the october review
two atmospheric EPs, some must-watch tv and a great video essay
Hi peas,
I was listening to a voice note from a friend this afternoon and she asked me, I guess rhetorically, “do you feel like life is flying past you this year?” I related heavily. I always assume that things must be going well if life feels fast, as I know time feels unbearably slow when the opposite is true, so I’m grateful for the sense of speed — but that doesn’t stop the anxiety creeping in that tells me I’m not making the most of things. I think about my screen time, all the messages I haven’t yet got back to, with the unanswered question of whether I could be using my time better motivating me to try.
I think I made the most of October — Jack and I went out on a Wednesday for NT’s jazz night, I booked a very necessary massage and made loads of plans with friends. We also took my dad down to the beer festival he used to run, it was nice to see him out and about doing so much better than he was a year ago.
Maybe this is why time is moving so fast — my calendar has clearly been stacked. Luckily I’m locked in again, making progress with the music (I’m finishing two songs and one is being mixed & mastered!), making vlogs and potentially planning a podcast series, alongside sketching out Christmas plans and a fun trip for February. Things are in the pipeline and the autumn blues are evaporating!
wearing —
Honestly? I’ve really enjoyed getting my jackets and coats out from under the bed. It’s like meeting old friends; “Oh you again! Hello!” Particularly excited to see my teddy coat from last year — Arket have released a brown version this season that’s equally stunning.
On the topic of buying stuff (not an elegant segway, sorry) I got a bit carried away and made an early christmas gift guide. This is basically stuff that I would like to receive, and so assumed you might like to too, whether that’s in a secret santa or under the tree. I’ll pop it here in case you’re squeezing in your shopping early or want to send some suggestions to partners, friends and family 💝
listening —
Made my way back to Too Late To Die Young, the lockdown project from Sonder. Their production blows my mind, all the beauty is in the subtlety. I’m trying to learn how to make more atmospheric sounds for my songs, in part inspired by the moods they craft so well in theirs.
Can’s Gone Warm may have come out in summer, but I actually think it’s a perfect autumn listen. Lauren Duffus has written something that sounds so much like the London I see, it’s beautiful and dark and harsh. If you like Burial, Kelela or Shlohmo, I think you’ll like this.
You can listen to all of my recent NMF favourites on my Honey playlist 🍯
Another Popcast interview for you (they’re on a roll) — I got a notification today to say LUX is in the post and hearing Rosalia chat about it with the NYT music team made me even more excited.
watching —
I had a few nights to myself while Jack was away so I caught up on some things I’ve wanted to watch. Priscilla was definitely the highlight, although it made me think about how I wish I’d watched more films when I was younger as I’m worried that I’m past that pivotal age where one piece of media or project can profoundly affect you and your taste. The naivety and romance of your late teens and early twenties creates a petri dish where a Sofia Coppola can really shape you, and maybe I’m a bit sad that the older, cynical me finds it harder to unquestioningly love things. I thought it was good, but think I would have been raving about it if I’d seen it five or more years ago (logistically impossible, I know.)
We’re half way through the new season of The Diplomat, by far my favourite television discovery in recent memory. I am obsessed. I love the slow unpicking of Hal and Kate’s relationship, how the show teeters on the edge of the classic American political melodrama but gets reeled back in by the British sensibility that must come through the team making the show. It’s my perfect show — no notes.
Here’s a very good essay about celebrities who are failing in public from Jordan Theresa!
My friend went to a dinner and was seated next to a girl called Susie, she said she was really nice so I checked out her channel and I think it’s great. I love her outfits of the week vlogs, she actually inspired me to film one of my own last month!
visiting —
I saw the Cecil Beaton exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, going three for three on great exhibitions they’ve held this year. If you like fashion photography, twentieth century history or have an interest in celebrity culture, you will enjoy this. And as usual, the paint colours they chose for the exhibition walls were perfect.
Restaurant-wise, Aviva and I had a lifechanging meal at Dandan in Aldgate East. My favourite dishes were the dandan noodles in soup (no actual soup involved, it’s just the sauce), the dumplings in oil and the crispy sliced potato — it feels semi-raw but is weirdly addictive. Aviva used to live in Sichuan so I trusted her with the order, she knew what she was doing and it showed!!
Hey there! Quick question, the link for the jacket doesn’t seem to work (it says “invalid” on my iPhone), would you mind sharing the name of it? :)