Between awards season grinding to a halt and new music spring just revving its engine, let me be one of many to say “I am drowning right now”! New media seems to be everywhere, and in this economy finals schedule I am simply unprepared to process it all. In a futile attempt to do so anyway, here’s a review roundup!
Disclaimer: as the subhead says, some of the following contents are not entirely new. Sometimes I’m just late to the party.
Banks took me to church: Serpentina review
If it’s one thing I’m gonna do, it is assign an emotionally significant Banks record to a time period in my life. Given that spring has sprung and we must still patiently await Dance Fever, this means its Serpentina season.
I watched and waited as spaced-out singles and studio teasers were spoon-fed to the public, and finally rejoiced as an album announcement finally came. I was all over the place in terms of single reception; “Holding Back” and “Meteorite” are on track for my top songs of the month, but “I Still Love You” and “Skinnydipped” fell into the background noise. I had little pretense and open expectations for a cohesive and stunning body of work.
What I received was a revelatory awakening, the reminder that most albums are not entirely infallible. There were some skips and there were some wins, but I was once again left feeling that the album played its cards too early by revealing the best tracks as singles. Either way, the signature brash production and innovative melodies that chorused through gospel and blues influences were enough to sate me for the time being. My only question remains: in regards to the inventor of which came first, the chicken (Iggy Azalea) or the egg (Jillian Banks)?
Physical on Apple TV Plus
I have found my niche (20th century period dramedies shot with warm tones and great costumes). I just discovered this series this week, remarkably in time for the season two release date confirmation. I came for Rose Byrne, stayed for Della Saba, and will continue to come back for Louis Taylor-Pucci.
This series is heavy handed in a really smart way, using a classic 80s soundtrack and familiar cuts from scene to scene to show the monotonous motifs of a post-leftist housewife trapped between a loser of a husband and an eating disorder. The pacing is predictable but not boring, and a tight ten episodes makes for a great binge (NPI).
Slow Horses on Apple TV Plus
I have also found another niche (dimly lit ensemble cast noir mysteries with Olivia Cooke in them). While coping with the resurgence of weekly releases on streaming platforms and adjusting my corresponding attention span, I have been slowly devouring this series. It’s very British and very prestigecore, which may turn some viewers off but goes to my immediate watchlist. If you like seeing washed up spies get rained on and tongue-in-cheek glimpses of the Service, catch up on the existing episodes before next Friday! Also, season two is already filmed and on the way.
Edith! From QCODE Media
There’s nothing I eat up like a QCODE podcast, and as I enter my scripted fiction pod era, this is my most recent listen. Though historical revision is sticky and usually an ick for me, this lens of a secret hidden female US president is something new. The show’s exploration of Edith’s dependence on others while simultaneously attempting to maintain a con by her own wits is delicious to watch and resonates after finishing, and we all know how I feel about Rosamund Pike. That’s my girl, so go stream ASAP.
This was short and sweet, because it's Easter and I’m trying to balance celebrating with the imminent essays hanging over my head like a guillotine. If you celebrated Passover or Ramadan this weekend, I hope you had a lovely holiday. I love you, and I’ll see you next week!