What I've Been Listening To Lately...

It’s been a while since I last wrote at length about music on the blog. So I figured it was time for another “What I’ve Been Listening To” post.

A recent addition to my playlist is The Family Jewels (Deluxe edition) by Marina, formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds. This is an album from 2010, but I didn’t listen to it during its release year. I happened to finally give Oh No! a try while I was on break from the blog last month, and I went on to check out the rest of the album. It’s one of my favorites of the year so far. I really like Marina’s vocals, as well as the alternative pop and the undeniable style of the album. Also, I’m a fan of the deluxe edition specifically. There were remixes that reworked the songs Hollywood, Obsession, and I Am Not a Robot, with different melodies. Overall, I know I’ll end up eventually listening to more music by Marina.

For this next one I’m simply putting Wednesday Campanella, because I would be here all day listing what I enjoyed about each album. I like their new stuff with more of a bright bubblegum pop/electronic sound, as well as their older releases before the singer changed—i.e. songs like Bamboo Princess, Zeami, Yeti, Sakamoto Ryoma, and many-many others.

From the track names to lyrics, Forever or Whatever by Holiday Sidewinder is just plain fun to listen to! The style can feel a little nostalgic since, from what I can tell, there are synth as well as disco influences. I like the mixture, and each song was interesting. Overall, Forever or Whatever is another favorite.

Singles…

Of course I have to mention Halle's Angel again. It plays into her vocal capacity and is, generally, interesting to listen to. I really love the song, and I’m looking forward to whatever solo music she release next.

On My Mama by Victoria Monét has a strong R&B sound, and I absolutely love it for how much it felt like something from the 90s or the early 2000s.

The only reason why I’m including Caroline Polachek in this section is because I’ve only listened to two of her songs so far. They’re Welcome To My Island and Bunny Is A Rider. They’re both on my playlist and are among my top-favorite songs.

So that’s pretty much what I’ve been listening to recently. The year isn’t over yet, and there are still a couple of albums that I’m waiting on. Until next time, thanks for stopping by, and happy listening!

Music Monday (254): Florence + The Machine, Michele Chiavarini featuring Jillian, Anthony Hamilton

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: I decided to check out Florence + The Machine's latest album, Dance Fever (the complete edition). I feel just so-so about it right now (that could change the more I listen to it), but there are a couple of gems on it I really like. One of the songs is Choreomania.

Adri: This week I'm choosing a song that I've had on repeat for some time: Don't You Take Your Love (Groove Junkies Remix) by Michele Chiavarini featuring Jillian.

Andrea: This week I'm listening to Can't Let Go by Anthony Hamilton.

What are you listening to this week?

Short Stories I Read in July

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

The Real Worlds by Lauren Bajek (Lightspeed Magazine; Issue 128; July 2023)

The Real Worlds by Lauren Bajek was a short but incredibly enjoyable story. There was plenty of tension, and I instantly connected with the narrator, Amelia. I sympathized with her view on her experiences with the fantasy elements of the story. Much of it had to do with dimensions—hopping from one potential world to another potential world—but from a fantasy angle, since making changes was part of the father character’s pursuit of tenure. But that also played into the conflict that arose within the family, which had something of a domino effect leading to a moment of carelessness and a valuable lesson. All-in-all, The Real Worlds was a great story.

Gim of P by Benjamin DeHaan (Apex Magazine; July 13, 2023)

Moving on, one of my other reads was Gim of P by Benjamin DeHaan. What I liked most about this story was the imaginative use of algae and how it related to the society and characters created by DeHaan. It starts unassumingly enough, but I enjoyed the gradual build-up of tension as well as some hints of a mystery. Gim of P was just a lot of fun to read.

The Dancer by Catherine Yu (Fantasy Magazine; Issue 93; July 2023)

Up next, I read a piece of flash fiction called The Dancer, which was an interesting take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes. Catherine Yu’s story is set in the present with a focus on ballet and the heavy toll to a dancer being observed by the narrator. I enjoyed the writing for this one as well as how Yu concluded the story. This was another good one!

From around the web…

• Read an Excerpt From A Multitude of Dreams [Mara Rutherford; Tor.com; July 24, 2023]
• Barbie Is an Existential Delight [Emmet Asher-Perrin; Tor.com; July 21, 2023]
• Our Opinions Are Correct Episode 132: A Sense of Place with Jessica Johns

Music Monday (253): Marina, Yemi Alade

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: Hello, I'm back from my break. While I was away, I started listening to some music by Marina, and one of my favorite songs so far is called Oh No!.

Andrea: Hi all! This week I'm listening to Johnny by Yemi Alade. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Break Notice

 

I'm taking a short break from the blog. So I'll see you all next week!