Currently...

Anyone else suffering from mid-semester burnout? Just me? Okay. This week’s collection of new releases gives you a plethora of options for your limited free time. Now, I think it's time I give you readers a little disclaimer. I may or may not actually watch the picks for these weekly lists. I mean, come on, did you guys really think I have the time to consume hours upon hours of brand-new streaming media each week? NO way! To be honest, I tend to prefer to watch 12-season long hit dramas (I’ve been binging “Bones” on Hulu for like two months straight) that have been out for ages and are long cemented by a wagonful of ardent fans. However, I do occasionally like to watch a season of something new or catch a new release in theaters. Which is why I attempt to give you guys the opportunity to do so as well. But, just in case you guys were wondering, my little words (if we can call them that!) on each project are usually just a prompt to get you guys to stream :) So, take a moment to check out my Instagram (@solana.campbell) and let me know if you guys have been keeping up with Currently… Did you check out any of my picks?

Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me
I know, I know, usually I try to give you guys entertainment to get your mind off things and you might not classify this as one, but Selena Gomez’s highly anticipated mental health documentary releases this Friday. Gomez, who grew to fame for her starring turn on Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and infamous on-and-off relationship with teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber, has recently grown into a slightly different celebrity profile. After coming forth about her painful experience with lupus, she began to pivot into a more wellness-minded space, spearheading (one of my favorites!) the makeup brand Rare Beauty and taking on a larger mental health platform. It has been a beautiful experience for those of us who grew up listening to her music and watching her on tv to see her grow and blossom into her own persona, a profile crafted by her desire for privacy and the platform she was given to spread awareness. The documentary traces her pathway through this incredible growth and gives viewers an opportunity to look at their own lives and determine who they want to be. Check it out for all the feels. November 4, Apple TV.

Enola Holmes 2
Remember when the adorable Louis Partridge was white boy of the month? If you’re not familiar with the term, “white boy of the month” refers to whoever young white male celebrity the internet (primarily Twitter and TikTok) chooses to go ga-ga for each month. The picks have ranged from Dylan O’Brien to Logan Lerman to, of course, the aforementioned Louis Partridge. Well, it sounds like we can forecast yet another dose of Partridge pics on our timelines with the upcoming (Friday) release of the sequel to “Enola Holmes,” the instant Netflix smash hit that skyrocketed him to fame. The original “Enola Holmes,” a teenage detective historical piece featuring the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, was pushed forward by Millie Bobby Brown, the young executive producer and titular character of the project. The first film gave us fun and family, with a little dose of feels (Enola must reckon with her mother going missing), and the second one is sure to do the same. Keep your eyes peeled! November 4, Netflix.

Manifest: Season 4
I don’t know about y’all, but the description for “Manifest” Season 1 immediately pulled me in. “When a plane mysteriously lands years after takeoff, the people onboard return to a world that has moved on without them and face strange new realities.” The show’s trailer pulled me in even more. “What happened to the people on that flight that they lost five whole years of their lives in the span of a few hours?” is the question that the series has wrestled with for the last three seasons. And with its fourth and final season, Netflix promises to finally give viewers the answer. Binge the first three seasons to see how the characters evolve and change while dealing with this huge traumatic event (and the aftermath, when they return to a world where their loved ones seem to have forgotten them); then catch up with the fourth to discover why it all happened. As a fan of the show myself, I hope that the answers are satisfactory. November 4, Netflix.

"Lift Me Up"; Rihanna
Y’all KNOW I couldn’t release this week’s Currently… without at least taking a moment to mention Rihanna’s miraculous return to music. After her smash hits took out the early 2000’s and 2010’s, she solidified her status as a pop superstar. Personally, I still stream those classics; who can forget the sultry, catchy tones and impressive runs of “Needed Me”? One of the things that really solidified Robyn Rihanna Fenty as a musician is her unique sound and voice. From the initial hums of “Lift Me Up,” last week’s brand-new song from Rihanna (finally ending our 6-year drought!), the melody puts the iconic smoky quality to her voice at the forefront. However, its melodies also emphasize a growth and maturity to Rihanna’s voice, putting her on a slow and minimal piano backing track and letting her voice shine. The song is meaningful as well, a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman’s passing and the title track from this year’s Black Panther sequel, which is sure to echo our nation’s grief. Most listeners were surprised by the almost lullaby-like quality to the piece, expecting something a little more upbeat from the “queen of pop.” However, I find it the peace I have needed in the last few month’s hubbub. Perhaps it’s exactly what our trauma-ridden world needs right now: to be lulled into peace by Rihanna’s magical voice. Already out.

"Smithereens"; Joji
“Glimpse of Us,”arguably Joji’s most popular hit, starts his new album off strong. The song isolates his vocals and provides a meaningful new sound to a feeling many of us have (sadly) felt. To be honest, I was listening to it as I wrote this paragraph and the very soulfulness to the piece makes me excited for his upcoming 9-track EP. Joji rose to fame with the single “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” which blew up on TikTok, igniting trends and giving Joji a rising fan base almost instantaneously. However, those of you who are more original fans might remember his initial single “Yeah Right.” His music is self-described as “dark love songs” and his tone eases toward a more sad-toned R&B, less sexy than a traditional R&B artist. He’s signed to 88Rising, the music label most focused on attracting Asian hip-hop talent. Even the “Yukon (Interlude)” single that was released at the time of this writing echoes his melody-focused tone. I, personally, am excited for what “Smithereens” promises me: chill R&B that I can cry to. November 4.