Ewoud Bon, a photographer out of the Netherlands, released a personal photography series which focuses on the famous city of Saint Petersburg in Russia. In this series, Bon explores the melancholic and tiresome view of the city by capturing the cold weather, rundown architecture and lonesome people of St. Petersburg.
Find more work by Ewoud Bon here.
The release of Ball and Boe’s Back Together has been anticipated everywhere, especially by swooning fans of bearded big-voiced men. Being one of the swooning, my music queue awaited the arrival of Back Together with eagerness. My boys Ball and Boe did not fail to disappoint.
Alfie Boe, a.k.a. “he of the operatic voice”, is a highly trained tenor who has conquered Broadway and the West End, while serving as a celebrated Jean Valjean both this year and at Les Misérables‘ 25th anniversary concert. Then there’s Michael Ball, a.k.a “he who miraculously has no need of vocal training”. Ball has built a successful career as soloist and performer, breaking hearts as Marius in the original Les Mis, Alex in the original Aspects of Love, and Raoul in an early Phantom.
Ball joined Boe in this year’s production of Les Mis, this time as the unrelenting Inspector Javert. Their working relationship and adorable Instagram posts identify the two as great friends. But – are buddies Ball and Boe a brilliant vocal team? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’
Like its Platinum predecessors, Together and Together Again, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s Back Together is a sassy schmorgesborg of music genres. The combination of Boe’s boisterous vibrato and Ball’s punchy insistence has the power to take on musical theatre, easy listening, pop and rock with equal majesty. Teamed up, these champs of stage and soundtrack are mighty vocal kings.
The track list for Back Together demonstrates the boys’ prowess with both big hits and underestimated ballads. There are several songs of which I thought myself thoroughly sick – Apparently, I’m not sick of them! At least not after hearing them rendered by Ball and Boe. Their “Circle of Life” and “The Greatest Show” is heard by fresh and happy ears.
Classic tracks are supplemented by unique and delightful choices, including a brilliantly arranged “Queen Medley”. But among all these, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” truly stands alone. Ball and Boe sing the Phantom aria better than any Christine. That is the mark of a successful partnership in music.
If you’re looking to fall in love, laugh, weep or smile, allow me prescribe Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s Back Together. The recommended dosage may increase, as more Ball and Boe collaborations occur. And there needs to be more collaborations. Perhaps another album, this time titled Better Together? For in spite of their individual brilliance, “Ball and Boe” is the number one recommended brand, unmatched in effectiveness and strength.
Simon Hjortek, a Swedish photographer and filmmaker, released another fantastic surreal photography series named Cura. Hjortek combined elements of everyday life with nature to create fine art-like photos that shout melancholy and dystopia.
Find more work by Simon Hjortek here.
Francesco Bongiorni, a Madrid-based illustrator and graphic designer, revealed a terrifically vibrant series named Conceptual Illustrations. In this intriguing series, Bongiorni utilised character movement, vivid colour palletes, and dream-like spaces to bring out various interesting concepts.
Find more work by Francesco Bongiorni here.
Elton John’s autobiography Me is one of the most intriguing, hilarious and merely superb autobiographies I’ve read in the past year. For the fans of the legendary singer-songwriter, Elton John does not disappoint with countless entertaining stories that will make one tip their hat to Sir Elton John.
The book covers Sir John’s drug addiction, the path to becoming clean, and his journey to finding love with the Canadian filmmaker David Furnish, who produced Cannes-nominated film and the subject of the book Rocketman.
So, if you’re a fan of Sir Elton John or you are simply looking for a great and entertaining read, then this book will have it all for you. A must-read for any Sir Elton John fan.
Keyji Yano, a Tokyo based illustrator, creates modern digital illustrations influenced by traditional Japanese art styles. This can be especially visible in his long format mural work reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink panel paintings.
Find more work by Keiji Yano here.
Coming in with a passionate production, touching lyrics and soft vocals is Nervous City Nervous Self with Stories of Our Name. This piece for Nervous City Nervous Self is a hymn for the wanderers of the world, and this is clearly defined through the flowing style of production. This one is for the playlists.
