The Useless Critic 2.0

Everyone who reads these (like the 3 people from Armenia) - I've moved a lot of my so-called "blogging" over to TikTok, because it's 2025/2026. TBH, I'm not entirely time exists anymore, but that is neither here nor there. I still plan to update this blog occasionally as I have been doing for *many years* but I think TikTok is easier to do the spur-of-the-moment updates that serve how my brain works best. Also, honestly, who knows what will even happen to TikTok? So it would be foolish to just throw this away. You can follow me here for more half-assed takes, or me really just infodumping about movies/music I find cool. I'm also trying hard to signal boost friends' pages as well.  https://www.tiktok.com/@brittstakes And the piggies are also on TikTok! They are way more popular for obvious reasons:  https://www.tiktok.com/@brittspigs

I wanted to continue to give Ruby Roberts some love with her first music video, "My Endeavor." Like I said before, I definitely think she has a nice retro Lana thing going on, which I really appreciate. I also am just rooting hard for her success. Like, she needs to blow up, so help me make it happen! Ruby will continue to release singles and perform in the UK - make sure you check out "Gonna Change" as well, which is a beautiful song in its own right. Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, the 1960s/70s, Zella Day

Looking for some good old-fashioned garage rock? I've got you today! Meet the NYC-based band Native Sun, which remind me a lot of the Velvet Underground meets the Jonathan Richman & the Roadrunners with just a touch of The Strokes and Sonic Youth. Honestly? It's very refreshing to me right now. Not saying modern rock stinks (it doesn't; there are always good gems like Royal Otis) but garage rock has a special spot in my heart. Listen to the single "Adam" below: Their debut LP drops September 19th, the same day as "A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY" which I already have a ticket to see because apparently my mid-life crisis is being a fangirl!

My new favorite band Cannons reissued their definitive "Shadows" album back in July, the pretty-much-flawless offering that spawned their monster hit, "Fire for You." The "Midnights" version that came out last month contains 3 remixes in addition to the original track listing: a midnights version of "Fire for You," a dub mix of "Talk Talk" and - my personal favorite - a dark wave version of "Shadows." Coincidentally, it's also my favorite track off the regular album! It retains the dark, seductive energy of the original track while adding a haunting new layer to the track that suits it well. The other two remixes are good, but I find this one to be exceptional:  I dig this whole Midnights concept artists are getting into. Roosevelt did it really well too! And weirdly, Clay Aiken has some remixes of "Invisible" that are now here 22 years later. I mean, sorry to Cannons to go off on a weird Clay Aiken tangent, but ...

It's not exceptionally rare I hear new music I really like, but sometimes because life is a lot and I don't have a ton of time to voraciously go through new releases like I once did, I get stuck in the "music as comfort" cycle. So I end up listening to a LOT of Cannons, Meltt, and Lana Del Rey to get me through the day. I also am really into Wolf Alice at the moment, and some random discoveries I've made via internet radio. Plus I am in love with Suki Waterhouse so there is that. (I also am enjoying Addison Rae because I am a woman of taste and with the times.) Anyway, the internet radio suggested to me the UK-based Ruby Roberts a few weeks ago, and boy howdy! I was pleasantly impressed by this dynamic, wrapped-in-nostalgia single. I know "the next Lana Del Rey" gets thrown around quite a lot but I think Ruby has that potential. Seriously. You might also like her if you're a fan of Weyes Blood or even just 1960s-1970s singer-songwriter stuff. She has...

Just doing my yearly little music recap! As I get older it does get harder to stay on top of new things. But I did do marginally okay this year. Here's my entire playlist on Apple Music FYI. Would be remiss to say "Brat" was clearly the biggest thing that happened this year in music: I'm not a huge Billie Eilish fan (I think she's quite talented, and I like a few of her songs a lot), but I really thought this collab was the best thing she has done to date. I kind of hope she continues in this direction! I am still waiting on the Uffie renaissance. At the *very* least, I think Uffie deserves a documentary at this point. If you were on MySpace circa 2008, you know . Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter obviously had banner years. They are both pretty talented - I think I have a mental block with Sabrina though, since some of her music is so bland . But she's still catchy. You can't deny Chappell is incredibly talented, and I do applaud her for sticking up for...

This song is a throwback from 2019, but I absolutely love it and think more way people need to be aware of its existence. I guess Netflix featured it on a show or movie a while ago, but it's likely been a minute and so. Check it out! This is like a "Wicked Games" by way of dreampop with some shoegaze-y elements.  It looks like the Denver-based group remains active, so go shoot their other stuff a listen if you have some time today! I hope to be back with more contemporary stuff very soon - just went through my 2024 playlist and it's like if Lilith Fair came back and was repopulated with female pop singers. It was hard not to add the entire "Brat" album!

Hi! I have been pretty MIA this year - more so than usual, I think. Things have been very busy and I've only halfway completed my laundry from the past two weeks. But I'll get back there (eventually).  Earlier this year, one of my favorite bands on the indie-r side of things released a few new singles. Gems is dreampop duo based out of DC/LA who have been quiet for a while. Several years ago, they did some really interesting stuff with John Lennon covers and the phases of the moon. I absolutely adore this band, and was ecstatic to see their return.  This longtime duo of Lindsay Pitts and Clifford John Usher released two tracks: "The Past Is a Just a Story We Tell Ourselves" AND "Deus Ex Machina," which features Usher's other project, Falling Over Water. They have some really good stuff too, like "To Live and Die in LA." I'm not exactly sure what I'd classify them as, but dreampop adjacent seems appropriate. You can check out his stuff h...

Norwegian pop star powerhouse Annie is back! What an unexpected gift this year, as I believe the last time we had any new music from Annie was 2021 with the stellar EP follow-up to "Dark Hearts," "Neon Nights." Annie has a penchant for creating melancholic electronic music that isn't undanceable or without a catchy hook - and with "The Sky is Blue," she delivers exactly on that formula. I love how her music has this ability to feel fresh and contemporary but also very ageless. It works for her; I can't think of many other artists who are able to pull this off so well today. On Friday, Annie officially dropped "The Sky is Blue" single, which contains with the initial track an extended mix as well as the instrumental "Himmelen Er Bla," which is Norwegian for "The Sky is Blue." Looking forward to any further 2024 (or 2025) releases from Annie! Have a good week friends. <3 

I recently heard of an indie French band called Plage Tara who I would say veer strongly on the indie side. Plage means a fashionable beach by the sea - or so I am led to believe! Plage Tara sounds like a perfect backdrop for exactly that occasion. It's an alluring mix of dream-pop and post-rock, guided by otherworldly instrumentals.  I was introduced to this band by the actress Camille Razat of all people, who runs Soupire Records - the label the band is on. I actually listened to their album when I was in Vegas for work, and I found it an extremely grounding record that helped put me at ease as I find Vegas to be a lot . You can find that album, "Whales of Harmony," on streaming services as well as on  SoundCloud . Check out "Mischief Harmony" below! 

Excited to share a new song real fast today! The track is "Free" by up-and-comer Rose Gray, and it's amazing. Try to have a bad time listening to this song... you won't. It's certainly a song of the summer type, very breezy and feel good. Gray is a self-described "club kid" and you can hear it on this song .  Photo Credit: Yana Van Nuffel You can hear traces of her inspirations in this fun anthem - like Madonna circa "Ray of Light," Robyn, and Kylie Minogue. The singer from Walthamshire (East London) herself likens the song to falling in love for the first time on a European beach, a boombox, and an ice-cold drink. And she really isn't far off in that comparison. I'm excited to hear more from Rose Gray, and really excited that we are having an insanely good summer for music. Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Lana and Quavo, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion. If you like pop music you should be having a blast right now! Also...

 There's a strong argument for the Quavo-Lana single "Tough" to be crowned the coveted "SONG OF THE SUMMER." Do I think they hold a candle to "Espresso?" Uh no, but for me this is the song of the summer (no hate to Sabrina! It's-a me, Espresso!")  Lana returns to the trap elements she's touched on in the past, and maybe this is the first time I've said trap in that context in the history of this blog. And Quavo goes a little bit country! Some people are complaining he ruins the song on the Lana subreddits but I have no issue with his part, even though I hate autotune 9/10 times.  Here's the visualizer of the song. The actual video is a typical old school Lana video - meaning it's kind of over the top in the best way. She hasn't done something like this in a minute, unless you want to count "Chemtrails Over the Country Club." Now honestly I was hooked on this song from the first snippets I heard back a few months...

I'm on a roll lately! I wouldn't expect this to last. But back with another new single, "My Reflection" by the London-born and LA-based dance duo Eli & Fur. I had honestly never heard of them before, but they've been in the business for over a decade now. And at first listen I was pretty intrigued. It's an icy cool yet warm sound - a very untouchable electronic vibe. "My Reflection" is from their upcoming "Dreamscapes" album, which will be out on September 27th via the PIAS Electronique label. They are also doing a VERY limited tour run for "Dreamscapes," with three shows in total announced. 'The shows are as follows: October 12th at the Fonda in LA, October 19th at Brooklyn Steel in NYC, and November 16th at the Village Underground in London. 

You can expect a new CAS (Cigarettes After Sex) album in the coming weeks! I almost saw them last year but they ended up selling out which I absolutely did not expect to happen. I guess I underestimated the appeal of moody aesthetic music. Maybe everyone got hooked when they took over YouTube for that one year (2018? 2019?)  They'll be doing an ARENA tour (!!!!!!) this year - hitting Phoenix on October 8th (maybe won't sell out? Doubtful) - also Lana doing is an arena tour?! What is this year even? I feel like 2024 is the bleaker sequel to 2012 no one asked for. (Just kidding I liked 2012! I moved to Phoenix! Big year in my life. 2011 and 2013 can kick rocks though.)  Anyway here's the song, which is distinctly CAS, but it also reminds me a lot of the Xx in places. It really hits all the notes that they are known for, but I like how Greg Gonzalez's voice is almost softer here? It feels more developed and melodious, or it just might be a case of clearer production. Gonza...

