Album Review: CASE STUDY 01 - Daniel Caesar

I’m happy to say that there is finally another album for me to review on this blog. Unfortunately, this summer has been somewhat slow as far as musical releases go. Luckily, R&B artist Daniel Caesar has snapped that cold streak. This album’s shock drop with no lead up singles was a very pleasant surprise, and while this album isn’t perfect, there are gems throughout that will be on repeat as the summer goes on.

I need to preface this review by admitting that Daniel Caesar has a special place in my heart. Caesar’s 2017 release Freudian (which I rated 8/10) was one of my top 10 album releases from that year. Since Freudian’s rollout, I’ve returned to tracks such as “Get You” and “Best Part” which have become quite sentimental to me because of my relationship. Going into CASE STUDY 01 both my expectations and hopes were high, and while I wasn’t disappointed, this generally seems to be a slight regression for Caesar.

The most accurate description I’ve been able to come up with for this project is “bottom heavy”. The second half of tracks, specifically from “SUPERPOSITION” and onward, are a return to form for Caesar that perhaps exceeds the quality of music he’s ever released. Tracks 7 through 10, “SUPERPOSITION”, “TOO DEEP TO TURN BACK”, “COMPLEXITIES”, and “ARE YOU OK?” both feel sentimental and experimental; nostalgic and brand new simultaneously - which are the exact qualities that I turn to Caesar for. Beat switches, soft accompanying acoustic guitar, and Caesar’s signature vocal performances really round out CASE STUDY 01’s rocky start.

“CYANIDE” is one of the only tracks from the front half of this project that really caught my attention. Unique flows and high production value will likely make this track the highlight of many fan’s listens of this project. Besides that song, however, I was underwhelmed with the beginning tracks. “ENTROPY”, “LOVE AGAIN”, and especially “FRONTAL LOBE MUZIK” featuring Pharrell Williams just didn’t hit the mark in my opinion. I can’t even pinpoint why exactly I’m not drawn back to these tracks, which is why I don’t exclusively review music, but there’s just something that feels hollow about these tracks. Objectively they aren’t bad, but again, “SUPERPOSITION” is what kicks this album online to me, and salvages rating points that the first half of this album couldn’t produce.

I’m happy to have another Daniel Caesar album downloaded in my library, and I’m sure some of the tracks will be repeat listens for me. This is a generally a good album that could have great if the same production and attention to detail were given to the opening tracks. I’m excited to see which direction Caesar goes from here.

SCORE: 6/10

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 3)

I’ve decided to kick off the weekend with another submission from my sneaker series. This past week was the first lull here on the blog from me for a variety of reasons, and luckily one that didn’t last longer than a week, but I’m going to try to be better with consistency and frequency posting here. With that being said, let’s take a look at the sneakers being highlighted and discussed this week, which also happen to be four from my collection that have taken the spotlight recently and that get lots and lots of wear.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Common Projects Chelsea boots in Brown Suede

I’ve been asked the question before “If you could only keep 3 pairs of shoes from your entire collection, which would they be and why?” and this pair of boots is always one of the first to come to mind. A perfect blend of elegant and street-worthy, the sleek silhouette of the Common Projects Chelsea boot is my favorite offering on the market right now. There are many alternatives, both more and less expensive, but Common Projects’ quality and craftsmanship make them worth the price tag in my opinion. I’m 20 years old turning 21 relatively soon and have worn this pair consistently since I was 18, and there are very few signs of wear and tear besides the darkening of the incredibly comfortable crepe sole which is to be expected. I’m as ecstatic to have this pair in my collection now as I was the first day that I unboxed these, and still in awe of the fact that I own the same pair I held in Barneys New York’s Chicago location thinking “one day… one day…” as a 16 year old.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Nike X John Elliott Air Force 1 Low in White

The recent reemergence of this classic Nike silhouette’s rising popularity, the fact that I live in Atlanta, Georgia, me wanting to have a matching pair with my stylish and amazing girlfriend, and the collaboration with one of my favorite streetwear labels John Elliott made this pair a must-cop for me. It’s no secret that white Air Force 1’s are now the go-to sneaker for many millennials. Their versatility, comfort level, and history make for an easily-recognized and iconic pair to add to any collection. The Air Force 1’s relevance to me is even higher thanks to Atlanta’s hip-hop history, making it a staple in Georgian streetwear. I knew that my girlfriend had wanted an all-white pair of AF1’s for a while, so nearing our 1 year anniversary I got us both a pair in so that we could match. John Elliott’s reimagining and manipulation of the classic sneaker also made this absolutely necessary. The embossed leather swoosh, double tongue, and silver aglet are perfect additions to a nearly perfect sneaker.

