A Few of my Favourite Things (2024 Edition)

A Real Pain by Jesse Eisenberg: A buddy road comedy-drama directed by and starring Jesse Eisenberg, alongside Kieran Culkin. The film follows cousins David and Benji as they embark on a journey through Poland to honor their late grandmother, confronting past tensions amid their family’s history. The film received two Oscars nominations at the 97th Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Culkin) and Best Original Screenplay (Eisenberg).

Blink by Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher: Blink is a poignant National Geographic documentary that chronicles the Pelletier family’s journey around the world after three of their four children are diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare eye condition leading to blindness. The film beautifully captures their quest to experience the world’s wonders while they still can. Screen Rant describes it as “a touching documentary following the extraordinary adventure of one family who turn a devastating diagnosis into something that brings them infinitely closer”. Trailer is here.

[Francophone] La nuit où Laurier Gaudreault s’est réveillé by Xavier Dolan: This psychological miniseries explores the secrets of a Quebecois family through back-and-forth shifts between the past and the present. The Cannes Grand Prix winning director comments: “the series talks about death, grief, violence, and addiction. It’s very existential and deeply human and sociological”.

Playing Robots in Heaven by James Blake: A captivating blend of electronic, indie, and experimental sounds. The album showcases Blake’s signature haunting vocals, but it evolves into a more upbeat, danceable territory with tracks like “Big Hammer” and “Loading.” While it explores themes of technology and human connection, it maintains emotional depth through subtle yet intricate production.

Somnambulant Cycles by Keaton Henson: A mesmerizing dive into ambient and neoclassical soundscapes, showcasing Henson’s ability to evoke deep emotion without words. Known for his raw, intimate songwriting, Henson shifts gears here, crafting a cinematic and immersive listening experience. The album moves like a dream — delicate piano melodies, haunting strings, and subtle electronic textures create a sense of weightlessness, as if drifting between wakefulness and sleep. Fans of Max Richter and Ólafur Arnalds will appreciate its atmospheric depth.

Abracadbra by Klo Pelgag: A whimsical, genre-defying album that blends pop, indie, and theatrical elements. With vibrant instrumentation and Pelgag’s captivating vocals, the album explores themes of transformation and personal growth, offering an imaginative journey filled with emotional depth and creativity.

No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead by Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Politically charged, post-rock album steeped in apocalyptic soundscapes and social commentary. As with their past work, it serves as a sonic protest, urging reflection on global injustice.

Poet’s Ballet by Gaerea: An intense, atmospheric journey through black metal with experimental undertones.

Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons: The first solo album from Portishead frontwoman is hauntingly atmospheric with emotive vocal delivery, blend of melancholy and introspection.

Mayday by Myriam Gendron: An evocative folk album blending poignant lyrics with sparse arrangements, exploring themes of love, loss, and introspection.

Cardinal by Avec Pas d’Casque: A poetic, melancholic gem. Acoustic folk with haunting lyrics and intimate charm. A quiet emotional triumph for the Quebec band.

Continuum 3 by Nina Sinephro: A lush, experimental track that fuses electronic beats with intricate jazz instrumentation. The song uses complex rhythms and layered textures to create a meditative, evolving atmosphere. Sinephro’s use of synthesizers and percussive elements brings a dynamic, ethereal quality to the piece, while subtle shifts in melody and harmony provoke deep emotional resonance, inviting listeners into a reflective journey.

Managing My Breath, What Fear Had Become by Shabaka Hutchings & Saul Williams: A powerful, experimental track blending jazz, poetry, and spoken word. It explores themes of fear, resilience, and self-reflection with raw emotion and dynamic rhythms. Hutchings, known for his innovative work in contemporary jazz, creates a meditative atmosphere, using complex rhythms and harmonies to evoke mindfulness.

Adore u by Fred Again: A song expressing affection and yearning, with lyrics reflecting a desire to connect with someone on an intimate level. The song combines soulful vocals and electronic beats, building an emotional atmosphere. Fred’s use of vocal sampling adds a personal touch, reinforcing themes of longing, love, and admiration. The track balances vulnerability with an uplifting, danceable rhythm, making it both heartfelt and infectious.

Speyside by Bon Iver: A haunting, atmospheric track that blends ethereal vocals with minimalistic instrumentation. With layered harmonies, the song evokes a sense of introspection, weaving Bon Iver’s signature experimental folk sound into a deeply emotional experience.

Dream state by Kawashi Washington & Andre 3000

Avalanche by Tire le Coyote

Dis-moi, dis-moi, dis-moi by Lou-Adriane Cassidy

Confortable by Daria Colonna

Ah! Ça Ira by Gojira at 2024 Olympics Opening: An epic and groundbreaking performance. As the first metal band to play at such an event, they delivered a powerful rendition of the revolutionary anthem, featuring opera singer Marina Viotti, dramatic visuals, a headless Marie Antoinette, and lots of flames, captivating a global audience.

