David Magazine v10_i17 | Swimsuit Ready by David Atlanta Magazine

Jessie Ware Blooms

Brighter with Superbloom

Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Jessie Ware has never sounded more self-assured – or more grounded – than she does on Superbloom, a record that trades glittery escapism for something deeper, warmer, and far more intimate. While her

recent run of disco-infused releases leaned into fantasy and liberation on the dancefloor, this new chapter feels like the morning after: cleareyed, emotionally present, and rooted in real connection.

That doesn’t mean the groove is gone. Far from it. Superbloom still pulses with the kind of lush, body-moving production that has become Ware’s signature sound. But instead of using dance music as a form of escape, she reframes it as a vessel for vulnerability. The album’s sonic palette – rich with echoes of ‘70s soul, shimmering disco textures, and modern pop precision – creates a space where joy and reflection coexist.

Lead singles “Automatic,” “Ride,” and “I Could Get Used To This” oﬀer a strong entry point into this world. Each track feels expansive yet

controlled, highlighting how much Ware has refined her artistic voice. There’s a maturity here that doesn’t dull the pleasure – it enhances it. These songs aren’t just about losing yourself in the music; they’re about finding yourself within it.

Ware herself frames this shift with refreshing clarity: “I love dance music and still think this is a dance and groove record, but I was ready to write about connecting with real relationships and appreciate the love I have, and the fears I have of losing it.” That tension – between gratitude and fear, between holding on and letting go – runs quietly beneath the album’s shimmering surface, giving it emotional weight without ever dragging it down.

There’s also a thematic richness that elevates Superbloom beyond a standard pop release. Drawing inspiration from mythology and feminine power, Ware taps into something almost archetypal.

“Whether it’s the Garden of Eden or a garden of fertility and fecundity where goddesses play, the main inspiration here was the goddess Juno…I’m not saying I’m a goddess, by the way, but I wanted to embody one. I’ve been given so much confidence by fans who loved seeing me dress up, lean into characters and sing out whilst also allowing me to be myself and feel celebrated.” That duality –performance and authenticity – has always been part of her appeal, but here it feels fully realized.

Behind the scenes, Superbloom reflects Ware’s continued commitment to creative control. Once again taking charge of her own artistic representation and development, she surrounds herself with a trusted yet dynamic group of collaborators, resulting in a sound that feels cohesive but never predictable. The production is sleek without being sterile, layered without feeling overcrowded. Every detail serves the larger emotional arc of the album.

It’s impossible not to view Superbloom in the context of the momentum Ware has built over the past few years. Following the success of her previous album – which elevated her commercial standing and critical acclaim – this release feels less like a reinvention and more like a natural evolution. She’s not chasing trends or proving anything; she’s simply expanding on what she already does exceptionally well.

And that confidence is what ultimately defines the album. Superbloom doesn’t feel like it’s searching for identity or direction.

It knows exactly what it is from the first note to the last. There’s a quiet power in that certainty, a sense that Ware has fully stepped into her artistry without compromise.

In a pop landscape that often rewards reinvention for its own sake, Superbloom stands out by doing the opposite. It refines, deepens, and personalizes. It invites you to dance, yes—but it also asks you to feel, to reflect, and to stay present in the moment. And in that balance, Jessie Ware delivers one of her most compelling releases to date.

Hot Queer Summer Starts Now: Your No-Stress Guide to Swimwear Season

Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Swimwear season is less about becoming a different version of yourself and more about stepping into the sun as you already are – just with better SPF and maybe a new pair of trunks that make your butt look phenomenal. Forget the tired “summer body” narrative. If you’ve got a body and it’s summer, congratulations – you’re ready. This guide is about feeling good, looking great, and giving yourself permission to take up space poolside.

Find Swimwear That Loves You Back

The right swimwear doesn’t just fit – it celebrates. Start by figuring out what makes you feel confident. Into a little extra support? Look for higher-waisted briefs, compression-lined trunks, or one-pieces with structure. Want to show more skin? Go for a daring cut, a cheeky brief, or a croptop moment.

For broader bodies, longer trunks with a mid-thigh cut can balance proportions, while slimmer frames might play with shorter inseams or bold prints to add dimension. And don’t underestimate the power of color—bright neons, classic black, or a chaotic tropical print can all tell a different story. The real goal: when you catch your reﬂection, you smirk a little.

not what you think others expect. If you’re cleaning things up, invest in good tools and take your time to avoid irritation. If you’re letting it all grow, own it. Conﬁdence is always the hottest accessory.

Move Your Body, Not the Goalposts

If you want to feel more energized or strong heading into summer, focus on movement that feels good rather than punishing. Dancing, swimming, walking, lifting –whatever gets you out of your head and into your body. This isn’t about shrinking yourself; it’s about connecting with yourself. The glow people notice? That’s joy, not a gym membership.

