MUSIC: This Week We’re Loving…

Daft Punk day finally arrives… But does it live up to its astronomical hype? Plus, the latest from Maya Jane Coles, London Grammar, Laura Marling, Eddie Berman and a special Virgin Records announcement...

Daft Punk

Track: Various

From: Random Access Memories, Columbia, Out 20 May 2013

… Where to start. This was probably one of the most hyped, talked about, tweeted about, written about, speculated over, agonised over albums of the year. It is likely to be 2013's biggest seller, features some of the most prolific names in the business (Nile Rodgers. He of funk forefathering fame). It's lead single, Get Lucky, found itself solidly on loop for some weeks after it was released, and it's still at the top of the charts as I type. But, judging on the couple of listens I got earlier this week, it's not quite up to the game. It's not that it's a bad record. You might (probably will, actually) disagree with me entirely, so get a listen for yourselves when it comes out on Monday. It's just that love is a strong word, and while I quite like Get Lucky (and now can't listen to it ever again because I've played it into the ground), and think a handful of tracks on there could even meander into my 'good' books, I do not LOVE Random Access Memories. It's just all a little lacking in substance, in punch, in excitement, in edge. There are few risks taken here; we all know Daft Punk peddle the funk stuff anyway, so that's nothing new. It's safe. Dare I say it, it's even a little bland in places. It's like the ruddy England football team: on paper, should be one of the best in the worId. In reality, just doesn't live up to expectations and, as a fan, all becomes a little too uncomfortable to be part of. I'm expecting it to grow on me. I'm not, however hard I wish for it, expecting it to turn into Homework, or the Tron: Legacy soundtrack or Discovery. But until then, here are a bunch of releases I like WAAAAAY more than this record…

Maya Jane Coles

Track: Everything Ft. Karin Park

From: Comfort, I/AM/ME, Out July 2013

… Including Maya Jane Coles' brilliant new single, Everything, for which she has enlisted the vocal talents of one of my favourite Swedes, Karin Park (the brains behind this year's Norwegian Eurovision entry). You can see her in the video below going a little bit nuts over a photograph of herself with a bob haircut and therefore dissecting a crow. Which contains a human heart. Obviously. Anyway, we're incredibly excited the London-based, self-made house DJ/producer  - who we first introduced to you here (alongside an hilarious clip of Skrillex setting fire to his own hair) - will be releasing her debut album, Comfort, this July, especially if this almost ghoulishly dark track is any indication of what we can expect. I'm not allowed to tell you what it sounds like yet, but I can tell you it's awesome, and you should definitely check it out when it hits iTunes. 

London Grammar

Track: Wasting My Young Years

From: Metal & Dust, Out Now

Another week, another music blog during which I bang on and on about the ridiculously talented duo, London Grammar, and their unique ability to lift you up until the hairs on the backs of your neck defy gravity, then smash you down to earth with the sudden realisation that, yes, you probably have wasted a lot of your young years doing the wrong things, with the wrong people, at the wrong time. Especially when the echoing piano melodies, soaring electronics and haunting, deep vocal lines belt out those poignant lyrics over the top of this moody, cut-out music sketch. God damn it, London Grammar, I hate it when you're right. And better than the new Daft Punk record.  

Laura Marling & Eddie Berman

Track: Dancing In The Dark

From: One-Off Performance for The Lab TV

This beautifully soulful, stripped back cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark, as made over by Laura Marling and Eddie Berman for The Lab magazine, is so much better than the new Daft Punk album. Like, infinitely better. The subtle, slowly building strings, the accordion, the flawless vocal harmonies all make for a pretty stunning folk tribute to The Boss' 1984 classic. The only thing that would make it better? If Berman cut his ruddy nails! Seriously. Man-lons. Not cool. PS - Marling's new album is out on 28 May! It's called Once I Was An Eagle. Sure you were, Laura. Sure.

