Opus Digest: February 2024
Highlighting some of the best stuff posted on Opus last month.
Feb 1: February 2024’s Best Streaming Titles: Get Out, The Bad Batch, The Abyss, Citizen Kane, The Last Airbender
Jordan Peele, Clone Force 99, deep sea mysteries, Rosebud, Team Avatar, and more.
Feb 1: Vinterdvala by Julia Andersson (Review)
These lovely piano-based instrumentals are the perfect soundtrack for settling in and hunkering down during the coldest winter days.
Feb 2: Legendary Action Star Tak Sakaguchi Returns with One-Percent Warrior
Sakaguchi plays an action star determined to make a film on his own terms while battling an army of yakuza thugs.
Feb 2: Brow Beat (Unplugged Alternative) by Various Artists (Review)
Alarma Records’ compilation features acoustic performances from some of the biggest names in ’90s Christian alternative music.
Feb 3: My Cultural Diet for January 2024: Reacher, Brandon Sanderson, Monarch, Asteroid City
A quick rundown of last month’s cultural experiences.
Feb 5: “Japan” by Slow Salvation
The dream pop duo returns with a new single filled with languorous guitars and vocals.
Feb 7: “Floating on a Moment” by Beth Gibbons
The Portishead singer’s upcoming solo debut album explores themes of aging, motherhood, and menopause.
Feb 8: The Cure is Reissuing 1993’s Paris Live Album
The upcoming reissue will feature two songs that weren’t on the original 1993 release.
Feb 11: 88 Films Announces 4K Reissue of Jet Li’s Fist of Legend
And just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary.
Feb 12: Atelier Sentô Invites Readers to the Tokyo Mystery Café
The French duo’s latest work follows an aspiring manga artist who becomes embroiled in a bizarre mystery in Tokyo’s Akihabara district.
Feb 13: Void Rituals by Ruptured World (Review)
Alistair Rennie’s latest album of dark ambience avoids the genre’s clichés thanks to its diverse sonic shades and forlorn musicality.
Feb 14: “Southbound Formations” by Poemme (Meydän Remix)
The French producer remixes one of my favorite ambient albums of all time.
Feb 14: “Green & Glass” by Unleash the Archers
The Canadian power metallers return with a new AI-inspired album.
Feb 17: New Subscriber Playlist: “The Beat Goes On”
This month’s subscriber-only playlist and podcast episode is a collection of beat tapes, chillhop, and other vibes.
Feb 17: Bluesky Is Finally Open for Everyone. Here’s What You Should Know.
The decentralized social network will feel very familiar to X/Twitter users. That’s both good and bad.
Feb 20: Portishead Announces Details for Roseland NYC Live 25th Anniversary Edition
The trip-hop legends announce updated physical editions of their 1998 live album.
Feb 22: “Mahal” by Glass Beams
The Melbourne trio’s trippy instrumental music is influenced by traditional and classical Indian music.
Feb 22: “The Dream of Delphi” by Bat for Lashes
Natasha Khan’s upcoming album was deeply influenced by the birth of her first child in 2020.
Feb 26: The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus Announce The Dream We Carry
The experimental folk outfit’s sixth studio album will be their first release in four years.
Feb 26: Mourning Apple’s 27-inch iMac
It really was the perfect computer for my needs. And alas, it’s no more.
Feb 29: Review Roundup: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two
Critics respond to the second installment in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic.
Feb 29: Bluesky Now Supports Hashtags
A welcome addition, and one less reason to keep using X/Twitter.
Related: Opus’ full February 2024 archives.
This post is available to everyone (so feel free to share it). However, paying subscribers also get access to exclusives including playlists, podcasts, and sneak previews. If you’d like to receive those exclusives — and support my writing on Opus — then become a paid subscriber today for just $5/month or $50/year.