“If something burns your soul with purpose and desire, it’s your duty to be reduced to ashes by it. Any other form of existence will be yet another dull book in the library of life” – Charles Bukowski
We live in a time where the very essence of the human experience has been reduced to the scrolling timelines of social media. We’re stimulated throughout the day and the idea of being bored has certainly become a thing of the past. We do not ponder a thought anymore, and when we do, we wonder how the thought can be manipulated and drafted into a social media post that will bring traction. Amidst dancing reels, funny trends and mini travel vlogs packed and parceled to please your dopamine receptors, humans have somewhere diminished their sense of individuality.
While travelling from work to home in the Metro, I often see people using their phones to consume content on the go. Most of the content is usually short-form social media reels that hit your system like a line of cocaine and give you a rush of dopamine. I am not different as I spend a big chunk of my day on social media consuming content too. This no-commitment content consumption model which switches genres with every swipe has ingested an existential angst inside me.
The minds of young adults can be easily captivated by the heightened reality presented on social media. We have influencers on social platforms who promote a certain lifestyle and target young men in order to gain followers and use subliminal marketing to sell products. The Andrew Tates and Dan Bilzerians of the world have polluted the minds of growing men to the point where they do not refrain from insulting the opposite gender. Treating women like sex objects and considering their entire existence is based upon serving men is not a thing of the past, however, one would expect changing times would bring about a positive change. Thanks to social media, we’ve gone back.
The question of ‘Where are we heading as a species’ is as old as time with many philosophers basing their life’s work on it. However, in the modern sense, this question leans more on the negative side.
“If you don’t like it, don’t consume it” is a line people in support of such content creators throw around casually. However, allowing toxic viewpoints to be nurtured on any platform toxicates young minds. As a 25-year-old, who also happens to run a meme page, I often come across users who bash people with independent ideologies. Most of these are young users who feel it is alright to go around saying anything they wish to the opposite gender or people with different sexual preferences. This brings out the Jean-Paul Sartre inside me who wonders where are we heading as a species.
The basis of the existentialist theory states that ‘Everyone must create their own values and live according to their own beliefs and passion’ However, in the age of social media, we find ourselves following trends. We hop on trends like a hungry bunny hopping on carrots, and the hunger here is for likes. The sense of individuality gets diminished in a society which believes in and enjoys following trends be it as simple as visiting a restaurant which has been garnering millions of views on social media.
We feel validated by doing what others are doing on social media. It gives us a sense of community but also strips us of our individuality. Continuing to live hooked to social media is going to trigger an existential crisis among people sooner than one anticipates. However, the depth of this existential crisis will be limited to why we’re not getting likes and comments on our social media posts. I believe it is high time for people to unhook themselves from the actual Matrix, that is social media.
Since the early days of pop music, female pop stars have challenged societal norms and expectations, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in the industry. In the 1960s, artists like Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin brought soulful vocals and dynamic performances to the forefront of pop music, while in the 1970s, disco icons like Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor inspired millions with their empowering and uplifting anthems. In the 1980s, Madonna revolutionized the industry with her provocative lyrics, daring fashion, and unapologetic sexuality, while Whitney Houston became one of the biggest voices of her generation, dominating charts and breaking records with her powerful vocals and emotive performances.
Our Exhibit Women’s special edition would be incomplete without talking about the women pop stars who rule the world right now. Check them out –
Taylor Swift
Swift’s music is known for its autobiographical and deeply personal themes, often drawing on her own experiences with love, heartbreak, and growth. Her songwriting and vocal abilities have been praised for their honesty and authenticity, and her ability to connect with her fans has made her one of the most successful musicians of her generation.
In addition to her music, Swift has been active in various philanthropic endeavours, including supporting education and disaster relief initiatives. She has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and political engagement, encouraging her fans to participate in elections and speaking out against discrimination and inequality. Taylor just back in December sold more than two million tickets during her Eras Tour presale making it the most tickets ever sold for an artist in a single day. There are no two thoughts about Taylor Swift being the biggest female pop star of our generation.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish grew up in a family of musicians and began writing and recording her own music at a young age. Her breakout single “Ocean Eyes” was released in 2016 and quickly gained viral popularity, leading to a recording contract with Interscope Records.
