This is Vantage POINT: A monthly moodboard for things that have been on our minds as of late, topics both fresh and familiar. We point you towards what to watch out for and what we think you should be enjoying right now. And if whatever we love becomes whatever you love (at least a little bit), then we’ve done our jobs.
Spooky season is upon us, and midterm all-nighters are inevitably around the corner. If you need a break from your everyday horrors, we’ve rounded up some much-awaited recommendations to bring you comfort!
Midnights by Taylor Swift
Release: October 21
Nearly two years after the release of evermore (2020), Taylor Swift is back with a brand new album! Listed under the rock genre on Apple Music, Midnights (2022) is expected to deviate from the country and pop sound the superstar is known for. Taylor recently revealed the tracklist in a series of TikToks, where she also shared that fans can anticipate a collaboration with indie rock singer Lana del Rey.
I personally can’t wait to see how Taylor’s many references to midnight rendezvous and late-night thoughts throughout her discography culminate in her 10th studio album! - Lombos
Dua Lipa: At Your Service
Release: Currently ongoing
Dua Lipa has proven that she’s more than just a pop star—she’s a charismatic (and well-read) interviewer as well. Her podcast series with Service95, At Your Service, is back with brand new episodes! From A Little Life author Hanya Yanagihara to hot girl Megan Thee Stallion, the series has featured a wide range of guests since its launch earlier this year. Dua’s conversations delve into these creatives’ processes and journeys to success.
The interview series has since expanded to include video content—the singer guides her fans through a yoga flow class and cooks her “no recipe” roast chicken. The podcast’s casual vibe and Dua’s soothing voice guarantee that At Your Service will be my go-to podcast for easy listening this October. - Lombos
The Car
Release: October 21
After four years, English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys is back to fascinate us with their seventh album, The Car!
The tracklist includes songs like "There'd Better Be A Mirrorball," a melancholic song about a dying relationship that banks on the low-keyed bass and piano to carry its soulfulness through. On the other hand, The Car also has "I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am," a funky-sounding track that debuted at the Zürich Openair Festival in Switzerland last August.
Based on the two songs that they have already released, I just know that The Car will have me tapping my foot and bobbing my head with their retro-inspired music! - Therese
Amsterdam
Release: October 6
Grab your thinking caps for this much-anticipated mystery comedy film! Set in the 1930s, Amsterdam follows three friends who get entangled in the murder of US Senator Bill Meekins.
The film boasts a star-studded cast with the likes of Christian Bale and Anya Taylor-Joy, so I'm excited to see the dynamic among all of these Hollywood names on the big screen! More interestingly, Amsterdam is loosely based on a true story about the coup attempt against US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The film will be combining fact and fiction into a thrilling whodunit story and I can’t wait to see how it will all play out! - Therese