Welcome to the last post of the year for Kaylee Likes Things. I liked a lot of things this year but I’ve decided to make a list of a few of these things.
But first, let’s talk 2021 for Kaylee Likes Things. I hope to bring you some more longer-form posts so expect some essays.
How to With John Wilson
The HBO show produced by Nathan Fielder was just renewed for a second season so now is the perfect time to watch the first season.
How to Cook the Perfect Risotto is a masterpiece and an emotion I have not seen anything else yet capture. I don’t want to give anything away but if you are only going to watch one episode, make it this one. Truly some of the best documentary filmmaking I have ever seen.
If you enjoy How to with John Wilson, you should check out this 2011 short by the Safdie brothers, Buttons. The Safdies and John Wilson catalog New York in a very similar way — both with pure love and through constant observation.
How to With John Wilson is available to stream on HBO Max.
This is Branchburg
This is Branchburg just finished up their second season and if you haven’t heard every single episode you need to. Presented in vignettes, it’s a trip through the strange yet endearing township of Branchburg, New Jersey.
I wom’t say much about this, listening is the best thing you can do. Take 15 minutes out of your day and throw one on. My favorite episodes from season 2 are the infamous Branchburg Goblin and the episode featuring Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend. You can listen to these below.
This is Branchburg is available anywhere you stream podcasts.
Oneohtrix Point Never - Magic Oneohtrix Point Never
I’m a longtime OPN fan and Magic Oneohtrix Point Never feels like a look back over his career — self-reflexive but also never feeling stale or repetitive.
My favorite track off the record is “Lost But Never Alone”, a strange track that feels like it is being beamed in from a long-lost radio station settled somewhere never to be found.
I could talk about Magic OPN all day but my dear friend Simon can talk about it much better than I can. They wrote a wonderful write-up on this album in Heavy Blog is Heavy’s November 2020 Editors’ picks and I think you should read it. Here's a link.
Also, Online Ceramics released several incredible collections this year but one of the best was the collaboration with OPN for the release of Magic OPN. It perfectly captures the feeling of the album for me.
Magic Oneohtrix Point Never is available anywhere you get music but I suggest you buy it through Bandcamp or your local record store.
I May Destroy You
In a year without many films with a mass release, the miniseries format shined and the absolute best of them was Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You.
Bolstered by great writing and great performances from Coel, Weruche Opia, and Paapa Essiedu, I May Destroy You takes a trip through trauma and recovery that we don’t often see portrayed. It is honest and blunt while also still having its moments of comedy.
This series is an absolutely essential watch.
I May Destroy You is available to stream on HBO Max.
Phasmophobia
One of the most important parts of 2020 for me was playing video games online. No matter how sad this sounds, it kept me close to friends living near and far. Phasmophobia is one of these games I’ve been returning to throughout the year.
You play as a team of ghost hunters seeking evidence in houses, schools, and most recently an entire prison. It’s terrifying. The first time I died in a game of Phasmophobia was an incredibly scary experience. The moment you are dragged into a room of meat and flesh and then return to a version of the world you were once in before but now you are a layer away from your friends, unable to speak or be seen by them.
It’s only in early access currently but if you need a game to play with friends, this is it. There’s an option to play it in VR as well but I don’t have VR and that simply sounds too scary for me.
Phasmophobia is available to purchase through Steam.
Red Rooster
I’ve gotten really into coffee this year — REALLY into it. I got a French Press and a Baratza Encore (both of which I considered taking this place on the list) but most importantly I discovered a little roaster in Floyd, Virginia called Red Rooster.
This isn’t an ad, I just think they are really good at what they do.
Red Rooster can be purchased from their website. I suggest Old Crow Cuppa Joe.
Nike ACG Air Deschutz
I liked a shoe. I actually liked many shoes and I would put something like the Nike ISPA Road Warrior here but I feel like I cannot speak to that shoe fully because I don’t own it and have never seen it in person. Instead, we have the Nike ACG Air Deschutz which is a new go-to for me this year.
Various colorways of the Nike ACG Air Deschutz are available through Nike, Notre, and other retailers.
Other Stuff You Should Check Out:
I could not possibly list everything I liked so here is the speed round of other things I really liked.
Music
boocanan - Rat King
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou - May Our Chambers Be Full
Solemnly Sage - Sometimes Nothing
Gag - Still Laughing
Movies & TV
First Cow directed by Kelly Reichardt (Streaming on Showtime)
I’m Thinking of Ending Things directed by Charlie Kaufman (Streaming on Netflix)
New 4k UHD Edition of Cronenberg’s Crash released by Arrow
Every release from Arbelos