Brooklyn’s hardcore trailblazers Cash Bribe are back, delivering a knockout punch with their latest EP, Demonomics, out today via Futureless. This third offering, their first under the label, solidifies their position as one of the fiercest voices in modern punk and hardcore. If their 2023 release, Escape From New York, was a warning shot, Demonomics is an all-out assault on the systems that keep us subdued.
Recorded and mixed by Zach Miller at the iconic Landmine Studios, where hardcore luminaries like Year of the Knife have made their mark, Demonomics takes Cash Bribe’s chaotic energy to new heights. Guitarist Kirk McGirk aptly describes the EP’s incendiary spirit: “It’s like they’re pissing on your head and telling you it’s raining.” That unflinching rage fuels every riff and lyric, creating a visceral, unrelenting listening experience.
The EP opens with its title track, an ominous and heavy anthem that sets the tone for the journey ahead. “Bay of Pigs,” the lead single, bursts through the speakers with low-tuned swagger, sharp edges, and an unmistakable punk attitude. Rooted in powerviolence and hardcore, the track also nods to the noisy hardcore of Cursed and the raw aggression of mid-era Black Flag.
Tracks like “Faith Aversion” push the boundaries further, diving into metallic riffs that lend an apocalyptic depth to the record’s core. Fans of classic NYHC and those who crave a dose of rock ‘n’ roll spirit will find a balance of chaos and cohesion that speaks directly to the heart of the genre.
Lyrically, Demonomics is a razor-sharp critique of wealth inequality and societal gaslighting. Vocalist Joey Dahlstrom’s delivery pulls no punches, channeling fury and frustration into every line. These themes resonate deeply in today’s climate, adding an intellectual edge to the EP’s unfiltered aggression.
Formed in 2019, Cash Bribe’s lineup—Joey Dahlstrom (vocals), Kirk McGirk (guitar), Brian Jackson (bass), and Larry Koch (drums)—has evolved to match their increasing ambition. From their raw debut, Facemask City (2022), to the polished chaos of Escape From New York, the band has consistently upped the ante, drawing acclaim from major punk and hardcore outlets.
Demonomics isn’t just another EP; it’s a statement. With its heavier riffs, darker tones, and unrelenting fury, it’s Cash Bribe’s most refined and furious release to date. Whether you’re a hardcore aficionado or a punk purist, this EP is bound to leave a mark.
Stream Demonomics on Spotify and other platforms starting today. For those lucky enough to be in Brooklyn, catch the album release show at Lucky 13 Saloon and witness Cash Bribe’s chaos in real time.
Rising California punk band Heartwells, made up of Justin Tauch (guitar), Dave Mariano (bass), Chris Stout (drums), and Sam Peterson (guitar) are releasing their new EP Ollie on July 8th. Heartwells’ new single “Piss n’ Gums” is out now, as is the music video for the song. Heartwells is a relatively new and upcoming band, releasing their debut album “The New Old School” in June 2024.
A rage room filled with graffiti and broken skateboards is where we find the band in this music video. The video cuts between shots of the band performing and a rage room, all in the same background of neon green and red graffiti. The aesthetic feels like you’ve just entered a skate park in 2005, and despite the smashing of glass and loud punk production, there’s something comforting about it. For the two minutes of the video, you’re at a house party in an era that no longer exists.
The rage room serves for more than just a background, as “Piss n’ Gums” is about how sometimes life feels like beating after beating. But it’s also about learning to deal with these troubles, and embrace the challenges of the world as part of life. As Justin Tauch (or JT) says about the song: “Life is like a Dom ready to crack a whip on you when you least expect it. Might as well learn to enjoy it!”
“Piss n’ Gums” feels like a familiar comfort to those who miss the era of punk. In an era where pop music and electronic sounds dominate the charts, hearing bass licks and straight up drums is a nice deviation from the norm. And maybe this comes from the more natural production of the song. JT said his vocals for “Piss n’ Gums” were done in one take.
The song and video are an eclectic mix of both punk rage and some fun moments, which I think do a wonderful job reflecting what is so compelling about Heartwells as a whole.
