more often.

How did the March of the Afrojack documentary come about?

I really wanted to show people everything I do when I’m touring and show them that everything is possible to achieve your dream.

How do you feel about Hardwell being number 1?

I’m really happy for him. He did a lot of good things last year. Everybody loves him so he deserves it.

What are your predictions for music in Malaysia – do you foresee Asia being a bigger stage for the scene in the future, overtaking America and Europe?

Well, I don’t know if they will be bigger than America and Europe but I’m sure that they will be bigger than they are now. There are a lot of different big festivals and clubs coming up so I can’t wait for the future.

How did it feel like to have one of your tracks, “Take Over Control” become a hit that came out of the clubs and hit radio stations worldwide?

That was great of course! Everywhere I was and went I heard the track and that’s really great. Eva and I were really happy that it became a worldwide hit really fast.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about music?

You were asked to remix the king of pop, Michael Jackson’s hit song Bad. What was it like creating a new version of such a brilliant masterpiece – was it a challenge to turn it into your own?

Of course! It’s great to hear that you are allowed to make a remix of a Michael Jackson track. But still, I was under so much pressure. Remixing an old, really good track is hard. You don’t want to ‘’destroy’’ the song.

How did it feel to open for David Guetta and how has that influenced your career?

A lot. He was and still is a great mentor for me. He helped me a lot at the start of my career and I basically owe my career to him. I really appreciate all his help!

What can fans look forward to when you come down this December?

A big show and I will make sure this show will be one that the people will remember!

Thank you so much Afrojack for taking the time to answer our questions! We look forward to seeing you in December.

Thank you too! Can’t wait to see you guys in December! Cheers!

Afrojack will be joining David Guetta, Nervo, W&W, Example and many this Saturday, December 14th, 2013 at the Sepang International Circuit for Heinekn Thirst 2013.

For those interested, information on the event can be found here:

Pre-Sale: RM148 (Available October 14th, 2013 onwards)

VIP: RM248 (Available October 14th, 2013 onwards)

For those interested, tickets are available at all Rock Corner outlets and on Boxtix Asia. For more information please visit the official website or Facebook page.

Here’s The Spark by Afrojack feat. Spree Wilson. Enjoy!

You might also like:

Heineken Thirst 2013: Second Lineup Revealed

Heineken Thirst 2013: Third & Final Official Lineup Revealed

Hype’s Exclusive: Nervo All Set For Thirst 2013

Hype’s Exclusive: W&W Invades Thirst 2013

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Goodbye, MSN Messenger

14 years after it was first brought to life, the glory days of Microsoft’s instant messaging service, MSN Messenger is finally over. The tech giant announced that the chat platform will be terminated around the world except China.

In its most successful period, MSN Messenger which was later renamed to Windows Live Messenger, had about 300 million active users worldwide. It was the service that gained a lot of users from ICQ but soon faced competition with more “mobile” messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and LINE stormed into the market. Facebook Message also had their share of the pie when it was implemented.

Although the days of MSN Messenger were clearly over, Microsoft hasn’t given up on investing in a communication channel for its loyal fans. In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for a whopping total of USD8.5 billion. MSN Messenger users can now access Skype with the same user ID.

In the past year, Skype was put through a major overhaul and it has gotten better, with a lot more to offer because it’s more than just instant messaging service alone. For instance, it supports conference calls up to 25 people at a time, plus a video chat function that includes screen sharing. Plus, the new Windows 8 app is showing a lot of potential so we’re not surprised if it easily replaces MSN Messenger with merely a swipe.


Malaysians Go Bonkers Over MATTA Fair

MATTA (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents) once again present the MATTA Fair. For the second time around this year, the #1 Consumer Travel Fair (also the biggest) in Malaysia is back with the best travel deals!

Held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend (yes, only this weekend), the MATTA Fair has four large halls of booths and exhibitors. Exhibitors of the Fair consists of tour operators, travel agencies, national tourism organizations, state tourism organizations, airlines, cruises, hotels & resorts, and other traveled related products and service providers.

We’re talking over 1,000 booths in total.

Now, it’s quite a journey to explore all PWTC halls in search of your “best buy” dream holiday, but it’s worth it. With offerings of super cheap packages (from as low as RM4,000 to Europe, RM1,200 to Korea, RM528 to Hong Kong), new and repackaged travel deals with bursting itineraries, cruise choices, promotional year end holiday flights’ prices, and even tours that can be tailored to the traveler’s budget and interest, exhibitors are ready to attend to each customer as an individual.

What’s that you say? International trips are too expensive? Well then, AirAsia and our local tour agencies will also be present at PWTC all weekend to offer you the lowest fares and best deals for domestic travels.

There’s also the MATTA Fair Buyers’ Contest which features a “Main Draw” – a Grand Prize of RM20,000 worth of travel vouchers from MATTA. How to be in the running to win it? Easy. All you gotta do is spend a minimum of RM500 for any travel and holiday packages. For the “Domestic Draw”, the Grand Prize is RM5,000 worth of travel vouchers. To have a shot at winning that, you would need to spend as little as RM200 on domestic packages.

MATTA expects thousands of Malaysians to flock to PWTC over these two days to check out the fair. We’ve already gotten first dibs yesterday – as early as 10am. The influx of holiday goers who flocked in between 10am to noon was insane!

People were practically racing to snag early bird prices, check out the best deals first before anyone else (some are first come first serve basis and are limited), and also to catch the stage performances in Hall 1M (international traditional drum performances and cultural dances).

Want to make your holiday dreams come true and have fun all at the same time? Deets are as follows:

Venue: Putra World Trade Centre, 41, Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

Note: For easy parking, park at Sunway Putra Mall (previously known as The Mall) right across the road from PWTC.

For more pictures from the first day of MATTA Fair, click!

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#ASOT2015: Armin van Buuren Announces The Return Of “Rising Star” + New Album

Coming off of a year that saw Armin van Buuren receive a GRAMMY nomination and several platinum awards for “This Is What It Feels Like”, a world tour that reached over 500,000 visitors across 5 continents, and a slew of other prestigious awards — what could be next for the man fuelled by an undying passion for trance, Armin van Buuren?

Never one to rest on his laurels, Armin has constantly sought to expand and build upon the genre he helped define, opening up new worlds for not only himself, but also for his fellow performers and of course, audiences around the world. A quick glance at recent tour photos reveals the new scale of the A State of Trance experience, especially when compared to the humble beginnings of it all so many years ago.

As such, the twelfth instalment in the series, “A State of Trance 2015” marks the start of life on a bigger stage.

With a brand new collaboration with Mark Sixma entitled “Panta Rhei” and a selection of Armin’s personal favourites, the excitement for 2015 has only just begun. In addition to an exclusive Gareth Emery remix of Cosmic Gate, the album also has a whopping 26 exclusive and unreleased tracks, including never-before-heard songs from Armada Music artistes Protoculture, Alexander Popov, Orjan Nilsen, two new Gaia songs, and the fan-anticipated Armin van Buuren presents Rising Star featuring Betsie Larkin, titled, “Safe Inside You”.

Note: One of many Armin van Buuren aliases, Rising Star dates all the way back to 1999 when Armin launched his label Armind Recordings. Under that moniker, he released a track called “Touch Me” in that same year. Rising Star encapsulates a trance sound from an older era circa late 90s – early 200s.

Armin will once again seamlessly mix his top picks into a continuous journey, taking listeners new and old with him for a wild experience. The first set is titled “On the Beach”, and the second is called “In the Club”, representing the two sides of the coin of a perfect musical experience. It’s this diversity that has led the compilation to be once again nominated for an IDMA in 2015, after having won the award in 2014 and having either won or been nominated every year since 2005.

Once you get to the top, the only way forward is to dare to dream even higher.

Cosmic Gate & Emma Hewitt – Going Home (Gareth Emery Remix) [Armin van Buuren’s Intro Mix]
Protoculture – Pegasus
Dawn – The Truth We Can’t Escape
Adam Szabo & Willem De Roo – Looking Back
Orjan Nilsen – The Edge
DRYM – Calipso
Denis Kenzo & Sarah Lynn – Ashes
Fabio XB & Liuck feat. Christina Novelli – Step Into The Light
Ruben de Ronde feat. Victoria Ray – Dreams Come True (DRYM Remix)
ilan Bluestone – Tesseract
Moiez & Alina Renae with Mike Shiver & Rapha – What I Need (Ronski Speed Remix)
Mino Safy – When The Sun Smiles
Eximinds & Yan Space – Atlas
Venom One & Tomas Heredia – Moments
Canberra & Astrid Suryanto – UP (Mike Saint-Jules Remix)
Timmus – Still Alive
Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat Natalie Gioia – 4Ever (Dub Mix)
Simon Patterson feat. Matt Adey – Time Stood Still

Armin van Buuren – Together (In A State of Trance) (Intro Mix)
Talemono – Overload
Alexander Popov – Multiverse
Andrew Rayel – Find Your Harmony (Driftmoon Stellar Mix)
Craig Connelly & Dan Thompson – Welcome To Earth
Faruk Sabanci – Albino
Fisherman & Hawkins and Gal Abutbul – United
Armin van Buuren & Mark Sixma – Panta Rhei
Eximinds & Vigel – Handprint
Arisen Flame & Driftmoon – Live Your Dream
Gaia – Carnation
Jorn van Deynhoven – Freaks (Festival Mix)
Gaia – In Principio
Gai Barone – Mr. Slade (Solarstone Pure Mix)
Standerwick & Philippe El Sisi feat. Ana Criado – Magic Light
Armin van Buuren presents Rising Star feat. Betsie Larkin – Safe Inside You
Allen Watts – Gravity
Dan Stone – Proteus
Aly & Fila feat. Roxanne Emery – Shine (Club Mix)

For more information, visit Armin van Buuren’s Facebook page.


Musical Review: “The Sound Of Music” At Istana Budaya Is Defo One Of Our Favourite Things!

Istana Budaya has opened its doors for the public to witness one of the most beloved musicals of all time, live on stage – “The Sound Of Music”! Those who are familiar with the 1960s movie starring the legendary Julie Andrews have been dying to see the iconic musical on the Malaysian stage.

