Welcome to the Comfort Zone
Comfort is Key with our At-Home Film Fest
Youthquake is a newsletter with Pop Culture ∙ Commentary ∙ Critique
Friday’s TGIF lineup varies, from New Music Friday releases, Love Letters, The Audio Files, playlists, Retro Fixation, film lists/reviews, The Style Files, and so much more in pop culture adjacency.
For this week’s belated TGIF, we’re taking some much-needed time off to recharge, and what better way than to watch some timeless favorites— welcome to the Comfort Zone.
After Wednesday’s emotionally exhaustive albeit therapeutic piece on vulnerability, I wanted this week’s T̶G̶I̶F TGIS post to be short and sweet as my emotional shedding continues. Welcoming in loss also ushers the embrace of gain; surrendering to the rip-roaring waters of the unknown and its uncharted territory is intimidatingly shadowy and illuminating in the least expected ways.
For this reason, the following film list isn’t only a great comfort when I need it most but also consists of main characters undergoing transformative growth that alters them in perpetuity. This film list is a companion piece to my Inner Child Healing below. The film list is comparable with some of my favorite go-to films like Matilda, Now and Then, Real Women Have Curves and The Royal Tenenbaums. These films have been consolatory throughout the years, truth be told— our inner child/adolescent is ageless and should be treated as such from time to time. Every ending chapter feels cataclysmic and earth-shattering, which is true, but endings also mark new beginnings.
Also, shoutout to my dear friend Cynthia for introducing me to That Night. Starring Juliette Lewis, a new coming-of-age favorite with a soundtrack that seemed tailor-made for anyone fascinated with the sixties. So please, welcome to the comfort zone and enjoy a collective array of coming-of-age films for an at-home comfort film fest to expand on transformative growth.
Strike!
Badlands
Booksmart
That Night
An Education
Muriel’s Wedding
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Diary of a Teenage Girl
20th Century Women
Y Tu Mamá También
Pan’s Labyrinth
Dirty Dancing
Pleasantville
Stand By Me
Submarine
Lucas
New Music Friday has turned into The Sunday Playlist thanks to a scheduling error; it’s been a while since I last did the TGIF, so I apologize I’m a little rusty. To make up for it, I’ve collected some of my favorite new music directly from my inbox to yours; get into it below.
Mack Keane and Soulection are ESTA with their lush slow jam, Open Up via Soulection Records. The single inaugural pairs an effortless falsetto with an atmospheric production.
“‘Open Up’ is about longing for that one person to change with you. That person who, while you want to spread your wings, grow, and open yourself up to uncertainty, is stuck in their ways, stagnant yet intoxicating, in love with “the old [you],” and content with complacency,” Mack & ESTA explain. Listen HERE.
Baby Tate’s Dungarees is the latest release from the Bruised Soundtrack and inspired by the Netflix Film via Warner Records in association with The Blueprint Group, Roc Nation, and Saloon Music. Dungarees capture Baby Tate’s constant allure and energetic, hard-hitting bars hard-hitting production driven by pulsing 808s, “Bitch put on some dungarees and like a kangaroo do a jump for me.” Listen HERE.
Sister duo Bebi Monsuta released their debut EP 11:11 on 11/11. Their ethereal vocals perfectly and fittingly blend that showcases the duo’s exploration of their unique ancestry and genre-blending discovery— fusing R&B, kawaii-hop, rock & Brazilian funk over emotionally-driven vocals. Described as a coming of age story, Akira explains, “The songs speak about spirituality, vulnerability, owning who you are, and having fun in the present moment. It’s a fun manifestation of a hellvenly journey. 11:11, EP, is a one-of-a-kind EP,” Manami explains. Stream the EP HERE.
Dallas star Erica Banks ignited the internet with her undeniably irresistible Buss It that it even sparked a TikTok challenge. Now, she returns with a fresh new single, Designer via 1501 Certified Entertainment/Warner Records. The new song and video pairs opulent flexes and fierce bars with a nostalgic pang due to Crime Mob’s Stilettos (Pumps). Listen to Designer HERE.
Additionally, happy Taylor Swift release day to all those who celebrate. Not me, although I admire Taylor’s fellow Cancerian moon ability to nostalgically hold on to the past and continue to learn from it— especially after an advantageous grown man (who willingly chooses the name Scoot) tried to keep her down. Men capitalizing on women’s entities is a stale tale as old as time itself, similar to my beloved inspired namesake. As Edie Sedgwick once said, “it’s not that I’m rebelling. It’s that I’m just trying to find another way”— a woman stepping into her power, that’s very much my ‘brand.’
Congrats to the lucky chosen Youthquake reader that won Michaela Coel’s Misfits: A Personal Manifesto, along with a dedicated care package. There will be another randomly selected Youthquake reader winning a Star-Crossed prize soon; more details on that later. The Vulnerable Hours will continue.