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

Arts

Clive Davis first-year Jackson Craig passionately performs in the Mercury Lounge. With his unique upbeat, funky set, the singer instilled in the crowd a special kind of energy. (Photo by Izzy Salas)

Jackson Craig Delivers a Groovy Performance at Mercury Lounge

On Wednesday, Mercury Lounge was packed to see this Clive Davis first-year perform an upbeat, funky set.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer February 19, 2020

Clive Davis first-year Jackson Craig graced the Mercury Lounge stage on Wednesday, Feb. 12 clad in a fuzzy orange jacket and red-tinted John Lennon glasses. It was very fourth-grade-Halloween...

Sonic's design is significantly improved from what we've seen at the film's reveal. The visual success, nonetheless, couldn't save the film from its flimsy plot. (Photo by Hassan Elgamal)

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ and a 40-Year-Old All-American Boy

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is a bog standard first outing for the blue blur.
Fareid El Gafy, Film Editor February 19, 2020

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is exactly what we thought it would be. If the film portended by the “Gangsta’s Paradise” trailer appeals to you, then you will likely see past its...


“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is now playing in cinemas. The film explores the blossoming relationship between two women in the 18th century. (Staff Photo by Kaylee DeFreitas)

‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’: A Masterful Exploration of Love

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor February 18, 2020

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist. A group of women hum different notes around a fire....

Computer stations designed for playing video games are characterized by brightly lit keyboards and high-backed chairs. The video game industry has been rapidly rising, forming a vibrant community of players, programmers, and audiences. (Photo by Isiah Rosa)

Video Games: From ‘Pong’ to the Eighth Art

Games are changing. Let's try to keep up.
Nicholas Weid, Staff Writer February 18, 2020

A lot has changed in video games since their humble beginnings in the 1970s. The matter of choosing what to play is no longer as simple as deciding between an action-packed game...

Time is a prevailing theme in "The Slow Rush," Tame Impala's newest album. Though many songs feature signature sounds from Kevin Parker, others showcase his diverse skills as a hip hop producer. (Staff photo by Alex Tran, Staff illustration by Chelsea Li)

‘The Slow Rush’ Is Tame Impala’s Most Introspective Album to Date

Tame Impala’s long-awaited album, ‘The Slow Rush,’ is a cosmic trip of understanding time and oneself, and Kevin Parker achieves it perfectly.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer February 18, 2020

Tame Impala’s “The Slow Rush” was a full-bodied, mind-bending, psychedelic journey that I never wanted to end. Beginning with “One More Year” and ending with “One More...

Now in their 30th year, Mercer St. Books & Records carries new and used books, as well as LPs. Local bookstores like this one are small businesses that are often overlooked in the city. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Support Your OG Bookstores

Buying from your local bookstores in the East Village is an experience that even Amazon’s money can’t buy.
Destine Manson, Staff Writer February 18, 2020

From James Baldwin to E. E. Cummings and many more, there was a time when literary icons roamed Bleecker and Broadway. Many of them sat in the East Village and pondered on the...

Laura Lee on bass with Houston band Khruangbin, including Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Ray "DJ" Johnson Jr. on drums. For the first time the Texan band has collaborated with Leon Bridges in the album aptly named "Texas Sun." (Image via Ralph_PH @wikicommons)

“Texas Sun” Indulges in Lust and Repents

Leon Bridges and Khruangbin released a compact, four-song EP this week that is altogether folksy, mystical and psychedelic.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer February 14, 2020

Soul singer Leon Bridges paired with psychedelic three-person band Khruangbin to create an album which relies on the funky rhythm foundation of the Houston-based band and Bridges’...

In the mood for love? WSN recommends some Valentine singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Staff Recs: Valentine’s Day Edition

The Arts Desk recommends the best films, music and galleries for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

Ashley Wu, Deputy Arts Editor  Even though Valentine’s Day was invented by Hallmark to sell greeting cards, let’s try to forget about capitalism for a second and celebrate...

Half of the critically acclaimed French Film "I Lost My Body" follows the misadventures of a disembodied hand, as told through animation. The film is one of several Netflix films nominated for Academy Awards this year. (Staff Photo by Fareid El Gafy)

‘I Lost My Body’: A Hand’s Odyssey

The French Oscar nominee for Best Animated Film combines traditional animation, a surrealist adventure story starring a disembodied hand and a young man’s search for love in a world of tragedy. And it’s beautiful.
Ben Linder, Contributing Writer February 14, 2020

Content warning: this article contains spoilers Why can’t French films ever just be normal? Just once. Must everything be beautiful and profound, not just in spite of, but...

The cold traps a woman in a lodge to confront the trauma from her past. Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala's The Lodge is now playing in select theaters. (Photo by Ethan Zack)

‘The Lodge’: An Elegant Horror Movie that Stumbles at the Last Hurdle

The film might have become a new classic if it had stuck the landing.
Nicholas Pabon, Staff Writer February 13, 2020

Lately, there appears to be a resurgence of high-quality, atmospheric horror movies free of cheap scares. Films like “Midsommar” and “The Lighthouse” craft their horror...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Feb. 7 – Feb. 12

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

From Sufjan Stevens to Carly Rae Jepsen, this week’s slew of singles mostly consisted of soft-spoken reflections on living in modernity. Whether it’s King Krule shrieking about...

Cowgirl Clue is a Southern California based electronic producer. Emulating the look of a manic pixie dream girl, she styled herself, sways, and spoke in a fashion that pronounced her spirit. (Photo by Deonté Lee, courtesy of Cowgirl Clue)

Electronic Super-Producer Cowgirl Clue Discusses the Punk Aesthetic of Pop

Following the musical philosophy of “Vada Vada,” Cowgirl Clue stands as one of the most exciting DJs working today. Here, contributing writer Charles Smith speaks to her in anticipation of Valentine’s Day with Cowgirl Clue and Special Guests at Elsewhere.
Charles Smith, Contributing Writer February 12, 2020

You can’t forget Cowgirl Clue’s music. She has a knack for catchy songwriting and yet, her songs sound completely out of left field — like Tinker Bell found a drum machine....