Music

The four songs that got me through my worst heartbreak

This Valentine’s Day, Assistant Editor for The Prospect Claire Shin kills the romantic mood by replaying four songs that helped her heal her heartbreak.

This Valentine’s Day, Assistant Editor for The Prospect Claire Shin kills the romantic mood by replaying four songs that helped her heal her heartbreak.

Princeton student musicians find opportunity and relief through original music

Princeton student musicians write and record their own songs in communal studios or even dorm rooms, often debuting these songs on streaming platforms and at live venues on campus. Even among the challenges of Princeton, these students have made original music an integral part of their college experience. 

Princeton student musicians write and record their own songs in communal studios or even dorm rooms, often debuting these songs on streaming platforms and at live venues on campus. Even among the challenges of Princeton, these students have made original music an integral part of their college experience. 

Inside the Princeton University Band… and their plastic Santa

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

The transformation of Adele: “30” Review

All in all, fans had sky-high expectations for “30,” and Adele delivered; she appeased listeners with more classic-sounding tracks while also successfully stepping out of the typical powerful ballad that characterized her past hits. However, because she refused to entirely keep within her original formula, I don’t expect “30” to be as much of a hit as “21” or “25.”

All in all, fans had sky-high expectations for “30,” and Adele delivered; she appeased listeners with more classic-sounding tracks while also successfully stepping out of the typical powerful ballad that characterized her past hits. However, because she refused to entirely keep within her original formula, I don’t expect “30” to be as much of a hit as “21” or “25.”

Lovejoy returns with EP “Pebble Brain”

“Lovejoy’s newest EP, ‘Pebble Brain,’ follows the same high-energy pop-punk-rock formula that carried ‘Are You Alright?’ to Spotify’s ‘Viral Hits’ playlist. Overall, I’m impressed with it, especially considering that Soot isn’t a professional vocalist. The lyrics might be confusing to many, but their vagueness is their strength: depending on the listener’s interpretation, they can have implications on the personal, political, or societal level.”

“Lovejoy’s newest EP, ‘Pebble Brain,’ follows the same high-energy pop-punk-rock formula that carried ‘Are You Alright?’ to Spotify’s ‘Viral Hits’ playlist. Overall, I’m impressed with it, especially considering that Soot isn’t a professional vocalist. The lyrics might be confusing to many, but their vagueness is their strength: depending on the listener’s interpretation, they can have implications on the personal, political, or societal level.”  

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.’”    

On listening to foreign music: Why songs matter beyond their lyrics

For The Prospect, Associate Editor Aster Zhang reflects on why they enjoy listening to foreign music, even when it’s in a language they don’t understand — finding freedom in not understanding any particular narrative in a song.

For The Prospect, Associate Editor Aster Zhang reflects on why they enjoy listening to foreign music, even when it’s in a language they don’t understand — finding freedom in not understanding any particular narrative in a song.

‘Anyone, anywhere can tell a story’: Rev. Dean Theresa Thames on storytelling, community, and rap aspirations

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer.

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer. 

Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason: Chamber music with intimacy

During a period in which a pandemic has restricted communication, both verbal and musical in nature, brother-sister cellist and pianist duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason performed a program of chamber works rich in interaction, comprised of works by Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, and Rachmaninoff, that spanned the widest possible breadth of the Romantic period. 

Still wish you were Heather? Sam Spector ’24 just released a fresh take on the viral song.

Composer and performer Sam Spector ’24 has released a new single covering the internet sensation with a punk rock twist.

Takács String Quartet reimagines the conventional in virtuosic performance

The Takács’ concert, hosted by Marna Seltzer, was the opening night of Princeton University Concerts’ 2020–21 season, and they brought to their virtual evening a program of works by Mozart, Coleridge-Taylor, Bartók, and Debussy. 

From folk to hip-hop: protest music through the years

Increasingly political content in entertainment is quickly becoming an epochal, cultural trend. But despite its increasing frequency, it continues to be accompanied by staunch, resolute objection: people continue to dislike the invasive nature of today’s politics, and especially its invasion into entertainment and media. But perhaps those voices are forgetting that entertainment has always been political and nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the rich history of protest music in the United States of America.

Queueing Up Some Quarantunes: Prospect Recommendations, Week Three [Spotify Playlists]

Living in a global pandemic leaves you with little to do to keep yourself entertained. To help combat impending boredom, Prospect has launched a series in which our Staff recommend content and creative outlets to keep you occupied while you’re stuck in your home. This week, our writers and editors curated some fabulous playlists for you to jam out to during studying. Here are the songs we recommend that you listen to during quarantine.

When the show can’t go on: COVID-19 and Princeton’s performing arts

“I think theater just has, will, and always will be the space for us to be considering our togetherness and healing the wounds of separation,” Alvarez said. 

Innovation of Music: Glee Club Celebrates Russian Artist Igor Stravinsky

October 18, 1966 marks a special day in the annals of Princeton. On that day, musicians on campus held their breath for the arrival of a special guest - Russian composer, pianist and conductor Igor Stravinsky.

Spring 2016 Lawnparties Preview

Twice a year, Lawnparties brings famous bands and some not-so-famous musical artists to Prospect Avenue.

What's hot on campus?

Event: This is Princeton: 2016 Itching for a comprehensive performing arts event?

Performances up close and personal with Princeton University Concerts

Princeton University Concerts may be soon approaching its 125th anniversary, but its new concert series nicknamed “PUC125” is all about trying something innovative and experimental that breaks away from the traditional classical concert format.

What's hot on campus?

Comedy: Fuzzy Dice Improv Comedy presents “Sidekicks” Some refer to them as “scrubs” or “newbs” (alternatively, “n00bs”), but Fuzzy Dice would like to introduce their new members as “sidekicks.” Sidekicks aren’t lame; they’re necessary for bringing out the awesome in the superheroes they will eventually become.

All Strings Attached: La Vie en Cello

Student groups are created for a wide variety of compelling reasons at Princeton, but what better excuse exists than “Yale has one, so why don’t we?”Yale’s preeminent all-cello rock ensemble Low Strung was established in 2005, followed by Columbia’s String Theory Cellos in 2011.