Anastasiia L.

Have you already watched the new Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin? I was VERY skeptical about it, and had it not been for Guy Ritchie and the promise of some “feminist touch”, I would have just ignored it, just as I did with all other Disney remakes of their animated films. However, to my surprise, I even liked it, mainly thanks to its new theme song Speechless by Naomi Scott, which I can’t stop replaying. Just give it a go and you’ll see what I mean.

Anna H.

It just so happened that July for me is all about taking on new challenges and starting new endeavors. Turns out the only way to tackle them is with the upbeat songs by Big Block Singsong – a kids cartoon that’s got the moves! So every morning I plug in:

I try try try, I do do do…

Whether I’m balancing a carrot on a chipmunk’s head

Or learning to tie my shoe.

I never give up… Never give up!

Maria

In what already seems to be a little tradition, I want to share with you two songs that I constantly want to listen to lately:

  • I Lost a Friend by FINNEAS

An honest and sad song about fake friendship, this is a recent release by the wonderful performer whom I love since the days of Glee, which makes me feel sympathy for every lonely person on the planet and often remind my friends of how important and loved they are.

  • Far Out Feeling by SUSTO

This melancholic story of our ridiculous everyday life performed by an American indie rock band never fails to amaze me with its simplicity and incredible pacifying effect (as well as spectacular instrumental and vocal inserts).

Anastasia K. 

My playlist this month is proudly waving the Union Jack, wearing Dr. Martens and yelling Rule Britannia, as it so often does. Here are my top two picks:

  • Default by Django Django (album version)

A shining exemplar of the modern British indie scene, Default by Django Django is so catchy that despite the song’s rather sobering lyrics, come its second chorus you find yourself bellowing out in unison with the (London)Derry-born vocalist Vinnie Neff and doing a little self-consciously awkward dance à la britannique while at it. The band is great, do give them a listen. 

  • Magic by Pilot

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Belonging to the hit Scottish band Pilot, Magic has got ‘70s written all over and I love it. I also love to think that this could have easily been performed by The Weird Sisters at the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which turns my mind to the pleasant subject of the Harry Potter universe and what butterbeer and food from Honeydukes would taste like. In this I have to be careful to avoid the risky subject of the appalling travesty that’s being served at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks, but hey-ho.