Having played their first gig in middle school, local alternative pop-rock band Distant Edge has been making music for nearly seven years. Growing up near the Chaska/Chanhassen area, the group made up of childhood friends has continued to follow their passion into their college years.

Their debut album “Redlight,” which has been over two years in the making, released April 23 and is punchy, energetic and fresh. The band’s sound stands out with hard hitting drums, colorful synths and pristine vocals. The production on “Redlight” is clean and tight, as each instrument and part is given its own room to breathe and shine.

The album tells the story of greed, glorification and learning to recognize what’s truly important in a self-interested world. Lead singer and University second-year Nolan Litschewski writes the majority of the band’s lyrics and details the band’s experience trying to come up with a connected concept for the album without going full rock opera.

“What we were kind of going for is telling an overarching story with songs that aren’t particularly about the same exact thing, but fit into the narrative that we’re trying to tell,” Litschewski said. “Then, musically, we were free to try these things out and not worry.”

This album was a first for the group in terms of challenging themselves to create something unique that could hopefully speak to listeners. “Redlight” is the band’s first release since their 2018 self-titled EP. Keyboard/synth player and second-year Sam Swanson described the band’s progression not only musically, but conceptually between their two projects.

“That first EP in 2018 was just sort of pure alt-rock — lots of guitars and bass and just organic sounding. I think that record was more about proving to ourselves that we can write a song … and make music,” Swanson said. “Going forth from there, we said we really wanted to take some time to develop what we are, who we are, what is our sound and why is it unique.”

The album was self-recorded but professionally produced. The group recorded the tracks on their own in the comfort of Sam’s basement, eventually sending the files over to Jack Vondrachek of Tangerine Studios who handled mixing and mastering.

With the new collaboration of Vondrachek, Litschewski said, “Now we’re able to kind of develop these songs over time and as we’re recording them.”

The group is beyond excited to have the album out, something tangible to show for their years of work together. Drummer Jahmal Fisher expressed the group’s eagerness to get back out and start playing shows again, once COVID-19 restrictions permit.

“Something about being up on stage and playing our songs and having a crowd is probably the best feeling in the world,” Fisher said. “I know that we can go out and play a show and show all these people this new album, I have never been more excited in my life. It feels like such a big step forward.”

Trap titans Young Thug and Gunna have once again assembled the members of their record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL), to bring us a follow-up to their 2018 project “Slime Language.”

Alongside the YSL roster, “Slime Language 2” features a laundry list of notable artists including Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert and more of some of the heaviest hitters in the rap scene today. While the tracklist has several standout songs and quality moments from Thug, Gunna and the rest, the end result leaves much to be desired. Try as they might, the group fails to hold our interest for the hour and 15-minute runtime.

Thug’s mission to highlight the lesser-known members of YSL has proven once again to be a swing and a miss. Verses from the likes of Lil Duke, T-Shyne and Yung Kayo are forgettable at best and are grossly overshadowed by the big names on the project.

Right off the bat, the first two songs, “Slatty” and “Ski,” remind us of the reason we were excited for a Thug and Gunna project: unrelenting heat from the duo. The album’s opener is hard-hitting from the instrumentals to the verses, and the bouncy synth-string beat on “Ski” compliments Thug’s high register bars and Gunna’s patented laid-back flow.

Where the album is consistently strongest is in its production. With several exceptions in the 23-song collection, the beats, mixing and overall engineering behind this project are superb. The song “Real” perfectly combines lovely guitar lines with lively drum sounds, all blending beautifully with vocals from Unfoonk and Thug. On top of that, the song “That Go!,” reminiscent of an early Chief Keef beat, drives everything home with its low synths and dancy flute sample.

Yet, as we get further in, the magic starts to wear off. Despite a feature from Drake, the song “Solid” is anything but. The nondescript bars fail to land as one MC after another sleepwalks their way to the end of the track. Listeners will eventually come to realize that a majority of the songs on “Slime Language 2” fail to stand out in any way, leaving us wondering what Thugger and the others were going for in the first place.

