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Read MoreAlbum Review: Dark Lane Demo Tapes
I should really call this a ‘Mixtape Review’ - Drake’s surprised us all with this release, considering his studio album is set to be dropped this summer. The title sums it up pretty well. This collection of ‘Demo Tapes’ definitely is not as cohesive as his studio albums - true to its name, many of the songs have a dark, brooding tone, but we do get the more upbeat interjections such as the artist’s recent hit single ‘Toosie Slide’. Drake did receive criticism, which I believe is warranted, for the single’s lack of content; it is a rather generic dance song basically manufactured for success on TikTok. Having said this, I think the mixtape as a whole is not to be slept on. It may not have the same sort of flow that we’ve seen on previous releases, and while I won’t be listening to it on repeat back to back (as I did More Life), I definitely have my favourites saved. Here’s a quick rundown:
Deep Pockets, the first song on the tape reminded me immediately of the first disc of Scorpion, the soundtrack to my junior summer. Granted, the backing is somewhat repetitive, but this draws more attention to such lyrical gold as “Got me ready to flip the F out like Fendi” (I don’t know about you, but my midterm season mood for sure). And speaking of, the steady and unvarying beat makes it the perfect study song.
When To Say When and Chicago Freestyle begin to change up the tone of the tape with the former being somewhat upbeat and the latter more melancholic. I loved the flow on both tracks, which were released together a couple months ago. The sample used in When To Say When really makes it pop, as do Giveon’s vocals in Chicago Freestyle.
I wish I could say the same for Chris Brown’s feature in Not You Too, as we get the first few duds on what has so far been a fulfilling tape. Nothing much to say about this song, pretty generic, pretty forgettable. Toosie Slide, as discussed, is not a favourite of mine either, though I will admit it is pretty catchy. And Future on Desires leaves much to be desired - his vocals don’t add much to Drake’s so, again, this one is not a standout for me.
Things pick up with Time Flies. Super catchy, Drake’s rap-singing on this track reminds my somewhat of ‘Feel No Ways’ on Views. Landed follows with a fast and aggressive beat, a good one for the running playlist. So far I haven’t been giving much love to the collaborations on this mixtape, but D4L, featuring Future and Young Thug was a game changer for me. Such a dynamic track, the beat, vocals, tempo… it all comes together amazingly.
This mixtape is truly like pick and mix… Pain 1993 and From Florida With Love failed to impress, perhaps because we’re past the 30 minute mark on the tape and the sounds are inevitably beginning to get repetitive. Yet wedged in between these tracks is my favourite one on here, Losses. In the longest composition on Dark Lane, Drake goes deep, reminiscing over a broken friendship. The lyrics and backing make for a calm and purposeful rap that has me contemplating who did Drake dirty.
We get another abrupt change of tune in the artist’s penultimate track Demons, which marks a move towards drill-style music as Drake closes out Dark Lane in style with War. Is that a British accent? To be honest, the first time I heard the final track, released around Christmas, I had to confirm I was listening to Drake and not British drill. Some great lines on this freestyle too - give the man his British citizenship already.
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While Dark Lane as a whole may not be as polished as Drake’s past projects, the artist does address this on his Instagram. Composed of ‘leaks’, ‘joints from SoundCloud’ and ‘new vibes’, it is clear we shouldn’t judge it to the same standard as we would an album of his, and we certainly shouldn’t be comparing it previous releases. In an interview with Lil Wayne, Drake commented that rather than just releasing a single, he “felt like people would appreciate maybe a body of something to listen to”. I think he hit the nail right on the hammer here - quarantine has really got me In My Feelings and craving new music. This release if anything has acted as a teaser for Drake’s upcoming album, which I am highly anticipating.
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Artist to Watch: Sen Morimoto
Chicago-based artist Sen Morimoto is creating waves with a touch of whimsical, old-school flair in the contemporary era.
Morimoto was raised in rural Western Massachusetts, where he found his love for instruments at a young age. A musician before a lyricist, he found himself attached to the saxophone, and soon after, the drums and piano. For Morimoto, instrumentation came much easier than writing raps. His fascination for language and the ability to craft verses that mean something, however, came out on top.
sen morimoto
“I learned how to express emotion with saxophone before I learned how to write lyrics or express vocally,” he said. “I think even though lyrics are a more direct way to communicate ideas, the saxophone can express certain things that I just can't with my voice.”
In 2014, Morimoto found his way to Chicago. After agreeing to release his album Cannonball! through indie label Sooper Records, he caught the eye of entertainment platform 88Rising—though he is now associated with the brand, he refused to be put on the official roster: his music is something all his own.
CANNONBALL! ALBUM ART
His nine-track debut album, Cannonball! was done completely on his own, from the lyrics, to the sound mixing, to production. It’s a dynamic, dreamy amalgamation of impressionistic jazz and hip hop, one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. His previous works—For Me & Ladie and It’s Late—are just as enthralling.
I was introduced to Sen Morimoto through a good friend of mine named Gaby. She sent a link to one of his live shows in a group chat, just to give us a recommendation. The details are a bit fuzzy, but I remember her saying his music was interesting, a cool combination of jazzy saxophone and hip-hop that I’d never heard before.
And so, I listened.
I became a casual listener. Cannonball! was already out at the time, so I’d listen through the album here and there whenever I felt like it. It wasn’t until I heard his live set, though, that I knew he’d become one of my favorite artists of all time. It was West Fest 2018 in Chicago. I saw on his Instagram that he’d be playing a set there, and since it was free and close by, Gaby and I decided why not go.
I absolutely loved it. I loved the dreamy, moody croons. I loved the tongue-in-cheek, stream-of-consciousness-style lyricism. I loved his odes to his home—Kyoto, Japan.
Most of all, though, I loved his sound, a fearless and eccentric blend of genres that everybody can find a piece of themselves in. You should try to, as well.
Morimoto most recently released a collection of remastered songs that never made it onto his records, called B-Sides & Rarities. Listen to that—and check out the music video for his song People Watching—below.
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Jacquemus SS 20: The Evolution of iPhone Photography
139.8k Likes, 1,484 Comments - JACQUEMUS (@jacquemus) on Instagram: "SO HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU " JACQUEMUS AT HOME " @barbieferreira CAPTURED BY @blackpierreange..."
Confinement has certainly brought on a wave of strain for most designers and retailers, but for some in the industry it has also bred immense creativity. At the end of April, Carla Abreu contributed a piece on Alessio Albi’s Facetime photography, and since then I’ve been following the many photographers and designers who are following suite in exploring this new photo shoot style as a creative outlet in the age of quarantine. Jacquemus pushed the boundaries of this new art form the furthest, launching his Spring/Summer 2020 campaign through an intimate collection of images captured completely through Facetime.
“Jacquemus at Home” was shot via Facetime by photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti, and art direction was led by the designer Simon Port Jacquemus himself. The dreamy campaign features muses Barbie Ferreira and Bella Hadid posing in natural makeup and hair from the comfort of their own homes, letting the collection’s pieces speak completely for themselves.