In the latest piece Copycats, the high-rising and interesting INVŌKER delivers a great mix which drives on glossy percussion, mysterious-like melody, and an overall spirit that keeps one captivated from beginning to the end. Having published Copycats, we are eager to keep our ears out for more music by INVŌKER.
Oliver Dene Jones or better known under his moniker Skream has presented a club-lifting track named Pussy Pop. Skream who first came on the radar for his raw Dubstep sound back in the 2000s became noted for his raw drums and heavy intense-like synths. Likewise, with Pussy Pop, Skream gives us some powerful percussion patterns and a dance-ready melody that fills your ears with a nightlife atmosphere.
In this segment, we showcase our top picks of what to catch at the cinema this weekend, what to stream and our short film of the week.
Our pick of the new releases out on November 8th 2019.
| Rating | Length |
| PG | 101 MIN |
Director: Tom Harper
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones and Himesh Patel
After their explicit, natural chemistry and Oscar-winning success as Stephen and Jane Hawking in 2014’s The Theory of Everything, it’s no surprise that the Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones have reunited on-screen for this Victorian period drama that takes them into the clouds above on an expedition like no other and in a mode of transport – a hot air balloon – that’s rarely witnessed on the big screen.
Set in London 1862, Redmayne once again plays a real-life scientist, meteorologist James Glaisher, who’s looking to prove that it is possible to predict the weather, if scientific calculations are undertaken in the atmosphere. Having been repeatedly derided by his peers for his seemingly eccentric theories, James decides to take flight in a hot air balloon and on an expedition that he hopes will verify his theories. Realising he requires a pilot, James enlists the help of fictional aeronaut, Amelia Wren (Jones). But the weather, the one thing they are trying to prove is predictable, becomes unpredictable, dangerous and their biggest enemy. The majority of the ensuing narrative features the pain in the basket of the air balloon where they are encounter butterflies, the wonders of the clouds, treacherous pigeons and sheer danger in the form of a thunderous storm.
Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival, the film is bolstered by the chemistry of the leading pair, who skilfully deal with the fact that most of the action occurs in the enclosed, intimate space of the basket – where they are unable to separate from each other – they mange to successfully perform their characters’ frustration and initial awkwardness, which eventually dissolves into profound trust and loyalty. Many have also commended Tom Harper’s direction and stunning visuals – particularly his impressive use of that confined, small space that could easily have become mundane. He also crafts gorgeous cinematography that places audiences amongst the clouds and soaring above the earth in a manner that’s comparable to and as visually stunning as Gravity or Ad Astra. Though it may lack the emotional weight to achieve the same Oscar success that The Theory of Everything enjoyed, this film will send you floating into the skies but ensures you are still grounded in great visuals and performances.
| Rating | Length |
| 15 | 140 MIN |
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp
Since his supporting role in the coming-of-age film Lady Bird and his lead role as Elio Perlman in Luca Guadagino’s Oscar-winning romantic drama Call Me by Your Name, Chalamet has firmly established himself, despite his age, as a dramatic force to be reckoned with. In this historical drama, Chalamet takes on the titular monarch, King Henry V (called “Hal” by his close friends).
Based on Shakespeare’s “Henriad” plays (Henry V, Henry IV Part I, and Henry IV Part II), Hal is a defiant prince who has fled responsibilities and disavowed his royal heritage in favour of spending his days revelling, drinking and living amongst the common people. But, when his tyrannical father dies shortly after his brother’s death, Hal is forced to return to the realm that he had previously fled and become King of England. He must now face the complexities of being a young king, whereby problems are even further exaggerated by the many who believe him to be incompetent. He must come to terms with the politics, chaos and war that his father left behind as well as maintaining the bonds of his pre-throne life – namely his friendship with the alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton).
