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

All content by Ethan Beck
Singer-songwriter Mitski with dark, shoulder-length hair windswept across her face stares into the camera in front of many tree branches. The photo is black and white.

Review: ‘The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We’ is Mitski’s steady, Americana experiment

With lush, earthy instrumentation and engaging lyrical quandaries, the indie-rock artist takes a new direction in her newest album.
Ethan Beck, Staff Writer Sep 25, 2023

There was a brief period when it seemed like Mitski might never release music again. Following her 2018 album “Be The Cowboy,” the indie-pop songwriter was catapulted into...

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: Cola Morgan on the trials and tribulations of dating in the city

Listen to this week’s most notable singles from Zack Keim, Foo Fighters and more.

To close out the semester, this week’s edition of Listen To This features singles from veteran artists like Foo Fighters, to up-and-coming acts like Cola Morgan. Read on for...

An illustration of white-colored barbed wire and chain links from a fence. They are silhouetted on a red background.

Review: ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ is a sleek tale of environmental revolution

With Daniel Goldhaber’s stylish direction and a strong cast, “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” turns a story about property destruction into a tense thriller.
Ethan Beck, Contributing Writer Apr 25, 2023

What’s the cure for apathy? In “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” the tight, new environmentalist thriller from “Cam” director Daniel Goldhaber, the answer is direct action....

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: The Jonas Brothers drop ‘Waffle House’

Listen to this week’s most notable singles from The Paper Kites, Arthur Russell and more.

From the talk-singing of Cheekface to the subdued vocals of Albert Hammond Jr., this past week saw a slew of exciting new singles to usher in the exquisite warm weather. Whether...

Actress Michelle Williams as the character Lizzy in the film “Showing Up.” She is working on a sculpture inside a studio with a bookshelf in the background.

Review: ‘Showing Up’ continues Kelly Reichardt’s soft-spoken hot streak

The Oregon-based director focuses on the studio art world in her latest film for A24. “Showing Up” is currently showing at select theaters in New York City.
Ethan Beck, Contributing Writer Apr 13, 2023

Kelly Reichardt may be the most consistent, empathetic director working in the United States today. Reichardt has regularly put together steady, simple films that reward patient...

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: Thee Sacred Souls’ ‘Running Away’ is nostalgic yet feels new

Listen to this week’s most notable singles from Emile Mosseri, The Japanese House and more.

This week’s new singles range from the soul-filled sound of Thee Sacred Souls to the R&B-influenced pop of girl group FLO. These artists delve into new material, either by...

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: beabadoobee’s ‘Glue Song’ is a sticky earworm

Read about this week’s most notable singles from Indigo de Souza, Feist and more.

For this week’s highlighted singles, the name of the game is “it’s complicated.” While beabadoobee delivers a delightfully sappy ode to love, others like Indigo De Souza,...

Actors Kristen Cui, Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge in the film “Knock at the Cabin.” They are hiding behind a corner in a cabin and looking anxiously to the right.

Review: ‘Knock at the Cabin’ is an apocalyptic test of belief

M. Night Shyamalan’s latest continues a string of fascinating, mostly-solid thrillers.
Ethan Beck, Contributing Writer Feb 15, 2023

A new M. Night Shyamalan movie evokes many feelings these days. For years, he was the Spielberg-in-waiting, who built up his name and future with “The Sixth Sense,” a haunting...

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: Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter tries a different sound in ‘L’accouchement’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Zach Bryan, Daisy Jones & The Six and more.

“L’accouchement” by Thomas Bangalter Holden Lay, Staff Writer Daft Punk alum Thomas Bangalter’s sprawling new single, “L’accouchement,” is about as far from...

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: 100 gecs teams up with Skrillex on ‘Torture Me’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by David Byrne, Caroline Polachek and more.
Yas Akdag, Ethan Beck , Paree Chopra, and Holden Lay Dec 8, 2022

“Torture Me” by 100 gecs featuring Skrillex Ethan Beck, Contributing Writer Over the last 10 years, Skrillex has been able to transform his status from being an Internet...

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: Blu DeTiger dials up rhythm and funk on latest single ‘Elevator’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Sarah Kinsley, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and more.

This week, we’ve got pop, funk, house and indie rock. Basically, we have a lot covered. Three of the artists this week also went to New York colleges — Blu DeTiger is a former...

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: Off camera, ‘Elliot’s Song’ captivates

Read about this week’s most notable singles by HAIM, Ashe and more.

Nearly two weeks after the “Euphoria” season two finale, the show still finds a way to get talked about — this time through the release of “Elliot’s Song.” We won’t...

As lovers celebrate their romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to enjoy a heartbreaking breakup album. (Staff Illustration by Aaliya Luthra)

This Valentine’s Day, listen to a breakup album

If you’re bitter about being alone on Valentine’s Day, check out the breakup albums we rounded up so you didn’t have to.

We’ve all been there — as Feb. 14 approaches, it seems impossible to escape anything red, pink or heart-shaped. If you’re single, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something...

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...

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...

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: Mariah Carey releases another Christmas song

Read about the most notable singles by Charli XCX, IDLES and more.

Mariah Carey defrosted early this year, releasing a new Christmas song featuring R&B artist Khalid and choirmaster Kirk Franklin. Charli XCX also dropped a collaboration-heavy...

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 ends her hiatus with new song ‘Working for the Knife’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Gracie Abrams, Kali Uchis and more.

It seems Twitter is ablaze with Mitski memes since both the release of her latest single and the announcement of her 2022 tour. Therefore, it’s only natural that we would review...

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: Elton John and Charlie Puth team up on their latest release

Read about the most notable singles this week by Wallows, Subsonic Eye and more.

There may be three indie rock songs featured here this week, but two of them are in Malay. Bet you haven’t heard that yet — though if you have, that’s cool. We’ve also...

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: As Lady Gaga goes jazz, Enrique Iglesias plays it safe

Read about the most notable singles this week by Lukas Graham, Will Wood and more.

This week’s reviews sprawl across a range of genres. From Kehlani’s popcorn butter-smooth R&B to Snail Mail’s electrified indie-rock, these singles will spice up your...

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