What I've Been Listening To (May 2025)

I listened to so much good music in May, not to mention how three of my most anticipated albums/EPs for the second quarter of the year were released after long waits. So, with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely.

The first of my anticipated May releases was Kilo Kish’s new EP, Negotiations. The singles were a complete vibe, and I enjoyed the overall style of the visuals—which were this tired office aesthetic. And the rest of the EP lived up to my expectations. It continued with the moody pop and electronic infusion featured on the singles.

Then the second of my most anticipated May releases was Pink Pantheress’ newest release. There are some mixtapes that just feel like albums (like FKA Twigs’ Capri Songs), and that’s pretty much how I view Fancy That. It was a whole lot of fun to engage with. I also wasn’t very familiar with UK Garage before this, but now I want to delve more into that genre.

And finally, there was Lethal. I loved it so much. It was everything I like about Rico Nasty’s past discography but from a slightly different angle. Lethal was a combination of rap and punk rock, and Rico Nasty leans into what she does best here. It just works.

Emotional Oranges is one of the duos I checked out last month, with their album Orenjii. It was solid R&B with influences that called backed to music from the 90s and early 2000s (which is kind of a trend lately)—and if you’ve listened to any of it, some of the songs here might feel familiar (such as That Girl). But, the album had plenty to offer, because its influences weren’t the sum total of what it was. Instead, it used its references effectively, and delivered an album firmly grounded in the group’s style. It was fun.

And last but not least, one of the most unexpected (and surprising) finds from last month was Better Dreaming by Tune-Yards. The duo is new to me, and their new album came up under my recommendations. Some bodies of work are what I would describe as smooth, and Better Dreaming fits that bill perfectly with its indie alternative sound. This was very easy to listen to.

Singles that made it to my playlist: Cali by Clea, No Holding Back by Joya Mooi featuring Joeyturks, The Only Love We Know by Naomi Sharon, Messed Up Ways by Abi Ocia, Toes in the Grass by Adanna Duru, Rozzelle Court by TheBabeGabe and The Human, Spend It by Cydnee with a C, Maybe by HIHEME featuring Yourz, and three songs by Ambar Lucid (Stranger Dressed In White, 6am, and I Feel Everything).

Short Stories I Read In April

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

Buried Deep by Naomi Novik (Buried Deep and Other Stories)

On the short fiction front, I started April by reading more from Novik’s short story collection, Buried Deep and Other Stories. This time, I tacked the titular story, Buried Deep. This one was a retelling of a Greek myth, reimagining the story of the Minotaur, Ariadne, and the labyrinth into a short tale about the bond between siblings and the unfortunate circumstances which the two found themselves in. It was a time period/society which didn’t leave them with many options either, and it was the kind of situation that was lose-lose no matter which way it was approached. That being said, Novik’s treatment of the myth offered an interesting spin. So Buried Deep was another good one from this collection.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (Buried Deep and Other Stories)

And, finally, I reached the short story that was one of the reasons I picked up this collection to begin with. Spinning Silver is still one of my favorite wintery novels, and for the longest time I was curious about the original short story. And, I liked this version too. It was essentially a condensed version of the novel, especially the first few chapters—although the book greatly expanded on what happened and added the perspectives of Irina and Wanda. This narrative was much more straightforward and followed only Miryem and the consequences of her boasting. Spinning Silver is easily one of my favorites from Buried Deep and Other Stories.

From around the web…

• The Uselessness of Dachshunds [Maggie Stiefvater’s Substack]: I liked this essay about creating art even when it doesn’t have a specific value.

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.

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.

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).

From around the web…

• Taking the “Shoulds” Out of Reading [Molly Templeton; Reactor Magazine; February 27, 2025]: This was an essay on removing arbitrary “shoulds” (pressure, or maybe obligation is the better word for it) when approaching reading. It’s a good reminder to simply embrace your individual taste in fiction, or at least try to.
• Homes to Remember and Forget [Ai Jiang; Uncanny Magazine Issue Sixty-Two]: This was the second of the essays I read on Uncanny, and, as I’ve said a number of times on the blog, I like house stories—or stories with settings which act as another character, or have enough of a presence in a story to be memorable. So, it’s no wonder I liked an essay that essentially looks at the concept of home in genre fiction.
• A Mug of Insights: Books That Made Us Who We Are with Ruby Granger: I recently got into this podcast after checking out Robin Waldun’s YouTube channel. Specifically, I listened to this episode since anything about books (and other people discussing their favorite fiction or nonfiction) usually interests me, and this one scratched that particular itch.
• Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know about Writing Swords [Suzanne Walker; Uncanny Magazine Issue Sixty-Two]: I enjoyed this essay a lot. It talks about craft, specifically—and as implied by the title—a look at swords from someone who actually trains with them.
• The Abyss: The Nuts-and-Bolts Approach to High-Pressure First Contact [Kali Wallace; Reactor Magazine; March 5, 2025]: I liked this column over on Reactor Magazine about the practical effects used to make the 1989 film, The Abyss.

