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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

FINNEAS’ debut album “Optimist” was released on Oct. 15. The album deals with topics such as the loss of loved ones, the implications of privilege and so-called cancel culture. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Staff Illustration by Shaina Ahmed)

Review: Thematically, sonically, nothing is off limits in FINNEAS’ album ‘Optimist’

FINNEAS’ somber debut album contradicts its cheerful title.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer October 25, 2021

You would think an album titled “Optimist” might be, well, optimistic. This time that’s not the case. The singer-songwriter-producer FINNEAS’ debut album, released Oct....

Kacey Musgraves released her fifth studio album “star-crossed” on Friday, Sept. 10. In the album, Musgraves dives into the conflicting feelings of love and hate and eventually the acceptance of both. (Illustration by Aaliya Luthra)

Review: Kacey Musgraves’ ‘star-crossed’ is a Shakespearean tragedy

The country-pop artist reflects on divorce in her fifth studio album.
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer September 21, 2021

“star-crossed” — Musgraves’ fifth studio album — explores the end of a relationship and everything that goes with it: fears, thrills, love, grief, yearning and remembrance...

Singer-songwriter Halsey released their fourth studio album, "If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power," on August 27, 2021. Halsey tackles femininity, empowerment, pregnancy, and motherhood all at once in their new concept album. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli and Arnav Binaykia)

Review: ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’

Halsey navigates life in its rawest form through their new concept album.
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer September 8, 2021

“It’s the most inadequate I’ve ever felt.” Halsey shares this in a 2020 interview with the Guardian, discussing the online backlash they received following their public...

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...

Its title can be deceiving. 5 Seconds of Summer dropped their latest studio album last Friday. (Staff Illustration by Jake Capriotti)

5 Seconds of Summer’s “CALM” Is Anything But

The band’s latest album is littered with unconventional choices and sees them twisting their sound to wondrous success.
Claire Jones, Staff Writer April 1, 2020

5 Seconds of Summer’s newest album, “CALM,” is filled with uncharacteristic choices. The project, which was released last Friday, presents a side of the pop-rock band we’ve...

“After Hours,” The Weeknd’s fifth studio album, was released on March 20th last week. Striking the balance between mournful and funky, the album is perfect for your social distancing period. (Staff Photo by Leo Sheingate)

The Weeknd Makes Social Distancing Easy With ‘After Hours’

The Weeknd’s new album is the perfect soundtrack for the apocalypse.
Lauren Gruber, Dining Editor March 23, 2020

With the world all but falling apart around us, The Weeknd’s gut-wrenching, evocative new album couldn’t have come at a better time. The Weeknd — also known as Abel Tesfaye...

Princess Nokia’s newest albums feature contrasting themes, as seen in the colors of her album covers. In her songs from both albums, Nokia draws from childhood experiences and personal reflections to deliver a unique representation of her character. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

Princess Nokia’s Twin Album Releases Are Sweet and Fierce

With “Everything is Beautiful” and “Everything Sucks,” Princess Nokia explores the tethered ambivalence of her brain-space.
Destine Manson, Staff Writer March 6, 2020

New York-based artist Princess Nokia takes it back to grade-school desks and PB&Js with her two latest albums: “Everything is Beautiful” and “Everything Sucks.” From...

Bad Bunny recently released his 2020 album “YHLQMDLG." This surprise 20-track album affirms one thing — he does what he wants and he wants to make that known. (Staff photo by Kim Rice)

Bad Bunny Does What He Wants. Are We Really Surprised?

Bad Bunny constructs an anthology of reggaeton history with scopic, global influences proving he can’t be predicted, or tamed.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer March 4, 2020

Bad Bunny’s surprise 20-track album affirms one thing — he does what he wants and he wants to make that known. Titled “YHLQMDLG”, an acronym for “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da...

"Miss Anthropocene," Grime's latest album, is a dark and mysterious masterpiece. It also acted as a perfect vessel for Grimes to continue to sport her classic gothic swagger under the veil of electrobeats. (Staff photo by Alex Tran)

Grimes’ ‘Miss Anthropocene’ Declares Oblivion

Grimes’ latest album, “Miss Anthropocene,” is the soundtrack to the end of the world.
Destine Manson, Contributing Writer February 26, 2020

“Miss Anthropocene” mirrors the pace of one’s thoughts at 4 a.m. The first track on the album, “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth,” feels like a whirlwind of energy and...

Marriage is a central theme in the Canadian singer’s newest album. However, despite promising an epic project to fans, Bieber’s “Changes” falls short of expectations.
 (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Justin Bieber Reached His Apex, It’s Not ‘Changes’

Bieber’s fifth studio album exploits his image to cling to relevancy.
Samaa Khullar, Staff Writer February 24, 2020

When Justin Bieber took to the Coachella stage last April as a surprise performer and promised that his album would be coming soon, he was met with roaring applause from fans who...

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...

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’...