La Raca Flaca taps into a new-age pop nostalgia on her most recent track “Peaks and Valleys.” “Peaks and Valleys” is an earnest pop track that explores love’s staying power, and its resistance to outside forces.
The song begins with a string arrangement that leans into the romance and allure of the track. La Raca Flaca’s voice then takes charge and with it comes a backing full of bass and synthy beats.
Her lyrics are conversational and are delivered as such, as she speaks to her lover directly, letting them know that outside barriers will not inhibit her love.
“Peaks and Valleys” chorus uplifts the narrative of the song as she further enforces her love’s staying power, and her confidence towards her relationship and its longevity. Her voice becomes stronger, and her message becomes even more powerful when she sings, “This special love will find a way.”
Throughout the verses, La Raca Flaca calls out to her lover creating an intimate bond within the song, and letting us in on her romance and its vulnerability. The song speaks to a greater union and alliance as she emphasizes the power that is created when her and her lover come together. The simplicity of the backing track gives La Raca Flaca the chance to speak to her lover with no distractions, and keeps the focus on her lyrics which are a declaration of unified love.
La Raca Flaca also released a music video which emphasizes the song’s title, “Peaks and Valleys”, as she walks through and exists within nature.
“Peaks and Valleys” is a testament to love and devotion, and La Raca Flaca’s lyrics capture the importance of the human ability to trust in love completely. This song is perfect for long distance relationships, reconnecting with a former flame, or really any relationship that’s ever had some sort of barrier. If you love emotional pop ballads, this one’s for you.
Kristen Ford has left the breaking point far behind her. On “Wild Heart”, the latest single from Ford’s upcoming album Pinto, the LA based and Nashville grown singer-songwriter goes farther than ever before. Produced by John Driskell Hopkins and Kristen Ford, the track is a proud entry into the canon of defiant, inspirational queer anthems.
The five minute track confronts rising waves of bigotry in the United States with a crisp drumline and catchy chorus. From the start, it’s explosive and irresistible. In the first 20 seconds, Ford can be heard shouting over a rising, whirring sound. All of it is reminiscent of falling into an abyss. The track then shatters its own ceiling with a snappy bassline and punchy guitar riff. “I’ll be the hero,” Ford croons in her distinctive, rasped voice. This opening line sets the scene for the rest of the song.
Lyrically, Ford does not hold back. There’s no mistaking what the song is about. Ford is proud in her delivery of lines that proudly promise she, and her community, will not back down from the fight for LGBT+ rights. For Ford, there’s no mistaking that trans and nonbinary people are integral to this fight. The song’s bridge is an unmistakable description of the transgender pride flag. In other words, Ford wants to make sure there’s no room for confusion.
This clarity is important. Written in response to Tennessee’s anti-drag act, “Wild Heart” is a direct response to hatred that is no longer masked behind fake smiles and laughs. Ford understands that the time for niceties has passed.
The song is aptly named. When Ford sings, “I was born with a wild, wild heart,” you can’t help but feel galvanized. The track is both an exclamation from Ford herself and a battle call to the rest of us. No where is this more evident than when Ford callbacks to the opening chaos of the track, shouting, “Let’s go” over a wild explosion of sound. Her message is clear: we’ve passed the breaking point, now is the time for action.
The music video echoes these sentiments. Against a purple and picnic backgroup, Ford and her band celebrate their queer identity in front of a gathering of agitators. In the face of hatred, Ford and her group dance on. Ultimately, however, Ford preaches hopes. The video ends with this same crowd joining in on the celebration. For Ford, loves will always win. Her optimism is also seen in her belief that now is the perfect time to reclaim the narrative. “The rulebook has been thrown out by the current administration,” she says, “we can turn this disorder back on them and boldly create the world we want.”
This conviction is commendable in an artist like Ford. As a queer, biracial creative, Ford is no stranger to bigotry. Her upcoming album, “Pinto”, confronts the challenges she’s faced in her own time, while reconciling both past and future. Ford’s search for truth serves as the firm foundation for her ultimate message: you, no matter who you are, matter. “Wild Heart” is, in many ways, a culmination of Ford’s beliefs as an artist and human. There’s no room for doubt when she exclaims she was born for this.
