Japanese Planners: Top 5 Picks for Daily Organization
5
Apr

For anyone serious about organizing their life, a Japanese planner often represents the pinnacle of design, functionality, and paper quality. These aren’t just diaries; they are meticulously crafted systems engineered to help you track, reflect, and achieve. After countless hours diving into different systems, the verdict is clear: Japanese planners offer a planning experience that few others can match. The real challenge is finding the right one. Our top recommendation for a comprehensive daily planner that encourages both meticulous scheduling and creative journaling is the Hobonichi Techo Cousin. It balances ample space, superior paper, and a flexible layout, making it an excellent starting point for most users. However, the best planner for you depends entirely on your specific needs, be it portability, modularity, or a hyper-structured layout. Here’s what you need to know about the leading options.

The Undisputed King of Daily Planning: Hobonichi Techo

The Hobonichi Techo series stands out as the most popular and versatile line of Japanese planners. Originating from the Japanese website Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shimbun (Hobonichi), these planners gained international acclaim for their exceptional paper, thoughtful layouts, and durable construction. What makes them legendary is their use of Tomoe River Paper, an ultra-thin, fountain pen-friendly paper that resists bleed-through and feathering, allowing for a substantial page count without making the planner bulky. Each day gets its own page in the daily versions, providing extensive space for notes, journaling, drawing, and scheduling. The series offers multiple sizes and formats, catering to diverse planning styles.

Beyond the paper, Hobonichi planners feature a lay-flat binding, which is crucial for comfortable writing across the entire page. They include monthly calendars, a yearly overview, and various informational pages, such as a time schedule, an index, and even a graph paper section. The Hobonichi ecosystem also boasts an incredible array of covers, designed not just for protection but for personal expression, ranging from simple solid colors to intricate artist collaborations. Prices for the planner books alone typically range from ¥2,200 to ¥4,400 (approximately $15-$30 USD), with covers adding an extra ¥2,000 to ¥10,000+ ($13-$65+ USD) depending on the material and design.

Hobonichi Original vs. Cousin: Which Size Suits You?

The Hobonichi Techo Original (A6 size, 105 x 148 mm) is the classic daily planner, offering a compact, portable format with one page per day. It’s ideal for those who want to keep their daily planning concise or prefer a smaller footprint. Despite its size, the A6 still provides enough space for essential tasks, quick notes, and a daily reflection. Its portability means it can easily fit into most bags, making it a favorite for on-the-go planning.

The Hobonichi Techo Cousin (A5 size, 148 x 210 mm) is the larger, more expansive version, also featuring one page per day. This size is perfect for individuals who need significant space for detailed scheduling, extensive journaling, elaborate to-do lists, or creative planning with stickers and washi tape. The A5 format allows for greater flexibility in layout and encourages more in-depth daily documentation. While less portable than the A6, the Cousin is an excellent choice for desk-based planning or for those who carry a larger bag.

The Weeks: A Portable Powerhouse

The Hobonichi Techo Weeks (95 x 186 mm) offers a distinctly different layout: a weekly spread on the left page and a grid-ruled memo page on the right. This slim, lightweight planner is perfect for minimalist planners, students, or professionals who prioritize portability and a clear overview of their week. It’s designed to fit into a jacket pocket or small bag effortlessly. The Weeks also uses Tomoe River Paper, ensuring a smooth writing experience. It includes a full year of weekly pages, monthly calendars, and over 70 pages of grid paper at the back for notes or additional journaling. Its price point typically falls around ¥2,420 (about $16 USD) for the standard version, making it an accessible entry into the Hobonichi world.

Tomoe River Paper: The Ink Lover’s Dream

A significant part of the Hobonichi appeal is its proprietary Tomoe River Paper. This paper is renowned among fountain pen enthusiasts for its incredible thinness (typically 52gsm or 68gsm), which allows for many pages without bulk, and its remarkable ability to handle all types of ink without feathering or bleed-through. In 2024, Hobonichi made a significant change, transitioning to “Sanzen Tomoe River Paper” after the original manufacturer ceased production. The new paper aims to maintain the beloved characteristics while ensuring sustainability. It remains exceptionally smooth, showcasing ink shading and sheen beautifully, making the act of writing a pleasure rather than a chore. This paper quality is a major differentiator for Japanese planners.

Midori Traveler’s Notebook: A System Built for Adventure

2025 planner with decorative cover alongside wooden March letters for design and planning concepts.

The Midori Traveler’s Notebook is less a planner and more a customizable leather cover system designed for those who value flexibility, portability, and a rugged aesthetic. It’s not a pre-filled planner in the traditional sense; rather, it’s a blank canvas where you assemble your ideal planning, journaling, or sketching setup using various interchangeable inserts. The system centers around a high-quality leather cover, which ages beautifully over time, developing a unique patina.

This notebook system encourages a modular approach to organization. Elastic bands hold multiple inserts within the leather cover, allowing you to mix and match daily planners, weekly schedules, blank notebooks, grid paper, sketchbooks, or even zipper pouches. The standard size (124x220mm) is well-suited for travel, fitting comfortably in hand or bag, while the passport size (97x134mm) offers even greater portability. The core philosophy is to adapt to your life, not the other way around. The standard leather cover alone typically costs around ¥5,500 ($37 USD), with inserts ranging from ¥500 to ¥1,000 ($3-$7 USD) each.

Choosing Your Cover: Leather vs. Other Editions

The classic Midori Traveler’s Notebook cover is made from undyed cow leather, known for its durability and how it develops character with use. This natural leather shows scuffs and scratches, which are considered part of its charm, telling the story of your journeys and daily life. It’s a robust material that truly stands the test of time. Beyond the standard leather, Midori occasionally releases special edition covers in different colors or materials, though these are less common. The beauty of the leather cover is its simplicity and timelessness, requiring minimal care while offering maximum protection for your inserts.

Insert Options for Every Need

Midori offers a vast array of refills to populate your Traveler’s Notebook. For planning, you can find weekly vertical or horizontal layouts, dated and undated monthly calendars, and daily planning inserts. Beyond planning, there are lined, grid, blank, and dot-grid notebooks, as well as lightweight paper, watercolor paper, and sketch paper options. Accessory inserts include zipper pockets, card holders, and kraft file folders, transforming the notebook into a compact wallet or document holder. This allows users to create a highly personalized system that can evolve with their needs, simply by swapping out or adding new inserts.

Maintaining Your Traveler’s Notebook

Maintaining a Midori Traveler’s Notebook is straightforward. The leather cover benefits from occasional conditioning with a leather balm to keep it supple and protected. Scratches are part of its appeal, but they can be gently rubbed out with your fingers or a soft cloth if desired. The elastic bands that hold the inserts are replaceable, and Midori sells replacement kits, ensuring the longevity of the cover itself. This focus on durability and repairability aligns with the brand’s commitment to creating products that last and become cherished personal items.

Jibun Techo and Stalogy 365: Distinct Approaches to Structured Freedom

When comparing the Kokuyo Jibun Techo and the Stalogy 365, you’re looking at two very different philosophies of planning, each with a devoted following. The Jibun Techo is a highly structured, almost scientific approach to life logging, while the Stalogy 365 offers a minimalist, flexible framework. Both excel in their respective niches, but they cater to different user preferences. Here’s a brief look at their core differences:

Feature Kokuyo Jibun Techo Stalogy 365 Notebook
Core Philosophy Comprehensive life log, highly structured Minimalist, adaptable, blank canvas
Layout Vertical weekly timeline, pre-printed daily elements, monthly, yearly Dot grid, minimal pre-printing (dates, days, months at top)
Paper Type Thin, smooth Kokuyo THIN paper (similar to Tomoe River) Thin, smooth (similar to Tomoe River, handles ink well)
Binding Lay-flat binding Lay-flat binding
Included Sections LIFE, DIARY, IDEA books; yearly, monthly, weekly, project pages, bucket lists, etc. Daily, weekly, monthly indicators at top; primarily dot grid pages
Price Range (approx.) ¥3,000-¥5,000 ($20-$34 USD) for a 3-book set ¥1,500-¥3,000 ($10-$20 USD) depending on size

The Jibun Techo’s strength lies in its meticulous design to capture every aspect of your life. It encourages tracking habits, finances, project progress, and future plans. The Stalogy 365, conversely, provides just enough structure (a subtle dot grid) to guide your hand without dictating your content. It trusts you to create the system that works best, making it a favorite for bullet journaling or highly customized layouts.

Jibun Techo: The Highly Structured Life Log

The Kokuyo Jibun Techo is a unique system typically consisting of three separate booklets: the DIARY, the LIFE, and the IDEA book. The DIARY is the core planner, featuring a highly detailed vertical weekly timeline that runs from 0-24:00, along with monthly and yearly overviews. It also includes specific sections for to-dos, weather, meals, and even mood tracking. The LIFE book is a long-term record, designed to be used over many years, documenting important life events, dreams, and family information. The IDEA book is a simple grid notebook for freeform notes. This comprehensive, pre-printed structure is perfect for those who thrive on detailed organization and want to log a broad spectrum of their daily lives. The DIARY book alone, in A5 Slim size, costs around ¥2,200 ($15 USD) for the dated version.