Among the many things local fans have been looking forward to is the Malaysian talents playing the roles of the famous Von Trapp children! We had the opportunity to attend the Gala Opening Night Premiere of the show – and smiles were seen on everyone’s faces as soon as they walked through the doors of Istana Budaya. We can confidently say that the hills were definitely alive – and so were our hearts. Here are some of our “Favourite Things” about the show (SPOILER ALERT):

“The Sound Of Music” is a tuneful, heartwarming story that’s actually based on the real-life saga of the Von Trapp Family singers, in the years immediately preceding World War II. We follow the main character, Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey, who becomes a governess in the Von Trapp home, and brings love, life, and music back into their lives.

The new play production by Base Entertainment Asia certainly brings back so many childhood memories! Those who are only familiar with the movie and not the stage production will be treated to not only new arrangements of the songs, but their new placements in the play. We were delighted to see the silly yet lovable side of Mother Abbess (Lauren Kidwell) when she sang “My Favourite Things” with Maria (Jill-Christine Wiley) in the first Act, which did not happen in the movie.

After playing the role several hundred times, it was definitely no surprise to see Jill-Christine Wiley doing an excellent job as Maria. Fans of the musical are treated to the iconic “Do Re Mi” song when we are first introduced to the Von Trapp children, played by the local talents – with the exception of Liesl Von Trapp, portrayed by Lauren O’Brien. The children brought smiles to not only their parents, but everyone in the audience. The sense of love and pride in seeing our local talents on an international stage alongside professional Broadway actors was immeasurable.

Nostalgia filled our hearts after seeing the characters sing favourites such as “Sixteen Going On Seventeen”, “So Long, Farewell” and “The Lonely Goatherd”. Those who may not be familiar with the stage musical have the chance to hear songs that didn’t make it into the movie, such as “How Can Love Survive?” – a group performance by Max Detweiller, Elsa Schraeder, and Captain Von Trapp. One of the highlights of the show was “Climb Every Mountain”, performed by Mother Abbess (Lauren Kidwell) who blew the audience away with her powerful soprano voice. The perfect song to end the first Act before intermission.

Now let’s talk about the stage. The sets on stage are not only beautifully built, but conveniently practical, as they can be easily moved by the cast themselves when transitioning to the next scene. The mountain backdrop used for the iconic title song at beginning of the first act is actually handpainted and cleverly lit, making the audience believe that it could just be a simple image projection. Costume designs are simply brilliant, as the actors can change into the next costume in the blink of an eye – which definitely makes it all the more magical.

As soon as the second Act ended, the audience gave the Broadway stars a standing ovation! Everyone was on their feet cheering for the cast and crew during the curtain call. Opening night was not only a celebration of the first staging of “The Sound of Music” in Malaysia, but also of Jill-Christine Wiley and Lauren Kidwell, as both of them reached a milestone of 500 performances!

Overall, the play was out of this world. Truly magnificent. It was evident that the production team, including the cast, “climbed every mountain” to make this staging a success – and we’ll hate to say “So long, farewell” once it ends.

“The Sound Of Music” will be staged at Istana Budaya until 15th January, so hurry up and grab your tickets now!

Check out what went down on Opening Night below and be sure to watch the cast interview here.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

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Interview: Dan Dossa On The Launch Of ‘shopDisney’ In Malaysia; RM1000 Voucher Up For Grabs

Good news, Disney enthusiasts! The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia has announced the launch of the Asia Pacific e-commerce destination ‘shopDisney’ in Malaysia. With their Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars merchandise, over 1,000 products will be available online for your perusal.

‘shopDisney’ introduces new ways for fans to get close with their beloved characters, inspire imaginations and create a magical connection with only a sprinkle of pixie dust. If you want to know more, you can read our interview with The Walt Disney Company’s Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Products Southeast Asia, India and MENA, Dan Dossa, on what fans can anticipate from this launch.

A post shared by shopDisney Malaysia (@shopdisneymy)

1. ‘shopDisney’ has arrived in Malaysia. What makes Malaysia an ideal place to launch the online store?

We have seen high affinity for Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars in Malaysia, as these stories continue to resonate across different backgrounds, cultures and generations. We believe the launch of ‘shopDisney’ in the region will delight long-time fans and indulgers in Malaysia. Disney is constantly creating new digital experiences to engage, entertain, educate and connect, and we do that by leveraging our complete digital ecosystem – creating experiences that resonate well, inspire imagination that can be enjoyed by fans, whether it is through the right content, services or products.

‘shopDisney’ is truly a fan-focused e-commerce platform and creates a wonderful opportunity for us to deepen the emotional connection fans have to our stories and characters, through innovative, best-in-class products from across the world, into the hands of our fans.

2. How long have you been working on ‘shopDisney’? Why do you think now is the time to launch the online store in Malaysia? Was the pandemic the pushing point of this project?

We are a leading entertainment company whose brands and franchises resonate with kids and families. We are always looking for ways to extend that magic and emotional connection into their daily lives through our products and experiences. With ‘shopDisney’, we aimed to meet consumers where they are and create a one-stop destination where families and fans can find quality Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars products for themselves and their loved ones.

3. How did the process in the making of ‘shopDisney’ for Malaysians go? Did you face any obstacles in the development?

We wanted to create a dedicated space that brings happiness by providing the best in products, inspired by beloved characters and stories, for people of all ages everywhere. It’s not just merchandise but memories that will last a lifetime. We have collections conceived, designed, developed and manufactured by our talented local teams across the region.

4. Disney is basically for all ages. Is it the same for the merchandise released on ‘shopDisney’? Who are your target consumers?

‘shopDisney’ is for fans of all ages, showcasing a wide assortment of categories spanning collectibles, adult fashion and accessories, toys and baby, home, stationery and gifts. We hope these galaxies of possibility spark imagination in the littlest ones to the biggest kids at heart!

5. You are committed to expanding the online retail shop for consumers. Do you plan to open a physical or a pop-up store in Malaysia?

We don’t have plans for a brick-and-mortar store in Malaysia at this stage.

6. So far, ‘shopDisney’ is also available in Singapore. Do you have any plans to expand ‘shopDisney’ to other regions in Southeast Asia?

We are working hard to bring shopDisney to more fans in the region. Stay tuned!

7. What is the importance of this flagship store? How does it benefit Disney fans and what should they look forward to from the store?

We have always been driven by our consumer centricity. Digital retailing allows us to bring our distinct “Disney magic” closer to consumers with a simple and convenient one-stop shop access to highly anticipated global collections that are unique and differentiated.

The most immediate benefit would be reduced delivery times. Catering direct to our fans within the region also helps us curate services and products that are unique and localised. In addition, ‘shopDisney’ is optimised for mobile and personal devices that allow customers to easily search for products either by their beloved characters or franchises at their fingertips.

8. Great storytelling is what Disney is made of. What part does it play in this project?

Yes, storytelling is at the heart of everything we do at Disney. Our Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) business brings to life our stories and characters in a connected, inclusive and evolving way. ‘shopDisney’ represents the latest extension of not only our retail offerings in Southeast Asia, but of Disney’s storytelling as a whole.

We’re extending the magic beyond the screen, connecting fans in Malaysia to their favourite characters in new ways, and bringing these unforgettable stories closer to home. The key idea behind ‘shopDisney’ is a dedicated space that creates happiness by providing the best in products, inspired by beloved characters and stories, for people of all ages everywhere. It’s not just merchandise, but memories that will last a lifetime.

9. From all the collections you have released so far, which one is your favourite? Why did you choose that one?

I love cooking and hosting dinner parties, so I’m really excited about all the homeware available on ‘shopDisney’. I’m currently eyeing the Mickey Homestead collection – it’s got a Mickey Mouse motif that’s subtle yet stylish, and is great for all grown-up Mickey fans!

10. You collaborated with COACH to produce the Disney x COACH collection. What inspired the collaboration?

The Disney X Coach collection was created to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. We also recently announced a Givenchy collaboration as part of the Disney100 celebrations coming up in 2023. There will definitely be more exciting collabs coming up, stay tuned.

11. You collaborated with The Disney Store Japan for the Disney nuiMOs and the Sakura series. What other collabs can we expect in the near future?

We have a number of exciting collabs coming up, especially with the Disney 100 celebrations in 2023. We recently announced a Givenchy collab as part of these celebrations, but we need to keep everything else under wraps for now!

12. Why is the Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction collection limited edition? What makes them special?

Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction is our new on-going series celebrating the one and only Mickey Mouse! Each signature style honours a beloved Disney Theme Park attraction. This special release series will have 12 designs in total, each consisting of collectibles such as: plush toys, headbands, bags and pins. The latest series is inspired by Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, while previous series have been themed after “Space Mountain”, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride and “It’s a Small World”.

13. ‘shopDisney’ has released limited edition dolls. Compared to other doll brands, what makes your doll collection more unique?

The Disney Designer Collection limited edition dolls are crafted by artists across the Walt Disney company. Each celebrates a Disney Princess and how the designer was inspired by the heroine’s story, resulting in a unique collection.

For example, the Snow White Limited Edition Doll is designed by Steve Thompson – a long-time Disney artist and designer who has worked on multiple animated films and is well-known for creating memorable artwork and products. Steve’s design contains many storytelling details that showcase Snow White’s inner strength and beauty, a modern representation of a beloved Disney Princess.

14. You have released collections for “Turning Red”, “Star Wars”, “Winnie the Pooh” and a few others so far. What are you currently working on for ‘shopDisney’?

Within the region, ‘shopDisney’ currently hosts over 1,000 products online, and there will also be new additions each month. Fans can expect more collections featuring much beloved characters like Grogu, from “The Mandalorian”, Stitch from “Lilo & Stitch”, and more inspired by the latest movies and Disney+ series.

We will also continue to launch global collections and collectibles, and shoppers will be able to get their hands on products that are exclusive to Disney Stores and Parks—which have never previously been available to fans in this market.