Thought Corner: Revisiting How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price Seven Years Later

I first read Catherine Price’s How To Break Up With Your Phone seven years ago (in March), and it was for review. I remember liking this book, even though nonfiction, specifically self-help, isn’t something I typically reach for. Since then, it’s sort of sat on my shelf and become the kind of book I would always look at and think it was time to revisit it, but somehow I never made the time for it (even though its short, coming in under two hundred pages). In 2025, I’ve gotten more reflective about the internet at large, and as a result, I took a detour last month and ended up rereading this book.

Even after six years, How To Break Up With Your Phone retains its timeliness, especially with its chapters about social media, memory, and the way technology intersects with our lives, in both helpful and harmful ways. It’s an excellent book. And, even though this was a reread, I was left with plenty to think about by the end of it (essentially food for thought), because when I thought about it, I’m not sure I fully appreciated everything this book does when I first read it. At least, the topic it covers wasn’t as relevant to me then as it is now, especially when lately I’ve been thinking more and more about how I want to engage with the internet and social media.

For example, at the beginning of 2025, I thought I would dust off my old Instagram account and start posting regularly about books again—even if it was only once a week—since I no longer use twitter to share even links to blog posts. But, then Meta changed its policy, and I was left in the same position as before. I know there are other platforms I could try, but I haven’t done that, especially when I know it’s just as easy to post things like reviews and photos to the blog too.

All that to say, How To Break Up With Your Phone offered plenty of information to engage with independently, but it could also serve as a starting point for conversations.

Short Stories I Read In February

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

This month was a much slower one, so I settled for reading a couple of stories from Naomi Novik’s short fiction collection, Buried Deep and Other Stories. I went into this one knowing I would likely encounter spoilers for Novik’s other series, including The Scholomance (which I have two books left to read). However, it doesn’t bother me or ruin my potential enjoyment, but it is something to keep in mind.

Araminta, Or, The Wreck Of The Amphidrake is the first story in the collection. Lady Araminta often went-against-the-grain, and as the story tells, she was caught reading a spellbook among other things. So a solution was reached: she was going to get married. But, as the way these things typically go in fiction, even the best laid plans can (and often do) go awry. I liked the seafaring and fantasy aspect of this story as well as Lady Araminta’s personality, her practical way of thinking, her inclination toward adventure, and her desire to do anything other than go home and do what was expected. That plus the environmental dangers and a rather inventive solution to Lady Araminta’s problems, made a story I found interesting and ultimately wanted more of.

Then there was After Hours, a story set in the Scholomance (and I believe it takes place after the end of the trilogy), about a mushroom witch who—after finding herself backed into a corner—enacts a desperate plan. But, the rules are there for a reason, and to break them is really at your own peril. And that was, ultimately, part of the lesson in the story for Beata. Oh, and it’s good to have friends/be on friendly terms with your roommate—because the Scholomance had its reasons for pairing people. Honestly, I adored this story, and I reminded me what I loved about A Deadly Education. And, hopefully, maybe, I’ll have time to take a look at the series again, like I did with The Raven Cycle.

From Around the Web…

• Thee Enduring Appeal of Magnificent Trees and Fantasy Forests [Kali Wallace; Reactor Magazine; January 30, 2025]: It's an essay about trees (both real world and of the magical/imagined variety from various works of fiction and media). 

• Choose Your Fighter: YA versus Adult [Maggie Stiefvater Substack; December 6, 2024]: I enjoyed this essay from Maggie Stiefvater about her decision/mindset/approach to making the switch from YA to Adult fiction.

