< PreviousTech titan-ium Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra blends toughness with A.I. smarts By Thomas Shambler PHO T OGRAPHY B Y EFRAIM EVIDOR. S T YLING B Y J ANHVI KHOLI S amsung’s new Galaxy S24 Ultra could be mistaken for a benign Terminator, sent back not to alter the course of human history but to streamline it. It smashes together the incredible tensile strength of titanium, along with a cutting-edge A.I. brain for a device that’s practically sentient (but also incredibly strong). That shell protects a 6.8-inch screen, with basically zero bezels. At its core lies a powerhouse of mobile tech: the latest Qualcomm processor along with separate A.I.-specialized cores. Camera enhancements make snaps that little bit clearer and crisper, thanks to a whopping 200-megapixel lens and the ability to zoom in 100x on your subject. And S Pen devotees will find the trusty stylus nestled inside the device near the rear. However, it’s the software—infused with A.I.—that transforms the S24 Ultra from just a top–notch smartphone into said friendly terminator. From photography to video editing, content creation and notes—A.I. is baked into the phone, making every interaction smoother and task simpler. There are clever quality of life features across the board, such as the ability to automagically search for anything— yes, anything—just by circling it. Elsewhere, there’s auto transcription for any meetings you may be having, as well as live translation— which even works when you’re on the phone to someone speaking a different language (let’s say, Icelandic). The Galaxy S24 is a new breed of device, one that matches premium materials with almost unparalleled utility. Even calling it a smartphone sounds quaint. Welcome then, to the world of the pocketable terminator (let’s hope it stays friendly). SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 10 TECH Galaxy S24 Ultra, SAMSUNG SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 11 TECHSPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 12 MU SI C F rom performing at the FIFA World Cup to sharing the stage with industry heavyweights, Rawad Edrian Elie Abi Nakad (DJ Edrien) is already a household name in Doha. Now, thanks t o the release of new track “Take Me There” and a new brand identity, he has visions to expand his music globally. What inspired you to get into music? When I was nine years old, my parents enrolled me in music school where I studied classical music. Unfortunately, I quit a couple of years later because all I wanted to do at the time was play football. I didn’t, however, stop listening to music. From metal and rock to trance and Hip Hop, my tastes have always been eclectic. My uncle also had a big influence on me growing up. He had a passion for singing. I remember one evening we heard the song “Do You Know” by Enrique Iglesias, and I obsessively listened to it on repeat for weeks. It was truly unbelievable for me when I was given the opportunity to open for, and share the stage with, Enrique a few years ago in Doha. You refuse to let your musical aesthetic be restricted by genre. Why is that? It’s where the identity of ‘The Nakameleon’ comes from. Much like a chameleon that alters its colours to blend with its surroundings, I thrive as a multi-genre artist with the ability to harmonize with any ambiance, adapting seamlessly to the vibe of any room. It’s under the moniker of The Nakameleon that I released my debut track “Take Me There”—a melodic house composition—in March. How long has that track been in the making? Some tracks take months to complete, while others come together in just a couple of weeks, or even as swiftly as a couple of days. There is no definitive timeline for how long a project takes. What makes creating music a tremendous experience is the freedom it offers, there is no right and no wrong, there is only what sounds good. The essence of DJing isn’t just in the mastery of technique but in the art of reading the crowd—a skill that only comes with experience. In December last year, I travelled to Lebanon and ended up producing eight tracks in two weeks with “Take Me There” being the first project. After receiving valuable input from my friend (and talented musician) Charbel Mazraani, the track was finalized over a few days, and upon my return to Doha in January I put the finishing touches on it before the track was sent to the genius engineer Mazen Murad at Katara Studio for mastering. What was the inspiration and creative aesthetic behind it? I drew inspiration from the success of others. I really enjoy watching documentaries and reading books about musical icons, which not only feeds my curiosity but also strengthens my resolve, reinforcing the belief that if they made it, so can I. Each failure, each rejection, is not a setback but a step forward. I’ll always cherish the moment I met DJ Snake. His advice was pivotal: “If you believe in your vision, do not listen to anybody, just go for it. Keep grinding without giving up”. How important was it to you to host the official listening party in Doha earlier this year? Many of the