Sower recommends (Pride edition)

Hey Sowers,

Pride month this year was eyeopening, particularly when it comes to corporations and the speed at which they've dropped the pinkwashing act—I've never had such a severe case of whiplash. Queer rights look shakier than ever as the UK implemented a ban on transgender people using bathrooms that aren't aligned with their sex assigned at birth, and the new president of the Bundestag in Germany has declared that it's not allowed to fly Pride flags on the official building.

I've had my own issues this month, and while it has nothing to do with homophobia, it certainly feels like it. At the start of June, I unfortunately ended up in hospital for a few days (not because of the aforementioned whiplash). Although I've gotten the all clear from anything serious, I have some unsettling symptoms that affect my sleep, and as you can imagine that spills over into other areas of my life—like the newsletter. You might have noticed that the latest feature was a couple of weeks delayed, and I just wanted to be upfront that there were very legitimate reasons for that. The newsletter will absolutely be continuing, but I hope you can extend me some grace in the coming weeks as I figure out how to balance my health with my writing.

While it's important to be honest about the state of queer rights in the world, dwelling on the negative isn't my style. Queer people are spreading so much positivity and joy, and my intention for this roundup is to share some of those things for you to enjoy as well.

Thanks,
Jack

Music worth checking out

PVA are by far one of the most exciting music acts out there right now. Their specific blend of guitar-infused club music stands out among their contemporaries, and while I've yet to see them live, I've heard they put on a great show, too.

Their debut album is one of my top releases of the last couple of years, three of my favourite tracks being Comfort Eating, Bunker, and one of the singles Bad Dad—a track title that likely resonates with many queer people.

No roundup of queer music would be complete without Model/Actriz, a standout in the noise rock scene for their queer lyrical content. Their latest album, Pirouette, has been widely praised, and, according to frontman Cole Haden, in part documents a coming out story.

Their music, at times, can be a bit too abrasive for me, but some tracks I like are Cinderella, Diva, and Slate.

Psych-pop act Crumb are another of my favourite finds over the last couple of years. Although the band isn't necessarily breaking any boundaries, their music has a lot to offer both for those into easy listening and those who prefer a more involved audio experience.

Some of my favourite tracks include Locket, Bones, and Balloon.

Fiction that captivated me

What It Feels Like for a Girl is by far one of the best queer dramas released over the last couple of years. The focus is on Byron, a young gay man who begins to explore his transfemme identity at the turn of the new millennium in Nottingham, the UK. At a time where trans people are under attack, the show does a great job of demonstrating how trans people are humans—with all the good and the bad that entails—just like the rest of us.

Words honestly can't describe how great of a book The Speak Cuts Through Water really is, apart from the words in the book itself. A fantasy novel set in a world inspired by South East Asia, it explores the story of two young men who journey across the Old Country with a dying goddess.

I love everything about this book: the complex narrative structure that utilises first, second, and third person; the descriptive prose that really makes the world come alive; and the emotional punch the story packs. I read the book last year, and it is easily one of my favourites of all time. It's a work of art that you're missing out on if you don't pick it up!

What recommendations do you have for Pride month? Share them in the comments!