In the stills, Ferreira and Hadid sport pieces including the designer’s signature sunglasses, a muted green bralette, and woven straw bags. The entire shoot took only 2 hours, but the inventive images captured display the collection of both cheery and muted tones (and their models’ matching moods) in a way that may set a lasting standard for the nature of campaigns as the world progresses through the pandemic as well as the rise of new technology.
167.9k Likes, 836 Comments - JACQUEMUS (@jacquemus) on Instagram: "SO HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU " JACQUEMUS AT HOME " @bellahadid CAPTURED BY @blackpierreange SUMMER..."
Known for his iconic tiny handbags and larger than life floppy hats, the French designer seems to have launched this ready-to-wear collection with the perfect occasion we all have in mind: being dressed up at home with nowhere to go.
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Album Review: Three. Two. One. by Lennon Stella
Three. Two. One.
The wait for Lennon Stella’s debut album has finally come to an end after long anticipation. Lennon Stella’s early career was built through her appearances on “Nashville” and her collaborations on chart toppers such as “Polaroid” by Jonas Blue with Liam Payne and “Takeaway” by the Chainsmokers with ILLENIUM. Three. Two. One. is an announcement and a celebration of Lennon finally embarking on her solo career.
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In this album, Lennon includes lyrics that are all too relatable for listeners like the unexpectedness and confusion of finally being in a healthy relationship in “Golf on TV” or the moment you finally realize a relationship is over in ‘Kissing Other People.”
Immediately after hearing Lennon as a featured artist, I was drawn to her full-bodied and expressive vocals. Her acoustic covers on youtube show that she is an extraordinarily gifted singer in her own right. Three. Two. One. is a masterful compilation of songs that brings out Stella’s powerful vocals in slower, acoustic pieces while also using music production to experiment with sound. This blend of music creates an auditory experience for listeners to replay over and over again.
While in home quarantine, Lennon filmed the music video for “Fear of Being Alone” which speaks to her ability as an artist to adapt and to create, even in challenging circumstances. The “Fear of Being Alone” speaks to a truth that many of us struggle with: we can find ourselves in a broken relationship but can’t find comfort in our own solitude and company. The lyrics: “It’s not love that keeps us holding on … it’s the fear of being alone” hits this truth.
Acoustic pieces featuring a piano accompaniment like “Older than I Am” showcase Stella’s voice and ability to convey raw emotion as she wishes for the bliss and carefreeness of childhood but is instead confronted with the responsibilities that inevitably come with growing older.
“Weakness (Huey Lewis),” on the other hand, is quite sonically experimental and varied. It begins with noises from a home audio clip: hushed conversations, laughter, and instrumental noises (from a radio?). Then it transitions into a melody ushered in by a series of guitar progressions. The beginning features solos by Lennon and her younger sister, Maisy, which leads into a harmonic duet. Their voices compliment one another and add depth to the tonality of the piece. After this duet, there is a break, where a repeating bass line and percussion introduce a new type of sound. It is definitely more layered with music production and keyboard. In the span of one song, Lennon manages to incorporate both the acoustic and the synthetic elements of electronic music to craft a piece that is both interesting and pleasing for the ear.
Lennon Stella’s explosive debut album is catchy but not monotonic as some pop albums fall victim to. Lennon is definitely a rising artist to keep on your radar for the coming years.
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Album Review: Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Browsing Fiona Apple’s Reddit page, it’s clear that even her most dedicated fans have had their expectations knocked out of the park for her new record. Beyond its virality, which spurned thousands of new format memes and generated much social media buzz, Apple’s latest release also scored well among the industry’s (debatable) most culturally relevant music critics, between Pitchfork, Metacritic, and Anthony Fantano. As much as Apple has knocked expectations out of the ballpark, and, consequently, the women and queers of the world off of their feet, “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” is, sonically, a natural and obvious progression in Apple’s ever-evolving musicianship.
This percussive iteration of Fiona has always been around, if only in fleeting moments and slips from her previous projects. On her debut Tidal, released way back in 1996, it’s almost like she’s forewarning us of this. In “The First Taste,” her crooning of “Let it begin,” could very well be a description of the unpredictable magic of a newfound intimacy. Simultaneously, these lines could be in reference to the naivety of Fiona’s reaction to stardom, a recurring theme in her music. Above all, they are a reference to the metaphorical toe in the pond that is the depths of her lyricism. With “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” 24 years later, we are finally diving in.
“Evil is a relay sport when the one who’s burned turns to pass the torch.” - Relay
Image via Zelda Hallman’s Instagram
Apple’s voice is the percussive force driving this machine of a record. Sometimes it manifests in a rhythmic, jazzy almost rap-like tempo, as in the refrain to “Relay.” Songs like “Newspaper,” are built on the harmonies and percussion of Apple’s own body.
This is not to say that Apple doesn’t make ample use of the instruments at her disposal. Several tracks feature a prominent piano and bass riffs, if minimal. There’s a virtuosic inspiration in the discordant keys complementation to the music of her smokers rasp in the song, “Shameika.”
"I would beg to disagree, but begging disagrees with me." - Under the Table
Image via King Princess’ Instagram
Other times, her voice leans into a satirical, coquettish rasp. This style of vocalizing is most apparent in the gem of the album, “Rack of His,” which lies in the middle of Apple’s lyrical puzzle.
There’s a special DIY touch to this record, which was made from the comfort of Fiona’s home studio. On some tracks, we can hear her dog and album cover model Mercy bark in the background. We hear Fiona stumble over the lyrics she’s penned herself. Songs like “Rack of His” put this grungy sound on center stage. There is something between the fuzzy echo of Fiona over low quality speakers and the suspended drums. Its in the ghoulish jingle of the tambourines and bells in “Heavy Balloon,” a catchy mantra against the haunting spectre of depression and mental illness on everyday life. It’s a scolding of today’s bedroom pop kids. This is the touch.
Cosmonauts
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Apple lays her bones bare in a way that feels more raw than in her previous works. In a string of press done in advance of the album, Apple shared extensive details of her lyrics’ deeper meanings. Ever the tease, though, not every single line can be deciphered. In past years, it feels like there has been an over-obsession as to the who’s, what’s, and why’s of Fiona Apple’s lyrical content. After all, she is a poet by nature. But it stands to argue that her male peers are never subject to the same level of critical, bordering on psycho-analysis. There is something refreshing about the way Fiona names her demons now. She has (metaphorically, of course) come out of isolation and is ready to exorcise the bad men, sexual harassment, and toxic relationships to women in her life.
Apple is the point of origin of the wailing women: without her and the likes of Tori Amos, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and Kim Deal, there would be no Angel Olsen, Marina & The Diamonds, Waxahatchee, Lizzie Grant, and the list goes on. In this, I find comfort. There is a certain reassurance in knowing that Fiona Apple has been up that hill, and is now standing in its shadow on the other side.