What I've Been Listening To: January-February

One type of media which has brought me some measure of joy and relaxation at the current moment is: music. January and February saw the release of some of my most anticipated albums, and with how many of them I enjoyed, the first quarter of 2025 has set the bar pretty high. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd is supposed to be his last under this particular name. Honestly, this album is a vibe. It was a sequel to Dawn FM and a callback to his previous work, mixing in references, themes, and dark imagery while also pulling in beats which could sound familiar at times but with a fresh take. Hurry Up Tomorrow was contemplative; an album that was in conversation with The Weeknd’s career and discography—the effects of the persona on the person behind the artist—while, at the same time, as the title suggests, it was looking forward.

I’m an occasional listener when it comes to Kendrick Lamar, as such his latest album, GNX, wasn’t initially on my radar. However, I circled back to it after his Super Bowl Halftime performance, particularly in search of his collaboration with SZA, Luther, which was one of the songs they performed. GNX felt like a hip-hop and rap album from the early 2000s but with an update. Kendrick Lamar delivers some excellent verses over quality production.

Next, I checked out four artists—The Pocket Queen, ALT BLK ERA, Defences, and Justice— based on Adri’s recommendation.

Justice’s Hyperdrama is a solid electronic album with a number of great features including with Tame Impala (Neverender, One Night/All Night), Thundercat (The End), Miguel (Saturnine), RIMON (Afterimage), Connan Mockasin (Explorer), and The Flints (Mannequin Love).

Then Groove Theory Vol. 1 by The Pocket Queen is a short EP. I really like this artist’s style. Her music is almost like a drumming showcase while it also takes some influence from R&B and disco, for a very smooth listening experience—this is also true for her latest song, Good Vibes featuring Duckwrth.

Shadowlight by Defences and Rave Immortal by ALT BLK ERA scratched my itch for rock music. Shadwlight falls on the heavier side standing firmly in metal. All-in-all, it’s an incredibly enjoyable album. And then there’s Rave Immortal, which is the first of the two rave inspired albums I’ve listened to so far this year. It’s rock and, in the words of Adri, “dubstep,” but it isn’t all fun and game, there are some reflective songs there too (Straight To Heart and Come On Outside for example).

And last, but certainly not least: Eusexua by FKA Twigs. This was my most anticipated release for the first quarter of 2025, and it did everything I hoped it would. It kind of filled the space left by Brat with FKA Twigs’s take on rave. They’re two very different albums, and Eusexua, in particular, has a grungier party vibe—a little strange, a little ethereal—which was complimented by Twigs’s vocals.

Here are some singles which made it onto my playlist: Weight of Desire by Tennis, Disease and Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, Monsters by Nova Twins, Good Vibes by The Pocket Queen featuring Duckwrth, Meddle In The Mold-A Colors Show by Banks, and Butterfly by Marina.

Doctor Who: Blink, Silence in the Library & Forest of the Dead

On Christmas Day, my co-blogger and I ended up watching a marathon of Doctor Who episodes on BBC America, rather than other holiday staples. I was in, because there were showing some of my favorites, like Blink, as well as episodes I’d missed such as the two part story in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead.

Where to begin? Well, Blink, for starters, is one of my favorite episodes of Doctor Who. I always remembered it best for the montage of gargoyles and statues at the end, while the Doctor says “Don’t blink,” as well as for the design of the Weeping Angels and the menace they presented in the narrative. What I think is interesting is how little the Doctor and Martha appear in this episode but how impactful they still are to—who is arguably the main character in this story—Sally Sparrow, who is drawn in to this complex web, this almost cat and mouse game.

Then there’s the two part story: Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead. The Doctor and Donna arrive at a library, one that’s the size of a planet, which presented a whole new complicated and puzzling set of circumstances. How can so many people be saved and yet there are no survivors? And it’s here where the Doctor and Donna’s paths crossed with River Song—who knew more about the Doctor than he knew of her—and a motley crew of explorers, tasked with figuring out what occurred in the library. Like Blink, Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead was complex, engrossing, and eerie. It was a mission destined to go haywire. And, it had these emotional beats taking place, so when something occurred you kind of experience the horror of the situation as its happening to the characters.

Some of the reasons why these episodes resonate so much with me are because of the non-linear timelines affected how the Doctor and Donna or Martha interacted with other characters. And for the atmosphere, this almost thriller mystery-esque setup that wants to lean more toward horror, and it does with the way the events play out as well as how the Weeping Angels and the Vashta Nerada impact the stories.

It was nice to revisit Blink. And, it was great to finally see how River Song was introduced to the series.

