A number of years in the past, I lastly removed the heavy pleather binders of CDs that have been occupying useful cupboard space in my closet. I’d totally dedicated to streaming music, I reasoned. If I needed to listen to a track, I’d discover it on-line. Who even owned a CD participant anymore?
I miscalculated. I can find most obscure tracks, however I can’t hearken to the combo a pal made me of favorites from the Nigerian AM radio station he listened to as a baby. The Rufus Wainwright compilation a boyfriend despatched me after I was residing overseas and feeling homesick in my 20s. The songs are on the market, however the artifact is gone. I can entry the uncooked supplies, however not the factor itself.
As soon as I develop into misty-eyed over the CDs I’ve beloved and misplaced, I can go deep into eager for the shoe containers of mixtapes gone perpetually, the inexorable marching of time, and many others. I yank myself again: Mixtape nostalgia is an outdated pastime, sticking your tongue within the spot the place the pulled tooth was. Right here I’m, on this second, with the splendor of infinite selection! It’s a present! Proper?
As I write this, I’m listening to and loving Jana Horn, an artist new to me, whom I found through my colleague Lindsay Zoladz’s new e-newsletter, The Amplifier. The promise of The Amplifier is an alternative choice to the algorithm, customized suggestions from a music critic who understands the paralysis of too many choices. (Take a look at her list of songs that define her! A conceptual sibling of the likes/dislikes list I mentioned a pair weeks in the past.)
A pal lately informed me she had undertaken the mission of digitizing her outdated mixtapes, and I kicked myself once more for not maintaining mine. However there’s a lightness, a figurative and literal spaciousness to clearing shelf area for brand new enthusiasms, new obsessions. I’ve room for Lindsey’s twice-weekly recs, for new college radio stations and forest sounds and poolside tunes and different digital phenomena.
What are you listening to recently? Send me one song (only one!) that’s bringing you pleasure this spring, and I’ll compile them right into a playlist, a human-curated, algorithm-free soundtrack to the brand new season.
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THE WEEK IN CULTURE
A Texas decide issued a preliminary ruling invalidating F.D.A. approval of an abortion tablet. However one other decide shortly issued a choice that contradicted it.
The judges’ conflicting orders created a authorized standoff that may virtually definitely escalate to the Supreme Courtroom.
Are abortion tablets protected? Here’s the evidence.
Categorized paperwork that seem to contain U.S. national security secrets surfaced on-line.
The U.S. generated job growth final month, however at a slowing fee that appeared to replicate the toll of rising rates of interest.
Critics viewed the ejection of two lawmakers from the Tennessee Home as race-driven and pushed to return them to their seats.
Supreme Courtroom Justice Clarence Thomas stated he followed others’ advice when he determined to not disclose lavish presents and journey from a rich conservative donor.
CULTURE CALENDAR
🎬 “Renfield” (Friday): You’d be forgiven for assuming that Nicolas Cage had beforehand performed a vampire in a number of movies. Technically, he has by no means performed one (until you contemplate his position in “Vampire’s Kiss” as canonically bloodsucking — no matter it’s, it’s genuinely bananas). Till now. Right here, he performs the real-deal Dracula, residing in modern-day New Orleans, alongside his titular servant (Nicholas Hoult).
📺 “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Friday): Amazon is closing the ebook on its award-winning present a few feminine humorist (Rachel Brosnahan) in ’50s and ’60s New York Metropolis with this fifth and last season. If you would like extra Brosnahan, you’ll find her on Broadway starring alongside Oscar Isaac starting at the end of April.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Hen Breasts With Lemon
Hen seasoned with lemon is a traditional, whether or not the chicken is roasted entire or sautéed in components. This beloved interpretation from Pierre Franey stars boneless, skinless hen breasts which might be shortly seared in a skillet after which coated in a tangy, simple pan sauce. The key to its citrus depth is utilizing two teaspoons of grated lemon zest together with the juice. Some contemporary or dried thyme, shallots and a little bit garlic spherical issues out, whereas butter provides richness and helps carry the opposite flavors. You would serve the hen as Franey suggests, with mashed potatoes with garlic and basil. However I believe torn hunks from a crusty baguette could be effortlessly elegant — and simply as interesting.
REAL ESTATE
What you get for $295,000: A transformed Nineteenth-century schoolhouse in Elizaville, N.Y.; a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C.; or a 1920 home in Peoria, Ill.
The hunt: That they had $350,000 and a dream to dwell collectively. May they make it in Manhattan? Play our game.
ADVICE FROM WIRECUTTER
Test your bike helmet
Prepping in your first spring bike journey? Study your helmet. No, helmets don’t “expire” — the EPS foam underneath the shell can final for eons. (Identical to foam espresso cups!) However if you happen to’ve crashed whereas sporting your helmet — even if you happen to don’t bear in mind hitting your head — change it. (Wirecutter has recommendations.) You’ll be able to’t see whether or not the influence compressed the froth, and if it did, the froth is toast. Additionally, test the match. If the straps are inclined to loosen or the padding inside has worn skinny, your helmet received’t match snugly, which suggests it may’t shield your head. — Christine Ryan
GAME OF THE WEEKEND
The Masters golf match: Final 12 months, golf was ripped in two. LIV, an upstart league funded by Saudi Arabia, provided big-name gamers boatloads of cash. The PGA Tour punished gamers who joined, and its members spent months sniping at their carpetbagging opponents. The drama involves a head this weekend at considered one of golf’s most prestigious occasions, which incorporates gamers from each leagues. Everybody has been cordial to date, however make no mistake: Both leagues really want to win this one.
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NOW TIME TO PLAY
The pangrams from yesterday’s Spelling Bee have been painkilling and planking. Right here is today’s puzzle.
Take the news quiz to see how nicely you adopted this week’s headlines.