“I grew up in the shoes they told me I could fill,
shoes that were not made for running up that hill. And I need to run up that hill.” - Fetch The Bolt Cutters
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Apple strays far from her baroque roots, and sonically this album is diametrically opposed to her more well-known sophomore work, When The Pawn…. And while some (a minority) of her long term fans may not be able to indulge in this new and written according to her own rules Fiona, all must admit that, if anything, this record is a testament to the artist’s range.
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Yves Tumor and the Future of Rock
The Meaning Behind The Met
It’s the first Monday of May. Your feed is flooded with celebrity candids, bathroom “Get Ready With Me”s, and all things fashion (at least, this was the case pre-pandemic). As tempting as it is to dive into the virtual world of the Met Gala, have you ever taken a second to look up from your phone and ask yourself the big questions? What about this event drives people from all around the world into a fashion frenzy? What is it all for? Why does it matter?
In order to fully appreciate the magic behind The Met Gala, we’ll need to look back to how it all started.
It’s hard to believe that fashion even existed before the iconic Anna Wintour took on Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue in 1988. Many of us automatically associate the Met Gala with Anna because of the countless number of connections she has been able to maintain with revolutionary photographers, designers, and models around the world. But before Anna stepped into the limelight, proving that she was so much more than her pageboy haircut, an American fashion publicist, Eleanor Lambert, was hard at work. By the end of her career, Eleanor had successfully directed the world’s attention to the American fashion industry. Eleanor was the mother of the Met Gala and many other prestigious New York fashion events including the International Best Dressed List, New York Fashion Week (that’s right, the whole week), and the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards, better known as the C.F.D.A. Awards.
The first Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala, was held in 1948. What started as a simple fundraiser for the Costume Institute, marking the birth of its annual exhibit evolved into the astounding Gala that all know and love. With the help of Diana Vreeland, another pioneer in the world of fashion who, after writing for Harper’s Bazaar, claimed the throne and became Editor-in-Chief for Vogue in 1963 and consultant to the Costume Institute in 1972, the Gala started to introduce themes, invite the most prominent celebrities, and actually take place on Fifth Avenue. It’s one of those events that doesn’t need to be advertised. With faces from the fashion, film, and music industry showing up every year on the Met steps, there is little to no concern that the Gala will fail to attract the attention it’s looking for.
Anna Wintour in Karl Lagerfeld at the 2019 Met Gala. Image via
Nevertheless, there is so much more to the event than spectators’ built up anticipation for the release of the guest list and the slow unveiling of designs. It’s important to remember that behind all of the glitz and the glamour, the Met Gala will always be devoted to supporting creativity. Afterall, the Costume Institute continues to be one of the Met’s only curatorial departments that has to find funding for itself. The history of fashion has not been supported in the same way fine arts have. So often it is labeled as superficial, ingenuine, and an overall bad example for younger generations to aspire to be a part of. Sure, at its worst, the fashion industry may have its faults. But at its best, it not only offers creative minds a new medium for their work, but also has the capability of honoring cultures and inspiring political conversations. The Met Gala, unlike any other carpet event, is a celebration of the arts that cannot be replaced.
Made evident from the Gala’s long history, this may be one of the few fashion events that hasn’t been birthed from Anna Wintour’s brilliance. Although she has indeed contributed to its increasing exclusiveness, carefully crafting a list of invitees only accessible by her loyal Vogue staffers, perhaps the most important role she has taken on is caretaker of the legacy both Eleanor and Diana have left for her. In other words, what lies behind the magic of the Met are three extremely powerful women, who have influenced major changes in the industry. It is because of each of their grit, determination, and an undying appreciation for all things fashion that the Met Gala continues to “wow” us commoners and even its guests.
Kendall Jenner in Versace at the 2019 Met Gala. Image via
While the art of celebrity table-seating at the Met remains a mystery to us all, the recent growth in social media, specifically Instagram, usage over the past decade has allowed for the designers, models, politicians, Oscar winners, Grammy winners, and sometimes EGOT winners to give fans behind-the-scenes looks at all of the time, people, and effort that goes into preparing for what Vogue Contributing Editor André Leon Talley has labeled the “Super Bowl of fashion.” And although Anna doesn’t seem to want to budge on her strict ban on social media usage at the event, a select few, including the “self-made” model Kendall Jenner, have managed to snap some candids to later share with their 127 million or so followers.
Now that we’ve gone through all things Met, it’s time for my favorite part: the outfits. That is what we’re all here for, isn’t it? In honor of the event being postponed for the sake of safe social distancing, I thought I’d go through some of my favorite recent Met Gala looks from the past two years. So grab a glass of water, or Perrier if you’re feeling fancy and join me on a walk down memory lane.
Besides the fact that I’ve included a picture of both Anna and Kendall from last year’s Camp: Notes on Fashion theme, I personally wasn’t much of a fan. Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed by the craftsmanship and creativity that went into the designs for a very complicated theme (almost every article that I read from the 2019 Gala was a new attempt at explaining “camp”), but it’s always difficult for me to welcome color with open arms. I’m a minimalist, so I prefer when it’s used sparingly. For the sake of this experience, though, I guess I’ll award “best-dressed” to Lady Gaga’s four-part piece by Brandon Maxwell, a close friend of Gaga, co-host of the 2019 Gala. Contrary to popular opinion, what attracts me most about this piece is not the hot pink fabric or even the performance that took place on the carpet, but Gaga’s dedication to her work. The dedication that led her to be so adamant about holding rehearsal’s for the big day. But I mean come on, it’s Gaga, you should expect nothing less.
Spotted on the steps of the Met: B stunning everyone in Versace at the 2018 Gala. Image via
Take it back to 2018 when we were blessed with Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Apparently, for most designers, the theme called for headpieces. SZA, Solange, Madonna, Winnie Harlow, Priyanka Chopra, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely, were among many who graced us with a variety of crowns, veils, and levitating halos. To my surprise, of the hundreds of pieces that made an appearance that year, there were very few I didn’t like. The theme, an ode to the relationship between fashion and the Church, brought a comforting sense of familiarity that is so often lost in an event as spectacular as the Met Gala. Perhaps it is because there was more consistency among the style of designs that year. Somehow, the gorgeously loud Gucci ensembles worn by Lana Del Ray and Jared Leto did not clash with the collage of Saints that decorated Stella Maxwell’s Moschino gown. Although it was difficult to pick a favorite for 2018, for the complete opposite reason as 2019, I was content with Blake Lively, an angel if I’ve ever seen one, claiming the top spot.
It is no surprise that Blake, a regular attendee, was the center of attention when she showed up at the museum. From her wispy curled hair and halo bun, engineered by hair-stylist Rod Ortega, to her gown’s jewel-encrusted bodice and sheer leg cut outs, there were no imperfections in Blake's Met Gala look. Even with her perfectly put-together ensemble in mind, none of the previously mentioned elements are the reason for her well-deserved win (awarded by me of course). In fact, it is because of one simple accessory, which only made it into a few of the photographs taken of her that night, that her look stood out from the rest. With the help of Judith Leiber, a Hungarian-American designer who got her claim to fame from unique Swarovski crystal encrusted purses, Blake was able to attend the Met with her whole world in her hands. One side of her custom clutch features her family’s name: Reynolds, and the first initial of her own name, her husband Ryan’s and her daughters’, James and Ines. The clutch followed the theme closely and added the perfect detail to Blake’s already extravagant look.
