Issue 16: Música
Currently on Brazilian puppeteers, Taiwanese teens, and Irish poets.
📝 Reviewing: Música (2024)
I haven’t seen any movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When people ask me why, I answer with “I don’t watch movies to escape; I watch them to reflect.” For me, 'In & Of Itself' sparks reflection on creativity, 'Marriage Story' fosters a deeper understanding of listening, 'Sound of Metal' resonates with themes of acceptance, and 'Cha Cha Real Smooth' encapsulates the nuances of growing up. That's why these are some of my favorite films — because I learn more about myself and my place in the world.
However, rom-coms hold a special place in my heart. I acknowledge they’re predictable, over-the-top, and sometimes contain troublesome characters. Their tried-and-true arc of a meet-cute, conflict, aha moment, montage, grand gesture, and happily ever after are formulaic and rote.
And ‘Música’ is no exception. It uses the cliche rom-com beats to tell the story of a puppeteer as he navigates college, relationships, family, culture, art, and an uncertain future. But what makes ‘Música’ unique is its emphasis on the beats, as the main character lives with synesthesia turning every scene into music akin to 1997’s 'Stomp Out Loud'. It’s predictable, over-the-top, and with a not-so-great main character. But it’s also charming, funny, creative, and romantic.
It was during ‘Música’ that I realized, rom-coms are my MCU. I do, in fact, watch movies to escape — but my escape isn’t into an alternate universe of superheroes and action; it's into a world of romance, whimsy, wit, and emotion, a fantasy world full of love and full of music. ‘Música’ premieres on Amazon April 4th.
📖 Reading: Stay True (2022)
At that age, time moves slow. You're eager for something to happen, passing time in parking lots, hands deep in your pockets, trying to figure out where to go next. Life happened elsewhere, it was simply a matter of finding a map that led there. Or maybe, at that age, time moves fast; you're so desperate for action that you forget to remember things as they happen.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Stay True' is a memoir on friendship, grief, the search for self, and the solace found through art—aka topics right up my alley. By The New Yorker staff writer, Hua Hsu, 'Stay True' recounts stories of the late 90s: growing up Asian American, making zines, wasting time at record stores, and making friends—stories of a teenager searching for belonging, searching for home.
I can’t help but think of my experiences at that age as an Asian American, making art, hanging out at Blockbuster, and investing so much energy into music, fashion, and counter-cultures desperate to get noticed by anyone. Most of those themes are present in my life today; I’m still making art, still talking about movies, still finding my tribe, still longing to fit in. Except now, I’m a lot more comfortable in my own skin, unashamed of my interests, and have learned to embrace the quirks of my personality. I’m not sure if Hsu’s experiences will resonate with everyone, but they rang true to me. 'Stay True' is available now, wherever you get books.
🎧 Listening To: Hozier
Try and measure loss // Measure the silence of a house // The unheard footsteps at the doorway // The unemployment of the mouth // The waking up, having forgotten // And remembering again the full extent // Of what forever is
Of course, I'm familiar with Hozier's hit ‘Take Me To Church.’ However, this week, my YouTube recommendations served me his latest music video, friends told me about plans to travel to Ireland this summer to see him perform, and I received his recent album as a birthday gift. It seems the Marketing Rule of 7 (or in this case 3) has worked its magic, prompting me to delve deeper into his discography.
What I wasn’t familiar with was the breadth of genres that Hozier’s music spans. His catalog traverses folk, blues, orchestral arrangements, gospel, indie, and even pop. Additionally, his lyrics have poetic depth and social commentary that rival those of my favorite lyricist, Matt Berninger of The National. Rediscovering Hozier, a decade after his debut, has been refreshing, enlightening, and a companion to support me through a time of grief.
Thanks for being here.
— Justin