TAY: Open Forum – Re-Arrivals, Years in the Making

Today’s Open Forum is about those things in entertainment–games, shows, movies, music, and otherwise–that, after laying dormant for years, come back with a splash. Especially if it turns out to be something that excites you to your very core; even better if it’s something that you would have never expected to reenter your life anew.

The one that will always be my personal gold standard in the games space, if it wasn’t apparent from the header image, was the reveal that they were making a StarCraft sequel, nearly a decade after Brood War‘s release. Just the sheer impact of that teaser trailer/opening cinematic…followed by the shock that THEY’RE BRINGING STARCRAFT BACK HOLY SHIT!! In retrospect, of course, after everything from Wings of Liberty to Legacy of the Void came out, that enthusiasm ultimately became significantly muted. But the spiritual electricity of everything from the WoL announcement to playing that first game is always going to stick with me.

However, this Open Forum prompt wasn’t brought on by games. Instead, it came from a couple of new things on the horizon in music that are rather exciting. As a heads-up, they’re going to be today’s Morning Jams.

First, on the more indie/alternative-leaning front, we’ve been getting some new St. Vincent!! My brother got extremely into her starting around the time of her self-titled album, and that was what got me to check her out. For the most part, she was most certainly interesting and I had a lot of respect for what she was doing, especially considering some of her songs (and music videos, they’re important, too) were pretty tight, but I didn’t fully click with her. At least, not until her most recent album, Masseduction, which was the moment when I think I truly got her.

It’s been four years since then. Then, as of last week, BAM, she’s coming out with a new album this year? And we’ve got ourselves a new song to feast on in the meantime?? And it’s got that wonderful weirdo energy that St. Vincent knows how to weave??? I was not anticipating that I’d find it so damn refreshing to hear some new St. Vincent music, but such is the state of things. It’s good to have her back.

On the significantly more pop-leaning front, Bruno Mars is doing some proper things again!! Hearing him through the 2010’s up until today has been such a journey. I disliked him intensely at the beginning, with his Doo-Wops & Hooligans singles. Then all of a sudden, beginning with “Locked Out of Heaven”, he became this awesome purveyor of throwback excellence, and from that moment onward was consistently one of the brightest lights on the pop charts. 24K Magic in particular has some good stuff in the R&B pop vein!

But that last came out in pre-Trump 2016, and outside of some guest features for Gucci Mane and Cardi B, he hadn’t done much. Apparently, though, he’s back and brought Anderson .Paak along for the ride for some reason. And they’re just gonna throw out a lush 1970’s cheese-tastic soul cut because sure, why the hell not?! And I also happen to be really into this for reasons completely distinct from St. Vincent.

My ears have been pretty happy this past week.

Today’s questions:

• Has there ever been a comeback, which was a long time coming, that got you indescribably hype?
• What would be your dream sequel, revival, etc., that might bring you to tears were it to ever happen?
• Any upcoming continuation in general that you are anticipating?

And, as always, Talk Amongst Yourselves!

Today’s Morning Jams: