New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
(Ivy Chan for WSN)
Former Gallatin student pleads guilty to choking charge
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Judge extends NYU Langone’s deadline to share records on transgender youth
A blue flag with two swastikas, a Star of David and the letters “NYU” flies above the Steinhardt building on May 13. (Yezen Saadah for WSN)
Steinhardt community member arrested for raising swastika flag during Grad Alley
A graduate holds up a keffiyeh during the 2026 Tisch graduation. (Allina Xiao for WSN)
NYU challenges keffiyehs across graduation ceremonies
Protest against NYU Langone Health denying gender-affirming care to children on Feb. 3, 2025. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
NYU Langone subpoenaed for records on gender-affirming care
Lisa White, a longtime ER nurse at NYU Langone Health, battled cancer for eight months. (Courtesy of Brooke Kesselring)
NYU Langone fired a nurse battling cancer. Her story isn’t the only one.
Inside one of NYU’s prominent antisemitism consultants
Inside one of NYU’s prominent antisemitism consultants
N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine building. It is a red brick building. People are walking outside the building and a large sign with “NYU Grossman School of Medicine'' is in the front.
NYU Grossman rescinds program acceptances after losing federal grant
At least 2 NYU affiliates involved in organizations that promote anti-trans practices
At least 2 NYU affiliates involved in organizations that promote anti-trans practices
A cardboard sign taped to a metal barricade with the words “WE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH ZIONISTS! WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE!”
‘A chilling effect’: Conduct guidelines cast shadow of concern over faculty
(Ivy Chan for WSN)
Former Gallatin student pleads guilty to choking charge
(Maryam Lootah for WSN)
City Scoop: Cartel drug conspiracy, and other top stories across NYC
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
NYU orgs join thousands for May Day protests
Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a March 2025 forum at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts. (Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Campus groups demand Mamdani outlaw 24-hour workday
(Maryam Lootah for WSN)
City Scoop: Train ticket prices skyrocket for World Cup, and other top stories across NYC
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Judge extends NYU Langone’s deadline to share records on transgender youth
A blue flag with two swastikas, a Star of David and the letters “NYU” flies above the Steinhardt building on May 13. (Yezen Saadah for WSN)
Steinhardt community member arrested for raising swastika flag during Grad Alley
A graduate holds up a keffiyeh during the 2026 Tisch graduation. (Allina Xiao for WSN)
NYU challenges keffiyehs across graduation ceremonies
Protest against NYU Langone Health denying gender-affirming care to children on Feb. 3, 2025. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
NYU Langone subpoenaed for records on gender-affirming care
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Graduates boo Haidt during commencement speech
In October 2024, a group of pro-Palestinian Jewish students and faculty built a Gaza Solidarity Sukkah in Schwartz Plaza. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
NYU investigates Instagram post advertising anti-Zionist Passover Seder
(Zara Surti for WSN)
Pro-Israel student rave disrupted by ultra-Orthodox Jews
NYU Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine members David Ludden, Sara Pursley, Sonya Posmentier and Kathy Engel, from left to right. (Krish Dev for WSN)
‘The Palestine exception’: Faculty launch probe into NYU’s protest response
Members of NYU Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine joined protesters at Gould Plaza on April 22, 2024. (Krish Dev for WSN)
Faculty group to investigate NYU’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech
(Ivy Chan for WSN)
Students and faculty commence ‘solidarity fast’ in Bobst
Protest against NYU Langone Health denying gender-affirming care to children on Feb. 3, 2025. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
NYU Langone subpoenaed for records on gender-affirming care
NYU Grossman School of Medicine. (Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
Grossman joins RFK Jr.’s nutrition education initiative
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
NYU Law dropped from US military scholarship
Gays Against Guns president Jay W. Walker speaks during the protest. (Jason Alpert-Wisnia for WSN)
Hundreds protest Trump administration’s pride flag removal at Stonewall Inn
(Soham Makkena for WSN)
‘Fucking disgusting’: ICE shootings spur protests, walkout on campus
(Courtesy of Barbara Cittadino, illustration by Maryam Lootah)
Beyond NYU: Leaving law for a career in photography
(Courtesy of Kenzi Crash, illustration by Maryam Lootah)
Beyond NYU: Changing the narrative on illness in literature
(Courtesy of Diane Hodson, illustration by Maryam Lootah)
Beyond NYU: Balancing teaching with podcast production
(Courtesy of Amy Gabrielle, illustration by Maryam Lootah)
Beyond NYU: Rewriting life after loss
(Courtesy of Ken Schneck, illustration by Maryam Lootah)
Beyond NYU: Amplifying LGBTQ+ stories in the Midwest
A graduate holds up a keffiyeh during the 2026 Gallatin graduation. (Neil Tawney for WSN)
