Editor's Log 031

Kanya King, Lauren Martin's dubstep book, and the Serpentine Pavilion

Hey everyone,

Welcome back to the Editor’s Log. How’s everyone’s week started? Mine’s been pretty good so far, so I’m praying the vibes hold; the weather, less so. I wasn’t out that much this week, but plenty still happened. Let’s get into it…

Monday

Charli XCX has announced her new album, ‘Music, Fashion, Film,’ out July 24th. I know about all the discourse, I’ve seen it all, but if you take the title as an extension of the ironic framework the singles set out, it makes sense. Whether that was her intention is, of course, TBC. It did get me thinking about who I’d put on mine, and, as it stands: Skepta, Grace Wales Bonner, and Gaspar. All up for debate, obviously (music was easily the hardest to pin down).

Joe James also announced his latest, ‘The Ends, Never Ends.’ The first single is fire, and the feature list is stacked: Dave, Hak Baker, Loyle Carner, the lot. I’ve got a Joe James freestyle compilation saved on my phone that I just keep replaying out of sheer excitement. He’s built different. Never forget the time he said, “I love money like middle-aged women love Debenhams.”

And dubstep legend Skream just turned 40! I’ve not been so hot on the newer brosteppy tearout stuff, but the old material is timeless. One of my passwords used to be the date he recorded a certain song (please don’t hack me). He’s a legend.

Tuesday

Morgan Allan, who runs one of my favourite magazines, was interviewed by the Tenth Man. He and the mag are very much ones to watch.

Wednesday

Peyton Dix wrote a phenomenal essay for Vogue about their gay grandmother and everything she taught them. I never knew how legendary their lineage was. Wowww. The essay is 100% worth the read.

The editors of e-Flux have doubled down on their commitment to high-standard journalism, and I’m glad someone’s planting a flag. The decline of the public intellectual is certainly concerning, I don’t know where we’re headed.

Lauren Martin has written a new book on dubstep, featuring interviews with the likes of Mala, Youngsta, and my GOAT, Kode9 (who could easily have made my Music, Fashion, Film cover). It hits shelves from August 3rd (the day before my birthday) so best believe I’ll be first in line. I’m so excited you literally cannot understand.

And Kai Isaiah-Jamal, a hero of mine since before my early teens, has announced new music! They dropped a few things last year that I adored, so a whole tape has me buzzing.

In the morning, I went to the press preview for the latest Serpentine Pavilion and grabbed one of the architects for a quick interview. I quite like it, actually, though it’s very ambitious to try and subvert a wall, a thing built for division and obstruction, into an object of community.

Then I checked out the Cecily Brown exhibition at Serpentine South. Not super crazy about her work, though.

Thursday

The CSM BA show gave birth to some future legends (see my picks here). This really seems like a standout year: Harvey Bigg and Zahra Al-Najjar especially. Very excited to see where they go.

Sonic Liberation Devices have unveiled their latest, the Global South Drum Machine & Sampler. I can’t say I follow all the jargon, but I’d read their manifesto to get a sense of what they’re about.

On Road is running music journalism workshops, for beginners and old hands alike. Everyone there is brilliant, so if you fancy getting into the field, I’d defo sign up.

Five Fold is hosting an evening of short films and a Q&A at Young Space tomorrow (Tuesday). They’re so cool, and if I didn’t have an exam on Wednesday, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

I also watched ‘Obsession’ with friends in the evening. It was fun! And very scary! Though I’m not sure I entirely get the hype.

Friday

The legendary Kanya King, who remortgaged her house to put on the first MOBO Awards, has died from bowel cancer, aged 57. She was a true giant of UK music, and she’ll be deeply missed.

In the evening, I headed to the Serpentine for London Gallery Weekend drinks, where I linked Joe and Laurie, two of my favourite writers and a wonderful couple, and got to see the new pavilion in all its glory. Watching it fill up with people actually using it to socialise really won me over. (Although one guy was incredibly rude to me…)

Saturday

I wrote about my picks for London Gallery Weekend, then hit up Floetic’s mixtape launch. From what I caught, I really liked it, and I’m looking forward to the official release. Also, free Wingstop never goes amiss…

Then it was Manor Place for a screening of the England vs New Zealand friendlies. Lovely to catch up with so many people, though I did get pulled off a ledge by a friend… I also blagged a free scarf, so swings and roundabouts. And I met dexter in the newsagent, who was so funny and so nice.

Sunday

Mansfield Museum has an exhibition of the worst album covers ever made. The curator’s only rule was that they had to make him laugh. If you’re in town and fancy a giggle, I reckon it’ll serve you well.

Until next week,
Sik

P.S. Who else is feeling the summer vibes (weather permitting)?!