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

Arts

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: As Lady Gaga goes jazz, Enrique Iglesias plays it safe

Read about the most notable singles this week by Lukas Graham, Will Wood and more.

This week’s reviews sprawl across a range of genres. From Kehlani’s popcorn butter-smooth R&B to Snail Mail’s electrified indie-rock, these singles will spice up your...

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...

Though historical revisionism is an issue in video games, taking liberties with the details can enhance the game play experience. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ demands historical distortion

Brian Savino, Contributing Writer September 20, 2021

The spread of misinformation is as rampant as ever, and video games are no exception to this. Despite the need for historical accuracy in both scientific and political fields revolving...

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 September 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...

Billie Eilish’s second album “Happier Than Ever” and its accompanying concert film mark a shift in the singer’s sound and tone. The film is dedicated to Los Angeles, where Eilish grew up, and features songs of varying genres. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Review: Billie Eilish’s ‘Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles’ is comfortably intimate

The alternative teen pop star is sultry, quirky and introspective in her new Disney+ concert experience.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer September 20, 2021

In her Disney+ debut, singer-songwriter and alternative pop star Billie Eilish brings her latest album to her home city. Staged at the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl, Eilish performs...

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards returns to its live format to celebrate the channel’s 40th anniversary. The 2021 VMAs were held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on September 12. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

The most notable performances from the 2021 VMAs

The MTV awards returned with energetic performances, the hottest music — and a worm costume.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer September 17, 2021

Making a grand return to a live format, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards celebrated the channel’s 40th anniversary with exciting performances from today’s top artists....

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: Metallica covers growl alongside lush pop tunes

Read about the most notable singles this week by Mac DeMarco, Troye Sivan and more.

This week’s reviews range from covers of Metallica’s “The Black Album” to a slinky Big Thief song about certainty. They discuss Radiohead’s upcoming triple-album release...

The attacks of September 11 leave behind scars that havent healed twenty years on. Charles Wolfs film tells the stories of those stills feeling the effects of 9/11. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: ‘Worth’ speaks to the political and emotional toll of 9/11

Twenty years after the attacks, Charles Wolf, the main protagonist of ‘Worth,’ provides insight into the lives changed by Sept. 11.
Sophie Mulgrew, Contributing Writer September 15, 2021

Amid a slew of shows, documentaries and movies memorializing the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, “Worth,” directed by Sara Colangelo, details the establishment of the September...

The Clive Davis Institute hosts an annual Artist-In-Residence each year. This year, Clive Davis hosts Grammy winner Jack Antonoff. (Photo by Herbert River Ortiz)

Jack Antonoff is this year’s Artist-in-Residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute

The Grammy Award-winning musician launched his residency with a Q&A for Clive Davis students.
Yas Akdag, Music Editor September 15, 2021

Hit artist, songwriter, producer and five-time Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff has been announced as this year’s Artist-in-Residence at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded...

Video games depend on delivery on many different fronts. Stars Wars: Battlefront II is close to that but not quite. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ lacks gameplay balance

Video game success is dependent upon numerous factors, and “Star Wars Battlefront II” delivers on all fronts — except gameplay balance.
Brian Savino, Contributing Writer September 15, 2021

As the technology behind video games advances, developers are eager to incorporate the best graphics, audio and cosmetics into their games. But these aspects are not the only things...

Abba’s upcoming album “Voyage” is scheduled for release on November 5th. This would be Abba’s first release after nearly forty years.
(Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Here we go again: ABBA returns after 39 years

The pop supergroup is releasing a new album and London concert experience.
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer September 14, 2021

The Swedish pop quartet ABBA has returned after nearly four decades, with new music and a quirky performance concept. The group publicized their comeback on Sept. 2, when they...

Faya Dayi was released on September 3rd, 2021. While the timeline of the movie is hard to track throughout, its film texture and focus have made it a well-functioning documentary. (Image courtesy of Janus Films)

‘Faya Dayi’ is a meditative journey to the khat farms of Ethiopia

Eschewing a throughline, Jessica Beshir’s feature documentary debut is one of particular structural and visual inventiveness.
Sebastian Zufelt, Staff Writer September 14, 2021

Home is the jumping-off point for an array of passionate thoughts, sparking opinions on a variety of subjects from youth culture to economics — too much for a quick conversation....