I honestly never thought I’d pose this question, but are we ready to push buttons again? As the era of Y2k fashion surges on, we’re constantly hankering for more nostalgia. We’ve brought back trucker hats, Juicy Couture, and now maybe even the flip phone.
When I was growing up, I loved to play with my dad’s Motorola Razr. In my eyes, there was no cooler phone in the world. I loved the way you could be so sassy and smack your phone closed when you were finished with a call.
Back then even the Blackberry was all the rage. It wasn’t a flip phone, per-se, but you there was something so camp about typing on BBM to your friends even though your fingers were too big for the buttons.
Now that the world has turned into an “iPhone or bust” culture, it’s hard to imagine the flip phone being a viable option once more. They had impossible internet service, were most functional for phone calls, and they weren’t fast.
But, never say never. Paris Hilton — our beacon for all things the Y2k aesthetic — stepped out on September 5 with her husband, Carter Reum, toting a hot pink Motorola RAZR flip phone.
@oliverlargex Reasons to switch from iphone to a flip Razr! 😍 #razr #razr50ultra #fyp #newphone #flipphone #motorola ♬ original sound - Oliver Large
Yes, the classic flip is back in production with a new twist. The razr+ is a reimagined take on our OG fave: a touchscreen phone that folds up and flips any way you’d like.
While I — like you, I’m sure — worried about the possibility of sitting on your phone and shattering the screen… It turns out the razr+ is stress tested and has the capability to last underwater for up to 30 minutes.
What a fun alternative to the iPhone — which only seems to get worse over time. And now you can hang up the phone in such a sassy manner everyone will know precisely how you feel.
It’s been rare — to say the least — when I’ve gone to a festival where the entire weekend revolved around one headliner. It was undeniable — the palpable energy at Sea.Hear.Now 2024 as the time to watch hometown hero — Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band — perform as the Sunday night headliner.
Spanning the two-day festival were iconic performances from the likes of Noah Kahan, Norah Jones, Trey Anastasio Band, and more…but it was clear from the beginning who this festival was about: The Boss.
From the first moments of this year’s Sea.Hear.Now, fans were decked out in their Bruce Springsteen merch. I’ve never seen a crowd so diverse in terms of age — longtime Springsteen followers and new listeners alike flocked to Asbury Park, New Jersey to see Bruce live.
Springsteen had not returned to Asbury Park since 2010 — when he performed an invite-only set at the Carousel House. This was the first time he played a set in New Jersey to a paying audience in decades…and The Boss didn’t disappoint.
Sea.Hear.Now Day One: Noah Kahan Brings Stick Season To The Beach
We rented a place in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, a few miles from Asbury Park. Saturday we opted to take the train in because it runs almost directly into the festival itself. I’d highly recommend that anyone planning on going to next year's festival take advantage of public transportation.
As I entered the festival on Saturday, I did what all savvy festival attendees do: bee-lined for the merch stand before all the good stuff sold out. Since I’d arrived a bit late, I was already out of luck on a number of popular items.
I will always tell people to buy one piece of personalized merch at every concert you attend. It’s terrific memorabilia, and even better bragging rights. So, anything that states the festival lineup and location will do for me.
What I love about Sea.Hear.Now is that it truly showcases the beauty of Asbury Park itself. Once a struggling, rundown town, Asbury Park has rebuilt and transformed itself into a mecca for music, nightlife, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Festival performers like Joe P had amazing sets, where he performed classics like “All Day I Dream About” and “Off My Mind.” But Joe P also dropped in and played sets at local bars like Low Dive. Bruce Springsteen also played a surprise 30-minute set at the iconic Stone Pony that same Saturday night.
I quickly ate my go-to festival dinner — a pulled pork sandwich, which is never the best or worst attempt at barbecue I’ve had — and rushed to the VIP area for Noah Kahan’s headline set.
As always, Noah Kahan delivered a flawless performance. I’ve seen him perform his hit album, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), numerous times now and am constantly impressed by both his vocal power and humor.
But the VIP crowd was evidently there for Bruce. As I screamed the words along with Noah — to the horror of everyone around me — I discovered that many did not know a single song. That’s the worst part about VIP at a festival…it can be a bit stuffy.
Sea.Hear.Now Day Two: The Boss Is Back
The crowd at Sea.Hear.Now 2024 Nathan Zucker
By day two I was exhausted. No matter how small and cozy a festival is, there’s a lot of walking. My feet and legs ached as I woke up, but I knew I had more to go. But there was one factor motivating me, and his name is Bruce Springsteen.
This was my first Bruce show. Growing up in New Jersey, The Boss is an absolute superhero. It’s between him and fictional character Tony Soprano for top two New Jerseyans.
I’d heard many things about seeing the legendary E Street Band in person. Everyone knows that many artists wouldn’t be here without Bruce. And I knew what a big thing it was for him to play a hometown show for the first time in forever.
The anticipation was electric from the beginning, but Sunday in Asbury Park felt like Christmas came early.
Last year, the VIP section was flooded with people sitting in the food area, watching football games by the TV on Sunday. This year, the beach was packed by midday.
As soon as you entered the festival, everyone was wearing something Springsteen-related. While Saturday brought a few Noah Kahan-faithful, Sunday was solely for Bruce.
He popped into multiple other sets, like performing with the Trey Anastasio Band before his own headline performance. Bruce and his E Street Band were gifted a three hour slot — unheard of in most festivals.
But it was for entirely good reason. Bruce delivered an unforgettable performance that longtime fans know in their bones is once-in-a-lifetime. Many are saying that if they never see Bruce live again, ending with that performance would be perfect.
