MAG: NIKE SB ZOOM STEFAN JANOSKI ANTHRACITE BLACK

From: The Illest

Saw this in my feed the other day and it caught my eye. Just another pair of Stefan Janoskis, yes, but the glossy black leather looks very sharp and handsome on the black body. Perhaps replacing black for the 'Anthracite' grey highlights and also the white sole would make these quite a special all-black-everything shoe. Quite fancied the textures I guess...

MAG: MØ NEVER WANNA KNOW

As promised, Danish sensation MØ has dropped yet another tease this morning – a new song off the upcoming EP "Bikini Daze". The record arrives on October 20 to feature four tracks (including the Diplo collab) and "Never Wanna Know" is also one of them. Probably the closest thing to a ballad we'll hear from her, it's a beautiful, slow discotheque number that, although may be more stripped back than the rest of her repertoire, still holds the intricate construction of garish sounds that's so attractive in her music, while the youthful energy in her voice can't ever be taken away. Reminds me of Marina And The Diamonds. Anyway, she keeps us waiting, but it's another 4 minutes of wonder that will keep us going a little longer until next time.

BLOG: THE WEEKND KISS LAND PRETTY OFFICIAL VIDEO

This is the official video for "Pretty" – possibly my favourite track off the album – the latest offering by The Weeknd following the big release of his first proper album "Kiss Land". It's a record I was slightly anxious to hear to be honest, not quite sure what the man who arose from such mystery and originality to the inevitable (and nowadays customary) hype that surrounds any viral success. But I feel very assured, and very impressed.

It would seem that sonically he has found his style after the differing approaches to his debut trilogy of mixtapes, working with various producers and experimenting with a range of sounds. There was of course never any doubt in his musical talent and those cold, emotionally piercing vocals that he possesses, but I am glad to be enjoying the fruits of this major release. There are some great songs on the LP including "Belong To The World" (probably none of them topping the likes of "High For This", "The Morning" or "Wicked Games" from "House Of Balloons") but great nevertheless, and I'm super excited to see him perform again, this time at the arena venue of The O2 – a huge step-up from when I last saw him in Camden. The new collection should make a fine spectacle.

DIARY: POST DESIGN WEEK

Busy with Design Week, I've not been able to contribute as much here as I would have hoped. Again. But I must say I highly enjoyed being at designjunction – not only did we receive great interest and enthusiasm for our [re]craft project, I was able to see some great things at the exhibition. A brilliant vibe to the place, I hope some of you got to go for yourself. Now that's done and dusted though, I have this remaining week to recoup before embarking on Year 3 of my undergraduate studies. Crazy.

As for what I've missed blogging this past week, I will definitely be looking to catch up. There's just been too much goodness to ignore. In a month dominated by new music, there's been plenty going on the past 5 or 6 days that I will no doubt trickle my thoughts onto, starting with The Weeknd's album, new MØ and HAIM live...

DIARY: LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2013 PREP

I've been prepping with [re]design, the company I had my work placement with earlier this summer, for Designjunction these past few days as they get ready for the launch of their new book and exhibition tonight. The show lasts until Sunday and I'll be working some shifts to promote the project. The whole floor looks pretty good right now and there are some really interesting stands around us that I will definitely be checking out over the coming days. If you've registered, come down and have a look.

In other news, that competition piece for the RSA Student Design Awards, where our project was shortlisted and commended (woop), has actually been selected itself for display at the RSA's own stand at 100% Design in Earl's Court (woop woop). Tomorrow I'll be there to promote that and indeed take an in-depth wander around the show, which again promises to be a good one.

This year is my first in which I've participated for London Design Festival, so I'm really excited to be there and to see it all. There's a lot going on all across town, so do make some time to visit what you can, and indeed come say hello at one of the shows I'll be at.

MAG: INTRODUCING MØ

A new video to (re-)introduce MØ, as she talks about her work and reveals a heartfelt outlook behind the "electro indie" sound that's put her in the spotlight as one of Europe's top emerging acts. I've seen her live twice, with a third occasion coming up in November at XOYO, and it's true that she is absolutely wild up on stage, dedicated to the music and living the moment, with not a single fuck given. And that's the rawness that's attracted me to MØ since hearing her material for the first time towards the start of this year, and is certainly one to watch for in the coming 12 months too. An EP on the way including the lead track "XXX 88" featuring Diplo, and a debut album being prepped for release soon too. For sure you'll see me go on about all that here, as and when it happens. MØ ftw.

BLOG: OF MONSTERS AND MEN END OF TOUR VIDEO

A big regret of my year is that I never got to see Of Monsters And Men tour their debut album. It is a delightful record and their work epitomises band culture and true love for music. I've said it before, but their genre and mood of sound is, at least for me, the ultimate festival music – perfect for live shows and a feel-good crowd. This is a lovely short video that captures the spirit of their lengthy tour, cut to my favourite track off the album, the closing number "Yellow Light". A video that basically shows me what I've missed, although of course I've watched what I can on video such as full sets from Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, SW3 New Pop Festival and The Bowery Presents to name a few, and you should watch them too if you can, because it's guaranteed enjoyment and beautiful art.

MAG: FOUR TET PARALLEL JALEBI

Taken from the impending new album is Four Tet's latest track "Parallel Jalebi". From such a talented, creative artist, "Beautiful Rewind" is set to be another wicked record, his seventh full-length LP. And he's been in the music scene long enough to know how it works and what he wants, with the album having notoriously been announced for release "soon" with no pre-orders or streams beforehand. With the 10 year anniversary celebrations for "Rounds" still fresh in our minds, I've given that a few spins lately as well as watching a DJ set of his at Field Day in May, and I'm as eager as anybody to hear what he has coming next. And "Parallel Jalebi" is an exciting taster.

MAG: SBTRKT IMO DEMO

Just uploaded by SBTRKT is this first glimpse into his new material in preparation for an eagerly anticipated second album. His self-titled debut record, featuring much of Sampha (with whom more collaborations have been promised), was a phenomenal piece of work and his accompanying tour as I experienced at London's Shepherds Bush venue was one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to. So it's no surprise that I cannot wait for him to drop new music, and this is more than a satisfactory teaser for the time being, an as yet unmixed and unmastered version for a new song "IMO". With some 3D intricate visuals to go with it, it's one to savour.

DIARY: MONOCLE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

I decided to officially subscribe to Monocle the other week, and yesterday my first delivery arrived. Issue 67 along with the customary tote bag. I'd already been buying every issue for the past two years, essentially 'saving' myself £20 per year, considering the actual subscription is that much more. But weighing up the tote bag, the biannual newspapers, the online archive access, early receipt and the all important slight (very slight) special treatment in the Monocle Café and Shop, I thought I'd give it a go. Their content material is always to a standard that I can rely on and trust, as well as it usually being highly interesting, so I think it makes sense. Besides, I'm always looking for "better living" – who isn't? – so here I am ready to learn.

MAG: CARRIE FILM FEATURETTE

My god this looks good. I've admired Chloë Grace Moretz's work and her approach to the industry a lot, seemingly very mature and very well supported (as well as being very talented). This is a good article to read, a recent feature interview for W Magazine. Kick Ass was awesome, but this remake of Carrie looks highly compelling and I'm super interested to see this when it hits the cinemas. The date is November 29 for the UK.

MAG: VINCE KIDD MY GANG OFFICIAL VIDEO

September's music news continues to impress, as I seem to have someone or something to talk about every single day. The Voice UK finalist Vince Kidd definitely has what it takes to become a stunning artist, and I'm so pleased to hear new material from the guy. Fresh in today is this music video for his brand new track called "My Gang" and for me it's the perfect spot in the musical genre spectrum for him, his vocal qualities and singing sass really thriving. Not a clue if there's any news of a record coming any time soon, but that would be very welcome news indeed.

MAG: SOHN NEW SINGLE LESSONS

With new material comes Vienna-based Londoner, SOHN, following his EPs "Bloodflows" and "The Wheel" that marked a real arrival of note. Meanwhile, he's been in charge of some significant remixes and productions, working with/on the likes of BANKS, Angel Haze, Rhye and Lana Del Rey. So, this new single "Lessons", set to be available for download on September 23, is pretty exciting and it's a beautiful song, an intense flourish of fresh electronica. He goes on tour this autumn, including a visit to London's Electrowerkz (where I saw MØ in March) which I'd love to be at, as well as a confirmed album for 2014. Much more to come from this upcoming talent it would seem, and that is great news.

MAG: BANKS LONDON EP

As dark, twisted and moody as ever, BANKS continues her rise in the music game with a brand new EP called "London" released yesterday. It's brilliant, you can listen to some of the tracks above. It may only be four songs long, but her sassy attitude, sultry style and emotional heart are apparent throughout, justly presented with some superb productions from the likes of SOHN (another artist I'm following at this moment, he's incredible), Lil Silva, Jamie Woon and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. She'll be supporting The Weeknd's "Kiss Land" tour this autumn, and it's a show I'm really looking forward to seeing come November.