landmark events in my career have taken place in Qatar—from unforgettable shows, to meetings with music icons, athletes and celebrities. I had the privilege to be selected as the opening act for the FIFA Fan Festival sharing the stage with Maluma and Myriam Fares, playing to a crowd of over 40,000 people! Additionally, Mr. Nasser Al Khater, (CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022) chose me to perform at a stadium, fulfilling a dream I had since moving to Doha in 2019. Qatar has been instrumental in shaping the person (and the artist) I am today, so it made sense to host the official launch here on the rooftop of Acoustic at Raffles Doha. It was a night I will never forget. What are your hopes for the release and how would you like to see the music shared? I would love “Take Me There” to become the soundtrack for people’s travel memories, encouraging them to use it as background music for Instagram reels, TikToks and other social media content whenever they’re capturing and sharing their journeys. It might take some time to achieve global success, because nothing happens overnight, but I’ll keep going until I get there. Fresh beats As DJ Edrian debuts his new identity— The Nakameleon—he discusses music and momentum By Bianca Brigitte Bonomi IMA GE : SUPPLIEDXXXXXX Inside time Four must-reads right now By Adrienne Westenfeld WANDERING STARS By Tommy Orange In the sequel to his breakout novel, There, There, Orange tells two linked stories: One centres on a survivor of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre while the other traces his descendants. The result is an epic saga of generational trauma that’s impossible to put down. THE HUNTER By Tana French In rural Ireland, a retired police officer lives in peace. When a “get rich quick” schemer is murdered, French drags us down into the community’s secrets, making for another electric outing from a master of thrillers. UNTIL AUGUST By Gabriel Garcia Marquez A lost novel from a literary icon is always cause for celebration. In this one, a married woman indulges her annual tradition: Each year, she takes a lover at a hotel bar. Until August brings Garcia’s Marquez’s talents roaring back into our minds. CHARLIE HUSTLE By Keith O’Brien Pete Rose remains one of baseball’s most infamous figures— both legend and pariah. Featuring extensive interviews with Rose himself, O’Brien’s definitive biography chronicles Rose’s extraordinary rise and his fall from grace. BOO KS SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 13 XXXXXX H e a r t s t r i n g s of a li o n SP OR T I DON ’ T PLA Y F OOTB ALL ANYMORE… SO WHY AM I SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 14 SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 15 H ow can something be wrong when it feels so right? Look, I totally appreciate how ridiculous it is to lust after a pair of football boots when you no longer play. Yet still, last month’s launch of the retro-inspired Adidas Predator has ignited something inside of me. Let’s be honest, there’s every chance that this is a mid-life crisis kicking in. But if it is, it’s one that is being keenly felt by almost all of my football-loving friends, too. Sidestepping the thornier issues for a moment, there’s just so much to love about this boot—seemingly a mix between the 1998 and 2002 iterations. The classic colourway, the widened three stripes, the foldover tongue, it’s just beautiful. At one stage I somehow found myself on the Adidas website—presumably in a state of higher consciousness—hovering dangerously over the ‘add to cart’ button. Then I think I may have blacked out, as there’s no other plausible reason I wouldn’t have made a purchase at that stage (bouts of common sense notwithstanding). The story of the Predator boot is pretty well known in football circles. Liverpool striker Craig Johnston, having retired early to provide his sister with round-the-clock medical care in 1988, came up with the concept for a football boot featuring rubber patches that would aid ball control, swerve and power. It was passed around all the major manufacturers, none of whom fancied it, until Johnston persuaded German legends Franz Beckanbauer The Predator represented more than just playing, of course. It was acceptance, it was envy, it was respect, it was cool-points. In all honesty, the stuff from the original advert: “More Control, More Swerve, More Power” I’m not sure I ever felt any of that when I wore my editions (1996, ’98, 2000, ’02, and a random comeback in 2014, if you’re wondering), but they certainly made me feel more confident. This wasn’t the first time a pair of football boots had done this. I once had some Umbro Speciali that felt like wearing slippers. As a result I would amble around the pitch feeling like I had unrivalled ball control, vision, and a passing range that would have impressed a peak Zinedine Zidane. If I could have found a way to wear them in my day-to-day life I’m fairly certain I would have been at least 25 percent more successful. If this is indeed a midlife crisis then I think I’m getting off fairly lightly. A few years ago, the