Ford’s upcoming album Pinto is out August 22nd, and is available for pre-order now. Catch Ford on tour this summer at the following dates: June 13th – Huntsville, AL @ Lipz Lounge June 14th – Atlanta, GA @ Red Light Cafe June 15th – Nashville, TN @ 5 Spot June 18th – Charleston, SC @ The Purple Buffalo June 21st – Hoboken, NJ @ 503 Social Club June 22nd – Worcester, MA @ Electric Haze June 28 – Sioux Falls, SD @ The Den June 29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Twin Cities Pride July 4 – Madison, WI @ National Women’s Music Festival July 7 – Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music July 9 – Columbus, OH @ Natalie’s July 10 – Chicago, IL @ UncommonGround Lakeview July 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Unitarian Church July 12 – Binghampton, NY @ Atomic Tom’s July 18 – Cambridge, MA @ The Burren Backroom July 19 – Camden, CT @ Canteen July 26 – Berkeley, CA @ The Starry Plough
Ben Kweller is a well established musical artist currently located in Dripping Springs, Texas (another win for the Texas musical scene!) who is currently celebrating the his latest full-length, Cover the Mirrors. This is Kweller’s first release since the death of his son Dorian in 2023 and is dedicated to Dorian. The album explores the devastation and grief that Kweller experienced after his son’s passing, but it also delves into the multifaceted nature of grief to dismantle and alter every aspect of life.
Cover the Mirrors discusses what happens to you and the people around you after a loved one passes, and the alteration of daily life and experience. Kweller explores relationships, depression, emotional wellbeing, isolation, and so much more in this album. The album itself is a testament to the impact that the people we love have on us, and their permanence in our lives long after they are gone.
The first track, “Going Insane”, really sets the tone for the emotional exploration and absurdity the album presents to us. Kweller is talking about serious issues but he doesn’t shy away from making light out of a bad situation or being a little absurd at times. “Going Insane” is a steady piano ballad that explores desperation and dealing with life’s turmoils. This is contrasted by the lightness in lyrics such as “rattlesnake, carrot cake.” It creates an interesting juxtaposition as he writes that he and the people around him are all “balled up inside.” The orchestral strings are a nice touch to this lyrically experimental ballad on struggling through the days.
Cover the Mirrors has many amazing and big name features such as: Waxahatchee, Coconut Records, The Flaming Lips, and MJ Lenderman. “Dollar Store (feat. Waxahatchee)” further expands upon the idea of inner turmoil as he battles with the struggles and standstill of a relationship. Kweller battles wanting to keep trying but also not wanting to dwell on the struggle itself.
The chorus of the song is infectious and Waxahatchee’s vocals linger throughout the background which make for a delightful listening experience. Throughout the album, I noticed that Kweller loves a big outro to a song and this track is no exception as we end with the drums and guitar coming together to assist Kweller scream out the song’s chorus. The music video is a great visualizer for the song’s message and was filmed at Bluebonnet Food Mart and Heart of Texas Hotel right here in Austin, Texas!
“Depression (feat. Coconut Records)” is a sonic shift at this point in the album as they drop the overt folk sounds and lean into electronics and bass. This album has proved to be extremely thematically consistent, as Kweller continues to question his sadness and isolation. The bridge is a real standout on this one, as the drums dominate but allow for some beautiful backing melodies. The lyrics are heartbreakingly honest as Kweller writes, “I used to think that I was strong and tough, but I can’t even get through the day.”
The album feels like it is constantly in conversation with itself, and Kweller is further thinking about the quality and worthiness of his relationship, and his willingness to fight for it. “Don’t Cave” adopts a more hazy and hopeful tone as he navigates uncharted territory of “the goodbye we shouldn’t say” in his relationship. The instrumentals on this track culminate into an uplifting ballad that highlights each element (drums, strings and guitar) wonderfully.
