The recent launch of Mo Xiaojun’s photographic series, Lost, has garnered significant attention. Comprising six conceptual images, the works are characterized by its restrained and concise style, constructing its visual structure primarily around figures, light and shadow, and a sparse use of props. Centering on the theme of “lost”, the works avoid grand narratives, focusing instead on the intricate inner psychological states of individuals grappling with the pressures of modern reality.
From a visual perspective, the works employ a subdued color palette, predominantly black and white or desaturated tones, to eliminate the distraction of environmental details. This deliberate choice directs the viewer’s attention to the subjects’ postures, gazes, and subtle expressions. The figures remain largely static, their movements minimal; yet through details such as bodily inclination, hand gestures, and the direction of their gaze, varying degrees of hesitation, stasis, or contemplation emerge. This restrained approach keeps the works from becoming overly emotional while generating a powerful sense of empathetic identification.
The series forgoes elaborate sets, instead constructing its scenes with ordinary objects like wooden chairs and mirrors. Serving as a crucial element within the frame, the mirror creates an interactive relationship between the figure and themselves, at once demonstrating self-observation and suggesting a blurring of boundaries between self and external world. This design allows viewers to perceive a symbolic representation of “inner-outer conflict” within the frame, deepening their understanding of the works’ exploration of psychological states.
In contrast to much contemporary imagery, the Lost series refrains from employing special effects to dramatize emotions or using extreme gestures to depict anguish. Instead, it adopts a low-stimulus approach, rendering emotional states that feel closer to our genuine lived experience. The figures are not portrayed in the throes of extreme passion, but rather in a suspended “pause”, as if captured at a midpoint between thought, hesitation, and uncertainty. This methodology avoids exaggerated sentiment while underscoring the universality of the theme.
Regarding its creative intent, the series leans toward presenting psychological phenomena through an “observational lens”, rather than delivering definitive social conclusions. It deliberately refrains from moral or value judgments, instead employing a quasi-documentary framework to record a common yet often overlooked psychological experience. This approach grounds the works in a tangible reality, allowing viewers to easily draw connections from their own lived experiences. By relating the images to their personal contexts, the viewers are prompted to reflect on their own psychological responses to pressure.
In terms of composition, the artist maintains a stable frame structure, avoiding dramatic tilts or disjointed arrangements to achieve a cohesive and unified aesthetic. The interplay of light and shadow is employed in a direct manner. A steady, consistent light source is used to delineate the contours of the figures, rather than to create overtly theatrical effects. This clear visual guidance allows viewers to readily grasp the works’ intent.
Overall, through its modest and restrained visual language, the Lost series offers a poignant portrayal of the modern individual’s psychological state under pressure. The value of the works lies not in emotional exaggeration, but in its calm perspective, which effortlessly invites viewers into a space for personal reflection. The works demonstrate a high degree of finish and appropriate attention to detail, constituting a series of photographic images with real-world observational significance.
Blockbuster series Stranger Things is back, and the new episodes are sure to make a huge impact. Ahead of the season 5 premiere, the show’s previous seasons all charted on Netflix, with old fans rewatching to prepare and new ones finally catching up with Eleven and the gang.
Not only that, but the new episodes caused Netflix to crash minutes after they dropped, proving that interest is at an all-time high. Does that mean we can expect more seasons from the supernatural series?
Stranger Things Season 6 Release Date
Let’s start with the bad news: season 5 will be the show’s last. There won’t be a Stranger Things season 6.
More than three years in the making, this installment arrives in three parts:
Volume 1 (Episodes 1-4): November 26
Volume 2 (Episodes 5-7): December 25
The Finale (Episode 8): December 31
That said, a spinoff series is in the works, so there’s a good chance the franchise will live on. For now, however, all you need to worry about is saying goodbye to these wonderful characters.
Stranger Things Cast
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven / Jane Hopper
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
David Harbour as Jim Hopper
What Is Stranger Things About?
An exciting blend of coming-of-age, horror, and adventure, Stranger Things is set in the ‘80s in Hawkins, Indiana. The show begins with a group of kids discovering that their world is connected to an alternate dimension known as The Upside Down.
It’s a story about childhood friendships and growing pains, other-worldly threats and resilience. Add a strong dose of nostalgia into the mix, and you can quickly figure out why it became a hit.
Season 4 of the series ended with dramatic stakes for Hawkins and the entire universe. The main antagonist, Vecna, is set on merging The Upside Down with the real world, transforming reality. While the battle is far from over, we’re in the endgame now.
The first four episodes of season 5, currently streaming, pick up with Hawkins under military quarantine. Without entering spoiler territory, the show remains a thrill, with the talented cast operating on all cylinders.
There might not be a Stranger Things season 6, but these final episodes prove they were worth the wait, at least so far. Reaching the finish line will be equal parts emotional and explosive.
Are There Other Shows Like Stranger Things?
Caught under the spell of The Upside Down? Other Netflix shows you might enjoy include Dark, Locke & Key, and The OA.
Netflix cosy-crime hit A Man on the Insidecontinues to be a delight in season 2. Led by the charming Ted Danson, it provides humour, heart, and a mystery best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Still, with eight new episodes released on November 20, fans are flying through the series. If you’ve already made your way to the end, you might be wondering whether a follow-up is coming. Here’s what we know so far.
A Man on the Inside Season 3 Release Date
Netflix hasn’t officially confirmed A Man on the Inside season 3. That said, the streaming service often waits a while before deciding either way. Season 1 premiered in November of last year, and the service didn’t renew it until a month later. There’s still time.
The show is charting in eight countries this week, including the US, so it’s safe to say it remains a crowd-pleaser. As long as Netflix gives the green light, new episodes will likely arrive in November or December 2026.
A Man on the Inside Cast
Ted Danson as Charles Nieuwendyk
Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Emily
Lilah Richcreek Estrada as Julie Kovalenko
Stephanie Beatriz as Didi Santos Cordero
Mary Steenburgen as Mona Margadoff
Eugene Cordero as Joel Piñero
Sally Struthers as Virginia Foldau
What Could Happen in A Man on the Inside Season 3?
A Man on the Inside follows Charles, a retired college professor who lives alone after his wife’s death. Feeling lost, he responds to a newspaper ad placed by a private investigator.
The job: to infiltrate a retirement home and help solve the case of a missing heirloom. Charles poses as a new resident and tries to settle in. Once that’s done, he must balance being a friendly senior with the secret mission of identifying the thief.
In season 2, Charles is sent undercover to a college to investigate a missing laptop. With every staff member a suspect and the school’s future at risk, he stumbles upon a complicated scheme. At the same time, new developments in his personal life show that aging doesn’t have to be a burden.
The show is warm and clever throughout, so there’s little chance you’ll get bored with the proceedings. We suspect A Man on the Inside season 3 will send Charles to another new setting, where an even more complicated mystery will ensue.
Are There Other Shows Like A Man on the Inside?
If you love A Man on the Inside, there’s a good chance you’ll be into Only Murders in the Building, available on Disney+.
Do you love action series? If so, Netflix’s recent breakout hit Last Samurai Standing will be right up your alley. The series is akin to a 19th-century Battle Royale, offering an intoxicating blend of violence and social commentary.
Viewers agree, as the Japanese production is currently the most-watched non-English show on the platform. With 7.2 million views this week alone, it has a good shot of securing a follow-up. At the time of writing, however, its fate is up in the air.
Last Samurai Standing Season 2 Release Date
Netflix hasn’t renewed Last Samurai Standing for more episodes, at least not yet. There’s no need to fret, since there’s still time. The streamer often waits a while before making a decision either way.
In an interview with Screen Rant, creator Michihito Fujii revealed a multi-season plan for the series. “Two or three seasons. However, sometimes future seasons happen two or three years later, and viewers forget what happened in the past. Because I’m a fan of Netflix, I try to convey as much as I can in one season,” he said when asked how many seasons he would need to tell the full story.
As long as Netflix gives the green light, Last Samurai Standing season 2 could arrive sometime in 2027.
Last Samurai Standing Cast
Junichi Okada as Shujiro Saga
Yumia Fujisaki as Futaba Katsuki
Kaya Kiyohara as Iroha Kinugasa
Masahiro Higashide as Kyojin Tsuge
Shota Sometani as Kamuykocha
Taichi Saotome as Shikura Adashino
Yuya Endo as Sansuke Gion
Taiiku Okazaki as Jinroku Keage
What Could Happen in Last Samurai Standing Season 2?
