"Dagger" is the new single from  Emily Jane White; a San Francisco-based solo artist who's music is often compared to that of Chan Marshall, AKA, Cat Power. The similarities are obviously present, but hell - if it doubles your chances of being privy to songs so inwardly large and supernal that you get kind of heart-sick listening to them, then I don't see a problem. The video was directed by Cameron Archer (who's 2007 coming-of-age film Wild Tigers I Have Known inspired White to pen a song of the same name) and is so scopic and dreamy that it really does slow down your breathing. So perfect.

From the default half-naked photo ops to his first bad runway review and subsequent shark-jump announcement of Victoria Beckham as the new face of his label: Marc Jacobs appeared to be most awkwardly trading in his hipster apathy for something a little more, err, "midlife" in 2007. It came as a relief to many then, to hear that cross-over queen and fashion face-melter; M.I.A, would be appearing in the latest Marc by Marc Jacobs campaign.
But then the photos came out.
As per tradition, famed snapper Jeurgen Teller shot the Ads; however, the result is not as spectacular as fans hoped. Some are blaming the choice of outfit but most are blaming photographer himself (with one observer even going as far to claim that Teller has "gone and made one of the most stylish and sexiest woman in today's music scene look drab and lifeless"). This sort of criticism is not new for Jeurgan; his rather unflattering images of Meg White in the 2006 Jacobs campaign felt the wrath of bloggers worldwide. Although this isn't the best I've seen Miss Arulpragasam, Teller- philes will tell you that this point-and-shoot imperfection is what he - and Jacobs' campaigns- have come to be known for. What do you think?

Hope everyone had a lovely and safe Xmas/new years etc. Here is a late yuletide present from Belvedere vodka to me to you: a veritable PSA in “hip”. The new Belvedere "luxury reborn" campaign was shot by Terry Richardson and also features Terry Richardson;  as well as Vincent “crazy eyes” Gallo and New York graffiti crew IRAKNY. Together they are all just, you know, hangin’ out and doing whatever it is they do on like a Monday night or something. The verse that wraps up this enviable scene is from Wu- Tang alumnus RZA, so it really can’t really get much cooler. It’s like a multi-tiered cake of cool - with lower east side frosting and “now” flavoured ganache. All they needed to do was snow the whole thing with little Hedi Slimane sprinkles and it would have been happy birthday to you and me buddy. But seriously, where the hell is my glass of Belvedere?

Today I received an early and special and Christmas present. His name is Cooper (after the beer and Australia’s fifth most popular children’s name – according to today’s Daily Telegraph Stats). Cooper has been made by a very talented friend of mine called Jess Sutton and is the first in the series of “Sydney Bears”. Cooper is the “Surry Hills” bear and is subsequently resplendent in flannelette and skin-tight jeans. Here is a picture of him and one of me dressed up like him whilst feeding him his mother’s milk. Jess has plans to release more bears in the series; including “Newtown Bear” and “Bondi Bear”, Miss Sutton works under the name Crafternoon and you can find her goodies here or get in contact with her directly if you want your own cuddly suburban mascot. I’m seeing Fitzroy???

An initiative that is sure to strike fear into the hearts of boyfriends around the world; Fanuary has been devised by NZ website myjobspace in an effort to raise money and awareness for cervical cancer. As you can see from the flyer, the premise of the fundraiser is fairly simple - but my,my,my: how the vagina does divide a nation. Fanuary’s original backer; the Cancer Foundation, recently pulled all support and association with the campaign (I can only guess it was around the time the term “Indonesian Rainforest Sloth" came up in the boardroom) and have instead joined many others in labelling Fanuary “pornographic”. Obviously it’s a fairly ambitious idea - even in today’s vajayjay friendly society of surgical “restoration” and undie-eschewing celebs – and general opinion amongst the NZ public seems to lay in either category of “ingenious” or “tasteless”. What, dear YEN readers, do you think?

In sad news for club kids worldwide - and fans of Bond’s undie ads Australia-wide - it would appear that Baile Funk flag-flyers Bonde Do Role have called it quits…or at least cancelled their shows here. Having been brought to our attention by musical colonialist Diplo less than a year ago; Bonde Do Role (or “Bondi rolls” as they are sometimes known) became one of the breakout acts of 07 - with single Marina Gasolina appearing as the biggest thing to hit the clubs since bloody Justice Vs Simian. Those who spend their Saturdays in may know Gasolina from its use in the afformentioned saucy bonds ads (which, btw, where recently taken off air after Portuguese viewers kindly translated the lyrics to the broadcasting authority). The cancellation of their Australian tour comes a few months after member DJ Gorky revealed in a radio interview that there were “internal problems” within the group. A press release on the cancellation is expected shortly – lets hope the kids can patch things up and return to our shores soon.

It’s been a Year that’s seen them win awards, stage their first show at Australian Fashion Week and dress everyone from Lily Allen to The Veronicas to MIA. Now fashion rabble-rousers Romance Was Born are topping off 2007 with a month long residency at Melbourne boutique Alice Euphemia. No silly; designers Anna and Luke aren’t actually living there, but rather have taken over it’s top floor with their summer collection “Weird Science”. Inspired of course by the John Hughes film of the same name, Weird Science blends “stitches and threads with hologram fabrics, patchwork frankenstein-esque faces leering from the torso of the garment” - ya’ know, just the usual low-key RWB stuff - with prints from guest artist Del Kathryn Barton. The label teamed up with kooky antique store Industria to create the sexily scientific installation (which will live at Alice Euphemia throughout December). I suggest you don your best lab-coat and head on in.