Paul McCartney says a new AI Beatles record is on the way
It seems we’ll be hearing a new Beatles record later this year. Paul McCartney has confirmed via BBC Radio 4 that he used AI to pull John Lennon’s vocals from a previously recorded demo. Legendary songwriter Paul McCartney says a new Beatles song is scheduled for release later this...
Current in Culture
Could music be contributing to a toxic work environment?
A US federal court is allowing a lawsuit brought forward by warehouse workers who say their workplace has become ‘more hostile’ as a direct result of music. Could our favourite artists be causing problems in our offices? Raunchy, explicit, or misogynistic music could be an illegal workplace practice, a...
Designer Gyuhan Lee upcycles McDonald’s bags into lamps
These nongreasy upcycled lamps were made from McDonald’s paper bags by Gyuhan Lee. They’re a fun example of how packaging and waste can be repurposed to become useful decoration. Fancy yourself a midnight snack? Craving the golden arches of fast food convenience? Single-use packaging could be worth more than...
The studio aiming to make Hollywood productions sustainable
Atlanta based movie studio, Electric Owl, is aiming to lower Hollywood’s hefty carbon footprint by offering green amenities to production companies. Watching movies and television is far and away the biggest pastime within the United States, with adults consuming an estimated 17% more of this content than 25 years ago. Our...
Why cork is becoming sustainable design’s favourite material
Members of the design world are on a mission to locate materials that bring us closer to achieving sustainability targets, while also being beautiful and long-lasting. Cork is becoming a prime candidate. When we think of cork, we’re likely imagining popping open a celebratory bottle of champagne or pinning our...
PETA’s founder to leave behind grisly bodily gifts upon her death
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has announced her desire to leave behind a grisly set of assets upon her death. This includes a luxury handbag made from her skin, her lips to be delivered to the US president, and parts of her bowel gifted to Salt Bae. As Argentine revolutionary Che...
Utrecht’s newest apartment block will become a vertical forest
The Dutch city of Utrecht is getting a new apartment building covered in 10,000 plants and trees. It will emit 41 tons of oxygen annually once it is completed in 2024. In imagined depictions of a utopian future, it’s very often that we see views of cities full of buildings dotted with greenery. As the climate crisis worsens and urbanisation continues to expand over the coming decades, there is no...
Why are we all so obsessed with astrology?
Astrology is booming. Driven by younger generations, countless websites and platforms now cater to the astrologically inclined. We examine why this concept has taken over the zeitgeist again – and how it might be causing problems. While it may be a laughable concept to many, astrology now permeates almost every social media platform. Across TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter especially, it’s sparked an entire plethora of memes and subcultures. Terms like...
MTV News becomes latest outlet to permanently shut down
The beloved, old-school division MTV News has shut down for good. It follows Vice, Vox, Buzzfeed, CNN, and others in laying off staff and shrinking workforces, leaving a gap in legitimate news coverage that caters to younger audiences. MTV News has officially closed down. Once a hub for older millennials and young Gen Xers, it was a cultural staple for information and journalism in the 1990s. Featuring musicians, young reporters,...
Ed Sheeran wins lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s heirs for copyright
The world-renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has faced multiple legal allegations of theft, most notably for his single ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ His win clears him of any wrongdoing, and ensures other artists are still free to use chord progressions in any manner they see fit. Ed Sheeran has won a court case in New York this week and was ruled not liable for copyright infringement. He was accused of ‘ripping...