vitamin and supplement supplier Healthspan found the average cost of a crisis purchase to be around the AED13,500 mark, so AED1,000 for some footy boots is a drop in the ocean when it comes to a feel-good hit. I also have some mitigating circumstance options. See which you prefer. OK, firstly, what if I classify them as art? People buy art, they hang it on a wall and periodically look at it. I could build a display case and do likewise. Occasionally I could even wear them around the house—wearable and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to wear them having a kick-about in the snow. After seeing a video of the wintery workout, Adidas promptly snapped up the rights and here we are—40 years (and 20 iterations) of the Predator later. My own introduction to the boot was less legend-based and more centred around a bloke called Gary. Thanks to the OG 1994 Predator’s prominent rubber fins, Gary suddenly thought that he could bend the ball around corners, and thwack in shots from 25 yards or more. He couldn’t, of course, Gary was rubbish. But that still didn’t stop me from lusting after a pair of those magical boots. I remember once reading about a woman who was apparently in love with 25 chandeliers. That always felt a bit much…and strangely specific. But I suppose the heart wants what the heart wants, and from around 1994 onwards, mine yearned for a pair of Adidas Predator football boots, and all the versions that followed—at least until around 2006. Who am I kidding? I wanted them all. “A retro-inspired football boot is likely to trigger deeply-held feelings of nostalgia, and furthermore activate associations between positive, early-life memories of kicking a ball around and the carefree and untethered nature of childhood,” explains psychologist and author of Tiny Traumas, Dr Meg Arroll. “There’s a reason why retro products and remakes of films are so popular. This is a safe form of escapism, unless of course the desire and preoccupation with a product causes financial and relational difficulties.” art’s a thing, right? If not art, then how do you feel about fitness? Perhaps this purchase will tempt me out of retirement for one last hurrah, resulting in a much- needed physical boost—at least until my knee blows up again. Full disclosure: I bought an iconic Adidas Tango football a while ago for much the same reasons. It is yet to see grass. According to Arroll, however, there could be more health benefits to this type of purchase than meets the eye. “Research shows that when nostalgic feelings are triggered, social bonds strengthen, positive self-regard increases, and there’s a boost in happiness,” she tells Esquire Middle East. “Nostalgia can also protect us from future bouts of depression because we often find comfort in nostalgia, especially during challenging situations. These memories remind us of times when we felt safe and secure, which we know is a basic human need. So, I wouldn’t put your desire for the football boot down to a mid-life crisis as this explanation diminishes the positive aspects of nostalgia. Also, the concept of a mid-life crisis is based on rather out-dated research.” So there you have it. An undeniable, scientific link between a 47-year-old, non-football-playing person buying the new Adidas Predator football boots and positive mental health. I’ll be honest, it feels almost wrong not to buy them now. I’m going to go away and have a think about this, just to mull over the key points. In the meantime, somebody let me know when the 8.5s are back in stock, yeah? PHO T OGRAPHY B Y EFRAIM EVIDOR OB SE SSING O VER THE NE W ADID A S PRED A T OR BOOTS ? By Andrew Nagy SP OR TSPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 16 Insta gratification A cute and clever instant camera from a serious name in photography By Johnny Davis Y ou know Leica. German maker of lust- worthy high-end cameras. Shorthand signifier for Serious Photographer at Work. The brand beloved of such storied names as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa and Walker Evans. Professional photo-graphers, photojournalists and art photographers all— artists who knew their way around a darkroom, not the sorts you’d imagine would have much truck with snapping a quick selfie for the ’gram. Now, Leica’s new Sofort 2 aims to bridge the gap between museum-standard photography and on-the-spot gratification—its latest model is essentially a printer with a lens that also takes digital images. The hybrid camera uses a CMOS sensor to record digital pictures but also comes with a physical lever attached to its compact body, one that lets you turn your images into dinky little Instax Mini prints. (Like a Polaroid camera but in a sleeker, sexier package.) But that’s not all. Bluetooth means the Sofort 2 can interact with a smartphone app, allowing you to print any pic you have on your phone—irrespective of its source. A three-inch LCD screen provides visual confirmation of what you’re printing, with some stylish graphics showing the image transferring from phone screen to camera. Each print takes about 16 seconds to arrive. It’s not just