In addition to her music, Eilish has become known for her distinctive style and unapologetic approach to self-expression. She often wears oversized and baggy clothing, which she has explained is a deliberate choice to avoid being objectified or judged based on her body. Eilish has been open about her struggles with mental health and has used her platform to advocate for the importance of seeking help and breaking down stigmas surrounding mental illness.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s music is known for its nostalgic and cinematic qualities, often incorporating elements of pop, rock, and hip-hop into her signature sound. Her lyrics frequently explore themes of love, heartbreak, and Americana, with a focus on the darker and more complex aspects of these topics. Despite her commercial success, Lana has faced criticism for her lyrics and image, with some accusing her of promoting harmful stereotypes about women and romanticizing abusive relationships. Del Rey has defended herself against these criticisms, arguing that her music is a reflection of her own experiences and emotions, and that she does not condone violence or abuse.
Despite these controversies, Del Rey remains a highly influential and acclaimed musician, with a devoted fan base and multiple Grammy nominations to her name
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga undoubtedly had me in a chokehold when her song ‘Hold My Hand’ for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ was released earlier last year. Gaga’s music is known for its catchy hooks and empowering messages, often incorporating elements of dance, electronic, and rock music. Her theatrical performances and unique fashion sense have made her a cultural icon and inspiration to many fans around the world. Gaga is also known for her advocacy work, particularly in the areas of LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
In addition to her music career, Gaga has also made a name for herself as an actress, receiving critical acclaim for her performances in movies like “A Star is Born” and “American Horror Story.” She’ll be seen flaunting her acting skills in the upcoming Joker 2 film alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
Rihanna
Rihanna will forever be ‘Queen Riri’ for me after she blessed the latest Black Panther film with the ‘Lift Me Up’ single. Rihanna’s music is known for its blend of pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences, and her distinctive vocals and catchy hooks. She has won numerous awards for her music, including multiple Grammy Awards, and is considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Her music videos are also highly acclaimed, often incorporating cinematic storytelling and striking visuals.
In addition to her music career, Rihanna has also made a name for herself as a businesswoman, with multiple successful ventures in the fashion and beauty industries. She founded the Fenty Beauty makeup line in 2017, which has become a major player in the beauty industry with a focus on inclusivity and diversity. Her little promotion of the Fenty Beauty brand during her Super Bowl performance created waves across the internet.
Adele
Adele has managed to carve a niche for herself in the music industry with soulful songs that put you in a spell. Adele’s debut album, “19,” was released in 2008 and featured the hit singles “Chasing Pavements” and “Hometown Glory.” The album’s success propelled Adele to international fame and earned her two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. She followed up with her second album, “21,” in 2011, which became a worldwide phenomenon and broke numerous records, including spending 24 weeks at the top of the US Billboard 200 chart. The album included hit singles such as “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” and won Adele six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
In 2015, Adele released her third album, “25,” which featured the hit singles “Hello,” “When We Were Young,” and “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).” The album was another commercial and critical success, earning Adele five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for the second time.
The western music industry had taken backstage due to the COVID pandemic which led to a number of canceled shows and delayed albums. However, with 2022 bringing back live shows with relaxed COVID protocols and artists being able to get back on track with recordings and releases, this year saw an influx of new music dropping throughout. Be it Drake, Beyoncé, or Harry Styles, the heavy hitters of pop music dropped new music left and right. Here is a look at all the best albums from 2022 –
The Weeknd – Dawn FM
The Weeknd had big shoes to fill with Dawn Fm as his 2020 album After Hours was a blockbuster hit globally. The 2022 album actually showcased how far Abel has come as a performer if we look back at his 2011 mixtape – House Of Balloons. The Weeknd’s music has often followed a theme of light/dark having multiple yin-and-yang elements sprinkled across all over his music. With Dawn FM, the artist takes the same theme to the next level and maybe even concludes. For what can be called his most upbeat album to date, Dawn FM by The Weeknd makes his way to our top albums list.
