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

Isabella Armus

Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor

Isabella Armus is a senior majoring in cinema studies with a double minor in creative writing and anthropology. She loves trash TV, botching recipes, and taking blurry pictures of people’s dogs. Follow @isabellaarmus on Instagram for sporadic content, and on Letterboxd for cringe.

All content by Isabella Armus
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 maintains she’ll ‘See you Soon’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by MUNA, Flume and more.

Folks, here we are … the final edition of “Listen to This” of the semester. We’ve enjoyed writing up our favorite — and sometimes least favorite — singles of the week...

A woman with orange hair and a black headband wears a pensive expression. She has one hand next to her mouth and appears to be biting a bit of her nail. Behind her there is a window that looks out to green trees and grass.

Review: Post-grad panic personified in ‘The African Desperate’

Anxiety, memes and art school cliches coalesce in Martine Syms’ hazy directorial debut. The film played as part of New Directors/New Films 2022 at Film at Lincoln Center.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Apr 29, 2022

Graduation is absurd. Although it’s regarded as a fundamental rite of growth and transition, the ceremony — or, rather, the awkward procedure — is never quite as climactic...

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: Dear CVS, Megan Thee Stallion is stocking up on ‘Plan B’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Laufey, PinkPantheress and more.

Everybody seems to be talking about Coachella this week, and, well, we’re going to give you more of that. Megan Thee Stallion debuted her latest single, “Plan B,” at her...

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: Phoebe Bridgers expands her sonic palette on “Sidelines”

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Jamie xx and Shin Hae Gyeong.

Phoebe Bridgers, a veteran of the indie scene, has been riding a big high since releasing her 2020 Grammy-nominated album, “Punisher.” Now, she’s also proven her business...

An illustration of a purple heart-shaped bong, two Oreo cookies and a pair of Beats earbuds against a bright green background.

Staff Recs: Crunchin’ the munchies

The Arts Desk recommends the best movies and music for dozing off into high heaven as you celebrate 4/20.

It’s twenty past four and you need something to do after toking and coughing on a spliff or devouring a brownie whose chemical makeup is a broken ratio of three parts cannabis,...

Five art pieces displayed in frames on a white wall inside the Grey Art Gallery. In the foreground, a clear encased sculpture in the center of the room.

Grey Art Gallery is NYU’s archival gem

The museum’s first exhibition since the COVID-19 pandemic, “Mostly New” features an eclectic and impressive sampling of contemporary art. 
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Apr 5, 2022

Don’t let the side entrance through the Silver Center for Arts and Science deter you — the Grey Art Gallery is an essential visit. Established in 1975, the column-fortified...

An illustration of musician Charlie XCX wearing a black string bikini. She is falling out of the door of a crashed white car, with her legs still in the passenger seat and the rest of her body hanging out onto the road below.

Review: On “CRASH,” Charli XCX hits cruise control

Though not as ambitious as her previous entries, hyperpop maverick Charli XCX offers a catalog of clean, formulaic fun on her fifth full-length LP.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Mar 28, 2022

Despite spending the last decade on her own artistic victory lap, Charli XCX is still just a stan. The singer has fortified her reputation by pioneering the experimental hyperpop...

A portrait of Olivia Hughart in Tompkins Square Park. She is wearing a navy blue three-quarter sleeve blouse with a ruffle hem at the elbow. She is holding a saxophone in her hands.

Key of She is redefining gender in jazz

Founded by NYU jazz performance student Olivia Hughart, Key of She is an expansive organization fostering a supportive community for girls in jazz — and it’s only just getting started.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Mar 11, 2022

Even in its infancy, jazz was not a genre that stuck to the status quo. Developed by Black Americans in the early 20th century, jazz was marked by its amorphousness, as musicians...

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: Nilüfer Yanya’s latest song confirms she’s an idol in the making

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Rosalía, BANKS and more.

“the dealer” by Nilüfer Yanya Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor To list the music idols who have come from the United Kingdom would be to write a never-ending book....

