Magic Man 2 review: Jackson Wang's alchemy of the self
'Access' throws us back into club-mode swagger with a hypnotic electro-pop beat, but it feels more like armor than indulgence, a reminder that not all confidence is genuine. 'BUCK,' his collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh, marks a shift in energy. It's fierce, pulsing with desi flair and East-meets-West bravado. From there, the energy blurs into a haze on 'GBAD,' where live instrumentation and synth overlays melt into a meditation on moral ambiguity. The groove is dark, the emotion ambiguous, perfect for midnight introspection about setting boundaries and why being 'bad' may not be 'BAD' thing.'Hate to Love' sees Jackson stuck in a toxic loop, battling attachment with guitar and synth textures echoing the emotional push and pull. By track seven, the emotional walls begin to collapse and he slowly progresses towards realisation. 'One Time' is one of the most lyrically devastating cuts: 'The people I loved... it was all lies.' There's no metaphor, just Jackson, bare and betrayed.'Everything' and 'Dear': plunge even deeper. The former aches with loneliness, while the latter sees him calling out to his parents in a near-whispered plea: 'Don't let me drown'. It's a haunting moment of childlike vulnerability. In 'Sophie Ricky', named after his parents, Jackson reflects on legacy, sacrifice, and pressure with rhythmic cadence. 'Could I put aside all my vices?' he asks, caught between gratitude and anxiety.The album closes with 'Made Me a Man', a heartfelt acoustic number that doesn't aim to resolve the pain, but to honour the person who helped him find peace through it. 'You were the light when I was lost in the dark', he sings, voice raw but calm. It's the kind of finale that speaks of acceptance rather than victory.Lyrically, Jackson Wang's evolution is striking. There's no performative sadness or over-saturated metaphor here. Lines like 'I learned how to run before I could walk / They silenced my voice before I could talk' (from 'Made Me a Man') and 'This shit could get lonely' (from 'Everything') hit not because they're clever, but because they're true. There's maturity in his pen.advertisementWith 'Magic Man 2', Jackson Wang doesn't reinvent himself, he reveals himself. This album isn't chasing radio hits or viral hooks. It's an emotional map from chaos to clarity, from rage to reflection. In a music industry obsessed with curated vulnerability, Jackson offers us something far rarer: honesty without agenda. This is the work of a man who has lived, lost, and decided to tell the story in his own voice, on his own terms.'Magic Man 2' is messy. It's brave. And ultimately, it's magic.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Ana de Armas? From Ben Affleck to Tom Cruise—Inside her most talked-about romances
Hollywood is abuzz with speculation about Ana de Armas and Tom Cruise, fueled by their frequent public appearances and collaborative projects like 'Deeper'. While neither has confirmed a romantic relationship, their chemistry has sparked dating rumors. De Armas, known for roles in 'Blade Runner 2049' and 'Blonde', values her privacy amidst the media frenzy. Ana de Armas has captivated audiences with her powerful performances and timeless beauty—but off-screen, her love life has often drawn just as much attention. From a quiet early marriage to headline-grabbing romances with high-profile men, the Cuban-born actress has seen her share of both admiration and scrutiny. Now, with growing speculation around her close bond with Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise—26 years her senior—Ana finds herself once again at the centre of media buzz. Here's a closer look at her dating history, from her first marriage to the much-watched Cruise connection. Global Star with Cuban Roots Ana de Armas, a Cuban-born actress with Spanish-American roots, has become a global star known for both her talent and beauty. Her love life has often drawn attention, and lately, she's been in the spotlight for her rumored relationship with 63-year-old co-star Tom Cruise . However, this isn't the first time her relationships have made headlines. A Marriage Before Hollywood Fame Few people know that Ana de Armas was once married to Spanish actor Marc Clotet. The two began dating in 2010 and got married in Costa Brava in 2011. However, they divorced in 2013, before Ana rose to Hollywood fame. Marc is now with actress Natalia Sánchez, and they have two children together. Rumours of Engagement After stepping into Hollywood, Ana de Armas briefly dated talent agent Franklin Latt between 2015 and 2016, with unconfirmed rumours of an engagement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo She later dated Cuban artist and photographer Alejandro Piñeiro Bello from 2017 to 2019—a period during which her global fame rose with roles in Blade Runner 2049 and Knives Out. They eventually parted ways in 2019. Public Romance with Ben Affleck Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck shared a whirlwind romance after meeting on the set of Deep Water. They began dating in 2019 and quickly became one of the most talked-about couples, often spotted together by paparazzi. Their relationship became Instagram official, and Ana even met Ben's mother and his kids. However, the couple split later that year, reportedly due to intense media attention and Ana's hesitation to settle in Los Angeles. Ana de Armas briefly dated tech entrepreneur Paul Boukadakis from 2021 to 2024 before they parted ways. Later that year, she entered a controversial relationship with Manuel Anido Cuesta, the stepson of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel—a figure criticized for political oppression in Cuba. The relationship drew backlash, especially from Cuban-Americans. Ana and Manuel reportedly broke up in 2025. Growing Closeness with Tom Cruise Ana de Armas and Tom Cruise were first spotted together around Valentine's Day in 2025, sparking immediate dating rumours due to the timing. Since then, they've been seen together frequently—celebrating Ana's birthday, vacationing in Spain, and attending an Oasis concert. Their growing closeness coincides with Ana confirming she'll star opposite Tom in an upcoming film titled Deeper. Most recently, Ana de Armas and Tom Cruise were spotted holding hands during a casual walk in Vermont—an outing many see as a sign that their romance is real. However, the 26-year age gap between the 37-year-old actress and the 63-year-old actor has sparked debate. Tom's history of three failed marriages and his controversial connection to Scientology have also led fans to closely watch this new relationship, fueling both curiosity and concern.