What I've Been Listening To: November and December 2024

Since I took an extended break at the end of 2024, it’s a given that I’ve accumulated something of a backlog of music, which I haven’t written about yet. So this post is overdue.

Tempest is new to my playlist, but she’s an artist I intend to watch. I adored her EP, The Ranch. Its R&B through and through combined with some pop and rap (particularly on the titular track) with some lyrics about relationships and self-worth (Worthy, Don’t Need You, etc.).

Then I was in the mood for hyper-pop and pop with a dreamy ethereal vibe so I checked out a couple of albums and a collaborative EP. First was My Twee Monsters by Tracey Brakes. This one ticked all the boxes with the exact vibe I was looking for with heavily autotuned vocals and upbeat, almost chaotic beats. Then I got the dreamy music I wanted with Night Tapes’s album, Assisted Memories. There was something soft almost grainy about the style, which made me think of old films—an impression which was furthered by the visuals and artwork—while the themes of the songs went much deeper and were often contemplative. And, switching back to hyper-pop (and rock) I listened to Soul Kiss by Frost Children and Haru Nemuri. Honestly, Soul Kiss was one of my favorite collaboration EPs of 2024. The artists’ styles and vocals meshed really well here, and my only gripe is that I wish it was longer.

Up next, I listened to Mars Argo’s EP: I Can Only Be Me. It only had three songs, but I loved all of them. If you know anything about this artists, then this collection of music will feel very relevant.

And last, but certainly not least, SZA released the deluxe edition of SOS before 2024 was over. Lana was excellent. It added an additional fifteen songs and, tonally, was different from SOS. It was cohesive, but not repetitive. It didn’t stray too far from what I’ve come to expect from SZA, but everything was done well and with creativity, making it a fun foray/return to SOS. And, oh man, did I love every second of it.

The new singles added to my playlist include: Best Friends by Banks, Obsessed by Olivia Rodrigo, Lizard People by Chi featuring Deto Black and Mowalola, Don’t Smile and Bed Chem by Sabrina Carpenter, In the Morning by Dorian Electra, and Need Dat Boy by Lil Nas X .

Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986)

I’m not a ballet aficionado, but I enjoy them from time to time. That being said, few movies make me think of winter and the holidays as much as the various recordings and retellings of The Nutcracker. There was this one version, though, the motion picture—as the title proclaims—released in 1986, which I watched, paused, and then resumed watching almost an entire year later with my co-blogger, Adri.

Nutcracker: The Motion Picture is fun. Because it’s not a stage production, it does interesting things with its lighting, the angle of the camera, the transitions between the scenes (the switch between perspectives, the shrinking and growing). There’s no audience, but the grownup version of Clara is the narrator. It’s on the stage, but it’s clearly a motion picture with that format in mind. But it also holds onto its influences, with set backgrounds and moving aspects designed with a distinctive (and flat) illustrative quality. The character’s don’t speak, but instead tell the story through dance and expression.

Again, I’m no aficionado, I’m just a viewer, and this is my opinion. Have you watched Nutcracker: The Motion Picture?

Short Stories: The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke illustrated by Victoria Sawdon

I'm taking a brief break from the usual format of Short Stories, to take a look at the new Susanna Clarke story, The Wood a Midwinter, illustrated by Victoria Sawdon.

Title: The Wood at Midwinter
Series: n/a
Author/Illustrator: Susanna Clarke; Victoria Sawdon
Source/Format: Purchased; Hardcover
More Details: Fantasy; Short Story
Publisher/Publication Date: Bloomsbury Publishing; October 20, 2024

Goodreads 

Synopsis from Goodreads...

From the internationally bestselling and prize-winning author of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, an enchanting, beautifully illustrated short story set in the Strange universe.

"A church is a sort of wood. A wood is a sort of church. They're the same thing really."

Nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scott is an unusual girl. She can talk to animals and trees - and she is only ever happy when she is walking in the woods. One snowy afternoon, out with her dogs and Apple the pig, Merowdis encounters a blackbird and a fox. As darkness falls, a strange figure enters in their midst - and the path of her life is changed forever.

As my Short Story intro above says, I’m taking a break from the typical format to look at Susanna Clarke’s short story, The Wood at Midwinter, illustrated by Victoria Sawdon. I was very excited to pick this one up, considering how much I adored Piranesi—and I’m slowly working my way through Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norwell, which has, so far, been as entertaining as I’d hoped. But, I digress, this post is about The Wood at Midwinter.

