Karen Russel - Orange World
An incredible collection of short stories. Incredibly alien at times but also deeply human. Fun
fact, my other music project “Bog Girl” where I post less serious music, is taken from the title of
a story from this book. The stories themselves are incredibly well written and cover topics from
a post apocalyptic gondola woman in Florida, to a woman who agrees to sell her breastmilk to the
devil for her child's safety, to a man who falls in love with a mummified bog body. Incredible.
Jamie Paige - Birdbrain
This song will always remind me of summer. It's an incredibly catchy song from one of my
favourite artists of all time. Jamie Paige is an icon in the vocaloid scene and continues
to release banger after banger. The lyrics are incredibly well written and super witty.
It makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside even in the coldest winter!
Umamusume - Pretty Derby
(And all related media)
Unfortunately ever since I first downloaded umamusume in October of last year I've been
obsessed with it to an almost unhealthy degree. The writing is always incredible, the
character designs are consistently unique and fresh, and the all around concept is a
genius way to get the younger generation back into a centuries old pastime,
gambling on horse races.
Brendan Wong - Into The Sea
A sweet and dear friend of mine, Brendan Wong, released a record last year titled
The Waking of The Birds. While the whole record is an incredibly written and recorded art
folk album, my favourite song has to be Into The Sea. Something about it just claws at my
heart and burrows deep into the soul. An incredibly tender ballad that feels you longing for
something forgotten.
Sarah Hennies - The Reinvention of Romance
This piece is an incredibly interesting exploration of relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
The two instruments (cello and percussion) are intertwined yet independent in a complex way,
just as two people in a relationship are. It's like two lives orbiting around the idea of being
together. While they are 2 separate beings, together they join to form something that could be
greater than the sum of its parts.
Syliva Plath - The Bell Jar
I read this book for the first time in 2025, and it was stunning. So much has already been said
about it that anything I do say has probably already been said many times. It's just really good.
Disfigured Robot Child - you've already grown up. The damage has already been done - It's too late.
Really good harsh noise. You know when you listen to the first track of an album and they are sampling
GG Allin's live performances that it's going to be insane. I find this record to be a quintessential
example of what a noise album should be.
Saoirse Dream - Saoirse Dream
The most transgender music I think I have ever heard. Each song is incredibly well written and heartfelt.
I stumbled upon this album from a spotify recommended playlist and I think I listened to it everyday for
the next 2 months. It really is something special. It reflects the trans experience extremely well in
songs like Broad Shoulders!! Gold Star!! And Catherine never broke again. I think that it is just an
incredibly underrated album with such powerful messaging that it deserves to be heard by all.
