Look what has arrived! I got my copies on my book - it is now very real and also very surreal! The book comes out in the UK on February 7 and will be in stores in Australia on May 16. See online ordering options in the next week.

#460 Figure 8 by Elliott Smith (2000) The songs are broken-hearted, far-reaching, and have some moments of brilliance. But, to be honest, I just found the music a little dull and I wasn't pulled in. Maybe I need to listen to more to appreciate it. 6.5/10

#459 Let's Stay Together by Al Green (1972) The authors describe this as hearty spiritual food and I could not agree more. It is meaningful, interesting, and beautiful R&B music. The title track is a classic and I just really enjoyed it. 8/10

#458 Vivid by Living Color (1988) One of the few heavy metal bands led by a black frontperson. And while that is relatively revolutionary, I just still don't love heavy metal music, so this didn't really connect with me. I can see the value of the music, just not for me. 6/10

In his recent mayoral victory Zohran Mamdani faced almost universal opposition, with institutional Democrats even lining up with the far-right to try and defeat him. Why do they hate the left so much? https://t.co/cwaUUyChXK

Completely missed the news that Dick Cheney died.

The New York mayoral race is yet another data point, proof that a generational revolution is underway, not just here but across the world. Gen Z is reshaping politics everywhere, and they’re leaning firmly towards populist, left-wing identities and parties. Note, in the UK,

https://t.co/cpPF3SPl5g

Lol. Absolute lies.

Decision Desk HQ projects Zohran Mamdani to win the New York City Mayor election. #DecisionMade: 9:03 pm ET Follow live results on our website.

Nobody deserves to lose more than Andrew Cuomo. The epitome of everything that is wrong with the mainstream Democratic Party. I hope he is absolutely embarrassed to have lost to Mamdani twice now and we never see him try to run for anything ever again.

So fucking exciting.

In focusing their energies on Donald Trump's destruction of the White House, mainstream democrats have shown they care more about the symbols of liberalism than they do people's actual lives. https://t.co/S5StXEzmHC

There is a deep insecurity to the modern-right. They love to call the left 'snowflakes', yet cannot handle some people peacefully praying in a public place.

The right loves to to pretend they care about gay rights because they hate Muslims even more than they hate queers.

My book has been translated into Korean, and I really like the cover. They changed the title too - it's called "Why Young Men are Angry".

#457 Tarkus by Emerson, Lake, And Palmer (1971) This album apparently defines prog grandeur. This suggests that prog grandeur is not my thing. I found it droned on and I didn't want to listen to it. I like the album cover though! 4/10

#456 Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 by George Michael (1990) I love George Michael. This is a very different sound for him from his previous pop music and it is mature and very interesting. But not quite as good as Faith. Freedom 90 is probably his best song though. 8/10

#455 Teenager of the Year by Frank Black (1994) I really didn't love this. One of those albums that I remember thinking "when is this over". It's sprawling and a bit weird, and just not my kind of music. 4/10

#454 Technique by New Order (1989) A masterpiece of acid house phenomenon of the 1980s in the UK. I enjoyed this more than other New Order albums. It is original and interesting work. Love the album cover too. Deserves to be here. 7/10

#453 Gentlemen by The Afghan Whigs (1993) This is a deep exploration of male sexuality from a band that was on the rise at the time. And that should appeal to me, but it didn't grab me. I think maybe I should listen again, but this time it was a bit meh. 5/10