15. Merchandise inspired by Marvel movies and shows such as “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Hawkeye” will be available soon at ‘shopDisney’. Can fans expect more merchandise from the Marvel franchise in the future, such as “Loki” or “Eternals”?

There is a high affinity for Marvel within the region as these stories continue to resonate across different backgrounds, cultures and generations. There will be more exciting products designed and developed, so stay tuned!

We’re Looking For A Lucky Winner To Go Shopping!

Wait, there’s more! We’re offering a shopping voucher worth RM 1000 (expiring on 16th July) to spend on shopDisney Malaysia. Interested? Simply share this article on your socials and tag us and tell us what you plan to purchase. Do also follow shopDisney’s Instagram to increase your chance. Contest ends 13th July 2022.

There’s more to come so check out their new collections and their weekly new arrivals on their website!

Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article

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A Nostalgic Night Out With The Cotton Field Scarecrowes

Get in touch with your feelings through music with The Cotton Field Scarecrowes.

Local folk band The Cottonfield Scarecrowes are made up of brothers Johann Sultan and Shahrhyl Sultan. The duo embraces what they refer to as the bleak folky hymnody concept, has recently launched their full-length debut album Dancing Hymns and Broken Rhymes.

Featuring a guest appearance by local singer-songwriter Azmyl Yunor, the launch took place at The Annexe Gallery at Central Market last weekend. Their bleak folk approach to today’s music local music scene is an enlightening delight to both fans and listeners. Calming and melodic, the brothers bring a unique concept of music by blending in influences from the past and indie folk light to deliver temperamental and melancholic tunes.

Musically, The Cotton Field Scarecrowes show a true interest in American roots music which inspired the foundation of the album Dancing Hymns And Broken Rhymes. “As a huge fan of American history, I intend to transport myself back to the early days of the roots. Thus landing on to that one thing we call ‘The Bleak Folk Hymnody’- a whirlpool of melancholic symptoms and jubilation. Kind of like songs of hope,” said Johann. Lead guitarist Shahrhyl described it as “The transition of two extremes, a dark stormy day to the warmth of a bright happy sunshine.

The duo exudes the feeling of joy and hope when you need it with an original sound that is orientated towards an Americana with a blend of their own stamp on melancholic tunes. Dancing Hymns And Broken Rhymes features eight original tracks and is produced by Johann Sultan.

Watch The Cotton Field Scarecrowes’ Dancing Hymns And Broken Rhymes album trailer here. Enjoy!


#MAPS: Fun Attractions At Ipoh’s Movie Animation Park Studios

If the delicious food isn’t enough to tempt you, there is now another valid reason for visiting Ipoh.

Asia’s first animation theme park, Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), opened its doors earlier this week (Monday, 26th June). According to reports, over 7000 visitors turned up at the RM520 million theme park.

Located at Bandar Meru Raya, fans of popular cartoon characters like The Smurfs, Mega Mind, The Croods, and Casper the Friendly Ghost, as well as local hero BoboiBoy, can now experience their dreams up close. There are more than 40 attractions (some are not fully open yet) across 6 different theme zones.

With the tagline, “Live Your Dreams!”, the 6 zones include Animation Square, Dream, Blast Off, Live Action, Lakeside, and Fantasy Forest Zones. There is even an exciting 4D motion adventure on the Floating Island.

“This is where visitors will experience not just many of the country’s attractions, but also those from Asia and other parts of the world. MAPS will house Asia’s first Smurfs animation attractions, the world’s first La Cremeria Café, and The Home of BoboiBoy, which is also a first in the world, and South-East Asia’s first permanent car and bike live stunt shows,” said Animation Theme Park Director Ramelle Ramli.

He added, “The Dream Zone will also feature the world’s first Megamind, The Croods, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Mr Peabody & Sherman attractions. And that’s not all, the Megamind Megadrop, which descends 52m within three seconds, is Malaysia’s tallest drop tower.”

Notice the big red spaceship (above)? That’s actually an outer space themed restaurant that is 3 levels high. Chow down on some delicious food while enjoying the free WiFi with speed up to 1,000Mbps. That’s right peeps, you’ll get to upload all your fun moments on social media instantaneously.

In moving forward, Ramelle Ramli shared that there are plans in the pipeline to add more attractions. At the meantime, The Dream Zone and a few more rides are still under “technical rehearsals”.

For those curious, here’s a short clip to give you a better idea:

The details to Movie Animation Park Studios are as follows:

In conjunction with the Raya promotion/soft opening, discounted tickets for adults is RM131 (original price: RM190), and RM104 for children (original price: RM150). The promo ends on 2nd July.

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Hype’s Must Watch: #IntoTheWoods

Earlier in August, we wrote about Disney’s upcoming fairytale masterpiece film which will come with a modern day twist called, “Into The Woods”.

If you haven’t heard, the film is an upcoming British-American musical fantasy film based on the Tony Award–winning eponymous Broadway musical by award-winning stage director James Lapine and American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Believe it or not, the original musical debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway on 1987. So it’s safe to say that “Into the Woods” is a tale that’s as old as time!

The film version, however, will be directed by Rob Marshall (of 2005’s “Memoirs of a Geisha” fame) and adapted by James Lapine. What’s more interesting is that “Into the Woods” will feature an all-star ensemble cast including:

And what’s even more interesting is the storyline!

The fantasy genre crossover “Into the Woods” film centres on a childless couple, who set out to end a curse placed on them by a vengeful witch. A modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it intertwines the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

Oh, yes, there will also be some singing, since it’s based on a Broadway musical ;)

What’s that? Not enough to whet your appetite?

How about we entice you with some “Into the Woods” production pictures:

“Into the Woods” will be released in cinemas nationwide on 15th January 2015!

For more information, visit the movie’s Facebook page.


#NationalSportsDay: Multiple Running Events Clash; #SCKLM Forced To Reshedule

Malaysian marathon runners are forced to make tough decisions because a number of running events will be happening on the same day this October.

The clash came after Standard Chartered Malaysia made a surprise announcement on Monday (13th July) afternoon that their marathon had to be postponed due to the request of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to be aligned with the inaugural National Sports Day.

The official statement issued by Ministry of Youth and Sports reads:

Standard Chartered KL Marathon was originally scheduled to fall on 4th October but has now been postponed.

When asked whether they could shift the date again, the race organiser simply stated:

It is our hope that all of our participants will rally to support 10 October and the Marathon’s position as flagship event of National Sports Day. We do recognise that some participants simply will not be able to accommodate the date change therefore, we have developed some options for runners to make the transition as smooth as possible for participants

Many participants were upset and expressed their disappointments about this particular decision as most of them have already booked their flights and accommodations. The Ministry of Youth and Sports also made a blunder by shifting the SCKLM date because the first-ever Reebok Spartan Race is also set to be held on 10th October this year. Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin even launched the world-class obstacle race on 2nd July to mark the 100-day countdown to the eagerly-awaited National Sports Day.

The Reebok Spartan Race will be one of the iconic events to anchor the National Sports Day. The race is expected to draw a whopping 15,000 participants.

He added, “It’s the global leader in the sport of obstacle racing and we’re happy that it will be hosted here for the first time in the South-East Asian region.”

Other running events that will also be happening on 10th October include Petzl Trail Night Run and The Music Run. It is unclear whether other race organisers will be shifting their event dates as none of them have updated their Facebook page regarding the SCKLM fiasco.

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Uncover The Treasures Of Teochew Heritage At 1 Utama This CNY

This Chinese New Year, 1 Utama Shopping Centre is paying homage to some of China’s greatest creations over the past few years. With “Treasures of Teochew Heritage” as the festive theme, visitors can immerse in China’s rich Teochew culture and traditions through beautiful story-fabled decorations that can be found in Chaozhou, Guangdong.

To ensure people feed off from the Big Rabbit Energy, 1 Utama has curated a series of enthralling performances, a 兔-gether roadshow, meet and greet with Donnie Yen, and numerous Instagrammable spots to spice up your social media feed. Scroll further to check out the highlights:

Guangji Bridge (广济桥) with Pontoon Boats at LG Oval – Witness this ancient bridge, spanning over Han River in Chaozhou, Guangdong recreated in 1 Utama. This magnificent harbour with paralleled wooden pontoon boats and imperial red flags is one of China’s greatest creations in the history of bridge construction. Enchanting Palace Lanterns and Cherry Blossoms surround a Chinese Pavilion to symbolize good fortune.

Chaoshan Courtyard Mansion at GF Centre Court – Discover Teochew architecture in this iconic mansion with roofs incorporating Feng Shui elements and hand-painted floral motifs.

Teochew Opera & Traditional Costume Display – Be mesmerized by this showcase of Opera musical instruments and immersive scenes depicting Guo Da Li Betrothal Ceremonies.

Chaosan Marketplace – On 14th and 15th Jan, shop for arts and crafts and Teochew food delicacies in a marketplace event in collaboration with the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Teo Chew Association.

Special Events – Khuan Loke Acrobatic Lion Dance (throughout January 2023) and more.

You can also hop into the Spring Festival with 1 Utama’s “ONG RABBIT” Instagram Filter. From various filters to selfie with lanterns, bunny ears and gold ingots, you could walk away with some amazing prizes when you posts your filters on Instagram. More deets on the contest here.


K-pop Quartet WINNER To Bring Cross Tour To Malaysia & Singapore

Did you hear? WINNER (위너) is set to launch their “Cross World Tour” next month.

The K-pop group will kicking off their tour in Seoul, South Korea approximately 1 month from now. Jinwoo, Seunghoon, Mino and Seungyoon will carry on performing around Asia till February 2020.

WINNER’s “Cross” Asia tour will span over 7 Asian countries. Details are as follows:

If you recall, the South Korean pop stars also performed in Shah Alam when they brought their “Everywhere” tour to Malaysia last year. An unfortunate mishap happened. Feel free to refresh your memory with our detailed concert review here.


#Gombak: Video Of Parang-Wielding Men Crashing A Wedding Goes Viral

A video of a group of parang-wielding men disrupting a wedding held at Taman Melati Gombak community hall has gone viral. As the video was filmed handheld, it’s rather shaky. However, loud arguments and shoutings can be heard in the background.