This last one is for the boys, or shall I say, men.
It’s common knowledge that men are less likely to impress us with their fashion at big-shot award shows, movie premieres, or Met Galas. It could just be me, maybe I don’t have a palette mature enough for that level of craftsmanship, but I highly doubt it. Regardless of my own opinion, I think everyone can agree that the men of the 2017 Met Gala did not come to play. For some unknown reason, the theme Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between really spoke to the designers styling the men in attendance. One highlight of the night was none other than Migos. The family trio—Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff—made their Met Gala debut dressed in Versace. Their sleek black suits embodied was the perfect example of simple, yet sophisticated. Iced out in matching “Culture” necklaces, the name of the rappers’ second hit album, Migos has never looked better. Jaden Smith was decked out in head to toe Louis Vuitton, impressing us all when he conquered the steps in shiny heeled boots. As if that wasn’t enough, he decided the perfect arm candy would be his own dreadlocks. He was right. Although these looks may not top Zayn’s metal arm from the 2016 Met Gala Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, they come in a close second.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image via
I hope this brief exploration of the history of the Met Gala has helped make the indefinite postponement of this year’s event a little less unbearable. If you’re feeling down, there are 21 years of past Galas to browse through. Have some fun looking for the big mistakes and the hidden gems. Here’s to many more years of celebrating fashion and the arts.
MODA Blog Favorites: April 2020
Welcome to MODA Blog Favorites! This is our monthly series where MODA Bloggers, photographers and editors let you know what we’re loving this month! From binge-worthy series, to our favorite books to some Holy Grail skincare products, the team wishes you all a safe, and healthy spring quarter. Here’s what the team is loving, hopefully bringing you a monthly dosage of inspiration!
Andrew
Neogen
Day-Light Protection Sun Screen
Spring has sprung and so has the sun, which means we all need to be layering on that SPF. Truth be told, I actually wore this sunscreen all through the winter (snow won’t stop UV Rays!!!!), so it’s not so much of an April Fave as it is an all-year fave, but with the advent of my favorite season, I figured this rec would be apt. Neogen is a really popular Korean Brand that makes amazing products for sensitive skin and I’m a big fan of their Day-Light Protection Sun Screen, which has SPF 50, and PA +++. It’s a little pricier than your standard sunscreen, but I find that I reach for this product multiple times a day, so it’s worth the splurge IMO. Not only is it really protective against UV rays, but there’s also a lot of moisturizing ingredients in the sunscreen, which is why I find that it makes a great warm or cold-weather staple, plus it’s perfectly sized to fit into any coat pocket.
Animal Crossing - New Horizons
Probably the best quarantine accessory I could have asked for, Animal Crossing New Horizons pulled me through a very interesting spring break. I’ve been a big supporter of Animal Crossing since the DS release of Wild World, and New Horizons proves that the scope of the game’s world is infinite. From catching fish and insects, to putting together rooms in your house, to talking with adorable (and stylish) new villagers to designing your own clothes (a personal fave past time), Animal Crossing New Horizons is the perfect companion for anyone looking to slow down and relax. There’s so much you can do in the game, and Nintendo sends updates for different events remotely. Right now, we’re all experiencing the “joys” of Bunny Day…
Future Nostalgia
A little behind the scenes intel for you guys, I have been telling my bloggers to watch out for Future Nostalgia’s drop since December. I’ve been craving Dua’s new Disco-funk style since I heard ‘Don’t Stop Now’ all the way in Fall Quarter. Future Nostalgia, in my eyes, is an amazing new frontier in pop music, combining the nostalgic flair of a Disco club with contemporary lyrics aimed to convey perspectives on feminism, love, freedom, individuality and of course, a few unintentionally Quarantine-appropriate lyrics. ('I should have stayed at home’. ‘don’t show up, don’t come out’, etc). If you’re looking for a really uplifting, dance-centric, fun album to play when you need to get moving, I highly HIGHLY recommend Future Nostalgia.
Maya
Felix Gray Blue Light Glasses
If you’re starting to get headaches from staring at screens all day, these are a must have. They’re a little bit on the pricy side, but for me it’s worth it to make sure I’m really protecting my eyes. And, come on, they’re so! cute!
Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
Hopefully you’re washing your hands like a maniac. Unfortunately for all of us, this means cracked and painful skin. This Trader Joe’s cream is incredible at bringing hydration back into my hands!
Man Repeller
My life goal is to be Leandra Medine—so, naturally, Man Repeller has been keeping me sane. If you love witty, smart content about fashion and lifestyle, you will adore this website (also, their Instagram!). Looking for an article to lure you in? Read this one.
Matthew
Kid Krow
Conan Gray’s new album has become my quarantine jam obsession. I’ve been following Conan since his days on youtube, and I have only become more obsessed. His new album has a dark, bedroom pop feel that is perfect to be moody in quarantine to. If you liked his EPs and Singles, you will for sure like his new album. 10/10 recommended!
Hair Chemist Brassiness Hair Mask
I bleached my hair a little over a month ago, and let me tell you it has been a struggle. My hair is DEAD. Throughout my lackluster search for something to bring some form of life back to my hair, I finally stumbled upon this during an excursion into Chicago. This masks leaves my hair feeling pillow soft and takes out the brassiness. It kills two birds with one mask. (also try their hair oil!) Definitely recommend!
Elizabeth
Spinning Out
This show came out in January, so I’m a little behind the times, but it is So. Good. that I have to share. Figure skating drama with a side of complicated families, romance, and productive conversations about mental health, queerness, and race…what’s not to love?? Netflix showed us they could do high-quality writing when Sex Education was released, and they don’t lose that reputation (at least not with me) with Spinning Out. Problem: You are in quarantine. You need drama and a reason to procrastinate. Solution: stay up until 2am watching this show because you can’t physically stop yourself (this is what I did, highly recommend).
All-Clad Non-Stick Pans
I just moved into an apartment off campus that my roommates and I are currently in the process of furnishing. Whether you’re in a similar situation, already live off-campus, or are still in housing, you need to know about this pan. All-Clad’s products are made in the U.S.A, and their non-stick pans are a dream. My roommates and I had a bad experience with the first non-stick pan we tried (from a different company), so when we cooked on this one for the first time all three of us did a little happy dance. Cooking oils will last a LOT much longer (you truly barely need to use them), the coating doesn’t scratch off, and All-Clad’s Encore products are sustainably created by reusing pans that have been returned to the company (instead of sending them to a landfill). I like to invest in American-made products, and when they’re as excellent as All-Clad’s pans, it’s easy.
Images via here and here
Emma
Bandanas
This is probably old news, but I’ve only recently gotten obsessed with wearing and styling bandanas in different ways. It’s amazing how much a square of fabric can add to an outfit. Use to protect your hair from the Chicago wind, as a cute top or even as a face mask (to stay stylish and corona-free!). You can find some really cool prints on Depop, or you can bulk buy off of Amazon.
