Music in Review 2025

Top 5 Books of 2025

Top TV Shows of 2025

Top Movies of 2025

The Nutcracker!

I finally did something Christmasy this season. For obvious reasons, I haven’t had much motivation to seek out decorations or take festive photos this year. On a bit of a whim, I bought last-minute tickets to see the New York City Ballet perform The Nutcracker. I hoped it might bring me some comfort. And thankfully, it absolutely did!

Can You Hear Me?

“Can you hear me? ‘Cause I’m lost.

And I may never come back again.

And while my heart keeps holding on,

I know I’ll never be the same again.” 

John Carpenter Live!

 Tonight, I saw the John Carpenter live at the Knockdown Center in Queens, and I honestly don’t know how to put into words what that felt like. The venue really set the tone. The Knockdown Center is basically a massive industrial warehouse, raw and spacious, with high ceilings and exposed beams. I have to say it felt eerie, especially with the glowing red overhead lights that gave me major Carpenter vibes. 

Nine Inch Nails!

After manifesting a Nine Inch Nails tour for over a year, it finally happened. I didn't expect Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to mix their musical endeavors with movie scoring when the Tron soundtrack was announced, but it gave us a new NIN single and a whole tour. I remember this announcement was made last year at D23, and most whack ass Disney influencers barely covered it. How are you NOT excited?!

System of a Down & Korn!

I definitely screamed when I saw System of a Down announced three East Coast shows, with KORN on the New York lineup. SYSTEM OF A DOWN  in NEW YORK with KORN. Sometimes the universe loves me. 

No Flights, Just Feelings

So… I think it’s hitting me: I’m more depressed than usual now that I don’t have another vacation to plan. For a while, I didn’t even realize that planning trips had become my escape. Looking up flights, building itineraries, dreaming of the next destination. It gave me something to focus on that wasn’t, well... *life*.

Metallica!

When you talk about the titans of heavy metal, Metallica is at the top. For over four decades, they've shaped, redefined, and propelled the genre forward. From the early thrash-heavy days of Kill 'Em All to the mainstream breakthrough of the Black Album, their influence is etched into the DNA of metal itself. To be honest, I’m not a die-hard fan. I enjoy their music, I respect their legacy, but I don’t have every album memorized. Still, I think seeing Metallica live is a rite of passage for any metal fan. I mean, most of my favorite bands might not have existed without Metallica. While I'm more of a casual listener, experiencing Metallica live in concert was something I felt I had to do at least once in my life. It's ticking something essential off my concert bucket list. 

Cherry Blossom Woes

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m living in a blur. The weeks tumble into each other, and when the weekend finally arrives, instead of feeling like a breath of fresh air, it just feels… blank. I used to do a photoshoot or a little activity on several weekends throughout the month. But now, even the thought of planning a shoot or going out for the day feels exhausting. 

Spiritbox!

I finally had the opportunity to take a day off for a concert, which was refreshing. I wanted to get a good night's rest and have enough time to prepare and arrive at the venue at least an hour before the doors opened. The downside of attending a concert at a smaller venue is that there are no assigned seats, so you must get there early to secure a decent spot. I realized that I hadn't been to Hammerstein Ballroom since I saw Sevendust in my early teen years, so I had no idea how this experience would turn out.

Deftones!

There’s a moment in every teenager’s life when music stops being background noise and starts becoming a lifeline. When lyrics seem to echo your inner monologue, and a guitar riff mirrors the angst humming just under your skin (looking back now, I ask myself what I was so angry about lol). That moment arrived the first time I heard music from bands like Korn, Slipknot, and of course, Deftones. When White Pony dropped in 2000, it wasn’t just an album but a revelation. I was deep in my nu metal phase. Although it wasn't really a phase. I’m still listening to the same bands 25 years later lol. Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot—they were all in heavy rotation. But Deftones were different. They weren’t just aggressive; they were atmospheric. There was something sensual and ethereal in their chaos, especially on White Pony.

Poppy!

This week has been a stressful mix of balancing the busiest work week of the year with two concerts. I’m unsure why my favorite artists were trying to sabotage me by scheduling their New York dates at the beginning of April - my worst nightmare. I’ve been dreading how I would pull this week off for a while now. Despite my anxiety, I managed to wake up at 7 a.m. and accomplish what I needed to stay on schedule and meet my tight deadlines. I finished my tasks by 5 pm and had just an hour to prepare for the concert. I opted for minimal makeup and a cute outfit with bows, reminding myself that no one would see me in the dark theater. LOL.

Cabaret!

I finally saw Cabaret on Broadway! I'm so happy I saw this production featuring Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho. You may not know this, but I’ve been a fan of Adam since my early days of watching American Idol. He was an obsession of mine, and his powerhouse vocals, flawless performances of Queen songs, and glam rock aesthetic still amaze me. It’s shocking that he was the runner-up on season 8 back in 2009. I couldn't miss the opportunity to see him on Broadway! 

Swan Lake!

Seeing the New York City Ballet’s rendition of Swan Lake has been on my bucket list for a while. I remember back in 2018 being disappointed in myself for never having seen a ballet live, despite my love for the art form. Naturally, I decided to see six ballets over the next two years. That's just how I approach life—it's all or nothing, apparently. At that time, I had finally secured a stable job and had minimal responsibilities, thus more disposable income.

& Juliet!

I originally wanted to see Chicago again when I stumbled down a Broadway rabbit hole. Wicked reignited the musical flame that was sparked when I took two dance classes as part of my high school electives. My teacher introduced me to the wonders of Bob Fosse, 42nd Street, and classical ballet. I don't know why this passion has remained dormant until now. I finally rewatched Chicago, and OMG! I forgot how brilliant this film is! Every song is a BANGER. It's my all-time favorite musical. I remember the buzz and excitement surrounding the musical when it was adapted for the big screen. My grandparents even gifted me tickets to see Chicago on Broadway in high school because I was THAT obsessed, but I haven't seen the show live since.

Goals 2025