Stalogy 365: The Minimalist’s Canvas

The Stalogy 365 Notebook, available in various sizes (A5, B6, A6), is the antithesis of the Jibun Techo’s maximalist approach. It offers a very subtle, light grey dot grid across its thin, high-quality paper, with faint indicators for dates, days of the week, and months at the top of each page. These can be circled or ignored entirely. This minimalist design makes it incredibly versatile: it can be a daily planner, a journal, a sketchbook, or a general notebook. Its freedom appeals to those who prefer to create their own planning system (like bullet journaling) without being constrained by pre-printed sections. The paper is exceptionally smooth and handles most pens, including fountain pens, very well. An A5 Stalogy 365 notebook costs approximately ¥1,870 ($12.50 USD), offering excellent value for its quality and flexibility.

Understanding Japanese Planner Paper and Binding

Close-up view of a guitarist's hand playing a Fender Stratocaster outdoors.

Beyond the layout, the physical attributes of Japanese planners — particularly their paper and binding — are what truly set them apart. The experience of writing in one is to its appeal. Unlike many Western planners that often use thicker, less fountain pen-friendly paper, Japanese planners prioritize a smooth writing surface and efficient use of space. This attention to detail extends to the binding, ensuring a comfortable and practical user experience.

The quality of the paper is not just about avoiding bleed-through; it’s about the entire tactile and visual experience. Japanese paper mills have perfected thin, durable sheets that feel luxurious under the pen and display ink colors with vibrancy. This commitment to paper excellence reflects a broader cultural appreciation for fine stationery and the art of writing.

The Magic of Thin, Fountain Pen-Friendly Paper

  1. Tomoe River Paper: As discussed with Hobonichi, this paper (typically 52gsm or 68gsm) is incredibly thin yet remarkably resistant to ink bleed-through and feathering. It provides a crisp, smooth surface that allows fountain pen inks to sheen beautifully. Its thinness enables a high page count without excessive bulk, making comprehensive planners like the Hobonichi Cousin still manageable.
  2. MD Paper (Midori Diary Paper): Used in Midori products, MD Paper is known for its cream color, smoothness, and excellent fountain pen compatibility. It’s slightly thicker than Tomoe River Paper, offering a different tactile experience. It’s designed for minimal show-through and a pleasant writing feel, making it a favorite for journaling.
  3. Kokuyo THIN Paper: Featured in Jibun Techo, this paper is also very thin and designed to handle various inks without problems. It contributes to the Jibun Techo’s ability to pack a full year into a slim book, mirroring the qualities prized in Tomoe River for ink handling and low bulk.

These specialized papers allow for a rich, immersive writing experience, making the act of planning or journaling a more enjoyable daily ritual.

Lay-Flat Binding: A Design Essential

Almost all high-quality Japanese planners feature a lay-flat binding, often achieved through a sewn binding method. This design choice is fundamental to usability. A planner that doesn’t lay completely flat forces the user to hold it open, creating an uneven writing surface and discomfort, especially when writing near the spine. A true lay-flat binding means the planner opens effortlessly to any page and stays open, providing a flat, uninterrupted surface for writing or drawing across both pages. This seemingly small detail significantly enhances the daily interaction with the planner, making it more practical and less frustrating.

Durability and Archival Quality

The materials used in Japanese planners are often selected not just for immediate aesthetic appeal but for longevity. The paper, especially, is designed to be archival quality, meaning it resists yellowing and degradation over time. This is particularly important for planners that double as journals or life logs, as users expect their entries to be preserved for years, even decades. The bindings are robust, capable of withstanding daily use and repeated opening and closing. This commitment to durability ensures that your planner isn’t just a disposable item but a lasting record of your thoughts and activities.

Selecting Your Ideal Japanese Planner: Key Considerations

Flat lay of travel essentials including a world map, compass, and planner, perfect for planning your next adventure.

Choosing the right Japanese planner means aligning its features with your personal habits and preferences. There isn’t a single “best” option for everyone, but by asking yourself a few targeted questions, you can narrow down the vast selection. Think about how you currently plan, what frustrates you about your current system, and what kind of space you need for your daily notes and reflections. The ideal planner should integrate seamlessly into your life, not add another layer of complexity.

What’s Your Planning Style: Daily, Weekly, or Monthly?

Consider the granularity of your planning. Do you need a dedicated page for each day to meticulously track tasks, appointments, and reflections? If so, the Hobonichi Techo Original or Cousin would be ideal, offering ample daily space. Are you more focused on a weekly overview, needing to see your entire week at a glance with space for notes? The Hobonichi Weeks or a weekly insert for the Midori Traveler’s Notebook could be a better fit. For those who primarily need a high-level monthly calendar for appointments and deadlines, almost any Japanese planner will include this, but you might then look for a simpler notebook with monthly tabs, like some from Delfonics, for a lighter commitment.

How Important is Portability?

Your lifestyle dictates the optimal size. If your planner needs to travel with you everywhere—in a small bag, a pocket, or even just carried in hand—then smaller, slimmer options are . The Hobonichi Weeks, the Hobonichi Techo Original (A6), or the Midori Traveler’s Notebook Passport size are excellent choices for ultimate portability. If your planner primarily stays on your desk at home or work, then a larger format like the Hobonichi Techo Cousin (A5) or a full A5 Stalogy 365 offers more writing real estate without sacrificing convenience.

Do You Journal or Just Plan?

Some people use their planners strictly for appointments and to-do lists. Others integrate journaling, sketching, or extensive note-taking into their daily pages. If you’re a heavy journaler or enjoy creative expression within your planner, look for options with generous daily space and high-quality paper that handles various mediums. The Hobonichi Techo series, with its daily pages and Tomoe River Paper, is a clear winner here. The Stalogy 365, with its minimalist dot-grid layout, also provides an expansive canvas for those who want to blend planning with creative bullet journaling or freeform notes. If your focus is purely on scheduling, a more structured but less spacious option like the Jibun Techo DIARY might be more efficient.

The landscape of Japanese planners is ever-evolving, with brands consistently innovating in paper technology, layout design, and system integration. While the classics like Hobonichi and Midori continue to define excellence, new contenders and refinements ensure that there’s always something fresh for enthusiasts to explore. The dedication to quality, functionality, and the user experience remains a constant, promising a future where planning tools continue to inspire and empower organized living.

Cheap Hobbies for Adults: Make Your Time Meaningful
4
Apr

Did you know the average American adult spends over 3 hours a day on leisure and sports activities, yet often reports feeling unfulfilled or stressed by the cost? It’s a common paradox: we crave enriching downtime, but the usual suspects—streaming subscriptions, dining out, expensive classes—add up fast. You come home after a long day, scrolling through social media, feeling the drag of routine. You know there’s more to life than screen time, but what can you do that doesn’t demand a hefty financial investment or a complex learning curve? The thought of starting a new hobby can feel overwhelming, especially when budgets are tight, and time is precious. The good news? Meaningful engagement doesn’t require a platinum credit card. It just needs a little guidance on where to look and how to begin.

Embrace the Power of Reading (and Free Books!)

Reading is a timeless hobby. It offers an escape, expands your knowledge, and sparks creativity, all without demanding much cash. The best part? Accessing books is often completely free. You don’t need to buy every bestseller or subscribe to expensive services.

Your Public Library Card: A Free Entertainment Hub

The first step is obvious, but often overlooked: get a public library card. It’s free. This card unlocks not only physical books, but also audiobooks, e-books, movies, and sometimes even passes to local museums or parks. Most libraries use apps like Libby or OverDrive (free on iOS and Android) for digital loans. You link your library card, browse titles, and borrow them instantly. There’s no late fee for digital items—they just disappear from your device when due. You can typically borrow 5-10 items at a time, depending on your library’s policy.

Project Gutenberg: Thousands of Free Classics

If you love classic literature, Project Gutenberg is your go-to resource. It’s a digital library of over 60,000 free e-books. These are books whose copyrights have expired, making them available to everyone. You can download titles like Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, or Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland directly to your e-reader, phone, or computer. No sign-up, no cost, just pure reading pleasure. It’s perfect for exploring genres you might not usually pick up.

Starting a Local Book Club (Low Cost)

Want to turn reading into a social event? Start a book club. You only need a few friends who enjoy reading. Pick a book, set a meeting time, and discuss. If you all use library books or Project Gutenberg, the cost is literally zero. Alternatively, pick up used books for around $3-$5 from local thrift stores or secondhand bookshops. Meet at a park, a friend’s house, or a quiet coffee shop (if everyone buys their own drink, that’s the only cost). The structure is simple: read a chapter or two each week, then discuss themes, characters, and plot points.

Cultivating Green Thumbs on a Budget

Sign reading 'Keine Reklame' on a door in Austria, no advertising.

Gardening might seem like an expensive hobby, with all the tools, plants, and fertilizers. But it doesn’t have to be. You can start small, grow from scraps, and even get plants for free. It’s deeply rewarding, connects you to nature, and can even provide fresh produce for your kitchen.

Many people assume a garden requires a large yard, but this isn’t true. You can create a thriving green space on a windowsill, a balcony, or even a small patio. Starting with seeds is far cheaper than buying established plants. A packet of vegetable seeds, like lettuce or radish, often costs under $3 and can yield dozens of plants. For flowers, marigold or zinnia seeds are similarly inexpensive and provide cheerful blooms.

