The Air Jordan IV Retro ’95 Neon Is Dropping Soon

Posted by & filed under Sneakers.

Combines a colour scheme that was made famous by the Air Max 95

Written by Aqil Nasri

It’s not every day that you get to see Air Jordans making their way towards the Air Max realm, so seeing one that’s going to be released so soon is definitely worth a look at.

Coming in hot on the 21st of March is the special edition Air Jordan 4 Retro that’s inspired by the Air Max 95, based on the Sergio Lozano design back in 1995 which became quite the highlight back then.

Remaining true to Tinker’s 1989 model is mostly just in its construction, however, it’s trademark gradient effect of the runner was successfully done via suede layers which lighten from black to white from the outsole to the inner lining. This shows that the Air Jordan IV Retro ’95 isn’t just a simple case of colour change.

Also, a high-vis reflective layer is present on the heel back-tab with roped laces that helps to further establish the hybrid concept of the release.

The Air Jordan IV ’95 Neon is priced at RM879 and will be available on the 21st of March starting at 10 AM. Click here for the link.

Soul Syndicate’s ‘Immersio’ Wants To Change Your Perception On How Music Is Performed

Posted by & filed under Music.

Written by Aqil Nasri

Intending on changing the way that music is performed, Soul Syndicate is on his way there with his new single titled ‘Immersio’.

This particular project helps provide the artist an avenue to combine the many different genres that he is influenced by, such as jazz, soul, funk, RnB, and electronic music, into his music in order to create his own version of alternative forms of music rather than the typical and formulaic pop genre.

His new single, Immersio, is solely written and produced by him, along with three upcoming additional tracks set to be released this year. This new single is written in order to express the breezy laid-back vibe of a weekend road trip with friends and can be categorized in the genre of Chill hop or Nu Jazz.

Also coupled in with the newly released single is Soul Syndicate’s debut music video release, which is for the new single as well. It is an exhibition of the way music technology is affecting the way music is performed and what seems to be the future of music performance.

If you want to find out more about Soul Syndicate, check out their Facebook and Instagram!

6 Tips To Ease Yourselves Into A Work From Home Environment

Posted by & filed under Lifestyle.

Written by Ardi

As we’re all aware of the current Movement Control Order in place, we’re encouraged to stay at home and continue on working in the comfort of our own home, However, it’s a completely different environment, hence we’ve compiled some tips on how to ease into working from home much easier.

Develop A Routine

Credit: @foodess (unsplash)  

By working from home, you don’t need to get up super early to avoid the traffic but you can still keep a morning routine that keeps you active throughout the day. Continue waking up on time, make your coffee and take a shower and get ready to work. It can put you in lift up your morning and put you in the mood of working, just as if you did leave the house to office!

Don’t Work In Front Of Your TV

Credit: @brucemars (unsplash)

We all know that it’s very easy to get distracted if you are working from home. Social media, Netflix and Youtube is just one click away! It’s easy to just give in for a few minutes but it will eventually slow down your progress. It’s best to stay away from the living room or areas that everyone passes by and there’s TV. Work from a quiet room without having much distractions around.

Stick To Your Working Hours

Credit: @bradneathery (unsplash)

If you start your work at 9am and finish by 6pm, do the same at home. Wake up early and dedicate the same time for your job as if nothing has changed. This helps you to keep track of your work and to stay productive throughout the day.  

Set Your Own Rules

Credit: @kellysikkema (unsplash)

You may be staying home with your family or you may have housemates and it’s best if you can have certain rules on what you can and cannot do during your working hours. It’s easy to get distracted or wander off chit chatting with your loved ones but by having these rules, you can get your job done and also enjoy the company of others at the right time.

Maximize Your Communication 

Credit: @anniespratt (unsplash)

Since you will be communicating with others remotely, make sure you get the message right. It’s easy to misinterpret a text because you won’t be able to hear their tone so it’s better to make sure everyone is on the same page rather than making careless mistakes.

Take A Break

Credit: @katiebarrett (unsplash)

Just because you work from home, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to rest! Give yourself a break every few hours to keep fresh and don’t forget to eat and drink enough water. You can use programs such as Smart Break to remind you and lock your computer for a certain amount of time so you can take a break.

TNB Has Decided To Give Electricity Bill Discounts For The Next 6 Months

Posted by & filed under Lifestyle.

