Nanoleaf is basking in the hue of new lights for CES 2023 with its Nanoleaf 4D, Sense+ Controls products, and other new technologies. The company known for illuminating the backgrounds of many streams is announcing several new product lines at the annual tech event in Las Vegas this week.
Enter Nanoleaf 4D
Nanoleaf 4D aims to up your entertainment game experience beyond just your display. The 4D TV Smarter Kit includes a Screen Mirror Camera and Matter-compatible Smart Addressable Lightstrip that utilizes the company’s new Sync+ technology to transform your favorite games and movies into immersive journeys of the senses.
There are four Screen Mirror modes to choose from, and 50 addressable zones on the Lightstrip (5M length), so users will have a new world of freedom for customizing their entertainment area. The camera can be located on top or at the bottom of the TV or monitor for flexibility, while Lightstrip features an easy install with snap-on brackets and adhesive. Nanoleaf’s new Sense+ technology will not only enable a Screen Mirror of colors with your TV, but can synchronize your entire suite of Nanoleaf light products altogether. Sync+ also enables dynamic lighting scenes to play across your Nanoleaf lighting setup.
Nanoleaf 4D with Black Line kit
Nanoleaf 4D TV Smarter Kit will be launching in Q2 2023, and will be available in two length options: 55″-65″ and 70″-80″.
Sense+ Controls
Speaking of Nanoleaf’s new Sense+ technology, the company is launching new Sense+ products as well. The new lineup will offer the world’s first-ever hands-free smart lighting experience within your home. Matter-enabled and running on Thread, the Sense+ Controls line will include the hardwired Smart Light Switch, Wireless Smartlight Switch, and Nala Learning Bridge. All three products have built-in motion and ambient lighting sensors that will provide personalization to your entire home’s lighting.
Nanoleaf Smart Light Switch
These new products will work together with Nanoleaf’s new intelligent Automations Learning Assistant, Nala, to “learn” your preferences from your everyday usage and routines. Nala is a first-of-its-kind learning assistant developed to create personalized automation that can deliver your perfect lighting exactly when, how, and where you want it. Nala will learn when you prefer your lights on or off, deliver seamless brightness and color adjustments, Scene selection based on your preferences, and more. Nala’s automated learning technology is enabled via the Nala Learning Bridge.
Say Hello To My Little Friend, Nanoleaf Skylight
The company’s CES 2023 announcement of the Nanoleaf Skylight will be the first of its kind modular ceiling fixture that works with Matter, giving users complete control over their ceiling light’s design arrangement and area of coverage. In the same way the company’s best-selling modular wall light panel products have redefined wall lighting, the Nanoleaf Skylight aims to redefine ceiling fixtures with its square modular RGBW LED panels that can be arranged in a variety of different designs.
Nanoleaf Skylight
The Skylight will operate via WiFi to provide crisp functional white light for everyday use and over 16 million dynamic colors for ambient lighting, with smart features to adjust brightness, colors, color temperatures, and set Schedules. Skylight comes with all the features that owners of Nanoleaf panels have come to love, such as Rhythm Music Visualizer, Screen Mirror, and dynamic lighting Scenes and Group Scenes.
The Nanoleaf Skylight is set to launch in Q3 of 2023.
Essentials Bulbs And Lightstrips
The Matter-certified Essentials Bulbs (A19, BR30, GU10 and a Recessed Downlight) and Lightstrip are made for everyday lighting while offering animations that will have you mesmerized. The Essentials products will illuminate your entire home with crisp functional white light and rich dynamic colors and Scenes, as well as set the ideal ambiance for different activities, moods, and special occasions.
Nanoleaf Bulbs and Lightstrip
Nanoleaf Essentials Bulbs and Lightstrip are scheduled to launch in Q1 of 2023.
The company’s full line of modular light panels and light bars (Shapes, Elements, Canvas, and Lines) will also be Matter upgradeable later this year, offering an easy software update to provide the most seamless way to set up your most personalized, sweetly hued smarter home of the future.
Reboot Yourself! The CBS Essentials guide to a healthier 2023
There’s no better time than now to make a commitment to be a better, healthier you. Whether that means getting more exercise, learning more about fitness and nutrition or doing more to keep track of your health, CBS Essentials has you covered with our new series, Reboot Yourself. We’ll be covering everything you need to know to live your best life in 2023, from the best water bottles for staying hydrated to the best smartwatches for monitoring heart health to the best leggings for working out to the best earbuds and headphones for the gym.
Be sure to check back with CBS Essentials throughout the new year for the latest in our 2023 health and fitness series.
Best workout headphones and earbuds
Here are the best workout headphones and earbuds to shop now.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The latest Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds have an upgraded wireless chip for improved audio functionality, a new low distortion driver for clearer audio, touch controls and improved active noise cancellation. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 provide truly custom sound: You can use your iPhone’s camera to analyze your unique ear anatomy and find the perfect audio settings for you.
“I wear these to the gym every day and for running. I have never had an issue with them coming out, and they do an excellent job.” wrote one reviewer. “I love the option of switching between ANC and transparency modes.”
Apple AirPods Pro 2, $239 (reduced from $249)
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max use active noise-cancellation technology to block out unwanted noise and feature a transparency mode so you can hear what you need to. These headphones feature 20 hours of listening. They come in a variety of colors including blue, green, red and silver. They’re also compatible with Siri.
Apple AirPods Max, $480 (regularly $549)
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Samsung’s highly coveted earbuds, the Galaxy Buds2, make great workout earbuds. Featuring active noise cancelation and ambient sound passthrough, the lightweight Galaxy Buds2 are built for users with an active lifestyle.
One Amazon reviewer shared their experience with these earbuds; “I have no complaints with these at all. I wear them for runningand when I do chores around the house, and they have not disappointed me yet! These are well worth the price and I won’t go back to my other earbuds or headphones!”
Samsung Galaxy Buds2, $145 (reduced from $150)
Beats Solo3
The on-ear Beats Solo3 may be a good fit for music fans looking for a pair of bright-sounding headphones, especially those partial to rock, folk and country tunes. These headphones support spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience, soft ear foams for comfort, and up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Beats Solo3, $99 (reduced from $200)
Beats Fit Pro
These noise-canceling earbuds come in four fun colors; stone purple (pictured), white, black and sage gray. The earbuds offer a secure, comfortable fit. The noise-canceling feature includes three listening modes. They are also compatible with spatial audio.
I have finally found earbuds that have great noise cancelling, great quality sound and excellent battery life” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “The number one thing I like about these earbuds is they stay in my ears and never feel like they are falling out. I have walked with them on, jogged on my treadmill, rode my bike and not once did I ever have to push them in because I felt like they were falling out.”
Beats Fit Pro, $160 (regularly $200)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose products are known for their excellent sound quality, and the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are no exception. They claim to offer the world’s best active noise cancellation, and have a new CustomTune technology that auto-adjusts music to your ears’ liking. They also have an “aware mode” that pauses noise cancellation for when you need to hear your surroundings.
If you disliked how bulky the original Bose QuietComfort Earbuds felt, there’s good news: The QuietComfort Earbuds II are one-third smaller than their predecessor. They’re water- and sweat-resistant, too, so you can wear them to the gym.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer six hours of battery life in a single charge, and come with a charging case that holds three additional charges (24 hours of battery life in total). You can control music, answer calls and adjust the volume by simply tapping your earbuds instead of having to use your phone. These Bluetooth 5.3-compatible earbuds are available in black and soapstone colors.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, $279 (reduced from $299)
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Another pair of earbuds specifically designed for workouts, the Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless earbuds are IP57 dustproof and waterproof, resilient enough to survive a quick drop in a puddle. But just as importantly, they feature a grip coating to keep them in place during workouts.
