TRAVEL+FOOD

THE WEEKND – #1 ALBUM

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“When I started making this album, I never imagined it would be released as we face a worldwide pandemic.” says The Weeknd “I always felt that music helped me in hard times and I hope that this body of work can do the same for others. It’s been amazing to see the real heroes shine in our world right now, the healthcare workers, the grocery store clerks and staff, delivery people, first responders – everyone putting their lives on the line to help others. This album is for them and any small joy or relief it can bring.”

THE WEEKND CAPTURES #1 ALBUM AND #1 ON BILLBOARD HOT 100 WITH AFTER HOURS AND BLINDING LIGHTS

AFTER HOURS DEBUTS AS BIGGEST ALBUM OF 2020

THE WEEKND BREAKS HIS OWN STREAMING RECORD, NOW HAS THE #1 AND #2 STREAMING R&B ALBUMS OF ALL TIME

ALBUM SURPASSES 2 BILLION GLOBAL STREAMS, CLOSING IN ON 2 MILLION IN GLOBAL CONSUMPTION

The Weeknd’s latest album, After Hours (XO/Republic Records) was released to massive critical and fan acclaim and has now been crowned the year’s biggest release, earning over 2 billion global streams and nearly 2 million in global consumption. The Grammy Award winning artist has not only captured a #1 album debut, but the single “Blinding Lights” has simultaneously captured the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his 5th #1 on the chart. In addition, After Hours has become the #1 R&B streaming album of all time, breaking the record previously held by The Weeknd’s 2016 release, Starboy. The artist now holds the #1 and #2 top streaming R&B albums of all time with After Hours and Starboy. After Hours is topping the charts across the globe, debuting #1 in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and New Zealand. The album debuted at #1 on Apple Music in over 85 countries and dominated the global Spotify Chart, capturing 7 of the Top 10. Additionally, “Blinding Lights” has been the #1 airplay song and #1 official single in multiple countries for several consecutive weeks as well as Spotify’s #1 Global Song for 37 days and counting. The record has also has crossed over 5 million in Single Consumption.

The #1’s were aplenty for the release, #1 Billboard Debut of 2020 (After Hours), #1 Billboard Top 200 (After Hours), #1 Billboard Hot 100 (Blinding Lights), #1 Billboard R&B Album (After Hours), #1 Billboard Digital Song (Blinding Lights), #1 All-Time R&B Streaming Week (After Hours) and #1 Global Shazam (Blinding Lights).

Previous to album release the first two singles, “Heartless” and “Blinding Lights”, had already taken the world by storm, earning RIAA Platinum status and bringing The Weeknd into the Top 10 artists of all time for RIAA singles. “Heartless” became The Weeknd’s 4th #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, while “Blinding Lights” became his 5th #1 Hot 100 and his 7th #1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart, the most for any artist ever. The Weeknd continued the trend by accumulating over 1 million pre-saves on Apple Music, the most the platform has ever seen.

Travel Smart – Gadgets to Make Any Trip a Breeze

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Travel in the 21st century is a very different experience to what it was in years gone by, due in no small part to the most inescapable gadget of them all – our smartphones. These devices have removed a lot of the guesswork for travellers, as well as serving as all-round entertainment units for long journeys. Listen to an audiobook, play some games at real money casinos, or catch up on the news; some may argue that a smartphone is the only gadget you really need while travelling.

If you take that approach, then you’d be missing out. There are a ton of excellent and useful gadgets that should be included in any smart traveller’s suitcase or backpack. Here is our pick of the devices that can make any trip smooth, fun and hassle-free.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

These can be a real life-saver in a variety of situations, especially during long flights or train journeys. They can help you sleep more easily, enhance the sound quality of the in-flight entertainment or simply act as a deterrent to any chatty strangers that you may not want to interact with. Two good choices are the Sennheiser PCX550 or Sony WH-1000XM3, both of which have the option to be wired or wireless.

Portable Charger

That smartphone is just a hunk of useless metal and plastic if you can’t charge it, and when you are travelling you may not always be near an outlet. Portable chargers are the solution, and the type you choose may depend on the type of trip you are taking. For holidays to remote locations, hikes and camping trips, a solar-powered charger may be the answer. The Soluser portable charger is one of the best to be found, and it can provide up to 500 charges from full capacity. For regular portable chargers, Anker has cornered the market with its superior products.

Personal WiFi Hotspot

Another must-have if you want or need to stay connected while you are away is a mobile hotspot. Save money on international data, and connect even if you are far from civilization. The network is also secure, which can’t be said for some public WiFi. Verizon have a good one, and the device from GlocalMe also receives high user reviews. Check if the country you are travelling to is included in the coverage before deciding which to buy.

