Welcome to HNGN's weekly top picks, where we curate the best and brightest releases in music, fashion, beauty, tech and pop culture. Come back every other week for more of-the-moment goodness. –Editing by Michael Lello

MUSIC
By Michael Lello

Dwight Yoakam: Second Hand Heart (Warner Bros.)
The 21-time Grammy-nominated country singer, songwriter and actor returns with "Second Hand Heart," his 13th studio album, and a lot of associated activities, like a record release show on Monday, April 13 at Los Angeles' Whisky A Go Go, which will be streamed live on Yahoo! Screen starting at 7:30 p.m. He'll also host the Austin City Limits Hall Of Fame show on June 18.

Have a listen to the title track to Yoakam's new album below.

Brian Wilson: No Pier Pressure (Capitol)
The Beach Boys seemed to consider The Beatles their rival, but legendary founding member and compositional genius Brian Wilson takes a page out of their book and "gets by with a little help from his friends" on his latest studio album, "No Pier Pressure." Following up on the brilliant "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" (2010) and the promising but less enthralling "In The Key Of Disney" (2011), this time Wilson enlisted A-listers like Kacey Musgraves; Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, who perform together as She & Him; Nate Reuss of fun.; and some of his fellow Beach Boys.

Check out the trailer to Wilson's 11th solo album below.

Halestorm: Into The Wild Life (Atlantic)
Lzzy Hale and Halestorm have built a sizable following for their brand of aggressive hard rock, but don't be surprised if some pop-country fans flock to this one, too. Halestrom recently did a tour opening for Eric Church, and the big hook-y choruses in some of the material on "Into The Wild Life" wouldn't sound out of place on country radio.

Hear for yourself below in the official video for "Amen," which blends country, gospel and rock flavors.

The Mountain Goats: Beat The Champ (Merge Records)

The prolific and wordy folk act were able to write concept albums based on everything from a Florida couple (2002's "Tallahassee") to biblical passages (2009's "The Life Of The World To Come"), so why not use professional wrestling as a muse for ew album "Beat The Champ"? Lead Goat John Darnielle says in a press release: "Wrestling was low-budget working class entertainment back then, strictly UHF material. It was cheap theater. You had to bring your imagination to the proceedings and you got paid back double. I wrote these songs to re-immerse myself in the blood and fire of the visions that spoke to me as a child, and to see what more there might be in them now that I'm grown."

FASHION & BEAUTY
By Oulimata Ba

Colorful pumps
What I love about spring is that as the weather turns warmer and the trees come alive, women's shoes also come alive – colorful pumps decorating the sidewalk like wearable candy. This year I told myself I would add new editions to my collection, which has been sorely neglected of late. For starters, Chinese Laundry has an adorable collection of yellow, snakeskin and sparkly pumps designed by Kristin Cavallari. Nine West has more affordable mid pumps with bold colors and flowers for a sensible, professional vibe.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrated Gel Cream

Taking their cue from the wave of beauty balms, color correctors and tinted moisturizers that have hit the market over the past few years, Bare Minerals now offers a radical cream that encompasses all three.

Their complexion rescue gel cream is formulated with mineral-infused water that hydrates skin while providing just enough of a tinted shade for a supple finish – think of it as a daily moisturizer mixed with your favorite foundation.

Bare Minerals' new cream, SPF 30 protected and oil free, is available now in 10 shades for $29.

Tyme Iron
Many hair care product companies have attempted creating flat irons that also curl but none have have been anything to rave about – so says the three flat irons resting in my dresser drawer. But now Tyme Iron is here and it looks like a winner.

What sets the $190 Tyme Iron apart is the way it's designed: it opens sideways instead of up and down like traditional irons. Insert a locke of hair between the "guidelines" (gray lines that run along the iron's edge), flip it over and run your hair through it to create bouncy curls within minutes.

Inventor Jacynda Smith says heating and cooling the hair creates the curls, meaning you don't have to apply heavy pressure.

FabFitFun Seasonal Box
I've been sitting on the fence about "beauty kit" services – where you pay a monthly fee in exchange for a box of beauty products to try every month – mainly because I don't want to pay for sample-sized products I might not even use. But I'm willing to give FabFitFun a try because it sends a hefty box full of beauty, home and wellness treats that are full-sized.

The boxes run according to the seasons, so FabFitFun's spring box is ready to order. Last spring's box included a deep exfoliating mitt from Dermasuri, Kai perfume oil, spinach and kale chips with sea salt and shower bombs from Level - all worth about $200. But FFF gives you everything for a seasonal fee of $49.99.

TECH

By John Nassivera

Flir FX Security Camera

Imaging company Flir Systems has created a security camera for your house that only works when it detects movement so that you don't have to review seemingly endless video. Features include a high-quality lens, a 4K image sensor, a portable 4-megapixel camera and "Rapid Recap," which will play back a complete day of footage in a short video clip. The device will be able to cover an entire room and sports greater night vision thanks to infrared illuminators. The Flir FX will sell for $199.99 starting April 15.