As a response to the current COVID-19 crisis, Tenaga Nasional Berhad has decided to give discounts for the next 6 months starting from April 1st to September 30th. According to the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, the move was done in order to decrease the burden faced by the rakyat in onslaught of the coronavirus infection.

“The government has agreed to provide a 15 per cent discount on electricity consumption from April 1 to Sept 30, 2020 to six (6) selected business sectors impacted directly from the outbreak of Covid-19 － hotel operators; travel and tourism agencies; shopping complexes; convention centres; theme parks; and local airlines offices.

“This 15 per cent discount involves some 10 thousand (business) accounts from six (6) selected business sectors that come under the Trade Tariff category,” he said in a statement today.

It’s estimated that it would benefit 1.6 million TNB account holders with electricity bill savings approximated at RM 370 million over the half year period.

Domestic electricity users are also entitled to a 2% discount, adds Shamsul.  “This means that people will enjoy a 2 per cent discount during the period, in addition to the 6 per cent discount already being enjoyed by domestic consumers for the period from Jan 1 to June 30, 2020.”

Purevibracion Returns To The Local Music Scene With A New Malay Single Titled ‘Jauh’

Posted by & filed under Music.

The Band’s First Ever Malay Single

Written by Aqil Nasri

Known for their common love for Bob Marley, the band known as Purevibracion has gone through a series of changes in their original line-up ever since their formation back in 2000. Currently, the band now consists of 7 active main members and can be described as among one of the pioneer bands of the Roots genre in Malaysia.

It’s been a whole decade since the release of their debut album titled ‘Love and Peace’, and now the band is ready to move forward with their upcoming projects by releasing their first-ever Malay single called ‘Jauh’.

The new single combines their musical and various other creative influences together, which is why the band took their own sweet time in producing it. Jeffrey Little, the founder of Purevibracion, mentioned that their music must always carry a clear message of love, peace, and patriotism, especially with what’s been going on so far in the world. The band felt like they needed to increase awareness on global issues such as the environment, war, and poverty.

Their new single is now available for download and streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.

Produced by Jeffrey Little and released under Laguna Music Sdn Bhd, it will soon be released as a physical CD with additional surprise tracks.

For more info, follow Purevibracion on Facebook and Instagram, with both using the same name.

Latest G-SHOCK Watch Comes Equipped With Heart Rate Monitor And GPS Functionality

Posted by & filed under Fashion, Lifestyle.

The timepiece will be called the GBD-H1000, releasing in May 2020

Written by Aqil Nasri

The legendary watchmaker is returning to the forefront of revolutionary timepieces with their latest addition in the G-Shock series.

The GBD-H1000 will be their first-ever watch to come fully equipped with a heart rate monitor and GPS functionality, paving the way for future iterations to have this time-saving tech come fully built-in as well.

Five-sensor functions are coming your way, with an optical sensor that helps measure heart rate by detecting blood flow under the skin, a triple sensor that measures altitude/barometric pressure, compass bearing, and temperature as well. And if that’s not enough to impress people, the new watch also comes with an acceleration sensor that can measure step count and distance travelled, plus a GPS functionality that acquires location information.

Now, with the measured data received from the inputs of the timepiece, the watch will be able to display an indicator of cardiorespiratory capacity, as well as being able to connect to a dedicated app that’s available on a smartphone, allowing viewing of calories burned and travel logs.

Delivering an extremely good fit and practicality with high-definition, memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD with high contrast, users might find it easy to view the watch face at first glance. The newly designed timepiece will feature a bezel configuration that’s easy to operate without looking at the buttons, large non-slip buttons, a curved back, plus a soft urethane band which helps prolonged use that defers major marks on your hands after taking off the watch.

Also, additional features such as USB charging, solar charging, water-resistance up to 200 metres, alarm functionality, and world time clocks further solidifies the GBD-H1000 as a one-of-a-kind timepiece by G-SHOCK.

There will be four different models of the watch, coming in at colours that consist of Black X White, All Black, Red, and Black X Red.

While no prices have been announced, the product will be available in Malaysia starting this May 2020.

Guibo Plans To Sell Nasi Lemak In The States After He Retires | Cool Story Bro Ep. 15

Posted by & filed under Lifestyle, TV.


Syed Naguib Alsagoff, or better known as Guibooo from Fly FM started out life in the States, but eventually had the calling to return to the motherland, where he began work as a radio announcer for Fly FM.

