There's 'No Doubt' they're back!

* First off, excuse the lame pun for a title.*

It's been just over a decade since No Doubt made an album and its long over due. The group have released 'Settle Down' as their first single off their new album 'Push and Shove' to be released around September 2012, the music video of which premiered mid July. As a preface to what I'm about to say I will say that I really love, and if you disagree (why would you?!?!) make a comment below (rolls eyes*).

Firstly just listening to it is amazing, it feels like they haven't changed their ska/punk (spunk?) sound. I want to say its mature because that's what most artists do when they make something new, but I don't feel like that's the case with No Doubt. I feel like they're staying true to their sound, the sound that their fans know and love. Since I can't actually put what I'm trying to say in a constructive phrase I'll just shoot out some words that should help make my point:dancing music psyching yourself up for a party that bass brah!!!!! exotic Indian, Carribean influence holiday music Gwen 'flipping' Stefani's....everything!!!! In terms of the video I think is pretty good. The band back together. Gwen Stefani looking hella fine (girl crush?). Trucks. Dancing. Party. This video has everything except for piano playing cats. We'll have to wait until September for my new stuff from 'No Doubt'. Haven't see the video yet, check it out!

In other news, 'No Doubt' played their first live performance on the Teen Choice Awards Show, too bad it wasn't as up to scratch as I thought. I don't want to try and make excuses for them but it was their first live performance in yonks, it was probably just a matter of warming up into the live performance routine. Wanna compare live 'No Doubt' to the music video?, click, watch and listen.

So until then make sure you keep in check with us here at 'The Occasional Pick Up' for more articles/pieces/reviews/opinion pieces and also feel free to ask any questions or make any comments below.

Words by Alisha Buaya

Artist Spotlight: Yayoi Kusuma - The Mirrored Years circa 2009.

A) Let images speak for themselves (or in this case, installation art.)

The Infinity Mirrored Room: Filled with the Brilliance of Life by Yayoi Kusuma (2011)

Image source: Tate Modern, London. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian.

B)  How I fell for contemporary art.

Let's rewind to tell this tale. A few years ago, I didn't need such a high prescription for my glasses and experienced my first non-school excursion walk around an art museum. My sister invited me along to an exhibition called The Mirrored Years - a showcase of Yayoi Kusuma's artworks at the MCA in Sydney in 2009. She lured me in with the promise of colourful rooms with a ton of pretty lights and polka dots (which may make me sound like a seven year old.) She dangled this one picture as a hook:

 Fireflies on the Water:

Image source: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Photograph courtesy Robert Miller Gallery.

More info about this artwork - here.

The best thing about contemporary art is being able to witness it - or in this case - physically immersing yourself in the artwork. I remember walking out onto a platform in the middle of the room and being surrounded by a swarm of lights multiplied by mirrors. Some people behind us waved their arms around to create a Ganesh-like illusion - thus - like dominoes in a line, we ended up playing with our reflections before the time was up. I regret not taking a photograph of that random moment.

I remember seeing a Florence + the Machine music video featuring a similar mirrored room with lights:

The artworks in The Mirrored Years exhibition - whether visual, interactive or audiovisual - played with a psychadelic sense of perception, hallucination and the self. Some other artworks that have stuck in my mind ever since that visit:

Narcissus' Garden by Yayoi Kusuma (1966/2002)

Image source: Queensland Art Gallery. Photograph: Matthew Cassay.

The Obliteration Room Yayoi Kusuma (2011)

Image source: Gallery of Modern Art. Photograph: Mark Sherwood. More info & photos here.

This picture speaks to my inner child's (polka dot fevered) sense of wonder & stimuli overload.

If you're curious about Yayoi Kusuma's life and works - check out her bio, galleries and current exhibition dates at her official website.

Words by Glaiza Perez.