Podcast: “Dissect”

Named best podcast of 2018 by the New York Times, “Dissect” is a serialized look into the hidden stories behind today’s most popular albums. Each season covers an album by artists like Frank Ocean, Kanye West and more. The podcast dives into the lyrics, musical composition and historical background of the album in order to weave together a narrative that often goes unrecognized. This season, which premiered Sept. 7 on Spotify, introduces Childish Gambino’s album Because the Internet. Episode rollouts will continue over the next few months, and prove to be the captivating, insightful experience that “Dissect” is known for. -CK

Movie: Palm Springs
Palm Springs tells the story of two strangers, Sarah and Nyles, who meet at a wedding in Palm Springs and get stuck living in a time loop together. The film stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, both widely known for their comedic roles. Things quickly get complicated for the pair, as Sarah attempts to find a way to escape the time loop, while the two simultaneously develop feelings for each other. Palm Springs brings a fresh take on the well-known themes of sci-fi and romantic comedy, blending the genres together seamlessly. The film is available to stream on Hulu. -TO

Book: Great Tales of Horror

Great Tales of Horror is a collection of short stories written by H.P. Lovecraft in the 1920s and 30s. These short stories redefined the genres of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Lovecraft’s influence on the horror genre is timely, given that his themes are explored in modern media. Lovecraft explores themes such as the fear of the unknown, existential dread and incomprehensible knowledge; all of which serve as the basis for cosmic horror today. Lovecraft’s writing inspires  a multitude of films, board games and video games based on his fictional Cthulhu Mythos universe. -DF

Album: Smile

Pop star Katy Perry released her sixth album, Smile, on Aug. 28. The new album is bubbly and adventurous, the cover of the album featuring the new mother as a frowning red-nosed clown. The album also includes a series of cartoonish music videos that correspond with each of the 12 tracks.  Each track conveys the journey through one of Katy Perry’s darkest periods in her life, to finding love and becoming a new mother. The pop star’s new album encourages listeners to create light in their lives and celebrate the small things. -KP