Gallery: The Culture We're Obsessed With This Month, From Cult Classics to New Tunes
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__Caribou, *Our Love*__ For his sixth Caribou album, Dan Snaith tackles a familiar topic: love and relationships. And while it boasts his trademark groove-laden tracks and glassy digital experimentation, it still manages to feel deeply personal. It's frustrating, obsessive, and euphoric...just like being in love. *—Bryan Gardiner* (Expand gallery for more details.)
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__Lena Dunham, *Not That Kind of Girl*__ Through every story in her collection of essays, Dunham gives an unblinking look at her life and what she's learned from it. Go for the audiobook: Some stories are best heard from the voice of our generation. Or at least *a* voice of *a* generation *—Angela Watercutter*
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__Donald Antrim, *The Hundred Brothers*__ Part literary experiment so bold it feels like a dare, part chaotic descent into madness, Donald Antrim’s *The Hundred Brothers* is, if nothing else, something new. Originally released in 1997, Antrim’s popularity is spiking now—this is a great starting point to see what the fuss is about. *—Brendan Klinkenberg*
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__Loot Crate Subscription Box__ This self-described "geek and gamer" subscription service will appeal to nerds of just about any variety. Thirteen bucks per month gets you a new box of gear, delivered straight to your door, each with a different theme—if you’re the type to wax nostalgic over your collection of Boba Fett action figures, this is most definitely for you. *—Max Ufberg*
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__Arca, *Xen*__ The debut album from electronic producer (and *Yeezus* consultant) Arca defies categorization. It’s abrasive, explosive, relentlessly disorienting—and, when it wants to be, beautiful. Above all, it’s creative in a way that begs for your attention. *—Brendan Klinkenberg*
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__*Repo Man*, Criterion edition Blu-ray__ The '80s were packed with all manner of zeitgeisty films, but none were as weird and wonderful as Alex Cox's now cult classic, *Repo Man*. This edition is worth it for the "TV version" alone, which features some of the most creatively sanitized language you'll ever hear: "Flip you, you good down melon farmer." *—Bryan Gardiner*
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__Isaac Fitzgerald & Wendy MacNaughton, *Pen & Ink*__ Your tattoo probably has a pretty good story. Isaac Fitzgerald, and Wendy MacNaughton want to tell it. Their new book, Pen & Ink, seeks to turn the illustrations etched onto our bodies into real narratives. It's both beautiful to read, and wonderfully inspiring. *—Mat Honan*
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__Bullseye with Jesse Thorn__ Jesse Thorn is the hardest working man in podcasting, and the flagship of his homegrown Maximum Fun media empire is this weekly carnival of pop culture. From interviews to reviews to his unique takes on artistic curios, Thorn thinks about pop culture more deeply, and humorously, than anyone else in public radio.*—Nick Stockton*
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__SBTRKT, *Wonder Where We Land*__ Sarcastic me would call SBTRKT's new album "H&M shopping music." But sincere me—the one who controls my Spotify—calls it "aural morphine"—equal parts invigorating and mellowing while being just as addictive. (OK, not actually.) As summer turns to fall, SBTRKT's latest is the perfect way to find your chill. *—Angela Watercutter*
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__The Budos Band, *Burnt Offering*__ On its first three LPs, this Staten Island crew pulled sounds from all over the globe: Lagos, Memphis, Detroit, and Addis Ababba. For its fourth full-length, the group turns up the fuzz guitar and adds some heavy psych and metal-inspired riffs to its instrumental jams. Things get a little heavier, a little punchier, and a lot louder. *—Michael Calore*
OpenAI’s Rogue AI Agent Hacked More Than Just Hugging Face
In a new disclosure, OpenAI says its agent used exposed logins to gain access to at least four “publicly available services” in its unhinged quest to solve a test.
Dell Cameron
A Typo Landed an Innocent Gamer in Prison for 18 Months
How much could a single underscore in a username really matter? Just ask Brandon Klayme, who served 18 months in prison before realizing how authorities arrested, charged, and convicted the wrong man.
Nate Anderson, Ars Technica
Ebay Has to Pay $55.7 Million in Settlement for Its Unhinged Harassment Campaign
For months on end, eBay employees and contractors made life hell for a couple that had criticized the company. Six years later, the company is finally paying up.
Lauren Goode
Laura Loomer’s Reversal on Ukraine Stirs Up the MAGA Civil War
Donald Trump’s base has been increasingly spilt. Laura Loomer’s sudden embrace of Ukraine has only widened that divide.
David Gilbert
Is the Electric Trike the Next Big Thing in Shared Micromobility?
Veo is launching accessibility-focused electric tricycles in Denver, with plans to put its e-trikes on the streets nationwide.
Boone Ashworth
What WIRED Writers Would Actually Give Their Moms
Your mom never gets you a thoughtless gift, so you shouldn’t get her one, either. Here’s every cool gift WIRED writers would give their mothers.
Nena Farrell
Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?
Should you splurge on the new Series 11, or will the SE 3 do? Let us help you figure out which version to get (and which to avoid).
Boutayna Chokrane
12 Adventurous Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, and Outdoorsy People
Let them pick out their own hiking boots. Instead, try gifting a useful blade or a nature journal to delight your outdoorsy friend.
Scott Gilbertson
A Two-Person Startup Has Fixed One of the Most Hated Sounds in Modern Life
Beeeep. Beeeep. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Jeremy White
Can the New York Times Save Journalism From Our AI Overlords?
In 2023, the Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. They’ve since spent more than $20 million on the case, and publisher A.G. Sulzberger has no plans to stop fighting it.
Katie Drummond
Silicon Valley’s Next IPO Billionaires Are Coming. Nonprofits Are Ready for Them
Anthropic and OpenAI employees are expected to give generously after their companies go public. “It’s going to be a wild ride,” says one nonprofit leader.
Paresh Dave
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal Can Do It All
Dyson’s new stick vacuum can vacuum and mop in a single cordless device—if you’re willing to really splurge.
Nena Farrell