intertext .
Bio
A series of essays analyzing the inspirations behind your favorite pop culture.
Stories (2/0)
'Neo Yokio'
Alright, let’s talk Neo Yokio: For those unfamiliar, it’s a Netflix original anime about a demon-slaying aristocrat, starring none other than Jaden Smith and produced by Vampire Weekend frontman, Ezra Koenig. Some people hate it, some people love it. I for one, belong to the latter group of people. Now I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea — the voice acting and animation style seem to be a big turn off for critics. But while it might not have been what viewers initially expected, I think this show takes some big risks in framing its not-so-subtle message. And if you take a closer look, (passed all the demons and robot butlers), Neo Yokio is a satirical, but somewhat plausible outlook on the near-future of our hyper-commodified culture.
By intertext .5 years ago in Geeks
'Guava Island'
This is the first video essay for this channel! Let me know what you think and if you’d like to see more of this stuff… Anyone who’s a fan of Donald Glover knows most times, his work is shrouded in a lot of secrecy. This is actually one of the things I love most about him: he’s one of the few creators who can still keep us on our toes. His latest project, Guava Island, is no different. Other than a short trailer and some vague social media posts involving Rihanna, people didn’t know what to expect from this new collaboration. Then, only a week out from the event, Gambino and his team finally confirmed the project was dropping following his performance at Coachella. The musical-thriller follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, (think "Purple Rain," "Lemonade", and "Dirty Computer") and delivers us something that’s worth more than all the music festival hype and marketing stunts. It utilizes the medium to elevate what could be an hour-long vanity project, into an allegory about an artist’s function in modern society.
By intertext .5 years ago in Geeks