Editor's Log 012
Unchristmassy culture, solidarity statements, and Jawnino closing out my year.
Hi all,
Welcome back to the Editor’s Log - this week, sadly, unchristmassy. I’m not sure why, but I’m just not feeling the festive vibe this year. Weirdly though, a lot happened, despite everyone insisting December is a dead month. Not for me, apparently.
Let’s get into it.
Monday
Red Dot Studio released Christmas-themed playing cards, with each card designed by a different graphic designer. I’m quite into the Ben Casey one, and Neville Brody, as always, did a bang-up job.
I updated my Favourite Songs of the Year list again.
I also listened to Massive Attack and Mos Def’s ‘I Against I’ for the first time. Honestly, it’s already one of my favourite songs ever. Would absolutely kill to hear this on a proper dancefloor.
Tuesday
Alexandra Metcalf was named one of Artnet’s rising artists that defined 2025. Big fan of her work, so it’s great to see, not massively sold on the rest of the list, though.
Over 600 artists urged Live Nation to drop its Israeli subsidiary in an open letter, including Kode9, Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and many more. It’s a powerful statement of solidarity, though I do question how much tangible impact it’ll have.
The brand / studio / experiment Mazzalean (lol) keeps teasing these scarf-hats, which I really love.
In the evening, I went to Artist Two Artist’s Cato exhibition visit at Saatchi Yates. Interesting to see Teoni and Cato in conversation, though sadly I couldn’t stay for the whole thing.
After that, I headed to Christina Adane’s Consuming salon, co-hosted with Ellen Atlanta, discussing beauty in the internet age. I was worried it might skew more toward fandom than discussion, but I was pleasantly surprised, genuinely thoughtful conversation all round.
Wednesday
Rowans is reportedly at risk of closure, though they’ve since put out a statement saying they have no plans to move or close in the short term. For now, let’s enjoy it while we can.
Fashion Roadman, one of my favourite commentators, was named a British Fashion Council New Wave Creative. Massive congrats.
Timothée Chalamet named Susan Boyle as one of the Brits most worthy of a Marty Supreme jacket, alongside Fakemink, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lewis Hamilton. A deep cut, but I rate it. She did dream bigger than most of us, after all.
Tempa announced Dubstep Allstars Vol. 9, out in January. Cannot wait.
I went to the opening of Mattia Guarnera’s exhibition at Bleur. I’ll be honest, I’m not fully sold. It looks fine, but it doesn’t really say much to me.
Thursday
The British Museum announced a long-term loan programme to former colonies. A start, sure, but they’ll need to do a lot more to rebuild any real goodwill. Every time I go there, I think of Mark Fisher’s line about capitalism subsuming history: “Walk around the British Museum, where you see objects torn from their lifeworlds and assembled as if on the deck of some Predator spacecraft…”
Ruff Sqwad released 100 limited vinyl copies of the Together instrumental EP. If they weren’t £100 each, they’d be an instant cop.
In the evening, I went to the On Road Christmas party. They really know how to throw one, it was great to catch up with familiar faces and meet some new ones. Also worth checking out their end-of-year list; I’m curious what people make of it.
I also posted on Instagram again, I told you guys I’m in my active era.
Friday
Build Hollywood launched a Love Protest campaign, enlisting cultural figures like Elijah and one of my favourite artists, Corbin Shaw, to put up uplifting billboards across the UK. A really nice idea, especially at a time of year that’s tough for a lot of people. All QR-code donations go to War Child too.
The BFI released their Best Films of 2025 list. I haven’t seen everything on it, but from what I have, it’s solid. I definitely need to watch One Battle After Another, though I’m still a bit annoyed ‘Urchin’ didn’t make the cut, I think not enough voters saw it.
Complex UK named ‘Chapter 16’ song of the year. I agree.
Saturday
Timothée Chalamet and EsDeeKid linked up for a 4 Raws remix. I don’t hate Chalamet’s verse, honestly, the “model bitches in Peckham” line is funny. We still can’t prove they aren’t the same person, either.
I wrote a few words on John Glacier’s ‘Like a Ribbon’ for alternative streaming platform Cantilever. They pay artists properly and are defo worth checking out, even if only to read my writing (joking).
I saw Jawnino live for what feels like the hundredth time this year. Still good fun, and a nice way to close out 2025. Very excited to see what he does next year.
Sunday
The Fader interviewed the people behind some of the year’s best cover art. I’m not convinced by their picks, the Jim Legxacy cover feels like the only one truly deserving, but it was still interesting hearing from the visual artists involved.
According to URN, there was only one UK rap song in the Top 40 heading into Christmas last year (KSI…). This year there are three: Dave’s ‘Raindance,’ and EsDeeKid’s ‘Phantom’ and ‘Century.’ Nice to see good music back up there.
Until next week,
Sik
P.S. Have a good holiday week, everyone. No rest for the wicked, unfortunately.