“Optimystic” is one of the standout tracks on the record for me. It adopts a heavier and punky guitar tone and Kweller’s lyrics are a conversation to himself about his delicate mental state during this time. Definitely the most *mosh* worthy track on the album. The guitar tone is infectious and the chorus will definitely get stuck in your head. Also, Kweller’s coined phrase of “pill-popionaire” is just too good!
The music video is essential in my opinion to visualizing the track, and the playful animation done by Mystery Matter is wonderful and engaging.
“Killer Bee (feat. The Flaming Lips)” is yet another killer feature on the album. The song is sonically aligned with the rest of the album and the buzzing bee sound of the keyboard/synth is a great and interesting touch. The scaling guitar during the chorus highlights the song’s message of exploration and insecurity. Kweller posted a demo on Youtube much before the songs release, and the direction they took it in made for a dynamic and explorative listening experience post production.
Kweller’s lyrics are exceptional on this album and they get a chance to truly shine in “Letter to Agony” where he confessionally explores his depressive mental state and how that is affecting his attitudes towards his relationship. It has a similar sound to “Park Harvey Fire Drill”, a previous track on the album, but takes a much more serious tone. He discusses undesirable thoughts of wishing ill will on someone he loves and is remarkably self aware of his own shortcomings and chemical imbalances. The minor chords feed into this sorrowful tone, as he writes, “all of the toxic waste spewing from me tonight, I fear there’s no end in sight.” Kweller is quite literally isolated on this track, as it only features Kweller’s vocals and guitar.
Kweller not only writes about grief, but also how to fight through it. “Save Yourself” starts out with a simple guitar melody and by the chorus becomes a loud explosion of drums and guitar as Kweller fights his way to say, “Don’t let it beat you up.” This is a fight song against the dangers of grief as it emphasizes the importance of saving oneself from the “unknown loss”. The exciting instrumentals and conversation between the guitar and drums create a truly epic listening experience, and has the potential to be very motivating to anyone who has ever struggled through grief and loss.
“Oh Dorian (feat. MJ Lenderman)” is my favorite song off the album and is an excellent close to the deeply personal conversations we’ve had with Kweller as listeners throughout the album’s tracklist. The heartbreak in this song is not only caused by the loss of Dorian, but that Kweller allows us to know Dorian’s glowing personality and traits, and we learn to mourn alongside Kweller for his son.
The charming pianos introduce the song and give it a lighthearted and sweet tone, which coupled with the celebratory and beautiful lyrics about Dorian create a sonic memory and memorial. The electric guitar work from Lenderman and piano from Kweller on this track really highlight the beauty of him and Dorian’s relationship, ebbing and flowing into our ears and delivering the lyrics on a platter for our enjoyment. The lyrics are tear jerking but Kweller will make you smile through the tears as he writes about Dorian,
Crystal child, double-Gemini A million songs in his head Doesn’t care if you’re wrong or right He believes what you said
Kweller further creates an environment where we feel like we know Dorian through lyrics like,
Watch him glow and radiate When he walks through the door Understands a-what you say ’cause he’s been there before
Kweller paints a deeply personal picture on this track, and if you are going to listen to one song on the album this is most definitely the highlight. But I would really recommend listening to all of them! Kweller lets us in on life while battling grief, and how he is navigating the world without his son. He highlights the radically changing quality that grief has on you and the people you love, which makes this album so much more than grief itself.
Cover the Mirrors is a journey through Kweller’s mental, physical and emotional battles and he does not hold back. It is musically and lyrically explorative and provides the listener with sonically diverse tracks with clever and interesting lyrics. It may be about intense issues, but much of the album does not feel explicitly sad, but rather emotionally experimental. Ben Kweller has fully fleshed out what it means to grieve, and has created an album that is a testament to his love for not only his son, but his journey of loving and understanding himself and others.
