Can you read my mind?

Trying to keep it in line with menswear & music for a new week

Folks, it’s turning out to be a very Killers-centric week in my neck of the woods — to be more specific, I’m enjoying some time down in Florida with my parents, but eagerly awaiting the arrival of the highly anticipated album this Friday from early-aughts rock icons The Killers. “Imploding The Mirage” is arriving imminently to your favorite streaming service or your record player, so naturally, I’ve been diving into a full relisten of the Las Vegas hitmakers discography — “Read My Mind” included (more on that below, of course).

I’ve bee using my Master & Dynamic headphones as seen above — again, more on that to come. But there’s something to be said for taking a brief respite, plugging into a song that renews your spirit and soul (ever so slightly), and then moving on with your day. It’s not all fun and games down here in Florida — there are seven posts a week to write on my main blog, The Style Guide, plus my work for Maxim and GearMoose — so music that moves me is proving mighty helpful. Plus, the music of The Killers brings with it some powerful nostalgia for me — my home state of Michigan, early morning drives to school with “Mr. Brightside” on the radio, walks across campus at Michigan State University. It’s just as meaningfiul these days, too. I hope you feel the same way. OK, let’s get into today’s Style Guide In Brief dispatch.

What To Listen To This Week: “Read My Mind By The Killers

As promised, here we are. Is this song a groundbreaking new release? Certainly not. Heck, are The Killers divisive in their own right? Well, to some people … I guess. The point is this: If you’re a longtime fan of these Vegas rock icons, led by style icon Brandon Flowers, this week is worth getting excited about as they debut a new album. It comes during a time when we could all use some inspiring, uplifting music more than ever. But back to this classic — and a longtime live staple from The Killers). “Read My Mind” was part of the hotly debated and surprisingly maligned and/or underrated sophomore album “Sam’s Town” by The Killers, but it’s got just about everything you could ask for in a Killers song.

To wit: A singalong-ready chorus, far-off dreams of far-away places (“a world unseen, a city wall and a trampoline”), hope and desperation (“I never really gave up on breaking out of this two-star town”), echoes of Springsteen … plus it’s got that classic sort of Western vibe that sums up the album (and Mr. Flowers’ iconic style, to boot).

It’s long been one of my favorite Killers songs, it’s a joy to sing it live (if ever you’ve seen The Killers), and it just might cause you to revisit the band this week. What are you listening to that music on, though? Allow me.

What To Shop This Week: Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

If you follow me on Instagram or on my non-menswear Twitter account, you’re well aware that I’ve got quite the music obsession — and of course, that obsession has intensified without live shows to attend. I’ve been stocking up on vinyl, watching live archive shows on YouTube nearly nightly, and lately, I’ve discovered perhaps the best Bluetooth headphones I’ve ever tried. The sound and clarity on the Master & Dynamic MH40 Headphones is incredibly rich, nuanced and detailed — it’s like nothing you’ve ever tried. The small touches in your favorite songs ring even more true (listening to “Caution” by The Killers makes it feel like you’re in the studio with Mr. Brandon Flowers, IMHO).

The spces on these Master & Dynamic headphones are incredible, from the neodyium drivers (for that crystal-clear sound) to the aluminum body and the comfortable lambskin earpads, plus the premum leather exterior headband. Seriously, Master & Dynamic has crafted these headphones for what seems like years and years (and years) of use, and better yet, you can snag them right now for $199. A great deal on the best new headphones to buy at this instant? You best get on it.

Shop Master & Dynamic

What To Sip This Week: Your Favorite Beer from the Cool Material “Work From Home” Beer Glasses

OK, I’ll admit it. Being in Florida has definitely lent itself to a more laidback approach to my work — the phrase “work from home” takes on a new meaning. Heck, happy hour might start at 3 or 4 p.m. if the day’s going well. And yes, I’m spinning The Killers in my headphones all the while. That approach is pretty nicely summed up by these cool beer glasses from Cool Material — the good folks at that site both curate stellar blog content and stock up a shop chock-full of, quite simply, the best gear for men across several categories (think watches, ballcaps, notebooks and home goods, too). If ever you tire of your favorite beer glass or of sipping beer from a can (there’s no way to go wrong!), then these beer glasses could be a fun addition to your rotation. You’ll have to supply your own beer, but that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?

The Final Pick: Everlane Dark Blue Denim Jacket

Call it a little bit of style inspiration from Brandon Flowers, or call it simply a cool denim jacket — but the Everlane Dark Blue Denim Jacket ($98 at Everlane) has me dreaming of ever-so-slightly cooler temperatures this fall back in Brooklyn; is it the same in your neck of the woods? A denim jacket is an easy, grab-and-go layer that looks great in many a situation. In fact, I’m certain Mr. Flowers himself would approve of this slim-fit denim jacket in a pleasingly faded blue wash, made with 100 percent cotton and made in a factory that uses sustainable production processes. What to wear with this denim jacket? That’s easy. Get like Mr. Flowers and wear a cool graphic T-shirt, slim black denim and of course, your favorite leather boots. Easy as that.

That’s closing the books on today’s Tuesday edition of The Style Guide In Brief. Consider returning back to songs that move you the next time you get stressed or frustarted — simple as it might seem, I’ll be doing plenty of that this week. Of course, I’ll also be dreaming of a new album by The Killers, planning how to style my trusty denim jacket once I’m back in Brooklyn, and searching for some new, fresh craft beer. Make it a great week, make it count, and throw caution to the wind.