I’ve been a fan of Lizzo for a while now, and one of my most anticipated albums of the year was her follow-up to 2019’s Cuz I Love You. It was one of my favorites during its release year, and that album (and the ones before it) set the bar pretty high for the kind of fun and quality music I expect from Lizzo. (Don’t even get me started about her 2016 EP, Coconut Oil. I still love it.)
Lizzo’s latest release, Special, more than continued with that trend, delivering catchy retro 80s pop and disco beats, mixed with hip hop and funk. In terms of lyrics and messaging, Special is a pretty positive album overall, especially in its tone. However, it was also reflective and heartfelt too, especially with songs like 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready), Break Up Twice, and Special, just to name a few.
There are no features on the album, but honestly, Special didn’t need any. Lizzo’s artistry was on full display. What I thought was interesting was how she used a variety of samples to really drive home the aesthetic of the album, but they didn’t overpower the tracks.
The hype for Special was more than deserved. It really is one of my favorite albums of 2022, and I look forward to whatever Lizzo releases next.
Have you listened to Special yet? If so, what did you think about it?
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: I really like this collaboration between Audrey Nuna and Deb Never. It's called Sardines.
I'm also listening to Beyoncé's new album, Renaissance. It's so good! One of my favorites is All Up In Your Mind.
Andrea: Hi all! I'm currently listening to Talk by Khalid andHandle Me Gentlyby Ne-Yo. Have an amazing week!
Mushrooms/fungus and speculative fiction/SFF seems to go hand in hand. The first of the two short stories I read this month was Mycelysis by G.G. Diniz. It was a fantastic work of flash fiction. The story can be a little haunting, as it talks of gods coming and going, and a nameless narrator who goes to a temple and joins a group of disciples. It was short but exceptionally interesting, especially with the imagery painted by the writing and the overall point of the story. (The little note at the beginning was an interesting look at how the illustration correlated with the story, and I recommend reading that as well.)
The second and last story I read in June was Sage Tyrtle’s The Fruit of the Princess Tree. There’s no shortage of fiction that challenges that princess and prince charming narrative, and this story falls into that category. What makes it unique is its approach to it, by adding a fantasy aspect into the fray with princesses that grow on the titular tree. There was an undeniably somber tone to the story, but it was fitting. I also enjoyed the ending. This was a good one.
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: Over the weekend, I was listening to Angel Haze's Ep, Girl With The Gun. One of my favorite songs is Bullet. I always enjoy music that's influenced by funk, and I really love what Angel Haze did with this song.
Adri: I've been listening to Alice Francis' recent album Club Noir. My pick for today is the titular track.
Andrea: Hi all! This week I am listening to Who (feat. BTS) & All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) by Lauv. Is everyone familiar with Dolly Parton's song, Jolene? If not you can click on the link to listen to it. This is one of my favorite songs by Dolly Parton. Now there's a new song entitled You Can Have Him Jolene by Chapel Hart. I really enjoyed this take on dealing with Jolene. Have an amazing week!
The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE
Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Readerthat asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.
Two intrepid girls hunt for a legendary treasure on the deadly high seas in this YA remix of the classic adventure novel Treasure Island.
1826. The sun is setting on the golden age of piracy, and the legendary Dragon Fleet, the scourge of the South China Sea, is no more. Xiang has grown up with stories about the Dragon Fleet and its ruthless leader, a woman known only as the Dragon Queen, all her life. Xiang desperately wants to set sail and explore—mainly to find her father, a presumed dead crew member of the Dragon Fleet. Her only memento of him is a pendant she always wears, a simple but plain piece of gold jewelry.
But the pendant's true nature is revealed when a mysterious girl named Anh steals it, only to return it to Xiang in exchange for her help in decoding the tiny map scroll hidden inside. Rumor has it that the legendary Dragon Queen had one last treasure—the plunder of a thousand ports—hidden away on an island shrouded in mist that only can be seen once in a blue moon.
Xiang is convinced this map could lead to the fabled treasure. Captivated with the thrill of adventure, she joins Anh and her motley crew off in pursuit of the island. But the girls soon find that the sea—and especially those who sail it—are far more dangerous than the legends led them to believe.
Beginning: "The wild storm seems to have no end, the heavens above unleashing a relentless torrent as the sea rises and falls in response."
56: "I'm alone, and I whisper the city's name to myself like a promise."
Comments: Hello, I'm taking over The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings this week! I loved of Clash of Steel so much that I end up speeding through it. I especially loved getting to know the world and the main (and many side) characters. So what are you reading this week?