WHAT THE HELL, I'LL ADMIT IT. I even love Sushi Cats more than the new Daft Punk record. SUSHI CATS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD *breaks down, actually crys out loud, recomposes self, presses play. Ahhh. Sushi Cats. It truly is a magical combination.*

I'M ALSO LOVING THAT…

Virgin Records have announced a big, fat, multi-dimensional string of festivities to celebrate their 40th Anniversary this year. The label have always been ahead of the curve with their releases, starting out with the great success of Mike Oldfield's experimental, largely instrumental album Tubular Bells (which sold a phenomenal 15million copies), and going on to upset all sorts of be-spectacled music industry types by changing the face of pop music with the Spice Girls, transforming commercial house by championing acts like Daft Punk (just close your eyes and think of Discovery) and giving the 80s bands like Culture Club and The Human League.

So, taking place this autumn, there'll be a series of events called40 Years Of Disruptionsincluding artists from Virgin's past and present roster to take part, the proceeds of which will go towards supporting the charity War Child.

According to Virgin, they will run as follows:

"1) Exhibition
The creative direction for the exhibition will be overseen by Adrian Shaughnessy, George Lee and the team at This Is Real Art. It will include photos (seen and unseen), seminal videos (including props) and memorabilia that capture the symbiotic collaborations between the cultural icons of the day. The location will be an exclusive venue in Mornington Crescent.
2) Book
A beautiful art book will be edited by leading music journalist Adrian Thrills. Adrian began his career editing the punk fanzine 48 Thrills before becoming one of the main feature writers for NME in the Eighties. He contributed fifty cover stories for the paper championing the 2-Tone movement and many of the post-punk, reggae and dance acts of the era; as well as writing the first ever cover story for iconic style magazine The Face featuring The Specials. The book will be designed by Adrian Shaughnessy.

3) Documentary  
A film produced by Leopard Films, one of the UK's leading production companies, and directed by Paul Tilzey, the director of many award winning documentaries for BBC and Channel 4 including 'The 70s'. Executive producer Todd Austin and Fiona Morris' projects include 'Do it Yourself; The Story of Rough Trade' (BBC Four) and 'Imagine: Damon and Jamie's Excellent Adventure' (BBC One) respectively.
4) Events     
A series of live events. Virgin Records will be taking over legendary Camden venue KOKO in October. The shows will celebrate four decades of disruptions involving icons and luminaries from Virgin's roster past and present.    
5) Compilations    

A compilation CD with 2 x Cd set; one disc with current Virgin artists covering Virgin classics, another disc with original Virgin classics. There will also be a series of Virgin 40 compilation CDs spanning the four decades."

I'll have more to tell you in terms of which artists will be headlining the special KOKO events in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes on the news section for updates. Bet they'll be better than the new Daft Punk record, too! Ha. Later on.

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Health Highlights: June 27, 2013

Lower limits on the amount of fat, calories, sugar and salt in all foods sold in U.S. schools were finalized this week by federal officials.

Included in the new Department of Agriculture restrictions are snacks sold around the school and items on the "a la carte" line in cafeterias, which have never been regulated before, the Associated Press reported.

The new rules, which apply to 100,000 schools nationwide, allow states to regulate student bake sales.

The regulations -- required under a child nutrition law passed by Congress in 2010 -- are meant to combat childhood obesity and could lead to major changes in what many children eat at school, according to the AP.

Some schools do provide healthier lunch menus and vending machine choices, but others still sell high-fat, high-calorie foods. The nutritional content of free and low-cost school breakfasts and lunches subsidized by the federal government are already regulated. However, many school lunchrooms also have "a la carte" lines that sell other foods, many of which are unhealthy.

Under the new rules, those "a la carte" lines will have to offer healthier choices, such as low-fat hamburgers, yogurt and fruit cups, the AP reported.

Another major change under the new rule will be a near-ban on high-calorie beverages. Only sports drinks and sodas that contain 60 calories or less per 12-ounce serving will be allowed in high schools. Many companies have already developed low-calorie sports drinks and many diet teas and diet sodas are available.

