Monday, May 19, 2025

Music Monday (316): Joya Mooi, Tetrarch

 Rules:

  • Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 
Breana: Lately, I've been listening to the deluxe version of Joya Mooi's EP, Open Hearts. One of my favorite tracks is No Holding Back.


Adri: Tetrarch's new album, The Ugly Side of Me, came out on the 9th of May. Needless to say I'm enjoying the album. It was hard to chose one, so my picks today are Never Again (Parasite) and The Ugly Side of Me.




What are you listening to this week?

Friday, May 16, 2025

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

I know I’ve been reading more horror and nonfiction lately (The Shining, Whistle, and Careless People), but I’ve also made time for more lighthearted media too. One of my favorite films I watched earlier this year—which immediately springs to mind whenever I consider reaching for something light and humorous—is Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

The movie is a lot of fun, and the beginning was pretty silly but also kind of serious. Wallace’s latest invention was a robot named Norbot, which was meant to help with gardening. And, ultimately, there were hijinks and comedic mishaps (and one very annoyed Gromit). But, maybe because it was meant to make things so easy, Wallace couldn’t see the way the technology could be exploited, which left the door open for a thief with an axe to grind to exact his vengeance. It sounds pretty serious when I put it that way, but Vengeance Most Fowl is a comedy through and through with some spectacularly animated scenes (stop-motion is one of my favorite styles anyway) that were both humorous and dramatic in the best way. It also had a solid story with enough stakes to keep it interesting and a surprisingly touching resolution that makes the adventure worth watching.

So, if you’re looking for a movie that doesn’t have the highest stakes and could make you laugh, then I’d recommend checking out Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

What I've Been Listening To (April)


Once again, I have listened to enough music—thanks Spotify—to justify another What I’ve Been Listening To. This time, I’m here to discuss some of the music that kept me entertained in April. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!


Somehow, last year, I missed Spiral Tape by Zowie Kengocha. But you know how the saying goes, better late than never, because I adored this album. Spiral Tape had impeccable vibes. It wasn’t the most upbeat of the music on my list today, but I appreciated how mellow it could be, while, if you take a look at the lyrics, you’ll see, like I did, how contemplative the album actually is. It was like a character study or a critical analysis, and it was mixed with themes of self-acceptance. And it was all wrapped up in a stylish package that left me wanting more.

One of the EPs I listened to last month was Club Shyroom 2 by Shygirl. This one had club friendly electropop music, but rather than a Brat approach, it had a grungier feel to it that was more in line with albums like FKA Twigs’ Eusexua with rap verses and an overall upbeat feel that I’ve encountered in Megan Thee Stallion’s recent releases.

Then I checked out A$h’s new album, Low Key. She’s a new-to-me artist, and I found her through (once again) a recommendation with the song I’m So Nice. And I liked the rest of Low Key just as much too. There was some really good music here, like the titular Low Key, I’m So Nice, and Leave Me Alone just to name a few.

Another one of the older EPs I liked was: Die 4 UR Love by Tei Shi. It had an almost retro and early 2000s pop vibe to it, which I enjoyed. Five songs was entirely too short, and I came away wishing there were more tracks on Die 4 UR Love.

Like so much of what I’ve been listening to lately, VOL.1 Learning in Public by DEVAURA, an EP, showed up on my radar thanks to a recommendation, and I’m so glad that it did. Learning in Public blended a number of genres together to get its sound—leading to an impression of experimentation—with everything from pop, R&B, electronic, and even a little amapiano mixed in (and to good effect). There were a couple of features too: Hylander (that tone switch at the end of Tundra was excellent), Law OS (Venice), and Blessed (Eden). Essentially, DEVAURA’s EP was the kind of music I find extremely fun to engage with.

Speaking of mellow music, I also listened to Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast. My co-blogger, Adri, knew about this band before I did, and when I mentioned their name in a conversation, she said I should give their music a try. And, I really enjoyed Jubilee. It kind of had that slow rock, indie singer songwriter vibe going on. Some of my favorite songs included: Paprika, Slide Tackle, and Tactics just to name a few. So, I’m looking forward to checking out their 2025 album.

Then, one of my most anticipated April albums released on the twenty-fifth: Face Down in the Garden by Tennis. I love-love-loved this album! The band delivered an enjoyable listening experience with a body of work that was in line with the hits offered by the singles (Weight of Desire, 12 Blown Tires, etc). It was indie pop with a mellow almost nostalgic and retro style of sound. And that’s why I was pretty sad when I saw the announcement of Tennis’ indefinite hiatus, but at least there was this last album, and it was a good note to go out on.


And then, last month I also checked out the Coachella livestream (April 11-13, and 18-20), and I saw some performances from a handful of new-to-me artist, which enjoyed. Those included Clario, The Marias, Keshi, Ginger Root, and Basement Jaxx.

And, finally, some of the singles that made it onto my playlist include: I Got It by Rinni, It’s Alright by Courtnie, Tell me I never knew that by Caroline and Caroline Polachek, Falling In Love by R.A.E., Negotiate by Kilo Kish featuring Miguel, West by BUKKY, New Girl by Jai’Len Josey, and N-QUIL by Jay Kent.



Monday, May 5, 2025

Music Monday (315): Abi Ocia, Afro Celt Sound System

Rules:

  • Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 
Breana: Abi Ocia, one of my favorite artists, is back with a new song: Messed Up Ways. I really like this one (and I appreciated how it used the Jersey Beat).

 

Adri: I was making some more playlists and came across a new-to-me musical group. I liked their stuff, so my pick this week is Whirl-Y-Reel 1 and Whirl-Y-Reel 2 by Afro Celt Sound System.




What are you listening to this week?


Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Short Stories I Read In March

It’s the twenty-ninth of April. So it’s time to write about the short stories, miscellaneous posts, and podcast episodes I read or listened to in March.

Vici by Naomi Novik [Buried Deep and Other Stories]

In March, I read a little more of Novik’s Buried Deep and Other Stories with the third story in the collection: Vici. This was an ancient Rome inspired tale set in the Temeraire universe about a man, Antony, who escaped death, seemingly got everything he wanted and then some, only to have a wrench thrown at him in the form of a dragon. Antony wasn’t a particularly likeable character, but the story surrounding his mishaps and misfortune was thoroughly entertaining enough for me to fly through the story (no pun intended).

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