BBNO$ is back and he’s not knocking, he’s kicking the door in.Released May 1, “boom” is the latest single from Canadian rapper-slash-Internet-chaos icon BBNO$ (pronounced baby no money), and it’s exactly the kind of high-energy, genre-defying madness we’ve come to expect. Clocking in at just under two minutes, the track explodes with self-aware swagger that somehow feels both effortless and entirely unhinged. Produced by longtime collaborator Y2K alongside BBNO$ himself, the song launches into a minimalist, bass-heavy beat layered with trap snaps, distorted synth stabs, and a forward momentum that makes it feel like you’re being chased through a cartoon car chase.
Lyrically, “boom” doesn’t slow down. The verses hit with rapid-fire confidence, weaving flexes, absurd metaphors, and tongue-in-cheek callbacks into a tightly packed sonic cannonball. As BBNO$ puts it, “On my mama, I ain’t gonna stop until I’m rich” it’s a flex and a punchline rolled into one. The hook? Instantly catchy. The ad-libs? Chaotic in the best way. The vibe? Like someone took a meme, threw it in a blender with a designer tracksuit, and hit go.
If you’re not already familiar with BBNO$, you’ve definitely heard him. With viral hits like “Lalala”, “Edamame”, and his chaotic collabs with Yung Gravy under the duo name Baby Gravy, he’s become something of a digital cult hero. Known for everything from fever dream–style music videos to cosplaying random characters in his social media content, BBNO$ has built a persona that’s part performance art, part pop culture sponge, and 100% entertaining. He doesn’t just make music. He creates moments.
But behind the jokes and flashy outfits is a surprisingly grounded artist. He’s been outspoken about issues like AI’s role in the creative industry, advocating for real human artistry in an increasingly automated world. He’s also spoken out as a proud trans ally, steadily earning a devoted and diverse fanbase that spans from hypebeasts to queer teens to producers who see the method in the mayhem.
“boom” is the first taste of a new album currently in development, and if the rest of the project leans into this same manic energy and finely tuned absurdity, we’re in for one hell of a ride. This track doesn’t just slap. It struts in, steals your drink, and leaves with your friends, all while making you laugh on its way out.
Stream “boom” now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you soundtrack your most chaotic main character moments.
The American alt-pop duo Cafuné, made up of musicians Noah Yoo and Sedona Schat, have released the single “e-Asphyxiation” off their upcoming album, Bite Reality. If you’re unaware of Cafuné, you may recognize their 3x Platinum song “Tek it” which went viral on Tiktok and was sampled in Lil Uzi Vert’s song “Red Moon.” With this online success, it’s unsurprising that Bite Reality finds the band questioning our current cultural moment where AI and social media encompass our lives.
“e-Asphyxiation” is an expression of how exhausting social media can be, especially once fame is factored in. The lyrics describe the frustrations of our modern generation, where you have to display a certain persona online all the time. It’s definitely relatable for anyone who’s spent a little too long hovering over the post button on Instagram. You can see this in the chorus of the song:
I’m tied down too tight, by all these Phone screen obligations, e-Asphyxiation I can’t close my eyes with all these Phone screen obligations, e-Asphyxiation
The music video’s focus is split, choosing to focus on both Noah Yoo and Sedona Schat performing the song simply, and hazier outlines of the musicians. The camera flashes back and forth between this more authentic performance and a foggy, distorted reality of Yoo and Schat. Cafuné’s music video is a reflection of this split persona that social media demands. And as the video comes to an end, we’ve lost the two musicians to that hazy reality.
If “e-Asphyxiation” is anything to go by, Bite Reality might signal a different sound for Cafuné. While the song still fits the band’s alt-pop genre, there’s something more raw from the production side. More drums, more guitar, more straight vocals. We’ll have to wait for the rest of the album to see if it follows this pattern, but based on the lead single alone, this grit might be here to stay.
