david bowie in the man who fell to earth
“the man who fell to earth" delves into the legendary musician’s transformative role in the 1976 film. the book explores bowie's enigmatic presence and artistic vision, providing fresh insights into how this performance became a pivotal moment in his career. it's an essential read for bowie aficionados and film enthusiasts alike.
a friendship through film by xavier dolan
the brilliant canadian director shares intimate documentation on the set of “mommy” in "a friendship through film". this exploration of cinematic bonds weaves personal anecdotes with insights into the collaborative process of filmmaking. dolan's reflective prose highlights the emotional connections and creative synergy behind the camera, capturing the essence of his friendship with his collaborator, shayne laverdière.
mousganistan by mous lamrabat
in "mousganistan", mous lamrabat crafts a whimsical, imaginative journey through a fictional land, blending surreal landscapes with cultural commentary inspired by his native morrocco. the book's playful tone and vivid imagery invite readers to reflect on themes of identity and belonging. mous transports us into the world of afro-arab high fashion, which he does best.
beirut: the eras of design
“beirut is building its own design culture, transforming its multiculturalism into creative energy.” this book explores the unlikely renaissance of beirut’s design scene from 2000 onwards - showcasing the city's artistic evolution through tumultuous times. rich visuals accompany well-researched narratives, revealing how a city, said to have been destroyed and rebuilt seven times since antiquity, continues to nourish the imagination and inform the work of many creative artists. it is an homage to the city of reinvention.
modernist beirut
beirut: the ever-elusive city of contradiction, a city where urban planning is not exactly planned but somehow results in a unique mix of heritage and haphazard developments. "modernist beirut" provides a captivating visual journey through its architectural marvels. with meticulous attention to detail, the book celebrates the city's modernist heritage while reflecting on its evolution. through stunning photography and insightful commentary, this volume offers a compelling narrative of beirut's architectural identity.
sofia coppola archive
archive is sofia coppola’s first book, giving a behind-the-scenes look at her most iconic films from 1999 to date. beautiful on-set images, behind-the-scenes documentation, and reference collages from marie antoinette (2006), the virgin suicides (1999), lost in translation (2003), and priscilla (2023). perhaps not everyone is a fan of coppola as a director, but we can all agree she’s an incredible visual artist. this book highlights the filmmaker's impeccable set design, costumes and art direction. a visual treat.
le chouchou martin parr
the 3rd self-published title by the house of jacquemus. following the release of images (2020) and marseille je t’aime (2017) this book is the result of an interesting pairing: jacquemus’s perfectly art-directed world meets martin parr’s unorthodox photography. it provides a behind-the-scenes look at the house’s fall/winter 2024 show that took place in versailles through parr's distinctive lens. an aesthetic exercise in style, composition and color to the opulent backdrop of versailles.
eli rezkallah life in plastik
a book about the artist’s journey through photographs and essays. this deeply personal exploration dives into rezkallah’s unorthodox career, the inception of plastik magazine, and his coming of age, all to a backdrop of a war-torn lebanon and repressed trauma. the book ponders on the coping mechanisms of artists and the thirst for beauty in an uncertain world.
babygirl
in babygirl, nicole kidman once again demonstrates why she’s among the best, taking on a role that an actress of her stature could easily overlook. her performance is magnetic, filled with subtlety and depth. harris dickinson keeps us wanting more of his sadomasochist character, who is as toxic as he is magnetic. the plot—about an unlikely, complex relationship— explores themes of obsession and emotional manipulation with a modern, captivating twist. hot.
culinary class wars
from restaurant chefs to amateur hobbyists, 100 people from all walks of life compete in a fierce culinary showdown. "culinary class wars" serves a deliciously dramatic feast à la 'top chef' meets 'parasite' in a gastronomic gladiator showdown. get ready for a savory slice of culinary chaos that’s as sharp as a gordon ramsay retort.
martha
an eponymous documentary about the quintessential american television personality martha stewart. once synonymous with everything quaint and housewifey, it didn’t take long for stewart’s acerbic personality to take over and break out from the cookie-cutter life of a white suburban woman. after some jail time and a friendship with snoop dogg later, stewart is now regarded as a pop culture icon - and deservedly so.
hacks season 3
one of our favorite recent comedy shows, season 3 remains hilarious. this time it further explores the endearing bond between deborah and ava as they confront new challenges that test their relationship—and their careers—to the limit. the humor remains sharp, but this season has a deeper emotional resonance, showcasing how far they have come in their unlikely friendship/codependence. it’s a fun, unpredictable journey that is as “feel good” as exciting.
