MUSIC | Electronic-infused indie rock band Glass Animals was catapulted to instant stardom by their debut album, Zaba, in 2014. The quartet won over troves of fans with their seductive blend of harmonic vocals and unconventional, multi-layered instrumentation, adding up to deep, danceable tunes. The Oxford, England, band follows up that resounding initial success, dodging a sophomore slump in the process, with their newly released album, HOW TO BE A HUMAN BEING. The record's first two tracks give a preview of Glass Animals' matured, diversified sound: "Life Itself" exudes confidence, providing an exciting, catchy chorus with the band's signature explosions of energy, while "Youth" showcases haunting melodies and tribal tones.
TV | Netflix's Making a Murderer made waves when it was released last year, but the company has another, lesser-known documentary series that's well worth watching despite its seemingly superficial subject matter. CHEF'S TABLE is, at its core, a cooking show about restaurants. But placing it in the same tier as Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives just doesn't feel right. Each hour-long installment in this series profiles the chef at a renowned world-class restaurant. The series ranges from an avant-garde Chicago legend to an unassuming Australian gem and beyond, and broaches some revealing territory, not just with regard to food but also the people and emotions behind it. The series' third batch of episodes will be served up on Sept. 2, making now the perfect time to catch up on the first pair of mouth-watering seasons.
VIDEO GAME | The long-awaited sequel to the long-awaited reboot of one of gaming's long-dormant series DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED finds itself needing to make a case, like Human Revolution had to five years ago, that Deus Ex is still a relevant property. Mankind Divided looks much more like a refinement than the total reinvention that was Human Revolution. But fans of cyberpunk settings, varied, choice-driven gameplay, and stunning visuals probably won't mind that this title, which continues to explore the ramifications of human cyberkinetic enhancements for people and corporations, doesn't reinvent the wheel.♦