Skegss
Born in Byron Bay, Skegss is an Australian surf rock band that my Spotify, probably concerned about me listening to the same two playlists on repeat for weeks, recently recommended me. Their music is super upbeat with catchy lyrics and a summery vibe - good for a run or just to jam to in your room. I recommend the singles L.S.D and Save It For The Weekend as well as their debut album My Own Mess.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% Formula
If you haven’t heard of The Ordinary before, it is a super affordable skincare range decked out in minimalistic packaging that really reflects their brand: simple, effective, no-nonsense. This formula has actually been a lifesaver in terms of drying out acne and reducing redness. I usually apply to breakouts before going to bed and wash off in the morning. Highly recommend, especially if you have oily skin.
Alejandra
Gimme Love
Joji, a Japenese musician, just released two new songs including Gimme Love, a true bop which I have been listening to on repeat. The song starts upbeat and then moves into a slower, melancholy mood. I’ve found it perfectly matches the feels of quarantine late nights or any type of online studying. Highly recommend a listen!
Love Wedding Repeat
This recently released Netflix original is no Academy Award winner, but is definitely a solid romcom perfect for quarantine boredom. With quite a few twists and turns, this movie retells multiple stories of love during a wedding day, all of which are dependent upon the assigned seating at a dinner table. I enjoyed watching this relaxed, and somewhat comical, movie that left me with warm, hopeful feelings when I was finished. Not to mention there are lots of British accents. Always a plus!
Nadaya
Take Yourself Home
On the first of April, Troye Sivan released his new single Take Yourself Home. I’ve been listening ever since. The title, fitting for the age of social distancing, is about re-evaluating—something all of us have had a little too much time on our hands to do. Sometimes, caught up in all the noise and the music, you have to take a step back and remember who you are.
Ugly Delicious
With a little more time on my hands now, I’ve been able to go back and revisit all the shows that brought me comfort during stressful moments on campus. Ugly Delicious is one of them. The show is a travelogue that follows chef David Chang who, joined by other chefs and personalities, uses food as a way to break down cultural barriers and misconceptions. It’s a bit of everything; funny, emotional, and educational (in a way that doesn’t feel preachy), it’s the perfect thing to binge on a day off. Maybe not so much if you’re hungry.
Ashley
I Got You
Bazzi, just like the rest of the world, has been stuck in quarantine for the past month. On April 1st, he released a song, Renee’s Song, for his girlfriend of two years, Renee Herbert, an Australian model that has probably popped up on your ‘Explore’ page from time to time. As you probably guessed, this song really gets you in your feelings. And to make matters worse, the couple decided to make a homemade music video full of love, laughter, and maybe a little too much PDA, but I guess we can forgive them, just this once. After his little project blew up on social media, Bazzi decided to make a song in just a few hours and “post it online no matter what lol.” If you’re not already a fan of Bazzi, I’d recommend giving him another shot because this impromptu album is one for the books.
BA’s Best Banana Bread
The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen has been stealing the hearts of aspiring bakers, chefs, and foodies for a few years now. The team’s wide variety of personalities paired with their professional background is a recipe for success. Although there are many recipes available for you to tackle during your time at home, I promise BA’s Best Banana Bread (we love alliteration) won’t disappoint. So let Carla walk you through making banana bread so good that she impresses herself. Or try it yourself if you’re feeling ambitious.
Corepower Yoga On Demand
It’s important, maybe now more than ever, to get your body moving. I’ve turned to Corepower Yoga On Demand for lessons, no equipment necessary, that will get you sweating but won’t take up too much time from your day. To make working out a little bit more appealing, I suggest taking your mat outside if you can. If my recommendation isn’t enough, I came across a meme the other day that said right now, people are like houseplants with more complicated emotions. You should drink lots of water and soak up some sun when you can.
Support the Seminary Co-op (Plus 3 Book Recs for Troubling Times)
I visited UChicago for the first time in June—it was the summer before my senior year of high school and I was nervous. I had no idea where I would be spending my college years.
However, when I entered the Seminary Co-op, I knew that I needed to attend UChicago—if given the opportunity. I’d been strongly considering the school for a long time, but the bookstore was a physical representation of all that I wanted from my university experience. I wanted to inhabit a community that truly cared about books; more importantly, I wanted to join a community that loved, respected, and defended the free exchange of ideas. And I wanted a place to converse about those ideas frequently.
Almost three years later, the Seminary Co-op has become just that. It’s the place I go to meet friends, to study, and to wander through the book stacks after completing particularly stressful physical science exams. I often find myself sitting in one of the store’s many chairs, with music blasting through my earbuds as I skim the titles. And I frequently find myself struggling to limit my purchases (as I discovered when I confronted the imposing task of boxing all of my recent Sem-Co acquisitions in order to move off campus).
As such, when I think of the university, I also think of the Seminary Co-op; while the bookstore is independent of the university, it is a critical component of our community. And I want to support the store as much as possible—especially during these difficult times. The Seminary Co-op bookstores are not-for-profit and independent. But in order to stay independent, and in order to continue providing a work space and invaluable resource to Hyde Park, these stores need the support of our community.
For this reason, there is a current campaign to provide Covid-19 relief to the Seminary Co-op Bookstores. The goal of the campaign is to reach $250,000 and the fundraiser is already halfway past its goal. Any donation—no matter the size—will be invaluable to the continued work of the bookstores.
And even in these difficult times, the bookstores continue to provide support to the university community. Individuals may still order books from the Seminary Co-op. The bookstores continue to publish new Open Stacks Podcast Episodes. And the stores just launched a Children’s book recommendation series (simply contact kidsbooks@semcoop.com for recommendations!). The stores themselves have also physically transformed, as their workers fulfill web orders safely. And it is my hope that we, as a community, can continue to support the Seminary Co-op during the Covid-19 pandemic, and beyond.
And in case one is in need of book recommendations, included below is a list of three of my favorite books, whose subjects are particularly relevant to these troubling times.
#3: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude
“Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.” And so begins the story of Macondo: a small, magical town in the jungle, where the Buendía family resides for generations. I read this book while camping, last summer, and many of its descriptions have resided with me, ever since. Marquez’s magic realism is beautiful and this novel is his magnum opus.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is the type of book that sucks you in and doesn’t let go, as Marquez depicts everything from ghosts to levitating priests and seemingly endless rain. And the novel offers a much-needed escape into a magical world, though it is nonetheless shockingly like our own.
#2: Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning
The New York Times classifies this book as “survival literature,” and the classification is apt. After surviving Nazi concentration camps, psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl carefully chronicled his experience. More than that, he depicted how he survived. And while this book’s narrative is hauntingly somber, it is also hopeful. By describing his own life story and the stories of his patients, Frankl argues that man can survive—even when confronted with atrocities. Thus, while Frankl writes that man cannot avoid his suffering, Frankl also writes that man’s existence is not a lost cause. Instead, Frankl encourages his readers to find meaning in their suffering, so that they may move forward and ultimately thrive.