The Jabra Elite Active 75t “beat(s) the hell out of my regular Airpods,” says Amazon reviewer Nelson92. “I don’t have to push them back in while running! Secure fit, cancels out strong Colorado winds. The battery has already lasted more than a few runs.”
Sound quality is great: Multiple Amazon reviewers praise the powerful bass they deliver. These earbuds offer active noise cancellation powered by four microphones. You can turn this noise cancellation off with the push of a button, however, allowing you to talk with someone without needing to remove them from your ears.
Jabra says the Elite Active 75t earbuds will last 5.5 hours on a full charge, or up to 24 hours when stored in the included wired charging case (USB-C). A 15-minute quick charge buys up an hour of listening time.
Jabra Elite Active 75t, $100
Skullcandy Push Active earbuds
These Skullcandy Push Active earbuds are designed for use at the gym. They feature earhooks to keep the earbuds securely in your ears while running or lifting. They also have an impressive 44-hour battery life with the charging case.
“The Skullcandy Push Active earphones are easy to set up and the app works seamlessly. The battery charge is good and I don’t have to charge the case frequently.” shared one Amazon reviewer. :These earphones are good for active people while running, working out or doing any other outdoor activity. I use them every day at the gym and couldn’t be happier.”
Skullcandy Push Active earbuds, $59 (reduced from $80)
Treblab X3 Pro earbuds
These Treblab earbuds were a favorite during our last round of hands-on earbud testing. They offer a secure fit with adjustable ear hooks and excellent sound quality for the price. The Treblab X3 Pro earbuds are also water-proof and sweat resistant.
“These Treblab X3-Pro earbuds have worked much better for me [than previous earbuds]. They stay on and in my ear, have great sound and way more volume than needed!” wrote a verified buyer on Amazon.
Treblab X3 Pro earbuds, $70
Jaybird Vista 2
An excellent choice for those with bigger budgets, the Jaybird Vista 2 is a serious pair of sports headphones. They carry an IP68 rating, which means they’re sweatproof, waterproof and dustproof. Jaybird also claims they’re freeze-, shock- and impact-resistant as well.
Jaybird Vista 2 Bluetooth earbuds feature active noise cancellation, a terrific perk that cuts out background noise. But — importantly for people who run or bike outdoors — the Vista 2’s Soundsense feature lets you temporarily turn off active noise cancellation with a tap, letting important sound cues from the real world come through for safety.
These wireless earbuds feature “great quality in both sound and build,” Amazon reviewer Christopher Mann raves. They add the Jaybird Vista 2 has a comfortable fit and is “plenty loud.”
The Jaybird Vista 2 lasts for eight hours on a full charge, with 16 more hours of charge in the included wireless charging case (also chargeable via USB-C). And if you forget to charge these earbuds before hitting the gym, you can get an hour of play time out of a single five-minute quick charge.
Jaybird Vista 2, $118 (reduced from $150)
Bose Sport Earbuds
Bose quality typically doesn’t come cheap, but the Bose Sport Earbuds are one of the brand’s more affordable options. This set of wireless earbuds are sweat-resistant (IPX4) and come with three sizes of eartips. And, if you’re looking for a new pair of running headphones, these might be a good pick. Why? They’re designed to stay in place even through strenuous workouts, and according to Amazon reviewers, they deliver.
“I can say that these Bose Sport Earbuds stay in my ear when I am doing backflips,” wrote one verified purchaser on Amazon.
“They sit in just the right place to give awesome sound without putting ridiculous pressure on your ear canal, while simultaneously becoming almost impossible to actually feel once in,” adds this Amazon reviewer..
They feature touch controls and they’re smart enough to pause play when the right earbud is removed from your head. The wired charging case (USB-C) has enough juice to extend these earbuds’ five-hour play time to a full 15 hours.
Bose Sport Earbuds, $129 (reduced from $149)
Treblab over-ear workout headphones
The Treblab over-ear workout headphones feature advanced noise-canceling technology and great sound quality. They offer 35 hours of playtime per charge and recharge quickly. Save $50 on these over-ear headphones now before the sale ends.
One Amazon reviewer wrote; ” I use these at the gym, and they’re perfect. They’re comfortable, hold a charge for a long time, have great sound, are lightweight, and stay snug on my head.”
Treblab over-ear workout headphones, $70 (reduced from $120)
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo
These 4.4-star-rated wireless earbuds from Anker are definitely budget-focused. Don’t expect the luxe features or top-tier sound quality you’d get from a pair of $200 earbuds, but Amazon reviewers say these sub-$50 earbuds are amazing for the price, with good sound quality.
They’ve got real gym chops too: The lightweight Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo earbuds are rated IPX7 waterproof (protected against temporary immersion), so they can be rinsed off after workouts. They promise a secure fit as well, boasting a twist-and-lock design that stays in place.
“The sound is good,” Amazon reviewer Greg says, “better than average but it’s not a Hi-Fi audiophile’s acoustic dream. For the pounding I’m giving these buds while cycling, running, working out, working in the yard and just about every other sweat-soaked activity, they definitely step up to the plate and perform.”
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo, $30 (reduced from $60)
A staff-loved wearable that looks like jewelry
This CBS Essentials staff-loved smart ring helps you track your activity and your sleep.
The Oura Ring
The Oura Ring is a health tracker that looks just like any fashion ring. You can order your ring in silver, gold, rose gold, black or a shade called “stealth” which looks like matte black. “I chose gold. I really love that it looks like a piece of jewelry and doesn’t have a screen. I think that’s a big reason as to why I was so resistant to wearables in the past,” said senior writer Lily Rose. “I’m already staring at my phone, computer and TV. I don’t need another screen to keep me busy. Plus, this smart ring pairs with the Oura app on your phone to give you all your data. I can look at it when I want to without having a reminder blaring at me from my wrist.”
The wearable is worn on your finger and tracks biometric data to provide personalized insights into how you sleep and your health. When you wear the Oura Ring, it can record your workouts, track your resting heart rate and your heart rate during exercise, tell you your blood oxygen level, predict your menstrual cycle and show you how much good or bad sleep you’re getting throughout the night. When you’re not recording workouts, you can use the Oura app for guided meditations, breath work, sleep sounds or even learn about things like the effects of caffeine on your body, why sleep matters and what your readiness score means.
Oura Ring Gen3 (gold), $499
Best smartwatches for heart health monitoring
These smartwatches have the features you need to monitor your heart rate, take ECGs and more.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a durable smartwatch that is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant with advanced heart monitoring features. It has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for ECG, a blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor.
You can tap into yoga, meditation and other workout programs via Apple Fitness+. (Apple Fitness+ is a subscription service. It costs $9.99 a month; Apple Watch buyers get the first month free.) It also comes with a new crash detection feature, which detects where the wearer is in a severe car crash and alerts emergency services.
Apple Watch 8 (41mm), $369 (reduced from $399)
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (41mm), $469 (reduced from $499)
The 45mm version of the Apple Watch Series 8 does everything the 41mm version does, except it does it bigger.
Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm), $399 (reduced from $478)
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (45mm), $499 (reduced from $529)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 offers ECG functionality when paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone. You can take the ECG on your watch and then open the ECG report on your smartphone to dive into your data.
The Galaxy Watch 5 features an advanced bioactive sensor that collects more accurate data compared to the Galaxy Watch 4. This data can be managed and tracked in the Samsung Health app. It also offers an advanced workout algorithm, hear rate monitoring and sleep-tracking technology.
The Galaxy Watch 5 is available in 40mm and 44mm display sizes. It is also available in five colors.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, $240 and up (reduced from $280)
Google Pixel Watch
The Google Pixel Watch features a round face with customizable watch faces and tons of band options. It offers an all-day battery life, with up to 24 hours on a single charge. The Watch includes the Google Home App to adjust your thermostat or connect to your smart home devices. Users can play music, track fitness activity and receive notifications from their connected phone.
