Culture III, In the Heights, and The Telling
Welcome to the fifty-third installation of The Q : your one-stop weekly newsletter of culture recommendations.
The Q is taking a little ~hiatus~ from Two Virgins for the time being to rest and recharge…but we’ll be back soon enough! Meanwhile, make sure to check out our past episodes and interviews here!
Album
Culture III by Migos
The album opener “Avalanche” starts with one of the most beautiful samples of the year while Offset flows effortlessly over guitar strums and a string section. Quavo, Offset and Takeoff (in that order) all sound hardened by life. Their flexes sound tired while their lyrics about change sound like they’re coming straight from the heart. Quavo says, “I’m willing to feed whoever, how can I help you,” there’s an attitude shift across this entire project that is refreshing and catches you off guard.
Film
In the Heights directed by Jon M. Chu
Not to be forgotten is the Spanglish inherent through all the film, which adds a dimension of relatability and expands the production to be able to explore the way meaning is made. The sung portion of “Alabanza” is entirely in Spanish, which contributes to the sense of sacredness and unity present in the character of Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz,) an elder in the community. Rhymes break language barriers, and while some lines that are in Spanish get translated into English, others that communicate specific emotions such as “No me digas” remain in Spanish throughout the entire movie. The pride in “Carnaval del Barrio” is felt when Piragua Man (Lin-Manuel Miranda) triumphantly sings exclusively in Spanish about raising the flag for the country he loves.
Book
The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin
Le Guin’s systemic and linguistic analyses, along with her other areas of exploration, serve the primary theme that runs through the Hainish Cycle: queerness. I mean that in the most literal sense. Le Guin’s compassion for and understanding of the “other” irrevocably shapes every Hainish novel, and The Telling is surely no exception. Her heroes and heroines are outsiders, cast adrift on lonely and alien planets.
Playlist
Teresa’s “June ‘21” features Fred again…, Burial, and VHOOR
Teresa’s favorite track: “Rrrrico” by ¿Téo?
Description: “Perfect to listen to while walking to meet your friend for evening festivities!!”