In elementary and middle schools, beverage choices will be limited to water, carbonated water, 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice, and low fat and fat-free milk, including fat-free flavored milks, the AP reported.

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Gavin Rossdale attends the Ivor Novello Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel

Daft Punk day finally arrives… But does it live up to its astronomical hype? Plus, the latest from Maya Jane Coles, London Grammar, Laura Marling, Eddie Berman and a special Virgin Records announcement »

Read more »

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Brain Injury May Raise Stroke Risk

Study of more than 1 million people found link but not cause and effect

By Barbara Bronson Gray

HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- People who have a traumatic brain injury may be more likely to suffer a stroke, a large new study suggests.

And while the chances of having a stroke are still small, incurring a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be as big a risk factor as is high blood pressure, said study author Dr. James Burke.

While stroke risk is usually tied to older adults, about 20 percent occur in those under 65, said Burke, a research fellow in the neurology department at the University of Michigan Medical School. "Stroke is not typically associated with young people, and why younger people have strokes is not well understood."

But when younger adults do suffer a stroke, the effects can be daunting.

Dr. John Volpi, co-director of the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center in Houston, recalled a patient who had a minor bike accident and seemed just fine. But after just a few days, the man -- who was only 45 -- had a stroke. "It was a slow recovery, getting back to walking and talking, and because he was an ophthalmologist, it took him a long time to be able to go back to work," Volpi said.

While study author Burke said stroke prevention has come a long way in the last 20 years or so, acute stroke treatment has seen only one significant advance, the administration of a powerful blood clot destroyer called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

Intravenous tPA is used in the first hours after a stroke to help break up blood clots associated with ischemic stroke, in which blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. Ischemic stroke accounts for about 87 percent of all cases, according to the American Heart Association.

"The next place to hit a potential home run [in preventing stroke] is to find other risk factors that could be playing a key role, especially in younger people," Burke said.

It is unclear how a traumatic brain injury might raise a person's stroke risk, he added. "TBI patients may have more headaches, more fear of seizures, diet changes, genuine brain rewiring, or they may be affected by the stress of TBI, or atherosclerotic plaques may be activated."

The study, published online June 26 in the journal Neurology , tapped several databases of adults in California who went to the emergency department or were discharged from a hospital between 2005 and 2009. More than 400,000 people with traumatic brain injury and more than 700,000 people with trauma but no brain injury were included in the study. The average age of all participants was about 50.

About 28 months after the injury, more than 11,000 people -- 1.1 percent -- had an ischemic stroke. But among those who had trauma but no brain injury, only 0.9 percent had a stroke. While that difference may seem small, it is significant because the overall risk of stroke for people this age is so tiny, Burke explained.

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What to Order This Week: Chick-fil-A

With everything from chicken soup to chicken salad to chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A is the place to get a quick bird fix. And now with the release of their new entree salads and improved Cool Wrap, it's easier than ever to not chicken out when it comes to making a healthy choice at your local fast food joint. So, anybody feel like chicken tonight? Check out these offerings -- we bet you will. 

Grilled Market Salad: This fresh choice (pictured) provides two servings of veggies from the chopped romaine, baby greens, red cabbage and carrots, plus one serving of fruit from the fresh apples, strawberries and blueberries. The sliced grilled chicken ups the protein count to 25 g and the crumbled blue cheese adds loads of flavor while still keeping the whole salad at just 180 calories and 4 g fat (without dressing).Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad: With 39 g of protein, this salad will keep you feeling satisfied for quite some time. Made with two whole cups of veggies including chopped romaine, baby greens, carrots, red cabbage, roasted corn kernels and grape tomatoes, the Chick-fil-A Cobb is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, too. Even with the fried chicken nuggets, hard-boiled egg, crumbled bacon and shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, this salad still has a reasonable 430 calories and 22g fat (without dressing).Asian Salad: This lean 330 calorie, 13g fat (without dressing) offering is a delicious combination of chicken nuggets, chopped romaine, baby greens, red cabbage, carrots and mandarin oranges. Add a whole packet of the new Honey Sesame Dressing for only 170 additional calories, and you'll still have a well-balanced plate.New Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap: Made on Chick-fil-A's brand-new flaxseed flour flatbread, this wrap provides a whopping 60 percent of your daily value for fiber and is an excellent source of ALA omega-3's, too. Filled with sliced grilled chicken, chopped romaine, red cabbage, carrots and shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, this tasty menu item clocks in at just 330 calories and 12g fat. Sold.