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- The Hindu
Be rowdy at Double Dashi, a speakeasy-style noodle bar in Chennai, serving yakitori and yakult mocktails
A cat in a kimono, its face lit up with glee and brandishing a pair of chopsticks over a giant bowl of ramen stares down at us in Double Dashi, Chennai's newest noodle joint. Seated in a room bathed in a luminous neon red haze, we spot a fish cake, chopsticks and an exaggerated bamboo sushi rolling mat on the ceiling. The wall beside us is plastered with posters of every Japanese anime you've heard of, as well as posters of Rajinikanth films, which has a cult following in Japan. Japanese restaurants that offer a fine-dining experience are many in the city. However, Double Dashi's postered walls and neon lights scream an entirely different vibe. 'Our idea was to create a 'rowdy' Japanese restaurant here; not someplace where everyone comes in for early dinner and behaves well. We wanted loud chatter and laughter, glasses clinking, a chill vibe and everything else that feels like an Izakaya,' says Manoj Padmanabhan, co-founder BORN (Beyond Ordinary Restaurants and Nosh). Crediting his many visits to Japan over the years and his family there, Manoj and Japtej Ahluwalia, his partner at BORN began to think of putting together an affordable Japanese dining experience, with good ingredients and generous portion sizes. 'Dashi' means a broth that enhances the umami flavour in Japanese food and naming it Double Dashi feels fair, given its location, of which there is not much secrecy but some intrigue. 'We aren't hidden per se, but decided not to actively put ourselves out there on Google Maps. We would love for people to simply land up here, or stumble upon the place,' Japtej laughs. The beverage menu has two Japanese favourites; Yakult and matcha and we pick probiotics over grass. The bubble trouble, a lychee flavoured icy drink comes topped with a bottle of Yakult and is light and refreshing. There are other inventive mocktails including fruity drinks topped with cheese foam, and iced teas. There is no sushi on the menu. Instead, there's sashimi(salmon flown in from Mumbai), ramen and fresh salads. We begin with a leafy, crisp Tokyo green salad, perfect if you want a light, healthy start minus a creamy dressing. We move onto the yakitori or grilled skewers, which Manoj says are made on a traditional charcoal stove. We sample some bite-sized juicy pieces of chicken coated in a slightly sweet soy glaze which is cooked to perfection, and a crunchy miso broccoli which could have done with a bolder kick of flavour. If you aren't a spice fiend, the Temaki tacos are a perfect pick. Try the mildly seasoned salmon aburi taco where crisp seaweed is stuffed with salmon, avocado and a yuzu kosho cream. The pièce de résistance for our meal is the katsu curry rice. This generous portion that can comfortably serve two comes with crispy fried chicken cutlets on a bed of sticky rice and Double Dashi's house Japanese curry. You can eat this as is, or enhance it with a generous splash of soy sauce or a sprinkling of togarashi powder from the many condiments on your table. The menu has both comforting ramen favourites, and some offbeat options like a Madras paaya ramen, which is a fun take on local idiappam. Try the creamy pork broth, and the hearty beef drip ramen, which arrive steaming hot to our table with a generous squiggle of bouncy noodles and delicate slices of meat. In-between bites of a miso caramel cheesecake, we realise that the posters on the wall are not just of anime; there are Japanese posters of Muthu, Kaithi and even Thug Life. Manoj and Japtej credit their 'Gen Z' marketing team for Double Dashi's quirky branding and art that is splashed across their menus, coasters, stickers on the tables and even the specially designed merchandise. 'We also plan to introduce a supper club, where regulars who visit Double Dashi can get a stamp card and collect stamps. Once they collect a certain number, they will have access to these curated dinners and pop-ups where we hope to have chefs from other restaurants coming in,' Japtej says. For now, as the world continues to travel in hordes to East-Asia, and simply can't seem to get enough of anime or steaming hot bowls of ramen, Double Dashi seems to know its niche very well. Their early guests include not just people from the Japanese consulate down the road, but members of an anime club from the city as well. Manoj says 'We had fun creating the space, and it is now upto our young diners to make the space their own.' For reservations, DM @doubledashi on Instagram
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Hong Kong Throws City-Wide First Birthday Party for its Much-Loved Panda Twins