Last Samurai Standing is set in 1878, when once-respected samurai live in poverty, pushed to the margins of a rapidly modernising Japan. That’s until a mysterious survival competition offers them a chance at a new life.
292 former warriors are invited to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo, fighting to the death and stealing wooden tags from one another along the way. The final survivor will receive a big sum of money. The action centres on Shujiro Saga, who enters the competition out of necessity. Along the way, he discovers that the game is part of a diabolical conspiracy.
The first season ends with a dramatic battle between Shujiro and an old rival. At the same time, viewers learn more about the purpose behind the competition, which is far from over. Last Samurai Standing season 2 will likely follow the warriors as they get closer to Tokyo, with an extra dose of political manipulation from behind the scenes.
If you want to get ahead of the story, check out the source material. The show is based on a manga adapted from a novel by Shogo Imamura.
Are There Other Shows Like Last Samurai Standing?
Fans of Last Samurai Standing will likely enjoy Squid Game. While the settings for the shows are wildly different, they share a similar premise. Alice in Borderland might also work.
Anyone looking for a filling meal or a great night out has always been attracted to steakhouses. They keep up with the times as eating habits change, implementing new strategies. What was once a tired template of dry, aged beef and uninspiring accompaniments is evolving in fresh directions to stay relevant and competitive. However, this is more than just catering to tastes; it is about creating more than temporary pleasures. However, as Scott in New York points out, it’s easy to see how these adaptations keep steakhouses relevant.
Changing Preferences and Dietary Choices
Today, diners want more than just a plate of steak. Interest in health will only grow, and so will the demand for something more flavorful at the table. They respond, in turn, with more vegetables, grains, and lighter preparations. They offer meals for various dietary needs, including plant-based and gluten-free options. That elasticity enables steakhouses to appeal to those whose health goals or ethical considerations evolve. Offering beef alternatives also makes these venues ideal for larger parties with diverse needs. You should notice exactly howsteakhouses Dayton, Ohio, continue to grow by blending classic cuts with modern culinary trends and seasonal flavors.
Sourcing and Sustainability
In an age where consumers are more concerned than ever about the production of their food. Consumers are taking the lead by providing their insights into understanding where their steak comes from and how it was raised sustainably. Steakhouses have also grown more transparent about their sourcing, opting for providers who practice ethical farming and humane animal treatment. Dishes feature locally sourced produce and seasonal ingredients that minimize environmental impact while also supporting local farmers. However, these initiatives help establish a link between diners and their food. Sustainable sourcing gives guests the peace of mind that their meal supports key values.
Creative Cooking Techniques
Traditional steakhouse cuisine took a far more primitive approach to grilling or broiling a piece of beef. Innovative flavors and textures are added to familiar dishes through newer culinary approaches. Chefs use smoked meats for tenderness and flavor. Each bite takes on its own character thanks to the house-made marinades and unique seasoning blends. Others create side dishes or sauces that are unexpected, yet complement the main attraction. These methods keep the menu fresh while honoring the core of a steak dinner.
Emphasis on Presentation and Ambience
These days, steak houses no longer just compete on flavor but offer a full experience on multiple sensory levels. With the plates arranged artfully and the accompaniment and flyer colorful, thoughtfulness in presentation makes a meal into an event. From lighting to music, interior design options determine the ambiance on each visit. Servers are trained in the fundamentals of hospitality, ensuring that guests feel welcome, appreciated/cared for. All these combine to create an ambiance that brings you back again and again. The manner in which a meal appeared/felt is just as memorable as what was tasted.
Global Flavors and Fusion Influences
Exposure in the dining area: Interest is trending worldwide. Steakhouses have gotten in on this trend, mixing in spices or preparation methods from outside domestic borders. The cuts might be seasoned with flavors from South America, the Mediterranean, or Asia; guests can experience all three, depending on where the Cut will be serving them. Side dishes can incorporate ingredients or recipes from more distant regions. These elements energize long-time guests and welcome newcomers to steakhouse culture. Chefs also refresh their menus and maintain their uniqueness by mixing flavors and producing unique and interesting combinations.
Wine and Beverage Pairings
Steak dinners often come with consideration for the drink pairing. These days, many restaurants compile focused wine lists that pair well with the cuts and sauces. Staff with fine wine knowledge, also known as sommeliers, assist guests in selecting drinks that complement the flavors of their meal. The menu also features craft cocktails and local brews to appeal to a broader audience. Pairing a meal with the appropriate drink enhances the overall dining experience. These carefully curated pairings are intended to be savored over the course of a lengthy dinner.