Pair 3 (Lower Left): Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bred”

Michael Jordan is my favorite, and in my opinion the greatest, basketball player of all time. Not only did MJ bring 6 titles to my Chicago Bulls franchise, he did so in style and iconic fashion. One of Jordan’s first truly iconic moments, dubbed “The Shot”, eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 1989 Eastern Conference playoffs, and was made while wearing the “Bred” Air Jordan 4, cementing a spot in sneaker history and making this pair an instant classic. It also didn’t hurt that the 2019 retro (30 years after the original release) was done perfectly: great materials used, solid construction, and very comfortable to wear.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Saint Laurent SL/06 Distressed in White

These are easily the most unique pair of luxury sneakers that I own. Out of the box, these shoes look worn. That is the point. Contrasting the cleanliness and elegance of my Saint Laurent Wyatts featured in Part 1 of this series here, this low-top sneaker is rugged and an entire aesthetic of its own. Understated luxury, even with a loud and embroidered branding on the side that looks hand written, shines on this pair. These sneaker accompany my style very well, and the eggshell white color accompanies almost every outfit paired with these.

I hope that this series continues to inform and entertain you about sneakers, fashion, and myself in general. It will certainly continue soon, as long as more NBA speculation and analysis, self-reflective posts, advice posts, and many more. Stay tuned.

My Hopes Are High For Seasons 2 Of Big Little Lies... So Far So Good

After what many years-long fans considered to be an abomination in Game Of Thrones season 8 (I personally didn’t think it was that bad), HBO finds themselves on the precipice of a new era of dragonless broadcasting. Their other hit series Westworld will not return until 2020, and many are hopeful but cautiously skeptical as to which direction that series is headed after a complicated season 2. Curb Your Enthusiasm and Silicon Valley are likely to end after their next seasons, so I’m hoping that there are new productions that captivate audiences like so many of their series have for years. Another series of HBO’s that is likely to end after the current season wraps is Big Little Lies. Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same title, Big Little Lies is a captivating story about abuse, family, and as you could guess from the title, keeping secrets from those close to you. I haven’t read the book yet, but from what I’ve read about it, the events in the novel conclude the same way they did in season 1 of the television adaptation. The show, however, is continuing into its second season and is being written in part by Moriarty to extend the original story. I was initially disappointed and extremely skeptical about there being a season 2 of this show just because of how well I felt season 1 ended, but now that the first two episodes have aired, I am completely relieved and excited to see which direction the show goes.

The performances this season are phenomenal so far and we are only two episodes in. My season 1 MVP, Nicole Kidman, is being rivaled by the legendary Meryl Streep who is new to the Big Little Lies universe, and so far is a force to be reckoned with. It’s apparent how seriously the actors involved here are taking their roles when listening to them discuss the process in interviews, such as when Kidman detailed how traumatic and humiliating filming some of the season 1 scenes were for her. Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Zoe Kravitz are demonstrating their skills and ranges with these dynamic characters, and the rest of the cast seems fully committed to getting an authentic story to the screen by any means necessary. The soundtrack and editing for this series are superb as well, just as they were in season 1, and the hour that the show takes every week seems to fly by. Every time a new episode comes on, I feel fully immersed by the weight of the dynamics and circumstances in Monterey yet again.

If you haven’t heard of or given Big Little Lies a chance yet, I highly recommend it. I enjoy television shows with strong dialogue, a realistic and compelling story, and production that brings it all together. This series isn’t lacking in any of those departments. Now that I’ve gushed about my interest in this series, I’m going to go sit in a corner and wait until tonight’s new episode.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 2)

I can see this series becoming one of my favorites to write on this blog. Reflecting on some of my favorite pairs of sneakers while writing the first post of this series was very rewarding and humbling in that I was able to really appreciate and think about why I love every pair in my collection, and it is also fun being able to share some of my sneaker knowledge to anyone who reads these posts. Today’s pairs are slightly unconventional, which is the one thing that they have in common. Otherwise, these are very different shoes, all with different connections and stories which allow them to have entered my collection. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in White / Splatter

Besides being just an interesting shoe to look at in general, the history and inspiration of this paint-splattered pair is what really drew me to adding these to my collection. The Chicago Art Institute features one of my favorite paintings from one of my favorite artists of all time, Jackson Pollock’s Greyed Rainbow. I saw this piece for the first time while on a family Christmastime trip to Chicago in Winter 2017. On that same trip, I was able to purchase the very last pair of Maison Margiela GAT Replicas which take inspiration from Pollock’s painting style and which also just happened to be in my size. It seemed like a sign from the universe that this pair was for me, and even though I still get the occasional “What did you spill on your shoes?”, the regular wear that I get and love that I have for this sneaker makes it entirely worth it. If you know, you know.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Royal”

If you’re new to the sneaker world but read my first post from this series, then the blue variant of these Jordan 1s should look very familiar. That’s right, these are a royal blue version of the black and red Jordan 1s I wrote about earlier. Nothing is different except for the color - there is the same tumbled leather swoosh, same proportions on the tongue and midsole, and no production differences from this 2018 pair to their 2017 “Bred” counterpart. This pair was purchased in New York City during Spring Break of my Senior year of high school. While the royal blue here is louder and more vibrant than a lot of my other sneakers, these still get regular wear. Even though Michael Jordan never wore these on the court, his admiration of this colorway made it one of the most exclusive and beloved Jordan 1s of all time. If you want more history on these, Complex wrote a great article about them which you can check out here.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Bottega Veneta Voortrekking Boot in Ardoise

I’d best describe my wardrobe and style as a blurring of the line between streetwear and menswear. This pair of Chelsea boots by Bottega Veneta does just that. This specific pair, in the ardoise (slate) colorway, was popularized and ingratiated into the world of streetwear by Kanye West some years ago. The integrating of classier footwear into traditional streetwear is something I am a big fan of, so rocking these with an overcoat or distressed jeans works either way. The distinct and recognizable middle stitch and comfortable crepe sole are what really sell me on these.