The wedding is believed to have taken place on Saturday (1st July). According to a report by NST, the groom told the police that the men had accused him and his friends of making loud noises with their motorcycles. Furthermore, the suspects threw firecrackers into the community hall and barged in with parangs. The group of men allegedly took cash given by guests before destroying a rented Honda superbike.

Convoys are not an uncommon sight during weddings. Also, according to Kosmo!, the groom and his friends made loud noises with their vehicles to indicate the couple’s arrival.

Besides that, Wangsa Maju deputy district police chief Deputy Superintendent Ramli Kasa said the incident involved 20 people and a 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene on the same day. “We are currently tracking down the other men believed to have been involved,” he said.

He also added that the case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for possessing weapons at riot.

Upon seeing this, many netizens expressed their concerns about the safety of the society. A Facebook user commented, “Something is wrong with our society. Things not under control anymore, sickening act!” Another netizen commented, “We should all learn how to tolerate and respect one another.”

What do y’all think of this incident? Share them with us in the comments below.

Sources: Kosmo!, NST, Wow 够够力’s Facebook page / Featured image: Wow 够够力’s Facebook page.

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Hype Picks: 13 Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week (28th March – 3rd April)

Can you believe that we’re already at the end of March? Time certainly flies by when you’re having fun. April is upon us and so is Ramadan but before we go into the festive season, let’s bid farewell to March with more new things for everyone to try.

For this week’s Hype Picks, we’re giving you more delicious food for you to try before Ramadan, some cool events to attend and maybe laugh your way to April with an upcoming comedy show.

Time: 12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm (Tuesday – Sunday)

Ever want to feel like in those classic Hollywood movies where the characters eat and hangout at a diner? Now’s your chance to take those Instagram photos at this new diner in Subang Jaya.

A post shared by Basil Pasta House (@basilpastahouse)

Location: 21, Jalan Kuchai Maju 6, Kuchai Entrepreneurs ParK

A post shared by Qidot Cafe (@qidotcafe)

Location: Lot 1658, Batu 9, Jalan Klang – Banting, Kampung Medan, 42500 Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor

Serving you Local, Western, Fusion, Italian and Korean Cuisine! They also provide birthday and event packages!

4. Widen the Circle With Jameson Malaysia

Jameson Malaysia invites everyone to ‘Widen the Circle’ and is letting the good times pour all across Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang with a myriad of activities and promotions happening from March to June.

Location: Tapak Bazar Ramadan, Presint 3

Ramadan is happening this weekend but it wouldn’t be right to not include a bazaar for everyone to go and buy their favourite food to break their fast later.

Location: Drum Asia Live, Desa Sri Hartamas

The Line Up is a brand that is run by rising comedians Harresh A.U, Murty and Zul and their shows happen every month but catch their upcoming show this Friday to laugh your stress away.

Marvel fans! Don’t miss out on the premiere of Morbius coming this week! GS Cinemas in Mid Valley is all ready to go with the decorations and posters. Check out our contest to win some Morbius tickets as well as other exclusive merchandise!

2. The Lizzie Wonderland “Something Else Entirely”

A post shared by Vans Malaysia (@vansmyofficial)

Time: 6pm – 9pm (First session), 10pm – 1am (Second session)

Love skating and fantasy? Well you’re in luck! Open to skaters and non-skaters to experience The Lizzie Wonderland in conjunction with the launch of Lizzie Armanto’s shoe.

A post shared by G2G Animal Garden – MAEPS (@g2ganimalgarden)

If you love cute and exotic animals then look no further than G2G Animal Garden at MAEPS, Serdang. It’s a petting zoo and wildlife park in one and you can enjoy this place with your family.

A post shared by Places Malaysia (@placesmalaysia)

If you ever want to feel like flying up in the air with a jetpack then this may be a dream come true for you. You can enjoy flyboarding around (fly, float, or spin) while admiring the the beauty of Putrajaya lake. Don’t worry, instructors will be there to make sure you’re safe.

Location: Vernakular Store, Time Zone Gallery Ampang, Time Zone IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Time Zone Sogo Kuala Lumpur

There’s plenty of accessories you can use to spice up your outfit. But what brings home the glam is of course, Hollywood styled sunglasses. Luckily for you, Komono’s recent collaboration with Belgian stylist and fashion consultant Tom Eerebout has some fashionable eyewear fit for the red carpet. Check out the collection for shades to make you feel like a superstar!

The new Wall’s Paddle Pop Milkie ice cream is now available at retail outlets nationwide at the suggested retail price of RM1.50 each. The ice cream is also available online for purchase on e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Shopee.

For this year’s Raya season, Zalora has partnered up with Atome, the premier ‘purchase now, pay later’ service, to launch an array of modest-wear styles by our talented homegrown designers and brands. They include Lubna, Maslea, Zalia, nh by Nurita Harith, TAS By Tom Abang Saufi, Yadotsa, PBR By Raeesa and more.

“This year, the #ZALORAYA2022 campaign is an extra special occasion as we celebrate our talented designers by featuring their collection under our platform. Expect an eclectic selection of baju kurung, baju kebaya, baju melayu and even kaftans, batiks and headscarves this season as we encourage our customers to explore endless style possibilities with our wide selection of modest wear.” – Shasha Ahmad, Head of Modest Wear at ZALORA.

“As part of our long standing regional partnership, Atome is excited to be involved as the only payment sponsor and partner for #ZALORAYA2022’s offline event. We see great synergy in providing shop and pay for the latest modest fashion wear and accessories online. Over the years, ZALORAYA has grown from strength to strength as the modest wear platform in the region, and we’re thrilled to be part of this annual campaign as Malaysia prepares to kick-off the Ramadan festivities.” – Vangie Hu, Regional Vice President of Marketing at Atome.

4. Sun Life Malaysia’s Specially Curated Lilin+Co Candles

Sun Life Malaysia, a life insurance and family Takaful provider, recently collaborated with Lilin+Co, a homegrown modern and minimalist scented candle company, to debut a set of exquisite soy wax candles. Themed “One Hour, One World, Our Future”, this initiative is urge the public to turn off non-essential lights, light a candle and help spread awareness about sustainability and climate change.

The 3 calming and sunny scents with a hint of citrus and floral notes include:

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Baby Rescued From Sewage Pipe Discharged From Hospital

The Chinese newborn who was rescued from a sewer pipe has been released to his family and his mother is unlikely to face criminal charges because authorities concluded he fell into the toilet after his birth accidentally. The baby was released from a hospital to his maternal grandparents late Wednesday, while his 22-year-old mother remains under medical care, the state-run Jinhua Evening News reported, in an account confirmed Thursday by a local police official who declined to give his name.

The baby’s stunning, two-hour rescue from a pipe underneath a squat toilet in Zhejiang province’s Pujiang county captivated the world, prompting both horror and an outpouring of charity on his behalf.

The mother initially raised the alarm about the baby when he got stuck Saturday in a pipe just below a squat toilet in a public restroom of a residential building, but she had cleaned the room of signs of a fresh birth and did not immediately come forward as the mother, officials have been quoted as saying. She admitted she was the mother two days later when confronted by police who found baby toys and blood-stained tissues in her apartment, the reports said.

Police later concluded that the incident was an accident and that the woman did not initially come forward because she was frightened, but that she later started telling the truth, the Jinhua Evening News and a Pujiang county propaganda official said. The police initially treated the case as a possible attempted homicide, but now are unlikely to file criminal charges, the newspaper and the official said.

A man tracked down by police who is believed to be the baby’s father has requested a paternity test and — if the baby is his — is willing to help support the child, said the Pujiang official, who declined to give his name, as is customary among Chinese officials.

Officials have not publicly released the names of anyone connected with the case, which has raised discussion over China’s lack of proper education about sex, birthing and contraception in many schools.


#LINE: Something Exciting Of The “Pop-Up” Kind This Way Comes!

We got a rather interesting e-mail this morning from the good people from LINE Malaysia. Our friends have asked us to “Save the Date” because something exciting from LINE is coming soon. As their reputation would have it, they’ve always been known to be full of surprises!

The e-mail also came with this rather quite anagram quiz:

This mysterious “PEPPERONI LOTUS ONION SPONGE” (fill in the blanks) event is apparently happening on 27th November. So soon! Oh what could it be? Anyone wants to take a guess? Brown “popping up” from what looks like a LINE store/shop is a dead giveaway, huh? ;)

Well, that’s all the details we’ve got for now. We do have a strong suspicion, however, that this would be an on-ground event so if you want more updates, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram. We’ll provide you live updates from there when the day comes!


Kickin’ It With Epy & Ardiv!

So, the “YouTube to YouLive Sing-Off” is finally entering its final stage this week. Can you believe that it two months have already passed since it first launched at Laundry @ Italiannies, The Curve? It sure feels a whole lot longer than that.

With that in mind, it must have also been quite a journey for some of the YouTube contenders. So we do what we do best – we take Epy and Ardiv, a duo who made it into the final stage, away from the stage for a few minutes for a little “drilling session”. Epy is a solo singer while Ardiv is a guitarist for another band. For the YouTube to YouLive Sing-Off, however, they decided to come together to collaborate, performing soothing easy listening tunes, reggae, and pop songs:

[youtube id=”U43H-zDonq4″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

It was perhaps the best decision they’ve ever made in their lives!

Hi! Congratulations on making it into the YouTube To YouLive Sing-Off finalists. How are you feeling about it?

“We’re delighted to be given the opportunity to perform at laundry and getting through as one of the top 6 completely skyrocketed our feelings to the moon!”

This must’ve taken a lot of courage. What were your main motivations behind taking part in the first ever YouTube To YouLive Sing-Off?

“We have been performing actively all around Malaysia these past few years but never really got the exposure we wanted, the day we found out about the YouTube To YouLive Sing-Off was like stumbling upon a goldmine. We’re confident the coverage we get from the YouTube To YouLive Sing-Off will help us gain exposure which will help us to spread our music to everyone all over Malaysia.”

