CJ Simonson
@cjsimonson.bsky.social
Editor-in-Chief At Merry-Go-Round Magazine | Arizona Sports and Music Posts Exclusively | merrygoroundmag@gmail.com
https://merrygoroundmagazine.com/
https://merrygoroundmagazine.com/
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CJ Simonson
@cjsimonson.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Here she blows, top 100 albums and EPs from 2025. Cheers!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
"Come on in," Grace yells in SINNERS.
It's an emotional response that has angered audiences since the film was released. But as our current political moment is revealing, the vampires were always here, and they don't plan on leaving.
On I.C.E., Minneapolis, and Ryan Coogler's Best Picture nominee.
It's an emotional response that has angered audiences since the film was released. But as our current political moment is revealing, the vampires were always here, and they don't plan on leaving.
On I.C.E., Minneapolis, and Ryan Coogler's Best Picture nominee.
DON'T LET THEM IN: SINNERS, Hell, and I.C.E. - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
"Come on in, you motherfuckers," Grace yells in SINNERS. It's an emotional response that has baffled and angered audiences since the film was released last year. But as our current political moment is...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:09 PM
"Come on in," Grace yells in SINNERS.
It's an emotional response that has angered audiences since the film was released. But as our current political moment is revealing, the vampires were always here, and they don't plan on leaving.
On I.C.E., Minneapolis, and Ryan Coogler's Best Picture nominee.
It's an emotional response that has angered audiences since the film was released. But as our current political moment is revealing, the vampires were always here, and they don't plan on leaving.
On I.C.E., Minneapolis, and Ryan Coogler's Best Picture nominee.
Hola! Some semi-professional'ish news: My creative partner Camille Smura and I have started up a YouTube channel! It's a music interview channel based around artists or bands building playlists around random prompts. It's called Sequence Selector!
Levi Evans Builds A Playlist For Riding A Several Mile Slip ‘n Slide
YouTube video by Sequence Selector
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Hola! Some semi-professional'ish news: My creative partner Camille Smura and I have started up a YouTube channel! It's a music interview channel based around artists or bands building playlists around random prompts. It's called Sequence Selector!
Good stuff! feelslikeheaven.bandcamp.com/track/snow-d...
Snow Dunes, by Feels Like Heaven
from the album Within Dreams
feelslikeheaven.bandcamp.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Good stuff! feelslikeheaven.bandcamp.com/track/snow-d...
Reposted by CJ Simonson
You can’t report illegal acts because you don’t want to compromise them being carried out is an interesting take, if true
NYT, WaPo learned of the secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin but held off publishing what they had at the administration's request to avoid endangering US troops
January 4, 2026 at 4:18 AM
You can’t report illegal acts because you don’t want to compromise them being carried out is an interesting take, if true
Reposted by CJ Simonson
Without further ado, we present our Top 50 Albums of 2025! From The Tubs' COTTON CROWN to Greet Death's DIE IN LOVE, Rico Nasty's LETHAL to Jobber's JOBBER TO THE STARS, we count down the best of the year according to our staff! Check out the list today!
Merry-Go-Round’s Top 50 Albums of 2025 - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
From Shallowater to Nourished by Time, Ribbon Skirt to Black Country New Road, we count down the 50 best albums of 2025!
merrygoroundmagazine.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Without further ado, we present our Top 50 Albums of 2025! From The Tubs' COTTON CROWN to Greet Death's DIE IN LOVE, Rico Nasty's LETHAL to Jobber's JOBBER TO THE STARS, we count down the best of the year according to our staff! Check out the list today!
Wrote about both our best artist and best new artist of 2025! Enjoy!
To begin our three days of EOTY music coverage to close out 2025, let us begin with a pair of essays about the best artist and best new artist of the year! While the former was obvious, the latter is an act that many of our writers are buying stock in early. Enjoy!
Merry-Go-Round’s Best Artist and Best New Artist of 2025 - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
Merry-Go-Round Magazine is proud to anoint Gelli Haha and Geese as our Best New Artist and Best Artist of 2025 respectively.
merrygoroundmagazine.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Wrote about both our best artist and best new artist of 2025! Enjoy!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
To begin our three days of EOTY music coverage to close out 2025, let us begin with a pair of essays about the best artist and best new artist of the year! While the former was obvious, the latter is an act that many of our writers are buying stock in early. Enjoy!
Merry-Go-Round’s Best Artist and Best New Artist of 2025 - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
Merry-Go-Round Magazine is proud to anoint Gelli Haha and Geese as our Best New Artist and Best Artist of 2025 respectively.
merrygoroundmagazine.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
To begin our three days of EOTY music coverage to close out 2025, let us begin with a pair of essays about the best artist and best new artist of the year! While the former was obvious, the latter is an act that many of our writers are buying stock in early. Enjoy!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
Allegedly taking place in the year 2025, Spike Jonze's 2013 film HER is a fascinating depiction of not-so-future Los Angeles, capturing the feeling of what it is to live in the city while flouting its mechanical limitations.