He played songs like “Thundercrack” for the first time since 2016 and “Asbury Park (Sandy)” for the first time since 2010. After a cover of “Twist and Shout,” he ended the concert with a piercingly resonant “Jersey Girl.”
The band may be aging, but you cannot tell by their onstage electricity and fervor. Springsteen turns 75 years old this week, but you’d think it’s the 80s by the way he’s playing.
And, consequently, he reminded the crowd that we cannot outlast the E Street Band. The lovemaking, earth shaking, groundbreaking E Street Band played their hearts out for three hours straight— with no break! — on the beach of Asbury Park.
All ages came together in that one glorious moment to experience an outstanding set. It was something special to gaze around at the crowd and see everyone, old and young, having the best night of their lives. That’s what music is all about, and that’s why Sea.Hear.Now 2024 was so special.
Happy Friday, everyone! Not gonna lie, this week felt about a billion years long — and as I'm looking forward to Sea.Hear.Now, I'm ready to listen to a bunch of music. The good news: each week a ton of artists release new music each Friday...so we have a lot to look forward to.
This week, like every week, I made a fresh playlist filled with fresher new tracks for you to show your friends. Now that we've all settled in for the fall, there's nothing better than new music to listen to while you hang out and watch football with you friends and family, or while you're getting ready to go to brunch with the girls, or really any plans you have.
Every week, I search through every playlist, press release, and email alike to find the best new music released. That way, you don't have to struggle to find a good playlist when your friends put you on aux duty. And, it won't be the same old playlist you listen to every weekend...because everything on this one is brand new!
If you're as excited as I am to hear what we have in store for this weekend's playlist...let's get listening!
MEDUZA, HAYLA- "Another World"
HAYLA is quickly emerging as one of the biggest voices in house music right now. With tracks alongside John Summit like "Where You Are" and "Shiver," and now this collab with MEDUZA, she's established her vocal prowess and shown the world she's a force to be reckoned with.
"Another World" has all the makings of the perfect dance track: a great, catchy beat by MEDUZA and a dance-worthy hook and chorus from HAYLA. "Another World" was definitely made to be performed live, for audiences and crowds coming together and having the time of their lives.
Dayglow- "Mindless Creatures"
Dayglow has released his "debut" album, DAYGLOW, and with it comes lead single "Mindless Creatures." The song itself captures Dayglow as an artist perfectly: with elements of surf rock, indie touches, and captivating choruses. "Mindless Creatures" is saturated in fun, a true sign that Dayglow knows who he is as a singer-songwriter-producer extraordinaire.
The album itself deserves its own listen, but "Mindless Creatures" is a great start for those who want to get to know Dayglow. It's feel good, introspective, and nostalgic music. A great response to his mega-hits like "Can I Call You Tonight" and "Hot Rod."
INJI, Nile Rodgers- "SEXY 4EVER"
Breakout star INJI is here to make hit songs that combine pop and dance with her sassy lyricism and hard-hitting vocals. Her real vocal power is like her secret weapon to those who may not know she can belt it out with the best of them. In her new EP, WE GOOD, INJI produces five flawless records that build off her success from TikTok viral hit, "GASLIGHT."
Not only does "SEXY 4EVER" highlight how important it is to let loose no matter what your age is, icon Nile Rodgers hopped on the track to work with INJI. From current icon Rodgers to budding icon INJI, "SEXY 4EVER" shows INJI is ready to take a step into superstardom.
Tate McRae- "It's ok I'm ok"
If you were missing old school pop princess vibes, then Tate McRae is here to save you. Think Danity Kane, The Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears...that's what we're talking: big dance numbers, Y2K nostalgia, and sexy lyrics. It's about female empowerment, ear-wormy radio hits that will continue to catapult McRae into the popstar category she so deserves.
Whether it's her viral live performances, insane dance routines, or pure pop songs, Tate McRae is at the forefront of our minds for a reason. She may have been snubbed by the Grammy's, but she will get her flowers soon enough. Especially with "It's ok I'm ok" and it's already viral accompanying video.
Suki Waterhouse- "Model, Actress, Whatever"
One of my favorite crooning indie artists out there is actually well-known model, actress, whatever Suki Waterhouse. She perfectly embodies the moody, yearning, pining starlet we all need in the music industry. Similar to what Lana Del Rey provides, Suki Waterhouse is equally serving.
In new album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, her single "Model, Actress, Whatever" is a commentary on her life right now. As a new mother alongside Robert Pattinson, a talented actress, model, and singer, Waterhouse seems to have it all going on. But she warns you to F*** what you heard.
Cloonee, Andruss- "Pegao"
Collaborators Andruss and Cloonee hit the mark with "Pegao," a high energy, exciting track that stays dynamic throughout its entirety. Rising star Andruss is keeping the momentum strong with another single with the potential to be a major club hit...and of course, Cloonee, with his signature ability to make any track of his an EDM hit.
The pair make sense while working together: with Andruss' explosive vocals and lyricism, and Cloonee's solidified approach to making a banger. "Pegao" just continues another big year for both Andruss and Cloonee alike.
JVKE, Nick Jonas- "this is what forever feels like"
The playlist needed an ethereal love song to end it on a strong note. Who better than unlikely pairing, JVKE and Nick Jonas, to deliver just what we needed? A passionate devotion to their loved ones that they want to love them for the rest of their lives.
The production is what launches this song from just another love song to something entirely unique. A strong backing and two voices who perfectly meld together, "this is what forever feels like" transcends you into a different planet...one of love and futuristic vibes.