Name some of the challenges that you’ve faced in your journey so far and how you overcame those challenges.

“I’m sure most if not all musicians have had that period of time where you just feel like everything’s not working out and thinking about giving up, but if you stay true to your dreams you’ll eventually and definitely move a step closer each day in achieving your dreams.”

Growing up, who were your musical inspirations and why? Are these the same inspirations that you’d someday want to perform/produce with?

“We grew up listening to everything our era had to offer, from boy bands to grunge to hard screaming metal bands. But the ones that really have a major influence on our music style today are people like Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, and John Mayer. If we could someday perform/produce with any one of them that would be the greatest gift we’ll ever receive in our lifetime!”

So, if you win, what would you do (in your power) to change the local music industry?

“If we’re able to win this competition, I would say that we will contribute by introducing a whole new type of music to the current music industry. In my humble opinion, our local music industry is currently lacking the variety in music, I sincerely believe us Malaysians should be given the opportunity to listen to a wider range of music produced by our local talents!”

Phew! These two boys will join two other finalists at the YouTube to YouLive Sing-Off’s Finale Live Showcase at Laundry @ Italiannies, The Curve on the 28th of June (Thursday) at 8:30pm! So if you like ’em, come show your support.

We know we will – we’ll definitely be there.

For more information, hit up Laundry’s Facebook page.

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Marvel Won’t Replace Chadwick Boseman In “Black Panther 2”

The Disney 2020 Investor Day has just unveiled Disney’s grand plans for Marvel, Star Wars, Disney+ shows and more movies.

During the session, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige assured fans that the “Black Panther” sequel will honour Chadwick Boseman’s legacy and won’t recast the iconic role of T’Challa.

“I wanted to acknowledge the devastating loss of a dear friend and member of the Marvel Studios family,” Feige was quoted as saying. “Chadwick Boseman was an immensely talented actor and an inspirational individual who affected all of our lives professionally and personally. His portrayal of T’Challa the Black Panther is iconic and transcends iteration of the character in any other medium from Marvel’s past.”

He continued, “It’s for that reason that we will not recast the character. However, to honour the legacy that Chad helped us build through his portrayal of the king of Wakanda, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film. Writer/director Ryan Coogler is hard at work on the sequel now, and we’ll bring the film to you in theaters 8th July, 2022.”

In addition, Feige also confirmed a “Fantastic Four” film in the works and it will be helmed by “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Far From Home” director Jon Watts. “I’m happy to announce a film about one of the truly iconic Marvel families – in fact, Marvel’s first family: the Fantastic Four. We’re working on a feature now and it will be directed by the director of our recent Spider-Man films, Jon Watts,” he added.

Jon Watts will direct the new feature film for Marvel's First Family, Fantastic Four! pic.twitter.com/Eu26ghxbGT

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020


Netflix’s 365 Days: This Day Review – We Watched This Sequel So You Don’t Have To

Are you lost, baby girl? Till this day, every time we hear that line, a sharp shiver runs down our spine. In 2015, the “50 Shades” film series was certainly a cultural anomaly. Harnessing all the angst and sexy teen drama of the “Twilight Saga” to craft a distinctly more gratuitous story of love, power, sex and BDSM. Unlike films like “Fatal Attraction” though, it failed to illicit any greater value beyond some cheap naughty thrills. The dialogue was nauseating, the performances were lacklustre and the premise problematic. We had hoped that after 2018’s “50 Shades Freer”, we’d be done with terrible smut films parading as cinema. Then comes 2020 out of nowhere with “365 Days”, a film that takes the worst elements of the “50 Shades” films and amplifies them by the power of ten.

Throughout the film, we found ourselves wildly oscillating from hysterical laughter to deep, deep discomfort, all unintentional by the way. Two years later, Netflix has saw fit to gift us with its sequel, “365 Days: This Day”. Will the film redeem the sins of its predecessor, or should we just brace ourselves for an onslaught of mildly titillating clownery? Let’s find out.

Last we left off, Stockholm-Syndrome-victim-turned-bride Laura was seemingly kidnapped by a rival crime family. She enters the tunnel but does not come out the other side. Now, if this was a sane, normal film, we’d be picking up with Massimo frantically searching for Laura. Or perhaps Laura being held somewhere against her will. Nope, the film seems to have just brushed off the entire thing. In fact, the first very line out of Laura’s mouth is “I don’t have panties”. A random, out of the blue, sex scene happens and that’s it. We hear a bit of exposition on how she was found and how the baby was lost.

So let’s get this straight: you were seemingly attacked by a rival criminal organisation and lost your baby. You return back to Massimo and the first thing you do is resume the banging? Clearly, Laura, and the writers, have their priorities set straight. From then on, the film devolves into what is essentially a very well shot porno with a ton of generic love songs blaring in the background. Ah yes, excessive musical montages. The cornerstone of every bad movie trying to quickly show character development.

At the very least, we were holding out hope that “This Day” would deliver some mildly interesting crime drama. Maybe Massimo goes full John Wick and saves Laura. Then the jarring love-making scene at the beginning would make some semblace of sense! Anyway, the plot ends up being a messy love triangle between Laura, Massimo and a sexy gardener named Domenico. Domenico is everything the megalomaniacal Massimo isn’t. He’s simple, charming and gentle with Laura…or is he? In any case, don’t expect him to sound any more smarter than anyone else in the film.

Much like the previous film, there’s something so painfully awkward and hilarious about the dialogue delivery in “This Day”. Right some context. Laura speaks Polish but Massimo speaks Italian, but at no point do any of them converse in the other’s native tongue. The logical choice would be to have one of them simply speak in Polish or Italian, right? Instead, both Laura and Massimo speak to each other in fragmented English. Compound that with the fact that the lines given to them were probably written by an algorithm trying to learn pillow talk and what you get is an utter joke.

There were so many times, we had to pause the film just to laugh out loud. Needless to say, this severely undercuts whatever dramatic or sexual tension the film was trying to build up. Equally laughable is the editing in the film. It’s the year 2022 and we still have fade-in transitions! Nearly every time the film cuts to a fade-in, there’s another sex scene waiting for us, set to some awful soundtrack in the background. So every time the camera goes black, like Pavlov’s dog, we’re primed to expect another poorly-shot, claustrophobic mashing of flesh.

Now some of you aren’t exactly watching “365 Days: This Day” for its riveting plot. And hey no judgment here, but trust us when we say that it’s just not worth the wait. Even filthy degenerates like you shouldn’t have to endure the agony of the mindless chatter and gross creative choices. Furthermore, there’s no real mystique or steamy build-up to them. They’re just handed to you in the most unflattering and explicit manner possible. If you’re into that, then good for you. Those who came in expecting a little more panache and taste, or a movie for that matter, will find nothing more that an assault on the senses.

Next to this, the performances in the “50 Shades” films are downright magnificent. Michele Monroe’s Massimo is meant to be seen as this powerful, yet sympathetic, man who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. A man looking for release who fell in love. Well, he wasn’t very endearing in “365 Days” and he certainly isn’t here. The only difference this time around is that he seems a little more tamer, whereas in the previous film he came off as rather rapey. Anna-Maria Sieklucka’s Laura is still the same agentless, love-sick moron being ferried off from one bad relationship to another. Newcomer Otar Saralidze as Domenico is the first somewhat likable character we’ve seen in the past two films but easily the most forgettable one out of the lot.

Netflix’s “365 Days: This Day” is a giant, gapping hole. The plot is devoid of any meaningful stakes or emotional weight. The characters live only to be erotic meat-puppets or obligatory plot devices. There’s no heart, or soul or wit to be found throughout its nearly two hour runtime. There are films that don’t need to exists and then there are films that shouldn’t exists. This is the latter. If you came in expecting cheap thrills and bad dialogue, you’re better of getting a VPN and calling it a day.

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Netflix's "365 Days: This Day" is a giant, gapping hole. The plot is devoid of any meaningful stakes or emotional weight. The characters live only to be erotic meat-puppets or obligatory plot devices. There's no heart, or soul or wit to be found throughout its nearly two hour runtime. There are films that don't need to exists and then there are films that shouldn't exists. This is the latter.


All The Avengers: Endgame Trailer Scenes That Didn’t Make It To The Film

Remember the fake Hulk scene in last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War” promo? As fans know, co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo are prone to use fake footage to mislead theorists.

“Avengers: Endgame” is no different. Now that many of us have watched the blockbuster hit, we have a better idea of how the “Endgame” promo diverged from the actual thing. With that in mind, do bare in mind that this article contains spoilers.

Below are examples of scenes from the trailer that wasn’t in the movie:

Besides the aforementioned, Professor Hulk never appeared on the trailer footage at all.

Sources: We Got This Covered, Screen Rant.


#NoArtyNoParty: The Art Of Being Arty

Born Artem Stolyarov, ARTY is the darling of the EDM world and also extremely successful. In fact, just a few months ago, the DJ/producer cinched a spot as one of the world’s top 100 DJs. At #28 on DJ Mag’s Top 100, ARTY might be one of the youngest of the lot but he’s also an emerging titan in the studio, earning him much respect and adoration from his fans, peers, and the older EDM maestros alike.

Just last week, ARTY was in Kuala Lumpur for the second consecutive year to play at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur. Minutes prior to his bangin’ set, we spent a little time with him and grilled him on how being ARTY has been treating him.

Hi Arty! So good to be speaking to you. When did you get in?

“Hi! I’ve been here for three days, I think? But it’s pretty nice to come to a country before the show and not go to straight the venue to play the set. It’s a little bit different that way and it makes me more excited.”

So, this is your second time back in Kuala Lumpur. What were you looking forward to the most prior to coming back?

“Definitely a better party than the last show. The last show (last year) was pretty good – I really liked that. I enjoyed it. You know, the thing about last year was that it was pretty crazy. But tonight, I’m looking forward to a good reaction from the tracks and I’m really looking forward to playing some new stuff. It’s gonna be a good night, I’m sure.”

You’re really, really young but also really, really successful. What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced as a DJ/producer at such a young age?