the most fun Leica on the market —it’s also the most cost-effective, a total bargain at around QAT1,800. leica-camera.com Prints and the revolution: the versatile Leica Sofort 2 is a sleek camera and handy pocket printer ver attach urn TECHAMONG THE MANY FINE things that Montblanc produces (luggage, watches, headphones, fragrances etc.) it remains most famous for its pens, and one pen in particular—the Meisterstück. Meaning “masterpiece” in German, it has become the ultimate stationery status symbol. Born in 1924, the Meisterstück remains assembled in Hamburg to this day, where its hand-ground, 18-carat gold nibs feature rhodium inlays and its lids are decorated with the snow-flake logo that denotes the brand’s namesake peak. In the age of digital communication, demand for fountain pens is rising, adding further stock to the pen that built the Montblanc mountain. MEIS TERS TÜCK GOLD- CO ATED 149 F OUNTAIN PEN , MONTBLANC, QAR 3,815 PHO T OGRAPHY B Y VLADIMIR MAR TI The write time Montblanc celebrates 100 years of its masterpiece— Meisterstück fountain pen 17 SPRING 2024 esquir eme.com DE SIG NSPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 18 A rriving at Silver Island, a privately owned island in the Aegean sea offering guests an exclusive Greek yoga retreat experience, is an adventure. Most guests fly to Athens International Airport, before embarking on a four-hour drive to the small port of Oreoi, ahead of being whisked off by water taxi to the island located just a few miles from the mainland. It’s a lengthy but pleasant journey and the first glimpse of the island makes it more than worthwhile. The term ‘hidden gem’ is much overused in travel writing, but Silver Island is befitting of the epithet. Situated to the north east of Athens, the island, home to the Christie family for over 60 years and managed by sisters Claire and Lissa, features 60 acres of undulating hills punctuated by ancient olive groves, wildflowers and cypress Greece’s hidden gem For those looking for a holiday that delivers more than just sea and sand, Silver Island is hard to beat By Bianca Brigitte Bonomi trees, enveloped by the breathtaking Aegean Sea. It offers the kind of natural beauty that in popular imagination is synonymous with Greece, but with the added benefit of being totally secluded, private, and unspoiled. The relationship between place and people is grounded in mindfulness. The Christie family is dedicated to conserving the island’s natural beauty and rhythms and instils that same sense of respect in their guests. Water conservation, carefully selected eco-friendly products, and seasonal produce are key and offer insight into how each of us can support the environment upon returning home. The island, and the mindset it fosters, makes for an ideal yoga destination; something the sisters began to explore back in 2013. Their vision was one grounded in simplicity but, IMA GE S COUR TE S Y OF SIL VER ISLAND Y OGA AND L OUIS A NIK OLAIDOUSPRING 2024 esquir eme.com 19 TRA VEL paradoxically, challenging to achieve—hoping to create ‘a self-sustainable, off-grid, untouched and grounded in nature retreat, in tune to the essence of the island.’ Fast-forward over a decade, and they have successfully established and built on that concept and welcome new and returning guests for weekly retreats from April to October annually. Each retreat is helmed by a leader in the field bringing their own unique style and manner of teaching. All abilities are catered to. Esquire spends the week with leading international practitioner Fela Adebiyi, whose sessions incorporate Therapeutic Alignment Vinyasa (TAV) yoga, pranayama (breathwork) and mindfulness practices with active sessions often followed by more meditative practice, set against a magical seascape, further facilitating the opening of mind and body and the connection between the physical and mental self. Retreat spaces are limited so that each guest can benefit most fully from the yoga experience and, given the scale and vastness of the island, it’s more than possible to spend hours swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, walking, reading, napping in a hammock, or meditating without encountering another visitor. Accommodation options bring the outdoors in with white walls, minimalist decor, large open windows boasting sea views and, in some cases, private terraces, and draw their names from nature—Rhea, Hemera, Panacea, and Gaia. Private hire is also available for guests who wish to exclusively enjoy the week with friends. Lunches and dinners are prepared by the Christie family and celebrate vegetarian and vegan food. Dishes are inventive, colourful, beautifully presented, and bursting with nutritious, fresh ingredients. Combined with the yoga practice and the immersion in nature and outdoor pursuits, this diet reaps significant rewards over the week so that guests leave with more energy and more mental clarity—ready to embrace their newfound reinvigorated selves back at home. silverislandyoga.com Water conservation, carefully selected eco-friendly products, and seasonal produce are key“Next >