The Google Pixel Watch is the first Android smartwatch to include integrated Fitbit features. The watch’s health features include heart-rate monitoring, workout tracking, sleep tracking and more. Google advised that fall detection will be available in 2023. The watch comes with a free six-month subscription to Fitbit premium and three months of YouTube Premium.
The Watch comes in black, silver and gold.
Google Pixel Watch, $300 (reduced from $350)
Garmin Vivoactive 4
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 uses Garmin’s Pulse Ox technology to track your energy levels, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, heart rate, hydration levels and more. It can stream downloaded music from Spotify and Amazon Music. When paired with your smartphone, the watch can receive notifications.
This Garmin smartwatch features more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor-sports apps. Want a personal trainer on your wrist? This watch can show you animated workouts via your watch screen.
Available in a variety of colors. The price listed below is for the black watch, as pictured.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 (black), $180 (reduced from $330)
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus offers advanced heart and health tracking. The smartwatch samples your heart rate multiple times per second and lets you know if it stays too high or too low when you’re resting. It also helps gauge how hard you work during activities, even while swimming.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus, $450
Fitbit Charge 5
The latest in the Charge line from Fitbit, this well-equipped activity and health tracker packs advanced technology into a slender device and features a color touchscreen. The smartphone-enabled device helps you manage stress and stay on top of heart health and sleep.
The Fitbit Charge 5 boasts a 7-day battery life on a single charge.
Fitbit Charge 5, $100 (reduced from $150)
Fitbit Versa 3
This top-of-the-line Fitbit has a built-in GPS that can be used to track the pace, distance and route of your runs, hikes, or biking outings. The tracker offers heart-rate monitoring, stress data and sleep tracking. Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistant support is built in.
The Fitbit Versa 3 has a 6-day battery life. Its fast-charge capability gives you a full day’s worth of battery in just 12 minutes.
Fitbit Versa 3, $157 (reduced from $230)
Amazfit Bip 3
What’s so great about the Amazfit Bip 3? It features a colorful 1.69-inch screen to display incoming calls and texts. It’s loaded with sensors, too, to monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, and stress levels. You can even take it swimming with you — the Amazfit Bip 3 is IP68 water resistant.
Be sure to apply the coupon before checkout to get the best price on this Android- and iPhone-compatible smartwatch.
Amazfit Bip 3, $52 after coupon (reduced from $60)
Best workout leggings for weight training
When you’re lifting at the gym, you’ll want flexible, squat-proof leggings. Here are some of the top options.
Gymshark Adapt Animal seamless leggings
These Gymshark leggings are made for lifting. They offer sweat-wicking fabric, seamless stretch and a zero-distraction design that lets you lift in comfort and provides the support you need to hit a new personal record in the gym.
Gymshark Adapt Animal seamless leggings, $64
Under Armour Meridian full-length leggings
These leggings are buttery soft and squat-proof. The material wicks sweat & dries really fast, making these a great pair of leggings for intense gym sessions.
“I absolutely love these leggings! They are comfortable to wear with my workouts and I find that I do not have to adjust them at all,” one reviewer wrote. “They adapt to my movements and they are also quite stylish to wear.”
Under Armour Meridian full-length leggings, $70
Colorfulkoala high-waisted tie-dye leggings
Reviewers rave about Colorfulkoala’s Lululemon Align-lookalike leggings (and they’re Essentials bestsellers). The tie-dye option, which comes in six colorways, is currently on sale. These leggings have a seamless waistband with a hidden pocket.
“I cannot get enough of Colorfulkoala,” an Amazon reviewer says. “I can’t stop buying them! They are so comfy, fit so great and are cheap! They’re squatproof and cute to wear out. I almost don’t want to share how good these are because I hate when they sell out!”
Colorfulkoala high-waisted tie-dye leggings, $30 (reduced from $35)
Thirdlove Flex seamless compression leggings
These compression leggings from Thirdlove feature a flattering pattern that sculpts and emphasizes key muscle groups in your legs. They offer compression and a high-performance material while still remaining comfy enough to lounge around in if desired.
“I wear these leggings to Krav Maga, Muay Thai and BJJ training.” wrote reviewer Thania. “This means kicking, throwing and rolling around on the ground. These leggings have stood up to the wear really well, especially around the knees. Most importantly they stay put through all of it.”
Thirdlove Flex seamless compression leggings, $29 (reduced from $60)
You can also get the Thirdlove Flex sports bra to wear as a matching set.
Thirdlove Flex sports bra, $39 and up
Lululemon Wunder Train high-rise tight
You can worry less about breaking a sweat in the Lululemon Wunder Train high-rise tights. They’re made with the brand’s fastest-drying Everlux fabric. The sweat-wicking and supportive fabric is made with four-way-stretch and is made to feel cool and sleek on the inside. The leggings come in 18 different colors and run up to a size 20. They are available in the lengths ranging from 25 to 31 inches.
Lululemon Wunder Train high rise tight, $98
Athleta Elation Train 7/8 workout tight
These Athleta leggings are designed for medium-to-high-impact workouts at the gym or outdoors. They’re made of recycled SuperSonic fabric with supportive compression. They also feature back drop-in pockets to hold your phone or essentials at the gym.
Athleta Elation Train 7/8 workout tight, $60 and up
Best workout leggings for running and cardio
Whether you’re hitting the treadmill or heading to a cardio boxing class, these leggings are the best choice for cardio.
Lululemon Fast and Free high-rise fleece running tight
These Lululemon leggings are designed for running. The Fast and Free high-rise fleece running tights are made with water-repellent tech-fleece fabric. The fabric is brushed on the inside for warmth, and that makes them a strong choice for cold weather. The leggings features the same four-way-stretch as Lululemon’s Align leggings and run up to a size 20 in select colors.
Lululemon Fast and Free high-rise fleece running tight, $138
Bandier All Access Center Stage high-waisted leggings
These Bandier workout leggings are made with silky-smooth compression fabric and feature a double layer elastic waistband to keep your leggings in place while you’re moving around.
“These high-waisted Center Stage leggings are perfect for both working out and lounging around.” wrote one verified buyer. “They hold up for long runs, yoga, hit training, etc. They also shape your legs nicely.”
These leggings come in two fabric options; All Motion and sport rib. All Motion is a high-compression, quick-drying fabric. Sport rib is a ribbed stretchy quick-drying fabric. You can also choose from capri, mid-rise, high waist and high waist with a pocket.
Bandier All Access Center Stage high-waisted leggings, $98 and up
You can also complete the look with a matching bra.
These Girlfriend Collective leggings are one of Oprah’s Favorite Things 2022. The TV icon loves these “sweat-wicking, high-compression and high-waisted,” leggings from size-inclusive brand Girlfriend Collective, made out of recycled plastic bottles.
Available in sizes XS to 6XL.
Girlfriend Collective compression pocket leggings, $70 (reduced from $88)
ThirdLove Kinectic performance pocket leggings
These ThirdLove Kinectic performance pocket leggings are great for running, HIIT classes, cardio boxing and other cardio activities. Made with dry-feel performance fabric and a lightly compressive fit, these leggings provide the perfect balance between performance and comfort.
They feature drop-in leg pocket, which I love because it’s big enough for my phone and feels very secure, unlike some other pocket leggings I’ve tried. I also like that it’s a sweat-wicking performance fabric that still feels comfy enough to lounge around in.
These leggings are super stretchy and soft. They feature a moisture-wicking fabric that moves sweat to the fabric’s outer surface to leave you comfortable and dry throughout your workout.