Innovative Technology and Service
Modern steakhouse technology is improving service and operations. Digital menus or ordering systems enable guests to browse options before placing their order. Reservation platforms enable more comfortable planning of distinctive trips or group events. Just as in the kitchen, advances in equipment are allowing chefs to execute more precise and efficient cooking. Such enhancements make sure there is no dip in service during peak times. This increased efficiency allows for more time to be spent on hospitality and quality.
Personalization and Guest Engagement
We no longer live in a world where one size fits all when it comes to dining. These days, steakhouses offer “custom” options, allowing diners to choose a cooking style, sides, or seasoning levels. After that, servers could inquire about preferences to recommend dishes that suit individual palates, building a community around your brand through loyalty programs or other perks for returning customers. A personalized touch will make someone feel recognized and treasured by the diner, causing them to want to return. And that emphasis on everyone having exactly what they wish to have sets steakhouses apart from all other types of restaurants.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Balancing the beauty of tradition with the necessity of evolution is no easy task. Many steakhouses attempt to pay homage to the original recipes and techniques that made them famous. Simultaneously, they add new things to keep regulars and newcomers intrigued. That core identity can be retained while experimenting with seasonal specials, limited-time menus, or chef’s tasting events. This equilibrium means that longtime aficionados and intrepid diners are both pleased. It makes every meal equal parts comfort and at least equal parts surprise.
Conclusion
Changing preferences, ethics, and creativity are transforming steakhouse dining. These eateries listen to diners and make changes with care, and that spells longevity. Embracing new culinary trends does not mean abandoning tradition; it means embracing them with an open mind. Instead, it lets steakhouses put nostalgia and novelty on the same plate. Whether stand-up or seated, it is clear that this style of dining will continue to evolve, creating unforgettable experiences for anyone who sits down to a properly prepared meal.
A moving thriller, As You Stood By is the kind of series that gives you plenty to think about. With powerful performances and a tight story, it’s as dark as it is emotional.
Netflix viewers seem to agree. The South Korean production is currently at #4 on the Netflix charts, with 3.1 million views this week. It’s also a Top 10 show in 42 countries. Does that mean more episodes are already on the way?
As You Stood By Season 2 Release Date
At the time of writing, no official news is available about a potential As You Stood By season 2. The title is also listed as a “limited series” on Netflix, and the story wraps up nicely by the end of the eight episodes currently available.
In other words, it looks like a one-and-done affair. Thankfully, viewers aren’t left with lingering questions as far as the main plot is concerned.
As You Stood By Cast
Jeon So-nee as Jo Eun-su
Lee Yoo-mi as Jo Hui-su
Jang Seung-jo as Noh Jin-pyo / Jang Kang
Lee Moo-saeng as Jin So-baek
Lee Ho-jung as Noh Jin-young
Kim Mi-sook as Ko Jeong-suk
Kim Mi-kyung as Park Gye-soon
What Is As You Stood By About?
As You Stood By is tense and heavy, which only makes it more addictive. The series revolves around two women, Jo Eun-su and Jo Hui-su, the latter trapped in a violent marriage.
Haunted by childhood trauma, Eun-su is determined not to stand by silently when she discovers how badly Hui-su is suffering. Instead, she resolves to help her by any means necessary. Soon, the two women concoct a daring plot to get rid of the abusive husband.
Unfortunately, their plan backfires and begins to spiral into a web of deception and guilt. While we won’t spoil the twists, suffice it to say that the two don’t get away unscathed. Still, the end is somewhat hopeful and hints at better times to come.
Overall, the South Korean series digs into trauma, guilt, and survival in interesting ways. It’s more than your average revenge thriller, raising questions about how justice looks like when the system fails. While As You Stood By season 2 is unlikely, the eight episodes now streaming make for a satisfying watch.
Are There Other Shows Like As You Stood By?
If you want to explore more series that revolve around domestic violence, we recommend checking out Big Little Lies, Maid, Jessica Jones, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Netflix has enjoyed a lot of success with quick and twisty psychological thrillers. The more addictive, the better. New series The Crystal Cuckoo is no exception. At only six episodes, it delivers an intriguing story that keeps viewers glued to the screen.