“Thank you! Uh, I don’t know. It’s good to be my age and doing this. I think it’s harder to travel around the world every day from country to country and from club to club. To not sleep properly, to not eat properly, to not get good and proper rest. It’s good to be doing this at like, an early age because when you become older, it’s harder to do stuff like this. There are no challenges but the main challenge is you – you just need to fight the you inside to be on top of things.”

Let’s talk about your radio show, “Together We Are”. What made you start that up and how do you go about choosing what or who to feature on your show?

“It’s coming into a year, almost. I started it up because, it’s just me wanting to play music. I usually go through promos or I’d find some cool track from a movie or from some, I don’t know, really random spots. Like when I’m shopping and if there’s some cool music playing then I’d Shazam it on my iPhone and find out what it is to put on my radio show.  Of course, usually I’m just going through all the promos that come in through my mail. And they might not be something I could use for my live set but it could be something I just like because of the melody or the cool sound. So the songs that I feature on ‘Together We Are’ are the songs that I like to listen to and enjoy listening to, and I just want to share that feeling with the listeners.”

[youtube id=”SE7umozOhtE” width=”600″ height=”350″]

What are the best and worst parts of your job?

“The best parts of my job are the energy of the people, the passionate crowd, the amazing shows, and the reactions to my music. The worst parts of my job are the flying and traveling because it just makes you really exhausted sometimes. But it’s part of the whole package so I can’t just drop that – it’s just something that I need to do so I’m pretty used to that.”

So many aspiring DJs/producers would like to study under you. Now, if the roles were reversed, do you wish you could’ve been a protégé of any of the DJs/producers today?

“Me? I’m still the same guy who’s still learning. I’ve learnt a lot from Axwell, I’ve learnt a lot from Eric Prydz. I started making music because of deadmau5, because of his tracks. I started listening to trance in 2006 and my entire journey..the whole way to becoming a DJ/producer, I’ve been learning about a lot of things such as production, how to be a good DJ, how to work with the crowd, how to work with the programs, how to make a track better, how to be a better musician, from those DJs/producers. And it’s also all dedication. Constant dedication! There’d be no steps forward without that.”

Last one for the road now before we head off to catch your set – what is Arty’s ultimate dream?

“Ultimate dream..I have a lot of dreams! I know my ultimate dream but I can’t share it (smile) – it’s really hard to pluck my ultimate dream out of my mind and share it with you because it’s a really complex thing. It’s really complicated. I would tell you if I could, but I do have an ultimate dream.”

Needless to say, his “Fired Up Fridays” set at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur didn’t fail to impress. Thank you, ARTY for speaking to us. And special thanks to our awesome friends from Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur for setting up the interview!

For more information on ARTY, hit up his website or his Facebook page. He’s also on Twitter so follow him for more timely updates!

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Hype OnSite!: Ferry Corsten Delivers Unprecedented Show At Play Club @ The Roof

Legendary Dutch DJ, producer Ferry Corsten delivered an amazing show with unprecedented showmanship for Asahi fans when he played at Play Club @ The Roof on April 30th. Presented by Asahi Super Dry, Ferry Corsten who made his way back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, treated fans to a night of great fun with great music.

From huge bangers, to harmonious melodies, to some seriously funky beats, it is without a doubt that Ferry Corsten got partygoers off their phones and onto the dance floor with some serious pounding punches that got their feet going. Play Club @ The Roof was bursting with a sea of roaring fans to the Dutch trance-guru as his music transcended fans to Corsten heaven.

Lucky for us, we managed to speak to the trance guru before a crazy night of fun. Here’s what went down:

Hey! I just got done with dinner actually so I’m great. Haha.

Oh, lovely! So you’ve been to Kuala Lumpur a couple of times. What is it about Kuala Lumpur that keeps you excited?

I think Kuala Lumpur is one of the most sizzling and bubbling cities in Asia. Apart from Japan that’s really on it’s own, Malaysia, mostly Kuala Lumpur for me, it a scene that really comes up and goes back down due to certain issues but it always comes back up again and it comes back up strong and it’s always really good. People here are really in tuned with the music. They know about the music, they know about the artiste, they know what’s going on so it’s amazing.

Q: And how would you rate the party scene in KL? 1 being the mildest and 10 being the wildest?

The party scene in KL? I’ll say it’s an 8 to an 8.5.

Q: That’s pretty crazy! Haha. I understand you’re a foodie — have you tried any of our local food and is there anything in particular that you like?

Yes, I am! Haha. I knew you were going to ask me that! I am not too familiar with the name but I really like the one with the rice and sambal — Nasi Lemak! But that’s probably the same answer everyone gives you so I will think of something different next time. Haha

Q: Oh you must come back and try our other local dishes then! Apart from trance music, what kind of music do you listen to when you want to chill out and relax?

I will definitely do that! Oh my taste is very wide. It goes from jazz to classical music to hard style as well as drum & bass.

Q: Interesting. What kind of music did you grow up listening to?

I grew up as a kid in the 70s but only really started understanding music more in the 80s. That’s when the first electronic sort of hip hop came out so yeah I grew up with that. I didn’t really listen to top 40 radio, didn’t like it.

Q: Speaking of top 40 radio, what do you think of the current mainstream dance music scene?

Certain elements are great but the generic stuff right now is becoming way too generic. Everybody is just copying each other so there is no more originality and that’s definitely what I don’t like about it. But certain elements – the ballsy sound of it and the ballsy energy, that’s great. It’s what I’m trying to put back into trance because in my opinion trance can be a little too polished sometimes.

Q: Ahh! Is that’s what we can look forward to from you this year?

Yeah, of course! I want to bring the whole ballsy energy and sound back to trance.

Q: Great. Do you have any upcoming projects?

I’m working on a lot of new tracks. Vocal stuff – some more radio friendly, some more club, some more trance and some in between styles.

Q: How would you say your sound has changed since your early days – since “Out Of The Blue”?

“Out Of The Blue” was obviously very, very trance. At the time, it was so new that it was hard to even define what is was and people named it trance so yeah. Haha. Right now, my sound is definitely still very much trance but I am borrowing a lot of influence from other styles. I like to put things together because doing that will help keep my set open. It will give me the option to play anything I want. If I were to play a pure trance set then I can never play a good house record because it’s really difficult to do something like that but if I am sort of borderline here and borderline there then my dj sets can be more inspirational because I will have the chance to play the greatest trance tracks, greatest house tracks and everything in between.

Q; That’s amazing. Last question, what would you say is the craziest thing you’ve ever done at a show?

Hahaha. Hmm… I’m usually not very crazy. I don’t do things like grab a bottle of champagne and spray it to the crowd nor do I throw cake at people. I don’t do that, it’s not what I’m there for. I’m there for the music, nothing else. When it comes to crazy things, it’s usually more of the opposite. The craziest thing that has ever happened to me, apart from people putting tattoos of my name on them, I would say is this one time when there was some girl who threw her wet undies on my record deck – like woah! I mean there’s flattering and there’s borderline insanity and that was well, that. Hahaha.

Hahaha!! That’s something, alright. Thanks Ferry, it’s been lovely talking to you!

If you missed out on Ferry Corsten, here’s “Many Ways” for you! Enjoy!

Don’t forget to come out and play on June 25th, 2014 as Markus Schulz will be making his way to Play Club @ The Roof.

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Netizens & Celebs Call Ahmad Idham Out For His Controversial Netflix Comments

Recently, the CEO of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri found himself in hot water after voicing out his opinions on popular streaming platform Netflix.

According to the film director, the contents should undergo filtering process from the government. Not only that, Idham further claimed that he has received reports from worried parents on the uncensored contents provided on Netflix for underage audiences, which might resulted in negative affects among local youths.

Patutlah beriya sangat nak censor Netflix. Ada side project rupanya dia ni. pic.twitter.com/YSdyPfgNki

— subtract(-)ed (@idysurtagem) November 17, 2019

Not long after that, Idham received further criticism after a photo of him and other FINAS personnel allegedly agreed to cooperate with an upcoming streaming platform known as Aflix went viral on Twitter. For those who don’t know, the picture was posted on Aflix’s official Instagram back in September.

As a result, local netizens were left fuming. In this case, some of them have called out both FINAS and Aflix for their lack of competitive spirit. Not only that, a few celebrities like Sharifah Sakinah and Shamaine Othman also gave their two cents on the matter – expressing their disagreement against FINAS’ proposal to filter Netflix’s mature content.

Ethical content is the new "shariah-compliant" 👀

Meleis ni tak boleh ke promote brand sendiri tanpa sekat brand lain? Afraid of competition much? 💁🏻

— ⓝⓐⓢⓐ (@_naddddzirah) November 18, 2019

Patutlah kutuk Netflix. Dia nak launch “aflix”.

Ethical streaming platform ? So Netflix tu unethical is it? Just coz it has mature content ? Grow the fuck up.

— Shamaine Othman 🏴✊🏼 (@shamaineothman) November 18, 2019

Today, CEO Finas suggest the Government to filter Netfix content which I strongly disagree. Yes some content are not suitable for younger minds but you can use the security PIN feature whatt. For parents who are concerned with this paid internet app, you can set password to avoid kids viewing or simply just don’t subscribelahh. Please jangan kacau Netflix. If the government wants to ban or filter Netflix I’m gonna baring depan finas tu dengan kawan2 ramai2. Boleh singgah zoo negara sekali…. Cause it is unfair and inconsistent, what about app like Wechat or Youtube???? To the CEO of Finas, I really miss your old dramas like Cinderella that inspire me to become TV actress. Who can forget the romance scenes and all the pegang2, dancing2 that I watched when I was child on the unfiltered national TV.

A post shared by  Sharifah Sakinah Al-Khaired (@sharifah_sakinah) on Nov 17, 2019 at 5:15am PST

As a response to the ongoing backlash, Coach Fadzil, a representative from Aflix took to his Instagram to clarify the whole situation. According to Fadzil, the videos that will be available for streaming will be completely different from Netflix.

He further explained that the company did not receive any form of assistance from other outside parties as the streaming platform has not launch yet. Feel free to read his full statement here:

What do you have to say about this issue?