Tracks like “Moon Man” and “Superstar” prove to be one-dimensional with their run-of-the-mill beats and even more inconsistent performances, regardless of guest features from Kid Cudi and Future.

While this over abundance of middling tracks can be hard to look past, credit should be given where it’s due. Despite its many flaws, there is still fun to be had with this album. “Came and Saw” is a punchy and dynamic bop, while “Diamonds Dancing” is sure to be a fan favorite with its playful beat and tremendous feature from Travis Scott.

The songs “GFU” and “Proud of You” featuring Lil Uzi Vert may not be the most conventional bangers but are without a doubt the most memorable and cohesive. Flashy, focused and fun, these tracks stand out because they make choices. There are clear ideas and intentions being demonstrated, where other tracks on the album exist as “songs for the sake of songs.”

All in all, “Slime Language 2” is worth giving a chance. Out of the 23 songs, you will be hard-pressed to find at least one that doesn’t pass the head bob test. The real question is, will you have the time and patience to sift through all of the “blah” just for a few diamonds in the rough? At the end of the day, a handful of hits does not make up for an overall lack of vision.

Grade: C+

Local musician, artist and community organizer Chaka Mkali, aka I Self Devine, has partnered with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) to create a unique audiovisual exhibition centered around the theme of a shared Black experience. Speaking to multiple senses, “Rituals of Resilience” combines 28 works by Black visual artists from the U.S. and Africa with an accompanying musical project created by Mkali.

A 50-minute collection of riveting, poetic and empowering lyrics rapped over various hypnotic instrumentals and alternative beats, each song on the album was inspired by the featured works and the lives of the artists who made them.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are asked to bring their own headsets and scan a QR code to access the album. The exhibit officially opened on March 18 and will remain open through February of 2022.

Attempting to capture the essence, voice and beliefs of these Black creators, Mkali underwent an in-depth research process looking into the lives of each of the artists, eventually incorporating his findings into the lyrics and overall sound of the project.

“It would have been a cheat job if I went straight for images — out of the gap I would have missed hella nuances of stuff I should have been tracking,” Mkali said. “I could’ve aesthetically and intuitively felt things out but what I was missing was an understanding of who these artists were.”

While most gallery spaces tend to follow a similar common style of presentation, “Rituals of Resilience” hopes to use its space as a means to tell a larger story.

The black painted walls, large banners displaying text that features Mkali’s research and thought process, and labels beside each work that display lyrics instead of information are all indicators to listen up and pay attention: This is something different.

Head of Mia’s Department of Contemporary Art and co-curator of the exhibit Gabriel Ritter worked closely with Mkali to bring “Rituals of Resilience” to life. Ritter hopes that the exhibit can exist outside of the standard institutional display of artwork and instead be an earnest reflection of the featured artists’ and Mkali’s work.

“It’s not about a superficial engagement with his material. It’s not about walking in the space of seeing the work and saying, ‘Oh, isn’t this pretty,’ and then moving on,” Ritter said. “There’s this unfamiliarity. You have to do the work, you have to read into it. And then all of a sudden you’re in this multi-dimensional, very immersive experience.”

This audio and visual combination in an exhibit is a first for Mia. The head of multi-generational learning at Mia, Elisabeth Callihan, took part in bringing Mkali and Ritter together when the project was just being conceived.

“I think I may have planted a seed with the two of them, and then they took it from there and it expanded into something unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Callihan said. “Chaka has really been just instrumental in helping Mia think outside of itself.”

A true artist in every capacity, Mkali has helped create an artistic experience that cuts to the core and speaks truths on topics that may not be the easiest to digest.

Often incorporating poignant metaphor into his speech, Mkali believes that people need to go into this exhibit slowly and “chew their food” in order to metabolize the history, depth, pain, passion and joy of the Black lives being represented.

