December Worthwhile Stuff

📚 Books
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, V. E. Schwab: This book falls into one of my favorite sub-genres: Immortality -- and indeed, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue gave me strong Forever and Prince Lestat vibes. I love the sweeping scope of this book (300 years!), the French history element, the Brooklyn circa 2014 setting, and the romantic star-crossed love story. However, as with the other V.E. Schwab books that I've read, I also felt that something was missing (perhaps the middle 100 years of a 300-year life? Greater character development? Both?). Despite wanting more form this book, there is so much to love about it, and the well-executed magical realism is a perfect escape for the current times.

🎶 Music
"Doin' My Best", Tuxedo: Tuxedo comes through with yet another expertly crafted, funky, and feel-good bop, with lyrics that are perfect for 2020: "Just doin' my best for you baby / I can't be nobody else / I can only be myself." #selfcare #selfacceptance

"What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas", Mayer Hawthorne: Mayer's achingly beautiful falsetto is perfect match for the longing of this song's lyrics; his voice literally gives me chills. This is a perfect song to get lost in, listening to it through headphones and on repeat. 

So Long To Looking In, Alex Cornish: A new Alex Cornish album is always something to look forward to, and So Long To Looking In is no exception to this rule. Each of Cornish's albums explores fresh territories and ideas, but this latest album finds Cornish's sound maturing in new ways, both musically and lyrically. Cornish puts his own gentle and masterful spin on Folk music, with hints of Elliott Smith ("So Long to Looking In"), early Chris Isaak ("A Rare Heat"), and Bob Dylan ("This Is Real Now" and "The Widest Stretch") scattered throughout. "Trip the Wire" has a rambling Country-Folk vibe to it, and "What Are the Chances?" offers a beautiful classical interlude. While So Long To Looking In is a sonically soothing album, the lyrics offer up layers and hidden depths to explore, reveling new treasures with every listen.

Wonder, Shawn Mendes: Shawn Mendes keeps growing as an artist and getting better & better which each album he releases -- which is so gratifying to witness. I had high hopes for Wonder, but was also steeling myself to be disappointed. I needn't have worried: Wonder is a masterfully crafted album that demonstrates Mendes' growth as an artist and a person, offering up powerful songs that reflect a wide range of influences. The title track, which skillfully conveys anthemic angst, is actually overshadowed by so many of the other (somehow) more bombastic and fun tracks on the album. My favorite is "Teach Me How To Love", in which Mendes puts his own spin on the neo-Disco sound that is everywhere this year, while also being just slightly Wham-esque in the best way possible. However, coming in at a close second is "305", a 60s-tinged bop that oddly reminds me of both a Leona Lewis Christmas song and a California surf song, despite the Miami area code in the title. Amidst an album about love, "Piece of You" turns the tables and addresses the darker side of obsession via sultry club beats with touches of Queen and Michael Jackson thrown in for good measure. Rounding out my favorites are "Higher" with it's Basement Jaxx-like beats, "24 Hours" with its sweet and gentle mantra-like refrain, and "Look Up at the Stars", which somehow manages to combine The Fray, Six Pence None The Richer, and Edwin McCain influences all in one song that makes me nostalgic for the turn of the millennium. Mendes' strong point of view on love holds the album together thematically, allowing the wide range of styles and influences to coexist, creating a rich and engaging listening experience.