Up until to the point where he’s deciding to move on and sell Nasi Lemak back to the states. Tune in to the latest episode of Cool Story Bro as we dive into the life of the enigmatic announcer, who happens to be a part-time Disc Jockey on how the American born Malaysian got himself into radio, as well as funny stories that happened during his tenure at Fly FM.

7 Innovative Buildings In Malaysia

Posted by & filed under Design.

Written by Ardi

Sustainability is a hot topic in our current society. With the intense climate change of our planet, it is a crucial duty for all of us to do our best to take care of our mother earth.

Architecture is a great area to keep sustainability in mind since an eco-friendly home/office can affect the lifestyle of its occupants and encourage whoever lives/works there to take more care of their surroundings. In this list you can find structures that are designed with our modern lifestyle and needs in mind.

Pulau Banding Rainforest Research Centre / C’ arch

Credit : 807Studio Sdn Bhd 

The Pulau Banding Rainforest Research Centre is built in the middle of Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex. This building’s main promise is keeping the development sustainable on this environmentally vulnerable island. 

There are a lot of eco-friendly and tropical elements in this building. broad, wide open terraces for hanging out or lounging, open gardens and bathrooms and safari roofs.

The existing trees on the land were kept in place and the staff are even encouraged to keep a green space made of the native trees.

This research center has definitely merged technology with nature. It is a great way of looking after jungles while trying to maintain a healthy environment.

Location :  Plot 471, Timur-Barat Highway, Pulau Banding, 33200 Gerik, Perak

Sinkeh / VERITAS Architects

 

Credit: VERITAS  Architects

Sinkeh is a multi-purpose arts space /guesthouse located at UNESCO World Heritage city of Georgetown. This late 19th century Straits Chinese shophouse has been given new life to and you can see the marriage of past and present in its design. The new 3-story arena at the back end of the classic long and narrow shophouses while keeping the front section’s timber flooring and its retro street frontage.

The guesthouse uses  the narrow tapering site as a chance to insert a small ray of light along the entire length of the building. This brings in daylight and ventilation into the dim and old interiors of most shophouses.

The yard is the part where the 19th and 21st century constructions meets. You can clearly observe the merging of modern steel structure with the historical shophouse. It’s truly a great representation of Georgetown’s island life with its historical  background all combined into a guesthouse.e.

Booking fees :

Residence rates

RM350.00 a night for 3 guests

GuestHouse Rates

RM280.00 a night for a double room

RM190.00 a night for a single room

Location : 105, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang

The Deck House / Choo Gim Wah Architect

 

Credit : Kenneth Lim

The Deck House is a 2-1/2 storey house located in the Janda Baik forest, at Genting Highlands.

The house has a modern look to it. Even with the steel and glass structure, the house still works as a common tropical home with its high ceiling, well lit interior and enough ventilation through many windows placed around the home and aluminum louvers at the top of it to let the hot air out.

 

 

Built in Janda Baik, the residents can enjoy the moderate weather almost everyday and for that reason, the outdoor areas are very spacious to accommodate the occupants for dining, lounging or just simple gatherings.

Eventually, This house is made to take full advantage of its beautiful surroundings and the amazing climate without disturbing the natural environment.

Location : 31-1, Jalan Desa Cahaya 11, Taman Desa Bukit Cahaya, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Mindvalley Headquarters / IDEAWORKSHOP

Credit : Heart Patrick

The new Mindvalley Creative Office ,regarded as “Temple Of Light ” , in KL is a multilevel workplace drenched in polychromatic lights inspired by Sagrada Familia and jungle gyms! The idea behind this structure is to reevaluate what an office is and to maximize the layout and materials for the purpose of boosting the work quality.  

Pleochroism (an optical phenomenon in which the colour of a substance shifts when observed at different angles), is one of the base elements while creating this space. The dichroic films are placed across the office along with the mixture of steel and glass structure on each level resembling the Sagrada Familia’s stained glass mixed up with the joyfulness of a jungle gym.

With its unique design, this space feeds creativity and inspirations to the staff while making chances to collaborate and interact with each other with much more ease. Our modern lifestyle with modern people definitely needs a modern environment to take care of the individuals well being while encouraging better performance.

Location : Menara Uoa Bangsar, 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Planter Box House / Formzero

Credit : Ameen Deen

Designed as a house for a retired couple who are passionate about growing foods, the plants filled Planter Box House appears less defined, as its appearance oscillates between garden, farm and house, anticipating for a redefinition of contemporary tropical house.