“When you’re dealing with trauma — trauma essentially is too much, too fast — it overwhelms, and you shut down. You can’t go to that hella quick, you’re not gonna get that from McDonald’s. You’re going to have to do one of those four-course meals where they just roll it out to hit you with the wine and the pairing,” Mkali said. “So, when you’re done here with the exhibit you might want to go take a nap, you might want to go take a shower, you might want to air punch, you might want to dance. That’s also what I wanted to do; I wanted to make sure it’s a celebration.”

On the corner of North Lyndale Avenue and 44th Avenue is a charming building now home to North Minneapolis’s newest framed art gallery. Originally built in 1893 as the headquarters of a sawmill company, the building now houses Walrus, an artist- and community-led consignment shop focusing on the sale of framed local works, along with a small selection of vintage pieces.

The store officially opened its doors to the public on March 4 and is open for operation Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tagline of Walrus is “affordable framed art.” Within the shop, you can encounter pieces from $25 to $2,500, about 90% of which is made by local artists. Out of this 90%, about one quarter is art made by artists of color who are local to North Minneapolis. Courtright and the staff at Walrus hope to see this percentage grow significantly, and hope to highlight works coming from from the community over any others.

Part of Walrus’ mission is to prioritize the representation of artists of color. The stores organizers hope to give artists local to the Northside a place to showcase and sell their works locally, and give an option outside of having to apply for gallery showings. Walrus intends to help address and combat issues of underrepresentation within the Minneapolis art community, and the larger art world as well. One way Walrus hopes to empower artists is by allowing featured artists to price their own work.

The shop’s owner, Michelle Courtright, made the first steps toward opening Walrus, following the closure of her restaurant. Fig + Farro, a climate-sensitive vegetarian restaurant and Uptown staple, closed its doors in the wake of COVID-19. Several months after this, Courtright became inspired to pursue a new venture that addressed something that she thought to be lacking in the Twin Cities art community.

“I had had this idea, many years back,” Courtright said. “I go to all the events — MCAD Art Sale, Art-A-Whirl and almost all of those — and Minneapolis is a very event-based town when it comes to art. I felt an art gallery that was for affordable framed art could survive being open all the time, rather than being event-based.”

In the two weeks since their opening, Walrus has already collected and sold hundreds of framed works, with a line of patrons waiting outside of the doors on opening day.

While the shop has several employees, a number of volunteers also help out at Walrus. Volunteer coordinator and working artist, Katherine Story-Sutter, said that volunteering at Walrus has been an inspiring experience that has exposed her to countless new artists and pieces.

“The opportunity to participate in our volunteer core I think is a really big draw,” she said. “It’s already been affecting my work and my understanding of art, there’s so many explosive ideas that are being introduced to me every day that I’m here.”

The staff at Walrus recognize their position as a white-owned business moving into a historically Black neighborhood. Gallery coordinator and working artist, Madison Rubenstein, was vocal about Walrus’ intentions to support the interests of and begin a dialogue with members of their community.

“I think that because the space itself is owned by someone who’s white, and I myself am white, and this project is in a neighborhood that is historically Black, that we are not there to just go about our work. We’re there to find out what the community wants the space to be,” Rubenstein said.

Looking forward, Walrus hopes to host various art events and gatherings such as illustration classes for local youth, and paint and sip, which pairs wine tasting and art.

Courtright and the rest of the staff at Walrus are beyond excited to share this new gallery with the art lovers of North Minneapolis, and those all across the Twin Cities.

“I can’t believe how lucky I have the great artwork every single day,” Courtright said. “I mean, Minneapolis is a gem, we have so many good local artists; it’s amazing.”

The sun is back, and there’s fun to be had. Enjoy some of A&E’s pop culture recommendations for your next day off.

Something to watch:

“Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell”: Capturing the life and legacy of the King of New York, the latest documentary from Netflix takes us through the life of hip-hop legend Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G. Including never before seen footage taken by Wallace’s best friend, this film highlights the early life, rise to stardom and untimely murder of rap music’s most beloved icon. Inspiring and moving, Wallace’s friends and loved ones honor him in every possible way with “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.”

“Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal”: This film, part-documentary and part-dramatic retelling, dives into the college admissions bribery scandal headed by Rick Singer from 2011 to 2019. The film shows how Singer, played by Matthew Modine, accepted millions of dollars from parents of college applicants in exchange for him raising college entrance exams and illegally bribing colleges and institutions. Chris Smith, who is responsible for other documentary hits like “Tiger King” and “Fyre,” directed the film and created a captivating viewing experience for this already compelling story.

Something to tap your foot to:

”The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers” by Valerie June: June taps into true emotion and personal struggles across her latest record. Blending everything from folk and soul to blues, this Memphis singer-songwriter captures a somber and vulnerable tone as she graces each ballad with her captivating vocal work. With bouncing drums, slippery guitars and gorgeous folk strings, this project creates a sweet sound that’s impossible to ignore. Though not as upbeat as some of her previous work, this album feels genuine and real.

”Pick a Day to Die” by Sunburned Hand Of The Man: The first studio release from the genre-bending psychedelic experimental group, Sunburned Hand Of The Man, in nearly a decade, “Pick a Day to Die” is an endlessly interesting ride of off-kilter grooves, killer breaks and obscure jams. Having released primarily live material in the past several years, the Boston-based band takes this project in a more polished and refreshing direction with studio-quality recording and mixing. As we move into week 10 of the semester, consider this project for your late-night study soundtrack, as the driving drums and haunting ambient synthesizers create an atmosphere sure to get you focused and in the zone.

Something to try:

7 Corners Coffee: Take a trip away from your usual study spot and head over to West Bank for some quality food and coffee. With an open atmosphere and friendly environment, 7 Corners is a great place for a break or to catch up on homework. With the needed return of sunny weather, their iced latte or spiced chai tea is sure to hit the spot. Located on Washington Avenue, 7 Corners is open daily from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Whether read from ink on a page or seen performed live with exuberance and urgency, the words of Danez Smith cut to the core.

A St. Paul native, Smith’s poems speak truth to power at the highest decibel level with captivating arrangement, masterful prose and vulnerable subject matter.

On Friday, March 26, the Walker Art Center will be hosting a virtual poetry performance from Smith alongside their fellow members of the Dark Noise Collective, a multiracial, multi-genre art collective of poets of which Smith is a founding member.

The performance is pay what you can and will be available starting March 26, at 7 p.m. until March 29. The showcase will be followed by a Q&A, with Smith and the poets from Dark Noise; however, this segment will be live and will not be uploaded for later viewing.

The event’s performances are pre-taped, with Smith having recorded their set in the Walker’s theater space.

“It was my first time I’ve been able to perform in a space that wasn’t my living room in the past year,” Smith said. ”I was very excited to be standing up in front of a real microphone doing poems again, I actually cried a little bit when we were recording just for that very reason. I’m sad that we’re not actually going to be able to be in the Walker, I miss seeing, hearing, smelling that audience.”

Doug Benidt,associate curator of performing arts at the Walker, gave praise to Smith for taking the time to help create as live of an experience as possible, even with the challenges of COVID-19.

“Danez was so gracious to come in and take this risk just to help this feel alive,” Benidt said. “People were so excited that an artist was back in the building at Walker.”

The showcase was initially set to be a live gathering in 2020 but was rescheduled and eventually pivoted to a digital platform due to COVID-19 restrictions. Philip Bither, senior performing arts curator for the Walker, hopes that this event is a way for the artists and viewers to come together, and share inspiration and joy during the most difficult of times.

“We felt very committed to figuring out a way that we could do this project regardless of the pandemic,” Bither said. “Now it feels like the project has even that much more importance and is that much more essential for us, for people getting through all this.”

The show will feature poems from the other five members of Dark Noise — Fatimah Asghar, Franny Choi, Nate Marshall, Aaron Samuels and Jamila Woods — followed by a 20-minute set from Smith. Smith is set to perform various excerpts from their latest poetry collection, “Homie,” which was released in 2020.

While Smith’s prose will be familiar, they are treading into somewhat new territory with their inclusion of music. Smith partnered with Twin Cities singer and producer Krysta Rayford, aka “K.Raydio,” to help include beats and music for several rap verses into the set.

Smith intends this inclusion of music to honor and pay tribute to a late friend who Smith credited as a brilliant musician and MC in their time.

Despite national acclaim and notoriety, Smith’s only concern remains the words on the page.

“I’m very appreciative to have an audience and have a platform like I do. I’m very grateful for it but I don’t think about it too much. It only hinders,” Smith said. “I don’t want to speak to the whole world, I don’t want to speak to 1000 people, I want to have a really good conversation with one person. … I’m just trying to write these poems.”

In his latest release, Ohio-born rapper Trippie Redd reaches for new heights with his attempt at a rock album. Produced by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, “Neon Shark vs Pegasus” blends influences of pop-rock, pop-punk, emo and grunge to make for some of Trippie’s most experimental tracks to date. While the album succeeds on several fronts with its masterful production and colorful instrumentation, the overall product leaves a lot to be desired.

With one of the more dynamic and ranged voices in the current trap and emo rap catalog, the first rumor that Trippie had taken a turn into the rock genre was reason for excitement. Despite a promising start to his career with his early projects, Trippie’s latest releases haven’t done much but disappoint.

His genre-bending swing-and-a-miss album from 2019 titled “!,” as well as the bloated “A Love Letter To You 4,” were underwhelming in every way. 2020 brought Trippie’s most disappointing collection to date with “Pegasus,” which gave us over an hour of Trippe lyrically sleepwalking through the most midlevel material of his career.

“Neon Shark vs Pegasus” is something of an album within an album, as the project is intended to be the deluxe edition of “Pegasus.” The 40 minutes of new rock-pop tracks are at the front, with all of the songs off “Pegasus” following.

While the album is riddled with problems, inconsistencies and unmet potential, it is without a doubt the most exciting direction Trippie has taken his craft in some time. Say what you will, it’s not boring.

The production and instrumentation steal the show on “Neon Shark.” Travis Barker is no stranger to the studio, and he demonstrates his mastery in recording and mixing throughout this project. The soaring guitar sounds on tracks like “SAVE YOURSELF” are pure earcandy, while the impeccable drum performances on songs like “FROZEN OCEAN” bring on goosebumps.

Trippie’s vocals from track to track are hit or miss, with a heavy lean toward miss. In some instances, his diverse vocal timbre serves as a solid fit for the hard rock backing, as can be seen in the tasty pop-punk jam “WITHOUT YOU” or the more groovy pop track “DREAMER.” In many other cases, however, Trippie’s performances feel forced and out of place.

Trippie’s shot at more intense metal-reminiscent screaming on “IT’S COMING” is fun at times, but doesn’t do much to hold our attention. His attempt at an industrial screamo trap delivery with “DEAD DESERT” is an absolute earsore.

Lyrically, this album is nothing special. What few lyrics you are able to pick out are either generic or completely overdone. The unlistenable “SWIMMING” will have you skipping halfway through as Trippie subjects listeners to the obnoxious hook, “just keep swimming awwaayy” to no end. The track “FEMALE SHARK” is another example of this gratuitous repetition as Trippie’s consistent shouting of “Freaky girl!” turns from obnoxious to comical by the end of the track.

So many of the songs on “Neon Shark” are examples of quality equipment, instruments and mixing, with the only downsides being the vocals and the overall songwriting.

Though it has its flaws, overall, “Neon Shark” is not a complete failure. There are fun moments and two to three quality tracks to be taken away from Trippie and Barker’s collab. Looking to the future, this project seems to promise more forward-thinking material from Trippie in projects to come.

What had the potential for greatness falls more in the category of forgettable. It may pass the head-bob test, but “Neon Shark” leaves little lasting impact.

