Labor Day has come and gone, taking Hot Vax Summer with it. Here's what the Recess staff was consuming once we realized we maybe shouldn't have been going outside yet, after all (thanks, Delta.)
"Sour" by Olivia Rodrigo (2021)
As I write this in September, the world —and more specifically, the radio— has made me weary of Olivia Rodrigo's record-breaking debut album "Sour," but for the first few months of summer, I couldn't get enough. Nothing about the record was particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it did make me feel a little bit like I was 17 again, with all the drama and heartbreak and pure emotion that came with that. After a year of feeling very little amid very distant virtual connections, this was the album I needed to kick off (what was supposed to be) a post-pandemic summer. And, as a fellow half-Filipina Pisces with a grudge against men, I'm honestly just proud of Rodrigo. —Tessa Delgo, Recess editor
"Twilight" (2008)
I wish life had a blue tint like Twilight. Growing up, we were all conditioned to hate on Twilight, but let's be honest: it's camp, it's addictive, it's filled with hot people. BTW, Team Edward all the way: I, for one, adore skinny, emotionally unavailable, sparkly brunette men. —Derek Deng, managing editor
"Ratatouille" (2007)
My only bliss is "Ratatouille." I know it's like a thing on TikTok or something, but I genuinely have a de-stress playlist that is just "Le Festin" from the "Ratatouille" soundtrack on repeat for hours. My summer culture experience was re-watching "Ratatouille" while working on law school applications. If you haven't given this a go, I would recommend. —Kerry Rork, local arts editor
Måneskin
I've been obsessed with everything Måneskin this summer. Their music and message is provocative and forward in a way that mainstream rock hasn't been in a long time, so it's definitely a good thing that the Italian rock band has been absolutely unstoppable ever since winning Eurovision in May with "Zitti e Buoni" (Shut Up and Behave). They've gone wildly viral on TikTok for their bold fashion and a cover of "Beggin'," and they don't show any signs of stopping soon. And yes, their Italian music is better! —Jonathan Pertile, culture editor
"Harley Quinn" (2019—)
This summer, I binged the "Harley Quinn" animated series! Kaley Cuoco does an amazing job as a Harley Quinn set on proving everyone wrong and becoming a notorious supervillain without Joker. The cast of villains all feel unique and comical as the series takes a lot of the infamous DC characters and pushes them in new and hilarious directions. Whether it’s Poison Ivy’s dry and sarcastic tone, Bane’s naïve and ironic behavior or Kite Man's inability to be serious, these characters showcase what good writers can create out of secondary supervillains from the DC Universe. This show goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a cartoon, and gore and dark comedy aside, creates storytelling that is fun and meaningful. If you’re into zany humor, superheroes or underdog stories, watch the first two seasons of Harley Quinn before season three drops later this year! —Devinne Moses, design editor
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