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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

“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...

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: Black Country, New Road releases new single ‘Concorde’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Mura Masa, Aeon Station and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay and Jack Peterson December 2, 2021

After a brief Thanksgiving break, we’re back. The releases are winding down as Christmas songs begin to dominate the charts. Nevertheless, there’s still brilliant new music...

Musician Will Wood performs at The Bitter End, a rock club on Bleecker Street. Wood’s concert consisted of him singing his popular genre-defying songs while alternating between the piano and ukulele. (Staff Photo by Caitlin Hsu)

Review: Will Wood’s live show was as delightfully unhinged as expected

The avant-garde pop musician sold out two energy-filled shows at The Bitter End this past weekend.
Caitlin Hsu, Under The Arch Managing Editor December 2, 2021

I’ve always believed that Will Wood makes music for reformed emo kids, and nothing has strengthened this conviction more than the crowd outside The Bitter End on the evening...

Welcome to Alex and Joey's K-pop burn book. Feel free to disagree but we stand by our opinions. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

K-pop burn book: November edition

All hail MILF idol groups — T-ARA made a comeback after a 4-year hiatus.
Alexandra Chan and Joey Hung November 30, 2021

Welcome back to the K-pop burn book! Neither Alex nor Joey went to see aespa at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — Joey was in California and Alex just didn’t feel like...

British singer Adele, shown here performing in Nashville, recently released her fourth studio album titled “30.” The album’s songs capture Adele’s vulnerability, heartbreak and resurgent confidence. (Photo by Kristopher Harris, via Wikimedia Commons)

Review: Adele’s ‘30’ is more than just a heartbreak album

Grab the tissues — Adele is back.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer November 24, 2021

When asked about the theme of her new album on Instagram Live last month, Adele responded without hesitation: “Divorce, babe, divorce.” She meant it. In her fourth studio...

Alexander 23 performs for a sold-out crowd at Terminal 5 in Manhattan in early March 2020. The former New Yorker is performing songs he wrote during the pandemic on tour. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An interview with sad-pop artist Alexander 23

The former New Yorker talked about working with Olivia Rodrigo, music production and his favorite spots in the city.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor November 22, 2021

Alexander 23 is notorious for writing sad music. His song “IDK You Yet” — written about a difficult period in his life — is certified gold and recently went viral on TikTok....

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: Beyoncé releases new song ‘Be Alive’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Nilüfer Yanya, Beach House and more.

Honestly, we don’t have much to add here. Beyoncé pretty much speaks for herself. This week, we also review new songs by British artist Nilüfer Yanya, indie duo Beach House...

Snail Mail’s sophomore album “Valentine” was released on Nov. 5. The album is a step forward that shows promise for Snail Mail’s future. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Review: ‘Valentine’ is a dynamic move forward for Snail Mail

On her sophomore album, the indie-rock artist explores love and heartbreak with a more expansive palette.
Jack Solomon, Contributing Writer November 15, 2021

When Lindsay Jordan, who performs as Snail Mail, released “Lush” in 2018, she was met with rapturous critical acclaim. Jordan was only 18 at the time, but already felt industry...