On AI, LA optimism, male loneliness, and more.
On AI, LA optimism, male loneliness, and more.
Loneliness, LLMs, and Los Angeles: HER in 2025 - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
Allegedly taking place in the year 2025, Spike Jonze's 2013 film HER is a fascinating depiction of not-so-future Los Angeles, feeling like what it is to live here while flouting its mechanical limitat...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Allegedly taking place in the year 2025, Spike Jonze's 2013 film HER is a fascinating depiction of not-so-future Los Angeles, capturing the feeling of what it is to live in the city while flouting its mechanical limitations.
On AI, LA optimism, male loneliness, and more.
On AI, LA optimism, male loneliness, and more.
Wrote about about a whole lotta covers for a sixth year in a row! And if you’re the type to want an easy r/indieheads post, by all means post it up there. Picks from Mavis Stapes excellent album, King Hannah, MJ Lenderman, etc. Happy Holidays!!
For the sixth year we’re pleased to present the Top 50 Covers of the Year! 2025 featured some heaters, including @ducksltd.bsky.social taking on Camera Obscura, @superchunk.bsky.social doing a Magnetic Fields classic, a song from @father-daughter.bsky.social's 15th anniversary compilation, and more!
Merry-Go-Round’s Top 50 Covers of 2025 - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
From MJ Lenderman to Mavis Staples, Jonathan Richman to Ducks Ltd., here are the best cover songs of 2025!
merrygoroundmagazine.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Wrote about about a whole lotta covers for a sixth year in a row! And if you’re the type to want an easy r/indieheads post, by all means post it up there. Picks from Mavis Stapes excellent album, King Hannah, MJ Lenderman, etc. Happy Holidays!!
My top 300 songs of the year (in descending order). Cheers! open.spotify.com/playlist/5yr...
Best Songs of 2025
open.spotify.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
My top 300 songs of the year (in descending order). Cheers! open.spotify.com/playlist/5yr...
Here she blows, top 100 albums and EPs from 2025. Cheers!
December 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Here she blows, top 100 albums and EPs from 2025. Cheers!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
It’s our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the devastating, grungy existentialism of Lily Seabird’s TRASH MOUNTAIN, out now via @lameorecords.bsky.social, and the springy Midwest anti-folk of Case Oats’ LAST MISSOURI EXIT, out now via @mergerecords.bsky.social!
Bandcamp Picks: Case Oats & Lily Seabird - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the devastating, grungy existentialism of Lily Seabird's TRASH MOUNTAIN, out now via Lame-O, and the springy Midwest character centric songwriting of Cas...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It’s our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the devastating, grungy existentialism of Lily Seabird’s TRASH MOUNTAIN, out now via @lameorecords.bsky.social, and the springy Midwest anti-folk of Case Oats’ LAST MISSOURI EXIT, out now via @mergerecords.bsky.social!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
Five years ago, we claimed Danny Brown was the best artist of the 2010s. Half a decade later he might be in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
On the difference five years makes, QUARANTA, his podcast, and the brilliantly colorful STARDUST.
On the difference five years makes, QUARANTA, his podcast, and the brilliantly colorful STARDUST.
Danny Brown is the Greatest of All Time - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
Five years ago, we claimed Danny Brown was the best artist of the 2010s. Checking in now, he might be in the conversation for the greatest artist of all time.
merrygoroundmagazine.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Five years ago, we claimed Danny Brown was the best artist of the 2010s. Half a decade later he might be in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
On the difference five years makes, QUARANTA, his podcast, and the brilliantly colorful STARDUST.
On the difference five years makes, QUARANTA, his podcast, and the brilliantly colorful STARDUST.
Reposted by CJ Simonson
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring @zayallcaps.bsky.social's modern madcap pop spectacle ART POP * POP ART and bloodsports' thrillingly aggressive ANYTHING CAN BE A HAMMER! Read about both and then check them out over on @bandcamp.com!
Bandcamp Picks: zayALLCAPS & bloodsports - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring zayALLCAPS' modern madcap pop spectacle ART POP * POP ART and bloodsports' thrillingly aggressive ANYTHING CAN BE A HAMMER!
merrygoroundmagazine.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring @zayallcaps.bsky.social's modern madcap pop spectacle ART POP * POP ART and bloodsports' thrillingly aggressive ANYTHING CAN BE A HAMMER! Read about both and then check them out over on @bandcamp.com!
For so much of my life the Spurs and the Lakers were the teams I hated the most, denying those Suns teams in the 2000s Finals opportunities. But... since living in Los Angeles, it's become the Dodgers and its not really that close.
