Hello beautiful silly geese—the Gaggle is officially BACK! After a brief hiatus (read: I got busy and tired etc.), I am so very stoked to bring the newsletter back to your inbox with recommendations today from none other than writer/Substacker/pal extraordinaire Alex Lewis!
I met Alex a little over two years ago in Columbus right before I moved to Cali. Thanks to the internet I’ve been able to get to know him through his beautiful writing for his newsletter Feels Like Home, where he reflects on the things he loves and the people and moments that have shaped him, from music to sports to pop culture.
Looking back through Alex’s works in prep for this newsletter, I ran back his August 2025 essay “Fear the Turtle”, which touts the importance of taking your time with creative endeavors. Reading it with fresh eyes I appreciated it even more than when he initially shared it, as of late I’ve become overwhelmed thinking about falling off the wagon with this newsletter and writing in general. I am grateful for this reminder in particular:
I gently nudge myself toward a place where it’s easier to breathe. An opening where I can remember ease is a virtue. It’s okay to take my time to say what I want to say and make what I want to make. I’ve already given myself a gift by showing up once before. It’s a miracle that I’m here, and it’s a miracle if I do it again.
Alex brings this sort of thoughtful reflection to a monthly music series in Columbus called The Album Club in collaboration with The Scatter Joy Project, a mental health nonprofit making care and resources more accessible. I highly recommend you check it out/attend if you can, and you can subscribe to Alex’s newsletter here. I am so very happy to share his recs below, so let’s get into it <333
I just finished reading Carole King’s memoir, A Natural Woman. I picked up her Tapestry vinyl a few months ago. Elizabeth took me on a record store tour for my birthday, and it’s probably the album I was most excited to find.
I found the memoir fascinating because Carole King’s contemporaries are the legends so many of our legends reach for, including James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney to name a few.
King could’ve sprinted toward superstardom, but instead chose a life with her people in the middle of nowhere in Idaho. Her career took a series of twists and turns, but she remains one of our greatest songwriters.
I got a chance to go to Lollapalooza for work. I’d never been before and didn’t know what to expect, but it made me believe that there’s maybe a reality where I could be into music festivals.
The last festival I went to was Kid Cudi’s Moon Man’s Landing in Cleveland. It was only one day, but the way my knees and back felt you would’ve thought it was a week long, no stops, and I’m 85 years old.
While our days at Lolla were pretty nonstop, I got a chance to see most of the headliners I wanted to see and a few of the acts that played before them. Lorde’s set was amazing for me because she brought out Charli xcx for “”Girl, so confusing,”“ but Charli’s set made me like her new album.
Turnstile gave me a glimmer of hope for men as a species, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Tate McRae fucking rips. My jaw dropped a few times. All that to say, you owe me nothing, Lollapalooza. Just a few more hours of sleep.
Consistent with straight male ideology, it’s only right I recommend a YouTube video. A sign of deep respect in our culture. With NBA superstar Russell Westbrook’s recent retirement, I present the highlights from his historic performance in 2017 against my favorite team, the Denver Nuggets.
I was living in Colorado at the time and got to attend this game in person. The Nuggets needed to win to make the playoffs. Instead, Westbrook, who would go on to win MVP at the end of the season, scored 50 points, hit a game-winning shot, AND broke a record with his 42nd triple-double of the season.
If you don’t know what any of this means, just know it was impressive. It’s like Slayyyter already having “”BEAT UP CHANEL$”“ then dropping “”brand new chanel$”“ right on top of it. We thought we were already witnessing history only for Russ to say, “”I’m not done yet.”“
Russ would join the Nuggets later in his career, and I often thought about this game and how he had the ability to make even his enemies become fans. He was undeniable, and I’m sad I won’t get to see him suit up again. But it’s been beautiful seeing the outpouring of love for Russ as he steps into this next stage of life.
My barber told me to watch Terminator 2. He said this while holding a blade to my neck, so yes whatever you say, Mr. Barber. However, I should note that he didn’t just recommend T2; he gave an impassioned plea and reenactment of the film. A performance worthy of my cooperation.
Released in the early 90s, T2 cuts no corners. It’s a perfect action film, but it’s also just a damn good movie. I had to watch it on Pluto TV over the course of several sittings because I knew Elizabeth had no interest in watching, and even then, I knew it was special.
Hoping I can go back and rewatch it again soon. Maybe I’ll also go back and watch the first Terminator movie. Not sure if I have much interest in the rest of the series, though. Man can only take so much robot.
I’ve been listening to some Disney Channel ahh tunes. Not actual Disney Channel songs, but they sound like they could’ve been the lead single of a Disney Channel Original Movie original soundtrack. The two that are top of mind for me right now are “Don’t Break Her Heart” from FLO’s new album and “Find It One Day” from Ravyn Lenae’s new album. Both songs have this early 2000s R&B feel that would’ve made the Cheetah Girls purr.
Missed the gaggle! And glad to see Alex’s great taste featured ofc!