King’s Disease II, Los Lobos, and The Three-Body Problem
Featuring an interview with Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu.
Welcome to the sixtieth installation of The Q : your one-stop weekly newsletter of culture recommendations.
Album
King’s Disease II by Nas
Nas became the archetype of an aging rapper who just did not know when to quit in the last decade. Every album and every verse felt more and more out-of-touch, and at times he barely sounded interested in his own music. But on King’s Disease II, a sequel to his 2020 release, Nas pulls off something special. He has finally mastered a more laid-back sound and crafts a late-career masterpiece. While most of the corny bars Nas has always been prone to are still there, he sounds more mature on this project making King’s Disease II a fun and fascinating listen.
Film
Los Lobos directed by Samuel Kishi
As the days go on, Max and Leo turn a tiny, depressive space into their own world — wrestling playfully with each other and making drawings of themselves as ninja wolves, which the film actually animates from time-to-time to give the viewer insight into the breadth of their imagination and internal state of mind. Lucía promises them that if they manage to learn certain English words and phrases, she will take them to Disneyland. So, over and over again they press “play” on the tape-recorder she has recorded English lessons on, repeating sentences like, “I want to go Disney! One ticket please.”
Book
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
The Three-Body Problem deals in large, philosophical questions. It asks what happens when societies fail, what sentient life will do to survive, and what the progress of science can create and destroy. It draws parallels between two primary scenarios: China’s political tumult during the Cultural Revolution, and Trisolaris’ environmental chaos between its three suns. It explores Ye’s unstable psychology within an ever-changing world, where her intellectual powers and high-class background variably privilege and harm her.
Playlist
Caroline’s “Revival” features Jurassic Shark, WAAX, and Terry Presume
Caroline’s favorite track: “Back in Love City” by The Vaccines
Description: “For 3pm walks to the store!”
Podcast
Episode #55: Passionfruit Juice and an Interview with Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu
On this week's episode, Sam and Teresa interview Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu over a glass of passionfruit juice. Jamie Stewart is a musician, who is well-known as the frontman for the band Xiu Xiu with Angela Seo. Xiu Xiu recently released a new album of duets called OH NO. Stewart talks to Teresa and Sam about working with different collaborators, making artistic decisions as a duo, and his new favorite snacks!