#1: Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow
‘“Who would have imagined,’ he said, ‘when you were sentenced to life in the Metropol all those years ago, that you had just become the luckiest man in all of Russia.’” (Towles 292).
When Mishka remarks upon the Count’s luck, he’s right. Despite being placed under house arrest in the grande Metropol Hotel, Count Alexander Rostov builds a full life for himself. He is confined to a hotel during one of the most chaotic periods of Russian history, and yet he finds a way to make the best of his circumstances. He makes great friends, falls in love, and raises a young girl. And through it all, the Count never loses his composure or his sense of wonder. This is one of my favorite books of all time. And it a testament to the way in which a single individual can choose to be happy—even while living in a hotel attic, in Soviet Russia.
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FaceTime Photography: Alessio Albi
Feature on Italian fashion photographer Alessio Albi and his video-call FaceTime photoshoots during quarantine and Covid-19.
Read MoreDigital Get Down: Music that Anticipated Social Distance
An unanticipated oracle of our times, Soulja Boy has been equipped to make the isolation required of the current public health situation work since 2008. Kiss Me Thru The Phone is a responsible, self-quarantining anthem—he wants to get with his girl but acknowledges that he can’t right now, even though he misses her! He then offers some fantastic alternatives to physical interaction like calling and texting. (America, take notes.)
Music has long been used to chronicle the uncertainties of changing world orders, and in the latter half of the 20th century artists zeroed in on the modern-day industrial revolution: the rapidly changing nature of technology, and its growing presence in our everyday existence.
Aging silent film actress Norma Desmond resents the moviemaking technology that left her behind in Sunset Boulevard (1950). Image via.
One of the first pop hits to retrospectively examine the growth of media technology was British band The Buggles’ Video Killed The Radio Star (1979). It told the familiar tale of cultural obsolescence made possible by an unforeseen advancement in artistic production. After video, the next seismic shift in media saw the “talkies” (film + sound) kill the career of many a silent film star (see: the plots of Singin’ in the Rain and Sunset Boulevard). Actress Clara Bow famously couldn’t stop looking up at the microphones when making her first film with sound, and essentially retired at 25 after suffering a nervous breakdown due to the drastic shift required for her craft. Video Killed The Radio Star was, in a stroke of the most Shakespearian irony, the first music video featured on the innovative new Music Television channel when it launched in 1981. MTV dominated the next few decades, shaping a musical monoculture for two generations of teens until the Internet killed the Music Television star.
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks fell in love over AOL in You’ve Got Mail (1998). Image via.
The last few decades have seen music reckon with the omnipresence of technology with varying degrees of excitement. In 1985 (!), Zapp crooned about the vast opportunities to find true love online, claiming “I no longer need astrology / Thanks to modern technology” on Computer Love almost 30 years before the launch of Tinder. Britney Spears transplanted typical post-breakup woes onto the Web with Email My Heart (1999). *NSYNC’s Digital Get Down (2000) was the first song about sexting, with the band more than excited to “get together on the digital screen.” In concert performances, they would burst from a flow of code onto the stage. Lead singer and co-songwriter JC Chasez told Billboard “…it's essentially putting away your inhibitions and sharing something through the digital stream.” There was a pervasive sense of hope that the information highway would simply string the world together, creating an overarching sense of connectivity regardless of physical space.
Alongside this strain of techno-optimism ran artists with a deep-seated fear of the consequences of a drastically altered world. Electric Light Orchestra’s Time (1981) is a concept album that tells the story of a man who travels to 2095, a future plagued with widespread isolation. ELO’s perception of a future governed by alternative modes of communication was one in which softness and connection couldn’t survive. In the analog era, a social life conducted by technology seemed like an emotional death sentence. The third track, Yours Truly, 2095 presents a stark contrast to songs like Computer Love in its view of connection (or lack thereof) in the digital age as the narrator speaks of his 2095 girlfriend:
ELO’s futuristic girlfriend sounds an awful lot like Ava from Ex Machina (2014). Image via.
I met someone who looks a lot like you,
She does the things you do, but she is an IBMShe's only programmed to be very nice,
But she's as cold as ice, whenever I get too near,
She tells me that she likes me very much,
But when I try to touch, she makes it all too clear.She is the latest in technology,
Almost mythology, but she has a heart of stone
One decade and zillions of technological advancements later, Prince explored similar themes with My Computer (1996). Firmly ensconced in the MTV era, Prince’s musings on a future governed by the Web were less apocalyptic and more reflective. Ever the pioneer, his philosophy was prescient of the current discourse on technology: machines simply reflect and amplify what we behind the screen are already prone to (à la Black Mirror). In the song he describes a loneliness that isn’t satisfied by any medium—neither paper letters nor phone calls provide a magical fix to social alienation. The Internet is merely another tool with which we can attempt or approximate connection:“I scan my computer looking for a site / Make believe it's a better world, a better life.”
The most comprehensively damning indictment of a digitized future came the next year with Radiohead’s third album OK Computer (1997). Thom Yorke’s signature brand of angst made for a frighteningly recognizable spectre of a socially atomized world. Fitter Happier, a song entirely spoken by early Apple computer voice “Fred” (a sort of proto-Siri), tears into the tension between striving for perfection with what we lose along the way. The song describes seemingly positive goals of modern society in a detached and robotic voice that demonstrates the cold byproducts of said goals:
No longer afraid of the dark or midday shadows, nothing so ridiculously teenage and desperate
Nothing so childish
At a better pace, slower and more calculated
No chance of escape
Now self-employed
Concerned, but powerless
The next few months will surely reveal the possibilities and limitations of online spaces as stay at home orders are extended and our screen time skyrockets. How vast is the capacity for compassion and humanity in online spaces? What do we give up to survive? Which parts of us are translated through the screen and what do we leave behind? We have a pervasive desire to form narratives around history, and living in such a rapidly changing cultural moment makes that frustratingly impossible. I suppose it’ll be up to the artists, bloggers, and academics of the future to see if we become Radiohead-esque Paranoid Androids or if it's possible to live off of Zapp’s proposed Computer Love.
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Album Review: Future Nostalgia
In the search for her own sound, Dua has found the power in not simply recreating the past, but harnessing the best of it to build the sound of the future.
Read MoreWhen Practice Exposes the Dangers of Theory: The Murder that Inspired Hitchcock's "Rope"
“That’s great in practice, but does it work in theory?”
And so might have begun the heinous plot of two UChicagos students in 1924. Nathan Freudenthal Leopold Jr. and Richard Albert Loeb became friends when they went to school together at the University of Chicago. As the child of a very wealthy Jewish family, Leopold had an IQ of 210 and spoke his first word when he was four months old. He graduated from UChicago with academic distinction, and he planned to attend Harvard Law. Similarly, Loeb was the son of the former president of Sears, Roebuck & Company. At the age of 17, he made history as the youngest graduate from the University of Michigan. As such, both men grew up in very wealthy, educated families on Chicago’s South Side. Both men were known for their “intelligence.” And both were obsessed with crime.
