Pop music is always chasing after the unusual – all hail novelty! Let us praise uniqueness! – but this year was dynamic enough on that front to qualify it decisively as the Year of the Weird.
In the stratosphere near the top of the charts, Miley Cyrus teamed up with the psychedelic rock band Flaming Lips for Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, a rambling, shambling album that nobody would have expected and that gave Cyrus more colour and sass to add to her already phantasmagorical travelling stage show.
Taylor Swift continued to dominate with singles from her stylistic swerve 1989, but, more surprisingly, songs from that album came in for a radical remake by Ryan Adams, whose full-length covers tribute transformed Swift's strutting pop into doleful folk and rock.
Look Ahead: The National makes predictions for what we can expect in the world of technology in 2016
Lower down – though not much lower, considering the ramped-up levelling of the mainstream and the underground – Grimes made a big move with Art Angels, a manic electronic pop album that positioned her as a mindful auteur and an ambassador for signal-scrambling exhibitionism at its extremes.
Joanna Newsom returned with her harp and otherworldly voice on Divers, an album that unfurls layers and layers of songwriting complexity and breathtaking musical beauty. She's certainly one of few lyricists cerebral enough to make sensible use of words like "Ozymandian" and "inasmuch". But another of her ilk – Dan Bejar of the shapeshifting rock band Destroyer – made more headway with Poison Season, an album that veers from the string-swept spirit of theatrical old standards to rousing street anthems reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed, and back again.
There was a lot of good music in 2015, and in enough different and easily accessible forms to make the whole enterprise all the more exciting for the prospects it holds for the future. It is easy to mourn the loss of a pop culture that we can all rally around and at least somewhat collectively understand, but the blurring of borders makes for more exhilarating aural travelling too.
Likewise, the dwindling of recorded music as a pillar of industry, with record sales continuing to dip, has been accompanied by music reasserting its function as a social phenomenon to be performed and processed and contemplated live, in the flesh (often with flashing lights).
History has come increasingly alive, too. In America, a mass celebration was staged this year around the brief but momentous final tour of the Grateful Dead, replete with the old-style sentiment “Fare Thee Well”. Respect was registered and tribute was paid to a band and a cultural ecology very much from a distant past.
A months-long happening in New York turned lots of attention to an obscure project from another time whose influence can still be measured: Dream House, a large room-size installation for sound and light by La Monte Young, Marian Zazeela and Jung Hee Choi. With his minimalist compositions drawing on multicultural scales and electronic means of production dating back to the 1950s, Young set off a charge that led to the Velvet Underground, Philip Glass and so much more – a legacy commemorated wondrously around Young’s 80th birthday by the Dia Art Foundation.
Art and music communed actively this year. There was a significant (if poorly executed and widely panned) retrospective devoted to Björk at the gleaming Museum of Modern Art in New York, and a similar survey of the fantastical career of David Bowie travelled to museums in Paris and Australia.
Art figured also in the work of young electronic-music creators for whom the notion of video and other multimedia modes prove central to what their "music" comprises. Arca, who added new styles and sounds to the arsenal of Björk's 2015 album Vulnicura, made expansive and ambitious forays of his own into video and even avant-garde fashion. For the latter, he created a soundtrack used in a high-minded runway spectacle staged in Italy by the fashion brand Hood by Air. For the rest of us, he also uploaded it to Soundcloud, where its 16 minutes of bizarre sounds and beats can be streamed or downloaded for free.
It’s a new era and the scene is fertile for more in the way of invention and adventure. FKA twigs, the mercurial English R&B star, put together a sensational stage show this year with its own premise and special title: Congregata. It involved her prowling the stage as she does, with her wild and ingenious choreography, in the company of a dozen other dancers doing moves that were out of this world. They came from different underground dance scenes in different countries, and they mixed intense physical artistry with a spirit of dropping all preconceptions and just having fun. It was a wonder to watch – and served to transmit a lasting and valuable lesson, too.
Andy Battaglia is a New York-based writer and regular contributor to The Review.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Ammar 808:
Maghreb United
Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Vikram%20Vedha
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<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
