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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

Music

An illustration of a glowing woman in wraparound glasses surrounded by pink light on top of a purple and pink background. She holds a pink phone to one ear. “INFINITE ICON” is written to her right.

Review: Paris Hilton’s ‘Infinite Icon’ is not hot!

Hilton's second album strives to thrive in today's pop scene, but lacks originality.
Ellie Miller, Contributing Writer September 17, 2024

After 18 years, a few iconic mugshots and countless one-liners, Paris Hilton has released her second album, “Infinite Icon.” It’s 35 minutes of glittery — and sometimes...

A young man sitting at a kitchen table and eating a sandwich. On the table is a radio and a bag of chips.

Review: MJ Lenderman’s ‘Manning Fireworks’ is everything rock should be

The Ashville alt-country musician releases another enthralling, poignant rock album.
Ethan Beck, Staff Writer September 16, 2024

MJ Lenderman may not be a household name, but he is well-acquainted with success — the release of his 2022 album “Boat Songs” and the 2023 release of “Rat Saw God” alongside...

A man is playing the piano on a stage. The words “REX ORANGE COUNTY” are behind him on the stage in colorful letters.

Review: Rex Orange County’s ‘The Alexander Technique’ encourages introspection amid pandemonium

Alexander James O'Connor cracks open the case of personal growth in his fifth studio album.
Eleanor Jacobs, Music Editor September 13, 2024

The cover for “The Alexander Technique” consists solely of a manila folder set against a sterile, white background, the album’s title inscribed down the side. Its first song,...

A man in a tuxedo and black sunglasses lays on a pile of trash bags smoking a cigarette.

Review: The Dare’s ‘What’s Wrong With New York?’ urges listeners to live louder

Musician and producer Harrison Patrick Smith’s debut album serves up a no-skip, nonstop rager, and we’re all invited.
Eleanor Jacobs, Music Editor September 10, 2024

The energy of New York City nightlife is hard to evoke through storytelling. It’s impossible to emulate the distinct feeling of speaking to a stranger at a party or the recollection...

Sabrina Carpenter stands in between two backup singers singing into a microphone on a stage.

Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ packs a witty punch

She’s been working late ‘cause she’s a singer, but now we finally have the result.
Naisha Roy, Editor-at-Large September 5, 2024

When Sabrina Carpenter released the undeniable song of the summer, “Espresso,” in April, I was immediately addicted. It was caffeine in music form, and I figured I’d have...

A man wearing flannel holding a microphone to his face.

2024’s Gov Ball takes New Yorkers by storm

Post Malone, The Killers and SZA were this year’s headliners at the Governors Ball Music Festival, which took place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Julia Diorio, Arts Editor June 11, 2024

The Governors Ball Music Festival welcomed nearly 150,000 people to Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park this past weekend, featuring the star-studded headliners Post Malone,...

Gloved orchestra conductor hands in front of blue, green and purple panels combining the imagery of sheet music and computer chips.

ASCAP Challenge looks to the future of music with AI-powered solutions

The annual 12-week program is co-run by the NYU-based NYC Media Lab, and the ASCAP Lab and provides teams with guidance and funding.
Krish Dev, Multimedia Editor May 2, 2024

In recent years, artificial intelligence has sent shockwaves to the music industry. From artificially intelligent DJs to the creation of songs that eerily resemble real ones, it...

Two people stand on the sidewalk, posing and smiling in front of a row of buildings.

Q&A: How 2 first-years found community mixing music in their dorms

WSN spoke to first-year students Christie Brewer and Saima ‘Sai’ Hasan about experimenting musically, finding community and creating NYU Tiny Dorm Concerts.
Liv Steinhardt, Contributing Writer April 29, 2024

NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts began with an idea in 2008 when writer, editor and producer Stephen Thompson was frustrated that he couldn’t hear his favorite artists over the overwhelming...

A record player cover and a record coming out of it, against a blue background. On the record cover is a man’s face looking down.

Review: ‘boy’ is an ethereal recollection of nostalgia

The 5SOS frontman Luke Hemmings released his second solo project as an EP that works through his starstruck past on the stage.
Julia Diorio, Music Editor April 29, 2024

Sometimes I feel as if I grew up with 5 Seconds of Summer. It’s been my favorite band since “Voodoo Doll” in 2014 and I have seen each of the band’s New York tour stops...

Illustration of a blonde woman on a black and white album cover clutching her head with both hands.

Review: Taylor Swift is back, better and sooner than ever

Released two hours after the original album dropped, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” proves her mastery in lyricism and a complete understanding of her sound.
Emily Genova, Deputy Managing Editor April 24, 2024

Taylor Swift fans dropped everything Thursday night to listen to the newly-released “The Tortured Poets Department,” a compilation of 65 minutes of heartbreak, angst and regret....

An illustration of an album's black-and-white cover depicts a woman crossing her arms and lying down on a bed, with the words "THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT" above her.

Review: ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ is a humanizing and chaotic chronicle of heartbreak

Taylor Swift continues to keep her fans on their toes with an album that peers into her mind as she rises into incomprehensible fame.
Julia Diorio, Music Editor April 22, 2024

Taylor Swift is a polarizing artist. Aside from her music, many tend to hold very passionate opinions about her life, decisions and music, especially within her relationships....

A girl pictured wearing a green sweater, dark jeans and red socks sits on the ground holding her hands together.

Review: girl in red’s ‘I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!’ freshly approaches artistic development

In dropping an album both introspective and divergent from her traditional sound, the Norwegian artist paints a journey of self-discovery that cements her creative voice.
Eleanor Jacobs, Staff Writer April 22, 2024

Do you listen to girl in red? The recent release of her second studio album serves as a prime incentive to do so and acquaint yourself with the artist. Singer-songwriter Marie...