Read for my recs on movies, albums, essays, and my recap of what big changes I made in 2023. Also, let’s chat.
My Award-Winning Review of “The Master” (2012)
I became a finalist in the 2022 Gen Z Critics Contest with this essay on Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master.”
I’ve watched 200 movies in 2021 (as of October 28)
Including 6 recommendations for you to watch!
Interview with Nadia: Film Critic Carlos Valladares discusses A24, 1930s Hollywood, and the plight of Marvel
In one of my most interesting interviews of all time, I spoke with Valladares about how Stanford nurtured his passion for film and his insights on film criticism and the movie industry.
I’ve watched 150 movies in 2021 (as of June 20)
I watched movies in 12 languages, including works by Fellini, Paul Thomas Anderson, Bo Burnham, Scorsese, Kore-eda, and Jackie Chan.
Cello Repertoire
Concertos Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 (complete) Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations (complete) Dvorak Cello Concerto Elgar Cello Concerto Haydn Cello Concerto…
I’ve watched 100 movies in 2021 (as of April 15)
I watched 50 more movies between 2/5 and 4/15. Also, 6 more recommendations for you to watch.
Ten years later: The enduring vice of The Weeknd’s debut mixtape “House of Balloons”
In “House of Balloons,” The Weeknd paints soundscapes of beaten-down basements and blurry memories, setting the standard for alternative R&B of the 2010s and beyond.
All Movies I Watched In 2020
I got Netflix for the first time and watched 48 full-length movies in basically 4 months.
Top 3 Albums from the 2010s: Short Reviews
What is the 2010s if not the decade when we connected with each other most — whether through text messages, car rides, Facebook — and also felt the most isolated?
Reviewing My Spotify Unwrapped 2020 Stats & Top Songs Playlist
I react to and comment on my top 20 most played songs from 2020 according to Spotify.
Yeol Eum Son’s all-Schumann Piano Recital | 손열음 | June 23, 2020
Yeol-Eum Son dazzled the masked audience with maturity and restraint during her all-Schumann piano recital on June 23, 2020 at Seoul Arts Center.
Grammys 2020: Predictions for MAJOR Awards
The already-mainstream artists are sure to sweep the major awards, including two of the most viral artists of the past year: Lizzo and Billie Eilish.
Top Albums of the 2010s (#6): Lorde – Melodrama (2017)
Melodrama establishes Lorde as an artist with the lifestyle of a party-loving, city-scaling teenager and the soul of an intellectual with wisdom seemingly compounded over generations.
Top Albums of the 2010s (#7): Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience
This gem of an album distills decades of R&B, pop, dance, rock, and soul into 10 vibrant and poignant tracks.
Top 10 Holiday (Christmas) Songs
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’ll run into ‘em, so here are the top 10 picks for the best holiday songs of the season.
Definitely Worth Your Money: Reviewing Brockhampton’s “Heaven Belongs To You” Tour
Brockhampton concerts are guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience with an exhilarating atmosphere and music.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: April
I enjoyed listening to rock and rap outside the mainstream, listening to the discographies of artists like Cage the Elephant, Freddie Gibbs, DMX, and The Internet.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: March
Musical theatre, rock, pop, and Game of Thrones soundtracks.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: February
I explore A$AP Rocky, Mos Def, and Big K.R.I.T’s discographies.
Grammys 2019: Predictions for MAJOR Awards (General)
With 8 nominations in each of the four major categories, the race is more wide open than ever. Will female artists and rappers triumph?
Grammys 2019: Predictions for Rap Awards
Despite the tense history between rap and the Grammys, the nominees this year are very interesting.
2018: The Best Under-the-Radar Albums You Missed Out On
10 R&B and rap albums from 2018 outside the mainstream spotlight for you to discover. Featuring Joey Purp, 88Rising, Sophie, and more.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: January
I explored old-school hip-hop and EDM during January.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: December
Revisiting releases from earlier this year – 6 months down in my project!
Top 25 Albums of 2018
I aimed for a range of different subgenres and types within rap and R&B as well as pop and indie rock in my top 25 albums of 2018. Including Swimming, Voicenotes, Daytona, Isolation, and more.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: November
Great rap album releases this month, along with more experimental genres.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: October
Exploring lesser known artists during October.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: September
Dipping my toes into a wider variety of genres in September.
I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: July/Aug
First update on my goal of listening to at least one full album a day for the first time.
Best Albums of 2018 So Far
The seven best albums released before June 30th, 2018. Including names such as Cardi B, Janelle Monae, and Pusha T.
Ranking the XXL Magazine 2018 Freshman Class Freestyles and Cyphers
Every year, the hip hop magazine XXL releases a list of (usually) 10 rappers on the rise– artists they feel…
ye by Kanye West – Album Review
Vulture describes it best: “ye is a bit of a success and a bit of a failure. Like a collapsed, undercooked cake, it’s temptingly sweet but also disconcertingly mishandled.”
I went to a Kendrick Lamar Concert // The Championship Tour
Kendrick Lamar and other Top Dawg artists showcase artistry and heartwarming cooperation in the unforgettable Championship Tour.
Best Beats Over the Years: J.Cole (pt.2)
J. Cole’s heart-wrenching narratives are made complete with these equally poignant beats that make his words linger in your head for days afterward.
Kendrick Lamar Wins a Pulitzer Prize, Makes Hip Hop History (Grammys, Take Notes.)
Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize win is not only a landmark in hip hop history but also a huge stride in recognizing the immense artistic and cultural significance of hip hop in American society.
I Met Wong Fu Productions!
The Youtube legends visited my school, and I took this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snap some pictures with them.
Wendy’s (yes, the fast food restaurant) Just Dropped the Best Mixtape of the Year
Wendy’s fires shots at McDonald’s and more, including killer lines like “Why yo’ ice cream machine always broke? Why yo’ drive through always slow?”
The Shape Of Water – Film Review
The Shape of Water is both harrowing and sensual: an idealistic fairytale and a portrayal of a universal, harsh reality.
Venice vs. Cannes vs. Berlin vs. Oscars vs. More: Comparing the Great Festivals
Venice and Telluride snag Best Picture wins; Cannes, not so much.
Best Beats of All Time – Kendrick Lamar (pt. 1)
Part 1 of a series on various artists’ best beats. First up: Kendrick Lamar and his five full-length projects.
Oscars 2018 Recap: What Went Right/Wrong
Historic wins from Peele, Deakins, and del Toro; questionable misses for Lady Bird and Get Out.
Oscars 2018: Best Picture Prediction
Good lineup overall, but the race comes down to two difficult but necessary films in the current polarized climate.
The Black Panther Hype is Just Starting
The cultural landmark has ways to go before the rightful attention it deserves will subside.
You need to read these essays about the 2018 Grammys
Once again, Grammy voters refuse to award the top honor to excellent rap albums.
Tyler, The Creator – First Listen
Tyler is a genius rapper and producer, and his newest project is a brilliant streak of originality in the current hip hop scene that stands toe-to-toe with even the most seasoned artists like Jay-Z.
Nadia Jo 