Skip to Main Content
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

Childish Gambino just dropped his newest album "3.15.20" on March 21st. Despite the unprecedented drop, "3.15.20" failed to offer anything new or worthwhile. (Staff Illustration by Alex Tran)

Childish Gambino’s Latest Is A Full-Blown Disaster

To everyone’s surprise, Childish Gambino released his new album in the midst of a quarantine. Maybe he shouldn’t have.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor March 24, 2020

On March 21, Childish Gambino spontaneously dropped a new album. Unfortunately, the surprise factor did not arise from the fact that the drop had been unprecedented; most Gambino...

Online gift cards, donations, live streams and more are still viable options during this time. The WSN Arts desk lists some ways you can still support independent artists from a safe social distance. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

How to Support New York’s Vibrant Independent Arts Scene

Even though New York is on pause, that doesn’t mean you still can’t support your favorite local bookstore or movie theater from home.

One week ago, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered New York City movie theaters to shut down as part of many initiatives to hopefully “flatten the curve.” Earlier in...

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...

Famous for Nicole Kidman and Ewan Mcgregor, fearlessness, and undeniably catchy songs, “Moulin Rouge!” is a cinema classic. After finding its way to the stage of Broadway, it still managed to offer a fresh and engaging experience while remaining loyal to the film. (Staff photo by Alex Tran)

Does ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Deserve to Be on Broadway?

A classic story of star-crossed lovers set in late 19th-century France raises questions on whether the jukebox musical is necessary.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 4, 2020

Imagine a burlesque night club that screams eroticism and intimacy. Lightbulbs line the edges of the theater while chandeliers and red drapes hang from the ceiling. All of the...

"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...

Cowgirl Clue is a Southern California based electronic producer. Emulating the look of a manic pixie dream girl, she styled herself, sways, and spoke in a fashion that pronounced her spirit. (Photo by Deonté Lee, courtesy of Cowgirl Clue)

Electronic Super-Producer Cowgirl Clue Discusses the Punk Aesthetic of Pop

Following the musical philosophy of “Vada Vada,” Cowgirl Clue stands as one of the most exciting DJs working today. Here, contributing writer Charles Smith speaks to her in anticipation of Valentine’s Day with Cowgirl Clue and Special Guests at Elsewhere.
Charles Smith, Contributing Writer February 12, 2020

You can’t forget Cowgirl Clue’s music. She has a knack for catchy songwriting and yet, her songs sound completely out of left field — like Tinker Bell found a drum machine....

Dan "Destroyer" Bejar moves past middle-age exhaustion in his newest album. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Destroyer Celebrates Middle-Age Despair in His Latest Album

A review of Destroyer’s latest album: “Have We Met.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor February 7, 2020

A jolly submission to the troubles of the middle age echoes in the poesy of Dan Bejar’s latest work of despair. From the droning synth work that opens the album, it seems Bejar...

alexandra chan

Instead of Demonizing Bootlegs, Make Professional Recordings Available

Bootlegs of musicals are a temporary fix for the problem of accessibility in the theater community, which would be solved by professionally recorded shows.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer October 21, 2019

As a fan of Broadway musicals, it was fantastic to come to New York for college. I watched a matinee of “Beetlejuice” with my dad before I started school and fell in love with...

Arts Issue Fall 2019

Arts Issue Fall 2019

October 17, 2019

Louise Lessél’s “The Black Queen” serves as the embodiment of the evil myths surrounding queen Barbora. It’s a digital and computer-operated actor capable of interacting with an actress, who plays queen Barbora in her battle for her reputation and honor. The darkness is represented by particles following the actress and glass screens serve as triggers for various events to move the play along. (Courtesy of Louise Lessél)

Louise Lessél Brings Metaphors Into Reality Through Programming

Artist Louise Lessél creates interactive experiences and turns the audience into participants in her latest projects, including Cosmic Harp, The Wave and The Black Queen.
Mansee Khurana and Anna-Dmitry Muratova October 16, 2019

Morgan Mueller’s Reverie Field isn’t just an installation. It’s an experience that allows participants — such as NYU President Andrew Hamilton, above — to translate their memories and emotions associated with them into patterns and sequences of light. Once the participant finishes their exploration, they find themselves surrounded by their memories and feelings in the form of unique light patterns. (Courtesy of Morgan Mueller)

Morgan Mueller Merges Science and Art in an Array of Interactive Media

An engineering student merges science and art in an array of interactive media that explores the tension between man and technology.
Megan Chew, Contributing Writer October 16, 2019

The Cave, a Syria documentary directed by Feras Fayyad, screened in 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. (via Facebook)

‘The Cave’: A Dreary Ode to Hope

Feras Fayyad’s documentary on a makeshift hospital in the midst of the Syrian Civil War serves as a testament to human resolve and the efforts of one Dr. Amani Ballor and her team.
Nico Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer October 15, 2019

“Keep on smiling for the children, it’s the least we can do,” says Dr. Amani Ballor, as the walls of the Cave ring with the echoes of destruction from the warplanes bombing...