Music used for "Insecure" with Solange Knowles as music consultant
Top moments: Timmy's Prayer by Sampha (S01E09), Supplier by Kari Foxx (S01E03), Bling Bling by Junglepussy (S01E01)
Not familiar with this TV program but OMG Jungepussy >>>
Yea I just struggle to watch shows in general so not much I can say at the moment but from songs The Greatest is the greatest and Super Natural is .... super
will watch you're the worst and steven universe
i wish kimmy schmidt season 2 was good like season 1 it's a bit of a let down for me. welp still perchedT for season 3 tho
I feel like on an episode-to-episode basis S2 of Power was more consistent but this season had some serious highs for the series; ESPECIALLY "Help Me", what an episode. Tommy is the best of course! Glad this show is being mentioned in another Best Of.
You hit the nail on the head about You're the Worst... 2016s new Dramadey's overshadowed it.
Kimmy doesn't have the same charm S1 had, I mean I will probably watch S3 but I will be in no hurry like previously.
I'm so behind in Steven Universe but I'll catch up sometime next month!
Can't wait to see what made the Top 25
I agree with the season having highs but I really didn't like how it had ~3 seasons worth of storylines in 1 lol. Milan's was too rushed, Kanan and his cousin weren't developed enough and the others were just brushed over. Like I said it could have benefited from more episodes but everything else that makes it good was still there!
If they all slay together next year > Dramadies are winning right now!
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Originally posted by thecptz
will watch you're the worst and steven universe
i wish kimmy schmidt season 2 was good like season 1 it's a bit of a let down for me. welp still perchedT for season 3 tho
Yes! Both of y'all should definitely check out Steven Universe. I did ignore the fact it does have one-off episodes that can be annoying to watch when the ongoing story arc is so good but most of them are enjoyable. Only a few duds!
And Kimmy Schmidt was definitely not as good as last year but not "sophomore slump" level imo. It improved some things vs worsened in other parts so hopefully they get it all right for season 3.
Replies - Music
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Originally posted by Wicked
Die For You brought out my 2011 Abel stan self, whew.
R. Kelly influence does Abel better than the MJ influence.
I agree I wonder what other predecessors he can bite and slay with.
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Originally posted by Tom Vercetti
I like finding new stuff here, like Tell You No Lie which is neat.
I can definitely hear some influence on Die For You. Super Natural & Scopes
Nice! "Tell You No Lie" is an instant song to be honest. Needs to be heard more like I said.
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Originally posted by madonnas
Ashes of Love >> Supernatural. I say this as a Carly stan
"Ashes of Love" is very nice too. I just didn't play it as much.
Nice list of TV shows, you've perfectly described You're The Worst, I too liked the Edgar centric episode, but the rest of the season was disappointing, the roadtrip episode with Vernon and Paul so useless
SU is without a doubt the best animated kids TV show right now, the change of tone during the final minutes of Bismuth
Following a light but subpar third season, Orange Is the New Black returned with its most deeply upsetting and insightful season yet. It wasn’t nearly as strong as the first one, and I’m fine with knowing the show won’t ever top it, but I really liked it overall and it's my second favourite. Episodes like “It Sounded Nicer In My Head” and “People Persons” exemplified great and fresh storytelling on different women (which is exactly OITNB at its top form) with heartfelt small moments.
Still, the show went beyond the small things to incorporated larger topics like structural racism, guard brutality, etc (it's been upping the political subject matter each season), and for the most part, it was good but it was difficult too so no surprise the audience was divided. There’s so much to be said about it and I can't part it into words exactly so I'll just say: the show made critical errors. It co-opted an unavoidable movement into its narrative but it unfolded in a muddled manner. The narrative point probably would have benefited with input from African-American writers which the show has zero of...interesting. I'm still keen on seeing how it concludes though (it started towards the end of the season) since it wasn't entirely bad. The season addressed privilege of all sorts and the prison-industrial complex successfully imo, and back to basics: strong performances, direction (Matthew Weiner did an episode!), funny moments etc.