Favorite Track – Here We Go… Again (ft. Tyler, The Creator)
Harry Style – Harry’s House
I’ve spent the better part of my 2022 watching Harry Styles perform all over the world with his fans screaming ‘Leave America’ wherever he sings ‘As It Was’ live. And let me tell you, I had a ball! The wonderboy of One Direction has now evolved to become a solo showstopper and the Harry’s House album is a testament to what was waiting to be unleashed for all those years. It’s always a rocky road when a teen idol becomes a solo star and Harry’s own One Direction team is an example of the same. However, the artist has managed to break free from the shackles of the ‘boyband’ image and build a solo brand for himself. Harry’s House is a delightful entry to our top albums list.
Favorite Track – As It Was
Taylor Swift – Midnights
The imprint Taylor Swift has left on modern pop culture is unparalleled, but I am not a big fan of the megastar. While I love some of her songs, others not so much. But her Midnights album was the one where a completely evolved Taylor was presented to her fans and general listeners. Swifties around the world too were taken aback by the self-loathing and reflective nature of the lyrics this album had which was a departure from Taylor’s usual expression of music. The unfiltered and raw version of this pop icon makes Midnights a worthy mention in our list.
Favorite Track – Anti-Hero
Drake / 21 Savage – Her Loss
Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind album was a disappointment for me where tracks like Calling My Name and Sticky failed to intrigue the music enthusiast inside me. However, with Her Loss, we were presented with a much more carefree Drake coupled with 21 Savage’s exhilarating collaboration. The new collab between the two artists felt like a direct and fitting revolution from 2009’s So Far Gone. With Her Loss, the Certified Lover Boy makes his way to our best album list in all his Canadian glory.
Favorite Track – Rich Flex
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
It took five years for Kendrick Lamar to drop an album after ‘Damn’ and all I can say is that it was worth the wait! The Pulitzer-winning rapper explored the depths of his soul with his new album as opposed to serving the chartbuster formula like his previous one. In his fifth and glorious studio album, Lamar has turned his back on the limelight of being a pop icon and highlighted his own insecurities and belief systems which is a daring feat for a star of his magnitude to do.
Favorite Track – We Cry Together (ft. Taylor Paige)
This will change the way you think, speak and consume food.
Let’s talk about veganism.
I know every argument that a meat-eater makes when I start this conversation.
“But meat tastes so good”
“You know plants feel pain too”
“Eating animals is very natural”
“Animals are supposed to eat other animals”
…and these are just few of them.
So, I hear you and I can tell you that you will feel differently when you finish reading this article.
Statistically speaking, as of 2021, there are approximately 79 million vegans in the world which covers only 1% of the global population. This means that the diets of 99% of the world contain either meat, animal-based products or both. To satisfy this demand, approximately 200 million land animals are slaughtered around the world every single day. Let’s boil this down a bit.
By the time you finish reading this sentence, 267789 animals will be killed globally for food.
There is no denying that these numbers are staggering but it is important to remember that these numbers are made of individual lives. Each individual life that is brutally taken for the short-term sensory pleasure of someone eating a tuna sandwich for lunch, simply, because they really like the taste of meat.
Raised as a vegetarian, I was curious about what made meat so appealing to everyone. So, for a certain while I joined the club and tried everything under the sun: chicken, fish, lamb, and cows. When I decided to go vegan, it wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy the taste of meat, it was because the taste was no longer justifying the moral and environmental implications of killing animals.
Some people argue that human beings are designed to eat meat. Evolutionary evidence suggests that humans have evolved to be omnivorous, which means that we can eat both plants and animals. However, this isn’t because humans are designed to eat meat but because humans are designed to adapt. We are always responding to our surroundings and over time, for reasons of survival which don’t hold true in today’s times, we began hunting and eating animals.
Let me ask you a simple question: Do you think animal cruelty is wrong?
Most people will say yes. Yet, these people will continue consuming animal-based products without giving it a second thought. Why is that?
It seems that eating meat, for most people, is an unconscious choice, a thought-less action, motivated by habit or temporary gratification.
Today there is a lot of scientific evidence suggesting that pain and the way in which it is sensed is awfully similar across humans and mammals because we share the same nervous system, neurochemicals, and emotions which are integrated into the experience of pain.