monsieur aznavour
step into the life of legendary french-armenian chansonnier charles aznavour. this touching biopic enchants viewers with the fascinating narrative of charles aznavour's life and his rise to fame against all odds. merging classic french elegance with contemporary storytelling. it’s a heartfelt tribute to the golden age of french music, presented with brilliant cinematography and poeticism - worthy of a legend.
the gilded age
the sets are grand, the costumes are fantastic, and the characters are dripping with venom: all components of a great flamboyant show. although the gilded age is set in a bygone era, the parallels with our day and age make it entertaining. you realize that social inequality and corruption are still ruling, and things haven’t changed much since the gilded age. is it more playful than profound? yes, and that’s welcomed!
high and low: john galliano
what do you do when you reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows? one of our time’s stand-out fashion designers would know. after rightfully being canceled, galiano took corrective measures and continued working on the down low. he delivered one of the most memorable runways for maison margiela ss24’ since the house’s inception. we can’t wait to see what more the designer has in store from his groundbreaking career. will it be enough for public redemption?
the last showgirl
we are here for the resurgence of women in hollywood. especially ones that were termed, mostly derisively, "bombshells" in the 90s. this is pamela anderson’s breakthrough role, a bold, campy dive into the glitzy world of las vegas - showcasing the darker side of sequins. with its unapologetic excess and poignant performances, the last showgirl is set to be an immediate cult classic.
social studies
"social studies" cleverly examines the human experience through a pop culture lens. each episode serves as a syllabus for modern life, intertwining viral trends with sociological insights. ideal for those who love to click and scroll, it brings intellectual wit and meme-worthy humor to spotlight the quirks of contemporary society. the series truly nails the cultural zeitgeist.
fantasmas
fantasmas is a stylish supernatural thriller combining latin american folk with modern horror. with its surrealist cinematography and layered storytelling, it captures the eerie atmosphere of the haunting of hill house while delving into social themes like cultural identity, artificial intelligence, and coming of age. the series’ seamless blend of mystery and the metaphysical provides a fresh perspective on the genre, delivering an original style that keeps us on our toes.
stanley tucci: searching for italy
a series about the best food across italy by the lovely stanley tucci? yes please. the beloved actor travels across italy tasting the land and sea flavors, discovering the history, secrets, and delights of the country's regional cuisines. the show is an intimate reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes, featuring stanley's signature wry humor and nostalgia to the gorgeous backdrops of italy.
the new look
a story about the birth of contemporary fashion to the backdrop of world war ii, this thrilling series reveals the shocking story of how fashion icon christian dior and his contemporaries including coco chanel, pierre balmain, and cristóbal balenciaga navigated the horrors of war and launched modern couture.
the comeback
a classic. if you haven’t seen the comeback, and have a snarky sense of humor, do yourself a favor and go watch it. lisa kudrow is hilarious, ingeniously capturing the desperation, vulnerability, and entitlement of a “star” making her comeback. the in-your-face cringe comedy and pathos kudrow brings to the role make it her best role ever. season 1 and 2 are almost 10 years apart and we are begging for a season 3.
ramy youssef: more feelings
arab representation in hollywood is not representationing (sic), so ramy youssef is a refreshing addition to mainstream television shows. in his debut stand-up, he tackles arab issues, the casual racism he faces, and the rise of islamophobia. comedic relief is much needed to talk about these pressing matters, youssef does it brilliantly.
symphony of lungs
Florence + the machine
florence + the machine captivates with "symphony of lungs", a transcendent live recording from the bbc proms. florence welch's ethereal voice soars alongside orchestral arrangements, merging baroque pop with soul-stirring grandeur. it's a hauntingly beautiful odyssey through breath and emotion; live shows are clearly where welsh shines, and shine she does.
a lot not too much
dounia
intricately weaving her arab heritage into a sensuous r&b sound, dounia creates a universal and intimate sound. the album’s minimal production allows her introspective lyrics to shine, engaging with identity, cultural tension, and self-realization themes. the album explores the complexity of gracefully navigating personal and collective histories - especially as an arab.
the vampire weekend
vampire weekend
this opus by vampire weekend is a genre- blending album that pushes the boundaries of indie pop. with intricate instrumentation and ezra koenig’s signature introspective lyrics, it explores themes of faith, identity, and human relationships. the result is a thought-provoking record that’s as catchy as it is cerebral.