While The King will not hit the award-winning heights that its impressive parts promised, the film does contain gripping performances (particularly by Chalamet and Pattinson) as well as careful handling of themes of corruption, institutional power and male hegemony. It’s an excellent and epic rendition of a Shakespearian play and a relatively mundane history that may not leave you completely bowing at the knees, but instead giving simply a polite curtsy for its compelling performances and astounding battle scenes.
Veteran animator Carlos Baena (whose extensive feature credits include Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, and Toy Story 3) constructs a beautiful story of a grieving young boy who is intimidated by monsters who rip apart his toys, steal his photos and chase him through his home.
Featured at more than 150 festivals and collecting 80 prizes from major events, Baena’s animation is a stunning masterpiece that’s clearly inspired by the work of Guillermo Del Toro. He manages to carefully construct a gorgeous, personal story that doesn’t lose its thrills, political backdrop or emotional ballast.
Speaking about the short film, Baena comments that: “Creatively, we wanted to make a horror film that creates tension through horror rather than making people jump. “We have all had that moment in our lives when everything went wrong. It’s in those moments when all you see are broken pieces around you, your courage has the ability to turn something dark into something unexpectedly beautiful. That is the essence of La Noria.”
In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on November 8th, 2019:
FKA Twigs, MAGDALENE: Forward-pushing R&B artist Tahliah Barnett aka FKA Twigs is back after 5 years of studio silence with her new record, Magdalene, out now via Young Turks. Originally scheduled for relase on October 25, the album follows her 2015 EP M3LL155X, and is co-produced by an impressive list of producers including Jack Antonoff, Metro Boomin, Nicolas Jaar, Kenny Beats, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jeff Kleinman, Skrillex, Sounwave, and Michael Uzowuru. “I never thought heartbreak could be so all-encompassing,” she explained in a statement. “But the process of making this album has allowed me for the first time, and in the most real way, to find compassion when I have been at my most ungraceful, confused and fractured. I stopped judging myself and at that moment found hope in Magdalene. To her I am forever grateful.”
Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron, Lost Wisdom pt. 2: Phil Elverum aka Mount Eerie and Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiron return with a sequel to their 2008 collaborative album Lost Wisdom. The album deals with the tragic loss of Elverum’s wife, the artist Geneviève Castrée, which he delved into on 2017’s emotionally harrowing A Crow Looked at Me and 2018’s Only Now, as well as his marriage to actress Michelle Williams and their subsequent separation. “Finding myself staring into another fire, disoriented by the changes, these songs came out,” he explains. “I tried to make songs that did not rely at all on who I am or who I am singing about… My fingers are crossed that when I push them out to sea they will be met with calm humane understanding. That’s what they’re about after all.”
Kai Whiston, No World As Good as Mine [Released November 6th]: Electronic producer Kai Whiston has released his new album, No World As Good as Mine. It is a follow up to his 2018’s studio album Kai Whiston Bitch, as well as his excellent collaborative project with BABii and Iglooghost, XYZ, released earlier this year. The album is 60 minutes and is accompanied by a 60-page book that includes lyrics, credits, illustrations, journal entries, an interview, and photographs.
Emotional Oranges, The Juice Vol. II: Rising R&B outfit Emotional Oranges have come out with their follow up to The Juice Vol. I, which was released back in May. Comprised of male singer/audio engineer “A” and vocalist “V”, the mysterious duo had disclosed very little information about the album prior to the release, apart from releasing the lead single, ‘Sundays’, a song about lost love that was “inspired by one of our close friend’s (and collaborator) divorce.”
Other albums out today: The Script, Sunsets and Full Moons; Westlife, Spectrum; Girl Ray, Girl; Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders, Get The Money; SebastiAn, Thirst.
Balázs Csizik, a Hungarian visual artist, released an experimental series named Urban Relations in which Csizik explores the relationship between rough urban elements and nature. Csizik dives into the weight and form of materials and explores new definitions for the elements on which he focuses on.
Find more work by Balázs Csizik here.
Quick Access
Our Culture
Helpful
© 2025 Our Culture Mag Limited. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 2/1/2025) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 2/1/2025). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Our Culture Mag Limited.