Loeb was typically lazy, but he spent an inordinate amount of his time reading crime novels. Meanwhile, Leopold dreamed of becoming one of Frederick Nietzsche’s “Übermensch.” Leopold honestly believed in, and internalized, Nietzsche’s theory that society possesses some “superior” men - or Ubermenschen - who are somehow above the dictates of society. In other words, Leopold believed that he was entitled to rebel against the normal constraints of morality. He believed that he could, and should, act “beyond good and evil.”
A quip from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 movie, “Rope.”
Leopold soon convinced Loeb that he too was an Ubermensch. They began committing vandalism and theft. But, they believed that they deserved more media attention than they were receiving. And so they decided to commit the “perfect crime” - as a trophy to their “superior” intellects. And in 1924, Leopold and Loeb kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old boy, named Robert “Bobby” Franks. Leopold and Loeb convinced Franks to get in their car, as he was walking to school. And they murdered him with a chisel.
Eight days later, Leopold and Loeb were put into custody. They were sentenced to life in prison, plus 99 years for murder and kidnapping. And it turned out that they were neither supermen, nor were they infallible. They were not above the law, as they professed. They were not untouchable. And their heinous, unthinkable crime was not a trophy; instead, it became the representation of three lost lives. Leopold and Loeb atrociously ended the life of Franks, and they also threw their own lives away.
And I will not include pictures of Leopold and Loeb. Nor will I include graphic details of the crime they committed. Such details can be easily obtained from other sources, and that is not the purpose of this article. Nor is the purpose of this article to somehow glorify or romanticize Franks’ murder. On the contrary, I hesitated in writing this article, because I did not want to give Leopold and Loeb any satisfaction of media attention - even after their deaths.
Instead, I wrote this article because the story of Franks’ murder is important. While I’d argue that only a true sociopath could commit Leopold and Loeb’s crime, it is nonetheless worthwhile to emphasize the danger in believing - even momentarily - that any man is somehow above the constraints of morality or the law.
Harvard student and murderer, Brandon Shaw (played by John Dall), converses with his former headmaster (James Stewart).
And Alfred Hitchcock likely shared an opinion similar to mine. 24 years after Leopold and Loeb’s crime, Hitchcock released the movie “Rope.” The movie tells the story of two Harvard students, who decide to kill a classmate and host a dinner party, literally over his dead body (the murder victim is placed in a trunk, upon which the innocent dinner guests dish their food). These Harvard students aim to prove that they are Ubermenschen. And they think that they’ve finally committed the perfect crime. However, as is characteristic of Hitchcock’s films, justice soon catches up with the murderers. And, just as in real life, it soon turns out that they are not nearly as untouchable as they once believed.
And while the movie is psychologically disturbing and sad, it is also highly intelligent. In just 80 minutes, Hitchcock powerfully indicts any man - murderer or otherwise - who thinks that he is somehow above morality or the law. And while Leopold and Loeb are luckily no longer present on the University of Chicago’s campus, their crime is a relevant reminder that the ideas of famed philosophers, even twisted and misinterpreted as they may be, matter. And they have consequences far beyond Harper or the Seminary Coop. After all, during Spring Quarter every year, UChicago students in Classics of Social and Political Thought read Nietzsche. And we are not the only college students to do so. And while it’s easy to sometimes get lost in the theory of a text, it’s worth noting that the abstract theories we discuss have consequences - far beyond campus’s quads. And sometimes it takes the memory of murder, to remind us.
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A promotional image for the show. Image via.
Netflix Review: The Circle
Netflix’s new reality series “The Circle” is an intriguing look at human relationships in the social media age. The concept is simple: eight contestants live in the same apartment building but cannot interact face-to-face. The only communication permitted is through a voice-activated social media platform called The Circle, in which players can share photos and statuses as well as message each other. The contestants can play as themselves or catfish: most choose to alter the truth in some way, such as lying about being single.
At different stages throughout the competition, the players must rank each other. The most popular players get to choose which of the least popular players to send home. The blocked contestants are replaced and the cycle is repeated until one player walks away with $100,000 at the end.
The cast of “The Circle.” Image via.
At first glance, “The Circle” appears to be your typical trashy reality TV show, featuring all of the classic archetypes - vapid Instagram model, awkward nerd, mama’s boy. But it becomes apparent over time that the show is intended to be more of a social experiment than anything. It questions whether people actually do respond better to authenticity on social media and how people would use social media if it was the only form of human communication they had.
Each player is given ample screen time, allowing for the audience to actually get to know them beyond the archetypes they fall into and to see the players build genuine relationships with each other, albeit over a form of communication that isn’t entirely honest. It’s certainly not the kind of reality TV that’s so bad it’s good or where you feel like you’re losing brain cells. “The Circle” surprisingly proves to be thoughtful and enjoyable on its own merit.
Contestant Chris Sapphire in his apartment. Image via.
“The Circle” isn’t the kind of TV show that’ll have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It’s not particularly dramatic for a reality competition show, and the concept can get a bit repetitive after a while. But it’s an original and innovative concept featuring interesting, dynamic characters, and it’s certainly worth a watch. Despite the lying and catfishing, it’s actually a pretty wholesome show that’s got a lot of heart and that will keep you entertained.
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An Ode to the Fashion of Animal Crossing
The announcement of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game as well as the limited-edition Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch has recently had everyone abuzz about Animal Crossing again. People have fallen in love with the game’s charming aesthetics, lovable characters, and calming game-play.
Particularly notable is the important role that fashion plays in the game. Players are able to dress their characters as well as their animal friends in a variety of clothes and accessories that are categorized into different styles: Sporty, Cute, Iconic, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Official, Ornate, Flashy, Modern, Historical, and Basic. Animal Crossing may not be a game specifically about fashion, but it’s hard to deny the important role that fashion plays in the universe of the game. Here are some of the best dressed characters of the game.
Isabelle
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Isabelle has been making waves on social media after it was discovered that her most commonly worn outfits highly resemble clothing sold at Gucci. Animal Crossing is careful to create a diverse range in the affordability of its clothing, from discounted second-hand clothing to high-end clothing. Representing the higher end of that range, isabelle always looks put-together in the cutest way. Look at that yellow cardigan: you can tell she’s ready for business.
Goldie
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Goldie’s outfit in and of itself isn’t particularly special, but it matches her skin tone and body shape perfectly, so you can tell she knows how to dress. Goldie knows how to serve looks with just a simple outfit.
Fauna
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This sleeveless duffel coat looks amazing on Fauna. It manages to be a unique look without being too out there, and it complements her perfectly.
Goose
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Goose isn’t afraid to stand out in this bold number. It’s got a great combination of colors and patterns - we love to see it!
Muffy
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The perfect goth look with the perfect pop of color. Muffy has her aesthetic down to a T, and we’re here for it.
Molly
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The color, ribbon, and buttons on this blouse create a look that manages to be just the right amount of preppy. Molly looks incredibly put-together yet casual at the same time.