the slam years
hamid el chaeeri
hamid el chaeeri is the egyptian equivalent of serge gainsbourg. his jazzy sound and contemporary lyrics make his songs an easy listen. urban, with cinematic feel arrangements, the album mixes swagger and melancholy, capturing a sense of cool detachment, making it as intriguing as it is understated.
bruler le feu
juliette armanet
instant coup de coeur for this artist and album. armanet is great at pop bangers and ballads, making this an easy listen from start to finish. the lip sync to “le dernier jour de disco” on season 2 of drag race france is one of our favorites. imaginer l’amour is lyrically beautiful and is perfect for sunday blues.
musique originale de films
ahmed malek
ahmed malek’s “musique originale de films” is a masterful fusion of north african rhythms and cinematic orchestration. malek crafts a timeless and experimental soundtrack from the rich legacy of arabic music and modern film scoring. the album is a sonic journey, blending traditional instruments with layered arrangements, delivering a unique and eclectic sound.
the great impersonator
halsey
halsey digs into themes of identity and transformation, blending alt-pop with rock influences to craft a more textured sound. her vocals are as striking as ever, carrying a mix of vulnerability and power. while some tracks feel safe, the album marks an interesting step in her artistic growth.
can we please have fun
kings of Leon
kings of leon rebound with "can we please have fun", fusing southern rock grit with infectious pop hooks. this album is a vibrant evolution, capturing the restless spirit and anthemic melodies that marked their earlier success, yet daringly exploring playful new sounds and narratives that redefine their musical journey.
miguele
eponymous
discover the captivating world of miguele, where playful and sensual lyrics are expertly weaved into a rich & dreamy electro-pop universe. great summer album co-conceived & produced by veteran lebanese musician etyen.
loss of life
mgmt
a dreamy psychedelic album by the talented duo ben goldwasser & andrew vanwyngarden. the sound, what they describe as “mutated synth pop”, is daring - and at times messy - but somehow really hits. standout tracks are “nothing to declare”, “mother nature”, and the christine and the queens collaboration “dancing in babylon”, which carries the unmistakable 90’s ode to savage garden.
submarine
the marías
a dreamy, effortlessly cool listen, with silky vocals from maría zardoya and laid-back grooves that feel like a hazy summer night. the band blends retro pop with smooth r&b, crafting a nostalgic and fresh sound. it’s the kind of album that’s perfect for a weekend cruise.
imaginal disk
magdalena bay
this duo creates a mesmerizing audio universe where retro synths meet cutting-edge production “straight from the simulation”. the album captures the essence of digital-age disconnection and euphoria, providing catchy hooks laced with musings about the meaning of life. it’s a fresh take on pop music - and the album art is cool - which warrants a listen.
the greatest love
London grammar
the greatest love finds london grammar refining their atmospheric sound, blending emotive lyrics with sweeping, minimalist production. hannah reid’s commanding vocals carry the album’s emotional weight, navigating love, longing, and vulnerability themes. while the mood remains consistent, the record occasionally leans on familiar territory, offering little new ground.
wall of eyes
the smile
on “wall of eyes”, thom yorke’s ethereal voice fits into complex soundscapes that ring with post-rock and electronica. the production is intimate yet grand - with stripped-down instrumentals that climax dramatically. the album wrestles with existential ideas through an episodic, but cohesive arc. much like radiohead, the smile defies convention with every track, presenting a new-age, immersive experience that draws listeners into its mysterious nexus of audible fine art.
come around and love me
jalen ngonda
jalen ngonda rich and nuanced voice sets him miles apart from the crowd. come around and love me reveals how he creates a classic approach rooted in the sounds of revered pioneers without falling into imitation, and leaving no doubt that jalen will continue to shine within the superlative and timeless musical tradition. one of the finest soul albums of the the decade.
from gaza with love
saint levant
saint levant, one of the few palestinian artists with international acclaim. on this ep, he explores his roots and generational pain. the early-2000s r&b sound, and franco-arabic rap are delivered with multicultural soul. the project invites global listeners to embrace the sensuous riches of his middle eastern culture, all packaged in a sexy way.
sometimes i might be a little introverted
little simz
little simz is one of the most exciting talents on the rap scene. on her fourth album, the uk rapper wrestles with the split between her public persona and private self, thus raising broadly relatable questions about the craving for validation.
bury the hatchet
jayjay johanson
considered from its beginnings in the late 90s as one of the pioneers of the trip-hop scene, jay-jay johanson interpreted in a soft voice, reminiscent of chet baker, sensitive texts on an immediately recognizable melodic leg.