The Year in Aesthetics, From Dark Academia to McBling
The experts at Aesthetics Wiki break down the enduring allure of Y2K, the creepy thrill of liminal spaces, and other key style stories.
Surprise! The Future of Media Involves a Crypto-Based Popularity Contest
Could Mirror, a new independent publishing platform, offer an escape from the exhaustion of the creator economy?
Here’s What Happened at the TikTok Commune After It Closed to the Public
We spoke to The Garden's Julia and Tree about what it was like to be at the center of a conspiracy theory calling the intentional community a cult.
How The Fresh Market Brought Culinary Elitism to the Suburbs
The Fresh Market offered baby boomers an upscale alternative to the middle-of-the-road supermarkets of the 80s. Now, it feels like a vintage yuppie paradise.
The Mysterious Case of the F*cking Good Pizza
A quest to find the origin of a pizza place led me down a rabbit hole of clickbait restaurants—with Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick's new company at the end.
Why the 2010s Were the Decade of Mercury in Retrograde
"Normcore" co-creator Emily Segal's first novel uses astrology to unpack the sweeping shifts in culture and technology we lived through.
The Complicated Appeal of Salem, a Band that Makes Feeling Awful Sound Great
A decade ago, the witch house pioneers invited us to luxuriate in the highs and lows of an existence that wasn't our own. Now, a new album re-opens the mystery.
Alice Waters' Fascinating and Infuriating Quest for Perfection
There's no better time to both envy and reexamine the legendary Chez Panisse chef's quest for an impeccable fruit bowl.
Learning to Play Other People's Songs Is Weirdly Comforting Right Now
When things are out of your control, sometimes a simple distinction—like "right note" vs. "wrong note"—is all you need to feel sane again.
We Asked 13 Artists How Spotify's 'Tip Jar' Is Working Out for Them
Amber Coffman, Of Montreal, and Zola Jesus gave VICE their thoughts on asking for donations on the multi-billion-dollar platform after coronavirus put them out of a job.
There's No Such Thing as Independent Music in the Age of Coronavirus
America’s original gig workers are suddenly out of a job. Banding together as part of a broader labor movement may be the only move musicians have left.
Is Grimes Really Making 'Silicon Valley Propaganda'?
She says 'Miss Anthropocene' is about making "climate change fun"—and she can't stop talking about her hopes for an AI-driven future. But she might just be playing with our perceptions.