Seed Saving and Swapping: Zero-Cost Plants

Once you start growing, you can save seeds from your mature plants. For example, collect seeds from ripe tomatoes, peppers, or beans. Dry them thoroughly, store them in a cool, dark place, and you have free seeds for next year’s garden. Look for local seed-swapping events or online groups. Gardeners love to share their bounty, and you can trade your saved seeds for varieties you don’t have. This practice helps preserve biodiversity and builds community. Your only cost might be a few small envelopes or jars for storage.

Propagating Cuttings: Grow New Plants for Free

Many popular houseplants and herbs can be grown from cuttings. This means taking a piece of an existing plant and encouraging it to root. Pothos, spider plants, succulents, basil, and mint are all excellent candidates. Simply snip a healthy stem below a node (where a leaf attaches), remove the lower leaves, and place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix. Within weeks, roots will form, and you’ll have a new plant. Your only cost? The water and perhaps a small pot, which you can often find used or repurpose from yogurt containers.

Container Gardening for Small Spaces

Even if you live in an apartment, container gardening is a viable option. You don’t need fancy pots. Repurpose old plastic tubs, five-gallon buckets (drill drainage holes in the bottom), or even sturdy fabric shopping bags. For soil, a bag of potting mix might cost $10-$15, but it lasts a long time for a small container garden. Focus on plants that do well in pots: cherry tomatoes, bush beans, herbs like parsley and cilantro, or salad greens. You can even try growing potatoes in a large grow bag. Watering cans are useful, but a repurposed plastic milk jug with holes poked in the lid works just as well. This deep dive shows how gardening can be incredibly accessible.

The Art of DIY and Upcycling (Cost-Effective Creativity)

Unleash your inner maker without spending a fortune. DIY and upcycling turn discarded items into treasures, reduce waste, and provide a huge sense of accomplishment. You often already have many of the supplies you need right in your home.

  • Thrift Store Flips: Transforming Old Finds
    Head to your local thrift store, flea market, or even check curbside free piles. Look for furniture pieces with good bones but maybe a dated finish. An old wooden chair for $10, a small side table for $5, or a decorative mirror for $7 can be transformed with a bit of sandpaper, a $15 can of spray paint, and some creative vision. Watch free YouTube tutorials for techniques like distressing, decoupage, or stenciling. The joy is in taking something overlooked and making it uniquely yours.
  • Origami and Paper Crafts: Just Need Paper
    All you need for this hobby is paper. Standard printer paper, old magazines, newspaper, or even colorful junk mail can be folded into intricate shapes. An origami book or free online tutorials provide step-by-step instructions for everything from simple cranes to complex geometric models. You can also create greeting cards, decorative boxes, or paper flowers using scissors, glue (often already on hand), and various paper scraps. A pack of construction paper costs about $5 and lasts for dozens of projects.
  • Basic Sewing Repairs and Simple Projects
    A basic sewing kit costs around $10-$20 and includes needles, thread, scissors, and a thimble. With these tools, you can learn to mend torn clothes, sew on buttons, or hem pants—saving you money on repairs and extending the life of your wardrobe. Once you’re comfortable, move onto simple projects. Use old bedsheets, denim from worn-out jeans, or fabric scraps from friends to make tote bags, cushion covers, or even simple aprons. Free patterns are abundant online, and YouTube offers countless beginner sewing lessons.

Budget-Friendly Outdoor Adventures

Close-up view of a guitarist's hand playing a Fender Stratocaster outdoors.

Getting outside is great for physical and mental health. Many outdoor activities are completely free, requiring minimal gear that you might already own or can acquire cheaply. Connect with nature, explore your surroundings, and boost your well-being without opening your wallet for admission fees.

Outdoor Activity Type Description Minimal Gear Required Average Cost
Hiking Local Trails Explore natural paths in parks, forests, or nature preserves. Comfortable shoes, water bottle, phone (for navigation/safety) $0 (if shoes owned)
Birdwatching Observe local bird species in your backyard, park, or nature reserve. Eyes, ears, free bird ID app (e.g., Merlin Bird ID), notebook $0
Urban Exploration (Walks) Discover hidden gems, architecture, and street art in your own city. Comfortable shoes, curiosity, phone (for photos/maps) $0
Picnics in the Park Pack a meal from home and enjoy it outdoors with friends or family. Picnic blanket, packed food/drinks, reusable containers $0 (food you already have)

Local Trail Systems: Free Access to Nature

Most towns and cities have public parks, nature preserves, or state forests with maintained walking and hiking trails. These are free to access. All you need are comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, a reusable water bottle (already at home), and your phone for navigation and emergencies. Apps like AllTrails (free version available on iOS and Android) can help you find nearby trails, view maps, and read reviews from other hikers. Start with shorter, well-marked paths and gradually explore longer routes. It’s an excellent way to get exercise and clear your head.

Birdwatching Basics: Essential Gear and Free Apps

Birdwatching is a calming, engaging hobby you can do anywhere—from your window to a deep forest. You don’t need expensive binoculars to start. Simply observe the birds around you. Pay attention to their colors, songs, and behaviors. The Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Lab of Ornithology (free on iOS and Android) is an incredible tool. It identifies birds by photo or even by sound, helping you learn species quickly. All you need is your phone and a willingness to listen and look. Keep a small notebook to jot down your observations.

Exploring Your City on Foot: Hidden Gems

Become a tourist in your own town. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes and simply start walking. Look up local historical markers, public art installations, or interesting neighborhoods. You’ll be surprised by what you discover. This costs nothing but your time and curiosity. Take photos, research the history of buildings, or simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of different areas. It’s a great way to appreciate your environment and get some steps in.

Mastering a New Skill with Online Resources (Zero Tuition)

Learning doesn’t stop after school. The internet offers an incredible wealth of free educational resources. You can pick up a new language, learn to code, or delve into academic subjects—all from your couch, without paying a dime.

Can I really get university-level education for free?

Absolutely. Platforms like Coursera and edX (both have free audit tracks for many courses) partner with top universities worldwide. You can enroll in courses from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and other renowned institutions, watching lectures, completing assignments, and accessing learning materials. While you usually pay for a verified certificate, the core educational content is often available at no cost. It’s perfect for exploring subjects like psychology, computer science, or history at your own pace.

What’s the best free way to learn a new language?

For language learning, Duolingo (free on iOS, Android, and web) is an excellent starting point. It offers engaging, gamified lessons in dozens of languages, from Spanish and French to Japanese and even Klingon. You can spend 10-15 minutes a day practicing vocabulary and grammar. Another strong contender is Memrise (free version), which focuses on memorization through spaced repetition. These apps make daily practice easy and fun, slowly building your fluency without any subscription fees.

How can I learn basic coding without spending money?

Coding is a valuable skill that opens doors to new ways of thinking and creating. Websites like Codecademy (free basic courses) and freeCodeCamp (entirely free) provide interactive lessons and projects for learning programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS. You don’t need special software; you write code directly in your browser. These platforms guide you through fundamentals, allowing you to build simple websites or basic programs. Many aspiring developers start with these free resources before investing in advanced training.

The Joy of Cooking and Baking (Economical & Delicious)

Focused young woman writing with vibrant markers in a notebook, creating ideas.

There is no better hobby for both your wallet and your well-being than learning to cook and bake from scratch. This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about control over your ingredients, the satisfaction of creating something delicious, and the fundamental skill of feeding yourself well. Eating out adds up quickly, but home cooking can be incredibly economical and deeply rewarding.

Budget Meal Planning: Stretch Your Groceries

Effective meal planning is the cornerstone of budget-friendly cooking. Start by taking inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge. Plan meals around those ingredients first. Then, make a shopping list for only what’s necessary. Look for sales on staples like dried beans, rice, pasta, and seasonal vegetables. A typical budget strategy is to cook larger batches of meals, like a big pot of chili or lentil soup, and freeze portions for easy weeknight dinners. This prevents food waste and reduces the temptation to order takeout. Websites like Budget Bytes offer thousands of free, cost-conscious recipes with detailed price breakdowns.

Baking Bread from Scratch: Flour, Water, Yeast

Baking your own bread is one of the most satisfying (and cheapest) culinary hobbies. The basic ingredients are flour (a 5lb bag for ~$4-6), water, yeast (a packet for <$1), and salt. With these, you can make a simple loaf of rustic bread. Look up a basic no-knead bread recipe online. It usually involves mixing ingredients the night before, letting it rise, and then baking it in a Dutch oven or on a baking sheet. You save money on expensive artisan loaves, and your home will smell amazing. Plus, fresh bread beats anything store-bought, hands down.

Recipe Swapping with Friends: New Ideas, No Cost

Tired of cooking the same old dishes? Organize a recipe swap with friends or family. Each person shares a few of their favorite, budget-friendly recipes. You get new ideas and expand your cooking repertoire without buying new cookbooks or endlessly searching online. This also sparks conversation and community. You might discover a new staple, like a lentil curry or a simple pasta dish, that becomes a household favorite. It’s a zero-cost way to inject excitement into your kitchen routine.

Reclaim Your Time, Enrich Your Life

The solution to feeling stuck in a rut isn’t more spending, but more mindful engagement. Remember that feeling of scrolling endlessly, knowing you want more? These cheap hobbies offer a way out. They’re not just about filling time; they’re about building skills, fostering creativity, and connecting with the world around you. By embracing accessible activities like reading, gardening, crafting, exploring, learning, and cooking, you can transform that wasted leisure time into genuinely meaningful experiences. You will feel fulfilled, less stressed, and surprisingly richer, all without touching your savings.

Why you should stop buying your wife jewelry at the mall and what to do instead
3
Apr

In 2014, I spent four hundred dollars on a “journey” necklace from a Zales in a suburban mall. If you don’t remember those, they were these silver swooshes with diamonds that got progressively larger, supposedly symbolizing a relationship growing over time. It looked like a sparkly tadpole. I was making $32,000 a year at the time, so $400 was basically a month’s worth of groceries and gas. I presented it to my wife with this huge, expectant grin, and she gave me that look. You know the one. The “I love that you tried, but I will never wear this in public” look. She wore it exactly once—to a funeral, ironically—and then it vanished into the dark velvet recesses of her jewelry box, never to be seen again. I was an idiot.

Most men are bad at buying jewelry because we listen to the person behind the counter who is literally paid to sell us the highest-margin, most generic piece of crap in the case. We buy things that look “expensive” in the store lighting but look like costume jewelry the second they hit the real world. If you want to actually get her something she’ll wear, you have to stop thinking about the price tag and start thinking about the Tuesday morning test. If she can’t wear it while she’s getting a coffee or sitting in a Zoom meeting, you’ve failed. Jewelry shouldn’t be a trophy she keeps in a safe; it should be something that makes her feel slightly more like herself when she puts it on.

The mall is a trap and I refuse to go back

I have a personal vendetta against big-box mall jewelers. Kay, Zales, Jared—they all sell the same mass-produced stuff that has zero personality. It’s the Applebee’s of jewelry. I know some people will disagree, and they’ll say their wife loves her “Open Heart” necklace from Jane Seymour, but I’m telling you right now: they are lying to spare your feelings. Those pieces are clunky. They use low-quality silver that tarnishes if you look at it wrong and diamonds that have more inclusions than a bowl of oatmeal.

What I mean is—actually, let me put it differently. When you buy from these places, you aren’t paying for the gold or the stones. You’re paying for the rent on a 2,000-square-foot store in a dying shopping center and the TV commercials that run during football games. I’ve found that the best gifts for wife jewelry almost always come from smaller, independent designers or direct-to-consumer brands that actually care about the aesthetic rather than just the “carat weight.”

If the brand has a jingle you can hum, don’t buy your anniversary gift there.

I also have this perhaps unfair hatred for Pandora. I think those charm bracelets look like a high school craft project gone wrong. I don’t care if it’s a “tradition.” It’s tacky. There, I said it. If you’re buying her a tiny silver dangling Eiffel Tower because you went to Paris once, you aren’t being romantic; you’re being lazy. Buy her something that stands on its own without needing a backstory to justify why it looks weird on her wrist.

The “Everyday” metric is the only one that matters

Stop sign with altered message in urban street setting, highlighting social commentary.

A few years ago, I got weirdly obsessed with why my wife wore some things and not others. I’m a bit of a data nerd in my day job, so I actually tracked it. For three months, I took a mental note of what she put on her body every morning. I call it the Daily Wear Audit. Out of the 14 pieces of jewelry I had bought her over a decade, she wore the same three things 82% of the time.

  • A pair of simple 14k gold hoops (not too big, not too small).
  • A thin gold chain with a tiny, almost invisible emerald.
  • A flat gold band she stacks with her wedding ring.

The $800 “statement” necklace I bought for our fifth anniversary? It was worn zero times. Total waste. The lesson here is that utility is the highest form of luxury. If she can wear it in the shower, at the gym, and at dinner, you’ve won. This usually means buying “solid” gold—not plated, not vermeil. I learned the hard way that gold-plated stuff from brands like Mejuri looks great for exactly four months. I actually timed it. After 120 days of daily wear, the copper started peeking through the ring I bought her, and her finger turned that sickly swamp-green color. Never again. Spend the extra $150 and get the 14k solid gold. It’s worth every penny.

Brands I actually trust (and one I’ll never touch)

I might be wrong about this, but I think Tiffany & Co. is the biggest scam in the jewelry world. You are paying a 400% markup for a blue box. I refuse to buy it. It’s the “safe” choice for men who are too scared to actually look for something unique. It’s the jewelry equivalent of buying a gift card. It says, “I have money but no imagination.”

Anyway, if you want to actually look like you put effort in, look at Catbird. They’re based in Brooklyn, and everything they make is thin, delicate, and looks like it belongs to a cool French poet. My wife loves their “Threadbare” rings. They’re like $48. I’ve spent ten times that on things she liked half as much. Another one is Vrai. If you’re going to buy diamonds, buy lab-grown. I’ll fight anyone on this. They are chemically identical, they don’t involve digging giant holes in the earth, and they cost half as much. I bought a 1-carat lab diamond pendant for her 30th birthday and it’s the only “expensive” thing I’ve ever bought that she actually wears weekly.

Actually, I should mention GLDN too. They do personalized stuff that doesn’t look cheesy. You can get her initial or a date on a tiny disc. It’s simple. It’s clean. It doesn’t look like a tadpole.

The part where I admit I still get it wrong

I’m sitting here acting like an expert, but the truth is I still get nervous every time she opens a box. Jewelry is intimate. It’s like buying someone a second skin. It sits against their pulse points. It’s heavy and cold until their body warms it up. It’s a lot of pressure for a piece of metal.

I think the mistake we make is trying to buy something that represents “The Relationship” with a capital R. We want the jewelry to tell a story of eternal love and sacrifice. But jewelry isn’t a novel. It’s more like a really good pair of jeans. It should just fit. It should just be there, making everything else look slightly better without screaming for attention.

Last year, I bought her a vintage locket from an estate sale. I thought I was being so sophisticated. It turned out to be impossible to open without a butter knife and it smelled faintly of someone else’s grandmother. She hated it. I spent two weeks trying to clean the “antique” smell out of it before I finally just threw it in a drawer. I went back to the basics and got her a pair of plain gold studs from a local maker. She put them in immediately and hasn’t taken them out since.

I still don’t know why that locket smelled like that. Maybe some things are better left unbought. Just stick to the simple stuff. Seriously. If you’re doubting yourself, go smaller. Go thinner. Go for the thing she can wear while she’s eating cereal at 7:00 AM.

Do you think she’d actually tell me if she hated the gold studs? I honestly don’t know.

Why I spent $400 on planners just to realize I’m the problem
2
Apr

On April 12th last year, I sat in a coffee shop in midtown and stared at a $62 Hobonichi Techo Cousin like it was a holy relic. I had the fountain pen ready. I had the aesthetic washi tape. I had the burning desire to finally be the kind of person who has their life together. Fast forward to August, and that beautiful, Tomoe River paper-filled book was being used as a coaster for my lukewarm Diet Coke. It had exactly four pages of entries, all of them from that first week in April. I am a failure at journaling, but I am an expert at buying the wrong tools.

I’ve spent exactly $412.50 on paper products in the last 18 months. I tracked it in a spreadsheet because if I can’t be organized, I can at least be neurotic. What I’ve learned is that most ‘best planner’ lists are written by people who get sent free products and have never actually had to manage a 9-to-5 and a side project without losing their minds. Most of what you see on Instagram is lies. Nobody’s life is that clean.

The Moleskine lie and why I’m done with it

I’m just going to say it, and I know people will disagree because it’s the ‘classic’ choice, but Moleskine is trash. There. I said it. It’s the Starbucks of planners—ubiquitous, overpriced, and ultimately disappointing once you know what actual quality feels like. The paper is thin. If you use anything heartier than a standard Bic ballpoint, the ink bleeds through like a paper cut in a swimming pool. I’ve tested 14 different pens on their 70gsm paper, and 11 of them ghosted so badly the back of the page was unusable.

I refuse to recommend them. I don’t care if Hemingway used them (he didn’t, not really, it’s a marketing story). If you’re paying $25 for a diary, the paper shouldn’t feel like a cheap napkin. It’s an irrational hatred, maybe, but every time I see someone writing in a Moleskine with a Pilot G2, I want to reach over and hand them a real notebook. It’s a waste of a good pen.

Total trash.

The part where I actually tell you what works

Close-up of Kodak 400 35mm color print film rolls against a white background.

If you actually want to get things done, you need paper that can handle your chaos. After my Hobonichi disaster—which, to be fair, is a gorgeous planner, just too intimidating for a normal person—I moved to the Leuchtturm1917 Academic Weekly. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t have quotes about ‘crushing your goals.’ It just has space.

  • Leuchtturm1917 (The Workhorse): The 80gsm paper is significantly better than Moleskine, though still not perfect. It has numbered pages. This is the only feature that actually matters if you have a messy brain.
  • Midori MD Diary: This is for the purists. It’s cream-colored, minimal, and the binding stays flat. If a planner doesn’t stay flat when I open it, I want to throw it out a window. What I mean is—actually, let me put it differently: a bouncy spine is a dealbreaker for anyone who actually writes more than a sentence at a time.
  • The Jibun Techo: This is the one I use when I’m feeling particularly manic. It has a 24-hour timeline. Do I need to know what I’m doing at 3:00 AM? No. But seeing the empty space makes me feel like I have potential.

