Skip to Main Content
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

Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams’ latest album, “This Is What It Feels Like,” was released on Nov. 12. (Image courtesy of Interscope PR)

A conversation with Gracie Abrams, the next queen of bedroom pop

WSN spoke with Gracie Abrams as she prepared for her upcoming tour, “This Is What It Feels Like.” She’ll also be opening for Olivia Rodrigo on the “SOUR” tour.
Sarah John, Contributing Writer February 10, 2022

This Valentine’s Day, Gracie Abrams will be playing her first of two New York City shows. Her latest project, “This Is What It Feels Like,” dives into the woes and sorrows...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Australian artist Mallrat heads to hyperpop

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Lucy Dacus, John Legend and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Annie Williams February 10, 2022

In this edition of Listen to This, we have a diverse range of songs, from indie rock to unsuccessful pop punk. Yes, we have a negative review this week — listen to it at your...

Animal Collective, an American experimental music band, at one of their concerts. Their latest album, “Time Skiffs,” is the first release to feature all four band members since 2016. (Photo by adrigu, via Wikimedia Commons)

Review: ‘Time Skiffs’ is Animal Collective’s psychedelic pop playground

The Baltimore band reins in their songwriting without compromising on experimentation on their latest album.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer February 8, 2022

Animal Collective’s latest album, “Time Skiffs,” is a joyous blend of exploratory impulses and jangling psychedelic pop. Their strongest album in years, it’s their first...

Japanese American singer-songwriter Mitski released her latest album, “Laurel Hell,” on Friday. (Photo by Ebru Yildiz, Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: On ‘Laurel Hell,’ Mitski blooms

Mitski's first album in four years pairs her unmatched lyricism with synth-heavy ’80s-inspired production. “Laurel Hell” is out Friday on all platforms.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief February 4, 2022
Mitski's first album in four years pairs her unmatched lyricism with synth-heavy ’80s-inspired production. “Laurel Hell” is out Friday on all platforms.
An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Another posthumous release from XXXTENTACION

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Lauv, Wallows and more.

Pop, rap, rock. What isn’t covered this week? Dive into these eclectic reviews to find the freshest new music to add to your library. “vice city” by XXXTENTACION Jordan...

Samia played a sold-out concert at Webster Hall on Jan. 28. The American singer-songwriter’s music focuses on the mid-20s experience. (Photo by Muriel Margaret, courtesy of Samia)

Review: Samia’s Webster Hall set makes having an existential crisis fun again

On Friday, 25-year-old Samia played an electric sold-out show at Webster Hall in the East Village, joined by an energetic band and equally vibrant opener Annie DiRusso. Her latest album, “The Baby,” is available on all streaming platforms.
Lorena Campes, Staff Writer February 2, 2022

At the intersection of Phoebe Bridgers and Japanese Breakfast is 25-year-old Samia Finnerty, with her ironically upbeat, incredibly existential lyrics about young adulthood and...

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, performing on his 'Under A Blue Moon' tour. (Photo by Emmanuel Agbeble)

Wale brings D.C. hip-hop to Webster Hall on his ‘Under A Blue Moon’ tour

For one night, the rapper turned the East Village concert venue into a D.C. hip-hop block party.
Destine Manson, Contributing Writer February 1, 2022

A bed of roses covered by a large black sheet lay at the center of the stage. A leather chair peeked out from beneath the sheet as Wale’s first opener, Houston rapper Cam Wallace,...

“SICK!,” released Jan. 14, is Earl Sweatshirt’s fourth studio album. (Photo by Ryosuke Tanzawa, courtesy of Warner Records)

Review: Earl Sweatshirt’s ‘SICK!’ is intriguing, opaque and resonant

Even within a sub-30-minute run time, Earl’s album provides a career retrospective. Blending the sounds that have defined his career, he creates a cohesive offering set in society’s present moment and his current sonic aesthetic.
Jordan Lee, Contributing Writer January 27, 2022

By this point, Earl Sweatshirt has had the type of career that merits casting his head as the silver ornament gracing the cover of his album “SICK!” He’s had two genre-defining...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: After teasing it on TikTok, Charlie Puth’s ‘Light Switch’ is finally here

Read about this week’s most notable singles from Father John Misty, Destroyer and more.

Welcome back to Listen to This! We’re back with the first edition of the spring semester. Spanning several genres, we’ve got nine great songs this week, which all came out...

“Caprisongs” is the latest mixtape by artist FKA twigs, released on Jan. 14. FKA twigs is a Grammy-nominated English singer-songwriter. (Image courtesy of Atlantic Records)

Review: On ‘CAPRISONGS,’ FKA twigs is reborn

The British artist adopts a trap aesthetic on her playful new mixtape.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor January 24, 2022

FKA twigs’ latest release, “CAPRISONGS,” is phoenix-like — on the 17-track mixtape, the British artist-dancer-wushu-sword-fighter is reborn. Strong, sexy, confident and...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Mitski strikes again with new single ‘Heat Lightning’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Mitski, Ed Sheeran, Joshua Bassett and more.
Bryn Borzillo, Candace Patrick and Alex Tey December 9, 2021

Yes, it’s true — this is the last edition of “Listen to this” for the fall semester. It’s been crazy and hectic, but time really has flown. Ahead of her forthcoming album,...

Sizzy Rocket released her mixtape “Too Young to Die” on Sept. 31. The mixtape features remixes of various songs with a punk rock twist. (Photo by Justin Higuchi, via Wikimedia Commons)

A WNYU interview with pop-punk artist Sizzy Rocket 

The singer-songwriter discussed her newly released mixtape, her musical influences and what she’s listening to right now. 
MaryCharlotte Barnes, Contributing Writer December 8, 2021

Sizzy Rocket aspires to make a song for every emotion on the spectrum and her mixtape, “Too Young to Die” makes strides towards just that. The alternative punk artist, who...