EleVen by Venus Williams 90s girl leggings, $108
Victoria’s Secret Pink seamless high waist leggings
Victoria’s secret is often overlooked for its activewear, but I’ve owned several great workout leggings from the brand. These are my current favorites.
These leggings are made with a breathable, sweat-wicking material to keep you cool and dry while you break a sweat at your favorite workout class or go for a job. They’re super comfortable and flattering. They come in eight colors.
These comfortable stretchy leggings are perfect for a barre, yoga or pilates class,
Lululemon Align high-rise leggings
When it comes to yoga pants, none are more popular with shoppers right now than the Lululemon Align. These ultra-lightweight, buttery soft yoga pants feature side drop-in pockets, a back drop-in pocket for your phone, and added Lycra fabric for stretch and shape retention.
25″ Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant with Pockets, $29 and up (reduced from $128 and up)
MAÄT leggings
These futuristic-looking leggings provide protection and cushioning for your knees while you workout. MAÄT’s moisture-wicking, stretchy leggings are designed with ultra-flexible ribbed knee pads that pad the area without being bulky, and are tapered to put wider coverage where it’s needed.
“I wore these leggings to a pilates class,” said CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose. “I normally get knee pain when I use the reformer, but these leggings really cushioned the area and helped me hold my poses. Plus, the material is really soft, stretchy and the leggings are flattering.”
MAÄT leggings, $148
Outdoor Voices Freeform 7/8 high waist leggings
These popular leggings are made with a supersoft knit fabric and feature a high-rise fold over waistband for unrestricted comfort during yoga. They are designed for low to medium-sweat workouts like yoga and pilates.
Outdoor Voices Freeform 7/8 high waist leggings, $88
Outdoor Voices seamless rib leggings
These high-rise ribbed leggings provide a light stretch and a “second skin” feel for comfortable movement. Outdoor Voices advises this legging is best for low-impact activities like yoga, pilates, stretching or dog walking (and I can confirm they are super comfy for dog walking and yoga).
Outdoor Voices seamless rib leggings, $78
Year of Ours Veronica ribbed leggings
The Veronica ribbed leggings from Year of Ours feature a lightweight, ribbed activewear jersey material and a stylish cross-over waistband. The fabric is moisture-wicking for maximum dryness and provides just the right amount of stretch.
Year of Ours Veronica ribbed leggings, $49 and up
Victoria’s Secret Pink ruched leggings
These ultra-soft leggings feature a flattering v-shaped ruched waistline. The fabric is quick-drying, sweat-wicking, stretchy and super soft, making these leggings perfect for a yoga class, the gym or lounging.
Victoria’s Secret Pink ruched leggings, $50
Offline by Aerie Real Me high-waisted ruched flare legging
“These are some of my most-worn leggings at the moment. They’re incredibly comfortable — they never ride up or pinch. And with a ruched front that dips, they make your waist look tiny.” shared CBS Essentials writer Carolin Lehmann.
These flare leggings come in short, standard and long lengths.
Offline by Aerie Real Me high-waisted ruched flare legging, $30 (reduced from $60)
Best workout leggings for outdoor workouts
Hikers, trail runners, tennis players and other outdoor exercise enthusiasts will want to check out these outdoor workout leggings.
Under Armour ColdGear compression leggings
These sweat-wicking compression leggings can keep you warm under any gear during chilly morning runs, and help prevent chafing.
Under Armour ColdGear Compression Leggings, $50 and up
Tentree InMotion pocket legging
These eco-friendly workout leggings are made from recycled, post-consumer waste. They’re buttery soft and offer. nice four-way stretch to give you a comfortable and secure fit while you go for a jog or take a hike. The company also plants ten trees for every item purchased, making this a great planet-friendly gift.
Tentree InMotion pocket legging, $68
The matching InMotion sports bra also provides a comfortable stretch that is perfect for workouts.
Tentree InMotion longline active bra, $48
EleVen by Venus Williams Level Up leggings
These are one of my go-to leggings for getting active on a cold day. They’re light and breathable enough not to cause overheating while I’m running, but the fabric is cozy and warm enough for me not to freeze during my warm-ups. The ribbed fabric is moisture-wicking and stretchy.
EleVen by Venus Williams Level Up leggings, $108
Year of Ours ribbed football leggings
This bestselling legging is loved by a number of celebrities, including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. These ribbed leggings are perfect for long hikes and outdoor workouts. They feature a trendy tie closure at the waistband and are made with breathable and textured active ribbed fabric.
Year of Ours ribbed football leggings, $51 and up
Bandier All Access Pro Fleece Center Stage leggings
Bandier recently released this winter-friendly fleece version of the best-selling Center Stage leggings. These leggings offer a warm, brushed fleece interior and four-way stretch that’ll keep you cozy in the cold during your winter workouts.
Bandier All Access Pro Fleece Center Stage leggings. $140
Best running shoes for women
Whether you’re hitting the treadmill, trail or gearing up for your next 5K, we’ve found the best running shoes to help.
Brooks Ghost 15
Avid runners love the Ghost, one of the most popular sneaker styles from Brooks. The latest version, the Ghost 15, offers ample cushioning for a soft, smooth ride from start to finish and features an updated midsole that reacts to your unique stride and provides smooth transitions.
They are available on Amazon with Amazon Prime’s Try Before You Buy feature, so you can try these shoes out for 7 days for free before buying them to make sure that they are the right fit for you.
Women’s Brooks Ghost 15, $140
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
Nike’s popular Pegasus shoes first came out in 1983. They continue to be one of the brand’s top selling shoes. Described as a “workhorse with wings,” Nike’s latest design iteration of the Pegasus shoe offers cushioned support, durability and breathability.
Whether you’re aiming for long distances on the trail or sprinting on the track, the Air Zoom Pegasus is a reliable running shoe — and it’s currently on sale.
Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, $98 (reduced from $130)
Nike Infinity React 3
The Nike Infinity React 3 running shoes are lightweight and supportive. The workout sneakers have extra rubber at the outsole and a rocker-like sole, which adds explosiveness to take-offs and extra cushioning as the foot hits the ground. A ventilated design keeps feet cool during high-intensity workouts.
Women’s Nike Infinity React 3, $121 and up (reduced from $160)
If you’re a trail runner, you’ll want to check out the new Hoka Challenger 7 shoes. These shoes feature a recycled mesh upper with improved breathability and soft foam, plush cushioning on the midsole and proprietary rubber along the bottom. They’re trail running shoes, but you can also use them for road running if that’s more your thing.
Hoka’s Clifton 8 running shoes boast a streamlined silhouette, breathable mesh upper and foam midsole for extra cushioning while pounding the pavement. With a 4.5-star rating, it’s no wonder the Clifton 8 is one of the brand’s bestselling shoes. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
“This is my second pair of Hokas and I really like them. They are comfortable and provide a lot of cushion. I am in the medical field and always on my feet. These provide great cushioning and I feel great at the end of the day,” a reviewer wrote. “I have another pair that I use for exercise and they are perfect for long walks or runs.”
The Glycerin 20 feature Brooks’ super soft nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning for maximum comfort while running. They feature a breathable mesh upper and a redesigned outsole for a smooth ride when running.
This is one of Brooks Running’s most popular styles due to its comfort and durability.
Select colors and sizes are on sale now at Amazon. Pricing varies.
Brooks Glycerin 20, $128 and up (reduced from $160)
The Brooks Levitate 6 running shoe features lightweight, springy cushioning to help give you a more energized run. The latest shoe in the Levitate line features a more breathable upper and additional cushioning for maximum comfort.
Brooks Levitate 6, $150
If you want a more moderate spring in your step or if the Brooks Levitate are a bit out of your budget, the Brooks Revel 6 shoes are also a great option.
