Here's the short version: Midst is spectacular. Here's the longer version: I listen to a lot of podcasts. Some of them really wanted to be TV shows, or books, or even comics, and the good ones could almost convince you that's what they were - but Midst isn't one of those. Midst wants to be EXACTLY what it is, and it's excellent at it.It's a work of art. Trailers and Twitter can tell you what it's about; this review is spoiler-free with regard to story because I'm yelling more about the how of it than the what. I love narrators with opinions and here there are three, having the time of their lives as they take you by the proverbial hand and haul you merrily across the world they're spinning into existence. Podcasting is the perfect medium for engaging narration, and they're incredible. The presentation is so clever and feels so effortless, the sound design is ON POINT, the atmosphere is incredibly immersive (you KNOW it's gonna be a good episode when they remind you to use headphones), the performances are genuinely great (which is impressive both when they're juggling characters between performers like some sort of vocal circus act, and when a single protagonist just goes OFF). Music? Perfect. Storyline? Wildly engaging. Worldbuilding? Stellar.And the appendices. Apparently the talent required for everything mentioned above isn't all they've got up their sleeves! Please check out the appendices - this season I've been eagerly anticipating them on non-release weeks and every last one has been delightful. (Minor spoilers for what some of them are ahead.) The world already feels so rich and fascinating and then they go 'hey do you want part of an in-world physics textbook which is also demonstrating a dramatic quirk of in-world physics? Lovingly rendered? Do you want a cutesy kids book illustration of terrifying local wildlife? Meeting schedules that have been doodled on? Here you go!'Like. Art AND music AND performing AND editing AND everything else that makes this whole production so slick. Three people make this! Are three people allowed to be this good at things?? (As a side note, if you play any TTRPGs and want inspiration for How To Narrate Things In Cool Ways: Midst is great at that. Big impulsive improv energy where everyone is VERY invested in what's happening.) I could ramble on for quite some time about what I love here, but honestly, nothing I can say will be as enticing as listening to the first episode or three. Headphones in. Off you go. Listen to Midst.