Entertainment

“Optimist” by FINNEAS: Album in Review and Analysis

FINNEAS is back, to the joy of millions of fans (including me) with his debut album “Optimist.”  For many, expectations for the album were high: FINNEAS has had a hand in making one of the most iconic voices of our generation, Billie Eilish, and his solo songwriting is clearly superb. He’s clearly delivered on those expectations.

FINNEAS is back, to the joy of millions of fans (including me) with his debut album “Optimist.”  For many, expectations for the album were high: FINNEAS has had a hand in making one of the most iconic voices of our generation, Billie Eilish, and his solo songwriting is clearly superb. He’s clearly delivered on those expectations. 

Astroworld: When do we hold artists accountable?

“While we can remember that these celebrities are humans — they can make mistakes — we must also realize that they are humans with significant influence. When an idol consistently encourages reckless behavior, what they’re saying to fans is, ‘Hey, this is okay.’”  

“While we can remember that these celebrities are humans — they can make mistakes — we must also realize that they are humans with significant influence. When an idol consistently encourages reckless behavior, what they’re saying to fans is, ‘Hey, this is okay.’”    

Intersections: 11/12/21

‘Squid Game’: A dystopian nightmare with compelling messages

Contributing writer Olivia Kasule examines the anti-capitalist messaging of the recent hit “Squid Game“ through its humanizing character work and dramatic visuals.

Contributing writer Olivia Kasule examines the anti-capitalist messaging of the recent hit “Squid Game“ through its humanizing character work and dramatic visuals.

Conan Gray’s ‘Telepath’: why less is more

“Telepath” is an amalgamation of old and new. While the track is nostalgic, reminiscent of ’80s disco music, the lyrics detail the ever-so-relatable experience of a dying relationship.  

“Telepath” is an amalgamation of old and new. While the track is nostalgic, reminiscent of ’80s disco music, the lyrics detail the ever-so-relatable experience of a dying relationship.  

What ‘The Chair’ gets right about women of color in academia

While “The Chair” does sufficiently trace the professional and personal struggles of being a woman of color in academia, it fails to represent modern experiences students and professors may have. 

While “The Chair” does sufficiently trace the professional and personal struggles of being a woman of color in academia, it fails to represent modern experiences students and professors may have. 

Combining piano and tap dance, Tao, Teicher stun and reinvent at Richardson Hall

This is the kind of music that overturns what you thought you knew about everything you’ve heard before. It makes you, sitting up on stage with the performers, think, “Jesus, what have I been listening to for my entire life?” 

This is the kind of music that overturns what you thought you knew about everything you’ve heard before. It makes you, sitting up on stage with the performers, think, “Jesus, what have I been listening to for my entire life?” 

The ‘parasite’ of Western validation

“Seeing my culture being tossed in and out of style, sometimes I can’t help but think: To Western society, am I just a trend?” 

“Seeing my culture being tossed in and out of style, sometimes I can’t help but think: To Western society, am I just a trend?”  

Coldplay goes cosmic in new album ‘Music of the Spheres’

Contributing writer Claire Shin walks through Coldplay’s newest album song by song, from a transcendent take on love to a densely instrumented ten-minute track, and highlights the beneficial contributions of featured artists like BTS, Selena Gomez, and Jacob Collier.

Contributing writer Claire Shin walks through Coldplay’s newest album song by song, and highlights the beneficial contributions of featured artists like BTS, Selena Gomez, and Jacob Collier.

How (and why) Minecraft YouTube raised hundreds of thousands for cancer research

As someone who has (thankfully) never had to experience the anguish of having a loved one suffer through cancer, I foolishly thought it wasn’t something that affected me. Since then, I’ve taken time to educate myself on sarcoma, which, due to its rarity, has had relatively less research. 

As someone who has (thankfully) never had to experience the anguish of having a loved one suffer through cancer, I foolishly thought it wasn’t something that affected me. Since then, I’ve taken time to educate myself on sarcoma, which, due to its rarity, has had relatively less research. 

