Media Recommendations
Contents
Introduction
I despise social media media tracking/rating/catalogue platforms such as Letterboxd, IMDB, GoodReads, AOTY, RYM, and the like, because of the damage they have indirectly caused to their users and their critical thinking when it comes to expressing opinions. These platforms have pushed people away (either the platform itself or the fans themselves) from writing unique and sincere opinions/reviews.
All the worth reading reviews tend to be buried under stupid one line jokes, irony poisoned reviews, and opinions from weaklings who align their reviews to the opinion of most.
Reducing any media work to a bland, unimaginative, flat score or letter, followed by a one-liner joke, is the second worst thing that has happened to media criticism after fascism.
I am well aware that these websites should not be used or considered as a reference or the go-to for any media criticism, that I can easily ignore the existence of those websites; that we should rely on our own judgment and the honest personal opinions of others, but we should also not underestimate the damage and influence these websites have made on us, regardless of whether we use them or not.
Music
- Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) Derek and the Dominos
- Everything about the band is terrible, so terrible this glorified jam-session-turned-album turned to be the exact opposite.
- Casiopea (Reissue) (1980) Casiopea
- It's quite remarkable to make this album so diverse in tones and rhythm and still deliver an amazing listening experience.
- Timely!! (1984) Anri
- Amazing work and introduction to the City Pop genre, a no-skip album packed with endless energy and relative sadness.
- Flying Beagle (1987) Himiko Kikuchi
- Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994) Aphex Twin
- Compared to its first volume, this sequel strictly stays within the genre's name and remains as a companion for the quiet, disillusioned and rather bleak times. Really moody and atmospheric.
- Kokyū (2000) Lily Chou-Chou
- Geogaddi (2002) Boards of Canada
- Possibly the best introduction to an already muddied early 2000s, an unease that would only become more familiar with time.
- Cocktail (2003) Belanova
- A classic and beloved album of my generation. Still holds the test of time considering how aged this genre might sound now. Cocktail is a remarkable sweet album with nice vocals that perfectly matches the catchy disco and electro beats.
- Puberty 2 (2016) mitski
- De Todas las Flores (2022) Natalia Lafourcade
- A majestic, beautiful and unforgettable album filled with really gorgeous and almost existential lyrics that welcome life, death, uncertainity and most importantly, love. Natalia remains as one of the most influential artists of Mexico.
- Fudeki (2022) (and their entire discography) Tricot
- I would suggest to listen to their entire discography, but Fudeki takes the place here for me because of how different and experimental it sounds from their other "better" sounding albums. It's spectacular how tricot can still sound good in their messiest release. PS. You might want to skip the first track.
- Imaginal Disk (2024) Magdalena Bay
- Really atmospheric and sweet to listen. This album really wants you to materialize and feel its magical realm. I cannot recommend enough in listening this album on a gapless player. All transitions in this album are godly to hear and experience, which is what this album wants you to have, a really amazing experience.
- Nothing's About to Happen to Me (2026) mitski
- Popstar (2026) Tanishe
Movies
- Watership Down (1978)
- Penguin's Memory: A Tale of Happiness (1985)
- Stumbled upon this movie on YouTube after seeing the "Penguin Club War" meme and watched it because of the visuals, I ended up liking it more than anticipated, despite being an advertisement for a beer.
- Children of Men (2007)
- Project Hail Mary (2026)
- No need to read the book. Project Hail Mary is one of the greatest and moving sci-fi movies of the 2020s. I will probably never forget the experience of watching this in the cinemas. It is a really great movie.