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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

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards returns to its live format to celebrate the channel’s 40th anniversary. The 2021 VMAs were held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on September 12. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

The most notable performances from the 2021 VMAs

The MTV awards returned with energetic performances, the hottest music — and a worm costume.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer September 17, 2021

Making a grand return to a live format, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards celebrated the channel’s 40th anniversary with exciting performances from today’s top artists....

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: Metallica covers growl alongside lush pop tunes

Read about the most notable singles this week by Mac DeMarco, Troye Sivan and more.

This week’s reviews range from covers of Metallica’s “The Black Album” to a slinky Big Thief song about certainty. They discuss Radiohead’s upcoming triple-album release...

The Clive Davis Institute hosts an annual Artist-In-Residence each year. This year, Clive Davis hosts Grammy winner Jack Antonoff. (Photo by Herbert "River" Ortiz)

Jack Antonoff is this year’s Artist-in-Residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute

The Grammy Award-winning musician launched his residency with a Q&A for Clive Davis students.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor September 15, 2021

Hit artist, songwriter, producer and five-time Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff has been announced as this year’s Artist-in-Residence at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded...

Abba’s upcoming album “Voyage” is scheduled for release on November 5th. This would be Abba’s first release after nearly forty years.
(Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Here we go again: ABBA returns after 39 years

The pop supergroup is releasing a new album and London concert experience.
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer September 14, 2021

The Swedish pop quartet ABBA has returned after nearly four decades, with new music and a quirky performance concept. The group publicized their comeback on Sept. 2, when they...

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: Singles from Sept. 1-7

Read about the most notable singles released this week.

So many good singles this week. So many great music videos — every track on here has one. We’ve gotten extremes in genres, ranging from hyperpop to lo-fi, and included an NYU...

Blu DeTiger performs songs from her latest EP, “How Did We Get Here?” at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. DeTiger is a DJ, bass player, and NYU-student-on-leave, and energized the crowd with renditions of her popular songs. (Staff Photo by Yas Akdag)

Blu DeTiger excels at Music Hall of Williamsburg

A former NYU student’s first headline show energizes and stuns.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor September 8, 2021

“Blu, Blu, Blu, Blu, Blu!” the crowd chants, eager for the blue-bass-toting musician to hop onstage. Their wish will soon be granted, as blue lasers flicker across the room...

Singer-songwriter Halsey released their fourth studio album, "If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power," on August 27, 2021. Halsey tackles femininity, empowerment, pregnancy, and motherhood all at once in their new concept album. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli and Arnav Binaykia)

Review: ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’

Halsey navigates life in its rawest form through their new concept album.
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer September 8, 2021

“It’s the most inadequate I’ve ever felt.” Halsey shares this in a 2020 interview with the Guardian, discussing the online backlash they received following their public...

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: Singles from August

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Kacey Musgraves, BTS and more.

August may have slipped away into a moment in time — and sipped away like a bottle of wine — but that doesn’t mean August releases have to! If you feel like refreshing your...

"Donda", the tenth studio album by Kanye West, was released on August 29, 2021. This album is composed of twenty-seven tracks, approximating a two-hour runtime altogether. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Review: ‘Donda’ is a godsend

After several rounds of editing and an expected series of delays, Kanye West’s “Donda” is finally out.
Nico Pedrero-Setzer, Abroad Arts Editor August 31, 2021

Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda Donda. Through mantric divination, Kanye West introduces us to “Donda,” a work of hard drums and heavy tears. Listening...

A star-studded lineup of musicians celebrating the return to semi-normalcy drew large and enthusiastic crowds. Unfortunately for the revelers, the event was cut short due to lightning from Hurricane Henri. (Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Review: ‘WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert’

New York’s anticipated COVID-19 recovery event was an off-key, optimistic celebration, until halted due to Hurricane Henri.
Ana Cubas, Arts Editor August 30, 2021

With a Broadway-like dazzle, “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert,” was a candy-coated outlook on the city’s resurgence after COVID-19. In the assortment of indulgent performances,...

Singer-songwriter Lorde released her latest album Solar Power on June 10. The album, her first in four years, reflects her progression into a new phase of her artistic journey. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: Forget Lorde, ‘Solar Power’ is Ella’s album

Lorde subverts all expectations on her introspective third album.
Michael Campanella, Contributing Writer August 30, 2021

When Lorde first teased her new album, “Solar Power,” my initial reaction was “oh no.”  Anyone who listened to her last album “Melodrama” close to a breakup can...

The world is full of critics and people wanting to shut you out. That’s all the more reason to make your art. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Dear Artist: Risks have rewards

In a world filled with criticism, some artists feel pressured to conform to what is considered mainstream. However, now is the time for artists to reclaim what is truly theirs: art itself.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor August 30, 2021

Let’s face it: people are insecure. Between balancing the desire for social acceptance and putting forth our most authentic selves, we feel as if every decision we make puts...