Guest Essay: NYU’s graduation rules are worth breaking
Letter from the Editor: My addiction to student journalism
Letter from the Editor: My addiction to student journalism
NYU’s 2024 commencement at Yankee Stadium. (Jason Alpert-Wisnia for WSN)
Opinion: Defend student speech at graduation before it disappears
(Lianna O’Grady for WSN)
Opinion: D-III sports deserve your attention
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
Opinion: NYC’s lines aren’t worth a surveillance network
Graduates waved keffiyehs and walked out during President Linda Mills’ 2025 commencement address. (Julia Smerling for WSN)
Editorial: Let graduates celebrate
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Editorial: The work has just begun
(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
Editorial: Students deserve clarity from NYU leadership
Editorial: Who to vote for in the NYC primaries
Editorial: Who to vote for in the NYC primaries
(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
Editorial: Linda Mills, where are you?
A graduate holds up a keffiyeh during the 2026 Gallatin graduation. (Neil Tawney for WSN)
Guest Essay: NYU’s graduation rules are worth breaking
In October 2024, a group of pro-Palestinian Jewish students and faculty built a Gaza Solidarity Sukkah in Schwartz Plaza. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Guest Essay: All Jews must commit to anti-Zionism
(Courtesy of the YeCao Collective)
Guest Essay: You can’t police universities into freedom
Guest Essay: During authoritarian times, the university needs to fight back
Guest Essay: During authoritarian times, the university needs to fight back
(Courtesy of Christian Howze)
Guest Essay: From goals to action — Christian Howze for SGA Chair
Letter from the Editor: My addiction to student journalism
Letter from the Editor: My addiction to student journalism
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: My goodbye to WSN
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: In the age of Trump, student journalism is more vital than ever.
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: A reflection on WSN’s mission
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: Welcome to the Washington Square News
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: 94 LS faculty members approve statement to WSN
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Silver School dean on the case for a tuition-free social work education
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Wasserman Center director on the Handshake job search platform
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: CWS director on suicide response and mental health resources
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: NYU remains committed to NYU Tel Aviv
(Lauren Ng and Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Off-Third: Aspiring architect named this year’s best applicant
(Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
Off-Third: Mills rebrands Campus Cash as Linda Lira
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Off-Third: The Washington Square Park fountain deserves to drown
(Noelle Darts for WSN)
Off-Third: NYU must establish a universitywide uniform
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Off-Third: NYU must bring back the Tisch scaffolding
(Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
Off Topic: Violence has left America too disconnected between power and reality
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Off Topic: Skinny sells — what’s the harm?
(Courtesy of U.S. Air Force)
Off Topic: Trump’s Vietnam War doesn’t need a draft
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Off Topic: Green energy is not driving up costs — corporations are
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Off Topic: OpenAI’s latest acquisition is merely to save face
An illustration of a woman screaming and text that reads “STAFF RANTS.”
Staff Rants: Post-election feelings
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: Springing in and out of spring
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: New beginnings or old complaints?
An illustration of a megaphone with the phrase “Staff Rants” written on it. The megaphone wears a red Santa hat and the background is white with blue snowflakes.
Staff Rants: Holiday Overload
An illustration of a purple and orange megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in green letters. There are purple and green lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is black.
Staff Rants: Spooky season
(Lianna O’Grady for WSN)
Opinion: D-III sports deserve your attention
(Photo by Neil Tawney, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
In the Huddle: Emma Grunin on her track and field career
(Soham Makkena for WSN)
The unsung efforts of student team managers
NYU women’s basketball at the 2026 NCAA Final Four. (Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
Women’s basketball turns a new page
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Women’s golf sweeps Liberty League, baseball and softball finish seasons and other news
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Women’s golf sweeps Liberty League, baseball and softball finish seasons and other news
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Track & field thrower wins UAA Championship, golf dominates Liberty League and other news
