They say Brockhampton is ‘a new kind of boy band,’ and I’m not sure if I feel ok about it, mainly because they are responsible for their own music, and I can’t think of a Backstreet Boy who’s written a song on his own*. The collective (that’s the word they use) does the sweet thing where they trade off vocals, but instruments too, plus they have this whole squad of producers, and they are making exactly what they want. Anyway, turn up FACE, a deeply chill Friday flirt song. Slow-paced and driven by hollow-sounding bell chords, it creates texture with a patchwork of voices, from falsetto to a thin bass. Yum.
*But welcome back BSB, did we all see they’re on tour? (Mostly at Casinos– like dog heaven for celebrities, but still.)
So there’s this big article claims that face tattoos are now mainstream, citing a bunch of celebrities who have them now. That’s Tekashi 6ix9ine, Lil Peep, Lil Pump, Kat Von D, Wiz Khalifa and Post Malone, for anyone wondering.. plus Justin Bieber, who has added just the tiniest mark below his eye (remember when he had dreads?). Now, “mainstream” feels like a strong word for a thing that has always been a signifier of absolute fearlessness, and that now a number of celebrities have adopted in order to drum up the likes on instagram (and perhaps remove in a few years, should they tire of them). So Has the face tattoo become ubiquitous, or has it simply become a thirst trap? (Or—wait for it— has Justin Bieber gentrified it.)
While some fearless celebs are tatting their faces, a VICE dispatch from the world of men’s fashion reports that the face mask has taken hold in the world of design. See:
Gucci,
Rick Owens, Vetements, and
others you probably haven’t heard of.
Which also feels attributable to Instagram, right? Like, we’ve been asked to share too much self on the #internet, and now we’re literally veiling ourselves for protection. But that’s just my guess, go ask someone wearing one what it’s all about. (And please hit me up IMMEDIATELY when you find them.)
