Podcast Summary
Inner Brat: Embrace your unique self and reject societal norms this summer, as seen in music, literature, and everyday life, inspired by The Guardian's 'Brat' theme.
This summer, The Guardian is encouraging everyone to embrace their inner "brat" – a term used to describe fearless self-expression and rejection of societal norms. This theme is evident in various aspects of culture, from music with the success of Charlie XCX's album "Brat," to literature with the New York lesbian barge Cubby Hole, and even in everyday life. The Guardian's Feast app offers a wide range of recipes for those looking to experiment with cooking, while their team members share their plans for expressing their bratty side this summer. Music Editor Ben Beaumont Thomas plans to channel his inner brat through his two-year-old daughter, Books Commissioning Editor Lucy Knight looks forward to the Cubby Hole pop-up, and Film and TV Critic Layla Lateef plans to embrace the spirit of Charlie XCX's muse, Julia Fox. Overall, The Guardian encourages listeners to let go of societal expectations and embrace their unique selves this summer.
Raw and unapologetic pop music: Former Disney stars Sabrina Carpenter and ChvrchhxR00k have gained popularity this summer with their mature and explicit pop music, showcasing raw self-display and candid lyrics about emotions and experiences that resonate with many people.
This summer has seen the rise of pop stars who embrace their raw, unapologetic selves, moving away from the poised and ironic femininity of last year. Sabrina Carpenter, a former Disney star, has broken through with her mature and explicit pop music, showcasing a cocky self-display and wink-worthy gossip. Similarly, queer pop artist ChvrchhxR00k has gained popularity with her candid lyrics about lesbian sex and frustration in heterosexual relationships, offering a refreshing perspective that is still relatively rare in mainstream music. Both artists have experienced significant success through word-of-mouth and have become the voices of the gremlin-like instincts and frustration that many people are feeling in today's world.
Queer representation in mainstream media: Queer artists and themes in music and literature have gained wider acceptance and larger platforms, allowing for greater representation and exploration of diverse experiences
The representation of queer artists and themes in mainstream music and literature has significantly evolved in recent decades. Artists like Tegan and Sarah, who may have struggled to gain a wider audience in the past due to their queer identities, now have a larger platform and following. This trend is not limited to music, as evidenced by the success of novels like Gabrielle Smith's "Brat" and Taffy Brodesser-Akner's "Long Island Compromise." These works, along with others, explore queer themes and experiences in a way that was not as common or accepted in the past. The fact that these works are now widely popular and publicly consumed is a testament to the progress our culture has made in embracing and celebrating diversity.
Summer Media Experiences: Dystopian novel 'Chain Gang All Stars' explores US prison issues, film 'Blink Twice' by Zoe Kravitz offers a unique sci-fi thriller, and 'Knock at the Cabin' by M. Night Shyamalan is a horror film with a deadly twist
This summer offers a variety of thought-provoking and entertaining media experiences. The upcoming dystopian novel "Chain Gang All Stars" by Nana Kwame Ajayi-Brenya sheds light on real-life issues within the US prison system while keeping readers engaged with its action-packed narrative. In film, unexpected directors like Zoe Kravitz are making waves with unique projects like "Blink Twice," a sci-fi thriller that promises to tear audiences away from streaming services. Veteran filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan continues to surprise with his latest horror film, "Knock at the Cabin," where a father-daughter trip turns into a deadly trap. These recommendations offer a mix of impactful messages and pure entertainment for audiences seeking a memorable summer media experience.
Cooking app and country music: The Guardian's new cooking app, Feast Up, offers a diverse range of vegan dishes, comfort foods, and bold flavors, while country music's popularity in the UK reflects young listeners' decreasing prejudice towards genre boundaries
There's a fusion of culinary diversity and expert guidance available with The Guardian's new cooking app, Feast Up. Users can explore a range of delicious vegan dishes, comfort foods, and bold flavors from renowned cooks. Meanwhile, in the world of music, country music's popularity continues to grow in the UK, with anticipated releases like Lana Del Rey's upcoming country album, Lasso. This trend reflects young listeners' decreasing prejudice towards genre boundaries and the increasing globalization of music. In terms of entertainment, both the big screen and small screen have showcased moody themes this summer, but on TV, audiences continue to engage with a variety of programming.
TV shows with dark and moody undertones: New shows on TV feature dark themes and intriguing characters, including 'Lady in the Lake' with Natalie Portman, 'Industry' with Maya Harolds return, and 'The Racket' by Connor Neeland. These shows explore various worlds, from investigative journalism to green tech and the lower rungs of tennis.
The TV landscape is offering a range of intriguing new shows, many with dark and moody undertones, reflecting the current societal climate. Notable series include "Lady in the Lake" featuring Natalie Portman as an investigative journalist, and "Industry" with Maya Harolds return as Harper. "Lady in the Lake" is directed by Alma Harrell, known for her dreamlike and moody style. "Industry" explores the world of green tech and the morally questionable moguls within it. Another anticipated release is "The Racket" by Connor Neeland, a memoir about the lower rungs of the tennis world. Additionally, the summer is set to be a sporty one with events like the Euros, Olympics, and Wimbledon. Overall, there's a lot to look forward to on TV, with a focus on compelling stories and intriguing characters.
Unexpected places: Exploring unexpected places, like under-18 girls' boxing tournaments or smaller festivals, can lead to compelling stories and unique experiences
There are compelling stories and experiences to be found in unexpected places, whether it's in a fictional under-18 girls' boxing tournament, like Headshot by Holly Bodger, or in smaller, independent festivals, such as Supersonic in Birmingham and No Bounds Festival in Sheffield. These events may not receive the same level of attention as more mainstream sports or entertainment, but they hold significant meaning for those involved and offer unique and memorable experiences. For example, Headshot interweaves the past, present, and future of its characters, making for a captivating read. Similarly, festivals like Supersonic and No Bounds showcase a diverse range of artists and offer intimate, community-focused experiences. Whether you're into sports, music, or just looking for a new adventure, exploring these hidden gems can lead to unforgettable moments.
Pop Culture Critiques: TheGuardian.com explores the Brack Girl Summer trend and why trashiness is overpowering the clean girl aesthetic with podcasts and articles featuring Ben Beaumont Thomas, Lucy Knight, Layla Lateef, Zoe Williams, Marina Hyde, and Philippa Perry. Additionally, The Guardian's new Feast app offers a culinary experience for all cooks with a free 14-day trial.
Exploration of various topics in pop culture. Ben Beaumont Thomas, Lucy Knight, and Layla Lateef shared their critiques on the Brack Girl Summer trend at TheGuardian.com. For those interested in this topic, Zoe Williams will delve deeper into why trashiness is overpowering the clean girl aesthetic on TheGuardian We Can Podcast. Additionally, Marina Hyde and Philippa Perry contribute to the episode. Pop Culture with Chante Joseph is another recommended listen, featuring an interview with Rap Man, the creator of Netflix's top show, Supercell, which is revolutionizing the superhero genre. Aside from pop culture, The Guardian's new Feast app offers an exciting culinary experience. Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting out, the app provides a wide range of delicious meals from various expert Guardian cooks, including Nigel Slater, Yota Motolengi, and many more. Try it out today with a 14-day free trial. (156 words)