Zeal & Ardor show in Montreal: A visceral experience, combining lead singer Manuel Gagneux’s captivating vocals with heavy, pulsating guitar riffs. The band alternates between soulful, bluesy melodies and aggressive, black metal elements, creating a unique, dark atmosphere. The crowd was energized by intense performances of tracks like Gravedigger’s Chant and Devil Is Fine.

Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou[p]: A collaborative project featuring three prominent young Quebecois singer-songwriters: Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose, and Lou-Adriane Cassidy. The trio has garnered significant acclaim for their live performances with explosive energy and moments feeling both intimate and grandiose, emphasizing the beauty of community and shared experience.

Wall of Eyes by The Smile: Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it features Thom Yorke wandering through dimly lit corridors and urban landscapes. Shot in a grainy, cinematic style, the video enhances the song’s eerie and introspective mood with slow, hypnotic camera movements.

Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari: As Forbes describes it, “Nexus examines humanity’s fraught relationship with information, tracing its influence from the Stone Age to the modern era of AI. (…) Harari unpacks how societies have wielded information as both a tool for progress and a weapon of control. As we confront ecological collapse, rampant misinformation and the rise of artificial intelligence, the book challenges us to rethink the balance between truth, wisdom and power”.

[Francophone] Les Saumons de la Mitis by Christine Beaulieu & Caroline Lavergne: After J’aime Hydro, Christine Beaulieu presents a new documentary piece, this time focusing on the salmon of the Mitis River. In collaboration with illustrator Caroline Lavergne, she invites readers of all ages to step into the salmon’s skin to discover their incredible journey and imagine how their reality has been transformed by humans. A powerful text blending science, history, and poetry, serving as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of nature.

A Few Good Reads (2024 edition): I publish every year a separate list of articles, blog posts and longer reads from around the internet that I’ve enjoyed. View this year’s list here.

Apple Studio Display: I really enjoy this beautifully designed 27-inch 5K Retina monitor. It features true-to-life color, built-in stereo speakers, and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. Sleek, adjustable, and compatible with Mac, it enhances productivity and visual clarity.

Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum: Features a laser-equipped cleaner head that reveals hidden dust. Powerful suction, advanced filtration, and intelligent sensors ensure deep cleaning on all floor types with ease. Enough to get excited about vacuuming again.

Hubspot: An all-in-one CRM platform that helps businesses manage marketing, sales, and customer service. It offers tools for email automation, lead tracking, analytics, and content management, enabling companies to improve efficiency, customer relationships, and overall growth.

Shop App by Shopify: The app offers a streamlined shopping experience, allowing users to track orders, discover new brands, and make quick purchases. It integrates with Shopify stores, offering personalized recommendations, secure checkout, and real-time updates for convenience. I’ve found the order tracking particularly useful and well built.

Mozi: This was just announced in December 2024, so I am just starting to play with it, but I am very excited by the concept. Instigated by Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter and Medium, Mozi app prioritizes meaningful conversations and building relationships, especially with people in different cities. The app encourages thoughtful messaging in a distraction-free environment. With an emphasis on privacy, Mozi aims to counter shallow digital interactions, restoring genuine communication. I don’t know if it will become popular, but I hope lots of people will use it!

Lex Fridman Podcast : The podcast features in-depth conversations (usually more than 2hrs long) with experts across science, technology, philosophy, and culture, providing thought-provoking insights into the future of humanity and innovation. Lex is an AI researcher at MIT. These two episodes in particular were amazing: 1) Javier Milei, President of Argentina: Freedom, Economics & Corruption and 2) Dario Amodei, Anthropic CEO on Claude, AGI and the future of AI & Humanity.

Unsplash: Launched in 2013 as a platform offering free, high-quality, royalty-free stock photos from 330,000 photographers. With over 5 million images contributed by photographers worldwide, it provides a vast library for personal and commercial use. Unsplash has become a go-to resource for creative professionals and content creators. I use it every year to help make these blog posts come alive!

Is it even a city? by Visit Oslo: This brilliantly unconventional tourism ad that flips expectations on their head. Instead of typical glossy travel shots, it humorously leans into Oslo’s unique blend of urban life and nature, questioning whether it even qualifies as a “city.” With stunning cinematography, dry wit, and a refreshing self-awareness, the ad stands out in a sea of generic travel promos. It appeals to curious, adventurous travelers who appreciate a destination that doesn’t take itself too seriously — while subtly showcasing Oslo’s charm, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s clever, memorable, and makes you want to visit.

Meet the new Volvo EX90 by Volvo: This is a a sleek, futuristic ad that perfectly embodies Volvo’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and cutting-edge design. With cinematic visuals, a calming yet authoritative tone, and a focus on advanced technology, it positions the EX90 as the next evolution in premium electric SUVs.

iPhone 15 Precision Finding by Apple: It showcases the phone’s enhanced “Find My” feature. It highlights how users can locate lost AirTags with pinpoint accuracy using the iPhone’s U1 chip and ultra-wideband technology. The commercial emphasizes convenience, ease of use, and Apple’s seamless integration of tech.

Heartstrings | Apple Holiday | Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 by Apple: A masterfully crafted holiday ad that tugs at emotions while subtly showcasing the AirPods Pro 2’s hearing aid feature. With heartwarming storytelling, stunning cinematography, and a touching message about connection across generations, it highlights how technology enhances real human moments.

MSFT outage by Decathlon: Retailer Decathlon launched a creative campaign in response to Microsoft’s service outage, mimicking their “blue screen of death” error screen message and offering free outdoor equipment rentals to users affected by the disruption. As notes this article on The Drum: “On Friday, the world was rocked by a major IT outage impacting airlines, banks, hospitals and retailers. Within 24 hours of the crisis, Decathlon had put up a poster telling those affected to use the outage as an excuse to get outside instead. The copy read: “Outage? Get outside. Enjoy 50% off on our outdoor goods”. Fast and clever.

I (blank) NY by LiveOn NY: The ad cleverly subverts the iconic “I ❤ NY” design to highlight the critical need for organ donors in New York. By removing the heart and directly stating “I NY,” it creates a visual pause, prompting viewers to consider a deeper meaning related to life and donation. It’s a smart, attention-grabbing twist on a familiar image.

Me, myself, and (A)I: a Q&A with my AI avatar by Reid Hoffman: Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and renowned tech entrepreneur, engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with his AI avatar. It explores the ethical, philosophical, and creative potential of AI, offering insights into its role in shaping human identity and our evolving relationship with technology. Link.

Noma: I had the chance to dine at noma restaurant in Copenhagen this past year, which has routinely been lauded as one of the world’s top restaurants, as it looks to close its doors in the near future. The institution and organization behind the food impressed me as much as the food, although the food itself is pretty sensational of course! As noma’s website reads: “For the past twenty years, noma has been a restaurant ever curious to learn and grow — to be the best that we can be! Our origin is rooted in an exploration of the natural world, which began with a simple desire to rediscover wild local ingredients by foraging and to follow the seasons. (…) Pursuit of knowledge, devout creativity, relentless teamwork, and surprising our guests are essential to who we are”.

Parapluie: An intimate French-inspired restaurant in Montreal that offers a refined dining experience with a menu that changes daily, featuring dishes like beef tartare elevated with rich bone marrow topped with crispy fried potatoes and Louis d’Or cheese, or a reimagined bagel and lox, featuring seared fish in a horseradish cream sauce, accented by everything-ish seasoning, trout roe, dill oil, and chives. The restaurant has been recognized as one of Canada’s top new eateries, ranking №6 on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list. This quaint but vibrant neighborhood spot was my favourite restaurant experience in 2024.

Taste Buds by noma: Billed as “your backstage pass to the world of noma”, anyone can experience noma’s newest flavors, in the form of twelve unreleased products straight from the test kitchen, before anybody else, in addition to various one-of-a-kind perks and access. The nutella-like pumpkin seed praline, laced with pine and parsley oils to add a slightly herbal dimension, was incredible.

The Shakti smoothie from Mandy’s: A refreshing and nutrient-packed blend from the popular Montreal-based salad and smoothie bar. It features an unusual mix of fruits and greens including banana, spinach, avocado, pineapple, mint, almond milk, dates, maple syrup and other superfoods, creating an energizing drink full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

CitizenM: Founded in 2008 in Amsterdam, this boutique hotel chain has rapidly expanded with over 30 hotels in 12 across major cities like New York, London, Paris, and Shanghai. Known for its tech-forward, affordable luxury, CitizenM offers rooms controlled by in-room tablets, smart beds, and sleek, communal lounges, blending innovation with comfort. I visited them on business trips in London and New York this year and both were great experiences.

Interimaginary World at Austin Airport: This is a departure lounge at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport that sends you to over 120 fictional destinations found in literature, film, animation, and games. It wins a few points for originality in often monotone airport environments. It was fun to walk past it this year.

Art Against Weapons by Bryan Beyung: Humanity & Inclusion Canada commissioned artist Bryan Beyung to create a mural in Montreal as part of the MURAL Festival in June 2024. The piece, which will be displayed for at least a year, highlights the issue of civilian casualties in conflict zones caused by explosive weapons. Beyung’s work aims to raise awareness and promote solidarity for global peace efforts. It is located on Roy Street in Montreal.