The SlipSpeed training shoes are Under Armour’s most versatile training shoes. They are designed to provide the perfect fit as they adjust to your foot and your movement patterns. They also feature a breathable upper and great cushioning. They also have a heel that converts easily from recovery mode to training mode.
These Under Armour running shoes feature a water-repelling material that is great for running in the winter with rain or wet terrain. The Hovr Phantom Storm 3s feature ultra-comfortable plush cushioning and an external heel counter for added stability. The responsive UA Hovr cushioning reduces impact and helps propel you forward.
A new classic, the Ultraboost serves as the flagship running shoe from Adidas. It feels as comfortable as it looks, with an ultra-cushioned and responsive midsole and extra foam around the heels to prevent blistering. Available in a variety of colors in both men’s and women’s sizes.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III running shoes are meant to allow your feet to move in the most natural way possible while running. They simulate the barefoot running experience while still providing grip and protection for your feet.
“I have noticed significant differences in my posture and mobility since wearing these shoes.” wrote one Amazon reviewer “They are also so light and comfortable to wear all day long.”
The FitFlop Vitamin FF shoes features a Neodynamic midsole with high-rebound and impact-reducing cushioning. In addition, the sport sneaker include a springy central carbon plate, that propels you forward and smoothes out movements while running. These are great for casual runners that want a shoe that they can run in, walk in, or wear to the store.
FitFlop Vitamin FF, $150
Best water bottles to take to the gym in 2023
Explore the best water bottles for gym workouts. We found top-rated options that look stylish and keep water cool.
The reviewer-loved Hydro Flask wide mouth bottle is made of professional-grade stainless steel and has wide opening for a faster fill. It keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. Choose from 12 colors, plus you can personalize it with graphics or text.
The Stanley Quencher is currently TikTok’s favorite water tumbler, but it’s also an excellent workout water bottle. The tumbler features double-walled insulation to keep your water cool for hours. It features an easy-grip handle that’s perfect for use in the gym when your hands are sweaty. It also fits in cup holders and includes a reusable straw.
It comes in two sizes; 30 oz and 40 oz. You can choose from a variety of color options, though certain colors can be a bit hard to find as this tumbler has been selling out frequently.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate tumbler (30 oz), $30
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate tumbler (40 oz), $40
The Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler is a leak-proof easy-to-carry water bottle with an attached handle. Like the Quencher, it features a built-in straw and double-walled insulation.
Keep your drinks hot or cold with this fan-favorite Yeti bottle. Find it in eight colors and in six sizes. You can also customize it with text and graphics.
If you’re planning a long workout and don’t want to keep refilling your water bottle, the Playmaker water jug from Under Armour is a great option. With an impressive 64-ounce capacity, this water jug does not mess around when it comes to hydration.
The double-wall foam insulation will keep any drink cold for up to 12 hours, and the leak-resistant flip-top lid keeps the risk of an unintentional post-game celebratory Gatorade-dump moment to a minimum. The ergonomic handle and non-slip side grip make the tasks of drinking from and carrying around this behemoth bottle much easier.
The Under Armour Infinity water bottle features wide twist-off top that makes it easy to add pre-workout or protein powder. It is vacuum-insulated to keep your drink cool for up to 12 hours.
The Welly Traveler features triple-walled vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for up 24 hours or hot for up to 14 hours. It’s made with with premium-grade stainless steel, natural bamboo, silicone and BPA-free plastic. It also comes with a removable infuser, making it an excellent choice for athletes that prefer naturally flavored infused water.
This 17-ounce S’well water bottle with a twist-off lid has a user-friendly mouth; it won’t suddenly dump water onto your face when you tip it, but it’s still wide enough to easily fill with ice.
This bottle will fit most standard-sized cup holders, and reviewers note that its size and shape make it easy to hold. It’s BPA-free and composed of grade stainless steel. With triple-layered insulation, S’well bottles are designed to keep beverages cold for up to 36 hours, and hot for up to 18.
S’well stainless steel bottle, $35
Related content from CBS Essentials:
Christmas 2022 live blog: The best Black Friday deals on gifts, decorations and more, plus the best Christmas movies
Black Friday 2022 live blog: Today’s best deals at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and more
Holiday gift guide 2022: The best headphones and earbuds under $100
Theragun Pro is $200 off right now, plus all the Cyber Monday deals you can still get on Peloton, Bowflex and more
The top-rated shoes and sneakers for the gym in 2022
Peloton, ClassPass, Obe Fitness: Which fitness subscriptions are worth the money?
Fitness gift guide 2022: Theragun, Peloton, smart gyms and more
When Brian Eno left Roxy Music in July 1973, he claimed to the music press that he was planning to form a new ensemble called Luana And The Lizard Girls – a provocative undertaking which, as Eno biographer David Sheppard related, would only perform “in improbable venues such as launderettes and massage parlors.“ Luana And The Lizard Girls didn’t happen, but Eno’s stated aim (to “drag together a bunch of bizarre people”) came to fruition when sessions began, two months later, for his first solo album, Here Come The Warm Jets.
Listen to Here Come The Warm Jets on Apple Music and Spotify.
Not that the musicians Eno gathered around him could – or should – be described as “bizarre”, exactly: more that their disparate and contrasting styles represented a determined (and career-long) desire on Eno’s part to encourage fresh and intuitive modes of thought, eradicate boundaries, and throw the mixture up in the air and construct enduring art from the falling fragments.
Among those filing into London’s Majestic Studios in September 1973 were guitarists Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Chris Spedding and Paul Rudolph (Pink Fairies), bassists John Wetton, Busta Jones and Bill MacCormick (Matching Mole), drummer Simon King (Hawkwind), and a clutch of Eno’s former Roxy Music bandmates. An all-star assemblage, but the results were mercifully free of the extended jamming one might have expected, cleaving instead to Eno’s subversive avant-pop tendencies. Here was a bold sonic statement which, in part, just about qualified as a glam curtain call, but which also hinted at enticing new avenues of expression.
If the Velvet Underground-indebted “Needles In The Camel’s Eye” and the malformed Bo Diddley shudder of “Blank Frank” suggested an aesthete’s fascination with a particularly raw-boned arm of rock history, the suffocating, bedeviled “Driving Me Backwards” trudged stoically into an all-consuming darkness. (It’s tempting also to imagine that the delirious, atonal synth manipulation of “The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch” and the arch, decadent tease of “Dead Finks Don’t Talk” referenced Eno’s own recent past in Roxy Music.)
Throughout, Eno’s enigmatic lyrics painted playfully surreal word pictures (“Juanita and Juan, very clever with maracas” in “Baby’s On Fire”), or tapped a vein of waspish venom (“Oh you headless chicken, can those poor teeth take so much kicking?” in “Dead Finks Don’t Talk”).
Released by Island Records in January 1974, Here Come The Warm Jets rose to No.26 in the UK. If Eno’s solo albums would never again trouble in the charts in quite the same manner, it goes without saying that, with further releases, plus an epochal Bowie collaboration in the wings, his sphere of influence was poised to go through the roof.
Here Come The Warm Jets can be bought here.
For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music.
uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG.
Moby has started off 2023 with the release a new album. Earlier this month, he took to social media to announce that he was finishing up a new album called Ambient 23 with a release date of January 1, and, true to his word, the DJ, musician and producer has unveiled the new album, which is now available to hear on digital platforms.
According to his social media post, Ambient 23 was recorded using “weird old drum machines and old synths” and is “inspired by… early ambient heroes,” including Martyn Ware, Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre and Will Sergeant. In a separate update, posted on the day of the release, Moby wrote: “Made to help anxiety (my own, and hopefully yours, too). For 2023, may we all be less anxious (and may we all stop looking for validation from a culture we don’t respect…).”
