Well, well, well; would you look who's got the guts to show his face around these parts again. That's right, Picks of the Month is back in business, and we're making up for lost time.
We've taken a yearlong hiatus, but just like R2D2 powering down while searching for Master Skywalker, our cultural radars have continued to scan the streets and kept a tally of the latest and greatest releases, ready to fire back up when the time is right. And that time is now.
There have been some big hitters over the past couple of months, and it doesn't get any bigger than Action Bronson's New Balance 990v6 "Baklava" collab. Bronsolino draped the pair's premium suede and mesh upper in eye-catching hits of olive green, fluorescent yellow, and silver. They're rounded off with a bright-blue midsole, purple laces, and Baklava branding – almost as bold as Bronson himself.
Nike brought a smile across all our lab rats' faces with the release of the Zoom Vomero 5 Doernbecher – a striking sneaker designed by 11-year-old Jaren Heacock, a young patient from Doernbecher Children's Hospital. The pair nod to Jaren's Zodiac animal, the dragon. Flaming orange and yellow hits dress the runner's mesh, rubber, and velcro uppers with interchangeable patches for a customisable look. Serious heat.
What else has shaken up the footwear realm?
Pretty in pink: the PUMA x RHUIGI B-boy Suede sneakers served some classic court style.
HAL Studios returned to ASICS' GEL-1130 sneaker for their second collaboration, marking the occasion with a "WELLNESS OASIS" pop-up event curated by sabukaru.
Reebok treated us to the third rendition of the Zig Kinetica.
The AJ3 touched the hardwood in a fresh "White Cement Reimagined" colourway.
Oakley Factory Team joined up with Brain Dead for a rich "Jacquard Red" reimagining of their Chop Saw silhouette.
And the latest iteration of the Mizuno Wave Rider 10 took on a utility-inspired approach, thanks to a collaboration with London-based label Maharishi.
Moving away from footwear and onto some cultural must-haves, do we have any Warhammer 40,000 fans in the house? Because this is a big one.
The long-awaited return of the Lion El'Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels, is finally upon us. This release marks a significant moment in Warhammer 40,000 history, as the Lion returns to lead his Space Marine Legion after his mysterious disappearance following the Horus Heresy. It's a true miniature masterpiece, sculpted to perfection with intricate detailing on the armour, weapons, and wings. Oh boy, it's a beauty.
One for the hip-hop heads: The Legacy of J Dilla documentary. Streaming State-side on FX and Hulu (UK viewers, we're sure you'll find a workaround), this documentary explores the life and legacy of the legendary producer and rapper, painting an intimate portrait of his creative process and industry impact.
In the clothes space, UNDERCOVER dropped another selection of Star Wars-inspired garments just in time for the big day (and by that, we mean May the 4th). Our stand-out pieces have got to be the Yoda-printed shirt and shorts; an out-of-this-world co-ord, it is. And Stussy paid homage to Brooklyn-based hip-hop duo Gang Starr with their latest drop, decorating their short-sleeved tee with a picture of MC Guru and DJ Premier.
Car fans, if you happen to have a cool £2 million lying around, why not treat yourself to the record-breaking McMurtry Spéirling electric hypercar? Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 1.4 seconds and completing a quarter-mile in just 7.97 seconds, the lightning bolt of a vehicle comfortably knocked the previous record holder, the Rimac Nevera, off its perch by 0.5 and 0.6 seconds, respectively – serious speed.
There's a bit of a Star Wars theme within this POTM, so it's only fitting that our film pick is Return of the Jedi (40th Anniversary) Reissue. None of us at MORPRIME are old enough to have witnessed the third chapter in George Lucas' epic saga in the cinemas in '83, but you can rest assured we grabbed tickets quicker than Han Solo completed the Kessel Run. Seeing Boba, Vader, Yoda, and Chewie on the silver screen brings back so many childhood memories. So if you get the chance, please go and see it.
And while we're on the topic, you can imagine how elated our lab rats were when three new live-action Star Wars films were announced at this year's Star Wars Celebration Event. Oh, and let's not forget that Ahsoka trailer – August can’t come quick enough.
So whether you're a sneakerhead, a music lover, or a Star Wars fanatic, there's something for everyone in our Picks of the Month.
Transport yourself back to our REPORTS hub for even more servings of knowledge.