This is not the case with plants. Plants do not have a brain or a central nervous system which makes them incapable of feeling anything.
If pain is a part of the food-making process, pain becomes a part of the food-consumption process.
On a molecular level, what we consume becomes a part of us. The saying goes, “We are what we eat” and as overused as it is, undeniably, there is scientific, energetic, and spiritual truth to it.
I am aware that I cannot get anyone to stop consuming animal products if they don’t choose to. I am also aware that starting a conversation about things that matter invite people to broaden their perspective and take a long, hard look at the choices they are making on a day-to-day basis.
In this way, we are all doing our parts in making the world just a tad better and that is a huge step forward.
There is a saying that you are not fully dressed without a smile. While the previous statement holds true, it is also essential to consider how good you smell.
Each perfume or cologne consists of different ‘notes’. These notes consist of three different layers; base note, top or headnote, and middle or heart notes. They all work synergistically and create different scent notes like rose, gardenia, masculine notes, or even leather-based ones.
How to choose a concentration?
Fragrances come in four different levels of concentration. And with each increasing level, the price increases. Usually, colognes with high concentration have a much more powerful scent and last longer.
The highest concentration is called perfume or parfum, which lasts all day with just a single application on the wrist. The lower level is referred to as Eau de parfum, which typically lasts about 6 hours of application. The third level of concentration is called eau de toilette, which is affordable and something you find in retail stores.
10 Best Perfumes For Indian Summer
The Versace Eros
Synonymous with the word rich, Versace stands true to the brand’s representation. Eros is considered the Greek God of love. Versace Eros has the top notes of mint, green apple, and lemon that would calm you during the summers. Base notes have the hint of tonka bean, geranium, and lighter scents, and once the base notes settle down, you get the smell of Vanilla, vetiver, and oakmoss.
The Creed Island Water
The Creed Island Water is one of the most amazing perfumes with unique notes. The top note packs a strong coconut scent with lime, bergamot, and oranges. The heart note boasts of ginger and jasmine. The base note includes sugar cane, white musk, and rum.
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense
This one is a woody aquatic fragrance for both men and women with marine notes, making it one of the best Indian summer options. The scent reminds you of a cool breeze with a lot of salty accords, giving it a distinctive feel and aroma. The heart note has grape and mandarin orange with a fresh fruity opening.
Acqua Di Parma
This perfume is known for its floral and citrusy fragrance and gives you a breeze-like feel as soon as you spray it. The base and the top notes are dominated by oranges and lemons and rounded off by lavender and rosemary. It is a must-have in your summer perfumes collection.
Versace Eau Fraiche
This is one of the best-known and most used summer fragrances in India. Versace Eau Fraiche has an aquatic woody fragrance that opens up with bergamot and carambola, giving it a sparkly fresh fragrance. The added cardamom gives it a pinch of sweetness which is excellent for Indian summers.
Calvin Klein Eternity EDT
Calvin Klein is one of the most premium perfume brands in the market currently, and its Eternity Fragrance is the best. It features a singularly captivating scent that makes for a fresh and woody fragrance. The perfume packs a top note of Sage that creates instant fascination, and the base note consists of Mandarin and Amber.
Snake by Villain
This mysterious and mystical perfume brings out the wicked in you with the unique fragrance of a villain snake. It has combined notes of mandarin, bergamot, amber, and white musk. Be it Summer, winter, or fall; the fragrance will definitely turn some heads toward you.
Hugo Boss Red EDT
This will prove to be the best companion for you whenever you hit a party, date, or social event. Hugo Boss Red features a top note of grapefruit, a headnote of rhubarb, and a base note of cedarwood. It comes in a classic red bottle and will make for a good perfume collection.
Davidoff Cool Water
Besides its cool brand name, this is a unique and popular choice of fragrance for all men. It has a top note of mint and lavender, and the headnote throws down sandalwood, jasmine, geranium, and neroli, to cool you down. The base note consists of tobacco, cedar, and oakmoss masculine scents.