A woman, Merowdis, sits in a forest at midwinter, which was, now that I think about it, very fairy tale-esque of her. She talks to animals, to the bugs, and even to the trees; her loyal animals and, as the title suggests, the wood at midwinter. It’s a conversation between all of them, wherein she laments about her life, what she doesn’t wish to do, and admits to what she desperately wants to have and hold—regardless of the consequences and what she might have to give up to have it. And in a story with a setting like this one, with a quietly magical atmosphere, anything was possible.

The Wood at Midwinter is short but still a delightful little story with an enigmatic character and a wintery backdrop, which featured a nice visual aspect accompanying the prose with Sawdon’s illustrations.

What I've Been Listening To (October 2024)

October was actually a busier month for music releases than I anticipated. So, it’s time for another What I’ve Been Listening To. 

Ache In My Tooth by Flowerovlove (October 11): I was first recommended Flowerovlove’s music by my co-blogger, Adri, and since then I’ve gone on to check out more of her music. Last month, she released an EP called Ache In My Tooth, which included the single Breaking News. It was an airy, sugary Pop EP about love and relationships with a bright aesthetic. I liked this one, and I look forward to seeing what Flowerovlove does next.

Clancy by Twenty One Pilots (May 24): Admittedly, it took me entirely too long to listen to Clancy, considering it was one of my more highly anticipated albums of 2024. But, anyway, it is what it is. Did I like Clancy? Yes, and by a lot, actually. I’ve been following along with the lore/story being told, since Blurryface, and this album felt like a nice wrap-up to the journey, and it was done in Twenty One Pilots usual style—a genre mashup. Some of my favorite songs included Overcompensate, Backslide, Next Semester, and At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb, just to name a few.

Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall) by Florence + The Machine with Jules Buckley (October 25): Symphony of Lungs is Florence + The Machine’s new live album with Jules Buckley and an orchestra. I wasn’t expecting it, but I love it! And, it was nice to revisit the band’s 2009 album, Lungs, with this performance.

Megan Act II by Megan Thee Stallion (October 25): Megan Thee Stallion released a deluxe edition of her album, Megan. Titled, Megan Act II, this version added an additional thirteen tacks to one of my favorite rep albums of the years. And, I had as much fun listening to this one as I did the original. I also liked the features too: Flo Milli on Roc Steady, a remix of Mamushi with Twice, another collaboration with Spiritbox on TYG, and Neva Play with BTS’s RM.

Brat and it’s completely different but also still Brat by Charli XCX (October 11): And, the Brat train continues. It’s not the deluxe, no, we already got that, instead Brat and it’s completely different but also still Brat it’s the remix album. And, for the most part, I enjoyed this version of it too. It’s Brat but a rework of the formula, which offered another way to experience the album as well as some great features. After all, Charli XCX worked with artists like Troye Sivan, Tinashe, Caroline Polachek, Kesha, Billie Eilish, Shygirl, Bladee, and more.

New singles and songs on my playlist: On Your Knees and Don’t Mess With The Messer by Grace Jones, Supernatural by Frost Children featuring Haru Nemuri, Pull Up by Internet Girl Featuring Maglera Doe Boy, RIP by Qveen Herby, and Frankenstein by Qveen Herby featuring Tech N9ne.

Short Stories I Read In September

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

The 6% Squeeze by Eddie Robson (Uncanny Magazine; Issue Sixty)

The 6% Squeeze by Eddie Robson was an uncanny and engrossing short story (no pun intended) with hints of absurd and horror, about a man—Miles—and the design of a product package, for a brand referred to as “Mr Zeb.” Seems pretty mundane right? Well, the story quickly took a turn, and the instructions for how to design the packaging read like a manual for a cult, as Miles discovers just who he’s doing freelance for. I liked this story. It had a great, eerie atmosphere, and the build-up toward the reveal and the end was tense.

The Music Must Always Play by Marissa Lingen (Clarkesworld Magazine; Issue 216 September 2024)

The next short story I checked out was Marissa Lingen’s The Music Must Always Play. This is the second story I've read from this author this year (the other one was And the Dreams That You Dare to Dream). This one was a first contact story set in Mankato, Minnesota, after an alien ship crash landed. The aliens were significant but also a small part of the story. They weren’t the focus, rather it was the aftermath of the crash, and a linguists, Maryam Mohamed’s, attempts to understand the clues they left behind. There was nothing dramatic, in terms of twists, due to how the emotional arc in this character sturdy was the point. I liked what Lingen did with Maryam. She was a complicated character, who was caught between her dedication to linguistics and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study an alien language and her desire to be closer to her family during her father’s illness. All-in-all, The Music Must Always Play was a good one. 