Pro tip: If the planner feels too “precious,” you won’t use it. You’ll be afraid to ruin it with your ugly handwriting or a canceled meeting. Buy the one that looks like it can take a beating.

A brief tangent about pens (because it matters)

You can’t talk about planners without talking about the ink. I spent three weeks using a fountain pen because a guy on Reddit said it would change my life. It didn’t. It just made my hands blue and took forever to dry, which is great if you have all day to wait for a to-do list to set, but I have emails to ignore. I went back to the Uni-ball Signo 0.38. It’s precise. It’s cheap. It doesn’t judge me. Anyway, back to the paper.

The disc-bound system is for psychopaths

I might be wrong about this, but I am convinced that people who use Happy Planners or any disc-bound system are actually just people who enjoy the process of filing taxes. The clicking sound of the pages moving? The way you have to buy a special hole punch just to add a grocery list? It’s too much. It’s a hobby, not a productivity tool. I tried a Levenger Circa for exactly two weeks in 2021 and I ended up with loose pages all over my car floor. Never again.

A planner should be a contained unit. It should be a physical manifestation of the boundaries your life currently lacks. If you can take the pages out and move them around, you’re just procrastinating by reorganizing your failures. Just cross the task out and move on. It’s fine.

The truth about the “perfect” layout

I used to think that if I found the right vertical-horizontal-hybrid layout, I would suddenly stop forgetting to call my dentist. I was completely wrong. I’ve realized that the layout doesn’t matter nearly as much as the weight of the book. If it’s too heavy, it stays on the desk. If it stays on the desk, you forget to check it when you’re out. I tracked my usage and found I was 65% more likely to actually complete a task if I had my planner in my bag versus leaving it in my home office.

I’ve settled on the Stalogy 365. It’s barely a planner—it’s more of a notebook with dates printed very faintly at the top. It’s thin, the paper is incredible (52gsm but somehow doesn’t bleed), and it doesn’t make me feel guilty if I skip three days. It’s the only one that has survived my lack of discipline for more than six months.

Worth every penny.

I still look at those leather-bound, $100 bespoke organizers sometimes. They look like they belong to a person who drinks green juice and never has 47 unread texts. But I know who I am now. I’m the person who needs a rugged, slightly beat-up notebook that can handle a coffee spill and a scribbled-out mistake. Does a new planner actually change your life, or does it just give you the illusion of control for the first three weeks of January? I honestly don’t know. I’m still searching for the answer, usually while clicking ‘add to cart’ on a new set of highliners I don’t need.

Just buy the Leuchtturm. Stop overthinking it.

Stop buying your husband boxes of junk he will never actually use
1
Apr

Buying a subscription box for your husband is usually just a way to pay $70 for a candle he won’t light and a pocket knife that can’t cut a bagel. I’ve been on both sides of this. I’ve been the guy opening a box of ‘artisan’ beard oil when I haven’t had a beard since 2014, and I’ve been the guy desperately scrolling through gift guides at 11 PM on a Tuesday. Most of it is garbage. It’s like paying a stranger to clean out your junk drawer and then mail the contents back to you in a fancy cardboard box.

The “curated lifestyle” is mostly a lie

I used to think Bespoke Post was the peak of masculinity. I really did. I have about six of their boxes sitting in my garage right now. But here is the thing: I refuse to recommend them anymore. I don’t care if every other blogger on the planet puts them at the top of their list. They’ve become a glorified dollar store for guys who want to look like they own a cabin but actually just work in middle management. What I mean is—actually, let me put it differently. It’s not that the products are always low quality, it’s that they’re solutions to problems nobody has. Do I need a copper-plated flask? No. Do I need a tiny cast-iron skillet that can only hold one egg? Absolutely not. I measured the blade thickness of a ‘premium’ folding knife I got from them last year: 2.1mm. It bent while I was trying to whittle a piece of soft cedar in the backyard. Total junk.

Most men don’t want a “lifestyle in a box.” They want stuff they can actually use until it breaks.

Coffee is the only thing that doesn’t feel like a chore

A black man and caucasian woman discussing a property for sale on a porch. Ideal for real estate content.

If you actually want to get him something he won’t throw away, just get a coffee subscription. It’s the only one that works because he’s going to buy coffee anyway. I’ve tested three of these over the last two years. I tracked the roast dates for four months straight with Trade Coffee and Mistobox. Trade is better. 92% of the bags I received were roasted within 72 hours of shipping. That actually matters. Most of the other “husband boxes” are just sending you overstock that’s been sitting in a warehouse in New Jersey since the Obama administration.

Just buy the beans.

My irrational hatred of meat boxes

I know people will disagree with me on this, and I might be wrong, but I think ButcherBox is a scam. Not a legal scam, but a psychological one. I’ve had it. The meat is fine. It’s… fine. But the amount of cardboard and dry ice that shows up at your door makes me feel like I’m personally responsible for the melting ice caps. It’s too much. Plus, I weighed a ‘premium’ ribeye from a shipment last March. It was 22 grams lighter than the label claimed. I’m still mad about those 22 grams. It’s the principle of the thing. If I’m paying a premium to have frozen steak mailed to me, I want every single gram I paid for. I’d rather just go to a local butcher and talk to a human being for five minutes. It’s cheaper and I don’t have to dispose of a giant styrofoam cooler every month.

The time I tried to be a detective in my living room

I have to admit something embarrassing. On November 12, 2021—I remember the date because it was raining and I was bored out of my mind—my wife bought me a box from Hunt A Killer. I thought it was going to be incredibly corny. I sat there at the kitchen table with a fake police report and a bunch of “evidence,” feeling like a complete idiot for the first twenty minutes. But then something happened. I actually got into it. It’s basically a gym membership for your personality. Anyway, we spent four hours that night trying to figure out who killed some fictional guy in a small town. It was the first time in months we hadn’t just stared at our phones while the TV played in the background. It’s not “useful” in the way a wrench is useful, but it actually provided an experience that didn’t feel manufactured by a marketing team in a skyscraper. We didn’t even finish the mystery that night. We had to wait for the next box. It was annoying but also kind of great. Worth every penny.

I guess what I’m saying is that most of these boxes are just clutter. If you’re going to get him one, get the one that either disappears (coffee/food) or the one that actually makes him do something. Don’t buy him another tactical pen. He has nowhere to put it.

Do we actually want the stuff, or do we just want the feeling of having a package to open on a Tuesday? I’m still not sure.

Why I finally stopped hate-buying beauty boxes (and the 3 actually worth it in Europe)
31
Mar

I have a drawer in my bathroom that I call the ‘Beige Graveyard.’ It is currently home to eleven—yes, I counted—nude lipsticks that are all slightly the wrong shade of peach. They are the physical manifestation of my inability to cancel a subscription when I’m bored at 11 PM on a Tuesday.

We need to talk about the state of beauty boxes in Europe right now because, frankly, most of them are just a way for brands to offload the inventory they couldn’t sell in 2022. I spent the last 14 months tracking exactly what I received, how much I spent (roughly €342 across four different services), and how much I actually used. Out of 70+ products, I regularly use six. Six. That is a success rate of about 8.5%. Not great.

The one that actually feels like a treat

If you’re in the EU or the UK, Lookfantastic is basically the default. It’s the one everyone starts with. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with them for years, but honestly? They are the most consistent. What I mean is—actually, let me put it differently: they are the only ones who don’t consistently send me sachets of shampoo that I can get for free at a pharmacy.

I tracked the ‘filler’ material in my February box. Between the shredded paper and the oversized box, there were 42 grams of literal trash just to hold a travel-sized mascara and a face wash. It’s annoying. But the products inside usually make sense. You get brands like Caudalie or Medik8, which actually do something for your skin. I once got a full-sized Elemis cleansing balm in a box that cost me €15. That felt like winning the lottery, or at least like I was finally outsmarting the system.

The value is usually there, but you have to be okay with the fact that you will eventually own more black eyeliners than any human could use in three lifetimes.

Lookfantastic is the safe bet. It’s not revolutionary, but it won’t make you feel like you’ve been scammed. Worth every cent.

The part where I get a bit mean

Rain-soaked road with a painted yellow STOP sign for traffic control.

I know people love the pink boxes, but I genuinely think Glossybox is a waste of money. I might be wrong about this—maybe I just have bad luck—but every time I’ve tried them, it feels cheap. The cardboard of the box itself feels like it’s trying too hard to be ‘luxury’ while the products inside are often brands I’ve never heard of and never want to hear of again. I’m talking about those weird ‘private label’ brands that exist only to fill subscription boxes.

I once tried to cancel my subscription while I was moving from Berlin to Lisbon. The website was a nightmare. I ended up paying for three extra months because I couldn’t find the ‘confirm cancellation’ button that was hidden behind a literal wall of ‘Wait, stay with us!’ pop-ups. It felt like trying to break up with a boyfriend who refuses to leave your apartment. I ended up having the boxes delivered to my ex’s house because I couldn’t change the address in time. He probably still has those unopened boxes of glittery eyeshadow. Good for him.

I actively tell my friends to avoid this one. Total trash.

I used to hate sample sizes (I was wrong)

I used to think that if a box didn’t have at least three full-sized products, it was a rip-off. I wanted the ‘big’ stuff. But then I realized that my bathroom cabinet was starting to look like a Hoarders episode. I had four different 50ml serums open at the same time, all of them expiring because I couldn’t finish them fast enough.