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Image Credit: Courtesy of Chick-fil-A

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Missing periods

Is it primary amenorrhea if you haven't ever started your periods when you should have done? Is it more serious the longer you don't ever start it? I have never had one before, and I think I probably should have got it by now because I am 15, but...

Also, what are the risks to your body if you stay underweight for a long time and your periods don't start?

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Karin Park on Eurovision win: “I’ve already started the celebration”

Karin Park has revealed that she's "already started the celebration" for winning the Eurovision Song Contest ahead of the event in Malmö, Sweden tomorrow.

The Swedish dark electro-pop star, who won critical acclaim for her outstanding album Highwire Poetry in 2012 and counts David Bowie and Gary Numan as fans, is the brains behind the Norwegian entry, I Feed You My Love, which will be performed by Margaret Berger in the grand final.

"I've already started the celebration by buying a new leather jacket from Ada Zanditon that I'm gonna wear at the finals," she told GLAMOUR exclusively.

"I've been taught by my dad to always celebrate beforehand. That way it's fine whatever happens. I will go to Leipzig the next day to play at Wave Gotik so there won't be much time to contemplate. But the Champagne will be flowing no matter what."

Park - a Grammy award-winning artist in her own right - originally wrote the song for herself, inspired by having the "strength and courage to do what you want".

Speaking of Berger's interpretation of the track, she said: "I had her in mind for a long time even outside the competition. But I also realise it has something universal about it, so when I was asked to contribute to the Eurovision Song Contest, I thought, 'What the hell, this song could work really well in this competition.'"

She also revealed that she was asked to participate as a contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest, but chose to turn the job down.

"I was asked to enter myself as an artist, but the path I have set out for myself as an artist doesn't include ESC so I'm really happy that Margaret could represent the song as well as she does."

READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH KARIN PARK IN FULL BELOW:

GLAMOUR: You're primarily known for writing dark, electronic pop tunes. How did you come about writing a Eurovision entry? What was your original idea for the track?

Karin Park: "I wrote it for me to begin with - it's a song about courage and strength to do what you want."

G: How do you feel about Norwegian contestant Margaret Berger's interpretation of the track?

K: "She does it amazingly well. I had her in mind for a long time even outside the competition. But I also realise it has something universal about it, so when I was asked to contribute to the Eurovision Song Contest, I thought, 'What the hell, this song could work really well in this competition.' I was asked to enter myself as an artist, but the path I have set out for myself as an artist doesn't include ESC so I'm really happy that Margaret could represent the song as well as she does."

G: Are you a fan of Eurovision yourself? Is it something you tune into every year?

K: "If you are Swedish, you have to tune in to it, whether you like it or not. It's on every newspaper's front page for weeks and everyone watches it.  And since it's a mix of total freakshow and real talent, I find it entertaining to watch. But I was always the one muttering away on the side, complaining about the horrible quality... Now I've done something about it. Ha."

G: How do you feel having provided Norway with their entry when you yourself are Swedish?

K: "I have lived in Norway for a long time. It's not your average ESC song this one, so I'm proud that Norway wanted this as the entry. I really love the song."

G: Have you had any backlash from Swedes about it at all?

K: "Everyone I've ever met, known, worked with or gone to school with have contacted me about it and they all love the song."

G: What elements do you think a track needs for it to be a potential Eurovision winner?

K: "It has to have something that everyone can relate to, I think. But still something that feels fresh.  ESC is a weird thing. It's so huge. I didn't realise how big of a show this is until  I got here."

G: If it ends up winning, what will you do to celebrate?