I truly wish I understood what Cannons does to their music to make it so instantly addicting to me. I am here with another cut from them - a fresh music video! - and I am again seeing them on tour this year because I have decided I want my mid-to-late 30s to be earmarked with a musical obsession. Fun! "Sweeter" has a distinctly 1970s vibe to it, and the music video kind of has that feeling, too (much like Taylor Swift's "Midnight" covers). Cannons' thing tends to be songs celebrating and bemoaning both love and lust, and "Sweeter" is no different. But if a formula works, there's really no reason to stray from it.  The song ultimately is bittersweet, and not much happens in the music video besides lead singer Michelle Joy going through it in her hotel room, but I think anyone who has felt the depths of being lovelorn can likely relate. Plus Michelle is beautiful, so that never hurts, either. I will be seeing Cannons next month in San Francisco! ...

Suki Waterhouse might be in the news for award season buzz and having a baby with long-time boyfriend Robert Pattinson, but she's got some new music to share with the world, too! After lots of coy social media teasing, we have "OMG" which lives up to its title.  "To Love" from last year was an instant classic IMHO, and this song takes things in an exciting new direction. I think her second EP is slated for a release later this year, and what a release that will be! Suki seems set up to have an amazing 2024, and I'm here for it. 

Another song I enjoyed from 2023 was the throwback banger "Blame Brett" by the Canadian band The Beaches. How this song didn't get ANY bigger, I don't know. (Apparently, it was quite big on TikTok but for me I didn't get that full effect.) The garage rock and even faint "Riot GRRL" vibes are strong in this one.  This song is so much blissful fun and a considerable hit from The Beaches, who followed up with a great album: "Blame My Ex." There are some other standout tracks on their second album, like "Edge of the Earth." But also isn't it great that Brett is a REAL guy who dated the lead singer and is in the band The Glorious Sons? (Actually, it's really not that bad. One time I texted a girl I liked who I got into it with - and she was very environmentally conscious - that I really loved straws, so. Um. We all have our moments.) Happy listening! I hope to share a few more songs before 2024 arrives.

So if you know me at all even an iota you'll know how much I enjoyed "Barbie" this year. I knew I would because I love Greta Gerwig stuff, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. And become totally enamored with Margot Robbie. Feels weird to be in my mid-30s and crushing on a celeb so hard but here we are.  ANYWAY, there's nothing I can say about this film that hasn't already been said. I loved every aspect of it and will likely watch it during my holiday downtime. But I wanted to share the "Ken" EP news from this past week and my personal favorite cut from that "I'm Just Ken"-centric collection. In it Ryan Gosling really gets to shine once again with the help of Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. I'm sure you can write off this whole effort as a cash grab but IDC. It's a very bleak end of year so a little frivolous joy and Ryan Gosling being as unserious as ever - but also somehow very serious and leaning into his power bal...

Hi! So to write more and share music that I've kept to myself all year, I'm going to sort through some of my favorite songs from the haze that was 2023. I have a few other things I need to write about... but I will sprinkle that in with everything else.  I'm starting with M83, who is not a huge favorite of mine, but I've been a fan of their music for years (peaking in the early 2010s, with what I guess is the rest of the world.)  M83 released "Fantasy" earlier this year and went on tour to support their ninth album, which was relatively well-received. I finally got to see M83 this year and it was well worth the wait at the Van Buren in Phoenix this April. To be transparent, I haven't listened to this album in-depth, but there are some tracks I've really enjoyed. And one being the dreamy, lovesick "Laura." If this hasn't been used on a soundtrack YET it absolutely NEEDS TO BE.  Although it sounds like a love song, based off the internet...

Kind of forcing myself to post a little more due to a long absence! Life and work were/are busy, but not writing for long periods of time makes me feel incredibly unwell, so here I am. Do you remember when I did this a lot in like 2009? To be young again lol. First up, The Beatles have a new-ish song out, "Now and Then," which is apparently The Beatles' final song. I did not know The Beatles were releasing new music, but AI is a very interesting (if not quite scary) thing. If you haven't listened to it yet, I recommend checking it out. It does not sound out of place in 2023 while managing to sound straight out of a time capsule.  Other music tidbits to share: I saw the "Eras" movie over this last weekend. Pretty good, considering I did not want to dish out an arm and a leg for the concert itself. Taylor Swift has gone very impressively far since I interviewed her in 2011 . "1989" Taylor's version is continuing to shatter records, arguably as it...