New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Arts

On a bright magenta background is a neon red-headed girl in a red and black dress, black sheer tights, and black ankle boots, sitting on the ground reaching for a white teacup filled with a dark, coffee-colored liquid.

Review: ‘Fingers Crossed’ is a stripped portrait of a shoegaze icon

Miki Berenyi’s memoir, “Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me from Success” recounts the seasoned musician’s complicated upbringing and tumultuous journey navigating the British alternative music scene in the late ’80s to ’90s.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor April 19, 2024

Amid the current shoegaze resurgence brought on by nostalgia-fueled TikToks, new fans of the 30-year-old subgenre are indulging in its ethereal soundscapes by way of Cocteau Twins...

In the background is the Letterboxd website window, which shows three films in the “Popular Films This Week” category: “Dune: Part Two” “La La Land,” and “Spirited Away.” To the lower right, there is a phone screen showing the overview for the film “The First Omen.”

Inside the Boxd: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and more

Inside the Boxd is a column documenting WSN staffers’ recent film reviews on Letterboxd. Grab some popcorn and get that watchlist ready!

With roughly 10 million site-wide users in 2023, including the likes of NYU alumni Martin Scorsese and Ayo Edebiri, Letterboxd has become the premier social media platform for...

A girl wearing a white tank top and blue jeans sits on a store countertop, holding a wooden sign that reads, “Brandy Melville.”

Review: ‘Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion’ has been a long time coming

Australian documentarian Eva Orner calls for strikes and boycotts against the exploitation and overconsumption at Brandy Melville, within a larger conversation about fast-fashion culture.
Bella Simonte, Contributing Writer April 18, 2024

In the early 2000s, Brandy Melville gained traction because of its breezy, coquette-style clothing. Soon, the aesthetic turned into a stamp of approval used to brand the haves...

A screen displayed on the wall of wooden sticks in water with a mountain in the background, an art piece displayed dangling from the ceiling and a red art piece displayed on a platform.

Review: ‘Threads to the South’ explores Latin American identity through textile art

The current exhibition at the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art pays homage to Latin American artists and history.
Diana C. Sánchez González, Staff Writer April 18, 2024

“The slow turn of the spinning wheel is what makes the thread perfect,” reads written narration from Elvira Espejo Ayca’s to a 17-minute-long video where she spins, winds...

Two women wearing neutral colors are shocked as the woman in front of them flips her hair.

Review: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ spells out what it means to be kind

In “Wicked Little Letters,” handwriting isn’t the only script that denotes what it means to be a good mother, drunkard, neighbor or friend.
Liv Steinhardt, Contributing Writer April 17, 2024

Chronically bad handwriting runs in my family. When my mom and I exchange holiday cards, it becomes a race to see who can decipher whose faster. But as much as we would like to...

A giant gorilla wielding a spear.

Review: In ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,’ Godzilla is nowhere to be found

The newest installment of the MonsterVerse franchise is a try-hard successor of “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
Kaitlyn Sze Tu, Contributing Writer April 16, 2024

The MonsterVerse movie formula seemed impossible to get wrong. How could you mess up bringing together two of cinema’s most iconic monsters? The opening scene delivers...

Six black and white portraits on a wall.

Review: ‘Chelsea Hotel Portraits’ expertly reveals humanity in the Chelsea Hotel

Australian photographer Tony Notarberardino’s work will be on display until April 27 at the American Contemporary Art Gallery.
Sofi Cisneros, Contributing Writer April 16, 2024

The Chelsea Hotel could, at one point, have been a little bohemian city all on its own. Originally established as an apartment cooperative in 1884, the red-bricked 23rd Street...

A singer performing on a stage in front of red smoke and a crowd full of waving flashlights.

Review: J. Cole’s ‘Might Delete Later’ should be deleted

J. Cole dropped a small mixtape with a weak Kendrick Lamar diss and dispassionate bars.
Antonio Johri, Contributing Writer April 15, 2024

Cole is considered to be one of the three legends of modern hip-hop, next to Kendrick Lamar and Drake. But his newest album, “Might Delete Later,” is probably the weakest...

Collage of four illustrated books: on the top left is an illustration of a book cover filled with oranges under a plastic film. The title “BLISS MONTAGE Stories” lies on top of the film. On the top right is an illustration of a black book cover titled “POVERTY, BY AMERICA” on a light green background. On the bottom left is an illustration of a book cover with a black, bold line across it. A bee is in the top right corner, along with the title “The Bee Sting” written between the lines. On the bottom right is an illustration of a dark green book cover with a pink box in the center, titled “THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.” There are five dark green flowers in the box and one of them has a missing petal. A pink petal is in the bottom left corner.

Books beyond Bobst: A modern classic, a short story collection and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“The Bee Sting” by Paul Murray — Emily Genova, Deputy Managing Editor  This nearly 700-page novel follows an Irish family as they reckon with a failing family-run...

Illustration of a vinyl record in its sleeve, the album cover is a woman with tattoos in underwear sitting submerged in a body of water.

Review: Lizzy McAlpine’s ‘Older’ is an ode to coming-of-age stories

Lizzy McAlpine’s “Older” is the musical equivalent of being an anxious 20-year-old.
Lena Olson, Contributing Writer April 15, 2024

In her third studio album, “Older,” American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine expertly crafted a hauntingly raw collection of 14 songs — each describing the passage of time,...

Illustration of a laptop screen and red mug in front of a purple background, on the screen there are two women walking in a park kicking their legs out in sync.

Off the Radar: ‘Attenberg’ is a transformative repose

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Attenberg” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Amalia Rizos, Contributing Writer April 12, 2024

We’ve reached the point in the slow-going transition from winter to spring of being desperate for something new — conditioning ourselves to the gloominess of a New York City...

Photo of a large stage displaying red lips signing alongside a stage cam of a woman signing into a microphone on either side.

Review: Olivia Rodrigo spills her ‘GUTS’ at MSG

The singer-songwriter’s “GUTS World Tour” radiated energy that made teenagers and 8-year-olds alike scream the ballads with the same fervor as the rock songs.
Eleanor Jacobs, Staff Writer April 12, 2024

The second show of Olivia Rodrigo’s four-night sold-out escapade in New York City found the streets outside Madison Square Garden packed with purple. Rodrigo took to MSG on April...