Weekly Roundup #3.
What has Toni been digging as of late?
I'm back! After a vacay and some additional time to get myself together, I'm delighted to share another roundup with you all. It's been a minute since I've done one of these, and although it's supposed to be a weekly recap of what's been under my notice, I never truly play things by the book, so let this post serve as a second-half-of-July recap instead.
I'm still holding on to the taste of relaxation that has matured to an aftertaste upon my return. As much as I hate to say it, home is constantly chaotic. The city life that so many crave makes me restless, as I always need to be on top of its demands. I'm grateful to have the means to take a step back from this when I can, and the penny-pinching pays off with what I'm able to experience: solace, no matter how long it lasts.
During my vacation, I found a lovely balance between unplugging from and indulging in what I wanted on my terms. For my birthday this year, I wanted a change of pace and to do something different. My partner and I visited my parents, whom I haven't spent a bday with in ages. They currently reside in another state, and their area has a lot less hassle than we're used to. Our time there was just as relieving as when we last went down there at the beginning of this year. A break from my daily routine felt like a massive weight off my shoulders, and I could really unwind, which was desperately needed. I wouldn't say all my worries ceased to exist, but I will say I escaped the heft of impending doom for a week. I slept in, ate consistent meals, and swam for the first time in years, which healed my inner child.
I didn't listen to music for the duration of the trip. That probably doesn't sound like a long time, but it's a big deal for me as I usually have music playing for 60% of my day, every day. My presence definitely felt stronger as my senses could take a great exhale, and quietness became the sweetest music my ears could ever hear. While this lack of noise granted me a clear head, my reflections remained a steady hum within my mind. In my last piece, I wrote about a few of these in a celebratory birthday acknowledgment of self amid the daunting trepidation and pressures of my own expectations. Releasing myself from the desire to have perpetual control in a lifetime where nothing is promised and the unknown lies in every tomorrow unleashed a newfound freedom.
It's hard to stay hopeful, but I will do it anyway. I dreaded returning home in fear of the lightness I adapted disappearing, and while it's been tough maintaining it, I'm finding ways to keep it all over me, even if it's in small doses. My next listen of music on my flight back sounded so different; it was crisp and spoke to me nearly indescribably. Maybe it was that I updated my sound quality settings or that I'm fully allowing the joys in my life to steer me and feeling the restorative powers of this. Either way, it was necessary.
A new listen that's recently been fueling my moments of peace is Clairo's Charm.
I'm not too familiar with Clairo's discography outside of "4EVER" and "Softly," two songs I used to play during the indie pop resurgence of the late 2010s. Charm is an impressive switch in gears compared to the sound I previously associated with the artist. Clairo is in bloom, exploring the nuances and ambiguities of love, lightheartedness, and vulnerability over her airy pop soundscape filled with notes of jazz. I'm a sucker for a well-crafted instrumental, and I'll always be that way! I'm immensely particular with sounds; how sounds evoke emotions in me lets me know everything I need to know, my compatibility with a body of work even before a word escapes a singer's lips.
Charm perfectly embodies excitement and bashfulness. It's like an auditory memory of blushing, honeymoon phases, and feeling giddy because of infinite possibilities. As a fitting summer release, it has earned its spot in my ongoing summer rotation, but I have a feeling it will hit even harder in the fall. A season carryover might just be in the cards, and it has the Toni stamp of approval! My fave tracks at the moment are "Second Nature" and the "Terrapin," "Juna," and "Add Up My Love" run.Â
I've been starting my morning commute with one of the best songs ever made:
Without a doubt, implementing this gem into seven minutes of my day has impacted my disposition and how I show up far more than I expected. It's an embrace and a firm reminder of how the love in my life pushes me forward in times when I'm trudging and unsteady. My ability and urge to love in action also have the same effect: my hand in the nourishment of others as a motivator and reassurance of purpose. Give it a try in your routine!
Succinct and fresh, bossa nova darling Astrud Gilberto's signature voice glides on funky and soulful production in Now.
I didn't include this album in my 11th issue, but I still wanted to recommend it in due time, especially during a warm season, and now is the perfect opportunity. Now encompasses popular sounds of the '70s and has a little bit of everything: slow and sentimental tracks, upbeat rhythms, and mellow cooldowns. My fave tracks are "Baião" and "Daybreak." Changes in vibrations and all, this album is sonically as bright and colorful as its cover and stands as a lively assortment of songs with unanticipated but admirable qualities.
For more music I've been enjoying lately, check out my playlist here:
It includes the recs above and other sounds that send satisfying vibrations through my body. The theme of this little collection reflects my current practice of allowing happiness, unhappiness, growth, and setbacks and being content with all these aspects of life as inevitable connections to my journey. Tap in, you're in good hands.
Now, let's talk movies! It feels like I haven't written about films in a while; it's been nearly two months, and that's entirely too long for me. I already know my nerdiness will quickly turn this into a very long read, so I'll keep it cute. Of course, plenty of my time off went towards chipping off my watchlist and revisiting movies I had a hankering for. Here are my last two weeks:
Matilda? Need I say more? I wear the badge of honor now that I introduced this classic to my girlfriend and witnessed her first watch, one with jaw drops, laughter, and thrill! Oh, how I miss practical effects and minimal use of VFX.
I Saw the TV Glow is a layered slow burn that calls for a second watch. There are amazing visuals, and I liked the idea of nostalgia as a haunting entity to help drive the themes of identity and shame. It's cool to see creative stories about the transgender experience with nonconventional delivery.
Definitely a lesbian film that left little to be desired, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love is a simple story with pleasing execution. It's hilarious, has a delicately handled intimate scene, and a happy ending. That's all I need! The final shot is such a clever representation of young love, and I remain overjoyed with the result.
At last, I got around to The Woman King on my birthday. With spectacular performances, storytelling, and action sequences, I seriously got my life. Sisterhood as a theme is so important to me, especially between Black women, and when it's the heart of the narrative. I'm not a fan of war films, but what was accomplished in The Woman King should be largely celebrated—a true triumph.
The World War Z rewatch was random, and it's grown more underwhelming as time passes. It feels much longer than it actually is, and the relief audiences are supposed to have at the end turns into indifference. Very meh.
As recognized as Set It Off is, I still find it wildly underrated. It's one of the best crime films of its decade, not your average heist story. It's about sacrifice, the lengths impoverished people, specifically Black women in this scenario, have to go to feel power and financially sustain themselves living under a system that works against their best interest. It's heartbreaking, gritty, and full of courage. Also, we get masc Queen Latifah. (
Sorry, I had to!)
Halfway there, bear with me now.
Drive-Away Dolls was just not my cup of tea. I was not too fond of the editing, acting, or comedy. It has an absurd plot, which should make the weirdness of those choices work, but it didn't. Lesbian cinema, but at what cost?
I'll never pass up the opportunity to rewatch one of my favorites, and Phantom Thread only evolves finer and finer. The score alone clears. A strange romance with outstanding performances, sharp dialogue, and—ugh—the imagery! It's stunning. I'll leave it at that before I get carried away, but a delicious plot twist worthy of a watch awaits.
Not a word is spoken in Robot Dreams, and I'm not mad at it. It was nice for my brain to focus only on everyday sounds, expressive sounds, and the occasional needle drop. This animated comedy quickly becomes emotional, centering on a lonely dog with a robot companion; platonic love and the loss of such are loaded topics, and the approach taken in Robot Dreams champions acceptance, which isn't always easy to achieve.
A 2024 fave thus far, Love Lies Bleeding is hot, bloody, and keeps me on my toes. More unpredictability, please! This was my first at-home watch, and my facial reactions stayed the same as my theater viewing. Katy O'Brian is jacked and exceptionally memorable. Love Lies Bleeding has also gifted me more humorous Kristen Stewart line deliveries. It's an original take on the unhinged "anything for love" trope, but make it gay.
For some reason, I rewatched Blue Valentine on a Friday night, and it turned into a two-day watch. Not exactly a feel-good movie for the weekend, but I wanted to see if my initial thoughts on it had changed. They're pretty much the same: the story is easy to follow, incredibly dark, and the leads carry when it gets slow. Watching love dissolve into bitterness and abhorrence is horrifying, and this, through two linear timelines contrasting the start and the end, propels its effectiveness.
I wanted to see what all the hype around Fargo is about, and I left with an urgent need: Someone has to confirm if this movie properly represents how Minnesota folk talk. Besides that, it's a fun ride! I'm not necessarily crazy about it like others, but the ensemble's chemistry entertained me, and that's sufficient enough for this type of flick. Fargo is packed with total disarray and quotable lines.
July was a month of harmony for me, even when I had difficulties actively seeing and appreciating it. I felt like I was slacking this month due to resting, but if anything, it reinstated my capacity to relish in my passions. I don't know if this still counts as a short and sweet post, but I hope it's appreciated nonetheless. My rule-breaking nature brought this on, and I, too, had lots to say. I'm curious to see what August brings for us all. More musing, listening, watching, recovering, expressing. Till next time!
This was my first roundup and I’m loving all the music and movie recs