Between long-haul flights, sick days and Easter breaks, April gave the RUSSH editors a little more time to catch up – on movies, music, books and everything in between. Some of us powered through blockbuster marathons at 30,000 feet, others revisited old favourites (hello, Supernatural), and a few finally tackled their endless to-watch lists.
Our playlists were a mix of dirty EDM throwbacks, indie anthems and a few guilty pleasures, while books ranged from travel guides to gothic classics and Joan Didion deep dives. It’s fair to say we weren’t aiming for high-brow consistency this month – just the stuff that makes you feel good, fires you up or helps you switch off. Here’s everything the RUSSH editors were watching, reading and listening to in April.
Elyssa Kostopoulos
Content Director & Watch Editor
Watch … I was lucky enough to do some international travelling for work this month, which is about the only time I have the chance to catch up on the movies everyone has been talking about for the past six months. Tragic, I know. I basically completed a marathon of last year’s biggest blockbusters. I thank Ridley Scott for Gladiator II (visually, a 10/10) but I fear I was left with too many plot holes? Why did they send Lucius into hiding? Was that never addressed or did I just fall asleep? Anora was everything I wanted and more and Wicked – let’s just say the former dance kid in me was overcome with joy. The best of the three, without a doubt.
Listen … I have been committed to my running lately, and I find my mind and body is always most at ease with the right soundtrack. As much as I wish I could listen to a podcast when running, the reality is much closer to a dirty 2012 EDM playlist. A couple of key standouts – Reverse Skydiving by Hot Natured feat. Anabel Englund, Toca’s Miracle by Fragma. And when the pain really starts to set in, Miami 2 Ibiza, Swedish House Mafia. Hey, I never promised that these would be high-brow recs.
Read … Despite the many public holidays this month, I have been quite slack with my reading. Most of it has centred around travel guides for my upcoming Grecian summer holiday – I am visiting a few islands I have never been to before, so want to make sure I am well researched. I do have Graydon Carter’s When the Going Was Good on my list, so will probably dig in once we’ve sent our May issue to print.
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
Watch … Recently and very reluctantly I had to take a few sick days and I must confess that I loved Love on the Spectrum whilst I had a little convalescence. I cried. I’m maybe a little late to the party on this one but I was deeply impressed with the camera work in Adolescence and spent most of the time working out how they did the one shots rather than paying attention to the writing, my apologies to the writing team.
Listen … For reasons that will become apparent in the next issue of RUSSH, every cover of Mother of Pearl out there... I’ve been loving Dorothy Ashby’s Afro-Harping, No No Yes Yes by Deradoorian is a nice stripped back groove to encourage me to get into the shower in the morning, and of course, my first love, Jarvis is back with Pulp’s Spike Island. Swoon.
Read … Seeing as it’s getting cooler and darker, I wanted something a bit gothic, so I’m revisiting Umberto Ecco’s The Name of the Rose, it’s definitely a book for those that had to study latin or want something nerd-ily meta.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … The Last of Us S2 (harrowing already, only two eps in). Love on the Spectrum (for balancing out said harrowing energy). Flow (sweet and strange and beautiful – deserving of their Oscar).
Listen … I've been on an album run at the moment: American Idiot by Green Day (circling back to my OG fave album due to Coachella). Romance by Fontaines D.C. (a little late to the game, but great car soundtrack – and we interviewed them for our upcoming May issue). The Crux by DJO (fantastic 60s/70s influences, a stellar track list, definitely a fave new release of 2025).
Read … Peripathetic by Cher Tan (feeling intellectual). Never Let Me Go by Kazua Ishiguro (cannot read this Nobel Prize winner fast enough – dystopian and moreish in the best way). I don’t know how to be cool anymore (viral sensation and RUSSH writer Sam Corry’s epic think piece on the site this month).
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch … I had some plane travel this month which gave me the necessary four hours to watch The Brutalist. It wasn’t at all what I expected and, as heartbreaking as it was, it was a beautiful film. Any fans of mid-century design should watch immediately. I’m also back on my Last Week Tonight reruns. And of course I watched the Matildas’ friendlies too.
Listen … Lana Del Rey’s new album is out next month and we got another small taste of it in April. I’ve had Bluebird on repeat since it dropped. Also, I’ve been listening to Lorde’s new single What Was That. I’m so excited for her new music. I just love her.
Read … April meant the announcement of the finalists in the RUSSH Literary Showcase, so my reading hours were spent pouring through their works. There were some incredible stories this year. The voting is closed now for the Readers’ Choice award, but you can still read the entries on the voting page if you want.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor in Chief
Watch … The Last of Us S2 has been on my tv and has been consuming my mind. Such a good show, and it’s making me excited for his new film Materialists directed by Celine Song. Pedro Pascal summer is in full swing. I also watched Warfare last night, it was really impressive. And I think the movie might divide people, but I really respected the light the movie will shine on modern war and its atrocities. And my guilty pleasure is The Kardashians, it’s just nice to see how the other half live.
Listen … Ride the podcast – which yes multiple people have tried to put me on, but I haven't been a big podcast person, so I was never wanting to try. But – now I am hooked, and enamoured with it. Such a good listen. Other than that; Amyl and The Sniffers, Lana Del Rey and Clairo have been on my playlist.
Read … A lot of Joan Didion articles/essays. I just finished The White Album, and I just love her style of journalism/writing. It inspired me to write my think piece on fashion in today's world.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch … I’m into Severance right now. I also watched Wicked on a flight recently and WOW, I didn’t expect to be so emotional. I was in floods and I never, ever cry… maybe it was the altitude? But I maintain it was a great movie. I already can’t wait for the sequel.
Listen … The BOF podcast keeps me up to date on work-related stuff, and I’m still not over BRAT (sorry). Since the CHANEL 25 handbag campaign with JENNIE was released, I’ve been on a Fine Young Cannibals music binge, as well.
Read … I just downloaded Graydon Carter’s When the Going Was Good and I can’t wait to get into it. Jinx, Elyssa!
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … I’ve re-entered the Supernatural world on HBO Max (love me some Jensen Ackles) after watching the series a couple times over the years. It never gets old. Speaking of cult classics, I also took some much needed R&R over Easter to watch some Sex And The City.
Listen … I recently bought a Mini Cooper as a run around car so I went to JB HI-FI to pick up some CDs to listen to while driving. There was something special about picking up new and old favourites on CD. Among the armful was Gracie Abrams The Secret Of Us, Ultimate... 2000s and Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces.
Read … Super interesting, but this month I’ve been neck deep in a PDF of assembly instructions for an Absco carport we plan on installing. #DIY.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaign Manager
Watch … Of course, I’m watching The Last of Us S2. No comment, I’m not okay. It has also re-ignited my fascination with The Walking Dead – I’m trying to finish the series after getting stuck in season 9. And for light watching when I’m trying to decompress from all the zombies, I’ve been rewatching The Good Place.
Listen … I’ve started listening to Jake Shane’s podcast Therapuss and really enjoying so far; his guest roster is unmatched. Music wise, I’ve been loving If Only I Could Wait by Bon Iver and Danielle Haim, Spring Into Summer by Lizzy McAlpine and revisiting Lorde’s entire discography in preparation for her new music.
Read … Our RUSSH Literary Showcase entries!