Anyway, I digress. The point is, I’ve started appreciating the ‘discovery’ aspect more than the ‘stockpile’ aspect. This is where something like Mintd comes in. It is expensive. We are talking €80+ per box. It’s a lot of money for a hobby. But the products are actually high-end—think Sunday Riley or Votary. Opening a Mintd box is like a blind date with a guy who actually has a retirement fund and knows how to cook. It’s sophisticated.

  • Lookfantastic: Best for beginners and brand variety.
  • Mintd: Best if you have too much money and want actual luxury.
  • Cult Beauty: They don’t do a monthly sub anymore (they do ‘edits’), but they are better than any recurring box.

The harsh truth about ‘Value’

Every box claims a ‘value of over €200.’ This is a lie. Well, it’s a mathematical truth but a functional lie. If a box contains a €150 ‘anti-aging gold-infused serum’ from a brand that literally only exists on that one subscription site, is it really worth €150? No. It’s worth the €2 it cost to manufacture in a factory in the middle of nowhere.

I’ve become very cynical about the ‘retail value’ labels. Now, I only judge a box by one metric: How many of these items would I actually put on my face if I found them in a store? Usually, the answer is one. Maybe two.

I’m still subscribed to one box (Lookfantastic, because I’m a creature of habit), but I’ve learned to stop expecting it to change my life. It’s just a little hit of dopamine in the mail. Sometimes the serum feels like spreading cold, expensive hope on my face, and that’s enough for a Tuesday afternoon.

Is it a sustainable way to live? Probably not. But will I cancel? Not yet. I still haven’t found the perfect nude lipstick.

Jeff Rosenstock live at Belgrave Music Hall review – songs to tear the roof off
8
Mar

Critically acclaimed punk rocker Jeff Rosenstock marked his return to the UK with an explosive, sweat-drenched performance in Leeds, packed with clever changes of pace, raucous singalongs and underlying anti-capitalist rage.

16 Undertone gig reviews deep, no act I’ve seen thus far has taken to a stage quite like Jeff Rosenstock did at Leeds’ Belgrave Music Hall. For most acts, their grand entrance onto the stage is hammed up as one of the most thrilling moments of the night. Be it dodie‘s gentle organ hum, Sam Fender‘s static fuzz or Jungle‘s interminable sirens, some sort of lavish musical fanfare usually marks the end of the hours-long wait for the artist on our tickets. Even less well-known artists like Larkins or The Beths dimmed the lights and donned facemasks to remain anonymous as they set up their own equipment onstage, attempting to save the big reveal for the giddy few seconds before the start of their first song. The Beths even had their own hoodies with words like “guitar tech” written on their backs in an attempt to fool the audience (stood right at the front and with prior knowledge of just how unusually tall guitarist Jonathan Pearce was, I wasn’t buying it).

It was a surprise, then, when Rosenstock and his band practically stumbled onto stage minutes after the phenomenal Fresh had wrapped up their supporting set. I once again found myself right at the front and within touching distance of the great man as he taped a scrawled set list to the monitor in front of me and wrestled with a mic stand that had become entangled in cables. When one of Rosenstock’s songs happened to come on as background music, him and his band even started briefly jamming along to the disbelieving delight of the crowd.

The lowkey start was indicative of punk music’s general lack of self-importance, and Rosenstock’s humility in particular. Before digging into furious thrash metal of opener NO TIME, Rosenstock announced that he was here just to play some songs. For a pop gig this might have sound like an admittance of creative laziness, but for Rosenstock’s endearingly homegrown brand of rock, “some songs” was all the performance we needed.

Rosenstock performing on his replacement guitar

It helped, of course, that Jeff Rosenstock happens to have one of the most lauded discographies in rock today. Since his solo debut in 2012, he’s released one outstanding project after another, peaking with 2016’s immaculately-paced WORRY., which gladly took up a significant chunk of the set list in Leeds. His latest effort, 2020’s bitter and cathartic NO DREAM, came to define the pandemic summer for me and close friend Ewan, who, just like me, was hardly able to contain his excitement as we waited near the front of the queue outside Belgrave Music Hall. I had donned my NO DREAM t-shirt whilst Ewan’s giant Rosenstock flag remained proudly hung up in his bedroom at home.

Despite the night being Rosenstock’s first UK performance in many years, he was in no mood for gentle reintroduction. Choppy Nikes (Alt) had fans pogoing early on, as we screamed about “staring down the barrel of our shitty future” and “looking for a dream that won’t morph into a nightmare”. Scram! – the finest single on NO DREAM – was just as thrilling, and there was something vaguely touching about a group of (mostly) millennial men coming together in a room to sing about how desperate they are to run away from all the myriad personal problems in their lives. Musically, the climax of Scram! is extraordinary, with a barrage of kick drum hits that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Slipknot track, before eventually giving way to a rollicking garage rock payoff.

Rosenstock held nothing back in his performance of every last song, convulsing and twitching towards the microphone during his most pointed lyrics, turning around and keeling over his guitar in the ecstatic pain typical of loud rock music during many vocal breaks. It was scarcely more than 15 minutes in by the time he started to get visibly sweaty, and another 15 minutes later I could feel the occasional speck of lukewarm sweat splatter onto me whenever Rosenstock got overly energetic in his dancing; such is the visceral experience of being at the very front of a Jeff Rosenstock gig. His poor guitar got so drenched that he had to swap to his ‘backup’ guitar halfway through, telling us a story about how he apparently sweats much more than the average person. We all believed him.

Fun and goofy-sounding up-tempo numbers like Hey Allison! and Monday at the Beach were even faster in the flesh, almost to a fault, although seeing Kevin Higuchi smack the snare drum at such a rapid tempo never got old. Festival Song was a clearer highlight of the night, with its bounty of singalong riffs and propulsive final chorus, elevated by the screech of Mike Huguenor’s guitar. Majestic You, In Weird Cities should really have closed the entire night, but it was still rapturously received much earlier in the set. Rosenstock’s saxophone antics of the song’s live version had Ewan and I excited, not least because keyboardist and guitarist Dan Potthast had been occasionally playing a tenor throughout the night. In the end we didn’t quite get the saxophone solo we had been hoping for, but an a capella singalong of the song’s awe-inspiring final hook nonetheless felt pretty special. f a m e, NO DREAM‘s grandest moment, was the only significant set list casualty of the night.

The hits continued with the restless N O D R E A M, which was a good excuse for Ewan’s first stagedive of the night to the ire of the Belgrave security guards and general approval of fellow revellers, although no one quite had the boldness to do any crowdsurfing of their own for the entire night. The absurd sight of my friend’s limbs coming in and out of view in the melee beside me enhanced the giddy excitement of Rosenstock’s noisiest tracks. After that first stagedive I wasn’t to see him for a good 30 minutes whilst I clung on to my spot at the very front, wary of crush injuries from the occasional mosh pit surge. I was close enough to Rosenstock for him to confer with me in bafflement when the inevitable “Yorkshire” chants arrived before the encore.

Rosenstock connected with the fans on the closing tracks

And what an encore. To the delight of Ewan and I, it was mostly devoted to the final five songs of WORRY., which are woven together beautifully into one remarkable ten-minute long rock opus. Every chorus set the mosh pit on fire, and in quieter moments Rosenstock was almost entirely drowned out by a crowd intent on screaming every last lyric. Exhausted, Rosenstock lay down on stage towards the end of the segment, dozens of hands pouring at his shoulders and willing him to push himself out above the heads of the audience.

It had been a show with little fanfare and little space for sentimentality, but at the very end Rosenstock gave us a morsel with the calming cooldown of We Begged 2 Explode. “All these magic moments are forgotten,” we all chanted as Rosenstock waved goodnight. If we had bothered to listen to the words we were screaming, we may have realised how fleeting emotional highs like these really are.

Herbie Hancock live at Jazz à Vienne review – world class musician meets world class venue
5
Mar

On a memorable warm summer’s night in Vienne, Herbie Hancock found himself a spectacular venue to deliver one remarkable rendition of his famous compositions after another. Jazz’s answer to Paul McCartney, the 82-year-old remains the unparalleled titan of his genre.

There was little to see onstage after Thomas de Pourquery wrapped up an impressive (if overly long) support slot, but the roar through Vienne’s magnificent Roman ampitheatre was as if a gladiator had just landed a fatal blow. An outlier in the multitude of paper airplanes had just been chucked stageward by the crowd from the upper reaches of the stands and was miraculously floating closer and closer to the stage, eventually plonking itself in front of a giant speaker stack before being scuttled away by a busy stagehand a few seconds later. It was a moment that ignited the match-ready buzz of anticipation in the crowd minutes before the great Herbie Hancock took to the stage, a man who can now quite reasonably claim to be the great living jazz musician on the planet. I had travelled to Vienne, near Lyon, with three friends and had already enjoyed one night of the festival (an improved, well-contained Cory Wong; a somewhat tired, cheese-laden George Benson). Tonight, however, was clearly the apex of the whole holiday – a reason for Fionn and I to crack out fresh, specially-bought shirts and douse ourselves in cologne for no particular reason other than “it’s for Herbie”. Now well informed about the dangers of sitting for two hours of more on unforgiving stone steps, I made my way uphill through Vienne carrying a pillow from our Airbnb, itself dressed in a fading Rex Orange County t-shirt to avoid stains. As we got comfortable in a spot high up in the ampitheatre – hardly a detraction as the view of the sunset over Vienne was remarkable – there was already a sense that nothing could ruin this night.