Grade: C

As she prepares for a restock of her original jewelry line launched by her self-titled independent arts collective, it’s clear that 20-year-old Trinity Vang embodies the do-it-yourself attitude.

A third-year youth studies major at the University of Minnesota, Vang launched her LLC, TRIN Collective, in the spring of 2019. TRIN Collective operates a creative platform aiming to promote sustainability and social awareness and celebrate marginalized voices within the arts and community.

In September, Vang started Flourish, an extended jewelry and accessory line through TRIN.

Since its initial inception during her first year at college, Vang has remained both the brains and muscle behind TRIN Collective.

Until recently, Vang had not been able to dedicate as much of her time to the project as she would have liked; her involvement in school and various student groups, such as Hmong women’s group VIIVNCAUS, the Hmong Minnesota Student Association and women’s group VERA, took up a majority of her time.

“My sophomore year, I was able to still carry out some projects, but it wasn’t what I really envisioned or what I wanted,” Vang said. “I think the growth in my platform didn’t really start until the last six months.”

In fall 2020, Vang became interested in the idea of selling her products and creating a brand within the collective. The pieces and items are sold by, inspired by and dedicated to the women in Vang’s life, including the “Olivia Earrings” and the “Jamila Hair Claw.”

Jamila Vue, Vang’s friend and artistic collaborator, thinks people appreciate Vang’s personal touch on all of her work.

“She takes her time to pick items for her brand that really show who she is,” Vue said. “Every piece is named after a woman in her life, and I think a lot of people appreciate that. People know she comes from a good heart. That’s why I think she has such a big audience and people support her small business.”

Flourish’s first collection released on Jan. 1 and sold out within a week.

“I initially started with pieces that I liked myself,” Vang said. “I wanted to kind of go into my own sense of style and then see where that goes. I bought in a very small batch because I wasn’t expecting it to blow up as much as it did.”

A friend and longtime supporter of the TRIN Collective, Kathy Yang credits Vang’s artistic drive and work ethic.

“She’s always been super ambitious,” Yang said. “She is one of the most down to earth but also super professional and creative people that I’ve encountered. She’s already an entrepreneur, which is really crazy.”

Vang’s hope is for Flourish and TRIN Collective to support and help give voice and representation to Black and Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC), as well as other marginalized groups working in the arts and fashion. She also champions sustainability in fashion while recognizing the financial dilemma associated with ethical consumption.

“Although I’m a true believer in sustainability, I also believe in ethical consumption. But I wouldn’t want to blame anyone for purchasing from a fast-fashion company,” Vang said. “Obviously, a lot of ethical and sustainable fashion, in most cases, are not affordable for more low income and BIPOC companies.”

Currently registered as an LLC, Vang’s hope is for TRIN Collective to get nonprofit status.

“I definitely want to grow my platform,” Vang said. “I eventually want to do more creative directing work with TRIN Collective. I want to get my nonprofit status, and I also want to get more involved with my community when it comes to modeling and fashion and getting those folks the platform.”

Stay out of the cold, and up to date on the latest heat for this week.

Something to watch:

“Malcolm & Marie”: While “starring Zendaya and John David Washington” ought to be enough to get you rushing to catch the latest gem to hit Netflix, if you have yet to watch it, “Malcom & Marie” delivers on all levels. “Malcolm & Marie” takes us into the world of a young couple and their ongoing dialogue over the course of a single evening. Diving into the complexities of their relationship as well as the beauty and challenges of intimacy, the film feels both extremely vulnerable and honest. While contained in only one evening with two characters, the film holds your attention entirely with the gorgeous cinematography, masterful writing and the film’s greatest strength: the chemistry between the two leads.

“Derek DelGaudio’s In and Of Itself”: Combining a variety of art forms, “In and Of Itself” is somehow a documentary film, magic act and dramatic one-man show all at once. Recently released on Hulu, this hour and thirty-minute event is one of a kind, as soft-spoken performer Derek DelGaudio shares stories from his life and stuns the audience with tricks of all forms. The show tackles issues of self-perception and identity, and may just leave you wondering how a magic show had you crying by the end.

