Reigning in pink and leopard print — Claire George almighty; photographed by Kkanvas.

At last the time has come for the advent of Claire George's anticipated debut album The Land Beyond The Light via the illustrious and influential imprint Cascine. Like the aura of mystery and mesmerizing intimacy introduced with the artist's breakout single "Orbits", Claire's debut stuns with an illuminated aesthetic designed for the distinguished dance floors of a near and present future. As our world slowly heals and mends from apocalyptic conditions previously thought unimaginable, The Land Beyond The Light offers an escape into a bright and beautiful place of peace, kindness, care and the luster of a bright new beginning (beyond the wreckages of the former failed universes and systems we used to rely on).

Claire George's album debut feels like discovering a portal to another place after attending an enchanted performance in a dusty highway-side roadhouse. Opener "You Don't Feel the Same" bursts with confrontational romantic lyricism blended with the sophisticated rhythms and evocative atmospheres associated with the esteemed Cascine repertoire, continuing on the cerulean and celestial trajectories with the deep heartfelt pacts of "I Promise", to redefining the rules of forestall raves and outdoor vision quest hedonism on the nu-Euro beat botanicals of "Pink Elephants".

Land Beyond proves to be the record we have been waiting for, delighting and astounding at every turn like the candid ineffable splendor of "Medellín", the maudlin personal history traces of memory and more on "Northern Lights", to melancholic observations of life in the imperfect tense from the upper deck bleachers of "Nosebleed Seats". Claire George delivers a barrage of escapist outlets from the getaway sands of sea and sun with "Islands", basking in the abundance of fruitful amour on "Bag of Peaches", before closing the party out with "Particles in Motion" that feels like the second part of the artist's "Where Do You Go?" single that observes our restless human kinesis on a cellular level with a percolating, poetic percussive arrangement. Join us after the jump for Claire George’s world of bright lit fascinations.

Hatchback hideaways with Claire George; photographed by Kkanvas.

Current items of inspiration and intrigue by Claire George

Poetry by Victoria Chang

Victoria Chang; photographed by Isaac Fitzgerald.

Every morning in my inbox I bubble with delight at the sight of one daily newsletter: The Paris Review Poetry. One morning I opened a poem called “How Much” by Victoria Chang. I was utterly FLOORED by her words painting a picture of toxic masculinity and capitalistic ritual (UGH IT’S SO SPOT ON). Needless to say I was up at 2am that night doing ye ole deep-web, deep-dive on my gal Vicky C, and discovered not only is she LA-based (!!!) but she’s involved in a project called “Love Letters In Light,” a partnership between We Rise and the LA County Library (huge fan), which will install scrolling LED signs on the exterior of ten library buildings throughout LA County. The project will display new work from writers, poets, artists, and submissions by the general public to convey messages of hope and resilience after last year’s collective struggles. I obviously immediately submitted a poem, because man oh man is this my kind of initiative! I’m currently reading her book Obit, which I highly recommend.

HOOPLA

While we are on the subject of libraries, I would like to share my #1 lifehack: membership to the Los Angeles Public Library. With my library card keychain tag, I truly have the keys to the city. One of the many treasures to be unearthed with an LAPL membership is an app called HOOPLA which is basically a free version of Audible + Kindle combined. Every night I listen to an audiobook on HOOPLA and when I’m standing idly in line waiting to get into Trader Joe’s, I hop into HOOPLA and read an eBook to evade the ominous Instagram-scroll-dread-spiral.

Claws and the cool crafts of Claire George; press photo courtesy of the artist.

Dance floors

Yes. I mean dance floors. For the first time since January 2020, this little wiggler found her way to a dance floor, and let me tell you it was exhilarating. I am going into this hot vax summer with a new appreciation for a DJ who knows how to read the room, and an intention of creating a six foot oasis on every dance floor in LA where I can safely roll air dice. Catch me from the window to the wall all summer long.

The neon pink car lit luster of Claire George; photographed by Kkanvas, styled by Laura Birkeland.

Procedural Art by Michael Kozlowski

Michael Kozlowski's Manifold Still Life series via @mpkoz. — Michael Kozlowski's *Manifold Still Life* series via @mpkoz.

Okay...I honestly do not even know how these masterpieces are created, but they look difficult and they are masterful. Michael somehow works at Microsoft and makes these in his spare time!?!? I really need to step up my game here if someone is able to make this kind of swirling dreamscape while juggling a career working for the Big Wigs behind the miracle that is Word Art and the tour de force known colloquially as Clippy. Check Michael’s pieces out whenever you’re seeking a second of serenity.

Doja Cat

I do not know where the hell I’ve been, but I just discovered Doja Cat?! Someone get this girl a job in Major Label A&R, because she has her finger on the PULSE. Anyway, just want to say...big fan. Cannot believe I made it through 2020 without the anthem that is “Boss Bitch”. No wonder I’m just now getting my damn groove back. Also currently driving my roommates crazy with my return-to-civilization anthem “Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)” All on my tongue, I WANT IT!