K: "I've already started the celebration by buying a new leather jacket from Ada Zanditon that I'm gonna wear at the finals. I've been taught by my dad to always celebrate before hand. That way it's fine whatever happens. I will go to Leipzig the next day to play at Wave Gotik so there won't be much time to contemplate. But the Champagne will be flowing no matter what."

G: What are you up to at the moment and where can we catch you next?

K: "I'm gonna play festivals in Germany, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia and Poland this summer. We've done western Europe. Now it's time for the east and I can't wait to hook up with my brother David and play. I miss him in all of this. But he is pretty satisfied with just watching me on TV this time. See you soon."

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Equipment shopping, essential items

Hi all, So I move on Sunday and with a new job and location and the cost of starting up again I won't be able to join a gym straight away. I need the gym in life! Thankfully my new place has plenty of room to workout. Now I need to go weight shopping so that can tie me over until I get settled and join a new gym. What would you buy? I want a few pieces nothing too crazy but enough to keep me in shape and items I can use for several exercises. I don't want any little cute pink weights, but I'm not sure what to buy. how did you set up your home gym or what equipment do you have that you would recommend??

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Shaomin Huang, Student

I'm wearing Topshop tights and T-Shirt and American Apparel shorts and headband. The shoes are from Hong Kong and the cardigan is from Urban Outfitters. I love headbands, I have about 20 in a variety of colours and materials. Audrey Hepburn is my style icon and I get outfit inspirations from the Chinese fashion and lifestyle blog Topit.me.

Photographed by Suzanne Middlemass.

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Young Men Less Likely to Survive Melanoma Than Women: Study

White males made up about 40 percent of deadly skin cancer patients, but more than 63 percent of deaths

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- White male teens and young adults are more likely to die of melanoma skin cancer than their female counterparts, a new study finds.

Researchers looked at data from more than 26,000 white patients, aged 15 to 39, in the United States who were diagnosed with melanoma between 1989 and 2009 and followed for an average of seven and a half years.

During the follow-up, there were nearly 1,600 melanoma-related deaths. Although males made up about 40 percent of the melanoma patients, they accounted for more than 63 percent of the deaths, according to the study, which was published June 26 in the journal JAMA Dermatology.

After adjusting for various factors, the investigators concluded that males were 55 percent more likely to die of melanoma than females.

Continued public health efforts are needed to raise young men's awareness of the dangers of melanoma, said Dr. Christina Gamba, of the Stanford University Medical Center, and colleagues.

"This alarming difference in the outcome highlights the urgent need for both behavioral interventions to promote early detection strategies in young men and further investigation of the biological basis for the sex disparity in melanoma survival," the study authors concluded.

Melanoma is the third most common type of cancer in American teens and young adults.

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Pippa Middleton on the street in London

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Allergies May Boost Severity of Lung Disease

Study finds hay fever increases frequency of respiratory problems in COPD patients

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- Hay fever and similar allergies increase the frequency and severity of respiratory problems in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study shows.

COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

In this study, researchers looked at more than 1,400 patients with COPD, and found that those with allergies were much more likely than those without allergies to wheeze, to have chronic cough and chronic phlegm, to awake during the night because of cough, and to have a worsening of COPD symptoms that required antibiotics or a visit to the doctor.

The study by the Johns Hopkins University researchers was published online May 10 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

The findings suggest that treating allergies or avoiding allergy triggers may help reduce the number and severity of respiratory problems in people with COPD, Dr. Nadia Hansel, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center in Baltimore, said in a journal news release.

She added that current COPD treatment guidelines do not deal with the management of allergies and said additional research of the link between allergies and COPD is needed.

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Weight loss before school starts?

Is it a reasonable goal to lose 1.7 pounds per week? I am currently 137 pounds and I want to be 120 pounds when school starts.. Which is in 10 weeks. I am 16, 5'4, and 137 pounds (already mentioned). Is this a reasonable goal? Will I be able to keep the weight off? I have a problem where I binge eat when I'm bored or sad but I'm working on it (not sure if that's relevant)

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