From around the web…

• The Moonlight Market by Joanne Harris is Full of Charm [Liz Bourke; Reactor Magazine; September 30 2024]

I Listened to Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii

Doechii is one of my favorite rappers recently, alongside the likes of Megan Thee Stallion. 2024 has been a busy year, with numerous releases including standalone singles like Alter Ego featuring JT and Pacer, and a series called Swamp Sessions—which proceeded the release of this mixtape. Titled Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii’s latest was released on August twenty-third. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Doechii is a great rapper, as proven by her earlier work, and that trend continued with this mixtape. This is some of her best work and, honestly, it didn’t even feel like a mixtape while I was listening to it. If someone told me this was an album, I’d buy it—I had a similar opinion about FKA Twigs mixtape, Caprisongs.

Alligator Bites Never Heal is grungy, reflective, open, and defined by some incredible flows and production that tended to get creative (for example Boiled Peanuts, GTFO, and Skipp). It felt, at times, like hip-hop and rap from the early 2000s and 90s with a classic/timeless vibe. There was everything from the bite-size Swamp Sessions songs on the album (Bullfrog, Catfish, Nissan Altima, and Boom Bap), to the reflective intro Stankapoo, and the almost pop adjacent Beverly Hills where Doechii shows off her singing chops. There are plenty of other great songs on this one too like Fireflies, HUH, and Wait, just to name a few.

So, Alligator Bites Never Heal was a great collection of music from Doechii.     

Spooky Books to Read This October (2024)

I don’t often do a recommendation list for books but, each year, if there’s a month I’ll put one together, it’ll be for October. So, welcome! Here’s a short list of spooky books.

Middle Grade & Young Adult

It Came From the Trees by Ally Russell is one of my favorite middle grade horror novels to-date. It has plenty to offer: outdoorsy main character, an eerie atmosphere, and a creative (and terrifying) twist on Bigfoot.

Give Me Something Good to Eat by D.W. Gillespie is aptly compared to Hocus Pocus and Stranger Things. The MC, Mason Miller, is in a race against time to save his sister from the macabre tradition hosted by a witch each Halloween.

The last middle grade novel on this list is Amalie Howard’s Bumps in the Night. Darika Lovelace confronts family secrets and ends up on a supernatural adventure through a dangerous, otherworldly maze.

Up next is Holly Horror: The Longest Night by Michelle Jabès Corpora. One of my most anticipated sequels of 2024 and an atmospheric ghost story that finally answers the big mystery of the series, which began in Holly Horror.

General Fiction

The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo, the fifth novella in The Singing Hills Cycle. Cleric Chih is accompanying a bride, and the story that unfolds is a haunting, gothic mystery set in a crumbling, isolated estate.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is set during the “Great War,” and follows a combat nurse who’s looking for her brother, who may (against all odds) be still alive, despite being presumed dead. It’s a bittersweet yet hopeful story as well as one full of ghosts and the visceral horrors of war.

Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker is a slightly lighter story than The Warm Hands of Ghosts. But it was, at its core, still a ghost story, which took place on the sets of a niche TV show—a cross between ghost hunting and home renovation.

Classic

Sabriel is Garth Nix’s 1995 fantasy novel, the first of The Old Kingdom series: Necromancy, a crumbling kingdom succumbing to the dead, and a heroine reluctant to pick up the mantle of Abhorsen. There is a sense of dread that permeates across the entire story.

So, that’s every spooky book I’m recommending this October. Happy reading!

I Listened to Paradise State of Mind by Foster the People

Now, I’m not as familiar with the indie pop band, Foster The People as I am with other artists I’ve mentioned for the music related posts on Our Thoughts Precisely. That can be explained by the seven year gap between their last and current major musical project. However, I was anticipating their fourth studio album anyway, Paradise State of Mind, after listening to the single, Lost in Space, in May of this year. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Released on August 16, 2024, Paradise State of Mind was preceded by three singles: Lost in Space, Chasing Low Vibrations, and Take Me Back. And it can be summed up as an infusion of genres—funk, some jazz, disco, and even some notes of gospel tossed in there—with quality production. It’s not the longest album I’ve listened to lately with just eleven songs, but it’s a cohesive listening experience that felt just right, in terms of length and substance. In some ways, it had a Very retro feel to it, particularly around the 1970s style of music, but it was a great combination that didn’t feel dated! For example: Glitchzig, the opening See You In The Afterlife, the titular Paradise State of Mind, and even the closing track A Diamond To Be Born.

