CREATIVITY OR STEELE: THE UNITED CONUNDRUM  - OLA ADETOYE (20/10/2013)

Much has been made of the weaknesses within Manchester 

United’s midfield, it was problem even under the great Sir Alex and now that same problem has been passed down to fellow Scotsman David Moyes. In the league pundits and fans often questioned the physicality of United’s midfield especially through the middle. Which is not really a surprise when the two mainstays of that midfield were Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley. Both of whom are not really known for their brute strength within the game. A trait that was held by former captain and tough tackling Irishman Roy Keane. However since he left the club and retired from the game, the club as a whole failed to address the issue for several years.

It’s fair to say that even with the lack of such a player within the

 team, Manchester United have continuously picked up silverware, recently grabbing their 20^th league title last season An accomplishment which put them ahead of Liverpool in the most titles won, and sealing their status as the most successful British football team. Yet without even thinking too hard about it, a majority of United’s home and continental rivals have a defensive Midfielder. Take for instance the top English sides Chelsea haveEssien and Mikel, Manchester City have Yaya and Fernandinho, Liverpool have Lucas, and Spurs have Dembele and Paulinho. Before those of you who are Arsenal supporters start shouting, your team doesn’t feature on the list simply because as with United you to lack a physical presence (Mikel Arteta is not a traditional defensive midfielder period).

Since Spain’s national side and Barcelona started dominating the

 footballing world, everyone has been obsessed (including me) with their famous ‘tika taka’ (passing game to the football novices)

 style. Credit where credit is due, it worked for several years culminating in World Cups, European championships, La Liga titles and Champions League trophies for both footballing parties 

respectively. But Barcelona and Real Madrid both losing to German opposition marked a watershed moment in the footballing timeline. 

Tika taka football was countered with German physicality and fast football. What enabled both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to win was having a solid midfield consisting of what I have been ranting about ‘physicality’. Yes both teams play good football, however at the same time those foundations are built upon players like Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) or Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund). Both are a mix of ball playing midfielders and physical players who specialise in breaking up opposition attacks.

Hence it is with such a deep explanation that I believe David 

Moyes and Manchester United were best served going after a physical presence like Marouane Fellaini, a player who can not only provide cover but score goals. Utilising the Belgian allows Michael Carrick to assume the position of a deep-lying playmaker whole-heartedly. Which can only benefit the entire squad in the long run. Besides creativity is not what united lack, in Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, and the previously mentioned Michael Carrick are quality players all capable of splitting defences. So if you asked me personally to pick whether United needed creativity or steel, at this moment in time I side with the latter choice.

RIHANNA FOR RIVER ISLAND AW13 COLLECTION - LEAH KARA JOHNSON (10/10/2013)
It's September 2013 and Rihanna is back with a bundle of statement pieces from her Autumn Collection for high street store; River Island. Now, I've never been her biggest fan which is probably why I'm not that excited about the outlandish fashion icons second collection. However, I must say I was probably one of the first to have a browse through her new pieces. (Okay so maybe I was just a teeny weeny bit excited!) What was my initial reaction?..."expensive for nothing". I thought it would never happen, but it did. I actually bought an item from the Rihanna Spring Collection. It was the gorgeous Sheer Tie Dye Pinafore Maxi Dress. Now I can't remember the exact price but it was in the sale so I thought why not!

The AW13 collection is made up of eccentric Rihanna staples. The camouflage and monochrome prints, oversized jerseys, leather garments, crop tops and not to mention the G4LIFE logo printed across nearly every single piece! The new collection channels a 90's vibe which screams tough girl with attitude instantly, taking us back to Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" days as well as paying homage to her "Rated R" prime!


Now lets talk about a few of my favourite pieces...

1) YELLOW MESH G4LIFE SHIRT DRESS - £40:

The first garment to have caught my eye is this yellow tomboyish shirt dress. (Also available in black) There's something about the sport luxe trend that I absolutely adore at the moment. BUT..there's only one downer and that's the G4LIFE logo stretched across the back. I love this garment so much that I might just have to turn a blind eye to the logo which I doubt I’ll ever come round to liking!