Amouage: Epic Man
This one has a rich fragrance and woos all your senses in a certain way. Epic Man has a woody fragrance with a headnote of geranium and bergamot. It is perfect for dinner dates and social gatherings where all the heads would be turning towards you with fascination.
Ajay Devgn, Esha Deol, and Raashi Khanna starrer released on March 4 on Disney+ Hotstar. In and as Rudra, Ajay plays the role of a police officer hunting highly intelligent criminals, making it a psychological thriller to watch.
No Time To Die 007:
The 25th film of the James Bond franchise made its digital premiere on March 4 on Amazon Prime Video. The movie stars Daniel Craig, Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas.
The Adam Project:
Netflix Original series starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead and Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Walker Scobell. The story revolves around a man who time travels to his past to take help from his younger self. The show went live on March 11.
Jalsa:
Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah starrer is releasing on March 18 on Amazon Prime Video. The story revolves around a celebrated journalist, her cook, and their conflict. Also starring Manav Kaul and Iqbal Khan.
Bloody Brothers:
Story of two brothers who live contrasting lives unless a tragic accident creates a rift and changes their destinies. The show stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Zeeshan Ayyub in the lead roles, releasing on March 18 on Zee5.
Moon Knight:
Marvel’s mini-series revolves around Marc Spector, a former boxer who gets involved in mysteries connected to Egyptian Gods. Played by Oscar Isaac, the show is all set to release on March 30 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Bridgerton (Season 2):
After a successful season 1, the show is back with yet another season 2 revolving around Lord Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton sibling and Viscount on a journey to find love. Releasing on March 25 on Netflix.
Pieces of Her:
Andy Oliver and Laura Oliver are stuck in a series of events when mother’s dark past comes into the limelight. Making it a thriller watch, the show was released on March 4 on Netflix.
Undekhi (Season 2):
The show is back with its season 2 is crime drama inspired by real-life incidents. Released on March 4 on SonyLIV stars Ram Kapoor, Harsh Chhaya, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Nandish Sandhu, Ankur Rathee, and Surya Sharma.
Sutliyan:
The show’s storyline revolves around family drama. The unresolved conflicts and emotional baggage from the past returns, taking them on the road to emotional and spiritual cleansing. Sullivan stars Ayesha Raza, Plabita Borthakur Vivaan Shah, and Shiv Pandit, released on March 4 on Zee5.
Good sound or good music has the ability to delight your soul. A good audio system in your car is pure eargasm while on the move. If you’re new to the world of car audio systems, check out our article on how the in-car infotainment system evolved with time here and they seem to have become more sophisticated with each passing year.
Almost everyone has different opinions on car audio systems, and some people love the look of their factory stereo. If you have a late model car with an integrated infotainment system, upgrading the stereo can be difficult. In either case, there are several ways to improve a factory sound system.
One interesting thing about upgrading your car audio is that there’s no right way or wrong way to go about it, in fact, the best thing about upgrading factory audio systems is that almost any component you replace will at least represent a marginal improvement.
The guide to “car audio” starts with an understanding of what each component contributes to the overall audio experience you have. But it’s important to be able to identify the pitfalls that you notice in your car audio, then know the right fix for each problem.
However, no matter how many complexities arise in the technological aspect, a car audio system only has three basic components. So if you’re considering upgrading your car’s audio system, keep in mind that the components listed below are the ones you must include.
If you are going by the budget-conscious piecemeal route, then you must plan on how you want the final system to look and sound like. If you do that, you’ll end up with components that work pretty well together.
There are many options when you build a car infotainment system from the ground up, so people who have never performed this task may shy away from that sort of drastic change.
Now, if you dive in, consider the types of features you want your car to sound like.
If you’re working on a tight budget, you can do some things to improve the sound quality. You can even replace components one at a time, depending on what your speculated budget permits, and eventually, you’ll have a completely custom car sound system.
Know the main components!
Head Units
This is the brain behind everything. In the beginning, head units were simply radio tuners which, as time went by, became proficient in providing audio signals from cassette tapes and CD players. In the modern-day vehicles, the head unit is often integrated into its entire “infotainment system”, which is the central console that also often houses climate controls and provides navigation.
