sharkjumper (2023)
there comes a point where what comes after lives forever in the shadow of what came before. this is a concoction of things that live in that pale twilight.
the forward notes are quite sweet, owing to the earnest attempt of dark souls ii to break the mold its predecessor cast for them. the flavor turns sour as heroes iv and myst iii arrive, each compromising their core to broaden their horizons. evening out the hopefulness of the opening flavors is borderland's pre-sequel, which dared little and accomplished less. all of this is carried smoothly on the back of pokemon ruby, doing in the do-or-die moment for what has become the highest-grossing property of all time, complete with all the highs and lows of that distinction.
- ingredients:
- myst iii: exile (2001)
- dark souls ii (2014)
- heroes of might and magic iv (2002)
- pokemon ruby (2002)
- borderlands: the pre-sequel (2014)
seeing red (2023)
this blend is preoccupied with approachable depictions of class structure, the power of people, and the illumination of modern methods of oppression.
spirited away and make happy suggestively dip their toes into critiques of capitalism and class struggle, but are ultimately meant to deliver smooth opening notes that contrast with the more forceful, but still digestible, material in the back. 10 beautiful postcards is a feverish immersion in the world of capital, while anthem walks a long mile in the shoes of an opposing mindset. the crucial ingredient bridging these two halves is the latter chapters of cultural studies 1983, which recontextualizes the initial pair of ingredients while providing tools to grasp the slippery back pair.
- ingredients:
- bo burnham: make happy (2016)
- 10 beautiful postcards (2019)
- spirited away (2001)
- cultural studies 1983: a theoretical history (2016)
- anthem (1938)