Welcome to hyperfix’d - a low-stakes publication where I share everything and anything I’m excited about with anyone who will listen. I just wrapped another season of fashion week, and so writing took a bit of a backseat, as did consuming endless hours of media. Nevertheless, we are back and better than ever, and the pop culture girls keep on winning! 🤍 Without further ado, here is new hyperfix’d:
Texas Hold ‘Em, Beyoncé 🎧
Ooh baby … Act II is here!
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better than Usher’s spectacularly fun and flirty halftime show, Beyoncé dropped the long-awaited announcement of her revolutionary second act - a country album decades in the making. Announcing the installment with a stunning visualizer (an homage to Paris, Texas, with a blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it nod to Telephone), the superstar dropped two new singles, Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, that had the girls yee-ing and haw-ing through the night, becoming instant additions to the never-ending rotation of Beyoncé classics.
Beyoncé’s announcement further unveiled some of the mystery surrounding the three-act vision that she has hinted at since her groundbreaking release of Renaissance. While most anticipated the summer album to evolve into a singular era comprising three conjoined elements, Act II brings us a new and distinct body of work that pays homage to a different genre and period of music history altogether, in which black artists and storytellers have been instrumental in the creation of. Celebrating and reclaiming the roots of house, and now country music, Beyoncé’s visionary trilogy is a loving tribute to the musical evolutions most referential throughout her career. With her greatest feat yet, Beyoncé cements her legacy as the greatest entertainer of our lifetimes, and beautifully embodies and honors the influential artists who came before her.
Beyoncé’s Act II drops on March 29.
Celine Song + Sofia Coppola, A24 Podcast 🎧
A24 has kicked off another year of insightful filmmaker discussions with two directing powerhouses and mothers of modern narrative cinema, Celine Song and Sofia Coppola. The A24 directorial alumni, whose films Past Lives and Priscilla won over critics and hearts across the globe, came together to reflect on their recent successes as modern auteurs and vibe-forward filmmakers while sharing an abundance of creative ideas, from personal writing rituals and favorite places to write, to avoiding the sophomore slump, and overcoming self-appointed standards.
The two filmmakers’ precious interaction gave us a range of tastemaker tidbits, from Coppola’s shout to the Angelika theatre and Artist’s Way to Celine Song’s love for Big Fish and Mitski. Oh, and Sofia Coppola learned what fan-fiction and f*ck marry kill are, courtesy of Celine Song - they’re just like me, for real! The earnestness and kindness with which they led in conversation inspired and comforted me as an aspiring writer, their impromptu masterclass serving as a reminder that creative inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere.
You can listen to the A24 Podcast with Sofia Coppola and Celine Song on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can read my review of Coppola’s Priscilla here, and Song’s Past Lives here.
Drop 7, Little Simz 💿
Little Simz is the eternal cool girl that everyone in the music industry should know about. For the last few years, the prodigious rapper has nonstop been in the studio, producing iconic hit after hit. Her new album, Drop 7, picks up the tempo ever so slightly, taking its listeners on a grooving vivid journey through Baile Funk and Jersey Club, in an all-consuming immersive soundscape that completely entrances from start to finish.
Time and time again, Little Simz has proven her intrinsic musicality knows no bounds and continues to elevate the game with bold experimentation across cross-genres and sounds. Her sonic evolution is perfectly captured across her rich discography, an ever-expanding body of work that draws lyrical and musical influences from Nas, Busta Rhymes, Solange and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Little Simz’s innovative genius is single-handedly leading a new hip-hop evolution, as she quickly becomes one of my favorite artists to see flourish.
Some of my favorite tracks from the album:
Abbott Elementary, Season 3 💻
Finally, everyone’s favorite weekly dose of serotonin is back! Following the extended actors’ and writers’ strikes, Abbott Elementary makes its long-awaited return, coming in hot with a new feel-good, will-they-won’t-they-fueled third season. Quinta Brunson’s supersized premiere ups its production value with new scenery, wardrobe, and surprise guest stars. The show’s comedic excellence continues to lie in its effortlessly clever charm and wit, delivered with flawless precision by its pitch-perfect ensemble. With a fourth season renewal newly announced, Abbott Elementary continues to prove its powerful influence on the revival of the modern sitcom, doing so in style.
New episodes of Abbott Elementary air on Wednesday nights on ABC, available to stream next day on Hulu.
What To Watch: Valentines’ Day Edition 💘
Rounding out this week with some of my favorite love stories that are always bound to make you feel something! A lovingly curated list from mine to yours:
Cinderella (1997) (streaming on Disney+)
Clueless (streaming on Paramount+)
Coming To America (available to rent on Prime Video)
High Fidelity (2020) (streaming on Hulu)
Love Jones (streaming on Paramount+)
Modern Love (2019) (streaming on Prime Video)
Mississippi Masala (available to rent on Prime Video)
Notting Hill (streaming on Prime Video)
Sleepless In Seattle (streaming on Peacock)
When Harry Met Sally (available to rent on Prime Video)