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Concert Review: Ronan Keating Steals Spotlight During Boyzone’s Farewell Tour In Malaysia

Boyzone is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band with their farewell tour.  Goodness gracious, 25 years is a really long time!

Best known for their romantic love songs back in the day, the 90s group – consisting of Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch, and Keith Duffy – treated Malaysian audiences with a trip down memory lane.

Throughout the years, we’ve seen boy bands come and go. Although the Irish group split in 1999, they regroup in 2007 and have withstood the test of time. Few in the music industry actually formed a true bond – strong enough to carry themselves over from the good ol’ “smash hits” days to today. To echo Generation Hush, Boyzone has “adapted their sound just enough to bridge that gap”.

Boyzone kicked off their performance at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil with the 1997 hit “Picture Of You” and another cheeky tune “Love You Anyway”. Keating actually won an award for writing “Picture Of You”, which was also the main theme song for Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean movie – “Bean: The Ultimate Disaster”.

Having said that, a huge portion of Boyzone’s catalogue and setlist for their tour have been popular songbooks from other artists. They include Tracy Chapman (“Baby Can I Hold You”), Billy Ocean (“When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going”), Anne Murray (“You Needed Me”), Bee Gees (“Words”), Cat Stevens (“Father And Son”), Johnny Bristol/Osmond Brothers (“Love Me For A Reason”) and more.

It was a grown up affair on Friday night (24th August) as concert-goers were largely adults in their 30s and older. The quartet on stage showed that they could still dig into their 1990s bag of tricks to get the audiences going. The classic move was pointing and smiling at the crowd and soliciting screams in return.

The singers also paid a heartfelt tribute to late band member, Stephen Gately, during “Gave It All Away”. He passed away in 2009 at age 33 due to a heart defect. It was touching hear that their departed member’s vocals were also added to the show.

Even though the entertainers performed a couple of synchronised dance moves, the show as a whole failed to reach levels of greatness. Don’t get us wrong, it was still good. Their interaction with the crowd, at times, felt rehearsed rather than natural.

Still, Keating’s signature husky voice was the highlight of the show. Throughout his career, the 41-year-old star has enjoyed the most success as a solo artist. He has also managed to maintain relevancy in pop culture as a coach on “The X Factor” Australia.

Unlike recent K-pop acts and mainstream pop stars, Boyzone may not be the boyband to send fans’ hormones soaring, but their journey is not over yet. During their farewell tour, the members announced that their imminent new album “Good Night and Thank You” is set to debut sometime in October or November. The co-penned track “Because” by Ed Sheeran was also performed that night.

On a final note, Boyzone concluded their show with the grandiose and life-affirming, “Who We Are”. They returned onstage moments later for an encore of 2 songs – “A Different Beat” and Keating’s “Life Is a Rollercoaster”.

We’re pretty sure the feel-good vibes managed to rubbed off on those in attendance as everyone stood up to celebrate the rousing closing number.


Miguel’s Billboard Fan Might Have Brain Damage

The unlucky fan whose head was on the receiving end of Miguel’s leg may be suffering from brain damage.

Last month the R&B singer got so into his performance at the Billboard Music Awards that he attempted to leap from the stage to the catwalk, unfortunately Khyati Shah was in the middle of his flight path.

Shah’s lawyer, Vip Bhola, told TMZ, “Some of the difficulties she’s experiencing are cognitive in nature and lead to suspicion of a neurological head injury”. He also said that the Billboard Music Awards should have rushed the victim to the hospital, but they allegedly only gave her an ice pack. The lawyer added that his client is waiting for test results from a neurologist before proceeding on plans of a suit.

[youtube id=”NVDl8DNfxU8″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

Miguel and the injured brunette spoke to Billboard.com after the show:

Well, I think it’s kind of clear what happened. But I’m very happy to bring my new friend, Khyati, we just met. Unfortunately we did not meet under the best circumstances, but I think we’re okay.

The crazy thing is, when you’re performing and you’re just kind of into it, you never know where it’s gonna go and where you’re gonna go with it, and how that might turn out. So this is one of the less favorable moments.

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#RainInMY: Korean Superstar In Malaysia For MCM Boutique Store Launch

German leather products brand, Modern Creation Munich aka MCM recently held a grand opening party for its first permanent store at Pavilion Shopping Mall in Malaysia. Celebrities, members of the media, and well-known fashion personalities gathered at Pavilion KL to witness the grand opening of the store in Malaysia.

In celebration of their launch in Malaysia, MCM Malaysia also surprised the guests by bringing Korean superstar Rain, the newest ambassador for their leather products to grace the event.

His guest appearance at MCM’s first Malaysian store was not known by many until a Chinese newspaper, Guangming Daily announced his arrival in Malaysia. He was believed to arrive in Malaysia on 26th Nov as well when Pavilion KL tweeted that the Korean superstar is rumoured to “take the mall by storm” at a private event.

Rumor has it that another ‘rain’ is taking #PavilionKL by storm tomorrow at 7pm for a private event. #Clouds pic.twitter.com/hmtgLwnlGT

— Pavilion KL (@Pavilion_KL) November 25, 2014

The rumour turned out to be true as various K-Pop fans managed to greet him at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in the morning on 26th Nov. He was also spotted hanging out with his managers and bodyguards at Korean bakery cafe Tous Les Jours at Bukit Bintang.

However, Rain only stopped by Malaysia for a day as the singer-actor has rushed off to the airport right after the event. It was reported that the star has since safely arrived in Korea.

Although he was only here for less than 24 hours, the interwebs was in a cray frenzy, with pictures and videos of Rain in Malaysia flooding our social media timelines. Check out the pictures and videos taken by fans and media below:

A photo posted by @soomilk on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:24am PST

A photo posted by ROTIKAYA (@rotikaya.co) on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:55am PST

A photo posted by Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia (@harpersbazaarmy) on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:06am PST

A photo posted by @encikmoke on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:42am PST

A video posted by @mistahery on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:28am PST

Don’t be sad if you’ve missed the chance to see a K-Pop idol in Malaysia because more K-Pop events will be happening in Malaysia soon!

Check out the list of the upcoming K-Pop events in Malaysia below:

So, who do you look forward to see the most? Are you excited to see another large scale K-Pop concert in Malaysia soon? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Album Review: SHINee’s Key Proves To Be A Capable Soloist With #Face

One of my personal most awaited releases this year, Key from SHINee has finally graced us with a full length solo album! The appropriately titled “Face” (let’s be real: Key’s visuals are no joke) is adorably named as a reference to previous members’ debut solo releases; Taemin’s “Ace” and Jonghyun’s “Base”. With leader Onew’s solo release coming up this December, that only leaves rapper Minho to complete the set.

Honestly speaking, I wasn’t too excited about the direction the album was taking with the first release off the album; “Forever Yours”. It featured the gorgeous vocals of Soyou from ex girl group SISTAR, but didn’t quite hit with its somewhat generic sound of EDM. Despite that, its bright and hopeful nature still proves it to be an easy listen. Luckily, my mind was completely changed when the official title track dropped, “One Of Those Nights”.

Name dropping yet another famous name on the scene, Crush joins in the chorus with his classic crooning. The use of acoustic guitar in “One Of Those Nights” tinges the song with an indie vibe, giving the song a more relaxed feel to it.

However the song has an element of heartbreak in it, despite its chill nature. Wrapping up the feeling of being young and confused, “One Of Those Nights” is definitely a good intro track to the album—but it’s merely the tip of the iceberg to come.

“Good Good” launches you straight into the glam of the 80s—claps, keyboard synth and bass riffs greeting you within the first minute. Key’s falsetto in the chorus adds to the allure of the track as well. One of the more bold tracks, “Good Good” is an amalgamation of style, glamour and pure unadulterated confidence.

“Honest” is not shy with its usage of synthesisers, really turning up on the retro influences. The instrumentals on this track feel much like you’ve been transported back into the disco era of our parents, in fact. Cleverly combining a little of EDM and vocal distortion, “Honest” is a solid track albeit not quite standing out. Perhaps its humble nature is what makes it particularly memorable.

However it is in the heart of “Face” that we get to the gems that are worth exploring.
“Imagine”, a track purely in English, feels like a song made for fashion runways. The EDM parts in the chorus were what surprised me the most, as it was actually enjoyable. K-pop has adopted the fashion of having cacophonous electronica clang away come the dreaded “beat drop”, but “Imagine” does so in such a stylish manner that it does not feel out of place at all. It also suits the kooky nature of the song, where Key playfully sings about the magic of love.

We then come to the more emotional numbers on the album—“Chemicals” being one of them. Here, we can really hear Key’s vocals shining through as he fully utilises his voice. Yet another EDM driven song, the heavy bass throbbing away in the background somehow does not take away the raw nature of the track. “I Will Fight” however, goes all the way in terms of emotions. Beginning with piano and Key’s soulful singing, the song is carried in such an honest way that it resonates deep within the listener. However, there is no doubt that the chorus is what delivers the punch.

“Easy To Love” is as easy on the ears as the title is. The song lives up to its name, being an absolute delight to listen to. A rather composed dance track laced with synth and relaxed beats, it’s a perfect toe-tapper at parties.

Key then turns it up a notch, the repetitive guitar riff in “The Duty Of Love” turning it into a feel good pop-rock track. Sliding in claps and other elements, the song does have a feel of what would typically play at the end of a 90s teen movie. However it is because of its good natured sound that it is so easily likeable.

He wraps the album up with the final track, “This Life”. Perhaps a bit more confusing track, the song touches on emotional lyrics (Key sings “You only live once” in English, and with just a twang of pain in his words) yet has an incredibly hype dance chorus. The consistent throbbing of the beat in the chorus matches the pace of one jumping at an EDM concert, which is the note, I suppose, Key wanted to end his album on. In a way, it’s marvellous. What better way to appreciate the life we’re living other than to celebrate it? The grand exit will be a party, and we’re all invited.