Hydrate, Babe

Prep Your Skin Like It’s a Main Character

Glowing skin isn’t about perfection – it’s about care. Start with gentle exfoliation a couple of times a week to keep things smooth and help prevent ingrown hairs. If shaving or trimming is part of your routine, give your skin a day or two to calm down before hitting the pool.

Moisturizer is your best friend, especially one with ingredients like aloe or hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and soft. And then there’s sunscreen – the nonnegotiable. Go for a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply like it’s your job (because sunburn is never a good look on anyone). Bonus points for a dewy SPF that leaves you looking like a glowing icon instead of a chalky ghost.

Grooming, But Make It Optional

Water is doing more for your vibe than you think. Staying hydrated keeps your skin plump, your energy up, and your mood steady – especially in the heat. Toss in some electrolytes if you’re sweating it out at a pool party or beach day. And yes, you can still enjoy that cocktail – just maybe chase it with a little H2O.

The Real Glow-Up

Here’s the truth: the most magnetic thing you can wear this summer isn’t a perfectly tailored swimsuit – it’s comfort in your own skin. Walk into that pool party, beach, or rooftop with your head high, your SPF applied, and your chosen outﬁt doing exactly what it’s supposed to do: make you feel like that person

Swimwear season isn’t something to prepare for – it’s something to enjoy. So go ahead, show up, show out, and let the sun catch you exactly as you are.

Body hair? Keep it, trim it, shave it, glitter it – there are no rules here. Grooming should be about what makes you feel sexy,

Mother Mary: Dazzling and Theatrical

Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Mother Mary is the kind of film that feels less like something you simply watch and more like something you experience – lush, intense, and often deliberately overwhelming. Anchored by two magnetic performances from Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, the film thrives on its emotional volatility and visual ambition, even when it occasionally tips too far into its own sense of grandeur.

Hathaway, in particular, delivers a performance that is nothing short of mesmerizing. As a towering pop icon grappling with identity, control, and the suffocating weight of her own mythology, she manages to oscillate between icy composure and raw vulnerability with striking precision. There’s a self-awareness baked into her performance that elevates the character beyond archetype, clearly derived from the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Madonna – she isn’t just playing a star; she’s dissecting stardom. It’s easily among her most daring work, leaning into discomfort and contradiction in a way that feels both risky and deeply rewarding.

Opposite her, Michaela Coel provides a grounding force that is just as compelling. Where Hathaway burns brightly, Coel simmers, offering a quieter but no less powerful presence. Their dynamic becomes the emotional core of the film, charged with tension, intimacy, and an undercurrent of unease that keeps the story constantly shifting. Coel’s performance is layered and deliberate, revealing just enough at every turn to keep you leaning in.

One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its structure – specifically, the interplay between its grand, larger-than-life pop performances and its more intimate, stripped-down studio moments. The concert sequences are electrifying, filled with spectacle and precision, while the quieter scenes peel back the facade, exposing something far more fragile underneath. This contrast works beautifully, giving the film a rhythm that mirrors the duality of fame itself: the public persona and never-ending performance versus the private unraveling.

Visually, Mother Mary is nothing short of stunning. Every frame feels meticulously composed, with an almost painterly attention to detail. The lighting, costuming, and set design all contribute to a heightened sense of space that borders on the surreal. But it’s this very quality that also becomes one of the film’s more noticeable drawbacks. The hyperstylization leans so heavily into theatricality that it often feels like you’re watching a stage production translated directly to screen. At times, it’s easy to imagine the entire film unfolding in front of a live audience, with its deliberate blocking and heightened emotional beats.

This theatrical sensibility extends to the film’s tone, which occasionally struggles to find balance. It teeters – sometimes uneasily – between high drama and elements of horror, as if unsure how far it wants to push either. While this tension can be effective in creating an atmosphere of unease, there are moments where it feels unnecessary, even distracting. The shifts can be jarring, pulling you out of the emotional throughline rather than deepening it.

Similarly, the film’s use of symbolism and metaphor, while thematically rich, can feel a bit heavy-handed. There’s little ambiguity in what the film is trying to say, and at times it spells things out so clearly that it robs the audience of the opportunity to interpret or discover meaning on their own. It’s a minor frustration in an otherwise compelling narrative, but one that becomes more noticeable as the film progresses.

Still, these drawbacks do little to diminish the overall impact of Mother Mary It’s a bold, visually arresting film driven by two exceptional performances that demand attention. Even when it overreaches – or perhaps because it does – it remains fascinating to watch. This is a film unafraid to be big, messy, and unapologetically dramatic, and in many ways, that’s exactly what makes it worth seeing.

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Photos by: Russ Youngblood

Photos

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