The sky had turned sapphire blue by the time Hancock strolled onto stage. “This place feels like home, I’ve been here so many times,” he told us as another paper airplane rudely made its way towards Hancock’s feet. It’s a phrase that may have sound like a boast from any other artist – the sheer number of people perched on the steep, curved stone steps around him was staggering – but from the mouth of Hancock it felt natural. Why should a man with such harmonic genius and jazz history (he was a crucial component of the Miles Davis Quintet, of course) ever feel overwhelmed by the occasion? A long opening medley – a bewildering tour of Hancock’s extensive discography including a journey through Textures performed with impressive attack and physicality considering Hancock’s old age – cemented the idea that Hancock has the ample experience required to play at the very highest standard in any venue he likes.

The nightly scene at Vienne’s Théâtre Antique during the festival

It helped that Hancock had populated his band with a cast of esteemed unsung heroes of the American jazz world. Guitarist Lionel Loueke was the easy standout performer, almost stealing the show on several occasions with dazzling solo works of wizardry, switching from gritty roar to silky smooth cantabile seemingly with the flick of a plectrum. His technically dazzling introduction to a somewhat disappointingly lightfooted Chameleon early on in the set was masterful. Trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, another extraordinary musician who could quite easily produce his very own sellout show of hits, took the spotlight for his own arrangement of the popular standard Footprints. Choppier than the original yet retaining the sense of nuanced constraint and control, the rendition was one of the many exquisite highlights of the night, not least thanks to Blanchard’s trumpet solo that soared up towards the highest ramparts of the Théâtre Antique like glorious morning birdsong.

It was hard to take in the occasion as, one by one, favourite tunes that me and my friends had played time and time again in youth jazz bands throughout our childhood were checked off. Cantaloupe Island, a song about as crowd pleasing as jazz gets, was one such moment with Hancock’s unforgettable chugging blues riff providing the first reason to those around me to get off their feet and get dancing. The rapid fusion of Actual Proof felt even more piercing when positioned directly after the relatively serene Footprints. The agitated basslines of James Genus found the perfect match in Justin Tyson’s dazzlingly busy and precise drumming, although the spontaneous harmonic whirlwind flowing out of Hancock’s Fender Rhodes inevitably, and deservedly, dominated proceedings. Oftentimes Hancock’s soloing felt like the stuff of legend, deserving to be plastered across YouTube as a viral video clip with a breathless, all-caps video title extolling Hancock’s general godliness. The extended, often wildly adventurous solos seemed to come and go distressingly quickly. It wasn’t that Hancock’s set was too short, but that his live, unrepeatable pianistic feats were simply too remarkable to hear once.

Dusk falls behind Herbie Hancock and his band

Hancock did well to resist the tempation to pack the setlist with somewhat overplayed greatest hits. Sublimely soulful deep cut Come Running to Me was an inspired song choice as dusk became nighttime and an excellent excuse for Hancock to take to the vocoder, an instrument he popularised singlehandedly during his period of technological boundary-pushing in the 1970s. A detour late on saw Hancock left entirely alone with his vocoder, repeating the crushing line “I’m not happy without you” through a cloud of dense, shape-shifting cluster chords. In a night of predictable, well-worn hits, it was a moment of striking sincerity and without doubt the evening’s emotive crux. Quite what emotion Hancock was unleashing was up to interpretation; an enlightening epiphany that could pave the way to happiness, or a grief-stricken realisation of love’s darkest consequences? The beauty of it all was the effortlessness in which Hancock moved from despair to hope and back again, each carefully chosen chord moving the piece forward in unexpected ways.

The absence of a proper, funky Chameleon aside, it had been a flawless evening. Thousands of raised hands clapped and cheered below us as the band took their bows, the time fast approaching midnight. The giddy feeling of being within eyeshot of such an indisputable living legend had not left me all night and 82-year-old Hancock was still triumphant and energetic as he made a final wave to the crowd following a blistering two hour set.

The roar continued right through to the encore, only stopping as Hancock arrived at the mic to speak. “Oh, one more thing,” he told us with a grin and faux nonchalence. Cue Chameleon once more, now with keytar and that stonking, immortal bassline. Hancock’s playing was stupendous: crunchy and risky synth slaps squashed up against virtuosic runs before fading almost to nothing in preparation for one last, showstopping buildup. With the pretty orange glow of the Rhône valley in view behind the stage and twinkling constellations now clearly in view, it felt like there was surely no better place in the world to be for those five minutes. If there was any doubt that Hancock could produce a set of music to live up to his staggering career in jazz, it had been well and truly put to bed. Who could possibly ask for more?

Samm Henshaw live at Gorilla review – pristine at the cost of personality
27
Feb

With a lack of the real horns and backing singers that his densely-layered pop-soul hits demanded, Samm Henshaw was always fighting a losing battle on an underwhelming opening night in Manchester.

Chowing down on a barely-warm double big mac in a central Manchester branch of McDonald’s minutes before completing my second journey to Gorilla in the space of three days, it’s telling that my main anticipation was about whether or not the bouncer would allow me to enter the venue with a half-filled bottle of water. I should have been buzzing with excitement, but the truth is the main reason I had found myself with a ticket to see on-the-rise Londoner Samm don’t-forget-the-extra-M Henshaw was that five of my friends happened to have one too. There was a faint hope, too, that the occasionally bland easy-listening soul that populates Henshaw’s recent debut album Untidy Soul would have new punch and purpose when played at loud volume in a room full of genuine fans. If it worked for Larkins it should work for Samm, right?

It’s perhaps telling that I showed up on a Monday night under the arches at Gorilla in a group of five after struggling to muster similar company for the mighty Sons of Kemet on the preceding Saturday. There is nothing like the challenging modern jazz compositions of the Sons in Henshaw’s music. Instead, there’s well earned mass appeal by way of polished funk grooves, playful lyrics and injections of soul and gospel sunshine. His concise, catchy tracks are often perfect for trendy Spotify playlists, where listeners glide from track to track without needing to engage with any broader message beyond love or vague optimism. That said, as I like to think with my favourite band Vulfpeck, sometimes lyrical depth isn’t necessary when the musical backing is rock solid. Henshaw is no Jack Stratton, but he sure knows how to write a catchy pop single.

The crowd in Gorilla seemed to match Spotify’s core demographic: young, diverse and happy and spontaneous enough to go out and party on a random Monday night in February. Our group had made it in – water bottle and all – with no hitches, although Fionn was disapproving of the ale selection and our disappointing position behind tall heads and far from the stage took some getting used to for poor Manon, both the most excited and shortest member of the group. “I hate to say it,” Fionn mentioned to me as the final preparations for Henshaw were being made on stage. “It’s not looking good for horns, is it?” He was right – one vocal mic wouldn’t cut it for the saxophones and trumpets we had our fingers crossed for. Backing vocalists, vital for Henshaw’s gospel edge, also seemed out of the question.

In the end, Henshaw’s eventual entrance (hopelessly obscured by the already-drunk man lumbering around in front of us) brought with it more disappointment than anticipation. Opener Thoughts and Prayers set the tone for the things to come. It was a pleasant if hookless start, but the tasteful trumpet lines of the studio recording just weren’t cutting through when played through the speakers. Follow-up Grow would have been a completely different ball game had some backing singers showed up to sing the hook, but instead the band let a recording we’d all heard before do the honours.

Henshaw’s band lacked flair

The obvious fact that Henshaw’s band were sticking tightly to a pre-orchestrated track for the entire night blunted the experience of live music. Each musician performed with the confidence of the seasoned pros they no doubt are, but their precision was at the cost of authenticity. The drums lacked some soul, with fills hammered out precisely on the beat, bridging the gaps in Henshaw’s melodies with unnatural perfection. The bassist and keyboardist – who had the advantage of a strong selection of riffs to bash out – were even more faceless, and a single guitar solo plonked towards the end of the set came and went without any of the fanfare it deserved. For the lightheartedness of the frontman to fully come across, an element of playful improvisation was essential. Instead, Henshaw found himself singing elaborate karaoke.

Even so, the set wasn’t without its highlights. Slick hip hop number Chicken Wings was the first song to deliver a great singalong chorus despite its total lyrical banality. Later on, the creamy R&B of East Detroit ended a long, dull patch of slower duds, providing an excellent chance for Henshaw to demonstrate his exceptional vocal ability. It was Church, however, that was the night’s surprise of the night, with a winning piano riff propelling the track to joyous highs. Henshaw’s energetic demand to “wake up and get yourself to church!” had the crowd bouncing in double time, no extra gospel singers required. A lack of hip hop duo EARTHGANG for a guest verse left a hole in the middle of the track, but a final bubbly chorus helped ease the pain of Henshaw’s reliance on a backing track.