NewsVoir Hong Kong, July 29: Celebrations will break out across Hong Kong on 15 August as the city marks the first birthday of the city's much-loved giant panda twins --big sister Jia Jia and little brother De De. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) continues to lead the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in rolling out a series of promotions to coincide with the celebrations and transform Hong Kong into one giant birthday party. The HKTB has enlisted a roster of global friends, including famous twin influencers and the iconic LABUBU and its creator, Kasing Lung, to shower the pandas with birthday wishes from around the world. In an exclusive collaboration with Kasing Lung, the HKTB has created a Panda Twins birthday special edition of LABUBU that visitors to Ocean Park Hong Kong (Ocean Park) can win throughout August. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said, "Thanks to the meticulous care of the Mainland giant panda experts and the Ocean Park's animal care team, the Hong Kong-born panda cubs, Jia Jia and De De, have grown exponentially. They have brought joy to the public and sparked a citywide panda craze. I sincerely invite everyone in Hong Kong and visitors from around the world to celebrate the one-year-old birthday of Jia Jia and De De. I would also like to thank Mr Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong artist, for designing a special edition of LABUBU to commemorate the first birthday of the twin cubs. This allows us to leverage a globally recognised IP to promote Hong Kong and panda tourism worldwide." Global Twin Power: Influencers from Around the World Send Birthday Wishes A lineup of international twin influencers has been brought together by the HKTB to celebrate the occasion, including the Stokes Twins from the United States (190 million followers), the Rybka Twins from Australia (24 million followers), and the Shake Twins from South Korea (3.2 million followers), as well as hugely popular child influencer Wang Xiaomai from Mainland (26 million followers) and renowned panda photographer Kojiro Mizuo from Japan. These internationally acclaimed influencers will deliver heartfelt birthday messages in Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Korean to mark the first birthday of the giant panda twins. August Lucky Draw: Win the Birthday-edition LABUBU to Celebrate Panda's Birthday Throughout August, the CSTB, the HKTB, and Ocean Park are hosting a "LABUBU x Panda Twins Lucky Draw". The promotion is the HKTB's first collaboration with Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung - creator of the hugely popular LABUBU - who has designed an exclusive birthday edition. Standing 18 centimetres tall, the special edition LABUBU wears a birthday hat and is covered in sprinkle green and a transparent gradient finish inspired by bamboo. LABUBU has heart motifs in its eyes as it cradles miniature versions of Jia Jia and De De. The artist declared, "I am delighted to collaborate with the HKTB and design this Panda Twins birthday special edition of LABUBU to share Hong Kong's joyful energy with fans worldwide, and to play a part in promoting our city." A lucky draw for the special edition LABUBU will be held throughout August. All locals and visitors can pre-register on the event website. From 1 August to 31 August, they can participate in the lucky draw when visiting the Park for a chance to win one of approximately 300 birthday gift boxes containing the birthday-edition LABUBU and a commemorative birthday card. Additional gift boxes will be available during the birthday celebrations from 15 to 17 August. For more details, please visit Trade Promotion Competition Licence No.: 60184 - 60369 (Only applicable to lucky draw). Jazzie Sillona (@jazziesillona), a popular content creator based in Hong Kong, has also produced a Hong Kong Travel Vlog following LABUBU and the panda twins to Victoria Harbour, Ocean Park, and other city landmarks. The clip will be uploaded to HKTB's social media channels. (Reference link: Panda Fever Takes Over: Street Signs Get A Panda-Themed Makeover From late July, the CSTB and HKTB will transform Hong Kong's tourism hotspots with panda-themed street signs in 32 streets in batches, each featuring customised designs that blend photos of the twin pandas with symbols of local cuisine, cultural elements, and landmarks. Seven signs will feature unique, site-specific artwork. The sign on First Street in Sai Ying Pun, for example, will show the twins in party hats with their birthday cake, while the sign in Fire Dragon Path in Causeway Bay will feature the twins joining the historic Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. In addition, HKTB will install new panda-themed decorations at the Kowloon Visitor Centre at the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui. Approximately 40 different Ocean Park panda-themed souvenirs will also be available for visitors who wish to take home a memento of the celebrations. On the twins' birthday - 15 August - HKTB, Ocean Park, and MTR Corporation will jointly present the livestreams of the giant pandas' birthday party. Commuters will be able to watch a 30-minute interactive live broadcast of the celebrations at Ocean Park on the giant screens in Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stations at a designated time. "Hong Kong Summer Viva": A City-wide Fiesta with Deals Galore The birthday celebrations coincide with the HKTB's "Hong Kong Summer Viva" campaign, which targets both locals and visitors and features over 260 special offers from theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and retailers. You can browse all the deals on a dedicated page on the Discover Hong Kong website ( Members of the media can download the photos from the following links Photos & categoryTypeId=2 & cachedCriteria=1 The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhance visitors' experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities. The HKTB's missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.
