#77: "it’s literally just people dancing"
Welcome to issue #77 of THIS NEWSLETTER CANNOT SAVE YOU. You know, as we near the end of the year, what could be more festive than the annual Spotify “wrapped” feature that sums up your listening using easy to understand lists and statistics? Mine, as usual, is highly illuminating:
JUST KIDDING! I would rather scoop my brain out of my skull with a red hot spork than use Spotify. But I did listen to a lot of “Africa” by Toto, as my neighbors reported in their request for a restraining order. ANYWAY, on that happy note, let’s dive right in!
Scottovision
“Bye Bear” (2025) - The robots, you see, wish to be living, breathing creatures. Not humans, but beasts of the wild. Until that day arrives, they party and trash a hotel room. Written and directed by Jan Bitzer.
“Debbie and Doug Drop Acid in the Desert” (2019) - You rarely want to hear someone say “don’t take that acid, it’s a lot stronger than I thought,” but that’s the situation Debbie and Doug face as they embark on a psychedelic adventure hoping to save their marriage. While stereotypes abound, this short film’s nevertheless a clever and creative depiction of an ephemeral experience, using an array of visual techniques and tropes to portray internal states of mind as our protagonists travel through light and dark toward the welcome approach of morning. Written by Scott Brown and Zack Gold, directed by Brown.
“Lifewasters” (2025) - Animator Victoria Vincent ventures into live action with this short film about Sparky, an unmedicated young man who believes he can summon a character from his favorite animated TV show into the real world. His efforts are captured by Marla, a documentarian who is probably just humoring Sparky when she claims she’s helping him spread the word of the character’s imminent arrival. Marla’s duplicity, naturally, jeopardizes Sparky’s ambitious plans.
“Psychedelic in the Sky” (2025) - Writer/directol Matthew Salton combats his skepticism of “UFO films” by creating his own animated documentary about UFOs. He takes the perspective of several witnesses who describe how the cognitive effects of seeing a UFO are consciousness-expanding and life-altering. Whether you’re a believer in the phenomenon or find it to be absurd, the charming animation alone justifies the film, and the steady but impassioned tales of the believers are worth a listen.
“Tropics” (2025) - Animator Anthony Schepperd created one of the hall of fame psychedelic music videos, “The Music Scene” by Blockhead. He’s back with, coincidentally, the tale of a grim alien invasion that threatens a peaceful couple, delivered via Schepperd’s signature kaleidoscopic 2D animation style, a visual feast. Extra credit: see “Eyesdown (Machinedrum Remix” by Bonobo.
“The Pleasure Machine” (2025) - It’s the most pleasurable experience you’ll ever have in your life! No downsides, just simulated human tongues up and down your back. Written and directed by Kate Lloyd.
“Light Can’t Escape” (2025) - Everything’s competely normal until a sentient black hole appears in Harriet’s apartment. Written and directed by Tim Sharp.
“Make Me A Pizza” (2025) - Shot in the style of a ‘70s adult flick, this comedic short film takes the classic set-up of “pizza delivery guy is seduced by bored housewife” and proceeds to smother it with tomato sauce and melted cheese. Just when you think it’s gone too far, it goes a little further. This will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Written by Talia Shea Levin and Woody Coyote, directed by Levin.
“Somewhere In Between” (2024) - It’s New Year’s Eve, the perfect moment for a time traveler to arrive and play matchmaker for two close friends who might be too shy to admit they want a closer relationship. It’s a funny, inventive, sci-fi flavored romantic comedy that commits to the bit. Written by John Horan and Kyle Vorbach, directed by Vorbach.
“Channel Flipping 2: Only You” (2025) - A year ago, electronic act Zeds Dead delivered a music video called “Channel Flipping” which racked up over two million views, and now the sequel is out. It’s a sampledelic audiovisual pastiche that spans musical genres and visual sources to create a wistful track about wanting to change the world, but not knowing where to start. You needn’t know all the sample sources to appreciate the finesse on display in stitching this piece together in such an effective fashion.
Exit Music
Sending you out this issue with a track by Finnish electronic pop act Pepe Deluxé, whose album Super Sound was just reissued for its 25th anniversary. The groovy track is called “Before You Leave,” and its reissue comes with a newly restored music video; this video has long languished as a low resolution MTV rip, so for fans of the band, this is an unexpected treat. The video’s pleasures are simple - it’s literally just people dancing - but sometimes that’s what hits the spot.
Here's the YouTube playlist with (most of) this issue's recos. Please enjoy responsibly.
Until next time, I remain your friendly correspondent, thinking of you,
Scotto
Scotto Moore is the author of WILD MASSIVE, BATTLE OF THE LINGUIST MAGES, and YOUR FAVORITE BAND CANNOT SAVE YOU.
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