24. Underground
"A group of slaves on a Georgia plantation make the dangerous decision to journey 600 miles north for the promise of freedom." – Underground sought to push things forward in 2016 and redefine the media slavery narrative. It challenged some tired tropes from period shows and those that have been present in shows and films featuring slavery. It wonderfully constructed nuanced characters, especially the women that have notoriously been undeveloped in similar stories. It's plotting is extremely compelling–it follows a heist-like structure so critics have compared it to “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Prison Break”.
But for me the greatest thing the show did was examine the horrors of slavery through the eyes of four different children. No lie it was heavy watching each of them experience their plights, more so knowing the parallels to today's situation for young Black children, but it felt vital in establishing a true picture. Not many shows have done a fine a job with young characters as Underground did with the episode "Cradle", and it's thanks to the writers but most of all the wonderful child actors. Maceo Smedley (as James) especially gave a memorable performance.
However, the show is without its flaws: a storyline featuring two abolitionists is less compelling and can throw the pace off; the pace in general is a bit too high-speed (I guess it's understandable but some plot points would've had a bigger impact if slowed down) and some scene transitions are a bit distracting, but overall the show is really strong with a solid position moving forward. The next season will be introducing the great Harriet Tubman so hopefully they get that right!
23. American Crime
I skipped on the first season of American Crime (it’s an anthology series) due to a middling response from others but I anticipated the next one because I didn’t want to miss out on the provocative and gripping premise, regardless of what the reception was.
It centres on male rape, sexual orientation and socioeconomic disparity within the conservative Midwest. Yeah, it's a tough show to sit through. The writing isn’t always nuanced, and when compared to other shows that have addressed the same issues (i.e. Rectify, The Wire) it’s not as successful, but the strong ambition is always there as the series aims to start conversations around all facets of the issue(s). It also finds ways to connect different issues to show us why characters do stuff or why the legal system doesn't which is a commendable job at layering.
The season was backed up with many talents: Lili Taylor, Connor Jessup and Regina King all delivered powerhouse performances and directors like creator John Ridley and Rachel Morrison ensured top visual storytelling. Sometimes the direction was a bit too formidable but I loved when they did extreme close-up shots of just the characters. There was one scene in particular when a male teen was getting a rape kit exam done and the camera focused only on his face...I haven't stopped thinking about it and that's what the show does.
100% agree with everything about Underground especially. So many things happened in S1 that they should've taken time with and maybe saved for season 2 (or had more episodes). Cradle >>> The abolitionists I mean they're great ofc but the only time it was interesting was when Jussie Smollet appeared + the finale.
American Crime is so awesome & I loved how they used they cinematography, with Connor's scenes they displayed numbness + hopelessness with the colors too. I didn't see the first season but the show could've used some better editing as well, I wasn't a fan of how the scenes moved but it was a good season.
Nice list of TV shows, you've perfectly described You're The Worst, I too liked the Edgar centric episode, but the rest of the season was disappointing, the roadtrip episode with Vernon and Paul so useless
SU is without a doubt the best animated kids TV show right now, the change of tone during the final minutes of Bismuth
Thank you! Yeah, it tried new things but it didn't always work like the Vernon & Paul episode.
I was so shocked by it Uzo's voice acting really made it incredible like I said. Hopefully she comes back!
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Originally posted by thecptz
kii haven't watched season 4 of OITNB yet
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Originally posted by Superpower
American Crime is good.
OITNB, I lost interest at the beginning of the season
Idk. Y'all might like it but everyone has been divided on it.
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Originally posted by Wicked
American Crime & Underground whew yes.
100% agree with everything about Underground especially. So many things happened in S1 that they should've taken time with and maybe saved for season 2 (or had more episodes). Cradle >>> The abolitionists I mean they're great ofc but the only time it was interesting was when Jussie Smollet appeared + the finale.
American Crime is so awesome & I loved how they used they cinematography, with Connor's scenes they displayed numbness + hopelessness with the colors too. I didn't see the first season but the show could've used some better editing as well, I wasn't a fan of how the scenes moved but it was a good season.
I was convinced the show was only going to be one season so that's why it was going so fast but it set itself for a next season towards the end. Hopefully, they find a nice balance for next year and we get more episodes like Cradle.