Mio Alpha 2 Heart Rate Monitor Sports Watch
The Mio Alpha 2 heart rate monitor comes with a strap so that runners and cyclists can keep the device on them while on the go. Users can customize heart rate zones, and the device will keep track of distance, speed and calories burned. The gadget sends this information to a user's smartphone, which can also send the data back thanks to Bluetooth Smart (4.0). Endurance athletes can get the black or yellow version of the Mio Alpha 2 at online retailers for $199.99.

Canary Smart Home Security Device
The Canary smart home security device is available now for anyone looking for a new way to keep an eye on their home. Features that allow for real-time video include a 1080p HD camera, 147-degree wide-angle lens, high-quality audio and automatic night vision. The gadget operates when it senses movement and can send iOS and Android smartphones instant video alerts. Users interested in how their health is being affected by home environment can also use it to keep track of the room's temperature, humidity and air quality. The Canary is available now at Amazon in black, silver and white for $249.

MOVIES
By Jordan Webb

Ex Machina (Universal Pictures)

Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a computer programmer, is invited to a private retreat to visit the reclusive CEO of a technology company. Once there, Caleb is asked to conduct an evaluation of the company's latest breakthrough: the world's first artificial intelligence, implanted inside the body of an alluring female android. Things take a turn, though, when Caleb forms an emotional attachment to the android and begins to fear for her safety.

The Longest Ride (Twentieth Century Fox)
Scott Eastwood and Britt Robertson star in the latest adaption of a novel by Nicholas Sparks. The film tells the story of two romances, one set in the present and the other set in the past. The two stories become intertwined when a young couple going through difficulties meets an elderly man and learns about his decades-long relationship with his wife.

TAKE A HIKE
By Amanda Bernocco

Elios Helmet (Petzl) ($64.95)

We love this helmet for hiking because it's so lightweight while still offering a lot of impact protection for safety. The helmet is equipped with adjustable ventilation slots, making it a great go-to helmet for mountaineering, caving and canyoning, too.

Get it here.

Classic 70 oz. Hydration Pack (CamelBak) ($58)

This backpack is great to use when you want to travel light on the most difficult trails. The durable hydration pack also has a bungee cord to secure it around your front, an air-light fill port to cut weight, and additional space to carry your wallet, keys and even a multi-tool.

Get it here.

Range 2.0 Hiking Poles (Kelty ) ($59.95)
These anti-shock hiking poles are great for mountain hiking becuase they keep unneeded pressure off your knees. The poles weigh only 20 oz. and have an extended foam grip that helps you adjust to changing terrain. They also featre padded wrist straps for comfort and twist-lock mechanisms to quickly adjust length.

Get it here.

Trail Light Dayhiker First Aid Kit  (Lifeline) ($7.99)

First aid kits are "must-carries" for safety, no matter how short a distance you're planning to cover. HNGN editors love this lightweight 57-piece kit that carries enough medical equipement for use on three-person day trip. Among other things, the kit includes tweezers, wound management supplies, vinyl gloves, safety pins and over-the-counter medications.

Get it here.

Terrex Fast R Mid GTX Hiking Boots (Adidas) ($159.96)
These men's boots give you all the stability and support you need for a safe hike. The waterproof boots are equipped with "ForMotion" technology, a Traxion outsole and speed lacing – which is great for fast-paced hikes.

Get them here.

DVD/BLU-RAY/STREAMING
By Emily Morgan

My photos are Amazon except for Stars Wars (CR: Facebook/Star Wars) & Daredevil (CR: Netflix).

DVD/Blu-ray Releases

Wild (20th Century Fox)\

Reese Witherspoon turns in one of her strongest performances as Cheryl Strayed, a woman who trekked the Pacific Coast Trail alone in effort to find peace in her life.

Based on a true story, Cheryl hiked 1,100 miles solo, with no experience, just pure determination after her marriage fails apart and her mother dies. The movie chronicles her journey and flashes back to her struggles with heroin, her strained marital relationship and her mother.

Witherspoon received her second Oscar nomination for the performance. Laura Dern, who played Cheryl's mother, also received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role.

Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include audio commentary, deleted scenes, a profile of Cheryl Strayed, a look at Cheryl's backpack and a few featurettes on the Pacific Coast Trail.

A Most Violent Year (Lionsgate)
In 1981, New York City saw its crime statistics skyrocket to historic heights. Set against that dangerous landscape, the film chronicles an immigrant's struggles to protect his business and his family.

Oscar Isaac stars as a determined oil company owner, reluctant to fight back against hijackers attacking the drivers that deliver his product. Jessica Chastain plays his wife, who tries to convince him to take a greater stand against the corruption. David Oyelowo also stars as an assistant district attorney looking into Isaac's business practices.

Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include audio commentary with director J.C. Chandor, deleted scenes, cast interviews and a two-part featurette on the plot and historical context of the film.

Veep: Season 3 (HBO Studios)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns for a third term as vice president, but the show may need to change its title soon as her rise to the presidency is imminent.

Vice President Selina Meyer (Louis-Dreyfus) announces her candidacy for president, and her bumbling staff fights to secure top positions in her campaign. The third season also includes a special crossover with creator Armando Iannucci's former BBC series, "The Thick of It," which satirized the inner workings of the modern British government.

Special features on the Blu-ray/DVD include audio commentaries for four episodes, deleted scenes and set visit by the Maryland governor.

Other Movies and TV Shows Available on Blu-Ray and DVD include:

Interstellar (Paramount); The Imitation Game (Anchor Bay); Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (Warner Home Video); Outcast (Phase 4 Films); The Rewrite (Image Entertainment); Wild Card (Lionsgate); Yves Saint Laurent; Happy Valley (Music Box Films); [REC] 4: Apocalypse (SPE); Bad Ass 3 (20th Century Fox); Home Sweet Hell (Sony Pictures); Preservation (Team Marketing); The Immigrant (Anchor Bay); The Voices (Lionsgate); Louie: Season 4 (20th Century Fox); Silicon Valley: Season 1 (HBO Studios); Drop Dead Diva: Season 6 (SPE); Manhattan: Season 1 (Lionsgate); Wilfred: Season 4 (20th Century Fox)

Movies and TV Streaming Online

Daredevil (Season 1)

Marvel launches its first of four planned Netflix series. Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock, a lawyer by day who fights crime at night and is known as Daredevil.

The crime fighter goes up against the businessman Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. Each has a vision for Hell's Kitchen in New York City that will directly conflict with one another.

The show also stars Elden Henson as Murdock's friend and law partner Foggy Nelson, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple, a night nurse who helps Murdock, and Scott Glenn as Stick, a martial arts expert and a mentor to Murdock.

Netflix will have the entire season available for streaming on April 10.

Tusk
Director Kevin Smith combines comedy with horror in this disturbing tale starring Justin Long and Michael Parks.

Long plays a podcaster who travels to Canada to interview a mysterious seafarer named Howard Howe (Parks). After a night of great stories for his podcast, he wakes up in the old man's home and realizes he's being held hostage. Howe has strange plans to turn his guest into a walrus, both physically and mentally.

Amazon has the film available for streaming.

Star Wars: Movie Collection

In anticipation of "The Force Awakens," the previous six films will be available on Digital HD for the first time ever.

The first three films, released between 1977 and 1983, tell the story of Luke Skywalker who must defeat the evil Darth Vader, later revealed to be his and Princes Leia's father. Luke and Leia team up with the space cowboy Han Solo and his hairy sidekick Chewbacca as fight to save the galaxy.

The three prequel films, released between 1999 and 2005, chronicle Anakin Skywalker's journey from Jedi to Darth Vader as he fights to protect his wife Padmé and, later, their children.

iTunes will have all six films available for purchase on April 10.

Check out our complete list of movies available for streaming on Netflix this month and see below for more options on Amazon Prime and for purchase at iTunes.

iTunes

• Wild Card

• The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

• Metalhead

• Goodbye to Language

• Hard Drive

• Housekeeping

• Playing It Cool

• The Immigrant

• Harlock: Space Pirate

• Salvation Army

• 8 1/2

• Belle and Sebastian

• A Tale of Winter

• Little White Lie

• The Dickumentary

• An Act of War

• Cesar's Last Fast

• 3 Nights in the Desert

• Any Day

• What Now

• Finding Carter: Season 2

• Taken 3

• Cut Bank

• Electric Slide

• The Girl Is in Trouble

• Big Eyes

• My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Vol. 8

• Pokemon the Series: XY Kalos Quest Vol. 1

• Batman vs. Robin

• Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

• Mysterious Ways

• Yellowbird

• Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways

• Boy Meets Girl

• Pitch Perfect

• The Boys from Brazil

• Exterminators of the Year 3000

• The Resurrection of Bastard

• The Voices

• Hot Tub Time Machine 2

• Star Wars: Movie Collection (April 10)

• Cake (April 10)

• The Gambler (April 10)

• The Marine 4: Moving Target (April 10)

Amazon

• Amistad

• Bloody Sunday

• The Brothers Grimm

• Death Wish

• Death Wish 2

• Escape from Alcatraz

• French Connection 2

• Godzilla

• Ken Burns: The Roosevelts

• Kicking and Screaming

• Leprechaun 2

• Leprechaun 3

• Leprechaun 5

• Mommie Dearest

• My Old Lady

• Saved!

• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

• Star Trek V: The Voyage Home

• Suicide Kings

• The Thing Called Love

• Adaptation

• The Better Angels

• Groundhog Day

• Little Women (1994)

• Submarine

• Tusk

• Lay the Favorite

• The Quiet Ones

• Louie: Season 4