Attempts to work in the multiple interludes that appear on Untidy Soul achieved mixed results. The voice memo intro to Loved By You was a well-coordinated change of pace, whilst Keyon was almost embarrassingly played over the speaker, the tasteful muted trumpet solo of the Keyon in question painfully absent. Broke – Henshaw’s biggest hit and his best song by some distance – was somewhat clumsily thrown into the set just a song or two later. As far as I was concerned, the effortlessly funky opening groove had been destined to be greeted by frenzied cheers from the crowd after Henshaw and his band had made a false exit. Instead, Henshaw prematurely gave his concert a highlight that he had no hope of topping. He did at least milk the moment with some good old-fashioned call and response.

Joy was the song of choice, then, for the finish. The heartfelt ballad about Henshaw’s search for happiness came dangerously close to being sickly sweet (“this one ‘gon leave you teary eyed” Henshaw promised over the first few bars, before encouraging us to hug our friends and sing the lyrics to one another) but most of us were happy to follow along with it. In fairness, the simple singalong finish proved a hit, and there was a brief feeling of heart-warming togetherness as we sang “don’t you worry what tomorrow will bring / ‘cause we got joy” over and over. It was the sort of contradictory platitude that album reviewers rightfully scoff at, but when played in earnest to a receptive audience it was easy to sense the kind heart and good intentions behind the rushed lyrics. For all the show’s flaws, I left with a smile.

I tried and failed to catch sleep on the hopelessly slow 2307 Trans-Pennine Express back across the moors as Fionn enjoyed what looked like some good shuteye slumped over the table in front of me. I couldn’t help but question whether buying the gig ticket in the first place was a wise move. Despite the night’s great company, a 7:30am alarm call was approaching like the grim reaper. I decided it’s time to give Gorilla a miss for a little while.

15 Bass Music Albums to Power Your Workout in 2026
5
Feb

Top 15 Bass-Heavy Workout Albums (Ranked by Intensity)

1. Hybrid Riot – “Neuro Bass Assault” (2026)

Genre: Neurofunk / Drum & Bass | Avg BPM: 174
Album cover alt: Hybrid Riot in full gear dropping neck-snapping neurofunk bass.

  • Insane, razor-sharp basslines that fuel every rep
  • Keeps your heart pounding with unrelenting breakbeats
  • Perfect for lifting heavy or crushing sprints🔥
    Standout Tracks: “Bassquake,” “Lift Off,” “Neurocharge”
    Stream: Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Bandcamp
    Intensity: 9.5/10

2. Rusko – “Riddim Revolt” (2026)

Genre: Dubstep / Riddim | Avg BPM: 140
Album cover alt: Rusko’s fiery riddim bass shaking the gym ceilings.

  • Face-melting bass drops to smash plateaus
  • Wicked wobble and aggressive bass growls that lift the vibe
  • Endless motivation for those tearout dubstep sessions
    Standout Tracks: “Grindstone,” “Bass Detonator,” “Riddim Rush”
    Stream: Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Bandcamp
    Intensity: 9/10

3. Noisia – “Split The Atom 2.0” (2022)

Genre: Neurofunk / Drum & Bass | Avg BPM: 172
Album cover alt: Noisia’s signature dark bass smashing through speakers.

  • Complex sound design to keep you locked in
  • High-octane bass hits for focused weightlifting madness
  • Keeps a steady, fast pace for cardio or strength workouts
    Standout Tracks: “Machine Gun Reloaded,” “Dead Limit,” “Collider”
    Stream: Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Bandcamp
    Intensity: 9.3/10

4. Flosstradamus – “BASSHEAD HYPE” (2026)

Genre: Bass House / Trap | Avg BPM: 130
Album cover alt: Flosstradamus throwing down bass house beats that hit like a wrecking ball.

  • Heavy bass drops to amp up your workout energy
  • Perfect blend of trap aggression and bass house grooves
  • Keeps you hyped for long sets or brutal lifting sessions
    Standout Tracks: “Bass Cannon,” “Wreckhouse,” “Trap Slam”
    Stream: Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Bandcamp
    Intensity: 8.7/10

5. Virtual Riot – “Bassline Madness” (2026)

Genre: Dubstep / Hybrid Trap | Avg BPM: 142
Album cover alt: Virtual Riot flexing heavy bass drops and glitchy synths.

  • Raw energy that makes you want to deadlift a truck
  • Hybrid trap influences offer big melodic breaks between brutal bass hits
  • Perfect for those mid-workout peak moments
    Standout Tracks: “Face Melter,” “Glitch Banger,” “Bassline Frenzy”
    Stream: Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Bandcamp
    Intensity: 8.9/10

Quick Intensity Ratings

  • 9.5 – Hybrid Riot – Neuro Bass Assault
  • 9.3 – Noisia – Split The Atom 2.0
  • 9.0 – Rusko – Riddim Revolt
  • 8.9 – Virtual Riot – Bassline Madness
  • 8.7 – Flosstradamus – BASSHEAD HYPE

Ready for a full-on bass assault in your next workout? These albums deliver the goods—massive drops, killer grooves, and relentless energy to power you through every set.

Bonus: 2026 Upcoming Bass Albums to Watch

Keeping your workout fresh means staying ahead with the newest bass-heavy releases. Here are some of the most anticipated 2026 bass albums that promise high energy and heavy drops to power your sessions:

  • Subtronics – Riddim Nation 3 (Bass, Dubstep, 150+ BPM)

    Expect aggressive bass drops and relentless riddim vibes, perfect for weightlifting and high-intensity cardio bursts.

  • Noisia – Outer Edges II (Neurofunk, Drum and Bass, 170 BPM)

    Following their groundbreaking sound, this neurofunk album is set to deliver sharp, dark basslines that push your limits.

  • Zeds Dead – Echoes (Bass House, Hybrid Trap, 140-150 BPM)

    A smooth blend of bass house and trap, ideal for warming up and maintaining momentum through mixed workout routines.

  • Excision – Apocalyptica (Heavy Dubstep, Bass, 140 BPM)

    Known for festival dubstep, this release promises earth-shaking bass drops to keep motivation high during intense lifting sessions.

  • REZZ – Hypnotic Frequencies (Mid-Tempo Bass, 110-130 BPM)

    For those preferring a groove-driven yet powerful bass workout vibe, this album offers hypnotic beats and deep basslines.

These albums are projected to redefine pre-workout music albums in 2026 with aggressive electronic music and heavy bass drops motivation that gym enthusiasts crave. Keep an eye out on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music as these releases drop—you won’t want to miss adding them to your bass house gym playlist or neurofunk lifting music rotation.

How to Build the Ultimate Bass Workout Playlist from These Albums

Creating the perfect bass-heavy workout playlist takes more than just picking your favorite tracks. To keep energy high and motivation steady, structure your playlist with a clear flow—warm-up, peak, and cool-down. Here’s how to get the most out of the bass music albums featured:

Recommended Track Order for a 60-Minute Session

  • Warm-Up (0-15 mins): Start with tracks at a moderate BPM (around 120-130). Think bass house or hybrid trap with steady but controlled beats. This primes your muscles without burning out early.
  • Peak (15-45 mins): Time to crank it up! Use high-energy drum and bass, neurofunk, or heavy dubstep with BPM pushing 150-170+. This is where aggressive electronic music with heavy bass drops and riddim vibes will keep your intensity at max.
  • Cool-Down (45-60 mins): End with slightly slower bass tracks around 110-120 BPM to help your heart rate gradually drop. Choose more melodic or spacey bass tunes without losing groove.

BPM Ramp-Up Guide

  • Start light, increasing BPM by about 5-10 every 5 minutes during warm-up
  • Push your limits mid-session with consistent 160+ BPM bass music for cardio and weightlifting
  • Lower the BPM gradually in the last 15 minutes to avoid abrupt energy drops or muscle soreness

This approach mirrors the natural energy curve of a workout and taps into the power of pre-workout music albums and heavy bass drops motivation. Use streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music to customize your order easily and explore specific workouts matching the tempo.

With this playlist structure, your workout won’t just have sound—it’ll have the pulse of powerful bass music driving every rep and run.

Frequently Asked Questions

What BPM is best for lifting vs cardio?

  • For lifting and strength training, slower to moderate tempos around 120-140 BPM work best. They keep you focused and motivated without burning out too quickly.
  • For cardio and running, faster BPMs of 150-180+ provide the high energy and rhythm to keep your pace up, especially for drum and bass or bass-heavy running playlists.

Where can I download these albums offline?

  • Use official platforms like Spotify Premium, Apple Music, and Bandcamp for offline downloads. These services let you save full albums and playlists directly to your device for gym sessions without data use.
  • Always choose legitimate sources to support the artists and get quality audio files.

Are there cleaner (radio edit) versions for public gyms?

  • Many bass-heavy workout albums offer radio edits or clean versions on streaming services. These remove explicit lyrics and heavy profanity, making them suitable for public or family-friendly gym settings.
  • Check the album details or look for “clean” versions specifically if you need a more gym-appropriate mix.

What are the best headphones/earbuds for heavy bass in 2026?

  • Look for headphones with excellent bass response and noise isolation. Some top picks include:
    • Sony WH-1000XM5 – well-balanced with powerful bass and industry-leading noise cancellation.
    • Beats Fit Pro – super bass-heavy, perfect for EDM and bass house workouts.
    • Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II – clear sound with strong bass and comfort for long sessions.
  • Wireless earbuds that stay secure during movement are a big plus for workouts.
  • Avoid overly bright or treble-heavy headphones to maintain that low-end punch in your workout tracks.