2) BLACK OCCULT PRINT BODYCON DRESS - £40

Unfortunately this head turning monochrome dress is out of stock online (boohoo!)..but I guess i would have preferred this dress if it was a midi not mini!

3) BURGUNDY STRIPE MESH T-SHIRT - £30

I basically live in oversized tees. The most comfiest clothing ever! It's burgundy, it's mesh, it has boxy sleeves and a longline fit. What more could I ask for? But yes this lovely piece is also currently out of stock..how unfortunate!

Nothing beats my top 3 selected pieces above but heres a few others that have stood out just a little:

The Black Perforated Leather Crop Top LIMITED EDITION

Burgundy Stripe Hoodie Maxi Dress

Burgundy Leather Trousers LIMITED EDITION -

Just before I go, remember I mentioned my initial reaction was the collection being "expensive for nothing" now let me explain why!. Maybe it's coz I'm a bargain hunter and I'd prefer to shop for cheaper alternatives but I couldn't help notice the Black Cold Shoulder Turtle Neck Dress. Now I'm the type of girl to browse eBay 24hrs a day making sure I'm the winning bidder on every item on my watch list. A few weeks ago I came across this beauty. The EXACT same Rihanna dress for £39.41 cheaper: http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=121019500411
Yes its all the way on the other side of the globe but bargain or what?

Final Thoughts

• What's your favourite piece in the current AW13 Collection?

• Spring Collection Vs Autumn Collection? What do you prefer?

• Would you want to see Rihanna team up with Topshop rather than River island?

Check out the full collection here: http://www.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection

AUDIO PUSH MIXTAPE REVIEW- KELLY WHYBROW (1/10/13)

The Cali duo Audio Push releases their latest mixtape ‘Come As You Are’. The 15 track project makes a statement and shows a promising future for them. The mixtape is carefully crafted, close to album quality with impressive production and features. Features include new-comers like Joey Bada$, Vic Mensa, IamSu! and of course, HS87 affiliate Hit-Boy. The project also boasts features from veterans Lil Wayne, Wale and T.I.

The producers on ‘Come As You Are’ include Hit-Boy, Hazebaangaa, Matt Burnet, Swiff D and others. The project has a 90s feel with a mix of 90s rap and also club records. Known for their catchy dance songs this makes a statement that they can spit addressing this in ‘come as you are’; “I hate when people bring up, teach me how to jerk 'Cause now my lyrics merk and they just salty I'm amazing at it.” Most groups release mix-tapes with either good lyrics or good club songs but they balance the two nicely. The songs are well put together, great concepts and shifts well between the two styles of 90s rap and club records.

Producers Hit Boy and Key Wane work amazing in producing old school quality beats with still a fresh and up to date feel and described as could be an old Busta Rhymes record. On the other hand, ‘Space Jam’ featuring Lil Wayne sounds as though it could be a single or could be a part of most hip-hop dance albums.

The songs that stood out the most were ‘Brown Bag’ produced by Swiff D with a strong beat and deep lyrics, a definite pull up track. ‘Anything Goes’ featuring Wale is a laid back track filled with good vibes and a good flow. On ‘Turn Down’ it’s filled with soulful sounds matching the lyricism of not wasting your life. ‘Come As You Are’ also name of the mix-tape is like a statement track of the project although without a doubt the strongest track is ‘Theme Song’, containing strong, fierce lyrics and incorporation of some singing with their rhymes. Every verse is strong including a T.I. feature and makes it a stand out track.

All in all, ‘Come As You Are’ has a solid production, conceptual songs and clever word play; proving they have good bars up their sleeve and good chemistry between Octane and Price Tag in the studio resulting in well put together tracks and is undoubtedly worth a download. This is a contender for one of their best mix-tapes so far this and could change a lot of people’s opinions on Audio Push.