Pair 4 (Bottom Right): Adidas X Kith Ultra Boost Mid “Aspen”

Streetwear brand Kith founder Ronnie Fieg has proven time and again that he knows very well how to do a collaboration. His take on the Adidas Ultra Boost as a part of the Aspen collection seen here reinvented and toyed with the silhouette as a whole, making this the first pair of mid-top Adidas Ultra Boosts on the market. Intricate knitting throughout the primeknit upper, a harshly contrasting white midsole, and a tight ankle give these Ultra Boosts a very unique look that, like lots of my favorite shoes, can either be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. One of my favorite pairs in the summertime, these Ultra Boosts are also one of the most comfortable pairs in my entire collection.

Again, this series is one that I am really excited to eventually complete. Reminiscing on trips and memories has made me even more appreciative of the footwear collection that I have built, but it has also made me start to pine for another vacation. That being said, stay tuned for a review post of a pair I just ordered today. Shall be fun.

Ranking The Seasons From My Least To Most Favorite

This is going to be a fun blog post. The topic of ranking the four seasons from least to most favorite came up recently with my wonderful girlfriend and while I initially thought I knew what my answer would be, I couldn’t definitively give an answer I was totally comfortable with without then thinking of more and more counterpoints which changed my position on the matter. The more I thought about this very controversial topic (not actually lol), pros and cons came to mind for each of the seasons and I was eventually able to come up with an order that I can comfortably rationalize. I will be doing just that in this post, so let’s get into it.

4th Favorite Season: SUMMER

I spent my entire childhood growing up in Illinois. In those formative years, summer would’ve likely ranked number 1 on my list had you asked the 9-year-old version of me who was probably in the pool 90% of the time. The reality is that I now live in Atlanta, Georgia, and the heat and humidity here, which I already am not a fan of, are seriously no joke. Being in college makes the summers strange, too, as my usual routine has to adjust and I am away from my school friends, and especially because I am 45-60 minutes away from my girlfriend when we are both home. The most redeeming quality for summer at this age is that I get to see my family so much, which is nice, but the other three seasons just have more going for them than summer does for me.

3rd Favorite Season: SPRING

The snow (if we even get any in Georgia) is beginning to melt. The birds are beginning to chirp. The beautiful flowers are beginning to show signs of life, and the windows are open. Spring is quite pleasant to me. School starts to wrap up and the summer wardrobe gets to make its return. The weather here in Atlanta is tolerable in the Spring, as well, which leads to many outdoor activities that don’t also include breaking into an instant sweat. The biggest downside to Spring is the pollen - I’m getting teary eyes and a scratchy throat just thinking about that yellow death powder. Overall Spring is a solid season, but it isn’t as special as the other two left on my list.

2nd Favorite Season: WINTER

Let’s just take the hater’s counterpoints out of their mouths before they can even say them. YES, I know it’s cold outside. I know you can’t go out for walks without bundling layers on like Ralphie’s brother from A Christmas Story. I’m sure you miss grilling out, lathering on sunscreen, and jumping in the pool (not in that order I hope). I’d argue, however, that the cozy-factor that puts Winter and my eventual #1 season over those things (it’s Fall by the way, my #1, I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now) is so much better than the heat accompanying Spring and Summer. Chocolate chip cookies, comfy blankets, and Winter holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve / Day make hold a special play in my heart. Semi-annual family trips to Chicago around Christmas time will also always be unparalleled in their sentimentality in my mind. The one season, however, that tops all of this, is…

1st Favorite Season: FALL / AUTUMN

I know better at this point than to step foot into a Bath & Bodyworks store. Doing so activates a vicious cycle of wandering over to the Fall candles and losing myself in cinnamons, pumpkins, and other Fall favorites which just makes me mad that those smells won’t be around for another two or so months of heat. My September birthday is technically at the end of the summer, but I’ve always seen it as kicking off Fall festivities. Halloween is my favorite holiday (I like da spookies), and Thanksgiving always brings my family together. Being able to wear sweaters, flannel, and boots comfortably instead of in heat-pain / denial like I do in the Summer is wonderful. The crisp air, family traditions like going to the apple orchard, and all of the wonderful colors of falling leaves make Fall my favorite season of them all.

I hope you enjoy this post and I’d be curious to hear your personal ranking and justifications. Writing about Fall just now makes me not want to go outside into the 85 degree day… what have I done?