We're officially half-way through winter and have had plenty of time these last few weeks of July to watch, listen and read – just generally to consume – media in all its fancy forms.
And while we've had plenty to digest – from our favourite fashion Subtacks to Tame Impala's new track – there's still plenty more we've been digesting and are ready to share. Below, check out what the RUSSH Editors have been watching, listening to and reading this month...
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … I recently started watching Girls (prompted by the love for Too Much) and it’s quickly become a new comfort show. So many great one-liners I will be adopting.
Listen … MUSIC FOR PLANTS VOL. 36 by Alex Crowder of Field Studies Flora. And (of course) Tame Impala's new track End of Summer.
Read … Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You. This is so beautifully written. A little bit love story, a little bit memoir. I think Candice Chung might be one of my new favourite Australian authors.
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
Watch … The new Adam Curtis documentary, SHIFTY, is just five hours of incredible viewing. A mixture of archival footage, home videos and music videos, it documents the impact from Thatcher onwards on the economy and British culture. Part 5 in particular explores the 90s and the role of Lee McQueen with some rare footage of baby Kate.
Listen … Obviously, I'm listening to the July music wrap, which has some great Australian top 10s as well as future top 10s. The Trouble In Mind soundtrack has been played a lot around the house with the iconic vocals of Marianne Faithfull.
Read … Truthfully, it’s more emails than I would like at the moment. However, I am revisiting Miranda Julys’ The First Bad Man and having her read it to me like a bedtime story.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch… I’ve been watching reruns of Law & Order SVU for a lot of the month. The nostalgia is high and I just love Mariska Hargitay. I also went out to an actual cinema to see the new Jurassic Park and saw Jonathan Bailey’s glasses on the big screen.
Listen… Deftones announced they’re releasing a new album in August so I’ve been diving into their old back catalogue. I’ve also had Lorde’s new album on repeat as I just got tickets!
Read… I’ve been too busy to dive into anything new. But in these moments, I love returning to comfort reads that don’t require the same time or emotional investment as something new. I’ve been diving in and out of my well-thumbed copy of Sense and Sensibility. Now that a new movie is coming, it felt like the right time.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor In Chief
Watch … First and foremost, Fantastic Four: First Steps. Such great casting and story, and Joseph Quinn was a stand out. I also finally watched Bring Her Back, and oh my god. The RackaRacka brothers are on another level, it was amazing (and terrifying). The Bear Season 4, binged that. I love Richie’s character so much, that when Kirsty and I met Ebon Moss-Bachrach at the Fantastic Four premiere, I was kind of in awe. Also started binging The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Listen … Ride the podcast (of course). And a bit of The Crew, Tame Impala and The 1975.
Read … Normal People. And I just started reading Amy Taylor's new book Ruins.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … I’ve been rewatching S2 of Bridgerton. Jonathan Bailey, the man you are. I will be watching Happy Gilmore 2 this week, which I’m excited for.
Listen … When deciding my top five Aussie songs, I went down a rabbit hole and I’m still there. I’ve been loving listening to Kylie Minogue, INXS, Hilltop Hoods and a bit of Keith Urban.
Read … In such a busy period, I have to admit that reading new material has taken a back seat. But next on my TBR is I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Ros Schwartz and Sophie Mackintosh and The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch … I just started Disclaimer, creepy but excellent. Also on my re-watch list this month: The Great Gatsby and Uptown Girls (the latter is one of my all time favourites).
Listen … I love the Jazz House 2025 playlist on Spotify at home. I’ve also been streaming a few of the Ministry of Sound annuals that were released during my late teens and early twenties — 2013 is the best. Very nostalgic and a great soundtrack for power walking.
Read … I just finished When The Going Was Good by Graydon Carter and loved it. Next is Beloved by Toni Morrison. I’ve only read The Bluest Eye and want to get through more of her work.
