Opus Digest: April 2025
Highlighting some of the best stuff posted on Opus last month.
Apr 1: April 2025’s Best Streaming Titles: Gundam, Andor, The Last of Us, Smokey and the Bandit, The Naked Gun
Mecha action, sci-fi rebellion, post-apocalyptic drama, classic automotive mayhem, Frank Drebin, and more.
Apr 1: A Week of Exciting Movie News
Miles Morales, John Wick, Richard Bachman, Wile E. Coyote, and more. And it’s only Tuesday…
Apr 2: “Rent” by Sally Shapiro
The italo disco chanteuse pays tribute to synth-pop legends.
Apr 2: Review Roundup: Jared Hess’ A Minecraft Movie
Critics respond to the Jack Black-starring adaptation of the iconic video game.
Apr 3: My Cultural Diet (March 2025): Reacher, Severance, To Live and Die in L.A., Once a Castle, Squid Game
A quick rundown of last month’s cultural experiences.
Apr 3: Maybe, Just Maybe, Your Website Doesn’t Need to Run on a CMS
Turns out, building a website using only the web’s most basic building blocks is pretty enjoyable (and performant).
Apr 7: “Memory 2: Grow Something” by Nico Paulo
A showcase for the Portuguese/Canadian artist’s rich and versatile voice.
Apr 8: “Aerial Troubles” by Stereolab
The iconic electronic outfit is set to release their first album in 15 years.
Apr 10: The Oscars Are Finally Recognizing Movie Stunt Performers
The new category will make its debut in the 2028 Oscars ceremony.
Apr 13: Bungie’s Marathon Reboot Gets a Cinematic Introduction
Written and directed by Alberto Mielgo, this short captures the rebooted Marathon’s slick, vibrant look.
Apr 14: “YCS5” by Breidablik
The Norwegian synthesists compose an ode to a vintage instrument.
Apr 14: Sings the Passing by Songs of Green Pheasant (Review)
Arguably Duncan Sumpner’s most shambolic release to date, though no less intriguing or beguiling for it.
Apr 18: “The Heartbreak Life” by The Julies
The latest single from the Philadelphia-based dream pop outfit gets deep with the nostalgia.
Apr 18: “Black Desert” by Western Skies Motel
The Danish musician’s ambient post-rock conjures up the beauty and bleakness of the American West.
Apr 19: New Subscriber Playlist: “Catching Up with 2024”
This month’s subscriber-only playlist and podcast episode feature songs that I somehow missed last year.
Apr 21: Review Roundup: Andor, Season Two
Critics respond to the second and final season of the acclaimed Star Wars series.
Apr 23: “Gunslinger” by Natalie Bergman
Natalie Bergman’s new album will be released this July by Jack White’s Third Man Records label.
Apr 26: The Prayer Chain Is Kickstarting Mercury’s 30th Anniversary
The band is performing the ’90s Christian alternative classic in its entirety and releasing the original recordings.
Apr 29: Shout! Studios Announces Its First Batch of Classic Hong Kong Cinema Releases
The first batch of releases includes 4K-remastered films starring Jet Li, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Leslie Cheung.
Apr 29: Watch Shadowdark’s Kelsey Dionne Build a Better Paladin
Good design in role-playing games actually has a lot in common with good UI/UX design.
Related: Opus’ full April 2025 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.