This last month has produced what's felt like an onslaught of new music, films, TV shows and podcasts – from the return of Ride to the IMAX renaissance courtesy of Nolan's The Odyssey and new albums from Gracie Abrams, Charli xcx (not actually rock), Olivia Rodrigo (kind of actually rock) and more.

And somehow the RUSSH Editors have managed to find their way through the new releases – taking on new books, podcasts, TV episodes and films in the name of feeding their most insatiable inner appetites for culture.

If you were wondering what the team consumed this month – read on for the best of what we watched, listened to and read this July.

Emily Algar

Beauty Editor

Watch … Hoping to find a few spare hours over the weekend to go and see The Odyssey. Also enjoying Devon Lee Carlson’s vlogs in the background while I cook dinner. She’s such an it girl.

Listen … I have a lot of Parcels playing in the background at home right now. Always the Talking Heads… plus I love Zoë Foster-Blakes playlist, Music for Writing, Study, Flow and Focus (it’s literally the only playlist I’ve found that improves my productivity).

Read … My inbox? Ha ha… kidding. The next book in my queue is Lena Dunham’s Famesick.

Jaime Carmody

Digital Marketing Specialist 

Watch … I finally watched The Drama, and I’m sad to say I didn’t love it quite as much as I thought I would. I did find its take on the ideas around judgement and perception really interesting. I love Zendaya, and I officially have a huge crush on Robert Pattinson, but unfortunately, the film just didn’t quite do it for me. I did, however, love the costume and styling throughout.

Listen … It’s been a big month for music, and I've been diving deep into Olivia Rodrigo’s new album as well as Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell. J’adore, j’adore, j’adore.

Read … I’ve been slowly making my way through My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein. It’s taken me a little while to work my way through, but I’m really enjoying it. I’ve also been loving Grace O’Neill’s Substack, So Darling.

Samantha Corry

Social Media Coordinator & Writer

Watch … The Odyssey. This movie will go down as one of the greats for me. I am not worthy to describe it, so you'll just have to watch it and see. I also saw The Invite, which is really amazing. The script worked over time, because it's all set in an apartment and yet I feel like you couldn’t predict what was happening next (also why was Edward Norton in this sneaky sexy?). And in the TV series world, AppleTV has been nailing every TV show they are creating at the moment. Cape Fear and Widow's Bay – are you kidding me? Insane.

Listen … I have been repeating my mellow playlist. So lots of The Smiths, Mazzy Star, The Marias, Her's and Beach House.

Read … I just got the Marc by Sofia book and love it. I know it is a coffee table book, but it is a must-have.

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

Watch … Charlie’s Angels (the 2000 version – I truly need to know what the wig and costume budget was on this); The Pitt season two (new, gory comfort show unlocked); an advance screening of A24’s Tony (my review of which is being kept under lock and key till the release date in late August).

Listen … A friend has put me onto Ethiopian Jazz playlists on Spotify as of late. I also finished Lena Dunham’s Famesick audio book. Lots of tears were shed.

Read … Elena Ferrante’s Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay… still.

Stacey Gaskin

Consumer Revenue Manager

Watch … The Commonwealth Games has recently started, so that has been a highlight. I also enjoyed a rewatch of Top Gun (1986) this week.

Listen … Gracie Abrams’ new album, Daughter From Hell, Eastern Rosellas by Miles Phillips (and Dad), and a heap of The White Stripes.

Read … Very excited to get my hands on RUSSH Home Issue 05. I’ve also just started Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati.

Alys Hale

Music Editor and Creative Producer

Watch … I genuinely watched Xanadu the other week and it was absolutely hilarious. The script had me in stitches although probably for the wrong reasons – it’s silly and joyous. As a real classics nerd, I’m looking forward to seeing Nolan’s take on Homer’s Epic. I imagine I will have strong (possibly too strong) opinions on which books are left in and which are removed.

Listen … Having seen them play live at The Golden Age, I’ve been listening to Escape-ism and collating my monthly music wrap. When insomnia strikes, and with classics on the brain, I’ve been revisiting Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics, which takes me to a real comfort zone.

Read … I have just finished Franzen’s Freedom and I’m now at somewhat of a loss as there are no more novels to go through, so I might have to lean into the essays to get my fix. I’m also desperate to get my hands on a copy of RUSSH Home.

Sophia Serafin

Implementation Manager

Watch ... My housemates and I are tearing through a film and series list based on our favourite watches that the others haven’t seen. We’re currently binging the Fast & Furious movies (my list addition), and have just finished season one of The Pitt. I can’t believe I was so late to the hype – warranted.

Listen ... There is so much newness in music this month. In particular, I’m rinsing and repeating Nia Archives’ new album Emotional Junglist, and Steve Lacy’s Oh yeah? when I’m after something slower.

Read ... I finished Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh – think: NYC lawyers, Birkins, and K-beauty. I’ve since been glued to Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s fascinating and all too realistic.

Mia Steiber

Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher

Watch … It was a mystery and crime month for me. I heavily binged I Will Find You and Untamed. I really enjoyed both, but probably Untamed more so. I also saw the Sheep Detective movie and it was honestly delightful. A wonderful palate cleanser.

Listen … I’ve been diving back into a lot of my old 90s stuff: Sneaker Pimps, Placebo, Goldfrapp. I’ve also been really loving Porcelain by Peach PRC. It’s one of those albums you really can listen to in full and in track order. Charli’s new album launched as I was writing this so I’m keen to dive into that too.

Read … I finished the epic that was the Throne of Glass series and proceeded to pull up the next fantasy book on my list and I have to say, it’s not the chaser I was hoping for. I think I’m going to pause and read Yesteryear instead. I’ve had that on my list for a while.

Koby Dulac-Daley

Fashion Assistant 

Watch ... I surprisingly got through a lot of TV this month with also having such a busy schedule. I finished binging Hacks – well worth unintentionally waiting to watch the series 'til its finale. The show has a beautiful balance of humour and grit while going through a full emotional rollercoaster almost every episode (and the finale episode is a perfect example of that). I watched the second iteration of Jury Duty: Company Retreat. Like Hacks, it balances humour and heart. Continuing on the mockumentary train, I played a lot of The Office while cooking or cleaning. I had the privilege of watching the Country to Couture runway at the gorgeous new Cutaway in Barrangroo curated by RUSSH digital cover star Billie Jean Hamlet. I also rewatched Adventures of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert which was a joy to watch as alway plus the cinematography so fun!

Listen ... I'm loving any funky beats with minimal lyrics while I'm writing anything. Loving Essex_Honey.mp3 by Blood Orange, Paris 1985 by Lecomte De Bregeot, Cool Girls by Make The Girl Dance, Troop by Peggy Gou, Homie Don’t Shake by Fcukers, Ce soir je m'en vais by Slove, and Venus as a Boy by Björk. No one will be shocked that I have quite literally had Music, Fashion, Film – Charli XCX’s eighth studio album – on repeat for the latter end of the month. I'm listening to it as I write this.

Read ... While winding down for the night, I have been picking up a random magazine and reading one article. I can never get through a book because for some reason reading one is like taking a sleeping tablet – it will always make my eyelids heavy before the end of the second page. Our own Mia Steiber wrote a story about Gen Z not being able to switch off, which I can say is all too true.