Maya and Stormzy, ‘bad boy’ literature and the cheek of Kanye’s bottom

Straight Up

Poor Els got mugged last week huns, so today’s episode starts with the download on her enforced digital detox, before taking a sunnier towards perhaps the best news we’ve heard all year – Maya Jama and Stormzy are back together!! – and our slightly tragic obsession with this ultimate modern day love story.

Then, more summer reading recommendations, including Imogen Crimp’s A Very Nice Girl, the buzziest debut novel of last year, and Dolly Alderton’s upcoming second novel, Good Material, as well as some suggestions from you gorgeous listeners. We also debate why there are so few ‘bad boy’ voices in literature these days, the female protagonist overload, and whether we could ever be interested in an ‘incel-y’ perspective.

Finally, an unfortunate look at Kanye’s builders bum in Venice (yes you read that correctly), plus a rundown on the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and how they’re shaping TV and film for the future.

Recommendations discussed:

• Jockstrap, I Love You Jennifer B
• Another Round on Netflix
• Theatre Camp in cinemas now
• The Woman in the Wall on BBC1
• A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp
• Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
• Good Material by Dolly Alderton (out this November)
• The List by Yomi Adekoke
• The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan
• Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov
• The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne