dressing up + talking to strangers

📱 Tech

The world’s most popular streaming service Spotify looks set to launch its new HiFi subscription tier this year, but it’ll cost around $5.99 on top of current subscription prices. It’ll grant users higher-quality audio – hopefully bringing it in line with Apple Music and Amazon Music – plus remixing tools and exclusive access to concert tickets. Spotify also secured a recent multi-year licensing deal with Warner Music Group, stating its goal of ushering in the ‘next era of streaming’. All of these developments are signs that the platform is looking to keep up with the ever-evolving demands of its users.

It’s not just AI. China’s medicines are surprising the world, too – economist
China is known for producing generic drugs, supplying raw ingredients to medical companies, and managing clinical trials for the pharmaceutical world. Now, its drugmakers are now also at the cutting edge of medical innovation, producing drugs that are even cheaper than the those on the standard market. As a result, China has become the second-largest developer of new drugs after America, whose expiring drug patents could see them lose as much as $140 billion a year by 2030. The only question left to ask is how Trump’s tariffs could impact China’s upward trajectory.

💄 Style

Have you noticed an uptick in people wearing hair tinsel in your city? I certainly have in London, so I was delighted to stumble upon this article explaining where the rising trend came from. Apparently, audiences have been inspired en-masse by the main character in the film Anora, which came out late last year. The film’s hair and makeup team took inspiration from Adrienne Maloof, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who used hair tinsel regularly. The low maintenance, high impact hair accessory has its roots in the 80s and 90s, when glitter hair sprays and standard hair extensions truly took off. Could sparkly hair overtake blush and glittery eyelids as this year’s most fun beauty trend? Maybe it already has.

Nike x Skims: it’s happening! – puck
It’s no secret that sportswear giant Nike has been having a hard time as of late, with its profits falling by 20 percent in the last quarter. The brand’s new president and CEO Elliott Hill has been tasked with rectifying this drop in success, and it seems that Kardashian-collab is the fix on the upcoming agenda. It would be an on-brand move for Skims, which has focused on partnering with iconic high-end fashion houses like Dolce and Gabanna and Swarovksi, while dabbling in a recent outerwear partnership with The North Face. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months.

🎶 Recommendation

I attempted this once and the playlist spiralled out of control, but on my second attempt it’s a bit more refined. Out of the good will of my heart I will share it here.

There may be 525 songs, but I’m telling you, there are no skips.

Thanks for reading and make sure to subscribe for the latest news on Gen Z and youth culture. Also, don’t forget to check out The Gen Zer for a weekly roundup of more trending insights, stories, and discussions.

Until next time,