fridayfive 12 : Fade In, Fade Out
Linen, lo-fi, and a gentle nudge to pay attention before autumn.
Hi there!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been straddling two timelines: the present moment involving frantic to-do lists and a shipping label printer that’s testing my last nerve, and the not-so-distant future in Ireland that’s now less than 8 weeks away. In between, I’ve been letting nostalgia do what it does best: sneak up during packing breaks, playlist edits, and the slow, deliberate purge of a closet that once dressed a younger, far less practical version of me.
This week’s five are about that kind of in-between: holding onto the thoughtful, the timeless, the meaningful.
Have a great week!
This Week’s Playlist:
1. Top Film Photography Channels on YouTube
→ https://analogjan.com/2025/01/24/top-film-photography-youtube-channels
In my opinion, film photography brings out the best in creatives. These channels are slower. They’re less about gear and, perhaps most importantly, less about “LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!” They remind you that chasing light is more than a metaphor, but a practice.
Some of the creators on this list are wandering city streets with expired Portra; others are restoring cameras older than their dads. But, the thing that unites them all is this sense that the imperfections matter. It’s not about what’s sharpest, but about what sticks.
2. Postcards from Wherever Substack
→ https://postcardsfromwherever.substack.com
Emma Lavelle writes like she’s handing you a handwritten note from a quiet train ride through the French countryside. Her Substack captures the slow moments in travel: fog on the hills, the sound of boots on gravel, a café with chipped mugs and good bread. It’s an antidote to travel content that’s become too polished and too loud. Her photos aren’t trying to sell you anything. They’re just honest windows into a life lived at real human speed. For someone about to trade mountain highways for coastal Irish lanes, this one hit right.
3. 2025 Music Trends for Filmmakers
→ https://www.bensound.com/blog/2025-music-trends-for-filmmakers
Even if you’re not a filmmaker, this breakdown is worth a read for anyone interested in how music shapes storytelling. Themes this year? Organic textures, analog synths, and lo-fi tracks that feel like they’ve been aging in the attic. In a world that’s leaning harder into AI-everything, the demand for human sound is quietly rising, imperfections and all. It made me think about how we score our own lives too. Maybe we’ve all had enough of autoplay playlists and need more moments that sound like thought.
4. Men’s Summer Fashion Trends
→ https://www.apetogentleman.com/mens-spring-summer-fashion-trends
Summer is on the downward swing and earlier this week I got a brief hint of autumn air, so what better time to share a link to some popular summer fashion. While tossing and donating 90% of my wardrobe and prepping for our Ireland move, I’ve been researching new acquisitions with more of a “European flair.” Items that have more longevity and more fit a 40-year-old’s look than the more relaxed days of my 20s.
This roundup leans toward timeless silhouettes and quality fabrics. Short-sleeved knits, light tailoring, unstructured blazers, and linen that doesn’t scream “cruise ship.” If you’re like me and wondering how to walk the line between “dad in sandals” and “guy who peaked at 26,” this guide is a great place to start.
5. Joni Mitchell Announces New Jazz Compilation
→ https://pitchfork.com/news/joni-mitchell-announces-new-jazz-compilation-shares-be-cool-demo-listen
I’m looking forward to this one. Joni Mitchell’s upcoming compilation, Joni’s Jazz, covers six decades of boundary-pushing, genre-blurring brilliance. There’s something magnetic about the way her voice ages, like an old Polaroid fading just right. This collection includes unreleased demos, alternate takes, and collaborations that feel less like “bonus material” and more like time capsules into Joni’s life. The “Be Cool” demo alone is reason to give it a spin upon its release September 5th. It’s a reminder that great artists don’t just evolve, but more often than not, leave trails of versions that are equally as compelling as the ones that made it to vinyl.
A Quote I Resonate With:
“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” – Deepak Chopra