#27 - From Dublin

Updates

Spent the week in New York, for work. Meta has two great offices in Manhattan and I spent a little time at both of them. The buzz of New York was as intoxicating as ever, and a heatwave (35degC plus) made the city even more enjoyable.

Travel both ways was OK - first time I've tried JetBlue, which had excellent service and a modern plane.

Currently (still) reading: Discriminations by A.C. Grayling

Some snaps from my trip...

New DJ Mix

Recommended Music

My recommendation this week is the new release from Adrian Quesada, the Grammy winning guitarist and founder of the Black Pumas.

Boleros Psicodélicos II is another album of latin influenced psychedelia tinged interpretations of Boleros, both classical and new. With a host of guest singers, there is something for everyone on this summery and relaxing album.

Highly recommended.

Watched Stuff

Last week, we saw a couple of movies worth mentioning:

A ★★★★½ review of Parthenope (2024)

Beautifully made story of a young woman enjoying the summers of her early life in Naples and beyond. Some great scenes, including a super performance from Gary Oldman. I loved this - highly recommended.

Letterboxd

A ★★★★ review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

More of the usual - great escapism.

Letterboxd

A ★★★★ review of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)

Watched this on the plane to the US. Saga is the right word, 3.5 hours - but well constructed western with some great characters in it. I mostly enjoyed it, but wondered if it could have been a mini-series rather than a movie.

Letterboxd

Listened Stuff

Here's ten artists I have listened to this week.

• Adrian Quesada
• The Beloved
• Marconi Union
• Arab Strap
• Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan
• Biosphere
• Matt Berninger
• David Sylvian
• Count Basie
• Antony Szmierek

#weeknote