With 5.5 million views this week alone, the Spanish production is currently the third most-watched non-English show on the platform. If you’ve already streamed the finale, you might be wondering whether a second season is on the way. Here’s what we know so far.
The Crystal Cuckoo Season 2 Release Date
The series premiered on November 14. So far, Netflix hasn’t shared any news about a potential The Crystal Cuckoo season 2.
Moreover, the title is listed as a “limited series” on the platform, which makes a sequel unlikely. Thankfully, all major plotlines are resolved by the time the end credits roll, so you won’t be left with unanswered questions.
The Crystal Cuckoo Cast
Catalina Sopelana as Clara
Álex García as Miguel
Tomás del Estal as Gabriel
Iván Massagué as Rafael
Itziar Ituño as Marta
Alfons Nieto as Juan
What Is The Crystal Cuckoo About?
The Crystal Cuckoo revolves around Clara, a young doctor who gets a second chance at life. After undergoing a life-saving heart transplant, she becomes intensely curious about the identity of her donor.
She decides to look into them, an investigation that takes her to a remote mountain town where her donor grew up. Once there, Clara discovers that the place carries a dark legacy. Over the decades, many people mysteriously disappeared, and several tragedies were quietly buried.
Clara digs deeper and starts connecting the dots between her donor’s past and secrets certain locals would prefer to stay hidden. Still, the town’s horrors might not be entirely behind them, as Clara is determined to figure out what’s going on.
While The Crystal Cuckoo season 2 may not be in the cards, the six episodes available do a good job at wrapping things up. There’s a climactic confrontation, and the central mystery is solved. In other words, you can press play safely knowing no unresolved cliffhangers will ruin your experience.
Are There Other Shows Like The Crystal Cuckoo?
The Crystal Cuckoo is based on Javier Castillo’s bestselling novel of the same name. Two of his previous books made it to screen via series The Snow Girl, also available on Netflix.
Fans of romantic comedies have a new obsession. Dynamite Kiss, a delightful series available on Netflix, has all the ingredients of a hit. The list includes great chemistry between the leads and a premise that’s easy to swoon over.
So much so that the South Korean production is currently the second most-watched non-English show on the platform. With solid reviews and 6.4 million views this week alone, it has a good chance of climbing even higher as new episodes come out. Does that mean we can expect a sequel?
Dynamite Kiss Season 2 Release Date
At the time of writing, no official information is available about a potential Dynamite Kiss season 2. Additionally, the title is listed as a “limited series” on Netflix, and K-dramas rarely get follow-ups. All in all, this looks like a one-and-done affair.
That said, only six episodes are out so far, with the rest scheduled to drop throughout December. If you were looking for a captivating series to keep you company during the holiday season, this nicely fits the bill.
Dynamite Kiss Cast
Jang Ki-yong as Gong Ji-hyeok
Ahn Eun-jin as Go Da-rim
Kim Mu-jun as Kim Sun-woo
Woo Da-vi as Yoo Ha-young
Nam Gi-ae as Kim In-ae
Cha Mi-kyung as Jeong Myeong-sun
Choi Kwang-il as Gong Chang-ho
What Is Dynamite Kiss About?
Dynamite Kiss revolves around Gong Ji-hyeok, the composed and talented team leader at a baby-products company. His life takes a wild turn thanks to Go Da-rim, a woman desperate to get a stable job. To navigate societal and workplace pressures, she lies on her resume, claiming to be a married mother.
Their lives collide when Da-rim accidentally kisses Ji-hyuk, leaving the latter shocked. However, the misunderstanding becomes the spark for an unexpected connection. Add endearing supporting character into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a particularly sweet story.
The show relies on rom-com tropes, but isn’t afraid to dig a little deeper. Mainly, it tackles the stigma around being a single working woman in a setting that favours a parent/married status.
Blending romantic moments with a touch of drama, the show will quickly earn a place in the hearts of viewers longing for a slow-burn workplace romance. While Dynamite Kiss season 2 might not be in the cards, we’re confident these two will get their happily ever after.
In this segment, we round up the best albums released each month. From Rosalía to Westerman, here are, in alphabetical order, the best albums of November 2025.