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Men’s volleyball falls out of NCAA tournament, baseball and women’s tennis celebrate seniors and other news
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Golf takes first place, men’s volleyball falls out of UVC tournament and other news
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Women’s golf dominates the week, volleyball closes out regular season and other news
(Photo by Neil Tawney, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
In the Huddle: Emma Grunin on her track and field career
(Photo by Kiran Komanduri, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
In the Huddle: Katie Antosiewicz on her first year pitching at NYU
(Photo by Neil Tawney, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
In the Huddle: Cooper Kline on his senior year and captaincy with the men’s tennis team
(Photo by Kiran Komanduri, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
In the Huddle: Tiya Chowdary on her golf career
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
In the Huddle: Alexa McMillian on her first season with NYU
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Out of Bounds: A historic first for female soccer coaches in Berlin, and other major sports news from London and Shanghai
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Buenos Aires, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Ghana, Spain and Oklahoma
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Accra, Los Angeles and Sydney
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Australia, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Manhattan’s last queer bookstore was about to disappear — now, it’s got a bright future
Stargazy pie. (Lauren Ng for WSN)
New eats near NYU: A British pub finds success in nonchalance
(Courtesy of Dorothy Bailey)
This Tandon student project asks, ‘What is accessible fashion?’
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
‘I knew what I was signing up for’: The high price of sisterhood
(Courtesy of the Center for Collaborative Indigenous Research With Communities and Lands)
‘You have a home here’: How NYU’s Indigenous research center reminds us whose land we’re on
(Courtesy of Dorothy Bailey)
This Tandon student project asks, ‘What is accessible fashion?’
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
How Stern is bringing luxury fashion to NYC and beyond
(Grady Rajagopalan for WSN)
Clearing your closet? Here’s where to donate near NYU
(Courtesy of Sarah Shalan)
From NYC to Gaza, Thrift4Gaza converts used clothes to mutual aid
(Soham Makkena for WSN)
A popular Nordic brand is foregrounding sustainability
Stargazy pie. (Lauren Ng for WSN)
New eats near NYU: A British pub finds success in nonchalance
(Zara Surti for WSN)
24 hours at Veselka
(Krish Dev for WSN)
This 30-year-old Indian deli is a haven for cab drivers
(Ivanka Sun for WSN)
Queer joy and budget-friendly service collide at this East Village fine dining spot
(Zara Surti for WSN)
How NYU handles its food waste
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Manhattan’s last queer bookstore was about to disappear — now, it’s got a bright future
(Courtesy of the Center for Collaborative Indigenous Research With Communities and Lands)
‘You have a home here’: How NYU’s Indigenous research center reminds us whose land we’re on
(Lauren Ng for WSN)
Your next semester belongs in Accra
(Zara Surti for WSN)
‘Support is all-inclusive’: Students and faculty honor sexual assault awareness
(Courtesy of Gayatri Gopinath)
‘A way out of no way’: How this NYU professor centers queer activism in New York
(Krish Dev for WSN)
WSN at NYFW
(Sophia Rivera-Korver for WSN)
Veejay Floresca pushes for inclusivity and advocates for immigrants at NYFW
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Raul Peñaranda writes an NYFW love letter to his Latin heritage with ‘Bolero Nights’
(Yasseen Ashri, Suditi Sircar and Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
Global Fashion Collective blends culture and couture at NYFW
(Zara Surti for WSN)
At NYFW, Chuks Collins bridges African heritage with the future
Lorde headlining the festival on June 5. (Courtesy of The Governors Ball and Rich Fury)
At this year’s Gov Ball, weather setbacks and mosh pits flood the festival
(Courtesy of Amanda M Hatfield)
Phoebe Bridgers unplugs Madison Square Garden for intimate sold-out show
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Manhattan’s last queer bookstore was about to disappear — now, it’s got a bright future
(Dani Biondi for WSN)
Staff recs: Goodbye
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
What your most-anticipated summer release says about you
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Manhattan’s last queer bookstore was about to disappear — now, it’s got a bright future
(Courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire, Random House Trade Paperbacks, Villard and HarperCollins)
5 books we read when we’re homesick
(Courtesy of Penguin Random House)
Review: ‘Famesick’ is not your average celebrity memoir
(Courtesy of New York Review of Books, Spiegel & Grau, Crown Publishing Group and Ballantine Books)
Books beyond Bobst: A novella in Sudan, a debut memoir and more
(Amy Wang for WSN)
4 books to grow your green thumb this Earth Day
(Courtesy of 20th Century Studios)
Review: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ lays out the blueprint for a new world
