Playlist

Music

Declan McKenna

The 18-year-old UK singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, who won over the massive Glastonbury Festival at the tender age of 16, made a fiery debut album on July 21.

In What Do You Think About the Car, McKenna takes on police brutality in the sleek, up-tempo rocker Isombard. And in Bethlehem, he rails against religious hypocrisy in the indie-rock challenger. With his sharp wit and emotive vocals, McKenna adds depth to everything he sings. Some are already calling McKenna a postmillennial Bob Dylan because his songwriting captures the interests and intensity of teenage life. That may be a lot to hang on him but his stunning debut shows McKenna is up to the challenge.

Game

Crash trilogy

When the original Crash Bandicoot debuted in 1996, the game was an instant hit. Two sequels (Cortex Strikes Back in 1997 and Warped in 1998) continued to improve on the Crash formula, making for a stellar trilogy. Now, 21 years after the spinning marsupial was first introduced to audiences, Activision has remastered the first three Crash titles and packaged them as a trilogy. The trilogy features new animations, lighting and visual effects, and enhanced environmental details that all lead to a stunning and captivating game. Crash Bandicoot has managed to remain its timeless feel 21 years after its original release. It should be flatout fun to play.

Book

US comedian

The wildly successful and hilarious US comedian Kevin Hart recently released his new book, I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons to tell his story and share his wisdom. It includes stories about growing up poor, success and failure in Hollywood, and the passage below where he talks seriously about what it was like for him after his mother died. Of course, he's also told jokes about the funeral. As serious as the book is, it's also full of hysterical riffs by Hart. There are futile efforts to impress girls, dealing with hecklers and the time he got high with Snoop. For those who don't have the time reading it, its audio version is available on Audible.

China Daily - Agencies