New In - Apr 23
One-third of the way through the year, here is our latest selection of things you need to know about. At least, we think so — a podcast for film lovers, an online workout platform and a destination for everything Modernism.
Soundtracking with Edith Bowman
Soundtracking is a podcast hosted by the Scottish broadcaster and journalist Edith Bowman. It features in-depth conversations with directors, performers, composers, and musicians about the role of music in film and television, specifically their career histories or new releases. From original scores to selecting key songs that struck a chord with them for their movie soundtracks, the interviews are engaging and provide an insight into the behind-the-scenes cogs that turn within the art of filmmaking.
Transform your wellness game with Centr – a sleek, all-in-one platform that offers personalised regimes, meal plans, and mindfulness tools. Founded and backed by actor Chris Hemsworth’s expert team, it’s more than an app—it’s a lifestyle choice. Whether you need limitless recipes, meditations or tailored workouts, Centr is your go-to guide. Don’t want to subscribe? We like to weave in some of their free tutorials.
What began as a visual documentation of architecture, Modernist Estates has grown into multiple forms: walking guides around culturally rich cities, books delving into design-led buildings and the people living in them, an online marketplace for mid-century modern items, Things You Can Buy and a lettings platform showcasing carefully designed properties. It’s a great source of inspiration and the place to be if you’re in the market for new (but ironically, old) furniture or want to explore a new area on foot.
Barcelona-based Volto is a brand that adds simplicity to dish seasoning. The collection of products includes their original design: a salt and pepper shaker, a two-in-one concept consisting of cork, glass and a twistable lid method. It’s a modern idea blended with traditional methods that evokes a Mediterranean aesthetic.
Published last year, The Monocle Companion 2: Fifty Essays for a Brighter Future is just one of the many books within Monocle’s roster. The second edition offers a new paperback complete with inspirational sources from commentaries on combating the energy crisis, new habits for good, greener futures, and perspectives on attitudes of world leaders and publicly funded services. It's a thought-provoking read that does what it says on the cover. It’s everything you can expect from a Monocle publication.
An online film archive listing the very best, founded by friends, designer/producer Beth Wilkinson (also Oak Park Studio, Lindsay Magazine) and strategist/copywriter Emma Stevenson (also [reads], Bagggy). The website is a catalogue of personal recommendations born out of their love for similar films and the joy of bonding over a common thread. Think – Call Me By Your Name (2017), The Favourite (2018) and Parasite (2019).
Another re-watch, but it's no less worthy. We are obsessed with this series by chef Samin Nosrat. The docuseries, which follows from her best-selling cookbook of the same name, explores the basic four elements of making flavoursome food. As predicted: Salt, Fat, Acid and Heat. Italy, Japan, Mexico, and the USA are some of the lucky hotspots on her travels, and it's a joy to see her travel the world, breaking down the simplicity of cooking and showing all can create delicious-tasting food. Netflix is your place to view.
Mass is a collective of photographers who depict the environment built by human interventions: cities, towns, and buildings. The team sells prints and journals on their website, exhibits their work together, and hosts workshops and talks.
It’s become our go-to for pre-King’s Cross train journeys to chill, have a beverage and do some work, but Spiritland is much more than that. Their space combines a café, bar, and radio studio, embodying all that vinyl music culture offers, paired with complimentary food and drink. Their venues are kitted out with Living Voice audio equipment; in Mayfair, their Headphone Bar hosts world-class electronics. It has become a much-loved destination for those who appreciate high-quality sound systems and listening to live DJs. If you like heat, we highly recommend crispy potatoes with smoked chilli tomato jam as a snack that offers a kick.
We’re all for new watches, but sometimes we revert to our classics, whether old school or even those from a few years back. No Time To Die is not only a spectacular closure on Daniel Craig’s reign as 007, but the production scores big points. From the art direction, set design and location sourcing, paired with a soundtrack by the prolific Hans Zimmer, the list goes on. Destinations such as Italy, Jamaica, Scotland and Norway were integral to the storylines, creating the perfect setting to complement the script and the interiors were peppered with designs by some great brands from Tivoli to Tizio.
