TRUTH ☆ 27 JUNE 2025
subtlety, socialism, and scotland.
good morning.
Sorry I fell off. But I am back now, recovered from my weeklong crash out and determined to get back into a letter-writing rhythm.
Since I haven’t written in a little while, I’m going back on the news timeline a little bit. Let’s go:
BIG HEADLINES
While Gen Z New Yorkers rejoice in the wake of Zohran Mamandi’s victory in the mayoral primary, the democratic establishment, Wall Street, and more central-leaning voters are, to put it lightly, shitting bricks at the prospect of a pro-Palestine, AOC/Sanders-backed, $30 minimum wage, free bus ride mayor. Mamdani will pay for his reforms by increasing both the corporate tax rate and the rate at which New Yorkers who make more than $1 million are taxed. I am glad he’s inclusive, of course, and I love the idea of a more accessible city for all. But it just gives me this bad feeling we’re straying far from American ideals on both sides of the spectrum. Nobody immigrated to New York to be punished for success: the American Dream promises just the opposite of the life people were leaving behind. As always, comments are open so sound off if you disagree with me.
RFK Jr. has assembled a new team of advisors who, as swiftly as they were appointed, have rescinded recommendations for various flu vaccines.
BOO
Though it was many moons ago now, I feel it critical to write a postmortem report after Fête de la Musique. Chaos surrounded the event even before nearly 150 people (mostly women) were stabbed with needles while standing in crowds. The drama began when the British announced they would be taking over the festival. A TikTok war ensued between them and the French, who declared they would not be outdone by the British invaders, who inexplicably seemed to think this would be the best music festival this side of Indio. Sometime between then and the morning of the 22nd, this all went from funny to not funny. Girls shared hellish experiences being trapped in enormous crowds and cops who had zero control over the situation, somehow the least of it all. Some thoroughly disturbing things took place including fights, the aforementioned needle attacks, and of course, the man missing his finger.
Sigh. Sanchez-Bezos wedding festivities are underway in Venice which many seem to have designated the official funeral of subtlety. Excuse me while I don my widow’s weeds.
YESS
Jonathan Anderson is making his debut as Dior’s creative director today. Anticipation is being built online with a couple of very sexy interpretations of the iconic Book Tote, as well as videos of Kylian Mbappé wearing the upcoming collection.
Gustaf Westman, the funky Swedish design studio, is holding a Paris pop up this weekend at 3 rue Cunin-Gridaine from 11am until 7pm.
The cult-favorite London coffee shop Jolene just launched their online shop. While I cannot justify the purchase of a millionth tote bag, I am eyeing a cap to add to my growing collection.
Online dating is OUT. Hallelujah. Less YESS ? Bumble laying off 30% of its staff.. That hundreds of employees are collateral damage in a win for our capacity to socialize in a fundamentally antisocial post-covid world is unfortunate.
MIAM
Observing a gorgeously-evolving wine lexicon, Punch published a mini-dictionary curated by sommeliers to guide us through terms like “baby-fat” and “dad-wine.” This only supports a thought I had during blind tastings in Austria: Nobody’s doing descriptions like wine-drinkers: They have literary minds. I heard some of the best descriptors of my life during blind tastings in Austria. My personal favorite was one (ESL, mind you) instructor calling an Alsatian riesling “svelte and fairy-like.” I am a native English speaker and would never think of those words to describe a drink. I LOVE it.
SCREENS
Season four of The Bear is out. I cannot confirm nor combat poor reviews as I don’t watch the show. I just hope this means more videos of Jeremy Allen White acting extremely panicked on my explore page.
BOP
Olivia Rodrigo covered “I Love You” by Fontaines DC at her Ireland show which people HATED. Unfortunately, I am physically unable of disliking anything involving Rodrigo or Fontaines so I watched the clip of it that Kira sent me like three times in a row.
Lorde’s new album is out today. I like its sonic grittiness as a complement to the delicate emotions she sings about here. After the first three singles, I was worried Virgin would be a little self-indulgently emotional but after listening to the record start to finish, I think she handles her vulnerability mostly beautifully. I prefer the songs where she uses painful experiences to paint the way she looks at the future, like descriptions of reclaiming her body in “If She Could See Me Now,” better than the ones where she looks backward repetitively like “What Was That.” Still, as a listener, a lot of this album sounds like she’s providing herself with closure which I think is among the most powerful things an artist can use her talents for.
This weekend, I spent 19 hours in Glasgow. Upon landing, I boarded a double decker bus and listened to Big Country as the outskirts of the moody gray city flitted by. During my time here I did not have haggis (sorry) but I did go to a pub where I had a Guinness and a piping-hot steak pie with peas and listened to conversations around me which I could not understand. I loved it: There is a special place in my heart for a proud and friendly people with heavy accents.
In the evening I saw Lana del Rey, the reason for my visit, which felt like a dream. Her show was a quick and pretty one which she looked gorgeous for the entirety of. I got to hear the “Ride” monologue live which thrilled me.
Right now, I’m resisting the very tempting urge to cut through my morning fogginess by buying a coffee because (a) I’m trying to save money and (b) I can feel caffeine jitters creeping up behind me in a manner I can only compare to being stalked by the shark from Jaws.
I have a perfect view of the tarmac at the Glasgow airport and I’m watching plane after plane take off, which I love. My prime airport seat real estate is helping to keep me put and far away from a second americano.
have a good day,
Natasha