Something to tap your foot to:

“EP2!” By JPEGMAFIA: A follow-up to his November project, “EP!”, JPEGMAFIA is back with another short but sweet collection of songs. JPEG continues to bring his unique style of production, genre-bending samples and noise-rap aesthetics, this time with a more meditative and reserved tone than we’ve seen on previous projects. The Brooklyn-born MC looks inward as “EP2!” discusses relationships, social issues and daily mental health struggles. While only 17 minutes in length, we will take what we can get as JPEGMAFIA continues to be one of the most cutting-edge artists working today.

“TYRON” by slowthai: The sophomore release from British rapper slowthai, “TYRON” is both fun and intriguing as it delivers on a variety of moods. Side one consists of largely hard-hitting tracks with grittier production and attitude-driven bars, while side two takes things down a notch with laid back beats and contemplative lyrics. The project features an array of strong features from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Skepta and Denzel Curry, all of whom help elevate each track. While it may be a while before anyone is going out again, there are several songs off “TYRON” worthy of a save to your party playlist.

Something to try:

Bordertown Coffee: Keep warm this week with a cup of coffee from Dinkytown’s own Bordertown Coffee. Serving ethically-sourced coffee and baked goods, this non-profit cafe has whatever boost you need to get through the week. When it’s especially cold out, like negative 20, their mochaccinos and matcha lattes are your friend. Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, they are open for takeout and socially distanced in-person seating.

Stay out of the cold, and up to date on the latest heat for this week.

Something to watch:

“Malcolm & Marie”: While “starring Zendaya and John David Washington” ought to be enough to get you rushing to catch the latest gem to hit Netflix, if you have yet to watch it, “Malcom & Marie” delivers on all levels. “Malcolm & Marie” takes us into the world of a young couple and their ongoing dialogue over the course of a single evening. Diving into the complexities of their relationship as well as the beauty and challenges of intimacy, the film feels both extremely vulnerable and honest. While contained in only one evening with two characters, the film holds your attention entirely with the gorgeous cinematography, masterful writing and the film’s greatest strength: the chemistry between the two leads.

“Derek DelGaudio’s In and Of Itself”: Combining a variety of art forms, “In and Of Itself” is somehow a documentary film, magic act and dramatic one-man show all at once. Recently released on Hulu, this hour and thirty-minute event is one of a kind, as soft-spoken performer Derek DelGaudio shares stories from his life and stuns the audience with tricks of all forms. The show tackles issues of self-perception and identity, and may just leave you wondering how a magic show had you crying by the end.

Something to tap your foot to:

“EP2!” By JPEGMAFIA: A follow-up to his November project, “EP!”, JPEGMAFIA is back with another short but sweet collection of songs. JPEG continues to bring his unique style of production, genre-bending samples and noise-rap aesthetics, this time with a more meditative and reserved tone than we’ve seen on previous projects. The Brooklyn-born MC looks inward as “EP2!” discusses relationships, social issues and daily mental health struggles. While only 17 minutes in length, we will take what we can get as JPEGMAFIA continues to be one of the most cutting-edge artists working today.

“TYRON” by slowthai: The sophomore release from British rapper slowthai, “TYRON” is both fun and intriguing as it delivers on a variety of moods. Side one consists of largely hard-hitting tracks with grittier production and attitude-driven bars, while side two takes things down a notch with laid back beats and contemplative lyrics. The project features an array of strong features from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Skepta and Denzel Curry, all of whom help elevate each track. While it may be a while before anyone is going out again, there are several songs off “TYRON” worthy of a save to your party playlist.

Something to try:

Bordertown Coffee: Keep warm this week with a cup of coffee from Dinkytown’s own Bordertown Coffee. Serving ethically-sourced coffee and baked goods, this non-profit cafe has whatever boost you need to get through the week. When it’s especially cold out, like negative 20, their mochaccinos and matcha lattes are your friend. Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, they are open for takeout and socially distanced in-person seating.