Austra, Chin Up Buttercup
Austra‘s majestic fifth album traces her journey of grieving the end of a relationship by translating its chaotic emotions through the lens of Greek tragedy, the euphoria of Eurodance, and science fiction that overwhelms with its humanity. These filters do nothing to restrain the purity of KAtie Stelmanis’ performances, embodied equally in their humour, brokenness, and hope. “I don’t wanna cry about you forever,” she sings on ‘Look Me in the Eye’, not hiding the time it’s taken to get there; savouring the yawn instead of rushing into a new day. Read our inspirations interview with Austra.
There might be a self-reflective throughline across Danny Brown‘s latest effort – and first since becoming sober – but it doesn’t hinge on the introspective, natural flows of his last album, Quaranta. Instead, it feeds off the communal energy of a crew of cutting-edge, hyperpop-adjacent artists who help the 44-year-old affirm not just his status and lyrical dexterity, but the reason he keeps falling back in love with music. “You wondered what made things enjoyable when you were younger,” Angel Prost, one half of Frost Children, intones at one point. More than just wondering, Stardust – easeful and electrifying, relaxed and glitched-out – simply revels. Read the full review.
One could accuse FKA twigs of taking her world-building too far with EUSEXUA, which was reimagined the same day it was expanded with a brand new album. Yet you can tell twigs’ strategy stems not from perfectionism or a mere desire for post-release tinkering (which most artists would share), but genuine enthusiasm for the project and its malleability. That extends to EUSEXUA Afterglow, which doesn’t dim so much as continue to ride the high of the original, sticking to the concept while borrowing some of the looseness of CAPRISONGS. It’s hard to imagine coming out of it and wishing it were just another deluxe album. Read the full review.
Parader is torn between Keaton Henson‘s present reality of living in the English countryside and the fragmented memories that reverberate through it; fittingly, production duties were split Luke Sital-Singh, who grew up with similar emo and hardcore influences as Henson, and Alex Farrar – in his words, “the king of that loud, snarky American DIY sound” – who helped him tap into a grungy, guttural, arguably American confidence that used to be as formative as it was aspirational, even mythical. “Do I really have any business now/ Singing this song and sounding like I did when I was eighteen?” he sings on ‘Past It’. Singing to him, maybe, the part he knows would be stoked about being part of the whole parade. Read our inspirations interview with Keaton Henson.
When it comes to love, Hatchie knows that even the fleeting stage of infatuation encompasses more than just ecstasy. “Something lingers in the sea between/ Much more than this midwinter kiss,” she sings on ‘Sage’, a highlight on her new album Liquorice, which triangulates the dizziness, desperation, and disillusionment of young romance like it’s something you can bite into, savouring every layer. Recorded at Jay Som’s home studio in Los Angeles, Liquorice brims with nostalgic influences, but Pilbeam’s maturing perspective – she’s 32 and married to her longtime collaborator Joe Agius – makes it feel worlds away from the project’s beginnings almost a decade ago. “I’m still stuck with these pathetic dreams,” she sings on the closer, a sentiment that could suck the life out of anyone. For Hatchie, it’s all colour. Read our inspirations interview with Hatchie.
As far as Oneohtrix Point Never records go, Tranquilizer’s most immediate antecedent is Replica, an album that’s almost a decade and a half old. While that collection saw Daniel Lopatin wistfully repurpose sounds from bootleg DVDs compiling TV commercials from the ‘80s and ‘90s, Tranquilizer mines from a set of commercial sample CDs preserved on the Internet Archive. The flimsiness of that maintenance – the page was taken down, then suddenly came back – is part of what inspired the producer and differentiates his follow-up to Again, the way swathes of potentially soulful music can be lost to and resurface through time. Read the full review.
Rosalía‘s fourth studio album is a towering epic, a four-movement work that draws inspiration from female saints and poets with “the intention of verticality.” But the most disarming, by pop standards, aspect of LUX isn’t the Spanish superstar’s spiritual and musical ambitions, or the way she folds them into a compelling structure, but its heart-rending sentimentality, apparent in both the dramatic ways she wields these stories and every small waver of her voice. That’s the quality of its operatic scope that cuts through on each listen, taking stock of her lived experience as much as it seeks to undress it and ascend to a new world. It’s a singular document of an artist at the top of her game, shamelessly looking to the past while confronting the oblivion of the future. Read the full review.
While runo plum was building up her catalog and supporting the likes of Searows, Angel Olsen, and Hovvdy, she went through a breakup with a partner she was both romantically and creatively involved with, leading to a five-month burst of songwriting she sorted into at least two albums, of which patching is the first. Recorded last winter with longtime friend Lutalo and instrumentalist and plum’s girlfriend Noa Francis, this LP represents the sadness before the rage – yet the trio enriches these songs with the lush, tender detail that can get numbed out of the drab, early stages of heartbreak, letting the light in at the end. “Will the loneliness always be pending?” she wonders on ‘Gathering the Pieces’, by which point it’s already changing shape. Read our Artist Spotlight interview with runo plum.
As murky and lonesome as Sharp Pins songs can be, Kai Slater has a gift for making them feel strangely radiant. On ‘Stop to Say “Hello”’, he sings about “the tired light where you open your eyes,” and that openness – same as a heart stripped of all defenses – is what buoys many of the songs on Balloon Balloon Balloon, his third album under the moniker; the inevitable pop. Though uniformly lo-fi and hook-laden, the 21-track collection doesn’t wash away its yearning or reverence for music of decades past, but allows their different shades to melt into one. As much as you may want to listen to it alone, as it was mostly made, you can only hope it stays out of the dark.
“I’m undressed, paperless, filter gone,” Stella Donnelly sings on ‘Year of Trouble’ as she begins to confront the loneliness of a friendship falling apart. She does dress up other songs, like its brattier counterpart in ‘Feel It Change’, but that nakedness is what helps the record move from one chapter to the next, like taking heartbreak by its daily swings. Searing and unguarded, Love and Fortune is not just a record about bridges burned and straining for reconciliation, but a reclamation of the dozen selves pecking for attention in the midst of solitude. “Take back my little life, and push you away/ I set myself on fire, for someone else’s flame,” she sings on ‘W.A.L.K.’. More than careful not to reignite it, by the end of the ride, Donnelly sounds caring, kind, and turns out, more than a little fortunate. Read our inspirations interview with Stella Donnelly.
While Sword II‘s debut album, Spirit World Tour, focused on abrasive experimentation, the Atlanta trio’s follow-up finds them honing in on their collaborative songwriting: still eclectic and radical in spirit, only this time channelled through lush arrangements, greater lyrical clarity – not to mention longing – and warmly inviting harmonies. As blissfully disorienting as it is renewed with purpose, the new album was recorded in a basement of an old home they rented where the wiring was so faulty they had to use acoustic instruments to avoid electric shocks. “You’re so puzzled/ Trying to believe in something/ On your own,” they sing on ‘Halogen’. But together? That’s a whole different world of possibilities.
There was one thing Westerman and producer Marta Salogni could not escape during their five-week residency in the Greek island of Hydra: the searing heat, which forced them to work through the night. There’s a dazed, liminal spontaneity to the record that offsets its conversational tendencies, much like its unadorned moments are balanced out by the sweltering light of ‘Adriatic’ or ‘Weak Hands’. In the dark, sleepless hours between recording and not, you can imagine the artist gazing up at the sky: “Home found/ Then forgotten/The gamble,” he sings on ‘About Leaving’, “Awake, and looking starward.” Read our inspirations interview with Westerman.
Metronomy drummer Anna Prior has a new solo EP, Firefly, which will be out February 26 on Beat Palace Records. Following her debut EP, 2024’s Almost Love, the five-track collection is led by the lush yet confrontational ‘True for You’. The single, written alongside co-producer Matt Karmil, explores memory – in Prior’s words, “the tricky mirror that reveals more than it conceals.” Check it out below.
“’True For You’ – sonic proof that the truth is easier to swallow when synthesised and sung out loud,” Prior said in a statement, adding of the EP as a whole: “Firefly is a collection of moments – some fleeting and some stubbornly lingering… each track came together almost by accident, but now feels to me like they’ve always belonged together.”
Firefly EP Cover Artwork:
Firefly EP Tracklist:
1. True For You
2. Firefly
3. Silence
4. No More Drama
6. Beside You
There might be a self-reflective throughline across 
One could accuse 
Parader is torn between 
When it comes to love, 
As far as 
Rosalía
While 
As murky and lonesome as 
“I’m undressed, paperless, filter gone,” 
While 
There was one thing 
