Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess began as a cult pop record, and has become one of the sharpest, funniest and most emotionally intelligent albums of recent years, blending maximalist synth-pop with devastating honesty. Beneath the glitter and theatricality is songwriting that’s brutally observant about desire, rejection, performance and self-worth. Roan skewers the stories we tell ourselves about romance, gender and power with wit rather than bitterness.

And then there’s the visual world. Roan’s on-stage outfits – all rhinestones, corsetry, drag-coded silhouettes and DIY fantasy – are a masterclass in self-expression. They’re camp without irony, bold without apology, and completely uninterested in being palatable. Her aesthetic is a reminder that fashion and performance aren’t frivolous, but powerful tools for identity and storytelling. 

Roan’s music offers a window into emotional landscapes and social pressures that aren’t often centred in mainstream pop – and it does so without asking for pity or permission. It’s fun, but it’s also generous, smart and disarmingly human. My 70-year-old dad’s hooked, so there’s really no excuse.

Listen at Spotify.com

You've probably heard of Heated Rivalry, the low-budget Canadian adaptation of a series of romance novels about two male captains of rival hockey teams. The show exploded overnight at the end of 2025, making superstars of its lead actors, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, first for the extreme nudity and explicit sex scenes, later for their sheer star power in real life. They were the highlight of this year’s Golden Globes, attended Chanel's Hollywood party at the Chateau Marmont, and have each done a turn on the late-night talk shows. All this in the last eight weeks.

Being a part of the zeitgeist isn't the only reason to watch the show. A slow-burning love story, it's a passionate romance about two male characters in which no one dies, no one falls ill, no one tries to split them apart. If you enjoyed Normal People or One Day, this is that, but without all the heartache and tragedy – just two bright young stars breaking stereotypes and boundaries. Season 2 is coming, so get involved before you're out of the loop next time.

Watch at PrimeVideo.com

This Netflix series is based on the 2020 book of the same title by Alice Feeney. It’s an edge-of-your-seat drama that will hook you from the very start. Packed with sharp twists, moral grey areas and a crime plot that keeps the tension high, it pairs emotional intensity with gripping performances from Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal that drive the tension. 

This is far more than a standard whodunnit. At its core, it’s a smart, psychologically driven crime drama with high stakes, a fast-moving investigation and unexpected twists. The male characters are complex and flawed rather than one-dimensional, navigating power, loyalty and moral compromise in ways that feel grounded and believable. Add in dark humour, a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic and a narrative that constantly challenges your assumptions, and it becomes the kind of gripping, intellectually engaging thriller that’s easy to get invested in.

Watch at Netflix.com

Ever since I saw Jodie Comer star in Prima Facie, I knew I didn’t want to miss out on the magic of layer-turned-playwright Suzie Miller’s next hit. Inter Alia tells the story of crown-court judge Jessica Parks, the has-it-all woman personified. She wears every possible hat, balancing motherhood, wifedom and friendships with her rewarding, pressure-cooker job. That is, until her world implodes, and she’s expected to reexamine her principles and grapple with an unwelcome, too-close-to-home side of the law.

As Jessica, Rosamund Pike is magnetic. Pacy and gripping, and at times gut-wrenching, the play exists in one big grey area – packed with nuance, uneasy contradictions and questions that are impossible to neatly unpack. It’s also a thoughtful commentary on the justice system, while exploring the emotional and logistical weight of modern parenting. Without giving too much away, it tackles thorny subjects like incel culture, social media and consent with real care and precision.

Book via NationalTheatre.co.uk

This is the kind of film you might overlook because it sits firmly in the emotional-coming-of-age space usually marketed to women – but it’s one of the best I’ve seen for a while. Starring Stellan Skarsgård (Dune) as a celebrated filmmaker, it tells the story of a fractured family forced back into each other’s lives when he returns to Norway to reconnect with the daughters he left behind. Skarsgård won a Golden Globe for his performance, and I’m interested to see how the film does at the Oscars. It shows how unresolved family dynamics shape adult relationships, but there’s lots of comedic relief throughout. It’s warm, funny and quietly revealing. The acting is excellent, and the backdrop will make you want to swap the Med for Norway this summer.

Watch at Picturehouses.com

Olivia Dean’s music is timelessly soulful – every note feels lived in – but it isn’t just music for women. Her songs about love, heartbreak and ambition hit universally. She’s also a magnetic performer; her live shows need to be experienced at least once. To understand why she’s become one of the most talked-about voices in UK music, give her latest album a listen.

Listen at Spotify.com