Musicality - If/Then, Brooke Candy, Moxie Raia, Röyksopp & Robyn

If/Then
Original Broadway Cast Recording
(Stone/Sony/Masterworks)
This new musical starring Idina Menzel is fantastic. Just a few songs into the album, I was already enjoying the ride, with its dramatic interludes and hilarious quips. Although the CD is largely made up of more serious moments, most notable to me was just how much it made me laugh, I must applaud Menzel. My favorite song on the CD is when she sings “What the F**k.” The chorus parts were great as well. Other high points of the CD were “No More Wasted Time” for the ferocious power of the female voices of the cast, “Here I Go,” and “Love While You Can.” Fans of musicals should not ignore this album.
Brooke Candy
Opulence EP
(RCA/Sony)
If you want some heart-pumping, gritty and hyperactive hip hop club music, this is for you. I enjoyed this EP, but it’s not something I would casually listen to. It is definitely not music to go to sleep to. It belongs within the walls surrounding the dance floor on a sticky summer night. My favorite track is “Feel Yourself (Alcohol),” which I’m adding to all my best playlists. But I was not a fan of “Godzillionaire.” It combined my least favorite elements of hip hop dance songs -- poorly constructed repetitive lyrics with an experimental beat -- and they didn’t mix well. However don’t miss out on the title track, “Opulence.” It is excellent.
Moxie Raia
Reckless Passionate Youth Sampler
(Capitol Records)
I’m really enjoying this initial taste of Moxie. It’s mostly pop with R&B elements. If Katy Perry and Rihanna morphed into one entity, this would be it. The lyrics are mostly on the obvious side of pop, but that’s not necessarily bad. The songs are simple, fun, and ready for the radio. I can already see myself accidentally singing to them in the car, and they stay in your head, that’s for sure. “Buffalo Bill” is good, but there are also some excellent remixes to it. My favorites are the Tiesto Remix and the Samantha Ronson Remix. After this small preview, I’m looking forward to what Moxie has to bring in the future.
Röyksopp & Robyn Do It Again
(Dog Triumph LTD/Interscope/Cherrytree)
This album is a breath of fresh air for people who are looking for something different and subtle. It’s close to being an electronica masterpiece. Most musicians in the last few years follow a similar model according to their genre, but this album felt like finding a diamond in the rough. If you don’t like electronica, you will not like this. But if you are getting tired of the radio singles and are looking for a completely different experience, try these serious songs. One of my favorites is “Inside the Idle Hour Club.” The ambiance alone is so haunting, and I could not love it more. Though it’s hard to choose, my favorite song off the CD is “Monument.”

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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