REVIEWS
type: album
name: the crux
creator: djo
producer: adam thein
release date: 4/4/15
review date: 6/7/25
score: 9/10
when i originally listened to this album in early may, i began this review and gave it a 7. i ended up forgetting to post it, and in that time i have been listening to this album almost exclusively. so now im going to re-write it to more honestly reflect my feelings.
i am a little bit obsessed with this album. was this driven at least in small part by my obsession with the person who recommended it to me? very possible, but i believe this album is spectacular in its own right beyond julies feelings. it is able to use the style of the british invasion era music in a way that is nostalgic, yet also uses a modern approach to sound design in a way that feels very fresh.
signfrog wholeheartedly approves of this record. it is very cinematic, which suits signfrogs music taste very well. you must listen now. you will listen right now
type: film
name: the phoenician scheme
creator: wes anderson
cinematographer: bruno delbonnel
release date: 5/30/25
review date: 6/6/25
score: 9/10
yet another phenominal addition to the wes anderson canon. i wish it had been maybe 20 minutes longer, it felt like it needed a little bit more breathing room towards the end. but my immidiate impression, after first leaving the theater, was that this was my new favorite wes anderson film. upon more reflection, the french disbatch is still my favorite, but this might just be a close second. from the moment it started i was entranced with the particular vibe of this one. it is very very produced in the way the last 4 of his films have been, but it at times has the grittier energy of his earlier works which was really nice. the title sequence showed off the extensive cast, but i was still unprepared to see how some of these actors were used here.
with wes anderson films i hesitate to talk details, because i personally like going in blind, but i must say, the first of the many meetings was easily my favorite segment of the movie, which all of you will agree with once you see it, which i highly recommend doing.
type: film
name: conclave
creator: robert harris, edward berger
release date: 10/25/24
review date: 5/7/25
score: 9/10
it was the first day of conclave in the catholic church to decide the new pope last night, so me and some fellows elected to watch
conclave and make an event of it. this movie was spectacular. watching films with friends, especially serious films like this, always
bugs me because they are frequently a lot less focussed on the narrative than i am. so that took away from the watch experience a
little, but the movie itself was fantastic.
the parts of this movie that continually struck me as amazing were the scenes where there were all these old priests in their ancient
robes, but they were on their phones, or passing by modern police, or sitting at a computer. the juxtaposition of these elements was
so enjoyable to see.
i didnt really have any particular complaint about this movie, im just stingy with my 10/10s
type: album
name: god's hand
creator: hot sugar
release date: 2/24/15
review date: 3/20/25
score: 7.5/10
this one is amazing! yet another recommendation from my boyfriend, i love that fellow so much. shout out to fish.
the only reason this doesnt get a higher score is because i have not re-listened to it too many times. i loved it, but it doesnt
have that loop all day every day sort of quality. either way the production on this is incredible. it is sort of reminiscent of
ratatat --- which is a band close to my heart --- and aphex twin, but this has its own way about it as well, its charming.
i love when projects are layered with a level of complexity that only the artist will ever truly understand. you can tell that
these songs are crafted with intricate design, with a variety of sources, and its lovely. every time i listen to my favorite
tracks i hear some new detail. beer cans & bubblegum and raining blood are my favorite tracks on here.
type: album
name: choke enough
creator: oklou
release date: 2/7/25
review date: 4/23/25
score: 9/10
i have been listening to this basically nonstop since i heard it first earlier this week. my boyfriend has been telling me to
listen to this for a while, and i finally caved and omg i am so glad i did, i need to listen to that fellow more often, its got great opinions.
anyway this album is fantastic. i love the production expecially, the entire thing sounds incredibly cohesive. it blends a lot
of things together and it works well. by using hyperpop/electronic over ambient/soft pop tracks its got a unique flavor. my
favorite track right now is thank you for recording, but there isnt really a song on here i dont like. ive been working on drawing a
lot recently and this has been the perfect kind of chill, kind of upbeat thing to put on while i do that.
type: film
name: mickey 17
creator: edward ashton, bong joon ho
release date: 3/7/25
review date: 3/20/25
score: 5/10
it was ok. i felt like the premise was awesome but it just felt like it missed. the setup was so clever but then it doesnt really
DO anything with that. it continued to move on from the things i was enjoying until i was left with soem dry and predictable story beats
at the end. it was also very idealist, which felt out of place in a scifi world.
however the casting was so great. the main characters were so hot (steven yeun ughhh) and the acting was amazing. also the cinematography
was just beautiful. im an unbelievably picky fellow about color palettes and this one just nailed it. my final thoughts? i
want to read the book instead
type: album
name: 1000 variations on the same song
creator: frog
release date: 2/14/25
review date: 3/15/25
score: 8/10
as many may have guessed, i really love frog. i originally found this fellow by trying to find silly frog-themed
songs for a signfrog update, and i immidiately fell in love with their silly ways.
this newest album is great. my only major complaint, that all the songs sound very similar, is turned into a compliment
because that was the entire point of the album. theyre not my favorite artist but i truly love frog. they shall continue to score my coding nights.