The new release comes to complete one series of ambient inspirations by Moby, who hopes that each of us will find some special personal meaning in his videos and music. At the same time, he would like even if his music plays softly in the background at home or at work, to help create a feeling of calm and peace.
Ambient 23 follows Reprise, an album of early Moby songs recorded with updated orchestral arrangements. Issued in May 2021, Reprisewas released through the legendary Deutsche Grammophon label.
Reprise found Moby revisiting musical highlights from his notable 30-year career. Together with the Budapest Art Orchestra, he has re-envisioned some of his most recognizable rave classics and anthems with new arrangements for orchestra and acoustic instruments. Reprise features an eclectic and impressive array of guests including Alice Skye, Amythyst Kiah, Apollo Jane, Darlingside, Deitrick Haddon, Gregory Porter, Jim James, Kris Kristofferson, Luna Li, Mark Lanegan, Mindy Jones, Nataly Dawn, Novo Amor, Skylar Grey and Víkingur Ólafsson.
Listen to Ambient 23 on Apple Music and Spotify.
For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music.
uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG.
Amritsar: At Suraj Pawan’s shop in Amritsar’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh market, hang kites adorning postcards of various Punjabi singers like Karan Aujla and Babbu Mann. But it’s only one singer that’s really driving the shop’s sale— Sidhu Moose Wala.
“Love you. Miss You,” with Moose Wala in the middle, or a photograph of the singer with a gun, or simply 295 — his famous song—are currently Punjab’s favourite design.
“I have lost count of the number of kites I’ve sold. I think I’ve sold close to 10 lakh Moose Wala kites,” said Pawan, one of the proprietors of the shop, who also claims to have pioneered the Sidhu design on kites.
The starting price of the kites is Rs 5, with the proprietors claiming they’re not making any profit on Moose Wala kites. “If someone buys 25-30 kites, they want at least five of them with Moose Wala on it,” said another shopkeeper Suraj Kumar. The kites are printed in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur and Bareilly, but the demand is equally high in Delhi as well.
Not everyone is happy with Moose Wala’s photographs on kites, though, including his father. One Gurpreet Singh, who was buying kites for his retail shop, said he finds it disrespectful. “Moose Wala is a legend. People are even more crazy about him after his death. Some even wanted rakhi with his face on it. But his photograph shouldn’t be on a kite, which people will walk on. It is disrespectful. Even his family has taken offence,” he said.
Moose Wala, the truly international rapper who was criticised for glorifying gun violence in his songs, has attained a martyr-like status in Punjab. His murder in May 2022, just two days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) withdrew his security, has been one of the main driving forces behind the worsening law and order situation in the state.
Sidhu Moose Wala kites in display | Urjita Bharadwaj, ThePrint
After his death, not only Gen Z and Millennials but older generations have also started jamming to his beats. “He was a poet of our times. I discovered his music after his death. He talks so highly of Punjabi culture and, unlike other artists, his lyrics aren’t filthy. That’s why every Punjabi remembers him fondly,” said Kar Singh, a 65-year-old farmer.
“Moose Wala has glorified the turban around the world. It has spread the world of Punjabiyat. He was one of a kind,” said the shopkeeper Gurpreet Singh, a shopkeeper in Amritsar.
Shopkeepers whose sales have skyrocketed say Moose Wala’s death has increased the demand for anything associated with the singer. Suraj Kumar said customers don’t want to buy anything if they don’t get a Sidhu Moose Wala kite. Kumar has also become a fan of his music now. “I never heard his music before and even discouraged my kids. But now I have discovered his art and I really like it,” he said, adding that the singer “was killed for telling the truth about the nation”. “He is our heartbeat. We want to keep his memory alive,” Kumar said.
Also read: Kites featuring late singer Sidhu Moosewala on high demand in Ludhaiana
Moose Wala fever
Kites are the flavour of the season before the festival of Lohri, but Moose Wala is everywhere — in ambient music in market places, on T-shirts, bags, key chains and radio. Punjabis are not only showering love on him, but reverence as well.
Sidhu Moose Wala’s picture and graphics inspired from his songs are everywhere | Urjita Bharadwaj, ThePrint
In his death, Moose Wala has become what Princess Diana had become for the United Kingdom. He has been elevated from celebrity status to the status of a hero. People have deep sympathy for his parents who lost their only son, and have respect for Punjab’s only truly international pop sensation who brought glory to the turban.
70-year-old Joginder Pal, owner of a school bag shop, said that bags with the late singer’s motifs have been in demand this season. “After his death we started getting printed bags from Delhi. Right after his death, people wanted to buy bags with Sidhu Moose Wala on it. I sold 300 of them in a month.”
School bag with Sidhu Moose Wala on it | Urjita Bharadwaj, ThePrint
Yogesh Mahajan, who sells apparels in a market near Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, said Punjabis only wanted to buy T-shirts with the 295 singer printed on them. “People have gone completely crazy about him. He was a good human being. A great artist. He promoted Punjab across the globe. Of course, people love him,” he said.
Not only local customers, retailers from all over the country come to Mahajan’s shop to buy Moose Wala products. One such customer was Charanjit Singh from Kota, Rajasthan. “There’s high demand for Moose Wala napkins, key chains, pencils, temporary tattoos and apparel. That’s all kids want. Moose Wala is everywhere in Kota. We are earning a lot of money by selling these products,” he said.
Moose Wala lives on, having attained what few artists do, even if posthumously.
Moby released a new album, Ambient 23, on Sunday. Earlier in the month, the musician announced the LP, explaining that the 16-track set is inspired by his early ambient heroes, including Martyn Ware, Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Will Sergeant.
“It’s a bit different than some of my more recent Ambient records because it’s almost exclusively made with weird old drum machines and old synths,” he added.
On its release day marking a new year, Moby provided a bit more background on the two-and-a-half-hour-long album. It was “Made to help anxiety (my own, and hopefully yours, too),” he wrote on Instagram, alongside photos from his studio and a snippet of music from the album. “For 2023 may we all be less anxious (and may we all stop looking for validation from a culture we don’t respect…).”
Ambient 23 continues Moby’s series of ambient releases. “I presumptuously hope that if someone pays attention to the music/videos they’ll get something out of them, and I also hope that if someone just has the music/video playing quietly in the background that it will help create a feeling of calm and peace,” he said of the collection on his website.
Cleer Audio is one of our favorite audio brands around here, and they are kicking off 2023 and CES week with the announcement of the ROAM SPORT true wireless earbuds. These Noise Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds are IPX4-certified sweat and water-resistant, perfect for those intense workouts and activities.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The ROAM SPORT features custom-designed Cleer Audio dynamic 5.8mm drivers, noise cancellation of up to 25dB of environmental noise, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, long battery life of up to 20 hours on-the-go listening, and multi-sized Freebit wings for a comfortable and secure fit. Its Intuitive TouchPad gestures give you control over music playback, volume, calls, and your phone’s voice assistant.
The new custom designed 5.8mm, dynamic drivers, with AptX® Adaptive Audio, the next generation of AptX, deliver clear, vibrant, and robust audio performance. ROAM SPORT includes the Cleer +App for ultimate personalization, where you can adjust the EQ music playback, customize the Touch Pad functions device controls, and receive firmware updates. The unit’s powerful noise cancellation with custom filters provides the peace and tranquility you need wherever you go.
The lightweight, compact design of ROAM SPORT allows for lasting wear. Select your preferred size ear tip and Freebit wing, then twist and lock the earbud in the ear for a custom, secure fit that won’t budge no matter how intense your workout is.
ROAM sports Ambient Awareness mode lets you let outside noise in to have a conversation without taking your earbuds out. With up to 20 hours of battery life for on-the-go listening. *5 hours playback per charge and 15 hours additional with its USB-C charging case.
