April Favourites

Artist: Todrick Hall
I was scrolling through my iTunes the other week and found some music that I haven't listened to in ages, Todrick Hall being one of them. I forgot how much I love his music, from his old stuff when he started out on Youtube (Disney Dudez), through to him gaining more recognition, to the amazing stuff he is doing now. Todrick Hall is an amazing human being and such a hard worker for what he believes in. I love his music, it is witty, sassy and altogether upbeat and powerful. During lockdown he created an EP called Quarantine Queen which features all things related to the Coronavirus lockdown and what everyone is getting up to (eg. TikTok). My favourite song is Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs which is a parody of his song Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels. He recently released a music video for it too where he and his friends, via video chat, all collaborated to dance to the song. Just shows that people can be creative even during social distancing.


Album: Fine Line - Harry Styles
My music habits have been all over the place this month from rediscovering songs I used to listen to, to then finding new music. Harry Styles' latest album Fine Line has been the one that I found myself listening to the most. I really love his style of music, a combination of pop, rock, indie and folk. I find it makes for music to have on in the background while reading, as well as just putting some headphones on and getting lost in the tune. Some of my favourite songs from the album include Canyon Moon, Cherry and Watermelon Sugar.

Film: National Treasure series
This month I have been lacking in the movie-watching front. Weird for me, I know. Although I'll admit there is one thing to blame which you will read down below in the Gaming section. However a film series that I revisited was National Treasure. These films are just good fun to watch, they might not be the best in many people's eyes but I sure love them. I love a good treasure hunt film (hello Indiana Jones and Lara Croft Tomb Raider etc) and this is just another added to the list. National Treasure (2004) tells the story of Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) who is trying to prevent the Declaration of Independence from being stolen, which allegedly has a clue on the back of it to some hidden treasure about Americas founding fathers, and the best way he thinks to do this is to steal it himself. A fun, clever and fast-paced treasure hunt unravels in a race against time as Gates tries to find the treasure before the bad guys. These films are enjoyable as it does make you wonder about these important facts and historical events that could possibly link between each other.
 National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) follows Gates and the team as they set on a new treasure hunt to find the City of Gold. This takes them international, from France to England and back to the States. This is good fun as we have new characters introduced to the world, including his Mum played by Helen Mirren, and we get more conspiracy theories to learn about. The National Treasure films are good fun for all ages and I love putting them on and get lost in the race to find the treasure.

TV Show: Normal People
This is a late addition to the month but one I have LOVED! The show was recommended to me by a friend and I watched in in less than 12 hours as I was hooked from episode one. There are only 12 episodes and each half an hour long. The show follows a boy, Connell, and a girl, Marianne, as they fall in love. The story is more complex as through their lives we learn that they are broken people and despite them being deeply in love with each other they push each other away, and then come back into their lives at different points. It is a very sweet but very heartbreaking show to watch, based off the novel of the same name by Sally Rooney. I fell in love with this show and have not stopped talking about it to friends and family. As much I want to watch it again the show moved me, and I was emotionally invested, that I will have to psych myself up to watch it again after knowing what happens in their lives. A great story, great cast and great soundtrack too. I mean any mention of Imogen Heap's 'Hide and Seek' will move me anyway. I highly recommend this show (have I said that enough yet) and can't wait to read the novel at some point.

Book: Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion
I have been trying to read Dante's The Divine Comedy this month but it does not grip me, nevertheless I shall persist. However I picked up Warm Bodies from my bookshelf, having never read it before, and I absolutely love it. I have flown through the pages of this book. It is a quick read and includes such powerful imagery, if your stomach can hold it at times, and a great escapist novel. It tells the story of a zombie called R, who roams around an apocalyptic airport, he goes out to hunt for humans with his fellow zombies when one day he stops himself from killing a human named Julie. The story lays out the events that happen from that moment and what sets him apart from the other zombies. If you want a really quick, witty and altogether human (pun not intended) novel then this could be your next read.

Game: Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Yes, yes. I finally caved and purchased a Nintendo Switch and Animal Crossing: New Horizon. This has been the best purchase of the month and year. In my last monthly favourites I had said that I was playing Wild World on my Nintendo DS and really missing out on the hype that is New Horizons. Well to say that I have been addicted to this game would be the understatement of the century. I have been playing this game non-stop since I got it. I absolutely love this game and can not praise it enough. It came at the right time where everyone is in lockdown and so what better way to interact with people and socialise than through online-gaming. It has something to keep you coming back to the game every day, and when you connect with friends it makes it all the more addictive by finding out what DIY's people have and turnip prices. Be right back off to fish, dig up fossils and catch bugs. I also wrote a blog post that you can read here...

Playlist
1. Break Up Song - Little Mix
2. Boyfriend - Selena Gomez
3. Attention - Todrick Hall
4. Red Desert - 5SOS
5. Best Friend - Rex Orange County
6. City of Stars - Tom Grennan
7. Canyon Moon - Harry Styles
8. Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa
9. Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
10. Only You - Yazoo

Enjoy x