Nico Carney and Misha Osherovich star in director Siobhan McCarthy's coming-of-age trans comedy “She's the He.” (Courtesy of Obscured Releasing)
Q&A: Laughing at the absurdity of anti-trans bigotry
(Courtesy by Marcel Hartmann for The Independent Film Channel, illustration by Suditi Sircar)
Off the Radar: ‘The Time That Remains’ is a quintessential retelling of the Nakba
(Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios)
Review: Bloodshed and resilience dominate ‘Invincible’ season 4
(Zara Surti for WSN)
What NYU taught me about the arts
Lorde headlining the festival on June 5. (Courtesy of The Governors Ball and Rich Fury)
At this year’s Gov Ball, weather setbacks and mosh pits flood the festival
(Courtesy of Amanda M Hatfield)
Phoebe Bridgers unplugs Madison Square Garden for intimate sold-out show
(Julianna Lindo for WSN)
5 unconventional contenders for your summer playlist
(Courtesy of Epic Records)
Review: Meghan Trainor’s ‘Toy With Me’ is a failed attempt at TikTok virality
(Courtesy of Polyvinyl Record Co.)
Review: American Football finds light in the dark of ‘LP4’
Zia Lawrence in “Oversized Suits.” (Courtesy of Page 8 Pictures)
Q&A: MFA Tisch alum on touring Shakespeare across NYC
(Courtesy of The Public Theater)
Q&A: MFA Tisch alum on bringing Shakespeare to Central Park
(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy)
Review: ‘The Lost Boys’ soars on spectacle but lacks substance
(Courtesy of Maria Baranova)
Review: A mother and son experiment with death in ‘Rheology’
(Krystal Khine for WSN)
4 theater gems that never made it to Broadway
(Ethan Li for WSN)
Review: ‘Raphael: Sublime Poetry’ reminds that simplicity is the most radical art
(Noelle Darts for WSN)
The case against the Instagrammable museum
(Sophia Graves for WSN)
Review: The Clive Davis Gallery’s latest exhibition instills hope
(Neil Tawney for WSN)
Review: ‘Act Black’ unmasks the high stakes of Black stardom
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
In Brooklyn, a printmaking fair returns with a bang
(Courtesy of Ouat Media)
The case for ‘Jane Austen’s Period Drama’
Animated short film “Butterfly.” (Courtesy of Sacrebleu Productions and XBO Films)
WSN’s favorite Oscar-nominated short films of 2026
(Susan Behrends Valenzuela for WSN)
6 historic Oscar snubs
(Courtesy of Focus Features)
The case against ‘Hamnet’
(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
The case for Paul Thomas Anderson
The Graduation Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Graduation Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
(Zara Surti for WSN)
The 2026 Housing Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
(Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
The Literacy Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
The Health Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Beverage Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Beverage Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
(Suditi Sircar, Azelin Chen, Kiran Komanduri and John Bush for WSN)
On the Street: Celebration
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
In Photos: Thousands of students swarm Strawberry Fest
(Krish Dev, Kaleo Zhu, Saya Quisbert and Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
On the Street: After hours
Bargaining committee member Jacob Remes embraced a contract faculty member at the end of the strike’s second day. (Alex Woodworth for WSN)
In Photos: Contract faculty’s long journey to a deal
(Meera Gupta for WSN)
The business keeping hand-painted advertisements alive
(Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
ICE and DHS in their own words
(Julianna Lindo for WSN)
What’s for lunch at NYU?
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Tandon floods force students to take a shower
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
NYC during a snowstorm
Cartoon: The 'enlightened' centrist
Cartoon: The ‘enlightened’ centrist
(Suditi Sircar, Azelin Chen, Kiran Komanduri and John Bush for WSN)
On the Street: Celebration
(Krish Dev, Kaleo Zhu, Saya Quisbert and Jada Nakagawa for WSN)
On the Street: After hours
(Yasseen Ashri, Kiran Komanduri, Suditi Sircar and Eva Mundo for WSN)
On the Street: Color
(Natalie Deoragh, Krish Dev, Kyra Reilley and Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
On the Street: Spring break travels
On the Street: Architecture
On the Street: Architecture
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
In Photos: Thousands of students swarm Strawberry Fest
Bargaining committee member Jacob Remes embraced a contract faculty member at the end of the strike’s second day. (Alex Woodworth for WSN)
In Photos: Contract faculty’s long journey to a deal
(Julia Smerling for WSN)
Emerging artists reimagine tradition at Paris Fashion Week
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
In Photos: Chinatown parade welcomes Year of the Fire Horse
In Photos: Social media post spurs chaotic snowball fight
In Photos: Social media post spurs chaotic snowball fight
(Meera Gupta for WSN)
The business keeping hand-painted advertisements alive
Valentine’s Day: Stories of love
Valentine’s Day: Stories of love
(Meera Gupta for WSN)
A talk with competitive rock climber Nasif Kabir
Beverage Bundling
Beverage Bundling
(Meera Gupta for WSN)
Canines in costumes return to Washington Square Park
(Courtesy of Skinny Louie)
SPONSORED: Flat out delicious: Smash burger chain Skinny Louie opens in the West Village
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
Photo of Yas Akdag