So, Paradise State of Mind wasn’t an album I started the year anticipating, but as the singles were released, my hype only grew. And, ultimately, I ended up loving it.

 

I Listened to Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay

Magdalena Bay is one of my favorite music duos on the scene right now. I know their music best by their debut album, Murcurial World (2021), as well as their extended plays (EP)—Mini Mix volumes 1-3 (2019-2023), and A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling (2020). Now, they’re back with their second studio album, Imaginal Disk. Released on August 23, 2024, this latest offering follows the same vein as a lot of their previous work, while also keeping it fresh and interesting. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Imaginal Disk falls right into synth/dance pop, and it’s done with Magdalena Bay’s usual flare. A little strange, completely fun, thematic, and with something a little dark but also light and dreamy to it (which was really sticking to the concept behind the album). (And if you have the chance, I recommend reading about it.) It also brought in some rock influences, such as on the single Tunnel Vision—one of my personal favorites off the album—That’s My Floor, and Love Is Everywhere. It also wasn’t afraid to slow the tempo down by a notch on tracks like Vampire in the Corner, Cry for Me, and Watching T.V., without losing the almost cinematic atmosphere that defines much of the album.

Magdalena Bay knocked it out of the park with Imaginal Disk. It was dramatic in all the right ways, and honestly, at the end of the day, just good music. So if you’ve enjoyed this duo’s music in the past, you’ll likely love Imaginal Disk too.

What I've Been Listening To

In the last two months, there was a flurry of new releases, including some of my most anticipated albums of 2024. So, in addition to the other music related posts scheduled for this month, it was time to do another What I’ve Been Listening To. And with that, welcome back to the music minded corner of Our Thoughts Precisely!

Big Ideas by Remi Wolf

Remi Wolf has a particular style to her music, which I appreciate as a listener. As such, she’s one of my favorite artists, and I was excited about her upcoming album, Big Ideas, since I first heard about it. Big Ideas is Wolf’s second album, and it was preceded by the singles: Cinderella, Toro, Alone In Miami, and Motorcycle. Released in July, the album is aptly named. It had big ideas, lots of them in fact, supported by Wolf’s vocal performance and creative direction with the production. It reminded me of her debut, Juno, with its splashy pop infused with other genres. And you’ll find a lot of that on Big Ideas as well. This was another good album from Remi Wolf.

Quantum Baby by Tinashe

Tinashe is back with her seventh studio album, the follow up to BB/ANG3L, Quantum Baby. This was my most anticipated August release, and also the shortest album I listened to last month, with just eight songs. It was another good one, though. The two singles, Nasty and Getting No Sleep, were pretty accurate, when it came to gaging what the album was going to be. Themes are carried over from BB/ANG3L, but where that was more R&B, Quantum Baby gets a little more experimental with its arrangements, and dips its toes into synth-pop—which almost had a futuristic vibe going on. Overall, I’m left in the same position as I was by the end of BB/ANG3L: I want more. Luckily, from what I’ve read, Quantum Baby is only the second release of a planned trilogy. So there’s more to look forward to.

Trouble In Paradise by Chloe

You might know Chloe better as half of the duo (and sisters) that made up the group Chloe X Halle, and for the past couple of years she’s been releasing music as a solo artist. Trouble In Paradise is her second studio album, which was supported by the singles Boy Bye—an upbeat pop track about breakups—and FYS. It was summery and fun with an island vibe, and I enjoyed my listening experience, simple as that. It also had some great features such as Might as Well featuring Ty Dolla Sign, Favorite featuring Anderson .Paak, YG Marley on Never Let You Go, Shake with Jeremih, and Want Me featuring Halle. All-in-all, Trouble in Paradise was a great album.

And last, but certainly not lost, here are the singles that made it to my playlist: The girl, so confusing version with Lorde by Charli XCX featuring Lorde, Back To You by Kimbra, and Demi God by Kimbra featuring Sahtyre.