Yes! Really great cinematography and I agree about the editing. The show intentionally cuts to black when the character uses profanity which is a bit distracting. I can't wait for next season though - it's set in North Carolina and deals with "labor issues, economic divides, and individual rights". I hope Regina King has an even bigger role.
Next batch of songs (35-31) and tv shows (22-20) will be coming soon.
YAS @ Steven Universe Both Last One Out of Beach City and Mindful Education were my fav episodes from the year with Mr Greg completing the trinity
i didn't like season 3 of oitnb but it kind of really won me back over with this season lol and kimmy schmidt is cute ofc!!
Honestly, S4 of OITNB is far above the first one but I get that a lot are taken aback from its shift away from Piper to more ensemble + the loss of the novelty effect.
Didn't care for S1 of American Crime so from my side you didn't really miss anything skipping it but this season was great, agreed!
Do you mean Kimmy and YTW didn't make your lists quality-wise or because you couldn't put them in any category because both, esp. the latter, deserve to make the real lists!
Also, LOVE your Insecure/Solangé post. Hoping for more treats like that.
Honestly, S4 of OITNB is far above the first one but I get that a lot are taken aback from its shift away from Piper to more ensemble + the loss of the novelty effect.
Didn't care for S1 of American Crime so from my side you didn't really miss anything skipping it but this season was great, agreed!
Do you mean Kimmy and YTW didn't make your lists quality-wise or because you couldn't put them in any category because both, esp. the latter, deserve to make the real lists!
Also, LOVE your Insecure/Solangé post. Hoping for more treats like that.
I think it's the loss of the novelty effect for me (and the character interactions were better in S1). I welcomed the shift away from Piper lol!
Kimmy and YTW both didn't make the list based on quality but I felt weird leaving Kimmy out...YTW just didn't do it for me this season although off the top I think 2 episodes could be on my Top 25 list.
Although this is quite repetitive as a minimal house song, I enjoy it a lot. Ricardo Villalobos is the leading man in the genre and he knows how to create the right sounds to get that feeling of forward motion. Detroit Herpes steadily builds great tension with the synth clashing with the bass as the song progresses. It made for a wonderful running song lol because the tempo increases too.
34. Skepta – Man (Gang)
Skepta had “That’s Not Me” in 2014 and “Shutdown” in 2015 but it was 2016 that saw him release his best single of the decade. Even though Man (Gang) wasn’t as successful as the other two mentioned, it’s a huge song in manner with Skepta swimming in confidence to boast about succeeding against all odds. The lyrics are fairly decent with a few standout lines but the magic of the song is the production. The bass is booming and it’s set by a sample of an eerie guitar riff from "Regular John" by Queens of the Stone Age.
33. Mark Seven – The Fatal Flaw In Disco
It’s a classic sounding deep house song, worthy of being played at 90s NYC clubs, so yeah I’m really happy it exists in 2016 and that it was fairly popular on the dancefloors across the world. Mark Seven perfectly captured the “deep house” sound with a jazz-funk saxophone, bangin’ drums and a vocal sample that adds fire to the groove (“Man cannot find ultimate satisfaction by pleasure alone!”). Put it on blast and watch your body want to move.
32. A. K. Paul – Landcruisin'
It gets no better than Zane Lowe describing the song as “Blade Runner Pop”. It’s just as brooding, nocturnal and futuristic as the film and Vangelis’ soundtrack, with shades of "Black Album" Prince to make for a sonic eargasm. I mean we have the sound of a motorbike engine ushering in electric guitar licks and funky distorted percussions later on. It’s a mesmerising audio-based experience like all the best music is.
The song isn't on YouTube but I need to keep up the format lol!
31. Danny Brown – Ain't It Funny
There are MANY highlights on “Atrocity Exhibition” but Ain’t It Funny is the fun, absolutely chaotic one I love the most. Danny Brown flaunts his prowess and versatility as a rapper by flowing over the beat. It recalls punk in energy with slashing horns, a strident sax and even a no wave section in the middle. It's kinda unbelievable how Danny doesn't break but instead somehow manages to merge together with the beat. The song is definitely up there as one of the most insane of 2016.
it's a bit of a let down for me. welp still perchedT for season 3 tho
Replies - TV
I wonder what other predecessors he can bite and slay with.
so useless
Truly iconic!