November 2, 2025 at 4:27 AM
For so much of my life the Spurs and the Lakers were the teams I hated the most, denying those Suns teams in the 2000s Finals opportunities. But... since living in Los Angeles, it's become the Dodgers and its not really that close.
Should’ve ended with a grand slam against the bigot Clayton Kershaw smh
October 28, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Should’ve ended with a grand slam against the bigot Clayton Kershaw smh
Reposted by CJ Simonson
The 1%’er Pro-ICE Dodgers winning the World Series is just a bit on the nose no?
October 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The 1%’er Pro-ICE Dodgers winning the World Series is just a bit on the nose no?
Reposted by CJ Simonson
I'm over at @mgrmagazine.bsky.social for the first time writing about the finale of "WTF With Marc Maron," and the concept of what is or isn't a "satisfying" podcast finale at all in an era where it's eclipsing even legacy TV.
merrygoroundmagazine.com/wtf-do-we-th...
merrygoroundmagazine.com/wtf-do-we-th...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I'm over at @mgrmagazine.bsky.social for the first time writing about the finale of "WTF With Marc Maron," and the concept of what is or isn't a "satisfying" podcast finale at all in an era where it's eclipsing even legacy TV.
merrygoroundmagazine.com/wtf-do-we-th...
merrygoroundmagazine.com/wtf-do-we-th...
Reposted by CJ Simonson
We had the honor to chat with director Emily Mkrtichian to discuss her new documentary THERE WAS, THERE WAS NOT. She broke down the visceral immediacy of the conflicts facing production, the challenges and triumphs of connecting with and celebrating Armenian heritage, and more!
Interview: Emily Mkrtichian On The Triumphs and Tribulations Within THERE WAS, THERE WAS NOT - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
Emily Mkrtichian discusses her new film THERE WAS, THERE WAS NOT, breaking down the characters, the visceral immediacy of the conflicts facing the production, and the challenges and triumphs of connec...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We had the honor to chat with director Emily Mkrtichian to discuss her new documentary THERE WAS, THERE WAS NOT. She broke down the visceral immediacy of the conflicts facing production, the challenges and triumphs of connecting with and celebrating Armenian heritage, and more!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the imaginative and inspired ambience of Kirin McElwain's YOUTH, out now via @akprecordings.bsky.social, and the crushingly soulful lo-fi folk of Emily Hines' THESE DAYS, out now via @keeledscales.bsky.social! Read about both albums today!
Bandcamp Picks: Emily Hines & Kirin McElwain - Merry-Go-Round Magazine
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the imaginative and inspiring ambience of Kirin McElwain's YOUTH, out now via AKP Recordings, and the crushingly soulful lo-fi folk of Emily Hines' THES...
merrygoroundmagazine.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
It's our Bandcamp Picks of the Week, featuring the imaginative and inspired ambience of Kirin McElwain's YOUTH, out now via @akprecordings.bsky.social, and the crushingly soulful lo-fi folk of Emily Hines' THESE DAYS, out now via @keeledscales.bsky.social! Read about both albums today!
I get that there are too many bands mining the Hum/Deftones/Nothing'y space right now and it's beginning to feel pretty derivative but I just thing the Glimmer album is sick anyway lol
October 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I get that there are too many bands mining the Hum/Deftones/Nothing'y space right now and it's beginning to feel pretty derivative but I just thing the Glimmer album is sick anyway lol
Reposted by CJ Simonson
Listen to Editor-in-Chief @cjsimonson.bsky.social gab about the music of the early '50s over on the @indieheadspod.bsky.social!
Out now wherever you find podcasts, we’re joined by @mgrmagazine.bsky.social’s @cjsimonson.bsky.social on this season premiere of our new series, The 1950’s Number Ones.
Find your platform of choice here: linktr.ee/indieheadspodcast
Find your platform of choice here: linktr.ee/indieheadspodcast
September 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Listen to Editor-in-Chief @cjsimonson.bsky.social gab about the music of the early '50s over on the @indieheadspod.bsky.social!
Reposted by CJ Simonson
On the premiere episode of the 1950's Number Ones, we're joined by @mgrmagazine.bsky.social’s @cjsimonson.bsky.social as we relay every #1 hit from Truman’s State of the Union to the End of the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River.
Support us now on Patreon to hear the full episode over 48 hours early!
Support us now on Patreon to hear the full episode over 48 hours early!
September 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
On the premiere episode of the 1950's Number Ones, we're joined by @mgrmagazine.bsky.social’s @cjsimonson.bsky.social as we relay every #1 hit from Truman’s State of the Union to the End of the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River.
Support us now on Patreon to hear the full episode over 48 hours early!
Support us now on Patreon to hear the full episode over 48 hours early!
Best Golden Apples album to date by quite a bit, in my estimation
Golden Apples - "Noonday Demon" (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by lameorecords
www.youtube.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Best Golden Apples album to date by quite a bit, in my estimation