Another month under our belts, and so much media consumed by our team of editors. From golden oldies to contemporary finds – these are the songs and podcasts, book and films that have permeated our minds throughout last month...
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch… I just binged Presumed Innocent and it was as good as everyone said. I’m going to watch the original movie with Harrison Ford next. My Dad (who considers himself a TV buff) also suggested Hotel Cocain when we had lunch over the weekend. I can’t vouch for it at this point, but I’ve put it on my list.
Read… RUSSH Home and the RUSSH Beauty Annual, obviously. I’ve also been getting through ‘Perfumes: The Guide 2018’ and it’s incredible. Articulating the way something smells is actually very difficult — this is some of the best fragrance writing I’ve come across.
Listen… I’ve recently discovered playlists curated by the non-alcoholic spirit brand Ghia and they’re really, really good. ‘SPF500’ and ‘Berry Aperitif’ are my current favourites. Also, lots of Herbie Hancock (I’ve got tickets to see him at the Opera House in October).
Cassandra Dimitroff
Production Editor
Watch… A notable watch this month was See Know Evil, a 2018 documentary about fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti’s younger, ill-fated brother Davide. It gave a truly uncensored look at the life of a young photographer and youth culture icon in his own right, and at the rise of grunge and glamorisation of ‘Heroin Chic’ in the NYC fashion scene at the time.
Read… I finally (FINALLY) finished Long Island Compromise this month, which turned into one of the most stunning multi-generational novels I’ve read in a very long time. I did cry at the end.
Listen… Who hasn’t been obsessively listening to Definitely, Maybe since Oasis’ reunion announcement?
Phoebe Holden
Designer
Watch… I am very late to the party (especially as a Lena Dunham fanatic) but I am totally obsessed with Industry, everything from the script to the cast, the wardrobe to the acting is excellent. It’s filling the Succession shaped hole in my heart. My other fixation is Pia Cramling, a Swedish chess grandmaster. A little niche, but I could watch videos of her playing for hours.
Read… I am slowly chipping away at Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, which I am enjoying more and more. I also revisited my copy of Patti Smith’s Devotion recently, I love this special little part-memoir, part-fiction, part-travel book exploring Smith’s writing process.
Listen…I am listening to a melting pot of content this month. Pachinko and Allen Carr’s Easy Way on Audible. Julia Fox’s Down the Drain and Genevieve Novak’s No Hard Feelings via Spotify (free if you have premium, a huge revelation for me). In terms of music, I never stray too far from my usual suspects: Nick Cave (everything), Everything But The Girl (The Language of Life - 1990), Wu-Tang (Enter the Wu-Tang, 36 Chambers - 1990), Biggie (Ready to Die - 1994), Cold Chisel (Circus Animals - 1982 and Breakfast at Sweethearts always), Neil Young (everything) and Frank Sinatra (everything).
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
Watch…I’ve been obsessed with watching the golden era of late 80s early 90s classic novel adaptations which almost always have a young Daniel Day Lewis in it. Think operatic soundtracks, shots to die for and unspoken sexual tension. Remains of the Day has the most impeccable performances from Hopkins and Thompson, and my goodness, Helena Bonham Carter in A Room With A View. It’s excellent time travel and allows me to kid myself into thinking I’m still an intellectual
Read…The new issue of RUSSH, obviously. That, and Season of The Witch, The Book of Goth by Cathi Unsworth.
Listen…I’m finding myself exceptionally sensitive to music at the moment so adding some songs to our August playlist (the golden oldies) made me cry. Don’t listen to Oasis, listen to Orange Juice. Listen to music with some goddamn modulation.
Karen Leong
Digital Writer
Watch… As an Aries ruled by Mars I am committed to extremes. Which is why I am cresting through early seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia whilst simultaneously attempting to watch Vive L’amour by Tsai Ming Liang, which was recommended to me by a friend. The balancing act is as aggravating (and satisfying) as it sounds.