Yas Akdag, Music Editor

Yas Akdag is a junior studying recorded music at the Clive Davis Institute. When she’s not consumed by Ableton, she’s probably getting French toast bagels or raving about Diet Coke. Find her on Instagram @yasakdaag.

All content by Yas Akdag
An illustration of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin and Naomi McPherson posing for a photograph while sitting on a stage. McPherson, on the left, has brown curly hair, and wears yellow-tinted glasses, a yellow short-sleeved shirt, brown shorts, white socks, and brown lace-up shoes. Gavin, in the center, has red straight hair and wears a gray long-sleeved shirt, green pants with gray vertical stripes, and brown shoes with tied bows. Maskin, on the right, is wearing a white T-shirt, an orange long-sleeved shirt with brown stripes under the white shirt, gray-ish brown pants, and dark shoes.

Review: MUNA reimagines electropop on ‘Live At Electric Lady’

The queer band released the live EP amid their quasi-sold-out U.S. tour. “Live At Electric Lady” can be streamed exclusively on Spotify.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • October 31, 2022

MUNA is resilient and driven. The queer electropop band — comprised of Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson and Josette Maskin — formed in 2013 after meeting at the University of Southern...

A portrait of Claud against a black background. They are wearing khaki pants with a matching button-up shirt. Layered beneath is a neon yellow top. They have split-dyed green and blue hair and are wearing round glasses.