Today, most head units have USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc to connect other devices and play digital music, built-in satellite and Internet capabilities, and whatnot.
Now it is entirely up to you what you want in your car.
Either way, we advise you to end up with a head unit that is capable of powering the speakers. You can also go for a head unit with pre-amp outputs and an amplifier capable of fully powering the speakers.
Speakers
It’s an old rule of thumb, but it remains true: even the best car stereo won’t sound great on lousy speakers. If your car’s stock car audio system shows distortion, lacks clarity during high-frequency ranges, and blasts hollow bass notes, you may improve the sound system in your vehicle with a worthwhile speaker upgrade.
If your car only has two or four-speaker slots, they are probably coaxial speakers, which means a single speaker head features both the woofer and a tweeter. The easiest way to replace them is with better coaxial speakers, preferably made with more superior materials.
A decent set of front speakers might only set you back less than ten grand. Component speakers provide even better sound, but that’s a complicated upgrade that’s better paired with a new car stereo.
Discrete speaker components sound even better because the tweeters and woofers operate separately, producing greater sound clarity. But this upgrade often requires cutting new speaker mounts, complex rewiring, and other actions best performed by a technician, an experienced installer of sound systems for cars.
At least four speakers make up most car audio systems, although you can play with various configurations that will allow you to add more.
There are several types of speakers, including coaxial, component, and subwoofers. A coaxial speaker is one unit that houses both the tweeter, which takes care of the treble or higher range notes and the woofer, which deals with the Bass or the lower to mid-range frequencies. On the other hand, component speakers are simply a set of speakers that separate the woofer and the tweeters. Subwoofers, meanwhile, are designed to reproduce Bass and sub-bass that is typically lower than what a woofer can generate.
More often than not, car owners prefer upgrading the speakers that come with their car because its sound quality is often poor. Go for speakers that are constructed better and are usually made of cloth and foam. Some excellent speakers have rubber, metal, silk, and other synthetic materials. Car owners can enjoy full-bodied Bass, pristine sound in high-frequency ranges, and a lack of distortion with these speakers.
Amplifiers
Turning up the volume.
If you’re concerned about high volume, an amplifier is still an essential component you need to add to your system. You’ll probably need an amp with speaker-level inputs if you’re leaving the factory stereo in place, but some premium factory fitted head units come with line-level outputs.
It’s easy to overpower the speakers when you add a powerful amplifier to a factory sound system. With that in mind, consider upgrading the speakers first if you want to crank up the volume all the way blasting out of the windows.
As mentioned above, the speakers receive the audio signal from the amplifier and serve as the output devices that in turn convert the electrical energy of that signal into sound.
Despite what we said above about having great speakers, it’s also quite true that great speakers only sound as good as their amplifier. You may get an uplift in quality with new speakers alone. Still, discrete car audio systems will require more sophisticated amplifiers that can output to multiple, distinct speaker channels. A good amp can output well to tweeters and woofers, for example, and even subwoofers, for that matter.
An amplifier does precisely what its name implies; it takes the audio signal that the head unit sends out and amplifies it on its way to the speakers. Not only does an amplifier increase the power of that audio signal from the head unit, but it also improves the quality of the sound. With speakers hooked up to an amplifier, you should be able to turn up the volume without it producing crackling sounds and distorting the audio quality. The sound is cleaner, more unmistakable, all making your listening experience much much better.
Not all amplifiers are created equal, though, so you can vastly improve your car audio by simply upgrading your amplifier to superior ones.
Adding more Bass
If the only thing you’re missing is Bass, add a subwoofer to your factory system in either of the two ways:
Add an amplifier and a subwoofer.
Add a powered subwoofer. Subwoofer in a car trunk
Powered subwoofers are a more straightforward proposition, but adding an amplifier and a subwoofer allows you more flexibility. Either way, a subwoofer is the best way to get that bass thumping.
If you want to go by the easiest way to add more bass to your car audio system, a powered amplifier with speaker-level inputs is the way to go. These units combine an amplifier and a subwoofer into one unit, and they can be hooked up to any factory or aftermarket head unit.
Doing it right
The most important thing to look for is a good wiring harness specifically designed for your vehicle requirements. This harness plugs into the factory wiring, so you won’t have to cut into any of your car stereo system wires and mess up with the electricals.
Some of these wiring harnesses are even designed to plug into a new head unit altogether, which means there’s no wiring involved at all. This is the easiest way to install a new head unit, and it ensures that you can pop the factory stereo back to stock any time you want.
What Does Your System Lack?
While many other components can affect the overall audio quality, those are the top three pieces of every car audio system. Now, consider the fact that your vehicle’s sound isn’t up to your expectations. What complaints do you have?
Your Speakers Buzz
Factory-installed speakers aren’t of the best quality, but you can easily upgrade to an aftermarket set that provides a broader range of sound. If you want an upgrade, particularly in the speaker department, install a separate woofer and tweeters along with component speakers for a good midrange sound.
There Is Not Enough Power
If the sound quality simply feels like it could need more “oomph”, your amplifier is likely the culprit in this scenario. Since it delivers more power to your new speakers, you should get more clarity without any kind of distortion.
There Isn’t Enough Detail.
If you’re a music-head audiophile, you know that layers of audio are very much essential to the full sound experience. An upgraded head unit could help enhance your jazz or classical listening, taking your hearing experience to another level.
Evaluating Your Car Audio System
If your car stereo sounds OK to you, that’s exactly what all the OEMs are looking for. Even factory-installed premium sound systems usually aren’t up to mark. So how can you tell if your factory audio needs a little tender loving care?
Here’s a test that anyone can do:
Sit in your car and close all the doors and windows.
Play your favourite music and turn up the volume.
Don’t be afraid to go higher than you usually would, but try avoiding blasting the sound and go blow-out-your-eardrums high.
Listen to the music and start noticing the drawbacks.
If you need to turn up the treble due to lack of clarity, that’s something that a speaker upgrade can fix.
If you turn up the bass figure, you have the Bass sounding hollow or empty, that’s also something an upgrade can fix.
If the music sounds distorted when the volume is up really high, that’s another thing you can take care of with a bit of tinkering with the amplifying system mentioned.
So, where do you start from? There are different ways to dig into a factory sound system upgrade. Answering a handful of questions can set you on the right path:
How important is your budget? Do you have much money to spend on upgrades?
Do you want to improve the sound while keeping your factory stereo?
Would you instead ditch the factory stereo and start fresh?
How important is Bass?
Do you like listening to your music loud?
You might be surprised at how the simple act of pondering those five questions sets you on the road to building a great car audio system.
Ambraee, meaning ethnic and chic according to founder Palak Agarwal, a new-era ethnic label launched in 2016, started with the purpose of celebrating Jaipur prints and styling every woman in them. The idea behind Ambraee is to be inclusive for everyone and to bring heritage back into our daily lives. The clothing Palak Aggarwal and the team designs have significantly styled thousands of women for all their important occasions, from weddings to parties to festivals and even to work. Could ethnic wear be more versatile?
This business keeps in mind the diversity our country offers and is designed according to the needs of every individual. Apart from this, Palak and Keshav also keep in mind to cover fair wages for each of their employees. The team works with not just their skills but their hearts as the founders keep in mind their responsibility as a brand to these workers. At Ambraee, you’ll find as many women workers as men, if not more. The work environment is safe, comfortable, and motivating which makes their clothing even more wearable if you ask us. While we’re talking about how hard the brand works to keep the team in love, they also make sure the environment goes unharmed. They keep it clean in terms of their choice of fabrics and their techniques while they’re always o,f course, keeping up with the trends.
Like every other small business, this team founded their business starting from scratch and scaled it up from ethnic to western to now even nightwear (we hear they’re doing jejewelryoo soon). You’ll often find that the brand has dressed celebrities like Krishna Jackie Shroff, Shweta Tiwari, Amyra Dastur, Karishma Tanna, and many more fashion figures in the industry have been spotted rocking their pieces and setting a trend we can’t keep our eyes off.
Apart from that, Ambraee has achieved various milestones like awards by Jaipur beat for Haute Couture in august, 2020 for honoring Jaipur and its legacy. Don’t forget, Ambraee is available now in Nykaa fashion, which makes it easy to get our hands on it.
