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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

"Tea for Tillerman 2" is Cat Stevens's reimagining of his original album in 1970. Although the album is undoubtedly beautiful, it fails to capture the vulnerability of his previous work. (Illustration by Chandler Littleford)

Cat Stevens Revisits ‘Tea for the Tillerman’ and Creates New Magic

Despite lacking the vulnerability and simplicity of the original, this revamped album is dramatic and experimental.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer September 25, 2020

“Tea for the Tillerman 2” by Yusuf/Cat Stevens is as lovely as the first time around but leans heavily on sounds instead of lyrics. It all feels very indie movie-esque, very...

The 2020 Country Music Awards stage welcomed back Taylor Swift after a seven-year absence. The return shows not only the singer's negligence of the pop genre, but also the abandonment of genre boundaries altogether. (Staff Illustration by Li-Chun Pan)

Taylor Swift Proves She Can Do It All

With her latest music, the singer has finally cemented the impressive extent of her stylistic range once and for all.
Claire Jones, Contributing Writer September 23, 2020

For a long time, it seemed like Taylor Swift was moving in a straight line. The musician began her career as a country singer through and through, only to progressively shed that...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Sept. 15 – Sept. 21

Read about the most notable singles released this week.

This edition of Weekly Radio Roundup exhibits singles released by old and new artists, reminding us that good music remains relevant regardless of its release, and feelings of...

Travis Scott's McDonald's latest collaboration is set to be released on Oct. 4. The menu item consists of the singer's favorite order: a quarter pounder with onions, pickles, bacon, lettuce, melted cheese, mustard and ketchup. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

Travis Scott’s McDonald’s Collaboration Caters to His Fans

Hip-Hop artist Travis Scott and McDonald’s team up to give hamburgers some swagger.
Anastasia D. S. Johnson, Staff Writer September 21, 2020

For the first time in almost 30 years, a celebrity can say that their name is on the McDonald’s menu. On Sept. 8, 2020, 28-year-old hip-hop artist and music producer Travis Scott...

This past Monday night, Chance the Rapper partnered with Ralph Lauren in an attempt to create an engaging pre-show and concert experience virtually. The night started off with a snapchat filter that allowed the user to explore the flagship Ralph Lauren store and ended with an entertaining YouTube concert. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

The Ralph Lauren X Chance the Rapper Performance Reimagines Virtual Concerts

The best part of the Ralph Lauren x Chance the Rapper performance was, surprisingly, waiting for the show to start.
Holly Grace Jamili, Contributing Writer September 17, 2020

This past Monday, Chance the Rapper partnered with luxury designer Ralph Lauren to invite his fans for a free online performance in his hometown of Chicago. It was no typical live...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Sept. 7 – Sept. 14

Read about our favorite singles that were released this week.
Isabella Armus, Ana Cubas, Lexi Wolf and Claire Jones September 15, 2020

Welcome to a new semester of our Weekly Radio Roundups. A lot has changed since last May but thankfully, we had some great new music releases to get us through the summer. This...

COVID-19 and quarantining provided time for many people to pick up new skills like learning to play an instrument or producing music. However, musicians who rely on touring and festivals to make their income are having a hard time making ends meet from streaming services alone. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

The Time To Support Independent Musicians Is Now

COVID-19 has impacted independent musicians and music venues severely. They are finally receiving the help they deserve.
Anastasia D. S. Johnson, Contributing Writer September 14, 2020

When COVID-19 first hit, people found themselves with substantially more time on their hands. As numerous people have turned to music as an escape, the percentage of streaming...

"Zeros" is Declan McKenna's second studio album. Burst with youthfulness, the release grounds itself in stellar guitar solos accompanied by reflections on depression and growing up. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

‘Zeros’ Soars from Optimism to Bitter Observation

Declan McKenna’s second album bursts with youthfulness and grounds itself in stellar guitar solos accompanied by reflections on depression and growing up.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer September 11, 2020

Both bubbly and gritty, Declan McKenna’s new album “Zeros” is thoughtful, self-aware and a total jam. While his first album was catchy, sweet and rooted in the growing pains...

MTV’s Video Music Awards ran on August 30th without an audience. Though a year of many firsts, the 37th VMAs viewership continues to drop despite an increased effort in attempting to make the show interesting and engaging. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

The 2020 VMAs Prove The Traditional Awards Show Model Is Dead

The 2020 MTV VMAs had many firsts, but while it was unorthodox in several ways, nothing can bring the show back to what it used to be.
Samaa Khullar, Contributing Writer September 8, 2020

MTV held the 37th annual Video Music Awards on Aug. 30, the first show in the history of the program to be held without an in-person audience due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic....

Disclosure, the duo that rose to fame with “Latch” featuring Sam Smith, recently released their third studio album, “ENERGY.” Filled with vibrancy and eclectic vibe, this release takes you around the world with various collaborators. (Staff Illustration by Li-Chun Pan)

Disclosure’s ‘ENERGY’ Is a Vibrant, Electronic Escape

The electronica band takes you to parties all around the world with a variety of collaborators on their newest album, proving that their musical exploration is far from over.
Emily Glass, Contributing Writer September 4, 2020

Lately, the world has seemed ever-changing, yet uncomfortably still. It’s hard to take time to simply exist and breathe. Disclosure’s third studio album, “ENERGY,” gives...

Pop icon Katy Perry released her sixth studio album last week. “Smile” is a lyrical and stylistic return to the classic sound that shot her to stardom ten years ago. (Staff Illustration by Li-Chun Pan)

Katy Perry Clings To Her Past in ‘Smile’

The “Teenage Dream” artist knows how to craft a perfectly encouraging pop hit, even if it’s getting old.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor September 1, 2020

Being America’s “Teenage Dream” is hard. Katy Perry’s sixth studio album, “Smile,” is proof that it is difficult to continue to thrive in the music world when popular...

"I think just giving people stuff to watch and listen to right now is something that a lot of people kind of need, if you can feel me" (Photo via Imogen Wilson).

WNYU Interview with New Zealand Rising Star BENEE

Read the full transcript of the interview below and listen on WNYU’s SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wnyu/benee. You can also check out the “The Sound Between” on Tuesday, May 26 at 2pm EST at WNYU-FM (89.1 FM).
Bridgette Kontner, Host of WNYU’s “The Sound Between” May 26, 2020

Editor's Note: This article is a full transcript of the radio interview, which has been lightly edited for format and consistency. Thanks to WNYU-FM and Bridgette Kontner for the...