Q&A: Claud takes bedroom pop out of the bedroom and on a national tour

Calling in from the road, the artist spoke about getting signed, their debut album “Super Monster” and their favorite deli order.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • March 28, 2022

If you were around for the bedroom pop wave circa 2018, then chances are you know who Claud is. Since dropping out of Syracuse University, the formerly half-green-half-blue-haired...

A group studio portrait of six singers from the music collective MICHELLE in front of a white seamless backdrop. Two members sit on the ground, while the other four sit on stools of alternating height.

MICHELLE is a creative powerhouse

The New York City-based collective may be known for their music, but they’re just as skilled in the art and dance departments.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • March 11, 2022

“Kick-ass bangers.” In three words, that’s how Julian Kaufman of New York City-based band MICHELLE would describe their music, which blurs the lines between pop, R&B,...

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.
Yas Akdag, Isabella Armus, Valentina Arrieta, Ethan Beck, Paree Chopra, Sarah John, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer and Jack Solomon • February 14, 2022

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...

“Caprisongs” is the latest mixtape by artist FKA twigs, released on Jan. 14. FKA twigs is a Grammy-nominated English singer-songwriter. (Image courtesy of Atlantic Records)

Review: On ‘CAPRISONGS,’ FKA twigs is reborn

The British artist adopts a trap aesthetic on her playful new mixtape.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • January 24, 2022

FKA twigs’ latest release, “CAPRISONGS,” is phoenix-like — on the 17-track mixtape, the British artist-dancer-wushu-sword-fighter is reborn. Strong, sexy, confident and...

Alexander 23 performs for a sold-out crowd at Terminal 5 in Manhattan in early March 2020. The former New Yorker is performing songs he wrote during the pandemic on tour. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An interview with sad-pop artist Alexander 23

The former New Yorker talked about working with Olivia Rodrigo, music production and his favorite spots in the city.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • November 22, 2021

Alexander 23 is notorious for writing sad music. His song “IDK You Yet” — written about a difficult period in his life — is certified gold and recently went viral on TikTok....

As a musician with a growing TikTok fanbase, Stella Smyth has been gaining attention for her unique songwriting and production style. (Photo by Rhianydd Hylton)

Stella Smyth is the electro-pop artist you need to watch

After a somewhat rocky start on TikTok, this Clive Davis student is making a name for herself through her exquisite and introspective hyperpop.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • October 22, 2021

Singer-songwriter-producer Stella Smyth blew up on TikTok — not because people loved her music, but because they hated it. In fall 2020, the NYU student posted teaser clips...

Coming from a family of creators, Saleka is an artist to look out for. The rising R&B artist recently sat down with WSN for an interview. (Photo by Shervin Lainez)

An interview with Saleka, a rising R&B icon

The singer-songwriter discusses writing for movies, living with a creative family and her upcoming New York City show.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • October 8, 2021

Regarding up-and-coming R&B artist Saleka’s music video “The Sky Cries,” one YouTube user commented, “Aaliyah had a baby with Jessica Rabbit ... It’s cruel that she...

Sun Room takes the stage at the Mercury Lounge on the Lower East Side. Hailing from San Diego, the young band has already amassed a sizable Spotify following. (Staff Photo by Yas Akdag)

Surf rock band Sun Room brings Californian energy to New York

The San Diego natives kicked off their tour at the Lower East Side’s Mercury Lounge.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • September 27, 2021

Thursday nights are the new Friday nights. It certainly seemed so on Sept. 16, when I went to watch an up-and-coming surf-rock band called Sun Room. Out of breath after speed-walking...

Blu DeTiger performs songs from her latest EP, “How Did We Get Here?” at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. DeTiger is a DJ, bass player, and NYU-student-on-leave, and energized the crowd with renditions of her popular songs. (Staff Photo by Yas Akdag)

Blu DeTiger excels at Music Hall of Williamsburg

A former NYU student’s first headline show energizes and stuns.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor • September 8, 2021

“Blu, Blu, Blu, Blu, Blu!” the crowd chants, eager for the blue-bass-toting musician to hop onstage. Their wish will soon be granted, as blue lasers flicker across the room...