Sō Percussion: Experimenting with textures and sound

Sō is back! On Sept. 18, the percussion quartet performed their season opener in Princeton with a program featuring works from the late 20th and 21st centuries. 

Sō is back! On Sept. 18, the percussion quartet performed their season opener in Princeton with a program featuring works from the late 20th and 21st centuries. 

Intersections: 10/8/21

A day-by-day review of the Governors Ball Music Festival

Contributing writers Claire Shin and Davina Thompson walk readers through two days of the Governors Ball Music Festival 2021, describing notable performances from Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone.

Contributing writers Claire Shin and Davina Thompson walk readers through two days of the Governors Ball Music Festival 2021, describing notable performances from Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone.

Musgraves’ ‘star-crossed’: a moving and meaningful sequel

“star-crossed” is not “Golden Hour,” but it’s also not meant to be. It is its part two, its sister album, the night to its day. 

“star-crossed” is not “Golden Hour,” but it’s also not meant to be. It is its part two, its sister album, the night to its day. 

‘Solar Power’: predictable to a fault

Lorde released her third studio album “Solar Power” on Aug. 20. “Solar Power” is a marked shift from the musical identity Lorde has cultivated among her following with her critically-acclaimed albums “Pure Heroine” (2013) and “Melodrama” (2017).  

Lorde released her third studio album “Solar Power” on Aug. 20. “Solar Power” is a marked shift from the musical identity Lorde has cultivated among her following with her critically-acclaimed albums “Pure Heroine” (2013) and “Melodrama” (2017).  

After hiatus, how "Survivor" returns is critical

After a hiatus, “Survivor” is returning on Sept. 22 for its 41st season. Assistant Prospect Editor Molly Cutler explores how the show has failed its contestants from marginalized groups and what needs to change for the coming seasons to shine.

After a hiatus, “Survivor” is returning on Sept. 22 for its 41st season. Assistant Prospect Editor Molly Cutler explores how the show has failed its contestants from marginalized groups and what needs to change for the coming seasons to shine.

USG Movie Review: ‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

For fans of “Snowpiercer” and “World War Z,” Yeon Sang-ho’s “Train to Busan,” should be next on your watch list. The movie’s plot is set into motion when an unknown virus spreads across South Korea and causes a zombie apocalypse. 

For fans of “Snowpiercer” and “World War Z,” Yeon Sang-ho’s “Train to Busan,” should be next on your watch list. The movie’s plot is set into motion when an unknown virus spreads across South Korea and causes a zombie apocalypse. 

Through the Beat: Logic, No Pressure

 “If anything can be learned from Logic’s story, it’s that pressure is a powerful force in life, one that can push you to your limits, for the better or for the worse.” 

“If anything can be learned from Logic’s story, it’s that pressure is a powerful force in life, one that can push you to your limits, for the better or for the worse.”

USG Movie Review: ‘Boyhood’ (2014)

“‘Boyhood’ is an impressive cinematic feat, displaying nuance and restraint in its portrayal of the individuality of Mason Jr.’s life yet also the universality of the obstacles he undergoes — the search for meaning, identity, and belonging in the world. The film offers no grand climax or resolution. It simply moves with clarity and confidence ... ” The Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao reviews the 2014 film “Boyhood.”

“‘Boyhood’ is an impressive cinematic feat, displaying nuance and restraint in its portrayal of the individuality of Mason Jr.’s life yet also the universality of the obstacles he undergoes — the search for meaning, identity, and belonging in the world. The film offers no grand climax or resolution. It simply moves with clarity and confidence ... ” The Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao reviews the 2014 film “Boyhood.” 

‘Kajillionaire’: A surreal meditation on yearning, intimacy, and connection

“The fantastic visual elements and heart-rending plot of ‘Kajillionaire’ distinguish it as a film uniquely suited for these trying times.” 

“The fantastic visual elements and heart-rending plot of ‘Kajillionaire’ distinguish it as a film uniquely suited for these trying times.”