Read… I’ve recently finished The Collector by John Fowles, which was a morbid read written to suppress suspense until the very end. Next to conquer is Jia Tolentino’s book of essays Trick Mirror, which has lived on an open tab on my laptop since the start of the year and recommended to me by a writing aide who diagnosed my own literary misgivings as ‘very her’.
Listen…Where Are You by 54 Ultra has been a rite before bed. And in commemoration and of the 5th anniversary of Norman F*cking Rockwell, I’ve been rinsing some of the staples: F*ck It I Love You, Love Song, and Happiness is a Butterfly. For You by The Sinseers, for the first dapple of light to hit your windows in the morning. It nurtures out the softness that only Fool’s Spring can bring.
Leni Pront
Intern
Watch… Twisters. I am a proud movie enthusiast, and with that in mind this movie was worth the while. It was both heart quenching and heart warming all in one. Not to mention the amazing feeling of gorging on a bucket of popcorn in the cinema before the movie even starts.
Read… I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang. This book is a teenage romance between two head captains of the school. I must say, this book has been my go to for a good read before going to sleep.
Listen… Brought The Heat Back. This song by ENHYPEN lately has been one of my absolute favs. Especially after I got my AirpodMax as a belated birthday gift. It brought the whole listening experience to a new level. This song is the definition in my opinion of upbeat.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch… I didn’t watch too much in August. I was sick for a while so I was trying to focus on sleep instead. But I did end up seeing two movies that stuck with me. First was Trap. I love M. Night Shyamalan so I was very keen to see this new flick. In my opinion, it’s the perfect 90-minute thriller. I also watched Triangle. It kept coming up on my TikTok as a movie with the best twist, so I decided to finally give it a watch.
Read… I did a comfort re-read of Fourth Wing while I was sick in bed and honestly that was kind of it for this month. I now have a big stack to get through in September which includes Elfy Scott’s book, The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About.
Listen… Our Consumer Revenue Manager Stacey told me I should listen to Diet Pepsi. I promptly told her I’d never heard of that band, before she revealed it was an Addison Rae song. I actually really like it. I’m a real sucker for that retro Americana vibe. I also have begun my annual re-listening to Born to Die and Ultraviolence in full, a ritual I have each year when the spring weather jumps over 25 degrees.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor In Chief
Watch… I have finally got into Succession– better late than never–and boy it’s good. I’m more into movies than TV shows, so this one has really grasped my attention. But with movies, I have watched a few. I Saw The TV Glow, Twisters, It Ends With Us (which sadly I was disappointed with), and Alien: Romulus. My favourite I must say was the Alien movie, Cailee Spaeny really embraced her inner Sigourney Weaver in this movie and it well and truly paid off. Oh, and I also re-watched Don’t Worry Darling.
Read… I’m reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein, which I am loving and almost at the end, and I fear something sad it's coming…And to rub salt in that wound, I picked up Normal People by Sally Rooney. I have seen the TV show and I know what’s coming. If anyone has any happy and uplifting novels after this one please let me know, I will be in need.
Listen… I’ve been listening to a mix of Gracie Abrams, Cigarettes After Sex and Phoebe Bridgers, because like Paul Mescal, I’m going through an Alt Indie Pop phase. But, most recently I have been listening to Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter’s new albums.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager
Watch… When things get busy, I go into a hermit spiral of pre-watched and guaranteed hits to silence a noisy brain. Hence why I have restarted Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time. I did manage to see one new film, I Saw The TV Glow, in cinemas. It was thought provoking and haunting, but the dialogue was a bit hard to engage with.
Read… The new issue of RUSSH of course! September baby.
Listen… My favourite podcasters are back for season two, we are so blessed to have Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner together again. When I’m not giggling in the drivers seat of my car to Ride the Podcast, I’ve had a small list of bangers on repeat: Get Free by Lana Del Rey, Mariella by Leon Bridges and Khruangbin, and Doggone Cowboy by Marty Robbins. They go together I promise.
