Welcome to HNGN's weekly top picks, where we cull the best and brightest releases in music, fashion, beauty, tech and pop culture. Come back each week for more of-the-moment goodness.
MUSIC
By Michael Lello
Guster: Evermotion (Ocho Mule/Network Records)
Guster got the short end of the stick by being too good too soon. The songsmiths hit the scene in the mid-'90s with a style of music that would now be considered indie pop but was then relegated to some not-quite-jam band, not-quite-alternative-rock hinterland. It hasn't stopped the Boston band from making excellent, tuneful albums, and up next is "Evermotion," the band's seventh, out Jan. 13 – Guster's first record in four years.
Below, have a listen to the album's "Simple Machine," which is emblematically Guster – melodic, melancholic and just a bit left of center. You can stream the whole album via Spotify, too.
Meghan Trainor: Title (Epic Records)
Thanks to the ubiquity of her hit song "All About That Bass," we've known Meghan Trainor for a few months, so it's a bit surprising that we haven't heard a debut album yet. That changes this week when she releases "Title," her first full-length record (which confusingly shares its name with her September 2014 EP).
Check out the video for the album's "Lips Are Movin'" below:
Rae Sremmurd: SremmLife (Ear Drummer/Interscope)
American rap duo Rae Sremmurd – comprised of Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy – make a statement right out of the gate, landing guest appearances from Nicki Minaj and Young Thug on their debut album. The duo has already released three singles ("No Flex Zone," "No Type" and "Throw Sum Mo," featuring the aforementioned high-profile guests), so the hype machine is properly primed.
TECH
By John Nassivera
Hovertrax
Solowheel's Hovertrax transport system was among the many intrguing gadgets making its debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas thsi week. All you do to control the two-wheeled, hands-free device is lean forward or backward and it'll move in that direction. Stand up straight and it slows down and brings you to a stop. A single charge gives you four to five hours of ride around for about eight miles. The Hovertrax is available now in black or white for $995 at Solowheel's Inventist website.
Dell Venue 8 7000
Just because you're working doesn't mean you can't be getting some cardio in. This laptop work desk allows you to surf the web on your laptop while peddling away on your exercise bike. You'll be so distracted by your computer that you might even forget that you're working out!
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
By Jordan Webb
Taken 3 (Twentieth Century Fox)
Liam Neeson returns as Brian Mills, an ex-covert operative who's framed for the brutal murder of his wife. On the run from authorities and with his daughter's life still in danger, Mills must find his wife's real killers and issue his own brand of justice.
Watch the trailer below.
(Editing by Nicholas Parco. Want to be considered for Coveted? Send your product information, with photos, to m.bullerdick@hngn.com or send product samples to Michael Q. Bullerdick HNGN/33 Universal, 33 Whitehall Street - 7th Floor, New York, NY 10004.)