I was listening to Neroli and decided to look into why the album called the piece 'Thinking Music Part IV.' According to the liner notes, Ambient music evolved throughout the initial 4 part series to something entirely different than what he initial conceptualized with Ambient 1. The initial slowly changing, lengthy, and free flowing pieces that began the series on Music for Airports eventually became more composed, shorter, and intentional. Eno stated that he saw Thursday Afternoon and Neroli as a return to that initial concept of Ambient music he started with. He also included Discreet Music in this subgenre, although I'm not sure if he means just the side 1 or the entire album. Discreet Music would be Thinking Music Part I, followed by Music for Airports as Part II, Thursday Afternoon as Part III, and then Neroli as Part IV. I think you could also include Lux, Reflections, and maybe Music for Installations as part of his Thinking Music subgenre, as they continue the lengthy free flowing generative feel of those initial four parts.

What's your favorite in this genre? How do you feel Thinking Music compares compared to other Ambient music?

'Round Midnight is one of those movies that feels like it shouldn't exist. Everything in this movie is pulled off spectacularly. The performances from all of the actors, especially Dexter Gordon and François Cluzet, are great. The cinematography, lighting, and set design are just stunning to look at. There were several shots of this movie where I felt like I could frame it as a painting. The story is such a delight to watch unfold. It's slow paced and melancholic, while being strangely feel-good and comforting throughout. The music scenes are surreal. There's so many of these artists I've seen still images or old grainy footage of. To see them in a high budget cinematic style playing together on stage is just wild to watch. The way the music scenes are integrated into the story never feels out of place either. Every scene feels perfectly placed and nothing ever feels unnecessary. The entire film all comes together so well that it feels unfair that it manages to be executed as well as it does.

'Round Midnight is my new pick for the greatest film centered around jazz that I've ever seen, and given the cast, I'll be surprised if anything else tops it.

Blue Note albums have a certain style of jazz associated with them. Some of the truly great albums under the label are memorable because they stand out from the pack. I'm not looking for that. I want the most Blue Note released by Blue Note to play blue notes. Obviously there isn't an objectively correct answer to this question, but it's a fun thought experiment. What's your pick?

No real life destruction/controversies are allowed.

⚠️BIG SPOILER WARNING⚠️

Frailty is such a thought provoking thriller. It presents itself as a mental health/generational trauma drama. It's honestly kind of predictable for like 90% of the film, but it's enjoyable to see because the actors allow you to experience the religious trauma that leads to an eventual serial killer. It's interesting to watch, with certain aspects of the father/son relationship feeling strangely relatable. You know the dad is insane, but anybody who's had complex family dynamics knows how hard it can be to talk to a loved one about their mental instability. There's also a powerless feeling where even when Fenton wants to turn in the Dad that he might be murdered himself. It succeeds at portraying an understanding but critical look at how a person with a good head on their shoulders succumbs to madness.

And then the ending happens. It turns out everything that the dad has been saying the entire movie was true. He really does get visions from God. Him and his son are not only actually brutally murdering demons, but God is helping them on their mission. Now the serial killer son is 100% an actual demon and the empathy felt for his situation is turned on its head.

Its such a thought provoking ending. At first I was a bit taken aback that the mental health/generational trauma centered movie performed a 180 out of nowhere, but it has slowly added to my appreciation of the movie the longer I've sat with it. Sure, the dad was objectively correct, but that's almost more horrifying than the initial mental health/generational trauma angle the film was setting up. God is using human beings like pawns to basically act as serial killers. Its as if the craziest cult you had ever heard of that looked like it was the byproduct of untreated mental illness was actually true, and that's more horrifying than had it been mental illness.

Disturbing stuff. Would recommend. What do you all think of Frailty?

I just want to point out that the main two or three posts about current political topics on the subreddit are from users who basically have never been to this subreddit. While I think it's notable that the White House posted one a Boards of Canada song on their socials, its being discussed here mostly at the expense of the community and joy we've had the past month. The fact the post says 'White House' gets more bot comment engagement as well.

Much like all of other songs the current administration has used against the wishes of the fans and/or artists in the past, the uses will mostly come and go quickly. If we the actual fans engage, it can sour certain aspects of the communal enjoyment and bring toxicity to the release to a point where it will be forever tied with this part of the bands history. I encourage us all to downvote the engagement farms and move on.

Edit: At least one post was removed. I know the now top post is from an active member of the community. I have no problem with genuine reaction to this since it is notable, and it also doesn't have a link. Just keep an eye out for potential engagement farming posts and comments.

Beyond that, I hope we all enjoy the new album! The new single is great and a lot of those who got to hear it early seem to love it.