Bite Reality releases via Soundon on September 12. If you want to see more of Cafuné, the band recently announced upcoming dates for their North American Tour Alive Online.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES September 19 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis* September 20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore – The Foundry* September 22 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall* September 23 – Montréal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB* September 24 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall* September 26 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall* September 27 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon* September 30 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall* October 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge* October 5 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios* October 6 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile – Madame Lou’s* October 8 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club* October 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom* October 12 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge* October 14 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas – Cambridge Room* October 15 – Austin, TX – The Parish* October 17 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade – Hell* October 18 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle – Backroom* October 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg* *with support from crushed All tour dates here
Beach Bunny has always been something of a paradox: sugary sweet pop-rock with teeth. Formed in 2015 as a solo project by Chicago native Lili Trifilio, the band grew into a full lineup in 2017 and now includes Matt Henkels on guitar, Jon Alvarado on drums, and Anthony Vaccaro on bass. Together, they’ve cultivated a cult-like following with their emotional vulnerability, catchy riffs, and cathartic live energy. After the breakout success of Honeymoon’s bittersweet surf-pop and Emotional Creature’s Y2K-tinged indie rock exploration, Tunnel Vision arrives as their most emotionally charged and sonically bold effort yet.
Beach Bunny’s Tunnel Vision dropped April 25, and to call it a return would be a disservice. It’s an evolution. Their third full-length album is a raw, poetic excavation of existential dread, self-image, and the desperate craving for control in a world that seems allergic to it. It’s loud, soft, sad, witty, and Beach Bunny at their most emotionally expansive and still their most distilled.
Tunnel Vision doesn’t flinch from big feelings. There are repeated themes of self-loathing, disillusionment, and growing pains. The 10-track record opens like a diary page torn out and set on fire. Each song burns in its own way.
“Big Pink Bubble”, the second track, is a standout in both concept and execution. It’s deceptively sweet, light on its feet sonically, yet narratively potent. Trifilio sings about avoidance and self-erasure, using the metaphor of a bubble as a boundary and a hiding place. It’s the last song that made it onto the album, but it feels essential: a thesis on emotional survival in a hypercritical world. Making yourself small to be digestible shouldn’t feel like a universal experience, and yet somehow it does.
Track 3, “Chasm”, hits like an internal scream. Fuzzy guitars and pounding drums mirror the chaos in the lyrics. There’s a sharpness here, a sense of falling into yourself with no rope to hold onto. It’s one of the best examples of how Tunnel Vision balances lyric-heavy intimacy with bold, anthemic production.
The title track, “Tunnel Vision”, takes that tension and gives it form. There’s a fever-dream quality to the way it builds, both focused and frayed. It mirrors the modern desire to disappear into something, anything, just to feel like life has a clear direction again. Trifilio’s vocals stay high and sweet even as she sings of disconnect and overstimulation. It’s the sound of being pulled forward, even when you’re not sure you want to go.
And then there’s “Clueless”, track 5, a classic Beach Bunny bop dressed in birthday candles and quiet dread. Released right before Trifilio’s 28th birthday, the song captures the disorienting, slow-burn panic of aging and not feeling any closer to figuring things out.
One of the most unexpected highlights is “Pixie Cut”, a punky, Paramore-tinged anthem that feels like cutting your hair because your life is falling apart. The production goes a little darker, a little harder, and the result is cathartic and commanding. It’s a side of Beach Bunny we rarely see: less cutesy, more claws. And it works.
And then there’s “Cycles”, the closer, and one of the band’s most interesting experiments in musical reimagining. Originally released in 2019 under Trifilio’s solo name, it’s now reborn as a full-band track. Heavier, more polished, but still aching. It ends the album on a note of resigned beauty, recognizing that sometimes the hardest part of growing is realizing you’re still stuck in the same loops.
Right now, the band is taking that emotional whirlwind on the road. Beach Bunny is currently on tour across North America, bringing Tunnel Vision to life with their signature blend of catharsis and charm. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, these shows offer a front-row seat to a band at the height of their vulnerability and power.
If Honeymoon was the teenage heartbreak album and Emotional Creature was the young adult identity crisis, Tunnel Vision is the mid-20s existential spiral. But it’s also a sign that Beach Bunny is still expanding, still experimenting, still refusing to sit still long enough to be easily categorized. This is messy music for messy people, and Imperfect Fifth wouldn’t want it any other way.