Compression Packing Cubes

For the organised traveller who wants to make the best possible use of the space in their suitcase, these packing cubes are just the ticket. Simply place your stacked clothes in the cube, and the compression zip will dramatically reduce the size of the pile. These are also perfect for anyone who likes to travel with only carry-on luggage, as you can fit so much more into a small space. The Gonex range are great quality, and the sturdy zips can stand repeated usage.

Waterproof Phone Case

Keep your phone safe and dry under any weather conditions, while still being able to use it. The case adds bulk to your phone, but at some point you’re sure to be grateful that you have it. LifeProof are generally regarded as producing the best and sturdiest cases, although they do come with a rather high price tag. Even so, you can drop your phone down a ravine, and as long as you’re able to retrieve it, a LifeProof case will probably keep it unscathed.

Universal Travel Adapter

You may have had a bad experience with some of the older, badly-made travel adapters that barely did the job they were supposed to do. Thankfully, modern universal adapters are of much higher quality. There are lots of smaller brands that make good products, so check out a couple of reviews, choose one that’s highly rated, and you won’t go wrong.

NAV – TURKS

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NAV DROPS NEW TRACK “TURKS” FT GUNNA & TRAVIS SCOTT

RECKLESS ALBUM NOW RIAA CERTIFIED GOLD

Listen to “Turks” Ft Gunna & Travis Scott

Nav has dropped his new track “Turks” ft. Gunna and Travis Scott (produced by Wheezy). It’s his first music to come since his highly successful Bad Habits album which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 last year. The track arrives with the news that his 2018 LP Reckless has been RIAA Gold Certified and the lead single from it, “Wanted You” ft. Lil Uzi Vert has achieved 2× Platinum status; yet another batch of impressive stats in the Toronto artist’s stellar career.

Check shop.navmusic.com for new Turks inspired designs and collectibles, available for a limited time only.

iLL Wayno x e.l.f. Beauty

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e.l.f. Beauty and Republic Records Artist iLL Wayno Are Using the Power of Music and Dance with “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” feat. Holla FyeSixWun to Spread the Word on Lathering Up to Keep Safe and Healthy Amid COVID-19

During the challenging times presented by COVID-19, e.l.f. and Republic Records artist iLL Wayno put their heads together to raise awareness of basic preventative measures we can take to help stop the spread of the disease with “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.”

>Watch the launch video with iLL Wayno and Holla FyeSixWun HERE

Together they have released on TikTok a remix of last fall’s hit song and music video “Eyes. Lips. Face. (e.l.f.)” – which to date has garnered 4.7 billion views on TikTok. The new song, “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” is a fun, yet important musical reminder to share basic hygiene steps. Its catchy beat aims to encourage people to express their best selves while reminding their communities to keep their eyes, lips, and faces clean and healthy. “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” was recreated by e.l.f. and Brooklyn-based creative agency Movers+Shakers, alongside GRAMMY ® Award-winning producer iLL Wayno (Republic Records) and singer Holla FyeSixWun.

The lyrics to “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” help bring a serious subject to life in a spirited way. “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” has already been made into TikTok videos by a diverse group of TikTok creators, including Michael Le, Avani and Annalisse who are informing and educating their unique audiences while keeping the beat.

To watch iLL Wayno and Holla FyeSixWun perform their unique version of “Eyes. Lips. Face. Safe.” go to their post on the @elfyeah TikTok channel; click the sound at the bottom (the spinning disc) to create your own!

About e.l.f. Cosmetics

Since 2004, e.l.f. has made the best of beauty accessible to every eye lip and face. We make high-quality, prestige-inspired cosmetics and skincare products at an extraordinary value and are proud to be 100% vegan and cruelty-free. As one of the first online beauty brands, e.l.f. has a passionate social following, national distribution at leading retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Ulta Beauty, and a growing international presence. Learn more by visiting
www.elfcosmetics.com.

About Republic Records
A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Liam Payne, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Tïesto and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, Monkeywrench, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains long-standing strategic alliances with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (Karol G) and Hollywood Records (Zendaya). In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse), Lionsgate (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films during 2017 in order to produce movies and series powered by the label’s catalog and artists. Its first productions a Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.

About Movers+Shakers
Movers+Shakers is a creative studio specialized in spreading joy. They use original music and movement to tell brand stories and delight consumers. The agency works across social channels and is an industry leader on TikTok marketing. Learn more by visiting www.MoversShakers.co.