Planter Box House is a genius idea of a perfect home in Kuala Lumpur with a contemporary tropical look with greenery and gardens . 

This unit with its waterfall like concrete boxes filled with more than 40 types of edible plants on each level, definitely stands out compared to its nearby buildings. For the planter boxes, split bamboo is used as a framework. 

Those bamboo are grown by the indigenous people called Temuan from Negeri Sembilan. It is not just decor but also it’s a sustainable way to have a low maintenance finish for the boxes which would not be destroyed or aged easily with rain and pollution.

The house definitely represents the owner’s lifestyle. It introduces a new way of looking at sustainable architecture while maximizing the functionality. It is a great example for architecture and also for the community around it to take care of the environment more efficiently.  

Location (formzero) : Jalan Padang Belia, Brickfields, 50470 Brickfields, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Etania Green School / billionBricks

Credit : Fernando Gomulya

The Etania schools are located in Sabah,Malaysia. They are learning centers for children that don’t have any education and won’t have any unless a school is run for them. This is where Etania comes to help them with classes with all the curriculum subjects available for them.  

Etania is planning to build around 30 schools all around Sabah with the help of Harvard Business School and the first school prototype is designed for 350 children for the age range of 5-13 but there are challenges facing them. 

The school is assembled along a river which has a flood once every 10 years or so. For this reason the whole school was designed to be raised above the ground just like longhouses to keep safe from any damages. 

Certain parts of the school are actually recycled. What holds the classrooms are actually old shipping containers which makes it easier to set up schools faster all around Sabah yet it is safe and stable to use. The containers themselves can be used as a hangout spot or a place to have lunch or even used as bathrooms.

This school can be a great example on providing essentials to people who are living in neglected areas with a lower cost yet efficient and safe.

Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

The Buzz.ar Community Center / Eleena Jamil Architect

The Buzz.ar  is a community center available for events, performances, shops and gatherings. It is made as a part of the new housing and commercial areas for Kota Kemuning.

The structure is designed in a way that it is flexible enough to host a big variety of programs. That’s why The Buzz.ar has indistinct spaces that can be used and modified in different ways to fulfill different needs. There is no main entrance and visitors can enter the venue from all different sides. 

The building is positioned in a way that the direct sunlight will be the least intense on it so it won’t be unbearable to host events during daytime. The trees and greenery around the venue are also a source for shade and to lower down the heat from the sun.

Location : Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor

 

Why It’s Important To Groom | From The Thread Episode 22

Posted by & filed under Lifestyle, TV.

As fire as you think your fit may be, it’s never be truly complete if you don’t take care of the mess on your head. We have a chat with the Oven Cuttery’s Kevin Cottie to spill the secrets about all things hair, from the current trends now, what type of hair suits what type of fit, and whether is it okay for people to get culturally appropriated haircuts.

Follow Kevin on Instagram!

YAHNA Take You On A Journey To His Tripped Out World In His Latest Album, Nuclear Powered Apes

Posted by & filed under Music.

Written by Ardi

If you’re looking to spice up your playlist and try something on the unconventional category, Nuclear Powered Apes can be a good start! You may enjoy its creative aspects or you may get bored immediately and change to something else but it is worth a shot.

I would say if you want to familiarize yourself with the type of sound that this album has, check out those infamous “beats to study to / Lo-Fi Hip hop” streams on youtube. The melodies are quite similar to me, sampling of hip-hop beats and repeating it multiple times but NPA is more experimental with those materials. There are some unique elements and instruments added to it which gives the songs more character like “BadnFugly” or “That’sit” with both Dauwan and Leon’s vocals in it. There are a few tracks that could have been edited more like “GatheringData” or “Drakedoesn’tevenknowbrah” which don’t have the same progress of different sounds throughout the whole track.

I couldn’t help but have an eerie feeling listening to this album which is actually a good thing! I haven’t heard any music recently that would evoke such strange emotions in me. Playing the album from track 1 to 14, the whole journey made me feel as if I am standing alone, frozen in time in a surreal world. The artwork for the album captures my feelings quite well. The colors and the abstract drawing is a great representation of the would I imagined myself in.

In overall, it was a thought-provoking experience. It is not an album that I would play while taking the train or while taking a walk but it does work nicely when I need to focus on certain tasks. Check out Nuclear  Powered Apes on Spotify and experience the album yourself!