Festival season is upon us. Even if you aren’t braving a multi-day, camping festival on a farm (Hello, Bonnaroo!) or in the wilderness (Hinterland, we love you!), there are urban festivals (Lookin’ at you, Riot Fest!) and those tucked away in parks (Hi, Outsidelands!) all across the United States and beyond.
But with these events comes facing the elements. You have to make sure you are prepared for the weather, whether you like it or not. Here, TK products to take with you on your next festival adventure to keep yourself in good spirits.
magnum solace magnesium oil
Travel can lead to excitement, a difference in schedule, and irregular sleep. Camping outside can make it almost impossible to sleep comfortably.
For the moments where you could use a little help falling asleep, this magnesium oil is incredible. Spray the unscented oil on your arms, legs, or feet, and lay down to get one of the best rests of your life.
Erin Zimmerman sent this to me to help me keep my sleep patterns regular. I let a co-producer borrow this while they were on a consolidated schedule in a different time zone and she said she had never slept that well outside of her own bed.
drip drop electrolyte powder
No matter what you’re up to this summer, staying hydrated is key. I try a lot of different hydration beverages, and this one – so far – has been my absolute favorite. You can find DripDrop at Costco online, a 40 pack of watermelon and lemon/lime powders.
The watermelon tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, and the lemon/lime option tastes exactly like Gatorade. They include no sugar, and 3x the hydration of some of your bulkier beverages.
five below honey & jojoba shimmer body oil
You can’t hit up a festival without a little bit of glitz. This natural body oil is packed with sparkles, but is also extra hydrating and has a light scent to it (nothing overwhelming). You won’t feel any guilt about spraying it on your décolletage, shoulders, and legs because it’s budget-friendly, at just $1 at Five Below.
trader joe’s facial spf
This sunscreen is silky smooth and easy to apply, the same texture and consistency as lightweight foundation primers. It is oil free, and won’t leave a cast or any weird residue. The size of the bottle makes it easy to keep it on your person at all times, which is great for re-application of the SPF 40 formula every 40 minutes as suggested.
At just $8, there’s no reason not to consider this.
supergirl! disco stick
If you aren’t immediately drawn to the glitter branding and the name of this product – anyone returning to the days of Lady Gaga’s single? – then you will be thrilled by the price. For just $5 at Five Below, you can grab this SPF 30 dry oil stick. Perfect for your décolletage, this unscented sunscreen is a bit of a highlighter for the skin. No weird, sticky, slimy feelings after application, either!
newman’s own organic herb blends
This may seem out of left field, but Newman’s Own recently introduced a tasty line of organic spices to their offerings. Lucky enough to have tried them recently, I can say with absolute certainty that keeping the Churro blend and the Citrus Herb blend on-hand can help add flavor to anything you may be eating. I might not pull them out at a fancy restaurant, but I would absolutely season my takeout, food truck findings, and camping-friendly items with them.
If you love tacos and intend to try some out, there is an incredible Street Taco blend that you might want to throw in your bag.
loop earplugs
I did not understand relief until my sister bought me a 3-pack of Loop earplugs. I got three different decibal protection levels, each in their own keychain carrying case.
The fun part about these earplugs is that you twist them into your ears, where they nestle well. Each pair comes with adjusters in small, medium, and large so you can fit them to your ears, reducing the common earplug issue of them popping out.
Now, I can protect my hearing against noise pollution at any point, I just need to reach down and grab them out of my keychain.
I can also drown everyone out with the noise cancelling attachments and the small carrying case the set came with.
arctic air breeze jet (air conditioner/fan)
I cannot gate keep here. The Arctic Air Breeze Jet is the #1 item to add to your festival list this year. This mini air conditioner/fan has 3 speeds and is relatively quiet, meaning it certainly won’t be an issue in a loud environment with your ear plugs in. It comes charged up with a USB plug that will easily get the battery back to 100% on-the-go. Clip it to your belt to get the airflow going up – and under your shirt, if you’d like – or attach it using the lanyard that comes with.
