Crossword Genius

Surreal essay across issue’s front pages (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trippy

'surreal' is the definition.

'essay across issue's front pages' is the wordplay.
'essay' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'across' is an insertion indicator.
'front' says to take the initial letters.
'pages' becomes 'pp'.
The first letter of 'issues' is 'i'.
'i'+'pp'='ipp'
'try' placed around 'ipp' is 'TRIPPY'.

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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