“Face” was an impressive ride from start to finish. There is no denying how incredibly stylish this album comes off as a whole (not a surprise considering how fashionable Key is as an individual) which is perhaps the most satisfactory part of it all. Truly standing out in a SHINee-esque fashion, Key has proven himself to be a perfectly capable soloist. “Face” is merely the beginning of his reign—all hail King Key!


Ones To Watch: 10 Hollywood Rising Stars To Look Out For In 2019

Timothée Chalamet, Noah Centineo and Letitia Wright were some of the breakout stars from 2018. Hollywood is an industry that depends on fresh faces. These new talents usually require luck, timing, critical reception and box office success in order to make it in this cut-throat industry.

For 2019, we’ve decided to list out some of the up-and-coming actors who have been making waves. Many of these entertainers are already holding their own opposite A-listers. Their names might not ring a bell right now, but in a few months time, most of them (if not all) will probably reach new heights in the careers. Meet these new crop of talented stars:

A post shared by Henry Golding (@henrygolding)

A post shared by Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie (@thomasin.mckenzie)

A post shared by A Maldição da Residência Hill (@haunting_of_hill_house)

A post shared by Rosa Salazar Brasil (@rosasalazarbr)

It’s impossible to list everyone else down but here are some honourable mentions:

Who else do you think should be included in the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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My Love: Andy Lau Unveils Official Poster For His 2018/2019 World Tour

Get excited fans, Andy Lau Tak-wah (劉德華) will be embarking on his 2018/2019 World Tour at the end of the year.

Titled “My Love”, the 56-year-old singer recently unveiled the concert theme and poster for his latest tour. Andy will kicked off his 20 show dates at Hong Kong Coliseum starting 15th December 2018 and will carry on till 3rd January 2019.

For those curious, the colourful expressionistic style portrait was painted by Wuhan-born Beijing-based painter Zeng Fanzhi. The 54-year-old contemporary artist has been known for selling his artworks for millions. Some of them include “Mask Series No.6” (US$9.6 million) in 2008 and “The Last Supper” US$23.3 million in 2013.

“I have known Fanzhi for more than 10 years. At that time, I had wanted to study oil painting. I was filming in Beijing. Coincidentally, we had mutual friends who introduced us so I was able to pay a visit to Fanzhi at his work studio. I really wanted to learn from him, but I didn’t dare to say it then. I hope that one day I can learn to paint with him,” said Andy about his friendship with Zeng Fanzhi.

The Hong Kong Heavenly King was planning an extravagant concert in 2017 but was forced to take a hiatus from the entertainment showbiz. The reason being? He suffered serious spinal injury after a horse-riding mishap in Thailand while filming a commercial.

So far, China has been the only other country to be included in his “My Love” world tour besides Hong Kong. Hopefully the singer will bring his concert to Malaysia.


Entry-Level Audiophile Equipment To Try For That Instant Eargasm!

We all love a good song. Music is a force of nature that can transport us to a different world. It can make us sing; it can make us dance; it can resonate with our souls; it can offer us a space where we can be alone; or it can be fine as something we use to get by in our everyday lives. However, we all know that what we listen with (i.e., headphones, speakers, etc.) is just as important as the music we listen to.

People may think that they all sound the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some people would like to step into the hobby but are a little intimidated because of the cost of entry. It can feel disheartening when you don’t like the sound of your expensive headphones because it feels like you didn’t get your money’s worth. It’s also difficult to know where to start – but fear not, as here are some we recommend to start your audiophile journey with.

Believe it or not, like the medical or art fields, audiophiles have some jargon that it’s best to become aware of now so you can better grasp the hobby. These are the basics, so if you know what these mean or just want the recommendations, then feel free to skip ahead.

There are two general types of headphones: “closed-backs” and “open-backs.” Closed-back headphones are more common because they block out noise and have more bass due to their construction, making them ideal earplugs. Open-backs often employ grills or vents instead of a solid material, which is great for soundstaging which is basically the equivalent of 3D in the audio world. These are great for studio use, but they let a lot of noise in and a lot of music out.

We all know about the bass, but the same can’t be said for its opposite, the top-end, which often refers to the treble tones of the guitar or the gentle pitter patter of the cymbals. They also come with jargon. If you like bassy headphones, you call them “strong,” and if not, you call them “muddy.” If you like top-end headphones, then they are “sparkly,” and if not, then they are “thin.” These are, of course, subjective rules of measurement and you can choose what sound you like.

Without further ado, here are some headphones you should definitely try out.

To start things off strong, if you need quick earphones that you can ball up in your pocket and pull out whenever, then the KZ ZSN Pro is for you. This tiny speaker has great volume and a strong bass, making it great if you want to put the world on mute. They have uniquely designed cables that allow them to be durable, which is great for commutes, and the cables are also replaceable if they do break. This product costs around RM60, making it a great introductory product.

The next kid on the block is the Samson SR850. This pair has received a lot of flak for being a clone of the AKG K240 (may you rest in peace, AKG), and that is true. You can even feel where it has cheapened out, preferring plastic over metal, but that’s where the problems end. For around RM100, these deliver incredible sound quality, as you are paying for the inside that makes the headphones work. The Samson SR850 are open-back headphones, but they are neutral-sounding with no extra bass or top-end, making them great reference headphones for editing videos or listening to music. This pair may be a clone, but it can still live up to its predecessor’s legacy. And if you want a closed-back version, feel free to try the SR880.

These are perhaps the lightest headphones on the list, but that doesn’t mean they produce low-quality sound. The Grado SR60e has a fantastic top-end quality that puts the spark in sparkly. Handmade in New York, these headphones deliver exceptional clarity, making them perfect for critical listening and allowing you to experience your favourite songs and movies differently. However, they are almost entirely open-back, which means the sound it produces bleeds like crazy, and the steep asking price of around RM400 can be too much for some. If you are new to the hobby, then it’s best to wait a while before getting this, but you should definitely get it if you are confident and comfortable in the hobby.

These are some entry-level audiophile gear we wholeheartedly recommend to get started in the hobby. We would like to recommend more, but the prices will get pretty steep, real fast. These are meant to get your foot in the door, and you are very welcome to do more research if you are looking for a sound catered to you specifically. “Entry-level” may still seem expensive, but so are other hobbies, and if you’re hunting for a specific sound, go after that first.

If you are concerned about price and longevity, don’t be. Unlike games, phones, or PC parts, good headphones stay good for decades with the proper care. What’s more, you can also get vintage headphones secondhand at a reduced price with all the same quality; great headphones from the 1970s or 1980s are still great today. When all is said and done, music is an experience, and what’s most important is that you are enjoying your music the way you like it; that way, you can enjoy the hobby guilt-free.

Sources: Hippopx, Trusted Reviews [1], [2], KZ Audio, RTINGS.com, Flckr, Options, The Edge

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MTV Spotlight: Alessia Cara To Perform In Singapore With Nick Jonas & CL

Have you made plans to attend this year’s MTV Spotlight @ Hyperplay? Perhaps the last and final lineup reveal may convince you – it’s Alessia Cara y’all!

The Grammy Award winner (for Best New Artist) will be performing in Singapore early next month. In case you didn’t know, the lineup for MTV Spotlight @ Hyperplay 2018 includes Nick Jonas, 2NE1’s CL, The Sam Willows, Afgan, and Slot Machine.

Alessia started out doing YouTube covers at the age of 13. Since releasing her first single “Here” at 19 years old, the Canadian singer-songwriter has churn out another hit single, “Scars To Your Beautiful” and work on successful collaborations with Zedd (“Stay”) as well as Logic (“1-800-273-8255”).

MTV Spotlight will take over the Hyperplay stage on 4th and 5th August. The Sam Willows and CL will perform on the first day. Alessia will be joining Nick Jonas, Afgan, and Slot Machine on the day after.

The 2-day event will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Head on over to hyperplay.sg to learn more and get your tickets.


An Insane Lineup Of Malaysian Artists To Perform At The Last Altimet Show

Altimet’s final concert, The Last Altimet Show will be the last ultimate show, indeed!

The Last Altimet Show will feature a powerful lineup of music artists to support the rapper’s final performance on stage this coming February.

The “Bunga” hit maker has announced that he will be staging his final show on Saturday, 16th February 2019 at Dewan Merdeka, PWTC.

The celebrity friends and guest performers who will be attending the rapper’s huge send-off include:-

“2 hours, 26 songs, 29 celebrity friends on my final stage as a rapper. Nescafé presents #TheLastAltimetShow, 16 Feb at Dewan Merdeka, PWTC. Let’s go!” the rapper wrote on his Instagram.

Tickets for The Last Altimet Show are available on altimet.com.my/Concert, pricing at RM79 for presale and RM109 for door sale.


Dato Seri Vida Causes A Stir At BLACKPINK’s Show In KL

The ever so popular Korean girl group BLACKPINK arrived in Malaysia last weekend and wowed more than 16 thousand fans at its first ever concert in the country.

However, during the first night of the sold-out concert, a surprise appearance by Malaysia’s famous entrepreneur-turned-celebrity Dato Seri Vida had apparently drew quite a bit of attention from the audience at the concert.

A post shared by Dato Seri Vida (@datoserivida)

Shortly before the show started, the crowd’s attention were turned towards a section of the seating area, where Dato Vida was seen going down the stairs to catch the concert as well.

Apparently, the businesswoman went to the show together with her daughter Cik B and son Kacak, who are huge fans of the famous K-pop girl group.

The whole stadium was noticeably cheering as the diva climbed down the stairs. Some commenters even joked saying that DSV may be more famous than BLACKPINK among Malay fans.

Some concert-goers even went out of their way to snap photos and take selfies with the “I Am Me” singer during the show.

Tengok ig DSV dia pergi konsert Black Pink . Orang bukan sorak tengok blackpink. orang sorak tengok dia 🤣dia pulak siap melambai2 macam konsert tu dia punya je . Hahahaha

— cyka exzocrox (@NonetGemok) February 25, 2019

Concert Blackpink ke concert Dsv ni 😂 pic.twitter.com/EinovZVn1B

— mimie (@mochispongee) February 24, 2019

After this, maybe DSV should consider collaborating with BLACKPINK! Lol ;)

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