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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

All content by Izzy Salas
"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 24, 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 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...

"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 10, 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...

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 17 – 24

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

Looking at this week’s releases might transport you to a different era. Chromatics, Florence + the  Machine and Jamie xx — like, seriously, what year is it? Anyways, nostalgia...

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...

During this stressful period, comfort might be found in music, specifically classics. Take a look at some old-reliables for your own listening pleasure. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Rediscovering Classics in Times of Tribulation

When the outside world seems to be folding in around us, falling back into our individual collections of music can offer relief.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer March 31, 2020

In times of tragedy, crisis, confusion and frustration, we turn to music for solace. With the global pandemic radically disrupting everyday life and blurring the future, there...

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...

Short stories are quickly losing its popularity in our modern world. Despite their unpopularity, short stories have much to offer in the way of aesthetics, mental acrobatics and surprising endings. (Staff photo by Alexandra Chan)

The Understated Magic of Short Stories

Short stories are becoming obsolete in this digital age, but they provide an aesthetic that young people should return to.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer March 10, 2020

Short stories, in theory, would fit right in with this age of short attention spans and quick consumption… but they aren’t. While they’re usually no more than 10 thousand...

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. 14 – Feb. 21

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

For a week leading up to the releases of the new music from King Krule and Arca, there was also a beautiful bouquet of singles ranging from the likes of Grimes to The Strokes....

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...

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’...

Certain historical slang terms may not be as outdated as they seem and should be incorporated into our vocabulary today. (Via Picryl)

Historical Slang Terms That Deserve a Place in Modern Vernacular

These 17th and 18th-century words are too fun to be forgotten.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer November 20, 2019

Here’s the thing: people said things better in the past. Farting crackers? There is literally no better way to refer to pants. Allow me to narrate for you a scene of a typical...

Frank Ocean released his new single, DHL, on October 19. (Via Twitter)

Frank Ocean’s New Song Has All of His Style With None of His Substance

If “DHL” is any indication of what’s to come in his prospective album, listeners can expect a shift from Ocean’s usual grounded social commentary to a listless focus on endless money, drugs and sexual partners.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer October 22, 2019

Musician Frank Ocean dropped his new single “DHL” on Saturday via his podcast-esque series “Blonded Radio 008.” Infamous for his reticence and lengthy breaks between new...

Tame Impala's 2015 album Currents. (Via Twitter)

Album Art Provides a Snapshot of Artists’ Personalities

Students reflect on the visual component of music consumption and how it can affect us more than we think.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer October 7, 2019

Album art is the face of music. It is a visual representation of what’s inside an album. It isn’t always as on the nose as the Beatles strutting across Abbey Road on a beautiful...

Gutseverywhere played a solo show at The Bitter End on Saturday, September 21. (Via Instagram @gutseverywhere)

gutseverywhere Excels at Vulnerable First Concert

Cam Franklin’s performance at the Bitter End was personal and down to earth.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer September 23, 2019

Clive Davis junior Cam Franklin, also known by their stage name, gutseverywhere, performed at The Bitter End this past weekend. During their set, Franklin laughed and said, “guts...

The Goldfinch, starring Ansel Elgort, was released in theaters September 13. (via Warner Bros)

‘The Goldfinch’ Paints an Incomplete Picture

The movie adaptation of Donna Tartt’s iconic novel is beautiful yet shallow.
Izzy Salas, Staff Writer September 17, 2019

Donna Tartt’s epic novel “The Goldfinch” was adapted into a movie starring Ansel Elgort and directed by John Crowley, which premiered Sept. 13. The movie tells the story...