Now Playing: March 2021

Our Print Issue Preview contributors have plenty of TV, music, and book recommendations for you in the March edition of Now Playing. We have a recommendation, too: come to our virtual reading with Barrelhouse on Thursday, 3/18, to celebrate the launch of Print Issue Vol. 3!

Marlin M. Jenkins

I just watched the pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel on YouTube—a chaotic, irreverent, irony-steeped show about the princess of Hell trying to reform demons so they can make it into heaven (which would, in turn, solve Hell's overpopulation problem). It's even more absurd than it sounds (and also musical!), and I was absolutely entranced by the characters and the animation. I love when things lean in, full tilt, into their wild and weird, and this pilot does that and then some.

Ifada Nisa

I can't decide which one I love most between Lee Juck's “Things We Took For Granted” or his “Don't Worry, Dear.” I don't understand how he makes songs like that. But then again I'll come back to Roy Kim's “Linger On,” growling into the void of my heart despite the barrier of language. I guess I'll just linger on this indecisive feeling and bring the void to the surface.

Ursula Villarreal-Moura

So far in 2021, I've been re-igniting my love for the Scottish writer Muriel Spark. For years, I've loved The Driver's Seat and have recommended it to friends. Recently, I read and absolutely adored her novel Robinson. It was so quirky and perfect. I feel lucky to own a copy as it might be going out of print. A few weeks ago, I read The Girls of Slender Means, another one of Spark's novels. It follows a cast of characters in 1945 London, all of whom frequent The May of Teck Club. I damn near chuckled myself to death with The Girls of Slender Means.