Diva
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Diva lives up to her name with this colorful outfit. The pattern of her dress is a little bit questionable, but she’s able to pull it off and adds the perfect finishing touch by coordinating her eyeshadow with the pops of teal from her dress.
Egbert
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This color-blocked shirt featuring warm hues is incredible. It matches Egbert perfectly, and you can just tell from his look and posture that he knows he’s pulling it off.
Elise
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I have to respect how well Elise’s outfit, glasses, and lipstick coordinate. Her top is a fresh take on polka dots that incorporates different colors together nicely.
Broccolo
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Broccolo further proves that Animal Crossing fashion is at its best with color-blocked outfits. The colors and pattern of his outfit are somewhat reminiscent of Lego blocks, but he manages to make this look work.
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Album Review: The Slow Rush
What does it mean to feel on top of the world? To have everything in the palm of your hand, at finger-tips reach?
Tame Impala’s fourth studio album The Slow Rush tells us in twelve tracks.
The Slow Rush reminds me of what it feels like to think you’re invincible. It’s a strange limbo, the fine line between sentimental and nostalgic that reminds me of what once was and what potentially will be.
Is there danger in that? In the hustle-and-bustle of city life, where interactions are fleeting and new faces appear at every turn, how do we orient ourselves? What do you do when you feel like you have all the time in the world? The best thing to do is just take it slow, and that’s what this is about.
The album kicks off with one of my personal favorites, One More Year, choppy and fuzzy with a refusal to wean. The house influence is high and alluring, and it doesn’t let up. Parker’s starting off vibrant, daring us to be bold and reckless. We have a tendency to stay static, but there’s a freedom in the endless possibilities out there.
This hint of danger continues in Instant Destiny, Parker’s ode to the fearlessness that being in love can bring. There’s an antsiness present, a desire to do something crazy simply because you can. It’s in my favorite single Borderline that this recklessness comes to a head: realizing that you’ve gone too far, teetering over the edge so much so that you can’t go back. There’s an underlying melancholy in the danceable beats that’s distinctly Tame Impala.
So, what do we do now?
We begin to lament the things we’ve been trying to ignore: the past. Parker slows it down and wrestles with his former demons on Posthumous Forgiveness, then picks it back up in a groovy, cyclical, 80’s-esque Breathe Deeper. In a bit of an acoustic curve-ball, Tomorrow’s Dust urges us to leave yesterday behind us. The keyboard in On Track starts slow, just nearing melancholic, but begins to build momentum. The lyrics are quite bittersweet: setbacks are inevitable, but taking life day by day is all that matters.
Parker’s comments on the next single, Lost In Yesterday, are short and sweet: Nostalgia is a drug, to which some are addicted. Backed by an infectious, memorable beat, he tells us to come to terms with a past that haunts us by facing it, by leaving it behind completely. Keeping the rhythm up, Is It True is an ode to the uncertainties that come with young love, while the anthem It Might Be Time is an ode to those who feel like they’ve lost their mojo.
Glimmer is a track almost devoid of vocals, instead giving us two minutes of hazy beats. As the shortest track on the album, it feels almost like an interlude due to its length. It’s exactly what was needed before getting into the final track on the album, One More Hour. It’s definitely a fan-favorite, and rightfully so. Clocking in at seven minutes, One More hour is a roller coaster: the minimal keyboard, infectious guitar riffs, and aggressive drums are quite the finale.
Finally, in this last track, Parker is telling us that after thinking back to the past and what has led us here, the time is now. The future is coming, but there’s no need to fear it. Not anymore.
Listen to the album here on Spotify and Apple Music, and watch the music video for Lost In Yesterday below.
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The Party "Restaurant" for Horrible People
We all know the offensive, risqué, often politically incorrect, but terribly funny game Cards Against Humanity. Well, with their newest release, they have entered the restaurant and bar industry. And what better place to venture such a mix than right here in Chicago? That’s right, the “party game for horrible people” has just opened the “Chicago Board Game Café” at the border between Logan Square and Bucktown.
The restaurant, which was supposed to open January 10th but has had several delays, finally opened last month. The restaurant portion of the venue boasts cuisine from Spain, Vietnam, and Mexico. And a private table costs $30 per person, but this goes directly toward any food and drinks purchased.
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In addition to the restaurant, there will be dozens of board games for trying and residents experts on deck to teach you how to play them. In addition to the game play at the tables, there are also two escape rooms on the property too. While the Cards Against Humanity “Chicago Board Game Café” might be gaining the most traction, it’s not the first of its kind. Locals attribute “Geek Bar,” which was in Wicker Park, to be Chicago’s first board game restaurant. But since its closing in 2016, Chicago Board Game Café is on its way to being the most popular. Reservations are typically booked for two hours, but they have private rooms for events as well.
It makes sense that Chicago would be home to the first Cards Against Humanity restaurant, as the makers of the game are high-school friends from the Chicagoland area. Let me know what you think of it!
Featured image via.
Music to Brighten Up Your Winter Playlist
During the winter months, I find myself becoming particularly picky about what music I listen to: my usual favorites don’t seem to be cutting it anymore, and finding new music I truly love listening to can be difficult. Maybe you’re like me and want some fresh tunes to liven up your music selection. Fortunately, I’ve compiled some artists and songs you can’t go wrong with.
Harry Styles
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I’m still not over how good Fine Line is. Harry Styles has fully shed his pristine boy-band image and has created a musical masterpiece with an incredible range. It’s a deeply personal album with a unique sound that has solidified him as one of the greatest performers of his generation.
Songs to check out: Watermelon Sugar, Canyon Road, Sunflower Vol. 6, Golden
Boy Pablo
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Boy Pablo has already been dominating the playlists of all indie pop enthusiasts. Their music is colorful and relaxing all at once. It was recently revealed that Joaquin Phoenix listened to Boy Pablo’s music while preparing to step into his Oscar-winning role as the Joker, proving that everyone could use a little more Boy Pablo in their lives.
Songs to check out: Everytime; Losing You; Sick Feeling; Dance, Baby!
Crush
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Crush produces hip hop and R&B music that serves as a more chill version of Kpop. If you’re looking for a good introduction to Korean music or something relaxing to listen to while studying, Crush’s music is for you.
Songs to check out: Cereal, Nappa, Chill
Doja Cat
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Doja Cat may have gotten her rise to fame by pretending to be a cow, but her recent music shows that she’s an artist to look out for. Thanks to the rise of TikTok dances, her music has been spreading like wildfire.
Songs to check out: Say So, Juicy, Candy
NIKI
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NIKI is an Indonesian singer who is part of the 88Rising collective. Her music is the perfect combination of a variety of genres, including R&B, indie, and electronic pop. Her songs are bright and catchy and will be the perfect addition to your playlists.
Songs to check out: I Like U, lowkey, See U ever, Newsflash!
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A Brits Performance for the Ages: Meet Dave
Dave’s iconic performance of “Black” at the 2020 BRIT Awards.
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