Spring has officially sprung here in New York City! The days have gotten longer, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and the winter coats have been stored away. Coming out of hibernation, I am now enjoying the great outdoors, and what better way to celebrate spring’s return with some great listens! Here is what I’ve been listening to as I venture out to breathe in the fresh air:
What says “outdoor adventure” better than pirates? As an Our Flag Means Death fan who is patiently (aka not so patiently…HELLO CLIFFHANGER?) waiting for season two, I couldn’t wait to listen to The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa. It’s narrated by Vico Ortiz who plays Jim in the hit HBO show. Talk about a match made in audiobook heaven! The Wicked Bargain is a YA fantasy about Mar, a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate whose father has made a deal with the devil, promising the souls of Mar’s father and the entire crew of the ship to el Diablo. If you’re looking for a magical, swashbuckling journey to embark on this spring, I highly recommend!
Even though #sadgirlseason is over, the record from supergroup sensation boygenius has brought me back into my feels. The group is made up of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, who each have their own individual albums that you should also check out if you haven’t already. When put together, they bring out the best in one another and it’s never clearer than on the record. With their moody vocals and hard-hitting lyrics, the record is my new mood for spring.
Winter may be ending, but that doesn’t mean spring can’t have a chill to it. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a gripping listen that made it very hard to take my headphones off. It’s filled with dark humor that made me laugh and gave me goosebumps at the same time. A quick, exciting listen that is perfect for those cloudy spring days.
I’ve been a fan of Josh Horowitz’s interviews for years, and, in his podcast Happy Sad Confused, he goes into a deep dive with popular movie stars and filmmakers to discuss their craft, careers, and what makes them happy, sad, and confused. His most recent interview was with Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, and I loved getting to hear about everything from how she got started in the industry, what she really thought of the Killing Eve finale, and her love for Shrek. Horowitz asks insightful questions of all his guests and makes every interview feel like a chat between friends.
Looking for more listening recs from the peeps who know best? Check out all of our staff recommendations.