If you haven’t shopped your favorite from Ambraee till now, may we remind you that your festivities are going to be glimmering with your favorite look from Ambraee so head them soon before they’re all sold out!
We have transitioned into the new normal where conversations still happen but over virtual mediums. In another episode of Lockdown Diaries, Ramesh Somani, Editor-in-Chief of Exhibit Magazine sat down to have a heart-to-heart with our June cover star, @Rakul told us her how she’s been spending time at home, how technology is actually the need of the hour and how foldable technology could be the next big thing!
Editor-in-chief (and Interviewer): Ramesh Somani Content Curation: Smriti Raizada Video Editing: Harman Singh Featured Gadget: Motorola Razr (@Motorola India) _________________________________________________
The twin industries of fashion and technology are interconnected in more ways today than ever before. We all know of common technology processes being used by fashion retailers and manufacturers worldwide: Corel draw and illustrator to create designs to details like inserting the scanned fabric and trims like buttons labels zip etc to create a tech pack, CAD (computer-aided design) to auto-grade the pattern in different sizes, digital printing, computerised embroidery, blockchain to transparently trace the supply chain,3D printing being one of the newest which enables customisation is less labour intensive as printing on demand saves 30% wastage so it’s sustainable.
But The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the retail industry to a grinding halt; with every brand is now looking to technology as a saviour of its business! Social distancing will be the ‘new normal’.
Does this mean that the ‘touch & feel’ experience that the retail stores have provided all along will now be a distant memory? Well, it is yet too early to analyse the impact this crisis will have on consumer behaviour; however, there is little doubt that going forward technology will play a key role in revenue generation for the fashion industry.
The holy grail of online shopping; the question that bothers every consumer is “WILL IT FIT ME?” once ordered.
According to studies, between twenty to forty per cent of all clothing purchased online is returned, often due to issues with FIT, costing fashion e-tailers millions. A bevvy of tech start-ups is aiming to solve the problem. In recent years, fashion and apparel have become the fastest-growing e-commerce category and the second largest after consumer electronics, but fit-related returns cost fashion e-tailers millions, not only in terms of lost revenue but also because of the expense associated with to and fro shipping, processing them and some of those items may now be worn and not eligible for resale.
Few names such as TrueFit, which works with Macy’s and Nordstrom, like Metail and Fits.me are offering fit guidance solutions that better match consumers with correctly fitting garments they developed digital fitting rooms that use virtual mannequins to mimic a shopper’s dimensions and display what a certain garment might look like when worn. Still, others rely on shoppers to input their measurements, matching this data with specific garments.
Yet, the challenges remain since returns still account for a large revenue loss to the retailer. Apps like “The Dressing Room” that uses Virtual reality that allows customers to try clothes on their avatar – of their size to help decide before making a purchase decision.
PARIS Fashion Week did an augmented reality show in 2017 conjoining the use of smartphones.
In London, Tissot allows shoppers to try on their luxury watches virtually at Selfridges and Harrods’ windows. Christian Dior developed VR glasses called “Dior Eyes” that give visitors a sneak peek behind the scenes at their ready-to-wear fashion shows. In New York City, the flagship Rebecca Minkoff store features a smart video wall that suggests new styles when people pass by or enter.
Forecast websites & Styling Apps are also using artificial intelligence
Ratatouille an artificial intelligence-based software used by Myntra that’s used insights of shopping patterns so far and tells what designs will sell or be best sellers so quantities on those styles and their positioning can be planned accordingly
Luxury brands have also been following innovative sportswear producers in creating technology-heavy, functionality-focused fabrics. Ralph Lauren’s uniforms for the US Winter Olympic and Paralympic teams feature a heating system made from electronic printed conductive inks, which was printed in carbon and silver ink in the interior of the athletes’ jackets.
While we can’t necessarily predict what the fashion industry will look like in the future, one thing is clear: it will only become more complex. Now is as good a time as ever to prioritise technology investments and, as an industry collective, we should be aiming to establish the kinds of standards and processes, which will enable us to collaborate more effectively in the future.