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: Caroline Polachek dazzles in new song ‘Billions’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Father John Misty, Alexander 23 and more.

Caroline Polachek dropped her latest single, “Billions”, on the same day she started touring with Dua Lipa — talk about having a full plate. And love him or hate him, Ed...

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...

If securing a Valentine’s date proves to be a failure, WSN has you covered with a list of movies to watch alone on Valentine’s Day. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Staff Recs: Anti-Valentine’s Day films

The Arts Desk recommends the best films to protest Saint Valentine’s Day.

“The Living End” directed by Gregg Araki Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor Nothing says Saint Valentine’s Day like sex, death and hedonism. Gregg Araki’s New Queer...

Ridley’s Scott’s new film “House of Gucci” stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani and Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci. The film follows the rise and fall of the Gucci family in the 1980s. (Image courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Review: ‘House of Gucci’ is a fashion catastrophe

Even a scene-stealing Gaga performance can’t save Ridley Scott’s true-crime slog from itself.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Dec 6, 2021

There was a palpable electricity in the air when I sat down to watch Ridley Scott’s directorial take on the infamous Gucci family murders. Maybe it was just the overpriced movie...

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...

The promotional poster for Scharlins upcoming interactive theatrical experience “Boohbah: The Rise and Fall of an Empire.” (Image courtesy of Molly Scharlin)

Molly Scharlin Ben-Hamoo embraces her inner weird

Senior dramatic writing major Molly Scharlin divulges about her upcoming multimedia extravaganza “Boohbah: The Rise and Fall of an Empire” and unconventional artistic process.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Oct 22, 2021

Editor’s Note: This conversation was condensed for length and clarity.  Airing from the years 2003 to 2006, the British children’s television series “Boohbah” and its...

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...

“The Nowhere Inn” is a mockumentary starring St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein that was released on Sept. 17. The film is an experimental look at the role of the modern performer.  (Image courtesy of IFC Films)

Review: ‘The Nowhere Inn’ is a trippy exploration of persona

Recording artist St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein of “Portlandia” team up for a beguiling yet frustrating mockumentary that explores the role of the modern performer.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Oct 4, 2021

Warning: the 2021 mockumentary “The Nowhere Inn” is a little weird. Directed by Bill Benz and written by and starring Carrie Brownstein and rock musician Annie Clark, who performs...

A year after releasing her album “Chromatica,” Lady Gaga has impressed fans with 14 new remixes of songs. “Dawn of Chromatica” succeeds in breathing new life into each song. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: ‘Dawn of Chromatica’ will invigorate you

A year after the original release of "Chromatica," former Tisch student Lady Gaga dazzles fans with 14 new remixes.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Sep 20, 2021

Let your end-of-summer-panic subside — there are still outgoing flights to “Chromatica.” Since singer, actress, entrepreneur, icon and former NYU student Lady Gaga released...

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...

HBO’s The White Lotus was the streaming darling of the summer. The show attempts to probe Americas colonial past in this satire of the tourism industry. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Review: The white existentialism of ‘The White Lotus’

HBO’s splashy summer drama probes at America’s colonial past, but doesn’t manage to rewrite a critical future.
Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor Aug 30, 2021

Cradled by lapping tides, a boat full of white, wealthy and unreasonably attractive patrons arrive at the paradisiacal island of Maui as doting staff members wave from the distance,...

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 July

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Bo Burnham, Peggy Gou and more.

WSN’s music desk is no longer on summer hiatus. While the staff took a short break, the music world delivered hundreds of singles to sift through and enjoy. And yet, through...

An illustration of a women with dark purple hair wearing lavender headphones. Her headphone cords form the text listen to this. She is in front of a blue background.

Listen to This: Singles from April 24-30

Here are the singles we're obsessing over this week!

When artists experiment in a new capacity, whether it be a remix or a recent single, there’s a looming curiosity or hope that their endeavor will be a successful one. A compelling...

Written by and starring Wiig and Mumolo as the titular Barb and Star, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar tracks the two middling yet eternally chipper divorcees from Nebraska after they lose their dream jobs working at a furniture outlet. The film also features a stunning performance by Jamie Dornan as the main villains henchman. (Images by Julia McNeil, Charlie Dodge, Yuzhi Huang. Staff Illustration by Alex Tran)

‘Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar’ review: the glory in being gaudy

“Bridesmaids” alums Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo show the reward in committing to the bit in their new tropical getaway epic.
Isabella Armus, Contributing Writer Apr 21, 2021

Embracing the absurd isn't a new concept to comedy power duo Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig — it's a lifestyle. They've been frequent collaborators since their days in the Groundlings...

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.

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...

Michaela Coel’s semi-autobiographical HBO drama series “I May Destroy You” has ended its 12-week run. Coel created and starred in the emotional and complex narrative about sexual assault. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Warning, the Series Finale of “I May Destroy You” Might Actually Destroy You

Summer phenomenon, “I May Destroy You,” ends its 12 week run on HBO with a twisty, emotional bang.
Isabella Armus, Staff Writer Sep 2, 2020

Content warning: in addition to spoilers, this article mentions sexual assault/violence. Creator Michaela Coel is fierce, and her brand new semi-autobiographical HBO drama which...

The tiger rules as a fierce predator in the wild. The Netflix series Tiger King has gone on to become a nationwide sensation. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Why “Tiger King” Became the Perfect Cultural Phenomenon

“Tiger King's” widespread popularity during the mass quarantine is a perfect example of the kind of content we gravitate towards in crisis.
Isabella Armus, Staff Writer Apr 16, 2020

Upon logging into Twitter a couple of weeks back and discovering the mass mania surrounding bizarre individuals who horde and collect endangered mammals in the U.S, the only appropriate...

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

Weekly Radio Roundup: April 3 – April 9

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

Another week in isolation, another opportunity to explore great music. Here at the Music Desk, we’re celebrating the fact that this is the 10th edition of this column that hopes...

Onward is Pixars latest original project since 2017s Coco.  The film focuses on a family of elves: lanky and socially awkward Ian (Tom Holland), his overbearing, slacker older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) and their widowed mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). (Staff Photo by Alex Tran)

‘Onward’: an Almost Satisfying Journey

Pixar’s latest original fare since 2017’s “Coco” isn’t quite as magical as its premise suggests.
Isabella Armus, Staff Writer Apr 8, 2020

Even when armed with a magical roster of centaurs, unicorns, goblins and all of the other fascinating creatures that make up the fantasies of every child in the world, the Disney-Pixar...

A multitude of celebrities collaborated on an Instagram video singing John Lennon’s “Imagine,” coordinated by actress Gal Gadot. It is time to examine the actions and roles of these influential figures during a crisis that calls for change. (Images via Instagram @gal_gadot)

Is Gal Gadot the First Horsewoman of the Entertainment Apocalypse?

The “Wonder Woman” star’s “Imagine” rendition didn’t quite lift our spirits, but it did start a conversation about celebrity and crisis.
Isabella Armus, Staff Writer Mar 30, 2020

In the midst of mass chaos, misinformation and confusion, audiences tend to look for a type of healing salve that can soothe some of the looming anxieties that surround them. On...

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

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 7 – March 13

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

It’s National Women’s History Month! But we’re also navigating a global pandemic and the constant presence of hovering parents at a time when we should be enjoying the blessedness...

A memorable scene in the trailer of The Invisible Man reboot depicts Cecilia waking up in the middle of the night as her blanket is tugged off the bed. In the film, the protagonist played by Elisabeth Moss gets into a struggle with an unseen figure as her controlling ex-boyfriend Adrian creates a suit that renders him invisible. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

‘The Invisible Man’: The Hit You Didn’t See Coming

The latest edition to the “Invisible Man” canon is an effective horror on looming trauma.
Isabella Armus, Contributiing Writer Mar 10, 2020

Have you ever felt helplessly insane? Like your grip on reality has suddenly become completely muddled, and even when you trepidly attempt to rationalize the situation, you still...

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