Roundup Review | Top streaming recommendations for March 13

Features and entertainment writer Josh Mandell breaks down his top music, TV and movie picks for the week: "Currents," "In Your Body," "About Time" and "The Haunting of Hill House." Photo collage by ANGELINA HICKS, editor-in-chief

“Currents” | Tame Impala  

For the longest time, I was the biggest Tame Impala hater out there. I refused to listen to their music and I have no idea why. When I finally sat down and gave this album a listen, it was a huge culture shock for me. What the hell is psychedelic rock, and why do I love it? 

This album is revolutionary and is so much more than people are willing to give it credit for. It’s truly a lovely album that dives into deep emotional themes. 

Before I talk about the album, I want to talk about Tame Impala in its own right. It is one guy. Yep, Kevin Parker writes, records, performs and produces all of the music. Although when he tours, he does perform with a band, because it would be impossible for him to perform all of it by himself. 

Parker got his start in 2007 by posting his own home-recorded songs on Myspace, which ultimately landed him a record deal. Fast forward eight years to 2015, “Currents” was released. There is no concise date as to when “Currents” had been started, but it is rumored it took about two years to complete. Because Parker was a perfectionist on the album, the release date was even delayed multiple times. 

The album centers around themes of growing older and changing as a person as Parker called the album a breakup album with himself. The album starts off with the eight-minute song “Let It Happen” which sets the tone for the rest of the project. The final lyrics of the song are, “Now I'm ready, moving on / Oh, but maybe I was ready all along." 

In the next song, “Nangs,” the only lyric is, “Is there something more than that?” This makes the album feel existential in tone as he is being very introspective and questioning his life. 

This is another album where it is hard to have a favorite because every song is unique in its own right and they all have their own deeper meaning. “Yes I’m Changing” is one of the only songs where I really feel as if the message was clear and an artist really articulated the growth they personally went through. 

It is very publicly about a breakup he went through and he mentions finding a new version of himself.. The last song I will talk about is “Eventually,” where he talks about how difficult it is to end a relationship — even though they know it is for the best. “I know that I’ll be happier / And I know you will too / Eventually, ah-ah, ah, ah-ah (2x) / Wish I could turn you back into a stranger." The lyrics are incredibly clear, but they are so relatable and pull on your heartstrings. 

Tame Impala and this album are known for their “vibey” music and their unique sounds, but they are so much more than that. The lyrics and the stories behind each song are beautiful, emotional and really deserve to be paid attention to. If you have already listened to the album, I strongly suggest a relisten, because you will pick up on so much more than the first time. 

“In Your Body” | ¿Téo?

I wish I could lay in a river and float away as I listened to this song. “In Your Body” is incredibly groovy with seducing lyrics. ¿Téo? is a very multifaceted artist — he sings, raps, writes and acts. He starred in the 2011 Disney XD show “Kickin it." He released his debut album, “¿Téo?,” in 2018 and the follow up, “Sol,” in 2021. 

Since then, his growth as an artist has been massive, surpassing two million monthly Spotify listeners. He bounces back and forth between English and Spanish music and for the time being has been releasing singles. 

One of the things I think this song does so well is its ability to articulate a type of love that is not just about the relationship, but also about the connection that makes your partner your best friend. “Words can’t make me feel what your body language shows me” is a prime example of that in the song. 

It is such a complex line with so many different avenues of meaning. The song is littered with little one liners that can be taken in a million directions. “Share your sound with me, your movement feels so sacred” is definitely about sex, but the line is very romantic and it makes you forget all the innuendos. 

How do lyrics like, “Wanna let these feelings have their place / In a world without your touch, my love feels wasted” not make you absolutely melt? Romance movies are my favorite kinds of movies, so I am an absolute sucker for songs that take a complex look at love. 

“About Time”

“About Time” might be my favorite movie ever. It is truly one of the most beautiful, human films I have seen. This 2013 romance film is filled with a star-studded cast including Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Margot Robbie and Bill Nighy. It was released in the UK on about a $12 million budget and grossed over $80 million. The movie explores existential themes and is literally about time. 

The film follows a young man named Tim (played by Gleeson), who fumbles his way through life until his father (played by Nighy) informs him about a family secret — time travel. Tim then uses his gift to redo moments along his life and live it to the fullest. 

The premise is deceptively simple, but the film is one of the best explorations of the human experience I have ever seen. The film is set over many years, nearly a lifetime, and begs the question, “How do you want to live your life?” This is another existential project that will leave you wondering whether you are living to your full potential or not.

The main character has to keep time travel a secret from everyone other than his dad. While this is a movie about family and life, it is really a father-son movie. They share this secret of time travel together and are the only ones who can really understand each other. It is one of Nighy's best performances and is as genuine and fun as it gets. It’s also a rom-com with McAdams, so how can you not watch it? 

“The Haunting of Hill House”

This show is one of the most terrifying things I have ever seen — that is coming from a person who can’t watch horror movies because they get too scared, so do with that as you will. “The Haunting of Hill House” is a miniseries that premiered on Netflix in 2018 and was created by Mike Flanagan. 

The 10-episode miniseries is based on the classic novel “The Haunting of Hill House," but takes liberties here and there. 

The show follows a family who stays at a haunted fixer-upper house — clearly, they’ve never seen any horror movie with creaky old houses. What makes the show so unique and powerful is that it bounces between the present day and their childhood. It follows the five kids and slowly gives us details about a fateful event one night. 

The characters are unique and incredibly dynamic and are accompanied with superb writing. I would not be suggesting a horror project of any kind, unless the story was immaculate.

Many times when stories are being pieced together one at a time, it is weak and the climax is never as large as promised. This show is quite the opposite. The build-up and anticipation terrify you, but it all intertwines and connects so well that it leaves audiences satisfied, terrified and miserable all at once. Another reason I love this show is because the children in it actually have large parts other than typical horror techniques — allowing their acting potential to thrive in every aspect. 

“The Haunting of Hill House” is absolutely frightening and is a horror show in every facet of the word, but the story, acting and plot are so strong that you will completely forget it is a horror show.