Kameron Austin Collins’s New York Times crossword—Amy’s write-up

NY Times crossword resolution, 9 10 22, no. 0910

When you see the KAC byline on a Saturday, you already know you’re in for a problem. He excels at spectacular grids and tricksy clues. Bring it!

Fave fill: RANGE ROVERS, “BRING IT,” LAMAZE CLASS, BORE TO TEARS. XOXO, Hostess SNO-BALL, and CURTAIN TIME.

New to me:

• 20d. [Case made for significant change?], MINT COIN SET. An costly buy for a collector, I collect from the clue?
• 35a. [Blues singer ___ Monica Parker], SISTA. I’d by no means heard of her, however who can object to a singer often known as the Blues Lioness? Video under.
• 17a. [Jukebox crooner with the 1965 hit “1-2-3”], LEN BARRY. My husband additionally was not accustomed to the singer.
• 10d. [PV = nRT], IDEAL GAS LAW. Can there be a greater gasoline legislation than this? Or can there be higher gases to have a legislation about?

Seven extra issues:

• 15a. [One of five official languages of Ethiopia], SOMALI. Hadn’t identified that, however the two nations share a border so it’s not stunning.
• 59a. [In descending order: Mount Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, ___], LHOTSE. I not too long ago did a trivia quiz on the tallest mountains, so LHOTSE got here to thoughts rapidly. You of us who complain about puzzles with “trivia”—you don’t appear to object to geographical notables, however that’s trivia too! And I prefer it.
• 30a. [Tea brand with Wild Sweet Orange and Refresh Mint flavors], TAZO. Not the identical sort of mint as in 20d.
• 36a. [Espresso foam], CREMA. It’s not simply an Italian phrase—it’s additionally Spanish, and you would do worse than to purchase some V&V Supremo crema for topping your Mexican meals.
• 40a. [Co-host of the 1970s program “People Are Talking”], OPRAH. A deep lower from Winfrey’s lengthy profession.
• 48a. [Writer’s block?], PRESS BOX. Team Fiend’s Adesina Koiki has been working on the US Open tennis event. Here’s his Wednesday story about Frances Tiafoe, who’s at the moment battling in a five-set semifinal.
• 18d. [Yellow slippers?], BANANA PEELS. Cute clue, however I noticed proper via it. 🙂

Four stars from me.