“The new ROAM SPORT is geared for the active sports and exercise enthusiasts,” says Patrick Huang, CEO/President of Cleer Audio. “It is feature-rich and works great for answering calls and enjoying your favorite podcast and music track, whether jogging or working out in the gym.”
ROAM SPORT includes a carrying case with an integrated charger, multi-sized Freebit wings, a charging cable, and a user manual. Available in a black finish. U.S. MSRP is $99.99 and is available now!
What do you think of the Cleer Audio ROAM SPORT earbuds? Please share your thoughts on any of the social media pages listed below. You can also comment on our MeWe page by joining the MeWe social network. Be sure to subscribe to our RUMBLE channel as well!
As someone generally averse to the fact that album releases never seem to slow down any more, even at the end of December, I managed to miss Chief Keef’s 4NEM when it dropped in late December last year. Known for pioneering drill before it splintered into a thousand different global subgenres, the Chicago rapper is beloved for the kind of abrasive, potty-mouthed raps that older listeners shake their fists at but which send younger listeners into a craze.
The cover art of 4NEM, depicting a gang of toy soldiers engaged mid-combat, is an apt taste of what the album contains. Keef’s hilarious one liners make intense violence sound comical. On Hadouken, he even references classic teen films: “You’s a fuckin’ cheerleader … bring it on.”
The production is equally zany, designed to match Keef’s frenetic energy. His army of producers mash together samples of guns being loaded, explosions, and synths that resemble operatic choirs. Most striking is 4NEM’s use of earth-shattering bass – I don’t think I’ve ever heard harder 808s. This is music that requires loud speakers; it splits eardrums as much as it does public opinion. CO
Half Man Half Biscuit – Bob Wilson, Anchorman (2016)
Because there are so many Half Man Half Biscuit songs out there – and because so many of them seem utterly impenetrable on first listen, either because the lyrical references are so obscure or because the music sounds like a total racket – I find that new instances of Nigel Blackwell’s genius slowly reveal themselves to me each year. This year’s pick: a song pondering how the late Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson became one of our most prominent sports broadcasters, featuring a completely tangential verse about being cold in the Irish town of Dundalk (“It’s raining soup and I’ve got a fork”). It’s hard to think of a record that could possibly be any less relevant in 2022, and thank God for that. TJ
Handsome Boy Modeling School and Cat Power – I’ve Been Thinking (2004)
I went down a deep Cat Power rabbit hole earlier this year, pushed over the edge by her fantastic (and underrated!) new covers collection. Reading every Pitchfork review of her catalogue, I was introduced to I’ve Been Thinking, a 2004 collaboration with Handsome Boy Modeling School – Dan the Automator and Prince Paul – that’s totally unlike anything else in her catalogue. It’s five minutes of honeyed, atmospheric soul music, anchored by Cat Power’s luxuriant and understated vocal, which drifts and meanders as if it has floated in from another song entirely. It’s perfect mood music, evoking the image of Cat Power as a lounge singer in some smoke-filled underground jazz club. SD
Kenny Wheeler – Music for Large and Small Ensembles (1990)
Jazz is a medium full of Kennys: there is the much-maligned smooth jazzer Kenny G, Miles Davis collaborator Kenny Garrett, bebop trumpeter Kenny Dorham, British bandleader Kenny Ball – the list goes on. Earlier this year, someone I interviewed referenced the Canadian composer Kenny Wheeler as an influence, so I stuck on his Music for Large and Small Ensembles as I wrote up my piece. It blew me away. As its title suggests, Wheeler composes 15 tracks for everything from orchestral big bands down to duo formations with John Taylor on piano and Peter Erskine on drums. His eight-part big band suite channels the luscious swing of Duke Ellington, opening on an affecting choral fanfare, while the small ensembles sink deep into delicate melodies as Wheeler slips and squeals on his trumpet. It embodies the wide spectrum of improvised music – making Wheeler possibly my favourite jazz Kenny to date. AK
Llwybr Llaethog – Mad! (1996)
Novelty throwback edits and big drops are the order of the day at clubs right now, so hearing Electro-Sian by Llwybr Llaethog emerge on a dancefloor this summer felt refreshing. It’s an explosive electro number with disorientating dub sensibilities and screeches of guitar flecked throughout, a far cry from the clean and catchy crowd pleasers doing the rounds.
Staying true to its title, the rest of the record is just as bonkers. Alongside the pacier cuts are downtempo steppers with wonky percussion, alien electronics and agitated Welsh language vocal samples flung in. Ambient noise interludes, heavier moments (Llandub) and a slice of moody cold wave (Ffanny) add a layer of eerie quiet to the chaos.
With its sleazy eccentricity and deep, rattling instrumentals, Mad! is a collection of sounds that could easily have its origins in 80s Germany, 90s New York or in London soundsystem culture. Its origin in a former mining town in Wales makes it even more exciting. SB
Oby Onyioha – Enjoy Your Life (1981)
Perhaps it was grimly predictable, but since turning 30 all the “best new music” I have discovered has been new to me, but decades old. My occasional forays into the pop charts and Spotify trending playlists have left me feeling like an anthropologist in a strange land, where what I understand as music is not necessarily worse, but certainly more precise, metallic-sounding, buffed and honed to a sharp point. Increasingly I’ve been craving the musical equivalent of satin or corduroy: languorous, even baggy; not a hook that grabs you by the jugular, but a vibe that you can sink into like a bean bag.
I’m not sure how I first heard Enjoy Your Life, by Nigerian singer Oby Onyioha – maybe in a 6 Music mix, true to my advancing age – but I experienced it as a bodily relief. That mid-tempo beat, the predictable strings and brass motifs, the minimal escalation in energy over six minutes: it has all of disco’s lust for life, but it still works if your only vices are two glasses of red and an early bedtime. And, better than anything else I’ve heard lately, it captures the necessity of pursuing pleasure, the importance of prioritising fun, even – or especially – when it seems elusive. It’s your right to enjoy your life – even in unprecedented times. EH
Roy Montgomery – Temple IV(1996)
This summer, when interviewing Dry Cleaning for Mojo magazine, I was tasked with asking each band member for one influence on their excellent new album, Stumpwork. Guitarist Tom Dowse cited the New Zealand guitarist Roy Montgomery and mentioned that he had once been in a band, Dadamah, that was signed to US indie label Kranky. Liking both Dowse’s playing on the new album and Kranky’s output very much indeed, I saved the album behind his most popular song on Spotify, then forgot about it for months.
I don’t really believe in cosmic forces but I do think music sometimes finds you when it’s meant to, and in a period of personal desolation – not to mention during a sub-zero week in Berlin – his 1996 album Temple IV hit me at the right time. It’s a thick, instrumental tundra of guitar playing, alternately sharp and white-knuckled, shearing flesh from bone, and loose, jangling and searching: music to lose yourself in, to override the static of your mind. It’s swiftly become an all-time favourite. Proof that you can’t beat the human algorithm – although Spotify took note of my obsessive listening and pointed me towards his new album, which I would otherwise have missed, so I indulged my editor’s privileges to commission an interview with him for our pages in the hope of minting some more new Montgomery fans. LS
To discover Takeshi Terauchi’s work this year has been a blessing. Rightfully lauded as one of Japan’s guitar pioneers, Terauchi’s influence and work has been catalogued neatly by UK record label Ace Records. Charting Terachi’s career from the 1960s surf boom via groovy instrumentals through to 70s fuzz freak-outs and funk rock, his 2011 compilation Nippon Guitars charmed me from its first punchy guitar licks. Taking you through a decade of exuberance and fun, Terauchi’s instrumentation is always acerbic and sizzling. It’s a welcome path to wander down. DB
Tangerine Dream – Network 23 (1981)
Paul Hartnoll from Orbital pointed me towards this tune on Tangerine Dream’s 1981 album, Exit, after I suggested that the Berlin electronic giants’ best work was already behind them by the end of the 70s. Network 23 (which subsequently gave a name to Spiral Tribe’s record label) is fantastic, a gradually building, hypnotic trance track. The motorik rhythm is slightly reminiscent of German peers Neu! but it also clearly points the way to house and techno at a point when both were years away. The ethereal synth line that suddenly erupts at around three minutes and 20 seconds is just glorious. I consider myself told. DS
Taylor Swift – Today Was a Fairytale (2010)
When Taylor Swift released Red in 2012, she put me in a headlock which I am yet to escape from. Her earlier releases hadn’t captured me – I’d mistakenly judged them as too whimsical, too middle American, with a faint whiff of early-2000s Silver Ring Thing energy. Buried among those early records was a non-album single called Today Was a Fairytale that I’ve recently become obsessed with. It’s not Swift’s most sophisticated song, but its guilelessness is its charm. Something about its simplicity hotwires my nervous system, creating nostalgia for an innocent adolescence that, as a queer person, I never actually experienced. Three listens to its soaring chorus and I could walk through a brick wall. The campaign for Taylor to include it on her Eras tour setlist starts here. JS
People nowadays don’t buy cars just because they want to get to their destinations. They buy cars depending on their tastes and preferences, or their wants and needs. For instance, while a single guy with a need for speed would want to purchase sports cars, a family man would choose a sedan or an SUV.
But the choices go beyond just the type of vehicle, as many customers would select a vehicle depending on the features included. For instance, the Ford F-150 is available with the so-called Max Recline Seats. These seats can lift the rear half of the bottom up to 3.5 inches as the seat reclines back, thereby allowing drivers to take a far more comfortable nap
For this year, the Toyota revealed the GR Corolla features the GR-Four All-Wheel-Drive system, which interestingly is the carmaker’s first sports AWD system in over two decades. With the twist of a dial, the GR Corolla can tweak its front/rear torque distribution to 60:40, 40:60 or 50:50.
Other carmakers unveiled cars with equally quirky and strange features. Perhaps, the BMW 7 Series has the strangest car feature that any carmaker introduced in 2022. After all, this feature – the panoramic BMW Theatre Screen — transforms the rear cabin of the luxury vehicle into a cinema on the go.
Strangely Huge For A Rear-Seat Screen Display
Via: BMW
Vehicle screen displays are nothing new. Ever since digital infotainment systems became a norm in the 2010s, screen displays have become a vital part of them. At first, the screens were small, displaying only the most vital information that the user had accessed.
But as infotainment systems got more complex and complicated, there was a need for screens that could display more information at the same time. Of course, the driver should be able to view what’s on the screen clearly and legibly. Customers loved this innovation, and were clamoring for larger screens.
Thus, in the more recent years, carmakers are upping the game by introducing larger screen and even placing extra displays on the back of the seats to give passengers a viewing pleasure while on the go. For instance, the Cadillac Escalade features a 38-inch curved OLED display while Mercedes-Benz with its 56-inch Hyperscreen infotainment display. But while these screens are massive, they don’t provide a wholesome entertainment for those sitting on the rear.
Meanwhile, rear-seat screens aren’t now and have been in existence since the 1990s, these are usually small displays fastened on seatbacks or removable tablets. BMW, however, strangely veered away from its rivals and created a massive screen display solely for the theatrical benefit of rear passengers. While the cockpit of the newly unveiled 7 Series and i7 still has its own displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment display, the rear cabin has the BMW Theater Screen to enjoy.
RELATED: 2023 BMW i7 Will Feature A Huge Grille And A Movie-Theatre Screen
A Massive Display With 8K Resolution
Via: BMW
The BMW Theater Screen is essentially an ultra-wide panorama display that measures 31.13 inches in diagonal. The screen spans a good portion of the car’s width and hangs from the headliner. BMW has the massive screen suspended overhead; folding it flat on the roof when not in use. A sophisticated rotary movement on two articulated rails at the sides effects the deployment of the screen, until it reaches the backrests of the front seats.
Interestingly, the BMW Theater Screen comes with a very high 8k display resolution (about 8000 × 2000 pixels per screen column) for extremely detailed visual experience when watching films or show in ultra HD quality. The screen can play or show contents in 16:9, 21:9 or 32:9 aspect ratios using its zoom function. The Theater Screen, however, may crop the content while zoomed, or display thick black bars on the sides, simply because most films and shows aren’t available in 32:9 ratio.
A user can control the screens in various ways. To adjust the tilt of the display, one just has to use the control menu on the in-car entertainment system. The Theater Screen is essentially a touchscreen display that rear-seat viewers can use to adjust the modes, resolution, volume, and more. However, doing the adjustments on the massive from the seats seemed impractical, so BMW also integrated extra touchscreens on the door handles to serve as an additional control panel.
RELATED: These Are The Best Features Of The 2023 BMW 7 Series
My Mode Theater Transforms Cabin To A Cinema
BMW ensures that the rear passengers can get most of the viewing experience with various extras included in the My Mode Theater. For a more articulate viewing, the carmaker integrated a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System for a high-end sound experience.
Amazon Fire TV will provide the content and technology, allowing users to access various streaming services for watching movies and TV episodes and listening to music. The BMW 7 Series and new all-electric i7 sedan are the first vehicles with integrated Amazon Fire TV, which allows them to support content in 4K through their built-in 5G connection.
Once the passengers activate My Mode Theater, the BMW Theater Screen deploys and at the same time, the roller sun-blinds for the side windows, the rear window closes and the ambient lighting in the rear cabin dims. This sequence results in an immersive theatrical viewing experience.
HC orders filing of chargesheet against EDM organisers
Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday directed that necessary chargesheet be filed as per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act against the organisers of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival at Vagator before the concerned Magistrate.
The Court has also asked Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to commence the process of prosecution of the concerned persons in charge of the festival.
While hearing public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Ramesh Sinary, the Court gave interim directions. It asked the GSPCB, North Goa Collector and the concerned Deputy Collector, Mapusa Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the Anjuna Police to maintain strict vigil at the concerned site to ensure that under no circumstances would music be played on Friday from 3.30 pm to 10 pm at levels above 55 dB(A) Leq and that no music is played after 10 pm.
The Court further asked the GSPCB to ensure that its decibel meter devices to record the ambient noise level at the site shall collect data on real time basis from 3.30 pm to beyond 10 pm and to download such data and print and place it before the Court along with its affidavit on January 3, 2023.
The Court asked the GSPCB and the police to ensure that the EDM event organisers provide a display board to record noise level at the venue, prior to the commencement of the event at 3.30 pm on Friday and if they fail to do so then shut down the event.
The petitioner had contended that EDM is played continuously in open air within a residential area at a decibel level higher than 55 dB(A)Leq, which is in violation of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act and the Air Act, making the organisers liable for prosecution under the penal provisions of these Acts. The GSPCB which was collecting data of the noise levels at the site since starting of the festival on December 28, told the court that from its data the noise levels had crossed the threshold of 55 dB(A)Leq.
Though the three-day event ended on Friday, the Court has asked the EDM organisers to file an affidavit disclosing the names of all its Directors as they stand in the record of the Company as on December 5, 2022 till date and the names of the Directors and persons in charge of the event. The matter has now been posted for next hearing on January 3.
![[CES 2023] Cleer Audio announces its new ROAM SPORT true wireless earbuds](https://lseband.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CES-2023-Cleer-Audio-announces-its-new-ROAM-SPORT-true.jpg)