Tiana Major9 – Collide

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Tiana Major9 releases an acoustic version of her global hit ‘Collide’! Listen here! ‘Collide’ featuring EARTHGANG was the lead single off of the critically acclaimed Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack and currently has over 17.1M Global Streams, and the official music video has garnered over 3M views. Watch it here!

Lotus Chefs × COVID-19 Care

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NEWS AND SUPPORT FROM LOTUS CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS

Andrew Wong and Kimberly Hernandez boxing up at home meals for elderly, vulnerable and in need hospitality workers in the community.

In these difficult times, our clients are working tirelessly to offer educational and practical initiatives, but also to bring some excitement to many who are struggling with the boredom and loneliness of isolation. At Lotus, we cannot express enough our pride in representing them and we believe they can help make this whole process a little easier. We will continue to support our restaurants and chefs and the industry through this time of adversity.

Andrew Wong, London

Michelin starred chef Andrew Wong is working to create at-home meals for elderly and vulnerable members of the local community with the help of his protégé Kimberly Hernandez, Head Chef at Kym’s. Using restaurant quality produce, meals will be packaged and hand delivered free of charge, ready to be heated up at home. The boxes will be left on the doorstep of those who are self isolating to minimise human contact for those who are at high risk. For the time being the initiative is being organised through his local parish church – St Peters in Eaton Square. Andrew will continue to work tirelessly to find opportunities to keep his staff busy and motivated whilst also giving back as much as he can to his surrounding community in SW1.

Brace, Copenhagen

The team at Brace have just launched an incredible take-away option at their Copenhagen restaurant with a huge selection of dishes that can be collected, heated and finished at home. The new take-away menu very much carries the soul of Brace and utilises all local, organic and wild produce with sustainability and seasonality at its core. Dishes can be ordered every day of the week, for both lunch and dinner online at www.restaurantbrace.dk.

WAGYUMAFIA, Japan & Hong Kong

Kobe beef specialists Wagyumafia have started their first-ever premium meat home delivery service. Supporting his farmers is Wagyumafia founder Hisato Hamada’s top priority, saying ’As we promised them, despite the current crazy crazy situation, we will never stop, but keep thinking and be more creative than yesterday.’ For people living in Japan please message @wagyumafia_butcher and in Hong Kong message @wagyumafiahk for details on how to order.

Aqua Crua, Barbarano Vicentino (VI)

In the initial weeks of the COVID 19 contagion, before the total lockdown of the country, Giuliano Baldessari from 1* Michelin Aqua Crua in Vicenza was the first chef in the country to offer his guests a “Comfort the Souls” – a bespoke 4 course menu for €30 that could be collected from the restaurant and enjoyed at home. Aqua Crua has since closed and will reopen in April. Baldessari has joined many Italian chefs in the initiative #iocucinoacasa (I cook at home) by Gambero Rosso, by showing a short and easy recipe for home cooking: watch here. He is going live daily on instagram at 3:30pm GMT with recipes and cooking techniques.

TURK Fatih Tutak, Istanbul

Istanbul’s critically acclaimed TURK Fatih Tutak has closed its doors until further notice, however, stay tuned for home-style recipes and tutorials on chef Fatih Tutak’s Instagram. His video tutorials will showcase Turkish dishes with soul that will be easy to produce, nourishing and inventive.

Marsan and Joia, Paris

Hélène Darroze has closed the doors of her Parisian restaurants; Marsan and Joia until further notice. The 2* Michelin chef and her teams are respecting French isolation instructions, and plan to come back stronger when they reopen their doors. For updates please follow @helenedarroze, @marsanparhelenedarroze, and @joiaparhelenedarroze.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London

Hélène’s two Michelin star restaurant at The Connaught has restricted it’s opening hours, and will now close on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It remains open Wednesday to Saturday, and the team looks forward to welcoming guests, with restricted reservations, spacing between tables and increased hygiene practices. For news please follow @helenedarrozeattheconnaught.

Ikoyi, London

Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Okdukale have taken the sad decision to temporarily close Ikoyi in St James’s Market. They will continue to support the entire Ikoyi team, and once things have settled, start cooking again. For updates please follow @jeremychanikoyi and @ikoyi_london.

Mirazur, Menton

Mirazur has temporarily closed in Menton, on the Cote D’Azur. Mauro, Julia and the whole Mirazur family look forward to welcoming guests again soon. For news and recipe inspiration please follow @maurocolagreco and @restaurantmirazur.

Il Pagliaccio, Rome

Anthony Genovese and the team of 2* Michelin Il Pagliaccio in Rome have also joined the movement started in Italy earlier this month for a stronger and safer future, by closing the restaurant until the 4th April.

Lux Lucis, Forte dei Marmi

Lux Lucis in the Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, home to the Michelin starred cuisine of Valentino Cassanelli, has postponed its seasonal reopening from March until May this year.

Duomo & I Banchi, Ragusa

A ‘see you soon’ has been sent from Sicily from Ciccio Sultano, as he closes I Banchi and 2*Michelin Duomo in Ragusa until the 6th April. Sultano, though, has joined many Italian chefs in the initiative #iocucinoacasa (I cook at home) by Gambero Rosso, by showing a short and easy recipe for home cooking: watch here.

Farzi Cafe, London
Modern Indian Restaurant Farzi Cafe have closed their doors until further notice, but look forward to receiving guests as soon as they can. For updates please follow @farzilondon.

The Avalanches – Running Red Lights

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Astralwerks released The Avalanches’ soaring new single, “Running Red Lights.” Featuring the unmistakable voice of Rivers Cuomo, the track finds the Weezer front man in a single-minded mood, emotional – “I’m a thundercloud, ready to burst like Schrödinger” – and running red lights to reach his lover. Set against The Avalanches’ ghostly dreamscape, Cuomo sounds as though he’s speeding along a cosmic highway, while synths, harps and tambourines swell, sparkle and cascade all around. Enter Pink Siifu, incantating the words of the late, great David Berman (lifted from the Purple Mountains’ tune “Darkness And Cold”) and clairvoyance seems to hang in the ether.

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Canyon Of The Eagles

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Looking for an unconventional getaway in the splendor of the Great American Wilderness? The Canyon of The Eagles in Burnet County, Texas, can provide you with that experience, and more.

The Canyon Of The Eagles property is located on the scenic shores of Lake Buchanan, the largest body of water in Texas’s Highland Lakes Region. It is also conveniently accessible by car, just 90 minutes outside of Austin, Texas, and 25 minutes from the town of Burnet.

The big draw to this location? Its breathtaking natural beauty and the chance to escape the everyday and immerse yourself in a peaceful and recharging environment. Guests will enjoy quiet accommodations in cozy cabins on the property, styled with a rustic Texas Southwestern charm. While the cabins are equipped with modern amenities, including wi-fi, the only television access exists at the Eagles Nest Lounge, it’s Hospitality Suite. This encourages conversation and quality time with loved ones and at the same time, inspires communal engagement in ways often lost to the digital age.

On the property, guests can also start the morning off with a rejuvenating Yoga session, or a relaxing lake pontoon ride. If you’re looking to add some more adventure to your stay, there are many opportunities to get out of your room and explore the scenery. You might find yourself mountain biking on Burnet County Trails. Catch breathtaking views on one of the hiking trails. Rent a kayak, and go on a Guided Tour or a solo paddle out on the beautiful Lake Buchanan. Book a spot on one of the Canyon Cruises, a 2 hour sightseeing and wildlife watching journey with the chance to see intricate naturally-weathered rock formations and waterfalls.

Some of the most incredible parts of Canyon of the Eagles comes out when the sun goes down and the night comes alive. The remote location of the resort and lack of light pollution opens up the night sky in ways one could never imagine. Stargazing is a popular nighttime activity, and the activity can be elevated by attending the Eagle Eye Observatory, where an on-site scientist and astronomer can explain to you the constellations. Fireside chats are another evening activity, covering topics such as local snakes and other wildlife to watch out for.

Food and drink options are also plentiful on the property and nearby. Experience authentic barbeque delights from Opie’s BBQ such as mesquite smoked brisket and pork chops or make your way to the best breakfast you’ll find at Bluebonnet Café where you can enjoy 14 varieties of fresh baked pies — including lemon, coconut, fudge and more. The walking tour of downtown Marble Falls features a snack at Choccolatte’s, where you can enjoy premium gelato or if you would like to get a drink and relax, you could head over to Bear King Brewery. Whatever your tastes are, you can be satisfied in the Highland Lakes Region.

Canyon of the Eagles is a family-friendly resort and vacation option for anyone looking to change up the fast-paced routine of modern life and sink into a simpler time. This location allows for great opportunities for families to get back together and enjoy each others company. The resort also offers options for corporate events and retreats, and would provide an excellent backdrop for a wedding or any other celebration. Whatever you make out of your stay, you won’t forget it when staying at the Canyon of the Eagles in the magnificent Texas Highland Lakes. For more information on what Canyon of Eagle’s could provide at your luxury stay, please check out their amenities and book your stay here.

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